BTH Khalkhin Gol Scenario C

This is the hardest scenario thus far for the Soviets, as the actual historical event led to an entire squadron of I-16s being virtually wiped out. As this wouldn't be much fun for the Soviet player, I've  tweaked the scenario conditions to make it harder for the Japanese to win. On 27th May 1939, the a squadron of the 22nd IAP, consisting of eight I-16's was dispatched to a forward improvised airstrip at Hamar Daba to patrol over the frontlines. After an uneventful morning of patrols, the squadron returned to refuel at the airstrip, when three Ki-27's were spotted approaching from the east at 2500m. The squadron scrambled but, due to contaminated fuel and poor engine maintenance, two aircraft failed to take off including the squadron CO. 

The remaining six pilots, all of whom were inexperienced and had not been in combat before, managed to assemble in a disorganised line, failing to form any sort of combat formation. At 2000m they were then bounced by six Ki-27's in two flights of the 1st Chutai, 11th Sentai led by Captain Shimada, the squadron CO. These dived down at high speed and ripped into the gaggle of I-16's, with the three Ki-27's that had been acting as bait joining in the dogfight. Despite the efforts of the deputy CO, Lt Cherenkov, to form some sort of defensive circle, the I-16's were hammered, with two shot down, one crashing, two suffering engine failure and only one escaping undamaged. The Soviets claimed one Ki-27 shot down for the loss of three of their own pilots killed or wounded.

This is clearly a very one sided scenario, with most of the Soviet pilots rated as sprogs against a unit of regular and veteran Japanese pilots. The Japanese have the advantage of numbers, height, the sun and superior skill, so to balance this out I have written in some pretty tight victory conditions for them to meet. They have to shoot down at least half of the I-16's to win. I've given the Soviets a simple objective, which is to shoot down only one Ki-27 before they can make a getaway. I might also include a 'bad fuel' card on which each I-16 has to roll to pass and I will be removing the Soviet formation bonus card, with the I-16's not being allowed to formate but activating as individual aircraft on the Zveno Move/Fire card. I think this will even things out a bit and avoid a walk over for the Japanese but still allow for a realistic outcome that matches the historical events.