Historical Battles for FIAT Cr42, GLOSTER Gladiator, DEWOITINE D520, GRUMMAN Martlet

Here are some historical battles involving planes that are not often played in scenarios.
FIAT Cr42, GLOSTER Gladiator, DEWOITINE D520, GRUMMAN Martlet

These battles involved some more common planes like :
Hurricane, Spitfire, P.40, P.51, Beaufighter, Bf.109, Bf.110, Ju.87, Re.2001
He.111, B.25, B.17
and new P.47 et A.24 (SBD)

(in bold WoG or WoW miniatures)
Every link are in English or both English/French.


NORWAY April-June 1940
GLOSTER Gladiator

7 Norvegian Gladiator shot down 2 Bf.110, 2 He.111, 1 Ju.52 on April.

Gladiator (RAF 263 sq)
Hurricane (RAF 46 sq)
vs
Bf.110 - Ju.87 - He.111
Do.17 - Ju.88 - FW.200 Condor
https://themerseysidefew.com/pilots/...uadron-norway/

According to the following document, Bf.109 are also involved in Norway invasion (page 31-32)
http://org.uib.no/nordiki/9april1940.pdf


BATTLE OF FRANCE May-June 1940
DEWOITINE D.520 - FIAT Cr.42

French D.520 fought against German and Italian
Bf.109 - Bf.110 - Ju.87 - He.111
Do.17 - Ju.88 - Hs.126
Cr.42, Breda 20 bomber
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...ine-d-520.html


BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940
FIAT Cr.42 - GLOSTER Gladiator - GRUMMAN Martlet

Corpo Aero Italiano is sent to Belgium from late September to November 1940
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpo_Aereo_Italiano
Fiat Cr.42
Fiat G.50 - Breda Br.20 - Caproni Ca.133 - CANT Z.1007
They fought against Hurricane and Spitfire.
November 11th : Mission with german Bf.109 and italian Cr.42, Br.20

Gladiator are not involved in high altitude fights but 247 sq Gladiator chased a He.111 (late October)
239 sq and 804 naval sq (Sea Gladiator) are operational during BOB.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Gladiator

The Christmas Day 1940, 2 Grumman Martlet, based in the Orkneys, shot down a Ju.88 over Scapa Flow.
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...wildcat-2.html


RUSSIA 1941-44
FIAT Cr.42 (use Italian or German model)

Cr.42 are used by Hungarian Air Force to attack Russia, from June to November 1941.
A Reggiane Re.2000 is tested in combat on August 11th (use Re.2001)
Victories against Russian planes Polikarpov I.15, I.16, I.17, R.5, Tupolev SB and non identified planes (use Yak 1 as 92 were operating on Russian western area)
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_hungary.htm

Special note about the HENSCHEL 123 biplane bomber : same look and dimensions as the FIAT Cr.42 (except a few details on struts).
Operational during Poland, France and Russia invasions for ground support, it remained active in Russia until 1944.
Use the german Cr.42 (Gressler) with an I deck ( Stuka, Val, Dauntless),whereas the Hs.123 was a bit slower.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henschel_Hs_123


MEDITERRANEAN 1940-1942
FIAT Cr.42 - GLOSTER Gladiator - DEWOITINE D.520 - GRUMMAN Martlet

MALTA
1940 : Fiat Cr.42 / Gloster Gladiator
1942 : Re.2001 / Spitfire V (use MkII or MkIX)

GREECE October 1940
RAF Gladiator and Hurricane against Italian planes.
(Cr.42 - Ju.87 - 1942 Re.2001)

LIBYA
April 16th 1941 : Cr.42 shot down the first Beaufighter on Mediterranean front.

Last RAF Gladiator fight took place in Eastern Africa on October 24th 1941 (against Cr.42)

27th October 1942 (El Alamein) : Axis planes on a bombing mission of an artillery position.
Italian Cr.42 - Macchi C.202 (use Re.2001)
German Ju.87 - Bf.109
Vs
US P.40 Warhawk
RAF Hurricane II and Spitfire V (use MkII or MkIX)
Page 6 : https://books.google.com/books?id=7V...XSDEgQ6AEIHjAA

LEBANON / SYRIA 1940-1941
DEWOITINE D.520

French Vichy D.520 (LeGloan)
vs
RAF Hurricane
Gladiator
P.40 Tomahawk (use French Gisclon P.40 with British cockade)
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...e-d-520-4.html


ALGERIA / MOROCCO November 1942 Operation Torch
DEWOITINE D.520 - GRUMMAN F4F Wildcat + Martlet

French Vichy D.520 (LeGloan)
vs
US Wildcat
RAF Martlet, (Sea) Hurricane, Seafire (use Spitfire)
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...wildcat-2.html


ITALY 1943
GRUMMAN Martlet - DEWOITINE D.520

Martlet used with Seafire for Sicily invasion (July 1943)
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...wildcat-2.html

Italian D.520 (Stella) attacked US B.24 bombers (March to September)
1st March 1943 : D.520 - MC.202 - German Bf.210 attacked US B.24
(use Re.2001, Bf.110 and B.17)
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...e-d-520-6.html

June 1944 : German Cr.42 is attacked by a Beaufighter near Roma
http://www.aresgames.eu/2065


BULGARIA 1943-1944
DEWOITINE D.520 (Use Italian D.520)

November 1943 : US B.25 Mitchell (12th AF), P.38 are attacked by Bulgarian D.520 and Bf.109G (use Bf.109K)
January, March, April 1944 : US B.17, B.24 (15th AF) with escort (P.38, P.51, P.47) are attacked by Bulgarian D.520 and German Bf.109G (JG.5)
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...e-d-520-5.html


FRANCE 1944-1945
GRUMMAN Martlet - DEWOITINE D.520

6 June 1944 Normandy - 15 August 1944 Provence : Martlet are used for beaches protection
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...wildcat-2.html

Free French D.520 (use Tholon) for ground attack and escort of Douglas A-24 Banshee (use Ruet model) against German troops on Atlantic coast.
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...e-d-520-4.html[/QUOTE]

I love this thread! When I am not sure about a minor theatre mini, I'm trying to find a way how to play it instead reasons why not. Perfect work!

Great job!

And I must note a very special mission with Gladiators. It's Rafal's Crete '41 from Prague Con '16 :) Check it, it works very well :thumbsup:

Do you remember it, Dennis? :)

Of course do I remember! My absolute favorite mission of the Con. ;)

Just saw this. Great ideas on what planes to use that we don't see that often. Thanks for the post.

A great thread! I always like to play scenarios based on less known battles and this is perfect to get some inspiration. :thumbsup:
You're definitely getting some REP for this!
Thanks


Nick

In reference to ALGERIA / MOROCCO November 1942 Operation Torch, you recommended to use the Spitfire as a substitution for the Seafire. In the original box, stats for the Seafire were released and go as follows.

Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIC
Deck C
HP 18
Close range BCC
Long range AC


Both the original Nexus model or the Ares Mk IX model will work for a substitution model.

Great job on the list, will be sure to use it !!!!!

Ah yes,
a great listing for an early war lover like me ...:sAprvd:
Glad I just bought me 2 Gladiators and two CR.42s !
I already have D.520's, Macchi C.202s, Hurricanes, a lone Spitfire, Ju 52s, Beaufighters, Blenheims Mk.I and II, Me 110's, Me 109s, Martlets & Wildcats, A-24 Banshees.
So yes, those listings will find their use in my games.
Thanks and well deserved rep given,
cheers,
Guus :salute:

This is a rep worth thread to "commemorate" those "forgotten" planes.
Second War was not fought by Spitfires, Mustangs and Zeros only. The variety of planes, especially in the Early War and in the Pacific theatre is truly great.
Well done, monse. :clap:

Alas we did not manage to put a PZL in the catalogue... yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Angiolillo

Alas we did not manage to put a PZL in the catalogue... yet.

---

It is very nice of you, Andrea, but I know we should wait:). What we really need are those stylish Italian designs: MC 200, 202, SM 79!:D

At least one of the three is under study... let me keep the secret on which.

Besides, these Italian planes fought against PZLs... Here a PZL "shooting" down a SM.79. Actually, cutting its tail with the propeller.

Attachment 206924
Attachment 206926

The Greek campaign with PZL P-24 in Greek service battling with Reggia Aeronautica! That would be super cool Andrea!
:clap::clap::clap: Waiting...

Just some old pictures I took at the Greek Air Force museum in Athens. Nothing that can be done with official minis in the next few years, I fear... :(

I was lucky and got my hands on really cheap copies of the Grumman Wildcat/Martlet III (Black) and Dewoitine D.520 (Le Gloan) and now I want to pit those two against each other. Did these two fought against each other? The Theater of Operations (North Africa) seems to suggest so, but I haven't found any reports. Any help is much appreciated.

From Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewoitine_D.520

Quote:

---

During Operation Torch [the invasion of North Africa], GC III/3 (previously known as GC I/3), was engaged in combat with the Allies over Oran. Flotille 1F saw action versus the United States Navy Grumman F4F Wildcat squadron VF-41 (from the carrier USS Ranger), over Casablanca. One D.520 was among 14 US victory claims; the only Allied losses were due to ground and friendly fire.

---

I do not know about Italian ones...

Ah yes, thank you Andrea. But there are only US Wildcats mentioned and not the British ones.

The following link shows that British Martlet were used during Torch.
But English planes were supposed to have American marking (to avoid hostile reaction from local after Mers El Kebir French naval). destruction
http://ww2fighters.e-monsite.com/pag...wildcat-2.html

https://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/19/21/02/61/img_3512.jpg
https://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/19/21/02/61/img_3511.jpg

" The Belgian Air Force was effectively suppressed on 10 May, suffering heavy losses on the ground. At Schaffen all but one of the 11 Hawker Hurricane fighters were wiped out, while the squadron of 15 Gladiators lost about six aircraft. Of the 23 Fiat biplanes, about 14 were destroyed. In total, about 80 aircraft were lost on the ground. "

Yes, the Belgian Air Force had both Gladiators and Cr42s, as well as Hurricanes. Opponents - Ju87, He111, Bf109E, Bf110C.

Gladiators were also used in China, but before any of the Ares planes were in service.

Finland also used Gladiators, and some were still in service during the continuation war, vs Yaks.

Well, it looks plausible ieven if not real.

Here three Martlets that Vichy's D.520 claimed, but I fear that they are US F4F from VGF-26 instead:

https://books.google.it/books?id=6o6...0D.520&f=false

See http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_belgium.htm and http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_belgium.htm

In October 1940 two 804 Sqn FAA Grumman Martlets based on Orkney forced down a Junkers Ju 88A that was attempting to bomb the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.* This was the first victory credited to an American built fighter in British service. You could substitute a Heinkel He 111 for the Junkers.

Great stuff! This should help a lot.

Great stuff, Monse.
A note about the HENSCHEL 123: use the ZM deck (check Zoe Brain's files) and hold the ceiling at 10.
I figure the PZL 24s would use the J deck, where the PZL 11s used the ZL deck (ZM for the 4 MG version).
If the Poles had bought there own 24s, instead of waiting for the next model, they would have been fighting on a bit more even footing.
Karl

The Gloster Galdiators of 247 based at Roborough in Devon also took off to intercept some Dornier Do.17's escorted by Me.110's on a raid but the Gladiators were too slow to catch them. Gladiators were withdrawn from front line service in Britain.

Grumman Martlets of the Fleet Air Arm operating from escort carriers fought with Focke-Wulf Condors and Junkers Ju.88's whilst protecting convoys to and from Gibraltar.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by monse

BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940
FIAT Cr.42 - GLOSTER Gladiator

Corpo Aero Italiano is sent to Belgium from late September to November 1940
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpo_Aereo_Italiano
Fiat Cr.42
Fiat G.50 - Breda Br.20 - Caproni Ca.133 - CANT Z.1007
They fought against Hurricane and Spitfire.
November 11th : Mission with german Bf.109 and italian Cr.42, Br.20

---

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...cdc557baa5.jpg
An Italian Fiat CR 42 biplane fighter of 18° Gruppo, 56° Stormo, Corpo Aereo Italiano, which crash-landed at Orfordness in Suffolk during the Regia Aeronautica's only major daylight raid of the Battle of Britain, 11 November 1940. The Italian formation, comprising a dozen BR.20 bombers and their escorts making towards Harwich, was intercepted by Hurricanes of Nos. 17, 46 and 257 Squadrons.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...stoft_1940.jpg
An Italian Fiat C.R. 42 Falco fighter (85-16, s/n MM.6976, 18° Gruppo/85a Squadriglia/Stormo 56°) which had crashed at Lowestoft, Suffolk (UK) on 1430 hrs, 11 November 1940. The pilot, Sergente Antonio Lazzari, evaded three Hawker Hurricanes until the variable pitch gear of the propeller jammed, leaving one of the three blades at a different pitch to the rest. Lazzari decided to land. Upon landing he ran over a railway line which caused the aircraft to crash into a field. Lazzari was was unhurt.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...1493030224.jpg
A Fiat BR.20 bomber that crashed in Rendlesham Forest near Woodbridge,

Another plane that is not often played during games
The Junkers Ju.87 Stuka Regia Aeronautica (Wings of War Sugaroni model) was used in the Mediterranean front from October 1940 up to 1942.

Attachment 286603

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_87 (chapter : North Africa and the Mediterranean) :

The Regia Aeronautica was equipped for a while with the Stukas. In 1939, the Italian government asked the RLM to supply 100 Ju 87s. Italian pilots were sent to Graz in Austria to be trained for dive-bombing aircraft. In the spring of 1940, between 72 and 108 Ju 87 B-1s, some of them ex-Luftwaffe aircraft, were delivered to 96° Gruppo Bombardamento a Tuffo. The Italian Stuka, renamed Picchiatello, was in turn assigned to Gruppi 97°, 101° and 102°. The Picchiatelli were used against Malta, Allied convoys in Mediterranean and in North Africa (where they took part in conquering Tobruk). They were used by the Regia Aeronautica up to 1942.
Some of the Picchiatelli saw action in the opening phase of the Italian invasion of Greece in October 1940. Their numbers were low and ineffective in comparison to German operations. The Italian forces were quickly pushed back. By early 1941, the Greeks had pushed into Italian-occupied Albania. Once again, Hitler decided to send military aid to his ally. Before the Luftwaffe could intervene, the Italian Ju 87s achieved some successes. 97 Gruppo (Group) and its 239 Squadriglia (Squadron) sinking the Hellenic Navy freighter Susanah off Corfu on 4 April 1941 while the torpedo boat Proussa was sunk later in the day. On 21 April the Greek freighter Ioanna was sunk and they accounted for the British tanker Hekla off Tobruk on 25 May and then the Royal Australian Navy destroyer Waterhen on 20 June. The British gunboat Cricket and supply submarine Cachalot became victims. The former was crippled and later sunk by Italian warships.

I've got two of those, plus alot of other Italian aircraft.