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The 1948-1949 Arab-Israeli conflict During the ceasefire of the summer of Lysanders and Douglas Dakotas. Like involved a number of factors that 1948, the Israelis renewed their the Israelis, the Egyptians used their make it an interesting topic for a efforts to acquire more combat transports as bombers. They also DOWN IN FLAMES campaign. It was aircraft. The scrap yards of the operated the only type of non-RAF the last major war in which no jet former RAF airfields in Israel aircraft to serve with an Arab state aircraft were employed. More provided enough parts for the Israelis during the conflict-the Macchi M.C. signficantly, a wide variety of aircraft to build several Supermarine Spitfires 205.2 The Syrians and Iraqis were less were employed by the combatants. of various marks. A few more well equipped, fighting with nothing The Israelis employed British, Spitfires were built out of the more advanced than a couple of American and Czech aircraft. The wreckage of Egyptian machines shot squadrons of Harvards. Yet, they Arabs flew British, American and a down during the early part of the were better off than the Jordanians handful of Italian airplanes. conflict. In mid-July, the Israelis and Lebanese, who had no modern managed to add three B-17G Flying aircraft at all. An international arms embargo Fortresses to their inventory. These prevented the newly established Despite the limited number of airplanes had been smuggled out of Jewish state from gaining weapons aircraft the United States in haste and were from any of the world's major involved, the air war was quite missing important equipment such as powers, so the Israelis were forced to intense. The majority of the activity gun turrets, bombsights and oxygen equip their fledgling air force by was in support of the ground war. tanks. But the single most significant clandestine means. The Israelis Both sides accorded high priority to addition to the Cheyl Cha'Avir in the succeeded in obtaining a wide variety missions against enemy troops, ceasefire period was a couple of of aircraft types, but could get only supply routes and other tactical squadrons of Spitfire IX's purchased a targets. However, a number of from Czechoslovakia. The first of handful of any given design-a strategic missions were attempted as these were delivered in June. The rest logistical nightmare. well-Tel Aviv, Cairo, Damascus and arrived in Israel on an irregular Amman were all bombed during the The first aircraft acquired by the schedule over the next few months. conflict, although little material Cheyl Cha'Avir, the Israeli air force, As the war progressed, the Israelis damage was done. Several bombers were light observation aircraft of acquired a few more types of combat were shot down on these raids, but limited military utility such as the aircraft, most notably North for the most part, air-to-air combat Piper Cub and the Taylorcraft Auster. American P-51D Mustangs, Bristol was a relatively rare occurrence. In late April 1948, however, Beaufighters and North American Neither the Arabs nor Israelis had Czechoslovakia, needing hard Harvards (ex-RAF T-6 Texans). The very many airplanes, so encounters currency, offered to sell Israel all of Israelis usually got just three or four between aircraft were usually its remaining Avia 5.199's (a variant of each, so they would assign one to accidental. A number of Israeli pilots of the Messerschmitt Bf109 built in be a source of spare parts and use the did, however, score multiple aerial Prague). Because it had an engine rest in combat. victories during the conflict. These originally designed for bombers, the include Modi Alon, Joseph Doyle S.199 performed poorly (the Czechs Other aircraft operated by the Israelis (whose four kills made him the nicknamed it the Mezek or mule)' but include the Noorduyn C-64 highest-scoring airman of the war), it bore the brunt of the fighting in the Norseman, Lockheed Hudson, Rudolph Augarten and Joseph early days of the war, primarily as a Douglas C-54 Skymaster and McElroy. McElroy's victory total is fighter and ground attack aircraft. deHavilland Dragon Rapide. They rather unusual in that two of his also made arrangements to buy some The S.199's were delivered to Israel in three kills were British, not Arab, P-40 Warhawks and A-20 Havocs. Curtiss C-46 Commando transports, aircraft. These deals fell through, however, which had been acquired earlier by and none of the aircraft ever reached Britain's Royal Air Force was the Israelis and were later pressed Israel. A small force of deHavilland involved in the fighting throughout into service as makeshift bombers. Mosquito bombers arrived too late to the war. Israel had been controlled by The Israelis also had a number of see action in the war. the British until independence was other cargo aircraft, mostly Douglas declared on May 15, 1948 and the Dakotas (ex-RAF C-47 Skytrains), The various Arab nations had much British maintained a presence in which were also used for bombing less colorful air arms. As former Israel even after the Arab invasion. In missions. Of course, these converted British outposts, most were equipped transports lacked bombsights and with castoff RAF aircraft. The 1. The Israelis referred to them as "messers" (knives). "Messerschmitt" is bomb racks, so their crews simply Egyptians had the largest air force, German for knifemaker. rolled the bombs out of the cargo flying Spitfire V's and IX's, Westland 2. The identity of these aircraft is disputed; doors some sources describe them as Fiat G.55's. late May, a number of RAF aircraft at or a "Miss." A hit inflicts one point of 1.The Norden Bombsight bonus may not Ramat David airfield in central Israel damage on the target; a miss does no be used. 2.Turret Defense is reduced to 1. damage. Should the controlling player so were bombed and strafed by Egyptian 3.Turret Support is reduced to 1. desire, an airplane that has performed aircraft. The British withdrew from 4.The B-17 may not fly at High or Very hand-held bombing may also Strafe the High altitude (remember it may bomb Israel soon thereafter. They did, target (if otherwise qualified to do so). only from Low or Very Low Altitude). however, continue to look after their Note: Target Flak is increased by one C-47 Dakota. The Dakota cards provided interests in the Middle East, relying against bombing aircraft flying at Very with this campaign have neutral Low Altitude. primarily on their bomber and fighter (American) markings because both the squadrons based in Egypt. These New Resources Arab and Israeli player can use them. The aircraft saw considerable action. In the British Intervention. Draw one random Dakotas in missions 1, 11, and 13 are Arab latter part of the war, as the Israelis Action card and refer to its color. Consult (Egyptian). penetrated into Egyptian territory, the the following table to determine its effect: The Dakotas in missions 15, 16, and 19 are British became concerned that the Suez Red-Bordered card: Disregard the Israeli. Transport missions involving the C-47 Dakota take place at Low or Medium Canal might be threatened. To mission/ target drawn and play mission #12 instead. The Israeli player altitude. Bombing missions involving the demonstrate their displeasure, the defends with one element of (RAF) C-47 may take place at Low or Very Low British made several penetrations into Spitfire XIV's. The Israeli player scores Altitude. Israeli airspace in January 1949. These no VPs for damage done by the RAF T-6 Harvard. The Harvard cards provided intrusions were met with force and a aircraft. with this campaign have neutral number of British aircraft (including Any other card: Play mission/target as (American) markings because both the Spitfires, Tempests and Mosquitoes) drawn. The Israeli player receives one Arab and Israeli player can use them. The element of Avia S.199's. Harvards in missions 10 and 13 are Arab were shot down by the Israelis. British Overflight. Draw one random (Syrian). The Harvards in missions 2, 4, 6, Action card and refer to its color. Consult 8, 9, and 17 are Israeli. This campaign will provide the DOWN the following table to determine its effect: Spitfire IX. The Israeli and Egyptian IN FLAMES player with an unusual Red-Bordered card: Disregard the Spitfire IX cards provided with this mission/target drawn and play campaign differ from the Spitfire IX cards challenge-combat between two mission #18 instead. The Arab player from 8AF. Use the Spitfire IX cards from perfectly matched aircraft. Players will controls the element of (RAF) Spitfire this campaign whenever possible. have the opportunity to pit two aircraft XIV's. The Arab player scores no Victory Points for damage done by the However, there will be times that the of the same type against each other, RAF aircraft. Egyptian player will need two elements of depending on their skill and luck, Any other card: Play mission/target as Spitfire IX's-one pair assigned as instead of their aircraft's performance, drawn. The Arab player receives one mission assets, the other made available for victory. It should be an interesting element of Spitfire IX's. as resources. In this case, the Egyptian experience. Fighter-Bombers. Your fighters may start player should use the Spitfire IX cards the mission carrying bombs. from 8AF, which do NOT carry bombs, as RULES Mistaken Identity. The player choosing his resource aircraft. this resource ("Player A") receives an Aircraft Classes. Because the Arabs and This campaign is to be played according element of the aircraft type indicated Israelis both used aircraft for purposes for to current DiF usage (RotL campaign and which they were not originally designed, bearing the markings of his opponent players may not be able to identify the resource rules, 8AF dogfighting and ("Player B").

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