Let’s talk about the aerial warfare in España:1936 a little bit. The Spanish Air Force of the pre-war time was very obsolete, so when the war begins only a RGD of air bombardment with Breguets XIX is available.
After the initial RGD’s are chosen asking the Soviet Union for SB-2 bombers and I-15 and I-16 fighters much better planes are available. Finally this turn we have available new “air” RGD’s
Here you can see the planes:
Tupolev SB-2 bomber known during the Spanish Civil War as “Katiuska”.
Polikarpov I-15 fighter, nicknamed “Chato” (snubnosed) by the Republicans and “Curtiss” by the Nationalist (initially confused by them with the Curtiss Sparrowhawk).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_F9C_Sparrowhawk
Polikarpov I-16 fighter, the popular “Mosca” (housefly) among the Republicans and “Rata” (Rat) for the Nationalists.
The first RGD is Air Bombardment. By paying 5,000 pesetas ($5 in game terms) and 2 EP we can reduce the cohesion of up to 5 elements by 20% in the target area.
The Air Defense can cause the enemy to lose one bombardment RGD. The target area must be owned by our side and has a cost of $3 and 1 EP.
Finally, Air Superiority can cause the loss of one Air Defense RGD. Has a cost of $1 and 1 EP and the target area must be one we don’t own.
As you can see, from a totally obsolete air force on both sides, and although a Non Intervention Pact has been signed by European Powers, the air war is becoming more complex with modern aircrafts models. The enemy has requested help from Italy, which could deliver to our opponents planes like the Fiat CR-32 or the SM-81:
Fiat CR-32 figther nicknamed “Chirri”.
Savoia-Marchetti SM-81 bomber, nicknamed “Slug” by its Italian pilots.
But the war goes on. Now we are centered in the last stage of the capture of Zaragoza. Hernandez Saravia’s men will rest this turn as their cohesion is a bit low, while the column arriving from Bujalaroz and composed of 2 brigades of four milita battalions will execute the assault.
Finally, Mera’s troops didn’t manage to arrive at the city, and now it will be for our advantage. Their orders are cancelled, and now they’ll march to Tarazona, taking the railway to Pamplona.
In Teruel, the Valencia Column has split, now a brigade is taking the railway controlled by the enemy north of the city, and allowing thus a rail link between Zaragoza and Teruel controlled by us. The anarchists will occupy Molina de Aragón in the meantime.
Our new Asturian battalions have been received in Gijón:
In the North the Front is still quiet but we will try to do a slight reorganization of the line. Anarchists of San Sebastián will try to retake the Irun area, where the French border is located.
The rest of the force of San Sebastián will march South, approaching Pamplona.
And finally a couple of militia battalions, reinforced with the artillery purchased in Santander, will march South.
In the Center, as the quiet situation remains, the Column in Guadalajara will move North and try to conquer Soria.
In the South, Pozas (***) a mediocre general (2-1-1 ratings) takes command of the forces in Granada, at least in this manner the strongest Republican force in the South Front no longer suffers from command penalties. The now Pozas force is ordered to advance to Alcalá la Real.
In Málaga, the militia battalion is ordered to assault the position (strength 73 against 37 for the defenders).
In the Mediterranean, our transports from Barcelona had suffered a delay and they are still near the city. A turn more must pass before we can proceed to evacuate some of our forces while supply is depleting. Our warships are already in the area for their covering mission.
The assault on Málaga is a total disaster. The enemy garrison was well entrenched and have repelled our assault easily.
Zaragoza is finally taken! The garrison is swept away and now this Objective has fallen to the Republic!
Very bad news again in the South. Finally the rebels have decided to take the offensive and want to re-take Granada. 10,000 men under the able Orgaz, including legionnaire elite units meet Pozas force in Alcalá la Real and inflict a heavy defeat upon us.