AAA/SAM Weapons
Pakistani AAA defenses were limited to Chinese-built ZU-23 and Bofors L/60 pieces. They even had a few antiquated British 3.7 inch pieces that could be readily simulated by using the Soviet 85mm AA counter without FCR capability. The air defense systems were further improved from 1965 by the purchase of British EWR for GO purposes.
Indian defenses would use the same general guidelines as per the 1965 conflict. About 20 SA-2 sites existed in 1971 that protected key military and industrial sites in India. When playing Air Strike scenarios, there should not be more than one site deployed, and that site only if the target would be determined to have key importance. There were rumors that a Soviet TU126 "Moss" AWACS plane also took part in the conflict. This would have the effect of allowing IAF fighters to react against unspotted PAF planes above the ML band if it were agreed that the scenario took place in an area with AWACS coverage.
Ground Forces:
Both sides can be represented by standard infantry, artillery, light and medium armor counters. The Indians would also have some heavy armor (Centurions) by 1971.
Final Comments:
There is a paucity of information concerning the exact losses and tactics occuring in this conflict. It could be assumed that strike tactics would have been similar to those employed in Vietnam and Israel at the time. Dogfighting was still based on low speed turning duels which worked well for types such as the Sabre, Gnat, MiG- 19 and 21, but poorly for the Su-7 and F-104. Both sides pressed for the guns kill, with missiles used sparingly in battle. There was only one instance of an RH missile being fired in 1971, but the Mirage had to break lock when threatened. The IAF mounted a relentless offensive campaign against the East Pakistani Sabres, and their success with the Soviet runway-cratering bombs had to force NATO planners to take notice of what a numerically superior enemy could do to an opposing Air Force operating from fixed runways. It is probable that these lessons spurred the development of the Harrier, the development of Western anti-runway devices such as the MW-1 and JP.233, and improvement in the NATO capability to repair damaged runways. Enjoy the opportunity to pit these combinations of planes against one another!
Aircraft Appearance Tables for Campaign Scenarios
Die Roll = Type
Pakistani Fighters:
1 = Late model F-86F Sabre
2-5 = Canadair Sabre 6
6 = F-104A Starfighter
7-9 = F-6 (MiG-19) Farmer
10 = Mirage III EP
Pakistani Strike Aircraft:
1 = Late model F-86F Sabre
2-6 = Canadair Sabre 6
7 = F-104A Starfighter
8 = F-6 (MiG-19) Farmer
9 = Mirage III EP
10 = B-57 Canberra
Indian Fighters:
1-5 = MiG-21FL Fishbed
6-7 = Hawker Hunter
8-10 = Gnat Mk.1
Indian Strike Aircraft:
1 = MiG-21FL Fishbed
2 = Gnat Mk_ 1
3 = Mystere IV
4 = HAIL Marut
5-6 = Hawker Hunter
7 = Canberra or Sea Hawk
8-10 = Su-7B Fitter
Editor's Note:
The Campaign scenarios Bob refers to are Air Superiority General Scenarios G-15 and G-16, which were printed in issues #3 and #5 of Air Power respectively. As for Aircraft Data Cards: The Hunter, Mystere IV, Sabre, and Gnat all appeared in issues # 14 and #18 of Air Power. Data cards for the Canberra have yet to be made. The B-57 and F-104A are available in "The Speed of Heat!" by COA games. A first ed. F104 card appeared in Air Power#4. The Sea Hawk data card has not yet been made.
Liberation of Bangladesh 1971 Indo-Pakistan Air War
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© Copyright 1992 by J.D. Webster
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