Month: April 2007

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply. Germany spends 1 ARP (8 left) to bring back an aborted He111H4. It appears at Barcelona. Germany spends 5.5 inf RPs (7 remain) and 0.5 Arm RPs (2.5 left) to replace an Artillery regiment, Combat Engineer regiment, and a motorised AT battalion. The engineers appear with the 66th Corps that occupies part of Barcelona. The artillery and AT are brought on at Perpignan in southern France. Pro Axis guerrillas form a band and attack the rail line in 23A:3420. However, due to patrols from nearby British forces they are unable to successfully complete their mission.

Movement Phase; In the Barcelona area, the 4th RR Engineer rails to the French/Spanish border, then walks across into Spain and starts regauging the rail line there. 33:3521 is now part of the Western European rail net. The 25 Corps moves from Sabadell to Manresa. It will use the village as a jumping off point for its assault against the Spanish Cavalry in Tarrasa. Sabadell is in turn occupied by the 65th Corps.

The 65th Corps is then reinforced with the artillery assets of the 63rd Corps which is still in French territory. One siege unit and a regular artillery regiment are detached. In the captured part of Barcelona, the 66th Corps heads north into the mountains, leaving behind its 2 Combat Engineer regiments. The units stop in 3224. The swap is made with the 62nd Corps, which now occupies the city, and absorbs the engineers. It also receives an extra unit, the 78th Infantry division which advances from the French border.

The weakened 63rd Corps is now down to 2 Infantry divisions. It advances through the mountains to 3325. In Perpignan there are two replaced units, the 559th AT battalion and the 783rd Artillery regiment. These units move into Spain and end movemeny in 3623. To the northwest, the city of Zaragoza is under threat from the 34th Corps. Its northern flank is secured by the 64th Corps which moves across the Ebro river into 2734. Meanwhile the 15th Mountain Corps heads into 2531 and then in a straight line to 2832 behind Zaragoza to cut off its retreat, The mountaineers also gain control of the low volume rail line that crosses the Pyrenees.

Near the Biscay coast, the 1st RR Engineer regiment continues reworking the rail line that runs through Vitoria. It regauges 33:2033 and 33:2033 before using its last MP to get to 33:2134. Slightly further northwest, the 11th Infantry division advances from Bilbao, through Laredo to 23A:1503 outside Santander. It is accompanied by the 33rd Corps which moves to surround the city from 1404, minus the TK Motorised XX. This SS unit detaches from the main group and streams west, crossing the Pisguerda river to cut off Valladolid at hex 2010. The pincer is completed by the 53rd Corps moving west through Burgos to 2008.

Back in France, the 604th Engineer Corps abandons its empty airfield in 33:2028 and heads into Spain via admin movement. It advances to 23A:2107, and is escorted there by the 22nd Air Landing division. Another airfield is abandoned in 1725 near Bordeaux. This allows the 108th Construction regiment to rail down to yet another airfield in 33:2625. In turn, the 674th Combat Engineers that were in 2625 are now free to move, and they head down the road through the Pyrenees. They stop in front of the mountain pass at 2826.

Combat Phase: The Spanish fly a He111E from Madrid on defensive support over Valladolid. There are no Axis fighters within intercept range. 1 Ju88A, 2 Ju87s and a Me110C fly against Santander. They are escorted by a Me109E and an Me109F. The Cr32bis fighters in the city are hopelessly outclassed by the Messerschmitts and choose to scramble and flee. They escape to Madrid.

A Ju88A and a Ju87 which stages through Vitoria support the attack against Valladolid. 4 He111Hs escorted by 2 Me110Cs line up the Spanish 1st Cavalry Division and 23rd cadre in 3526. Although outclassed, the I-15s and CR32s from Barcelona decide to intercept. They might at least have a fighting chance against the Me110s, whereas fighting Me109s is close to suicidal. The CR32bis tries to bypass the fighter screen, but is aborted instead. The I-15s and other Me110s fight out a scoreless draw, with neither registering a hit. All the bombers reach the target.

Combat: The 1st Cavalry XX in Tarrasa is hit with an onslaught of German armour in the form of the 25th Corps. With 8 points of GS the odds are 35:6 or 5:1 +3 (full AEC). 2 is rolled, modified to 5 for a DE. Both the Spanish units are eliminated, and the 25th advances, cutting off Barcelona.

The major city hex of Barcelona is attacked by the German 65th and 62nd Corps. These units have sufficient Combat Engineers to nullify the -1 modifier for the Full city hex. They also have enough siege artillery to provide 51.5 AF. Against the 17 points of defenders, this is a 3:1 even attack. Fierce house to house fighting rages for days as the Germans inch through the city despite significant losses. Finally though, the weight of numbers is too much and the Spanish forces are destroyed (along with most of the city). A 2 is rolled for an EX. The Germans lose 3 engineer regiments and a motorised artillery regiment, plus the 12th Infantry division is reduced to cadre. All the Spanish are eliminated since the city is surrounded by ZOCs. The 65th advances into the city. The Spanish I-15s on the ground attempt to escape but due to lack of fuel they are unable to do so and are torched by their crews.

In the Pyrenees, the remnants of the 43rd Mountain division are attacked by the 28th Infantry Division, 63rd and 66th Corps at 9:1 -2. 4 is rolled, modified to 2 for a DE. The 28th advances from Andorra into the hex where it joins the 66th Corps. The SS Pol Infantry division that was a part of the 66th does not advance.

Zaragoza is surrounded by Axis forces to the east, west and northwest. The 51st Infantry division and 4 assorted regiments can muster 9 defensive factors. Ranged against them are the 64th, 34th and 15th Mountain Corps (which attacks over the Aragon river). There is no air support but the attack is still 66:9 or 7:1 even. The city is totally overwhelmed in short order. A 6 is rolled for a DE, and all Spanish units are destroyed. The 15th Mountain Corps enters the city.

Valladolid, north of Madrid, is also surrounded thanks to the SS TK division that has appeared at its rear. The city is defended by a selection of non-divisional units and 2/3rds of the 71st Infantry division (including its HQ). Along with the defensive support provided by a unit of He111s, the Spanish have a strength of 10. The German 53rd Corps is quite powerful and has 30 AF, plus 4.5 for the SS division and 7 points of AS provided by Stukas and JU88s. The final equation is 41.5:4 for a 4:1 even assault. Without a coherent command structure the Spanish units are in disarray and are swept out of the city and into the Duero river (6 is rolled for a DE). The 53 Corps occupies the city, capturing another ½ RE for the German Iberian rail net.

The last attack is against Santander, which is also isolated by German forces. The 33rd Corps and the 11th Infantry division mount a coordinated assault against the Spanish 11th Infantry division, two Cavalry regiments plus security and border troops. In the air are 2 Ju87s, a Me110 in a ground attack role, plus a JU88A. 38 points vs 9 gives a 4:1 even attack. Again a fierce fight ensues as the Spanish units have to be removed house by house from the city. Finally they are driven into the Bay of Biscay but not before inflicting heavy losses on the German 11th Infantry division. A 1 results in an EX. The Spanish are all eliminated, while the German 11th Infantry is reduced to cadre, and a motorised AT battalion is lost from the 33rd Corps. The cadre occupies what remains of Santander. 3 German short ranged air units land at the Santander airfield, which was captured intact, while the rest land in Bilbao.

Exploitation Phase: A motorised Light AA battalion moves to garrison San Sebastian from the Bordeaux area. The 33rd Corps moves to overrun the Bicycle battalion that has been tearing up the rail line leading to Madrid. It ends movement in that hex, 23A:2705. Leon is occupied by the Totenkopf Motorised Infantry division.

The 33rd Corps breaks up. The 151st motorised Flak battalion heads to Bilbao to guard the air units there against guerrilla attacks, and the 643rd motorised AT battalion is tasked to do the same thing at Vitoria. The backbone of the Corps, the 12th Panzer division, heads further along the coast to take up a position outside Gijon in 23A:1107. Having participated in the attacks near Barcelona, the 25th Corps heads west again down the coastal rail line before heading inland to cross the Ebro river. It penetrates as far as 33:3431, threatening the retreating 32nd Infantry division. It is joined by the 559th motorised AT battalion which moves up from 3623.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 6+17+1 = 24 (4.5 Special RPs received)
• Spanish Isolated – 9+9+9 = 27

Spanish Air – 1A/1K

• German Unisolated – 17+9 = 26 (6.5 Special RPs received)
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – none

Initial Phase: Due to the appearance of Axis forces in Asturias, the garrison of Galicia is activated.
One border and one security regiment appear in La Coruna. The 21st Infantry division and 62nd Artillery regiment are reformed with manpower drawn from men that have managed to escape Axis attacks (7 Inf RPs spent, 1 left). The Infantry appears in Madrid and the artillery comes on in Valencia.

Ground works and strongpoints are completed outside the suburbs of Madrid in quick time by the 1st Construction regiment with the aid of the residents of the city. (Fort in 2710). Partisan units become active in eastern Spain. Attacks are made against strategic rail hexes in 33:3521, 33:2502 and 33:1933. Only one attack succeeds, against the newly regauged line in 3521.
All the German Ju88s and He111s are assigned to naval patrol.

Movement Phase: The British transports in Plymouth embark the 1st Heavy AA brigade, 2 Artillery brigades and the 25th Infantry brigade. These all sail down to Cadiz where they are offloaded. All the ships then refuel in the port. Two unescorted Spanish transports head out of Mellila north to Plymouth, where they embark 2 resource points and end their movement there. From Cartagena a naval transport and a submarine slip out under cover of darkness to avoid enemy aircraft. The submarines rebase to Gibraltar, while the transport heads to Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote. It embarks the 133rd Infantry regiment and heads back east across the Atlantic, ending movement in sea box SC:G1.

In the Canary Islands, more forces are embarked for transfer to the mainland. The 138th Infantry regiment departs from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the 239C Infantry regiment sets out from Las Palmas di Gran Canaria, and the 132nd Infantry regiment is dispatched from Puerto de Cabras on Fuerteventura. All 3 units are disembarked in Malaga, and the transports end movement there.

Portugal: Portuguese forces remain on standby for the moment, no movement is performed.

Britain: The 1st Heavy AA brigade that landed at Cadiz travels overland to Gibraltar. The 7th and 8th Artillery brigades, 25th Infantry brigade and 1st Tank regiment administratively move to join the1st Canadian division in Cordoba. From outside Gibraltar the 3rd Engineer brigade moves forward to Jaen, joining the Spanish 3rd Construction regiment.

On Gran Canaria, all units remaining on the island move into Las Palmas Di Gran Canaria. Likewise, all remaining units on Tenerife move into Santa Cruz De Tenerife. In Spanish Morocco, the ZMO Engineer regiment administratively moves up the road from Melilla to Xauen. The 2O Cavalry regiment which was also stationed in Mellila hops on trucks and is taken to Ceuta.

In the Madrid sector, the 21st Infantry division moves north to secure the important mountain pass in 2412. It is joined there by the 1st Engineer regiment and the 41 Exp Infantry division that rails north from 3622. The 1st and 4th Construction regiments move into the secondary Madrid hex, swapping places with the elite 13th Infantry division. The 1st Light Armoured regiment is tasked to leave the city and head south via administrative movement to join the British 1st Tank XX in 3618. The nearby 5th Light Armoured regiment also joins the mobile stack in the hex. The 42nd Artillery regiment is sent from Cordoba by rail to reinforce 2711.

In front of Valencia, the 32nd Infantry division is ordered to form a screen in the mountains in 3533. Along with the 82nd Infantry division it forms a narrow coastal defense line. The last remaining regiment belonging to the 71st Infantry division falls back to 3633, where it makes up a second line that is unable to be overrun. To the north of Valencia is a critical mountain pass that needs to be guarded. The 43rd Artillery regiment is dispatched from Valencia, and it meets up with the 38th Infantry regiment that trails in from Malaga, and the 82nd MG regiment from Jerez de La Frontera.

In the southern reaches of Spain, the Gibraltar defenses take further shape. The 93rd Infantry division moves up to guard the important rail line that runs through the Cordillera Penibetica at 33A:3918. The 92nd and 91st Infantry divisions take up positions at 3617 behind the Guadalquivir river, adjacent to the British armour. This armour is reinforced by another Light Tank regiment, the 2nd which moves from Sevilla. Right in front of the Rock, the 101st Infantry division, 86th and 89th MG regiments, and the 74th AA regiment bunker down in the fortifications that have been constructed in 3726. The 101st Infantry division stays behind in 3825 for the moment.

3 British bombers rebase from the UK to Malaga. 2 Blen 4s and an A-22 arrive on long range transfer.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase;The Spanish transports in the UK bring their embarked Resource Points back to Spain. One is disembarked at Ceuta, and the other is offloaded in Algeciras. The British transports in Cadiz return to Plymouth, along with their Spanish escorts. They prepare to receive crated fighters. 2 Spanish transports and 1 Landing Craft sortie from Malaga to arrive in the Canary Islands. The transports dock at Las Palmas di Gran Canaria while the LC moves on to the port of Santa Cruz de la Palma.

End of Turn Summary

Barcelona fell quicker than anticipated although the EX result at least gave the Germans something to remember it by. The main problem now is going to be supply, as the forward elements of the German Army are close to their supply range limits. Valencia and 1 hex of Madrid are still needed before the Germans can achieve the magic 10 rail capacity on the Iberian rail net. Spanish casualties continue to be high, but the Gibraltar zone is starting to look reasonably well defended.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 0
• Spanish Isolated – 0
• Spanish Air – 0
• German Unisolated – 0
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 0

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply. 1 ARP is spent (10 left) to bring back a He111H at 33:1725

Movement Phase:The 66th Corps advances to 3623 in preparation for an assault on Barcelona.

In the mountains near Andorra, the 63rd Corps detaches the 78th Infantry division in order to alleviate a stacking oversight. The 78th administratively moves down to Perpignan. The rest of the Corps gets on trains and rails around to 3222 and then by foot to 3223 (using 24 REs of rail capacity). Nearby the 62nd Corps sheds the 28th Infantry division, which is tasked to invade Andorra. This order uses all of its movement allowance.

In the Bilbao area, the 11th Infantry division advances to 1734 to come up behind the defenders. Also, the 1st RR Engineer regiment begins the process of regauging the Iberian rail network by advancing a railhead to San Sebastian and then moving forward to 2032. The 22nd Air Landing division moves up from Bordeaux to provide a (somewhat large) protective force for the railroad workers. The 4th RR Engineer regiment has been stymied in its plan to work through the Pyrenees so it moves by ground to Pau and then rails down to 3021. (Game Note: I have assumed that Axis border and occupation forces prevent Spanish units from entering Vichy France, though I have allowed Spanish ZOCs to extend across the border the turn after Spain has entered the war)

The 34th Corps, which is composed of armoured units, moves to 2601 in order to attack Calatyud. On its eastern flank, the 64th Corps heads south to 33:2632, threatening Zaragoza and the two Spanish units in the nearby mountain pass. The 15th Mountain Corps also moves to flank the Spanish divisions by advancing to 2531. Further north, the 54th Corps uses admin movement through German territory to penetrate just past Miranda de Ebro in 1904. To facilitate staging aircraft, the 674th Combat Engineer moves to 33:2625 and constructs a temporary airfield.

In the air, a Me109F escorts 2 Ju87Bs in an attack on the airfield in Zaragoza. They are intercepted by Soviet supplied I-16/t10s based in the city. The I-16s are aborted for no loss to the Messerschmitts. The Spanish AA is ineffectual, and one hit is achieved, aborting an SM81 unit on the ground.

Combat Phase: One Ju87 is escorted by a Me109F and Me109E to Bilbao. 3 He111Hs from Toulose and 1 from 1725 fly against Barcelona (3624). They are escorted by a Me110C from Perpignan and a second Me110 which stages from near San Sebastian through the newly built field in 2624. A Ju88A4 joins in from 1626. Ground AA fire from the city aborts a He111H A Ju88A4 swaps its torpedoes for bombs as it flies against 3226, escorted by a Me109E which stages from Pau through 2624. Now that the fighters at Zaragoza are out of action, a Ju87 flies unescorted to Calatyud. Lastly, a Ju87 and Me110C pound the positions of the Spanish 82nd Infantry in 2630.

The available Spanish fighters are totally outclassed in the air and decide not to intercept, at least until some Spanish ARPs start to be received. None other of the target hexes have any antiaircraft guns so the rest of the attacking aircraft proceed with their missions unhindered.

Combat: Bilbao’s 6 points of defenders face 37 points of Germans. There is no AEC and -1 for the rough terrain, for a 6:1 -1. 3 modified to 2 for a DR. The Spanish are surrounded by ZOCs so the 72nd infantry division cadres and retreats to 1801. The German 11th Infantry division advances into Bilbao.

In a bold attack, the 15th (Mountain) Corps assaults the well prepared positions of the Spanish 82nd Infantry division in 2630. With GS the odds are 21:5 or 4:1 with a -2 for the mountainous terrain. In an unexpected reverse, a modified -1 is rolled for an AR. The Germans fall back to 2431. Further west at Catalyud, the 33rd Corps can muster 30 AF versus 7 with full AEC. This makes 4:1 with the rough terrain reducing the modifier to +2. 6 on the roll modified to 8 is a DE. The surviving 81st cadre retreats to 2703 and the Axis armour occupies the important rail junction.

Adjacent to the Andorran border, the 43rd Spanish mountain division comes under attack from 2 sides through the mountain valleys. With air support, the Germans muster 26 points against 5, a 5:1 -2. A 3 is modified to 1 for a HX. The cadre retreats to 3325, while the Germans lose a 3-8 Artillery regiment. The 62nd Corps advance into the vacated hex.

Finally at Barcelona, the Spanish 23rd Infantry regiment leads the resistance along with numerous security and border regiments, for a total of 10. Arrayed against the city are the 25th, 65th and 66th Corps, plus 9 points of GS. This gives a final outcome of 56.5:10 or 5:1. The defense is completely overwhelmed, as a 6 confirms the DE. The only unit to survive is the 23rd cadre which falls back to 3626, as the main city hex is already fully stacked. The German 66th Corps advances into the partial hex city.

During the air return step, the Axis bases 2 long range fighters and 3 He 111H bombers at its newly captured airbase in Barcelona 3624. Torpedo capable Ju88s are also placed at Bilbao in order to get closer to Allied shipping lanes through the Bay of Biscay.

Exploitation Phase: The 33rd overruns the 72nd cadre in 1835 and then heads north into Santander territory to stop in 1604. The 34th Corps overruns the 81st cadre in 2703 and then heads back to the hills above Zaragoza in 33:2834.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 5+4+8+2 = 19 (3.5 Special RPs received)
• Spanish Isolated – 6
• Spanish Air – 2A
• German Unisolated – 3 (0.5 Special RPs received)
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 1A

Initial Phase: Spain completes its 4th and final turn of mobilisation. Garrison units are also released for Asturias. Portugal completes turn 2 of mobilisation. Britain does not receive any additional reinforcements apart from 5 ARPs.

The 23rd Infantry division is reconstituted in Madrid from remnants of destroyed formations (5 inf RPs, 3 remain) All the German long range bombers (He111s and Ju88s) switch to Naval Patrol duties. From their new base in Bilbao, German torpedo bombers can now reach as far as the extreme northwest tip of Spain. In the Mediterranean, any naval movement past Alicante will be at risk of detection.

The British 3rd Engineer regiment begins constructing a fort in 23A:3726. These works are the first stage of an outer perimeter around Gibraltar. In Valencia, the 3rd Combat Engineer regiment constructs a fort with the aid of the local civilian population

Movement Phase: The embarked 1st British Armoured division and its Spanish escorts head out of Plymouth, carefully sailing outside the range of Axis naval patrol zones. The tanks disembark at Cadiz and the naval group heads back north towards England. Two Spanish transports pick up an Infantry regiment and a light AA battalion from Las Palmas di Gran Canaria, take them north east through the Straits of Gibraltar, and into Cartagena. They then head back to Spanish Sahara to end movement in Melilla. A third transport brings the 1st Light AA battalion from Santa Cruz di Tenerife to Malaga. The transports then head back towards the Canaries, ending up in Atlantic sea box SC:H2.

From Ceuta, a transport makes a round trip through the far Western Mediterranean. It moves to Melilla, embarking the 50th Artillery regiment. This unit is disembarked in Cartagena (where it will provide valuable supporting arms), and then the transports return to their starting point in Ceuta. Finally, the 1st Spanish Landing Craft rebases from Vigo to Gibraltar.

Portuguese forces remain on standby for the moment, no movement is performed.

Freshly arrived from England, the 1st Tank division races off the docks and heads west to take up a position behind the Guadalquivir river , just to the northwest of Jaen in 23A:3518.

Numerous artillery assets have now been mobilised across Spain. In Galicia, the 48th Artillery regiment that has just mobilised in La Coruna heads down to the mountain pass at 1013. 4 points now guard this important transport line. The defenders of Gijon, who are a motley bunch of leg infantry, welcome the arrival of the heavy guns of the 47th Artillery regiment. This unit boards trains at Medina Del Campo and heads to through Leon before arriving at the Asturias capital.

Further south, the 63rd artillery regiment retreats in the face of the nearby German 53rd Corps. It falls back to the city of Valladolid. Close by, the 41st Artillery regiment administratively moves through the Cordillera Central into the main city hex of Madrid. On the Mediterranean coast, the 50th Artillery regiment gets onto the rail system at Cartagena and heads forward to the units screening Valencia at 33:3633. Last of the artillery units to move is the 64th, which heads by ground from Ciudad Real to Madrid hex 2711.

Over to the Pyrenees, and the 82nd and 32nd Infantry divisions have realised that both their northern and southern flanks have been turned by the Axis invaders. This is despite the repulsion of the attacks of the 15th Mountain Corps. To avoid being surrounded, they head south as quickly as possible through Spanish territory, thus allowing them to administratively move. The 86th XX makes it as far as 33:3632, while the 32nd is not far behind at 33:3532. Consideration was given to bolstering Zaragoza but since close to half of the front line Spanish divisions are already destroyed or battered, conservation seems like a better call. The 82nd is joined by the infantry regiment detached from the broken down 71st division, which was watching the mountain pass at 2926.

At Barcelona, the remnants of the 23rd Infantry move forward to bolster the 1st Cavalry XX that holds the northwestern flank of the city. It has to be said however , that there are overwhelming German forces in the area. In the foothills of the southern Pyrenees, the remains of the 43rd Mountain move into 3225 to try and stop the German 28th Infantry XX from leaving Andorra. Due to terrain it will not be overrunable from that direction, though the adjacent 62nd Corps could probably wipe it out in normal combat if it so chose.

Back to Madrid, and the 1st Bicycle battalion rips up 2 more hexes of the rail line heading towards the city. It completes the turn in 2705. In Spanish Sahara, the considerable forces there make use of the Landing craft that are acting as a ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar. All units in the area make use of administrative movement. The 91st and 92nd Infantry divisions head across from Ceuta as far as Puente-Ganil in 3520. The 93rd Infantry division heads further south in the direction of Granada, to finish in 3721.

A truck pool is used to motorise the 2LE Infantry regiment. This unit heads across the straits accompanied by the 5th Light tank regiment. These two units move towards the British Tank XX and reach as far as Martos. A mixed bag of Engineers, Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry led by the 41Exp division in Tetuan cross the straits and head inland to 3622.

The 101st and 102nd Infantry divisions, along with the 1LE Infantry regiment, join the British Engineers that are constructing fortifications in 3726.In Spanish Sahara, the 4MG Colonial Infantry regiment occupies the International Zone of Tangier, advancing from Xauen. Finally the 86th and 89th MG regiments stationed near Larache head over to the mainland and take positions just outside Gibraltar at 3826. In Valencia, reinforcements have caused the stacking limit to be exceeded. The 3rd Construction regiment therefore rails out of the city westwards to Jaen. A similar situation exists in Barcelona hex 3625, and the 4th Construction regiment rails back into Madrid.

Opportunities for air missions are limited for the Allies. The SM79s in Zaragoza rebase southwards to Valencia.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The British transport contingent at sea on 0321 head back to Plymouth, where they refuel and embark the 1st Tank brigade. The transports and escorts remain at the Plymouth wharves until the end of the turn. Spanish NT-1 heads back to Las Palmas di Gran Canaria from Ceuta. LC-2 departs Larache in Spanish Morocco for Santa Cruz de Tenerife. NT-5 completes its Atlantic journey to arrive at Puerto de Cabras on the island of Fuerteventura.

End of Turn Summary

The Germans are beginning to penetrate into Spain further, but it is going to be a slog along the coast to Valencia. At least the Pyrenees are now cleared out. Spanish losses are quite high, with 7 divisions lost and 2 cadres so far. The forces from Spanish Sahara should be able to construct a decent perimeter for Gibraltar, along with the British units that are still arriving. Naval transport may soon become problematic as the Axis gains more forward airbases for their torpedo bombers.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 0
• Spanish Isolated – 0
• Spanish Air – 0
• German Unisolated – 0
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 0

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply.

Movement Phase: Germany declares war on Spain and invades. The 62 Corps advances to the Spanish/Andorran border at 3124, along with 63 Corps, which uses administrative movement to reach 3024. A Me110C1 transfers from 1626 to Perpignan, and a Me109F1 transfers from near Bordeaux to 2029.

25 Corps crosses the border into Spain and moves forward to the outskirts of Barcelona at 3623. It is joined alongside by 65 Corps which uses rail to get to the Spanish border, then uses normal movement into Gerona . This triggers activation of the Spanish garrison in Cataluna, Two security regiments and a border regiment appear in Barcelona (3624).

66 Corps administratively moves along the roadsystem to 3221, in order to prepare for an assault through the Pyrenees next turn. In the Pyrenees, the 15th Corps, which is mainly composed of mountain troops, heads around end of the high ridge into 2430. A Spanish security regiment activates at Zaragoza.

64 Corps moves into the mountains at 2231, sandwiching the Spanish 22nd Infantry division. Further north, 34 Corps advances into 2031. The Navarra garrison consisting of the 9 Car Border regiment appears in Pamplona. The 11th Infantry Corps advances to the border at 1931, temporarily joining 33 Corps. In order to alleviate stacking, the 1st RR Engineer moves back to 1930. Finally, the 674th Combat Engineer regiment moves from 2028 down to foot of the valley at 2626.

Combat Phase: DS – The Spanish airforce decides to conserve its sparse resources. No missions.

GS – Ju88s from La Rochelle and St Nazaire fly to San Sebastian, accompanied by a Me110C1. Two Me109Es perform escort. 1 Ju87 flies to 2034, escorted by 2 Me109Es. 1 frontline Ju87 and a He111H4 from Nantes fly unescorted against 2132. 3 Ju87s from 1930 and a Me110C4 from Bordeaux fly unescorted against the defenders in the mountains of 2331. 3 unescorted He111H4s go in against 3524. This mission is intercepted by the CR32bis and I15/t25 stationed in Barcelona. The I-15s abort one of the Heinkels, while the CR32bis returns another. The other Heinkel reaches the target but is insufficient to modify the attack.

Attacks: 2032: The 34th Corps, backed up by a group of Ju87s, launches its assault against the Spanish 61st Infantry division. 30 vs 5 gives 6:1 +2. 3 is modified to 5 for a DE. The surviving cadre retreats to 2033, and the 34th Corps advances.

San Sebastian: The 33rd Corps, the 11th Infantry division and 4 railroad siege batteries attack the Spanish 12th Infantry division which is supported by two small regiments. 7 points of GS make the attack 48:7, 6:1 -1. 5 is rolled, modified to 4 for a DE. The 12th XX has a cadre but it is eliminated on retreat due to the ZOC of the 34th Corps. All the units from 1931 advance into the city. . The entry of German troops triggers the release of the Euzkadi garrison. This consists of the 13GC Security regiment which appears in Bilbao.

2132: 53 Corps is backed up by 6 points worth of GS for an offensive total of 36. Defensively the 62 Infantry division and 4th Light armoured regiment total 6, for a 6:1 -2 battle. 3 modifies to 1 for a DR. The light armour is lost, while the Infantry division cadres and retreats to Pamplona. 53 Corps advances.

2331: The 64th Infantry and 15th Mountain Corps have the Spanish 22nd Infantry division surrounded and attack it from 2231 and 2430. With 3 Stukas plus a Me110 aloft adding 7.5 points to the attack (halved for mountains), there is an offensive total of 40.5 against 5, 8:1 -2. 3 modifies to 1 for a DH, and the 22nd division cadre cannot retreat due to ZOCs.

3524: Armored units of the 25th Corps plus the 65th Corps assault the mountainous terrain defended by the Spanish 42nd Infantry division. Due to the loss of aircraft to Spanish fighters, the GS that arrives brings the attacker to 29.5, just short of a 6:1. 5:1 -2. 3 modified to 1 for a HX. The Spanish cadre retreats to 3525, while the Germans lose a Combat Engineer regiment and an Antitank battalion. The 65th Corps advances.

Exploitation Phase The 34th Corps overruns the Spanish 61st Infantry cadre in 2033 at 12:1 , and then proceeds to overrun the Spanish 62nd cadre and border regiment in Pamplona at 10:1. After that it thunders down the rail line to end movement in 2051. This activates the Spanish garrison in Castilla de Vieja, 2 security regiments that appear in Valladolid.

33 Corps heads along the rail line from San Sebastian,, through Vitoria and ends movement in 23A:1702. Further South, 25 Corps wheels around the outskirts of Barcelona to overrun the Spanish 42nd cadre in Sabadell (3525). A Me109F transfers from 1725 to Bayonne.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 3+7+4+3+2+3+2 = 24 (4.5 Special RPs received)
• Spanish Isolated – 5
• Spanish Air – none
• German Unisolated – 3 (0.5 Special RPs received)
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 1A

Initial Phase: A reinforced British Corps is made available in the UK for deployment to Spain. Spain conducts turn 3 of mobilisation. In addition, the garrisons of Valencia, Castilla de Nueva, Santander, Leon, and Extremedura activate. Portugal orders general mobilisation in response to the attack on Spain. However, Allied diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful in gaining transit rights to Portuguese territory. All units are in supply.

The German Ju88A4s in 1626 are assigned to Naval Patrol.

Movement Phase: British transports deposit the 3rd and 43rd Infantry divisions in Cadiz, then head back north to finish movement in 2932. The 3 Spanish transports that appeared in Cadiz transport the 52Exp Infantry division from Villa Sanjurjo in Spanish Morocco to Alicante. They then return back to Melilla and pick up the 90th MG regiment and 20th Cavalry regiment. The group ends its movement in 4716. A Landing Craft from Cadiz moves to Ceuta, in preparation for acting as a ferry across the Straits. A second Landing Craft from Cadiz moves to the Canary Islands and picks up the 39th Infantry regiment from Las Palmas di Gran Canaria (using the maps from TEM 82) and returns to the mainland, though it doesn’t quite have enough MPs to disembark its cargo at the end of the phase. Similarly, another naval transport sets out from Ceuta to Tenerife, and brings the 38th Infantry regiment to just outside Malaga. Finally a transport from Cartagena picks up the 3LE Infantry regiment from Larache and brings it back to Cartagena.

Portugal: The 4th Infantry division moves to 2124, and the 3rd Infantry XX moves alongside in the woods at 2023. Finally, the 2nd Infantry division takes up a position behind the Duoro river at 1315.

Britain: The 3rd Engineer brigade exits Gibraltar carrying a resource point and moves to 3726. 2 newly arrived infantry divisions – the 3rd and 43rd, disembark from Cadiz and move to Sevilla. The 1st Canadian infantry division moves via admin movement from Gibraltar to Cordoba. From Gibraltar, a Hurricane rebases to Valencia, to provide much needed air cover for the city. Replacing the Hurricane are 2 Whitleys which fly directly from the UK.

Spain: A resource point is railed from Madrid to Valencia. In the Pyrenees, the 71st Infantry division in 33:2926 breaks down. One infantry regiment is left to guard the mountain pass, while the rest of the unit moves northwards to Valladolid via rail. It is joined there by the 16th Cavalry regiment from Burgos. Nearby, the 82nd Infantry division nudges 1 hex to the west to protect the rail line at 2630.

To bolster Valencia, the 52 Exp Infantry division moves in from Alicante, accompanied by a Cavalry regiment. This allows a security regiment and the 83rd Machinegun battalion to advance to Barcelona via rail movement. The security regiment goes into 3624 and the MG regiment to bunker down in the main city hex. A Cavalry unit also shuffles into 3624 to alleviate stacking. The 1st Cavalry division moves to Tarassa from Lerida to guard the city flank.

Back at Valencia, the 3LE Infantry regiment and the 34th Light Infantry regiment rail up to the narrow coastal strip in 33:3633 At the approaches to Madrid, the 85th Machinegun regiment joins the 81st Infantry division in Calatyud (2702). The division does not move but damages the important rail junction in the hex. The 1st Bicycle battalion is also sent out of Madrid to rip up rail lines, and it does so in 2708 and 2709.

From Madrid, the 11th Infantry division uses rail movement to head northwards to Santander. Further along the coast, Gijon is garrisoned by the 87th MG regiment, a border and a security regiment from Leon. In Galicia, the 88th MG regiment moves to 1013 to guard the only transportation line that leads to the region. 2 CR32bis units from Bilbao rebase to Santander. A Mxd attack bomber transfers from Malaga into Valencia.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: Transports in 4716 drop off their ground cargo in Cartagena (a Cavalry regiment and a MG regiment), and head back to the Canary Islands. One transport ends its movement in Santa Cruz di Tenerife. Two more end movement in Las Palmas di Gran Canaria. The 6 British Naval transports in 2932 head north to Plymouth, where they embark the 1st Tank Division. They remain in port in order to refuel. They are joined by a Spanish escort of a Light cruiser task force from Vigo, and a Heavy cruiser task force from Cartagena. The Spanish LC-2 also drops off its infantry cargo in Huelva, after being unable to get into Cadiz as planned. A communication breakdown meant that the entire capacity of the port was used by the British unloading their infantry, so the Spanish LCs had to be diverted. After disembarkation is completed, the naval unit heads south to Larache. The 38th Infantry regiment is landed at Malaga by another transport. It then heads off west to end movement in Ceuta.

End of Turn Summary: The Germans made reasonably short work of the Spanish border forces. However, the Spanish have managed to put a presence in most of their cities. It will take quite an effort to dislodge them in a timely manner. British forces have started to arrive and will focus on establishing a Gibraltar perimeter in Andalucia.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 0
• Spanish Isolated – 0
• Spanish Air – 0
• German Unisolated – 0
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 0