Europa Games and Military History

Month: August 2007

Aug II 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The cadre of the 21st Infantry division, which is still in the Cordillera Central, is running low on food and ammunition. It is now at U-2 status. Only the German Ju88A4 aircraft go on Naval Patrol duty this turn. Attacks on rail lines are made by Spanish partisans in 23A:4110, 4210 and 33:3531. The line in 4210 is hit but the other two operations fail. The 6MK Infantry regiment is formed from volunteers in the Tangier International Zone, and appears at Tangiers. Due to administrative confusion, the Spanish forgot to call up infantry replacements last turn. However, due to the loss of key cities they only receive 0.5 Colonial Inf RP (1.5 total), 0.5 Inf RP in the Canaries (1.5 total) and 1 in mainland Spain (5.5 total). 5 Inf RPs are used to bring back the 23rd Infantry division in Cordoba. 3 more GSPs are generated at Sevilla.

Movement Phase: Allied Naval forces lick their wounds in Gibraltar. However, since only 2 German air units are on Naval Patrol, and they are in Madrid, the fleet decides to make a run to pick up some troops from the Balearic Islands. The German pilots find nothing except the calm waters of the Mediterranean on their patrols. The 61st Infantry regiment is collected from Ibiza, the 37th boards at Palma in Mallorca, and the 38th is taken from Mahon on Menorca. All units disembark in Gibraltar and move to 3825. The fleet returns to the Gibraltar docks.

Due to the arrival of the Spanish 23rd Infantry division in Cordoba, the british 25th Infantry brigade repositions to Sevilla. Spanish reserves in 3522 advance to the river line at 3418, to protect the flank of the Allied armour.

Cavalry is sent to rip up rail track behind the front line in order to deny it to the Germans should they break through. The 13th Cavalry regiment damages Antequera and 3723 before moving to 3721. Likewise, the Mar Colonial Cavalry brigade damages the line in 3622, 3522 and Lucena. Behind them, the 74th Heavy AA regiment comes out of its fortifications and places hits in 3726, 3725 and Ronda in 3624. Lastly, all the units in the front lines pull up the rail lines in their hexes (3918, 3617, 3518, 3418 and Cordoba).

The 21st cadre slowly ekes its way through the mountains to 2316, where it is only a few miles short of reaching supplies. In Galicia, the 35th Light Infantry regiment is dispatched to the mountain pass at 1013, in an attempt to hold of German mountaineers heading to the area. Cordoba was reinforced by the arrival of the recreated 23rd Infantry division. However it is instead ordered to shore up the front line at Jaen.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: No activity

End of Turn Summary

The Allies considered launching a counterattack this turn but the rewards were deemed too low to be worth the risk. The Germans are approaching the Gibraltar perimeter from several directions so any advancing forces would have easily been cut off and destroyed. Next turn, hammer blows will be made across the Guadalquivir river.

Losses

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

Aug I 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla.

Germany spends 2 ARPs to bring back 2 aborted Me109Es. One appears at Tarragone and the other comes on at Lerida.1 ARP is left in the pool. The 667th Combat Engineer regiment is replaced (2 Inf RPs, 11 remain) and also appears at Tarragona.

Movement Phase: Germany embarks on a rapid airfield construction operation around Valencia, in order to provide air support capability for the coming assault on the city. First off the 512th Combat Engineer builds a temporary field in 33:3633. Then the 16th Construction regiment and 519th Combat Engineer regiment move to 3632 and combine their abilities to build a second temporary airfield in the area.

North of Valencia, two more airfields are built in Tereul and 3303 by the 604th and 674th Combat engineer regiments. In addition, the 7th and 71st Construction regiments abandon their airfields north of Madrid and use rail and admin movement to move onto the new airfields, freeing up the Combat Engineers for other duties. The 674th advances 2 spaces to 3502 and the 604th heads back to Tereul. From Madrid, the 108th Construction regiment is ordered to the Valencia sector, and it uses admin and rail movement to reach 33:3331. Nearby, the newly reformed 667th Combat Engineer regiment is sent forward via admin movement to join the RR artillery in 23A:3702.

Continuing rail regauging is the 4th RR Engineer regiment, which repairs a rail break and then regauges the line in Tarragona. The 1st RR Engineer regiment advances the northern railhead to 23A:1907. The 34th Corps moves two more hexes along the rail line to 3406 to complete ownership for the Germans. This allows the 64th Corps (and its siege artillery) to use admin movement to head southeast as far as 3605. The 34th then heads back west to 3510 and proceeds south through Albacete to 3910.

Near Madrid, the remnants of the Spanish defenders are about to be rounded up. The 66th Corps moves to 2912, flanked by the 12th Infantry division which occupies 2913. Any possible retreat is cut off by the 5th Infantry division which takes up a position behind the Tajo river at 2712.

A few miles to the northwest, the SS TK Motorised division sweeps around behind the two Spanish divisions in 2514, and it stops movement in Talavera de la Raina, The 22nd Air Landing division also joins in the operation, moving into the mountains at 2413. Finally the 7th Panzer division is joined by the 610th and 782 Artillery regiments which are detached from the 53rd Corps in Madrid. The rest of the 53rd Corps heads off down the road towards Gibraltar, reaching Tomelloso.

To protect the Madrid city airbases in 2710 against partisan attacks, the 604th Motorised Light AA battalion transfers from garrison duty at Valladolid. German position AA is moved towards Madrid, with 6 points leaving the Bayonne area. 4 points use rail and admin movement to reach 2512 while 2 other points can only reach as far as Avila (2312). 4 other points located deeper in France as railed up as far as the European gauge railhead in 1907.

In the Valencia sector, the 62nd Corps moves back down adjacent to the city at 3704. The present occupant of that hex is the 25th Corps, which shifts across the Jucar river to Alzira. It is joined there by the 4th Panzer division. An exception is the 133rd motorised heavy AA battalion, which only shuffles as far as 3804, where it is joined by the 15th Mountain Corps and the 98th independent Mountain regiment. Also in the area, the 12th Infantry division rejoins the 65th Corps.

In air missions, a major assault is made on the airbase in Valencia. Using newly constructed local airbases as staging posts, nearly every German air unit joins in the attack. The British have 5 fighters in the area, 4 land based and a group of Fulmars on a carrier off the coast. However, they are outnumbered almost 2 to 1 by the Luftwaffe. After an emergency meeting by local commanders in consultation with London, it is decided that the RAF will seek to take as many Germans down with them as possible, however the carrier planes will not take part in order to provide protection for the Allied fleet. Two Hurricanes are allocated against Me110s, a third goes up against a Me109E, while the Spitfires tangle with more Me109Es. Weight of numbers proves decisive. The British lose 2 Hurricanes and a Spitfire aborted, while the other Hurricane is shot down by Me110Cs. The only hit on the Germans is an abort on a Me110C4. The few AA guns that are stationed in the city are too far away from the airport to have any effect on the waves of incoming bombers. Valencia airport is obliterated under a downpour of bombs, with 6 hits reducing its capacity to 0. Many Spanish SM79 bombers and Mixed attack bombers on the ground are also reduced to burning wrecks. The German air units land at the temporary airfield ringing the city, in formations of 2 fighters and one bomber where possible.

Combat Phase: There will be two stacks of Spanish attacked this turn but the available Allied air support is not able to affect the outcome (save for chancing a very risky unescorted mission to 2514), so no DAS missions are flown. Force H in 3903 continues to send heavy barrages of gunfire towards the German assembly zones near Valencia. However the German units are well bunkered down and feel little effect apart from some headaches.

All the available Luftwaffe aircraft bombed Valencia this turn, so no GS missions are undertaken.

The 66th Corps, 57th and 5th Infantry divisions have surrounded the remnants of the Spanish 13th and 23rd divisions in Toledo. The Spanish can only muster 5 points, while the attackers are worth 36, which works out to a 5:1 even assault. 1 is rolled for a HX. The Spanish are destroyed but manage to cadre the 263rd Infantry division, in a Pyrrhic result for the Germans. The cadred division advances into Toledo so it can rebuild next turn. It is joined there by the 5th Infantry division which advances over the Tajo river.

Northwest of Toledo in 2514, the 21st and 41Exp Infantry divisions, augmented by the 1st Combat Engineers, face an armoured pincer movement led by the SS TK division and 7th Panzer division. The isolated defenders are worth 11 but the Germans have 34, including a +2 for AECA. A 4 comes up, modified to 6 for a DH. The engineers and 41Exp division are destroyed, while the 21st is reduced to cadre. This unit retreats into the mountains at 2414.

Exploitation Phase: The 604th Motorised Light AA battalion moves to Madrid 2711 to protect the single remaining air unit from partisan attack. In the south of Spain, the 34th Corps moves to capture Murcia, where it stops. Next to Valencia, the 35th Corps enters the swamps in 3904.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 0
  • Spanish Isolated – 9+5 = 14
  • Spanish Air – 2A
  • German Unisolated – 4 (1 Special RP received)
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 0
  • British Unisolated – 0
  • British Isolated – 0
  • British Air – 3A

Aug I 41 – Allied Turn

All units are in supply except for the cadre of the 21st Infantry division, which is hiding in the Cordillera Central. All the German aircraft, except for a fighter in Madrid and the transports, go on Naval Patrol duty.

Spanish guerrillas employ a change of tactics this turn, targeting airbases instead of the rail network. Attacks are made against Madrid, Albacete and Tarragona (which actually has some Me110s there protected only by RR Engineers). Unfortunately, runways are not as easy to blow up as rail tracks, and none of the operations are successful. The last remaining Spanish ARPs is used to bring back a SM79-1 bomber at Sevilla. Meanwhile, 5 British ARPs (leaving 1 for next cycle) are used to replace all the fighters lost over Valencia last turn. A Hurricane and Spitfire are placed in Cordoba, while two other Hurricanes are brought on in Spanish Morocco at Tetuan. The 2nd Spanish Construction regiment completes defensive fortifications in Sevill

a.

Movement Phase: Force H has been stripped of its air cover that was based in Valencia, and the Luftwaffe now launches multiple sorties in an attempt to locate the Allied ships protecting the Spanish city.

First off the rank are 2 Me109Es escorting torpedo laden Ju88s based in 3304. The search modifier is +2 (calm weather, 6 hexes flown). Contact is made with a 3. The Fulmar fighters on board a carrier fly up to intercept, and attempt to bypass both of the escorts. However, a 7 is rolled by the first Me109 and the Fulmars are returned to the decks. The Ju88s begin their attack runs in the face of withering AA fire from destroyers escorting the carriers.6 is rolled, modified to 5, returning the bombers to base, their torpedoes wide of the mark.

The second patrol mission comes from 3303, a carbon copy of the first. Radio transmissions from the previous mission guide the torpedo bombers directly to the target area. This time there are no enemy fighters, but the AA gauntlet must again be run. Learning from the mistakes of their compatriots, the Ju88 pilots literally skim the waves, below the effective angle of fire of the flak which pours in their direction. 10 comes up for a miss. One torpedo slams home, sinking a Spanish destroyer.

Next in line are 2 Stukas from 33:3633. There is a Me109 at the airbase but it does not need to participate due to the lack of interceptors. Due to the proximity of the airbase to the target zone, the search modifier is +3. 5 comes up for another contact. The dive bombers scream down on the fleet out of the sun, blinding the AA gunners (8 and 9 rolled). 3 hits are scored, damaging a carrier, a British cruiser and a Spanish cruiser.

3 more Ju87s from 3632 attempt to keep the assault going, and the smoke emitted by burning ships gives away the position (4 rolled). The shriek of dive bombers is again heard over the sound of engines at flank speed, which are trying propel the ships in evasive manoeuvres. The pitching and rolling of the decks gives the Flak gunners little chance, and again they miss all incoming aircraft (8, 7, 8 rolled). Despite 12 rolls, only 3 more hits are scored, finishing off the burning RN cruiser, sinking a second Spanish destroyer, and a burst through the flight deck causes serious damage to a second carrier. In the ensuing fires, the Fulmar fighters are burned to a crisp, eliminating them.

The next wave consists of 2 He111s from Barcelona. Due to their increased distance, the search modifier is only +1. A navigational error (2 rolled) sees them patrolling further east than intended, and they do not find the enemy.

The final mission is another 2 He111s from Zaragoza, again with a +1 on the search roll. Somewhere over the mountains, the weather closes in and they get lost (3 rolled). While trying to determine their location fuel runs low, forcing them to return to base. For their efforts, the German pilots earn 56 VPs.

The Allied fleet has taken a pounding (7 hits) and now faces a tough decision. If it stays where it is to provide NGS then the Germans will be able to attack Valencia at a guaranteed 3:1, which gives the city only 1 chance in 6 of holding out. In addition the fleet will be subject to another wave of air attacks. Withdrawal will mean the city will be certainly overrun. The decision is made to evacuate the city instead. 6 British Naval transports and 4 Spanish transports head to the city from Gibraltar and Ceuta. There are still a couple of German fighters operative in the area so the Allied capital ships escort the transports from 4104 into the Valencia harbour. There they embark all the Spanish units and head west, along with the fleet acting as escort. The 31st Infantry division is unloaded at Motril in 4120, the 5th Guardia Civil regiment is taken to Cadiz, while the rest of the evacuees land in Malaga. All the transports end movement in the disembarkation ports. The Allied fleet sails on to Gibraltar and ties up at the docks there.

The 31st Infantry division moves off the docks in Motril into the mountains at 4119, protecting the coastal flank of the Gibraltar perimeter. From Malaga, the 62nd Artillery regiment heads north to join one of the reserve stacks in 3522. Also moving north is the 2Car border regiment and 3rd Combat Engineer regiment, which head to 3622. At Cadiz, the ground units holding the city rip up the airbase there, reducing it ot 0 capacity and denying use of it to the invaders. Northwest of Madrid, the 21st cadre retreats further into the mountains at 2315. Since the Spanish rail capacity is now only 3, it remains out of supply.

The Spanish light armour sorties from 3518 on another operation to deny rail lines to the Germans. The 1st and 2nd regiments move to 3917 and break the line in that hex, while the 5th regiment is ordered to do the same in 3916.

Now that the Germans have captured a significant portion of the Spanish rolling stock, they have a useful rail capacity on the Iberian rail net. In an attempt to reduce that capability, the RAF launches a series of night raids against the marshalling yards of Madrid. 2 Whitleys from Gibraltar attack 2711 and 2 Blen 4s from Malaga go in against 2710. There is 1 point of AA in 2711 and none in the other hex. The second raid against 2711 is done during a full moon, and the German gunners are able to clearly see the enemy flying overhead. Accurate fire means that the bombers cannot penetrate the target zone, and they return to base (another snake eyes comes up). The rest of the air units drop their bomb loads but are well wide of the mark, and no damage is done to the rail network.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: All the Allied transports retreat to the relative safety of Gibraltar. Spanish Light armoured units return to 3518.

End of Turn Summary

The Royal and Spanish Navies could not sustain the pounding they were taking once they had no air cover, therefore it was decided to give up Valencia. In any case it had served its purpose in delaying the Axis advance. It was a surprise at how quickly the Germans were able to concentrate their air power in the area once presented with a high value target. Most of Spain has now been taken, and the front moves inexorably towards the Gibraltar perimeter.

Losses

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

Jul II 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Madrid and 3 in Sevilla.

The Axis uses 6 ARPs to bring back 2 Me109Es (1 from elimination), a Me109F a Ju87B and a He111H. The fighters appear at 2107, the Heinkels come on at Barcelona and the Stukas reappear at Lerida. 3 ARPs remain. 3 Me109s from Madrid 2710 and 3 from 2107 fly CAP over Madrid 2711.

Movement Phase: The final push is made on Madrid 2711. From 2414, the 7th Panzer and SS TK Motorised divisions come up behind the city to 2712. The 34th Corps moves into 2611, and is augmented by the 5th Infantry division from the adjacent 53rd Corps. This means that the 563rd Motorised At battalion must join the units in 2712. 2810 is occupied by the 66th Corps, and finally the last two units in the 63rd Corps split up, with the 52nd Infantry division joining the 53rd Corps, and the 57th division advancing to 3011.

North of Madrid, the 22nd Air Landing division moves in to the mountain pass in 2412 that has recently been vacated. Not far away, the 71st Construction regiment heads to the temporary airfield at 2207 (abandoning its own in 2006), freeing up the 604th Combat Engineer regiment. The 609th uses admin movement to head south to Tereul, alongside the 65th Corps. It is joined in the hex by the 674th Engineer regiment which is withdrawn from the Madrid sector. Lastly, the 108th Construction regiment moves west to join the 64th Corps in Madrid.

Along the Mediterranean coast, a flurry of construction activity begins. The 4th RR Engineer regauges 3627 and advances to 3628. Due to the rail break there, it cannot regauge the line in that hex. Close by, the 16th Construction regiment administratively moves up to Tortosa. Rail breaks are repaired in 33:3734 (by the 512th Combat Engineer regiment) and 23A:3702 (by the 519th Combat Engineer regiment). This allows the RR guns to move to 3702, in range of Valencia. The 512th Engineers then move to 3632 and the 519th shifts back to 3734.

Since the attack on Valencia will be delayed, the 62nd is detailed to head north to Tereuel. This is in order to destroy the units holed up in the mountains at 3404. As additional reinforcements, the 12th Infantry division is detached from the 65th Corps, and it moves to 3403. Also detached into the same hex is the 3rd Panzer and 133rd Motorised Heavy AA regiment from the 25th Corps. Airbase garrison units are also reorganised. The 604th Motorised Light AA battalion administratively moves to Valladolid, relieving the LW 151st Motorised Heavy AA battalion. This unit heads towards Valencia, stopping in 3203.

Combat Phase: The heroic Spanish air defenders of Madrid fly up in a desperate mission to save the city. A He111E and a British A-22 from Malaga attempt to bomb the assembly zones of the Germans that ring the capital. They are escorted by 2 CR32bis units and a Me109E. Unfortunately for the Allies, the skies are swarming with 6 Messerschmitts on CAP. All The Germans switch to interception. One fighter is allocated to each Spanish air unit, with 2 being sent against the British A-22s. Combat is fierce. The Germans shoot down a Cr32bis and the He111s, and return all other aircraft. However, the Heinkel gunners are on song and abort a Me109E (snake eyes rolled), while the surviving CR32bis aborts another Me109E.

In 23A:3404, 3 Spanish units are surrounded in the mountains. A Mxd attack bomber and a SM79 fly DS from Valencia. They are outside the intercept range of any German fighters. Accurate fire from German heavy AA guns is enough to ensure that the Mxd bombers drop their munitions wide of the mark. Force H in 3903 sends heavy barrages of gunfire towards the German positions around Valencia. No significant losses are taken but the Germans do not attack the city this turn, as they are waiting for more artillery and air support to arrive from the north.

Ground Support: With the skies cleared of Spanish aircraft, the German bombers are free to fly into Madrid unmolested. 5 Ju87s (1 stages from Lerida through 2207), 3 He111Hs and 2 Ju88s fly continuous sorties against the defenders holed up in the suburbs. The AA in the city is running low on ammunition and is unable to divert any of the bombers away from the battle. 16 effective points of GS make it through.

Combat: Madrid 2711 is surrounded on 5 sides by the German 34th, 53rd, 64th and 66th Corps, plus the 7th Panzer and SS TK divisions. With 16 points of GS they are worth a grand total of 95.5. The 91st and 61st Infantry divisions form the core of the defense, which is worth 18 points. Due to the fort in the city, the attack is 5:1 -1. In a crushing and coordinated attack, the German forces overrun the city at minimal loss to themselves. 6 is rolled, modified to 5 for a DE. Due to ZOCs, the 61st and 91st cadres cannot retreat. Two Spanish air units which are inoperative manage to escape but become aborted upon reaching friendly airbases. Due to the positioning of the German 57th division in 3011, all losses are isolated. The 53rd Corps advances into the ruins of the city. The 2 Ju88s rebase to Barcelona in the air return step, while the rest of the aircraft land in Madrids’ airbases.

Southwards in 3404, 2 regiments of Spanish Infantry and one artillery regiment have been caught by the Germans in the mountains. Italian made SM79s add ½ a point to the defense for a total of 6.5. Arrayed against them is the 62nd and 15th Mountain Corps, plus the 3rd Panzer division, 12th Infantry division and some smaller units as well. The attack total is 43. Although only a few bombers made it through, they are enough to shorten the odds to 6:1 -2. 5 comes up.modified to a 3 for a DR. ZOCs ensure that the Spanish are forced to surrender.

Exploitation Phase: The 7th Panzer and SS TK division move to cut off the 2 Spanish divisions northwest of Madrid by moving to 2613. Near Valencia, the 3rd Panzer returns to the 25th Corps in 2704. It is joined there by the 133rd and 151st Motorised Heavy AA battalions which move down from the road to the north of Valencia. The 34th Corps moves to seize the low volume rail line leading from Aranjuez to Valencia. It advances through Madrid, over the Jarama river, and as far as Cuenca in 3207.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 0
  • Spanish Isolated – 18+3 = 21
  • Spanish Air – 2K/2A
  • German Unisolated – 0
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 2A

Jul II 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The units in 2412 are out of supply and become U-1. Germany now has 10 REs available to it on the Iberian gauge rail net and thus can now use it to trace supply lines. Due to the fall of Madrid, there are currently no Spanish full supply sources, so Spanish units must use Allied full supply sources (major ports).

All the German long range bombers go on Naval Patrol duty. Spanish partisans target rail lines in hexes 33:3530, 33:3008 and 23A:2701. This time the Germans are able to detect the partisan cells and make arrests before most of the attacks can be carried out, only 3530 is hit.

1 Spanish ARP (1 left) is spent to repair an aborted Me109E. It appears at Sevilla. Also in Sevilla, the 2nd Spanish Construction regiment begins building a fort.

Movement Phase: Force H and its Spanish counterparts spend the turn on station in 3903, replenishing their ammunition. Due to extensive air cover, the German torpedo bombers do not try to make contact. Portuguese units do not move, but nervously eye the border. The british 1st Tank brigade is sent from Cordoba to pull up some rail track near Sevilla. It puts a break in 3122 before ending movement in 3021.

The 1st and 4th Construction regiments in Tangier use quick construction to build a temporary airbase in the hex. Close to Madrid, the 13th and 23rd Infantry cadres are technically not isolated but they cannot escape the hordes of enemy units in the area, Instead they decide to break the rail line in 2811 before retreating into Toledo for their last stand.

In the foothills of the Cordillera Central, the 41Exp and 21st Infantry division continue to elude the German invaders. Although at U-1, they head back into the path of the Germans at 2514 to regain contact with their supply line. From 3519, the 1st, 2nd and 5th Light armoured regiments are tasked with rendering the rail line to Madrid unusable. By leapfrogging each other, they are able to put the line in hexes 3517 to 3413 out of action. The 5th moves on to 3313.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The Allied fleet again prepares its guns for shore bombardment in defense of Valencia. The 1st and 2nd Spanish Light tank regiments return to 3518, as does the 5th, but not before it puts an additional rail line break in 3313. The British 1st Tank brigade also puts more hits into the rail system by damaging 3021 before returning to Cordoba.

End of Turn Summary

Madrid has been taken but Valencia still holds out, and it will take at least another couple of turns for the Germans to get it, thanks to Force H & Co. However, rapid advances are now possible for the Axis since they have passed the 10RE threshold of Iberian rail capacity and can use Iberian gauge rail lines for supply. The Spanish also took heavy air losses this turn which cannot be sustained, even though they took a few Germans with them. There is not a lot the Allies can do now except wait for the Germans to come to them, and continue their successful tactic of trading units for time.

Losses

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

Jul I 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Madrid and 3 in Sevilla.

It is the start of a new air cycle, so 10 ARPs are received and one is carried over for a total of 11. A Me109E is brought back at 2206, and a He111H4 reappears in Vitoria, leaving 9 ARPs. The 519th Combat engineer regiment is replaced at Tarragona (2 Inf RPs, 7 remain).

Germany spends 9 Resource points at San Sebastian to permanently increase the capacity on the Spanish rail net by 3 REs. 2 ME109Es and a ME109F from 2207 fly CAP over Madrid 2710. 2 Me110C1s fly CAP over 3704.

Movement Phase: The 512th Combat engineer regiment receives new orders ands heads forward to 3633, where it repairs the rail line break. It uses its last MP to enter 3734. Behind it, the 4 rail mounted Siege artillery units move to 3633. Also, the newly reformed 519th Engineer regiment administratively moves up to 23A:3702.

In other construction activity, the 16th Construction regiment repairs the rail break in 3521 and then moves to 3522. Near Zaragoza, the 108th Construction regiment moves to 23A:2702 and uses quick construction along with the 674th Combat Engineer regiment to repair the rail line damage there. Its last MP is spent using rail transport to get to 2705. The aforementioned 67th moves west to Guadalajara.

Rail regauging continues, the 4th RR Engineer regiment advances the southern railhead to 33:3626, while the 1st RR Engineers regauge as far as 23A:1905. Each unit advances one hex past their railheads. In the Valencia sector, the 4th Panzer Corps pushes through to 3705, surrounding the Spanish 52Exp division. The rest of the 25th Corps manoeuvres to 3603, allowing the 65th Corps (and its siege artillery) to advance to 3703.

Behind them, the 62nd Corps moves up to 3701, protecting the rail line against further Spanish partisan activity. This will allow the rail guns to come in to play next turn. The 15th Mountain Corps is detailed to catch the fleeing Spanish units in 3404. The Corps moves through the high country in the area to 3505, unimpeded by enemy ZOCs. It is followed closely by the 98th Mountain regiment, which advances to 23A:3504 from 33:3533.

In the centre of the country, the 64th Corps moves up to 2709, facing Madrid. Extra forces for the Madrid assault arrive in the form of the 66th Corps which moves to 2809, absorbing the 263rd Infantry division along the way. In the rear, the 63rd Corps administratively moves up towards the front as far as Guadalajara. Looking northwards, the 2 detached regiments of the 11th Infantry division in 1410 move into the Cordillera Cantabrica, and take a position in the mountain pass at 1113.

With no opposition in its sector, but at the limit of supply range, the SS TK division shuffles a bit further forward to 2217. It is joined there by the 7th Panzer division which moves out from 2312.

Combat Phase: A mission is sent up from the Madrid airfields over 2710 consisting of a single He111E escorted by 2 CR32bis fighters and a ME109E. The German Me109s flying CAP over the hex switch to intercept and the Me109F attempts to bypass the screen. The first German Me109E takes on its Spanish twin. It appears that the Spanish pilots have mastered the intricacies of the German machines, and they shoot down the interceptors at no loss to themselves. The second Me109E takes on a CR32bis, and in another poor showing, neither aircraft scores a hit. The second CR32bis shoots at the Me109Fs trying to bypass the screen, and to complete the rout they score an abort. The bombers make it past the German AA and through to the target, in an overwhelming air victory for the Spanish.

Since the Madrid defenders sent all their fighters on escort, German bombers can fly in unmolested. An air armada takes to the skies, 5 Ju87s, 4 He111s, 2 JU88s and 3 ME109s carrying bombs. In the city are 5 points of antiaircraft. Perhaps due to the sheer volume of aircraft in the skies, a Ju87, a He111 and Me109E are aborted, and a Ju88 and a Me109F are returned. 26 points of GS make it through to the target, but are halved to 13 due to the city.

The 52Exp Infantry division is attacked in 3704 by the 4th Panzer division and 25th Corps, who have full AECA and can muster 31 attack factors. The woods terrain brings the attack back to 6:1 +2. 4 rolled results in a 6 for a DE. Due to ZOCs the infantry is eliminated, and the 25th Corps advances into the hex.

The main city hex of Madrid (2710) is attacked by no less than 4 German Corps and 9 air units. The 53rd, 34th, 64th and 66th Corps have a modified attack value of 66, when added to the 13 points of GS this makes 79, as against the 18 points of defenders (including DS). Despite significant air losses, the Germans still have a 4:1 attack, but at -2 due to the city and the fort inside it. Due to the overwhelming barrage from the air and land, the Spanish are forced to retreat out of the city. 5 is rolled modified to a 3 for a DR. Due to ZOCs, only the cadres of the 13th and 23rd division survive, and these retreat to 2810. The German 64th Corps advances into Madrid. 3 German fighters and 3 Ju87s land at the newly captured city airfield.

Exploitation Phase: The 4th Panzer Corps shifts forward to 3804, now Valencia is surrounded on 3 sides. Near Madrid, the 34th Corps heads west to occupy 2512, behind the 2 Spanish divisions in the mountains in 2412. The pincer around the Spanish is completed by the TK Motorised division and the 7th Panzer division, which move down the road and then off into the mountains of 2414. Their ZOC will put the enemy out of supply next turn.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 5+12 = 3 Special RPs
  • Spanish Isolated – 0
  • Spanish Air – 0
  • German Unisolated – 0
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 4A/1K

Jul I 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The units in 2412 are out of supply and become U-1.

Franco and his government are now in immediate danger. In order to avoid capture, they leave what is left of Madrid and relocate to Sevilla. Spanish Army units experience widespread confusion amongst their troops as the news filters through. All their combat strengths are halved for the remainder of the turn.

5 British fighters have been uncrated and become operational at Sevilla. 5 British ARPs are also received, giving a total of 6. The British also call Force H into Operation. 1 Task force and a Carrier group appear at Gibraltar. Spain finally receives 3 ARPs. 1 is used to bring back an I-16/t10 at Cordoba. In other production, a resource point appears at Sevilla.

Spain also receives 3 Inf RPs in mainland Spain, plus 0.5 in the Canaries (making 1) and 0.5 Colonial Inf RPs in Spanish Morocco (total now 1). Valencia is isolated and therefore produces no RPs this turn. 4 RPs are used (4.5 remain) to replace 3 Heavy AA regiments and the 41st Artillery regiment. The artillery comes on at Malaga, while the AA regiments appear in Cordoba.

All the German long range bombers go on Naval Patrol duty. 3 German fighters in the newly captured 2710 hex of Madrid fly CAP over Madrid 2711. Also, 3 Me110Cs from Zaragoza fly CAP over Valencia. Spanish partisans target rail lines in hexes 33:3632, 33:3522 and 23A:3503. Again, 2 out of 3 attacks succeed, although the one in 3503 is disrupted by German patrols.

Movement Phase: 2 Spanish Naval transports from Cadiz and one from Malaga relocate to Gibraltar, under the protection of the significant AA stationed there. Portuguese units do not move, but nervously eye the border.

3 British fighters attempt to transfer into Valencia from Sevilla. They are confronted by 3 German ME110s flying CAP over the city, which convert to patrol attack. However, the German air units are unable to impede the missions and all fighters land safely.

The 21st and 41Exp Infantry divisions that have been cut off in the mountain pass at 2412 try to extricate themselves by heading southwest to 2515. Due to the difficult terrain in the area, this is as far as they can move this turn. Next to Madrid, the remnants of the 13th and 23rd divisions cross the Jarama river into 2811. This will make at least one German stack attack Madrid over the river from 2810.

In Ceuta, the Colonial Tdl Infantry regiment and the I/Tdl and IV/Tdl Infantry battalions assemble to form a 3-6* Colonial Infantry regiment. Also, in 3622 the 2O and 1E Colonial Cavalry regiment form into the Mar Cavalry brigade. (Both conversions permitted as per published errata).

In Spanish Morocco, the ZMO Engineer regiment constructs a temporary airfield in Tetuan. From Jerez de la Frontera, the 1st and 4th Construction regiments head south via admin movement to Gibraltar, across the Straits ferries, and into Tangier.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The Spanish combat fleet joins up with Force H and they all sail to 3903. They then spend 90MPs preparing for Naval Gunfire support in defense of the city. The movement triggers reaction attempts by Axis units on Naval Patrol. 3 bombers from Valladolid catch a glimpse of smoke on the horizon but they are unable to spot the Allied fleet.

End of Turn Summary

One hex of Madrid fell but the second one is still a challenge for the Germans. The arrival of Force H has thrown the plans of a quick attack on Valencia into disarray. Unless the weather turns bad the Germans will have to fly most of their air force down there to deal with the Allied Fleet. With defensive NGS the city will be very tough to crack, so some damage must be done to the Task Forces. 5 British fighters will not make the task any easier either. Present planning will not see Valencia fall until the end of August. In the north, the final capture of Madrid will free up significant forces to move towards the Gibraltar perimeter.

Losses

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