Europa Games and Military History

Month: September 2007

Sep I 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather remains clear in Zones D and E, however the Sea is rough in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply, except for the Spanish 21st cadre in 23A:2315. It remains at U-2. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla.

A new air cycle has begun; the Germans receive 10 ARPs but have no aircraft to bring back this turn. Germany also receives 6 Infantry RPs (total 13) and 3 more Arm RPs (total 14). They bring back the only two units in the replacement pool, the 402nd Bicycle battalion and the 616th Motorised AT battalion (1.5 Inf RPs/0.5 Arm RPs spent). The two-wheelers appear at Caceres while the AT unit is formed in Leon. 3 Me109Es fly CAP over Jaen from 3213.

Movement Phase: Near Valencia in 3705, the 263rd Infantry division breaks down into its supported components in order to garrison captured Mediterranean ports. In order to assault the Allied line, forward airbases are required for the German fighters and dive bombers.

The 674th Combat engineer starts the ball rolling by combining with the 7th Construction engineer to build a temporary field in 3212. It then moves to 3313, and is joined there by the 667th Combat engineer which uses rail and ground movement to reach the hex. Together these two units construct a second temporary airfield. Another airfield is built in 3312 by the 604th Combat engineer regiment which rails in before beginning construction. Finally, a temporary airfield is set up next at Alcazar de San Juan by the joint efforts of the 519th Combat Engineers and the 16th Construction Engineers, which both use rail movement to reach the target.

Three engineer units are further back from the front. The 71st Construction regiment moves to capture Alicante, which will allow one of the regiments of the 263rd division to admin move to the city. The 71st then heads one hex west to Elche. The 512th Combat Engineer regiment uses admin movement all the way up to Ciudad Real. Last but not least, the 108th Construction regiment administratively moves from Valencia to 3410.

The regiments of the 263rd Infantry disperse. One moves to Alicante, a second takes over duty in Cartagena, while the third heads back east towards Tarragona, although it can only reach as far as Reuss in 3529. In the relatively quiet Galicia province, the Germans have dispatched elite mountain troops to break through the Spanish defenses. The 15th Corps moves from 1509 to 1012, while the 616th Motorised AT battalion moves up to 1113 to join elements of the 11th Infantry division there.

Near Madrid, the final 4 points of position AA sent to protect the city facilities arrive via ground movement, 2 points going into each hex. Close by, the 608th Motorised Artillery regiment leaves Toledo and heads south to Valdapenas.

In the west, the 402nd Bicycle battalion moves from Caceres to Badajoz, where it gazes over te border at the Portuguese 1st Cavalry brigade. Rail regauging is conducted by the 4th RR Engineer regiment, which advances the southern railhead to 3529 before moving to 3530. The northern railhead is left alone by the 1st RR Engineers, they instead move to 2412. From Cartagena, the GD Motorised division heads down the coast to 4416, and prepares to seize the lightly defended port of Almeira.

The 33rd Corps thrusts around the main defensive line between Cordoba and 3418 to cross the river and reach 3419. The 53 Corps moves up in front of the Spanish positions to 3318, while the pincer is completed by the 25th Corps which brings its tanks up to 3417. The other end of the Allied line is also to be attacked. The 34th Corps pushes its armour into the mountains at 3717, the 66th Corps moves to its start line at Ubada, while the 64th Corps heads to Linares. To bolster the attack, the 603rd and 609th Artillery regiments are detached from the 62nd Corps and sent to the 66th. Similarly, the 783rd Artillery regiment in the 65th Corps is ordered to join the 62nd for the attack.

A follow-up echelon consisting of the 62nd and 65th Corps is sent forward behind the main assault. The 65th Corps uses admin movement to enter the wooded rough of 3118, and the 62nd is sent to 3416.

Combat Phase: There are no German fighters in interception range of 3418, so 2 Whitleys and a Blen 4 fly unescorted DS to the hex. The Blenheims are assigned to targets heavily protected by the flak guns of the 25th and 33rd Corps, and they are aborted. The Whitleys avoid the flak and deliver 1 effective point of DS.

To the south, 3 German Messerschmitts are flying CAP over 3617 (Jaen). A Spitfire, a Hurricane, and a Spanish Me109 stage through Granada in order to fly escort for a GS mission made up of SM79s, British A-22s and Blen 4s. The Germans switch to interception and one unit tries to bypass the screen. It is taken on by the Hurricanes, which roll up an abort. The other two Me109s attack the Allied escorts, managing to shoot down the Spanish Me109s and abort the Spitfires, while suffering only one R result themselves. The AA guns of the German 34th Corps go into action and bring down a lot of low flying A-22s, aborting them. The other two bombers get through unscathed, to deliver 1 point of effective DS.

The Germans fly a GS mission against both Jaen and 3418. Since the British have cleverly kept fighters in reserve in Cordoba, the Germans must escort each mission with only 3 fighters. All short range aircraft stage through the various airbases that have been built in front of the Allied positions. Against Jaen, a Me110C, a Me109E and a Me109F escort 2 He111s and 2 Ju88As. Hex 3418 is subjected to a larger attack, with 5 Ju87Bs and 2 He111s zeroing in on the defenders escorted by 2 Me110Cs and a Me109F.

The Allied fighters intercept the northern mission over 3418. A Hurricane and a Spitfire attempt to bypass the screen, while Spanish I-16/t10s engage the escorting fighters. The I-16s are allocated against Me110C4s, but both aircraft miss each other. A Me109F returns the Hurricanes but the Spitfires get past German Me110C1s, and manage to shoot down a He111, at no loss. There is no Spanish AA, so 22 points still make it to the target zone. Since there is also no AA in Jaen, all the bombers drop their munitions there unhindered. 10 points of GS will be added to the attack.

Jaen is under attack from 3 sides. The German 64th and 66th Corps are pumped up with artillery since they are attacking over the river. However, the 34th Corps which has ploughed through mountainous terrain is at full strength. Due to the rough terrain and fort in the hex there is a -2 on the roll. Together the 3 German Corps are worth 66, plus 10 GS for a total of 76. The defenders, mainly composed of the 23rd and 92nd Infantry divisions, have a printed strength of 13, plus one point of DS for a 14 total. This equates to 5:1 -2. 4 comes up, modified to a 2 for a DR. The Allied units retreat in good order to Martos, and the 66th Corps advances over the river.

3418 is held by the Spanish 101st Infantry division, backed up by numerous good quality infantry and artillery units. With 1 point of support from the Whitleys overheads, the defensive total is 17. Ranged against them are the German 33rd, 53rd and 25th Corps. The 33rd Corps is at the rear, compromising the defenders. Numerous German armoured assets are taking part in the operation, and despite the 3 Infantry divisions of the 53rd Corps there is still enough AECA for a +2 on the roll. The river reduces the effectiveness of the 53rd and 35th Corps, such that the attackers have a total of 52. However, Stukas and a few Heinkels pour from the sky in a never ending stream, adding 22 for a total of 74. This gives a 4:1 +2 ratio. Another 4 comes up, modified to a 6 for a DE. Due to ZOCs, all the Spanish are eliminated (but were not isolated). The 53rd Corps advances over the river.

Near Madrid, the shattered remnants of the 21st division are attacked by the 22nd Air Landing and 5th Infantry divisions. Since the Spanish are at U-2, they are halved, and only worth one. The mountains mean that the Germans are also halved but the attack is still 8:1 -2. 6 comes up, still a DE after the modification to 4. The Spanish are eliminated, and the Germans do not advance. On the Mediterranean coast, the GS Motorised regiment attacks the port of ALmeria, which is held by the 3Car Border regiment. The border guards are unsupported, and only worth 0.5, while the Germans are supported and are worth 4. Rough terrain provides a -1 to the 8:1 attack. Although a 2 is rolled, its still good enough for a DH, and the Germans take the town.

The final attack is in Galicia, with the German 15th Mountain Corps attacking 1013, backed up by 2 regiments of the 11th Infantry division. The Spanish are worth 5 while the Germans can muster a total of 20, giving a 4:1 -2 assault. The die shows 5, modified to 3 for a DR. The Spanish retreat to 1014, and the 15th Mountain Corps advances. The pass through the mountains has now been secured.

All the German short range aircraft land at their forward airbases, while the long range units land in Murcia and Madrid. Allied air units return to base in Sevilla, Cordoba and Malaga.

Exploitation Phase: The 34th Corps continues to work through the mountains and moves into 3718. Behind it, the GD Motorised regiment and 608th Artillery regiment take up a position in 3816, where they will screen the southern flank of the German advance. The 33rd Corps tightens the noose on the Allies, moving from 3419 to 3519.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 16+2 (3.5 Special RPs received)
  • Spanish Isolated – 0
  • Spanish Air – 1K
  • German Unisolated – 0
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 1A/1K
  • British Unisolated – 0
  • British Isolated – 0
  • British Air – 3A

Sep I 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The Allied armour and infantry that was holding the Guadalquivir river has been outflanked and nearly surrounded. Units in 3518 and 3618 are U-1. All German He111s and Ju88s are assigned to Naval patrol.

More Spanish replacements are received. They now have 2 Inf RPs in the Canaries and 2 Colonial Inf RPs. 1 regular Inf RP is received at Sevilla plus 3.5 Special RPs, for a total of 5. The 38th and 39th Infantry regiments are reformed, along with the 42nd and 62nd Artillery regiments (All 5 Inf RPs are spent). The Artillery comes on in Cordoba while the Infantry appears in Malaga. Britain also receives replacements, although they have yet to use any. Their pool is 5 Arm and 15 Inf RPs. Spanish factories generate a Resource point in Sevilla. New ARPs are received in accordance with the new air cycle. Spain uses its 2 to bring back the eliminated Me109Es. Britain spends 3 to bring back aborted Spitfires, Blenheims and A-22s. Both fighters are reactivated at Sevilla, and the bombers return to duty at Gibraltar. 3 more GSPs are generated at Sevilla.

Spanish partisans still roam occupied Spain. This turn their targets are 23A:4211, 23A4212 and Tarragona. However, it seems that the Germans are infiltrating the resistance. Raids on homes of suspected guerrillas disrupt all the operations before they are conducted.

Movement Phase: The Allied fleet stays tied up in Gibraltar. The appearance of German forces at the border causes the Portuguese High Command to send reinforcements to the area. The 4th Infantry division advances to 2323.

The units in Galicia hex 1014 move around to 0914, again blocking the path of the Germans, although they are now without the defensive benefit of the mountains.

In the Guadalquivir pocket, the Spanish infantry in 3618 can only move one hex due to ZOCs, so it goes to the wooded rough in 3719. Meanwhile, the Allied armour is short of fuel and has only half its movement allowance, so it too is limited to single hex movement. There is only one way out, and that is to the recently vacated Martos in 3618. Both stacks have now made their way back to an unisolated state.

An attempt is made to reform the Allied line. The 31st Infantry division pulls back from the Mediterranean coast and goes to the mountains in 3917. This allows the 93rd Infantry division to take up a position on 3818, blocking the path of the German 34th Corps. The line is extended to 3520 by a collection of non divisional units, headed by the Mar Colonial Cavalry brigade, 13th Cavalry regiment, and the rest of the area reserves from 3622. Filling the final gap in 3420 is the 1st British Tank brigade and 7th Artillery brigade from Cordoba and the Spanish 61st Artillery from Sevilla. The Cordoba garrison is replenished by the Tdl Colonial Infantry brigade, which administratively moves up from Cadiz.

The 2nd Construction regiment carries a Resource point out of Sevilla and takes it to 3725 with admin movement. It is joined in the hex by the 2nd Combat Engineer regiment from Cadiz. From Malaga, the 239C and 138th Infantry regiment leave and head to 3725 to join the engineers. Their place in Malaga is taken over by the 74th Heavy AA regiment, which stops to wreck the rail line in 3623 on the way.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The Allied armour works its way back to 3619, completing the Allied line. Unfortuntely the 8th British Artillery brigade is non-motorised and cannot move. It is ordered to spike its guns and is left to the mercy of the Germans in 3618.

End of Turn Summary

The Allies made a mistake in forming their first line by not plugging the gap between Cordoba and the left flank of the river line. This allowed the German armour to waltz through and get behind the defenders. Only by a stroke of luck was the Allied armour saved, with the DR at Martos allowing the Spanish infantry to keep a retreat route open. A solid line has now been hastily formed, but it is wafer thin and will not last long. Behind this line is very little.

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 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, except for the Spanish 21st cadre in 23A:2315. It remains at U-1. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla. The last German ARP is spent bringing back an aborted Me110C4. This unit appears in Toledo. Also in Toledo, the263rd Infantry division is rebuilt from cadre to full strength (7 Inf RPs remain).

Movement Phase: The Germans surrounding Valencia were so intent on watching the Luftwaffe pound the Allied capital ships that they failed to notice transports sneaking in and evacuating Spanish troops. A morning recon mission reports back that the city is now undefended.
The 251st Infantry division that was under control of the 65th Corps separates and takes up positions around the city as a garrison.

In repair activity, the 512th Combat engineer moves to 23A:3703 and fixes a rail break. Just before it does this, its place in 33:3633 is taken by the 16th Construction regiment, so that the temporary airfield there is still maintained. Another rail break is fixed in 3529 by the 4th RR Engineers. In the north, the 1st RR Engineer advances the railhead by two more hexes to 1909, and the engineers advance to Valladolid.

South of Valencia, the 25th Corps abandons preparations to enter the city and instead crosses to Jucar river into Alzira (except for the 608th Motorised Artillery regiment). It then heads along the road to 3907 where is takes a left turn south-eastwards to reach the outskirts of Cartagena, in 4310. Close by, the 34th Corps also menaces Cartagena by taking up a position in 4311. Behind them, the rail guns advance down newly captured track to Malaga, in range of Cartagena.

The 15th Mountain Corps is ordered to head north to finish off the defenders in Galicia. Firstly it detaches the 133rd Motorised Heavy AA battalion, which remains in the hex for now. The mountaineers administratively move north to 3103, and then hop on the train which takes them as far as 1509. The 608th Motorised Artillery regiment is now on its own, and it heads up the road to Albacete, fully gaining ownership of the transportation line for the Germans. This allows the 62nd and 65th Corps to use administrative movement towards the Gibraltar sector. The 62nd moves as far as Tomelloso, while the 65th is a short step behind them in 3311.

Position Antiaircraft units move into Madrid from the north. 4 points go into 2711 while 2 points enter 2710. 4 other points use admin movement to move through Valladolid to 2312. The 22nd Air Landing Division continues its pursuit of the remnants of the Spanish 21st division. It moves around to the woods in 2415, between the unit and its supply lines. In order to make sure the Spanish are finished off next turn, the 5th Infantry division is sent from Toledo to join the glider troops in the same hex.

From the Madrid area, the 33rd Corps reforms. The SS TK Motorised division and 7th Panzer division move south to 3313. They are joined there by the 563rd Motorised AT battalion, and the 110th and 613th Motorised Artillery regiments which are reassigned from the 66th Corps. The 133rd Motorised Heavy AA regiment is also ordered to join the 33rd, but can only reach as far as 3311 in this phase. Also in the Madrid sector, the 66th Corps is reinforced and ordered forward. The Corps advances through Valdapenas to take up a position in 3414. Along the way it absorbs the 57th Infantry division and the 782nd & 610th Artillery regiments that were left behind in 2613. The artillery uses admin movement to reach the destination hex. The forward units of the 53rd Corps head westwards from Tomelloso to 3216, where they are in range of several Allied positions next turn.

Due to the fall of Valencia, a redeployment of air assets is now necessary. All the German He111s and Ju88As rebase to Madrid 2710. The remaining unit stationed in Zaragoza, a Me110, transfers to Albacete. A forward temporary airbase is constructed in 3213 by the 517th Combat Engineer regiment which leaves the 53rd Corps to do so. Once it is completed, 3 Me109Es fly in to take up residence. All the Ju87s also rebase to Madrid, but to 2711. The last series of operations sees a Me110, 1 Me109E and 1 Me109F land at Murcia.

Leaving the Valencia area is the 64th Corps, which is ordered to make a 180 degree turn and head northwest via admin movement. It heads up the road through Cuenca before making a left turn across open country and reaching the new airbase in 3213.

The multiple German engineer and construction units around Valencia are ordered forward (using administrative movement where possible) so that new airbases can be constructed next turn. The 667th Combat Engineer regiment heads to Albacete, the 604th goes to 3709, and the 674th advances to 3212. Lastly the 519th Engineers pack up their shovels and move along the coast then inland to 3808. Most of the Construction regiments also advance, abandoning their temporary airbases in 3303, 3304 and 33:3633. The 16th Construction regiment sorties to 3807 with admin movement, the 7th regiment admin moves to 3703 then hops on the train to Alcazar de San Juan, then a final hex to join the 674th Combat Engineers in 3212. Next the 108th regiment admin moves to Valencia. Finally the 71st Construction regiment moves to 3906.

German garrison forces are also active this turn. The 605th Motorised Light AA battalion is no longer guarding any aircraft in Zaragoza, so it uses admin movement to move up to Madrid 2710. The 263rd Infantry division is assigned to guard duties on the south coast, and it administratively moves down the road from Toledo to 3705. It is scheduled to break down next turn.

Combat Phase: A-22s from Malaga are assigned to assist the defense of Cartagena. They manage to evade the 7 points of AA from German armoured units around the city, and deliver 1 effective point of DS. The only attack is made against Caratgena. The German 34th and 25th Corps attack the city with a huge armoured push, while rail mounted siege artillery pounds the city fortifications from some 16 miles away. Despite the addition of 1 point of DS, the collection of small Spanish units is only worth 9, while the Germans muster 69, making a 7:1 attack with a -1. The die roll nearly comes up with a 1 but at the last second it falls over to reveal a 5, modified to 4 for a DE. All the Spanish are eliminated (and isolated). The GD Motorised regiment from the 34th Corps advances into the city.

Exploitation Phase: The 25th Corps heads north after successfully assisting in the capture of Cartagena. It moves up to Hellin before leaving the road and advancing to the woods in 23A:3512. Also making its way from Cartagena is the 34th Corps which trundles forward via Lorca to the valley at 3916. From the main group of German forces, the 33rd Corps heads west along the road through Ciudad Real and Puertollano, and then off into the wooded rough at 3118, threatening Cordoba. It is joined there by the 133rd Motorised Heavy AA regiment. Finally the 608th Artillery regiment is ordered to take a garrison role in protecting the Me110s in Toledo. It heads there from its position in 3609.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 0
  • Spanish Isolated – 8
  • Spanish Air – 0
  • German Unisolated – 0
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 0
  • British Unisolated – 0
  • British Isolated – 0
  • British Air – 0