Europa Games and Military History

Author: David Stokes (Page 3 of 4)

December 1937

Dec I 37

Winter weather hits the north, while the south finally turns muddy.

Insurgent Player Turn.

The 51st XX is formed.

Loyalist Turn.

The Po.504 is rebuilt.

Dec II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Nothing of note occurs, just more shuffling of the lines and some minor, ineffective air action.

Loyalist Turn.

No action to report; all quiet on the front.

November 1937

Nov I 37

The weather remains muddy in the north and clear in the south, bu the Atlantic is now stormy and the Med calm.

Insurgent Player Turn.

The 105th XX is formed and the 5th(Req) XX is converted to the 5th XX. The SM-79 is rebuilt.

The front lines are shuffled around somewhat, but no attacks are launched. With the Loyalist air force severely degraded, the Insurgents take a break from bombing airfields to pound the rail marshalling yards at Madrid.

Loyalist Turn.

An I-16 is rebuilt.

With no good opportunity for attacks, the Loyalist command begins to plan the next spring’s campaign. It is decided to make the main effort along the low volume rail line running to Don Benito and Merida. A successful offensive here would cut the Insurgent held area in two. Then, in contrast to the previous year’s plan of focusing on the north, attack will be launched against Cordoba and Jaen. Attacks in the north will be forgone in order to preserves supplies, except that at the far end of the lines, an assault on Oviedo will be attempted if local air superiority can be re-established.

Nov II 37

Insurgent Turn.

The weather stays about the same, except that both sea zones are now rough. The 82nd XX is formed. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Requeted Divisions are converted to regular Nationalist divisions, and 3 Cav III’s are upgraded to the 1st Cav XX. The Ro-37 is rebuilt.

Not much is happening on the ground. An air raid on Madrid results in the loss of a SM-79, killed by an I-16.

Loyalist Turn.

Another I-16 is rebuilt. Preparations continue for next year’s campaign.

October 1937

Oct I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The Atlantic clears. The Mov XX is converted to the 63rd XX. Another successful air raid on Madrid; bombers destroy an A-101. With the lines to the north stabilized, the units west of Madrid are slightly reinforced and attack more successfully (hex 2415 again), mauling a PA XXX, which did’nt get any ground support this time (5:1 -2 = DH).

Loyalist Player Turn.

The French border is closed again. Enough reserves have been built up to close the gap near Talavera de la Reina, but not enough units reach the area to launch a counter-attack. However, enough supply has been accumulated to attack the 7 Cas XXX at the important rail junction of Palencia. Despite the presence of DAS, the risky attack succeeds at considerable cost (2:1 0 = EX).

Oct II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Bad weather returns to the northern half of the Iberian peninsula (Zone D = Mud). Oddly, the Atlantic remains clear, but the Med experiences rough seas. The bad weather causes the Loyalists some supply problems in mountainous areas, but all Insurgent forces are in supply. The 81st XX is upgraded to the 84th.

The gap in the line at Palencia is plugged weakly. It is hoped that the mud will slow down any PA attempt to exploit the situation. Concentration on plugging the hole in the lines to the north forestall any follow-up to the success west of Madrid.

Another successful air raid on Madrid! Escorting Italian CR.32’s abort an I-15, while the bombers destroy a Po.540. The ridicule previously directed at Insurgent air units now seems uncalled for, as the PA air force has been reduced to 2 units. It should be noted however, that several Insurgent air units are still in the replacement boxes.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The French border reopens. The units west of Madrid are still not strong enough or well-supplied enough to counterattack, and the muddy weather prevents any attempt to follow up the success at Palencia.

September 1937

Sep I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

All 3 CR.32’s are rebuilt, and the mixed “F” XX is formed. An air raid on Santander destroys an R-Z.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The R-Z and an I-15 are rebuilt. In contrast to recent successes in bombing airfield, raids this turn all fail badly. At Oviedo, a Nationalist CR.32 aborts an escorting I-16, and at Vallodolid, an Italian CR.32 aborts an I-15. AA fire at Vallodolid also aborts a SB-2. Both raids fail to score any hits.

Sep II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The Atlantic is rough this turn. The 102nd XX is formed and the 23 Mar X is upgraded to a division. Several other divisions are upgraded or converted to higher strengths (4 Lit to Lit, 1 Cas to 61, 2 Sor to 54, 2 Cas to 62, 6(Req) to 53).

An air raid on Madrid goes very well, as an Italian CR.32 kills an intercepting
I-16 and bombers destroy an R-Z. Troops west of Madrid belatedly launch their diversonary attack (hex 2415), but don’t accomplish much, partly due to Loyalist DAS, partly due to attacking a fortified position (4:1 -2 = AS).

Loyalist Player Turn.

The French border is reopened. An I-15 is rebuilt. An air raid on Oviedo gets mixed results. An escorting I-15 kill a Nationalist CR.32, but AA fire aborts an R-Z. (I realized about this time that I had forgotten the air replacement limits and rebuilt 2 PA air units the last turn. It didn’t really have any effect, since if I had only rebuilt 1 it would have been the I-15, and the R-Z was shot down again by flak before it ever took part in air combat or scored any bombing hits.)

August 1937

Aug I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The 3 PN XX and some non-divisional CVT units are rebuilt. The success of the PA in attacking with out attack supply has convinced the Insurgents that they must establish a shorter, more defensible front line. It is not clear how far to pull back. Eventually, a limited withdrawl to the line hex 1606-Valladolid-Medina del Campo-Adaja River is decided on. This will only marginally shorten the line but will put a fair portion of it behind rivers. Also, all front-line units will be able to reach this line this turn, which would not be true with a deeper withdrawl.

Loyalist Player Turn.

An I-15 is rebuilt. Some new supply is recieved. An air raid on Oveido manages to destroy a CVT SM-79 on the ground. A raid on Vallodolid is also successful, destroying a Nationalist Ro-37.

The arrival of new supply allows 3 attacks to be launched. The 3rd XX is attacked successfully (hex 1907) (4:1 0 =HX). Just to the south (hex 2007), DAS is unable to prevent the 1 Mad XXX from being pushed back; worse, Loyalist troops advancing after their successful attack on the 3rd XX manage to cut off most of the corps retreat (3:1 0 = DR) (ZOC kill: 83rd XX and non-divisional eliminated, 52nd XX cadred). DAS also fails to prevent a successful attack on the 7 Cas XXX (hex 1707) ( 4:1 0 = HX). These attacks do burn up all the attack supply recieved this turn.

Note: Many of the attacks made in the game have been made with only part of the units involved being in attack supply. The Loyalist attacks in late July are the only large battles in which the attacker has been entirely without attack supply. (Some small battles against single regiments or cities defended solely by their intrinsic garrisons haven’t given any need for the burning of attack supply.)

Aug II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The 152nd XX is formed. The front line is patched as well as possible, basically by pulling the section between Vallodolid and the Cordillera Santabrica back slightly.

Loyalist Player Turn.

An air raid on Vallodolid destroys the Mxt T unit on the ground. There is no more attack supply and no longer any good opportunities to launch any attacks without it.

July 1937

Jul I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Jul I ’37 Insurgent Turn. The Nationalist and Italian CR.32’s are both rebuilt. The arrival of some artillery allows some cadres to be rebuilt to full strength and for some unsupported divisions to recieve support. It is hoped that this will stabilize the front lines.

The 5 Ara XXX pulls back to 2107 where it will once again be in supply. It is also reinforced with a division. Italian fighter pilots finally redeem themselves, aborting an I-15. An attack on the 4th (San) XX at 1507 is more successful than the earlier attack on the Asturians. The Santanderos are forced back and the division disintigrates trying to withdraw (4:1 -1 =DR) (ZOC kill). The elimination of the Loyalist saliant at 1507 shortens the line. One of the divisions which took part in the battle will be able to shift toward Burgos to firm up the lines.

Loyalist Player Turn.

Jul I ’37 Loyalist Turn. The ideological re-purification of all cities in Cataluna is now complete, freeing up a swarm of PA non-divisional units. The I-15 is rebuilt. An air raid on Oviedo fails to hit the airfield there but an intercepting Italian CR.32 is abouted by a PA Mixed F. So much for the Italians redeeming their honor.

An attack is finally launched on the 5 Ara XXX. The People’s Army calls in GS & demolishes the corps in a hard-fought battle (3:1 0 = EX). Further north (hex 1805), an attack is launched on a force centered on the recently rebuilt 13th XX. Both sides call in air power. In the air, an I-15 jumps a Kondor Legion He-45 and aborts it, but the I-15 is itself killed. On the ground, the presence of enough armor (in the form of the Dro and Bab lt. armor II’s) to achieve AECD doesn’t prevent the capture of the position with heavy causalities on both sides (3:1 -2 = EX).

Jul II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

There are rough seas in the Atlantic, but this should have no effect on operations. The 108th XX is formed. The KL He-45 is rebuilt, but the CVT has no ARP’s left so the CR.32 cannot presently be returned to service.

The Nationalist command had discussed the possibility of a withdraw, but noting an intelligence report that the Loyalists are now running low on supplies, Franco orders that there should be no pulling back. No attacks are possible, but an attempt is made to mount an air offensive against the PA air force. The bombers and attack planes manage no hits but in a raid on Madrid an escorting Italian CR.32 aborts an I-16.

Loyalist Player Turn.

Pointing out that no Insurgents are anywhere near enough to be a threat to Basque interests, Republican leadership lobbies the Basques to allow their units to be released for operations outside Euzkadi. Perhaps inspired by recent Loyalist successes, the Basques agree.
The I-16 is rebuilt.

The PA command is determined to sieze Burgos from the CVT. Enough supply is rounded up that about half the attacking force is in attack supply. Both sides mount major air operations to support their ground troops. The Nationalist CR.32 is aborted in a patrol attack on an R-Z. German fighter pilots seem to show better ability as the Kondor Legion He-51 kills an I-16. Italian pride takes another hit as Burgos falls (2:1 0 = HX). There is much gnashing of teeth in Rome as 3 divisions are eliminated along with their supporting units. Of the strong Italian ground contingent in Spain, only the 3 Lit XX, operating independently of the rest of the CVT, and a few scattered non-divisional units are left. To make matters worse, the remaining Italian CR.32, confident that Burgos would hold, had landed at the city’s airstrip and is aborted in escaping!

The Insurgents, already reeling from the loss of Burgos and the Italians, are dealt further shocks as PA units southwest of Burgos launch further attacks without attack supply. The 32nd XX (hex 2108) is destroyed but goes down fighting (4:1 0 = EX), while further west (hex 2210) the reinforced Ov XX is pushed back (3:1 -1 = DR).

May 1937

May I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The direct route into Santander along the rail line is deemed too strong to attack directly, so attempts are made on the flanks, with mixed success. In the mountains to the west, 2 XXX’s attack some unsupported Santandero X’s and succeed in destroying them despite the defensible terrain (6:1 -2 = EX). To the east, however, the 15th(Int) XX, with some supporting units and DAS beats back an attack by the CTV and a Spanish XXX (3:1 -1 = AS).

Loyalist Player Turn.

The planned drive from Santander is again delayed as units in that area extend their lines to prevent an Insurgent breakout from the mountains, the troops around Soria are still not ready, but the tempo of operations aroung Miranda de Ebro picks up as 2 attacks are launched in that area. North of the Burgos-Miranda de Ebro rail line (hex 1803), air units flying GS help drive back the Insurgent 4th(Req.) XX and supporting units with heavy losses (3:1 0 = DH), but further south, bad terrain and Insurgent DAS pretty well muck up an attack on the 72nd XX even though the Loyalist in this battle also recieved GS (3:1 -2 = AR).

May I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The 52 XX is formed. Attacks continue to focus on the flanks of the line across the Santander rail line. To the south (hex 1703), Loyalist DAS again helps the 15 (Int) XX fend off an attack by the CVT (2:1 -1 = AS). To the north, DAS also plays a role in defending the last line in the mountains (hex 1306) before the narrow coastal plain from an assault by the 3 (Req) and 13 XX’s, with supporting units. The attack, launched by the Nationalists with much hesitation and in some desperation, is a disaster (3:1 -2 = AH). The strong 13 XX is completely wiped out as its cadre is routed while attempting to withdrow (ZOC kill). Most of the supporting units are also eliminated, including 2 LE III’s. (It may have been a mistake to take the losses in this manner; if the Requete XX had been eliminated the cadre of the 13th would have survived, but the Insurgent have plenty of Nationalist replacements but no accumulated Requete replacement.)

This ill-advised attack has compromised the Insurgent position around Burgos. The offensive will have to be called off and only tactical counterattacks made until the situation can be stabilized.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The troops near Soria are finally ready to attack. They begin by reducing a fortified position (hex 2306) held by the Nationalist 12 XX (plus supporting units). Both sides call in air support as the Loyalists carry the fort lines in a bloody exchange (4:1 -2 = EX).

Along the Miranda de Ebro front, 2 attacks are again launched. The 72nd XX is finally expelled from the rugged terrain it had been defending (hex 2004) although the Loyalists, attacking in greater strength and with air support, take some losses (5:1 -2 = HX). Directly west of Miranda de Ebro, the reinforced 52nd XX holds on in yet another battle featuring ground support on both sides (3:1 0 = AS).

On the Santander front, there are still no attacks launched, but the destruction of the 13th XX allows the Loyalist forces to move forward in the nountains.

April 1937

Apr I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Spring rains continue to make the ground to muddy to launch any attacks in the north, while the delay in attacking along the rails west of Madrid has allowed Loyalist reinforcement to strengthen their position to such an extent that the Insurgents decline to attack them.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The French close their border again. Intelligence reports indicate that they will keep it closed for a long while this time. Otherwise, still waiting….

Apr II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The weather in the north finally clears, allowing operation to pick up in the north. Most of the Insurgents’ best troops, including the CVT and Kondor Legion ground troops, are committed to a massive attack SW of Santander (hex 1604). Loyalist control of the air over the battlefield allow the to recieve DAS but the attack is so strong the Insurgents aren’t to worried about being unable to call in GS. The attack results in the Insurgents ending up in control of the battleground but they fail to inflict much losses on the PA & Ast. units involved (5:1 -2 = DR). Commitment of so much strength to this one attack, and continued supply concern, prevent any other attacks at this time.

Loyalist Player Turn.

A revolt against the Republican government breaks out in Barcelona. The PA command had been warned of this and has made sure that plenty of good, loyal PA units are available in Cataluna to suppress the revolt. It also moves quickly to disarm POUM units.

The drive on Burgos gets off to an inauspicious beginning. The Insurgent attack on the Santanderos has disrupted the planned attack from that direction, the troops at Soria are not quite ready to attack, and some forces from Miranda de Ebro are sent to Santander to shore up the defense in that area. In the end, only one attack is launched, a preparatory attack on the 3 Lit Div and supporting CTV units in the upper Ebro Valley (hex 2103). The Italians are shattered with some losses to their attackers (3:1 -1 = EX).

Meanwhile, an attempt to bomb the airfield at Burgos goes badly as an escorting I-15 is aborted and the target escapes damage.

March 1937

Mar I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The weather clears in the south while winter gives way to muddy spring weather in the north. Much consternation results in Franco’s headquarters when it is discovered that January’s attack west of Madrid was not only a total failure, but the supply consumed has not been replace, leaving forces in the area unable to attack. Lack of rail capacity is again the culprit; the Insurgents have huge stockpiles of attack supply building up in ports far from the front, but no good way to move the bulk of it forward.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The Loyalists, in contrast, are content to forgo offensive action in the south and await good weather in the north.

Mar II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Mud still persists in the north. The 13th Div. is formed from 1-strength point units. Some supply is move up in the south, but there is still not enough to launch a decent attack.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The French border is re-opened, allowing the reciept of some Po.540 bombers. The 11Ch Div is formed. The PA command is still waiting for clear weather to attack in the north.

February 1937

Feb I 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

The bad weather continues except in the Med, which is calm. The ground units of the Kondor Legion and the CVT, as well as many of the better Nationalist units, begin to concentrate around Burgos, from which the drive into Asturias will be launched. Low rail capacity slows this concentration.

Loyalist Player Turn.

Two more Div’s are formed, the 15th (Int.) and 4th (Ast.), as preparations for the next offensive continue.

Feb II 37

Insurgent Player Turn.

Continued bad weather prevents any major activity.

Loyalist Player Turn.

The Loyalist likewise cannot accomplish much due to weather but do form the 4th Div.

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