Author: Wolf Broszies (Page 3 of 3)

Oct I 1936

With the new supply arriving at the ports we find ourselves critically short of rail capacity, the ammunition rots in the harbours while our fronts are short of supply. To put pressure on the Loyalists we have to make use of our assets wherever they are, and as dearly we would like to transfer the Legion Entragere to the North we simply don’t have the means to do so. The transfer of colonial troops to Cadiz continues, the presence of Italian subs prevents any incursions by the Loyalist fleet. In the North we barely screen the gobernitos, while everything available is now shifted to the east to occupy the rail line to Zaragoza and secure ist supply line. To do so, we have to retreat more columns over the Ebro, so that there are now only 2 border regiments left east of the river.

Another attempt to stop the Loyalist onlaught at Zaragoza failes east of Merida [5:1 -1 AS] despite the fact that virtually all reinforcements go to there, while the newly arrived Italian tank batallion scores its first victory in supporting a small conterattack up the Teja valley [6:1 +2 DE]. In the mountains north of Madrid an isolated Loyalist column is cut of and smashed [5:1 -2 EX] as the battle for the mountain crest continues. We now occupy mountain hexes everywhere except the rail line to Bajadoz [2412], which doesn’t matter as Bajadoz finally falls into our hands [4:1 -1 DR], despite some fierce resistance by the Elite Art Regiment stationed there. In the South several colums screen Cordoba and Malaga, while the main colums head for the slowly emerging frontline in the east to prevent relieve attempts. Solid contact is now established everywhere, and we start to construct the first fortifications in the open. [frontline from Motril in the South to 2414, then along the mountains to the rail line to Zaragoza, from there no contact is established so far becouase of our retreats]

The Loyalists concentrate on Zaragoza and rail more troops into the area. The remaining National Forces east of the Ebro are wiped out and solid contact is made with the Basque forces coming from the North. The river line marks the front, which means that Zaragoza will be cut off as soon as bad weather occures.

More loyalist colums mobilized in the vicinity on Madrid manage to re-take a mountain hex north of the city, while a second attack falteres.

Losses: Insurgents: 5

Inf 1 Arm, Loyalists: 7 Inf 1 Art

Oct II 1936

1936

(D = Mud)

More divisions reach the front line north-west of Zaragoza as a fierce battle errupts for the supply lines of the city. We cannot prevent that the city finylly gets cut of in the last days of the month.

The only important attack on anarchist colums in Anadlusia failes [5:1 -2 AS], while finally the last isolated loyalist stronholds in aour hinterland are cleared.

Losses: Insurgents: 5

Inf 1 Art, Loyalists: 3 Inf

Sep I 1936

Two more divisions are assembled, one at Zaragoza to stem the massive flow of Loyalist troops from Catalania up the Ebro river, and one more to help the attack at Valladolid. The most important parts of the Legion Entragere and the Colonial Regiments now have been shipped to Southern Spain to join the assault against the Anarchist republic of Andalucia. As the Loyalist fleet remains surprisingly quiet there is nothing much to do for the first arriving submarine sqadroons of the Italin Navies, who guard the first transports of supply and artillery reaching our ports. In the South we intensify our grip on the anarchist cities and cut them off, while in the North Valladolid falls to a combined assault of all arms.

The first Catalanian colums establish contact with our lines in front of Zaragoza. From the southern hills of the Pyrennes long columns of Loyalist troops heading for the city can be spotted, a threat we are unable to counter effectively because our inabillity to shift troops. Their first attempt to break our ranks fails [3:0 -1], while the important rail junction of Calatyud falls into Loyalist hands after a blody battle [3:1 (-1) HX] More Loyalist units pouring out of Madrid score another vitory against a lonly requete column at Soria, smashing it and occupying the city [4:1 (0) DH].

Losses: Insurgents: 4 Inf, Loyalists: 2 Inf 1 Art

Sep II 1936

The Legion Entrangere finally reaches the outscirts of Malaga and occupies the approaches to the city, while our corps at Cordoba receives reinforcements against the new anarchist colums aggresivly defending the city. The victors of Valladolid rush to the east to rescue Zaragoza and retake Calatyud, but don’t reach the front in strengh. A swift attack without preperations or supply overwhelms a cut-off loyalist column in the eastern Cordilleras [hex 2507].

Nearly a Dozend Loyalist columns reach the outskirts of Zaragoza and isolate the city, while more bypass our strongpoints east of the city to press on northward. Huesca falls [4:1 -1 DR].

In the South, the anarchist rulers of Malaga and Cordoba issue rationing of the stocked supplies, as there is no imminent chance of relieving the city. From the mass of Loyalist colums in the Tejo valley a regiment of Guardia del Civil breakes through and reaches the still besieged Bajadoz, adding to the defenders there.

Losses: Insurgents: 0, Loyalists: 1 Inf

Aug I 1936

While still to many units are busy pacifying the cities General Franco orders the first two divisions that are combat ready to the offensive and mounts an attack on Cordoba, which bloddlily failes [at 3:1 (-1)]. In the very north another attempt to quickly overwhelm the Commies fails as well [at 2:0 (0)] as an attack against Gijon is beaten back with considerable losses of men and territory. After this debacle, we decide to first consolodate our position before undertaking any further attempts. However, we have managed to isolate and surround Cordoba and Valladolid, while the first regiments of our elite Legion Entrangere head for Malaga.

The Loyalists concentrate on a solid buildup and start forming militia brigades all over Catalania, while the newly proclamated Anarchist republic of Anadalusia issues enrolment orders all over the countryside.

Aug II 1936

As the first cities are pacified more units rush to the front that starts to take shape. Our troops have to evacuate Toledo in order to maintain contact with our main concentrations as the first Loyalist infantry columns are pushing down the Tejo valley. Along the central Cordillieras contact is made with loyalist troops and both sides start to dig in.

Meanwhile, the first attempt of Loyalist columns to march down along the Tejo river valley failes as well as their attempt to break our lines encirceling Cordoba. The uncoordinated attacks still show the lack of guidance from the officer corps which has joined our cause.

Turn 1: Jul II 1936

From the Nationalist point of view the most notable result of the variable beginning is that Logrono and Valladolid both stay loyal, which spells a lot of difficulties to our undertaking. However, there might be still a chance to decide this issue quicker than though. First we are going to isolate Malaga while collecting all available forces for quick stab at Cordoba. Opening the road into Andalusia will eventually lead us into the heartland of the Communists.

Another important thing will be to clear up our hinterland as soon as possible, to allow us to throw everything into the upcoming battle for Madrid. So we start to ship over the first colonian regiments, especially those wonderful LE regiments which are unequalled by anything the Loyalists have. Most of these thoughts remain plans for now, as the rest of the units is mainly busy with pacification.

During the Loyalist player turn anarchists spring up everywhere, one just wonders where they’ve been hiding all the time.