Category: Second Front (Page 4 of 5)

Snow, Snow, Mud and Mud, all seas Rough.

Axis Player Turn

Spain – San Sebastian and the surrounding environs are strengthened and Pz Training XXs placed in Southern France as a reserve in case of Allied breakthrough. The large amount of Artillery received this month is scattered along the French coast allowing several divisions to be replaced with brigades and regiments.

Italy – Little occurs in the region.

Allied Player Turn

Spain – Off the coast of Barcelona the Spanish and Royal navies blunder about trying to locate each other for a second Trafalgar but fail to find each other to the disappointment of both CinCs. Caceres falls to a Portuguese infantry attack which forces the Spanish out of the city. At Salamanca the Canadian 2nd Infantry is left with a bloody nose in an EX result which gives the city to the Allies. Only the Galacian cities remain in Spanish hands in the west. Franco calls Churchill all sorts of rude names. Outside of Zaragosa Spanish pride is restored when two Canadian Armoured XXs with attached Motorised British infantry are stopped dead in an attack on a cavalry force (One 4-8 division and three 1-8 regiments). The “Barcelona Bugle” correspondent reports the Shermans were beaten back by the Spanish troopers swords thrust into the treads of the tanks. At Barcelona, British and French infantry are unable to seize the eastern half of the city despite a fourfold superiority in numbers. Franco calls “No pasarán!”

Italy – US Infantry pushes up the central mountain spine threatening the coastal positions (due to the low counter density in Italy compared to history, the central mountains were left unguarded by the German player, and the US infantry, stripped of artillery and other baggage were let loose to turn the Axis flanks). Elsewhere little happens.

Mud and Rough

Axis Player Turn

Spain – Barcelona is strengthened by the arrival of the SS 10th F PzG XX at Sabadell while the Spanish pull back from the Tarragona region. The northern front is wilting under allied pressure but Hitler sends an urgent plea to Franco to hold on for as long as possible until the passes over the Pyrenees can be garrisoned effectively. In the west the fragmented units holding out against the Portuguese-British attack begin to suffer from lack of supply and urgently radio through to Barcelona looking for aid. Constant withdrawals of key units to Russia is also annoying the German CinC who is forced to shuffle units about to hold Spain in the war.

Italy – Naples and Salerno are abandoned and the German army with RSI units withdraws to the forts behind the Garigliano. HG XX just scrapes through the ZoCs of the US/NZ forces to arrive safely home. The folly of not using air harrassment on its line of retreat haunts the allied commander and he is hounded into early retirement by the bitter press denunciations (obviously fed by press leaks from irate politicians from Whitehall and Washington). The best chance of pinning and destroying the HG XX (the last C/M XX in Italy except for a PzG XX guarding Liguria from sea attack) and getting an easy run into Rome without having to face a strong Cassino defence was missed due to the focus on Spain. The German CinC breathes easy once more and orders a bottle of grapa.

Allied Player Turn

Spain – Portuguese and British troops take Merida and push on to Caceres. Salamanca holds out again to an allied attack. In the east, Zaragosa falls to troops pushing north from the coast along the Ebro. This leaves only Barcelona and Lerida linked with France.

Italy – The British forces take up positions south of the Garigliano while the US forces move to the Adriatic coast and begin to enter the mountains, preparing for a flanking move on the 32 mile long “Adriatik Anvil” manned by the 44th Hud XX and a couple of lower quality Infantry units with ants. The placement of units makes it clear that despite the weather and terrain that the US forces are preparing to launch another assault soon. With news of this, the German CinC snorts grapa through his nose in surprise. It is also noted that several ports in Northern Italy have been left virtually unguarded and well within the reach of the air bases in Corsica (where significant numbers of air units begin to redeploy). Northern France and its defending troops remains untouched by the troubles in Spain and Italy.

Mud everywhere, Rough in the Atlantic, calm in the Med and Baltic

Axis Player Turn

Spain – Enraged at the Portuguese “stab in the back”, the handful of Spanish units in the west shuffle about in the mud and swear to fight to the death against their invaders while along the Pyrenees the Germans shuffle about trying to protect Barcelona and Franco’s new government. The 250th Spanish Blue XX mans the barricades with newly mobilised Artillery regiments providing support to cavalry and civil guard units. Viva la meurte! The sudden withdrawal of the 16th Pz XX to Russia from Tortosa leaves a single Spanish Mtn XX holding the line from the approaching English and French North African units.

Italy – Confident that the mud has closed down the front, the Army Group Italy CinC pops the cork on a couple of bottles of vino rosso in celebration. The policy of holding the US forces as far forward as possible seems to have paid dividends. Naples and Salerno remain in German hands, and, despite the drubbing received at Andria and the loss of an undamaged Foggia, the Peninsula looks secure. Along the coast several ants scurry to take up coast watch duties while the frontline rests under the driving rain while LW and RSI fighter aircraft rebase to Naples.

Allies Player Turn

Spain – A joint Canadian, British and Portuguese attack on Salamanca fails to dislodge the stubborn Spanish and the Allies are forced to flee from battle. At Tortosa, the single Spanish XX is crushed by British and French units who get a DR/ZoC result. Units exploit through to link up with the Tarragona beachhead and march onwards to Barcelona. At San Sebastian, an attack by Canadians and British fail to dislodge the defenders and break out into France.

Italy – The Indian 4th Mtn XX the NZ Mech 2nd and an armoured X arrive in Italy to team up with the 4 division strong British corp operating in the area. These units, using the roads to cross the peninsula, position themselves behind an American attack on the Panzer XX in Benevento. US units are stripped from the Adriatic coast to slam into the Pz XX defences while infantry and engineering troops slip through the mountains past the HG XX in Salerno. Fighters from Naples scramble to intercept the Allied air offensive in support of the US attack in the muddy conditions but are largely ineffective against such overwhelming odds. An EX results to the stunned disbelief of the Axis commander who spills vino rosso all over his uniform on hearing the news. The unhinged line is further broken into by the NZ 2nd XX and again the HG XX looks like being trapped unless it retreats to behind the Garigliano.

Axis Player Turn

Weather turns to Mud

Italy – Forts are built behind various river lines and bridges under threat from the Americans are demolished. It seems the Germans are in the area for a while when more troops are rushed to the south.

Spain – Rebuilt Pz Cadres arrive at the San Sebastian front while Barcelona is heavily reinforced with the rail lines finally repaired to France. Eastern troops arrive and are sent to an advanced position at Zaragoza. A Panzer XX and Sp Mtn XX position themselves at Tortosa to block the advancing British while the Spanish armoured XX and Cav XX arrive at Calatyud. With Spain split in two, Hitler organises for a daring paratroop raid on the Asturian mountain top fortress where Franco is being held awaiting transportation to Canada for post war trials. Snatched successfully and flown back to Barcelona he begins to arrange a new government. In the west Spanish forces try and hold what is left of Galacia, Estramaduras and north western Anadalucia. Generally things aren’t looking to good in Spain at the moment for the Axis cause.

Allies Player Turn

Announcing the need to help maintain Iberian freedom from extremist elements that threaten traditional conservative values in the region, Portugal trumpets its intention to join the allies. Portuguese troops cross the border and seize Vigo. The British Commander of the “Peninsula Army” is delighted to have Britain’s “oldest ally” joining him, especially as the lousy job he is doing garrisoning the fractious Spanish cities is causing widespread bloodshed as old feuds are paid off by Republicans coming out of hiding to revenge themselves on their hated Falange rivals. Elsewhere Spain is quiet with more troops coming ashore at Tarragona and the French arriving in force at Valencia.

In Italy the front is quiet as the air forces shuffle about to prepare for the long winter ahead.

Analysis

With poor weather closing down much of the Front I suppose its time to give an Allied Commander’s review on progress to date with this mini-Grand scenario. Spain certainly opened up the theatre and put a new slant on campaigning in Europe. The ability to seize some high capacity ports looks, on the surface of things, to have allowed a massive flood of (in this case) British forces from the MTO and UK to get well established – Gibraltar helps a lot too! Spain appears too hard to defend – too much coast line and not enough troops, especially when the 2-6* cadres are picked out by the attacker and squashed. The bonus of picking up Madrid without a fight was a critical factor in this campaign, splitting the country in two and shattering Spain’s capacity to do anything more than offer meagre assistance to the Germans. The early capture was aided by the fact that Spain is big and it is difficult to secure the flanks allowing deep exploitation moves. I doubt if I was to play this game again I would see an unguarded Madrid!!

The addition of Spain (and Scandinavia) adds a completely different focus to Second Front. Troop commitment to Italy by both sides was a lot less – the Germans having to guard the Pyrenees (which require a lot more troops than Italy!) as well as having to maintain the defences of Northern France from an allied attack, consequently they are spread thin on the ground. If I was to commit an historical amount of troops to Italy in this game, I would swamp the German defence and be drinking coffee in Vienna by now, but about 70% of British forces are tied up in Spain with a significant proportion sitting in Garrison on cities – which, I must add, I failed to establish early enough or with enough force to cost me significant VPs as listed in our home made VP charts – basically I’ve lost 8 VPs from Spanish unrest compared to the 3 I’ve gained for capturing Madrid! Under these rules one is tempted to question the value of the whole enterprise…. hmmmm, perhaps we should of just used the RAW from FWTBT. Portugal’s entry to the war is a definite bonus for the Allies – even though their divisions are relatively weak half a dozen Portuguese XXs can free up a couple of US/UK XXs that might just be spared for a side show in Scandinavia…….

Axis Player Turn

In Italy a little bit of panic sets in on the east coast. Troops scurry north to cower behind the Bifurno River, leaving Foggia undamaged in the rapid retreat! The HG XX continues to defend Salerno while the 16th Pz takes up positions in the mountains west of Benevento. In Spain an attack to dislodge the Gds XX from Vitoria fails badly and the German attackers are forced to retreat back to San Sebastian. Elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula the Spanish army mills about trying to get its act together. It fails.

Allies Player Turn

The Gds and 11th Arm Xxs drive on the 3rd PzG and an attached Infantry XX currently blocking the coastal advance to San Sebastian. With Canadian infantry support the Germans are beaten badly (EX) and captured when the are unable to retreat (ZoC scam). Seville is taken in an Exchange while Leon, Pamplona, Almeria and Cartagena taken. The blocking force at Tarragona lashes out at a Spanish stack to the north and destroys it (courtesy of halved Spanish strength). Meanwhile a powerful Motorised Infantry force begins the march along the coast from Valencia to relieve the beachhead.

In Italy an attempt is made on the Bifurno River but it is beaten back by the 44th HuD XX.

Axis Player Turn

In Italy units pull back slowly, obviously attempting to reach the security of the more defensible terrain further north. Engineer units behind the mainline frantically construct some airfields to receive the bulk of the units stationed at Foggia.

In Spain the hurried mobilisation of forces begin, but it rapidly becomes clear that Spain is a big country and with the method of the British invasion threatening several sectors at once, units are scattered about with no definable defence lines set up. German help is hindered by the rail network which construction units struggle to repair without threatening the work that is underway in the north of France to repair the ongoing damage there. Franco is also suspicious when the German units on the border only advance a short distance to protect San Sebastian or reach the south end of the Pyrenees passes. Only around Barcelona do the Germans enter the country deeply with a couple of Panzer units joining the Spanish Mountain forces in blocking off Tarragona. An attack on the defenders by Spanish infantry and Civil Guards earlier failed to dislodge the paratroopers. Seville is reinforced and some units are shuttled to join the Germans around Bilbao. The single Spanish armoured XX is sent northwards from Madrid towards Burgos to threaten the British beachheads. Under Himmler’s direct orders, the SS LrSt PzG X motors its way into Calatylud.

Allies Player Turn

In Italy the Americans launch an all out attack on the German Panzer units south west of Andria. In a gruelling battle the German Pz are virtually wiped out (EX) and following up their success, the US motorised and tank units push north past the remaining 24th Pz Cadre to outflank a corp of miscellaneous units at Foggia.

In the Rif US and Indian forces with heavy air support wipe out the last defenders in Ceuta, driving them into the sea. In Andalucia, the city of Granada falls but Seville holds out – Jerez is taken and the British begin to gather around Seville. From Valenica a motorised 8th Indian XX with Armoured X support pushes north to the Tajao River to attack and force a bitter exchange on the defending Spanish XX with attached ants. Tarragona is reinforced by sea, the Spanish navy failing to sortie from Barcelona. In the Austurias, Oviedo falls to a massive British attack while the Guards Arm. XX swings behind the Spanish/German line to seize Vitoria and threaten San Sebastian by pushing to within 32 miles of the town. The Canadian infantry join up to defend Bilbao while the Canadian Armoured XXs sprint out of the beachhead on the north coast to seize Valladolid. It is then noticed by the Falangalist government that the earlier emptying of the Madrid barracks had left the city defenceless. Added to this the mountain passes to the north were unmanned. Franco panics and call for urgent German reinforcements – even by air if possible! It is too late and the sudden appearance of the 5th Canadian Armoured XX with attached motorised artillery overruns the city and captures Franco and his cabinet. Hitler has bit of a roll around on the carpet and curses himself for not spotting what his generals should have advised him about earlier.

Axis Player Turn

In Italy the HG Pz XX withdraws to Salerno past the guns of the US troops overlooking its retreat path – they are only able to slow, not stop the retreat. To the east the LSSAH, 24 and 26 Pz XXs fall back to behind the Agri River while more units from the north enter the general area. Luckily for the Allies these are mostly scratch forces of SS Police, AT battalions and the like. In France a couple of units relocate close to the Spanish border.

In Spain, spies working inside Gibraltar are unable to find out whether the newly arrived armoured and motorised units are a threat to Spain or just in transit back to the United Kingdom. Madrid is wary but decides not to call out its troops or mobilise to a war footing. (Failed roll on success chart).

Allied Player Turn

The expected invasion of Spain is launched – firstly the air power of the MTO is unleashed on the rail network in southern France, isolating Spain from German reinforcements. In Andalucia British Armoured forces overrun the local defence forces (cadred XX) allowing other armoured and motorised units to spread out through the province – an attack is launched on Seville but fails to dislodge the defenders. In Spanish Morocco, a joint US/Indian task force attacks and wipes out most of the Spanish defenders in the northern part of the region while French mountain forces mop up the southern areas of Mellila and Villa Sanjurjo. Ceuta remains untaken but the few Spanish soldiers and colonial troops that remain there are looking lonely and scared.

Landings occur at Valencia which falls easily to the Indian 8th XX and Royal Marines and at Tarragona where a joint air landing by paratroopers and seaborne forces secure the immediate area and provide a speed bump should the Germans get there act sorted out. (I toyed with the idea of landing directly in Barcelona but this would have put me within reach of German units across the border so opted instead to isolate the city by extensive bombing and hold the Barcelona-Valencia rail line at Tarragona instead.)

On the Bay of Biscay, the Canadians, Commandoes and Royal Marines come ashore at Aviles, Gijon, Santander and Bilbao – all landings are successful with the few Luftwaffe planes in reach at Bordeaux unable to pierce the AA screen thrown up by the Home Fleet. Follow on units include lots of armoured troops – mainly Canadian at Santander. The weak Spanish defence is brushed aside (Civil Guards and border forces).

Half a dozen good sized ports seized with a handful of Dot cities allowing rebasing of aircraft to the European mainland. Confidence is high in Whitehall that the decision to violate Spanish neutrality was a wise one. Washington shows its questioning of Churchill’s strategic whims by limiting ground involvement to the Rif only and maintaining its pressure in Italy where Taranto is taken and the Americans push further up the boot.

German

In a shock move Italy announces its departure from the war and intention to join the Allied forces. Hitler is shocked! Il Duce pledges undying loyalty and sets up an alternative regime in Milan. Several Blackshirt and para units remain loyal while the rest of the Italian army is disbanded except for those on Corsica, Sardinia (Cagliari defenders), the Syracuse XXs and a rather mobile force wedged between the British lodged in the instep and approaching Americans from Reggio. This unit is three 3-8 XXs, a mountain cadre, light Arm III, Cavalry III and two rather tasty strong Artillery units – just what the allies need at a time like this!

The Germans respond by trying to scuttle north but again harrassment delays the retreat and numerous breaks in the northern rail line make it hard to get troops down to the south. Germany has about 8 XXs worth of units in the lower end of the boot – all motorised or mechanised but strung out. The situation looks grim.

Allies

A series of attacks go in to try and circle behind the retreating German forces – a number of attacks are launched but terrain forces a number of AS results. The US Army is bringing overwhelming strength to bear in the region, the question remains can it be brought to bear in a manner that might cause serious damage to the Germans in Italy? The British units are withdrawn back to North Africa. What can be brewing?

Situation to date

Italy has been knocked out of the war through loss of numbers – around 52 REs worth, mostly courtesy of an amazing blood frenzy by the Yanks in Sicily in August I and some heavy air losses over this time period. I wasn’t expecting to roll for Italian surrender until late September due to my inability to take Cagliari and Corsica but I read the rules again for Italian surrender and decided to try my hand early. Lucky for me I did as it gave me enough troops courtesy of those left in Corsica and Sardinia to form up the Italian co-belligerent forces.

Italy appears to becoming an exclusively American show at the moment. All British troops and shipping are concentrated in North Africa or Southern England. A couple of battlegroups based around American AT Xs and an Indian XX have been placed on the map near the Rif. An Armoured Corp has arrived at Gibralter, whatever can this mean??

German

Troops are rushed down from central and northern Italy to block off the British threat, thankfully harrassment causes them to arrive strung out and unable to do little than contain the beachhead from the north. The Panzers at Messina cross to the main land and begin to pull out to the north, again delayed by allied air power. Italians are rushed to try and block the British from the south while a couple of pathetic AA units remain holding the Messina strait.

Allied

The British try and cut the toe off but are rebuffed by Italian defenders (damn their eyes!) and the US crosses over from Sicily, destroying the Italian defenders. The Near east and Middle east boxes are emptied of most troops who reform in North Africa. This puts the wind up the German CinC who spends some time looking at Spain. At Corsica, the all expenses paid holiday continues with the British actually shipping units off the island. (Admittedly for some French units, but as any good englishman will tell you they’re not really the same calibre). A couple of cowering coastal divisions in the corner of Sicily around Syracuse are ignored by the all conquering Americans.

German

Germans in Corsica slip back to the mainland while the remaining Italians take up positions in the mountains in the centre of the island and in Bastia. In Sicily the Germans flee for Messina and are just able to force the US units holding it out with a DR, much to the relief of the German CinC. Remaining Italian units struggle to reach the town but lack the leg power to do so. Sardinia girds itself for its fate.

Allies

Cagliari is attacked but an AS results. The northern end of the island is sprouting airfields at a rapid rate while in Corsica the troops take some time off to splash about in the Med and get a good suntan (forgot to move them, ooops!). In Sicily the US troops go crazy and slaughter everyone within reach by overruns, DEs or DR/ZoC losses. About a dozen or so Italian XX and assorted ants are wiped out. The destruction is so great I can’t help but feeling worried that it is going to catch up with me some time in the future. The German CinC goes into shock at the Italian losses but consols himself with the knowledge his Panzers are safe. At least until four British XXs land on the instep of the shoe south west of Catanzaro. This causes a bit of mild panic.