Tag: FWTBT (Page 4 of 23)

Narrative

The Republic have a tactical choice to make this turn. Do they try to maintain the front as close to Valencia as possible or pull back to form a tight cordon around Barcelona?

The advantage of the former is that a local counter attack against the lone 1-5 mech @ 3502 will require outside help because the half strength divisions trying to escape the trap at Teruel cannot punch out unaided. If successful an attack and advance here has the potential to slow or prevent the Eastward march of the Nationalist infantry/Mech advance from Murcia but will such some of the best remaining divisions West and an offensive south on the Zaragoza front could find them trapped themselves.

On the other hand a retreat back to a strong position at Barcelona centred around Tortosa with its 3 river sides should make this a difficult position to crack even against the full might of a concentrated Nationalist attack.

The Nationalists  eastward move along the Valencia/Barcelona road cannot proceed now anyway until Valencia falls so a pause is inevitable.

As soon as the Terual “bulge” in successfully evacuated and/or clear weather returns to the north the Republic plan to swing  the West flank on the Zaragoza front back to link with the Valencia/Barcelona rail, pivoting on 3232.

After debate in the Junta it is decided to eliminate the !st Nationalist Mech. This will allow some troops to escape south from the Teruel bulge while others transit directly East across the mountains. This will isolate the Nationalist speared at 3501 which cannot be assaulted directly but can be contained. It is hoped the Terule forces when re-supplied can finish this group off.

Nationalists Turn

Weather;   Sea conditions clear although northern Spain still experiences heavy rain.  D=M. E=C , A= c, M= c
Supply:. Other than the Anarchists in Murcia both sides of the split Republic have viable supply nets so only the tongue of units trying to move south to Terul are out of supply.
Movement: 1 Res pt spent to temporarily increase Rail Cap to 24.75 REs
Replacements: 1 SRP recovered.  Mtn replaced.  HE 51 repaired

Air Activity:  Sortie 1: SM.79-1, Mxd 1A2,  He 111B fly GS to 3804 (Immediately W of Valencia) Intercepted by I-15/t25 who aborts the SM-79-1, I-15/t25 who fails to engage the Mxd 1A2

Sortie 2: Ro.37, SM.79-1 (CTV), escorted by CR.32  fly to Muria to bomb the factory. Intercepted by I-152 and GE.23 who attempt to bypass the screen.. CR.32 attacks the I-152 for no effect. And it presses home an attack on the SM.79-1 (CTV) but misses. Meanwhile the GE.23 engages the Ro,37; and also fails to affect the target.  3 points AA Return the SM.79-1 (CTV).  The Ro37s bombs fail to hit the target

Attack1: 4010 rough) (s of Hellin) Unsupplied 3-4-5*inf  XX 34, and  4-6 inf XX 112, 1-6 mg IMExp, 1-5 1 Corf (Fal), 1-6 inf 20 attack 1-5 inf LM (An( U2 @ 9:1 (-1) = DE Advance 34 XX

Attack 2: 4212 clear (Lorca). Unsupplied 3-4-5* inf XXs 40,73,m 1-6 inf 36, 1-6 inf 5MR (Col) and 4-6 inf XX 117, 3-4-5* inf XXS 14, 72, 2-8 mtn Pir, 1-6 arts 1, 16L, 1-2-6 arts 43, 46 Attack 3-4-5* inf XX 26 (An) U2, 0-1-5 cons 7, 0.5 Garrison @ 4:1 = DR. Advance 117, 14 XXs, 1, 16L, 43, 46 arts,. Garrison dispersed

Attack3: 3804 clear/fort  (Immediately W of Valencia) 6-8 lt XX 150, 6-6 inf XXs 52, 102, 3-2-6 inf 2LE, 3LE, 2-6 inf 2Mel (Col), 4-6 art 3RG, 1-2-6 art 42 and 3 pts GS Attack  6-6 inf XX 2A @ 5:1 (-1) = EX. Lose 2LE, 3LE. Advance 52, 102 XXs, 3RG, 42 arts. . fort destroyed,

Attack 4 3704 woods (NW Valencia) Supplied 4-6 inf XX 151, 1-2-8 art 50 and 7-6 inf XX 13, 6-6 inf XX 3, 2-1-8 cav 1E, 2O (Col), Transported 2-3-6 art 62, 1-2-6 art 48, 2-1-8 lt tk 3, 2-10 AA 88 (KL) and 2-1-8 lt tk Bab (CTV),transported 2-6 art 4P, 2-1-8 lt tk 2  Attack3-6 art AIAP, 1-8 lt tk 1 (U2) 2-3-5* inf XX 28 (An),1-2-5 infs Jou, TL (An), 1-5 infs Conf, 19Jul @ 4:1 (+1 -1) = DR. Eliminated, no retreat path.

Advance 151 XX, 50 art.

Attack 5: 3236 mtn (NE Teruel)  Unsupplied 4-5-5 inf XX 50, 3-4-5* inf XX 20, 1-6 inf 18, 1-6 inf I-S (Col) and  6-6 inf X 63, Supplied 2-8 mtn Guad, 2-1-8 art E, 3-2-6 inf 1LE, 6-6 inf XX 5 attack U2 3-6* inf XX 8 @ 7:1 (-4) = DR. Advance 50XX.

Attack 6: 3203 rough/fort (N of Teruel) Unsupplied 3-4-5* inf 83 XXs and 4-6 inf XX 21 attack 1-8 cav 7 @ 7:1 (-4) (1/6 chance of HX)  = DR Eliminated, no retreat path. Advance 83^rd XX. Fort destroyed.

Exploitation movement: Bab (CTV), lt tk 2, Transported art 4p to 3702

Lt tk 3, 88 (KL), transported art 62 to 3602

lt tk N, mc B (CTV), mot art L (CTV) to 3535

Valencia invested

Republican Turn

VPs : Goberneto none collapse (R+5 VPs) None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border ;Open
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply:  Anarchists move to U3. 3GSPs generated at Murcia 26XX (An) draws on these.
The Republicans trapped North of Truel become U3. Anarchist expend all half of their accumulated RPs to rebuild the army and help stem the tide in Murcia.  The Easternmost stack of Nationalist Mech unit is U1
Replacements;   1SRP, recovered.   I-16/t10 rebuilt.

The delayed 0.5 point of Art RP is received from France. 2 steps Supply and a further Art point are diverted to  France.

Air Activity:  SB-2, R-Z fly DAS to 3904  swamp adjacent Valencia )

Attack: 3501 mtn (S of Teruel), U£ 2-3-5 inf XX21, 3-6* inf XX40, and U2 3-6* inf XX24, U3 2-3-5* inf XX 49 and Unsupplied 4-6 inf XXs47, 65 Attack 1-5 mech  @ 6:1 (-4) = DR. Eliminated, no retreat path. Advance 21, 40 XXs,

Narrative

After the collapse in Aragon the Republic have been shoring up the defences in front of Barcelona north of the Ebro. They have the Segre and Elbro to fall back on and some are counselling that they should do so now well ahead of a new Nationalist offensive. This would allow them to build up strong doubled positions far more secure than the flimsy fortifications and defences on the current front line. Furthermore it will prevent any flanking attack from the West via the Valencia/Barcelona road to trap units  in such a forward position. The counter argument is that the Nationalists will always be able to force a passage and a voluntary withdrawal giving them some 50 miles of territory is a price too high. The Republic have some 18000 tons of supplies arriving via France for the defences and time to build up due to Franco’s ill-judged diversion of momentum  from this front to Valencia. Conscription is extended and three fresh divisions are raised and preparing to take the field ranging from 16 year olds which the veterans call quintadel biberon (the babies bottle) to middle-aged fathers, Nationalist prisons of war and technicians were added to help in the factories, however due to the lack of rifles, not enough to go around, such measures were more effective as weapons of propaganda than substance The newly arriving material was more suited to aviation, special arms and machine gun manufacture the small arms doing no more than replacing those lost in the long retreat from the north and on the Mercian front.

Nationalist Turn

Weather;   Unchanged except for light squalls in the Med. (Rough). D=M. E=C , A= R, M= R
Supply:. Once again the Anarchist find their position at the far end of the line from their supply source to be a bad decision as they are cut off from their primary supply source and all become U1 because Barcelona is blockaded preventing the Naval supply element. .
Pacification; Gijon, Almeria
Movement: 1 Res pt spent to temporarily increase Rail Cap to 24.75 REs
Replacements: 1.5 SRPs, 0.5 (KL) SRPs recovered
CR.32Bis, HE111B replaced, 2-6 eng,  replaced.

Air Activity: Sortie 1. SM.81, 2B3 mxd fly to 3705 to provide GS. Intercepted by the I-15/t25 which eliminates the SM.81  (R+2 VPs)

Sortie 2 Do 17E flies airfield bombing to Murcia but is Returned by AA fire

R0 37, 1A2 mxd, escorted  CR32.Bis fly airfield bombing to Lorca. Intercepted by I-16/t5, I-152, GE,23. After swirling mêlée  I-152 in aborted and 1A2 mxd eliminated (R +2 VPs) . Bombs fall wide.

Naval Activity:  NTs shuttle 2 ASPs to San Sebastian from Bilbao.

Attack1: 3504 mtn (N of Valencia) Supplied 5-6 XXs 53, 54  , 1-8 mb B (CTV), 1-8 mot art L, 1-5 mech 1, 3-2-8 lt tk N with ! factor GS from SM.79-1, SM-79-1 (CTV).  Attack 1-6 eng 2 with 1 factor GS from R-Z @ 6:1 (-2) = DE. Advance all

Attack2:3603 rough (n of Valencia) Isolated U1 2-1-8 lt tk 2, 2-1-8 lt tk Bab (CTV), transported 2-6 art 4P with 3 points GS from HE111B,  HE111E (KL) attack 2-8 mot ACGA @ 4:1 (+2) = DE. No advance

Attack 3: 3604 rough (N W of Valencia) Supplied  4-6 inf XX 151 and 7-6 inf XX13, 6-6 inf XX 3, 5-6 inf XX 105, 1-2-6 art 48, 2-3-6 art 62 transport, 1-6 sec 20GC, 2-1-8 cavs 2O, 1E (Col) Attack 3-4-5* inf XX 17, 1-2-6 * inf 37 @ 5:1 (-1) = DE. Advance All except 20GC, 105XX.

Attack 4: 3705 rough (W of Valencia) Supplied 6-6 inf XX 52, 102, 6-8 lt inf 150, 3-2-6 infs 1LE, 2LE, 3LE, 1-2-6 art 42, 1-2-8 art 50 with 1 factor GS from 2B3 mxd Attack 3-6*inf XX22, 2-3-5* inf XX 16 @ 5:1 (-1) = EX. Lose 1LE, 2LE. Advance  3LE, 150 XX lt, 102XX, 42, 50 arts

Attack 5: 3910 clear (S of Hellin).  Supplied 5-6 infs 11,81, Unsupplied 5-6 inf 62, 1-6 mg O, 1-6 art 13l, 2-6 infs6Xau, 8Riff (Col) and 4-6 inf XX 112, 4-8 cav XX 2, 1-6 mg E, IMEXp,5-6 inf XX 84, 2-6 inf 4Lar (Col) Attack 1-5 infs AgL, Fan (AN) , 0-1-6 art CNT (AN), 2-6 nvl 1EO, 1-6 art 8L @ 4:1 = DH Lose  Fan, Agl, CNT. Advance 11,84 XX

The Nationalists resist the temptation to attack on the Zaragoza affront and continue to stock pile supplies and move attack formations into position ready for a massive offensive when the weather clears.

Mech Moves: Transported 62 art, AAA 88 (KL), lt tk 3. To 3603

Lt tk N, Mb B (CTV) mot art L (CTV), 1 mech to 3503

Advanced guard in 3703 holds.

Valencia-Barcelona rail line cut by Nationalist lead elements

Republican Turn

VPs : Goberneto none collapse (R+5 VPs) None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border;  Open
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply:  Nationalist spearhead back in supply.
Anarchist U2. The Republicans trapped North of Truel become U2.
Replacements;  3 SRP, recovered.   I-152 repaired.,
The delayed 0.5 point of Art RP is landed in France.

Air Activity. Nationalist Harassment mission to 3905 (Alzera)  He 111E (KL),  mxd B, mxd 1A2, Do 17E escorted by ME 109E, Cr,32bis are intercepted by I-16/t10, 2X I-15/t25s which bypass the screen to engage the bombing force. The Me 109E Kills the I-16/t10. The rest of the engagement is without incident and 2 Harassment Hits are made  (N+2 VPs)

Sortie1: SB-2Bis out of Barcelona on Naval Patrol.

Sortie 2: R-Z hits rail line @ 3011.

Movement. Sensing the end is near in Murcia republic forces move towards Valencia to mass for a link up with forces moving from Barcelona. The government is Alicante slips out by night to set up  the government in  Barcelona (3624)

In the Zaragoza front the Republic initiate a ordered withdrawal from the northernmost positions south down the line of the Pyrenees

Attacks; None

Narrative

The Republic is not only fighting a military war but an economic one too.  The growing financial crisis and the low morale it produced was a great concert to the Negrin government.  The Republican  Zone has hyper inflation the cost of living more than tripling since the start of the war. The loss of the  factories in Northern Spain was a blow which the factories in the south struggled to replace. Indeed it was a feat of some magnitude that the metallurgical factories in Barcelona converted to a war footing where the expertise was so lacking. The Republic therefore was now as dependant as ever on foreign aid but the means to pay for these was quickly diminishing.  Payment was of course demanded in gold and when rumours circulated that the Republic had transferred their reserves to France and the Soviet Union a fever gripped European dealers who saw the potential of a quick profit at little risk.  Right from the start the Naivety of the Republic was evident as their obvious desperation created a seller’s market in Europe and north America.  Unscrupulous dealers and officials took large “commissions” and arms paid for in advance arrived as inferior substitutes.   Only 50% actually arrived after avoiding fraud, “shrinkage” and torpedoes.

The profiteering was widespread and although not known at the time even Herman Goering Minister President of Prussia and commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe was selling weapons while his own men were fighting for Franco.

Nationalists Turn

Weather;  The cold spell is over, the roads turn to mud in the north but sunny clear skies and hardening ground mark the start of what is hoped to be the final year of the war. . D=M. E=C , A= R, M= C
Supply:. Extreme left flank hex of Nationalist in North Aragon valley become U2..  Almeria pocket is eliminated bur the garrison survives to fight on.
Goberneto Collapse: Asturia.
Pacification; Hellin
Movement: 1 Res pt spent to temporarily increase Rail Cap to 24.75 REs
3-4-5* XX 18 moves into Almeria overunnuing Garrison.
Replacements; 2 SRPs recovered.  2-8 mtn rebuilt,  1A2 mxd, repaired.

Air Activity; Sortie 1: 1A2 Mxd , Ro 37 escorted by Cr.32 fly GS to 4314 (Aguilas – see below) Intercepted by I-16/t5. Which engages the CR.32 for no effect?

Sortie 2. Me 109E flies airfield bombing to Alicante.. I-5/t25 escapes to Valencia. ME109E avoids light flack (1pt) and Hits airfield.

Sortie3: CR.32bis (CTV), Me 109B/D escort SM.81 to Murcia to bomb airfield. I-16/t5, I-152  intercept and engages  the CR32.Bis  and Me 109B/D. The I-16/t5 is aborted.  SM.81 survives heavy flack (3 pts) but miss’s target

Sorties 4,5,6  against rail lines fail.

Naval Activity; Surface and Sub Task forces move to blockade Barcelona.

Attack 1: 4314clear (Aguilas) Unsupplied 3-4-5* inf XXS 40, 79, 1-6 inf 5, 1-6 inf 5MH (Col) and 4-6 inf XX 117, 3-4-5* inf XXS 14, 72, 1-6 inf 31, 1-2-6 arts 43, 46, 1-6 art 16L, 1-6 inf 1MT (Col) with 2 factors GS (see above) Attack 1-5 infs Fan, 19Jul, Conf, 0-1-6 art CNT @ 3:1 = HX. Lose5, 31.  Advance 14,72,117 XXs, 43, 46, 16L arts

Attack2: 3806 rough (NW of Alzera) Unsupplied (over river) 7-6 inf XX 13, 6-6 inf XX 3 and  Supplied

5-6 inf XXS11,62,81, 3-2-6 infs 1LE, 2LE, 3LE, 2-3-6 art 62, 1-2-6 art 48 and   6-8 lt XX 150, 6-6 inf XXs 52, 102, 1-2-6 art 42, 1-2-8 art50 2-6 infs 8Rif , 2Mel, 6Xau (Col) Attack 3-6* inf XX 3, 3-4-5* inf XX 77, 2-8 mot ACGA @ 7:1 (-1) = DH. Lose 77XX. Advance 52, 102 XX, 42art, 2 Mel. 6axu (Cols).

Attack 3: 3705 rough (E of Valencia) Supplied  2-1-8 lt tks 2,3,m Bab (CTV), 2-10 AA 88 (KL), Transported 2-6 art 4P, transported 4-6 art 3HG Attack 3-6* inf XX67, 2-3-5* inf XX 39, 1-6 eng 4, 0-, -5 cons 1 @ 2:1 (+3, -1) = EX. Lose 88 (KL( R+2VPs), 3RG, 3 lt tk. Advance lt tks 2 , Bab(CTV) , art 4P ,1x transport  ( A disappointing result, a DE would have ripped the  Republicans in two and allowed an overrun to Valencia. )

Attack 4: 3506 rough (on Valencia/Madrid rail line) Supplied 3-2-8 lt tk N, 1-8 mc B (CTV), 1-8 mot art L (CTV), unsupplied 1-5 mech 1, 4-8 cav 1, 3-4-5* inf XX 16, 4-5-5 inf XX 55 and 5-6 inf XXs 53, 54, supplied 5-6 inf XX 105, 2-1-8 cavs 1E, 2O (Col)  and unsupplied 4-6 inf XX 151. Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 42 @ 9:1 (-1) = DH. Advance 53, 54 XXs, lt tk N, mech 1, mc B (CTV), mot art L (CTV)

Exploitation lt tk N, mech 1, Mc B (CTV), mot art L (CTV) to 3505

Lt tks 2, Bab (CTV), transported art 4P boldly exploit to 3703 believing that the republic cannot move sufficient forces to block relief or make a counter attack.

Air Activity: Sortie 6:  DAS mission to 3505 Do 17E, He 111B escorted by CR.32Bis, CR.32Bis (CTV). Intercepted by I-16/t10 which engages the CR.32bis for no effect. CR.32Bis (CTV) eliminates one by-passing  I-15/t5. The other eliminates the HE 111B.  (N+2VPs, +2 VPs)

Sortie 7; SM 79-I adds to DAS at 3505 unopposed.

The push to Valencia

Republican Turn

VPs : Goberneto none collapse (R+5 VPs) None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border;  Open
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply:  Nationalist spearhead pushed to out of supply isolated position at 3703
2 XXs and eng isolated U1 at southern edge of Cordillera Penebetica.
The line of XXs forming the Eastern flak and relying on the Valencia Teruel rail line are U1
Replacements;  3 SRP, 0.5 SRPs (An) recovered.   I-15/t5 repaired.
Replacement Pools (and rail cap split) Reinforcements Of the 2.5 art reps to go to Barcelona 1 is eliminated 0.5 turned back and 1 arrives.

Air Activity: 

Sortie 1: 1A2 with Me 109B/D flies to 39095 (Alzira) to Harris the hex. I-16/t10 , I-16/t5 intercepts.  The t10 mutually aborts with the Messerschmitt. The t/5 misses the bomber and returns.

Sortie 2:   I-16/t5 at Lerida attempts to bomb the airfield at 3133 but is intercepted by CR.32bis. (CTV) Jettisoning his bombs the I-16/t5 dispatches the Italians with ease and returns to base (R+2 VPs)

Movement: The Zaragoza front sends their last reserve divisions to the Valencia defence but maintains a second screen line and fully manned, fortified l defensive line. They position engineers to fortify the river line in front of Lerida but await Res points to begin construction.

Attacks: None

Narrative

Has the Republic reached breaking point? This is the questioned to be answered by the Nationalist planners. The answer is almost. The Republic has no IRPs and simply replaces ¼ from losses. There are a very few new units being raised from reinforcements.  It is said that an army never learns from its own mistakes only those of its enemies and so the case here. The Zaragoza front is static and the Republic have not repeated the Nationalist mistake in front of Albacete and thinned this inactive front too much. Indeed they recognise that this is where the main battle will be fought and spies report the vast build-up of troops and material on the Nationalist side,

So here they are strong and could thin further without immediate danger.

However it is another matter in Murcia and here the answer posed by the Nationalists is Yes, The Republic is approaching a critical mass. This is considered reached when the Nationalists can make multiple attacks with second line units at little or no ASP expenditure, The first signs of this are beginning to show against the Anarchists and the PA defenders who are not making up losses and falling back to maintain density. Even here the line is being attacked at multiple places every turn some attacks just requiring one or two ASPs.

Still however the Republic are managing to maintain sufficient density of Defensive factors on the main axis of Nationalist attack requiring them to mass front line troops artillery and full supply to make progress.

The Nationalists are getting massive quantities of foreign aid and factory production now outstrips the republic at a factor of 2:1. Many are being stockpiled in Zaragoza limited as much by rail capacity getting them to the front than quantity available and  the Albacete front is being supplied with sufficient to maintain the thrust to Valencia.

The Republic are now losing around 4-6 divisions a turn and clearly cannot trade space for much longer before they are pushed into the sea.

So the answer is yes and no to the original question; yes on the Albacete front; no on the Barcelona front.

The problem for the Nationalists is that Barcelona is where the final die will be cast both  figuratively and indeed, it seems, literally as well.

Air Activity Pinpoint accuracy precision bombing (3X 6!) results in rail breaks  @m 3532, 3633.

Attack 2: (Valencia/ Barcelona Rail line) and 3304 (Terul)

Attack1: 3810 rough (E of Hellin)  Supplied 6-8 lt inf XX  150, Unsupplied 3-5 inf XX 74, 1-6 inf  and Supplied 5-6 inf XX 84, unsupplied 5-6 infs 54, 105 Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 36 @ 6:1 (-3) = DR. Advance  84, 74 XXs, 20

Attack 2: 3711 (NE Hellin) Unsupplied4-8 XX cav 2, 1-6 art 13L, 3-4-5*inf XX 34,  and U2 1-6 mg O, 5-6 inf XX 53 Attack 1-5 inf Muer (An) @ 6:1 (-4) = DR (eliminate , no retreat path) Advance  34 XX.

Attack 3: 3802 clear  (E of Hellin) Unsupplied 6-6 inf XX 102, 4-6 inf XXS 15, 107, 1-2-8 art 50, 1-2-6 art 42, 2-6 infs 2Mel (Col)  and 6-6 inf XX 52, 5-6 inf XX 62, 2-1-8 lt tk 2, 2-3-6 art 62, 2-6 infs 6Xau, 8Rif (Col) and 5-6 inf XX 61, 3-2-6 inf 2LE, 2-1-8 cav 2O (Col) Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 9 @ 8:1 (-2) = Dh. Advance 14, 107 XXs, 42 art.

Attack 4;  1006 clear/Dot/Fort.  (Gijon) Supplied 5-8 inf XX LA (CTV), 4-6 inf XXS FA, FV (Mxd), 1-8 mg ard (CTV), 1-8 art Ter, 3-1-2 sge art Man (CTV) and Supplied 4-6 inf XX FN (Mxd), 5-6 inf XX 71, 4-6 inf XX 60, 2-8 mtns Pir, Guard4-6 art 1RG, 1=2=6 art 49, 2-6 art 1P  and 1-6 eng ZC, 2-6 eng AM, 6-6 infs XX 1,152  4-6 art 2RG, 2-1-8 arts E, O and 4-6 inf XX 85, 1-6 art 12L, 1-6 art2, 1-6 engs ZME, ZMO, 1-8 eng GG and SM-81 GS, 2 NGS from BBTF-1 , CATF Attack  3-4-4* inf XXs, 2,5, 2-3-4 inf XX 7, 1-2-4 infs 13,14, DI, 1-6 art s16, AD, 1pt Garrison @ 4:1 (-2+1) = HX.  Lose engs ZME, ZMO, ZC, AM, mtns Pir, Guard. Advance; Man Ter, Ard (CTV) FA, FV (Mxd) . fort destroyed,  Garrison dispersed. Factory Captured  2 ART RPs captured but sabotage and the heavy fighting has caused considerable damage and the Factory is out of commission till at least August 1939. 0.5 RE Rail capacity captured. NT-4is Scuttled to prevent capture. NT-3 tries to put to sea but is sunk by the blockading capital ships of the Nationalist Navy. ( N+8 VPs)

The end in Asturias: Gijon falls

Nationalist Turn

Weather;  Plunging temperatures and snow descends on  Northern  Spain. D=S. E=M, A= R, M= C
Supply:. Forward pursuers in the Pemebetica out of supply as are some Nationalist in North Aragon valley.  The Republicans on the Madrid/Valencia rail line are back in supply
Movement: 1 Res pt spent to temporarily increase Rail Cap to 24 REs
Replacements ; 1-6 eng replaced. 2B3 mxd, CR.32bis (CTV)  repaired

Republican Turn

VPs : Goberneto none collapse (R+10 VPs) None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border; Open
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply:  Almeria defenders U4  isolated dice for elimination 1-2-5 Jou perishes.
The extreme tip of the Nationalist push towards Valencia is back in supply.
Replacements;  0.5 SRPs recovered.   I-15/t25s replaced.

Air Activity:  Naval patrol SB-2, R-Z, GE 23 contacts the submarine group at Almeria but fails to hit any targets.

Attacks: none the Republic have any effective reserves as all troops are needed to man the line.

Narrative

The plans for the reduction of Gijon offer an interesting tactical choice. Gijon is stacked with 18 defence factors including one artillery unit plus the 1 pt garrison for a total of 19 points. It is fortified. The weather is winter/mud so there is a total negative modifier of -2/-3 over the coming weeks.. Adjacent to the city also fortified is a stack of 11 factors supported by a 0-1-6 artillery unit. Consequently due to the coast and the supporting stack there are only 3 hexes of attack to the city and the 3 for the supporting stack,  one of which is mountain.

It would be sensible to attack Gijon directly and then allow the collapse of the Goberneto and subsequent isolation and elimination of the supporting stack an easy task. However there is a problem with this approach due to the limited 3 hex frontage of attack.

The maximum 3 hex attack the Nationalists can mount is 114 made up of 7-6 inf XX, 8 X 6-6 inf XX, 3 X 3-2-6 infs, 3-2-8 lt tk,  5 X 2-6 infs, 3 X 4-6 arts, 3-1-2 sge art (doubled), 2X 2-6 arts for 99 attack factors plus 2 point NGS and every aircraft factors 13  just gets to the 114 necessary. An amazing co-incidence!.  .   This provides for a 6:1 attack to avoid the risk of an AS and the waste of ASPs this would result in.  However this would require pulling the vast majority of front line divisions out of the field, coordinating and moving vast numbers of troops and resources away and stalling the main drive to Valencia and Barcelona so another way needs to be found.

The other factor to consider  is that the elimination of the supporting stack first will allow the republic to rebuild the 0-1-6 artillery so the eventual attack on  Gijon will be against 20 defence factors. (The Republic will not move it before because it is supporting the stack on unsupported divisions and brigades.

Engineers can be employed to reduce the odds by one level and this will help but will still require a vast effort but means as well that the NGS and any air will have a higher proportional impact due to the lower force levels.

On the other hand an attack on the supporting stack first can be made with second line divisions and some supporting artillery which can be shuffled from front to front in one move and at a low Rail capacity impact. When eliminated this will allow an additional hex of attack frontage which will reduce by 20% the average stack size for the same ratio of attack.

The next question is the engineer use.  The engineer corps is only just recovered from the  San Sebastian losses and this in itself has delayed the attack. It would be counterproductive to lose them in the supporting attack and therefore they are to be reserved for the attack on Gijon.

Therefore the plan is. Attack the supporting stack without engineers and using the fewest number of front line divisions necessary to accomplish the task. Then employ engineers and a 4 hex frontage to attack Gijon.

Incidentally throughout these 2 attacks all the Italian and Mixed units are to be employed to minimise the use of ASPs which are to be reserved for the attacks on the main front.

Air Activity. Large Strategic air raid designed to knock out the Republic’s Factory at Murcia is initiated.

SM.79-1, SM.81, HE 111B, Mxd 2B3, SM.79-1 (CTV) Escorted by CR.32 and CR.32bis(CTV) are intercepted by I-152, 2X I-16/t5.  One I-16/t5 Bypasses and attacks the Mxd 2B3 while the I-152 and the other I-16/t5 engage the fighter escorts. The CR.32buis (CTV) and Mxd 2B3 are Aborted for no loss to the Republican fighters. The remaining bombers avoid heavy (4 factors) AA fire completely unnerved and score 3 hits on the Murcia Factory.

Republican Fighters on Naval  patrol SB-2, R-Z, GE 23 make contact with the submarine group blockading Almeria (4317) and score a Hit sinking SS-1!! (R+4VPs)

Attack 1: 3807 clear. (N of Yecia) Supplied7-6 inf XX 13, 6-6 inf XXs 3, 102, 3-2-6 infs 1LE, 3LE, Transported 4-6 art 3RG , Unsupplied 1-5 mech 1, 1-2-6 art and 1-2-8 art 50, Supplied 4-8 cav 1 , 4-6 inf XXs 15, 107, 3-2-8 lt tk #n, 2-1-8 cav iE (Col), 2-6 inf 2Mel (Col) Attack 4-6 inf XX34, 1-8 Bike 1, 1-2-5 inf TL (An), 1-5 inf RN (An) @ 6:1 (-2) = DH  Lose 1 Bike, RN (An) , TL (An)  Retreat 54 XX..; Advance 15, 102, 107 XXs, 42, 50 art (1 ASP eliminated)

Attack 2: 3809 rough (Hellin)  Unsupplied 1-6 inf 20, Supplied 3-2-6 2LE, 5-6 inf XXs 54, 105, 6-8 lt inf XX 2-1-8 cav (Col) 150 and 6-6 inf XX52, 5-6 inf XXs 81, 84, 2-3-6 art 62, 2-1-8 art O, 2-1-8 lt tk 2, 2-6 inf 6Xau (Col) with Do17E, He 111E (KL), 1A2 mxd, R0 37 GA Attack 5-6 inf XX 11ch, 2-3-5* inf XX 71 @ 6:1 (-3) = DR. Advance  54, 84, 105 XXs

Attack 3: 4214 rough (W of Lorca)  Unsupplied4-6 inf XX 117, 3-4-5* inf XX 40, 3-5 inf XX 73, 1-6 infs 5, 35, 1-6 inf 5MR, 1-2-6 art 43 Attack 1-2-5 inf Jou (An) @ 7:1 (-3) =  DE. Advance All except XX40.

Attack4; 1106 rough cliffs/fort (Adjacent Gijon)  Supplied 5-8 inf XX LA (CTV), 4-6 inf XXs FA, FF (Mxd), 3-1-2 sge art Man (CTV), 1-8 art Ter (CTV), 1-8 mg Ard (CTV) and 4-6 mxd inf XX FN, 2-8 mtns Pir, guard, 2-1-8 art E, 4-6 art 1RG, 2-5 inf AGM (Fal) unsupplied 4-6 inf XX60, 5-6 inf XX 71 and 1-6 mg s, Supplied 6-6 inf XXs 1, 108, 152, 2-6 eng AM, 2-6 art 1P, 1-2-6 art 48, 1-6 inf 22 attack 2-4 infs 1,2,36, 1-6 inf 2Exp, 1-6 eng 1, 1-2-4 inf 1, 1-6 art AD (All Ast)  @ 6:1 (-3) =  DR. All eliminated as no retreat path. Advance inf XX LA (CTV),  XXs FA, FF (Mxd),  sge art Man (CTV), art Ter (CTV), mg Ard (CTV)

(N.B Rules infringement as one stack over stacked in a mountain hex but other troops were available and the attack could have been made with a non div and NGS for same result – so the result has been allowed to stand)

Attack 5; 3134 (clear) SE of Zaragoza) A surprise attack on a quiet front. The Nationalists have been stocking reserves in Zaragoza and over stacking the defence for such a move. It is hoped that a DE or EX will put additional strain on the Republics defenders and thin the line so it is ripe for the Asturian attack force to return in the clear weather and finish off the Republic once and for all.

Supplied 2-6 infs 3Ceu, 9Arc, unsupplied 4-5-5 inf XX 50, 1-6 inf 18, 1-6 art 11L, 1-6 inf I-S (Col), 1-6 bdr 8Car and Supplied  6-6 inf XXs 4, 63, 5-6 XX inf 51, 2-6 infs 10BT,m 5Ah (Col) and 6-6 inf XX 5, 5-6 inf XXs 61, 62, 2-6 infs 7Lam, Tdi attack 3-4-5* XX 27CM, 2-6 eng ZM, 1-2-6 sec8GA, 2-6 inf 211C, 1-2-6 art 4 @ 4:1 (-1) = DR.  Advance XXs 50, 51, inf Lam, Tdi, 3Ceu (Cols).

A large effort for little gain and the element of surprise is lost, however it does increase the attack frontage south.

The Nationalists grind on

Nationalist Turn

Weather; Unchanged . D=W. E=M, A= R, M= C
Pacification: Albacete
Airfield (3 cap) constructed at 3510 (N of Albacete)
Supply:. Forward pursuers in the Penebetica out of supply as are some Nationalist in North Aragon valley.  The Republicans on the Madrid/Valencia rail line are back in supply
Movement: 1 Res pt spent to Temporarily increase Rail Cap to 24 REs
Replacements ; 2 SRPs recovered 2 divisions plus arriving 117 XX equipped. ME 109D replaced., CR.32 repaired
Long delayed Cav 2 XX is formed. (The OB calls for the 6,7, 9 Cav regiments but the 7^th stayed loyal in Seville so I have assumed this formation would take place with what was available and substituted the 3^rd for the 7^th)

Republican Turn

VPs : Lack of Goberneto collapse (R+5 VPs). None Surrender( R+10 VPs)

French border; Closed
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply:  Almeria defenders  U3 isolated.
Factory Production: Despite heavy damage the Murcia factory only looses 1ASP from its production quota.
Replacements;  1 SRP (An) , 2 SRPs (Ast) recovered. 2x 1-2-6 art replaced and form AIAP.
2X Aborted I-15/t25s regrouped and one received the other replaced. With ARPs.

Air Activity:  Naval  patrol SB-2, R-Z, GE 23.

Sortie 1: sb-2 escorted by I-16/t5 fly to 3516 (E of Guadix)  He 51 Bypasses the screen but is shot down by the SB-2 (eliminated). The Sb-2 then successfully hits the airfield Aborting the 1A2 Mxd on the ground.

Moves. The Republicans decide to evacuate some more hexes to shorten the line.

Narrative

Republican Plans for 1939: The Republic realise that the loss of manpower cannot be sustained. Therefore the days of large counter offensives are over and should not be repeated even if opportunity arises because troops need to be preserved. However they do intend to assemble some local counter attack reserves consisting of larger 5 and 6 strength Divisions plus assembled artillery brigades. The intention is to have these as a “force in being” to dissuade any deep penetrations and seal off any weak advances.

However the complete lack of manpower reserves in terms of IRPs means that each time a hex is eliminated they either thin the line or pull back to shorten the line and keep the same stack density. The latter they can do for a time but there will come a point at which there is no space left.  Hopefully with a combination of these tactics and favourable weather such as a long rainy season and the mud that results will alow them to survive long enough.

They realise that international opinion is changing as tales of brutality and fascist killings  circulate among the international observers and cling to the hope that perhaps a much reduced Republic will survive after a negotiated settlement.

Supply:  The Republic have secured the rail junction at 3907 so Anarchists are mainly back in supply.
Replacements:.  Cav, Eng rebuilt.   Mxd 1A2 Repaired, He 111E Replaced.

Attack 1: 3707 rough (NE of Yecia)  Supplied 1-8 mc B, 2-1-8 lt tk Bab, 1-8 mot art L (CTV), 2-1-8 AA 88 (KL), Transported 4-6 art 3RG, 3-3-8 lt tk N, unsupplied 2-1-8 lt tk 3, 1-5 mech 1 and Supplied 7-7XX 13, 3-2-6 ing 3LE Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 73 @ 8:1 (-3) = DE. Advance mc B, lt tk Bab, mot art L (CTV),  AA 88 (KL), Transported art 3RG,  lt tk N,  lt tk 3,  mech 1

Attack2: 3607 clear W of Albacete) Supplied 6-6 inf XX 102, 3-2-6 1LE, unsupplied 6-6 inf XX 52, 1-2-8 art 50, 2-1-8 cav 2O and (over river) 6-8 lt xx 150, 6-6 inf xx 3, 2-6* inf cadre2 11, 81, 3-2-6 inf 2LE, supplied 2-6 art 4P (transported), 2-1-8 art O  Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 29, 0-1-5 cons 2,8 @ 6:1 (-2) = DR. Eliminated no retreat path. Advance 102, 3  XX, 1LE, 4P, 50 arts, trans.

Attack 3: 4316 Rough (NE Almeria) Supplied 1-2-6 art 46, 3-5 inf XX 14, 1-6 inf 7, 1-6 inf 3ML (Col) 1-5 infs 19Jul, Conf (An) @ 6:1 (-3) = EX  Lose 7, 3ML (Col) Advance 14^th XX

Exploitation: Mech elements and transported artillery evacuate the vulnerable hex 3807 and exploit over to the east Bank of the Juar river cutting  supplies to the Republican lines running north and threatening Valencia.

Air Activity: sortie 1; Massive air raid to try to eliminate Republican offensive capability. Unescorted

SM 79-1, SM.79-1 (CTV), He 111E (KL), Mxd B, SM.81, Ro.37 fly to Cartagena.  The Ro.37 is Intercepted by a  I-16/t5 while a I-152 takes on the SM.79-1 (CTV).  The SM.79-1 (CTV) is Returned. Fighters suffer no losses.  R0.37 and unengaged bombers  cause 1 hit aborting the SB-2 on the ground preparing for a Naval patrol target.

Sortie2:  He111B, Do 17E fly DAS to 3606.  Escorted by the CR.32bis (CTV). Intercepted by I-16/t10 who attempts to bypass the screen and is Returned by the CR.32bis (CTV)

Naval Activity: SS-2 (2 pts) circles Cartagena and takes up station at 4103.  SS1  (1 pt) on station just off the harbour at Aguilas are searched for by the Naval  Patrol but remain undetected.

The Republic holds the line but reserves are dwindling

Nationalists Turn

Weather; The temperature drops in the North heralding the onset of winter. Warmer weather n the South continues to turn everything to mud . At Sea the squalls diminish bring calm to the Mediterranean although the Atlantic forecast is Rough.  (D=W, E=M, M=C, A=R)

Republican Turn

VPs : Lack of Goberneto collapse (R+10 VPs). None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border; Open
Guerrillas; Hit the rail junction at Aranjuez
International Replacement city re0established @ Barcelona (3624)
Supply:  3 Hexes on the Valencia/Madrid rail line defence line are U1. Remote outposts at the north of the Penebetica are U3 on both sides of the line.
Replacements;  1.5 SRPs recovered. 1-6 eng 3. Replaced, SB-2 Repaired.

Air Activity: GE.23, R-Z, SB-2 are placed on Naval Patrol

Attacks: None: The Republican forces resist the temptation to make any low odds attack and go defensive on all fronts. 

Narrative

The points situation still looks bad for the Nationalists, no sooner have they eliminated  the Basques than the Catalans  start accumulating points, finishing off the Asturians if attempted will be replaced by the End of War VPs so they are still losing around 10-15 points a turn. True they are eliminating approximately 9-12 REs per turn of  Republicans but ¼ of these are recycled in SRPs and some are exchanges. To date this has not been a problem for the Nationalists who appear to have a bottomless pit of replacement factors are only accumulating specialists who cannot be replaced in the dead pile. However they themselves are now starting to run out of infantry replacement factors and may soon not be in a position to replace all losses . Still at this stage not a great concern as there are many divisions not in combat at any one time but it is vital because of the narrow frontages of attack that sufficient infantry points are reserved to replace any 6-6 Division that needs rebuilding.   The new offensive on the Albacete front offers a glimmer of hope but is dependent on the weather which may yet decide the fate of the Nationalist side.

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Air Activity. Large unescorted air raid designed to knock out the Republic’s offensive air capability ends in failure as a  He 111E is eliminated and all bombs fall wide. 

Naval Activity. 3x NTs shuttle supplies from San Sebastian to  Santander. NT brings replacements from Spanish morocco to Seville.

Attack1: 3710 clear (SW Albacete)  Supplied 6-8 lt xx 15-0, 5-6 XXs 54, 105, 3-2-6 infs 1LE, 2LE, 2-3-6 art 62, unsupplied 2-1-8 art O, 2-1-8 cav 1E (Col) and unsupplied 3-2-6 inf 3LE, 7-6 inf XX 13 Attack 5-6 inf XX11Ch, 3x pos AA  pts @ 6:1 (-2) = DR Advance 54, 105 XX, 62 art.

Attack 2: 3609 clear (Albacete) Supplied 6-6 inf XX 3, 4-6 inf XX 15, 2-6 art 4p , 1-6 inf 20, 2-1-8 cav 2O(Col),  unsupplied 3-4-5* inf XX 34, 3-5 inf XX 74, 4-6 inf XX 107 and 1-5 mech 1, supplied 2-6 inf cadres 11, 81, 2-1-8 lt tk 3,  and unsupplied 1-8 mb B (CTV) Attack 4-6 inf XX6, 0.5 pt Garrison @ 6:1 (-2) = DR Eliminated no retreat path     Advance  3, 15, 107 XXs, 4P art, 1O Cav (Col), 20.  Garrison dispersed.

Exploitation: Lead elements fall back and are reinforced by units moving south through the gap at 3708 so here and 3807 should be attack proof at any odds the Republic dares to make.

Nationalist Armour pulls back under pressure from Republican reserves

Nationalist Turn

Weather; The Rains return. D=M. E=M, A= S, M= R
The Nationalists luck runs out and the rains dampen the hopes of a permanent split of the Republican forces.
French Border : Open
Supply:. Forward pursuers in the Penebetica out of supply as are some Nationalist in North Aragon valley. The forward elements of the Albacete breakout are also U1 and the stack at 3907 (E of Yecia) Isolated
Replacements ; 2 SRPs recovered 2 divisions plus arriving 117 XX equipped. I 109D replaced., CR.32 repaired

Republican Turn

VPs : Lack of Goberneto collapse (+10 VPs). None Surrender( R+10 VPs)
French border; Open
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply;  Radicals(An)  in Murcia are reliant on Limited General  Supply  from Cartagena and Alicante as other ports are blockaded and the Nationalist and spearhead ZOCs 3907 (The Rail line to Barcelona) In total 12 REs can be supplied . The remainder become U2.
Reinforcements/Replacements;  I-16/t5 Repaired. , Newly arriving divisions are equipped on arrival.

Air Activity: GE.23, R-Z, SB-2 are placed on Naval Patrol

Attacks  None:

Narrative

A war shortening, if not war winning, breakout this turn by the Nationalists!

Whereas the Republic have defended in depth in the north the defences in the south have been slowly stripped to replaces losses at the front and the rear is unguarded.

The Nationalists spot a vulnerable 10 pt reverse corner hex and the weather clears briefly allowing an armour assisted attack. The Nationalist are lucky and score an EX allowing the breakthrough to take place. The Transported artillery and the invaluable Italian mot  Artillery unit provides an overrun opportunity which swings in behind Albacete pinning 6 top quality Republic divisions.  A second stack exploits to the wooded ridge to the West of Valencia preventing relief from the East while a lone unsupported Lt tk regiment reaches the outskirts of the capital at Alicante and causes panic and chaos in the government.

The breakout not only traps the bulk of the defenders on this front it also cuts the republican line in two with zocs from the republican line to the coast at Elchi. The Republican supply net is divided into two . Cartagena/Murcia/Lorca and Valencia/Barcelona/ Lerida/Tarragona and the rail net is split.  The Anarchists can only draw 6REs of supply from Barcelona via Cartagena.

The Republic will have a choice to make.

Do they attempt to seal the breach and deal with the breakout units later; perhaps with the help of a return of mud which will remove any AECD?;  or do they pull back to hold the line, again dealing with the breakout later; or do they pull as many units back to deal with the armour and form a screen defence.

Raising rail capacity despite the Valencia yards being damaged will give 9RE capacity which will allow 2 divisions and Artillery/regiments to move from the Zaragoza front but little can engage the stack just outside Yeica.

Under no option can the hex at 3708 be entered giving the Nationalists a free passage next turn to widen the breach.

Supply:  The clear weather allows much needed supplies to reach the high outposts of the Penebetica range (SW of Albacete)

Replacements: 2 SPR recovered.  Cav, Eng rebuilt.   Ro.37 Repaired.

Air Activity:

Sortie 1: Cr.32, CR.32bis (CTV),Do 17E, Ju 52g4e fly to bomb Albacete airfield. Intercepted by i-16/t5. Cr.32 and I-15/t Eliminate each other. (R + 2 VP, N +2 VP) Bombers get through and Hit the airfield.

Sortie 2: The rail marshalling yards at Valencia are hit, SM 79-1 (CTV) evades AA and scores a hit, damaging the yards and breaking the rail line.

Sortie 3 3404 (E of Valencia) sm79-1Breaks rail line.

Sortie 4:  A major dogfight over the airfield at 3232 (s of Zaragoza) results in the elimination of the ME 109D by the i-16/t10 and the Abort of an I-16/t5 by a CR.32bis a second CR.32Bis (CTV) is ineffective and unharmed. (R +2 VPs)

Other sorties. Against Yards, airbase and rail lines are uneventful and inflict no hits.

Naval Activity: 3x NTs shuttle supplies from San Sebastian to Bilbao the other returning to Spanish Morocco.

SS Naval groups take up blockading positions at Almeria and Aguilas.

Attack1: 3712 Mtn (Northern end of Penbetica Range). Unsupplied 5-6 inf Xs 84,105, 2-1-8 art ), 3-2-6 inf 1LE, 2-1-8 cav 1E (Col) and 5-6 inf XXs 53, 62, 4-6 art 2RG, 2-6 infs6Xau, 8Rif (Col) and 4-6 inf xx 17, 1-6 inf 17, 1-6 mg O Attack 1-2-5 inf TL (An) , 1-5 infs RIM, Aml (An) @ 7:1 (-2) = DH. Lose TL.

Attack 2: 3509 clear (E of Albacete)Supplied  3-2-8 lt tk N, 2-1-8 lt tk 2, 4-6 art 3RG, 7-7 inf XX 13, 5-6 XXs 11, 61, 1-8 mot art L (CTV), 2-1-8 lt tk Bab (CTV), SM. 81 GS Attack 2-3-5* inf XX 51, 3-4-5* inf XX 16, 1-2-6 art 22, 1-6 inf 14 @ 3:1 (+1) = EX.  Reduce 11,61 XX to cadres. Advance all others.

Exploitation.:  Lt tk N with transported 3RG overruns 2-1-8 cav 4 in 3709 (destroying RP) and remains.

Lt tk Bab, mot art L (CTV), 2-10 AA 88 (KL) to 3907 (W of Yeica)

Lt tk 2 to 4107 (Suburbs of Alicante)

Lt Tk 1, Mech 3 reinforces cadres in 3509. Transported 3LE, mc B (CTV) reinforce v13th in 3608

Parliament saved but Nationalist forces still at large

Nationalists Turn

Weather; The high pressure over the Mediterranean moves inland and skies clear in the south. Land; North (D) = Mud. South (E) = Clear .  Seas;  Med = clear. Atlantic = Storms

Republican Turn

VPs : Lack of Goberneto collapse (+10 VPs)
French border; Closed
Guerrillas; Ineffective
Supply; Nat stack adj French border in Pyrenees U4
Radicals in Albacete all U1 except 6REs supplied  via Cartagena.
Replacements; 2.5  PA recovered.  I-16/t5 Repaired.
International Replacement City : Re-designated as Barcelona.
Rail Net; Segment 1;  Barcelona/Valencia;  Capacity 6 REs, reduced by Rail yard hit to 5 REs augmented by 1 Res pt to temporary increase capacity to 7.5 REs
Segment2: Cartagena/Murcia; Capacity 2 Res.

Air Activity; Sortie 1:  SB-2, R-Z escorted by GE.23, I-16/t5 fly airfield bombing mission to 3916 (E of Guadix) Intercepted by HE 51 who attempts to bypass the screen . Evade to GE.23 but the I-16/t5 Returns it.(To Grenada).  AA fire just misses but Bombs fall wide.

Attack1: 4217 clear (N of Alicante (Capital)) Supplied 3-4-5* inf XX 18 and 1-2-5 TL (An) and 105 inf   RN,(An) and 1-5 inf Agul (An) attack 2-1-8 lt tk 2 @ 9:1 (-2) = DX.   No Advance.