Europa Games and Military History

Tag: Invasion of Spain (Page 1 of 3)

Game Analysis

Victory points

  • German
  • Spanish surrender – 50
  • Capture government – 10
  • Government goes into exile – 5
  • Terror bombing – 6 (3 hits)
  • Hits on Naval units – 72 (9 hits)
  • Enemy losses – 34 (3 elim air units – 12, 7 aborted air units – 14, 7 REs in repl pool, 1 c/m – 8)
  • Territory – 60 (6 major city hexes) + 60 (12 dot cities) + 40 (20 reference cities) = 160

Total: 337

  • Allied
  • Allied ground units present in Spain from Jul I – 400 (8 turns)
  • Territory – 100 (Gibraltar) +70 (Canary Islands) +10 (Ifni & Spanish Sahara) = 180
  • Enemy Losses – 12 (3 aborted air units)
  • Exile forces – 24 (3 task forces in play) +4 (1 air unit in play) +102 (51 REs in play) = 130

Total: 722

Result: Allied decisive victory

Commentary

As the scenario is hypothetical, it is obviously difficult to compare the game as played to any potential real-world events. However, with the materials at hand, I have the following observations about this game

  1. It is rather one sided, and quite suitable for solitaire play. In my view it is similar to First to Fight, as the Allies have few chances to attack and only one real strategy – delay.
  2. The forces available to the Germans are not the right kind of units and are insufficient in number for the job at hand. Considering the terrain in Spain, there should be a lot more mountain, jaeger and other specialised units as part of the invasion force. Also, the Spanish have roughly one division for every German division, a ratio which is difficult to quickly overwhelm, even with strong air and armoured assets.
  3. It would have been interesting to see an option for Italian involvement via the Regia Marina. A case could be made that the Italians could have been promised Vichy territories in return for their participation, and it would have made life for the Royal Navy a bit more challenging, at least in the Mediterranean.
  4. The victory point table is rather unrealistic. In the scenario as played, the Germans did not take Gibraltar, but they conquered Spain with minimal losses, and would have been able to significantly impact naval traffic through the straits of Gibraltar. However, the scenario result was a decisive Allied Victory. There are two VP awards that seem out of place – points for controlling off map areas that the Germans can never reach, and the 50 points per turn after Jul I that there are supplied Allied units on the Spanish mainland. This is a very high penalty, and seems to imply that the Germans have somewhere else to be. If they are still planning to launch Operation Barbarossa after attacking Spain, then I view that as extremely ambitious. Nonetheless, it is very difficult for the Germans to make the Spanish fall over in a hurry due to several factors – terrain, the surrender rules and the supply rules
  5. The supply and rail conversion rules are a big impediment to the Axis. They cannot use the Iberian rail net for supply until they have 10REs of capacity on that net. This is difficult to achieve, since they must capture at least Madrid, Barcelona and 6 dot cities, plus use all their resource points to permanently increase capacity up to 10. The other problem is that they have only two RR engineers, and they can only regauge 2 hexes each per turn to European gauge with the rules as written. It has been pointed out to me that these rules are in fact in error, and the FitE rules should be used, but I had already started the game so kept going with the RAW.
  6. Partisans are very effective tool for the Allies, who receive 3 attacks per turn. The only restriction is that an attack cannot take place in an enemy occupied hex. Without any security troops, the Axis is very vulnerable to these operations.

Oct II 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: All units are in supply, however all Spanish units are halved due to demoralisation. All German air units are assigned to Naval patrol. No Allied units are replaced this turn. The Allies have no ARPs left to bring back any aircraft this turn. All the active German Me109s plus 2 Me110C1s fly CAP over Gibraltar. Spanish guerrilla units are ordered to lay low and begin to prepare stockpiles for a resumed sabotage campaign in the spring of 1942.

Movement Phase: The Allied fleet that has been providing fire support for the ground forces is sitting in the Straits of Gibraltar. Luftwaffe units fly as many sorties as they can in an attempt to send it fleeing. First contact is made by 2 Me109Es escorting a Ju87 from Jerez. Two Hurricanes from Tetuan intercept, and 1 tries to bypass the screen. The bypassing unit is shot down, while the other two fighters return each other. AA fire from the fleet is on the mark however, and the dive bombers are aborted without causing any damage. Missions from Sevilla, Malaga and hex 3419 fail to find the Allied ships due to a mixture of fog and cloud in the area. Having survived the aerial assault this turn, the Allied fleet rotates the LC on ferry crossing duty, and also refuels, tying up at the Gibraltar docks.

The forces that successfully defended LA Linea de la Concepcion are ordered over the Straits to Spanish Morocco. They all move to Ceuta, except for the British 7th Artillery brigade which stops in Gibraltar. To make room for them, the Allied armour moves west to Alcazarquivir and the units that were in Ceuta enter 4128.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: No activity

End of Turn Summary

The Germans call off their campaign at this point and the game ends. Spain has been conquered with minimal losses but there is no reasonable prospect of taking Gibraltar since there are no resource points to assemble to special artillery units and the weather is about to become mud.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 0
  • Spanish Isolated – 0
  • Spanish Air – 0
  • German Unisolated – 0
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 1A
  • British Unisolated – 0
  • British Isolated – 0
  • British Air – 1A

Oct I 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: There is no sign of an early autumn. The weather remains clear in Zones D and E, but the Atlantic and Mediterranean remain rough. All units are in supply Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla. 2 ARPs are used (5 left) to bring back an aborted Me109E and an aborted He111. The bomber unit appears in Toledo while the fighters come on at 3313.

Germany has 15.5 Infantry RPs in its pool, and it receives another 6 from production this turn, for a total of 21. 5 are used to restore the 57th Infantry division to full strength in Cordoba. 5 more are used to bring back 2 regiments of the 11th Infantry division that were lost in Galicia last turn. They appear in Almeria. Finally 2 RPs are spent reforming the 610th Artillery regiment in Cordoba. 8 Inf RPs and 16.5 Armoured RPs are still available. Germany sends 3 Me109Es and 2 Me109Fs to fly CAP over Seville.

The British fly a Hurricane and a Spitfire from Malaga on CAP over Sevilla. They also send 2 Hurricanes from the RAF reserve at Tetuan, making a total of 4 fighters.

Movement Phase: The 22nd Air Landing division breaks down in 0914, into its supported components. The 65th regiment then moves to capture the port of Vigo but can only reach 0718. The other two regiments move north to 0413. Following them is the now reformed 15th Mountain Corps, which advances to 0414 and prepares to attack La Coruna.

In the west, the 5th Infantry division heads further down the road from Caceres towards Sevilla, reaching 2922. Behind them the 616th Motorised AT regiment follows, using admin movement to reach the same hex. In the quiet Madrid sector, the 1st RR Engineer unit moves to 2811, but it does not have enough MPs to repair the rail hit this turn.

Temporary airfields are abandoned in hexes 3211, 3212 and 3312. To continue the rolling forward airbases system, the 7th Construction regiment moves to 3516, the 71st goes to 3415 and the 16th heads to the airbase in 3215. The 108th Construction regiment does not move, but it repairs the rail hit in its hex at 3313. 3 more temporary airfields are constructed to replace the ones already abandoned. One is built in Cordoba by the 674th and 512th Combat Engineers, which move up from 3516 and pool their efforts. A second is built next door in 3419, again with quick construction, this time by the 604th and 667th Combat Engineers from 3415. Finally the 517th Combat Engineer shuffles forward to build a temporary airbase in 3216.

Along the Mediterranean coast, a regiment of the 11th Infantry division advances out of Almeria to the mountains at 4119, threatening the port of Motril. At the same time, the GD Motorised regiment and 608th Motorised artillery also head into mountainous terrain, this to the pass at 3918.

A major German attack is planned on the city of Sevilla, the last major city in Allied hands. The 65th Corps heads north of the city to 3124, the 66th Corps leaves Cordoba, crosses the bridge over the Guadalquivir river and then heads west across the Genil to 3324. More siege artillery is brought up with 64th Corps, which positions itself in 3223. The last unit to approach is the 25th Armoured Corps, which moves to Utrera, cutting off any retreat. Granada is held by the Spanish 93rd Infantry division. It is marked down for capture by the 62nd Corps, which moves to 3819.

In the centre of the German front, the 33rd and 34th Corps are sent to take out the Spanish position in 3723, which is held by infantry, and will hopefully be vulnerable to the attacking armoured units. The 33rd enters the woods at 3622 while the 34th goes to 3722.

Combat Phase: Every serviceable aircraft flies on DS over Sevilla. The British and Spanish can muster 7 fighters (4 Hurricanes, 2 Spitfires, 1 Me109E) and 4 bombers (2 Blen 4s, 1 Whitley, 1 A-22). The 6 German aircraft flying CAP in the hex switch to interception, and a Me110C from Cordoba also flies an interception mission. 2 Me109Fs attempt to bypass the screen. The sky over the provisional Spanish capital swarms with aircraft, and a bloody battle ensues. The two bypassing units get past the escorts and shoot down a Whitley. The British get slightly the better of the fighter combat, losing 1 Spitfire and 1 Hurricane aborted, while the Germans have a Me109E shot down with a snake eyes, and another aborted. However, in a blow to Allied hopes, the AA of the 25th Corps (1 effective point) is in remarkable form and returns the A-22 and a Blenheim, leaving only a second Blenheim to provide effective DS (0.5 points).

With all the Allied fighters desperately trying to protect their bombers over Sevilla, the Luftwaffe can afford to fly its GS missions unescorted. 4 He111s fly in to support the attack on Seville. The city ha 4 points of AA from a variety of sources but they are perhaps confused as to which aircraft to shoot at, since there are so many overhead. All the bombers get through and deliver 4 points to the target.

3 Ju87Bs and a Ju88A are sent against 3521, in support of the 53rd Corps. In another example of top class gunnery, a Stuka and the Ju88s are aborted by the 74th Heavy AA regiment. 8 points of GS will be added to the attack. A Ju87B and a Me110C1 loaded with bombs attack 3723, and another mission with the exact same profile is flown against the 93rd Infantry division in Granada. There is no AA at either site so 5 points of GS will be included for each assault.

The last remnants of Spanish resistance in Galicia are attacked by strong German forces. The 15th Mountain Corps charges into La Coruna, which is defended by only 3 leg infantry regiments. These units are unsupported. The odds work out to 17:1.5 or 9:1, with a -1 for the cover provided by hedgerows around the city. Only 1 outcome is possible, and a DE comes up. The 15th Corps occupies the city.

Nearby, 2 regiments of the 22nd Air Landing division attack the N Marine regiment that is holed up in the fortress of El Ferrol. The marines are also unsupported, unlike the attackers, so the odds are 5:0.5, 9:1 -1. Again the result is a foregone conclusion, another DE. The 47th Air Landing regiment advances into the city. No Spanish units are now left outside Andalucia.

The 62nd Corps, backed up the GD Motorised regiment and the 608th Motorised artillery attempt to take the city of Granada. In their way is the 93rd Infantry division, an elite Colonial unit. The Germans have 31 ground attack factors, plus 5 points of GS for a total of 36. As the Spanish are worth 6, it is a 6:1 attack, with -1 for rough terrain. Perhaps due to the increasingly precarious Spanish situation, resistance collapses quickly. A 6 comes up, modified to 5 for a DE. The cadre retreats to 4019, and the motorised units advance into the city.

Sevilla is subjected to a huge attack by German infantry, armour, plus air raids and siege artillery. The combined 25th, 66th, 64th and 65th Corps have a total of 81 combat factors, plus 4 points of Ground Support from the He111s. This gives a total of 85. In the city, the Spanish government is defended by the British 3rd and 43rd Infantry divisions, plus several smaller units. A few surviving Blenheims provide an extra 0.5 to the 20 defensive factors in the city. The city fortifications built some time ago will subtract 1 from the 4:1 attack. The British forces are surrounded (and isolated), but put up a fierce fight, repelling wave after wave of attacks with heavy losses. Finally though, German armour proves decisive in the house to house fighting, and the city is taken. A 2 is rolled, modified to 1 for an EX. Franco and his cabinet are caught by the Germans still trying to direct operations from a basement in the centre of the city. Due to ZOCs, the British cadres cannot retreat and many thousands are taken prisoner. The Germans lose many tanks in their final push and cadre the 3rd and 4th Panzer divisions. The 25th Corps advances into the city.

Due to the capture of the Spanish government, the Spanish army becomes demoralized, causing them to be halved for the remainder of this game turn, plus all of the next one. The village of Lucena is occupied by the Spanish 74th AA regiment, plus 2 artillery regiments (1 British, one Spanish), Due to the lack of infantry, only one of the artillery units defends at full strength (the British 7th brigade). The Allied units are worth 4.5, while ranged against them is the 53rd Corps, which is backed up by 2 Stukas and is worth a total of 32. The odds are 7:1 with a -1. 3 comes up, modified to 2 for a DH. Both Spanish units are eliminated, while the British artillery manages to retreat to 3421. The 53rd Corps advances.

Finally, the German mechanised forces of the 33rd and 34th Corps try to break through the middle of the hastily constructed Allied line at 3723 in front of Malaga. The Spanish 23rd and 92nd Infantry divisions are stacked with the 3rd Construction regiment and 3rd British Combat Engineer brigade. However, morale is collapsing, so the Spanish are halved, giving a defensive total of 7.5. The attackers have 52, made up of 21 from the 34th, 26 from the 33rd, and 5 points of GS. Again, rough terrain gives a -1 modifier but the Germans have full AECA so the roll is 6:1 +2. The infantry is devoid of antitank weaponry and cannot resist the German Panzers. 3 is modified to 5 for a DE. The cadres retreat into 3823, and the 33rd Corps advances.

All German fighters that were flying CAP over Sevilla, plus a Ju87 land in the captured city. The rest of the short range planes are placed in Cordoba and Granada. One Heinkel is sent to Cordoba and the other 3 land at the temporary airbase in 3419.

3 Allied fighters land in Malaga, while 1 goes to Ceuta. All the bombers go to Gibraltar.

Exploitation Phase: The 33rd Corps chases the Spanish cadres that flee from the attack in 3723. Relatively unhampered by ZOCs, it is able to overrun the Spanish who are halved and worth only 2. The Corps then moves back to 3723. Meanwhile, the 34th Corps diverts north to overrun the British 7th Artillery regiment, and then turns around to end movement in front of the Allied armour at 3622.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 1+3+7+4 = 15 (3 Special RPs received)
  • Spanish Isolated – 3+3
  • Spanish Air – 3A/1K
  • German Unisolated – 12 (3 Special RPs received)
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 2A
  • British Unisolated – 2+4 =6 (1 Special RP received)
  • British Isolated – 17
  • British Air – 2A/1K

Oct I 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: All units are in supply, however all Spanish units are halved due to demoralisation. All German bombers are assigned to Naval patrol.

Spain has lost its last mainland replacement city, so it only receives 0.5 Inf RPs in the Canaries (2.5 available) and 0.5 Colonial Inf RPs in Spanish Morocco (2.5 available), plus 3 Special RPs are received. 2 Colonial Inf RPs are spent to bring back the Tdl Infantry regiment (2-6 version) in Melilla, while the 12th and 13th Cavalry regiments plus the 48th Artillery regiment appear in Villa Sanjurjo. The collapse of the front means that Spain must now try to hold on to Spanish Morocco. 2 RPs are also spent in the Canaries to bring back the 83rd and 87th MG regiments in Las Palmas di Gran Canaria. The Spanish government is re-established by loyal officials on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canaries. Las Palmas di Gran Canaria is the new Spanish capital.

British casualties were high last turn, with the defeat at Sevilla. They receive 3 more Inf RPs from production plus 1 Special RP to give them a total of 9, while 1 more Arm RP is received to increase the pool to 6. All 9 Inf RPs are used to reform the 43rd infantry division and 25th Infantry brigade in Gibraltar. The Allies have no ARPs left to bring back any aircraft this turn. 3 Allied fighters from Malaga fly CAP over Gibraltar. Due to the imminent threat to Gibraltar, the Home Fleet is activated in Britain.

Spanish freedom fighters are disheartened by the capture of the government, but fight on nonetheless, attacking rail hexes in Lerida, Valladolid and Tomelloso. Only the attack against Valladolid is effective enough to cause rail disruption. A fort is constructed at La Linea de La Concepcion by the 2nd Construction regiment and 2nd Combat engineer regiment.

Movement Phase: The Allied High Command calls a general retreat. All Spanish units are ordered to get to Spanish Morocco or the Canaries by any means, while British units will fall back to Gibraltar.

The Allied fleet deploys to assist the evacuation of Spain. Firstly, the Swordfish loaded aboard the carrier group in Gibraltar transfer to Ceuta. The Allied fleet heads out at night, in 4 separate operations. Force H escorts the Spanish Landing Craft LC-1 out to the straits to act as a ferry. The Spanish BB group escorts 2 transports to Huelva to pick up the 88th and 90th MG regiments. 2 Spanish NTs dock at Malaga, while 6 British transports slip into Cadiz. The German air units in Sevilla attempt to locate the Allied fleet which is in the Straits of Gibraltar. However, persistent cloud cover prevents contact being made.

The Spanish ships sent to Huelva have a problem. Just as they are within sight of the port, dawn breaks, rendering them vulnerable to air attack. Air units from Cordoba do not find anything but 3 He111s from 3421 spot the Spanish trying to sneak through just outside the port. The AA guns of the battleship are unable to make a significant dent in the attackers. Two hits are achieved, further damaging the capital ship, and a transport is sunk. 16 more VPs for the Axis.

Despite the damage, a significant number of Spanish troops are able to be loaded up and transported to Spanish Morocco. The 88th MG regiment is taken to Tangier, the 38th and 39th Infantry regiments are evacuated from Malaga to Villa Sanjurjo, and the entire Cadiz garrison (6 leg infantry regiments) boards its transports and is shipped to Larache, Tangier and Ceuta. Under cover of darkness, none of the transports are seen by any Axis forces, and they all return to base in Gibraltar. The heavily damaged BB group heads into Gibraltar to attempt repairs.

The Home Fleet departs England and heads south, ending the phase in the port of Gibraltar. Allied units fall back wherever possible. The Spanish 31st Infantry division, 4Car Border regiment and 16th Guardia Civil regiment retreat to Malaga, where they are hoping to be picked up by sea. The 93rd Infantry cadre is also ordered to Malaga but is slowed by mountainous terrain. It moves from 3920 as far as Velez Malaga.

In Spanish Morocco, the S Naval Infantry regiment and 5th Construction engineers leave Ceuta and take up positions in Tetuan. The 5Car border regiment is sent to Cadiz from Jerez de La Frontera. In Gibraltar, there is an overstack due to reinforcements, so the British 25th Infantry bridage crosses the straits via the ferrying Landing craft and moves to Tetuan. The 2 Gib Static brigade is also sent across the Straits, but it can only reach Ceuta due to its slow movement rate. All the Allied armour is to be sent over the Straits as well, but it only moves as far as Algeciras in this phase.

The secondary Gibraltar perimeter is unable to be held in sufficient strength, so the Allied units reorganise to the smallest profile that they can. La Linea de La Concepcion is occupied by the 102nd Infantry division, 86th and 89th MG Regiments, 1LE Infantry regiment, and British 8th Artillery and 20th Guards Infantry brigades. The outer bastion of 3726 is held by a rearguard of the 61st, 36th and 37th Infantry regiments.

The 4 Engineer and Infantry units that were in La Linea de La Concepcion are weak, but nonetheless manage to make their escape to Africa via admin movement. They end movement in Xauen in the Rif mountains. Tangier is overstacked due to forces arriving by sea, so the 6MK Colonial regiment leaves and moves next door into Arcilah.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: Force H and the Spanish fleet spend 30MPs replenishing their fuel and then prepare their guns for NGS. The Home Fleet also sorties into the straits and prepares its guns for NGS. The Allied armour crosses the Straits and ends movement in 4128. Allied CAP fighters land at Tetuan.

End of Turn Summary

Spain will surrender next turn but it will have little effect on the game – no Spanish units will surrender due to the length of time taken by the Germans to conquer them. The Germans now control 99% of the country. A significant portion of Allied units has been able to get away into North Africa which will be very helpful to the cause. Spanish units are halved next turn, but the Royal Navy should be able to protect the hex outside Gibraltar for at least a short while, hopefully long enough for the rains to arrive.

Losses

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

Sep II 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather remains clear in Zones D and E, but the Atlantic and Mediterranean remain rough. All units are in supply Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla. Germany uses 3 ARPs to replace an aborted Me109E and an eliminated He111. The fighters are brought on at Jaen and the bombers at Madrid. No units are in the replacement pool to reactivate this turn. From Sevilla, Spanish Me109s are joined by British Hurricanes and Spitfires in a CAP mission over the Allied armour in 3619.

Movement Phase: The 1st RR Engineer regiment repairs the rail hit in 2412 north of Madrid, then moves to 2511. This allows the 22nd Air Landing division to entrain and head north to the mountains of Galicia. It ends its movement in 1013 with the 15th Mountain Corps. However, the 15th splits up in order to surround the Spanish units in 0914. The 3rd Mountain division moves to 0915 while the 2nd Mountain division heads around the other flank to Monforte de Lemos. The 98th Mountain regiment stays with the 22nd Air Landing in 1013, and the two regiments of the 11th Infantry also move into that hex. The AT guns of the 616th battalion stay in reserve in 1113.

In the German rear near Barcelona, the port of Tarragona is occupied by a regiment of the 263rd Infantry division, as a precaution against any Allied amphibious landings. Nearby the 4th RR Engineer repairs a hit in 3530 before regauging the hex. In the west, the 5th Infantry division is ordered to moves down the road towards Caceres, which it does via admin movement, and it ends its turn in the reference city.

As the Allied line has been pushed back, it is now out of range of some of the forward airbases constructed last turn. Therefore closer fields are required. To facilitiate this, some shuffling of Engineer units takes place. Firstly, the 108th Construction regiment moves to 3313. This frees the 674th Combat Engineer regiment to advance towards the front to 3516. It is joined there by the 512th Combat Engineers, who move south from Cuidad Real. Together they use quick construction to build a temporary airfield in the hex.

Next, the 71st Construction regiment uses rail movement to get to the airfield in 3312. Following that, the 604th Combat Engineer can now move ahead to 3415. Along the way it picks up the 667th from 3313, and they combine to clear an airfield in 3415. A final temporary airfield is built in 3215 by the 517th Combat Engineer, which advances from 3213. The maintenance of the 3213 airfield is taken over by the 519th Engineer regiment from 3211.

Meticulous preparations are made before the assault on the Allied front line. After much analysis it is decided that there will be 3 points of attack. The largest concentration of defenders is in Cordoba, so 3 full Corps are sent to deal with it. The 65th moves around the north flank to 3220, the 25th with its tanks is ordered to 3219, and the 66th moves laterally across the German positions and the Guadalquivir river to 3319. Looking south, the Colonial units in 3620 are considered a weak link. The 64th Corps moves forward to assembly positions in 3519 and the 53rd advances into 3419. Finally, the 23rd and 92nd divisions in 3719 are targeted for an armoured thrust, despite the unfavourable terrain. The 33rd Corps moves into Martos, overrunning the British 8th Artillery brigade which was left behind last turn. This is the first British casualty of the campaign. The German 62nd Corps is kept in reserve, but it moves up to Jaen.

Combat Phase: All the Allied bombers fly defensive support over Cordoba. There are no Axis fighters in intercept range so they are unescorted. However, there are 2 effective points of AA thanks to the German 35th Corps, and it manages to abort a Whitley and a SM79-1. 2.5 points of DS are delivered for the city. 2 Me110C1s and 2 Me109Fs escort a bomb-laden Me110C4 and a unit of He111s against 3719. There is no interception or AA fire so 5 points of GS reach the target.

Cordoba is attacked by the rest of the German Luftwaffe, consisting of an escort of 4 Me109Es, and a mission force of 5 Ju87s, 3 He111s and 2 Ju88s. The fighters in the city fly up to intercept. Spanish 1-16s and British Hurricanes take on the escorts, while the Spitfires try to bypass the screen. The I-16s and Hurricanes are both aborted, while the Germans also suffer an abort to one of their Me109Es. The Spitfires get past the first fighter but are aborted by the second one. Having got past the fighters, the German bombers have to negotiate the huge barrage of AA fire that rises towards them from the ground (7 points total). All the Stukas are able to evade the flak, but a Heinkel is aborted, and a second Heinkel plus a Ju88A are returned. 25 points of GS will be added to the attack.

Cordoba is held by good quality units, including the 1st Canadian Infantry division, the Tdl Colonial infantry brigade, 3 AA regiments, plus artillery. There are not enough German tanks attacking for any ATEC modification, so the roll will be modified by -1 for rough terrain. The Allied force is worth a total of 19 plus 2.5 points of air support for a total of 21.5. Ranged against them is the 25th, 65th and 66th Corps, which are all strong units, and worth a total of 87. The Luftwaffe provides an extra 25 for a total of 112. This is enough for a 5:1 -1. 2 is rolled, modified to 1 for a HX. The Allied forces are eliminated as they cannot retreat due to ZOCs. The Germans cadre the 57th Infantry division and lose the 610th artillery from the 66th Corps, which advances into the city.

Hex 3519 is held by various non-divisional units headed by the Mar Colonial Cavalry brigade. It is attacked by the 53rd and 64th Corps. The attackers have a total of 55, while the defenders can only muster 10. There is a -1 on the roll due to the rough terrain, and the final odds are 5:1. In a carbon copy of the Cordoba assault, 2 is modified to 1 for another HX. The Spanish are destroyed, and the Germans cadre the 267th Infantry division. The 53rd Corps advances.

2 German Panzer divisions backed up by 2 Motorised divisions attack the Spanish in 3719. The unfavourable terrain ensures that there is only a +1 on the roll despite full AECA capability. The Spanish divisions holding the hex are backed up by British engineers, and they are worth 13. The German 33rd and 34th Corps, assisted by 5 points of GS have 52, for a 4:1 +1 attack. 3 comes up, modified to 4 for a DR. The Spanish and British retreat to the mountains in 3720. The 33rd Corps advances into the empty hex.

In Galicia, 3 Spanish units are surrounded by German Mountain and Air Landing divisions. The defenders are worth a mere 5, and are outgunned by the 30 points of the enemy. Rough terrain modifies the attack by -1 but it is still 6:1. In a brave effort, the Spanish fight to the last man, taking many Germans with them. A 1 comes up, modified to 0 for an EX. All the Spanish are eliminated, while the Germans lose 2 regiments of the 11th Infantry division. The 22nd Air Landing advances, as do the 2nd and 3rd Mountain divisions, and 98th Mountain regiment.

In the air return step, the Allied fighters land at Sevilla, as do all the bombers except the A-22, which go to Gibraltar. German fighters land at the newly captured Cordoba, plus Jaen and the forward temporary airfields. Long and short ranged bombers are also placed on temporary airfields.

Exploitation Phase: The 616th Motorised AT battalion is ordered south to 2115. 25th Corps is sent around the flank of the Allied forces from 3219 to 3424, on the far bank of the Genil river. From this position they are threatening the Allied supply lines.

Losses

  • Spanish Unisolated – 9+9+5 = 23 (4.5 Special RPs received)
  • Spanish Isolated – 0
  • Spanish Air – 2A
  • German Unisolated – 7+4+5 = 16 (4 Special RPs received)
  • German Isolated – 0
  • German Air – 2A
  • British Unisolated – 4+8 = 12 (2 Special RPs received)
  • British Isolated – 0
  • British Air – 3A

Sep II 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The British 1st Tank brigade and attached Spanish artillery are cut off and become U-1. All German He111s and Ju88s are assigned to Naval patrol. The Special RPs generated during the Axis player turn are used to reconstitute 4 machinegun regiments. The 90th and 88th regiments appear in Huelva, while the 81st and 82nd regiments are activated in Cadiz. The Spanish are then fined 0.5 Infantry RP as they rebuilt an extra artillery unit last turn, exceeding the limit of 1 per month. There are no more Spanish RPs left in the pool.

Britain has suffered its first casualties of the scenario. The 1st Canadian Infantry division is brought back at Gibraltar, along with the 8th Artillery brigade. This uses 12 out of the 17 available Inf RPs, so 5 remain, along with 5 armour RPs. Spain has no ARPs remaining. Britain has 2 left, and they are used to resurrect aborted Hurricanes and Spitfires. They come on in Malaga. 3 more GSPs are generated at Sevilla. Guerrilla actions are launched against rail hexes in Valladolid, Leon and Tortosa. The first does not succeed but the subsequent attacks yield hits on the targeted rail lines.

Movement Phase: The Allied fleet stays tied up in Gibraltar. The danger of German invasion seems to have passed for now, but the Portuguese remain vigilant.

The Spanish 2nd Construction and 2nd Combat Engineer regiments carry their resource point to La Linea de La Concepcion, just outside Gibraltar. They are accompanied by the 138th and 239C Infantry regiments.

From Gibraltar, the 20th Guards Brigade is sent to the wooded rough hex of 3727. It is joined there by the Spanish 102nd Infantry division from 3726. Lastly, the reformed 8th British Artillery brigade is sent to 3726 to take over from the 102nd Infantry and provide supporting arms for the units stationed in the fort.

The Allied units in the east of the Gibraltar sector have had their line broken and are in danger of being surrounded. Therefore a retreat is called. The 23rd and 92nd Infantry divisions, plus accompanying engineers, move west to 3723, screening Malaga. The 31st Infantry division, 4Car border regiment and 16th Guardia Civil regiment pull back from their mountain pass positions to more mountains in 3921. In order to delay the German advance, the 93rd Infantry division is ordered to defend Granada, but in truth it could not have moved far this turn anyway due to German ZOCs.

The British 1st Tank brigade and its artillery are U-1 and isolated, so they can only move 1 hex this phase. They pull back to 3521. As a reinforcement, the 71st AA regiment is sent to assist from Malaga. The rest of the Allied armour in 3619 is in supply but hampered by ZOCs and terrain. Nonetheless they are able to get back to 3620.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The British 1st Tank brigade makes its escape to 3623, and it is joined there by the British 1st Armoured and the Spanish Light armoured regiments. The artillery and AA is left behind in 3521 as a roadblock (which is not able to be overrun next turn).

End of Turn Summary

The Allies are in retreat towards Gibraltar, with the German conquest almost complete. Technically this is the end of the scenario according the RAW, but since this is Hypothetical World War 2, I have decided to allow play to continue until the weather in the E zone turns to mud, making operations next to impossible. It is unlikely in a GE game that the Axis would stop attacking during good weather. Its worth noting that if the game ended now the Allied would have an overwhelming Decisive Victory according to VPs.

Losses

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

Sep I 41 – German Turn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Losses

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

Sep I 41 – Allied Turn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Combat Phase: No combat

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

End of Turn Summary

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

Losses

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

Aug II 41 – German Turn

Initial Phase: The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply, except for the Spanish 21st cadre in 23A:2315. It remains at U-1. Spain generates 3 GSPs in Sevilla. The last German ARP is spent bringing back an aborted Me110C4. This unit appears in Toledo. Also in Toledo, the263rd Infantry division is rebuilt from cadre to full strength (7 Inf RPs remain).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Losses

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

Aug II 41 – Allied Turn

Initial Phase: The cadre of the 21st Infantry division, which is still in the Cordillera Central, is running low on food and ammunition. It is now at U-2 status. Only the German Ju88A4 aircraft go on Naval Patrol duty this turn. Attacks on rail lines are made by Spanish partisans in 23A:4110, 4210 and 33:3531. The line in 4210 is hit but the other two operations fail. The 6MK Infantry regiment is formed from volunteers in the Tangier International Zone, and appears at Tangiers. Due to administrative confusion, the Spanish forgot to call up infantry replacements last turn. However, due to the loss of key cities they only receive 0.5 Colonial Inf RP (1.5 total), 0.5 Inf RP in the Canaries (1.5 total) and 1 in mainland Spain (5.5 total). 5 Inf RPs are used to bring back the 23rd Infantry division in Cordoba. 3 more GSPs are generated at Sevilla.

Movement Phase: Allied Naval forces lick their wounds in Gibraltar. However, since only 2 German air units are on Naval Patrol, and they are in Madrid, the fleet decides to make a run to pick up some troops from the Balearic Islands. The German pilots find nothing except the calm waters of the Mediterranean on their patrols. The 61st Infantry regiment is collected from Ibiza, the 37th boards at Palma in Mallorca, and the 38th is taken from Mahon on Menorca. All units disembark in Gibraltar and move to 3825. The fleet returns to the Gibraltar docks.

Due to the arrival of the Spanish 23rd Infantry division in Cordoba, the british 25th Infantry brigade repositions to Sevilla. Spanish reserves in 3522 advance to the river line at 3418, to protect the flank of the Allied armour.

Cavalry is sent to rip up rail track behind the front line in order to deny it to the Germans should they break through. The 13th Cavalry regiment damages Antequera and 3723 before moving to 3721. Likewise, the Mar Colonial Cavalry brigade damages the line in 3622, 3522 and Lucena. Behind them, the 74th Heavy AA regiment comes out of its fortifications and places hits in 3726, 3725 and Ronda in 3624. Lastly, all the units in the front lines pull up the rail lines in their hexes (3918, 3617, 3518, 3418 and Cordoba).

The 21st cadre slowly ekes its way through the mountains to 2316, where it is only a few miles short of reaching supplies. In Galicia, the 35th Light Infantry regiment is dispatched to the mountain pass at 1013, in an attempt to hold of German mountaineers heading to the area. Cordoba was reinforced by the arrival of the recreated 23rd Infantry division. However it is instead ordered to shore up the front line at Jaen.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: No activity

End of Turn Summary

The Allies considered launching a counterattack this turn but the rewards were deemed too low to be worth the risk. The Germans are approaching the Gibraltar perimeter from several directions so any advancing forces would have easily been cut off and destroyed. Next turn, hammer blows will be made across the Guadalquivir river.

Losses

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