Europa Games and Military History

Tag: iraq campaign (Page 1 of 2)

Jul II 41 Axis Turn

  • Per the WW Master Sequence of Play Summary the Allied dice roll to check for Levant surrender using the Variable Levant Surrender Table is done before the Iraqi Coup Collapse check. Both are done in the Axis initial phase before supply determination or the reinforcements segment. The Allied player rolls high, and the dice roll result is Surrender. Per Optional Rule 38V3f and Rule 38V3d, “the Vichy forces in the Levant [then] surrender…. When these forces surrender, all Vichy ground and air units in the Levant are removed from play; these forces are considered to be eliminated.” However, it appears per WW Rule 38V3-The Levant and Rule 38A5-Surrender, large areas of French Levant territory are still considered enemy-owned hexes until captured per Rule 5B and Advanced Rule 5B3. In the present special WW/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration this includes at least reference city Deir ez Zoir (21A:3922), partial city hex Alep (21A:3231) and reference city Lattaique (20A:3404). In the off-map Syrian campaign Beyrouth (20A:4207) fell on the Jul I turn and Damas (20A:4505) fell on the Jul II 41 Allied turn. The Allied units (all non-motorized) involved in the Syrian campaign are currently in a rough line between Beyrouth and Damas.

  • In this Axis initial phase the Allied player has the following Dice Roll Modifiers when using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table: a big +6 “if Baghdad is Allied-owned,” a +1 for the Allied-owned dot city of Basra, and another +1 for the Allied-owned dot city of Mosul. There’s a -1 Modifier “if an Axis air unit is in Iraq,” which there is this turn. Note, however, the Allies no longer get the +1 “if a rail connection (per Rule 7A1) cannot be traced from an Axis-owned Baghdad to an Axis-owned dot city in Iraq” because Baghdad is no longer “Axis-owned.” The arithmetic tallies to a +7 Modifier for the Allies; and the dice roll is a 4: w/ the +7 modifies to an 11: No Collapse!

  • In the supply determination part of the initial phase the Iraq 1-6* Inf XX 1 at 21A:4803 becomes Black U-4. It is assumed to be isolated. Per Optional Rule 12E5-Elimination from Lack of General Supply, a die roll is done on the Success Table to check for elimination; the roll is a 5: the Iraqi inf XX survives.

  • In the reinforcement segment of his initial phase the Axis player withdraws (per Optional Rule 38J6) all Axis intervention in Iraq air units currently in the special WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration This would be the LW Ju 52 T type air unit at the Rodi (20A:2230) airfield (in the South Aegean islands) and the LW He 111H4 B type air unit at Sulaimaniya (20A:4710), in Iraq. These two LW air units probably go to the Russian front. In addition, the LW Me 110C HF type air unit in the Axis NE Command’s Aborted Air Units box is also withdrawn from the game, I believe. In the case of wanting to keep the LW ME 110C air unit in play, the Axis player would have to spend a Ger ARP from the Axis Med/NA Command. The Axis player sees no point in attempting further German intervention into the endgame of the Iraqi Coup after the fall of Baghdad and the loss there of the ground unit core of the Iraq Army, especially with Barbarossa unleashed. Perhaps more later on the issue of the Axis Intervention in Iraq Conditional Reinforcements air unit withdrawals, per Optional Rule 38J6.

Allied dispositions:

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces are in general supply]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 [operative]

Habbaniya (22A:2828):

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col)

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [operative]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x P 40C 5F5 1/13 (SAAF) [operative]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex; NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 6-8* Inf XX 10 (Ind)

Baghdad (22A:2825) [partial hex city]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

one hit on the airbase

22A:2826 [ clear terrain major rail/road junction hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col)

Baqubah (21A:4802) [canal intensive secondary rail junction reference city hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

22A:3023 [clear terrain secondary rail line]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind)

In the Southern Iraq region [all Allied forces are in general supply]:

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply terminal marker

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind)

three steps of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314)

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied owned]

Iraqi forces and Axis/German forces on the NE map group; movement and end of turn dispositions:

In the Central Iraq region [all Iraqi units are out of general supply and isolated]:

21A:4803 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1 [becomes Black U-4 this turn; never moved]

Karbala (22A:3227) [salt marsh dot city/secondary rail line terminus hex]:

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [becomes Black U-1 this turn; never moved]

  • In the dark twilight of the Iraq campaign, this remaining Iraqi coup unit is relatively safe where it’s at, in the sacred dot city hex of Karbala. The Allied player will likely not “enter or attack” this Iraqi-owned hex and suffer the -3 Die Roll Modifier consequences on the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table dice roll the next Axis initial phase. Presumably “attack” or “enter” also means an Allied pinpoint bombing attack on the dot city airbase, in addition to Allied ground unit entry into the Karbala hex.

In the South Aegean islands:

On the island of Rodi:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port]:

3-cap permanent airfield [Axis owned]

Allied air unit activity late in the Axis exploitation phase:

  • Late in the Axis exploitation phase the Allied player announces a non-phasing air transfer to Egypt of the Glad 3F3 type air unit at Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828) and the Well 1C 4NB3 type air unit at the Rutbah airstrip (21A:5023). In western Egypt and at Tobruch Rommel and his Afrika Korps press hard the British Western Desert Force (soon to be renamed the 8th Army). However, the SAAF 5F5 1/13 air unit remains based at the Habbaniya airfield, in anticipation for use in the impending invasion of Iran, not to mention to guard against the remaining Iraqi Mxd 1A2 type air unit still surviving at the Karbala dot city airbase.

Commentary:

The special WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration does not yet have a fixed ending or a completed Victory Rule. For now it is considered the cropped portion of a larger WW ME Campaign Scenario. But I assure the EA that there is an end to it, and that the end is very near. The “Iraq Campaign” EA postings will end with the fall of Iran, which should be quick in coming and is virtually automatic, per Rule 38I-Iran.

The WW Middle East (ME) Campaign Scenario Victory Conditions are found at Rule 41B5. Turning to the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet and referring to the several Victory Charts used per the WW ME Campaign Scenario Victory Conditions, we notice the following VP stipulations for the Vichy Levant:

  • Per the Western Desert Victory Chart, used in the Middle East Campaign, we see that the Axis get +10 VPs the first time the player gains control of all cities and ports in the Levant. This will probably be accomplished in a couple of turns from now after some Allied ground unit movement throughout the conquered and presumably empty French Levant territory. Note that in WW games other than ours, this award could be made before the actual Levant Surrender occurs per the dice roll done using the Variable Levant Surrender Table (Optional Rule 38V3f). The Allied player incurs -1 VP “each [game] turn [the] Axis has privileges in the Levant and the Levant has not surrendered to the Allies.” Per the WW Master Sequence of Play Summary this particular accounting is done early in the Axis player’s initial phase, prior to the initial successful die roll to “pressure Vichy France to grant Axis privileges in Levant, if eligible/desired.” In our “Iraq Campaign” Scenario, the Axis player gained “Air” privileges in the Levant in the Apr I 41 Axis initial phase, so the -1 Allied VP count for no Vichy Levant surrender began on the Apr II Axis initial phase and stopped this Jul II 41 Axis initial phase, for a total of -6 VPs, I think.

  • However, per Rule 40B-Victory Points, the Allied player evidently gets VPs for all surrendered and eliminated Vichy French Levant forces. This VP count for the “eliminated” Vichy Levant force losses/surrender comes from the WW Common Victory Chart, also used in the Middle East Campaign Victory Conditions. An exception to the “all surrender” rule for the Vichy French forces in the Levant is the Vichy French LeO 451 B type air unit Reinforcement, if still on-map (eg., not already Aborted or Eliminated) in the Axis initial phase of Vichy Levant surrender. Per the WitD Neutral Nations OB the Vichy French LeO 451 air unit withdraws “if the Levant surrenders to the Allies.” Upon Vichy Levant surrender, I count an automatic +12 VPs for the Allies, counting all the Vichy Levant ground unit REs along with the Vichy Fr D 520 F type air unit (per the WitD Neutral Nations OB for Vichy France). Right now I don’t believe the Allies get a +5 for the capture or either the Vichy Levant or Iraqi supply terminals; I believe these VPs go to the capture of Allied or Axis supply terminals.

Continuing our survey of periphery issues, looking at Appendix G-Transportation Lines in the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet, we find that in the WW ME/“Iraq campaign” Scenario time frame the secondary rail line from Kut-al-Imara (22A:3220) to Baqubah (21:4802) is actually a road. The text says “[rail] construction was started February 1942, completed December 1942.” This oversight has made no difference in our game. Also found in Appendix G is another quite important ME Scenario map group transportation line difference, this time in Iran, in the Shatt al Arab zone of the critical SW Iranian region by the Persian Gulf; but this will be noted later at the start of the Allied invasion of Iran.

For those who wonder about such things, here is a partial list of the Iraq cities still under Coup Iraq/Axis control:

  • Karbala (22A:3227) [dot city]

  • Sulaimaniya (32:1532) [reference city]

  • Amara (22A:3526) [reference city]

  • Khanaquin (21A:4501) [point city]

  • Samarra (21A:4506) [point city]

  • Tel Afar (21A:3512) [point city]

  • Najaf (22A:3526) [point city].

Jul II 41 Allied Turn

Iraqi Coup force and Axis/German Iraq intervention force dispositions on the Near East map group [at the turn’s start]:

On the island of Rodi:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port]:

1 x Ju 52 1T1 0/20 (LW) [operative; in supply]

Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region:

Baghdad (22A:2825):

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1

one hit on the airbase

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [operative]

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 (LW) [operative; becomes Red U-2 this turn]

21A:4803:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1 [still Black U-3]

In the Northern Iraq region:

Sulaimaniya (32:1532) [reference city]:

1 x He 111H4 4B4 2-7/22 (LW) [operative; becomes Black U-1 this turn]

Allied movement and end of turn dispositions:

In Palestine:

Haifa (20A:4710) [dot city/major port]:

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 [operative; end of movement phase]

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces are in supply; end of movement phase]:

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex; NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind) [never moved]

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind) [never moved]

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind) [never moved]

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2726]

  • At the end of the movement phase these four units assemble into the Ind 6-8* Inf XX 10. This is the signal that the battle for Baghdad is at hand. It is no accident that these units are at 22A:2725; this is the only hex adjacent to Baghdad that does not have an intervening river hexside. The Ind 1-8 Inf X 17 at 22A:2925, on the opposite side of the Baghdad hex from here, provides the necessary ZOC entrapment combination to turn DR’s to DE’s. The two Allied c/m Xs are where they’re at because they can’t get to 22A:2725 by the end of the movement phase. Ground unit maneuver in the Baghdad hex vicinity is a problem every turn for the Allied player in the Iraq campaign. It’s downright tricky and difficult. At least three times I’ve had to scrap game reports for the Allied turn at the last minute upon realizing a ground unit movement mistake had been make in the necessary maneuvering around the partial city hex in preparation of the final assault.

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2824]

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab [regular moves from 21A:4504]

22A:2826 [clear terrain major rail/road junction hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [never moved]

one step of attack supply [never moved; end of movement phase]

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind) [never moved]

22A:2925) [canal intensive hex E of the Tigris river; SE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [never moved]

Habbaniya (22A:2828) [end of movement phase]:

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [operative]

1 x Hurri 1 5F5 1/8 [operative]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [never moved; end of turn]

Ramadi (22A:3830) [reference city; end of movement phase]

1 x P 40C 5F5 1/13 (SAAF) [operative]

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied owned]

In the Southern Iraq region:

Near East:

Arrive [per the WitD Allied OB for the Jul II 41 Allied turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind)

  • This Ind inf X disembarks at the major port of Basra and then regular moves 6 hexes, gaining hex control of several hexes in the vicinity. The Ind inf X moves first to 22A:4312, and then turns about face and soon moves south to the Umm Qasr point city/minor port border hex (22A:4513), where it again reverses its direction and ends it movement back at Basra. In so doing it gains Allied hex control of point city Zubair (22A:4413) and the swamp road border river crossing hex 22A:4411, possibly important for preparing for the pressing invasion of Iran.

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port; end of turn]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind)

three steps of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied owned]

Allied and Axis/Coup Iraq force activity in the Combat Phase:

  1. The non-phasing Axis player announces a DAS air mission over the Baghdad target hex (22A:2825). The LW He 111H4 4B4 (Black U-1) and the Iraqi Mxd 1A2 1/8 air units fly the DAS mission to the Baghdad target hex. The LW Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 air unit (Red U-2) flies the escort air mission over the target hex. From the Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828) and the the Ramadi reference city airbase (22A:2830) the SAAF P 40C 5F5 1/13, the Hurri 1 54F5 1/8, and the Glad 3F3 0/8 Br air units fly the interception air mission to the Baghdad target hex.

  2. In the Baghdad target hex the Allied player allocates the Glad 3F3 type to attack the escorting LW Me 110C 5HF5 type (reduced to 3HF3, due to being U-2). The other two intercepting Allied F type air units bypass the single Axis escort and attack the Axis mission force; a random selection pairs the Br Hurri 1 5F5 type with the LW He 111H4 4B4 type, and the SAAF P 40C 5F5 type with the Iraqi Mxd 1A2 type.

  3. The results: The Me 110C air unit is aborted in air combat and placed in the WW Axis NE Command’s Replacement Pool Aborted Air Units box. The Glad air unit survives and returns to base at the Habbaniya airfield. The He 111H4 air unit is returned in air combat and bases at the Sulaimaniya airbase (32:1532); the Hurri 1 air unit is killed in air combat and placed in the WW Allied NE Command Replacement Pool’s Eliminated Air Units box. The Iraqi Mxd air unit is returned in air combat and bases at the Karbala dot city air base (22A:3227) and the SAAF P 40C air unit survives and returns to base at the Habbaniya airfield.

  4. Then the phasing Allied player announces a GS air mission over the Baghdad target hex. There is no need for fighter escort, nor are any Allied fighter units operative in the Baghdad zone. First he flies the Audax 1A1 1/8 on the GS air mission to the Baghdad target hex. Next he stages the Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 air unit from the Haifa airbase (20A:4710) in Palestine to the Rutbah (21A:5023) 1-cap permanent airstrip in Iraq, where it flies the GS air mission to the Baghdad target hex.

  5. The Coup Iraqis have a total of 4 def factors in the Baghdad partial city hex; their three inf XX’s there halved to a total of 2 due to Iraqi Unsteadiness. The Allied player attacks Baghdad from all the adjacent hexes containing Allied ground units, all but 22A:2725 having river hexsides facing towards the partial hex city.

  6. I tally the following factored attack strengths per hex:

  • From 22A:2725: Ind 6-8* Inf XX 10 (3) + Ind 2-8 Inf X 21 (.5) = 3.5

  • From 22A:2726: Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab (.5) = .5

  • From 22A:2826: Col 0-1-4 Static II 2As (0) = 0

  • From 22A:2926: Ind 1-8 Inf X 17 (1/8=.125) = .125

  • From 22A:2925: Ind 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (.5) = .5

  • GS from Audax (.5) + Well 1C (1) = 1.5

  • This adds to a total of = 6.125

  1. The attack is a straight up 3 to 1. Per the GE TEC used in WW there are no modifiers for attacking a partial hex city outside of “combat between Axis and Soviet forces.” The die roll is a 3: HX. All Iraqi ground units in the Baghdad hex are eliminated and placed in the Iraq Replacement Pool found on the WitD Neutrals Game Chart. The Iraq Capital Marker is removed from the NE map group and set aside. The Ind 2-8 Inf X 21 is eliminated in the HX and placed in the WW Allied NE Command Replacement Pool. The Audax air unit returns to base at the Habbaniya airfield, and the Well 1C air unit returns to base at the Rutbah airstrip.

  2. After resolving the combat results, the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab and the Ind 1-8 Inf X 17 advance after combat into the Baghdad hex.

  3. At the end of the combat phase the Allied player removes his step of attack supply in 22A:2826 used to provide attack supply for his attacking ground units (Rule 12D).

Allied movement in the combat phase:

Baqubah (21A:4802) [canal intensive secondary rail junction reference city hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

  • From the Baghdad hex the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab journeys northeastwards and ends the exploitation phase at Baqubah, retaking this reference city for the Allies. It sorely needs to soon move westwards across Iraq and capture the Vichy French reference city Deir ez Zoir (21A:3922) for the Allies, but there is still unfinished business for it in Iraq.

22A:3023 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind)

  • From canal intensive hex 22A:2925, SE of Baghdad, the Ind 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 moves southeastwards along the secondary rail line to Kut-al-Imara (22A:3220), capturing this reference city/minor port hex for the Allies. Then it double backs northwest and ends the exploitation phase at 22A:3023.

Commentary: With the Allied capture of Baghdad in their combat phase, the main Allied hex objective is accomplished in an “extended” Iraq campaign where the Iraqi coup did not ideally collapse in the earlier Axis initial phase of the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table dice roll done on the “first turn (only) that a supported Allied unit is adjacent to an Iraqi-owned Baghdad.” In our special WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration this bad luck Allied dice roll happened on the May II 41 Axis initial phase; and now, two months later, Baghdad falls in the Jul II 41 Allied turn in a dicey battle.

For the Allied player it appears that “phase 2” will be the mop-up in Iraq and the border deployment and subsequent execution of the invasion of Iran. Also, the remote eastern Syrian reference city hex of Deir ez Zoir (21A:3922) still needs to be captured for the Allies, and the Br c/m X Hab unit is the logical choice for this task, of all Allied ground units present on the WW ME Campaign Scenario map group. On the Aug I 41 Allied turn it converts to the 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9, and is likely needed as soon as possible in the Egypt-Libya border zone in the Western Desert map group, facing the Afrika Korps besieging Tobruch. In any event the damage is done to the Allied cause in our extended Iraq campaign demonstration here. Some of the Allied forces involved in the special WW/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration have been diverted from their historical roles in the Syrian and Western Desert campaigns, and the Iran invasion will apparently be delayed by a turn, at least. But such are some of the primary issues played out in the WW Middle East Campaign Scenario game play.

Jul I 41 Axis Turn

  • The Allied player rolls a 5 on the dice roll using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table to check for an Iraqi Coup Collapse. For Modifiers the Allies have a +1 for the Allied-owned dot city of Basra, another +1 for the Allied-owned dot city of Mosul, a final +1 “if a rail connection (per Rule 7A1) cannot be traced from an Axis-owned Baghdad to an Axis-owned dot city in Iraq.” Finally, they take a -1 hit “if an Axis air unit is in Iraq,” which is the case in this initial phase. And so the Allied player does not get the 14 needed for Coup Collapse.

  • Using the 1 ARP stored in the Baghdad hex, the Axis player rebuilds the aborted Iraqi Mxd A type air unit in the initial phase and places it in the Baghdad hex, along with the recently arrived LW Me 110C HF type air unit based there. Since the July I turn is an air cycle month, it appears Coup Iraq receives another ARP in this initial phase per the Iraq GE Neutral Nations OB found in the WitD Neutral Nations OB booklet. The new ARP is stored at the Baghdad hex.

  • The Syrian campaign continues, the Allied dice roll using the Variable Levant Surrender Table not resulting in a Surrender. Still, all the Allied ground unit activity in the Syrian campaign is localized to that portion of the French Levant on the exposed part of map 20A that is south of the northern border line of Lebanon.

Allied dispositions:

In Palestine:

Haifa (20A:4710) [dot city/major port; end of turn]:

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 [remains here for DAS in the Syrian campaign, if necessary]

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces in general supply]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied controlled]

Habbaniya (22A:2828):

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col)

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x P 40C 5F5 1/13(SAAF) [operative]

1 x Hurri 1 5F5 1/8 [operative]

21A:4504 [clear terrain hex 5 hexes NNE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab [in general supply]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex; NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind)

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind)

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind)

22A:2826 [clear terrain major rail/road junction hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col)

one step of attack supply

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

22A:2925 [canal intensive hex E of the Tigris River; SE of Baghdad]:

1x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind)

22A:2824 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex E of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind)

In the Southern Iraq region:

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

three steps of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314)

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

Axis Intervention in Iraq forces on the South Aegean island of Rodi at the end of the Axis initial phase:

Axis Conditional Reinforcements

Axis Intervention in Iraq [Optional Rule 38J6]

Coup Turn 7/Jul I 41 Axis Turn

German:

Med/NA:

Place at any airbase on the island of Rodi:

1 x He111H4 4B4 2-7/22 (LW)

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port; end of initial phase]:

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x He 111H4 4B4 2-7/22 (LW)

Iraqi forces and Axis/German forces on the NE map group movement and end of turn dispositions:

Vichy Levant [end of the initial phase]:

Deir el Zoir (21A:3922) [reference city]:

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW) [technically at Red U-1, but in supply via the gsp’s]

2 gsp’s; generated at Rodi (20A:2230) on the Jun II 41 initial phase; removed at end of this initial phase.

  • The LW Ju 52 air unit does an air transfer mission back to the Rodi airfield hex (20A:2230). The fall of Mosul on the Jun II 41 Allied turn apparently makes futile any further efforts of the hard-working LW Ju 52 T type air unit to keep the Axis Intervention in Iraq forces in supply with gsp’s. Obviously, a stop-over in the Vichy Levant is required now , and by the following Axis turn it’s too late; the gsp’s shelf life expires (see Rule 12C4-GSPs) in the Axis initial phase while it’s still in the Vichy Levant, enroute to Iraq.. The alternative to the done air mission with the gsp cargo would have been a one-way regular air transport mission of the Ger 2-8 Inf III SV 288, first to Deir el Zoir, then the next (current) Axis turn to Baghdad, at Red U-1. What do you think?

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region:

Baghdad (22A:2825):

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3 [never moved]

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2 [never moved]

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4 [never moved]

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 [never moved]

1 hit on the airbase

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [Axis player spends 1 ARP to place back on-map]

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 (LW) [determined Red U-1 in Axis initial phase]

21A:4803 [canal intensive secondary rail hex, end of turn]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1 [never moved]

  • Becomes Black U-3 this turn.

In the Northern Iraq region:

Sulaimaniya (32:1532) [reference city]:

1 x He 111H4 4B4 2-7/22 (LW) [in exploitation phase air transfers to here from the Rodi airfield]

Axis Intervention in Iraq forces on the South Aegean island of Rodi at the end of the Axis turn:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port]

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x Ju 52 1T1 0/20 (LW) [inoperative; air transferred to here from Deir el Zoir (21A:3922)]

Allied air activity at the end of the Axis exploitation phase:

In Central Iraq region [end of exploitation phase]:

Ramadi (22A:2830) [reference city]:

1 x P 40C 5F5 1/13 (SAAF) [air transferred from the Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828)]

Habbaniya (22A:2828)

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col)

1 x Hurri 1 5F5 1/8 [operative; never moved]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative; never moved]

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [air transferred to here, from Egypt]

Commentary: Like a hurricane’s vast spin, the impending battle for Baghdad draws more forces into its swirling vortex. The Allied player air transfers to the Habbaniya airfield the ME Command’s Glad F type air unit, formerly based at Alexanrdria (20A:4930), in an effort to gain air superiority over the Baghdad hex in the impending battle for the partial city hex.

Jul I 41 Allied Turn

Iraqi Coup force and Axis/German Iraq intervention force dispositions [at the turn’s start]:

In the Central Iraq region:

Baghdad (22A:2825) [all forces here are in general supply]:

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [operative]

21A:4803:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1

  • Still Black U-2; the unit cannot trace a supply line to the Baghdad hex.

Axis Intervention in Iraq [Optional Rule 38J6] air units and gsp’s currently in Vichy Levant enroute to Coup Iraq:

Vichy Levant:

Alep (21A:3231) [partial city hex; up to end of movement phase]:

3-cap temporary airfield

{1 x 0-1-5 Cons X Lev (Col) [Vichy French Unit]}

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 (LW) [operative]

Deir el Zoir (21A:3922) [reference city; up to end of movement phase]

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW) [operative]

2 [Axis] gsp’s, generated in the Jun II 41 Axis initial phase

  • Both LW air units technically become Red U-1 this turn, but the LW Ju 52 T type air unit at Deir el Zoir is in general supply via the Axis gsp’s with them in the reference city hex.

Allied movement, end of turn dispositions, and commentary:

In Palestine:

Haifia (20A:4710) [dot city/major port]:

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 [operative; end of movement phase]

  • In the combat phase this unit does the GS air mission in the Syrian campaign.

In Iraq:

In the Northern Iraq Region [end of movement phase]:

21A:4104 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab [regular moves 5 hexes to here from Erbil (21A:3605)]

  • In the initial phase this unit becomes Red U-1. The Iraqi 1-6* Inf XX 1 at 21A:4803 blocks w/ its ZOC the road trace supply line farther south at vacant major rail hex 21A:4804. On the way to 4104 the Br c/m X Hab enters Kirkuk 21A:3904 and captures this important reference city secondary rail line/road junction hex for the Allies.

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied units in this region are in general supply in the initial phase]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied owned]

Habbaniya (22A:2828) [early in the movement phase]:

3-cap permanent airfield

  • Using both the WitD Allied OB’s Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces and its core Middle East OB, and also F. Watson’s “Iraq” Europa battle scenario Allied OB, there is some Allied air unit OB activity this turn relevant to the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario that needs explaining to EA wargamers who may want to know. First, both OBs maintain that the Bombay T type air unit is “Withdrawn” from the NE Command and “Arrives” at the ME Command. We’ve gone ahead and already done this on the Jun II 41 Axis turn, even though in the ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario’s case it is voluntary. We will not tangle with EA members on the issue of whether the Bombay T type air unit might ought to be present either in the Syrian campaign or in the Western Desert map group (we agree), and last turn transferred the Bombay air unit over to the ME Command. F. Watson’s “Iraq” Europa battle scenario gives the SAAF P40C 5F5 1/13 air unit as an arrival from Palestine, and we happily take this primo air unit on his suggestion. It air transfers from Palestine to the Habbaniya hex airfield in the movement phase and becomes inoperative upon landing. Regarding the arrival of Watson’s Hurri 1 5F5 1/8 air unit reinforcement (from Palestine) in the “Iraq” Europa battle scenario, we play a trick. Looking at the WitD Allied OB for Jul I 41 we see a ME Command Conversion of a Glad F type air unit to a Hurri 1 air unit. And so in the initial phase we convert the NE Command’s Glad F type air unit based at the Habbaniya airfield to the Hurri 1 5F5 1/8. This is possible by Rule 3E4 in general and specifically sanctioned at Rule 25H2-Command Restrictions on Conversions/Withdrawals. This conversion at Habbaniya conveniently keeps Watson’s original “Iraq” Europa battle scenario Allied OB Hurri 1 F type air unit “Arrival” (probably the one used in the Syrian campaign per F. Watson’s “Syria” Europa battle scenario) operative in the Palestine/Syria region and makes the converted Hurri 1 F type air unit at the Habbaniya airfield operative in the NE Command. So we do this, for the wargame expediency.

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x P40C 5F5 1/13 (SAAF) [inoperative; movement phase air transfer from Palestine]

1 x Hurri 1 5F5 1/8 [operative; WitD Allied OB Reinforcement initial phase conversion of the Glad air unit]

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [regular moved from 22A;2826]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex; NE of Baghdad, end of movement phase:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind) [regular moves from 22A:2726]

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind) [regular moves from 22A:2726]

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind) [never moved]

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad; end of movement phase]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind) [regular moves from Hindiya (22A:3025)]

22A:2826 [clear terrain major rail/road junction hex W of Baghdad; end of movement phase]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [regular moves from 22A:2926]

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad; end of movement phase]

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind) [regular moves to here from Habbaniya]

one step of attack supply [spent 1 smp moving from Hindiya (22A:3025)]

22A:2824 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex E of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind) [never moved]

In the Southern Iraq region [end of movement phase]:

Near East:

Arrive [per the WitD Allied OB for the Jul 1 41 Allied turn]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind)

  • This Ind c/m X disembarks at the major port of Basra and then admin moves 16 hexes northwards up the secondary rail line to 22A:3423, ending the movement phase there.

22A:3423 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [admin moves 16 hexes up transportation line to here]

Basra (22A:4313) [end of movement phase]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

three steps of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied owned]

Allied air action late in the movement phase:

  • The Hurr1 5F5 1/8 and the Audax 1A1 1/8 air units perform a tac bombing mission on the Baghdad partial city hex 3-cap airbase. On these bombing air missions the Hurri 1 F type’s tac factor is increased by 1, to 2, per Rule 20G2a. Note per the WW Airbase Summary found on Game Play Chart 2, major city hexes have an airbase cap of 3. Neither the Baghdad hex nor the Iraqi inf XXs in the hex have intrinsic flack. The Hurri 1 rolls a 5 on the Bombing Table, and the Audax misses. A hit marker is placed on the Baghdad partial city hex for the airbase damage; the Iraqi Mxd A type air unit is placed in the Aborted Air Units box of the Iraq Replacements Pool found on the WitD Neutrals Game Chart. The Hurri 1 and Audax air units rebase at Habbaniya, inoperative.

Allied c/m ground movement in the exploitation phase:

21A:4504 [clear terrain hex 5 hexes NNE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab [moves 5 hexes to here; Red U-1]

22A:2925 [canal intensive hex E of the Tigris River; SE of Baghdad]

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [exploits to here from 22A:3423]

22A:2826 [clear terrain major rail/road junction hex W of Baghdad]:

one step of attack supply [expends 4 smp’s moving from 22A:2926]

  • The step of attack supply stacks with 0-1-4 Static II 2As (Col).

Axis air unit activity late in the Allied exploitation phase:

  • Seeing that the Allied F type air units are inoperative at the Habbaniya airfield, the Me 110C HF type air unit based at the Alep dot city airbase (21A:3231) does a transfer air mission to the Baghdad hex.

Commentary: To the Allied player’s dismay, he still cannot execute the needed final assault on the Baghdad partial city hex and crush the defiant Coup Iraqis. And now the LW Me 110C HF type air unit is based at the Baghdad hex! What next? London calls from afar on the shortwave, wondering what could be the problem preventing the prompt finish of the Mesopotamian sideshow campaign. Are things starting to unravel?

Jun II 41 Axis Turn

Jun II 41 Axis Turn

  • For the fifth time in the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration, the Allied player in the Axis initial phase prior to the reinforcements segment checks for an Iraqi Coup Collapse by a dice roll using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table to determine results. There’s a +1 Modifier for the Allied-owned dot city of Basra; there’s another +1 for the Allied-owned dot city of Mosul; and there is a final +1 Modifier “if a rail connection (per Rule 7A1) cannot be traced from an Axis-owned Baghdad to an Axis-owned dot city in Iraq.” But this Axis initial phase there is no -1 “if an Axis air unit is in Iraq;” for now there are none in Iraq. This tallies to a +3 dice Roll Modifier on the Table. And the dice roll is 8, which is factored to 11: No Collapse.

  • The Syrian campaign continues, tying down Allied forces that could be used in the Iraq campaign or in the Western Desert against the Afrika Korps. Because there are presently no Allied c/m units participating in their invasion of Vichy Levant, most all the ground unit activity in the Syrian campaign is occurring in the narrow portion of the French Levant found on the exposed portion of map 20A and south of the northern border line of Lebanon. Hence large swaths of northern French Levant on map 20A and probably all of Syria found on map 21A will likely remain essentially Vichy territory until the end of July. Note that per Rule 38V3-The Levant, and Rule 38A5-Surrender, and Optional Rule 38V3F-Variable Levant Surrender to the Allies, even after the surrender of the Vichy French forces in the Levant, apparently the remaining Vichy Levant-owned hexes remain hostile until captured by the Allies per Rule 5B-Ownership and Advanced Rule 5B3-Ownership of Cities, Ports, and Airbases. This might buy the Axis Intervention in Iraq Conditional Reinforcements an extra turn—to escape from the Near East

Allied dispositions:

In Iraq:

In the Northern Iraq region [the Allied unit here is in general supply via road element]:

Erbil (21A:3605):

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces are in general supply]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied owned]

Habbaniya (22A:2828):

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [operative]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15 [operative]

Hindiya (22A:3025) [point city canal intensive secondary rail line hex]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind)

one step of attack supply

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col)

22A:2826 [clear terrain road/major rail intersection hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col)

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind)

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind)

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex E of the Tigris River, NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind)

22A:2824 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex E of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind)

In the Southern Iraq region [all Allied forces here are in general supply]:

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

three steps of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

In Palestine:

Haifa (20A:4710) [dot city/major port]:

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-6/28 [operative; based here for DAS in the Syrian campaign, if necessary]

Axis Intervention in Iraq forces on the South Aegean island of Rodi at the end of the Axis initial phase:

Axis Conditional Reinforcements

Axis Intervention in Iraq [Optional Rule 38J6]

Coup Turn 6/Jun II 41 Axis turn

German:

Convert: 1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 to:

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port hex]:

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 (LW)

  • In the Axis initial phase ehe LW Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 air unit does the conversion here. Note that per WW Rule 40A1-[Reinforcements] Concepts, at the Convert bullet, it says “to be converted the unit must trace a supply line to a regular general supply source (Rule 12C)….” Rule 25D-[Air Unit] Conversions, says “the air unit must be at an unisolated airbase….” Rule 3F-Isolation, says, “a unit is isolated if the owning player cannot trace a LOC from the unit to a hex from which a supply (Rule 12B) can be traced to a regular general supply source….” To me right now all this means that in WW ME Campaign Scenario games, the LW Mxd 2A3 type air unit can only do this conversion at an Axis airfield on either the South Aegean island of Rodi or Crete after the Jun I 41 game turn, and cannot do the conversion in the field at an “isolated” Iraqi airbase, where the LW Mxd 2A3 air unit would be getting at best special general supply from an overland trace to the air transported Axis gsp’s. Note also that the LW Me 110C HF type is one of the older, or archaic, C type Me 110s, and not one of the newer Me 110D HF types now common in the Western Desert region in the summer of 1941. More later on this point regarding the Axis Intervention in Iraq concept in WW.

4 gsp’s generated in the Jun II 41 Axis initial phase. See Rule 12C2a.

Iraqi forces and Axis/German forces on the NE map group movement and end of turn dispositions: Vichy Levant [end of turn dispositions]:

Alep (21A:3231) [partial city hex]:

3-cap temporary airfield [begun on Jun I, enlarged this turn]

1 x 0-1-5 Cons X Lev (Col) [Vichy French unit]

1 x Me 110C 5HF5 1/12 (LW)

  • The LW Me 110C HF type air unit does a transfer mission to here in the exploitation phase. By my hex count it could not quite make it to the still Vichy Levant controlled Deir el Zoir reference city hex (21A:3922) in eastern Syria; so it bases here in Vichy Levant.

Deir el Zoir (21A:3922) [reference city]:

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

2 Axis gsp’s, transported to here by the LW Ju 52 air unit

  • The LW Ju 52 T type air unit does a 1-way regular transport mission at extended range (Rule 23B-Extended Range) in the exploitation phase to this remote and desolate eastern Vichy Syrian airbase. It does not have the range to finish its air transport mission at any remaining friendly airbases in Iraq using doing the 1-way regular transport mission at extended range air transport mission, but it bases farther eastwards than the LW Me 110C air unit, hoping thereby to enhance its air op alternatives next turn.

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region [end of turn]:

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3 [never moved]

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2 [never moved]

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4 [never moved]

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 [never moved]

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [never moved]

21A:4803 [canal intensive secondary railway hex; end of turn]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1 [regular moved one hex from Baqubah (21A:4803)]

  • Becomes Black U-2 this turn; still out of supply from either Baghdad or Axis gsp’s.

Allied air unit activity in the Near East late in the Axis exploitation phase:

In Palestine:

Tel Aviv (21A:5011):

1-cap permanent airstrip

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15 [inoperative]

  • Late in the exploitation phase the Allied player does a non-phasing air transfer of the Bombay T type air unit from the Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828) to here. From Tel Aviv next turn it is close enough for either GS in the Syrian campaign or (via staging) various air transport air ops in the Western Desert map group. Note that it withdraws next turn per both Watson’s “Iraq” Europa battle scenario and the WitD Allied OB’s Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces, on p. 5. However, in the WW ME Campaign Scenario, on which the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration is based, the Bombay air unit’s withdrawal is certainly not mandatory according to Rule 3E4-Player Control of Commands in general and at Rule 25G-[Air Unit] Transfers specifically. But this Europa wargamer thinks that given the ME Campaign Scenario action certainly taking place either in the Western Desert or in the Syrian campaign, the Bombay air unit withdrawal done now makes the cropped ME/“Iraq Campaign” more realistic. Doing the Bombay withdrawal from the Iraq campaign region this turn enables it to be in position for an immediate air op in either region the upcoming Jul I 41 Allied turn. The choice of Tel Aviv in the EA game report is essentially “generic” for our purposes here; in an actual WW ME Campaign Scenario the Allied player would know exactly where he wanted the Bombay air unit to transfer to.

Commentary: Should the Iraq 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 attempt a breakout from Baghdad now and run amok? The solitary Iraq c/m X sits tight at Baghdad, keeping it available at the capital. The Iraqi Mxd 1A2 type air unit is still on-map, stacked with the c/m X and a corps of Iraqi infantry XXs; the Coup citadel bristles with arms.

Jun II 41 Allied Turn

Iraqi Coup force and Axis Iraq intervention force dispositions [at turn’s start]:

In the Central Iraq region:

Baghdad (22A:2825):

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [operative]

Baqubah (21A:4802) [reference city canal intensive canal intensive secondary rail junction hex]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1

  • Still Black-U-1 this Allied initial phase. Unable to trace to a general supply source.

In the Northern Iraq region:

1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 (LW)

  • Technically becomes Red U-3 this turn, but is determined to be in general supply in the Allied initial phase via the gsp’s in the Mosul hex.

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

  • Technically becomes Red U-1 this turn, but is determined to be in general supply in the Allied initial phase via one of the two gsp’s in the Mosul hex.
  • At the beginning of the Allied movement phase the LW Ju 52 1T2 type air unit at Mosul does a non-phasing air transfer mission back to the 3-cap permanent airfield at the Rodi point city/standard port hex (20A:2230) on the South Aegean island of Rodi.

2 gsp’s generated in the May II 41 Axis initial phase. Here at the start of the turn.

Allied movement, end of turn dispositions, and commentary:

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied controlled]

Habbaniya (22A:2828) [end of turn]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

  • This Coup Turn 6/Jun II 41 Allied turn Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces Conditional Reinforcement disembarks at Basra (22A:4313) and is air transported to the Habbaniya airfield by the Bombay air unit, which stages from Nasiriya (22A:3919).

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [never moved]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [never moved]

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15

  • In the movement phase the Bombay T type air unit air transports the Ind 1-8 Inf X 17 to here from Basra, after staging to there from Nasiriya.

Hindiya (22A:3025) [point city canal intensive secondary rail line hex; end of turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:3822]

one step of attack supply [moved 5 hexes using smp’s from 22A:3524]

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [never moved]

22A:2826 [clear terrain road/major rail line junction hex W of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [never moved]

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2926]

1 x 1-6 Inf X 20 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2926]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex E of the Tigris River; NE of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind) [regular moved from Habbaniya (22A:2828)]

22A:2824 [clear terrain secondary rail line hex E of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2725]

In the Northern Iraq Region [end of turn; the Allied unit is in general supply]:

Erbil (21A:3605) [point city road/secondary rail line terminus hex; end of exploitation]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

  • This c/m unit begins the turn adjacent to Baghdad at 22A: 2726, to the NW. It first breaks away from the siege of Baghdad and moves NW mainly along the major rail line, but capturing all the rail line hexes along the way. By the end of the movement phase it is at major rail line hex 21A:4109.
  • In the exploitation phase it follows the major rail line hexes to Mosul (21A:3509), enters and captures the dot city hex (destroying the 2 Axis gsp’s left there), and then veers eastwards along the road hexes to Erbil (21A:3605), where it ends its exploitation move.

End of movement phase Axis air unit activity:

  • Seeing that the Allied player is rapidly advancing towards Mosul with his Habbforce c/m X unit in the movement phase, the Axis player takes no chances and promptly does a non-phasing air transfer mission of the LW Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 air unit based (operative) at Mosul back to the 3-cap permanent airfield at the Rodi point city/standard port hex (20A:2230) on the South Aegean island of Rodi.

In the Southern Iraq region:

Allied Conditional Reinforcements

Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces

Coup Turn 6/Jun II 41 Allied Turn

Near East:

Arrive:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

  • This Conditional Reinforcement disembarks at Basra (22A:4313) and then is air transported to the Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828) by the Bombay T type air unit, staging from Nasiriya (22A:3919).

  • F. Watson’s “Iraq” Europa Battle Scenario Allied OB shows two steps of attack supply arriving via the Persian Gulf this turn at Basra, along with the Ind 1-8 Inf X 17 Conditional Reinforcement. I’m not sure if this is an errata correction to the WitD Allied OB Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces Conditional Reinforcements OB found on p. 5, or if he is simply sea transporting them to Basra via the Indian Ocean (using East Med/Indian Ocean NTP’s) from the Middle East Command’s presumably available and ready quantity of attack supply found on the Western Desert map group specially for his “Iraq” battle scenario, in case they’re needed there for late game play action. In any event, for now I’m “provisionally” bringing Watson’s 2 steps of attack supply into the special WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration, although I reserve the right to change my mind later and pull them out, if new information comes forth implying maybe they should be removed.

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

three steps of attack supply

  • One attack step never moved, being a Coup Turn 3/May I 41 Allied Turn Conditional Reinforcement arrival. The other two attack steps are per Watson’s “Iraq” Europa battle scenario Allied OB arrivals for this turn; upon arrival at Basra they disembark in the hex.

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

In Palestine [end of turn]:

Haifa (20A:4710) [dot city/major port w/ artificial harbor]:

1 x Well 1C 3NB4 2-9/28

  • This is the “strategic air reserve” of the prolonged Iraq campaign. This turn it does the GS air mission in the Syrian campaign; but if needed in Iraq it’s available, due to its long range, at least for GS air missions. It stays at Haifia for a possible DAS mission next turn in the Levant.

End of turn Axis/German Intervention air unit dispositions:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port; on the South Aegean island of Rodi; end of turn]:

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW) [inoperative]

1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 (LW) [inoperative]

Jun I 41 Axis Turn (Redo)

  • For the fourth time in the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration, the Allied player in the Axis initial phase prior to the reinforcements segment checks for an Iraqi Coup Collapse by a dice roll using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table to determine results. There is a +1 Modifier for the Allied-owned dot city of Basra and there is another +1 Modifier “if a rail connection (per Rule 7A1) cannot be traced from an Axis-owned Baghdad to an Axis-owned dot city in Iraq.” Finally, there is a -1 Modifier “if an Axis air unit is in Iraq.” This tallies to a factored +1 Dice Roll Modifier on the Table, which in any dice roll result would not be enough to result in a Coup Collapse, and so the roll effort is not done.
  • For those who may want to know, in the off-map portion of the larger ME Campaign Scenario from which the special cropped ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario is derived, the Allied invasion of Vichy Levant began on the prior Jun I 41 Allied turn, as historical. The Allied forces used in the Syrian campaign done off-map in the larger ME Campaign Scenario are taken from the Allied Initial Forces found in F. Watson’s “Syria” Europa battle scenario, published in TEM#81, minus of course the forces listed there that are used in our special “Iraq Campaign” demonstration. Some minor differences in the off-map ME Campaign Scenario’s Vichy Levant campaign from Watson’s “Syria” battle scenario Jun I 41 Allied at start are that in the off-map Vichy Levant campaign both the 0-8 Marine Cmdo II ME and the Well 1C 3NB4 type air unit begin in Palestine, and the step of attack supply “at H-3 Pump Station” (21A:5025) in Watson’s battle scenario is found in the off-map ME Campaign Scenario in Palestine along with the other two steps of attack supply there on the Jun I 41 Allied turn. The Br Hurri 1 F type and the Blen 4 B type air units also in Palestine now (per Watson’s “Syria” battle scenario) are probably the survivors from Greece and Crete. The other available ME Command Br Hurri 1 F type air unit is at Tobruch (18A:4817); and the ME Command’s SAAF Hurri 1 F type, the other Br Blen 4 B type, and the Br A-22 A type air units are in the Libya-Egypt border zone, facing the Afrika Korps besieging Tobruch. The long-ranging SAAF P-40C 5F5 1/13 air unit is in Egypt, along with the second Br Glad F type air unit in the ME Command. The other Br Glad air unit is certainly at Habbaniya, in our game.

Allied dispositions:

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces here are in general supply]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied controlled]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail hex E of the Tigris River; NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind)

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

22A:2826 [clear terrain road/major rail line junction hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [this is the static II originally from Habbaniya]

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind):

1 x 1-8 Ind X 20 (Ind)

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [this is the static II originally from Shaibah]

Habbaniya (22A:2828):

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind)

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [operative]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15 [operative]

In the Southern Iraq region [all Allied forces here are in general supply]:

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

one step of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

22A:3822 [canal intensive secondary rail hex]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind)

22A:3524 [canal intensive secondary rail hex]:

one step of attack supply

Axis Intervention in Iraq forces on the South Aegean Island of Rodi at the turn’s start:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port hex]:

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

4 gsp’s, generated at the standard port hex of Rodi in the Jun I 41 Axis initial phase per Rule 12C2a.

  • In the movement phase the Ju 52 T type air unit air transports two of the gsp’s at the Rodi airfield on a “1-way regular transport mission at extended range” (see Rule 23B-Extended Range) to the Mosul dot city hex (21A:3509) in Iraq, exactly 60 hexes—3X its range.

Iraqi forces and Axis/German forces in Iraq movement, end of movement phase dispositions, and commentary:

In the Central Iraq region [end of turn dispositions]:

Baghdad (22A:2825) [end of turn]:

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3 [never moved]

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2 [never moved]

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4 [never moved]

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [never moved]

Baqubah (21A:4802) [reference city canal intensive secondary rail junction hex; end of turn]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1

  • Becomes Black U-1 this Axis initial phase; regular moves from 21A:4704 to Baqubah, thereby recapturing this city and airbase for the Axis/Coup Iraqis.

In the Northern Iraq region [end of turn dispositions]:

Mosul (21A:3509) [dot city]:

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW) [began turn at Rodi airfield (20A:2230)]

2 gsp’s

  • The gsp’s on-map at Mosul at the end of the Axis turn were generated this Jun I 41 Axis initial phase at the Rodi (20A:2230) standard port hex and then air transported to Mosul in the movement phase. The two gsp’s on-map at Mosul at the start of the Axis turn that were generated in the May II 41 Axis initial phase were removed from the map at the end of the Jun I 41 Axis initial phase, per Rule 12C4 and the WW Master Sequence of Play.

1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 (LW) [never moved]

  • Technically Red U-2, but in general supply via one of the gsp’s in the Mosul hex.
  • After a hard look at the Allied dispositions in the Baghdad zone, the Axis player concludes that next turn it is unlikely Allies will attempt their needed big attack at the Baghdad partial city hex. And so for this reason, and also the upcoming conversion considerations, the Mxd A type air unit is left at the remote Mosul airbase and does not now air transfer closer to Baghdad.

Allied air unit activity in Iraq late in the Axis exploitation phase:

Nasiriya (22A:3919) [reference city;end of turn]:

1 x Bombay 1T1 1-2/15 [inoperative]

  • Late in the Axis exploitation phase this air unit transfers to here from Habbaniya (22A:2828).

Commentary: The whole Axis turn is perhaps typical of a “prolonged” Iraqi campaign as depicted in this particular special WW ME Campaign Scenario demonstration situation, I think. But the Axis player is biding his time and keeping his meager core forces at the Baghdad hex, forcing the Allies to tediously maneuver and slowly consolidate for a partial city hex battle there. The Axis player thinks the best strategy now is to maneuver to delay as many turns as possible an Iraqi Coup collapse/surrender by using the resources and territory available. Both sides’ game play is very tricky and convoluted; a mistake or miscalculation only hastens the undesired wargame situation for that side. Should the Coup Iraqis and the Axis Intervention forces maneuver and combine for an attack this turn against the Ind 2-8 Ind X 21 at 22A:2725? Or should the Iraqi 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 attempt to break out of Baghdad this turn and rum amok, forcing the Allies to waste a turn in a chase-down and kill? Well, I didn’t do either, this turn.

Aspects & Re-Do

The special “Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration has been great fun for me at the wargame table. Even though it superficially might have the appeal of a small highway chicken stand compared to the bigger and grander Europa campaign games, the WW design product makes the Iraq campaign in its broader WW ME Campaign Scenario aspect a fascinating and convoluted labyrinth of wargame play. I’ve spent hours analyzing the Allied forces means of approach to the Iraqi Coup redoubt at Baghdad and also the prospects of and possibilities for Axis Intervention into the Iraq campaign.

The current WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration game play has evolved from a Europa “historical outcome” campaign to what might be defined as a typical “prolonged” Iraqi campaign. In WW Rules play, this probably occurs when the Allies fail to successfully roll a Coup Collapse on the Axis initial phase they have the +5 Modifier “if this is the first turn (only) that a supported allied unit is adjacent to an Iraqi-owned Baghdad,” which was apparently successfully accomplished “historically” in the May II 41 Axis initial phase. In a “prolonged” Iraqi campaign a big battle for the Iraqi partial city hex of Baghdad (22A:2825) apparently becomes the critical wargame event striven for by the Allies to hasten the end of the campaign, many times finished in the ME Campaign Scenario play by using the Optional Rule Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table.

In the broader WW ME Campaign Scenario context, in addition to Syrian campaign considerations, this Allied anxiety for “haste” is precipitated by Rule 38I-Iran. Here it says “for game purposes, the Allied player is required to invade Iran. He may not invade (enter) Iran before Aug I 41. He loses 3 VPs during each Allied initial initial phase from Oct I 41 on if he has not invaded Iran. He loses 1 VP during each Allied initial phase if he has not invaded Iran.” Finally, in relation to Axis game play possibilities on the Europa Near East map groups, the rule also says “…Axis forces may enter and operate in Iran without violating Iranian neutrality.” Allied forces may only invade Iran. Although technically Optional Rule 38J6-Axis Intervention in Iraq doesn’t allow any Axis intervention forces to enter Iran, it probably could/should be modified to allow for Axis Intervention forces to enter Iran in the very narrow and limited time range in between the Allied ownership of the Baghdad hex and an Iraqi Coup Collapse occurring via the dice rolls done using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table in the Axis initial phases.  Of course there’s no way for the Axis to supply them in Iran, but their presence there might help delay Iranian Surrender.

The use of the Ger 2-6 Inf III SV 288 is another issue in the Iraq campaign in Europa, and as an Axis player in a WW ME Campaign Scenario I’ve never wanted to use it. But that’s only because it’s a valuable German unit in the Western Desert map group when it comes in the Med/NA Command on the Oct I 41 turn as a mot inf III. But maybe the Axis player could get it back if he spends a Med/NA Command Ger inf RP prior to receiving it on the Oct I 41 turn, assuming its certain demise if it’s ever air transported into Coup Iraq via a Rules-necessary stop-over in Vichy Levant, assuming only one LW Ju 52 T type air unit is available. However, as I understand it, many of the soldiers of the Ger SV 288 inf III were volunteers from the Bosnia region of Yugoslavia (eg., European Muslims) does apparently make it a wise choice for an Axis intervention to Iraq ground force. An alternative unit I used to toy with decades ago in WD games using the NE module was the Italian para-inf III Tonini, composed as I understand it of “Libyans,” but they may have been Italian colonist Libyans living in the Cyrenaica region rather than the local Islamic natives. So I’m still not sure if Tonini is a suitable alternative to SV 288.  At least Tonini had the honorific “para-infantry” designation so characteristic of the elite Italian fascists and Nazi Germans of the war era called upon to perform these one-way destinations to certain death or captivity.

Remaining is the immediate issue at hand of what to do about the rules error done on the WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration’s Jun I 41 Allied turn game report posted at the EA on March 29 (#63414). This involved Rule 9A-[Attack] Procedure in a combat involving the Iraq 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 at swamp hex 22A:2822, three hexes E of Baghdad, with the Br c/m X Hab. There was also a subsequent June I 41 Axis turn game report posted later that same Sat. evening (#63415). Because the special Iraq Campaign Scenario demonstration is being done to hopefully popularize the WW ME Scenario Campaign game with the EA audience, and because it’s also being done both “for fun” at the EA and for Europa wargame study and analysis by those interested EA grognards (if any), I’ve decided for a wargame “re-do” of the Jun I 41 game turn. The re-do will commence with a “new” or “revised” Jun I 41 Allied turn ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration game report and will continue on from there. The only change in the original at-start force dispositions will be the location of the Iraq 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1, which will be placed with the Coup Iraq stack at the Baghdad partial city hex at 22A:2825 instead of its original end of turn placement (done on the May II 41 Axis turn exploitation phase) by itself at swamp hex 22A:2822. Quite a bit of thought was given to placing it at its originally planned spot of 21A:4402, before the last minute change to swamp hex 22A:2822, which led to its attack next turn by the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab. But not this time.

Jun I 41 Allied Turn

Iraqi Coup force and Axis Iraq intervention force dispositions [at the turn’s start]:

In the Central Iraq region [all Coup Iraq units are in supply via overland trace to Baghdad]:

Baghdad (22A:2825):

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8

21A:4704: [East of the Tigris River, 3 hexes NNE of Baghdad, clear terrain hex]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1

22A:2822 [swamp hex, 3 hexes E of Baghdad]:

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1

In the Northern Iraq region:

Mosul (21A:3509) [dot city]:

1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 (LW)

  • Technically, becomes Red U-2 this turn per Rules 23I & 12C, but is in general supply via the gsp’s in the Mosul hex.

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

  • At the beginning of the Allied movement phase the Axis player announces his LW Ju 52 1T2 type air unit at Mosul is conducting a non-phasing extended range air transfer mission back to the 3-cap permanent airfield at the Rodi point city/standard port hex (20A:2230) on the Aegean Sea zone island of Rodi. Note that the LW Ju 52 T type air unit at Mosul must be in general supply via the gsp’s in the Mosul hex in order to do the extended range air mission, per Rule 23I.

2 gsp’s generated in the May II 41 Axis initial phase

  • In the initial phase the two Axis LW air units are in general supply via the 2 gsp’s at Mosul.

Allied movement, end of turn dispositions, and commentary:

In Iraq:

In the Central Iraq region:

  • In the initial phase the Br Glad 3F3 type air unit based at the Habbaniya (22A:2828) airfield flies the CAP mission over the Iraqi 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1 unit at swamp hex 22A:2822, 6 hexes away.

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail hex NE of Baghdad; at the turn’s start]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

  • This unit becomes Red U-1 in the initial phase.
  • At the end of the movement phase this unit spends 5 MPs regular moving to clear terrain hex 22A:2823, W of and adjacent to the Iraqi 1-0-8 Lt Arm X in swamp hex 22A:2822.
  • In the combat phase the Iraqi Mxd 2A3 type air unit based at Baghdad flies the DAS mission to hex 22A:2822, three hexes away. Here it is intercepted by the Glad 3F3 type air unit flying the CAP mission over the hex. Following the air op sequence in Rule 16D, air combat is resolved between the two units. The Glad air unit rolls a 4 on the +1 column (no modifiers) for a Kill; theIraqi Mxd air unit rolls a 7:-.
  • Seeing that the Iraqi air unit flying the DAS mission is eliminated in air combat, the Allied phasing player need not initiate a GS mission air op, done subsequent to the non-phasing DAS mission air op. Consequently, the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X is able to attack the 0 strength Iraqiground unit with a quartered attack factor of .5, the quartering due to being U-1 (Rule12E2) and not in attack supply. Per Rule 9A-[Combat] Procedure, at 5) it says “If…the total defense strength is 0, the combat immediately ends with an automatic DE result.” But the Allied c/m unit does not move into the swamp hex after combat.
  • In the exploitation phase the 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab spends 5 MPs exploiting to canal intensive hex 22A:2925, SE of Baghdad and still E of the Tigris River.

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus SW of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2As (Col) [regular moves north 3 hexes from 22A:3234]

22A:2826 [clear terrain road hex W of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind) [regular moves from 22A:3234]

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [regular moves two hexes from Habbaniya (22A:2828)]

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind) [regular moves from Habbaniya]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail line hex NE of Baghdad; end of turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:2927]

Habbaniya (22A:2828) [end of turn]:

3-cap permanent air field

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind)

  • This Coup Turn 5/Jun I 41 Allied turn Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces Conditional Reinforcement disembarks at Basra (22A:4313) and is air transported to the Habaniya airfield by the Bombay air unit, which stages from Nasiriya (22A:3919).

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [inoperative]

  • This air unit returns to base here after flying the CAP mission and doing air combat over the 22A:2822 swamp hex.

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15 [inoperative]

  • In the movement phase air transports the Ind 2-8 Inf X 24 to here from Basra, after staging to there from Nasiriya (22A:3919).

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [never moved]

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1 cap permanent airstrip [Allied controlled]

In the Southern Iraq region:

Allied Conditional Reinforcements

Iraqi Coup Reaction Forces

Coup Turn 5/Jun I 41 Allied Turn

Near East:

Arrive:

2 x 2-8 Inf X 24, 25 (Ind)

  • The Ind 2-8 Inf X 24 disembarks at Basra (22A:4313) and is air transported by the Bombay 1T2 type air unit to the Habbaniya airfield hex (22A:2828).
  • The Ind 2-8 Inf X 25 disembarks at Basra and then admin moves north 12 hexes up the secondary rail line and ends the turn at canal intensive secondary rail hex 22A:3822

22A:3524 [canal intensive secondary rail hex; end of turn]:

one step of attack supply

  • Expends 5 SMPs moving up the secondary rail line from 22A:4021.

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

one step of attack supply [never moved]

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

At the end of the turn, on the WitD Neutrals Game Chart:

Iraqi Replacement Pool:

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1

Eliminated Air Units:

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8

Commentary: The Allied player is relieved that the Iraqi 1-0-10 Lt Arm X 1 has finally been eliminated. In his May II 41 player turn the Axis player nearly placed the Iraqi c/m unit at 21A:4402, and now wonders if he should have kept to that move, and not done the last minute change to swamp hex 22A:2822. Almost frantically, the Allied player starts encircling the defiant Coup Iraq capital of Baghdad, seeking to find an end to the Iraqi campaign.

Jun I 41 Axis Turn

  • For the fourth time in the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration, the Allied player in the Axis initial phase prior to the reinforcements segment checks for an Iraqi Coup Collapse by a dice roll using the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table to determine results. There is a +1 Modifier for the Allied-owned dot city of Basra and there is another +1 Modifier “if a rail connection (per Rule 7A1) cannot be traced from an Axis-owned Baghdad to an Axis-owned dot city in Iraq.” Finally, there is a -1 Modifier “if an Axis air unit is in Iraq.” This tallies to a factored +1 Dice Roll Modifier on the Table, which in any dice roll outcome is not enough to result in a Coup Collapse, and so the roll effort is not done.

Allied dispositions:

In the Central Iraq region [all Allied forces here are in general supply]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied controlled]

Habbaniya (22A:2828):

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x 2-8 Inf X 24 (Ind)

1 x Glad 3F3 0/8 [operative]

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

1 x Bombay 1T2 1-2/15 [operative]

22A:2725 [canal intensive secondary rail hex NE of Baghdad]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind)

22A:2726 [clear terrain hex NW of Baghdad]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 20 (Ind)

22A:2826 [clear terrain road hex W of Baghdad]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 10 (Ind)

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 1 As (Col) [this is the static II originally from Habbaniya]

22A:2926 [canal intensive major rail/secondary rail nexus hex SW of Baghdad]:

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [this is the static II originally from Shaibah]

22A:2925 [canal intensive hex SE of Baghdad, E of the Tigris River]:

1 x 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab

In the Southern Iraq region [all Allied forces here are in general supply]:

Basra (22A:4313) [dot city/major port]:

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

one step of attack supply

Shaibah (22A:4314:

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied controlled]

22A:3822 [canal intensive secondary rail hex]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 25 (Ind)

22A:3524) [canal intensive secondary rail hex]:

one step of attack supply

Axis Intervention in Iraq forces on the South Aegean Island of Rodi at the turn’s start:

Rodi (20A:2230) [point city/standard port hex]:

3-cap permanent airfield

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20

4 gsp’s, generated at the standard port hex of Rodi in the Jun I 41 Axis initial phase per Rule 12C2a.

  • In the movement phase the Ju 52 T type air unit air transports two of the gsp’s at the Rodi airfield on an extended range mission (Rule 23C-Extended Range) to the Mosul dot city hex (21A:3509) in Iraq, exactly 60 hexes—3X its range.

Iraqi forces and Axis/German forces in Iraq movement, end of movement phase dispositions, and commentary:

  • In the Reinforcements/Replacements section of the of the initial phase Axis player spends the 1 ARP stored in the Baghdad hex to move the Iraq Mxd 1A2 type air unit from the Eliminated Air Units box to the Aborted Air Units box in the Iraq Replacement Pool.

In the Central Iraq region [end of turn dispositions]:

Baghdad (22A:2825) [end of turn]:

Iraq capital marker

1 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 3 [never moved]

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 2 [never moved]

1 x 0-1-6* Inf XX 4 [never moved]

Baqubah (21A:4802) [reference city canal intensive secondary rail junction hex; end of turn]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 1

  • Still Red U-1; regular moved from 21A:4704, thereby recapturing this city for the Axis/CoupIraqis .

1 x Mxd 2A3 1-1/16 (LW)

  • Still Red-2; air transfers to here from Mosul (21A:3509) in anticipation of the battle for Baghdad.

In the Northern Iraq region [end of turn dispositions]:

Mosul (21A:3509) [dot city]:

1 x Ju 52 1T2 0/20 (LW)

2 gsp’s

  • The gsp’s on-map at Mosul at the end of the Axis turn were generated this Jun I 41 Axis initial phase at the Rodi (20A:2230) standard port hex and then air transported to Mosul in the movement phase. The two gsp’s on-map at Mosul at the start of the Axis turn that were generated in the May II 41 Axis initial phase were removed from the map at the end of the Jun I 41 Axis initial phase, per Rule 12C4 and the WW Master Sequence of Play.

Allied air unit activity in Iraq sometime in the Axis turn:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip

1 x Well 1C 4NB3 2-9/28 [inoperative]

  • Because of the problem of the likely Allied attack on the Baghdad hex in the upcoming Jun II 41 Allied turn, the Allied player makes certain that the long ranging Well 1C 4NB3 type air unit bases close enough to the Baghdad zone to add its 2 tac factors to the GS, if necessary. This will be a tough call, as it is assumed that it ought to be used for GS in the Syrian campaign that same turn.

Iraq Replacement Pool:

1 x 1-0-8 Lt Arm X 1

Aborted Air Units:

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8

Commentary: This whole Axis turn move is perhaps typical of the end game period of the Iraqi campaignas depicted in this particular WW ME Campaign Scenario situation, I think.

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