Europa Games and Military History

Tag: NTO (Page 2 of 2)

Dec II 39

S,S,S,W & R,R

Sweden and Norway

In response to the actions in Finland, a partial call out is made of
reserves and civilians form up at depots throughout Scandanavia. The
mobilisation is influenced by local German diplomatic personnel who point
out the threat of Allied incursions into Scandanavian territory so Narvik,
Mosjoen and Trondheim are focused. Berlin plans to send forged orders to
these units ordering them into the hinterland in case German forces should
need to arrive at these ports for “security” purposes.

Soviet Player Turn

Several units released from the strategic reserve are diverted to the front
around Medvezhyegorsk to prevent the Finns cutting the precious rail line
north.

Tampere is again subjected to bombing runs but agin AA carves up the
attackers – 3 groups are aborted. NKVD operatives interview air planning
staff to determine if counter-revolutionary sabotage is to blame. The
Rodina’s air woes continue with strafing runs on Lappeenranta Air base
failing to have any effect.

The 12th XX is attacked and a glorious proletariat victory occurs with the
Finns being thrown back in confusion (3:1 – 2 = DR). The defenders of
Medvezhyegorsk attack but are held up by the poor weather (3:1 – 2 = AS).

The clearance of the Mannerheim line begins with attacks on the
fortifications in 4717. Despite valiant efforts the Red Army is checked –
for the time being (3:1 -3 = AS)

London and Paris

In a joint communique, the Allied Governments indicate they have determined
that the security of Finland and the protection of Scandanavian territorial
integrity is vital to western interests. Chamberlain announces that a
British Taskforce is to be dispatched to Helsinki immediately and warns
Berlin that any interference will be met by the full weight of the Empire.
The French mutter something about not letting the English get away with all
the fun and announce the committment of several brigades and regiments of
Chasseur Alpins. (Rolled Snake eyes). Helsinki citizens are delighted at
this Christmas present.

Berlin and Moscow are outraged and denounce this intervention in a regional
affair, Berlin is confident however that Sweden and Norway will block any
access through their territory.

This smug illusion of security is totally shattered when the Monarchs of
Sweden and Norway welcome with open arms the request for transit rights
through the two nations. Comrade Stalin swallows his pipe while Adolph
throws a hissy fit of dictatorial proportions and considers re-writing basic
Aryan philosphy to exclude anyone north of Bornholm island.

[This was a titanic blow early on in the game – Finns stand at 1 DP, rolled
two 1s for intervention followed by two 6s immediately after – no loaded
dice in this game! Suddenly I’m looking at trying to get 34 DPs on the
Finns while the Atlantic is rough and most of the Baltic ice bound limiting
any German intervention.]

French Artillery and the 2 CA III arrive at Petsamo while more French
artillery and the 5CA III arrive at Narvik. The 44th XX breakdown into
supported Xs and lands at Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim causing Berlin to
ask how are these troops movements related to protecting Finland? “Moral
support” is the answer from Whitehall (followed by a “damn your eye’s for
asking”).

The Finns send the 9th XX into the fortifications at 4717 while in the north
the Soviet 163 XX is surrounded by Ski units and guerillas.

Dec I 39

Weather – Zone A = Snow, B = snow, C = snow, D = winter, Sea = Rough, Baltic
= Rough
(Note hereafter weather is summarised as S,S,S,W & R, R)

Soviet Player Turn

North of Leningrad – the Red Army lurches ungainly into the forests towards the Mannerheim Line. They are delayed in their advance by Ski units who force the Soviets to deploy into attack formation. When the attacks are launched, they are surprised to find the Ski troops have fled! Capitalist running dogs – obviously no stomach for standing up to good old Socialist steel. The delay has pushed the timetable in this area back by a couple of weeks. (Ski units all successfully retreat before combat back to the main defence line).

Along the border running north east from Ladoga, several attacks are sent in against the handful of Finns who defend the roads and railway transportation lines. The results are poor for the Rodina. SE of Suojarvi the 12th XX stands firm aginst a Soviet corp and send the attackers reeling back (3:1 -2 = AR).

In the forested border region, the 13th XX destroys the attacking Soviets by stubborn defence (2:1 -3 = AE). Comrade Stalin spits his pipe across the room.

North from here Kubmo is captured by the troops of the 163 Rifle XX while the 44th motorised moves up to the border from Rugozero.

The 54th with attached engineering support tries to engage the Finnish 2/LR III but its troops are from Turkestan and frightened by the snow and runaway much to Comrade Stalin’s annoyance (4:1 -2 = AR).

Murmansk – A single winterised XX plods towards the border and engages the
Finnish ski regiment in the area but fails to dislodge them (AS). Petsamo
remains safe for the short term.

The Soviet navy sorties out past Helsinki, trailing its cape to invite a Finnish respone – the Ilmar battle group remains at port drinking Cocoa and staying warm.

In the air above, the bombers fly deep into Finland to strike at key rail and factory networks. One hit on the vital rail system is scored SE of Sortavala by SB-2bis squadrons while Tampere sees the pride of the Motherland turned back by accurate AA fire (3 groups rtb, 2 abt) the
remaining units fail to locate their targets and scatter their bombs into a cow paddock.

Finnish Player Turn

The Helsinki Government is offered notes of support and declarations of outrage at the Soviet unions heavy handed tactics in Finland by western democracies, offers of support flow in but no firm mcommitment to send troops or take any action stronger than harsh language to their Soviet Embassies.

The Finns themselves reinforce the fortifications in 4717 with some extra units as the positioning of Soviet forces makes it obvious that this is going to be the first victim of the Red advance. Around Lake Janis the 13th XX advance into the Soviet Union to the outrage of the central committee, their target – Medvezhyegorsk. Comrade Stalin signs a few orders suggesting the “removal” of local unit commanders to stiffen the resolve of the soldiers defending in this area. The NKVD Border regiment in the area promises to defend the town to the last.

The Karelian Construction group moves to repair infrastructure damage on the rail system.

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