Month: May 2007

Initial Phase: All units are in supply. All German bomber units switch to Naval Patrol. Partisan units launch coordinated attacks against rail targets in Lerida, Tarragona and Reuss in Cataluna. Faulty explosives mean that the attempt in Lerida fails but the other 2 attacks are successful.

Madrid and Sevilla generate 3 GSPs each. Valencia also generates 3 GSPs. The Spanish government relocates from Madrid hex 2710 to 2711. A Cr32bis is regrouped from the aborted pool, appearing in Madrid, which means another enters the eliminated box.

British and Spanish Engineers spend a resource point to build a fort in Jaen, behind the Guadalquivir river. In other construction activity, the permanent airfield in Ceuta is completed. Portugal completes its final turn of mobilisation (a bit later than scheduled, but there is no net effect on the game).

Movement Phase: British transports bring 6 points of position AA to Ceuta, escorted by Spanish capital ships. The naval group ends its movement in the North African port. Spanish transports 1 and 5 bring the Colonial IV/Tdl Infantry regiment to Cadiz, while the Can Coastal battalion unloads at Malaga. The transports end movement in their destination hexes and refuel. From Sidi Ifni, the Colonial Tdl Infantry regiment is delivered to Cadiz, to join the rest of the Tdl elements in the port.

Portuguese forces remain on alert. The 13th Infantry regiment joins the 2nd Infantry division in 1317. Meanwhile the town of Combra is reinforced by the 5th Cavalry regiment and 3rd MG battalion. The I Light Infantry regiment and 6th Cavalry regiment move from Braga to Porto.

The british 8th Artillery brigade moves from its position in Cordoba to reinforce the British armour in 3518. The 12GC regiment and 42nd Artillery regiment leave Madrid hex 2711 and rail southwards to Cartagena.

The joint Spanish and British Command staff decide that a reserve is required behind the Gibraltar outer perimeter. The 101st Infantry division forms the core, and it moves to Puente-Genil. It is joined there by the 2LE Infantry regiment from 3618 (which is mounted on a transport counter). Also forming the reserve is the 39th Infantry regiment and 2nd Bicycle battalion from Huelva, 8th Guardia Civil regiment from Jerez de la Frontera, and finally the 33rd Light Infantry regiment from Cadiz.

In the Cordillera Iberica, the units in 3402 have been cut off by the German 4th Panzer division. They decide to make a run for it, but due to mountainous terrain and a German ZOC, they can only move one hex to 3404.

3 GSPs are railed from Sevilla to Madrid. In Spanish Morocco, the ZMO Engineer unit moves into Tetuan. At Valencia, the 52Exp Infantry division moves out of the city to guard the flank at 3704. This will buy at least another turn for the defenders in the area. The CR32bis and He111E in Madrid 2710 rebase to 2711.

Now that the Spanish capital is in Madrid 2711, extra reinforcement is required. The 1st and 4th Construction regiments leave the city via rail to Jerez de La Frontera. In their place comes the 91st Infantry division, a powerful Spanish colonial unit from 3617.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: No movement

End of Turn Summary

Madrid and Valencia are now directly under threat, and their fall will permit the Germans access to the Spanish rail net for tracing supply. In the air, a moral victory was had by the Spanish in aborting 2 aircraft for the loss of 1, but the new air cycle is about to begin. More important is the arrival of 5 British fighters which will be available next turn.

Losses

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

The Weather is clear in Zones D and E, Sea is calm in Atlantic and Mediterranean. All units are in supply.

Spain generates 3 GSPs in Madrid and 3 in Sevilla. With 19.5 Inf RPs available, the Germans rebuild the 11th and 12th Infantry divisions to full strength (5 RPs each). They also recreate the 308th Motorised Artillery (1 Arm RP, 2 Inf RPs), the 512th Engineers (2 Inf RPs) and the 616th motorised AT battalion (0.5 Arm RP/0.5 Inf RP). They still have 5 Arm RPs and 5 Inf RPs left in their pool.

The rebuilt AT and artillery units come on in the major hex of Barcelona, while the Engineers appear is Perpignan.

Movement Phase: The 15th Mountain Corps heads southwards from Zaragoza to confront the Spanish 32nd division that occupies the mountains in 33:3533. The Corps ends movement in 3433. Nearby the 25th Corps manoeuvres its armoured units into the canals at 3631.

The 62nd and 65th Corps advance from Barcelona down the coast. The 62nd reaches as far as 3529 while the 65th can make it one hex further to 3530. Both Corps detach faster moving artillery to a further position at 3532. It is joined there by the AT, Engineers and artillery that arrived in Barcelona as reinforcements. The Artillery in the 65th is replaced by the 783rd regiment that was stationed to the east of Barcelona.

With the newly captured Iberian rail capacity from Barcelona, the 4 RR Siege Artillery units from near Bayonne are able to move down into Spain up to Totosa in 33:3531, putting them in range of both Spanish divisions that are blocking the coast route.

The 4th RR Engineers regauge 2 more rail hexes and move further into 3623. Behind them, the 512th Engineer regiment moves out of Perpignan, repairs the rail hex in 3521 and then moves to 3523. The citizens of Barcelona start to get a bit restless and the conditions under occupation. The Pol SS division is sent there from 3224 to restore order.

In the Pyrenees, the 674th Engineer moves over the high mountain pass at 2826/2926 and down the mountain road to end movement in 3128. The 63rd Corps (which has been stripped down to 2 divisions), moves from 3325 to Manresa and then northwest along the rail line as far as Lerida, which it captures unopposed. Behind it, the 66th Corps also exits the Pyrenees and uses admin movement to leapfrog the 63rd to stop in 3128.

Along the Biscay Coast, the 607th Light motorised AA battalion moves to Santander to relieve the 11th Infantry division. The division advances to 1107, joining the 7th Panzer division in front of Gijon. Joining them is the TK SS Motorised Infantry which arrives in Oveido after moving up from Leon. Lastly, the Luftwaffe 151st motorised AA heads up the coast road to join the tanks and infantry in 1107.

In Bayonne, the 7th Parachute division breaks down into its supported components. The 3rd regiment uses admin movement to enter Spain and take up a garrison position in Bilbao. The 1st regiment acts likewise except that it is tasked to occupy San Sebastian against any potential seaborne attacks. The 2nd Parachute regiment uses rail movement to reach Santander, utilising captured Iberian rail capacity.

Further north in France, the 601st Motorised Light AA battalion in La Rochelle uses rail movement to reach 3624, the partial hex of Barcelona. Also from St Nazaire and Nantes, the 605th and 604th Light AA battalions hop onto trains and move down to the European gauge railhead at 33:2033. They then use admin movement to head down the road as far as 23A:2501

In central Spain, the 1st RR Engineer converts two more hexes to European gauge, extending it as far as Vitoria. Further west at 2107, the 604th Combat engineer regiment constructs a temporary airfield which is in fighter range of Madrid. 2 Me109Es from 33:1930 and a Me109F from 2028 stage there and escort a terror bombing mission at 2710 which is flown by the two Ju88A4s. The Spanish decide to conserve their fighters fro the ground battle so no interception occurs. There are 5 points of AA in the hex, but it is not able to significantly divert the bombers away. 1 hit is achieved, earning the Axis a VP. The fighters return to 2107, one of the Ju88s goes to Barcelona and the other lands at Bilbao.

This allows the 7th Construction regiment to abandon the airfield in 1930. Another airfield is abandoned by the 71st Construction regiment in 1626 next to Bayonne. The two Construction units use rail movement as fair as the railhead, and then admin movement to 2006. A final airfield is abandoned by the 108th Construction regiment in 2625. It uses a combination of rail and admin movement to reach 33:3626.

The 64th Corps shifts forward to 2802, tying down the Spanish units in 3403. However, it dispatches the 263rd Infantry division north to take control of the rail line leading to Burgos. It moves as far as 2304. The 22nd Air Landing division completes the takeover by moving to 2016 and thence back to its original hex in 2107. The two isolated Iberian rail nets are thereby joined into one. The nearby armoured 34th Corps also inches forward to 2706, but it is close to the limit of its supply line.

From its base in Valladolid, the 53rd Corps moves southwards towards the Cordillera Central, ending movement in the village of Segovia in 2409. In other transfer missions, a Me109E relocates to Valladolid from 33:2625, a Ju87 also moves there from Vitoria, and another Ju87 flies in from 2029. All these units are in range of Madrid. A Me110C transfers south from Santander to Zaragoza, and a second Me110C transfers to Zaragoza from Barcelona.

Combat Phase: The Spanish fly their Mixed attack bombers and SM79s, plus a British Hurricane on strafing duty from Valencia over the 82nd division in 3632. There are no German fighters in range. 4 He111Hs from Barcelona fly against the 32nd Infantry division that defends in the mountains in 33:3533. 2 Ju87s from Santander and a third which stages from 3029 via Santander support the assault on Gijon.

Combat: Gijon is besieged by the SS TK division, the 7th Panzer division, he 11th Infantry division, plus some AA guns, and 3 Ju87s raining precision munitions from the sky. It is held by small formations led by the 87th MG regiment, plus the 47th Artillery regiment, and local security and border forces. The defenders have 7 points, while against them is a total of 43. The Spanish are quickly forced back into the city where they try to regroup, but the mechanised advance is too fast and they are caught against the Bay of Biscay. The Gijon commander surrenders his troops. 6:1 even results in a 2 for a DR, but the city is surrounded by ZOCs. The 11th Infantry division occupies the city, and the 3 Stukas return to base at Santander.

In 3533, the 32nd Infantry division is attacked by the 15th Mountain Corps, backed up by a range of artillery, including rail guns in 3531. 4 He111H4s also join the battle for the high ground overlooking the coast road. In total the attackers have 30.5 against 5, a 6:1 with a -2 modifier. The difficult terrain slows down the German advance, allowing the dug in Spanish to direct withering fire on the advancing units, but in the end overwhelming artillery power wins the day. A 2 is rolled modified to 0 for an EX. The Spanish unit is reduced to cadre and retreats to 3633. The Germans lose the 98th Mountain regiment, 402nd Bicycle regiment and 616th motorised AT battalion. The 15th Corps advances into the hex and the bombers return to Barcelona.

Close by, the 82nd Infantry faces up to the Panzers of the 25th Corps. 28 vs 5 works out to a base 5:1 with +3 for full AECA. The Allied defensive support is fired on by the German AA. Perhaps due to the shock of actually seeing enemy aircraft, the gunners are well wide of the mark. The 1.5 points of DS make a total of 6.5 against 28, bringing the attack down to a 4:1 +3. Unfortunately, the lightly armed bombers are unable to disrupt the German spearheads, and the Spanish are crushed, 4 modified to a 7 for a DE, no retreat possible. The 25th Corps advances. The Allied aircraft return to Valencia.

Exploitation Phase: The SS TK Motorised Infantry division moves south to Valladolid from Gijon. Also in the Gijon area, the 7th Panzer and 151st Motorised Heavy AA regiment head south, just behind the SS troops. They finish movement in 23A:1909.

The airbase at Zaragoza is garrisoned by the 604th and 605th Motorised Light AA battalions that move in from 33:2833. Near Barcelona, the 608th Motorised Artillery moves forward to join the 25th Corps.

On the Biscay coast, the small fishing village of Laredo is garrisoned by the 643rd motorised AT battalion, which moves up from the railhead in 23A:2001. Another garrison is formed in Aviles by the 607th motorised Light AA battalion that advances from Santander.

Losses

• Spanish Unisolated – 5+5 = 10 (2 Special RPs received)
• Spanish Isolated – 7
• Spanish Air – 0
• German Unisolated – 5 (1 Special RP received)
• German Isolated – 0
• German Air – 0

Initial Phase: All units are in supply. It is the 6th turn of Spanish mobilisation, so production of RPs begins. 4 Inf RPs are received in mainland Spain, 0.5 RPs are received in the Canary Islands, and 0.5 Colonial Inf RPs appear in Tetuan.

The 61st Infantry division is rebuilt and appears in Madrid (5 Inf RPs, 2.5 remain). Due to the Germans advancing into Castilla la Nueva, the Andalucia garrison is activated. Units appear in Malaga, Jerez de la Frontera, Sevilla and Almeria. A Resource point is spent via quick construction for a fort in Madrid hex 2711. Also in Madrid, 3 additional GSPs are generated. German aircraft in Barcelona, Santander and Bilbao are placed on Naval Patrol.

Spanish partisans attempt to wreck rail lines in Tarragona, 23A:3521 near the French border, plus 23A:3232. The band in Tarragona is detected by the enemy and unable to carry out its mission, but the other two sabotage attempts are successful.

The 5th Construction regiment begins building a permanent airfield in Ceuta. The Spanish government is very worried by the proximity of German forces to Madrid, but it resolves to remain in the capital for the time being.

Movement Phase: Naval Movement: The transports in the UK load up 5 crated fighters and 2 points of position AA. All of them are delivered to Sevilla, where they will spend the rest of the month being reassembled for action. The naval group then refuels.

Spanish Naval Transports 1 and 5 bring the 21GC security regiment and I/Tdl Colonial Infantry regiment from Las Palmas di Gran Canaria to Cadiz. They then had back to the Canary Islands and dock at Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

A Landing craft ferries the 131st Infantry regiment from island of La Palma to Cadiz, and ends its movement there.

Portuguese forces remain on alert.

The British are happy with their defensive emplacements and do not move.

The 13th Cavalry regiment moves out of Valencia and wrecks the rail hexes in 3702 and 3703 before popping back into the city. The 52Exp Infantry division does likewise, tearing up track in 3602 before returning to its original position.

In front of Valencia, the 3LE Infantry in 23A:3633 damages the rail line in 3734 before returning to its point of origin, and the 34th Light Infantry pulls up the rails in 3633.

Further rail damage is done by the units holding the mountains in 3403. They place breaks in 3403, 3304 (Tereul), and 3202 before returning to their starting hex. The line in 2412 north of Madrid is also broken by the 41 Exp Infantry division, as are 2014 and 2015, these being damaged by the 7th Engineer regiment.

In Spanish Morocco, the 2O Cavalry regiment crosses the Gibraltar Strait and moves to 3621, where local reserves are deployed. Close by, the 101st Infantry division collects a resource point from Algeciras and takes it to Lucena in 3521. It is to be used for a future fort behind the Guadalquivir river.

The 93rd Infantry division in 3918 is joined by the 4Car Border regiment and 16th Guardia Civil security regiment. These units were activated as part of the Andalucia garrison. The 11GC Guardia Civil regiment breaks rail lines in Caceres and hex 23A: 2219 before returning to garrison Caceres.

Combat Phase: No combat

Exploitation Phase: The British transports return to Plymouth. A Spanish Landing Craft rebases to Ceuta, while a Naval transport moves from Algeciras down the African coast to Sidi Ifni. No Land units move.

End of Turn Summary

The Germans are now at the limits of their supply lines. Valencia and Madrid are at least 2 turns away from falling, and time is marching on. The Spanish are now fully deployed, including all realistic reinforcements from the island areas. All that remains is to delay the Germans until the weather turns in the autumn.

Losses

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