Europa Games and Military History

Month: April 2015 (Page 1 of 2)

September I 1916

Entente Turn

Factory production in September 1916 presented few surprises. All 18 Central Powers factories produced at their tremendous, full rate, as the Germans still have a surplus of energy and the Germans never put the two captured Belgian factories back into production. All 35 Entente factories also enjoyed ample iron and energy, but three of four factories that had suffered a single bombing hit each failed to produce their quotas, costing 1.2RP and 2.4 equipment points. Eventually, even if the front does not move eastward, the Germans will enjoy enough factory upgrades to deplete then overwhelm their energy surplus, while the Entente simply waits for the United States to contribute its tremendous weight to the struggle.

The Entente began the final fair weather production cycle of 1916 with high hopes, temporarily bristling depots of men and equipment, slim hopes of breaking through a front somewhere, and plausible hopes of seriously damaging the Germanic war machines. Events moved forward in passable fashion toward at least the final item on that list.

British forces repaired one air unit, upgraded one heavy flak II to III, rolled an ANZAC division from reduced to full effectiveness, and replaced an engineer regiment.

Italian forces repaired one air group, upgraded a flame engineer II to a truly formidable II, and upgraded an engineer III to X.

French forces repaired one air unit, upgraded one heavy flak II to III, replaced two engineer III’s, replaced five heavy artillery III’s, rebuilt four divisions from cadres, and disbanded and scrapped four of the new triangular divisions.

In the air, between them, the British and French still do not match the Germans in quality, quantity, or replacements. As always, however, mission of the air forces is primarily to provide or deny adequate aerial observation, not simply to battle enemy aircraft. Even in the face of lengthening odds, the Entente air forces are managing to accomplish the mission with increasing regularity.

A secondary mission of the air forces, exercised almost exclusively by the German zeppelin force, is strategic bombing, first of populations and secondarily of production centers. The influx of Entente flak units during September enabled a shuffling and reinforcement of strategic air defenses in Italy. All Italian major cities began to enjoy potentially effective defenses: at least the five points needed to potentially damage a zeppelin. A couple of cities relatively close to Germany gained even stronger defenses and the northernmost Italian factory town also enjoyed a five-point defense for the first time. British cities, also under attack, remained no more firmly guarded than before because while the cities nearest Germany all have either five-point flak and/or fighter defense, the Midlands region is awash in major cities that the zeppelins can reach (barring bad luck due to weather en route) and that existing assets could not possibly defend without leaving uncovered everything else. Ministry-level work to provide gunfire defenses to numerous cities, factories, naval bases, mines, and the like will significantly enhance the defensive effectiveness of both sides’ strategic targets in 1917, while autumn and winter weather will soon reduce the effect of the bombers seeking to avoid those defenses.

Entente land forces occupied themselves single-mindedly in preparing for one attack on each front. British forces massed against Valenciennes, the tip of the German thrust toward Paris from the long gone days of October 1914. French forces completed their shift away from Briey to the greener fields of grid 1919, just southwest of Metz. Italian forces likewise completed their gradual shift from the eastern Alps to the hills along the middle Isonzo River. On the Istria front, Franco-Russian forces completed their assembly on Cherso Island to attack across the narrow strait to Lisson Island.

The Entente fleets moved first, with their only notable action being to blockade Lisson from just offshore. Austro-Hungarian light forces from Pola missed their chance when the French moved in during the last hours of darkness prior to the ground assault, and later missed their chance when the French moved back out. Austro-Hungarian gunners on Lisson did better, missing one shot in the darkness but sinking DD Squadron -3 with their other opportunity.

French field artillery then roared as the ground assault began from Cherso. Russian and French troops swarmed across the strait in small craft while two regiments of field artillery suppressed the defending troops and coast gunners. The Austro-Hungarians lacked any large stocks of ammunition and the Entente general was so bizarrely confident that he failed to move much ammunition forward, so that quick barrages, brief bursts, and the bayonet decided the issue. The strait quartered the attacking infantry power, but a division and three brigades of them with relatively robust artillery proved too much for the defenders. National will superiority provided the only modifier to the roll and 3:1 on the mobile chart converted, as usual, to half exchange.

Russian losses: 2-3-7 light [X]

Austro-Hungarian losses: 3-2-0 coast artillery [III] and 1*-2-4 Austrian static [X], both isolated for no special replacements and double morale point losses

Entente gains: .875 equipment points captured from the defenders

The second brigade of Russians arrived in Venice in late August, ready to conquer Pola, and presumably to be destroyed in the (positional) attempt.

The Italian effort at grid 4207 re-opened “The Battle of the Isonzo” with new and greater Italian hopes set against Austro-Hungarian defenses roughly as strong as they had been in the year 1915. One escort and six groups of reconnaissance or observation aircraft or balloons swarmed across the battlefield, overwhelming the lone potential defender air group into providing defensive bombing rather than intercepting vastly superior numbers. No flak on either side contributed to the battle and two groups of Italian bombers eventually also contributed usefully to the fight.

Italian artillery, a bit from long range, a lot from overstack, and some from within the attacking corps began the battle with a bombardment, the first such Italian effort either ever or at least in a very long time. The effort underwhelmed, despite successful aerial spotting, with modified attack strengths of one (three units), 1.25 (one unit), 1.5 (four units), two (eight units), and 2.25 (one unit). It may have been a waste of ammunition, but the poor rolls did not help and in the end only one defending artillery regiment lay badly disrupted, though that result did significantly change the decimal die roll for odds.

The combat effects are usually the main modifiers to sheer chance in this war, it seems, and there were various in this battle. Rough terrain and entrenchments negated two multi-brigade engineering successes. An Italian siege engineer brigade spent explosives prodigiously, only to blow itself up with no damage to the defenders in the first Italian siege engineer effects attempt. Aerial reconnaissance and a majority of elite Italian troops then provided die roll bonuses that actually changed the outcome. The Isonzo itself naturally dominated the battle, halving non-artillery attackers and the odds then rolled downward from 2.4:1. What would have been a standard BX instead became a defender exchange, saving the Italians the reduction of a third division to cadre.

Italian losses: 3x RP, 1-4-5 siege engineer [X], and 1-5 engineer III eliminated; 6*-9-6 mountain and rifle divisions, both with elite brigades attached, to cadre.

Austro-Hungarian losses: RP eliminated; 8*-11-5 Austrian and 9-12-5 Hungarian divisions to cadre.

The British returned to their occasional efforts against the coal mining town of Valenciennes in early September. One escort and six groups of reconnaissance or observation aircraft swarmed over the battlefield to begin the effort, meeting six groups of interceptors, with the Germans losing half a group and the British losing nothing in air combat. Flak then damaged a lone British group before the remainder successfully spotted the defender positions throughout the battle.

British artillery, slightly strengthened from previous efforts, bombarded the Germans with best-ever British results, after the defenders failed to make great use of the resource center. One 25-point shot, one 12-point shot, and seven 16-point shots inflicted a very average 12 bombardment hits. The nearly full German stack suffered severely, with its defense strength reduced to only 60.5 points.

Combat effects mattered relatively little to this battle, but much more to the near future in the British sector. Entrenchments relatively negated aerial observation. One successful single brigade engineer assault added the only net modifier after equal national wills provided no modifier and the British gas engineers failed as dismally as usual. A one-brigade engineer assault also self-immolated, taking half the British combat engineers to the replacement pool even before required losses would take the third quarter of their assets to the pool in this one battle. These results also rendered less relevant the arrival of the first real Entente (British, engineer) tank unit in France, as it would have few engineer compatriots with which to combine until October.

Combat odds played the main role in determining the outcome of this battle of Valenciennes. The river, across which a third of British infantry labored, seriously hindered British efforts. German reserve commitment, with three slots open in the array, was perfect, adding all three possible units to the fight. Odds drooped from possibly 6:1 down to 3.4:1 but rolled upward, as the Entente has done somewhat more often than average. Odds of 4:1 in a big battle are a rarity for the Entente so far in this war and perhaps in shock they rolled a one, bungling the assault but at least scoring a full both exchange result rather than a disastrous attacker exchange as would normally follow such a bad combat roll.

British losses: 3-5-5 engineer [X], 1-5 engineer III, and 2x RP eliminated; 5x 10-13-5 and 1x 11-14-5 rifle divisions to cadre

German losses: RP and 6-8-5 MG [X] eliminated (even the remnant); 2x 13-15-5, 1x 9-12-5, and 1x 8-11-5 Prussian rifle divisions to cadre

In a change, the major French effort was not THE major Entente effort of the fortnight, as the Italians and British both committed nearly as much force to their efforts, though neither could come close to matching French artillery concentrations. The French assault against the entrenched open fields of grid 1919 showcased those concentrations, newly enhanced to include a third overstacked corps, albeit a third of which was merely field guns.

In support of that gun line, the French committed three escort and six reconnaissance or observation groups as against ten groups of intercepting German aircraft. This massive air battle too apparently happened amidst clouds and fog, as casualties amounted to only one destroyed group on each side and one German group damaged, besides which flak missed entirely.

The French bombardment, with aerial observation counterbalancing entrenchments, proved shocking. In fifteen 16-point shots and a 12-point shot, the French scored 19 bombardment hits, badly disrupting every non-divisional unit and disrupting every division in the defending force.

Combat odds appeared set to provide a dramatic aspect to this fight. The one river hexside significantly hindered the French attackers, but less than it might have because the engineers mostly worked there and the best divisions deliberately deployed on the other two sectors of the defending position. German reserve commitment was not perfect, in a rarity, but two divisions did slot themselves into two of three open positions, thereby increasing the defenders’ strength by more than a third. What could have been 5.5:1 odds fell to 4.1:1 and reasonably rolled downward to 4:1.

Again as usual, the French portion of the front hosted the main combat effects units from both sides’ armies. Hindenburg and Ludendorf inspired the defenders, offsetting French national will superiority and making a mockery of Petain’s apparent vacation to a chateau near Vichy. French aerial reconnaissance offset German entrenchments and Entente gas engineers naturally failed to influence the battle, as they have done far more than the average five-times-in-six. In the end, two multi-brigade engineer assaults made the difference, pushing the roll of 5, a very competent assault, upward to a defender exchange result.

French losses: 3x RP (2 for bombardment) and 1-5 engineer III eliminated; 2x 10*-13-5 and 1x 9*-12-5 rifle divisions to cadre

German losses: RP and 3-5-5 engineer X eliminated; 1x 16-18-5 and 2x 9-12-5 Prussian, and 1x 11-13-5 Wurtemburger rifle divisions to cadre

In reaction, while their armies scrambled to repair weaknesses in the line and assemble imminent conversions behind them, zeppelins failed to find Nottingham but did hit Firenze.

In exploitation, while the two Italian cadres fell off the line for rebuilding, Franco-British destroyers and mine warfare ships completed the mine barrage around and adjacent to the Austrian naval fortress of Pola.

Central Powers Turn

During the Central Powers initial phase of I September 1916, both sides continued to repair and upgrade their forces.

Austria-Hungary upgraded a flak II into III while rebuilding both cadres back into divisions.

Britain rebuilt six divisions from cadre.

France rebuilt three divisions from cadre.

Wurtemburg rebuilt one division from cadre.

Prussia rebuilt four divisions from cadre, replaced a rifle brigade for an upcoming conversion, replaced an air group, and repaired an air group. the aforementioned  brigade probably entered the replacement pool in very early 1915 and its residual manpower must certainly be disheartened to have been rooted out of their comfortable existence to re-enter the hell of the trenches.

The Kriegsmarine rebuilt a naval rifle division from cadre.

The Netherlands repaired an air group.

On the main front, German forces contented themselves with the usual preparations for their endless conversions while also ceaselessly rebuilding their defensive positions.

Austro-Hungarian forces likewise rebuilt their line, but also continued to extend the scope and strength of their hold on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, their replacement of the Germans in the Trient salient, and their removal of the Austro-Hungarian army from the upper Rhine River.

Units from The Netherlands continued marching southward to form a Dutch army on the upper Rhine.

French forces reacted appropriately to complete the shift of their heavy and long-range artillery from positions facing Briey to facing grid 1919, where later in the month the French will be able to launch yet another most powerful artillery barrage of the war.

The air proved the most exciting arena of events during the Central Powers’ I SEP 1916 turn. The first German fixed-wing bomber group flew a mission and missed Nottingham, doing no better than three zeppelin groups that found the city but failed to hit the houses of any campaign contributor of the local member of parliament. Over Firenze, however, another “first” for the war made headlines: flak defenses missed one group, returned one group, and damaged one group of airships – the first such damaging of airships in a strategic bombing mission! This event is potentially quite important not because air replacement point costs are doubled for airships but because after spending the points there is a 50/50 chance that the airship group will be eliminated (for morale point cost!) rather than put back into service. Given the paucity of airship group reinforcements, over the course of a war losing an airship could significantly change a target country’s morale points and somewhat impact its factory production.

August II 1916

Entente Turn

The Entente half of late August continued usual trends of heavy losses without decision.

Britain repaired an air group, rebuilt an Australian division from cadre, and replaced a siege engineer regimental group.

Italy rebuilt a brigade from remnant and a division from cadre, plus repairing an air group.

France replaced two engineer and one heavy artillery regiments, rebuilt one metropolitan and one colonial division from cadre, and repaired two air groups. To feed the effort, the French also disbanded and scrapped three light rifle cadres and three full-strength rifle divisions.

Prussia rebuilt two divisions from cadre.

At sea, Austro-Hungarian aircraft found the Entente fleet off Istria, dodged its flak, and missed its ships with bombs, while the Entente trickled forces into Istria through a minor port and over a busy beach. Then, Franco-Italian light forces completed a mine field all the way from the Venice – Istria safe zone to within a few miles of the Austrian port at Lussin Island, to enable safe naval support for a developing cross-strait attack on that position.

On the Italian Front, the Italians attempted to attack grid 4207, a “key railroad.” Interceptors, escorts, and flak all missed, but the recon aircraft nonetheless failed to usefully contribute to the outcome. National will and a majority elite force mostly counteracted the protective mountainous terrain, but without recon the fieldworks of the position left the attack with a possible Attacker Loss result and the Italians non-conducted that class in how to lose a war.

In the air, the remaining Italian aircraft attacked the Austro-Hungarian railroad system, cutting a junction in the Alps with the small, useful effect of later causing rail capacity use in moving engineers to the rear rather than anything more valuable.

On the main front, because French and British movements proclaimed ambiguity, the Germans split their combat air patrols over grid 1919, the iron field at Briey, and the coal mines at Valenciennes. French ambiguity in particular was significant because a lot of their heavy artillery slid southward along the line, still a threat to Briey but also closer to grid 1919.

The French elected to push at grid 1919. Three escorts damaged a group of interceptors, which damaged and sent fleeing one each groups of recon aircraft before the remaining two groups dodged flak and found targets. The reconnaissance effort counteracted German entrenchments, while national will, two multi-brigade engineer assaults, and siege engineers bestowed upon the attack a tremendous +4 bonus. After perfect reserve commitment rolls, the Germans brought the odds down to 199:100 and achieved another both exchange result.

German losses:  RP, 3-4-7 light III, and 3-5-5 engineer X eliminated; 16-18-5, 13-15-5, and 11-13-5 Bavarian divisions to cadre,

French losses:  2x RP, 0-2-5 siege engineer [X], and 0-1-4 engineer [III] eliminated; 3x 8*-11-5 and 3x 10*-13-5 divisions to cadre.

In the north, the British attacked Maubeuge and accepted a smaller battle with much weaker forces in exchange for an absence of aerial opposition. Reconnaissance helped the British, but the strength of the unimproved fortress proved greater and Entente gas engineers failed as usual, so that when 2.8:1 odds rolled upward a both exchange resulted as usual.

British losses:  RP eliminated; 4x 9-12-5 and 1x 8-11-5 division to cadre

German losses:  RP eliminated; 2x 13-15-5 and 1x 12-14-5 Prussian divisions to cadre

The British considered three other battles along the Belgian-French border and decided against all of them as being more likely to result in severe attacker losses than merely equal losses.

While Germanic forces reacted to patch their lines and prepare yet another round of withdrawals to Rumania, all the Zeppelin groups either failed to reach or failed to hit their British city and French factory targets.

Central Powers Turn

In the Central Powers’ half of the end of August, events continued along well established trend lines.

Austria-Hungary replaced 1*-4 static III and 2-1-0 coast artillery II, and upgraded a railroad engineer III to X.

Prussia disbanded and scrapped the 8-11-5 4er division because it could not be found anyway, upgraded heavy flak II to III, replaced 1-3-5 gas engineer III, and repaired an air unit.

Bavaria rebuilt three divisions from cadre.

The Netherlands rebuilt a division from cadre.

The Central Powers continued to solidify positions in the Alps, along the Isonzo, and in Istria.

On the main front, while several German cadres moved to rest positions on the Dutch coast, one corps of Dutch marched south and another railed all the way to the upper Rhine valley, while Austro-Hungarian forces there continued to trickle away toward the Alps.

In reaction, the Italians began to shift their offensive forces out of the Alps, with potential destinations of the Isonzo, the Trient salient, and/or Istria, all of which might be more fruitful fields of adventure.

In reaction on the main front, one British army pulled various units off or along the line to re-mass against the tip of the German salient near Lille. The French, meanwhile, pulled many offensive units off the line to maximize their possibilities in September. More than two corps of heavy artillery slid southward along the line, some still threatening to Briey but others facing only grid 1919.

An Entente ground assault was only a dream in the reaction phase, due to a combination of relative weakness, lack of allowance to bombard, and for the French a dismal aerial situation.

Aug II 41 Allied Turn

  • This turn the Allied player invades Iran. Rule 38I3-Allied Invasion says “for game purposes, the Allied player is required to invade Iran. He may not invade (enter) Iran before Aug I 41 [eg., the historical Europa date, I believe]. … The Soviet Union invades Iran simultaneously with the Allied invasion. … [T]he effects of the Soviet invasion are [1] all Iranian units north of the D weather line are removed from play, [and 2], of the Iranian units that start in Tehran, only one Iranian unit may move from Tehran (the rest have to stay and guard the capital).”

Set-up of the Iranian Army as of this Europa date, per WitD Neutral Nations OB:

Capital: Tehran (32:1512).

Rail Capacity: Iranian rail net: 8 REs. Note: The Iranian rail net has not been renovated.

No intrinsic AA.

Iranian Army:

Tabriz (32:0229) [partial city hex; north of D weather line]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 3

Rizaieh (21A:2902) [reference city; north of D weather line]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 4

Resht (32:0718) [dot city; north of D weather line]:

1 x 0-1-6 Inf X Resht

Gurgan (32:0701) [point city; north of D weather line]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 11 [Conversion Jun I 40]

Senna (32:1627) [point city; north of D weather line]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 5

Tehran (32:1512) [partial city hex]:

Iran capital marker

1 x pos hv AA AA=1

2 x 1-2-6 Inf XX 1,2

1 x Art III 1

1x 1-8 Lt Arm X 1 [Regular reinforcement Jun I 40]

  • This will be the “one Iranian unit [that] may move from Tehran.”

Kermanshah (32:2127) [reference city]:

1 x -6* Inf XX 12 [Conversion Jun I 40]

Ahwaz (22A:3810) [reference city]:

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 6

1 x Mxd 2F2 1/8 [“Any airbase in Iran”]

Meshed (off-map):

1 x 1-7* Mtn II 7

Isfahan (off-map):

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 13 [Conversion Jun I 41]

Shiraz (off-map):

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 8

Kerman (off-map):

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 10 [Conversion Jun I 40]

Zahidan (off-map):

1 x 1-6* Inf XX 9

Note: All off-map Iranian cities are found on the Iran Off-Map Holding Box printed on the WitD Neutrals Game Chart. All appear to be south of the D weather line.

Allied movement and end of movement phase/turn dispositions, NE map group:

In Syria/Iraq/Iran [all Allied units are in general supply this turn]:

In Syria [end of movement phase]:

21A:3924 [stony desert road hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9

  • This Br c/m X began the turn at border hex 21A:4318, in Iraq. In its westwards movement it captures the Syrian point city Abu Kemal at border hex 21A:4319 and then Syrian reference city Deir ez Zoir at 21A:3922.

In the Central Iraq region and Iran [end of movement phase]:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip

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

3-cap permanent airfield

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

Baghdad (22A:2825) [partial hex city; end of turn]:

one hit on airbase

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

Khanaquin (21A:4501) [point city at the Iraq-Iran border; beginning of movement phase]:

1 x 6-8* Inf XX 10 (Ind) [breaks down to its supported Xs]

  • At the beginning of the movement phase this unit breaks down into its three supported Ind Ind X’s.
  • The Ind 2-8* Inf X 24 regular moves to point city/mtn road hex Karind (32:2130), in Iran.
  • The Ind 2-8* Inf X 25 regular moves to point city/mtn road hex Shahabad (32:2229), in Iran.
  • The Ind 1-8* Inf X 20 regular moves to mtn road hex 32:2131, in Iran.

In Southwest Iran [movement and end of movement phase dispositions]:

22A:3710 [clear terrain major rail hex, NE of Ahwaz, in Iran; end of movement phase].

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:3514, in Iraq]

22A:3911 [clear terrain major railway hex, SW of Ahwaz]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 8 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:4212]

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind) [regular moved from 22A:4212]

  • On the way to 22A:3911 this Ind inf X enters and captures Susangerd (22A:3812) for the Allies.

1 x 1-6 Inf II Z (Ind) [breakdown; moved from 22A:4212]

  • This Ind inf II is a breakdown of the Ind 2-8 Inf X 19, beginning the m. phase at 22A:4212.

22A:4212: [swamp border hex in Iran, NE of Basra; end of movement phase]:

1 x 8 Inf XX HQ 5 (Ind) [moved 1 hex to here from Basra]

22A:4112 [clear terrain border hex, in Iran; end of movement phase]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 9 (Ind)

  • This Ind inf X began the turn at Basra. It moved two hexes eastwards along the swamp road, crossed the Shatt-al-Arab major river hexside and entered into the Iranian reference city/minor port road hex of Abadan (22A:4410); then it veered north on the road and entered the point city/standard port of Korramshahr (22A:4311), where the major railway line begins, and ended its move at clear terrain hex 22A:4112.

22A:4011 [clear terrain major railway hex; end of movement phase]:

1 x 0-1-6 Inf II Z (Ind) [breakdown; moved from 22A:4212]

  • This Ind inf II is the other breakdown unit of the Inf 2-8 Inf X 19, beginning the movement phase at 22A:4212.

22A:4211 [clear terrain major railway hex; end of movement phase]:

one step of attack supply [spent 10 SMPs moving here from Basra]

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

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind) [railed here from 21A:4303]

four steps of attack supply

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

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

In the WW Allied Near East Command Replacement Pool

1 x 2-8 Inf X 21 (Ind)

  • This unit was eliminated in the battle for Baghdad on the Jul II 41 Allied turn.

Iranian air activity at the end of the movement phase:

  • At the end of the movement phase the Iranian Mxd 2F2 1/8 air unit at Ahwaz (22A:3810) flies the CAP air mission over the Ahwaz hex.

Allied force activity in the Combat Phase:

  1. The phasing Allied player flies the Audax A type air unit based at Basra on the GS air mission to the Ahwaz reference city hex 22A:3810. It is escorted by the SAAF P 40C 5F5 type air unit also based at Basra. When the Allied combined air ops reach their target hex the Iranian Mxd 2F2 type air unit flying the CAP mission over the Ahwaz hex refuses to intercept.
  2. The Iranian 1-6* Inf XX 6 is defending the Ahwaz hex (22A:3810). From adjacent hex 22A:3710, to the NE, the Ind 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 attacks. On the opposite side of Ahwaz the Allied stack at hex 22A:3911, SW of Ahwaz, is also attacking. This would be the Ind 8* Inf XX HQ 8, the Ind 2-8 Inf X 18, and the Ind 1-6 Inf II breakdown Z. The Audax 1A1 1/8 air unit adds its 1 tac factor for GS. The step of attack supply at 22A:4211 gives attack supply to all attacking Allied ground units. All attack factors plus the GS add up to a total of 6. The Ind lt arm X’s AECA gives the attack a +1 DRM. The attack is a 6 to 1 +1. The die roll is 2, modified to a 3: DH, good enough for a DE in our case. The Iranian 1-6* Inf XX 6 is removed from the map and placed in the Iranian Replacement  Pool.
  3. The Ind 8* Inf XX HQ, the 2-8 Inf X 18, and the 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 all advance after combat into the Ahwaz hex. The Ind 1-6 Inf II Z breakdown remains in hex 22A:3911, to the SW of Ahwaz, after combat.
  4. After combat the Audax A type and the SAAF P 40C F type air units return to the dot city airbase of Basra and land inoperative. The Iranian Mxd F type air unit remains over the Ahwaz hex on the CAP mission.
  5. At the end of the combat phase the step of attack supply at 22A:4211 is removed from the map.

Exploitation phase [end of turn]:

In Syria [end of exploitation]:

21A:4431 [stony desert road hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9 [began the e. phase at Syrian hex 21A:3924]

  • On its way westwards in the exploitation phase, this unit captures Palmyre (21A:4129) for the Allies.

In Southwestern Iran [end of exploitation]:

Haft Kel (22A:3807) [point city rough terrain hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [began the e. phase at Ahwaz (22A:3810)]

  • On its way to the Haft Kel point city hex this unit also captures in the exploitation phase the Iranian point cities of Bamhoromoz (22A:3907) and Masjid-i-Suliman (22A:3508).

Iranian air activity at the end of the exploitation phase:

  • At the end of the exploitation phase the Iranian Mxd F type air unit flying the CAP mission over the Ahwaz hex (22A:3810) rebases at the Dizful reference city airbase (22A:3311), a little to the north.

Commentary:

The Allies have captured 9 Iranian cities by the end of the Aug II 41 Allied turn. This is important because in the next Axis initial phase when they roll on the Iranian Surrender Table they’ll get a +1 dice roll modifier “for each Allied-owned city in Iran (except Tehran) south of the ‘D” weather line.” It appears to me that in the upcoming Aug II 41 Axis initial phase the dice roll using the Iranian Surrender Table (found on WW Game Play Chart 8-Political Events) will result in an automatic “Surrenders.” With a subsequent “Iraq Campaign” Scenario game report appearing unnecessary, I may conclude the special cropped ME Campaign Scenario EA demonstration with a Final Analysis and/or some final thoughts on the WW ME Campaign Scenario.

From the main transportation line running from Korramshahr (22A:4311) to Ahwaz (22A:3810) the Indian soldiers of the 8th and 5th Ind Inf XXs see from across the desert and marsh the sun setting low on the special WW ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario. From their compass perspective the top hemisphere of the globe is currently immersed in the world war’s high tide. I imagine some say they saw the mirage of a city on fire. Where to next, in the cardboard world of Europa?

When was the last time you set up the Iranian Army units on the Europa Near East maps and the WitD Iran Off-Map Holding boxes? Do you even have the Iranian Army punched out from Europa Counter Sheet 87? Egad, what have I done here? Obviously I’m retired with time to kill!

Aug I 41 Axis Turn

  • This time in the initial phase the Allied player rolls high on the Variable Iraqi Coup Collapse Table and the result is: Coup Collapses. Per Rule 38J4B, which is used in the Variable Coup Collapse/Surrender Optional Rule, “Iraqi territory … becomes Allied owned.” Note this is different than Vichy Levant surrender, where just Vichy French forces surrender, but not the Vichy Levant territory. The Iraqi Mxd 1A2 1/8 air unit at the Karbals dot city airbase (22A:3227) is removed from the map and placed in the Iraq Replacement Pool. In addition, all formerly hostile Coup Iraqi/Axis hexes in Iraq (not occupied by Axis forces) now become Allied-owned, and the Allies capture intact the remaining 1 RE of Iraqi railcap, bringing the Allied railcap total to 3 in the Iraqi railnet, I believe. Rule 42B-Victory Points tells us not to count Iraqi or Iranian force losses, either by combat or by surrender, for the purposes of VP awards counted on the Common Victory Chart found in the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet.

Allied dispositions:

In Iraq:

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

21A:4318 [clear terrain Syrian border hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9 [conversion of the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab unit]

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied owned]

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]

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

one hit on the airbase

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

21A:4303 [clear terrain secondary rail hex]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind)

Khanaquin (21A:4501) [clear terrain secondary rail line terminus point city Iranian border hex]:

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

22A:3514 [clear terrain Iranian border hex]:

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

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

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

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

1 x 8 Inf XX HQ 5 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 9 (Ind)

5 steps of attack supply

22A: 4212 [swamp Iranian border hex E of Shatt al Arab, NE of Basra]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 8 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 19 (Ind)

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Allied owned]

Coup Iraq forces and Axis/German forces on the NE map group:

None.

Allied air unit activity in the Axis exploitation phase:

  • Late in the exploitation phase the Allied player does a non-phasing air transfer mission of the Br Audax 1A1 1/8 and the SAAF P 40C 5F5 1/13 air units based at the Habbaniya airfield (22A:2828) to the Basra dot city airbase (22A:4313).

Commentary:

Turning to the Near East Victory Chart used in ME Campaign Scenarios that is found in the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet, we read that the Allies suffer a -1 VP count at the “end of each game turn with a pro-Axis government (see Rule 38J4) in power in Iraq.” In the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration the Iraqi Coup occurred in the Apr I 41 Axis initial phase. It collapsed/surrendered this turn, in the Aug I 41 Axis initial phase. I count 7 “game turns” where the Allies receive this -1 VP count, for a total of -7 VPs for “a pro-Axis government in power in Iraq.” Note that “historically,” with the Iraqi Coup conveniently collapsing on the May II 41 Axis turn due to the +5 Modifier on the “first turn (only) that a supported Allied unit is adjacent to an Iraqi-owned Baghdad,” the Allies would only suffer a -3 VP count.

Noted in the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet at Appendix G-Transportation Lines is an important change in the transportation lines at the Shatt-al-Arab zone on NE map 22A. Here it says “the transportation line from 22A:4011 [in Iran] to Basra (22A:4313) [in Iraq] does not exist until the railroad is built. Construction was undertaken following the Anglo-Soviet occupation of Iran and was completed in March 1942. (Actually, only a rail ferry crossed Shatt-al-Arab until mid-1943, when a rail bridge was completed).” Thus in 1941 there is no transportation line at all going between Basra (22A:4313) in Iraq and hex 22A:4011, in Iran; nor is there a bridge crossing the Shatt-al-Arab major river hexside at the 22A:4212/4112 borderline between Iran and Iraq. Moreover, a little farther south, at the Shatt-al-Arab major river hexside at 22A:4411/4409 (Abadan, in Iran), there is evidently no bridge, only the intervening major river borderline hexside with a road leading up to it there through the swamp hexes on either side, I think.

Aug I 41 Allied Turn

  • In the supply determination segment of the initial phase the Iraq 1-6* Inf XX 1 at 21A:4803 is still Black U-4, and isolated. Per Optional Rule 12E5, a die roll is done on the Success Table to check for elimination from lack of general supply; the roll is 3: elimination. The Iraqi inf XX is removed from the game map and placed in the Iraq Replacement Pool.

  • Per the WitD Allied OB, in the reinforcements segment of the initial phase the Allied player converts the Br 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab at Baqubah (21A:4802) to the 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9. Note that this conversion could not have been done if the Iraq 1-6* Inf XX 1 at adjacent hex 21A:4803 had not been eliminated due to lack of supply a little earlier in the initial phase.

  • In the reinforcements/replacements segment of the initial phase the Allied player transfers two available ARPs in the ME Command to the NE Command (see Rule 25C4-ARP Transfer) and rebuilds the Br Hurri 1 F type air unit in the NE Eliminated Air Units box. It is placed (operative) at the Habbaniya airfleld (22A:2828) in the initial phase and in the movement phase it conducts an air transfer mission to Egypt, where it is needed at the Egypt-Libya border zone.

  • With the fall of Baghdad on the Aug I 41 Allied turn, the Allies now have a railcap of 2 in Iraq. Technically, the Coup Iraqis have a remaining railcap of 1.

Iraqi Coup force dispositions in Iraq:

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

1 x Mxd 1A2 1/8 [still Black U-1]

Allied movement and end movement phase dispositions:

In Iraq [all Allied units in Iraq are in general supply]:

In the Central Iraq region:

Rutbah (21A:5023):

1-cap permanent airstrip [Allied owned]

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

3-cap permanent airfield

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

1 x Audax 1A1 1/8 [operative]

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

Baghdad (22A:2825) [partial hex city; end of turn]:

one hit on the airbase

1 x 0-1-4 Static II 2 As (Col) [moved from 22A:2826]

21A:4303 [clear terrain secondary rail hex; end of turn]:

1 x 1-8 Inf X 17 (Ind) [regular moved 8 hexes here from Baghdad]

  • This unit is marching to the reference city of Sulaimaniya (32:1532) to capture it.

Khanaquin (21A:4501) [clear terrain secondary rail line terminus point city Iranian border hex]:

1 x 6-8* Inf XX 10 (Ind) [moved here from 22A:2725]

  • This unit marches here in preparation of the invasion of Iran; end of turn disposition.

21A:4809 [stony desert road hex]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9 [end of movement phase]

  • This is the new conversion unit of the 2-1-10* Mot Inf X Hab. It’s heading West, on its way first to eastern Syria, where it will capture the Vichy French/Axis-owned Deir ez Zoir reference city hex (21A:3922) for the Allies, before continuing its journey westwards to the Western Desert region.

22A:3218 [clear terrain hex in eastern Iraq]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 252 (Ind) [end of movement phase]

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

Near East:

Arrive as Reinforcements [per the WitD Allied OB for the Aug I 41 Allied turn]:

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 8 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 19 (Ind)

two steps of attack supply

5 SMPs

  • The Allies already have 5 SMPs in the NE Command (eg., Iraq), so now they have a total of 10 SMPs in the NE Command.

  • These two ground unit reinforcements and the two steps of attack supply arrive with their own naval transport sufficient to transport it.

Arrive in the movement phase [per the WitD Allied OB for the Aug I 41 Allied turn]:

1 x 8 Inf XX HQ 5 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 9 (Ind)

  • These two ground units probably deserve scrutiny by hard core WW ME Campaign Scenario players in order to determine their best use in the summer of 1941. Per the WitD Allied OB, both originally come to the Middle East Command that summer from East Africa. After a very brief stay in the ME Command, in WW WD Campaign Scenarios they are required this turn to then transfer to the Near East Command, either via East Med/Indian Ocean sea transport or else more likely overland via exiting the east edge of map 20A in Trans-Jordan or Syria, especially if the Iraq Coup collapsed several turns ago and there is no urgency. One thing they could do in their brief stop-over in the Middle East, which corresponds with the Syrian campaign, is to be part of the Palestine garrison upon arriving there, perhaps disembarking at the great port of Hafia, in Palestine. This would allow for a timely release of the existing Allied units in the Palestine garrison for use in the Levant campaign just a little farther north. In our “Iraq Campaign” case there is pressing need for them in the Basra zone in Iraq for the Iranian invasion done from there, I believe. So we say that in our special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration they both left Palestine at the start of the Jul II 41 Allied turn from Haifa, embarked on two East Med/Indian Ocean NTPs. The two NTPs and their cargo sailed southwards (through the Suez Canal) about a 100 naval MPs and eventually entered the WW Aden Off-Map Holding Box at the end of the Jul II 41 movement phase, but without the ground cargo disembarking (see Rule 28A). Then, on the Aug I 41 Allied turn, they leave the Aden Off-Map Holding Box using East Med/Indian Ocean NTPs and spend 110 naval MPs moving to all-sea Persian Gulf hex 5109, on the south edge of map 22A (see the info in the Aden Off-Map Holding Box). From there they spend 10 naval MPs to arrive at the major port of Basra and disembark, spending 30 naval NTPs doing so, but with no remaining ground MPs left for the movement phase, per the Naval Transport Costs Summary found on WW Game Play Chart 3-Naval War.

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

Allied standard Supply Terminal marker

1 x 8 Inf XX HQ 5 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 9 (Ind)

  • Both these Ind inf units disembarked at Basra after voyaging from the ME Command in East Med/Indian Ocean NTPs. They can move no farther. They began their long voyage from Hafia to Basra on the Jul II 41 Allied turn.

5 steps of attack supply [two arrived this turn as reinforcements per the WitD Allied OB]

22A:4212 [swamp Iranian border hex; end of turn]:

1 x 2-8 Inf X 18 (Ind) [began the turn at Basra; moved 1 hex to here]

1 x 8* Inf XX HQ 8 (Ind)

1 x 2-8 Inf X 19 (Ind)

  • These two Reinforcement Ind units disembarked at Basra and moved to here.

Shaibah (22A:4314):

3-cap permanent airfield [Axis controlled]

Exploitation phase c/m movement:

21A:4318 [clear terrain Syrian border hex; end of turn]:

1 x 2-1-10* Lt Arm X 9 [moved 10 hexes west from 21A:4409]

22A:3514 [clear terrain Iranian border hex; end of turn]:

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

  • Exploits to here from 22A:3218; on the way it captures the Amara reference city hex (22A:3576). It moves here in preparation for the invasion of Iran.

Commentary:

A pretty big error was said/done in the Jul II 41 Axis game report post done at the EA. I talked a whole paragraph in a Commentary bullet about the Axis gaining +10 VPs “the first time the player gains control of all cities in the Levant.” In the special ME/“Iraq Campaign” Scenario demonstration it’s the Allies who are gaining control of the Levant, not the Axis, so disregard my nonsense in that bullet in the Jul II 41 Axis game report about the Axis gaining control there. Gotta slow down and edit better. In WW ME Campaign Scenario games the Allies get no VPs for Control of the French Levant, Iraq, or Iran; but the Axis do, if they somehow can. The Allies do get VPs for eliminated/surrendered Vichy French forces in the Levant, and they get +5 VPs “the Axis initial phase when Iran surrenders to the Allies,” per the Near East Victory Chart found in the WW Scenarios & Appendices booklet.

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.

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