Nirosi
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Joined: 9/17/2017 Status: offline
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November 20th, 1942 (End of Axis turn) In Libya the Ariete Armored Corps was destroyed after 6 days of battle supported by Allied air and shore bombardment. The corps was literally destroyed to the last man and tank, and then the Americans entered Misurata. Italy is now devoid of mobile force and will be so until January when the Scipio Armored Corps will become operational. Italian air and naval forces tried to take advantage of the fact that the Allied fleet that supported this week-long battle must be in a low state of operational order, but the low amount of oil reserves allowed only for limited operation with air raids and submarine attacks. Overall, four groups were lightly damaged by Italian air raids (Glorious and Illustrious groups) or submarines (Sussex and Suffolk groups). It is believed that the Allied fleet will probably return home as it is in need to rest and resupply. If not, the Italian fleet will be ready to engage the enemy soon. The specialised Squalo Division even lacked the oil to launch a single attack or to retreat to a safer position. Berlin agreed to provide emergency oil transfer and even ordered its own fleet back home to allow for the extra deliveries. In the Soviet Union, it becomes clear that Stavka has gained enough reserves and confidence to prepare a Winter offensive near Leningrad. It is still possible that the buildup in the sector might hide another one in another sector, but until proven otherwise, OKH believes that Leningrad is the sector of the next Soviet offensive. As such, local corps commanders were ordered to dig in and some received extra anti-tank regiments. The XIX Panzer corps was dispatched in the area to act as a reserve fire brigade. The III Panzer Corps and 6th PanzerGrenadier Corps were sent to Italy and France respectively where they will wait and recover in a clement weather and be ready to be dispatched where needed on short notice. Other mobile reserves remained, for now, as before near Dnepropetrovsk, Kiev and Smolensk. In other news the Mare Nostrum Division in Crete, lacking even basic supplies, was finally forced to surrender. In Germany, massive air raids caused some non negligible disruption. OKW hopes that the Winter will mitigate the damage done to Germany’s industry until a serious air cover can be re-established by March. Also, for the first time since the war started, Italy was bombed when Taranto industries sustained some small damage.
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< Message edited by Nirosi -- 1/5/2022 2:16:58 AM >
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