Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (Full Version)

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AllenK -> Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:26:23 PM)

Dear All,

Welcome to a belated AAR of my first Global War scenario. Looking back at the roller coaster ride of swings in fortune for both sides, I wish I’d started writing it from the off. The action picks up at the first impulse of the May/June 1944 turn, hence the title. Before resuming the action, however, I guess a summary of the war to date may be helpful.

Initial Strategic Objectives

Germany:

Proceed on broadly historical lines. Secure the western flank by taking out the Low Countries then France. Maintain the threat of a Sealion to tie up CW forces but unlikely to be launched unless the CW gets careless (a not unlikely possibility!). Surface navy held as a fleet in being to boost the credibility of the Sealion threat but consider sortieing if an opportunity presents to take out CW convoys or engage the RN at favourable odds. The main effort against the CW will be through U-boats and naval air action on the convoy routes. Take Yugoslavia to align Rumania and open up the soviet southern flank, then Barbarossa as soon as possible. Aim to take Russian factories and resources and cripple the Russians before they can assemble overwhelming forces.

Japan:

Secure Northern China by taking out the ChiComms before rolling up the Nationalists. Prepare naval and amphibious forces to enable a defensive perimeter in the Pacific and seize strategic resources in the East Indies and Malaya. Seek an early engagement with the US and CW navies, using anticipated naval air superiority.

Italy:

Initially set up to threaten the French border to tie up units that would otherwise be used in the north and begin building up in Libya. Aim to draw the CW into a Mediterranean campaign and draw their forces away from Europe. Strict instructions from the Little Corporal in Berlin not to attack Greece and present the allies with an opportunity to bring in sufficient forces to align Yugoslavia as no German forces will be available to assist and the Italian forces are too week to accomplish a quick campaign. If possible avoid going to war before the French are defeated as intelligence suggests the allies regard the French fleet as expendable and will readily use it against the navy.

Allies:

France, survive as long as possible. CW, most importantly, keep the sea lanes open. Deploy the BEF to assist France and build up forces and defences, while looking for opportunities to disrupt the axis plans. Avoid actions that risk delaying US entry.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:27:04 PM)

1939

Germany conquers Poland, Denmark and Holland before the early onset of poor weather brings a halt to offensive operations and prevents the hoped for capture of Belgium this year. The CW score an early success when, shortly after the war declaration, the sound of aero engines over the port of Stettin announces the first effort of the war by the RAF. The guns of the Kreigsmarine disrupt the bombing accuracy of the Hampdens but it’s good enough. The damage to 1st Amphib Flotilla means there will be no Sealion in the immediate future. In the East, Japan ships more forces to China, starts rolling back the ChiComms and begins the naval build-up. The Russians annex the Baltic states, Eastern Poland, the Finish borders and Bessarabia but get a scare when, due to paying insufficient attention to garrison requirements, they find the axis could declare war on them in December 1939. They get away with it as the poor weather and German concentration on the French border mean they are unable to exploit this.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:31:57 PM)

1940

The weather remains poor in both East and West until April. All sides build up and consolidate forces as best as they are able. The Japanese marine units are replaced at the front by new build army units and moved back to the transports ready for future Pacific ops. The lack of opportunity for land actions over the winter allows the U-boats to destroy some CW convoys while the Hampdens exploit a gap in German fighter cover to destroy build points through strategic bombing. The Italians continue the slow process of bringing troops and supplies to Libya and the Egyptian border.

With the onset of good weather, Belgium is quickly overrun. The Germans then expend one of their two O-chits and blast two holes in the French lines, achieving breakthroughs on both. Desperate French counter-attacks fail, leaving most of the army disorganised. The Germans spend an impulse widening the breaches, allowing more units to be brought into action, before the final advance and capture of Paris. Vichy is installed. While the German’s concentrate on Paris, the CW extricate the BEF. The troops are going to be needed in the Med. In China, the Japanese advance continues eastwards capturing Yenan, Sian and Tungkwan.

The arrival of the autumn rains brings a halt to campaigning. The CW begin the build-up in the Med. Gibraltar is garrisoned to capacity. Malta gets a garrison unit from Canada and the first units arrive in Egypt to bolster Wavell and the territorials. The Germans begin the shift of units to the east, leaving an HQ-I, garrison, militia units and a couple of bombers in France.

Over the winter, the CW and Germans chip build points off each other through strategic bombing. The allies watch in despair as a miscalculation of German fighter cover means the Blenheim’s are sent out unescorted against BF110’s. The RAF turns tail and flees but, in an amazing display of shooting, the rear gunners pick off all the pursuing fighters. The Luftwaffe rearranges their fighters to cover the gap left by the demise of the 110’s but can’t cover everything. The gap is Kiel, with the fresh paint gleaming on the ships of the newly repaired 1st Amphib Flot. The Hampdens take to the skies and the amphibs are sent back to the repair yards. Once again, Sealion is off the menu!

The U-boats enjoy further success against the CW convoys, resulting in the shipping reserves starting to look a bit thin. An unexpected break in the weather allows the Germans to take Yugoslavia and align Rumania. The Russians continue to assemble the semblance of a front line.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:40:44 PM)

1941

The Italians realise that, restricted to peace-time movement limits, they will lose the arms race in the Med to the CW. Besides, with the loss of the Rumanian oil, their industry could really do with some resources from Germany. War is unavoidable; it’s just a matter of when. The opportunity presents itself when the CW leaves a transport and Mech cargo on its own in the West Med 2 box (escorts in the 4, 3 and 1 boxes). The Italians declare war and a Nav promptly sends the transport and cargo to the bottom when search rolls go their way and allow them to choose the 2 box only. Having taken out the transport, in the next round they are able to engage the picket CA in the 4 box and sink that.

The CW assembles a second convoy of two transports, containing an INF and MOT, and sends it to East Med ready for disembarkation at Alex. Force H from Gib, including a CV for fighter cover, provides escort and this time, no mistakes with CW deployment. The Italians send in their NAVs to engage. The lead bomber is a pretty good match against the FAA Gladiators (-1), so they figure it’s worth the gamble and boy does it pay off. In the first round of air combat, the Gladiator is shot down. The CW now has no air cover left in the Med. The Italian NAVs are unable to sink the transports but they are sent limping back to Gib in need of a serious make-over. The units carried are in no fit state to continue the war and returned to the UK for reinforcements.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:42:18 PM)

1941 Cont.

Meanwhile, back in dear old Blighty, the Brits are caught off guard by the arrival of the Condors. Capt Mainwaring remarks the Germans have pulled off a “typical shabby Nazi trick” when, instead of doing what any reasonable person would have done and hunting, as expected, for the convoys, they raid Plymouth harbour. As the two great liners sink beneath the waves, “where was the bl**ding RAF” goes up the cry. “Covering the factories and sending some protection for our boys in the Med” comes the response. The third attempt at reinforcement has set sail. The Hurricanes, that until recently had been based at Plymouth, and General Alexander, in the last two available transports. Not risking the Med, they are somewhere off the coast of Africa and will take some time to arrive in Suez. Quietly, in the background, some rather peculiar birds that can only attack birds behind or to the side of them (Defiants) are brought out of moth balls and pressed into service. References to stable doors and horses are banned from the press as defeatist talk.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:45:22 PM)

1941: The Return of the Sequel

In the Med, Gen. Wavell and co move out into the desert, intending to meet and engage the Italians on the Egyptian border. They are confident the superior fire-power of the British units will easily punch through the weaker Italian corps. At that point, a young intelligence officer nervously approaches the general and recounts a strange dream he’d had the night before. It seems the Italians had been joined by a German battle-group, led by a fox, who’d marched them out into the desert and around the open flank of the British. The General looks thoughtful for a moment and goes to study his maps. Although individually weaker, there are more Italian units than British and they have air, artillery and supply back-up. The dream could become reality. Wavell ponders “where can we go where we can’t be outflanked?” His eyes alight on the Qattara Depression and the name, El Alamein, which has a strangely comforting feel to it. “Right boys, back where we came from. Deploy there” orders the general. As the troops settle into their new positions, some even report hearing distant echoes of a Churchillian like voice mumbling something about endings and beginnings.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 6:47:25 PM)

1941 IV

The Italians move up to engage and the British painfully realise, in the confusion of order and counter-order, the commander of V corps, tasked with guarding the inland flank, has taken up an exposed position too far to the West. It can be attacked from two sides, rather than one. Disorganised by air strikes, V corps is promptly dispatched. The British flank is turned and they have no choice but to fall back to Alexandria or be put out of supply. The Hurricanes arrive at Suez. Desperate for air cover, Wavell throws all his resources into getting them combat ready. Two transports set out from Blightly, only one has arrived. What has happened to Gen. Alexander….?

Partisans! Cut to India. A partisan unit has arisen in Bombay and destroyed the factory. No unit can get to it because they will be out of supply. Alexander is diverted to deal with it but it delays his arrival in Egypt. Despite the setbacks, the CW remains confident. With the air-cover and guns of the RN to provide shore bombardment if necessary, “an awful lot would have to go wrong if we are to lose Egypt, sir”.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/23/2014 7:51:56 PM)

1941 5

Most of the records were destroyed in the ensuing disaster, so exactly how it happened is lost in the mists of time. The general consensus amongst historians is the sequence went something like this.

Wavell has fallen back to Alex. His remaining two British Corps are deployed in W and SW of Alex. The Egyptian Terrs hold Port Said and Cairo. The Italians move up to engage the corps W of Alex. They throw in all available Ground Support, so the Hurricanes take to the skies to intercept. In turn, the Italians send their fighter to counter-intercept. The Hurricanes see the mass of approaching aircraft and promptly head back to base. Not a good first showing! The Italian attack captures the hex, destroying the Brit corps in the process, but losses mean they are too disorganised to take further action. Wavell sends out a call for reinforcements but there is nothing left to bring them with. The only transports are in Suez and Bombay.

Ah, Bombay. Freed of anti-partisan duties, Alexander hastily embarks and is sped to the Red Sea but not before the Italians attack and finish off the Brit corps to the SW of Alex. During the battle, the Hurricanes wave at the Italian air force in passing and abort to Alex. The final Italian charge is led by Gen Grazziani and the Libyan Mech, achieving a breakthrough to the hex SE of Alex. General Alexander debarks in Suez but won’t be ready to join proceedings for a while and looks a bit vulnerable in his disorganised state. To provide some protection, the Terr unit in Port Said moves to the guard the railway NW of Cairo. The RN puts two task forces in the East Med. The first is for defensive shore bombardment (2 Box) and the other contains convoys and escorts to keep Wavell in supply. Wavell asks the commander of the RAF detachment for a “quiet word in your ear if you would be so kind” and spells out in no uncertain terms the gravity of the situation and the need for a little bit more commitment on their part to the war effort. “Never has so little been done by so few for so many” being one of the more choice phrases used. With his need for air-cover no less diminished, Wavell authorises the last of his supplies be used to get the RAF ready for battle. It’s a risky move as, by doing so, he is now weakened for the attack that is sure to come. However, the guns of the RN are primed and ready to come to his aid.



Courtenay -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 4:53:11 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: AllenK

1939

The Russians annex the Baltic states, Eastern Poland, the Finish borders and Bessarabia but get a scare when, due to paying insufficient attention to garrison requirements, they find the axis could declare war on them in December 1939. They get away with it as the poor weather and German concentration on the French border mean they are unable to exploit this.


Really? If this is true, there is a bug, because neither Germany nor Russia is allowed to break the neutrality pact until 1940.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 9:05:44 AM)

Hi Courtenay,

Thanks for replying. Whilst not entirely discounting a bug in the program, I think the more likely location for it is my memory! The Russians did get the scare and it was during the 1st winter of the war. My account is probably out by a month and it was Jan 1940.

Apologies for any consternation caused.



Orm -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 9:28:04 AM)

If Germany break the pact with USSR or declares war on USSR during Jan/Feb 1940 while France is still strong then I would count it as a blessing. Do remember that USSR gets lots of reserves that will slow the German advance and then there will be plenty of militia in the way.

I can't see the German advance very far before they are bogged down by bad weather and the need to attack reserves. By the summer I suspect that USSR will be strong enough to withstand the German onslaught without giving away any really important territory. Meanwhile France is having the game of a lifetime. Fun, fun, fun.


[image]local://upfiles/29130/463337A76CA2402CBA58589474CB87F6.jpg[/image]



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 2:25:31 PM)

Hi Orm,

Thanks for your insightful reply. It was only a brief scare!



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 6:48:27 PM)

1941 TBS

Then, a fragment from a previously unknown recording of a 1941 TBS was discovered in a dusty corner of the BBC archives.

“Well, a jolly good morning, my dear old things. Welcome, listeners on the BBC World Service, to Test Battle Special. You join us in a splendidly sunny Eastern Med and a ground packed to capacity on this, the opening morning of the third test between Italy and the Commonwealth. As a lofty pigeon flies past our commentary box and a rather resplendent desert sand yellow bus chugs along the Old Cairo Road, we reflect on the surprising 2-0 lead the Italians have taken in the series. Can the Commonwealth recover from their recent run of poor form and put in a decent show or will the Italians take an unbeatable 3-0 lead and an historic series win? Geoffrey?”

“(Best Yorkshire accent) T’Commonwealth ‘ave a lot to do to turn this round. I mean, look at t’Captain. T’way he kept messing with his field placements in t’ first match was terrible. Let through far too many easy runs. Second match weren’t much better. We defended okay but t’quality last wicket stand with that Grazziano fellow turned t’match. A lot will depend on Hurricane. ‘E’s a nice lad and I’ve nothing against ‘im but I said before t’tour began we should have brought one of our pace bowlers like Spitfire, not this medium, medium-fast at best bloke”.

“So, the Italians have won the toss and elected to bat first. A staccato, almost gunfire like, ripple of applause greets the CW team as it emerges the pavilion and takes to the field. Seeing RAF Hurricane preparing to take the new ball for the CW, the Italians send in their best batsman, Saetta, to open the innings.

“Hurricane fires a somewhat wayward loosener down the leg-side, perhaps a symptom of the nerves he must be feeling, realising his place in the squad is in jeopardy. The remaining balls of the over are sent down wide of off-stump and there is no score. In the second over, Hurricane tries the first bouncer of the day. Saetta goes for the hook, misses and the CW erupt in a big shout for caught behind. The umpire gives it not-out with the ball coming off his shirt (CW bomber cleared through but no CW bomber in the battle).

“The third over commences with some more indifferent stuff from Hurricane when, out of the blue, he produces a glorious delivery that swings in late, nips back off the seam, through the gate and Saetta’s middle stump is sent cartwheeling across the field. The CW are jubilant but it appears the Italians aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. The NAVs are going to continue the innings with their new and untested player, Sparviero. He plays his first over watchfully, electing to defend rather than try anything too extravagant and there is no score.

“With his eye in, Spariero goes on the offensive in the next over. A couple of well-timed drives are fielded in the covers, so he attempts to launch one back over Hurricanes head. The shot is mistimed and as it streaks towards the bowlers head, like some Wagnerian thunderbolt from the gods, Hurricane sticks out his right hand, as much in protection as trying to catch it….



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/24/2014 7:11:59 PM)

“Well if it had been taken, it would have been the catch of the series but, unfortunately, it goes down. Worse for the CW it appears Hurricane is down as well. He’s taken rather a nasty blow to the wrist and unable to continue for the time being. For precautionary measures he is sent to the hospital in Port Said for check-ups (CW aborted). Geoffrey?”

“T’lad did better but ‘e didn’t get enough in that corridor of uncertainty around 6 o’clock, under t’tail, where they can’t really see you and don’t know whether to play forward or back. As for ‘is bowling against them NAV’s, my granny could ‘ave knocked them down with a stick of rhubarb. Don’t forget, back in my day we played in uncovered cockpits ……….” Fortunately, at this point, the fragment ends and we are spared further pearls of wisdom from the self-acknowledged greatest living Yorkshireman (well, at least for the time being anyway [:D])



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 12:59:02 PM)

1941 East Med

With the main CW threat back in the pavilion (rtd ht), the Italians declare their innings, giving them plenty of overs left in the day for the NAV’s to home in on the CW convoys. The RN escorts put up a pretty firework display which marginally distracts a couple of the younger and more inexperienced bomb-aimers from their task. It’s not enough. The Repulse is damaged and aborts to Malta, accompanied by the CP’s. The RN is faced with a difficult choice. Do they risk staying, being found by the Italians (50/50) and losing BB’s or do they clear out, abandoning Wavell to his fate?

The RN is already stretched and needed for the defence of a far more strategically important location, Gibraltar. The order is given to return to Gib but there is not enough fuel left in the bunkers to make it.

– I’m not sure what happened here. When I tried to move the ships back, I got insufficient range/MP messages. Looking back, I think it’s possible an Italian NAV in the West Med meant the route was calculated using the long way around Africa. What I probably needed to do was Ctrl L-click on the West Med and try to force through the area. Still learning the mechanics at this point. Anyway, you live and learn. Back to the story.

With little fuel left in Malta either (oos), the Navy, wishing to maintain a presence in the East Med, decamps to Port Said, the only other port large enough to take them all. The Italians wrap up the proceedings by taking Alexandria, destroying Wavell in the process.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 1:50:06 PM)

The CW then realise they have been rather foolish. They now have a disorganised Alexander in Suez, an even more disorganised RN and RAF in Port Said and only one Terr unit that has the remotest hope of influencing things. The Terr moves back to defend Port Said and the CW start praying for the turn to end. It doesn’t. The Italians, sensing a glorious opportunity, postpone the conquering of Egypt for a more tantalising prize. They advance on Port Said. Overcoming the opposition, they storm the airfield, destroying the Hurricanes caught on the ground. An advanced party is sent to the harbour with orders not to stop for anything but the prime objective.

The trucks clatter through the streets scattering inhabitants and the detritus of a defeated army before them. They storm through the harbour on and on in relentless pursuit of their quarry. Arriving at the quayside, there she lies, pride of the Mediterranean fleet, HMS Warspite. A vicious, close quarter’s gun battle develops as the Italian troops swarm aboard. The crew put up a spirited defence but, caught by surprise and faced with a more numerous and heavily armed opposition, the ship is captured! The Italians have their prize.



[image]local://upfiles/47730/B09D7C5470EB48028951CEFAE7662C27.jpg[/image]



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 2:40:53 PM)

1941 East Med: The finale

The defence of the Warspite has not entirely been in vain. Alerted by the gunfire most of the fleet, including all the remaining BB’s, are able raise steam and flee to Malta. The cost, two CA’s, left as bait to draw the attention of the Italian troops and scuttled as they reached them.

With no hope of relief, Alexander grimly digs in for the empire’s last stand in Egypt. The first assault drives him out of Suez but not before destroying one of the attacking corps. With Suez in Italian hands, they are able to send both NAV and Subs to the Red Sea. The CP is sunk and a disorganised, out-of-supply Alexander is soon dealt with. Over the next few turns, opposed only be local forces, the Italians advance up through Palestine and Transjordan, which is where we will have to leave them for the time being as events haven’t been exactly quiet elsewhere.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 4:41:34 PM)

1941 China

Through the winter of ‘40/’41 both sides reinforce. For the Japanese, only a proportion actually reaches the front. The arrival of Gen Stilwell, supported by Nationalist CAV, opens up new possibilities for the Chinese. Some Japanese new arrivals are sent to plug gaps and then there are partisans to deal with. Despite doing and risking very little, the Nationalists are fulfilling the Allied strategic objectives; frustrate and delay.

Spring ’41, the onset of better weather signals the resumption of the Japanese offensive. Veterans would later recall this as a brutal, punishing campaign: The terrain, the weather, the tenacity of the ChiComm defenders. The Japanese push onwards and deeper into the interior. Tianshui falls, an expeditionary force into the desert takes Ningsia. It all takes time, a commodity Japan is fast running out of.

The USA, angered by events here, in the Mediterranean and Russia is becoming increasingly belligerent. The US Pacific fleet relocates to Pearl Harbour. The economy is gearing up for war. More voices are heard in the congress and press calling upon the government to impose tougher sanctions and cease the flow of all resources to Japan. Resources Japan desperately needs to maintain its war effort. The Japanese planners have long been anticipating this eventuality but the schedule is hopelessly behind. Few of the troops, equipment, logistic support and transports are where they need to be. Most sucked into what is fast becoming the Black Hole of China.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 7:12:22 PM)

Back in Tokyo, a fierce debate rages around the High Command. The army calls for everything spare to be sent to China in a final all-out effort to quickly finish off the Communists. The argument has some sense. With that threat eliminated, the army, excepting the need for some light garrison troops, would be freed to pursue the Pacific expansion, or crush the Nationalists or how about the resources of India? The navy, acutely aware of the growing strength of the USN, presses for their commitment to the Pacific and SE Asia but remains tight-lipped on how it is planning to use them.

In the end, it is the logistics that decide the matter. It’ll take at least two months to get the troops to China. Once there, whether they march or travel by train, it’ll be another two months before they reach the front. By then, the weather will likely have turned, bringing an end to any further campaigning that year. Yamamoto, commander in China, is told he will have to manage with what he has to hand, to not risk unnecessary losses, yet bring the campaign to a swift conclusion. Meanwhile, the navy is instructed to carry on with its preparations. A juggling act ensues as priorities for action are switched backwards and forwards between land and navy. Mostly, and inefficiently, they are forced to do a bit of both.

In China, the campaign grinds on. Step by painstaking step, the defenders around Lanchow are stripped away and the city is taken. What’s left of the Communist forces retreat and gather with Mao, in and around their last redoubt, Sining. The Japanese press on down the Silk Road. Faced with annihilation, the Communist cavalry division flees into the desert. Sining is gradually surrounded. Keeping the army in supply, in the mountains, requires both HQ’s to come inland, off the road, and besides, losses mean their combat power will be needed for the final assault. As Yamamoto surveys the situation, he realises the odds are against him.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 8:27:06 PM)

1941 The Russian Front

Through the winter of ‘40/’41, both Soviets and Germans have been building up their forces on the border. The USSR defensive plan is to leave garrisons in cities but otherwise not let large parts of the army get surrounded by trading space for the time needed to relocate the factories east. The armoured forces are held back around Gormel-Kiev, ready to counter-attack any serious breakthroughs.

In the north, while keeping the garrison on the borders to prolong the uneasy peace as long as possible, the plan is to retreat to a line behind the river Neman at the first sign of trouble. Having initially deployed their southern forces along the Dneister, to enforce their claim to Bessarabia, the USSR has been shifting the bulk of them NW to form a strong defensive line, Brest-Litovsk to Lvov. Following it’s alignment to the axis cause, the appearance of German armoured forces in Rumania threatens to outflank this line, forcing the USSR into redeployment. Forces are ordered back to the Carpathian Mountains and the original Dneister line. Peacetime activity limits ensure this is a slow process.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/25/2014 9:33:18 PM)

1941 M/J: The Russian Front

It’s taken some doing, but the USSR has succeeded in creating the new extended Southern line and not a moment too soon. The arms race has been ‘won’ by the Germans who waste no time in declaring war. Future historians would come to criticise the somewhat vague and nebulous basis upon which such a colossal endeavour was launched. The strategy appeared to boil down to little more than “do unto others before they do unto you”, with no clear objectives beyond loose ideas of Moscow, Leningrad and see what happens.

In the North, the opening German assaults go well and the line is broken in two places. The USSR forces split into two army groups. Army Group North will conduct a fighting retreat, using all available terrain, back towards Leningrad. Army Group Centre will do likewise back towards Moscow.

In the South, the Russian line, protected by rivers, mountains and forests, looks a difficult proposition. The Germans are delighted when reconnaissance reveals the USSR has made rather a mistake. Down along the river Dniester, a sector of the line is only being held by a weak artillery brigade. At some point, the unit it was supporting had been moved out and never been replaced. An easy breakthrough is achieved and the panzers prepare to roll.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (8/26/2014 7:57:41 PM)

1941 J/A, S/O The Russian Front

The USSR southern front soon collapses as units desperately trying to avoid being cut off abandon their forward positions in a mass retreat. Disorganised and out of supply, many never make it as they are caught and overran by the pursuing German army. Sensing the danger, Stalin authorises the movement of his armoured reserve to the southern front. The planned second defensive line, along the Dneiper, is crossed before the defenders have had time to fall back to it. The USSR armoured reserve is committed to the defence and deploys in a line around Rostov-Kharkov. With insufficient force to break this line by themselves, the panzers are forced to halt and wait for the infantry and Luftwaffe to catch up.

In the North the German army follows the USSR example. An army group of INF and MOT pursues the Northern group back towards Leningrad. The armoured, mechanized forces and the rest of the infantry drive towards Moscow. With more terrain favourable to defence, the USSR Northern and Central groups are able to fall back in an orderly position but each stand costs another corps and the bill is starting to mount. Lithuania and Latvia are liberated by the German advance, whilst in the centre the advanced guard reaches beyond Smolensk. By the time the German army in the South is ready to advance again, the USSR has got a thin line back together. On its own, it wouldn’t hold them but then, the rains come.

- Thank you to all who have taken time to follow the story to this point. There will now be a break for around 10-days as a vacation beckons.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/7/2014 10:01:00 PM)

Greetings all, back from my holiday.

1941: Winter, Washington

A slumbering giant, if not exactly awakening, is giving all the signs of being in the lightest state of sleep. The war rhetoric in the government and press is reaching fever pitch. In a bid to appease the mongers and, appalled at continuing Japanese atrocities (success) in China, the USA sanctions an oil embargo on Japan.

1941: Winter, Tokyo

The sands have drained though the glass and time has run out. Japan has at its disposal a once only reserve of offensive supplies (O-chit). Deployed to the Pacific it would allow multiple snap invasions (super-combined impulse) but China hangs, like the proverbial sword, over the proceedings. Desperate to bring an end to the China campaign, Yamamoto gets notice the odds against him have changed. The resources are sent to him with one instruction. “End it now”.

The assault of Sining is launched. With the boost to Japanese offensive power, the defenders are crushed but not without a fight. Two Japanese corps are destroyed and half of the remainder are disorganised. More importantly, the green light is now shining clear for the start of the Pacific adventure. The Saki has barely dried on the lips of the high command in Tokyo when a signal is received from Yamamoto. The rains have come …..




AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/13/2014 7:49:51 PM)

Winter 1941/42 European Theatre

The coming of the rains brings an end to the German offensive. The most advanced and exposed armoured corps on the road to Moscow is pulled back to a more secure position and both sides settle down to reinforce, rebuild and realign. The USSR sends its limited naval assets into the Baltic to try and disrupt the flow of resources to Germany. Some skirmishing results and both sides inflict minor damage to each other but the convoys remain unaffected.

CW gloom at the disaster in the Med further deepens when some oaf at the Admiralty omits to send out key “Stay at Sea” orders, namely to the convoy escorts covering the Faeroes Gap. Seizing the initiative, the Kreigsmarine hastily dispatches all available U-boats to the area before the mistake can be rectified. The results are catastrophic. 5 CP’s are lost and the remainder forced to flee back to port. The Luftwaffe then get in on the act with the Condors first sinking the CW picket cruiser in the Bay of Biscay, before turning on the convoys. One is shot down by the Fleet Air Arm but the other succeeds in sinking a further CP and sending 3 others back to port. A couple are reorganized and sent back out to sea but there are no reserves left. There will be idle factories in the UK for a few months until the replacements arrive from the shipyards.

Not wishing to be out done by their undersea brethren, the Kreigsmarine surface fleet uses another initiative advantage to sortie into Biscay while it is only lightly protected by the escorts left at sea. A signal is received in the Admiralty from the captain of the Rodney. “Have sighted Bismark, Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and 6 heavy cruisers. Convoys ordered to scatter. Am engaging enemy.”



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/13/2014 8:14:13 PM)

The old battleship and 3 accompanying light cruisers steam straight for the German fleet. The Prinz Eugen is sent back to Kiel seriously damaged and two other cruisers are forced out of the area. However, outnumbered and hopelessly outgunned, there can be but one outcome for the RN. The Rodney is sunk, 1 cruiser suffers heavy damage and all are forced back to port. Crucially, the gallant last charge of the Rodney has bought time. The convoys are long gone and the Germans are unable to relocate them. Seeking revenge, the RN deploys the Home Fleet but the Kreigsmarine escapes the net and flees to Brest. They would have preferred Bordeaux but it is occupied by French partisans.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/14/2014 11:16:41 AM)

Winter 1941/42 France

The arising of partisans in Bordeaux is an inconvenience for the Germans who had intended it to be their main base for the navy to raid the Atlantic shipping. An infantry corps is sent to deal with the partisans but winter weather means it runs out of supply before it can get there. The Germans relocate their sole HQ in the west to progress the assault only to find Brest, newly home to the surface fleet, promptly goes out of supply. Deciding not to risk a winter assault, the partisan is contained in Bordeaux to prevent further mischief. Its presence remains a thorn in the German side and, crucially, it is helping to thinly spread the units they have kept garrisoning the country. The demands of the East and the expectation the CW land forces would be occupied fighting the Italians in Africa and shoring up defenses in the Far East resulted in France being low in the priority list for reinforcements.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/14/2014 1:21:32 PM)

Winter 1941/42: China

“The rains have come”, it’s such a deceptively innocent sounding phrase. For the Japanese forces, deep in the mountains around Sining, the earlier than expected onset is a disaster. In one fell swoop the whole army is put out of supply. At first it seems this will be more of an inconvenience as it will now take that much longer to extract and redeploy all but the garrisons. Slowly, there can be no other way, the Japanese set about the process. Their initial complacency is soon shattered when the small, insignificant, largely forgotten Communist Cavalry division, abandoned in the Mongolian desert, begins to move east. An ungarrisoned Taiyuan is threatened with capture. At the last minute, the Japanese rail in a Garr unit from the coast, arriving just in advance of the horses. Unperturbed, the cavalry simply changes tack and advances on the next ungarrisoned city down the line, Yenan. It had been intended that these two cities would be the next garrisoned by a broken down infantry corps. The need to replace mounting casualties in the campaign against the communists, increasing Nationalist pressure further south and the need for invasion forces in the Pacific had meant no such unit had been available. The unit therefore detailed for the role was now disorganised and out of supply back at Sining.

The Japanese desperately search the map for a unit to rush to Yenan but the cupboard is bare. After an epic three month, 400 km march through desert and mountain, the Communist cavalry division marches into and recaptures Yenan. In a wave of patriotism the city’s inhabitants flock to the banner and an embryonic communist army, consisting of two infantry corps, is reborn. The units move out and cut the Japanese supply line to the interior and two further corps are formed. China has just become a giant POW camp.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/14/2014 2:36:50 PM)

Winter 1941/42: Pacific

While the Japanese slowly prepared their opening Pacific moves, the USA had not been idle. MacArthur is brought out of the Philippines and stationed in Pago Pago with other units ready to respond to the Japanese. Midway and Dutch Harbour are garrisoned with an infantry division each. They would not stop a major invasion but let the Japanese come and try. If they wish to commit their forces to lesser targets, so much the better.

The Japanese plan calls for a surprise port attack on Pearl Harbour to knock out the US Pacific Fleet, timed to coincide with simultaneous invasions of Rabaul and Palambang. So much more had been dreamt of but China put paid to all that. While the Japanese fleets position themselves for their attacks, a garrison is transported to Kwajalein.

The militarisation of the Marshalls proves to be the last straw for the Americans. In an emergency joint session of Congress and the Senate a Declaration of War against Japan Bill is passed by the narrowest of margins (DoW 70%, die roll of 6). Pearl Harbour and San Diego are emptied of ships as the entire US Pacific Fleet deploys to the Marshalls sea area in an attempt to surprise and destroy the Japanese carrier fleet.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/14/2014 4:14:31 PM)

The resulting battle leaves both sides feeling both relieved and disappointed, with the result best described as a score-draw. Aside from damage to cruisers and ships aborted, the Americans sink the Zuikaku, while suffering damage to 3 CV’s in return. Both sides reflect on what might have been. A sunken CV is far more expensive and time consuming to replace than damaged ones but, for the short term at least, the Japanese have naval superiority. It all depends on whether they can use this to their advantage.

Prior to their invasions, the Japanese declare war on the Commonwealth and Netherlands. The operation on Palembang goes smoothly but, just as the Rabaul invasion fleet begins its final approach to the beaches, the area is enveloped by storms. The invasion has to be postponed. To add insult to injury, the Storms disperse as quickly as they arose. Seizing the opportunity occasioned by the delay, the USA promptly transports MacArthur and XXIV Inf into Rabaul. Postponement becomes cancellation as the Japanese forces, too weak to tackle the Americans, return to port.



AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (9/14/2014 5:49:59 PM)

Spring/Summer 1942: Pacific Theatre

In China, the northern Japanese army retreats to Sian but can go no further. Out of supply, to move invites death as there are plenty of Chinese units on hand ready to take advantage of the resulting disorganisation. The situation becomes a stalemate. The Chinese Communists aren’t strong enough to attack but the few reinforcements the Japanese are able to send to the region have to be used to keep the strengthening Nationalists at bay, rather than consider any rescue attempt.

The reason for the lack of reinforcements to China is the Japanese are determined to use their temporary naval superiority to their advantage. The forces from the aborted Rabaul invasion are used to capture the Solomons. The US quickly deploys XXXV Inf to at least temporarily secure Port Moresby. The Japanese will at least have to come with some force to capture it. Over the next couple of months, while the US Navy licks its wounds, the Japanese capture the Philippines and the rest of the NEI. The US forward deploys to the Fiji Islands and New Hebrides.

However, it’s not just the need to rebuild CV’s that accounts for the US inaction in the Pacific. All attention is drawn to the unfolding drama in Europe.



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