RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (Full Version)

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AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 5:14:43 PM)
It isn't all one sided. The CL Phoenix, recovering from the initial surprise, puts several devastating broadsides into the CA Nachi, sending her to the bottom. Facing far superior odds, the surviving US CA's head back to port. The sub stays around for a crack but searches are unsuccessful. In the Marshalls, the US Nav spots the patrolling Jap Ftr and tries to flee. It is in turn spotted and engaged (Japs 4, US 3). It is caught and shot down for no loss (US 8, Jap 6; +2:-3). With the air patrol taken care of, the Jap subs engage the US CP. They sneak in plant their torpedoes and are gone before the US escorts can react. Scratch another convoy (searches Jap 4, US 7; surprise used to reduce damage). The Japs elect to fight so as to keep their subs in the sea area (they would then decline to commit them). With nothing to escort, the US Commodore heads back to port. When he gets there, he gets a severe dressing down from the Admiral as their presence would have been needed to provide protection to the replacement convoy. As word gets out about the Japanese success in the Pacific, the RN subs hope to emulate their performance in the Med. They fall at the first when unable to locate the enemy, who likewise are similarly ocularly challenged.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 6:40:56 PM)
J/F 1945 Axis 10: Air phases. Manchester receives what is becoming a regular visit from the Luftwaffe. Two Lnd, bombing in terrible weather, manage to hit warehouses containing war materials (1 BP loss). The Japs realise they are once again in danger of being put out of supply if the ChiComm Cav moves to the right place. They send 3 Lnd to try and stop it, although, with the weather and quality of the planes involved, it is a long shot. Too long as it turns out (5, 7 & 3) when all miss their target. The Germans rail an Arm to south Russia. The Italians rail Gen Balbo back to Egypt. A couple of Italian units move closer to Spain. The Germans do some shuffling in Russia to release another heavy unit into reserve plus move others forward from Germany. The Japs block the threatened OOS moves. The Japanese realise, with a little shore bombardment support, they can get a reasonable 4:1 against a Nationalist unit NE of Hong Kong. The escort commander in the China Sea is only too willing for this diversion from the monotony of escort duty and the two available CL's get some much needed gunnery practice. [image]local://upfiles/47730/2B6B2236B1E64C17B89189298F81FF04.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 6:59:46 PM)
The Nagoya Militia perishes in the assault but the Nationalist 3rd Inf is destroyed (11 at +8). The Japs rebase an OOS bomber on the front lines to safety. The Germans rearrange their fighter cover and send a Bf-109 to the east. All Axis powers use some HQ's to reorganise units in case the turn doesn't end. On a 10, it doesn't.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 7:03:43 PM)
J/F 1945 Allies 13 n a roll of 4 modded to 6, the weather eases back a tad in the Arctic. [image]local://upfiles/47730/B7F561D49F8C41E291E14770AE964F8A.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 8:43:28 PM)
No DoW US Air. Others Land. Bomber Command sends two groups to Breslau. The entire 8th Air Force mounts an extended range mission to Lodz. The Soviets send a group to Ploesti. All targets chosen as factories without fighter cover. It all proves a bit of an anti-climax when nobody can hit anything (RAF, 1; USAAF, 2; USSR, 4). In a rare display of co-operation, the Nationalist P-40 ground-strikes two OOS Jap units in Tsinan, opposed by the Communists. It nearly works as one of the two are disorganised. The Soviets declare one land combat and support it with a Lnd and 2 Ftr's. The Germans counter with 2 Ftr's and 4 Lnd. The ChiComms declare one attack, supported by Mao, which the Japs send a Lnd for defensive support. Over Russia, the leading Bf-109's chase off the Soviet bomber but in doing so leave their bombers temporarily unprotected. Seizing their chance the Soviet fighters take down the leading wave of Do-17's (Germany 13, USSR 18 at evens). The '109's return to the fight but are chased off by the Soviet fighters (Germany 12, USSR 15 at evens). With the odds against them (+3:-3), the Germans decide to preserve their aircraft and bug out. Both attacks go in at pretty low odds but the end of the turn is close and the allies have a cheap unit in each attack to take the first loss. [image]local://upfiles/47730/B84DCEA28FF8432B98A2688BEEE986C9.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 9:10:28 PM)
In Russia the Soviets use their 'winterised bonus' to improve the odds to +6. It doesn't make much difference. With the air activity alerting the Germans something was up, they prepare a careful ambush, which the Soviets assault straight into. An Inf and a Mil are destroyed for no loss (on a 3). The assault in China goes equally badly (6 at +5) resulting in the loss of the Sian Militia. Various HQ's reorganise units but it doesn't matter as, on a 3, the turn ends. A Communist partisan appears in the recently vacated Haichow, destroying two Jap Lnd. Another partisan appears behind the lines in Russia and 2 in Yugoslavia.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/25/2015 10:31:55 PM)
M/A 1945 Initiative Axis 6, Allies 9. The Axis decide to re-roll and win it 6 to 3. They decide to go first. On a 10, the weather goes fine everywhere. All 3 Axis opt for combineds.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 3:02:03 PM)
M/A 1945 Axis 1 No DoW. No port attacks. No Naval air, The Japs move two units from Port Arthur to north China. Two CL's are sent to the Marianas 2-box. With no CP's available, the Japs are planning on sending a Trans to run supplies to Eniwetok and decide to put the escort in place first. The Germans sortie the Baltic fleet (ex the old BB's) to the 3-box. Can they achieve another hit and run? The Italians put 2 CL and CP escorts into the Italian Coast. [image]local://upfiles/47730/CC3192C70CE849CC82BFF372F67CE1A9.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 3:40:05 PM)
M/A 1945 Axis 1: Naval Combat. Slipping their anchors at twilight, the Kriegsmarine head into the Baltic, avoiding the US CA screen and locate the US Amph, accompanied by 2 BB's (searches Axis 3, Allied 6. 1-box only chosen). The opening KM salvoes cause much damage to the Amph flotilla but the KM are unable to strike the killer blow before the two BB's interpose themselves and start to engage (3 surprise points to select target. X saved to D). The KM concentrate their fire on the New York, which limps away heavily damaged. [image]local://upfiles/47730/B46B5B5C192140548FD58AA6D7BFABBD.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 3:46:45 PM)
KM damage control proves not as effective as the US and all 3 KM BB's return to port with minor damage (aborts). The KM had used 2 other surprise points to reduce their damage. [image]local://upfiles/47730/7F4F7607AF3B4C30AFD1670E6919CC70.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 4:47:37 PM)
Mission accomplished (the Amph) the two remaining KM CA's join their brethren and head back to Stettin. The Japs decline combat in the Bismarck Sea. With an RAF Meteor III, based in Sheffield, covering Manchester, the Luftwaffe halt their attacks on the city. Instead, they send two bomber Gruppen to raid Belfast. The RAF should have put the Meteor in Manchester then all factory cities would be covered. They pay dearly for the mistake when the factory and war materials (1 BP) are destroyed (10 rolled at 9 factors). The Japs send two Ki-32 groups to ground strike Mao. The KM action in the Baltic has left the CW forces in Estonia OOS. Successful ground strikes would leave them very vulnerable to counter-attack. A Stuka, Ju-88 and Me-210 (flying as bomber) take to the skies. Elsewhere, the 800 mm rail gun and SiG II go into action at Kiel. The Italians send 2 groups plus Dardo escort to strike Bradley and VIII Mech and one plus 4-point Ftr to strike the OOS Spanish 1 Arm. Their mobile artillery has a go at Crerar. The US contest the strike on Bradley with the Black Widow and a P-38. The Luftwaffe chip in with a Fw-190. [image]local://upfiles/47730/8DEDA08D212C4070AD7FFE0C6DCFDCCB.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:03:13 PM)
The Axis fighters tangle with the P-38's, forcing them back to base while clearing a bomber through (US 12 AC, Axis 7 AA). They repeat the formula with the P-61 (US 8 AC, Axis 7 AA). The strike on Gort et al by the Stuka and Me-210 is less than impressive. [image]local://upfiles/47730/425FD880377A449DA20F0884E32121FE.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:09:19 PM)
The Ju-88 picks up the baton from the last two and promptly drops it. [image]local://upfiles/47730/F0FB5717060D43AE933D5C9FB2A52EA7.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:12:47 PM)
The rail gun does its job. [image]local://upfiles/47730/1BCB5FB26D2341A78E83BF6F470914FD.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:15:10 PM)
As does the Italian artillery. [image]local://upfiles/47730/A025C694017F4A698D99CB19870DF0C5.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:17:50 PM)
The Italian pilots show the Luftwaffe how it's done. [image]local://upfiles/47730/93AAF36A3B1548CA8A421280E7F9B411.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:20:37 PM)
But can't quite make it a clean sweep. [image]local://upfiles/47730/F51DF6E8AE714C3E82EF48CADAC567E3.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 5:24:07 PM)
The Jap pilots have taken the same bomb-aiming course as their German compatriots. [image]local://upfiles/47730/66BF3B6A1475437F9A834014F084C8A5.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 6:23:11 PM)
As the aircraft all head back to base and the dust settles, the CW breathes a sigh of relief. If the strikes in Estonia had worked they could have been in a bit of bother. Things could still be a bit tricky at Kiel. A newly arrived Garr is railed to Amsterdam to free up an Inf. Libya Mech is railed to Gen Cavallero. An Italian Arm and Mech move from Toulouse into Spain. Antonescu moves out of the front lines and is replaced by the Alp Mtn. A couple of units continue their journey eastwards and two Inf move into Yugoslavia to start a campaign against the partisans. The Japs move 2 Inf against the partisan in Haichow and one to occupy the port just vacated. The Germans declare two land combats against the partisans and attack Kiel. The Italians pass. The Japs attack the Chinese partisan. US CA's in the Baltic close in-shore and provide 7 points of gunfire support. Wavell chips in with his support. Two Jap CA's on escort in the China Sea give their army colleagues a hand. No ground support is flown. [image]local://upfiles/47730/271978714690442E9CA9B5C88948339A.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 6:44:00 PM)
The odds aren't great at Kiel, although as good as they were likely to get. They are enough that one good attack would clear the city and the first loss can be absorbed by a cheap Militia. Today proves not to be the day as the assault (chosen by CW) starts badly (fractional not made) and peters out pretty quickly (7 at +4). The Germans lose the Berlin Militia and the attackers are left disorganised. The first partisan unit puts in a sterling effort. [image]local://upfiles/47730/0FFCFDC7D88948A196393D77967C552B.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 6:48:52 PM)
Oh how the Germans would have loved this roll at Kiel. [image]local://upfiles/47730/8CCEA9A1E38F4E43B700FC4A672F946E.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 7:02:43 PM)
The Chinese partisan at Haichow is soon dealt with (13 at +15). The Japs rebase a Ftr and pretty innocuous 2-pt Lnd to China. A Fw-190 heads to Bucharest to defend Ploesti. With no re-organisations, the impulse ends and it's over to the Allies.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/30/2015 9:02:44 PM)
M/A 1945 Allies 2 No DoW. US spends on O-chit for a super-combined. CW Naval, others Land. No port attacks or naval air.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 11:43:20 AM)
M/A 1945 Allied 2: Naval movement Apart from the usual CP escort moves and transporting units from the colonies, the two significant moves are a large fleet of Amph's, Trans, BB's and CA's puts into the Baltic. Unsure at this stage whether as reinforcements into Estonia or to invade the German coast. Force H (all the CV's with air wings plus 2 BB and 2 CA) sails into the West Med. The US gives some assistance to the Baltic moves and attends to CP escorts. Subs are sent to the Solomons and China Sea. Two Marine corps loaded for bear and the Pacific Fleet sortie into the Marshalls. [image]local://upfiles/47730/BF61134003814494A98957D3C31EC53B.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 12:41:00 PM)
M/A 1945 Allies 2: Naval combat First up, the Bismarck Sea. The Aussie sub initiates combat. The Japs respond with a D3A2 to the 0-box. The Allies find the Japs (3) but the Jap Nav has good look-outs and the subs are attacked, sending the RNAS sub back to port (search also 3, damage reduced from 2A to A). The combat ends when both sides fail to relocate each other. To the Italian Coast. The Italians send a 2-point Nav. RN commits subs. The RN just about manages to find the sea (8), the RM isn't sure even whether it is the right zone (10). The US declines the Marianas, leaving the China Sea. The Japs send a Nav to the 0-box. The US commits subs. The US subs attack at night, negating the Nav (searches 4 vs 8, 4 points used to choose sub combat, 2 used to increase damage). The escorts send both subs home, one seriously damaged but not before the torpedoes are away. 2 CP's are sunk and 3 aborted. The USAAF mounts two massive raids on Cologne (2 escorts) and Dusseldorf (1 escort). 2 Bf-109's intercept Cologne. 1 Dusseldorf. The RAF sends a Mossie to help out at Dusseldorf. [image]local://upfiles/47730/128F660B266643F4A6CFB71FFE299DEA.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 12:49:25 PM)
The Bf-109's are bounced by the escorts and shot down (Axis 12 AC, Allies 17 DX). Moving to Cologne, the Germans discover the scramble order never made it to one of the Bf-109's (the better one of course). This leaves the Allies in a somewhat better position than anticipated. [image]local://upfiles/47730/A0281C6314D2433E986FCF1977E88649.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 1:58:40 PM)
The resulting air battle is short and brutal for the Germans, who lose the '109 and pilot (Axis 10 DC, Allies 18 AX PX). The raid on Dusseldorf destroys a factory and 2 BP's (8 with 30 factors). The raid on Cologne is less accurate (3 rolled) but the weight of bombs (30 factors) means 2 BP are lost. Both attacks had an extra aircraft to absorb a loss, which then didn't happen. No carpet bombing. In Russia the Soviets launch 3 ground-strikes. In China, the Chicomms use their artillery while the Nationalists open up with artillery and a ground-strike. The RAF send in two strikes. The US mounts one strike in Spain and sends 3 CVP's into Eniwetok. The Germans intercept one RAF and one USAAF strike. The Japs intercept the Nationalist one. [image]local://upfiles/47730/77594F706E9A4CC0832694B88EE44908.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 2:05:11 PM)
The Typhoons do enough to hold off the interception, forcing the Fw-190's back to base (Axis 9 AC, CW 6 AA). In Spain, P-47's tangle with Fw-190's and come out on top. [image]local://upfiles/47730/459F32ED9A914CF4A62AEDAF58B5BE21.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 2:08:04 PM)
In China, the Nationalist P-40 does it's job of getting the bomber through. [image]local://upfiles/47730/1A2BA248B45742E3832214A81B34A21B.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (1/31/2015 2:10:47 PM)
RAF Tempests aren't particularly accurate. [image]local://upfiles/47730/A96DFB22480049E18DBBD1F2F00060FD.jpg[/image]

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