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 (11/6/2014 9:54:27 PM)
The Italians rail move Graziani out of Arabia to Beruit. The Germans rail Rundstedt to NE of Voronezh and GARRs to Brest and Calais to relieve the decent INF units currently there. The Japanese have nothing they want to move by rail.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 3:20:22 PM)
M/J 1944 Axis Impulse 4: Land Movement The dance in China continues. Having concentrated forces to re-capture Chengchow, the Japanese find themselves in danger of being put OOS by 2nd Yoke Inf. Gen Terauchi moves 1 hex east to head off this threat. Realising the Chinese have made a mistake bringing the CAV in close to Taiyuan, the Japanese 11th and 25th Inf move a hex east ready to attack the CAV. [image]local://upfiles/47730/7440E0E634534EDDA2DC08E10E434A96.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 3:48:21 PM)
In Russia, Germans decide holding the railway any longer would most likely lose them the two units in place. The III Arm is withdrawn, leaving the disorganised IX SS Mech to its fate. Two HQ's shift position to enable the front to remain in supply and VI 55 Mot moves from Kursk to plug the gap in the line. The Germans then notice an opportunity to put Gen Chernyakhovsky and 1st Mech, disorganised after their attack on Manstein, out of supply. This is too good an opportunity to miss and the Germans move up seeking to get some revenge for the loss of their HQ. Further north, the Germans decide offence may be the best defence and concentrate units for an attack on the Soviet 2nd Inf and 4th Mot. [image]local://upfiles/47730/68AECD7AAC2B4F8CA229442EE054B869.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 4:05:12 PM)
In Germany, there is some shifting of units to improve the potential attack strength for an attempt on Kiel. In Spain, the Germans and Italians move across the border, through the mountain passes, in pursuit of the retreating Spanish. [image]local://upfiles/47730/9059DF6726904211BFF6BB8D12276E48.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 4:22:42 PM)
The Germans declare the three attacks mentioned above. The Japanese declare the attack on the Communist CAV. The US task force in the Baltic close in to Kiel to support the CW defenders. The Germans fly a Ju88 to support the attack at Kiel. [image]local://upfiles/47730/8A49162541CF43588D2E6AF878481345.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 4:34:22 PM)
The Japanese assault on the Cav by Taiyuan destroys the unit (rolled 13 on +14) and the two Japanese units advance to occupy the ground previously held by the CAV (apologies, forgot to save the screenshot). The attack on Kiel destroys the CW 2nd Inf Div, but proceedings end for the time being as all are now disorganised. [image]local://upfiles/47730/6D0080D2AA3D4396BDFDAA9F3EB4220D.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 4:43:56 PM)
The attack on Chernyakhovsky is a formality. XXIV Arm advances to occupy the positions formerly occupied by the two destroyed Soviet units. [image]local://upfiles/47730/BFF05071F7A84885B439A485423E3024.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 4:48:00 PM)
The offensive defence policy proves successful as the Germans blitz through the two Soviet units. [image]local://upfiles/47730/E42C289444DE40288B679663D9E5634A.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 5:15:24 PM)
Not much else of significance happens for the remainder of the impulse. The Japanese load their two spare CVP's onto Hiryu and Amagi. Overall, a good impulse for the Axis, with improvement to their situation in Russia. M/J 1944 Allied Impulse 5 The weather takes a distinct turn for the worst with Storms in the Arctic and Nth Monsoon and rain everywhere else except the sunny Med (roll of 2). US and CW Combined, Russia and China Land.

composer99 -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 6:58:00 PM)
It's probably not the weather for it, but the disorganised Germans in Germany do present an opportunity if the Allies have marines (or forces that can invade from the Baltic) available.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/8/2014 8:49:47 PM)
The Allies do indeed have the Marines currently in Finland that could re-embark on the organised Transport in the Baltic. If I can get II Inf to a Baltic port, they could embark on the Amph that's available. Wavell should be able to reorganise the two main units in Kiel. A possible plan is coming together. I need to see what else I can bring from the UK. It won't be ready to go this impulse and would be foolish in the rain anyway but worth some serious consideration. There's little else the Germans can do in the meantime so spending an impulse or two to set things up won't change the picture. Hmmm ....

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 11:16:13 AM)
Ah, turns out the Marines can't re-embark onto the empty organised transport. Pity really, the rain has put a couple of disorganised German units along the Baltic coast OOS as well. The plan isn't completely dead as the CW have moved the Amph back to the UK from the Baltic and another one back from Spain. The two should be reorganised and ready to load two MOT's for the next impulse. That's getting slightly ahead of myself. M/J 1944 Allied Impulse 5 No port strikes. CW makes the two naval moves described above. The US moves the Trans containing the II Arm from the East Coast to Vigo in Spain. A low speed sub completes its journey from the US to Pearl and a CA finishes bringing the 2nd Mar Div to Kwajalein. The CW has 3 sea zones it could initiate combat. Of these, only the West Med is a serious contender. The CW has no wish to precipitate an unnecessary scrap with the U-boats in Biscay and everything organised is in the 0-box except a Trans, which I don't want to disorganise. The CW force in the West Med isn't exactly strong: 2CV a CL and a couple of subs but is more likely to spot the Italians than they are the RN, which would give an air-strike on the cruisers in the 2-box. The RN decide to go for it. [image]local://upfiles/47730/B0A08B78B3554E43B7D2E2BABE59476D.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 11:48:53 AM)
The Italians take a long-shot and fly a SM.84, protected by their Macchi C.202 to the 1-box. They don't really expect to find the RN but if they get lucky it could be interesting. The RN commits its subs. The RN launches its scout planes. They are on the point of returning to base when an observer spots the tell-tale sign of ships wakes (search roll of 5 just made it). The Italians steam on unaware they have been found and, more crucially, unaware of the RN task force now vectoring a strike towards them (search roll 7). Ignoring the two task forces with air cover, the RN concentrates on the Italian cruiser force. Two wings of Swordfish take to the skies, joined by bombed up Gladiators. The Italian AA gunners are taken by surprise and barely manage to disrupt the Gladiator's attack (4 surprise points used to lower AA from lowest 1 of 3 to lowest 1 of 5, lowest roll of 1). The Trento receives torpedo hits, rapidly takes on an alarming list, threatening to capsize, before some prompt counter-flooding averts her loss. She limps away from the battle heading for port (X to D). Duca D'Aosta is damaged and the Bolzano forced back to port. [image]local://upfiles/47730/BC2281AD7B5840F3BADAF53C1D3A9A72.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 12:13:32 PM)
Both sides elect to continue the fight. A questionable decision on the Italians part but they want to keep occupation of the sea area. Homing in on the plumes of smoke from the damaged ships, the RN have no problem maintaining contact with the Italians, who remained ignorant to the RN's location (searches 2 and 5). Repeating a successful formula, the RN strike sweeps out of the sun, again surprising the Italian AA gunners who, as before, are only able to put off the Gladiators (lowest 1 of 4 reduced to lowest 1 of 6, 1 point reduction). The RN pilots report sinking the Trieste, damaging the Pola and the Gorizia heading away from the battle. Subsequent recon shows the claims to have been exaggerated as the Trieste is found to be damaged but still afloat and it was the Pola, bracketed by near misses, not the Gorizia seen heading away. [image]local://upfiles/47730/0AB6B12AF42E413CBC5FDFC6B03E29C1.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 12:36:21 PM)
The RN stays to contest the West Med. The Italians are determined to hold their presence so do their best to put out fires and hope to avoid detection. The engagement draws to a close when neither side can locate each other. After a torrid time in the Med at the hands of the Regia Marina, the RN has fought back spectacularly well. Curiously, the turnaround appears to coincide with the Italians deciding to sacrifice the Warspite instead of one of their own BB's. They are starting to regret the loss of the legendary talisman.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 1:50:15 PM)
With air-fields across the UK socked in by the rain and targets obscured by cloud, the Allied air forces decide against mounting any air missions. The US rails a Mech Div from inland to Norfolk and that's it for that phase. Aware, from last impulse of the danger of disorganised HQ's being put OOS, the Russians move 3rd Siberians to the woods behind Gen Yeremenko. The Eng unit already there would not survive an attack as and when the weather improves and the capture of the hex would put the HQ OOS. The Moscow Militia moves out of the city to cover the space left by the 3rd Sibs. In China, the Nationalists continue eastwards trying to get around the back of Gen Terauchi. The Royal Marines move towards Helsinki. The US moves the XXI Mot towards Madrid and makes brings a couple of units from cities in the US to ports. The CW disembark the Kutno Mech and 2nd Can Arm into Finland. The Allies declare just one land combat against the IX SS Mech in Russia. The Russians should re-open the railway from the south. The Russians make hard work of the attack as what should have been a formality loses them the 4th Sibs destroyed and two other units disorganised. [image]local://upfiles/47730/E13C3F9DEC7C49DBB8A21956D102348E.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 2:18:23 PM)
The RAF rebases a substantial part of bomber command to Denmark. The US flies a Black Widow across to Spain and moves a B24 closer to the coast in the UK. Hodges reorganises a B17 and Alexander reorganises the Amph and Trans that returned the UK. With that a largely rain interrupted impulse for the Allies closes. [image]local://upfiles/47730/4549B2D4CC654620AD0A49858ADC04C8.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 3:03:08 PM)
M/J 1944 Axis 7 Italy land, to keep moving forwards in Spain. Germany Combined, due to little to move on land and to take a long-odds shot at the mostly disorganised Allied fleet in the Baltic with Gneisenau et al. Japan Naval, to allow some units to be shifted around. No port-strikes or Naval Air missions flown. The Japanese ship an HQ to Truk, put two subs in the Marshalls, put a CP point in the China sea and another one in the Solomons, the latter to establish supply to all the Japanese held Marshall Islands. Two CL's are sent out as escort. Two Trans move from China back to Japan and the Japs are finally able to move 17th Inf from where it has been stuck OOS in Padang to Telok Betong. There is a partisan at Palembang to deal with. There are four sea areas for possible combat and all will be selected. The heavily out-numbered German task force in the Baltic is relying on luck and surprise. It may be a bit of a waste but the alternative is probably having them port-struck or over-ran. This at least gives them the chance of inflicting some damage before they go. [image]local://upfiles/47730/AEE3DB3BBFAF454EBAC2432EC7FB2E81.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 3:49:04 PM)
First up, the Baltic. Long periods spent in port haven't been conducive to sharpening skills. Before the Germans know what is happening, a flight of F4F-3's dive out of the clouds and drop their bombs on the Gneisenau. Search rolls of Axis 8, Allied 2, naval air combat chosen. Surprise used to lower AA to no effect and boost combat table from abort to damage. The allied pilots report hits on the German ship but they turn out to be near misses. They are enough to force the Gneisenau back to port. While the US pilots are celebrating, the Kriegsmarine press on and locate an Allied CP and Trans, lightly escorted by 3 CL. The German vessels are onto the Allied ships before they have time to act. The Dutch Trans is sent to the bottom and the CP and a CL are forced from the area. Search rolls Axis 1, Allies 8. Germany includes sea-boxes 0 and 1 only. Surprise points used to reduce damage by 1 column and select first two targets. [image]local://upfiles/47730/EE4A3E10A32C4127A92D928C997FC825.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 6:11:19 PM)
The CW escorts are unable to inflict any damage on the Germans (abort converted to 1/2 abort) who press on leaving the RN CL's picking up survivors. The Germans are about to call it quits and return to port when the lookouts report sightings of another task force containing several Amphibious and Transport vessels. This time the RN escort is more substantial comprising of 2 BB and 7 CA's. Of the Americans there is no sign. The German ships turn to once again engage the enemy, all the while expecting the tell-tale flashes down the sides of the RN ships announcing the imminent arrival of 15-inch broadsides. Unbelievably the guns of the RN remain silent. Unaware of the exact whereabouts of the US task force and keen to avoid an embarrassing friendly-fire incident, the British Admiral hesitates before giving the order to open fire. He realises his mistake when the German vessels open up on the Amphibious flotillas he was supposed to be protecting. In his post-war memoires, the Admiral was highly critical of the Americans and in particular for failing to signal the RN details of their earlier strike and a warning that the Kriegsmarine was at sea. The USN strenuously denied not having sent the signal and also pointed to the silence surrounding the sinking of the Dutch Transports. When historians' attempts to obtain the relevant signals logs from the archives mysteriously drew blanks, the cover-up and conspiracy theories expanded to fill the vacuum and persist to this day. Reacting quickly to their error, the RN returns fire, quickly sinking the CL Emden and the ex Dutch CL Jacob van H. The eventual intervention of the RN prevents more serious loss. One Amph is damaged and another plus the Fiji forced to return to port. Search rolls Axis 2, Allied 9. Axis engages 2-box only. Surprise points used to select first two targets as the Amphibs. X and 2 D's became a D and 2 A's as all damage rolls made. The sea-lift woes of the Allies keep piling up [:(] The action ends when both sides disappear into heavy rain squalls and are unable to locate each other.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/9/2014 6:39:31 PM)
In Biscay neither side can find themselves, let alone the enemy (Axis 10, Allies 9). The Japanese have no wish to engage the US subs with their CP in the Marianas and politely decline. They are keen, however for their subs to have a go at the US ones in the Marshalls. Once again both sides struggle to find themselves (10 and 9). With rain likely to affect bombing accuracy, all Axis powers decline any air missions, preferring to keep their powder dry for later. The Germans hastily rail the XXVIII Inf from Leipzig to Helsinki. The Italians rail the last of their HQ's out of Arabia.

composer99 -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 2:00:04 PM)
What a disaster in the Baltic!

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 4:19:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 What a disaster in the Baltic! Yes. The Kriegsmarine surface fleet had been pretty ineffective up until now. What a time to put in their finest hour. The only, more burnished copper, rather than silver, lining in that cloud of woe for the Allies was the high rate of damage rolls saved. It could have been that much worse. I think, as the Western Allies, it is time to step back and have a serious strategic re-think. Spain needs to be held to stop the Italians getting the resources. The Baltic gambit is dead in the water for the time being but remains a future possibility. It is time for the WAllies to pause and build up an overwhelming force before returning to Northern Europe. They have the CP's available to start sending BP's to Russia, rather than assisting through nuisance raids. The remaining question is what to do about Finland? I'm leaning towards finishing what has been started as the loss of the Finns and particularly their HQ will hurt the Axis in the north. It also gives the Germans a massive coast line to defend when the WAllies are ready to try again. Thoughts from the floor?

composer99 -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 5:30:46 PM)
Knocking out Finland makes lending to USSR much easier, since the Allies can ship the resources to Norway and rail them through Finland (reducing the length of the convoy line required); of course they may have to ship resources to Murmansk/Archangel depending on the state of the rail lines. The USSR can also ship straight into Leningrad, which is great if it's been cut off by rail from the rest of the USSR. In the meantime, it does appear a landing against Germany is out of the question until a sealift rebuild is complete. So it seems to me the Allies have three major priorities (in rough order of precedence): (1) Intervene decisively in Spain. Right now it looks like the Italians are taking the lead on this for the Axis, and the Anglo-American forces should definitely be able to put paid to the Italians. This will force German intervention or risk having the Allies suddenly be stationed up along the Pyrenees. (2) Destroy Axis materiel and reduce production. The Spanish campaign will be good for the first half, and the Baltic campaign should help the latter (what with sinking German cps shipping Swedish resources, and offering Danish and Finnish airbases deep into the heart of the Reich). (3) Eliminate the Kriegsmarine and Regia Marina as effective fighting forces (submarine forces, with their ability to evade port attacks and naval combats, excepted).

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 6:52:18 PM)
Thanks composer99, I hadn't considered the impact on resource shipment of taking Finland. Until now, the Allies haven't been in a position to even considering tabling shipping resources as an option, so I hadn't given it much thought. Why the Allies are in this position is a direct result of earlier build and force commitment decisions. One of the reasons I am continuing this game is to see how the long-term consequences of the Allied decisions play out. Very much a learn by trial and ERROR approach. Your thoughtful response does crystallise my thinking around Allied priorities. Regarding point 3, notwithstanding the recent 'Cunning Plan' in the Baldrick, the Allies have been doing a pretty good job against the Kriegsmarine and RM. The former is split in two with a CA and 4 CL at Brest and 2 BB, a CL and the two old coastal defence BB's at Stettin (assuming no further losses to those currently at sea in the Baltic). The RM, after the recent RN successes, is down to 2BB, 3CA and 7CL. Both sides have a fair bit in the construction and repair pools but getting these back afloat will depend on how they stack against other competing priorities. One thing I am curious about is how MWIF will handle damage to the Kriegsmarine units in Brest. Normally, they would go into the repair pool and reappear in a home port once the BP cost has been expended. What happens, as in this case, when there is no return path to a home port? Logically, the place for them to reappear would be Brest but, as far as I can tell, they will magically teleport back to Germany. Is this correct?

Grotius -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 7:36:53 PM)
I'm also interested in your question about teleportation. I don't know the answer! As for intervention in Spain: I forget, do you have friendly Spanish ports to which you could ship American and British land units? As I recall, the main line is around the Pyrenees, with Italian troops scattered in the central and southern part of the country. Is there a friendly port on the Basque coast or thereabouts?

Courtenay -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 7:47:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AllenK One thing I am curious about is how MWIF will handle damage to the Kriegsmarine units in Brest. Normally, they would go into the repair pool and reappear in a home port once the BP cost has been expended. What happens, as in this case, when there is no return path to a home port? Logically, the place for them to reappear would be Brest but, as far as I can tell, they will magically teleport back to Germany. Is this correct? Magical teleportation is the rule. (Giant Zeppelins lift them back to Germany? [:)])

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/11/2014 8:19:55 PM)
Thanks Courtenay. I guess WW2 showed a successful Channel Dash could be pulled off, despite it being not allowed in MWIF. Should the circumstances arise, I will put it down to the Germans managing to achieve something similar. Grotius, yes, the Allies do have friendly Spanish ports. In the north Bilbao, Santander, Ferrol and Vigo, although the former two for not much longer. In the south, Cadiz plus all the Med ports except Valencia.

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/17/2014 7:36:47 PM)
M/J 1944 Axis 7: Land Movement The Rain in Spain, falling mainly in the mountains, plus disorganised units do a better job than the Allies at slowing the Axis advance into the interior. However, they are across the next planned defensive line along the river before it had been fully formed. [image]local://upfiles/47730/B91D8A04B3A34D6AB822408879291B98.jpg[/image]

AllenK -> RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round (11/17/2014 8:02:42 PM)
Elsewhere, the Germans make some minor adjustments around the French coast and in Russia. They decide on one attack west of Barcelona. An Italian Cicogna provides 2 factors of ground support The attack is a complete success. [image]local://upfiles/47730/8E9D49E4BB004158ADD6BC65F1D2D122.jpg[/image]

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