43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky

43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (Full Version)

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carlkay58 -> 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:53:53 PM)
I am taking on QBall as the Axis. Full FOW, HQs Locked, no Eastern Front Box. I am trying something different with the AAR this time. I will be reporting on operations after they are completed with details as to the planning and execution of the operation. We shall see how that works out.

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:54:30 PM)
Operation Husky - The invasion of Sicily Plans: The invasion plans are already set, the historical ones. I go with all six invasions. Why? I know all about keeping some back and redirecting the invasions so there is another invasion or two going in on the next turn. I have played many of those openings but I have found that the historical plan is a good one. First the historical plan obeys the First Rule of the Western Allies - overkill. You have more resources of all kinds than the Axis (at least you will in the long run) and the best way to maintain that advantage, as well as cut down on your casualties (which are negative VPs in the game), is to use massive overkill. The historical invasion plans do the massive overkill very nicely so I stick with them. Second, the invasion of Sicily was done for a reason. Securing the island of Sicily gives a base for the control of the entire Med. If you doubt this play a game against the AI and ignore Sicily. You can't do that and do well in the Med. Once Sicily is in Allied hands their air forces can control all of southern Italy and extend naval control east to the Adriatic and north to Rome. The faster Sicily falls to the Allies and the airbases are expanded and in good supply the better it is for the Allies. Third, the additional invasions allow more supplies to reach Sicily faster. With a better supply net, the expansion of the Sicilian airfields (and the creation of new ones) goes fast. The Strategic Air Force will be able to bomb the Ploesti oil fields from Sicily. They will not have escorts, but the fields can be bombed. Oil fields are easy to damage and hard to repair so the Axis oil production can be hit right off the bat in exchange for some B-17 and B-24 losses. Well worth it to the Allies. Fourth, I am playing a human player. This may not seem like a reason but humans are more impulsive and less predictable than the AI (which like all computer programs is merely doing what it is told to do by the programmer and is restricted to those options). While playing the AI will see a moderate range of defensive tactics used in Sicily playing a human opens a whole new idustrial sized can of worms. Human opponents could decide to die for each hex or turn tail and run away as quickly as possible. Invade with too small of a force (in your opponent's view) and you invite a stiffer resistance that will take longer to overcome. Invade with a whole load of troops (i.e. OVERKILL) and you help your opponent to decide it is better to run away and fight another day. Sticking with the historical invasions is the cautious and conservative answer at this point. So I stick with it.

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:56:34 PM)
THE PLAN: Getting ashore is planned for. The airborne drops are cancelled. With the current game rules dropping regimental sized units with minimal prep points (50) is asking for losing the units. So I cancel the planned air drops. I combine the 1st BR and 82 US Airborne Divisions back into their divisional size. The 82 US Airborne Division is still slated for Sicily but the new drop hex will be to the south east of Termini (A). This will help me cut the island of Sicily in two. I divide the island of Sicily into two parts. The 7th US Army will capture and clear the western portion of the island while the 8th BR Army will clear and capture the eastern portion. There will be some changes along the way (particularly in the Adrano and north area) but the concept is there. While it appears that the US has the major job the British will have to contend with getting around the volcano and capturing Messina. The planned timetable is the initial invasion on turn 1. Phase Line 1 (PL 1) should be reached on turn 2. This extends the beach heads, joins the armies, and gives a good jump off point for the next phases of the operation. Phase Line 2 (PL 2) has the US cutting the island in two and starting to advance on Palermo and Trapani. This should be reached on turn 4 at the latest. This will depend on the amount of effort expended by the Axis in defending Sicily. Phase Line 3 (PL 3) and Phase Line 4 (PL 4) should be reached simultaneously and then it is just assaulting and reducing the Axis defenders left in these ports. These lines should be reached on turn 5 and final reductions of the defenders by turn 9. Phase Line 5 (PL 5) should be reached about the same time as PL 2. There will be some help from the Provisional US Corps east of Cefalu to help the British get past Catania. This should be reached on turn 4 at the latest. Phase Line 6 (PL 6) is a questionable time frame. It will require the 8th BR Army to get past the volcano and the excellent defensive area to its north. This phase line should be reached by turn 8. This will leave only the reduction and capture of Messina which should be on turn 10 at the latest. [image]local://upfiles/35705/4BB136A1023C4DE2A2F1FD28979E98AE.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:57:37 PM)
Turn 1 (Operation Husky): The invasions are set to land. Air and naval superiority are securely in Allied hands. The second wave of reinforcements containing the remaining units of the 7th US and 8th BR Armies are held back from the landing areas so that enemy naval interdiction will have a harder time hitting them. It also gives the Allies the options of which beach to land on or even to pull them back easily in case of disaster. [image]local://upfiles/35705/D0506037E0B24B70915FF7DDBEA2AC65.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:58:36 PM)
Turn 2 (Operation Husky): The landings are successful. As noted the airborne drops are called off because they are suicide missions at that preparation level (50). Why take the risks when the additional advantages are so few? [image]local://upfiles/35705/EB61739142434A68A4EB784BBEC536EE.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 5:59:01 PM)
Phase Line 1 is reached with just one Axis unit still south of the line. Everything is currently on schedule. The port of Siracusa has an engineer unit attached for quick port repair. The airfields are all at 50% but air units under the command of the Malta and Tactical AFs have flown into them to start giving air cover to the beaches without having to fly as far. Both the 7th US and 8th BR Army HQs have landed to give engineer support for port repair and airfield expansions. Three Amphib HQs have been recalled from the beaches to aid in future operations. [image]local://upfiles/35705/BF0A08178EE248709A926E7E8D44A2B4.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:00:18 PM)
Turn 3 (Operation Husky): The Italians press forward against the 7th US Army while the Axis pull back into better defensive terrain against the 8th BR Army. Catania is evacuated and left open. All of the temporary invasion airfields are fully functional. Siracusa is quickly repairing the port. [image]local://upfiles/35705/AE125DAC5C394419BC87FD0EA431ED23.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:00:55 PM)
Everyone is working hard to reach PL 2 & 5. The 82nd US Airborne Division is successfully dropped into its target hex - but not before the Allies had moved into contact with as many Axis units as possible to limit Axis Reserve commitments. This allowed the airborne units to meet little resistance to their landing. The 8th BR Army is swinging wide around Adrano as anticipated in order to out flank the Axis defense to the east. Sicily is almost cut in half with the landing of the 82nd and should be cut totally next turn depending on how aggressive QBall wishes to be. [image]local://upfiles/35705/FF174586527842FF8E650EEFEA42CA0B.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:01:38 PM)
Turn 4 (Operation Husky): The Axis have cut off the 82nd US Airborne with Italian units. The Axis are bombing the Allied units but taking some heavy losses doing it. New airfields are being built or existing ones are being expanded in every location as they are captured. [image]local://upfiles/35705/B8049656048B4FB8937C073D86CEB45D.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:02:10 PM)
Phase Line 5 has been reached and the 7th US Army is close to reaching Phase Line 2. The 7th US Army is slightly behind but they have been doing the majority of the fighting and Sicily is cut in half - the western half is isolated now as Allied naval interdiction has sealed off Axis naval traffic. The 8th BR Army has already begun its advance to Phase Line 6 as they have done some attacks to the northern portion of the volcano. [image]local://upfiles/35705/7B21D1D86B2E479F9D6A58CC59DDAB61.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:02:51 PM)
Turn 5 (Operation Husky): No real indications at all that any German units are in Sicily. I have yet to have contact with any. The western portion of Sicily is not isolated because of the port at Sciacca. I will have to fix that. [image]local://upfiles/35705/F46AA79F73DC4792A429E21ECED6DAB8.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:03:33 PM)
The 7th US Army is behind the schedule but has continued to advance against the Italian defenses and capturing the port of Sciacca. The final target date for holding Trapani and Palermo on turn 9 should be possible. The 8th BR Army is closing in on Phase Line 6 and could easily reach it next turn - about two turns ahead of the schedule. They are also having to advance against Italian defenses but they are advancing easily. The 1st PO Armoured Division is now assigned to the 8th BR Army after having transferred from England. It is also important to point out the expansion of the existing airfields and the construction of new ones is going well in southern Sicily. [image]local://upfiles/35705/1CB829DAC68E462D8B2C8134C107FCA9.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:04:45 PM)
Turn 6 (Operation Husky): The Italian forces on the western portion of Sicily are isolated. The eastern portion sees the Italians screening Messina. Attempts by the Axis to contest the naval control near Palermo fail. [image]local://upfiles/35705/A52C286CE27E4D98B7BBAA63D9BBEC8F.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:05:40 PM)
The 7th US Army is on Phase Line 4 only as Trapani has been liberated. The 8th BR Army is on Phase Line 6 and closing quickly on Messina. Hopefully Sicily will be fully liberated on the planned time schedule. [image]local://upfiles/35705/BA5C33AF89FE45BEB486ED1587ED077A.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:06:46 PM)
Turn 7 (Operation Husky): The Italians are shielding Messina and holding Palermo. [image]local://upfiles/35705/A12D203C4A9B46C890C63272C21F2225.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:07:21 PM)
The 7th US Army completes its part in Operation Husky and begins to move back to the beaches for withdrawal to either North Africa or to reinforce the 5th US Army's operations. The 8th BR Army has reached the outskirts of Messina and should be able to wrap up their portion of Operation Husky in the next turn or two. [image]local://upfiles/35705/20D851B480DA4A01B2789B38285C54F4.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:12:58 PM)
Turn 8 (Operation Husky): Operation Husky is in its end phases now. All that is left is for 8th BR Army to capture Messina. The 7th US Army is ready to return to North Africa or help out the 5th US Army's operations. [image]local://upfiles/35705/231236DA343341FB9CF2FCC61367D68D.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:13:25 PM)
Operation Husky is officially over and two turns earlier than planned. The 8th BR Army blew through the remaining Italians and captured Messina. The Italians will now be making Surrender checks. The 7th US Army is in position to redeploy to North Africa or aid the 5th US Army in its operations. [image]local://upfiles/35705/2F594F403D2F4790BFC0B19CF57A76FC.jpg[/image]

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/26/2015 6:14:17 PM)
Operation Evaluation: The operation followed its timetable fairly closely. This was helped by the Axis pulling all German units from the island and leaving the defense in the Italian's hands. The quick fall has aided the Allied timetable in moving towards landing in Italy. Many of the airfields have already been expanded to level 3 and the rest are coming along well. The ports are being repaired with both Siracusa and Catania almost done. Only a single Amphib unit is still assigned to keep beaches going for the supplies and that will be gone in the next turn or so. The divisions of the 7th US Army have all exceeded morale of 60. This places them five or more above the US National Morale level of 55 at this time. This helps improve these units a lot. The 8th BR Army has also improved the morale of their units by five. These two armies will be a good nucleus for further operations in either the MTO or ETO. A good starting campaign for the control of the Med.

loki100 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/27/2015 7:54:31 AM)
I like this approach. While its tempting to try and be highly creative a methodical approach can pay off to the 1943 portion. I'd agree with your basic mindset, the allies must be stronger where there is potential fighting (and morale for easy wins is very welcome). You don't have the speed/terrain/disrupted opponent that the Germans have in the early stages of WiTE or the sheer power of the Soviets from mid game in WiTE, and you have to be more casualty adverse than either of those two armies. Be interesting to see how you develop this into the next phase.

Q-Ball -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/27/2015 1:39:45 PM)
I can comment, since Carlkay and I are a few turns ahead of this. He is certainly right about the overwhelming force part; once I saw the whole Allied army on Sicily, I decided on a strategy. I knew Carl would have extra amphibs to use if he chose, so I felt that if I used Germans on Sicily, that would tempt him to lock down the straights. Sicily is a trap for the Germans, IMO, and it's best not to walk into it. For the Italians though it's use it or lose it, so we piled all Italian forces not nailed down onto Sicily, including any good SUs from the frozen Italian armies. All Italian units were packed 3 high with SUs. Everyone was railed to the Toe and shipped over to Messina. Messina held until turn 8, so I'm not displeased with the results, as it was accomplished with zero German casualties. I did bomb his units alot; most of the losses were Italian planes, which are "use it or lose it". Interdicting that many beaches that close to allied aircover is futile, so I've used the Regia Aeronautica to unit bomb to get something out of them. Carl's strategic campaign has been really good so far, and he handled the air very well over Sicily, so that all I could really do was suicide runs by Italian air. I didn't commit any German bombers to Sicily at all; just some fighters. I wanted to save all the bombers for a better place to naval interdict, and it turns out I got one later on........

JeffroK -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/27/2015 10:49:43 PM)
Interesting approach from both sides, while 8 turns is OK I feel with the extra troops used it should have been a bit faster, or other landings made. QBalls withdrawal of all German forces makes sense but should be rewarded by a higher chance of Italian Capitulation at being "abandoned" by their supposed Ally. The strategies used will only be proved right or wrong as the game continues, The Allies have a lot invested in the Med.

carlkay58 -> RE: 43 Campaign - carlkay58 vs QBall - Operation Husky (6/28/2015 12:38:35 AM)
JeffK - this is a report only on Operation Husky. Operations Tweedle Dee (Sardinia) and Tweedle Dum (Corsica) were launched on Turn 7. More on those operations later. Unfortunately QBall is escaping with his family for a two week vacation so there will be a wait although I will probably report on Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum in the next week or so before he returns.

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