RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (Full Version)

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warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/14/2018 2:31:56 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Szilard


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 183
17th June 1942

I am considering doing something I thought impossible; losing the use of Amiriya.

The thinking here is:

Advantages
- I need to hold out for just two more turns before I lose one of the two remaining disadvantages i.e. the 4% CW Shock Penalty.



Sure about that? I thought that one went away with Monty's arrival, on turn 201.

warspite1

Yes - or at least that is what the docs say.

4% CW Penalty goes away on turn 185
4% Axis Bonus goes away on turn 201



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/14/2018 2:37:37 PM)

Turn 183
17th June 1942

As the air penalties have gone I will start to make some of my aircraft operational once more. This won't include the bombers as I want these fully in shape for my offensive.

The following airbases will become operational and ranges on aircraft to be set to allow defensive missions over my troops only:


If the Axis make El Hammam operational, they will have the closest airfield, but the CW have the next three closest.
[image]local://upfiles/28156/13C6CF9047724D59A503BBA7CFF33025.jpg[/image]



Szilard -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/14/2018 2:37:57 PM)

Oh, right. I confused myself again.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/14/2018 5:56:01 PM)

Turn 183
17th June 1942

With a few exceptions - units reorganising and others engaged - I am able to straighten out the line. 20 fighter squadrons have been brought to readiness.

Its back to the Axis.....



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/15/2018 11:00:38 AM)

Turn 184 - Axis Turn (in real time)
20th June 1942

This critical turn begins with units being moved up on the coastal plain to take the hexes recently vacated.

Worryingly there is a lot of new/replacement artillery and panzer units on the coast road. Interestingly some units are heading west…..

Artillery is moved into the airfield at Burg El Arab – and units moving further to the south where the line dog-leg’s.

The bombardment commences and a HAA battery evaporates (possibly one other but it’s not clear)

Movement in the Jebel now and then back to the Bardia area

Damn I can hear aircraft which I can only assume are units moving to El Hammam – Me-109’s….

More bombardments now – followed by more aircraft… some aircraft are moving west too. Strange. Maybe just making room for better quality units. I see some biplanes heading in that direction.

Lots of invisible moves and then more bombardments

The turn ends. No attacks and only 7 bombardments.... what is devoncop up to?


Interestingly there were no attacks and Axis forces did not push up in the south... Despite what it looked like on the playback, there appears to be no enemy artillery in the front line...
[image]local://upfiles/28156/3FD65C45F24E4809875AE908E302857C.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/15/2018 11:26:45 AM)

Turn 184 - Axis Turn
20th June 1942

The Axis turn to feel aggrieved perhaps? In the first air battle I had the superiority and won the battle, but in the second, my fighters were out-numbered but this time the Axis came off worse..... My field guns took something of a battering again...

[image]local://upfiles/28156/0C9653662A20449A9536AA33D97DD98B.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/15/2018 11:33:32 AM)

Turn 184
20th June 1942

So next turn I will have made it to turn 185! I stick with the plan not to attack until my 4% penalty goes away then.

This decision still has risks as the Axis can still pack a punch - but the loss of aircraft devoncop suffered last turn makes it less likely - I think (hope) - that he will reinforce El Hammam.

I need to spend the rest of this turn:

- deciding on where I am going to attack*
- deploying forces where required**

* and hope that devoncop's action next turn don't frustrate these
** and hope the forces earmarked don't decide to reorganise.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/EFCB631012D44C278A2078E020298B04.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/15/2018 12:52:34 PM)

Turn 184
20th June 1942

I increase the operational fighter squadrons to 21. The bomber force remains grounded until next turn.

Back to the Axis....



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 7:19:34 PM)

Turn 185 - Axis Turn (in real time)
24th June 1942

The turn begins with Coastal Defence artillery ominously moving east up to the front…..lots of it….

But there is also some moving west still. There is also plenty of Italian infantry moving east south of Tobruk

German and Italian units now moving east through the Jebel – and even west of that – I’ve not been able to see in this sector for ages

Sadly there are plenty of Me-109’s reinforcing the front….Italian units heading the other way so as suspected before this must be swapping quality units for lesser quality in the limited airfields

The bombardments start all over the front – seven in total but the punishment dished out is relatively light.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 7:20:59 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

With turns starting to run out I will do a summary at the start of each turn as follows:

[image]local://upfiles/28156/1B356C23B0B24860A6F15AB691768305.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 8:11:37 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

As ever the biggest problem (or at least one of them [:D]) that the CW have is the propensity to fail a proficiency check.

In planning an offensive I have to take this into account - but at the same time I can't just assume it will always happen [sm=dizzy.gif]

My first target is Burg El Arab at the northern tip of the enemy salient on the coastal plain. There is then a second prong to what I hope will be a pincer movement in the southern tip. Finally there is an attack in the centre to try and kick-start an offensive in that sector.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/A0FEC6F22D1A4DE3A1A6BB3A69DEEF03.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 9:40:44 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

The first of the attacks is in the centre. The battle goes fairly well for the CW with infantry and tanks advancing as the Axis retreat. However, the air battle that raged over head went very badly for the CW with 30 more aircraft lost and more than double the number destroyed.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/5939779BC9374A4296AFFCF193434336.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 9:52:59 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

The attack at the northern end of the salient was tough and cost the CW hugely in infantry. Things were a little better in terms of aircraft and tanks lost - but a German panzer battalion still holds the ground.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/9B0AF6E9128A47A480CA301F9505E70C.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 10:05:28 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

The third of the three battles confirms how costly these have been for the Commonwealth. The only consolation is that they've advance in two of them....

[image]local://upfiles/28156/6CA47F57E40D4F49B1E77305C39A6DD0.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 10:21:21 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

The plan is to follow up with four further attacks:

- a second crack at the northern salient
- two attacks further south to try and force enemy units northwest and to try and create a wedge between the forces further south.
- an attack in the centre

[image]local://upfiles/28156/6ABE53E70D8E4F3E80B5DBF34CBC0AFF.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 10:29:17 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

Well it looks like I've done something very wrong. The losses amongst the Commonwealth forces have just been crippling. Maybe I should just bombard before attacking and risk the counter-bombardment. Whatever it is, I can't have anymore turns like this or there will be no 8th Army left....

[image]local://upfiles/28156/48C95AF3B80D49E0A87654E42C067BB9.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 11:07:18 PM)

Turn 185
24th June 1942

In view of the losses I ended the turn with a series of bombardments to try and put some losses back on the Axis. Stupidly I attacked a lone German recce battalion and lost the best part of 100 infantry squads and had an AT unit evaporated which rather spoilt that idea.

I could end up getting badly counter-attacked here.....



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/16/2018 11:34:49 PM)

I remember watching a TV show about the Battle of El Alamein when I was young. It consisted of Monty in front of a map talking about how brilliant he was. For a very long time.

I now return you to reality.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/17/2018 5:52:55 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I remember watching a TV show about the Battle of El Alamein when I was young. It consisted of Monty in front of a map talking about how brilliant he was. For a very long time.

I now return you to reality.
warspite1

Indeed he was. I could do with some of his ability right now.....



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/17/2018 8:17:00 AM)

Turn 186 - Axis Turn (in real time)
27th June 1942

So how does devoncop react to that – somewhat disastrous offensive?

Well the bad news is the first thing I see is a panzer battalion moving along the coastal path to join its comrades at the front – as does a second, followed by an Italian artillery regiment. I guess a counter-attack is coming….

This is followed by a ton of movement in the Mersah Matruh and Jebel areas as reinforcements head east.

There are plenty of reinforcements still piling in from Tripolitania too.

No further movement along the front and then the bombardment starts – 3 of these before enemy moves get underway again – although this is behind the lines once again

Aircraft flying east now – Ju-87’s

Bombardments start up again

So no counter-attack but the Axis still pack a punch and there were some losses there I could have done without - the field guns in particular....

[image]local://upfiles/28156/A253C62EF31140478BAA3DDD9EB8BF76.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/17/2018 8:21:02 AM)

Turn 186
27th June 1942

Just rubbish. A quick look at the map and..... loads of CW forces reorganising. What makes things really annoying is there is a large stack of Germans (yellow dot) sticking out like a sore thumb south of Burg El Arab - but all my forces around them are reorganising. Great....

I also seem to have lost a Tomahawk squadron. Must have been last turn and I've missed it because it wasn't during the Axis turn.

As for the Victory conditions - all those losses have pushed out victory a little further, but only by one point at this stage.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/1714098E92554DC09062395D47C67872.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/17/2018 9:12:04 AM)

Turn 186
27th June 1942

Well with turns running out that was thoroughly depressing. Once again most of my aircraft are shot in terms of readiness after just one turn and I've rested anything not dark green. My artillery has been hammered and many units are on red and/or short on artillery pieces and/or reorganising. I've taken out of the firing line what I can. With so many troops reorganising I can't attack and so have concentrated on ensuring (as much as possible) that my stacks are not overstacked. There is only one that I can see that is a problem - but units are reorganising and so I can't move them.

My turn in limited then to bring the Australian 9th Division forward and....that's about it [:(].



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/18/2018 4:27:42 AM)

Turn 187 - Axis Turn (in real time)
1st July 1942

So now that devoncop must realise I’m in a bit of trouble, what does he do in reaction?

The turn starts with some aircraft manoeuvres – some east, some west

There is then a lot of reinforcing and invisible moves, including a lot more aircraft and other exotic units like commandos and paratroopers….

As a paratroop unit moved there was an Allied intercept. No idea what happened there as a result however.

Once again, lesser Italian aircraft seem to be heading west, while better quality German units head east.

The bombardments commence then lots of movement on the coastal plain and in the south before the artillery fires up once more

10 bombardments in total - the damage wasn't too bad.




warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/18/2018 4:29:18 AM)

Turn 187
1st July 1942

The victory conditions continue to slide further away.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/204B6E6D1960426CB38BD91F295FBABB.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/18/2018 9:57:06 PM)

Turn 187
1st July 1942

The order of battle from north to south is:

XIII Corps
1st Free French Brigade
1st South African Division
2nd New Zealand Division

Armoured Reserve
2nd Armoured Division
10th Armoured Division

XXX Corps
10th Indian Division
9th Australian Division
50th Infantry Division (less a brigade)

Armoured Reserve
1st Armoured Division
22nd Armoured Brigade
32nd Army Tank Brigade

X Corps
5th Indian Division
4th Indian Division
1 Brigade attached from 50th Infantry Division

Armoured Reserve
7th Armoured Division
1st Army Tank Brigade

Air Forces: 54 Squadrons (16 resting and 1 reorganising)
Operational squadrons
Fighters - 24
Bombers - 13

[image]local://upfiles/28156/79BB24C96F0E46709CEEA5B424035063.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/18/2018 10:11:33 PM)

Turn 187
1st July 1942

I can't afford another turn like the last one and so I am going to try and soften up the defences this time. Opportunities will be limited as I have had to do a lot of moving to get units into position, but we'll see where we get to.

Just the one attack was launched after 3 rounds of bombardment. The attack was led by 2 regiments of the 10th Armoured in support of infantry from the 10th Indian and later the 2nd New Zealand.

The losses taken by the CW were higher but not dramatically so. It doesn't really need to be said, but the air battle was once again disappointing for the CW. Air superiority doesn't seem to count and although losses were similar, the number of aircraft destroyed was double for the CW.....

[image]local://upfiles/28156/420D33661D8F47BA8107A7EC03FDD3D6.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/18/2018 10:56:42 PM)

Turn 187
1st July 1942

I decide not to follow-up the attack but will instead finish the turn with a bombardment. I manage to evaporate 2 units in the salient south of Burg El Arab after 5 rounds of intense bombardment. Sadly the tanks of the panzer battalion there were barely touched.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/1A6A6FB4EA4840AD91B7425B646D1366.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/19/2018 6:29:17 AM)

Turn 188 - Axis Turn (in real time)
4th July 1942

The turn starts with units from the Littorio Division moving east behind the front line, followed by assorted reinforcements – mostly Italian
devoncop reacts to my last attack by bolstering the front behind where I advanced.

In fact he does more than that; a panzer battalion moves into position ahead of my front line….
Artillery is then switched from the southern front to the centre. This could be painful….

In fact it looks like all his artillery in the south is moving

Damn – Alexandria is bombarded. I should have mentioned the house rule that the RN should be attacked….

More bombardments follow and more panzers move into the centre ready to attack; a battalion of Rajputana’s and an armoured regiment evaporate, while a battalion of New Zealanders retreat.

That attack hurt - especially the tanks, but its pleasing to see the enemy take some serious losses. Once again though I find the air battle a little disheartening. Despite overwhelming superiority the Axis receive less destroyed units than the Allies.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/B6A5EBDDF9EB495B83614C583EB3E2BE.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/19/2018 7:18:00 AM)

Turn 188
4th July 1942

The losses that turn cancelled each other out and the Victory Score remains the same.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/4A30F36B820B4606AD9FBEC723B14ABC.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/19/2018 7:16:06 PM)

Turn 188
4th July 1942

Not much to write home about as the CW decide to partake of some bombardments and only two attacks. Northwest of Burg El Arab a battalion from the 90th Light Infantry is destroyed. Further south the hex contested last turn is contested once again.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/3C1F227BF5E742A09A2D6127014233F5.jpg[/image]



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