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

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

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IainF -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/16/2018 11:44:57 AM)
Warspite: Might be a bug then, I'll pay attention to mine and see if that's happening too. On the Reg. A. and their seemingly hard hitting ways: it might be because there are lots of bombers in their force and hence can get a lot of interdiction going on. Also, I believe (and I might be wrong), that if they attack an airfield the planes based there will try and get 'up' before getting hit on the ground and that might be when they get whacked in furballs? I've taken a few hits like that myself in my game (and I'm the Axis player) and am also trying to get my head around it. I'd love a game too, but if you want to wait I fully understand - my preference would be to start at the beginning of the campaign though and will gladly take the Axis (unless you fancy a change?). PM me when you want to start.

Curtis Lemay -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/16/2018 2:47:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 42 - Axis Turn 8th February 1941 I can only assume I wasn't bold enough at the start of the game, although was only fractionally behind historical timing. The Italians have a thick wall of well dug-in infantry in the Jebel which are totally impenetrable, and that massively out-number the CW units. All of the latter need time to re-supply. I got the impression that you let your opponent capture Sidi Barrani back on turn five - perhaps not wanting the game to end early. Regardless, once you knew that the Cease Fire was not canceled, you should have fought like mad to hold it. It appeared to me that your opponent didn't commit his entire force to its capture, and you needed to have forced him to do so, in order to make him put his entire head into the noose. As a result, he retained far more of 10th Army than he should have. The good news is that none of the Axis stuff that started the game on the map will reconstitute. So, whenever they are eliminated, you won't ever see them again. They will be a serious problem, but this is a very long scenario, and IF you can hold out, the odds favor you in the end. Just remember that force preservation trumps the value of any terrain. Don't hesitate to run like hell if you need to. The El Alamein position is very strong - especially if you've not gotten the fleet sunk. (In other words, don't squander it defending Tobruk!)

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/16/2018 7:10:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 42 - Axis Turn 8th February 1941 I can only assume I wasn't bold enough at the start of the game, although was only fractionally behind historical timing. The Italians have a thick wall of well dug-in infantry in the Jebel which are totally impenetrable, and that massively out-number the CW units. All of the latter need time to re-supply. *I got the impression that you let* your opponent capture Sidi Barrani back on turn five - perhaps not wanting the game to end early.** Regardless, once you knew that the Cease Fire was not canceled, you should have fought like mad to hold it. It appeared to me that your opponent didn't commit his entire force to its capture, and you needed to have forced him to do so, in order to make him put his entire head into the noose. As a result, he retained far more of 10th Army than he should have. The good news is that none of the Axis stuff that started the game on the map will reconstitute. So, whenever they are eliminated, you won't ever see them again. They will be a serious problem, but this is a very long scenario, and IF you can hold out, the odds favor you in the end. Just remember that force preservation trumps the value of any terrain. Don't hesitate to run like hell if you need to. The El Alamein position is very strong - especially if you've not gotten the fleet sunk. (In other words, don't squander it defending Tobruk!) warspite1 Yeah that's how it happened [:D] No not at all, I garrisoned it and put a road block in the way thinking that would be enough. Of course with hindsight I would have just pulled back my units east of Buq Buq and formed a more sensible cordon around Sidi Barani but..... no one ever complemented me for my brains.... As for what he committed, obviously I only have part of the story, but perhaps 2-3 divisions iirc were not involved in the frontier battles that I saw in my first AAR (that said I don't know if the OOB is different for the Italians (like it is for the British) in a PBEM vs an AI game). Thanks for the advice and the 'morale booster'. If its not too late I'll try and extricate them from the their latest fine mess I've gotten' them into.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/EA2D9735AC634BE5BFD8A8BA96152897.jpg[/image]

Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/16/2018 8:45:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 quote: ORIGINAL: Zorch quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 41 - Axis Turn 5th February 1941 I think I will simply disband the RAF and create RAF Field Divisions. Sorry but that is rather pathetic. As advised, I will move all air units to Alexandria and place on rest. What a jolly great idea! You could form the Warspite para panzer armored division. warspite1 Panzer? We're British... and I was talking about the RAF....and they would have neither tanks nor be paratroop trained, but apart from that you've come up with exactly what I was thinking of? [:D] The Germans had the Luftwaffe Field Divisions. I was thinking of something more snazy, more immediate, more punchy. How about: The RAF ground and air crew that became redundant because the Regia Aeronautica suddenly got the best air force in the world and so the Desert air force personnel were turned into footsloggers to help the desperate situation on the ground... Divisions [:)]. I was referring to the The 'Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1 Hermann Göring', which later became a corps. It is a game problem because there is no NATO symbol for panzer parachute. [;)] A Merlin engine would look good in a Matilda...

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/17/2018 4:39:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson quote: you can't go back and get one in a PBEM once you've sent the turn back. Are you guys using the PBEM++ system or are you using the old fashioned way? The reason I ask is that the new way writes a file on your hard drive in the saves folder when you do your turn and the old fashioned way writes an END_OF_TURN_DO_NOT_SEND.pbl file when you end your turn. Unless something has changed. Am I wrong? warspite1 Sorry Larry - missed this post. We are using PBEM++. As to the rest of your post er I can see the words but all I'm getting is blah blah blah. Sorry you are talking to a computing (and wargaming) ignoramus [:(]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/17/2018 4:47:53 PM)
Turn 44 15th February 1941 Sorry but after that Windows monster Update inspired delay, we are back. And so are the Italian airforce - although pleasingly they seem to have got a smack this time while attacking elements of 7th Armoured. As promised here is the big picture. Now imagine most of those red units disappearing in the next few turns....ouch! [image]local://upfiles/28156/F94BA9202AA141878BA715F8B0576D33.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/17/2018 5:03:26 PM)
Turn 44 15th February 1941 The air assistant continues to do its thing, so I turn it off again and place all units to rest. The 7th Armoured and 2nd Armoured take Mechili and Agedabia respectively, but then the turn ends and its fair to say that the British grasp on the former is er... tenuous...

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/17/2018 7:21:44 PM)
Turn 45 19th February 1941 The Italians continue to destroy the units of the 7th Armoured at will with only a tiny fraction of their forces. I tried to take the game to the Italians but now the New Zealanders have gone I will be lucky to get many of the 7th Armoured out of there. The supply situation is dreadful - even the Australians that sat just off the main road for 3-4 turns barely recovered. Not that it matters as the Australians will start disappearing in two turns so they too withdraw before the collapse of 7th Armoured results in them being surrounded. Same problems on the 2nd Armoured front. The Ariete have arrived and are simply moving around the handful of British units to cut them off. Getting any units back will be something of a challenge.

Franciscus -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/17/2018 9:10:49 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 44 15th February 1941 The air assistant continues to do its thing, so I turn it off again and place all units to rest. The 7th Armoured and 2nd Armoured take Mechili and Agedabia respectively, but then the turn ends and its fair to say that the British grasp on the former is er... tenuous... I keep reading with interest your AAR ! But I would say that this issue with the Air assistant turning itself ON when we put it OFF seems like a bug, no ? What do the devs think ? Regards

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 3:41:45 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Franciscus quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 44 15th February 1941 The air assistant continues to do its thing, so I turn it off again and place all units to rest. The 7th Armoured and 2nd Armoured take Mechili and Agedabia respectively, but then the turn ends and its fair to say that the British grasp on the former is er... tenuous... I keep reading with interest your AAR ! But I would say that this issue with the Air assistant turning itself ON when we put it OFF seems like a bug, no ? What do the devs think ? Regards warspite1 I will mention it as it seems to be continuing - which is pretty boring.

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 3:44:48 AM)
Turn 46 - Axis Turn 22nd February 1941 No attacks, just a lot of positioning by the Italians who appear to have got wind of my rather desperate situation and have started to move forward more offensively with the units in the Jebel now heading south. The fact that the Germans are soon to arrive no doubt fills them with additional courage.

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 3:48:17 AM)
Turn 46 22nd February 1941 I should simply turn tail and run but I don't. [:D][8\|] Instead I try and engage in a fighting withdrawal. I call the RN up to assist the Australians on the coast road, and send the British infantry in support of the armour. 2nd Armoured destroys a weak Libyan Tank battalion as they continue their journey east from Agedabia. [image]local://upfiles/28156/8D3E05643FBA4B219128093E05D5CDAD.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 3:57:34 AM)
Turn 46 (cont) 22nd February 1941 Prior to commencing Round 3 I order a battalion (1st Essex) to gauge the odds against a tank unit that has tried to cut off 2nd Armoured's retreat north of Ben Gania. To my surprise the Italians retreated before combat - and continued to do so until finally destroyed. I am aware that my forces could face a force proficiency test and so am concerned about attacking before getting my units retreated - but..... ...another round of bombardments is launched (although I also suffer half a dozen air strikes by the Regia Aeronautica).... and I manage to make it to the next round. 2nd Armoured's chances are also slightly improved as the 2nd Support Group and the tanks of the 3rd Hussars force an Italian cavalry battalion into retreat at Maaten el-Grara. Round 5 Southeast of Mechili the 11th Hussars destroy a Machine Gun battalion. I would love to make one last attempt at Mechili itself but the 11th Hussars move north into the space left by the Italian infantry is key to allowing the rest of the division to escape. I have to take that opportunity. Note: the terrain here makes the movement off-road impossible in places - hence the importance of Mechili - that my opponent has cleverly spotted (that is no doubt why he used this as the anchor for his right flank). Post this picture: Sadly for a company of the 2nd Rifle Brigade, the escape route did not work. The terrain does not show it, but the units off road had to still pass by Mechili and they were shot up - to be destroyed next turn. [image]local://upfiles/28156/387EBF1DF52C43B19E2C9B344E362413.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 4:42:01 AM)
Turn 46 (cont) 22nd February 1941 Round 5 (cont) The Australians on the coast at Tmimi attack Italian infantry on the coast road. These Italians have been softened up by the RN but manage to hold their ground. A costly attack to the west by the Australians sees an infantry and tank force also hold their ground and inflict heavy losses on the Aussies. But in better news, 2nd Armoured's escape is looking more likely as they destroy the cavalry at Maaten el-Grara - still not completely out of the woods yet though.... Round 7 Undeterred by the losses the Australians continue to attack north from Tmimi and to the west - although again suffer heavy losses. However a couple of Italian units are destroyed and pre the 9th round the Australian cavalry line up an attack against the Italian infantry that held their ground. A number of Italian units were destroyed before the Australians ran out of steam. Round 9 The Australians try and keep up the pressure west of Tmimi, although all units are either out of moves or close to it. The RN continue their bombardment of the recently retreated units (hoping at least one will evaporate) and the remaining infantry attack a lone infantry battalion. Pleasingly two infantry units did evaporate under the weight of shell. The Australian position looks precarious, but I am happy that they at least gave the Italians food for thought. [image]local://upfiles/28156/27ABA6FE959248189C5247755C4C8694.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 5:08:35 AM)
Turn 46 (cont) 22nd February 1941 The butchers bill [image]local://upfiles/28156/253154E74B2F4465AFB0F7D6D6C62F15.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 4:12:35 PM)
Turn 47 - Axis Turn 26th February 1941 The 2nd Armoured lose an anti-tank unit that was stuck on its own through lack of movement points. The Germans have arrived to.... great. [image]local://upfiles/28156/193ADD4FD3104B7394790F9EF940FA50.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 4:55:20 PM)
Turn 47 26th February 1941 Mmmm.... lots of units will be destroyed this turn as once again the Australians prove alarmingly brittle and go into reorganisation. I intended to give them a fighting chance by pounding the Italians with the RN, but sadly after just one round the CW fail a proficiency check. Ho hum....

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 7:02:43 PM)
Turn 48 1st March 1941 Well I expected to suffer that turn, my opponent didn't disappoint..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/CB4587303CF941F3A06A089C3EBEB1C0.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 7:47:49 PM)
Turn 48 1st March 1941 The Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, addresses the nation: "It is my solemn duty to report that the 6th Australian Division will soon cease to exist....".

Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/18/2018 8:44:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 Turn 48 1st March 1941 The Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, addresses the nation: "It is my solemn duty to report that the 6th Australian Division will soon cease to exist....". "Due entirely to the reasonable and cowardly acts of one Warspite". [image]local://upfiles/34241/1D3D58A8DC1347E68C7BC98ED8FE4D7A.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 10:17:30 AM)
Turn 49 - Axis Turn 5th March 1941 My what a long Axis turn!! The Australians get a severe mauling as expected and there are tons of Axis units on their way.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/C1C06606D11243FAA6156486C8A884B1.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 10:45:19 AM)
Turn 49 5th March 1941 I don't really have a scoobie what to do now. So I think first off I need to do a stock take of what exactly I have, what I am going to get and what I am going to lose. To anyone still reading this tripe, sorry if that is all a bit boring but I really don't have much to play with (story of my life [:D])..... Tobruk Garrison The obvious thing to note here is the distinct lack of artillery and limited anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry. The division is also a battalion light.... The field artillery (3 Regiments) and a light AA regiment do not arrive until turn 61 and the missing infantry battalion and the machine gun battalion arrive on turn 63. The Australians are going to need help... The good news is that I have the right man for the job in Tobruk - Lt-General Leslie "Ming the Merciless" Morshead: "There will be no Dunkirk here. If we should have to get out, we'll fight our way out. There is to be no surrender and no retreat". [image]local://upfiles/28156/581603AB8A694DCFA3DCFDA7C1FCB9DF.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 1:05:11 PM)
Turn 49 (cont) 5th March 1941 The final preparations have been made. All units set to dig-in and ignore losses. Uncomfortably there are no reserves.... Each of the 3 front-line strong points has a reinforced brigade worth of troops (2 brigades in the case of the southwestern strong point) including an anti-tank regiment. The eastern strong point contains the artillery - 5 regiments of field artillery plus two AA regiments. There is just two cavalry regiments in reserve (note: there should be a Polish cavalry regiment in Tobruk itself). There are no more units that can be spared - and even this level may leave the Egyptian border too unguarded. Does anyone know, am I better putting an artillery regiment in the front-line and having 3 battalions of reserve infantry in the eastern strong point or am I better having the artillery set away from the front line? [image]local://upfiles/28156/61787964C127439C907BC6488DDB2A26.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 1:37:58 PM)
Turn 49 (cont) 5th March 1941 This means that in order to guard the Egyptian border I have: - two weak armoured "divisions"* - the 22nd Guards Brigade (missing all AA and artillery and containing only 2 infantry battalions) - the 70th Infantry Division (effectively 2 brigades of infantry but devoid of any artillery, AA or anti-tank units except 1 field artillery regiment) - the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade (effectively 3 battalions and no artillery, AA or AT). - a battalion of Czech infantry - a company of Free French marines. - Corps assets amount to: 1 tank battalion (which I am considering placing in Tobruk) 2 infantry battalions 1 heavy AA regiment 2 light AA regiments 1 artillery regiment * The current ahem...strength... of these divisions is: 2nd Armoured Division 3rd Armoured Brigade consisting of just 2 battalions 2nd Support Group consisting of 2 battalions of infantry and a reconnaissance battalion. 1 field artillery regiment but no AA or AT units 7th Armoured Division 4th and 7th Armoured Brigades with 1 and 3 tank battalions respectively 7th Support Group consisting of 1 battalion and 1 company of infantry 2 batteries of anti-tank and 1 field artillery regiment

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 2:10:25 PM)
Turn 49 5th March 1941 Damn - forgot to take a picture - I'll show the position when I get the turn back. In the meantime there is nothing more to report. The armoured units are near Bardia recovering (supply is good here). The big picture post the Axis turn 50. Obviously with FOW, there will be a good deal more enemy than can be seen here.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/E244B716AD79402780B9CF5341DF2EFA.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 4:30:44 PM)
Turn 50 - Axis Turn 8th March 1941 The Axis forces break through the thin crust at Gazala.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/5D37DF92481F44E4AC7D2B79B322C0B7.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 4:54:08 PM)
Turn 50 8th March 1941 West of Tobruk the Cheshire Machine Gun Battalion fails to get away and so will be carved up next turn. Otherwise there is little to report. The 7th Armoured remain inactive awaiting re-supply and the 2nd Armoured pull back to cover the Italian units in the desert who are seemingly looking to outflank the CW forces - although I can't cover every possibility....

Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 5:32:18 PM)
You should play the Axis next time...it might help your understanding of strengths/weaknesses.

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 5:35:10 PM)
I definitely intend to do that. Plenty more mileage in this scenario - so much to explore [:)]

warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (1/20/2018 6:49:32 PM)
Turn 51 - Axis Turn 12th March 1941 The men from Cheshire know how to die gallantly, holding back far superior forces not once, but twice (with the aid of the artillery in Tobruk). [image]local://upfiles/28156/7F053CB24DAE47199BEACA40DC442798.jpg[/image]

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