CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) - no RichMunn please (Full Version)

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warspite1 -> CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) - no RichMunn please (1/27/2018 12:37:59 PM)

I am starting another game - this time playing as the foul, smelly, evil Axis.

As with my first AAR, this will be the first time I have played the Axis - no trial runs, no practice - so am going in completely cold.

As Fog of War is set to ON, I have asked my opponent, RichMunn, not to view this thread.

Here we go....



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 1:25:18 PM)

Any house rules? Such as the Royal Navy having to return to port occasionally.



devoncop -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 2:43:10 PM)

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.



Curtis Lemay -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 3:00:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.

?? What about the Ju-87s?



devoncop -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 3:34:15 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.

?? What about the Ju-87s?


Unless I am missing something....when the entire RN is in just 2 stacks the projected results for the JU87s...even with support are not good.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 4:31:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

Any house rules? Such as the Royal Navy having to return to port occasionally.
warspite1

Yes, as I am the Axis in this game I demand that the RN stays in port....[:D]

But seriously, no house-rules. I don't know anything about playing the Axis at this stage so I don't think it right to suggest any - and nor has RichMunn asked for anything.



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 5:04:28 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

Any house rules? Such as the Royal Navy having to return to port occasionally.
warspite1

Yes, as I am the Axis in this game I demand that the RN stays in port....[:D]

In Alexandria, securely resting on the harbor bottom.

[image]local://upfiles/34241/1D2FC77F060B41A89A4F963D8755A541.jpg[/image]



Curtis Lemay -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 6:14:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.

?? What about the Ju-87s?


Unless I am missing something....when the entire RN is in just 2 stacks the projected results for the JU87s...even with support are not good.


I'm guessing you guys didn't read my Naval Warfare Article:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4292790

Time to do so.

What matters in Naval combat is the Anti-Shipping and Shell Weight values vs. the Armor and Durability values. Only the Stuka, as a dive bomber, has a decent Anti-Shipping value (120) - see the attached shot.

It's Shell Weight vs. the Armor values of the QE BBs gives about a 25% chance of penetration for each hit, but the Durability values of 180 will only incur about 2 damage points per penetration as a result. So, it's not ideal against the BBs. But it can blow away the rest of the fleet, and it will force the BBs to go back to port for lengthy repairs (if they hang around, instead, they could eventually be sunk).

The key is to keep your Stukas green - don't use them against land targets (at least until the fleet has been neutralized). Save them to hold the fleet at bay.

[image]local://upfiles/14086/F7EBFC362F574B1CA92C2B131A82975B.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 6:19:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.

?? What about the Ju-87s?


Unless I am missing something....when the entire RN is in just 2 stacks the projected results for the JU87s...even with support are not good.


I'm guessing you guys didn't read my Naval Warfare Article:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4292790

Time to do so.

What matters in Naval combat is the Anti-Shipping and Shell Weight values vs. the Armor and Durability values. Only the Stuka, as a dive bomber, has a decent Anti-Shipping value (120) - see the attached shot.

It's Shell Weight vs. the Armor values of the QE BBs gives about a 25% chance of penetration for each hit, but the Durability values of 180 will only incur about 2 damage points per penetration as a result. So, it's not ideal against the BBs. But it can blow away the rest of the fleet, and it will force the BBs to go back to port for lengthy repairs (if they hang around, instead, they could eventually be sunk).

The key is to keep your Stukas green - don't use them against land targets (at least until the fleet has been neutralized). Save them to hold the fleet at bay.

[image]local://upfiles/14086/F7EBFC362F574B1CA92C2B131A82975B.jpg[/image]



Really interesting information. Thank you.

I picked up on the anti shipping value but I missed the ability to avoid serious damage.....something I will definitely bear in mind going forward.I

Thanks again.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 9:41:44 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Okay so here I am - an Italian Virgin. Might be a good idea to re-read the rules as there are a couple of vital rules to know about at the start of the scenario.

First the situation briefing. So I have no reconnaissance capability at all at the start of the game.

Unlike the British, I have no sea-lift and of course there is no rail line.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/0FD4E40CAD254C10AD5BB437570394DC.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 9:52:44 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

And here is the most important thing. I have to take these three objectives within certain times or its all over anyway.

I know devoncop was able to take the three objectives and still be able to hold some units back (because I'm rubbish) but I shall assume that, unlike me, RichMunn has a brain and so won't make that mistake. I will therefore have to take the risk and pile all units forward. I won't be cancelling the cease-fire.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/988B2AF3A6AD4A658EE47991AD07DB8D.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:03:09 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

So as the Italian player what do I actually command? Well sadly there is no Regia Marina (except for the San Giorgio at Tobruk which I recall seeing when attacking the port as the Commonwealth).

So what do the Regia Aeronautica have?

It looks like 2 fighter squadrons and 5 bomber squadrons. I don't know what a visability unit is - I'll look at that later.

Ba-65a - 2/24 aircraft (no wonder this is on rest) - 9 in reserve and replacements 1 per turn
Ba 88 - 5/10 (also on rest) - 5 in reserve but no more replacements
CR-32 - 24/24 (on air superiority) - 36 in reserve but no more replacements
CR-42a - 21/24 (also on air superiority) - 34 in reserve and 2 replacements per turn
SM.79a (2 sqns) - 30/48 (may need to call on these units) - 83 in reserve and 1 replacement per turn
SM 81 - 3/10 (another understandable rest candidate)

So I'll leave the orders as they are - the SM.79's should be up to scratch soon based on those reserves.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/A74BAFB9F6104D3EAE6D924F2FD023F4.jpg[/image]



Curtis Lemay -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:09:24 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 1
18th September 1940

So as the Italian player what do I actually command? Well sadly there is no Regia Marina (except for the San Giorgio at Tobruk which I recall seeing when attacking the port as the Commonwealth).

So what do the Regia Aeronautica have?

It looks like 2 fighter squadrons and 5 bomber squadrons. I don't know what a visability unit is - I'll look at that later.


[image]local://upfiles/28156/A74BAFB9F6104D3EAE6D924F2FD023F4.jpg[/image]

The purpose of the "visibility unit" is to make the "disband unit" visible to the CW player - so he can tell if you disband it (thereby canceling the coming cease fire).



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:14:27 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 1
18th September 1940

So as the Italian player what do I actually command? Well sadly there is no Regia Marina (except for the San Giorgio at Tobruk which I recall seeing when attacking the port as the Commonwealth).

So what do the Regia Aeronautica have?

It looks like 2 fighter squadrons and 5 bomber squadrons. I don't know what a visability unit is - I'll look at that later.


[image]local://upfiles/28156/A74BAFB9F6104D3EAE6D924F2FD023F4.jpg[/image]

The purpose of the "visibility unit" is to make the "disband unit" visible to the CW player - so he can tell if you disband it (thereby canceling the coming cease fire).
warspite1

Okay thanks.



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:19:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Okay so here I am - an Italian Virgin.

Not quite my idea of one.

[image]local://upfiles/34241/2BF2911372AA42CCA5FD29C0C54A0C2B.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:23:54 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Big picture. I don't intend to go through all the Italian forces at this stage - a lot of these won't be around for long and most will be unable to reconstitute once destroyed anyway.

Plenty of time to go through what I have left if I actually make it to turn 5 in possession of the 3 objectives...

[image]local://upfiles/28156/5B2085CD67B14F71B9DF6C9958EFB28E.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:26:22 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Okay so here I am - an Italian Virgin.

Not quite my idea of one.

[image]local://upfiles/34241/2BF2911372AA42CCA5FD29C0C54A0C2B.jpg[/image]
warspite1

No me neither.....[;)]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:33:52 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

To be honest this all looks too easy. Before taking command, I spoke with Il Duce and he confirmed I have the finest Italian army ever assembled with lots of tanks and aircraft and supplies an' **** and it'll all be over by Christmas.

See you in Cairo for Spaghetti and medals!

[image]local://upfiles/28156/4B5002FCD418448CA2B0A38635755E28.jpg[/image]



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 10:54:28 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 1
18th September 1940

To be honest this all looks too easy. Before taking command, I spoke with Il Duce and he confirmed I have the finest Italian army ever assembled with lots of tanks and aircraft and supplies an' **** and it'll all be over by Christmas.

See you in Cairo for Spaghetti and medals!

[image]local://upfiles/28156/4B5002FCD418448CA2B0A38635755E28.jpg[/image]

Along with their new commanding generals, Heinzo Guderiano and Erichi Mansteini.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 11:03:50 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

I concentrate my forces in the north as the Halfaya Pass looks a tough nut to crack. Bombardments will be required here and elsewhere along the line, but attacks will be made directly south of the Halfaya Pass (I chose this as an afterthought and so isn't showing in the picture below), against a squadron of the 1st RTR east of Sidi Omar and against a squadron of 11th Hussars north of Fort Maddelenna.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/425EEDFF44EA4ACE97F5092B35186869.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 11:09:14 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Round 1

Well that was pretty disastrous - perhaps I should have had a practice [;)]

It all went reasonably well until the attack south of Halfaya Pass which cost me 45% losses.... whoops.

Round 3

I stick with the general plan and try and soften up the defences before making any stupid attacks - well, except for the stupid attack or course.

[image]local://upfiles/28156/88E88668DAD14ED5A682BB2EB2C80B34.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/27/2018 11:37:09 PM)

Turn 1
18th September 1940

Round 5

The Italian forces make steady progress in the south but I remain concerned about the north (Halfaya Pass). The reason being the need to take Sidi Barani.

Round 7

I decide that I need one more round of softening up (and hope their is no proficiency failure).

Round 8

Damn. I failed to take the pass. Reasonable first turn I think - there aren't too many 7th Armoured units left in the south - but more than I would like as surrounding them proved extremely difficult. Let's see what their reorganisation status is next turn.

Although one battalion held on to the Halfaya Pass, I am hoping (again) that reorganisation may be the order of the day.....

I can't take an end of turn picture so will show one at the start of my turn.



devoncop -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/28/2018 7:45:10 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Speaking as the Axis player suffering from Warspite's devastating use of the RN in our MP game I would recommend maybe use be restricted a bit given Axis have zero way to combat RN.

?? What about the Ju-87s?


In a postcript to this discussion Curtis......

Immediately I read your advice I returned to my game with Warspite determined to wreak death and destruction from the skies on the RN with the JU-87s.
I then remembered that in a moment of less than delicious irony the entire unit had been vaporised by an airfield attack only a turn previously [8|]

I turn as so often to Kipling for sympathy :-)

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;"



devoncop -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/28/2018 7:49:43 AM)

Sidi Barani is the key. The other two short term objectives are pretty much indefensible. In my MP game as Allies I am playing I did try to hold it for a cheeky win but it fell on turn 5....

Interesting to see you v the CW....out of your comfort zone much?[;)]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/28/2018 8:09:50 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Sidi Barani is the key. The other two short term objectives are pretty much indefensible. In my MP game as Allies I am playing I did try to hold it for a cheeky win but it fell on turn 5....

Interesting to see you v the CW....out of your comfort zone much?[;)]
warspite1

Yes, feels weird [:D] I am normally the fine up-standing, civilised side with God on their side - and now I find I'm the beastly fascist scum [;)].



Zorch -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/28/2018 10:09:22 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Sidi Barani is the key. The other two short term objectives are pretty much indefensible. In my MP game as Allies I am playing I did try to hold it for a cheeky win but it fell on turn 5....

Interesting to see you v the CW....out of your comfort zone much?[;)]
warspite1

Yes, feels weird [:D] I am normally the fine up-standing, civilised side with God on their side - and now I find I'm the beastly fascist scum [;)].


If it's any consolation, remember how Desmond Young romanticized desert warfare as the only WWII theater without atrocities.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/29/2018 8:55:11 PM)

Turn 2 - Commonwealth Turn
21st September 1940

A bit of a disaster - not sure what happened there. I must've left too many British units unhurt as they've hit back with a vengeance

[image]local://upfiles/28156/2F4467A2243B40EDBFC58EAC1DF19043.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/29/2018 9:11:35 PM)

Turn 2
21st September 1940

Mmmmm a ton of Italian units reorganising??? This is very different to the other game.

I may have major problems going beyond Turn 5 here. At the Halfaya Pass the 1st CCNN Division, the Cirene Division and the Libyan Tank Command are all reorganising. This leaves the weak Libyan units to take up the advance - and they run into what I assume are the Matildas of the RTR....

On the track between the Halfaya Pass and Sofafi ALL tanks and ALL anti-tank guns are reorganising. Only the Marmarcia Division is okay and I rush them to Sofafi - minus any AT armament or armour. The 116th Regt. takes El Hamra.

The British units are cleared from the southern track with the exception of one unit in the extreme south. However southwest of Buq Buq the Italian artillery hit the RTR with everything they had and the shells simply bounced off.

If those units don't reorganise next turn the game is over.....



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/30/2018 6:05:05 PM)

Turn 3 - Commonwealth Turn
25th September 1940

The British units at Buq Buq force the Italians that had over-extended themselves back.



warspite1 -> RE: CFNA 1940-43 warspite1 (Axis) vs RichMunn (CW) (1/30/2018 6:09:03 PM)

Turn 3
25th September 1940

This is weird. Two of the Italians strongest (in a relative sense obviously [;)]) units are still reorganising. Bizarre.....

Well well - looks like a nice quick victory for the Commonwealth. The turn ends with the Italians not even beyond Buq Buq and no, non-reorganising, units able to advance on Sidi Barani from the south.



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