RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW)

RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (Full Version)

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warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 8:42:21 AM)
Turn 138 24th November 1943 I thought I could rescue the situation by bringing in my reserve 56th Division. However, unbeknown to me, the ships don't have enough range to reach Salerno! I clicked on the HQ, saw that could reach and sent the whole division out as a group. However, although the HQ can reach port, the remaining units can't. I now have a double whammy of no defenders at Salerno and transports at sea about to be picked off.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/D8D3E2D7DD454ABA91DB6445C02BDA0C.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 8:51:01 AM)
Turn 138 24th November 1943 The situation requires every spare man to man the rear to try and stop a breakthrough to the coast. I move every available unit I can back as far as they can go - which sadly isn't as far as Battipaglia unfortunately. I start to bring the Canadians back but the terrain makes this difficult and so I bring some British and Kiwi units back too - infact there is a whole hotch-potch of units ordered to the area. Meanwhile I decide to try and keep the pressure up in the north by attacking the large stack of enemy units just inland from the coast. [image]local://upfiles/28156/D4AF507094B04C3AAB7259641E62BC89.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 9:04:26 AM)
Turn 138 24th November 1943 The big picture.... grim..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/AF9E6D2C2C254F8EAE5F3A25CC94B1D4.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 9:45:27 AM)
Turn 138 24th November 1943 The scores on the doors - ahead of this vital turn. What does devoncop have in store?..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/32F0D74188B14191AD8A7274F0ACDB53.jpg[/image]

Zorch -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 7:57:56 PM)
While you're at it, make sure not to bomb Sophia Loren (like the allies did in real life).

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 8:03:15 PM)
Turn 139 25th November 1943 So I've just lost an entire division to air attack. Air superiority is 23 vs 5 and every fighter is on air superiority. And the Axis air force - just weakened by the transfer of key units to the USSR - just destroys the lot; every transport (bar one battalion). Sure. The 103rd Panzer Battalion forces the British recce forces back toward the coast. [image]local://upfiles/28156/3FFFB29EAB3D4EE3A1676FFE6FCECA3C.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (4/30/2018 9:49:02 PM)
Turn 139 25th November 1943 So it looks like the threat from the German forces around Battipaglia was overdone - which makes the loss of the entire division even more painful.... For the German forces involved, it may well have been worth it to the Axis - even without factoring in the lost division. The reason for this is the dislocation of the British and Commonwealth forces - it will take ages to get the Canadians resupplied and back in position. What other surprises await?...... [image]local://upfiles/28156/8C4DBBDC09EE45CAA73275F2712D86F2.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 5:58:31 AM)
Turn 140 26th November 1943 The Germans continue to bombard the British positions north of Salerno (painful but not too bad casualties-wise) but the encirclement manoeuvre seems to have run its course. There are still plenty of units to mop up and as I know from experience, this won't be a quick job.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 6:02:03 AM)
Turn 140 26th November 1943 The plan for this turn is very much more of the same. I need to tidy up in my rear areas - and get rail/bridge communications restored asap. At the same time the push toward Naples continues.... [image]local://upfiles/28156/570109EA3C4442529CE6802ECDBE54E2.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 6:25:46 AM)
Turn 140 26th November 1943 On the southeastern approaches to Naples, a largely infantry force of British and New Zealanders drive the enemy back. The 5th New Zealand Brigade push on into the suburbs of the city... [image]local://upfiles/28156/E08A119E49BD4E19BE950265572E51E3.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 8:47:47 PM)
Turn 141 27th November 1943 The Germans limit their turn to bombardment - 6 in total - with reasonably heavy damage done to two CW stacks.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 8:51:05 PM)
Turn 141 27th November 1943 I have quite a few units on patrol of the rear area. Any thought that this was overkill is quickly dispensed with as another German recce unit pops up to break road and rail comms on the east coast...... [image]local://upfiles/28156/1DB6527859274564A854EE96F9E896FD.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 8:58:20 PM)
Turn 141 27th November 1943 ....which suddenly turns into a whole lot more than that [X(] Once again, US forces (elements of 3rd and 36th Divisions) are diverted to clear up the problem. It has to be said, my east coast campaign has been an exercise in incompetence..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/27C5E9C6A9F84F199D8F47EBB8CAF578.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/1/2018 9:43:30 PM)
Turn 141 27th November 1943 My attempts to get around the back of the Germans south of Rome has been severely hampered by devoncop's excellent delaying tactics. Too many US units are out of place and my CW reserve division has been annihilated. I need to get a grip on this..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/56F1A4FB412E45A7A2C7264ECCBABF8C.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/2/2018 8:54:49 PM)
Turn 142 28th November 1943 The Germans decide to fight rather than just bombard. The panzergrenadiers from the 3rd, 15th and HG Divisions try and force a way west against weak British recce forces. However the British forces hold firm [image]local://upfiles/28156/51A579E957F64C77BF22539B42040717.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/2/2018 9:26:25 PM)
Turn 142 28th November 1943 The British attempts at encircling Naples is dealt a bit of a blow with another failed force proficiency check. But there are clear targets here - an envelopment of Naples from the east and of Avalino from west and east... [image]local://upfiles/28156/E10112194C6A4BD3A4BC5A07FBB7B2CF.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/3/2018 6:44:57 AM)
Turn 143 29th November 1943 What can I say? A very frustrating turn. The German artillery on steroids attacks the British in the west, causing very heavy casualties. In return I spend more wasted time chasing German units over the mountains as the British and Dominion forces creep toward Avallino. I really need to spend some time reviewing the state of my CW forces - they can't be in a good way as they've been in continual action and suffered some big losses. I am very conscious of having no reserve. My attempts to get the Indians in that role has been stymied by straggler units and too many Canadians have been siphoned off for that purpose too.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/3/2018 5:20:56 PM)
Turn 144 30th November 1943 As we end November 1943, with a light couple of bombardments from the Germans, I think its time to take stock of what is going on! Here is the situation briefing. I am currently staring a marginal defeat in the face - but there is plenty of time still to go..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/C1268CD9499D44A2902401AF8C9DF2D2.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/3/2018 5:46:13 PM)
Turn 144 30th November 1943 Big Picture: [image]local://upfiles/28156/CFD51D2F022D4F5CBDB299B4A4A2758B.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/3/2018 5:57:02 PM)
Turn 144 30th November 1943 8th Army 3rd Greek Bde. 104/108 Rifle Squads 24th Guards Bde. 82/108 201st Guards Bde. 105/108 4th Arm Bde. 68/71 Shermans 7th Arm Bde. 67/71 Shermans 9th Arm Bde. 56/71 Shermans 21st Tank Bde. 70/71 Shermans 8th Army Royal Engineer Bde. 7th Armoured Division 22nd Arm Bde. 106/108 Shermans 131st Arm Bde. 92/108 23rd Arm Bde. 104/108 7th Field Art Bde. 31/36 25-pdrs + 24/24 Bishop SP Guns 11th Hussars Recce Regt. Army Group Royal Artillery 1st Field Art Bde. 145/172 guns and SP guns of various types 2nd Field Art Bde. 132/150 5th Field Art Bde. 112/126 6th Field Art Bde. 106/126 7th Field Art Bde. 78/81 10th Field Art Bde. 76/78 8th Indian Division 17th Ind Bde. 103/108 Rifle Squads 18th Ind Bde. 101/108 21st Ind Bde. 103/108 6th Bengal Lancers 8th Ind Field Art Bde. 69/72 25-pdrs 56th Infantry Division 167th Inf Bde. 108/108 Rifle Squads 169th Inf Bde. (1 Battalion) 35/36 44th Recce Bn. XIII Corps 231st Bde Grp. 94/108 Rifle Squads 93rd AT Regt 25/48 guns and SP guns of various types 1st Kings Dragoon Gds XIII Engineer Bde. 5th Infantry Division 13th Inf Bde. 105/108 Rifle Squads 15th Inf Bde. 94/108 17th Inf Bde. 82/108 5th Field Art Bde. 64/72 25-pdrs 5th Recce Bn. 46th Infantry Division 128th Inf Bde. 95/108 Rifle Squads 138th Inf Bde. 101/108 139th Inf Bde. 106/108 46th Recce Bn. 46th Field Art Bde. 65/72 25-pdrs 50th Infantry Division 50th Field Art Bde. 65/72 25-pdrs 78th Infantry Division 11th Inf Bde. 90/108 Rifle Squads 36th Inf Bde. 101/108 38th Inf Bde. 90/108 78th Field Art Bde. 58/72 25-pdrs 56th Recce Bn. X (Dominion) Corps 105th AT Regt. 28/48 guns and SP guns of various types X Engineer Bde. 2nd New Zealand Division 4th NZ Arm Bde. 70/108 Shermans 5th NZ Inf Bde. 110/11 Rifle Squads 6th NZ Inf Bde. 71/111 9th NZ Inf Bde. 60/75 2nd NZ Field Art Bde. 63/72 25-pdrs 2nd NZ Cavalry Bn. 1st Canadian Division 1st Cdn Inf Bde. 98/108 Rifle squads 2nd Cdn Inf Bde. 104/108 3rd Cdn Inf Bde. 99/108 1st Cdn Field Art Bde. 58/60 25-pdrs 5th Canadian Division 5th Cdn Arm Bde. 100/108 Shermans 11th Cdn Inf Bde. 96/108 Rifle Squads 12th Cdn Inf Bde. 92/108 3rd Cdn Field Art Bde. 58/60 25-pdrs 5th Cdn Recce Bn. All units are still reasonably high on men and equipment but low on readiness and supply and in need of a good rest. I will seek to pull them out of the line from next turn. [image]local://upfiles/28156/6CF79A0190EF4A96BE1D398F01074D4D.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/3/2018 7:51:35 PM)
Turn 144 30th November 1943 US 5th Army 82nd Airborne Division 325th Glider Regt. 75/75 Lt Rifle Squads 504th Parachute Regt. 84/84 505th Parachute Regt. 75/75 Tank Reserves 191st Tank Bn. 54/60 Shermans 753rd Tank Bn. 59/60 756th Lt Tank Bn. 104/110 tanks of various types 751st Tank Bn. 57/60 752nd Tank Bn. 59/60 758th Tank Bn. 58/60 760th Tank Bn. 56/60 II Corps II HHB Field Art Regt. 72/72 guns II Engineer Bn. 1st US Armoured Division 1st US Tank Regt. 81/84 Shermans 13th US Tank Regt. 82/84 6th Arm Inf Regt. 127/135 Rifle Squads 701st TD Bn. 36/36 Wolverines 27th US Field Art Bn. 18/18 Priest SP guns 68th US Field Art Bn. 18/18 16th Arm Eng Bn. 81st Recce Bn. 3rd Infantry Division 15th Inf Regt. 88/90 Rifle Squads 30th Inf Regt. 88/90 7th Inf Regt. 84/90 3rd HHB Field Art Regt. 45/48 guns 3rd Eng Bn. 3rd Recce Bn. 36th Infantry Division 141st Inf Regt. 89/90 Rifle Squads 142nd Inf Regt. 80/90 143rd Inf Regt. 88/90 636th US TD Bn. 29/36 Wolverines 36th HHB Field Art Regt. 48/48 guns 111th Eng Bn. 36th Recce Bn. VI Corps VI HHB Field Art Regt. 84/84 guns VI Eng Bn. 45th Infantry Division 157th Inf Regt. 85/90 Rifle Squads 179th Inf Regt. 81/90 180th Inf Regt. 86/90 645th US TD Bn. 35/36 Wolverines 45th HHB Field Art Regt. 48/48 guns 120th Eng Bn. 45th Recce Bn. 92nd Infantry Division 365th Inf Regt. 86/90 Rifle Squads 366th Inf Regt. 86/90 370th Inf Regt. 86/90 371st Inf Regt. 85/90 92nd HHB Field Art Regt. 48/48 guns 317th Eng Bn. 92nd Recce Bn. Free French Mountain Corps US 13th Field Art Regt. 108/108 guns 1st FF Mtn Regt. 100/111 Rifle Squads 2nd FF Mtn Regt. 103/111 Rifle Squads 3rd FF Mtn Regt. 105/111 Rifle Squads 4th FF Mtn Regt. 107/114 Rifle Squads 2nd FF Moroccan Division 4th Moroccan Regt. 123/130 Rifle Squads 5th Moroccan Regt. 125/130 20th Moroccan Chasseurs 151st Moroccan Inf Bde. 107/130 8th Moroccan Inf Bde. 125/130 63rd Field Art Regt. 47/48 guns Italian Liberation Corps 4th Bersaglieri Regt. 51/54 Rifle Squads 68th Fanteria Regt. 54/54 Assault Gun Bn. 32/33 Semoventes 11th Field Art Regt. 65/66 guns LI MG Eng Bn. US 34th Infantry Division 133rd Inf Regt. 86/90 Rifle Squads 135th Inf Regt. 83/90 168th Inf Regt. 85/90 34th HHB Field Art Regt. 48/48 guns 109th Eng Bn. 34th Recce Bn. The US forces have plenty of troops and equipment. But despite this they are suffering from a dearth of engineers. Supply at Foggia is dire and there is no way for II Corps to break out until this is fixed..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/4C4C835B896A4CB3AF527B038C702CD8.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/4/2018 6:46:32 AM)
Turn 145 1st December 1943 More hideous losses from bombardments for the British. I decide to withdraw for R+R as these losses are unsustainable. I will probably lose the New Zealand cavalry battalion which is engaged (three CW units were engaged but this is the only one likely to be surrounded and killed). The chasing straggler routine is getting really tedious. Essentially German units are all pretty much indestructible. That they were in many cases tenacious fighters is not in dispute but this is a little silly. How is this unit in supply? Its been behind enemy lines for months! How is it feeding its 76 tanks and 18 other vehicles in this mountainous terrain intersected by rivers with all roads (tracks) cut off by the enemy??? To add to the frustration there's a bridge south of Foggia that won't repair - its been weeks, I even have two engineers on there now. Allied supply is down to 1%?? [image]local://upfiles/28156/75621387431C4A6E8C557693CEB48CD7.jpg[/image]

700851McCall -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/4/2018 7:03:57 AM)
The unit is probably over-extended so in theory it should whittle away. I've experimented with this in D21 by trapping Soviets and leaving them to see how long it takes for them to degrade completely. I've not seen one completely vanish yet so I'm guessing it's a long time! If they can trace a supply line, regardless of how long or unrealistic, they will stick around pretty much forever, even though they are over-extended. The 'quick' way to do it is to completely surround them, dig in and give them a couple of turns to become brittle. Then attack from all sides at once. I suppose in theory even a panzer unit, providing it had a good stockpile of fuel and ammo, could stick around for months despite being isolated. Only moving and fighting actually burns supply. For rations I suppose they just take what they can from the land. Troops actually starving to death does not seem to be modelled by the game, although it did happen to the Axis in the Soviet Union.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/4/2018 4:02:35 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 700851McCall The unit is probably over-extended so in theory it should whittle away. I've experimented with this in D21 by trapping Soviets and leaving them to see how long it takes for them to degrade completely. I've not seen one completely vanish yet so I'm guessing it's a long time! If they can trace a supply line, regardless of how long or unrealistic, they will stick around pretty much forever, even though they are over-extended. The 'quick' way to do it is to completely surround them, dig in and give them a couple of turns to become brittle. Then attack from all sides at once. I suppose in theory even a panzer unit, providing it had a good stockpile of fuel and ammo, could stick around for months despite being isolated. Only moving and fighting actually burns supply. For rations I suppose they just take what they can from the land. Troops actually starving to death does not seem to be modelled by the game, although it did happen to the Axis in the Soviet Union. warspite1 I assume the quick is in inverted commas for the reason I set out previously, namely; with this terrain (with often just one hex move possible per turn) there is nothing quick - or necessarily certain - about being able to surround the enemy.... I will keep an eye on the extent to which units whittle away without being attacked.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/5/2018 8:55:23 AM)
Turn 146 2nd December 1943 Three German units were engaged trying to get away. In the centre, near Ariano, German forces in some size, engage the 36th Division. Following from what I said previously, we now have the situation where the cut-off German recce detachment that has been attacked repeatedly and keeps retreating, has re-taken Foggia! The good news is that there were only four bombardments and not only was the damage relatively light, but there was also plenty of counter-battery fire. With the CW troops resting on the left flank, and movement difficult to impossible, the turn was largely spent trying to bombard German rear-guard units as well as trying to prepare for trouble at Ariano. There are now three engineers trying to fix the bridge at Foggia...... [image]local://upfiles/28156/DD63C15C8C2F4119840CBD709B8098F0.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/5/2018 10:36:51 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: warspite1 quote: ORIGINAL: 700851McCall The unit is probably over-extended so in theory it should whittle away. I've experimented with this in D21 by trapping Soviets and leaving them to see how long it takes for them to degrade completely. I've not seen one completely vanish yet so I'm guessing it's a long time! If they can trace a supply line, regardless of how long or unrealistic, they will stick around pretty much forever, even though they are over-extended. The 'quick' way to do it is to completely surround them, dig in and give them a couple of turns to become brittle. Then attack from all sides at once. I suppose in theory even a panzer unit, providing it had a good stockpile of fuel and ammo, could stick around for months despite being isolated. Only moving and fighting actually burns supply. For rations I suppose they just take what they can from the land. Troops actually starving to death does not seem to be modelled by the game, although it did happen to the Axis in the Soviet Union. warspite1 I assume the quick is in inverted commas for the reason I set out previously, namely; with this terrain (with often just one hex move possible per turn) there is nothing quick - or necessarily certain - about being able to surround the enemy.... I will keep an eye on the extent to which units whittle away without being attacked. warspite1 Here's one of the reasons these units just go on and on..... the bottom picture is from this turn and the top from the previous turn. The unit is out of supply and yet still able to receive replacements..... [image]local://upfiles/28156/92B1EC32B6064F5A8EC4DA5E8913F0D2.jpg[/image]

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/6/2018 9:04:25 PM)
Turn 147 3rd December 1943 Not too much to report from either side. I meant to show a screen shot of my partisans in the Milan area but forgot (will do this next turn). Essentially devoncop has wind of these units and sent what I assume is the nearest thing he had available to destroy one of them. The unit was an engineer and the partisans were able to retreat. Picture to follow.

DanNeely -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/7/2018 4:44:43 AM)
are you sure that's actually out of supply? It's showing some equipment as damaged, not destroyed. AFAIK if OOS all losses are destroyed.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/7/2018 6:03:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DanNeely are you sure that's actually out of supply? It's showing some equipment as damaged, not destroyed. AFAIK if OOS all losses are destroyed. warspite1 No the question was - how is this unit in supply? It is totally surrounded by enemy units, there are no towns to draw any supply from, the unit is hemmed in by rivers with no bridges, there are no tracks - much less roads - that lead to anywhere that are not cut-off. Just seems very strange.

warspite1 -> RE: STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) (5/7/2018 6:14:40 AM)
Turn 148 4th December 1943 Well that's annoying - the air assistant in both games seems to be 'on' so I've lose a load of aircraft in dumb airfield attacks..... Anyway, back to the Axis turn and there were 12 bombardments - although mostly these were relatively light in terms of casualties - 6% being the highest loss. There was some decent counter-battery fire too in one instance. Another German unit (or more) has annoyingly infiltrated behind the lines again. I thought I'd covered this off. [image]local://upfiles/28156/205B99FDDF9A4DEFAD0376E4C25D2286.jpg[/image]

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