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Custer7 -> Operation Felix-Heinrich Gibraltar 1942 (12/22/2019 7:04:25 PM)
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Enclosed zip file of scenario: Operation Felix-Heinrich Gibraltar 1942
The Axis occupation of Vichy North Africa and assault on Gibraltar.
Designer: Marc J. Custer
Map and some of the order of battle based with permission on Erik Nygaard's Operation Torch
Date: 1 August to 9 September 1942
Location: North Africa and Gibraltar
Map scale: 5 km per hex
Time scale: half day turns
Unit Scale: battalion, company,
air group/squadron, ship
Length: 80 turns
Codenamed Felix-Heinrich, the plan was submitted to General Franz Halder on 10 March 1941.
It was shelved.
This scenario is a Hypothetical Axis occupation of French Vichy North Africa and an assault on Gibraltar in August 1942. The Italians with German support conduct Operation C3 and invade Malta. Within two weeks Malta falls. Rommel has been withdrawn after the first Battle of el Alamein in July and put in command of the newly created 5th Panzer Army. The Afrika Korps is ordered to dig in and hold. Plans to rectify their supply problems are underway. The Ramcke Parachute Brigade lands in Tunisia at the end of July to secure airfields for the attack on Malta.
The Axis are aware of the plans of the Allied intent to invade North Africa in November. The Vichy French government agrees to using the French ports for German transport to Algeria. The 7th Panzer Division is refitting there and elements are ready to embark. Elements of the reforming Herman Goring Brigade have flown in with gliders. The rest of the Brigade would arrive piecemeal by sea. Elements of the 5 FJ Regiment are available. The 2nd GD Regiment from Berlin is railed to Italian ports then off to Africa. The 2 SS Division Das Reich is reforming in France. The Der Fuhrer Regiment has reformed for sea assault on Gibraltar. The reconnaissance battalion of the 2SS Division is sent at once. Regiment Brandenburg (detachment of 150) is also is available. After the Battle for Malta winds down, the Ramcke Brigade is available for the Gibraltar attack. Elements of the Italian Navy are also available.
With the battle in Russia well into operation Blu and the Afrika Korps spent in July 1942 the Axis would bring Vichy France in as a full partner. The defense of Mediterranean is at stake as well as the French Atlantic Coast. Spain continues to remain neutral. Spanish Morocco and the international zone of the port of Tangiers eventually becomes the battle ground as Spain stands back.
With the German move into Western Africa the Allies have limited forces they are willing to commit this early. Assault transport is only enough for one division. Commandos, Airborne and Naval assets are on scene. The English will commit the 78th Division and 52nd Division, which has been training for an invasion of Norway. The US 1st Division has just left American for England. It can be diverted with a theater option. The US 34th Infantry and the 1st Armor Divisions are training and put on alert in Scotland. They can be release as a theater option. The PO for the 1st Armor Division assets are set for 90% and 50 % for the Amour Regiments activation and 20% for the HQ elements.
All this would take time to organize for a quick response to the German occupation. This period is critical as it throws all planning for Operation Torch off. Sledgehammer is now out of the question. With the Vichy now firmly a partner with the Axis, Africa becomes a major concern. Defending Gibraltar until larger forces could be assembled would take a few days. Having a foothold in North Africa would tie down the Axis and meet the Allies commitment for helping the Soviets.
For the Allies they must hold Gibraltar. Having one major port on the Atlantic for a win.
The use of theater options on both sides will also affect victory totals. Naval unit losses can also be a factor as sinking capital ships gains victory points.
28 Jan 2020 update: Fix the events for the US 13 Arm Rgt.
19 Feb 2020 update: Fix Italian DD missing naval unit, Italian DD placement. Axis reinforcements placement changes, closer to the front. More coastal ports and supply points. Much of the early fighting is in Spanish Morocco and Tangiers. This helps balance the supply problems the Axis face against an Allied occupied Tangiers.
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