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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Norm Koger's The Operational Art Of War III >> After Action Reports >> RE: Turn 33, Aug. 11 Page: <<   < prev  2 3 [4] 5 6   next >   >>
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RE: Turn 33, Aug. 11 - 1/11/2010 12:07:52 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 33 - August 11, 1943
 
Same hex attacked. This battle is probably Operation Husky's most crushing for the Allies. I'm pretty sure one of their brigades has evaporated. On my end, the PzGren regiment in the hex fled at 1/3 strength. A full-strength (recently reconstituted) It Eng Btn was reduced to literally 1 squad. The rock of the line has proven consistently to be the 129 Pz Btn and its StuGs. They are unbending. Their 90% proficiency is probably the highest of all my land forces.

The Americans have set up another screen opposite my line. The HQ is still alive, separated from friendly territory by a few kilometers of road. Unfortunately, it's been routed and I won't risk troops to reestablish contact.

This seems like a good time to make an equipment analysis, the last one being for Turn 22. I have lost 900 Light Rifle Squads, which make up the Italian infantry. Since game start, I've only produced about 500, and some got locked up in reconstitutions on the other side of the island. I am, of course, critically short on Heavy AT Rifles and 47mm AT guns (key components of the Italian regiments); only 1 of each is produced each turn, and I've lost 213 and 604, respectively. I'm fairly short on German 75mm AT guns, of which I only get 2 per turn. However, I've only lost 77 so I've been able to stay afloat. 100mm howitzers (chiefly Italian) are produced by 1s as well, so the It 213 Coastal Divisional Arty north of Catania is still understrength.

Now for the meat of it - tanks and planes. In Turn 22, I had 21 Semoventes and 53 German tanks destroyed. Now, it's 60 Semoventes and 160 German tanks. So in 11 turns losses tripled. In Turn 22, I had 580
planes destroyed and 500+ operational. Given the results of recent aerial battles, you will not be surprised to discover the situation has changed. Now I have 480 or 490. 850 have been destroyed. Suprisingly, AS is 5/3 in my favor this turn.


_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to Veers)
Post #: 91
Turn 34, Aug. 12 - 1/11/2010 3:50:34 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		It only gets worse for me, folks... you ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait until you see what's going on in Turn 45, which we've just played today. This scenario has one big flaw, and it's a lack of breakout options for the Allies. My biggest mistake so far was that I didn't just race right up to Messina. It's the only anchorage hex on the island, which is much more critical than I thought. Desert has decided to bring reinforcements en masse to the island, making it his fortress. But as I mentioned, there is no way for me to utilize an end run (like Patton did historically at Brolo to break the real-life Etna Line stalemate), or even present Desert with the threat that I might just load up a division or two and cut him off at Reggio di Calabria or somewhere like that. This scenario gives the Axis no incentive whatsoever to evacuate Sicily, especially since the Axis player doesn't even lose his sea lift until after I capture the toe of Italy! How crazy is that? But, this is why I wanted to play this scenario. After this is done (if I'm not first destroyed on Sicily) I want to explore some tweaks to make this scenario a little more interesting.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 92
RE: Turn 33, Aug. 11 - 1/11/2010 9:43:24 AM   
clulessbutwise

 

Posts: 7
Joined: 12/30/2009
Status: offline 		I agree that there is no way for the Allies to make the landings behind the German lines like they did historically but if the German player attacked the Allied beach heads like the Germans historically did then it would be a different game. Also the landings at Brolo were not that much of a success if the Germans hadn't decided to retreat from Sicily before the landings happened then who knows what might of happened.

Maybe all it needs is to add some places for the allies to land in Northern Sicily, but then some people would use them to invade mainland Italy before the Sicily is secure which the Allies probably coudn't of done without first taking an island off the coast of Italy being it Sicily, Corsica...

If the scenario started with the Allied forces in North Africa and player could pick were to invade to keep the Axis player guessing is an option also.

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 93
RE: Turn 33, Aug. 11 - 1/11/2010 1:32:34 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		I have some ideas for how to prevent the Allied player from having too much of an advantage. I'm thinking about adding an exclusion zone east-west across the map, dividing Sicily from the rest of Italy. The zone would be removed around the historical time the Allies invaded Salerno. But that's just one of the ideas.

Turn 34 presently...

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(in reply to clulessbutwise)
Post #: 94
Turn 34, Aug. 12 - 1/11/2010 1:35:41 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Ok folks, I'm probably going to change the way I write this AAR. You see, at first I thought it was working for me, but it's become cumbersome and annoying to post the stats, thoughts, etc. all in once image. So over the next few turns it will change a bit. Just a heads up.

As for Turn 34: He's obviously not taking the bait, which sucks for me. I was really hoping to catch him out of the trenches and in the open. I'll give this a few more turns, but then I'll have to abandon it.




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Post #: 95
Theatre Update - Turn 35, Aug. 13 - 1/12/2010 5:34:33 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Time for a push...




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Post #: 96
Turn 35, Aug. 13 - 1/12/2010 5:35:25 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		And now 35




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Post #: 97
RE: Turn 35, Aug. 13 - 1/12/2010 6:23:55 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 35 - August 13, 1943
 
An attack NE of Troina by Canadians and American airborne troops. Other major battles in the usual hex and N of Catania.

I don't like this constant pressure he's putting on my line down there.

I'm afraid he's going to go for a combined American-British assault that will shatter my right flank. If that's the case, then I should immediately attack the screen he left behind, but I can't work up the courage to do so.

I bombed the British in Catania and took out a company.

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 98
Turn 36, Aug. 14 - 1/12/2010 5:49:00 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Just a heads up for the turns ahead, I mistakenly deleted a couple of the slides. So, between Turn 37 and about 46 or so, there will be a few slides missing.

This slide was just more of the same. Attack by the British that was brutally repulsed.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 99
RE: Turn 36, Aug. 14 - 1/13/2010 4:50:25 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 36 - August 14, 1943
 
The British are literally putting everything they have against that one hex.

I'm going to attack some of them with the Herman Goering Pz Reg.

Attack - 11 tanks and 23 planes for 40 squads, 43 tanks, 11 planes, etc.

Two armored brigades retreated towards Catania. This should seriously disrupt the British attack plan.




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_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 100
RE: Turn 36, Aug. 14 - 1/13/2010 1:39:47 PM   
Panama


Posts: 1362
Joined: 10/30/2009
Status: offline 		It would appear there has been a tear in the space-time continuum and you are back in 1916 trench warfare.

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 101
RE: Turn 36, Aug. 14 - 1/14/2010 2:02:23 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline
quote:

It would appear there has been a tear in the space-time continuum and you are back in 1916 trench warfare.


You'll be in for a treat a few turns from now, I think.

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to Panama)
Post #: 102
RE: Turn 36, Aug. 14 - 1/14/2010 2:07:27 AM   
Panama


Posts: 1362
Joined: 10/30/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: desert

quote:

It would appear there has been a tear in the space-time continuum and you are back in 1916 trench warfare.


You'll be in for a treat a few turns from now, I think.


Now you went and made me look ahead. Great scenario and AAR.

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 103
Turn 37, Aug. 15 - 1/14/2010 1:58:12 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		This sucks...




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Post #: 104
RE: Turn 37, Aug. 15 - 1/14/2010 10:13:37 PM   
Andriko


Posts: 42
Joined: 12/27/2009
Status: offline 		This looks like a hell of a lot of fun!

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 105
RE: Turn 37, Aug. 15 - 1/15/2010 7:41:07 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 37 - August 15, 1943
 
While the Adrano sector finally quieted down, the US 1 ID and 2 AD have made an appearance east of San Fratello. My forces were attacked and pushed out with many casualties, but the Fallschirmjaegers quickly reoccupied the area. I'm going to shell them with some Italian guns.

Bombardment - 18%/a battalion lost; one of their M10s was destroyed, which is pretty cool
Bombardment 2 - 15%
Bombardment 3 - 14%

Now my big guns N of Santo Stefano will bomb their stack of artillery. Hopefully none of theirs have enough range to hit back.

Bombardment - they did; I lost 15 guns to their 10




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_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to Andriko)
Post #: 106
Turn 38, Aug. 16 - 1/15/2010 9:49:47 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		The next two turns, I lost the slides. Sorry, it sucks because this was the climax of the massive attack by the US 1 ID and 2 AD. Then again, after what happens next, I don't wish to rehash it...

The assault failed miserably. As you can see from the combat reports below, my boys were slaughtered. Shame on me for ordering a frontal assault against fortified enemy. After this, I'm not sure I can mount another blow for a while. The enemy's lines have no weak spots. Add into that the incredible ability for the enemy to repulse even the strongest attacks, and I'm screwed.

Turn 38

Attack E San Fratello - US 1 ID(all), 2 AD(TkD) attack 15 PzG(Recon,Eng), 1 FJ(1 Inf) [Allied -10%, Axis -16%]
Attack E San Fratello - US 45 ID(all), 2 AD(all but TkD) attack GR 29 PzG(Eng), IT 202 ID(142 Inf), 28 ID(5 Inf), 19 Inf Bde, Mot.Grp B; two IT units are pushed back, but the US forces are thrown back with horrific losses; [Allied -51%, Axis -7%]
Bombardments along the entire US sector, focusing on the previously assaulted positions; [Axis average loss, -20%]

_____________________________


(in reply to desert)
Post #: 107
RE: Turn 38, Aug. 16 - 1/15/2010 10:43:42 PM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 38 - August 16, 1943
 
The US 45 ID has reappeared. There were 2 or 3 serious attacks east of San Fratello.

I have a temporary advantage in the battle for the skies. The AS is 3/3, with 14 of my planes destroyed for his 58-97.

Bombardment of 45 ID - 25%
Bombardment of same hex as last turn - 17% including 2 tanks

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 108
Turn 39, Aug. 17 - 1/16/2010 12:35:26 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 39

Just bombardments. My boys had to fall back from the assault. You'll see next turn...

Bomb N Catania [Axis -18%], W Adrano [Axis -3%]
Bomb E San Fratello [Axis -8%], NE Traoina [Axis -5%]

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 109
RE: Turn 39, Aug. 17 - 1/16/2010 1:54:38 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 39 - August 17, 1943
 
Well, this is the day the last of the Axis troops evacuated from Messina to the mainland. In our game, however, I don't seem to be budging. By the end of the month, I think both of us will be getting big reinforcements - only that will be enought to break the status quo.

The Americans have mostly withdrawn again, and the Allies have ceased all offensives in general. There were 4 bombardments though, 2 of them quite destructive. My air force reports no contact with enemy planes, though some have been seen by ground troops.

Bombardment NW of Catania - 12%

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 110
Turn 40, Aug. 18 - 1/17/2010 5:38:10 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		...




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 111
RE: Turn 40, Aug. 18 - 1/17/2010 6:34:52 PM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 40 - August 18, 1943
 
There were massive bombardments all along the line in the Santo Stefano sector; many squads and pieces of equipment were lost. The Americans have at least 7 artillery units, and several HQs with mortars attached. They also made some minor probes.

In the Adrano sector:
Bombardment on Canadian brigade S of Adrano - 11%
Bombardment NW of Catania - 25%!

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 112
Turn 41 Inventory Losses - 1/17/2010 7:53:08 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		As you can see, my losses so far have been exponentially worse than his. However, most of those losses came after we got bogged down in this crapfest you see now.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 113
Turn 41, Aug. 19 - 1/17/2010 7:54:46 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		That hex to the NW of Catania is the only spot in his line that appears to be weak enough to take. But for some reason, his units hold every time.




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Post #: 114
RE: Turn 41, Aug. 19 - 1/18/2010 3:18:51 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 41 - August 19, 1943
 
American bombardments on my lines. British attack NW of Catania, up to 30 tanks lost. Switched an artillery regiment near Santo Stefano with one from Adrano; the former has my only 170mm guns, and from Mt. Etna they have enough range to hit the Gerbini airfields. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.

Bombardment of Brits NW of Catania - 17%
Bombardment of Monty's HQ - 9% (18 guns!)

Here are my losses - note the vast increase in tanks and aircraft disabled since Turn 33.

EDIT: Hmm, not as huge a gap as I remembered. I guess most of my catastrophic losses were in the last 10 turns.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by desert -- 1/18/2010 3:29:03 AM >

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 115
Turn 42, Aug. 20 - 1/19/2010 2:22:17 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		As I said prior to the assault, if it failed, it would be my last offensive for a little while. At this point, I'm not really sure what to do. Every time I try to attack his line, I'm thrown back with huge losses. When I do push one of his units out, the rest of the defenders hold. If there is one aspect of this scenario that should be changed, it would be to add a port hex to Sicily. My forces are stuck trying to blast away at a fortified defensive line, while actual military tactics would call for an end run (again, like Patton did at Brolo) to break the stalemate.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 116
RE: Turn 42, Aug. 20 - 1/19/2010 7:22:06 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 42 - August 20, 1943

Today is notable for the arrival of two wings of Me-109s (80 planes).

There were a couple of bombardments in US sectors, and another British attack on my tanks NW of Catania. Dozens have been destroyed in the last 2 days...

The artillery have disembarked in Adrano and targeted an airfield that serves as a base for American fighters.

AF Bombardment - 15%/19 P-40

A British stack was also bombarded. They seem to have lost at least two full infantry brigades (evaporated) in the last week or two.

Bombardment - 18%

Here's an amusing screen of the WW1-style network of trenches and fortifications the Germans have constructed on the Etna Line and around the mountain.




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< Message edited by desert -- 1/19/2010 7:23:07 AM >

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 117
Turn 43, Aug. 21 - 1/21/2010 2:06:57 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 43

I've moved the US 1 ID and US 2 AD into position southeast of Nicosia. There is no real need for them to stay on the front line right now. There is good supply numbers in their new positions, which will allow them to recoup all the lost squads from the attack. They are also my most superior divisions, with an average proficiency of about 90%. The British will try another attack on the weak spot west of Catania. But again, it is turned back.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 118
RE: Turn 43, Aug. 21 - 1/21/2010 6:07:47 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 43 - August 21, 1943
 
Three bombardments in US sectors.

Another catastrophic attack by the Brits against my tanks. One of their brigades disintegrated under the strain.

Another Airfield Bombardment (Brits next door) - 16%




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by desert -- 1/21/2010 6:08:03 AM >

_____________________________

"I would rather he had given me one more division"
- Rommel, when Hitler made him a Field Marshall

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 119
Turn 44, Aug. 22 - 1/21/2010 10:36:26 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		I lost the next few turns. Forget how it happened. But I'm missing turns 44 and 45. If Desert has anything for those turns, stay tuned for his input. Otherwise, I'll see you again for Turn 46.

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 120
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