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RE: Turn 44, Aug. 22 - 1/22/2010 3:37:08 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 44 - August 22, 1943
 
Today the 16 SS Reichsfuhrer Panzergrenadier Division arrived in Messina. The offensive will begin once it is in position.

The same hex was attacked by the British. I'm losing dozens of tanks every day.

Airfield bombardment - 14%




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 121
RE: Turn 44, Aug. 22 - 1/22/2010 3:38:42 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 45 - August 23, 1943
 
The enemy broke through at that hex. I'm launching a coastal offensive - the British troops are exhausted. I've called in most of my Italian reserves and loaned a battalion from the 16 SS to the officer in charge of the coast.

Their losses (%)/My losses (%)

Attack on Canadians S of Adrano - 21%/7% (6 tanks, 9 bombers for a battalion)

Attack on Br 15 Bgd Next To Canadians - I lost a company but annihilated the whole brigade

Attack on 4 Amd Bgd to Regain Hex - 16%/7% (I lost 2-3 companies, 15 bombers, but drove the tanks back)

All in all, a great success. He will think twice before attacking me again.

Unfortunately I forgot to entrench several units.

Bombardment for good measure - 21% (including 3 Shermans)

Now the US screen is made up of regiments - there's two or three division's worth there.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by desert -- 1/22/2010 3:39:17 AM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 122
Turn 46, Aug. 24 - 1/23/2010 7:07:34 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 46

A few days later, there are no major actions along the front. I've been pounding away with artillery, and sent a few probe attacks towards his line, just to keep hounding his air units. Otherwise, I'm hunkering down for a bit. I've tried everything I can.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 123
RE: Turn 46, Aug. 24 - 1/23/2010 8:18:52 PM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 46 - August 24, 1943
 
Two Italian regiments reconstituted.

There was an attack E of San Fratello by just two regiments. The Allies are beginning to grow self-conscious of their losses.

With my SS division stationed outside Adrano, I'm ready to take the initiative in earnest.

Attack on the British scouts S of Adrano - 3 tanks and 51 planes for 1 one of theirs, and minimal losses besides

I guess I'll just wait a while longer.

Airfield Bombardment - 10%

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 124
Turn 47, Aug. 25 - 1/23/2010 8:24:41 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 47

Looks like he's made a move near Adrano. The GR 16SS was brought onto the island a few turns ago, and it seems that he's going to use them for an offensive here. This could be very serious if the British can't hold for at least a few turns while I make my plan for a counterattack.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 125
RE: Turn 47, Aug. 25 - 1/23/2010 11:28:40 PM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 47 - August 25, 1943
 
An attack in the US sector on the same hex and some bombardment near Catania.

I have moved down from the mountain, west and south from Adrano. I have spotted the positions of the Canadian division. My intent is to hammer the British left flank along the river and then introduce my SS division in the breach and force them into a pocket against the coast while reserves keep Canadian and possibly American reinforcements at bay.

Holy Jesus I have 250 planes operational.

Attack on British scouts along Simeto River - 7% (an Allied air raid forced the Germans to cease operations, though the artillery did not realize the attack was off

Another Attempt with massive artillery support - 13 planes, 4 tanks (15%) for a company (5%)

Attack on Br 151 Bgd S of Adrano - a company, 10 tanks, and 18 planes (24%) for half the brigade (19%)

Hehe, my Paint scrawlings are a bit embarrassing when compared to the artsy arrows and explosions everyone else uses.




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by desert -- 1/23/2010 11:31:16 PM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 126
RE: Turn 47, Aug. 25 - 1/23/2010 11:58:18 PM   
Panama


Posts: 1362
Joined: 10/30/2009
Status: offline 		The object of communication is to be understood. Anything more is politics.

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 127
Turn 48, Aug. 26 - 1/24/2010 12:18:34 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		I think this is the only other turn that I didn't hold onto the log entry. So I'll just make one up right now. I really started to worry at this point. My reinforcements weren't set to arrive for a few more days, and I didn't really have enough strength to mount a serious defense. I could only hope that my British troops could hold long enough to flood the area with troops from the US sectors.

(in reply to Panama)
Post #: 128
RE: Turn 48, Aug. 26 - 1/24/2010 12:40:12 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 48 - August 26, 1943
 
Some bombardments and one moderate attack on forward elements of the other SS formation.

Attacks all along the British line.

Two recon battalions on R. Sideto - [succeeded] 7 tanks and 5 bombers (8%) for a company (5%)

50 ID Infantry and HQ - [failed] both sides lost a battalion - 26% me, 22% him; the deciding factor was his massive air support

Tanks and Infantry NW of Catania - [succeeded] 4 tanks and a battalion (7%) for 15 tanks and most of the rest (47%)

Paratroopers + Engineers in Catania - [succeeded] 2 companies and 14 planes (13%) for a regiment (the Engineer Btn evapped) and 24 planes (26%); finally, an all-fighter force that could actually stand up to the enemy flyers appeared!

I decided to cease operations near the river because the enemy is a bit to heavily entrenched.

Bombardment of Tanks and Infantry W of Catania - 3%

Also, I've nearly enveloped a large British stack with fresh tanks and engineers, as well as routers from the previous battle.

Epic Battle NW of Catania - [succeeded] a battalion, 2 tanks, and 7 bombers (7%) for loads of Brits (one of their infantry brigades evapped) and 5 tanks (33%)

All in all, this was a pretty successful turn. I blew their lines wide open. I would have preferred that success farther west, so it would have been easier to surrounded the whole Br 8th Army.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 129
Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 1 - 1/24/2010 3:31:36 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 49, part 1

He broke through along the river, marching right past the Canadians. This looks like a serious mistake by my opponent. There is no reason for him to attack me, as all he has to do is sit in his trenches and wait me out. This could be the break I needed.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 130
Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 2 - 1/24/2010 3:32:07 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 49, part 2

I've moved the US 1 ID and US 2 AD into better positions for a possible counterblow. The British are holding fine up front, while they move their armor and infantry behind Gerbini for a better defensive position. I want him to attack as far south as possible.




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(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 131
RE: Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 2 - 1/24/2010 4:02:27 AM   
desert


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

This looks like a serious mistake by my opponent. There is no reason for him to attack me, as all he has to do is sit in his trenches and wait me out. This could be the break I needed.

quote:

I really started to worry at this point. My reinforcements weren't set to arrive for a few more days, and I didn't really have enough strength to mount a serious defense. I could only hope that my British troops could hold long enough to flood the area with troops from the US sectors.


*coughs*

Turn 49 - August 27, 1943
 
Minor skirmishes around San Fratello.

The British have pulled back many of their troops to Gerbini, leaving all their recon assets and the 13 Inf Bgd as a delaying force. The Americans are bringing armored forces and a good deal of artillery Southeast, towards Adrano and the Catania Plain. This might be a good opportunity to push forward from Santo Stefano.

A side note - I've lost 380 German tanks - 200 in 15 turns! Also, I've forced the abandonment of the Gerbini air bases by the Allies. Many British bombers have been moved to Malta.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Scouts SW of Catania - [Succeeded] 2 tanks, 9 planes (4%) for 3 armored cars, 11 planes (4%)

Scouts W of Catania - [Succeeded] 3% me, 11% them

Infantry N of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 2% me, 28% them

Scouts on R. Sideto - [Draw] 2 tanks, 4 fighters (2%) for 4 armored cars, 2 fighters (2%)

Bombardment of Canadian Center SW of Adrano - 7%

I dislike fighting armored vehicles, they're good at hurting you and then running away.

Many units are facing Allied interdiction. Some Italians lost 10 of their guns in a few minutes.

[Round 2] Attack on:

Infantry NE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 2% me, 24% them

Scouts SSW of Catania - [Draw] Negligible losses

Scouts S of Catania - [Succeeded, really a defeat though] 1% me, 8% them, but my losses are actually meaningful

I had these last two trapped against the coast. The first attack was to surround them, the second to eliminate them once and for all. Unfortunately, there was a small gap in the line (read - my men didn't occupy the hex) that they absconded through it.



< Message edited by desert -- 1/24/2010 4:03:08 AM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 132
RE: Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 2 - 1/24/2010 10:44:08 AM   
SMK-at-work

 

Posts: 3396
Joined: 8/28/2000
From: New Zealand
Status: offline 		clearly this scenario fails as a historical simulation :(

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 133
RE: Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 2 - 1/24/2010 2:56:17 PM   
Panama


Posts: 1362
Joined: 10/30/2009
Status: offline 		Just needs a little tweaking here and there.

(in reply to SMK-at-work)
Post #: 134
RE: Turn 49, Aug. 27 - part 2 - 1/24/2010 6:36:35 PM   
Andriko


Posts: 42
Joined: 12/27/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SMK-at-work

clearly this scenario fails as a historical simulation :(



I wouldn't say that. Neither player is Patton,Monty or whoever, so they have done things their own way.

Personally, this is one of the most fascinating TOAW 3 AARs I have read.

(in reply to SMK-at-work)
Post #: 135
Turn 50, Aug. 28 - 1/24/2010 10:48:22 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Sorry to disappoint you all, but Desert and I have agreed to end this scenario. He calls it a draw, but I said he could go down in history as the victor.

We will continue this AAR until we reach the end point: Turn 64.

At that point, I will give my opinion of Sicily to Brenner Pass, which at this point is quite critical.

Just to preview, I think this scenario's single biggest flaw is that the Allies have no ability to get off Sicily, except for Messina.

Desert mentioned that he felt the replacements were way too high. I could agree with that.

But for now, enjoy the last 14 turns...
------------
Turn 50

My opponent continues to take my bait. He is smashing through the Catania sector, but doesn't seem to realize that I want him to stretch out his line, and attack from the river hexes. We'll see if he continues to go south.




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(in reply to Andriko)
Post #: 136
RE: Turn 50, Aug. 28 - 1/24/2010 11:12:04 PM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 50 - August 28, 1943
 
The Gr 157 Reserve ID arrived in Northern Italy. While traveling through Tuscany it was intercepted several times by Allied air raids. Even if they had very little effect (the equivalent of a couple cars shot up, I guess), it's very worrying to see that my airforce is little more than an annoyance to the American and British flyers. I have less than 200 planes operational in the Sicily theater. My last reserve, a wing of the best fighters Italy has to offer, was transferred from Sardinia to Messina. Within hours, that wing was down to half-strength.

There was an attack by Canadians and American paratroopers on the fortress SW of Adrano.

I have another chance to trap some British scouts along the coast. Also, I've occupied most of the legnth of the R. Sideto - the British line is visible on the other side, bolstered by the AA brigades that had previously secured the planes around Gerbini from aerial assault.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Scouts along the coast - [Failed] 4% for 4%, but I lost a company and the enemy fell back South instead of being trapped

Infantry SE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 1 tank and 8 planes (2%) for 1 plane (27%)

For all my effort, I've surrounded 1 measly recon company.

[Round 2] Attack on:

Scouts - [Failed] 2 platoons (3%) for 4 armored vehicles (21%)

Infantry and Scouts SE of Adrano - [Succeeded] 1 company and 10 planes (6%) for a platoon and 4 planes (2%)






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by desert -- 1/25/2010 12:20:47 AM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 137
Turn 51, Aug. 29 - 1/24/2010 11:59:37 PM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 51

Things have slowed down a bit. His offensive has not broken through my Gerbini line the way I thought it would. Of course, I'm not complaining, but I do wonder if he senses what I'm trying to do. The US 1 ID and US 2 AD continue to creep south. I launched a diversionary attack west of Adrano, trying to keep him on his toes, and think that I'm still trying to thwart his efforts.

I'm missing the next turn's slide and report. FYI




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 138
RE: Turn 51, Aug. 29 - 1/25/2010 12:20:56 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 51 - August 29, 1943
 
Attacks SW of Adrano, and quite a few around Santo Stefano. There was also some activity E of Gerbini. The Operation Avalanche invasion force will arrive in 1 week, but since the Allies have not taken Messina yet it will be used against my Etna Line.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Those Pesky Scouts - [Draw] Well, I took them out but got flattened by the Allied air force; 18 squads and 11 planes (9%) for 1 plane and the unit (3%)

[Round 2] Attack on:

Scouts in the Mouth of R. Sideto - [Failed] Huh, they stopped me? Negligible losses

Artillery Barrage on Northern Extent of British Line - 5%

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 139
Turn 52, Aug. 30 - 1/25/2010 12:37:20 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		I got nothin' this turn...

(in reply to desert)
Post #: 140
RE: Turn 52, Aug. 30 - 1/25/2010 12:48:23 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 52 - August 30, 1943

Sicily was quiet this turn, except for a skirmish between the 2 Inf Reg and a company of the Br 5 ID's recon battalion along the coast.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Reinforced Recon Battalion in Mouth of R. Sideto - [Failed] a company and 13 bombers (14%) for a platoon (3%)

I need to bring in more firepower here.

[Round 2] Attack on:

Same hex - [Succeeded] 16 planes (7%) for 1%

I had to stop there, my troops were in no condition to move.

I need to pull off a successful offensive soon if I want to defeat the Allies. Occupying Augusta and Syracuse, 30-50 km away as the bird flies, would prevent the Avalanche reinforcements from arriving.

[Round 3] attack on:

Bombardment SE of Gerbini - 17%

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 141
Turn 53, Aug. 31 - 1/25/2010 1:34:17 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 53

I don't want to show my hand too much here, so I'm moving back my US artillery units back north. If I keep my US units moving around, he won't be able to gauge where I'm going to concentrate the counterattack.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 142
RE: Turn 53, Aug. 31 - 1/25/2010 1:51:01 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 53 - August 31, 1943
 
The newly-arrived 157 Res ID was railed to Santo Stefano for a new offensive. However, much of the division was stopped by incessant air raids that took out a hundred men. Two reconstituted Italian regiments were sent to Catania.

The British changed the makeup of their line, and I will attack the weakest point (defended by a single brigade) in hope of a breakthrough.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Infantry SE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] A tank and 21 planes (9%) for 17%

[Round 2] Attack on:

A Practically Suicidal Attack on HQs and Artillery Behind Enemy Lines - [Succeeded] Hoorah! 3 tanks and 9 bombers (9%) for 3 planes (12%); I captured 41 of their 72 25-pounders!!!

[Round 3] Attack on:

Some Artillery to Complete the Encirclement - [Draw] 14 bombers (14%) for 5 guns (3%); they retreated in with the other guys, but the encirclement was not completed

A Huge Force With Their Backs to the Sea - [Succeeded] I lost perhaps a regiment's worth and 3 tanks (8%) for 8 tanks and all the artillery (44%)

On a sour note, massive air strikes on my embarked infantry in Santo Stefano have ruined maybe a battalion's worth; huge amounts of equipment are missing. The division's artillery brigade, out of 45 guns, has 14 left. The offensive is postponed for at least 2 days. Other air strikes in the center of the line killed dozens and destroyed up to half a dozen guns.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 143
Turn 54, Sept. 1 - 1/25/2010 3:08:27 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 54

Well this is good news. He is renewing his attack along the coast, and has pushed two more British units southward.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 144
RE: Turn 54, Sept. 1 - 1/25/2010 3:37:47 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 54 - September 1, 1943
 
My victorious forces were brutally routed. Massive casualties were taken, possibly some evaporations as well.

REVENGE!

[Round 1] Attack on:

Tanks S of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 2 companies and 8 tanks (16%) for 1 company and 3 tanks (14%)

Tanks SE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 1 tank (15%) for bleh (19%)

Scouts SE of Gerbini - [Failed] 11 tanks and 6 planes (21%) for 1%; their bombers are tearing apart even my Pz4s

Stack on the coast SE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 1 tank and 1 of my badly mauled regiments which evaporated (32%) for 17%

AH ^$#*&*#$$#@

Anyway, the It 30 Sabauda Div arrived in Messina.

[Round 2] Attack on:

Airborne Brigade S of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 1 tank (3%) for 26%; finally, some good news

Stack SE of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 2 tanks (6%) for 10 tanks (30%)

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 145
Turn 55, Sept. 2 - 1/25/2010 3:41:36 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		I ordered a few local counterattacks, just to keep up appearances. It looks like he's going to use the GR 16SS to spearhead another wave south. I can only hope.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 146
RE: Turn 55, Sept. 2 - 1/25/2010 4:22:48 AM   
desert


Posts: 827
Joined: 9/14/2006
Status: offline 		Turn 55 - September 2, 1943

Things might not be so bad after all. But the Avalanche forces arrive in a few days, and they can rush to the front within 1 turn and pummel me into oblivion. The whole point of this offensive was to capture the reinforcement hexes, but unless I surround half the British 8th Army right now I'm better off just withdrawing to my former positions and licking my wounds.

[Round 1] Attack on:

Tanks NW of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 4 tanks and 7 bombers for 3 tanks

Tanks and Engineers SW of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 5% for 9 tanks (23%)

Scouts and AA SW of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 3 tanks (4%) for 7 tanks (12%)

Tanks S of Gerbini - [Succeeded] 4 bombers (6%) for 3 tanks (9%)

Paras, Tanks, and Arty SE of Gerbini - [Failed] 13% for 18%

And then the turn ended.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 147
Turn 56, Sept. 3 - part 1 - 1/25/2010 5:00:47 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 56, part 1

The GR 16SS has indeed launched a new wave of attacks south into the BR 5 ID. It appears that there will be no real effort to push west, as the Italian regiment that broke through is hardly a threat.




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(in reply to desert)
Post #: 148
Turn 56, Sept. 3 - part 2 - 1/25/2010 5:01:25 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 56, part 2

I hope this isn't too soon. I've ordered the US 1 ID and US 2 AD to attack directly east towards Gerbini. There are some great angles in his line that I should be able to exploit. Plus, his units are more worn out from the attacks. The US 2 AD is the first to hit the Axis line.




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(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 149
Turn 56, Sept. 3 - part 3 - 1/25/2010 5:01:54 AM   
mike1984

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 4/6/2009
Status: offline 		Turn 56, part 3

I was afraid of this. There are quite a few breakthroughs in his line. However, he has stacked units in reserve all the way back to Catania. This will basically thwart any counteroffensive I wish to conduct. Still, I'm not giving up yet. I wanted to get him out in the open. Right now, he is, so I can't let it go to waste.




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(in reply to mike1984)
Post #: 150
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