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RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (Allies) vs Seminole (Axis)

 
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RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/18/2022 5:13:17 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		End of turn in The Toe:



White - Static
Purple - Reserve
Blue - Refit
Orange - Withdrawing soon

Overall Med Strategic Picture, waiting for the next Allied landings:


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 61
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/18/2022 5:26:57 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 17
October 23, 1943

Weather report:



Allies stay grounded again. No attacks over the Straits, still two formations showing as routed.
At least 9 formations on Sicily.
Corsica still has at least 23 units on the island Not sure if any divisions are being broken down to ship out more easily.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 62
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/18/2022 5:35:53 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 18
October 30, 1943

Weather report:



Allied landing in Catanzaro. 15th BR Inf Div storms the city.
The level three forts in the city were of little avail in this assault, but if it had been a fortified port city we likely would have come out the victor.



The Germans put together an immediate counter attack with 3rd PzG Div, 29th PzG Div, 2/15th PzG Rgt, 1/16th Pzr Rgt, 2/16th Pzr Rgt, and 26th ‘Assietta’ IT Inf Div that failed to punt the invaders.



This isn’t a natural port, so the Allies will need to keep a TF here so long as we pin them in place and prevent link up from the south or Crotone to the north.
As a bid to cut off forces defending the Straits, this invasion is not a concern at this time.
Waiting for more shoes to drop.

(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 63
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/18/2022 5:56:08 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Italians still haven't surrendered, although with the Allies finally on the mainland, that should happen anytime now.








(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 64
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/19/2022 12:28:00 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Unit level detail map of end of the turn setup.

Expecting more landings to follow soon.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 65
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 12:33:08 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 19
November 6, 1943

The Italians have surrendered during the Axis logistics phase, which means the Allies had to fight them one last turn.



Landings at Catanzaro are reinforced. Invading 15th BR Inf Div withdraws and is replaced by 78th BR Inf Div, 4th Moroccan FF Mtn Div and I BR HQ. They strike west, but fail in both attacks.



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 66
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 12:35:30 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		8th Army again attempts to force its way over the Straits.



Ground losses aren't too heavy for the week:


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 67
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 3:02:38 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Garrisons are juggled, with FJs in Italy taking up coastal positions now with the Italians gone.
In N Europe new units are shifted south and we juggle in prep for withdrawals.
Feldherrnhalle Pzr Div will be sent to Italy to fight before disappearing in 5 weeks on Dec 11th, 1943.
16th Pzr Div helping contain the Catanzaro beachhead will be withdrawn next week.



Reformed 1/1st FJ Rgt and 2/1st FJ Rgt rail to Berlin to refit, will move south next week.
Reformed 3/2nd FJ Rgt rails to Vienna to refit, will move to N Italy next week.

Luftwaffe’s 17th Inf Div sent to take up positions in Death Valley. Will try to position static units next week.

19th LW Inf Div will be sent south next week to take up some coastal positions.



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 68
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 3:11:22 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 20
Nov 13 1943

Rain in the Med and the Allies conduct new landings, an airborne assault, and another ferry attack in vain.
509th US Para Bn is lost trying to straddle the toe.
It landed amongst the entrenched 2nd Rgt of the 325th Sec Div, stationed as rear guard for the Luftwaffe units defending the ferry crossing.



3/15th PzG Rgt holds against an amphibious assault at Crotone conducted by the 101st US Airb Div.
This is actually a British led operation under the I BR Corps, General Bucknall.
The fortified port is a different story than Catanzaro, and the invaders are repelled.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 69
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 3:19:37 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Schmalz Pzr Bde holds against a ferry crossing assault by 5th and 56th BR Inf Div supported by TF 85 under US command.




TF 81 and TF 545 (A) both support attempts by 4th FF Mtn Div and 78th BR Inf Div to break out to the southwest from Catanzaro.
Both attacks fail.




(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 70
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 3:56:42 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Ground losses this week:



Air losses:



509th Para Bn's scalp is nailed to the wall:



German intel sees the recon activity around The Heel as a ruse. [editor's note: this is real time appreciation from my war diary]
Expect Allied landings to be conducted near Corsica.
We anticipate the Allies will cash in the value purchased in Corsican and Sardinian amphib ops.
Preparing rapid response units and setting up interior fortification lines.
We have been 'spoofing' interior defenses around Rome with Italian HQs and other fodder.
The Allies have been searching different potential landing sectors with recon, and we want to present a daunting picture everywhere.

Defending on the beaches is a fool’s errand. Must structure defense to allow time for mustering reserves at point(s) of attack and not allowing free roam, or cost free flipping of terrain.
Depots established last week are filled this week.

Italian SS Rgt formed and sent to guard Rome.
3/2nd FJ rails from Vienna to Nice to take up for the Feldherrnhalle PzG Div moved to Livorno Italy.
The 19th LW Inf Div rails from N Italy to take up fortifications near Rome.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 71
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/20/2022 5:17:48 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Luftwaffe and the weather continues to try and take a toll on the Allied shipping lanes.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 72
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 1:39:45 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 21
Nov 20, 1943

Rains dominate the map.
Weather report:




Both sides run recon in the Med.
The Allies concentrate their 5 available TF to try and effect a breakout, but fail.
Send one of the attacked regiments to refit at the depot, swap the other around to put fresh units defending the coastal hex.



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 73
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 2:04:01 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Plan to pull back the H.Goering Pzr Div and Schmalz Bde and replace with Security Units, I think he will stop trying to press here now and we can afford to feint our presence. If he comes through, we lose some security units in the worst case scenario.
H. Goering Pzr Div makes it all the way to N Italy to unload, but Schmalz Pzr Bde can only rail to Naples without being able to unload. We’ll use them as a fire brigade in the south and keep the Pzr Div in the north.
Will reposition units to man Death Valley and prevent units from being cut off here. Need to take possession of the mountain hexes for fort building now.
Rails busted leading to The Heel, will rely on sea supply from here on.
17th LW Inf Div (static) breaks down to help cover Death Valley
New 272nd Inf Div sent to Vienna to refit before going to N Italy.
Will need to juggle some units into France soon, maybe get weak infantry out for hill screens.

Overall unit detail of the Italian Theater:



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 74
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 5:13:41 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 22
Nov 27 1943

Weather report:



Allies don’t attempt any breakouts and there are no further landings.
Air Forces stay grounded.
Hoping the ruse across the Straits of Messina keep the Allies from attempting anymore attacks.
Schmalz Bde moves to N Italy and unloads under command of 1st Army.

Reinforcement schedule
Panzer Lehr arrived this week.
Turn 23 - 17th SS PzG Div and 271st + 278th Inf Div arrive.
Turn 24 - Feldherrnhalle PzG Div will withdraw with 76th + 371st Inf Div
Turn 25 - 5th Mtn Div arrives with 100th + 1000th Sec Rgt
Turn 27 - I + II SS Pzr Corps HQ arrive with 2nd Pzr Div
2nd Pzr Div withdraws (1/1/44)
Turn 28 - 275th Inf Div
Turn 29 - LXII + LXXV Corps arrive with 276th Inf Div and Lehr Mot Bde
Turn 30 - 5th Panzer Army arrives with 91st AirL Div, 363rd Inf Div, 1027th + 1028th Mot Bde
Turn 31 - 9th SS Pzr Div withdraws

Likely Allied Landing in order expected.
8 more turns until penalty for not holding 10 hexes in Europe.
Expectation is the closest coastal area to Corsica. He will expect allied air to help after the rainy season, but it provides good space to expand.
Toe is safest, but only gains avoiding the penalty, basically gives up on northern Italy.
Heel is next safest, avoids the penalty easily. Can it be bottled for the winter, or fall back to Gothic Line? Potential counter attack trap?
Landings at the coast of Rome possible, but Axis should be able to bottle this for a bit.
Attacks south of Salerno offer no strategic leverage, and would be hard to expand, downside is unit density here is weak and reinforcement would take two weeks.

272nd Inf Div moved to NE France in Belfort, needs to be redeployed next week.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 75
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 5:23:23 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 23
Dec 4, 1943

The Allies have made three separate landings and a successful attack across the Messina Straits against a security regiment.
Over 7k American paras are captured when the 82nd US Airborne falls on top of the PzG Rgt.

Hitler orders Army Group C to contain the beachheads and not surrender any Italian cities.
“The battle for Italy will be a battle for the soul of Europe!”

We have communicated to our opponent that we intend to achieve the Feb beachhead bonus.

Weather report:



Two Task Forces are used to help cross the Straits.
3/325th Sec Rgt. is forced to retreat under the naval gunfire, and the Allies seize Reggio Calabria.



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 76
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 5:32:12 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		The Catanzaro beachhead again tries to breakout to the west, but to no avail:



82nd Airborne Division drops attempting to cut The Toe in conjunction with a nearby landing, but instead comes down on top of the fortified regiment the 2/26th Pzr.




(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 77
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 5:45:33 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		The BR 7th Arm Div tries to exploit the ferry crossing, but the security forces rally and hold in spectacular fashion.



Losses on the ground this week:


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 78
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:03:00 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Units destroyed:



Air losses resume their brutal pace:



U.S. level bombers, particularly the B-17s have lost a lot of air frames relative to production in this timespan.



Commonwealth level bombers:



Axis powers, excluding Italian airframes.
5,478 losses among these nations against 11,072 Allied losses.
(rosy Axis glasses firmly affixed, our stein is half full!)



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 79
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:14:05 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		The P-38 escorts continue to maul the German fighters.
American bombers have to love when they see these guys are on station:





The garrison on duty-needs:

SE France 48-45 76th Inf Div ( Lyon) withdraws in 1 turn
SW France 47-40 17th SS PzG Div newly arrived, needs refit, available to move
NW France 105-100 371st Inf Div withdraws in 1 turn, needs refit, available to move
NE France 69-60
Belgium 26-25
Netherlands 23-20 271st Inf Div newly arrived, , needs refit, available to move
Denmark 24-20

17th SS PzG Div and 271st + 278th Inf Div arrive this week.

Garrison setup at the end of turn:



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 80
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:18:53 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		The Toe is the most critical beachhead because if they can expand this beachhead we can’t hold them under 10 hexes for two months.
General Hube will continue to defend this area.
2/29th and 3/29th PzG Div move to south side of Toehold
1/3rd and 3/3rd PzG Rgt move to north side of Toehold
1/29th PzG Rgt in reserve, 1/325th Sec Rgt in reserve covering Hube’s XIV Panzer Corps HQ
FJs from the departing 2nd Division will be brought down here to fight.

Catanzaro Beachhead
2/3rd PzG Rgt stays here on western edge.
2/15th and 3/15th PzG Rgts move to south coast perimeter
1/15th PzG Rgt takes northwestern edge
3/26th Pzr Rgt takes the northern edge.
1/2nd FJ Rgt to Crotone
Mistakenly move 2/10th SS Pzr Rgt to Crotone, but move them back after FJ Rgt arrives.
Cosenza depot - 56th Sec Rgt joined by 3/2nd FJ Rgt, still on railcars
LXXVI Pzr Corps HQ reports to 15th Army





< Message edited by Seminole -- 1/23/2022 6:22:45 AM >

(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 81
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:23:45 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Ankle Beach
1/26th Pzr Rgt takes up southside beach
3/17th LW Fld Rgt moves into south Mtn
3/90th PzG Rgt takes up 17th FZ forts between mountains
2/17th LW Fld Rgt moves into north Mtn
2/90th PzG Rgt takes up 15th FZ forts with 1/17th LW Fld Div
1/4th FJ Rgt rails to northside beach, joined by 3/16th SS PzG Div
3/4th FJ Rgt on railcars next to northside beachhead.
LVIII Pzr Corps takes command of this beach, reporting to 15th Army

Achilles Beach
Schmalz Bde and 2/1st FJ Rgt to Foggia.
2/2nd FJ Rgt to Rome
71st Inf Div from Rome to Bari.
12th SS Pzr Div on railcars in Barletta.
10th Army takes control of this beach, with the I and II SS Pzr Corps along with infantry corps will try to handle this sector and potentially set a breakout trap for Allied forces.

CV and beginning of turn:



(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 82
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:37:34 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Army Group orders that positions be taken to provide Achilles Beach some room to expand.
Infantry regiments will present a weak screen to the west in hopes of inducing an Allied move this way before capturing the ports to the east.

Ankle Beach will be hemmed up using the rough and mountainous terrain overlooking the beaches.
No attacks under the protection of naval gunfire will be attempted. We'll let the Allies decide which of these beaches to try and reinforce.
I want to make Achilles appear the most inviting so we can potentially setup a panzer trap on the plains.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 83
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:43:51 AM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Naval Patrols were setup to interdict supplies to the beachheads, with a plan to cut the Straits of Otranto during the Allied phase.



The Luftwaffe again catch the Allied air forces off guard, and are able to interdict some sea lanes, interrupting supplies to the new beachheads:


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 84
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:46:50 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		General Blaskowitz's 1st Army will dig in 10 miles from the coast.



General Student's XI LW Flieger Corps, reporting to 1st Army, is taking the lead on central Italy's coastal defenses facing the expected invasion from Corsica.



15th Army take's responsibility in the next phase for the defenses in The Toe.



Hube's XIV Pzr Corps had been reporting Army Group C, but now are under 15th Army's chain of command.



Generalleutnant Herr's LXXVI Pzr Corps, also reporting to 15th Army, is responsible for containing the Catanzaro beachhead and the southside of Ankle Beach.




< Message edited by Seminole -- 1/23/2022 7:21:32 PM >

(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 85
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 6:52:10 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		General von Vietinghoff's 10th Army is coming south and will take command of efforts around Achilles beach.



General von Schweppenburg's LVIII Pzr Corps will take the lead on commanding the mechanized forces responsible for the counter attack opportunity we're trying to setup.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 86
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 7:10:38 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		14th Army Commander's Report.
This Army is currently managing N. Italian garrison forces. These reserves will be committed south as soon as they're refit.




1st Army Commander's Report.
This Army is constructing fortifications on the western Italians coast.



10th Army Commander's Report.
This Army will manage Achilles beach and be responsible for the exploiting counter attack opportunties.



15th Army Commander's Report.
This Army manages the southernmost defenses.
Holding the tip of The Toe will be hard with the crossing having been made.
Holding strongly here may help press the Allies to feel they must take what they can get and to try to exploit Achilles beach instead of feed units over the ferry.



< Message edited by Seminole -- 1/23/2022 7:11:20 PM >

(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 87
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 8:06:39 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Afraid to bring down more aircraft this turn. Not enough replacements left in the pool.
Will wait to see if our ground crews show up next week.

Army Group C will to pursue the beachhead objective with our available forces.
We look at the Allies’ separated beachheads, and consider none of them effectively mutually supporting.
It also requires the Allies to spread their naval patrol, leaving openings for the remaining Luftwaffe to target specific beaches with focused (and free to shift) force.
Lacking natural ports, these sites will require maintaining TFs onsite to protect lines of supply and prevent isolation.
This prevents them being utilized to prepare for the next wave of invasions.
Each beachhead thus represents a Lilliputian restraint on the Allied Gulliver. When one unravels the rest will be more threatened.

Secondarily, I believe we can pin the other beaches effectively while presenting weakness in the Achilles beach area. Enticing the Allies forward onto the plains and out from under the umbrella of their naval guns and shade of their fighters and tactical bombers, we should be able to inflict some morale sapping victories. Both on the field units and Allied command.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 88
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 8:24:39 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Turn 24
Dec 11, 1943

Weather report:



Allies expand the Achilles beachhead by one hex. Kesselring agrees to the plan posed by Vietinghoff (10th Army) to bait the Americans westward and then cut them off and reduce the beachhead again in early January.
Allies have 9th US Inf in the vanguard, with VI US Corps ashore supporting 4th BR Inf Div and 2nd Moroccan FF Inf Div.
Two Allied units (FF and Italian) but no TF visible after Axis air phase.

The Ankle beachhead is also expanded and troops are piling up offshore.
All naval patrols are concentrated on the Achilles supporting TF this week, with three again dedicated to cutting the Straits of Otranto at a place slightly farther south.


(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 89
RE: Kobiyashi Maru - 1943 GC rematch: kentkroeckel (All... - 1/23/2022 9:16:57 PM   
Seminole


Posts: 2105
Joined: 7/28/2011
Status: offline 		Air losses at beginning of turn:



NF intercept still seems woeful, I just don't know what to do.
Their losses are from flak and OPS (likely due to high tempo).



P-38s wipe the floor with more German FBs.



Even when there are just a few P-38s they own the skies.



Air losses after Axis air phase:



< Message edited by Seminole -- 1/23/2022 9:18:47 PM >

(in reply to Seminole)
Post #: 90
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