Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse IV - Nice AArse

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

This turn is undoubtedly the most important to date. The Germans need to make a real breakthrough or they will run into Winter and give the British and French time to re-group.

Adolf Hitler decides to give a speech to rally the troops.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

...actually when I say speech to rally the troops, I should have more accurately stated "Hitler gives yet another mind-numbingly, soul-destroying, turgid rant that seems to last forever" At least that's what his audience thinks....

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

Meanwhile, back at the front the Germans decide to switch tack. They will ignore the British in northern Belgium and the French to their south. Instead the focus will be on a hex just west of the Maginot Line, and one where the French have spread themselves incredibly thin in order to maintain a coherent line before Paris.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The Luftwaffe order their best three aircraft to three different hexes for ground strikes. The 150mm Artillery Division will also add its weight to the attacks further north.

The bombers are accompanied by fighters. The French have two fighters they can bring to the contest. The French decide to send both fighters to the hex they expect to be under attack. The Germans have just one fighter they can bring to the that hex....

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The key air battle commences. The advantage is slight, 5.0:5.3, but with the French who throw first:

Round 1:
9 - AC The Do-17 is cleared through.
14 - DA The front French fighter has to abort.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The German Artillery goes into action. Its a good effort from the 4-quality unit.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

East of Paris the 5-quality Stuka obtains equally impressive results

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The He-111, attacking the hex west of the target, achieves a 1 out of 3 success rate.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

As does the Do-17 on the key hex.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

Fed up with the lack of progress, Tojo also orders a renewed effort in China. The Japanese air force are surprisingly successful too....

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The Germans announce two attacks instead of just the one. Both sides decline HQ support, but the Germans can increase the odds in the south by bringing in two bombers.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The attack in Northern France was declared due to the unexpected ground strike success. This turns a 3:1 into a 3:1(+3) on the Blitz table - too good to pass up.

Its a 5(8). The French are shattered and the Germans convert to a retreat on the basis that the units could stop a potential future counter-attack (by being in the way).

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The main attack is a 4:1(+1) on the Blitz table....

....its a 7(8). The French lose one unit and the survivor is Shattered.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 2

The Germans take a risk and use two HQ (Guderian and von Runstedt) to re-organise two fighters, a Stuka, an AA and an ART.

[DanielAnsell]

The Germans seem to be marching forward pretty steady, especially as they chew up the RAF over Belgium and France.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Carny

The Germans seem to be marching forward pretty steady, especially as they chew up the RAF over Belgium and France.

warspite1

Yes, bearing in mind its already Sep/Oct, I think its steady progress - certainly not spectacular. What I have learned over the last few games:

- It's vital not to allow the CW a foothold in Holland or Belgium
- The presence of a strong air force is vital
- Just one or two key/duff dice rolls can make/break an entire turn

[Courtenay]

Yes, France will fall, but this campaign counts as an Allied victory. A Spanish strategy is off the table as it is to late in year to get through Spain quickly; all that is left is to deal with the Balkans in whatever fashion you think best, and then try and win the war in Russia. We all know how easily that works. [:)]

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 3

The die roll was a 3 - Fine everywhere. The big question is, what do France and the Commonwealth do now? The ground strikes previously by the Germans make a counter-attack - or even a better defensive position - more difficult.

In order to try and keep some sort of line I see no reason not to pull back from the Maginot Line now. The Germans (all Garrisons) are hardly going to be streaming over the border quickly.

The Allies have to keep their eye on the main prize here; every impulse that France remain in the game is a help to Uncle Joe and ultimate victory.

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 3

The French seal off - at least temporarily - the gap created between the armies in the Maginot Line and those to the west. The British keep hold of Antwerp this impulse. Gort and Alexander do not have enough points to support a total retreat into France. The British units in Belgium have to hope that the presence of the RN will stop any thoughts of a German attack. Gort reorganises a Hurricane, meaning that the RAF now have two fighters in France. Georges reorganises the Armoured Corps and the French 5th Infantry Corps (carried out after this screen shot was taken).

[warspite1]

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 4

ARRGGGHHHH!!!!!

Adolf Hitler: Vas in ze name of Bonaparte's balls ver you doing? Dumbkopf!!!
Guderian: Sorry mein Fuhrer I vos buzy perfecting my Zaphod Beeblebrox impression und vos not sinking about ze next impulse.....

I cannot believe I used Guderian to reorganise a couple of aircraft! There he is, in prime position to smash an armoured wedge between the French troops in Alsace-Lorraine and those further west and I go and flip him [8|]

Good grief.....