Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse IV - Nice AArse

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

Off? No - now is not the time to act like a weakling. The 2nd Fallschirmjager Corps is ordered to drop in the Ardennes - perfect paratroop country - no trees or other obstacles in the way [:D]

The French are asked if they want to intercept. It's tempting but they decide a) they do not have the fighter strength, and b) they assume the chances of success of this suicide mission is low in any case and are prepared to take the chance....

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

I use the 4 value of von Rundstedt (doubled) to then double 8 attacking units. This moves the two 3:2 attacks to 2:1 +2 and 3:1 southeast of Brussels and in the Ardennes respectively.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

Meanwhile in China, the Japanese use a combined to transport the 2nd Armoured Corps and the 2nd Mechanised Division to the mainland. They hold fire on attacking until these are in place and can give Blitzkrieg capability.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

Back to the action. I am asked if I want to add the "Notional Unit" in the Ardennes hex. Either way the odds are 3:1 so I just say yes.

The French are asked if they want to add HQ support. It's simply too early in what could be a long summer turn to be using this up on a 50/50 throw and they decline.

In the Ardennes, the Germans have no chance of bringing the attack up to 4:1, but in the other hex they only need 2 points for 3:1. Two precious bombers are flown to the hex.

The French decide to respond. They will be heavily outnumbered but can use up the Luftwaffe fighter strength in so doing. If they can get their bomber through, the Germans will be back to 2:1. The Luftwaffe bring in three fighters of their own.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

And so to another really important air battle over the skies of Belgium. The Germans have a 6.8:4.3 advantage, but it only takes one lucky throw......

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

Air Combat Round 1

Allies throw a 13 (AC) - the French choose a German bomber to clear through. They are both 2-factor so it does not matter which.

Axis throw a 2 (AX) - the Germans get to choose whether to destroy the French bomber or front fighter (the pilot survives). Without a moment of hesitation they choose the bomber.

After my last AAR, it makes for something of a surprise to see the Luftwaffe catching a break!

There is no need for the French to stick around and get another fighter shot out of the sky for nothing and so they abort.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

Right another question. I am getting odds of 3:1 +2 for the attack south of Brussels - which makes sense as there are two disorganised defenders.

But I am also getting 3:1 +1 in the Ardennes. The ground strikes failed?? Ah just read the Paradrop rules 11.15. Its the Notional unit I clicked Yes to. I thought clicking yes was good for the French - I could not have been more wrong - the Notional Unit is always disorganised. Damn. Let's hope its not important....

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

The first attack is the one south of Brussels. It's 3:1 +2 and the French have the decision on which combat table to use? Rule Book time! Idiot - the French have an Armour and I have only one too. That means its the French choice. I do not feel so guilty now about the notional unit now [:D]

Quelle Surprise - Gamelin orders the Assault table.....

....its a 6 (8). All attackers are disorganised, but the defender loses a unit and, more importantly, the survivors are shattered. The decision is to destroy the Infantry and shatter the Armour and the anti-tank unit. The retreat option is not taken [;)]

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

To the Ardennes now. This time the Germans do get the option and go for Blitzkrieg. The French 5th Infantry and 24th Motorised Corps are enjoying time in this quiet sector of the front. It's nice and safe here, after all, who is going to attack through the heavily forested Ardennes?

Suddenly the French troops hear aircraft flying overhead - strange looking, three-engined aircraft, that begin jettisoning stuff? Except its not "stuff" its paratroopers. The Germans are attacking! Merde!

But what will the dice god decree?......

....its a 4(5). The Germans lose a unit and are disorganised but, importantly, the French have to retreat. The Germans decide to lose the AT unit as they need numbers to defend the territory won.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 1

The final act of this impulse is for von Runstedt to use his enhanced capability to reorganise units. Almost all the ground units are organised once more.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 2

The Allies have some thinking to do here. The obvious emotion is to attack von Bock in his exposed hex northwest of Brussels - especially given the British/Belgian superiority in aircraft. BUT throwing a one could gift the initiative back to the Germans. Besides, two of the hexes von Bock is behind are river lines...

The more obvious plan would be to sort out the French and just wait for the Germans to break themselves against what is a pretty solid line. Without an offensive chit, the Germans will need to throw BIG - something they have not done so far.

[Courtenay]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Mar/Apr 1940
Impulse: 11

The Soviets claim Bessarabia. The British Army land their last two units still at sea, a Garrison in France and a Division in Antwerp.

Finally the turn ends on a 1.

This was quite a risk. The Germans might have denied the claim, and 80% of the time, the Russians would not have had time to drive into Rumania, so the Germans could have enforced a peace, costing the Allies two US entry chits.

[AllenK]

On the other hand.

May 1944 RM Warspite sails into the West Med at the head of the Italian Fleet. War has been declared on Spain and, with the Spanish units aligned on the French border to guard against the Axis armies, an invasion of Valencia is planned.

The Royal Navy sends the Med fleet from Gibraltar to intercept. 4CV, 4BB and 2CA should be a match for the RM fleet - Everybody knows BB's aren't a match for air power!! - 7BB and 6CA but lacking in CV air cover and just hoping that some NAV may make it through the latest Seafires embarked on the Ark Royal.

Unfortunately, the RN forget to take the lens caps of their binoculars and are surprised when the RM appear in their midst, guns blazing (search roles RM 2, RN 9, Italians chose surface combat to negate the air). Lying directly in their path, the Ark Royal, which is reduced to a blazing wreck (3 surprise points to select target). Resolution follows the Ark to the bottom and the Royal Sovereign and Belfast limp away from the battle. In return, the Italians lose the old French BB Courbet (captured along with BB Paris when they collapsed Vichy)and CA San Giorgio limps away from the battle. A further CA aborts the area.

Round 2, the RN smarting from the initial shock but still with a powerful air contingent decide to stay and fight. They were caught napping but this time will be different. The Italians figure with the Warspite on their side, they can't lose. The stage is set.

In all the shock and surprise from the first encounter, the RN lookouts appear to have dropped their bins over the side and, once again, carnage ensues (search roles RM 2, RN 7). This time the Formidable stands exposed in their path but skilful handling by her Captain prevents her joining the Ark and she plus Royal Oak, Revenge and Glasgow limp away for some yardtime. In return the RN barely manage to damage the Paris and scratch the paint on a couple of CA's, sending them back to port.

The RN flee back to Gib and resulting gunfire support from Warspite et al ensure the successful invasion of Valencia.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Courtenay

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Mar/Apr 1940
Impulse: 11

The Soviets claim Bessarabia. The British Army land their last two units still at sea, a Garrison in France and a Division in Antwerp.

Finally the turn ends on a 1.

This was quite a risk. The Germans might have denied the claim, and 80% of the time, the Russians would not have had time to drive into Rumania, so the Germans could have enforced a peace, costing the Allies two US entry chits.

warspite1

This is one of the "downsides" of playing solo and learning the rules. If I was playing another person I would need to be more certain of the rules and their consequences in taking certain actions. As it is there was no risk at all because I "knew" the response from Adolf would be the historical one - keep the Balkans quiet while I deal with the west [:)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: AllenK

On the other hand.

May 1944 RM Warspite sails into the West Med at the head of the Italian Fleet. War has been declared on Spain and, with the Spanish units aligned on the French border to guard against the Axis armies, an invasion of Valencia is planned.

The Royal Navy sends the Med fleet from Gibraltar to intercept. 4CV, 4BB and 2CA should be a match for the RM fleet - Everybody knows BB's aren't a match for air power!! - 7BB and 6CA but lacking in CV air cover and just hoping that some NAV may make it through the latest Seafires embarked on the Ark Royal.

Unfortunately, the RN forget to take the lens caps of their binoculars and are surprised when the RM appear in their midst, guns blazing (search roles RM 2, RN 9, Italians chose surface combat to negate the air). Lying directly in their path, the Ark Royal, which is reduced to a blazing wreck (3 surprise points to select target). Resolution follows the Ark to the bottom and the Royal Sovereign and Belfast limp away from the battle. In return, the Italians lose the old French BB Courbet (captured along with BB Paris when they collapsed Vichy)and CA San Giorgio limps away from the battle. A further CA aborts the area.

Round 2, the RN smarting from the initial shock but still with a powerful air contingent decide to stay and fight. They were caught napping but this time will be different. The Italians figure with the Warspite on their side, they can't lose. The stage is set.

In all the shock and surprise from the first encounter, the RN lookouts appear to have dropped their bins over the side and, once again, carnage ensues (search roles RM 2, RN 7). This time the Formidable stands exposed in their path but skilful handling by her Captain prevents her joining the Ark and she plus Royal Oak, Revenge and Glasgow limp away for some yardtime. In return the RN barely manage to damage the Paris and scratch the paint on a couple of CA's, sending them back to port.

The RN flee back to Gib and resulting gunfire support from Warspite et al ensure the successful invasion of Valencia.

warspite1

Mmmmmmm....... [;)]

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 2

The Allies decide to take the consolidate and wait approach. The Royal Navy's Home Fleet put to sea and the French shuffle their forces to ensure they provide as solid a barrier as possible.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 2

Although there will be no land attacks, the British do decide to ground strike von Bock to try and ensure he will not be available for further use...

The Luftwaffe simply do not have the fighter strength to contest this attack. Good shootin' boys! von Bock is duly flipped!

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 2

Gamelin orders Billotte to reorganise the two Infantry west of Metz. The British move the 2nd Infantry Division to Brussels.

The Allied lines look pretty strong to me.....

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 3

The weather throw is a 9 and its Fine everywhere. But just what the hell is Adolf going to do?

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1940
Impulse: 3

One thing though is for certain - Mussolini is not going to do anything until he knows that Germany are going to win. Sadly, he decides to put his dreams of a triumphant entry into Cairo on horseback to one side - at least for the moment.

Instead he contents himself with overseeing the Italian railway timetable.

Benito Mussolini: "Clara! Clara! I have a great idea for making the 10:06 from Genoa to Rome even more punctual!"

Clara Petacci: (rolling her eyes, yawning, and with barely suppressed sarcasm in her voice) "That's nice dear....."

BM: "Hey work with me here - I have a myth to propagate"