Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse IV - Nice AArse

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 4

The problem the Germans have in the south is the sheer distance and the lack of units. Even if Stalino falls, the Germans Southern Army Group will have to split in two - one to head for Kursk/Voronezh and the other for Rostov/Crimea.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

This has to be the most incredible run of weather. Its Nov/Dec and another 1 is rolled and it remains Fine everywhere.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

The CW launch a ground strike against the Axis forces in Cagliari. Rather than be sitting ducks, the Italian fighters in the capital fly in defence.

Thanks to support from the Fleet Air Arm, the CW have the advantage here 7.4:5.3, but the Italians only need to abort the sole bomber.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

Round 1 (Axis to throw first)

10 - DC The Wellington is cleared through
6 - DX The Italians lose their front fighter (the pilot is saved)

There is no longer any point in fighting and the Italians abort.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

The Wimpy does its job - well half its job - and disorganises the Italian HQ.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

Two attacks this impulse:

Cagliari and China

For the battle in the Mediterranean the Axis decide to continue the fight. Both CW and Germany have long range fighters and the FAA bring in to more to try and tip the balance (it doesn't). The CW need to stop the Italian bombers as they are powerful.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

Round 1 (Axis to throw first)

16 - DX PX The CW lose the Swordfish bomber (the pilot is killed)
18 - DX PX The Italians have no choice but to lose their front bomber (the pilot is killed)

Round 2

3 - AX The Germans destroy the British fighter (the pilot is saved)
14 - DA Interesting. The Germans decide which to abort. They have to choose the fighter as they need the bomber through.

Round 3

12 - AC Effectively no effect
4 - AX The Italian bomber is shot down (pilot survives)

Well that was one of the most destructive air battles of the entire game!

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

So, thanks to the Royal Navy adding its CWT of shells, the odds are 4:1 +1 on the Assault table....

...its a 6(7) The attackers are all disorganised but the important thing is that Cagliari has fallen. The Mountain unit is destroyed and the HQ must retreat. There is no hex for Graziani to retreat to so he too is destroyed.The Italian TRS flees for La Spezia but the CR32bis is destroyed when the CW advance.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 5

In China the Japanese, surviving on a shoestring survive once more. The odds, thanks to a long-range Japanese bomber are down to 3:2 no modifiers on the Assault table....

...its a 1. The Communists lose 2 units for no loss in reply.

[composer99]

The USSR better hope that the Allies can cause a real ruckus in Italy next year, because they are deep in it now!

(Italy's not looking too good either, after taking such a drubbing in the air and losing an HQ-A.)

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

One ground strike in the Soviet Union. The units in Mogilev are the target as the Germans seek a bridgehead over the Dniepr.

180! The 7-quality Stuka scores a full house.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: composer99

The USSR better hope that the Allies can cause a real ruckus in Italy next year, because they are deep in it now!

(Italy's not looking too good either, after taking such a drubbing in the air and losing an HQ-A.)

warspite1

Agreed. The great thing about doing this is the sheer amount I am learning. Why the hell did I put an HQ-A in Sardinia? Why didn't I garrison the island earlier? Why didn't I build AMPH with Italy; I could have been threatening - no actually achieving - the invasion of Malta by now!!??

There is just sooooooooo much to this game.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

Two attacks - both in the Soviet Union. Stalino, which is completely surrounded, and a much trickier attack across river, without engineers, south of Smolensk.

The river crossing is, unsurprisingly, contested with everything the Soviets can summon up. The air battle is slightly in the Luftwaffe's favour 6.0:5.0.

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

Round 1 (Soviets to throw first)

17 - DX PX The Germans destroy their front bomber (the pilot is killed)
2 - AX The Germans choose to destroy the Soviet front fighter (the pilot survives)

With a +4 differential the Soviets cannot afford to stick around. They win the points battle: one pilot (2) and one bomber (3) for one fighter (2) but lose the air battle.....

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

And so to Stalino. It's a 4:1 no modifiers on the Assault Table (and Fractional Odds increase it to 5:1.....

....6 Oh dear. The Soviets lose two units and the third is Shattered (no Conversion).

[warspite1]

Just Rostov stands in the way of the Wehrmacht and the oil rich Caucasus. And we know what happened at Rostov in the real war don't we boys and girls?

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First it's back to Smolensk.... This is a 3:2 (bad), but on the Blitz table (good) and with a +3 (very good). This has all the hallmarks of a bloody battle - two SS Corps, a Siberian Corps, Katayushas, lots of German artillery; hell we've even got Rommel's Deutsches Afrika Korps involved! [:D] But enough of that old cobblers I'm babbling on because, even though I am competing with myself, I am genuinely nervous about this result

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

....and the score is?...oh hang on, the Fractional Odds have just made it 2:1...

....7(10) Now THAT is a BIG result. I mean big! The Soviets only lose one unit but the other two are Shattered (no conversion) and the Germans remain organised

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 6

And right on cue...the weather goes bad....

[warspite1]

Nov/Dec 1942
Impulse: 7

All Allied players pass except the Soviets. This gives a 20% chance of the turn ending, while still giving the Soviets a chance to reform their line ahead of Smolensk - more importantly they had two disorganised bombers in Gomel to protect.

And the throw is a 9 - not even close to the turn ending....