ultradave(WA) vs scout1(Ger), '43-'45 Campaign (Turn 88, Mar 3, '45)

[marion61]

My suggestion is that you take Sardinia and Corsica before you launch an invasion onto the mainland of Italy (unless your planning a Southern invasion site). You really need those two islands before you think about landing anywhere above Naples to project your air power over your invasion.

[ultradave]

Invasion of Italy to relieve pressure off the units working their way up from the boot. Ashore without incident except for an aborted drop by the 82d Airborne (my error I believe).

[scout1]

Bad guys landed .... unlike the historical HQ orders .... Our boys are following a mobile defense .....
Can/will adjust .....

[ultradave]

The Allies are ashore safely in the Salerno area and have broken out of the logjam a that upper part of the toe of Italy ( not much serious resistance there - more of a delaying action we were facing) Knocking on the door of Naples. However, it looks like the beginnings of a serious line of resistance forming from what can be seen from recon.

Can't say enough about how much I enjoy this game. So much to think about and manage.

[scout1]

The Allies are ashore safely in the Salerno area and have broken out of the logjam a that upper part of the toe of Italy ( not much serious resistance there - more of a delaying action we were facing) Knocking on the door of Naples. However, it looks like the beginnings of a serious line of resistance forming from what can be seen from recon.

Jodl & Keitel have been convincing that the Russians are bedding down for the winter .... So the Italian mainland is gaining during this tourist season .... But where is Monty we's wonder ?

[ultradave]

Good consolidation of our position in Italy as the southern corps fighting their way up the boot link up with the invasion troops east of Salerno. Naples however, is a tough nut. The weather continues to be atrocious though, with rain and light mud to mud over all of southern Europe and heavy snow in the north. There is a glimmer of clearing though moving up from the south. Praying that it continues to clear so that better progress can be made.

[Baelfiin]

Dave it looks like your corps and armies are all jumbled together. Allied leaders are not all that great for the most part so you might get some better die rolls on your leader checks if you consolidate into one or two armies

[ultradave]

They are yes, I agree. And I haven't brought over the Army HQs yet. Probably could have last turn but .... The jumbling is partially a result of getting enough combat power in a few hexes to expand out of Salerno beachhead. Now I need to untangle things and get better organized. Thanks for the comment

[ultradave]

After a couple of turns of getting the Allied supply situation in order, (a lot to learn there about keeping the beachhead supplied that and more to it than in Sicily), we've moved up the east coast of Italy and the Free French Corp has broken through the first line of defense in the mountains. Air recce shows a new line forming to the north, but with the help of a second invasion just north of Naples, Naples falls to the Allies. My front line looks a little disorganized right now but it's mainly due to some breakthroughs in the line. Need to consolidate the gains.

Can I say again what an great game I think this is?

[scout1]

Prepare to meet the might of the Wehrmacht ......

[scout1]

BTW,

Adolf is hoping that Uncle Joe plans on being patient this season

[ultradave]

Turn 30 Allied dispositions. Supply and HQ entanglements reasonably well sorted.

[ultradave]

And it's STILL *&$#*&#$ing raining for God's sake. When will it end?

[marion61]

Don't feel alone. The weather has never been kind to me either.

[ultradave]

Rain rain go away. Things have ground to a halt, or maybe squelched to a stop - mud. Not shown but all of Europe where it isn't raining is buried under snow and it's always snowing.

[LiquidSky]

You know that Rain isn't that big a deal. Light mud is only 90% as effective as clear. Oh wait...let me look something up. Okay..I was wrong. In a good road system, light mud is 0.9. But Italy (birth place of the paved road) is only Average Roads...thus attacking is only 80% less effective.

So instead of 2-1 you will need 2.4 to 1

Heavy mud (on the other hand) is a front shutter downer

EDIT: Snow has the same penalties as light mud. 90% in Europe and 80% in Italy. And Light Snow is the same as Clear

[ultradave]

I did make a couple of attacks. Most of the turn was reorganizing. It would be nice to have a little clear weather though. tired of seeing the raindrops.

[scout1]

Spring is just around the corner ...... Sun will come out by then .....

[ultradave]

That's a lot of Germans!

[scout1]

More than you can dream of ......