Reverse 4-player AAR.

[Orm]

The combined Italian and German bombers hit the French defenders repeatedly, but they fail to find the well camouflaged antitank guns in the forest.


Picture from Jul/Aug '40 Impulse #2 (Axis) - Ground Strike

[Orm]

Japan rail two units to central China.

Italy move a TERR and the supply counter in East Africa.

The Chinese Communists had the nerve to put an entire Japanese Army Group in Northern China out of supply. Two Japanese units move to re-establish the supply, however, this cause them to become disorganized.


Picture from Jul/Aug '40 Impulse #2 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

Nothing new in Southern China. The lousy weather makes operation close to impossible. However, the 12th Army ignores the storm and advance into the gap between the two Chinese Army Groups.


Picture from Jul/Aug '40 Impulse #2 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

Over to Field Marshal von Warspite1 for the latest events in Belgium.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2 (Axis)

Land Movement (Cont)

In Moscow Stalin receives reports of a new German Army formation located near Krakow. This formation seems to be calling itself a Panzergruppe. Stalin, relaxing in the rosy afterglow of the conquest of Bulgaria, dismisses the significance of such a force in the east.

Army Group F (Poland)

11th Army (Schobert)
XII Infantry Corps
Konigsberg Militia
XXXIII Infantry Corps

17th Army (von Stulpnagel)
LXIII Infantry Corps
Kiel Militia
XXXV Infantry Corps
LXXIV Infantry Corps

3rd Panzergruppe (Hoth)
XXXXVI Motorised Corps

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3 (Axis)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch......

As is the German way, if something is not working don't take a step back, calmly appraise oneself of the situation and revise the plan accordingly. No, instead just carry on the same plan but BIGGER! [8|]

Hitler, angered to the point of apoplexy by the fiasco that is the Belgian campaign, orders the increase in size of Panzer Group Kleist and 3rd Army into two overly large, unwieldy formations and orders von Rundstedt to take charge and to sort out the mess. Further compounding his problems, when von Rundstedt asks for the Fallschirmjager Corps to be added to the order of battle, Goering - in charge of anything that flies in the 3rd Reich - refuses to relinquish control and Hitler refuses to override his bezzie mate. Will the Paras be available? Who knows? The Prussian general pencils them into his OOB and simply hopes for the best. Von Rundstedt also decides to play to Goering's vanity and sends him a present of a 'nice' PVC outfit and a hat with nobs on in the hope that will persuade the Reichmarschall to do the right thing....

Army Group Belgium (Von Rundstedt)
II Airborne Corps (under control of Goering)

Panzer Group (Kleist)
VIII Mechanised Corps
XLVI Mechanised Corps
XLI Panzer Corps
XLVIII Panzer Corps (Inop)
1st Motorised AA Division
2nd Artillery Division (Inop)

3rd Army
XLIII Infantry Corps
VII Motorised Corps
I Infantry Corps
VI Infantry Corps
1st Engineer Division
2nd Infantry Division

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3 (Axis)

Delighted with the present, Goering orders release of the airborne corps to von Rundstedt.

II Airborne Corps mount up in their Italian transports and fly to western Belgium accompanied by fighters from JG5.

Do the French wish to intercept? The Germans/Italians have 2 x 5, 1 x 4 and 1 x 3 quality fighters that can intercept.

[Mayhemizer_slith]

Fighter in Paris intercepts. It lands one hex SW of Paris.

[Mayhemizer_slith]

This is looking serious: O-Chit, ground strikes that actually hit, paratroopers... are you telling me you are going to start rolling high in land combats too? Maybe France is not going to last forever.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2 (Axis)

The French decide to contest the proposed paradrop again. That tactical genius [8|] Goering orders the fighters of Jagdgeschwader 5 to stick to the transports like glue - totally negating the superiority in performance of the 109-E.... but whose tactics will prove the best?

[Mayhemizer_slith]

If France can choose, shoot down ATR and if aborted choose Allied fighter.

Im offline for 3 hours.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2 (Axis)

Air to air combat: West of Paris

The fighters cancel themselves out. The German pilots cannot manoeuvre to beat the French, but the French pilots cannot get close to the well guarded transports

Allied - 9 (AC) - only one Transport to clear through
Axis - 12 (AC) - no bomber to clear.

I assume the French do not wish to stay around?

[AllenK]

The French FTR heads home.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2 (Axis)

The fighters head for home and the Italians deliver their precious cargo behind the French main line.

There are two attacks announced - Panzer Group Kleist are ordered to attack the French armies west of Brussels, while the infantry of 3rd Army are ordered to try and evict the French defenders in the Ardennes.

[warspite1]

AllenK do you wish to look at this in the absence of Mayhemizer (I will post the details shortly) or shall I call a halt to proceedings pending his return?

[AllenK]

I'll be watching 'Strictly' for the next couple of hours so Mayhemizer will probably be back by then.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2 (Axis)

I'll set out the position anyway and allow you/Mayhemizer to let me know in due course.

In addition to the attacks in Belgium, the Japanese are launching an automatic attack against the Garrison in Chengchow.

First things first. In northern Belgium the odds are 62:12 (5:1) with or without the notional, and I think its +4 (3 x disorganised + 1 for the Armour involved). Do the French wish to add the notional unit?

[Orm]

The para in itself should add +1.

[warspite1]

I don't understand the notional rule here. The program is saying its 5:1 with or without the notional - but the odds are 62:12. So if the notional was added then this should make it 4:1 shouldn't it? 13 x 5 = 65?

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I don't understand the notional rule here. The program is saying its 5:1 with or without the notional - but the odds are 62:12. So if the notional was added then this should make it 4:1 shouldn't it? 13 x 5 = 65?

Indeed. 4:1 if it is 62:13.