Campaign For North Africa 40D-43

[warspite1]

Turn 22 - Axis Turn
22nd February 1941

The Axis are limited to attacking the RN at great cost to them in aircraft - although it does not seem to have any effect.

[warspite1]

Turn 23
26th February 1941

Not sure how this concept works. Okay, it saves the Italians from defeat but.....

[warspite1]

Turn 23
26th February 1941

In a reversal from history, O'Connor orders the 2nd Armoured to continue on to Benghazi across the Jebel Akhdar, while the Australian infantry head across the desert.

The 70th Infantry and Guards remain south of the 2nd Armoured and are ordered to take the airfields at El Abiar and Benina to the south and east of Benghazi.

Meanwhile XIII Corps reach their next objective in the depths of the Sahara.

Finally, 7th Armoured are finally showing some green dots on their units.....

Reinforcements are able to use ship from Alexandria to Tobruk which is helpful.

The RAF/RAAF position is now as follows:

Mechili
RAAF Hurricanes (16)
RAAF Blenheims (23)

Tobruk
RAAF Hurricanes (20)
RAF Blenheims (24)

Sidi Azeiz
RAF Blenheims (24)

[warspite1]

Turn 23
26th February 1941

O'Connor has given his divisional commanders their orders, they know what is expected.

But XIII Corps meet an unexpected problem. Having moved all these units south, they find the location of the Giarabub Garrison was well chosen. The terrain is impassable to tracked and motorised units....[:@]

The Corps artillery pulverise the defenders and force them to quit the airfield - but the enemy have retreated into impassable terrain...

[warspite1]

Turn 23 - Axis Turn
26th February 1941

The Germans arrive!

[larryfulkerson]

Those German stacks along the coast.....what's in those stacks besides armor? Is
this the Afrika Corps?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

Those German stacks along the coast.....what's in those stacks besides armor? Is
this the Afrika Corps?

warspite1

This is the start of what became the Afrika Korps. I will need to refresh my memory but in real life Rommel arrived with the 5th Light Division - which became the 21st Panzer Division, and this was soon followed by the 15th Panzer Division. I will need to check my facts, but initially there may have been only one panzer regiment to the division.

These two divisions were effectively the Afrika Korps - although there were, I think, ultimately 4 German divisions in Afrika by 1942.

[warspite1]

Turn 23 - Axis Turn
26th February 1941

I will have to wait and see what the AI does, now that they have the Germans to bolster the Sabratha and Brescia Divisions.

In response to the XIII Corp attack, the Saharan Detachment heads west to assist their colleagues of the Giarabub Garrison.

Meantime the Italian airforce launches one air strike - against an RAF airfield. That is good - that means I might be able to get into an action with them rather than they just hide where I can't get to them..


The caption shows 3 RAF aircraft destroyed. This number is supported by a quick check on the unit report which confirms the RAF at Sidi Azeiz is now reduced to 21 aircraft.

[warspite1]

Turn 24
1st March 1941

The arrival of the Germans is something of a game changer. I still have to take Benghazi of course, but if I do, I am not going to venture as far as El Agheila (I believe this was where the British stopped) unless Rommel shows no signs of moving - there is an airbase there that would be good to destroy though.

[warspite1]

Turn 24 - Rounds 1 -10
1st March 1941

The Benghazi garrison has only one infantry battalion and so the 2nd Armoured hope to make short work of that. The 70th Infantry and Australian infantry press on to their next (airfield) objectives, while XIII Corps engage the Saharan Detachment.

In the desert an artillery barrage opens proceedings followed by four dozen Royal Tank Regiment Matildas and an Australian cavalry regiment. Blenheim bombers provide additional support.

The attack on Soluch airfield, south of Benghazi is entirely an infantry affair led by a battalion of the Essex Regiment.

Finally, for the attack on Benghazi practically the whole of the 2nd Armoured get involved.... time is of the essence.

The airfield falls easily to the British infantry, while the Saharan Detachment are forced back. However the Italians, bolstered by the news that reinforcement are arriving soon, grimly hold on in Benghazi.

Benghazi falls at the second time of asking. Just in time as the rounds run out...


The 7th RTR engages the Saharan Detachment...

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 23
26th February 1941

In a reversal from history, O'Connor orders the 2nd Armoured to continue on to Benghazi across the Jebel Akhdar, while the Australian infantry head across the desert.

Winston Churchill has a fit, fires Alan Brooke, sends them to Greece. [:D]

[warspite1]

Turn 24 - Axis Turn
1st March 1941

Well that was the quietest Axis turn yet. No aircraft attacks - just the Saharan Detachment seeking to retreat....

[warspite1]

Turn 25
5th March 1941

So the Axis have lost some of their disadvantages. I've no idea what the convoy stuff means i.e. whether or not I can use the navy/air force to try and interdict, but I will look that up.

Okay so these supply levels for the Axis look to be fixed and nothing I can do to affect them.

The Axis convoy level for the next 10 months is as follows:
9/40: B = 16x2 = 32/2 = 16
3/41: E = 25x2 = 50/2 = 25
4/41: F = 28x2 = 56/2 = 28
5/41: E = 25x2 = 50/2 = 25
6/41: D = 23x2 = 46/2 = 23
7/41: G = 54x2 = 108 – 48 = 60/2 = 30
8/41: C = 19x2 = 38 + 22 = 60/2 = 30
9/41: E = 25x2 = 50 + 10 = 60/2 = 30
10/41: C = 19x2 = 38 + 16 = 54/2 = 27
11/41: D = 23x2 = 46/2 = 23
12/41: E = 25x2 = 50/2 = 25

This information is in the scenario documentation

[warspite1]

Turn 25
5th March 1941

Probably sensible to have a look at Reinforcements and Withdrawals for the next 10 turns...

Not too many withdrawals which is good (the 1st Welsh is out of the way near Bardia so that presents no problem). Still no mention of the Australians which I find a little disconcerting.....

[warspite1]

Turn 25
5th March 1941

Well the Aussies got to El Aghiela - lets hope they don't regret it.

A battalion of infantry rushes forward to take the last airfield before the protected zone (just after this picture was taken). Let's hope Rommel isn't ready to counter-attack!

[warspite1]

Turn 25 - Axis Turn
5th March 1941

With a big gulp and a sense of nervous anticipation, I end the turn for the Axis to......

[warspite1]

Turn 25 - Axis Turn
5th March 1941

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAOGRiYRLI

....nothing.

There were a number of desultory air attacks against the XIII Corps at Giarabub, but otherwise nothing....

[warspite1]

Turn 26
8th March 1941

[X(]

[warspite1]

Turn 26
8th March 1941

[X(][X(]

So basically, every single unit is reorganising. I can move nothing.... Not sure if that is the supply 'thingy' or the shock 'wotsit' [&:]

[warspite1]

Turn 26
8th March 1941

Mmmmm there may be something to be said for RTFM. From the documentation:

If the CW appproaches closer than 20 hexes to Axis reinforcement hex before turn 29 they suffer a 99% shock penalty that lasts until turn 29.