Campaign For North Africa 40D-43

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: 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.

This sure sounds like an event screw up. First, your shot in post #315 seems to show you never got that far (the dashed red boundary line) - although I can't tell for sure since you've turned off ownership again. Second, the whole penalty should have been canceled because the Italians didn't hold Derna or Tobruk long enough.

It's possible some events work different under IV than they did under III. I'll have to do some troubleshooting.

Regardless, it will only last till turn 29 (I hope).

[warspite1]

Turn 26 - Axis Turn
8th March 1941

So not being able to move, XIII Corps has been attacked and I've lost two artillery regiments + the Aussie Cavalry and 7th RTR have been withdrawn.

Turn 27 - Axis Turn
11th March 1941

A number of aistrikes - no report so not sure what the result is. The CW get a furball in their favour (seriously how the hell can this not be defined or mentioned in the manual?????). An SM.79 unit evaporates?

Turn 28 - Axis Turn
15th March 1941

Another furball and another SM.79 evaporates... yeah whatever.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: 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.

This sure sounds like an event screw up. First, your shot in post #315 seems to show you never got that far (the dashed red boundary line) - although I can't tell for sure since you've turned off ownership again. Second, the whole penalty should have been canceled because the Italians didn't hold Derna or Tobruk long enough.

It's possible some events work different under IV than they did under III. I'll have to do some troubleshooting.

Regardless, it will only last till turn 29 (I hope).

warspite1

No screw up - except by this idiot. I said in the post 315 that an Aussie battalion took the airfield (after I posted the picture) - that airfield is the wrong side of the red line so yes there was a screw up but not by the computer.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
19th March 1941

[Olorin]

The 6th Aus.Div withdraws (one brigade per turn), in spite of the reinforcements tab not showing it.

I learned the hard way, meaning, I suddenly saw a big gap in my line and wondered if the Aussies decided to surrender en mass to Rommel.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

The 6th Aus.Div withdraws (one brigade per turn), in spite of the reinforcements tab not showing it.

I learned the hard way, meaning, I suddenly saw a big gap in my line and wondered if the Aussies decided to surrender en mass to Rommel.

warspite1

Thank-you. That's a pretty big omission [:@] Coming on top of the furball nonsense and my own stupid mistake about the protected zone, that just makes my evening. I hope these things will be patched.

Time to retire for the night me thinks....

[DanNeely]

ORIGINAL: 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.

not RTFMing is always dangerous, but IMO there really should've been an on map warning in the form of a placename.

[goodwoodrw]

Whats a furball and I did a search of the manual for shock penalty, but no results. Can someone give explanation of both?

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: goodwoodrw

Whats a furball and I did a search of the manual for shock penalty, but no results. Can someone give explanation of both?

Furball is apparently Ralph's term for an air battle.

For shock, see 17.9.4, page 135.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: DanNeely

ORIGINAL: 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.

not RTFMing is always dangerous, but IMO there really should've been an on map warning in the form of a placename.

warspite1

It would be nice to have a warning pop up if a unit is about to breach such a rule - although maybe not so easy to code perhaps? In fairness there was a big red line to the south of the airfield and so I don't think its being too self critical to say that this was MY balls-up.

Whats a furball

This however is really, really annoying. To have an event in game that is not mentioned in the manual or documentation is pretty unacceptable - particularly as I have had three occurrences of it in 28 turns.

The issue with the Australian withdrawals is potentially game-changing and needs to be addressed in a patch. To base a defence (or even attack) on units that one expects to be in place - only to find they disappear - can really spoil one's day!!

shock penalty

As Curtis Lemay says, this is in the manual:

This is typically used to model surprise. Shock levels can range from one to 200, but should in most cases be limited to the 50-150 range. The default is 100. Unit strengths are multiplied by the Shock Level (as a percentage). Movement costs for moving near enemy forces may be decreased if the moving Force has a Shock Level greater than the non-moving Force, and costs may be increased if the moving Force has a Shock Level less than the non-moving Force. Time expended in combat may be reduced if the Attacker has a Shock Level above 100 and may be increased if the Attacker has a handicap level below 100. At levels below 100, Formations may arbitrarily reorganise (becoming unavailable for your orders). At Shock Levels below 70%, Air units will not defend their Airbases if attacked.

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

The issue with the Australian withdrawals is potentially game-changing and needs to be addressed in a patch. To base a defence (or even attack) on units that one expects to be in place - only to find they disappear - can really spoil one's day!!

Must be some sort of bug that cropped up. The 6th Australian division's withdrawal dates ARE shown on the Expected Reinforcements dialog in TOAW III.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
19th March 1941

The Scenario Briefing states that this campaign can be split into 6 phases. We have now finished the first phase (I notice it says O'Connor launched his "Five day raid" in November - but this was December) which historically ended with the rout and destruction of the Italian 10th Army.

The second phase - here called Rommel's First Offensive - historically began in March following Rommel's landing in North Africa - which coincided with the British sending forces to Greece.... This is the phase we have just started, so I can expect Rommel and the Gang to 'Get down on it' anytime soon.

During this phase: Turns 31-37, the Commonwealth receive Shock Penalties - although these aren't specified as to what they are exactly. Maybe they will say in the situation briefing at the start of each turn. Either way, the fact is the CW are in for a hard time....

All that said, I don't think the Aussies really need to be sat at El Agheila with only the infantry of 70th Division to back them up. Big question is, where do I make a stand - and what with?

Retreating into the Jebel Akhtar sounds sensible, but I don't want my forces cut off if Rommel sprints across the desert.


Where, and with what, do you suggest I stop Rommel sir?

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - Royal Navy
19th March 1941

Right, after that brief soujourn, let's see if I can remind myself of what is going on with who...

Mediterranean Fleet (Admiral Andrew Cunningham)

Tobruk
HMS Valiant - Flagship
HMS Fiji
HMS Arethusa
HMS Marne
HMS Mohawk

Alexandria and nearby anchorages at the head of the Nile Delta
HMS Barham
HMS York
HMS Euryalus
HMS Dido
HMS Bedouin
HMS Partridge
HMS Jervis
HMS Ledbury
HMS Lance

Proficiency, Readiness and Supply generally good. I assume the Luftwaffe is going to be a different proposition but am only guessing. I can't see the RN venturing into the Gulf of Sirte anytime soon.


HMS Arethusa

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - RAF and RAAF
19th March 1941

202 Group, Royal Air Force (Air Commodore Raymond Collishaw)

Mechili
RAAF Hurricanes (24 aircraft)
RAAF Blenheims (24)

Both units very low on Proficiency

Tobruk
RAAF Hurricanes (24)
RAF Blenheims (24)

Better quality but supply not great

Menastir
FF Morane-Saulniers (2)

Excellent alround condition - but only two of them.


Blenheim IV

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - British Commonwealth + Allied Armies
19th March 1941

The Australian 6th Division appear to have been removed for service in Greece. I don't know whether the 9th Division will carry on disappearing but I can't take that chance and need to move them out of the front line.

Divisions do not appear to be part of specific corps in game (but I may be wrong)

General Officer Commanding & Military Governor of Cyrenaica (Lt-General Philip Neame VC)

XIII Corps HQ (Lt-General Richard O'Connor) - Not currently on map
7th Royal Tank Regiment (three sections)
1st Royal Horse Artillery Regiment
57th Light AA Regiment
2nd Heavy AA Regiment

XXX Corps HQ (Major-General William Ramsden)
8th Medium Artillery Regt
64th Medium Artillery Regt
106th Royal Horse Artillery AT Regt
52nd Light AA Regt
74th Heavy AA Regt

Australian 9th Division HQ (Lt-General Leslie Morshead)
20th Brigade HQ
13th Battalion
15th Bn
17th Bn
24th Brigade HQ
28th Bn
43rd Bn
26th Brigade HQ
23rd Bn
24th Bn
48th Bn
Divisional Assets
3rd AT Regiment

70th Infantry Division HQ (Lt-General Ronald Scobie)
16th Infantry Brigade HQ
2nd Queens Bn
2nd Leicestershire Bn
1st Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Bn
1st Essex Bn
1st Royal East Kents (the 'Buffs')
2nd Kings Own Royal Regiment

That's a lot of battalions in one brigade!

Since the start of the game there has also been something called 70th Infantry Division +. Not sure why they are designated like this but there are currently on map the following:

2nd Scots Guards Bn (Should be 22nd Guards Bde?)
11th Czech Bn
107th Royal Horse Artillery Regt
13th Light AA Regiment

2nd Armoured Division HQ (Lt-General Willouhby Norrie)
3rd Armoured Brigade HQ
5th Royal Tank Regiment
6th RTR
2nd Support Group HQ
1st Tower Hamlets Rifles Bn
1st Rangers
2nd Royal Horse Artillery Regiment
102nd AT Regiment
Kings Dragoon Guards Bn

7th Armoured Division HQ (Major-General Michael Creagh)
4th Armoured Brigade HQ
7th Hussars
11th Hussars
7th Armoured Brigade HQ
1st Royal Tank Regiment
3rd Hussars
8th Hussars
7th Support Group HQ
1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps Bn
2nd Rifle Brigade Bn
Divisional Assets
3rd Royal Horse Artillery Regt
4th Royal Horse Artillery Regt

18th Australian Brigade HQ (Part of 7th Division not in game)
9th Bn
10th Bn
12th Bn
7th Cavalry Regt
1 Machine Gun Bn
1st AT Regt
3rd Field Artillery Regt

22nd Guards Brigade HQ (Brigadier Ian Erskine)
3rd Coldstream Guards Bn
1st Sth Staffordshire Bn
1st Cheshire MG Bn
1st Durham Light Infantry Bn (three sections)
149th AT Regiment

Polish Brigade HQ (Colonel S Kopanski)
1st Bn
2nd Bn
3rd Bn
Kopanski MG Bn
1st Polish Cavalry Regt
1st Polish AT Company
1st Polish Artillery Regt

3rd Indian Motorised Brigade HQ (Brigadier EWD Vaughan)
2nd Royal Lancers Bn
11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry Bn
18th King Edwards Own Cavalry Bn

Special Forces
Layforce Commando (Colonel Robert Laycock)
Long Range Desert Group (Brigadier Ralph Bagnold)

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Since the start of the game there has also been something called 70th Infantry Division +. Not sure why they are designated like this ...

Formations are removed by event. But there is no "Return Formation" event. So, if the division leaves then comes back, the scenario has to provide a duplicate of the original. It can't have the exact same name, so a "+" is appended.

There are some units that leave and come back more than once. Another "+" every time.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Since the start of the game there has also been something called 70th Infantry Division +. Not sure why they are designated like this ...

Formations are removed by event. But there is no "Return Formation" event. So, if the division leaves then comes back, the scenario has to provide a duplicate of the original. It can't have the exact same name, so a "+" is appended.

There are some units that leave and come back more than once. Another "+" every time.

warspite1

I'll check that out but I thought this 70th Infantry + has been around since the start. Maybe not.

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - The 'Plan'
19th March 1941

I can see only the 21st Panzer at present - and only one regiment of tanks - but there appears to be a strong Luftwaffe presence and plenty of Italian assistance; Ariete Armoured and Pavia, Brescia and Sabratha Infantry Divisions.

With the shock penalties the British have, and the fact that their divisions are not fully up to strength, there appears little hope of containing Rommel in Tripolitania. So I will accept that he will take Cyrenaica and push to the Egyptian frontier and beyond.

That said I would like to conduct a fighting withdrawal - making life difficult but not getting units surrounded and destroyed - not an easy task. Holding Tobruk is a key aim and for that I need infantry to have survived the pursuit across the desert.

Importantly the defence needs to be sufficiently strong that the units in the Jebel Akhtar don't find themselves suddenly cut-off.

The Polish are already in Tobruk and I want the Australians to support them (if they are not withdrawn - and haven't been lost in the fighting retreat!).

I have no idea on the Axis capability but will not want to leave any key areas undefended in case of a breakthrough. The newly arrived Indian Brigade will remain at Bardia/Sollum, having arrived by a mixture of sea and land.

Benghazi will be held by the 70th Infantry. This will leave 2nd and 7th Armoured Divisions to try and act as a fire brigade for the infantry.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
19th March 1941

Well this is going to be fun... As I start to move units east from El Agheila they come under vicious air strikes....

All units start to move toward their assigned positions. An adhoc infantry brigade from 70th Division - three battalions - attempt to hold a pass east of El Aghiela, along with a mixed force of Australian cavalry, anti-tank and artillery.


Meanwhile a little bit of Indian Army humour

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - Axis Turn
19th March 1941

Oh dear.... I think my blocking force may have been a little too optimistic... That is not a good start. I sit here watching the AI turn and the British/Australian units are going to be surrounded.... That's a heavily reinforced brigade down the pan on the first turn....

Post turn.
All the Australian units which were hit by artillery are reorganising - but so too are those stacked with the British battalions. A big chunk of the 18th Australian Brigade is toast. An anti-tank regiment further up the road is out of supply too.

The only good news about that turn is that a unit of the Saharan Detachment wiped itself out making a desperate attack while out of supply.