Campaign For North Africa 40D-43

[warspite1]

Turn 46
17th May 1941

To give an indication of how much they are suffering under the sheer weight of shell being rained down on them, we look a little closer at the two frontline strongpoints and can then use this to see how the shelling affects them over the coming turns (assuming they continue to hold):

[warspite1]

Turn 46
17th May 1941

Pre the rounds starting the order is given to clear out the Savona battalion from north of Bardia. The New Zealand 26th Bn. is ordered to complete this task and receives little in the way of opposition.

To the west the Aryll + Sutherland Highlanders severely maul a German supply unit.

The armoured units continues to head for safety - there are very few units still under threat and I can only assume the Axis supply situation won't allow them to intervene.

Round 1

The tanks of the Ariete are untroubled by an artillery barrage but the RN causes 24% losses amongst the Axis besiegers.

Round 3

The Savona MG Battalion decided to take a trip north onto the coastal road. A combined Australian/British/Indian attack forces them into retreat. The RN continue to pound the Axis forces around Tobruk (13% losses) but the number of ships available is reducing as supplies are used up. The artillery is silent for the same reason.

Round 6

The Savona MG Bn. is totally destroyed by the pursing CW forces. The next bombardment by the RN yields more success (27% losses).

Round 8

Another 26% losses dished out by the RN.

This ends the turn.

[warspite1]

Turn 46 - Axis Turn
17th May 1941

There are no surprises for guessing where Rommel orders the first attack to begin - Tobruk. But the first 3 bombardments cause no damage whatsoever, and the 4th results in more losses for the Axis (8%) than the Allies (3%). The Italian XXI Corps artillery bombards the Allied forces northeast of Sidi Azeiz, causing 3% losses. The Axis air forces then target the RN once more. 7 Hurricanes are shot down but again the Axis losses must be causing them problems - 3 bombers (90% of those engaged) and 3 fighters.

The 2nd Battalion of the Leicesters is still alive, seemingly forgotten by everyone - until the German artillery from the 21st Panzer Division find them and cause 12% losses. The Italian artillery is also very effective near Sidi Aziez (13% losses). Attention switches back to Tobruk but two air strikes cause no damage.

Another 6% loss for the defenders near Sidi Aziez, another 15% for the Leicesters, but another two strikes at Tobruk causes 6% losses in total and again is less than the loss inflicted upon the Axis.

Things must be getting desperate for Rommel now surely? Three more attacks on Tobruk and not a single loss - but the Axis suffer 9%. In better news for the Axis the Leicesters are totally destroyed.

The artillery barrage against the defenders of Sidi Azeiz is proving worryingly effective. The Australian MG Bn. to the northeast are hit (14% losses). The Germans at last get some joy at Tobruk, but joy is a relative thing; three bombardments = 2% losses....

Not sure why this is but the German bombardments against the western approaches are consistently costing them more casualties than they inflict. I seem to recall this happening to the CW when attacking with artillery low on supply. However the Italians southeast of Bardia again cause problems - another 8% losses.

Same again for Tobruk - nothing achieved in the west - but 3% losses caused. 3% losses inflicted in the southwest and southwest but this is meagre damage. The CW forces at Sidi Azeiz must surely break after this - yet another 12% losses inflicted.

The turn is almost at an end and another 2% losses at Sidi Azeiz is followed up with 4% at Tobruk - and that cost the Axis 3%.

The turn ends. Whoa! No it doesn't. The turn moves onto 47 but the CW do not get to move!

[warspite1]

Turn 47 - Axis Turn
21st May 1941

I can't get access to the manual or the online help while the turn is in progress so will assume this is not a bug and is a game feature for now...

The turn starts with a massed attack against the RN. No damage is caused but 11 aircraft are lost. Sidi Azeiz - another 2% from the Italian artillery. Another assault against the southwestern strongpoint sees 47% losses for the Axis - but 20% for the Allies too. This early in the turn that is not good.

Sidi Azeiz - another 11%. Presumably one or more of these units will evaporate soon? Back to Tobruk and for the first time Rommel launches a second attack by his infantry and panzers consecutively. The southwestern strongpoint is again the target and 43% losses are incurred by the attackers for only 10% dished out. The strength of the strongpoints seems to remain unchanged since the start.

Back to bombardments and 4% losses are inflicted on the Allies in two bombardments, all 4% coming against the southwest.

Sidi Azeiz - another 2% losses before switching back to Tobruk and a third attack on the southwest strongpoint. The losses for the CW are 11% but its another 49% for the Axis and there are wholesale losses of units - a battalion of the Brescia Division, and Engineer unit and even a panzerjaeger unit from the 15th Panzer Division.

Sidi Azeiz - another 16%. The Western approaches at Tobruk sees more loss for the bombarding force (4%) than to the Allies (0%). A bombardment of the southwest see just 1% loss inflicted.

Sidi Azeiz - another 7%, Tobruk another 6% against the southwest. The losses to the Axis have been enormous but it will be interesting to see the effect on the Allied forces in this particular sector. A bombardment of Tobruk sees 57% losses for the attackers (caused by the Minefields). I hope someone can explain what this is all about....[&:]

With the turn coming to an end the German artillery receives more damage than it causes - and this is unusual because its not the western strongpoint that has caused this, but the southwestern.

The turn ends. After that unwelcome increase in the number of battles, this turn sees the number fall again - and the losses on three of those attacks are a most welcome read to British intelligence.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 47 - Axis Turn
21st May 1941

I can't get access to the manual or the online help while the turn is in progress so will assume this is not a bug and is a game feature for now...

It's called initiative. You have to search for it in the manual, because I don't remember exactly how it works.

ORIGINAL: warspite1
Sidi Azeiz - another 7%, Tobruk another 6% against the southwest. The losses to the Axis have been enormous but it will be interesting to see the effect on the Allied forces in this particular sector. A bombardment of Tobruk sees 57% losses for the attackers (caused by the Minefields). I hope someone can explain what this is all about....[&:]

With the turn coming to an end the German artillery receives more damage than it causes - and this is unusual because its not the western strongpoint that has caused this, but the southwestern.

I assume this is counter-battery fire. It happens when artillery bombards enemy artillery.
Maybe Strongpoints are classified as artillery, you have to check in the unit description.
I could be wrong on this one, I don't have the game open.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 47 - Axis Turn
21st May 1941

I can't get access to the manual or the online help while the turn is in progress so will assume this is not a bug and is a game feature for now...

It's called initiative. You have to search for it in the manual, because I don't remember exactly how it works.

ORIGINAL: warspite1
Sidi Azeiz - another 7%, Tobruk another 6% against the southwest. The losses to the Axis have been enormous but it will be interesting to see the effect on the Allied forces in this particular sector. A bombardment of Tobruk sees 57% losses for the attackers (caused by the Minefields). I hope someone can explain what this is all about....[&:]

With the turn coming to an end the German artillery receives more damage than it causes - and this is unusual because its not the western strongpoint that has caused this, but the southwestern.

I assume this is counter-battery fire. It happens when artillery bombards enemy artillery.
Maybe Strongpoints are classified as artillery, you have to check in the unit description.
I could be wrong on this one, I don't have the game open.

warspite1

Thank-you.

[warspite1]

Turn 47
21st May 1941

So initiative has flipped. I now need to understand what damage that double move has done. The obvious place to start is Tobruk and the southwest where the Axis attacks were directed against.

As can be seen, there is a general deterioration in readiness, supply and some of the combat factors, but I cannot see anything too alarming here. The position to the east - where there were no land attacks, only bombardments, is better or the same as two turns previously.

There is an absolute mass of artillery investing Tobruk and no doubt that there are more attacks to come. Lt-General Morshead would still feel an awful lot more comfortable if he had some reserve units to being into the line....

[warspite1]

Turn 47
21st May 1941

One battalion of the Australian 9th Division acts as the rear-guard, southwest of El Hamra, once more, while for the rest of the once-trapped units, getting to British lines has been achieved.

7th Armoured Division HQ - recovering near Mersa Matruh

4th Armoured Brigade HQ
7th Hussars Regt.

7th Armoured Brigade HQ
1st Royal Tank Regiment
3rd Hussars Regt.
8th Hussars Regt.

7th Support Group HQ
1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps Bn.
2nd Rifle Brigade Bn.
11th Hussars Regt.
3rd Royal Horse Artillery Regt.
4th Royal Horse Artillery Regt.

2nd Armoured Division - recovering near Sidi Barani (note HQ Eliminated)

3rd Armoured brigade HQ - (Eliminated)
5th Royal Tank Regiment
6th Royal Tank Regiment

2nd Support Group HQ - (Eliminated)
1st Tower Hamlets Rifles Bn.
1st Rangers Bn.
Kings Dragoon Guards
102nd Northumberland AT Regt. (2 Batt.)
2nd Royal Horse Artillery Regt.

Note: the 9th is a mixture of units that were trapped, units that were trapped and lost (and reconstituted) and units that have become available subsequently

9th Australian Division HQ - Note: units recovering near the Halfaya Pass unless otherwise stated

20th Australian Brigade HQ
13th Australian Bn.
15th Australian Bn. - In the Nile Delta on way to front
17th Australian Bn. - Rear-guard on their way back

24th Australian Brigade HQ
28th Australian Bn.
32nd Australian Bn. - Bardia
43rd Australian Bn.

26th Australian Brigade HQ
23rd Australian Bn.
24th Australian Bn. - In the Nile Delta on way to front
48th Australian Bn.

9th Australian Cavalry Regt. - Bardia
3rd Australian AT Regt. - Bardia
3rd Australian MG Bn. - Bardia
7th Australian Field Artillery Regt. - Bardia
8th Australian Field Artillery Regt. - Bardia
12th Australian Field Artillery Regt. - Bardia
1st Australian Engineers Bn. - Bardia
3rd Australian Lt AA Regt. - Bardia

[warspite1]

Turn 47
21st May 1941

All squadrons not 'Dark Green' are ordered to rest. Of the 20 Squadrons available to Longmore, that gives just six Hurricane and two Tomahawk Squadrons over the next few days.

Round 1

The CW get matters underway with three barrages at Tobruk followed by attack against the Italian artillery that has been tormenting the CW forces at Sidi Azeiz. The only real success was the RN's bombarding of forces ranged against the southwestern strongpoint (23%). As this appears to the Axis focus of attention, Morshead orders reciprocal treatment.

The attack to the west of Sidi Azeiz is weak and losses are split equally.

Round 3

The artillery can provide no more help at Tobruk, and the RN's contribution is quite weak (16%). To the east, the Italians retreat and are herded into one areas to the southwest of the airfield.

Round 7

The RN switch to the southeast, just in case the Germans are planning an assault here, and then the action moves back to the airfield where the Italian artillery evaporates under the weight of the attack - as does the Savona Division HQ. The XXI Corps HQ survives however and the turn ends.

[warspite1]

Turn 48
24th May 1941

Hey what do you know? The CW gets the turn initiative once more!

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 47
21st May 1941

Round 3

The artillery can provide no more help at Tobruk, and the RN's contribution is quite weak (16%). To the east, the Italians retreat and are herded into one areas to the southwest of the airfield.

Is herding Italians like herding cats?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 47
21st May 1941

Round 3

The artillery can provide no more help at Tobruk, and the RN's contribution is quite weak (16%). To the east, the Italians retreat and are herded into one areas to the southwest of the airfield.

Is herding Italians like herding cats?

warspite1

That rather depends on the Italians one is trying to herd and why [:)]. In this particular case, no. The men had been pounded by artillery, attacked by bayonet-fixed infantry and harried by infantry tanks. At the end of this they were happy to just get the hell off the battlefield and there was only one avenue open to them.

[Zorch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8 (not affiliated with EDS)

[warspite1]

Turn 48
24th May 1941

So can Neame take advantage of the double turn? Well with Italian units south of Bardia seemingly unwilling to move (supply issues?) it should be more than possible to remove the final Axis unit near Sidi Azeiz.

There will be no intention to take any offensive action against those Italians (occupying Fort Maddelena and Sidi Omar) until the 7th Armoured have recovered, let alone making any relief effort toward Tobruk.

Worryingly, the Royal Navy are having Fiji + York withdrawn next turn - but the much better news is the HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Ajax and HMS Naiad are now available. In all the excitement I seem to have missed the arrival of the Tiger Convoy.

Perhaps the biggest cause for concern though is the loss, next turn, of the Durham Light Infantry. They are in Tobruk! Another battalion - the 1st Essex - will be disappearing but they are at Buq Buq so that is no problem. Another unit in Tobruk - the 1st Cheshire MG Bn. - is to exit stage left on turn 55 so Morshead really needs some replacements there.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 48
24th May 1941

Perhaps the biggest cause for concern though is the loss, next turn, of the Durham Light Infantry. They are in Tobruk! Another battalion - the 1st Essex - will be disappearing but they are at Buq Buq so that is no problem. Another unit in Tobruk - the 1st Cheshire MG Bn. - is to exit stage left on turn 55 so Morshead really needs some replacements there.

This is unrealistic; you should be required to substitute a unit of equal or greater strength when the one to be withdrawn is surrounded.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 48
24th May 1941

Perhaps the biggest cause for concern though is the loss, next turn, of the Durham Light Infantry. They are in Tobruk! Another battalion - the 1st Essex - will be disappearing but they are at Buq Buq so that is no problem. Another unit in Tobruk - the 1st Cheshire MG Bn. - is to exit stage left on turn 55 so Morshead really needs some replacements there.

This is unrealistic; you should be required to substitute a unit of equal or greater strength when the one to be withdrawn is surrounded.

warspite1

There not exactly surrounded - but yes, putting troops into and out of Tobruk would require a bloody good reason. I agree that unless the reason for withdrawal is absolutely critical, then the withdrawal needs to be taken from elsewhere.

[warspite1]

Turn 48 - Round 1
24th May 1941

The air situation remains okay. Only six squadrons are being rested - two fighter and four bombers. Meanwhile at sea, a new support force is put together and placed directly north of the port:

Tobruk Support Force
HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Ajax
HMS Naiad
HMS Jervis
HMS Ledbury (attached from existing task force)

The turn starts with bombardments against all German/Italian investing forces by all available RN and Army guns.

The first attack by two British regiments causes slight concern (2%) only to the defenders. Two other British units cause more loss against their targets on the right flank of the Axis position (7%). Once again the Polish artillery appears to contain battlefield nuclear weapons! In concert with the British 64th Medium Artillery, they cause 37% losses - the Brescia Division's engineers and an HQ of an Infantry Regiment disappear under a hail of shells. In more bad news for the Axis, HMS Queen Elizabeth announces her arrival with 20% damage to German and Italian infantry. The final attack by the existing naval support force results in another 22% losses for the Axis....

West of Bardia the Italian XXI Corps are destroyed.

Round 3

In another stunning display of incompetence, I forget to move most of the land units before beginning Round 1. Class.....Fortunately there is not too much to move this turn. Phew.

A company of the 12th Australian Battalion is shipped to Tobruk successfully and further units of the 18th Brigade are lined up to join them in subsequent turns.

The barrages at Tobruk are all that is planned for this round in an effort to continue to subdue the forces preparing to storm the fortress.

The first attack in the west, by the 107th RHA, is highly disappointing and results in double the casualties for the Commonwealth as for the Axis (4% vs 2%). Better results are obtained by the Poles once again who succeed in inflicting 14% losses on the German and Italian armour formations in the east. Back to the western sector and a concentrated British artillery barrage inflicts 13% losses. Just to the north of this, the RN's newly arrived task force dish out a devastating barrage - 60% losses are incurred by the Italians for whom the Brescia Division loses an artillery regiment, another infantry regiment HQ and an entire infantry battalion. The RN end the round having dished out 12% losses in the centre.

For the purposes of supply conservation both Neame and Cunningham prepare orders that units are to limit their artillery fire. The turn thus ends and the British commanders - and not least the Australian Morshead in Tobruk - are hopeful that the Axis will be unable to launch an attack on Tobruk in the coming days given the losses suffered.

[warspite1]

Turn 48 - Axis Turn
24th May 1941

After some limited movement is detected by the Allied outposts, the inevitable barrage against Tobruk commences. However the first - against the southwestern strongpoint - is a non-event for both sides, as is the second to the south of the port. The third barrage, targeting the southeastern sector produces minimal losses (2%) , while the last attack against the western approaches see the best result yet for the Germans at 6%, but the bombardment comes at a price (4%) for the Germans.

The next attack is directed at the west and the Germans suffer 7% losses for no gain whatsoever. The Allied defenders are sensing that Rommel has perhaps run out of steam. The last attack of the round seems to provide more proof of this (0%).

Three barrages are then launched, with a next result of 8% vs 4%in the CW favour.

But the Germans don't give in easily as we approach the halfway point. In another spread of three barrages 10% damage is dished out for only 4% of their own. A better round for the Axis.

Another spread of three sees 2% vs 4% losses, again the favour of the Germans, and its the southwestern strongpoint that is being hurt.

The Axis obviously believe things should come in 3's and a better result this round - especially against the southeast this time where 10% losses are caused for no loss.

Another three barrages and another 2% vs 4% in favour of the Axis.

The penultimate round sees limited losses for either side - just 1% against the Axis. And in fact that proves to be the final round.

[warspite1]

Turn 49 - Axis Turn
28th May 1941

The Axis get back the initiative and I detect movement on Crete! I shall look that up when the AI turn stops.

The first round opens with an attack on HMS Valiant's group. HMS Arethusa is damaged and not less than 14 Hurricane fighters are lost. In return the Axis lost just under 50 aircraft.... The Germans panzers then lead an attack against the southwest strongpoint. 41% losses are taken against only 13% inflicted on the Allies.

Heinkels flying from Crete attack the RN with poor results. No damage is inflicted but 10 of the Crete based bombers are lost along with 7 fighters. The British lose 4 Hurricanes. The Germans follow this up with another assault on the southwestern strongpoint. Another 41% losses are taken and only 15% dished out. A battalion from the 90th Light Division is destroyed.

A third attack goes in and, worryingly, this time the losses are starting to even out - 26% v 23% - although still in the Allies favour. A panzer battalion is lost.

A fourth assault is made as Rommel becomes ever more impatient for results. The Brescia Machine Gun Battalion is destroyed as losses are 17% vs 12% in the Allies favour. Although these attacks have been massively costly, the small number of defenders in this southwestern sector have also been hit hard.

A fifth attack goes in and for the first time the Axis actually achieve more losses dished out than they have to take 10% vs 13%.

Round 8 and another attack goes in and the pressure is becoming intolerable. The 65th Anti-Tank Regiment is completely overrun and the strongpoint falls! 14% losses for the Germans and 86% for the Allies. It looks at the moment like only the Polish Brigade survived in any way shape or form.

Worse follows. The approaches to the port are also taken and the defenders of the western strongpoint are cut-off, while those in the southeastern strongpoint are now isolated.

The turns ends with Tobruk about to fall!!!


The Axis were reduced to just 10 attacks/bombardments this turn - but these were concentrated and did the job. Neame can only hope the Axis losses have been too great in capturing Tobruk to allow Rommel to push on to Cairo....

[DanNeely]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 48
24th May 1941

So can Neame take advantage of the double turn? Well with Italian units south of Bardia seemingly unwilling to move (supply issues?) it should be more than possible to remove the final Axis unit near Sidi Azeiz.

There will be no intention to take any offensive action against those Italians (occupying Fort Maddelena and Sidi Omar) until the 7th Armoured have recovered, let alone making any relief effort toward Tobruk.

Worryingly, the Royal Navy are having Fiji + York withdrawn next turn - but the much better news is the HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Ajax and HMS Naiad are now available. In all the excitement I seem to have missed the arrival of the Tiger Convoy.

Perhaps the biggest cause for concern though is the loss, next turn, of the Durham Light Infantry. They are in Tobruk! Another battalion - the 1st Essex - will be disappearing but they are at Buq Buq so that is no problem. Another unit in Tobruk - the 1st Cheshire MG Bn. - is to exit stage left on turn 55 so Morshead really needs some replacements there.

You are missing something. The rate of '1' is for normal replacements being added to the onhand pool. You'll get 1/turn added (in addition to any damaged tanks being added to the pool after combat). How they are transferred them to your deployed units is complicated, IIRC (unit?) supply and (formation?) proficiency are involved; but over the next few turns you should see the stockpile go down rapidly assuming you've got open slots in your armored units to take them.

PS you haven't posted a map since T46 and it's not entirely clear what's going on outside of Tobruk as a result.