CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) - no devoncop please

[warspite1]

Turn 103
10th September 1941

With the return of the air cover, I send out a Royal Navy task force with the same composition as before - 1 battleship, two cruisers and three destroyers. They escort two AA regiments to a point off Sollum, whereupon the reinforcements continue their onward journey to Tobruk. This time there was no interception from the Axis air forces.

I decide there is little mileage in sitting around doing nothing and order the 1st South African Division toward Sidi Sulemein to the west of the western entrance to the Halfaya Pass. 2nd Armoured are in support, with elements of the 4th Indian Division further south.

From the pass, the 1st Army Tank Brigade head west to link up with the South Africans. As ever I pray to the god of Proficiency Checks and begin the turn with a series of bombardments against enemy positions around Fort Capuzzo.

[warspite1]

Turn 103
10th September 1941

I try to develop the attack by probing in the south around Fort Maddelenna. This may have been a mistake as the German 90th Light Division has set up here - and is supported by tanks.

[warspite1]

Turn 103
10th September 1941

I continue with bombardments and then attack out of Sollum with the 22nd Guards Brigade. The expected result is light loss and an excellent attack. Despite all this the attack itself proves to be a disaster and I have not the slightest idea what just happened.

The Brescia Battalion and Pavia company are supported by artillery its true, but they retreat as expected. A battalion of motorised infantry (presumably from one of the panzer divisions joins the attack along with a regiment of Bersaglieri. Pretty much the entire 1st Army Tank Brigade support the infantry however....and yet:

- the Axis losses are 7 rifle squads 4 machine-guns and 1 45mm mortar.
- the British lose 125 rifle squads, 56 machine-guns, 39 mortars, 19 anti-tank guns, 4 AA guns, 289 trucks and 4 tracked carriers

during this "excellent" attack....

In the next round I try and advance out of the Halfaya. Another 'Excellent' attack involving the 1st Army Tank Brigade and two brigades of South African troops sees more pain for the Commonwealth forces.

Once again the attack is carried out against an Italian battalion and company that have been through numerous bombardments. Once again they are supported by artillery, as well as additional Italian and German units, including a panzer battalion from the 5th Panzer Regt - but this numbers just two Panzer MkII's....

70 Blenheims support the attack, escorted by 77 Hurricanes. In defence the Italians fly 15 fighters. The result? The Italians lose 5 aircraft (2 destroyed) and the Commonwealth manage to lose 9 (3 destroyed) against such a formidable foe....

But that's the good news. In the land attack the:

- Axis lose 63 rifle squads, 1 machine gun squad, 6 machine guns, 2 mortars and 6 trucks.
- The British/South Africans lose 96 rifle squads, 16 machine gun squads, 101 machine guns, 25 anti-tank guns, 11 field artillery pieces, 21 mortars, 2 AA guns and 10 tanks.

I have air superiority, I have a good mix of artillery, tanks and infantry as well as a large number of bombers, I am attacking from three sides, all units assisting the defenders were subject to barrage previously but the numbers are what they are. I find that difficult to understand to say the least.

[warspite1]

Turn 103
10th September 1941

The final attack sees the Axis pushed back northwest of Sidi Sulemein, but once again this is only achieved with losses that outstrip those inflicted. I guess I am doing something very wrong, but given I'm softening up the defenders, I have air superiority and am attacking with good numbers (superiority) of combined arms forces, I can't see what else I can do.

[warspite1]

Turn 104 - Axis Turn
13th September 1941

20 attacks/barrages from the Axis this turn. The CW airforce kept creamed again, losing 12 unescorted Blenheims (3 destroyed) for the loss of 19 rifle squads, 12 machine guns and a mortar. The two reconnaissance units behind the lines are destroyed.

[warspite1]

Turn 104
13th September 1941

We head toward the end-game in Tobruk, 71 net rifle squad losses, there are no units to rotate any longer.

I attack toward Fort Capuzzo, having first pulverised the stack of units - but the usual results - massive losses for the CW is the outcome [&:].

[warspite1]

Turn 105 - Axis Turn
17th September 1941

Same drill for the Axis; destroying any recce and other units that couldn't get away then withdrawing, thinning out the defences of Tobruk, and bombarding around Bardia. 22 Hurricanes tried to intercept but 8 were lost (2 destroyed), while the Axis lost 19 (7 destroyed).

2. Was a successful bombing mission with 148 fighters escorting 39 bombers.

5. This was another highly successful bombing mission - south of Sollum - although once again the Allies sought to intervene. 114 Hurricanes flew, losing 26 (6 destroyed). At least they managed to inflict some hurt on the 84 bombers and their 179-strong escort - total losses of 47 (11 destroyed). The bombers caused heavy losses amongst the Commonwealth artillery with 30 artillery pieces being lost.

7. The Axis air forces came back for more with a smaller raid - 24 fighters escorting 19 Italian bombers. No bombers go through, but despite what the caption says, the Commonwealth lost 5 Hurricanes (3 destroyed) for the loss of 7 of their own (5 destroyed).

[warspite1]

Turn 105
17th September 1941

Tobruk? Stalingrad more like, but with less house to house fighting and snow and more shelling and flies. The number of rifle companies is now less than 50%. The Polish Brigade are reorganising so I can't move them out of the way - not that there are any battalions in much better shape to swap them with.

I am in the "useless mouths" territory. Should I sail HQ out in order to allow a fall back to the 3 rear hexes? Should I simply stick it out for as long as I can? Who knows?

At least I have two more fighter squadrons to play with [:)] The issue here though is that there are only so many airfields - and there is a limit of three squadrons per airfield. Well they said the Desert War was a battle for airfields so.....


As I have 10 operational fighter squadrons, I decide to order the Royal Navy (same task force composition as before (1 BB, 2 x CL, 3 x DD) but this time led by HMS Barham) to take up position off the coast of Sollum. They escort an Australian company, which then makes its way to Tobruk - two Kiwi brigade HQ's are sent the other way and land at Mersa Matruh.

[warspite1]

Turn 105
17th September 1941

Pre-combat, a South African force pushes back an Italian motorised infantry regiment between Fort Capuzzo and Sollum.

I order a barrage to be laid down along the German/Italian front line.

[warspite1]

Turn 105
17th September 1941

Three rounds of bombardments are carried out before I decide to launch an attack southeast of Fort Capuzzo. From the look of things this is the biggest attack of the Western Desert Campaign so far. I am now going to work through the stats....

The battle involved the following:

7th Armoured Division
4th Armoured Brigade
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
6th Royal Tank Regiment

3rd Royal Horse Artillery Regt.

1st Army Tank Brigade
4th Royal Tank Regiment
8th Royal Tank Regiment
42nd Royal Tank Regiment
44th Royal Tank Regiment

1st Light AA Regt.
61st Heavy AA Regt.
73rd Anti-Tank Regt.
57th Heavy AA Regt. (attached from 8th Army)
1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Bn. (attached from XIII Corps)

1st South African Division
2nd South African Brigade
1st Natal Mounted Rifles Bn.
1st Field Force Bn.

5th South African Brigade
1st South African Irish Bn.
2nd Regiment Botha

2nd South African Division
Middellandse Machine-Gun Bn.
6th South African Armoured Car Regt.
2nd South African Anti-Tank
2nd South African Light AA Regt.

Royal Navy - Bombardment Force
HMS Barham, HMS Arethusa, HMS Ajax, HMS Lance, HMS Mohawk, HMS Ledbury

Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and South African Air Force
12 fighter squadrons (2 of which were placed on REST for this turn [8|])
5 Blenheim squadrons
1 Gladiator squadron
1 Albacore squadron

German / Italian formations

Savona Division
15th Regiment
II Bn.
XXI Tank - attached (1 company?)

Bologna Division
40th Regiment HQ 1 Company?

Trento Division
551st Machine Gun Bn.
Gruppo Fabrizi (?)

Pavia Division
17th Machine-Gun Bn.
26th Artillery Regt.
147th Artillery Regt. (attached from X Corps)

15th Panzer Division
8th Panzer Regt. HQ
Gruppe Fisher Artillery Regt?

90th Light Division
361st Regiment
2nd Bn.

Regia Aeronautica
4 fighter squadrons

Luftwaffe
3 fighter squadrons

[warspite1]

Turn 105
17th September 1941

And here is a summary of how these units lined up, were fed into the battle, provided support etc.

Of the original 3 defenders, two retreated and an infantry battalion from the Savona Regt. was destroyed in situ. Not sure about the 90th Light unit. It got subdivided but I don't know anything else about that. However, three units came to the aid of their comrades, including the HQ of the 8th Panzer Regiment. All three were destroyed.

Most of the Commonwealth units broke off the attack but the 6th RTR and supported AA regiments did manage to advance into the vacated hex.

[warspite1]

Turn 105
17th September 1941

A look at the numbers shows once again that the Commonwealth forces has suffered out of all proportion just to make some gains.

The air battle is deeply disappointing:

246 Allied fighters vs 123 Axis
143 Allied bombers

Commonwealth
25 fighters lost (6 destroyed)
20 bombers lost (10 destroyed)

Axis
37 fighters lost (8 destroyed)

The land losses, in actual numbers, is even worse - not sure what makes for an excellent light loss attack:

Commonwealth: 44/224 Rifle squads (34), 7/53 MG squads (5), 44/230 machine guns (37), 4/21 AT guns (2), 2/5 field guns (1), 9/58 mortars (7), 13/37 AA guns (10), 128/531 trucks (92), 5/384 tanks (5)

Axis: 49/51 Rifle squads (34), 5/5 MG squads (3), 50/56 machine guns (23), 3/4 AT guns (3), 1/2 field gun (1), 9/11 mortars (4), 28/30 trucks (20), 5/13 tanks (3)


I consider chancing my arm and sticking around with the Royal Navy, but thanks to every squadron flying (for little result) I have too many reorganising squadrons to risk it.

The last round is taken up by more bombardments of the Axis front line.

[warspite1]

Turn 106 - Axis Turn
20th September 1941

There are thirteen attacks this time and I detect a movement south of 4th Indian Division, no doubt with a view to encircling my forces.

1. 19 Blenheims, escorted by 28 Hurricanes, try and assist the company of Royals on the left of the line. They can't stop the attack proceeding and lose 15 aircraft (6 destroyed) in the process. 66 fighters (33 of which are biplanes) escort 22 bombers, losing just 5 aircraft (2 destroyed). The British unit retreats to the north opening up the Indian flank.

3. The Axis air forces then seek to bomb the retreating unit and the Rajputana battalion with it. 48 bombers are escorted by 79 fighters to meet 59 Hurricanes. The CW lose another 10 aircraft (4 destroyed) but stop the bombing run and inflict 21 losses on the Axis (5 destroyed).

[warspite1]

Turn 106 - Axis Turn
20th September 1941

Axis intelligence is good, ignoring my more juicy artillery - but better defended with AA - target, devoncop goes for the two hexes to the west of my main gun line.

4. In the first attack no less than 52 bombers, escorted by 119 fighters are met by 32 fighters. In breaking up the attack the CW lose 7 aircraft (3 destroyed) and inflict 20 losses (5 destroyed).

5. The attack to the north is pressed home but the Axis lose 7 aircraft (3 destroyed) as well as similar ground losses to the CW forces.

All other attacks highlighted below are in and around Tobruk.

[warspite1]

Turn 106
20th September 1941

I detect a Ju-87 formation heading toward Bardia.....

There are too few fighter squadrons available and so I have no choice but to keep the RN in Alexandria. Instead I concentrate on bombarding around Tobruk and from the Halfaya Pass.

[warspite1]

Turn 107 - Axis Turn
24th September 1941

12 attacks from the Axis, and more air assistant woes for both sides it would appear [8|].

1. An Axis bombardment of Sollum
2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. Attacks against Tobruk's Southwest Strongpoint. After one bombardment (2) an attack is made (3) - seemingly with the II Battalion, 8th Panzer Regt. only. However the tanks were supported by 31 artillery units!! 74 bombers take part, supported by 186 fighters. The CW respond with 25 fighters, 19 of which are lost (5 destroyed) but one Hurricane squadron evaporates... Almost half the rifle squads in place are destroyed in this attack that sees the Axis lose just 16 aircraft (5 destroyed). More unfathomable is that despite attacking a Strongpoint alone, the tank battalion loses 5 tanks (just 3 destroyed) out of 52 that attacked (and half of these were panzer MkII's - not a single MkIV, and only 2 MkIII (1 destroyed), were lost....

Another assault is made (4) using more troops this time - support from Italian and German infantry and a flak unit is given to the tank battalion in addition to the 31 artillery, 107 bombers and 125 fighters. For the CW a Hurricane that should have been at rest decides to join the fun and loses more than a third of its squadron (2 destroyed). Again half the remaining rifle squads are destroyed. An entire brigade of New Zealand troops evaporate. While the Axis lose 20 aircraft (10 destroyed), the panzers are able to avoid any damage - except to 1 MkII which was disabled.

Sensing victory another assault is made (5) using largely the same troops and artillery support as the second attack. 31 bombers are available and these are escorted by 143 fighters. A Blenheim bomber squadron and one (rested) Hurricane squadron fly in support of the 7 remaining rifle and machine gun squads, with their solitary AT gun, 3 mortars and a single AA gun..... The Tobruk Strongpoint is at 12. This time things are a little different and although the CW lose a third of their aircraft (3 losses), and all remaining infantry (the 3rd Polish Battalion evaporates - as does the British 94th Heavy AA Regt.), the Axis lose 10 aircraft (5 destroyed). Moreover, the 8th Machine Gun Battalion and II Panzer Battalion, 8th Panzer Regt. are eliminated. Interestingly the German tanks lost 44 tanks - but only 6 were actually destroyed.....

The last attack is a bombardment that fails to trouble the scorers.

6 and 7. are airfield attacks. The first is against Buq Buq, which is defended by 57 AA guns, 16 Blenheims and 6 Hurricanes. 17 bombers attack, escorted by 36 fighters. The Axis lose 20 aircraft (6 lost) and no damage is done to the airfield. In return, the CW lose 6 aircraft (3 destroyed). Attack (7) is against RAF Dekheila by 19 bombers, 4 of which are lost (2 destroyed) for no loss.

9, 10, 11 and 12. The final 4 attacks are made against the Western Strongpoint. The first three are artillery barrages, and the fourth (12) is an attack by entirely Italian infantry, supported by 26 artillery units and 109 fighters. The defenders lose half their 48 rifle squads (one third of which are destroyed) and more than half their 37 Blenheims and Hurricanes (5 destroyed) - and the Blenheim squadron evaporates. The Axis lose 5 aircraft (2 destroyed) but are more seriously hurt in the infantry dept. Almost three quarters of their 105 rifle squads are lost (and over half of them are destroyed).

[warspite1]

Turn 107
24th September 1941

I was maintaining a spreadsheet to keep track of my units in Tobruk. There is now no need for a spreadsheet as I know my remaining troops by name....[:D]

Irritatingly the scenario notes don't appear to tell a player which Allied Brigades aren't rebuilt, but it appears that the 1st Polish Brigade is one of these. The artillery unit and the 3rd Polish Brigade show as Eliminated and do not have a date for re-appearance. The question is, do I keep them in Tobruk to try and eat up as much Axis time as possible. or try and save them - which involves a journey over water - having first got them to the port!

I think its probably too late for all that now and if I'd known I'd have tried to put other formations in the fortress. That said, the CW really didn't have a huge number of infantry units to choose from.....

EDIT: It looks like the Polish Artillery remains eliminated but I have a return date for the 3rd Polish Battalion. Thank goodness for that - I love the Poles [&o].

So as we enter the last few days of the Tobruk Garrison, here is the roll-call of the boys who have given everything:

Note: The status refers to number remaining vs no originally e.g. for infantry its rifle squads, for artillery its no. of guns.

[warspite1]

Turn 107
24th September 1941

Thanks to the program, I can no longer hope to reinforce Tobruk and furthermore my air situation is getting serious. Reserves of Hurricanes are nowhere near sufficient to fill out the existing squadrons.

With all those artillery units about to head toward Egypt - really? that many? - not to mention the Panzer III and IV, I need all the air force I can muster. I have to pull my aircraft back or no doubt the program will continue flying them.

I decide to try and reinforce Tobruk with an Australian company that is in Alex. It works! - no Ju-87. So, emboldened by this I take the opportunity to evacuate the two remaining NZ artillery (I am worried these won't reform like the 6th) and the remaining brigade HQ. These all work - no interference from the Axis - phew.

The Axis forces have retreated en masse from their positions around Bardia/Fort Capuzzo/Fort Maddelenna. I do what devoncop has done to me so many times and surround and destroy a rear-guard unit and then retreat. With Tobruk about to fall there is no way I'm heading into that lions den....

As I'm about to end the turn I mount a patrol with my commando units south of Bir Khadir. I notice a motorcycle recce unit and dispatch the riders into the afterlife.

For the defence of Tobruk I decide to maximise the forces in the port itself and the Eastern Strongpoint. The three outer Strongpoints have some riflemen, some AA guns and that is pretty much it - altogether there is barely a battalion available for each.... The rest of my turn is limited to bombardments from Tobruk.

[warspite1]

Turn 108
27th September 1941

Little movement detected from the Axis - just a hail of shells being fired into Tobruk..... There was one other attack away from the fortress but this was much ado about nothing as a He-111 was damaged flying with its chums to destroy a commando unit west of Fort Maddelenna.

[warspite1]

Turn 108
27th September 1941

With Tobruk about to fall to the evil Axis, the turn is spent trying to work out what the hell I am going to do....

I'm still working this through but have started to move units to where I think some kind of stand may be possible.....details to follow (assuming I can work something out before I'm consumed by impregnable PzKwIII and IV's [X(]

Meanwhile back at the ranch.....

I concentrate on bombarding the largely German troops that are threatening the Western Stongpoint. The turn won't alter Tobruk's fate, but proves highly satisfactory in a short term kind of way. Losses this turn:

85th Infantry Regt. HQ from the Sabratha Division
A battalion and a company of Trento motorised infantry
33rd Auf Bn, from 15th Panzer
3rd Auf Bn, from 21st Panzer
A company of from the 1st Bn. 27th Regt. from the Pavia Division
A machine-gun battalion from the Brescia Division
A company of Bersaglieri from the Ariete Division
A company of German infantry from the 15th Panzer