STBP 1943-45 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) - no devoncop please

[warspite1]

Turn 124
10th November 1943

I've not been paying too much attention to my air forces in this game and realise that many of the squadrons are now yellow/orange. I decide to place all of these on rest. Having done so I still have massive air superiority.

For the first round of the turn there will be 5 attacks and a bombardment.

The attacks are mostly successful. In the west the initial attack will be followed up by one against elements of 16th and 26th Panzer Divisions.


The race is on to try and cut off as many units as possible, but there are German units to the north no doubt seeking to stop that from happening. The Canadians and New Zealanders are on their way, but the going is slow.

[warspite1]

Turn 124
10th November 1943

While in the east two attacks are ordered as the US forces desperately try and open up the way to Taranto.

[warspite1]

Turn 124
10th November 1943

All four attacks were successful but then this happened......

[hingram]

I believe to invade a port or beach, you have to do an all-out attack on the hex. Ignore casualties.

My experience is that invasions appear to have random rules sometimes.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: hingram

I believe to invade a port or beach, you have to do an all-out attack on the hex. Ignore casualties.

My experience is that invasions appear to have random rules sometimes.

warspite1

Yes I always use Ignore Losses for invasions.

[warspite1]

Turn 125
11th November 1943

The Germans made a number of bombardments across the front but nothing more than 6% in losses. There also appeared to be a withdrawal of aircraft from the Taranto area.

North of Pisciotta devoncop is placing blocking forces in the way....

[warspite1]

Turn 125
11th November 1943

Seven attacks are planned. Four are in the centre as the stubborn Germans refuse to be beaten easily. One is planned for the west - along the main road. The Kiwis and Canadians inland have come across Italy's perennial problem; terrain. Only a bombardment is possible here. In the east the US forces look to push both east and north toward Pisticci.

[warspite1]

Turn 125
11th November 1943

The attacks go better than expected. Two of the defenders in the centre have finally been destroyed (the other two retreated), while on both the west and east flanks the enemy is also pushed back.

[warspite1]

Turn 125
11th November 1943

Only two attacks are possible in the next round (plus 3 bombardments)

In the east the turn is pretty much over. The 191st Tank Battalion forced back a motorised infantry battalion.

[warspite1]

Turn 125
11th November 1943

On the west coast the Kiwi 9th Infantry Brigade force a battalion of German paratroopers back and advance, but their way is blocked. The turn will end with some bombardments as and where possible.

[warspite1]

Turn 126
12th November 1943

The German turn consisted of 6 bombardments, all of these except one targeted the Commonwealth forces. 50% caused no casualties but the other 3 caused some loss to the British and US forces on the left and right flanks. The 7th Armoured/78th Infantry Divisions were particularly hard hit (although the worst attack cost 35 infantry squads and half a dozen tanks - not at all bad considering some of the previous casualty figures).

[warspite1]

Turn 126
12th November 1943

On the west coast the British continue to pile on the pressure along the coast road. A little inland the Kiwi/Canuck Corps make contact with the Germans and try and clear the road to Battipaglia.

[warspite1]

Turn 126
12th November 1943

On the opposite flank the Free French Division land at Taranto which has been evacuated already which is a shame.....

In the centre there is only one attack possible as the 8th Indian Division push up from the south.

[warspite1]

Turn 126
12th November 1943

Sadly there was only one more turn before a failed proficiency check brought proceedings crashing to a halt.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 126
12th November 1943

Sadly there was only one more turn before a failed proficiency check brought proceedings crashing to a halt.

Is there a way you can do the equivalent of HQ Build-up, to assure getting a full turn?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 126
12th November 1943

Sadly there was only one more turn before a failed proficiency check brought proceedings crashing to a halt.

Is there a way you can do the equivalent of HQ Build-up, to assure getting a full turn?

warspite1

I don't believe so.

Your Force fails a Proficiency Check. This is the primary use of the Force Proficiency value, though it should be noted that the Force Proficiency value is not the exact probability that the Turn will continue after each series of Attacks. To fail the check, a random check against the Force Proficiency value must fail, AND a random check against the number of rounds remaining must also fail. So the chance of failing the check increases as more and more of the turn is expended.

I just take it its all about keeping your units in order and praying.....

[warspite1]

Turn 127
13th November 1943

The Germans continue to dish out bombardments that although are nothing like what has been incurred in the past, are still sufficiently painful to hurt.

[warspite1]

Turn 127
13th November 1943

Opportunities for quick wins are lessening but there can be no let up.

The German units prove incredibly difficult to actually kill off. Annoyingly the turn ended before I could take a picture - other than this one of the centre (which we haven't seen for a while). The CW have only one division (8th Indian (plus a few attached units)) while the US forces are limited to the 45th Division, most of the 82nd Airborne plus some other attached units from the army reserve. I'm pleased I've been quite disciplined about this - I think had I got rid of any more units more quickly, then some of the Germans in this sector may have escaped.

[warspite1]

Turn 128 - Axis Turn
14th November 1943

The German guns continue to give the British a hard time - the 46th and 7th Armoured Divisions suffering in particular. I will need to start keeping a tally of this if this keeps up....

[warspite1]

Turn 128
14th November 1943

The next thing I need to do is work out a plan for the Italian east coast and who is going to do what.

Free French Mountain Corps

The 2nd Free French Moroccan Division is tasked with taking the towns and airfields in the heel (one brigade) and also act as the advance guard - with the rest of the division pushing toward Bari.

US II Corps

The US 1st Armoured Division and the 3rd and 36th Infantry Divisions will be sent to the east coast with the task of taking Foggia.

US VI Corps

I'm unsure what is needed inland. There are still a large number of Germans to be cleared and I don't want II Corps getting outflanked. VI Corps will be tasked with clearing the German resistance around Pisticci and advancing up the rail line parallel to the coast.

34th Division will be tasked with moving up the rail track. 92nd Division and Army Reserves will undertake the clear up operation with assistance from the 82nd Airborne (part).