Adventures in Italy

[devoncop]

21st March 1945

The news from the Eastern Front is dire but here there are some reasons for hope at least in the short term.

The attacks continue but the losses mount for the Allies as well as for the Germans. Over the counrse of my turn and Larry's over 180 Infantry/Engineer Allied squads are lost though only 9 tanks (most of which were British Valentines)

The German armour is now back in reasonable shape having not been heavily committed last turn.

I would imagine there are only a dozen or so turns left....

[larryfulkerson]

Here's what it looks like now that I've been moving units and assigning attacks and
I've decided to make a last ditch effort and if this dosen't work then there's no
point in getting people killed for no good reason. I'll just try to win on points.

[devoncop]

25th March 1945

Very heavy fighting continues along the line which is now forced back into Bolzano itself and the bridge there is duly blown.

The heaviest losses were in the clash between 11th British Armoured Brigade and 11th South African Armoured Brigade who were confronted by the LW Sturm Division backed up by KG Baumers Tiger I's and Tiger II's.
After three days the Allies had lost 28 Shermans and 4 Valentines whilst German losses were 2 Tiger I's and 9 precious Tiger II's.

In Bologna The FJ battlalion from 1st FJ Division supported by Artillery held off determined attacks from 2nd NZ Division and armour from the US 85th Div and 8th Indian Division was held up by an intervention from KG Binz's StuGs.

By turn end the Allies had lost no less than 395 Infantry and Engineer Squads and 42 tanks but Allied armoured formations still appear formidable.

[larryfulkerson]

Here's what the front lines look like now that I've replaced all the tired units
with fresh ones, have assigned some attacks, I've moved the airplanes to better
positions, moved up the arty, and it looks like I'm ready to pull the trigger on
the attacks.

[larryfulkerson]

I wasn't expecting to get moves from Ian this soon and he explained in his Diplomatic
Pouch that he had to skip his turn because whatever the process is that happens when
he does his moves it causes a crash when he tries to send his moves to me. He says it
happened at least twice. So I surmise that he just hit end-turn and skipped doing any
moves. What a trooper...to give up a turn for the sake of the game. I sent a reply to
Ian's email that it would be alright with me if we just abandoned this game and start
the new one in which he would be the Allies but since he's sacrificed a turn I feel like
maybe I should do a good deed and skip a turn too. To be fair. But this is what it
looked like when I hit end-turn.

[devoncop]

1st April 1945

The game is running slowly but at least it is running !!

Back in Berlin Adolf it about to end it all but here his boys continue the fight though causing less and less damage each turn.

Amazingly the FJ in Bologna still hold out but the main line is weakening perceptibly each turn whilst the Allies seem to be able to rotate at will. My artillery has been whittles down and is now causing a maximum of 8 or 9% casualties to a particular unit each turn even when all are focused on it...

It is now a case of hanging grimly on...

(Larry passed his turn after mine disappeared into the ether...the game has been played in that sort of spirit which has made it a true pleasure).

[UP844]

This is one of the best AAR I ever read, and I am looking forward at the new game on the revised map!

ORIGINAL: devoncop

The heaviest losses were in the clash between 11th British Armoured Brigade and 11th South African Armoured Brigade who were confronted by the LW Sturm Division backed up by KG Baumers Tiger I's and Tiger II's.
After three days the Allies had lost 28 Shermans and 4 Valentines whilst German losses were 2 Tiger I's and 9 precious Tiger II's.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, no Tiger II's were ever used in Italy, despite the claims from a few sources: there is no photographic evidence and, anyway, they would have serious mobility issues, especially as regards to bridges. The Germans deployed two heavy tank battalions (504th and 508th sPzAbt), both of them equipped with Tiger I's. The 504th was present from the American landings in Sicily to the final battles before the Po river; the 508th arrived in Italy in February 1944 to take part in the attacks against the Anzio beach-head. The 508th left Italy in early 1945, leaving its remaining Tiger I's to the 504th.
Panthers were also quite rare: the 26th PzDiv has a battalion of them, numbering 45-50 vehicles at its peak strength.
Other heavy German AFVs in Italy included some Elefants (most sources report a single company of sJPzAbt 654) used at Anzio and lost during the retreat in early summer 1944 and a few Nashorns (these lasted longer, probably because they used the PzIV chassis and were lighter and more reliable: there are pictures of a couple of them captured during the final offensive).

On the Allied side, I saw references to Valentines and Crusaders: neither tank ever served in Italy (save perhaps some special engineer tank version). Most Allied tanks in Italy were Shermans since July 1943. In 1944, the versions armed with 76mm and 17-pdr guns were introduced

[larryfulkerson]

I finally remembered to include the attack results screen to show you that progress
is being made. There's 10 turns left and I don't think I'm going to be able to
break through his MLR's in time.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: UP844
This is one of the best AAR I ever read, and I am looking forward at the new game on the revised map!

Thank you so much for your kind words. You're too kind my half. I'm going to see if I can't find some pictures of the real thing to help the emersion a little. I really love the detail that Ian provides for us. I'm not much for verbage but Ian is a poet with his prose. This whole game has been enjoyable and I'm having a blast.

ORIGINAL: UP844

ORIGINAL: devoncop
The heaviest losses were in the clash between 11th British Armoured Brigade and 11th South African Armoured Brigade who were confronted by the LW Sturm Division backed up by KG Baumers Tiger I's and Tiger II's.
After three days the Allies had lost 28 Shermans and 4 Valentines whilst German losses were 2 Tiger I's and 9 precious Tiger II's.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, no Tiger II's were ever used in Italy, despite the claims from a few sources: there is no photographic evidence and, anyway, they would have serious mobility issues, especially as regards to bridges. The Germans deployed two heavy tank battalions (504th and 508th sPzAbt), both of them equipped with Tiger I's. The 504th was present from the American landings in Sicily to the final battles before the Po river; the 508th arrived in Italy in February 1944 to take part in the attacks against the Anzio beach-head. The 508th left Italy in early 1945, leaving its remaining Tiger I's to the 504th.

Panthers were also quite rare: the 26th PzDiv has a battalion of them, numbering 45-50 vehicles at its peak strength.

Other heavy German AFVs in Italy included some Elefants (most sources report a single company of sJPzAbt 654) used at Anzio and lost during the retreat in early summer 1944 and a few Nashorns (these lasted longer, probably because they used the PzIV chassis and were lighter and more reliable: there are pictures of a couple of them captured during the final offensive).

On the Allied side, I saw references to Valentines and Crusaders: neither tank ever served in Italy (save perhaps some special engineer tank version). Most Allied tanks in Italy were Shermans since July 1943. In 1944, the versions armed with 76mm and 17-pdr guns were introduced

Thanks a lot for the information. I had no idea. You must have done a lot of research to gather all that info. Thanks for your hard work. And thanks for posting it. Please feel welcome to post things
like this. They are valuable tidbits I like to hear.

[MikeJ19]

Ian and Larry,

Great stuff! I have to agree with UP844 this has been a wonderful AAR. I have learned a lot. Thanks so very much,

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Ian and Larry,

Great stuff! I have to agree with UP844 this has been a wonderful AAR. I have learned a lot. Thanks so very much,

I'm glad you liked it. Ian and I are going to do the sams sort of thing in the other AAR, the one for the next game. And Ian is going to be the Allies and I'm expecting great things of him. He's a good opponent and plays really well and it's going to be another great game. I'm starting to get the hang of this scenario having been through it once recently and I have some ideas for the Axis to try. Well, I mean I'm going to have some ideas. I have to take a minute and write them all down just as soon as I think of them.

[devoncop]

Many thanks to Mike and UP844 (and Larry of course!) for the kind comments. It has been really enjoyable to do so I am glad that came across.

4th April 1944

As a mechanized NZ Brigade rolls through the devastated streets of Bolzano, word comes through that not only have Bologna and Trieste finally fallen but the US 3rd Army has taken Kassel after heavy fighting and the Sovits have been successful in a ten day battle in Eastern Pomerania...

The Pass defence has now narrowed down to little more than a single track mountain road however and fresh German Artillery and infantry at least with support from the Armour from KG Baumunk and 26th Panzer that remains are dug in awaiting the Allied spearheads. Larry has got his minor victory so I just need to hang in there for a handful of turns to avoid anything worse...

[hingram]

Yes. Very good AAR. Lots of good material for learning.

[devoncop]

Thanks hingram

I have learnt a lot from yourself, Larry and other contributors....I would normally benefit from this in the reverse fixture starting soon but the problem is Larry has too ! [&:]

8th April 1945

Allied forces continue to push on through noticeably weaker German resistance. What artillery there is left concentrates on the 6th NZ Infantry Brigade which was trying to move north from Bolzano and causes about 15% damage but the turn then ends.

The British tank formations from (7th and 9th Armoured Brigades I believe) is concentrating on the pass heading north east from Bolzano and is suffering few losses and is fighting a rag tag mix of isolated infantry battalions, security troops and LW flak units with just a smattering of German armour. An extra 10 turns or so would see Larry take the Pass I am sure but hopefully he doesn't have that long.........

[larryfulkerson]

Here's what it looked like just before I pulled the trigger on the resolution of
the battles and there was no change from this due to the attack so this is pretty
much what it looked like at the end. I'm not real sure I can make any more progress
unles Ian runs out of fresh units.

[devoncop]

11th April 1944

Larry would know better than me but I think this turn may be a case of "Houston...we have a problem".

Unless Hitler's rumoured miracle "secret weapons" have been unleashed or there is something in the scenario design responsible I can see no reason why multiple Allied units should have flashed up in the turn replay as "evaporated".

Not sure whether any of his front line were affected but it seems odd and in a welcome (but somewhat undeserved) development I am now shown as having officially won a marginal victory[:D]...This will be disregarded unless someone can explain the cull !

In more normal news the front was remarkably stable this turn which gives me renewed hope for the Pass though again little artillery fire was possible as the units are in such bad shape.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: devoncop
11th April 1944

Larry would know better than me but I think this turn may be a case of "Houston...we have a problem".

Unless Hitler's rumoured miracle "secret weapons" have been unleashed or there is something in the scenario design responsible I can see no reason why multiple Allied units should have flashed up in the turn replay as "evaporated".

Not sure whether any of his front line were affected but it seems odd and in a welcome (but somewhat undeserved) development I am now shown as having officially won a marginal victory...This will be disregarded unless someone can explain the cull !

In more normal news the front was remarkably stable this turn which gives me renewed hope for the Pass though again little artillery fire was possible as the units are in such bad shape.

I'm thinking that what you saw was me disbanding about 30 Allied units that I don't need any more. The recon units and the AT guns and the extra AA units, etc. so there's nothing wrong with the replay or the game or anything else. I'm going to disband a lot more units this turn. There's about 7 turns left so I'm thinking I don't need but about four divisions for what I need to do yet so the rest of them are superfluous and aren't needed for anything.

And that part about you winning a marginal victory....that's what my info screen says about my game: marginal victory.

[larryfulkerson]

Here's what it looked like when I ended the turn. The trail splits and becomes
two trails so I guess I'll block the left one and try to advance on the right
side.

[devoncop]

15th April 1945

The above explanation from Larry now makes sense. He is indeed still showing as a marginal winner which also makes sense (so once again their were no wonder weapons from Adolf[&:])

This turn the LW Sturm Divn managed to check 6th Brit Armoured Brigade and US Mountain troops with artillery and air support. I have begun to blow bridges on the left hand fork in the pass as extra insurance/inconvenience but I expect the Allied Armour to try and barrel straight down the right hand fork through Bessanone the last German strongpoint.

I got more effective artillery fire onto two Infantry British Brigades to the south of Bressanone this turn and expect fresh troops to hit me next turn.

Another breakthrough and Larry will win this decisively...A couple more turns of near static lines and I have managed some degree of respectability !

[larryfulkerson]

The Germans gave way on the left and I got some units down the road a couple of hexes.
But the right side is being stubborn. This is just after the first combat round and
I'm trying to make some headway with my tanks leading the way.