Expanded Allied Air HQ

[kentkroeckel]

November 20, 1943

Victory points: Turn is 30 and game total is 316. At this time the score would be a minor Allied victory. But the points will go down in 1944 due to Allied ground and air losses along with Vengeance Weapon points for Axis.

Amphibious ship losses: Allies never receives replacement on turn one so that is why I am talking about them on turn 21. On this turn the Allies have received replacements of 80, (4 x 20). Losses are 87 and the pool starts at 253. I round to 250 because it is easier math. Ha. So roughly speaking, only eight less from start of game. This Allows allies to do full invasion of Italy.

Weather for Europe: Air, rain and ground, light mud.
Weather for Mediterranean: Air, rain and ground, light mud.
Hexes along contact line of Messina in Sicily are at water level 5. Very bad for offensive engagement. Armor in particular.

Axis air phase: 149 for Luftwaffe and 63 for Allies.

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Next picture is of Sicily and surroundings. Not much in ground interdiction or air naval.

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Metalist asked me about a mysterious Allied lost brigade. I have included it below in picture. The American special forces brigade was simply moving around but was destroyed. Be it by weather, Axis submarine, or both.

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[kentkroeckel]

I need to reveal a strategic point in the game now. allies had positioned many patrol craft on Corsica and Sardinia to lure Axis in sending assets near the northern border of Italy, where it joins with south. Basically, east of of the two Italian islands. Hope had been to have German ground units position up there so fewer would be on Sicily and adjoining areas. Did not work out because there are still several Axis airborne divisions on Sicily. Weather has added to the lack of success and next week, still more rain.

Allies will keep pressure on Sicily but the hopes of a breakout onto Mainland are gone. Even securing the port of Messina are not realistic now. Air preparations for Italian D-Day need to take precedence so patrol craft are returning to North African coast. From there they can reach invasion locations.

[kentkroeckel]

Despite rain, Allies are able to achieve naval control along North Africa and east, to Sicily. First picture shows this.

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Total air losses for turn are: 292 for Axis and 533 for Allies. This is an advantage of 240 for Luftwaffe.

Two hexes on Sicily, near Messina were attacked. One hex had 107 engagements while other had 63. Have not added up effect yet.

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All of of the Allied air ground attacks did leave a hex with (5) interdiction. This is what I was talking about. Air ground attack does create interdiction as well.

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[kentkroeckel]

I will first start with the reconnaissance of Italy. Pictures are from South, (Sicily) and heading north.

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Next in order. Axis has heavy presence at likely landings.

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Rome is heavily protected along with Naples.

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Final picture is end result of ground attack. Same two hexes. Air transport were used to supply units and naval bombardment was used on hexes. Axis airborne units loss troops and material. hex had fortification reduced.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 27, 1943

Victory Points: Turn is 30 and game total is 346.

Amphibious losses were 5. This is due to weather which impacts sea control. Substantial sea movement is also attributing to this.

European Weather: Air is cold. Ground is light mud. Water level is 3 and snow is 2.
Mediterranean Weather: Air is rain. Ground is light mud. Water level is 5. Very bad on Sicily.

Axis air phase losses: 107 for Luftwaffe and 64 for Allies. I have included picture of total for this phase to show Allies are now 10,000 + in losses. Germany is at 7,000 +.

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Next picture shows the change in Allied naval bubble. It hugs coast of Africa and still heads towards Sicily. In Allied air phase I will stretch it out to cover the boot of Italy.

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Final picture is really exciting news. Germany has withdrawn a bit in Sicily. This is truly the final defense for Messina. Allies attribute this to relentless bombing, challenging logistics, and continuing withdraws. There is also the ever present danger of upcoming Italian D-Day. Axis units would be in a better position if on Mainland.

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German perspective, interpreted by Allies:
Messina has occupied Allie's units but as a main invasion approaches, Axis units on Sicily are not going to be in a position to stop it. Worst yet, they could get isolated, depending on invasion location and how it proceeds.

[kentkroeckel]

Much to write about. Allies had been retraining most escorts to Fighter bomber. Only night fighters remain in Europe for escort. There are about three hundred aircraft in Mediterranean for air superiority. Rest are Fighter bomber trained. Of course a FB can switch to air superiority if the need arises, but there is the 20% penalty. By this turn they had been placed, moved, and supplied. Allied air losses increased substantially. Air attacks were made on most of Italy.

Below is picture of all air missions in Europe.

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Next is of Mediterranean missions. Notice how all of Italy is blanked.

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Despite heavy airbase attacks, only 39 Axis aircraft were loss on ground. Not enough to justify effort. Rain made a difference I believe.

Air Intensity: Air sorties for Axis were just under 6,000. Allies were at 32,000. Five times as many.

Largest Allied air loss in a single turn for this challenge I believe. Axis 234 and Allies 825. This is a huge win for Luftwaffe, of 591.

[kentkroeckel]

Hexes vacated by Axis were occupied by Allies. Then lower hex was attacked but was not taken. German 4 airborne division was reduced along with hex fortification. Allies too are suffering losses, often at a greater rate than Axis. I have included reconnaissance pictures of Italy.

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There are still many Axis units in southern Italy. Most are on essential ports, rail junction, major cities, and potential landing zones.

[kentkroeckel]

December 4, 1943

Victory Points: Turn was 33 and game total is 379.

Amphibious losses: 96. Each turn several are being lost. I hope 1944 sees reduction since submarine effect is reduced in game.

European air weather: Cold
European ground weather: Light mud. Water level is 2 and snow level is 2.

Mediterranean air weather: Rain, except Sicily and below.
Mediterranean ground weather: Light mud, except Sicily and below. water level is 2, except Sicily and below.

Axis air phase losses: 76 for Luftwaffe and 58 for Allies.

First picture shows Germany has withdrawn to the port hex of Messina. You can also see naval interdiction before Allied phase. Weather continues to hamper both sides.

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Next three pictures show air engagement around Italy during Axis air phase. Everywhere there is contact.

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[kentkroeckel]

Combined air losses: Axis are 321 while Allies are 719. Luftwaffe advantage of 398. I believe this is new normal until morale and experience change in 1944. This is due to lowering levels of new air units for Axis while Allies get a boost several times for rest of game. These changes affect ground units as well. The turn-over rate also negatively impacts Axis units to a greater degree than Allies.

I took a snapshot of air battle in progress during day 7. Wanted to show how an air sequence progresses. Look at the sortie difference between Axis and Allies. Yet look at the losses of aircraft too.

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Next picture is of the Allied naval bubble after air phase. Despite rain it is getting further east, reaching to the Boot of Italy.

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Final picture shows many units Germany has along Toe and Boot of Italy. Allies have little hope of crossing over to mainland after Messina is taken. I do have a dream that Messina will be taken before 1944. It will be close.

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Allies replaced many aircraft models this turn to help consolidate along with improve range and carrying capacity. Whether that be in fuel and or ordinance.

Strategic missions switched over from submarine attack to vengeance weapon attacks. this includes manufacturing and launch sites.

[kentkroeckel]

Continuing on the previous post picture, wanted to show rest of reconnaissance of Italy.

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Germany has completely fortified southern Italy.

Messina hex was attacked 180 times this turn but not many losses on Axis unit. There is one airborne division.

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Surprisingly, Messina was taken in just one attack. Allies do not understand how this happened so quickly. I guess the continual bombing really weakened the German 2 airborne division. It had been under constant bombing for several turns.

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Relief comes to Allies now that Sicily is taken. This is the latest it has ever happened to me. Well done Metalist!

[kentkroeckel]

Wanted to talk about Victory Points since this game is approaching a change.

U-Boat: This pertains to the start of challenge to the last week of December 1943. The manual explains it as "Undamaged U-boat factories may result in the Western Allies scoring negative victory points". A fancy and confusing way to say, Allies loose victory points for undamaged U-Boat factories. Total the undamaged and then divided by 10.

Vengeance weapon: they take over where the submarines left off. There are two types of vengeance weapons. Launch sites and factory. Other than name game does not make distinction for value. There is about a hundred of each. Before Allied European invasion, combine the total undamaged vengeance weapon points and then divide by 10. After invasion divide by 5. These victory points for Germany can really add up so Allies need to keep a heavy bombing campaign on them.

Following is how Allies receive victory points.

Strategic bombing: This includes all industrial sites and population centers. (Not submarine or vengeance weapon). It does not include ports, rail, and depots. These victory points are throughout the campaign but get reduced as game continues. By the way, no points are awarded for Russian capture of Axis industry. Additionally, ground capture gives Allies 100% damage to industrial site. the ratio for strategic industrial victory points are:

1943: Total industrial points divided by 6.
January, 1944: Total industrial points divided by 9.
July, 1944: Total industrial points divided by 12.
1945: Total industrial points divided by 18.

Another way for Allied victory points is city control. No need to get into it now so if you want read up on it, in manual located 25.1.1 There is update in living manual on it too. Totally resets values.

[kentkroeckel]

This is what the scenario is all about. Allies start the challenge with many air HQ and get a few more during game. Right now they are coming in so wanted to comment on them. Below is chart showing nationality, name, and turn.

British 100 Air Group RAF (T-24)
British 85 Air Group RAF (T-25)

US IX Bomber Command (T-17)
US XIX Tactical Air Command (T-28)
US XXIX Tactical Air Command (T-60)

I am sure Metalist wants more air missions to attack so here they are. Ha. But on a serious thought, these added groups get air missions at 250. All are used too because this is what the game is about.

Logistics: As Allies, the strategy I use is logistical supply to every unit. Meaning, every hex that has a unit gets the nearest supply depot. Translation, every air base that can have a depot has a one. Just about all towns have a depot and an air base. Manual states that depots should only be on front line but also says all air bases should have depots. As Allies, I have never had issues with logistics but do set priority from 1-4. This helps greatly in flow of supply. Active air bases are always set at two. Inactive at one. Ground units in non combat areas are set at three and hexes that are within 7 hexes of active engagement areas are set at four.

[Metalist]

Messina was just a blunder I dropped the depot level to 0, hoping that 5k trucks there will be sent back to the pool. Instead, the trucks remained, but 30k supply just vanished. That really hit bad my Fallschirmjäger unit as without an air port air supply is just not that good. That said, I think I could hold on 1 or 2 more turns max so not that of a big deal, though near 2k losses without inflicting anything is definitely not pleasant.

OKW kindly asks Allies to invade already, waiting is more stressful than fighting.

[kentkroeckel]

fantastic explanation Metalist on the Allie's taking of Messina. I had hoped it was due to ever strengthening will of the British soldier. Nope! Can you explain further about truck use by Germany. The only thing I am familiar with is to turn a non motorized unit into a motorized unit but that is the extent of my use with truck reconfiguration.

The other part, placing a depot on Zero I do understand and agree with. I never used while a unit was on it but makes sense. I too would think the effect would be for following turn.

Axis withdraws happened on this turn, 24. Fedherrnhalle panzer grenadier division, 76 infantry static division, and 371 infantry static division. Allies do hope this will impact Italian defense.

[kentkroeckel]

December 11, 1943

Victory Points: Turn was 37 and game total is 416.

Amphibious losses are 96.

European weather: Air, cold.
European Ground: Light mud. Rain 1, and snow 5.

Mediterranean weather: Air, rain.
Mediterranean Ground: Light mud. Rain 3. Lower half of southern Italy clear and 1 water. Did not think lower part would become clear.

I included this weather picture because it is hard to describe in words. The main takeaway is that Southern Italy should be in rain next turn. So if I launched this turn, they would land in rain on turn 25. Not good.

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Axis air phase losses: 54 Luftwaffe and 83 Allies.
This is a surprise so included picture of results.

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Next picture shows air engagement during Axis air phase. It is all over Italy.

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Last picture is of Mediterranean sea control. Allies are getting control of Italian Boot even before air phase.

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[kentkroeckel]

During Axis air phase Allies lost more aircraft and that does not usually happen.

Losses for both air phases: 158 Axis and 582 Allies. Luftwaffe advantage of 424.

These last few weeks have been brutal on Allies. I do realize it is 1943 but still, ouch. Allies hoped for ground success and that is why many multi purpose aircraft were trained for fighter bomber. the question will be, can ground mauling of Axis units keep up with Allied air losses. This is assuming the ground mauling is having an effect. So far it seems to. Of course D-Day Italian invasion will reveal the full effect.

Below shows air engagements around Italy.

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Next three pictures show reconnaissance of Italy and how it has been fortified by Germany. It is impressive. I would even say equal to French fortification. Allies do not see a weak spot along the coastline so are expecting a difficult invasion.

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[kentkroeckel]

Allies did two attacks this turn. The hex was across from Messina, Sicily. There is no ferry access since Allies do not control both sides but a Task Force can be used. I simply placed it in ferry hex and it worked just as well. There are two ferry hexes so Allies were able to attack port city of Reggio Calabria from two hexes. Max load on Task Force ferry attack is two units. This allowed four British infantry divisions to attack. Below are results of each attack. Unit defending was Germany 4 airborne division. Next (north) of hex is the mauled 2 German airborne division. It withdraws on turn 27.

First attack

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Second attack

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Both assaults ended in Allied retreat. Only a victory allows unit to stay on Task Force. An unsuccessful assault forces units to route back to friendly shoreline. There were casualties inflicted on German 4 airborne division along with reducing hex fortification. When A Task Force is used as ferry it still adds naval bombardment. Air support was also used in both attacks.

Final picture shows Allies naval bubble after air phase. It is getting stronger over Italian Boot.

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[Metalist]

fantastic explanation Metalist on the Allie's taking of Messina. I had hoped it was due to ever strengthening will of the British soldier. Nope! Can you explain further about truck use by Germany. The only thing I am familiar with is to turn a non motorized unit into a motorized unit but that is the extent of my use with truck reconfiguration.

Well, in our previous game I did not have much chance to counter-attack while you are invading France, partly because my motorized divisions lacked vehicles, which means much less movement points. I thought the reason for this was that I was rather careless during Italian campaign and lost many trucks during logistics. Since after the Italian surrender railways are gone in South Italy, one should be careful not to overburden truck network.

[kentkroeckel]

Thank you very much for your insight Metalist. You have brought up an important aspect to German defense of southern Italy. After surrender rail does not work well. Gone it seems. I have read comments before, that when the Southern Italian port of Taranto is captured by Allies, partisan activity greatly increases on Axis forces. I have noticed many hexes convert to Allied control when Taranto is taken but this could be to Germany often retreating from the region of clear hexes.

Trucks in logistic system: They are an invisible force yet intricate in game system computation. Germany has a smaller pool than Allies but still, both sides need to manage it well or one could find themselves with front line units starving for supplies. This is where streamlining logistics is helpful. The order for both sides is as follows.

Use of naval for moving of supply. (Blue line)
Use of rail for moving of supply. (White line)
Use of truck for moving of supply. (Red line)

The first method (naval) is limited for Axis player but Allies need to prioritize this. Meaning, every port should have a depot. And yes, some small ports can only receive supply rather than move out and in. But still, Allies need port logistics to have a good pattern of supply. It should look like a spider web.

Use of rail for both sides is important. That is why having depots along rail is nessecary for both sides. In particular, this can really aid Germany with logistics. A good use of administrative points. And in fact, if used effectively, truck use in logistics is kept to minimum. For Germany in Southern Italy, there is no good solution since rail does not work anymore.

I debated whether to show Allied logistics, (using #8 for display) and decided the benefit is greater than keeping the pattern hidden from Metalist since it also shows units. first picture is of England ( yes, I know England is just part of UK Island).

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Next is closeup of Northern UK. See how ground units are on a depot which is located on rail. No red line, which is truck use.

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Final picture of logistics is of North Africa Mediteranian. Blue is naval, which accounts for most, then followed by white which is rail. Not much red / truck use.

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[kentkroeckel]

December 18, 1943

Victory Points: Turn was 33 and game total is 449. Remember, all of this will change in a downward way come 1944.

Amphibious losses: 99.

European air weather: Cold.
European ground weather: Light snow. Water level is 2 and snow level is 2.

Mediterranean air weather: Clear and rain.
Mediterranean ground weather: North Africa has light mud and southern Italy clear.

Axis air phase losses: 134 Luftwaffe and 101 Allies. This result is reassuring to Allied Command. Below is snapshot.

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This is picture of Mediterranean sea control before Allied air phase.

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I wanted to show more of Allied logistics so have included picture of depots on southern UK.

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Final picture is of North Africa logistic depots.

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