Mistakes in the Baleares - Newbie vs Nationalist AI scen 6

[WingedIncubus]

September 27, 1936

Whatever the Italians had left floating in Pilar de Mola harbor are running East to escape back to Italy. Our sub patrol intercepted one of their task forces, but only the tanker Campuzano was caught and sunk with a single torpedo.



However, our scouts report a lone enemy sub a few dozens nautical miles away from the Mallorcan coast, heading west. Two of our float planes on ASW are ordered to fly in the area to sink it before it can become a threat.



Meanwhile, our air squadrons that were in shape to fly have started transfering to Son San Juan after the arrival of the airfield support squadron, much closer to Palma. The rest will soon follow after maintenance is complete.

Two others squadrons are moving from the mainland to be shipped to bring more support teams to the base.

[WingedIncubus]

Superb results reported from our air raids: 8 structure destroyed, 2 damaged.

We will soon be starving them out into surrender.




The battle itself, however, remains in a stalemate.

Our casualties have increased but so have theirs, despite their entrenched positions. Their lines and running thin but the few columns we had set into reserves were insufficient to exploit the lines. Five columns are put into reserve, as we plan to continue the offensive in the next few days in the hope that we shall finally make some progress inside the city.

[WingedIncubus]

September 28, 1936

The Fascists are starting to crack!

While we did not progress further inside the city, these losses should slowly become unsustainable for the Nationalists - almost 1,200 casualties today, from both naval bombardment and close-up battles inside the city!

Holes were quickly exploited to inflict massive losses to the Fascists, and further two facilities were damaged in the battle.

[WingedIncubus]

September 29, 1936

Well, we can't always have good days, can we. Clock is ticking but despite horrendous losses, the Fascists still hold the outskirts.





The Drydock has arrived to Pilar de Mola but both Italian ships are in such condition that even fixing them into being buoyant and floating would take at least two years. They are beyond saving.

[WingedIncubus]

September 30-October 2, 1936

We've pulled away from suicidal attacks for the time being. Even with switching to air ground attacks and strafing runs, continuous naval bombardments, and horrific accumulating losses on the Nationalist side - over 2,000 dead and wounded in 4 days, we haven't moved any further into taking control of the city. The Fascists' resistance is furious, intent to deny us complete control over the Mallorcan island. They are surely expecting a miracle counter-debarkment by Mussolini's stooges!

This is getting frustrating, as Madrid continually calls me for further updates on the situation. Am I doing something wrong? Are me and my staff missing something? I can feel it through the reports - they are on the verge of collapsing!

Our last reinforcements are currently debarking in Puerto de Soller. Wven the Aragon Theater commander himself has been dispatched with his staff to take position in Son San Juan and directly give orders. I should I have done that much earlier as soon as I started receiving the 'no HQ guidance' penalties in my reports.

[WingedIncubus]

The three most exhausted and disrupted columns had been pulled to Son San Juan to rest and refit. They are moving to Marraxti to join one last big push into the flank of the enemy.

[WingedIncubus]

October 3-5, 1936

One last offensive. All fresh reinforcements are now heading toward Palma for the last push. While most of our columns are disrupted, I gave most of them a little rest from attacking to decrease their fatigue before the shock attack.

The Aragon Theater Command HQ Unit has now in Son San Juan, right by Palma... however, I still get no HQ Guidance issues during the fight? I am confused here.

However, our air forces are now 100% coordinated with the Son San Juan airport full of support staff, while the last base air support unit is being flown from Barcelona through air transport flights over the Mediteranean.



This is now less about taking Palma, but killing as many Fascists before I am recalled to Madrid. If I can at least have a hold inside the city to report to Minister of War Indalecio Prieto, at least it will be a moral victory for me.

[WingedIncubus]

General Llano Encomienda is in Son San Juan in person to command the battle. Hopefully, we'll find the solution to resolve those communications issues.

[WingedIncubus]

Casualties on the eve of the grand finale, per day and total.