Long Campaign

[robot]

As every one knows i use every major power in my long campaign. Thought i would try my hand at a aar. I like the ones that are put up here and seems like away to make the game more interesting for me. So here goes. Britin vs the Italians Dec. 1940 advance.

Set up my advance as follows. Orders were issued Dec. 19 for our forces to advance on the enemys positions. The North flank was composed of 2 platoons of engineers backed up by 2 sec of Vics light tanks. Supported by 2 sec of heavy cruisers.
Bravo company was assigned the southern VH. They were supported by 2 Platoons of Inf tanks and 2 sec of AT portees. With 2 sec recon and snipers as advance recon.
Able CO. was assigned the middle VH as there objectives. With appropiate recon. Also 3 sec matildas and 2 sec of heavy cruiser,plus 2 sec AT portees.
The northern flank ran into light resistance and took there objectives about the 12 turn with very few losses. More to follow.

[robot]

The southern flank ran into a little more trouble and took until the 16 turn to take there objectives. Again with very few losses.
The center VH were another thing tho. Seems the enemy had there hearts set on not giving these up. The foot sloggers had there mind set on taking them tho. On or near the 19 turn they climbed the last hill and placed the flag on the VH. There was a large amount of tanks around this cluster. Our boys fought bravely tho and overcame this. With the support of the Portees and the extra tanks we destroyed the italian tank force. They had a lot of AT rifles and heavy MMG on top of the hill. This is where i lost some of my tanks. Several of the platoons had high losses as well.
More to follow in next dispatch.

[robot]

Started the 20 turn with a mad dash for the rear VH. The tanks were way out in front of infantry. More and more it dawned on me the enemy was retreating towards the rear hexes and congregating there. At about 5 hexes away from the capture of the final objective by my northern flank i stopped. Discused the situation with all my commanders for over an hour i think. We came to the conclusion that we needed to eliminate this force. So i changed the plan of battle and decided to surround the remaning enemy and destroy them. As the mexican commander siad at the Alamo no quarter. I have way more then enough time to do this. More to follow in a later dispatch.

[robot]

It is the finish of the 21 turn. We have the enemy 2/3 of the way surrounded. How many are left i have no idea. Although my advancing units have run in to some resistance. It is nothing to speak of. Have been shelling there positions with 3 inch mortors and 25 lb as i try to close the noose. Have seen a few gun carriges and trucks off in the distance. They are in a mad dash to get to edge of map. Have not been able to close the rear of trap as yet. But am sure it is a forgone conclusion. How many will escape our trap i dont know.
Will send you another dispatch as soon as we close the rear of trap. Also my losses have been kept to a minamum. Commander of the forces of the Empire. Let me know if the reports are any good.

[KG Erwin]

Robot, these are good reports. Keep them coming. Since the majority of us play solo against the AI, I can identify with your tactics in advance missions. This is where the shortcomings of the AI are amply demonstrated.

However, in assault missions, it's a different story. Another plug for 8.2 here--most nations will buy fortifications and bunkers in the defensive AI purchase routines, so hopefully it will offer more of a challenge.

[robot]

Turn 25 is over. Have almost got the circle closed. Southern flank was in some rough terrain. This slowed them down some. Other wise it would have been closed. They also lost a matilda and a armored car to a 90 mm AA. Finally located it and destroyed it. This slowed them down even more.
The north flank has done there job so far. There half of the circle has been closed. Just trying to link up to the south. We are about 1 hex away from VHs. We have at least a company and maybe more trapped inside. It will soon be a turkey shoot. Have had a lot of trouble holding the men back from the victory that is in hand. Dispatch to follow will mean Victory is ours and the enemy is annilhalated. Excuse my spelling.

[robot]

Turn 28 and the battle is ours. We closed the pocket on the 26 turn. After that it was just squeezng the circle in to the center. We trapped at least four platoons in the circle. It was like shooting ducks on the pond. No matter which way they ran there was someone there to shoot at them. Lost a Matilda on the very last barrage the enemy made. A decisive victory to say the least. Our losse and there losses.
Men 69 to 1840 for them
AFV 4 to 108 for them
Artty theres 11
Soft theres 13
Next battle April 1941 Advance against the Germans at El Aghelia. Will have hands full on this one. Dont think Rommel has taken command yet. Signing off Commander British forces Egypt