Boldairade (Allies) vs Nirosi (Axis). Boldairade welcome

[Nirosi]

In Morocco, the Royal Navy was sent to help the British troops fighting in a race to Rabat. During the fleet’s arrival, German submarines and aircrafts caused moderate damage to the York and Illustrious groups, but the 8th and 3rd U-boat flotillas both barely escaped destruction. Subsequent air strikes hit the King Georges V, Ark Royal and Illustrious groups; the later believed to be in bad shape now. The group centered on heavy cruiser London and seeking protection in Gibraltar was destroyed in port there.

On land, the British ran back to Rabat, probably trying to evacuate. German troops attempted to take the port and cut-off both their already overloaded supply line and also only mean off escape. However, the attacks failed and the armored corps in Rabat is probably safe now and will evacuate either to Great Britain or Egypt.

In other news, Paris was again bombed, and Norway taken in a swift coup de force by a combined operation involving OKH, OKM and OKL.

[Nirosi]

Rommel in a liaison meeting with an Italian corps commander.

[Nirosi]

June 20th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

In Morocco, the rain saved the British corps in Rabat as OKH decided against an assault under these conditions. OKH still hope to force the surrender of a Canadian corps and the British army headquarters and associated troops. Further South, the remains of an almost cut-off British marine division were obliterated by a combined German-Vichy offensive.

At sea, the Luftwaffe almost sank the Glorious carrier group. Both carriers of the group were left barely afloat trying to pump out water and remain above sea level. OKM dispatched two U-Boat flotillas to finish off the carriers, but most torpedoes missed and the few that hit were duds. OKM will investigate.

[Nirosi]

In Libya, Tobruk did fall after four days of battles. The XVI Panzer Corps was dispersed and will have to be reorganised over the next few weeks back in Germany. The same fate was incurred by Italian bombers based there. The XVI Panzer Corps that was supposed to relieve the battered XVI Corps directly in Tobruk was instead diverted to Benghazi. The XVI Panzer is the most elite corps of the German army. As close to perfection as one could hope. OKW expects results!

Commando supremo decided to take the opportunity of the British fleet been probably at the limits of its capacity after weeks of continuous shore support and supply runs. It ordered air strikes conducted by Italian and German bombers that sank the Courageous carrier group and did moderate damage to the Malaya battleship group. With the British fleet now softened even more, the Regia Marina sent in the surface fleet to engage the enemy. The disorganised British fleet was attacked at dawn with the first salvos coming for the Giulio Cesare that hit the Revenge on starboard side. After four hours of battle, the Revenge group was sunk, the Malaya group was severely hit, and other groups suffered minor damage. Damage to the Italian fleet is basically nil with two destroyers receiving splinter damage that was already repaired by the end of day at sea. Regia Marina then mustered two submarine flotillas still in relatively good operational order and sent them for some mop-up. The Braham, already hit previously by Italian bombers, was moderately hit again, leaving it in bad shape.

The next morning, the San Marco Marine Division landed in Egypt cutting off supply lines and dispersing a bomber group. With the lines to Egypt cut and the Royal Navy been in no shape to contest the blockade of Tobruk (that should stop most of the traffic), it is believed that the Commonwealth troops will have to retreat or face eventual destruction.

[Nirosi]

In Norway, in a surprise move the British landed at Bergen. Since they are already overextended in Africa, OKW did not expect such guts from them. A fleet was even detected North of Narvik, surely for an eventual assault on the port. OKH did manage to send in a division directly to the port and all other ports. Hopefully it will deter any attempts at landing.

In other news, the German fleet was released for hunting in the Atlantic. After their loses in the Mediterranean during the last months, no serious interference from the British is expected.

[Nirosi]

British Destroyed Brazen, part of the escort of the Malaya Group, seen here sinking and cut-off from friendly forces, is been approached by torpedo boat Cassiopea who offered help.

[Nirosi]

Italian Torpedo boat Cassiopea who saved many British sailors from the Brazen.

[Nirosi]

July 3rd, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

In Egypt, the British reacted quickly and sent two corps, including an armored one, to re-establish the supply lines. However, they could not destroy the San Marco Division who managed to cut it off again. Comando Supremo is however at a loss on how to recover the division and bring it back to safety. Once their position become impossible, they have received orders to surrender.

Around Tobruk, the XVI Panzer Corps entered into action and came very close to take the port, but eventually the assault failed, and Axis troops are once again over exhausted. A British corps was however overrun during the process and is considered destroyed, its remains been picked up one by one after the initial assault.

Some Royal Navy ships escaped to Malta where Axis bombers bottomed the Northfolk group. But follow-up raids could not finish it off, nor find any other target.

In Morocco, the last British corps left the city and both the Canadian corps, and the 14th Army headquarters and associated troops surrendered after a combined French-Italian-German assault.

[Nirosi]

In Europe, German troops made contact wit the enemy in Bergen and, to their surprise, found a full British corps. OKW ordered all necessary resources to be sent to retake the port before Winter.

Paris was again bombed but this time the Luftwaffe intervene and deal the RAF a bloody nose.

Night recon over Plymouth detected a large fleet based there. Up to three Carrier groups seem based there. However, Abwehr believes that most must be in bad shape and remind OKW that British resources are stretched thin. So those CV groups may or may not be a threat yet for the Kriegsmarine sailing in the Northern Atlantic.

[Nirosi]

July 17th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

The San Marco Division decided to fight until the end and, after five days of assault by British troops, was destroyed. A badly coded transmission from a British divisional commander was intercepted saying “Tough bastards””. This should secure the supply lines from Egypt to Libya. However, German troops, with naval and air support, managed to take Tobruk this time after a few days of hard battles. Commando Supremo and OKW expect the supply situation to improve greatly for Axis troops but to become serious for the overextended Commonwealth troops. The situation was touch and go for a long time near Tobruk, and although the very possible disaster that was almost expected a month ago did not occur, the battle is far from over and British resources, and sheer will, should not be underestimated.

A rotation of British ships was observed in Malta. A modest attempt was put together for an air raid but did not pass the defenses and no follow-up attacks were attempted. OKL and Regia Aeronautica will wait for their squadrons to recover and replenish.

[Nirosi]

In Norway, German troop are closing-in on Bergen and expect the British to either evacuate, or fight and eventually be destroyed.

In the Atlantic, both the surface fleet and the U-boats are finally starting to cause some serious damage to the commercial lanes. OKM is pleased wit the last few days. About a million tons of Allied shipping are believed sunk as well as 20 or so escort ships of all types.

In other news, the Iraqi government was overthrown by a coup and the new government seems sympathetic to Rome and Berlin. However, it is not believed we can send help to our new allies and British troops are already moving upstream toward Baghdad!

[Nirosi]

German tanks entering Tobruk!

[Nirosi]

German infantry in Norway, closing in on Bergen.

[Nirosi]

Their sacrifice was not in vain!

[John B.]

Thanks so much for your AAR! I'm really enjoying it!!

[Nirosi]

Thanks! [:)]

[Nirosi]

August 1st, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

In the Atlantic it seems that for about two weeks all shipping lanes were put to a halt but seem to have now resumed. Admiral Lütjens, commanding the raiding fleet, ordered it toward Iceland where what was believed a small British anti-submarine squadron was detected. Lütjens wanted to lure what he believed to be the destroyer detachment into combat. However, the British trap sprung into action after the fleet approached and strikes from two carrier groups damaged the Schlesien and Scharnhorst groups. OKM ordered the fleet to break the engagement and run for the high seas. The raiding fleet is now trying to hide in the middle of the Atlantic and might be ordered back to port in whole or in part.

In Norway, Bergen was finally attacked, and the British will probably either evacuate or be relieved as it is doubtful that they could resist for more than a few extra days!

Plymouth suffered an air raid on its port that caused no damage, but gained, at moderate cost, valuable information of the naval groups there, probably all under repair.

[Nirosi]

In Libya, the ANZAC was overrun and destroyed by the Axis offensive that also managed to cut-off a Canadian corps. The corps could probably be freed by a counter-attack but this could leave the British vulnerable to a counter-counterattack by Axis troops that just received some reinforcement for Morocco in the form of another Panzer corps! However, many Italian corps and the air division would probably need to be removed from combat for a few weeks to seriously recover.

In Malta, the chain of command was broken, and some airstrikes were ordered again despite orders at higher echelons to the contrary. Only minimal damage was done to the Warspite for the loses of many aircrafts. Regia Aeronautica and OKL will have to rein in the local commanders. Enthusiasm should never interfere with orders!

In other news, Iraq fell when British troops entered Baghdad after some small skirmishes...

[Nirosi]

Italian tanks cutting-off Canadian troops...

[Nirosi]

August 15th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

In Libya and Egypt, Commonwealth troops retreated leaving the Canadians, who barely re-established a small supply corridor, to fend for themselves. General Graziani convinced Rommel that Italian troops could finish them off. However, this was not the case and the Canadian corps just managed to get even closer to the Egyptian border. Rommel eventually sent German troops to intervene and try to still stop the corps from reaching safety. Hopefully, the corps will still be out of supply range and will not have what it takes to reach friendly lines just yet, giving the Axis an extra few days to try to finish them off. In view of the rapport de force at the moment, a Commonwealth attack on Axis positions is not considered plausible by Axis intelligence, giving Axis troops some more freedom of action.