CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) - no devoncop please

[warspite1]

Turn 224
7th November 1942

It looks like there was a further pull back by the Axis forces on the coastal plain, but only three units were engaged which is a shame.

There was one bombardment and numerous RBCs that destroyed my commando units and some AA (maybe others I couldn't make out too).

[warspite1]

Turn 224
7th November 1942

Less than 20 - I think time has run out for the Allies [:(]

[warspite1]

Turn 224
7th November 1942

Sadly its another really tough day at the office for the CW..... All CW reserves are now committed and there has been no be breakthrough. I made a very costly error on one attack - thinking I'd cancelled the whole rubbish attack but actually only cancelling one stack (and so making the attack even more rubbish with those left....). But even without that the enemy are too strong despite committing only a portion of his forces. I haven't seen a replacements 'no' for the Axis yet that I recall either...

CW first:
Infantry: 281 vs 556
Artillery (all types): 15 vs 43
Tanks: 15 vs 7
Fighters (Destroyed): 0(0) vs 2(0)
Bombers (Destroyed): 12(3) vs 5(1)

[warspite1]

Turn 225
11th November 1942

And still they come.....

No attacks this turn from the Axis but despite a further withdrawal just one unit was engaged.

[warspite1]

Turn 225
11th November 1942

Total disaster. A failed proficiency check for the CW after just 2 turns. Really not impressed with this.....

[warspite1]

Turn 226
14th November 1942

Two bombardments from the Axis - and the results were roughly even thanks to counter-battery fire.

Sadly for the CW the Axis continue to withdraw but leave sufficiently strong rear-guards to make pursuit difficult.

[warspite1]

Turn 226
14th November 1942

devoncop continues to play a canny game and as a result of this latest retreat my artillery are clean out of the picture. I have few combats this turn and so it makes little sense to have a massive bomber force on Combat Support.

I don't want to use Interdiction because it appears to be just a cheap excuse to achieve little but get all my bombers evaporated - and that is just going to cost me victory points for no good purpose. BUT I have to try something. I see the enemy fighters continuing to withdraw and I now have new airfields at Sidi Barrani and Zawyet Shamus to cover my bomber fleet.

So....

The position with one round to go.

[warspite1]

Turn 226
14th November 1942

A very weak turn for the CW. I put in some bombardments at the end so have to hope that the Axis need reorganising. If not then.....

I placed much of my 'dark green' bombers on interception. I set the range so that they would only be hitting Axis forces at or near the front line - and where I have plenty of fighter cover.... let's see what happens, although based on previous experience my hopes aren't high....

[warspite1]

Turn 227
17th November 1942

Difficult to contain the anger at this stage. From what I could tell on the playback there was not a single bomber that flew an interdiction mission - I then checked the Air Unit Report and every interdicting bomber is still 'dark green' and indeed the air briefing states no aircraft lost.

But it gets even better; despite the presence of all that artillery, not a single Axis unit is engaged when retreating. Right....

[warspite1]

Turn 227
17th November 1942

devoncop has placed a lot of German units at the Halfaya Pass. I hope I've not underestimated his strength here. The South Africans and the Free French have done a great job moving up the coast road but I've needed to give them more support from elsewhere.

This is the big picture with one round to go. These are great tactics from devoncop as it takes me all turn just trying to clear the stragglers - meaning advance is painfully slow.

[warspite1]

Turn 227
17th November 1942

Another incredibly disappointing turn and Axis counter-battery fire remains lethal. Air Battle 32 was a particular low point as 161 modern Allied fighters came up against 22 bi-planes.... and promptly received only 2 less casualties but had 4 more aircraft destroyed.....

Despite the loss of so many field pieces there was some good news in the form of the number of enemy tanks - many German - that were lost.

If the Germans at Halfaya are in half decent shape then I'm screwed - oh unless my aircraft decide to interdict this time.....

[warspite1]

Turn 228
21st November 1942

Its really strange. I am receiving a few odds and ends by way of reinforcement but the Axis continues to have units streaming onto the map from Tripolitania....

Yet again no retreating units were engaged (seriously?) and although some bombers were shot down this time - I saw nothing in the playback to say there were any interdictions.....

[warspite1]

Turn 228
21st November 1942

With one round to go once again the thin line of Axis blocking units has been all that is required to stop any meaningful advance. So so frustrating.

At least I at last took El Hamra - which I think is worth a victory point or two.

[warspite1]

Turn 229
25th November 1942

My own stupidity in failing to move a whole theatre in the PAW game has not done wonders for my mood but this is now getting to be something of a joke... My bombers - 90% of which are set to Interdiction, just won't interdict. At the start of the game if the CW sneeze they get blown to hell. Now, my fully rested, dark green bombers simply refuse to fly.

Added to which, once again, not a single Axis unit is engaged when withdrawing - not a single one.

And a dozen or so Axis reinforcements arrive....

As expected, the German artillery at Halfaya has knocked seven bells out of my artillery too.....

Great.

[warspite1]

Turn 229
25th November 1942

With one round to go the CW are almost through Halfaya Pass - although who knows what is waiting the other side.....


We'll head 'em off at the pass!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQvu4H3BXM8

[warspite1]

Turn 229
25th November 1942

All in all a pretty appalling turn. My bombers are totally useless if they won't interdict so I decided to use them as aerial artillery instead and got smacked about despite not a single Axis fighter being present and no hex attacked had AA in situ. Oh well....

[MikeJ19]

Warspite,

This game can be very frustrating, I hate it when I task units and they do not even try to follow up. The air war is good in the game, but still can be frustrating. I wish that I had more control over Interdiction missions.

You are definitely pushing Devoncop back...

[Hyding]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 229
25th November 1942

All in all a pretty appalling turn. My bombers are totally useless if they won't interdict so I decided to use them as aerial artillery instead and got smacked about despite not a single Axis fighter being present and no hex attacked had AA in situ. Oh well....

Warspite your planes are almost certainly performing interdiction strikes. Unlike TOAW III this version of the game(TOAW IV) does not indicate interdiction strikes in your opponent's replay. A lot of the mysterious "unexplained" air losses you complain of are probably related to interdiction actions. And depending on the AA setting in the game any weapon with an AA rating can contribute to air loses...noy just anti aircraft units.

It is a known issue but they do need to fix interdiction so you have some idea where and how often your planes conduct interdiction strikes. Imagine how frustrating it can be in a Vietnam scenario while playing the US

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Narses

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 229
25th November 1942

All in all a pretty appalling turn. My bombers are totally useless if they won't interdict so I decided to use them as aerial artillery instead and got smacked about despite not a single Axis fighter being present and no hex attacked had AA in situ. Oh well....

Warspite your planes are almost certainly performing interdiction strikes. Unlike TOAW III this version of the game(TOAW IV) does not indicate interdiction strikes in your opponent's replay. A lot of the mysterious "unexplained" air losses you complain of are probably related to interdiction actions. And depending on the AA setting in the game any weapon with an AA rating can contribute to air loses...noy just anti aircraft units.

It is a known issue but they do need to fix interdiction so you have some idea where and how often your planes conduct interdiction strikes. Imagine how frustrating it can be in a Vietnam scenario while playing the US

warspite1

Yes the interdiction problem - and the total lack of information is known and I have pointed it out once or twice [;)]

But please see post 1089 - no aircraft losses at all and all bombers on interdiction remain 'dark green' the turn immediately following what should have been interdiction strikes. I am as confident as its possible to be that those aircraft did not fly.

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I am as confident as its possible to be that those aircraft did not fly.

Sure you had them on Interdiction ("I") and not Sea Interdiction ("T")?