Taifun (Axis) v EarlyDoors (Allies)

[EarlyDoors]

November 1940

Things deteriorate rapidly in the south of China. The Army holding Kweilin are destroyed, the town taken and the road to Naninng occupied by many japanese. The Corps there look doomed as does the Canton Corps. In the centre the isolated XII Corps about Ichang are destroyed by combined arms and an Army is also lost about Chengchow.

1940-11-08-china.png (627.92 KiB) Viewed 2665 times

The bombardment of Malta continues whilst O'Connor's Reconn unit spies an Italian Army marching East from Tripoli. With the Eastern ports in enemy hands I'm unsure how strong a force is coming so I pull the reconn unit back to better supply about El Agheila.

1940-11-08-north-africa.png (1009.32 KiB) Viewed 2665 times

[EarlyDoors]

December 1940

With reduced supply and at half strength, Malta's Anti Air Unit is destroyed by air raids. Fallshirmjaeger jump in to seize Valetta. At Benghazi, Commonwealth forces are braced for the gathering storm.

1940-12-06-benghazi-braced.png (916.01 KiB) Viewed 2606 times

[Taifun]

The Gods of War were on our side and the weather was clear again in December making the capture of Malta possible. With Tripoli port at last operational at level 5 the first reinforcements for Libya disembarked. From the recently deployed Afrikakorps in Italy only General Rommel was shipped to Libya, taking overall command of the German forces in Afrika.

The OKW was intensely planning the USSR and Yugoslavia invasions. The queued new built forces for these operations were 4 panzerkorps, 2 Special Forces, 1 Mechanised infantry corps, 1 rocket artillery and 1 armoured train. No additional troops, bombers or HQs could be afforded.
The OKW original plan was to give Rommel 2 panzerkorps but the Fuhrer will only authorize the transfer of the veteran 4th panzerkorps, the second motorized 5th panzerkorps being ordered east towards Rumania from Venice. To replace this severe loss the Italian Ariete tanks were to be shipped to Libya along with the German Mechanised infantry corps (when built sometime in the spring 1941). On the other hand, Rommel will be initially supported by a strong Luftwaffe force including 5 bomber groups (2 stuka, 2 medium bombers and 1 naval) and a fighter wing. The Italians will deploy 1 fighter, 1 medium and 1 naval bomber group.

General Rommel’s new Afrikakorps was a motivated force but lacked strong attack land formations. With no German Armies, a weak infantry corps and with only 1 veteran panzerkorps Rommel relied heavily on the Luftwaffe; the 2 Italian Armies and the Ariete tanks being secondary actors. With no reinforcements in sight from the continent apart from the promised Mechanised infantry corps, the loss of the precious panzerkorps will most probably end a speedy Axis advance. Worst still, around May 1941 all bombers will be redeployed to Rumania to assist with Barbarossa.

[EarlyDoors]

Early January 1941

China's IV Corps are destroyed and the internationally important city of Nanning taken. Morale drops across the nation though resistance remains in the form of partisan activity.

1941-01-03-nanning-falls.png (1.03 MiB) Viewed 2565 times

In the Western Desert an overstrength Panzer Division noses towards El Agheila with Italian forces to the rear. Chief of the Imperial General Staff advises these units need to be respected and orders Blamey's ANZACs to fall back on Benghazi where they can use the defensible terrain of the Jebel Akhdar whilst O'Connors' British forces solidify at Tobruk. An extra fighter wing has come out from the UK. There is slight logistical mis-communication between the two HQs resulting in supply not being maximised.

1941-01-03-allies-pull-back-to-benghazi.png (1.34 MiB) Viewed 2565 times

Unknown to both these commanders, Churchill has placed a higher strategic value on the Maritime Merchant routes and despatches a Canadian and UK Corps to deny north Norway airfields to the luftwaffe. A Royal Marine special forces unit also awaits shipping at Glasgow.

1941-01-03-uk-and-canada-norway-expedition.png (849.98 KiB) Viewed 2565 times

USSR research has discovered Infantry Weapons and Warfare level 1.

[Taifun]

General Rommel began his offensive descending along the coast of Sirte with the 4th Panzerkorps spearheading the advance. They found 2 Anzacs Infantry corps fully entrenched defending El Agheila but they didn’t attack as the odds were no favorable, better to wait for air support. The Anzacs retired East towards Cyrenaica next turn without a fight. Unfortunately, the German paras that captured Tunis and that by now were reaching Tripoli were to be shipped to the Continent to participate in Barbarossa. After a short period of rest and refit the Stuka groups deployed in Sicily near Syracuse were ready to take off towards Africa.

[EarlyDoors]

Late January 1941

The Chinese I Corps defending Canton are destroyed and the town captured. For the first time level 2 Japanese Infantry are spotted.

1941-01-31-canton-falls-lvl2-japanese-infantry-spotted.png (698.91 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

Blamey decides to shorten his supply lines and lengthen the Axis by not contesting Benghazi. The ANZACs fall back towards Tobruk. The Axis follow, liberating El Agheila. Early air combat is not encouraging.

1941-01-31-commonwealth-forces-fall-back-on-tobruk.png (991.63 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

In the horn of Africa, the build up of Commonwealth forces continues.

1941-01-31-commonwealth-buildup-in-horn-of-africa.png (832.14 KiB) Viewed 2538 times

HMS Suffolk, a heavy cruiser based at Gibraltar becomes the target of an attack by 4 uboats. This is an unexpected turn of events. Since the outbreak of war, the Admiralty had been searching for the Graf Spee and Deutschland, believing them to have either sailed for the Pacific, been hiding off Iceland or in the Norwegian fjords. What does this influx of subs into the mediterranean signify?

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[EarlyDoors]

Meanwhile the combined Canadian - British expedition to Norway continues its rendezvous, mindful of those 'missing' German cruisers.

1941-01-31-norwegian-sea.png (682.32 KiB) Viewed 2535 times

[EarlyDoors]

This is the unit lineup in late January 1941.

1941-01-31-units.png (908.61 KiB) Viewed 2533 times

Germany has invested 1725mpp into Research

1941-01-31-ger-r+d.png (694.42 KiB) Viewed 2533 times

And Japan has invested 1950mpp into Research

1941-01-31-jap-r+d.png (705.03 KiB) Viewed 2533 times

[EarlyDoors]

By contrast the UK has only invested 600mpp and has used 350mpp into diplomacy. Hoping their activity was masked by Allied persuasion of Burma, the UK made a full diplomatic play for Finland, hoping to catch the Axis unawares. That turn they get a hit! ~ a measly 4% : all that has done is alerted the axis.

1941-01-31-uk-r+d.png (705.58 KiB) Viewed 2532 times

The USA has researched 2625mpp

1941-01-31-usa-r+d.png (704.3 KiB) Viewed 2532 times

And the USSR has researched 1375mpp

1941-01-31-ussr-r+d.png (734.09 KiB) Viewed 2532 times

[Taifun]

Rommel reached El Agheila followed by the slower Italian Infantry formations. Enemy tactical bombers escorted by Spitfire squadrons pounded the Ariete tanks in the marshes but our Messersmith’s intercepted them in the first of a long series of air battles. In our first contact with the enemy, our tanks engaged the enemy Anzac infantry south of Jebel Akhdar in the open and de-entrenched. It was an advantageous situation: this game is about READINESS and ENTRENCHMENT. Once you understand this you will go up in the ELO ranking. Next turn they disengaged and retreated east leaving Benghazi deserted. Rommel HQ staff thinks that they should have defended El Agheila fully entrenched to win time…
Our 2 stuka bomber groups were unable to reach the front due to heavy rain over Sicily.

[Taifun]

The Allied Diplomatic effort against Finland was worrisome. We needed Finland on our side. Germany requested our Allies to invest in Finland and finally 7 chits were invested (3 Japan, 3 Italy and 1 Germany).

The Allies deployed 8 infantry corps to take of our meager Italian forces in the horn of Africa including 5 Indian. Not many Indian troops should be left defending India. Japan immediately started planning the war against the western democracies and the invasion of India.

[EarlyDoors]

February 1941

Uboat attacks continues against HMS Suffolk and she went down in the port of Gibraltar.

Whilst Italian Ariete Tanks liberated Benghazi, German panzers smashed into the Long Range Desert Group outside of Tobruk. The line held and the attack seemed isolated, backed up by a single Italian Army. Perhaps the Axis force in Libya was not as large as first feared. If XII Corps would have had trucks then the Panzers could have been surrounded and cut-off. There was still a chance of doing so in 2 phases. 7th Armour struck along a northern arm wounding the Italian tanks.
Damn. They revealed a Second Italian Army south-east of El Agheila. The southern thrust was canceled and a UK reconn unit inserted into the Jebel Akdhar to protect the flank of the UK armour.
Sensing a chance to defeat the Axis in this theatre, the Imperial staff despatched a corps from malaya.

1941-02-28-north-africa-northern-envelopment.png (1.02 MiB) Viewed 2493 times

With the arrival of General Giffard to Massawa, the Italian forces were in a position to break out and struck south isolating a hapless Italian corps. To the south-east Smuts' South Africans set about Mogadishu and the Sudan corps drove south from Gondor.

1941-02-28-breakout-from-massawa.png (952.37 KiB) Viewed 2493 times

Under strict radio silence the Royal Navy continued its north-easterly mission through the Norwegian Sea.

1941-02-28-norway-expedition-sails-on-hoping-for-clear-skies-next-month.png (1012.43 KiB) Viewed 2493 times

Foreign Office reports the increase in Japanese and Italian 'tradesmen' in Finland. Our influence is likely to be diluted but at least it's cost the Axis 350mpp.
Meanwhile our diplomatic presence has in Burma has finally convinced them to get involved and the nation prepares for war.

[Taifun]

Rommel attacked! 4th panzerkorps together with the Ariete engaged the LRDG Special Forces near Bir Hakeim, the Italian tanks later redeployed and captured deserted Benghazi while the 4th panzerkorps remained in an exposed position in open ground south of Jebel Akhdar. The Italian Infantry was still far behind, near the El Agheila marshes while the German Infantry corps was even further back near Sirte, being upgraded with new motorized material.

The next February turn was to be a crucial one in the North Africa campaign. If General O’Connor counterattacked in force with antitank, 7th Armor, Western desert Army with aerial support they could most probably destroy the 4th panzerkorps… I believed that I had pushed my luck to far… I counted the hours until my opponent next turn. Will General O’Connor stop General Rommel?

General O’Connor counterattacked but piecemealy and ineffectively leaving the 4th panzerkorps alone, a wasted opportunity I thought! With the benefit of hindsight we now know that most of these forces were not ready or strong enough to attempt such an attack.
The 7th Armor tanks appeared and attacked the Ariete tanks defending Benghazi in a failed assault and the UK bombers pounded the Italians in the El Agheila marshes, that was all! The severely damaged LRDG Special Forces didn’t retire and were instead reinforced with 4 points…

The 2 stuka bomber groups were again unable to reach the front due to heavy rain over Sicily, instead the crews visited Syarcuse wine cellars and girls of doubtful reputation. A second fighter wing was operated from France to help gain air superiority over Libya.

[EarlyDoors]

Early March 1941

Disaster at Benghazi. Combined attacks from medium bombers, Italian and German tanks and the Italian Armies have destroyed 7th Armoured and the LRDG.Commonwealth forces draw the defence of Tobruk tighter but they look a beaten force. The RAF just can't touch the Luftwaffe.

1941-03-28-air-attack-destroys-7th-armoured.png (725.63 KiB) Viewed 2441 times

The Chinese lose the CXV corps.

Better news in East Africa where the Indians and South Africans continue to isolate and destroy Italian forces and lay seige to both Addis Ababa and Moghadishu where an Italian destroyer is trapped in the port.

1941-03-28-advance-on-addis-ababa.png (1.72 MiB) Viewed 2441 times

There is rain at the Northern Cape although Carrier based aircraft manage to find a hole in the cloud to confirm that Kirkenes is free from the enemy and the Canadian Corps go ashore unopposed. The British, scheduled to land at Bognes to the south of Narvik, cutting the railway line, have to make an anxious go/no-go decision due to the lack of forward reconnaisance. The Carrier just wasn't able to get back in time.
They go. It works. Narvik is separated from the Oslo railline now.

1941-03-28-allies-land-unopposed-in-norway.png (1.89 MiB) Viewed 2441 times

[Taifun]

After our victorious fight near Benghazi the situation in Libya seems favorable. The stuka groups waiting in Sicily were finally ordered by the OKW to leave the island and start the long flight back along the Italian peninsula towards Hungary. They will not arrive in time for Barbarossa but they will be engaged in the fight for Yugoslavia.

[EarlyDoors]

Late March 1941

Mobilisation -> USA 36% USSR 43% : (Netherland and Luxembourg are Neutral)

China - Sian

1941-03-28-sian.png (385.3 KiB) Viewed 2407 times

Withdrawal from the Jebel Akhdar

1941-03-28-withdraw-from-jebel-akhdar.png (1.63 MiB) Viewed 2407 times

In central europe, Yugoslavia signs the Triparte Pact and joins the Axis but immediately there is a pro-Allied coup under Prince Paul. I'm hoping the germans may struggle to get forces to this new theatre in time.

[EarlyDoors]

April 1941

Mobilisation: USA 36% USSR 50%

Chinese front is closed due to bad weather.

There are not strong forces aligned against the Slavs in Yugoslavia and no air power spotted. I'm hoping they can remain a thorn in the side of the Germans for a few months.

1941-04-25-prince-paul-coup.png (1.31 MiB) Viewed 2404 times

In Africa, the forces arrayed against O'Connor continue to appear. There is also a motorised German Corps and Panzer Grenadier. The UK had placed orders for another Strategic bomber wing but are alerted also to anti-air. This force is worryingly powerful. The Malayans decamp at Tobruk and the defenders brace.

1941-04-25-arfika-armee.png (962.7 KiB) Viewed 2404 times

Seiges of Addis Ababa and Mogadishu continue. Both look likely to fall imminently.

1941-04-25-encirclement-of-addis-ababa.png (1.46 MiB) Viewed 2404 times

In the Northern Cape, the Canadians drive west and occupy Alta. Next stop Tromso.

1941-04-25-norway.png (2.67 MiB) Viewed 2404 times

[EarlyDoors]

Also April 1941

UK Bomber Command launch night raids on the port of Oslo targeting the source of the Norway-German trade. Royal Marine commandos embark at Glasgow.

1941-04-25-rm-load-up-in-glasgow-bomber-command-reduce-port-of-oslo.png (1.95 MiB) Viewed 2380 times

May 1941

Australian I Corps are destroyed in front of Tobruk and the Malayans wounded and pulled back. A full strength Indian Army disembarks and takes up defence of the fortified town.

1941-05-23-allies-brace-in-tobruk.png (1.06 MiB) Viewed 2380 times

In Yugoslavia, the fascist pigs attack and the Bosanka corps defending Novi Sad are destroyed. Skopje seized in the south.

1941-05-23-axis-ground-forces-overwhelm-yugoslavia.png (1.04 MiB) Viewed 2380 times

The Italian HQ is destroyed and Addis Ababa seized by the Indians

1941-05-23-indians-capture-addis-ababa.png (1.42 MiB) Viewed 2378 times

Indian diplomats achieve a major diplomatic breakthrough schmoozing Turkey 20% closer to the Allies whilst Italian diplomats erase the earlier achievement with Finland.

[EarlyDoors]

Also May 1941

Royal Marines sail for Narvik. CIGS informs that we have learned through secret channels that in the event of war between Germany and the USSR, the soviets will strike at Petsamo. Now that our diplomatic relations with the Finns have soured the Canadians should be repurposed to strike from the West and return to Kirkenes. The Foreign Office have cleared this.

Clearly MI5 have kept them in the dark about Ruolf Hess' visit to the Duke of Hamilton.

1941-05-23-marines-sail-for-narvik.png (1.92 MiB) Viewed 2375 times

The Japanese strike east from Ichang destroying China's II Corps.

1941-05-23-push-from-Ichang.png (615.79 KiB) Viewed 2375 times

Mobilisation USA 36% USSR 58% - SMERSH report to Stalin that a new type of German Panzer the Mk IV has been spotted along the border with their German ally. Stalin has the spy shot as it is clearly a plot by Churchill to break their non-aggression pact.

[Taifun]

"A full strength Indian Army disembarks and takes up defence of the fortified town".
Why would General O'Connor move his best unit (the WDF Army) fully entrenched in Tobruk and replace it with a green, tired and leaderless Indian Army? The DAK staff thinks that this is a major enemy tactical error that will make our task of taking Tobruk Fortress much easier.