Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse IV - Nice AArse

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 1

Three attacks are announced:

1. Against the forest hex in Belgium
2. Against the Partisan in Kaifeng
3. Against the Chinese forces west of Changsha

In none of the three can aircraft influence the odds and HQ Support is declined by Chiang and Umezu.

The attack against the Partisan is automatic and Kaifeng is re-taken. The Japanese could do without these irritating diversions though.

Meanwhile, west of Changsha, the odds are just 2:1, but the Japanese have the Blitz option thanks to their Armoured Corps.

Its an 8. The Chinese lose the 20th Reserve Garrison and the Militia has to retreat. The Japanese lose no units but all attackers are disorganised.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 1

And so to the final attack of the impulse. It's a 2:1 but with +3 modifiers on the Blitz table....

...its a 7(10) the defenders lose one unit and are shattered. The Germans are not disorganised.

This is not a bad throw - probably the highest the Germans have had (and they were saved by the +3) but the, game-changing, really big land throws that hurt the opposition still avoid the Axis [&:]

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 1

At the end of the impulse the Germans use von Rundstedt to re-organise the two Stukas.

Note to self: I should have used Umezu for HQ Support. Because he was in the attack and was disorganised I have lost his reorganisation capability anyway....[8|]

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

Stalin claims the Finnish borderlands and the Germans say yes.

In the last 24-hours the CW and their Dutch chums have been to WarHunter's in Saville Row to get new outfits made. This season the CW are sporting a highly fetching Khaki background, while across the North Sea, their Dutch comrades in arms have gone for a traditional Orange number (Blue was just soooo yesterday dahling!).

Love that Orange - why did ADG not choose it???

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

I am going to HAVE to invade Portugal too - got to get these sexy Red and Green counters in the game!

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

The last impulse shows how quickly this game can turn if the right/wrong dice throws come up. The Allies are not in any immediate threat of a breakthrough by the Germans, but the hex southwest of Brussels is now pretty key. If the Germans were to take it then Brussels would be under attack from four sides.

So what do the French and British do?

The successful ground striking last impulse means that a French counter-attack is not a viable option. The French will need to get Billotte in position to reorganise the two units southwest of the Belgian capital.

So the key contribution this impulse will need to come from the RAF in ground striking the Germans southeast of Brussels. The problem is - without the French taking some of the Luftwaffe out of the turn last impulse, the fighter strength is very much in the Germans favour - 12:9. However, if the Germans use all their fighter strength this impulse, then the French air force (such that it is) will be more than a match for any German bombers that want to get fresh later.

On Balance, and keenly aware that the Germans have two Stukas ready and able to fly, the British take a big gulp and go for it.....

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

The British fly Hampden and Wellington bombers south of the Belgian capital. They are accompanied by a Spitfire from Rotterdam and a Hurricane from the Channel coast.

The French decide to give the Germans something to think about and fly their Potez in a bomber role to the forest hex they lost control of last impulse.

Goering now has an interesting set of choices. Does he:

a) ignore the attacks and hope the bombers miss?
b) attack either the British or French in force to destroy them?
c) divide his forces and attack both?

Knowing that the French would be unlikely to use both remaining fighters (as that would leave the Stukas with a free hand) Goering decides to take on both.

Every fighter takes to the sky. 6 points in southern Belgium and 10 further north.

Sure enough, the French only commit one fighter to the battle (keeping one in reserve) while the British (with assistance from the Belgian air force) muster all available strength to this key hex.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

The CW/Belgians vs the Germans first and its advantage to the Luftwaffe 6.5:7.7 but as we know, the British just need to get their bombers through...

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

Round 1: Axis to go first...
9 - No effect
15 - DA The Germans have to abort their front fighter.

Suddenly its advantage Allies 6.5:6.2!

Round 2:
15 - AA The Germans have the choice of aborting the front fighter or bomber. They choose the Spitfire.
11 - DC Effectively no result.

The advantage (marginally) swings back to the Germans 6.0:6.2

Round 3:
10 - DC The CW chooses which bomber to clear through and of course plumps for the Hampden.
11- DC Effectively no result.

Round 4:
9 - AC What a rubbish performance from the Luftwaffe. The Blenheim is cleared through..
7 - DA The German front fighter is aborted but it does not matter, the dogfight is over...

There is no need for the British to stick around and they abort. That was a really rank display of shooting from both side [:(]

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

...and so to the next air battle where once again its (in theory!) advantage Germany 4.0:5.3

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

Round 1: Axis to throw first:
4 - AX The Germans can choose to destroy the front fighter or bomber (the pilot is safe). They take a chance and choose the fighter.
16 - AA The French get to abort the German front fighter

That was a decent break as it gives the French reasonable justification to stick around and try and get their bomber through - its only 2.0:3.0 in Germanys favour.

Round 2:
15 - AA The French bomber is aborted
14 - AA The German fighter is aborted!

Not sure I've ever seen that many throws for just one kill!

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

Next, the Germans bring their AA Division of deadly 88mm Flak Guns to the party. I am asked if I want to use all shots. I say yes.

This is the chart that comes up

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

The 88mm throws up: 6,4,7,7.

The lowest = 4 and so not enough points to abort or destroy a bomber but enough to reduce their bomb loan that finds the target...

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

Total frustration [&:]

The RAF throw consistently high numbers and the Germans remain organised.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 2

The turn ends - frustratingly Billotte cannot get to the French units south of Brussels due to zone of control, but the British use Gort to reorganise a Hurricane fighter. The Chinese withdraw deeper into the mountains to straighten their front line.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3

Another key turn ahead. The Germans lost a fighter at the end of that turn as apparently it was overstacked. I do not remember getting the usual warning [:@]. On the bright side I seem to have a He-100 fighter I didn't know about. I thought it must have been a bug as I thought I had used all German fighters last impulse. However a look at the previous screens shows this not to be the case.

Anyway, the Germans launch three ground strikes - against Brussels and against the French Armoured Corps northwest of Rheims. The British fly their Hurricane in response as do the French with their last organised fighter, the D510. The He-100 flies in support of the Brussels mission, but there are no fighters left for the attack on the French.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3

So to Brussels and the attack is 6.0:5.0 in favour of the Luftwaffe.

Round 1: The Allies to throw first:
13 - No effect
19 - AX PX The Hurricane is shot down and the pilot killed.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3

Meanwhile in France...

The air factors are exactly equal 3.0:3.0

Round 1: The Allies to go first:
6 AA The French get to abort the German front bomber.
11 DC Effectively no effect.

The Germans now have a dilemma, they are 1.0:3.0 down in combat factors. Do they risk it? Yes - what the hell....

Round 2:
2 AX Bad decision boys... The pilot is saved but the valuable Stuka is shot down
2 AX Another 2 and the D510 is shot down too. Again the pilot is saved.

Brutal [X(]

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3

The ground striking on Brussels was successful - 2 out of 3 for the Stuka.

[warspite1]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 3

The Ju-52 transports take to the skies loaded with Fallschirmjagers. Target: Hex southwest of Brussels. The paradrop is successful - will the ground attack be?