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Turn 112
29th October 1943

On the east coast the 103rd Panzer Battalion, with its 38 self-propelled guns - is wiped out. The American forces take the expected large hit in infantry - 38 infantry squads - but lose only 4 tanks and 7 field guns.

Turn 112
29th October 1943

'Excellent' attack? The attack in the US centre was against a single German machine gun battalion. Yes they had support from two artillery regiments. But facing this battalion of infantry were 6 US regiments, tank battalions, artillery and air power. Losses for the Germans were 4 rifle squads, 28 machine guns, 3 mortars, 9 trucks and 2 armoured cars. The US forces lost 298 infantry squads, 55 anti-tank squads, almost 200 machine guns, 68 field artillery pieces, 150 mortars, 49 AA pieces, 284 trucks, 183 soft-skin vehicles and even 6 aircraft. Quite what shot down those 6 aircraft can only be guessed at....

The last US attack also resulted in the German panzergrenadier defenders being pushed back, and at least this time the losses were a little less extreme - the US attackers only losing about four times more men and equipment than the Germans.


Attack in the Centre

Turn 112
29th October 1943

The final attack was actually something of a pleasant surprise. The main British losses were 46 infantry and engineer squads, 14 tanks and 2 aircraft (weirdly no AT guns at all). I say weirdly because the Germans lost 58 of 139 tanks and self-propelled guns..... Never mind! I'll take that - 4th Armoured Brigade advances into the vacated area.

Turn 112
29th October 1943

With the losses suffered by the US I decide not to attack again. Instead I concentrate on pushing units into positions for attacks next turn.

I look to the CW to keep up momentum instead. I could try and attack the Germans on the coast - but instead I am going to try and attack the units to their rear. The prediction is 'Excellent' and there is an opportunity of cutting off a bunch of Germans.... All artillery and air support possible is directed to assist the attack...

Turn 112
29th October 1943

The attack is successful and 4th Armoured Brigade forces a breach in the German lines, cutting off units from the 65th Infantry and the 15th Panzergrenadier divisions.

4th Armoured's readiness is much reduced but pleasingly the units has most of its equipment in place.

Turn 112
29th October 1943

Attention now turns to the German units cut-off....

The British forces manage to destroy all three units netting a decent bag of men and material. The only down side was that it was 4th Armoured that advanced into the hex - giving the Germans the chance to straighten their lines.

Turn 112
29th October 1943

That was a decent turn I think. Although the US attack in the east was stalled after the first round, their artillery pounded away at one of two large stacks near the coast. This should help with the follow-up next turn.

Turn 113
30th October 1943

The German artillery finds its range once more and inflicts double digit losses.

In reply I manage to make some progress with the US forces on the east coast - although annoyingly I have no pictures or stats of the action [&:]

I also see that there were a number of airstrikes on the enemy (although could not tell where or of course what the damage was... or what it cost me in aircraft etc).

So I feel there is progress continuing to be made here - albeit very slow and very costly.

Meanwhile, back at Corsicasville, the British units on the island remain out of supply.

Turn 114
31st October 1943

Two bombardments from the Germans this time. That against the British cost 8% losses, but the Americans were hit with a 20%+ that wiped out over a third of their infantry squads in one hex....

More annoying though is the lack of engagement. All German units were able to disengage from the hex (circled) despite the presence of the Allied artillery....

Turn 114
31st October 1943

Mmmm Maybe it was the capital? or maybe a coincidence, but having taken Bastia all my forces in Corsica are now in supply and are simply mopping up the island to ensure there are no German stragglers and that all airfields are in Allied hands.

Turn 114
31st October 1943

I've decided to play things a little more cautiously and bombard (from air and land) the areas to be attacked. The key attacks this turn are on the east coast as I attempt to surround some German units in a mini salient...

Turn 114
31st October 1943

The first part of the plan goes okay, but there are too few units left to follow up. I am going to try it anyway out of frustration. The units being attacked should be in no good state. These have retreated the previous turn so can't be dug in - there is no reason to believe they are in a fit state to defend....

Turn 114
31st October 1943

...and I'm pleased to say my hunch was right for once!

Despite a 'Poor' battle prediction, the German units weren't in a fit state to fight and retreated again - exposing a large number of units including an infantry regiment.


I wouldn't like to be a member of the US 191st Tank Battalion right now.....

Turn 114
31st October 1943

Meanwhile on the west coast the 7th Armoured Brigade decide that anything their old sparring partners in the Desert Rats (the 4th Armoured Brigade) can do, they can do better. A German panzergrenadier regiment is pushed back and this time the losses in so doing are relatively light.

Turn 114
31st October 1943

For the final round I decide to try and lessen the chances of the surrounded Germans fighting their way out of the pocket by expanding the distance between them and safety.

The tanks of the 5th Army Reserve support infantry regiments and engineers from the 34th and 92nd Divisions and attack two artillery regiments on the coast. The German units retreat and the 753rd Tank Battalion advances.

Turn 114
31st October 1943

I feel that was a positive turn. Of course a lots will depend on the ability of the Germans in the pocket to break-out or not. I have to hope that even if they do, they will take some serious losses in so doing.

Turn 115
1st November 1943

Sadly the Germans whip out their battlefield nuclear weapons once again. The combat results have gone but essentially the British lose another couple of hundred infantry squads and a shed load of artillery to bombardment alone.... bizarre.

Anyway....

Regardless, both the US and the Commonwealth decide to press on....

Turn 115
1st November 1943

All attacks appear to have been successful and so the order is given to press on. The two regiments of the 36th and 92nd Division (with tank support) are ordered to try and continue up the coast road, while on the opposite flank, the British can't do the same and so have to settle for attacking the enemy either side of the coastal path.

Turn 115
1st November 1943

The Allies catch a break - the attacks are once again largely successful and the turn moves into a final round. The movement points are largely spent but the plan will be for the 92nd and 36th Divisions to consolidate along the coast as much as possible. 45th and 34th Divisions will try and push up along the mountain track, while 3rd and 1st Armoured will act as support as and where required.


Notice the pocket of surrounded troops has been eliminated

Turn 115
1st November 1943

I will have a look at the losses for that turn as I suspect this will make better reading for the Allies....

The Allied turn was not without its losses - but this is the best I've had against the Axis by a mile.