A World on Fire

[Orm]

Germany rebase two fighters closer to the front. Fearing that this is not enough Germany request, and demand, that Italy send one fighter to the German sector as well. As a small compensation a German bomber is rebased to Italy.

It is expected that there will be loud objections that Luftwaffe gained control of half the Italian fighter force. Fortunately it could be done in secret so they could not stop it.

No reorganization.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #4 (Axis) - Reorganization

[Orm]

Still fairly fine weather although the rain in the North Temperate annoy Axis slightly.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #5 (Allied) - Weather

[Orm]

No declarations of war.

France take a land and CW go with yet another combined.

No Port Strikes. No naval air.

USS Arkansas is transferred from the Atlantic Squadron to the Pacific Fleet. CW send out a few cruisers for convoy escort duties.

No strategic bombing. No ground strikes. No rail movement.

In France I can not get a decent defensive line. After much grumbling and some curses I decide to freely abandon the hex NW of Paris. This gives Germany two hexes to attack Paris from. The plan was to form a line behind Seine next impulse. But as soon as I advanced to the next step I realized that Germany could use their second offensive and if they do so they get a chance to capture Paris that is to high for comfort. Even if they do not use a offensive I now feel like an idiot to freely give them a second hex on Paris. Now, after it is done, it feels like it would have been better to let Germany get a high odds attack on some French units rather than give them the hex for free. Sacrificing units for time so to speak. [:@]

CW debark the Sydney militia into Suez and 2nd division into Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.

No land combats.

USSR rebase three bombers to Leningrad.

No reorganization.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #5 (Allied) - Reorganization

[Orm]

No declarations of war.

Axis go all land.

No Port Strikes. No naval air. No strategic bombing.

Germany launch a ground strike versus the hex East of Paris and a air battle commence. The German fighter gets aborted at once and then the German bombers should abort but I get mad and stay. And for once that was the right call and both bombers reach their target.

Germany also bombards Paris with their artillery.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Ground Strike

[Orm]

The artillery disorganize both infantry corps in Paris. The bombers also disorganize two units.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Ground Strike

[warspite1]

So what is the Axis Grand plan here Ormster?

Also - what is the position in Suez and the Far East?

Finally, What have Italian forces in North Africa and East Africa (since post 235) been getting up to?

[Orm]

I've previously reported in text form that the Italians have captured Ajaccio and Tunis this turn. Italians plan to transport their Mechanized Army to Africa as soon as possible but the destination is yet to be decided. German demands for Italian action is the South of France have caused a delay for this transport mission.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

So what is the Axis Grand plan here Ormster?

I have no grand plan at the moment. Originally I had planned for France first alongside Poland and the solve the Balkan situation. Then, depending on what turn it was, turn my attention to the Soviet Question.

Italy had planned to invade somewhere East of Alexandria after the HQA left Egypt and at the same time advance on Alexandria from Libya. But this plan was scrapped and rumour has that it was because the Italians were loath to challenge the British naval supremacy created by the presence of HMS Warspite.



Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Movement

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

I've previously reported in text form that the Italians have captured Ajaccio and Tunis this turn. Italians plan to transport their Mechanized Army to Africa as soon as possible but the destination is yet to be decided. German demands for Italian action is the South of France have caused a delay for this transport mission.

warspite1

So the Italians have made no move eastward toward Egypt? What about the East African situation - does that remain at impasse?

And the bigger Axis picture?

And the CW Army in Egypt? and the Far East?

Come on Orm - Pictures man, pictures!! [:)]

EDIT - Whoops crossed with the above [:D]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

So what is the Axis Grand plan here Ormster?

I have no grand plan at the moment. Originally I had planned for France first alongside Poland and the solve the Balkan situation. Then, depending on what turn it was, turn my attention to the Soviet Question.

Italy had planned to invade somewhere East of Alexandria after the HQA left Egypt and at the same time advance on Alexandria from Libya. But this plan was scrapped and rumour has that it was because the Italians were loath to challenge the British naval supremacy created by the presence of HMS Warspite.

warspite1

Garrisoning Tobruk is an interesting move. Surely its pretty easy to put these OOS? That said, unless you have a bomber to disorganise them its not too much of a problem I guess.

[Orm]

That the ports in Syria, Palestine and Suez area has extra invasion defence because the presence of Territorials in the area might also have been the cause that the Italians have not yet attempted to invade this area.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

And the situation in the Italian East Africa area. This picture shows all the land units in the area. The British division has just debarked into the area.

Edit: I forgot that Italy has a territorial in Mogadishu. [:(]

Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

And a picture of the Indian army.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Movement

[Orm]

Japan reinforce Army Group Terauchi in North China. Italy and Germany make slight adjustments of their units.

Italy invade Marseilles with 1st division.

Germany and Italy support the invasion on Marseilles with a couple of Corps. Germany also attack the hex East of Paris although the odds is a bit to low for my comfort.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Combat Declaration

[Orm]

The Italian navy provide shore bombardment that doubles the attacking factors.

East of Paris Billotte attempt to provide defensive HQ support.

Germany fly ground support for the the Marseilles invasion. France send up their fighter-bomber to provide support for Billotte. Italian fighters intercept the French fighter-bomber.

In the ensuing air combat the Italian pilots succeeds, were the German pilots constantly failed, and shoot down the French aircrafts.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Combat

[Orm]

The French HQ support failed while the fractional odds was a success. Then the high land combat die rolls this turn continue and the French situation now looks dire.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Combat

[Orm]

With air, naval and land support the invasion is close to 4:1 in odds.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Combat

[Orm]

But despite the support the attack is a costly failure.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Land Combat

[Orm]

With the failed attack on Marseilles it feels to me that the option to conquer France instead of declaring Vichy is very far away. Not that I am sure that Vichy could be installed that easily either but the French position in the North looks weak. France really needs reinforcements and getting those units into place. CW has more units to send to France but no sea lift available until next turn.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #7 (Axis) - Reorganization

[Orm]

The fine spring weather continues.


Picture from Mar/Apr 40 Impulse #9 (Allied) - Weather