Decline and Fall The Long Way Round

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Allied 3: Naval Combat

The USN initiates combat in the Marianas. The Japs add a Ki-45 to the 0-box. The US commits its subs. Nobody finds each other.

The USN tries in the Marshalls. The Japs fly a D3A2 to the 0-box. The US commits its subs. The D3A2's catch the US subs on the surface, damaging one and sending it back to port (searches Japs 1, US 7. 3 surprise points used to increase damage). The combat ends when both sides lose contact with each other.

Attention shifts to continuing fight for control of the West Med between the RN and RM. The RN initiates combat. The Italians fly two Nav's to the 2-box and a Ftr to the 1-box. The Italian Nav's locate the RN but their fighter escort is too late on the scene (searches RM 2, RN 10). With loaded Amphs and Trans in the sea zone, the Italians decide to avoid combat as, with no fighter defence, an air combat would automatically clear the RN CVP's through for a free run..

The RN initiates combat in the Italian Coast. The Italians would like to fly their available Nav to protect the CP in the 0-box but also have a loaded Trans in the 1-box. They put the Nav in the 1-box. It proves not to matter for the time being as neither side can find each other.

The CW would rather not tangle with the Italian subs in Cape St. Vincent and declines combat. They decide to have a go for the Italian sub in the Arabian Sea, hoping the lure of the loaded Trans may tempt it to commit. It does but the RN searching continues its current run of form and neither side finds each other.

The Italians are keen for another go at CW CP's and initiate combat in Cape St. Vincent, committing their subs. To continue a slightly repetitive theme, neither side manages to find the other.

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Allied 3: Strategic Bombing

The USAAF mount a maximum effort on Hamburg with 6 groups of B-17/24's escorted by 2 groups of P-38's. The RAF chip in their Spit 1's to help with escort (and rebase them off the front lines). RAF Bomber Command mount a side raid on an undefended Dresden.

The Germans intercept with a FW-190 and Bf-109 (all they had in range).

With the Fw-190 outclassing the Allied fighters, the USAAF put in an urgent call to RAF Fighter Command who, in response, scramble their Spit VIII's.

The timely arrival of the Spit VIII's tips the balance slightly in the Allies favour.

[AllenK]

While the Luftwaffe form up and start to tangle with the escorts, the first group of B-17's clears through to target (Axis 9 AC, Allied 10 DC). The Spits hold off the Fw-190's allowing a group of B-24's through to target. Out of ammo, the Fw-190's return to base (Axis 9 AC, Allied 14 DA). The loss of the Fw-190's significantly improves the odds for the Allies (+3:-3). The Bf-109 carries on bravely but cannot prevent another B-24 cleared through (Axis 10 AC, Allied 12 Dc). Unable to penetrate the fighter screen, it becomes a bit of a procession as another B-24 clears through (Axis 12 DC, Allied 10 AC). In a last desperate attempt, the Bf-109's re-form and charge in towards the remaining bomber groups. They are met by the Spit VIII's and blast each other out of the sky (Axis 19 DX PX, Allies 19 AX PX). The Allies, after much thought, decided to lose the Spit VIII, rather than a bomber as two more RAF fighters are set to arrive next turn. With no opposition left, the remaining two bomber groups join the others and form up for the bomb-run.

The US bombers pretty much find the pickle barrel destroying 2 factories and 2 BP on a roll of 9, the extra bomber cleared through allowing the destruction of the 2nd factory.

Bomber Command narrowly miss the factory at Dresden on an 8 (1 BP destroyed).

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Allied 3: Ground-strike

No carpet bombing.

In China, the Communists try their ritual 76 mm artillery bombardment of the near surrounded Jap paras. They miss.

No rail movement.

The US move some forces inland from the Spanish ports.

The Chinese keep the pressure on the Japs, putting a disorganised Gen Hata OOS.

With Sevastopol recaptured and now operating as a Soviet supply source, the Russians realise the Germans have left the backdoor open. Zhukov and a mixed Mech/Inf force move down to exploit this before the Germans can seal it up. Meanwhile units are juggled around to put the strongest available in the front line for the two O-chit boosted attacks.

[AllenK]

The available Russian air force support the attacks: 2 bombers and a fighter escort per hex.

The Luftwaffe contribute in a similar fashion.

[AllenK]

In their first pass, the Bf-109's scatter the first wave of bombers, causing them to ditch bombs and head for home. Meanwhile, the Yak-3's do a similar job for the Soviets (Axis 16, Allied 15 both AA). With the fighters engaged the second wave of bombers clear through for both sides (Axis 12, Allied 10). The Russian fighter decides not to mix it any more and bugs out.

Second Act.

[AllenK]

Ignoring the approaching bombers for the time being, the La-7's concentrate on their escort and send them packing. Despite their lack of escort, the Luftwaffe press on. The leading Ju-388 is a bit of a tough nut and the odds are only +1:-1. Both sides mill around the sky for a bit with no effect (both 13, NE), but gradually the La-7's manage to knock the Ju-388's down (Axis 12 AC, Allied 19 DX PX). The Stukas decide they aren't really made for air-combat and head home.

With air-support factored in, the attacks go in as below.

[AllenK]

The Russians can choose Blitzkrieg for both attacks and will do so.

The first gets off to a good start with phase one objectives taken (fractional made). A pocket of determined resistance holds progress up for a while (die roll 9) but once this is dealt with, the defence collapses (at +15).

Disrupted by the Luftwaffe, the second attack is not so well coordinated (fractional not made) and suffers losses (3rd GD Mech) but manages to shatter the defenders (11 at +8). The Soviets are unable to advance to take possession of the ground but nevertheless, a 150km hole has been punched in the German lines.

Suddenly, the German position in Russia looks rather vulnerable.

[AllenK]

The Russians rebase a fighter to support the army in the Crimea.

The RN loads a couple of CV's in Liverpool and sends a Mosquito VI from Denmark to Spain.

The US loads a couple of CV's and sends a B-29 on its first leg towards the Solomons.

Hodges reorganises 3 bombers in the UK.

Koniev reorganises two bombers.

The weather is rain in Nth Monsoon and Arctic, fine everywhere else (5 rolled).

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Axis 5

No DoW.

Germany & Italy: Land. Japan: Naval.

No port attacks.

The Japanese fly a P1Y1 escorted by an A6M2 to the Marshalls 4-box.

The Japanese attend to convoy escorts, send 3 Trans and an Amph to China Sea and load them with units for China. A sub is sent to the Marshalls and one to Polynesia. Shinano joins the Combined Fleet at Truk.

Japan declines combat in the Marianas and Solomons.

In the Marshalls and Polynesia, nobody finds each other.

US subs have a go in the Marianas but ...... you guessed it. Nobody finds each other.

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Axis 5: Air Phases

No strategic or carpet bombing.

The Germans send their Stuka in Spain to ground strike a stack of two Spanish units OOS in the mountains. The Italians contribute a BR.20bis. The RAF consider sending the newly arrived Mossie but it is outclassed and outnumbered and they need it at Gibraltar. The Spanish are on their own.

The Italians arrive over the target first and disorganise the Cartagena Militia but miss the Cav. The Stukas also miss. In hindsight, I should have switched to the Stuka first as it had the higher tac factor. It wouldn't have affected this outcome with rolls of 7, 3 & 9 but worth remembering

The Italians rail an Inf from Turin to Barcelona. Three German units, who had thought they were bound for Spain find themselves hastily directed to positions along the Dnieper river.

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Axis 5: Land Movement

Cue the scramble in southern Russia to get back to some form of defensive line along the Dnieper before the Soviets can cross it. The centre will have to pull back as well, or else the Soviets could cut in behind them, but progress will be slowed by the rain.

[AllenK]

The Italians invade Melilla in Spanish Morocco. They also attack the Spanish partisan and the units previously ground-struck.

The RN add 1 point of defensive shore bombardment from Renown. The Italians send 6 points of shore bombardment from the fleet in the West Med and add 3 points of ground support. Further ground support is added to the other attacks.

[AllenK]

First up, the attack in the mountains. It starts well enough (fractional made) but ends in disaster for the Italians who lose a Mot and Mtn and fail to take the hex as only the Spanish Militia unit is destroyed (roll of 5 on +11).

Able to choose Blitzkrieg against the partisan, the Italians do so only to turn it into a farce. The partisan retreats while disorganising a Mech Div (2 rolled at +16).

It is with some trepidation the assault troops are ordered into the beeches. Surely not three in a row. This time, they do well enough to take the port without loss (9 at +17).

The Germans rebase a bomber away from the front line in Russia to behind the Dnieper.

No HQ or naval reorgs.

Below, the situation in Spain. The failed Italian attack puts the Arm in Madrid OOS and looking vulnerable. It'll need the Luftwaffe to fend off any ground strikes.

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Allied 6

No DoW.

All Land except US Combined.

No port attacks, naval air.

US III Mar arrive in Midway. A US Mech and Lnd are diverted to Tangiers. An Arm and Mech land at Vigo in Spain.

The US declines naval combats in the Marshalls and Polynesia.

Four groups of B-14/24's are sent on an extended range mission to Munich. Bombing unopposed, a further BP is lost (11 factors, 5 rolled).

No carpet bombing.

The USAAF load up the Black Widow with bombs and send it to Madrid. For escort it has a P-38 and the RAF Mossie.

The Soviets send ground strikes against Rundstedt and Guderian to try and pin them down.

The Germans send two Fw-190's into action over Madrid.

[AllenK]

A dogfight develops over the Spanish capital with initially no side able to get a clear advantage (both rolled 9 for effectively NE). The Fw-190's wear down the Mossies, who are forced to return to base (Gibraltar). The odds worsen for the Allies (+3:-3) but they stay around hoping for the break. It doesn't come this round as the P-38's are shot down for no loss. The Allies have no fighters left but the odds don't change, so they stick. The Black Widow goes down without scoring.

The Soviet strike on Rundstedt fails but succeeds on Guderian.

Two Aussi units rail from Basra to Baghdad.

The Soviets are as much hampered by the rain as the Germans were as they attempt to close up to the retreating Germans.

[AllenK]

The Royal Marines invade Turku in combination with an attack by 2nd Can Arm to clear the Finn partisan. The CW declare two further land combats. The first against the disorganised and OOS Libya Mech by Madrid. The second up in the Baltic to begin the drive inland from Estonia and allow more units in.

The ChiComms risk a low odds attack on the Jap para to get it out of the way.

CA Devonshire adds bombardment support to the invasion.

An RAF Mossie puts the Germans off trying any ground support in Estonia as they have no escorts.

The Italians quickly strap some bombs onto an RE.2002 to help out their Mech.

[AllenK]

Proceedings get underway in China. The attack goes as well as could be expected. It makes the fractional roll, boosting to +5. A 12 sees the para destroyed for the loss of a Garr and the rest disorganised.

The Spanish Blitzkrieg into the Libya Mech, destroying it for no loss on a 13.

In Estonia, the CW blitzkrieg pushes the German defender back at a cost of 3 disorganised (9 at +9).

A roll of 10 at +14 sees the invasion through without loss and gets rid of the partisan.

The US sorts its CVP's out for optimum loads. The Soviets rebase a fighter closer to the Crimea army.

No reorganisations.

On a roll of 1, the weather turns fine everywhere.

[AllenK]

S/O 1944 Axis 7

No DoW

Now an interesting little decision. If all three Axis powers pass there is a 30% chance of ending the turn, which would suit them down to the ground. However, Italy and Germany don't fancy risking doing nothing as they reckon the Allies could do some further damage which they might be able to mitigate by acting. Germany, Land; Italy, Combined; Japan, Naval.

No port strikes or naval air.

The Italians move a loaded transport from Italian coast to Valencia. The RN in the West Med tries to intercept but fails.

The Japanese move loaded transports to Canton (1), Haichow (2) and Tsingtao (2). Combined Fleet sorties to the Marshalls with a view to stirring up the US at Pearl and Midway.

Five sea areas are available for combat.

[AllenK]

Japan declines the Marianas and the Solomons. They initiate in the Marshalls. Nobody adds any extra naval air. The Japs commit their sub. The Allied PBM-1 gets the shock of its life when suddenly it spies the majority of the Japanese fleet, guns turning to point in its direction and fighters scrambling (searches Axis 4 (5), Allies 1). It zaps off an urgent sighting report before doing a hasty 180 and heading for the safety of the clouds (4 surprise points used to avoid combat).

The Italians would love a go at the RN in the West Med but with disorganised transports and other warships to shepherd, decide to pass. They also decline the Italian coast.

No strategic or carpet bombing. The Germans send a Ju-88 to ground strike Gen. Vatutin and accompanying 12th Inf. A good hit on the General would slow the Soviet advance in the south, giving the Germans more time to organise their defence and get as much back as possible. In addition, it's taken a while to get it into firing position but the 800mm rail gun is tested against the CW at Kiel.

The rail gun proves its firepower by disorganising CW X Mech. The Ju-88 hits both of its targets.

The Germans rail an Inf to Belgrade (time to start dealing with partisans) and a Mot and Mech Div to Bessarabia.