Boldairade (Allies) vs Nirosi (Axis). Boldairade welcome

[Nirosi]

In Spain, it is only a matter of time before the Allies do launch their offensive. A possible encirclement of the Madrid sector is a real possibility, but OKW has decided, for now, that the Allies do not have the troops to pull it off yet or the guts to try… To which OKH reminded OKW that the Allies did have guts enough for the Greek operation only a few days ago…

In view of the situation with the Allies heavily committed in Spain and Greece and with little indication of a build-up in the United Kingdom, OKW has permitted reinforcement to be sent to Spain and the Eastern front from troops in France, Italy and even Norway.

In other news, the Azul Group from Spain made a sortie to sunk as many Allied cargo ships as possible as retaliation for the invasion of their country and Comando Supremo has redeployed fighters to protect South Italy from raids.

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[Nirosi]

The heavy cruiser Canarias, flagship of the Azul Group, seen here a few hours before leaving for raiding duties in the Atlantic.

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[Nirosi]

Some Italian fighter squadron are fielding much more modern planes now like the Reggiane RE.2005 Sagittario portrayed here on an airfield near Naples.

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[Nirosi]

In Sicily, Italian sentries are enjoying the view of the sea...

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[Nirosi]

June 16th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

In the East, the 1st PanzerGrenadier Corps did manage to hold long enough against the Red Army to limit enemy operations in the main sector. German counterattacks managed to overwhelm the 6th Tank Corps and a Siberian corps, but both did survive and retreat, an indication of good leadership now in Soviet ranks. However, the Siberian corps was dispersed during its retreat and will need a few weeks to reform.

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[Nirosi]

Recon in Ukraine has noticed a small build-up of Soviet troops, especially in the South near the Black Sea coast and the entrance to Crimea. OKH will monitor the situation, but Romanian and German troops there are well entrenched, well equipped, and protected by the Dnieper.

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[Nirosi]

In Spain the Americans managed to push through the front in Northern Spain, destroying the IX Spanish Infantry Corps in the process. Spearheading this offensive was the 2nd Armored Corps. Despite the rain that later came over the battlefield, and even in part because of it, German, Italian and Spanish troops launched a counter-offensive that managed to cut-off the American armored corps. Rommel can now only hope that the weather will stall American attempts at freeing their comrades. As, OKH believe that the Allies do not have many armors in the peninsula, the loss of the American corps would be significant, slowing down the Allies severely.

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[Nirosi]

In Greece the British attacked the XVIII Mountain Corps. Loses were quite high on our side but the corps did survive. Axis troops in the region (Bulgarians, Italians and Germans) are still attempting to have a better grasp of the situation and determine what would be a more appropriate response. Leadership from OKW or Comando Supremo, occupied with the situation in Belarus and Spain, has been lacking, leaving local commanders to improvise their reactions.

In Germany, Berlin sustained tremendous damage from Allied (mostly or maybe even exclusively Americans it is believed) bombers. The desolation spread for miles and miles of industrial and residential areas. The Luftwaffe was also hit hard with its fighters having again a difficult time. At least the fighters did manage to cause enough disorganisation to bomber formations to allow the relative low flak defenses over Berlin to do good damage, nonetheless.

In other news, British bombers had a hard time when attempting to bomb Italy first, then Romania a few days latter, with both Italian and Romanian fighters showing they are no pushovers.

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[Nirosi]

June 30th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

After a few days of siege, an envoy was sent to the 2nd Armored Corps trapped behind enemy lines to meet the commander and negotiate an honorable surrender. The American General replied “Nuts!”. The odd message has been sent to a linguistic department to a Berlin university for translation. However, the message became a moot point when US forces launched a rescue attempt. On the fifth day of continuous assault, when enemy forces were exhausted and low on reserve, the German troops retreated at the last moment. At low operational order, the US armored corps rushed back behind the safety of friendly lines. Exposed security regiments protecting an American army headquarters were attacked with vastly predominant forces but managed to retreat with some loses.

Further South, a Germano-Spanish offensive failed to relieve the pressure on Madrid. Low on troops and attacked on every front, Germany even requested some help to Vichy authorities in North Africa for troops to garrison Cartagena.

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[Nirosi]

In Ukraine, inspired by Allied combined arms operations, the Red Army launched and assault on Romanian troops by sea, by land and from the air. After furious battles lasting almost a week, the Romanian corps had to retreat, allowing the Red Army to link up with their naval infantry and paratroopers.

With no reserves left in the area, German and Romanian troops had no choice but to retreat to avoid been encircled and to protect Romania’s border. Axis troops in the area were so scarce that HQ security regiments had to temporarily take position in Kiev. OKH is confident that the retreat can happen in good order. Yet a feeling of brittleness can not help but to appear at OKW and Comando Supremo when looking at the various fronts.

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[Nirosi]

In Belarus, the Soviet seem to have decided to try to bypass Mogliev for now instead of taking it with a frontal assault. OKH ordered a counterattack with some of our best units pushing back some enemy mechanised and tank corps. The 25th Tank Corps did decide to put up a fight but eventually resistance collapsed totally when Germany forces did one last assault at a huge superiority on the field, but even running and driving away in panic, the unit maintained its cohesion and survived. But at least, it is dubious however, that it will be operational again before late August or early September.

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[Nirosi]

In Greece the British keep advancing. Axis commanders are having a hard time to find enough troops to plug all the holes in the front. The British division that landed behind our lines should probably not be an annoyance anymore very soon.

In other news, OKL reported very good hunting at sea with many ships sunk, including about 30 or so escorts. However, the Azul Group has yet to find Allied ships to fire at.

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[Nirosi]

German anti-tank crew celebrating a small victory in Spain. Alas, the following day, after five days of trying, the Allies did break the German hold and the American 2nd Armored Corps escaped to safety.

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[Nirosi]

July 14th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

In Belarus, the Red Army achieved a breakthrough between Mogilev and Minsk. Unable to counterattack, OKH ordered a withdrawal of the most advanced and exposed positions. Mogilev itself and its important rail hub was abandoned, as well as Minsk.

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[Nirosi]

No serious combat occurred in Ukraine and Axis units took advantage of the recess in fighting to continue their redeployment. Priority in the sector is not to be too outflanked by the northern front in Belarus and to protect Romania.

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[Nirosi]

In the Balkans the Allies surprised us with yet another combined arms operation. OKW and Comando Supremo did not believe that the Allies were ready yet to repeat such a feat so fast. This short-sightedness from Axis high commands lead to the loss of Albania and the destruction of two Italian corps. German and Bulgarian troops are doing their best to try to stop the tide.

To try to at least impede the Allies, Supermarina ordered the fleet to engage the Allied fleet off Tirana after some minor harassing from the air. The battle on the morning of July the 21st is reminiscent of the various big battles that occurred two years ago near Tobruk. Loses were severe on both side but the Italians won the day. A majority of battle groups were hit on both sides especially the Trento Group on our side and the Astoria and Illustrious groups on the Allied side, with all three coming withing a hair of been destroyed.

What makes it however a clear Italian victory for now is the destruction of the King Gerges V Group. At the forefront of the battle, the group composed of King Georges V and Duke of York exchanged salvos for over 4 hours with the group composed of Littorio and Vittorio Veneto. On the afternoon, around 13h, the Duke of York blew up for unknown reason, but probably a lucky magazine hit. The chaos it caused in British ranks allowed the Italians to cross the T on the remaining ships of the group, King Gerges V and two Tribal class destroyers still remaining in the group at that time, and put them all out of action. It is unclear for now if King Georges V sank by itself or was scuttled.

Comando Supremo does not expect the Allies fleet to come back in harms way until about September. In the meanwhile, Berlin will have to consider if they can spare resources to lend to Italy to help with the fleet repairs as requested by Rome. Germany has it own priorities and problems, but Italy been fragile, attention must be taken not to risk demoralising it further…

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[Nirosi]

In Spain, the front remained stable with only some minor actions occurring on both sides. However, an armored corps besieging Madrid was pushed back giving some breathing space to the Spanish Capital.

In other news the Azul Group, after six weeks at sea, finally managed to find an Allied convoy for the first time and feasted on it quite well before returning to port for replenishment.

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[Nirosi]

Recon from a Fiat RS.14 showing the Duke of York and the King Georges V under fire from Littorio and Vittorio Veneto, slightly before noon.

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[Nirosi]

July 28th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

In Spain the Allies resumed their offensive that ended-up been quite successful but not decisive yet. The offensive started on July 30th when the Spanish II Corps was attacked and eventually forced to retreat. This allowed the Allies to follow-up with their push and destroy two Italian corps, the 7th Fortress Corps and the 15th Corps. Allied forces seem to try to push in the corridor between Madrid and the Bay of Biscay. Further South, the German 281st Security Division was also overwhelmed by vastly superior forces.

Luckily, the arrival of some rain in Spain should help slow down the Allies for the next few days. Still, despite the weather, Axis forces did counterattack and tried to cut-of the American X Corps dangerously exposed. However, heroic resistance from the 2nd Armored Corps that refused to bulge despite loses, saved the X Corps from encirclement.

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[Nirosi]

In Greece, the newly arrived Romanian 1st Division, protecting the flanks of German mountain troops, was destroyed by the British in the Northeastern part of the country. It becomes clear, that at least for now, the main Allied advance in the sector seems to be directed toward Bulgaria, not Yugoslavia. On the Albanian front, Allied bombers attacked Italian submarines off the coast, but the Regia Aeronautica managed to effectively push them back while the Regia Marina intercepted and sank a transport convoy sailing toward Tirana destroying an unidentified division in the process.

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