Campaign For North Africa 40D-43

[warspite1]

Turn 34 - Axis Turn
5th April 1941

Another action packed turn from the Axis. I put the Australians, that had been left alone on the coast, back into Agadabia and this sent the Italians scrabbling back - including the Italian units that had got around the British/Australians on the northern track. Not good AI play, but I'm not complaining [;)]


Apologies - 14 and 21 should be Martuba airfield

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: DanNeely

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Olorin
Good timing, the Matilda Bn is released just as they are needed in the north.
I think by now, the CW should have 3 Matilda Bns (150 Matildas in total)?

warspite1

No: 36 or 40 (not sure of the difference between on hand and assigned).

1st/7th Royal Tank Regiment - 14 Matilda II
2nd/7th RTR - 11
3rd/7th RTR - 15

Assigned equipment is in units currently on the battlefield. On hand is available to be added as reinforcements to replace losses between turns.

Sorry Dan but you were almost right. The number of assigned equipment is how many the unit is authorized to have total and the amount of on-hand
equipment is what is actually in the unit currently.

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

ORIGINAL: DanNeely

ORIGINAL: warspite1
warspite1

No: 36 or 40 (not sure of the difference between on hand and assigned).

1st/7th Royal Tank Regiment - 14 Matilda II
2nd/7th RTR - 11
3rd/7th RTR - 15

Assigned equipment is in units currently on the battlefield. On hand is available to be added as reinforcements to replace losses between turns.

Sorry Dan but you were almost right. The number of assigned equipment is how many the unit is authorized to have total and the amount of on-hand
equipment is what is actually in the unit currently.

No Larry, he was right. The shot was of the Replacement dialog. You're thinking of the Unit Report.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

ORIGINAL: DanNeely


Assigned equipment is in units currently on the battlefield. On hand is available to be added as reinforcements to replace losses between turns.

Sorry Dan but you were almost right. The number of assigned equipment is how many the unit is authorized to have total and the amount of on-hand
equipment is what is actually in the unit currently.

No Larry, he was right. The shot was of the Replacement dialog. You're thinking of the Unit Report.

OOOOOOOOOooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh. That's why the......so um.....oh, okie dokie. Good job Dan.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

ORIGINAL: DanNeely


Assigned equipment is in units currently on the battlefield. On hand is available to be added as reinforcements to replace losses between turns.

Sorry Dan but you were almost right. The number of assigned equipment is how many the unit is authorized to have total and the amount of on-hand
equipment is what is actually in the unit currently.

No Larry, he was right. The shot was of the Replacement dialog. You're thinking of the Unit Report.

warspite1

That's a relief - otherwise the numbers on map would not have matched the report! [:)]

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Royal Navy
9th April 1941

Not much time for TOAW today unfortunately [:(]

I best just set out the position following the AI turn so I don't forget.

The HMS Valiant led task force off Bardia are running low on supplies following their continual bombardment of the 21st Panzer Division units south of Tobruk.

Cunningham orders HMS Barham to sail for the Cyrenaican coast so that Valiant and her group can head back to Egypt for re-supply.

The task force come under air attack but appear undamaged:

HMS Barham
HMS Dido
HMS Euryalus
HMS Lance
HMS Bedouin
HMS Jervis

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - RAF, RAAF and FF
9th April 1941

It's a shame that units can't be renamed easily in game. For those saddo's like me who like the detail it would add more to the game as it helps with immersion. Never mind, I'll just work with what I have.

The aircraft units in game are given simple names and then a, b c etc if more than one. This is so impersonal so I'll add Squadron nos. to this. It won't be completely accurate. There are 24 aircraft (usually) per unit so I will say there are two squadrons per unit.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - RAF, RAAF and FF
9th April 1941

I think there are too many RAAF units in the game - but any assistance that can be provided on the RAAF (and Free French) squadrons for greater historical accuracy would be most welcome. In the meantime, two squadrons per counter (where 24 aircraft is the max complement).

Units are running low on aircraft

Nos. 2 + 450 (RAAF) Sqns 20 out of 24 aircraft
Nos. 3 + 73 (RAAF) Sqns 22/24
Nos. 1 + 459 (RAAF) Sqns 19/24 (Reorganising)
Nos. 8 + 10 (RAAF) Sqns 23/24 (Reorganising)
Nos. 45 + 55 (RAF) Sqns 21/24
Nos. 6 + 73 (RAF) Sqns 17/24
No. 326 (FF) Sqn 2/2

In force conservation mode; anything not at full 'dark green' strength goes on 'rest'.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - The Army
9th April 1941

Most of the armour is now reorganising and vulnerable to annihilation - but at least the attack on the southern track 'scared' the Italians into moving their units west. Provided I can extricate most of the armour then at least they will in a better position. If.......

For this, I will probably bring the Australians down to assist (if they can reach) to bolster the defence.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 1
9th April 1941

The survivors from the three 9th Division Australian infantry brigades (18th Brigade is independent) move into position - the 26th Brigade to block encroachment of Italian units west, while the 24th Brigade provide support to the depleted British armour units and 20th Brigade get into position for a possible attack on enemy artillery.

Two attacks and a bombardment are prepared:
1. A Battalion of Leicesters, supported by an artillery regiment attack the retreating, and out of supply 7th Tank Battalion
2. The RN and artillery at Tobruk prepare to open up against the German armour surrounding Tobruk.
3. Two troops from the 11th Hussars attack a regiment of the Sabratha Division and a Machine Gun Battalion

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 1
9th April 1941

The attack on the Sabratha units went well, the Machine Gun Battalion was destroyed and the surviving infantry were annihilated during the retreat (outside of rounds).

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 1
9th April 1941

At Tobruk the German forces continue to take significant losses - although actual tank destruction is less serious.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 3
9th April 1941

Tip from the twat:
Just one thing I always try and remember to do before starting a combat round is to click on the circled button to ensure I've not done anything silly and included combats that take too many turns away.

The bombardment of the Tobruk tormentors continues, while to the southwest the British try and exploit their successful move against the Sabratha Division. Finally on the coast, like a couple of punch drunk old boxers, the weak British forces try and get rid of the equally weak Italian tank unit. Has anyone got the power to continue in the fight?

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 3
9th April 1941

.....Finally on the coast, like a couple of punch drunk old boxers, the weak British forces try and get rid of the equally weak Italian tank unit. Has anyone got the power to continue in the fight?

That would be no [:D] The British losses are 1% - the Italians 3% and the Italians retreat once again, but no one has enough left to do more than take the hits and stay in the ring....


Do these things not go any faster?

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Round 5
9th April 1941

Does anyone know what the Germans around Tobruk are actually doing?? I mean don't get me wrong, I love the smell of cordite in the morning and if the 5th Battle Squadron continue to hurl great chunks of metal at Nasty Narzeyes then I'm all for it. But presumably there is a plan here?

This round is more of the same - and this time the Italian VII Bn are broken. Not only that but the men of the 2nd Bn, Leicestershire Regiment then go onto destroy a German supply unit south of Tmimi.

The remaining Italian units east of the British armour are destroyed by the Hussars.

The RN continue to pound the Panzers - well the supporting troops and soft skinned vehicles anyway. This will be the Valiant Group's last turn before heading back to Alex.

Round 6

The Hussars are in desperate need of R+R and fall back on the southern track. While the Valiant Group deliver the last of their ordnance into the German lines.... The result is another 24 trucks destroyed....

Round 9

With time almost at an end the three battalion of the Australian 20th Brigade launch an attack on a German artillery unit. The Germans retreat - losing half of their artillery pieces and most of their transport - but the turn ends and so no chance of further follow-up.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Axis Turn
9th April 1941

Mmmmm... early days, but the AI seems to be making some strange moves. Instead of exploiting the fall of Benghazi and heading through the Jebel Akhtar, the Italians have stopped - or worse. Many of the forces at Benghazi turned around - seemingly to defeat the small Aussie force at Agadabia. The Germans at Tobruk also started to head back west - although some then thought better of it once Agadabia was taken.

[warspite1]

Turn 35 - Axis Turn
9th April 1941

So a little meat on the bones on the numbers above.

Combat 1 and 11:

The first result shown is a bombardment of the airfield at Martuba.
The attack was carried out by SM.79 bombers supported by CR-42 fighters. The attack was intercepted by Australian Hurricanes and Free French Moranes. 10 Hurricanes were lost, but the Axis suffered 25 aircraft destroyed (15 bombers and 10 fighters). The Regia Aeronautica then came back for more, losing another 7 aircraft for the loss of 2 Hurricanes.

Combat 2 and 8:

The Ariete's IX Battalion attacked the Australian 24th Battalion and struggled to make headway initially, before the Aussie infantry finally gave way, allowing the Italian tanks to advance.

Combat 5:

The last stand of the 18th Australian Brigade at Agadabia comes to an end, but this unit may have just saved Tobruk by forcing so many of the Axis units to retreat.


That's a lot of Blue!

[DanNeely]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 35 - Axis Turn
9th April 1941

Mmmmm... early days, but the AI seems to be making some strange moves. Instead of exploiting the fall of Benghazi and heading through the Jebel Akhtar, the Italians have stopped - or worse. Many of the forces at Benghazi turned around - seemingly to defeat the small Aussie force at Agadabia. The Germans at Tobruk also started to head back west - although some then thought better of it once Agadabia was taken.

That's Elmer for you. Securing lower numbered objectives - presumably in the rear - is more important than carrying on the assault against higher numbered ones.

[warspite1]

Turn 36
12th April 1941

A quick check of the reinforcements/withdrawals, and its pleasing to see that there are no withdrawals due (the first only happens in five turns and that is limited to an anti-tank regiment).

It looks like in the coming turns the Australian 9th Division (if there is anything left of the infantry!) will be fleshed out with its artillery, anti-tank and engineer units.

It also looks like reinforcements to the 4th Indian Division also continue to filter through sporadically.

Other notable reinforcements are the 18th Australian Brigade and 1st Army Tank Brigade.

[warspite1]

Turn 36 - RAF, RAAF and FF
12th April 1941

The position of the desert air force remains solid at present.

No.202 Group RAF
Martuba
Nos. 1 and 459 Squadrons (RAAF) - (18 out of 24 Hurricanes)
Veteran units - Proficiency 44% Readiness 57% Supply 100%
Mission - Rest

Tobruk
Nos. 8 and 10 Squadrons (RAAF) - (24 Hurricanes)
Veteran units - Proficiency 66% Readiness 100% Supply 100%
Mission - Air Superiority
Nos. 45 and 55 Squadrons (RAF) - (24 Blenheims)
Veteran units - Proficiency 96% Readiness 80% Supply 80%
Mission - Combat Support
Nos. 2 and 450 Squadrons (RAAF) - (22 Blenheims)
Veteran units - Proficiency 73% Readiness 89% Supply 89%
Mission - Combat Support

No.204 Group RAF
Buq Buq
Nos. 3 and 73 Squadrons (RAAF) - (24 Hurricanes)
Veteran units - Proficiency 73% Readiness 100% Supply 100%
Mission - Air Superiority

Menastir
No. 326 Squadron (FF) - (2 out of 2 Morane-Saulnier 406s)
Veteran unit - Proficiency 100% Readiness 100% Supply 100%
Mission - Air Superiority

Sidi Barani
Nos. 6 and 73 Squadrons (RAF) - (22 Hurricanes)
Veteran units - Proficiency 75% Readiness 100% Supply 100%
Mission - Air Superiority

Martuba came under intensive attack from the Regia Aeronautica and so Collishaw considers taking this airfield out of commission and moving the fighters to the east of Tobruk. Alternatively he could swap with the RAF fighters in Sidi Barani. The reason for this is that Martuba is a target for the RA - and frankly, anything that keeps Axis bombers away from the reorganising armour of 2nd and 7th Armoured, the better...