Decline and Fall The Long Way Round

[AllenK]

However, they are unable to exploit the breakthrough without becoming disorganised so settle for taking the ground.

The Soviet's southern attack blitzes the defence. The German defensive line is looking shaky and probably time for another retreat.

[AllenK]

With two good attacks so far, it is with some trepidation we turn to the US efforts.

Madrid is retaken but it costs the US.

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The Germans lose a Stuka as it gets overrun when Madrid falls.

For the final effort, the US are relieved not to have lost any units.

[AllenK]

M/J 1945 Allied 1

Bradley re-orgs 2 units and a fighter-bomber. Stillwell re-orgs his artillery.

M/J 1945 Axis 2

No DoW

All opt for Land.

No port attacks, strategic or carpet bombing.

[AllenK]

M/J 1945 Axis 2: Ground strikes.

In China, the Japanese hatch a cunning plan. Phase 1, ground strike Mao. With the aircraft available, the odds are long but worth a shot.

The Germans fly a tank busting Ju-88 to strike the Soviet units in the central gap in the lines and two Lnd to the southern breakthrough. The latter is risky as the Soviets have a fighter to intercept but the Soviets need stopping.

The Soviets fly to intercept and the Germans know they need some luck.

The Soviet Migs attack in uncoordinated penny-packets. Axis bombers maintain impeccable formation, destroying the Soviet Migs with their concentrated cross-fire.

[AllenK]

The tank-buster does its job.

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While the bomber pilots in the south complete a very successful mission.

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The cunning plan falls at the first.

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M/J 1945 Axis 2: Land Movement

With Madrid gone, the Italians pull back a little to consolidate a more cohesive defensive line. They begin a second one in the Pyrenees.

[AllenK]

The Germans redeploy to plug the two gaps. They also move for some attacks on partisans.

[AllenK]

Although the ground-strike failed, the Japanese realise the 'cunning plan' might still be on and move accordingly. It means giving up Kaifeng but that was on the cards anyway.

[AllenK]

The Germans Atr a Para out of Spain to Toulouse.

The Japanese and Germans each declare 4 attacks. Mao adds defensive support. Guderian and Kesselring add offensive support. The Japs add ground support to one of their attacks. The Nationalists add some bombs to their P-40 and send it to help defend their unit under attack. The Soviets send a Lnd to the centre. The Japs intercept the P-40 but wish they hadn't bothered when their fighter is shot down.

[AllenK]

After all the adjustments, the starting odds look like this.

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Anti-partisan activities in Yugoslavia go well.

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Similarly in Russia.

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At Mogilev, the Soviet's spearhead is shredded by the counter-aatck.

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At Kirov, the Soviets lose a Mech and an Arm is shattered, when the German blitz counter-attack smashes into them (11 at +11).

The Hiroshima Militia make short work of the ChiComm Cav Div (16 at +12).

Against Mao it goes horribly wrong for the Japs (which was why they had hoped he would have been disorganised).

[AllenK]

The Japs take some comfort when they destroy the Nationalist Cav but the attack against the ChiComm one stalls.

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The Italians rebase a Lnd to Toulouse.

The Japs don't have any air rebases. Although two of their attacks in China were less than optimum, their situation in China looks better than it has for a while and the Commies look a bit vulnerable.

[AllenK]

Rommel and Manstein reorg a Ftr and two Lnd between them.

Badoglio re-orgs two units at the tip of the Italian defence.

The impulse ends. The weather remains fine.