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Turn 182
7th January 1944

Mmmmmm.... 9 bombardments from the Germans. No overstacking of Allied unit but their barrages are still more devastating than the Allies - even though the Germans being targeted were overstacked - and the entire AGRA were employed..... right.....

Turn 182
7th January 1944

The turn ended on me before I had a chance to take a picture of the US II Corps position. Essentially this turn I continued with the bombardments while pushing forward with all units in order to try and 'smother' the enemy.

North of the Tivoli road II Corps pushed back a paratroop unit in the mountains. Meanwhile British armour has sliced a gap in the German defences but unfortunately advanced alone - and there are at least 3 heavy panzer battalions in their path......

Turn 182
7th January 1944

Its important to keep a note of the numbers to ensure I know the point when an attack or advance is not working. So I continue to monitor closely this current phase of the battle.

This was much better. The Germans seem to be pushing onto my forces rather than hunkering down and this seemingly has enabled a better artillery performance this turn.... A lot of those enemy tanks destroyed were Tigers from the heavy panzer battalions....

Turn 183
8th January 1944

A good turn for the Germans - especially in tanks and field guns take out.

Turn 183
8th January 1944

Unbelievable.... 2 rounds and a failed proficiency check [:(]

What a shame, that was building up quite nicely.....

Turn 184
9th January 1944

Axis are fighting hard - and have plenty of units to form a solid defensive line. Last turn they made 21 bombardments and continue to take a heavy toll on my artillery pieces especially.

I have brought US VI Corps west of Aquila only to find a solid wall of Germans.

But there is no other choice but to continue and hope.....

In the extreme north of the line I try and move 36th Division out to try and outflank the Germans blocking the road west. Enemy units are immediately detected and a tank battalion from the reserve is despatched to help the infantry.

Turn 184
9th January 1944

Further south two divisions from the X (Dominion) Corps push the enemy back - its not much but its a start....

Turn 184
9th January 1944

I try one more attack with the 1st Canadian Division (directly north of the Kiwis) but a battalion of panzers steps in and saves the day for the Axis.

The remainder of the turn is limited to bombardments - and at least I get a full turn this time. Problem is I can't reach his artillery so until I can make a breakthrough he is going to cause me more punishment than I can dish out.....

Turn 185
10th January 1944

Only 7 bombardments this time and this highest % was 9% so that is perhaps a little more encouraging. The target for the bombardments are spread along the line too. I can see reinforcement units heading toward the southern end of the line in particular.

Turn 185
10th January 1944

In the north, US 36th Division - beefed up with tanks from the army reserve - take Rieti. Subject to what lies north, I aim to push the infantry west to try and envelope the enemy armour blocking the road.

Turn 185
10th January 1944

Whilst bombardments on the flanks continue, the 1st Canadian Division (with a little help from the Kiwi cavalry and Indian artillery) force a German battalion back - this time the panzers are also forced to retreat.

Turn 185
10th January 1944

With one round left I remember to take a 'big picture' look at the map. You can see a French division in the centre. This was headed to reinforce the French Mountain Corps, but I may send it northwest to reinforce US VI Corps in case a breakthrough is possible there.

Turn 186
11th January 1944

8 bombardments that turn from the Axis - again the damage was relatively light.

I notice German forces moving down the Adriatic coast for the first time....

Turn 186
11th January 1944

I continue to employ more of the same tactics. Building on the work of the 1st Canadian Division, the Kiwis push back an engineer unit in the mountains east of Cisterna, The aim is to continue to apply pressure here.

To the north US VI Corps also continue to make progress and the two German units blocking their path north have been disposed of. I will need to keep a regiment or two to guard the road north to Terni, but all other available forces must try and infiltrate behind the German positions on the main road into Rome's eastern approaches.

Turn 187
12th January 1944

8 bombardments from the Germans this turn. I'll look at the damage here as my artillery seems to be suffering and I may need to consider withdrawal.

I will have to look at what damage I am doing in return. The losses to the artillery appear to be from one - perhaps two - artillery units and so that unit(s) must be suffering by now....

Turn 187
12th January 1944

On the X Corps front the Kiwis, with Canadian assistance, force the Germans back - albeit at ridiculously high losses against a lone security battalion in the mountains that had been pummelled for turn after turn by artillery. Valmontone is the target for the X Corps....

Turn 187
12th January 1944

Meanwhile US VI Corps efforts to outflank the enemy south of Rieti are hampered by the discovery of more enemy units. However, a panzergrenadier battalion is pushed back north of the road so there is a least progress of sorts.

Turn 188
13th January 1944

There were two bombardments only this turn. More importantly a Moroccan battalion is cut-off. There are plenty of reinforcements on their way...

Turn 188
13th January 1944

The plan remains the same - British XIII and US II Corps continue to pound the enemy while the British X and US VI Corps seek to exert more direct pressure on the line. It looks like devoncop has had to thin the line to send troops north to plug the envelopment attempt and so elements of 34th, 45th and the 5th Army Reserve attack German infantry holding the main road. To the south, II Corps units are called upon to attack a vulnerable hex. Both succeed in forcing the enemy back.

Turn 188
13th January 1944

The Canadians and Kiwis continue to combine well - New Zealand armour advances after a successful assault and in a follow-up attack only last ditch defending by a flack unit keeps the Dominion forces at bay....