Just another AAR

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 29

More attacks around to the W and N of Aurora, as well as sharp counterattacks against 10 corps. The cost to us 63 infantry units, although the enemy lose around 3 times that number and some guns and tanks. However I note that SE deploy a mixed force with some medium tanks and assault guns against 10 corps accounting for the bulk or our losses. If they deploy medium armour in strength then I will need to upgrade my armour as well. 3 corps have taken a bit of a battering over the last few weeks – closing the pocket and fending off attacks from the North - and will need a refit. I’m also going to retask them as a pure infantry formation as they have a few tanks knocking around doing very little. I reassign the tanks to 10 corps with a view to them driving Northwards on the left flank and isolating the other forces facing 10 corps. 10 corps meanwhile continues to push forward.

Other than that I focus on consolidating/screening the southern flank of the drive towards Aurora with 1 corps so 12 corps can begin operations against Gabr

On the southern front 9 corps start moving west towards Hamadan. The local terrain is interesting; Hamadan sits with a lake (which I shall call “Lake Ham”) and marshes to its East effectively channelling approaches to the rail lines through the jungles to the SE and forest to the NE. I originally conceived a double pincer – moving along both those routes. However an attack North of Lake Ham is rebuffed with heavy casualties.

South of Hamadan we work forward successfully, the front has not been reconstituted properly since the pocket was closed and we are within gun range of Hamadan. 9 corps artillery open with a brief (but highly effective) shelling of the city which is absolutely stuffed with defenders, largely infantry, but mortars and AT guns in strength also. 14 corps (the rolling smorgasbord of high calibre death) starts moving towards the city also – should be in range next turn for one of the heavy arty brigades



Southern front showing 9 corps progress towards Hamadan - the city was bought under fire and significant readiness losses inflicted.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 30 (22nd July 32)

Further vigorous attacks in the Aurora sector are held, but at some cost to 2 corps – enemy artillery concentrations are starting to cause heavy casualties amongst my infantry – I feed in some raw recruits to man the trenches but it is costing experience and readiness each time. The ratio of infantry kills to losses has declined from around 4:1 a few turns back to 2:1. 10 corps also suffers heavily with vigorous counterattacks along that sector (NE). I need to support my isolated units in 10 corps better – there is a critical shortage of AT and HMG assets in those units (they are light/regt. strength in any case.) An attack with the armour reassigned to 10 corps also fails (quite badly). I decide to abandon the 10 corps offensive, it’s achieving little tactically and they lack the weight to create a strategic solution – I will pull them back into line and await 12 (Armd) Corps to provide the punching power.

On the central sector – 12 corps continue to push forward towards Gabr (with it’s southern flank secured by 1 corps in the previous turn I can put more armour in to the attack). 45 brigade chances an attack on Gabr itself which causes heavy casualties amongst the defenders but is not nearly strong enough alone to seize the city (that would have ben quite a coup). Next turn with artillery preparation it might be possible. However it demonstrates how 12 corps is becoming an elite formation; e.g. 45 brigade now has 95 experience and 96 morale – I must be careful how I use these formations and not fritter them away.

1 corps frontage is now becoming very elongated from defending Santa Fe at one end to screening 12 corps at the other. There are some large enemy formations facing them near Santa Fe and a probe forward by some screening troops through the jungles reveals yet more large formations. I move 1 corps artillery back from the Gabr sector to harass the larger enemy concentrations.

9 corps continue to shell the Hamadan and the first heavy shells start landing also – the city is now in ruins, with 75% of it’s production capacity lost. I also note that the enemy force north of Lake Ham seems to be suffering some readiness loss (possibly a result of the shelling) – I launch another attack which is far more successful than the previous turns. It also allows for a straightening of the line meaning I can move another Armoured unit south to join the assault on Hamadan.

A few thoughts emerge
1) I may need to split 1 corps into 2 formations (a la 9 corps) potentially using 13 corps near Hull as a shell to fill up
2) If 9 corps capture Hamadan quickly and 12 corps capture Gabr quickly – there may be an opportunity for a massive encirclement with 12 (pushing south then east) and 9 corps ( pushing west) meeting up at Hyderabad using 1 corps long line as the anvil to 12 corps hammer; this would mean leaving the northern front as it is but the prize is potentially huge …hmmm, you can’t see me but I am stroking my imaginary beard thoughtfully.



overview of the central front - 12 corps are pushing hard towards gabr (the corps artillery is there but hidden, 10 corps and 1 corps looking a little over stretched on the long fronts north and south

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 31 Jul 29th

More attacks around Aurora are held off to the West, but breakthrough form the North The penetration is quickly sealed off, but I am under some real pressure in this sector. 10 corps has a more successful turn having had a chance to dig in with the cessation of offensive activity. There is also a counterattack to the SE of Hamadan which fails with heavy casualties; this should make my job easier when it comes to the assault.

K/L ratio creeps back up to 3:1.

9 corps shell Hamadan in preparation for the assault with16 heavy arty(2) and 10 arty(2). The city is ablaze, the defenders stunned, the assault goes in…and the result is a complete victory. 6 SMG units lost against around 180 enemy casualties. The remaining defenders retreat in disarray. The road to Hyberdad lies open…

Meanwhile near Gabr, I use what guns I have to shell the city and attack with all elements of 12, 1 and 2 corps in the area. The bombardment has not been so fierce here and I am half expecting a heavy defeat, but the result is similarly stunning, 5 units lost against around 120. The experience of 12 corps is really paying off. I also played a “charge” card to give one of my attacking formations a +44% boost to its combat performance.

With 2 of my objectives for the next 3 months captured within 1 month, operation galloping donkey is up and, well, galloping. There is definitely potential for an enormous encirclement south of Santa Fe, or alternatively, I set 12 corps off towards Fuwwah and Baghdad and see if I can’t sew up SE within a couple of months rather than the half a year I originally planned. Exciting times, the celebrations are wild in the capital.



The vibe these boys create is almost exactly like the Hacienda.

Meanwhile I continue to build up 10 corps as a defensive formation so they can hold the line easily. I also have to assign another city to Supreme HQ as supply requirements are now taking all the capitals production capacity and I need to keep building transportation capacity separately for when I capture resources (I am below required capacity at the moment and have been for some time). I’m feeling sufficiently strong to switch almost all production to political points to get the upgrade programme under way (both tech levels and also potentially a couple of oil wells to level 3).

[Kaldadarnes]

Overview of active fronts between Gabr and Hamadan (both captured) with intention to drive 12 corps (marked as 10 corps for some reason - sorry dumb moment...) outh east to meet up,with 9 corps. The potential "bag" is much bigger an in previous encirclements.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 32 Aug 5th

Strong counterattacks around Gabr fail to dislodge the occupying forces, but do damage. The artillery punishment on the Aurora front continues, but at less intensity than before – I’m speculating that there is a redeployment going on. However I would like to get a reserve brigade set up so I can rotate rested formations in to the line, rather than just feed green troops into the meat grinder.

A couple more promotions; Sam Eckhart, (my CiC) is now a 1 star general (or Brigadier General as I think it should be) and Mark Cooper make Lt. Col.
control with another 8 trains transferred in the previous turn.
I also have enough PP to upgrade my infantry which I do without much thought and then realise that I have just immobilised 95% of my forces for this turn - very stupid. I toy with the idea of reloading the turn…but that isn’t how I’m playing the game – I promised warts and all and that is what you are getting. You may now tut and mutter to yourself (“what a fool”). It’s a “learning moment”…as Josh would say.

Meanwhile 9 corps race along the road towards Hyberdad seizing an aircraft factory on the outskirts and chancing an attack on the city itself, the lone armoured brigade is nowhere near strong enough to carry the attack, but the city is not strongly held, artillery race up the road behind them. I feel like SE are starting to crumble. The double blow of losing Gabr and Hamadan leaves them with only 3 cities under control and a complex supply situation. The loss of Hyberbad and the arrival of 12 corps would leave them facing an impossible supply situation and simply not enough time and production capacity to rebuild their defences.

12 corps start shifting down towards the south to try and execute the large pincer with 9 corps, but the rains have come so mud slows them up and they only manage a few hexes. There’s no good North-South railroad to expedite movement which is making things tricky. I have got engineers in the area but they have been focused on fortifying in front of Aurora.

I also start building halftracks for 9 corps infantry, and any infantry I assign to 12 corps also. This is for two reasons – firstly I need mobility as the tanks are now conducting a breakout/pursuit battle and I need infantry to keep up and secure the flanks. Also, the infantry in 9/12 corps is going to get stretched pretty thin holding the ring from Hamadan to Hyberdad and up to Gabr (assuming 9 corps and 12 corps meet up), so the extra hit points halftracks offer will be of value.




Overall situation (with apologies to Webizen for not updating the counters[X(]). I’ve marked out the 4/5 phases of “Galloping Donkey”…

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 33 Aug 12th

I was right about the artillery redeploying – the join between 1&2 corps is hammered and then broken by fierce SE counterattacks with formations from Fuwwah. North of Gabr we are again forced back by heavy artillery pounding. We retake the ground with little loss, but I need to reassign production to boosting those infantry formations. Ultimately, there is little I can do to assist them (although I continue to use my engineers to build fortifications on plains and deserts to raise potential entrenchment to 100.)
@Josh @Webizen @anyone who would like to comment - Question – does any kind of automatic counterbattery fire exist in ATG? I suspect the answer is no - they’re just going to have to take the damage. However I will step up the production of artillery so I can reduce the readiness of potential attacking formations. With that in mind, where I have artillery, I launch a series of spoiling attacks along the 1 and 2 corps fronts.

On 9 corps front Hyberdad falls! The city is reduced to ruins by the artillery of 14 corps and 9 corps. A frontal tank rush breaks into the city and routs the defenders. It’s a stunning result - 2 weeks before we captured Hamadan and Gabr and now another city has fallen in quick succession. SE only has their capital and Fuwwah still in their possession.



Light tanks of 9 corps on the road to Hyberdad. I need to research medium tanks as soon as possible because a) SAud Empire have started deploying medium armour and b)these tanks, quite frankly, look like utter crap.

I deploy out my mechanised infantry by regt. to screen 9 corps flanks. They won’t hold a serious attack but should hold the ring against any attempted breakouts.

On 12 corps front, I use artillery to pound the SE defence lines and then use 1 corps infantry where possible to break the line so my armour can retain as many AP as possible to race southwards from Gazvin. There does not appear to be any major resistance to prevent 9 & 12 corps linking up and closing a massive pocket within the next week/turn.

On the northern front, 10 corps sector, I identify a couple of weak looking infantry formations and hit them with armoured forces. To my surprise they inflict much higher casualties than expected and suddenly 10 corps left flank can go on the offensive again – I called a halt to the push on that front a couple of turns ago but they are back on the move. Strategically, a successful 10 corps offensive would really help in terms of releasing reserves in the centre to seal the developing tear in my line South of Gabr.

On the infrastructure side, I am still increasing my transport pool to bring in resources – running up the down escalator essentially. I also upgrade an oil well to level 3 as my stocks of oil are going to be under pressure with these rapid advances & mechanisation of supporting infantry – I’ll need to keep upgrading to keep pace. As a note - the PPs needed for upgrades is equivalent to 6.25 cities full production capacity/turn. Basically, to keep the offensive going I need oil, so I need to dedicate most of my cities to producing PPs, which in turn means leaving 1 & 2 corps exposed. Such are the decisions of war.

[Kaldadarnes]

Quick situation map that I meant to post last week.

You can see how rapidly the pocket has emerged and the potential scale of the encirclement. Overall, the next few turns could all but end the war on the southern front.



My aim is to use 9 corps to close the pocket so as to free 12 corps to drive on and capture Baghdad rapidly - it's all desert so good tank country, the arty is a bit scattered but should be able to close up quickly as motorised. Once Baghdad is captured (and those factories and resources) they can swing North again and relieve the pressure on 2 corps. If there is serious resistance in Baghdad then I may need to close the pocket first, but I'm hoping the heavy arty will do the trick (again).

Once the pocket is closed and secured I will use 9 corps to capture Fuping (the DoM city in the south of the map) as otherwise it will be a thorn in my side. The biggest risk to the pocket is a link up between troops in the pocket and the DoM forces driving North from Fuping. You can see the mechanised infantry regiments holding the line from Hyberdad up to Hamadan.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 34

Again – apologies for leaving you all for a while – life, again, intervenes as it so often does.

Anyway, brief recap: after several month of defensive fighting I have assumed the offensive in the South, despite being pounded hard on the central front, I am on the brink of closing a massive pocket on my southern front.

The trap closes – 9 & 12 corps link up near Hyberdad. I continue frantically driving my newly mechanised infantry regiments of 9 corps into position to hold the ring around the enemy forces north of that city. The AI hasn’t realised the severity of the situation yet, but the next few turns I expect to see desperate break out attempts from the encircled forces and attacks on my perimeter from Fuping. 1 corps tries to push down in 12 corps wake to hold the ring from the west to free up 12 corps to drive south on Baghdad from next turn. 14 corps’ heavy artillery will follow them to support an early assault on that city. As per the map in my last post - there’s a host of resources and factories around Baghdad, it really is the heartland of the Saud Empire. The next few turns may finish SE.

In the North 10 corps continues to push forward with their 2 armoured brigades and successfully capture a mine and factory as well as starting to choke the enemy forces in the top right of the map.

In the centre 1, 2 & 3 corps continue to suffer, but hold. I shuffle my forces to try to eke a little more out of the rapidly thinning line in that sector. I build a gun factory to start producing artillery of which there is a critical shortage across all sectors.

I’m already thinking a few turns ahead also. If Baghdad falls quickly I could swing 12 corps back up in a massive left hook and meet up with 10 corps’ right hook pushing out from the North, encircling the bulk of DoMs forces, rather than just taking the pressure off the centre of my line as initially planned, It would dismember the central front in a single stroke. It’s ambitious but possible, however I will need to boost my mechanised infantry and air supply capabilities.



Above the pocket closes and exploit towards Baghdad

“Fuck you. That's my name. You know why, mister? You drove a Jeep to get here. I drove an eighty-thousand dollar halftrack. THAT'S my name. And your name is you're wanting. You can't play in the man's game, you can't close them. Because only one thing counts in this life…A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing. ALWAYS BE CLOSING (pockets)

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 35

More attacks and pounding on the central front, plus sharp counterattacks on the northern front as well. However I swiftly recapture most of the lost ground.

I continue to shuffle 3 corps round to take over the front North of Aurora and take the heat off 2 corps. 1 corps is also stretched very thin just South of Gabr, but the network of rivers in that area make it difficult for SE & DoM to exploit their advantage in that sector. My fortification efforts continue and most of the front North and West of Aurora is now fortified. 1 corps successfully catch some heavy artillery in the open firing from the South of Gabr and destroy around 8 units. This should take the pressure off a little.

Crucially the pocket is still in place, I start grinding down form Santa Fe and through the woods near Hamadan. SE troops appear to be in a reasonable supply situation around Hamadan – there’s evidently an HQ somewhere with a stockpile, but elsewhere we advance easily taking large numbers of prisoners (In one particularly memorable encounter, a single regiment (6 SMG, 3 rifles and 3 MGs) take over 100 infantry prisoner and destroy another 100.

On the south of the pocket - I focus on reinforcing 9 corps troops facing DoM forces coming up from Fuping who might attempt a relief effort.

Meanwhile 12 corps starts its drive on Baghdad – no real blocks yet, but lots of unformed SE units still milling in the path of my advance slowing it up. If they meet significant opposition then the plan will change but I am hoping their experience and artillery will allow them to slice through the units to their front – the desert terrain favours them. However, I have to leave some heavy artillery in place south of Hamadan to shell a worrying DoM build up, I keep moving what artillery I can towards Baghdad.

I start moving 13 corps (Clarence Arlington) towards Hamadan. As 13 corps only consists of a couple of brigades at the moment, it’s a good formation to absorb any random units sitting around in the woods North of Hamadan (there are a half a dozen reporting straight into SHQ at the moment). They’ve not seen any action so probably aren’t the most battle hardened but a proper command structure will be an improvement in any case.



Attack? I’ve been getting the décor in my foxhole just so for the last 6 months and now you want me to attack? It’s like I’m in an army or something.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 36

SE breakthrough to the pocket around Hyberdad (not the area expected) but I close it off again rapidly and it has no effect on the strategic situation, beyond delaying the southwards movement of support to 12 corps further – not sure I’m going to capture Baghdad as quickly as I hoped. I also recognise the need to move more mechanised infantry regiments into the area to hold off further relief attacks. However the grinding down of the pocket (which sounds almost like something Miley Cyrus might do) continues, and the pocket is now beginning to split into 2 smaller pockets. There’s a big victory in the offing, regardless of what happens further South.

Somewhat bizarrely, the supply situation for SE forces outside the pocket has improved. I think they had so many troops that they couldn’t supply them all anyway from their 3 cities. Now half their army is cut off, the rest are getting enough to eat all of a sudden. As a result of this improved supply and poor weather, 10 corps offensive in the North stalls (again).

On the central front, nothing new to report. Another hammering – static warfare is pretty gruelling – however my fortifications on that sector (all hexes that can be fortified have been) are helping protect the infantry. Also the heavy artillery concentrations I hit last turn seemed to have (unsurprisingly) eased off the shelling whilst they sort themselves out. In addition, I am starting to get some guns up to the lines from my gun factories. With few manoeuvre options, I’ve gotta outgun them. This is attritional warfare and artillery is king, but if they want to play “who has the biggest arsenal”, then let’s play “who has the biggest arsenal”.




Finding a parking space for your 25 pounder round here is a complete nightmare

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 37 (draft)

12 corps continue to drive South ignoring the lack of flank cover to the West – I feel very Patto-esque “My flanks are something for the enemy to worry about, not me. Before he finds out where my flanks are, I'll be cutting the bastard's throat”. I almost seize Baghdad with the sudden drive, as only 24 rifles and a handful of guns are holding it but my spearheads lack enough AP to take it off the line of march. But 14 corps (heavy arty) are closed up and 12 corps own artillery are close enough to support – next turn surely.

9 corps and the 13 corps (the agglomeration of scratch forces in the area) continue to destroy the forces in the pocket, the pocket is now split in 2 and mass surrenders are becoming commonplace and I start to draw off the elements of 2 corps still involved in this battle and start moving them towards the central front.

In the North 10 corps armour on the left flank is nearly cut off in its entirety, I pull them back from their exposed positions. On the right of 10 corps however we make good progress – it’s confused up there to say the least.

On the Aurora front infantry losses continue but my extra artillery and fortifications are starting to have an impact, the enemy assaults are far less effective due to the lowered readiness of their attacking formations. I’ve also been reducing the frontline strength in favour of creating reserves behind the line who can relieve battered formations allowing them in turn to rest and recoup.

Finally, I upgrade my artillery to level 3.




Situation map with my forces at the gates of Baghdad. Memo from high command - "dear supreme commander London protectorate armed forces, whatever happens next turn, under NO circumstances are you to hang a flag on an aircraft carrier and announce "mission accomplished". We've got a really strong feeling that sh*t could backfire..."

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 38



Saud Empire lose their capital and no have only one city left (Fuwwah). The firepower of 14 corps heavy guns proved too much and the tanks roll into the city easily and out the other side in pursuit of the broken formations.

Near Hamadan the pocket continues to shrink and the last of 2 corps divisions are now pulling out to the north west, with 9 corps infantry divisions similarly redeploying to drive south on Fuping. 13 corps are more than capable of rounding up the remnants (when I say remnants – 13 corps will be rounding up around 4 times their number!)

10 and 2 corps continue advancing but nothing spectacular – it’s about making their lines more efficient rather than inflicting a decisive blow – but obviously where opportunities arise they will be taken – 2 corps is facing Fuwwah so when 14 corps arrive with the big guns they will look to capture that city.

On the central front my kill/loss ratios continue to improve – there has been a lot more “defender stood firm” in the AIs turn and their casualties are increasing to match. My plan of fortifications and artillery counter-fire seems to be working well.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 39

12 corps continue to mop up around Baghdad and grab the resource (lots of sweet, sweet, oil – time to go halftrack shopping). There are still some reasonably sized formations in the area so there’s a couple of turns work here.. Also I’ll need to make up the armoured units to their full complements. They’ve not stopped since the capture of Gerza some 20 turns ago and if we are to realise the next ambitious phase of my plan they’ll need some more firepower – certainly I need to start mixing in some medium tanks to counter the increasing strength of the opposing forces. 14 corps start towing their heavy guns northwards – they’ll assist in the capture of Fuwwah and then the destruction of the DoM forces facing Aurora.

My plan is slightly refined from that outlined in turn 33 as 10 corps are basically stalled in the North, however I’m still looking to drive North West from Baghdad with 12 corps and isolate the DoM forces facing Aurora by seizing Fuwwah and Brighton. The DoM forces in the sector are to the East of a major river running north to South with no friendly cities on this side of the river, so there are big bottlenecks in their supply lines. My paratroopers might have a role to play and I have some transports in Aurora under 1 corps ready. I need to destroy the bulk of their forces this side of the river and then drive like hell before DoM can rebuild their forces.

Furthermore, with the additional oil from around Baghdad starting to flow in, I’ll be looking to fully mechanise 9 corps and potentially another infantry corps (probably 2 corps) also. However my transport pool is going to have to get a lot bigger in the next few turns to cope.




The plan: 12 corps races across the desert leaving the bulk of DoM's forces out of supply

[Josh]

"...The plan: 12 corps races across the desert leaving the bulk of DoM's forces out of supply..."

While I like the idea it's also a very bold move and *could* leave you very exposed. Why not go for a smaller encirclement up north, clean things up there and straighten your front lines. Oh well choices choices that's why we love ATG [:D]

[Josh]

Aw what the hell just go for it. [:D]

[Kaldadarnes]

Josh - you're goddamm straight I'm going for it!

Yes, I’m back – for another instalment in the world’s slowest moving AAR. Are you still interested? I hope so

Quick update to solve you scrolling back. Game started, lost a city or two quickly, got my sh*t together, pulled off a couple of big pocket battles and am about to knock one of my 2 opponents - Saud Empire - out of the war leaving only Domain of Macau still in it. Currently my armour is moving up from the South in an attempt to isolate their main force from their supply lines, which in turn is hammering on my north and eastern fronts.

Here’s your situation map…

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 40

Still all go with plenty of pressure on the central front - Gabr is recaptured by SE but immediately recaptured in my turn. Around Aurora I also lose hexes, but again, the growing artillery strength and reserve formations mean I retake all territory easily. I launch a punitive raid with my small tank forces against the retreating infantry and inflict significant loss.

In the North 10 corps is taking a battering and have to pulled back against strong medium tank and assault gun forces. Try as I might I just cannot make headway in that sector. I start to sort out and reinforce my line once again.

On the more successfully front, Fuwwah is bought under fire (remember this is the last SE city still held by them and is key to securing 12 corps flank as they drive north West. I don’t have the strength for an assault with only a few holding regiments from 2 corps facing the city but more are arriving from the East each turn and 14 corps have just arrived with their heavy guns.

In the South mopping up is taking longer than expected both around Baghdad and Hamadan (it always does…) However 13 corps is relieving 9 corps who redeploy to face the forces massing in front of Fuping. (Fuping is the isolated DoM city tothe South of Hamadan). I become aware that I’ve been neglecting 3 corps (NW front – between 10 & 2 corps) a little, some of their units are looking a bit battered so I start directing reinforcements to that their HQ.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 41

My premonition on 3 corps was correct – they buckle under enemy attacks and although I manage to reconstitute the line it’s a nasty shock – a lot of my artillery and refitting formations are parked just behind their sector so it could be a regular PITA if they get broken through. It is worth noting that 3 corps (being well dug in) inflict heavy casualties before retreating.

The rest of the line holds and the central sector generally looks in good shape.

In the South 12 corps counterattacked in the AI’s turn quite hard but although they have readiness losses they don’t lose any tanks, but it’s clearly not going to be an uncontested sweep North any more, but they make progress steadily. Some dribs and drabs of SEs Baghdad garrison are hanging around meaning 12 corps cannot fully disengage from that sector leaving them strung out and unable to deploy their full force. I do a strategic transfer of some militia units (raised by playing officer cards from SHQ) to form garrisons against any stragglers.

Now to the main event – the attack on Fuwwah, SE’s last city, which I hugely cock up. As follows - I launch a massive and very effective artillery bombardment with medium and heavy artillery, the defences are shattered and the dazed survivors merely await capture. I follow up with a massed attack…on the hex next door, across a river, with well entrenched unshelled enemy. 2 corps have, ahem, some losses. My blushes are saved by 32nd brigade (one of 2 corps’ who have just enough AP to evict the defenders. The war is now surely over for SE with their last city gone.



To be fair, finding the way to Fuwwah was probably more difficult than it first seemed.

Meanwhile 9 corps halftracks are stuck in the paddies north of Fuping slowing their disengagement. They seem to have driven into the paddies and now cannot drive out! 13 corps infantry move forward, and I assign some artillery and infantry production to their HQ so they can fight their way forward.

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 42

DoM forces launch a series of further attacks which are held but I’m nervously noting the appearance of, what I call, “mega stacks” of DoM forces 3 hexes deep. You know what I’m talking about. A quick check on the chart suggests I am outnumbered around 4:1 by DoM forces (who are mainly concentrated on the Gabr/Aurora/ front) and at parity with the surviving SE forces. Their artillery is very strong, but 1 corps now have a battery of 8 Arty lvl3 units per hex. It’s a Verdun style slugfest and to be honest, I feel sorry for the infantry.

12 corps fortunes improve this turn and they make steady ground – with their right flank crucially managing to link up with 2 corps left flank. 2 corps are still in the process of mopping up around Fuwwah. Well, not so much “mopping up” as “blasting aside every object above ground level with massed artillery”, still the tactical result is the same. 14 corps’ heavy artillery and 12 corps are supporting in this process and heavy casualties are inflicted.

9/13 corps – the last of the pocket has now been eliminated. It’s been a huge victory and if I can extricate 9 corps and use them to support 12 corps we will be in great shape. 13 corps start moving into the line against DoM forces defending Fuping, but the advance south, although only a few hexes down to Fuping, is through jungle, marsh and paddies with only one road in and out, and significant DoM forces in situ. – this is not going to be fun. I consider masking the city but to be with so many cities and resources nearby the potential for damaging enemy raids is huge. No we’re going to have to do this.



2 & 12 corps area of operations. You can see the recently captured Fuwwah as well as the "mega stacks". Also 2 and 12 corps have linked up for the planned left hook on Brighton with 2 corps as the "shoulder" and 12 corps the swinging left hook fist

[Kaldadarnes]

Turn 43

Mud returns to the North as does the AIs offensive mojo. The Aurora front is driven in with heavy casualties on both sides, however the AI has their “mega stacks”, i.e. plenty of cannon fodder, whereas I don’t. I patch the line up as best I can and reassign production to 1 corps. 10 corps also take another battering and their battle remains confused with multiple small encirclements and reliefs in turn. It’s frustrating as 10 corps have achieved nothing like the gains I expected given the resources directed to them.

12 corps continue moving North but are now running into the Southern end of the main DoM forces, Brighton is 5 hexes away but the defense lines seem to be solidifying. The rapid dash (a la the seizure of Baghdad) is not going to come off. However 2 corps are also working their way forward – it’s hex by hex work. 9 corps are now reforming around Hyberdad. My intention is to rest and refit them with half-tracks and then move them to support 12 corps (who in turn would benefit from refitting, especially as I’m seeing more and more medium tanks and assault guns.

Also - thought I would post this - it was on of the battles in the last days of the Hamadan pocket - see the forces deployed and the casualties - as " Huey Lewis and the news" put it in their famous chart hit - "that's the power of encirclement"*



* might have been the power of love, but Huey loves a good wargamer I'm sure