CFNA 1940-43 devoncop (Axis) vs warspite1 (CW) - no devoncop please

[warspite1]

Turn 14 and 15 - Axis Turn
3rd and 6th November 1940

Nothing to report.

Turn 14 and 15
3rd and 6th November 1940

Another Kiwi brigade appears as the division starts to flesh out but appears to be missing a brigade.

The Aussie Artillery starts to become available but also appears to be missing a brigade.

[warspite1]

Turn 16 - Axis Turn
10th November 1940

Nothing to report except there do seem to be quite a few units moving south of Tobruk. Where they are going is impossible to tell.

Turn 16
10th November 1940

I am serious about re-taking Sidi Barani! [:)] Note: it seems the failed counter-attack was not so ill-judged after all as I have access to some of the road south of Sidi Barani (where the Italian engineers were defeated and pushed back). Access to these hexes at least gives a springboard for the attack.

[warspite1]

Turn 17 - Axis Turn
13th November 1940

Once again there appears to be little movement - and what the is emanates from the Tobruk area.

Turn 17
13th November 1940

The RN appear to be up to strength now. There are no major units to come, just dribs and drabs. I will post a schedule of reinforcements expected between now and the last date for the attack.

[warspite1]

Turn 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 - Axis Turn
16th, 20th, 23rd and 27th November, 1st, 4th and 7th December 1940

Shortest Italian turns yet... but the last couple were considerably longer as units from Tripolitania started to move forward

Turn 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24
16th, 20th, 23rd and 27th November, 1st, 4th and 7th December 1940

The last of the reinforcements arrive as the CW get into their final positions....

The countdown to Operation Compass begins.......

[warspite1]

Turn 25 - Axis Turn
11th December 1940

Nothing to report

Turn 25 - Operation Compass is launched!
11th December 1940

Turn to be played tomorrow evening. Here is a high level peak at the starting positions.

[warspite1]

Turn 25
11th December 1940

The air force situation at the start of the Operation is as follows:

RAAF Hurricane a - 16 available out of 24 maximum
RAF Blenheim a - 13/24
RAF Blenheim b - 8/24
FF MS 406 - 2/2
Gladiator - 24/24
Wellington a - 21/24

[warspite1]

Turn 25
11th December 1940

The operation starts with a hail of bombardments

Round 1

We follow the attacks looking clockwise from Sidi Barani.

The Royal Navy are split into three bombardment forces. The first is led by HMS Valiant and is ordered to shell Sidi Barani itself. 10% losses are inflicted on the tank forces there. To the south a Marmarcia Regt, supported by artillery is pounded by the 7th Mediterranean Regt (12%).

To the south at Bir Emba the 1st Australian Field Artillery cause 10% losses to an exposed battalion of the Marmarcia Division. A solitary Anti-Tank Regiment on the road to Sidi Barani suffers heavily – courtesy of the Indian 1st Field Artillery.

At Bir Khamsa the 1st Polish Artillery cause only light damage against the Maletti Group in the town, while to the south, a cavalry unit is assailed by two regiments of artillery.

Northeast of Sofafi the Royal Horse Artillery and the 2nd Australian Field Artillery inflict 12% losses on more Marmarcia infantry.

Finally we come to Buq Buq. The cruiser squadron inflict 14% losses on the main Italian forces guarding the town, while to the southwest the 8th Field Artillery pound elements of 4 infantry divisions. I am keen to stop the Italians fleeing and order the New Zealand 6th Artillery to fire upon the units on the coastal strip west of the town (15%). Directly south of the town battalions from the Cirene and Pescatori Divisions are assailed by the Kiwi 4th Artillery Regiment, causing 16% losses. Finally the Barham Bombardment Group launch a devastating barrage against the CCNN Infantry Division hugging the coast (27%).

[warspite1]

Turn 25
11th December 1940

Round 3

Enemy aircraft attack Zawyet Shammus + Mersa Matruh.

Bombardments to soften up the defenders remain the order of the day. Once again we look at the situation from Sidi Barani clockwise.

At Sidi barani another 8% losses are inflicted by the Valiant Bombardment Group, while to the south the 25th Field Artillery causes another double-digit loss on the fortified Italian units.

Southwest of Sofafi enemy tanks and Marmarcia infantry are only lightly damaged by Australian artillery, but at Sofafi itself the 1st Field artillery inflict 10% losses amongst the Italian armour.

To the northwest of Bir Emba yet another Marmarcia battalion suffer at the hands of the 1st field Artillery – as do the Italian units defending Bir Khamsa and the area to the southwest.

Finally at Buq Buq the targets are similar to before, although both units on the coast are targeted pending a forthcoming attack, the Cruiser Squadron inflict 18% losses, while the 15-inch shells of the Barham cost the CCNN another 35%. I am hopeful that these units will be quick to roll-over. On the outskirts of Buq Buq south and southwest of the town, the two Kiwi artillery regiments inflict 25% losses.

Pre-Round 5

Ahead of combat, the 4th Indian Division attack, and force to retreat, some of the CCNN defenders on the coast near Buq Buq.

To the south of the town the Central Indian Horse destroys a Marmarcia battalion.

The newly arrived Selby Force, led by the Coldstream Guards, destroys the lone anti-tank unit north of Bir Emba, while to the south the 7th Australian battalion does the same to another unlucky Marmarcia battalion.

[warspite1]

Turn 25
11th December 1940

Round 5

The Italians launch another air strike on Mersa Matruh.

This round I order a mix of bombardments, but also combat.

At Sidi Barani the town’s defenders receive another 6% loss courtesy of HMS Valiant. Immediately to the south an attack by a brigade of the 4th Indian Division cause 63% losses and force the surviving units to fall back on Sidi Barani.

Southwest of Bir Emba remaining Italians retreat.

Attention is next drawn to Bir Khamsa where a concerted effort is now made to make some in roads in the south so that the way is cleared for an advance on El Hamra. To the south of Bir Khamsa the Italians are forced into retreat, as is the case with the Maletti units to the southwest. The Italian position here then crumbles with the taking of Bir Khamsa.

Sofafi falls at the hands of the 3rd Hussars, while to the southwest 11% losses are inflicted by two regiments of artillery.

At Buq Buq the southern group of remaining units on the coast are bombarded by the 6th New Zealand Artillery Regiment, while the northern units are destroyed by the Indian Brigade continuing to march parallel to the coastal track. Both the Barham Group and Cruiser Group continue to rain shells on Buq Buq and environs, and to the southwest, units from the Cirene and Marmarcia division retreat in the face of the an attack by the 7th RTR and the Central Indian Horse.

Sadly at this point something went wrong with my saves and filing and I have lost the details of the attacks from Round 7 onwards [:(]. I'll open up the game and see what I can salvage.

Essentially Sidi Barani fell, as did Sofafi and Bir Khamsa.

Note: the picture top left and top right compares the start position with that at the start of turn 26. The bottom pictures are added to show the position of the enemy units, some of which were obscured by Fog of War.

[warspite1]

Turn 26 - Axis Turn
14th December 1940

The Italians seem to be making a lot of retreats - particularly of air units.

Turn 26
14th December 1940

The air force situation has not changed much. The squadrons are reduced by:

1 Blenheim,
2 Gladiators
1 Wellington

In addition the FF unit containing 2 MS406's has been removed from the OOB. I keep the Hurricane on air superiority, the Wellington on interdiction and the remaining three units on combat support.

The three RN task forces will need replenishing, but should have ability to assist (at least for a couple of rounds) during this next turn.

It looks like a load of units have gone missing from the OOB, but these don't tie in with the recent withdrawals/reinforcements table which is very frustrating..... The number of artillery units available to the Commonwealth has reduced markedly.

The next target in the south is Fort Maddelena. Blocking the path are the units at El Hamra.

To the north the reduction of all Italian units in the Sofafi and Buq Buq regions is vital as much of the Australian 9th Division have been moved ahead to the Halfaya Pass and are pretty vulnerable there.

No combats this round but the barrages can be seen from the crossed swords symbols

[warspite1]

Turn 26 - Round 1
14th December 1940

The ball opens with the Kiwi artillery smashing into Libyan troops near Buq Buq and taking 9% losses. Another 7% is lost to units of the Cirene and 1st CCNN Divisions to the southwest of the town. The second Kiwi artillery regiment cause another 8% of losses.

Away from Buq Buq, there is an ineffective barrage at El Hamra. To the north, west of Sofafi the retreating Italian tanks and infantry take 7% losses from two artillery regiments. A little further northeast, a mix of Australian and British artillery cause a reconnaissance unit to evaporate (40% losses in total).

With the 9th Australians having taken exposed positions around the Halfaya Pass, two RN bombardment groups are ordered to take up station off the coast and surpress and thoughts of counter attack; 5% and 7% losses are dished out.

Back to Buq Buq itself and the Valiant Group inflicts 13% losses on the Cirene Division (and supporting tanks) within the town.

[warspite1]

Turn 26 - Round 3
14th December 1941

A reduced round of attacks this turn.

At El Hamra the Poles can only cause 2% losses to the fortified infantry. This could end up being something of a road-block...

North of Sofafi the 8th Australian Battalion forces back a tank unit in the rough terrain there. A follow-up attack by two Australian Battalions pushes the Italians into retreat once again. To the west the Italian units are destroyed - including the XXI Corps HQ.

The RN inflict 8% and 7% east of the Halfaya Pass.

West of Buq Buq the RN cause another 15% loss to the units there. To the southeast Selby Force pushes the Italian infantry into retreat, while in the town, the Cirene Division are badly mauled and retreat in the face of a concerted attack by the Kiwis.

Oh No!!! With two rounds gone the Commonwealth fail a proficiency check [:@] That is really unwelcome and ends the turn....

[warspite1]

Turn 27 - Axis Turn
18th December 1940

Can't see too much action at the front. The air force seem to be flying though. One of the Libyan HQ units - that would have been finished off last turn had the turn not ended - made a dash for Sidi Barani but was destroyed by a unit from Selby Force pre-Turn 1.

Turn 27 - Round 1
18th December 1940

Half a dozen bombardments to kick off the turn. The Royal Navy are clearly running out of steam/supplies and barely touch the Italians at the opening to Halfaya Pass.

At Buq Buq the Cirene Division suffers 4% losses at the hands of the 1st Field Artillery, fortunately the Valiant Group is still able to hurt units stuck out in the open and thoroughly demoralised as they inflict 40% losses on units from the Cirene and 1st CCNN Divisions.

At El Hamra 6% losses are meted out to the Italian infantry north of the town.

In the rough terrain north of Sofafi a Libyan tank battalion and the Marmarcia HQ are evaporated.

Start of Round 3

The destruction of the Italian units near Sofafi frees up Australian infantry to head for Fort Capuzzo. The Central Indian Horse goes on a scouting mission and finds the airfield at Sidi Azeiz empty.

[warspite1]

Turn 27
18th December 1940

Round 3

The British armour and infantry continue to try and break resistance at El Hamra but have only the Polish artillery on hand to support - and they succeed in only inflicting minimal losses. The attack on the fortified position to the north sees better results and the remaining Italians fall back on El Hamra after being attacked by the 7th Armoured and infantry of the 70th Division.

West of Buq Buq the Axis forces are gradually being whittled down. An attack by the Indians with support from all available units sees 93% success.

Round 5

The Australians are tasked with taking Fort Capuzzo and the RN are called to provide more shelling of the fort and the tanks to the southwest.

Southwest of Buq Buq a large Italian infantry force escapes encirclement much to my extreme displeasure [;)] South of Buq Buq the large Italian infantry force is less lucky and is totally destroyed.

Despite taking 74% losses the units at El Hamra still hold - further delaying the British armour....

[warspite1]

Turn 27
18th December 1940

Round 7

There are four attacks planned: Fort Capuzzo, El Hamra, Buq Buq and Bir El Sheferezan.

At the latter the British units fail to secure the pocket tightly enough and the Axis battalion retreats - but at least the crossroads is in Allied hands - or would have been had they advanced!

At El Hamra the last of the Italian resistance is finally ended. As it is south of Buq Buq where a huge haul of Italians are taken prisoner - or simply destroyed.....

There is equally as good news at Fort Capuzzo where the 1st Libyan HQ is destroyed and most of the remaining infantry retreat.

Sadly the turn ends - I hoped I would get one more in.

[warspite1]

Turn 28 - Axis Turn
21st December 1940

The Axis try a counter-attack against the Central Indian Horse but this is beaten off.

[warspite1]

Turn 28
21st December 1940

Pre the Rounds, the Australian 6th Cavalry hunt down and destroy the Italian units that retreated from Fort Capuzzo.The 3rd Squadron of the 1st RTR tries to do the same at Bir El Sheferzen, and has initial success before the Italians make a stand.

The plan is for the ANZAC to take Bardia, but first they need to clear the area around Sollum. This will be carried out (hopefully by the Australians in the west and the Indians coming up from the coast to the east.

Only the Hurricane unit is available to fly and I will try not to use the Royal Navy if possible to give them a chance of recovery.

[warspite1]

Turn 28 - Round 1
21st December 1940

The road block at Bir El Sheferzen is cleared - just one to go in the south. I could not resist using Barham's Group and two bombardments by artillery and the navy, against the units at Sollum was moderately successful.

Round 3

Another large haul of Italian dead/prisoners are taken in the two battles around Sollum.

[warspite1]

Turn 28
21st December 1940

Round 7

No rest for the wicked. The Australians push on but there is little hope of a sensible attack on the approaches to Bardia at this stage. Bombardments by the few remaining artillery units still capable of firing are ordered instead. Meanwhile the Indian, Australian and New Zealand cavalry regiments are ordered to seize and hold two key junctions north and west of Bardia. XIII Corps assets are also rushed to these areas in case of counter attack from Tobruk.

Attacks at Gabr Saleh and Fort Maddelena are also ordered - although the latter is more in desperation. I should have earmarked artillery for this fort.....

At Bardia the knackered artillery achieve 1% losses over 2 hexes. The Motorcycle unit at Gabr Saleh are easily disposed of and, most importantly, Fort Maddelana is taken (although the British do not advance into the fort).

The turn ends.

[warspite1]

It looks like my opponent devoncop has done a good job of husbanding his forces. The Catanzaro, Sirte and Sabratha Divisions I've not seen yet and I am not sure if there is a CCNN division or two. That is bad news....