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

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - Axis Turn
25th December 1940

Happy Christmas!

Looks like two bombardments from the Axis last turn. 9 aircraft were lost attacking one of the RN groups. In a second attack on another RN group, 2 Hurricanes were lost for 26 Axis aircraft.

[warspite1]

Turn 29 - Rounds 1 and 3
25th December 1940

Whilst the Australians and Indians attempt to take Bardia, the British armour moves toward Tobruk. The New Zealand infantry do the same using the coastal road. A series of bombardments in turns 1 and 3 are ordered to soften up the defenders.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
25th December 1940

Round 5

Two attacks are launched against the southern approaches to Bardia. These are largely successful in either retreating entirely (west), or pushing back most of the enemy forces (east) from their starting positions. Forces south of Bardia are then destroyed ahead of Round 7.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
25th December 1940

Round 7

What follows is a bit unfortunate for the Commonwealth. There is no way of choosing the order that battle takes place in. The first battle was carried out against Bardia. This resulted in a retreat from the port by all Italian forces - but the port was not occupied by the advancing Indian/Australian units. The next combat to the northeast then saw the Italians retreat once more..... straight back into the unoccupied port....

This was annoying but I quite like this as a mechanic. Battles are very rarely fought perfectly and mistakes are made. Had the attacks happened the other way around then I would be in occupation of Bardia but....c'est la vie.

[warspite1]

Turn 29
25th December 1940

Round 8

Sadly there is no Round 8 as the Commonwealth forces failed a proficiency check and the turn ended [:@]

[warspite1]

Turn 30 - Axis Turn
28th December 1940

There is another Furball event [8|] and the Blenheim a unit evaporates.

The Regia Aeronautica also attack units at Bardia and dish out some punishment (4%) but take 15% losses themselves – 14 aircraft

[warspite1]

Turn 30 - Rounds 1 and 3
28th December 1940

All units to the west of Bardia are placed into 'hold' mode to recover whilst Bardia is taken and the coastal road opened up.

Round 1 is a softening exercise, and is followed by an assault on the port on turn 3. The Italian defenders are destroyed but once again the victorious winners do not enter the hex...

Worse is to follow as another failed proficiency check ends the turn after just 3 rounds and Bardia remains unoccupied.

[warspite1]

Turn 31 - Axis Turn
1st January 1941

There are lots of reinforcements heading east and I can see that Tobruk is very well garrisoned. No attacks this turn.

Turn 31
1st January 1941

The build up of Italian units is worrying but many of my troops need a rest. The Indians have all disappeared (bar one battalion) but reinforcements are on their way in the form of the 2nd Armoured.

Axis air forces are also now active and interdicting movement. Regardless of status the troops will need to move next turn, but for now they rest.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 30 - Axis Turn
28th December 1940

There is another Furball event [8|] and the Blenheim a unit evaporates.

This must be slightly annoying! [:D]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 30 - Axis Turn
28th December 1940

There is another Furball event [8|] and the Blenheim a unit evaporates.

This must be slightly annoying! [:D]

warspite1

Yes, I can confirm that I found the episode somewhat vexatious to the spirit when it happened. [;)]

[warspite1]

Turn 32 - Axis Turn
4th January 1941

That was weird - there was no playback?? Maybe I pressed the wrong button or something [&:]

Turn 32
4th January 1941

Not all CW units are in the rudest of health but there is no time to waste. The line up, as mentioned previously, is roughly (from northeast to southwest):

2nd New Zealand Division (2nd Armoured Division following up in support)
9th Australian Division
7th Armoured Division
22nd Guards Brigade
70th Division (effectively 2 infantry brigades)
Polish Brigade

The Italians look to have built a lot of forts....

[warspite1]

Turn 32 - Rounds 1 to 6
4th January 1941

The first rounds are bombardment only affairs to try and soften up the fortified defenders. The biggest effort, as expected, will be along the coast road where the RN can assist.

There are some reasonable loss numbers generated here

[warspite1]

Turn 32 - Round 7
4th January 1941

A big effort is put into the coast road where I notice the enemy tanks and artillery are in abundance. A combined attack by the New Zealand infantry and the 2nd Armoured causes panic amongst the defenders and all bar on MG battalion retreat.

[warspite1]

Turn 32 - End of turn
4th January 1941

The last round sees 4 attacks, only one of which (by the Kiwis south of the coast road) is unsuccessful in terms of losses, although the Italians either stood their ground or didn't allow the CW to advance.

[warspite1]

Turn 33 - Axis Turn
8th January 1941

Only one bombardment this turn - on the British and Kiwis in the north - and a reasonable amount of loss achieved.

[warspite1]

Turn 33
8th January 1941

The CW forces push up ahead of further bombardments of enemy positions. I concentrate my forces on the north once more, although also order the Poles to clear the left flank too, and there is a liberal smattering of artillery fire along the line.

[warspite1]

Turn 33 - Rounds 1 and 3
8th January 1941

The barrels of the guns of the Commonwealth artillery and British ships will need re-boring after this lot.....

Apart from one nasty bit of counter-battery fire the first two rounds went well.

[warspite1]

Turn 33 - Round 5
8th January 1941

I order no let up on the coast road; its not just the road that is important, but the units in front of 2nd Armoured are probably the bulk of the local Italian artillery as well as there being tank units there too. Smashing through these would be helpful to the Allied cause. In reality the Italians retreat but the British are unable to muscle into the vacated space.

[warspite1]

Turn 33 - Pre-Round 7
8th January 1941

After the last couple of turns the big fear I have is that there will be another short turn courtesy of a failed proficiency test. I have to try and take advantage of every opportunity. Much to my surprise, pre-round, the CCNN troops on the British left flank are in a poor way. They are chased into oblivion by a British tank battalion - albeit the battalion commander appears to have got a little excited and charged headlong into the enemy lines. But the good news is that the Italian right flank is in danger of becoming unhinged....

[warspite1]

Turn 33 - Round 7
8th January 1941

There are three key attacks this round. The first is to try and open up the breach in the Italian lines south of the coast road.

I entrust the first attack - Operation 'Mind the gap' to the Kiwis but the men of the 2nd and 4th CCNN and Catanzaro Divisions repulse the attack with reasonably heavy losses to the attackers.