Malta Cross Advice Needed

[BK6583]

I know this is a long one. I'm playing the Germans against the AI (kudos here - I know a human's still the best opponent but this AI is giving me a good game). I only read the AAR from the Commonwealth side after I'd started as the Germans and I can't say I'm encouraged. I'm approaching sundown of D2 and have made progress (I cheated a little and surrended to see what was going on: 1230 German casualties (plus 32 guns) to the Commonwealth's 2510 (plus 9 AFVs and 64 guns). But jeez there's a lot of bad guys out there and there are very few places for me to try to hide or hunker down reorging and resting for the D3 push. It's been a standoff of sorts since afternoon of D2 - when I try to advance (even just to occuppy further north, the 25 pdrs hammer me. The mountain boys have arrived but it looks a trickle of reinforcements the rest of the game. Help! Anyone played and won as the Germans?

[06 Maestro]

Well…; I have not won in this game yet, but have played to completion against a somewhat qualified opponent. I also played against the AI through the 1st 2 days prior to that game, so I could give you a few pointers anyway.

1. The Brits have plenty of ammunition, so don’t count on their guns falling silent until you take them out.
2. The Brits have motorized units that will be able to respond quickly to any fancy maneuvers.
3. Don’t move your main supply units-perhaps regimental supply, but that’s it.
4. Use the FJ units to secure the landing zones (note those areas) and the high ground to the west of the landing areas. The southern areas are not that heavily defended, so the FJ will be able to accomplish those missions. Don’t try to push north with the FJ as they do not have the artillery, or the ammo to overcome British defenses.
5. As the Geb begin to arrive, spare them piecemeal deployment-build them up in concealed areas. Deploy minimal forces to assist the FJ in the central and eastern areas of the island.

As I have not achieved victory in this scenario yet, my advice at this point is suspect; however, I will give it anyway. Don’t waste time or supplies moving the Geb far from the landing zones. I moved the mountain troops around to the western section of the front to utilize their advantage in the hills and to extend the front which I thought would hurt the Brits. Although this was partially successful, it took too long. This approach also meant that the FJ would have to advance on the right flank and center on there own (largely). This simply did not work as the FJ were whittled down and worn out. Also, one full regiment, which was in good shape, would not move into attack positions due to a lack of supply. My final big attack in the last 2 days of the scenario made a slow and costly advance, rather than any clean breakthroughs as hoped.

There is a very good AAR presented by Yakstock detailing the above unfortunate situation. The AAR is from the Allied view, which you will find helpful also.

When I get around to trying this battle again, I will do…..something different.
Hope that helps a little-good luck.

[MrLongleg]

Hi BK,

I have played this scenarion up to completion as the German commander against the AI - order delay "realistic". On day 7 the AI commander surrendered to me - decisive victory - and I totally disagree with Maestro's advise. My strategy worked as follows:

• Luqa airfield and Luqa were my central objectives for D2.
• Therefore I moved all reinfocement to the East - I had no intention to push North from the Landing zone.
• My Western defense line want from Sijuwi to the hill in the South west. The deep wadi going from East of Sijuwi to the race course south of Marsa actually marked the border line for my plan - the attack was planned on the Eastern side only.

So I gave orders for the attack on Luqa airfield of three FJ bataillons arrond 1h00 on D2. One bat came through the wadi from the West (which actually did not work in the expected way - the bat arrived when the battle was almost finished), another pushed strait North from Imkabba and the third came from the East north of Kirkop. Later I ordered additional FJ battailons to attack Luqa too. At arround 21h45 my frontline went from the Poor House over the Leper Asylum, Luqa over Gudia to Ashiak. The mountain boys were concentrated in Gudia which was taken by FJ before for a later attack further North to Zeitun. The important road from Tarshin to the East coast was in fire range of my FJ's in Ashiak - which should make the supply situation of the remaining Brist in the East a bit more complicated. In another attack of one FJ bat I was also able to take Safi airfield. (BTW, I think the attack t the Luqa airfield was the most bloody one for my side - one of the Bataillons - the one attacking from the east - had over 50% losses.

Up to then the GebJäger almost have not been used in the battle. They took Zeitun without a big fight, which was a great base for attacks to the West and to cut of supply from the remaining defenders in the East. The main objective for the GebJg was now Corradine heights and everything North of it to split the defenders. To support this plan I took some FJ forces to take Paula and Tarshin - which took the Brits by surprise.

Then the AI commander made an important mistake by concentrating more then 3.000 troops on Corradino heights, where they became welcome fodder for my airstrikes and my artillery. I was able to take out many units by artillery and airstrikes alone. I was able to take Vittoriosa and Marsa, so the defenders on the hill were totally encircled and constantly bomarded from all available guns. Another task force took Hamrun and Floriana, before the Brits could set up any meaningful defense in La Valetta. Now I already had enough victory points and sent a mixed FJ and GebJg force for Sliema. On the evening of D7 the AI commander offered surrender, which I gladly accepted.

BTW, I also took all the remaining objectives in the Eastern part with FJ troops after giving them some times to recover from the initial actions. I lost 2656 men and 70 guns. I of my units surrendered and one was disbanded. Since I am playing on a MacBookPro with Bootcamp I don't have a screen shot key right now - so I cannot add screenshots. I will find a way to do this and send a more detailled AAR when I have time.

I think the key factor of success was to concentrate forces on the attack and the push hard through any gap - you achieve this by giving cascading attack orders, so that the weakened and retreating defenders will be followed by fresh attacking troops.

I have to admit that I was surprised about this tremendous success on my first trial of this complex mission. (I have needed 5 trials to complete the tactical exercise Brigade day attack)

I also saw the AI landing two times reinforcements out of he Blue in Vittoriosa, which was already controlled by me. These troops were running into open knifes, after I recovered from the surprose. A real commander would probable never concentrate this many troops on an open hill without much cover. I think this finally broke the AI defense - the losses wre just too high - moreover I found that the regiments and battaillons of te defenders were totally mixed up, like if somebody ordered naythig able to move to defend this bloody hill.