North Africa 40 - Allies

[jmlima]

Well, this is the Allied side thread for the AAR titled 'North Africa 40'.

The first 5 turns will revolve over the requirement for the Axis player to take and hold, El Hamra, Sofafi and Sidi Barrani by the end of turns 3, 4 and 5.

My initial goal is try and hold the Axis player at bay from Sidi Barani, since the other 2 objectives should be reasonably easy for him to attain.

The image below exemplifies the reasoning:

1 - Expected axis of advance for the Italians are shown by blue arrows.
2 - Move the remains of the 7th Armoured Division to mile near Sidi Barani, ready to strike in either advance direction.
3 - The 11th Hussards will disengage at the border , and try to form a line of 'road bumps' on the predicted advance axis, with the 2nd Rifles doing the same.
4 - The remains of the forces defending Halfaya Pass will fall back to Buq Buq, with 1st KRRC remaining in position.

[jmlima]

The situation at the end of turn 01.

[jmlima]

The second turn starts with the Axis forces advancing on the south side of the coastal escarpment, yet, they are in pretty much the same position on the coastal road.

Accordingly, the orders issued are for:

1 - Frontier units to fall back and begin to harass the rear and flanks of the advancing Italian units.
2 - 7th Armoured to begin to move onto forward screening positions on both axis of enemy advance.
3 - XIII Corps is not idle, and it's beginning to move support units forward. (out of image)

[jmlima]

The turn did went reasonably according to plan, and by the start of the attacks , most units of the desert garrison successfully disengaged and begun moving on the flanks of the Italian units. The Italians will have to seriously press forward it they are to attain their objective by turn 5. Given that the Axis decided not to have the cease-fire, I've decided to try and keep my force , as much as possible , in order to give the Axis something to worry about and try to avoid them just rolling forward after Sidi Barani.

[jmlima]

Turn 3 provided no surprises, with the Axis keeping a steady pace so far, and the Allied forces successfully disengaging , and living to fight another day. Having said that, the Axis units got dangerously close to Buq Buq. It was a worrying advance on a single turn, another unit from the 7th Armoured was dispatched to the area , to act as local reserve, and the supply unit retreat to the safer grounds of Sidi Barani.

[jmlima]

Turn 4 was an absolute disaster. Between the fast advance of the Italian armoured spearheads, and the entire Commonwealth army being unavailable (either not released, or , dramatically , with the 7th Armoured going onto reorg) the Axis are near to capture Sidi Barani, and, if the Axis player feels brave enough, race East to the Cairo.

[secadegas]

There is something known for people familiar with this scenario...

Between players of similar expertise the Commonwealth player doesn't stand a chance if the cease fire option is not activated.

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: Sekadegas

There is something known for people familiar with this scenario...

Between players of similar expertise the Commonwealth player doesn't stand a chance if the cease fire option is not activated.

Well, you've got to have the right strategy. Slugging it out with the Italians right at the frontier is not it. Once informed that the cease fire has been canceled, the CW needs to fall back a bunch in a hurry. That gives time for his forces to be released, and forces the Italians to blow all their supply getting to them. Once they're red-lined, they will be easy targets.

I wish we had an article section here, where I could post my old CFNA article about this. But, for now, Nemo has been kind enough to host it for me here:

http://toaw.free.fr/cfna/

Although some parts are now obsolete, I would still highly recommend that players read it before beginning. It covers two mirrored playings. I handle the CW in the second one - in which the cease fire was canceled. That did not go well for the Italians.

Jmlima is now a bit disadvantaged, but I'm sure he can still hold off the Italians - if he now switches to the right strategy.

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay
...
Jmlima is now a bit disadvantaged, but I'm sure he can still hold off the Italians - if he now switches to the right strategy.

Judging by your comment about falling back, I think I did... [:D]

As expected , the Axis player took Sidi Barrani. It took him an immense number of forces though. I decided to take a bite , and did some counter-attacks with some pocketed elements of the 7th Armoured. This proved that the Italians are not much of a match.

I've brought the survivors back to Mesa Matruth. The 70th Division was meanwhile released, and I'll use it to chop off any Axis spearheads, while the rest is released. My intention is to trade space for time. I'm also thinking that , if he takes the quickest route, the coastal, he will expose himself by being on a line, and I fully intend to use that to best effect. I'll have to wait and see for a couple of turns, whilst economizing my forces.

There is not much purpose for the Axis player to select the cease-fire though.

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: jmlima

I've brought the survivors back to Mesa Matruth. The 70th Division was meanwhile released, and I'll use it to chop off any Axis spearheads, while the rest is released. My intention is to trade space for time. I'm also thinking that , if he takes the quickest route, the coastal, he will expose himself by being on a line, and I fully intend to use that to best effect. I'll have to wait and see for a couple of turns, whilst economizing my forces.

Be aware that the Mersa Matruh garrison (22nd Guards Bde), although in reserve till turn 25, can still be disbanded in that condition - it will reconstitute east of Cairo. No reason to leave it to be destroyed in Mersa Matruh.

There is not much purpose for the Axis player to select the cease-fire though.

By canceling the cease fire, the Italian player remains at risk of losing the game early, due to CW recapture of the required towns before O'Connor's Raid. And it's a serious risk, especially if he presses too far forward. By accepting the cease fire, he could have avoided that risk.

[secadegas]

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: Sekadegas

There is something known for people familiar with this scenario...

Between players of similar expertise the Commonwealth player doesn't stand a chance if the cease fire option is not activated.

Well, you've got to have the right strategy. Slugging it out with the Italians right at the frontier is not it. Once informed that the cease fire has been canceled, the CW needs to fall back a bunch in a hurry. That gives time for his forces to be released, and forces the Italians to blow all their supply getting to them. Once they're red-lined, they will be easy targets.

I wish we had an article section here, where I could post my old CFNA article about this. But, for now, Nemo has been kind enough to host it for me here:

http://toaw.free.fr/cfna/

Although some parts are now obsolete, I would still highly recommend that players read it before beginning. It covers two mirrored playings. I handle the CW in the second one - in which the cease fire was canceled. That did not go well for the Italians.

Jmlima is now a bit disadvantaged, but I'm sure he can still hold off the Italians - if he now switches to the right strategy.

There was a long thread a couple of years ago at GS about this very subject. I would like to find it but I couldn't until now.

If I remember well the conclusion of most posters was similar to conclusion I took based on my experience with this scenario (IMO one of the best there is in the TOAW "universe").

Different play styles and player's expertise (and strategy, of course) might produce different results. But generally speaking I still think it's very difficult to the Commonwealth player to hold the Italians until 25ish turn without the cease fire option.

[jmlima]

Turn 06

Well... This was a surprising turn. I was expecting to see the Italians running towards Mersa Matruth. Instead, they seem to be all over the shop between Sidi Barani and the frontier, and a lonely column is advancing through the desert.

I took advantage of the lul to bring forward some more units of the 70th Inf Div, meanwhile the 4th Indian Div also got released.  I've decided to prepare an adequate reception to that advancing column. The 4th Indian is positioned in a cluster of hills southeast fo Mersa Matruth, with the 70th Inf Div defending Mersa and partially in jumping off positions. This gives me a two fold defence. If he advances through the desert and then turns right towards Mersa, the 70th ID will receive him and the 4th Indian will strike the flank. If he tries to go around Mersa through the desert, the 4th Indian wil receive and the 70th ID will strike the flank.

If he now moves through the coast with the bulk of his forces, I'll probably take a step back and move out of the area completely.

[jmlima]

Turn 07

Well, I'm surprised now... my opponent decided to sit in the desert, and fortify his positions. Meanwhile, my forces begin to arrive. In the next 3 turns there will be plenty of forces arriving. This is starting to give me an idea for the turns to come.Taking a big bite on the Italian forces.

Their disposition seems to be a series of divisional clusters, with huge gaps between them. I'm toying with the idea of throwing 3-4 divisions onto an attack. They will assemble and move along the red axis, in a try to lure him to the sense that I'm not going for a coastal attack, so that he potentially believes I'm aiming for a main attack onto Buq Buq to cut his forces.

My aim is actually to take, on a second stage, the green axis, cutting to Sidi Barani and pocketing the forces around Picadilly Circus. On a third stage this force will strike towards Buq Buq to cut any escaping forces.

It's just the principle of an idea for now.

[jmlima]

Turn 08

Another slow turn. Except for the fact that the Italians started to move again, with a couple of divisions. Not sure what he is up to, but he seems to be trying to lure me forward... Not gonna bite for now. [:D]

[jmlima]

Turn 09 - The battles for Mersa Matruth

Well. It would come, sooner or later. It came sooner. The turn started with the Option to start the O'Connor raid. The Italians forces are now digging and preparing for assault on Mersa Matruth. I decided to disrupt their preparations with a small attack on the flank (in red), which, if it went extremely well would be expanded to the blue axis and to the coastal road. As it went, I took a nib on the Italians. Enough to disrupt them and to make them think twice I hope.

[jmlima]

Turn 10

Well, well... my opponent is definitively feeling adventurous, he brought nearly all his forces to bear on Mersa Matruth. The Allies face a few problems, there's not enough units to man a continuous line that would have some reserves on their backs and there are far too many Italians, they can quickly move around any isolated defenders and pocket them. If they do it, then there would be an open road to Cairo and Alexandria.

I've decided it was not worthwhile to loose the war in order to try and defend Mersa Matruth, so my forces again found themselves advancing towards Cairo.

Now, I'm drawing a line in the sand. At El Alamein. The tide is to be reversed here. The 2nd NZ Div and the 6th Aussie are coming forward. The 7th Armoured is again re-grouping and gaining strenght.

[jmlima]

Turn 12

Just a quick update, we are both now looking at each other from the ditance, Allies at El Alamein and Italians at Mersa Matruth... Both waiting for the other to take the next step forward...

I have to begin to think about that given that I start losing the 4th Indian in around 13 turns or so...

[mantrain]

This is a great AAR and I have started playing against the PO as commonwealth Scenario 1.,. I dont quite understand how the commonwealth starts out with later equipment such as the churchill tank? Wikpedia states that these ill-fated tanks were unleshed in Diepe, some two-years after the Italian campaign.  So how do my armour regiments in '40 have these churchills?

[jmlima]

Turn 18

After a long and boring lull, the battle has started... O'Connor's raid is in effect, and the Allied forces are determined to wipe out the Italian presence.

For that effect a plan was put to work, as per the image below, that will have as a first target Mersa Matruth, and subsequently move west. The 70 Div will attack along the coastal road, with the 4 Ind attacking on a parallel axis through the desert. The 2NZ and the 7th Arm will go around the Italian positions and strike directly at Mersa Matruth.

The objective is that either:
a) The Italians flee west but will find their retreat path cut.
b) The Italians sit in place and are defeated in detail.

In case they have any ideas of grandeur, the 6th Aus and the Polish brigade are held in reserve.

The images details the plan. The estimated time to reach Mersa is 4 turns.

[jmlima]

End of the 18th turn.