Sicily to Brenner Pass (MOD!) - Mike1984 vs. Desert

[mike1984]

As Desert and I finish up our previous AAR of SBP, we're starting a new game. Yes, after all the griping, I made some pretty distinct mods to this scenario. Here is the new scenario briefing (most is still the original)...

Sicily to Brenner Pass 1943-1945

ver. 2.0

New in this version:
-Allied naval units.
-Palermo and Sarausa are now anchorage hexes.
-East-west exclusion zone.
-Significantly reduced replacements for both sides.

SBP Designer: Quisling
Version Designer: Mike P

TOAW-3 ver. 3.0.0.0

:: PBEM ::
:: Allied PO, Axis PO ::

Date: July 10, 1943 to May 7, 1945
Location: Sicily and Italy
Map scale: 5 km per hex
Time scale: full day turns
Unit scale: Rgt/Bn/Bde
Length: 667 turns

UNIT COLORS:

Allies:

US: white on OD
British: white on tan
Canadian: blue & red on tan
Indian: black & red on tan
New Zealand: brown on tan
FFrench: white or light blue on blue
Moroccan: green on blue
Polish: dark blue on blue
Greek: blue & white on tan
South African: green on tan
Brazilian: black on OD
Ital CIdL: yellow on tan

Axis:

Luftwaffe: dark blue on blue
Italian Air Force: blue on yellow
Italian Army: light blue on yellow
German Army (regular): white on grey
German paras and Luftwaffe field, sturm & pz (HG) div: white & blue on grey
German Pz Divs: white on black
SS: white on black, or red on black
Non-Ger units attached to German Armies, and certain Italian units: red on grey

Land and air units include battalions, regiments, divisions, corps, armies, squadrons and air groups. Only the major combatants are included on both sides, with the exception of some small construction and railroad repair units. *Naval vessels now included in the game.*

The game is designed to be played with either side as human against the computer. The objective tracks are not necessarily historically accurate, in order to add an element of unpredictability.

The Italian 6th Army and Italian Air Force will evaporate if the toe of Italy is taken by the Allies.

Much of the Luftwaffe is likely to be withdrawn if Foggia is taken. Eventually, the Luftwaffe will be completely withdrawn, leaving only a small Axis Italian air force to defend against Allied air forces.

Both sides now have significantly reduced replacement rates.

The German player will not immediately have sea transport capability. The German player will never have air transport capability.

The Allied player will not immediately have air transport capability.

To replicate the historical removal of major Allied landing craft for Anvil and Overlord, the Allies are not allowed to invade any beaches on the Italian mainland north of the Salerno region.

Allied naval units are now in this scenario to act as floating gun platforms to support, at first, the Allied troops on Sicily, and later, anphibious assaults on the mainland. Naval units are not allowed in anchorage hexes, or directly adjacent to land hexes.

The exclusion zone running through the middle of the Mediterranean is there to keep the game on a somewhat historically accurate path. The Allies didn't invade the mainland until Sept. 10, 1943. With the addition of new anchorage hexes (Palermo and Sarausa), it was necessary to place checks on the Allied player's ability to use them for troop movements. The exclusion zone will be removed sometime around the historical Allied invasion at Salerno.

The actual invasion of southern France is not played. Instead, Allied forces in southern France historically appear in the region. Both the Allied and German computer players will take up position in the Maritime Alps along the Italian-French border following Anvil. Also, both the human and computer Allied player will have limited forces in southern France. The human German player will need to decide whether to only focus on defending against possible Allied incursions across the Maritime Alps into Italy, or to weaken its forces along the main line in Italy by sending major forces to the French border to attempt a breakthrough.

The German player should keep in mind that, from time to time, various divisions and units will be withdrawn to other fronts, potentially leaving gaps in the line. The same will be true of Allied forces, which may open temporary gaps that can be exploited by the German player.

Essentially, the Allies win by occupying most of Italy, Brenner Pass, and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica at the end of the game. The German player wins by preventing an Allied victory.

[Silvanski]

OK will be interesting to see how this one goes.

[mike1984]

Theatre Overview - Turn 1, July 10

Since this is a new version of SBP, I wanted to show the map and its changes. You can see the exclusion zone running east-west. Also, I marked the four naval units now active for the Allies. Other than that, not much has changed in terms of deployment or the map. From this distance, you can't see the new anchorage hexes. But you will soon.

I'm posting the first two slides, only because it's no secret where my units are deployed to begin the game. So it could be a little while before the actual ensuing turns are posted. Just FYI.

[mike1984]

Starting deployments - Turn 1, July 10

Here's where the Allies start; the same as always.

[clulessbutwise]

Should be interesting. Maybe you should not allow the allied navy to enter the straights of Messina because the axis had stationed alot of heavy guns on both coasts to protect against this. Good work though i like this scenario but agree it does need work doing to it.

You could also give the allies very limited sea transports until sicily is taken and add anchoares at Sant'Aguta and Brolo to simulate Pattons attempt to out flank the Axis lines. Just incase anyone is interested, have done a bit of research on these landings:

7-8 Aug the Allies landed at Sant'Aguta with 2 Battalions of the 58th Armored Field Battery
The 2nd Battalion 30th Infantry Reg
1 Platoon of Medium Tanks
1 Battalion of Combat Engineers
This landing did caputre 1000 Axis Troops but the German units along the coast had in the hole retreated before the landing had taken place.

11th Aug Allies landed at Brolo with the same units as the pervious landing. (the same day the Germans decided to evacuate Sicily)
This landing did trap the 29th Panzer Division but it broke out because the allied troops landed were too small to hold them back.

The last landing was made on the 16th of Aug with the same units again but the landing were made behind the American lines instead of the German so was not really a great success.

[mike1984]

The Allied Navy units can't really get into the Straights until the Exclusion Zone 2 is removed; but I can see how it looks like they can get too close.

For the end runs along the Northern Coast of Sicily, I've added anchorage hexes to Brolo and one other village. As you can see, I've drawn the Exclusion Zone 2 so that the Allies can make the end run prior to the EZ2 removal. The Allies can load up their expeditionary force in Palermo or Santo Stefano, then shuttle them along the coast, and land at either port hex.

[clulessbutwise]

Good idea on the exclution zone, would like a Copy of your version after you have play tested it please.

Cluelessbutwise@yahoo.co.uk

I have found a list of the Axis units stationed in Sicily (How accurate it is i dont know) www.comandosupremo.com/Sicily.html. Still looking for indepth equipment list though.

note:the link doesnt seem to work but it does get you too the web site and there is a list of orders of battle on the left.

[mike1984]

I should mention... since we're not even one turn into this new mod, I'm not going to use a new AAR thread. However, I had to make a quick change the to Attrition Divider. It's default is 10, but I moved it to 14, which should be about a 22% reduction in casualties. We did have an unusually high casualty rate in the original scenario. So this should help a bit with the scenario as a whole. We'll see. Everything posted so far in this AAR is still the same.

[mike1984]

Ok, we're up and running. Desert is working on Turn 2 now. We will begin posting turns here on or about Turn 5. Stay tuned...

[mike1984]

Turn 1, 10 July 43

British...
I sent the British 1st Airland Bde on a quick drop into the mountains north of Vizzini. I'm going to try to keep the Axis troops out of the hills, because frankly I hate having to push them out of there. The British 5th Div won't even engage the Italians in the south. Rather, I need them to move north and set up a line near Autusta. The British 50th Div will cover the 5th's left flank, and move directly to Vizzini, where the Airland Bde and the 50th Div's Recon Bn is waiting for relief. In the south, the British 51st Div and Canadian 1st Div will deal with the Italians. The 51st Div is withdrawn on 13 July 43, which should be enough time to dispose the enemy west of Noto. The Navy units right now are just acting as fire support. The northern RN Task Force sent a few salvos into the Italian force opposite the Airland Bde, knocking out a few squads and vehicles.

[mike1984]

Turn 1, 10 July 43

Americans...
The US 3rd Div surrounded an Italian regiment quite quickly, inflicting more than 50% casualties in the first attack. One of the 3rd Div's regiments was split into battalions and sent north to screen the gap between the 3rd Div and the 1st Div. The Rangers also covered the gap, but had to be broken up into companies. Hopefully the Axis don't send too big of a force into that sector. But I'm sure they will. The 1st Div and 45th Div move in a concerted effort north along the road from Gela and through Niscemi. The 1st Div attacked and defeated the German heavy panzer battalion. Two regiments of the 82nd Airborne made a quick drop (similar to the British Airland Bde) into Grammichele, securing the village, and covering the US's right flank. The US Navy is in a complete fire support role right now.

[desert]

Turn 1 - 7/10/43
 
The first thing I noticed was the reduced replacement rates. I think many of them have been halved. The second thing I noticed was that the Panzer Btn with all my Tigers had been routed by the US 1 ID. While this is hard to stomach, I decided to leave it there. If it can escape, great - but it looks like it will be surrounded next turn, and I don't want to waste any men.

My strategy this time is to immediately pull back and form an Etna Line. And this time, it will be better - it will make use of the road networks, allowing the defenders to stay well-supplied while the Allies dither in the hills. Since this version of the scenario has anchorages in Brolo and Santo Stefano I have to keep them garrisoned. I assume there are supply points for the Allies there, or things could quickly turn messy.

I'm keeping almost everything. The It 206 and 207 Coastal Divs have been abandoned to their imminent demise. The 202 Coastal Div is going to make a stand in the west. The It XII Corps (1 regiment) is in Cerda. There's no real benefit in sacrificing divisions to slow him down for 1 turn.

Here's a rough breakdown of the Etna Line. It is divided into 3 sectors - Santo Stefano (Sector 1), Troina-Adrano (Sector 2), and Catania (Sector 3). You've seen this before, you expected this.

Roughly - S1: Gr 15 PzGren Div, It 208 Coastal Div, It 28 "Aosta" Div, It Mobile Group A

S2: Gr 29 PzGren Div, Gr XXII Flak Brigade, Gr 14 Armee Flak + PzGren, It 26 "Assieta" Div

S3: Gr Hermann Goering Div, It Mobile Group B, It 230 Group, It 4 "Livorno" Div, It 54 "Napoli" Div, It 213 Coastal Div, It Messina Naval Btn

The paratrooper division will arrive in Messina Turn 3 and will be spread throughout the line where necessary. Probably one regiment in Brolo. There's a whole bunch of stuff that could be transferred from the mainland and Sardinia, but I only get sea transport if Catania falls. I'll have to think about that one. I wish the sea transport were tied to a theater option that appears at the end of July.

The It 18 Inf Bgd has occupied Scoglitti and destroyed US transport and shipping assets. The trapped 206 Coastal Div makes a desperate breakout attempt.

Attack - [Succeeded] 22 planes (12%) for 11 planes (7%); come on, does my airforce always have to lose?

Bombardment of Canadians w/ 206 CD Arty - 14%; their artillery was unprepared and I took out 14 of 60 25-pounders

Again - 11%; 9 more 25-pounders

And Again - 8%

Wow, The Canadians Are Dumb - 8%; the Canadian artillery is down to 27/60 guns

[mike1984]

Should I have placed supply points in Brolo and Santo Stefano? I'm not sure. When the Allies did their landings, supply was a huge, huge, huge problem, nearly ending the operations in disaster. I think I'll leave the supply points out of the scenario (but warn the player in the briefing) to keep the Allied player on his toes, and make him think twice about launching an end run. It adds an element of serious risk for the Allied player, particularly since the addition of the ports and other stuff has given the Allies a bit of an edge overall. Thoughts?

[mike1984]

Turn 2, 11 July 43

British...
It looks like the Axis forces north of Vizzini have retreated north, quite rapidly. The British 1st Airland Bde, and the 50th and 5th Divisions, have faced no resistance; the three divisions are nearing Gerbini, as the 5th Division's recon unit is adjacent to the first line of airfields. The British Engineers quickly dealt with the Augusta Italian Naval unit, which surrendered on first contact.

West of Noto, the 51st Division and Canadian 1st Division enveloped the Italian infantry, forcing the surrender of nearly the entire division. From here, the two divisions will march north to follow the rest of the British army.

[mike1984]

Americans...
South of Piazza Armerina, the US 1st and 45th Infantry Divisions, and the 82nd Airborne advance quickly north, surrounding and bypassing the German Heavy Panzer battalion north of Niscemi. Along the west flank, the 3rd Division wiped out an Italian regiment, while the 3rd's recon company divided up to scout as much territory as possible, capturing Caltanissetta in the process. Since the Axis forces are pulling back to the Mt. Etna region of Sicily, it should be relatively simple to march north to the coast. After that, I'm not so sure it will be that easy.

[desert]

Turn 2 - 7/11/43
 
Total Plane Losses: 29
 
The Allies are sprinting forward this time, no delays - he knows what I'm planning. The British have nearly reached the Gerbini airfields, but the Sector 3 Line is basically complete. The Germans have started digging in in the other sectors, but there are many gaps that not even the Italian can fill. Because one regiment of the Fallschirmjaeger Div will be in Brolo, things could be tense for a while. I'll probably pull in half of the 202 CD from the West.
 
The 18 Inf Bgd is still in Scoglitti and so far has only been hemmed in by a regiment of the US 45th, spread thinly around the city. The Tigers have repulsed probes by the 1 ID but have been surrounded and will probably be eliminated next turn.

[mike1984]

Turn 3, 12 July 43

British...
The British 5th Division's advanced guards ran into the Axis line just south of Catania. Gerbini fell without a shot being fired; all the Axis planes were evacuated before I got there. The 1st Airland Bde will hold in the airfields, while the infantry won't get too close just yet. I don't want to invite a general engagement until a few more brigades or divisions arrive. In the rear, the British 50th and Canadian 1st divisions are marching quickly along the coast to join the 5th. The 51st Division is cleaning up the area south of Vizzini. Most of that division will be removed next turn, so I won't go wasting them in a line position.

[mike1984]

Americans...
The US 45th Division left one regiment to deal with the Italians left over near the coast, while the full command marched north to capture Piazza Armerina and near Enna. The 1st Division is close behind, withe a regiment and supporting units destroying the German Heavy Panzer battalion north of Niscemi. The 82nd Airborne is marching parallel to the two infantry divisions. In the west, the 3rd Division is mopping up some Italian regiments near Agrigento, while the flanker units are scouting and screening the areas near Caltanissetta. There has been relatively no resistance against the Americans, which worries me.

Several fighter wings have been flown to the island.

[mike1984]

Here are my air losses so far. Not bad...

[desert]

Turn 3 - 7/12/43
 
Total Plane Losses: 40
Turn Plane Losses: 11
 
Well, my Tigers are gone. This is a crippling blow - a battalion of Tigers is worth as much as a division of Italians.
 
The Etna Line is complete aside from 6 undermanned hexes that will be filled in with some elements of the 202 CD and the German paratroopers. I will probably withdraw the It XII Corps from Cerda next turn.
The British have occupied the Catania Plain and Gerbini. The Americans have reached Enna. All their forces are heading Northwest, except for the US 3 ID, which will occupy the rest of the island, including Palermo. I hope he doesn't use the full division for amphibious landings behind me.
 
The Italian brigade in Scoglitti was defeated by that single regiment, probably with naval support. It's still a formidable force.
 
Bombardment of Gerbini - 1%
 
I noticed I have 5 artillery units in Sector 3, but only 3 in Sector 2, and 4 in Sector 1.