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Hi Everyone -

Posting an AAR for the USA on a scenario I designed many years ago, playing PBEM with my good friend who lives in Scotland.

This is actually the first in a line of scenarios I created centered around an AH where the CSA won the Civil War. Fast forward to 1946 and the world is in the iron clutches of WWII; Germany has risen and conquered most of Europe and half of Russia. Japan is allied with the USA. England staggers through a massive blockade and clouds of German bombers turning her cities into dust. Battles rage across the globe from the steppes of Russia, the deserts and plains of Africa and the bitter cold oceans of the North Atlantic. The USA and CSA, bitter enemies since the 1860's, to date have managed to avoid full scale conflict. However, a bloody cross-border firefight on the Potomac River near Washington DC on 21 June left tempers flaring and tensions white hot.

July 1946, A Second Civil War

The US IX Corps desperately tries to defeat a massive offensive by the CSA northward across the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in an effort to split the country in two.

The east/west boundary of the battlefield map for this scenario covers a 500 mile stretch of the US/CS border east from Leavenworth, IN westward across to Springfield, MO. The southern boundary starts near Memphis, TN, and continues north to Kansas City, MO.

Details on the composition of US forces, situation reports, and maps will be posted as the scenario progresses.


US Army Intelligence Report - dated 15 July 1946:

"...have reason to believe the Confederacy will attempt a cross-border invasion as early as 20 July. US Army counter-intelligence sources report massive rail movement of armor and infantry north through rail junctions in Memphis, Clarksville, Columbia and Nashville. At this time, no border incursions have been reported for any Ohio River sectors, and road/rail links on the Leavanworth/Battletown exclusion zone remain open. High-level talks continue in Washington as a result of the Potomac border incident on 21 June. Confederate officials deny any provocative actions and acknowledge only routine battalion-level exercises. IX Corps and Border Defense Command order all regular Army, Border, Fort and National Guard units to stage 2 alert and are directed into blocking positions along the Ohio River. All intra-sector travel is restricted IAW Border Defense Plan Gold. Units in the Missouri salient area are ordered to dig in and to increase frequency of recon patrols. Further intelligence reports will be released as they become available...”

Sector 5 (Leavenworth) Sit-Rep current as of 1945hrs, 14 July 1946:

IX Corps HQ situation map on deployment of friendly forces defending the Leavenworth/Battletown exclusion zone. Although the Leavenworth road and rail bridge remains open and trade/commerce traffic between the USA and CSA continues to flow normally, intelligence predicts this route will be a primary objective of any sizable CSA attack. As a result of this analysis, IX Corps orders elements of 4 ID to defensive positions around Leavenworth to the east, north and west. Infantry, anti-tank, artillery and engineering units are ordered to dig in approximately 5 km inland from the banks of the Ohio River to cover all avenues of approach with pre-sited coordinates.

To the east, Eureka remains another likely axis of any CSA advance, although the lack of a standing bridge will require a substantial amphibious force to breach the Ohio River barrier. Two regiments of infantry are ordered to shore up this area initially, to be supplemented with units of the IL National Guard.

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Sector 6 (Cape Girardeau) Sit-Rep current as of 2100hrs, 14 July 1946:

2 ID situation map of Sector 6 includes likely CSA avenues of attack into southern Illinois from staging areas in northwestern Kentucky. Heavy concentrations of field artillery have been positioned to the southeast of Bloomfield providing defensive fire on pre-sighted positions around Bay City. CSA attacks are likely to be supported by extensive river-crossing and bridging engineering teams which will be vulnerable to defensive fire. Defensive fortifications around Bay City are extensive and will be difficult to breach. A second likely avenue of attack has been identified south of Fort Lincoln. The terrain south of Ridgeway is favorable for the rapid movement of armor and mechanized units. Division and battalion level engineering units have been dispatched to the area to begin construction of defensive obstacles. Armored and anti-tanks units have also been deployed to this area to serve as a mobile reserve.

2 ID TOE, July 1946. Sector 6, (Cape Girardeau), Southern Illinois:

Sector 7 (New Madrid) Sit-Rep current as of 2200hrs, 14 July 1946:

2 ID AAR (Area Of Responsibility) includes the Missouri Salient, following MO highway 31 south from Cape Girardeau and includes the strategic towns of New Madrid, Caruthersville, Denton, Arbyrd and Kennet. Intelligence reports likely CSA approaches will initiate from the area around Tiptonville, KN, pushing westward along with coordinated attacks from the east in an attempt to surround defending US forces. Extensive fortifications within the Salient area will disrupt free movement of armor and mechanized forces from all directions, forcing any CSA advance to enter into terrain favoring local and regional counterattacks. Armored and mechanized reserve forces positioned to the east of Cape Girardeau will exploit breaks in the line and defeat enemy attempts at a breakthrough.

15th Air Force Aircraft Strength Report, 14 July 1946:

15th Air Force is responsible for defensive and offensive air operations in and around national border defense sectors 5, 6 and 7. This is an extensive area encompassing over 16K square miles from western Indiana across to eastern Missouri. 17th Fighter Group HQ is situated in Kansas City, and 467th Bombardment Group HQ is located in Bedford, IN. Squadrons within the groups share airfields positioned throughout eastern and central Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Three reserve fighter squadrons have been mobilized and attached to 17 Fighter Group to provide additional air superiority and bomber escorts.

17th Fighter Group comprises 10 Squadrons of aircraft, and 4 battalions of 90mm AA.
Total A/C strength is 654.

467th Bomber Group consists of 12 Squadrons of aircraft, and 4 battalions of 90mm AA.
Total A/C strength is 492.

Sector 5 (Leavenworth) Sit-Rep current as of 1445hrs, 16 July 1946:

Intelligence reports some movement of CSA units from the 10th Kansas Infantry Division south of the Leavenworth/Battletown exclusion zone. Spotters report the positioning of motorized engineering units in and around the town of Bradenburg. A crossing near the town is unlikely however due to the strength of fortifications on the U.S. side. Confidence remains high that any likely offensive will originate from Battletown with the main enemy goal of securing the road and rail bridges there. 47 Infantry Regiment, 4 ID, with associated artillery, engineering and anti-tank elements continues to dig in 3km to the north of Leavenworth to counter any attempt at a crossing. Armor and additional artillery are in position 15km to the northeast of Leavenworth serving as a mobile reserve.

The area around Owensboro, KN also shows signs of buildup, with confirmed sightings of motorized engineer and headquarters units, possible from the 7th Arkansas Infantry Division. No pontoon or river crossing equipment have been spotted. Frequency of recon patrols have been increased in attempt to gather additional information.

The New York Times, 17 July 1946

President Franklin Roosevelt spoke in a national broadcast this morning proclaiming:
“Yesterday, the American ambassador in Washington handed the Confederate government the final note stating unless we heard from them by 9 o'clock in the evening confirming the Confederacy was prepared at once to cease all offensive operations against the United States, a state of war would exist between our two nations for the second time in less than 100 years. I regret to inform you all, that as of now, 10 o'clock in the morning on 18 July, no such undertaking from the Confederate government has been received, and it is with firm resolve the government of the United States has declared a state of war with the Confederate States of America…”

Excerpt from The Saint Louis Times, July 17th, 1946

"...War officially began at 5 o'clock this morning with Confederate infantry and armored units advancing from their borders north across the Ohio and Mississippi rivers near the towns of Eureka, IN, Bay City, IL and Caruthersville, MO. At Cape Girardeau three bombs exploded near the East Side docks but no significant damage was reported. The regular Confederate army began an offensive in the apparent direction of Cape Girardeau attacking at three separate points in the southeastern corner of Missouri. Enemy bridging units were reported attempting to breech the Mississippi river defenses west of Tiptonville, Tennessee. Border incursions have been reported all along the US/Confederate border, but the main offensive appears to be developing along the border from Blytheville, Arkansas east to Portsmouth, Ohio..."

Developments, Sector 7 (Missouri Salient) 17 July 1946:

At approximately 0920 hours, anti-tank and engineering units from the 18th Infantry Regiment, along with heavy artillery support from fixed guns located at Fort Maine, and 155mm guns from the 211 FA, repelled a battalion-strength attack from CSA motorized infantry attacking westward from Tiptonville across the Mississippi river. Intelligence reports enemy forces in the Tiptonville area are near division strength with armor and self-propelled artillery support. The lack of coordinated combined arms leads local commanders to believe this attack was merely a probe. To the south, CSA forces attacked the 40th Border Infantry Battalion positioned in Caruthersville with a combination of motorized and armored infantry, capturing the city. 40th Border retreated to the north after suffering heavy losses. The 18th Infantry Regiment reports a sizeable attack consisting of motorcycle and motorized infantry with armor support resulted in the encirclement of the 79th Infantry Battalion. A counterattack was organized within 3 hours of encirclement which result in moderate CSA losses, however the 79th was unable to capitalize on this attack due to substantial direct fire from enemy assault and anti-tank guns.

Intelligence predicts the CSA advance to continue on a battalion and regiment level in a general pattern identified by thin red arrows on the map. Larger arrows to the rear identify staging areas and division-level movement.

Friendly forces are ordered to abandon the salient, move north and assemble along a defensive line from Campbell east along MO highway 7 to New Madrid.

US Army Air Corps, 15th Air Force
Aircraft loss and combat report
17 July 1946, 1700 hours

17 Fighter and 467 Bombardment Groups conducted intensive air operations over sectors 5, 6 and 7 to counter CSA offensive ground and air movements. Initial combat action reports the destruction of over 200 enemy aircraft both on the ground and in the air.

41 B-26A Marauders from the 235th Bombardment Squadron attacked airfields around Memphis TN, with P-35, P-40B and P-40N fighters providing escort. Although the skies were partly to mostly cloudy, the 235th reported the destruction of at least 30 MB-25 Mitchells on the ground. CSA fighter opposition was negligible, and friendly forces suffered no losses.

Developments, Sector 6 (Bay City) 17 July 1946:

As a result of significant enemy attacks and penetrations into sectors 6 and 7, IX Corps has directed the adjustment of the boundary between the two sectors moved 20km to the NE of Cape Girardeau. Additionally, the primary landmark for identification of this sector will be Bay City, IL. 39 ID in conjunction with the MO NG will adjust sector 7 coverage NE to allow 2 ID to concentrate on the significant Confederate advance in this area.

2 ID SHQ reports three separate breeches of the Ohio River defense fortifications along a 30 km stretch from Bay City NE to Glendale, IL. A large concentration of enemy tanks with motorized infantry support was spotted crossing the river SE of Glendale after a lengthy artillery bombardment and assisted by heavy bridging equipment. The main force of enemy armor is comprised of German-made late model Panzer III and Panzer IV’s. Observers reported at least 20 Panzer III’s advancing to the NW after engaging briefly with local patrols. 69 TK, 121 Cav, and 46 TD Battalions have set up in defensive positions along the enemy’s likely corridor of advance. To the SW, 37 BDR Infantry suffered heavy casualties after a coordinated infantry and engineer attack allowed enemy forces to first gain a foothold on US territory, and then exploit gains achieved after a massive artillery barrage which destroyed approximately 65% of Bay City. 20 INF Battalion along with engineering and artillery units are ordered to dig in 3km north of the city and block any further attempts at enemy advance.

Developments, Sector 7 (Missouri Salient) 18 July 1946:

CSA forces continue a rapid advance NW into the Missouri Salient, led by armored and motorized infantry from the 1st Mississippi Armored Division. 3km SE of Denton, infantry and assault guns from the 1st Alabama Infantry Division completed an encirclement of 78 Infantry along with two border infantry battalions and a company of engineers. Enemy attacks persisted to the N and NW, resulting in the retreat of artillery and HQ elements of the 18th after suffering heavy losses. The extreme mobility of enemy forces presents an untenable situation around Denton and prevents any attempt at a counterattack due to the high likelyhood of additional encirclement.

39 ID is ordered to shore up the defensive line on MO Highway 7 and await further orders.

Due to the serious nature of the situation in this sector, and as a result of additional CS advances in sector 6, IX Corps orders primary defense of this sector to be handed over to 39 ID. Elements of 2 ID assigned to this sector will be relieved and redeployed to Sector 6 as soon as tactically and operationally possible.

39 ID TOE, July 1946. Sector 7, (Missouri Salient):

I'm really enjoying this AAR. Excellent work on the graphics!

Is this scenario public? I couldn't find it anywhere. Thanks.

It's at Rugged Defense. http://www.the-strategist.net/RD/news.php

Thanks for the comment jakob. I enjoy making the maps, it adds a lot more depth to the conflict and gets me to think deeper tactically.

I've got some really cool profiles of armor and A/C coming later in the AAR...

The version posted on the Rugged Defense site is old - the one we are currently playing is version 5.1. I went to post the new updated version, but it appears I forgot my old username to get onto the site. [:(] I posted an email to get my new username added so I can post an updated version. I'll let everyone know once I get the new version put up.

Developments, Sector 5 (Leavenworth) 18 July 1946:

4 ID SHQ advises the most serious enemy incursions in this sector are within an 11km salient NW of Chrisney, IN. SHQ dispatched a blocking force consisting of 51 Infantry, along with elements of 33 Infantry Division, (IL NG), including two regiments of armor. IX Corps also dispatched 199 Armored Infantry, 5 Armored Division as a reserve force until additional assets can be deployed to the area to assist. Forward elements of 51 Infantry report a substantial enemy force from 7 Arkansas Infantry Division garrisoned 2 km NW of Chrisney to include a company of armored recon and possibly two companies of assault guns. Patrols identified the armor as a mixture of Hungarian-made 40M Nimrods and Stug IIIG’s. In the NE of the salient, 22 Border Infantry reports confronting advanced elements of an enemy motorcycle infantry force of at least battalion-strength. There are unconfirmed sightings of additional enemy armor and motorized infantry continuing to cross the Ohio River NW of Owensboro, KN to further reinforce 7 AR, however the situation remains fluid as enemy intentions have not fully materialized. Intelligence anticipates the major enemy objective in this sector remains the capture of Leavenworth, and the securing of the Leavenworth/Battletown bridge.

33 ID (IL NG) TOE, July 1946. Sector 5, (Leavenworth):

Developments, Sector 7 (Missouri Salient) 19 July 1946:

The situation in this sector remains critical, with strong enemy armor and infantry advances to the N and NW creating three separate defensive pockets. SHQ lost contact with 79 Infantry Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment at approximately 1030 hours. Last radio transmissions from the battalion reported heavy enemy infantry contact with the main attacks coming from the south and west. In the SE of the salient, 78th Infantry remains surrounded along with 10 and 15 Defense battalions after rapid advances by 1 AL. On the western edge of the salient, land routes to Fort Washington were cut off by advances from enemy motorcycle and motorized infantry.

Dug in pontoon units remain on the Mississippi river west of Tiptonville, however the main enemy force seems to have shifted to the south. Intelligence reports from moles around the Caruthersville area advise of massive movement of enemy armor, infantry and supporting artillery moving from crossing points over the Mississippi River NW of Bridgely, KN. Enemy forces continue to stage in an area 20 – 30km NW of the town, and will likely commence with an attack northward within the next two days. 39 ID continues to shore up defenses along the Campbell/Mason City defensive corridor with the arrival of four regiments of heavy artillery. 60 Infantry Regiment took up positions on the western flank near the town of Leora on MO Highway 91. 50 Infantry Regiment remains in mobile reserve 5km S of Charleston, MO.

Enemy intentions in the far western portions of the salient are unclear. Intelligence reports sightings of battalion-sized infantry and armor in garrison near the town of Peach Orchard. No other sizeable movements in this area have been reported, although an attack through St Francis valley or N from Mammoth Springs cannot be ruled out. Elements of MO NG remain in position along likely enemy avenues of approach and remain vigilant for CSA probes.