Reverse Spanish gambit

[massina_nz]

25 March 1942

No one seems to have posted a reverse Spanish gambit where the Allies invade Spain as one of their routes back into Europe.

I'm currently playing a mirror game with Thommo, as the Allies I will attempt the above strategy, and you guys can judge how rewarding it is.

I'll be posting each turn report about 10 turns after the actual turn was completed. So at the moment our game is actually at 25 September 1942. So my opponent is more than welcome to read this AAR and comment on it. I will attempt to minimise any comments benefiting from hindsight in this AAR.



Casualties so far. I retreated in Russia so the initial Barbarossa casualities for both sides were initially low. But the Soviet winter offensive was very willing on both sides so the casualty rate was high, especially amongst the Axis minor units



In North Africa Tobruk has been taken, at the cost of 3 MECHs and some INFs, the Axis forces have lost roughly the same, but I now have him bottled up in Libya. I'm free to roam the Med as there is no Regia Marina. Sicily is poorly defended at the momenbt with just a couple of GARs. The plan is to invade Sicily with a Task force via the Western Med, and hold the Axis forces here. I then expect the Axis to move their FTRs back to Italy. I should then be able to slowly reduce the Axis troops in Libya.



In Northern Russia I lost Leningrad, when FAIR weather appeared in November, giving the Axis forces an opprtunity. I think my main problem is I defend a couple hexes too far back in Russia in 1941. I’m now attempting to pincer his Panzers near Moscow, hoping it will divert his energies from the south.



Main brunt of the Soviet winter offensive was in the south against vey weak Axis minor allies. As usual I carried on the offensive a couple of turns too many and began to lose units. A failed sortie from the Crimea achieved nothing and actually worsened my position there.



I start the gambit by attacking Portugal as early as I can. I built a couple of CVs, a TAC and Patton before the US entered the war.

1 TAC (based in Gibraltar), 1 CV, 3 naval bombardments and a ARM attack reduces Lisbon to 4 steps. And to 0 effectiveness, it should fall next turn

[massina_nz]

Just some quick notes on the Strategy I believe I need to follow in order to capture Spain as quickly as possible.

1. I need to cut the link between Spain and France as quickly as possible in order to prevent the Axis player from re-inforcing Spain.
2. In order to achieve point 1. I need to land US troops up near the Pyrennes, and give them a supply source, which means Blibao.
3. So I need two main thrusts, one at Madrid from Portugal and other a Task force, backed by a couple of CVs to land about three units to take Bilbao and then proceed eastwards.
4. The last guaranteed FAIR weather turn in Europe is 25 September 1942, so I must have my invasion troops in place by 5 September.
5. Once I take Portugal I then need to produce as many MECH units as I can, and transport them across the Atlantic.
6. To maximise my chance of success in taking Lisbon and Madrid, I need a good offensive bonus leader, the best - Patton.

[massina_nz]

He spots the trap and escapes the noose, I’m happy to have 5 German Tanks units in the north where they are less effective, I plan to fight them in a battle of attrition



Portugal falls, and it took all seven possible attacks to do it!



Invasion of Sicily begins. I decided that since he would see my transports from Palermo (GAR have 2 hex vision) then I may as well bombard Palermo, He will re-inforce it, but at least the ground forces will attack it at zero eff.

Things are quiet in Libya, I expect him to move his FTRs back to Italy next turn, then I will start reducing Axis Libyan forces.



I withdraw in the south and move my Tanks out of TAC range and get them ready to counter-attack if he exposes his mechanised units.



I fill in the gaps left by the retreating Germans, it will now be much harder for him to take Moscow.

Yanks build a MECH, Russians a FTR & INF, I plan to defend in the air in 42, I was slient all though 41, I know the Russian airforce is technically weaker, but I can replace my steps, whilst he can’t when he is attacking.

[JimR]

I tried a reverse Spanish gambit in a recent game against Mr. Frog. My US forces invaded Portugal in 1942, and used it as a launch pad against Spain the summer of 1943. The British supported from Gibraltar in the South. I did not invade Bilbao and attempt to cut off Spain from Occupied France, and that was a mistake. The rough Spanish terrain, combined with supply limitations, meant that the Western Allies could not make rapid headway in Spain. Madrid didn't fall till one year later. Although the Germans did have to draw off some resources from Russia to strengthen the Spanish front, it was not enough to enable a rapid Russian breakthrough.

[massina_nz]

I tried a reverse Spanish gambit in a recent game against Mr. Frog. My US forces invaded Portugal in 1942, and used it as a launch pad against Spain the summer of 1943. The British supported from Gibraltar in the South. I did not invade Bilbao and attempt to cut off Spain from Occupied France, and that was a mistake. The rough Spanish terrain, combined with supply limitations, meant that the Western Allies could not make rapid headway in Spain. Madrid didn't fall till one year later. Although the Germans did have to draw off some resources from Russia to strengthen the Spanish front, it was not enough to enable a rapid Russian breakthrough.

Well you'll be very interested to see how the Bilbao infiltration works then. Probably a couple of weeks awy from posting that turn tho'.

[massina_nz]

Axis summer offensive begins, looks like I over-reached myself in the South.



Well last turns, fill-in-the-gaps move was a dumb idea, most of the INF corps I advanced were destroyed, but at least they’ve weakened the ARM units a bit



Germans march north



Axis reaction to Sicily landings is as expected, but looks like my decision to preliminary bombard GAR in Palermo works out, as I kill the 7 step GAR with naval and air bombardment

I land a MECH and further damage the FTR, he’s ballsy and slips in a GAR (I was using my sub to screen the CV. It would have been better to screen Palermo instead.





I counter attack in the north and severely weaken an INF corp and destroy a Finnish GAR in second line. Will he retreat his INF corops back or risk having them cut-off in Finland?



Soviets retreat in the south,I make sure the ARMs are out of TAC range. I hope Rostov should be hard for him to crack.

[massina_nz]

Oh this may help my cause - leaving those hexes partisan controlled will block a rail link betweeen France and Spain. But I find out later it's of no real benefit.



Palermo sort of falls, last step dies to a BB, I can then place a Mech next to Messana so it ZOCs the GAR, so INF corp in port at Messana is now trapped unless it debarks to the tip of Italy.



Re-inforcements begin to filter into Portugal.



I destroy another INF south of Leningrad, but don’t advance as I could then be attacked on 3 sides



I train in a fresh INF to Rostov, the other was down to 3 steps. My Tanks counter-attack and kill an INF & a MECH, my Tanks are still out of Axis TAC range



Sevastapol looks tenous, again I regret my winter offensive push here.

[massina_nz]

Sevastapol and Rostov taken, damn that stupid Crimean offensive.



Stalingrad offensive begins, with some Russian casualties. At least my tanks are still out of German TAC range, so they don't have to move to attack.



Axis forces don't seem to be threatening Moscow yet, if I can hold it to the '42 Winter I'll be happy.



Northern offensive begins too ramp up as well. I'm expecting this to drag on for quite a while.



His troop transport fell into my trap, I guess my opponent didn’t want to take the safer option of landing on the toe of the boot, I may be able to bag both units in one go this turn.



Axis forces may be attempting an evacuation from Libya and don’t realise the blank hexes may have subs in them.



I knock both the GAR and transport down to 2-steps. They will both die next turn.



I continue the pressure around Leningrad with an INF corp destroyed and one reduced to 1 step – a 7-step Finnish INF corp is also destroyed.



More damage to Axis troops, but my lines start to look thinner.

At the moment it loos like I'm making good progress in Italy and countering the Axis forces in the eastern front.

Yeah I know this is an AAR about Spain, but there's not much actually happening there yet.

[massina_nz]

Axis offensive in the east begins to ramp up and my battle lines start to look very brittle despite a pretty quiet 1941 the Russian lines are diminishing quickly.


I respond with desperate counter-attacks around Moscow, I don't really want it to fall.


I persist with my attacks near Leningrad, hoping to still cut-off the Axis forces in Finland.


Both forces lines look somewhat stretched in the south as well. The depleted INF unit in Voronezh is replaced with a fresh one


Italian forces make a bid for survival


...but are eliminated - how quickly can I get up the toe of Italy before the Axis form a good defensive position?


US troops are beginning to stage to Portugal

One thing I'm beginning to notice in this game is the partisans in Europe are not being reduced very quickly and not by INF units but by GARs. Looks like the Axis are firmly committed to the Eastern front come-what-may.

[massina_nz]

I draw back at Stalingrad, keeping my Tanks far to the rear.


My hold on Moscow continues to be tenuous, re-inforced by several TACs for localised counter-attacks


The fighting in the north continues as both sides feed in more re-inforcements.


Italy looks remarkably empty. Although I suspect re-inforcements will be diverted this way soon, which should help the Soviets. I re-assign Montgomery from Libya but it will take 6 turns for him to get to Italy. I too have few troops to spare to send to Italy, so the sooner my new MECHs arrive from the UK the better.


US troops continue their slow but steady build-up. The task force to the north of Portugal will be sent soon to invade Spain at Bilbao and seal off the rail link to Spain.

[massina_nz]

German offensive near Moscow picks up pace and my lines start to look ragged. A 117PP Russian convoy arrives, thank god! The Russians are stretched but manpower isn’t so can buy heaps of Infantry to plug the gaps that will appear next turn.


I plug what gaps I can, but my defense of Moscow looks tenous


Axis offensive in the south also gains pace and my lines are ragged there as well. Doubt I can hold on to Stalingrad. I've lost Leningrad, if I lose Stalingrad and Moscow as well, it could be a real killer blow for the Soviets.


I retreat to a reasonably defensive line, being this late in Summer I don't expect the Germans to go for the oilfields. I also bring the Tank reserves in, they may be needed for counter-attacks before the snows arrive.


Still looking very empty in Italy. I guess my opponent doesn't want to divert focus yet from the '42 Russian offensive.

[thommo]

actually i had no troops to send to italy at all! i spend all my income to repair my units in russia, cant buy anything new, even if i send some troops i need my airforce in the east so they would be usless without air support at all

[massina_nz]

actually i had no troops to send to italy at all! i spend all my income to repair my units in russia, cant buy anything new, even if i send some troops i need my airforce in the east so they would be usless without air support at all

Indeed and I didn't have a particularly strong force in Italy, so you probalbly weren't overly worried. Guess you were waiting on Winter in Russia before sending the Luftwaffe back to the Med.

[thommo]

yup
finishing moscow and stalingrad got the priority over italy
but your endless supply of uk mechs make me take back a bomber then another then another and so on

[massina_nz]

Moscow and Stalingrad both just hold out, I'm desperate for Winter to arrive.



With teh Axis still hanging on to Libya, I've got to keep the CVs in the vicinity of Tobruk, when really they'd be better employed in Italy.


Speaking of Italy, it's still looking empty. What could a couple more UK units do there!


I move to liberate Norway, I'd like to base some STRs there to bomb Berlin in the Summer.


And at long last the invasion of Spain is ready to go. Next turn is the last guarranteed FAIR weather turn in Central Europe. There's quite a few MECH transports in the Atlantic ready to grind across Spain.

[massina_nz]

Things look pretty grim as the Axis juggernaut rolls on and Moscow falls.


I manage a counter-offensive to relieve Stalingrad, I also kill the Romanian FTr


The Axis forces counter-attack, which gives me an opportunity to ......

...destroy the Italian ARM unit.


Finally Italy begins to fill with defenders


The first turn of the Spanish invasion is very successful, twin TAC attacks destroy the Spanish Tank unit, so I’m able to attack Madrid and reduce it to 5 steps, next turn it should fall.

Bilbao taken, now it’s a race to the French frontier to cut off the rail link. I also blokaded the Spanish DD to stop it attacking my task force. I start building GARs to garrison Spain, and send the two Canadian GARs towards Spain.

So far it looks good.

[joerock22]

Bilbao taken, now it’s a race to the French frontier to cut off the rail link.

From your screenshot, it looks like the rail link from Spain to Europe has already been cut off, probably by an old partisan. But the Axis could reestablish it with a garrison marching from Bordeaux. I think you could have prevented any reinforcements by landing your easternmost mech 1 hex to the northeast of where it actually landed. Then a garrison from Bordeaux would have been unable to reestablish the link (because the key hex there is rough terrain), and the Spanish garrison would be no help because of your ZoC. Still, they should only get 1 turn in which to send reinforcements. Nice idea and execution of the Bilbao landing.

[massina_nz]

Bilbao taken, now it’s a race to the French frontier to cut off the rail link.

From your screenshot, it looks like the rail link from Spain to Europe has already been cut off, probably by an old partisan. But the Axis could reestablish it with a garrison marching from Bordeaux. I think you could have prevented any reinforcements by landing your easternmost mech 1 hex to the northeast of where it actually landed. Then a garrison from Bordeaux would have been unable to reestablish the link (because the key hex there is rough terrain), and the Spanish garrison would be no help because of your ZoC. Still, they should only get 1 turn in which to send reinforcements. Nice idea and execution of the Bilbao landing.

That's exactly what happened! Very perceptive. And the that's what the Axis player did next turn. But it actually benefited me in a wierd way. I'll post the next turn tomorrow.

Yes you suggested landing spot was a better idea, and so what if the MECH was only in naval supply for 1 turn.

[massina_nz]

As surmised before, the rail link is re-opened by the movement of a Spanish GAR and the Bordeaux GAR. And several German GARs are placed around Madrid. Guess this was all that there was available to the Germans; who's sole focus seems to be on Russia.



Despite this Madrid falls (a final forecast 6-0 attack actually came through and destroyed the remaining 6 GAR steps). By doing so I isolate 2 GARs and I don’t need to worry about the Spanish DDs intercepting my unescorted transports going to Italy. Neither do I have to worry about the Rail Link. Later moves show that France has been somewhat emptied of GARs to defend Spain.




Another FAIR weather turn in Russia and I'm on the ropes



However none of my Tanks in the south have been touched and they roll on and destroy a couple of INFs. And that damned 1-step panzer escapes



Italy is fast becoming a stalemate, and I can't wait until my 3 MECHs arrive in the next couple of turns.



Axis attacks in Libya seriously weaken my Tank unit



But I'm able to respond and destroy an INF unit. But this action is good for the Axis as I need to keep my CVs in Libya, rather than in Italy.

[massina_nz]

More FAIR weather everywhere, not good news for the eastern front for me.



Well there are a couple of GARs also in Spanish cities, could be annoying if I leave them there and they link up with partisans. A couple of INFs near Bordeaux also block my path. Last turn I had spotted that a few ports in France had been left empty (presumably gone to defend Spain). I thought there was only a small chance of FAIR weather. If I had gambled and sent some GAR transports from the UK next to those cities I would have gained an easy back-door route into France.




The Axis forces keep up the pressure on the Soviets destroying several more Russian units



I respond by destroying a couple of Untis with my Tank Group, it is ready for action when the Winter comes.



Casualties are high for both the Germans and the Russians. Manpower is an issue for the Russians, it must be for the Germans. In fact when I look at the INF units near Bordeaux they are of a lower quality.