The latest mission for general Bertorelli was straightforward - capture Troyes and a few other towns along the Marne river. The French resistance was getting weaker with each day, so despite no longer working together with Rommel, this should be an easier task than all the encounters so far. However, High Command also wanted the general to investigate the situation around Neufchateau. Recon planes brought news of a strange concentration of forces in the area, so it was imperative to first check that location to prevent a flanking counterattack.
Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 8138
New Equipment Provided:
1º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - OS11 - AB 40
Italian forces finally replaced their armored cars that still remembered the Great War. The new AB 40 was fast, reliable, well armed and decently armored, so it covered all the needs of a modern recon vehicle.
Starting Army Composition:
Infantry
1. Lövészzászlóalj - HU - OS16 - HU Infantry (Opel Blitz) - ** - László Duska
2. Lövészzászlóalj - HU - OS16 - HU HW Inf (Opel Blitz) - *
1. Műszaki Ezred - HU - HU Engineers (Opel Blitz) - *
1. Pontonos Hidász Ezred - HU - OS17 - HU Bridge Eng (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 1 Infanterie - RO - OS16 - RO Infantry (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 2 Infanterie - RO - OS16 - RO HW Inf (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 1 Geniu - RO - RO Engineers (Opel Blitz) - *
Tank
1. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - Panzer 38(t)A - ** - Steamroller
2. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 38M Toldi I - ** - Steamroller
3. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 35M L3/35
Batalionul 1 de Tancuri - RO - OS11 - R1 - ** - Steamroller
Batalionul 2 de Tancuri - RO - OS11 - R2 - ** - Steamroller, Survivor
Batalionul 3 de Tancuri - RO - OS11 - T-38 - * - Steamroller
Recon
1. Felderítő Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 39M Csaba - ***
Batalionul 1 de Cavalerie Blindat - RO - OS11 - OA vz.30 - *** - Survivor
Anit-Tank
1. Páncéltörő Zászlóalj - HU - OS12 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (Opel Blitz)
2. Páncéltörő Zászlóalj - HU - OS12 - 47mm FRC (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 1 de Tunuri Anticar - RO - OS12 - 37mm Bofors (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 2 de Tunuri Anticar - RO - OS12 - 47mm Schneider (Opel Blitz)
Artillery
1. Tüzérosztály - HU - 150mm Bofors (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
2. Tüzérosztály - HU - 105mm 37M (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
3. Tüzérosztály - HU - OS11 - 80mm 18M (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 1 Artilerie - RO - 150mm model 1934 (Opel Blitz) - * - Skilled Support
Batalionul 2 Artilerie - RO - 105mm model 1913 (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 3 Artilerie - RO - OS11 - 75mm model 1897 (Opel Blitz) - *
Anti-Aircraft
1. Légvédelmi Zászlóalj - HU - 88mm 29/38M (Opel Blitz)
2. Légvédelmi Zászlóalj - HU - OS12 - 40mm Bofors (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 1 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS12 - 25mm Hotchkiss (Opel Blitz) - *
Batalionul 2 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS11 - 75mm Vickers/Resita (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 3 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS12 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (Opel Blitz)
Fighter
1/1. Vadászszázad - HU - Bf 109E - **
1/2. Vadászszázad - HU - Re.2000 - *
Escadrila 1 Vanatoare - RO - OS11 - He 112 - *
Escadrila 2 Vanatoare - RO - Bf 109E - *
Escadrila 3 Vanatoare - RO - OS11 - Bf 110C - *
Tactical Bomber
1/1. Bombázószázad - HU - Ca.135 - *
Escadrila 1 Bombardment - RO - JRS-79 - *
Strategic Bomber
1/2. Bombázószázad - HU - OS12 - Ju 86 - **
1/3. Bombázószázad - HU - OS12 - Do 17Z - * - Survivor
Escadrila 2 Bombardment - RO - OS11 - PZL 37B Łoś
Reserve
1º Reggimento Fanteria - IT - OS16 - IT Infantry (Truck) - **
2º Reggimento Fanteria - IT - IT HW Inf (Truck) - * - Survivor
1º Reggimento Genio Guastatori - IT - IT Engineers (Truck) - * - Survivor
1º Reggimento Genio Pontieri - IT - OS17 - IT Bridge Eng (Truck)
1º Reggimento di Cavalleria - IT - OS16 - IT Cavalry - *
1º Reggimento Paracadutisti - IT - OS16 - IT Paratroops - ** - Edorado Sala
1º Reggimento Alpini - IT - OS16 - Alpini
1º Reggimento Bersaglieri - IT - OS16 - Bersaglieri (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 2 Geniu - RO - OS17 - RO Bridge Eng (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 1 Vânători de Munte - RO - OS16 - RO Mnt Inf
1 Pekhoten Batal’on - BG - OS16 - BG Infantry (Opel Blitz) - *
1 Konen Batal’on - BG - OS16 - BG Cavalry - * - Nikola Mutafchiev
I Batallón de Infantería - ES - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Teodoro Palacios Cueto
II Batallón de Infantería - ES - OS16 - Regulares (Opel Blitz)
I Batallón de Caballería - ES - OS16 - ES Cavalry
Jalkaväkirykmentti 1 - FI - OS16 - FI Infantry (Opel Blitz)
Pioneeripataljoona 1 - FI - FI Engineers (Opel Blitz)
1. pechotný prápor - SK - OS16 - SK Infantry (Opel Blitz)
1. ženijný prápor - SK - SK Engineers (Opel Blitz)
1º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - M13/40 - ** - Steamroller, Luigi Arbib Pascucci
2º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - L6/40 - * - Steamroller, Survivor
3º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - L3/35 Lf - * - Steamroller
4º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - Somua S35
1 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - Panzer 38(t) - *
2 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - Panzer 35(t) - *
3 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - L3/33
I Batallón de Carros de Combate - ES - OS11 - Trubia - ** - Steamroller
II Batallón de Carros de Combate - ES - OS11 - Verdeja 2 - ** - Steamroller
I Panssaripataljoona - FI - OS11 - T-26 - * - Survivor, Reino Lehväslaiho
II Panssaripataljoona - FI - OS11 - BT-5
1. tankový prápor - SK - OS11 - LT vz.35
1º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - OS11 - AB 40 - *** - Tommaso Lequio di Assaba
2º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - Sahariana
1 Razuznavatelen Batal’on - BG - OS11 - SdKfz 222 - ***
I Batallón de Automóviles Blindados - ES - OS11 - UNL-35 - ***
Ratsuväkiprikaati 1 - FI - OS11 - BA-6 - *
1. mechanizovaný prápor - SK - OS11 - OA vz.30 - **
1º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - OS11 - L 40 da 47/32
1º Battaglione Cannoni Controcarro - IT - OS12 - 47/32 M35 (Truck) - *
1 Protivotankov Batal’on - BG - OS12 - 37mm 36M (Opel Blitz)
I Batallón de Antitanques - ES - OS12 - 37mm Bofors (Opel Blitz)
Kenttätykistörykmentti 1 - FI - OS12 - 37mm Bofors (Opel Blitz)
Kenttätykistörykmentti 2 - FI - OS12 - 25mm SA 34 (Opel Blitz)
1. protitankový prápor - SK - OS12 - 3,7 cm KPÚV vz.37 (Opel Blitz)
1º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - 149mm 149/19 (Lancia 3Ro) - *** - Skilled Support, Giuseppe D'Amico
2º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - 105mm 105/28 (Lancia 3Ro) - ** - Lorenzo Matiotti
3º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75/32 M37 (Truck) - ** - Skilled Support
4º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75mm 75/27 (Truck) - ** - Skilled Support
1 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - 12 cm M.1909 (Opel Blitz) - *
2 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - 10.5 cm M.1935 (Opel Blitz) - *
3 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - OS11 - 7.5 cm M.1904 (Opel Blitz) - *
I Batallón de Artillería de Campaña - ES - 122mm M10/30 (Opel Blitz) - **
II Batallón de Artillería de Campaña - ES - 105mm Vickers M22 (Opel Blitz) - **
1. delostrelecký prápor - SK - 150mm vz.25 (Opel Blitz) - *
2. delostrelecký prápor - SK - 100mm Škoda vz.14/19 (Opel Blitz)
3. delostrelecký prápor - SK - OS11 - 75mm vz.15 (Opel Blitz)
1º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - 90/53 M41C (Lancia 3Ro)
2º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS12 - Breda 20/65 M35 (Truck)
3º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS11 - 75/46 C.A. M34 (Lancia 3Ro)
1 Protivovŭzdushna Batal’on - BG - OS12 - 2 cm FlaK 30 (Opel Blitz)
2 Protivovŭzdushna Batal’on - BG - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (Opel Blitz)
I. Ilmatorjuntapatteri - FI - OS12 - 2 cm FlaK 38 (Opel Blitz)
II. Ilmatorjuntapatteri - FI - OS12 - 40 mm Bofors (Opel Blitz)
1. protilietadlový prápor - SK - OS12 - 20mm VKPL vz.36 (Opel Blitz)
2. protilietadlový prápor - SK - 83.5mm Škoda vz.22 (Opel Blitz)
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 1 - IT - OS11 - CR.42 Falco - ** - Mario Visintini
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 2 - IT - D.520 - *
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 3 - IT - MC.200 Saetta - * - Adriano Visconti
1/3. Vadászszázad - HU - OS11 - CR.42
1 Iztrebitelen Polk 1 Yato - BG - D.520 - *
1º Grupo de Caza 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - I-16 - *** - Joaquin Garcia Morato
Hävittäjälentolaivue 1 - FI - OS11 - G.50 - Ilmari Juutilainen
Hävittäjälentolaivue 2 - FI - OS11 - Fokker D.XXI - *
Hävittäjälentolaivue 3 - FI - M.S.406
1º Gruppo Bombardamento Veloce Sq 1 - IT - OS11 - Breda Ba.65 - *** - Giuseppe Cenni
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 1 - IT - SM.79 - **
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 2 - IT - Ca.135 - **
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 3 - IT - Fiat BR.20 - *
1º Gruppo Ricognizione Sq 1 - IT - OS12 - IMAM Ro.37 - **
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 1 Yato - BG - OS11 - PZL.43 - **
1º Grupo de Apoyo 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - Hs 123a
Pommituslentolaivue 1 - FI - OS11 - Fokker C.X
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 4 - IT - CANT Z.1007 - * - Survivor
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 2 Yato - BG - OS12 - Do 17Z
1º Grupo de Bombardeo 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - He 111H2
Highlights
Bigger part of the army is deployed near the Aisne river and is ready to cross it, while a much smaller force attempts to attack the Marne river bridges.
Thanks to fast vehicles, some part of the French defensive formations is immediately cut off from the rest of their troops.
General Bertorelli continues his approach trapping even more French soldiers. The defenses on the other side of the Aisne river are basically split in half and unable to rely on each other.
After a longer while, the same happens to the Marne river defenders. French forces seem to be limited and do not have any reinforcements incoming, so trapping the few units in the area turns out to be easier than the general expected.
After moving further south, multiple French planes try to bombard the advancing troops, but the general is well prepared for any potential air raids, with tons of AA artillery covering the advance.
Some of these heavier FlaK guns prove extremely useful soon, as Bertorelli once more encounters de Gaulle, this time assisted by a unit of monstrously giant tanks. They are however quite slow and rather thinly armored for their size, but are armed to the teeth.
Axis army advances in tight formation and tries to trap any French tanks that stray from the main formation, picking them off one by one.
The grasp around Neufchateau tightens, and while losses in tanks combat are high, the Axis inevitably advance, forcing the enemy into a rather poor situation. The fact that infantry in the city remains passive helps the approach.
In the end, even de Gaulle's elite unit finally falls victim to the great stopping power of the 8.8 cm artillery. In the meantime the approach towards Troyes only encounters minimal resistance and the town is captured easily.
Summary:
Final Prestige: 9726 (up 1588)
Overall:
With yet another loss, the French situation was getting desperate. They still had a large army mobilized, but it was scattered, ineffective and unable to coordinate any major operations. It was clear that the enemy will soon ask for peace, so general Bertorelli was recalled from the front line for the time being. With how well the campaign went Germany convinced the Axis nation to try the unthinkable and start operation Seelöwe. Initially only thought of as a wild attempt, this was now possible with Italians and other allies providing the necessary transport vessels secretly moved down the Rhine, Elbe and Oder rivers. This covered the transport needs Germans lacked and the Axis also supported the Luftwaffe significantly. While British control of the Giblartar made assisting Kriegsmarine impossible, the element of surprise could allow the landing to succeed. Of course there was strong pressure on Spain to take over Gibraltar, but it seemed that the Spanish were not going to involve anything more than the Blue Division in any operations, as they were in no shape to risk more after the civil war, their economy was too dependent on international trade at the moment. Still, high command was eager to try this crazy plan out despite its shortcomings.
