[BnW, 1942 UK vs Yugo] 4 - Operation Beheading
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:14 am
SCENARIO 4
The die is cast: all the previous battles were but the necessary set-up for this one: the grandiose invasion of Budapest, the jewel of the south. With the Sofia-Budapest Lifeline cut at Vidin and enemy scrambling to supply its forces in Lower Bulgaria through the port, Budapest has become the keystone of the entire region. Taking it will mean victory, and the enemy knows it. The enemy thinks the attack through the eastern swamps is the main threat against the city, but our plans are much more ambitious: a naval landing directly west of the city.
It is a daring plan, made possible by the success of the Operation White Whale. The Australis Fleet will have to clear the way for the II Amphibious Army and its two Corps, survive the inevitable counterattack of all Yugoslavian naval forces in the area, and keep the supply convoys alive to feed the invasion.
20-21/8/1942
The plan is clear: use the Australis Fleet to escort the II Amphibious Army to the beaches between Dobrich and the village to the east. Heading directly toward Budapest is deemed too risky. The Fleet will sail ahead to intercept and deal with any threat that could hamper the landings, while the transports have been given the order to not stop for any reason. Speed is the key to success.
The first day sees the Fleet moving forward as planned, with a big concentration in the middle, but several problems arise shortly after: Yugoslavian Barracuda and Barracuda II Destroyers lash out at the flanks, while a Lignje submarine is spotted right in front of BB King Robert VII. The escort destroyers and some Unyielding Cruisers are sent to deal with the threats. Enemy Interceptor Wings fly over the fleet and spot our Carriers: immediately after, CAS Wings head straight for them. Fortunately I had already ordered the on-board Fighter Wings to take off and cover the ships, so the enemy assaults proved very costly.
22/8/1942
Yugoslavian Submarines and Destroyers unleash their torpedoes against BB King George VII and some Cruisers. Predictably, it’s the eastern flank of our formation that suffers the most attacks, but as a whole the fleet weathers the storm. Enemy CAS Wings redirect their attacks against the transport fleets, but with their Interceptors forced to go back to their airfields for lack of fuel, the slow unescorted CAS are bound to be fodder for our Fighters.
The intruding submarine that torpedoed King George VII is sunk, as well as a couple Destroyers. The other Yugoslavian ships are targeted and hit several times, but their agility saves them from a worse fate. Enemy CAS Wings are decimated.
The die is cast: all the previous battles were but the necessary set-up for this one: the grandiose invasion of Budapest, the jewel of the south. With the Sofia-Budapest Lifeline cut at Vidin and enemy scrambling to supply its forces in Lower Bulgaria through the port, Budapest has become the keystone of the entire region. Taking it will mean victory, and the enemy knows it. The enemy thinks the attack through the eastern swamps is the main threat against the city, but our plans are much more ambitious: a naval landing directly west of the city.
It is a daring plan, made possible by the success of the Operation White Whale. The Australis Fleet will have to clear the way for the II Amphibious Army and its two Corps, survive the inevitable counterattack of all Yugoslavian naval forces in the area, and keep the supply convoys alive to feed the invasion.
20-21/8/1942
The plan is clear: use the Australis Fleet to escort the II Amphibious Army to the beaches between Dobrich and the village to the east. Heading directly toward Budapest is deemed too risky. The Fleet will sail ahead to intercept and deal with any threat that could hamper the landings, while the transports have been given the order to not stop for any reason. Speed is the key to success.
The first day sees the Fleet moving forward as planned, with a big concentration in the middle, but several problems arise shortly after: Yugoslavian Barracuda and Barracuda II Destroyers lash out at the flanks, while a Lignje submarine is spotted right in front of BB King Robert VII. The escort destroyers and some Unyielding Cruisers are sent to deal with the threats. Enemy Interceptor Wings fly over the fleet and spot our Carriers: immediately after, CAS Wings head straight for them. Fortunately I had already ordered the on-board Fighter Wings to take off and cover the ships, so the enemy assaults proved very costly.
22/8/1942
Yugoslavian Submarines and Destroyers unleash their torpedoes against BB King George VII and some Cruisers. Predictably, it’s the eastern flank of our formation that suffers the most attacks, but as a whole the fleet weathers the storm. Enemy CAS Wings redirect their attacks against the transport fleets, but with their Interceptors forced to go back to their airfields for lack of fuel, the slow unescorted CAS are bound to be fodder for our Fighters.
The intruding submarine that torpedoed King George VII is sunk, as well as a couple Destroyers. The other Yugoslavian ships are targeted and hit several times, but their agility saves them from a worse fate. Enemy CAS Wings are decimated.