Don't Mention The War - Part 13 from Facebook

AUSGAME2022

1941 Nov – Dec, The Axis Year of Regret

S/O rebase, production and reinforcement - Italy denied 2 of its resources, Sardinia (no Convoy) and Pola (Yugoslav 2.4 Cav occupying the hex). Japan also losses access to several Resources due to Partisan activity. Germany is at a full build and with an abundance of oil, primarily being at peace with Russia and the short turns, declares a N/D lend to Italy of 6 Oil and 1 R to bring Italy’s build to full production. The CW welcomes the gift of 10 US build points and promptly finishes off 3 x KGV BS and repairs 2 x R Class BS.

Axis first impulse N/D – Axis loses the initiative and Japan demands a re-roll and rolls a definitive 10! [Edit - the rolls were 8/6 and then 10/10 with the Axis having a plus one to start and winning ties, so a hard won initiative] But in typical fashion for this game, having won the initiative Japan promptly rolls another 10 for bad weather in N/D (what else is new says the German always the snow) – highs and lows of WIF, all in the blink of an eye. Storms in the Artic, Snow in the Temp and Med and rain in the N Monsoon. Despite this roll and hoping for better weather next impulse – “hope is not a plan or a strategy - DS at Staff College” – Japan declares war on the CW and takes a naval and sends out invasion fleets out to S China Sea, threating NEI, Borneo, Malaya and Singapore. Other shipping fans out to protect the fleets to ensure presence, just in case the US makes DOW and attempts to interfere. Japanese surface and CVs fail to find CW Convs in the sea areas as both Rabaul and Singapore remain in supply. This Japanese action sees two chits go into the Japanese pool as the US Senate is incensed at this aggression. Japan occupies French Indo-China further aggravating the US Senate – another chit added to the pool. Japanese land-based air are rebased to the outer rim Islands. Germany takes a land, despite the freezing temperatures and eliminates the Yugoslav Div flank guard outside Belgrade and prepares to assault the capitol. Units are railed to the Russian border and 2 x 7 factor German Ftrs are sent South to the Med to bolster the Axis air power and rest control off the plucky CW. Italy takes a combined and send its subs hunting before allied escorts arrive in the 4 boxes. They find in the warm waters off the Mouths of the Amazon and sink 3 x Convs and abort 3 others, clearing the sea area for no loss – no other finds by the CW escorts or the subs in the other three sea areas. Italian land units move towards Pola to clear the Yugoslav Cav and retake the iron mines and its minor port. EOT advances by 3, +2 on the weather.

Allied 1st Impulse. USA in a surprise move by President and supported by the Majority of the Senate makes a DOW against Germany and rolls a 3 – the US is in the war (a 3 or less was needed – another nail in the Axis coffin) The US and the CW declare Naval Actions, Russia a no cost land. The US now active, sends reinforcements to Pearl, and in a Coupe de Main land a US Div in Rabaul interfering with Japanese invasion plans. CA’s escort Allied Convs in both the ETO and PTO and the first European reinforcements arrive in Gibraltar and the UK. The Yanks have arrived, smart uniforms, swagger, money and nylons. The first Ftr acft also debark in Gibraltar. The CW sends out its Conv escorts to multiple sea areas welcoming the arrival of US CA’s. The first British Corps vacates Greece as do four Transports which flee the E Med before they get trapped by Axis air. A small CW invasion force assembles in the 3 box in the Cape St Vincent – Portugal or Morocco -that is the question? Force Z drops into the 1 box in the E Med under the cover of massed CW air to protect an intercepted loaded transport from Greece. No subsequent finds. EOT advances by another 3, +2 on the weather

Axis 2nd Impulse – weather roll 8 +2 for another 10, no fine weather for the Axis and almost a guaranteed short turn. Japan, Italy and Germany take Land actions. Japan aborts the invasion of Singapore and lands in Malaya (historical) and invades Borneo capturing one of the oilfields. The Sino-Russian front is stabilised as HQs and acft head back down to resume the campaign against China now that the Burma Road is open, more acft are rebased. Germany launches their assault against Belgrade taking the city easily after a successful GS and a TOTT roll (+18.5 and an 11.1 rolled), Pola falls in a combined attack by German and Italian forces, returning the resource back to the Italians. Yugoslavia will be conquered and come under the Axis yoke of oppression for the next few years until liberated by the Soviet or CW forces. Further units are railed to the Russian front and the 2 x 7 factor Ftrs arrive in Sardinia shifting the balance of the air war into the Axis favour – 2 x 20s rolled in the first two A2A will fix that say the RAF Ftr pilots. EOT advances by 3, +2 on the weather, EOT roll for the Allies is a 4.

Allies 2nd Impulse – next session.

· BP - Build Point

· TOTT – Top of the table a 23 or more

· LOC – Line of Communications

· NCC - No Cost Combined – no oil used

· USE - US Entry

Churchill finally gets a solid night sleeping as the US enters the war

England is now safe

CW Invasion fleet off the Cape of St Vincent

Portugal or Morocco

Yugoslavia is conquered - this annoying distraction has it cost the Germans critical time

 we shall see

Force Z in the dangerous 1 box - covered by massed CW air.

The Japanese extend themselves hunting CW Convs

The PTO - Japan expands - but the bad weather hampers OFOPS

The Far East - too many options for the Japanese

Japan invades Borneo and Malaya - Singapore next

China starts to get interesting

The US is in the war - and lends a helping hand escorting the vital convoy lanes.

US Entry - needed a 3 or less for a DOW v Germany - nice roll by the US, a 3 it was.

Cretan Archers

These were a supplementary part of the recent massive Roman purchase.  All I've done is rebase them for Impetus.  They have already seen table top service as part of a Parthian force, which I thought worked out well as some of these Cretans are wearing trousers which seems a more Persian and less Greek thing.

War For The Union via Vassal August 1862

The Union call up 90,000 militia.  Rosecrans replaces Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac.

Hurlbut with his 20,000 men start their march to Fayetteville, AK.  A definite sideshow, but someone has to do it.

McCook delivers 10,000 men to Buell who is now safely entrenched and then goes on to take command of the troops at Bowling Green.

Grant and 80,000 men advance on the Confederate cavalry screen at Humboldt.  Fearing an overrun it retreats to Brownsville.  They retreat again as Grant now nears Memphis, but as they attempt to retire into the city Grant unleashes his cavalry.  It is a 2:1 encounter with a +1.  The die roll is a 4. Both sides lose 5,000 cavalry. Grant is able to advance and makes a second attack on Ft Pillow.  It is a 4:1 +1 with a die roll of 5 (oh dear).  The Confederates are wiped out, but the Union also take 5,000 casualties.  Grant narrowly avoids being wounded, but Logan is killed.  Grant captures Ft Pillow, but there is a question on advance after combat. A careful reading of the rules reveals that troops under the command of a leader may advance even if they didn't participate in the battle (the trick being Grant only used the necessary minimum of troops in the assault on Ft Pillow).

Lyon sends Thomas with 30,000 men in pursuit of Van Dorn.  He overruns him at Cumberland Ford.  It is a straight 4:1 and a die roll of 9 sees the Confederates lose 5,000 men, but Thomas gets to follow up and another 4:1 attack with a die roll of 7 has the Confederates wiped out, but with 5,000 Union casualties. Van Dorn is wounded.

Lyon starts to head to Bowling Green.

Over east, Porter and Hooker rest their troops and dig in, along with all the other forces there.

Franklin and 10.000 soldiers descend on Sabine City, TX.

Farragut tries his hand at bombarding Ft Jackson again.  The first bombardment creates a suppress level 2 which will be hard for the Confederates to remove as the fort is out of supply.  It is of no matter as subsequent bombardment eliminates the battery (a roll of a 10 with a +3 will do that).

Buckner is ordered to force march back to Memphis were his presence will at least give the Confederates parity with Grant.  Other troops are railed to cover Knoxville and Corinth.  The Army of the Tennessee digs in, happy that it is blocking the railway line that stops the Union railing troops directly to Grant.

Lee and Jackson make an attempt to cross the Potomac attacking the 40,000 troops dug in with McDowell.  It is a 1:1 attack with a +3.   The die roll is a 7.  Both sides lose 10,000 men, but the Union have to retreat.  The Confederates can cross, but that Army of the Potomac is ready to counterattack so they have to wait till they can get more troops up.  The Confederates have 1 fatigue and the Union 2.

The battle for the Potomac has begun.

The Union opens up a southern front.

The Union close in on Memphis.

War For The Union Via Vassal July 1862

Troops are sent to Hurlbut for the reconquest of Fayetteville.

Buell moves to Ft Donelson to relieve McCook who chases after the isolated Confederates with the help of some fresh troops which were ferried to him from Cairo.  The attack is 4:1.  The die roll is a 4.  The Confederates are wiped out, the Union receive a fatigue but no losses.

Foote collects three squadron of ironclads ready to confront the Confederate fleet on the Mississippi.

Grant moves to Columbus to gather reinforcements and rest (his force has 2 fatigue).

Lyon and the Army of the Tennessee uses 45,000 mean to attack Van Dorn's 15,000 at Lexington. The die roll is a 10.  Both sides lose 5,000 men, but the Confederates are driven out and suffer three fatigue.

Farragut has another go at Ft Jackson.  The first round sees the fort suppressed for no loss.  Farragut hammers away for another four rounds, but without effect.

Franklin can see he is no match for Early so sits tight in Jacksonville.

In the Shenandoah Valley Hooker force marches out, gaining 1 fatigue, but managing to block Jackson.  Porter moves back to Winchester. McDowell is reinforced and entrenches his 40,000 men.  More troops are rushed to Washington where the Army of the Potomac now has 110,000 men.

S D Lee hears that the Yankees are coming and heads to Little Rock to get more men.

Buckner takes 20,000 men from Memphis and attacks the Union forces at Corinth.  It is 4:1 with a +1.  The die roll is an 8.  The Union force is wiped out.

Confederate cavalry create a screen at Humboldt, giving time for A S Johnston to reorganise the Army of Mississippi at Memphis.

Polk limps into Nashville allowing Kirby Smith to take the Army of Tennessee out of Nashville and attack Buell.  It is a 1:1 attack with a +2.  The die roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.

Van Dorn forces marches his shattered troops back to Cumberland Ford.  They make it, but suffer more fatigue.

Lee, while continuing to gather troops, dispatches Longstreet to attack Porter at Winchester.  It is 1:1 with a +1, but at the last minute switches his command with Jackson making it a +2.  The die roll is 9, the man delivers again!  The Union are bundled out of Winchester losing 5,000 men and gaining 2 fatigue.

In other news New Orleans becomes a hive of industry with a battery starting construction along with some ships.

The grey steamroller is heading north

and has now reached the banks of the Potomac.

The Confederate strategy out west seems to be to delay.

War For The Union Via Vassal June 1862

Both sides launch new ship squadrons, but the Confederates get Lee, Longstreet and Stuart who form the Army of Virginia's command.

Out in the far west Hurlbut is sent along with a few reinforcements.  Sigel is recalled to Bowling Green.

Most Union troops in the west dig in, and rest, but 5,000 men in a bold move sail into Corinth.  Halleck moves towards Lexington.  However Grant does not rest.  He makes a 3:1 attack on Hardee at -1.  The die roll is a 4.  Both sides lose 5,000 men. The Confederates retreat gaining 2 fatigue while the Union gain 1.  Grant decides to hold put.

Franklin is sent to Jacksonville, taking command of the Union troops there.

Farragut takes the navy to the mouth of the Mississippi and attacks Ft Jackson. The first wave sees no hits scored by either side.  The second wave sees the fort supressed.  Enough movement remains for a third wave attack, but it is ineffective.

The Confederate navy gathers at Memphis.  Hardee digs in hoping for some reinforcements.  At Nashville Polk does the same.

Van Dorn is able to draw some supply from Lexington, but he needs help.

Early is sent with 15,000 men to cover Jacksonville.

Lee force marches to Manassas Junction, but he lets Jackson make the attack on McDowell's 30,000 blue coats.  It is 1:1 with a +2. The die roll is a 9. Both sides lose 5,000 men and the Union retreat gaining 2 fatigue.  Jackson makes a second attack, still 1:1 but with a +4 now.  The die roll is a 10!  Jackson is the man!  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue and lose 5,000 men.  The Union lose 10,000 and gain another 2 fatigue.

S D Lee attacks Fayetteville's remaining 5,000 defenders with his 10,000.  2:1 and die roll is a 4.  The Union force is wiped out, but the Confederates lose 5,000 men as well.  But the town is captured.

The Union are now under real threat in the East

Recruits and returning leaders means there is still a lot of fight in this theatre. 

June Interphase

The Union commission three new squadrons of ships and call up 90,000 militia.  Lyon and Thomas return from sick leave and take over from Halleck and Sigel.

Confederate supply is down 5: 1 for Corinth, 2 for Winchester, 1 for Jacksonville and 1 for the blockade of Norfolk (which is still successful even with the loss of Ft Monroe).  They have 116 in total.

The Confederates conduct a further recruitment.  They currently have 340,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry (not counting state militia).  They are able to recruit an additional 120,000 men.  A S Johnston returns from sick leave and takes over the Army of the Mississippi.  The Army of the Tennessee is created and command goes to newly arrived Kirby Smith, ably assisted by Forrest.

Atlanta is now a Key Industrial centre and the Confederacy now receive 5 additional resource points and now have 10.  They can now build ships.

War For The Union Via Vassal May 1862

The only reinforcements this month are single squadrons of ship for each side,

McCook and Buell are reinforced and the latter resupplied.  Halleck pulls back to Louisville having left his troops dug in at Lexington and Frankfort.  Sigel sneaks out to get some reinforcements.

Logan brings reinforcements to Grant who now has 90,000 men.  He attacks Bragg's 40,000. It is 2:1.  The die roll is a 2. Both sides lose 5,000 men.  Grant attacks again.  The roll is a 5.  Both sides lose 10,000 mean and gain 1 fatigue. Bragg is killed and Hardee takes over. On the Union side Curtis is killed.

McCook attacks the isolated Confederates. It is 4:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 6. Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Confederates retreat further north, but have 2 extra fatigue.  The Union receive a fatigue as well.

Over east Porter and Hooker attack Beauregard at New Market.  It is 3:1 with a -4.  The die roll is a 1. There are no losses, but the Union gain a fatigue.

Burnside attacks Early.  It is 2:1 with a -3.  The die roll is another 1.  The Confederates lose 10,000 men and gain 1 fatigue.  The Union lose the same, but have to retreat, gaining 2 fatigue. They retire to Washington in deep shame. 

In Missouri the Confederate S D Lee attacks again.  It is 1:1 Die roll of 4.  The Union lose 5,000 men, but still hold Fayetteville.

Van Dorn attacks Lexington.  It is 1:1 with a +1. Die roll 9. Both sides lose 5,000 mean.  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue.  The Union get 2 fatigue and retreat.  

Polk wants some of the gory and attacks McCook.  It is 1:1 with a +1.  Die roll is a 1.  Whoops!  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Union gain 1 fatigue, the Confederates have to retreat and gain 2 fatigue.

Hardee digs in.

The Confederate navy starts moving up the Mississippi. 

Jackson attempts to force march to Culpepper, but he rolls a 10 which is not so good when force marching.  He stops in Gordonsville for a rest.  Troops marshal in Richmond.  Early holds position.

The tide maybe be turning against the Union in the east

And in the west it remains in the balance.

War For The Union via Vassal April 1862

The winter has passed.

Logan goes back to Columbus, TN, to get more troops which have been ferried there. Grant rests his army, but also takes time to clear the railways that lead back to Kentucky. Buell rests his men 

McCook cross the Cumberland and attacks the Rebels at Ft Donelson.  It is 2:1 with a -1.  The die roll is a 7. The Confederates avoid taking any losses, but gain two fatigue and retreat into the woods.  McCook's victory has cost 5,000 causalities and 1 fatigue.

Halleck takes the Army of the Ohio to Frankfort and calls back the troops from Cumberland Gap to help defend Kentucky.  20,000 troops are railed to Louisville to assist.

Hooker starts a careful advance down the Shenandoah, backed up by Porter who arrives with another 30,000 men.  Burnside, reinforced by fresh troops from Washington attacks J E Johnston for the Fourth Battle of Manassas Junction.  It is 2:1 with a -3.  The die roll is a 5. Both sides lose 5,000 casualties J E Johnston is wounded and replaced by Early. Burnside dodges a bullet. Mead and McDowell are unscathed. 

The Union decide to fortify their bases at Beaufort and Jacksonville.  Farragut collects his navy off Jacksonville, undecided about what to do.

Jackson leaves 10,000 men to rebuild Ft Monroe and heads back to Richmond.  As does Magruder.

Reinforcements are sent to Early.

Van Dorn moves down the Cumberland Gap.  Cavalry are sent from Nashville to aid his invasion of Kentucky.

Polk takes 30,000 men from Nashville and attacks Buell.  It is 3:2. The die roll is a 10.  Both sides lose 5,000 men.  The Union have to retreat and go further up the Tennessee gaining 2 fatigue.  The Confederates gain 1 fatigue.

Bragg moves out with 40,000 men to confront Grant as reinforcements are railed to Memphis.

S D Lee attempts to retake Fayetteville, AK.  It is 1:1 with a +2.  The die roll is a 3.  Nothing happens.

The West is still very fluid.

Note the isolated Confederates north west of Nashville.

The Union are having a hard time making any progress.

Things will get interesting once the Confederates can get the Army of Virginia assembled.