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Post subject: The Manthofens War thread - 1939
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September 1939
German Attack at Poland
Its the Start of World War I in Europe, Germany attacks Poland and tries to subdue all resistance as soon as possible. Poland wants to hold out until her Allies England and France relief her by attacking Germany.
Game length 12 turns. Polish goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, German goal, kill all Polish units.
Map – Configuration 1 from the Base Set Rulebook – Half and Half – Poland sets up at the east HALF of the map. Germans within 5 hexes from the left Border.
Units (losses in brackets)
POLAND
13x Polish Mauser (13)
11x Cavalrymen (11)
2x 7TPdw (2)
Renault R-35 (1)
2x Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I (2)
2x 40mm Bofors (2)
4x Barbed Wire (1)
2x Tank Obstacle (2)
GERMANY
2x sGrW 81mm Mortar (1)
2x 7.5cm leIG 18
16x Mauser Kar 98k (3)
2x Pioniers (1)
3x SS-Stormtroopers (1)
2x Fallschirmjäger (not dropped)
3x 20mm Flak 38 (1)
3x Kübelwagen
2x Elite Panzer IV Ausf. D
4x SdKfz 251 (2)
Messerschmitt Me 110 (1)
Messerschmitt Bf 109E
Poland set up occupying all available cover terrain on its side of the map. Fortifying the positions with a few Obstacles. Germany positions its troops as far forward as possible to get into melee soon.
Both sides deployed their planes early, but antiaircraft fire disrupted all but the Bf-110. This plane managed to disrupt a Bofors. Poland – going first – tried to secure the southern woods on Germanys side of the map to further delay the German onslaught. Unfortunately the Polish Cavalry ran into a SS-detachment and all Horsemen were killed – no cover roll was made. Accurate Panzer fire destroyed also Polands single R-35. As the battle went on German Pioneers successfully removed some Obstacles, so the Panzers and Sd Kfzs could roll forward. At turn 3 of 5 polish strongpoints 3 were erased and the Germans confidently prepared to take out the last two. Turn 3 also saw the demise of the Polish Airforce and also the Luftwaffe took some losses. During turn 4 and 5 Poland had some success by taking out some of the forward German Elements, but Germany could fully utilize its superior numbers to kill almost all remaining Polish troops. Turn 6 finally saw the complete destruction of the Polish Army.
Poland never seemed to be able to make a Cover roll 222while Germany had some really great attack rolls. For example a disrupted Mauser killed a Polish Soldier in cover at mid range. The great rolls enabled the Germans to let some units move during the attack phase, so this was a real “blitz”.
Conclusion – history repeated itself. France and England will try to build up a sizeable force before they will attack Germany. Russia will snatch East Poland while Germany will try to build some ships to force England to invest into a bigger fleet.
Oktober 1939
Russia takes East Poland (with some help from their German Friends)
Russia takes its prize for the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pakt. Germany wants to make sure that All Polish Units are destroyed and deploys a small army group.
Game length 12 turns. Polish goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, Russian/German goal, kill all Polish units.
Map – Configuration 2 from the Base Set Rulebook – Knife Fight – Russia sets up within 5 hexes of the east (right) border of the map, Germans within 5 hexes from the left Border, Poland between them.
Units (losses in brackets)
POLAND
12x Polish Mauser (12)
6x Cavalrymen (6)
GERMANY
1x sGrW 81mm Mortar
2x 7.5cm leIG 18
5x Mauser Kar 98k (2)
2x SS-Stormtroopers (2)
RUSSIA
16x Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 (5)
2x Commissar
2x Cossack Cavalrymen (2)
3x 82mm PM-37 Mortar
3x Maxim M1910 MG
It was a short and bloody fight. After turn 4 it was over. Poland knew it had no chance, so the desperate remnants of an once proud army tried to take as many enemies with them as possible. Prime target for the Polish Cavalry were the German SS-Troops – in the end it was 6 Cavalry and 2 Stormtroopers dead. The Wehrmacht secretly congratulated the Polish commanders. Both sides lost their Cavalry, so the high commands of all nations decided to abandon Cavalry-units except for light Recon Duty.
While The UK could not afford to attach Germany with Ground forces some RAF Bomber Squadrons made a sortie into Germany proper – surprising the ill prepared antiair units and even achieved to do some damage to the German industry. – the next German buys will surely include some AA-Guns.
Meanwhile the UK tries to secure the sea lanes as the UK is very dependant on the sea trade for income. Some Task Forces set out to wipe out German raiders throughout the Atlantic Ocean. In the following 3 battles UK has the objective either to clear the convoy lanes from German raiders or sail at least one Auxiliary across the map (Sea map without Islands)
Battle for the Mid Atlantic Convoy Lanes
UK
5x SS Jeremiah O’Brien (1)
3x HMS Ajax (1)
4x HMS Javelin (2)
Germany
Admiral Graf Spee (1)
U-510 (R)
U-66 (1)
Z-18 Hans Lüdemann (1)
Z-20 Karl Galster (1)
The German Raiders tried to break through the UK Cruiser and Destroyer Shield, but as it seems the Gun crews are not very good. After failing some important shots the Graf Spee takes a heavy pounding from the three UK Cruisers. Only after being Crippled herself the Spee manages to hit the HMS Ajax. U-66 finishes off the Cruiser, but next turn a J-Class manages to sing the Sub. The Z20 manages to break through the UK defensive line and sing one Cargo Ship, but 3 J-Classes coordinate their fire and Sink the Z-20. Z18 and Graf Spee try to retreat, but being crippled the UK Ships are faster and kill of the two last surface ships. The Kapitän of U-510 wisely decides to run and fight another day.
It’s a great victory for the Commonwealth as raw material and finished products from the US start to flow into England.
Battle for the North Atlantic Convoy Lanes
UK
6x SS Jeremiah O’Brien (6R)
HMS Ajax (1)
HMS Kent (1)
4x HMS Javelin (4)
Germany
Karlsruhe (R)
U-510
U-66
Nordmark (1)
Z-20 Karl Galster (1)
2x S-Boat (2)
In a bold move the Kriegsmarine detachment sends the S-boats against the British Destroyer group. The long range (3) gunnery of Nordmark and Karlsruhe hit two of the J-Class and the guns and torpedoes of the S-Boats also strike home. This leaves the Royal navy soon with only one Destroyer left for ASW duty. Both S-boats are sunk, but that was expected by the Kriegsmarine. The Royal Navy decides to retreat the cargo ships to safe Canadian port – abandoning this Convoy. But the Cruisers and remaining Destroyers move into range to fire at Karlsruhe and Nordmark. After both subs could not hit the broad side of a barn, the Nordmark and Karlsruhe got hit, only the Z-20 Karl Galster saved the round for Germany by hitting the last J-Class. The Kriegsmarine - having achieved the goal of denying England much needed raw materials – decided to retreat her surface ships and letting her subs try to sink the rest of the Royal Navy ships. Unfortunately the Nordmark failed three slow rolls in a line and took heavy fire from the UK Cruisers. Needless to say Nordmark and her company the Z-20 got sunk. While the Karlsruhe escaped after finishing off the last J-Class. But now disaster struck the Royal Navy – After 3 turns with no torpedo hit, both U-66 and U-510 scored an hit at the cruisers. Needless to say the croisers did not make it off board.
Battle for the Carribean Convoy Lanes
UK
HMS Ajax (R)
HMS Exeter (R)
4x HMS Javelin (4)
Germany
3x U-510 (1)
Z-20 Karl Galster (1)
Being far from the main convoy lanes this was only a small skirmish. Basically the J-Class went Sub-hunting while the Cruisers fired at the German Destroyer. A few torpedo rolls later all 4 UK Destroyers were down for the loss of only a German sub and a crippled Destroyer. Ajax and Exeter both tried to avoid the Subs and finished off the limping away Z-20. Afterwards the Cruisers sailed away to fight another day.
Hearing of the results of this battle the first Sea Lord ordered a bunch of carriers built to meet the German submarine threat. Out of 7 Submarines only 2 were sunk, so Destroyers do not seem to be a match for Wolfpack submarines. Maybe carrier based Torpedo Bombers will be the answer….
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 Wed May 06, 2009 2:29 pm |
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"My dear general, the war can now only be won by the politicians." Von Rundstedt to Kurt Meyer.
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| Wed May 06, 2009 6:03 pm |
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November 1939
Russia invades Finland.
Game length 12 turns. Finnish goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, Russian goal, kill all Finnish units.
Map – Configuration 3 from the Base Set Rulebook – High Ground – Russia sets up on the two roads entering from the East, Finnish Troops anywhere on the map – expect on hexes whit Russian units on them.
Units (losses in brackets)
FINNLAND
17x Finnish Infantry (10)
4x Finnish MG-Team (1)
5x Finnish Officer (1)
4x Barbed Wire – captured by Russia
1x Tank Obstacle – captured by Russia
RUSSIA
2x BA-10M (2)
2x BT-7 (2)
2x ZIS-5 3 ton (2)
9x Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 (3)
2x Commissar (2)
3x Soviet GRenadier (3)
3x Degtyarev DP-27 (2)
3x Maxim M1910 MG (3)
Finland decided to concentrate its forces along the Southern road – building an ambush zone along the road. Remaining forces were spread out over the northern approach and cover terrain – especially the MGs were used as long range harassment. The ambush worked well and Russia lost a BT-7 on turn 1. Due to bad cover rolls both sides lost considerable infantry too. The Russians alone lost 2 MG teams. One armoured car broke through on the southern road, while on the northern road a tank, Armoured Car and the truck made it halfway across the map. Turn 2 saw a continued fierce battle in the ambush zone. The truck got 2 hits, but Russian infantry crossed the barbed wire defence with lucky movement rolls. The armoured car on the southern road got disrupted. But the real disaster happened on the northern road. First the armoured car was stopped by defensive fire then the MG team got lucky and also disrupted the BT-7 in the same hex. And a Finnish Soldier managed to get 2 successes on a half loaded truck with only 2 dice. The Russians realised at this point that they would not reach their objective – command dependent troops without commanders and with no more MGs to support, so they decided to focus on the two patches of cover terrain and wait for reinforcements due in December 1939. The Finnish troops having no interest to continue the fight also stayed in cover. Over turn 5-8 some shots were traded, but the fight ceased afterwards with no more targets.
This month the British air raids over Germany were unsuccessful.
Germany repaired last months damage to its industry and reinforced its AA guns., Finland build another Infantry unit. UK built a carrier and Netherlands-Belgium, Norway and Denmark built Infantry.
On the open sea both fleets reconfigured, but no battle happend.
December 1939
Russia still tries to defeat Finland Finland.
Game length 12 turns. Finnish goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, Russian goal, kill all Finnish units.
Map – Configuration 3 from the Base Set Rulebook – High Ground – units leftover from the previous months stay where they ended last month – Russian reinforcements set up on the two roads entering from the East
Units (losses in brackets)
FINNLAND
7x Finnish Infantry (7)
3x Finnish MG-Team (3)
4x Finnish Officer (4)
RUSSIA
2x BT-7 (2)
ZIS-5 3 ton
3x 82mm PM-37 Mortar (1)
Red Army Forward Observer (1)
9x Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 (6)
3x Commissar (1)
3x Soviet Grenadier (3)
3x Degtyarev DP-27 (2)
4x Barbed Wire – captured by Russia
1x Tank Obstacle – captured by Russia
Finland tried again to use its MG to prevent the Soviets from advancing. At first this proved the best strategy. Heavy Soviet losses (including again the tanks that the Soviets had so much hope in). almost let the assault falter. But at least the Mortars started to take their toll. Soon the MGs were dead and the infantry got in reach of the Finnish positions. But not all was lost at this moment, but a streak of missed shots turned the tide against the brave Finnish soldiers. Within two turns most were dead or disrupted, so they could not flee. And after a hard battle the soviet army claimed victory.
This month the British air raids over Germany again damaged Germanys industry while the anti air guns could not shoot down a single bomber.
France built a Battleship (required by rule), UK built a transport and a destroyer.
On the open sea both fleets reconfigured, but no battle happened.
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Lieber eine flotte Rote als die rote Flotte! |
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| Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:18 am |
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January 1940
Germany invades Denmark
Game length 12 turns. Danish goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, German goal, kill all Danish units.
Map – Configuration 4 from the Base Set Rulebook – Urban Combat
Units (losses in brackets)
DENMARK
5x MAS 7.5mm Rifle (5)
Bold Captain (1)
Lebel 86M93 Grenadier (1)
French Alpine Troop (1)
Hotchkiss MG-Team (1)
4x Barbed Wire – captured by Germany
GERMANY
3x Mauser Kar 98k
Elite Panzer IV Ausf. D
2x Sd Kfz 251 (2)
Disciplined Spotter (1)
Light Mortar (1)
sGrW 34 81 mm Mortar
20mm Flak 38
The fight was quick and dirty.
The Danish defenders set up at the northern town (representing Kopenhagen). Germany moved its vehicles into place and started to bombard the Danish troops with the Mortars and MG-Fire from the 251. Fife turns later (turn 7) all was over. The Lebel killed a 251 a second (with a light Mortar) was Close Assaulted. The Spotter was prime target, but while he was there the important (Commander/MG + Alpine Troop) were already dead.
Germany invades Norway
Game length 12 turns. Norwegian goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, German goal, kill all Norwegian units.
Map – Configuration 5 from the Base Set Rulebook – Hill 107
Units (losses in brackets)
NORWAY
12x Bren Machine Gunner (12)
2x Royal Engineers (2)
2x Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I
GERMANY
Panzer IV Ausf. E
Panzer III Ausf. F
Nebelwerfer 42
7.5cm leIG18 (1)
3x Fallschirmjäger (1)
2x Me 110 (1)
2x Mauser Kar 98k (1)
Disciplined Spotter (1)
Flammenwerfer
Pioneers
Grizzled Veterans
BMW R75
Messerschmitt Ace (1)
The Norwegian Defenders were allowed to setup anywhere on the Map, the Germans had to enter from the eastern edge. The Brens scattered and occupied as much cover terrain as possible near the eastern map edge. The engineers were held in reserve to kill vehicles that tried to break through. In the first turn all planes were deployed. The Norwegian planes got lucky and downed the Messerschmitt Ace while being only disrupted in return. One Me was also disrupted while the other completely missed its intended target. The German troops tried to clear some terrain and use their artillery from range to kill the Bren gunners. Unfortunately for then Norwegian Defenders the Germans decided to go first each turn. Dropped Fallschirmjäger and a spawned Hero encircled (with the other Germans) the Defenders. The Luftwaffe saw their worst day so far also a Me 110 was downed by concentrated Bren fire. Despite some lucky cover rolls on Norwegian side the Germans won – maybe Brens are not so good weapons, they did not hit the broad side of a barn. But the Tanks and Fallschirmjäger did all the work on the German side. Luckily the Royal Norwegian Airforce was able to retreat their planes to Britain – they will fight another day.
German raid on Scapa Flow!
The Kriegsmarine had to cover the German attack on Norway (a transport fleet with Soldiers, Artillery and tanks was going to Norway, Paras were also dropped from Junkers bombers).
Scharnhorst (1 damage)
Admiral Graf Spee
2x S-boot
3x U-510 (2)
2X U-66
HMS Warspite
HMS Hood
3x HMS Javelin (3)
In the early hours of the new Year lookouts on the Orkneys saw two unfamilias ships approaching the harbour of Scapa Flow. What they did not see was a small armada of submarines. And some Torpedoboats that kept to the coast of the islands were also not spotted. Alarm sounded and HMS Warspite and the Hood protected by a destroyer screen of 3 J-class prepared to meet the enemy – which was identified as Scharnhorst and Graf Spee (it seems reports of her demise in the South Atlantic were false  ). Soon the Destroyers sounded alarm – periscopes ahead. The Warspite opened up at long distance and scored a hit on Scharnhorst. The Destroyers dropped depth charges and soon oil floated on the sea between the islands. But then two of the Destroyers were hit by torpedoes and went down with all hands. The British battleships decided to wait and hope that the last destroyer would manage to take out the remaining sub (s?). Also the German ships sought the cover of the islands as distance was to great for them to open up. While the Javelin was trying to close to the remaining subs, suddenly two S-Boats closed in and fired their guns and torpedo tubes. Thinking of them as the lesser threat the javelin again dropped depth charges – this time hitting nothing. But the poor destroyer was doomed as one of the S-boats torpedoes hit. It was a dark day for the Royal Navy – it had to abandon their most important base to two – inferior – German ships, because they no longer could counter the German submarines.
Convoy action in the North Atlantic
3x HMS Javelin (1 + 1 crippled)
3x SS Jeremiah O’Brien
3x Swordfish Mk II (launched from a far away carrier – treated like land based planes)
1x HMS Kent
2x U-66 (2)
2x U-510 (2)
Z18 Hans Lüdemann (1)
A quick action against German raiders too place in the northern Atlantic – A British Convoy from Canada on its way to Scotland was spotted by the Lüdemann on patrol duty. A Wolfpack was quickly formed and the Convoy attacked. But this time the Commonwealth was prepared. A patrolling carrier (some say it was the Ark, but not confirmed) launced its planes and the submarines were hit and eventually sunk with the help of the convoy Destroyers. A lucky hit also was inflicted on one of the Destroyers, but this time the UK losses were light and the Convoy rout again save.
A few hundred miles further south a small convoy (3x Jeremiah O’Brian, 1x HMS Javelin) was intercepted by a pair of lurking submarines (2x U-510) The javelin noticed the periscopes and hit one of the subs which immediately surfaced after a hit from depth charges. But the other scored a lucky torpedo hit from far away. Without destroyer protection the transport vessels were easy victims.
A few miles west of Gibraltar merchant ships reported periscope sightings and an ad hoc task force went sub hunting (HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and 10 Destroyers). They found and destroyed a Wolfpack preparing to take orders from a messenger S-boat.
But not only the Army (in Norway) and Navy had their black days in January 1940. Also the Royal Air Force received a bitter defeat. On their way to Hamburg two British Bomber groups were annihilated by heavy German flak fire.
Intelligence reports showed that the Germans were further improving their air defense (1 strategic flak unit) and that Germany was trying to challenge the Royal Navy (1 BB built). The Baltic States are calling in their reserve troops fearing that Russia might attack them like Finland. Norway also tried to improve its defense, but the fresh troops came too late and were evacuated to Britain. The Canadian received a new Destroyer. And both - the Netherlands and Belgium are preparing for the months to come and are activating reserve units.
What will Germany do next?
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Lieber eine flotte Rote als die rote Flotte! |
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| Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:34 am |
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| Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:47 pm |
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February 1940
The Germans invade Belgium and the Netherlands.
Game length 12 turns. Belgian/Dutch goal – hold out until the end of turn 12, German goal, kill all enemy units.
Map – Configuration 6 from the Base Set Rulebook – Tiger Heaven
Units (losses in brackets)
GERMANY
2x Elite Panzer IV Ausf. D (2)
2x SdKfz 251 (1)
1x Kübelwagen (1)
1x Me Bf109E (1)
1x Light Mortar
9x Mauser Kar 98k (7)
1x sGrW 34 81mm Mortar
2x 20mm Flak 38
2x 7,5cm leIG 18
1x Disciplined Spotter (1)
1x Wehrmacht Expert Sniper
2x Pioneers (1)
1x Flammenwerfer (1)
3x Fallschirmjäger (2)
BELGIUM/NETHERLANDS
1x Renault R-35 (1)
1x Hotchkiss R-39 (1)
1x Panhard et Levassor P178 (1)
18x MAS 7.5mm Rifle (17)
2x Lebel 86M93 Grenadier (2)
2x French Alpine Troops (2)
1x Bold Captain (1)
3x Hotchkiss MG-Team (3)
After the experiences in Poland, Denmark and Norway the Wehrmacht expected a cake walk with the ill prepared and ill equipped Belgian and Dutch troops. Artillery and Mortars should soften up defenses while the Infantry and Tanks would advance and take the objectives (defensive position). This strategy was met with early success. But when the tanks and transports boldly advanced they were met by the defenders tanks. The tank battle was surprisingly won by the Belgian tank corps, which lost only the Panhard, but the tanks survived damaged. The Germans brought in their Paras and soon the southern defensive positions were taken. Meanwhile German Infantry and Artillery took on the damaged tanks and managed to kill them, but a lucky MAS Rifleman hit the German plane and shot it down. German Soldiers fell like flies to accurate Rifle fire. The German Paras were called north and were also met with deadly fire. Two fell soon, but on the long run German Artillery took its toll on the defenders. First the MGs were targeted then the Alpine troops and in the end the Riflemen. But when the night fell one lone defender (Dutch group) still held the northernmost defensive position.
The OKW assessed the attack and found that the tanks had moved too early and too far. Had the Wehrmacht advanced more cautiously losses could have been cut. For next month (March) reinforcements were prepared to secure Belgium and the Netherlands. As this territory could not be used to attack France, the OKW decided to try to breach the Maginot Line, so not another month was lost. Time is running short for Germany as the Home fleet is slowly whittling away the German commerce raiders and UK support is soon expected to bolster the French defenses.
France also announced the commissioning of a new Battleship built in an arms race with Italy. But the Regia Marina counters with their own Battleship and a Destroyer Division. If Germany could persuade Italy to join in this would buy some time for the Axis. But to activate Italy Germany must occupy at least one French territory.
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[img.]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Animated_gun_turret.gif[/img]
Lieber eine flotte Rote als die rote Flotte! |
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| Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:17 pm |
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