The Red Star Falling, and the Irish Gamble
19th October 1941 4 months after the German invasion of Russia Moscow falls Stalin is sent packing The Soviet union fights on, but the German war machine chews up any resistance.
(no red lien showing front line as it is obvious what’s going on.
This sends shock waves through allied high command as the latest casualty figures of the Red Army show a massive loss of life, and Stalin’s order of Not one step back is causing massive loss of life on the Eastern Front.
At a recent meeting this month Stalin pressured for a second front, or something to draw the Nazi’s away from his battered red army units, so Ireland decides to take up the challenge, by deciding to undertake its biggest military operation since the fall of Greece, with most Italian troops tied down in North Africa, it was decided that a planned invasion of Sicily was drawn up and into Italy itself before the plan ay be destined for failure but it is needed to help ease the Russian collapse, and give them chance to regroup.
Plans for Operation Clover field
Simple with some variation of the Real plan that was used in WW2 if the Italian mainland invasion fails at least Sicily will be taken, bad news is all army units will be used in this Operation, meaning the occupying force in Greece will be thrown into the operation.
Phase one
Simple land and A force moves to blocking position near the straits of Messina to stop any Axis reinforcements, as B force takes the vital port and swings to Messina
Phase Two
Push as far as possible into Italy itself if strong resistance is met hold along blocking line two, if all else fails pull back to Sicily.
Phase Three if possible
Drive on Rome by any means possible