I formed two battleship groups with the 4 lvl 1 battleships, 4 lvl 1 cruisers and 4 destroyers. I will use them for shore bombardments and escort duties.
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Jan '41: Third Battle of Malta
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on Royal Navy research is as follows:
Light Aircraft Practical 28
Naval Combat Experience 23
Air Combat Experience 22
Capitol Ship Practical 18
Naval Engineering: 19
The British are currently researching:
Light Cruiser Escort Role (positioning)
Nav Tactics (Port Strike, Naval Strike)
Nav Strike Tactics
Aircraft Carrier Engine
Aircraft Carrier Hangar
Aircraft Carrier AA
Italian research at this time is*:
Destroyer AA 5
Medium Bomb 2
Air Launched Torpedo 2
Aero Engine 2
Small Aircraft Armament 2
Advanced Aircraft Design
Destroyer Crew Training 2 (DD org, moral)
Cruiser Crew Training 2 (CA org, moral)
Battleship Crew Training 2 (BB org, moral)
Fighter Pilot Training 3 (INT org)
Nav Port Strike 3 (port strike efficiency)
Nav Air Targeting 3 (NAV bombing target chance)
* Note: all but 2.5 leadership is currently diverted to officer training, which will take about another month to complete.
OPERATION SWORDFISH—3d Battle of Malta: With the successful landing at Tel Aviv, British forces were rushed eastward to defend the Suez Canal leaving Tobruk to fall to advancing Italian Infantry under Gen. Messe. Meanwhile General Fratini (lvl 4) was promoted to Field Marshal and given command of Army Group Cyprus, which is HQ for all Axis forces east of the Suez. By mid-February AG Cyprus was successful in capturing both Iraq and the Sinai peninsula including the eastern shore of the Suez Canal.
Thus, the stage was set for the diversionary attack on Malta to be followed by an invasion of Egypt at Alexandria. All Italian battleship groups had been deployed to their staging areas in Benghazi, Tripoli, and Palermo, and were ready for action. Four groups of interceptors were in position at Palermo and Tripoli to provide air superiority, while one naval bombing wing and two CAS wings were available for bombing missions from Sicily. A tactical bombing group and one naval bombing wing was available from Toranto for port bombing if needed.
Everything was ready to go by January 1 except the make-shift invasion flotilla, which was still in route to Toranto following troop transport duty. All ships and planes were then on station by mid-January awaiting on orders to proceed when the British struck first!
The 3d Battle of Malta began with the British fleet invading N. Africa in a bid to cut Italian forces off from their base of supply. So, it would be the Royal Navy starting the battle on the defensive, giving the Italian navy the option to choose the best time to strike.
(above--top) Royal Navy invasion fleet under Commander Summerville supporting a landing at Misurata while CAS bombers under Balbo attempt to sink the transports.
(above—bottom). British CAGs from Eagle and one other carrier in the region are jumped by interceptors from Polarmo.
(above) Italy begins day/night air superiority over the region, but only daylight bombing. RN CAGs are fairly depleted after a few days of action, and the 9th CAG is eliminated entirely.
(above--top) After nearly a week of air operations Commander Zara and three battleship groups converge on the West Central Mediterranean Sea from different directions, thus beginning the sea-phase of the battle for Malta. Note Zara easily gets positioning advantage over Rear Admiral Sommerville's invasion flotilla.
After a day of fighting the Italian fleet gets reenforcements while the British have lost roughly half their fleet. The Summerville is forced to retreat to the harbor of Malta, which is now at the mercy of Italian bombers from Toranto.
(above-top) Royal Navy relief force unexpectedly arrives to engage Adm. Zara's task group, which is making preparations to invade Malta. Cunningham quickly gets positioning advantage over the Italian fleet and sinks several ships.
(above—bottom) A few British ships trying to make a run for it are sunk, or forced to retreat back to Malta.
(above) As Malta is occupied by the Italians, three (3) carriers make a run for it (white arrows), are bombed from the air, but still manage to escape.
OPERATION SWORDFISH—Battle for Alexandria: As the Royal Navay is otherwise engaged at Malta, amphibious troops from Tel Aviv plan to make a landing in Egypt.
(above) Submarines and Tac bombers from Crete survey the Egyptian coastline and search for enemy ships at Alexandria. No ships in sight, and the British army is streaming eastward to defend the Suez Canal. A landing at El Hammam would both cut-off supplies to the British at Tobruk, and threaten Alexandria. The only British in the vicinity of the beaches are headquarter units.
(above) Bruce-Frazer's fast carrier group arrives from Malta, but his CAGs are all but depleted and retires almost immediately in the face of a well-armed invasion task group. Italian troops make it onto the beaches west of Alexandria with minimal resistance.
(above) As Alexandria falls, the Italian Desert Corps makes an end-run around British defenders along the coast (red arrows), sealing their fate. Air transports from Bengazhi are used to make timely air drops of supplies to keep the army moving forward.
(above) The battle for the Suez Canal rages during the month of March. Two corps of Italian light and mobile infantry off-load at the Port of Alexandria and battle their way eastwards to the Suez Canal. The British Army, disorganized and cut into pieces, is eventually forced to retreat southwards away from the coast. With no hope for re-supply or re-enforcement, the British army is defeated.
NAVAL BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN:
(above) The 3d Battle of Malta proved a decisive victory for the Italian navy. The strategic fortification was captured, and Italy sunk three (3) battleships, two (2) cruisers, and two (2) light cruisers in the process. Italian losses were just one battleship and one cruiser.
As the numbers (top) seem to reveal, the surface fleets on both sides are doing most of the damage. British CAGs are responsible for sinking destroyers, while Italian bombers seem to do best against transport ships. Air power played a role in softening-up the enemy fleet, but it was the big guns of the surface ships that finished the job.
Note: prior sinkings are struck-out: Red for British KIA and Green for Italian KIA
Next Time: Invasion of Red Sea.
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on Royal Navy research is as follows:
Light Aircraft Practical 28
Naval Combat Experience 23
Air Combat Experience 22
Capitol Ship Practical 18
Naval Engineering: 19
The British are currently researching:
Light Cruiser Escort Role (positioning)
Nav Tactics (Port Strike, Naval Strike)
Nav Strike Tactics
Aircraft Carrier Engine
Aircraft Carrier Hangar
Aircraft Carrier AA
Italian research at this time is*:
Destroyer AA 5
Medium Bomb 2
Air Launched Torpedo 2
Aero Engine 2
Small Aircraft Armament 2
Advanced Aircraft Design
Destroyer Crew Training 2 (DD org, moral)
Cruiser Crew Training 2 (CA org, moral)
Battleship Crew Training 2 (BB org, moral)
Fighter Pilot Training 3 (INT org)
Nav Port Strike 3 (port strike efficiency)
Nav Air Targeting 3 (NAV bombing target chance)
* Note: all but 2.5 leadership is currently diverted to officer training, which will take about another month to complete.
OPERATION SWORDFISH—3d Battle of Malta: With the successful landing at Tel Aviv, British forces were rushed eastward to defend the Suez Canal leaving Tobruk to fall to advancing Italian Infantry under Gen. Messe. Meanwhile General Fratini (lvl 4) was promoted to Field Marshal and given command of Army Group Cyprus, which is HQ for all Axis forces east of the Suez. By mid-February AG Cyprus was successful in capturing both Iraq and the Sinai peninsula including the eastern shore of the Suez Canal.
Thus, the stage was set for the diversionary attack on Malta to be followed by an invasion of Egypt at Alexandria. All Italian battleship groups had been deployed to their staging areas in Benghazi, Tripoli, and Palermo, and were ready for action. Four groups of interceptors were in position at Palermo and Tripoli to provide air superiority, while one naval bombing wing and two CAS wings were available for bombing missions from Sicily. A tactical bombing group and one naval bombing wing was available from Toranto for port bombing if needed.
Everything was ready to go by January 1 except the make-shift invasion flotilla, which was still in route to Toranto following troop transport duty. All ships and planes were then on station by mid-January awaiting on orders to proceed when the British struck first!
The 3d Battle of Malta began with the British fleet invading N. Africa in a bid to cut Italian forces off from their base of supply. So, it would be the Royal Navy starting the battle on the defensive, giving the Italian navy the option to choose the best time to strike.
(above--top) Royal Navy invasion fleet under Commander Summerville supporting a landing at Misurata while CAS bombers under Balbo attempt to sink the transports.
(above—bottom). British CAGs from Eagle and one other carrier in the region are jumped by interceptors from Polarmo.
(above) Italy begins day/night air superiority over the region, but only daylight bombing. RN CAGs are fairly depleted after a few days of action, and the 9th CAG is eliminated entirely.
(above--top) After nearly a week of air operations Commander Zara and three battleship groups converge on the West Central Mediterranean Sea from different directions, thus beginning the sea-phase of the battle for Malta. Note Zara easily gets positioning advantage over Rear Admiral Sommerville's invasion flotilla.
After a day of fighting the Italian fleet gets reenforcements while the British have lost roughly half their fleet. The Summerville is forced to retreat to the harbor of Malta, which is now at the mercy of Italian bombers from Toranto.
(above-top) Royal Navy relief force unexpectedly arrives to engage Adm. Zara's task group, which is making preparations to invade Malta. Cunningham quickly gets positioning advantage over the Italian fleet and sinks several ships.
(above—bottom) A few British ships trying to make a run for it are sunk, or forced to retreat back to Malta.
(above) As Malta is occupied by the Italians, three (3) carriers make a run for it (white arrows), are bombed from the air, but still manage to escape.
OPERATION SWORDFISH—Battle for Alexandria: As the Royal Navay is otherwise engaged at Malta, amphibious troops from Tel Aviv plan to make a landing in Egypt.
(above) Submarines and Tac bombers from Crete survey the Egyptian coastline and search for enemy ships at Alexandria. No ships in sight, and the British army is streaming eastward to defend the Suez Canal. A landing at El Hammam would both cut-off supplies to the British at Tobruk, and threaten Alexandria. The only British in the vicinity of the beaches are headquarter units.
(above) Bruce-Frazer's fast carrier group arrives from Malta, but his CAGs are all but depleted and retires almost immediately in the face of a well-armed invasion task group. Italian troops make it onto the beaches west of Alexandria with minimal resistance.
(above) As Alexandria falls, the Italian Desert Corps makes an end-run around British defenders along the coast (red arrows), sealing their fate. Air transports from Bengazhi are used to make timely air drops of supplies to keep the army moving forward.
(above) The battle for the Suez Canal rages during the month of March. Two corps of Italian light and mobile infantry off-load at the Port of Alexandria and battle their way eastwards to the Suez Canal. The British Army, disorganized and cut into pieces, is eventually forced to retreat southwards away from the coast. With no hope for re-supply or re-enforcement, the British army is defeated.
NAVAL BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN:
(above) The 3d Battle of Malta proved a decisive victory for the Italian navy. The strategic fortification was captured, and Italy sunk three (3) battleships, two (2) cruisers, and two (2) light cruisers in the process. Italian losses were just one battleship and one cruiser.
As the numbers (top) seem to reveal, the surface fleets on both sides are doing most of the damage. British CAGs are responsible for sinking destroyers, while Italian bombers seem to do best against transport ships. Air power played a role in softening-up the enemy fleet, but it was the big guns of the surface ships that finished the job.
Note: prior sinkings are struck-out: Red for British KIA and Green for Italian KIA
Next Time: Invasion of Red Sea.
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Great job. How many divisions did you caputre in Africa?
Unfortunate that the carriers did escape. I assume that none of the faster cruiser squadrons were available to hunt them down?
Surprising to see the RN Argus off Alexandria when it just had fled for Gibraltar a short while earlier.
Unfortunate that the carriers did escape. I assume that none of the faster cruiser squadrons were available to hunt them down?
Surprising to see the RN Argus off Alexandria when it just had fled for Gibraltar a short while earlier.
Intellegence sez UK had 84 divisions in January, and 52 in July. So, Britain lost about 32 divisions in N. Africa. While the posting doesn't show it, the amphibious troops were nearly exhausted by the time Alexandria fell. A British counter-attack through Cairo may have changed the outcome. Desert Corps was rushed up to provide an escape if the amphibious landing came under heavy counter-attack, but fortunately it worked out for the best.
Yes, fast cruiser squadrons. That's what they are for--to hunt down unescorted carriers. But, was too busy with land forces around Alexandria, tisk tisk.
Yes, the Argus was the RN's floating reserve. They escorted the trapped carriers from Malta, then went back to Alexandria to break-up the invasion. The invasion fleet was roughed-up a bit, but the last CAG would have been shot down if they had stayed any longer.
All East Africa forces were wiped out by January or February of 1940. Militia are great for delaying actions, in this case keeping British troops tied up in the region for over six months.
I know the next question: Why not simply disband them if they are isolated and will eventually be lost? Well, most MP games have rules regarding disbanding isolated units. To get around this I simply turn-off re-enforcement. So, when colonial militia take manpower losses, that's essentially it for them. There's no reason to send good manpower after bad. Also, colonial militia can be recruited fairly quickly and easily, Italy already has a whole new group of colonial militia guarding Iraq and Egypt.
April '41: Italy Naval Biennium
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on Royal Navy research is as follows:
Light Aircraft Practical 28
Naval Combat Experience 27
Air Combat Experience 23
Capitol Ship Practical 17
Naval Engineering: 19
The British are currently researching:
Light Cruiser Crew Training (org, moral)
Nav Strike Tactics
Aircraft Carrier AA
Sonar and Detection Eq.
Nav Pilot Training
Port Strike Tactics
Destroyer Escort Role (positioning)
Air Launched Torpedo
Small Warship ASW
Light Cruiser Main Armament
Oil Refining
Italian research at this time is:
Destroyer AA 5
Light Cruiser AA 5
Destroyer Crew Training 2 (DD org, moral)
Cruiser Crew Training 2 (CA org, moral)
Battleship Crew Training 2 (BB org, moral)
Light Cruiser Crew Training 2 (LC org, moral)
Spotting 2
Medium Bomb 2
:Light Bomb 1
Air Launched Torpedo 2
Aero Engine 2
Small Aircraft Armament 2
Advanced Aircraft Design
Fighter Pilot Training 3 (INT org)
Nav Port Strike 3 (port strike efficiency)
Nav Air Targeting 3 (NAV bombing target chance)
ITALY NAVAL Biennium—Now that Italy is a bonified naval power it must begin looking to the future. The United States is still neutral, but if they enter the war it could seriously tilt the balance of power. Italy will continue to rely on land-based aircraft for aerial support, but a design for a prototype carrier task group is on the drawing board and will be rolled out in a year or two depending on need.
Due to the static nature of ship building (i.e. upgrades) advance planning is a necessity. Using existing spreadsheet designs and working from technology tables (see WIKI), one can begin to map the desired capabilities of next generation task groups.
Designing for task groups takes the guess-work out of individual ship upgrades since we focus only on the technology needed for the mission. For instance, destroyers serving in battleship groups have no need for better guns.
So, here are the the next generation designs for Italy's main battle squadrons:
Battleship Squadron:
(above) Enhancements to the elite group (yellow leafs) include a 20% improvement to organization, which will increase their staying power. Since this formation is responsible for more sinkings than any other, sea attack is increased by 25% and sea detection by 33%. Sea defense is improved by a combination of speed and armor. In the case of destroyers, the emphasis is on speed. Otherwise, heavy cruisers and battleships will add armor. Positioning will be improved by 50%, while overall speed grows slightly, by 7%. Also, in anticipation of a future blue water navy, operating range grows to 3500km.
Cruiser Squadron:
(above) Enhancements to the cruiser squadron (yellow leafs) are primarily to overall firepower, which is increased by 25%. There are marginal improvements to virtually every category, especially positioning. Air attack, air defense, and air detection are improved, and will actually be greater than that of a battleship squadron.
Fast Cruiser Squadron:
(above) Fast cruiser squadrons will be even more deadly with a 15% upgrade to speed (yellow leafs). Sea attack is increased by 25%, giving the next gen more punch than any current cruiser squadron. Sea defense is improved by 13% though a combination of improved engines and thicker armor (hull).
Technology selection: Once the design work on spreadsheets is complete, the information is transferred over to data tables. Data tables are then used during the game to determine at a glance what the technology needs are. Essentially, whenever a technology completes the production design screen is checked to see whether the tech should remain in the queue. For example, battleship sea attack (guns) target is 25, so when Battleship Guns 2 finishes, check the design screen to see if Battleship Guns 3 is needed.
(above) Data tables are marked (yellow donuts) to show technology targets. Given the current state of Naval Engineering, Doctrines, and Construction Practical, most new technologies will finish inside 100 days. The 1944 technologies are the exception, and will require researching ahead. Still, it's expected Italy will be ready to build next generation squadrons by mid-1942.
OPERATION SNAPPER: Invasion of the Red Sea. Current intelligence gathered from submarines (marked Intel) indicate a Royal Navy carrier task group operating in the Red Sea. Italian naval units cannot operate without air superiority, and the lack of air bases in the region makes current operations unsustainable.
Planning for Operation Snapper will be temporarily suspended so that the full weight of Italy's armed forces may be brought against the Soviets. In the mean time, improved naval squadrons and long range nav and tac bombers will be under development.
(above) The basic plan is to draw the Royal Navy out into the Indian Ocean (red arrow) before making simultaneous invasions (purple arrows). Scratch airfields (blue arrows) will be prefabricated, and upon deployment to the region will base several wings of interceptors. As air superiority is established, supply convoys will be given naval protection, and the army may then proceed towards the horn of Africa and across the southern Arab Peninsula to Oman.
OPERATION BARBAROSSA: In conjunction with the German invasion of the USSR, Italy will establish naval superiority in the Black Sea and launch an invasion of the Caucasus mountains to capture its strategic oil fields. Also, the presence of Italian troops in this region effectively creates a second front that will draw Soviet Army forces away from the European frontier.
(above) The basic plan is to establish naval superiority (blue arrows), and then invade the hills just north of Bat'umi (red arrows). A defensive line (white arrows) will allow mountain troops to march southeast along the border with Turkey (red arrows). Four (4) corps of light infantry will establish a defensive line, with one (1) corps of mobile infantry as a reserve. Amphibious troops will protect the harbor of Bat'umi, and tactical bombers will operate out of the existing airfield.
Next Time: War with Soviet Union
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on Royal Navy research is as follows:
Light Aircraft Practical 28
Naval Combat Experience 27
Air Combat Experience 23
Capitol Ship Practical 17
Naval Engineering: 19
The British are currently researching:
Light Cruiser Crew Training (org, moral)
Nav Strike Tactics
Aircraft Carrier AA
Sonar and Detection Eq.
Nav Pilot Training
Port Strike Tactics
Destroyer Escort Role (positioning)
Air Launched Torpedo
Small Warship ASW
Light Cruiser Main Armament
Oil Refining
Italian research at this time is:
Destroyer AA 5
Light Cruiser AA 5
Destroyer Crew Training 2 (DD org, moral)
Cruiser Crew Training 2 (CA org, moral)
Battleship Crew Training 2 (BB org, moral)
Light Cruiser Crew Training 2 (LC org, moral)
Spotting 2
Medium Bomb 2
:Light Bomb 1
Air Launched Torpedo 2
Aero Engine 2
Small Aircraft Armament 2
Advanced Aircraft Design
Fighter Pilot Training 3 (INT org)
Nav Port Strike 3 (port strike efficiency)
Nav Air Targeting 3 (NAV bombing target chance)
ITALY NAVAL Biennium—Now that Italy is a bonified naval power it must begin looking to the future. The United States is still neutral, but if they enter the war it could seriously tilt the balance of power. Italy will continue to rely on land-based aircraft for aerial support, but a design for a prototype carrier task group is on the drawing board and will be rolled out in a year or two depending on need.
Due to the static nature of ship building (i.e. upgrades) advance planning is a necessity. Using existing spreadsheet designs and working from technology tables (see WIKI), one can begin to map the desired capabilities of next generation task groups.
Designing for task groups takes the guess-work out of individual ship upgrades since we focus only on the technology needed for the mission. For instance, destroyers serving in battleship groups have no need for better guns.
So, here are the the next generation designs for Italy's main battle squadrons:
Battleship Squadron:
(above) Enhancements to the elite group (yellow leafs) include a 20% improvement to organization, which will increase their staying power. Since this formation is responsible for more sinkings than any other, sea attack is increased by 25% and sea detection by 33%. Sea defense is improved by a combination of speed and armor. In the case of destroyers, the emphasis is on speed. Otherwise, heavy cruisers and battleships will add armor. Positioning will be improved by 50%, while overall speed grows slightly, by 7%. Also, in anticipation of a future blue water navy, operating range grows to 3500km.
Cruiser Squadron:
(above) Enhancements to the cruiser squadron (yellow leafs) are primarily to overall firepower, which is increased by 25%. There are marginal improvements to virtually every category, especially positioning. Air attack, air defense, and air detection are improved, and will actually be greater than that of a battleship squadron.
Fast Cruiser Squadron:
(above) Fast cruiser squadrons will be even more deadly with a 15% upgrade to speed (yellow leafs). Sea attack is increased by 25%, giving the next gen more punch than any current cruiser squadron. Sea defense is improved by 13% though a combination of improved engines and thicker armor (hull).
Technology selection: Once the design work on spreadsheets is complete, the information is transferred over to data tables. Data tables are then used during the game to determine at a glance what the technology needs are. Essentially, whenever a technology completes the production design screen is checked to see whether the tech should remain in the queue. For example, battleship sea attack (guns) target is 25, so when Battleship Guns 2 finishes, check the design screen to see if Battleship Guns 3 is needed.
(above) Data tables are marked (yellow donuts) to show technology targets. Given the current state of Naval Engineering, Doctrines, and Construction Practical, most new technologies will finish inside 100 days. The 1944 technologies are the exception, and will require researching ahead. Still, it's expected Italy will be ready to build next generation squadrons by mid-1942.
OPERATION SNAPPER: Invasion of the Red Sea. Current intelligence gathered from submarines (marked Intel) indicate a Royal Navy carrier task group operating in the Red Sea. Italian naval units cannot operate without air superiority, and the lack of air bases in the region makes current operations unsustainable.
Planning for Operation Snapper will be temporarily suspended so that the full weight of Italy's armed forces may be brought against the Soviets. In the mean time, improved naval squadrons and long range nav and tac bombers will be under development.
(above) The basic plan is to draw the Royal Navy out into the Indian Ocean (red arrow) before making simultaneous invasions (purple arrows). Scratch airfields (blue arrows) will be prefabricated, and upon deployment to the region will base several wings of interceptors. As air superiority is established, supply convoys will be given naval protection, and the army may then proceed towards the horn of Africa and across the southern Arab Peninsula to Oman.
OPERATION BARBAROSSA: In conjunction with the German invasion of the USSR, Italy will establish naval superiority in the Black Sea and launch an invasion of the Caucasus mountains to capture its strategic oil fields. Also, the presence of Italian troops in this region effectively creates a second front that will draw Soviet Army forces away from the European frontier.
(above) The basic plan is to establish naval superiority (blue arrows), and then invade the hills just north of Bat'umi (red arrows). A defensive line (white arrows) will allow mountain troops to march southeast along the border with Turkey (red arrows). Four (4) corps of light infantry will establish a defensive line, with one (1) corps of mobile infantry as a reserve. Amphibious troops will protect the harbor of Bat'umi, and tactical bombers will operate out of the existing airfield.
Next Time: War with Soviet Union
Don't you think that it'd be easier to establish and hold a perimeter around the Crimean Peninsular? With all the effort you put into the navy, I have a feeling that the army is quite short of decent techs and numbers. Therefore, a smaller front should be chosen, unless you plan to harassing attacks to draw off Russian forces.
You are right on several counts. The mountain campaign was gruling, supply being the major problem.
There was a book written last year (Andrew Roberts, The Storm of War) that (in hind-sight) suggests the Axis should have taken the short-cut through Iraq to the Caucasus Mountains instead of going the long way around, 2000 miles through the teeth of Soviet defences. In HOI3 the short-cut strategy is complicated by things like transit rights and supply, but has turned out quite effective.
The Italian Army in this campaign was easily pushed back by Soviet infantry and mountain troops, but so long as Italy controlled the Black Sea their bridgehead remained. The 2d front strategy does eventually work, especially after the fall of Moscow when Soviet lines become stretched rather thin. At that point, Italy can essentially walk into the strategic oil refinery city of Baki.
With the Caucasus War Goal complete (after the bitter peace), Italy becomes one of the leading oil producers in the world. It may then turn its attention to a blue-water navy. In this respect the maritime strategy goes hand-in-hand with acquiring oil resources.
July '41: War Planning
ITALY WAR PLANNING—With Britain all but knocked out of the war, Italy can relax somewhat and begin planning for the next campaign against the Soviet Union.
(above) Planning for the next year includes upgrades to amphibious and mountain troops. Essentially, amphibious troops will be upgraded to marines, while mountain divisions will each get a third brigade (to be recruited from the most experienced infantry divisions and replaced with raw recruits).
Italy will also upgrade the last of the reserve infantry corps to light infantry, and build one new mobile infantry corps.
For the Navy; after the loss of the prototype battleships squadron, Italy will build one new elite squadron.
For the Air Force: the small aircraft line will continue building interceptors and dive bombers. A new line of tactical bombers will be started.
North Africa Campaign:
(above) Mopping up operations in lower Egypt.
Build Queue
(above) The build queue after war planning was approved. Note that Italy has been putting spare (excess) IC's into factories, radars, Anti-aircraft, and airfields.
The rule of thumb for industrial growth is: 6 factories = 10 ICs.
So, the current goal is to grow Italy's IC's by ten (10) per year.
Next Time: War with Soviet Union
ITALY WAR PLANNING—With Britain all but knocked out of the war, Italy can relax somewhat and begin planning for the next campaign against the Soviet Union.
(above) Planning for the next year includes upgrades to amphibious and mountain troops. Essentially, amphibious troops will be upgraded to marines, while mountain divisions will each get a third brigade (to be recruited from the most experienced infantry divisions and replaced with raw recruits).
Italy will also upgrade the last of the reserve infantry corps to light infantry, and build one new mobile infantry corps.
For the Navy; after the loss of the prototype battleships squadron, Italy will build one new elite squadron.
For the Air Force: the small aircraft line will continue building interceptors and dive bombers. A new line of tactical bombers will be started.
North Africa Campaign:
(above) Mopping up operations in lower Egypt.
Build Queue
(above) The build queue after war planning was approved. Note that Italy has been putting spare (excess) IC's into factories, radars, Anti-aircraft, and airfields.
The rule of thumb for industrial growth is: 6 factories = 10 ICs.
So, the current goal is to grow Italy's IC's by ten (10) per year.
Next Time: War with Soviet Union
Really enjoying this AAR, but I have a stupid question 
Under the 1 Group Banderas, for example, there's a little arrow that shows it's automatically being added to a large unit. Is this because you're building it as the AI suggested, or can you actually do this in the build queue?
Under the 1 Group Banderas, for example, there's a little arrow that shows it's automatically being added to a large unit. Is this because you're building it as the AI suggested, or can you actually do this in the build queue?
Before the FTM, it was very simple. Battleships were superior at almost everything except speed, I guess. Now they have crappy Air Attack and Sea Defence and it makes more sense to combine forces.
Really enjoying this AAR, but I have a stupid question
That means it is a unit that is being upgraded. That brigade was already a part of Dio lo Vuole division, and is simply being upgraded. It will return back to Dio lo Vuole, as long as that division exists and is within a deployable area.
Really enjoying this AAR, but I have a stupid question
There's an AA unit still attached to the division (unlike the marines further down, which are being upgraded w/o any aux. brigades.), and that's why the arrows appear in the queue.
Note: Mountain troops are "recruited" from the best infantry, and in this case a standard infantry division is being upgraded.
Yes, battleships were becoming obsolete at the beginning of the war and game designers are trying to emphisize air power by weaking BB's defenses.
Here, we surround the BB's with HC's and DD's that have the latest AA guns, and that seems to insulate the big ships from harm. As a result, surface ships have done more sinkings than carriers (or CAGs).
So, what this AAR shows is that a battleship/cruiser/destroyer strategy can work provided it has adequate air cover from land-based aircraft. This is especially good news for Germany and Italy, but only against the AI. Still not sure if this strategy will work in MP, but it's possibly worth a try.
Oct '41: Barbarossa
BARBAROSSA PLANNING—Germany DOW'd the Soviet Union in September, but Italy was still re-grouping after the North African campaign. Several long-range submarines based at Thesolonka were sent into the Black Sea for intelligence gathering, and a cavalry regiment was sent across Turkey to survey the border with Bat'umi.
Next Time: Invasion of Bat'umi
BARBAROSSA PLANNING—Germany DOW'd the Soviet Union in September, but Italy was still re-grouping after the North African campaign. Several long-range submarines based at Thesolonka were sent into the Black Sea for intelligence gathering, and a cavalry regiment was sent across Turkey to survey the border with Bat'umi.
Next Time: Invasion of Bat'umi
Jan '42: Invasion of Bat'umi
ITALIO-SOVIET NAVAL COMBAT—
(above) The Soviet Union sent a surface fleet into the Mediterranean was intercepted off the coast of Italy by a destroyer patrol. A fast cruiser flotilla quickly engaged the hostiles as dive bombers swirled from above. The Soviets quickly retreated, but there were no reported losses.
INVASION OF BAT'UMI: A lone cavalry brigade sent though Turkey reported that the port of Bat'umi was left undefended
(above) Amphibious troops were dispatched to surprise the Soviets on the beaches of Kobleuti (which borders Bat'umi). The invasion was successful and the port of Bat'umi was immediately seized (red arrows). Relief column were dispatched and arrived within a few hours (orange arrows).
(above) The Soviets dispatched surface raiders to interrupt flow of supplies to Bat'umi. A cruiser flotilla eventually caught up with the raiders in the Sea of Marma, causing the Soviets to return to base.
Italy eventually had to deploy surface ships to escort the Bat'umi convoy after repeated Soviet submarine attacks. Initially two older destroyers were used, but these had to turn back because they didn't have the range to make the entire trip. So, two older light crusiers were used instead, and after that few if any problems were had on this vital supply route.
(above) Italian battleships provided shore bombardment, but Soviet counter-attack at Kobeuti ruins the infrastructure and prevents an Italian break-out. The Italian army is then forced to retreat into Bat'umi itself. But, the Soviets have supply problems too, which are further compounded by logistical bombing raids made by tactical bombers now based at Bat'umi (green circle).
NAVAL BALANCE OF POWER IN THE BLACK SEA AND MEDITERRANEAN:
(above) Italy gets the best of the Soviets by sinking a cruiser and six destroyers against no losses of their own.
Next Time: Break-out at Bat'umi
ITALIO-SOVIET NAVAL COMBAT—
(above) The Soviet Union sent a surface fleet into the Mediterranean was intercepted off the coast of Italy by a destroyer patrol. A fast cruiser flotilla quickly engaged the hostiles as dive bombers swirled from above. The Soviets quickly retreated, but there were no reported losses.
INVASION OF BAT'UMI: A lone cavalry brigade sent though Turkey reported that the port of Bat'umi was left undefended
(above) Amphibious troops were dispatched to surprise the Soviets on the beaches of Kobleuti (which borders Bat'umi). The invasion was successful and the port of Bat'umi was immediately seized (red arrows). Relief column were dispatched and arrived within a few hours (orange arrows).
(above) The Soviets dispatched surface raiders to interrupt flow of supplies to Bat'umi. A cruiser flotilla eventually caught up with the raiders in the Sea of Marma, causing the Soviets to return to base.
Italy eventually had to deploy surface ships to escort the Bat'umi convoy after repeated Soviet submarine attacks. Initially two older destroyers were used, but these had to turn back because they didn't have the range to make the entire trip. So, two older light crusiers were used instead, and after that few if any problems were had on this vital supply route.
(above) Italian battleships provided shore bombardment, but Soviet counter-attack at Kobeuti ruins the infrastructure and prevents an Italian break-out. The Italian army is then forced to retreat into Bat'umi itself. But, the Soviets have supply problems too, which are further compounded by logistical bombing raids made by tactical bombers now based at Bat'umi (green circle).
NAVAL BALANCE OF POWER IN THE BLACK SEA AND MEDITERRANEAN:
(above) Italy gets the best of the Soviets by sinking a cruiser and six destroyers against no losses of their own.
Next Time: Break-out at Bat'umi