Cry for me Argentina

[Duke of Soul]

Sorry for the lack of screenshots, but this is my first post like this. Also, I had not intended to post this when it occurred, but a friend has urged me to do so. My intention is to help other noobs (this is the first game I have played). I found a lot of planning was needed for even a mid-sized operation such as this one.

The Settings: Normal, playing Argentina in the grand campaign (starting 1936). I have a personal rule that I will only assume military control of the armed forces of countries that are my puppets, never my regular allies. Version 1.3, standard HOI II (not Doomsday), no modifications of any kind, fog of war on.

The World Situation: From 1936-1942, Argentina pursued a course of South American domination, resulting in the annexing of Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia, as well as the purchasing of Belize, the Falkland Islands, and Curacao. In order to prevent being attacked by the United States during its conquests, much of the first few years were spent building relations with the UK. Once Argentina joined the Allies, then the conquering began without fear of US intervention. Although the US was not allied, it was unlikely to declare war on the UK’s alliance.

Later, Argentina discovered that while it was focused on South America, the Axis were busy conquering the world. Argentina had focused on land warfare, since its intention was to conquer South and Central America, but had enough of a Navy and Air Force to assist the Allies in taking back North Africa.

By the summer of 1942, however, Japan had conquered all but one of the Netherlands’ provinces, most of the various Chinese states, half of the Soviet Union, and a portion of India. Japanese troops were building in New Guinea in preparation for an invasion of Australia. A Japanese aircraft carrier group had even made a brief foray along the Argentine coast; The Atlantic coast.

Germany and Italy had conquered all of Europe, save for neutrals Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Greece (!), Sweden, and Turkey. Germany had Moscow utterly surrounded and, along with Japan, controlled all but three provinces of the Soviet Union. The UK remained a rock, but had only the troops needed to protect itself and its possessions in Africa, not enough to mount an invasion of Europe. In fact, probably not enough to stop the Japanese in India.

The Problem: The US is the only nation with sufficient troops to stop the Axis. Mexico (!) is playing a major role in the Pacific, but the cause there looks doomed. In Europe, Germany has massive forces in all beach provinces, and the US is therefore unwilling to attempt an invasion. Once the Soviets collapse, the situation is only going to get worse as troops and aircraft return from the Eastern Front. If the Allies are to have a shot, something has to be done to enable the US to invade.

The Strategic Plan: Argentina lacks sufficient troops to mount a major invasion, and has a relatively small navy and air force. However, if Argentina can mount an invasion somewhere, anywhere, perhaps enough German troops will be drawn away from the beaches to coax the US into invading. Perhaps it is a suicide mission, but not doing anything is a guaranteed slow death (unless the end of the game hits first).

A search of various coastlines by Argentine destroyer flotillas results in heavy losses from German aircraft, but is able to discover that Norway is relatively undefended. The decision is made by the Argentine high command; Only a garrison and militia troops, along with one fighter squadron and two flotillas of destroyers, will remain in Argentina. Everything else heads to Scapa Flow to prepare for the invasion of Norway.

Either the Germans commit to stopping the Norway operation and the US begins retaking Europe, or the Allies continue the long, slow spiral of death.

The Operation: Code-named OPERATION SI TRABAJA, LAS PUTAS PARA TODAS, the operation is to be a seaborne invasion of Bergen and Oslo. The ports and airfields of those provinces will be needed to fight off the Germans after the invasion. Troops will then conquer Southern Norway. If possible, several Mountain Divisions will move to conquer the one victory point province in Northern Norway, allowing Argentina to claim Norway as past of “Greater Argentina” or puppet the country. The political decision can wait for later. Argentina has no Marines and no paratroops, so the invasion can only proceed as planned if both provinces remain undefended.

Logistical Planning: Convoys and escorts are built in large numbers. They will be needed to keep the invasion forces supplied. Argentina has large stocks of all supplies, so a build-up in that area is not needed. Additional destroyer flotillas are constructed for the purposes of anti-submarine warfare. Generals are promoted and the ranks are looked over to be certain adequate high ranking generals exist and combat penalties can be avoided. Troops, ships, and planes begin moving to Scapa Flow.

The Navy: The Navy will have a three-part role: Protection of supply convoys, Mounting the amphibious assault, and Shore Bombardment of enemy forces as the beachhead is expanded.

The convoys are to be protected by their escorts, as well as by destroyers. Five destroyer flotillas are assigned to ASW operations between Scapa Flow and Norway. This represents all but two of Argentina’s destroyer flotillas.

The assault itself will be handled by Argentina’s three naval task forces, each with two transports. There are not sufficient transports to move all of Argentina’s forces at once, so the navy will have to make multiple trips. Two of the task forces are a balanced mix of battleships, cruisers, and transports. One is two transports accompanied by a single cruiser. The Navy will be hard pressed, but the gamble has to be taken.

Shore bombardment relies completely upon the ports in Bergen and Oslo being available as bases. Argentina’s ships do not have the range to bombard Norway’s shoreline while operating from Scapa Flow. The ports will need to be repaired after the invasion before being available, but it is hoped that the repairs will be complete by the time the fleet is done shuttling troops to Norway. The troops will have to make due on their own until the navy can help.

The Air Force: Although Argentina’s ground forces possess anti-air brigades, the massive number of German planes encountered during reconnaissance prove that the air force will have a major role. Unfortunately for Argentina, most of its air force was mangled over the deserts of North Africa. Only two squadrons of fighters, two of ground attack, and one tactical bomber are available for the operation.

The air force has the same problem as the navy; only the tactical bomber squadron has the range to operate over Norway when based in Scapa Flow. Even the bombers can only reach the southernmost portion of the country. The other aircraft will have to wait for the airfields at Bergen and Oslo to be repaired. This is the largest gamble of the operation. Many of Argentina’s generals hope the British will throw a few planes over Norway, but that is probably a fool’s hope. The troops will have to rely on their AA brigades for the early portion of the operation.

The Ground Forces: Argentina has fifteen divisions and an HQ available for the invasion. Five of the divisions are highly experienced mountain divisions, blooded in the mountains of Bolivia and the rocky ground of Tunisia. The mountain divisions are organized into two corps, and within each corps one division has an AA brigade and the other an artillery brigade. Ten of the divisions are infantry (1943 infantry). These are organized into three corps of three divisions. The last division will remain with the HQ. Within each corps, one division has an AA brigade, one an artillery brigade, and one an armored car brigade. The final division is a horse cavalry division dating from the start of the game.

The mountain divisions will land at Bergen and, if possible, head north to take the northern victory province. If not possible, they will form the northern defensive perimeter of the invasion.

The infantry divisions will land at Oslo and move to take over all of Southern Norway. The HQ will remain as centralized as possible, to maximize its effects. Consideration was giving to landing some of these divisions in other southern provinces and thereby avoiding movement, but protecting the victory point province of Oslo is deemed the first priority. By landing there, these troops have the option of remaining in place if needed.

The cavalry division will serve as an emergency reserve, going wherever the fighting happens to be.

Although reconnaissance revealed no German troops on the coast, it is not known if German troops exist in the interior. The tactical bomber squadron was unable to fly far enough to examine all provinces.

The Timing: By the time preparations are complete and all forces are in Scapa Flow, the month is November, 1942. Winter is a poor time for operations, particularly in Norway, but the Soviets cannot hold out much longer and once they surrender the allies are doomed. A second front must be opened. The US must be coaxed into invading. Argentina cannot wait. The decision is made to proceed immediately.

Stage 1: The tactical bomber is immediately assigned to ground attack in southern Norway. German troops aren’t there yet, but they will be soon. The first three shipments of troops head for Norway. One of the infantry corps lands in Bergen and takes the province. Another lands in Oslo and claims the Norwegian capitol. The third naval task force heads up the coast. In the northern victory point province, it finds two German infantry divisions. The first mountain corps is therefore landed just south of the Germans, and is to hold that line.

As the ships head back to Scapa Flow, the first enemy aircraft appear. Finnish bombers strike the mountain corps, while Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Italian aircraft attack the forces in both Bergen and Oslo. The navy is attacked, but manages not to take any losses.

Stage 2: As the second wave of landings leaves Scapa Flow, German submarines strike four of the ASW destroyer flotillas, almost simultaneously. Three are sunk. The supply convoys are going to have a very tough time of it when they begin shipments. This is ominous for long term prospects of holding Norway, but that was always a pipe dream. Argentine forces brace for the vicious struggle to come, hoping the plan works and the US steps up. The second wave of forces land, and since no German troops have been spotted in the South, two of the infantry corps take additional southern provinces, linking Bergen to Oslo. The third task force carries the other mountain corps, and lands it just south of the first corps, hoping to connect the northern line to the eventual supply depot at Bergen.

German planes continue to hit the ground forces hard, and a cruiser is lost in one of the task forces. The tactical bomber squadron is also destroyed. The British send an aircraft carrier, but its plans are shot down and it is sunk by submarines within hours.

In France, however, the German forces on the beach have begun to move. Several provinces in Brittany, most notably Brest, are left undefended as German troops begin moving northward. The plan is working. Argentine forces take heart when a large 53 transport fleet (unescorted!!) is spotted leaving New York and heading for Europe.

Stage 3: As the third wave of troops hit the beaches, almost all units are now out of supply. The ports and airfields are not being repaired fast enough. Increasingly, the mission looks like a one-way trip, but it will have been a success if the Americans land in France.

As the third wave of troops hits the shores, German paratroops appear in one of the land provinces. A squadron keeps returning, and it is evident that they are being supplied by air. Argentine troops, without supplies, hold firm. There is no point in taking unnecessary losses attacking. Defending alone seems to be drawing enough German attention.

The Finnish bomber squadron is pummeling the mountain troops, the cream of Argentina’s army. There is nothing that can be done. None of the Argentine planes can yet be sent to Bergen or Oslo. The troops hunker down and take what comes. They are heroes. It remains to be seen if they will be dead heroes.

Stage 4: There is great debate in the Argentine High Command over whether to send more troops. The troops there are accomplishing the mission, and more might be unable to accomplish anything other than increasing casualties. However, the UK has been sending ships up around Norway that weren’t there before, and UK troops have begun gathering in Scotland where previously there were none. Could the UK be preparing to support the invasion? If the Argentine troops can hold out until their own air force can arrive, and if the British land forces, Norway could be taken and used as springboard into Denmark. A second front would be a big help to the Americans if they do indeed land at Brest. The fourth wave is sent.

The troops in Norway are subject to massive bombing, and lack supply, but the German ground forces appear to be waiting for summer. If the Argentine merchant marine can get the supply convoy up and running, and the navy can protect it, maybe more than just sacrifice will be achieved.

Stage 5: The ports and airfields in Norway become available. All ground forces save the cavalry unit are in Norway. A supply convoy is running to Bergen, so the troops in the southern portion will soon be in supply. The mountain forces are cut off by German paratroops and not receiving supply. They will have to hold, as they no longer have the strength to attack. The Argentine air forces race to Oslo and begin air superiority and ground attack missions. The navy takes up residence at Bergen and begins bombarding German forces along the coast whenever possible. Both the air force and the navy are hampered by a lack of oil. This will not be remedied until the convoys are up to speed.

German submarines sink the rest of the Argentine destroyer flotillas, and the rest of the Argentine navy is withdrawn to Scapa Flow. The British have begun sending naval task forces, and the German navy has sallied forth. Several naval battles ensue, with the Germans coming out on top.

The British continue gathering forces around Scapa Flow.

Stage 6: The Allies have landed! D-Day has begun. Fifty-three American divisions land in Brest, and begin moving into the many now-undefended provinces of France. Champagne is distributed to the Argentine troops wherever possible. They may have saved the world………and then the Soviet Union accepts a bitter peace. Slowly it dawns on the Argentines that the bulk of the German air force and army will shortly be returning from the Soviet Union.

There is a desire for a reconnaissance of the inner Baltic, but all save on of the air force squadrons have been destroyed. The lack of supply has been a major factor in the operation, as has been the lack of air power to counter the Axis bombers.

Stage 7: The US had captured all of Brittany when the German forces began to return from the Eastern front. Within what seems to be only days, all fifty-three divisions are surrounded, bombed into disorganization, and destroyed. The Germans refortify the beaches.

In Norway, the last Argentine squadron has been destroyed. The mountain corps suddenly find themselves facing eight German divisions, rather than two. Northern Denmark becomes home to thirty-division German stack. The British troops in Scotland begin heading back down toward London. The Royal Navy seems to have withdrawn from the North Sea. There is little chance that the Argentine convoys will be able to bring supplies in.

The decision is made to save as many of the men as can be saved. The operation is a failure.

Stage 8: The Navy heroically runs the gauntlet of seemingly solid Axis aircraft and submarines. A few ships are lost, then a few more. During the first run, the small task force is utterly destroyed, along with the two divisions it was carrying back to Scotland. Four divisions make it back, all in sorry shape. The first Argentine task force now consists of three cruisers and two transports. The second consists of one cruiser and two transports. The Navy puts its head down and heads back to Norway.

Stage 9: The remaining troops are in provinces not containing ports, and have been out of supply longer enough that there is little chance they will be able to move to Bergen or Oslo. The mountain troops are completely cut off. This situation means that the Navy will have to take off the troops in the most dangerous method possible; The ships will have to sit offshore, for hours, unprotected by air cover, while the divisions move out to them. The second task force succeeds in loading its troops, and then is immediately sunk by German submarines and aircraft. Two more divisions are lost. The sole remaining task force goes to the mountain divisions, right in the teeth of the strongest German forces, and pulls out two of the divisions.

Stage 10: The first task force is made of strong men, indeed. It returns to Norway and rescues the remaining two mountain divisions. The cream of Argentina’s army is battered, but not destroyed. Before the task force can return to Norway, a series of German surface fleets appear in the area. The task force cannot leave port. The remaining troops in Norway are instructed to try to make their way to Bergen. They are immediately attacked. The last two divisions and the HQ never make it back to England.

The aftermath: Argentina’s entire air force consists only of the fighter squadron back in Argentina. The Navy is down to task force one (two cruisers and two transports), two destroyer flotillas in Buenos Aries, and a submarine flotilla patrolling the coast. The garrison and militia troops in Argentina remain, but the army has lost seven of its fifteen combat divisions.

On the operational level, Europe remains in German hands. The Soviet Union is basically out of the war. German troops are gathering along the English Channel, and the Luftwaffe has destroyed almost all of the Royal Air Force. The Royal Navy is stuck in port. The US remains strong, but there is little hope that it can do much in either Europe or the Pacific given the situations.

The Argentine High Command immediately launches OPERATION NO ES MI AVERIA, a propaganda campaign, and begins debating the location of its final failures. Unless the game ends first, the Axis will win.

Lessons learned: SUPPLY, SUPPLY, SUPPLY and always have lots of air power. The operation had an achievable objective, but perhaps it could have been achieved with less loss. A small sacrificial mission might have worked just as well and limited losses. The glory of taking Norway blinded the High Command to the idea of focusing the forces on the initial goal. Without adequate supply and air power, which simply could not have been provided, there was never any chance that the mission would be anything other than a suicide run. Dreams of greater glory should have been cast aside and consideration given from the beginning to limiting losses.

Ultimately, the mission almost succeeded. The US and UK both have large numbers of divisions, but were simply unable to find a weakspot to attack. The Argentines created one. Had the Soviet Union held on a little longer, the Americans might have retaken France. The road was open.

[Fizzzay Money]

that.... was..... HUGE!!!! not bad though

[rcduggan]

yeah, a big post. but a good AAR.

[lifeless]

@ operation name too bad about the loss and the disaster at d-day!

[Duke of Soul]

Okay, so I think I figured out pictures. Too bad I have no screenshots of all this. Next time I will post in small batches with pictures. Sorry for the length!

[Graymane]

good summary, better luck next time =)

[GeneralHannibal]

Was very good, and your plan worked, but the US just didn't pull though.

[ScaredPiglet]

Operations like that build character. It was a good experience for you.

[qp4]

Your part there at the end with the High Command trying to figure out what went wrong brought this to mind immediately:

Brig. General James Gavin: So that's it. We're pulling them out. It was Nijmegen.
Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: It was the single road getting to Nijmegen.
Lt. General Horrocks: No, it was after Nijmegen.
Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: And the fog, in England.
Maj. General Stanislaw Sosabowski: Doesn't matter what it was. When one
man says to another, "I know what let's do today, let's play the war game."... everybody dies.

[Duke of Soul]

A good quote from a great movie