After firing up the game I played for a little while around with Bulgaria - minor offensive into Yugoslavia but I didn't play far enough to see much battles. My next step was to fire up Ethiopia and, uhm, kick some major Italian butt. Sure you say, it's impossible, but nothing is impossible for a veteran wargamer 
. So, here goes the epic tale of failure of second Italian invasion of Abyssinia, 1935-1936.
Early part of January-
Overview
At that point, my armies consisted of two weak militia corps in the south and a stronger army in the north. Italian forces in Eritrea were limited to a small group of colonial divisions (one division gamewise), which did not represent any immediate danger, and a much larger force in Somalia, ready for offensive (3-4 divisions gamewise).
Plan:
Immediate plan for defense of the country was to assault weakly protected Asmara and use it as a card on the peace table. To this end forces in the north were ordered to immediately advance and assault Italian forces around Asmara. In the south, seeing much superior Italian forces, and considering that current position of my line was in open plain, I retreated to 2 easily defensible regions to the west (Harar and Magalo).
How it worked out:
After lenghty attrition battle around Asmara led by Gen. Ivar Virgin, I have concluded that capture was impossible, since Italian defense was too strong and I suspected that Italian reinforcements would soon arrive. In the south, one corps proceeded to withdraw to mountainous region of Harar, however corps trying to cross Juba river and withdraw into Magalo was assaulted by Italians before bridging could be completed. However the corps was ordered to break off the contact and proceed with retreat to Magalo region.
Late January-Early February-
Overview:
At this point it was largely uncertain I have managed to preserve much of my force but large numbers of troops were now tied up in the north by possibility of Italian counter-attack (4 divisions gamewise in Asmara at that point). In the south, city of Dagabur and everything east of the mountains was held by Italian forces. My forces in Magalo soon came under attack by Italian regular divisions. Forces in Harar came under a weaker attack. One division was transferred from newly reorganized Imperial Army of the North (led by Ivar Virgin) to forces in Harar, while earlier one division from Harar was transferred to Imperial Army of the South in Magalo, led by Emperor Haile Selassie himself. Danger in the north however was now very dire since large portion of the border near Djibouti was not covered at all.
Plan:
Hold tight and wait for second influence point to come in so I could sue for peace.
How it worked out:
Italians in the north failed to execute an offensive, Italian offensive towards city of Magalo barely went beyond bridging Juba, and Italians were forced to retreat with horrible casualties. They were repulsed in Harar as well.
The End:
Following these defeats of Italian military and with all of their forces located in occupied territories now in retreat to Somalia, our diplomats offered ITaly an honorable peace, and Italians had agreed. Peace treaty had been signed at 8AM on February 21, 1936 in field headquarters of Emperor Haile Selassie by commander of Italian forces in the south, Gen. Cavallero.
Game was played on very hard/normal. I must say this was quite an interesting game. Resembles some smaller quick scenarios in TOAW by fun factor. I wouldn't say AI did all that a poor job- not much they could do better, maybe wait for more air support and attack in the north in force, that could throw me off at least temporarily. Also, from my observations so far, battle system is done nicely and is fairly realistic. In any case, game is mighty fun. The guy on Gamespot who gave game 7 should have his head stuffed up his ***.
Sorry for any typos.
. So, here goes the epic tale of failure of second Italian invasion of Abyssinia, 1935-1936.Early part of January-
Overview
At that point, my armies consisted of two weak militia corps in the south and a stronger army in the north. Italian forces in Eritrea were limited to a small group of colonial divisions (one division gamewise), which did not represent any immediate danger, and a much larger force in Somalia, ready for offensive (3-4 divisions gamewise).
Plan:
Immediate plan for defense of the country was to assault weakly protected Asmara and use it as a card on the peace table. To this end forces in the north were ordered to immediately advance and assault Italian forces around Asmara. In the south, seeing much superior Italian forces, and considering that current position of my line was in open plain, I retreated to 2 easily defensible regions to the west (Harar and Magalo).
How it worked out:
After lenghty attrition battle around Asmara led by Gen. Ivar Virgin, I have concluded that capture was impossible, since Italian defense was too strong and I suspected that Italian reinforcements would soon arrive. In the south, one corps proceeded to withdraw to mountainous region of Harar, however corps trying to cross Juba river and withdraw into Magalo was assaulted by Italians before bridging could be completed. However the corps was ordered to break off the contact and proceed with retreat to Magalo region.
Late January-Early February-
Overview:
At this point it was largely uncertain I have managed to preserve much of my force but large numbers of troops were now tied up in the north by possibility of Italian counter-attack (4 divisions gamewise in Asmara at that point). In the south, city of Dagabur and everything east of the mountains was held by Italian forces. My forces in Magalo soon came under attack by Italian regular divisions. Forces in Harar came under a weaker attack. One division was transferred from newly reorganized Imperial Army of the North (led by Ivar Virgin) to forces in Harar, while earlier one division from Harar was transferred to Imperial Army of the South in Magalo, led by Emperor Haile Selassie himself. Danger in the north however was now very dire since large portion of the border near Djibouti was not covered at all.
Plan:
Hold tight and wait for second influence point to come in so I could sue for peace.
How it worked out:
Italians in the north failed to execute an offensive, Italian offensive towards city of Magalo barely went beyond bridging Juba, and Italians were forced to retreat with horrible casualties. They were repulsed in Harar as well.
The End:
Following these defeats of Italian military and with all of their forces located in occupied territories now in retreat to Somalia, our diplomats offered ITaly an honorable peace, and Italians had agreed. Peace treaty had been signed at 8AM on February 21, 1936 in field headquarters of Emperor Haile Selassie by commander of Italian forces in the south, Gen. Cavallero.
Game was played on very hard/normal. I must say this was quite an interesting game. Resembles some smaller quick scenarios in TOAW by fun factor. I wouldn't say AI did all that a poor job- not much they could do better, maybe wait for more air support and attack in the north in force, that could throw me off at least temporarily. Also, from my observations so far, battle system is done nicely and is fairly realistic. In any case, game is mighty fun. The guy on Gamespot who gave game 7 should have his head stuffed up his ***.
Sorry for any typos
.
