July '45: A New Direction
NEW GOVERNMENT:
(above) The cabinet met in emergency session to deal with the growing unrest. A massive stimulus to the economy (green circle) was neeeded, and the sooner the crisis is put behind the sooner the Government can return to normal. It is projected the markets will be restored in 20 days, which is a record of sorts for wartime.
BATTLE FOR MARSEILLE:
(above) Allies work to take advantage of German unrest following the coup (green circle in battle screen). The infantry corps in Toulon is running out of steam and is relived by armored infantry (green circle in unit screen).
Fighting is furious around Marseille as Allied attacks (orange arrows) look to retake Toulon and expand their hold on the surrounds to Marseille.
Meanwhile, German motorized infantry reserves from France (yellow arrows) arrive just in time to halt Allied progress in the west of the city, while a fresh armored infantry corps from the Baltic finally moves out of its base in Nice (yellow arrows) to begin the counter-attack.
Aircraft based in Toulon and Genoa attack the city by day and night (green circle at bottom). Allied defenders are weary, but will stubbornly hold on for two more months!
(above)
A) the Allies look to expand the Marseilles pocket (orange arrows), while the Germans hope to maintain narrow defensive fronts (white arrows) while keeping the pressure up on Marseille (red arrows).
B) Following the coup the Allies gain ground and hope to push the Germans from the western reaches of the city. Meanwhile, German submarine activity (green circle) impose a blockade on fresh supplies. One of the best U-boat commanders in charge of the most advanced submarines in the fleet equipped with acoustic torpedoes. The Allies never saw it coming, and are helpless to against it.
C) Fresh re-enforcements attacking from the east and west (yellow circles and arrows) finally turn the tide of the battle.
D) German units in the north and east fall back (green arrows) in a deliberate attempt to dilute Allied lines. The noose is closing rapidly around Marseilles. A depleted infantry corps returns to Nice (purple arrows) to re-organize as the infrastructure in Toulon is competely destroyed.
E) The Allies are in a box. Infrastructure is Marseille is totally collapsed, meaning Allied forces will not receive supplies or fuel. This is the turning point!
AIR CAMPAIGN OVER EUROPE:
(above) Dissent levels (green arrows and circles) have little effect on air defenses as rocket interceptors tear into Allied bomber formations that dare enter German airspace.
STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST:
(above) V-2 missile attacks continue against new targets including, Helsinki, Kursk, Tarnopol, and Odessa. Note, intellegence on the USSR is virtually useless, so these reports have been dropped from this screen.
BATTLE OF ITALY
(above -- front in black arrows) Allies press their advantage against dissent-racked German troops at Perugia, Terni, and Ancona. Meanwhile, the Lufwaffe has returned to the sky's over the battlefield providing air protection to help reduce casualties on the ground.
ALLIED INVASION OF NORWAY:
(above) While Germany is otherwise occupied in France and Italy, an Allied task group attempts to storm the beaches in Norway.
Note, the Allies gave their intentions away earlier as CAGs bombing the beaches were summarily dispatched by a wing of fighters.
So, by the time the ground offensive began mobile reserves (yellow arrows) had already been dispatched and would arrive in time to turn back the the landing. Norway is saved!
Next Time: Fall of Marseille and Battle Planning for Italy
NEW GOVERNMENT:
(above) The cabinet met in emergency session to deal with the growing unrest. A massive stimulus to the economy (green circle) was neeeded, and the sooner the crisis is put behind the sooner the Government can return to normal. It is projected the markets will be restored in 20 days, which is a record of sorts for wartime.
BATTLE FOR MARSEILLE:
(above) Allies work to take advantage of German unrest following the coup (green circle in battle screen). The infantry corps in Toulon is running out of steam and is relived by armored infantry (green circle in unit screen).
Fighting is furious around Marseille as Allied attacks (orange arrows) look to retake Toulon and expand their hold on the surrounds to Marseille.
Meanwhile, German motorized infantry reserves from France (yellow arrows) arrive just in time to halt Allied progress in the west of the city, while a fresh armored infantry corps from the Baltic finally moves out of its base in Nice (yellow arrows) to begin the counter-attack.
Aircraft based in Toulon and Genoa attack the city by day and night (green circle at bottom). Allied defenders are weary, but will stubbornly hold on for two more months!
(above)
A) the Allies look to expand the Marseilles pocket (orange arrows), while the Germans hope to maintain narrow defensive fronts (white arrows) while keeping the pressure up on Marseille (red arrows).
B) Following the coup the Allies gain ground and hope to push the Germans from the western reaches of the city. Meanwhile, German submarine activity (green circle) impose a blockade on fresh supplies. One of the best U-boat commanders in charge of the most advanced submarines in the fleet equipped with acoustic torpedoes. The Allies never saw it coming, and are helpless to against it.
C) Fresh re-enforcements attacking from the east and west (yellow circles and arrows) finally turn the tide of the battle.
D) German units in the north and east fall back (green arrows) in a deliberate attempt to dilute Allied lines. The noose is closing rapidly around Marseilles. A depleted infantry corps returns to Nice (purple arrows) to re-organize as the infrastructure in Toulon is competely destroyed.
E) The Allies are in a box. Infrastructure is Marseille is totally collapsed, meaning Allied forces will not receive supplies or fuel. This is the turning point!
AIR CAMPAIGN OVER EUROPE:
(above) Dissent levels (green arrows and circles) have little effect on air defenses as rocket interceptors tear into Allied bomber formations that dare enter German airspace.
STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST:
(above) V-2 missile attacks continue against new targets including, Helsinki, Kursk, Tarnopol, and Odessa. Note, intellegence on the USSR is virtually useless, so these reports have been dropped from this screen.
BATTLE OF ITALY
(above -- front in black arrows) Allies press their advantage against dissent-racked German troops at Perugia, Terni, and Ancona. Meanwhile, the Lufwaffe has returned to the sky's over the battlefield providing air protection to help reduce casualties on the ground.
ALLIED INVASION OF NORWAY:
(above) While Germany is otherwise occupied in France and Italy, an Allied task group attempts to storm the beaches in Norway.
Note, the Allies gave their intentions away earlier as CAGs bombing the beaches were summarily dispatched by a wing of fighters.
So, by the time the ground offensive began mobile reserves (yellow arrows) had already been dispatched and would arrive in time to turn back the the landing. Norway is saved!
Next Time: Fall of Marseille and Battle Planning for Italy
And maybe a few subs if you don't mind littering the mediterranean with german made steel
