Allright, I had quite a down for making scenarios, but it seems I might be back to it again :3
It seems to be running properly after the latest update, but there might be some fixes. I still wonder if I shouldn't make British AT guns self-mobile, AI seems to be having some issues with their mobility.
Nevertheless, here it comes, yet another forgotten conflict of WW2
This scenario covers partial what-if engagement near Ahvaz, during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran. Scenario is playable from either side, but i recommend Iranian side - Iran OOB was manually made for this scenario. Hold your ground as Iranian commander... or crush the resistance with your elite forces :3
There will be 1-2 more Iranian scenarios to come, stay tuned! So I will keep slots 811 and 812 if possible as well.
Quote:
Advance on Ahvaz*
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Date: 27th of August, 1941*
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Location: Ahvaz outskirts, Khruzestan Province, Iran*
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Type: Iranian (Blue) defence vs. British (Indian) advance*
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In August 1941, the war was surely not going well for the Allies.
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Soviet army was being crushed in one battle after the other. In August 1941, the battle of Brody was already over and a huge pocket of Uman was created (those events were partly depicted in "South of Uman" scenario). Yet, at this point, USA was partly active in Allied war effort and so Allies were looking for short and effective supply routes to the Soviet Union.
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One of those routes was Iran - or previously Persia - rulled by king Reza Shah Pahlavi. Iranians suffered greatly during World War 1, but interwar period was one of unseen before developments on all social fronts: political, economic, as well as military. At the same time, political crisis with United Kingdom was developing on ground of income from Anglo-Iranian Oil Companies. It comes to no surprise that Iran started to close its ties with Nazi Germany as soon as France fell in 1940. In August 1941, Iran was rather openly pro-German, shielding German interests and looking for possible bases for Luftwaffe war effort against the Soviet Union. At the same time, there was one of the greatest train rails of that era going from Bahgdad to Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Turkiestan.
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All above led to the Allied decision to invade Iran - after more peaceful persuasion proved to be futile - and secure the line for oil and weapon transports. Later in the war, this line will prove strategic for Lend-Lease program shipments.
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The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran began on 25th of August, 1941 with strategic attacks against Iranian air force and oil fields in Abadan. British Advanced with two Indian divisions (8th and 10th), as well was one cavalry and one light tank brigade, aiming for southern province of Khruzestan and central Iran heights. Soviets opened up with several armies, including 47th from Turkiestan and 44th from Azerbaijan, mounting up to about 10 divisions and more than one thousand tanks and motor vehicles. Iran did upgrade its military and it was considered semi-modern in 1941 with about 10 divisions and an armoured brigade. Majority of Iranian equipment was provided by Czechoslovakia before its fall in 1939, yet the transports were continued under German supervision.
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This scenario covers a what-if situation if battle of Ahvaz really developed. Ahvaz was approached on 27th of August by 8th Indian Division made up of three brigades, while the spearheading one was 17th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier Doughlas Gracey. 17th Brigade was a mixed formation made of Pakistani Lancers (armoured recon), British Royal Fusiliers, Indian Frontier Force and Ghurkas. Royal Air Force quickly secured its dominance.
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Iranian forces in Ahvaz consisted of elite 1st Infantry Division under General Shakhbakti, reinforced with Iran's only motorized brigade. The presence of the latter - according to some historians - was a surprise to the British. Nevertheless, Iranians did have more than 100 tanks and armoured vehicles in the outer defence rings of Ahvaz, as well as serious fortifications prepared.
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After initial skirmishes, the British 17th Brigade did not decide to assault the defence ring. Before the decision to attack was made, the Iranian government asked for a ceasefire. This scenario however covers the situation, in which Brigadier Gracey was finally order to break the Iranian defence and situation got serious...
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Scenarios is playable from EITHER side, while the Iranian is somewhat recommended. As Iranians, you have two out of three regiment's battalions in that sector at your disposal - you are dug in around the village of Ein-I-Do, right before the Ahvaz's outskirts. Hold off the British long enough for your tank reinforcements to counterattack. Beware however of the British AT capabilities and their domination in the air.*
When playing as the British, try to crush Iranian defences rather quickly - their tanks will appear sooner or later, and your footmobile infantry better be ready for their welcome.
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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Sources: Various internet sources
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