A challenge for RetLT: Invasion of Spain

[wulfir]

OK, RetLT - you are invading Spain. Your force is based in French North Africa. The French have agreed to deal with all Spanish possessions in Africa but will otherwise not participate in the invasion.

1)You have the sealift capability to attack with one division in the first wave. Your airlift allows you to attack with one parachute and one glider battalion in the first wave - if the invasion takes place within range of the transport planes based in North Africa. In addition to all other forces you can also use the No 14 Commando for a seaborne landing, maybe as a spearhead.

2) It is belived Spain will fold after only token resistance.

3) The American units are generally greener than some of the Commonwealth ones, but can afford to take more losses. The Americans can draw on more manpower while the Commonwealth ones will have to fight with depleated units if they take losses

4) The following operations in Spain demand a larger, intact, seaport. You do not have any artificial harbours.

5) The Spanish defences are alerted but not considered strong anywhere on the coast. The Spanish navy or air force are not belived capable of disrupting the invasion.

6) I need to know where you attack and with what units?

[RetLT]

Sorry for not responding sooner. Been away for a few days.

I think that I would want to land near Valencia and Barcelona on the west coast to quickly seize harbors. This would also allow a strike into southern France before the Germans have time to fortify the area.

13th Airborne and 7th SAS go in first to secure bridges and cut off reinforcements to the beachheads.

US landings are led by 86th Infantry. Their lack of combat experience is not an issue as resistance should be light. Follow on forces are the 2nd Cav, which can quickly break out from the beachhead.

British landings are led by 3rd South African division with the 42nd Armored and 1st Australian Armored Brigade for the follow up break out.

The Gibraltar garrison, the Norwegian Brigade and the remainder of the Australian units can break out of Gibraltar and head for Malaga and Sevilla. Perhaps our Russian allies could contact some of their friends in the area to help with intelligence and sabotage.

Looks like this will be fun.

[RetLT]

14 Commando seizes the Balearic islands to capture airfields closer to the Spanish coast.

If sealift is not sufficient for 2 landings the Americans go into Valencia and the Barcelona landing is cancelled.

[wulfir]

You have enough sealift for one division in the first wave. If you wish to split the resources up and land roughly half of the South African Division and half of the American Division to establish two different beachheads that is up to you.

At the start of the game only the Gibraltar garrison is located in Gibraltar. You can reinforce it with additional units from your bases in North Africa - this transport will require shipping. If it takes place at the same time as the other landings those other landings must be reduced in size.

You have enough air transport to drop one American parachute and one glider battalion in the first wave.

The 7th Special Air Service Regiment is a parachute capable battalion size formation, although it is smaller than a regular infantry battalion. The troops are trained to operate (in uniform) behind enemy lines to disrupt enemy communications etc. The unit is motorised with MG armed jeeps. The jeeps can also be landed from the air. Most often the idea is to use the force in smaller detachements. If needed the unit can also be used as a (motorised) line infantry formation - though it is less suited to this role. For game purposes you can parachute in this unit on the first day "without extra cost of air transport". It cannot be swapped with other airborne capable units.

In addition to all other operations the No 14 Commando can be landed from the sea without additional "cost of shipping" - this is a unique capability only true for this unit. It cannot be swapped for say the Norwegians or an armoured brigade.

1) Do you want the landings against the Balearic islands to be simultaneous with the other landings, or do you want to occupy them prior to the invasion of the mainland?

2) Divide up the naval escort - what ships are to support each landing.

[troopie]

Are you going to include the Spanish Republican forces in the FFR? They would be happy to go along.

troopie

[wulfir]

I intend to introduce pro-allied Spanish geurillas led and equipped by the British Special Operations Executive as part of the "story". In the initial stages of the invasion the only units under First Army command will be the ones listed above.

Moscow will not help out with anything related to the invasion of Spain however.

[RetLT]

Originally Posted by wulfir

You have enough sealift for one division in the first wave. If you wish to split the resources up and land roughly half of the South African Division and half of the American Division to establish two different beachheads that is up to you.

At the start of the game only the Gibraltar garrison is located in Gibraltar. You can reinforce it with additional units from your bases in North Africa - this transport will require shipping. If it takes place at the same time as the other landings those other landings must be reduced in size.

You have enough air transport to drop one American parachute and one glider battalion in the first wave.

The 7th Special Air Service Regiment is a parachute capable battalion size formation, although it is smaller than a regular infantry battalion. The troops are trained to operate (in uniform) behind enemy lines to disrupt enemy communications etc. The unit is motorised with MG armed jeeps. The jeeps can also be landed from the air. Most often the idea is to use the force in smaller detachements. If needed the unit can also be used as a (motorised) line infantry formation - though it is less suited to this role. For game purposes you can parachute in this unit on the first day "without extra cost of air transport". It cannot be swapped with other airborne capable units.

In addition to all other operations the No 14 Commando can be landed from the sea without additional "cost of shipping" - this is a unique capability only true for this unit. It cannot be swapped for say the Norwegians or an armoured brigade.

1) Do you want the landings against the Balearic islands to be simultaneous with the other landings, or do you want to occupy them prior to the invasion of the mainland?

2) Divide up the naval escort - what ships are to support each landing.

Due to the limited air and naval resources I will go with landing the US airborne and ground units at Valencia. The SAS will go in behind the lines and the Commandos will take the islands simultaneously (No need to tip off that the invasion is coming).

After airfields at Valencia are secured the 7th Canadian division will be brought in by air to reinforce the beachhead.

If enemy forces move on Valencia (and it is strong enough to hold) follow up landings can be made near Barcelona to cut of the enemy's supply lines and path of retreat (ala the Anzio operation) . If the enemy response is in force the follow up landings will have to support the initial beachhead.

4 DDs and one CA will cover the landing in the Balearic Islands and the remainder of the naval units will cover the Valencia landings.

After the Balearic islands are secure, the commandos will come ashore and a small garrison will replace them on the islands. The B-25s, Mosquitoes and P-40s will operate from here while the shorter range fighters will operate from Valencia air base.

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by RetLT

Due to the limited air and naval resources I will go with landing the US airborne and ground units at Valencia.

The First Wave:

1) You can parachute in one US Parachute Infantry Battalion (with parachutes).
2) You can land one US Airborne Glider Battalion (with gliders)
3) You can land the complete US 86th Infantry Division.
4) You can land the British 7th SAS Regiment (Bn size light infantry unit motorised with jeeps - combination of parachutes/gliders).


You can land everything at one beach or split them up into multiple beaches.

You can stagger landings to come in at different times if you want the multiple landing options.

Airborne untis can launch their attack(s)at night and attack different locations as well.


OOB of the US 86th Infantry Division:

HQ

341st Infantry Regiment
342nd Infantry Regiment
343rd Infantry Regiment

331st Field Artillery Bn (105mm)
332nd Field Artillery Bn (105mm)
911th Field Artillery Bn (105mm)
404th Field Artillery Bn (155mm)

86th Recon Troop (Mech)
311th Engineer Bn

Divisional service and Supply units

[wulfir]

Valencia is the responsibliity of the 3a Región Militar", which also includes the provinces of Alicante, Castellón de la Plana, Murcia and Albacete. It is garrisioned by the III Army Corps.

Major commands of the Spanish III Army Corps:

31st Infantry Division
32nd Infantry Division

4th Mixed Artillery Regiment
43rd Artillery Regiment
3rd Engineer Regiment
56th Machinegun Regiment
8th Cavalry Regiment

Unknown Coastal Artillery positions - beliveved to have limited combat value.

There might also be additional forces in the region from the Spanish army central reserve.