AAR: Balkans N. Africa Leg

[Imp]

Unless state otherwise most vehicles are still moving fast, trying to rack up tank kills so arty is not being plotted at present.
NF> Smoke was dropped here by AI hiding tanks coming from NE so move to get past it, 5 VIc now back in sight but range nearly a Km so don't fire. take a shot at Dingo damaging
CFN> MkIIs kill 2 CS9s & overtake infantry taking position to engage others MkIIIs &231 do the same taking half the central flags in the process. Light armour will then fall back as A10s are coming.
CFS> Both 231s move forward to stand directly in path of RR & both get another kill. MkIIs here are following as quick as is practical.
SF> Already mentioned one ATG last post killing RR the other 2 kill a RR & the lead A10, 2 MkIIs get another RR each & the 3rd one moves just in front of the ATG to absorb any fire. Troops here continue SE to flags, 2 ATGs might have to move as wrecks are blocking LOS.
AIT> Arty dies down stops on my mortars, soldiers moving for South flags have been detected 2 Spits attack, reasonably spaced though so even with bombs only lost 2 men. MkII bags another CS9 & in the South 2 RR fall to 231 & a MkIII. More shots were exchanged but either missed or no effect.
Turn7
NF> Daimler Dingo & CS9 finaly succumb eliminating everything in close proximity.
The MkVIcs are continuing West perhaps in the hopes of swinging in for my arty, fire at kills one & forces 2 to use Discharger.
Troops here are now moving out towards North flags
CFN> Troops here move out after local vehicles are killed MkII gets one MkIII another then MkIIIs move into smoke finding 2 more which are also killed.
MkIIIs are now in position to move past smoke & engage A10s that are a Km away, The IIs & 231 are heading in direction of MkVIcs. They can either hunt if escape or go after troops heading for N flags.
CFS+ SF> 231s kill 4 RR then head to join MkIIs, MkIIIs kill the last of the RR & one kills an A10 as does an ATG. Remaining A10s will be covered by wrecks next go I think & Vals are still about 1.5Km away so kill is not on the cards. It occurs to me Spits may have been going after ATGs not troops.
My AA is more set up to cover middle & North, hard to know where to put it as needs to be back from tanks but as still pushing forward arty might well come down where tanks were. Lets test my luck & move slightly off those positions.
You might have noticed I treat meetings as advances generally pushing forward not just sitting there waiting for the AI to come to me. I will do it if opportunities for an ambush are there or heavily outnumbered but my objectives are the flags.
All mortars are loaded & mobile heading for the hills
AIT> Only arty was 3"MTR near S flags, one MkIII in middle was hit by A10 but range is still to large to worry about. The main action happened up North as 2 more VIcs are destroyed, 3 are left but think they have all used dischargers now. An A10 was engaged as well killing 3 riders

[Imp]

NF> Two MkIIIs open up & kill VIcs the rest engage the closest A10s at about 700m, takes a few hits but kill 3 they all have riders. At least one A10 has made it behind AIs smoke screen. All but one tank closes range.
CF> takes on the middle group of nine A10s, if these had riders they perished along with 4 tanks. Would have been higher but platoon moving from area where MkIIs were discover the terrain there blocks the view so only 1 tank in the platoon gets targets. One of those anomolies height zero but restricts view from certain angles, could be drifting invisible smoke. The 3 MkIIIs that came South round the central hill & are engaging this group cannot move any further without giving flank shots to tanks further South, not droping smoke as hope to eliminate central force next go.
SF> Moving forward to try & get targets & both MMGs which do have targets hose down a few tanks, no riders.
AIT> A bit of arty but it does not hit anything, very close to one Flakwagen though.
Nice thing about quite a lot of WW2 tanks is you don't have to worry much about AP ammo as they carry loads so jst blast away. Shots were exchanged & a few MkIIIs were hit but all fire was from the front. Several A10s were damaged & one was destroyed in both the N+S forces. The central force A10Cs poped smoke. Its a shame AI does not maintain better force cohesion if all the vehicles arrived together things would have been a bit trickier.

Turn9
Vals are now visible in the North force & it consists of about 15 tanks. The first foot sloggers have come into view 3 flanking the central force & 4 moving towards S flags. There are also 4 squads that have lost there rides in the North group.
CF> goes first killing the 4 tanks there just the A10CS remains but its behind smoke, as it only has a pen of 2 Ram is coming out of hiding while MkIIIs move towards the North group
NF> Platoon here engages but range is still to great they kill 2 tanks but it takes several hits so they are closing by moving NW that way the MF is aproaching from a diffrent angle
SF> ATGs crawl forward trying to grt some space between them as grouped & MkIIIS take out both remaining A10s before continuing SE closing range, a platoon of them from CF is rushing to assist.
All troops do not engage as max or out of range but close on enemy troops, the front ones slow to 2 hexes. As centre is clear MKIIs 231 & HTs are heading for troops to hit them hard, arty has been told weapons are now free its show time. Half the mortars deploy this turn the others will next go.
AIT> Very little arty mainly 3"MTR around South flags, little to report from tank exchange but enemy troops took fire mainly from MMGs & a few tanks losing a bit over half a dozen men. Up North as suspected an A10 managed to use the now fading smoke screen to get behind my tanks. The southern Vals have turned for the flags increasing range from MkIIIs that were moving to support.
In the dessert my extra experience should pay dividends vs enemy troops, I should spot them easier & my long range fire all other things being equal should hurt more

[Imp]

NF> Closing the range is paying off tanks killed 5 A10s & routed a Vickers HMG, there are now 12 MkIIIs in the area & 10 of them continue to close after firing.
My troops are falling behind my tanks here but can see about a dozen ex riders & in range of the closest ones, they send 2 squads running inflicting about 8 casulties. The enemy is directly NE of flags within about 300m but some forces on foot that I cant see are North of them, my units near the flags are taking fire from scouts & a sniper. I have 2 scouts & a sniper there looking for them now.
CF> Ram kills A10CS pioneers lose a man but we get 5 or so & HTs are turning up, facing 9 squads so far.
SF> Five MkIIIs are now within 500yds of Val but it is still undamaged though the amount of shots at it might have him a bit hot n bothered.
Can see 9 squads here killed about 4 men for no loss routing the lead squad but some of my troops have now been seen as recieving fire, there is an ATR somewhere further South probably with more squads.
AIT> The Spits returned each baging a truck, 3 flak fired at to no avail arty landed on some of my troops
All troopfire is at long range still can't see North sniper & scouts they killed 3 men SF we got a couple for 1 but in the middle despite the range got about half a dozen.
NF> Get another 3 A10s including the one trying to head round the back which is why 2 tanks did not move up, more keep appearing though & target selection is getting hard as there are nearly 20 dead tanks here now blocking sight.
SF> KOs its first Val 3 left

Much more fun than last game but somewhat outclassed, winding up by turn 20 is looking a posibility as was my original goal.

[Imp]

NF> 3 M3s fire taking out 2 A10s & immob a 3rd whos crew bail out & are persuaded to leave the hex.
There is a line of half a dozen burning tanks which my tanks south of now take advantage of to close the gap on Vals
Tanks closing from SW take out another A10 & damage the lead Val, a M3 is damaged to so it falls back into the dust trail.
These tanks are in 2 groups of 6 the SW group are now close to the area hidden scouts & sniper are in. The search is on both scouts move forward then squads draw fire, detect 2 scouts & new pioneer LMG kill a man in each sending them running. The sniper here gets a man & it turns out has a restricted view so forces move forward killing both scouts & generaly putting the frightners on more distant targets.
Two squads take time out to deal with the rider of the lone tank that had tried flanking killing 4 & sending him scurrying for friendly lines.
CF> There is a sniper here to that remains elusive but find 2 scouts here also killing one. A couple of vehicles prep fire then concentrate all fire on units with ATR to let the HTs lose. They are suffering quite badly men droping here & there so 3 HTs move on South platoon shooting them up at close quarters.
What happened to Brit resolve & fighting spirit everyone is running so several HTs & 231s are heading to support SF
SF> MMGs fire at troops near Vals then 2 MkIIIs (M3s from now on) fire at remaining Vals then 3 others close for the money shot destroying one & immob the other, further hits damage it more. Squads then fire at nearest units routing while a scout moves towards ATR, its spotted & killed. Looks like the original plan was wrong we will be rolling up from this end first HTs are on the way & its time to let the air commence runs as some arty is visible
Flak is playing leap frog now & trucks are coming out of hiding heading for CF & SF, 223Fu breaks cover
AIT> 3"MTRs are landing on target at the front line but all 25Pdrs are to far back thoogh how a couple managed to miss my trucks is beyond me. Landed right in a group of them & just caused a few to button. Apart from in the South Brits are in trouble as 5 units or so return fire at any shot he takes, this resulted in the death of N sniper & the central one is now visible. The central force is pretty much routed but the other 2 are still fighting.
Tank battles did not achieve much but the other Southern Val was damaged.
3 more A10s are moving towards the centre but they are 2Km away.

[Imp]

NF> Tanks to SW go first most taking a shot then closing range, troops fire at any squads that fire at & another sniper is found. Two of the tanks take time to kill it the rest kill an A10 & send some fire at squads with ATR by Vals. Now the South tanks move as can get to within 100m but discover two ATR teams, troops & furthest tank take on & destroy. Tanks roll on & fire taking 3 Vals down leaving 4 known tanks. Troops move up they need transport as getting left behind & dust is causing problems. Should have thought ahead a bit AA here has to move as tanks have left there umbrella
CF> Northern part is mainly pinned due to enemy arty & it appears there is a scout out there but they still manage to inflict minor damage. Squad loads in a HT & heads towards the scouts area as does the damaged tank & MkIIs. Further South squad moves adj to sniper & says farewell others take shots but are calling for transport to as Brits are going backwards faster than they can keep up. Slightly South of this group a FOO takes pot shots so Ram scout & sniper lead the hunt then HT infantry roll up to the middle & South of this force decimating them. The 2 platoons here are reduced to about 30men in total.
SF> 5 tanks vs 2 damaged is no contest then others moving to the area find an ATR & 3 tanks gang up on him killing a man. All tanks now prep fire at the enemy squads, they are tightly bunched here & range is about 300m so casulties start to rack up. MMGs & ATGs get there turn & despite the range ATGs kill 5 or so. The Brits just have no answer when my squads advance only 2 fire + the ATR to the South which is quicly found & killed.
ATGs hop on trucks & my troops have never failed to move forward at least 100m. AA here elects to hold position.
AIT> All arty is falling behind now & a 3"MTR dies to my plane, it recieves light AA fire. Most of the turn is spent watching people run as any fire by Brit troops leaves a pile of cartridge cases round my men. They did have minor success however as a HT & 231 moving to SF are destroyed while moving South by a 2Pdr ATG, its just South of centre & nearly 1.5Km from nearest vehicles. Remaining tanks up North tried to mount an attack one perished & the others fire was very limited as they to are suffering from multiple fire at syndrome
Flags central have been ours for a while now & will finnish taking North ones next go. South we have passed so 233Fu is running down to take them.
On board 25Pdrs have been seen & air is targeting
Turn 13
NF> Troops here are having trouble finding targets but a few have started working there way North through the carnage at the West End.
Tanks killed last 5 armour here & are coming in from the East but now need eyes to catch up, even so the little foray so far has revealed several new squads there is more than a company still knocking around.
CF> Finding the FOO costs a man but he loses one to, have to be carefull here due to that ATG so some smoke placed to cover Ram & HTs while allowing MMGs to be brought up. Squads are nearly gone now & 2 scouts were found & engaged by sniper & a tank before being killed. Some of this force is heading North while the rest stroll East on foot.
SF> Just keep moving forward about 2/3rds of a company left here Ram & 231 have shown up so tanks are heading East gun hunting as decent armour, found Bofors AA already.
The North will be doing the same several breaking off as MkIIs take over infantry support roll. The seen ATG is under arty & what little smoke I have left has been plotted. Some infantry in transport will follow tanks in the dust trails so they can unload & be eyes when armour takes fire
AIT> Lose a truck to arty & plane fails to make its attack on 25Pdrs, did not see the gun as it became a fireball. Find a few more units up North an A10 appears through the smoke & is immobilised by scout then squad routes it

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Bob hows your 200 battle campaign going & a scary note.
Reckon I play quite a bit probably 2-3 turns a day average & started this campaign on 5-1 This is my 9th battle I think so managing a bit under 5 battles a month. At this rate with a few specials thrown in should finnish my campaign about this time next year
Kinda freaked me out that

[Imp]

NF> lose 3 men working through the carnage its slow
SF> Moving flat out troops killing closest while Ram & 231 & ATGs spread fire on the rest to keep there heads down
MMG & scouts are generaly breaking off & in transport to hunt guns
6 M3 have broken off up North to hunt but nothing so far, down South 9 are heading out & can see 3 2pdrs & 5 Bofors a 25Pdr fired to but not detected only took 2 shots. Not bothering to return fire just rolling till range is under 1KM which it is now for front couple of tanks.
In the middle troops are on foot with some vehicles due to smoke use
Spits came in again got a couple of men & a truck empty as unloaded thinking imminent, AA missed only 2 in area
Could have taken all flags but will put off for a couple of turns.
Turn15
NF> no casulties this time as mainly through the mess, units closing from West have sped up & FOO is acting as a scout circling at moderate range to see units when they fire. More units found its more like 2 companies here, concentrate on taking down Vickers HMG & ATR units. Relief from the centre is arriving so a couple of M3 are trying to work behind the enemy to see if guns fire at. Aim is to get some troops here to cut off the escape path as soon as pos.
South tanks fire then move on & clever use of dust & smoke he says going for braging rights lets central troops move up including transport. They find HQ & both forces fire have taken out 2 2Pdrs + a Bofors
Had not lost a man till arty fell destroying flakwagen truck & half its passengers. My remaining plane came in from a diffrent angle killing at least one 25Pdr

[Imp]

NF> continues to advance now cleared the wreckage can see there are more like 3 companys here being forced back. Maybe keeping a few more vehicles to lay down the love might have been wise thats a lot of people to keep running. A few tanks make it to cut any escape & they should be joined next turn, fire here is now mainly short ranged. Brit casulties are decidly unhealthy & some of my relief troops will be late as need to detor because of arty.
SF> troops are reduced to platoon level, tanks carry on attacking guns 4 Bofors are left 2 with reduced crews. MMGs are in place to join in & scout is heading for likely 3"Mtr pos. The 3 A10s in the middle are attacked by both groups of tanks resulting in a kill & immob result.
Having to move 80mmMtrs targets out of range.
AIT> The bloodbath continues as the net closes, HQ dies to sniper fire, arty missed but seems last turn also immob a HT & got 2 more trucks including half the passengers on one. North tanks recieving bofors fire one is seen.

Turn17
The SF ceases to exist & scout finds 2 3"Mtr kills + routes respectivly.
MMGs fire at boffors then tanks take over, one is ok but the other 2 are hurt bad so turn atention to A10s waving them goodbye before rolling ever forward.
Centre is running out of smoke but push forward to killing straglers & engaging another Mtr.
North tanks close range on bofors it seems alone.
NF> Vehicles continue to share the love as troops continue the kill fest, there is one MMG here & his blood letting is violent picking a squad surrounded by others he is hitting multi targets killing over 10 men in one turn. The tanks coming from the West have moved to the North so dust trails are not a problem, at the east end troops have deployed & have there hands full with the tide of men coming there way. A few can be seen who have already escaped the net but tanks can hunt them.
AIT> lost another couple of trucks to arty targeting central group. There are 3 bofors to the North visible now. NF is about 2 comp now & some are trying to slip the net by routing NE. Funny to watch but 2 pretty intact squads routed past a line of 3 of my squads shrinking then vanishing.

T18
Wow total devastation its like they are just melting the 2 companies are now 1/2 of one.
Awesome display of firepower probably the best kill zone ever.
2 bofors remain one is hurt & 2 25Pdrs both hurt taking flag & winding up not worried about getting bits & pieces we have a boat to catch for Russia
Spits make another run taking a HT & truck but one is not going home.

T19-21
Troops did not even get a chance to run just wiped out, a bofors remains & 25Pdr all my arty that can reach is on it as 6 A10s entered this go.
Troops furthest forward have to drop smoke to let there vehicles pull back safely.
Close range as quick as pos & manage to kill first 6 before game ends. They had riders that survived & more entered on turn 20 that never got time to engage.
Decisive Vic
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Sorry endings a bit short but the stereo decided to kicked into overdrive great mix of songs resulting in major volume boost, a trip down memory lane & some leapin about so forgot to write.
How is it my home stereo is 500w & my car is supposed to be double that but the house can blow it away on 4, sounds way better to.
Helena says its down to speaker size but I think she is being rude.