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#71

Tabletop AARs / Re: Gazala, May 26, 1942

Last post by MengJiao - November 19, 2023, 04:00:58 PM

I have "Fall of Tobruk" on my Christmas wish list...so watching this replay.

What I did do more carefully or less randomly was to read the first half of the 3rd volume of the British official history of
WWII in the Mediterranean, tellingly entitled British Fortunes Reach Their Lowest Ebb.

Taking Ariete for a spin (afternoon of 26th).  Since 32 Army Tank Bde was drawn north and 27 division posted its heavy AT by the Trig Capuzzo, maybe a thrust into the area that historically became "the Cauldron" would be instructive.  Added air for both sides.  Lots of Italian biplanes and even some Fleet Air Arm biplane bombers (apparently they did Okay in the actual battle -- hard to imagine but there you have it):

#72

Tabletop AARs / Re: Gazala, May 26, 1942

Last post by MengJiao - November 19, 2023, 01:11:11 PM

I have "Fall of Tobruk" on my Christmas wish list...so watching this replay.

I'm at the earliest stages of testing the game but the little diversion is a relatively self-contained battle.  I gave the Axis a lot of bombers, but against good, fresh, fully supplied troops (the 1st South African Div) in strong entrenchments on a hill, behind a minefield, nothing helped -- which seems reasonable.  The fighter defenses didn't catch the Axis bombers, but the Kittyhawks did disrupt some of the attackers.  And even that took a fair amount of dice rolling -- so be forewarned about all the throws of the dice.

What I did do more carefully or less randomly was to read the first half of the 3rd volume of the British official history of
WWII in the Mediterranean, tellingly entitled British Fortunes Reach Their Lowest Ebb.

#73

Tabletop AARs / Re: Gazala, May 26, 1942

Last post by ArizonaTank - November 19, 2023, 09:13:48 AM

The first half of 1942 was pretty bad for the UK and company.  The 8th Army was being pushed into attacking to take the airfields in Cyrenica so as to secure air cover for the Malta convoys.  8th army figured it needed another 100 Grant tanks to have a chance at driving DAK and co out of Cyrenica.  They were probably right about that but in any case, Rommel attacked first and the first part of that attack was a diversion by the coast (as seen here).  I guess it has been diverting so far...the 60th (Italian) went over the top and into minefields and got disrupted mostly.  There was a lot of air action but the only result was some Kittybombers added to the disruption out there.
Oh, and the game is Compass Games The Fall of Tobruk, which came out recently.

I have "Fall of Tobruk" on my Christmas wish list...so watching this replay.

#74

Tabletop AARs / Gazala, May 26, 1942

Last post by MengJiao - November 19, 2023, 07:55:29 AM

The first half of 1942 was pretty bad for the UK and company.  The 8th Army was being pushed into attacking to take the airfields in Cyrenica so as to secure air cover for the Malta convoys.  8th army figured it needed another 100 Grant tanks to have a chance at driving DAK and co out of Cyrenica.  They were probably right about that but in any case, Rommel attacked first and the first part of that attack was a diversion by the coast (as seen here).  I guess it has been diverting so far...the 60th (Italian) went over the top and into minefields and got disrupted mostly.  There was a lot of air action but the only result was some Kittybombers added to the disruption out there.
Oh, and the game is Compass Games The Fall of Tobruk, which came out recently.

#75

Tabletop AARs / Re: Dennewitz, Sept 6, 1813

Last post by MengJiao - November 13, 2023, 04:05:57 PM

My Dennewitz isn't quite that exciting yet (it is noon and the Prussians have part of the town and no Buelow yet)

But by 1pm the Swedes have begun showing up and Buelow is moving east, complicating things for the French around Dennewitz:

#76

Tabletop AARs / Re: Dennewitz, Sept 6, 1813

Last post by MengJiao - November 10, 2023, 03:53:14 PM

Marmont claims Napoleon reacted to news of Ney's defeat at Dennewitz as if it were news from China.  I wonder what news from China Napoleon could have been expecting?

My Dennewitz isn't quite that exciting yet (its noon and the Prussians have part of the town an no Buelow yet)

#77

Tabletop AARs / Dennewitz, Sept 6, 1813

Last post by MengJiao - November 10, 2023, 05:53:56 AM

Marmont claims Napoleon reacted to news of Ney's defeat at Dennewitz as if it were news from China.  I wonder what news from China Napoleon could have been expecting?

Anyway, here's an intro to Dennewitz and a link to a site that covers such things.
http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Battle_of_Dennewitz.htm

#78

Tabletop AARs / Re: Grossbeeren,August 23, 181...

Last post by MengJiao - October 17, 2023, 08:02:20 AM

One of the few Napoleonic battles I know next to nothing about. Maybe I'll learn something here.

I've played it twice and I still don't know much about it.  Dennewitz is easier to comprehend -- Ney tries the same
move to capture Berlin, but the Army of the North barely stops him.  The terrain is more open and its sort of one big meeting engagement unlike Gossbeeren which is more complex, smaller scale and more spread out.

#79

Tabletop AARs / Re: Grossbeeren,August 23, 181...

Last post by Sir Slash - October 16, 2023, 10:29:14 PM

One of the few Napoleonic battles I know next to nothing about. Maybe I'll learn something here.

#80

Tabletop AARs / Re: Grossbeeren,August 23, 181...

Last post by MengJiao - October 16, 2023, 10:07:30 AM

Looks like a right-proper Dust-Up. 

I know!  Pretty rare when you play solo!

PS: and yet you so often disappoint yourself.  I just don't understand Grossbeeren: the town the chateau hill the marshes the orchards full of marginally competent Prussians with a lot of artillery -- it's a nightmare.

Nevermind.  Things will be different at Dennewitz in September with Ney in charge, Right?