The Diary of Herr Wüstenfuchs

[Horseman]

Well that was a long slog!!!! I wouldn't say it was over hard just time consuming and certainly a scenario that forced me to think. The 32 turn limit was probably a little too generous as at no stage did I feel rushed and I was quietly confident of a DV all the way through. I'm going to have heaps of prestige, certainly enough to upgrade what I want (well I hope that!)

The Italian tanks have now pretty much seen their day and seem to be outclassed by everything they fight! So I'm hoping for an upgrade there very soon. I also want at minimum one more fighter as I was very nearly in a lot of trouble trying to cover the whole map with just my 3 and a few aux plus I found myself short on infantry (though I did have my 2 Italians in reserve) So lots I want to purchase. From, a role-play point of view 21st Panzer are still short 1 artillery and their engineers and 15th Panzer have no grenadiers or anti-tank plus they also need 1 more artillery. Lots of units to buy! The Land Marines showed just how much XP helps by pretty much struggling against the enemy infantry they fought so I'm not against the idea of buying a few green units to get some xp while I leave others in reserve....

[Tarrak]

So how did you like my little lovely StuG? Are you going to keep it around or maybe even get more of them or would you rather change them to another type of artillery prestige permitting?

[Horseman]

So how did you like my little lovely StuG? Are you going to keep it around or maybe even get more of them or would you rather change them to another type of artillery prestige permitting?

Still using it...it has its uses!

plus its nice for a bit of variety...not sure if I'll get another one though but that's mainly because I have lots of other units 1st in my shopping list!

[Victor_K]

Very entertaining read. Malta should be fun!

[LandMarine47]

I thought he was going to Egypt! Malta is better

[Horseman]

Very entertaining read. Malta should be fun!

Yeah although at first glance Malta reminds me of my least favourite map in PG - Crete

I thought he was going to Egypt! Malta is better

Nah Malta 1st as looking at the campaign tree I then get to go to Egypt anyway

Just hoping I don't take to much of a kicking in the amphibious invasion!!

[Horseman]

Malta

June 28th 1942


My new promotion comes with a greater level of respect and command autonomy. The invasion of Malta will not be an easy task but my superiors agree that as the most battle hardened force in the Mediterranean my Afrikakorps along with Fliegerkorps X are the perfect choice to lead the attack.

I have also heard from my cousin. Today his next bold campaign will begin, he tells me that his primary objectives are the city of Stalingrad and (maybe more importantly) the seizure of the oil rich region in the Caucuses. If he is successful he believes there will be more than enough oil to send some to supply my forces in Africa.

June 30th 1942
My forces are busy assembling ready to board ship and launch for Malta. In the meantime new equipment is now available from Germany


I have received enough Panzer IVG's to equip the 1st battalion of 15th Panzer as well as replace loses and both remaining Panzer III battalions in my force have been refitted to the N model (Preferred by me to the L model) 605th Panzerjager battalion now has StuG IIIF/8 tank destroyers, slightly improved over the original IIIF.

303rd Pioneer battalion has been transferred to 21st Panzer and as I'm expecting heavy resistance from infantry in entrenched positions they get a place on the transport ships.

The Tanks of Ariete will remain in Libya to act as a mobile reserve force in case the British try and take advantage of my departure. Well that’s what I tell their unit commanders, the truth is I have lost faith in the Italian armour to compete and with limited space on the transports some formations must remain behind. 3rd Recon battalion will join them though this is more to do with me seeing little need for fast moving reconnaissance once landed and instead need as many combat ready formations as possible. They will also fill a need in Africa of performing small scale raids against the British to hopefully maintain an illusion of a strong German presence.39th Panzerjager battalion will support them setting up to ambush any British forces attempting to pursue my (lightly) armoured cars.

Both of my Independent Panzer battalions will also remain behind. This is because they are still utilising captured equipment and I fear to much wear and tear on their vehicles would make them unusable. They do however provide some real bite to my troops staying in Africa.

July 1st 1942
10th Fleigerkorps has been reinforced. 66th squadron flying Bf109Gs will assist in winning air superiority while the Italians keen to improve their influence through participation in this prestigious unit have also transferred Vortex squadron (Piaggio P.108 bombers) to Victors command.

The entire Italian navy will take to sea in support of this operation although only a small proportion will fall under my command umbrella. 1 Battleship (Roma), 1 Heavy Cruiser (Bolzano), 2 Light Cruisers (Lugi Cadorna & Eugenio di Savoia), 4 Destroyer flotillas and a submarine flotilla.

Last but not least I am told that the Italians have rushed to completion the Carrier Aquila. Victor tells me that it will almost certainly not be able to keep his entire Fliegerkorps airborne and/or supplied for long (the heavy bombers wont be even able to land on her) and accordingly capture of an airfield must be my 1st priority on landing.

July 4th 1942
Today ships bearing the Afrikakorps left harbour, soon the invasion of Malta shall begin

08:00 July 7th 1942
The die is cast and it is now too late to turn back. My forces approach their landing zones


21st Panzer will land on Gozo on the northern edge, first securing an airfield then the entire island.

15th Panzer along with Ariete and Brescia will land on Malta itself on the eastern edge then fan out in all directions.

Prestige spending:
Elite reinforcing = 438p
Over Strength = 1321p
New Pioneer + halftrack = 393
New Bf109G = 478
New Piaggio = 426

2xPzIIIJ/1 > PzIIIN = 32
1xPzIIIJ/1 > PzIVG = 466
StuGIIIF > StuGIIIF/8 = 35
Breda > SM.79 = 111
Total = 3700 (left with 227prestige)

[Horseman]

08:30
A small British sub flotilla (5sp) spotted in amongst our landing craft is dispatched by Blizzard squadron and the lead elements of 21st Panzer move to landing positions


Our own sub flotilla moves into the gap between Malta and Gozo spotting a Royal Navy Destroyer flotilla and a Light Cruiser and guide in some supporting Luftwaffe bombers.
Our Naval assets engage a shore battery


15th Panzer move to landing sites with the Italians coming up in support. A Small British Destroyer flotilla is sunk by Tempesto squadron


RAF Hurricanes are sighted making an attack run against some glider borne troops but my own fighters intercept before they can press the attack


The damaged Light Cruiser, ignoring the threats to itself engage the landing craft ferrying Machine Gun battalion 2 to shore.
Some light British tanks arrive to contest the landing sight


Another Hurricane squadron engages a supporting Italian bomber


A 3rd Hurricane squadron comes in low, too low as they lose a few planes to ground fire and are forced to abandon their attack run. British infantry move up to contest the beaches


In the south a screening Destroyer flotilla takes fire form a previously unseen shore battery

[shawkhan]

Are your aircraft made of titanium? Never saw such light casualties on an unescorted bomber.When Br cruisers fire on my transports they are usually vaporized. The gods of war must favor your enterprise.

[Horseman]

Are your aircraft made of titanium? Never saw such light casualties on an unescorted bomber.When Br cruisers fire on my transports they are usually vaporized. The gods of war must favor your enterprise.

Well if you look back a few scenarios you'll see Tempesto squadron is made of aluminium as they nearly got destroyed in one pass! The one that got attacked this time was an aux tac bomber...they seem to be made of slightly better stuff! Plus it was only an 8 strength hurricane I (bottom end of British fighters)..but yeah slightly lucky and if you notice I very rarely leave my core bombers unescorted just the disposable stuff

Not sure what the exact odds are for the Light Cruiser attacking a transport but at only 5 strength 2 hits is in the realms of what I'd estimate (I'd expect 2-4)

EDIT: Oh and thanks for reading

[Horseman]

July 8th 1942 (2)
An update from Intelligence


The Vickers tanks are cleared form the landing zone and 21st Panzer start their landings. In th eskies above the remaining Hurricanes are quickly dispatched


The 2nd Hurricane squadron is shot down while the RN Light Cruiser and Destroyer flotilla are both sunk


Another RN Destroyer flotilla is sunk and I'm starting to wonder whether the warnings of the invincible British fleet are true. Victor also reports the remaining (known) RAF presence has been eliminated though we can not rule out further squadrons being held in reserve.
15th Panzer along with some supporting Italian troops land on Malta


In the north a Destroyer flotilla come sunder shell fire and sporadic contacts suggest a British Light Cruiser. Some AA guns take shots at our gliders causing minor loss


British Para's attack our beach head but fail to push us back into the sea

[Horseman]

July 9th 1942 (3)
A heavy downpour will hinder our advance as well as make our air units useless. It is due to clear tomorrow.

More information from intelligence

We shall keep watch for these ships, no doubt they are lightly armed merchantmen.

In the north our Destroyer flotilla presses forward and locates the enemy Light Cruiser


The Lugi Cadorna enages in support of her smaller escorts who also add their guns to the fight. The British Cruiser takes heavy damage


21st Panzer push forward away from their landing sites destroying an infantry and an artillery battalion in the process


The heavier elements of the supporting Italian fleet link up and continue to bombard the shore battery reducing its effectiveness once more


15th Panzer capture the airfield which is quickly made operational. Many squadrons regroup here using the bad weather to refuel and rearm. Stormo squadron report a successful landing on the Carrier.
The supporting Italian infantry fail to break out from their beachhead while their artillery, ignoring the attacking Para's, shell the British infantry across the bay allowing my Panzers to break them and force a surrender


On Gozo our gliders have set down and a battalion of rocket artillery has deployed. British armoured cars and infantry launch a determined attack on their position but well supported by more traditional guns they hold fast


On Malta the Italian artillery is finished by the British Para's before they fall back while my StuG battalion holds a probing attack from inside the British defences


Heading towards the gap between Malta and Gozo we have spotted ships of the expected convoy. Far from being unarmed merchant ships these are fully armed Royal Navy war ships! All Naval assets have been signalled to engage the enemy and I have personally spoken to Victor Klink and told him to redirect 10th Fliegerkorps bomber assets to assist

[Victor_K]

July 9th 1942 (3)
Heading towards the gap between Malta and Gozo we have spotted ships of the expected convoy. Far from being unarmed merchant ships these are fully armed Royal Navy war ships! All Naval assets have been signalled to engage the enemy and I have personally spoken to Victor Klink and told him to redirect 10th Fliegerkorps bomber assets to assist

This should be fun! A target rich environment.

[LandMarine47]

Since when did the Axis have an Aircraft carrier in 1942?

[Horseman]

July 9th 1942 (3)
Heading towards the gap between Malta and Gozo we have spotted ships of the expected convoy. Far from being unarmed merchant ships these are fully armed Royal Navy war ships! All Naval assets have been signalled to engage the enemy and I have personally spoken to Victor Klink and told him to redirect 10th Fliegerkorps bomber assets to assist

This should be fun! A target rich environment.

Well I'm sure Colonel Victor Klinks Fliegerkorps will enjoy "shooting fish in a barrel"

Since when did the Axis have an Aircraft carrier in 1942?

They didn't.......the closest I could find was 2 Italy was converting from merchant ships but neither was ever finished.....still I guess you could also say since when did the Axis invade Malta? To be fair its not much use as theres no way to keep a healthy air force flying with only 1 carrier!

[Horseman]

July 10th 1942 (4)
Tempesto and Vortex squadrons lead the bomber assault on the Royal Navy leaving two Destroyer flotillas reduced to a single damaged vessel and obliterating a third. A Heavy Cruiser is also hit hard and left churning thick black smoke from a ragged hole in its deck. Once the first pass is complete they report the sighting of another heavy Cruiser, two Light Cruisers and a fearsome battleship!


The Italian fleet now moves in to engage, for now I tell the surface ships to maintain their distance and to concentrate on blinding the enemy. To this end the Cruisers sink one of the battered Destroyers and finish off the shore battery. The Roma engages the damaged Heavy Cruiser and adds to her woes before the Sub flotilla closes to range and unleashes a torpedo barrage punching several holes beneath the waterline dooming the stricken vessel


In the north the British Light Cruiser has been sunk and our naval assets in the area turn about heading to the main engagement.
On Gozo the counter attacking armoured cars and heavy infantry have been routed and Xaghra seized while the anti-tank battalion in the south-east is destroyed. A Panzer battalion had rushed west to secure an airfield in the north and I received word from Victor that his ground crews have found something interesting in the hangers.......


On Malta itself we have secured Bugibba and destroyed the entrenched engineers holding the city while a Para battalion holds firm against my advancing formations


Two Destroyer flotillas are sent east to watch for any British ships trying to slip around the southern tip of Malta


Another RAF fighter squadron engaged some Italian bombers and hit them hard. Initial reports suggest these are Spitfire MkVB planes, a distinct improvement over the Hurricane Is we have encountered so far. An attack from Engineers is easily held


The RN Battleship fired an ineffective barrage towards 21st Panzer but in closing the distance I have no doubt she found the Bolzano which is engaged by the Heavy Cruiser – the RN got the better of the initial exchange

[Horseman]

July 11th 1942 (5)
Victor has rushed air crews to the newly taken airfield and tells me we now have a full squadron of Spitfire MkIX planes ready to fly!


Victor's level bombers continue their bombardment of the Royal Navy, most notably leaving the feared Battleship a burning wreck


Even so it takes the combined fire of the Bolzano, the Lugi Cadorna (newly arrived from the north) and a Destroyer Flotilla to sink the pride of the Royal Navy. The Roma, the Eugenio di Savoia, our Submarine flotilla and 181st Fighter squadron hit the remaining British ships leaving the three Cruisers badly damaged and sinking the last of the Destroyers


Stormo squadron supported by our new toys engage and defeat the RAF


605th Panzerjager battalion outflank the British and run rampant through their artillery bu the Panzers moving in to support them are pinned by a previously unknown AA battalion


A British Engineer battalion has been finished and the Para battalion is forced to retreat from Victoria although we fail to secure the city


On Malta my forces advance against Mellieha but the main attack falls on Naxxas. The battered remnants of the British Paras are destroyed and we clear the Heavy weapons infantry from within the city as well as destroying a supporting AA battalion. The city is captured.
A supporting Gebirgsjager battalion pushes hard against some British artillery and succeed in routing them


The remaining RN Heavy Cruiser, unwilling to strike the colours sails to point blank range with the Bolzano but no visible damage is caused in the exchange. The RN light Cruiser Captains are not so brave and pull back, we lose exact contact with one but as she fires on my Panzers we regain her position


The victorious Gebirgsjager battalion takes heavy damage from a counter attacking British Para battalion, near Naxxas more British infantry is seen reinforcing the defensive line and Victor tells me that 66th squadron has intercepted a further RAF Spitfire squadron with positive results

[Victor_K]

Good gains, especially against the Royal Navy and not too many losses so far.

[LandMarine47]

I agree! Seems the British aren't holding Malta much longer

[LandMarine47]

I wonder where Herr Wüstenfuchs is? Hopefully the Royal Navy didn't sink his capital ship