RTT'42 Campaign: Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942 - End of Day

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Command Turn

All,
Before we begin the next Calendar Day, please make note of the Errata to the rules that Cavehobbit and I decided as a result of the conduct of Calendar Day 17 NOV:

Issue 1 - " Airborne and amphibious assaults, are there any limitation to where they can land?"

1st Rules Clarification - The Rules state, "NOTE: Airborne Assaults occur at the end of the Operational Movement Phase, but are launched in this phase."
"This Phase" in context is the Air and Artillery Orders Phase. What this means is that Airborne and Amphibious Assaults are placed in the Air and Artillery Orders Phase, but do not actually move until the end of Movement Phase. In other words, they move last. The non-Airborne side has a chance to react in the movement phase knowing the location of the Airborne Assault. If airborne or amphibious assaults are attacked the battles are always an ASD.

2nd Rules Clarification - An air drop may not be made into city hexes, into a hex occupied by or in the ZOC of an enemy unit, or into either swamp or rugged crest terrain.
A commando unit may conduct an Amphibious Assault in any coastal (partial sea) hex on the map, provided it is not occupied by an enemy unit. Note that amphibious landings may be made in an enemy ZOC.

1st Errata – New rule: “When the Movement Phase is over, for each Amphibious or Airborne Assault which has occurred the Allied player rolls a 1d6. On a roll of 1-3, the landing itself uses all of the unit's movement for that turn. On a roll of 4-6 the unit uses only half of its movement and may then expend 6 movement points *after any battles they are involved in, if they are the victor*. However, if an amphibious landing was made in an enemy ZOC hex, the commandoes may not move regardless of the die roll.

2nd Errata- The rules state: "Allied Commando Amphibious landings Attack vs Fortified Defense (AFD) if the hex is occupied and the Defender received no move order. They are played as AFD or ASD, depending whether the defending German BG issued a move order or not. For beach landings, all 8 VP flags start in Axis hands." This is cancelled. This applies to D-Day style landings in GJS, but not to the commando type Raids in the Tunisian Theater.
The new rule is: "If attacked after an Amphibious Assault, a Commando unit will be the defender in an ASD; however he will only deploy within 20 squares of the coastline, and begins with 2 flags.”

Issue 2 - " Only One air unit can either interdict or provide ground support, per side, in any hex. If a hex is under interdiction by a side and a battle occurs there, does that air unit support that battle?”

3rd Errata - The Rules do not address this. Interdiction is, practically speaking, an air unit bombing and strafing a hex in order to deny use of the road and inhibit movement. That is why road movement cannot be used in a hex under interdiction and there is an extra movement point cost, based upon the Air Unit’s Interdiction rating, to exit a hex under enemy interdiction. Based upon that, in a battle in a hex under interdiction by an air unit, that air unit should have some practical effect on that battle.

Therefore the rules are changed to state: If a battle occurs in a hex under interdiction by an air unit, that air unit may support that battle in a Ground Support role at a 50% Refresh rate penalty (GM Note: because the Air unit is doing other things too besides supporting that combat). So if a battle takes place in a hex under interdiction, that air unit, if it normally had a refresh of 5 turns, would be available, but at a refresh rate of 8 turns (5 + [5 x .5] = 7.5 rounded up to 8 ).

Issue 3 - " The Scouts seem too strong for all sides. Can we address this?”

4th Errata – Yes. The Slitherine Squads values have been changed accordingly for all sides’ Scouts. They now have Range of 2 (not 3), a HE of 40 (not 70) and no AP value or satchels.

Issue 4 - " How do we tell BN and BG leaders apart for casualty purposes in a Battle? How do we handle casualties to units which appeared as Veteran, based upon their percentage chance of appearing that way for the first time (in the Global Units Sheet in the Master OOB Workbook). What about other units that are promoted to veteran in Battle?”

5th Errata – The rules will be altered:

• All BN leaders appear on map with no promotion. They cannot be promoted. All BG (KG) leaders will appear on Map as Veterans. After 6 Victories without leader casualty, a BG (KG) leader is promoted to Elite. If the leader subsequently dies, he is reduced to Veteran status and the process begins again.
• No accrued promotions are possible for Units due to battle. Before *each* battle GM will roll a percentage chance for all starting units (per the Global Units Sheet) to see if each unit begins the battle as veteran. Note that in battles with reinforcing units (units not appearing at start) this is not possible and will not be done.

Coming Next: Airbases and Supply Phase - Axis Assignments have been submitted to the Allied Commander.

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Command Turn
Airbases and Supply Phase

Supply Status Checks: No Units out of Supply

Airbase Assignments:



NOTE: Same as 17 NOV

Coming Next: Rolls and Weather Phase

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Command Turn
Rolls and Weather Phase


*Note: All Rolls witnessed by both GMs using the "PBE Games : Dice Roller"

French Attitude Roll:
"4", the Allies move the French

Winter Rains Status Roll:
"8", Winter Rains Status stays "Sunny"

Weather Status Roll:
"3", -2 due to Winter Rains Status, net roll is "1". Daily Weather is "Clear".

Coming Next: Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Allies Move The French, Winter Rains Status is "Sunny", Today's Weather is Clear
Command Turn
Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase - Beginning of Phase

Current OOB
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/619 ... 40317.xlsx

Axis Reinforcements this Turn:
I./5 FJ Regiment and I./54 FLAK BN
I./54 FLAK is a Heavy Unit and must arrive in Bizerte or Tunis. I./5 FJ Regiment must arrive in any Axis Airfield in supply or Tunis or Bizerte. This location must be declared by the end of this Phase.



Allied Reinforcements this Turn:
17th/21st Lancers/26 Arm. Bde./6 Arm. Div. (The Death's Head Boys) and 5th/Northamptonshire Rgt./11 Inf. Bde./78th Inf. Div.
Both BNs must enter from the Western Map Edge. The hex each will enter from must be declared by the end of this Phase.



Available Replacement Points, Available Losses, Units in The Tunis/Algiers Box:

Axis:
Equipment Replacement Points: 250
Infantry Replacement Points: 0
Available Losses: 2 x FJ Scout Team.
Units in The Tunis Box: 25 German Trucks

Allies:
British Replacement Points: 2000
US Replacement Points: 0
Available Losses: 7 x British Infantry Platoon, 1 x British 3' Mortar Section, 1 x British Bren LMG Section, 1 x British Scout Team, 1 x Daimler Armoured Car, 1 x 2-Pounder Portee, 1 x SP Bofors, 4 x British Truck
Units in The Algiers Box: None.

Situation Map as Phase Begins



Coming Next: Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase - Conclusion of Phase

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Allies Move The French, Winter Rains Status is "Sunny", Today's Weather is Clear
Command Turn
Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase - Axis Orders

Axis Replacements:
Axis moves 9 trucks from the Tunis Box to the 1 Tunis Marsch BN. NOTE: This Motorizes this BN.
Axis moves 8 trucks from the Tunis Box to the III/92/Superga BN. NOTE: This Motorizes this BN.
Axis Moves 4 trucks from the Tunis Box to the 101 AT BN.
Axis moves 4 trucks from the Tunis Box to the 136 AT BN.

Axis Reinforcements:
I./54 FLAK Arrives in Tunis.
I./5 FJ arrives in Mateur.

Axis Chain of Command for Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942


ORIGINAL SIGNED: Generalleutnant Navaronegun, Kommandant XC Korps, Tunis, 18 NOV 1942.

Coming Next: Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase - Allied Orders and Conclusion of Phase

[Navaronegun]

Update: I have recieved the Allied Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Orders and both sides have submitted Air and Artillery Orders. These will be resolved and status updates placed in a few hours. Movement Orders should be completed tomorrow and we will know what battles will occur. If battles occur on Calendar Day 18 NOV, they should be ready by Saturday AM EST (Midday CET).

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Allies Move The French, Winter Rains Status is "Sunny", Today's Weather is Clear
Command Turn
Replacement, Reinforcement and Reorganization Phase - Allied Orders

Allied Replacements:
7x British Infantry
1x British 3” Mortar
1x British LMG
1x British Scout
1x Daimler AC
1x 2-Pounder Portee
1x SP Bofors
14x British Trucks
Total cost: 1235 Replacement points, leaving 765 in the British Replacement Pool

Allied Reinforcements:
5th Northamptonshire BN and 17th/21st Lancers BN will enter from Hex 1427 as one BG.

Allied Reorganization:
All composite units in the 6th Royal West Kents BN 0822 are withdrawn to the Algeria Box.
These units are:
2x British Infantry
1x British LMG
1x British MMG
1x British Boyes
1x Bren Carrier
1x 6 Pounder AT Gun
4x British Trucks
This Makes the 6th Royal West Kents BN a Hollow BN and it is placed in the Algeria Box.

The new BG mentioned above in the Reinforcements is assigned to General Cavehobbit, unless he delegates it prior to the Battle Phase.

UPDATED OOB:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/619 ... 40319.xlsx

Coming Next: Operational Turn: - Air and Artillery Phase

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Allies Move The French, Winter Rains Status is "Sunny", Today's Weather is Clear
Operational Turn
Air and Artillery Orders Phase

There are no Artillery Orders this phase. The combined Axis and Allied Air orders are:



So we have 2 Air to Air Combats between the 2 Axis Interceptors and 2 Allied Air Missions. The Axis chooses to prioritize Interdictions for Interceptions.

The Air Combat Chart


*Note: All Rolls witnessed by both GMs using the "PBE Games : Dice Roller"

Axis Interceptors Rolled Initiative to see who intercepts first, Odds 11./Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen' or Evens III./Zerstörergeschwader 2. A "4" was rolled.

III./Zerstörergeschwader 2 at El Aouina Airbase attempts intercept of the nearest Allied Interdiction Mission, 14th Fighter Group Interdicting Hex 1015.

Air to Air Combat One


III./Zerstörergeschwader 2 rolls 2d10 and gets a "7" and a "3". The "7" aborts 14th Fighter Group. The Fw-190s send the P-38F's running home!
14th Fighter Group rolls a 1d10 and gets a "2". The -2 Modifier makes this a net "0". No effect

Now 11./Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen' at Sidi Ahmed Airbase attempts intercept of the nearest Allied Interdiction Mission, No. 322 Wing RAF attempting to Interdict Hex 0820.

Air to Air Combat Two


11./Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen' rolls 2d10 and gets a "10" and a "3". The "10" shoots down No. 322 Wing RAF. The Fw-190As send the Spitfire MkVB's down in flames! They will be returned to play at the beginning of the Command Turn of Calendar Day 20 NOV.
No. 322 Wing RAF rolls a 1d10 and gets a "2". The -2 Modifier makes this a net "0". No effect.

So the Remaining Air Missions after Air to Air Combats are:
Axis:
Two Ju-87Ds (II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3 and III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 3) interdicting 1420 and 1320.
The Bf 109F-2 of III./Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As' is available for Ground Support from Djedeida Airfield.

Allies:
The P-38F of 1st Fighter Group Interdicts Hex 1215.
The Spitfire Mk. IIb of No. 324 Wing RAF is available for Ground Support from Souk Al Arba Airfield.

The Situation Map as of the beginning of the Movement Phase:


Coming Next: Operational Turn: - Movement Orders Phase

[Navaronegun]

Update: Axis Movement Orders Submitted.

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 18 NOV 1942
Allies Move The French, Winter Rains Status is "Sunny", Today's Weather is Clear
Operational Turn
Movement Orders Phase

*Note: All Rolls witnessed by both GMs using the "PBE Games : Dice Roller"
Initiative die roll. Odds, Axis move first in total order, Evens, Allies. A "6" is rolled. Allies move first in total order.

Axis and Allied Movement Orders:


Axis choose not to attack the French in 1511.
XI. Fallschirmpioner BN emplaces 10 Squares of mines in 0821 (Sedjenane).

Axis and Allied Movement Graphic:


NOTE: No Battles this Day Both sides maneuvered for position, but evidently avoided combat.

Final Unit Positions at the end of Calendar Day 18 NOV:


Coming Next: Calendar Day 19 NOV - Command Turn: - Airbases and Supply Phase