Given the amount of units needed to contain and now push back against the Varna Salient, we only have two Korpus available, with limited armored support. The Irish III Còr will supplement our forces with a diversionary attack north of our positions. The 22° Huszàr Brigade will be their only armored support.
The objective of this operation is the conquest of three key towns behind the enemy lines, along the main north-south road. The British are supposed to have the usual entrenched infantry screen with plenty of AT and artillery support, and some armored/mechanized units right behind ready to counterattack. We lack the Irish Sealgair Brigades, but our Huszàrs are fielding their new VK-20 light tanks in good numbers.
29/9/1943
My best chance is to concentrate my meager armored and mechanized troops in a narrow penetration instead of hitting the entire British line. The town of Kotor appears to be well fortified so I choose to try attacking north of it, directly toward Herçeg Novi.
The 6° Huszàr Brigade leads the way. Scouts report of entrenched infantry in the open plains, but there seems to be no British units in the forests, so I march through them to avoid the minefields. The entire V Konjica Korpus follows the same path. The rest of the Armija shifts north.
30/9/1943
The British Infantry tries to push back against my lines, but is met with an armored thrust that shatters its front. The Huszàrs roll through the forests and with the help of the 22nd Mehanizovane Division they shatter the anti tank regiment and the British X Infantry Corps’ HQ. The enemy line is thoroughly broken and two Infantry Divisions are decimated and encircled.
British Bombers try to patch up the hole, but my Interceptors and my ground AA make short work of an entire Wing, crippling another.
Up north the Irish infantry is slowly pushing against the British lines, with little effect. Irish Engineers are clearing minefields, allowing for the 22° Huszàr Brigade to advance and engage the British artillery.
1/10/1943
The British saw the severity of the breach north of Kotor and sent in two Mechanized Divisions (46th and 47th). It’s a bold move, but foolish: I have plenty of armor and they have none. The 12th Tenkovkse and the Huszàrs tear through the enemy ranks and inflict heavy losses, devastating two enemy Regiments with ease. Two encircled Infantry Regiments surrender after heavy fighting.
British Fighters come out to play against my Interceptors; too late to save their Bombers, but they nonetheless they manage to wipe out a Wing of obsolete Irish fighters.
In the north, the 81st Coisithe Division has breached the British lines, so I send the 21° Huszàr Brigade to exploit the gap and cut off an enemy Infantry Regiment.
