Rome has Fallen

Piercing Fortress Europa is a new game from veteran game designer Frank Hunter, which covers the campaigns of the Western Allies from July, 1943 through the end of April, 1945 in Sicily and Italy. Each area has its own map and time scale to best represent the campaigns for Sicily and Italy and the player is offered complete freedom, limited only by a historical order of battle and logistics model, to plan his operations and explore all of the many “what ifs” that the Italian theater has to offer.
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Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Italian Campaign, Turn 59, 3rd June 1944.

Here is the situation a few turns before ROME is captured, the way North along the East coast is open with only the SS - Waffen Grenadier Brigade (Italia) in the way, but so many Allied units were out of 'combat supply', after holding against the encircled Axis break-out attempts and then finishing off the encircled units, that I could not exploit the situation and now the Germans are closing the gap, all the realistic frustrations of the Italian Campaign.

Look a the next post to see how the AI moves in new units to seal the front, whilst the 'combat supply' situation has stopped the Allied exploitation. What appears to be a firm defence of ROME in this image melted away, after the loss of the city depicted in the next post/image, they will form Axis defences further North.

It's not over as there is still a long way to go, but Allied units have reached the last mountain barrier, with hills and rough terrain beyond.


Image


This is half way through a second playing of this scenario, as I had some queries over the game supply system, posted in the Tech Forum, but with no response. The second game was to explore the extent of the supply anomalies, without the delay of writing-up a posted AAR.

The first anomaly was the extent of supply from NAPLES and TARANTO, when they are fully opened as Allied ports, spreading 100% supply coverage to all hexes, irrespective of terrain effects and excluding the supply from all other ports, which seems excessive.

However, the PFE manual notes that - '….......... focus on capturing another port closer to the front line, such as Naples which can supply operations over a great swath of central Italy.', so this may be working as designed, but it doesn't look right.

I played on, to confirm this effect, which is present in both games and decided to modify the effect, never allowing the big ports (NAPLES/TARANTO) to achieve more than 50% capacity, by controlling the number of workers allocated to each port. Increasing and reducing the number of workers to keep near the 50% port capacity limit, which produced a more realistic supply coverage on the supply map overlay.

This is a personal preference, which does not make a huge difference in the game, as the most important supply feature is 'combat supply', which is a different issue and much more significant to playability. However, I am using a series of house rules to create more challenging game in playing against the AI and the above port restriction has been added to these house rules.

The next issue is in applying 'combat supply' to units, whilst they are still in the 'Arrivals' section of the Reinforcement List. This is a feature which was added in the v1.03 update and would have been useful in getting units ready for action, before they actually arrive. However, when playing in 'Windows 10', using this feature sends the supply system haywire, with the available supply points jumping into the 1000s.

Strangely, when 'combat supply' is added to units still in the 'Arrivals' list, they appear on the map with an action penalty and are unable to move, so there is no advantage in using this feature, no time is saved. You might as well wait until the unit appears on the map, to either apply 'combat supply', or decide to move it instead. The answer to this supply anomaly is to ignore this 'Arrivals' list feature.

I thought I had another port supply bug, which just turned out to be me miss-reading the map, so after playing through the test game my confidence in the game is restored. These supply issues are minor irritations and not game-breakers.

The next question is the performance of the AI, which turned out to be quite good. During the early turns the AI was able to exploit the powerful effect of ZoCs in this game and set up an effective defence right across the peninsular, with only four units carefully placed with interlocking ZoCs, which initially closed down the Allied advance.

Design Notes extract - 'Also, I prefer that a unit has the ability to perform only one action at a time. So no leave a ZoC, move, enter a different ZoC and attack in this game.'

The effect of ZoCs is an essential part of this game and understanding the limitations they impose is key to making progress.

The AI seemed to have more 'combat supply' than me, or was better at deploying it, as in the early battles the Axis units always had a higher level of 'combat supply'. In the latest turns the AI Axis seems to have suffered some sort of collapse, with units low on 'combat supply'. FOW hides the enemy unit state, but the battle information panel shows the stats (supply, efficiency, disruption, etc.) of the forces involved, so there has to be combat to get this information. The battle info screen shows during the turn resolution and is cleared with a mouse click, to enable the turn resolution to continue, if you take a screen-shot you can refer back to the battle details, otherwise there is no record.

The defence of ROME turned out to be a sham with the defending Axis units, including HG Motorised Div., out of 'combat supply' and effectively helpless. I was at first reluctant to attack again, as there was not enough 'combat supply' on the Allied side for a sustained attack. There was only enough supply for one attack, which would then leave the attacking units low on 'combat supply' and vulnerable, but the US 1st Arm. Div. and the Canadian 5th Arm. Div. will attack across the river TIBER and blow HG Motorised away (see next post/image). I was emboldened by the fact that HG Motorised withdraws across the river in the face of an attack in a later turn. The WEGO system and powerful FOW introduces enough doubt and uncertainty to make this a challenging game.

Here is another extract from the Design Notes :

Using the PFE system, the attacker and defender will enjoy moments of uncertainty., For example an attacker moving his forces up to a weak point in the line, then the defender will be able to order his forces to react although since everything is simultaneous the attacks will be going in while the defender is reacting. Nothing being certain, neither side will know for sure what the situation will be on the ensuing turn. Will the attacks succeed or fail? Will the defender’s reserves be able to create a new line in time? Does the attacker have fresh forces following up?

Frank has certainly succeeded in building a realistic uncertainty into the game system.

It has been a game of two halves, as on the West coast, historically represented by German 14 PzK, the AI has conducted a delaying campaign, holding the line forcing the me to concentrate units, commit 'combat supply' to units for a breakthrough, but withdrawing in good time to avoid serious loss, or encirclement. Whilst on the East coast, historically represented by 76 PzK, it has been a different strategy, as the AI has held on and not retreated.

Initially, it was a justifiable strategy for the AI to hold Eastern coastal towns and ports to stop me gaining supply and it worked, causing significant delay. The actual strategy used by the Germans in France 1944, to hold the Channel ports after D-Day, to impose supply problems on the Allies.

In the game, Allied units were on the limits of supply from BARI and couldn't amass enough 'combat supply' to make a meaningful attack, wasting many turns without progress. However, when NAPLES was taken the Allied supply situation improved dramatically and the German units holding the East coast strip were encircled and eventually destroyed. The ZoC restrictions finally worked in my favour, holding German units ensnared and eight Axis divisions were destroyed in two encircling operations, with the AI allowing itself to be trapped too easily. Which is strange, as the AI was performing much better in the Western coastal area, except that the possession of further ports was not so critical on that front and maybe not worth fighting for.

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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Italian Campaign, Turn 63, 19th June 1944.

Rome has fallen, the city was captured last turn (15th June 1944), which is slightly behind the historical time-line, but historically the Axis forces abandoned ROME, whilst in this game the AI seemed prepared to fight for the city.

Also about to have two of the US Infantry Divisions withdrawn, with the D-Day landings now taking place in France.

I had hoped to advance to FOLIGNO and block the lateral road, cutting Axis communications between the two coastal fronts, as the next available lateral route is up at FLORENCE and quite a way North. I couldn't risk the move without support, as so many units are low on 'combat supply' and interdiction air missions show German panzer divisions on the move further North, or am I being too cautious.

Some of the Axis unit counters are showing strength points, FOW hides the rest, with the units looking weaker than in earlier turns, but how much reliance to put on these figures, as it is only with combat reports after battle that you get an accurate reading of unit strength.

Units always show the stack value in a yellow circle, but this only gives an indication of unit size and not effectiveness, which will modify actual fighting strength. The German 27th Pz Bde. at RIETI looks weak in both stack value and strength points and I am tempted to attack, but I don't want to just push it back, using up 'combat supply' in the process, so will attempt to encircle and destroy it instead and advance the whole frontline at the same time.

US 36th Infantry Div., soon to be withdrawn (unit counter I/D red text), is carrying full 'combat supply' (green triangle) so I may as well use it in attack, rather than have all that valuable 'combat supply' disappear with the unit as it leaves the theatre.


Image


The German units which survived the battle for ROME have withdrawn to the area around CIVITAVECCHIA and more are moving in from the North.

In an earlier turn I lost the North American Special Service Brigade (joint US/Canadian - Ranger/Commando unit) and 4th Indian Infantry Division in an ill-judged beach assault landing near VASTO, attempting to close the coastal encirclement from the sea, but overall the Germans have lost many more Casualty points. I thought the loss of eight Axis divisions might be terminal, but looking at the strategic map, the Germans seem to have many more units coming, although they are not as high quality, or as powerful, as the good motorised and airborne units they have already lost.

Supply for the Allies is constantly short, always trying to balance the need for 'combat supply' to fight, against the requirement for fuel to move units and not having enough of either. There are reinforcing units in MESSINA, but I cannot afford the sea transport points to move them, without compromising the battle at the front. I have tried to move some of these units overland from REGGIO, but the fuel cost is proving too high, now that the frontline is so far North.

I have some units back up to medium 'combat supply' (yellow), but many are still at low (red), or none (black), including all the units at MESSINA still at low 'combat supply' and waiting for sea transport.

In this campaign, the Allies need 130 victory points to gain a marginal victory and 240 victory points for a decisive victory.

Have 108 victory points so far, so not much further to go for a marginal victory, but a lot more is required to gain a decisive victory. I need to destroy many more Axis units and get to FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, MANTUA and VENICE quickly. The sooner that happens, the more victory points gained.

Enjoyed the game, much better than shovelling countless counters, the inputs are simple and all this game demands is deep thinking.

Real life keeps intervening, but I will finish this scenario, then try a re-run as Axis, however, I think I have given enough detail on the functions of the game in the AAR turns I have posted so far. The game is quick to play, although there is so much hidden detail that it pays to take some time to review the information available. As with other Frank Hunter games, it doesn't overwhelm with detail, but all that is shown is important and should not be ignored. [:)]

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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

I don't know if this game has any more development future, the lack of response from Matrix indicates, probably not.

I found the game interesting to play and a good representation of the WW2 Italian Campaign, although the game system is different from most other titles, once understood, it plays easily and quickly, with the minimum mouse clicks to achieve a deep and challenging strategic game.

The AI is competent, but as with all such games is limited, although it can be assisted with some simple house rules to raise the level of the contest.

One Allied general commented that even without the German army being present, just some engineers and a few demolitions would have created the same difficulties, combined with the Italian terrain and winter weather. So this scenario can be challenging without too much fancy strategy from the AI.

Looking forward to trying the scenario from the Axis side and, as the Allies where plagued with unimaginative leadership, the Allied AI should not have too much trouble reproducing an historical 'feel'.

With Chemkid's Map and Counter Mod installed the game looks perfect for the scale that it represents and I will enjoy playing on, but I will stop the AARs now, as there has been sufficient detail to show the full depth of the game.

The Design Notes set the game objectives:

..... I wanted the system to be as easy to play as possible so I hoped the base system would meet those goals.

I hope the result gives a feel for the Italian Campaign and that the game itself is of interest to players.


These objectives are fully met. [:)]

"In politics stupidity is not a handicap" - Napoleon

“A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything” - Napoleon

“Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress" - Napoleon
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Here is a little move to show how the AI thinks :


Image


IMAGE 1, SS-Waffen Grenadier Bde. was blocking the way North even though it is only a small unit (stacking value 2), can't see the unit strength, might be FOW, or black text on a black counter[:D]. edit: FOW clears in later turns, text is white, unit strength 6.

Allied units previously with not enough 'combat supply' to push through and, whilst I am waiting for supply, German 94th Inf. Div. arrives to block the coastal road, but SS-WG is still vulnerable.

The plan of attack is to hit SS-WG from two sides ensuring that it should be destroyed, or at least forced to retreat. Units forced to retreat do not exert ZOC (new in v1.04), so very good chance that the red outlined hex will be free of ZOC. I plan to move 1st Canadian and 2nd NZ divs. through the gap and over the river CHIENTI, a speculative move, but worth a try.

3rd Polish Carpathian Div. is to complete the move by positioning next to the German 28th Pz Bde. to hold the shoulder of the breakthrough.

With the PFE WEGO system nothing is certain, but it will be a good move if it works and fuel reserves are very low, so anything could happen.

.....................

What does the AI do, see IMAGE Section 2.

In most other games you would have made your moves and the AI would have just sat waiting for its turn and I would be a great general, but this is WEGO.

As the turn resolves, the AI is moving at the same time, withdrawing SS-WG over the CHIENTI out of harms way, but not just simply pulling back, 94th Inf. Div. does a side step leaving a gap for SS-WG to move onto the coast road.

In PFE the units with the highest quality (elite, etc.), move first, I can't see the quality of SS-WG (due FOW), but it must be better than the Allied units, so SS-WG moves first and the Allied attack falls on empty air.

94th Inf. Div. (the stronger unit) has moved to cover the gap, the ZOCs are still interlocking with the 28th Pz Bde., 1st Canadian doesn't get over the river and the weaker SS-WG is safely tucked up against the coast and I didn't breakthrough over the river CHIENTI.

2nd NZ Inf. Div. was blocked and tried to find another way around the coastal flank, whilst the Germans have an established line on the river.

British 6th Arm. Div. has been waiting at the port at SAN BENEDETTO until enough 'combat supply' becomes available, so is not of much use yet.

Just a skirmish on the coastal road and I'll breakthrough next time, unless the AI has more units to throw in, but it illustrates the depth in the game system.

Neat move by the AI. [8D]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Yogi the Great »

Yes, that "WEGO" and the supply, combat supply system makes this a special game that too few have the pleasure of experiencing.

Thanks again for your posts.
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RE: Rome has Fallen

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ORIGINAL: Yogi the Great
Yes, that "WEGO" and the supply, combat supply system makes this a special game that too few have the pleasure of experiencing.

Thanks again for your posts.

I think many people, overlook the depth that is in this apparently simple game, with a playing style which is so different from most other titles.

I cannot keep up the whole AAR in the depth that I have been covering it, but I hope that I have done enough to show what's in the game. I am continuing to play and will post from time to time as it develops, but the sun is shining, spring is here and there are hedges to cut.

It has also been discouraging to have such little response from Matrix, but even in it's present form the game is well worth playing. [:)]
"In politics stupidity is not a handicap" - Napoleon

“A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything” - Napoleon

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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Another lesson from the AI : Turn 73


Image


In the West a plan to pin the Axis 3rd Motorised by moving in British 9th Arm. Bde., whilst British 1st Arm. Div. moves into position NE Lago di Bolsena to be able to move down towards the coast road next turn. The other units (US 85th Inf. Div. and British 1st Inf. Div.) unable to move as combat supply has been added this turn. Combat supply is always the problem, there is just not enough reaching this theatre for the Allies, but not surprising as the battle in Normandy is at its height in July 1944.

There is a gap and I am hoping to use it.

Over on the Adriatic Front the AI has set up interlocking ZOCs, but Axis 305 Inf. Div. must be weak, as it has been forced to retreat after combat in a previous turn and if that unit is driven back, or destroyed, it will open a gap to send units up the road and into the Axis rear, unlocking this part of the front. Again there is a lack of combat supply (British 4th Inf. Div. showing low combat supply) and it will need a delay to equip supporting units to make use of any gap created.

I need this breakthrough, as the bridgehead over the river CHIENTI, nearer the coast, has been effectively sealed off by the AI.

I can allocate full air ground support and attacks have been successful, as Axis units are weakening. This is the end of turn, just before hitting the button to resolve the moves, the red bar across the top of the unit counters shows orders have been issued and this is the intended position that units should move to, but the AI will be moving at the same time.

What happens next?

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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Next Turn :



Image

In the West, Axis 3rd Motorised moved first (better quality unit) and was not pinned by British 9th Arm. Bde., the AI achieved interlocking ZOCs and British 1st Arm. Div. will not be breaking through to the coast road this turn.

In the centre the Axis line looks thin (unit strength points are low), but Allied supply is low in the central hills and even with CIVITAVECCHIA, on the West coast, recently opened as a port, units in the centre are already on the margins for supply. There is not another port on the West coast until LIVORNO, so it is problematic whether a successful advance can be adequately supplied on this coast.

In the East, on the Adriatic Front, the AI moved Axis 114th Inf. Div. from the coast to support 305 Inf., so now even if that unit is driven back there will still be a ZOC barrier and there can be no quick breakthrough here either.

The only option now is to bludgeon a way through, but this will burn up combat supply, which I don't have enough of, meanwhile new Allied units are still waiting at MESSINA for sea transport to the front, which means diverting combat supply from the fighting units. I have moved some units overland through REGGIO, but it takes forever waiting enroute for spare fuel and there is precious little of that.

I saw two weak points in the Axis line, but so did the AI, which neatly took action to close down those opportunities.

Hopes of a quick breakthrough to the PO valley are fading and the summer weather is not going to last forever. The Overall Strategic map shows 5 more axis divisions off the Tactical map to the North and a recently arrived SS motorised division has now disappeared and could arrive at the front anytime.

Situation difficult, but still having fun. [:)]

'Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea' (Michael Caine; 'The Italian Job' - 1969), the SS Waffen Grenadier Bde. looks weak, maybe I can ride a carpet of air ground support through to ANCONA and bag some of those Axis units on the coast !
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Michael T »

It's a great system. But the subject matter is very limited. It needs to be expanded to North Africa or North Western Europe.
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RE: Rome has Fallen

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ORIGINAL: Michael T

It's a great system. But the subject matter is very limited. It needs to be expanded to North Africa or North Western Europe.

The WEGO system is priceless as Frank uses it in this game and, in this form, it works best with a low unit count, but I have been impressed with the way it has reproduced the frustrations and supply difficulties of the Italian Campaign and the terrain of Italy.

For 'Campaigns on the Danube', with many more unit counters, Frank has used a command system, where orders are still only given to a manageable number of units, but it translates into action for many sub-units.

Each game is different, but has the same ability to add a realistic uncertainty, rather than end up as an 'odds/click fest' and merely playing with statistics. The apparent simplicity hides a fiendish complexity in decision making, the holy grail of easy to play, but difficult to master.

The titles for the other campaigns are buried in the game files and it would be great to see them developed, but there has been little response from Matrix.

I am still playing this game, when many other supposedly bigger and better titles remain unused on the HDD, as I actually see myself finishing this campaign and am likely to play many more, whilst still having time for real life.

I just wish Matrix and Frank would consider more development. [:)]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

ORIGINAL: Rasputitsa

'Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea' (Michael Cain; 'The Italian Job' - 1969), the SS Waffen Grenadier Bde. looks weak, maybe I can ride a carpet of air ground support through to ANCONA and bag some of those Axis units on the coast !

Turn 75:

Didn't work for Michael Caine in his 'Italian Job' and it didn't work for me in my Italian Campaign



Image



The air ground support was disappointing, will have to look at what priorities were allocated to other units, as I did not achieve the concentration I had hoped for, but it was always going to be a questionable attack, not knowing what strength points SS Waffen-Grenadiers had (FOW).

I moved Canadian 1st Inf. Div. into the hex SW of the combat hex, to hold the route open if the two divisions of the Polish corps had been successful in the attack and had stayed in the combat hex. When the Polish divisions had to retreat back to their start position after the attack failed, the game has allowed an over-stack, with the hilly terrain hex having a stack limit of 7 (edit: correction, hex is 'rough' terrain - stack limit 6), and the units totalling 9 after the retreat.

The missing SS 16th Mot. Div. has re-appeared and will move further South to reinforce the Axis ANCONA sector, so hopes for a breakthrough here are fading.

Moving attention back to the centre and still hoping to breakthrough on the road to URBINO, but still the problem of getting enough 'combat supply' to feed an extended attack. The situation in the West is favourable, but with no more ports in easy reach, any success will be limited.

The game might have a limited subject in the 'Italian Campaign', without the possibilities of large exciting armoured thrusts across the open steppes, but it does have its own 'charm' and is certainly challenging, especially with house rules to enhance the realistic feel. [:)]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Turn 94:

Here is the position as the Allies have closed up to the Gothic Line, the top image is the historical situation in September '44, with the Allies sitting here through the winter and only making progress in April 1945. The game image is a little later (late October '44), but holding about the same line.

On the game map, the way this developed was a firm Axis defence around the port of ANCONA stopped the Allied advance, as the supply line had been stretched too far. ANCONA was needed to provide supply for the advance into the PO valley.

On the Western side the Axis defence was much weaker, but no advance could be made without capturing LIVORNO, which was out of reach along the coast and there were no closer ports to supply a further advance.

I finally had the spare fuel to move the commandos to the port of CIVITAVECCHIA with a plan to seize LIVORNO by coup-de-main from a sea-borne assault landing, whilst sending an armoured unit dashing up the coast road, well beyond supply. For this to work, the commandos had to capture LIVORNO from the beach-hex (05,11), just North of the city and open supply to the on-rushing armour. Applied the house rules on 'Amphibious Landings North of Rome' (only 1 stacking point could be landed – the Commando brigade) and a delay to an invasion on a chosen beach. If there had been any defence at LIVORNO the plan would have failed with the Commandos destroyed and the armour out of supply behind enemy lines. Shades of Arnhem, but landing from the sea.

The AI had no defence near LIVORNO, probably because it was so far North, the plan worked and the Allies made a large advance in the West, this caused the AI to pull back in the East, abandoning the units defending ANCONA, which were surrounded and destroyed – It's nice when a plan comes together !

So here we are facing the Gothic Line, but with pitiful supply and not much prospect of moving forward soon, very historical.



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RE: Rome has Fallen

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Turn 97:

I initially tried to take RAVENNA on the run and failed, so prepared a bigger attack and pulverised the defending German 114th Infantry Division, probably a waste of 'combat supply' in over-kill, but I was getting impatient as time was wasting. I had also planned an attack on the nearby 334th Division, but cancelled it, as the two divisions of the Polish Corps (waiting behind the river LAMONE) could not be moved into position and combat supplied at the same time, they were to act as follow up forces to any breakthrough. There is little point in winning a battle unless there are units which can be set to move through any breakthrough and I was waiting for another turn, or two, to prepare, but now the weather has changed, stopping air support.

Previously I had often been able to manoeuvre the Axis out of defensive positions, as the AI would withdraw and re-position, but there is no retreat for the AI now. There are no rear areas left for the Germans, nearly everybody is in the front line. The weather is turning in their favour and this is going to be tough battle.

I am now slightly ahead of the historical timeline, but the game has delivered a 'close to historical' experience. In game time it is the start of November 1944 and I have reached the line occupied by the Allies from the end of December 1944, until the start of April 1945, however, the winter weather has arrived, slowing things down, removing the assistance of air-power and the turns change to every 6 days during winter turns, so it takes longer to achieve anything.

I have changed the colour hue on the 'weathered map', which is used by the game during bad weather turns to provide a suitable 'damp' look and adapted some unit counters. The smaller units cannot exert a ZOC which is indicated by a small red triangle in the top left of the unit counter, this triangle is obscured by the special forces symbol (C, M, P) which is shown in the same place. I have moved these special forces symbols to the right, as can be seen on the commando unit, now in reserve near FLORENCE and now the small red triangle (top left) can easily be seen. Units forced to withdraw also do not exert a ZOC, so the same adaption has been made on the special forces 'P' on the airborne units and 'M' mountain divisions (see French 2nd Mountain Div.). It's a small change, but it helps, as it's a shock if you loss ZOCs and don't notice.

The original format counter can be seen in the post #11 image, with the commando counter near FOLIGNO, looking a bit messy.

Indian 43rd Inf. Div. near RAVENNA is also too small to exert a ZOC, but as an elite unit (triangle top right is green) it is able to 'beef-up' the less effective bigger divisions when stacked. These elite Indian units should have a mountain troop capability, but I don't suppose much will change now.[:(]

Could I have done better, taken more turns to prepare, had halts for game weeks to stockpile combat supply and fuel, transport all the units available. For example, I have a US armoured division waiting in MESSINA, without the sea transport to move it to the front line, this is a valuable unit being wasted. This is one of 8 units waiting for sea transport in Sicily, but I am always having difficulty supplying and moving the units that I already have at the front, so doubt that I could manage any more. I have moved some units overland, all the way by road, but it takes forever and there is just not enough fuel. Perhaps the extra units only come into play if you select the game balance preference to favour the Allies, then you might get the extra supply and fuel to use all of these units.

German 20th LW Infantry Divison should not be too strong and 44th Inf., in the marshes, looks even weaker (strength points,3) and can be masked by the two Indian divisions. I don't want to go into the marshes during the winter rain. If I can get to FERRARA, then the Allies can spread out into the PO valley, whilst in the West, 5th Canadian and 6th British armoured divisions keep up a threat to the mountain pass and attempt to keep the Axis units pinned there. The Canadian divisions and brigades will be withdrawn starting in 19 turns, but it should all be over by then, hopefully !



Image

I am heading for a minor victory, because there are not enough victory points left to play for, to get the 240 points needed for a major victory. I have achieved a progress similar to the historical situation, but it would have to be much faster to achieve that major victory. A big change in strategy might have done it, earlier on, waiting to build up a big stockpile of combat supply and fuel, then launching an unrelenting attack, without a break, to destroy all opposition and ......., well maybe !


Hoping to give a flavour of the game heading into the finale, as writing up the full AAR takes so long and there is so much detail in a deceptively simple game with many lessons learned. [8D]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Turn 109 - 9th January 1945 : Gothic Line

The New Year 1945 has arrived and so has the snow in the Northern mountains and hills. Just over 20 turns to go to the end of the scenario and the AI and lack of supply has bought me to a standstill at about the historical position of the 'Gothic Line' and at about the historic time line, after over 100 turns of play.

Image

The weak Axis position in the East has transformed into a strong defence on the river line and I didn't take FERRARA, the AI has double and tripled stacked defences at the points that count around BOLOGNA and FERRARA, where a breakthrough would have the greatest effect. Meanwhile, the hex supply level is so low in the hills of the central part of the front in the winter snow, that units accumulate disruption points (shown by red line on unit counter) just holding on. I am having to rotate units out of the front here, to better supplied rear areas, to restore them and no combat supply can be delivered to these central hexes, so no sustained offensive could be launched here.

Further West the Axis has the mountain pass blocked and, in such terrain, the mountain hex stack limits reduce the number of units that can be used in any attack, so little prospect of breaking through here, whilst on the West coast an attack would just lead into the mountains going nowhere, so I just have a covering force in place.

The winter snow means that none of the huge Allied air power can be used to concentrate attacks on the defending forces, so just like the real situation I am sitting looking at the 'Gothic Line' and making no progress (edit: it's rain, not snow which stops air operations).

The British infantry has 31 replacements available (see image: 'GBR 46th' info panel), the US infantry has 100 replacements in the pool, some national forces (e.g. New Zealand) will have few replacements available at any time and must be used carefully, but overall the replacement situation is very good. A conclusion could be that I haven't been aggressive enough and I could have made much more use of an attritional strategy to wear down the Axis more quickly. I thought at first that, in most cases, replacements seemed plentiful and too easy to apply, but I read that Mark Clark ensured that each unit was restored to full strength each night after the previous day's action. The British were much shorter on replacements, sometimes having to break up units to provide replacements for others.

The down-side of quick replacement was that it puts many inexperienced men into combat who didn't last long and I think that it should have more effect on the units in the game. The game covers this by a risk of added disruption when large numbers of replacements are added. I think there should be greater disruption effects for replacements and when units have been in combat for long periods, as I am only now seeing significant disruption effects caused by the weather, but overall the game seems to have most things covered.

I achieved most of the progress by manoeuvring Axis units out of positions and encircling units which held on too long, trying to keep the front moving at the cost of often acting without full combat supply. The alternative would be a more measured approach, waiting several turns to accumulate large reserves of fuel and combat supply, before launching an attack. Which is the situation that I have been forced into now, unable to advance and accumulating combat supply for a sustained attack, but with little time left to achieve the required victory points. With the weather ending the chance of a quick breakthrough, the delay has allowed most Allied units to be given full combat supply (green triangle lower right on unit counter) for the first time in the campaign, but with little time. I really need to wait until air power becomes available in better weather, but that would use up even more time.

I am launching a major attack on BOLOGNA to see how strong the defending units are, with other Allied units available now fully combat supplied and able to continue the attack, if the German units are weak. The British 46th Inf. Div. is making an attack in the West, as it is due to be withdrawn and I might as well use up the combat supply before it goes and it will confirm the strength of the German unit in that position.

The Axis has suffered 684 casualty points, with at least 15 units completely destroyed, whilst the Allies lost 326, losing three units destroyed. Even with losses on this scale, the AI is still able to form a defence line, although many of the Axis units look weak and if it wasn't for the weather I could blow this line away.

I see that I have a Port capacity of 990, out of a possible 2300, but I have almost all the available port workers deployed at sites close to the front and it doesn't seem possible to improve the situation. This is about the best it can be. The 'Supply and Fuel status' box (image: bottom right) shows that I am consuming fuel and supply quicker than it is being delivered and this is before a major offensive has even started.

Some units have been brought from MESSINA overland, which has used fuel, but saved combat supply. Not sure that this has done any good and it feeds into the alternative strategy of delaying advances to build up fuel, supply and sea transport points, but there always seemed to be tempting possibilities too good to miss and to push on, despite the shortages. This could have been played completely differently, interesting to see how the alternatives might have delivered a better result, or not.

Maybe if I had taken the time, earlier, to bring all the reinforcement units from MESSINA by sea, waited to accumulate full combat supply for all units and then battered through, but that would have taken forever, maybe ...

I have the points for a minor Allied victory and not enough time left to improve on that, but satisfied that the game is giving a very good representation of the Italian Campaign and that there is the possibility of significant alternative strategies, which offer the prospect of continuing replay opportunities.

I may be a fan club of one, but this is a great game. [8D]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Turn 127, 4 Turns left to the scenario end date:

Image

Victory Points now 201, 240 needed for a decisive victory, with a large number of Axis units encircled in the hills (some already destroyed), BOLOGNA captured and closing up to MANTUA just across the river PO, VENICE about to be cut-off and defended by only a Luftwaffe Division. So little combat supply, so little fuel, so little time.

The cities and German loses in destroyed units are all worth points, but too much to do in the time left, but so close.

Too many Allied units exhausted, showing the red triangle of low combat supply, but still pushing on.

I never thought that after so many turns this would be so close and also so near to the historical events in April 1945.

This has been a cliff-hanger all the way.
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Here's the final screen for the end of the scenario :


Image


The last turns were brutal, attack and counter-attack, with the final score 222 victory points for me, scoring a 'Minor Victory' (240 needed for a 'Decisive Victory'). Just 18 more victory points needed for a 'Major Victory', with room for a different strategy which might have made the difference, as an incentive for the next game. Maybe a different initial landing plan, more overland advance from MESSINA to avoid sea transport, delay to stockpile fuel and combat supply, expecting faster progress later.

The battlefield is littered with Allied units, left behind without combat supply, or without the fuel to move them. On the Axis side, just 7 units left, a pitiful remnant of the force which held the 'Gothic Line' through the winter.

Still well satisfied, as it is the first attempt at this scenario and using it to check out the game and work out house rules for more realism and challenge against the AI.

In the last turn I managed to pass units through a successful attack to take MANTUA, while VENICE fell earlier without a fight, but this late in the campaign the victory cities aren't worth anything. I got up to VERONA (which was open), but didn't take it as the AI moved to block the attempt with the German 162nd and 334th Inf. Divs., it would have been good to take all the victory point cities, but missed out on this last one. I don't know where the 162nd came from, because it was one of the German units encircled and I thought destroyed, in the hills near LA SPEZIA.

I'll do a summary later, but it was quite a game, full of action right up to the very end. [8D]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Here is a little oddity that emerged during the last turn :


Image

Start position Turn 127 is shown in the left portion of the image, combat has taken place in hex 07,07 in the mountains near LA SPEZIA, German 162nd Inf. Div., one of 7 Axis units encircled here, finally succumbs to multiple attacks and surrenders, as shown in the 'Report' form.

The right side of the image shows the final Turn 132 screen, with 162nd re-appearing in VERONA, badly battered, no combat supply, high disruption, unable to exert a ZOC and with many casualties, but alive, after having been previously completely surrounded with no escape.

I found nothing in the manual about the AI being able to reconstitute lost units, the Allies had a reinforcement list for new arrivals, but lost units stay lost.

Not sure if this is WAD and not a problem if it is, as it a nice touch if the AI can rebuild lost units and VERONA is a supply centre, so this is where such units might appear.

However, it was a surprise to find the 162nd sitting in VERONA, when I thought that I might just have a chance of taking the last city, in the last turn. [8|]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

Anyone reading this with the 'D-Day' sale in mind should note that these screen shots show the CHEMKID map and counter mod, easy to apply and makes a BIG difference to the look of the game, whilst adding greatly to the immersion effect of really getting into the scenario, but it is not the vanilla map/counters. [8D]
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Gribeauval »

Thanks Raputitsa for this AAR.

With the last version of the game (v104), the player can rebuild a lost unit. I have already done this.
It is not documented, but you see the destroyed "empty" unit in one of the screens (I don't remember where, reinforcements or somewhere else) and you can buy replacements for it.

Regards.
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RE: Rome has Fallen

Post by Rasputitsa »

ORIGINAL: Gribeauval

Thanks Raputitsa for this AAR.

With the last version of the game (v104), the player can rebuild a lost unit. I have already done this.
It is not documented, but you see the destroyed "empty" unit in one of the screens (I don't remember where, reinforcements or somewhere else) and you can buy replacements for it.

Regards.

Thanks, that's good to know, I'll try and check it out in the next game. [:)]
"In politics stupidity is not a handicap" - Napoleon

“A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything” - Napoleon

“Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress" - Napoleon
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