Turn 18 – Royal Hellenic Conclusion
- T18 Gk Overview.jpg (404.29 KiB) Viewed 424 times
- T18 Gk Scenario End.jpg (212.77 KiB) Viewed 424 times
The battle ends in total victory for the Greeks as the Italians were prevented from achieving any of the campaign objectives. Historically, at this point of the war, the Royal Hellenic army went on the offensive and quickly drove the Italian army out of Greece. Germany eventually came to the aid of Italy and we know how that turned out.
- T18 Gk Casualty Report.jpg (278.14 KiB) Viewed 424 times
Since the last casualty report following turn 10 total casualties have ramped up considerably. Counting just the infantry types the Italians have lost about 1290 squads/teams (up from 545) and the Greeks 2296 squads/teams (up from 834). The Greeks appeared to become much more aggressive during the last 5 turns which probably helped raise the Italian-to-Greek Kill Ratio to 1 to 1.78 . After Turn 10 the Italian Kill Ratio was 1 to 1.53 .
This analysis does not factor in the loss of equipment (trucks, mechanized vehicles, artillery, etc.) or animals.
Commentary
There are 12 possible combinations of secondary/primary objectives, 4 of which are aligned in a single route through which a concentrated force can move straight from the secondary to primary objective. This scenario is one of the 4 “easy” scenarios. In other scenarios the objectives are offset and require at least two trajectories of attack. In a scenario where one objective is high and the other is low, the player who is able to get a draw should feel quite satisfied with the result.
The Greek PO is also randomized as to the forces deployed and assigned objective track. In this scenario the PO seemed to be using the track which concentrates assaults in the middle toward the Italian Corps HQ and supply point. Other randomly selected objective tracks attempt to envelop from the South, envelop from the North, double envelopment or deploy in a completely defensive posture. Add in regiments which may, or may not, deploy and the composition of the defense becomes an issue the Italian commander must resolve. Note that a Greek formation which randomly deploys does not necessarily engage with the Italians. Deployment has a chance of happening in an area which the Italian commander does not intend on assaulting.
- T18 Gk Final Positions.jpg (507.4 KiB) Viewed 424 times
The Final Deployment screen was taken with the Computer Player turned off so units from both sides are visible. Four observations can be made:
1. The Greek force facing the 3rd Alpini Division was not deployed in depth. A more aggressive 3rd Div should have been able to break through and at a minimum take secondary objective Vovousa.
2. The Greek Cavalry Brigade blocking the 47th Division did not have a reserve force and might have been broken by a more aggressive assault.
3. If the scenario had continued the breakthrough by the Greek 8th Division Mixed Force was going to go critical. The force was larger than reconnaissance’s estimate and there was no Italian defense to protect the supply line.
4. Had the Greek 24th Rgt been ordered to attack the Italian 51st Division flank, the line of advance was open. This area was supposed to be defended by a blocking force; however, the blocking force was ordered to make a frivolous advance toward the South and moved itself out of position.
The following are some notes from the concluded scenario. Notes are in no particular order.
1. The 32nd Regiment was wasted. After the decision was made to attach the regiment to the 3rd Alpini the march North took most of the allotted time. The formation would have been better used to stay with its parent division as a blocking unit along the southern flank. Other, closer units were available to reinforce the 3rd Alpini.
2. The 3rd and 47th divisions spent a lot of time and manpower chasing down Greek units off road and in the mountains. Might have been better to split up a couple of battalions to do the chasing and allow the bulk of the division to continue the drive toward the objective.
3. The original plan was for the 51st to establish a defensive line on the far southern flank. Should not have deviated from the plan and send the 131st on a useless assault. Kalpaki never was an objective.
4. Failed to maintain a rear area reserve to handle situations such as the gap between the 47th Div and the 47th Div’s CCNN regiments. If the Greeks had exploited the gap earlier in the game, there could have been real trouble patching up the supply line.
5. Black Shirt or “Camice Nere” are the infantry making up CCNN Regiments. Since these units were more political than professional military, actual combat value was questionable. Their inability to serve as front line units was obvious as they were rudely pushed around by the Greek force. They would have been better used as the rear area reserve.
6. If I were to play again, I don’t think I would be as concerned about flank protection. Instead, I would punch ahead with a reinforced division and use a follow up division (or the CCNN) to clean up Greek stragglers. I’d probably bust up the armored division and use the armor battalions to spearhead assault divisions.
7. Because this battle takes place in predominately mountainous terrain, where off-road supply drops quickly, Italian battalions were never divided or moved far into the mountains for flanking maneuvers. Attacks were made primarily from the roads. This strategy needs to be rethought.
La fine. Spero che ti sia piaciuto.
Regards, RhinoBones
