Narvik PBEM2: German Turn 2 (April 12 – 15, 1940)

I have not received anything from Alan covering his first turn. I know he’s kind of busy and fitting this in when he can. While I cannot speak for him and what he is attempting to do, I can fill in what he has done. If he sends me something to post, I will post it ASAP.

Allied Operations – Narvik (click image to enlarge)

In the arctic, the Norwegians empty out Bardufoss (except for the HQ unit) and advance to reinforce Elvesgaardsmoen, while moving a battalion south towards the Swedish border in an attempt to cut off the German supply depot that arrives at the beginning of turn 2. He also used his bombers to attempt a strike on Trondheim, but failed to do any damage. His bombers are now sitting at Bardufoss, safely away from the Luftwaffe. There is currently a squadron of Whitley bombers, a squadron of Wellington 1C  bombers, and a pair of Skua Fighter Bomber squadrons based at Bardufoss. The idea is obviously to toss me out of Narvik, the sooner the better, and to discourage the Germans from flying transports into the port with reinforcements.

Allied operations – Trondheim (click image to enlarge)

In the Trondheim region (which includes Andalsnes and Namsos), a faux bombing run was made in order to transfer the Blenheim-1 night fighter and Norwegian Gladiator to the Trondheim airfield. The 3rd armored cavalry battalion moved to protect the airfield, The II/13 mountain infantry battalion moves west, crossing the mountains to cut off the Germans in Trondheim, while the 5th Brigade HQ rails to Andalsnes, with the obvious intention of setting up an Allied base there.

In the south, the Norwegians reoccupy Bergen after the failed German attempt to seize the port.

Allied operations – South Norway (click image to enlarge)

The Royal Air Force flies a Skua into the North Oslo airfield, while the 1st Brigade HQ escapes Halden and sets up a defense on the banks of the Glomma River. the 2nd Brigade HQ moves just south of Oslo to act as a buffer, and in anticipation of the 1st artillery organized as infantry battalion to arrive before turn 2 starts. To the west, the 2nd motorcycle company races east to attempt to seal off the beachhead (with the anticipation of the 2nd artillery battalion arriving). Over at Evje, the 3rd Brigade HQ  moves south to block German troops from advancing on Stavanger.

One thing is for certain, Alan does not believe in absorbing units to make stronger stacks.

German turn 2

German operations in the arctic turn 2 (click image to enlarge)

My opponent must be a math teacher, because he prides himself on discovering whenever I have made no plans to ship units to the arctic, by exhibiting his counting skills.  I should start staging 6 battalions each turn just to flip him out. 😀

The Germans receive a supply depot via “neutral” Sweden, but because the Norse have ventured into the mountains in an attempt to intercept, or at least, cut me off from my supplies, the 138th mt. regiment detaches from its HQ and moves to meet the depot in the mountains.  Plus, if things should go wrong, we still occupy a hex adjacent to Narvik.

Here’s where the fun really begins. In the Trondheim region, the Germans stand pat. Having captured the Norwegian artillery stores at Trondheim, we receive an artillery battalion, bringing the total defense strength to 12. Enemies surround us on all sides, and the Allies have aircraft at the airfield to discourage my transports from flying supplies into the city. Oh yeah, the Germans are out of supply, and the clock starts ticking during the Allied half of turn 2.

The remains of the airfield at Trondheim (click image to enlarge)

But, wait! What’s that off in the distance?

That is the sound of the Luftwaffe flying towards the city! Could they be bringing desperately needed supplies to the beleaguered city? I can hear the Allies licking their chops as they scramble to their aircraft in anticipation of transports flying in.

Alas, it isn’t transports flying in, but 10 squadrons of bombers flying in. (At this point, for some reason, my radio started playing Blue Oyster Cult’s Me-262)

For whatever inexplicable reason, the Allies choose to not intercept, and the Luftwaffe POUNDS THE EVER LOVIN’ SHIT out of the airfield. Six bombing runs were made, and six hits are obtained. That airbase will be closed down for quite some time, and the aircraft are trapped there to be destroyed at my leisure (with the accompanying -4 VP penalty for the Allies)

As an aside, Alan did say that he was glad that wasn’t one of his ports.

Don’t worry, Alan. I’m coming for your ports. Soon, Alan. Soon.

German operations around Oslofjord and Kristiansand (click image to enlarge)

Down south, around the Oslofjord, German troops attack to break out. Because of the damned ability of the Norwegians to retreat before combat, the 2nd motorcycle company flees, as does the 1st Brigade HQ. The 2nd Brigade HQ, south of Oslo stands, but is destroyed. To the west, the newly formed Norwegian 2nd artillery battalion is attacked, but it fights the attackers to a standstill.

The last remaining parachute company drops on Fornebu airfield west of Oslo, while reinforcements are flown into Kjevik outside of Kristiansand. Because of the combat results, this company is in danger, as the panzer company was to exploit to the airfield to shore up defenses, but was unable to break out. To the west, the Germans are held up slightly, but to the east, they may be on the verge of a breakout. A lot depends on how the Allies react to the parachute company at the airfield, and of course, mobilization rolls.

I am also using the trick he pulled on my by occupying Halden on the Swedish border to prevent him from receiving an armored cavalry battalion.

The first few turns move a bit slow, but business will pick up once more transports are available on turn 4.

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