Episode 26: 12 and 18 December 1943
This report covers two save points, at six day intervals: from the previous update (6 December) to 12 December, then the next on 18 December. There are some new significant developments in a few areas away from the main front in Germany. And the Axis is not done yet!
12 December 1943
Germany
The advance has continued, but the Germans are vigorously counter-attacking some over-extended units, especially when they are out of supply. Five of the six battles in progress are Axis attacks.
The 11th Indian Div is keeping the pressure on Bremerhaven. They won’t succeed unaided, but other Allied forces will soon be free to take up the fight, where a breakthrough across the river-line to Stade is in progress from Bremen.
A serious German attack is going in on Kassel. The advancing Allied line is thin in places, due to concentrations in key points for breakthroughs and from a strategic decision which will be obvious shortly.
And in the southern sector, north-east of Stuttgart (now firmly in Allied occupation) the Germans are marshalling their forces are attacking extended French lines in Kunzelsau.
And in the hills and mountains south-east of Stuttgart, Allied logistic problems have also exposed the out-of-supply French 45th Inf Div to a strong German attack in Leutkirch.
Italy
In Italy, the corridor remains open to Rome, will both sides swapping attacks across the front.
As we checked in, the Battle for Rome was just ending, with the French 1st Mech Div inflicting horrendous casualties on their Italian attackers, for minimal losses of their own.
North of Rome, three battles are in progress. The largest is an Allied attack on Sassuolo: success there might again open up the possibility of taking the VP city of Bologna and then cutting across the peninsula, dividing the Axis and potential cutting off all enemy formations in central and southern Italy. Two smaller Axis attacks on Empoli and Orbetello are also in progress. A recent victory in Montepulciano should see that province occupied soon.
In southern Italy, it seems some Axis forces have been called away, while the Allies refit and concentrate their forces in Cosenza and Rossano, ready to exploit any weakness they see in front of them.
And in significant news, the French-led Allied Supreme HQ in Europe has decided to reallocate 12 divisions to the Italian front from Germany. The opportunity to relieve pressure on Rome, stabilise against Axis attacks in northern Italy and then hopefully knock Italy out of the war and trap a significant number of enemy forces by a drive to Venice has proven too tempting to resist. Also, this open a ‘back door’ into the crucial Balkans, where Soviet occupation of key countries (including those crucial for Allied victory conditions) must be forestalled.
Norway
The Allies have secured Oslo, while German garrison divisions begin to gather around the beachhead. Further north, Norwegian partisans seem to be preparing in their bases for an uprising. Something soon would be ideal!
Europe – General
A quick snapshot (without scale/numbers of attacks) shows where (mainly enemy) air attacks have occurred in the last week across the German and Italian fronts.
And this map illustrates key VP locations: a string of cities in Germany are becoming vulnerable to the advancing Allied forces.
Asia-Pacific
The Far Eastern pocket continues to close on the Soviets.
The Japanese have taken Rabaul (on the island of New Britain) and are now crossing over into Kait (on Latangai Island).
There is not much discernible naval activity in the Pacific. A more comprehensive naval update of any major ship losses will be done in the next chapter. These engagements over the last week are mainly 1-2 convoy sinkings, mainly of Japanese merchantmen. At least some US
subs must be active.
18 December 1943
Germany
Most Allied activity is in the north, while the rest of the line is consolidating (including allowing supply to catch up with the previous rapid advances), following the series of German attacks the previous week and the diversion of units to Italy.
The most significant battle in progress in an attack on Bremerhaven, where six Allied divisions have taken over from the now resting 11th Indian Div. The Allies outnumber the tiring enemy defenders, which includes the 1st Fallshirmjägers and the Liebstandarte SS Division, and are attacking from four different directions, but the enemy’s skilful tactics have blunted the assault.
To the north-east of the besieged Bremerhaven, the Allied breakthrough into Stade has enabled an attempted end-run by the French 2nd Armd Div on Cuxhaven, where they hope they might pocket a number of German divisions in or retreating to Bremerhaven.
Italy
Most of the current action in Italy is again in the central sector, to the north of Rome.
Montepulciano, occupied the previous week, is now being attacked by the Italians. However, the British defenders are successfully counter-attacking to improve their odds. Meanwhile, with Firenze recently retaken to the north, the French are attacking into Montevarchi, to further widen the offensive and make the corridor to Rome more secure.
With some units already in theatre, a large reinforcing column is now making its way to the front, for use in either northern or central Italy. Time will tell how they will be used, whether to bolster strained defences, launch a major offensive or a bit of both.
In southern Italy, in the previous week a strong Allied attack defeated the Axis defenders in Acri. The rest of the Axis defenders in the south appear to have begun a general withdrawal, as troops of the French 2nd Army (which includes the 4th BEF Corps) finally look like being able to break out from the toe of Italy after many days previously fending off German panzer attacks.
Norway
The British have heavily reinforced their landings in Norway, bringing in troops by transport ship into Oslo: they now include Australian, British, Canadian, Danish, New Zealand and US troops in a real multi-national effort under overall British command. The French High Command welcomes this: it should bring Norway back into Allied possession sooner than would otherwise be the case (Norway is one of the 12 required Allied victory objectives). And these are troops which hadn’t already been assigned to French command in Europe, so they may as well be doing something useful. It is also well timed, as a few regular German infantry divisions had shown up in recent days. The British have two major attacks going in at present and are also advancing unopposed into Tonsberg. The Norwegian resistance has not yet risen to the north.
Eastern Front
Here is a more detailed look than usual of the Eastern Front from the Soviet perspective (nb. this is information I didn’t have available at the time). You can also see they are generally on the offensive from the battle summary.
Europe – General Situation
So the Soviets are making a few limited gains in the east, especially near Romania. This may well be providing some urgency to Allied efforts in Italy. German surrender progress is up marginally.
Asia-Pacific
As requested by
serutan, here is a detailed view of the main Soviet front in the Far East. The troops in the pocket still survive but are out of supply and isolated, thousands of kilometres from their comrades.
The Japanese are showing some more activity in the margins in the Asia-Pacific. In alarming news, they have staged a naval landing at Haiphong in French Indo-China (northern Vietnam) and are in the process of fanning out. The French colonial forces in Hanoi aren’t strong enough to contest this landing but are well-equipped and can at least defend Hanoi for some time. Though they will need to be careful not to allow themselves to be surrounded.
It was never envisaged that France would seriously defend Indo-China if seriously attacked by the Japanese. Indeed, it has was a pleasant surprise to be spared such an invasion for so long!
Having finally dealt with the Dutch in West Borneo, the Japanese turn their attentions to British Borneo, where they are attacking the US 13th Airborne Div (allocated under British command) at Kuching.
In New Guinea, the Japanese have extended their incursions.
It is not yet clear whether they can or will continue their advance from Rabaul all the way up to Putput, where an Australian garrison division stands guard.
While in New Guinea itself, Japanese marines have landed near Lae, where only a single garrison brigade is in place.
No Pacific islands have changed hands between Japan and the US – that sector seems to have been very quiet for some time.
The next update will be a year-end episode, where I will provide a snapshot of the situation of the Axis in Europe and check to see whether any more major ships have been sunk in the Pacific.
so many counters! Though it is a common and longstanding joke amongst my friends that if someone actually managed to take Australia, the surrounding islands and Indonesia as the board suggests (and doubly so if 'Siam' is the only way to invade), you're bascially running two continent sized self sustaining utopias free from the prospect of foreign invasion.
