Downfall 1942

[joegrundman]

Spring 1942

Germany declares war on Yugoslavia



Germany and Italy, exasperated by the unreasonable intransigence of the Yugoslav government, declares war

[joegrundman]

And Greece



Greek guerrillas get ready

[joegrundman]

Spring 1942

Japanese Fighters Destroy Allied Air Forces in Batavia and Manila



Counter air raids on allied air bases, completely sweep away the American air forces in Manila and the Dutch in Batavia for no appreciable losses, so superior do the modern Japanese planes and pilots seem.

[joegrundman]

Battle of the Gilberts



A Japanese Task Force on the way to land an invasion force on the Gilbert Island of Tamana was intercepted by an American carrier Task Force. As soon as preparatory gunfire commenced on the defenders at Tamana, US naval aviators taking off from the carriers Saratoga, Lexington and Enterprise flew out, catching the Japanese by surprise.

The planes all focused on the heavy battleship Mutsu, which was hit by 4 torpedoes and 3 bombs before eventually being consumed in a huge explosion.

After the first attack, bad weather closed in preventing further airstrikes. The Japanese taskforce quickly turned around and sailed back towards Truk.

The Battle of the Gilberts marks the first setback for Japanese expansion

[joegrundman]

Spring 1942

Invasion of Batavia



Japanese ground forces, supported by air based in Palembang, take control of Batavia

[joegrundman]

Japanese capture Balikpapan



Japanese SNLF supported by air and battleships capture Balikpapan, Borneo, and complete the capture of the Netherlands East Indies

[joegrundman]

Spring 1942
Fall of Manila



Massive air support is used by Japan in the final attack on Manila. After a siege lasting several weeks, the garrison on Corregidor, the fortress island in Manila Bay, surrendered. Japan quickly thereafter took control of all the Phillipines

[joegrundman]

Midway Island Falls to Japan



Large Japanese Force arrives off Midway. The first wave of Japanese infantry was fought off, leading the Us garrison commander to radio the message "Send us more Japs"

The second Japanese wave was successful, however, with the island falling after three days of fighting.

Analysts say that the loss of this vital naval resupply station will badly affect future operations from Pearl until some time as the island is recaptured

[joegrundman]

Japanese land on Kiska



a small japanese force overwhelms the tiny garrison of Kiska in the Aleutians, and sets up a small base there

[joegrundman]

spring 1942

Luftwaffe destroys Yugoslav and Greek airforces



Greek fighters apparently put up good fight, but the Yugoslavs were largely destroyed on the ground. Germany suffered losses in Greece due in part to valiant defense, and in larger part to difficulties flying in the mountainous terrain

yugo and greek aaf eliminated, 1 german aaf eliminated over greece

[joegrundman]

Spring 1942
German troops enter Belgrade



A dramatic right hook and overwhelming air power saw German armored divisions rapidly drive north from Bulgaria, cross the Danube and capture Belgrade. Despite what analysts consider to have been a good defense plan by the Yugoslavs, German resources were too strong, and they took control of Belgrade with very few losses to themselves.

The government fled to Dubrovnik, but it is expected that they will be unable to escape to form a government in exile.

A new interim government has been established in Belgrade by Germany.

[joegrundman]

German troops cross Metaxas line in Greece



German and Italian troops overwhelmed a section of defenses in Northern Greece

[joegrundman]

spring 1941

Germany Captured Athens - Senior members of Greek government escape to Alexandria by submarine



German Panzer corps breezes past greek forces defending the approaches to Athens, and then with a heavy bombing campaign, overwhelms the defenders in the Greek capital.

Senior members of the government escape on board a British submarine and vow to establish a government-in-exile in Alexandria.

Germany installs a new government in Athens which as its first act signs an unconditional surrender.

[joegrundman]

Battle of the Atlantic



the battle of the atlantic rages on. Allied codebreaking and CVEs offset further refinements in german u-boat doctrine and equipment. Only 2 transport units available for use this turn. 9 sunk, 3 damaged.

[joegrundman]

spring 1941

Rasputitza



Heavy rains in Russia turn much of the land into mud, forcing offensive operations to halt until the weather dries up. Nonetheless the attrition costs to Russia are high now that the cold has passed.