AAR: Operation Pillowcase, Attack Gibraltar

[PanzerBob]

or how not to attack the Rock!!!

What if - Operation Pillowcase- SITREP on a PBEM Assault on The Rock of Gibraltar. Using v 3.5. It has become a kettle of fish so I'm really not giving away much. Although some units I will not release details on until the jig is up.

It WAS to be a three-element attack, Air, Sea and Land.

Main Elements:

Two FJ Kp (+) for the FJ Drop (German Only)

A sizeable Landing Force including Escorts at Sea (Mixed AXIS Powers)

A sizeable Armour and Infantry Force attacking from Spain. (Mixed AXIS Powers incl Spain)

In Support:

Two Bn 75mm
One Bn 105mm
One Bn 210mm
Two 60cm Karl Morsers

One Sqdn Stukas
One Sqdn Me110’s

Initial Plan involved trying to coordinate a massive smokescreen to coincide with a combined Air Drop and Amphibious Landing. Followed by a Ground Assault.

Mistake one etc: Sea Force was not out of visual range of the Rocks 9inch Guns. Armoured Escorts were not able to withstand them and were taken out. Had to withdraw until Smoke and or HE did its job.

Further errors: Not enough smoke available or arty or Air support. Some successes had with Arty and Air Strikes but without direct FO direction, very hard to redirect strikes where needed. MORE of each or heavier calibers may have been the answer here.

FJ debacle!!! Nice Drop wrong locations Dumkopf Pilots. Only one Ju52 was shot down despite massive AAA assets on the Rock. HOWEVER, they dropped my FJ Bn (-) right into the Lions DEN!! My poor boys dropped right into the Main Base for the most part. After several minutes I was lucky to have maybe 2 Platoons all over the place and under heavy fire.

At this time the situation is grim, the Assault Force from the Spanish Mainland misjudged where the minefield would be and found the minefield with the Engineers not ready to hit it, and Smoke Cover will blow away soon. Plus side is the Ground Force is engaging the enemy. Airstrkes still are harassing the British, and some of my Sea Force may still land providing I’ve silenced those nasty 9inchers for the time being. AND Der Commander ME hasn’t written this off as a lost cause yet.

Historically, A lot more resources were to be poured in to this attack and even then I wouldn’t have given even odds on success. Tough Nut to Crack!!!

More to come

Bob out