Scenario: SaS TrooP non-series or limited series scenarios WW2 Edition

[SaS TrooP]

Hello lads, I am back. Currently switching mood to something different, but I still plan to add some Iranian scenarios if you think they are decent enough

This time - Rimini. Slot 813.
Yet another Brigade sized battle for patient players... and I believe it offers quite a challenge :3

Battle of Rimini Airfield*
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Date: 15th of September, 1944*
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Location: Rimini, eastern coast of Italy*
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Type: Greek/New Zealand/Canadian assault vs. German defence*
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When Greece fell in 1941, a Greek government in exile was formed in Lebanon. As soon as it was possible, Greek government was interested in bringing troops into Allied war effort. However, Greeks were out of luck. 1st Greek Infantry Brigade was badly beaten and nearly destroyed during battle of El Alamein in late 1942, Italian and German submarines also did score numerous hits on Greek navy and merchant marine.
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Final blow to the Greek effort came in April 1944, when a split in government in exile occured between two rivaling parties: the EAM (communists) and EDES (nationalists). Split also did trigger widespread mutiny of army and navy, after which nearly entire Greek force in exile was disbanded and interned in camps in Egypt and Palestyne. Given the wavering support of the British, new EDES nationalist government decided to hastily form a new Greek brigade - recruted only from "politically sure" soldiers and officers - and aid the war effort immediately. This is how the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade (III EOT) was born.
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The unit was shipped to Italy in late summer of 1944 and put under command of British 8th Army, togerther with New Zealanders, Canadians and Poles. As soon as Greeks were ready, they were immediately pushed to action. Their objective: Rimini - one of key German defended positions on the right flank of Gothic Line. Rimini itself was defended by elements of the German elite, the 1st Regiment of 1st Fallschirmjeager Division of General Richard Heidrich. The unit was further supplemented by battalion of Turkestani Osttruppen and heavy weapons: the deadly Pantherturms, assault guns, machine guns and anti-tank weapons. The Rimini itself (and its airfield) was heavily fortified, most bridges blown up, and ambushes prepared along the way. That was the objective of the Greek nationalist force these days.
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Operations in Rimini sector begun on 12th September 1944. After heavy fighting - and New Zealand aid - Greek managed to capture Melo Stream with Casa Monticelli and Casa Monaldini positions, pushing the Fallschirmjeagers back. However, it was just a start. On 15th September, second phase of the attack begun, that focused on positions west of Rimini and led by Canadians. Greeks were ordered - together with a C Squadron of 18th New Zealand Armoured Regiment, 2nd Comapny of 22nd NZ Motor Rifle Battalion, 33rd NZ Anti-Tank Battery and 1st MG Company of Canadian Saskachewan Light Infantry Regiment - to assault the airfield and secure the city.
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Battle of Rimini thus began. It would last for 3 days and nights, but Greeks would finally capture the airfield. Germans would then abandon the Rimini proper as undefensible, also due to Canadian breakthough on their sector. Greeks would hoist the Greek flag in RImini's mayor office and celebrate own troops' victory in this hard battle.
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That would be the only battle of 3rd Greek Mointain Brigade during the war. Soon afterwards, with communist seazing power in Greece proper, they would be shipped - with some British troops - to the Athens, where their experience will help to form new Greek army and counter the communists. These events are known as Dekenvriana (The December Events) that mark the beginning of the Greek Civil War - as well as make decent prologue into cold war...
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NOTE: When playing against AI, this scenario should be played from the Greek side.
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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Sources: Various internet sources

[DRG]

813 conflicts with one Ts4EVER posted a few weeks back.... use 824

[DRG]

This is like trying to herd cats. I rebuilt that to use slot 824 but now TS4Ever has released the last two in his series and used 824 and 825 ( apparently he did not read this post.......)

Battle of Rimini Airfield 9/44 is now in slot 826 in my master game and will be released as 826 whenever we do another mini update ( probably spring 2020 )

so... if you have more planned in that series the next one can use 827 and I PROMISE not to move it again

[zovs66]

Side note I have slots 775 to 800, plus about 10 others in spots, was waiting for SaS and Ts4ever to use the assigned slots I mentioned a while back.

At this point I don't know where all the "open/free" slots are, but I have 30 in a series that I'd rather not break up (they cover 1908-1929).

Don

[DRG]

Like I said....... herding cats

[SaS TrooP]

OK, here comes the next one. I would appreciate additional testing since my timing in this scenario might be broken, as I will precisely know what will happen.

Yang Dang Khoum and Khum Phreav*
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Date: 16th of January, 1941*
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Location: Yang Dang Khoum and Khum Phreav, Battambang Province, French Cambodia*
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Type: Thai defence and counterattack vs. Vichy French assault*
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Since the crawling beginning of Thai dictatorship in 1932, Thailand (till 1939 called Siam) began to look for powerful allies, with whom the country would be able to regain some of the lost territories in the early XX century. Since Thailand lost those territories mostly to France, Britain and British Raj, choosing Japan as strategic ally seemed somewhat rational sollution. Both nations closening ties did not go unnoticed, yet Thailand aimed for staying neutral for as long as possible.
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In May 1940, France lost to Germany in Europe and as result Vichy France was created. The now weakened French retained control of majority of colonies, including French Indochina, modern day Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Shortly after, in September 1940, Japanese troops forced Vichy government to provide access to Indochina bases and logistical lines (so needed for Japanese to sustain southern front in war against China), then expanded via short invation to de facto military control of Indochina. Japanese would eventually - after bloody fighting - disarm French forces there in 1945, when French Indochina army would declare its support for the Allied cause.
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Nevertheless, territories lost to France in 1907 indeed interested the Thais. Using the political shielding of now close Japan, Thai dictator Plaek Phibunsongkhram claimed that Vichy France should cede majority of Cambodia into Thailand. At the same time, starting from October 1941, numerous border clashes erupted to add some arguments for the claims. French, however, remained steady and did not budge. Also, army of Indochina begun dislocating troops for Laos and Cambodia.
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In early January 1941 Thai military command finally received green light for serious military operations, that includes carrying out offensives into French Indochina. At the onset of the war, French had 2 infantry divisions made of various regiments, mostly mixed colonial ones, as well as dreadful 5th Foreign Legion Regiment. French Air Force had some obsolete aircraft, approximately 100, of which about 60 could be considered front line. These included thirty Potez 25 TOE reconnaissance/fighters-bombers, four Farman 221 heavy bombers, six Potez 542 bombers, nine Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters, and eight Loire 130 reconnaissance/bombers flying boats. There were only 20 Renault FT-17 tanks in Indochina, but these - on the contraty to popular belief - did not take part in fighting.
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The slightly larger Thai Army was a relatively well-equipped force. Consisting of 60,000 men, it was made up of four armies. The largest were the Burapha Army with five divisions and the Isan Army with three divisions. Independent formations under direct control of the army high command included two motorised cavalry battalions, one artillery battalion, one signals battalion, one engineer battalion, and one armoured regiment. The artillery was a mixture of Krupp guns and modern Bofors guns and Howitzers, while 60 Carden Loyd tankettes and 30 Vickers 6-ton tanks made up the bulk of the army's tank force. As of air force, first-line strength were 24 Mitsubishi Ki-30 light bombers, nine Mitsubishi Ki-21 medium bombers, 25 Curtiss Hawk 75N pursuit fighter planes, six Martin B-10 medium bombers, and 70 Vought O2U Corsair observation/attacker aircraft.
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On 5th January 1941, Thai swept into Laos and Cambodia, pushing aside worse equipped and smaller French force. Then Thai troops focused on securing administration of newly captured territories - generally that war was going kinda slow and bloodless, at least during early stages.
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After two weeks of engagements and some stabilization, French admiral and Governor-General of French Indochina Jean Decoux ordered the French army to launch a larg scale counter attack and push Thai troops from Cambodia. The main axis of attack was marked against newest Thai gains - villages of Koum Phreav and Yang Dang Khoum in Cambodian Battambang province.
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Against that target, the so called "Groupement J" was created under command of colonel Jacomy. A formidable force, it consisted of 4 infantry battalions, including one French Forreign Legion, two artillery battalions, including one Foreign Legion, as well as mixed motorized column from 11th Colonial Infantry Regiment. French did not know the size of Thai forces defending Yang Dang Khoum, since no intel was gathered, so French attacked blind, launching flanking attack from the north with two fixing frontal attacks.
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Thai, on the other hand, belonging to 4th Infantry Division, were prepared and more than aware of French actions. Thais secured control of the air (also Thai pilots proved they might have been one of the best in the world by that time). Thai aerial reconneissance provided data to the ground troops that dug in heavily and deployed forward scouts. Finally, a armoured counterattack column was prepared for the right moment.
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French forces were engaged on 16th of January 1941 in their staging areas, quickly discovered by Thai recon. Nevertheless, French moved in to attack, but its directions were already known. Thai put up still and stubborn defence in well prepared positions, relaying on heavy machinegun fire and canons deployed in direct fire roles.
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Finally, after few hours, when French attack reached the grinding halt, Thai tanks appeared and caused panic in French lines. The entire force crumbled and routed towards city of Seam Reap, chased by the Thai armour. The day was saved by Foreign Legion battalion that arrived late as well as Legion artillery that remained in its initial position and decided on fighting via direct fire. Legion also brought 25mm AT guns, a rare item in French Indochina's armory. Thais did try to break Legion positions using all they got, including heavy airstrikes, yet the Legion withstood and Thais returned to Yang Dang Khoum, while rest of French forces were effectively saved from destruction.
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At the end of the day, Thais claimed the battlefield and French attempt failed painfully, yet Thais failed to destroy the enemy force, making this battle somewhat indecisive. Historically, about 100 Thais and between 200-300 French troops were killed and scores more on both sides wounded, making battle of Yang Dang Khoum the bloodies of war entire.
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A day later French Indochina Navy scored a major win against the Thai Navy nead the island of Ko Chang. VIctory was serious, yet not decisive. Nevertheless, Japanese mediated ceasefire worrying that their ally might loose the war in the end. Bangkok government was moderately interested, controling little new terrain after 2 weeks of serious fighting. Yet it finally gave way under the Japanese pressure. Finally, in middle of 1941, French ceeded a couple of Laos and Cambodia provinces to Thailand, mostly border ones (including Battambang with Yang Dang Khoum in it). The gains were however much less than expected (about 1/4 of territories originally lost in 1907) and infuriated Thai public opinion that blamed Japanese for early interference. In result, Thailand begun to slowly drift away from Japanese ties and looked for other possible allies. On 7th December 1941, when Pacific War begun, Thailand declared neutrality, yet for this reason a day later it was invaded both by Japanese and British, finally siding with Japan for the remainder of the war.
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But that is quite a different tale.
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NOTES: Scenario uses historical data on forces involved and their equipment. For this reason it is playable from both sides, but Player should have a few things in mind while picking side. Scenario has very long turn playtime. This is for a reason to allow both French attack take place and Thai counterattack. When playing as Thailand, generally play as you wish. First destroy the French attack and when you feel strong enough, launch a counterattack and attempt to destroy Foreign Legion artillery battalion.*
When playing as French, it is recommended to do as following: your use of Foreign Legion is free. You might either keep it in reserve or use it to bolster the attack on the Thai held villages. However, if your attack fails to gain a real foothold after about turn 35, turn back and consider it lost. Thai AI will move out to counterattack at about turn 35 - from now on your task will be to defend your artillery. In such situation, you should NOT attempt to capture Thai villages again should you break Thai counterattack. This will essentially give the most historical outcome. If you managed to capture the villages, simply hold against Thai reinforcements.
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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Sources: Various sources, a lot of digging and questions asking, but best credit goes to "Le Franc-Tireur" paper, released Autumn 1996, detailing the battle and French force composition.

[SaS TrooP]

OK, here comes second from three Thai scenarios I made, since this nation probably had no scenarios this far.

This one is smaller as of my standard, only battalion size. Enjoy!

Nasty Nakhon Surprise*
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Date: 8th of December, 1941*
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Location: Just north of City of Nakhon Si Tammarat, Nakhon Si Tammarat Province, Southern Thailand*
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Type: Thai delay and (possible) counterattack vs. Japanese assault*
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Since the crawling beginning of Thai dictatorship in 1932, Thailand (till 1939 called Siam) began to look for powerful allies, with whom the country would be able to regain some of the lost territories in the early XX century. Since Thailand lost those territories mostly to France, Britain and British Raj, choosing Japan as strategic ally seemed somewhat rational sollution. Both nations closening ties did not go unnoticed, yet Thailand aimed for staying neutral for as long as possible.
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Back in early 1941 Thais successfully took parts of modern day Laos and Cambodia from their previous enemy, Vichy France. However, even though Thais were winning the conflict on land, they suffered a defeat in the seas durking battle of Ko Chang, where one of thai heavy cruisers was crippled. Seeing this - and to the great dismay of Bangkok - Japanese pushed heavily towards ceasefire that left Thais with no option other than accepting limited territorial gains from the French.
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As Thailand was definitely pro-Japanese to this point, public opinion blaned Tokyo for overexaggerated interference. Thai dictator - Plaek Phibulsonghkram - previously aiming for strict alliance with Japan now decided to steer the country towards "last minute neutrality", particularly given incoming Brito-Japanese confrontation. This move, however, came too late and in the eve of Pacific War Thailand found itself in a position of asian Norway. Japanese needed further staging areas for attacks against Malaya and Burma. Thailand would be a great place to start. British on the other hand were more than eager to preemptively move into Thailand to deny Japanese the mentioned landing grounds.
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Few hours before invasion on Malaya, Japanese provided Bangkok with ultimatum: join us or face invasion. The cabinet was divided, there was no answer in time. Thus, at dawn, Japanese forces - grouped in two armies and supported by fleet - begun landing operations at about 15 different points all over Thailand, starting with Bangkok outskirts and ending in more remote areas.
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One of the landings took place just north of Nakhon Si Tammarat in the southern Thailand and was one of vital areas for quick Japanese movement against Malaya. Japanese troops - about 1500 men from 3rd Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, as well as elements of 18th Air District Regiment, 32nd AA Battalion and 6th Construction Company - disembarked unoposed, yet quickly noted by the Thai. Their job was to prepare further landings and disarm Thai forces in the area.
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Unbeknownst to the Japanese, local Thai forces of 39th Infantry Battalion, together with 6th Division Staff, were already aware of Japanese landings at nearby Songhla (they were notified by the phone). Instead of remaining in the Camp Vajiravudh - normally hosting high readiness units during their training sessions - they actually deployed effective yet hasty defence in order to contain Japanese beachhead.
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What was supposed to be a formality, turn into a bloodshed. Thais tried to push Japanese back to their crafts but were stopped by superior artillery. On the other hand, Thai machineguns kept Japanese infantry at bay and did not allow them to cross Tha Phae canal, what would allow to bypass the defences. The battle lasted for several hours before ceasefire order arrived for the Thais. At midday the Cabinet finally gathered and Plaek Phibunsonghram accepted the Japanese terms and allowing Japanese i
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It must be noted - perhaps other scenarios will be created in the future - that Thai forces, even though outgunned and outnumbered, stood strong with the government and offered resistance - usually a fierce one - against nearly all Japanese landing zones. Exact Japanese casualties are not known, yet during 6 hours of fighting they probably suffered about 1000 dead and unknown number of wounded. That dead are given at number of about 150-200 dead and 300-400 wounded.
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If you play this scenario as Thais, at least hold steady. Your battalion is partly deployed, you get police support for your cause - they will hold Japanese for a while. 3rd Company (together with MG support) is not yet deployed, use them as you see fit. They may also fare well as counterattacking force.
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If you stop Japanese advance and will be at strength, attempt to overrun the beachhead, eliminating it completely. In that case you will score a complete victory that eluded the Thais.
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When playing as Japanese, your orders are simple: expand the beachhead, crush Thai resistance, make your way through Tha Phae Canal and occupy Camp Vajiravudh, ending the presence of the defender.
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Either way: Good luck!
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This particular scenario is playable from either side, but it is somewhat recommended to play as Thais and Japanese as AI.
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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Sources: Various internet sources, those are rather scarce on particular engagements of that invasion.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by SaS TrooP

OK, here comes second from three Thai scenarios I made, since this nation probably had no scenarios this far.

Actually, there are already 4 in the game

ScenarioID Title sMonth sYear Player_1 Player_2
624 Siam Sambal 1/41 1 1941 France Thai
741 Thai Hot 12/41 12 1941 Japan Thai
700 Surabaya Slugfest 11/45 11 1945 India Thai
760 Unlikely Allies 11/45 11 1945 India Thai

Your's is #5

[SaS TrooP]

624 and 741 are simple conversions, also 624 follows the ASL scenario that has a loooot of historical inaccuracy. 700 uses Thailand as proxy. So does 760.

[SaS TrooP]

OK, here comes third and currently the last of Thai scenarios. Again, it is as historical as I could make it. Enjoy!

North of Kentung*
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Date: EArly June, 1942*
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Location: North of City of Kentung, British Burma, from 1942 to 1945 - Saharat Thai Doem (Unified FOrmer Thai Territories)*
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Type: Thai advance vs. Chinese delay*
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Since the crawling beginning of Thai dictatorship in 1932, Thailand (till 1939 called Siam) began to look for powerful allies, with whom the country would be able to regain some of the lost territories in the early XX century. Since Thailand lost those territories mostly to France, Britain and British Raj, choosing Japan as strategic ally seemed somewhat rational sollution. Both nations closening ties did not go unnoticed, yet Thailand aimed for staying neutral for as long as possible.
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As it was mentioned in previous scenarios, after initial Japanese invasion of Thailand in December 1941, Thai government finally decided to side with the Japanese. The Thai-Japanese alliance was however only the pracitical one, as both nations could only gain, where the Thais did not particularly share the Japanese concept of master race of Asia. Thus, Thailand was often called "the Asian Italy" by the Allied, who were actively looking for turning the Thais on their side.
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Nevertheless, Thai government declared war on Great Britain and United States on 25th of January 1942. Shortly afterwards, Imnperial Japanese Army advanced from Thailand into British Burma, initiating the BUrma Campaign that would last till late 1945. According to the protocols of 21th of December 1941, Thailand was promised the burmese province of Kentung (with the capital in the city of the same name) in Burma, as well as northernmost provinces of Malaya.
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Thais were however required to assist the invasion. For this reason, a Phayap Army - or Northwestern Army - was created under command of lieutnant general Charun Rattanakun Seriroengrit. The army itself was comprised of 2nd, 3rd, 4th Infantry Divisions, as well as Cavalry Division, with multiple independent battalions and companies for support. Essentially, the Phayap Army was probably the strongest fighting force of Thailand deployed during the World War 2. In May 1942, Thai forces entered the Kentung province and advanced straight towards the capital, facing Chinese Expeditionary Forces in Burma under General Kan Li-Chu. Chinese resistance was however already feeble as powerfull Japanese attack dislodged both Chinese and Commonwealth troops, whose attention quickly turned towards campaign of Burma Road.
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On 27th of May 1942, 3rd Division of Phayap Army entered Kentung after rapid bombardment and firefights with Chinese 93rd Infantry Division trying to evacuate the city in haste. Thais would occupy Kengtung till the end of war, when they accepted the return of that province into Burma in exchange of British resignation of demanding war reparations. The Kengtung would be known as Saharat Thai Doem, or Former Thai Unified Provinces. Thais however will fail in complete eradication of Chinese forces from Kengtung area. Due to rainy seasons and non-existant infrastructure, both armies would live off land and suffer from widespread disease. The diseases would claim the lives of as much as 5000 men, over 90% of all Thasi military casualties of World War 2. Thais will attempt to attack and capture Chinese border city of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province in 1943, but they will be driven back by Chinese defenders.
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Regardless. Commander, you are in command of one of the infantry regiments of 3rd Infantry Division. Your regiment is depleted by one battalion that currently serves as garrison force in Kentung. You are however well supported with regimental recon units and tank platoon of divisional tank company, as well as some air force we could muster.
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Chinese 93rd Infantry Division suffered a number of setbacks against our forces and Japanese ones and are now retreating to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan. One of regiments of that division - unknown in strength - occupies northern road about 10km from Kentung and shields the retreat. Your job is to clear that road and eradicate the regiment. If you reach the Xishuangbanna road, Chinese forces will be partly cut off by your maneuver and Japanese push.
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You have advantage in equipment and training, yet Chinese divisions are known for their numeurs infantry units. Good luck!
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This particular scenario is playable exclusively from Thailand side, with Chinese as AI.
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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Sources: Various internet sources, again, sources are scarce