Toaw Scenario: Malta - Operation Hercules

Briefing
OPERATION HERCULES Axis plan for the invasion of Malta. 1. Notes This an update of 1940 - Italian Invasion of Malta, based on real plans for the invasion... No 7th Flieger, but Ramcke Brigade TOE corrected for Italian units (Folgore had two regiments, not 3) This one should be more realistic. 2. UNIT COLORS 2.1. ALLIED British - White on Tan Kings own Malta Rifles - Dark Blue on Tan 2.2. AXIS German Luftwaffe - Blue on Gray Italian Airforce - Blue on White Italian Army - Yellow on White Italian Navy - Green on White 3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS All airfields increase Axis air transport points when captured. This will translate to increased supply due to asset sharing. The points gained are: Luqa-600 Takali-400 Krendi-300 Kirkop-300 Halfar-300 The ports of Valletta and Birzebbugia each increase Axis supply by 5 points and replacements by 25% when captured. All airfields and both ports contain supply depots for the Axis. It is vital the Axis capture one of these locations very early, in order to get supply to their units. The SPEZIA Division is scheduled to air land at Halfar Airfield when it is captured by the Axis. XXX Corp assets are scheduled to land at the port at Birzebbugia when it is captured by the Axis. British units suffer shock effects on turn one. 4. HISTORICAL NOTES Operation Hercules was Italy's plan for the invasion of Malta in late July of 1942. The plan called for a major amphibious invasion on the southeast shores of Malta by two divisions of Italian infantry, along with supporting elements of the XXX Italian Corps.The invasions were to be preceded by an airdrop of 1 Italian division and 1 German airborne brigade. These units were to seize an airfield, to allow an additional Italian infantry division to be air landed early in the campaign.On the April 30th, 1942 Hitler and Mussolini met at Obersalzberg to consider which of the two strategic options open to them in the Mediterranean they were going to pursue. They decided that Tobruk must be taken first, then they would launch the invasion of Malta. Due to the success Rommel achieved at Tobruk, Hitler decided to shelve the Malta invasion on June 30th, 1942 and instead sent the limited resources to Rommel, so he could continue his drive towards Alexandria.This scenario explores the possibility that Malta could have been chosen first. The Axis player is assumed to have achieved total air and naval superiority for a brief time to allow the invasion to commence. Time is short however, as major reinforcements from out of theatre are in route to secure the air and sea around Malta once again for the British. This is assumed to occur at the end of turn 12.The Axis has 12 turns to capture as many ports and airfields as possible, in order to win the scenario. You may invade anywhere you wish, but keep in mind the only supply depots are located on airfields and at ports, all of which are assigned objective point values.The Allies must try to hold out as long as possible, trying to prevent the Axis from capturing too many objective ocations. 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Original scenario design by: James Burns and Ray Wolfe Piero Falotti

Briefing

OPERATION HERCULES

Axis plan for the invasion of Malta.

1. Notes

This an update of 1940 - Italian Invasion of Malta, based on real plans for the invasion...

No 7th Flieger, but Ramcke Brigade

TOE corrected for Italian units (Folgore had two regiments, not 3)

This one should be more realistic.

2. UNIT COLORS

2.1. ALLIED

British - White on Tan
Kings own Malta Rifles - Dark Blue on Tan

2.2. AXIS

German Luftwaffe - Blue on Gray
Italian Airforce - Blue on White
Italian Army - Yellow on White
Italian Navy - Green on White

3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

All airfields increase Axis air transport points when captured. This will translate to increased supply due to asset sharing. The points gained are:

Luqa-600
Takali-400
Krendi-300
Kirkop-300
Halfar-300
The ports of Valletta and Birzebbugia each increase Axis supply by 5 points and replacements by 25% when captured.
All airfields and both ports contain supply depots for the Axis. It is vital the Axis capture one of these locations very early, in order to get supply to their units.
The SPEZIA Division is scheduled to air land at Halfar Airfield when it is captured by the Axis.
XXX Corp assets are scheduled to land at the port at Birzebbugia when it is captured by the Axis.
British units suffer shock effects on turn one.

4. HISTORICAL NOTES

Operation Hercules was Italy's plan for the invasion of Malta in late July of 1942. The plan called for a major amphibious invasion on the southeast shores of Malta by two divisions of Italian infantry, along with supporting elements of the XXX Italian Corps.The invasions were to be preceded by an airdrop of 1 Italian division and 1 German airborne brigade. These units were to seize an airfield, to allow an additional Italian infantry division to be air landed early in the campaign.On the April 30th, 1942 Hitler and Mussolini met at Obersalzberg to consider which of the two strategic options open to them in the Mediterranean they were going to pursue. They decided that Tobruk must be taken first, then they would launch the invasion of Malta. Due to the success Rommel achieved at Tobruk, Hitler decided to shelve the Malta invasion on June 30th, 1942 and instead sent the limited resources to Rommel, so he could continue his drive towards Alexandria.This scenario explores the possibility that Malta could have been chosen first. The Axis player is assumed to have achieved total air and naval superiority for a brief time to allow the invasion to commence. Time is short however, as major reinforcements from out of theatre are in route to secure the air and sea around Malta once again for the British. This is assumed to occur at the end of turn 12.The Axis has 12 turns to capture as many ports and airfields as possible, in order to win the scenario. You may invade anywhere you wish, but keep in mind the only supply depots are located on airfields and at ports, all of which are assigned objective point values.The Allies must try to hold out as long as possible, trying to prevent the Axis from capturing too many objective ocations.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Original scenario design by: James Burns and Ray Wolfe

Piero Falotti