4 Player AAR with new PBEM - Game 4

[kondor]

Of course, the encirclement of the GE troops in Velikiye Luki couldn't go differently but a complete loss of those units, after another RA attack.

SU Velikiye Luki.png (1.36 MiB) Viewed 1399 times

SU is advancing nicely.

[kondor]

That brings us to my turn, WA Fall '43.
My forces in Austria were prone to a 3 side attack, and I'm not strong enough at this point to continue my push into Germany.
I've decided that Italy is the best position for me, and I've taken it out of the war. (Those Italian subs were a threat)
I've completely retreated from Austria.

Furthermore, I've attacked a lone militia unit in Hungary a number of times, IRC in total with 2 artillery units + 2 or 3 militia units from Yugoslavia, and it all failed.
That Hungarian militia unit deserved an elite status and a promotion which will get. Another war hero. Hungary still holds.

In the EU, I've bombed a few railroads/RSS points over Europe to further humper German transport and production capabilities.

[kondor]

In Hawaii, Japanese airforce pilots were drunk and didn't cover their anchored fleet there.
As I have 2 CV-s fresh from the factory, I've used them well. This time HF-s took the brunt of the attack.

Hawai.jpg (278.77 KiB) Viewed 1396 times

[kondor]

It's worth mentioning that I've taken Celebes and Java, they will serve well as a staging ground for further actions.

Celebes and Java.png (1.69 MiB) Viewed 1395 times

[kondor]

That Aussie hero DD unit is still on fire (not literally), and it set IJN TF and submarine on fire - literally, in the South China sea.

South china sea.png (1.36 MiB) Viewed 1392 times

Furthermore, I've destroyed/damaged a fair number of IJN TF-s, one HB unit, and some infrastructure.
I couldn't move into Siam, as the Japs have reinforced it, so I've brought my own reinforcements there as well.

The IJN CV strike force has multiple targets now, who will they choose? Will they spread out?
As the Japanese Empire is getting nibbled at the borders, from now on it will only shrink.
It's a race against the time.

[rjh1971]

Winter44 Germany

The situation for Germany is desperate, only hope is to delay the Soviets and Allies as much as possible.
The LW was still able to hit the Red army air force but that's about it...
Reshuffled troops to reinforce the Eastern front.

Wi44 Germany.jpg (817.11 KiB) Viewed 1343 times

[tcart]

Ugh. Things do not look good for the Axis. Japan was really caught napping at Pearl.

Now we must do what we can to hold out. A phased retreat begins, hoping to hold on to China and improve our fighter tech before the climactic battles. If Germany were in a stronger position I would have hope, as Fortress Japan can be a tough nut to crack. But I fear that the Allied economy will have the time to build masses of fighters and the A-bomb.

I had to play somewhat passively due to the fighter imbalance. I couldn't risk air combat from so far behind.

The only good things here are that I can retreat in good order, so my fortress islands will be strongly held and I will have some chances to counterattack.

[rjh1971]

Sp44 Germany

Soviets are knocking on Germany, luckily they ran out of supply and no attacks were carried out. But that will change and odds are definitely not good for the Axis 35 vs 48+
It was time to evacuate Norway and bring those troops back home, no point in defending Norway when its resources cannot reach Germany.
Troops were sent to reinforce Poland and to the West to prevent a WA invasion...
LW keeps "stinging" the red air force.

Sp44 Germany.jpg (648.64 KiB) Viewed 1271 times

[kondor]

Sorry for my late posting, this was a turn before Rafael's spring one.

WA Wi '44 turn
Japan retreated from most of the areas into the fortress Japan, leaving only TF-s, and a few units out of place like a formidable 4 FT-s in the Hawaiian area.
I've won a lot of ground this turn.
And here's the current IJN fleet, you can see it's well covered and it will be a constant danger.

Pac.jpg (388.38 KiB) Viewed 1259 times

[kondor]

I've ignored heavily fortified Hawaii, and retaken St. Johnson atoll to the south instead.
Here's IJN elite LF pounded by my CAG-s.

N. pacific DD.jpg (373.37 KiB) Viewed 1257 times

In the EU, I've liberated S. Italy and bombed infrastructure across the Reich.

[kondor]

Sp '44 Japan
Tim used his stranded Hawai FT-ers, and attacked my new base at Johnston Atoll.

Johnston Atoll.jpg (106.49 KiB) Viewed 1204 times

[kondor]

And he used HF to damage my LF at the Gulf of Siam.

Gulf of Siam.jpg (122.52 KiB) Viewed 1203 times

[kondor]

Goran as SU, launched a major offensive into W. Poland. Germans hold their ground.

W. Poland attack.jpg (236.52 KiB) Viewed 1201 times

[kondor]

WA SP '44.
On the EU front, I've moved back into Austria. A perfect position to apply pressure on multiple German lands. Rafael is not in a position to push me out or to defend it all, with the red army on the other side.

Blue X -> bombings of resources and railroads.

EU.jpg (266.1 KiB) Viewed 1196 times

[kondor]

In the Pacific area, I've taken Midway and Mariana Islands.
The IJN CV fleet is still in the Yellow sea, and I'm not yet in the position to dislodge it.
My CV-s are on the move, and I'm shuffling TF-s, supplies, and moving invasion forces into position.

No major actions this turn.

pac sit.jpg (666.4 KiB) Viewed 1194 times

[kondor]

IJN is down to 6 operational TF-s, and although Tim has a formidable navy, and a fair number of FT-s in cover. They cannot match USN numbers, especially in the tech department.

WA tech.jpg (74.77 KiB) Viewed 1192 times

I'm happy with the state of the airforce/navy, now I have to build more ground troops for the EU and Pacific front.

Happy days for the allies.

[rjh1971]

Su44 Germany

Last gasps for Germany. The LW is still able to beat the Russian air force but nothing else...

Last withdrawal into Germany. The Russians will need to take Poland this turn and will most probably defeat Germany in the Autumn 44.

The late incorporation of Romania into the Axis completely spoiled the Russian campaign. Congrats to Goran and Dalibor for their great victory.

Su44 Germany.jpg (837.84 KiB) Viewed 1101 times

[rjh1971]

Hey guys, there is a new AWD version available to download in the FTP (v1.057)

[kondor]

WA turn SU '44
I've damaged the arty unit in Denmark, and reinforced Austria for the fall offensive.
German should fall soon.

EU.jpg (459 KiB) Viewed 1066 times

[kondor]

After scouting, and confirming that IJN massive fleet is still in the Yellow Sea, I've planned how to take them out.
In the last turn, I've prepared 7 FT-s in the French Indochina (Blue circle), and they are now in the range of the fleet.

IJN fleet.jpg (666.08 KiB) Viewed 1063 times

But to really take the fleet out, I needed my CV-s. For that, the Bonin planes were in the way.

Bonin Island FT.jpg (262.57 KiB) Viewed 1064 times