The Allies, under the veteran Elvis, took the initiative from turn one, capturing North Africa and gaining a foothold in Southern Italy. Concerned with the growing Soviet Union, OKH turned it's eyes to the East and readied itself for a long battle in the East.
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From turn 1, the Axis had invested in rocket weapons and subs, with the goal of turning the isle into a side-show. If England could only rake in 180 MPP a turn, they could never amount to anything. Van Braun was determined to get serious about his moon missions.
Southern Front: Italy and Greece Allied. Churchill has his soft underbelly.
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Western Front: Sparse German Defences. Crucial fortifications are being built
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Army Group South: Strong, but lacking real punching power. If we dive toward Baku, and oil, Stalingrad will push a counter towards Rostov, threatening encirclement. Decisions.
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Army Group Center: Determined, the bulk of the German spearhead. No Panzers have been lost yet and the armored spine still can hit hard, and long.
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Finland has succumbed to the Soviets. Allied vessels breached Denmark straights and assisted the Soviets in capturing Helsinki. German units retreated from Leningrad to avoid being sent to the Dead Marshes.
To clear the road to Stalingrad, Army Group South (AGS) determined to swing south, smash the Soviet bulk head, then push North.
No doubt Elvis would put major defences closer to Baku, but AGS needed to secure the one oilfield near the coast and town as a starting off point to deter any major pushes from the Red Army.
Phase 1 Case Blue Complete AGS is cleared for Stalingrad. Turkey joins Soviets, adding pressure to Greek front. Hungarian, Romanian, and Bulgarian Troops occupy defensive postures. Rockets are re-located to pelt supply lines and prevent soviet tanks from getting operated into Sothern Europe.
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Army Group Central (AGC) smacks defending Soviet troops, but barely makes progress due to human wave offensive. Allied fleet vacates Baltic Sea and heads for Pacific and Sub Hunting after Finland's Fall.
Meanwhile Japanese attack Australia. IJN and USN stay at a distance. Cat and Mouse. Too dangerous to have a "decisive battle" yet. Level 4 long range aircraft naval bombers spot the Pacific Fleet and fire off a few rounds. Crucial interception prevents USN from heading to save Australia.
Japanese carriers off the coast have free reign to bomb, but are losing supply and aircraft to defending USAF fighters.
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In Australia, heavy fighting
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Soviet Tanks lines are two deep Note: this is happening at the same time as the push on Stalingrad.
No doubt Elvis trying to pull as much German armor from the southern push to the central. I didn't transfer any, as I felt near Stalingrad there are no swamps and no trees. My armor and airpower would shred any operated / low moral units just off the factory line near Stalingrad, so I continued to South.
In the central, pushes are limited, but it goes both ways hence with a couple heavies I could stall out the entire Soviet armor push.
One thing you'll notice, was the Allied approach to Europe.
Germany went heavy Rockets & Subs. The British were on a low budget, as buildings, ports, mines were dropping in England. Supplies raided. The early years, our plans were different, Libya. With the trading of territorial emphasis, was easier to impose the will. Italians had to help Germany with France, due to Rockets/Subs expenditures. Brits were able with ease to grab *key spots in the MedFront.
When the Americans arrived,they had to be building Destroyers and ant-Sub tech for sure. I know my opponent in the Pacific too, he loves the Marine type continious landings which are powerful and expensive. Yanks had to move fast. Americans forgo the Heavy Bombers and Bomber tech early in the game. Built Destroyers, Escort Carriers. Was able to send the majority of the Escort Carriers to the Pacific.
So how to help the Russians with these expenses? Diplo. The Yanks went very heavy "all-in" for Greece, was done quickly, bridghead, but no punch. Next, heavy Diplomacy in Turkey, all Allies spent. This really helped Russia. Next, with different strategy, the American Marines from Fort Bragg, went for a sneaky mission, soft target Denmark, with British ready to bounce for Finland. The German Kreigsmarine, was out of the Kiel, surface ships were protecting their strong U-boats, that opening was available. Yanks took Denmark with just 2 units, and British Carriers. Yanks/Brits got Finland, true commando style. We avoided those U-boats, until Yanks upgraded Destroyers were ready to hunt. And those U-boats were annoying and deadly.
Bridgeheads in Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy & Turkish conversion was awesome, but expensive. No real Air Power had been created. Had no real ground punching power. But those MMPs from Finland/Turkey going to Russia was the difference in the long run of Red survival. Additionally, the Germans had to guard the Bridgeheads with at least a solid unit. I didn't have the punching power, but had to concern Hitler, with potential openings to exploit. This led into the Middle to Latter part of the game. Which went to 1947.
