Boldairade (Allies) vs Nirosi (Axis). Boldairade welcome

[Nirosi]

May 5th, 1944 (Start of Axis turn)

The Soviet army punched a huge hole in German defenses destroying in the process two corps (that did retreat but were pursued and eliminated; one panzer, one infantry) and overrunning three air groups (two of fighters and one of tactical bombers). The Red Army decided to bypass Vitebsk for now, despite the important rail hub it holds and made a run toward Minsk.

An emergency meeting was called at OKW and for two days many options were studied. They all fell in one of two groups: retreat options or counter-attack options. In the end, after a short debate, despite the reduction in forces due to reinforcements sent to Spain, the decision to attack was made. OKW decided to gamble that most mobile units of the Red Army in the area have already gone through the hole and few mobile reserves are left East of Vitebsk.

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[Nirosi]

May 5th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

In Iberia, the Allies brought quite a few reinforcements, especially North-West of the peninsula, and took Cadiz in the South, making a rail link between all Allied forces from Gibraltar to Ferrol. Axis partners face a serious dilemma as how to react to pressure form both sides. The decision was finally made to split reinforcements to both fronts. Troops were taken from Greece, Italy and Tunisia and sent to both Spain and Belarus. On the other hand, such Allied commitment in the area probably means much less risks that they will make attempts in other sectors such as France, allowing for some redeployments if necessary (already a coastal division in France was dispatched in Italy to replace a panzergrenadier stationed there sent to Spain).

In Spain proper, the Axis troops retreated to a shorter line protecting the North-East part of the country. The difficult terrain is slowing down the Allies for now and this should give us some time to send even more reinforcements in Northern Spain, especially near Santander.

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[Nirosi]

In Belarus, the German counterattacked worked beyond expectations, even tough only the 2nd Tank Army was destroyed, despite many other troops been seriously reduced. Not only were Soviet troops cut-off from the rest of the Soviet front, but the German troops that are now keeping them isolated might actually have a reasonable chance to hold their ground and keep the Soviets cut-off, allowing for an eventual reduction of the Barysaw Pocket. Such a result would most probably mean a stop of any Soviet offensive for quite a while. OKH is putting all its hopes in the hands of Marshals Kesserling (North) and Manstein (South)…

In other news, the Marat and Voroshilov groups were engaged by the Hipper and Schlesien groups in the Baltic resulting in a Soviet victory with the Hipper Group been moderately damaged. The German fleet will have to retreat to port to lick its wounds for now and therefore leave the Soviets to raid…

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[redrum68]

Wow, Eastern Front turning into a slug fest. Nice counterattack but hard to see that holding as at a minimum I would think the Soviets can push the two mech that are 5 strength and the one panzer that is only 2 strength.

Very interested to see how Spain plays out.

[Nirosi]

Wow, Eastern Front turning into a slug fest. Nice counterattack but hard to see that holding as at a minimum I would think the Soviets can push the two mech that are 5 strength and the one panzer that is only 2 strength.

Very interested to see how Spain plays out.

I have a small incantation and a strange spiritual dance going on to try to keep the pocket closed... can not hurt...

[John B.]

Looks like it's all or nothing on the East front! Your forces look tired but lots of Russians are cut off.

[Nirosi]

Looks like it's all or nothing on the East front!

I would say that sums it up nicely!

[Nirosi]

German Tiger undergoing been inspected near the front before preparing for the inevitable Soviet counterattack!

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[Nirosi]

Soviet frontline is slightly off the horizon.

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[Nirosi]

Abandoned German planes after all those that could be flown on short notice were saved. The picture was taken by corporal E. Kraus before leaving the airfield less than 30 minutes before the Soviet army occupied it.

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[Nirosi]

May 19th, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

Despite our soldiers’ best efforts, the Red Army was able to easily open the pocket in Belarus. Our valiant troops are however in no shape to seriously consider closing it again. Also, some of the enemy troops that were in the pocket, seems to have actually retreated back toward the main frontline. This both means that Soviet tanks would be ready to easily reopen any pocket we might or might no form, but also that the Soviets might also have lost a lot of their effectiveness with the last events.

In view of our troops’ shape, and the few reinforcements expected in the near term, and also the fact that the Red Army is about only a month away from Riga with some luck, possibly cutting-off al Army Group North, the decision was taken to stabilise the front a little further West and all troops North of (and including in) Vitebsk and near Smolensk, were ordered to move toward an easier to defend position (not reached yet). The situation near Mogilev remains worrisome. OKW also instructed OKH to defend the territorial integrity of the liberated Baltic States. This might however prove difficult.

In other news, the Schlesien Group was destroyed in combat trying to protect our shipping lanes against the Soviet fleet that sustained moderate damage only. What the Soviet sailors lack in equipment, they more than make up with sheer determination…

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[Nirosi]

In Spain the Allies keep advancing and with the American’s pressure in the North-West, it was decided that Southern Spain could not be defended. OKH was too worried that German troops could end up been cut-off there (a dire reminder of which was the only rail-line into Spain blown-of by French partisans, stopping any reinforcement other than by sea). Spanish troops were also very slow to mobilise despite the generous German lend-lease. It seems that some equipment was kept in reserve for some reason. After pressures from Marshal Rommel, commanding German troops in the area, it will be released to Spanish troops immediately, hopefully not too late.

In other news, German U-boats were ordered to raid Allied supply runs in Northern Spain and Portugal. However, OKM will probably reassign the flotillas soon in view of the massive network of interconnected Allied ports on the peninsula, especially around Lisbon and Gibraltar.

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[Nirosi]

Field Marshal Manstein analyzing the situation near Mogilev. Aides have hear him say that "that damn thing is worrisome"

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[Nirosi]

Rommel with his staff in Madrid.

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[Nirosi]

Kesserling seen here inspecting the withdrawal of all Army Group North.

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[Nirosi]

General Messe is inspecting the Italian troops sent to Spain.

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[Nirosi]

In France, German soldiers are still having it easy for now...

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[Nirosi]

An Me 262 prototype been tested by Hanna Reitsch. It will be months before it is ready for mass production, but OKL is confident that once it does, it will change aerial warfare for ever...

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[Nirosi]

June 2nd, 1944 (End of Axis turn)

The Allies performed a brilliant, multinational, combined arms operation in Western Greece crossing the Corinth Canal and destroying the defenders, the 7th VolksGrenadier Corps, to the last. A secondary landing to cut-off reinforcements was done East of Thessaloniki. This front will very son become very important. Already Berlin has received indication that Bulgarian diplomats in Ankara have made some preliminary contact with the British embassy there.

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[Nirosi]

In the Soviet Union and Spain, only limited attacks occurred while both sides are redeploying. In Belarus, German troops hope to make a stand around Minsk.

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