stjeand (Allied) vs MagicMissle (Axis) NO MM for now

[stjeand]

And so it begins...

I hope you all enjoy...feel free to question / comment...


So MM beat me just a few weeks ago as the Germans...I beat him as the Germans in 42...he beat me as the Germans in very late 42 as I would not have survived 43.
So a new plan for the Russians and he has a new plan for the Germans...early invasion Belgium.

Sept 39

Poland - Not much to say other than TRY to hold out till the UK get a free interceptor. When trying the Belgian early it requires all air and armors...so just infantry attack the Poles. Higher casualties BUT a huge boost if you get Belgium in 1939...

France - Repair air and move them to the Belgian border...bring up reinforcements so that the Germans can't take advantage of a cold winter month. I have had been able to take Lille in December / January before so caution is required.

UK - Mainly keep the BOA in check and build a land force. I want the US to rule the skies...and UK to work the ground...US will supply some ground but mostly UK units will be used. Create a Landing Craft early for emergency and quickly upgrade all air to 1940 for the Belgian attack. Also fill Brussels with AA when attacked. Build a few escorts for the future since they take SO long.

US - Sit and do little. Will likely get some MM in the build queue early so that they will be able to survive the BOA for a while if it is going poorly.

Canada - With them I just build escorts and MM...at least until out of Shipyards...then upgrade the corps in play.

USSR - Here is where plans change...going to build 5 or 6 mountain troops...and 7 to 8 new mech (after disbanding the useless ones for PP). Plan to keep my air for 1942 rather than attempt to slow the Germans in 40 and lose it. Need the US and UK to start hitting Germany strategically so that the Russians have more fighters than the Germans in the area. That is tough to do though. Initial turns will be build 1 AA and 1 Coastal Fort for 5 or 6 turns...and a Mountain troop every other. Then when the Russian economy gets to 150...disband a mech and build a new mech...until all have been replaced. The 20% experience are useless...they just take a beating and die...so better to have a single strong. BUT the concern will be around number of units to cover all the holes. Hoping for about 5 to 6 mountain, 7 to 8 mech and the rest corps...but those numbers may vary a bit.

[stjeand]

Mid Sept 39

Poland - Germans are up against Warsaw with a Mech unit dug in. Doubt it will hold but one can hope.

France - Air units nearly full strength...they will be for the defense of Brussels. Starting to build infantry. Heavy German forces are not on the Belgian border.

UK - BOA goes badly for both sides...Germans sink just 3 MM but 2 Escorts...but take 3 hits which is crazy for the 2nd turn.
No build yet...gathering PP...

Russia - First Mountain troop built...

US - Gathering PP for an MM build.

[stjeand]

End Sept 39

Poland - Surrenders, so no luck there.

Belgium - Is attacked. French air and UK air units ready for the defense of Brussels. 6 AA drop into Brussels and the unit quickly garrisons. All air are on full support. Rain is expected...so lets hope that can last for a month or two.

France - Moves on unit next to Brussels to assist if required. Hopefully it will not be needed but if Brussels is attacked and it holds it could swap in to defend as well as other Belgium units. Oddly French units with the same experience and same size have higher defense.

UK - All the navy heads back into port to save oil while the Uboats return to port for repairs. UK move CVs over to possibly jump on the Uboats in port if they can. This normally only works once if at all.

Russia - Build a few AA and Coastal...next turn will build a mountain unit.

Canada - Builds escort.

US - waiting for now.

I should have a screen shot of Belgium next turn so long as it rains...if it does not...this will be ugly for France.

[Nirosi]

Yes, an AAR! Thanks guys!

PS: pictures please

[stjeand]

Early Oct

Rain arrives saving the Belgians. Snow will mark their end

Sadly my camera man failed me...Sorry.

Belgium - German air hammer the capital...they do little to the unit and take decent losses. Germany loses 26 air though France and Britain lose about 40....which seems right.

UK - German subs sit in port so little occurs. Saving points and repairing air for next round.

France - Concern arising as the German forces are ready to strike a French corp...repairing air for next go.

Russia - another Mountain unit built.

US - still short on funds to build

Canada - waiting for enough to create more escorts. Canadian units should arrive in Africa next turn.

[canuckgamer]

I'll be following your game closely and find your strategy, especially the builds quite interesting. I am amazed at how quickly your game is progressing and am wondering how many turns you are getting on average per day.

I am still of the opinion that the 1939 Small Fleet Historical Weather campaign game favours the Axis. However I am surprised that both you won as the Axis is 1942! How is that even possible??

[stjeand]

Well for me...I already owned all the Russian oil and Moscow and had pushed the Russians back to the Urals and cut off 15 armies. The Russians already had a smaller army than the Germans and when that happens it is usually the end for them.
I only needed half the German army to hold Russia. The UK / US landed in France but I had 8 armor there and was ready for a massed push back into the sea.

There was little chance for them to hold and once they were driven back I would be able to reinforce France with 40+ corps.

MM had pushed me back to the edge of Urals as bad weather was about to start in late 42. I held a line, Rostov to Stalingrad to the rail line east of Moscow by the Urals to Moscow. Leningrad had failed, and I had nowhere near the troops to hold any sort of line and little in the build queue for the winter. In 43 he would have taken the oil and I would have only had the Urals left.

Early we can play about 3 turns a day...since the go quick. When France starts just 1 maybe 2 per day.

[stjeand]

End Oct 39

Belgium - Germans slow air attacks in the rain...lose a few to AA guns.
This is what is looks like.

Belgium39.jpg (491.64 KiB) Viewed 832 times

As you can see this is a HUGE advantage for the Germans...they are able to attack Brussels as soon as snow arrives...My estimate is this give the Germans a one month time advantage in France. And if Belgium falls, which it almost always does the Germans can actually turn their attack to the French. Heavier losses during bad weather but I have taken Lille in January of 1940 before. That basically ends France...They then fall in June as historical, and Yugoslavia and Greece are done earlier, before rain arrives. A major advantage.
Hoping that 6 AA in Brussels will do some major damage...in testing I lost 20 air in my turn going only against the AA as the Germans...all bombers which is expensive. Not sure if the AA works as well when fighters intercept.

UK - Still repairing air...and will begin to repair some infantry. Also building a corps for defense of France. BOA quiet while Uboats get final upgrades and repairs.

France - Building infantry divisions each turn as well as repairing air...hoping Belgium lasts another turn to 2 so the air can once again engage the Luftwaffe. Last battle did not go as well as hoped. But German air is at 28 losses...UK 20, France 20.

Russia - Disband a Mech and build a new modern mech. I still feel that the Russians may be short on troops but this is another shot at making it to 43.

US - Build 2 escorts...so that the US have a few when they join the war.

[stjeand]

Early Nov 39

Belgium - All is quiet as rain continues to fall. Expect snow any day now and when that occurs...I am sure the airraid sirens will wale.

France - Build division...and start moving units out of Belgium.

UK - Build small corps. Reports are that the German Uboats have left port...the Royal Navy sets sail to search them out.

US - Build and escort

Russia - Disband a mech and build a mech

Canada - Units begin training in Africa.

[stjeand]

Late Nov 39
Snow comes

Belgium - The weather dooms Belgium. Snow arrives and the Luftwaffe launches every air unit they have. The RAF and French air force send everything they have and hammer the Luftwaffe this time, causing heavy losses. But that does not spare Belgium...Brussels is captured after a week of intense fighting. Now Germany is free to await Spring to invade France. They begin to line troops up.

UK - BOA another Escort is sunk...that makes 3. One Uboat is struck but the cost is getting far to high now...

France - Builds a small corps and is hoping that the Germans are too tired and the Luftwaffe to spent to strike their way.

Russia - No builds this turn.

US - No builds

Canada - Escort built

Escort losses are causing concern...France will likely fall now in July...which is huge for Germany and puts them well ahead.
Not sure what to do to prevent this.

[ncc1701e]

USSR - The 20% experience are useless...they just take a beating and die...so better to have a single strong. BUT the concern will be around number of units to cover all the holes. Hoping for about 5 to 6 mountain, 7 to 8 mech and the rest corps...but those numbers may vary a bit.

This is where I agree and I disagree. The 20% experience are not useless. They lower the effectiveness of the moving Germans. I even reinforce them when they are damaged, not upgrading them. The 'overrun' result is a game killer here.

But I agree with your concern. This is exactly this, there are not enough units to cover all the holes. With a supply system too permissive, the Germans are almost never out of supply behind Soviet lines. My conclusion is always the same, USSR don't have enough troops and don't have the possibilities to have enough troops. Period.

Thanks anyway for trying once more.

[stjeand]

ncc, true the units are not entirely useless they are just speed bumps.
I do not reinforce them because I need those points for armies that can actually put up a defense.

Most of the 20% units get overrun or surrounded. The German movement speed is the issue as well as the units normally retreat over and over and over giving free ZOC moves allowing more surrounds.

But that is expected.

I have seen players put all their units further back...and that does not work either.

I am going to try to force myself to give up ground but try to make it at 2 or 3 hexes at a time. I normally try to hold a position to long.

For me the issue now is German ability to build so much armor that they can just mass it and go to through anything.

In my game against MM I moved 20+ mech to the Rostov area and they just rolled over everything. I left infantry to hold the North...small corps that the Russians could not nothing about because their units have no teeth.

I will keep trying to find the correct balance.

I used to only build small corps and a two or 3 armor / mech...this time I am trying 5/6 mountain, and 5/6 mech and the rest small corps with a hope that the stronger units will help. I just still think that is just not enough in the way of units.
But I also usually use up the Russian airforce in 41 just before winter...I think I will try to keep them unused until 42.

Another option I have seen Russian players try is to disband their entire airforce for more ground. Sadly that does not work because the Germans can then pull all their interceptors back to Germany to defend against strategic bombers and just use their bomber units there.
BUT perhaps disbanding all the bombers and taking those points to building mech...I think would be 3 more. Then again will 3 units change the war? I guess you never know until you try.

[stjeand]

Early Dec 39
Heavy Rain

UK - Uboats leave, escorts return to base. Heavy bomber built

France - Division built

Russia - Mountain built

Quiet all over.

[stjeand]

End Dec 39
Snow

UK - All quiet as Uboats replenish in port. Build small corps

France - Quiet. Front lines now consist of all German infantry opposite French infantry. Build small corps

Russia - Build Armor after disband mech

US - Collect taxes

Canada - Build Escort

[stjeand]

1939 a year in review

The year is going badly for the Allies. Poland / Denmark as expected.
Belgium is a game changer in my eyes. This is going to devastate the Allies early.
They will lose France in July maybe June. Germany is already smashing French units.
The first was hit this turn and the Germans have advanced. They can be in Lille in another month with good luck.

Germany is weeks ahead of their timeline for France and that changes the game entirely.
This is pretty concerning, and it may make the game unplayable for the allies. But we will see.
I tried a defense that failed.

But back to the current game.

Germany
Way ahead in France...but there was a cost...70 air have been shot down. Then again the Allies have lost 50...A win? Ground is where the fighting happens in early France and Russia. Air definitely helps but armor is everything.

BOA
So far not going great...3 escorts sunk which is expensive. Less than 10 merchants. 5 hits to subs which is nice but as we know...all it does it pull that sub out of rotation...but honestly until you sink them it is not a huge advantage. Then again every turn a sub is not sinking MM is a good thing.

France
This is going to be devastating for them. I am concerned now about whether UK units should even be present. One clear turn in April could have a devastating effect. Really need rain until mid May to slow the German progress.

UK
One heavy bomber in the queue...and then repairs for all their infantry to get them to fighting strength now. Not sure it is wise to even put them in France but they are needed to help slow things.

Russia
Have built some coastal defenses for around Leningrad and placing AA there. Hoping that will slow the Germans in being able to push for there. I expect 80% of the armor to be in the south so I am going to put most of my mountain, new mechs and armor builds there...But we shall see how that goes.

US
Building Escorts at the moment...and I believe I will build an MM next...then start saving for air and armor. I want the UK to be the ground and pound and the US to be the air, with armor support.

Canada
Build escorts until at 10 shipyards then one MM...But then things depend on the BOA...may have to keep building escorts or switch to infantry.

[stjeand]

Early Jan 40
Snow

BOA - Uboats are at sea...Royal Navy in pursuit. Hoping for another good strike and no escort losses for a bit.

France - Germany strikes and an infantry. Heavy French losses and a retreat. Germany has now moved into France. Lille is now in danger of falling before the end of winter unless the weather turns to rain...Build another small corps and stop repairs to be sure to get enough units built.

UK - Air flies and damages the Luftwaffe...but still they advance in France. UK start building home guard...another small infantry corps

Russia - Disband a mech and build a newer one.

US - Builds escort.

Canada - UK sent some PP so they can build another escort.

- Sorry about screen shots. Took one then messed up the snagging tool. Just shows German positions. Will get one next turn.

[ncc1701e]

For me the issue now is German ability to build so much armor that they can just mass it and go to through anything.

In my game against MM I moved 20+ mech to the Rostov area and they just rolled over everything. I left infantry to hold the North...small corps that the Russians could not nothing about because their units have no teeth.

Yep, 20+ mech corps, corps not divisions; much more than the German production could have done in real.

[stjeand]

Mid Jan 40
Snow

France - Small corps built. Germans appear to be holding but their position now will be a huge issue when a clear turn happens.

Belgium40.jpg (443.51 KiB) Viewed 722 times

UK - BOA 5 MM sunk and the uboats this turn are unscathed...Need more Escorts since the number now is merely 13...will be a while though.

Russia - Build a few AA...first mountain troop arrives. Right now have 3 Mountain and 3 mech in the queues...so 2 more of each then switch to corps for gap support...as well as some more AA for the Leningrad area. Coastal defenses outside of Leningrad placed so that AA can be deployed. May not matter but need to try to hold Leningrad.
I suspect the Germans will do what I did and leave Leningrad alone...if Russia loses the South they have to evacuate that area anyways.

US - Collect taxes

Canada - Collect taxes

[stjeand]

Early Feb 40
Snow

France - Build Small corps

UK - BOA 3 MM sunk 1 hit on Uboats. Build Small Corps. Send some PP and oil to Canada so they can build an Escort next turn and have some oil for their destroyer.

Russia - Build Mountain troop and a few more coastal forts. They will be placed around Sevastapol to slow German advance and perhaps around Rostov.

US - Collect Taxes

Canada - Collect Taxes.

[Nirosi]

Early Feb 40
Snow

France - Build Small corps

UK - BOA 3 MM sunk 1 hit on Uboats. Build Small Corps. Send some PP and oil to Canada so they can build an Escort next turn and have some oil for their destroyer.

Russia - Build Mountain troop and a few more coastal forts. They will be placed around Sevastapol to slow German advance and perhaps around Rostov.

US - Collect Taxes

Canada - Collect Taxes.

Hi Stjeand,

Watch out with the Soviet coastal forts. Sometime they react strangely if placed before the USSR is at war. However, if placed/deployed just after the DOW (even if bought earlier), I have never seen any problem.