Looking for strong Axis player to play Harsh Winter

[stjeand]

Early February 1942

Russia - Northern Front - A few attacks yield not significant results.
All other fronts are quietly getting ready for the Spring.

UK
Africa - The Italians spring a trap with their armored corps, with supplies cut they had wisely built up extra supplies and make a dash to break the cut supply lines succeeding in mauling the UK landing force, but in doing so they have to put their navy in harms way. The UK naval catches some troops travelling to port and sink 25% of them. The UK responds by smashing into a German Luftwaffe corps holding the line...it does not hold and is completely overrun, causing significant casualties, but yielding way...the WDF tears up the coast smashing into an Italian corps and relieving the cut off troops.
The UK navy exchanges barrages with the remains of the Italian navy. No ships are sunk but 3 Battleships are basically put out of action.

US
Africa - The army is resupplying and getting ready for an attack. Heavy German forces have moved to southern Italy anticipating an invasion soon.

Battle of the Atlantic
For the first time in the war the battle feels like it is turning. Submarines do minimal damage...the USS Ranger and HMS Glorious chase a rogue Kriegsmarine fleet but fail to intercept, even with US battleship support.
They continue to hunt while a dozen destroyers are on a seek and destroy mission for U-Boats.

[stjeand]

Late February 1942

Russia
Northern Front - The Russian units begin to refuel and resupply for the coming Spring offensive.
Central Front - Russian forces attack a German panzer damaging the unit...hopefully it will delay that unit for the Spring offensive but that remains to be seen.
Southern Front - Snow continues to fall. German units seems more that capable for the Spring offensive. New Russian units continue to arrive to reinforces the area.

UK
Africa - UK units drive into the Italian armor and drive it back...but the offensive is halted when a heavily fortified German unit is encountered. UK units slow up to start to resupply.
Aircraft from UK carriers catch an Italian cruiser and send it to the bottom.

Battle of the Atlantic
Battle still slightly tilted in toward the German Uboats but damage is on the rise.

US
With an auspicious raid bombers strike at the Polesti oil fields causing minor damage.

[kklemmick]

At this rate I'll be lucky to survive past 1944, but we'll see. The UK seems unstoppable in North Africa. Everything I throw in front of them dies with minimal losses on the UK side. It would probably be prudent of me to pull out of North Africa, but the hope is that I can buy more time there. How much more remains to be seen. Probably not much.
At least the oil situation is a little better now that I've stopped ordering the Panzers to attack in winter.
I'm learning a lot this game for sure and having a blast despite my poor performance. It's a whole different game when you have someone who really knows the game and how to make life difficult.

[stjeand]

Early March 1942

Russia
Quiet all over...the Russians are getting out there shovels and starting to reinforce locations for the coming German offensive. Luckily in the north it continues to snow...but sadly in the south it is raining...
With any luck there will be some spring snow.

Africa
Also fairly quiet overall. Libyan spies report German armor close to the UK lines. This may slow the advance...UK troops begin to dig in and resupply. Naval units plan to start starving units of required supplies...though it is best to do so when units are tired. So perhaps right after and attack or defense...so they wait.

Battle of the Atlantic
Not a good turn...10 merchants sunk and 2 escorts...but more arrive weekly to keep the flow.

[stjeand]

End March 1942

Russia
Winter winds and flying snow still grip the country north of Kiev.
South concern grows...Russia has moving in over a dozen newer units but the Germans have fully resupplied and with so little snow they are ready for the Spring. German lines seem thin as they have moved dozens of divisions to Italy and Africa due to the Allied advances there...
But Russian lines are also fairly thin...and much weaker overall.
Russia now waits to see what the German army plans.

Africa
Little movement here. That Allies continue to debate where to strike next.
Most locations are strongly defended but clearly their supplies are way over stretched...

Battle of the Atlantic
Shared blows...The UK and US shipyards are running beyond capacity.


-Dreading an early clear turn in Russia...It could cripple the Russians in the South and turn the tide quickly...I dislike April for that reason and the weather process. A blizzard can turn to clear when it should be mud for at least 2 weeks always until it can defrost and dry.

[Nirosi]

I dislike April for that reason and the weather process. A blizzard can turn to clear when it should be mud for at least 2 weeks always until it can defrost and dry.

+1

[MagicMissile]

I also think weather should be looked at in WP2. Possibly the weather table should not have fixed percentage but modified by the weather in the previous turn.

We dont have any screenshots and I dont know the force sizes but in my experience if the Axis loses NA in 41 early 42 and havent stomped the Soviets then the Axis most likely are in a dire position. Nice to read a AAR again even if it is a bit brief and in the wrong forum .

/MM

[stjeand]

The Axis has in no way lost Africa...
They have a half dozen corps there and the Americans need a year to build to be useful.

They also have a half dozen or more corps in Italy...

So that is nearly a dozen corps NOT in Russia which is huge.

I suspect a clear turn in April in Russia and that will cause a huge issue. The Russians could likely lose 5 to 8 armies...BUT if I get rain for another turn then I should be okay.

Yes MM...sorry about it being brief but my opponent is reading it so...I can't give out any secrets...

Lose lips sink Merchant ships and I need ALL of them I have

[stjeand]

Early April 1942

Russia
Weather favors the home team.
Continuing to blizzard in the Center and North which is a wonderful site...German units struggle to remain well supplied.
South - Snow begins to fall...right before the Spring which is also welcomed.
Little happens in Russia...

UK
Africa - Little happens. There are quite a few German forces and it is suspected supplies have to be meager.

Battle of the Atlantic
Lots of hits on both sides...
German surface ships are reported to be at sea, but the UK naval is not able to find them.

[stjeand]

Late April 1942

Russia
North and Central Russia weather clears...mud dries up immediately and German panzers are on the move.
They slam into Kiev and drive the Russian units there but then come up against strongly dug in Russian Armies across the river. In the North panzers break through the line but are not able to drive too deeply in so the Russian units are able to retreat back to their lines and not get surrounded.
South - Continues to snow.

UK
Africa - Calm before the storm

Battle of the Atlantic
Heating up a bit...seems Uboats are taking as much as they are giving. Perhaps the tide is beginning to turn...or perhaps not. Time will tell. Royal Navy continues to chase rumors of surface ships of the Kriegsmarine raiding. No sign of them as of now. They are like ghosts.

- As I thought...blizzard to clear. Not good for a weather system...hopefully that will change in the next version.

[stjeand]

Early May 1942

Russia
North - German panzers still roll but make limited progress. Russian lines are well dug in but must continue a coordinated retreat across the Lovat...and begin digging in the marshes and swamps. that should slow down the panzer advance. Leningrad is heavily defended with 2 lines of well dug in defenders.
Central - German forces are still resupplying after the devastating winter. Might be a few weeks before they are able to attempt some progress.
South - German forces finally strike at Dnepropetrovsk where the Russian forces were ready and well dug in but had orders to retreat before heavy losses. Their mission a success overall.
German forces make probing attacks across the river but they go poorly. Heavy casualties re the result.
Not sure what Germany's next move is...so Russian forces move to quick mobile positions to be ready as best they can. There are still a few weaker lines within the Russian defense but everyday there are less.

UK
Africa - A quiet moment...while both sides wait to see what plans they both have.
UK Africa command believes that the Axis forces could make a coordinated attack effort but it is unlikely due to the cost in supplies and manpower. But that remains to be seen. US forces are itching for a fight...

Battle of the Atlantic
Uboats suffer as much as the merchant fleet...the turning point hopefully has come.
Planes for the HMS Glorious and US Ranger find the Hipper at sea and are able to hit it with a few bombs apparently crippling the ship.

[stjeand]

Late May 1942

Russia
North - Some German progress. Russian units continue to dig in...one lone German division is found by 3 Russian armies and they strike decimating the division.
Central - While Russian units sit in their fox holes unbeknownst to them German units brought up breaching equipment and cross the river and smash into the Russian Ukrainian Army east of Kiev and overrun it...they are able to drive 120 miles north across the river. Russian units caught completely by surprise and respond as quickly as they can, mobilizing nearly 15 armies...6 armies hammer one of the German armored corps hoping to cut the other that has pushed forward...even though they attack repeatedly and call in every available air unit, it holds...though mauled.
Nearly a dozen Russian armies converge on the breach hoping to contain it.
South - Rain arrives holding any possible attacks.

UK
Africa - Quiet as a mouse...UK forces are just waiting for the word to go...they are hoping it will come soon.

Battle of the Atlantic
Spoken to soon...Uboats run all over sinking massive amounts of tonnage and little is seen of them.
The Kriegsmarine surface fleet returns France to refuel...according to aerial recon.

[stjeand]

Early June 1942

North - Germans shift units around and appear reluctant to begin offensive operations due to the Russian defenses. Russians face the same. The Russian fleet receives word that the German fleet is now at sea so has moved out into the Baltic to sink some German shipping, hopefully
Central - Germans expand their breach here though at a high cost...This allows Russian infantry armies followed up by multiple mechanized to smash into the breachers and cut off the 2nd SS and the LVIII corps. The Russians do not expect to hold but another armored unit was mauled in the process. Others are close those the Russian are not sure what shape they are in. Will they be able to break the cut lines? Likely but again...at a high cost.
South - Very quiet here...a few probing attacks by the Germans but at to high a cost. The Russians return the favor and suffer the same.

UK
Africa - Air units perform some recon and strike a few German units but outside that resupplying continues. Units are getting very restless.

Battle of the Atlantic
Still Merchants suffer badly this turn. The Bismarck sets to sea to cause a stir. Royal navy and US navy units begin shuffling in order to intercept but to no avail.

[kklemmick]

Was happy to see the 14 MM losses this turn to my 2 subs points, but I don't expect that to keep up. I'm going to start losing subs eventually as they're getting expensive to repair.

It's almost pointless to attack in the USSR at this point, as he's been supplying them with US goods and they've got over 3000 factors of land units, most in the 7 and 8 strength range, allowing him to form a nearly complete double (or triple) line along the whole front. Breaking through and cutting off units in that environment would require low odds attack and luck, which I'm not willing to count on. I'll see what I can do this summer, but most likely the Germans will be on the defensive soon there too.

It's been a fun game though. Was worried I'd wake up this morning with a dead panzer unit but alles gut there, lol.

[stjeand]

Late June 1942

OH THE HUMANITY, as all hell breaks loose

Russia
North is at more or less a standstill. Germans seem to probe from time to time but get driven back with heavy losses.
Central - Germans break the river line where Russian units were weakest and roll into uncharted areas East of Mogilev. Russia forces attempt to push back but fail.
South/Central Kiev is where the heaviest of battles go (Basically the battle of Kursk a year early) , 5 German panzer corps vs 4 Russian armor armies, 4 Mechanized and more than a dozen regular armies. Russian armies still appear to be extremely poorly trained and loose 90% of their battles but they continue to fight hoping that they have quantity to German quality...
A panzer is driven back and 2 others heavily damaged.

UK
Africa - Air raid sirens roar from Algiers. East of Misurata US strategic bombers pound an extremely well defended German position. Then the bombs stop and seaborne artillery rain down from the HMS King George and the US Washington battle ships...The UK 8th armor with infantry support smash into the unit...but it hold after multiple attacks...they have to withdraw and allow the WDF the run right through the unit driving it back. They then turn with the Ausies and reduced the Italian armored unit to scrape. It has to withdraw...but now they run up against a well dug in German Mechanized corps in Misurata.
East of Algers the Americans get their first real taste of war and barely escape with a bloody lip and broken bones. American Infantry attempt to forge the river East of Algiers and are mauled. They call in the 1st US Armored division. German resistance is fierce and dozens of tanks sink attempted to cross the waters and have to retreat...they call in the 2nd Armored corps Hell on Wheels and and British elite airborne...They are able to completely obliterate the German corps...but the Americans are too worn to continue, luckily the UK pour through the forged river with armor and drive a German division back and more UK infantry begin to follow up.

Battle of the Atlantic
Going worse. Even with newer equipment apparently the Uboats are impossible to find. UK and US hope this will change in the coming weeks when more and more shipping arrive.


- I remembered why I hate playing Russians...their troops are still horrible. I think I had 10, 3 to 1 attacks and only won one of them...add to that 2 4 to 1 attacks and those split. German forces win 90% of their battles. Russian win 10% if luckly. Only bonus...they have SO many troops. At least the UK did better...though the US did horrible too overall.
With multiple lines broken in Africa...not sure what the Germans will do...do you hold onto a lost cause or save what you can?

[stjeand]

Early July 1942

Russia
North - Germany continues probing defenses...but takes more casualties...not sure if they plan to continue. Russians rotate fresher troops into those locations.
Center - A few German pushes of Russian troops a bit close to their lines, though most Germans hold position, regroup and resupply. The Russians are not able to make any headway here. After losing nearly every battle the weeks prior they are reorganizing and resupplying hoping that their luck will change.
South - It would appear both sides are pulling out units in these locations to support the center...so the lines on both sides are thin but well defended.

UK
Africa - An Italian corps dug in next to Bone to driven back by UK armor which roll up to Bone and hold. The Italians there are fairly well dug in. American armor after taking the mauling they did being to roll again as fresh tanks arrive from the US.
By Misurata a British corps is driven back by the German mechanized and infantry dug in there. German infantry move up to take their position which was not a wise choice as the WDF smash into them driving them out of their position. This open s up a full attack on the Italian armor which has not been able to resupply and is wiped out.

Battle of the Atlantic
More merchants sink...though less than the previous week...But again sonar and air can find little U-Boat targets.

[stjeand]

Late July 1942

Russia
North - For weeks the Russians High Command has started discussing Operation White Night and the day has come.
Russian scientists and military engineers have been working on a new weapon, Stalin's Organ and today is its solo.
Dozens of rocket launchers open fire in Leningrad rain down their payloads on an unsuspecting Finnish division with the remains of the Russian navy. When the bombardment stops the 18th Guard army throws itself against the defenders but is unable dislodge them...so they give way to the 3rd army which is too much for the already smashed division and it is overrun. Russian mechanized and infantry pour into Finland seemingly cutting off nearly the entire Finnish army.
Central - German forces make minor gains against some forward Russian units dug deep into marsh and swamp. They try but German forces just overwhelm them and they must retreat.
Around Kiev Germany is consolidating nearly all their armor. The Russian airforce throws itself against it recklessly trying to disrupt supplies with some success.
More troops are shipping in from the South where German forces seem to be doing the same. Russian defenders are 120 miles deep in some places digging in everyway they can.
South - Quiet here as both sides are too well dug in to be dislodged or so it would seem.

UK
Africa - The UK 10th armor with air and naval bombardment throw everything they have against Bone...and dislodge the Italian forces there. The US Hell on Wheels 2nd armor with the 10th British hammer another Italian unit south of the city and drive it back. More units roll in to full behind as the Allies start moving up the coastline.

Battle of the Atlantic
More heavy losses to merchant shipping and little if any submarine damage. It is starting to wear down the shipping, thankfully many more should be arriving shortly, hopefully not too late.

[stjeand]

End of July 1942

Russia
North - Russian lines in front of Leningrad start to collapse. Luckily the Germans do not have the forces there to take advantage. Russian units move deeper into Finland as Operation White Night expands, nearly surrounding the Finnish army. German forces begin landing in Finland to assist...Russian armies start to set up defensive lines hoping to hold them back while they surround the Finnish.
Center - Russian forces collapse with there mere sound of tanks. Weak attack drive away hardened dug in units. Every attack that happens Russians scatter. High command is highly disappointed with their performance. Air units continue to harass the Germans but it is not looking good. 2 lines deep just melt with attacks and the Russian no longer have the units or the manpower to defend. They begin retreating. They held the marsh for a full year but now have to retreat to hopefully not get surrounded. The Russians expect a nearly complete collapse of their lines any day now.
South - The Rumanians probe the Russian lines but get driven back. Both side have pulled most of their units out to battle around Gomel.

UK
Africa - Misurata comes under heavy bombardment from US B25 bombers...but they put up a fierce AA barrage shooting down multiple aircraft. Then they come under naval bombardment and when it stops UK and US infantry attack. The German unit is an elite mechanized unit and mauls the infantry. They have to retreat and the UK 8th and WDF armor roar in and decimate the unit. It retreats losing nearly all of their equipment. They then turn their tanks and the Australians on the German infantry.
Bone - UK and US forces attempt to expand their hold and attack some dug in Italians...they are able to hold fairly well causing US armor to retreat for resupply. But multiple corps give way to the onslaught. Minimal progress is made...next stop Tunis.

Battle of the Atlantic
Heavy losses again but finally the US shipping has provided some relief with a mass number of escorts built in the Norfolk shipyards. They begin sailing immediately as there are German Uboats off the US coast.

[stjeand]

Early August 1942

Russia
Overall - Russia is out of men. There are no abled bodied men available to fight. It is looking dire and the weather may be the only thing that holds the line around Gomel.
North - Russian forces shore up their defenses around Leningrad and that seems to have put the Germans on a hold. No more German units have sailed to Finland...and 3 corps of Finnish troops are surrounded and cut.
Central - Germans appear to be resupplying getting ready for one more push before the weather turns. They strike a few units driving them back with minimal losses. The Russians are able to move in more troops to hopefully hold the line for another 2 months...
South - Calm in the south...neither side wishes to attempt a push as they are both fairly weak but strong enough to hold the line.

UK/US
Africa - UK forces drive out of Misurata heading for Tripoli. They roll up against a few well defended positions but are able to push through. They are now 120 miles from Tripoli...
By Bone the US and UK armor along with naval support and an amphibious invasion by US troops break a thinly defending line leading to Tunis. The US and UK units are 80 miles from Tunis.
The loss of Tunis and Tripoli will be the end of any Axis support in Africa but it is suspected that it will not be an easy fight.

Battle of the Atlantic
The new US escorts appear useless...10% of all escorts are being sunk every two weeks. Shipyards are barely able to keep up with the heavy losses. But German subs are starting to take some damage. Unless the tide turns soon could see the UK in trouble.

[kklemmick]

Wow, those reports make things seem much more rosy for the Axis than they feel. I still feel like I'm getting my butt kicked. Lost the entire Finnish army in one turn because I wasn't paying attention up there.

I'm actually pretty happy with the way things went in North Africa. My biggest worry was that the Allies would push through there so fast they'd be landing on the Italian mainland this summer. As it is now, it looks like the Italians should be able to survive through the winter.

The sub war started going well just as I was about to abandon the effort. It may be worth repairing some of these subs after all, but I can't imagine the bang for the buck is going to keep up much longer there.