Another Solo Global AAR

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1942

End of Turn Phase:

Lend Lease BPs:
CW gives 1 to USSR
US gives 2 to USSR

Production:
Germany (42): 2 x FTR2, FTR3, LND3, LND4, 3 x PILOT, 2 x MOT, AT DIV, ENG DIV, ARM DIV, MECH DIV
Italy (14): FTR2, LND4, 2 x PILOT, 2 x TERR
Japan (28): 3 x CVP1, FTR3, NAV2, 2 x PILOT, CA (repair), CL (repair), TRS, CONV, ENG DIV, ARTY DIV, MOT
CW (25): 2 x FTR2, LND3, LND4, PILOT, HQ-ARMOR, TERR, GARR
US (63): 2 x FTR2, FTR3, 5 x CVP1, LND4, LND3, 4 x PILOT, 2 x BB (finish), 3 x CL (finish), MTN, MOT, ENG DIV, ARM DIV, MAR DIV, AA DIV
USSR (29): 2 x FTR2, 2 x PILOT, 3 x INF, MIL, 2 x GARR, ARM

Reinforcements (Highlights):
US receives the Enterprise, 2 x CVLs, and the Clark HQ
Japan gets a new CVL
USSR gets fresh troops incl. new Infantry HQ and a nice 9-5 ARM. Oh and 3 factories!!
Germany gets a new HQ, a nice 8-4 SS MTN corps and a couple of nice fighters
Italy gets a new HQ, and a so-so TAC bomber with long range at least
CW gets two Indian land units including Mountbatten HQ

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Beginning of Turn Phase:

Initiative:
In one of the more important initiative rolls so far in the game, Axis rolls a 10 and Allies roll a 5. Axis gladly decides to move first, learning their lesson from last turn.

Weather:
Roll of 9, Fine everywhere except N. Monsoon (Storm)

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Actions:
Germany - Land. If possible Germany want to use the giant hole south of Leningrad to drive to Moscow, scaring the Russians into a panic. In the South, find a way across the Dnieper and roll up the flanks. AT LEAST get the red factory in the south.
Italy - Combined. Clear Syria, and perhaps get to Iraq. Not sure how they are going to do that.
Japan - Combined. Take Vladivostok ASAP, move troops outward to the island defenses.

Naval:
Japan moves their fast BB force off of Vladivostok to provide shore bombardment for the attack on the city. Japan is considering attacking them this impulse.
Japan also moves Yamamoto to the Bay of Bengal with a 8-3 INF and an ENG DIV.
Italy moves two transports to West Med and picks up two German corps. They'll land in Southern France later in the impulse.

Ground Strikes:
Axis launches 3 ground strikes in Russia, two with Air Combat.

The 1st contested strike is on the Timoshenko HQ. Germany wants to trap as many Soviet units in place so that they can maneuver around to the North and threaten Moscow. The Soviets hold back one fighter but intercept with 2 on this hex. Ratio is +1/-1 for Germany.

1st round, Allies roll a 16 and abort the lead Axis bomber. Germany rolls a 13, no effect. Air combat is over.

Well, that stunk, maybe Axis should have gone with two bombers... oh well.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
2nd strike is on a stack of Soviet units in Forest (air attack halved). 1 axis bomber + 2 escorts vs 2 allied interceptors. Ratio +1/-1

1st round, Allies roll a 14, Germany aborts front fighter. Axis rolls a 8, aborting the front Soviet fighter. Ratio remains at +1/-1

2nd round, Allies roll a 14, again, aborting another German fighter. Axis rolls a 13, no effect. Axis has no fighter protection, but keeps going.

3rd round, Allies roll a 10, clearing the bomber. Axis rolls a 7, aborting the Allied fighter.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
Result of 7 pt Stuka, which just got cleared through... barely disorganized 1 out of 3

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
In the south, an Italian bomber does an attack run as well, on the 3rd and final Ground strike of the impulse.. wow Success, the Italians have a dead-eye piloting that bomber! Both disorganized..

This is going to really help the Axis get across the Dnieper if they can concentrate enough firepower on the two hexes on this stack to get a good ratio. They'll have plenty of ground support if they need it.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Moves:
Germany pours troops through the northern opening with Rundstedt taking the lead. German infantry overrun two Soviet bombers and force them to withdraw. One attack is launched in the North against the lead Soviet hex. In the South, Mannstein attempt to cross the Dnieper at its southern most point, out of Soviet air cover, where the Italian bomber had the luck.

Von Bock leaves Gibraltar moving north, and a couple more strong German units cross the straits as well.

Overall, in Western Europe, the Axis feels they have some mass of forces to react to whatever the Allies do, including 2 HQs in Morocco and 3 HQs on the continent. Germany would like, if they can spare it, move either Kesselring or Von Bock to Russia.

Two other attacks for Vladivostok and Damascus round out the attacks, helped by Italy's and Japan's limited land moves.

Land Combat:
The 1st attack in the South, where Mannstein is attempting to cross the Dnieper, also has the only air combat. Russia is desperate to prevent this attack and sends 4 bombers to provide ground support. Germany uses two of its better fighters to intercept. Its horrendous odds here at +6/-5 ratio for the Axis.

1st round, Allies roll no effect, Axis rolls a 10, and clears the lead bomber.

2nd round, Allies roll for no effect, Axis rolls a 2, killing the lead bomber.

3rd round, Allies roll a 12, no effect, Axis rolls a 12, no effect

4th round, Allies roll a 12, no effect, Axis rolls a 15, killing another bomber. Soviets abort.

Overall, 10 ground support added to Axis, 3 to USSR.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
On to the resolution phase..

1st attack is the one just mentioned. The Soviet were able to get some ground support through so the modifier stands at +10.3 on the Blitz table. Mannstein chooses to blitz and does not get the fractional, but rolls a natural TWENTY and has a breakthrough across the river.

As this is my first game, I accept that I've done some silly things, and one of them is leaving cities in the rear unprotected. With this breakthrough, Sevastapol and the Crimea have nothing to stop the Axis marching through to Rostov. Its doubtful the Axis could make a run for the Caucasus without the USSR intervening but things are looking hairy here and Russia will need to rail/move some troops into the path of the Axis down here.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The 2nd attack is in the North. Rommel attacks with all the heavies, and gets a +10.769 modifier.

Germany gets the fractional and rolls a 11 on the Blitz table, killing one of the defenders and shattering the others. However, as its the first impulse, they elect to convert this into a retreat and hope to finish off these units later in the turn.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The 3rd attack is for Vladivostok. Japan is taking a risk here and going for the kill the first chance they get. They threw in 12 pts in bombardment and 1pt in ground support. The modifier stands at a straight up +8.

USSR picks the assault table, and Japan rolls a 10, for 18 overall. The Japanese forces are disorganized, and the USSR loses a INF DIV but holds the city. Unfortunately, the Soviet forces are now all out of supply and its just a matter of time before their all mopped up. The rail lines are blocked so Russia cannot even rail in reinforcements.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The final attack is for Damascus. A combined assault from Germany and Italy on the two French Territorials. With bonuses due to the TERR defending, the modifier is quite high at +10.8. France chooses the Assault table.

Germany gets the fractional and rolls a 10, for 21 overall. The defenders lose 1 unit and are shattered. No matter since there is no place to retreat, so the shattered defender is destroyed as well.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:
Time to show the updated maps on important areas.

Situation in Russia:
Here we see a bad situation for the USSR. Notice all the Axis units sweeping around the north side of the Soviet line. Timoshenko and his army group are in danger of being encircled and behind enemy lines.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:

Situation in Russia (continued):
A break has happened on the far south of the Soviet lines, and Sevastapol is in danger of being overrun.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:

Situation in Russia (continued):
About the only hope right now for Vladivostok, which is already isolated and not contributing to Soviet production, is a short turn and a reinforcement showing up there. But honestly, the Soviets would be wasting resources and manpower to save this theatre. Better to form up a defense in Siberia to prevent further problems.

Notice the Japanese HQ (Imezu?) railed to the Manchurian/Soviet border.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:

Situation in Western Europe:
Need people's help here. Where should the Allies invade? Neither the US nor CW has a supercombined so it is likely that they won't be able to land troops until their 2nd Impulse, so they are going to be broadcasting their intent for the Axis.

I'm thinking Brest to La Rochelle.... but I've never done this before

[Centuur]

Brest! Major port and close to merry old England. It's also on two sea area's which makes it easier to keep supply running (if the Axis fleet will sail).

If the Axis reinforce the area before you can invade, I would go for a minor port in Spain. Santander looks good also (and it's in the mountains, making it very difficult to throw you back into the sea).

[DanielAnsell]

Brest is worth having, for supply, certainly. But its not much good as a springboard for a larger invasion, because it sits on that peninsula, and so is easily 'corked,' away from the rest of France.

La Rochelle offers a lot more operating room, if you can get ashore in strength, but the terrain is not ideal for defense, if you find yourself strongly attacked before you can get ashore a solid force.

Otherwise, Santander/Balboa looks good, if you can't stage a strong initial push.

Though, looked at another way, if you build up a solid force in England, with adequate supports, it will force the Axis to keep forces throughout Western Europe, without risking a shot fired. The trick will be to keep the threat in being, which means leaving transports, air power, and naval support in the area, or he will know that he's safe from a sudden landing.

[markb50k]

I may have enough strength to hit Brest and La Rochelle. Haven't gotten into the details yet of what is available but its alot I think. This impulse, the Allies will try to disrupt a few of the closest units.

Thanks for the feedback!

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:

Actions:
USSR - Land. Fall back to Moscow and react to Axis breakthrough near Sevastapol
CW - Naval
US - Naval. CW and US will launch massive invasion forces in Bay of Biscay and Coral Sea
Fr - Naval

Naval Moves:
This is a busy naval movement phase, and it took the Allies (me) a long time to do all the moves and planning.

Convoys have been setup across the Atlantic to be able to support 10 BP/turn from US to USSR, and 3 BP/turn from CW to USSR. Right now however the Trade Agreements are only 5 from the US and 2 from the CW.

I'll start with the smaller operation in the Coral Sea. Here are the highlights:

5 CVs
5 CVLs
19 Battleships

Invasion-capable units:
6-4 MAR
5-4 MAR
6-3 INF
1-3 INF DIV
1-3 INF DIV
1-3 INF DIV
1-3 INF DIV

Follow on forces:
Macarthur HQ
5-3 INF

Defending Rabaul are a 5-1 GARR, a INF DIV and 3 FTRs

Japan is in a tough position here in that they are in Truk and in Stormy weather, while the allies are in Fine weather in the Coral Sea about to hit Rabaul. Defensive shore bombardment is also not in effect (I didnt choose that optional rule).

They will most likely sortie the fleet in response to this into the Bismarck Sea on their next impulse.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1942

Allies 1st Impulse:

Naval Moves (continued):
Lack of AMPH is limiting the effectiveness of what is being brought to bear on the shores of France, but its still substantial.

10 CVs
17 Battleships

Invasion-capable units:
6-3 MAR
5-3 INF
7-4 INF
6-1 GARR

Follow on forces:
Clark HQ
Gort HQ
Montgomery HQ
6-8 more corps