Crossroads: Axis Perspective

[Chocolino]

November 1st, 1944

As the first snow falls in East Prussia, the defenders of Koenigsberg get ready for the Endkampf. A tank corps transferred north from Romania is supposed to stem the unstoppable tide of Soviets units approaching our home land. But we are happy to report it is still a one front war, neglecting for a moment the more or less static conflict near in the Caucasus mountains where neither Italian or Russian forces can make progress without investing in new and better units. We don't know about the ability of the USSR to do this, but we are certain the Italians are stretched to the limit since they have a second major responsibility with their navy in the Atlantic that even in between major battles constantly draws resources.

We also have to stop supplying Ireland as we cannot afford the shipping losses to the supply convoys. The defenders of Ireland have to live off the land and forage. We hope this poor state of affairs on the Green Isle remains hidden from the US lurking out there in the Atlantic.

[Chocolino]

December 1st, 1944

The American have landed! It is almost a relief to know when and where after many month of anxious anticipation and doubts. (Yes, no landing whatsoever would have been even better but was a bit unrealistic to expect) We assume that the landing in Northern Ireland serves the purpose of enabling the US the building of Airbases for a later conquest of England. Given our depleted naval forces, there is not much we can do to protect supply convoys to Ireland and we have to more or less let the Irish fend for themselves. The threat of American occupation should be large enough of a motivation to mobilize the last Irish peasant in its defense.

The already depleted Axis navy took heavy losses in a last desperate struggle against the enemy navy during the amphibious landing. Unfortunately, no records of this event are available to the German command though the US command reports heavy losses on both sides via telegraph.

[Chocolino]

January 1st, 1945

Another year starts. We are happy already to have made it this far alive. The goal of 1944 has been to not loose any more ground which we have achieved (almost). We fear that in 1945, we have to give ground but will try to do so as slowly as possible and for the highest possible price. We will try to hang in there for as long as possible. But the onset of war weariness is still far ahead. The PP earnings at this point are about 2:1 in favor of the Allies and a good portion of our income goes to low quality Hungarian, Slovakian and Bulgarian forces. This will not remain without consequences. However, our core German units are still alive and well and can leash out in retribution if the Allied player is not careful.

The troops in Belfast must have made a break for repair. The pocket size did not change. But there was way too much activity on the Eastern front for our taste.

[Chocolino]

February 1st, 1945

The Americans expand out of Belfast into the green pastures of Ireland. We pay retribution to the USSR in the East and destroy two Inf. corps. Afterwards we draw back to a straight line for better defense.

[Chocolino]

February 16th, 1945

The battle with the USSR south of Kaunas intensifies and the US forces expand in Ireland.

[Chocolino]

March 1st, 1945

The US expands further in Ireland, Iraq enters the conflict on the side of the Allies and Italian forces are sent to deal with the new situation.

[Chocolino]

March 16th, 1945

Activity in Ireland, Poland and at the Turkey-Iraq border. We are still holding.

[Chocolino]

April 1st, 1945

Unchanged situation in Ireland. Near Kaunas we loose the "usual" Inf. Corps. The front line has not changed since we can still replace the losses and fill in the empty spot. But we see a stretch in resources now since we also have to repair damaged units, and especially the constant heavy drain on our air armies is becoming a burden.

The Italians approach Mosul in a "last hurrah" offensive. We may regret later to not have shipped this units to Europe for a last stand.

[Chocolino]

April 16th, 1945

US units land in continental Europe. This time in Denmark and unsupported by a harbor or a city. Our main goal will be to identify and destroy the supply source. We rush in the mobile reserve.

Slow grinding at the East Front, fast advance on Mosul and inactivity in Ireland.

[Chocolino]

May 1st, 1945

The American Mulberry supply depot is spotted by our advancing tanks and becomes a victim of a single air attack. We feel almost bad about how easy this can be done. But the Axis is with her back against the wall and cannot dwell on idle sentiments during her time of crisis.

The campaign in Iraq is not decisive or important by any means and yet it is currently the most fun to play. We feel transported back in time to 1939 and 1940.

In Irland the US seems to wait for reinforcements and the usual tit-for-tat at the East Front. (with slightly more tit than tat to our dismay)

[Chocolino]

May 9st, 1945

In another, the real history all German units have surrendered to the Allies by now. But we have still some hopes to last a bit longer in this game. But yet and very fittingly to the date of German surrender, two precious German tank corps are destroyed (or hopelessly encircled) by tremendous US air power and the skilled play of the Allied commander. My respects to Etienne Gaudreau.

On the upside, we destroy the second US Mulberry. We make progress in Iraq, hold to the last man at the East Front and await our fate in Ireland.

[jjdenver]

Hey Choco - it looks like you're still pretty dominant at end of game - great job. I've read your AAR with interest as it's gone along and the successful Sealion seemed to set up a German victory. Nice job, only sealion I've seen.

[Chocolino]

Hello JJ, thank you for the encouraging note. I guess I got lucky a few times and I am gald to be still standing. (dominant is not the word I'd use, I am barely hanging on even though it may not show).

But you are not doing so badly yourself in "Halfagain" in the depth of Russia. That is also a first. I see it with increasing fear since I took on the role of the USSR in a different game recently.

[Chocolino]

May 16th, 1945

Heavy fighting in Denmark, quite severe attrition at the East front (lost another Inf Corps), progress in Iraq.

[Chocolino]

May 24th, 1945

We are fighting hard to get rid of the Americans in Denmark before they get a real foothold. Now they are still vulnerable. For this we even divert tank corps from the East front even though there are the only thing that can stop the slowly advancing USSR armor.

No change in Ireland and good progress in Iraq.

[Chocolino]

June 1st, 1945

We pin the Americans to the beaches of Jutland and destroy their third supply depot. We advance on Kirkuk and see with concern as the USSR receives delivery of yet another L4 tank corps in Kaunas.

[Chocolino]

June 9th, 1945

We dislodge the Americans from Denmark and start surrounding Kirkuk in Iraq. But in Ireland, the waiting game is over and the US becomes serious. They are moving in on Dublin.

[Chocolino]

June 16th, 1945

Still holding Ireland (against no attacks), move towards Baghdad, and suffer through heavy attrition battle at the East Front. We loose at least as much as the USSR, probably more but can document our own attacks better.

[paullus99]

You should offer Ireland back to the Americans (to satisfy Roosevelt's "Irish" lobby) for a separate peace deal. Good luck with the Russians - it definitely seems like trench fighting all over again. Great AAR - pretty much convincing me to get this game when the enhanced version is available.

[Chocolino]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

You should offer Ireland back to the Americans (to satisfy Roosevelt's "Irish" lobby) for a separate peace deal. Good luck with the Russians - it definitely seems like trench fighting all over again. Great AAR - pretty much convincing me to get this game when the enhanced version is available.

Thanks. Essentially we do offer Ireland back since the Axis is putting up only a token defense. (Not that we could do anything else). But not sure if this convinces the Allies to make peace - despite the Irish lobby. They are after unconditional surrender which we are not yet prepared to offer. And regarding Russia, I praise every week of trench warfare since the only direction of a mobile war will be fought straight towards Berlin at this point in time.