Crossroads: Axis Perspective

[Chocolino]

June 1st 1941,

The Germans approach Aberdeen and Churchill is reported to have left with one of the last barges headed for Cairo. What will he be up to next? The siege of Tripolis continues and the Italian defenders manage so far to stay alive.

The Irish have taken sides with the British earlier after strong British diplomatic urging. Dublin is taken by an airborne attack directly onto the city after it has been emptied of the defending Irish home guard by naval and air attack.

The Italians move into northern Greece.

[Chocolino]

June 9th, 1941

The campaign for the British isles is coming slowly to a close, a few mop up operations remain in northern Ireland. In Africa we hope to hold on to Tripolis for a few more turns and occupy the British units used in its siege.

In Greece the question is if the British commit to its defense. If not it should be very doable, otherwise it will be a struggle against the higher tech. units from British-Egypt.

[Chocolino]

June 16th, 1941

Emergency

While Chocolino was vacationing in a Scottish fishing resort, disaster struck closer to home. Fully unexpected the British invaded Naples. We almost overlooked this attack since the Naplese military spotters were on their usual June strike. But we were wondering why a British armored unit broke off from the siege of Tripolis and moved away. We found out soon enough where it was likely heading. The German mobile striking force needs to move in now and try to contain the attack on southern Italy.

The Italian naval department was unfortunately not available for comments. Apparently all officials authorized to give statements have been dismissed or have unknown whereabouts in southern Italy. We wonder why. But it is rumored that a portion of the Italian fleet was caught in harbor and did not depart to meet the invasion because of the semi-annual harbor worker strike.

In anger and depressed about his foolishness, Chocolino departed for southern Italy to make the best of the situation. Instead of bathing in vainglory at Scottish press conferences, he should have supervised the defense of Italy. Will the Italians be booted from the boot? We hope not yet.

[Chocolino]

To be continued on THU 3/26/09 since the German general staff, despite being quite occupied already with the defense of Italy, is pursuing another side-occupation for mere monetary gains in real life until then.

[Chocolino]

June24th, 1941

We rush to contain the landing in Italy. Some progress is made in Greece and the Germans are proceeding with mop up operations in northern Ireland. Tripolis sees more defensive action.

[Chocolino]

July 1st, 1941

The same laxity that allowed the Naples invasion in the first place resulted now in loss of graphic evidence as to the status of action in southern Italy. However, local commanders tell us the Italian intruders are well contained and we expect them to leave in the same fashion as they came to avoid further losses. They are holding the only available port in the nearby region after all and are masters of the Mediterranean seas.

After we had to ship new troops into Tripolis last turn already (the defenders were eradicated by a previous British attack but the British were so exhausted that nobody found the strength and mobility to actually enter the port) the new troops turned out to be much less tenacious. Tripolis is now lost and with it the last remaining Axis outpost in the African continent.

In Greece we find the British engaged in the defense of Athens, albeit with two division strength units only. We are surprised that the British find the resources to attack/defend at multiple locations at the same time while their PP income dwindles. The Axis planners wonder whether American lend lease can go through to the British despite the Gibraltar narrow in German hands.

[Chocolino]

July 9st, 1941

Surprisingly to the Axis, the British violators of Italy did not flee via sea transport but decided to stay, distracting German attention further. Two units could be destroyed but the tank corps in Naples will be hard to dislodge since realistically an attack can only be mounted from 4 sides after removing on the infantry unit south-east of Naples. The one west of Naples is untouchable until the city falls.

German units take Athens and Greece will fall, so does Belfast.

[Chocolino]

Some notes on the Campaign on the British Isles and Ireland.

I have only undertaken this attack since the general situation really called for it. It was either now or never with the British engaged in the Med and the US not in play yet. And there was of course the attraction of trying something new. Overall, I am still not convinced that this is a good course of action in most games and if it is worth it if the attack is more costly as it has been here. But there are also some long term considerations:

- By taking the isles, the Axis is vulnerable at even more spots to a later US counterattack
- The islands need to be supplied by sea. Germany cannot just sit and await a landing but has to remain active.
- Much of the UK income is denied to her (which is good in itself of course) but Germany cannot receive much of it since the cities are occupied but not annexed.
- Ireland was taken, too not because of the income but to make transfer of US aircraft to Europe even harder since they rely on Irish or British airports.

[Chocolino]

July 16th, 1941

We are busy fighting the remaining units near Naples and prepare for a final assault on the city. Greece surrenders to the Axis advance.

[Chocolino]

July 24th, 1941 - rest, repair and prepare

August 1st, 1941

Southern Italy is the remaining theater of war at the moment. With considerable losses we take Naples and destroy the British tank corps. The infantry unit protected by it is lost now too.

[IS]

Hmmm, maybe, instead of attacking Soviet Union, you might take down Turkey, and go south to finish Brits (right now they probably have only few divisions left)?  Meantime preparing defenses on eastern border, and maybe taking Iceland, which might be used by US.

Also, is there penalty for attacking Switzerland? It should be easy target and good source of PP for Axis - I didn't see attack on that country in any AARs [:)]

Thank You for ARR, I enjoy it a lot! [&o] [:D]

[gwgardner]

Attacking Switzerland is difficult due to the mountains.  Has to be planned very well.  I tried it once with rather poor planning, and failed.

[Chocolino]

ORIGINAL: IS

Hmmm, maybe, instead of attacking Soviet Union, you might take down Turkey, and go south to finish Brits (right now they probably have only few divisions left)?  Meantime preparing defenses on eastern border, and maybe taking Iceland, which might be used by US.

Also, is there penalty for attacking Switzerland? It should be easy target and good source of PP for Axis - I didn't see attack on that country in any AARs [:)]

Thank You for ARR, I enjoy it a lot! [&o] [:D]

Thank you IS, it is always good to know that somebody is following the action.

The actual game is much further progressed than shown in the AAR ( in order to keep a moment of suspense and surprise for my opponent), so I happen to know what is going to happen in the month to come. At this point I reveal only so much: I heeded some of your very good advice in advance and some not (the latter probably to my disadvantage). You will find out a few posts down the AAR in the near future.

[Chocolino]

August, September 1941

Rest, Repair, Plan. The piece loving German nation is honoring the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact to the letter. Relations to our friend Stalin are better than ever and we fully trust in his well wishes - still we have a few light border defense troops garrisoned in Western Poland.

We also fully trust in Roosevelt's recent campaign promises never to bring the USA into a war against Europe. If it weren't for the thorn in our side located in Egypt and northern Africa, things would look very promising indeed.

Since there are no active campaigns, there are no pictures for the last three turns.

[Chocolino]

October 1st, 1941

In a special awards ceremony, selected German paratroopers received the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross. Until very recently this was the highest honor available to German soldiers for bravery in the battlefield. The award recognized the third successful airborne operation, the occupation of Malta, after taking already Plymouth and Dublin. Observers are curious if this signifies an immediate return of Axis forces to the African continent.

[Chocolino]

November, December 1941

Those who thought an imminent return of the Axis to Africa is likely were either disappointed or relieved by the lack of recent activity depending on their affiliation. After a flurry of diplomatic interchanges, Axis diplomats left Vichy France disappointed and unsuccessful. We thought this to be the ideal alliance. Not only would this bolster our small Mediterranean fleet but also provide with Tunis an entry port into Africa within direct transport distance to Italian ports, so avoiding the strong British Naval Presence in the Med.

German planers had to reconsider and shifted forces for an attack on Turkey instead.

[Chocolino]

January 1st, 42

The new year brings shocking news. The Sovjets have betrayed us and have declared war on Germany. So far only few sightings of new Russian troops have been made. Island was also lead astray by Allied politicians and has decided to join their camp.

However, where German Diplomacy has failed, the Italians succeeded and helped us in bringing Vichy France into the war on our side after all. German and Italian troops took advantage of this and have landed in Tunis already.

[cpdeyoung]

I would be interested in what sort of navy you found in Vichy ports?
 
This AAR makes very clear how many different paths this game can take.  I have never seen any thing quite like it.  This is refreshing!
 
It will be interesting to see how the Americans can get in the game.  It makes one think.
 
Chuck

[Chocolino]

Actually it took me a full move to find the Vichy Navy. First I thought it is not there at all since I could not find it in any port - quite disappointing. I thought first the French player destroyed it before the fall of France. But maybe it gets automatically rebuild when Vichy is formed.

The Vichy fleet turned out to be on the high seas already from the very start without my doing and in quite strong numbers, too. I realized this when I got the first casualty reports from a sea battle.

For me, the port of Tunis was the more important benefit and the fleet a nice extra bonus.

[cpdeyoung]

So the fleet pretty much remains where it was deployed as the French Fleet.  That could be quite a shock if it showed up in the North Atlantic, as it very well might.  This will change my way of playing a bit.  I must admit I never knew the Vichy Fleet existed till someone mentioned it.
 
Your move into Tunis will make for an interesting campaign.  The loss of Malta must have really bothered your opponent because now Cairo is the only VP left the British Empire.  This is a jewel of rare price, and the British will be sure to campaign hard to keep it safe.  Cairo is a long way from Tunis, as you know, but I remember how Gary made me fight for Egypt and suspect you will be faced with the same.  I can't wait to see.
 
It is funny how much airborne operations have come up lately.
 
Chuck