Crossroads: Axis Perspective

[Chocolino]

February 16th, 1942

The Turkish campaign makes no progress and our troops are still not able to enter Istanbul. It is quite unnerving. After an unsuccessful German wave, the Italians followed up with renewed air and land attacks and got nowhere. A total of 10 sorties were flown on the city and several tank corps tried their luck in vain. We may have to seriously reconsider this plan.

In the desert, the attack forces trickle in and assemble to strike jointly. The first experience of Vichy naval prowess is also a bit disheartening, we lost quite clearly against the superior British forces. We play wait and watch across the USSR border.

Edit: As a minor side note, the USA entered the war shortly after the Russians on February 1st, 41. We are still convinced they don't really mean it. After all they are very distracted with events unfolding in the Pacific right now (Tora, Tora, Tora).

[Chocolino]

March 1st, 1942

The recently awarded German airborne troops did it again. Just in time before the second land hex east of Istanbul could be occupied by another Turkish infantry division, paratroopers claimed this sport and aided in the conquest of Istanbul. The losses of the Turkish campaign are staggering nonetheless. In hindsight, the attack should have waited until the airborne troops were ready. But German planners felt pressured by the USSR and didn't want to delay the return of the troops used in Turkey to Poland.

In the desert preparation are in full swing and assault units moved into staging areas.

[Chocolino]

March 16th, 1942

We started moving on Tripolis. After taking Istanbul we can cover some ground in Turkey fast. Norway has joined the Allies.

[Chocolino]

April 1st, 1942

We are already happy to have lost a naval engagement by a smaller margin only. The Russian troops get ready and line up along the border down to Slovakia. In Turkey, Ankara is approached. Evidence is missing from the desert this turn but we liberated Tripolis and our troops are marching east.

[Chocolino]

April 16th, 1941

The Vichy French Navy has redeemed itself in the Atlantic and won the first naval engagement for the Axis. The German nation and those under its benevolent guidance jubilate. Maybe we can hold the USA at bay for some more turns after all.

In the desert, our forward columns have reached and taken Sirt as the next stepping stone. We move at a fast pace since the ominous inactivity at the eastern front will not last for long we are sure.

[Chocolino]

May 1st, 1942

In an act of unprecedented savagery, Russia declared war on neutral Hungary. The Hungarian Government approached Germany for support and was welcomed into the Axis camp. Initially, Axis diplomats chuckled at not having to make the arduous journey to Budapest themselves in order to pressure them into our camp and hence saving the Axis substantial diplomatic points. However, the mood became soon very somber when military planners pointed out the large gap in our front line that his has caused. We are scrambling to fill this gap and again our railway network is overloaded.

As a negative side effect, Axis units from the conquest of Turkey could not be shipped to Vichy Beirut via rail to open up a second front on British-Egypt. They had to undertake this long journey on track and foot. But then a few centuries earlier, other Europeans also under the sign of the cross have managed this on horseback.

In the desert, leading Axis units reached Al Burayqah unhindered.

[Chocolino]

May 9th, 1942

German planners have completely lost track of the amount of merchant shipping available for supply. Axis units in the desert run out of ammunition and fuel, slowing them down considerably.

Good news again from the Atlantic where Axis naval units come out ahead. In Hungary, we still hurry to build up an ad-hoc defense. This smart move of our opponent creates a lot of headaches for the Axis. If we just had those units from the desert. In this ligth, the earlier British attack on Naples was very significant in holding us back several turns from striking at Egypt and can be considered a British success.

[Chocolino]

May 16th, 1942

New merchant ships could be found and supply in the desert is back up to normal. We spot and destroy a British air division deployed for defense. The more powerful air army gets away. Other Axis forces ready themselves for an attack on Jerusalem. We hope that we can overwhelm the British defenses around the Nile quicker this way.

The defense of Hungary turns out to harder than initially thought. It takes a lot of time to move the reserves in.

[Chocolino]

May 24th, 1941

In a brilliant move, the USSR takes advantage of the virtually defenseless Romania and attacks. We try to help this newest Axis member but don't really know how. All those who warned of neglecting Romania in favor of Spain diplomatically have now a belated justification. The COMINT can gain the resource rich oil fields and even more importantly can roll us up from the South. The good news form the Atlantic and progress in the desert cannot really compensate for this.

[gwgardner]

I think romania has the resources to stop the USSR, IF the latter has its armor and guards units occupied elsewhere.

[Chocolino]

June 1st, 1942

Romania is a paradise for fast operational warfare - unfortunately for us, it is the USSR who has the units to take advantage of it. We still move units in as fast as we can to build a line. We don't know from where the required units will come in future turns.

The campaign in Africa is going reasonably well. It is just too late in the game. We need the units obviously elsewhere but decide not to be deterred again from taking Cairo - no matter what. Taking Cairo and eliminating the British is our only hope to at least narrow the current production gap to the Allies.

[Chocolino]

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

I think romania has the resources to stop the USSR, IF the latter has its armor and guards units occupied elsewhere.

I am sure you are right if you are in control of Romania (as Axis or Neutral) from the beginning. Leaving all neutrals to the AI (as we play) makes them rather defenseless. By the time I took control, the border was overrun and several units destroyed. But I could have tried to build my line further east.

[Chocolino]

June 9th, 1942

Still trying to create a defensive line in Romania. We are in reactive mode only - that is not a promising situation. In the desert, Tobruk is defended well by a strong mechanized Infantry unit and we start a siege. We need Tobruk supplies before moving ahead.

[Chocolino]

June 16th, 1942

The British Empire is history. With the fall of the last British VP in Cairo remaining British units go into captivity and its substantial fleet is scuttled just outside of Alexandria. A last success in the autumn of Axis glory. But further north-east, and across the Atlantic storm clouds appear to darken the still sunny German skies.

[Chocolino]

June 24th, 1942

Romania is for the moment the only active battlefield. We wish it would be just a bit less active for the moment but the USSR presses hard and fast. The oil fields are already in Sovjet hands and we see little chances to save Constantia from the Red Steamroller.

[IS]

WOW!!! Fall of British Empire. Congratulations! Axis players are getting better and better [:)] How much, in terms off PP, fall of GB helped German war effort?

Romania seems like a good spot for counteroffensive, Soviet units are so scattered, that they should be easy targets for encirclements.

There is also lesson from previous ARRs - Germany must concentrate all its armored and mechanized units, and Luftwaffe, in one spot, and focus on making holes in Red Army lines, and encircle, and destroy as many Soviet units as it can. Then repeat process as many times as it can, without entering into Soviet Union. If Soviet leader does not start major retreat, worser for him [:)] When Red Army will be on its knees, and Germany have enough units to cover front line, time will come to finish Red Beast - especially, that now Axis can strike not only in Eastern Europe, but also in Caucasus.

Wish you luck in future conquests [:)]


PS. Actually, right now you can strike Russians in ALL Black Sea! It might be gate to entire Ukraine and Caucasus [:D]

[jjdenver]

"Then repeat proccess as many times as it can, without entering into Soviet Union."

What happens if you enter the Soviet Union?

Thanks

[IS]

Worser supply. And partisans, which can be costly, and devastating to Axis supply. Also necessity to cover very long front line with infantry. It`s better to spend those PP`s on quick reinforcements for armored units and Luftwaffe, which will allow more often, and more aggressive breakthroughs. Axis player definitely should repeat German strategy from `41 and try to encircle and destroy on the border as many Soviet units as possible

[Chocolino]

Hello IS,

Thank you for reading the AAR.

How much, in terms off PP, fall of GB helped German war effort?

Of course it helped. But according to my calculations, there is still a significant PP gap to the Allies nonetheless. USA is at 300 by itself with an economy efficiency > 100%. USSR should be around 220 or so with Romanian oil. Germany and Italy have less than 400 combined even now. The economies of Axis minors help but cannot close the gap. The minors PP is also less useful and I don't really count them as full since it can be invested only in weak land units that are blown away immediately.

Romania seems like a good spot for counteroffensive, Soviet units are so scattered, that they should be easy targets for encirclements.

You are right, but while the USSR has scattered units in southern Romania we have none. We wish we had scattered units. By the time the Africans are back, the Russian will have time to solidify. Actually I feel very much in defensive mode for now. The weakness of my strategy reveals itself now. By not attacking the USSR early, I missed to initially damage them (of course not conquer them - but still) and they need time to come back to even. Since I missed this opportunity the Russian is already at eye level in terms of unit quality and tank corps quantity, soon he will be stronger....

[Chocolino]

July 1st, 1942

The USSR press their advantage in Romania. We are able to pick up a leading low level tank corps. The USA decides to fight for neutral Sweden. For the time being we enjoy the use of the navy of this new Axis member. Despite its strategic importance to the US, we abstain from an intervention with arms and just respond with sharp verbal protests.