The Great war by Piero - AAR -

[jesperpehrson]

This will be my first AAR so I hope to get comments on what to improve in the reporting as the AAR progresses. I will use mainly paint as I am too lazy to learn how to use any other program.

I am playing the Central Powers verus Muddaubbers Entente. I am a first time player while Muddaubber have started the scenario a few times before (but his opponents has always quit after a few turns).

[jesperpehrson]

The plan of defense for East Prussia in August


The plan is simple. Defend the homeland at every point.

[jesperpehrson]

In preparation of the battle of Lemberg


Rumours of an russian offensive in Silesia has alarmed the Emperor and his generals in Vienna. A defense of the strategic city of Lemberg is in the works.

[jesperpehrson]

The race for Budgorica


The little pesky state of Montenegro defies the mighty Austro-Hungarian might. They shall perish! Onwards!

[jesperpehrson]

Battle of mount Cer


A shock offensive against Serbia might break it's will to fight. If that is not the case we will advance til we have a solid defensive line and come back when the Russian crisis is over.

[jesperpehrson]

Surprise invasion of Belgium and France


Schlieffen had a good idea but I have refined it. Antwerpen must be taken rapidly as must all of the french area north of Somme, even at the cost of momentum.

Note the train of HQs that are on repairduty as I believe that having a rail-line to the front is vital for success.

[jesperpehrson]

Debriefing of the first 6 turns

WEST FRONT: The rapid advance through Belgium and into France has been a success so far. The French, Belgian and British forces has fled before the german warmachine but as we close in on the Somme river the defense becomes a lot more solid and moreover the defense has substantially more depth.

Along the Franco-German border Verdun has been invested and it seems that some of the defenses from the part of the front has been moved to the defense of the Somme river.

EAST PRUSSIA: In East Prussia it has been quiet. Only the sound of trains coming from the west disturb the silence.

A large contigent of german reserves are marching towards Warsaw, investing Lodz doing it.

SILESIA: The defense around Lemberg has been consolidated but I fear that the Russian army will be too powerful.

SERBIA: Despite the early victories the front has stabilised and I do not think there will be many advances til reinforcements can arrive

MONTENEGRO: The state of Montenegro is in shambles and only the mopping up of the last forces is remaining. A side-effect (i think anyway) was that Montenegrians retreated into Albania and thus activated the pro-german Albanians that helped with breaking the fighting-will of the Montenegrians.

AFRICA: My knowledge of african operations is poor. This shows itself in how I have so far conducted the operations outside of Europe. I have been like a headless chicken and I fear that my early misstakes will be costly.



***Below I will post the situation as of turn 6 (early september)***

[jesperpehrson]

The defense of Gumbinen


In early September the defenses are forming up. Hindenburg was recalled from retirement to lead the defense of East Prussia and he has called for a second line of defense closer to Köningsberg. The high command is looking into the possibilities to comply with the old hero’s wishes.

Note: War-hero Hindenburg has just arrived in Insterburg

[jesperpehrson]

The advance on Warsaw


Warsaw is the key to unlocking the Russian steppes, it must be taken before long.

[jesperpehrson]

Awaiting the horde of Russians


In reality the Austrian army lost 130.000 men in the battle of Lemberg. This time I hope they will be more succesful.

[jesperpehrson]

Stalemate in Serbia


Breaking the serbs seems like a more daunting task than what I planned for. I will switch to defense from now on I think, I need my reserves better in Silesia.

[jesperpehrson]

Cleaning up in Montenegro


An albanian irregular is chasing the Montenegrian chief of staff far down south, almost reaching Tirana.

[jesperpehrson]

The modified schlieffen-plan


The real problem with the Schlieffen plan as executed by General Moltke is that he understrenghtened his right wing, whilst making the defense of the fatherland "too" strong. This is why I elected to modify the plan, as it was already altered from the original idea.

[jesperpehrson]

Verdun captured!


I think that the high pressure further west forced the French to not garrison Verdun with sufficient forces. Then again it could have been a tactical ceding of the fortress to have a straight(er) line of defense.

History was hard on the french for defending Verdun so vehemently. Anthony Livesey said "Verdun was the longest battle of World War I, among the most costly in life, and militarily the most pointless."

[jesperpehrson]

Situation in Southwest Africa


Windhoek was occupied by british forces on the 12th of may 1915 in reality. In this game I don't I will hold out very long unless something changes rapidly.

[Silvanski]

Nice AAR. Astonishing advance on the Western front. It once again shows that the original Schlieffen plan had its weak points.

[jesperpehrson]

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

Nice AAR. Astonishing advance on the Western front. It once again shows that the original Schlieffen plan had its weak points.

Thank you very much.

I think part of my success has to do with an intentional withdrawal from my opponent. Maybe he feels that having his forces intact is more important than losing some territory. I wonder though, France sure ain't the russian steppes.

[jesperpehrson]

Turn 3-6

[jesperpehrson]

Turns 3 to 9 More details will come further ahead.

[muddaubber]

In the begining the Entente strategy is simple.
 
1 - Protect Paris!!!!!!!!!!
2 - Don't let the Hun forget about the Russians
3 - Try to stay alive in Serbia
4 - Destroy German overseas fleet
5 - Use small units to defend or capture colonies
 
So far so good but it is still early.