Europe Aflame macg vs. Mihais

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I started replacing posts but no knows to look that way. The first two on this thread have been replaced, showing the Poland invasion. It's currently 2September39. 7th Flieger Div is tenuously holding on to Oslo with the 47th Korps still waiting for the beaches to be cleared to debark. Elsewhere Stalin is on the warpath and has invaded Finland and the Baltic states(which has made them lose their supply [:(]). Keli and Oulo have both fallen, with the Soviets performing an amphibious assault on the latter, now linking up with overland forces. This breach puts Helsinki at risk.

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It's now 30 September 39. The Kriegsmarine has suffered a tremendous defeat, and a convoy containing an infantry corps ran straight into the British fleet. According to our naval rules, they had to stay and die or surrender. The British have made a commitment of 2 hvy motor divisions and a hvy infantry corps to Norway. Goering's Luftwaffe has been relentlessly attacking the Royal Navy, sinking many ships, but so far has yet to eliminate any British naval units.

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As the German's situation grows desperate in Norway, they sortie a small fleet; the tattered remnants from the battle of Oslo fiord, to the coast of Kristiansand, confirming high command's suspicion that the Royal Navy was committing it's reserves to blocking Axis access to the capital. For the mosr part, the landings came off successfully. However, half the force has yet to disembark. This could be trouble.

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Meanwhile the high command also feels it's a good time to invade the low countries, and does it's best to secure as much land before the Allies can assist.

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I've had to delay releasing information in fear of giving out too much too fast. The landing at Kristiansand was a bittersweet success. The heavy division landed, but the two light inf divisions were picked off by allied ships while waiting to debark. Were the British cutoff? Or could they shlep supplies over the mountains? One thing was for sure; we were outnumbered more than 2-1. This became painfully apparent when the reinforced British Expeditionary forces were able to bull their way past German defenses. First taking the port of Larvik, then moving on to cutoff the German 22nd Airlanding div as well as a regiment of the Brandenburgers. Things looked bleak for the Germans. With half of their forces cutoff from supply, and the rest cutoff from Germany, they desperately needed a break. The cutoff units marched wearily toward the airfield in Lillehammer, hoping for an evacuation flight.

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But then something amazing happened. The Allied fleets, having suffered almost non-stop attacks from the Luftwaffe, finally decided it was time to leave the area and allow for ships from the Mediterranean to take over. But this took time. Just enough for the Germans to send in badly needed reinforcements. The last remnants of the German fleet noticed something else in their patrol. The port of Stavanger, only 25km from the home to over 300 Spitfires and Hurricanes, was apparently undefended. The Germans quickly sent out a force of marines to take the airfield and defend the port. Perhaps our luck was changing...

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We're skipping ahead to turn 25 now. The British expeditionary force, facing a worsening supply problem, decided to begin evacuations from the port of Larvik(next to Oslo). Once initial evacuations were made, the Germans were able to crush the remaining beachead, bagging a few divisions. We're now in the winter of '39, no combat until spring. The Germans were able to secure the port of Bergen, thus gaining access to the Norwegian coast, if only hey had a navy to deploy. Suffice to say the Kriegsmarine still has ships to sail.

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Meanwhile the Soviets have been advancing into Finland. At first, the only ally the Finns had was supply, as cutoff units displayed an ability to conduct guerrilla warfare. After 3 months of war, the Swedes decided to throw their hat in the ring. Although facing an enemy now twice the size, the depth of the Soviet commitment combined with a wily ability to reestablish supply lines promises to make this a contested battle come springtime.

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The only other front that's seen activity is the Low countries. A nasty surprise for the High Command has been the discovery of an extended Maginot line, stronger than estimated. This will require some planning. We have until spring.

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'Beware of the Ides of March' so the saying goes...The Axis High Command has finally revealed it's answer to the extended Maginot line. 'Case Beige' started with a combination naval invasion of southern France and glider assault behind the French lines. For at least this turn, it appears their supply may be in question. The snow camoflaged Ju-52s came in low over the Alps towing gliders guarded closely by over 200 Bf109Es. However, as they cleared the mountains, the fighters were getting low on fuel. Just then, a group of French fighters showed up. Several transports didn't make it, but most of the brigade landed safely. Once cleared by the Italian fleet, Italian amphibious ships were able to secure a beachead near Montpellier .General Messe attacked French positions along the border with the 1st Italian army but was unable to dislodge all of the defenders. How long before the Wermacht shows up?

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March has been cold and bloody. Rundstedt's Army Group 'B' has been pushing it's men to the limit in an all out effort to link up with the Italian 12th Army but to no avail. High Command labels the loss as a 'strategic necessity'. The only good news for the Axis is that weather is supposed to improve and with the acquisition of the airfield west of Nice the steady pounding by RAF and French air force bombers has finally been challenged.

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Whatever happened to this game?

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Exactly what transpired, I honestly don't remember. Though I remember being quite demoralized facing such a stiff Maginot line extended across France to the channel. I may have conceded out of my dissatisfaction with the overall advantage that option grants. Though I do still have the file. I would be willing to continue.