Another Solo Global AAR

[Banjo]

I think if you have one solid Soviet attacking force that is organized, even if it is small, it will force the Germans to react, instead of moving at will.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat:
As mentioned earlier, Germany launches 5 attacks this impulse, all in Russia. Japan, also has one in the Russian Far East.

Germany commits ground support to 4 of the 5 attacks. Russia wants to move a FTR off the front line, so they use one to fly CAP over one of the attacks on the Russian HQ unit.

This air to air combat is at odds +2/-2 for Axis.

1st Round, Russia rolls a 9, clearing the German bomber. Axis rolls a 16, destroying the Russian FTR. Russia was hoping for a quick abort, but didnt get it.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The rest of the ground support missions are successful and we'll go through the attack resolution now.

I usually like showing these in difficulty order, with the worst odds first. So, the first attack is on that 3-3 MIL that Russia put as a screening force. With 6 pts of ground support and a armor bonus, the modifier is at +10.6.

Germany chooses the blitz table, gets the fractional, and rolls a 12, for 23 overall. The MIL is destroyed.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The 2nd attack is on a stack of two Russian DIVs. The Axis is able to get enough units around it to get, with air support, a +12 modifier. Since there is a valid place to retreat, Russia elects the Blitz table.

No fractional, but Germany rolls a 17, destroyed both units, and putting OOS a Russian GARR that the Axis will have to take care of next impulse.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The 3rd attack is on a stack of 3 Soviet units outside of Rostov. With an AT gun, Germany decides to only use Infantry type units. Its a +12.5 modifier, and Russia chooses the Assault table since these guys have nowhere to retreat.

Germany doesnt get the fractional, but rolls a 16, killing 2 and shattering, but no retreat means its destroyed instead.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
4th attack is on Timoshenko. Germany is using its best units on this attack, which stands at a +12.5 modifier on the blitz table.

Timoshenko uses defensive HQ support (why not, he's nearly surrounded), and Germany throws in 7 pts of ground support.

Germany doesnt get the fractional, which always makes me nervous, but then the roll result comes up and its a 19. Boom.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
5th attack is in the Far East, outside of Vladivostok. Japan is trying to clean up some Soviet defenders. Modifier is at +13.3333.

Russia chooses the assault table. Japan doesnt get the fractional but rolls a 11, for 23 overall. One unit is shattered but again, is destroyed because no valid retreat available.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
6th and final attack is on two completely surrounded Soviet units. Modifier is the worst for Russia, a +13.556.

Germany chooses Blitz, gets the fractional, and rolls a 9, for 23 overall.

[DanielAnsell]

Definitely interesting times, both east and west. With Russia taking one for the team, and the Wallies ashore in France, I wonder what Italy is looking like? There are a lot of Italian units in Syria and France, for example.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Situation in Russia:
After those attacks, this is how things look in Russia. Germany has pretty much cleaned up all speedbumps other than the 4-1 GARR in the south, which will have to be dealt with next impulse.

Germany had only 2 air rebases and used them to move up two quality FTRs to the Russian front lines.

But, really, the Axis needs to call an Air impulse most likely very soon because they have way too many aircraft out of position.

At the end of this impulse, another weather roll is coming, and since its Sept/Oct, the chances of bad weather are pretty high, especially in the Arctic (Russia). I think when the weather turns bad, Germany will call an Air, or a combined at the least.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Situation in Italy:
Carny requested to see how things look in Italy. Pretty empty, but with Italian forces in Morocco and Egypt, Italy feels secure for now.

[DanielAnsell]

ORIGINAL: markb50k

Sep/Oct 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Situation in Italy:
Carny requested to see how things look in Italy. Pretty empty, but with Italian forces in Morocco and Egypt, Italy feels secure for now.

Thanks for the look! Admittedly it would be tough to operate in the Italian lake of the Mediterranean, but still, oh my that empty Italy looks inviting.

[markb50k]

Assuming the Allied invasions gain ground in France, and the upcoming one in Spain, Germany and Italy are going to have to make some tough choices on Gibraltar/Morocco. Im thinking they'll have to fall back and at that time, they'll garrison Italy. I'm very excited to see how this turns out.

[Centuur]

ORIGINAL: Banjo

With the Allies in France and Africa, The pressure is on the Germans.

It might be time to get an HQ back maybe as far as Kazan, and start building up your counterattack forces around that HQ. Double up units in the forward cities, and let the Germans stop and root them out.

No more units for the Soviets other than INF for a few turns to bulk up your rear counterattack.

If you have weak air units, remove them and save the pilots for better aircraft.

An allied strategic bombing campaign if you can, will help.

Time on my part has prevented me from going back and rereading the actions in your campaign, but the Soviets should be ok I think.

Just a few quick ideas, that may or may not work.

At this moment, that is a bad idea. The trick with the USSR is to keep throwing units in the path of the German forces. You don't have the luxury of withdrawing an HQ and building a force around it, because you need to make sure the Germans grab as few hexes as possible.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:
Allies will try to open a 2nd invasion beachhead in Western Europe...

Weather:
Probably helps all here, but the weather roll was another 1. Fine everywhere.

Actions:
USSR - Land
US - Land. Consider invasion of Truk
CW - Land. Invade NW Spain
Fr - Land

Ground Strikes:
With fine weather again, Russia wants to do some smart ground striking again. So they target the 7-6 ARM down south since its the strongest fastest German unit deep in Russian territory. Plus, no Axis fighters in range.

They also launch two ground strikes on two different armored columns near Moscow. The Germans, as mentioned before, have very little fighter support close to the front lines, so they can only intercept one of these. In that case, the Soviets have three fighters that can react to that.

In France, the CW launches one strike against the same two GARRs missed last turn. The Germans used Kesselring to reorganize the FTR unit hit last impulse, so they'll have 2 possible intercepts. The Allies aren't worried since they have some strong fighters in the area. They only do 1 strike, since they want to save 1 air action to transfer a new long range Australian fighter to Rabaul.

The US doesnt do any strikes, wanting to transfer some aircraft if possible at the end of the impulse.

In reaction, Germany does not intercept the CW bomber, but does so in Russia, picking the strike that can only get 1 escorting Russian FTR.

In this air combat, Axis has odds advantage +1/-1.

1st round Axis rolls a 9 for no effect. Allies roll a 15 and abort the fighter. Bombers cleared through.

Germany's lack of fighter support is exposing their army to alot of air strikes. We'll see what the results are...

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
A powerful stack of German armor right outside of Moscow is attacked by a 4 pt TAC bomber.. wow, tough luck for the Soviets, sheesh.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
Another 3 stack of German units nearby is attacked by a 3 pt TAC bomber.. unbelievable.. the German troops are amazed and the Soviet pilot are dumbfounded

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
Results of the CW TAC bomber on the two Axis GARR units.. eh, some success...1 hit out of 2

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
Oh, almost forgot this strike against the 7-6 ARM in the south.. wow, Germany got lucky this impulse, 7 units attacked with ground strikes by the Red Air Force, 0 hits.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:
More invasions and pulling back are the summary of this impulse. Let's go through it..

Land Moves:
Russia pulls back behind the Don river as best they can and hunker down hoping to delay the Germans enough.