How the Axis could have won. Allied AAR RTW

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

5th November 1939

Right a load of new stuff. The Germans did not take Warsaw but I assume that morale went to nil as the Poles surrendered regardless. This meant a whole load of new messages came up as follows:

I'm impressed that a game of this scale accurately models the impact of well trained salmon on the German war effort. Think how good things will be when you research how to smoke them ...

ok, I'll get me coat.

I had a different sequence with Poland (more as expected) but in my game the nasty German AI just stomped all over my defenders and took Warsaw directly.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: loki100

ORIGINAL: warspite1

5th November 1939

Right a load of new stuff. The Germans did not take Warsaw but I assume that morale went to nil as the Poles surrendered regardless. This meant a whole load of new messages came up as follows:

I'm impressed that a game of this scale accurately models the impact of well trained salmon on the German war effort. Think how good things will be when you research how to smoke them ...

ok, I'll get me coat.

I had a different sequence with Poland (more as expected) but in my game the nasty German AI just stomped all over my defenders and took Warsaw directly.

warspite1

Researching animal training is vital for the British first thing. Killer Cows, Attack Salmon, Guard Dogs, vaguely menacing Doormouse - the defence of the UK depends upon it....

I hadn't re-named the unit at that point. This is the 2nd Submarine Flotilla.

[warspite1]

Before we leave the 5th November I get a message that the Germans are celebrating the fall of Poland and the return of Danzig, while French morale suffers a drop. Well perhaps if Gamelin had had a plan for actually helping the Poles (rather than the half arsed 'operation' they did undertake, then Poland wouldn't have been crushed? Mmmmm? Just a thought....

The French are asked about putting the Spanish Republicans to use. I say yes as before.

Another decision then pops up. This is to do with forming a corps of Poles either in France or the UK. I go with the historic approach and go with France.

[warspite1]

I could see nothing during the German turn other than one corps retreated from the new border with the USSR.

So its back to the Allies.

27th November 1939

Soviet Union
A decision is requested. This concerns Lithuania. Originally this (or part of it) was to be in the German sphere but was offered to the USSR in return for a revision of the new 'Polish' border.

I decide to take the Germans up on their offer as per historically.

United Kingdom
The Canadians have enough destroyers for a second flotilla - and this is placed in Halifax.

The RN belatedly build the destroyer they should have bought two turns ago. The BEF in France is brought almost up to full strength (although a 3rd and (hopefully) 4th Corps will arrive at some point).

France
The French are going entirely short term here and use all their MPP to reinforce their infantry units.

USA and the USSR
Both do nothing as they have insufficient MPP

[warspite1]

27th November 1939

United Kingdom and France

The Admiralty order the 2nd Submarine Flotilla back on patrol. In heading for Bergen they stumble across some German cruisers.


A slow moving German column are spotted off the Norwegian coast. HMS Oxley's commander Lt-Cdr Bowerman brings his boat into a perfect firing position. He orders 2 torpedoes to be fired at a German cruiser - believed to be of the Deutschland-class - and the German ship is struck amidships. Oxley dives as the German escorting destroyers start to fan out to find the enemy.

[warspite1]

8th December 1939

Soviet Union
The Soviets attack Finland

France
The French increase production

United Kingdom
The Germans suffer another naval loss when the Graf Spee is scuttled following an encounter with three British cruisers in the South Atlantic.

19th December 1939

France
The French build a garrison that they place in Nancy.

[warspite1]

19th December 1939

United Kingdom

The rationale for the Kriegsmarine's sortie is now apparent. The Graf Spee was looking to return to Germany and Admiral Raeder wanted to create a diversion. After the non-fatal torpedoing of Admiral Scheer, the mission was called off and the German squadron sought to return to Germany.

However they were picked up by other boats of the 2nd Submarine Flotilla and their position reported. Terminal damage was meted out to Scheer by HM Submarines Seahorse and Starfish. Meanwhile the Admiralty ordered the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (Renown and Repulse) to sea, together with the 2nd Cruiser Squadron (Manchester, Southampton, Glasgow and Newcastle) from Scapa Flow. The recently arrived Polish Flotilla (Burza, Wicher, Grom and Blyskawica) was ordered from Rosyth to provide an ASW screen for the capital ships.

This was a risky mission as the ships are in range of German aircraft, but the total annihilation of the German Squadron (1 x PB 1 x CA 1 x CL and 4 destroyers) is a much needed boost to Allied morale.


Spot where the German Squadron used to be....

[warspite1]

19th December 1939

United Kingdom
The British spend their MPP on researching Ground Attack weapons, 50 MPP on diplomacy (trying to butter up the Spanish) and further BEF reinforcement.

France
More reinforcement of the army that will, no doubt, soon be facing the might of the German Army.

USA and USSR
No action

[warspite1]

5th January 1940

Nothing much happening on the German turn except German raiders have attacked the Canadian convoy route [:@].

Paratroopers have been located in Hamburg.

There was some movement at the front as no doubt the German Army are preparing to attack....

[warspite1]

20th January 1940

France
At a cost of 50 MPP a new Polish 1st Corps will form at Le Mans. Yes please.

United Kingdom and France
After much wrangling and debate (well the war in Finland only started two months ago [8|]) the British and French agree to send troops to Finland.

United Kingdom
Two destroyer flotillas (1st and 2nd) are built in Scotland and the III Corps is sent to Portsmouth.

[warspite1]

20th January 1940

The German submarine was only a few hexes from my destroyers. The flotillas fan out but are unable to relocate the enemy....


The German sub was spotted off the Newfoundland coast, but got away despite the attentions of British, Canadian and French flotillas.

[warspite1]

20th January 1940

United Kingdom
The British purchase a fighter and spend its few remaining MPP on strengthening their forces in Egypt.

France
More reinforcing of the army. Once this is done I can turn attention (hopefully) to upgrades.

United States
Research of Advanced Tanks begins

USSR
Nothing at present

[sapper32]

Nice AAR gotta buy this game keep up the great work,Hows the BEF looking? Are you planning anything but a token commitment to France

Ian

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: sapper32

Nice AAR gotta buy this game keep up the great work,Hows the BEF looking? Are you planning anything but a token commitment to France

Ian

warspite1

Hi sapper32, here are the BEF. The level of commitment will depend on a) the amount of time Germany give me to build up and b) what I can realistically buy and still keep Egypt safe, sufficient aircraft and decent navy. Because I'm a noob I have no idea what is possible. I have two corps and a third (under-strength) in Portsmouth. I would like to get 4 corps if possible but.....

[balto]

Another great one. Cannot wait to see more. Thanks

[warspite1]

10th February 1940

I thought the attack on France had started, but it looks like the Luftwaffe have just started the softening up process.

I went to the Reports screen to see what the French had lost but I would say the report appears pretty basic and I'm not sure exactly what it is telling me. What is clear is that the German attack did not cause any unit losses, but I cannot tell what reductions to unit strength were achieved. XI Corps north east of Verdun took a 1-point hit (which I know because I was watching the AI move) I know my fighters intercepted but I didn't know their starting strength so could not see what was lost.

[warspite1]

2nd March 1940

The British celebrate the capture of the Altmark in Norwegian Waters (I do not know if this has a practical effect on the game (maybe the Germans will be keen to do something about Norway?).

Another 11 MPP are lost to the valiant efforts of the 2nd Submarine Flotilla.

United Kingdom
With the Germans starting to make their presence felt in France I think it vital I get another infantry corps to France to bolster the BEF. III Corps is in Portsmouth. To transfer I right-click on the unit and that puts the corps on a Transport (see below)


All aboard!

[warspite1]

2nd March 1940

III Corps is transported to Le Havre for a cost of 22 MPP and unloaded, whereupon the Transport Counter disappears again.

[warspite1]

2nd March 1940

United Kingdom
After the recent foray off Denmark (a kind of Jutland II) I have a number of ships that could do with repairing; HM battlecruisers Renown and Repulse and HMS Manchester from the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. However, on the basis that I need to assist France, and that the Kriegsmarine should be quiet for a while, I ignore these needs and look elsewhere for spending my MPP. I do not spend any MPP this turn as I want to get some tanks to beef up the 3 infantry corps.

France
The French spend their MPP on bringing XI Corps back up to full strength, reinforcing their bomber group and upgrading their fighter squadrons. When upgrading the fighter unit a little number appeared in the bottom right. I cannot see what this is from the manual but hopefully its a way of being able to tell upgrade levels of units?

USSR
The Soviets research infantry warfare.


All Quiet(ish) On The Western Front

[warspite1]

2nd March 1940

United Kingdom and France
The Escort Flotillas continue their searching in the North Atlantic. Sadly I had moved all units except one - and the last one I moved came across the German U-boats. Unlike previous combat when I have come across subs, this time the combat took place immediately and the destroyers took a pasting. I have checked the manual but I cannot see what caused this. Whatever it was, the French 2nd Escort Flotilla has been badly mauled...


Merde!