AAR - Fall Weiss II - BPINisBACK vs crispy131313

[crispy131313]

March 1940

Actions And Reactions

As we await the next phase of Axis operations in Europe, in the Atlantic the Allies claim the first casualties at sea. Germany has also marched into Lithuania, shortening the distance between Leningrad and our enemy. Is this a German over-reaction to fortifications being built near Leningrad's city limits, or has this always been my opponents plan? I may never know.

[BPINisBACK]

June, 1940
OKW considers that war is going well.
We have lost a sub and Allied diplomacy is quite alive with Spain and some other minor countries.
But, so far, we are not worried.
Overal situation at this time:

[BPINisBACK]

Holland and Luxemburg were conquered by the end of April, Belgium was the next and at the begging of June this was the situation in the northen front of France:

[BPINisBACK]

As i said, the frontline is so narrow and we have a lot of powerfull units (BTW, no western planes is opposing to our advance). So... the "only" thing we have to do is to "look" the french line and "decide" which way is the best for us.
At the end of the turn our panzers cut the enemy "quite" easily.

[BPINisBACK]

Regarding the economic war... All is fine!

Italy is still having his "nap", BTW. [:D][:D][:D]

[crispy131313]

I have no experience with PBEM so my defense against a competent Axis opponent's offensive strategy will certainly be put to the test. The French are melting away like butter so I am definitely not making any ground breaking maneuvers on this front.

No inclination of my opponent's next move after France have yet been hinted. I will admit the threat of Sealion feels very real in PBEM, but also very risky for my opponent. while with Italy still "neutral" the Axis' plans for the Mediterranean still appear to be up in the air.

[dogancan]

Thanks for the AAR. It is real fun to read while waiting for the steam summer sale to put my hands on the game.

[crispy131313]

June 30, 1940

As the German's approach Paris, the French have vowed to put up a fight. Initial counter attacks near Paris and Verdun inflict casualties on both sides. As we head into July, the French are in better fighting shape then I initially had hoped, and I feel Germany may be behind plan due to what seemed like a delayed Fall Gelb.

Elsewhere Italy has finally joined the Axis at turns end, stealing coveted 1st turn priority from the Allies.

Also of note, curiously I have not experienced much raiding activity in the Atlantic for several turns...

[crispy131313]

ORIGINAL: dogancan

Thanks for the AAR. It is real fun to read while waiting for the steam summer sale to put my hands on the game.

I hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned.

[crispy131313]

Comments to follow.

[crispy131313]

It appears the Italians have opted to take a defensive positions against the British in North Africa. As the British drive towards Tobruk it is a little concerning that an Italian Tank Corps has crossed the border into French Algeria rather than reinforcing their defensive position along the Egyptian border. Will the German's risk an "All of France" gambit in these early years of war or is this merely a distraction?

In the Mediterranean it appears the Italian Navy has looked for sanctuary in port while the combined French & British Navy have their way of sea lanes. Both a French and Italian Battleship were sunk in engagements.

Near Paris, German Tanks have made their way to the Western Gates of the City and the Luftwaffe have been reportedly closing their range for what is expected to be a massive air bombardment of the city as part of a large scale offensive to take the Capital in late July 1940.

[crispy131313]

July 28, 1940

The Axis Make Bold Moves, The Allies Stumble

I was not planning on posting each turn but there is much going on right now!

Germany has boldly tossed aside the proposal of Vichy France after the fall of Paris, forcing the French into full panicked retreat. I have never defended this move (I mainly play AI) so I am forced to learn now, and have already made my first mistakes. A UK Infantry Corps sailing from Bordeaux destined to relieve the Garrison at Gibraltar was ambushed by German U-Boats just miles from the coast of Bordeaux. The Corps was very badly damaged, but worse in a rookie mistake Gibraltar was already abandoned expecting reinforcements. The result is Franco swinging to the Axis and a pop-up announcing to my opponent Franco's motivation for the diplomatic swing (The Allies abandon Gibraltar). Allied Destroyer Groups at the very least did help me save some dignity by sinking 1 of the 2 U-boat groups found lurking in France's coastal waters. We expect the Infantry Corps to be sunk at sea in Axis retaliation next turn.

In North Africa we maintain the initiate along the Libyan/Egyptian border and also received news that the Italians are facing supply shortages East of Tobruk (the Italians declined a Decision to prepare themselves for an offensives into Egypt). To the West a surprisingly strong Italian Army Group is pushing towards the city of Tunis. The French Capital is currently at Algiers where Admiral Darlan is planning defensive strategies.

Some final bad news; Graf Spee has returned to port in the Baltic Sea and is once again at the disposal of the Kriegsmarine.

[BPINisBACK]

I attach two pics:

- The first one is the "big picture" of the invasion of France. As i told before. French forces "show me" the way to enter in the country. So i get Paris thanks to a big travel close to the Sea. My secondary attacks found more resistence but i could isolate 2 armies and 2 corps at the north of Paris.
As the French forces retreat, by their own, from Maginot line. I could enter in the east of France easily.
This picture is from July, 21th.

- The second one is one month later. Italian forces enters in Tunisia from the south meanwhile german paratroopers isolate the capital of Tunisia. The city will fall very soon!
British press hard over Tobruk... I am not very sure if i will be able to resist enough time...
Meanwhile german forces "clear" France bit a bit...

This game will be long... I am pretty sure about it!

[BillRunacre]

Loving it so far, and your screenshots too! [:)]

[crispy131313]

August 25, 1940

Germany continues to stomp the French

With the entirety of Northern and Central France conquered by Germany, only small pockets of resistance remain in Southern France. As expected I have no answers to the German juggernaut which mops up French units at will.

A short Battle of Biscay between Allied Destroyers and Multiple U-boat units has ended, and I am happy to report the British Corps which was ambushed by U-boats in the area and originally en route to Gibraltar has survived. The earlier reported German U-boat Group which was sunk was the only major casualty.

Germany has finally crossed the Mediterranean, dropping not 2 but 3 Paratrooper Units to attack French controlled Tunis. Meanwhile the Italian Army Group with HQ and air support has also descended upon the port city. Admiral Darlan, charged with the defense of French controlled North Africa must be worried about the proximity of German troops to the new French Capital of Algiers.

Meanwhile in Libya, the British are actually having success (no German units have yet arrived). An Italian Infantry Corps is destroyed and the Italian HQ is now more vulnerable to attack. The British are hoping Italian supply will soon falter after continually bombing the coastal towns from Air and Sea.

[crispy131313]

September 22, 1940

Germany has fully conquered mainland France after the last of the French soldiers have evacuated to regroup. It is yet to be seen what further commitments Germany will make against French forces holding out in Algeria while the Italians stumble near Tobruk without German assistance.

[crispy131313]

December 19, 1940

French North Africa

Germany has committed significant forces to French North Africa and I feel my opponent may feel the urgent need to end the war with France very soon.

[crispy131313]

December 19, 1940

Italian North Africa

The Italians are spared no breathing room as British forces continue to march West from Tobruk. Will Germany send even more forces to North Africa to rescue Italy?

[tog34]

You better start to make Egypt a stronghold, I have a feeling once the French have lost their colonies, they'll be turning around to hit you hard. Stand strong in the face of danger. I'm enjoying this and I like you're style with the pictures!

[crispy131313]

ORIGINAL: tog34

You better start to make Egypt a stronghold, I have a feeling once the French have lost their colonies, they'll be turning around to hit you hard. Stand strong in the face of danger. I'm enjoying this and I like you're style with the pictures!

Thanks, I'm enjoying it on my end too!

The arrival of the DAK plus the strong Army Group already in French North Africa is certainly a force to be reckoned with. I hope that I have made enough in roads with the British that the Axis will not be able to recover.