Fall Weiss II - Western Theatre AAR (crispy131313 vs BPINisBACK) #4

[crispy131313]

July 1943 1/3

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July 1943 2/3

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July 1943 3/3

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September 1943

[BPINisBACK]

9th Axis High Command Report

End of summer campaing (1943)


1) Germany

With almost every land and air unit built, Germany start to raise the armies of their allies. R&D continues.

2) France

W.A. lands in Normany after some weeks of bombing.

After two turns we only see infantry units meanwhile their air support is not quite strong.

Local German forces try the newcomers to see how they handle the situation.

3) Italy and Balcans

The W.A. units landed in Sicily are stagnant after some months of hard figthing.

Thanks to the support of the Luftwaffe the Italians could hold and even hit back to the invaders.

In our last turn we could blockaed the British HQ from the rest of the units.

British also lost some ships due to air bombard.

4) Russia

Big mashup in the East Front.

We could conquer Stalingrad and we have push the soviets in the far north and far south of the country.

It is true that in the Caucasus we couldn't penetrate far awary and that we had high losses, but soviets also had to put everything there (which is the main reason that we could take Stalingrad).

At the center of the line (Smolenks and Karkov) Stalin try to break the frontline. I think we can handle the situation despite having some losses and had to reconfigure the line.

Since Spring, soviert forces are below 80 units (59 at present) at the begginin of their turn. This is quite soothing.

5) Finland

We could reunify the country and even adavance over Kemijarvi area... but not big adavances are done (bad weather and this area is quite hard for battle).

However as German North Army has cut the soviet railway and road to this area, we expect better results in the following weeks.

6) Norway, Sweden and North Atlantic

Norway joined Axis long time ago. However the convoy line is cut frecuently due to the allied bombing.

Sweeden is going closer to axis, bit a bit...

7) Atlantic

German subs tries to raid the lines (both to Russia and England) but they are not quite susscesfull.

But we still try...

8) Iberian Peninsula and Western Africa

More allied diplomacy moves the Spaniards to 79% pro allies.

W.A. invaded both Algeria and Tunnis.

10) Turkey

Turkey declares war on Axis during the last turn... Let's see what happends next.

[BPINisBACK]

Losses for the main countries.

[crispy131313]

October 1943

Mediterranean

The Allied landings in Southern Italy have turned into a rather big mess, with the Allied invasion of occupied France now the Western Allies main priority. The Italians with support of the Luftwaffe have recaptured Syracuse and the British HQ that was stationed within the city. Having occupied both Yugoslavia and Greece, Italy is not as handicapped MPP wise as you would think.

Turkey
The Turkish war entry has been a big boost for my own morale, as the Soviets have struggled in Southern USSR and the Western Allies failed to launch a knockout blow to Italy. The Turkish Army has gained its strength and has been met with limited, but strong opposition along the Balkan border. Overall though, there have not been major operations by or against the Turkish yet, but a new front is opened nonetheless.

Spain
Spain has prepared for war against the Axis! Southern France was relatively not threatened by the initial Allied invasion into mainland Europe, now with the Spanish war entry we will be able to threaten Axis positions in Vichy France without overextending our positions in Norther France.

France
Germany has launched an offensive from Paris with Tanks and Armies, with some initial success but supply and lines of the Allies are stabilizing and we are well positioned to counter attack any overly aggressive actions by the Germans moving forward. East of Cherbourg the Germans still control the coastal towns and ports of the English Channel.

Sweden
Sweden is dangerously close to the Axis (75%) and would likely have joined the Axis in the fall of 43'if not for American intervention in August of 1943 as we began to compensate the Swedes for resisting German influence, however Germany continues to aggressively invest diplomatically and Sweden has been edging closer to war despite our investment and efforts.

USSR
German counter attacks at Smolensk have forced the Soviets to retreat from the gates of Smolensk to re-strengthen our forces, and the Soviet advance into Southern Ukraine near Kursk has not yet been achieved any results. In the Caucasus region Grozny is now threatened. With the Allies opening new fronts across Europe the Soviets can only hope the war of attrition will soon turn in their favor.

[Taifun]

Greatings Generals,

After a long time away (the family got bigger) I finally got some free time. I am greatly enjoying your AAR, as usual great pics [&o][&o]. The Germans seem to be making a good job, better than back in those dark days...
BPINisback strategy for an all-out assault towards the USSR MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. Libya is useless and does not deserve much attention; ITALY has become a painful bottleneck of disappointment for the ALLIES. It strikes me the amount of punishment the Russians are taking: they seem unable to grow to any substantial numbers and do not pose much of a threat to Germany this late in 1943. The new European front will be a source of concern for BPINisBACK but he seems quite confortable for the time being.... It strikes me the huge amount of troops the Germans have this late in the war... Will France hold [;)] for 2 years? will the allies repeat a great evacuation? [8|]
Thanks again for this master piece of entertainment and I recommend a good reading. I just finished the first 2 volumes of James Holland "War in the West", you will greaty enjoy...

[crispy131313]

Thanks Taifun! The Soviets are taking a constant beating, We have just entered 1944 and the Soviets still only have Infantry Weapons II, and Tanks II, it’s been a hard go! The Panzerfaust update had some changes to research that has effected research on both sides in my mod, but it’s really being felt in USSR. Nonetheless the game is not lost, the Germans only in Jan 44’ displayed Tanks IV, so the Tanks tech has been pretty close up to this point and we have maintained favourable positions in Central USSR, to hopefully turn the tide before it’s too late. Yes the Axis are huge but there MPP is not, only about 1000 MPP so how well will they maintain their losses in 44’ I wonder. The Allies really need to strike a decisive blow somewhere however if I am going to have any chance here though, so stay tuned!

[crispy131313]

April 1944

Short update (next update will be bigger with pics)

The Eastern Front

The Soviets continue to be handicapped by insufficient weapons tech. Soviet Tanks II is now two levels behind our German counterparts, and we still have Infantry Weapons II. Nonetheless our brave comrades fight on! Near Smolensk, where the Soviets continue their long maintained offensive we have once again battled our way to the gates of Smolensk, while also threatening the city's Northern Flank. In central Russia we report better success as me fight into the Ukraine, having broken the German defensive positions near Kursk, we have now captured the city after near encirclement. In the Caucasus region the Germans continue to push forward, having now captured Grozny and the strategic oil facility in the region. The Axis Oil Shortages (MPP penalty) have stopped as a result.

France
The Axis continue to battle the Western Allies for every inch of territory on our march towards occupied Paris, but the enemy is not coming out of the battle unscathed. We destroy multiple Infantry Armies this turn, and in combination with our Soviet efforts we have given the Axis their most costly turn since the Soviet Winter of 41'. Meanwhile as the Western Allies (USA, UK, Canada) focus on the Germans near Paris, the Spanish Army has marched into Southern France, cutting off supply to Bordeaux.

Southern Italy
The limited Allied presence in this region is essentially trapped having lost the ability to retreat by port. Their fate is all but sealed, and the failed invasion of Italy something I would like to soon forget.

[crispy131313]

June 1944

Bleak outlook for the Allies, as we are having trouble breaking the Axis juggernaut. The Soviets finally achieved Infantry Weapons III, but I think it is too late. We will see, I'll play to the end either way, but a re-match is already in the works, I will redeem myself against my nemesis who is on route to taking a commanding 4-1 record in our matches. I am better at modding then I am playing apparently.[X(]

[crispy131313]

September 1944

[BPINisBACK]

10th Axis High Command Report

End of summer campaing (1944)

1) Germany

Germany has research and built almost everything it needs for the End Victory. Losses are high but our economy is strong enough.

2) France

W.A. and his local allies controls the west and south west of France, but both Paris and Vichy looks safer, even Marsella, with the Italian support looks safety.

High losses for both sides.

3) Italy and Balcans

Sicily is recaptured by Italian forces thanks to the strong support of the Lutwaffe. Even Malta is recovered after an easy assault.

4) Russia

After the conquest of Stalingrand, and after heavy fighting all along the frontline, Germany conques caucasus, and lauch a big operation which tried to cut ALL the soviet forces at the west of Moscow.

We could bomb the roads at the east of the Capital and, even, capture one of the road with the helpful support of the Romanian... but it was too much and as the full soviet army moved back over the capital, our frontline is force back a little.

Meanwhile a second (and stronger) force approach Moscow by the south... Which of these two Army Groups will conquer the enemy's capital?

As all the forces were move back over Moscow, the soviet offensives at the north of Smolensk had to be cancelled.


5) Finland

After an ethernal combat the Finland forces (with the support of Luftwaffe) could move over Murmansk... Only the city remains in soviet control...

6) Norway, Sweden and North Atlantic

Raiding is back over Norway's convoy but with very limited intensity.

Axis sub moves to north atlantic, leaving Norway's seas.

Sweeden is now far agay of Hitlet's hands once that WA put money on the desk... A pity.

7) Atlantic

German subs tries to raid the lines to England with low opposition, but we only have 3 o 4 subs...

8) Iberian Peninsula and Western Africa

Spanish support WA at the south of France, but they are not a real threath.

9) Libya

Italy launch a small operation over Bengazi. Sadly the WA naval superiority destroy our reinforcement and, even, some of our few italian ships.

Lutwaffe kills some enemy ships but it was a pity that we could do better.

10) Turkey

Turkey cant' advance over the balcans thank to the German (first) and Italian forces (later).

On the other hand, some German forces invades the country by the East border.

[BPINisBACK]

Losses and incomes:

[crispy131313]

Final Turn (Part 1/4)

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Final Turn (Part 2/4)

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Final Turn (Part 3/4)

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Formal write up to come...

[crispy131313]

Axis Tactical Victory (Axis control Berlin, Rome, Warsaw and Paris - May 1945)

Another victory for BPINisBACK, and three in a row! Axis and Allies have split the matches 2-2. This one with a bit more of an asterisk as I experienced a confirmed research bug, but I fought with false hope.

Quick Reflection
Despite losing I felt that I played well, particularity on the defensive with the USSR, however mustering an offensive was very difficult, for too long on the Eastern Front I had to focus my offensive around my limited disposal of Shock Armies to fight along side my Mechanized Corps and Armour. German morale never did falter, hovering around 115% since Barbarossa which made it very difficult for the Allies to fight an air war over Paris; being behind on morale and tech was a nail in the coffin, I had to rely overly on my ground forces after D-Day which just could not contend with the Germans who drew their main defensive positions around Paris. Turkey and Spain both assisted with MPP, however their forces were lackluster in combat.

Without consideration of the research bug, I was outplayed in the Mediterranean where research was not a factor. I was too late to recognize the Axis had no intentions of attacking Egypt, and I brutally failed my invasion of Italy and even allowed the Italians to return to North Africa. The Allied Navy also took a pounding later in the war.

I had hoped for a more outstanding finish, I trailed off with the AAR a little as I was a bit thrown back by how the late war was going, but we back with another AAR (at least I am) and this time it's personal!

[BillRunacre]

Thanks for typing that up, it was enjoyable to follow!