Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino)

[Chocolino]

12-8-39

The weather is still in our favor since the frost continues. The Axis occupies Brussels but French units cross the Belgian border to defend forward.

[Chocolino]

12-8-39

Only a side show by now but the war in the Atlantic continues where German subs are subject to British Carrier strikes this week (below pic is off the coast of Portugal). There are very few German subs left but we expect some new ones shortly.

[Chocolino]

12-22-39

The Belgians surrendered after the fall of Brussels.

The frost has given way to rain and the Germans slog through the mud. All they can achieve is to damage and push a single French corps defending within Belgium.

[Chocolino]

12-22-39

The Swedish reported that they are unable to deliver the promised Iron Ore this turn. Both possible routes are blocked to them - one by weather (Baltic frozen) and the other by the unhelpful British who refuse to let the Ore pass through Narvik.

(Since I am new to the game this did come as a surprise. But I think it is great that the occupation of Narvik actually means something in economic terms - as it did way back then. Great game design. And for the Germans it is not the end of the world - spring will come and the Baltic will thaw again.)

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Chocolino
This represents a cumulative damage of 6 production at a repair rate of 1 per turn (if I understand the system correctly).

Yes but Alvaro inferred in a recent post that repairs are about half production costs. So his 2 bomber points will cost him 20 to repair. Strategic bombing is prohibitively expensive early game.

Jim

[Chocolino]

Thanks for the info - that makes me already feel a little bit better about it.

Thinking about it and to be thorough the Axis has to factor in the hits on the defensive air units as well - although and admittedly these are not quite as expensive as strategic bomber groups. So I hope the Axis still comes out ahead.

[Chocolino]

1-5-40

A new year but the same rainy weather. The Germans focus on a single attack - the slightly more exposed French corps south of Antwerp and force it to retreat.

[Chocolino]

1-5-40

There is still a French defender in Belgium but the Germans have now reached the French border in most places. Hence we consider the campaign for the low countries at an end and tally the losses.

The German loss level after Poland was 24-1-6. I find especially the land losses (now 65) fairly high - but again there is not much comparison yet.

The 10 British land losses represent their sunk amphibious landing unit (Stavanger, Norway).

[Chocolino]

1-19-39

The weather turns to storms and German effectiveness is at an all time low. The Luftwaffe is grounded but a German Panzerkorps pushes into France proper for the first time. However, road conditions are so poor that no German unit can fill its gap leaving the German tanks a bit exposed if the French should rush to fill the gap in the German line.

[Chocolino]

2-2-40

A welcome frost at the French-Belgian border. Still the Germans can capture just two more hexes. The goal is to get to favorable jumping off positions once the good weather starts.

The French actually moved into the gap in the German line (seen on previous post) but they did not attack the semi-surrounded German tank. Perhaps they still did not like the odds. But now the Germans were able to shatter the exposed French corps and close the gap again.

The French have now achieved a very solid defensive line where no French unit can be attacked by more than 2 German units (except the one hex near Luxembourg which is part of the Maginot line).

[Chocolino]

2-2-40

Near Iceland the last German U-boat found its watery grave. It was sunk by convoy escorts but at least took one merchant with it. At least for the time being the Axis will abstain from further naval adventures. (Germany may consider submarines again once the new game patch is out and hope they will then be more effective).

[Chocolino]

2-16-40

The British seem to have abandoned their French Allies. No British units have been identified in France so far. They either think it a lost cause or (more likely) that the French can handle the Germans quite nicely by themselves.

Winter is still having its effect. So the Axis will attack only a single hex (St. Quentin) which does not contribute any production but is an important rail hex for supply.

[Chocolino]

3-1-40

The weather gods work in our favor this time - dry weather in March!

The Germans HQ believes a breakthrough of the French line is finally possible and attacks - but a bit too recklessly. While we can break through the French at the Somme it leaves the German Panzer units spent, weak and exposed. Worse - I realize too late that there is no retreat hex for the lead tank. (Units can retreat up to two hexes).

[Chocolino]

3-15-40

It is a dark day for the German Wehrmacht as they loose a full Panzerkorps (shattered) during the French counter attack. The French can chalk up the campaign as a success already no matter what happens next.

The French fall back on the whole front and presumably want to establish a new front line behind the Somme. Lille is declared an open city and occupied by the Germans. The Axis cannot attack much as they are busy catching up to the retreating French. Our remaining Panzerkorps is pulled out of the line to occupy Calais and to reform.

The French also fall back from the Maginot line. That move may feel wrong initially - abandoning a strong defensive position. But the ML has served its purpose by now preventing any attack. Better to use these units now in defense of Paris instead of letting them getting outflanked. (This is actually my opponents signature-move for the French since at least 10 years of playing similar games as the Allies).

[Chocolino]

3-15-40

To make matters worse, the French resume again the strategic bombing inflicting 5 damage total in 2 attacks with no losses of their own. Fortunately some AA Guns will soon be ready to defend interior unprotected German cities.

[Chocolino]

3-29-40

The French still fell back in some areas and the Germans stayed mainly in contact (lacking operation points to do much more). Only one hex was taken by force (circled).

[Michael T]

Interesting battle. Spearhead Panzers are very vulnerable when no valid retreat path exists, as you found out.

[Chocolino]

Spearhead Panzers are very vulnerable when no valid retreat path exists, as you found out.

They say that learning is improved by repetition - but I hope that a one time pain will be sufficient here.

Thanks for reading.

[Chocolino]

4-12-40

Weather is perfect for campaigning. The French conducted some spoiling attacks during their previous turn but suffered losses without much to show for.

The Germans were able to reach the river Seine east of Paris. There are some French aircraft that we could have overrun if we had moved differently but our tanks would have been overextended and again vulnerable - so we settled for the current positions. Almost looked as if the aircraft were left there on purpose as bait.

[Chocolino]

4-26-40

The two French air units just south of our most forward units did again not move away. I am wondering why my opponent offered them up (circled hexes). I am sure it is no oversight. So perhaps the units are very depleted and he wants to save upkeep/repairs and use the resources elsewhere? Whatever the reasons, the Germans did overrun the 2 airfields anyways.

The Germans also opened up a gap in the French line north of Paris. The Axis was pondering to attack Paris already this turn with the Panzerkorps against a relatively weak HQ defender (arrow). But our air was already spent and the tank not at full strength to start with. If the attack should fail and France does not surrender we will loose our second armored unit. So cooler heads prevailed even though the French will fill the gap quickly during their turn.