Rise of the Reich (no 821Bobo)

[Michael T]

May 10, 1940.

The weather in Yugoslavia has me vexed. It's still raining. The Invasion force has been sitting on the borders for months. I really regret not going in the snow now, back in March. Just a waste of time waiting for the clear weather.

In Egypt the Brits reinforce and hit back re-capturing Port Said. This is a blow for us. He attacked Port Said over and over and we were holding fine but General Vittorio Ambrosio was KIA, and the troops under his command broke and retreated. The loss of this port hurts the supply situation.

In my turn we attack with little success. Attempted to regain Port Said and take Alexandria. All failed. Though losses on both sides were heavy. Some success in the Levant, where we destroyed a UK division. Also drive through a undefended Cairo. I was hoping not to have to send any German forces in to this fight but it seems they are needed.

[Michael T]

The sad state of Regia Marina

[Michael T]

May 24, 1940

Some strange things happened in Syria this turn. The Syrian Vinchy government somehow declared neutrality and kicked all the Axis and Allied combat units out of the country. In effect all units were relocated in to Palestine. Bizarre to say the least. So my hand was forced, I had to declare war on Vinchy Syria and I figured why not France as well. Though that was a mistake.

Anyway the Axis units secured Syria once again and destroyed another UK division. However we also lost 2 Italian Corp shattered in the Sinai.

[Michael T]

Meanwhile the sun finally shines in the Balkans and the Yugoslavian invasion begins...

[Michael T]

7th June 1940

At last some good news in the Naval war. The Luftwaffe arrives in Egypt and sinks the Malaya battle group, yippee

[Michael T]

The Yugoslavian operation continues and goes well. They surrender at the end of this turn.

[Michael T]

In North Africa the news is not so great. The UK and Canadians have landed in our rear, threatening our supply. The North African Vinchy French have also joined the Allies.
This is because I DOW on Vinchy France. Now Tripoli is in trouble. I manage to evade the blockade and sneak an extra unit in to Tripoli. In Egypt I can't make any progress against the
Delta bridgehead. I attacked again for no gain and I fear I may lose some more Italian Corp to UK counter attacks. Syria surrenders.

I had planned to send a German Pz Corp to Egypt but the Allied landing in my rear has diverted that unit to Bengazi. I think now I can't take the Delta, at least not till the Panzer Group arrives via Turkey.

Sorry I messed up the screenie of Egypt, but I have one of Libya.

[Flaviusx]

Quite a brawl in the Med. The British may actually retrieve this situation, or at least they are making you work for it after your initial coup de main.

The game is instructive. Guard your ports. Or this sort of thing will happen.

[Michael T]

21st June 1940

First news from the Balkans. Our relations with Bulgaria sour as they refuse free passage for our forces to Turkey. So we are left with no alternative but to DOW Bulgaria.

The Cavalry is coming and they are heading to Egypt.

[Michael T]

News in the Med is not so great. We cannot budge a single UK unit from the Delta bridgehead. I think we may have to just sit tight for a while. In Libya we send in more troops and the Panzers roll up towards the Allied bridgehead.

The Englanders have quite obviously denuded the UK of defences. So next turn I will be sending air and ground units to the Channel coast. And if he continues sending more troops to the Med I will invade.

[Michael T]

I forgot to mention the Italians lost the Littorio BB group. I countered with subs and a fleet of air units but could not locate the offending UK Fleet... groan.

[Michael T]

Losses to date.

[Michael T]

Force Strength

[Michael T]

5th July 1940

Disaster in Egypt, both Italian mobile Corp shatter. I pushed them too hard and left them way too vulnerable. I have no choice but to go on the defensive and hold as close as I can to the Delta until German units arrive.

He is withdrawing his invaders from Libya. Only one Canadian corp remains, looks like it will be boarding transports next turn as well.

Bulgaria surrenders and the Panzer Group arrives at the Turkish border.

[Michael T]

The German build cue. This makes better reading...

[Michael T]

19th July 1940

Germany DOW Turkey. A rapid advance ensues. The Infantry Corp are struggling to keep up.

Meanwhile Vichy France surrenders.

[Michael T]

In North Africa things stabilize for the moment. As expected the Canadians sail away from Libya and join their commonwealth comrades in Tunisia. It was an error to DOW Vichy France. I now have a nest of resistance in Tunisia I fear I will never be able to eradicate. But powerful German forces are slowly closing on the Delta bridgehead.

The mission is to wipe it out as soon as possible in order to have enough time to redeploy back to the frontier with Russia before Barbarossa in mid 1941. We have a tight timetable.

[Michael T]

2nd August 1940

The drive through Turkey continues and they surrender at the end of this turn.

[Michael T]

In Egypt the Brits expand their holdings. We don't mind, the cavalry are arriving soon.

[Michael T]

In Libya we eyeball each other. But this is the area I am most concerned about.