Fall Weiss II Western Theater - Axis AAR

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The battle of Moscow continues in snowy weather. we need to soon capture the city, the Soviets are attempting to breakout towards the former Baltic States and appear to be better supplied then I expected. Our defenses are containment in nature only at this point, with our offensive strength at Moscow and in Southern Russia right now. Elsewhere the weather has hampered any offensive capabilities of either side.

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As the Axis continued up the Iranian roads towards Russia the Soviets finally made an appearance on their turn, attacking an Italian Division which could be lost this turn. The Italian HQs are severely far behind so supply will be not be easy in this terrain.

In the West we continue preparations for an Allied cross-channel invasion.

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German Tanks roll into the Moscow! The Luftwaffe tries to soften some of the nearby Soviet Tank formations but a Soviet Tank Army looms just outside the capital at full strength. The Soviets have a lot of punch and have flashed Tanks IV to match the German technology.

Spain has been ordered to march on Voronezh as the German Army also sweeps up the Don River towards the city. Voronezh is one of the last major supply centers along the front lines.

Waves of Soviets are attacking Stalingrad, it may not look that way based on the end of turn screen shot but the Germans have routing multiple units each turn.

Further south the German and Romanian forces are still attempting to break into he Caucasus. With our forces stretched all along the front and now in Germany it has proven difficult to sustain the attack for consecutive turns.

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Here are some beginning of turn images which displays how the Germans are barely holding on in the East. There are a number of re-built units that were re-deployed in Western Europe this turn that I really wish were free to fight the Soviets right now.

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The Axis are forced to retreat in Iran as the Soviets launch a massive attack against the Italian Army and DAK, an Italian Infantry Division and the DAK Artillery is destroyed. Unless I send the Luftwaffe into Iran, which is highly doubtful at this point of the war I'm not sure Rommel is going to reach Baku.

In the Atlantic Axis submarines again take to sea. Without any convoys in the Southern Atlantic it is going to be harder to jump around different convoy lanes to stay hidden. What you see on the screen (in the Atlantic and along the Spanish coast) are the only naval units at fighting strength from the Mediterranean region.

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Bad Weather across the Eastern Front ground the Luftwaffe this turn.

Reinforcements are sent to both Stalingrad and Moscow as we attempt to hold our positions for these highly contested cities. The second half of Moscow is still under Soviet control. The offensive against Voronezh continues without any major issues yet.

But then at the end of turn a message is received that the USSR is transferring additional forces from Siberia. This a response to the occupation of Moscow. Not sure how much longer Germany can hold up against Soviet manpower especially if we begin fighting on multiple fronts.

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I was just looking this over at work now that I have captured Moscow, I only need to capture London with paratroops for a decisive victory. With the Soviets still so strong I think it might be a farce to win against the AI like that, though I think these conditions are more than fair in PBEM.

For this match the decisive victory conditions state Baghdad or Baku, but I am going to consider it a gentleman agreement to require Baku instead of Baghdad in the decisive victory conditions, so there will be no paratroops landing in London unless Baku is occupied.

I wonder if Baghdad should be removed as an option altogether, I had included it as an either option for the Axis to find oil necessary to win, but from my understanding the logistics of Iraqi oil was not going to be good for Germany either way, which is why the Axis still receive oil shortages if they don't drive at least far enough into the Caucasus to capture Grozny (oil).

Thoughts on the victory conditions and implications on this match? Or should I just try to take London while the window is open?

Also too be honest I'm not sure if I pull the Luftwaffe away from Moscow front I'll be able to hold the city with my ground forces alone, Bombers have been softening up the Level IV tanks that are constantly grinding against the capital. At least for a few more turns it seems that way.

[Taxman66]

Go to 1945 and see if you can hold on for a major or tactical victory.

I think the major victory condition is probably the harder than the decisive one.

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ORIGINAL: Taxman66

Go to 1945 and see if you can hold on for a major or tactical victory.

I think the major victory condition is probably the harder than the decisive one.

Thanks for the input. I agree a major victory at this point does seem harder than decisive.

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In Iran the Axis pull are forced on the defensive as the Soviets approach Tehran.

Meanwhile in Western Europe we have committed all of the defenses I am able to at this point in the war. I am not even sure that D-Day will happen, but I highly suspect.

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On the Eastern Front the Axis are fully on the defensive and trying to wear down the Red ARmy. Partisans interrupt German supply in the region South of Leningrad which has created some vulnerability in containing the Soviets. To help slow the Soviet advance the Gustav gun has begun shelling Moscow to interrupting the Red Army's supply lines North of Smolensk and Minsk. Almost all units fighting the German defenders are 5+ supply and are gobbling up poorly defended territory.

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The Axis are retreating to Iraq, accepting they are likely to be destroyed by the advancing Soviets if they remain in Iran without hope for reinforcements. By retreating to Iraq we should be able to take cover in the towns and the Soviets will have a hard time with supply lines if they advance from the mountains. It is more important that I protect my gains in the Middle East than the mountains of Tehran as it is clear that Rommel will unlikely reach Baku.

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Heavy fighting continues all along the front, at Moscow we the Soviets continue to edge the front line Westward as we attempt to secure the remainder of the capital.

In the South Germany and Romania continue to bolster the defense of Stalingrad to protect our attempted advance into the oil rich Caucasus region. With the Soviets fighting the Axis in both Iran and Southern USSR we are finding their Caucaus defenses stretched which could be an opportunity to drive forward.

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The Soviets have re-occupied Iran as the Axis retreat into Iraq. Unfortunately an Italian Infantry Army may be destroyed by the Soviets before they can meet up with the rest of the DAK.

In the West we no longer believe there is a threat of allied invasion of mainland Europe, but the bombing campaign is heating up.

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A large number of forces were transferred from France to Smolensk this turn in attempt to push back the Soviets which are reeling from poor supply which is due to the rail connection all but severed from the front line city of Moscow. The offensive on Moscow is turning into a nightmare situation where only 1-2 of our units are in any shape of attacking on my turn, the Luftwaffe was brought up to full strength on this front for an attempted bombing run against the western half of the capital which is still under soviet control.

In Central USSR we continue to advance on Voronezh but lose the Spanish Tank Corps which was German supplied, this unit is not rebuild able.

We make our biggest advance South into the Caucasus smashing most of the Soviet Armour leaving the Soviet defenses severely vulnerable. Much of the Soviet strength in this region was sent to Iran to stop the DAK in their tracks.

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The Soviets have recaptured Moscow, destroying a German Tank Corps and 3 Infantry Corps along the Moscow front line. Another German Infantry Division was destroyed near Smolensk where the Red Army has attempted to disrupt our forward supply lines.

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The Axis launched major offensives all across the Eastern Front this turn, having recaptured Eastern end of Moscow, while the Battle of Moscow continues it continues to disrupt Soviet supply lines North of Smolensk and we have been successful in pushing back the earlier Soviet gains in this region.

Southward we have taken the initiative near Stalingrad and have finally pushed into the Caucasus region.

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The Axis have nearly completed their retreat from Iran, I am not sure if the Soviets will advance into the country or simply hold in the mountains to protect the underbelly of the Russia.

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Germany is winning the war on the Eastern Front.

As the Axis advance into the Caucasus and have successfully fought off the Soviet advance on Stalingrad, we maintain our position at Moscow and continue to push back the Soviet early Red Army advances all along the front.

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At sea I have abandoned convoy raiding at this time. Our submarines groups were discovered before raiding re-commenced in the Atlantic and I do not want the morale loss of sunken ships at this time. German morale is about 106%.

Axis oil shortages, Spanish supply shortages and the Allied bombing campaign is taking a toll on German MPP. All MPP were spent this turn on reinforcements.