PBEM Global War: Narrative AAR.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #1. (Continued).

1/25/21, 2:08 PM - [Allied]: Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #1. CW - naval, Free France - naval, China - land, USA - combine, USSR - combine.
1/25/21, 2:22 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/25/21, 2:22 PM - [Allied]: Been monitoring this too ... the proliferation of German u-boats & Italian subs.
1/25/21, 2:23 PM - [Allied]: That's quite a fleet you have there.
1/25/21, 2:23 PM - [Axis]: Well let's hope the Fuhrer puts them to good use soon
1/25/21, 2:24 PM - [Allied]: I have no doubt that he will ...
1/25/21, 3:09 PM - [Allied]: Thinking through my naval moves and taking my time. May not be until this evening or even tomorrow before I finish. Need to take a break. Up early this morning.
1/25/21, 3:09 PM - [Axis]: I understand. I'm feeling a bit bushed myself

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #1. (Continued).

1/25/21, 3:16 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/25/21, 3:16 PM - [Allied]: I have a spreadsheet that I use to help me set ASW patrols and escorts.
1/25/21, 3:16 PM - [Allied]: Based on risk.
1/25/21, 3:16 PM - [Axis]: Nice
1/25/21, 3:17 PM - [Allied]: Axis subs can reach 57 CPs and almost half those are consider at risk.
1/25/21, 3:17 PM - [Allied]: Risk of being sunk or aborted.
1/25/21, 3:18 PM - [Allied]: Need a break ... talk to you later
1/25/21, 3:20 PM - [Axis]: Cya

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #1. (Concluded).

1/25/21, 5:41 PM - [Allied]: Two Contested Sea Areas: (1) East Med & (2) Italian Coast.
1/25/21, 5:42 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/25/21, 5:42 PM - [Allied]: The allies will not attempt to initiate in the East Med; however, you can (later) if you wish.
1/25/21, 5:43 PM - [Allied]: (2) Italian Coast. RN Sub group 4731 will flip to initiate. No (possible) air reactions for the allies. Axis air reactions?
1/25/21, 5:45 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/25/21, 5:57 PM - [Axis]: no thx
1/25/21, 6:02 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/25/21, 6:03 PM - [Allied]: RN commits her 3 sub groups.
1/25/21, 6:04 PM - [Allied]: Searches: RN=7, Italians=6, nobody finds.
1/25/21, 6:04 PM - [Allied]: East Med. You can initiate if you wish?
1/25/21, 6:05 PM - [Axis]: no thx
1/25/21, 6:05 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/25/21, 6:16 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/25/21, 6:16 PM - [Allied]: back to you for axis impulse 3.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3.

1/25/21, 6:16 PM - [Axis]: got it
1/25/21, 6:17 PM - [Allied]: This will be it for me tonight ... will check occasionally for any needed reactions.
1/25/21, 6:17 PM - [Axis]: roger
1/25/21, 6:41 PM - [Axis]: Saved oil bug bit Japan again. They should have only 20. I will edit the file before I send it back to you to get it back inline.
1/25/21, 6:52 PM - [Allied]: Copy
1/26/21, 7:39 AM - [Axis]: Naval for Germany. Land for Japan. Combined for Italy
1/26/21, 7:51 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 7:52 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 7:52 AM - [Axis]: Let me know when you are around so we can execute them.
1/26/21, 8:10 AM - [Allied]: Morning. Will be available later this morning. Just back from my run.
1/26/21, 8:10 AM - [Axis]: Cool
1/26/21, 10:57 AM - [Allied]: Hi. Ready for some gaming.
1/26/21, 10:57 AM - [Axis]: Yes sir
1/26/21, 10:58 AM - [Axis]: Will start in Faeroes
1/26/21, 10:58 AM - [Axis]: Storms so no support. Axis committing subs
1/26/21, 11:00 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:00 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:06 AM - [Allied]: 1st D on CA Hawkins, 2nd D on CA Kent, A in order on Hawkins, Kent, CV Courageous.
1/26/21, 11:08 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:08 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:12 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:12 AM - [Axis]: Axis will stay
1/26/21, 11:14 AM - [Allied]: allies stay too
1/26/21, 11:14 AM - [Axis]: Axis committing subs
1/26/21, 11:14 AM - [Axis]: miss
1/26/21, 11:15 AM - [Axis]: aborts?
1/26/21, 11:15 AM - [Allied]: sec
1/26/21, 11:16 AM - [Allied]: Liverpool please
1/26/21, 11:17 AM - [Axis]: roger

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3. (Continued).

1/26/21, 11:17 AM - [Axis]: Now Cape Verde Basin
1/26/21, 11:18 AM - [Axis]: Axis committing subs

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3. (Continued).

1/26/21, 11:22 AM - [Allied]: use 6 SPs to increase axis risk from 2A to 2D, 3A and use remaining 2 SPs to decrease RN Risk from A to none.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3. (Continued).

1/26/21, 11:26 AM - [Axis]: Now Eastern Med
1/26/21, 11:26 AM - [Axis]: Axis added Erone to 2 box
1/26/21, 11:27 AM - [Axis]: miss

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3. (Continued).

1/26/21, 11:27 AM - [Axis]: search Italian Coast?
1/26/21, 11:28 AM - [Allied]: negative

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #3. (Concluded).

1/26/21, 11:28 AM - [Axis]: ok, you will have turn shortly
1/26/21, 11:30 AM - [Allied]: copy

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5.

1/26/21, 11:45 AM - [Axis]: weather clears
1/26/21, 11:45 AM - [Allied]: Was actually hoping that it would.
1/26/21, 11:46 AM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 11:47 AM - [Allied]: got it

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Continued).

1/26/21, 12:17 PM - [Allied]: While the risk to CW convoy lines has decreased it's still high.
1/26/21, 12:18 PM - [Allied]: One improvement I need to make to my risk estimation spreadsheet is that all sea areas use the same weather flag (i.e., -1=storms/blizzard, 0=rain/snow, 1=fine).
1/26/21, 12:19 PM - [Allied]: I actually need to modified it such that I can handle the different weather zones.
1/26/21, 12:22 PM - [Allied]: Though not to bad for an initial cut; but it underestimated the risk in CVB last impulse because of that (i.e., risk was estimated at 2.8 and should have been at 3.3 (1/2 CP risk higher). Not sure that would have affect my ASW escort and patrol allocations but something I'm going to correct.
1/26/21, 12:24 PM - [Allied]: This spreadsheet is not intended to be a predictor but a tool for helping set ASW patrols and escorts. The table at the bottom shows the first threat impulse has been played and updates the threat numbers to all sea areas.
1/26/21, 12:25 PM - [Allied]: Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. CW - land, France - combine, China - land, USA - combine, USSR - combine.
1/26/21, 12:30 PM - [Allied]: Actions (REVISION): CW - combine (not land).
1/26/21, 12:31 PM - [Axis]: ok

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Continued).

1/26/21, 12:33 PM - [Allied]: RN Port Strikes x 2
(1) CVP (2 a2s) from West Med vs La Spezia, Italy
(2) 2 CVPs (4 a2s) from East Med vs Salonica, Greece
1/26/21, 12:34 PM - [Allied]: 1st up, surprise rolls for Salonica, Greece.
1/26/21, 12:37 PM - [Allied]: Surprise rolls: Ita=6, RN=9.
1/26/21, 12:38 PM - [Allied]: Next up, surprise rolls for La Spezia.
1/26/21, 12:39 PM - [Allied]: La Spezia rolls: Ita=5, RN=10.
1/26/21, 12:39 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 12:39 PM - [Allied]: La Spezia, you have 5 SPs.
1/26/21, 12:41 PM - [Axis]: increase AA to lowest of 4. Save 3 to reduce anything that gets thru to nothing
1/26/21, 12:41 PM - [Allied]: copy, aa rolls coming
1/26/21, 12:42 PM - [Allied]: AA=4,3,2,4. bombs reduced to 0.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Continued).

1/26/21, 12:43 PM - [Allied]: Salonica, you have 3 SPs.
1/26/21, 12:43 PM - [Axis]: save them for now
1/26/21, 12:44 PM - [Allied]: copy. Lowest of 5 AA shots coming.
1/26/21, 12:45 PM - [Allied]: AA=1,9,9,5,1=1. 4 bombs reduced to 3.
1/26/21, 12:46 PM - [Allied]: Salonica, you have 3 SPs
1/26/21, 12:46 PM - [Axis]: reduce your Air to sea factors from 3 to 2
1/26/21, 12:47 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/26/21, 12:47 PM - [Allied]: Reduced Risk from D,2A to 2A. RN will place first A on TRS. Would do you wish to place the 2nd A?
1/26/21, 12:47 PM - [Axis]: BB
1/26/21, 12:48 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/26/21, 12:49 PM - [Allied]: A vs TRS=6 (not flipped), A vs BB Vittorio Veneto=1 (flipped).

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Continued).

1/26/21, 12:54 PM - [Allied]: 3 Contested Sea Areas:
(1) Faeroes Gap
(2) Italian Coast
(3) East Med
1/26/21, 12:54 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 12:54 PM - [Allied]: (1) Faeroes Gap: No combat.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Continued).

1/26/21, 12:54 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 12:54 PM - [Allied]: (2) Italian Coast: no combat.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Allied #5. (Concluded).

1/26/21, 12:55 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 12:55 PM - [Allied]: (3) East Med: No combat
1/26/21, 1:03 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 1:04 PM - [Allied]: FYI: CW use 2 of their 3 land moves of the combine to: (1) reinforce Athens with arty div and (2) amphibiously invade Famagusta, Cyprus (it's auto since out of supply)
1/26/21, 1:05 PM - [Axis]: ok
1/26/21, 1:06 PM - [Allied]: Must tell you it's a very interesting and entertaining game we have going on in the Med, not to mention in the Balkans, which will soon become mute I think.
1/26/21, 1:06 PM - [Axis]: I agree, fun game
1/26/21, 1:08 PM - [Allied]: The naval situation in the East Med is so close to parity that neither side seems to wish to give the other +1 search advantage by putting a "supply" CP at to sea there.
1/26/21, 1:08 PM - [Allied]: Or at least that's my take on the situation.
1/26/21, 1:08 PM - [Axis]: Right
1/26/21, 1:08 PM - [Allied]: Supply through the East Med is so fragile with both of us relying on TRSs and not CPs.
1/26/21, 1:09 PM - [Axis]: Yes. We both are fighting for control of it.
1/26/21, 1:10 PM - [Allied]: While I've always have appreciated the way naval is handled and played in (M)WiF, this game has significantly increased my appreciation of it.
1/26/21, 1:11 PM - [Allied]: Some lessons learned the hard way along the road is you don't send out ships without air cover when the enemy has naval bombers or carrier air available.
1/26/21, 1:11 PM - [Allied]: Even if it means operating from 1 or even 2 boxes lower than you can.
1/26/21, 1:11 PM - [Allied]: That has a very historical feel to me.
1/26/21, 1:12 PM - [Axis]: Agreed
1/26/21, 1:13 PM - [Allied]: It takes time, at least for me it did, to learn that lesson over the years and it's very subtle but it's so true to the history I think.
1/26/21, 1:13 PM - [Axis]: What I have come to realize is that at the start of WWII, most ships were obsolete
1/26/21, 1:13 PM - [Allied]: Anyway, Famagusta, Cyprus take by the CW's 2nd inf div.
1/26/21, 1:13 PM - [Allied]: No roll necessary.
1/26/21, 1:14 PM - [Axis]: Only Carriers and fast floating AA batteries(mostly cruisers) to protect the carriers and transports matter
1/26/21, 1:15 PM - [Allied]: Old WW1 battleships are obsolete
1/26/21, 1:15 PM - [Allied]: Well except for the sub war
1/26/21, 1:15 PM - [Allied]: Which I feel produces in the total historical results but in the details no
1/26/21, 1:16 PM - [Allied]: For example, BBs and CAs weren't used to patrol for subs. They were exteremely vunlerable to subs.
1/26/21, 1:17 PM - [Allied]: I understand what's being represented when you send BBs and CAs out on ASW patrols or as escorts are the destroyer screens of these ships that are doing the ASW.
1/26/21, 1:17 PM - [Axis]: Right
1/26/21, 1:18 PM - [Allied]: Also an interesting interoperation when SCSs and subs tangle as we did earlier in Cape Verde Basin.
1/26/21, 1:20 PM - [Allied]: In game terms the CA Hawkins got the drop on the Italian and German sub groups. Damaged and aborted one and aborted the second at the price of being damaged itself. Now it historical terms I would see that as the RN destroyers taking care of the axis subs; but before that one of the subs got a shot or two off (torpedo's) that significantly damaged the Hawkins.
1/26/21, 1:21 PM - [Axis]: Agreed
1/26/21, 1:21 PM - [Allied]: Hence, the results to me make a lot of sense but historically there's no way that a CA would go looking for enemy subs and be a match for them./
1/26/21, 1:21 PM - [Allied]: Anyway, almost through with my impulse.
1/26/21, 1:21 PM - [Axis]: good point
1/26/21, 1:27 PM - [Allied]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 1:27 PM - [Allied]: back to you for axis impulse 7.

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #7.

1/26/21, 1:28 PM - [Axis]: got it
1/26/21, 1:42 PM - [Axis]: Land actions for Japan and Germany. Naval for Italy
1/26/21, 1:44 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/26/21, 1:53 PM - [Axis]: intercept
1/26/21, 1:56 PM - [Allied]: negative
1/26/21, 1:56 PM - [Axis]: ok
1/26/21, 1:57 PM - [Axis]: continues to East Med. Loads German 2-3 Infantry division, stops in 2 box
1/26/21, 1:59 PM - [Allied]: What are you up to? Too low to invade from 2-box.
1/26/21, 2:00 PM - [Axis]: Well if he survives the searches you shall see!
1/26/21, 2:00 PM - [Allied]: Disembark where?

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #7. (Continued).

1/26/21, 2:01 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:01 PM - [Axis]: Western Med first
1/26/21, 2:02 PM - [Axis]: Italy flys Sparviero to 2 box
1/26/21, 2:02 PM - [Axis]: sub initiates but will not commit
1/26/21, 2:02 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:03 PM - [Allied]: FTR2 Gibraltar to 0-box
1/26/21, 2:03 PM - [Axis]: ok
1/26/21, 2:05 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:06 PM - [Axis]: How do you wish to fly Swordfish?
1/26/21, 2:06 PM - [Allied]: fighter
1/26/21, 2:06 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:07 PM - [Allied]: -1 axis? +1 allied? Nav has 2 or 3 a2s?
1/26/21, 2:08 PM - [Axis]: Axis has +1 advantage and advantage of SE fighter against TE fighter
1/26/21, 2:08 PM - [Axis]: 3 Air to Sea Nav
1/26/21, 2:09 PM - [Allied]: save the SPs for now.
1/26/21, 2:09 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:11 PM - [Axis]: Allies score DA. Bomber chosen
1/26/21, 2:11 PM - [Allied]: thanks
1/26/21, 2:12 PM - [Axis]: AX PX for Axis. Beaufighters having a rough time in Western Med
1/26/21, 2:12 PM - [Allied]: Yes they do ...
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Axis]: Assume you will abort A2A
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Allied]: yes please
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Axis]: Axis will stay in zone
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Axis]: Assume you will too
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Allied]: yes
1/26/21, 2:13 PM - [Axis]: I don't have a nav that can reach 2 box so it's just the He 100
1/26/21, 2:15 PM - [Axis]: Allies find 5 vs 1
1/26/21, 2:15 PM - [Axis]: avoid?
1/26/21, 2:15 PM - [Allied]: Yes please
1/26/21, 2:15 PM - [Axis]: ok
1/26/21, 2:15 PM - [Axis]: messed up, have to reload

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #7. (Continued).

1/26/21, 2:19 PM - [Axis]: Now Eastern Med
1/26/21, 2:19 PM - [Axis]: No support from Axis
1/26/21, 2:20 PM - [Axis]: none available for Allies
1/26/21, 2:21 PM - [Axis]: Axis find 3-6
1/26/21, 2:21 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:22 PM - [Allied]: fly as bombers
1/26/21, 2:22 PM - [Allied]: put two CVPs ahead of the NAV
1/26/21, 2:23 PM - [Axis]: roger
1/26/21, 2:23 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:23 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/26/21, 2:23 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:24 PM - [Axis]: Allies score AA
1/26/21, 2:25 PM - [Allied]: abort fighter please
1/26/21, 2:26 PM - [Axis]: Axis score DA
1/26/21, 2:27 PM - [Allied]: abort CVP
1/26/21, 2:27 PM - [Allied]: allies stay
1/26/21, 2:28 PM - [Axis]: Allies score AX
1/26/21, 2:28 PM - [Allied]: shot down fighter
1/26/21, 2:30 PM - [Axis]: Axis score another DA
1/26/21, 2:30 PM - [Allied]: abort CVP
1/26/21, 2:30 PM - [Allied]: allies stay
1/26/21, 2:31 PM - [Axis]: Axis stay as well
1/26/21, 2:31 PM - [Axis]: Your Wildebeest clears thru
1/26/21, 2:32 PM - [Axis]: Allies score nil
1/26/21, 2:33 PM - [Axis]: Axis score DC
1/26/21, 2:33 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>
1/26/21, 2:33 PM - [Allied]: clear HS 123, allies stay
1/26/21, 2:34 PM - [Axis]: Axis scored DC
1/26/21, 2:34 PM - [Axis]: so nothing cleared
1/26/21, 2:34 PM - [Axis]: going to round IV
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Axis]: Allies score AC
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Axis]: Assume HS 123
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Allied]: yes
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Allied]: wasn't that last round?
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Axis]: ?
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Axis]: I don't know what you mean?
1/26/21, 2:35 PM - [Allied]: neither do I
1/26/21, 2:36 PM - [Allied]: &#129320;
1/26/21, 2:36 PM - [Axis]: I'm confused
1/26/21, 2:36 PM - [Allied]: sorry ... please continue ...
1/26/21, 2:36 PM - [Axis]: ok
1/26/21, 2:37 PM - [Allied]: Must admit it's got the feel of command listening to an air battle of comms
1/26/21, 2:37 PM - [Allied]: over the comms
1/26/21, 2:37 PM - [Allied]: Sort like Spruance and Fletcher at Midway.
1/26/21, 2:37 PM - [Axis]: yes
1/26/21, 2:38 PM - [Axis]: I agree. Tense
1/26/21, 2:38 PM - [Allied]: Except in this case would be Wavell at Alexandria
1/26/21, 2:38 PM - [Axis]: Axis score AC. Now that the Gabby is in front, Axis abort Air to air
1/26/21, 2:38 PM - [Allied]: copy
1/26/21, 2:38 PM - [Allied]: What did you get through?
1/26/21, 2:39 PM - [Axis]: Just the HS 123
1/26/21, 2:39 PM - [Axis]: 1 Air to sea
1/26/21, 2:39 PM - [Axis]: Your AA will take care of that
1/26/21, 2:39 PM - [Allied]: Ok ...
1/26/21, 2:40 PM - [Allied]: I've found that air-to-air battles can be so unpredictable. You can have a seemingly large advantage and come out on the short end.
1/26/21, 2:40 PM - [Allied]: Nothing guaranteed in an air-to-air battle.
1/26/21, 2:42 PM - [Axis]: yep
1/26/21, 2:42 PM - [Axis]: <Media omitted>

[rkr1958]

Turn 10. Mar/Apr 1941. Axis #7. (Continued).

1/26/21, 2:43 PM - [Allied]: A on TRS
1/26/21, 2:44 PM - [Axis]: Transport saves abort
1/26/21, 2:45 PM - [Axis]: Thinking
1/26/21, 2:45 PM - [Allied]: That's one tough transport ...
1/26/21, 2:45 PM - [Allied]: Yeah ... you're fighter cover's gone isn't it?
1/26/21, 2:46 PM - [Allied]: Big decision ...
1/26/21, 2:46 PM - [Axis]: Axis abort zone
1/26/21, 2:46 PM - [Allied]: I would too ... good decision in my opinion.
1/26/21, 2:47 PM - [Allied]: Of course, allies stay.
1/26/21, 2:47 PM - [Allied]: I would too in your position that is ...