Nirosi vs Boldairade(Nirosi welcome)

[boldairade]

September 12, 1941

Overall, intelligence has done a fairly good job of predicting Axis intentions. However, this time around, we miscalculate badly. That, along with my gross ineptitude in the Naval game, costs us dearly.

First, the Med. Our fear was a hard Axis push toward Egypt with possible amphibious landings in Syria. This doesn't happen. Instead, the Axis retreats to Tobruk. What they do in fact do, is launch an all out air attack vs Malta. The battleship Ramilles is there keeping the shipping lanes open. It is in perfect shape, under a dome of 6 AA guns and a fighter sqn at 86% readiness and on full support. For whatever reason, the fighters AGAIN refuse to intercept. 5 Axis strikes come in, and the Axis lose 13 air steps, but manage to finally sink(not bottom-i thought ships sunk in harbor bottomed?) Ramilles. This is another huge blow, as we spent much of the last few turns repairing her.

The Axis isn't done there, however. In England, 4 strikes are launched at Plymouth, where we have been laboring non stop to rebuild England's surface fleet to challenge the Kreigsmarine surface group. Portsmouth has NO AA guns, but is covered by 5th fighter group-but this is an escort group, not interceptors. As such, it isn't upgraded. We thought the axis air formations in France were fighters, and did not expect a bomber attack. And we pay again. Axis losses are moderate(10 air steps). Meanwhile, 5th fighter is decimated, and the Axis inflicts no less than 6 step hits and very nearly sinks King George V BB ship, which was the backbone of the fleet.

Over the last 6 turns we have sunk in excess of 1000 PPs into rebuilding the Royal Navy, and the result of these two raids is, we are weaker now than when we started the rebuild program. Also, the question now is, even with the US Navy, will I be able to control the seas/protect the fleets?

The positives are, for the time being, England's Middle East supply line is not threatened, and despite the decimation of our surface fleet, the Kreigsmarine remains safely at harbor. Escorts successfully protect all convoys from two major sub attacks, giving us a merciful turn without MM loss.

[boldairade]

September 12, 1941

The withdrawl of Afrika Corps.

Allied troops continue to be prioritized for reinforcement and dig in. England's greatest fear remains being cut off from her primary oil supplies.

[boldairade]

Ramilles goes down.

The latest in the brutal losses suffered by the Royal Navy.

[michaelCLARADY]

I am expecting that the Axis will find USSR'42 a far stronger opponent than '41 would have been.

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: michaelCLARADY

I am expecting that the Axis will find USSR'42 a far stronger opponent than '41 would have been.

It's true. Russia is WAY stronger than they would have been. But of course, Germany will be as well.

I have no experience playing Russia in 41 OR 42. That's honestly my biggest concern.

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: boldairade

I have no experience playing Russia in 41 OR 42. That's honestly my biggest concern.

May I suggest to pause your game and wait for the next patch? [;)] I don't know when it is coming but you will perhaps benefit from the new rail repair rate. Perhaps because I am not sure if this is in the scenario or the engine.

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

ORIGINAL: boldairade

I have no experience playing Russia in 41 OR 42. That's honestly my biggest concern.

May I suggest to pause your game and wait for the next patch? [;)] I don't know when it is coming but you will perhaps benefit from the new rail repair rate. Perhaps because I am not sure if this is in the scenario or the engine.

I think we will just continue. I care less about win/loss than I do about just kind of enjoying the game. Also, I never knew how much effort an AAR is! I fear if we pause I may never get going again.

[boldairade]

September 26, 1941

The BOA is absolutely raging. No fewer than 3 large wolf packs are operating in the South Atlantic, with some undoubtedly headed for the African Coast. This would generally mean breaking up UK surface ships to cover multiple convoy lanes. However, the Kreigsmarine is out in fully force.

Ark Royal CV battle group spots the German surface vessels, and launches Swordfish torpedo planes. None of the screening German ships are hit, nor is Scharnhorst. However, mighty Bismark takes a massive hit, losing 4 steps! This is a huge victory for the RN.

The Germans counter however. With the location of the UK surface fleet pinpointed, subs move in, work their way through a heavy screen of cruisers and destroyers, and slam torpedoes into CV Ark Royal, severely damaging her(4 steps). I had no idea subs could be this effective vs a mixed battle group. The subs take 2 step hits in the process, but it is a small price to pay.

England is now down to one operational carrier group, CV Illustrious. She is sortied, and is protected by no less than 6 CA and DD groups. She alone protects the Atlantic at this point.

Overall, only 4 MM are sunk, with 2 additional step hits to German subs. England also achieves Convoy Escort 42 tech this turn. If we can just hold on until the USA joins the fray in 2.5 months, things might be ok.

[boldairade]

September 26, 1941

East Front

German deployments are unconventional. Traditional axis of advance, utilizing the railways north and south of the Pripyet Marshes, do not see heavy deployment. Instead, a powerful German army group is massed east of Konigsberg, poised to break out of its beachheads north of the Neman river towards the Riga, and also possibly striking east through Kaunas.

Of course, a possible spring offensive is 7 months away.

[boldairade]

September 26, 1941

East Front

Another odd deployment is the mixing of German units with her eastern allies. Stavka would like to begin development of a new line east of the Dniester River, based in the advantageous hill terrain. But the formations are simply not currently available.

[boldairade]

October 10, 1941

Still, the BOA rages. Germany's all out attack on the South Atlantic trade route continues, with 2 big wolf packs and her entire surface group(minus Bismark).

Still, Germany scores 'only' 6 MM sunk, with 5 corresponding step hits on the subs. The Admiralty deems this 'acceptable'.

For the record, we still have failed to sink so much as one Axis vessel.

No action in the Eastern Med. Malta is currently starving. The Main Atlantic Fleet could pursue the German surface ships, but instead puts into port in Gibraltar. One last resupply/extraction from Malta is being considered. I wish I had some idea of the likely cost. At least 5 Axis bomber squadrons are present. But Germany has begun bombing the English mainland. We need to extract what's left of that fighter squadron. In England, the Escort Sqn is changed over to a fighter sqn, and prioritized for upgrade/replacement. All ships are de prioritized except for the carrier group in Glasgow. England needs that air cover.

In Russia, AT 1942 tech is finally achieved. 3 formations are immediately ordered. Several heavy tank corps have achieved 1942 status. Along with these three AT corps, the three Siberian Armies will become available before spring. The construction of an additional defense line is no longer a pipe dream. Stavka is looking to see where a new line will do the most good.

In the USA, a procedure to upgrade the strategic bombers while hiding them from prying eyes is developed. One of the USA's biggest priorities is to be able to bring her heavy bombers to bear asap and with as much power as possible.

[boldairade]

HMS Zebra, a destroyer escort, puts to sea in the Atlantic.

Though the RN can't seem to make a kill, they are still drawing blood.

[boldairade]

October 24, 1941

Things take a bad turn in the BOA. 8 MM go down, with no corresponding German losses. The German surface fleet finds its stride now, sinking 6 in the South Atlantic.

With the RN grossly overstretched and understrength, a hard choice presents itself. The main fleet, composed of our lone carrier and 6 support groups, is in port at Gibralter. Do we pursue the German surface threat, or attempt a potentially suicidal resupply of suffering Malta? The Malta garrison and squadron have taken step losses due to no supply the last two turns. But we cannot afford another massacre in the Malta harbor. Also, the BOA is getting out of hand. The fleet is desperately needed there.

There simply is no correct choice. The safer move is to pursue the German fleet. But this essentially abandons a fighter wing and 20 step infantry unit. I am unwilling to do that. The fleet is sent to Malta. We loose only one step to a CA group on the way in. I think this is good? But the real test will be next turn. The Axis bomber squadrons are revving up their engines.

German forces continue to trickle onto the Russian border. Russia, now at her logistical limit, continues to upgrade her armor formations(having now achieved 1942 tech), and now begins a widespread effort to upgrade some AT infantry formations. I'm not sure if this is a good move. The other option would be to bank huge amounts of PP, allowing for massive reinforcement as soon as Barbarossa begins. Ultimately we may choose a middle road. The Red Airforce, for the most part, continues to be neglected.

The USA is upgrading her bomber formations, but also begins banking PP to possible purchase one more. USA also needs to begin supply truck production, in fact should have been doing this prior to now. The strategic bombing campaign will likely consume large amounts of trucks.

[boldairade]

Do-217 Naval Bombers take flight from Southern Italy and head for the ports of Malta. The Fourth Air Battle of Malta is about to be fought.

[boldairade]

November 7, 1941

In one month, help should arrive. This is a great comfort. Of course, historically, the Allies did not know this.

The raids over Malta, although expected, start off horribly. In the first two strikes, RN Illustrious, 'unsinkable' takes 4 step losses reducing her to 1 step. Looking at the turn log, 8 more air strikes are coming in. Illustious' luck, almost unbelievable, appears to have run out. The strikes keep coming over the horizon, through heavy flak. For a few more bombing runs, the badly damaged Illustrious sends up her fighters, but soon they give out. It's only the AA guns that impede the bombers now. In the next two runs, CA Norfolk and CA Sussex take hits. 3 runs see no ships hit, but then Sussex is hit on successive runs and is bottomed in the harbor. Illustrious is still afloat!

The last Axis strike comes in-the TENTH Axis air strike...and misses. Somehow Illustrious is still afloat. She, along with the badly damaged CA Sussex, is evaced to Gibralter, out of range of Axis bombers. Illustrious was the only carrier operating for England, and is now(again) nearly sunk. However, hardworking shipbuilders have been working around the clock, and on this turn, RN CV Glorious is fully repaired! Along with two rebuilt DD groups, they set sail into the South Atlantic, where German raiders this turn have sunk a sickening 14 MM and an escort while suffering zero losses.

Overall, it's very hard for me to asses if the Malta resupply was worth it. We were lucky Illustrious survived, but she is again out of action, along with Sussex. We extract a shell fighter formation which will also need to be rebuilt(had shrunk to 5 steps due to being out of supply). On the other hand, the Axis loses a staggering 34 air steps in her raids. But that is of course balanced by the slaughter in the South Atlantic shipping lanes.

Furthermore, the Admiralty is unsure what to do in Malta. Stay or Leave? Can we afford to keep sending huge numbers of ships into harm's way? When we sent small numbers, we instead saw ships being sunk. But that could happen just as easily with large numbers. Given enough opportunities, it's inevitable. That said, abandoning Malta will all but seal the fate of the Med.

[boldairade]

German and Italian aviators fly through super heavy concentrations of flak on their way into harbor. Losses on both sides are unsustainable.

[boldairade]

November 7, 1941

After an overnight strategy session(which was actually me sitting bored at a bar thinking about WP-which is a little sad), the UK high command comes to a decision:

Malta will NOT be abandoned. There is no doubt that this will be a costly decision. But the hope is, we can make it costly for the Axis as well. Furthermore, if we ever hope to contend for the Mediterranean again, retaining Malta would be immensely helpful. We will leave two DD groups there. The remaining ships withdraw to Gibralter. We ship in #1 Fighter sqn from Egypt and get a nasty surprise when the Fliegercorps tries to intercept. I thought that having sortied everything last turn, his bombers would not get a shot at our freighters. We get lucky, and they miss.

In other UK news, No 5 Fighter, having been reequipped with Hawker Hurricanes and up to 75% strength, is relocated to Birmingham and set to active status.

Knowing that significant UK assets are going to be used(and lost) in Malta, the USA decides it cannot wait on a heavy bomber sqn to be produced as an anti sub asset, and converts one of its existing bomber squadrons. I am surprised, it only cost 20 pp. An additional industrial bomber should be able to be begun fairly soon, but this will obviously hurt our Industrial Bombing campaign.

[boldairade]

November 11, 1941

In Russia, Georgi Zhukov is recalled from the far east. After this meeting with 'Uncle Joe' he is immediately installed as the Supreme Commander over all Russian forces from Kiev to Krivoi Rog, which includes 3 Infantry Fronts and 4 Tank Armies.

Zhukov's meeting with Stalin is short and to the point: having read Zhukov's work, Stalin has moved mountains to give the young general all the assets he could need to effect his plan.

Zhukov will succeed. Failure is not an option, and its consequences would be unthinkable.

[boldairade]

November 21, 1941

BOA-18 MM and an escort go down. German sub losses-only 3 steps. The situation in the Atlantic is beyond critical, exacerbated by A) the woeful state of the UK Navy and B) The Allies inability to, at any point, sink so much as one Axis vessel. These things are why the MM casualties just keep rising.

The grandiosely named Main English Fleet sorties from Gibralter and pursues the German surface fleet to the coast of Africa, but cannot make contact. I simply don't know how to counter the German surface vessels. It also doesn't appear that any amount of ships/escorts in a lane in any way impact the damage the German surface fleet can do. While I am sure there is a solution, I do not know it.

While we can't combat the German raiders, we can try to counter by production. Both Canada and the USA purchase more MM. The lag time, however, means that it's unlikely they will be here in time to avert a crisis. Two turns until the USA Navy can begin to help. It feels as though it will be too late.

In Malta, the Axis attack is unabated. We lose 6 fighter steps, and our destroyers take 5 step hits(none sunk, however). If I am reading the reports correctly, the Axis suffers a staggering 47 air step casualties. Could that be right? That would seem a win for the defenders of Malta. But I cannot be sure. One DD group, down to two steps, evacs. The other remains(it has only 3 steps). But we are trying to keep supply open.







Huge numbers of Axis bombers are dropping ordinance on Malta. But they aren't all making it home...

[boldairade]

December 5, 1941

BOA 13 MM go down. 5 sub steps are lost. Slightly better, but still, totally unsustainable. This drops us to 189 MM. We are officially in huge trouble, even though purchasing MM and fighting the BOA had been our primary concern. Again, my inability to master naval combat is playing a huge part here. Hopefully the entry of the USA soon will help. But in terms of asset deployment, I haven't really learned anything from my failures(or any vids i've watched) and thus, it is hard to believe things will go much better. But just as in a real war, you cannot quit merely because you can't turn the tide.

I think Malta is going better. The 'most bombed place on earth' receives no fewer than 14 Axis air strikes. No 1 Fighter loses 5 steps and will have to be pulled out. No replacement sqn is available. That said, these 14 strikes only manage 2 hits on our destroyers in port, while suffering massive attrition(45 step hits). How can they keep coming?

Overall, the UK Navy is in brutal condition. Shipyards everywhere, from NW England, Gibralter to Egypt are filled with badly damaged ships. 90% of all UK production is focused on repair, and we can't even begin to keep up.

In the USA, upgrades have fallen behind, with Infantry and armor well behind achievable tech levels. Efforts to upgrade the bombers have met with limited success. Many are already loaded onto transports.

In Mother Russia, Siberian reserves have been released and arrive, following their Zhukov onto the European front. Stavka still hasn't decided exactly where to deploy them, so they are stationed in major cities. They, along with their armored counterpart, are far better formations than what we have deployed to this point.







UK battleship Malaya in dry dock.