Boldairade (Allies) vs Nirosi (Axis). Boldairade welcome

[Nirosi]

In a political move to please both Italy and Bulgaria, Germany agreed to declare war on Greece, even more so since Athens seems to be sympathetic to the Allied cause. A German corps and an Italian one landed East and West of Athens. From the start, the attack was in disarray as the Italian Alpini corps landed West instead of Southwest of the city, meaning that Italian paratroopers could not reach any proper deployment zone anymore. German paratroopers however still landed North of Athens, their air-land coordination been by far superior. Nonetheless, despite the absence of a paratrooper corps, with the help of the Italian navy, the city was easily taken. Axis aircraft also sank the Greek fleet just before German troops entered the city.

In other news, another Luftwaffe raid on Plymouth failed, this time with more serious loses. In Bergen the British evacuated the port. And the German raiding fleet managed to avoid the searching Allied fleet and escaped to Bordeaux where the facilities will allow them to do the necessary repairs and installing some upgrades.

[Nirosi]

Athens is now under German occupation!

[Nirosi]

Gneisenau under camouflage and under repair in Bordeaux.

[Nirosi]

August 29th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

In Egypt, the Canadians did attempt to escape and could very well have. This time however OKH ordered Rommel to help the Italians finish them off. After the destruction of the Canadian corps, both Comando Supremo and OKW do agree that the Axis troops are in not shape to press forward. Also, it does seem that the British did receive some reinforcement in land and air forces. Already an Italian bomber division was evacuated outside the theatre for rest and recreation. Some corps, especially Italians, are also scheduled for some rotation outside the sector. Hopefully, the British will not be in shape for an offensive soon. Their land forces suffered heavily and their naval forced are dispersed, damaged and engaged massively in the Atlantic. It is doubtful that the Royal Naval can remain a threat now both in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean at the same time; and if yes, only at great risk.

In other news, Bulgaria decided to join the Axis and will contribute some much-needed security forces in Greece and Yugoslavia.

[Nirosi]

Bulgarian troops moving toward Thessalonica for occupation duties.

[Nirosi]

September 12th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

OKL launched a more serious series of raids on Plymouth with more bombers and some air cover this time. Aircraft loses were relatively heavy, but on both sides. German pilots managed to cause some minor damage to a destroyer group but serious damage to the King George V Group. OKW expect the Royal Navy to evacuate Plymouth after this last raid.

In Egypt, Axis troops retreated back toward the border to shorten the already long and overloaded supply line and recover after months of continuous difficult fighting. The III Panzer Corps is already in Tobruk ready to go back home.

With squadrons at a good operational level, air raids on Malta resumed and the Ramillies Groups was sunk in port. Loses were quite acceptable in view of the results, even more so that the RAF fighters did not contest the air supremacy, either voluntarily or not. Comando Supremo and OKW are considering a coup de force on the island before the end of the year.

In other news, OKM informed OKW that the fleet in Bordeaux will soon be ready for another sortie. With the King Georges V Group put out of action for a while, the Royal Navy is left with even fewer ships in the Atlantic to contest the raids.

[Nirosi]

September 26th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

Plymouth was finally evacuated by the Royal Navy who seems to have moved the ships (most believed to be under repair) to Glasgow.

In the Atlantic, North and South, up to five U-Boat flotillas reported not finding a single Allied merchant at sea, despite the shipping lanes been active according to radio transmissions.

The German fleet decided to sortie again and was intercepted near the Azores by a strike from the group centered on the Ark Royal. The Bismarck Group was very severely hit by the air strike from the Swordfish squadron. At first, Admiral Lütjens believe it might have been a trap by a Royal Navy fleet. However, recon by an Ar 196 from the Scharnhorst revealed that the enemy group was operating alone, meaning the carriers had no escorts other than the 2 or 3 destroyers assigned to the group.

OKM immediately ordered U-Boats flotillas not far North to converge and try to find the group; which they did. While receiving moderate loses, they came extremely close to destroy the carrier group that will now have to limp back to port.
Another three U-boat flotillas very close nearby did not manage to join the battle to try to finish off the enemy as they were very low on fuel and torpedoes. It is only when they arrived in port that OKM was informed by local commander that supply ships on secret deployment would have been available nearby to replenish the flotillas and allow them to hunt the wounded group. Alas, too late!

[Nirosi]

Bismarck as seen from light cruiser Nürnberg during the British attack.

[Nirosi]

October 10th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

At sea the U-boats are still having a hard time despite the fact the British escorts are not overly numerous. OKM is now considering that their submarine warfare technology might be more advanced that previously thought.

While the rest of the fleet continued its hunting with moderate success, the battered Bismarck group reached Bordeaux where it will eventually be put back in fighting order while the British carriers limped to Gibraltar.

In Great Britain, the British VII Armor Corps reached in Plymouth by sea where it was intercepted by the Luftwaffe. OKL estimates having sunk between 10% and 15% of the men and hardware of the corps. A mediocre result, far from the obliteration of the 12th Army HQ last April near Rabat, but still a welcome result.

In other news, to show the British the Axis’ will to fight, Southampton was bombed and OKL report moderate damage on the city’s industry.

[Nirosi]

Southampton during a bombing run...

[Nirosi]

October 24th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

All quiet everywhere except for the usual U-boat difficulties in the Atlantic.

[Nirosi]

November 7th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

Some good hunting was done in the Atlantic by both the U-boats and the surface fleet. With some improved U-boats starting to replace older models, OKM hope to reverse the situation.

In the Mediterranean, just as Malta’s defenders’ reserves were about to expire, a massive fleet brought in supplies and the Axis aerial coverage only managed to slightly damage the Sussex Group.

The subsequent air raids started well and finished well but with a slump in the middle raids. Air loses were serious, but the Illustrious Group is barely afloat and the Sussex Group was sunk by the Squalo Division, before been hastily refloated by the port’s engineers. It is estimated the group is barely seaworthy, as is the Illustrious Group, but it can reach another friendly port if necessary. The Norfolk Group was lightly damaged.

OKW estimate that the massive naval loses and ships damaged are putting a heavy burden on Britain’s war effort. Just keeping the Royal Navy more or less operational must consume a huge proportion of its war economy.

[Nirosi]

November 21th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

The defenders of Malta are not intending to give up! The Royal Navy brough in a new fighter group to replace the one believed to be battered and at very low efficiency. The Axis air blockade, still recovering from the last massive attacks probably, did not manage to stop it from reaching the island.

Those brand-new fighters and fresh pilots caused havoc on the first few waves of the Axis air raids. Nonetheless, about half the destroyers present in port were severely hit, but the damage was spread over two destroyer squadrons, therefore mitigating the effects. Loses are heavy on both sides, but as Generalfeldmarschall commented: “ we can afford the loses, the British can not!”. Marshal Cavallero of Comando Supremo did not wish to comment.

At sea over 1.4 million tons of merchant shipping and also a handful of escorts were sunk. OKW congratulated OKM probably for the first time since 1939!

[redrum68]

Great AAR! Fun read and informative as well. I wonder if neutral countries like Greece should have more starting defenses around their capitals to prevent the 1 turn capture?

[Nirosi]

I wonder if neutral countries like Greece should have more starting defenses around their capitals to prevent the 1 turn capture?

Probably, but on the other hand, in game term the invasion of Greece by Germany would last only 2 turns after all, Crete included. And the invasion of Yugoslavia, only (half) a turn.

At least been able to do it in one turn does require a lot of ressources (LC, corps, para, fleet, air). Making it too hard/long would probably mean nobody would bother. It is not really a good strategic move to take it (Greece I mean). It does give Bulgaria, but that barely covers the garrison requirement (and not immediately either, only after a couple of years building Bulgarian divisions for that) and it also gives a lot of MM to the UK helping them with the BoA. It is more a role-play move to take it. [8D]

[Nirosi]

Great AAR! Fun read and informative as well.

Thanks[:)]

[Nirosi]

December 5th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

The British merchant marine suffered massive loses at sea. About 1.8 million tons of shipping was lost with about 2/3 due to our submarines and the rest from the raiding fleet. A handful of escorts also were victims of our U-boats. If OKM can sustain a reasonable effort for about another 4-5 months with at least 800 000 toons per two weeks, it might cause very severe problems for the UK.

A Royal Navy fleet is attempting to find our raiding fleet. Recon was not able to identify it, but it is believed that no carrier was present. However, the orders from OKM are clear: no unnecessary risks anymore, avoid all warships if possible and raid convoy lanes. In other news, the Bismarck Group is again ready for action and joined the rest of the fleet after leaving Bordeaux during the cover of the night on December 6th.

Huge lose were incurred by the Regia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe over Malta for only moderate damage on a destroyer Group present. Comando Supremo now believes that the British are baiting the Axis air forces over a killing zone, Malta been the sector in Europe with the highest density of anti-aircraft defenses. Axis air forces will take a break for now and reconsider attacks on Malta only if more important targets show up again.

[Nirosi]

Massive anti-air coverage over Malta!

[Nirosi]

December 19th, 1941 (End of Axis turn)

What is believed to be the same British destroyer squadron that never left was found in Malta by a CANT Z.502 during a recon mission. Axis air forces declined to intervene.

At sea, in the Atlantic, hunting by both surface forces and U-boats is still going very well. Two third of the U-boat squadrons are now upgraded with the latest top-of-the-line equipment. OKM is starting to notice the difference.

[Nirosi]

January 2nd, 1942

The United States is now at war with Japan and is probably on the verge to declare war on Germany and Italy. U.S. fleets are already heading for Europe and Africa. Due to an imbroglio between Rome and Berlin, a decision was not reached in time to declare war first. But now, both capitals agree that it should be done at the first occasion.

Except for some average hunting in the Atlantic, no important action was reported during the period.