AAR -Petedalby (Axis) vs Taifun (Allies)

[Umeu]

This is the point at which I would love to see your evaluation of the merits of an Afrika Korps campaign. Is it worth it? Most of the top World at War players recommend that the Germans invade North Africa but I always wonder why.

Certainly Pete has conducted an excellent campaign. He severely damaged UK forces with minimal Axis losses, gained some MPPs in Egypt and Syria, and partially cut off American reinforcements to the USSR. But the absence of three panzer units, several armies, and a lot of air power surely have impacted the Russian front.

Now that Syria is conquered, what next? The Germans don't have enough units to occupy the Middle East for very long. Their army could continue to the Caucasus and perhaps catch the Russians from behind. But that's pretty risky. Supply is abysmal in the Persian wasteland, and the Germans will likely get hit from the rear with a UK invasion into Syria. Then pretty soon the Americans land in North Africa and Egypt.

I'm a big fan of the Middle-Eastern campaign as Axis.

Taifun might be right to say that the Axis must win the war in Russia, but whether the war is lost, is decided in the Middle East.

Without Mare Nostrum, Italy cannot become a fully functional member of the Axis of Evil, and defeat is inevitable. The inability to crush Russia might prevent victory by surrender or victory objectives, but it should still allow for stalemate to be the most likely outcome.


@Taifun, amazing AAR as always.

[Pekkavilamoura]

Just started to read the AAR. Great stuff by Taifun.
There is just one thing I always have some trouble with: I don't know how many players use 3-D units, but my eyes just won't get used to it. I have always played with NATO symbols and for me it would be much easier to read the game with NATO units.
But of course that's a matter of personal preference, I just have to cope with that.
Thanks Taifun for a great AAR!

[Jonny25k]

Russia went as expected due to missing tanks and air support. It is a big difference if you are able to kill 3 - 4 additional units per turn - not in 1941, because you're more focused on advancing than actually fighting but in 1942, when the Russian defensive lines have been reached and a breakthrough must be achieved. That quickly adds up to a difference of 20–25 units for Russia and causes the pendulum to swing in one direction or the other

[Taifun]

Chapter 5 — The Yankees Are Finally Here
January 1942
Now we must turn the clock back and shift our gaze toward Asia and the Pacific.
Japan declares war on the United States and the Allies. Like a grandmaster executing an opening rehearsed a thousand times, Petedalby unleashes his offensive in flawless choreography. The elegance of the operation is so striking that I watch the replay three times in disbelief. One after another, every objective falls — with the exception of Singapore and Samoa.
In a stroke of luck, our intelligence managed to locate a Japanese troop transport heading for Samoa. Waiting for them on the island were the 1st Marines.
The American fleet, with its three operational carriers, patrols the eastern coast of Australia, safely beyond the reach of Japanese air strikes. General MacArthur arrives in Australia.
The British fleet is divided between the Home Waters and the Indian Ocean.
Germany captures Luxembourg, and Vichy France surrenders.

Jan.png (2.9 MiB) Viewed 71 times

February
The mighty Kido Butai withdraws toward the Mariana Islands. General MacArthur embarks for India under the protection of the US Navy, while General Stilwell activates his HQ in California.
Russian troops advancing from Siberia move toward Harbin, capital of Japanese Manchukuo.
Germany attacks Holland. Norway joins the Axis. Chinese troops enter Burma and march toward Mandalay.

Feb.png (2.89 MiB) Viewed 71 times

March
Germany attacks Tunisia. Chinese forces liberate Communist China.
A Japanese aircraft carrier has been identified in the port of Hanoi. Another has been sighted in Nagasaki. We believe the Kido Butai is dispersing among several ports to refit before launching a new offensive across the Pacific.
General MacArthur continues his journey toward India escorted by ships of the US Navy and the Royal Navy.

March.png (2.92 MiB) Viewed 71 times

April
Germany attacks Denmark. Tunisia falls to German paratroopers.
Three heavily damaged British aircraft carriers depart from the United Kingdom under escort, bound for the eastern coast of the United States, where they will eventually be repaired once enough MPPs become available...
General MacArthur lands safely in India.
Soviet troops lay siege to Harbin, the capital of Japanese Manchukuo. We hope to force Japan to divert troops away from China to defend this vulnerable corner of its empire.

April.png (2.9 MiB) Viewed 71 times

[Taifun]

May
Japanese troops capture Urumchi . Japanese forces hammer the fortifications south of Chungking, our capital. Chinese casualties are severe.
The Japanese are forced to reinforce Manchukuo with additional troops.
The supply route from the United States to the Soviet Union via Persia is cut off.
Corregidor Island falls in the Philippines. Major elements of the Japanese Combined Fleet are sighted near Malaya. We believe an assault on the Allied bastion of Singapore is imminent.

May.png (2.93 MiB) Viewed 71 times

June
Three Japanese special operations corps land in Malaya near Singapore.
Taking advantage of the fact that the Japanese carriers are tied down in Malaya, an Allied fleet built around four aircraft carriers strikes elements of the Italian fleet in the Gulf of Aden.
Japanese troops reach the outskirts of Chungking. The situation is becoming desperate, and the first USAAF heavy bomber unit flies to Ledo, near the Burmese border with China.
The Japanese reinforced Rangoon in an effort to contain an Indian offensive besieging Mandalay. More and more Japanese armies are redirected toward Manchukuo.

June.png (2.93 MiB) Viewed 71 times

July
Singapore falls to the Japanese. Malaya surrenders.
The American heavy bomber unit relocates to central China. Its mission will be to devastate the communication lines linking central China with Seoul.
The Allied fleet operating in the Indian Ocean — now strengthened to five carriers — regroups south of the Horn of Africa and continues operations against Italian naval forces and coastal positions.
For several months, we have heard nothing from the German panzers and aircraft that had been operating in Iraq and Persia.

July.png (2.92 MiB) Viewed 71 times

August
In a secret operation, Indian paratroopers liberate Hanoi. It is a devastating blow for the Japanese, as it disrupts the railway traffic linking Bangkok to Seoul. Mandalay is liberated by Indian troops.
The first Allied heavy bomber operations begin over central China, targeting Japanese supply lines.
The Japanese now field three special operations corps and two infantry corps in the south of Burma. They are determined to fight for every inch of territory in the region.
Japanese carriers move into the Indian Ocean.

August.png (2.92 MiB) Viewed 71 times

[Taifun]

September
German troops enter Persia, where powerful Soviet formations await them. Two Russian armies, two infantry corps, and supporting units defend Tehran and the approaches to the Caucasus.
The Allied fleet moves north into the Gulf of Aden to attack elements of the Italian fleet besieging Berbera. The Axis response is brutal. Maritime bombers savage the CV Enterprise, which barely survives with only three strength points remaining.
In China, the Japanese abandoned their offensive against Chungking. Instead, they pivot westward toward Kunming on the Burmese frontier, threatening to sever the connection between China and Allied forces.
General MacArthur now commands three fighter wings in India.
The Japanese invasion of India begins with two special operations corps landing along the eastern coastline. In Burma, they continue to pour reinforcements into the theater; four special operations corps and two infantry corps are now operating north of Rangoon.

September.png (2.94 MiB) Viewed 69 times

October
The Germans conduct reconnaissance missions in Persia and, after witnessing the strength of the Soviet defenses, withdraw their tanks from the region.
Japanese forces recapture Mandalay.
Two British fighter wings and three American maritime bomber groups are dispatched to the Kenyan coast to protect CV Enterprise, still heavily damaged and reduced to only three strength points. We fear that the Japanese carriers operating south of India may launch an attack against the Allied fleet at any moment. I have no intention of engaging the Japanese fleet until its national morale falls below 100. At present, it remains close to 110%, so I order the Allied fleet to withdraw farther south. The tension is unbearable.

October.png (2.95 MiB) Viewed 69 times

November
In one of the most decisive actions of the war, Indian paratroopers jump from Hanoi and land behind the Japanese troops besieging Kunming. This single action will prove absolutely crucial. The two elite Chinese armies — both three-star formations — on the verge of capturing Kunming suddenly find themselves without supplies and without command support. Their offensive power collapses.
The Allied fleet splits in two. The damaged carriers and escort ships round the Cape of Good Hope on their way to British ports, while the undamaged vessels sail toward Australia.
Then, suddenly, two German panzers emerge from the Persian desert and appear before Karachi. I can hardly believe my eyes. Petedalby has decided to invade India with the elite Afrika Korps. The situation is critical. India is already under pressure from four or five Japanese special operations units advancing from the east.
General Auchinleck can rely on only two British armies, two Indian infantry corps, and a single British armored unit. Most Indian troops are still engaged against the Japanese near Mandalay. I begin sleeping badly. Petedalby’s objective is now painfully clear: he needs Delhi for the game to end in a draw under the Victory Conditions, since capturing Chongqing is now impossible.
Two American heavy bomber units fly to Ledo, where General MacArthur is directing operations.
The Soviets launch a major offensive southward from Persia, hoping to reopen the supply route and divert German attention away from India.

November.png (2.94 MiB) Viewed 69 times

December
Large formations of German bombers operate from the Gulf of Oman, supporting the panzers now on the verge of capturing Karachi.
General Auchinleck is desperate. He demands immediate reinforcements or India will fall. The Soviet offensive south of Persia is finally suspended after failing to advance beyond Isfahan.

December.png (2.9 MiB) Viewed 69 times

[LoneRunner]

Wow, pretty exciting. I really like your use of the strategic map to show the progression of the entire war. You and Pete are demonstrating why you both are masters of this game.

The supply situation for the German units attacking Karachi must be terrible. Supply would be worse if a strategic bomber hit Bushehr and then Karachi if that city was captured.

I can see American units gathering on the Australian coast. I bet you got something planned.

In your November post you mentioned that Indian paratroopers landed behind Chinese troops. I think you meant Japanese troops.

[wevilc]

An epic, rich & thoroughly entertaining game.

[petedalby]

I'm away at the moment so can't contribute fully, but Taifun's para drop was an excellent move and stopped the Japanese offensive in its tracks. A masterstroke from the master.

[Taifun]

In your November post you mentioned that Indian paratroopers landed behind Chinese troops. I think you meant Japanese troops.

Yes, indeed, thanks! I will correct.

This is the moment when the Indian paratroopers jump from Hanoi into the Japanese rear, just as enemy forces are on the verge of capturing the city of Kumning. After landing on the mountain road, the unit swaps positions with the Chinese army occupying the northern mountain, effectively cutting off every supply line to the attacking Japanese forces. The veteran Japanese formations — units forged through years of relentless fighting and possessing monstrous experience — suddenly find themselves without supply.

Paras.png (5.05 MiB) Viewed 14 times

Chapter 6 — HELL ON EARTH (1943)
We expect savage fighting across every front during 1943.
Hitler’s Germany fields 75 ground units against 73 Soviet formations, while Japan ranks third with 62 deployed units. In the air, Allied and Axis forces are roughly evenly matched, but at sea, we enjoy a decisive two-to-one advantage in naval strength.

Units.png (1.06 MiB) Viewed 14 times

Throughout 1942, the United States concentrated its production almost entirely on air power and naval expansion. Two new heavy bomber groups, three CVLs, three naval bomber units, and two infantry corps have been trained and deployed. For the new year, we expect the arrival of four Marine units and three additional infantry corps during February — but that is all.

USA.png (483.51 KiB) Viewed 14 times

As planned at the beginning of the war, no invasion of Italy was intended before late 1942 or early 1943, while the invasion of continental Europe was postponed until 1944. For this reason, we have not invested in tanks or anti-tank formations so far.
Once fully equipped, the Marines are expected to spearhead landings in Italy by mid-summer, supported by additional troops currently training in the United States. The Italian operation has therefore been delayed by several months. The three newly raised infantry corps have not yet been assigned to any theater of operations.

The Soviets, meanwhile, have focused their military production on artillery. By summer, they expect to deploy five artillery units along the front. Important armored formations are also scheduled to join our glorious Red Army during the spring. With these reinforcements, Stalin is convinced he can withstand the inevitable German summer offensive, which will undoubtedly feature the dreaded Level 4 heavy tanks.

USSR.png (249.89 KiB) Viewed 14 times

[Taifun]

UK: no comments!

UK units.png (496.37 KiB) Viewed 12 times

On the technological front, the United States is close to achieving Infantry Weapons Level 2, Heavy Bombers Level 3, and Amphibious Warfare Level 4.

USA tech.png (720.71 KiB) Viewed 12 times

The Soviets will soon reach Advanced Tanks Level 3 and complete the development of Infantry Warfare.

USSR tech.png (737.21 KiB) Viewed 12 times

The British have already achieved Advanced Fighters Level 3 and Amphibious Warfare Level 2.

[Taifun]

At the beginning of the year, national morale stands at 82% for the United States, 92% for the USSR, 70% for the United Kingdom, 110% for Germany, 97% for Italy, and around 100% for Japan.
Our highest priority in both the Pacific and Europe during the coming months will be to reduce the national morale of Germany and Japan.
With large numbers of Japanese troops committed in China, Manchukuo, Burma, and India, the Imperial Japanese Army is dangerously overstretched. Petedalby can only have a limited number of reserves left, while the number of objectives that must be defended across the Pacific continues to grow.
For this reason, the Allies are preparing a series of rapid amphibious assaults against vulnerable targets to drive down Japanese national morale.
Tarawa already falls in October, and Surabaya in November. Our intelligence reports that Port Moresby and Guadalcanal are defended by enemy special operations corps, but many other Pacific positions remain completely undefended.

[Taifun]

January
In a coordinated assault, German panzers capture the city of Karachi, destroying the entrenched British army defending it. No fewer than five German bomber wings and four Japanese aircraft carriers participate in the attack. They also destroy one of the two British fighter units (Level 3) defending the area.
General Auchinleck withdraws while struggling to maintain calm and prevent panic from spreading.
The Japanese expand their beachhead from Madras, advancing in all directions. Available troops are desperately few, and General Auchinleck knows there is no realistic way to stop the Germans. The last British army digs in Delhi, while the remaining British armored unit covers the western highway.

India.png (4.7 MiB) Viewed 9 times

General MacArthur had originally been scheduled to move into China to coordinate the heavy bomber campaign devastating Japanese rear-area cities. But the situation has now changed dramatically. The transfer orders to China are canceled.
After confirming that Japanese forces will not advance deeper into India from Burma, his heavy bombers are to be redirected against the German Afrika Korps.
The inaugural mission of the two heavy bomber groups is the destruction of the city and port of Rangoon. The attack forces the Japanese to abandon Mandalay and retreat toward their capital. This allows the Indian troops defending the Mandalay front to withdraw deeper into the interior of the country.
General MacArthur also commands three Level 2 fighter wings battling for air superiority over China.
The fall of Kunming to Japanese forces was prevented at the very last moment. The situation in the center of the front has now improved considerably following the deployment of a second Chinese artillery unit in Chungking. Across the entire front, the Japanese are beginning to feel the strain of severe supply shortages.

General Auchinleck’s desperate pleas for help from India have reached Washington. Allied strategy in the Pacific is immediately revised. Absolute priority is now given to reinforcing India, and the two American armies training in Australia are reassigned there. Originally, they were supposed to land at Surabaya on the island of Java and, under General Stilwell, liberate the Dutch East Indies.
Their transfer to India will be delayed until they are fully equipped with Infantry Warfare Level 2 and a sufficiently powerful naval escort can be assembled.

Aus.png (3.46 MiB) Viewed 9 times

In a momentary lapse by Petedalby, Soviet forces capture Harbin, the capital of Manchukuo. This is an event of enormous importance, as it cuts off more than 40 MPPs flowing from Manchukuo into the Japanese economy. Japanese forces besieging Vladivostok must now deal with Soviet armies suddenly appearing in their rear.

Vlad.png (5.22 MiB) Viewed 9 times

As a prelude to larger operations, American troops invaded the Mariana Islands and Palau during January, both completely undefended. Additional forces are already embarked and will strike further objectives in February from northern Australia.

World Jan.png (2.9 MiB) Viewed 9 times

Hell on Earth has begun.