1943-1945 Campaign

[kentkroeckel]

Did not receive a turn today so wanted to talk about construction battalions. German side will sometimes refer to them as punishment battalions but the same thing. From the start of the game both sides need to utilize them.

At this point I am just going to concentrate on the Allied perspective. All construction battalions should be used every turn. This is how the Allied player can build out their logistic network.

Every port gets a depot. No surprise there. But what I like to do is create a depot on all active air bases. Though they must be located on a railroad line or port. This suggestion is in the manual. Units around these get supplied as well, as do headquarters. All units benefit from this so it is good to have several sources of supply rather than just a few.

With administrative points I have been doing this in United Kingdom and Mediterranean; building depots and air bases. But with the extra administrative points (10 per turn) I have been disbanding flak units, 160 so far since they have been of no tactical use.

Hope to get a turn tomorrow.
Best wishes, Kent

[kentkroeckel]

November 20, 1943.

Germany conducted no ground attacks. Air missions were a few resupply and reconnaissance.

First picture is contact line in Italy.

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Victory points were 23 for turn and game total is 230. Strategic bombing is going well while U-Boat losses are averaging one point. Of course this changes in 1944, in favor of Axis when vengeance weapons become the required target and the strategic bombing ratio point reward is reduced.

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Following picture is of Allied air naval interdiction. Mediterranean is going well. Heavy rain is in Europe so nothing could have been done on that.

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I suppose I should tell of the weather. Europe is under heavy rain and ground is light mud. Water level 3-6. This storm front covers most of Northern Italy as well.

Allied air phase was only over Italian theater. Germany lost 74 while Allies lost 235. A Luftwaffe advantage of 161. Below is metrics chart. However, Allied losses just in level bombers were 160. Heavy cost in attacking Romanian oil fields.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 20, 1943.

Not really worth a post. Four hexes were concentrated on with air interdiction.

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Two hexes were attacked, multiple times but no success. Yet fortifications were reduced. This is where it becomes worthless to attack in Italy for a hex or two.

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Next picture is a mistake that I (Allied Command) did. During the air phase I put to rest torpedo bombers and patrol aircraft instead of day only. These things happen but not a big deal. There is still a sizable inherent level of sea control from the ports.

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Final picture is the rail that needs to be repaired in Italy. Not too bad. Red is broken and orange is what got fixed this turn. Sardinia will finish next turn.

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[kentkroeckel]

I wanted to clarify turn 21. Attacks located along each coast did not lead to taking hexes. Fortifications though were reduced. However, if after a couple more weeks of minimal success, Allies will have to halt offensive operations. Amphibious options will be looked upon for followup. Yet when heavy mud comes, and it will, then Allies will have to wait until spring.

I am playing for points in this game since the flak test was not utilized. Mr Bimmler's strategy does not permit the Allied flak test since he does not expose the Luftwaffe or ground units to risky ventures. Good for him, but difficult for Allies. This means curtailing most attacks unless there is going to be reasonable benefit. Now a benefit can be as simple as tying up Axis units. But the point is, it will not be as it was in previous challenge with Mr. Metalist. In that I wanted to see if Axis resources could be overwhelmed by relentless air and ground attack. none of that happened in the expanded Allied air headquarters scenario.

Next point may be a bit surprising. I am not ready to reveal as to where the next invasion site is and to what degree it will be hit. As always, there could many sites close to each other or not. Right now there are six task forces in game. Two more become available around March. I will reveal this; All six are preparing, while two are also repairing from substantial damage.

[kentkroeckel]

It looks like no turn today but wanted to add one more comment for turn 21. I changed the training status of around four hundred pilots on turn 21. About half of were American and half were United Kingdom. Reason for this is mission priority. Many of these aircraft were conducting tactical bombing missions for several turns with little prospect of ever needing to be air fighters again. This is due to how Mr. Bimmler is not attacking Allied lines with air ground. Additionally, over the next eight weeks weather will be bad and that is how long it takes to train for pilot specialty. When weather starts to improve these squadrons will be ready to impede Axis logistics and harass German ground units.

[kentkroeckel]

November 27, 1943.

Weather for Europe is cold in the sky.
Light snow on ground with water at 4-5 and snow at 2.

Italy is rain in sky.
Ground is light mud with water level 2.

This allows strategic bombing over whole map. Naval interdiction over Mediterranean is good.

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Expected air supply on two hexes.

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Victory points for turn were 19 and game total is 249.

A few more lost amphibious transport ship points. At 89 lost and about that replaced.

Allied air phase was okay. Germany lost 245 while Allies lost 473. A Luftwaffe advantage of 228. In the German air phase Axis lost around 6 aircraft. Mr. Bimmler is using aircraft sparingly.

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Did one attack so far and it was successful. It was hit heavy with air ground attack and then attacked once. Retreat was forced. Followup movement is being conducted.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 27, 1943.

Wanted to show the pressure that Allies are trying to create along west coastline of Italy. The following hex is next to the break through. It was attacked six times but was not taken. the first four attacks matter. Between the last two attacks, five and six, less than fifty soldiers were lost in total. Minor skirmishes. The hex has no fortification left and I believe will be withdrawn from by Mr. Bimmler.

Attack One: Fortification goes to one but costs the Allies much.

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Attack Two: No fortification left.

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Attack Three: Heavy Axis losses.

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Attack Four: Defense is weakening.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 27, 1943.

Allies tried to break out here but failed. Now the only purpose is to tie down units. Hex was hit by air ground operations and reached a two interdiction level, just like west coast. There were four attacks.

Attack One:

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Attack Two:

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Attack Three:

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Attack Four:

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