Joel vs. Paul PBEM – Axis player comments only

[Joel Billings]

D-Day. Time to invade Russia. Unfortunately, the Allied invasion of Jordan made my position in the Middle East untenable. I felt I had to decide between committing more troops, or pulling out while I still could. Since my plan calls for the focus to be on Russia, I pulled out. The Allies also did a good job of bottling my subs up in France (the disadvantage of using France as a safe haven if you don’t have the fighters to open a path into the Atlantic). I was able to run my subs from the Med into the Atlantic, and run a raider into the Atlantic, sinking a transport and damaging 2 others. Even after 3 years, I’m still learning things about this game, and I think I just learned that my bombers only see out 2 movement points, not 2 areas (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you’re playing the game). This led to my wasting a sub moving into the Atlantic which I was unable to take back when I spotted an enemy transport. Expect that sub to be crushed this turn.

As for Russia, things went very well. Losses were heavy in infantry and artillery, but my beefed up Panzers rolled through his border defenses without loss. With the help heavy Luftwaffe support along with a airborne drop, I was able to capture Kharkov, Belorussia, and Velikiye Luki. This will keep his factories from getting away, and will minimize the mobilization of Russian militia. It appears that Paul has opted for a heavy militia/fighter strategy, while researching his artillery. I really do expect to see lots of artillery now that he’s researched up it’s attack and defense values, and he’ll need them to provide some punch behind all that militia. Aside from my own artillery (which I don’t have enough of but hope to produce more of now that I’ve researched mine higher as well), the best weapon against his artillery is the Luftwaffe. I need to gain air superiority so I can clean out artillery concentrations that are blocking my main line of advance. His large fighter force could make that difficult. Of course my 8 Panzers with their 2 area movement ability should keep him busy having to cover a lot of territory. I still expect to execute a center/south strategy, but I will react to Russian defensive moves. With my armor and air concentrations, I have the flexibility to move north, south, or thrust for Moscow, depending on the situation that presents itself.

[Joel Billings]

The attack in Siberia went off flawlessly. The Russians were crushed and the road to the Urals is wide open (for now). I repaired 2 captured resource centers, but I'm not getting resources from the US anymore so my production has dropped. Now comes the balancing act, between repairing rail in Siberia, repairing resource centers to increase my production, and producing supplies to do all of this and keep the offensive moving forward. I also need to maintain a strong enough presence to ward off any Chinese reaction. My production this turn was 12 (it will be 14 next turn once the new resource centers come online).

German production was 37. I was only able to invest 6 German production points into research, although I did increase my artillery land attack to a 7. German production was focused on rebuilding damaged units and restocking supplies, although I did manage to put 1 new armor unit into production in anticipation of the 1942 battles to come.

[Joel Billings]

Here's the force display just before the end of the Japanese turn.

[Joel Billings]

Here's the strategic map screen at the end of the Japanese turn. Notice the production totals at the bottom of the screen only account for production from owned resource centers (that is you must own a resource plus a factory to register a point on this screen). Since I have free trade with non-controlled players, and stockpiled resources, my production is actully 37 for Germany, but my production score for VP purposes is just 29 as I only own 29 linked and undamaged resource centers.

[Joel Billings]

This turn I advanced further into Russia from both East and West. The Russians left the south weak, so I decided to continue rolling towards the Caucasus. First I brushed aside militia in Rostov, and then sent the Panzers to take Grozny. This cut off the Soviets in the Crimea. First, I used the Luftwaffe to damage the Russian light fleet in the Black Sea. Next I attacked with armor units, destroying all 4 units in Sevastopol and moving them on to Grozny where they are in position to attack the Caucasus or turn north on the next turn (although next turn is winter, so it may be hard to go anywhere). I also used armor and air units to destroy the Russian militia that had been positioned in the buffer areas between are major forces. I didn't want to occupy these areas as I still had too many infantry units marching towards the front, and Soviet strength is very strong around Moscow/Gorki.

Once the Soviet fleet was destroyed, I was able to use the transport in Rumania to move troops and supplies to the front. I now have a rail line repaired along the north shore of the Black Sea, along with my transport capacity. I've repaired the resources and factory in Kiev. I was not within range of his transport in the Caspian Sea, so he still has the ability to move units via sea into the Caucasus (at least for this turn).

This is the first time I've played against a militia heavy strategy. My counter to this is to use the armor and airpower to kill as many units as possible, as quickly as possible, without taking losses. The expected artillery did show up this turn, with his artillery jumping to 10. Once these (and more) reach the front, I will start taking some losses, but this turn, I don't think I lost a unit on the Eastern Front.

I also took out the Soviet sub in the Baltic. I made a break for the Atlantic, using subs from the Med to help out. 5 subs and a Heavy Fleet attacked his fleet off France. I lost a sub damaged, while he lost a light fleet and transport damaged. The subs continued into the Atlantic, while the heavy fleet was forced back to port. I now have 2 more subs in Germany, although I'm not sure how many of the 4 subs in the Atlantic will survive if Paul makes a maximum effort to go after them on his turn.

Production was 48, 12 of which was spent on research. My supplies were almost used up last turn, but with the higher production I was able to build supplies back up to 112.

Japan continued the advance into Russia. Facing his two armor units, my infantry got lucky and damaged both (expected hits were 1.25 and I got 2). I gained 2 new areas. There are now between 3 and 5 Soviet areas between advancing German and Japanese forces. The air force also hit an area in China that had been left without AA. I think I hit an infantry and a militia unit for no loss.

[Joel Billings]

Things went very well for the Axis this turn. In the Atlantic, 2 surviving subs, joined by 2 new ones from Germany were joined by a Heavy Fleet and 2 Light Fleets used against the convoy lanes to Murmansk. When the fighting was over, 5 transports had been hit (3-4 of them sunk), and an Allied heavy fleet was damaged. All German forces returned to Germany or the Baltic unscathed. In Russia, the Caucasus was captured, capturing 3 resources and destroying 8 others. Attacks by air and armored forces destroyed 4 militia and damaged an artillery for no loss. My goal was to position my forces so it will be hard for the Russians to execute an effective Winter counterattack. I think that the Russians made a mistake by staying back in Moscow and Gorki this turn, as these units will not be able to attack any of my units this turn. There is a large force in Stalingrad, and a smaller force in Leningrad that can attack, but they are militia heavy forces. Since it is impossible to invade cold areas in winter, I stripped my Western defenses and moved extra forces to those areas threatened by the Soviet forces.

I’m not sure what I’ll be looking at when Spring begins, but I should have sufficient forces to continue the push east. My main goals have always been the defeat of enemy armies (with a high ratio of casualties inflicted to those taken) and the capture/destruction of enemy resource areas. With the capture of Ukraine, the Caucasus and Siberia, Russian production this turn should be reduced to 9 (it’s prewar total was 26). If I can keep it this low, an attrition battle favors me, so I will be going for maximum destruction of enemy units. Although the Russian militia can hold ground, it has been unable to inflict losses on the Germans.

The Western Allies are clearly gearing up and providing lend lease to the Russians, but I think it is too little too late. I feel the Russians spent too much of their own production on supplies instead of receiving massive Lend Lease from day one from the Western Allies. I have no allusions of winning the war for the Atlantic, but hopefully I can continue to make it difficult on the Allies. The WA transport fleet is now at 52, which is one below where it stood immediately after the fall of France. I fully expect the WA to become more aggressive and attempt a landing in Europe as soon as possible in order to relieve pressure on the Soviets.

Japan continued its uncontested movement west, with no combat this turn other than capturing 3 undefended Soviet areas. German production was 48 this turn, with 13 spent on research. I began building 2 new Armored units this turn as I feel my production capacity will be greater than my manpower for some time to come, and armor is a good way to deal with that issue. Japanese production was 15. I continue not to spend on Japanese research. This is allows me to continue the operations in Siberia, but will ultimately put the Japanese at a major disadvantage against the Western Allies. The goal is to knockout Russia before the Allies can take advantage of this Japanese weakness.

[Joel Billings]

Here's the total forces situation just before the end of the Japanese turn.

[Joel Billings]

With Spring came a lot of action. In the Med, my fleet was devastated by the British fleet, but my Italian based fighters took out the remaining carrier air strength in the Med. My U-boats and German fleets came out and damaged or destroyed 5 transports. I left my subs to block the exit from the Med. The Allies have 2 carrier air units in England and I would like to keep them from linking up with the carriers in the Med.

The main action was in Russia, First I attacked Leningrad, and then took Murmansk with the freed up Finnish forces. Next I attacked Stalingrad with infantry and artillery. Then I moved my armor to Kazan along with several air units that were able to take out his artillery. Facing a militia heavy army, my losses were light. The Japanese managed to take the Southern Urals as well. When the dust settled, Russian forces had been reduced from 75 units down to 43 at the cost of 6 German and 3 Japanese units damaged or destroyed. The Urals are now cut off from Moscow, and without supply. Although the Japanese need to go on the defensive and get ready for the fight with the US, German forces should be able to finish off the Russians during the next year. Only a major Allied landing in Europe backed up with a lot of strength will save Russia now. I don’t think the Allies have the forces to do this now, although they will soon given the US buildup. Another option for the Allies, is to move into Persia in strength and try to force me out of the Caucasus. I moved an armor unit into Northern Persia this turn, but the Allies can push me back if they want to. In order for the Axis to get an automatic victory, I will need to repair and retain the Caucasian oilfields, so I will need to defend this from any WA move north.

Although I feel very good about how things have gone so far in Russia, I’m still far from reaching the automatic victory, and I feel the US growing in strength over the horizon. The Japanese are ill prepared to take on the US, as I’ve spent nothing on research to counter Allied naval and air strength. Of course I hope the US will be too busy in the Atlantic to come at me right away. I can tell that the US built a few additional factories at the beginning of the game, so if the US can keep his convoy lanes open to the world’s resource centers, his production will be huge. Here’s the situation in Russia after my turn.



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[Joel Billings]

Here's the Atlantic and Western Europe.

[Pocus]

excellent!
Some questions:
neutral trade in resource is half (rounded down) of the normal production, so you should get nothing from Greece and Norway? (or is it the sum of neutral trade which is halved, not each country's production one by one)?

population points: how much can you "stockpile"? I dont think they are lost if unused, but does a limit exists? Also, is it not unfair to have all units (but supplies) to consumes 2 pop points? I would believe that an air fleet or even a submarine flotilla should use far less population compared to a full infantry corps... But perhaps its mostly for game balance?

thanks for the AAR, very entertaining.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: Pocus

excellent!
Some questions:
neutral trade in resource is half (rounded down) of the normal production, so you should get nothing from Greece and Norway? (or is it the sum of neutral trade which is halved, not each country's production one by one)?

Germany gets nothing the first turn, as do all the other countries, but since resources can be stockpiled (to a limited degree), on turn 2, the neutrals will have 2 resources. Thus, on turn 2, Germany will get 1 resource. At that point, no other country will get one. On turn 3, with the pool back to 2, Germany will once again get another point. So as you can see, Germany will continue to get 1 resource a turn, with other countries shut out. This was intended. Countries with 2 resource centers will give 1 to German on turn 1 and then 1 more on turn 2, at which point someone else could get 1 if they have a link to the neutral country (via land and/or transports).

population points: how much can you "stockpile"? I dont think they are lost if unused, but does a limit exists? Also, is it not unfair to have all units (but supplies) to consumes 2 pop points? I would believe that an air fleet or even a submarine flotilla should use far less population compared to a full infantry corps... But perhaps its mostly for game balance?

One could argue that with support personnel factored in, that the units require roughly equal amounts of population (perhaps a stretch, but we like to think of it that way). We think it works well the way it is. Population can be stockpiled but never to exceed an area's population at the end of the Production Phase. So if you have population of 11 (actual population in German nationality areas), you can end your Production Phase with 11 population stockpiled. Any more than 11 would be eliminated at the end of the Production Phase.

thanks for the AAR, very entertaining.

[Joel Billings]

This turn, my focus was on splitting the Russian army once and for all by taking Kazan with enough strength to hold it. Luckily the Russians are about out of supply, so there isn't much chance of a counterattack. I took Kazan, Kursk and Gorki, repaired the rail lines and moved enough troops in to be ready to take Moscow next turn. The Urals may take longer, and may continue to be a threat to Japan's small forces in the area (last turn he savaged my main Japanese army in Russia), but after Moscow falls I should be able to send more troops west to prevent Western Allied intervention. In the Med, I found his carriers and heavy fleets without sufficient ASW escort. I attacked with 4 subs and hit a heavy fleet and a carrier fleet. I also hit a few transports in the Atlantic. I don't expect my subs to last much longer in the Atlantic, and once the US is in the war, their days remaining will be few, but hopefully I can still put up a fight in the Med. With Russia's airforce destroyed, I moved 4 fighter units to France where they can threaten the Allied airpower buildup in England, or at least protect my areas. Germany now controls 45 resource centers, but 13 of these are damaged, so Germany's production for victory purposes is 32. Japan controls 24 resource centers, but 8 are damaged so Japan's victory total is 16. That gives me 48 of the 70 needed for an auto victory. If I can repair all of these and the Moscow and/or Central Urals resources once captured, I can win the game.

Japan started building supplies for the coming war with the US (and to repair captured resources). I may find myself at a point where Germany will want to send supplies to Japan, something I can do once I get the rails repaired and get rid of the Soviet threat from the Urals. I don't have a lot of spare troops to go around as Japan, so it'll be up to the Germans to get rid of the Russians from the Urals.

[Joel Billings]

Moscow falls! Without the supplies to launch counterattacks, it was only a matter of time before Russia would be taken. Six Soviet units are still holding out in the Central Urals, but they shouldn't be able to survive past the spring of 43. Unless the Western Allies can spring a miracle, it's only a matter of 2-4 turns before the Axis powers are able to bring their production up to 70 and win an auto victory. Currently Axis production is at 53. With Russia out of the way, I can concentrate on building production during the next few turns.

Luftwaffe fighter sweeps commenced over London this turn, with several air units on both sides being damaged. Allied flak and fighters are having problems shooting down my new model fighters with their enhanced evasion.

U-boats hit several ships in the Irish Sea, although Allied aircraft flying patrol and working with destroyers hit 3 of the U-boats. The Italian Fleet, having repaired several major units, reclaimed control of the Central Med.

Japan repositioned forces in preparation for the strike south. The screenshot shows the end of turn status. Japan has 5 Carrier Fleets ready for action. Can the US pull off a miracle to save the Allies from imminent defeat?

[Joel Billings]

Here's the total forces available just before the end of the Japanese turn.

[Joel Billings]

This turn, large numbers of German troops were moved west, while supplies flowed east to repair resource centers. The Soviet forces in the Central Urals held out, although they did lose 3 units to a probing attack. More German forces were moved up from Moscow and Gorki to be ready in the spring to destroy any remaining Russian units. German fighter sweeps over England damaged 3 carrier air units operating from land bases, although 4 German fighters were damaged. The Allies withdrew there ships to port, so there were no targets for the German navy. Germany production is cranking out supplies, and should be able to repair most if not all the captured resource centers next turn. Lend Lease to Japan may begin next turn. Forces have also been positioned to hold Northern Persia and/or begin a move south and west to the Middle East oilfields.

Japan launched an attack on the Western Allies, beginning with an attack on Pearl Harbor that sunk 3 Heavy Fleets. Malaya, Sumatra, Luzon, Siam, Borneo and Rangoon were all captured, along with 3 much needed resources. Japan didn’t have enough supplies to rebuild any resource centers. Current German production stands at 39, with Japanese production at 18. There is a chance I will be able to repair enough resources next turn to reach 70 total production, but it’s more likely it will take until the summer turn. The US needs to act fast to stave off an Axis Decisive Victory.

Here's the strategic map at the end of the Japanese turn.

[Joel Billings]

Here's the total forces just before the end of the Japanese turn.

[Joel Billings]

Spring 1943 - Axis forces celebrate as the Allies are forced to throw in the towel and sign a treaty with the Axis that concedes defeat.

Germany was able to repair most of the captured resource centers, and Japan, by using almost all of its remaining supplies boosted its production. With Russia down, and the Allies too weak from incessant U-boat and raider attacks, and with the dominant Axis Luftwaffe still ruling the skies, there was no chance for the Allies to rebound. Below is the victory screen with the final score.

[Joel Billings]

Here is the final strat map screen.

[Joel Billings]

Here is the final total of losses.

[Joel Billings]

Here is the total forces remaining when the game ended.

I want to thank Paul for taking the time to play this game and write up his comments. I clearly had an experience edge over Paul since he's only been playing the game for a few weeks now. I think his biggest mistake was not researching more of his ASW earlier in the game, and thus not being in a position to support Russia with Lend Lease supplies. Every 10 supplies from the West means a new artillery unit can be built by the Russians instead of supplies. The other mistake (at least I think it was a mistake) was building so many militia for Russia, without adequate artillery support. Although these units took time to kill, they had no ability to hurt the German forces. It was only a matter of time to knock out Russia and it became a race to see if the Axis could do it quickly enough to score an auto-win before the US could get involved in a big way. Thanks to Paul I learned a few new tricks (like the artillery probe) for my GGWaW arsenal.