The Italian navy currently operates successfully in the Eastern Med. This area seems to be patrolled by French naval forces only. Besides offering ground support, we were able to sink several French ships including the carrier Bearn.
Time of Writhe - Axis
RE: Time of Writhe
August 1st, 1940
The Italian navy currently operates successfully in the Eastern Med. This area seems to be patrolled by French naval forces only. Besides offering ground support, we were able to sink several French ships including the carrier Bearn.
The Italian navy currently operates successfully in the Eastern Med. This area seems to be patrolled by French naval forces only. Besides offering ground support, we were able to sink several French ships including the carrier Bearn.
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- ITA8140.jpg (125.91 KiB) Viewed 2057 times
RE: Time of Writhe
August 16th, 1940
Axis radio stations hail the German victory at Minsk. Informed observers stay calmer for they know that this will not help in balancing the economic disadvantage of the Axis. Minsk production is a meager 1 PP.
Axis radio stations hail the German victory at Minsk. Informed observers stay calmer for they know that this will not help in balancing the economic disadvantage of the Axis. Minsk production is a meager 1 PP.
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- GER81640j.jpg (188.47 KiB) Viewed 2057 times
RE: Time of Writhe
August 16, 1940
For now we could save Italy from British occupation.
As more Italian ships become available after repairs from early battles at the shores of Africa, we are able to sink some French capital ships in the Eastern Med. with no Italian vessels sunk.
For now we could save Italy from British occupation.
As more Italian ships become available after repairs from early battles at the shores of Africa, we are able to sink some French capital ships in the Eastern Med. with no Italian vessels sunk.
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- ITA81640.jpg (145.45 KiB) Viewed 2057 times
RE: Time of Writhe
September 1st, 1940
The war is just one year old but it feels as if it is going on for much longer.
The war is just one year old but it feels as if it is going on for much longer.
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RE: Time of Writhe
September 16th, 1940
The Mediterranean Sea seems to be free of Western Allied ships. It looks as if they wait to repair fully and then strike suddenly in force.
The Mediterranean Sea seems to be free of Western Allied ships. It looks as if they wait to repair fully and then strike suddenly in force.
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- Axis91640.jpg (207.43 KiB) Viewed 2057 times
RE: Time of Writhe
October 1st, 1940
This were the last sunny weeks in Russia and we penetrated the Russian lines south of Smolensk. Upcoming bad weather will slow down our tanks considerably.
We were also able to eliminate the British air force near Athens on the ground as planned.
This were the last sunny weeks in Russia and we penetrated the Russian lines south of Smolensk. Upcoming bad weather will slow down our tanks considerably.
We were also able to eliminate the British air force near Athens on the ground as planned.
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- Axis10140.jpg (210.02 KiB) Viewed 2061 times
RE: Time of Writhe
October 16th, 1940
All land activity is at the East Front. However, the Western Allies have become more active with naval operations in the Mediterranean again. So far sea battles are balanced and our 1HP per turn repair rotation is sufficient to keep up with losses. At least we don't have to worry about supply convoys any more.
All land activity is at the East Front. However, the Western Allies have become more active with naval operations in the Mediterranean again. So far sea battles are balanced and our 1HP per turn repair rotation is sufficient to keep up with losses. At least we don't have to worry about supply convoys any more.
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- october1640.jpg (251.6 KiB) Viewed 2061 times
RE: Time of Writhe
November 1st, 1940
The victory at Smolensk brings international recognition to Germany in form of 10 DP. Germany is now preparing to hibernate in Russia (but maybe the Russians have other ideas).
The Mediterranean theater is still quiet on land. The RN seems to have completed their repairs and turns up in ever larger numbers. While we were doing ok in recent weeks, we will withdraw the RM in full for our own repairs before we suffer any irreplaceable setbacks.
The victory at Smolensk brings international recognition to Germany in form of 10 DP. Germany is now preparing to hibernate in Russia (but maybe the Russians have other ideas).
The Mediterranean theater is still quiet on land. The RN seems to have completed their repairs and turns up in ever larger numbers. While we were doing ok in recent weeks, we will withdraw the RM in full for our own repairs before we suffer any irreplaceable setbacks.
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- GER11140.jpg (275.5 KiB) Viewed 2061 times
RE: Time of Writhe
November 16th, 1940
The Axis high command is surprised to make further progress east of Smolensk. Could it be that the Russian counterattack into Romania has taken too many resources?
Axis troops prepare for a Turkey campaign in the Greek panhandle. A speedy taking of Constantinople is imperative but not easy to achieve with the RN controlling the Aegean Sea. Otherwise we will have another half-finished campaign at our hands.
The Axis high command is surprised to make further progress east of Smolensk. Could it be that the Russian counterattack into Romania has taken too many resources?
Axis troops prepare for a Turkey campaign in the Greek panhandle. A speedy taking of Constantinople is imperative but not easy to achieve with the RN controlling the Aegean Sea. Otherwise we will have another half-finished campaign at our hands.
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- GER111640.jpg (259.9 KiB) Viewed 2061 times
RE: Time of Writhe
December 1st, 1940
In the east we can take Kulaga which was defended by divisional forces only. Is the Russian getting into PP shortages? Probably not yet.
We also declared war on Turkey and relied on their dislike of the Western Allies. But they joined up with the British nonetheless via event. This is not a favorable development at all. Soon we will have those stubborn British corps sitting all over Turkey. We also have to make sure that the land supply to our units in Turkey (which comes through a very narrow stretch of real estate) is not interrupted. A quick British amphibious landing in the northern Aegean and our supply lines are cut. Hence we have started to court Bulgaria which will give us new avenues of supply.
In the east we can take Kulaga which was defended by divisional forces only. Is the Russian getting into PP shortages? Probably not yet.
We also declared war on Turkey and relied on their dislike of the Western Allies. But they joined up with the British nonetheless via event. This is not a favorable development at all. Soon we will have those stubborn British corps sitting all over Turkey. We also have to make sure that the land supply to our units in Turkey (which comes through a very narrow stretch of real estate) is not interrupted. A quick British amphibious landing in the northern Aegean and our supply lines are cut. Hence we have started to court Bulgaria which will give us new avenues of supply.
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- Ger12140.jpg (217.2 KiB) Viewed 2061 times
RE: Time of Writhe
This Turkish move really sounded like a crazy one, was it really necessary?!
RE: Time of Writhe
Hello Fishbed,
you may very well be correct. The following was my reasoning but I am not yet convinced it is all that good. As this is my first game of ToW, I am experimenting myself. But here are my thoughts:
- It is the only land route to Africa in the game. It is hence the only way to get at the Western Allies without requiring a navy. I would like to weaken them a bit before the Americans can join the party.
- I would have liked to get all of Greece (obviously) but having access to Turkey was my initial reason for attacking Greece.
- It gives the Russian another front to worry about and he has to divert at least a few resources to the Caucasus now.
- Most important reason: It occupies the British/French and I know that they are fighting me at a place of my choosing. If I just sit back in the Med, loose the initiative, they can strike anywhere in force where they like it and I may not be able to react at every spot with sufficient speed. So I try to not give the Western Allies too much time to ponder any attack plans of their own at this time. They will get them later anyways.
But there are a lot of drawbacks, too, no doubt. Here a few that I see:
- Getting cut off in Turkey by a British amphibious landing in the Dardanelles.
- Diverting some of my own forces that I could use to make a final run on Moscow which is a much more important goal, no doubt.
- The (to me) unexpected Alliance of Turkey with the Western Allies makes it very hard now. German units are at the very far end of their supply train and at their weakest. I have to take a city soon but the Western Allies have the force to prevent it probably.
Well - we will see how the Axis empire is brought down in the end. I have no doubt that it will happen. So I have a bit fun now as long as it lasts.
you may very well be correct. The following was my reasoning but I am not yet convinced it is all that good. As this is my first game of ToW, I am experimenting myself. But here are my thoughts:
- It is the only land route to Africa in the game. It is hence the only way to get at the Western Allies without requiring a navy. I would like to weaken them a bit before the Americans can join the party.
- I would have liked to get all of Greece (obviously) but having access to Turkey was my initial reason for attacking Greece.
- It gives the Russian another front to worry about and he has to divert at least a few resources to the Caucasus now.
- Most important reason: It occupies the British/French and I know that they are fighting me at a place of my choosing. If I just sit back in the Med, loose the initiative, they can strike anywhere in force where they like it and I may not be able to react at every spot with sufficient speed. So I try to not give the Western Allies too much time to ponder any attack plans of their own at this time. They will get them later anyways.
But there are a lot of drawbacks, too, no doubt. Here a few that I see:
- Getting cut off in Turkey by a British amphibious landing in the Dardanelles.
- Diverting some of my own forces that I could use to make a final run on Moscow which is a much more important goal, no doubt.
- The (to me) unexpected Alliance of Turkey with the Western Allies makes it very hard now. German units are at the very far end of their supply train and at their weakest. I have to take a city soon but the Western Allies have the force to prevent it probably.
Well - we will see how the Axis empire is brought down in the end. I have no doubt that it will happen. So I have a bit fun now as long as it lasts.
RE: Time of Writhe
- Diverting some of my own forces that I could use to make a final run on Moscow which is a much more important goal, no doubt.
Could you fly some recon above the central front to check what is standing between you and Moscow? The desintegration of the Russian defense behind Smolensk is quite surprising and huge. Could be a trap, but could be an opportunity too. If you're looking for a place to use the reserves for the few turns before the kicking in of winter, I guess that's where they may make the difference...?
What about the Army Group North? Last time we read about them they were taking Tallinn, but we didn't hear about them since then... Is the northern part of the front a no-go?
RE: Time of Writhe
December 16th, 1940
For an update on Army Group North (now Army Detachment North) please see below. In the current blizzard conditions, we rely on ground recon only.
We are still quite surprised about the spineless diplomatic activities of the Turkish Government which has chosen to hide behind the British skirts. Our paratroopers near Istanbul are lost since we completely misjudged the time required to move other land forces there from Greece.
For an update on Army Group North (now Army Detachment North) please see below. In the current blizzard conditions, we rely on ground recon only.
We are still quite surprised about the spineless diplomatic activities of the Turkish Government which has chosen to hide behind the British skirts. Our paratroopers near Istanbul are lost since we completely misjudged the time required to move other land forces there from Greece.
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- GER-12-16-40.jpg (240.27 KiB) Viewed 2059 times
RE: Time of Writhe
January 1st, 1941
The golden year for the Axis, 1940, is over and a much harder 1941 starts. Moscow is so near and yet so far.....
The golden year for the Axis, 1940, is over and a much harder 1941 starts. Moscow is so near and yet so far.....
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- Axis1141.jpg (206.91 KiB) Viewed 2059 times
RE: Time of Writhe
January 16th, 1941
The Russians counter attack the base of our salient for two weeks now. The situation is getting very tense.
Slowly transferring units to Turkey. Here they are so far from Thessaloniki supply that they are completely inefficient against the British or even the French. I have considered building a Mulberry to boost supply but are afraid that it will be easy prey to opposing aircraft. We are already considering to withdraw completely from Turkey. Nothing good will come from it. The German staff also forgot to make pictures from Turkey this round - probably unconsciously not wanting to see the mess.
The Russians counter attack the base of our salient for two weeks now. The situation is getting very tense.
Slowly transferring units to Turkey. Here they are so far from Thessaloniki supply that they are completely inefficient against the British or even the French. I have considered building a Mulberry to boost supply but are afraid that it will be easy prey to opposing aircraft. We are already considering to withdraw completely from Turkey. Nothing good will come from it. The German staff also forgot to make pictures from Turkey this round - probably unconsciously not wanting to see the mess.
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- Axis11641.jpg (216.16 KiB) Viewed 2059 times
RE: Time of Writhe
Moscow seems so close... Taking it would absolutely be worth it, wouldn't it? I mean, diplomatically speaking, that's how Diplomatic Points jump up right? You'd be able to get Bulgaria or Spain on the right side of the fence with this maybe...?
RE: Time of Writhe
It would be very worthwhile indeed I think.
The main reason for taking Moscow is economic for me. Russia has three key cities providing much of their Production Points (PPs) in the game. (Leningrad, Stalingrad, Moscow). All the Russian cities that I have occupied so far are negligible in this regard. Getting one of the big three as soon as possible will reduce the economic imbalance between Germany and Russia. Stalingrad is too far east and hard to reach, Leningrad easier to defend, which leaves Moscow.
Re economic imbalance:
The Russians have currently a higher income in Production Points (PPs) than Germany and the UK has more than Italy. In exchange, the Germans have a higher "warfare doctrine" at the beginning of the game (but not tech level). The warfare doctrine equalizes over the course of the war and its progress is prescribed and cannot be influenced. The higher doctrine makes the same unit at same tech level a bit stronger than comparable units from countries with lower doctrine values. The German starting tech level is not higher than the Russians but they have a few tank and infantry units that are starting the game at Level 2 while the actual German tech level is just L-1. (by now we have researched L-2 in tanks but not yet Infantry, Russia could invest more into R&D and is at L-2 in both)
Diplomatic Points are earned once a month (not every turn). The monthly amount is very small, though. You get also bonus DPs via events for key victories. So far that has happened after taking Poland and for taking Smolensk. Not sure if Moscow will also provide such a bonus and I let myself be surprised if I should be lucky enough to get Moscow. With every version of the game this seems to change and I am really not familiar with the details yet.
The main reason for taking Moscow is economic for me. Russia has three key cities providing much of their Production Points (PPs) in the game. (Leningrad, Stalingrad, Moscow). All the Russian cities that I have occupied so far are negligible in this regard. Getting one of the big three as soon as possible will reduce the economic imbalance between Germany and Russia. Stalingrad is too far east and hard to reach, Leningrad easier to defend, which leaves Moscow.
Re economic imbalance:
The Russians have currently a higher income in Production Points (PPs) than Germany and the UK has more than Italy. In exchange, the Germans have a higher "warfare doctrine" at the beginning of the game (but not tech level). The warfare doctrine equalizes over the course of the war and its progress is prescribed and cannot be influenced. The higher doctrine makes the same unit at same tech level a bit stronger than comparable units from countries with lower doctrine values. The German starting tech level is not higher than the Russians but they have a few tank and infantry units that are starting the game at Level 2 while the actual German tech level is just L-1. (by now we have researched L-2 in tanks but not yet Infantry, Russia could invest more into R&D and is at L-2 in both)
Diplomatic Points are earned once a month (not every turn). The monthly amount is very small, though. You get also bonus DPs via events for key victories. So far that has happened after taking Poland and for taking Smolensk. Not sure if Moscow will also provide such a bonus and I let myself be surprised if I should be lucky enough to get Moscow. With every version of the game this seems to change and I am really not familiar with the details yet.
RE: Time of Writhe
If Moscow falls, Germans get a 20% shock bonus for 5 turns, I believe. That's pretty nasty, even leaving aside the PP loss.
WitE Alpha Tester
RE: Time of Writhe
If Moscow falls, Germans get a 20% shock bonus for 5 turns, I believe. That's pretty nasty, even leaving aside the PP loss.
Thank you Flaviusx. This is very welcome news to me and provides some extra motivation.