Rise of the Reich (no 821Bobo)

[Michael T]

Strength

[Michael T]

25 April 1941

The situation in Tunisia is fairly stable again. The Axis counter stroke restored the situation (Tripoli was threatened), but complete victory was impossible with the wet weather. He has withdrawn towards his supply ports and is setting up defences in the rough. He will most likely overrun my troops in Oran. I can't help them with reinforcements. The port is locked down. So I now intend to withdraw as many Germans from this area as I can. The HQ is already gone. Bound for Russia. Hopefully the Italians can hold their own in some terrain with defensive benefits.

Meanwhile the build up along the Soviet Frontier continues. As soon as we get a clear weather turn the attack will begin.

[Michael T]

Sorry about all the missing images, mainly on page 3. The matrix server crashed a few weeks back and lots of AAR pics were lost as they we not able to recover them. I went through this AAR and reloaded any images I still had on my drive. But that's all I can do. Annoying for sure. So much of my time wasted.

[John B.]

No worries. We got to see them when you posted them. I appreciate all the work you've put it. It's a very interesting AAR.

[Michael T]

It's an interesting game for sure.

9 May 1941

This turn I was faced with a dilemma. The weather unexpectantly turned clear in the East. Should we launch the attack or not? In the end I decided to wait
and see. My gut tells me the weather will most likely turn to rain or worse next turn (a weather table would be really helpful!). And all of my units have
not recovered from the debilitating effects of the Winter on effectiveness, most are around 75-80%. If the weather is clear again next turn it's a definite
go.

Meanwhile in Tunisia the lines are stable. I am leaving a couple of German Inf Corp behind to stiffen Italian resolve. The Panzers and Para's have departed.
Oran is in trouble as 3 Allied Inf Corp approach.

[Michael T]

23 May 1941

The weather surprisingly remains clear in the East. So Barbarossa begins. Resistance is stronger than I anticipated. So I was not able to close any pockets. But we made deep penetrations into the defenses. Most of the Soviet front line INF Corps have been set to Garrison so they will not be able to escape or retreat too far. German losses were very heavy for the Panzer Corp (49), INF (28) and Air (7). Soviet losses were ground (267) and Air (43). Fuel use was (123). Fuel production is (95).

North Map.

[Michael T]

South Map.

[Michael T]

In Algeria the German division at Oran was destroyed. We evacuate the Italian Corp without issue. The line is stable in Tunisia.

[Almeron]

Why the Soviet player moved closer to the borders? He gave up the Daugava river line, and allowed to form the historical Bryansk pocket. Ot this was a house rule?

[Michael T]

There are no house rules in this game.

[Michael T]

6 June 1941

The war in Russia is progressing well. The German armies are literally running amuck. Soviet lines have been smashed right along the front. Only the supply line tether is holding the Panzers back. Soviet losses this turn 236/10 (ground/air) to 38/0 German, a much better ratio.

North

[Michael T]

South

[Michael T]

Still things are not going all our way. A most embarrassing oversight on my behalf. I completely forgot to garrison the Baltic Ports once I went to war with Russia. So, raiders...

I offer my sincere apologies to the loyal citizens of the Reich in Stettin. Moscow will burn for this outrage!

[Michael T]

The situation in Tunisia remains stable at this point. In the Gulf the partisans finally miss a turn destroying rail lines so we can advance once
again.

[Chocolino]

Wow - most impressive how you smashed through the Russians. Will be hard for them to recover. Stettin is more a political annoyance in comparison - though well played by your opponent as a little revenge action.

[Michael T]

20 June 1941

The drive east continues fairly well. The land bridge is breached and Kiev along with accompanying armies are all but surrounded. The Russians will surely garrison Moscow now. Losses were 124/10 (over ran an airfield) Soviet and 42/0 German. We are at the very end of the supply tether now. The Panzers across the Dniepr behind Kiev will be unsupplied next turn.

North map.

Edit. Forgot to add the Russian pirates who raided Stettin have sailed back from whence they came.

[Michael T]

South map.

[Michael T]

Meanwhile in the Med the Allies land in Sicily. This is stretching my ground forces to the limit. I need every spare unit in Russia to secure my rail net. This is an unneeded distraction.

With units needed to cover ports and partisans it is just impossible to cover every threat.

[Michael T]

4 July 1941

Dark days for the Soviets. German forces have gained a great victory at Kiev. 2 INF Armies, 2 Mech Corp, a INF Corp and a Cav Corp are totally destroyed and the city lost. In the centre a massive Panzer drive barrels through the land bridge, Soviet forces are swept aside and Kalinin is captured. Soviets losses this turn are 277/6 to 37/0 German. Elsewhere on the front the advance continues. Odessa is besieged. The Soviet central front is threatened with complete encirclement. They will have to conduct a massive retreat in the centre to avoid a total catastrophe.

North

[Michael T]

South