Nirosi vs Boldairade(Nirosi welcome)

[boldairade]

April 24, 1942

BOA-Good news: this turn, UK merchants go negative. However, despite what I had read, US merchants DO in fact take up the slack. This means that I have likely overspent on MM. I have no real problem with that. I would rather have too much than too little.

That's where the good news ends. The German surface fleet moves across the Atlantic and into a zone patrolled by 2 US CA groups and a DD group. Again, the small Allied ships are able to locate and attack the large Axis fleet. Of course, they are decisively pulverized, dealing no damage to the Axis ships. It seems my small fleets can always locate and attack, even though I of course do not want them to. Desperate to turn the tide, we send our large fleet across the Atlantic to engage-and of course, even though the German fleet has attacked, we cannot locate it. It is not only having immense cost in game terms, but it is becoming immensely frustrating.

In another likely future difficulty in the BOA, Italian naval bombers have been rebased to Rabat in NW Africa. This is likely to give the German uboats/surface fleets cover, and also attempt to deny Gibralter as a safe haven/refueling depot. To counter this, the bomber is removed from Gibralter and replaced with a fighter, and AA guns will be redeployed there to protect any fleet. It is likely that a blockade is coming.

USA strategic bombing is petering out. Despite rotating in a fresh escort sqn to cover the bombers, our escorts and bombers are savaged by IX Jagdcorps. Nirosi was smart-he rotated out his battered fighters and moved in a fresh group. US bombers, despite supply truck boosts, are starting to wear down.

US forces begin to arrive in Egypt, but we will likely need more surface ships before we can launch an offensive with any confidence.

In the East, there is very little movement. However, more German units arrive in Finland. There are now 4 German formations there. Having never engaged on this front in this manner, I have no idea, really, what to expect. Soviet stockpile is now at 1306 PP.

It is cold and clear on the Eastern Front. Had it been me, I would have launched the offensive this turn, as I value time as much as anything as Germany, whether that time is being used to strike or regroup. Likely Nirosi has a different strategy-something much more precise.

I feel as though, even though I have essentially been cataloguing defeat after defeat in this AAR, I am still in fairly good shape. It is 1942, and all three allied powers are in relatively good condition. That said, the longer we play, the more I realize that A) Nirosi knows EXACTLY how to execute assaults to min/max casualties/gains, and B) I do not really know many of these things. In attempting to plan several amphibious invasions, I realize I don't even know basic things(like, can an infantry unit land and move in the same turn? can a marine unit land IN a port?).

As such, my basic strategy right now is: Avoid any massive disasters/keep Russia alive/achieve maximum force deployment in the 2nd Tobruk campaign. Overall, PP must be favoring me fairly heavily. At this point the four allied powers are kicking out over 900PP/turn. My guess is that the Axis is probably at 75% of that. Over time, that should help.

[boldairade]

May 8, 1942

BOA 6 MM go down, 0 sub hits. We need more escorts. They will be arriving enmasse mid summer. But not having them right now is hurting us, as the Germans posses enough raiding groups to simultaneously attack all 4 major shipping routes. Allied fleet pursues the Axis surface group into the S Atlantic and manages 2 hits on a German cruiser. Not significant, but better than nothing.

US heavy bombers take a turn off to rest and refit. US reinforcement/replacement cranked up to 120 in an attempt to get the bombers back to full numbers. Only tac bombers make minor raids into W Europe vs unopposed targets.

In the desert, UK/Canadian formations leave supply to take up attack positions vs the German formations and run into this:





Even with England maxing heavy tank/assault research at all times and all of our forces completely upgraded to modern techs and with elite/specialist status, somehow Nirosi is far far ahead of us. I apparently have been playing in the WP minor leagues, because I would have said having a formation of this strength in early 1942 would be impossible.

This leaves the future of the Second Tobruk Campaign in serious doubt. It's one thing to be at a disadvantage. It's another to be attacking far superior troops while out of supply. For now, we are out of OPs, so we merely set up. We will probably just have to retreat next turn because I doubt we will be able to gets even decent attack odds. This campaign was a huge piece of our overall strategy, and it appears to be over literally before it has started. Moreover, I have no real other option currently in the planning stages.

In the East, the weather is good, the skies are clear, it's a warm day in May. Yet the Axis forces, faced with perfect weather, do not attack. Is Nirosi waiting for Russia to attack? It is actually possible at this point, and I consider it, if only to deploy the Red Navy into convoy routes. German level bombers are present however, and would likely savage any Russian effort.

The incredible strength of the German formations in Africa also bodes poorly here. If German armor has 30+ attack strength, how long can we expect to delay with units of 2-4 defense strength? In Finland, German units are moving east to be in a position to slash the railway from Murmansk.

Soviet PP stockpile reaches 1544.

[boldairade]

Canadian scouts expected to see dug in Mk III and IV German tanks in the desert. Instead, they see something they've never seen before...

The Allied Tiger phobia is about to begin...

[boldairade]

May 22, 1942

BARBAROSSA

The hammer finally falls. On the one hand, it is essentially what we expected, with hard pushes towards Leningrad and an immense assault from Romania. Additionally, Stavka did not expect its front line units to be able to manage much in terms of static resistance.

That said, it's a bit overwhelming. Soviet ONE TURN losses are 412 ground steps and 34 air steps(I was actually fairly happy with the performance of the Red Air Force, though. Germany lost 22 air steps)

On the main lines of German advance, entire fronts simply vaporized. The forward line on the Romanian front didn't really retreat, they just were overrun. Two stout soviet corps near the coast, however, did not surrender, and will have to be cleaned up next turn.

The question is now, will the Axis look to simply overwhelm the river line on the Dneister? Or flank it by combining the powerful armored and mechanized formations that a free to the NE after annihilating two entire soviet infantry armies there?

As you can see, Stavka recesses two Armored corps to reduce the risk of encirclement.



Four Russian Armies are released from the reserve, and are immediately deployed to this front in an attempt to build a legitimate defense line along the river west of Krivoi Rog.

[boldairade]

May 22, 1942

As bad as the Romanian front looks, the Riga/Leningrad front is worse. Much like in the south, the forces along the Neman river are simply annihilated. No encirclement by the Germans is necessary. They simply assault across river and destroy everything they hit. Again, not the end of the world. However, the ease with which they destroy the infantry allows them to encircle two mech formation. This IS very bad. Those were part of what we wanted to retain as a mobile reserve, and to be used in the next defense line. Not now. There is no way to effectively extricate them. They will be lost.

The German push east towards Minks is slow and plodding. Instead, it's concentration of towards Leningrad. Some Soviet units are removed from the line west of Mogilev and railed north to begin a new defense line on the Sorot river west of Leningrad. The Daugava River line will almost certainly be breached next turn, even with the German need to destroy the isolated mech formations.

[boldairade]

May 22, 1942

Elsewhere, all of the forces in the center, around the Pripyet, are simply destroyed. Russian cavalry recedes into the marsh itself to hopefully either force Germany to deploy forces to check them or, possible, cut a supply line at some point.

In Finland, Finish and German forces move east, but no conflict except unsuccessful bombing by Russian tac bombers.

The only real positive is the considerable Russian PP reserve allows an immediate purchase of 8 Russian Armies. They are scheduled to arrive in mid July-that's 60 days/5 turns. We need to keep that in mind. The Russians spend every penny of their reserve.

At the same time, the USA and to a lesser extent UK immediately open aid through the Arctic convoy route. Only 4 Russian escorts are available to protect this route-that's asking for trouble.

That leads us to the BOA. Simply put, we are just losing. 3 German attacks sink 11 MM and an escort. That's WITHOUT the German surface fleet. I think the biggest problem is I simply didn't buy enough escorts soon enough. Even with the glut on the way, there may not be enough.

Additionally, attempts to move English fleets into Gibralter to refuel result in hits from ground based aircraft. As noted earlier, this was expected. However, their bombers take virtually no losses. This surprises me, as I have land based aircraft and 6 AA guns there. It appears Gibralter will have to be functionally abandoned. This is bad. Again, land based aircraft fail to sortie to protect the fleet, despite being at 20 steps and high readiness.

Losses in all directions compel the Allies to attempt something near Tobruk. Since the German armor is invulnerable, we launch an attack vs the German infantry on the coast with the help of the fleet. The Canadian formations launch attack after attack and do reduce the Germans(at great cost) but cannot displace them. It will be interesting to see the Axis response to the deployment of the Allied Navy.

US and English forces are moved up to continue the attack next turn or cover the Canadians retreat should the Axis counter. A powerful Italian Armor corps moves to cover the flank of the German IV Pz Corps.

US bombers resume their attack on occupied munitions factories in Western Europe.

The Allies are now looking to open a new front vs Germany in the wake of Germany's attacks to the East.

[boldairade]

Soviet losses

[boldairade]

No match for the panzers.

Soviet fields are filled with destroyed and abandoned tanks.

Losses are not measured in regiments, divisions, or even corps. In the space of one turn, entire Army Groups simply cease to exist.

[boldairade]

June 5, 1942

BOA: Having read a bit in another player's AAR(redrum), the Allies decide to concentrate their escorts in two lanes. Attacks in the south Atlantic, which is well patrolled, sink only 2 MM with 2 sub hits. In the North Atlantic, with minimal escorts, we see 3 escorts and 8 MM sunk with only 2 sub hits. This is apparently part of what I am doing wrong-there appears to be a critical mass of escorts, right around 10.

While it is good to learn this, it is also very late. We do have escorts coming, but not enough, considering losses. And again, we lose too many ships. In addition, Axis air hits Gibralter. Six air strikes manage to sink a previously undamaged cruiser and damage a battleship(both US). We simply cannot afford these losses. But short of abandoning The Rock, what else can be done? English fighters, even well prepped and with the latest techs are no match for Italian pilots. The fighter sqn will likely be withdrawn, only making things worse. On the plus side, Axis planes suffer 34 step hits.

Perhaps the lone bright spot is Tobruk. With a massive Allied fleet loitering off the coast, the Germans withdraw their battered infantry formation and replace it with fresh and formidable Italian forces. They actually occupy the hex formerly held by Canadian forces-exposing them on two sides. English forces, including the powerful WDF armor corps, attack and overrun the Italian infantry!

Attempting to make the most of the breakthrough, US 2nd Armor corps moves in. With the help of Allied naval bombardment, the 2nd Armor engages in a slugging match with the Italian mech corps and manages to overrun it as well! In a risky move, elite English motorized infantry exploit the gap. It's a tenuous situation, but it also leaves Nirosi in a tricky spot: strike back and inflict casualties with his powerful armor? But that might result in his own encirclement, and that German armor corps is the lynch pin to his defense.

The new and developing situation east of Tobruk-







Notice Allied infantry heading west. The one thing we have right now is numbers.

[boldairade]

June 5, 1942

In the southern theater, it is more of the same. The Germans hit the line on the Dniester and simply overwhelm it, shattering and overrunning formations with ease. These are upgraded AT corps, with double the defense values as many of the formations from the opening turn(which were 39 Assault Corps), but it makes no appreciable difference. German formations not only dominate but by and large take no significant step losses, even with our formations heavily entrenched along a river line and with flank support and air cover.

NW of the assault over the Dniester, Germans run into our own Armor formations for the first time in the south. German Armor and mech units shove aside entrenched infantry and run headlong into the 2nd Tank Corps and the 5th Guards Tank Corps. Both tank formations try to fight, and for a change it takes more than one assault for the Germans to overrun. Ultimately however, these powerful formations cannot hold and are driven back. We withdraw these shattered units far to the east.

Looking at the map capture, you can see that the four weeks of campaigning have worn down the German formations around Odessa. They may not have lost a lot of steps, but they are worn down from non stop fighting and moving. They may struggle a bit more at the next river line, which also features Russian armor defending it northern flank.

To the north, however, you can see the elite LVII German armor. Having had to only crush one defense line, it is still very viable, and backed by a lot of German mech units. Stavka fears they will hit the bend just north of the river, finding relatively weak Russian infantry there. Our two best remaining armor formations, including the elite Siberian Armor, are moved to cover this possibility.

[boldairade]

June 5, 1942 East front-north

In the central/northern theater, much the same.

In the center, powerful German infantry eschews any attempt at flank/encirclement and simply annihilates the Russian infantry with frontal assaults.

In the north, as expected, the Germans assault the city of Riga and expel the defenders with relative ease, and then manage to establish a bridgehead across the Daugava to the south of the city. One enveloped mech corps is overrun. Russian armor here is also badly attrited and withdrawn to the north, along with the only mech formation still operating on this front.

On the plus side, four more Soviet armies are released from the reserve, and enough PPs are scraped up to purchase another Soviet infantry army.

More heavy formations will be railed north in an attempt to establish a strong position near Leningrad. The city is likely doomed. But we will not surrender this entire front without a fight.








Overall, Russian step losses to this point are tallied at 716 ground 73 air. For comparison, the ENTIRE Italian army fields 640 land steps, and 58 air. Certainly losses were expected. And certainly, more forces are being generated. But losses of this magnitude simply cannot be managed.

Along with our continuing failure in the BOA and the ever dropping power of Allied fleets, and we have a very discernable downward trend in Allied combat power.

1941 was a terrible year. 1942, it seems, is significantly worse.

[boldairade]

June 5, 1942

US bombers level Dusseldorf, but losses to interceptors and AA guns are high. Between supply trucks and the need to replace losses, I'm quite sure the US bombing raids are more costly to the USA than to Germany. But I must admit, it's great fun to select a target and launch the raids.

Rouen, St Nazair and Brussels are also hit with minor raids. A new US strategic bomber is enroute across the Atlantic.



Bomb damage in Dusseldorf. Germany is winning the war. But for the German PR machine, this is hard to explain.

[Nikel]

It happened historically, but here should be some kind of political cost for bombarding occupied but allied cities.

Are the Belgians happy? [:D]

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: Nikel

It happened historically, but here should be some kind of political cost for bombarding occupied but allied cities.

Are the Belgians happy? [:D]

Were I Belgian, I would be displeased...

[aoffen]

Just read this and Nirosi’s AAR side by side from start to present. Have really enjoyed it and learnt quite a bit too. Thank you very much for all the effort.

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: aoffen

Just read this and Nirosi’s AAR side by side from start to present. Have really enjoyed it and learnt quite a bit too. Thank you very much for all the effort.

thanks for reading! sometimes i wonder if anyone would take the time. but it has a life of its own now.

[boldairade]

July 19, 1942

BOA-For the first time, the Axis guesses wrong on this front. They send their raiders into the S Atlantic/African coast. This is where we have concentrated our escorts. 3 attacks by two large wolf packs and the German surface fleet manage only 3 MM sunk, with 4 sub hits. Pursuit of the German surface fleet fails(of course). Additionally, our designated sub hunting heavy bombers fail to score any hits in 2 sorties. Still, not a bad turn.

US bombers in England had planned to take the turn off. However, with the German surface fleet out and many Axis mech and armor formations moving and fighting, many away from rail, the decision is made to bomb German oil. Strikes vs Romanian fields by Russian tac bombers do nothing. But the oil fields east of Cologne are put out of action.

The Second Tobruk Campaign meets with severe reversals. First, the Italian Fleet strikes, sinking a fresh cruiser, heavily damaging two other cruisers and damaging a battleship and we inflict, you guessed it, zero casualties. I am again very frustrated.

Nirosi is good enough to answer a question I pose in the forum about this, informing me that every shore bombardment made reduces the readiness of naval units. He has been watching me bombard the shore, waiting for me to grind down my fleet, and then pouncing. I was unaware of this mechanic. Nirosi has been smart, and also generously helped me with this.

That's not the end of the bad news however. The attempted encirclement of IV Panzer was keyed by the Southwest Corps deep penetration to the west. This formation is isolated and driven back. We had hoped it would retreat east to safety if it retreated. Instead, it moves west, is isolated, and summarily destroyed. This is a heavy blow, as it was perhaps the UK's finest infantry formation.

The destruction of Southwest Corps allows an orderly withdrawal of Axis armor units. We press hard, moving our formations up against Tobruk proper. Two new German formations land near Bengasi. That's a glut of Axis units, and we deploy subs to try to harry their supply.

The situation now-

[boldairade]

June 19, 1942

Russia-N and C fronts

The Warplan gods are merciful and send rain. This slows the panzers in the north. They annihilate the northern part of the Daugava line, but the rain prevents attacks elsewhere.

There is a disturbing development though. Check out the Pripyet. Russian planners had assumed terrain would prevent any major action here. However 10 Axis formation, including 4 Italian units, are moving here. Russian cavalry is ordered to attempt to delay these forces at the rivers while large amounts of reinforcements(6 armies are released from Stavka's reserve this turn-most are deployed to counter this threat) are detailed to set up new lines near Mogilev and on the Berezina River line. Russian manpower is being stretched.




Far to the north, in Finland, German/Finish troops finally make contact, and Fins displace forces NE of Lake Lagoda. Russian tac bombers continue to operate with moderate success vs Axis forces. More formations are railed in to secure a river line east of Leningrad.

[boldairade]

June 19, 1942 Southern Front

The rain does not reach here. Instead there is much killing.

As expected, the Germans strike into The Bend, overrunning weak Russian infantry formations there, and pushing a fresh Hungarian infantry formation into the gap. Waiting for them, however, are 1st Siberian Tank Corps, 15th Tank Corps, and several other formations. They savage the Hungarian V Corps, then slam into LVII German armor corps, pushing back that formation as well. It is the first time Russian forces have managed to score even a local victory. The cost is high however, with both Russian tank corps as well as 1st Siberian Infantry corps severely worn down. They will be vulnerable next turn.

Elsewhere, the Axis forces take Odessa and a Romanian unit manages a bridgehead across the line west of Krivoi Rog. We cannot marshal enough force to repel them.

All along the front, Russian air assets are being eroded. Many are railed out of the front this turn to rest and refit. For now, the Red Air Army can no longer contest the skies.

[boldairade]

July 3, 1942

BOA-4 attacks sink 12 MM and 2 escorts, only 4 sub hits recorded. Pursuit of the Axis surface fleet, now parked off the coast of N Africa, is again futile. The cost of fighting the BOA is effectively diluting all efforts by both the USA and UK. And despite all the PP spent on this conflict, we are still losing. It may, ultimately, decide this conflict.

Better news in the Second Tobruk Campaign. After hasty repairs in Alexandria, the Allied fleet again sorties and supports two attacks into the fortress city of Tobruk proper, eventually expelling the XX Italian Armored Corps. South of Tobruk, English formations push back an Italian infantry corps.




We have muscled our way into the city...again. There will be no premature celebration this time. The Axis counter stroke is doubtless coming next turn. American and English armor will be waiting should the US infantry corps expelled from Tobruk this turn-and we expect it to be.
T