A musical global war AAR...

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Von Manstein attacks the city. However, due to problems with his digestion, he doesn't lead the attack (I forgot to press the bloody button). The Soviets decide to choose the Assault table. Of course, I don't convert to a retreat, since that would mean that the stack with Koniev might remain in supply after this attack:

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The next attack chosen for resolution is the hex the PARA landed in. Aided with ARM, this should become a peace of cake. The Soviets however, decide to see if they can bleed the German forces and choose the Blitzkrieg table:

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The attack on Koniev just changed from a mere +6, to a healthy +11. Now we are talking. Seeing that there is no way out of this position, Koniev elects to use the Assault table:

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The final attack declared by von Rundstedt. He chooses the Assault table, not wanting to lose an ARM or MECH. And there's no chance on a breakthrough with the Soviets behind the lines:

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Well, one can't have everything, can we, was von Rundstedt reaction on this result. However von Rundstedt reorganises a Stuka and four land units, before he returns for a wel earned leave of absence to his family in Germany (disorganised due to the expense of the offensive chit).

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Rommel reorganises three land units too.

Let's play some Japanese music: Butterfly of Nagasaki by Watanabe Hamako

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKZdq8MXMMQ

Italian and Japanese planes get rebased. Here is the Ostfront at the end of the impulse:

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May/June 1943, Allied impulse number 4:

All Allied powers take land actions. Bomber Command attacks Leipzig. There are no German FTR's available for defense:

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British artillery fires at Italian air fields and German positions around Calais:

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The USSR rail moves a factory out of Tashkent to the east. For what's it worth.

Listen to: The Dreamer - Kay Armen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9qf55to6lU

The CW rails two units which arrived in India last turn towards the east. The US improves positions in Marocco and moves a MAR into Papua. The CW, aided by Mac Arthur, moves towards Darwin and improves positions on the Indian-Burmese border.

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The Soviets try to make something of a frontline, but it isn't looking that good:

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The same is done in the Tashkent area:

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US Marines, aided by army troops, invade the island of New Britain.

Music: Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Five Guys Named Moe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9-fS7xI33M

A Japanese cruiser aids the notional defender and the US navy provides shore bombardment.

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At the end of the impulse, here is the situation around the Timor and Coral Seas:

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Para's are landed in Portugal. Shore bombardments is provided, to prevent the Germans from aiding the defenders by sending in a bomber for ground support. The attack is automatic. Here is Spain and Morocco at the end of the impulse:

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And here's the weather for the next couple of impulses:

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May/June 1943, Axis impulse number 5:

In Berlin, the attack in south Portugal by the US Para's was a shock. The reaction has to come quickly, by sending more troops into Spain.

Japan and Germany take land actions, Italy takes an air action.

Listen to: Evelyn Künneke - Im Hotel ist jeder Tag ein Freitag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJOwoG0JjvE

The Italian fly a FTR into the Cape St. Vincent. They decide to initiate combat in the sea area. Germany decide to fly in an additional frying boat and the CW adds another Beaufighter in the sea area. Axis roll 8 and the Allies roll a 1. The Allies decide to avoid combat, since there are loaded TRS in the sea area.

Dorniers and Heinkel bombers appear above the skies of Southhampton. There are no Allied FTR's available to disrupt the attack on the precious industrial areas:

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Me 110 ground strike units in the USSR. There is no Luftwaffe FTR available to give cover. After some thinking, the Soviets use the only available FTR in the area to intercept.

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In Portugal, Junkers attack the PARA's, escorted by an Italian FTR. The US intercepts:

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After the Junkers are cleared through, the Italian FTR's abort. Bombs away:

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Göring in person rewards the crews of the bombers with an Iron Cross for very good targeting. This result eliminates the possibility of US exploits in the area.

Listen to: Erhard Bauschke - Studie in moll für drei Trompeten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pq37CxUpRc

At the Burmese-Indian border, Japanese artillery opens fire: