Matrix Games Forums

In the Med the allies push on eastern Libya. Iraq is fairly quiet.

In USSR the Soviet offensive has been reversed and the Germans are on the counterattack on all fronts. A large kessel is formed east of Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk is surrounded, and Leningrad is approached.

Unfortunately the Soviets were able to wound Guderian so he's out for 6 months. A new commander will have to be installed for AGC in Russia.

The brutal war continues in USSR as the Germans run short on manpower, oil, and PP's from fighting on 2 fronts. It looks like a stab for the Caucasus might almost be possible but Germany doesn't have enough oil to fuel such a drive while fighting in the Atlantic, in North Africa, and in England.

The allies hammer their way slowly south through Scotland. On this front as well Germany feels the pinch of PP, manpower, and oil shortages.

MrPlow and I have agreed to end the game since looks like no real chance for allies to move too much farther before May 45.

I think we both had great fun and learned a lot. MrPlow is a great PBEM opponent. In our next game we're switching sides.

I think the Axis successes in the Egypt when I didn't necessarily expect to succeed there, the massive Soviet casualties in summer of '42 during their failed offensive, the constant effectiveness of German subs, and the painful allied offensive in 43 in the Med that ultimately fizzled out....all of these were the keys to the game. Also the Germans kept a tech and effectiveness edge throughout the game on every front. Also once I realized that Barbarossa had no real shot of success, Germany just secured a defensible front - much of which was not even in USSR so didn't have to endure winter effects. This meant very low losses for Germany so manpower didn't hit problems until late in the war. It also meant that when the Red Army exposed itself the Germans were poised to counterstrike from a position of strength. This counterpunch repeatedly gutted the Soviet high cost formations.

Even with Iraq oil the Germans were perilously low on oil, manpower, and having PP problems as well in 1944. It is easy to imagine how quickly Germany could collapse w/o the Iraq oil and if Germany hit manpower problems earlier.

Following are some screenshots including casualties, tech, production, etc at end of game.

Subs were consistently effective against Soviet convoys and allied shipping.

Allied ops in Libya continued at a slow pace through 44.

German tech - pretty much every unit on the map was fully upgraded.

tech

Axis production

German and Italian total forces.

Casualties for the entire war. Germany's are I think pretty low.

Congratulations on a well played game, sir! I can't tell you how many times I saw someone predicting Mr. Plow would win "easily" over on the slitherine forums. I guess you showed them! Honestly, you did much better than I expected you to, given your position in 1941. So kudos, or a tip of the cap, or whatever [:)]