AWD deluxe AAR: Marshall Art - Lebatron

[Marshall Art]

Winter 1941 – After the Uboats proved they are untouchable for the Allied DDs more transports were hunted. A transport got a lucky hit on the Italian sub though. All preparations are complete for a Spring attack on Russia.  

As my favourite rush into Lenigrad is no longer possible in AWD deluxe I plan on advancing on a wide frontline, trying to kill as maky units instead just damaging them. Knowing it is not going to be a war of weeks the factories are still humming but also a much larger portion will be devoted to land unit research: tank and Infantry EV and LA. Russia is busy throwing gun barrels into the front line.

[Marshall Art]

In an attempt to match the Russian Arty I add a couple of  TacAir. Not only can they destroy infrastructure prior to an attack, they also can suppress enemy Arty without much fear of being hit, reducing my need for population wasting for Axis artillery. The Russians can build a lot of Arty, but they need to be distributed across the frontline, so I should have enough TacAir to overcome them.  

Finally, the Japanese have deciphered the Wallies’ production and research code, so to speak. Not too much going on there, mostly TacAir production, 2 CVs (only 2 making 8 total – I should have 6 CVs ready by 1942...) and Infantry EV+LA, fighter EV, TacAir LA, H.B. EV+LA research besides DD ASW+EV. Looks like my CAGs will have an edge initially...

[Marshall Art]

Spring 1941 – Finally the greatest assault in history is underway. At total of 55 Axis units (11 tanks, 22 Infantry, 2 Paras, 9 Arty plus air units) smashes into less than half that number of surprised and outgunned Russian units. It is never going to be easier... Almost at no cost the regions West of Smolensk and Kharkov are taken. The E. Poland is encircled and surrenders. The only downside is that the Russian TacAir survived. They sure will be a pest in the next turns.  

Allied DDs finally have upgraded ASW, the hunters will be the hunted... I move most Uboats into the South Atlantic, if the DDs want to chase subs they will need a lot of supplies to get them. This time the US tension rose by 3, getting close to FM2. Jesse made an effort to keep his transport pool at a constant level (60+ trannies), which explains that apart from fighters not too many Allied units have appeared so far.  

Japan keeps stockpiling fuel and bombing China. Both Chinese factories are now defended by 3 AA, making it highly difficult to score a hit.

[Marshall Art]

Summer 1941 – As the Spring 41 turn was the first turn the Allies really made offensive moves I start with a recap:   After the Allied CAG damaged a Tac Air and sunk a trannie in the Med the British attacked Tobruk but were beaten back badly. Considering mostly Italian Militias repulsed a combined arms attack a huge success for the Axis. As payback a Brithish BB damaged the Axis Arty after the battle. Being cut off both Axis units damaged were destroyed.

[Marshall Art]

The Wallies made no effort at all to hunt down subs which actually plays into my cards as the subs can continue to harass trannies, the extended range of 10 gives them space to strike from remote waters and retreat back to them.

The Murmansk convoys started but were left without any cover, thus the German BB and DDs sortied making easy prey. 11 suply points were used up to kill 6 Pop points and 6 resources, not a bad deal. Not mentioning the vet status obtained by the BB and one DD.

[Marshall Art]

In Russia Minsk was temporarily retaken by Ivan as only one blitzing tank defended it.  

The Red Army formed strongholds in Leningrad, Kalinin and Rostov, with 15-20 units each. As I was not in position to threaten Leningrad I moved into Smolensk, Kharkov, retaking Minsk. A stubborn milita repulsed tree attacks in Kursk, damaging one Para and one Infantry with autohits. I guess that is bayback for my earlier diplomatic successes...

The bulk of my forces stands now in Minsk and Kharkov. The Red army has a comparable size in units plus 40+ militias, what a mountain to climb. But with only 30 supplies (mostly from Wallied convoys) it is very immobile. Thus I should be able to launch an attack next turn at favourable odds. The Soviet black sea fleet was taken out in Maikop port.

[Marshall Art]

Something very strange happened when a wolfpack attacked Force H off Gibraltar. Two subs hit the same trannie, both sinking them and getting vet status. So far so good. But why did the US tension go up by two if only one trannie actually was sunk? Looks like a bug to me although Jesse did not recall that the WR actually rose by 2 instead of 1.

[Marshall Art]

The US reached FM 2 so it is getting time for Japan to get an attack plan together. I felt that there were only two options; either only strike PH but leave the US coast fleet unmolested – this ensures the PH fleet is gone and allows a retreat to safe waters at little cost – or try the risky move: Attack the US coast fleet with surface ships, break through and strike the CVs in San Francisco Harbout despite AA defenses. This for sure will cost some Japanese BBs and DDs, and does not guarantee a single hit on the CVs. But it is worth the risk as PH can still be blocked and attacked a turn later, while possibly up to 4 Allied CV might be damaged or sunk, giving Japan parity or even more. I started researching CAG torpedo and ship attack, EV and BB ship attack for this purpose about 1-2 turns ago. Of course the mishap in the Atlantic reduced the time Japan has to prepare.

[Marshall Art]

Fall 1941 – The Russians face another enemy as Finland joined the Axis. The Red Army has further reinforced Rostov, Leningrad and Moscow but vacated Kalinin. The Wallies managed to sink their first Uboat.   Axis spies return with excellent results: both production plans of Russia and Wallies reveal a focus on Infantry, fighters, tanks (Russia) and Trannies and HBs (Wallies). 

[Marshall Art]

As no offensive action promised favourable results I moved the bulk of the German Army into Kursk and Smolensk. Despite a breather for the Red Army my move attempts to threaten Moscow and Gorki, hoping to lure the Russians to leave their stronghold and burn supplies. Knowing that Winter is approching I need to be able to withdraw into safe postions, too. With more Infantry and tanks in queue plus some tech advances over winter I need to resume the attacks in Spring 42. Clearly the vast territory favours a defender. Finland cannot be saved if the Russians attack.  
My attempts to take out the Russian TacAir fail, with one attacking Bomber and only one defending Bomber being damaged. AA fire is frustrating the pilots, but more bombers were flown in. As each AA fires on up to 2 bombers I need twice as many bombers plus extra to give those extra pilots the best chance for a hit.

The standoff in N. Africa continues as both sides did not attack.

[Marshall Art]

The Uboats keep a low profile and move to attack positions for next turn, as I want to gamble and wait another turn prior to DOW on the US. The US war readyness is at 34-38, increasing to 35-41 in the next turn. There is a probability that the US will strike first but I think it is remote. As I need another turn for preparations to be complete I need that extra turn.

The loss of the US gift reduces Japanese production from 20 to 14, but that loss should soon be regained with DEI resources. San Franciso has not been reinforced so Jesse appears to believe it is save from an attack. I hope to get him surprised... The US still have several undeveloped resources, a sleeping giant.

[Marshall Art]

Winter 1942 – As expected the Wallies attacked in Tobruk but unexpectedly succeeded. Some very good rolls for the Wallies.

The Russians moved into Kalinin. Finland was left untouched, not sure why. I concentrate all forces in Kursk, threatening to break through in Spring into Rostov. A counterattack from Rostov in Winter is possible but not likely unless Jesse wants to sacrifice his army to cause some losses to the Axis. The only Axis offensive action in Russia is the successful bombing of some TacAir and the rail leading into Rostov.

Under heavy naval and aerial cover reinforcements are shipped to Tripoli.

[Marshall Art]

On to the Pacific where the US just have finished 2 more CV incl. CAG, but luckily not on the W. Coast.

5 Japanese BBs move in and the result is heartbreaking – despite 3 hits two go on a DD, repulsing the Japanese attack.

There is no way how to get to the US CVs so Plan B is put into action – attack the remaining ships and block PH despite enemy fighters nearby. Now the missing torpedo attack attribute bites me as last turn the 80% chance of reaching Torp attack 5 did not materialize.

At least 2 attacked BBs survive because of that. Overall only 2 BBs and 2 DDs are hit – I could have attacked PH right away, a total failure. 50+ supplies almost wasted, at least about 15 trannies are caught, leaving the Wallies with 42 plus a few damaged ones.  

Even worse, several invasion attempts fail in Midway, in Java and Luzon only second waves reach the objectives. Who said the SNLFs were elite? GO get your sword...  

Finally the torpedo attack tech is obtained, DD ASW spying was successful, too.

Replay note: I got so mad that I reloaded the turn to see if my plan was a total misconception from the start. Again the Jap BBs did not break through but after I simply moved the CVs next to SF harbour the CAGs endeed managed to hurt several US CVs in port. Of course only to loose as many CVs in the following surface battle off the coast. My main mistake was not to commit all 6 possible BBs to the surface attack, everything else would have worked well then...[8D]

[Lebatron]

Winter 1942. Instead of attacking the large German army in Kursk with my force in Rostov I retreated it. In hindsight that was a mistake. I should have depleted some of the German army while the getting was good. And I should have taken out Finland too when the chance was good, but I wanted as many of my forces in position to hit the German's with the first winter bonus. I know, silly of me to think that my opponent would not retreat away from my northern army. Huge brain fart. My move into Kalinin was a waste of supply and a lost opportunity to take Finland right away.

[Lucky1]

Keep up the good AAR! Am enjoying the game vicariously (as well as others on forum)...

[Marshall Art]

Spring 1942 – Finland was attacked but survived causing severe losses to the Red Fleet. Despite several ASW attacks the German Uboats (EV3) came through untouched, the Japanese subs (EV2) were sunk in the first attempt.

[Marshall Art]

Rostov was vacated with Soviet strongpoings now being Maikop, Stalingrad, Gorki, Moscow.

[Marshall Art]

As the E.Med CV fleet was unable to attack the Italian convoys, Jesse moved in another from the Atlantic. Long range penalties prevented its success.  

[Marshall Art]

The Wallies have retreated from Tobruk under threat of 7/7 Infantry in Tripoli. These march into Tobruk again, restoring the previous situation in the Med and N. Africa. Finland is reinforced.  

Being given the option to either advance towards Stalingrad, threatening all of Maikop, Stalingrad, Gorki but facing those three Armies or move into Tula to threaten the Fortress Moscow I choose to go down the resource road and move into Voronesh. While Jesse could either defend Moscow or vacate it, I am certain he will have to fight for his resources in Baku and Maikop.

Also this approach gives me better supply lines and allows for a repair of the resources in the Ukraine as they are under less threat. I am currently 4 resources short of full production throughout 1943, living from stocked surplus. Repairing 4 resources will allow me to go into 1944 with full 46+ PPs, and leaving enough for heavy investment into research.

[Marshall Art]

Japan invades the Johnston Atoll and Wake, bypassing Midway for the moment. PH is attacked, leaving one BB damaged and the remainder sunk. Sumatra and Rangoon are added to the Japanese sphere. India is heavily defended, so plans are worked out to recon Australia.