John Lee's 'great war' Entente vs MP9090 as Central Powers

[gwgardner]

If Austria is remaining quiescent on the Serbian front, it must be for a reason. Moving troops to Galicia?

While the Serbs refuse to abandon their defensive entrenchments, they are considering a probe in force either to the northeast or northwest of Belgrade.

Northwest makes more sense if the intent is to disrupt AH dispositions, but either might be effective to hold Austrian forces away from Galicia?

[gwgardner]

August 23, turn 4

The Russian 1st Army successfully invested Koenigsburg, and will now be transported to the south of 2nd Army, in preparation for

1) meeting the possible German 8th Army action east of Thorn;
2) possible offensive towards Thorn;
3) readiness for any enemy move towards central Poland.

[note: it's apparent from the first four turns that in the scale of this scenario, historical WW1 German triumphs in Prussia, August 1914, are unlikely.]

Little has changed in Galicia, where the Russian army is continuing its opportunistic offensive, ie attacking only weak points in the AH lines, rather than pursuing a broader offensive.

In Serbia, the AH has tightened its lines, closer to the Serbian entranchments, but otherwise it is still unclear whether one or more of the AH armies there has been shifted north.

[gwgardner]

in the West

[gwgardner]

As Cfant indirectly hinted in his question about shock settings, above, the scenario would be more exciting in the first month at least if the power of the defense didn't kick in so quickly. There's little evidence here of the early superior organization, doctrine, and planning of the German forces, in carrying out the attempted flanking of the entire French army. An early shock advantage is needed.

[gwgardner]

Sept 6, turn 6

[gwgardner]

On the Galician Front, the Battle of Przemsyl continues on the Galician front, but the north wing of the offensive has stalled with the reorganization of the 3rd Army directy investing the city.

[gwgardner]

Sept 20, turn 8

The Battle of Przemsyl in Galicia is won, at least in its drive on that rail and road hub. Both 3rd and 8th Armies are in need of reorganization, but are ordered to continue the drive to destroy the Austrian forces.

[gwgardner]

Ominously, intelligence has discovered that the Austrians did indeed weaken their Serbian Front, to move at least their 6th Army north to Galicia. And also at least one division of German troops has been discovered.

This is certainly a threat to the Russian 3rd and 8th Armies, posing the possibility of an enemy offensive against the weak south-eastern flank of the Galician Front.

The Russian 9th Army is nearing completion of its mobilization, and it maybe necessary to position it athwart the lines of any Austrian 6th Army push.

[gwgardner]

Just when GHQ thought the front had stabilized, the German Army has successfully driven a wedge between the left flank of the French 5th Army and Territorial forces south and southeast of St. Quentien.

[Cfant]

Interesting game. In RL the Central Powers would crumble, the loss of Königsburg would have been a major blow to Germany. Well done! Any idea why he gave up Eastern Prussia? Press on on Galicia, Austria seems to be in trouble

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: Cfant

Interesting game. In RL the Central Powers would crumble, the loss of Königsburg would have been a major blow to Germany. Well done! Any idea why he gave up Eastern Prussia? Press on on Galicia, Austria seems to be in trouble

The 'early mobilization' feature, whereby both the Russian 1st and 2nd Armies start full strength, and the scattered start for the German 8th, makes it really difficult to hold Prussia. So I'm guessing MP9090 decided to take that early loss with the hope that he'll be much stronger in the near term. He apparently made the same choice in eastern Galicia.

[gwgardner]

Sept 27, turn 9

Stavka has decided that 3rd and 8th Armies will have to halt their offensive, having taken Przemsyl, and stretch their fronts to cover the buildup of German/AH forces in eastern Galicia.

The new 9th Army is needed farther north, near Lodz, where the Germans seem to be readying a push.

[gwgardner]

In the West, GHQ seriously misjudged the state of the front line, thinking that it would be impossible for the Germans to continue their offensive.

Instead, the enemy has broken the lines along the coast near Boulogne, and southeast of St. Quentin.

The BEF is feeling exposed, with the French territorial troops to their east crumbling against the German assault.

The lead German forces are only 75 miles from Paris.

[gwgardner]

Oct 4,turn 10

Two months into the war. Casualties are outstripping reinforcements among rifle squads.

[gwgardner]

The German offensive in the west is directed against the more disorganized/makeshift defense of Territorial units, bolstered by the BEF. The latter is forced to withdraw slowly, to maintain contact with the French and Belgian forces on its flanks. Thus St Quentin has been lost.

The German drive is generally towards Amiens and Compien.

[gwgardner]

The withdrawal of at least one AH army from the Serbian Front has offered an opportunity for the Serbs to demonstrate north of the Danube, in a limited offensive aimed at disrupting enemy dispositions.

Serbian High Command is caught in a dilemna: need to support it's great ally, Russia, but a decided lack of interest in drawing the weight of Austrian reinforcements back upon Serbia.

[gwgardner]

The Eastern Front is quiet, with both forces recovering from exhaustion. One major question is haunting Stavka: where has the Austrian 6th Army disappeared to? It had apparently been positioned to thrust north from the Carpathians into the weak southeastern part of the Russian lines, but now recon has completely lost contact with it.

[gwgardner]

Oct 18, turn 12

The Serbian Offensive north of Belgrade, along the eastern bank of the Danube, has succeeded in exposing the weakness of the Austrian positions. However, supply is a problem, and ANY attempt by the Austrians to counter-attack will expose the Serbs own weakness.

[gwgardner]

Stavka's intended drive southwest against the Austrian armies defending western Galicia may have to be stalled, to shore up the Silesian Front. 5th Army's trains may have to be redirected north.

[gwgardner]

In France, the Germans continue their drive towards the Marne and are relentless south of Boulogne. GHQ is pondering the necessity for a general withdrawal to save both the 5th Army and the BEF.