Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

[mike1984]

T016. August 21, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt



Still having trouble plugging the open drain on my southern flank. Had it not been for Ken's airborne and amphibious raids, I would've had no problem defending this and pushing back the Axis forces in Egypt. I think he's running out of airborne-capable troops, since this landing was much smaller than the previous ones.



My counterattacks focused on containing the southern sectors, while placing a ton of emphasis on destroying the Axis troops to the north behind my lines. Meanwhile, the main line at El Alamein has been given a general retreat order, to consolidate near Alexandria. Some screening units were left behind, namely the 5th Indian Division, which is removed next turn anyway. The British 5th Infantry Division will arrive at Suez next turn, being transferred from Iraq. The final US division will also arrive in about two more turns. At that point, if the Axis are threatening Cairo, a fresh full division should halt their advance.

Eastern Front - Karelia South



This is interesting. Did Ken buy my ruse here? He's been moving Nazi divisions to the north for a few turns. Now he's launching what looks like a moderate-size offensive across the canal with no fewer than three full panzer divisions. It appears he's trying to cut off and surround the 2nd Shock Army. Does he know I have so many reserves ready to counterattack? It doesn't seem like it, because without him capturing the road across the canal, his supply will run low very quickly on this side of the canal.



If the 2nd Shock Army gets destroyed, it won't go down without a fight. So it immediately attacked to cut supply lines to the lead panzer division, while three Soviet armies have formed to counterattack. There are more Axis divisions arriving from the south, so I'll need to keep up the defense-in-depth here for a few turns, especially keeping the 2nd Shock Army in decent shape to hold the supply road in the north.

First Named Offensive
Operation Tuning Fork



I'll admit I was nearly scared into cancelling this operation with the Axis offensive in southern Karelia. But then I realized this would be the perfect time to do this, as one of my goals from transporting all those armies up to the north was a diversion from the sectors at and south of Leningrad. Operation Tuning Fork has two prongs. The first in the south to defend against counterattacks on the left flank. The second to the north, cutting off Leningrad and possibly retaking the city. Reaching the Baltic Sea is critical to the success of this offensive.

[mike1984]

T017. August 28, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt.



The whole situation in Egypt has been a clusterf*ck for about 5 turns now. And every time I think things start to settle down into a manageable situation, some new problems sprouts up. Ken is still landing some paratroopers behind my lines, this time to block the eastern approach to Cairo. My general retreat order with screening troops did help consolidate my lines, but I've made a critical error. For the last three turns, I've done everything to recapture Alexandria, thinking it was a supply point for the Allies. My assumption was that if I could recapture that city, the Allied troops occupying it would hold out with supply until reinforcements arrive. Now that I've realized my mistake, I have to get troops out of there quickly and moving toward Cairo, where I plan to make a last stand in the delta region. I can hold the marshes to the north with minimal troops.



It wasn't a terrible turn, but I'm still kicking myself for the Alexandria blunder. Most of the Commonwealth troops have shifted south and consolidated toward the main Axis armored push on the flank to Cairo. The 5th UK Division's arrival at Cairo is a needed boost to the defense of the city, but the 7. Flieger paratroopers blocking the road has forced the 5th to stop short of occupying Cairo. The III Corps headquarters has moved into the city, and if they're attacked, the 5th will be there to counterattack next turn. The United States forces are still around Alexandria, and I'm afraid they'll be lost if a line of retreat cannot be opened through the Nile Delta marshes.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork



The offensive has begun. Attacks in the north have been met with much stiffer resistance from the Nazis than the spearhead in the south. The southern attack broke through the enemy line, but clearing the road's northern flank could not be accomplished this turn. It's critical that the northern flank be secured so I can freely flow reinforcements across the river. I'll have to pull more reinforcements from the south to help with the breakthrough, as I fear I've underestimated the size of the force needed to make this offensive a success.

Eastern Front - Karelia South



Unless there's a large contingent of Axis reinforcements here that I cannot see, I'm confident this defense will be a success. The terrain has greatly aided the mission here, as the Nazi divisions are already running low on supplies in the heavy woods and isolated from their bases across the river. Losing the Soviet troops on the western bank is worth the sacrifice if I can hold here and seriously damage the Axis forces.

Eastern Front - Mumansk



Sending the Independent Groups up here to bolster the Murmansk defenses was key to pushing back the most recent Axis assault toward the city. But I'll need more to hold Murmansk, much more.

[StuccoFresco]

Killing off those three Panzerdivisionen in the north would be a massive success!

I fear you are underestimating the difficulty of a breakthrough south of Leningrad, given how thick are the forest there. They will slow you down and give the Germans time to bring in reinforcements from the south. You'll risk facing a counterattack from Leningrad and Bielorussia that could cut off your advancing armies.

[mike1984]

This offensive ends how you'd expect lol

[mike1984]

T018. 4 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt.



Even with the general retreat and the chaos that goes along with it, I'm surprised the Axis haven't been able to further exploiting the situation. It shows they're running on fumes. A new airborne landing was conducted near Suez, but they weren't able to reach the objective this turn.



The tide appears to be turning here. For the first time since the start of the scenario, I'm making proactive moves instead of just reacting to the Axis. Three new support units arrived in Cairo, but they are still immensely helpful in containing the Axis units behind the lines. The recon unit moved to Suez to secure that position, while the rest bolstered the defenses around Cairo. To the north, at least half of the 34th US Division will escape destruction, while half of the 1st US Armored is well within safe distance of the main line. With supply to the main army now secured, the Commonwealth units will gain strength quickly and should hold until enough reinforcements arrive in Egypt to counterattack.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork



Unless something changes quickly, this operation will have to be ended with minimal gains. In fairness, I should have expected it this early in the scenario. The Soviet troops are not nearly up to the task of conducting offensive operations without overwhelming numbers. Even if I could muster up a force big enough, it probably wouldn't be strong enough to go head-to-head with the Nazis. I transferred two armored corps and a cavalry corps from the south, as part of a last-ditch push to make something out of this. We'll see.

Eastern Front - Karelia South



Still not sure what the end game is supposed to be here for the Axis. I have more reinforcements to send here if my defenses start to falter. But with the depth and good supply, I should hold here with the forces available for at least a few turns.

Eastern Front - Murmansk



Now it just feels like I'm operating on stolen time in the extreme north. I've beaten back three attacks that came within a hex of Murmansk. I don't think I can hold off another one. And the Kriegsmarine is now blocking the approach into the bay, so there's no hope of reinforcing the defenders.

[mike1984]

T019. 11 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt.



Disaster! The 5th U.S. Infantry Division has been destroyed while in transport ships bound for Egypt. This was a major blow to the Allied hopes for a counterattack on this front and will likely add many weeks to the preparations. As of right now, the northern flank is held by the Nile. A big risk if the Axis have ferry units available. But I have to roll the dice there. The supply line from Suez is now reopened, and that should start paying off next turn. If my front line divisions can regain some strength, they'll easily be able to handle anything Ken throws my way here. In two months time, the U.S. forces in England will be ready for a landing in the Mediterranean.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork



It was a good try, but this operation is dying quickly. I'll try to hold the bridgehead across the Volkhov River, as it would be a great launch point for future offensive operations in this sector.

Eastern Front - Karelia South



My guess here is that the situation on the border here will settle down for the winter. The terrain won't be suitable for offensive operations and Ken will want to pull his divisions back over the canal to ensure supply isn't interrupted.

[mike1984]

T020. 18 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt.



All divisions along the southern flank have pulled back into a consolidated line west of Cairo, using the delta marshes as a barrier to the north. This has freed up considerable reserves that I can now rest up and use to combat any excursions to the north. It looks like Ken is trying to force me into a counter move in the north, but I have enough to hold him for now. As my divisions in the south gain strength, that will solve my force's deficiencies I'm currently working against.

Eastern Front - Leningrad.
Operation Tuning Fork.



Things aren't all that horrible. The Soviets on the southern prong of the fork finally connected, but the bridgehead there is still tenuous. The Nazis are massing for what appears to be enough for a counterattack, but my money is on just a strong containment of my advance. The northern attack has fared very poorly, still unable to dislodge the SS division holding the main objective along the river. In several weeks, there's been literally no gains made here. It's laughable that I thought this offensive would get all the way to the Baltic. But it has at least forced Ken to move troops into the sector and away from other areas where he may have done more damage to my defensive operations.

[StuccoFresco]

Axis troops in North Africa seem overwhelming, isn't this a bit strange?

[mike1984]

T021-024. 25 September - 16 October 1942.

Mud.



Not much happened these two turns. No major attacks by either side. I pushed back a few minor units on the Egyptian front. On Turn 22, the storms and mud arrived, sending both sides into 50% shock. So figure much of the immediate activity will be troop shifts. Last turn I activated an increase in supply, so that my forces in Egypt will recoup strength a little faster.

Plans for the landings in western Africa have begun, with the arrivals of the U.S. 1st and 3rd divisions and supporting units in England, as well as the British 1st, 4th, 46th, and 78th divisions and supporting units. I believe the Vichy French have pulled back from their coastal defenses except for Casablanca, which is where my supply point is located.

As for the rest of the European Theater, I've continued the strategic bombing campaign and shored up the Eastern Front in all sectors. The Allies in Egypt have regained nearly all their strength, and will be ready to launch a concurrent offensive there once the force lands in Morocco. I've also transferred some troops from Iraq to bolster the Commonwealth forces in the Nile Delta area.

[mike1984]

T025. 23 October 1942.

North Africa - Morocco



There's not much planning to be done for Operation Torch, the invasion of northwest Africa. The Vichy French have left a rear guard to block Casablanca from an easy capture by the Allies, but the rest seem to have been pulled back. My guess is they are blocking the narrow corridor to Oran, a common chokepoint in this scenario. The general plan is to send a smaller invasion force into Morocco before the Torch disband is activated. If I can get enough divisions onto the beaches with the current sea transport, it's possible to capture Casablanca, and the critical supply point, before the bulk of the landing force arrives from England and clear some of the areas to reduce the movement points required to get the units away from the beaches on the same turn as landing.

North Africa - Egypt



I have some reservations about launching an offensive here concurrently with the Morocco landings, as the Commonwealth forces are just now reaching full strength. It also looks like the Germans are forming a defensive line west of El Alamein, anticipating that I'll attack and break through their lines around the Nile Delta. If this offensive happens, it'll have to inflict maximum damage on the front line Axis forces. There won't be any more major reinforcements arriving in Cairo, unless I transport troops there with a naval escort. That takes too much time. It's possible to get them there through the Mediterranean, but that's also risky for obvious reasons.

[mike1984]

Ken moved a ton of reinforcements to N. Africa. It was a smart strategy to try to overwhelm me there. And the airborne attacks were genius. I was one or two turns from getting swept across the Suez Canal.

[mike1984]

T026. 30 October 1942. (slides have wrong date)

North Africa - Morocco



The Torch landings went off without a hitch, even pushing the Vichy force out of Casablanca on the first attempt. The 1st, 4th, and 46th UK Divisions suffered minor casualties. The 1st US Division landed on the northern beaches and began its march toward Oran. The 3rd US Division and 102nd Cavalry will land next turn, and if necessary, the 5th US Division.

North Africa - Egypt



There will be three attack paths for Operation Phoenix. The main thrusts will be around the flanks of the Axis positions west of Cairo. As mentioned in the previous post, this attack will need to inflict maximum damage on the enemy. The secondary arm of the attack will make its way through the Nile Delta toward Alexandria. There's no expectation of recapturing the city with the northern force. However it's critical to clear the Delta of Axis units while the main attack advances in the south.

[mike1984]

T027. 6 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch



Opening this new front was absolutely necessary if I want to relieve pressure on Egypt. It was predictable that I'd land here, but the early moves in this scenario are mostly predictable on the Allied side. The key battle victory this turn was capturing the port at Oran. That will open up a sea lane through to Algiers, and allow direct reinforcement to the invasion force much further east than the initial landing sites around Casablanca. I'm a little surprised that Ken hasn't sent the Vichy French to block the advance more forcefully.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix



The initial attacks in the south have been successful, as the 10th UK Armored and 5th UK Division broke through the thin Italian line and are sweeping the flank northward. On the right flank, the 2nd New Zealand Division and 4th New Zealand Armored Brigade crossed the Nile River and should be able to surround the Nazi 295. Division. It does seem like Ken is sacrificing these units in order to beat me up a bit. He may very well be planning to counter attack sharply once he sees my troops are tired. My hope is that if this attack grinds these front line Axis units into dust, I can take a break for a turn or two. The key is to keep the Axis here occupied while the landings in Morocco establish a solid front and advance toward Tunisia.

[mike1984]

T028. 13 November 1942.

Theater Notes

A major boost to the strategic bombing campaign as been the arrival of three P-51 fighter squadrons of the RAF. Until now, almost all escorts were Spitfires or similar with short range. But now the bombers are getting escorts that can fly all the way to the targets and back. It was immediately noticed when two bombing missions inflicted more damage than any so far, while sustaining very low casualties. The air campaign will still be tough for the next few months, but this is a great shot in the arm for the RAF.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch



Attacks around Oran have been a great success, pushing the Vichy French back with little trouble. Once the Allied forces can break out of the narrow corridor and into Algeria, it should be nearly open roads to Tunisia. Some Vichy forces are moving in, finally, to counter my progress, but it appears far too late.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix



Recon has lost track of whether or not the Nazi divisions at El Alamein have been evacuated. But I can see at least one division still there. I must move quickly to destroy all remaining Axis forces in the immediate front of the offensive, while also maintaining a strong left flank in case Ken decides to counterattack with what I assume is still to the west. Once the Allies mop up the stragglers, I'll order a halt and rest for at least one turn. Then comes a likely showdown, again, at El Alamein.

[mike1984]

T029. 20 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch




The attack eastward is grinding along, one hex per turn right now. The British on the right flank have reached the end of the narrow corridor, and next turn should be able to break out around the Vichy left flank. The problem is supply. From Casablanca to the front line the supply drops by about 75 percent, causing a severe penalty on my divisions any time they're in combat. But the immediate need is to break out and get to Algiers. Once there, I can give them a short rest before picking back up again.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix



Now comes the halt and rest, for at least one turn so that supply can catch up to the main force. The Italians at Alexandria are holding out. I can't imagine them repulsing another round of attacks next turn. I now can spot a Nazi panzer division near El Alamein, along with supporting Italian units. That's infantry and armor spotted in the last two turns, meaning the Afrika Korps is still there, waiting for my attack. The Nazis have been waiting, digging in, for several turns. They're likely rested and strong. I've got some thinking to do.

[mike1984]

T030. 27 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch



The main British force has broken out around the right. Things should move quickly from here, except for the supply issue that's holding back progress. Fully supply per hex is around 31, but it drops to single digits as soon as you get away from the west Morocco beaches. As much as I'd love to race to Oran and beyond, lack of supply is going to make these units almost worthless in combat. That means I'll have to slow down and allow supply to trickle in each turn. Very frustrating.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix



I'm not entirely sure how long the army will need to rest here, but I want to avoid attacking a well-rested, fortified enemy unless my divisions are at full strength.

[mike1984]

T031. 4 December 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch
Operation Vice



Assuming this is what Patton himself would have thought about doing, I've crushed the Vichy French forces by conducting an end-run amphibious landing, code named Operation Vice, directly into the Port of Algiers. First off the landing craft was the 3rd Carpathian Division of the Polish II Corps, followed immediately by the 2nd US Armored Division. As luck would have it, one of the two Vichy divisions in Algiers was still embarked on trains. The Poles fought their way into the city and cleared the way for Patton's tanks.

Once the landing force was safely ashore, the push west to link up with the main Allied army was underway. That force was pushing east already on the same turn. The amphibious task force slammed into the rear of the Vichy main force, destroying nearly half of it in a single turn. An added bonus was the Nazi 704. Division that was hiding in reserve west of Algiers. The 2nd Armored inflicted nearly 70 percent casualties on it over two assaults, and now the Nazis are surrounded with some Vichy stragglers.

This victory will conclude Operation Torch. But now the difficult work begins of pressing east toward Tunis. Once the mop-up is complete, the Allied army in Algeria will need to rest for at least two full turns. It's been extremely frustrating to know that supply is going to hamper quick progress. The delay will also allow Ken to react more swiftly, possibly transferring more Nazi units into the area.

Eastern Front - Orel
Plans for Operation Pickaxe



The entire Eastern Front has been a staring contest since the failed Operation Tuning Fork south of Leningrad. But now winter has arrived, and with it the chance for an offensive to help shake things loose. The preliminary plans, code named Operation Pickaxe, are to capture the key road intersection at Orel. A diversionary attack from the north to misdirect the Axis and pin down some reserves there, will be launched one turn in advance of the main attack just south of Orel. I've begun transferring artillery into the region, combined with a targeted bombing campaign of the bridges and rail network leading into the sectors to be attacked. To make it somewhat less obvious what I'm planning, the bridge bombing mission has been also spread to other sectors along the Eastern Front. Units for this offensive have also been massed outside of the area, and will transfer to the staging points right before the attacks begin.

[StuccoFresco]

Why didn't you opt for a push against Kursk? Too well defended?

[mike1984]

I already have a bulge at Kursk. If I were to attack and capture it, it would create a full-on salient. Ken's divisions are much stronger than mine, and could easily attack the flanks and cut off a pocket.

[StuccoFresco]

True.

I see however another possible attack route if Pickaxe fails or stalls. A breakthrough where the red arrow is placed would put your advancing unit between two defensible barriers on the flanks (forest on the right flank, river on the left) and threaten the encirclement of the town just SE of the penetration. Expecially if the Germans move troops there to resist to Pickaxe.