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12-18-42

In the central sector of the East Front the Germans still try to stabilize the front and regain the supply rail road to Rzhev. Trucks bring in some much needed supplies. But the German efficiency during this winter weather is low and there is a strong chance that we cannot save Rzhev either.

1-1-43

A lone Italian corps tries to hold back the Allied tide in Sardinia while their comrades on the Italian mainland hunker down to prepare for the coming onslaught. (It may be elsewhere, of course - the Allied commander has proven to be quite unpredictable).

In Russia the Germans could not make any progress in securing the threatened position of Rzhev. It is still in German hands but very vulnerable (no pic).

1-15-43

The Allies complete the conquest of Sardinia and have a great jumping off position for landings in a variety of places. Furthermore they can just threaten to do invade in the western Med while actually invading somewhere else entirely.

1-15-43

In Blizzard conditions the Soviets are continuing local attacks and reconquer Rzhev which was cut off from the rail supply for a number of turns now. We regain the rail line but too late to save the city.

But overall the Soviets are holding back since time is on their side. While they may not yet threaten Berlin quite yet the Germans are completely neutralized and wait for the coup-de-grace - perhaps somewhere in the west.

February and March 1943

There have been few updates lately since there was nothing to report on. The war entered a lull phase during the winter of 1943. The Allies apparently take a breather in the Med and the Russians and Germans just probe some weak spots occasionally - but without much progress.

I expect the Allies to attack again at the start of summer to distract the Germans (as usual) from any plans they may have in the East.

4-9-43

No change but the Allied buildup in Tunisia is a sight to behold. We will see where this force will be unleashed.

Very interesting, Chocolino. Thanks for doing this. I may pick this game up during the next sale or when I get my annual coupon.

Cheers,
CB

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Very interesting, Chocolino. Thanks for doing this. I may pick this game up during the next sale or when I get my annual coupon.

Cheers,
CB

Thanks for following along. If you are looking for a grand strategy WW2 (European Theater) game you can't go wrong with WarPlan.

4-23-43

Is that an Allied invasion fleet north-west of Corsica?

Italian subs probe and Axis aircraft attack with overall mixed results and damage on both side. Shown is only one firefight but there were more.

The weather at the East Front is still unfavorable for any operations.

Is that an Allied invasion fleet north-west of Corsica?

A frustrated naval high command, attempting to use CVs to lift the Italian air superiority blanket over the Med. It will be written about in the history books as one of the worst command decisions of the war.

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

Is that an Allied invasion fleet north-west of Corsica?

A frustrated naval high command, attempting to use CVs to lift the Italian air superiority blanket over the Med. It will be written about in the history books as one of the worst command decisions of the war.

Given the number of Axis air in the region the Allied fleet got off lightly. But the Axis air fleets are not trained in naval combat and miss almost always. So it is safer for Allied fleets to cruise right under our nose than you may think.

5-7-43

The weather clears surprisingly early over the East Front and the Axis attacks after a long rest and refit. We can take a number of hexes in the southern sector and cause some damage while suffering clearly less. Kursk is in our field telescopes now. If the weather holds we may be able to put some pressure on the Russians after all.

But there are some very strong Soviets units around. Luckily many other are still of lower quality.

In the Med the Allied fleet has withdrawn and it is still quiet (before the storm).

5-21-43

The long awaited Allied attack in the Med has started. They did invade Syracuse again and did bring in a strong force. The Italian air force could not catch any landing troops "in flagranti" unfortunately.

5-21-43

The early good weather in the USSR from last week was only an interlude and we are back to heavy rain. The Russians preemptively withdrew from the Rzhev area fearing a strong German attack. So German troops could occupy it for the second time.

Bad weather prevented the continuation of our attack in the south.

6-4-43

The Allies make progress in Sicily and take another hex. Given their air-superiority it will be hard to defend.

6-4-43

The Atlantic has become a side show. But the Kriegsmarine still sends out its heavy units to raid Allied convoy lanes and there are occasional sea battles. The one shown below is just one example. Here the Hipper has received heavy damage in exchange for sinking an Allied light cruiser and destroyer group.

6-4-43

German armor can take Kursk for the first time in the war and has Kharkov in its sights. Currently there is more activity in the south than in the north. But Germany does not have enough units to push beyond Kursk even though the ground has been cleared. If we do we will just be punished for it during the next USSR counterattack.

6-18-43

Very surprisingly the Americans land a unit with no harbor connection and take Bologna. The Axis HQ can only assume this is intended to cut the railroads to Sicily and to stop Germany from reinforcing this main landing zone with German units from the East. I assume that Rome to the south will continue as a main supply source for Italy/Sicily no matter what happens in the north.

Axis forces try to contain the intruder and safeguard the railway to the west.

6-18-43

On Sicily itself the Allies destroy one Italian corps but the UK suffers the loss of one corps as well on the German counterattack. Nonetheless, the Allies are expanding in Sicily. Italian aircraft focus on the ships but have no luck.

6-18-43

Meanwhile on the East Front Germany continues its attacks in the south and captures a few hexes and the city of Kharkov. But it does not look as if this will turn out to be a decisive attack either - and this year is our last chance....