THIRD REICH 42-45 1.5.2 - mike1984 (Allies) vs USXpat (Axis)

[mike1984]

T034 12.25.42

Sector: Murmansk
The Germans have renewed their push to capture this vital Lend Lease port, with early success. It won’t be so easy, however, to just waltz into the city. I’m planning on shipping an entire Shock or Guards army up to fortify the defense, in cooperation with a demonstration in the southern portion of Finland.



Sector: Grozny
The city has fallen with a clap of thunder. Mark even said he didn’t expect to capture Grozny in one turn, but that’s what he did, going for broke and attacking directly into the city. The original German plan was to capture the adjacent hexes to cut the defenses in two. But that was tough sledding. Now I’m left to scramble the defenses and plan my next move. The next likely Axis target is T’Bilisi, then Baku. But both are very tough to get to, compared to Grozny, which was in a terrible defensive position. I’m probably going to stay put next to Grozny, in order to keep the Germans guessing and prepared for a counter offensive. Of course, that’s unlikely to happen here, but you never know. Northwest of Grozny, I’ve spotted at least two airborne/airlanding divisions resting on airfield hexes.



Sector: Libya-Tobruk - OPERATION TURNPIKE
The battle is moving west, as Rommel is making a run for it to Tobruk and mainland Europe. The Italians are fighting to cover the withdrawal, aided by the remaining German units. Much of the DAK is trying to get to the port, which I briefly blocked with the Royal Navy and Allied naval squadrons. The Italian Navy sortied into the area, knocking out two battleships and at least a few cruisers. It was a rough loss for the RN, but not one that can’t be absorbed in th end. Now that I know where the Italian squadron is (in Tobruk, protecting the troop transports), I can order a naval air attack on the big boats.



Sector: Algeria-Tunisia
Approaching the border was slower than expected, as the 51st Italian Division held Phillipeville for two full turns before the V Corps overwhelmed the fortified town. The 2nd Armored rolled toward the border, with the V Corps recon screening the southern flank. Farther south, the British II Corps is approaching Tebessa and Kessarine Pass, where at least two Italian divisions, and a mechanized German division are digging in. I’m not concerned with dislodging the Axis units down here. Rather, my goal is to capture Tunis as quickly as possible. The British 1st Airborne Division is resting and ready at the Algiers airfields, and will likely see its first action in the next few turns. OPERATION: TORCH has been a success.

[mike1984]

T035 01.01.43

Sector: Murmansk
I’ve shipped the 5th Shock Army up to Murmansk, bolstering the defenses even more. I’d imagine Mark will make a concerted effort to take the port city, as it would really hurt my supply and Lend Lease capabilities. There will likely be the need to send more troops up here, but I’m going to see what the Germans do now that they’re facing an entire additional army.



ELSEWHERE

NW Europe - The strategic bombing campaign is sputtering along. Losses have been high, so success has been minimal.

North Africa - The British are approaching Tobruk just as the Axis are leaving it. Some of the Axis are being shipped to Tunis, where the Americans are on the outskirts of the city.

The Caucasus - Minimal skirmishes, but nothing of consequence.

[mike1984]

T036 01.08.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
The division east of the city has been a tough nut to crack, even though it’s cut off and surrounded. With all the resources wasted on trying to capture the unit, I’m expecting a counter attack by the rest of the German forces south of this small pocket. For now, however, Murmansk looks to be secure. In the coming turns, I’ll surely need to add more reinforcements here to protect the Lend Lease arrivals.

Sectors: The Caucasus
Minor actions result in little progress. I’m pulling back some units that were jammed up against the mountains south of Grozny, to avoid capture. But my plan remains to bottle up the Germans in Grozny, forcing them to fight their way out of the city if they want to advance on T’Bilisi or Baku. Along the Black Sea Coast, my lines are holding much better now, adding another defensive line just south of the main line.

AFRICA

Sector: Tobruk
The battle for eastern North Africa is winding down, as the Germans and Italians are either evacuated to Tunisia or Italy, or completely destroyed. The Italian Army HQ and DAK HQ have been caught, and should surrender the next turn. The XXX Corps approaches Tobruk, where a lone Italian division stands in the way. I’d expect a sharp, but relatively quick fight to retake the city after long months in Axis hands.



Sector: Tunisia
The US II Corps has reached the outskirts of Tunis, where it’s spotted two mechanized light divisions and a panzer division. It also looks like the mobile supply point for Panzer Armee Afrika is now at Tunis. Some Italian divisions are here to support the main German force.

[mike1984]

T037: 01.15.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
Relief has broken my thin line surrounding the - Division east of Murmansk. But the big problem is the center of the line, which suddenly gave way to strong attacks by the Germans and Fins. It seems the rail artillery weakened my defenses enough that the Russians were no match for the Axis assault. I’ll have to send more reinforcements to Murmansk in the upcoming turns, much earlier than I hoped to need them. The 2nd Guards is ready to move, but haven’t boarded trains yet to Archangelsk’s docks. The only way to Murmansk is via the Arctic Ocean. Can help arrive in time?



AFRICA

Sector: Tobruk
The British 8th Armoured Brigade has rolled into a vacant Tobruk, the last Italians waving goodbye from the transports to Italy. Now it’s on to Tripoli and Tunisia.

Sector: Tunis
The 999. Leichte surprised the 9th Division by hopping out of its trenches and attacking the tired Americans. The “Varsity” boys fell back, and despite the help of the 34th Division, the Germans secured their position southwest of Tunis. With the Canadians boarding ships from England to Algeria, and the rail line from Algiers to the Tunis front lines being repaired, it looks as though the Americans will have to sit tight for the fresh divisions to arrive.

[mike1984]

T038: 01.22.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
This situation has gone from stable to disastrous in a matter of just one turn. Not only have the Axis blown apart my defensive lines, but a German naval squadron (!) is blocking the supply route from the Russian ports to the south. Unless I can break the blockade, while simultaneously transporting the 2nd Guards into the port of Murmansk, the city and valuable supply port will be in Axis hands by next turn. I’m not confident right now. Not at all. I’m not even sure that at this point, a rescue effort it worth the risk. What if the 2nd Guards can’t make it there in time, but get stranded at sea with roving German ships? What if the Guards do arrive, but are trapped and squeezed into surrender before firing a shot? Would the Guards be better used to launch an offensive into Finland, or concentrate elsewhere on the Russian Front?



Sector: Astrakhan
For a few turns now, I’ve built up some strength in the southern arm of the Astrakhan bulge. However, with the loss of Grozny, and the need for help elsewhere on the front, I’m not going to renew the offensive that was started with OPERATION: WATERFALL. The 3rd Guards and 2nd Gds Tank Armies were railed here in case of an attack. Now they are going to be sent to a different sector in the north, where I’m hoping to force the Germans to battle in the open plains.

Sector: Grozny
Was that a glider division I just saw pass overhead? Yes, it seems Mark is getting bold now, sending an airborne operation into the rear area of my Grozny defenses. I’m not sure what he’s expecting to accomplish, but I imagine it won’t last long with little supply and a few decent rear-guard units roaming about. Aside from that little show, the Grozny situation is kind of like cancer. You can slow it down, but it never really goes away. The Germans are slowly eating away at the armies I once had defending the city. Though they are still strong enough to prevent a sweeping breakthrough to Baku, it’s not an improving situation by any means. I’m going to soon have to consider moving some units back to form a new defensive line, before allowing the Germans access to more real estate.



AFRICA

Sector: Tunis
The V Corps is close, but not in battle formation. Much of the II Corps is finally getting some resupply, but they are still very low on the readiness scale. Once the rail line to Algiers is repaired, I can transport the I Canadian Corps by train to the Tunis sector. That will eliminate any attrition that would normally occur by marching/driving that long distance. Fresh, well-rested men and armor should have little trouble bagging the final Axis redoubt in North Africa.

[mike1984]

I'm having a half-freakout right now. My PC at home is where I kept most of my TOAW stuff--save files, pbem files, screenshots, etc. Unfortunately, that computer may have fallen victim to a nasty Trojan that rendered my HDD paralyzed or dead. I'm not sure, but after reading up on the symptoms (will recognize, but not "detect" storage devices on bootup, and won't go past the crcdisk.sys line when booting in safe mode) it seems to be the cause of this.

Now, I'm fortunate that I keep my running AAR text in a Google doc online. However, I'm a moron and didn't save my screenshots remotely like the writeups. So, I'll now have to go back into the .pbl files I receive from Mark, and re-shoot each turn's slides for the AAR. That sucks, because it's much better to use the "DO NOT SEND" file (.sal) that generates after every time my turn is saved/sent to Mark. But what can I do, ya know?

Unless I can somehow save the screenshots from the affected HDD, this AAR will have to use those less-than-ideal screenshots.

Just a heads up.

[Martin_Goliath]

That's awful - hope you can have it sorted out, not only for the sake of this excellent AAR.
Martin

[mike1984]

T039: 01.29.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
Axis troops are now on the verge of capturing Murmansk. The 18. PzG of XXXIX-B Panzer has cut off a chunk of the 33rd, 42nd and 5th Shock Armies, giving the enemy a three-sided attack path to the city. The Adm Sheer squadron of the Kriegsmarine is still blocking the shipping lane, meaning that not only can’t I reinforce the city, but can’t evacuate it, either. The British Royal Navy sent over a battleship squadron to help break the blockade, but that could take up to two turns to destroy the German squadron. Losing Murmansk will be a big blow to the Allied/Russian cause, but not as much of a mental shock as losing Leningrad. Archangelsk is a completely different (and unlikely) target for the Axis, which means the Lend Lease should continue to come in with only minor disruption.

Sector: Yelets
Russian tanks actually penetrated two hexes into the German position immediately adjacent to Yelets. Having massed field artillery here, I feel confident I can replicate that kind of breakthrough in the upcoming turns. And now with the arrival of the 2nd Gds Tank and 3rd Guards Army, I’ll have more to support and follow up on any gains. I’m hoping this area can become a focal point for the front once again, as the northern and southern extremes have seen poor performance by the Russians.



Sector: Astrakhan
The Germans are attempting something here, but I’m not sure the end game. The attack is being led by the XIV Panzer, supported by the XI Korps and other detached panzer and infantry divisions. This is a very hodge-podge offensive, at least in terms of formation cohesion. I noticed some units coming up from a local reserve, some of which looked like SS Panzer Korps divisions. They haven’t entered the battle as of yet, but it’s something to keep in mind here. The XI Korps and XIV Panzer divisions could be used to soften up my front lines (which they have so far) for the SS Panzer divisions to strike the fatal blow. Still, this offensive doesn’t seem to have the juice for a strike all the way to Astrakhan. My assumption right now is that it’s to keep my forces here pinned down and away from Grozny, since the Axis get a big bonus for holding that city for 24 turns after capture.

Sector: Grozny
Speaking of which, this sector just got fun in a hurry, as the LW Airborne dropped a division plus two regiments on to the supply lines leading to Grozny. Mark mentioned this is an attempt to break up what’s quickly becoming a stalemate at Grozny. I’m not sure it will work. Considering how successful the Germans have been in the Caucasus so far, however, there’s no way I can rule out anything here. The 18th Army is stationed a few hundred miles to the south along the road to Baku. I’ll have to call them up to dispose of the LW Airborne units, as I can only dedicate maybe a few units right now from the Grozny sector. It’s about containment until the 18th Army arrives.



Sector: Black Sea Coast
Every time I think I’ve set up a decent defensive line, the Germans (supported by Italian mountain units) break through and force a withdrawal. It was not a big problem at first. But now I’m running out of time and land. If the Axis can get into the open, they will have a clear shot at T’Bilisi, as I don’t have nearly enough in this sector to protect the city or surrounding territories, including the oil fields.

AFRICA

Sector: Tunis
Slow going here, but the Germans were able to sneak the 15. Panzer Division onto transports back to Italy. That was a big opportunity missed by the Americans, as the 15. Pz was running on fumes (on red) and could have been destroyed with a good push. The US V Corps is moving up on the II Corps’ right flank. The Canadians have landed their I Corps, and should be able to rail most of it to the front in the next turn or two. That will be the likely end to the Axis presence in North Africa, since the Canadians will be rested and full-strength from not having to march/drive all the way from Algiers. The Southern Exclusion Zone protecting the “Soft Underbelly” of Europe has been lifted, so capturing Tunis is now the last piece of the pie.

ELSEWHERE

Libya - The British Eighth Army has cleared out all non-static Axis units in Libya, and is rolling quickly toward Tripoli.

NW Europe - The RAF and US 8th AF have increased bombing raids on the German industrial and supply centers along the Ruhr and Rhine. Increasing the EEV points will punish the Axis side.

[mike1984]

T040: 02.05.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
How the city’s defenders held on, I’ll never know. But somehow Murmansk remains in Russian hands. I was prepared to write this off last turn, but looks like things will take a bit longer for the Axis. To the south, the Luftwaffe Field Korps is arriving from western Europe. Its destination is unknown.

Sector: Yelets
The lines have remained still since the brief breakthrough I managed last turn. I’m going to renew the assault this turn. The new phase of the war on the Eastern Front is about to begin, and the Yelets-Voronezh sectors are likely to be the flashpoint. The 68th Army has been formed and transported westward from the Urals. Why is this important? Because the 68th Army has three divisions of airborne troops. These will be the first Russian airborne units available in this scenario. Given a few turns to build up strength, coupled with a bridge-bombing campaign to cut off reinforcements, and we have a nice little offensive operation to blow the German lines wide open.

Sector: Astrakhan
So far, the German offensive has netted them only a hex or two. The battle has been raging now for two turns, with moderate losses on my side, and moderate to high losses on the Axis side. It was a fortunate move for me that the Germans attacked when they did, because I was one turn away from shipping out the 1st Gds Tank and 4th Shock Army to other sectors in the north. But now I’m able to commit them to this battle and counter any gains made by the Axis. With plans in the works for the Yelets-Voronezh offensive, my goal here at Astrakhan is to hold my ground and possibly give the Axis a black eye in the process.



Sector: Grozny
My positions were bound to fall apart sooner or later. The German airborne assault just hastened the move away from Grozny. I’m still going to have to destroy the German airborne troops, but that will be so I can have a clear withdrawal route to the coast line. Once there, the battle should resemble what’s been going on along the Black Sea Coast, hopefully with better early results.

AFRICA

Sectors: North Africa
The Americans are holding the Axis inside Tunis, while the Canadians have boarded trains for the front. Near Tripoli, the 10th Arm/X Corps has reached the outer defenses. The rest of the British Eighth Army is moving west from Benghazi.

[mike1984]

T041: 02.12.43

RUSSIA

Sector: Murmansk
The city has fallen to the Axis. The leftover 5th Shock, 14th, 19th, and 33rd armies will be enveloped and captured. This is likely the final update from Murmansk.

Sector: Yelets-Voronezh
OPERATION: MEGAPHONE is now active, with plans being laid out for what is to be a multi-faceted attack via air and ground. Two airborne divisions will drop into two zones at rail junctions , both of which hold the approach to the sector for reinforcements. This will not only physically block the rail and road, but destroy the rail lines so that even if the airborne units are destroyed, Axis reinforcements will have to disembark farther away from the point of attack. At the same time, two Guards armies (one tank army), supported by two more large Guards formations, will exploit the already weakened center of the German line opposite Yelets. I’ve been pounding the enemy for several turns now with massed artillery behind Yelets, and three more artillery divisions are arriving by rail this turn. Once all the artillery is in place, I will blast a hole in the German line, then smash through with tanks and infantry, hopefully linking up with the surviving airborne troops. Depending on how far things get early on in the offensive, Kursk might be a viable objective. But that is a stretch at this point.



Sector: Astrakhan
The Germans continue to push east to the sea, but it’s a very slow and arduous process for them. I’ve spotted new divisions that have been called up from the rear, and now count three SS Panzer divisions, an SS Cavalry division, and an SS Panzer HQ (likely the I SS Panzer Korps). The bulk of the Axis force is made up of two infantry corps--the LXXXVIII and XI--and the I SS Panzer Korps. Other divisions from other corps are participating in this battle, but those three formations have been the base for this area. I’m planning a counter strike against the German offensive, but until the 1st Guards Tank Army is up to full readiness, I’ll have to be content with holding my ground.



Sectors: Grozny-Black Sea Coast
Both sectors are not doing well, but not exactly falling apart either. At Grozny, the airborne drop did cause me to eventually shift troops away from the city limits, but there is little chance the Germans will be able to use this situation for anything other than giving themselves breathing room. The Black Sea Coastline defenders are still being hammered by relentless German and Italian pressure. The biggest problem I have now is that, while there are enough bodies in the trenches (and of not terrible quality, either), they simply can’t get a good stop on the Axis attackers.

ELSEWHERE

North Africa - The Tunis defenders are dug in strong, with defensive numbers much better than the tired and ill-supplied Americans. The Canadians are trailing behind the rail repair crews as they advance toward the front. In Libya, the British are still rolling toward Tripoli.

NW Europe - Continued bombing raids on Germany have gained some traction, but nothing significant. The addition of another 8th AF squadron of B-17s will help.

[mike1984]

T042: 02.19.43

Not much to report. Very little movement in any sector. Local battles continue at Astrakhan, Grozny and the Black Sea Coast.

[mike1984]

T043: 02.26.43

Sector: Finland
For weeks now I’ve been probing the Fins near Lake Onega. As a result, now the Fins have been activated to attack across the Svir River from the isthmus. The Svir is heavily defended by my Russian 7th, 23rd, 42nd and 55th Armies, so I can’t imagine a quick Fin offensive here. It will likely come to the north near Medvzhyegorsk.

Sector: Velikie Luki
Suddenly, the Germans have lurched forward into the gap left by my evacuation of the 4th Shock Army east of Velikie Luki to the Caucasus. Divisions from the LIX Korps have advanced across the open fields and across the river, contacting the 3rd Shock, 41st Army, and Kalinin Front op groups. No attacks have been made upon my positions, but I’d hesitate to assume this move by Mark means nothing.

Sector: Yelets-Kursk - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
The 1st Airborne Gds dropped onto the rail junction east of Kursk, ripping up the tracks and forcing a few of the local reserve units to react. As expected, the division was destroyed, but the damage was done. It should take at least two turns for the rail to be repaired. Now it will be the 5th Airborne Gds turn to drop onto the rail line east of Orel, with similar objectives of destroying the German supply and reinforcement routes. The minor breakthrough near Yelets was closed up quickly, but now that the airborne operation is underway, I can make a concerted effort to break the German lines at Yelets.



Sector: Astrakhan
German progress has been very slow, but somewhat steady. With a net gain of about one hex per turn, I’m content to let them wear out by fighting for every grain of dirt here. With good tactical reserves and two full armies (1st Gds Tank, 40th Army) in local reserve, this sector remains one to monitor, but also relatively secure.

Sector: Grozny
The eastern portion of my Grozny defenses have fallen apart. It’s time to begin a general withdrawal to the coastline and tighter defensive positions there against the mountains. It was bound to happen sooner or later, but was likely hastened by the German airborne operation that destabilized my position. Though I have enough divisions here to keep the Germans from waltzing down to Baku, reinforcements are a probable solution to the coastal defensive strategy.

North Africa
The British are closing on Tripoli, with some of the corps moving back east toward Tobruk and Alexandria to refit. The Americans are still holding the Axis in Tunis, as the Canadians are approaching on the rail line.

[mike1984]

T044: 03.05.43

Sector: Yelets-Kursk - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
The second airborne division, this one dropped at the Orel rail junction, has been destroyed, but not before it accomplished its mission of destroying the rail line to the west. To the south, near the Kursk drop zone, a rail repair crew has rebuilt the bridge, allowing some reinforcements to come up from the south, including a Luftwaffe Field Division from western Europe. But there was significant success along the front line, as the 1st and 2nd Guards armies advanced two hexes before the counterattacks threw them back to the original positions. That might seem like a loss, but the Germans here are so weakened by the initial assault, I should have no problem renewing the attack and regaining the previously captured hexes, and some. This operation is a bit slow going, but momentum is picking up. Once I can secure a breakthrough, and follow it up with reinforcements, this has the chance to become something very big on the Eastern Front.



Sector: Grozny
The Germans are making a big push now for the coast line. My depleted armies here have little shot to stop them, but should have the chance to slow them down for a while. Baku is still a long ways away. Mark would be somewhat foolish to concentrate all of this power down here, especially since the Yelets sector is becoming more dangerous for the Axis side.

Sector: Tunis
The Canadians are getting off the trains. Finally, a push can be made on Tunis. Once this port is in Allied hands, plans for an invasion of mainland Europe can begin.

[mike1984]

T045: 03.12.43

Sector: Yelets-Kursk - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
As the Germans bring up reinforcements, the Guards have made steady progress, capturing about three net hexes in this most recent assault. The advance isn’t nearly as quick as expected here. The plan was to capture at least three net hexes per turn once the main German line was punctured. The bridge and rail bombing has worked well, but isn’t enough to win this battle. The only thing that will do it is more success on the ground. I’m preparing to rail up two Guards armies from the Astrakhan sector, hopefully in time to exploit any more gains in the next two turns or so. This is a critical stage of the battle, and the entire operation could hinge on maintaining forward momentum.

[Ruppich]

ORIGINAL: mike1984
The bridge and rail bombing has worked well, but isn’t enough to win this battle.

How exactly do u do this bridge and rail bombing?
right click doesnt work for me or is this scenario specific?
or unit specific?
N1 AAR so far, keep up the fantastic work.

[mike1984]

T046: 03.19.43

Sector: Finland-Karelia
I anticipated this move by Mark, launching an offensive from north to south into the Karelia region of the Russia-Finland border. The 4th Guards Tank Army is already here, ready to support the 70th and 26th armies defending the northern front against the Germans. The advance units in front of my lines have helped slow the enemy advance, forcing them to fight their way to my main defensive positions.



To the south, things aren’t so easy, as two Finnish divisions have surrounded a division of the 32nd Army, and have a clear shot at my interior lines. Reinforcements will be absolutely necessary in this sector to avoid disaster, especially since the reconstituted units from the 5th Shock won't’ be enough to mount a serious counter attack. Units from the Svir River sector are available and ready for action. They are also resting on a rail line for quick departure.

Sector: Yelets-Kursk - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
The Germans have attacked swiftly and with fire, as the VII Korps has led the way, with support of other random divisions and some Hungarian units. It’s amazing to me how tired, bloody Axis units can throw back my Guards divisions as if they were full of ditchdiggers. But I’ll have to simply overwhelm this area with force, as was the plan from the start. Two more armies are set to arrive from Astrakhan, both Guards armies. This operation is incredibly frustrating and slow, but success is not lost.

Sector: The Caucasus
The Grozny defenders have crumbled like a mortar-less brick wall. My right flank was turned quickly, trapping the bulk of the three Russian armies against the mountains, and cutting off the escape route to the coast. There are reinforcements available to send here, mainly in the form of a Guards tank army from the Astrakhan sector. That sector will likely be stripped dry in the coming turns, with the situation in Finland also growing troublesome. Also troublesome is the situation along the Black Sea Coast, but that’s pretty much been par for the course there. I just can’t seem to get a decent defensive stand. There’s been about five or six lines formed, and all have been broken by the Axis. Now within a dozen hexes or so to T’Bilisi, things are becoming desperate.

[mike1984]

T047: 03.26.43

Sector: Finland-Karelia
North - The German offensive here has reached my main line. Like clockwork, they had little trouble punching a hole in my position, one hex inland from the coast. While I had to expect some sort of breakthrough at some point, it would have been nice if my line held for at least one hex before cracking. The 4th Guards Tank should be able to restore the line, as I brought them up here as a reserve for this very situation.



South - At first, the situation here was bad, with the Finns marching right around my left flank along the coast. But the swift arrival of reinforcements, combined with the gallant stand by the __ Division, held the Axis in check. Now the 5th Shock Army and 55th Army have arrived. Once they are off the trains and in position, I’m hopeful this sector will move from “dangerous” to “monitored.”



Sector: Yelets-Kursk - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
All this fighting has netted my offensive about five hexes. Not exactly a wild success. But the Axis here are being worn down significantly, including the loss of an entire German division just west of Yelets. Some reinforcements have arrived, with the biggest chunk in the form of the IV Luftwaffe Field Division from Germany. I’m guessing the rest of any reinforcements have stayed back and began digging into a defensive line west and south of where my offensive is concentrating. The lack of speedy progress by my forces have allowed Mark ample time to plan his defense and likely major counterattack.



Sector: The Caucasus
This area took a turn for the worse in two spots. The four-army force along the coast can barely hold up against the lightest attacks, and will have to fall back to the last inches of the mountains. After that, it’s a clear shot to T’Bilisi for the Axis. The other, more dangerous spot is in the mountain pass, where a divisions from the 51st Op Group has broken and fallen back. This was a huge stopper in the drain, but now the Germans have an open back door into this area. Reinforcements are on the way, but now with the situation becoming dire, I’m afraid it won’t be enough. Baku is still safe, but the loss of T’Bilisi would be up there with the loss of Grozny.



AFRICA

Sector: Tunis
This could be one of the strongest positions the Axis occupy, as all of the units are fortified and in urban hexes. I’ve tried to dislodge them with naval and artillery bombardment, but nothing seems to work. Once I work the V Corps around the southern flank, I hope the attacks from two sides will help wear them down more quickly.



ELSEWHERE


NW Europe: The Germans have increased their supply and earned minus-15 (that’s good for them, bad for me) EEV Points. So I’ll have to step up the strategic bombing campaign if I want to have any sort of effect on the German war effort supporting its troops in the field.

Libya: The I and V Corps are on the outskirts of Tripoli, where a lone Italian garrison occupies the city. That unit is fortified and has good supply, but with a few good punches, should fall.

[mike1984]

T048: 04.02.43

Sector: Finland-Karelia
North & South - The 4th Guards Tank counterattacked viciously against the German breakthrough, throwing back the enemy to their original lines. After that, very liittle movement. The Axis push back a few of my scouting units advanced beyond my main lines. But my position is holding for now.

Sector: Yelets - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
Every time I think I’ve gained a decent push, the Germans push right back. This is by far the bloodiest sector in the scenario thus far, and that takes Grozny and Leningrad into consideration, too. OPERATION: MEGAPHONE is now a shell of what it was supposed to be. But I might have an encore up my sleeve in the coming turns. Could there be an OPERATION: MEGAPHONE II?

Sector: The Caucasus
Grozny - I’m basically surrendering this area to the Germans. I gain no advantage holding the territory east of Grozny. My new line will be halfway down the Caspian Sea Coast toward Baku.

T’Bilisi - The arrival of the 40th Army won’t be enough to stop this rising tide of German might. Poti has now fallen, and the northern pass through the mountains is hanging on by a thread. If I can’t hold the rail line to Batumi, then I might as well cede that to the Axis now and cut my losses while I can. The Caucasus is a major objective for the Axis player in this game. I underestimated the challenge of defending it. My assumption was that the Russian troops would be halfway competent enough to stand firm in good defensive terrain with good supply. That was a poor assumption to make. Now I’m scrambling to find reinforcements just to prevent Baku from falling... the city that even Mark thought was out of reach. If things continue on this path, Panzers will be in Babylonia before I know it!



Tunis: Attacks continue on the Axis stronghold. Losses are mounting for the defenders, but they are refusing to budge. Even the Italian tank brigades are causing headaches for my British tank outfits along the eastern coast.

NW Europe: The strategic bombing campaign has caused enough damage to cause Axis theatre recon to drop. The increased pressure on the German war machine is working.

[mike1984]

T049: 04.09.43

Sector: Yelets - OPERATION: MEGAPHONE
I’m closing down OPERATION: MEGAPHONE. The offensive isn’t going anywhere fast, and the main objective at Kursk is not going to happen any time soon. But the fighting will continue. I’ve ordered the recently arrived 5th Guards Tank forward into the battle, as the main force of five Guards armies pushed the Germans back a full hex across the battle front. However, with reinforcements arriving, the Germans counterattacked and pushed me back, negating most of the gains from the previous push.

Sector: Black Sea Coast
This area continues to be the thorn in my side. Line after line falls to the German advance. Now that Poti has fallen, and the rail line cut off to Batumi, I’d need at least two full mechanized armies to thwart any more progress by the Axis. And with the concentration on the Yelets offensive, I can’t spare all that much. The 10th Guards Op Group tried to bolster my most recent line in front of Kutaisi, but to no avail. The 40th Army is staging at Baku, and should be able to board trains next turn for this sector. I also have the 4th Guards Army staging at the port hex of Mumra, south of Astrakhan, ready to sail to Baku. Once at Baku, the 4th will come to the aid of the Black Sea Coast defenders... if any of them are left by then.

[mike1984]

T050: 04.16.43

The mud season has begun, with Shock falling to 50 percent for both sides. This will hamper my ability to stage any counterattacks in the trouble zones. However, I was in no position to do any sort of offensive actions, so this reprieve comes at the perfect time.

Sector: Yelets
Active assaults have ceased, but I’ve committed the 68th Army into battle along the right flank of the salient. This is to shore up the gains made in that section, where a hex sat empty between the lines. With the arrival of the 5th Guards Army at the airfields and rail junctions east of Yelets, I can now begin the plans for OPERATION: MEGAPHONE II, which will incorporate a much larger paradrop and ground offensive. This operation will have to be more carefully planned than the failed MEGAPHONE I, particularly with the buildup of German reinforcements in the area. However, I believe it can work if the timing is right and all the forces are in place.

Sector: Black Sea Coast
The 40th Army and 10th Guards Op Group are now hastily forming a defensive line, using the muddy ground as a buffer between them and any potential German attack. I can still hopefully hold Batumi, but with a lowered supply flow there since losing the rail connection to the city. The 4th Guards Army is now ashore at Baku, staging on the rail line for transport west. It will take more than just that one army, so whatever reinforcements I receive in the next few turns will pretty much all be transported down to the Caucasus. I’m not going to get funneled into a siege at Baku. If that happens, I won’t be able to hold the city, just as I wasn’t able to hold Leningrad.

Sector: Tunis
The Canadians and Americans have finally broken through and captured the main Tunis hex. Gaining control of the city is both symbolically and strategically important, as it gives me the critical supply point (100!) that has been missing for the entire campaign for western North Africa, and also should help now push out the remaining Germans and Italians defending the port hex. That hex is necessary for any invasion of the “soft underbelly” of Europe. In the Mediterranean Sea just off the port hex, the Italian Trieste and Andrea Dorea squadrons have engaged the Gibraltar Squadron of the Royal Navy, as well as the Texas Battleship Squadron of the US Navy.