Battle(Axis) vs MagicMissile(Allies) MM welcome

[battlevonwar]

Superior German Air Power was vital to this effort. That and dispersed Russian Armor. I have taken a chunk of Russian life but I wonder how much manpower does he have? When will it re-up. How much time have I bought myself? This game sits on a knife's edge! 1 Error from me and it's over, he has time...

[battlevonwar]

Eastern Front.

[ago1000]

Wow. A lot of casualties on the Red army's side and yet they hold the line. This is very exciting. It's difficult to build a large Luftwaffe especially when you require a large land force to cover the Russian front and garrison France and Italy. Well done. A build strategy is so important in this game and yours is impressive.

[kennonlightfoot]

How is your oil situation?
It takes a lot to keep a large number of German ships, tanks and air active over an extended time but I haven't played the German side in ver 8 yet.
Looking back through the posts it doesn't look like the Germans have captured any additional oil sources yet.

[battlevonwar]

ago1000, thank you, yes the right build is important for what you expect to face. Axis are facing a lot of entrenched units on cities. You have to have a good amount of air power and ability to flank those positions. I was short on Armor this build but I built a lot of Infantry so I can extend the front out and hold a lot of more real-estate. I think it worked for me...

kennonlightfoot,I was down to barely fumes the first Winter of Barbarossa.(40 Oil maybe?) Most of my fleet was destroyed so I got back some oil for that. Plus being so stationary from November of '41 to nearly May '42 has given about 50% of my oil. I also use all the rail-lines generally to park my Oil Units. I also don't use all the Operational Points when attacking generally, just enough to achieve what I need rest then attack again when their effectiveness is high. With some Micromanaging and careful planning you can keep yourself in oil as the Axis. Though not with 12-13-14 Panzers like some run. Think 9 is what I have and 1 Mech now. Plus Zero Naval action really since early '41.

[ago1000]

I was wondering if you could take a snap shot of Italy for me if you have time, please. I'm curious to see your defensive set up if that's OK. I'm also intrigued with the amount of Italian Armor that you have built. Germany needs to be really able to to use their minors in their builds to conserve manpower. From what I see, your use of the Italians in their supportive role is working out nicely.

[battlevonwar]

ago1000, yeah, you really need a good deal of Minors to make up for the Manpower you don't have in the long game. I'm running low on it right now for Germany cause I have fought the Russians really hard. They must also be on manpower fumes. Axis Minors is one way to fill the void. I wish I had protected my Italy better she is eating up a lot of Stationary Corps.

[battlevonwar]

Missing the mid section but assure every city of value has a large Corp. He has relocated Brit Units and CAS now I think he's going to try to knock it out or draw off my forces between here and Spain.

[battlevonwar]

I see the South is thin so I relocate some Armor there and make a Push... Especially as Summer is soon to end.

[battlevonwar]

I also push in the North where I have made some progress but not taken objectives...

[battlevonwar]

Center is consolidated near riverlines...

[battlevonwar]

August 42' I cannot break his infantry lines, MM has retreated in good fashion from the earlier Battle of Moscow.

[battlevonwar]

Stalingrad is also an elusive target, the Russians rush in reinforcements. They counter attack destroyed an Italian and German Armor. I believe the first land casualties of mine on the Eastern Front?

[battlevonwar]

My Air and Forces are drawn off objectives in the East to face the West. Here I lose the air battles mostly and I force a stalemate in '42. The Allies aren't strong enough to break through Spain at this juncture but their air takes their toll. Soon MM will remove his forces from Spain except for a Holding Force and I think he is preparing to make a move elsewhere? Italy-France? Maybe Greece and the Balkans? Who knows...

[battlevonwar]

November '42

I prepare Italy for what appears to be a possible planned attack against her! I am sure that plenty of UK/US Armor will be ready..Bad weather sets in soon mind you not sure if he will use a clear turn then the cover a bad turn to prevent me from counter-attacking. It's what I would do!

[battlevonwar]

Losses November '42

[battlevonwar]

Forces November '42 harsh weather here!

[ago1000]

Thank you for the Italian pics. I'm following both AAR and wow, they are both fantastic. This is quite the game and it seems you are at a point where it's like two boxers standing toe to toe just smashing each other waiting for the first one to fall. Alvaro hit out of the park with this game. I wanted to see Italy because I'm trying to run through "what would I do next" as both of you slug it out for real. I'm learning a lot. Thanks.

[battlevonwar]

Indeed, this is definitely two boxers slugging it out. Each looking for that Knock Out Blow. Very tough match. I am figuring he will have the initiative the coming year! If not a win...

ORIGINAL: ago1000

Thank you for the Italian pics. I'm following both AAR and wow, they are both fantastic. This is quite the game and it seems you are at a point where it's like two boxers standing toe to toe just smashing each other waiting for the first one to fall. Alvaro hit out of the park with this game. I wanted to see Italy because I'm trying to run through "what would I do next" as both of you slug it out for real. I'm learning a lot. Thanks.

[battlevonwar]

1943 Spring into Summer: Winter was stale... so skipping that really, lines were pretty static. I had one major issue, my manpower for the Axis was so diminished I couldn't really build anything so that will play into why '43 is a starting to be really tough on me.

Allies Invade Normandy, Calais, Southern France and Russians invade Finland cutting supply for my forces in the Far East and Russians also smash through my front lines. I give ground and Moscow is lost but despite this there are just so many Russians at this point. I have managed to make a line in the South but his Forces in the North and Middle are several deep and a lot of my forces in the West reacting to what's there. I am spread so many directions now I cannot create a cohesive front. I repel the Americans out of Normandy(they partly leave) and the Brits out of Calais and they partly leave but Southern France and Spain is a string of supply I know MM will not give up and now there will be a partial stalemate there.

I just have to patch up Northern Russia and losing Finland will free up even more Russian Forces soon. If I manage to hold my lines 1944 will be extremely tough on me to live through. Even Italy is started to get stripped for Spare Parts. The Allies have had a lot of losses but they just have a MODERN AIRCRAFT carrier of forces to send at me. I can feel the end, I would just kill for about 3-4 Panzers right now... It might give me a fighting chance(I have 1 in build) all I can afford in manpower.