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Turn 34, October 7th, 1916
Replay: I spotted some Turkish regrouping in Caucasus. In the East Germans pursued Russians, and destroyed one Core. In Balkans Austro-Hungarians regrouped, but couldn’t even think of retaking Belgrade.
But more sinister news came across from France...Germans were able to push forward in the southern sector - Belfort had fallen! Altogether Kaiser’s subordinates killed two French and one British Core. It looked like Germany kept pushing both directions, West and East. Questions was how long could they conduct such bold offensives? After all, Entente should had more MPP’s. Right?
Western Front: In south, the French reinforced damaged cores, and re-established defense lines. In the North sector, the Brits were called out fro immediate action, due to relieve their Allies. In Flanders there were tactical success, and two German Cores were wiped out by the guests from the Isles. France put another chit(reaching 3 invested) into Gas/Shell production.
Eastern Front: If you thought that French would not dare to call Russians for even more effort in order to relieve them, you are wrong. Russian High Command performed several counterattacks on unexpected pursuing German forces. Two Sauerkart Cores hit the floor. However, those Russian units that left the trenches were most likely to be annihilated in the next turn...
Italy: After more then year preparation, with air and artillery support the Italians successfully stormed Trento, and eliminated defending German core.
Baltic: British sub bravely raided German convoys to Sweden.
Science Front: UK got S&I 2, Production 2 and Industrial 2. Russia got Production 2 and Italy got Industrial 1.
Although Germans took Belfort I was able to kill 5 German cores and took Trento. I guessed the tide was changing in my favor.

Turn 35, November 4th , 1916
Replay: In Baltic Sea, German Fleet started to hunt this valiant British Sub. In the East I witnessed Teutonic Fury: 5 Russian corps were killed! Among those three in the Center, it was obvious Kaiser wanted to take Brest Fortress at all costs! In France Germans kept pushing...the destroyed two French Cores, and moved south one hex forward. It was pure war of attrition. I was rather calm about Western powers, but Russia was in tatters.
Eastern Front: I withdrew one hex back all forces in the Ukraine.
Western Front: France was bleeding but stubborn: two German Cores died under power of Elan. Also in the rear reserve French divisions were receiving new gear: Infantry Weapons level 2. However French morale fall below 50%.
UK&Italy spend their MPP’s and bought Artillery Unit each. UK invested as well one chit in armored WF and Italians decided to form Czechoslovak Legion.
Science Front: Finally! UK got gas/shell 2 and France got Art WPNS 2, Italy Shells 1! That was the news I was waiting for! I was about to rain those German Wurst-eaters with shells all around Western Front!

Jazon wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 4:23 pm In the East I witnessed Teutonic Fury: 5 Russian corps were killed!

Ouch! You're going to need to get even more aggressive on the Western Front!

Hi Bill,

Ouch! You're going to need to get even more aggressive on the Western Front!

Yes, In deed! My whole strategy was based on making Germans bleed, force them losing MPP’s to reinforce their troops, so they won’t be able to invest in research. Therefore sooner or later Western Powers would become superior in tech and ready to roll over the Germans. I was ready for heavy losses in the East, but Racndoc gave me a bloodbath there!

Turn 36. December 2nd, 1916
Replay: In Baltic German fleet sunk those British daredevil submarine. In the East Racndoc consequently focused on Brest Litovsk, and cut his way forward with artillery. Although he killed only one Russian core this time. The fortress itself remained intact. Good thing I discovered where his artillery and best troops were.
All quiet at Western Front from German side.
France: In Flanders British killed one German Core, also the French wiped one core near Brussels. UK bought additional Recon Bombers, the French finished upgrading their artillery units to ART WPNS 2 and infantry to INF WPNS 2. In next turn I was ready to unleash hell!
Balkans: UK&FR submarines started attacking AH fleet in ports. I wonder why I didn’t do it earlier - easy NM gain. Serbians were regrouping to attack Valjevo next turn.
Italy: Pasta eaters were patiently waiting for shells.
Eastern Front: Russian Imperial Bear was heavy wounded, gasping and spitting its own blood. But, It was still deadly dangerous. Again, last turn I withdrew one hex in the south, Austro-Hungarians pursued and took the bait. Russians under gen. Brusilov launched surprise counterattack, and killed 3 AH Infantry Cores south to Prypet Marshes. In the Center, suicide attack was made. It’s objective was to destroy German artillery, so Brest Fortress would be safe from shelling. I wasn’t sure If losing this Stronghold will trigger the “Brest-Litovsk” event, but anyway I knew I couldn’t afford to loose NM points for this objective. Russian morale was around 30%.
Brave Russian forces killed one German core, and get to the back and attacked those German 2 artillery units. I couldn’t destroy them, but I severely damaged them. It was tactical success, and bought me some time in the Center sector. This significantly raised my morale, I was almost sure, In spring 1917 I would start punching hard in the West!
Science Front: France got Armored Warfare 1, Aerial Warfare 2, Production 2.

"Russian Imperial Bear was heavy wounded, gasping and spitting its own blood. But, It was still deadly dangerous."-a typical colorful dispatch from General Jazon.

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2022 6:07 am "Russian Imperial Bear was heavy wounded, gasping and spitting its own blood. But, It was still deadly dangerous."-a typical colorful dispatch from General Jazon.

Well, the public loves it, innit?

Turn 37, December 30, 1916.
Replay: Germans severely punished Russians for their bold attempt to destroy Krupp’s guns near Brest-Litovsk. Both Russian Cores which performed this daring action were wiped out. In Prussia, another Russian Core was eliminated near Johannesburg. Austro-Hungarians killed one Russian Core in Volynhia. On Western Front one French core fallen near Sedan. I observed some Turkish cores grouping at border with Romania.
Balkans: French troops under Petain took over Valjevo and destroyed one AH Core. Serbia was saving MPP’s for Infantry warfare.
Italian Front: I was waiting for ammunition for artillery and planning attack in the Alps. Also weather wasn’t good enough for attack. I was counting for Recon Bombers support. Czechoslovakian Corps arrived.
Western Front: The British as usual, with support of Recon Bombers and artillery shelling, sent one German Core straight to hell. In south, the French killed another German Core and took back Nancy! Finally I could feel Allied artillery superiority. UK bought another artillery unit - I was about to send it to the Balkans.
Eastern Front: In Ukraine, I withdrew all troops one hex east, and broke contact with the enemy. In north, close to Bialystok I destroyed one German core, but that was all Russians could do. I tightened my scarce forces around Brest-Litovsk. All hope were in the West. Good thing was, Germany morale fallen below 50%...
Science Front: France got Gas/Shell level 3 and Fighters level 2. At the same time mutinies took place among French Forces in the Western Front.
After all, situation didn't look bad. Actually it looked pretty well, but....there was one big "but". Germans would bleed out, unless Russia would keep fighting...Time would show.

Just before new year, 1917, German Kaiser proclaimed German surrender. Racndoc gave up!
To be honest, I was a bit surprised, UK and France had a bit superior in tech, however, Russia was on it's last legs. It just needed a few more turns to trigger "Brest-Litovsk" event, and kick Tsar out of the game. Although German morale was at 50%, Austro-Hungarians was about 90%, not mention the Turks whose didn't see much combat yet. In my opinion my opponent could try to get a draw, after Brest Litovsk, and keeping in mind he actually had some gains in the west: Verdun, Belfort, Belgium.
Anyway my thoughts after the game:
- If CP launches Schlieffen Plan and punch in the West it is really hard to gain control again. I was a bit lucky to get my shit together after brilliant Racndoc's opening move against the French. It was really hard, and required careful calculations to cut-out those Germans close to Paris
- Balkans are also crucial - but Kaiser und Prinz Armee can't do nothing without German support.
- If you give some time to Russia it will still be weak, but it will grow insane in numbers, especially after they reach Industrial tech, and got some convoy's from UK. Will they continue to have huge losses? Yes. Would you care? No, as long as they tie up Germans enough, so France and UK may build up.
- I did stupid mistakes - Basra!!!
- Landing in Syria didn't happened, but I dream once I will be able to test that. Anyway, landing in Serbia and Greece also will do the work. Main thing keep ottomans cut out from Germans.
- I slugged with Artillery Weapons and Shells. That costed me a lot in the Western Front. Two Racndoc's artillery units, superior in tech and shells to mine did HUGE difference.
- My opponent played very good, actually I guess I would play really similar. But only one thing keeps bedering me. He didn't even try to break the blocade? Finally, it really took toll on German's morale.

And what do you think guys? After reading this AAR? Any thoughts?

Well congrats! Too bad your opponent conceded early...pretty common though.
It was a super good AAR. Thanks Jazon!

Well done and thanks for the great AAR!

Hi,
Thank you guys! i am really happy to hear you enjoyed this piece of writing!
Cheers
Jazon