PBEM: Take WaW, add 4 Newbies; An exploratory AAR

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Fall 1943: von Manstein reports

After their massive assault on Eastern Poland last turn the Russkies are left with only 3 armour units. None of their other units have much chance of knocking out my 10/10 tanks so I send them off on a punitive raid on the Baltic states. Unlike the Kiev raid last season, I do not wish to capture the Baltics, which would require additional supply expenditure to move back. Therefore I send in enough tanks to minimise my losses, maximise damage whilst having only a 60% chance of success.

Although I could have attacked elsewhere, the Baltics were chosen to relieve pressure on East Prussia, which I percieved to be under the most threat.

Results below - no death ride of the Panzers this time.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Fall 1943: Student reports

The fallschirmjager have long been frustrated by the aborted attack on the UK, which they had been specifically trained for. They are costly to build and using them as regular defenders is a waste.

Therefore the brave troopers were proud to accept a mission to destroy the Kharkov industry. After fighters and heavy bombers destroyed the 4 guarding units the troopers land unapposed and destroy the factory, resource points and rail network.

We do not expect the troopers to return. Germany salutes the hero's of Kharkov [&o]

[dembe73]

Russia, Fall 1943

Research into better weapons continues. Apart from saboteurs being killed on sight in Kharkov not much happened.

About 10 tanks were repaired and are ready to meet the Germans in an offensive to be launched spring 44. We have told London we await a second front before taking any more Russian casualties advancing towards Berlin.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Winter 1944

Will this be Germany's last Christmas free from Allied oppression?

My attacks must now be made on a strict budget, but an opportunity too great to miss presents itself - the Caucasus. Flush with patriotic fervour following the successful raid on Kharkov the 2nd Fallschirmjager division volunteers for an even more audacious attack - to knock out the Caucasus oilfields.

Supported by the Luftwaffe's excellent Heavy Bombers, the division lands and rapidly transforms the resource-rich environment into a barren bombed out wasteland.

The Soviet production capacity falls from 29 to 23 points, so this is a very pleasing operation. Their sacrifice will save the lives of many Germans bunkered down on the Eastern Front.

The Allies have massed two huge fleets off the coast of Spain & in the Eastern Med. An assault from their beachhead in Portugal must also be imminant now . . .

[dembe73]

Russia, winter 44

More saboteurs have been killed, this time in the Caucasus. The officers speak of a small disruption of the great plan and drink wodka. They know soon the march to the west will continue.

Our great leader has offered 500 Rubel and an appartment in Moscow for life for all soldiers of the first division to enter Berlin.

We have started negotiations with the Western Allies on the division of Europe. Russia being the first to reach Berlin will ensure we get what we want.

Soon many new armoured divisions will be at the frontline.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Spring 1944

Spain fell to the Allies during the Winter. I didn't really expect an attack during Winter, but right now I guess the allies have nothing to lose but time. Happily my 3 panzers in Spain escaped injury (just - one roll was 2 points short).

Next turn the Allies will take Gibralter (nasty rock) and their choice of either Western or Southern France. Their bombing campaign will also crank up a notch or two, as they have many heavy bombers in position to launch strikes on my hapless industry. I am still protected with flak & fighters but within a turn or two I expect the Allies to have air dominance.

On the Eastern Front I push into the Baltic states. I'm actually wondering why on earth I didn't make this part of my defensive line in the first instance given that it keeps my line the same length (3 provinces) whilst increasing the vulnerability of the Russkies, by which I mean that I keep panzers within striking distance of Leningrad. If I had done this from the beginning of my strategic defence I may have been presented with more interesting opportunities.

Rumour begins to circulate about a German wonder-weapon that will turn the tide . . .

[dembe73]

Eastern Poland, Spring 1944

We have breached the last remaining German defence. In 2 consecutives attack on Eastern Poland the Axis forces were driven out, putting a wig between their forces in the north and in Rumania.

The second front is finally there which may slightly relieve the pressure on us and open new lines to Berlin for Russian advance.

The Americans are supplying our advance from factories in Japan and our comrades in China have also kindly donated more food and ammo to help us in our fight for Europe.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Summer 1944

My move into the Baltics the previous turn should have been done at the beginning of my strategic defence, because as useful as it may have been, it is now time for me to abandon it. I retake Eastern Poland because it is the gateway to provinces containing my few remaning industries. I expect a determined push by the Russkies could take it again this season.

I complete the next stage of strategic withdrawal, this time on the Western Front. With Paris bombed out, I pull all military forces back into Eastern France, where the industry is still intact. I bolster Netherlands aswell. In effect I am surrendering Southern & Western France without a fight.

I also pull back from Southern Italy, fully expecting an Allied landing there this season. The reason for my retreat is simple, I would rather concentrate my forces and make any assaults very costly than fight piecemeal over marginal provinces.

I hestitate to try & build anything that would take longer than infantry now, as I'm not sure I will hold on for long enough to benefit from it.

[dembe73]

Eastern Poland, Summer 1944
Our hopes of facing Berlin at Christmas have been shattered. An Axis counter offensive managed to move our forces out of Eastern Poland, but there are always more Russians available. Our new invasion had 6 German tanks damaged vs 6 Russian ones.

The department of Propaganda has ordered pamplets to be made for the Germans with "Dont shoot, I surrender" in Russian and in German. Our bombers have dropped them over various territories.

An urgent message has been delivered to Washington as the Americans have not advanced towards France yet, but took back Gibraltar to please their English friends instead. Our great leader was most displeased when he found this out and demanded an explanation.

Our lab in Kazan made a great breakthrough in the research to more advanced armoured vehicles. Our tanks will now be able to deal the same amount of damage as the German ones.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Fall 1944

This is starting to look just like the historical timeline . . will I fall in Spring or Summer 45? This turn I pulled everything I have back into the Germany Heartlands - ready for my final stand.

After playing a game as Japan vs the AI, I realise how utterly foolish it was to plan on invading England rather than Scotland. I didn't believe I would be able to follow up on a Scotland attack, but at the time I didn't fully understand the difference between amphibious & strategic movement. Even without the extra para's I could have bombed Scotland into submission & moved 3-4 armour over which the Allied player (at the time) wouldn't have been able to remove. Furthermore I could have given the transports air cover to make the Allies pay for their destruction (or deter them). That would not even have delayed my SU invasion.

I wonder who will be first into Germany? Allies or Russkies? . . .

[EZPkins]

Italy surrenders

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Winter 1945

Swansong of the Luftwaffe
Despite critical shortage of supplies, my Luftwaffe is sent out to blunt the Russian onslaught in one final glorious sortie. Soviet air resistance is brushed aside and the roads of Eastern Poland are littered with the blasted remains of Katyushas & howitzers.

Having done something, if not enough, I pull back most of the troops from Eastern Poland into Eastern Germany - here finally to make my stand.

I evacuate the remaining troops from Yugoslavia, left to fend for themselves last season due to poor road conditions.

Two grim amusements from last season; First an ill discplined Soviet militia unit attempted to waltz into East Prussia and was brusquely repelled by an improved mobilisation of great war veterans! Second my Destroyers in the Baltic sea set upon by Soviet heavy bombers observed the Soviet pilots usual knack of being unable to achieve anything of conseqence.

Again - who shall be first into Germany?

[dembe73]

Rumania, Winter 45

An advance driven by our armoured troops has brought us next to Berlin. Western Allied troops have taken most of of Europe, but we have full control of Rumania and Poland. German production and supply is virtually non-existent now. The siege of Berlin is going to start in spring unless they manage to pull a last counter-offensive.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Spring 1945

The final retreat is made into Germany, abandoning Czeckoslovakia & Austria.

East Prussian militia defeated another Soviet insurgence - a regular infanterie division this time! If the Soviet adminstration does not suppress it, this shall forever remain proof of the superiority of German soldiers. Two Russian armoured divisions were committed to quosh the resistance.

I'm actually surprised the Allies did not assault Western Germany last turn with their massed armour, they probably could not have won, but I would have been badly hammered. As it stands I think there is roughly a 50/50 chance for who gets into Germany first. Since the Allies have twice as much armour as the Russians with striking distance, Western Germany is better defended.

[dembe73]

Russia HQ, somewhere near Berlin

Its not going to happen. There are not enough ways to bring troops to the frontline fast enough to start the siege of Berlin soon. Soldiers are relieved as they know they might just stay alive a little longer, but The Kremlin is dissapointed. All senior officers in charge of logistics have been transferred permanently to the Irkuts region (Siberia) to watch the railroad.

Transports from Leningrad bring forces to Poland. High ranking forces in the navy are praised for helping out where the army clearly failed.

Good news is we have captured Austria and Yugoslavia and started to rebuild the Caucausus.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Summer 1945

Somewhat surprised that there was no Allied assault on West Germany in the Spring, given their 16 armour units loitering with intent in Southern France. They have moved up to Eastern France along with supporting artillery & infantry so I amused myself by sending in heavy bombers one by one to get rid of some.

Other than the bombing, which was successful (only 1 bomber from 7 failing to get a damage/kill) and 4 new panzers rolling into service (King Tigers presumably) I just sit & wait for the expected assaults this turn. Interesting to see what happens.

[dembe73]

Near Germany, Summer 1945
In a combined attack against East Germany many Russians and Germans got wounded. The main goal was reached, the huge force in East Germany is reduced to acceptable size and only a few armours are not damaged. We expect the Canadians to attack as well this turn, supported by American and British troops.

The repair of damaged parts of Russia continues and the Chinese produced supplies again that will be donated to the USSR to support the ongoing conflict.

[EZPkins]

Headline London:Huge air assault on German industry causes massive damage.All but 1 factory damaged or destroyed.6 geman fighter units destroyed trying to defend the fatherland.Heavy loses were taken also but the exact numbers classified.More armor and infantry units moved up to the frontline for the expected assault on Hitlers vaunted 1000 year riech.

[Svend Karlson]

Hitlers Bunker, Fall 1945

Last season I thought I had perhaps a 50/50 chance of surviving. The Allies didn't attack (so like them to avoid casualties - Zhukov would have crushed me by now [;)])

The Soviets attempt a serious assault on East Germany, whereas the Allies sent in air squadrons only - versus industry no less.

This season - I give myself 5% chance of surviving. I would have to have miracles.

[dembe73]

The streets of Berlin, Fall 1945

In a great display of Russian bravery Berlin has fallen. Troops with red banners march through the streets of the German capital celebrating victory over the axis forces.

In our attempt to rule Europe we also managed to take undefended Denmark. This means that there will be no retreat for the German troops in Western Germany that still continue fighting this lost war.