Nirosi vs Boldairade(Nirosi welcome)

[John B.]

I am far too invested in this AAR.

[boldairade]

July 30, 1943

BOA-Good and bad here. 6 German Uboat flotillas attack the Arctic Convoy route, sinking 8 MM and 2 escorts while taking only 2 step hits. This is very bad. Off the African coast, however, the 3 wolf packs which reeked such havoc last turn attack and sink only 1 MM, but our escorts manage to sink the 4th Uboat Flotilla! It won't stop them, but it might limit damage.

US Strategic Bomber Command-Again, we hit German oil plants not to hurt oil supply, but to draw German fighters up. We have only moderate success, and need to pay closer attention to detail here, including ranges of escorts as well as readiness. US bombers do not suffer excessive step hits this turn for the first time in awhile. Some are held in reserve to bump up readiness. Prague Dresden and Paris are all hit repeatedly. In the Med, we jockey around some formations to maintain tac bomber coverage of Athens while improving the selection of strategic targets.

Norway-An error was made here last turn and I knew it, but could do nothing. The hex west of Bergen should have been occupied by Allied forces. Instead, Nirosi has moved a strong German unit there. I do not think it can displace the entrenched defenders in Bergen, but it is too close for comfort. The German tac bomber has been withdrawn here, which is interesting.

[boldairade]

July 30 1943

Greece-Good weather here, but no German effort is made vs Athens. It may be that Nirosi is content to merely constantly occupy a good sized surface fleet(which I always keep to support the defenders here). I do not know what attack odds he is getting, but they must not be good. Or perhaps he is happy to have so many Allied units bottled up in Greece?

Africa-As expected, the Axis look to take advantage of excellent defensive terrain and the fortification south of Gabes. US forces take another crack at the the beleaguered Italian XX Corps, and again, despite good odds we cannot crack it. I take my hat off to that formation. The attacks do draw Axis fighters and bombers into the air, however, and UK No 1 Fighter formation is the clear winner in this scrap, a welcome departure from Allied fighter jocks getting bested.

Axis positions here look strong, especially when one considers their armor superiority. Allied supply, however, is markedly eased with the capture of Tripoli. Not ideal, but certainly better.




The largest problem facing the Western Allies right now, and for the last 5 months or so, is shipping. All Allied ship yards are maintained at capacity at all times. But that is not enough to keep Allied MM, escorts and landing craft at even minimal levels. There are several areas the Allies would love to conduct amphib ops, but we just don't have the landing craft. To produce them, we would need to use ship yards that cannot produce enough MM and escorts to hold open the supply lines in the BOA. I cannot overemphasize how dire the situation is. Some shipyards are under construction, but the lag time is immense, and they won't be available until mid '44. With the game ending in '45, they will be only minimally effective. Had I just spent 200 PP on shipyards at the beginning of the game, my position would be immeasurably improved.

[boldairade]

July 30, 1943

East Front

North-Very little happening on this forgotten front. Russian subs sink a MM, and though Axis fleets locate them, they suffer no damage. Russian surface vessels are again under repair. Finland is also an inactive front. Nirosi could displace some formations here, but my guess is he realizes his supply would not be good enough to maintain any effective offensive.

Center/SLEDGEHAMMER: Last turn we used the eight best units in the Red Army, along with massive air support and supply truck usage to take one hex. This turn, the Germans launch one attack vs our best infantry formation(1st Siberian), and not only immediately displace us, but score a whopping 17 step hits of damage-more than we achieved in ALL of our attacks last turn.

But if one has ever used a sledgehammer in real life(I personally have a lot of experience there), you know that it is cumulative trauma that is the hammer's friend.

Despite these asymmetrical results, the Red Army attacks again. 3rd Ukrainian, 1st Ukrainian, and 6th Guards Tank, supported by 20th Air Army, and 24th Air Army, attack the German IV Corps. Two bloody attacks fail to displace them. 1st Guards Tank is then moved up in place of the battered 3rd Ukrainian Army, and the attack succeeds in displacing the Germans.

This gives us a 3 hex frontage vs the German XX Corps, which had reoccupied the hex retaken by the Germans last turn. Since they just reoccupied it, they have zero entrenchment. Stavka goes all in, attacking with 2nd Mech Corps, 1st Guards Tank, 3rd Guards Tank, 18th Air Army and 24th Air Army. We lose 11 steps, but in perhaps the first decent result of SLEDGEHAMER, we do 11 step hits of damage and drive back the German formation.

The two hexes gained are occupied by strong Russian formations-Soviet 25th Tank and 2nd Mech Corps. After the battle, I reconsider this. It is likely a mistake to move forward good formations, which will only be bludgeoned next turn. I should be occupying with lower end infantry armies, which would leave my stronger formations to counter punch. Examination of the front at this point sees us now facing off against the very best the Wehrmacht has to offer-1st Pz Grenadier, LVI Pz and III Pz-serious heavy metal.

I am learning many lessons in this game with Nirosi, though I worry I am learning them too late.






Overall, the one advantage we have is in the air. Soviet tac bomber formations are holding up relatively well. Red Airforce interceptors, however, are in bad shape. We turn off as many reinforcements as we can, while maintaining the interceptors as priority.

South Front-The only action we see here is the powerful German armor reserve east of Krivoi Rog is moved around so that they are all on rail. Stavka interprets this not as harbinger of offensive action here, but instead, the German high command wants to have these formations readily available to reinforce vs SLEDGEHAMMER.

[boldairade]

Uboat sub captains have gained much experience in the BOA, and now are making non stop kills.

[boldairade]

Turnabout is fair play however.

UK escort crews pick up survivors from one of the several sunk boats of the 4th Uboat flotilla off the coast of Africa.

[boldairade]

East of Vitebsk, Russian armor is fed into the breach created by SLEDGEHAMMER. This may be a strategic error, but for the moment, the morale boost to the Red Army of being on the offensive is strong.

[boldairade]

August 13, 1943

BOA-6 MM sunk, 1 escort, only one hit vs the Uboats. The US is about to achieve convoy escort '44(UK already has it), but still, Allied planners recognize something must change here. Assets are going to have to be brought to bare from some other front. Additional UK MM are added to the fleet.

US Strategic Bomber Command: US escort fighters are now up to '43 tech and upgraded. Raids vs Cologne and its neighboring oil refinery draw up German interceptors, but between losses to them and the AA guns, we get the worst of it. Cologne is pounded however. Small raids hit Dresden and Prague to 'top them off' after German interceptors are exhausted. Additional raids in France as well. Repositioning of heavy bombers onto airfields in Southern Greece allows a bomber squadron to reach Rome, with excellent results.

Norway-Allied planners are relieved to see the Germans withdraw from west of Bergen. This relieves pressure on the port directly. Nirosi was probably right to do this-another turn, and with the retreating UK I Corps able to help cover mountains in the east, we were going to attempt something in the west. We must be careful however, as with limited supply, our ability to replace losses is very low. We will redeploy here for possible offensive Ops or at least the appearance of such.

[boldairade]

August 13, 1943

Africa-US 1st and and 2nd Armor have another go at the Italian XX Corps but it slips away again. I really hope to kill that formation before this game is over. The Axis line here is going to be tough to crack. We are prepping for an assault next turn vs the Italian Alpine formation but this is really just a preamble to the main event. Nirosi may even withdraw that formation, as he sees it flanked. As always, he has the option to counter with his vastly superior armor. US formations, even with experience levels over 70% are no match if Nirosi really wants to fight. Allied planners doubt that will happen. Africa is merely a side show, and as long as the Axis can avoid any major loss here, it is serving its purpose of keeping us occupied while we attack on a front that has no real bearing on the ultimate outcome of the conflict.



Supply is also starting to tighten up here. Non essential formations are being withdrawn to the eastern Med.


Greece- it appears the Axis are more than content to maintain a defensive posture. Were we to withdraw the fleet, they might attempt an attack. We will not chance it however. Losing Athens would be an abject disaster. This front is a conundrum. Like most of the fronts we face, there is no good offensive opportunity. We have a lot more formations than the enemy, but we have nowhere to deploy them, and no ability to supply them.

[boldairade]

East Front

North-Little of note. Axis bombers again find our subs easily, and force them back to port. Russian surface forces are nearly repaired. Stavka hungrily eyes the German line SW of Leningrad, but even with a 3 hex frontage, we cannot get any type of odds vs the dug in German corps there.

South-No activity here. German forces are at rail heads, but do not withdraw.

Center/SLEDGEHAMMER-As expected, the Germans counter. We actually had the OPs last turn to withdraw our armor and replace it with infantry, and they take the blows. Again, it takes only a single attack in both cases to send the Soviet infantry reeling with heavy losses. The Axis has based virtually all its air assets in the East within striking distance-they now have achieved air superiority.

Undaunted, SLEDGEHAMMER continues. On the northern half of the attack, 25th Tank, 3rd Guards Tank, 12th Air Army and 8th Air Army assault the German XVIII Corps, which is well supported by jagdkorps and fliegerkorps. Two attacks produce heavy losses on both sides, but this time, Russian forces seem to be getting the better of it. A third attack pushes back the German infantry. This allows a 4 hex frontage vs the German LI Corps to the south. 15th Tank, 2nd Tank, 2nd Mech Corps 6th Guards Tank and the 16th Air Army slam into the German formation, and though we lose 11 steps to 7, we push it back with one attack.

Flush with this succes, Stavka orders an expansion of SLEDGEHAMMMER-ordering at attack to the NW vs the German LVI Corps hoping to broaden the offensive. Three attacks by 6th Army, 3rd Guards Tank, 15th Tank and the 10th Air Army result in 16 step losses for the Russian forces, while inflicting only 5 step hits vs the well entrenched Germans. Far more damaging, however, is the loss of our commander, Nikolai Vatutin! He must have been leading from the front. We will have to move commanders around next turn, but this is a big loss. Russia only has 4 talented commanders for a lot of frontage-losing one is a blow.



Red outline(I know-it looks like a 2nd grader did it) shows the frontage of SLEDGEHAMMER and where Stavka attempted to broaden the front. Notice the massive concentration of Axis air assets. We are attriting the German-but the offensive may have gained all the ground it is going to. Soviet 5th Tank, one of our last fresh formations, is railed in from the Southern Front.

[boldairade]

Overall the strategic situation is difficult.

On nearly every front, Nirosi is in a good position, and I find myself in a poor one. The BOA is a never ending asymmetrical battle, where we lose huge amounts of costly MM, can transport less and less cargo, and generally Axis losses are light, with exceptions intermittently.

Norway, where we hoped for a major offensive this year, instead has reverted to another front where the Germans have superior forces and superior supply.

In Africa, we maintain the offensive. Our attacks generally involve major losses to Allied forces, but we do sometimes inflict heavy losses as well. Major advances seem only possible using amphibious ops and heavy naval support-but we do not have enough landing craft to spare for this front currently. Additionally, without the ability to pressure from the West(lost when we launched the foolish SWORDFISH op long ago in N Africa) it is very time consuming. Ultimately, one would hope the conquest of Africa might make an attack on Italy possible. But with the amount of Axis forces there now, coupled with the continued existence of the Regia Marina and Axis air supremacy this seems doubtful, even if we were ever to get that far.

In Greece, where we hoped to open a major second front in 1943, instead we have merely managed to bottle ourselves up. Again, a lack of landing ships makes any breakout here very unlikely. The port of Terane to the north was targeted by Allied planners, but the Axis has now doubled its forces there, making any amphibious op go from difficult to nearly suicidal.




The only hope would seem to be in the East. However there are problems there. Air superiority has been lost. German formations are superior in every way. Attrition would seem to be our friend, but is it really? Germany is losing very little across the globe, with dead fronts in Norway and Greece, and our inability to do any real damage to its sub fleet. With the very narrow frontage of SLEDGEHAMER, essentially Germany must merely maintain its air forces while reinforcing two infantry formations per turn-hardly a hardship for Germany, which is likely pulling close to 600 PP/turn.

Even the US Strategic Bombing seems to be in Germany's favor. We lose 10-12 step hits every turn, sometimes more. Yes, we can suppress 2 or 3 German cities, but the cost of doing so is staggering.

The Allies need to open a broad land front vs Germany where their superior numbers can be deployed. The attempts in Norway and Greece appear to be failures. The question now is: do we reinforce failure and hope to turn the tide? Or attempt another landing? An attack vs western France would almost certainly be a disaster. It would require the entire fleet, more air assets than we have, and huge numbers of landing craft. Even worse, we would be attempting to attack directly into Axis strength.

Where else could we attack? Portugal? That would immediately trigger Spain to join the Axis-an unpleasant thought. Still, this might be our only chance. Level 9 ports could be occupied, allowing the Allies to sustain a significant force. That said, terrain favors the defenders, and a move here in strength would probably preclude any other major effort.

[boldairade]

Never noticed this cool icon that tells you when one of your generals buys it! Bravo Alvaro

[John B.]

Something interesting I noticed when I was reading the manual. Rivers don't have any effect in blizzard. I'm not sure if that will help you in Russia in the coming months, but it doesn't hurt. Also, the engineer bonus helps units to fight across rivers.

[boldairade]

ORIGINAL: John B.

Something interesting I noticed when I was reading the manual. Rivers don't have any effect in blizzard. I'm not sure if that will help you in Russia in the coming months, but it doesn't hurt. Also, the engineer bonus helps units to fight across rivers.

I know about engineers.

But the blizzard thing I did NOT know about.

That could be huge.

Thank you!!

[boldairade]

John are u sure about the river/blizzard effect?

I can’t find it in the manual.

[John B.]

ORIGINAL: boldairade

John are u sure about the river/blizzard effect?

I can’t find it in the manual.

I found it on p. 47 which is the chart of Terrain Attributes Note c "in blizzard weather conditions rivers provide no defensive bonus."

Also, if you have one unit with heavy artillery in an attack it takes away one level of entrenchment.

[boldairade]

Ok thanks. I must be looking at an old manual.

That’s very good info.

[John B.]

My version of the manual says 1.00.15 Updated Manual so hopefully it's the latest version.

I'm reading it because your game makes me want to play Warplan again.

[boldairade]

August 27, 1943

BOA-Uboats hit the South Atlantic, sinking 3 MM-we score not hits.

Norway-German forces withdraw to the south, shrinking back from our forward deployment. Strong German formations are pressuring us from the east, however. UK Command is relying on the terrain to deter enemy offensive ops.

Africa-US forces partially encircle the Italian Alpine corps south of the main Axis line and launch one attack. There are heavy casualties on both sides, but we cannot displace them this turn. Supply issues are becoming a major headache here.

[boldairade]

August 27, 1943

East Front

North-Soviet 13th Army is marching north-additional forces are arraying near Leningrad for a possible mass infantry attack vs the garrisoned German forces. The Russian surface fleet puts to see in full force, deploying SE of Stockholm in the Baltic, attempting to disrupt multiple trade routes. Stavka hopes it is out of range of German bombers here. We are not seeking a conflict with the Kriegsmarine, nor do we fear it.

Center-SLEDGEHAMMER is losing steam. The expected German riposte occurred last turn, with 3rd Ukrainian Army being easily repelled, while suffering heavy losses in a single attack. We could not cover 2nd Tank Army last turn, so they were forced to take the hit from the German mech units. They inflicted more casualties, but they too were driven back in a single attack.

The Red Airforce is on the very of exhaustion, and while Stavka does not fear enemy offensive action, if our units suffer further degradation, we could be vulnerable to a counterstroke of some severity. It being late August, thoughts are turning to being prepared for the winter offensive, which should be a more even affair.

Stalin, however, demands one last attack. Stavka scrapes what it can together, and hurls it forward. On the northern flank, 5th Guards Tank, 5th Tank, and 4th Air Army assault LI Corps. Four bloody assaults occur before the Germans are forced back. Russian step losses are only 8, however, while inflicting 20 step hits on LI Corps.

The attack then turns south, with 6th Guards Tank, 5th Guards Tank, 3rd Guards Tank and the 26th Air Army assaulting XIII Corps. Two attacks produce 11 step losses for the Russian units and 14 for the Germans.

One should not interpret this as an advantage for the Red Army-an examination of the relative forces here show that many Red Army Corps have been trashed, while the Germans-particularly their armor and mech units, are in good order. Still, the Red Army is beginning to compete with the Wehrmacht.

Fresh formations-35th Army and 44th Army-are plugged into the gap. But behind them, only Soviet 5th Tank and battered 2nd Mech Corps are combat effective.



After the offensive, Zhukov is transferred north to take over the central front.