Matrix Games Forums

21st January 1942

United Kingdom

In the Western Approaches the 2nd Canadian Escort Flotilla and 11th Destroyer Flotilla both come across separate Wolf Packs. A brutal exchange takes place with the Allied ships coming out slightly on top in both.

Off the north coast of Scotland, and in the absence of any destroyers, the 2nd and 18th Cruiser Squadrons are sent out to search for the damaged U-Boat. The first attack sees the sub dive but the second results in the death of the U-Boat.

In the Norwegian Sea the 14th Escort Flotilla returns to port to repair and refit, while the remaining two flotillas attack the two Wolf Packs with some success.

Meanwhile in Egypt, I considered an all out attack on the panzer units in the front line. The RAF were creamed however and so have thought better of it.....

Soviet Union

The Germans have suspended their convoy route between Germany and Finland.

Southeast of Gomel the Soviets counterattack the panzer formations that have seemingly lost contact with the rest of the Army Group. 11th and 15th Rifle Corps undertake a pincer movement that separates the 4th and 3rd Panzer Groups. Then 3rd Shock Army, operating from Gomel, attacks the surrounded panzer forces. The two armies exchange blows with the Soviets coming off worst, but reducing the precious panzers in the process.

10th Army and 4th Shock Army are ordered to head to the scene of battle as quickly as they can - the Soviets expect a swift and brutal counterattack....

11th February 1942

[To the tune of Winter Wonderland]

Artillery shells fire
Are you listening
On the ground
Blood is glistening
A terrible sight,
We're freezing tonight
Walking in a winter horrorland

11th February 1942

When the Egyptians revolted, I thought that was brutal on the British Army in Egypt but...... Wow! Wasn't expecting that.....

11th February 1942

Here is a summary. No units lost.

11th February 1942

In either a move of genius or madness, instead of directly trying to rescue 4th PzG from its trap, 3rd PzG has decided to take Konotop. If there are units following up this may be sensible but otherwise.....

11th February 1942

To the south, most Axis units were hit by the onset of a winter for which they were ridiculously unprepared. The weakened forces have not been able to make any headway, although Poltava is now heavily invested and almost surrounded.

11th February 1942

Not much point talking about Minsk anymore. The position at Riga and Daugvapils remains largely the same - except the Germans have ever more units - and understrength units in the area.

11th February 1942

The Wolf Packs on the Arctic run fired off some torpedoes against the destroyers and then withdrew undetected.

In the Western Approaches the U-Boats location remains known - and there are more destroyers on the way.

In Egypt the Afrika Korps continues to probe for weakness on the British flank...

11th February 1942

Hitler is feeling a little glum about the turn of events in the Soviet Union. However, Field Marshal Goering is on hand with a copy of the early edition of the Daily Nazi. He hands his Fuhrer the paper and, as was often the way at the Wolf's Lair, Goering, Bormann and a visiting Mussolini broke into impromptu song in order to cheer their leader up:

[To the tune of Always look on the bright side of life]

Cheer up, Adolf. You know what they say.
Some things in life are bad,
The Russkies really make you mad.
That Churchill bloke just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle!
And this'll help the war turn out for the best
And
Always look on the bright side of life!
Always look on the bright side of life

11th February 1942

Hitler, on seeing the news, immediately feels happier with the world. He then turns to page 4 and sees more good news.

Warspite1.

Top notch AAR. It helped convince me to buy this game.

The commando formation event in your post 416 prompted me to write that I received for Christmas a book about the SAS titled Rogue Heroes by Ben MacIntyre. I have not finished it yet but I highly recommend it as I had not read much about Britain's Special Air Service and it is well written.

Carry on.

ORIGINAL: gchristie

Warspite1.

Top notch AAR. It helped convince me to buy this game.

The commando formation event in your post 416 prompted me to write that I received for Christmas a book about the SAS titled Rogue Heroes by Ben MacIntyre. I have not finished it yet but I highly recommend it as I had not read much about Britain's Special Air Service and it is well written.

Carry on.

warspite1

Thank-you sir - its a fun game! [:)]

11th February 1942

But the bad news only gets worse for the British.....

4th March 1942

The Allies look to close the mid-Atlantic gap

4th March 1942

So impressed with the carrying capacity of the RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Mary, the US were looking forward to getting their own ship - well French actually but... - to sea as a troop carrier, but then someone accidentally pulled the plug out. Whoops!

4th March 1942

Reinforcements

United States
The US get a tactical bomber in Norfolk

Soviet Union
The survivors of 4th Corps, defenders of Odessa, provide the cadre for the reformed corps- given Guards status - and deployed near Gomel.

MPP Expenditure

UK - Nothing
USA - Nothing
USSR - Nothing
Yep - I actually forgot to purchase stuff....[8|]

4th March 1942

In the Norwegian Sea the British destroyers make contact with one of the Wolf Packs and attack - scoring 3 hits for no return.

In the South Western Approaches the Germans make life slightly more difficult. The U-Boats come off only marginally worse and the 11th Destroyer Flotilla heads for home for repair. Two flotillas are unable to reach the scene in time.

4th March 1942

I seem to have a load of units appeared with the Soviet Union - or maybe they have been there all along. Either way I now feel confident enough to start bring units forward from Leningrad, Moscow and Stalingrad. Here is the position after the Soviet movement and reinforcement phase:


Northwestern Front

4th March 1942

Western Front

4th March 1942

Southwestern and Southern Fronts