How the Axis could have won. Allied AAR RTW

[warspite1]

5th April 1942

United Kingdom
In Jordan the remaining British units are in full retreat, but at least the first of the reinforcements have landed (a new elite Corps de Chasse featuring the re-formed 2nd New Zealand Division). I can't afford an HQ this turn so will save my MPP for next turn. The Americans too are on their way - and I build Patton this turn.

[Josh]

ORIGINAL: warspite1



gestion to Designers: Instead of reference to the port, can the wording be changed so that it refers to the Normandie Dock please?

HMS Campbeltown (formerly USS Buchanan) one of the 50 old destroyers the US exchanged for bases earlier in the war was used for this daring raid

Good thinking Warspite, it was the dock they were after.

That pic of the Campbeltown, before it exploded, taking with her all onlookers and spectators, not much of them remained...

[Benedict151]

Hello Warspite

I think we might have asked Hubert & Bill to change the wording to port. This was on the basis we wanted it to be clear what the raid had achieved in game terms for players who might be unaware of the raid and its specifics.


BTW I'm enjoying your AAR - your game seems to mirror my attempts so I hope you manage to turn the situation around to your advantage

regards
Ben Wilkins

[Hartmann]

The amount of units gathering in Iraq actually looks better than I thought. I'm crossing thumbs that you'll be able to retake the Middle East and Africa eventually (once headquarters arrive).

[warspite1]

5th April 1942

Soviet Union
That leaves the builds for the Soviet Union

With Infantry Weapons added, the Soviets build three armies and three garrisons.

As I click on for the Axis turn there is a decision to be made. Do the British or Soviets want to form a Polish Corps?

I will go for the British. The Soviets really need them but as they start in Kuwait and they deserve to be free of the Soviets, I go for incorporation within the British Army.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

This is tres tres grim [:(] The Luftwaffe is just so powerful.

AI Turn

Shame there is no replay function. I was called away as the AI turn was going on so just caught glimpses. The Soviet subs and destroyers were destroyed - and I see a ton more land units. I will survey the wreckage shortly.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

Reinforcements

United States
Simpson arrives in New York and has been told to get his butt to the Middle East like yesterday.

Soviet Union
Just 3 Garrisons this turn. Two go north of Moscow and one in the south.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

MPP
UK - 436
USA - 541
USSR - 556

Reinforcements

United States
As I have no more sea lift left, I research Infantry Weapons, AT and Long-Range Aircraft.

United Kingdom
Richie HQ and upgrading the 20th Escort Flotilla

Soviet Union
Research Infantry Weapons, a Mechanised and a corps

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

United States
Rough Seas is a bit boring - when it happens to your side [:D]. Seriously though I trust that this seriously affects the poor sea boats of the Italians in the Mediterranean? After all, they had at least a couple of destroyers sunk because of it.

My task force heading to the Gulf has been smacked about a tad - but ploughs on. They need to get there quick because I don't have the transport capacity for the Simpson HQ [8|] I am a genius!

Meanwhile the US 3rd and 10th Destroyer Flotillas fall upon two U-boat packs - although they manage to escape. The 7th (Canadian) Escort Flotilla is called on to assist.


Where'd the hell did the other one go?

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

United Kingdom
In the desert, the British rear-guard are likely to be overwhelmed. Their movement points are just one or two. I just have to hope the Germans are not going to follow.....

Soviet Union
The latest position in the north is as dire as it ever was. I see no point reinforcing 4th Corps in Novgorod - the Luftwaffe alone will take this unit out - and instead hope to be able reinforce or upgrade something more valuable.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

Soviet Union
I decide to sacrifice 1st Mechanised Corps south of Moscow. There is a tempting target in the form of 7th Panzer north of Tula. I see little point in not giving it a go. The Soviet bomber squadrons get an attack going and cause a point of loss to the panzers - but the escorting fighters lost SIX points in the defence (and the bombers another two)??

The 1st Mechanised then head over the Oka River en masse and, following close on the heels of the Sturmovik's, they tear into the German armour.
The Soviets throw in 18th Army, elements of both 2nd and 10th Corps - and even the remnants of the Tula Garrison. The German panzers with 1-strength point, survive everything that is hurled at them.

The remaining units from those that attacked - disorganised and beaten - try and return to their lines.... the defence before Moscow has crumbled.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

Soviet Union
The Soviet positions south of the Don have been blown away..... there really isn't much more to say.

[warspite1]

27th April 1942

The Soviets have the opportunity of setting up three, half-strength AT units at Gorki for 200 MPP. Yeah why not?

[warspite1]

Time to call it a day there I think. I played on for a couple more turns and the Germans had utterly destroyed my armies in the south and were within one hex of both Leningrad and Moscow.

It's been a lot of fun but clearly a lot for me to learn here - particularly research, because apart from the destruction of Rommel's panzers (which seemingly had no detrimental effect on German progress) it has simply been a case of being destroyed, falling back, being destroyed falling back.

Big thanks to those who contributed their expertise and comment [:)]

[AndyG1]

Where's the British Bulldog spirit? Fight on, to the bitter end!

[Hartmann]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Time to call it a day there I think. I played on for a couple more turns and the Germans had utterly destroyed my armies in the south and were within one hex of both Leningrad and Moscow.

It's been a lot of fun but clearly a lot for me to learn here - particularly research, because apart from the destruction of Rommel's panzers (which seemingly had no detrimental effect on German progress) it has simply been a case of being destroyed, falling back, being destroyed falling back.

Big thanks to those who contributed their expertise and comment [:)]

Nooooooooo! [:(] I loved that AAR. While you did make some serious mistakes which slowly accumulated and got you into dire straits, I really think all wasn't lost. Actually, this was part of what made the AAR so interesting. I would have loved to see you turn the tables in 1943. [8D]

Anyway, see you around! [:)]

[terje439]

Sorry to see this one end, hope you do another!
[&o]

[n0kn0k]

Let the next one be a multiplayer AAR. [:)]

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Time to call it a day there I think. I played on for a couple more turns and the Germans had utterly destroyed my armies in the south and were within one hex of both Leningrad and Moscow.

It's been a lot of fun but clearly a lot for me to learn here - particularly research, because apart from the destruction of Rommel's panzers (which seemingly had no detrimental effect on German progress) it has simply been a case of being destroyed, falling back, being destroyed falling back.

Big thanks to those who contributed their expertise and comment [:)]

as ever thanks for this - your AARs are always an entertaining read.

learnt a lot from it, not least as I have been tussling with the same concepts and novelty.

Have managed to waste a lot of MPP in poor choices (esp of the transport/relocation options) but hit on 2 things that seem to have made a difference (I'm in July 42 and just clinging to the line of the Nile and in front of Moscow, Leningrad has fallen).

First I put the bulk of the anglo-allied airforce into the Middle East. It seems that when the AI decides against SeaLion it loses all interest in the UK (ok its gamey but it seems to give me the extra attrition just to hold a line). Second I have a soviet engineer unit (I think by event?) and used it to build a solid fortified line in front of Moscow and onto the flanks. Then kept it garrisoned all the time. That seems to give me an edge in making the Germans stall.

[;)]

[warspite1]

Yes the Soviets get an Engineer - as do the French - and I used neither of them as such. Given the way the Germans slice through the Allied armies their use must be de rigeur.