Nirosi vs Boldairade(Nirosi welcome)

[boldairade]

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Abandoned T35 heavy tank west of Vitebsk, a victim of an early 'Rasputitsa'-Russian spring, and its accompanying bottomless mud.

[boldairade]

April 7, 1944

Good weather at last...

BOA-The Kreigsmarine is resurgent. Surface ships and subs combine to sink 8 MM and an escort. Knowing the futility, we move our surface fleet in pursuit of the German surface ships deep in the Arctic Convoy route. I'm already composing my pouty message for the AAR in my head when, lo and behold, we hit again! 4 hits on the mighty Bismark! This is a welcome surprise. That said, we thought in the BOA we would have a reasonable surplus of MM, yet the last 4 turns has again seen a very high toll in merchant ships. This front is very much still a struggle.

Norway-Rotation of fresh formations continue. The weather is improving, and so is supply.

US Bomber Command-The US unleashes its air arm. The losses on both sides are horrendous. 10 raids are launched at oil facilities(to draw up the Luftwaffe), Cologne, Nuremburg and Leipzig. For the most part, these German cities are decimated. But the Butcher's Bill is outrageous. The US loses an eye popping 32 air steps to interceptors and AA guns. German losses are also high, they lose 26 air steps. It's worth noting, however, that fighter steps are cheaper to replace than bomber steps.

US bombers based in Scapa Flow are able to inflict 2 hits on German subs basing out of Oslo.

Africa/Greece-Minor troops adjustments here.

MATADOR-After much delay, the grand Allied plan for '44, is launched.

[boldairade]

April 7, 1944

MATADOR-Seeking a front where they can adequately deploy large numbers of troops with strong supply and make landing with a reasonable chance of success, the Allies have settled on the imperfect Portugal/Spain Theater. There are many reasons why this is a bad idea. The Axis will immediately gain MORE VP hexes, along with the not inconsequential Spanish military and navy assets. Our situation, however, falls under the heading of 'desperate times call for desperate measures'.

As such, we finally launch MATADOR.

The opening phases of this op are the attempt to occupy as many ports in western and southern Spain and Portugal as possible. To this end, three US divisions were to be employed to occupy the northern ports of Ferrol, Vigo, and Porto. This does not go off without a hitch. For some reason, one US division will NOT unload onto a beach hex, no matter which hex we try. Luckily, because no intelligence or combat occur, we can use the undo option to get it back into port. That said, we have a problem. The US Marine division that was supposed to land in the southern port of Portimao has to be instead diverted north.

The English contribution to the opening phases of MATADOR is the invasion of Lisbon by the UK Anzac Corps, which goes well. We probably used far too many surface ships in support here, but had this failed, the entire op would have likely failed. Heavy UK formations also attack north from Gibraltar. We had hoped to land more units into Gibraltar but we fail to establish enough ZOC for these landings.

Even though the opening phase of MATADOR doesn't go according to plan, I feel an almost embarrassing level of relief at it finally getting underway. It is a costly and risky endeavor and has been fraught with delay. Next turn will be very telling. With intact rail lines, Nirosi can respond in any way he chooses. He can very likely destroy one or two landing sites, and perhaps more. The capture of Lisbon by the Anzac Corps means Portugal will surrender next turn(I think). This will give us a territorial buffer. But I think he can rail troops in next turn. I am unsure on this, but if the Germans can rail in enough forces to retake Lisbon, things will likely go south in a hurry.

In England and Gibraltar, as many troops as possible are embarked to make landings in force next turn. We actually run out of shipping this turn.

[boldairade]

April 7, 1944

EAST FRONT

North-The Red Banner Baltic fleet is STILL frozen in port. Rain blankets all of the northern front.

Center-Rain here as well. We really hoped we might get one last turn of snow, but no joy there. We continue to push forward AT infantry armies and reorganize and reinforce our armor. Extremely strong German formations are massing SW of Vitebsk and around the Mogilev area. German forces maintain a qualitative advantage, but numerically we are still stronger. We need to dig in. Soviet 1st Guards Tank, probably our best tank formation, has been earmarked for withdrawal to support SERPENT.
In a happy accident, we misspoke last turn. We have achieved '43 close support. We aren't quite so far behind the times as we thought.

South Additional assets for SERPENT are arriving on the battlefield. D Day for Serpent is tentatively set for early May. Ivan Konev is transferred south to take over this front.

[boldairade]

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The heaviest formations involved in the opening phases of MATADOR were the UK units, who were tasked with the best defended objectives.

[boldairade]

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US landing sites ranged up and down the entire coast of Spain/Portugal. Unfortunately, some landing had to be scrapped.

[boldairade]

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While Soviet bombers may not be as advanced as their Axis counterparts, they have two advantages: they are flown by brave pilots and there are many of them.

[John B.]

Ilia iacta est!

[boldairade]

Ilia iacta est!

indeed. the Allies have more dice in their pocket, however...

[boldairade]

April 21, 1944

BOA-2 Uboat flotilla hit the Arctic route, sinking 2 MM, but losing 3 steps. For several reasons, including low MM, the USA reduces aid to Russia. This is the first time in the game that aid to Russia is not maxed out. Overall MM surplus remains a miniscule 4 ships.

Norway-Formations continue to recover. This front seems stable. We need to get the better UK formations out of this theater and replace them with grade formations. With everything going on, this is easier said than done.

US Bomber Command-Lower replacement budgets again leave US bomber formations slightly under strength. We still launch raids, but unlike last turn, we avoid the teeth of the German air defenses, instead hitting occupied cities Lille and Brussels, which produce a surprising amount of PP for Germany, as well as strikes into Leipzig and Nuremberg. Losses are much lower for US formations(8 steps) but of course, there is a corresponding lessening in Axis losses(only 6 steps lost). Axis production is still being reduced(I believe they lose 31 PP this turn).

In the Med, the US again hits the industrial centers of Taranto and Naples.

Africa/Greece-African formations are being stripped beyond what is comfortable in the effort to provide formations for MATADOR and the upcoming ZEUS/CHARIOT. We are stripped to the bone. Virtually all assets are in place for ZEUS, it is possible it will be launched in late May.

MATADOR-Significant German formations are railed in, but no effort, it appears, will be made to counter the landings. Nirosi instead recognizes the next phase of the battle is one he can better prepare for: the battle for Madrid. As such, German formations appear to be massing to defend the Spanish capitol(and keep Spain in the war).

With the pressure off the ports, Allied forces land en masse. Omar Bradley will lead the northern effort for the US, while old Blood and Guts himself, George Patton, will lead the west to east axis of advance. Alan Cunningham lands near Gibraltar to command the English effort there.

The Allied plan is to pressure Madrid from three directions-the north with threat of envelopment by Bradley's force, the west with rapid blunt trauma from Patton's army, and occupation of ports and pressure from the south by Cunningham's English forces. To this end, the English attack and destroy the Spanish VII Corps in Cadiz and occupy that port just north of Gibraltar.

Overall, this plan is neither fancy or inventive. It's an attempt to bring as many formations as possible to bare on Axis frontage and either force Germany to commit massive troop numbers or sacrifice Spain. I believe they will go with the first option, and attempt to employ Spain's good defensive terrain.

US shipping moves so many formations into Spain that several US forces are left stranded in home ports due to a lack of shipping. Spain/Portugal look like this-note the new German formations arraying in defense of Madrid.

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[boldairade]

I will write up the E Front later, i don't have time right now.


Believe it or not, it was even MORE eventful than the west.

[boldairade]

Allied troops move inland from western Spanish ports

[redrum68]

Very interested to see how Matador pans out. I haven't seen very many invasions of Spain.

[John B.]

I am curious as well. Cracking the Pyrenees may be tough!

[boldairade]

April 21, 1944

EAST FRONT

note-I will not be going into the depth I normally do in combats, because I think we'd end up with a huge wall of text, and I don't think anyone wants that

North-The Baltic is cold, but no longer frozen. What's left of the Red Banner Fleet-Marat BB Group and Voroshilov CA sqd-set out to raid Axis MM. Axis forces continue to come out of garrison mode along the line south of Leningrad. We are keeping strong formations here, and they are largely recovered from the ill fated wave attacks over the winter.

Center-Much of Europe is blanketed in snow, but the weather here is clear. Stavka expected a possible Axis counter attack, but we did not expect it to be on the scale or be as dominant as it turns out to be. A massive effort is launched 2 hexes south of Vitebsk, supported by a Panzer Corps and a Pz Grenadier, an infantry Corps and the Luftwaffe hitting 16th Army and driving it back in a single attack. After additional ground strikes, the Wehrmacht then focuses an infantry corps, 2 Pz Corps and a Pz Grenadier on 5th Tank shattering it in one attack. This allows Nirosi to attack directly south of Vitebsk, attacking one of our best formations, 1st Siberian Tank, with 2 Pz Corps and a Pz Grenadier Corps. This formation tries to hold, but two attacks do a staggering 27 step hits and retreat it.

These attacks allow a 3 hex frontage on Vitebsk itself, held by 1st Siberian Army, partially dug in. The Germans unleash infantry and 2 Pz Grenadier Corps with air support. Opening attacks bloody the Germans, and they add another Pz Corps attacking across the river. Despite heavy odds, 1st Siberian repels 4 straight attacks, but on the fourth, General Zhukov is killed! The fifth attack shatters the Russian formation(all retreat hexes had been filled by this time, though likely it would have shattered anyway), and the Germans move the fresh XXXIII Corps in to hold the city.

The crown jewel of WINTER STORM is lost. Along with it goes half the territory gained during the painful winter offensive. Not to mention the shattering of 5th Tank, 1st Siberian Army and the loss of our best general. Best calculation of losses on the front come to this: Russian lose 78 ground steps and 23 air, along with two units shattered and the loss of Zhukov. Axis losses are not as high, but significant-44 ground steps, 23 air, serious reduction in readiness due to using multiple attacks.

Morale on the Russian front(and in my computer chair) bottoms out.

This horrifically murky image will give you some idea of the extent of the German attack-everything up to the white/black line is Axis occupied after their spring offensive.(note-this is an older image and does not show the accurate forces at the start of the offensive, but the hex occupation is correct)

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I sit and study the map for some time. What should be done? Not only has Vitebsk been lost, but Nirosi has been careful to take most of the hexes surrounding it and occupied it with a strong formation. Retaking the city this turn is out of our reach.

The possibility of going on the defensive for the spring is there. But considering the overall game situation, that is further conceding defeat.

When I get done moping about what cannot be done, I start thinking about what can be done.

One of the main goals on the Eastern Front is to attrit the Germans. Examining the German forces, they are still strong. But we can swap shots with them-there are still places we can attack. The decision is made to counter attack. The one thing we DO have is numbers. We can rotate attacking formations to try and make up for German qualitative superiority.

Next up...the attempt to counter

[boldairade]

A tiger tank moves through the blasted landscape south of Vitebsk in the German counter offensive. Notice the burned out hulks of Russian tanks in the rear.

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[redrum68]

FYI, one thing that comes to mind is how many winter specialization upgrades you have. While those help with a push in the snow/blizzard, you really need a lot of your armor to have elite specialization so you can push throughout the year in 44/45.

[boldairade]

Panzers roll back into the streets of Vitebsk. Our victory here was short lived.

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[boldairade]

FYI, one thing that comes to mind is how many winter specialization upgrades you have. While those help with a push in the snow/blizzard, you really need a lot of your armor to have elite specialization so you can push throughout the year in 44/45.

you are right. i think i noted earlier it's seems a trap specialization.

Stay tuned, though...

[John B.]

Don't be too downhearted about Vitebisk. Remember that you were surprised that you took it to begin with and you still hold Smolensk which was your original goal.