Fall Weiss II Western Theater - Axis AAR

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The Axis capture both Alexandria and Cairo, which leads to Egyptian surrender. The Axis victory was decisive, I had actually anticipated the final push through El Alamein to be more difficult, but the AI can be unpredictable. British morale is fleeting with the loss of Gibraltar, Malta, and now Egypt, a complete defeat in the Mediterranean.

In the Middle East Persia is occupied by the Allies, and Baghdad is almost under siege. I am curious if Iraq will still capitulate now that the British have been pushed out of Egypt, I'll have to wait to find out.

Finland re-claimed their loss territory from the Winter War which bumps up their national morale.

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The Axis are finally forced to pause the advance of the Tank Corps in the South as Soviet Armour and Anti-Tank units await beyond Kiev. These units destroyed a German Mechanized Division last turn. Significant German MPPs were sunk into repairs this turn, however we keep pressing forward as quickly as possible. Dnepropetrovsk was captured this turn in Ukraine, and Spain has just begun sending forces to the Eastern Front, all in the Southern region.

Army Group Center has captured Smolensk, while Army Group North quickly closes in on Leningrad.

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Axis force cross the Nile River, while the British attempt to put an end to the Iraqi Coup.

Finland is preparing for the possibility of a digging in for a long fight against USSR despite early gains.

Germany spends her MPP on reinforcements, research (2x Infantry Warfare) and also invests 2 diplomacy chits in Switzerland to try to counter recent Allied diplomatic investments.

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In the Eastern Front we are rapidly approaching the objectives set out at the beginning of the campaign against USSR, the gates of Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov. Some additional Italian and German forces were transferred to the front this turn now that the fighting in the Balkans has ended. All fighting is now concentrated in the East (USSR + Middle East).

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Iraq surrendered this turn. India has transferred forces to the Middle East after the British collapse in Egypt.

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Wet weather bogs down our advance in the East, still no signs of Soviet Infantry Weapons II so the Axis maintain that edge. Things are going to get more difficult soon. Germany purchased a Mechanized Corps this turn, as well upgrade a number of U-boats with Advanced Subs II and the Luftwaffe is being reinforced which is a big MPP cost.

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Germany is one again intensifying it's raiding activity in the Atlantic. Now that we have naval bases in the Atlantic (ala Portugal) a task force of Italian, Vichy French and Spanish surface vessels have been tasked with protecting the various U-boats groups.

Germany purchases 2 Fighter Aircraft Groups and we also broker a future trade deal with Turkey. Finland invested in Command & Control II.

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Soviet resistance is growing heavy, at the beginning of the turn USSR had 99 ground units, 10 of which were destroyed. USSR also flashed Advanced Tanks III, Germany has achieved the same tech but most of my Tanks are still tech II as I've been reluctant to slowdown my rapid advance.

We are very close to obtaining our 41' objectives, in the North we have reached the gates of Leningrad but will not be able to launch a siege of the city quite yet. Army Group Center has reached the outskirts of Moscow. In the South we have Rostov in our sights, it may be a challenge to make it before the winter however.

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Poor supply in the Middle East stalls our advance, an additional Italian HQ which was still stationed at Tobruk is transported to Egypt which is expected to improve the supply chain as soon as next turn. The Mediterranean, with exception of Cyprus is an Axis swimming pool. Palestine surrenders this turn as the capital is occupied.

In the Atlantic, the Axis task force sinks 3 Destroyer Groups of different nationalities (UK, Canada, Poland) near the Portuguese isles, separately a German U-boat sunk a British Light Cruiser near Ireland.

Romanian forces have cut off Sevastopol in the Crimea (which doesn't quite fit in the Eastern Front screenshots at the moment).

Germany spends access MPP after reinforcements on Aerial Warfare and Anti-Aircraft Defense.

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Front lines are beginning to form on the Eastern Front as the Soviets defense is beginning to stabilize more. We are approaching near historical gains.

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The Japanese attack Pearl Harbour and bring the US into the war. They were actually sitting at 88% last turn due to all of the Axis gains in the Mediterranean.

A quick look at the loss report, the Allies have really taken a beating thus far. Something will have to go right for them in 1942 or the war will quickly be lost.

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The Siberian Reserves arrive. I'll post some unit counts next turn.

Near Leningrad I was forced to retreat when faced with a Tech III Tank Army as my own Tanks were not able to advance in support yet. Supply near Moscow is feeling pretty delicate at the moment. 1 More turn left to take Rostov and complete all of the objectives of Barbarossa before year end.

[John B.]

Very interesting AAR. Thanks!

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ORIGINAL: John B.

Very interesting AAR. Thanks!

Thanks!

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Transjordan is captured this turn, leaving Iraq as the only British foothold in the Middle East.

The Finnish offensive towards Leningrad is now facing off with Soviet Tank Army, which could be trouble.

A look at the unit count shows that the Soviet Union's ground forces has now ballooned and the Axis will be forced to fight for every inch of ground in the coming year. The American Entry into the war boosts the Allies morale.

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On the 31st of December Germany occupied Rostov, and have reached the gates of both Moscow and Leningrad, meeting my final objective of Barbarossa. Now with full support of the Luftwaffe, the Axis are well positioned heading into 1942 but the war is taking a toll on the Germans, and their morale is beginning to falter as the fighting drags on. Soviet winter strikes and with that will cause a pause to our offensive.

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The DAK and Italian Army's march toward the Iraqi border is halted as we stumble upon Allied Airfields (which retreat next turn). I am reluctant to DOW Syria as it could trigger Turkey swinging massively towards the Allies. I would rather Turkey did not enter the war and tie up any forces. So we are forced to cross the desert between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

The German Army pays a substantial price to prepare for the upcoming summer offensive which could be decisive in the war. Germany lost a massive 1900+ MPP last turn, in part due to Soviet Winter. Most MPP are again spent on reinforcements, but Germany also purchases a chit in Industrial Technology. Italy purchases an Infantry Army and Finland a chit in Infantry Warfare.

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Soviet Tank Armies both North and South of Leningrad have caused pause, the Finnish Army is forced to retreat fully back to the Mannerheim Line, where they can slowly begin to upgrade to Infantry Weapons II. South of Leningrad, with bad weather the Luftwaffe was grounded and our forward units (Tank Corps and Mechanized Corps) faced very unfavorable results, which was aided by the Soviet Winter effecting HQ supply. With the prospect of losing the main components of Army Group South we were forced to retreat back to Luga. The opportunity to immediately siege Leningrad has been delayed.

Army Group Center currently is really two parts, the main offensive towards Moscow which is comprised of German and Italian Armies which are severely flanked from the North, and a second group of German and Hungarian forces which will drive North towards Moscow from Kursk. I had anticipated to quickly move one of the two main Luftwaffe bases from the North to the Moscow front, but with the Leningrad front opening up I will have to possibly delay this transfer. Supply feels very shaky in this front right now.

In the South, the Spanish Army approaches Voronezh, while the German Army will drive towards Stalingrad and into the Caucaus, supported by the Romanian Army which is also fighting in the Crimea.

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The British, Commonwealth and USA have all contributed forces to the defense of Iraq; the Western Allies last sand in the Middle East. The Allies are beginning to invest diplomacy in Turkey which I will likely have to counter at soon.

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After suffering so much loss of territory in 1941, the Red Army is now a true force. Soviet morale is improving, but Germany remains the better fighting force. In the North we are forced to send a second HQ back to the Leningrad front before the situation gets out of hand. Bad weather continues to ground the Luftwaffe.

The battle for Moscow is inflicting losses on both sides, we have been lucky not have had many units destroyed, but a few were knocked down to 2 strength the previous turn. A German Mechanized Division was destroyed though. Two new Medium Bombers were deployed and are destined for the Moscow Front.

In the South we begin pressing towards both Stalingrad and the Caucasus, a freshly deployed Mechanized Corps as well as an Infantry Corps from Northern USSR were transferred to Rostov. Most of the reinforcements from the "Summer Offensive" preparation will be sent to this region. Aside from Moscow, capturing both Stalingrad and the oilfields of the Caucasus is the other main objectives of 1942. Failing to capture Stalingrad will result in German morale loss, and failing to capture the oilfields will trigger Oil shortages.