1943-1945 campaign

[kentkroeckel]

September 18, 1943.

System will only show air losses from last turn combined with the Axis phase so no separate chart. Metrics shows Axis lost 46 aircraft while Allies lost 21.

U-Boat victory point losses was just one. Very workable but the Allies lost many points on ground losses. A total of ten.

32 amphibious ships have been lost which is below replacement so good to go. (4 per turn replenished).


First picture shows reconnaissance in Europe. This is set for single hex strategic.

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Corresponding picture is of strategic bombing raids over Europe. two raids are four hexes but that is covered by four single hex strategic reconnaissance.

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This picture is of reconnaissance in Italy. Both tactical and strategic are present but want to show tactical presence. However, both strategic and tactical bombing have a corresponding reconnaissance.

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This is the tactical bombing situation on Italy. Notice how it corresponds to reconnaissance.

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[kentkroeckel]

September 18, 1943.

All strategic missions (18) are set at 4,000 feet Altitude. Frequency is at four times a week and spread in such a way that there is bombing every day by some. Also, All are set on day bombing since rain is over Europe and Italian missions are not under much duress.

First chart is air engagement during Axis phase.

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Next chart is the results of the Allied air phase.

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Here are the results. Total turn losses for Germany were 228 while Allies lost 652. A Luftwaffe advantage of 431. This shows approximately a two hundred level bomber loss increase while Germany did not loose any additional significant aircraft.

Does not matter if bombing was more productive because loss ratio is not acceptable or sustainable. Next week will be at 9,000 feet.

The following picture is going to look odd. You will see German units still in the same hex of an Allied air assault. If the airborne unit had been a brigade it would have retreated and been destroyed but since it was a division it had enough core strength to degrade but still win. That is why German and British units are in the same hex. Also, the German units cannot have organic combat strength. The two units you see are Axis punishment construction battalions.

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I launched the above attack to cut rail logistics. It also ties in with the next picture. The sixteenth Panzer Division is isolated, circled in red. Small units surround it but notice how a task force is placed offshore. You do not need to be next to a port for effect. This way the task force is not reduced by fortification and port defenses. A task force has a zone of control, just like a division. Exception is in a ferry hex.

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[kentkroeckel]

I wanted to clarify the Allied perspective in the AAR so that a misinterpretation does not develop. I showed the four attacks by Mr. Bimmler (German) last turn. Yet I did not show any Allied attacks. There were several, some good and some not so good. Ha. I thought it would be redundant so instead showed unique situations the Allies ran into. Airborne attack and task force naval blocking.

Observation: I have noticed Mr. Bimmler is not withdrawing from the clear hexes of Italy. Instead he is engaging with the Allies. Destroying many little Allied units. Yet I am willing to keep them exposed, and thus vulnerable because they help to isolate German units while costing much to eliminate.

My thought is that the Axis units will degrade and be forced to retreat in time. In the process of withdraw I hope to cut off paths of retreat. However, right now Allied forces are in disarray themselves, as I have not gotten them set in proper support positions. Need another month to accomplish this.

[kentkroeckel]

September 25, 1945

Victory points for turn were -5 and game total is 64. And yes that is a minus five; mostly from Allied losses. Air did well enough, gaining 20 points but ground losses destroyed that and more. I highlighted bombing in yellow and ground losses in blue.

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In my previous post, which was made before realizing I had received a turn, was in error. Embarrassing. Ha. Let me show you why. Germany looked like it was going to retreat in a bit of disarray. Allies could capitalize on it. Nope. First picture is of the airborne drop that was forced to retreat. Look at the losses and you will see the British airborne division was destroyed in reality. No German disarray there.

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The following picture shows how the isolated German armor division withdrew successfully. In the process routed another British armor brigade.

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Final picture shows the third / final Axis ground attack. It is a draw, with British unit retreating.

But what I wanted to show is how a German contact line has formed (Green). Allies will need to match this but there is just enough hexes to make a continues line for logistics and unit movement.

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[kentkroeckel]

September 25, 1943.

Weather over Europe is rain. Water level 2.

Italy is good weather.

Mr. Bimmler has surprised me again. Luftwaffe is utilizing air bases in Yugoslavia. Only an experienced German player does that. the Allied Task Force in open waters is at high risk but I assumed Mr. Bimmler would not attack it, due to a defensive approach. I was wrong, and am now having to rethink my strategy. It seems, Mr. Bimmler is going to utilize Axis assets in precision attacks. Allies will now need to be cautious when approaching the Axis shoreline.

The task force off the coast suffered serious damage, 27 and is isolated at present.

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Axis air chart showed up so it is displayed below. Germany lost 75 while Allies lost 38.

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I had to do some changes on air phase that changed test. Strategic Air Force needed to be moved to Heel of Italian boot. No strategic air missions but I think air results were consistent enough. Loses for Germany were 120 while Allies lost 438. Operation losses went way down along with flak.

Total losses for both air phases were 195 for Axis while Allies lost 476. A difference of 281. Still a good advantage for Luftwaffe. However, I was observing bombing effects and they were good so I think this air turn would be a win for both sides.

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Final picture shows naval interdiction after Allied air phase. Allies paid a price moving task force through Axis control hexes. All other areas are in good shape. Allied control goes up to Mediterranean France. Opens up opportunity.

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[kentkroeckel]

September 25, 1943.

I wanted to show an attack that took five times to claim victory. Yet that victory is shallow because of expense. The subject of this attention was an SS armor battalion.

First Attack: Much is lost on this for Allies.

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Second Attack: Not much in Allied armor.

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Third Attack: Massive Allied armor but minimal results.

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Fourth Attack: No Allied losses on this one.

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[kentkroeckel]

September 25, 1943.

Fifth Attack: This made the the German SS battalion to route.

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Here is another attack that only took one engagement. It is with a different battalion of same SS mechanized division. 1 SS Mechanized Infantry to be specific. I use mechanized or armor interchangeable, for those who get confused by my wordage.

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Below is an attack on the same battalion of the 1 SS Mechanized Division. Notice the losses of 16 armored vehicles from the above engagement. It is now down to 20 left.

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Final picture is of the Schmalz Brigade being attacked. This happened twice but only have one slot left for pictures. System allows four. The first attack each side lost around seven hundred soldiers and a bit of material. The second attack, which is below, shows the end result.

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Conclusion: Mr. Bimmler organized the German line quicker than Allies could exploit it. Meaning, no Allied breakout from Boot of Italy. However, Axis weaponry is being destroyed. In addition, Germany is consuming vast logistics.

[kentkroeckel]

October 2, 1943.

First thing to discuss is victory points. 26 points for the turn and game total is 90. this happened because bombing got twenty points, fairly normal. But Allies received an additional 8 points for partisan shortcoming. I do not know if from a garrison region, city, or partisans themselves. But whatever the reason, it did help with victory points. Similar to how last turn Allies lost nearly ten for the destruction of British airborne division. Below is chart. Yellow is bombing points and blue is partisan. Total is also in yellow.

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Weather for Europe is rain with water level 3.
Weather for Italy is good.

Following picture is air engagements over Italy during German air phase.

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Chart for Axis air not showing separate phase so had to look at metrics. I think it is saying 34 and 6 but cannot tell exactly.

In this third picture you can see how Germany has withdrawn one hex row. but this is only on bottom of contact line. The northern part has not retreated.

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the final picture shows no withdraw and strong SS battalions.

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[kentkroeckel]

October 2, 1943.

Two weeks ago strategic bombing was run at 4,000 feet altitude. This past week at 9,000 feet. This week at twenty-five thousand feet for most American runs. British between 18,000 through 23,000 feet. All are being run during daylight since it is raining in Europe. Strategic Air Force in Mediterranean is still not complete due to transfer to Italian Boot. So only half of missions are running. Romanian oil fields are under rain too.

First chart is losses for Allied air phase. Germany lost 145 while Allies lost 266.

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Next chart is metrics for ten turns. It is showing, accumulative for both air phases; Germany lost 151 while Allies lost 298. A difference of 147.

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What this confirms in my mind is that strategic bombing missions must continue at higher altitude regardless of diminished effectiveness. At least as long as part of the air missions are without fighter escort.

I have selected, what I believe is indicative of the fighting for this week. Allies were loosing 25 to 35 percent more than the Axis were. Generalized of course. The following battle shows this.

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The last picture shows the big picture. A good snapshot of all attacks. Most resulted in taking of a hex but at a significant cost. Many hexes are of multiple attacks.

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[kentkroeckel]

I wanted to give a brief air analysis. Something that I have done in the past is to load up a strategic air mission with primarily fighters. It is set for seven days a week. Have is move all around Germany.

The goal is to have the air mission intercepted as much as possible. This is nothing new and many players use this technique. But in the current game I have not attempted this because many interceptions are being conducted just beyond fighter escort range. Several hundred at a time. Mr. Bimmler is setting German air to engage beyond range.

Meaning, most interceptors are based beyond the path so they do not engage the strategic air missions until out of escort protection. This leads to the long range missions being engaged by a substantial amount of interceptors while short range missions receive little attention. Still some though.

Just wanted to give insight to help players be aware of some tricks the Allied player may try. Ha.

On a different topic, I think the Romanian oil fields will soon have escort protection. Long range British fighters are able to assist on this matter from the Italian Boot Heel. Mr. Bimmler has been doing well with having hundreds of interceptors wreak havoc on those missions.

[kentkroeckel]

October 9, 1943.

Weather over Europe is rain. Water level 3.

Weather over Italy is perfect again. I am enjoying this and trying to take advantage of it.

Victory points for the week were good for Allies. 32 for turn and game total is 122. Garrison issues for Germany has given Allies extra points. 19 to be exact, highlighted in blue. Strategic bombing got Allies 20, highlighted in yellow. Increased altitude does not seem to have reduced points so from that factor higher altitude looks to be a good choice. I have highlighted the total for turn too, in yellow.

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No separate Axis air phase chart but the numbers on metrics are available. Germany lost 28 while Allies lost 10. Below is result of air interdiction over Mediterranean. Notice how Mr. Bimmler is not keeping an Axis presence; rather sending the Luftwaffe out when an invasion is happening. Resourceful this way.

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Following picture shows air engagements during Axis air phase. I have circled in purple the four hexes that received Luftwaffe air supply. Allied flak is not going to have much effect on this. Actions behind Allied contact line is reconnaissance, without ground attack. I am ignoring this because it does not impede Allied cause. To date there have been 140 Allied flak battalions disbanded.

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Last picture is of Allied air phase. Germany lost 189 while Allies lost 333. Total for air phases are 217 for Germany while Allies lost 343. A Luftwaffe advantage of 126. Less than two hundred level bombers lost this turn so I am happy with this.

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[kentkroeckel]

October 2, 1943.

I am attempting amphibious invasions this turn. Actually, the invasions will take place after the Axis logistic phase. There are four of them and Mr. Bimmler has units next to each of the landing areas. I think a landing hex even has a unit on it. But the main thing was securing naval dominance. All naval hexes are under Allied control. At least for now until Axis air phase. I have added additional units to the invasion but do not wish that shown at this time so only showing invasion start.

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On this week Allies had losses of about a third more than Axis. Chart shows ground losses.

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Contact line shows just how many hexes were attacked. Lots! And as is common, many were engaged more than once. Yet most hexes were taken.

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Final picture is a display of the contact line. Green represents where there was no change. Red enclosed blobs shows the hexes that were advanced upon by Allies. Some were due to Germany withdrawing but many were achieved by combat.

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[kentkroeckel]

Great insight Mr. Matchwood. I would like to add that in my playing I have found weather and night as an influence. Reason I mention this is that at least half of the year around the Ruhr there is bad weather. Additionally, many Allied aircraft are lost due to flak. I do not have specific numbers but I feel safe in saying that would indicate many bombers would have also been forced to abort. System says that happens. So I think flak can do an effective job in helping curtail Allied bombing.

I would like to know how much weather impacts bombing runs? How many bombers never reach target due to bad weather? Does this make bombing not worthwhile? I can say from experience that operational losses do increase, just as the system claims. But the big question is, how many bombers fail to reach target due to the specific bad weather?

During light rain, which is just called rain, and light snow, I find it worthwhile to continue to bomb. When there is heavy snow or heavy rain in the sky I do not bomb. Not worth it.

I have found your data on altitude attacks correct. Higher attacks for Allies do reduce losses from flak and aircraft. No surprise in that. But what I am surprised is the amount of damage that is still inflicted on German industry. During the bad weather, I find day bombing to be fine. I also find top altitude bombing for British to be fine. 18,000 feet to 23,000 feet, typically. Americans can bomb at 35,000 feet but I keep it at 25,000 feet to avoid mileage fuel shorting and fatigue. this seems to work fine given the parameter of altitude and bad weather.

Just wanted to add these extra variables into it. And thank you very much for your research Mr. Matchwood.

[kentkroeckel]

October 16, 1943.

Victory points for turn were just 4 and game total is 126. The strategic bombing points were normal (near twenty) and partisan points were zero. ( All in yellow)

The thing that changed were Allied losses. they are highlighted in blue and are substantial. Mr. Bimmler destroyed the Italian invasion.

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Not one landing site remains on Italy. Meaning, all four were destroyed in initial landing and first attack.

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Fifteen amphibious points were destroyed in the invasion. Remember how I suggested that Mr. Bimmler could be making a mistake by not attacking Allied naval resources during the game; I was wrong. Mr. Bimmler gave the Allies a beating over this issue. Granted, most of the units used were small and preparations were minimal; but I was under the assumption that at least one invasion site would remain.

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Final picture shows Allied units lost during the invasion. A British infantry brigade along with its two support units, American tank battalions.

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[kentkroeckel]

October 16, 1943.

First picture is of air engagements for Axis air phase. No other chart of it. Though Germany lost 126 aircraft while Allies lost 4.

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Three invasion sites did make it to first turn. Below are the results of Axis ground attacks.
Axis attack of Beach One:

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Axis attack of Beach Two:

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Axis attack of Beach Three:

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[kentkroeckel]

October 16, 1943.

Weather over United Kingdom is heavy rain. Most of Europe has heavy rain and further south is rain. I have decided to scrub air missions in region. Rest for this turn and next turn too because it looks to be the same.

Italy is clear this turn but will be under heavy rain next turn. I have decided to rest tactical bombers due to low morale. Strategic Air Force is doing tactical bombing raids in Italy since Romania is under rain. Should not receive much in the way of interceptors since Mr. Bimmler is not using the Luftwaffe much on Allied phase over Italy.

Just ran the air phase and what a surprise. Germany lost 34 while Allies lost 27. Totals are 160 for Germany while Allies lost 31. Luftwaffe lost 129 more aircraft than Allies. That does not happen often.

[kentkroeckel]

October 16, 1943.

Tough fighting for Allies to gain a few hexes. This despite Axis dealing with multiple invasions. First picture is overview. Red blobs are hexes taken by Axis withdraw or successful attacks. Green line is static / no change. yellow circles are routed units for both sides.

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I have two more battles that summarize the turn.

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Second attack:

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Final picture shows air losses for Allied phase. many transports were lost on supply missions.

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[kentkroeckel]

October 23, 1943.

Victory points were 5 for turn and 131 is total for game.

Weather is big issue this turn. Europe is under heavy rain.

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Most of Mediterranean is under heavy rain. Just the southern region of Italy is under normal rain. Still not great but workable. I have H,R outlining weather front. It extends well into Northern Africa.

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Germany decided to withdraw this turn. A very generous withdraw indeed. Although it is to the rough part of Italian terrain. However, Naples has not been vacated so will be a fight to take it.

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A small area was contested in the sky. Below is engagements. Only twenty aircraft were lost by Germany.

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Summary: Heavy rain makes strategic bombing futile. In fact almost all missions are not worth the cost. Allies are not defending an invasion site so most aircraft are not flying this turn, just like last turn. I will have the Strategic Air Force conducting ground attacks on Luftwaffe air bases since they have nothing to do this turn. Weather is good for them and they can target bases in normal rain. I have them set on four days a week at 9,000 feet altitude.

There will be no naval missions due to weather. I am having tactical attacks on the new Axis line of Italy. I hope to cause damage despite rain since most units should not be in fortifications.

[kentkroeckel]

October 23, 1943.

totals for air phases were 76 for Germany while Allies lost 126. Most of the Luftwaffe losses came from ground attack.

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Allies advanced but due to weather and distance, there were no ground engagements. Also rail can only be repaired so quickly. Bad weather hinders this too.

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[kentkroeckel]

Hello to all. I did not receive a turn today but wanted to make a comment about the 1944 D-Day campaign game. In the June start Allies receives twenty administrative points per turn. I assume it is the same for the May start one as well. One huge difference is preparation points for June versus May campaign. I would recommend always do the June or traditional one. May seems to have no preparation points for amphibious invasion.

The reason I was checking was for triggers on Axis garrison and administrative points. Specifically, if the British Channel Islands create this. They do not. Meaning, Allied player should take them before European invasion. More air bases and denying Axis naval control from ports.

I tested the same on the isolated Italian port along Yugoslavia. Allies are not allowed to build an air base there but it does deprive Axis naval control from this port. There was no gain for Germany so Allied player should take this at some time when a task force is available and supply can be secured. It would seem some time after Rome is captured. Let us say summer of 1944.

Conclusion: I am thinking of taking the Channel Islands in early 1944. Mr Bimmler may have vacated them but I do not know. It has been heavy rain the last few turns so no reconnaissance. But now I am wondering just how early an Allied invasion of Europe can realistically happen? Seems the earliest would be the beginning of March 1944.