Another Solo Global AAR

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Allies Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
Finally, in the Pacific in good weather, the US launches 3 carrier bombers to try and disrupt some of the Truk defenders, who were just put out of supply when the Japanese NAV was killed. The CVPs have very low TAC factors but I guess if you throw enough at them...

The white print MIL is hit

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Allies Impulse:

Rail Moves:
USSR rails the Koniev HQ to the rear.

Land Moves:
USSR performs a covered withdrawal. Left behind are GARR or white print MIL units in all cities. This should use up some of the Germans time. Only possible loss, other than the city-defending 'heroes' could be the slow INF HQ that may not be able to be railed out next impulse.

Much of the USSR air force will be forced to rebase, but none should be destroyed.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Actions:
Germany - Land. Try to create supply issues for the retreating Soviet forces.
Italy - Combined. Pick up as many troops from Syria as possible.
Japan - Land. NAV into Marianas to put Truk defenders in supply.

Naval Moves:
Italy picks up a MOT and Graziani HQ from Syria

Ground Strikes:
Only Japan elects to do any ground strikes, and once again they take a pot-shot with their ARTY on two CW defenders in India.

This time, and for the first time since way back in the early war in China, they hit something.. in fact both..

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Rail Moves:
- Japan moves a 5-4 INF to the invasion force in Russia, and a 6-2 MIL to the coast for later transport to Japan.
- Germany moves a MIL to Lille to guard the Normandy coast, and two reinforcements to Russia
- Italy moves a HQ to Southern Spain to provide supply to the forces down there.

Land Moves:
Germany quickly moves to start surrounding the Soviet units in blocking positions. They just have SOOO many units that they are able to get high odds on several attacks.

Mannstein's Army Group also cuts the rail line from the south in their maneuvers.

In addition, the Romanian HQ Antonescu starts working his way south to start a covering force on the Soviet troops in the Caucasus.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
With the timely arrival of the Italian HQ into Seville (railed in earlier) the Axis forces are able to form a line, albeit thin, in Spain.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
The only other area of note is India, where the lucky strike by the Japanese ARTY prompt them to make a play on the two CW units. With Engineer support they are able to get some pretty good odds in this attack, even without air support (the CW has two FTR nearby and the Japanese have none)

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat:
We'll start working from toughest battle to easiest.

First on the northern part of the Soviet retreat, a lone 5-1 GARR is left in Yaroslavl. The Finnish HQ Mannerheim is tasked with taking it, creating a +7.7 modifier. He throws in HQ support and six aircraft (only contributing 1 pt each) to up the ratio to +11.1.

The Soviets choose the Assault table, and the Axis rolls a 12, for 23 overall.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
Next we go to India, where Mountbatten doesn't want things to get worse by disrupting himself so he doesnt contribute HQ support. The modifier stands at +12.286.

CW picks the Blitz table to maybe get a retreat out of this. Losing units is unacceptable here, since they are already outnumbered.

It didn't matter, as the Japanese rolled a 15. Both units destroyed.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
We goin' back to the USSR, to the defense of Saratov, a lone 6-1 GARR. Mannstein is tasked with this attack and has a healthy +13.333 modifier.

USSR chooses the Assault table. Germany gets the fractional and rolls a 15.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The hits just keep coming, as we move to Tambov, USSR. Here Guderian has a +14.667 modifier on an out of supply Yeremenko HQ. The poor guys with only 2 movement was never going to make it back to the rear. He'll have to be rebuilt there if this doesnt go well.

Germany has choice here, and chooses the Blitz table. They get the fractional and then roll a 12, getting a breakthrough as a bonus, but they don't take it since it puts them disrupted if they advance further.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
We go to Moscow now, with the city's own MIL defending. Here Rommel leads the charge and the ratio is almost automatic at +17.286.

USSR chooses the Assault table. Germany doesnt get the fractional, and only rolls an 8, but still good enough to get a full victory.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

1st Axis Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
The final attack is on a 5-3 MIL left behind to block the river south of Moscow. Rundstedt leads this attack and he is getting a +19.2 modifier.

Germany has choice of table as well, so goes Blitz. Rolls a 16.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Allied Impulse:

Weather:
A roll of 10 (11 overall) leaves terrible weather pretty much everywhere. Should be a quick turn.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Allied Impulse:

Actions:
USSR - Land
CW - Land
Fr - Land
US - Land

Land Moves:
The weather is hampering the movements all over the map. The Soviets try their best to move forces as quickly as possible to the East. About the only saving grace is the Axis will be under the same problems in pursuit.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Allied Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
In France, hardly any movement at all in the blizzard.

In Portugal, some new reinforcements land along the coast as the US and CW try to move inland but supply issues are keeping them from moving too much. Their HQs are a bit out of position as they want Clark and Gort to go into the mountains and support the front there, while Wavell and Bradley handle the south.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Allied Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
The US does conduct some attacks in the Pacific, choosing to attack the hex adjacent to Truk to allow Marines at a later stage to support an invasion with land attacks.

The US also decides to be aggressive and attack Davao in the Phillipines. Only a TERR defends the port.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Allied Impulse:

Land Combat:
The attack on Losap in the Carolines is at +19 modifier, so I won't show that one, an easy success.

In the final attack on Davao, MacArthur lends HQ support, plus American shore bombardment and ground support puts the modifier above +16.

The Japanese choose the Assault table, and the US rolls a 15, taking the port.

MacArthur HAS returned.

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943
Allies roll a 5 to not end the turn. Turn goes to the Axis.

2nd Axis Impulse:

Actions:
Germany - Land.
Italy - Combined. Pick up as many troops from Syria as possible
Japn - Land

Naval Air:
Italy puts a NAV out to the Arabian Sea for the first time.
Japan puts NAvs out to Bay of Bengal and S. China Sea.

Naval Moves:
Italy moves 5 cruisers to Eastern Med and picks up the German troops in Syria, broken down into DIVs before the turn began.

Naval Combat:
Italy tries to find the CW convoys in the Arabian Sea, search rolls unsuccessful.

Rail Moves:
Germany rails a 6-1 GARR from Germany to Madrid
Italy rails a FTR2 from Poland to Spain
Japan rails a 6-6 MECH from Manchuria to the USSR interior.


Axis currently doing there land moves...

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Axis Impulse:

Land Moves:
In Russia, the Soviets are keeping just out of reach of the pursuing Axis forces. Germany is not able to arrange a good enough attack, so none this impulse.

On display are some of Warhunter's new color schemes (as I could reverse engineer them).

[markb50k]

Jan/Feb 1943

2nd Axis Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
In Europe, blizzard conditions allow little movement other than plugging up some holes and forming a better line against the Allies.

40% of the turn ending. Wonder what is going to happen?