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Winter 45

As the winter progresses and 1945 arrives the German people have reason to celebrate. With victories against the wallies in Europe the subs go after enemy transports with new found vigor! Both Italian subs fail to engage off Gibralter, but subs off N.America reduce the shipping lanes to 30.

After intelligence files are sorted from the failed wallies landings in the fall, its decided that the true danger to the beaches lies with wallied air. Norway is cleared of allied air bases, this leaves the wallies with a severe shortage of bombers (1 of each) and bodes well for the defense of the coast this year.



In the east, German troops trade land for time and with the need to protect german armor actions into the Baltic its decided that operations in Rumania are no longer tenable. Bulgaria falling has comprimised the entire region and I move back one more territory but managing to force the wallies back to leningrad appears to give the Germans the initiative in the spring?

german production phase




With the wallies suffering logistically, Russia has become the dominate influence in troop placements. Essentially, two fronts exist for Russia, one with Germany and one with Japan and at the moment they trail numerically on both...

A more in depth picture of troop numbers as the Axis production info is less than a mystery at this time.





some interesting trends have occured throughout this game, both sides have lost copius air assests. notice Japan leads all nations with its bomber numbers. ( 3 elite and 2 veteran units to boot [8D] ) Forwarn45 may need to catch up here if he hopes to make in roads into axis territitory.

Japan

Having to explain to the emperor that half the carriers are gone goes badly. Even upon repair Japan can only hope to achieve half the force now fielded by the allies. it has me looking for that puke icon again! [;)]

To try and prevent any further embarrasments naval assests are recalled and sigint is raised to 6 after having falling to 0 over the course of the war. Japan has been unable to afford this for the most part but with dug in troops supply has been stockpiled.

Forced to go into a defensive posture I decide the only way to free up troops in China is to attack into the teeth of its defenses. Everything is mustered and Chinese casualties are high.

With numbers more mangable in China, it frees up recruits to block the Russians. Troops are moved in ordered to fight to the death.

China again, I'm comfortable with situation here at the moment as Japanese inf totally outclasses the Chinese. I hope this gives me the breathing room to hold back Russia and still keep the wallies at bay in the south. Subs moved in again from the north this turn and even though the Pacific has been vacant for most of the war I still worry about whats out there? The American scientists are reported in the final stages of some new terrific weapon as Japan tries to maintian its empire, still in the high teens in production.

I'm running short on time. Russia moves in force into Rumania. The Germans have a bit more troops but quite a few of which are militia. In any case, I have little choice but to keep the pressure on. Here we see "Fortress Europe" during the Russian turn.

Mostly minor skirmishes for the Western Allies. Here's a minor victory with a carrier raid in the Far East. As we head into '45, the Western democracies wonder whether Germany can be conquered or whether the cost will prove too great.

Spring 45

With Russia occupying Rumania the Germans can never hope to gain the initiative, this is deemed unacceptable. With what turns out to be the largest single engagement of the war, battles unfold for the oil fields off the black sea. Almost 100 units clash as Russian units end up falling back after seeing most of their armor and heavy guns damaged or destroyed.

A favorable result for the Germans, it looks like regular infantry has learned how to effectivly avoid fire as the war continues.

Odesa after the battle. Russia will need to dust it off and try again...

Japan

The alarms are raised as sub fleets approach from the north, even more improved models ( 2 att 4 evas) threaten Japanese shipping. One sub is damaged in the Sea of Japan but north they prove more elusive.

In the south its Japans turn to play raider and transports are attacked but veteran naval units still defend the area with fighter support forcing a hasty retreat. Subs also spot wallied taskforce forming at pearl but perhaps not sea worthy yet?



China and Russia both kept in check this turn and it allows the Japanese room to focus on the encroching wallies navy.

Spring 45 strat map

As the turn begins, the Red Army moves into a fairly strong position at Kiev and licks its wounds after the defeat in Rumania.

But in the West, the Allies commence a bold (and somewhat desperate) offensive dubbed Operation "Northwind." Identifying relative weakness in Denmark and a token position in Poland - and also considering the bulk of the German army is busy in the Balkans, FDR and Churchill approve a leapfrog offensive. I learn a bit from my mistake last year and pummel the artillery in Denmark - guarded by one AA. First, a wave of fighters comes in to soften up the attack. Then an all-out aerial bombardment successfully finishes off both artillery. Here's a bit of the combat detail from the second air attack involving the bombers.

Denmark is attacked with forces from Norway and England.

Poland is attacked from forces in the Baltic States and Leningrad.