"AAR Germany faces East", formerly not an AAR

[freeboy]

Moscow Stavka Mid March 1942
FM Timishenko
The reviews of my performance found that I had been given too few troops and yet had not allowed a major Breakout at what now has been determined to have been the bulk of the German armies Eastern front armored Korps. Granted they where not released all at once, there we where lucky, and the Disaster in the Crimia, again I recommended 25 more divisions there from the South, cannot be pinned on my shoulder boards, so it appears for now, through FM Zhokovs intervention, I will live to fight again. The intelligence reports that the enemy has massed large forces in the center, so we do not know if a continued advance there, in the South past the Don or a renewed commitment against Lenningrad will be the focues. I will be given command of an area with newly formed mobil korps in a multi army reactive force... we will teach those German bastards to fear our tanks once again. I also was able to bring to the staff here in Moscows attention that the new German tanks are vastly supperior to what they fielded only a few months ago... will my words be heard? I must be carefull what I say...

[freeboy]

OKE
Personal notes.
We are gaining supplies and refitting in the mud turns...
below are the maps I am forwarding to Berlin..
Damn thoise area commanders are screaming for artillery units and Heavy infantry Squads!... They will just have to make do as I am not ready to disband troops to meet there thirst!.. Our line just are not that strong.

[freeboy]

This map shows area to the North of Rostov and to the East of Karkov

[freeboy]

This map shows area South of Rostov including our beachhead at the strategic supply port/center of Taman.

[cantona]

Interesting read. keep it up

[freeboy]

Player notes..
I am waiting on a response as at the end of our mud we are seeing a little oops from the game, hopefully Ralph will be getting this fixed!.. seems most of the red army took a holiday! Snicker.. just imagine how tough Barbarrossa would be then?
Please submit any requests for charactors.. IE red bomber pilot etc...

on a different note in another fite game Sweden activated as axis and the US air showed up in force SWEET!Seems the USSR is supposed to declare war on either Sweeden or Persia to get the exclusionzove release and allow the "trapped " Sweds free.

[freeboy]

AGN, the first week of our summer offensive.
FM Hoth
Generail notes
We still are slated to get those guns from AGS, but they are being allowed to keep them for the initial Barbarrossa breakouts... I have no voice in the issue. We are a bare 60 km from cutting off Lenn from reinforcements, and all the recent troops are going South, I would give ALL the rail guns for no Red reinforcments in my area. We are not getting the armor, due to the extensive forested areas, So I requested ten additional infantry divisions to be moved to support our drive after the rail guns in the south are released. One issue seems the lack of replacement heavy infantry Sqauds, seems all units are depleated and few are getting more troops .

[freeboy]

AGS conference from active group commanders, Von Runsted,Overall command, Model in command of action group Model, and Manstien, overall advanced sector commnder. Notes taken by coprperal Snickl, 135 HQ support Sq attached.

Model, "We have nearly every thing we have asked for... soon we will attack."
VR; "I will press OKE for more infantry to support our advances, but Hoth will be asking for the same troops espesially now that he was stripped of the last of AGN's Pazers."
"And we have not released the rial guns" Manstein notes. He walks over to the map, and taps on Taman and Sevastopole. "We where to take Taman in July, and Sevastopol in June, the release of all those troops gave us the necessary lift, but barely, to take Rostov. Now we are looking at 30-40 enemy Divisions between us and the Donetz." as the gap has been filling with a steady flow of Troops... but this my benefit us."
"Yes, go on" adds VR.
"Well, Taman is the Supply center for the entire southern front...we can link up by driving from there Eastward and South form Rostov.
Those enemy troops are in this gap.. with a major river, Donetz behind them. We can swing wide to the north around the Donetz sealing them in, and from the Southern rail line to the Bridges.. cutting off all the supply, then those huge dug in forces by V will be isolated and again, bypassed as we race away."
Model," I have been tasked with the after breakout advance groups. Unfortunately our recent use of the Para commandoes and airborne troops which we recoverd, has seriously depleated them. They may be committed but the cannot be expected to fight well at half strength."

Model points to Baku and Cherkasi, "these may be available ripe for the taking if the enemy stops us at Stalingrad!"
Model sits, VR stand and walks over to the large sector board.." we want to eliminate this large group of guards troops to the East of Karkov. If we flnk them to the South and breakout at Kursk, a large portion of enemy territory plus his elit armore will be removed, too bad summer is so short!"

[freeboy]

Sgt Tompin
Reserves HQ Southest Front /detached communications battallion 779.
I again move to the East, I do not object. For the first 8 months It seemed we where constantly under fire, even in the fall mud season when we moved the enemy bombed us! Rumer says we may end up in Stalingrad, seems a good deel of rail traffic there that needs the skills of our special communications group, we number over 1000, men and also some pretty female comrades all laboring to coordinate the mass movement of troops and supplies West! I eat, more than once a day! The nightmares are less frequent and I have not heard a rifle or artillery sound in three weeks since leaving Rostov! I did see the aftermath of a terrific attack of a troops train, poor men slaughtered like cattle lying dead rotting on the ground. The troops could not bury there brothers in arms as they marched to the next marsheling point and be picked up. This sight, all those bodies pulled , some charred, from the wrecked train was as bad as anything I saw in the Ukraine.Hundreds dead, it was just awefull. I wonder how those who order such actions sleep?

The enemy has massed troops, I know this again as the corperal who shares the small office space with me when I type my reports sees air recon of the Rostov front. It looks as though several new divisoions have arrived... Many mobil division and elite SS and Tank Korps. I see our troops headed west along the rails... can we stop them this summer or will it be 41 all over again? I do not fear death, I gave up my life in the first escape months ago running at night through the enemy lines, now I marvel at my fortune... will it last? I appears Several Armies are forming from Kursk to Rostov. Our troops flood into the area south of the Donetz river.... and we continue to produce the best tank in the war! I heard that some of the officers where even being given leave! Absurd!

[freeboy]

OKE personal notes
Early April.. 1942

We have yet to onleash the second part of the play and AGN is screaming to Berlin about troops reductions! He lost his last tank groops.. what did he expect targeting a forested area? And no one is getting the replacments they want, but he is asking for half the Center inf divisions!... Some of these are going South to support our troops advancing there, perhaps I could give him the Hungarians to bolster his flanks? OR the Italians? The Romanians have earned the right to be in the push in the South, they are there to sstay. Hoth will get all the rail guns after the initial brakeout, he already has over half. This Brakeout should be very very quick, after all AGS has all the armored and nearly all the mobil troops. Grossduetchland has just been released.. perhaps it should spearhead the attacks on Lenningrad? No , I think not, it was already assigned to AGS, they would really be upset lossing the first full strength group in weeks to arive at the front.

Model is getting an action group after all this time sitting in Mansteins shadow, will he perform as he did in 41? I hope so.


If we get a quick victory in the south and can divert forces Northwards this is the follow up bypassingthe Three enemy lines shown in red.. the Large blue line is the apx. current center line

[freeboy]

The group of men float silently in the dawn skies behing the enemy lines. They are such a small group a special JU88 recon fitted out for special drops and night oeprations is used. Their small arms are few, only some smg's and pistols, and these are not their most important weapon, it is the radio set and the component replacment parts they carry. Even the uniforms are none military designed to blend in with the country side and the local rural farmers. There orders, avoid detection, observe everything, count the planes the trains the sheap, whether the enemy is using the port facilities nearby. The landing is uneventfull, the Lt in charge gathers the men, perhaps the most difficult part of the operation as a night drop always seems to add an eliment of insecurity, yet the winds where favorable and the "stick" stayed togehter, reletively so the young officer considered.
"Gather the gear sgt, I want no traces of it or our landing should anyone observed us, "
They both knew no one was about in this desolate place... but why take chances when proper proceedure should insure the success of the mission. Still as the morning sky begain to light up with a beautifull pink horizen the men could not shake off the anxiety of the drop, veterens all they would do their best regardless, but as veterans in the elite commando corps, they also knew enough to trust these senses.
A low rumble and a loud coughing series of explosions announced the trucks approaching along a road not 1/2 km away.

The trucks,made the US where beyond the reds ability to properly maintain, and the explosions soon became clearly those of a poorly tuned auto backfire. The trucks rolled by to a nearby village... the men where amazed at the lax light discpiline as the trucks where using the headlights!
"Sgt, I want some room between us and those troops, lets see if we can make those trees on the ridges overlooking the valley"
No one else spoke, no one needed to, with the action came a sense of purpose and the tention that previosly lit up their senses like the an electric current without a ground, seeking a release.
Soon the sweat and exertion as the loads of supplies and the radio components took the tool as they quick walked, not quite a jog to the hills before the trees became thick enough for the proper concealment of the camp they would set up.

"I wonder", Lt Jerson thought, "if this is our last mission". They all knew that the troops must break out and cover hundreds of km to reach the area they had been dropped. Not a fatalist the Lt. put these pessimistic thoughts aside.

[freeboy]

T89..
Action group Model
Rain again forces the postponement of the bombardment phases of "Sister to the dances"
This operation is the precursor to get the enemy somewhat dug out by use of over 1000 artillery pieces.
Personal notes, The commandoes reported several groups moving into the area North of the Donitz, the Southern area outside Taman remains clear, a few airbase personell and port security that will be quickly swept aside.
Hopefully we will launch soon.

[freeboy]

T90
OKE
Orders today where issued to Hoth in charge of AGN to begin operation "Big Sister"
the precursor to the operations in the North.
Also the orders for "Sister to the Dance" gave te go forward orders.. troops streaming into the port of Taman and air units alerted to deploy behind the enemy lines.. the precursor to Barbarrosa in the South where we put almost all the mobile troops, Totenkoff, and several other A divisions are still in the North to assist in North Star..

OKS General Von Runstad
"Men today we beging the most important battle in the War, our successs is not dictated by the supperiority of our number, the quality of our planes and tanks, but in remaining brave, fearless in the face of a determined foe. These troops dug in in our pathways to the enemy rear areas are not the Reds of 41, but a more veteran experienced army. Do not underestimate them, but do not OVER estimate them either.."
A huge rumble shook the ground and worried glances in the generals stff officers betrayed their surprise.
"That my brothers is the sound of 1300 heavy artillery pieces, 500 bombers and all the rail guns we have firing a good morning to our foes, we launch our attacks today... and the full operation this week!"

Tremmers shook a front 120km in length from just south of Rostov to North of V. Five allied,axis, armies and 6 divisions take part in a limited assult allong the front. testing to see the weaknesses and attempt to find the open door to the rear. They meet varied resistance and suffer some losses, especilaly in the Northern most area.. the Don is bridged and soon a flanking action will begin.

[freeboy]

t92
Barbarrossa commences Next week, and "Big Sister" and "Sister to the Dance" are in full swing, Hoth shells numerous enemy formation and gains som groung in Finland area north of Lenningrad, he expects counterattacks.
In the South things get hot as the enemy leaves few troops behind the front, although one para commando unit was lost as it dropped on an unseen enemy formation of unkown strength. Airborn units and Para commandoes dropped behindd Rostov and Taman front troops. as well as down the rail laines.
This first map show the breakout from Taman in the Southeastern corner, note all shots will connect.

[freeboy]

In the northern Wing our forces break thorugh and general make life uncomfortable for the enemy

[Zort]

Hey Freeboy, congrats on getting so far into the game. What do you attribute the German staying power too?

[freeboy]

This third map shows the thrust of our finished operation and the settup for the full "Barborrassa" which shall commence immediately.
The Romanians are pressing allong the inner lines, the Itallians swinging through and then back North of the Don.. Multiple armored spearhead units unsecceffully attacked detraining inf div.. the two red circle are the two enemy held hexes, all others where displaced.
This is the area in and around Rostov on the Don.

[freeboy]

Thanks Zort
The Germans here are taking the path of least resistance, as all throughout the game my plans alway get shelved as my foe reacts to them, then I adjust to him etc .. He was unable to capitalize on the winter games of 41 held in the center between Smolensk and Moscow... and he lost great numbers in the first twenty turns.. so his new troops all come in depleatd and low in supplies if my experience on the "othre side( dark side?) is any indicator. I gather my stregth for my last horrough,sp? and attempt to win in 42.. otherwise it will indead be a long long bitter fight, he has a HUGE air supperioriy, just one more imballence in this game!

[freeboy]

Army Group South, Action group Model
Senior staff breifing
" We have done it men, the first phase is complete, now we trust Manstein to kill those troops to our North in the Doventz pocket as we race South to the Caspian Sea and the oil well of Persia!"
An air of jubilation is felt as 24 divisons are mobiized to force the enemies rear areas, the Taman rear port supplies and the rial link at Rostov both secure and almost all the Para landing succeeded in gaining railheads into the enemy interior. Time alone will tell if the enemy is able to stop these multi pronged attacks.. will he hold or withdraw? A huge red army remains nearr Karkov, and another rear gaurd force near Stalingrad. What will or foes decide?

[freeboy]

t92
Sgt Tompin.
Southern area HQ somewhere East of Rostov on the Don
The Bastards broke or lines like the thin shell of an old chickens eggs! The Rosov units are gone, the Tank briggades posted along the ports along the Sea cost Southwest of Rostovv are isolated.. the enemy is landing numerous troops in Taman, what a nightmare and the troops facing them are flanked.. and the paras again landed up the rail lines.. we are going to have too march troops for fear they will be hit on the rail lines as the troops near Rostov where. Evidently the enemy used six armies concentrated around Rosv and Brideged the River where a gap had been punched through after the rains stopped, then his bridging troops widened the gap allowing for several light armored troops to race to the rear and join up with the first elements of airborn troops. They penetrated 90 km into the rear at the sam time the units to the north of Rostov also where hit by massed armor and artillery forces with multiple line disruptions. Those poor bastards, I remember 41... Fortunately we keep moving towards the rear and out of the fighting, but we are so busy now the enemies offensive has started, our new front commander Konev is just settling in, hope he does not get shot before the enemy is stopped!
Sometimes knowing these details from being in a communication battalian center attached to Soputhern front HQ is terrifying, I laugh when before at the front we knew nothing, but perhapps that was also for the best? I now morn the loss of my comrades, my emotions have begun to thaw, the nightmares are very seldom, and my interst in Corperal Stetnolkin may just pan out as she agread to meet me for a walk after her dinner break!