Allies vs. Skynet

[John B.]

Thank God for the Tsar! While the Russian pulled back and dug in along the Ottoman border the Russians did capture Tarnow and killed an A/H detachment. Unfortunately, the Russians forgot to check their Baedecker's guide (aka hotkey H which shows your the map sans units) and notice that there is not one, but two, two rail lines into Prezemyl so the German corps there is not cut off but feasting on hot strudel everyday. The Russians are also a bit exposed in two different salients. Still, a bit of Entente success on an otherwise bad turn.

No supply in the Sinai so nothing going on there.

[John B.]

A new era dawned in warfare this turn when French patrol planes intercepted a German bombing raid and shot down some of the German attackers. Otherwise, on the Western Front the Entente opted to not try to recapture Antwerp since they only had two hexsides on it to attack. Rather, the British took over more of the line and reinforced as did the French. ONe German corps in a salient was destroyed.

[John B.]

In Italy, the Italians are attempting to improve their logistics in the alps by reinforcing their headquarters. They are also moving up reserve corps to renew their offensive. The Italian recon bomber found the A/H fleet hovering around Trieste. Spending money on a fleet always seems like a good idea until you have to use it.

More submarine combat on the heel of Italy as the Italian destroyer and the French seaplane cruiser each damaged an A/H submarine.

In Sinai the supply is wretched even back in Egypt. I know that the Brits did not get supply figured out until 1917 but what steps do I need to take to start getting supply up to a level where I can attack?

[John B.]

Serbia had enough MMP to reinforce. They withdrew in the south and are basically waiting to die.

Thus far no movement for Entente diplomacy for any of their targets. Meanwhile, German bribes have been having the desired effect on the Netherlands.

[John B.]

Part of the German navy has appeared outside the Gulf of Finland. I moved a Russian dreadnought to Helsinki in hopes that the Germans will attack it while it's in port and thus significantly damage themselves so that I can mop up some units.

[John B.]

Sorry, Hanko and not Helsinki. And, some Russian sailors were paying very close attention to the facilities at Hanko ("you know" they said "if Finland ever became independent and a revolutionary government was installed in Russia who then attacked Finland, occupying this base might be a good peace condition.")

[John B.]

But the real news in Russia is the 1915 breakthrough at Gorlice-Tarnow. Now, in some alternative universe such a breakthrough may have happened with the Russian line being shattered and the Central Powers pouring through but not in this one. The Imperial Tsarist pixels destroyed an A/H corps and have advanced to the gates of Gorlice. The A/H corps there is under strength and not in good shape. I expect reinforcements moementarily but Russian logistics look to be in good shape.

On the Ottoman border (which is easier than trying to figure out how to spell Caucasus each report) The Russians rebuilt their units. A Russian dreadnought arrived at Rostov and is expected to be in action soon.

[John B.]

The summer of 1915 continues and the Entente resumes in march. In Gallipoli, the Royal Marines have put to sea. I'm not really sure that this invasion will work, but what the hell, I might as well give it a shot. I'm sure the pixel widows and orphans will forgive me. A French dreadnought did run into a mine field that was laid in the Dardanelles. What are the odds of that happening?

[John B.]

Serbia is, well, it's Serbia. I don't think my amphibious transport can get to Albania so Serbia is being bled to death. It did destroy and A/H detachment but otherwise, the Austrians refuse to withdrawal any troops and have the country in a death grip.

[John B.]

The Italians launched a series of attacks on an A/H detachment in Klagenfurt. They made good progress, but I fully expect an A/H corps to move in this turn. The Italians have been working on improving their logistics by reinforcing their HQ.

[John B.]

But those are the sideshows. In Galicia the Russians did capture Gorlice and destroy an A/H corps that was stationed there. There is a large hole in the A/H lines but I'm pretty sure they have the reserves to cover it. Let's just hope that slows down any offensive they have planned. The Russians are starting to look just a wee bit stretched. The A/H did advance a corps to the gates of Czernowitz and that corps? It's no more. [:D]

[John B.]

The main event was on the Western front. First, the Germans came on in droves against Nancy ("Bugs Mr. Rico, millions of em" points if you know what that's from without googling it). I think 9 separate corps attacked and finally killed the french defenders. But, with heavy German losses. A French colonial corps moved to fill the gap (I like the unit stand with the different uniform).

And, in Belgium, the Entente got it's own back. First, they liberated Brussels, then, they killed the German corps on either side of the city and even got a bit of a break through to hit the German artillery unit that was behind the lines. Can the Germans retake Brussels like they did with Antwerp? Or, will the Brits get a chance to dig in?

Stay tuned.

[John B.]

It's the end of July 1915 and the blood has continued to flow in copious quantities. There were actually a few naval battles:

1. British ASW has started attacking German subs interdicting the British/Russian convoy routes;

2. The ongoing ASW battles continue in the Adriatic as British DD joined the Italian force;

3. British amphib transports learned it's probably not a good idea to sail unescorted near enemy shores;

4. A Turkish CL learned it's not good to go sink British troops transports when you can't make it home and Italian Dreadnoughts lurk nearby;

5. ASW combat between Russian subs and Turkish destroyers in the Black Sea resulted in the Turkish DD taking a punch from the Russian Dreadnought.

[John B.]

On the Western Front, the Central Powers were unable to retake Brussels and the Entente counter offensive pushed past Brussels and has trapped two German corps against the Dutch boarder. This is putting the Dutch government in a tricky situation. Otherwise, the French reinforced everything.

Switzerland moved in favor of the Central powers which is not a good thing!

In terms of losses the Central Powers have gotten the worst of it. Germany has lost 29 units, A/H 20 and the Entente as a total has lost 31.

[John B.]

Italy also made gains this time destroying an A/H cavalry corps but they could not quite make it into Klagengfurt! The Austrians clung to their hillsides like grim death despite repeated Italian attacks but the detachment that was manning the city was able to hang on long enough that it looks like A/H reserves will be able to fill in the trenches.

[John B.]

Serbia is just sad.

[John B.]

On the Eastern Front the Tsar's armies opted to not push their luck at Gorlice. The cav. Corps went south, found the A/H infantry corps, and retreated a hex. The Germans launched a ferocious attack on the fort north west of Warsaw striking it 7 times with artillery. But, the Russians held on and saved the fort.

Russia really does not have the troops to push into the salient any further and may see if it can take Premyzl (sp?). I think they need to level up their artillery to make that happen. Russia also needs to be a bit leery of the horde of A/H corps that will be released when Serbia falls.

Nothing to report in Sinai. Brits are sending a corps to Mesopotamia and the French Foreign Legion pushed the Moroccan rebels towards Fez (I mean really, how dare the rebels try to take back at the point of a gun that which France took at the point of a gun ).

[John B.]

It's August 1915 and all was pretty quiet on the Western Front. France has developed new machine guns and trench mortars so it spend a great deal of effort reequipping its corps. Britain did the same to some extent and also rounded up large numbers of prisoners who were trapped up against the Dutch border. Oddly enough, the Belgian government left Brussels and went to Antwep. Perhaps the seafood is better there?

[John B.]

Serbia continues to cling to life and it has a slim ray of hope. The Greeks have asked for contributions from Britain and so Greece may be tempted to enter the war. But, it needs to hurry.

In the meantime, the A/H admiral has completely outplayed me in the sea battle. A/H lost no ships and Italy lost a light cruiser and it looks like Britain may lose one as well. Let's just hope they don't wind up making some treacly movie about how well his little brats sing that helps to white wash the enthusiastic support many Austrians gave to some future totalitarian anti-semetic dictatorship!

[John B.]

Meanwhile, in the Sinai the Turks are getting ready for a major push. Their supply line seems to be much better than the Entente one. It may be tough to hang on to Egypt. The British Corps that was supposed to go to Basra got sent to the N. Atlantic instead and rather than embarrass the Admiralty and have it turn around we'll have it go all the way around Africa and then send it back through the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal to go to Basra.

Fun historical fact. Do you know one of the reasons why we think that the Phonecians may have circumnavigated Africa in 600 B.C., as reported by Herodotus, is that he says when they sailed westward the sun was to their left and he says he can't believe that. But, it would be true when you're down below the Tropic of Capricorn.