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This AAR will track the PBEM Gary Gardner and I are playing from my perspective. Gary and I have agreed to not look at each others AAR as we play, and I wil ask anyone who posts in my thread not to discuss anything you read in Gary's AAR thread.

I have taken control of the USA, Great Britain, France and Poland, plus I am in control of the neutral USSR, Belgium, the Netherlands, Jugoslavia, Norway, and Greece. Gary has Germany, Italy, Slovakia, and neutral Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

19390901 : GB : The Germans have violated Polish borders, despite our guarantees of support. Hitler has chosen a great European war to have his way with the Poles. His Majesty's government, in conjunction with the government of the Third Republic, have decided to move against Germany and defeat this aggression. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Forces have moved into position, and we are getting ready to move an expeditionary force to France. The staff has determined that we must defend Great Britain from parachute operations, and possible naval activity, and so we will not allow the ground forces in Great Britain to fall below a garrison equal to, or greater than an infantry division for each major city, and those ground units raised from major ports will be level two at least. These ground forces may not actually garrison the cities as the southern coast is more vulnerable. The Royal navy will be in home waters at first, but we expect the French navy to move into the Atlantic soon, while the RN moves south. The RAF has moved to France, but we intend it to head south also. Italy is an Axis leaning neutral and His Majesty's government has determined that if she enters this conflict she will pay a price.

France : The North African colonies resound to marching feet as the colonial troops are brought to Metropolitan France. The port of Tunis has already shipped out the first troops with more to follow. The strong naval presence in the west has allowed the garrison troops of the west to march east toward the German border.

Poland : Rapid movement, units deep into Poland already, we are pulling back, taking up new positions, hoping for Western airpower. The loss of Danzig means no supplies or troops from the Western Powers, and the USSR is moving troops about.

EXCELLENT!!!!

19390916 : GB : Ground units have started to arrive in France. The German presence across the French border is surprisingly strong. The German command evidently feels that the Polish situation is under control, and are moving forces west to begin a campaign. Our forces are scheduled to move to the Belgian border, and there is talk of reinforcing the South of France as well. The Royal Navy has moved south, as has the RAF. A garrison unit was built in Great Britain.

France : Colonial units arrive in Marseille. In the north units move to join the Belgians if they are invaded. Some infantry are mobilized.

Poland : We continue to pull back, screening and defending Warsaw.

Neutrals : The neutral governments leaning our way have begun reacting to the Axis menace. The Soviets seem unsure of their agreement with the Nazis, and have begun more research on artillery.

Some notes, from early in the conflict.
 
Where is Gary going?  The German position on the French border is enough to prevent a French advance.  This seems to be Gary's goal, but these forces could easily move to the Belgian, Luxemburg borders and invade.  Gary could also be sealing the border because he intends to invade the Soviet Union directly after the colapse of Polish resistance. If this is his intent I expect a rough campaign, for the Soviets are very weak at this point.  I will be as active in the West as possible, and will ship PP by convoy from both western nations, but still expect a real battle if he goes east.  If he attacks France, and the neutrals, I will fight for every inch of ground, and every week of time.  It is only 25 to 30 turns till conflict in the East becomes probable, and I want to hold as long as possible.
 

19391001 : GB : The Soviet Union is very uncomfortable. They brought it on themselves and now they want nothing to do with the Nazis they so recently signed a non-aggression pact with. German panzers and Luftwaffe units in Poland no longer look attractive. The left in the French Government, and our those in HM's government who wist to make relations with the Soviets more friendly have agreed to convoys of supply for a limited time. If the Germans do attack the USSR we will continue these convoys, but if the Germans turn on us we will have to count the convoys as an investment in the future. The Royal Navy and RAF are now in the South. Our expeditionary forces are on the continent.

France : The whole border is screened by German infantry, but Polish inteligence tells us there are significant forces before Warsaw. We continue to rush forces forward to the Belgian border, but will the Germans come, and if so, when?

Poland : Panzers in the outskirts of Warsaw, but we hope to hold, perhaps to inflict a telling blow next turn.

Neutrals : The USSR looks west with unease. The western powers have offered favorable trade agreements, and other inducements to us, but we will wait to see how Hitler handles the secret protocols of the nonaggression pact before going much further. The other neutrals leaning toward the west continue to position their forces toward a possible Axis threat.

Some notes.
 
Has Gary totally faked me out?  The deployment of German infantry across the whole French border is a behavior the AI would never do, and I am used to playing the AI.  I have a lot of experience with EAoR and it makes me nervous.  I have taken the "insurance" step of sending some aid to the Soviets.  The premium is not too high, and it makes me feel better just now, but I will be missing these PP if Gary slashes into Belgium soon.  How different it is playing another player rather than the AI.  Gary does things differently and this fills my mind with alternatives.  This game is filled with tensions, and part of it is the nature of the pauses when forces rush from one side of the map to the other.  So much time to think, plan, speculate, and worry - great fun.

Your screenshots with your on-screen notes and your narratives  --  5 star performance.   I am very anxious to see the play balance in the next few turns.  Thank you very very very much. 

19391016 : GB : Still no sign of German intentions toward the Belgians or Dutch. HM Government has instructed the expeditionary forces to stay close to Le Harve and Marseille for possibile redployment. The RAF has established air bases near Sidi. The RN has a strong presence in the Med, but there has been no naval activity in the war thus far. The Kriegsmarine has stayed in port, allowing our convoys unimpeded passage.

France : Our troops have covered the Belgian border, but the lack of German activity has confused the staffs. The convoys to the Soviet Union are continuing but reduced by 25%, as we have our own needs to consider.

Poland : How we ache to attack the panzer troops of Division "Kempf" but our weapons are not strong enough. We disolve some units to provide reinforcement for the Corps in Warsaw.

Neutrals : All wait to see which way the Germans turn.

19391101 : GB : Warsaw is captured and sadness and shock fill the nation. The brave stand of Poland, holding two months against the invader fills us with resolve. We build another garrison and send another division to France, as well as shipping a powerful unit to the Med. His Majestys Gvernment are determined to stand by France in the coming struggle.

France : We continue to build up our line.

Poland : Warsaw is fallen, a government in exile is formed in London. The troops lead one last attack on the invaders.

Neutrals : The USSR looks to Berlin for compliance with the secret protocols. The other Allies look on the fall of Poland with dismay.

Some notes on the campaign in Poland.

I would have loved to have gotten one more turn in this campaign. Gary pressed home his attack with vigor, and I was disappointed to see that Motorized Corps in Warsaw, but the Poles inflicted damage on the attackers. I should have been a bit more careful and ringed Warsaw with divisions, but four turns is about all one can ask. I loved the Polish attack after Warsaw fell. To actually cause some SP damage at that point was sweet. It is so hard to do much attacking with units possessing only three action points.

The next turn will involve Gary's choice about the Ribbentrop protocol, and at this point I think Gary will honor the agreement, and turn to the west. The EAoR is a tough campaign. When I played it against the AI, I was able to expect mistakes that I would hope not to make against Gary. I would hope to never give him a city without a fight, and EAoR is tough if the supply points are not taken. I certainly could be wrong, there are big advantages to EAoR, but I still expect a battle in the West, perhaps even before 1940.

19391201 : GB : A look at the new borders of Europe reveals that the Soviets have their own agenda in the East. Poland is partitioned, and we must look to our own affairs. Our forces on the continent march to battle next to the French. In the Med we move a unit to North Africa to keep Italy under watch.

France : To the degree that our limited production this early in the conflict allows we build up our forces against a German attack.

Neutrals : The USSR has taken the offered partition of Poland. What will follow remains to be seen. The USA continues to do research. Belgium reports there are German forces across her border.

19400101 : GB : The new year brings a renewed committment from the Staff to maintaining a garrison of ten divisions in Great Britain. War production is very slowly ramping up and this leaves the expeditionary force in France, and our covering forces in North Africa weaker than we desire. Still we have four units in the northwest of France, three in the south of France, and three in North Africa. Still no challenge from the Germans on the high seas.

France : We continue to balance upgrading units with some new builds.

Neutrals : In the USSR, some recon with division level forces, and some level two infantry builds. A lack of comfort with the German presence. The USA continues research. The other neutrals continue to shift forces.

19400201 : GB : We move another division to France, and nervously shift units about there. There are now some German units visible from the Belgian border, but nothing in strength is evident.

France : We upgrade a division to a Corps, and move some units about : Sitzkreig!

Neutrals : The USSR ponders the complete lack of intelligence regarding German intentions, even capabilites. The USA does research.

19400216 : GB : We manage to send another division to northwest France. Otherwise waiting, waiting.

France : We upgrade one division. The German screen extends almost to Swizerland. Curious.

Neutrals : USSR : Nothing much left on our borders but troops which might well be garrisons. No Panzers to be found anywhere. USA : All research is at full throttle, Artillery and Armor that is.

No snapshots this turn.

19400301 : GB : Another unit sent to northwest France. A shift of garrison troops in England to protect against a possible German invasion, including an air assault.

France : Strong protests sent out to the Italians over the assertive positioning near our borders. Our diplomats are active in negotiations with the Portugese over entering the war on our side.

Neutrals : USSR : Research is started in armor, and continued in artillery. We continue to survey German unit placement. USA : Watch from afar.

19400316 : GB : Another division to France. Some shifting about, both in England and France.

France : Some training, and a new division built.

Neutrals : The Soviets move units about so as to seek German units, but nothing new found. USA : The State Department urges the Lisbon Government to aid the Allies.

19400401 : GB : There are so many thing HM Government wants to do. An expeditionary force for the Dutch, more troops for the South of France, more troops for the Northwest of France, research on new weapons; but all of this is severely constrained by the lack of production. In reality we ship a division to garrison duty on Malta, which we had borrowed earlier. Campaigning weather is coming in northern Europe.

France : Shifting units about. We build two level two infantry divisions.

Neutrals : USSR : No unit reports any German units near the border. One lone Slovakian unit remains. USA : Wait and watch Europe.

No snapshots at this time.

Some notes on the coming campaign : Gary has very carefully kept his capabilities and intentions shielded.  I now expect an assault on France, not the Soviet Union, but the exact nature of the assault is not clear at all.  Could he be coming through the Maginot line, powered with some big ground units, and a lot of airpower.  I have never gamed this situation, as attacks on the Maginot have always seemed very unproductive, but perhaps they could breakthrough.
 
A "normal" sweep through Belgium, with heavy pressure at the Luxemburg "joint" is always probable. Gary's Italians look ready to push hard into France.
 
An early assault on Russia is still possible, and would shock the Soviets!
 
Playing a craftsman like Gary is a pleasure.

19400416 : GB : It has been a very long time since we have seen a Panzer. We moved some units about, and built an extra division for garrison duties in the south of England.
 
France : Upgraded a division to a Corps.  Move a unit or two.
 
Neutrals : The USSR built a level two division and moved about the borders seeking Ais forces.
 
No snapshots.

19400501 : GB : The Netherlands has been attacked! German Panzers and motorized units revealed, and our troops move to join their French comrads. In the South we move into opposition to the Italians who may well enter to join their Axis partners.

France : South and North we prepare for the onslaught.

Netherlands : The fight is fierce, but uneven. We disband a Corps and two divisions and leaving the brave First Corps, the troops, Queen, and gold leave for Britain and service in an "Orange" division.

Neutrals : The USSR and USA look with interest at events in the West.