Solo Historical Axis Warplans AAR

[gwgardner]

In this solo game I'll play the Axis, and IN GENERAL follow historical plans and timing. For instance, although with the current map setup and naval game there's very little reason to do so, I'll do a Norway invasion in April '40 (is that the right date? I'll check!) Of course if the AI decides to do something ahistorical, such as the Soviets attacking Germany, then I'll have to go with it. I may do something like the 'Schliefen Plan' instead of the Ardennes attack, but the launch date would be May '40.

The main reason for the above is to see what and how the AI does when a generally historic track is followed.

I'm doing +50% production for the USSR.

some house rules:

1) all new land unit builds will be at div. level
2) deployments will be only in original home country cities
3) naval repairs will be limited to one level per turn
4) PP transfers by F11 or convoy are limited to a total combined max of 5% of a country's production by turn

The invasion of Poland went per plan, with conquest and partition of the country with the USSR by the beginning of October. It is now Nov. '39, in the beginning of the Phony War. The Luftwaffe has launched an intensive search and destroy campaign against enemy shipping in the North Sea (I said it would be 'generally' historical!), and has sunk one sub and one patrol group. Both British.

[Fishbed]

Will follow that too [8D]

[Michael the Pole]

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

The Luftwaffe has launched an intensive search and destroy campaign against enemy shipping in the North Sea (I said it would be 'generally' historical!), and has sunk one sub and one patrol group. Both British.

Gary, how many Luftwaffe bomber units have you tasked with maritime missions over the North Sea?

[gwgardner]

All of them! I think there are ten right now.

By the way, I think I'll change to your recommended 1 naval repair per month.

[Michael the Pole]

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

All of them! I think there are ten right now.

By the way, I think I'll change to your recommended 1 naval repair per month.

Thanks, Gary![&o]

Yes, I think that one per month is workable, although I fear that even that might be overly generous. (Jeez, I've got to get those books on the Eastern Front -- I'm even starting to write like Churchill![X(])

(Please note, Chuck, that Gary has managed to sink a sub and a single patrol flotilla with ten air units. I think that this goes to confirm my position that the current damage table is undervalued by a factor of around 5.) hahaha!

[Phenix]

I will definately foolow this one.
Your houserules are going to make this really interesting i think.

[Tomokatu]

I'm even starting to write like Churchill!

A noteworthy and most felicitous achievement! Well done, that Texan![;)]

[Mike Parker]

I want to hear how the invasion of Norway goes.  While I wasn't following historical path, in my last attempt at an Invasion of Norway I got utterly stomped.  Narvik was garrisoned with a corp and several divisions surrounding, Oslo was likewise garrisoned, and no longer can paratroopers make it from Jutland to Oslo and be in range to attack.
 
 

[gwgardner]

I may have to invade into one of the lesser ports, then fight my way across to Oslo. An airborne or amphibious assault directly at Oslo is going to be hugely expensive. would need a mulberry, too.

[Mike Parker]

Yeah the problem is unless I missed something is that all the ports border on the North Sea.  An early invasion of Norway means you have to keep supply open through the North Sea which is problematical at best.  Norway now is too tough a nut to crack, especially considering the only real thing it buys you is air into the North Sea, Air into a possible Finland and/or Sweden ally.
 
 

[gwgardner]

Yep, it's going to be tough, but the carpet eater in Berlin has ordered it, so ... by pounding the Allied fleet in the North Sea, I hope to solve that part of the problem. So far the Allied AI is willing to contest control, but unless the AI has a repair algorithm, it will be hammered into non-existence. There is also no Allied anti-air right now - perhaps my air units are out of range of theirs. I can do sea-zone air strikes with impunity.

[Mike Parker]

Norway was invaded April 8 1940, Even with all 12 Tac bombers bombing the North Sea you will be very unlikely to cleanse it by that date.  Although you might have gotten the British Fleet down to the point the Kriegsmarine can meet them on even terms to support your amphibious landings at Narvik and Oslo.  It will however be more difficult since following a historical timeline you won't be attacking Benelux till May of 1940 and hence French Naval units will likely be sortied in the North Sea as well.
 
Good Luck

[gwgardner]

Even worse, it's looking like it's going to cost upwards of 1000 PPs to accomplish the invasion and necessary refurb later. That ring of Norwegian units around Oslo is probably ahistorical

[Mike Parker]

Approx forces
 
German 7 Divisions Substantial Air and Naval
Norway 6 Divisions
 
It shouldn't be as hard as it is, most the the significant German losses were naval (The Blucher was sunk by gun emplacements.. 10 destroyers were bottomed by HMS Warspite)
 
German casualties were around 5k KIA MIA WIA.  So call it one division halfway.  The Blucher was sunk along with the light cruisers Konigsburg and Karlsruhe.  So historically losses were half a division, and three patrol groups.  Probably a few air casualties also.
 

[gwgardner]

Jan 1 '40
All Quiet on the Western Front
The only action has been at sea, where the Royal Navy has sunk two U-boats. Those U-boats were roaming the Eastern Atlantic sea zones, and doing regularly 1 STP loss against the UK per turn. Which means that Germany is taking it on the chin in the convoy battles. The Luftwaffe continues to search and destroy in the North Sea, with steady losses to the UK ships there. The French seem to have withdrawn. IF the UK is repairing its ships, then its PP pool should be empty.

In preparation for the attacks on Norway, intelligence reports that it may be possible to attempt a coup de main (sp!!) directly against Oslo, with heavy air attacks followed by an amphibious assault. The forces in garrison in Oslo proper are not nearly as strong as those in adjoining areas. If this does not work, the navy is feverishly at work developing a concrete harbor that can be moved into place to supply an invasion force south of Oslo.

Either way, the cost of the invasion is going to be heavy. The army staff continues to argue against it, but the Luftwaffe and navy want Norway as a base of operations.

It remains in question as to whether sufficient materiale can be committed to the action to make it successful. At this date, the navy has not procured a single amphibious assault craft, and the Luftwaffe has not committed any resources to airborne operations in Norway. The total of funds and materiale available, for operations everywhere, is shown here.

[gwgardner]

March 1, '40

Plans for the invasion of Denmark and Norway are settled, and final preps are being made. The Oslo Force will receive reinforcements over the next three weeks, and the Luftwaffe will similarly be reinforced, as its operational task is shifted from air/sea search and destroy to ground support in Denmark and against Oslo.

[gwgardner]

The Denmark assault has two major goals: close off the Baltic to enemy shipping, and provide air bases for the invasion of Norway.

Jumpoff date for the assault is April 8.

[gwgardner]

The Narvik Force will attempt to invest the port and either take it by direct attack or siege. The High Seas fleet will sortie and provide escort.

The Naval Staff was adamant that the Oslo Force embark with the Narvik Force, not wanting to expose the fleet any longer than absolutely necessary, however the Army General Staff refused to risk an entire corps to the invasion, without first determining if the navy is capable of protecting the transports. The Army won the debate, with the support of the Luftwaffe, which is not going to be in position to support the attack on Oslo until at least the third week of the operation.

At any rate, if the Narvik attack fails, either due to the inability of the navy to supply three divisions near the Artic Circle, or because the British and French Navies are able to disrupt the attack, then the Oslo Force will stand down until such time as the Luftwaffe can destroy the Norwegian army.

[Tomokatu]

WARNING! WARNING!

The Denmark assault has two major goals: close off the Baltic to enemy shipping, and provide air bases for the invasion of Norway.

 
I don't believe you can reach Copenhagen by land in the way your opplan shows.[:-]
You may have to use paras and at least one amphibious assault unit.

[cpdeyoung]

Tom,

A dry foot path is actually available. Give it a try. No landing craft or silk required.

Chuck