PL1 (Axis) vs Nirosi (Allies). No PL1 for now.

[Nirosi]

German troops advanced from three different directions toward Warsaw trying at the same time to take Krakow and Poznan while doing so. However, assaults on Krakow eventually had to be brough to a halt. But the Polish defenders seem exhausted and will probably not hold much longer. Pozan's defender had to surrender on the 6th day of the battel however.

On the Western front, German bombers targeted industrial areas in and near Lyon causing moderately high damage, but also a serious humiliation to the French government.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of September 15th, 1939 (start)

The brave Polish soldiers could not resist the German push toward Warsaw where demoralized defenders could not hold back the Panzer for long. Further South, Krakow's defenses also crumbled very rapidly after the start of the German assault.

In Eastern Poland, Soviet troops entered the country, in a move that seems almost orchestrated with Germany.

[Nirosi]

Polish tank destroyed near Krakow while protecting a battered infantry battalion retreating.

[MagicMissile]

Yes a new aar! Good luck!
Is this with the latest patch?

\MM

[Nirosi]

Yes, latest official patch from steam.

[MagicMissile]

Ok looking forward to see how the changes in the east will play out.

/MM

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of October 13th, 1939 (start)

In the Atlantic, German U-boats are known to be patrolling in search of Allied convoys. For now, they have had little luck, but the Royal Navy and the Marine nationale must remain vigilant.

[Nirosi]

German U-boat searching for a prey.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of November 24th 1939 (End)

The main force of the German fleet attempted a sortie into the Atlantic to raid Allied shipping. The bulk of the main fleet at Scapa Flow sailed to intercept and divided itself into two task forces. Force J, on patrol in the North Atlantic hunting for German U-boats, was also ordered to join the effort to hunt the German raiders in priority. The French admiralty also sent a fourth task force from Brest centered around a heavy cruiser group.

One of the Royal navy groups from Scapa Flow managed to find the enemy fleet and engaged it. The very violent battle lasted over three hours and inflicted serious damage on three of the five battlegroups of the Kriegsmarine composing the raiding fleet, including the one centered on the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst. However, this came at a serious cost for the Royal Navy as the group centered around the York (which also included the Exeter) was pulverized by concentrated fire from the German fleet. The Exeter managed to escape the battle before slowly sinking a few hours later, but the York literally blew-up from a direct hit on its ammunition reserves; only Petty officer Johnson managed to miraculously escape from the ship that sank almost immediately.

The following night, the French task force that was looking for the now fleeing German fleet was surprised by that same fleet that used the cover of darkness to cross the T of the French. Most French groups suffered moderate to high damage, especially the heavy cruiser group centered around the Tourville (and the Duquesne). However, the old German Schleswig-Holstein also suffered in retaliation. With now three of the five battle groups in less-than-optimal shape, the fleet sailed back to Germany. OKM is pleased with the tactical victory during both battles. Most German ships should be repaired within weeks. The admiralty however has opened an inquiry into the losses of the York and Exeter. Word is, however, that the admiralty is also mostly relieved that the German raiders did not make it into open sea to hunt the convoys that are the kingdom’s lifeline.

[Nirosi]

French destroyer Guépard coming back at Brest after the chase.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of March 15th 1940 (End)

The last 4 week of war have brought a nasty surprise for the Allies in the Atlantic. About 1.3 million tons of shipping have been sunk in those four weeks alone (about a quarter of total loses since the war started), but, even more worrisome, was the loss of 5 escorts groups in a very short time (Three from March 1st to March 15th, and two more until March 19th) bringing the total of groups lost from a manageable three to eight all of a sudden. The Admiralty is inquiring as to whether this might be due to new German tactics or improved equipment. More advanced anti-submarine equipment is expected for next month, but the losses of Dark March, will take some time to replace and might have dire consequences for the rest of the year.

In other news, La Vanguardia published what it is said to be a map of French and British deployments in France and Southern Britain.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of April 26th 1940 (End)

The tension is at its highest! Everybody knows it is just a matter of days before one side or the other starts its summer offensive. The BEF is well deployed in France. General Gamelin required the British to move closer to the Belgian border, but Chamberlain declined stating "we will take care of the Somme", you take care of the rest of your country!

[Nirosi]

At sea, the battle has been brutal. The Royal Navy is pushing for an emergency escort building program to replace the horrendous loses of Dark March!

[canuckgamer]

Following your game to hopefully pick up some tips. I'm just starting my second PBEM game and didn't deploy any UK ground units in France in my first PBEM. I guess as long as they are deployed near the coast they can be evacuated to England before France falls. In our first game, friend did not declare Vichy.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of May 5th 1940 (start)

Germany declarer war simultaneously on Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium! It hit hard and fast! In The Netherlands the German armored units, in coordination with paratroopers, overwhelmed the country in less than three days, then turned South and moved toward Belgium entering the country and taking Antwerp, but refraining from attacking Brussels. German infantry also entered Belgium from the East and through Luxembourg whose government issued a formal protest.

Further North, Copenhagen was taken by a coordinated attack from the land and the sea in what was the first amphibious assault of the war.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of May 10th 1940 (end)

After much debate inside both the French and British cabinets on what to do, either coming to Belgium’s help or not, the decision was taken to come to the help of the small kingdom both for reasons of principle and of strategy. Even tough some Allied corps would have to leave their defensive entrenched position, the protective benefit of both the Schelde and the Meuse are not to be underestimated. General Alphonse Georges disapproved the decision stating that the Allied troops could be trapped if the Germans decide to go for a push through the Ardennes. However, as most German Panzer corps seem to be North-West of Brussels, his worries were dismissed.

Therefore, the British sent the II Corps, transferred to the direct command of the homeland 10th Army, to enter Brussels and allow the Belgian army to focus on defending the Eastern part of the country. It is feared however that the Belgian deployment there, mostly trapped, will end up been a sacrifice that will only help gain some time for the French and British to entrench in their new position. The Royal Welsh Corps replaced the II Corps behind the Somme but General Gort refused to send more troops in Belgium. Three French Corps also entered Belgium and took defensive positions, but the reserve 1st Army stayed in position South-East of the Somme. Both the French and British air forces that had received orders not to engage German aircraft yet, have receive new orders to try to gain air supremacy over any battle that might arise and send bombers to support the ground troops.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of May 24th 1940 (end)

The Allied gamble to intervene in Belgium paid-off. The weather turned for the worse and this will not only slow down the Wehrmacht, but will also give time to the Allied force in Belgium to dig-in. Nonetheless, the Germans tried to attack in the East and managed to pulverise a Belgian corps that had moved there from Brussels, but the II Corp further North managed to resist for now. However, Lieutenant-General Michem sent word that he did not expect to last more than a few days, at best, once the bad weather clears.

[ncc1701e]

Great, one turn lost for the Axis. [:)]

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of June 7th 1940 (Start)

With the good weather coming back, the German Panzers resumed their push into France by pulverising Belgian defenders and destroying the British II Corps in Brussels in less than two days! The Belgian army had not choice but to negotiate an honorable surrender.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of June 7th 1940 (End)

French fighter groups which have been held in reserve have been now asked to jump into the battle and help the RAF fighters. The French High command is still confident the Germans can be stopped soon.