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After a long period in the Pacific, I am back in Europe thanks to the excellent mod of PanzerMike. I still have problems with USSR in 1941 and in 1942. If I can pass 1942 I am happy. But usually, 1942 means end of the game for me. My main problem, since long, defending the motherland and then counter attack...

I am trying this new patch with no doubt that I will be destroyed. The latest patch has helped Germany to destroy France with less problem i.e. less losses. So, I fear a LOT about tons of tanks coming at me early 1941. Yes, early 1941 since Yugoslavia will be gone since long.

Anyway, I am happy to play MM and he is welcomed to follow this AAR. I will post with a few turns delay. We have started a mirror game but I don't have time to write two AARs.

September 1st, 1939:

Germany has declared war against Poland. Two days later, UK and France are declaring war against Germany. This is the beginning of WW2. German troops are invading Poland very quickly, this is the first Blitzkrieg.

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French are not ready for this war. Their defense doctrine is mainly based on the Maginot line. This fortification line will protect any land invasion from Germany. But, it is not extended to the sea and Belgium could be used to attack France and turn around this line.

First week of the war, the Luftwaffe is trying to bombard Metz. But the French fighters are scrambling and are destroying few German planes. 5 steps lost on each side. This is a good result.

Factories around Lyon are also attacked. Fighter cover is out of range of this city.

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Thanks for making an AAR. I will add something if I have anything to say

Good Luck!

/MM

Good luck to you too.

Back to Poland, German army is progressing. Lodz has already been captured and one Panzer corps is just outside Warsaw. Poznan is nearly encircled.

However, the assault on Lodz has been costly for the Luftwaffe. The II Jagdkorps has lost 3 steps. This is important because this unit is starting with 70% experience.

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Hoping to continue to destroy few German planes, I am ordering a ground strike on the Panzer corps. And this is a success for the Polish fighter pilots. II Jagdkorps is losing 4 steps after two air to air combats. The ground strike is also successful and, next turn, the Panzer corps will have some reduced operation points.

In the North, trying to slow down the German advance, I am failing to perform an encirclement of their forces.

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Battle of the Atlantic is starting and I am putting myself in position to add some sub hunter bonuses.

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Standard research paths except for USSR. I am investing in Escort Fighters based on my Warplan Pacific experience.

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September 15th, 1939:

Denmark and Poland surrenders. Denmark without a naval invasion meaning that Germany has still 10 landing ships.

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Polish pilots have done a superb job. 14 air losses for the Germans mainly on their 70% experience air superiority is a good thing. The Luftwaffe will be less trained over the incoming battle of France.

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However, in the sky of France, the GQG has forgotten to move an air superiority unit in range of Lyon. Another strategic bombing raid is again done this turn damaging 4 production points.

The mistake is repaired.

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Battle of the Atlantic - 9 MM sunk this turn. The French DD group is coming to help. Much needed French oil stockpile is spent.

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September 29th, 1939:

And the French fleet is scoring the first hits of the war against the u-boats. In Lyon, the damaged factories begin to welcome workers to restart their production.

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November 10th, 1939:

I am thinking of this over and over.

I think Escort fighters is a mistake for the Soviet air force. I will need 6 x 20 = 120 PP to change the advancement of all my fighters. This is one infantry rifle corps. Moreover, I will lose 2% experience for each plane on an already low experience of 35%. I think this is not a good idea. So I revert my research back to Interceptors because I need the air combat factor point to increase as soon as possible without losing production.

Also since the range of Interceptors is lower, I have less chance to intercept something I do not want when I will be in full support mode.

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ncc1701e wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 7:43 pm November 10th, 1939:

I am thinking of this over and over.

I think Escort fighters is a mistake for the Soviet air force. I will need 6 x 20 = 120 PP to change the advancement of all my fighters. This is one infantry rifle corps. Moreover, I will lose 2% experience for each plane on an already low experience of 35%. I think this is not a good idea. So I revert my research back to Interceptors because I need the air combat factor point to increase as soon as possible without losing production.

Also since the range of Interceptors is lower, I have less chance to intercept something I do not want when I will be in full support mode.

I have also always thought that escort fighters for the soviets given the long front could be nice but not early in the war probably make sense later in the war but it is hard to afford to keep up the research speed for escort fighter as well as interceptors too.

The French air force is trying to perform a strategic bombing over Stuttgart. Despite air cover from the French fighters, the BF-109e are definitely gaining air superiority over the city. The next raids are cancelled.

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December 22nd, 1939:

French factories are boosting their production in an attempt to build as much fighter as possible to restore the 4th fighter group. With Germans subs in the Atlantic, some critical convoys will be missed.

@PanzerMike, your mod is beautiful.

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March 29th, 1940:

The 4th fighter group has been completed by its experience is down from 42% to 40%. Not much is happening except in the Atlantic where the German subs are very successful at destroying escort ships.

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May 24th, 1940:

Rain turn on May 10th, 1940. As such, the attack on the Western powers is starting this turn. Belgium was the first country to be targeted and destroyed.

France is not ready at all. It has just discovered Anti-Tank 1940 this turn.

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In Africa, French troops are entering Libya to attack Tripoli. South of France, the French fleet is ready to enter the war. Almost all the Italian fleet (10 ships) seems to be in La Spezia and not in Taranto.

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