Rise of the Reich (no 821Bobo)

[Michael T]

Relative Strength

[Michael T]

Jan 3rd 1941

The Allies welcome in the new year with an offensive directed towards Tripoli (red arrows). The quiet ends on the Tunisian frontier. We counter attack (blue arrows) but cannot push them back, though we inflict heavy losses on them. It could get ugly here pretty quickly as we have no armor. But we have many more aircraft. I am loath to send more Germans to this front. But if things turn bad I may have too. It is an unwelcome distraction from our Barbarossa preparations.

[Michael T]

Jan 17th 1941

The Allied pressure in Tunisia becomes unbearable as he badly mauls the German Inf Corp that was acting as keystone. I have no choice but to send in more troops and air power, at least for the next few months before Barbarossa begins. So I have a Pz Corp enroute plus friends. We also conduct a raid against an undefended Oran. Hopefully that will throw a spanner in his works.

[Michael T]

31st Jan 1941

The Allies keep inching forward on the Tunisian front, and through some lucky combats (retreat results on 1:1) shatter the best Italian unit on the map, the Alpini Corp. El Duce is most unpleased. The Allies react to the Oran raid but it did not really relieve any pressure on the Tunisian front. Oh well. A Panzer Corp has arrived in Libya with orders to restore the situation. I have had to fly all air units out of Libya to compensate for the Arrival of the Panzers. Lest we run out of supplies.

In other news I moved the German Fleet up to Copenhagen to threaten the UK raiders that are once again demolishing my merchant fleet along the Norwegian coast (unfortunately the patch did not arrive in time to help me). This moved turned in to a mini disaster as the UK sent out 1 Carrier group and smashed the Kriegsmarine. They limp back to Germany, none sunk bad badly shot up.

Screenies in the next report.

[Michael T]

This game was on hold until we were fairly sure that latest patch was safe. We have updated now, so the game is resuming.

[Michael T]

28th February 1941

The weather finally clears up in the vicinity of Tunis and we are able to launch an operation that has been on the cards for the past few turns. Our air power in Sicily has kept the RN
well away from our intended landing beaches. A Panzer Corp invades, captures Tunis and 3 Infantry Divisions follow up through the port. We also make an attack in Libya but the defenders hold.
Losses were heavy for both sides. I can afford it though, I doubt he can.

New units are being formed and sent to the Russian frontier. Hopefully this Tunisian battle can be decided soon so we can get the Mech unit back to Russia in time for Barbarossa. With this
new threat in his rear perhaps he will bug out like he did previously.

[Michael T]

I have totally lost patience with Iraq now. According to the rules they were supposed to join the Axis after I captured Cairo, that was early in 1940. I had hoped this would have been fixed in the latest patch. But the Iraqi's are still neutral. So I am invading next turn.

Strangely, I also received a report that the USA was gearing up for war because the Axis control Gibraltar[&:]

[Chocolino]

Strangely, I also received a report that the USA was gearing up for war because the Axis control Gibraltar

I think that if the Axis does well against the UK the US will ramp up quicker. Invading England had the same effect.
Edit: never mind - I realize now that you don't have Gibraltar.

Invading Tunis is a great idea. Will be tricky for the Allies to maintain supply for their attack on Tripoli. There is one more rail line to cut.

[Michael T]

He jumped the gun in Tunisia. If he had waited until I had attacked Russia before he pushed in to Libya I would not have had the units ready to send in to land behind him. I had no intention of advancing in to Tunisia myself, he forced my hand.

[Michael T]

14 March 1941

At last we are able to report nothing but good news from the North African front to the Fuhrer. First the Regia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe combine to sink 2 UK sub fleets (orange X's) that were interdicting the Tunisian ports. This preceeded a drive by the Panzers (Red Arrow)on a French Corp holding the Tunisian Port of Sousse which was cut off from retreat by a combined Italian and German Airborne operation (Green Arrows). The defenders surrendered (orange X). Von Kluge, the CiC was most pleased.

The Brits and their Canadian lackies retreat out of Libya (pink arrows, appropriate color ) and are pursued by the Axis forces (yellow arrows).

So the Tunisian bridgehead has expanded and has been reinforced with more troops and Von Kluge's HQ has arrived. Let's see how the Englander's react to this development. The sea zone bewteen Tunisia and Sicily is completely dominated by Axis air power.

[Michael T]

Meanwhile the Red's intend to hold the Caucasus. I don't need it at this point so the more Soviet troops down there the better. Our chances on the main front will be increased.

[Michael T]

We invade Iraq.

[Michael T]

Production.

[Michael T]

The build cue.

[Flaviusx]

You built a cav?

Interesting idea. In retrospect, maybe I should have as well. They're useful in the marshes.

[Michael T]

Anti Partisan duties in the rear. We have Italian Cav coming for the ride too.

[Flaviusx]

I ended up just using a bunch of infantry divisions for that, now mostly minors. Partisans aren't hard to kill. I suppose maybe with cav you need fewer units for this, but frankly, not inclined to take chances with this.

[Michael T]

The extra mobility might come in handy as well. Who know's. It will be my first venture in to Russia in WarPlan. I am trying to cover all possibilities.

[Michael T]

28 March 1941

The weather intervenes and saves the Allies in Tunisia. Groan. They make their escape in clear weather and now in my turn I am bogged. I have sent the Luftwaffe that was in Sicily to Russia. This bad weather will probably mean I won't be able to completely eradicate the Allies from North Africa. I lost any advantage I had. In better news Finland has joined the Axis.

[Michael T]

Losses.