PBEM: Take WaW, add 4 Newbies; An exploratory AAR

[dembe73]

Moscow, Winter 1942

Buildup of German troops near out south border continues. Hostilities are expected to start before our 1943 plan will be executed.

Other news:
- Our great leader Stalin visited Sevastopol last month. He was cheered at by thousands of people.

- The empire of Japan seems to be crumbling to dust.

- Russian crop size has increased for the 17th year in row, reaching a new record.

[daskomodo]

Great AAR.

One request though, can someone post a screenie of the current strategic map? I just noticed Japan got to India somehow.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Spring 1942

Well, I can reveal that my plan all along had been to pull off the Sea-Lion, and I do believe that I had a window of opportunity during Spring-Summer 1941 to do it too. I failed to sieze the opportunity because of two errors I made:

1. I delayed the production of my paratrooper units by 1 turn - meaning they were not produced until the Summer.

2. I didn't appreciate the halving of bomber range when loaded with paratroopers - thus mistakenly basing them in West Germany.

If I had produced the para's in the Spring and had them ready to invade in Summer I'm pretty sure I could have taken England at that point. Even in the Fall I would have had an outside chance if only I'd moved my Italian fleet up to help take out the cruisers he was using on guard duty.

So now I must forge on with no Sea-Lion and a delayed invasion of the SU - not so good!![:-]

Barbarossa did commence this Spring, and it began well with 3 fighter units distinguishing themselves over eastern poland by not just damaging the two soviet air-groups there but also destroying 3 infantry units, making the land conquest far easier!

Overall my losses were very light indeed during the invasion, and Soviet losses significant (I hope). However my attack was fairly limited in ambition and I failed to move up enough supplies to repair the factories/resource points that I did take [:(]

Well I must look for something to cheer me up yes? I searched and searched and did find something:

- My advanced heavy bombers are a useful counter to the SU emphasis on artillery (which is very impressive)
- Because I took out most of the SU air-force I can move most of my 15 fighters to the western front next turn to defend/harass the Allies
- Now that Cario is cut off from supply I can finally take it next turn - which also means the middle east for me and some nice resources

Sorry no screenies this time - I closed the program by mistake without saving the shots I had taken! Next time there will be some.

[dembe73]

Moscow, Spring 1942

Our fears came true. Russia is drawn into a war with the Axis powers
Some German troops have invaded the country and have taken positions in the field.

Moscow has lost contact with a number of Russian divisions.

German tanks are spread over different territories. No major facilities are currently threatened and we have taken defensive positions, awaiting new orders and reinforcements.

It will be a long winter this year.

Comrad Dembe

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Summer 1940

Watching our Japanese allies being repelled from Mandalay is most upsetting, who would have thought the soft Allied solidiery located there could put up such outstanding resistance? (repeated Japanese air and land assaults were sent back with Japanese losses but no Allied losses)

The Allied marshalling in Norway and Spanish Morrocco is beginning to worry me and I must do something to counter his aggressive moves soon I believe lest I let his plans progress unimpeded. Luckily for me by spreading his airforce around so thinly he presents viable targets and this turn I was able to damage one and destroy another carrier-air group in return for 1 damaged fighter off the Norwegian Coast.

Also I send half of my fighter units westward to guard my industries from Western bombing. This still leaves enough in Russia to outnumber the Soviet Airforce.

The fighting this turn takes place in Belorussia. It is heavily guarded - 1 fighter, 5 Artillery, 2 Flak, 1 Armour, 3 Infantry and 6 Militia. Firstly I send in a flight of 2 fighters and 9 heavy bombers who destroy the fighter and remove all bar 1 artillery for the cost of 1 fighter and 1 bomber damaged. Next goes in the ground assault with 6 panzers supported by 3 infantry. All bar three remaining units are either damaged or destroyed and Belorussia is won.

My priority now is to fix these Soviet industries so that I may gain the benefit of front line supply production. This is my first ever game playing with Advanced Supplies and I have found it to be rather difficult to move sufficient supplies up in time to enact necessary infrastructure repairs. This problem was compounded by my rapid switch from Sea-Lion to Barbarossa as I lacked sufficient transport capacity to move all my military forces AND all my supplies from France to the Soviet border in 1 turn and ever after I have been short on supplies, not numerically - just in the right places.

As requested - the world map:

[invernomuto]

GREAT AAR!!!

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Fall 1942

Karkhov is rudely wrested back from me by a surging Soviet Assault. My losses are light but the Soviets are now posed with multiple strategic options. Will they be bold and risk overextension, or will they be cautious and risk underexploitation?

My bombers do all my work for me on the Eastern Front this turn, as I jockey more armour units into position. No particularly positive options were available this turn so rather than launch a purely operational assault I sit tight and reposition myself to make gains.

One bright light in the darkness is a delightful sally forth into the waters off the Norwegian coast where a beligerent Allied fleet was posturing. After removing the air cover (again) 4 wolfpacks and 2 cruisers joined battle - the result is below!

[dembe73]

The Russian Front, Fall 1942

Despite many warnings from his officers Stalin has ordered the re-capture of Kiev, because it closes off the German frontline and will forces the Axis to retreat rather than advance further into Russia.

Russian tank divisions have driven back German ones, remaining German infantery and artillery units are captured or on the run.

The city of Kiev is ruined, all factories and the rail are in bad shape. 3 German tank divisions are now pushed back into Rumania. The main German tank force is currently surrounded and only has a few options. Forward is not one of them.

Buildup of troops in the Baltic States is preparing to start the march to Berlin via East Prussia. Many red flags have been ordered for the victory parade in Berlin. Our great leader has ordered the Red Army to take Berlin before the Allies.

We have urged the Western Allies to open a second front, because currently only Russia is contributing to the war with Germany, but Churchill and the Americans are too busy fighing the Japanese currently.

We expect they will start planning an invasion of Italy or France as soon as they have confirmed Japanese surrender.

Other news: the Chinese have captured Manchuria, probably destroying the will to fight of Japanese troops on the Chinese Mainland.

[dembe73]

The Kremlin, Winter 1943

A telegram from London just arrived: after severe fighting Honshu has been taken. Japan has surrendered.

The Western Allies are now making troop movements that will aid us in Europe.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Winter 1943

Japan is fallen.

This means the baleful glare of the corrupt allies and the ruthless Soviet hordes is fixed firmly upon the fatherland. The heady days of brave offensives are over, I pull back to more defensible lines.

My 7 Armour in Belorusia were pocketed, so I break out to the West into Eastern Poland in order to create a defensive line running across East Prussia, East Poland & Rumania. This is the best line I can use.

Note - I think the Allies will win the autovictory this turn, as they have 96 production points. If that's true then I'll make my final post with my key learnings from this game.

[dembe73]

Autovictory for the Allies? I dont think there is such a thing? I think there is only the atomic bomb autovictory and for that we need a lot more territory?

[Svend Karlson]

Ah well in that case I fight on hehe. Lets see what shape I am in by next Winter. From now on I like the cold weather [;)]

[dembe73]

Russia, Winter 1943

Its a cold period. Soldiers near the front line sit by fires, warming themselves, knowing that this war is not over yet. Despite overoptimism of the officers it will be a long road to Berlin. Rumors are a large offensive is to start in Spring.

Trains filled up with troops and supplies move to the West, towards Berlin, towards victory.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Spring 1943

Well standing alone against the Soviets and the Allies is not where I planned to be in 1943, but I think it shall be rather interesting to see how well I can phase my defence. My choice is 'when' to withdraw, rather than 'if', but survival on every turn from now is a victory (of sorts!)

On the Eastern Front I do very little indeed except move a few more armour units into the line. Unfortunately the previous turn the Soviets had noticed that Bulgaria was unprotected and destroyed the resource point there. I cannot afford such losses now and I dedicate a fighter unit to protect it after the repair. There is very little I can do now against the Soviets, and I must simply wait the turn or two it shall take them to build a force massive enough to punch through my defences.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Spring 1943 (part two)

The Allied Bombing Squadrons hit hard into the heartland of Germany last turn, destroying an entire factory complex. Well I decided I could so something about that. For some reason Norway had 3 heavy bomber units and 2 tac bombers but no fighter cover or anti-air. Therefore I sent in a large party of 3 fighters and 7 heavy bombers on an air-strip bombing raid, results below [:)]

The Allied shipping in the North Sea also seemed ripe for a bold strike. After destroying it's air cover all the wolfpacks I could muster were sent in and managed to damage or destroy the aircraft carrier, 2 battleships and 3 cruisers present. The Allies breed like rabbits so I'm sure they will be back soon, but this feels like a joyous victory in the face of adversity.

Perhaps this will make the Allies cautious for a little while, I could use the time . . .

[dembe73]

Russia, Spring 1943
The rumours on a massive attack appeared to be untrue. Due to heavy weather Russian staff decided no advance would be possible. More troops are massing along the border to join in the wait for better conditions. Meanwhile we are experimenting with a new type of cannon on our tanks.

We have asked the Western Allies again to open a second front, but they may have been too busy developing a new weapon our spies recently reported about. It is called Atomic Bomb.We have moved agents into position to learn more about this in Washington.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Summer 1943: Eastern Front

Well, we shall not march headlong into Russia any longer, but we can still teach them to respect us. The Soviets had massed a huge tank army in Kiev, easily strong enough to punch through Rumania by itself or Eastern Poland with the help of other armour further North. Rather than wait helplessly for the assault, or pull back, I decide to go for the attack.

First I take out the supporting air cover and also send in some heavy bombers aiming to remove the infantry, artillery & anti-air stationed there. The Russian fighters plunge to the ground in flames. Next I send in all my armour from Eastern Poland and Rumania, 11 units in all. The result is pleasing. My tech advantage in attack and evasion lets me damage 7 of his tanks for the cost of 2 of mine . . . but there always seems to be another T34. Nevermind, today von Manstein would be proud.

Another small coup for me. I notice the Soviets had 2 transports parked in the Baltic and worry that they are planning to open a sea route into Germany. I decide upon an audacious attack. Using first subs and then bombers I destroy or damage his entire flotilla, sending it scuttling to Leningrad for repair, and then the bold move . . . I use heavy bombers to destroy the weak forces defending Leningrad then create a transport link to sieze it with just 1 militia unit!! This marks the end of the Soviet Navy as the damaged units are destroyed [:D]

This also unlocks Finland, and rather than throw away these troops in a futile attack I evacuated them all to the German mainland - they will be useful defenders.

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Summer 1943: Western Front

D-Day arrives on the Western Front. Let history record that the cowardly Allies invaded a peaceful nation, Portugal. Well there is nothing I can do about that, but I do move an armour unit down into Spain which should make a successful assault there this turn impossible.

The Allies are beginning to make moves into the Med, with submarines entering through the straights and a battleship from Cairo. Ominous indeed, they are going to cause no end of trouble.

[dembe73]

The Russian Front, Summer 1943.

The Germans managed to attack Leningrad. We retook it and seized the opportunity to finally capture Finland and open more easy supply lines. One German transport is sunk in an airstrike.

Kiev is liberated and a great offensive is launched in Poland. 3 German elite panzer divisions are damaged against only 8 of ours. Also all German supporting troops are destroyed in this offensive. All Russians involved in this offensive are declared Heroes of Eastern Poland. Many of them will will have their medal to be send to their families, but it is all for a good cause.

Our liberated Chinese comrads have kindly started donating food and ammo to our troops in Siberia. They promised more as soon as they get their factories back working.

Comrad Dembe

[Svend Karlson]

Germany, Interlude

The allied forces that have landed in Portugal are too significant to be repulsed, so from next turn I will assume that they will continue to be reinforced and will assault every subsequent season.

Russia's advance has been delayed at least one season, as their assault into Eastern Poland was not too damaging from my perspective & they have few operational armour units. For better or worse, the only ground forces of mine that count for anything are the armour. I've barely progressed with artillery or infantry (although I am close to breakthrough on infantry now) & have not produced any during the entire game, discounting my paratrooper folly. Therefore the main utility to me of anything other than armour is to reduce the evasion of attacking forces and increase the ratio cost needed for winning a battle.

For the time being, I am still able to contend mastery of the air over my own skies at least, and I have additional anti-air units being prepared for service on the Western Front where they can be usefully employed. My surface navy are all but destroyed but had their hour of glory during the capture of Leningrad.

My current aim is to retain East & West Germany into 1945. I confess that to achieve this I am counting upon a respite during the Winter turns & being able to repel at least one assault on both parts of Germany.

Game on [8D]