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Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full game - 8/31/2020 2:28:25 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		So, it commences!

The fascist warmongering hordes of Aussiematto are back in action against the cunning liberal democracies led by Amandkm. Thanks to my opponent for agreeing to let me write this up!

We are approaching December 1939 and reports are positive so far.

In China, Japanese SHQ had determined that the Russians pose a limited threat and thus have sent their weaker forces to garrison Manchuria freeing up several large formations to continue the campaign against China. The IJN has been building some experience, and learning that planes do crash when you fly them in close air support, but the main action is on the ground.

Kimura is leading a 4-army assault on Changsha and has crushed the outer defences comprehensively. Only the weather can save this vital city from occupation by 1940. At Nanning, an early aggressive thrust by Okamura's forces (reinforced it appears from the mainland) is taking heavy Japanese casualties in rough terrain and getting nowhere. A counter strike from Chinese forces in Henjiang to threaten Canton was seen off by unexpected garrison troops. Hard going there, as the weather closes out any air support: Nanning will hold for months yet. Chengchow is being well defended - pushing back and battering at least one Japanese army under the less than competent Itaguchi who is now being supported by the forces from Manchuria. After 2 months of quiet success, the Japs are now on the back foot! Meanwhile, Terauchi has brutalised an aggressive Chinese unit that thrust on Peking only to run into two armies. The fight is very much in the balance all along the front.

In the west, Poland lived up to its reputation for insane heroism in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite a perfectly executed drive from north and south panzer forces, and a powerful air campaign, which saw Warsaw captured within the first two weeks, the Poles struggled on for another fortnight, causing incidental damage, but slowing down von Runstedt's plans for the French. In particular, it appears that the survival of cavalry defending in Czechoka might have been just enough to keep Polish morale high enough to fight on. But now, Poland is conquered, stabbed in the back by Russia (who have proven themselves unworthy allies by also invading Finland!). The Low Countries are starting to feel nervous - especially as their embassies in Brussels report the unopposed entry of 1st Army in late November. And the Luftwaffe has shown the French why it is a bad idea to bomb the Westwall - a concerted air campaign caught the bombers on the ground and destroyed them. Still, the British have arrived, reservists are being called up and the delay from Poland will be costly as the weather now precludes any further offensive for months to come.

The Royal Navy, too, has learned to be careful - intensive raiding and submarine interdiction of convoys from Canada roused the destroyers, which have taken losses from Spee and Deutschland! But, of course, the Kriegsmarine remembers its history and the main fleet cowers in the ports like so many sitting ducks awaiting a future watery grave....

Italy, the fascist minion, eyes the possibility of joining this fight - not JUST yet, because its forces are weak, ill-trained, and out of position. Alarmingly, the French and British navies are sniffing out the Regia Marina's dispositions which might tip Mussolini into an early and ill conceived start to the war.

We approach Christmas and, broadly, the game goes as expected. More to come :)

(Side note: Amandkm and I proved that one can completely screw up Japan and still win as Axis. We just peacefully settled a contest in which I lost Tsientsin on Turn 2 and never recovered in China. By 1944, Tokyo was about to fall, but Rumanians were in Manchuria, Turks in India, Hungarians in Urumchi, Italians in Somaliland, and the Germans had taken London).

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 8/31/2020 3:05:28 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		A brief end of year update, as we roll towards January 1940.

The Battle of the Atlantic enters a new phase, as the Royal Navy deploys carrier-borne airpower and sinks a cruiser; but the Jersey is sunk by a surprise torpedo run from a sub and the battleship Paris suffers a similar fate! Admiral Doenitz signals that, perhaps, now is the time to run for port, though not all commanders agree. Mud in Belgium is a better defence than anything the Army might mount, and the RAF and Luftwaffe duel inconclusively over Nancy. Norwegian merchantmen continue, for now, to sail unharassed but that is likely to end soon?

Meanwhile, the presence of several Chinese armies around Tsingyuen and Peking cause concern in Tokyo, and relieve pressure on Chengchow, whose defenders continue to batter the Japanese assault in heavy rain. Nanning's defenders are less lucky and the two corps entrusted with this vital city's defence feel the pressure of new forces, including naval infantry who open a southern front. Changsha come under seige, with an exchange of casualties as the defences are reduced bit by bit.





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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 8/31/2020 11:51:44 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		In London and Paris, the papers still carry headlines of the Heroic Poles, and six weeks (2 turns) of resistance to the German Juggernaut. The same papers note with concern the gradual buildup of forces along the Maginot line, but spirits are high- Was this not the very purpose the money was spent on the forts? Let Jerry batter his head against merciless concrete!

Rumors of Italian miscreance and some over-agressive local commanders have led to Anglo-French incursions into the Adriatic, where brief glimpses show the Italian fleet at manuevers. What does this presage, the Sea Lords wonder?

The battle of the Atlantic rages on and while casualties seem to be slightly against the allies, they are buoyed by memories of Jutland, where once before the prisoner assaulted the jailer, only to be pushed back into his cage.

In the east disorganized Chinese put up a spirited defense while local officials desperately seek recruits, even including a suspicously curvaceous young man named Mulan...

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 8/31/2020 10:14:46 PM   
Marcinos1985

 

Posts: 430
Joined: 1/22/2020
Status: offline 		Nice write-up. Go Allies.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/1/2020 12:52:02 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline
quote:


Go Allies.


I will remember that disloyalty, Marcinos1985 ;)

Germany draws its plans, knowing French morale will crumble when the Maginot line proves a defensive disaster, and inquires of smaller nations if they might like to join the glorious quest for world domination! Yet, inevitably, nagging away at the minds in OKW, there is the threat of the bear. Will the weather deal the Wehrmacht a good hand this year or not?

Japan likewise faces many difficult choices. It knows the aggresion in China will surely bring the eyes of America onto its warlike ways. What do to? Is it to be a blitz on Urumchi? A naval gambit off Hawaii? Or perhaps the Indians should, as Gandhi advises, join the co-prosperity sphere.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/1/2020 1:13:57 AM   
Platoonist


Posts: 1342
Joined: 5/11/2003
From: Kila Hana
Status: offline 		Good reading.

Gentlemen, start your tank engines.



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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/1/2020 3:10:20 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		Heroic Belgies hold off the Blitzkrieg! Meanwhile, the RN punishes a UBoat in the Atlantic and growing tensions in the levant cause forces to mobilize. The bloodbath in China continues. We are losing some ground, but making the Japanese pay for every step. Cynical Westerners may take solace in the thought that so much blood and treasure going into China means that much less to put into their navy... right? right??

Meanwhile, Ghandi starts organizing the All-India congress to begin agitation for decolonization. An ironic proposal when considering their alleged ties to Japanese imperialists.

< Message edited by amandkm -- 9/1/2020 3:51:50 PM >

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/1/2020 4:07:04 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		The phoney war suddenly grew very hot, as the icy winds of winter blew across Belgium. Fearing the stirring of the bear, OKW demanded an early assault, across frozen fields. The Blitzkrieg struggled however and Belgium did not surrender - a few troops remained in Brussels, barely hanging on... the Germans spent, all their airpower and tanks exhausted! The sensible Dutch remained alert, but not yet alarmed and watched with the hope they would be spared. Though the Belgians remained in place longer than expected, it was all in vain and by the middle of February they capitulated and Nazi hordes began the assault proper... thrusting into the Ardennes, taking losses but confident the French would soon start to crumble now Belgium is gone. The weather - driving rain - is a boon - keeping the troubling RAF from inflicting losses on forward positions.

Italy continues to plot its course - secretly, it alerts the Germans to the presence in the South of France of a large British Army (is it the BEF? or from the Western Desert?) and also observes early moves to occupy Siwa oasis! The aggressive cruising of the RN in the Adriatic continues and Mussolini ponders the best plan to hold his african empire. A frantic effort is underway to raise the skill and equipment of the Italian armed forces...

Realising that carriers are the way of the future, the Kriegsmarine retreats - its surface raiders now just twisted metal in the far off waters of the Altantic. Raeder is summoned to discuss naval tactics and plans are drawn up for Nazi super carriers

China has developed a strong northern defence, indeed, offence, with several armies driving towards Peking, requiring urgent redeployments and letting Chengchow survive, for now. Wary of the supply lines, Japanese SHQ takes a conservative approach and waits to see if China's aggression is for show, or for real. The southern weakness, though, has given Kimura his break. By mid February, the four army assault has smashed into Changsha, and 3 weak corps are all that currently hold the line against him. Nanning continues to be a blood bath, but gains are made as the IJN rolls out its improved air support. As ever, China is swings and roundabouts. Threats in the north provide opportunities south. Which is the best, we wonder?

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 12:14:57 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		Triumph in the north, as the Anglo-French arrive in time to help stave off the Russians in Finland. The Finns are saved, and spirits are high, but politicians wonder if the gain was worth antagonizing Stalin? (Question for you all- Do you send help to the Finns?)

Intel reports a Panzer Army at half strength in Flanders, but it is decided better not to assault prepared defenses, and instead attention is paid to digging in for the coming onslaught.

Another month sees serious losses in China as Changsha falls, but a Japanese army is eliminated in a counter to the north. Meanwhile, the allies brace for the coming storm.



< Message edited by amandkm -- 9/2/2020 12:33:51 AM >

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 1:29:50 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		In April the rain fell mainly on the plains of England and, stripped of fighter cover from the RAF, the Luftwaffe ruled the skies of France. Under the cover of the bf 109s, an airborne assault shattered the French morale, with Nancy and Dijon the targets. Just in the nick of time Mussolini unleashed a full assault on Lyon, linking up with the brave Fallschirmjaeger and surrounding the Maginot line. The Ardennes offensive worked... and now panzers thrust south, ready to wheel onto Paris in May. Meanwhile new, and faster, tanks shock the British west of Ypres in a surprise drive to the channel. Taking advantage of weakness, both Denmark and Norway now are under the Nazi’s control. Losses are light, and easily refilled despite some desultory bombing of the weakened panzer my friend amandkm referred to. Italy’s intervention Also had tragic consequences for the heavy cruiser Kent which had escaped the adriatic but fell prey to the Regia Marina’s finest battleships. What will that British army in Marseilles do ... run or fight to the last man?

As predicted, China sought to cut off the Japanese in the south from supplies in Korea and Japan scrambles to hold key towns. Hordes of peasant soldiers have been gunned down By the pitiless invaders of their homeland and things look grim for overstretched under supplied units cut off near Tientsin. Nanning is empty but Okamura’s men Are too tired to occupy it .... yet. Kimura moves slowly in the mud, no airpower to help, securing Hengyang and planning the tough fight to the mines at Kweichow where fortifications abound. Itaguchi tells his men to rest and recover ... Chengchow will wait. Tojo nervously watches the assault on Peking... this might ruin everything!

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 2:12:39 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		Jerry everywhere! As the Germans pierce our lines, and paratroops drop from the sky all over, the allies in France are routed. Desperate to try to hold a line, the Maginot is abandoned, millions of Francs going to waste as the French try to protect the capital. Morale plummets as the Italians cross the alps in force, and all hope seems lost.

Paris is doomed, it may be one month, or perhaps two, but time is short.

British cruisers off East Africa encounter an oddity- Japanese Destroyers! There is no war, but this certainly must be a sign of miscreance by the inscrutable minions of the emperor.

In China, more time, more blood. Peking holds- for now, but another Japanese army is claimed by the enraged Chinese.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 3:01:01 AM   
Bo Rearguard


Posts: 492
Joined: 4/7/2008
From: Basement of the Alamo
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: amandkm



British cruisers off East Africa encounter an oddity- Japanese Destroyers! There is no war, but this certainly must be a sign of miscreance by the inscrutable minions of the emperor.



Kinda gamey yes, but I guess there is nothing (yet) that can prevent the Japanese from undertaking some extra-curricular scouting.


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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 3:18:18 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		Agree, it is a little gamey. Will “explain” in real terms in my next update. But, hey, my clever opponent has french engineers building trenches in Egypt so i think we are even :). Not sure how much digging they did, though ... things rapidly went belly up in france

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 3:34:12 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		OKW is most pleased with the course of the war. It is now mid May and France has capitulated as we suspected it would. The fight for France which began in the snowy fields of Belgium ends in the late spring sunshine of Paris. Three insights. First, an HQ in Paris is no match for panzers, especially when the key defensive army to the east is reduced just enough to lose its ZOC. (A lucky last Medium bomber strike took it from 6 to 4 ... after that, the three panzers rolled!, so i agree i had some luck). Second, spooked by the threat of surrender, the BEF took off from Marseilles which allowed Italian occupation (probably tipped the morale loss enough). Third, the RAF was again nowhere to be seen which gave my bombers some help. All in all, I was a bit surprised but after the failure to take Belgium in one turn, things are back on track. Emissaries from Den Hague are pleading for mercy ... perhaps we might entertain them. As expected Italy’s fleet skulks back to port, content with one victory.

A friendly port visit in East Africa by the honorable IJN destroyer squadrons was most welcome and Mussolini sends his thanks to admiral Yamamoto. Their presence seemed to confuse the heavy cruiser sent to snuff out this limited naval threat and the Italian navy escaped to find out what supplies are coming through the Gulf of Suez. Meanwhile, in China, the Army reports mixed results. Chinese resistance is intense and aggressive, with now three armies destroyed, compensating for the 15 corps and 2 armies China itself has lost. Kimura struggles onwards, barely moving in mud, while Nanning is reinforced and continues to hold, leading to a switch in emphasis to the Northern flank of this vital city. Chengchow is a misery, with all efforts going to defend the north, aided by the last-gasp Arrival in Tsientsin of the reborn 1st Kwantung army, whose troops marched off the boat right into a final battle to crush one of those 15 chinese corps. Everywhere we look, China is taking resources which are desperately needed for the secret plans of Admiral Yamamoto! Even Wuhan is under threat but perhaps even China will soon run Out of men and guns? When will new technologies arrive to aid Japan?



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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 5:34:15 AM   
Bo Rearguard


Posts: 492
Joined: 4/7/2008
From: Basement of the Alamo
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Aussiematto

A friendly port visit in East Africa by the honorable IJN destroyer squadrons was most welcome and Mussolini sends his thanks to admiral Yamamoto. Their presence seemed to confuse the heavy cruiser sent to snuff out this limited naval threat and the Italian navy escaped to find out what supplies are coming through the Gulf of Suez.


Ahh. I see the stratagem now.

quote:

OKW is most pleased with the course of the war. It is now mid May and France has capitulated as we suspected it would. The fight for France which began in the snowy fields of Belgium ends in the late spring sunshine of Paris

As Mel Brooks might say, it's Springtime for Hitler and Germany.



Attachment (1)

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 6:19:33 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		Thanks for the engagement :) - it makes it more fun. I should do some edited screenshots too I guess.

Summary of three tips for those reading it who might want some game advice (and thanks to the better players who taught me these tips)

1) In conquering Poland, if you 'unit swap' the HQ and the medium bomber, you still get to fly a bomber mission vs Warsaw to reduce the entrenchment and this is usually critical to getting Warsaw on T1. The unit swap brings the bomber within range, and it still can act.

2) Garrison swapping in Machnuria is essential so work out how to move the corps to cover spots, plus garrisons op moving. All three armies can go into China on T1.

3) The Slovak corps is a minor and thus can be commanded by the Italians. Ergo, it's a great unit to send into Northern Italy. I upgrade it to +1 mobility, +1 weapons and hey presto you have a high morale high tech unit for the assault into Southern France (I think this one is mine - not seen it often from other players :)). It usually ends up hanging out w the Italians all game as a result.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 8:03:03 AM   
Torplexed


Posts: 305
Joined: 3/21/2002
From: The Pacific
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Bo Rearguard

As Mel Brooks might say, it's Springtime for Hitler and Germany.




Springtime indeed. As a 51-year old man in 1940, Adolf springs better than Rudolph.


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aussiematto

1) In conquering Poland, if you 'unit swap' the HQ and the medium bomber, you still get to fly a bomber mission vs Warsaw to reduce the entrenchment and this is usually critical to getting Warsaw on T1. The unit swap brings the bomber within range, and it still can act.

2) Garrison swapping in Machnuria is essential so work out how to move the corps to cover spots, plus garrisons op moving. All three armies can go into China on T1.

3) The Slovak corps is a minor and thus can be commanded by the Italians. Ergo, it's a great unit to send into Northern Italy. I upgrade it to +1 mobility, +1 weapons and hey presto you have a high morale high tech unit for the assault into Southern France (I think this one is mine - not seen it often from other players :)). It usually ends up hanging out w the Italians all game as a result.


Oh. These golden nuggets of gaming nuance are going into the knowledge vault. Thank you.


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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 10:16:25 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline


quote:

Oh. These golden nuggets of gaming nuance are going into the knowledge vault. Thank you.


Merci beaucoup! Wow ... French is my new lamguage.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 4:19:16 PM   
Elessar2


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bo Rearguard

Kinda gamey yes, but I guess there is nothing (yet) that can prevent the Japanese from undertaking some extra-curricular scouting.



An event should take care of that by an enterprising modder or dev. Note the US moves towards neutrality if it sails all over the Pacific, see no reason why Japan couldn't be similarly penalized.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/2/2020 11:04:56 PM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		The alternative is to randomise the deployment, either or place and time, of the Italian DD in east africa.

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/3/2020 12:52:06 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		I'm torn. A block to give the DD a chance to escape it's initial placement seems reasonable, but having the neutrals acting as ongoing blockers seems a bit... well...

But then again, we could make a list of similar tactics that either side can and often does employ....

Shore bombardment training cycles
Camping French ships to bottle up the exit to the Med.
Italian scouts in the Atlantic
Suicidal strikes by the French fleet against the Italians.
Suicidal pinpricks on the Italian mainland to reduce Italian Morale
Italian garrison moving to occupy Siwa Oasis to deny the Brits their SF.

etc.

I guess I don't get worked up by any of them, since there are so many and they seem to be pretty evenly split.

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Post #: 21
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/3/2020 1:59:09 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		I thank you for your equanimity. I for one never do the bombardment thing (not that it really matters here since i am axis). The IJN destroyer trick is usually my limit on things and is a bit of a trick just to help out that orphan destroyer. But, having played a game which ended in stony silence from my opponent once because we could not agree on what the exact meaning of “no gamey play” was (error on my part i think in misinterpreting the restrictions he vaguely suggested). I will trade you engineers in the desert :).

Meanwhile ....

We have duelling colonial empires where the blood of poor africans is being split to prop up the Brits and the Italians. A lightning surge of hardened Boers into Somaliland will soon succeed, while Sudanese conscripts appear at the gates of Massawa. Gurkhas rampage through Ethiopia and All looks lost there. Graziani mounts a spirited defence of Tobruk though the RN will soon starve him into submission, and some desultory sparring off Malta sends the Regia Marina back to port. Italy is flushed with success from France but we all know that pasta and coffee are more to their liking than desert fighting. Greece has little to worry about.

Relentless Chinese pressure on Peking costs another Jap army, but the tide is turning in Nanning. The Kulun pass is open, and a lone corps now defends this vital city. Engineers bravely dig trenches on the road to Kweichow even as they take casualties from Kimura’s mud bound sloggers. A thrust to ichang finds Chinese forts unguarded! I admire the brave strategy, breaking thd back of Japanese land power just when it needs to consolidate and think of island holidays.

Unusual troop movements on the Dutch border presage something unpleasant in the Netherlands while the Luftwaffe tests the RAF over London ....

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 12:24:02 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		The British and their allies make slow, but steady progress in Africa. Given the weakness of the Italian economy, Mussolini will be left with the choice of reinforcing to hold on a few more months, or to ready his European armies for the battles to come.

Another Japanese army falls to China, but the southern and central fronts are under relentless pressure.

(in reply to Aussiematto)
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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 1:42:50 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		The good weather continues as a horde of panzers brush aside brave dutch defenders under Von Rundstedt’s clever leadership. Even the Kriegsmarine gets involved, just to be sure of breaking the Netherland’s will to fight. Where is the RN we wonder, nervously rushing back to port. Greece is shocked when bombers appear over Larissa and, following an infantry assault there, a lone tank division is free to drive into Athens. It is all over bar the shouting, from Mussolini to Hitler wanting to know why Italy was not involved!

And the raging tide of dictatorial ambition still floods with Malta’s hard pressed ack ack gunners subjected to a relentless bombardment while the Regia Marina shells the docks and cuts off the tiny island from reinforcement. Mussolini’s desert empire might yet be safe, for a year more perhaps?

China is indeed bleeding Japan dry, as shattered remnants rebuild in Tokyo. But General Zhu, alone in a defenceless Chengchow faces three Nipponese armies and Nanning is saved only by the rain. Peking looks safe now but will the cost Of defending it have been too high as the lack of armies brings all thoughts of an advance on Chunking to a close.

The lightning pace of advance, the thunder of tank and aircraft engines, might be read as confidence but, in his lair, Hitler grows ever more nervous about comrade stalin, whose own empire grows in the baltic states.

Can the axis secure malta? Will Yugoslavia back the axis or allies? What of the gurkhas who lack supplies but seem destined to take Addis Ababa and then join the fight for Tobruk and Benghazi? This is still very much in the balance ...

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RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 1:52:24 AM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		With the swift fall of Greece and the Netherlands, eyes turn to Belgrade as the last major neutral between Spain and Turkey. Will they join their fascist neighbors, or will a small group, landed by submarine on the Dalmatian coast, succeed in their endeavor?

Ghandi and his friends in India bitterly protest the shipping of native soldiers to fight Britain's wars, even if it is against another colonial empire. Will they stay loyal or is treachery in store?

Poor weather and sheer exhaustion slow the Chinese counterattacks, save for a late, bold drive to cut Peking off from the southern forces. How will Tokyo react?

(in reply to Aussiematto)
Post #: 25
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 2:28:16 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		Malta holds! Furious discussion now underway as to what went wrong, with even an attempt to land italian infantry rebuffed. Perhaps OKH should have invested In those special forces after all... the weather now is vital, because the RN is appearing in strength in the western med and the RM braces for heavy losses. This setback is offset somewhat by the fact that a lightning thrust of desert recce troops ran into an unexpected garrison in El Agheila and was repulsed. Then, to rub salt into the wound, the surprising appearance of Mk III panzers in the desert led to the destruction of this brave unit. Slovakian infantry bolster the defence of Tobruk as Graziani hangs on.

The light cruiser Belfast, meanwhile, holds off the entire Kriegsmarine off the Danish coast.

China is teetering now. Nanning is cut off and will fall soon. Chengchow has been captured and light infantry rush towards Sian. Chinese troops are cut off east of Peking. Will the slaughter soon be over for those brave peasants?

(Side note ... Amandkm is really testing my nerve in the desert. Have I overcommitted Germany to help my hapless ally there who cannot even get off the boats in Malta?)

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I still remember cardboard!

(in reply to amandkm)
Post #: 26
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 3:34:10 AM   
Bo Rearguard


Posts: 492
Joined: 4/7/2008
From: Basement of the Alamo
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Aussiematto

Malta holds! Furious discussion now underway as to what went wrong, with even an attempt to land italian infantry rebuffed. Perhaps OKH should have invested In those special forces after all... the weather now is vital, because the RN is appearing in strength in the western med and the RM braces for heavy losses.



Painful. That's always the rub when playing the Axis. Everything seems to be going so well for a short while and then the kaflooeys begin to show up and the second guessing begins.




Attachment (1)

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"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist ...." Union General John Sedgwick, 1864

(in reply to Aussiematto)
Post #: 27
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 3:41:22 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		Fortune smiled ... August 30, 1940 and Malta has fallen! Paratroops do what conscript italians cannot. More to come, as I now review the rest of the field. I got bloody lucky. Rain everywhere except on the airfields n Malta. That was a very near run thing

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I still remember cardboard!

(in reply to Bo Rearguard)
Post #: 28
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 4:15:13 AM   
Aussiematto

 

Posts: 344
Joined: 2/13/2011
From: Australia
Status: offline 		The luck in the Med has held and while the Italians have taken a naval battering, most units still survive until the carriers appear to Bomb them In port. The arrival of German armour has given Graziani confidence, and supply problems bedevil the Brit attacks in East Africa. Spies report suspicious agitators are active in Belgrade. We might need to act decisively, since that seems to have worked elsewhere. The weather gods are Norse this game.

China is cracking. Nanning falls, Chengchow is taken, peking holds and the road to Sian beckons. Japanese factories are in overdrive now, to catch up those losses.

Fighting will decline now, but planning and building go on

_____________________________

I still remember cardboard!

(in reply to Aussiematto)
Post #: 29
RE: Aussiematto (Axis) v amandkm (Allies) AAR 1.07 full... - 9/4/2020 12:07:57 PM   
amandkm

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 1/23/2012
Status: offline 		A few observations now, since I am away from my game machine.

This game is a lot of fun. (I'd have more fun if I was doing better) I think the game is at it's best when the opponents are fairly evenly matched as I feel Aussie and I are.). Less entertaining when I am little more than a speedbump to my opponent, like ElvisJohnRambo, and also not when I far outclass my opponent, though those games are useful as educational exercises. It sounds obvious, but I have played many games that are very enjoyable even when I can't make any headway against my opponents, or they against me. (Empires in Arms is a great example of this). It might be the way the combat and morale system is designed, where victories in one area can lead to a steamroller effect in others, while a successful defense can blunt that momentum.

I think 1940 is the most interesting year of the game. Right now, Aussie has slowly built up a head of steam, but I think it has taken him a little longer than he'd expected/hoped, and while he's done well, the flank powers are getting stronger and more motivated to enter the fight, and the question will soon be- Has he done enough, fast enough, to be in position to close the deal next game year?

Anyhow, the allies fight on, and are not without their successes, even in these dark times.


< Message edited by amandkm -- 9/4/2020 12:08:47 PM >

(in reply to Aussiematto)
Post #: 30
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