RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Advanced Tactics Series >> After Action Reports >> RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus

Page: << < prev 1 2 3 [4] 5 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/6/2010 2:58:17 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Feb 13, 1942

France: I think the West has finaly realized the difficulty of his position in Bordeaux. We have had the city under constant bombardment since he landed...and this turn he has finally withdrawn the majority of his air force from there. No doubt he has come to realize the futility of keeping them based under constant bombardment and surrounded by strong air defences. There is little doubt in my mind he will try to use them to support a landing elsewhere...but where is the question.

We prepared a small surprise for the West by moving some Artillery in range of his DD pickets in the Channel. We managed to sink 1 DD, but this is not enough to attempt a break through with our U-boats. Lets see how he responds as we have our guns under good flak cover.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 91

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/6/2010 3:44:32 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Africa:

Graziani's forces continue to withdraw as the British swarm our defences. The Italians in Africa will be finnished before the Summer is out, but at least they bought the time I wanted them to buy.

Russia:

Lenningrad is back in our hands, and we are getting control over the Partisan situation elsewhere. The Soviets appear to have withdrawn thier air force and thier Artillery from the Moscow defence line. Clearly they anticipate not being able to hold this line come the Spring.....and I shall not disapoint them. Likely they will attempt to hold Gorki and Kazan instead...but once Moscow falls, these cities shall not be far behind.

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 92

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/6/2010 10:40:37 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

March 13, 1942

Spring arrives not a moment too soon. It's been a long hard Winter, with the Spring we can finally turn back to the task of World Domination.

Western Front: The Allies build a new airfield in France, south of Bordeaux and return thier airfleets to it. Clearly they wanted to avoid my bombardments, but I don't understand the thinking. Did they not anticipate I could simply move my guns forward into range. Had they kept a significant ground force stationed in Bordeaux, I might have avoided such attempts as it would be possible for them to try to overrun my guns...but with only thier HQ...there is little threat from the ground as long as I keep the guns well screened by infantry. The only threat they have left is that of shore bombardment....and if they want to keep a large enough fleet in the Atlantic to make me worry about that....so be it.

Moving my forces into range and bombarding the new airfield, I discover that thier planes though numerous are in horrible readiness. I decide to try a strike with the Luftwaffe...unfortunately my own planes readiness is lower then I would have liked and I am out of range. I take a trick from the Wests playbook and move my engineers across the river to establish a forward air-base. Moving my planes in, the Wests airfield is still out of range....however, Bordeaux is not...and they have a handfull of planes based there as well. A strike with my fighter forces in France kills 3 enemy fighter III's and 2 DB's for the price of 2 fighter II's, not a bad exchange.

If the West seeks to respond, they are going to be flying into a good amount of Flak....we'll see how they fare.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 93

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/7/2010 5:22:20 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - North and Center:

Lenningrad once again revolts. I am mystified by this as I had kept a garrison of more then 20 PP's as suggested by the breifing. Nevertheless the city revolted again and spawned many other partisans in the countryside. I crushed the revolt once again, and this time I have placed a garrision in excess of 50 PP's. If it revolts again, there definately is some bug. The spring thaw has allowed me to deal much more effectively with the partisans raised in the countryside however...and they have largely been eliminated this turn.

Spring and the end of my Winter combat penalties have also allowed me to shift over to the offensive once again. Unfortunately, Winter left many of my units at less then full readiness, so the start to the offensive was a little less then I had hoped for, but at least we are advancing again and killing Russians. The Soviet forces seem to have suffered even lower readiness from the Winter then we have in most cases, and this allowed us to stage some good attacks.

In the North, 1st Army is pushing toward Murmansk. The Soviets have been in slow retreat here for the past couple of months...and our attacks were not able to push them back more this turn, but only due to the distance we needed to move and our lack of action points. We did heavy damage to thier front line....and should break through next turn, if they don't reinforce significantly.

Meanwhile 7th Army breached the Moscow line north of Yarslavl again. Not sure if we'll hold that position or not...but next turn should see a much stronger offensive kick off in earnest as I was somewhat limited in my attacks this turn due to limited AP's and the need to get units into position.

On the southern perimeter of Moscow, 2nd Army was largely limited to manuver and bombardments. Next month we'll be able to attack here in earnest.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 94

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/7/2010 5:35:25 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - Southern Sector:

A busy time crushing partisans here as well. Our forces in the Crimea and Northern Caucuss Area did not suffer readiness loss due to Winter so were able to get a much better jump off on the Spring Offensive. The Crimean forces crushed the Soviet defenders screening Sebastopol with a strong ground attack preceeded by massive artillery bombardment. Next turn we should be able to capture the city itself.

Meanwhile further East we were finally able to respond decisively to the Soviet probe blocking our route of communication with the oil-fields. We crushed a couple of the Soviet units involved.... although we need a larger concentration of forces to make a proper advance toward Stalingrad itself. Once we've secured the Crimea, this should be possible. For now we are satisified with reopening the lines of communication to the oil fields.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 95

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/7/2010 5:38:00 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Finaly here is a picture of our kills and losses for the turn, along with last turns Production Summary. Bare in mind that production was still in Winter mode during that turn....so mostly we were building supplies to feed our forces.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 96

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/7/2010 6:10:36 AM

explorer2

Posts: 465
Joined: 11/30/2007
Status: offline

quote:

Lenningrad once again revolts. I am mystified by this as I had kept a garrison of more then 20 PP's as suggested by the breifing.

From the Briefing: "For Moscow, Leningrad, and Stalingrad, this garrison must be 40pp"
You have the 20pp necessary for the other cities, but for the big 3 it has to be 40 pp. Once you do this, you should be in much better shape.
Good luck

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 97

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/9/2010 11:19:46 PM

Tufkal2

Posts: 834
Joined: 12/31/2008
From: Germany
Status: offline

Japanese Empire March 1942:
Our prayers have been heard. Finally spring and the cherry blossom have arrived. This will help to have everybody gain some focus again and restore readiness.
We have set out two main goals for this year: First to finally defeat the Chinese imperialist army for which we have to take and hold Chungking. Then we can also reduce our massive army in China.
Then to derail any counterattack from the West. For this we are massing our fleet into one strike force to defend our periphery. Still need to see if the main attack from the West will come from India or from the US.
The West has started an Air campaign so we are starting to build some flaks to take a toll on the enemy bombers.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

(in reply to explorer2)

Post #: 98

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/11/2010 9:39:12 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

April 1942,

France: Spring comes into full bloom and with it the return of Allied forces to Bordeaux, much like the seasonal return of the swallows to Capistrano, I should think. On his turn, the West attempted an air mission against my guns outside Bordeaux. Because of low readiness only part of my air force intercepted but these few planes along with my Flak gave the Allies who attacked with horrible readiness better then they got, though we lost a couple artillery as a result. The Allies landed ground troops back in Bordeaux possibly preparing for an offensive and brought one of thier fleets up to provide shore bombardment.

I was faced with an important decision this turn, because of the presence of Allied ground forces. Withdraw my guns to protect them, or hold in a forward position and continue shelling the Allied air field. I decided to be bold and hold the forward position. I brought some engineers up and fortified my gun position. This will make a ground attack more costly, given that it will have to come from only one direction and cross a river against fortifications. Upon shelling the field, I noted that the Allied planes based there exhibited horrible readiness and had not been significantly reinforced. I decided to take a risk and attempt to eliminate the Wests bid for air supremacy over France. My planes though not as strong as I would like, all had good readiness and decent experince. We decided to strike the Allied Base with everything we had from the Air.
In a fierce air battle we devastated the badly worn out Allied air crews, killing 10 aircraft for the price of 5.

Aside from destroying yet more French partisans, which are becoming a nagging problem and the repairation of a bridge that had been destroyed. There was little more activity in France. I am sending a few reinforcements to France...as I expected the West will try to build up for an offensive there in the Summer...and frankly, I can spare a few troops from the West. The results of the past 2 air combats will proove to be important, I think...as it will mean if the West does try an offensive in France soon...he will be fighting without air superiority.

Africa: Not much to report, Graziani and isolated Italian garrisons prepare for a last stand against British forces.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Tufkal2)

Post #: 99

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/11/2010 9:40:50 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Here are results of the Air Raid against the Allied base south of Bordeaux.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 100

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/11/2010 9:59:52 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - North & Center:

In Russia, the Soviets are in full retreat from my forces. They have abandoned the Moscow defensive line, leaving thier capital open to be occupied without fight. Our troops drink schnapps in the Kremlin and throw darts at Stalins ugly portrait. The Red's seem like they will try to hold a line near Gorki and Murmansk to defend...as they have built fortifications there...and look to use the rivers and lakes as natural barriers.
Thier position is not bad, but I do not think they can withstand the mass of our troops...and I think by the end of Summer we will have pushed them back out of these positions.

For now, they have retreated so fast that our troops have barely been able to maintain contact and only one unit of 7th Army was able to effect an attack against thier retreating forces. With air and artillery support, this went well.

Pictured are our ending positions in the North and Center.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 101

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/11/2010 10:10:39 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - Southern Sector:

The Soviet Southen Army has begun it's withdrawl toward Stalingrad, but not quickly enough. 6th Armies mobile forces were able to engage and crush several retreating Soviet formations. There is little that stands between us now and Stalingrad, although we do not know what strength the garrison of that city has. We anticipate it's capture by end of Summer.

In the Crimea, we staged an initial assault against Sebastopol but our strength was not sufficient and we were repulsed. We have brought up reinforcements and will attack again next turn. The city should fall within a few turns as it's defences are much weakened.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 102

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/12/2010 9:18:13 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

May 1942,

Western Front: France - Despit the presence of significant flak and a general advantage for my air forces, the Allies were able to stage a surprisingly effective air attack on my forward gun position outside of Bordeaux, killing 5 of my fighters for the price of one of thiers. Although we did down several naval craft and bombers in the process. It seems air superiority is still somewhat at issue in the West. Clearly, I'm going to have to beef up my fighter production there.

Despite this and a series of shore bombardments that knocked out my fortifications, the 8th SS along with my engineers repulsed the allied ground assault with significant casualties. The allies have abandoned thier air base, shifting those assets to Bordeaux proper and bringing thier fleet into anchor in the port. This has effectively prevented me from staging an air or artillery attack on the city. Rather I have withdrawn my guns for now to replace them...and have cycled 8th SS out for replacements, bringing 1st Panzer into the line across the river from the city. We'll see if the Allies attempt an offensive.

In Africa: The British Fleet bombards Tripoli, leaving the city mostly in rubble. Clearly they intend to attack our supplies. A good move, but the Italian Army in Africa is only in place to buy us time. If we have to loose them...at least starving them to death will take the West a bit of time.

Pictured below is the starting screen indicating the casualties inflicted on my opponents turn.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 103

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/12/2010 9:39:03 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - North and Center sectors: The Soviet Forces pull back within thier fortified positions in front of Gorki and Murmansk. Clearly they expect to hold these strongpoints. However, the Soviets forget this is not the Great War all over again. In this war, air and mobility also play a role. 1st and 2nd Armies sweep to make contact with enemy forces on both flanks. The Soviets positions are strong in front of thier strongholds but they are unable to protect thier entire line. I take advantage of this by staging airborne landings, cutting the rail lines between the Northern and Central Soviet forces. The Northern Armies only line of supplies is nearly cut...furthermore I link my ground forces up with these landings just across the river. If the Soviets do not abandon thier position...they risk envelopement and having both armies pocketed seperately.

In front of Gorki we pick the most exposed Soviet fortification and hammer it by air and artillery... destroying the fortification and savaging the huge garrison. 7th Armies ground forces follow up with a concentric attack making short work of the shocked defenders.

Here you can see my starting positions and moves.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 104

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/12/2010 9:40:49 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Below are my ending positions for 1st, 2nd and 7th Armies. You can see what a difficult position I have placed the Soviets in by these moves.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 105

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/12/2010 9:54:30 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - Southern Sector: We are running into a serious bit of trouble in the Crimea. I did not give my forces sufficient time to recover thier readiness by staging a follow up attack on Sebastopol nor my Artillery sufficient time to reduce the defenders. We stage a disasterously costly attack on the city that fails. Fortunately the Soviet forces are not strong enough to take full advantage of this with a counter attack. I am pouring more reinforcements into this battle. It is bloodly affair and I do not like fighting this way...but we will grind the enemy down. I can afford to replace my losses here...the Soviets cannot.

Further east, 6th Armies mobile forces sweep aside the last remnants of Russias Southern Army and advance to the outskirts of Stalingrad. We will soon test the cities defenses.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 106

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 4:38:09 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

June 1942,

A huge turn for the Axis. Not only are we on Turn #2 of our victory timer but this turn makes for momenteous events on both Fronts.

Western Front: In France, the break we had been looking for. Our artillery based in Northern France manages to sink the British DD picket that had bottled up the channel. This allowed the U-boats we had stationed in the ports of Cherbourg and Le Harve waiting for such an opportunity to run the Channel and break out into the North Atlantic. The only downside was that we moved too swiftly and narrowly missed the opportunity to attack 2 unescorted US BB's with our main wolfpack. The sailors aboard the Indiana and Missouri don't know how close they came to disaster.

Only the beefed up British Naval presence off the coast of Bordeaux prevented me from attempting this run with the Kriegsmarine surface fleet. Unfortunately my surface ships are much slower and I feared getting them caught by the Royal Navy Home Fleet, lying of the Western French Coast. We will bide our time....at least the U-boats are far out into the Atlantic and out of reach of the slower British main fleet. We are ready to begin causing havoc among the shipping lanes again.

Elsewhere in France, partisans one again prove easy target practice for the Luftwaffe. We have avoided any moves against Allied forces in France. At this point we can afford to hunker down and wait...as the Allies must take the offensive before my victory timer runs out. We are building up our strength here more and more...as Russia is on the ropes at this point and we can afford to divert some forces to prepare a defense against the second front.

In North Africa, the Italians are close to done...a few more turns the British will have Tripoli as they have bombarded it to ashes with thier Fleet in the Med. This doesn't matter through. Let the Tommies stew in Africa while I hold all of Europe from the Pyrenees to the Urals! Even if the Italians Morale takes a nose dive...it matters not... you don't need morale to make supplies...and that is all I am using the Italians for at the moment.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 107

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 4:48:53 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

A picture of the golden opportunity I narrowly missed in the Atlantic. I'm really kicking myself over this one, as I forgot the cardinal rule with subs.... move them little by little so you can take advantage of opportunites like this when you spot them. Those 2 unescorted US BB's would have been juicy targets for my wolfpack. The sailors aboard those ships don't know how lucky they are!

Oh well, maybe I'll get an opportunity at them before they can find the safety of a port or escort. At least it's going to make the West alot more nervous in the Atlantic and in his supply lines.

More importantly, at this point he really needs to be thinking about concentrating his navy in the Pacific to deal with Japan. I'm hoping these U-boats in the Atlantic will proove a major distraction for him at just the wrong time!

In other news, we get lucky in our regular monthly bombardment of Malta and happen to catch a US bomber on the island with our artillery...likely they were in transit to somewhere and the West forgot that I have been shelling Malta. Not a big deal...but still satisfying.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 108

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 5:28:55 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - North and Central Sector.

Major developments here as well. My manuver last turn by 1st Army in the North along with the para drop that cut the rail line between the Soviet Northern Army and the rest of the country clearly caught my opponent by surprise. Although he was able to respond to the move and reestablish the link, pushing the para's back. He clearly wasn't prepaired for the strength of my follow up attack. I had my engineers near the front and was able to throw a bridge up over the river north of Gorki. This allowed my forces to easly pass to the other bank and along with my Para's attack a critical Soviet position in the defensive line from 3 sides.

The position though fortified was out of range of any enemy flak or air cover. Therefore I was able to use Artillery and long range bombers to knock out the fortifications and there ground down the defending infantry with straffing runs by my fighters. The follow ground attack on the weakend defenders overran the position and by doing so cut off the entire Northern Army from it's supplies. Although I suspect he'll be able to reestablish the link on his turn...this puts his forces in a very difficult position. If he tries to hold this line in the North he'll likely be cut-off for good by me next turn...then easly destroyed. However withdrawing these forces will prove very difficult for him, as they will only have a narrow corridor of escape...and they mostly lack mobility....and withdrawing will put them in a position to be struck hard.

I just need to hold that bridge...but that should be doable. I had some left over points with my engineers...so I actualy built an airfield right next to it...and moved my fighter cover from Moscow to protect it...in case he tries to blow it by air.

Another major move was my assault on Gorki itself. I massed a force of more then a dozen guns to pound the city...we suffered some losses due to Soviet counter-battery as the Russians had a decent amount of artillery there, but it worked to weaken the defenses somewhat. I found myself in the fortuitious position of having 2nd Army forces in attack position on 4 sides of the city. Although the Russians had a huge garrison in Gorki...I decided to try my luck with an assault...as I need to begin to wear down the defences at some point. To my surprise I nearly succeded in taking the city...with only a few officers of the Russian HQ staff making a heroic last stand to prevent the cities capture. My casualties were not bad at all...far less then I expected. The Russians losses on the other hand were absolutely horrific! I expect they suffered very badly from an overcrowding penalty...while I made sure to avoid such with my attack...and the concentric bonus from 4 sides was a major boon to me. I am in good position with follow up forces to attack next turn...and can likely take the city.

Further East...I narrowly missed a chance to cut the Russian main HQ in Gorki off from the eastern production. If I could have attacked in one spot...I would have had the Soviets enveloped in 3 seperate pockets. However, I calculated that my forces weren't of sufficient strength to take the position so held off from the attack. Next turn, however...if the Russians don't withdraw...I may well be able to achieve that.

In all I'm very pleased with my position in this sector. The Russians are badly on the ropes...and just a little push will have them in shambles...and if this front falls...all of Russia is gone.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 109

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 5:37:13 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

In the picture below, you can see the results of my attack on the Russian position North of Gorki which cut the whole Northern Army off. It was a concentric attack from 3 sides. Last turn I had held 2nd SS Panzer back in reserve behind my infantry, waiting to exploit such an opportunity. I'm glad I had done so...as it spared them from Soviet attack/bombardment. With them in the lead, along with 6th SS and other units, I was able to shatter this strong Siberean formation and win a strategicaly critical battle.

Mobility is key in this type of warfare...you need armor and mobile units to exploit such opportunities. Something the Soviets had mostly overlooked with thier force composition so far this game. Their lack of a significant armored reserve to respond to such break throughs has really hampered them.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 110

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 5:42:49 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Here you can see pictured the stats from my assault on Gorki. Although my casualties were not insignificant you can see the absolutely horrific losses among the Soviet defenders. Even though they held the city, losses on that scale will be crippling, even to the Russians.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 111

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 5:51:00 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Finally here you can see my ending positions and just what a precarious position my opponent faces.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 112

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/14/2010 6:00:47 AM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - Southern Sector:

The news here is not so good. Sebastopol remains a stubborn nut to crack. My weakened artillery was savaged by Russian counter-battery fire. The readiness of my ground forces was sufficiently weak I decided not to press another suicidal attack against the city. Instead, I will take some time to build up my artillery and ground troops and attack in a more favorable situation. In truth, I don't really need the city...but I will take it as insurance...I just need to take some time to reduce it properly. I can afford to build up more then the isolated defenders can...I just need to avoid being impatient with my attacks.

The same holds true for Stalingrad. 6th Army forces got a bloody nose from the strong Russian air and artillery assets in the city. I therefore pulled my forces back until I can get better protection for them. Fortunately, the Russians don't seem to have much of a ground force to take advantage of this situation....and with the city isolated and the enemy in dire circumstances in the north, I can afford to be a bit patient here.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 113

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 9:28:32 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

July 1942,

Another huge turn for the Axis.....

The Atlantic: The 2nd Battle for the Atlantic is heating up. My U-boats that I was able to break out into open sea last turn are causing major havoc among the Allied supply lines, sending vast quantities of men and materials to the bottom of the Atlantic...as you can see pictured below. These forces were joined by another group of U-boats that made the Channel run despite the Wests best effort to bottle it up. Even more significantly, the remnants of the Regia Marina... the Battleship Roma and 4 Cruisers... along with my surviving U-boats from the Med. broke through the Straits of Gibraltar this turn, knocking out the DD picket stationed there. Giving a strength of close to 20 subs operating in the Atlantic along with the Italian Fleet.

The US Battleships escaped safely back to thier home harbors. However we were able to spot and sink several lone DD's, likely sent out to scout for my subs, with our main Wolfpack. Including the pickets destroyed...no less then 7 Allied DD's were sunk this turn. On his own turn, the West got unlucky and lost a Battleship and Cruiser in his bombardment of Tripoli as well.

Hopefully, this renewed naval activity in the Atlantic is causing fits from the West, and with the War in Russia going my way, I plan to step it up, shifting more resources to naval production. This should also help my Japanese ally in the Pacific...as the West desperately needs to concentrate his naval efforts there..having to fight to secure the Atlantic again will hopefully through a monkey wrench in those plans.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 114

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 9:50:37 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

France: The Allies continue to build up thier forces in Bordeaux. However my U-boat activity in the Atlantic, I'm sure is starting to have an effect on it. Regardless, I'll be more then ready when the West switches to an offensive here, as the War in Russia is winding down and I'm able to devote more resources to strengthening my defences.

Aside from partisan hunting, the main activity on this Front occurs over the English Channel. The West moved the RN Home Fleet into the Channel and began bombarding my coastal artillery with a large number of BB's just off of Brest, though he did not do much damage. However with my U-boats scouting, I discovered that he only had a weak DD picket covering the Channel near the English Coast. I took a chance and sent a large formation of Fighter III's to try to strafe them. We encountered a defeated a very weak English CAP consisting of a few CAG's and a lone fighter and did some damage to the picket. With the air space cleared, we then brought our own land based CAG's that we had stationed in Le Harve to protect our surface fleet upto Cherbourg and engaged the picket, sinking it. This left a long British sub blocking our egress, which our own U-boats destroyed and then broke free into the open waters of the Atlantic.

For now, I have withdrawn the Kriegsmarines surface fleet as the RN Home Fleet is too strong to challange directly...and I don't want to risk getting hit by a port attack even. I'm feeling pretty confident that the West won't have much opportunity in France until next Spring at best.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 115

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 10:11:59 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Russia - North and Center: The biggest news comes from Russia. Amazingly, the Soviets did not attempt to withdraw during thier turn, but tried to reestablish thier lines. Though they pushed me back in one spot, criticaly 2nd SS Panzer held our bridgehead firm, allowing me to execute a devastating response this turn.

Even more amazingly the Soviets left thier Central HQ and the entirety of thier air force in this sector stationed in Gorki. I really don't understand this, but I guess they thought they might hold the city. In any event, there was no artillery in the city which allowed me to soften in up with a powerfull barrage without any interference from counter-battery. Then 7th Army forces assaulted it from 4 sides, which allowed me to take it with surprising ease...and even follow up and take the fortress beyond. This resulted in the elimination of the entire Soviet Air Force in this sector, allowing me to fly missions unchallanged.

I took advantage of this by flying wave after wave of ground support missions against 2 critical spots in the Soviet defensive line. Along with artillery support, my follow up attacks by elements of 1st and 2nd Armies were successfull, allowing me to shatter the disorganized defenders and pocket the Soviet Central HQ!

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 116

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 10:15:30 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

You can see here the results of my attack on Gorki. My losses were unexpectedly light. I think perhaps due to the fact my forces were well suited for urban combat with lots of SMG's and mortars....and my opening barrage really helped to weaken the defenders as well.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 117

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 10:21:21 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Here you can see 1st Armies attack against a key Soviet position North of Gorki. I chose to attack this position specificaly because I wanted to eliminate the Russian armor. He had no air or flak here, so multiple sorties by the Luftwaffe reduced the defenders readiness to virtualy nil before the attack and along with an Artillery barrage eliminated much of the defending infantry. The survivors were easy picking for me despite the fact I couldn't use a concentric attack.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 118

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 10:30:17 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Here is a picture of my ending positions in Russia. Note that the Soviet Central HQ is pocketed. The 1st Shock Army HQ in Khazan is surbordinate, meaning possibly no supply for it or it's units if production is being routed through the pocketed Central HQ. We'll see next turn. Even if not the case, the Soviet position here is really bad.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GrumpyMel)

Post #: 119

RE: WAW6T- Axis GrumpyMel and Lunaticus - 9/17/2010 10:40:54 PM

GrumpyMel

Posts: 864
Joined: 12/28/2007
Status: offline

Not much to report from Southern Russia. We've pulled back even more from Stalingrad to avoid enemy air and artillery attack. I need to build up some CAP and some Artillery of my own before moving against the city. That will have to wait a little as the events in the North take precedence for now.

I also have avoided assaulting Sebastopol again this turn, I'm allowing my forces to build up readiness and strength to engage the city more decisively. We did manage to sink the Black Sea surface fleet however with our artillery...it was out of supply and readiness so not a huge feat.

Pictured below you can see my kills and losses for the turn. I've been really satisfied with the amount of casualties I've been able to inflict over the last couple turns.