Rasputitsa
Posts: 2903
Joined: 6/30/2001
From: Bedfordshire UK
Status: offline
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To demonstrate the value in this game, this is an AAR of one turn, a turning point, there is so much going on that a complete AAR would take too long to tell.
This game has been running off and on through all the versions of the game, I left it when there were problems with earlier game versions and to test adaptions and small mods on other games, but have always come back to it as the developing situation was so interesting
Story so far : Scenario Fall Gelb, started in 'Custom Mode' – Allied countries left under AI. Human (Me) plays Germany/Slovakia, Italy comes in later and have taken minor Axis allies under human control as they enter a front with major Axis forces (otherwise they get in the way). The AI France is first target, attacking through Holland and Belgium along the Channel coast, also strike just North of Maginot forts to complete encirclement of French and British forces and capture PARIS, but …..
AI Soviet Union invades Eastern Poland and also the AI controlled Rumania, Axis now fighting on two fronts in 1940. France eventually falls, take Vichy option, rushing forces East to stop the Soviets. AI Rumanian forces fight heroic defence against overwhelming odds, even managing counter-attacks at great cost, but being pushed back and gradually destroyed, Soviets closing in on PLOESTI oil fields. No German access to send help, try coup in Hungary to speed entry into the war, but fails losing some diplomatic ground.
Moving forces out of France and beginning to push Soviets back, triggering Soviet factory evacuation, good sign ; AI Stalin is worried. Start offensive from South-eastern Poland towards ODESSA to establish contact with Rumanians, but it's going to be too late as the Rumanian forces are almost eliminated. Finally Hungary joins the Axis and German units rail into PLOESTI only just ahead of the Soviets.
Objective of the initial Eastern campaign is to push forward to occupy the Stalin Line fortifications at MINSK and GOMEL, wait for the spring and prepare for assault on Moscow in 1941. Winter focus moves to the Mediterranean, TAC units concentrated on Sicily to reduce MALTA, AI British make three carrier sweeps into the Central Mediterranean, beaten off with several carriers lost, but each attack delays the capture of MALTA. Meanwhile, found CYPRUS undefended and seize with Italian amphibious assault.
AI British have taken NARVIK and hold out for months, makes raids on North African coast, launches several unsupported tank unit attacks in the Western Desert, which the Italian easily handle alone (DAK deployed to Eastern front) – air recon shows large build-up of forces in Egypt, Italians take up defensive positions East of EL ALEMIEIN and dig in.
Early 1941 continue operations on Eastern Front, close large encirclement (13 Soviet Corps + 13 Divs) around KIEV, which falls in early March 1941 and slowly destroy Soviet Forces encircled in Rumania, this delayed as they have supply from GALATI and later they retreat to the coast to be supplied by sea (adjust scenario 'consts.ini' file : supply from ships, which is too strong). Move TAC units into Southern Rumania and clear Soviet Navy from Black Sea, Bulgaria now joined Axis.
Have not been able to occupy the Baltic States, or take any action in Yugoslavia, or Greece, too busy in Russia, so this is not 'Barbarossa', but something refreshing different.
Further major encirclements at SMOLENSK and MELITOPOL, whilst Guderian's PzA finds ZAPOROZE undefended and seizes it by coup-de-main. Beginning to get concerned that success in the South is drawing me away from the main objective of MOSCOW and have built Strategic air unit for deep air recon behind Soviet Lines. Late July 1941 sees pocket close around BRYANSK destroying another 13 Soviet Corps + 12 divs, 30 Soviet Corps sized units identified remaining along the front, situation very encouraging, another encirclement at KURSK nets 6 Corps (including 3 Tank). The KALUGA line is broken and 4th PZ Div is within 100 miles of Red Square.
How does the game feel :
'Guderian pleaded with von Kluge to unleash the panzers before the Soviet position could be solidified, even if it meant proceeding without the infantry. He had already made preparations to this effect, and a reluctant von Kluge acquiesced, admonishing his junior with the accusation "your operations always hang by a thread!'
Halder - 'At the beginning we reckoned with some 200 enemy divisions and we have already identified 360. When a dozen of them are destroyed the Russians throw in another dozen.'
So what happened next :
By July 1941 the chances for the US to enter the war had become 'great' and despite 5 FTR units in France, the British are strongly contesting air superiority.
Soviet air units, previously absent are appearing in strength, air superiority over much of the Eastern Front is lost, Axis recon and bombing mission being intercepted and turned back. Lack of air support is becoming serious.
German FTR units have been moved to the RUHR to stop British air attacks and British raiding amphibious assault on BORDEAUX beaten off, but Channel defences must be strengthened. Meanwhile, Partisans becoming more active in France, mobile forces needed on standby, keeping all cities in occupied areas garrisoned, if enemy forces get into a city they will be difficult to shift.
Some Panzer units reduced to 20-25% and have to be returned to Poland for full rebuild, or slow rebuild at the front. It's deceptive because some units show higher strength because their high efficiency makes them look more effective, whilst actually they are bleeding away. The British Carriers have left the Mediterranean, MALTA has been abandoned, but they are now inflicting losses on Atlantic U-Boats.
It looked like almost all Soviet tank units had been destroyed, but now in early September significant new Tank Divs and a few Tank Corps are appearing on the flanks of the main attack. Early August the Soviets begin a major counter offensive from VORONEZH into the open flank of AGC advancing on MOSCOW, previously the AI had made tentative small scale tank attacks, which could be cut off and the AI fell back if threatened with encirclement, but now the attacks keeps coming. It feels like it means business this time, how did it change so quickly ?
The Build-up.
Turn 64 – 01.09.41 : situation looks pretty good, large hole blasted in the Soviet line through RYAZAN, some pressure building from Voronezh Front and a heavy fight developing around STALINO, but mostly very encouraging, with MOSCOW as a the main objective. MALTA and CYPRUS are mine and an Italian raid on AL FAYUM to distract the British captured the town, but prompted a stronger than expected response from the British AI and the raid was beaten off with some loss to the Italian armour. The British have been making raids and landings on unprotected towns along the NA coast, raiders dealt with and garrisons installed, as now I can ship more Italian units to NA with MALTA neutralised. In the far North, German Mountain Troops are closing in around the Indian Div. in NARVIK which, being subjected to constant sea bombardment, will be destroyed soon. Air units have had applied an upgrade to level 3 and upgrades are coming soon for infantry and armour, but PPs are short and needed for current operations and rebuilds, To re-equip a strength 5 Mech Korps from lvl 2 to lvl 3 costs 131 PP (the major part of one week's supply), just for one unit.
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< Message edited by Rasputitsa -- 10/8/2014 3:51:23 PM >
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This game is so close - 
. 
, also MALTA is lost to the Allies, as it should have been in reality for a viable Axis Mediterranean strategy. 
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