RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino)

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/20/2020 11:00:29 PM

Chocolino

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8-15-41

In Algeria the Italians woke up to a nasty surprise as a Canadian unit severed the supply line to the southern resource which is now inaccessible to us. We have sent quite a number of units into this area to prevent exactly this from happening.

This unit did come out of nowhere and I can only imagine that I overlooked it during the last turn because of its camouflage color-scheme. Allowing this was a clear player error on my part. But I can't imagine it receives a lot of supplies through the mountains from the British - so there is hope.

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< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/20/2020 11:01:11 PM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/21/2020 9:19:53 PM

Chocolino

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8-29-41

Pushing a few hexes towards Novgorod and consolidating this area of the front for now. We have a huge gap in the front east of Velikie Luki - just the aforementioned lack of units. So far the Russians don't exploit it. It may be risky for them to do this before onset of winter - but then all bets are off I am sure.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/21/2020 9:25:53 PM

Chocolino

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8-29-41

Supply in the center is almost repaired and German troops there renew their activities and surround Rzhev on 3 hexes.

The Axis also breaks through a weaker part of the Russian front near Gomel and takes the city.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/21/2020 9:29:48 PM

Chocolino

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8-29-41

In Tobruk the Italians can only hope to delay the inevitable. Some Italian navy units try to counter the supply interdiction but they are of course outgunned.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/22/2020 10:29:04 PM

Chocolino

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9-12-41

German units complete the conquest of Rzhev. There were a few more (but inconclusive) fights along the front. The current advance will likely be the line for winter quarters.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/22/2020 10:33:15 PM

Chocolino

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9-12-41

The Axis command was hoping for a few more weeks respite - but the British are relentless in Lybia. They take Tobruk and overrun one of the Italian air that was stationed just west of the fortress. The Italians focus on what they do best - retreat.

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Post #: 126

RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/23/2020 9:01:20 PM

Chocolino

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9-26-41

During a nice early fall day Germany manages to take Dnepropetrovsk. Otherwise the action is slowing down on the East Front. Further north the weather is already deteriorating.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/23/2020 9:04:48 PM

Chocolino

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9-26-41

In Algeria, the Canadians sitting on the railroad to the southern resource must have run out of supplies finally and vacated the hex and the Italians reclaimed ownership. Still the resource was unavailable to us for several turns.

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< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/23/2020 9:05:18 PM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/23/2020 9:17:07 PM

Chocolino

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9-26-41

The major news item for this week is however that the British landed in Syracuse. This is more than a mere raid. The Italians - in their plight to man various other fronts in North Africa - left the port open. So we cannot complain. Germans in response seal off the Strait of Messina.

The British clearly sense the Axis problems in the Mediterranean theater (the Axis has problems also elsewhere of course) and exploit them forcefully. Axis HQ did not expect this move prior to the US entry or at least until the British made more progress in Algeria - so it was a very well played surprise.

It will be soon time for the Italians to say good-bye to their African ambitions and retreat in order to focus on their home defense.

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< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/23/2020 9:18:09 PM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/23/2020 9:25:53 PM

AlbertN

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Correct me if I am not wrong - but this is an old game where UK does not have the production bonus, and is fighting actively in North Afrika on two fronts (from Egypt and in former French Colonies) and is also performing an invasion in Italy proper - that by September '41.

Soviets seem to have survived the Barbarossa onslaught too.

And UK production now is buffed for future games by 40 per turn (with their multiplier)

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Post #: 130

RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/24/2020 3:00:03 AM

Chocolino

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This is a V1.3 game. Even though we have upgraded in the meanwhile to V1.5, the scenario info and starting units are V1.3. Many in game calculations are based on scenario info and not current game version - so upgrading during a game does not change this.

USSR is indeed doing fine. While they have fallen back and offered a few cities they have suffered comparatively few casualties and will likely recover nicely.

I am not sure if I know all differences to the current version - but here are a few:

- In V1.3 UK starts with strat. bomber (which has been removed in later versions)
- Germany has low level of AA (has been beefed up in later versions)
- there is a USSR mech. issue in this version (fixed for later versions) that will be detrimental to their stats in later game years (I am not sure we will even get there).
- I am not sure how large the UK production bonus is since I have still several games going based on the older version and since I have not played V1.5 seriously.

Here are some reasons I think the Axis is doing so poorly in this particular game:

- excellent game play by Gary
- strategic mistakes I have made - not insignificant (e.g. now realize that I should have either played a Sealion or focus on Med and not bet on a Barbarossa given the state of affairs).
- Huge loss of production from strat bombing early on
- compound this by investing too much of the the remaining income in ineffective AA (fighters have proven much more effective, especially once they have teched up - Brits have seen some bomber losses lately).

Not sure if you can take this game as a showcase for toning down the Allied advantages, though. It looks from other AARs as if the Axis is doing fine in V1.5 - especially when they do a Sealion and not neglect the Med.

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Post #: 131

RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/24/2020 8:55:12 PM

Chocolino

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10-10-41

The Italians withdraw to El Agheila and don't quite make it back far enough with the Italian tank to secure the little port of Misurata. Since the Axis is worried about a British landing in our rear the RM has to sortie in force to protect against any new British amphibious adventures.

Interstingly, upon arrival the RN ambushed the Italian fleet but suffered severe losses.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/24/2020 8:58:58 PM

Chocolino

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10-10-41

The British seem to go "all in" in Sicily and transported in even more troops. Bombers and Carriers in Malta support the operation. The carrier(s) attacked at Palermo - so we know they are there.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/24/2020 9:39:09 PM

gwgardner

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Italian air is busy in Morocco for the most part, so the RN dared to sortie into the Central Med. The Italian navy has severely punished the RN's audacity.

With only the small capacity port at Syracuse in British hands, the Sicily jaunt may be doomed to failure. Palermo is strongly defended and British troops are not getting their full complement of supplies.

Beachhead supply, you say ... we'll try, but we're burning oil so fast keeping task forces at sea, that it will be difficult to do against an Italian navy that is willing to contest those beaches.

The British are crossing their fingers that the German infantry commander sitting on the Straits does not have the daring that the RM has had. If his force crosses into Sicily proper ....

Meanwhile, on the Eastern Front, Stavka is dreading any spell of clear weather this winter. German dissimulation, which it is spreading along the front, is that the Wermacht is too weak to fight. Stavka has it's own sources, and is preparing for the worst.

< Message edited by gwgardner -- 1/24/2020 10:28:29 PM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/26/2020 5:22:01 PM

Chocolino

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

Italian air is busy in Morocco for the most part, so the RN dared to sortie into the Central Med. The Italian navy has severely punished the RN's audacity.

German HQ admits grudingly that the Sicily invasion it is very well played - despite the ship losses.

Italian air has been ordered back from Morocco in the meanwhile - but it will take some time to arrive since evil Algerian partisans prevented rail transport and we don't have the oil to fly them over the long distance.

Even though a capital ship (BB) has been sunk by the Italians the British navy can afford this loss easiest of all nations and without much dent in their future fighting capabilities.

quote:

With only the small capacity port at Syracuse in British hands, the Sicily jaunt may be doomed to failure. Palermo is strongly defended and British troops are not getting their full complement of supplies.

Beachhead supply, you say ... we'll try, but we're burning oil so fast keeping task forces at sea, that it will be difficult to do against an Italian navy that is willing to contest those beaches.

The British are crossing their fingers that the German infantry commander sitting on the Straits does not have the daring that the RM has had. If his force crosses into Sicily proper ....

Meanwhile, on the Eastern Front, Stavka is dreading any spell of clear weather this winter.

Syracuse is a small port but Palermo is being deprived of supplies as well by the British air and naval forces.

One paper the German corps across Messina looks imposing at 14-2 compared to the British on paper. But once all modifiers have been taken into account it is a very poor odds attack. Less than 1-1 if I recall correctly. If possible at all it will need much support.

quote:

German dissimulation, which it is spreading along the front, is that the Wermacht is too weak to fight. Stavka has it's own sources, and is preparing for the worst.

Stalin is known to be quite paranoid.....

< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/26/2020 5:23:30 PM >

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Post #: 135

RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/26/2020 5:32:10 PM

Chocolino

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10-24-41

The RM - defending the remaining Italian ports in Lybia - is being engaged again by the Royal Navy with very similar results than before. While the Italians suffer some severe damage they are able to sink further British units one of which is capital.

While the Italians are ecstatic about their unexpected naval success it will change little of the fact that the British are steamrolling the Italians out of Lybia and flooding all over Sicily.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/26/2020 5:36:00 PM

Chocolino

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10-24-41

Palermo is now surrounded on four sides by foreign invaders but is holding out for now. Despite the interdiction Palermo is capable of supplying a singe corps.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/26/2020 5:40:02 PM

Chocolino

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10-24-41

Germany conducts a late in the season push towards Novgorod despite the rainy weather since there was a local opportunity to act. But otherwise the East Front has ground to a halt.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 12:34:40 AM

Chocolino

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11-7-41

The sea battle for Tripoli is still being waged. This time the Italians are clearly on the receiving end and suffer the loss of two cruiser groups vs just one for the Allies.

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< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/28/2020 12:35:27 AM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 12:44:17 AM

Chocolino

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11-9-41

Instead of strategic bombing of our industry the Allies also started to use their Hvy. bombers for port attacks on Brunsb�ttel. They were earlier this year successful in sinking a sub in St. Nazaire habor. But this time German Interceptors scrambled from near Hanover and were quite successful. The bombers took 7 losses in this run and 4 more on the previous attack for a total of 11 without causing any damage to our ships.

The heavy German units are occasionally on raider missions but the results are a mixed bag - the very occasional sinking of a very small number of merchants.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 8:39:39 AM

battlevonwar

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Would be interesting to see what it takes to make Italy break. War of attrition by the British at Sea there. Guess they figure they have the numbers to risk losing.

< Message edited by battlevonwar -- 1/28/2020 8:41:42 AM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 8:43:57 PM

Chocolino

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quote:

ORIGINAL: battlevonwar

Would be interesting to see what it takes to make Italy break. War of attrition by the British at Sea there. Guess they figure they have the numbers to risk losing.

Agree - but it will be hard for them to succeed on their own until they have finished with North Africa or until the US joins (which will be very soon).

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 8:46:40 PM

Chocolino

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12-5-41

The Italians fight a delaying retreat in the desert. The retreat part works well but unfortunately the "delaying" part not so much.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/28/2020 8:51:18 PM

Chocolino

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12-5-41

Now that the Italian aircraft left Algeria to fight in Sicily the British manage to dislodge the Italian defenders on the rail line.

The US is still neutral. But they have very few units on the map so far. Either they transferred all production to other Allies or they have everything in the build queue.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/29/2020 11:58:09 PM

Chocolino

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12-19-41

The British take El Agheila without stopping and proceed towards Tripoli. Italy expects a sacrifice of the remaining Italian troops - they will not be shipped out.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/30/2020 12:01:37 AM

Chocolino

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12-19-41

The British also make progress in Algeria where they push the Italians from a decent defensive position on a lucky attack.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/30/2020 12:06:25 AM

Chocolino

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12-19-41

As the East Front is quiet, all eyes are on the Med at this time of year. The only good news for the Axis come from Italy where a German corps attacks successfully across the strait of Messina to bolster the sagging Italian morale. This was heavily supported by some joined Axis air fleets and also some Italian subs for supply interdiction.

The Palermo garrison however - foolishly - decided to sortie out of their defensive perimeter for a follow on attack with the same German corps. They attacked the northern most British unit and tried to establish a corridor to Palermo - but it failed. Now Palermo is weakened considerably. We hope it will have no irreparable consequences.

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< Message edited by Chocolino -- 1/30/2020 12:12:09 AM >

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/30/2020 8:33:28 PM

Chocolino

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1-2-42

Oran is now surrounded by Allied troops and the British also land in the little port of Bone between Algiers and Tunis. Since all our supply comes through the main north African ports, this does not worry us too much - but it will speed up the Allied conquest of N.A. The latter is a concern of course. We will try to build a good defensive position around Algiers and hope it does not crumple at the first Allied attack.

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RE: Revanchism in Europe (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) - 1/30/2020 8:41:03 PM

Chocolino

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1-2-42

The US enters the war - this is bad for Italian morale which hovers just above the breaking point. To make matters worse the weakened Palermo defenders pay the price for last weeks audacity (stupidity) and Palermo falls as a result. As long as Syracuse was the only port in Allied hands a reconquest of Sicily was very doable. Now we have shot ourselves in the foot.

The weather (double rain) prevents the Luftwaffe and their Italian counterparts to support any German attacks in Sicily. Axis HQ decides to husband their strength for a better opportunity.