RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...)

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/6/2021 9:38:53 PM

redrum68

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I'm having a difficult time learning the naval side of the game as well. Where and how are you losing the MM? Which convoy lanes? How many escorts do you have? Are they being killed mostly by subs or surface ships?

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/6/2021 9:43:24 PM

boldairade

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quote:

ORIGINAL: redrum68

I'm having a difficult time learning the naval side of the game as well. Where and how are you losing the MM? Which convoy lanes? How many escorts do you have? Are they being killed mostly by subs or surface ships?

Nirosi is a good player. He moves wolf packs to certain lanes, waits for me to allocate escorts, then moves the subs elsewhere. As bad as it was with subs, it has gotten much worse now that the Kriegsmarine surface fleet is active. I can't really catch them. Even when I 'identify enemy fleet' I can't seem to attack them with surface ships, subs, or aircraft. I think I'm missing something pretty fundamental.

I have a lot of escorts, enough to put nearly 10 in every lane(N atlantic, S Atlantic, African coast). I run low when he threatens the Pan american zone.

It's nice to hear I'm not the only one! I wish you good luck figuring it out. Feel free to let me know anything you learn.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/6/2021 9:45:28 PM

boldairade

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It occurs to me that if Nirosi does his turn in the next 24 hours or so, Pearl Harbor will occur. And of course, tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of that fateful day.

It's good to remember that while we enjoy this(fantastic) simulation of WWII, millions of men fought through the 'real thing'.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/8/2021 9:14:45 AM

boldairade

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December 19, 1941

The USA enters the war. Two massive convoys immediately set sail across the Atlantic, heavily escorted. They carry Infantry corps, Armor, Fighters, Escort Fighters, and Heavy Bombers.

Additionally, the USA takes over security of the Pan American shipping zone, and dispatches a small fleet of CA and DD to counter the large wolf packs there.

Overall, the BOA continues to be horrific, another 8 MM go down. We again fail to engage the Axis surface fleet. Only 2 sub hits recorded.

In Malta, the defenders brace for another air assault. The skies, however, are clear. For one turn at least, the Axis bombers have had enough.

In Russia, Stavka decides to deploy AT Corps into the hills on the Dneister River line, NE of Romania in an effort to build a second defense line in response to the heavy German presence in Romania/Hungary. The armies from Siberia, however, remain in reserve. The armor modernization program continues to make headway.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/8/2021 9:20:21 AM

boldairade

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Russian troops disembark at a muddy train station east of the Dneister.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/9/2021 12:48:51 PM

boldairade

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January 2, 1942

US fleets continue to cruise across the Atlantic. Off loading in English ports will be problematic/delayed due to Axis air superiority over much of England. But that should be coming to an end.

The BOA remains horrific, with 13 more MM and 1 escort sunk at no cost to the Axis. We continue to shadow the Axis surface fleet, but simply cannot generate an engagement. The English fleet at long last is clearly superior, with two carriers(including unsinkable Illustrious, fresh out of dry dock), a BB, and 3 CA and 3 DD groups. But that superiority doesn't matter if we can't force an engagement. I'm simply out of ideas, and the losses in the MM are no longer fat-they are cutting into bone. We can't even seem to damage subs anymore, even with new escort tech.

Until something can be done to get some control in the BOA, no other ops can be considered.

With US capital ships available, UK halves its budget to repair its capital ships. Instead, MM will be purchased virtually every turn until something can be figured out to slow losses.

Axis deployment in the East has stopped. Stavka does not believe there are enough Axis troops for a successful invasion of the Motherland. That said, the frontline assault corps facing the Axis are old, 1939 tech units, with 20 steps. They will be even more vulnerable now than they would have been in '41. Stavka finds the sacrifice of these old units 'acceptable'.

< Message edited by boldairade -- 12/9/2021 12:51:30 PM >

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/9/2021 12:57:48 PM

boldairade

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The one area of consistent build up is here. Stavka receives reports of more German formations arriving in Romania.

This is an axis of advance not considered. A new defense line, constructed of fresh AT corps, is being constructed in the hills NE of the Dneister River.

Stavka must now consider altering the Zhukov defense strategy, which expected an West-East thrust south of the Pripyat Marsh.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/10/2021 10:08:21 AM

boldairade

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January 16, 1942

Germany's campaign in the BOA continues, with losses again at unsustainable levels(10 MM and 1 escort, 0 sub hits). However, there is possibly a glimmer of hope. The RN Main Battle Fleet FINALLY engages the German surface fleet, scoring 5 hits on Bismark and 2 on a CA group. Additional UK ships, and then the entire US Fleet are brought to bare on the Germans, but cannot force another engagement. Frustrating that we couldn't score additional hits-or sink the mighty Bismark. But at least for one turn, we do something.

Additionally, all US forces make safe landfall in western Britain. The bombers, along with the US surface fleet, may be able to at least slow the onslaught.

UK ship repair has slowed, but BB Barnham is ready to return to the seas. For the second straight turn, UK uses all available PP to purchase MM.

The USA changes all PP to upgrades, attempting to modernize its bombers and escort fighters prior to its opening raids.

In Russia, significant modernization of armor continues, along with some AT corps and the continuing slow build up of supply trucks. Still, Russia's PP stockpile is gradually growing every turn. Some air groups are now earmarked for upgrades.

Here, we see the landing of US forces. England's damaged No 6 Fighter also lands in Mallaig. It will need heavy refitting before it is battle worthy. But it's likely to be a long campaign over Germany.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/10/2021 10:12:23 AM

boldairade

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US B-17 crew returns from a training flight.

Soon it will be the real thing.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/10/2021 7:29:37 PM

boldairade

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January 30, 1942

While the German surface fleet heads to port to lick its wounds, the untersea boats continue their reign of terror, sinking 7 mm and an escort, losing only 1 step hit. Still, it IS nice to have a turn without the German surface fleet present. At this point, the main UK battle fleet is refueling in Gibraltar. The US fleet fleet is in Cardiff, under heavy AA gun protection and multiple fighter covering groups. This allows us to bracket the German fleet, on the west coast of France, to the North and South. We are sincerely hoping the days of free raiding for the German surface ships is nearing an end.

In England, the US First Air Army selects three targets based on their lack of AA guns and being without fighter cover. Amsterdam, Brussels, and the synthetic oil refinery east of Cologne are all hit by US strategic bombers. Avoiding the Luftwaffe is not always going to be the strategy. Eventually we will attempt to wear the enemy fighters down. But for now, we want to keep the bombers flying.

In Russia, 4 1939 Assault Corps are disbanded and immediately 2 1942 Armies are ordered to be formed. These formations should be available prior to any spring offensive by the Wehrmacht.

England continues to plow all available resources into new MM. Also, CV Ark Royal is finally operational again. This means all 3 UK carriers are available, along with the USA carrier Ranger. 4 US BB and 2 UK BB are also in the Atlantic. We finally have regained naval superiority.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/10/2021 7:31:18 PM

boldairade

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B-17s form up and head across the Channel.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/13/2021 8:43:02 AM

boldairade

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February 13, 1942

BOA-German surface fleet remains in port. Uboat packs sink 7 MM and 1 escort. 4 step hits are scored vs the uboats.

The 1st US Air Army again is very active, hitting Essen, German oil facilities, and Brussels. Operating outside of current escort range, 5 bomber steps are lost. The Luftwaffe takes similar casualties.

In Russia, the urge to disband units and recreate armies is being resisted. Instead, some upgrades are undertaken on the Red Air Force, tank modernizations continues, and PPs are banked.

UK builds MM. UK currently has 161 MM, 127 in use. Some new MM will arrive in mid May, but heavy MM won't arrive until June. There will almost certainly be a short fall. It will be interesting to see if the US surplus in MM will help.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/14/2021 12:20:41 PM

boldairade

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February 27, 1942

BOA 8 MM lost, 3 sub hits recorded. German surface fleet remains in port on the coast of France. Current strategy appears to be 'Fleet in Being'.

Due to heavy MM loss, England again purchases MM.

In Malta, it takes only 5 air strikes and 9 bomber step losses to sink the British DD group there. Not bottomed, sunk.

This is a problem. The immense strain of the BOA, along with the losses in the Med mean England must consider replacing lost surface ships. A costly and time consuming prospect, and something I personally have never spent one PP on in WP. For now it is not possible, with the MM program and continued efforts to repair existing ships. But it will likely be necessary.

US bombing of Germany and occupied territories continues. Moderate success, with 13 PP damage, only two step losses on the bombers. Nirosi has cleverly withdrawn the Luftwaffe out of the battle. My guess is, German factories are pumping out absurd numbers of AA guns at this point.

In Russia, continued success of modernization efforts. Russia PP stockpile currently over 640 and growing.

Allied High Command, with a lull in winter operations, is currently considering three options for possible spring activity:

1-Easiest: looking again at a Narvik op. Attempts to determine the size of the Narvik garrison with surface ships have failed. This is a real sticking point. If Narvik has a division defending it, this op would likely be successful. More than that, and there could be real issues.

2-Rhodes: The situation in the Med is very bad. A possible island jumping campaign, from Rhodes to Crete and beyond, might be able to challenge Axis supremacy. Rhodes, eventually, might also be a base for heavy Allied bombers to hit Romanian oil fields.

3-France: Multiple avenues of invading mainland France are being considered. Until Germany is engaged in the East, this cannot be attempted. But planning and asset acquisition has started now. 1942 is likely premature for this type of planning.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/14/2021 12:24:35 PM

boldairade

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HMS Lance sunk in the Malta harbor.

The Allies still do not have a solution to the Malta/greater Med issue.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/15/2021 10:39:40 AM

boldairade

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March 13,1942

BOA- A brief respite here. 5 subgroups manage to score only 4 MM kills. No sub hits are absorbed. England buys more MM, Canada purchases 4 escorts. German fleet remains in harbor. Between Canada and England, 80 MM are on the way, though it will be summer before the bulk of them arrive. It is possible that is overkill. That said, the main German effort seemed to be to choke off Allied shipping. There is reason to be optimistic that while there may be some problems, it will never become a full blown crisis.

Germany continues to jostle her forces on the Romanian front. Also, a formation we have been keeping an eye on along that frontier, which was set to garrison mode, has been activated. Germany is clearly prepping for a spring offensive. Russian armor, which was being held south of Kiev on rail lines, is being moved to a third river line. Clearly, this is going to be a primary axis of advance. Germany is likely looking to take Krivoi Rog and continue on into the Caucuses. Despite a continuous three figure upgrade budget, Russian PP reserves now top 800.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/15/2021 10:47:09 AM

boldairade

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March 13, 1942

Industrial bombing by the USA continues. Solid but unspectacular results. More bombers will be needed to have even a moderate impact. At some point, the anti sub heavy bomber in Gibralter may be converted. Additionally, two more bomber formations have been begun.

As far as joint US/UK ground ops, another option is being considered: a second Tobruk campaign. This is attractive for a few reasons. First, we don't have to risk another landing, something clearly I do not have the expertise to pull off. Second, it's a broader front that might allow us to employ attrition, which should benefit us once Germany is engaged in the East. Finally, it would offer at least a beginning to challenging Axis Med supremacy and offer solutions to the Malta issue.

The problem is, it would be a massive Op. It would require air cover for the fleet, a massive surface fleet capable of defeating the Regina Marina, large numbers of supply trucks for the land campaign, tac bombers, and would likely result in immense ground casualties.

High costs, but lower risk of disaster. Right now, avoiding another disaster is high on our list.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/17/2021 1:02:03 PM

boldairade

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March 27, 1942

The BOA is far from under control. But losses remain below the catastrophic level they had been. 6 MM go down, with 4 step hits to the uboats. Current UK MM usage is 127, total fleet availability is 143. Our margin for error grows slimmer by the turn.

Allied forces have decided on a course of action to attempt a second Tobruk campaign. Some USA forces are already in transit to the Red Sea, and still more ship out from the UK this turn. Our primary concern for this campaign is retaining naval supremacy, which will be difficult considering Axis air power. As such, priority to Allied fighter squadrons is paramount. Supply trucks will also need to be stockpiled.

These are fairly mundane reports.

There are, however, two immensely impactful occurrences this turn.

The first is the Axis move to take Malta. It may sound ridiculous, but this actually surprises me. I had never seen it attempted, and also thought that it would have been done prior to now if Nirosi intended it.

I am wrong. After a brief bombing, a full German corps lands and overruns the Malta defenders. Perhaps wary of us attempting to reoccupy and out of movement, an Italian para unit drops and occupies Malta proper.

Really, the effect of this cannot be overstated. The Axis naval bombers can now be redeployed, not to mention Malta itself now becomes an Axis stronghold. No attempt to traverse the Med can now be made. In addition, 6 AA guns are captured by the Italians. Likely other implications are eluding me.

The second major occurrence is Axis redeployment in the East.

Movement of Axis forces allows us to recognize the large number of Armor and Mech units. Russian deployment did not anticipate those forces being deployed in that area, and had left a major gap in between the defensive lines in the Bug and Dniester rivers. Because the Axis forces can easily exploit this with their mobility, hasty redeployment of Red Army forces is made, using river lines and ZOCs to hopefully slow the opening Axis attack, which we expect virtually any turn.

More of the Zhukov force has been deployed in a 3rd river line defense near Krivoi Rog. This is concerning because if the armor is deployed in defensive lines, it will not be available for a counterstroke. But for now, we must be ready for the worst. For it is surely coming.

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< Message edited by boldairade -- 12/17/2021 1:07:22 PM >

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/17/2021 1:10:26 PM

boldairade

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Malta's defenders, disarmed, are marched into captivity.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/17/2021 3:56:29 PM

boldairade

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April 10, 1942

In the BOA, the German surface fleet returns to the fray, sinking 4 MM. In a bit of irony, we finally intercept the German fleet, but it is with a single squadron of RN patrol boats. They are, of course, summarily sunk, inflicting no casualties. Our main fleet gives chase from Gibralter, but only scores a single hit vs a DD group. An additional fleet, with 2 CV and 2 BB as well as support ships, sorties from England, but cannot make contact. Our ineptitude in the BOA continues. The loss of more ships means we finally must purchase a UK DD group, but when we attempt it, we cannot, as all ship yards are busy attempting to replace MM. UK MM, by the way, have 132 in use, with 135 available. We are about to go negative, with no new MM until March 20.

US industrial bombing continues. Dusseldorf is within range for our escort fighters, so that city is targeted, drawing I Jagdcorps into the fight. Both sides take losses, but the German fighters lose 5 steps. Probably not a problem now, but Germany will soon need nearly all her focus in the East.

In Egypt, Canadian and English forces push further west toward Tobruk, anticipating the arrival of heavy reinforcement from the USA. A German Armor formation is spotted. British air assets are moved as far west as possible by rail.

In Russia, merciful snow blankets all battlefields. Barbarossa will have to wait one more turn. Russian PP stockpile is approaching 1100. I'm sure it will be spent quickly after the opening of hostilities.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/17/2021 4:04:32 PM

boldairade

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In Russia, a breakthrough in medium tank tech is near.

Here, we see the T-34 in late trials. It represents a significant improvement from the current light and medium armor available to soviet mech and armor units.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/17/2021 6:36:48 PM

boldairade

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April 24, 1942

BOA-Good news: this turn, UK merchants go negative. However, despite what I had read, US merchants DO in fact take up the slack. This means that I have likely overspent on MM. I have no real problem with that. I would rather have too much than too little.

That's where the good news ends. The German surface fleet moves across the Atlantic and into a zone patrolled by 2 US CA groups and a DD group. Again, the small Allied ships are able to locate and attack the large Axis fleet. Of course, they are decisively pulverized, dealing no damage to the Axis ships. It seems my small fleets can always locate and attack, even though I of course do not want them to. Desperate to turn the tide, we send our large fleet across the Atlantic to engage-and of course, even though the German fleet has attacked, we cannot locate it. It is not only having immense cost in game terms, but it is becoming immensely frustrating.

In another likely future difficulty in the BOA, Italian naval bombers have been rebased to Rabat in NW Africa. This is likely to give the German uboats/surface fleets cover, and also attempt to deny Gibralter as a safe haven/refueling depot. To counter this, the bomber is removed from Gibralter and replaced with a fighter, and AA guns will be redeployed there to protect any fleet. It is likely that a blockade is coming.

USA strategic bombing is petering out. Despite rotating in a fresh escort sqn to cover the bombers, our escorts and bombers are savaged by IX Jagdcorps. Nirosi was smart-he rotated out his battered fighters and moved in a fresh group. US bombers, despite supply truck boosts, are starting to wear down.

US forces begin to arrive in Egypt, but we will likely need more surface ships before we can launch an offensive with any confidence.

In the East, there is very little movement. However, more German units arrive in Finland. There are now 4 German formations there. Having never engaged on this front in this manner, I have no idea, really, what to expect. Soviet stockpile is now at 1306 PP.

It is cold and clear on the Eastern Front. Had it been me, I would have launched the offensive this turn, as I value time as much as anything as Germany, whether that time is being used to strike or regroup. Likely Nirosi has a different strategy-something much more precise.

I feel as though, even though I have essentially been cataloguing defeat after defeat in this AAR, I am still in fairly good shape. It is 1942, and all three allied powers are in relatively good condition. That said, the longer we play, the more I realize that A) Nirosi knows EXACTLY how to execute assaults to min/max casualties/gains, and B) I do not really know many of these things. In attempting to plan several amphibious invasions, I realize I don't even know basic things(like, can an infantry unit land and move in the same turn? can a marine unit land IN a port?).

As such, my basic strategy right now is: Avoid any massive disasters/keep Russia alive/achieve maximum force deployment in the 2nd Tobruk campaign. Overall, PP must be favoring me fairly heavily. At this point the four allied powers are kicking out over 900PP/turn. My guess is that the Axis is probably at 75% of that. Over time, that should help.

< Message edited by boldairade -- 12/17/2021 6:38:36 PM >

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/20/2021 10:00:34 AM

boldairade

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May 8, 1942

BOA 6 MM go down, 0 sub hits. We need more escorts. They will be arriving enmasse mid summer. But not having them right now is hurting us, as the Germans posses enough raiding groups to simultaneously attack all 4 major shipping routes. Allied fleet pursues the Axis surface group into the S Atlantic and manages 2 hits on a German cruiser. Not significant, but better than nothing.

US heavy bombers take a turn off to rest and refit. US reinforcement/replacement cranked up to 120 in an attempt to get the bombers back to full numbers. Only tac bombers make minor raids into W Europe vs unopposed targets.

In the desert, UK/Canadian formations leave supply to take up attack positions vs the German formations and run into this:

Even with England maxing heavy tank/assault research at all times and all of our forces completely upgraded to modern techs and with elite/specialist status, somehow Nirosi is far far ahead of us. I apparently have been playing in the WP minor leagues, because I would have said having a formation of this strength in early 1942 would be impossible.

This leaves the future of the Second Tobruk Campaign in serious doubt. It's one thing to be at a disadvantage. It's another to be attacking far superior troops while out of supply. For now, we are out of OPs, so we merely set up. We will probably just have to retreat next turn because I doubt we will be able to gets even decent attack odds. This campaign was a huge piece of our overall strategy, and it appears to be over literally before it has started. Moreover, I have no real other option currently in the planning stages.

In the East, the weather is good, the skies are clear, it's a warm day in May. Yet the Axis forces, faced with perfect weather, do not attack. Is Nirosi waiting for Russia to attack? It is actually possible at this point, and I consider it, if only to deploy the Red Navy into convoy routes. German level bombers are present however, and would likely savage any Russian effort.

The incredible strength of the German formations in Africa also bodes poorly here. If German armor has 30+ attack strength, how long can we expect to delay with units of 2-4 defense strength? In Finland, German units are moving east to be in a position to slash the railway from Murmansk.

Soviet PP stockpile reaches 1544.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/20/2021 10:30:37 AM

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Canadian scouts expected to see dug in Mk III and IV German tanks in the desert. Instead, they see something they've never seen before...

The Allied Tiger phobia is about to begin...

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/21/2021 1:10:27 PM

boldairade

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May 22, 1942

BARBAROSSA

The hammer finally falls. On the one hand, it is essentially what we expected, with hard pushes towards Leningrad and an immense assault from Romania. Additionally, Stavka did not expect its front line units to be able to manage much in terms of static resistance.

That said, it's a bit overwhelming. Soviet ONE TURN losses are 412 ground steps and 34 air steps(I was actually fairly happy with the performance of the Red Air Force, though. Germany lost 22 air steps)

On the main lines of German advance, entire fronts simply vaporized. The forward line on the Romanian front didn't really retreat, they just were overrun. Two stout soviet corps near the coast, however, did not surrender, and will have to be cleaned up next turn.

The question is now, will the Axis look to simply overwhelm the river line on the Dneister? Or flank it by combining the powerful armored and mechanized formations that a free to the NE after annihilating two entire soviet infantry armies there?

As you can see, Stavka recesses two Armored corps to reduce the risk of encirclement.

Four Russian Armies are released from the reserve, and are immediately deployed to this front in an attempt to build a legitimate defense line along the river west of Krivoi Rog.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/21/2021 1:30:34 PM

boldairade

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May 22, 1942

As bad as the Romanian front looks, the Riga/Leningrad front is worse. Much like in the south, the forces along the Neman river are simply annihilated. No encirclement by the Germans is necessary. They simply assault across river and destroy everything they hit. Again, not the end of the world. However, the ease with which they destroy the infantry allows them to encircle two mech formation. This IS very bad. Those were part of what we wanted to retain as a mobile reserve, and to be used in the next defense line. Not now. There is no way to effectively extricate them. They will be lost.

The German push east towards Minks is slow and plodding. Instead, it's concentration of towards Leningrad. Some Soviet units are removed from the line west of Mogilev and railed north to begin a new defense line on the Sorot river west of Leningrad. The Daugava River line will almost certainly be breached next turn, even with the German need to destroy the isolated mech formations.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/21/2021 1:51:25 PM

boldairade

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May 22, 1942

Elsewhere, all of the forces in the center, around the Pripyet, are simply destroyed. Russian cavalry recedes into the marsh itself to hopefully either force Germany to deploy forces to check them or, possible, cut a supply line at some point.

In Finland, Finish and German forces move east, but no conflict except unsuccessful bombing by Russian tac bombers.

The only real positive is the considerable Russian PP reserve allows an immediate purchase of 8 Russian Armies. They are scheduled to arrive in mid July-that's 60 days/5 turns. We need to keep that in mind. The Russians spend every penny of their reserve.

At the same time, the USA and to a lesser extent UK immediately open aid through the Arctic convoy route. Only 4 Russian escorts are available to protect this route-that's asking for trouble.

That leads us to the BOA. Simply put, we are just losing. 3 German attacks sink 11 MM and an escort. That's WITHOUT the German surface fleet. I think the biggest problem is I simply didn't buy enough escorts soon enough. Even with the glut on the way, there may not be enough.

Additionally, attempts to move English fleets into Gibralter to refuel result in hits from ground based aircraft. As noted earlier, this was expected. However, their bombers take virtually no losses. This surprises me, as I have land based aircraft and 6 AA guns there. It appears Gibralter will have to be functionally abandoned. This is bad. Again, land based aircraft fail to sortie to protect the fleet, despite being at 20 steps and high readiness.

Losses in all directions compel the Allies to attempt something near Tobruk. Since the German armor is invulnerable, we launch an attack vs the German infantry on the coast with the help of the fleet. The Canadian formations launch attack after attack and do reduce the Germans(at great cost) but cannot displace them. It will be interesting to see the Axis response to the deployment of the Allied Navy.

US and English forces are moved up to continue the attack next turn or cover the Canadians retreat should the Axis counter. A powerful Italian Armor corps moves to cover the flank of the German IV Pz Corps.

US bombers resume their attack on occupied munitions factories in Western Europe.

The Allies are now looking to open a new front vs Germany in the wake of Germany's attacks to the East.

< Message edited by boldairade -- 12/21/2021 1:53:08 PM >

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Post #: 146

RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/21/2021 1:54:33 PM

boldairade

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Soviet losses

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/21/2021 2:12:36 PM

boldairade

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No match for the panzers.

Soviet fields are filled with destroyed and abandoned tanks.

Losses are not measured in regiments, divisions, or even corps. In the space of one turn, entire Army Groups simply cease to exist.

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/22/2021 3:56:44 PM

boldairade

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June 5, 1942

BOA: Having read a bit in another player's AAR(redrum), the Allies decide to concentrate their escorts in two lanes. Attacks in the south Atlantic, which is well patrolled, sink only 2 MM with 2 sub hits. In the North Atlantic, with minimal escorts, we see 3 escorts and 8 MM sunk with only 2 sub hits. This is apparently part of what I am doing wrong-there appears to be a critical mass of escorts, right around 10.

While it is good to learn this, it is also very late. We do have escorts coming, but not enough, considering losses. And again, we lose too many ships. In addition, Axis air hits Gibralter. Six air strikes manage to sink a previously undamaged cruiser and damage a battleship(both US). We simply cannot afford these losses. But short of abandoning The Rock, what else can be done? English fighters, even well prepped and with the latest techs are no match for Italian pilots. The fighter sqn will likely be withdrawn, only making things worse. On the plus side, Axis planes suffer 34 step hits.

Perhaps the lone bright spot is Tobruk. With a massive Allied fleet loitering off the coast, the Germans withdraw their battered infantry formation and replace it with fresh and formidable Italian forces. They actually occupy the hex formerly held by Canadian forces-exposing them on two sides. English forces, including the powerful WDF armor corps, attack and overrun the Italian infantry!

Attempting to make the most of the breakthrough, US 2nd Armor corps moves in. With the help of Allied naval bombardment, the 2nd Armor engages in a slugging match with the Italian mech corps and manages to overrun it as well! In a risky move, elite English motorized infantry exploit the gap. It's a tenuous situation, but it also leaves Nirosi in a tricky spot: strike back and inflict casualties with his powerful armor? But that might result in his own encirclement, and that German armor corps is the lynch pin to his defense.

The new and developing situation east of Tobruk-

Notice Allied infantry heading west. The one thing we have right now is numbers.

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< Message edited by boldairade -- 12/22/2021 3:57:21 PM >

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RE: Nirosi vs Boldairade(NO Nirosi for now...) - 12/22/2021 4:20:35 PM

boldairade

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June 5, 1942

In the southern theater, it is more of the same. The Germans hit the line on the Dniester and simply overwhelm it, shattering and overrunning formations with ease. These are upgraded AT corps, with double the defense values as many of the formations from the opening turn(which were 39 Assault Corps), but it makes no appreciable difference. German formations not only dominate but by and large take no significant step losses, even with our formations heavily entrenched along a river line and with flank support and air cover.

NW of the assault over the Dniester, Germans run into our own Armor formations for the first time in the south. German Armor and mech units shove aside entrenched infantry and run headlong into the 2nd Tank Corps and the 5th Guards Tank Corps. Both tank formations try to fight, and for a change it takes more than one assault for the Germans to overrun. Ultimately however, these powerful formations cannot hold and are driven back. We withdraw these shattered units far to the east.

Looking at the map capture, you can see that the four weeks of campaigning have worn down the German formations around Odessa. They may not have lost a lot of steps, but they are worn down from non stop fighting and moving. They may struggle a bit more at the next river line, which also features Russian armor defending it northern flank.

To the north, however, you can see the elite LVII German armor. Having had to only crush one defense line, it is still very viable, and backed by a lot of German mech units. Stavka fears they will hit the bend just north of the river, finding relatively weak Russian infantry there. Our two best remaining armor formations, including the elite Siberian Armor, are moved to cover this possibility.