Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (Full Version)

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sealclubber -> Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 4:59:04 AM)

I started another game of Europe Aflame v3.4. This time I'm playing the Allies as opposed to my other AAR as Axis found here. My opponent is the honourable Mark Stevens. If you had to name the single largest contributor to making EA what it is today, he's your man. The only deviation from the mandatory and optional house rules in the briefing is a strict 20 hex limit on para-drops.

Unconventionally, Mark did not take the prewar builds. The German army begins massing on the Polish border. The British and French governments unconditionally back the Polish government, however unwilling to provoke Hitler, the Poles do not order general mobilization. The stage is set for general war.






sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 4:59:54 AM)

July 22nd, 1939

Germany claims that there have been "reports of Polish provocations all along the border", Hitler declares that "no self-respecting nation can be expected to stand for that" (yes, I just went there and implied Mark is Hitler. As a stand-up British guy, this will no doubt infuriate him and hopefully cause him to make mistakes). The Wehrmacht initiates a massive invasion of Poland from Germany proper, Czechoslovakia and East Prussia. Polish forces have been ordered to conduct a general withdrawal towards Warsaw as German motorized and panzer units bypass frontier positions.



[image]local://upfiles/44414/20972234A7FD42648E6377F6299B85D9.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:01:06 AM)

Stalin, infuriated that the Persian rug he bought in Tehran turned out to be a fake, orders the Red Army to apprehend the bourgeois merchant. STAVKA conducts detailed planning and determines that 7+ corps should be sufficient to find and apprehend the criminal.

The Red Army crosses the Persian border and makes contact with Persian army units. The Persian general is handed a note demanding Red Army access to Tehran for the "police action". The Persian military rudely dismisses the Red Army request for passage, but quickly breaks contact and retreats.

[image]local://upfiles/44414/1364F04C8C854142BA5457EBFF66D209.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:02:10 AM)

July 29th, 1939

With popular support, the British and French declare war on Germany. Belgium, sensing that the Germans are (to quote their foreign minister) "kaput", throws its lot in with the Allied powers. The Belgian Army mobilizes and places itself under Allied command. Shortly after the Allied declaration of war is broadcast, Joseph Goebbels announces that Denarmk and Norway are about to be invaded by Allied powers. He goes on to announce that Germany is sending "protection forces" to Copenhagen and Oslo to guarantee Danish and Norwegian independence.

A German marine regiment launches an amphibious invasion of Copenhagen, forcing the Danish army to flee. Protection, indeed.

The better part of a German infantry corps and the Kriegsmarine approach Oslo under the cover of darkness. With support from the Luftwaffe, the Norwegian navy is sunk. German ground forces attempt a landing and the Norwegian garrison hangs on, forcing the Germans retreat to their transport ships.

RAF coastal command and bomber command join the carrier air groups in a mass air raid against the German flotilla covered by RAF figher groups flying out of Oslo. The Kriegsmarine and the German landing forces are eviserated.

Allied intelligence reports that German paratroopers have taken up station in Danish airfields, presumably to air drop as part of the second wave assault on Norway.

To counter this action, the French Army lands 6 divisions in Oslo and its surrounds to bolster Norwegian forces:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/D331DCF57F0C4801B82F3B62BB05E066.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:03:00 AM)

Polish Front:

German forces continue their advance towards Warsaw, cutting off major elements of the Polish Army. Still, a sizable force has disengaged and retreats towards Warsaw. Polish forces blow all bridges during their retreat and prepare Warsaw and its western surrounds for a siege. German mobile units dislocate these defences and wheel around to the east of Warsaw. The defenders grimly dig in to await the coming attack. In church's across Poland, citizens pray for the French and English to come to their aid...



[image]local://upfiles/44414/EA67E60BD8894AA2A38D50142D565868.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:03:53 AM)

Persian Front:

The Red Army pursues and attacks a Persian divsion and brigade, bringing it into contact with a additional Persian forces:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/30EE18B370874C1FB4628394B18340C1.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:04:40 AM)

Western Front:

The Allied high command debates its next move. It has a prewar defensive plan, Plan D (Dyle Plan) which envisions linking up with Belgian forces and holding a defensive line behind the Dyle River. However, hawks within the Allied general staff point out that the vast majority of the German army is presently occupied in Poland. A bare bones force defends Germany on the Belgian border. The Rhine River is within reach.

In the end, the hawks win the day however they compromise by promising that the Italian and Swiss borders will be adequately defended. Further, the Belgians (with French reinforcement) will defend the Dutch border, in the event this is all part of a massive German ruse.

The French army and air force begins a large-scale redeployment and concentrates heavily on the Belgian-German border. Advance elements of the French force launches an attack on a German frontier unit and force it to retreat. French mobile units advance into the Rhineland:


[image]local://upfiles/44414/833B3B2DD66843B69CB608CD4A8DC5AF.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:29:24 AM)

August 5, 1939

Stalin, taking advantage of the fact that "Europe's aflame", demands territorial concessions from Finland. Finland's response is to mobilize its forces. Stalin orders the Red Army to "steamroll" the reindeer herders.

Germany performs reconnaissance in the Oslo area and concludes it cannot defeat the strong Allied force in the area. Paratroopers instead airdrop into the Rhineland to reinforce German forces fighting there. Furthermore, Norwegian reserves mobilize. The French withdraw some of its divisions back to the continent. Similarly, the RAF redeploys back to the continent, confident the French divisions combined with Norwegian army units can repel any further strike against Norway.

Persian Front:

Red Army forces continue to advance as Persian units attempt a forward defence rather than retreating and digging in around the capital of Tehran:

[image]local://upfiles/44414/04B7B30D8D69459DA8B594B0A2067D84.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:29:52 AM)

Finnish Front:

Soviet forces surround Petsamo and prepare to put it under siege. In the northern part of the waist, a Soviet motorized corps catches up to a withdrawing Finnish infantry brigade and forces it to retreat. In the central waist, the Finns uprooted their fortifications and then realizing their error, start digging again. Unfortunately, STAVKA did not anticipate this and does not have the forces to take advantage of the situation. In the southern waist, a Finnish corps retreats and Soviet forces pursue them. In the south, reconnaissance identifies a fatal flaw in the Finnish Mannerheim line defences. One corps holds each the south-west and north-east section of the line, but in the center only fortress troops hold the line. Red army mobile units attack this section of the line and surge through, isolating two Finnish corps in the process:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/C5D7F7E533BC40EFB5D6A56B7939E058.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:30:16 AM)

Polish Front:

In Poland, German forces annihilate several isolated Polish army units. A handful of out of supply remnants remain however the bulk of the Polish Army still fighting is in the Warsaw pocket. German forces have yet to assault Warsaw. Polish army units in the pocket continue to dig in, determined to hold on until French forces reach Berlin:


[image]local://upfiles/44414/70F99C73839E488D862B6DAD80C928AD.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/27/2013 5:30:36 AM)

Western Front:

German units counter-attack the forward French armored division, forcing it back. A number of Luftwaffe units transfer to the West, but the bulk of the air force is still not on the Western Front. Allied forces take advantage of the situation and push hard into the Rhineland. Losses favour the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe, but are tolerable for the Allied powers:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/E8E92A6FA27B440EB30F36E16F7AEDBB.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:24:21 AM)

August 12, 1939

Persian Front:

The Red Army continues its push towards Tehran and the immoral rug merchant. This week, it seizes the key city of Kazvin. Tehran is still hundreds of kilometers away, but STAVKA is confident it will reach Tehran in a matter of weeks:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/7D89E52AD2244B92B601E24DD3523F0F.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:24:49 AM)

Polish Front:

The Wehrmacht spends this week performing "housecleaning". All Polish army units not inside the Warsaw pocket are eliminated. The Wehrmacht also begins transferring units West, although only a modest number this week. Allied GHQ is certain this will become a flood over the next two weeks:




[image]local://upfiles/44414/06E5E82891AA486EA8C0F3C3AF8670ED.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:25:12 AM)

Finnish Front:

In the North, Red Army units continue to advance around Petsamo. Besieging forces are now in position to begin assaulting Petsamo in the coming weeks. Mobile units push forward. In the northern waist, a Finnish brigade is shattered and its men divide into smaller units as they retreat. Red Army units give chase given the importance of the road network in this section of the front and the dangers of leaving even insignificant forces in the badlands of Finland. In the central Finnish front, Red Army and Finnish army units continue to square off but without any significant action. The units from the southern waist have advanced unopposed to the Finnish defences around the Mannerheim line. A Finnish counter-attack re-establishes their lines of communication. A Red Army attack to maintin the isolation fails (miserably I might add). Soviet forces begin reinforcing the southern front. When questioned by Pravda about the insufficient force strength in the area, Stalin's representative states that the Soviet Union wished to conduct the war before affecting US public opinion and was thusly not totally prepared. However, Stalin's representative assures the Pravda correspondent that reindeer herders cannot possibly defeat the glorious revolutionary forces of the Soviet Union...



[image]local://upfiles/44414/062480A24F314276A7FC5207AE340923.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:26:19 AM)

Western Front:

The French continue to attack hard, but it is evident that the French Army is ill-suited for offensive action. Attacks by overwhelming large forces require multiple attempts to succeed. Furthermore, corps sized attacks fail three times in dislodging the German 6th Army HQ which is holding a position across the Moselle River:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/B9ACB6FB3D714CA8924DD89488055748.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:26:57 AM)

The Luftwaffe has transferred additional fighter units west this week, which has made its presence felt. In addition, losses are starting to pile up but Allied GHQ is committed to one, final push next week to seize the Rhine. Regardless of the outcome, Allied GHQ expects to shift over to the defensive. The Poles are informed that they can expect no decisive support, but are encouraged to fight on nonetheless.



[image]local://upfiles/44414/38AD938CD6584486B8EADFF855773C98.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/30/2013 4:30:08 AM)

I am actually way behind here.. I normally try to keep these one or two turns behind real-time.. but Mark returns turns so fast I'm obligated to play them rather than write an AAR so I'm seven turns behind. But it was a really interesting 7 turns so stay tuned!



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/31/2013 3:05:38 AM)

August 19, 2013

Persian Front:

The Persians continue to withdraw through the mountains, while the Red Army focuses on pushing forward on the roads. Exhausted, the 51st Army is unable to push forward. Meanwhile, the Persian commander has cut the road at Tabriz with a mechanized brigade.




[image]local://upfiles/44414/6D3DBAE84CA04C08B2CF2BA86B8C0DCC.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/31/2013 3:06:35 AM)

Polish Front:

The German Army finally launches its assault on Warsaw and seizes the city. A Polish counter-attack forces a panzer corps to retreat, but are unable to dislodge the infantry corps in the city center. The Polish government sues for peace.


[image]local://upfiles/44414/DCA0EE5BB94C4813816C544A6B0277EC.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/31/2013 3:06:58 AM)

Finnish Front:

In the far north, the Finns continue to withdraw, blowing bridges as they go. Soviet mechanized and motorized units pursue. In the "waist" of Finland, there is little change. The Finns continue to withdraw in the northern waist. The central waist sees no activity and the southern waist was broken last week. The action this week is in the south. Rather than withdraw III Corps, the Finnish commander utilizes it to counter-attack in an attempt to re-establish a strong defensive position. Unable to completely dislodge Red Army units from their threatening positions, this decision proves fatal and the Red Army brings up fresh reserves to counter-attack and isolate III Corps:


[image]local://upfiles/44414/F4D2E66B3CE746549099F7D04B90EEF5.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (7/31/2013 3:07:20 AM)


Western Front:

With the Luftwaffe fighter units mostly transferred to the West, RAF and French Air Force support is increasingly interdicted. Combats are increasingly unfavourable and costly - even more so than the previous week. The French have settled on two objectives: complete the drive for the Rhine in the north to strengthen the defences of the Low Countries and isolate the German units that invaded Luxembourg. Despite significant force strength advantages, the Luftwaffe running its own combat support makes short work of the offensive. Allied High Command must revert to the defensive as more and more German units rail back to the front from Poland:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/B563D6A769C149D7A56C41950EFABD7C.jpg[/image]



Edwire -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/1/2013 1:17:08 AM)

Sealclubber,

Nice to see another EA AAR going! Love to see the Western Front is very active in the beginning of the game [:D]
It will be interesting how german plan to conquer france with the french troops far ahead in the frontline.



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/1/2013 2:48:19 AM)

August 26, 2013

Persian Front:

The Persians retreating through the mountain are unable to keep up and Red Army units finally get in front of them. At this point they will no longer be able to interdict the road. Red Army commanders expect to be able to trap the Persian Army and advance to Tehran unmolested:



[image]local://upfiles/44414/2A7D0FAE83C64839A782C1570AFCBAE3.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/1/2013 2:48:38 AM)

Finnish Front:

In the far north, Red Army forces continue to advance unopposed as Finnish units have retreated through the area. The advance halts at the key town of Kemi where the bridge over a major river has been destroyed. In the south, three fresh mechanized corps blast their way through the unprepared Finnish defenders and threaten the bulk of the Finnish Army with encirclement:




[image]local://upfiles/44414/09BC110681F14690A20A779ACA9392CC.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/1/2013 2:49:00 AM)

Western Front:

The Germans counter-attack south-west of Koblenz and being reinforcing the theater with railed troops from Poland. These units are not fresh, however represent substantial new force strength in the theater. The commander of the French 2nd & 3rd Army Groups is killed in a Luftwaffe air raid and it takes a week before a new commander is assigned and at the front. Major French units are paralyzed at a very inopportune time. Allied high command is realizing that continuing the offensive last week was folly and defensive redeployment should have begun at that time. Better late than never though, so French units redeploy (as is possible) and dig in for an inevitable counter-strike.



[image]local://upfiles/44414/90135F273AC54655BF8C7520C959B241.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/1/2013 2:54:22 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Edwire

Sealclubber,

Nice to see another EA AAR going! Love to see the Western Front is very active in the beginning of the game [:D]
It will be interesting how german plan to conquer france with the french troops far ahead in the frontline.


Oh he definitely had a plan as you'll see!



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/2/2013 2:23:16 AM)

September 2, 2013

Germany launches an invasion of the Low Countries (technically, Luxembourg was already invaded previously)! Allied and Red Army forces are stunned and paralysis grips armed forces around the world.

Persian Front:

As expected, the Persians are unable to interdict the road. The Red Army continues to pursue the Persian forces through the mountains and secures the road. Forward elements race towards Tehran...


[image]local://upfiles/44414/9D71E3551F814A1FB8028B212A9CDDBA.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/2/2013 2:23:36 AM)

Finnish Front:

The encircled Finnish Army takes advantage of Red Army shock and breaks out of the encirclement. The bad news never reaches Stalin. Red Army units request permission to utilize superior mobility to outrun the retreating Finns and block their escape however the paralysis at STAVKA (Stalin is on vacation) prevents any pursuit.



[image]local://upfiles/44414/7F09DC86FA474B27899FE5BE29140D7C.jpg[/image]



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/2/2013 2:23:56 AM)

Western Front:

The German Army attacks along the wings, clearly intent on closing two pincers at Namur thereby entrapping perhaps 2/3rds of the French Army (including the best and most capable parts of it). French units immediately begin withdrawing from the forming pocket and launch all out counter-attacks against the German left wing into Luxembourg in an attempt to keep lines of communication open.

The Dutch withdraw to "Fortress Holland", blowing bridges and entrenching within the capital. The Belgians are unprepared for the attack and are completely paralyzed.



[image]local://upfiles/44414/FBD678AB82C846A69AF35BD01CC1D64B.jpg[/image]

EDIT: Just realized I marked the wrong attack positions. Ah well, I guess thats what happens when you write these things 7 turns behind!



sealclubber -> RE: Europe Aflame 2012 AAR: Mark Stevens vs sealclubber (8/3/2013 8:21:47 PM)

September 9, 2013

This would be a good time to point out that Mark has launched several amphibious invasions and attacks, all of which have failed. He is very liberal with these and is generally the crafty type that likes to sneak random HQs into your rear to cut road supply.

Persian Front:

The Persian army cannot keep up with road-mobile Red Army units. Forward elements reach Tehran and the Shah declares it an open city. Tehran is captured and the Shah sues for peace.




[image]local://upfiles/44414/E6A384C607EA4DFCABC6B4D1F3C5BAE5.jpg[/image]



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