RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (Full Version)

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Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/9/2019 9:58:35 PM)

2-2-40

Near Iceland the last German U-boat found its watery grave. It was sunk by convoy escorts but at least took one merchant with it. At least for the time being the Axis will abstain from further naval adventures. (Germany may consider submarines again once the new game patch is out and hope they will then be more effective).



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/10/2019 3:22:45 PM)

2-16-40

The British seem to have abandoned their French Allies. No British units have been identified in France so far. They either think it a lost cause or (more likely) that the French can handle the Germans quite nicely by themselves.

Winter is still having its effect. So the Axis will attack only a single hex (St. Quentin) which does not contribute any production but is an important rail hex for supply.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/76D09272673441428C7433BB515C19F8.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/10/2019 5:00:11 PM)

3-1-40

The weather gods work in our favor this time - dry weather in March!

The Germans HQ believes a breakthrough of the French line is finally possible and attacks - but a bit too recklessly. While we can break through the French at the Somme it leaves the German Panzer units spent, weak and exposed. Worse - I realize too late that there is no retreat hex for the lead tank. (Units can retreat up to two hexes).

[image]local://upfiles/31316/4F6BE7113BCC445ABE2BE64AE9E14D37.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/10/2019 6:53:20 PM)

3-15-40

It is a dark day for the German Wehrmacht as they loose a full Panzerkorps (shattered) during the French counter attack. The French can chalk up the campaign as a success already no matter what happens next.

The French fall back on the whole front and presumably want to establish a new front line behind the Somme. Lille is declared an open city and occupied by the Germans. The Axis cannot attack much as they are busy catching up to the retreating French. Our remaining Panzerkorps is pulled out of the line to occupy Calais and to reform.

The French also fall back from the Maginot line. That move may feel wrong initially - abandoning a strong defensive position. But the ML has served its purpose by now preventing any attack. Better to use these units now in defense of Paris instead of letting them getting outflanked. (This is actually my opponents signature-move for the French since at least 10 years of playing similar games as the Allies).



[image]local://upfiles/31316/7F088E5BB200490A8800A9D539B5C0CF.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/10/2019 6:59:24 PM)

3-15-40

To make matters worse, the French resume again the strategic bombing inflicting 5 damage total in 2 attacks with no losses of their own. Fortunately some AA Guns will soon be ready to defend interior unprotected German cities.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/F89E63CECEBD4D649D2C8DBCC629BD5A.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 2:16:05 AM)

3-29-40

The French still fell back in some areas and the Germans stayed mainly in contact (lacking operation points to do much more). Only one hex was taken by force (circled).

[image]local://upfiles/31316/AB96F805E08E4584848AE269941EAEC9.jpg[/image]



Michael T -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 2:40:50 AM)

Interesting battle. Spearhead Panzers are very vulnerable when no valid retreat path exists, as you found out.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 11:56:52 AM)

quote:

Spearhead Panzers are very vulnerable when no valid retreat path exists, as you found out.


They say that learning is improved by repetition - but I hope that a one time pain will be sufficient here.

Thanks for reading.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 12:06:38 PM)

4-12-40

Weather is perfect for campaigning. The French conducted some spoiling attacks during their previous turn but suffered losses without much to show for.

The Germans were able to reach the river Seine east of Paris. There are some French aircraft that we could have overrun if we had moved differently but our tanks would have been overextended and again vulnerable - so we settled for the current positions. Almost looked as if the aircraft were left there on purpose as bait.



[image]local://upfiles/31316/D8F14FCA5A89496F9A565CCD76928CBA.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 8:09:21 PM)

4-26-40

The two French air units just south of our most forward units did again not move away. I am wondering why my opponent offered them up (circled hexes). I am sure it is no oversight. So perhaps the units are very depleted and he wants to save upkeep/repairs and use the resources elsewhere? Whatever the reasons, the Germans did overrun the 2 airfields anyways.

The Germans also opened up a gap in the French line north of Paris. The Axis was pondering to attack Paris already this turn with the Panzerkorps against a relatively weak HQ defender (arrow). But our air was already spent and the tank not at full strength to start with. If the attack should fail and France does not surrender we will loose our second armored unit. So cooler heads prevailed even though the French will fill the gap quickly during their turn.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/32FE9F0C79B8481FA5D561CA93DD25CD.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/11/2019 10:03:34 PM)

No oil, air units are useless at this point. The UK has been most reluctant to throw good oil after bad. Even though French nava forces are doing their duty off the coasts of Norway.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/12/2019 12:24:23 PM)

Who needs enemies with Allies such as the British ....(in this game).

Thanks for clearing this up.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/12/2019 12:29:46 PM)

5-10-40

We are back to heavy rain which severely limits our options. The approach to Paris - which was beckoning so invitingly last turn - has been closed again. But in exchange Rouen was left defenseless and occupied by the Germans. We control now one hex beside Paris.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/2EE57275B1ED4CB2BB64E617CFD25620.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/12/2019 12:35:52 PM)

5-10-40

In an interesting news twist - the French abandoned also the Italian border - perhaps to further feed the Paris front with fresh units. Apparently the lack of defenders emboldened the Italians prematurely and they joined the Axis - even before the fall of Paris which is the usual requirement. (This was a surprise to me). We even intercepted some Allied message in this regard (my fair opponent actually PMed me with the news).

[image]local://upfiles/31316/19323E569D744E81AA5B21DD7CB97B94.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/13/2019 10:35:54 PM)

5-24-40

Now the Germans control 3 hexes beside Paris. They did try an attack at the very end of the turn but Paris held. So it will be at least another two weeks until this campaign is wrapped up.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/3132BA0EC67441FE8E04A8092C28718E.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/14/2019 2:22:15 AM)

6-7-40

Paris has fallen and we will receive the French surrender terms (Vichy)- but it is already June. Until we can transfer our forces back east it will be too late in the season for an early attack on the USSR. There are several other options of course.

The British did not loose any units in France since they never showed up - but they did invade northern Norway. Is that enough diversion of force for a Sealion to succeed? Will the RN be strong enough to interdict our supplies? An air war will be necessary first. Not sure about that. Other options are Spain, the Balkans, just wait until summer 41 or conquering all of France, Spain and focusing on N. Africa. Different factions within the German HQ are debating these next steps hotly.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/7E08FAB92C044B7796E46E75287DF739.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/14/2019 2:29:16 AM)

6-7-40

But first let's tally the losses of the French campaign. After the BeNeLux campaign they were 65-12-14 for Germany. Hence we lost more in France than in all previous battles combined. But it would be bearable if it were not for the loss of the Panzerkorps.

It is interesting to see also that the whole U-Boat war (with loss of all hands on the German side) resulted in a single British Merchant point being lost. (That should change with the new patch).

[image]local://upfiles/31316/637B4D25F2B34A4D8CC0301750A9D460.jpg[/image]



Michael T -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/14/2019 2:43:37 AM)

quote:

it will be too late in the season for an early attack on the USSR


I thought about this myself. But it would be madness considering the lack of Panzers and the USSR production would ramp up immediately. Best to take out the Balkans and build up for Barbarossa. Unless you are serious about sealion. Then Spain and The Med. But forget Russia in 1940. In some other games I have played attacking Russia in 1940 is feasible. But not in WarPlan.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/14/2019 3:14:21 AM)

Thanks for the good advice. I am coming to the same conclusions re USSR in 1940. I am playing an AI game in parallel to test things out - and even against the AI it shows the challenges/pitfalls of an early 1940 attack.

I am thinking about a Balkan campaign for the rest of 1940 with several options on how to follow it up. (Bulgaria / Turkey, or Greece, or just Yugoslavia).



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/14/2019 10:47:46 PM)

6-21-40

The German HQ has finally made up its mind and is preparing for the first joined German/Italian operation in the Balkans. Italy is still at peace with all other nations but will declare war on Yugoslavia next turn.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/5FEFF4746BDD4B2FA5178EDA6DEEB592.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 12:43:44 PM)

7-5-40

The attack on Yugoslavia has begun and Zagreb falls to the first wave. The Italians invest Ljubljana.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/E485483086624661BBEA14AEB0808293.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 12:49:10 PM)

7-5-40

In the background the Allies continue the strategic bombing campaign. They continue to inflict losses on my oil production which is crucial. The Allies suffer losses (which are expensive for Strategic bombers) but are probably happy bearing this cost.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/982C6BFADA0B4DDBABC12EEB489AA7D6.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 6:37:11 PM)

7-19-40

German troops march on Belgrade while the Italians pin defenders in the mountains.

Our air defense seems to be getting better. This time Allied Heavy Bomber losses exceed production losses.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/F084EE74F9DC45179446E3854F270BC0.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 8:34:03 PM)

8-16-40

It took almost another month until Belgrade falls. The Yugoslavian army defended skillfully around the capital and its many rivers. The German had to employ some Pioneers (engineering units).

[image]local://upfiles/31316/43A900E215494AB2AD83E4DB8A50F798.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 10:28:20 PM)

9-13-40

The Axis used the last quiet turn to move to new jumping-off positions.

This week they declared war on Bulgaria and were able to conquer Sofia in one turn with support of the Luftwaffe. Bulgaria surrendered immediately after.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/893D2F447C004543ABC279E1D26877D3.jpg[/image]



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/15/2019 10:33:34 PM)

9-13-40

The British positioned their strategic bomber to Dover. There we can actually identify it and attacked - but it was too well protected by its own fighters.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/5F7D48EF3125464899546FCCCF9220B4.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/16/2019 12:56:56 AM)

How silly of me. You can send out a small raid and take those bombers out of action for months. And you could do it at little cost to yourself - a parachute landing, and quick evacuation from Dover port. Or a small landing by a commando division detachment. Hmmm ....



AlbertN -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/16/2019 1:47:18 AM)

That assuming the Airborne unit gets across the fighters; or that the transports shipping the division do not get intercepted and sank by reacting airplanes. (Admittedly I do not know the chances and possibilities, but I've definitely had / saw transports sinking if crossing waters with enemy planes around)



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/16/2019 4:32:32 AM)

quote:

You can send out a small raid and take those bombers out of action for months.


Would have if I could have.... but I didn't have landing ships available. A silly oversight of my own. You should always have a few landing ships to give yourself options when the occasion arises. And the paratroopers are currently preparing diligently for a different operation.

But Cohen_slith is correct - even if I had been prepared it might have still failed with all your fighters around.



Chocolino -> RE: Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino) (11/16/2019 11:17:30 PM)

9-27-40

The Axis forces line up at the borders of Greece. Planners hope that the weather will hold a bit longer here in the south of Europe.

[image]local://upfiles/31316/19A667372354414381D96516AAD2AB57.jpg[/image]



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