AAR2 - Joe (Axis) vs Ronnie (Allied) (The War is Over!)

[rkr1958]

July 7, 1942. Massive Russian Losses Continue! Emergency Meeting of the Big Three (Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin). Agreement Reached on Allied Strategy During These Desperate Times. Russians Conduct a Strategic Withdrawal to the East and South. Allies Continue to Push On in the Middle East and North Africa. Allied Air and Naval Forces Attack Tunis Defenders. Mega German Wolfpack Operating the Atlantic.

Voronezh, Tula, and Kalinin all fall as 11 more corps and a motorized unit are destroyed. Some of those were damaged last turn, but a kill is a kill. U-boats finish off the Soviet convoy and a whole fleet of them attack/ambush the UK central convoy.

Based on Borger's solid advice in the previous post here is what I've decided to do:

1. What's left of the Russians in the Moscow sector will withdraw east (i.e., run like heck) to form a defense in the Urals.

2. What's left of the Russians in the south will withdraw south (i.e., again run lick heck) to form a defense of the the oil fields in the Caucasus.

3. Russian air, all but 1 armor corps and 1 mechanized corps in the Middle East will redeploy to the Caucasus to also defend the oil fields there.

4. The 4 US and UK strategic bombers will redeploy to England, upgrade and begin Strategic Bombing against German Oil and Production as soon as possible. Also, additional bombers will be built as resources and priorities allow.

5. The Brits and the remaining Russian corps in the Middle East will push to recapture the Suez Canal as soon as possible.

6. The US and UK push to captured Tunis and Tripoli as soon as possible.

7. The US Navy and Royal Navy will Clear the Med of Axis Naval Forces as soon as possible.

This turn Joe attacked with 7 u-boat flotillas. Only 1 (UF-2) is one of the original 3 at start, which means that Joe has at least 9 German and 1 Italian u-boat. For now I'm just going to have to accept convoy losses. However; once I recapture the Suez Canal and clear it of Axis naval forces I will redeploy the US and Royal Navies to the Atlantic to fight the German u-boats.

I decide to chance the unescorted transport of two US infantry corps from the USA to the Med. These transports are out of range of the 7 detected u-boat flotillas. My estimates, really my hope is that UF-1 and UF-3 are watching for Russian convoys in the north, which means the 70+ PP Russian convoy that just spawned will get hammered in a turn or two. The suspected location Italian u-boat flotilla is an unknown.

After I get the Med under control and cleared out I have to do something about the Atlantic. Right now England is completely cut off from convoys and transports. But, one theater at a time. An attack through southern France versus Normandy is looking very attractive for mid to late 1943 provide Russia survives. If Russian doesn't then it really doesn't matter.

[gerones]

Why didn´t you launch an offensive in southern Russia in spring 42 where you had enough infantry corps units (around 20 units) supported by the armoured units you had on that zone, keeping in mind the axis player was weaker in the southern since most of the infantry units were rumanian, hungarian etc instead of waiting for the german offensive and letting those 2-3 hexes range between your units and the axis ones that it seems your units are saying: "kill me"?

[rkr1958]

July 27, 1942. The Russian's Strategic Withdrawal Continues. Three Russian Commands; Northern Front, Southern Front and Middle East. Russian Partisans Active. Free French Ground Forces Supported by Allied Air and Naval Attack Tunis. Allied Air and Naval Forces Attack Tripoli. Open Cities of Jerusalem and Beirut Reclaimed by Allies.

The Russians are withdrawing to their final defensive positions in the east and in the south. There will be no retreat. This is where they will stand and hold or stand and die. The fate of the war depends on whether or not they hold. Even if they hold this only gives me a chance to win. Probably less then 1 out of 5, or 20%. If they don't then I lose.

Even if I lose, which I probably will, this has been an enjoyable gaming experience. I have learned a lot and hopefully it'll make me a better player. It's sometimes tough capturing all you mistakes and flaws in an AAR for the entire world to see; but I have gotten valuable feedback from it.

I have learned to never give up, to never panic and to stay the course when all looks lost. Who knows this may be the 1 in 5, or 1 in 10, or 1 in 100 wins given the situation I'm in now.

[jjdenver]

Even if they hold this only gives me a chance to win. Probably less then 1 out of 5, or 20%. If they don't then I lose.
Even if I lose, which I probably will, this has been an enjoyable gaming experience. I have learned a lot and hopefully it'll make me a better player. It's sometimes tough capturing all you mistakes and flaws in an AAR for the entire world to see; but I have gotten valuable feedback from it.

I have learned to never give up, to never panic and to stay the course when all looks lost. Who knows this may be the 1 in 5, or 1 in 10, or 1 in 100 wins given the situation I'm in now.

Ah honestly I think you have a much better chance than you give yourself. Your position is not terrible and I think it was certainly the right decision to fall back, maybe an earlier retreat would have been better but I've seen a USSR in worse positions survive. You have increased production due to the Persian conquest.

I think it's crucial you fight the battle for the Atlantic and bomb Germany instead of focusing all your effort in the med. You really need those Soviet LL convoys to get through, and Britain is anemic w/o her convoys as well. I think that's higher priority than your med campaign since the Med is at least stable and not in danger of collapse for you. The Med is such a tough slow campaign once you hit Italy so I'd say focusing on bombing and the Atlantic War will put you in a stronger position for 1943 and do more for Russia.

Also I'm not trying to nitpick but it looks like Baghdad isn't garrisoned and I think all capitols have to be garrisoned?

cheers
jj

[rkr1958]

Ah honestly I think you have a much better chance than you give yourself. Your position is not terrible and I think it was certainly the right decision to fall back, maybe an earlier retreat would have been better but I've seen a USSR in worse positions survive. You have increased production due to the Persian conquest.

I appreciate that. I'm playing this game to win.

I think it's crucial you fight the battle for the Atlantic and bomb Germany instead of focusing all your effort in the med. You really need those Soviet LL convoys to get through, and Britain is anemic w/o her convoys as well. I think that's higher priority than your med campaign since the Med is at least stable and not in danger of collapse for you. The Med is such a tough slow campaign once you hit Italy so I'd say focusing on bombing and the Atlantic War will put you in a stronger position for 1943 and do more for Russia.

I'm not going to invade Italy. My objective now is to retake the Suez Canal to make sure he can't move subs and surface units back in from the Atlantic. I will only leave the necessary naval force to contend with the Italians if they're still in here. I'll need to go on some recon missions once the Canal is retaken to determine what fleet I need to leave. However; the rest will go sub hunting and will clear the sea lanes between the USA and Britain and the USA and Russia. A number of my fleets are due upgrades so I need to take care of that too.

Also I'm not trying to nitpick but it looks like Baghdad isn't garrisoned and I think all capitols have to be garrisoned?

Thanks. You're right! I'll correct that next turn. The beauty of BJRModVer2.00 (under which I'm currently playing three games) is that there are no more house rules to follow. What ever the game engine allows you're allowed to do.

[rkr1958]

August 16, 1942. Russian Strategic Redeployment Continues. Russian Navy Recons German Coast. Two New German Tank Corps Discovered. Tunis Falls. Tripoli on the Verge of Collapse. UK Bombers Hit German Infantry Corps in France.

[rkr1958]

September 5, 1942. Germans Push South and East in Russia. Southern Russian Theater About to Be Cut off From North. Western Allies Push on in the Med. Allied Push to Retake the Suez Canal. Russian and UK Forces Attack Port Said. Germany Bombed.

Joe is about to cut off the Caucasus from the rest of Russia. This means I will not be able to rail or deploy units there. So I railed four infantry corps to the south. I didn't pull back in the Caucasus. I don't want to give up the forward oil fields easily; however, that will likely cost me some corps I can ill afford to lose. I'll have to start the pull back towards Baku next turn.

I did strip the north to reinforce the south. However; all new builds from now on will go to Siberia. Also, I'm redeploying all my air to the north for the final battle and defense. If Siberia falls then the game is over.

The US & UK continue to push on in the Med. Allied naval forces found the German BB and an Italian BB.

The Italian defenders in Port Said were reduced to 4-steps. I'm on the verge of retaking the Canal and closing access to the Med to the Axis.

[rkr1958]

September 25, 1942. Allies Retake the Suez Canal. Two Russian Fronts Split by Axis Forces. Mega Axis Wolfpacks Control the Atlantic. Allied Bombers Encounter German Fighters

My situation is critical. Joe has at least 10 German u-boats and 1 Italian submarine terrorizing the Atlantic. That place is a death trap to convoys and transports headed to and from the UK. The only real plans that I have now is to continue the pull back in Caucasus and towards Siberia. There is no doubt that the Russians will have to stand and die at Baku and Siberia. The Russian forces that help retake the Canal will continue west towards Tobruk. I will move British, French French and US forces in the Med into the Caucasus to help hold and eventually push back the Axis there. This will include the five Allies fighters.

[rkr1958]

October 15, 1942. Both Russian Fronts Continue to Retreat. Allied Bombers Strike Back at German U-boats. Russian and British Troops Push on in Egypt. Kriegsmarines Trapped in the Med.

Joe is pushing towards Siberia with infantry. I don't see any oil consuming units there. My hope is that oil is starting to be a problem for him. The good news is that Russia is now building more infantry units per turn than they're losing. The bad news is that they've already lost a bunch. I have really dug myself into a big hole.

[Clark]

I wonder at this point if a Turkish invasion might be a good play. If successful, it puts Ploesti at risk. Also, the bulk of his forces are in no-rail zones, so he would be pressed into diverting a bunch of newly built forces into Rumania. If nothing else, you could force him to burn oil and manpower in the defense of Southeastern Europe and slow his advance into unconquered portions of the USSR.

[rkr1958]

I wonder at this point if a Turkish invasion might be a good play. If successful, it puts Ploesti at risk. Also, the bulk of his forces are in no-rail zones, so he would be pressed into diverting a bunch of newly built forces into Rumania. If nothing else, you could force him to burn oil and manpower in the defense of Southeastern Europe and slow his advance into unconquered portions of the USSR.

I'm afraid I don't have the US/UK force to take out Turkey and push into Romanian. My plan is to move the UK and US fighters and ground units into the Caucasus to help hold Baku. The Russians in the northern front (i.e., Siberia) are on their own. All Russian builds and all (or nearly all) repairs will go to that area. The approaching Axis forces, as much as I can see of it, is infantry. I'm sure Joe will also bring his air units into play when the time comes for the final assault. If the Russians can't hold then the game is lost. If they hold then the game may still be lost but I will consider that a moral victory.

[darkmatter]

is fog of war on or off guys?

[rkr1958]

is fog of war on or off guys?

It's on.

[darkmatter]

is fog of war on or off guys?

It's on.

oh sorry your the reds,not axis!!

[rkr1958]

November 1942. German High Seas Fleet Obliterated Trying to Break the Naval Blockade of Tobruk. Alexandria and Cairo Liberated! Forward Elements of the Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF) Headed to Southern Russia. Weather Holds in Russia. Severe Winter Predicted. RAF and USA Bombers Fly CAP for Convoys Headed to Russia.

By the way, I found where the Luftwaffe went.

[MrPlow]

Hold Strong! No pressure or anything but the free world depends on you winning this war.

[rkr1958]

Hold Strong! No pressure or anything but the free world depends on you winning this war.

[rkr1958]

November 24, 1941. Western Allied and Russian Forces Race to Link Up in Libya. Lead Elements of the AEF Reach Russian Front. Western Allied Bombers Continue Their CAP for Convoys Headed to Russia. New RAF Fighter Unit Deployed. Weather in Russia Still Holds.

To my surprise I found that the Allied rail network will allow me to rail Free French Units into Russia. It won't allow me to rail UK units. I don't know about USA units but I should find out shortly. I railed the Free French armor and mechanized corps to the Russia front in the Caucuses. The Med UK fighter should arrive there (by air) next turn. US/UK forces are racing from the west to link up with the Russian tank corps racing from the east in Libya. Next turn I should have the range to rebase the three allied fighters in west Libya to east Libya or Egypt. They're also headed to the Caucuses.

I also railed a Free French infantry corps to Tehran so that in the "unlikely" event that Russia falls the USA/UK will gain control of Persia and help rescues any USA/UK ground forces left in the Caucuses. My plan is to launch a combined Allied (US, UK & Russian) winter offensive in the Caucuses in the hope to break through and threaten the flank of the Axis force south of Siberia. Also, I plan to repair and upgrade the US and RN navies in the Med and redeploy the majority of that force to counter and destroy the German u-boats in the Atlantic.

Batumi fell in the south, but the rest of the German army rested in anticipation of bad weather. Winter has not yet arrived, but we know it will soon. Hopefully in December this time. All quiet everywhere else.

In Joe's email to me he stated that he was stopping in Russia in order to rest in anticipation of bad weather. My hope is that he's stopping to rebuild his oil stockpiles for his final push to knock Russia out in the spring of 1943. My only chance (as small as it is) to keep Russia in the game hinges on my planned combined winter offensive in the Caucuses. I'm rushing US and UK ground troops and fighter units there as quickly as possible. At best, my only air support will come from 3 UK and 1 US fighter.

[jjdenver]

Hi,

After looking at your Urals defenses, and after defending the Urals a few times myself. .....I think you are giving him the area north of your capitol too easily. Those forests and mountains he should fight through I think. The farther you let him move forward w/o fighting for those hexes the easier it will be to constrain your pocket and make it tough for your air to operate and he'll have a clear shot at you from the north. I'd recommend placing garrison units in the mountains and forests north and west of the capitol.

Also I think you are giving up too many mountain hexes in the caucasus which will really dampen the power of your attack as you try to slog out of them and if he is attacked in those mountains he'll be a lot tougher. Either way either your counterattack is too slow or his defensive terrain is too strong. I'd seize those mountain hexes immediately.

Just a thought.

cheers
jj

[rkr1958]

December 14, 1942. Allied Bombers Attack Mega German Wolfpack. More AEF Arrives in Southern Russia. Russian Winter Arrives. Russian Partisans Active.

Three more Russian partisans popped up at the end of my turn and the Russian winter arrived at the beginning of the turn.

I've figured out how the the Russian & US/UK rail works. If the unit, regardless of nationality, is in a Russian controlled hex it is railed on the Russian rail network. However; the cost is paid by the faction of the unit that was rail regardless of the rail network used.

The first of five Allied fighter units made it to southern Russia. Three other fighters were able to fly to the Libyan/Egyptian border. There should arrive in southern Russian in two turns. I will launch my winter offensive in three then.

As soon as I finish the transport of the AEF forces across the Med, capture Benghazi and Tobruk and complete the naval upgrades then the bulk of the Allied navies in the Med are going sub hunting.