Spanish Option AAR - from two of the developers

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:49 pm

I think you're going to win this unless you collapse in Egypt. If the heat gets too much then it's safer to retreat so you save Iraq. Soon you will get US troops who can bolster the defenses in Iraq / Egypt. You need more airpower, but that's maybe some turns away.

The main reason I say you're on the winning path is because the most dangerous Allied side, i. e. Russia, is left alone so far. Russia will activate in October 1941. That's only a few turns away. If you activate before Barbarossa starts then you won't lose 20 efficiency. Even if Ronnie attacks before then he won't get far before bad weather hits. I think you can hold the Dvina / Dnepr line through 1941. More important is that you should be able to withdraw most of the front line units to this line before the Germans can kill them. During the winter you won't suffer from reduced air and land factors. It means your fighters perform better than the Germans. So with a strong army bordering Germany you can launch an attack when severe weather starts and really hurt them.

Have you built any armor units? Just build them, but don't place them until after you join the Allies or Ronnie starts Barbarossa. It means they won't suffer the 20 efficiency loss. You can do the same with corps and air units. Build then, but don't place them. You have plenty of cities near the Dvina / Dnepr line to place all you build.

The Dvina line might be compromised. Then you can fall back to the lake Peipus line.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:56 am

I have six armour, four infantry and two fighters now ready to deploy, and still over 600 pp's on hand. I am holding off on building more infantry, if possible, because I am very close to an upgrade for infantry.

No matter how this game ends, it is very entertaining. I have just finished the Aug 21 turn, and still no attack on Russia, and things look reasonably secure in Egypt. I have two fighters fully upgraded, but my carriers will be down for a couple of turns. As you said, I can always fall back over the Suez; America will be joining soon enough.

Stauffenberg wrote:I think you're going to win this unless you collapse in Egypt. If the heat gets too much then it's safer to retreat so you save Iraq. Soon you will get US troops who can bolster the defenses in Iraq / Egypt. You need more airpower, but that's maybe some turns away.

The main reason I say you're on the winning path is because the most dangerous Allied side, i. e. Russia, is left alone so far. Russia will activate in October 1941. That's only a few turns away. If you activate before Barbarossa starts then you won't lose 20 efficiency. Even if Ronnie attacks before then he won't get far before bad weather hits. I think you can hold the Dvina / Dnepr line through 1941. More important is that you should be able to withdraw most of the front line units to this line before the Germans can kill them. During the winter you won't suffer from reduced air and land factors. It means your fighters perform better than the Germans. So with a strong army bordering Germany you can launch an attack when severe weather starts and really hurt them.

Have you built any armor units? Just build them, but don't place them until after you join the Allies or Ronnie starts Barbarossa. It means they won't suffer the 20 efficiency loss. You can do the same with corps and air units. Build then, but don't place them. You have plenty of cities near the Dvina / Dnepr line to place all you build.

The Dvina line might be compromised. Then you can fall back to the lake Peipus line.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:16 pm

Sept 10/41 has seen the start of Operation Barbarossa. The main armoured thrust appears to be in the north, with limited air support thus far. In the south there are a couple of tactical air units supporting, but a limited number of German ground units, and only one armour that I can see. On that basis, STAVKA has ordered reserves held in check, until the situation becomes clearer (I have six armour, ten infantry, and two fighters ready to deploy from the build queue).

Here are two screen shots showing the situation after the German invasion, but PRIOR to any moves on my part. In the following post you will be able to see my response to this situation.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:21 pm

Stalin is reputed to have said, "in for a penny, in for a ruble". Regardless of the accuracy of this quote, he feels that time is on the side of the Red Army and ordered a vigorous defense of the Odessa, Vinnitsa, Riga and Leningrad fronts. Vilna has not been significantly reinforced, in the hope that the Germans will see that, and thrust in that direction instead of to the north. If luck is with the Soviet Union, and winter comes early, it might be possible to mount on an offensive on the German's northern flank.

The Soviets have consolidated forces around key centers within those fronts, and also launched some limited offensives.

Near Chisinau, the 19th Army supported 18th Mech in pushing the Romanian 1 Corps back to the west bank of the river, inflicting 40% casualties. Russian losses were reported as "acceptable".

Emboldened by this success, Timoshenko, who has taken charge of the Odessa Front from his HQ at 2nd Mech ordered that the Romanian cavalry corps be destroyed. In the event, actual results were somewhat less than desired. Romanian losses were light, they did not retreat, and the 9th Mech and 60th Army are stalled in place.

Marshall Budenny has taken charge at Pskov to organize the defenses both south of that city, as well as for Leningrad. Just to be safe, Stalin (perhaps mistrusting Budenny) also ordered Voroshilov to Petrozavodsk to organize what is being called "Far Northern Front". Its boundaries appear to overlap Budenny's front. Confusion? Or does Stalin have a plan?

Soviet meteorologists, who are never wrong, are projecting a 60% likelihood of freezing rain or snow in early October, and have assured Stalin that the fair weather of September will soon be a distant memory.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:28 pm

Here is the situation after my movement and attacks on September 10th. The Russian Baltic fleet has sortied, screened by a submarine flotilla. If the German naval units come north, perhaps the submarine group will be a surprise to them, and perhaps not. It's always fun trying..

Ordinarily, I would never act so offensively on the first turn of Barbarossa, but given the reserves I have in my build queue (6 armour, 10 infantry, two more fighters) I think it's worth doing (also taking into account the lateness of the season). Next turn, any units that are not pinned will be pulled back behind the Dnieper.

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:44 pm

Happycat wrote:
Ordinarily, I would never act so offensively on the first turn of Barbarossa, but given the reserves I have in my build queue (6 armour, 10 infantry, two more fighters) I think it's worth doing (also taking into account the lateness of the season). Next turn, any units that are not pinned will be pulled back behind the Dnieper.

Looks good, I am also of the school that Russia needs to do more than just defend. Some limited offensive will and capability works wonders for instilling some respect and a more careful approach from the fascist beast! In this type of situation of a less than overwhelming Barbarossa getting some early victories before pressure increases is golden.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:02 pm

The Persians have committed some troops to the British cause. They have watched the German behavior in Spain, Poland, and the Baltic states, and do not believe that the Third Reich is, ultimately, a friend of Islam. Besides, they like to see people PAY for their oil, not just help themselves.

Churchill has authorized a retreat to the Suez Canal, where he believes that Montgomery should be able to make a stand. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and Hitler's ill-advised declaration of war upon the United States, have given all Britons renewed hope.

Inexplicably, there have been no u-boat attacks on any British convoys, and the Home Secretary's office today announced the lifting of rationing for certain commodities, including oil. As the Assistant to the Assistant of the First Secretary put it, "we have so much bloody oil in the UK now that we should be selling some BACK to the Canadians and the Arabs.

President Roosevelt has agreed with Prime Minister Churchill that the first priority is to destroy Nazi Germany. To that end, a multitude of warships and troop transports is assembling off the US east coast, ready to sail for...well, somewhere

The American troops are green, but enthusiastic, and one sergeant from the 4th Infantry said that he is looking forward to meeting some of "Uncle Joe's boys" in Berlin for Christmas of 1942. An unrealistic assessment, perhaps, but as Mae West once said, "An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises."

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:25 am

The Axis now controls the Suez, but the British have counter-attacked across the canal and destroyed one German corps.
My intention now is to stand fast and hope that I can divert Ronnie's attention to somewhere else on the map.

Depending upon his reaction to events in Egypt, as well as in Russia (where I have also made a limited attack on a Romanian corps, I think (or at least hope) to get a sense of how committed Ronnie is to any idea of crossing the Suez.

The following screen shots show the situation in Russia, and also the American forces starting to cross the Atlantic. If he does not react strongly in Egypt to my little foray across the canal, I will send the Americans into Portugal, and open a second front in Europe.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:29 am

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:34 am

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:40 am

March 9/42, and the Axis pushed my unit in Egypt back across the Suez Canal, but do not, so far seem inclined to pursue.

Ronnie's response to my small attack near Kiev minimal, a bit of air activity and a withdrawal of the battered Romanian unit. So this turn I sent some tactical bombers to test his air defenses, and found that despite the USSR's technical deficiencies, they were able to hold their own in fighter vs fighter, and the tactical bombers scored reasonably well against the German infantry (three step loss in two attacks).

Again, my sole purpose here is to try to get him to reveal his hand. I'm still unsure if he is going to continue pushing in Africa, or if he is done there. I feel that he has little chance of success in Russia now, and I have British and American troops poised to attack Portugal.

RAF units based in England bombed some of the French ports facing the Atlantic, looking for subs, surface raiders, and/or evidence of any kind of fighter defense. Found one sub at Brest, nothing else...

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:33 pm

Sorry that there is a gap in this AAR, but I am really busy with a number of things, including a beta test of a Battlefront game.

So we jump now from March to July of 1942.

I have continued to build up in Russia, while stubbornly clinging to my side of the Suez Canal. The biggest development is an invasion of Portugal. My goal there is modest: I am quite content if all it turns out to be is a distraction (a la Dieppe). So far it certainly seems to have paid off; Ronnie has sent armour, air and infantry which I am sure he would much rather have deployed in Russia.

In June, I started an offensive in Russia just north of the Crimea, and have destroyed some Axis minors as well as a German corps. More importantly, I am forcing him to fly missions, and burn oil. My sense is that so far he is not hurting for oil, judging by the way he is moving air, armour and naval units around.

This most recent turn (July 7/42) I attacked again in Russia, destroying another Axis minor, and reducing a German to five steps. My air units are still inferior in quality to the German, but the gap is getting smaller, and I have all (cont'd)

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:44 pm

(cont'd from above) ...my research maxed out. There is no huge objective for this year in Russia for me, other than keeping the Axis on its heels. So far, so good---the only offensive action, other than counterattacks in the south, is a constant chipping away at my defenses north of Leningrad. I'm content to take losses there, and replace the garrison units as need be. Production is not a problem for the USSR.

Getting back to Portugal and Suez for a moment: my objective with Portugal now is to hold on for as long as possible with the land units. I can easily remove the strategic air, and will do so next turn, and the two US fighter groups are expendable. Suez is a bit different, and I am being stubborn (perhaps too much so) about giving any further ground there. But I don't want to retreat if I can help it, and certainly not until some American troops join me in that theatre.

The goal then is to survive the summer in Portugal, continue the defense of Suez, and keep the Axis on the defensive in Russia. Then I hope to have sufficient forces in Russia to launch a major offensive in November or December of '42 (whenever winter hits), with the goal of straightening the line in the Ukraine. I don't think that will be too difficult.

If I can advance the southern part of the Soviet line sufficiently, then an attack into Romania appears to be a promising strategy. I can remove an Axis partner, crimp the Axis oil supply, and threaten the Axis southern flank (cont'd)

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:50 pm

(cont'd from above) If Ronnie sees my occupation of Romania as a threat, I am hopeful that will force the Germans to pull back a bit in northern Russia.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:29 am

Sorry for the infrequent posts, but this is just a busy time of year for me. Hopefully Ronnie is doing a better job than me of keeping those who are interested in this game in the loop.

It is now March of '43 and I continue to hold on to my side of the Suez. Occasionally the Axis cross the Canal, and I continue to have success destroying those units that take the plunge. I think the lower supply rating for the Axis hurts Ronnie when he does this. However, I am worried a bit about his air superiority. Still, I don't think this theatre is all that important now, so if I have to, I will fall back a bit. I do own Syria now, so I have some space, but also a bigger front to defend if I pull back. Well, we will see...

I have invade Morocco, and taken Casablanca. I have two US infantry corps, one armour, and one motor, supported by two strategic bombers, one fighter, and three fairly high tech CV's. Again, this is an unimportant front, my sole purpose here, as in Egypt, is to tie down his troops with a relatively low investment on my part.

Ronnie's strategy of closing the Med forces me to abandon any idea of an attack upon Italy in the usual manner. Instead, I will need to land in France. My planning at the moment is focused upon a 1944 landing in France near the Spanish border, in sufficient strength to allow me to cut off Spain from land contact with the rest of Europe...

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:39 am

....at the same time as landing in southwestern France, I will land a force in the Pas de Calais area. This will all be timed to coincide with a major offensive by the Russians.

At the moment, the Free French are supporting the American effort in Morocco. I am finding this to be helpful, and think that adding them was a good design decision.

Strategic bombing has shut down production in Nantes, Paris, Lille and now I am starting to bomb Brussels as well.

In Russia, my goal is to eliminate at least three Axis corps per turn, and I am getting that done now. My major effort is in the south, using Konev, which is where he has decided to put almost all of his air units. That works for me, because I want to make his defenders in the north become complacent. Zhukov arrives next turn, along with two more tactical air, and the turn after than I will start hitting him hard near Smolensk. In some spots, he does not have a double line, and even in the south, where he is strong, his line appears a bit brittle (in some cases the air units represent the second line).

This past turn I eliminated three more Axis corps, and grabbed some more hexes west of Dnepropetrovsk, including the resource hex. Given that I am winning almost all of the air battles now, I would expect that he will soon have to...

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:49 am

...pull back from the Dnieper in order to stabilize the southern portion of his front line.

My 1943 goal for Russia is to push him back from Smolensk, which should force him to abandon Estonia. Equally important will be to liberate the Ukraine, and to push into Romania. This will create a very irregular front line, but I feel that I have the manpower to cover such a long line, and that he does not.

My strategy is not without risks. The biggest risk is in Egypt---he could very well crack my line decisively, and force me to fall back. But if push comes to shove, I can spare Russians to defend the Iraqi and Persian oil fields. There is also a possibility of a reversal in Morocco, but I think I have air superiority in that theatre, and everything else being equal, that is usually decisive.

No matter how this ends up, I am thorougly enjoying the contest.

gerones · Post by **gerones** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:29 pm

I like the way you are playing this game. The axis forces are spreaded everywhere but they aren´t strong enough in anywhere. You can launch a big offensive in the east that could give the allies the victory.

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:10 am

leridano wrote:I like the way you are playing this game. The axis forces are spreaded everywhere but they aren´t strong enough in anywhere. You can launch a big offensive in the east that could give the allies the victory.

And this turn the Russians started to go for it: most of the air battles were decisively in favour of the USSR, and two more corps were destroyed. Others were damaged, and I am now in contact with two of his fighter bases. Surely this will trigger the withdrawal I am looking for?

I also all but destroyed the German defender in the mountains north of Casablanca, and am closing in on Oran with American and French armour. The garrison left the city to make room for an Italian armour in Oran harbour, but if he lands it, I expect to destroy it and take the city within a couple of turns.

I have a British infantry corps on a transport poised as if it is going to land near La Coruna in Spain, but it is a feint---the corps is actually on its way to Palestine. To make it look good, I bombarded La Coruna and have a fair number of ships in the area. Hopefully he will react by using some of his precious rail points to move reinforcements to the area.

The Suez is dicey---but I will not retreat. I'm making a high risk move, and transporting the Malta air...

Happycat · Post by **Happycat** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:11 am

...unit with a submarine escort. I intend to land it at Beirut, to bolster my sagging air defense. Unless Ronnie spots the transport and kills it. But, no guts, no glory