AAR AC (Axis) vs. Frank (Allies)

[AC67]

September 5, 1942

My scientists work overtime:



I loose one of the subs that attacked the convoy last turn: I guess it was hit by two strat bombers and the escorting destroyer. No use in attacking so near to land-based aircraft, and I move my subs into the open ocean. It will be my strat bomber's duty to at least reduce that convoy.



In Russia, the Reds attack again and I loose to infantry corps (minor allies, IIRC). I counter with tac air, infantry and tanks and kill two infantry corps too.



The Italians buy to infantry corps, and I spend all of my PPs for upgrading and repairing. I still seem to have a great tech advantage in both infantry and armor.

The war in Africa will be over by next turn. Reinforcements for Sicily are on their way.

[AC67]

September 25, 1942

My scientist really deserve a medal: again some progress. We now field the mighty Tiger!



My strat bomber doesn't fulfill my expectations: he knocks out miserable 3 steps from the convoy:



In the meantime, my remaining subs discover a new Murmansk convoy.



In southern Russia, a Hungarian corps is attacked but survives with two steps. It's taken out of the line; then the Stukas attack, followed by a Panzer Korps. Result: a russian tank corps destroyed. New tanks are issued to several Panzer Korps, as well as several infantry units. I also buy a commander (Leeb), in order to raise effectiveness next winter.



A glimpse at southern Europe: I'm not sure, but knowing my opponent he could try a coup de main against Italy before winter. I move an infantry corps to Sicily to bolster defences, and keep all cities occupied. Italy will build infantry only for the next turns.



In the end, a look at losses:

[AC67]

October 15, 1942

Operation Husky has begun: allied landing crafts approach the southern coast of Sicily. Italian reinforcements are shipped in. I suppose that I will eventually loose Palermo, but I hope to hold on until winter to Messina.



In southern Russia, I manage to destroy an enemy infantry corps. The Reds are massing troops in this sector, probably for the next winter offensive.



In the Atlantic, the usual convoy battles.

[AC67]

November 5, 1942

First landings and fighting in Sicily: the reinforcement infantry corps is badly mauled, and also the Palermo garrison looses a step. Both are brought back to almost full strenght. Another infantry corps lands in Messina, harassed by a 6-step allied sub, which in turn is attacked by Italian torpedo bombers. Next turn also a German mech will pass over to Messina.



In southern Russia, I loose a Panzer corps I decide not to counter-attack, and pull back in order to form a double defensive line at least in this sector. A good decision, as at the end of the turn the Russian Winter message shows up. All along the eastern front, readiness is well over the 80's, so I hope to be able to hold. Two more infantry corps are build.

[AC67]

November 25, 1942

The early hard winter in Russia turns into a desaster. In the south, the Reds crush a Panzer and a mech corps, and my limited counter attacks do not destroy anything. Without their airforce, the Germans are an easy prey. The Soviets attack more or less all along the frontline, which still holds, but for how long? Some reinforcements are sent from Germany, but PPs are running out quite easily now.
Below the situation in the east:





In Sicily, Palermo is lost - I thought it would last a little longer. On the upside, the defensive line for Messina is ready; hopefully we'll fare better here.

[AC67]

December 14, 1942

The Soviet winter offensive goes on, killing several Axis corps and punching two holes in my line: one near Gomel, and a second larger one in the south.



I decide for limited counterattacks and manage to close those holes, killing an infantry corps and damaging two others (IIRC). I don't think, however, that my two tanks in the south will survive the next turn.



In Sicily, the Allies are in front of Messina, and are already beginning the invasion of mainland Italy.



Only good news this turn is that the strategic bombing of the Ruhr and Hamburg seems to have halted. Maybe Frank can't afford both a strategic bombing offensive and an invasion at the same time?

[massina_nz]

You may be able to slow Frank down in Italy. He slogged up thru the toe of Italy in one of my games with him. It took him quite a while, almost a year to get to Taranto (sp?). Although I had bulit plenty of INF corps for that scenario. I found INF coprs better than GARs becasue you can redeploy the INF corps quicker to block lpossible andings on the Western and Eastern coasts. Better make sure you have all the Italian coastal cities garrisoned, so you can spot any possible landings.

[AC67]

January 3, 1943

The new year opens with some more scientific progress:



In spite of my pessimistic expectations, my (last) two panzer corps survived the last turn: one was beaten down to two steps, but the other came out unscathed. Nevertheless, an infantry corps was eliminated. I notice also that Ploesti has been attacked by a strat bomber based on the Crimea, although to no effect.



Even if it might not be the wisest thing to do given the season, I decide to counterattack the exposed leading Soviet tank corps. I do not commit any planes, as their performance during winter is so poor that it would surely cost me more than it would bring; but two infantry corps and the remaining Panzerkorps manage to eliminate the enemy tank.



In the north, more Russian attacks do not achieve much.



I counterattack also here and manage to destroy an infantry corps.



Meanwhile, in Sicily the battle for Messina continues. I do nothing except reinforcing the brave mechanized corps that has order to defend the city to the last man. New landings are made on the Italian mainland. The Italians continue to muster new divisions, at a rate of two corps every three turns.

Unfortunately, strategic bombing of the German heartland has resumed, but at least keeping those bombers operative must cost Frank a little fortune.



Last but not least, a glimpse at casualties and r&d levels:

[AC67]

You may be able to slow Frank down in Italy. He slogged up thru the toe of Italy in one of my games with him. It took him quite a while, almost a year to get to Taranto (sp?). Although I had bulit plenty of INF corps for that scenario. I found INF coprs better than GARs becasue you can redeploy the INF corps quicker to block lpossible andings on the Western and Eastern coasts. Better make sure you have all the Italian coastal cities garrisoned, so you can spot any possible landings.

Thanks massina_nz for the tip. Will see if I can spare some troops to deply down south.

[massina_nz]

The only other advice I'd offer, is focus on building or repairing FTRs rather than TACs from now on. There are now limited opportunities for your TACs but your FTRs will be stretched.

[AC67]

January 23, 1943

The Russian winter offensive seems to slowly come to an end. After two months of fighting, the Soviets managed to liberate only one ressource hex, Krivoy Rog. Losses have been heavy for both sides, but no breakthrough has taken place.



The battle for Messina will soon be over. Multiple air and naval attacks on the city and its defenders cause more losses than I can reinforce. However, I have gained valuable time for the defence of mainland Italy.

[AC67]

February 12, 1943

It's official! STAVKA has announced to have stopped all offensive operations; the Red Army has also retreated on some parts of the front. I take this opportunity to upgrade all those infantry corps that were in contact with the enemy, and continue reinforcing my troops. Seems that the worst for this year is over.



Sicily, however, is lost, and the first allied corps are advancing toward Naples. I deply a newly built infantry corps right to the hex south-east of the city, in order to block a landing attempt.



What worries me a bit more are two more transports spotted on the west cost of Sardiny. Alarm is given for the whole western cost of the Italian boot.

[trulster]

You need to properly defend Taranto ASAP, or all those Italian units are quickly worthless. Both the mountain and especially the forest hex are a must-defend.

[PanzerGeneral]

You need to properly defend Taranto ASAP, or all those Italian units are quickly worthless. Both the mountain and especially the forest hex are a must-defend.

I second that!! trulster showed me this on my game against him. I had build a super duper defensive line like you, and when he took Taranto my Italian army surrendered

[massina_nz]

I third that. When I slowed Frank in my last gmae with him, it was in the Hills to the West of Tranto. It's a hard slog for allies to get thru against INF units. Even Italian ones.

[AC67]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Will send some reinforcemens down there ASAP.

AC

[rkr1958]

You also need to move some German units to take up position of the Gustav line and Naples. Once Taranto is lost, and it will be eventually, entrenched Germans units in the Gustav line can hold a long time. You also have to be careful about flanking allied invasion.

[massina_nz]

But you have effectively prevented any landing on the East coast of Italy by your placement of the sub which cuts off the entrance to the Adriatic.

[rkr1958]

But you have effectively prevented any landing on the East coast of Italy by your placement of the sub which cuts off the entrance to the Adriatic.

All it would take to break that blockaid is for the UK/USA to run a DD through there and follow up with two air strikes. Then the Adriatic would/could be wide open.

[massina_nz]

True, but at least you would know that Frank was thinking about going down that route. So it removes the elements of a surprise landing, which can happen if the West coast is garrisoned with just GARs, becaue some hexes can be blind sopts.

That's always one lesson I often forget, in most cases you should move your naval elements before your air units. Sometimes the naval elements uncover subs. If you've already used your air units, you can't attack the revealed sub, which is often a chance lost, especially since the sub can't shoot back at air unit.