Plaid (axis) vs Supermax (allies) [no Supermax pls]

[Plaid]

Hello.
So I want to try to write my very first AAR aswell as testing some untraditional warfare as axis side.
Supermax agreed to play this game with me, so I suppose it to be fun and interesting match.

My main goal in this game will be to prepare early and powerful barbarossa and finally capture at least Moscow against human opponent (didn't done if for few years and never in GS)
To achieve this goal i will use 2 main thing - technological superiority and mechanised infantry, but I will describe this in doctrine section.
As other strategic goals i will be conservative and hardly will go for Spain or England (unless my opponent leave them unprotected and open for my attack, but i don't think that Supermax, who is so agressive as axis, will not expect same from his opponents and allow me it)

Doctrine:
Infantry: I am going to use lots and lots of MECH infantry as main shock arm of my forces. Hardly I can replase all infantry with mechs, but on major attack directions mechs will deffinetely be placed in large numbers. Why mechs? Answers are : 1)mech stucks upgrades from ARM and INF research trees, and since I am going for tech developement, MECHs will benefit best of it. 2)Mech upgrades don't increase oil consumption (its vital for Axis), while greatly increase fighting capacity - so 10 mechs always consume 20 oil to move and attack - its same as 2 moderate upgraded tanks, while far more devastating under normal conditions. 3)Mechs dont suffer tech terrain fighting and moving(? unsure about moving one) penalty - it means that i will have more freedom to use them an restricted terrain and so they are good not only for attack, but for defense too. 4) And again OIL, when your tank advanced deep into opponent's territory and suffer counter attack from for example 3 directions, it can burn half of your turn oil income, just fighting for its own survival, it hurts. From the other side MECHs have slightly worse survival and attack ability then tanks, but i will use techs, numbers superiority and terrain features to my help. And afterall you can't get everything without sacrifising anything, can you?
Armour: I want to minimize my panzer forces, but not to neglect them. I will aswell build maximum possible number of armour labs (partly to get MECH affecting upgrades) as soon as possible and will focus tank destroyers. Tanks will be used for anti-tank purposes much like "land subs" - to destroy opponent's armour with minimum looses, creating PP black holes of forcing Supermax to keep his tanks somewhere far from combat, thats also good. I suppose to 1 shot kill (with airstrike) feeble allied armour in middle/late game .
Air: Again, here first of all I want superiour dog fight ability for my fighters. Since air units are most expensive in the game, it will be again PP saving for me and second black hole for Supermax. Secondary i want good close support ability from both fighters and TACs, to help my MECHs from the skies.
Navy As often, German fleet will be used for submarine warfare and support of amphibious assaults, if any happens. But if I see my opponent focusing only on ASW, i can switch suddenly into surface ship anti-convoy warfare - improved with dog fight tech CV's will deal with ASW-strats, while BBs will sink weak destroyers. Afterall its only 10 PP difference between BB and SUB. But we will see.

So here we go - we have 1st september 1939, wehrmacht mobilised and awaiting orders.


Here are plans for 1939 campaign - I am ready to sacrifise some speed for PPs to build labs, so I will go for Poland, Denmark and Holland before bad weather season, and will not go any further this year, likely.
Attack on Hague will be supported by Amphibous assault, if i will not face heavy resistance from RN (but this way i will sink couple of ships instead, its good aswell)
In ways of PP destribution i want to build 5 labs as soon as possible and make PP reserve, to build as much more, as possible, since 1940 starts.
Also I would like to build fighter to have parity in skies above France later, and probably TAC. My land forces are more then enough for European campaigns, and subs not vital yet, since winter with bad visibility will lower efficiency of my submarine warfare.
[/b]

[Plaid]

Polish campaigh has started traditional way

Also Denmark government refused to allow baltic fleet passage to the North Sea.
It means clearly that they are aligned with allies, so Danish government have last few days to reconsider their side choice, while wehrmact units from reserve are deployed at their borders, aswell as fleet is placed near Kopenhagen.
Von Rundstedt arrieved to Kiel to command North-Western operations of this year, aswell as Marine Corps, which will participate in assault on Hague.

Also I have built my very first general (Industry) lab.

[Plaid]

Well, it was not so easy to throw away polish forces Supermax placed near Warsaw, but panzers managed to do it, thanks to poor polish organisation. Then, after heavy airstrike, panzergrenadiers and infantry managed to capture city.

Couple of corps, which ended not in contact with polish ones, including one armour, were railed for western front to take part in Holland campaign.
Another air group along with german fleet and 2 corps captured Denmark. Now noone left to forbide me to use danish straits for my purposes.

Dutch campaign is preparing aswell, next turn I am going to destroy all Dutch army but Hague garrison.
Built my 2nd lab, air(dog fight).

[Plaid]

Unexpected mud in Europe caused holland campaign to be half as effective as it was supposed to (whats with weather? Before I always had clear for all the october in all games played, but now i got mud on 31 in my game with Franz and on 11 in this one). Well, next turn can bring clear weather and things will go simple, but anyway, holland should be captured before spring, to invade belgium/france as soon as possible. If it means winter campaign, so be it. Mechanized units in Poland repaired and next turn will be railed to Arnhem, stukas already arrived. Great War ended more then 30 year ago, I have wide range of weaponry to breake through any defences at any weather.

Allied fleet elements, marked on picture, spotted (french BB is near northern denmark coast), but they are harmless at bad weather.
Also amphibious operation cancelled, since I hope that next turn will bring clear weather, but don't actually believe in it, so Uboats left Hague gulf for atlantic communications.
Built 2 more labs - inf and arm. Next turn I will build navy one and fulfill 1939 limit.

[Plaid]

Bad weather in Europe, but wehrmacht still advance into the Holland.
Garrison is dealed with - next turn it will be cut off, if it will not move, and destroyed if it will.
I lost fighter step while keeping Hague defender's ENT at 0. Second line units refitting and resting instead of moving through the mud burning oil and effectivenes.
Panzergrenadiers arrived from Poland, ready to start attack oh Hague next turn, while in Poland more units are prepared to be railed to west front.
Also I placed my units to the shore, hoping for free experience via shore bombardments (0 ground attack at bad weather on various ships, strats and fighters )
Subs are sailing to America shores to sink convoys near spawn-point.

[Plaid]

Suddenly in late november fair weather occurs in central europe.
So Hague was captured in 1 single turn with no casualties, thanks to 80+ efficiency units and tac bombers.
Here is a screen before turn (trick with infantry moved to the coast worked, Max attacked one infantry unit, providing free experience, sad, seems there are no more allied ships here)

And here is picture of Holland region after my turn.

One more armour and inf were railed from Poland, filling rail cap, while another armour and inf are repaired in Poland and ready to be railed next turn (i want to be conservative with my PP - don't overcap rail limits and don't repair all units at once, since they are not necessary in action, this saved PP can be the difference between making lab or plane faster, while additional units will not be needed here until spring probably).
In very central atlantic heavy escorted (i guess another equal task force is in FoW) convoy spotted. If this escort follows the convoy its way to england, no escorts will be close when I engage next convoy near american shore.
.
Next turn I am planning to purchase fighter, and then I will save some PPs to build more labs as soon as 1940 starts.

[Plaid]

Its winter and nothing happens in Europe, but sheduled unit railing. Last 2 corps units were repaired in Poland and now ready to be rebased.
. As often, I placed corps into fortification line, to advance into french positions, if Max will remove garrisons from Maginot Line. Maybe I should place second corps to cover all the line, not sure yet.
Also I placed INF again to the cost, to gain some exp from french BB.
Troops now mostly ready to attack and regaining effectivenes, I am going to have ~ 90 before attack and it would work great agains allies, suffered -20 penalty. Also I purchased my 3rd fighter, supposed to be ready by the spring.


In atlantic subs finally deployed for convoy hunting. One convoy already tracked and will be destroyed during nearest 2 turns hopefully.

[Plaid]

In Europe all quiet, sietzkrieg in action.
Redeployment of units from Poland finished and now I only wait for fair weather.

Trick with BB works, Max continues to bombard my inf, soon it will be seasoned hopefully.
I have stocked PPs now, so next turn, when 1940 begins, I will make 2 or even 3 (not sure about price progression) labs.
Also this turn I built my very first Italian lab - organisation one, since 0 Italians have is something really bad.

In atlantic convoy was just in predicted place, following straight course from where it was spotted. So I attacked it with 1 Uboat, and placed second to ambush it. 3rd one is also on the way, so next turn I either destroy it, or make 2 attacks and prepare one more ambush, depending on results I would get.
In this AAR I also describe my typical Axis 39-40 lab-troops build up, its far from perfect, feel free to comment and advice, probably we would make it better

[schwerpunkt]

With respect to Italian Lab builds, sometimes it is worth initially focussing on IND for them as it allows 7 labs to be built for them earlier and you get the 3 PP per turn boost (doesnt sound much but early on its equivalent to 1/8 of your normal Italian production). Thereafter you can switch to ORG for a few years.....

[Plaid]

I often focus IND as Italians, but I still have troubles to max lab numbers. I have about 5 or 6 when in 1942 Italian basic war effort grows to ~100% allowing 10-11 labs (maybe because of intensive fleet use early in game and so repair bills). This time I want to try ORG, maybe it would increase italian troops performance

[Plaid]

Max stopped to bombard my INF, so I decided to move it to Zigfried line to pin more French gar. Also redeployed FTR to Hague, to cover future action zone better. Next turn possible will give me fair to start actual attack.

In Atlantic convoy is almost destroyed (after ran into 3rd sub it was left with 4 steps), time to seek for next one.

So here are some 1939 results - labs built up

And casualties (i think few of fighters are actually british, while all INF is dutch and polish)

Fighter almost ready now, I will deploy it next turn.

[massina_nz]

I suspect once Max sees that fighter in the Hague he will hammer it with the RAF. As it will be in range of any FTRs based in Dover. He'll probably attack a German land unit, forcign the FTR in the Hague to interdict, and then attack it again. Your Luftwaffe units seem to me to be quite far back. I tend to place mine at the front line. That way I often don't have to move them if I want to attack Paris.

Be careful your land units don't go beyond air cover of your FTRs, Max will almost definitely, attack them and destroy them.

This early in the game I'm pretty cautious as I don't want to lose valuable units (Neil & Victor taught me that lesson well) that will weaken the starting moves of Barbarossa. Taking Paris a turn ot two behind 'schedule' is better than losing ARM and MECH units. Just do what the guide says, wear the French down, they will break eventually as they can't replace their losses. Just make sure you destroy units, not just damage them. As it's cheaper to repair units than build new ones.

If you attack down the coastline, you bring the RAF and maybe a CV into play. If you attack to the east Max will have to rebase his RAF units to France.

[Plaid]

On February 8 I got fair weather, and Belgium was immediately DoWed and conquered. I decided to destroy all Belgium forces rather than capturing only Brussels and waiting for other units to disappear next turn. Main reason - to allow german troops more space for advance, without any ZoCs. So I managed to build quite regular and safe attacking formation without exposed units.

Only casualty of belgium campaign was 1 tank step, inflicted by red low-efficiency garrison (bad rolls happen). I had opportunity to capture Lorrein mines ore Lille or both maybe, but decided not to do it. Who know what hides in this FoW? Maybe its common french defence line, moved deeper into France to avoid initial strike after efficieny loss, but maybe its something more interesting (one time I faced in france 2nd french arm + british arm + british mech + some brit inf), that can inflict painful counterstrike.
Surprisingly RAF didn't show, while french fighter was neither moved to England nor in Centry mode (I often do one of it, intercept after efficiency loss is just casualties). Also I rebased fighter from Hague, because it actually can be overrun by RAF and RN, and struggle with them is not, what i want (maybe after fall of france, but now - no, thanks. I need bombers to support attack, not to fight with english BBs). New fighter deployed aswell.
I will use winter or mud turn, if any occur, to rebase luftwaffe to have Paris in range. If it didn't, I will use turn, when wehrmacht forces would need some rest and replacement.
In Atlantic I finished off convoy and waiting for another.

[Plaid]

On February 8 I got fair weather, and Belgium was immediately DoWed and conquered. I decided to destroy all Belgium forces rather than capturing only Brussels and waiting for other units to disappear next turn. Main reason - to allow german troops more space for advance, without any ZoCs. So I managed to build quite regular and safe attacking formation without exposed units.

Only casualty of belgium campaign was 1 tank step, inflicted by red low-efficiency garrison (bad rolls happen). I had opportunity to capture Lorrein mines or Lille or both maybe, but decided not to do it. Who know what hides in this FoW? Maybe its common french defence line, moved deeper into France to avoid initial strike after efficieny loss, but maybe its something more interesting (one time I faced in france 2nd french arm + british arm + british mech + some brit inf), that can inflict painful counterstrike.
Surprisingly RAF didn't show, while french fighter was neither moved to England nor in Centry mode (I often do one of it, intercept after efficiency loss is just casualties). Also I rebased fighter from Hague, because it actually can be overrun by RAF and RN, and struggle with them is not, what i want (maybe after fall of france, but now - no, thanks. I need bombers to support attack, not to fight with english BBs). New fighter deployed aswell.
I will use winter or mud turn, if any occur, to rebase luftwaffe to have Paris in range. If it didn't, I will use turn, when wehrmacht forces would need some rest and replacement.
In Atlantic I finished off convoy and waiting for another.

I have built armour lab, and will build INF one next turn (unsure about navy, maybe one more sub will serve better).

[Plaid]

Well, I got this expected bad weather turn to redeploy my luftwaffe. Now looks good for me, Paris region is in range of all my airforce.
.
Not much advance by ground forces, but taken Lorrein without combat and spotted something, that looks like French defence line. One garrison had no entrenchment, so I attacked it with 2 INF and almost destroyed. My mechanised's are now ready to capture Lille next turn, while I still trying to be careful and don't expose units.
In atlantic 50 convoy spotted and attacked with 2 Uboats. I supposed convoy's course to be slightly different from one I got (on the picture), but still it will be destroyed soon.

Now next turn I will have ~115 - 120 PPs and I am unsure, what to do with them - 2nd naval lab (last one to fill the limits), 4th fighter, 3rd TAC bomber, armour, couple of mechs, sub or maybe BB even.

[foost]

(...)
Now next turn I will have ~115 - 120 PPs and I am unsure, what to do with them - 2nd naval lab (last one to fill the limits), 4th fighter, 3rd TAC bomber, armour, couple of mechs, sub or maybe BB even.

Usually I buy a third TAC early. However, if you do it now, it will not be available until the end of Fall Gelb. So I would go with another naval lab for the moment. What do you have in mind with a BB? Seems a bit like wasted PPs to me.

[Plaid]

Well. I am going for early and strong barbarossa, not africa or balkans or spain etc. Only possible choice is norway, because its a great base to destroy russian convoys. You can counter allied bombers with your fighters, you can use your own bombers and surface ships from norway ports (thats why I want 2nd BB, one supposed to be busy on Baltic, 2nd in norway), but from other sight there are arguments against norway. 1 - its away from Germany, only connection is by sea transports, and it can be cut off with allied subs and other naval forces. Also 3 supply zone and northern weather zone, while opposing RAF and USAAF units will be placed in central europe zone english airfields. 2 - following 1st, it needs formidable garrison, to be able to hold allied invasion on their own, and again, we have bad terrain, bad supply, no rail and long coast. 3 - planes, placed in Norway, to destroy "raw" PPs in convoys, probably can do better, damaging good russian units, already built, instead.
Also i don't think, that I will need more TACs before barbarossa, so I feel like building FTR somewhere soon, as it can be used in battle for England.
If I deploy 4 fighters and strat against two english FTR, having commander, better base effectivenes and hopefully +1 level dog fight tech advantage, it will be pain to RAF - far more lost PP, that from bombed London itself or additional sub on convoy ways.
Finaly, ground forces can wait, while I am going to build naval lab and then fighter and 3 more subs as soon, as I get tech level.
Thanks for advice though.

[foost]

Well. I am going for early and strong barbarossa, not africa or balkans or spain etc. Only possible choice is norway, because its a great base to destroy russian convoys. You can counter allied bombers with your fighters, you can use your own bombers and surface ships from norway ports (thats why I want 2nd BB, one supposed to be busy on Baltic, 2nd in norway), but from other sight there are arguments against norway. 1 - its away from Germany, only connection is by sea transports, and it can be cut off with allied subs and other naval forces. Also 3 supply zone and northern weather zone, while opposing RAF and USAAF units will be placed in central europe zone english airfields. 2 - following 1st, it needs formidable garrison, to be able to hold allied invasion on their own, and again, we have bad terrain, bad supply, no rail and long coast. 3 - planes, placed in Norway, to destroy "raw" PPs in convoys, probably can do better, damaging good russian units, already built, instead.
Also i don't think, that I will need more TACs before barbarossa, so I feel like building FTR somewhere soon, as it can be used in battle for England.
If I deploy 4 fighters and strat against two english FTR, having commander, better base effectivenes and hopefully +1 level dog fight tech advantage, it will be pain to RAF - far more lost PP, that from bombed London itself or additional sub on convoy ways.
Finaly, ground forces can wait, while I am going to build naval lab and then fighter and 3 more subs as soon, as I get tech level.
Thanks for advice though.

Sound plan you have there, although you might be aiming too high, even if you skip Norway (which does not seem worth the trouble, I agree). How are you going to do an early and strong Barbarossa when you use so many PPs for the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic? Just wondering. I never manage to have enough resources to engage the British with planes and subs, and then have enough ground forces to attack the USSR in May.

[Plaid]

Planes are never waste, they will be rebased to Ostfront as soon, as it will be open.
Subs also are somehow part of eastern campaign, they will destroy soviet convoy at least before USA entry.
Also I am going to deploy large Italian expedition corps with commander, armour and airforce. at the beginning of soviet campaign (I will evacuate africa). This units are not great, but they are work fine for enveloping and destroying low efficiency russian units, while main wehrmach storm troops advance straight forward.
Another trick will be doing totally nothing between fall of france (for example early june) and barbarossa (april/may).
Almost full year op PP collecting and no casualties to replace. Also my 1940 labs already almost maxed, so they will not consume much more PP.
Last, i think 6 subs are minimal effective Kriegsmarine force in atlantic (2 convoy destroying wolfpacks, I have few troubles to predict their course to operate with 2 subs wolfpack), not large contingent.

[Plaid]

Fair march weather, and here we go.
.
Blue crosses mark destroyed french garrisons, though one near Rheims was at 1 step.
Now without Lorrein and Lille, I am unsure about French PP income, it supposed to be something like 15-18.
This defence line looks strange to me -best forces are deployed in sourthern France, but I am not going there...It can even result in pocket, but we will see.
Maginot line supposed to be isolated from Paris next turn, so I started to remove pinning INF corps and sending them to frontlines.
RAF didn't show yet.
What I like in this defence line - lots of GAR that can be attacked on clear terrain, without crossing rivers. My panzers can one-shot this sort of targets, french army will probably be destroyed quite fast.
INF at very southern flank of my forces looks somehow exposed, since they are in good defensive terrain and have good effectivenes. Counter-offence there will be more likely waste of steps for Max.
In Atlantic convoy followed the predicted course and is now close to destruction.

Built my 8th lab - naval (subs). I calculated what barbarossa will cost, and looks like I can't afford battleship sea warfare yet. Probably later, when allies would invest in ASW heavily, I would do this trick, but its risky, since battleships far more vulnerable, than subs.