Axis versus AI Tutorial AAR (War is Over, Grade Me)

[rkr1958]

One thing I think you haven't mentioned is that you've (mostly) kept German units away from the coastline to stop the Allied player from shore bombarding with the French and Royal navy and possible air attacks from the UK-based CV (if it hasn't already gone to the Med). Especially kept the MECH & ARM units away from the coast, allowing them to be attritioned by naval units is a real PP drain.

Thanks for pointing this out. You are absolutely right and this has become second nature to me. But, for the new or less experienced players these are points that explicitly be brought out and thanks for that.

how do you get the shading to show your visibility range?

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm just running the game with standard settings.

[richardsd]

I see lots of AAR's and posts that show the visability shaded (much like movement does for 1 unit)

eg your 3 subs patrolling in the Atlantic - I have never had this showing in a game - it must be a setting somewhere (like the lovely option that had xxxxx's for text - the game just hates me)

[rkr1958]

Turn 11. March 19, 1940 Axis.

Fair weather again this turn (C49). The Italians had enough PPs to buy their second lab, which was infantry (C50). Also, German u-boats spotted RN BB squadron (C51) and moved to investigate but only found a small convoy being escorted by other RN fleet squadrons (C52). The convoy was not worth attacking. However; a bigger question was were is the French Navy?

The 7-step fighter circled in blue in C50 was repaired. Also circled in C50 are the two primary (red 1 & 2) and one secondary (yellow 3) objectives for this turn. Objective 1 (Reims) is within range of one of the two alert German fighters (note the 3rd is grounded for repairs this turn) and the last know position of the French fighter circled in cyan and denoted by Fr Fr. It is out of range of the last known position of the RAF fighter, also circled in cyan but denoted as UK FR. Objective 2 is out of range of both German alert fighters and the RAF fighter; but is in range of the French fighter. Objective 3 is out of range of both alert German fighters but in range of both the RAF fighter and French fighter. So, to try to minimize air losses my air attack sequence was:

Objective 1 (Reims): Tactical bomber. French fighter sortied but was counter intercepted by the alert German fighter in range. Tactical bomber.
Objective 2: Strategic bomber.
Objective 3: None.

All three objectives were easily taken by ground attacks with very little losses. I was able to finish my turn with only infantry corps occupying the front line. Rowen was occupied by a depleted 7-step corps and the hex adjacent to it by an 8-step corps. This is the weakness part of my line; however, these units were moved there only to protect the flank of my main thrust. In fact an allied counterattack against one or both of these units would be welcomed, even if it resulted in the destruction of an infantry corps, as it would open up Paris to my attacking force. I also rebased the unused German fighter to within range of Paris. This puts two fighters and one tactical bomber in range of Paris.

The Allied AI is really doing a poor job of defending France. It's making no attempt to form a cohesive defensive line. Also note that it is allowing the six French garrison in the Maginot line to be cut off. The 8-step infantry corps is one hex away from cutting them off from the rest of France and all six garrisons are adjacent to a German unit, which means that can not rail. In effect they are already cut off.


C49. Turn 11 (3/19/1940) Start


C50. Italian Infantry Lab


C51. Wolfpack Spots RN BB


C52. Small Convoy


C53. Turn 11 End

Link to latest draft of AAR Tutorial: http://rapidshare.com/files/403763007/A ... R.doc.html

[rkr1958]

Turn 12. April 8, 1940 Axis.

I cannot believe what the AI did during it's turn (C54)! It attacked out of Paris against an adjacent 10-step German infantry corps. This cost the attackers 3-steps and some entrenchment and only knocked off 2-steps from of the corps attacked. Also, the AI has only moved in the French armor corps and a mechanized corps, which it built, to help defend Paris. The attack out of Paris and the weak defensive effort on the part of the AI has doomed France to an early demise at low cost to the Germans. On the positive for the AI, it did manage to run a French BB into one of my u-boat flotillas (C55).

Before the attacks I took care of other business, which was to purchase Germans general lab number 2, which is focused on industry (C56).

The air attacks focused on infantry corps in Paris and the adjacent French mechanized corps. The infantry corps was attacked by the 10-step fighter, which was intercepted by the French fighter, and a tactical bomber. The mechanized corps was attacked by the 9-step fighter followed by the strategic bomber.

The first ground attacks focused on destroying the mechanized corps to make way for attacks on Paris. The mechanized corps was destroyed fairly easily and Paris was captured without much effort (C57). In fact, there were sufficient unused forces to start the Norway campaign next turn. These forces were promptly redeployed to Denmark (C58). Also, the three German u-boat flotillas move at top speed towards this area to support the invasion as soon as possible (C59). I like to have them in position to protect the transports and escorting fleet; however, it will take them two turns to get there. I didn't expect France to fall this soon and this easily; otherwise, I'd have them on station in time. Regardless, the operation begins next turn. Especially against a human opponent I would do the same as I believe I would have the element of surprise on my side.

C60 so the situation in France at the end of my turn. Note that there are three cities & ports circled in blue. Against an experience opponent they would like have the UK strategic bomber in Bordeaux (1) and the RAF and Canadian fighters in the other two at the time France fell. Then on their, the allied, turn would move them back to England. The impact of this is that all three of these cities & ports would be controlled by the British and the only way for the German to capture them would be to move overland and occupy them. I moved my grounds units in the hypothetical anticipation of this tactic even though I know the AI won't do it. Again, I made this move based on the expectation of this when playing against a human opponent.

The "Fall of France" stats were 310 PPs of losses for the axis, 158 PPs for the British and a delta of 152 PPs. With a fall date of April 8, 1940 this wold be a spectacular result against a human opponent. But considering I'm playing the AI this is definitely nothing to crow about.


C54. Turn 12. 4/8/40 Start (I Can't Believe What the AI Did!)


C55. U-boats Start


C56. German General Lab 2 with Focus in Industry


C57. France Falls Easily


C58. Ground and Air Forces Redeployed for Norway Invasion


C59. U-boats Move to Protect Norway Invasion


C60. German Units Race to Capture Western French Ports


C61. Fall of France Stats

[rkr1958]

Turn 13. April 28, 1940 Axis.

The allied AI used the RAF strategic bomber to bomb Lille (C62). This resulted in air to air fighter combat and little damage to Lille. The allied AI's continued bombing; especially after France has fallen seems a waste of PPs and Oil.

The Germans achieved sub technology level 1 (C63) and; therefore decided to buy two new u-boat flotillas (C64). Also, they were able to repair both tactical bombers in northern Denmark back to full strength by overspending by 33 PPs. The entire Luftwaffe was rebased to Denmark in support of Operation Weseruburg, which is the planned invasion and conquest of Norway (C65). Operation Weseruburg was set in motion by the movement of a German invasion fleet supported by the Kriegsmaine off the coast of Norway. Also, the entire German u-boat fleet (C66) is making it's way to the Skagerrak to also support this operation.

Some, or most, may consider it over kill that I moved the entire Luftwaffe, the entire u-boat fleet and the entire Kriegsmarines to support Operation Weseruburg. However; I don't because I want overwhelming force present there to punish the allied player if they decided to send in the RN to counter the invasion and / or ground troops to hold Norway. In the majority of cases they don't except for the more experience allied player who send the RAF bomber to Trondheim and a fighter to Bergen and keep them there until Norway falls. Then they pull out but still retrain control on these two cities and their ports forcing the axis player to march overland and / or launch a mini-invasion to capture them. This is a small thing for the allied player to do but is a real pain in the butt for the axis player to have to deal with. The strong axis air and naval forces there are not meant to, and cannot, deal with that type of intervention.

As I said in the previous paragraph in the majority of the games I've played this way these forces were not needed. However; there was one in particular where they were. I was able to sink a Canadian infantry transport, reduced a Canadian mechanized transport to 1-step, sink a UK BB and inflict damage on other naval units. If I hadn't had these forces in place the the allied player would have likely countered my invasion of Norway and taken it for their self. In the actual war it was normal practice for the Germans to employ all air and naval forces they had for these early war operations. Personally, I think this is a good strategy to follow for both Operation Weseruburg and the invasion of Greece in the Med.


C62. AI Bombs Lille.


C63. Start


C64. Two New U-boat Builds


C65. Operation Weseruburg


C66. Occupied France

[massina_nz]

I assume you'll use the u-boats to block any attempted British intervention in Bergen or Trondheim? Something most allied players seem to do, but not the AI. It's a pain having those u-boats hanging around doing nothing, but more of a pain if the Allied player decides to intervene.

[rkr1958]

I assume you'll use the u-boats to block any attempted British intervention in Bergen or Trondheim? Something most allied players seem to do, but not the AI. It's a pain having those u-boats hanging around doing nothing, but more of a pain if the Allied player decides to intervene.

I was still adding to and editing my post when you replied. You're exactly right as to my thinking. Check out my edited post.

[massina_nz]

Yeah and defintiely over-whelming air support for Greece invasion. I've had some good results recently against allied players by destroying vast amounts of RN assets with the all Luftwaffe based in Albania and Libya.

[rkr1958]

Turn 14. 5/18/40 Axis.

The Germans achieved Air, Strategic Operations level 1 (C67) so I switched from balance research in air to a focus on dogfights, which is really starting to lag behind the other areas. I guess this is one of the "positive" changes to random research, making it less random but the default for GS.

The Germans started the turn, after last turn finished with a deficit of -33 PPs, with 56 PPs and this was 4 short the needed 60 for a sub (C68). My build objectives are a sixth sub and then a second strategic bomber.

The Germans landed in Norway so Operation Weseruburg is officially underway. The AI seems content to continue to bomb targets in Germany. I could really go after the RAF and destroy the fighter; however, I'm in a sporting mood so I'm going to not bomb Britain and I'm going to leave the RAF alone. However; if I were playing against a human opponent who was doing this I would go after his air and reduced London and other cities in England to 0 production.

A 5-step French partisan did pop up this turn next to Cherbourg. It was quickly dispatched.


C67. Germany Achieves Strategic Operations Level 1


C68. Start


C69. Germans Landed in Norway (Operation Weseruburg Has Officially Begun)

[rkr1958]

Turn 15. June 7, 1940 Axis.

Italy joined the war at the end of my last turn (5/18/40). Also, the allied AI last continued it's bombing of German infantry in France (5/18/40) (C70). While I lost a step these RAF lost a couple. Again, if this was a human player I'd bring in a couple of fighters and strategic bombers to do damage to the British economy and destroy this cheeky fighter.

Norway fell easily with two tactical bomber attacks followed by an attack from one of the infantry corps (C71). This game me a bit of flexibility in what to do with the remaining forces. First I wanted to make sure that the allies hadn't occupied Bergen with a fighter, bomber or ground unit. I used the strategic bomber to recon Bergen to find this out. However; if I sent the bomber directly in and a UK fighter was in Bergen then it would likely take heavy losses because Bergen is out of range of the German fighter. So, to check if a fighter was present I attacked the Molybdenum mine with the 3rd tactical bomber (C71, Recon 1). The objective of this attack wasn't to attack the mine but to draw out the allied fighter to intercept, which in turn would have been countered intercepted by a German fighter (C71, Alert for Recon 1). No fighter was present. After this attack I then sent the strategic bomber in and it uncovered that Bergen is still garrisoned by a Norwegian unit. There; Bergen will change to German control at the end of my turn and the odds of UK intervention is fairly low. However; to be absolutely certain I sent a German u-boat to check that are for the RN. Nothing was found. Now, I'm 99.999% sure that the AI wouldn't have intervene but I went through the motions to demonstrated what I would have done if playing against another human. The negative presence of UK in Norway allowed me to pull out the second infantry corps and to move the two depleted u-boat flotillas to port for repairs next turn. The turn after that all three flotillas will get upgrades.

The Germans built their 6th u-boat flotilla this turn and end it with 70 PPs. The spend priorities are: (1) 2nd strategic bomber, (2) high quality commander (Greek Campaign) and (3) repairs of air units. The Italian air force

The Italians built their 3rd lab, which was their first general lab with a focus on industry (C72).

Rundstedt and his corps were railed to Taranto (C73) for deployment to North Africa. Also moved for deployment to North Africa next turn were three Italian infantry corps (2 in Taranto & 1 in Palermo on a transport), Italian fighter and Italian tactical bomber. I'll have to see what the supply points are but I plan to also deploy two more German infantry corps, one mechanized corps and one fighter there. I plan to pull the Italian tactical bomber out, use that in Russia, and replace it in North Africa with a 2nd Italian fighter, which is to be built. I will also move additional Italian infantry corps there. I know these deployments are overkill against the AI, which isn't likely to do anything in North Africa; however, these would be the forces that I would have deployed in my normal games.


C70. AI Air Attacks Continue (5/18/50)


C71. Norway Falls


C72. Italian 3rd Lab and First General Lab (with Focus on Industry)


C73. North Africa Deployments

[massina_nz]

One annoying thing the Allies can do is shore-bombard air units that are on the coastline, not only does it cause it casualties, it stops the Axis air units from inter-dicting that turn. So I place my Axis units in NA at least one hex in from the sea to stop that, even if it means placing them in a hills or desert hex.

I think the key to NA is holding Tobruk as long as possible, so I place a commander with a defensive bonus there like Leeb or Heinrici on a German INF unit in Tobruk.

[rkr1958]

One annoying thing the Allies can do is shore-bombard air units that are on the coastline, not only does it cause it casualties, it stops the Axis air units from inter-dicting that turn. So I place my Axis units in NA at least one hex in from the sea to stop that, even if it means placing them in a hills or desert hex.

I do too when I can. Thanks for pointing that out.

I think the key to NA is holding Tobruk as long as possible, so I place a commander with a defensive bonus there like Leeb or Heinrici on a German INF unit in Tobruk.

I agree. I know it's in vogue in some games to lightly defend North Africa but I like to defend it aggressively and hold on to it as long as possible. To that extent I'm willing to lose two German infantry corps but when it appears that the axis are about to be overrun is when I'll pull out the mechanized corps and one infantry corps. And when Tobruk is finally under siege is when I'll reassign Rundstedt. So, even if he had a +1 defensive bonus he wouldn't stick around in Tobruk to really make use of it.

[massina_nz]

<snip>And when Tobruk is finally under siege is when I'll eassignRundstedt. So, even if he had a +1 defensive bonus he wouldn't stick around in Tobruk to really make use of it.

I generally re-assign the German commander at Tobruk once the unit he is with is down to about 3-5 steps, so they get to use his defensive bonus for a few turns at least. Leaving him there when the city is taken is plainly dumb. Since he could go on R&R for many turns.

[patton]

So let me ask. It appears that the consensus here is that the Axis cannot really contest Africa or threaten (much less grab) the ME oilfields. So don't try to take on the Brits directly. However, it is wise not to abandon Africa because if you do that you have left Italy wide open for invasion. So it's best to put some force there, hold around Tobruk, and just make it as slow and expensive as possible for the Allies to kick you out and start on Italy.

Is that right?

I guess I am still not sure why an Allied player would necessarily go for Italy in the first place. In the real war, there is wide (if not universal) agreement that the Italian camaign was a strategic mistake and that those resources would have been better spent in the direct assault on Germany. Considering how stressed the Germans are in this game, it would seem that the converse is true: don't spend German PPs on Italy. Let it go if the Allies want it so bad and thank your stars that they are wasting PPs there.

[gchristie]

To that extent I'm willing to lose two German infantry corps but when it appears that the axis are about to be overrun is when I'll pull out the mechanized corps and one infantry corps. And when Tobruk is finally under siege is when I'll reassign Rundstedt. So, even if he had a +1 defensive bonus he wouldn't stick around in Tobruk to really make use of it.

This assumes the RN isn't active in the med, no? Allied players I've played, once they sense Sealion is not a threat transfer units to the med and make transport of land units in and out of NA much more risky. Of course, AI doesn't do such things, in my experience.

Thanks for doing this AAR. I'm looking forward to how you execute the invasion of Greece, as I've managed to foul it up badly against humans.

Regards.

[massina_nz]

[<snip>This assumes the RN isn't active in the med, no? Allied players I've played, once they sense Sealion is not a threat transfer units to the med and make transport of land units in and out of NA much more risky. Of course, AI doesn't do such things, in my experience.
<snip>

Ahh, you have to do what Ronnie is doing and begin the transfer of any troops to NA pretty much straight after France falls. I'm looking forward to see how he does it.

In one game that I mucked up as Axis, the Allied player already had a strong presence in the Med before France fell. He had postiioned a huge RN fleet in the central Med between Italy and Libya. It was the perfect opportunity to send the whole Luftwaffe to Italy and completely decimate the RN, but instead I went swanning off to Norway chasing pixies. Dumb move.

I think this AAR will show you with the Greek invasion set-up how to combat the RN in the Med in 40/41. If fact you can easily bait them into a trap.

[massina_nz]

So let me ask. It appears that the consensus here is that the Axis cannot really contest Africa or threaten (much less grab) the ME oilfields. So don't try to take on the Brits directly. However, it is wise not to abandon Africa because if you do that you have left Italy wide open for invasion. So it's best to put some force there, hold around Tobruk, and just make it as slow and expensive as possible for the Allies to kick you out and start on Italy.

Is that right?.<snip>

That's my general strategy as the Axis, seems to work most times. Focus on Barbarossa rather than NA. the pay-off is greater I believe.

[massina_nz]

<snip>
I guess I am still not sure why an Allied player would necessarily go for Italy in the first place. In the real war, there is wide (if not universal) agreement that the Italian camaign was a strategic mistake and that those resources would have been better spent in the direct assault on Germany. Considering how stressed the Germans are in this game, it would seem that the converse is true: don't spend German PPs on Italy. Let it go if the Allies want it so bad and thank your stars that they are wasting PPs there.

That doesn't work for me, because I use a substantial force of Italians in Russia as second line troops. Without these I would find Russia much more difficult. So generally send 3 INFs and 2 FTRs to Libya with a commander. That's around 330PPs spend ignoring the commander. If I can keep Italy in the War for an extra year then I think it's worth it. The fly in the oinment is if the Allies sneak into Sardina or Sicily early and ignore Libya. But as seen in the Plaid-Supermax game if you leave Libya this can happen as well.

[rkr1958]

So let me ask. It appears that the consensus here is that the Axis cannot really contest Africa or threaten (much less grab) the ME oilfields. So don't try to take on the Brits directly. However, it is wise not to abandon Africa because if you do that you have left Italy wide open for invasion. So it's best to put some force there, hold around Tobruk, and just make it as slow and expensive as possible for the Allies to kick you out and start on Italy.

Is that right?

Partially. The axis can take the Suez Canal ( see viewtopic.php?p=117298#117298 ) or even the middle east oil fields but at a price, which is a weak and / or delayed Barbarossa. When you do you're walking a knife's edge with even less margin for error than the axis player usually has (in my opinion).

I guess I am still not sure why an Allied player would necessarily go for Italy in the first place. In the real war, there is wide (if not universal) agreement that the Italian camaign was a strategic mistake and that those resources would have been better spent in the direct assault on Germany. Considering how stressed the Germans are in this game, it would seem that the converse is true: don't spend German PPs on Italy. Let it go if the Allies want it so bad and thank your stars that they are wasting PPs there.

I clear out North Africa to go after Italy. I go after Italy to knock them out and to force the axis player to divert units, oil and PPs from the Russian front. A push against Italy is usually coupled with a push by the Russians.

The loss of Italy is, in my opinion, a major blow to the axis. They lose second line units, rail capability and a buffer between them and the allies. If the allied player wishes to give this to me with little effort to avoid using up PPs and oil then I'm happy to take it and keep pushing until the allies are force to counter me. In my opinion it's imperative for the western allies to significantly engage the axis in order to relieve pressure on the Russians so they can start to push west. This is the reason Italy is important. Control of North Africa is the prerequisite to Italy and this is why, as the axis player, I will fight hard to hold on to it. North Africa is NOT hold at all cost to the bitter end but to hold as long as possible and make sure you get out your valuable units (i.e., air, armor, mechanized) before they're trapped.

[rkr1958]

Turn 16. June 27, 1940 Axis.

The AI last turn (6/7/40) continues it's "bomb-a-matic" strategy (C74).

The Germans built their 2nd strategic bomber (C75) and repaired two u-boat flotillas (C76). The transfer of units from Norway to the Med continues (C76) and the transition of units from France for Greece, Yugoslavia and Russia has started (C77). Where possible I will not move oil consuming units and rail them instead. This includes the armor corps in France, which haven't moved since it feel, and two tactical bombers railed next to Taranto (C78).

The build up of North Africa and the transfer of forces for the Balkans campaign continues (C77).


C74. AI Bomb-a-Matic


C75. 2nd Strategic Bomber Build


C76. Norway.


C77. Save Oil by Not Moving Oil Consuming Units and Rail Them


C78. North Africa and Southern Italy Build Up