Gmothes vs Plaid 2.0 AAR

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:57 pm

Allied turn 31 - April 23 1941

Axis are approaching our Egypt defences.

I launch air-naval offencive against this troops, but results are surprisingly bad. At least I may hope that zero tech Italians will start getting their bad rolls later.

In Britain some DDs returned from escort duty. Now they should rest and upgrade in ports, while our 2nd bomber producing. Then RN shall escort bombers to NA theater of war.

I just built 9th british lab (air - dog fight) only to find out that I can build 10th now, thanks to Industry tech advance. Don't see where I get PP for it in nearest future.

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:16 pm

Have you ever throught about trying to outflank the axis force in Egypt via amphibioius invasion? It's something that as the axis player I watch for if I advance into Egypt and something as the allied player I've never had the guts to try against a superior ground force. Of course, you wouldn't want to try it until the axis had started Barbararossa and had their bombers and most (if not all) of their fighters tied up there. It certainly would be a high risk operation but if you could cut off and trap the axis force there it would certaintly create some havoic for your opponent.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:45 pm

rkr1958 wrote:Have you ever throught about trying to outflank the axis force in Egypt via amphibioius invasion? It's something that as the axis player I watch for if I advance into Egypt and something as the allied player I've never had the guts to try against a superior ground force. Of course, you wouldn't want to try it until the axis had started Barbararossa and had their bombers and most (if not all) of their fighters tied up there. It certainly would be a high risk operation but if you could cut off and trap the axis force there it would certaintly create some havoic for your opponent.

It seems smart operation, but maybe not in this game. I already ordered my bombers, so why not wait for them? 2 nice TAC will help me wipe out entire axis desert army fast and with low casualties (it its all axis forces, what I can see at the moment).

What I have in mind is pretty historical - attack from Egypt by British and Torch by USA.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:56 pm

Allied turn 32 - may 13 1941

Axis continue trying to be bold, attacking our forces in the region. German fighter spotted. (note the odds my DD have vs Italian sub).

We strike hard this subs (actually my BBs have 3 sub combat and fight them well with average luck).

Still got 1:1 roll vs italian fighters, though its unupgraded and orange.

My sub spotted Italian naval power sorting near Bengazi - 2 BB groups and DD - i think its all Regina Marina as it is (with 2 sub groups).

My Gibraltar BB squad was alarmed and ordered to take part in future naval battle.

BBs bombarding german mech lost some effectiveness and are a bit exposed to Italian naval counterattack, but I have more ships and they are better.
We will have upper hand, I think, if battle happens.

What axis want to achieve in this battle? Just drain a bit of british PP at all costs? Dont seem very efficient thing to me...

Convoy with 2 TACs and probably some mech (don't need 3 of them in UK, for sure), will be sent in 2 turns.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:53 pm

Allied turn 33 - 2nd June 1941

Barbarossa is here!

I can't say yet, is it large or small force...Not huge for sure, but I don't want to try forward defences. Better let them come deep into USSR and enjoy supply issues and SW. Here is defence line planned by soviet Stavka, to protect most vital areas of USSR.

Mobilization started - 10 infantry corps drafted (remember, I didn't purchased very single soviet unit until now), Zhukov, Konev, Chernyakhovskiy (so long surname in English) and Meretskov called from reserves to lead soviet troops. Marshal Timoshenko arrived to Petrozavodsk to command Karelian front. Some troops railed from distant areas of soviet union aswell.

In the MED british sunk italian BB and damaged another. Also nice 3:0 roll (or 3:1, don't remeber) scored vs german FTR. This axis attacks look hopeless to me.

Our own 8 step BB was sunk by Italians during axis turn. I still think that with massive damage inflicted on italian submarine force we rather won, then lost. Also its much more easy for UK, then for Italy, to replace naval casualties. I will order new BB build pretty soon.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:24 pm

Allied turn 34 - 22 June 1941

In USSR we start to establish our defencive lines. Commanders assigned and troops started to arrive.

8 more infantry, 2 mech recruited for USSR this turn. General Popov called to head the defence of Crimea and will arrive to the fortress next turn.

In MED all quiet now, no action. I will catch the breath and repair my troops for future offencive.

Convoy with needed reinforcements formed near shores of Britain.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:53 pm

Allied turn 35 - 12 July 1941

German progress slows down, even though I don't fight them. Probably Gerry is cautious (while he should not be with my pure defencive army and strategy).

In NA also no action. Seems like Italians got enough of it.

4 uboats (I guess my opponent don't have more) engaged soviet convoy near canadian shores. So I expect my convoy to get to destination with no
adventures, but still it goes fully escorted.

Major partisan rebellion in Yugoslavia at the end of my turn - 3 units formed. One of them near empty mine, and will probably control it for few turns.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:14 pm

Allied turn 36 - 1st August 1941

We almost manned our defencive lines in USSR, but germans doesn't seem willing to test them. They actually stuck near cities like Kiev and Gomel and don't advance any further. It can limit our offencive ability in winter, but if we would be able to reach Dnepr lines, we will not leave them even in summer (1942) and will defend there.

My convoy to Africa is 2 turns away from transportation look. Seems like they would arrive just in time for bad weather on the East, when germans would be able to redeploy some air. Good side is that they have only 15 supply points and huge airforce can't be deployed for NA. So we still may be fine with 2 bombers, 2 fighters and CV.

Torch will be launched as soon as USA enters the war. Time to plan, what forces I need to build to reinforce starting USA army.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:01 pm

Allied turn 38 - 10 september 1941

Looks like germans finally reach our defence lines. Will they try to attack them?

German battleship group sunk near Leningrad by soviet airforce and baltic navy.

I had to evacuate Konev's HQ from Kharkov (because garrison is very likely to be killed), while we will try to hold the city.

Additional armour formations reqested for Red Army.

British transports entered transportation loop this turn, we will finally launch our offencive one day.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 8:47 am

Allied turn 39 - 30 September 1941

In USSR mostly quiet, but finns destroyed my garrison at Leningrad outskirts, and Italians captured Kharkov.

We try to retake the city, but no succes, despite good odds.

Now this soviet troops are way exposed in case weather will still fair. But I think this casualties are acceptable for now.

Konev arrived to his new HQ near Kursk.

In the north mostly all quiet. German troops concentration near Moscow, but its already late for them to try anything.

This turn I purchased last lab (general) for UK aswell as new DD group (again forgot about commander for Egypt!).

Also started USA build up, purchasing 3 DDs and 2 TACs.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:46 pm

Allied turn 40 - 20 october 1941

Winter weather on the east, still axis inflicted some damage to our mechs near Kharkov. I was able to repair all units, now we wait only SW to knock axis out of the city.

Additional airpower deployed for region, also got Siberian reserves at the end of my turn, they will be gathered mostly here. I will exploit all this axis minor/italian armies on the south, and inflict them some good damage.

In Africa our bombers arrive. I was able to unload one of them, and 2nd will be unloaded next turn. Veteran mech corps from UK arrived to Basra and also can be railed next turn. Finally I recruited O'Connor, who would be commander of British army in the MED region.

Also axis resumed their attack, and it just costed them italian mech. Really, no way to break this bottleneck positions without good TAC support.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:01 pm

Allied turn 41 - 9 November 1941

Severe winter hits in USSR, totally unexpected both by soviet and german HQ. Note all this red units (including air not on centry).

Bad part is that we neither ready to attack. What can I do? Only to chew some axis units with my frontline infantry, while redeploying tanks and guardsmen. Effectiveness of troops is poor aswell.

And again we failed to retake Kharkov!

In northern part of front mostly quiet, but Finns reached Leningrad outskirts. As long as we hold Novgorod area and southern flank of fortress is safe, its not a problem. But Leningrad may be major german goal for 1942 campaign, who knows.

In MED we were able to inflict nice damage on some axis units. Now most picies are in place and we ready to launch our attack next turn.

Also I am sending large RN task force to check northern seas and escort soviet convoy properly (4 DD 2 BB CV). They will be supported by any awailiable air from Canada.

USA enters the war at the end of my turn.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:08 pm

Allied turn 42 - 29 November 1941

In USSR axis still have frontline of weak minor units in poor condition.

We finally started to score great rolls on them, axis lines are crumbling.

I am surprised that even axis minor fighters are still trying to intercept my airpower (and get negative results even vs unescorted bombers).

In northern africa we are on the offence now, inflicting some damage to Italians.

Interesting bug occured this turn - my british convoy ended its turn (!) in Brest and I got message "naval unit in captured port scuttled", destroying convoy. Several times before I have seen allied convoys passing through axis controlled Brest port (and taking damage from sub, if any was there).
But 1st time I see convoy vanishing this way.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:13 pm

Allied turn 43 - 19 December 1941

More advance in southern USSR this turn, axis minor troops are facing major defeat, since guardsmen and tanks finally arrived and sent into action.
If we are lucky we may reach Kiev even!

In Egypt 2 italian infantry (including HQ) defeated, we push straight for Tobruk now.

In 2 turns also sending american transports for Torch, now waiting for some troops to be ready.

Further adventures of bugged 35 PP british convoy - now it appeared near Canadian shores!

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:09 am

Allied turn 44 - 8 January 1942

In USSR more of the same - winter offencive progress well, but it becomes clear that it will not achieve any strategic goal. We would just kill more axis units and fix our lines before good weather, to avoid unneeded casualties.

Note one of my tanks became guards near Dnepropetrovsk.

In MED also all the same. Good news are that this turn my RN ships bumped into both Italian subs (didn't look for them on purpose, ships had other missions - expected subs to be on repairs). Subs were low steps and both destroyed. Now Italians expected to have 1`BB and 1 DD, which makes RN only real naval power in the MED.

Atlantic RN task force trying to do something with SUB menace in northern seas.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:16 am

Allied turn 45 - 28 January 1942

In USSR our winter offencive comes to its end. At least our tank formations were able to cross Dnepr and destroy Guderian HQ panzer koprs, but now they are exposed to german counterattack. With keeping casualtis low I can lose tank or two with soviets at the moment, why no?

In MED we continue our rush to Tobruk. Key idea is not to allow DAK to escape!

Sending USA transports for MED delayed until the next turn - applying critical mech and armour upgrades.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:24 am

Allied turn 46 - 17 February 1942

Offencive on the east officially over. One of my tanks destroyed by panzerwaffe, 2nd forced to retreat. I hope it will surive next turn. Now we wait for good weather turn to pull back to pre-winter positions, since during winter we didn't capture any good defencive position or city, no reason to hold all this land.

In MED Tobruk harbour blocked and BB torpedoed there. RN task is to prevent any german troops from evacuation from Lybia.

Atlantic front : we able to attack german subs only with bombers at the moment.

USA troops finally sent (2 INF, 3 MECH, ARM, 2 TAC, FTR - escorted by USN forces and with Devers HQ)

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:44 am

With the general success on all fronts, why not just skip Torch with the US and land directly into Sicily or even France? Seems the Italians have nothing much left to stop this.

Plaid · Post by **Plaid** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:56 am

trulster wrote:With the general success on all fronts, why not just skip Torch with the US and land directly into Sicily or even France? Seems the Italians have nothing much left to stop this.

I guess I need nice free french army (with 2 high skill "USA" generals) first of all. And secondary goal is Tunis as Italian surrender city.
This troops are my USA commitment to MED theater of war, they will probably stay here until the end of war, taking part in various operations.
Also landing in Sicily might be good plan aswell.

Crazygunner1 · Post by **Crazygunner1** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:39 pm

Nice winter offensive in Russia, think you did pretty well. You might not have gained a lot of strategical objectives but you tore a big hole in his line in the middle. It will take a while you regain from that....

Tough you success on the eastern front i still think you should retreat to a better defenseive position over summer 42. Protect Moscow and Leningrad but on other places retreat, strike again with power in winter 42.

It is good that you stick to your plan, launching torch and taking out Italy is good before landing in France.

Great game so far

Crazyg