AO Simple AAR - General Tassadar and his Little Tanks

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Return to Stalingrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 135627

Hero:


Useful hero for I./JG 62. The extra fighters sometimes will be needed and once air superiority is achieved, this will give it a little more options in the later stages.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 512 - Panther A
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11)
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard

I decided to ignore the old Panter (P) as aside from the flavor reasons there's not that much point keeping it over superior variants. New recon vehicles are nice however, as this makes them the light tanks of the day, capable of surviving more, alas for a much higher prestige costs if they do get hit. The AT and AA upgrades are minor, but not unwelcome as well.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 512 - Panther A - *** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Anti-tank guns might seem blocking the river, but with artillery support PzAbt 411 will clear them as if they never existed.


Some medals for the fighter squadrons for anti-infantry action...


...and for Erich Hartmann for air victories. He really did not need much time for level 2!


Gepards prove themselves quite useful from the start, providing AA cover to my armored units in the open and being able to keep up with tanks and other vehicles.


An interesting narrative event. Good to see characters form the past are not forgotten entirely.


Soviet tank is sneaky enough to go around Provocator by attacking from the other side. Probably accidental since it brings it closer to objective hexes this way, but it's a first when the unit moved like that to get around the ability.


Trading prestige for Survivor over Stalingrad airspace is almost a tradition for my cores and this return mission keeps it up.


I know, I do not need to capture the city, but the occasions just present themselves.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

SU-152 - 2 (up to 5)

Final Prestige: 146359 (up 10732)
CP gained: 0 (7 remaining)

Overall:

This scenario concludes the ahistorical path and is quite the twist on the 1942 missions. The scale of the map is different, but it has a solid level of difficulty still, without going overboard with it. What surprised me the most was that Stalingrad hexes and those on the warning line actually award a lot of prestige. For those prestige starved runs that's an amazing opportunity to catch up a bit, since at least 6 of them are not that difficult to capture (the rest is a stretch, and the one on the other side of the Volga are doable, yet a bit silly). Nothing comes of it if I'm not mistaken, but I'm sure a few ambitious completionists will try to capture them all, if only for the curiosity of any special messages or events.

AO 1943 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 54484
Final Prestige: 146359 (up 91875)

Final Army Composition:

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther A - *** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **

Armored Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Trophies of War:

Infantry:

SMG Inf - 1

Tank:

BT-5 - 39
Vickers Mk.III - 13
Somua S35 - 34
BT-7 - 53
OT-133 - 17
T-26 - 100
T-28 - 11
Trubia - 57
38 M Toldi I - 100
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
AMC 35 - 26
T-15 - 4
Char 2C - 35
Char B1 - 27
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 12
FT-17 - 35
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
FT-17 (pl) - 7
R1 - 35
Renault R35 - 7
TKS - 18
Matilda II - 74
KV-1/40 - 54
KV-2 - 60
T-34/40 - 57
KV-1/41 - 35
T-50 - 11
M14/41 - 70
T-34/41 - 35
T-60 - 5
Valentine III - 3
OT-34 - 27
KV-1/42 - 14
42M Toldi IIa - 50
T-34/42 - 28
L6/40 Lf - 146
PT-34 - 29
T-70 - 13
M15/42 - 35
T-34/43 - 17
T-34-57 - 44
P26/40 - 29
KV-85 - 43
IS-1 - 27

Recon:

AMC P16 - 6
BA-6 - 3
Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
T-38 - 11
BA-10 - 22
AAC-1937 - 15
Panhard 178 - 38
Daimler Dingo - 11
Humber AC Mk.I - 3
BA-64 - 31
DK Motorcycle - 6
AB 43 - 52

Anti-Tank:

AT-1 - 14
45mm M1937 - 16
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 6
QF 2 pounder - 2
45mm M1932 - 6
37mm M1930 - 12
T-13 - 4
57mm 1941 - 10
Autocannone 90/53 - 35
45mm M1942 - 11
ZIS-30 - 35
76.2mm M1942 - 10
SU-57 - 17
SU-122 - 30
SU-152 - 37
57mm M1943 - 5

Artillery:

203mm M1931 - 89
105mm Vickers M22 - 31
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
SU-5-2 - 15
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
BT-7A - 31
BL 4.5 inch - 5
105mm wz. 29 - 12
122mm M10/30 - 25
122mm M1938 - 36
152mm M10/30 - 13
152mm M1938 - 22
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 36
105mm mle 1913 - 28
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
75mm mle 1897 - 13
105mm M.1925/27 - 7
QF 25 pdr - 15
BM-13 Katyusha - 62
76.2mm M1942 - 2
SP-T-18 - 5
BM-8-8 - 2
BL 5.5 inch - 4
SU-76 - 7
SU-122 - 2
SU-76M - 1
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 37

Anti-Aircraft:

Gaz-AA MG - 1
20mm M/38 - 3
20mm M33 - 48
37mm M1939 - 12
40mm Bofors - 17
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
75mm wz. 36 - 18
76.2mm M31 - 8
75mm FRC M27 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
QF 3 inch - 4
85mm M1939 - 19
Vickers AA - 4
SU-6 - 13
T-90 SPAAG - 13
20/70 quadruplo - 62

Fighter:

I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
Fokker D.XXI - 30
I-15 - 19
P-40 - 19
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 91
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 32
MiG-3 - 136
Yak-1 - 75
Pe-3 - 28
P-38E - 26
La-5 - 38

Tactical Bomber:

Bf 109Z - 45
Ca.135 - 35
Breguet 693 - 30
Sukhoi Su-2 - 23
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 48
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 52
B-25B Mitchell - 32
Tupolev Tu-2 - 29

Strategic Bomber:

He 111Z - 42
PZL P.37B Los - 17
Stirling Mk.I - 29
B-17F - 29
Ilyushin Il-4 - 74
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29

Thoughts:

AO 1943 brings the fighting on an entirely different level of intensity. Based on the absurd prestige gains this might not seem like much, but this is the ultra veteran and powerful hero core with best equipment and really not negatives other than no ability to overstrength. While I was able to steamroll through the campaign, aside from few really tricky missions, I have no doubt mu other cores will have more trouble. The Retrograde one will fight a loosing war with weakened equipment as the Soviets get more and more better gear. Panzermon will also go for the defensive setup, and will have to as usual focus on getting the latest captures, which is always an extra bonus objective and forces me to look at scenarios in an entirely different way. Wunderwaffe run will struggle with the scale of the missions and probably need to have some serious auxiliary support from infantry to go the alternate history path and as for general Bertorelli... well... combining crippling effect of Inefficient Supply on these huge maps with Generalissimus difficulty and constant inferior equipment makes me wondering if he will make it through at all...

In any case, Retrograde, Panzermon and Wunderwaffe will have updates in sets of three - partially because that's how it was done for these in the past and partially since my holidays are ending, so keeping a daily pace would be too taxing.

[Panzer73]

I am looking forward to the rest of your AARs. My first core just finished Operation Roland last night. Even though I didn't have the 6th Army to support me, I still completed the ahistorical objectives - thanks to this core having 4 Zero Slots heroes, in addition to Gero von Manstein! I will still take the historical path with it.

What I found interesting is that with proper AT support, my tank force could afford to be diverse in mid-1943. I have 2 Tigers Is and 2 Panther Ds in this core at this point. The remaining 8 tanks are assorted weaker units, including the trusty old Verdeja 2 which still soldiers on! At this rate, I'll never upgrade that unit

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Case Orange

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 151018

Hero:

None, actually. Looks like adding heroes in the first mission of AO campaign after SCW was now changed and no longer happens.

New Equipment Provided:

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IV
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IV
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7)

The StuG IV is just a really minor upgrade in overall stats, but 6 ammo versus 4 is nothing to sneeze at when it comes to providing enough support fire. I choose to get one 12.8 cm FlaK 40 however, the other 8.8 cm gun will be upgraded to a self-propelled one in the future instead.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 512 - Panther A - *** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IV - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IV - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Vigilant Flammpanzer, Vigilant Tiger, two Gebirgsjäger, best artillery, Rapid Fire AA gun, and a Provocator Elefant. I think these guys will manage without that much extra help.


Fortify Tabriz? I think not! The best defense is good offense.


Hello there! Time to meet Oleh Dir and his Gebirgsjäger.


OK, a 15 strength Halifax manages to ignore my light AA gun defense for massive damage. This needs resolving immediately, but luckily Fast Rebase on such maps is absolutely amazing. Galland is on the way.


The west is secure and the road to Azarshahr is open.


30 strenght units? I guess that's one way to slow the player down, even if he's got tons of heroes...


...and it looks like this might be a trend.


Survivor saved Rudel. He got attacked despite fighter escort and got hit hard!


Interesting decision, especially since it carries no benefit at all. I have tons of prestige and no real signs of running low on it, so the risk does seem to be worth some extra challenge, especially since I will not be changing the difficulty this run.


OK, now I'm not as sad about not getting a hero at the start of the scenario. This is going to make one of my Hummlels much better and help put one of those Counter Battery Fire heros I've been getting to good use.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

M5 Stuart - 9 (up to 9)
Churchill Mk.VI - 5 (up to 5)
Cromwell Mk.IV - 15 (up to 15)
IS-1 - 2 (up to 29)
Bishop - 6 (up to 6)
Churchill AVRE - 5 (up to 5)

Final Prestige: 14541 (down 136477)
CP gained: 2 (2 remaining)

Overall:

With Case Orange, fictional path of AO 1944 is off to a good start. Fighting the British helps since constantly battling the Soviets in 1942 and 1943 was getting a bit old. These slightly different missions will make things fresh again before having to back to the eastern front once more and face the main threat. I liked the multitude of objectives, even if it took me a moment to realize what each meant. The map is well thought off, mixing open ground, close terrain and some exposed starting positions - apparently a demo of what's to come on the historical path. The super units of the enemy, very numerous and immune to surrenders were a surprise, but for now they did not form an unbreakable wall since they lacked other, more powerful heroes. However, I see the potential in these elite objectives to challenge even the best players with stacked core forces.

[Kerensky]

Good luck on your latest campaign! =)

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Operation Corridor

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 15959


Heroes are always a good trade of commendation points.


This time I won't be able to utilize the potential of Gerhard. No Overstrength trait makes him a lot worse. He ends up in I./JG 63 as the He 219 needs experience and is more likely to suffer losses.

Hero:


Joining AufkAbt 21. Hit and Run on recon cars with good initiative helps them harass infantry in close terrain.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t)

Very solid upgrade over the Flammpanzer III, and will even qualify for the Wunderwaffe run!

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther A - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IV - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IV - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***

Fighter

III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


The one time I leave pioneers in reserve, I immediately encounter mines.


Someone got provoked! I am liking this hero more and more with each DLC.


British paratroopers just have no luck. They quickly get spotted over the mountains.


Someone is really desperate to deny me those supplies.


That's a rare sight these days with so many units being already very experienced. Panzerjäger Abt 203 fighting Cromwell tanks gets some extra power.


Yet another medal. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks.


Defenders of Mianeh fight bravely, but they just cannot form a solid line that would allow them to resist for long.


One more award as the city is about to fall.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

Churchill Mk.IV - 2 (up to 2)

Final Prestige: 20902 (up 4943)
CP gained: 4 (2 spent, 4 remaining)

Overall:

The mission had less of the powerful enemy units, but the terrain did not favor the advancing force, at least up until a certain point. Hills and rivers positioned this way can be surprisingly difficult to navigate and while my army did not have much trouble defeating the enemy, it did struggle to unleash its full potential as there was very little room to do so and it also meant capturing was usually not worth the time. The briefing was correct in that regard. In terms of the air force, while it recommended bringing fewer aircraft, those I did take proved quite useful in braking key defensive points. I guess I could have also taken more artillery, but I have no experienced units of the type to spare an it's too late to start training them now.

Good luck on your latest campaign! =)

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to both paths and how each core plays out according to their specific strengths and new upgraded. I already see that while the difficulty of passing the missions will remain constant, those elite objectives are not going to be a cakewalk (can't wait for Bertorelli's men to try and take on Astara's defenders...)!

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Operation Tusk

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 23342

Hero:


Reinhold joins PzAbt 511 and the River Assault tankers get moved to PzAbt 412 instead. This way I can utilize Artillery Support better, while still having some small benefit from river combat bonuses in a tank that can use some extra defense.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panther G
PzAbt 402 - Panther G
PzAbt 512 - Panther G
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K

New Panthers are mostly cosmetic upgrades, but every little pint counts with enemy tanks getting better and batter as well. Jagdpanzer IV/48 si a lot better than the Marder, but at the cost of two whole slots. Still, that was needed, the Marder was barely keeping up with better opposing vehicles. Finally, there's the new Bf 109 variant that packs more punch and is a lot more slot efficient than the Fw 190A.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann

Fighter

II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IV - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IV - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48- **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


I've got two pieces of zero slots artillery, so I plan to deploy them. Six Fallschirmjäger units will probably be enough, esecially since there is limited number of air transports available and green troops would not be that useful anyway (and I won't temporarily respec other infantry). The few planes together with artillery will attempt to breach the fortification line - just in case such a maneuver is needed to support the paratroopers.


Rather than evacuating the prisoners, I let them resupply and take part in the battle.


Some light tanks try to sneak up on my base camp. Not nice, not nice at all!


Last american structures fall after the British one did and with just a few turns left, I decide to grind out a few bits of experience where possible.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

QF 6 pounder - 15 (up to 15)

Final Prestige: 23951 (up 609)
CP gained: 5 (up to 9)

Overall:

This was a very intriguing scenario in a few ways. The amount of British armor is not overwhelming, but large enough that careless moves will be quickly punished. The mission strongly supports using the dedicated paratrooper force, but is flexible enough, that a smart regular ground force would probably manage as well, but only with the help of good heroes. Teheran itself is probably a waste of time plus holds no hidden content, which reinforces the idea of just doing as much as possible in a limited time. The option to end the mission early at any point is also quite an interesting innovation that might see more use in the future in these optional scenarios.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Operation Stormbird

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 26972

Hero:


My favorite infantry hero, now added to Infanterie Reg 100 (span.), which now just needs one extra hero to ignore entrenchment.

New Units Commissioned:

I./JG 63 - Me 262A

This extra unit addition means He 219 are renamed to I./NJG 71.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II
Former Sturmgeschütz Abt 201, now Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther
Former Sturmgeschütz Abt 202, now Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther
I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G

Tiger II tanks and Jagdpanthers offer amazing stat improvements, but the slot cost is starting to get silly, overstrength or not. At least the Fw 190D-9 is a reasonable upgrade with no extra requirements attached!

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - *
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber

III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48- **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Western part of the coast gets overrun by the allies very quickly and there is little I can do about it now. This area will have to be retaken by the advancing counterattack.


Further west the defenses still hold, but that will surely not last long, as the enemy is attacking in huge numbers.


Airfields around Caen are facing multiple allied fighter raids that attempt to slow down my ability to properly rebase the planes and assist ground troops as intended.


III./ZG 6 gets a medal for anti-bomber duty. I hope for more such awards given the intensity of the fighting.


Ah, some flavorful fictional storytelling. It is interesting to see how it will change things.


Rudel is unstoppable as always. Allied vehicles are taken out at an astonishing rate in any area he operates around.


The situation on the ground seems to be mostly under control now. It took quite some effort to properly escort the ground troops, but they did the job they were supposed to.


Second air medal, this time for a much more experienced unit.


Even more ahistorical writing that helps the story be realistic, based on possible events.


Now that's a really welcome surprise on the fictional path, working well with the challenge of the elite objectives and seems like a properly earned one!

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None

Final Prestige: 41318 (up 14346)
CP gained: 2 (up to 10)

Overall:

Air specific scenarios are always tricky. They are at their best and at their worst at the same time whenever they involve cooperating with ground troops controlled by the AI. Having the player provide cover, escort and softening enemy targets to guide the path of attack slightly makes for a challenging and thought intense process and the amount of variables in movement of units on both sides makes the situation dynamic, sometimes changing entirely after just one turn. At the same time, the AI can sometimes make utterly silly moves. In this run, the tanks decided to move directly through the forests northwest of Caen, while the infantry took the way around via open ground. Unfortunately this unorthodox tactical thinking did not pay off and caused a lot of loses, even with my best efforts to provide support. It did not in the end endanger the operation, but looked a bit strange to say the least. Elite objectives required a lot of setup once more, but event the most powerful enemy fighters could be overwhelmed. One this happened and the barrage balloons were taken out, the battleships were just sitting ducks.

Game-play details aside, I have one gripe with this scenario. It involves Galland arranging a large number of Heinkel He 162 fighters for the players to use if the want. However, the irony of this whole situation is that historically he was actually a strong opponent of this machine, believing that all efforts should be focusing on production of the Messerschmitt Me 262 instead due to its superior technical quality. Still, as this is the fictional path, then maybe different circumstances would change Galland's mind.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Riga 1944

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 45139


Just taking this exchange for science. Ironically the Panzermon Run follows the historical path, so won't benefit from the option later.

Hero:


Adding the hero to IV./AG 9, so that the recon planes with little experience are not shot down that easily.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48- **** - Double Support

Atrillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***

Fighter

III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - *
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


In theory, if I do every bonus objective, I should be able to afford all awards. Let's do this for science!


First infantry award before any serious fighting even begins.


Key airfield southeast of Gulbene is captured, so reinforcements are on the way, but some Soviet planes still obstruct the deployment area.


FlaK Abt 272 is quite busy providing support fire due to the sheer number of enemy planes.


Tiger rampage is real.


FlaK Abt 273 crews are also really busy these days.


Artillery is in position, helping take and hold major river crossing and already earning medals.


Wow, yet another medal! Panther tanks with escorts help secure Pscov back, but this is going not as planned, with most of the fighting done on the outskirts of the town, as there are simply too many enemies to reliably advance.


Riga seems secure now, all that is left is to build final defenses and to drive off the remaining attackers.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

M3 Satan - 81 (up to 81)
IS-1 - 2 (up to 31)
T-34-85 - 2 (up to 2)
Sherman Firefly - 51 (up to 51)
Cromwell Mk.VII - 72 (up to 72)
M4A3E2 - 66 (up to 66)
M10 Wolverine - 49 (up to 49)
SU-85 - 5 (up to 5)
Churchill AVRE - 55 (up to 60)
Calliope - 75 (up to 75)
M14 MGMC - 64 (up to 64)
P-47D - 70 (up to 70)
Spitfire Mk.XIV - 70 (up to 70)
Typhoon Mk.IB - 70 (up to 70)
B-17G - 70 (up to 70)

Final Prestige: 46280 (up 1141)
CP gained: 1 (8 spent, 3 remaining)

Overall:

With just 120 core slots to operate and the amount each of the newest and best units take up, it is surprisingly difficult to field a large enough army to cover the entire map. I could at best from three battle groups that would struggle to cover the entire area of the map. It can be considered an argument for using some of the cheaper units instead and I certainly see its advantages, especially since I reserved some of the deployment for the air force for later. Such an approach to the missions means that now matter how amazing the nuts are, they simply cannot be everywhere at the same time and even if they deal with enemies effortlessly, there is always some part of the front line where the situation can get out of control. It helps to tell the story of the odds constantly being against the player and I can only imagine it will be even more difficult in the historical path. The Riga scenario was not that difficult in terms of main ad bonus objectives, but certainly not one that clearing the entire map is going to be easy. Even with my powerful core force that faced the Soviet attack head-on, there were still two large areas of the map that I did not even begin to explore.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Herrlingen

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 46280

Hero:

None, but that is as expected given the story nature of the scenario.

Starting Army Composition:

None

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48- **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Gepard - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - *
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Just a scenic view of Herrlingen this time.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None

Final Prestige: 46280 (no change)
CP gained: None (3 remaining)

Overall:

Using historical events on fictional paths is a good base for storytelling and that's what we're seeing here. My only issue is that I doubt a body of someone who died so long ago could be used for the listed purpose, unless it has been specially preserved from the start for this very occasion and I'd maybe change that part of the narrative. Other than that however, it seems like quite the stunt on Wagner's part, I really enjoyed that about his character. Even if the coup succeeded, he would probably have his doubts and not think that the ones responsible were right, but ultimately still choose to work for his country. This solidifies him as a well written character, who has the chance to prove himself again and again. I only hope for the Allied Operations series one day (if it comes to that) we will also get such adjutants, with their fair share of personality. I enjoyed this pause from the action enough that I'm even ok with the fact it takes away a whole scenario.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Lvov 1944

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 46507


Another unique hero, perfect!


Assigned to Infanterie Reg 57, since the extra initiative and other valuable skills will combine well with upgrading the basic infantry type.

Hero:


Perfect hero for III./JG 63 given how much experience this unit needs to catch up to the rest of my core.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3

Jadgtiger is an improvement over the Elefant bringing some crazy firepower into the mix. The Sturmtiger is a powerful artillery piece that I will be happy to deploy against some of the more fortified defenses. New self propelled AA pieces are armored well enough they can withstand infantry fire and the slightly improved Hs 129 gives improved ways to deal with Soviet tanks.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry:

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank:

PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 512 - Panther J - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Anti-Tank:

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator

Artillery:

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft:

FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support

Fighter:

I./JG 63 - Me 262A - *
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber:

II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/48- **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Partisans try to stop my advance, but the artillery triangle is immune to their attacks and can move as it pleases.


Trying to find the Polish 1st Armored Brigade I only find tons of Soviet planes for now.


Brigade located, but these combat results are not what I expected...


Luckily, there's always Rudel to the rescue.


Things are going well, so I'll continue to reset the prestige for the added challenge.


I./JG 63 catching up to other fighter squadrons is a welcome sight.


Soviet forces, right on schedule. By this time I almost have the elite objective done...


...and manage to pull it of not a turn too soon.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None

Final Prestige: 10470 (down 36037)
CP gained: 2 (2 spent, 3 remaining)

Overall:

This was once again what I mentioned for Riga. The map it vast and has a lot of ground to cover, units take up tons of core slots and there's just so many I could use it is hard to make a decision. This forced my army to be scattered into small groups, with some infantry blocked key river crossings. Attack on Lvov was not performed at an astonishing pace by the Soviets, but I still need to deploy a few units in the area to make sure the enemy is guided to advance in the right direction and the AI does not do anything silly. Managing all of this at the same time was rewarding, especially when it turned out that the Polish 1st Armored Brigade is no joke and needs to be dismantled by the best combat units I had. Anything else would simply not work at all without severe casualties.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Operation Panzerschreck

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 11887

Hero:


Added to PzAbt 502, as I could really use some discount on my Tigers...

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70

Nothing too exciting, but a upgrade based on collector's spirit.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry:

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank:

PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller

Anti-Tank:

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann

Artillery:

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft:

FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - * - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


It may take a while for these units to pass, so for now I wait and not risk getting my forces seen.


Engaging the rebel forces. So far so good, the main reinforcement wave headed to fight the Soviets has not noticed this.


A medal for shooting former allies? I guess it's still legit under these circumstances.


Supply team has reached Kassa, I now just need to persuade the local garrison to accept them.


The Hungarian general is not going to resist my elite force for very long.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None

Final Prestige: 13646 (up 1759)
CP gained: 3 (up to 6)

Overall:

Keeping Hungarians in the war is a solid concept that makes sense looking at the greater strategic picture. Too bad the Finns once again got the short end of the stick and not only dot not have units implemented in the game, but got entirely removed from the story (which I suspect is tied to the fact of them not being present as a proper faction). The mission was executed in a unique way, but really does not present that much of a challenge. It has some Fornebu vibes from the 1939 DLC, but seems to be less prone to the AI doing unpredictable stuff and sabotaging the player's efforts by accident. It is still possible to have some of the Hungarian forces engage the player's army accidentally, but it does not have as game-breaking consequences if it does happen. What surprised me the most was the incompetence of the Soviets at crossing the mountains, sending tanks into close terrain in masses, but then it occurred to me they are also scripted to quickly retreat and heal if they take too much damage, no doubt a precaution to avoid them attacking too aggressively and either breaking the defenses early, or bleeding out trying, whichever outcome favored by the RNG gods.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Kolozsvar

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 16670


Once again just for science, it's not like I'm going to use all of these units in this particular run.

Hero:


Not the hero I need, but the hero I got. Added to II./JG 62 to make use of the Bf 109K fighters as I do not plan to upgrade them unless I have the core slots to do so, which is unlikely.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry:

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank:

PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller

Anti-Tank:

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support

Artillery:

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft:

FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter:

I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - * - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber:

II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor

Armored Train:

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***

Highlights


Enemy bombers were not an issue due to the great AA support I have set up...


...but their fighter planes caused massive damage. Thankfully it was during cloudy weather and the unit had Survivor.


AA support is getting awards, as expected given the scenario details and the fact I did not use these units that often earlier.


Infantry on open ground is easy source of awards for better stats.


Some extra experience fighting Romanian bombers.


Bridge engineers in this scenario are surprisingly busy. Not for their intended purpose, but as cheap units to capture towns with.


That was a lot more damage than expected, the Soviet air force did not let this mission go without losses.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

41M Turan II - 60 (up to 70)
TACAM R-2 - 70 (up to 70)
Mareșal - 40 (up to 40)
40M Nimrod - 40 (up to 40)

Final Prestige: 20765 (up 4095)
CP gained: None (4 spent, 2 remaining)

Overall:

I must admit I underestimated the Romanian forces, played a bit sloppy in this mission and got git a few time where I clearly could have avoided it. This was mostly due to being overconfident in tanks acting alone and not making sure I always end moves within AA cover. It did not jeopardize the mission, but could have saved me a few nasty hits from enemy units. The Soviet air force is quite intimidating this mission if left unchecked and it is also relatively easy to loose a fighter or even a bomber with escort, as those Lightning Attack interceptors are not a joke and will target the most vulnerable planes happily. Ironically once again I have left pioneers in reserve and could have actually used them for mine clearing, but it is still very challenging to justify their core slot cost when I have other, better options.

[Kerensky]

The 'body on ice' for an extended period of time has been brought up a few times now. I should have wrote that he died in the ongoing fighting in the Caucasus.

While major operations in the Caucasus are over in alternate 1944, it's not like peace has descended on the region. There is plenty of small skirmishes and local actions ever ongoing. And he died actually very recently in the Caucasus. Certainly not in 1942 for example, heh.

I'll be sure to make this clear in 1945.

In some piece of casual conversation, Rommel might question this, and Wagner can provide a brief explanation.

I'll probably extend the lore to say 'this person was always considered a potential body double for Rommel, while they were still alive and actively serving'.

[Kerensky]

Rommel: "Herr Oberst, there is something that has been troubling me. How did you find a body double for me on such short notice? Fate clearly forced you to act quickly, you couldn't have known of my involvement in the June Plot for very long before you showed up at my home."

Wagner: "Feldwebel Schultz was well known for looking like you. I was approached several times to release him from our command, to potentially serve as your real body double."

Rommel: "I see. You said he died fighting in the Caucasus?"

Wagner: "Yes, sir."

Rommel: "I was doing some investigating and you have not been deployed to the Caucasus since late 1943. You... kept his body for that long? Long before I was even approached by the June Plot Conspirators...?"

Wagner shifts uncomfortably under Rommel's questioning.

Wagner: "Yes... sir."

Rommel: "I don't believe you, why are you lying?"

Wagner: "There's no need for you to know..."

Rommel: "I tire of these games of treachery, you will tell me or I will find out."

Wagner: "I had him put to death."

Rommel: "You what?"

Wagner: "I had him poisoned, to then serve as your body double."

Rommel is stunned.

Wagner: "Feldwebel Schultz was no saint. He wasn't just known for looking like you, he was a trouble maker and two time deserter. He was probably going to get himself shot for desertion, this death has spared him from a dishonorable death by firing squad."

Wagner: "Beyond making him a mere example, perhaps in this way his sacrifice will serve the greater good."

Rommel: "It was not his sacrifice, Herr Oberst. It was your sacrifice of him."

[Kerensky]

Will that be canonized into the lore? Maybe, maybe not. But it was fun to write.

[Tassadar]

AO 1944 - Battle of Ploesti

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 25588

Hero:


I was hoping for this hero for Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) and I was finally lucky! This will be critical to retaking the mountain passages.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry:

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank:

PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller

Anti-Tank:

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support

Artillery:

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft:

FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter:

I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - * - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber:

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Battle plan is simple, fast elite group will move up north,...


...one lighter, but still mobile group moves through the center passage...


...and the slow, but powerful team pushes down south...


...all while my best planes support Romanians directly.


Air battles are immediately fierce with III./JG 63 doing some good work as an interceptor team.


Romanians take out a Guards unit! Solid work, much appreciated.


My infantry is not numerous, but certainly very busy this scenario.


I managed to lure away part of the Soviet forces and now my best tanks can take them out, lessening the pressure on Romanian defenders.


Not the best decision marshal Malinovsky ever made.


Romanian defenses crumble bit by bit, I will soon need to rebase my planes.


Luckily, my ground forces are on the way, moving in to assist in just a few moments. The line needs to hold those few precious moments more.


Another medal, tank combat is really intense as my main force approaches the enemy form the rear.


Artillery is back for revenge. Time to get that remote spot captured.


Success! Now all that is left is to wipe out the reminder of the Guards Army.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

KV-85 - 85 (up to 128)
T-44 - 40 (up to 40)
37mm M1939 - 2 (up to 14)
YaG-10 - 2 (up to 2)
76.2mm M1943 - 3 (up to 3)
BM-8-24 - 3 (up to 3)
BM-31 Katyusha - 9 (up to 9)

Final Prestige: 32532 (up 6944)
CP gained: None (2 remaining)

Overall:

Finally a battle of epic scale and 190 core slots proven to be not enough to deploy every unit I would like to. I made the bet on a large air force and good anti-tank power, which paid off in the end. While the Romanians were not able to hold too long in their initial positions, my fighters quickly reduce the enemy numbers in the sky and my bombers took out the most dangerous ground units, slowing the attack down until the elite tank groups could reach the Siret river and strike the enemy from behind. Once this was done, not even the best Soviet heroes could prevent the loss. It also helped that the enemy focused their attention on multiple targets and spread their forces thin, allowing me to do precise strikes at smaller groups rather than taking everyone head-on.

AO 1944 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 151018
Final Prestige: 32532 (down 118486)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther G - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - ** - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***

Armored Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Trophies of War:

Infantry:

SMG Inf - 1

Tank:

BT-5 - 39
Vickers Mk.III - 13
Somua S35 - 34
BT-7 - 53
OT-133 - 17
T-26 - 100
T-28 - 11
Trubia - 57
38 M Toldi I - 100
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
AMC 35 - 26
T-15 - 4
Char 2C - 35
Char B1 - 27
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 12
FT-17 - 35
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
FT-17 (pl) - 7
R1 - 35
Renault R35 - 7
TKS - 18
Matilda II - 74
KV-1/40 - 54
KV-2 - 60
T-34/40 - 57
M3 Satan - 81
KV-1/41 - 35
T-50 - 11
M14/41 - 70
T-34/41 - 35
T-60 - 5
Valentine III - 3
OT-34 - 27
KV-1/42 - 14
42M Toldi IIa - 50
T-34/42 - 28
L6/40 Lf - 146
M5 Stuart - 9
PT-34 - 29
T-70 - 13
M15/42 - 35
Churchill Mk.IV - 2
T-34/43 - 17
T-34-57 - 44
P26/40 - 29
41M Turan II - 60
Churchill Mk.VI - 5
KV-85 - 128
Cromwell Mk.IV - 15
IS-1 - 31
T-34-85 - 2
Sherman Firefly - 51
T-44 - 40
Cromwell Mk.VII - 72
M4A3E2 - 66

Recon:

AMC P16 - 6
BA-6 - 3
Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
T-38 - 11
BA-10 - 22
AAC-1937 - 15
Panhard 178 - 38
Daimler Dingo - 11
Humber AC Mk.I - 3
BA-64 - 31
DK Motorcycle - 6
AB 43 - 52

Anti-Tank:

AT-1 - 14
45mm M1937 - 16
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 6
QF 2 pounder - 2
45mm M1932 - 6
37mm M1930 - 12
T-13 - 4
57mm 1941 - 10
Autocannone 90/53 - 35
45mm M1942 - 11
ZIS-30 - 35
76.2mm M1942 - 10
QF 6 pounder - 15
M10 Wolverine - 49
SU-57 - 17
SU-122 - 30
SU-152 - 37
57mm M1943 - 5
SU-85 - 4
TACAM R-2 - 70
Mareșal - 40

Artillery:

203mm M1931 - 89
105mm Vickers M22 - 31
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
SU-5-2 - 15
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
BT-7A - 31
BL 4.5 inch - 5
105mm wz. 29 - 12
122mm M10/30 - 25
122mm M1938 - 36
152mm M10/30 - 13
152mm M1938 - 22
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 36
105mm mle 1913 - 28
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
75mm mle 1897 - 13
105mm M.1925/27 - 7
QF 25 pdr - 15
BM-13 Katyusha - 62
76.2mm M1942 - 2
SP-T-18 - 5
BM-8-8 - 2
BL 5.5 inch - 4
Bishop - 6
SU-76 - 7
SU-122 - 2
SU-76M - 1
76.2mm M1943 - 3
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 37
BM-8-24 - 10
Churchill AVRE - 60
Calliope - 75
BM-31 Katyusha - 9

Anti-Aircraft:

Gaz-AA MG - 1
20mm M/38 - 3
20mm M33 - 48
37mm M1939 - 14
40mm Bofors - 17
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
75mm wz. 36 - 18
76.2mm M31 - 8
75mm FRC M27 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
QF 3 inch - 4
85mm M1939 - 19
Vickers AA - 4
SU-6 - 13
T-90 SPAAG - 13
M14 MGMC - 64
20/70 quadruplo - 62
YaG-10 - 2

Fighter:

I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
Fokker D.XXI - 30
I-15 - 19
P-40 - 19
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 91
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 32
MiG-3 - 136
Yak-1 - 75
Pe-3 - 28
P-38E - 26
La-5 - 38
P-47D - 70
Spitfire Mk.XIV - 70

Tactical Bomber:

Bf 109Z - 45
Ca.135 - 35
Breguet 693 - 30
Sukhoi Su-2 - 23
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 48
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 52
Typhoon Mk.IB - 70
B-25B Mitchell - 32
Tupolev Tu-2 - 29

Strategic Bomber:

He 111Z - 42
PZL P.37B Los - 17
Stirling Mk.I - 29
B-17F - 29
Ilyushin Il-4 - 74
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29
B-17G - 70

Thoughts:

I enjoyed the fictional path more than I though I would, given some of my fears about the smaller amount of scenarios with one of them being a purely story one and one being an air mission. Even with all of that, each deployment had its unique setting, lore and objectives, making them worth the time. Sure, DLC 1941 and 1940 still remain the best overall in my view, but I would say that AO 1944 had some of the more memorable missions for me thanks to the setup and detail that went into them. I am looking forward to both the historical path now and to the conclusion of both routes in a future addon.

Will that be canonized into the lore? Maybe, maybe not. But it was fun to write.

I'm extremely curious about the final of the whole story. What makes AO stand out compared to the Grand Campaign is for sure the narrative that binds the missions together and add that feeling of progress, aside from just the flow of the whole war. It was something new when SCW started, and it paid of across all the DLC. The enjoyment in the writing is real and benefits the series. There's of course a fine line between going over the top and some creative freedom, but it has all been on the right side so far.

[Tassadar]

AO 1945 - Operation Puma

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 37758

Hero:


Solid start for 1945. With Artillery Support on a few units, I can have a smaller core force without having to worry about bringing in weaker units to provide cover. I've assigned Maximilian to AufkAbt 11, which is my instant surrender unit. It should give it more utility in circumstances where there are not surrender targets and also allow to fall back to provide support fire after taking out another unit, thanks phased movement of recon vehicles.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panther II
PzAbt 511 - Heuschrecke
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 12.8 cm Pak 44 (SdKfz 7)
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Grille 17
I./JG 61 - Ta 152H
II./JG 61 - Ta 152H
III./JG 61 - Ta 152H
IV./JG 61 - Ta 152H

Heuschrecke is an interesting upgrade over Panzer IIIN, with extra stats and artillery mode. However, I'll leave the Artillery Support hero on it. This way it will not have to worry about converting from tank configuration to provide support fire. As for upgrading my Panther units... that's a difficult call. The stats difference for one core slot is not that huge, so for now I'll experiment with just once change and see how many slots I have to work with later. Frau Habbermann of course get's the Grille 17, that's for the great range and extra firepower. Finally JG 61 gets the new Ta 152H fighters for the sake of slot efficiency, as getting an all jet fighter force would drain my slot limit really quickly.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther II - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Heuschrecke - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Artillery Support, Envelopment, Lightning Attack

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Grille 17 - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 12.8 cm Pak 44 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - ** - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


In such rough forested terrain, mountain infantry works as a recon force and from the hills quickly reveals some serious Soviet defenses.


Southern group encounters some resistance, as expected, but it is nowhere near the level of defenses in the central region.


Unexpected "gifts" are always welcome and worth noting for the future.


Good old encirclement worked in Spain and works all the way up to 1945.


Yet another Soviet airfield taken, but this time it is well protected. Taking those Panther II's with AT support will be critical here!


The range on Grile 17 with Habermann is just silly.


In 1945, even a moment without AT support fire can mean serious damage or even destruction for recons and other utility vehicles.


Triple counter battery fire deals with potential rocket artillery strikes quite nicely.


An attack from behind, but the trusty 15 cm sFH 18 can still serve as an efficient deterrent, especially combined with an ambush.


Even more loot! There is quite a large supply of captured equipment in this scenario, that's for sure!


Wow, the tanks just keep on flowing and flowing my way.


Last elite district falls, but it did put up some reasonably competent resistance. Time to wrap things up...


...but not before grabbing one last hidden stockpile.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

PT-34 - 64 (up to 93)
IS-1 - 8 (up to 39)
OT-34-85 - 6 (up to 6)
T34-85 - 3 (up to 5)
IS-2 - 2 (up to 2)
T-44/100 - 26 (up to 26)
IS-3 - 29 (up to 29)
SU-85 - 5 (up to 9)
ISU-122 - 5 (up to 5)
BM-31 Katyusha - 3 (up to 12)
Pe-3 - 95 (up to 95)
Yak-9D - 51 (up to 51)
La-7 - 67 (up to 67)
Yak-9U - 45 (up to 45)

Final Prestige: 46752 (up 8994)
CP gained: None (0)

Overall:

Operation Puma was a solid, introductory mission to AO 1945 fictional route. It was not too difficult, but provided a decent amount of challenge when it comes to dismantling static defenses. At this point, my core force is rather overpowered, so it did not have that much trouble, but at least I had to carefully plan my moves. Allowing the player to gather a large stockpile of captured equipment was also a fair touch, as it can help fuel those more unique challenges that someone might think of. Also the combination of forests, not being able to rely on air force an poor visibility is a test for the balance in any army, since not all roles can be filled by usual means. It resembled AO 1945 historical rout Shanderovka, but being on the attach and having slightly better units meant that I felt a lot safer.

[Tassadar]

AO 1945 - Operation Wagtail

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 49919

Hero:


A hero not seen since assigning a similar one to recon planes all the way in the past. I'll stick to this approach and add Fritz to I./AG 9 to help in this air only mission, since my eyes over the Baltic Sea need to be protected.

New Equipment Provided:

FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.)

A powerful AA beast joins the army, adding mobility to the firepower of the 8.8 cm gun.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - ** - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Resilient, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer
PzAbt 401 - Panther II - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther G - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Heuschrecke - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther G - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Artillery Support, Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 12.8 cm Pak 44 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Grille 17 - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


As the battleships retreat, they can take out some of the more pesky ground targets. I made the assumption that the Soviets will not attack the airfields actively and did not bring dive bombers. This was a bit of a cheap move seeing how the Neman is impassible with no bridges and the core slot limit is quite strict.


What the Soviets do have for sure is numerical advantage. Not even five star ace pilots have an easy time surrounded by so many fighters.


One seriously dangerous plane appears as well, capable of engaging jet fighters on equal terms.


Survivor constantly saves my Bf 109K fighters that are less experienced and less powerful than the rest of my air force. It was really worth farming the award over the skies of Stalingrad.


I saved all the transports and this means a very special award...


...which ends up truly amazing. A +2 speed tank/AT hero is going to be a massive boost, and combined with the Master of Blitzkrieg trait , I could have 6 speed Maus tanks!

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None

Final Prestige: 68217 (up 18298)
CP gained: None (0)

Overall:

Operation Wagtail is the pinnacle of air only missions Axis Operations introduced since appearing for the first time in the Dunkirk mission. It learns lessons from its predecessors and is much more dynamic and interesting thanks to that. It does not overstay its welcome, allowing to finish both the main and elite objectives relatively quickly. The amount of units that can be deployed, as well as the units the AI throws at the player are both greatly reduced, further increasing the pace. This does not make things easier if the air force deployed is not jet fighter focused, because at this point of the war stats on planes mean that mutual destruction is not unheard when it comes to combat results of similar quality aircraft. As I mentioned in the comment above, Survivor is an all star trait here, allowing especially Bf 109K fighters, but also some of the tactical bombers and recons, survive encounters with the opposition. One tiny complaint would be about making it clearer that the airfields are not at risk of ground attacks form the Soviets, contrary to the Taman Peninsula mission. The briefing should perhaps suggest that, as otherwise players might be tempted to add dive bombers to defend these positions, only to realize they are not needed and in fact quite easy prey for Soviet planes, forcing them to reload. I one final comment is about the massive prestige gain. I ended the scenario with quite a few turns to spare, so the extra prestige it allowed to accumulate form Legendary and Famous heroes quickly added up, at least that is what I think.

[Tassadar]

AO 1945 - Operation Barca

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 73566

Hero:


A hero for Grenadier Reg 4, since I could use some ways to clear out infantry in a scenario where dug in enemy formations will be common.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 402 - Panther II
PzAbt 512 - Maus
Former I./SG 7, now II./KG 44 - Ar 234B
III./SG 7 - Hs 132A
I./KG 43 - Ta 400
II./KG 43 - Ta 400
III./KG 43 - Ta 400
IV./KG 43 - Ta 400
I./KG 44 - E 555I

The Maus is of course with Otto Carius, making it faster than some of my regular tanks. Rudel gets a new shiny jet plane. Not a dive bomber, a bit anticlimactic, but it's for the extra double move fun. This means a lot of rewording in terms of bomber squadron names, but I can live with that. What I will do with all the strategic bombers however, I honestly have no idea.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Burcher, First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther II - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther II - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger II - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger II - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Heuschrecke - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Maus - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller, Otto Carius

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Artillery Support, Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Grille 17 - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - ** - Fast Learner
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber

II./KG 44 - Ar 234B - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 132A - *** - Lightning Attack
III./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ta 400 - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ta 400 - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 12.8 cm Pak 44 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Ferocious Defense
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Resilient, Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
II./KG 43 - Ta 400 - **** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ta 400 - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - E 555I - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


That's one fast mouse! I'm clearly tempted to make some Speedy Gonzales references.


Dealing with mines counts towards this award? I'll take that for sure!


Romanian and Hungarian allies are aggressive to the point of being suicidal, so I need to hurry, else there will be no army group to make contact with.


1st Guards Tank Army appears, and bullies my poor infantry.


As per usual, jet fighters quickly catch up to the rest of the air fleet.


Werfer Abt 621 is also busy, the amount of elite infantry in the area is surprising.


I need to constantly be vigilant, as enemies try to sneak by my lines. I am getting used to this lack of sportsmanship.


Speedy Gonzales backed up by some infantry and planes looks for hidden caches and this results in a few extra awards.


Where tanks clash. This area will be the main point at which the fate of the battle is decided.


This was a costly award for my night fighter squadron, but I have enough prestige to afford it.


8.8 cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) is rather competent against armored targets when there are no enemy planes to shoot at.


Special force makes short work of those annoying fortifications.


AufkAbt 21 is on a far adventure.


The recon raids finally pay off with a hidden fighter cache.


There are some many tanks around, that awards just keep coming and coming.


Back in Cernauti. Nostalgic and also beneficial, both in terms of captures...


...and other awards.


One more hidden cache revealed as I roam across the map in search of remaining Soviet forces.


With most tanks destroyed, mostly infantry remains, so it is time to get even more medals. This just proves how huge the scale of this mission is.


Finally, establishing contact.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

IS-1 - 8 (up to 47)
IS-2 - 3 (up to 5)
T-44 - 7 (up to 47)
IS-3 - 4 (up to 33)
Mototsikl - 3 (up to 3)
100mm M1944 - 6 (up to 6)
76.2mm M1943 - 10 (up to 13)
ISU-152 - 5 (up to 5)
37mm M1939 - 3 (up to 17)
85mm M1939 - 5 (up to 24)
Pe-3 - 88 (up to 211)
Yak-9D - 41 (up to 92)
La-7 - 52 (up to 119)
Yak-9U - 39 (up to 84)

Final Prestige: 101934 (up 28368)
CP gained: None (0)

Overall:

This scenario has some major similarities to the Kursk battle missions, but expands upon them in a few ways. Frist of all, the enemy is not longer so static in their defense of the fortifications and has a more elite, balanced force. In the first few turns it is easy to get a false sense of security that the only issue will be time and the scale of the map, but it quickly becomes obvious, that the Soviets have some competent units in the from of the Guards Army and will use them aggressively. The objective count also does not show the full scale of their deployment, making things tricky. As the distances are very large, it is also important to not forget about blocking potential access routes for the Soviets, who would love to sneak some fast units behind the player's lines and got at the two base hexes. It means there's always something new going on and new threats emerging. The size of the area does however cause some of the sectors to be completely barren, so it's important to scout ahead and actually locate the enemy first before blindly charging in their general direction, as missing each other on the battlefield could be quite ambarrasing. Up until the end I was also not sure if the Hungarians and Romanians will make it. The were charging Soviet positions without any self preservation instinct, not helped by the fact the first turn was rainy, so a few of their key units immediately got ambushed and wiped out. Looking at this in the long term however, it seems that they are in no real danger of getting wiped out quickly and can survive until the very end if needed, even if just on the hills behind the river.

[Tassadar]

AO 1945 - Munich

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 102461

Hero:


New hero for Pionier Bataillon 34. In Operation Barca the lack the extra mobility on this unit was a issue on a few occasions.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 501 - E-75
PzAbt 502 - E-75

The E-75 might be slower, but thanks to Master of Blitzkrieg I can deal with that problem and utilize the extra firepower and protection well.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Ta 152H - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 63 - Me 262A - **
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - *** - Erich Hartmann
III./JG 63 - Go 229A - ** - Fast Learner
I./JG 62 - Bf 109K - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109K - **** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109K - ** - Survivor
I./NJG 71 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor, Gerhard Barkhorn

Tactical Bomber

II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Josef Allerberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Butcher, Fast Deployment
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Burcher, First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Matthaus Hetzenauer
PzAbt 401 - Panther II - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther II - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer 38(t) - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - E-75 - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - E-75 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Reduced Slots, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Heuschrecke - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Maus - **** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller, Otto Carius
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Artillery Support, Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer II Luchs - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/2 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Jagdpanther - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Jagdpanther - ***** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Jadgtiger - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - JagdPz IV/70 - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 12.8 cm Pak 44 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Grille 17 - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Emma Habermann
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Sturmtiger - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - ***** - Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 271 - 12.8 cm FlaK 40 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - Wirbelwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 273 - Ostwind - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ****
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
II./KG 44 - Ar 234B - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ***** - Avenger, Prudent, Resilient, Survivor
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Resilient
I./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 132A - **** - Lightning Attack
III./SG 7 - Hs 129B3 - **** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 43 - Ta 400 - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ta 400 - **** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ta 400 - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ta 400 - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - E 555I - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


All the AA guns might not have the firepower needed to bring down the B-29's but they do a good job softening up American fighters, so that my own ones can intercept.


The US has jets of their own now. I need to take these out first, else my own force will be at risk.


Ace titles are granted this day for many pilots.


Most of my fighter force is damaged, but is still able to operate without the need for repairs, aside from a few exceptions.


Recon planes patrol the potential approach route of the lone enemy bomber, but this lone spot outside their range bothers me...


...and sure enough, that's a hit! I send Galland himself thanks to the superior range of the Ta 152H and he manages to find and take out the target before it can drop that terrible payload.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

None (aside from one particular working device to use in the upcoming future...)

Final Prestige: 104832 (up 2371)
CP gained: None (0)

Overall:

Another air only mission, but with a lot of flexibility in how it can be approached. It has a short timespan, can be ended relatively fast and without to much of an issue, to the point that the player can even avoid combat altogether for the most of it. I appreciate the setup, as it is all about the narrative. While a bit far-fetched, I guess the whole ahistorical path is a series of critical hits rolled on the d20 in a row, so I can see how it makes sense in that way.