Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

[Plaid]

Large RN task force spotted this turn. They have only one transport among them, so probably it is not major invasion. Air unit for Malta?



Commonwealth garrisons trying to push against italian corps (with heavy support from RAF fighters) and score reasonable results.



In USSR Red Army falls back in both north and south, but these are only small scale retreats :





During our turn we keep on attacking.

In northern sector we push for Novgorod and probably Leningrad - destroyed 2 garrisons and corps here. Another corps (1 step) and garrison (3 steps) are badly damaged. And one more garrison destroyed near Petrozavodsk.



In the south we slowly advance forward destroying 2 garrisons and corps.
Axis troops also breach Crimea defenses out perimeter. Our targets for this campaign are Crimea and Rostov, but primal target is destruction of soviet units.



I am not sure, if it is good idea to push in two places instead of one. All availiable reserves from the center (where deffinetely nothing happens) will be transfered. Mostly to south, where large concentration of soviet heavy units spotted. Manstein HQ panzer and SS reserve panzer already arrived this turn.

Model recruited to take care of army group "Center" stripped of most armour.

In Egypt we retreat to Suez western bank finally. Italian BBs do some damage to allied garrisons over here.

[Plaid]

This turn I lost my italian sub, controlling Gibraltar straight, but last message received is about large RN task force entering Med.



Considering this and increasing allied military presence in Sinai German troops in Egypt receive orders to evacuate to Greece :





It will likely mean, that we will lose Port Said before 1942 ends, but it is OK compared to 2 german panzer korps being trapped in Africa. If RN closes the ports, I will be simple unable to evacuate them and will lose both units.

Italian sub finally reached Persian Gulf, and just in time - 2 transports spotted there. Probably air or armour, since they does not look like amphs and there is little point to ship garrisons.
We do good 4 points of damage.



In Russia more of the same, only little soviet counterattack near Petrozavodsk reducing some steps from german corps :





We keep advancing, but progress is really slow. Victor mounted skilled defense with his garrisons so it is hard to advance without exposing heavy units (and I don't want to expose them just to kill couple of garrisons or corps). On the good side Red Army loses garrisons, while we lose (almost) nothing at all.
Organized defense in Crimea collapsed - not it is left to take cities.
More and more reserves are railed to the south - one day we will probably engage soviet armoured and mech units here.

[Plaid]

This turn started with unexpected soviet counterattack - near Petrozavods soviet infantry with TAC support destroys finnish garrison and cuts corps out of supply.



No counterattacks in the south :



Commonwealth troops slowly push forward aswell. It will be hard for them to succeed without TAC air support. (Probably Victor still believes that I have my tanks somewhere near, so he is cautious and screen his forces with garrisons)



And here new round of axis offensive starts :

In the north Novgorod attacked, but holds for now. Strategic bombers attack Leningrad for good results (reduced to 2 PP, no bombers lost). Finns managed to destroy Konev's HQ infantry resupplying their trapped corps and removing good leader from the game for a while.



In the south combined axis force advance forward : Stalino captured, Sevastopol defenders reduced to 3 steps. Kerch garrison holds, but driven into red effectiveness.
Good thing is that at least 2 soviet bombers are in the north, so if any counterattack happens at all, Red Army will be forced to go with little air support.



In Egypt italian troops repair. We will try to hold Suez as long as we can here. Italian sub in the Persian Gulf attack transport again for 2 more steps.



Central convoy spotted, but looks properly escorted. Probably I should gather subs together and go for escorts? But if all my subs will be busy in one place lots of convoys will make it even without escorts...



This turn Germany finally discovered industry level 3 allowing 13th lab. Now I have 3 3 3 2 2.

[Plaid]

Soviet troops are still offensive in Karelia, even though they operate mostly with garrisons there, they advance slowly with TAC support.



In Donbass also small counterattack destroyed one german corps and reduced another one (in Stalino) to 1 step. (Actually 2 soviet TACs based north of Kursk support them, but they did not fit the picture)



Commonwealth forces in Egypt are also offensive - it is a proof, that presence of german panzers and fighters stabilized situation in Egypt greatly. Now italians going to collapse relatively fast.



And now our turn :

German troops captured Novgorod as first real success of northern campaign this year. Even better, Red Army forces between Novgorod and Leningrad can end trapped probably.
German corps near Petrozavodsk scored disappointing result vs soviet partisan (3:2 in USSR favour), while luftwaffe strategic bombers performed good at Moscow and Leningrad.

2 Luftwaffe fighters arrive to Velikie Luki straigth from Africa.



In the south our major success is fall of Sevastopol.



Troops in Donbass also push forward. As I was very reluctant to expose german panzers, had to attack depleted soviet armour with infantry, this leading to soviet armour surivivng at 1 step.
Rommel's XIX panzerkorps arrives to Krivoj Rog rising total number of panzers in the area to 6.
During first half of summer Donbass area is almost completely swept of soviet garrisons and infantry - now it is turning point - soviets will either counterattack or flee (3rd decision - keep defending with heavy units in frontline is the worst for them and I think Victor will never do so).
In case all-out counterattack happens we have quite safe positions and soviet fighters near Kursk look really depleted, so we will have favourable chances here.



In Egypt italian attack managed to destroy Canadian mech, crossing Suez, but it does not look like we are going to hold this sort of pressure here for long.



35 PPs soviet convoy traditionally sunk.



Another convoy ran adjacent to my sub. As I have 3 fully upgraded subs near DD which sweep this sub might end not very happy. But it will really depend on order, in which Victor moves his pieces. Nearby convoy has 6(!) DDs escorting him

[Plaid]

Fighting in Russia continues :

In the north soviet in Leningrad area break from future-pocked prepared for them destroying german corps, though looks like VVS bombers had to fly without escorts to make it possible.



In the south - full scale counteroffensive happens, with soviets destroying Manstein HQ armour, german and hungarian mechs, german infantry and italian armour.
Their airforce looks depleted here.



Our sub in Atlantic was found, but dodged attack itself. As you can see odds vs reasonable tech DD are not great.



And new breakthrough in Egypt. Can't do much about it, Italians are in really bad shape here. Italians have to repair and entrench - no action here from me.




Now pictures of our turn :

In the north we destroyed one corps, trapped a garrison, cut Leningrad and damaged number of units, though rolls are disappointing (fighter failed to shoot down 2 step bomber, for example. Or this guard corps surviving.)



In the south we also go full offensive, destroying 3 soviet mechs (1 guard) and corps. Badly damaged 2 tanks aswell, though no luck here. Especially disappointing was my attack of 2 step corps vs 1 step guard tank. I thought that they either kill tank or die themselves so I will be able to attack with another unit. Got 0:1 instead.
More units brought here for future action - 2nd african panzer and mech from Velikie Luki.



Spotted US convoy at the end of my turn. Escorted as usual, I believe. We should place an ambush near origin point to avoid escorts.



Our oil situation becomes critical with 65 points left. Its like a great surprise for me. So it is possible to run out of oil finally? Or not? We will see next turn.

[Plaid]

Allies launch Torch!





Its relatively good news - for some turns they will be busy cleaning Vichy Africa from garrisons, while Germany PP income jumps above 150.

During allied turn I lost SS panzer and 1 step corps in the south, but thats all.





UF 5 was detected and bombed by TAC only to score 2:1 roll (in sub's favour).



In the North german offensive effectively stops. Only destroyed guard infantry and trapped another one here.



In the south action continues with mixed results - destroyed armour, 2 infantry and garrison (+another garrison in Kerch, which is now captured). But when attacking soviet mech scored pretty disappointing rolls.
Probably I will be losing both armour and mech here now.


Italians are in full defense mode in Egypt. Port said going to fall rather soon.



Oil reaches 50, but it means only 15 net loss, so we have enough for 3 more turns of fully intensive combat.

[Kragdob]

So for the first time you run out of fuel

[Cybvep]

I sense Stauffenberg's post coming. "I think that this proves that the Axis cannot simply ignore oil and that game balance is good" .

[Plaid]

So for the first time you run out of fuel

I did not! 50 is above 0

By the way I regularry ran out of it in older versions. You can check my old AAR vs Zechi for example.

viewtopic.php?f=78&t=18449

[Plaid]

Another unpleasant surprise in the south - not only I lost units, which I consdered lost, but also Rommel's HQ panzer.



In the north soviet corps leaves Leningrad to reistablish supply with garrison:



Allied offensives in Egypt and Algeria now progress without much opposition :





Finally I have to order general retreat in Donbass area (but not before destroying soviet armour here). Should have done it previous turn deffinetely.
On the other hand without oil that panzers were pretty useless, so probably not a great loss - I have troubles finding fuel for existing ones.



In the north corps near Leningrad destroyed and we make sure, that pocket in swamps will not be broken.



While Italian troops in Egypt are being overrun, defenses of Italy mainland are prepared :



German manpower is close to 75%, Italian is at 72%.

Not sure how to judge this 1942 campaign in Russia. On one side we seen some success (Crimea, Novgorod, Leningrad surrounded), on the other - casualties were much above expected, especially last couple of turns.
But I don't think it is this bad. With Moscow and Leningrad constantly being bombed and Murmansk convoy being sunk soviet offensive potential is probably pretty dulled aswell, even though it came at high cost.

North was totally unexpected success. Started it just as probing attack to destroy few corps and ended at Leningrad suburbs. We are going to sieze city in 1943 likely!

By the way soviets have really good tech. Their infantry was upgraded to 5 4 stats in early June I believe - only couple of turns later, then Germans did. Thats probably one of the reasons, why Donbass operation, started to do some damage to soviets turned out to be major bloodbath with heavy casualties.

And about oil. Ended this turn with 55. Growing! Even though I didn't done much to actually save it. Even used 2 FTR attacks to finish off 2 step infantry in the north.

[Cybvep]

It will be hard to maintain initiative with so low oil levels. I think that you were too aggressive in the South and not aggressive enough in the North. Leningrad should have been taken in 1942. Anyway, I think that winter won't be so bad, because 1) penalties are lower in 1942 and 2) the Soviets lost many PPs (many destroyed units, Moscow and Leningrad at red or orange levels). Just look at Vokt's air units. Repairing them will be a PITA.

Torch near Casablanca was pretty lame. 1 OOS ARM? Really?

It's a pity that you didn't focus on subs as the Italians. I think that with some effort, you would have been able to hold Suez longer and make Torch and future Operation Husky much harder for the Allies.

[Morris]

without oil , Axis will lose the initiative of war all over the battle field . Although 1942 severe winter Axis suffer less, but it is still severe winter ! It should be Russian's happy hours . If Allies play well , Axis will probably be defeated in Russia . After that , just a matter of time for Allies's troops to liberate Berlin .

[Plaid]

Red army stays passive this time.





USN executes major anti-sub operation, spotting 2 uboats. One of them evades, another scores 2:2 results. We were quite lucky - it is weak DD with only level 1 ASW upgrade.



Commonwealth troops surround Port Said, going to fall within 1-3 turns.



In our turn almost no action in Russia - only destroyed garrison near Leningrad and cut another one.



In the south small retreat.



3 german subs attack damaged DD for 7:3 combined result (DD survives at 1 step).

Casualties screen after 1942 summer campaign :

[Plaid]

British control Suez again. Predictable.
Owning the place for 30 turns meant 120 raw PPs for Italy, arapt from combat benefits.
Lost italian lybian forces here, but normally they would be lost at Tobruk by that date anyway, so I suggest MED campaign played out well.



Mud weather in all zones, so nothing happens at all there.

Here is situation on the east:







And Tunis :



This turn I did some repairs for critical units (mech, air) then purchased new panzer (it will be rebuilt 1 SS panzerkorps). I made sure that all this units did not receive manpower penalty. After it I purchased another german infantry and MP jumps into yellow.
And note oil - it jumps into safe zone again.

[Plaid]

It will be hard to maintain initiative with so low oil levels. I think that you were too aggressive in the South and not aggressive enough in the North. Leningrad should have been taken in 1942. Anyway, I think that winter won't be so bad, because 1) penalties are lower in 1942 and 2) the Soviets lost many PPs (many destroyed units, Moscow and Leningrad at red or orange levels). Just look at Vokt's air units. Repairing them will be a PITA.

Torch near Casablanca was pretty lame. 1 OOS ARM? Really?

It's a pity that you didn't focus on subs as the Italians. I think that with some effort, you would have been able to hold Suez longer and make Torch and future Operation Husky much harder for the Allies.

Funny thing is that progress in the north was above expected, while in the south - below. You never know in advance, where soviet frontline will collapse. Seizing Leningrad is planned for 1943 campaign.

About initiative - I don't really need it. Soviet ground units are really strong, offensive operations against them are major pain and waste of resources.

Not sure, if building italian subs is good idea in this game. Allies have really high ASW values, even German subs can't do much about their warships. And I am pretty happy so far with Italian air force. These 3 FTR and 2 TACs are equal or slightly better, then Russian ones (thanks to +10 morale and commander bonus) and they do not use precious German PPs and MP for repairs.

[Plaid]

Unexpected weather change - fair all across the map.

This allows Luftwaffe to lauch effective attacks against advancing soviet armour formations. FTR vs FTR rolls were also okay.



In the north some unit shuffling, also we bombed Moscow into 0 production again.



Even better, weather stays fair after my turn. No SW in November this time.

Pictures of allied armies advancing in Africa almost unopposed:





Large soviet convoy spotted. If my calculations are correct, it will be unescorted.
But if no - we will attack anyway near Norway coast with combined Kriegsmarine force.

[Plaid]

Quiet turn overall.

Only convoy attack near Greenland.



Eastern front :





Africa :



SW starts at the end of my turn.

[Plaid]

This turn soviet winter offensive started.

We unexpectedly lost mech in northern forests due to soviet airfpower concentration.



In the south 2 german corps destroyed - this is below expected.



Allied offensive in Africa goes on. Note how much damage RAF TACs received while fighting with inferiour italian units.



During our turn we retreat a bit in the north. It is acceptable to retreat to Novgorod line, but not a step further. Leningrad must be kept sieged and will be seized at soon as fair weather arrives.



In the south german troops receive some upgrades, but no retreat. Dnepr line must be hold for now.



Attacked escorted convoy for some damage this turn. 3rd sub attacked DD (not great 2:3 result here), but now it is unlikely to retaliate.



Northern wolfpack failed to spot soviet convoy. Where is it?



Ah, here it is!

[Plaid]

Soviet winter offensive continues with poor results this turn. No german units destroyed!
Probably RNG revenge for my late summer failrolls.





Western allies seized Tunis and going to capture Tobruk soon.



Axis turn:

In the north small retreat ordered to have better positions on Volkhov line. (actuall reason is that I spent all PPs on new builds and other stuff and had no resources to repair this infantry - so decided to move them to better defensive position - otherwise would repair and stand ground).



South is the place where we stand ground. Airborne division going to be destroyed very likely, but we can live with it.



Northern convoy finished off this turn. I remind that it had 85 PPs - enough to gear entire armoured corps.



Research progress up to date :

[Plaid]

Soviet offensive achieves little this turn :

In the north no units lost and none commited forward retreat:



In the south airborne division destroyed and hungarian corps north of Kiev reduced to 2 steps.



We reinforce our defenses as good, as we can.





In Africa Tobruk falls. Question is how soon allies will be ready to invade Italy itself.



And in the Europe, as weather becomes fair this turn, Luftflotte Reich ready to intercept bombers, if they go for Germany instead of their usual targets in France.
Also this picture includes german forces in France. I have healthy force of 5 infantry corps here, apart from traditional garrisons. Thats probably enough to convince not very agressive player, that I am ready to defend France
and landing in 1943 going to be bad idea.
In fact I see allied commitment to other theaters (africa, ASW, bombing campaign) and it does not looks like they have forces to launch 1943 Overlord.