Slitherine

Turn 51 – 12 July 1943
Weather: clear and dry

Ostfront:
This time the on-going attack on Moscow is really serious. The Russians brought a SU-122, self-propelled armored artillery/assault gun, as well…
Same around Bryansk, Guderian is retreating some of his troops.
Von Manstein recaptured Rostov on Don but will he also be able to hold it during the coming winter?

T-34 and SU-122 at the Kuma River crossing towards Grozny.
Paulus took defensive positions along the Kura valley road. The Russian tanks are expected to attack any moment.
North Africa:
Showdown at Halfaya Pass! Rommel lost count by now…

The Italians are holding the line in Tunis.
Malta:
The two British battleships reappeared around Malta and Sicily along with two destroyers. Regia Marina is currently not in a position to engage them. Therefore, an Italian AT got stuck in Sicily while it was on its way to Tunis…
Norway:
The British attack near Trondheim seems smaller than originally expected.

Turn 52 – 27 July 1943
Weather: cloudy and dry

Ostfront:
Finally, Vologda has been seized.
Guderian sent two StuGs to the area around Bryansk to help control the situation. We can’t effort a Russian breakthrough anywhere.
The Russian tanks/ATs are pushing across the Kuma River towards Grozny airfield.

Paulus hopes to be able to encircle the three Russian tanks in the forests South-West of Baku.
North Africa:
More and more US troops in front of Tunis!
The British fleet sailed North of the Strait of Messina while the Italian bombers are taking on the fight. One British battleship has been sunk already!

England:
Von Rundstedt seized the Southern parts of London.
Norway:
The situation around Trondheim is under control again.
Balkans:
Belgrade has been recaptured as well. However, big parts of the Balkans are still under partisan control.

Turn 53 – 11 August 1943
Weather: rain and dry

Ostfront:
Guderian under pressure: Bryansk has been lost, hopefully only temporarily…
Heavy Russian bomber attack on von Manstein around Rostov. Can the bad weather protect him?
Same thing around Grozny. In addition, the Kuma River seems lost?

Paulus’ tank trap worked. His troops are approaching Baku from two sides now.
North Africa:
Heavy casualties for the US and Italian troops around Tunis but the Italians continue to hold the line.
England:
Von Rundstedt is pushing into London with tanks - seizing the opportunity or just a risky move? The sky is full of Allied planes as well. Dunkirk has been bombed out, too.

Western Europe:
Partisans in central France as well!

Turn 54 – 26 August 1943
Weather: clear and dry

Ostfront:
Despite capturing the city, the situation around Vologda remains critical. On their way South, Axis infantry encircled a strong Russian tank.
What is this? First SU-152 in front of Moscow!
A Russian SU-122 reached Kiev as well.

Von Manstein seems in control of the situation at the Kuma River again.
North Africa:
Rommel is moving East towards Mersa Matruh which is only lightly defended. Is the way to Alexandria and Egypt finally open?
Regia Marina is planning to attack the British aircraft carrier, the HMS Formidable, to reduce Allied airbases in the region. There are still several more airstrips under Allied control along the coast though.

England:
Finally London has been captured. Von Rundstedt is planning to head North as quickly as possible now.
Norway:
Everybody thought Norway was under control again after the British invasion had failed. However, Norwegian partisans captured Lillehammer in the meantime.

Turn 55 – 10 September 1943
Weather: clear and dry

Ostfront:
Paulus almost reached Baku. It is now only a question of weeks to capture the second oil field.
North Africa:
Mersa Matruh has been seized and the airfield will follow within a few days. However, Rommel noticed apparently strong fortifications and trenches further East around El Alamein. Do the British have prepared defenses to protect Alexandria and the Suez Canal?
The US pressure is now very high around Tunis but the line is still stable… more or less…

Turn 56 – 25 September 1943
Weather: cloudy and dry

Ostfront:
Von Kleist was expecting an attack towards the direction of Kiev any moment so he had requested several bombers to gather at Kiev airport. As over the last few months, he kept sending out recon/scouting planes to the area East of Kiev and today first Russian units have been noticed on their way West towards Kiev. Von Kleist sent bomber units in immediately. However, his ground units are still too weak for a decisive strike while the real problem will come when the rivers freeze in winter. He needs to talk to Guderian asap.
While Baku remains heavily defended by Soviet Guard and SMG units.
England:
Von Rundstedt is under heavy air attacks. In addition, some of his tanks ran into a big AT gun North of London.

Turn 57 – 10 October 1943
Weather: cloudy and dry

Ostfront:
The Finns returned from Archangelsk to Vologda as well now.
Continued Russian attacks East of Moscow.
Strong and coordinated tank attacks towards the defensive positions around Bryansk.

Guderian advised von Kleist to go all in with whatever he has… von Kleist now also noticed partisan activities behind his lines around Gomel. Can the Soviets break through now?
A lighter Russian offensive started South of Kharkov.
North Africa:
The decision seems almost made in Tunis, no American tanks have been seen anymore. A few more weeks and then the Tigers can move to the Ostfront… von Kleist might need them around Kursk and Kharkov soon!

Turn 58 – 25 October 1943
Weather: cloudy and dry

Ostfront:
Together with the Finnish army, the outskirts of Rybinsk and Yaroslavl are under attack now.
Moscow faces a new tank attack. This time from the South-East.
Three KV tanks plus support units South of Kursk! Von Kleist is requesting additional StuGs.

Paulus is still besieging Baku but the Soviet infantry units are strong and their positions have high entrenchment levels.
North Africa:
The Italians are comfortable that they can manage the remaining situation around Tunis. Therefore, the German Tiger units were released and are heading to the port of Sfax now.
Western Europe:
Dönitz likes how his submarines are decimating the British home fleet North of Amsterdam.

Turn 59 – 9 November 1943
Weather: cloudy and dry

Ostfront:
The Russian armored units are getting more and more powerful. Now a SU-85 appeared near Vologda and only light Axis tanks are around…
The Russian attack on Moscow continues. Luckily, Guderian received the first batch of Panther A tanks…
The situation around Kursk remains critical. Gomel was seized by partisans and Russian units crossed the Desna River. More reinforcements are urgently needed for Army Group Center.

Operation Edelweiss has been completed as Paulus seized Baku and the second oil field. All of the Caucasus has been occupied before the onset of winter.
North Africa:
The Italians are pushing the remaining US troops West. No major American operations are expected anymore. Rommel suggests to recapture all of North-West Africa, i.e. to reach the Atlantic coast, just to be sure…
England:
Von Rundstedt is continuing his advance further North. He almost reached Birmingham.