Slitherine

Turn 79. December 9, 1943 Axis.

The weather in Russia went straight from fair skies to a severe winter storm that's ushered in the beginning of a severe winter. The axis lost a couple of corps, one of which was depleted, to the Russians. No biggie.

Even though severe winter had set in the axis keep pressure on the Caucasus and captured the Maikop Oil Fields (C282).


C282. Maikop Oil Fields

Turn 80. December 29, 1943 Axis

The axis finished with oil at 106. The reduction of the forces pocketed around Moscow began this turn was good result (C283). It pays to wait for the effectiveness of troops that are cutoff to drop, if you can wait, before finishing them off.


C283. Russia North

Turn 90. January 18, 1944 Axis

Crete is becoming a minor problem (C284). A partisan popped up and the RN CV in the Med has been proving supply and air cover for it. The Italian navy tried to dislodge the CV but took a beating. The German infantry corps in Benghazi was transferred to Crete to take care the partisan. The fact that it's in supply (level 1) means it can, and is, being reinforced. It's not overly important but a matter of principal. The German infantry corps will dislodge the partisan.

The Moscow Pocket (C285) has nearly been cleared freeing up a number of crops.

Wolfpack North and Center have combined to patrol the waters off the coast of France (C286) and hold the western allies in check while the axis fight the hardest on the Russian front.

Another UK CV was sunk ambushed and then sunk by German u-boats in the English Channel.

Axis oil ended at 143!!! Not great but much better than the low of 39 just a few turns ago.


C284. Crete


C285. Moscow Pocket


C286. France

Turn 82. February 7, 1944 Axis.

The Russian AI launched, for it, a major offensive in the north of Russia and destroyed a couple of infantry corps (C287). The Russian offensive is more of an irritation than a real threat as there really isn't much of importance in the area. However; OKW has decided to one and for all secure the northern flank of Army Group North.

This turn the remaining Russia forces in the Moscow pocket surrendered or, in the case of the most fanatical hold outs, were destroyed (C288) This frees up a good number of German infantry corps to support AGN and AGC objectives.

Army Group South pushed further into the Caucasus (C289). There immediate objects is to cut off the Caucasus from the rest of the Soviet Union, capture the nearby oil field and Batum.

In the Med, the axis replaced the garrison defending Malta with a German infantry corps (C290). This operation cost the axis an Italian BB, which was lost the RN CV.

Axis oil stockpiles ended at 148. The started the turn at 192. With the oil coming back a number of tactical bombers were repaired and will be upgraded for use in the spring. The axis strategy will be one of holding in the west and one of going for the knockout of Russia. I will go for the knockout using the same strategy tactics as if playing against a human player in the same situation. The two major obstacles are oil and manpower, which is at 28% for the Germans and 23% for the Italians.

In the west, the Germans have deployed 9 u-boat flotillas. Four headed out on patrol in the central Atlantic, but will stay within 1 or 2 turns of France. This is Wolfpack Center. Three will be attacked to the French command and patrol the English Channel to defend against invasion transports. And the remaining three, Wolfpack North, are assigned to the Norway Command as will support interdiction of the Murmansk convoy.

The two u-boat flotillas that help sink the UK CV last turn suffered counterattacks by the RAF. One was knocked down to 6-steps and the other to 2-steps. Both are in port for repairs next turn.


C287. Soviet Winter Offensive in the North


C288. Army Group North and South


C289. Army Group South


C290. Crete

Turn 83. February 27, 1944

The total number of axis u-boat flotillas is 11 (4 Wolfpack Center, 3 France Command & 4 Norway Command). They didn't have to wait long for action. Wolfpack Center (C291) supported by 2 flotillas from the France Command spotted and attacked an allied convoy and escorts. A UK CV and DD were sunk. U-boats of the Norway Command (C292) spotted a large convoy headed to Murmansk. German long range bombers attacked the BB.

Though it's still severe winter in Russia, the Germans continue to launched limited offensives and still make gains. Army Group South (C293) captured the objective oil field in the Caucasus. Also, they're pushing on Batum, which is lightly defended by a garrison.

Army Groups North and Center counterattack the Russians and make some gains in the center but in the north the axis are racing to protect their flanks. However; with the capture of Volgograd and Archangel any Russians that push to far north will be cut off.

The axis oil ended at 136.


C291. Wolfpack Center


C292. Norway Command


C293. Army Group South


C294. Army Groups North and Center

Turn 84. March 18, 1944 Axis.

The turn the axis stood down on combat on all fronts except for one attack east of Moscow, which destroyed a badly depleted Russian corps (C295 - C297). Casualties (C298) are high on all sides except the USA. A summary of the axis forces are given in C299.

The combat standown was used to repair, upgrade several units and conserve oil. German manpower dropped to 23% (i.e., below 25%) and Italian manpower is at 22%. This means that new builds and repairs suffer -2 in quality and -1 in survivability. Axis oil ended at 172. Not that great; but a far cry better than the overall low of 39 back on 10/10/43.


C295. The Russian Front


C296. The Western Front


C297. The Mediterranean Front


C298. Casualties


C299. Forces

Turn 85. April 7, 1944 Axis.

The weather cleared on all fronts and the axis launched attack two of these three fronts. In Russia, Army Groups North and Center (C300) pushed forward towards Volgograd in bitter fighting. In the South, Army Group South cut off the Caucasus from the rest of the Soviet Union and are close to taking Batum.

In the west, axis air hit bomber and fighter bases (C302). And elements of Wolfpack Center went hunting for convoy and found one. The only problem is that they are in position to take more than they give (C303).

These operation require oil and the axis ended their turn with 133 oil points. So, the majority of the offensive actions will have to be done infantry, which multiplies the axis manpower problems.


C300. Army Groups North and Center


301. Army Group South


C302. Western Front - Air Battle


C303. Elements of Wolfpack Center

Turn 86. April 27, 1944.

It's slow going in Russia (C304 - C306) given low oil, low manpower and low supply level. The AI attacked out of Volgograd and left the defenders at 7-step. I thought I could take it but they held out at 2-steps.

The Baku oil fields look very attractive; but they're a long ways away through tough terrain and low supply level.

Wolfpack Center (not shown) sunk one of the two UK CVs escorting the spotted convoy.


C304. Army Groups North and Center


305. Army Group South


306. The Italian Command

Turn 87. May 17, 1944 Axis.

The bitter fighting continues in Russia (C307-C309). Axis oil ended at 59. In the west the axis finished off two RAF fighters and another RN CV. Also, Wolfpack North attacked and has trapped the Murmansk convoy.


C307. Army Groups North & Center


C308. Army Group South


C309. The Italian Command

Turn 88. June 6, 1944 Axis.

Another RAF fighter was destroyed (not shown) and u-boats, the Kriegsmarines and Luftwaffe continued attacks on the Murmansk convoy (not shown).

The major action is on the Russia front (C308-C310), which the only know Russian strength in the north but seriously depleted. All other (known) units are deployed to defend cities.

Axis end oil was 25. We'll see what I can do with this and how far I can get.


C308. Russian Front (North)


C309. Russian Front (South)


C310. Russian Front (Center)

Turn 89. June 26, 1944 Axis.

The destruction of the known concentration of the Russian army continues (C311). I'm having to do this while I'm nursing the axis oil, which ended at 26. In the South (C312) a Russian corps is about to be cut off from supply. Army Group South continues their march towards the Baku oil fields. It's very slow going.

In the west, the attack against the Murmansk convoy continued and a depleted RN BB was destroyed (C313).


C311. Russian Front North


C312. Russian Front South


C313. Norway Command

Turn 90. July 16, 1944 Axis.

The Russian AI allows another concentration of Russian troops to be surrounded and destroyed (C314). Very slow going elsewhere (C315 & C316).

End oil was at it's all time low of 15. Basically, the axis are out of oil and are now operating on what they receive at the start of every turn.


C314. Russian Front (North)


315. Russian Front (South)


316. Russian Front (Caucuses)

Turn 91. August 5, 1944

Archangel and Astrakhan (C317) fell trapping the remnants of the northern Russian armies and the armor corps in the Caucasus. Army Groups North and Center will now be used to move towards Omsk.

On the Western Front the strategy is just to hold on and defend (C318). All axis air units on that front were ground to persevere oil, which ended at 24. Though, the axis oil stockpiles have gotten very low I've yet to run.

German manpower is at 4% and Italian manpower is at 5%. There are one new German and one new Italian infantry corps in the build queue. However; this will likely be the last builds and now, only the most important German units will be repaired in order to try keep German manpower above 0% for as long as possible.


C317. Russian Front


C318. Western Front

Turn 92. August 25, 1944

Because of having to nurse oil (which ended at 67), manpower (3%), supply level 3 (deep in Russia) and the upcoming bad weather (fall and winter), I think getting to Omsk probably won't happen even without having to consider what's left of the Russian army (C319). But, I'll give it my best shot.

German air technology levels reached max levels (C320). The air labs were sold back and a fourth infantry and armor labs were bought to reach max levels in those areas as soon as possible.

Italian research and Tech are shon in C321.

Since I'm nursing German manpower levels and trying to keep them above 0%, I need to send their PPs on other things such as upgrades and leaders. Repairing infantry is very costly. The Germans have a manpower of 39 (3%), which is equivalent to 39 infantry corps steps repaired or built.


C319. The Russian Front


C320. German Tech and Research


C321. Italian Tech and Research

Ronnie,
What are the manpower levels like for your axis allies? Given your high INF tech, the axis units should be pretty useful now? If so, you could use them as assault troops to take the pressure off of the Germans and Italians.

Neil

schwerpunkt wrote:Ronnie,
What are the manpower levels like for your axis allies? Given your high INF tech, the axis units should be pretty useful now? If so, you could use them as assault troops to take the pressure off of the Germans and Italians.

Neil

Neil, I don't know what the axis minor's manpower is exactly but I do know that they also have manpower issues. The Germans and Italians are just plain worn out from 5 years of war and they and their nations are suffering oil shortages.

Turn 93. September 14, 1944 Axis.

It's slow going moving axis infantry and mechanized at supply level 3. It appears that there is no concentration of Russian forces but that they are deployed in groups of one or two crops to defend the remaining cities on the map (C322).

In the Caucasus the axis have finally made contact with the defenders of the Baku oil fields (C323). That initial contact didn't go well for the German mechanized corps. The Germans and Italians each have an infantry invasion transport, which originated from the port of Astrakhan, off the coast of the Baku oil fields. I point this out because a lot of players overlook the ability to transport, or invaded with, troops over the Caspian Sea. Sadly, the vaulted I and II Krops who successfully carried out amphibious invasions of Norway, Greece and Tallinn were not available for this operation. The I Krops was destroyed in 1943 in heavy fighting north of Moscow. This loss was kept quite from the German people. II Krops is still around but is in the north and has been depleted to 3-steps. Basically, it's at division strength.

Though the axis successes have been many and they are winning the war, the German and Italian people are growing weary of 5 years of war.

Axis oil ended at 80, German manpower at 41 (3%) and Italian manpower at 11 (3%).


C322. Northern Russia.


C323. Caucasus

Turn 94. October 4, 1944 Axis.

The weather was fair the German and Italian corps successfully landed at Baku (C324). The same can't be said for the western allies who lost four more invasion transports this turn off the coast of France (C325).

German and Italian units are trying to organize for a push on Omsk (C326). However; bad weather is coming.

The casualties stats are tell a very interesting story (C328). Russia, Germany, Italy and Britain have taken a lot of losses and are all exhausted. However; the USA has only lost a few ships. Where are they? They must be fighting in the Pacific.

The German desert Army, commanded by Rundstedt, is being pulled out of North Africa transferred to Russia (C328). The defense of North Africa will be given to the Italian command there.


C324. Russia Caucasus.


C325. French Command


C326. Push towards Omsk


327. Casualties


C328. Transfer of Desert Army

Turn 95. October 24, 1944 Axis.

An interesting thing occurred last turn and that was I was able to move an axis minor transport into the Baku port while it was still controlled by the Russians (C329). When I did this something seemed strange but it didn't register what it was until I got the message that "Naval Unit in Captured Port Destroyed". So beware of this game feature. Basically, this troop transport was destroyed by friendly fire.

Speaking of troop transports lost, the western allies lost 3 more of them (C330).

The weather in Russia was mud/rain (C331). Couple this with supply level 3 and nothing is moving very far.


C329. Baku Oil Fields


C330. The French Command


C331. The Russian Front

Turn 96. November 13, 1944 Axis.

The weather across Europe (North / Central / Med) was Winter/Mud/Fair. Baku fell and now all the Caucasus belong to the axis (C332). Well, all except where the partisans have been popping up lately. In the last two turns I've got 10 to 11 Russian partisans. I guess the population is revolting against it's conquers.

The allied AI continued to send invasion transports off the coast of France (C333). I didn't worry too much about sink them because of the mud/rain, which prevents them from landing.

The Norway Command has another Murmansk convoy trapped (C334).

Axis oil (beginning/end) was: 189 / 133.
German manpower: 39 / 16 (1%)
Italian manpower: 14 / 5 (1%).

As you can see oil stockpiles are coming back up; however, manpower is hovering just above 0%. Right now I need to preserve manpower for the most important units; which, means infantry corps won't be repaired, except for those defending the French beaches from invasion.


C332. Baku


C333. French Command


C334. Norway Command