Slitherine

9. March 1942, All quiet on the Eastern front, heavy battles in the US
Summer has arrived in the US.


USA and Russia get several techs.


In the Middle East Supermax destroys an allied garrison. The front line stands firm for now. The second tac bomber has arrived in this theatre. Next turn the panzer korps will feel the wrath of the Red Air Force.


Summer has arrived in the US, and also the long expected Wehrmacht offensive. No units are killed but several are damaged. They are pulled back from the front line and replaced by fresh troops. The US navy sails out in order to put up a blockade around Canada in an attempt to prevent reinforcements for Supermax. Due to the heavy battles and strict sensorship there are no screenshot of this battle (meaning I forgot it).

All quiet in Russia in the northern sector.


All quiet in Russia in the central sector.


All quiet in Russia in the southern sector.

PG, I think you are frittering away your best chance to hurt Supermax. You do know that the rivers freeze during winter and are actually easier to attack across than any other time? Anywhere Supermax's line turns a corner gives you 3 hexes to attack from. Two air strikes followed by 3 ground attacks should kill just about any unit. You don't need to advance but refraining from using these natural killzones is a cardinal error.
Believe me, when spring arrives you will be in for a world of hurt anyway. If you can't beat him with total air superiority, once his airforce returns you are in trouble.

shawkhan wrote:PG, I think you are frittering away your best chance to hurt Supermax. You do know that the rivers freeze during winter and are actually easier to attack across than any other time? Anywhere Supermax's line turns a corner gives you 3 hexes to attack from. Two air strikes followed by 3 ground attacks should kill just about any unit. You don't need to advance but refraining from using these natural killzones is a cardinal error.
Believe me, when spring arrives you will be in for a world of hurt anyway. If you can't beat him with total air superiority, once his airforce returns you are in trouble.

Yeah be aware that Soviet air is superior in cold weather so engage and strafe his air at every opportunity during winter weather.

Also I think you get lower supply if you base on a desert hex so you might want to base your air in cities or clear hexes if possible in Iraq.

shawkhan and jjdenver, thanks for excellent advice. STAVKA will take them into account

Summary of the war (March 1942)
Again I will share some thoughts and statistics on the war so far.

England is knocked out of the war. What can I say, Supermax utterly crushed the Brits. I feel that my mediocre command of the British facilitated Supermax with his victory

The invasion of the US did not come immediately after Britain was defeated as I expected. Instead Supermax launched a relative weak Barbarossa and advanced to the Dnieper. In the south he managed to cross the river but pulled back when winter came. The Red army winter offensive was partly successful. The goal was to take Pskov, Vitebsk and Gomel. Only Vitebsk was liberated. Thus he has a small bridgehead over the Dnieper around Gomel. The Wehrmacht offensive may start here or further south where I have no river defense. This would stretch his front line quite a lot, but I know he is thirsty for oil if he wants to continue his offensive streak.

His panzers and air force have been completely inactive (from my point of view this winter). Thus he must have saved up a fair amount of fuel for the 1942 battles.

Total casualties.


The war effort and production of the allies.


The US research status.


The Russian research status.


The plan for the US is to survive the war against the axis. To be honest I don’t think I will succeed. I believe Supermax will keep up the pressure forcing the US to spend most of their PPs on repairs. I need a couple more land units before investing in more air units. I want to engage Supermax in the sky in this theatre and make him burn lots of fuel.

For Russia survival is the key objective. I will remain completely passive during the summer of 1942. The next offensive actions will be the winter offensive. Until then the Russians will invest in more infantry to complete a double defensive line before investing in air and armour. The Red army also has the responsibility for defending the Middle East oil from the axis. Thus several more units are needed in this theatre as well.

Now it is time for some numbers.

Manpower status:
USA 508 78%
Russia 1561 80%

Total PPs collected:
Britain 1220
France 140
USA 1287
Russia 2876

I have taken the statistics from each turn in order to see trends in what is happening in this war. Here are some charts, for those who are interested in such things.

Panzergeneral,

Impressive collection of stats. I hope you don't mind but I've calculated the number of step losses for the axis and the estimated replacement cost for repairing those steps. Economically, Supermax's aggressive strategy has been costly in terms of PPs. However; his style of play, from what I gather, is to go for a knockout punch without consideration of not landing it. And what I gather he always lands it. However, IF you can keep the USA in the game and Russia fairly intact then I think you have a chance to win. However; I recognize that's a big "IF" and I definitely admire you for continuing the good fight no matter the outcome.

Sadly I don't think the allies have any chance to get even a marginal victory. I agree that the allies should be commended for fighting on but there i no way they can get back to Berlin and take out Italy by mid 45. The Germans just have too much PP income. Even if USA survives, the number of troops that the Germans have in N. America will mean the U.S. will be tied up there during '43. Then in '44 they just have to try to get back into Europe. That's best case. And the Soviets have taken heavy losses and are stretched thin. I don't think they can avoid losing a lot more troops and ground in the coming year. It's too far back w/ U.S. spending most of the war engaged in N. America and no allied bases in Europe other than those held by Russia.

This has been my fave AAR report to read regularly, and that is saying something considering the outstanding AAR's in this forum and the fact this has not been a particularly close game. I just want to mention that you have got to be one of the best sports out there, to keep this going after so many disappointments in the game, that is very impressive.

Some random thoughts on the game, FWIW :
- The turning point in the game IMO was the weather luck for Germany in France. Early luck like this can put one side well behind the other for the rest of the game (with compounded interest!), barring serious play errors from the opponent.
- PanzerGeneral was likely reckless with the UK navy early on, but I suspect he cold have gotten away with that against most players.
- Supermax is just an incredible player, thinking so many moves ahead would make playing him a challenge for the best chess players out there. His style has been reckless and it has required him to also get a lot of good fortune in the game, especially the unusual early weather in France, but he has also made his own luck often by forcing PanzerGeneral's hand, and sometimes appearing to trick PanzerGeneral to do things Supermax hoped he would do.
- I still do not know how Supermax has been able to do this well without Russian oil or middle east oil. What ever he did to get to this point, saving enough oil to continuously support two or three major fronts at one time is one of the most impressive parts of his game to me. I would imagine he has frequently used the sentry option for planes, railed mech and armor as much as possible, and depended on ground troops more than most players (though he seems like he has a pretty huge air force!).

Again, PanzerGeneral - you must be among the greatest sports of all time. Your never-say-die attitude has made me cheer for you this whole game, and now, when things are as dark as ever, you are still planning for a way out of what looks like a pretty challenging mess:). Extremely commendable. I wish you good luck in the US and Russia. Perhaps Supermax will make a mistake yet, I think you're going to need some serious breaks though to turn this tide.

rkr1958 wrote:Panzergeneral,

Impressive collection of stats. I hope you don't mind but I've calculated the number of step losses for the axis and the estimated replacement cost for repairing those steps. Economically, Supermax's aggressive strategy has been costly in terms of PPs. However; his style of play, from what I gather, is to go for a knockout punch without consideration of not landing it. And what I gather he always lands it. However, IF you can keep the USA in the game and Russia fairly intact then I think you have a chance to win. However; I recognize that's a big "IF" and I definitely admire you for continuing the good fight no matter the outcome.

Thanks for PPs estimates for axis replacements. There are some big "IFs" if I am going to defeat Supermax. Right now I think it is impossible. I think he will manage to knock USA out of the war. The goal is for any allies to survive untill May 1945.

jjdenver wrote:Sadly I don't think the allies have any chance to get even a marginal victory. I agree that the allies should be commended for fighting on but there i no way they can get back to Berlin and take out Italy by mid 45. The Germans just have too much PP income. Even if USA survives, the number of troops that the Germans have in N. America will mean the U.S. will be tied up there during '43. Then in '44 they just have to try to get back into Europe. That's best case. And the Soviets have taken heavy losses and are stretched thin. I don't think they can avoid losing a lot more troops and ground in the coming year. It's too far back w/ U.S. spending most of the war engaged in N. America and no allied bases in Europe other than those held by Russia.

I agree with you jjdenver. From my point of view I will not be able to defeat Supermax. My goal is for the US and Russia to survive this war.

BuddyGrant wrote:This has been my fave AAR report to read regularly, and that is saying something considering the outstanding AAR's in this forum and the fact this has not been a particularly close game. I just want to mention that you have got to be one of the best sports out there, to keep this going after so many disappointments in the game, that is very impressive.

Some random thoughts on the game, FWIW :
- The turning point in the game IMO was the weather luck for Germany in France. Early luck like this can put one side well behind the other for the rest of the game (with compounded interest!), barring serious play errors from the opponent.
- PanzerGeneral was likely reckless with the UK navy early on, but I suspect he cold have gotten away with that against most players.
- Supermax is just an incredible player, thinking so many moves ahead would make playing him a challenge for the best chess players out there. His style has been reckless and it has required him to also get a lot of good fortune in the game, especially the unusual early weather in France, but he has also made his own luck often by forcing PanzerGeneral's hand, and sometimes appearing to trick PanzerGeneral to do things Supermax hoped he would do.
- I still do not know how Supermax has been able to do this well without Russian oil or middle east oil. What ever he did to get to this point, saving enough oil to continuously support two or three major fronts at one time is one of the most impressive parts of his game to me. I would imagine he has frequently used the sentry option for planes, railed mech and armor as much as possible, and depended on ground troops more than most players (though he seems like he has a pretty huge air force!).

Again, PanzerGeneral - you must be among the greatest sports of all time. Your never-say-die attitude has made me cheer for you this whole game, and now, when things are as dark as ever, you are still planning for a way out of what looks like a pretty challenging mess:). Extremely commendable. I wish you good luck in the US and Russia. Perhaps Supermax will make a mistake yet, I think you're going to need some serious breaks though to turn this tide.

Thanks for enjoying my AAR!
You have an excellent summary of the war so far BuddyGrant.
This has been a learning experience for me. This shows what happens when you get a below average player like me fighting someone line Supermax
I have picked up loads of interesting strategy and tactics playing against Supermax, and have learned a lot playing against someone with this much experience. Although my war is going poorly it still is fun. The goal now is to survive and see how long I can make the US last. Russia has some fighting ability left. I must choose my battles wisely on the Eastern and Middle East fronts.

29. March 1942, US armour destroyed in battles against the Wehrmacht
The weather.


US scientists produce more results.


The mech army was almost destroyed in the Middle East it is pulled out of harms way. The front line is pulled further back.


The Wehrmacht offensive continues in the US. The result is two destroyed armoured corps.
The USAF is pulled back. Two motorized korps punish a German infantry korps. The USAF strategic bomber and US navy engages an Italian BB which is severely damaged.


In Finland a partisan unit was destroyed. I send out my BB for recon, as I suspected the Finnish cities along the coast have no defense. I think I will send in some units from the rear as a present to Supermax


All quiet in Russia in the central sector.


All quiet in Russia in the southern sector.


The Red Air force attacks at will, no opposition met.

The British partisans have finally become active. Currently there are three partisan units roaming the countryside. Weak axis forces have engaged them.

BuddyGrant wrote:Some random thoughts on the game, FWIW :
- The turning point in the game IMO was the weather luck for Germany in France. Early luck like this can put one side well behind the other for the rest of the game (with compounded interest!), barring serious play errors from the opponent.
- PanzerGeneral was likely reckless with the UK navy early on, but I suspect he cold have gotten away with that against most players.

I agree with both of these to some extent, but I'd add that the ability of Supermax to destroy what looked like a 10 strength garrison in the hills south of London and land on that hex - setting up a quick, cheap, successful Sealion - is what turned the game.

What could Pzg have done to prevent or mitigate this? I can think of 5 things possibly - all of these can be lessons learned for me:
1) Have more RN available to engage Kriegsmarine in the channel
2) Put the GAR in that hex earlier to dig in to lvl 2. Probably the Brits should try to have 2 GAR in those hill hexes before Paris falls so they can get dug in.
3) Mitigation: UK could have left a GAR not an INF in the easternmost hill hex so that he didn't get a valuable INF trapped there.
4) Mitigation: Just 1 more GAR in the hex S of London would have prevented the retreat that let the MECH land.
5) Mitigation: UK needs more ground troops built in England to pack that area south of London and make it tougher for the Germans to expand any bridgehead quickly.

18. April 1942, Wehrmacht offensive in the US gains momentum
Spring has arrived in Russia.


US scientists continue to work overtime even though the situation looks hopeless.


The damaged Red army pulls back into Iraq. STAVKA orders more troops to this theatre.


The Wehrmacht offensive in the USA crushes several US units. There is no hope of pulling this on off, USA is finished. My goal will be to prolong the agony and make sure Supermax spends as much time as possible here.
The only positive note is that an Italian BB is sunk.


All is quiet on the Eastern front.
Northern sector. I will try an amphibious landing in Turku and harass Supermax a bit


Central sector.


Southern sector

You really are a trooper, Panzer-general, battling this out to the end.

My less than helpful advice for the US side:
- Make sure you have a good supply of fresh water, ammunition, and duct tape.
- Roll the technology dice in a bid for US heavy bombers - that's 3 dice per bomber!
- Spend all US PP's on bunker construction from this point forward.
- Pick up a German phrasebook on Amazon.
- "Accidentally" knock the game board off the table when Supermax is looking away. Claim the dog did it.

BuddyGrant wrote:My less than helpful advice for the US side:
- Make sure you have a good supply of fresh water, ammunition, and duct tape.
- Roll the technology dice in a bid for US heavy bombers - that's 3 dice per bomber!
- Spend all US PP's on bunker construction from this point forward.
- Pick up a German phrasebook on Amazon.
- "Accidentally" knock the game board off the table when Supermax is looking away. Claim the dog did it.

LOL! Thanks for these words of encouragement. US high command will take them into consideration

8. May 1942, The Wehrmacht advance in the US
Summer has arrived in Russia.


The defence around Baghdad is beefed up by a Red armor. A Wehrmacht infantry korps is badly mauled by the Red Air force.


In the US I pull back my damaged units and put fresh ones at the front line. The goal is to clog up the entire area with units so that Supermax has to fight his way through. The USAF has a good turn and punishes several Luftwaffe fighters and damage the southern panzer grenadier korps. The US buys an infantry corps and a garrison, the manpower pool has dipped below 75%


All is quiet on the Eastern front (yet). The Red air force attacks at will along the entire front meeting hardly any opposition. STAVKA purchase a tank army and the commander Kirponos which will command the Middle East sector.

On the northern sector Red army troops have landed in Turku and the next batch is ready to land in Vaasa. It will be interesting to see what Supermax does with these minor threats. Probably he will let them rot but he will need something to prevent me from moving inland.


Nothing to report on the Central sector.


On the southern sector my air attacks reveal a Luftwaffe fighter which is badly damaged from my attacks. A Finnish fighter is also revealed in Chisinau. My brave air force destroys an axis allied infantry corps east of Vinnitsa (it only had 1 step left). I spot a large concentration of infantry and panzers south of Dnepropetrovsk. I suspect this will be the schwerpunkt for the upcoming summer offensive.
I spot that the Romanian DD is active. I suspect Supermax is scouting along the coast for a landing. I rail two infantry armies to Krasnodar. More will follow.

If you have any spare garrisons, I'd recommend sending them to the Batumi-Krasnodar sector instead of corps which you will need to defend the Rostov-Kharkov sector. Without a supply source, any landings near Batumi wont be very effective (provided they arent armour anyway) and will be mostly a diversion.

28. May 1942, Wehrmacht offensive expected on the Eastern front
The weather.


US gain another tech.


Supermax has stopped his advance in the Middle East. More Red army troops are railed to the northern oil field. Kirponos takes command of the tank army close to Baghdad. The tac bombers attack at will. I am curious if there are any more reinforcements coming. I move in my strat bomber to take a look, it spots nothing.


In the US Supermax kills another two infantry units. I move in some cannon fodder to the front. The US sells its Tank and Navy labs, and my PPs are used to repair units and buy another figther. The USAF inflicts more damage to the Luftwaffe.


The Red army lands in Turku, Finland. Otherwise all is quiet on the northern sector.


All quiet on the central sector.


On the southern sector strong panzer formations have moved behind the front line. I suspect that next turn the long awaited Wehrmacht summer offensive will start. My gut feeling is that Supermax will go for the oil in the Caucasus. More Red army troops are deployed to this theatre. The Red air force spots a Luftwaffe tac bomber and attacks it. The result is that the Finnish air force lose 5 steps.
I kill the Romanian corps which is the spearhead for the offensive. In retrospect perhaps not the smartest move, but I wanted to destroy something Now his panzers have a clear hex to advance into and attack.


Russia invests in a tank army and an infantry army.