Slitherine

June 7, 1940 - French defensive line starts to buckle....talk of abandoning the north!

The Axis air bombardment results in heavy loses to the Luftwaffe...looks like my AA guns have finally found their mark!
More attacks accross the line are stopped once more and the Germans have to repair the corps unit that crossed the river however another breakthrough occurs this time led by the dreaded Panzers!

The 23 step covoy reaches home.

The UK builds her 4th general lab....that should get research going!!!!
The RAF and CVs combine to destroy the damaged fighter on the coast losing only 1 fighter step and a new fighter deploys to London. With 2 UK fighters and 2 Carriers I may be able to start winning air supperiority now.

Both French armoured units counter attack the new breakthrough losing only 1 step between them and reducing the German tanks to 1 step. 9th armee destroys the Panzers but i have nothing to through into the gap so its still not looking too good, the fromnt line could be comprimised.

I decide to repair the French fighters (upto 8 steps) and will bring them back into the fray next turn to try and stop the German tactical bombers causing chaos. This leaves no more PPs and I have a fair few ground troops in need of repair too! I am now considering refoming a new defensive line around Paris, even pulling the Maignot line troops out.



The Germans are suffering badly....infantry loses are high but its their armoured and air loses they cant really afford, if the French can keep sellign their lives this well then by time the Russians join the war it shuld all be over!

June 27, 1940 - French defensive line collapses! Italy joins the war..supporting the Germans!

A massive Axis offensive sees the French Front line collapse....a huge hole is punched through the centre and German units cross the river in force.


Italy declare war on the UK and France!


France reforms a ner defensive line with Paris now at the front! The Maignot line is abandoned, 2 garrisons rail to Paris and 1 goes south to check Italian agression.
The 9th Armee holds in Lorraine as I dont want to give up the mines cheaply...they attack the weakend corps to the north killing 2 steps and forcing them back.
The new UK fighter rebases onto the coast and the other just holds position...it really needs repairing but with Italy in the war I really want that leader in Africa now!
Uk bomber and CVs hit the Uboats again but only cause damage to the port

July 17, 1940 - The mines at Lorraine seized! french troops prepare to sell their lives as dearly as possible!

Lorriane is attacked in force and the 9th armee is all but destroyed, there are multiple attacks along the new line of defence and massive casualties are incurred on both sides but the line holds...just!
The Italian Alpini corps is seen in Belgium, this reduces the risk of Italian attacks in the south.


The RAF fighters attack the Luftwaffe tac bombers resulting in both the bombers and a German fighter group being reduced to 3 steps each for the loss of 2 steps from the new fighters. The CVs return to northern France and manage to destroy the remaining German bombers for no loss. The RAF bombers and French fighters hit a German Corp hugging the coast and inflict a step loss...the French Med fleet and RN take out 2 more.
XLilleCAF is recalled forom Marseilles and takes up poition on the new front line which is reformed. I repair what units I can and purchase a new garrison unit that deploys to Paris.


2 new convoys have appeared, 14 strong in the north and 28 strong in the middle...thats a touch disapointing!

August 6, 1940 - Heavy fighting in France! O'connor despatched to Africa to take command of the 8th army

The 9th armee is attacked and wiped out..no real surprise!
Attacks all along the line but it holds except to the west of Paris....a lone German corps crosses the river and establishes a bridgehead


UK purchase O'Connor ready to deploy to the armoured corp in Egypt.
The French fighters and 1 UK fighter attack the German corps on the wrong side of the river cauing enough damage that the 1st armee wipes them out fo rno loss...bridgehead contained!
The defensive line is reformed and repairs made.
The 1st UK fighter group repairs to full strength whilst the navy shell German corps currently on the coast causing massive casualties


I notice the Italian armoured corps in the france/Italian boarder...at least they're not heading for Africa...I might launch an attack there earlier than planned!

August 26, 1940 - New defensive line in France holds fast! O'Connor given command of 8th British Army in Egypt

The Germans launch several ineffective attacks on the French line...STAND FAST MEN!


The UK turns over more factories to the war effort


RAF fighter and 1st Carrier Squdron destroy the German Tac bombers and take out 2 German fighter steps for the loss of only 2 of their own fighter steps.
The Remainder of the Royal and French navies, the RAF bomber and the French Fighter Destroy a German corps that was on the coast.
French ground troops dig in and repair awaiting the next onslaught,
O'Connor deploys to the UK armour in Egypt and takes command of the 8th army


If the French can hold until the end of the year I'll be very pleased.....fingers crossed!

September 15, 1940 - French line collapses!

A German offensive crashes through tthe right flank


The UK repair the new fighter unit to full strength. The remainder of the allied air force combined with the Royal Navy destroy the German motorised corps on the coast.
The French withdraw thier forces on the right forming a new defensive line running south of Paris...this is it, Paris is now in danger so no more retreating! The 7th army retreats to Lyons to defend this valuable PP producing city.



The UK builds her 2nd Infantry lab. The US build her 2nd lab, an armoured 1 and the USSR build her 2nd an air 1. There is no focus on any of them!

October 5, 1940 - Hungary joins the war!

The German army begins encircling the French right Flank and Lyons comes under attack! The Garrison unit south of Paris is destroyed...I must hold this line.
The German fighter goes after the UK bomber, once the dust has settled the RAF are down 1 fighter and 1 bomber step...the Luftwaffe are down 6 fighter steps!

A 17 step convoy docks in Glasgow

Hungary chooses sides...


The RN carrier squadrons hit back at the depleted German fighter destroying them for the loss of 1 carrier step....is that the end of the Luftwaffe?
The remainder of the RN and the 2 RAF fighters knock the coastal corps down to 4 steps..shame I have nothing that can finnish the job and a French counter attack near Paris forces a Motorised corps back reduced to 1 step.
France purchase another corp ready to deploy next turn to defend Paris (I hope!) and repairs what they can. The RAF bombers are also repaired,

3 new convoys are spotted enroute to the UK...north to south they are 78, 18 and 22 strong.....thats a nice little bonus

25 October, 1940 - German casualties mount as the quick victory in France eludes them

A massive assault on Lorraine sees the 7th armee take a pounding but they hold.
A Panzer Korps breaches the defence line west of Paris and crossed the river destroying a garrison unit in the process.
A lone infantry Korp attepts to outflank the Paris defence to the south

A 29 step convoy arrives in the UK

With suport from their fighters the 1st armee and armee de alpes destroy the outflanking corps.
A new French corps mobilises south of Paris and I repair what french units I can.
The RAF and RN attack the German corps unit on the coast reducing it to 5 steps and effectivness 2! I lose a fighter step.


The UK saves her PPs to build a new fighter next turn, they will head to Egypt and provide air support for the 8th army. I'l send some BBs and a carrier with them as I intend on launching an attack on the Italians. I'm holding of on Montgomory for now as I believe the chances of Sealion are practically 0 and whilst it would help inprove my fighters I currently have total air supperiority!

November 14, 1940 - Return of the Luftwaffe!

Lorraine is encircled and almost completely surronded, no attacks are made against the 7th armee how ever.
Another Garrison unit is destroyed on the left flank..France is slowly losing units!
The Armee de Alpes and the new corps unit are badly damaged

A 14 point convoy reaches port

UK and US research make headway


The French fighter attacks the alpini corps and reveals a new German fighter! The ensuring dog fight sees both fighters lose 2 steps...not bad considering how damaged the French were! They also pres homke their ground attak knocking a step of off the Italians!
The French armour forces them to retreat with only 1 step remaining.
Both damged corps are repaired as is the 1st armee..but this leaves the French with -12PPs!!! hmmm repairs next turn will be tough.
The UK brings 3 damaged BB back to port, they will repair and head for the med along with a carrier to support offensive operations there.
THe french fleet and the CVs hit the same corp on the coast, I only knock out 1 step but keep the effectiveness right down!
Both RAF fighters repair and I hold of building my new one as strategic operations is only 2% away form level 1.

End turn

December 4, 1940 - Desperate French counter attacks cause masive casualties. Engineers report a new breed of Planes are ready for construction. Romania enters the war!

Lorraine now totally surronded...7th armee holds fast incurring massive loss.
Undefended, Cherbourg is taken by a panzer Korps.
French fighter base attacked further reducing air power.
Multiple attacks against French defensive positions.
1 of the 2 remaining garrison units on the Maignot line are over run.


Romania declare war!


UK scientists are working overtime!


The UK purchase a fighter and repair their BB fleet in port.
RAF and CVs hit the low effectivness corps that has now moved in land causing heavy loss. The French garrison unit next door fail to make an impression and it takes the combined efforts of 1st armee and armee de alpes to destroy them.
French airforce withdraw until I have the PPs to repair them.
The other French armour attacks a Mot corps taking damage of their own, the new corps fails to make an impresion but loses 2 steps!.
7th armee recieves reinforcements in the hope of holding just a little longer

December 24, 1940 - Lorraine captured! Cherbourg liberated!

The 7th armee fights bravely but is overwhelmed taking many Germans with them.
2 French Corps and a garrison unit are badly damaged, Paris almost surronded.
XLlleCAF the last unit on the Maignot line lose 2 steps and are almost gone.


The UK CVs and entire RAF hit the corps unit to the NW of Paris losing a bomber step but causing enough damage and disruption to allow the 1st armee to destroy them and take up position next to Paris.
The armee de Alpes slips past the German Panzer Korps and recaptures Cherbourg, cutting of the Panzers in the process.
The French armoured corps moves to hoefully stop the cut of Panzers getting back into supply, other damaged units repair including the fighters...this does leave them with -21PPs.....not good for next turn!


I have 3 new convoys enroute, from north to south 65, 28 and 14 strong.

I also notice the German Uboats that were in Wilhelmshaven have vanished....might be time to strengthen the RN Destroyer numbers!

January 13, 1941 - German casualties mount, Paris still Free!

A massive German offensive sees several French units wiped out and Paris almost cut off. The French are left with only 1 corps unit, 2 garrisons and the 2 armoured corps around Paris. They also have another Garrison in Marseilles, the fighters in Brest and the badly damaged armee de alpes in Cherbourg. The 2 step garrison still in a fortress on the maignot line and all the garrisons over seas are of course out of the fight.


British organisation now equals German


The 78 step convoy reaches home.
The Panzer Korps that was cut off is still behind the lines and now out of supply...the CVs and RAF bombers and 1 fighter unit hit them hard reducing them to 5 steps and only 24 effectiveness....this allows the 1st armee to destroy them for no loss. The Garrison in Marseilles rails to Paris to help defend the capital, the 2nd armourd unit repairs and the fighter rebases to Cherbourg to give air cover.



German man power must be getting pretty low at this point!

February 2, 1941 - Another nation flocks to Axis banner!

Attacks in France leave Paris almost totally surronded...only a thin stretch of land now leaves her connected to the rest of free France. The Germans reveal a new tactical bomber. XLllVe CAF (the last unit on the maignot line) is now down to 1 step....these guys have died bravely and drawn needed manpower away from the main attack.


Bulgaria enters the war


UK fighers further improved! Good news from Russian researchers


I throw everything at the motorised corps to the north of Paris. The french fighters go in 1st and lose 2 steps to intercepting fighters taking 1 step each off the Luftwaffe and the Mot corps. UK CVs, bombers and fighters join in reducing the German unit to 3 steps allowing the 1st armee to destroy them for no loss...north side of Paris now secure.
The other french armoured corps attacks the weakend Italian alpini corps and destroys them for no loss...go French armour! I rail 1 of the French Garisons to defend Cherbourg (and the French Fighters!) and hope to draw some German units this way and away from Paris, the other Garrison moves in to secure the NW of Paris.
6th armee (Paris) and armee de alpes both repair.


The UK deploys their new fighter to Cardiff ready to sail to Egypt, once they arrive the 8th army will start thinking about an offensive against the Italians. I purchase Montgomory to take command in UK and repair the damaged destroyer flotilla...I'm worried that with the Uboat leaving port at last there might be more on the way!

22 february, 1941 - Montgomery takes command of British army in UK

The Garrison unit NW of Paris is destroyed and the french armoured corps is cut off from supply!
The Armee de alpes holds fast reducing a German corps to 3 steps!
During the fighting the German fighter is reduced to 2 steps....if only I had an air unit in range. A new German fighter appears by Brussels.


The new UK fighter boards transports and sails for Egypt with 2 BBs and a Cv as escort.
I lose a French fighter step attacking the damaged corps but even so the Garrison unit forces them back allowing the Med fleet and the UK destroyers to finnish them off.
The remaining UK Cv and the entire RAF attack the motorised Korps cutting off my armour and reduce them to 3 steps, this allows the armoured corps to destroy them for 1 step loss and link up with the advancing armee de alpes and get back into supply. The 1st armee repairs.


Montgomery deploys to 50th Motorised in Birmingham and takes command of all UK forces in the west.

Casualties
German loses actually exceed the French!!!! I cant see the French hanging on to much longer though I am half tempted to send reinforcments in from the UK....but I only actually have 2 combat corps there, shame becaueif I had a few more I rekon I could hold onto Paris until the Russians join in! As it is I cant see the Axis powers pulling this one out of the fire

I really can't see the Germans pulling this off....they've taken huge casualties and their man power is already at 75% or worse (can tell this from the quality of units as they repair and new builds of course) Due to this I don't see there being much to learn from this game now....due to this and due to the urge to get plaing a few PBEMs (I have already got 1 on the go) I'm going to step up my play time and stop making such a detailed AAR, I'll report any major going ons every turn but once the Russians join in I cant see the Axis powers lasting too long!

Nothing much happened (just some tooing and froing in France) so we pick up the AAR in............

May 13, 1941
Iraq declares war on Germany and Italy providing vital oil to the allied cause.
U boats active!!! A covoy is sunk by 3 Uboat flotillas...all new builds!
The RN redeploys to provide convoy protection and sink 1 Uboat flotilla
French Man power down to 75% Not to worry..they don't have many units left to repair!

June 2, 1941
The defences at Cherbourg are breached once again leaving only the 1st armee in Paris and the Armee de Alpes on the coast.
The quality of German units appears to have dropped!

June 22, 1941
Paris falls and with it France surenders!
Finland joins the Axis due to a land dispute!

The RAF beging bombing campaign against German industry

August 1, 1941
Uboats strike again in the south...far away from the RN

September 10, 1941
8th army begins march on Tobruk ready to oust the Italians from Africa

September 30, 1941
Uboats strike again!
8th army close enough to tobruk to see the defences...


October 20, 1941
The attack on Tobruk begins!

November 29, 1941
Russia attacked..operation Barborassa begins!
Reports of heavy Russian casualties in the initial stages of the campaign filter through to allied command

EEK! I didn't imagine the Germans could launch such an effective attack having taken so many casualties earlier!!!! I'm begining to wonder if my over confidance earlier will come back and bite me on the ass!!!
As far as I can see the Germans have 3 fighters, 2 tactical bombers, 5 armoured corps, 5 motorised and 7 corps units. The Italians bring another tactical bomber, 1 armour and 6 corps plus all the minor units in the south...of course many of the units are already at reduced quality due to man power shortages in Germany but their tech levels are pretty high!

And futher more the Russian winter hit this turn! Meaning none of the axis units were in an area to be effected by the effectivness drop....there will be no major winter offensive from me this turn, though it will slow the axis units down if they decide to push on and attack it also slows down some of my withdrawing units....

My air being totally outmatched falls well back to get out of it until I can either improve their tech and/or purchase more to overwhelm the enemy with weight of numbers. Every thing else that can falls back towards the major river defence line I hope to build before the Germans reach it...i also pull everything in the rear forwards towards the same line...I spend alot of PPs railing. I realise that my initial builds were not so well thought out, what I really need is a load of garrisons and corps to form a double defence line what I actually built so far is 2 armoured, 2 mtorised, 2 corps, 1 fighter, 1 tac and 3 leaders (in my defence I was expecting to go on the offensive..i never imagined the Germans would have the PPs to have such a formidabe force, I underestimated the advantage I gave them!) This turn I do churn out a load of garrisons but I'll have to put motorised and armoured corps in harms way for now....I am still pretty confidant, the Germans really cant afford a war of attrition now and the Italians will sonn have other worries.....

Tobruk Garrison now stands alone and the Fortress is almost surronded, once Tobruk is taken the 8th army will push westward to eject the Italians from Africa and then look towards an early Tourch.....Siciliy will be taken as an air base then I'll land in Italy. Once the US is in the war I'll ship what they have to the UK and together with the British army will land in northern France

December 19, 1941
Japan attacks pearl harbour bring the USA into the war!

The Germans continue attacking stranded units that were unable to get away......over 1 million Russians have lost their lives so far!

Tobruks garrison just hangs in there with only 1 step remaining
The RN head towards the US ready to escort the enevitable troop convoys across the Atlantic
The Russian defensive line is starting to form and I relocate all Russian air to support operations against Finland (away from the Luftwaffe!)

More Corps and Garrisons purchased

January 8, 1942
The German offensive in Russia has stalled....they cant move quick enough!
Tobruk finally falls and the 8th army push westwards
A Finnish corps is destroyed after heavy air and naval bombardment

January 28, 1942
Several probing attacks made but Russian line holds, the High seas fleet is in Riga port shelling a Russian garrison!
The RN finds several subs in the Channel and to the west of Brest...sink 1 flotilla and damage another. UK holds off on invasion until I can check for more Uboat activity!
Another Finnish corps is destroyed....lets get ready to push on Helsinki! USSR now has a fully formed defensive line and are about 1/3 to 1/4 into completing a 2nd line


February 17, 1942
Another Uboat reveals itself at Brest!
Attacks in Russia but line holds
1 Uboat flotilla sunk another reduced to 1 step....and I find Flotilla 1 (1 of the originals) at full stength, UK hold sof on invasion again....US forces still at sea!
The German 36 Korps in Finland is badly damaged as the Leningrad defence corps makes an attack!

March 9, 1942
With the winter over Germany launches a massive attack but the line holds!
Tripoli taken by the 8th army and both remaining (known) Uboat flotillas are sunk near Brest.
UK ground forces take to sea ready to land next turn....US forces will be the follow up wave - After so long at sea I'm worried the US troops will have too low effectiveness
36 Korps in Finland is almost destroyed but just holds on..
Russia almost has a full double line north to south.....I'll start loking at pulling armourd units out of the line and replacing them with garrisons/corps units so I have some rested troops ready for an oppurtune countr attack


March 29, 1942
Attacks all along the line, Russian units mostly hold exceot in the south....after an armoured unit "retreated" across the river a German Motorised Korps managed to force a brifge head....it is badly damaged though!

Following heavy air and naval bombardment the Bristish land in france...Brest is easily seized and Cherbourg cut off and almost taken!

36 Korps is finally destroyed in Finland....next stop Helsinki!
The Motorised Korp that crossed the river is destroyed and the line reformed....but it is still a weak spot and I'm slightly worried about all the Axis armour in the area!

April 18, 1942
Heavy fighting in Russia (surprise!) and both sides take horendous casualties, the south is still weak and wont stand long against a concentrated assault.
Assault forces lauch towards Siciliy...lets give the Axis forces 3 places to worry about!
Cherbourg falls easily and UK forces advance accross France, US forces land.

May 8, 1942
Heavy fighting continues in Russia, several units are destroyed but the line holds.
Attack on Palermo begins
Advance accross France continues

May 28, 1942
Casualties mount on Russian front

Palermo holds!
Bordeaux, Lyons and Paris all liberated by British forces
US enter Belgium

June 17, 1942
Odessa falls...they did well to hold so long!
A concentrated attack sees a hole punched through the lines....luckily its only an Italian Mot corps that moves into the breach

Palermo falls!
Lorraine liberated
The US army fails to capture Brussels and take pretty heavy loses!
Helsinki falls to the Russians!
The Italian Motorised corps is destroyed and the lines reformed


July 7, 1942
Another breach in the line exploited by an Italian infantry corps this time

The RN in the med locate elements of the Italian navy in port
The RAF bomb Brussels helping the US ground forces take it
The Italian corps on the "wrong side" of the river is destroyed and I reform the line double thick all the way along. I even have several units in reserve (mostly damaged but still there!)
The last garrison units in the caucusus rail to the "front" leaving only 1 corp in Moscow, 1 garrison in Sevestopol and the corp and air in Finland not on my MLR!


July 27, 1942
The Germans are not letting up! 2 units are lost on the front line.....
Another Italian motorised corps crosses the river in the north

In the south its one of the few units not behind a river who got it

2 new Uboats sink a RN BB over near Wilhelmshaven....
The last of the British "front line" combat units board transports and sail for Italy
The RN gain some revenge and reduce 1 Uboat flotilla to 1 step
Another Italian unit is destroyed and the line reforms
Casualties mount for both sides