Slitherine

Turn 15. June 7, 1940.

Usual shore bombardments and redeploying of french army forces trying to deny german units in Lorraine a free access to Paris were last allied turn moves. No counterattacks in the paratrooper unit. French fighter withdrawn.



Germans concentrated this time in taking Reims destroying all french army units between the Oise and Seine rivers, not exposing any unit to an allied counterattack and linking with the paratrooper division dropped last turn. Air combats results between RAF and Luftwaffe fighters continued to score a stalemate with 2 steps lost in both sides and french fighter unit was reduced to 3 steps. I withdrew garrisons in Calais, now that french mech in Somme river has been redeployed there's no risk at all of an allied counterattack there. Image below is at the end of axis turn.



My opponent decided not to escort the 20-steps southern convoy that in last turn convoy movement phase ended adjacent to one of the u-boats:



2 germans subs torpedoed the convoy and left it reduced to 1 step (143/91). Remaining u-boat unit sailed northwards in search for the northern convoy. Image below shows mentioned naval operations and also current PP's, manpower and oil levels.



As planned, this turn I started building 2nd german strat unit so it will be ready for august 1940 in time for participating in the upcoming blitz campaign over England.

Turn 16. June 27, 1940.

French army formed a defensive line along Seine river whilst allied fleet is progresively withdrawing from Calais. Also note in the picture below, taken at the start of axis turn, canadian fighter already deployed in UK.



Wehrmacht overrun defenses in the Seine and reached Paris from the SE. Gamelin's mech was reduced to 5 steps and cut from supply. Air combats favoured again Luftwaffe with the british fighter losing 3 steps when intercepting. This steady rate of losses in RAF fighters means that most british PP's must be spent on repairing the air unit in France which further means no short term builds of the much needed british DD's.



Subs were lucky when making a spotting-attacking move again. Northern convoy at 10 steps, SW of Greenland was reduced to 2 thus making the score 153/99 (64,7% of convoys sunk so far). Another u-boat discovered a RN naval group near of Brest containing a transported unit. Both events are showed in the shots below.





I bought a 4th german submarine unit this turn. Italy joined the axis at the end of the turn. Previously I purchased 1st air italian lab.

Turn 17. July 17, 1940.

No counterattacks. Not even to the exposed german mech south of Paris. Furthermore, RAF fighter base was left in France instead of being rebased to UK with the consequences that you will see. Shot below is at the start of axis turn.



I noticed that RAF fighter base in Rouen was at the movement range of the panzerkorps at 7 steps. No unit adjacent to the fighter unit that could create a ZOC (german fighter sent SE of Calais to check that out) so the german armoured succeeded in taking the air unit 8 steps off and in forcing it to retreat SE. This meant less RAF fighter opposition to the further Luftwaffe air attacks to french units defending Paris. French corps defending the city was reduced to 8 steps because of the air attacks and after destroying or forcing to retreat defending adjacent french units, Hutzinger's corps was destroyed and then Paris taken. Once taken french capital, available panzerkorps at 10 steps finished off british fighter unit. The loss of RAF No. 11 Group will allow axis to find less air opposition (only canadian fighter?) when strategic campaign over England starts. Italian fighter brought to Belgium will help in that campaign.



Forget to mention that in last turn another convoy ended its movement adjacent to a sub unit. DD's escorting transported unit moved east.



U-boat torpedoed southern convoy for 9 steps (173/108) and watching u-boat followed safely RN naval group arrows just to spot another transported unit.



Recently started Med scenario now. A french sub made no damage when attacking Regia Marina naval base in Genoa. Graziani took command of the italian forces in Tobruk and italian armoured was railed to Reggio for being transported to Africa. 2nd italian inf lab bought.

5th german u-boat purchased.

Turn 18. August 6, 1940.

First a shot of casualties screen so far. Check out those really high air british losses. Both french and british air steps lost are higher than german's.



Australian DD at Malta was moved to eastern Mediterranean in last allied turn. I don't have the italian fighter available to check for the Malta RAF fighter from Sicily but Africa axis supply at its initial 16 level tells me that the british air unit is still there. Egypt and Irak joined the allies. Pic below shows Med scenario and current PP's, manpower and oil levels of both Germany and Italy. Transported Corpo d'Armata made its way without problems from Reggio to Tripoli and italian 2nd naval lab was bought.



Last turn spotted british DD's in the Atlantic continued to escort canadian transported unit to UK:



Subs left that naval group alone and focussed in finishing remaining 11 steps of the central convoy thing that was accomplished by a single u-boat hit (173/118). A 11-steps southern convoy ended its movement in the spotting range of the subs.



Luftwaffe was busy preparing for the blitz campaign that will start in the very next turn. Then some repairs were done in german air units and 2nd strat was deployed west of Cologne in a dutch hex. From this location London is at range of this new air unit. Furthermore, Rundstedt was put in range of the air units to increase their effectiveness.

Turn 19. August 26, 1940.

Strategic campaign over England has started. My opponent is bringing more and more canadian units to help in UK defense. This way, in the picture below you can see canadian mech close to London. Although Germany is about to reach strategic level 1 Luftwaffe air units reduced spotting range does not allow to see much more.



Axis will count with 6 fighter units, 2 strats and 2 tacs for this air offensive. All available air units participated in the strikes over England except 2 german fighters at 8 steps that were repaired and a tac in Liege. As a consequence of the attacks, London was reduced to 4 PP's, carrier unit in Portsmouth lost 4 steps and BB in Chatham lost 3 steps. Luftwaffe losses were 5 steps.



Back to Atlantic since nothing is happening in the Med. Shot below at the start of axis turn shows southern convoy entering spotting range of u-boats and moves of escorting RN units.



Southern convoy was reduced to 2 steps (184/127) and a large RN naval force was spotted in Plymouth when a german sub sailed to Brest port in order to harass british carrier in Portsmouth on the following turns if this bombed naval unit dare to stay there. Remaining u-boat searched for the northern convoy with no luck. Transported unit in Plymouth couldn't be other than initial canadian inf corps.

Turn 20. September 15, 1940.

Carrier at Portsmouth was withdrawn with RN taking lot of precautions: check that sweeping DD move to cover british capital naval unit. BB in Chatham was repaired and a new BB replace the carrier in Portsmouth. Those heavy british naval units have clearly a defensive role against a potential landing.



This axis turn London was reduced to 0 PP's whilst the attacks on naval units continued. BB in Chatham was bombed again and reduced to 8 steps and sweeping DD in Portsmouth was also bombed. Bombings over Birmingham, Liverpool and coal mine in Wales will start in the next turn. This turn there was some RAF opposition to the bombings with 1 step lost in each side in dog fight combats. Overall, axis air losses for this campaign are being rather low.



Nothing happening in the Med. Italy will buy a 3rd sub unit in the very next turn and a new Regio Esercito inf corps has arrived to Africa. More italian units (mainly garrisons) are planned to be transported to Lybia

A 32-steps northern convoy was spotted. This way sub in Brest port waiting for the carrier sailed northwards. Later, in convoy movement phase mentioned convoy sailed to a position in which it will be possible to be attacked by all current u-boat units.

Turn 21. October 5, 1940.

Fair weather. In last allied turn, 8th british army units invaded and conquered Syria. I took a shot of this operation so you can see allied forces commited.



Blitz over England continues. Almost all air units participated targetting cities with PP's or BB's. Strat at 8 steps was repaired and a german fighter was rebased to Cherbourg so bombings over Birmingham (this turn they went unescorted but no fighter opposition found) can be escorted. Pic below is at the end of axis turn.



Northern convoy at 32 steps couldn't be sunk since it was needed a previous spotting movement, then the attacks by 2 u-boats that reduced it to 14 steps (216/145).



Wehrmacht build for Barbarossa has started. This turn 2 armoured and 1 mech were bought. Hungarian units that in last turn joined axis started to move east.

Turn 22. October 25, 1940.

Still fair weather means strategic campaign keep going. Axis air units found this time increased RAF fighter opposition. Dog fight combats scored a 5-4 favouring the Luftwaffe. Both RN BB's at range of axis units were reduced to 8 steps. Proximity of bad weather and the start of new campaigns made some air units participating in these air attacks over UK to be withdrawn as is the case of italian fighter and a german tac at Liege. Screenshot at the end of axis turn:



In the Atlantic, subs got more potential targets when at the end of convoy movement phase both central and southern convoys ended inside the spotting range of the u-boats.



2 more german mechs were built and Deutsches Afrika Korps (a mech) arrived Reggio just to be transported in the next turn to Libya. Badoglio commander was bought and will take command of the italian inf corps in Tobruk fortress.

Turn 23. November 14, 1940.

I will start this turn with Med scenario. Pic below taken at the start of axis turn shows initial 8th army advance on Libya. A "watching" italian sub revealed RN strength in the Med. I was thinking that australian DD at Malta had been moved to Atlantic where it is much needed for the allies to have escorts but instead mentioned naval unit is in Famagusta port. You can see also current PP's, oil and manpower levels.



Still fair weather in central Europe allowed Luftwaffe to keep operating in England. This time RAF lost 6 air steps for 4 steps lost in german fighters. London is 0 PP's again and Birmingham was reduced to 1 step. U-boat that you can see in Pas-de-Calais in the shot below is the already deployed 4th german sub in its way to the Atlantic. 5th u-boat unit was deployed this turn.



War in the Atlantic now. Last allied turn, RN escorts focussed in protecting the 15-steps central convoy. This way, u-boats concentrated in attacking southern convoy at 27 steps, sinking it. Assuming that the central convoy will be able to make its way to UK delivering its PP's, score is now 258/172, that is, a 66,6% of convoys sunk.



A 4th german tac unit was purchased whilst the italians will buy second air lab on the next turn. Italian fighter arrived to southern Italy and will be rebased to Libya.

Turn 24. December 4, 1940.

RAF Malta fighter saw action this turn when bombing an escorting Regia Marina BB. This naval unit lost 1 step. 8th army approachs slowly. Pic below is at the start of axis turn.



Bad weather comes to central Europe so air activity in UK was much reduced. Only London was bombed and both RAF and Luftwaffe suffered 3 steps lost in the air combats. Anyway, once fair weather comes again the bombings will be resumed since I intend to extend this campaign until Barbarossa starts.

Shots now about current lab situation.





As you can see, Germany is about to reach strategic level 1 in the next turn or so. Strats will be able to reach Liverpool then. Second german naval lab will be bought when Barbarossa build allows it.

Turn 25. December 24, 1940.

Last 1940 turn. Air campaign over England continues despite of bad weather. Free axis BB's were deployed in Wilhemshaven and Civitavechia. Manstein bought. Regia Aeronautica completed its deployment in Lybia and Luftwaffe Africa (a fighter) is on the way. I will post an image with the definitive axis forces commited to this scenario.

No convoy action but the northern convoy ending in the spotting of the now 4 subs units operating in the Atlantic.

Game will be paused for a week. Then it will be resumed. Thanks to all that are reading this AAR!

Turn 26. January 13, 1941.

After the pause here we go again. 1941 has started the same way that finished 1940. Luftwaffe strategic campaign over England continues and the steady sinking of allied convoys keeps going. This turn was the 6th consecutive turn in which London was left witn no PP's. RAF fighter opposition is still formed by only 2 air units. Anyway, as you can check in the pic below taken at the end of axis turn, german air forces in northern France-Belgium have been progressively redeployed in other fronts. Right now of the initial strong axis air forces only 2 fighters and 2 strats remain. Air losses were low (2 steps lost in both sides). I will post casualties screen so you can see overall air and naval losses in this campaign.



Spotted 14-steps northern convoy was sunk this turn (272/186) by 2 u-boats whilst the other 3 operative german sub units searched for convoys with no luck.

I bought 2 more mechs for Barbarossa and also purchased an elite unit (mech). Italian expeditionary forces in USSR will be formed by 4 corps and 1 mech commanded by Messe. Mentioned italian mech was bought this turn.

About the Med in the following turns I will take a screenshot of the axis forces there and the approaching Commonwealth units. I am trying a different axis defensive line in Libya concentrated around Benghazi and El-Gazala instead of the typical at Tobruk.

Turn 27. February 2, 1941.

Not much happening now. Germany bought a 6th armoured unit that will be participating in USSR invasion. Elite unit (mech) was deployed this turn in Eastern Prussia.

Air combats between Luftwaffe and RAF scored again a stalemate (1-1) and London is still with no PP's.

Slim southern convoy at 8 steps was torpedoed and reduced to 1 step (280/193) as seen in the pic below showing location of all current german sub units.

Turn 28. February 22, 1941.

Still mud weather in central Europe. Germany has already reached strategic and close air support first levels so I will start upgrading air units right from this turn. Dog fight upgrade is also about to be reached. Strategic camapaign over England will be extended until may-june 1941, then participating air units will be redeployed in the east. UK still must be rather weak because of the bombings and losses in PP's brought by convoys so it is unlikely that RAF will be getting air superiority in the west for now. Anyway, 2 german fighters will be left in the west and one of the 2 strategic bombers that will be sent to the east might be brought back to France when bad weather conditions in USSR make them less effective there. Having now a 15-hexes range this strat, could be deployed in west France coast having a multi-role: to bomb british war economy and to attack convoys that will be at range.

As promised, here is a shot of the definitive axis forces deployed in Africa:



You can check that axis ground units there are composed by 3 corps, 2 mechs and 1 armoured. As you know these forces will be facing 5 corps, 1 mech and 1 armoured, corresponding to the initial Commonwealth forces deployed in the Middle East. Keeping in mind that canadian forces are still in UK and the slight air axis advantage (a tac bomber unit is available whilst no unit of that type is present in allied side), stalemate here seems to be possible.

Atlantic now. Kriegsmarine submarine naval group formed by 5 subs shifted this turn into 2 subgroups, one of them sailing northwards and the other composed by 3 units sailing to central Atlantic ocean. Afterwards, at the end of convoy movement phase a central convoy at 40 steps entered spotting range of this last mentioned naval subgroup.



Messe was hired and 2 german corps were bought.

This is a very strange defence line in the NA. Any particular reason for it?

Cybvep wrote:This is a very strange defence line in the NA. Any particular reason for it?

I just wanted to try with this and see how it goes. It is a ZOC defensive line keeping in mind that the southernmost garrison italian unit it is adjacent to dune terrain. I usually defend around Tobruk. Let's see how allied units respond: if engaging in Tobruk thus making possible some axis counterattacks or if they skip Tobruk and advance cautiously to find main axis line.

This is very clever defensive line. Allied forces cannot engage Tobruk full and need to dislodge Benghazi first. This will take some time to go around Tobruk. I would put German second MECH in Tobruk so it can counter if Allies try to keep weak units in the rear.

Turn 29. March 14, 1941.

This turn I will start with Battle of the Atlantic. It seems that convoys size is beginning to increase significantly. To the last turn 40-steps central convoy it would have to add now a 55-steps northern convoy spotted right in this turn. In the pic below taken at the start of the axis turn you can see many arrows corresponding to last turn allied naval moves.



Sub that was not at range of the 40-steps convoy went cautiously in search for the naval group NW of Ireland finding 3 DD's and the mentioned 55-steps northern convoy. U-boat just west of Ireland was able to reach central convoy and attacked it with the other 3 subs units around. This time the attacked convoy did not survive at 1 or 2 steps and it was sunk. As long as the northern convoy will have made its way to UK the numbers now are 375/233 (62,1%). Shot below is at the end of axis turn.



Fair weather now in central Europe allowed Luftwafe air units to see more. This way it could be checked that canadian ground units has not been moved to Middle East or anything. Dog fight combats scored a 2-2 and London was reduced again to 0 PP's. Partisan in northern France was finished off this turn and Rundstedt corps was railed to Romania to command german forces in the southern sector of Barbarossa. Situation after the axis air attacks:



Bought 2 german corps and 1 italian.

Turn 30. April 3, 1941.

Allied escorting naval group NW of Ireland headed SW as indicate arrows corresponding to last turn allied moves. I moved a german sub to follow where that naval group can be and found what it is showed in the pics below. First pic is at the start of axis turn and second one at the end.





Since that's not the route the convoys usually take the only reason I am thinking for that move is for joining the Lend and Lease extra destroyer spawning in Canada. With that many german subs operating now in the Atlantic is safer for the allied DD's to operate altogether. Anyway, I will be buying 2 more german subs this year and it is planned that german surface fleet will sail to the Atlantic as soon as possible. A combined Kriegsmarine fleet of 7 subs, 2 BB's and 1 DD has proved to be effective in order to put pressure on the brits.

This turn all the air units to participate in USSR invasion were upgraded. Although next organization level is about to be reached and I could have waited for that to upgrade air units I will do so only with ground units once invasion has occurred. I just wanted to have increased range for the air attacks. Another additional 2 german corps were purchased. Nothing happening in the Med.