Slitherine

You are doing well, I think. The Brits must be rather weak with all these lost PPs due to strategic bombardment and sunk convoys. How are Barbarossa preparations going?

Turn 31. April 23, 1941.

Air campaign over England came to an end. This has been 11 consecutive turns of strategic bombings and air combats. As long as London has 10 PP's this means roughly (some turns production recovered to 1 or 2 PP's) 110 PP's lost if we also keep in mind PP's lost because of the bombing of Birmingham. RAF losses has been important either and if you take a look at the casualties screen below and compare it with the one taken at the end of french campaign you will notice that allied air losses are still higher than axis ones. To the 23 steps lost by RAF in France it would have to add now 28 steps lost in the blitz that makes a total of 51. Luftwaffe losses in this campaign were 35 steps lost. RN also suffered considerably because of the air strikes and lost 18 naval steps mainly of capital ships.

Cybvep wrote:You are doing well, I think. The Brits must be rather weak with all these lost PPs due to strategic bombardment and sunk convoys. How are Barbarossa preparations going?

Date for the start of Barbarossa is June 2, 1941 (turn 33). German land units will be 18 inf corps, 6 mechs and 6 armoured. Axis minors and Italy will provide 10 inf corps in the southern sector of Barbarossa (4 italian, 3 romanian, 2 hungarian and 1 bulgarian) and finnish will provide the initial 4 corps. Also, it would have to add mech units of minors (2) and Messe's mech unit. Luftwaffe forces will be 4 fighters, 4 tacs and 2 strats. Total axis forces for this operation will be then 32 inf corps, 9 mechs, 6 armoured, 7 fighters, 5 tacs and 2 strats.

Let's get back to Middle East now where pro-axis rebellion in Irak has pretty good chances of cutting Basra from the rest of the iraki territory controled by british and Commonwealth forces. As you can see in the screenshot below taken once the rebels took positions, there are only 3 hexes left for that and all the rebel units but the one NW of Fallujah have supply level 1 because of the rail depots taken.



Spotted an escorted 35-steps central convoy.

Turn 32. May 13, 1941.

Everything is ready for the upcoming huge military operation in the east. Last upgrades and redeployments were made. Two shots zoom level 3 view below shows the composition of the entire axis forces whilst the other zoom level 1 image shows the entire eastern front scenario.







Atlantic now. Last turn spotted 35-steps convoy was left unescorted. The reason for that is that another central convoy at 46 steps is on the way. Aparently (escorts not spotted yet) my opponent decided to escort the bigger convoy. 3 german subs torpedoed 35-steps convoy reducing it to 7 steps (410/261). Images below are taken at the start of axis turn and at the end of convoy movement phase.





Bought 3 german inf corps and general italian lab.

Turn 33. June 2, 1941.

As I told you in this turn would start Barbarossa and it did. Progres was made in all sectors but specially in Belarus. Of the 21 corps and 10 mechs that initially Red army has, 4 mechs, 3 corps and lots of garrisons were destroyed. As a variation to the typical first Barbarossa turn to mention the participation of Kriegsmarine in finishing off a retreating corps unit in Latvia. Kaunas and Vilna were seized whilst Brest-Litovsk and Lvov held. Specially successful were german armoured units that only lost 1 step in the different combats they were involved. A paratrooper unit was dropped in west Ukraine to finish off a soviet mech. Two shots zoom level 3 view of the operations:





Effectively, one of the goals of the RN escorting naval group sailing near New Foundland was to join the extra DD spawning in Canada. At the start of axis turn it was spotted a strong escorting naval group of the 49-steps central convoy.



German subs focussed in destroying the 7 remaining steps of the central convoy attacked in last turn. First, an spotting movement and then the sinking of the unit (410/268). The other sub unit spotted the entire escorting RN group.



2 more german inf corps purchased and italian 2nd fighter unit will be bought next turn. At the end of convoy movement phase a 19-steps southern convoy entered spotting range of the southernmost u-boat unit.

Turn 34. June 22, 1941.

Red army units around Minsk retreated east, russian inf corps in Brest-Litovsk was repaired and corps in Prypat marshes counterattacked hungarian mech for 1 step lost in the mech and 3 steps lost in Red army unit. Soviet mech in romanian border retreated either. Two shots pic at the start of axist turn:





Minsk was seized by Wehrmacht without problems. Same goes for Riga and Brest-Litovsk meaning 3 more soviet corps units destroyed. Lvov offered more resistance and it was needed the attack of several minor axis and italian units to surrender the city defenders that in last allied turn received reinforcements either. Main spearheads of german army allowed to spot a really westwards situated Red army defensive line in Dnepr river. Anyway, as you will be checking in the images below taken at the end of axis turn, some of those units are below 20 effectiveness so it will be easy preys if they intend to hold there. Finnish army entered combat too and attacked the 2 garrisons north of Leningrad with VVS making its first appearance. Apparently, in Daugava river Red army intends to make a stand too. Soviet mech in Prypat was denied to retreat by panzer forces.





Let's come back to NA and Middle East where this turn there was more action. 8th army has approached Tobruk reaching vicinities of the city-fortress. British units advance is very cautious and it cannot count with the totality of the initial Commonwealth forces since at least 2 corps are engaged in combating iraki rebels. Pics below show those two places in which is occurring main action.





Naval action continues in the Atlantic. 19-steps convoy was torpedoed losing 9 steps and as long as the 46-steps will be likely making its way to UK numbers are now 475/277, a 58.3% of the convoys sunk. Screenshot at the end of axis turn:



Furthermore, u-boat in Greenland spotted a first soviet convoy at 51 steps. As I told you I will not keep track of the soviet nor americans convoys and will focus in the british ones.

Next turn will be the one in which Luftwaffe will have to be redeployed to new air bases within USSR. Specially tacs and strats is important to be placed in hexes from which can attack several targets so it will have to choose carefully the new locations for the air units. Since western Europe has been emptied of air units, this turn I bought a 6th german fighter unit to be deployed in Cologne or so and in the following turns I will buy another fighter for being deployed in the west either. Also, italians asked for a 2nd fighter that will be placed in Sicily.

Turn 35. July 12, 1941.

Red army offensive in Karelia. This was rather unexpected as this is the first time I see the soviets to be offensive this early. Joensuu was seized by the russians and that commander you see in the zoom level 3 image below (highlighted in zoom level 2 image) is Cherniakovsky. In the rest, there were no or few retreats.Two shots view before axis moves:







Wehrmacht crossed in force Daugava river forcing russian units to retreat and reaching vicinities of Pskov. Another corps started invading Estonia. Finnish respond to soviet attacks by killing a garrison unit close to Leningrad and by reinforcing garrison at 5 steps and their fighter unit. Panzer units in Belarus reached Dnepr river just to spot a continuous defensive line along the river that goes from Mogilev to probably Dnepropetrovsk in the south. Lutfwaffe air bases occupied hexes from which Leningrad, Novgorod and Moscow in the north and Dnepropetrovsk in the south can be reached. In the south, Vinnitsa was captured, Odessa units were cut from main supply and air combats occurred with a soviet figther unit. Commanders in soviet mechs seen in Mogilev and Cherkassy are Zhukov and Chuikov, respectively. As a comment, in the north sector of Barbarossa soviet units will be destroyed if they decide to hold there whilst in the south where axis forces are weaker, Red army might succeed so line reached is significantly westwards than normal. We will see. Situation at the end of axis turn:





Canadian-british escorting group shifted in last allied turn so 2 DD's sailed NW probably to escort 51-steps soviet convoy. Situation in central Atlantic at the start of axis turn:



I decided to go after an escorted convoy for the first time in the game. So 46-steps convoy was reduced to 28. Last turn torpedoed central convoy was reduced to 1 step and soviet convoy was attacked too making it to lose 14 steps. Score is now 475/304 (not included here steps lost by soviet convoy)





3rd german air lab purchased.

Your subs can only be attacked by 1 DD + air units in range, presumably a STRAT and a FTR. I think that you will lose 2-3 steps and that's it.

Your southern strike seems weak. You will probably reach Dnepropetrovsk and will then have to dig-in in order to prepare for winter. In the North, on the other hand, you will manage to inflict considerable damage on the Soviets if the Allied player decides to hold this position. You can be aggressive and use the Italians to protect the occupied cities. IMO for maximum effect you should use STRATs to bomb units this turn and start bombing either Leningrad or Moscow from the next turn on. Assuming that JimR doesn't decide to withdraw, of course.

Turn 36. August 1, 1941.

Red army push into Finland lost momentum. This makes sense because of the low starting effectiveness of soviet troops and +1 increased defensive factor of finnish units defending their homeland. Attacking soviet units of the finnish nickel resource took really heavy losses. In the rest, reinforcements and defensive moves here and there. Two shots view at the start of axis turn.





German offensive in Daugava river continued. As a consequence 4 soviet corps units were destroyed and Pskov and Vitebesk are now directly threatened. Advance in the center was stalled by the russian defensive line there. We will try to break here in the following turns depending on the availability of air strikes by tacs. If a wide breakthrough is achieved in the center by the many heavy axis units that are accumulating there may be the whole front might crumble. In fact, Kiev was seized this turn and soviet troops on the east bank started to be attacked with luck by axis forces forcing a retreat and creating a hole in the defensive line there (2 hexes west of Chernigov). Furthermore, the whole Red army defensive line was spotted and as expected it extends to Black Sea. Finnish took the other adjacent hex to Leningrad killing the garrison unit there. Below 20 effectiveness soviet air units are still opposing to axis air attacks.Two shots view at zoom level 3 of the main operations going on and entire eastern front scenario pic with highlighted sector of the zoom level 3 images:







Intense air activity in Libya in last allied turn. Seemingly, RAF made probing attacks that heavily engaged fighter forces in both sides. Combat results scored a 5-4 favouring the axis air units. I will be changing location of italian tac, actually at range of the RAF fighter unit close to Tobruk. Irak rebellion finished off.



Unsuccessful RAF and RN retaliation attacks on the attacking german subs. British strat near Plymouth already has reached 15-hexes range. Forget to mention in last turn that a new "prey" of 28-steps approached to one of the u-boats. Situation at the start of axis turn in Atlantic:



Screenshot below that also contains actual PP's, manpower and oil levels inside, is taking at the end of axis turn, with the central convoy torpedoed by two sub units and reduced to 6 steps (503/326). U-boat operating in north Atlantic Ocean lost track of the soviet convoy that surely will be already escorted.



I purchased 3 more german inf corps.

Turn 37. August 21, 1941.

Red army resumed its offensive in Finland bringing more units and forcing a garrison to retreat. Part of the soviet strategic reserve was deployed mainly in the gap left by the corps destroyed last turn between Pskov and Vitebesk. Two shots view at the start of axis turn:





And below a zoom level 3 pic of the situation in Finland.



Major breakthrough occurred in Dnepr river. Supported heavily by Luftwaffe forces mobile Wehrmacht units crossed in force the river and formed a wide bridgehead between Mogilev and Gomel. Corresponding soviet corps defending that position were destroyed. Panzer forces linked west of Gomel. Also, small progress north of Vitebesk. Since most of the air strikes were focussed in supporting assault in the Dnper no attacks were made to Pskov or Vitebesk whilst in the south troops were ordered to hold the line and to await for the results of the offensive in the center. Repairing of units were made all along the front. Usual combats in Odessa sector where 1 of the defending corps there was reduced to 1 step. In Finland, corps units railed to Kuopio and some combats south of Joensuu. If things get worse here may be some german unit could be sent to Finland. Zoom level 3 images of main operations and then zoom level 1 of the entire USSR below.







In this turn a 6th german sub unit was bought and soviet convoy at 37 steps was spotted.



3rd italian infantry lab purchased.

Cybvep wrote: Your southern strike seems weak. You will probably reach Dnepropetrovsk and will then have to dig-in in order to prepare for winter. In the North, on the other hand, you will manage to inflict considerable damage on the Soviets if the Allied player decides to hold this position. You can be aggressive and use the Italians to protect the occupied cities. IMO for maximum effect you should use STRATs to bomb units this turn and start bombing either Leningrad or Moscow from the next turn on. Assuming that JimR doesn't decide to withdraw, of course.

If you check out the updated images of the game with the breakthrough in the Dnepr, the temptations of rushing to Moscow will be strong. Also, those defending units between Vitebesk and Smolensk are in high risk of being isolated. Strategic bombings of Moscow and Leningrad will have to wait since air support is much needed now. So yes, the south sector of the front will be the one in which axis position reached won't be that further east as in other games. Anyway, let's see how my opponent react to the combats in the Dnepr, so he might be making a general soviet retreat in the front.

Turn 38. September 10, 1941.

Red Army retreated a little in the center and in the north of Kiev holding in the rest. A russian garrison advanced into central Finland finding recently railed corps in Kuopio. My opponent seems determined to try something here in Finland that could be completed later with siberian elite units. So a german garrison will be sent to Finland and if this is not enough a corps. Shots below at the start of axis turn.





Wehrmacht kept on pushing in the center and as consequence of that Smolensk and Gomel were captured. Progress was also made in Velikiye Luki sector where garrisons recently deployed got a beating. No major obstacles now to Leningrad and Novgorod although may be it is a little bit late for trying something there. It all will depend on the weather in october for getting a more eastwards front line or not. Same goes for Moscow since although not spotted the area of soviet capital, I assume that there must not be much units defending there keeping in mind that my opponent decided to defend in Dnepr river line thus losing a number of units. In the south, Kherson was seized and axis units got adjacent to soviet defensive line in central Ukraine. Objective here is Dnepropetrovsk, of course, but I doubt a little about achieving the seizure of that city. If the massive heavy german units that are around Chernigov manage to break there too and to push SE and to Kharkov then the soviets might be taking an important defeat also here in the south. In other sectors of the front the finns tried to respond to the soviets in Karelia and Tallin was attacked. Shots below are all at the end of axis turn.









Forget to mention in last post that a 43-steps convoy entered spotting range of german subs in last turn. In the picture below taken at the start of axis turn you can see that naval unit that a consequence of the subs attacks was reduced to 15 steps. And also, note the british strat making bombings of Paris.



Later, at the end of convoy movement phase a soviet convoy at 58 steps was spotted.



3rd german infantry lab purchased.

Turn 39. September 30, 1941.

Soviets repaired their units operating in Finland and made more retreating moves specially important the ones east of Kiev. German transport torpedoed by soviet sub unit. Two shots view showing last allied turn moves:





In axis turn, Wehrmacht launched a major offensive in Ukraine destroying several corps and seizing Chernigov and Sumy. Panzer forces are now clearly headed to Kharkov that might be taken no matter the weather. Furthermore mentioned units are not at range of taking all of those corps units west of Dnepropetrovsk by their rearguard with the corresponding threat of pocketing some of them. Further north infantry units reached Rzhev and Kaluga might be taken either. Novgorod is now closer to AGN units that destroyed all of those depleted garrisons, whilst Pskov was seized in this very turn. Vitebesk at 1 step and Tallin at 2 steps still hold. First strategic bombings of Moscow. 3 shots view of the entire front at zoom level 3 after axis moves:







Probing 8th army attacks in Tobruk took 5 steps to the australian units whilst Badoglio's corps was reduced to 8 steps. Ensuing air combats to those operations meant again 2 steps lost in Luftwaffe Africa unit. Image below is at the start of axis turn:



Luftwaffe Africa received new aircrafts and it was Regia Aeronautica that made some sorties over the attacking australian units taking 1 step more in one of the corps. Italian garrison close to Tobruk moved west and with another garrison coming from Benghazi formed a ZOC defensive position. Shot at the end of axis turn:



RAF continues to make strategic bombings of Paris no matter strat unit is now at 6 steps. Remaining 15 steps of the last turn torpedoed central convoy were sunk (546/369). Soviet convoy was attacked by 2 sub units reducing it to 39 steps.



Immense USSR territory demands units to be covered with so 3 more german inf corps were bought. Another italian inf corps was purchased either but doubt about sending it to the east and probably will be operating in the Med.

Turn 40. October 20, 1941.

First, last turn allied moves. In the pics below you can see how soviet retreat is almost generalized now and only the positions SW of Krivoy Rog are holding now. On the other hand, russians kept on attacking finnish nickel resource with no luck and taking heavy losses again. Messe's mech took a beating in Odessa being reduced to 4 steps.





It much depended on the fair weather in this turn for this start of campaign in USSR to be quite favourable for axis. A fair weather turn would have meant the soviets losing more territory. And as long as they have lost many units that combination of losing both territory and army would have resulted in the soviets being in trouble. This turn it was mud so no chance for a fast progress. Anyway, Wehrmacht kept on offensive in the center seizing Bryansk and in the south with axis units took Krivoy Rog thanks to a heavy air support. The fact that Red army had lost that many units make axis more confident about operating in bad weather too. If russians would have been retreated to the usual line Novgorod-Moscow-Orel-Kursk-Kharkov-Donets river, things would have been different and we would be thinking now in digging in for winter instead. Tallin and Vitebesk were seized. Two shots view at the end of axis turn:





Second 8th army assault to Tobruk achieved similar results than first one. RAF fighter in Libya received an additional support in its attacks so a british carrier unit appeared to participate in the operations.



Axis reply focussed again in air attacks. Italian tac escorted by german fighter hit attacking british mech in Tobruk reducing it to 6 steps. RAF fighter was left in bad shape after the air combats that ensued. An italian sub was sent to spot the escorting force of the carrier. It is the australian DD and the other 2 hexes must be occupied by 1 or 2 subs. 2nd italian fighter wing was rebased to Sicily. That commander you see in Malta's garrison is Gort, probably detached there to increase effectiveness of Malta fighter. Zoom level 3 image below shows operations in Libya and in zoom level 2 image you can also see Sicily and Malta. Both are taken at the end of axis turn.





A central convoy at 37 steps was spotted at the end of convoy movement phase. It was lost track of the soviet convoy due to bad weather.

Have you thought about a counter-attack in the NA? You could try to destroy the MECH, at least.

Turn 41. November 9, 1941.

Red army did not make significant moves so no shots taken at the start of axis turn. It was mud again in eastern Europe so more obstacles for an axis progress there. More soviet garrisons got pocketed this turn and progress in Ukraine continued despite of bad weather. Kharkov was attacked and its defenders reduced to 4 steps whilst it was gained more terrain in the west bank of Dnepr river south of Krivoy Rog. SS commander Dietrich arrived Pskov and was attached to SS mech there. Numerous repairs of units were made in both Germany and axis minors. Below first a general zoom level 1 view of the entire eastern front and then 3 shots view at zoom level 3. All of them made at the end of axis turn.









North Africa now. British took last allied turn for repairing units and no offensive action was made. Furthermore, RN mediterranean group near Tobruk was withdrawn. This shown in the image below taken at the start of axis turn:



Axis air units in Africa were repaired.

Cybvep wrote:Have you thought about a counter-attack in the NA? You could try to destroy the MECH, at least.

No counteroffensive actions are planned for now in Africa unless the allied units get closer to axis main defensive line. It is not discarded to buy a +1 attack commander that could be a less expensive one like Hoth to be attached to the german mech. German mechs will soon get +1 attack so DAK could see increased significantly its offensive value. Any counterattack then will have more chances of success.

Finally a shot with the position now occupying german subs in the Atlantic that in this turn got rid of the 37-steps central convoy spotted last turn (587/406). It is included also PP's, oil and manpower levels.

Turn 42. November 29, 1941.

No soviets moves worth to mention so no screenshots of last allied turn. This turn weather was winter and you will have noticed that I have not used weather overlays so far. I will start using them when severe winter comes. IMO, they are particularly useful then because on a single turn in the eastern front it can occur the four types of weather that exists in CEAW GS.

So we start directly with what has happened in axis turn. Most remarkable thing was the german success in taking Kharkov. A Luftwaffe air strike turned the 9-steps garrison defenders into red effectiveness and I guess that helped the attacking german heavy units to take the city. Even a soviet corps close to the city was attacked too and forced to retreat. Cut from supply garrisons north of Pskov and in Bryansk were both killed. Again many repairs and upgrades were done along the front and Luftwaffe flew several reconnaissance missions to spot where a potential soviet counteroffensive might occur. Kursk and Kalinin were found with no concentrations of troops, next turn spotting missions will focus in Novgorod and Stalino. Seizure of Kharkov has meant that siberian reserve units won't be deployed that close of axis units in the south. Below, zoom level 1 and 3 screenshots of the eastern front at the end of axis moves.









Back to the Med now. In last allied turn, a british sub torpedoed italian BB in Sicily and more air combats in Libya this time with only Malta fighter involved. Image below shows last allied turn moves.



Axis responded by focussing in the Malta fighter. Since british Med fleet must be located eastwards I first used an italian DD to harass Malta air base and afterwards recently deployed italian fighter in Sicily scored a favourable 2-1 against Malta AHQ unit. Shots below are both at the end of axis turn.





German strat coming from the east has already arrived to France. It has been deployed in a location where both convoys and main english cities (even Liverpool) can be targetted. I will buying soon the second western front fighter unit. First one is already deployed in Calais. Picture below shows this and a 30-steps southern convoy spotted by subs. You also will be noticing extended spotting range of the units because this turn has been fair weather in central Europe.

Turn 43. December 19, 1941.

Red army still trying in Finland. Finnish garrison defending nickel resource was reduced to 6 steps. As I have commented in last posts, my opponent might be planning to use guard units in Finland in which case situation would turn into a complicated one. It is not good for axis to lose Finland that early. One of the siberian mech guard units was spotted in Stalino. Two shots view at the start of axis turn:





Axis made mostly repairs in this turn. Garrison cut from supply in Velikiye Luki was destroyed and many redeployments were made both of land and air units. Kharkov will be likely one of the main objectives of soviet winter offensive. Finnish corps railed to Kuopio and german tac stationed in Tallin for possible operations there. Shots below are at the end of axis turn.





8th army is intensifiying its attacks in Tobruk. Badoglio's corps was reduced to 5 steps in last allied turn in which RN appeared again. Allied commander attached to british armoured in Africa is O'Connor. Image below is at the start of axis turn.



Although tempted no counterattacks were made in axis turn. Just the usual air attacks that this time were not successful at all. Ground attacks did not achieve to take any step and air combats scored a 1-3 favouring the brits. More lucky again was italian fighter in Sicily that took another 2 steps of Malta fighter vs 1 step lost by the axis air unit. Image below at the end of axis turn.



U-boats spotted a fat convoy at 56 steps SE of Halifax. Such convoy at the end of convoy movement phase run into one of the u-boats losing 9 steps. Both events are showed in the images below. German strat in France made its first convoy attack mission taking 5 steps of a convoy. I will be keeping track too of the convoy steps taken by this air unit so score now is 673/420.





Severe winter started at the end of axis turn.

Turn 44. January 8, 1942.

As predicted soviet winter offensive will occur in Kharkov. In last allied turn, Red army attacked axis positions all along the southern sector of the eastern front. As a result, a german corps at 8 steps was destroyed south of Kharkov. Several axis minor units and 2 italian corps also suffered attacks. In Finland, the usual attcks in the north with the garrison step by step being weakened. It won't be long till that position is reached by the soviets. Images below are at the start of axis turn.





Wehrmacht still held a significant concentration of heavy units around Kharkov so furious battles might occur in the upcoming turns. This axis turn, with air support from Luftwaffe tacs it was planned a counterattack of the russian corps south of Kharkov. This action saw success and Red army inf corps unit was destroyed. Due to the numerous units of both sides around Kharkov I will post a zoom level 3 image of this sector of the front in which the battle will focus in the following turns. Several german inf corps were railed from another fronts to help in the south. It is not discarded that Manstein's mech is redeployed too to this area if things get complicated. In Finland, a inf corps attacked russian garrison. In the following turns it will be 2 corps that will be harassing mentioned garrison. Goal is to try to come into rescue of the besieged finnish garrison unit in the nickel resource. Many upgrades and repairs were made again. Two shots view at the end of axis turn.





British 8th army is now serious about taking Tobruk. In last allied turn, italian defending corps of the city-fortress was reduced to 2 steps. RN Mediterranean has received reinforcements so now there are at least 3 BB's operating. Watching italian sub received a beating and was reduced to 5 steps. Shot showing last turn allied moves:



This time, axis units did not stay doing nothing and a counterattack to the "covering" australian corps at 10 steps was made. First it was hit by Regia Aeronautica tacs and afterwards attacked by italian tanks. An italian corps also participated leaving Commonwealth unit in bad shape being reduced to 3 steps and orange effectiveness. Badoglio left Tobruk for being deployed in the next turns in Benghazi. Italian inf corps units has reached +1 defense factor so a corps (likely the one upgraded this turn) will be deployed in Benghazi with the defensive commander. German mech was upgraded (not showed in the image below taken before making that move). Two italian subs torpedoed a british BB and air combats this time favoured axis air units. An italian corps in Reggio is about to sail to Africa. Zoom level 3 image showing these operations is highlighted in zoom level 2 one:





Atlantic now. Last turn ambushed central convoy at 47 steps was heavily attacked by german subs losing 37 steps (673/457 or 67% of convoys sunk). No other convoys was spotted and 6th german sub unit is on the way to the Atlantic. Furthermore, now that one of the Home Fleet BB's seemingly has been deployed in the Med may be it is time for Kriegsmarine surface fleet to sail to the ocean.



Many repairs and upgrades mean no build of units.

Turn 45. January 28, 1942.

Last allied turn occurred first significant Red army offensive action in the eastern front so far. Soviets have now available 5 mechs, 2 armoured and several corps units to use in their offensive around Kharkov. These land forces are supported by 2 fighters and 2 tacs. In the mentioned offensive action, participated mostly corps and mech guards units that attacked and destroyed 2 german mechs, liberating Kharkov in the process. In Finland, nickel resource was finally taken and air combats occured in Novgorod sector. Guards units in Odessa are successfully making axis units to retreat. Images below are taken at the start of axis turn. Highlighted the zoom level 3 image.







A withdrawal from the vicinities of Kharkov was ordered. Although the axis have superiority in armoured units in the area, not all of them are upgraded and their combat values are reduced because of the severe winter so we will not be engaging with the soviet elite units. Soviet action in Kharkov was worth to bring Manstein mech to Cherkassy and may be all the available armoured (6) will be deployed here. It's not discarded that SS Dietrich's mech is redeployed here in the south in the following turns. If Wehrmacht holds from now on without losing more units or losing only 1 or 2 more, plans for axis summer 1942 offensive can start right now. This way, 3 tacs has been deployed in Ukraine, upgraded and at full strength and probably a 5th tac unit will be bought soon. Goal will be to take all of those cities and resources situated SE of Dnepropetrovsk. And if my opponent decide to face such offensive with their valuable guard units so we will be having the chance of destroying some of them. Finnish little offensive NE of Kuopio has started supported by the finnish fighter and a german tac. Situation at the end of axis turn:







Back to Africa now. Last allied turn 8th army entered Tobruk. Furthermore, is now known that RN has deployed at least 4 BB's in the Med since a new one at full strength appeared. More brisith sub torpedoing italian BB's at port this time with more luck since 2 steps were taken to Regia Marina naval unit. British mech started a ride through the coast forcing a italian garrison to retreat. Pics below showing allied moves:





Axis repaired its units and concentrated again in air strikes. This way, 2 steps were taken on the advancing british mech in the coast although air combats favoured the british that suffered no steps lost. Italian subs were very active this turn with an attack in Port Said and other one with less luck against a BB near Tobruk. Swapping of italian garrison units near Benghazi and DAK getting closer to the zone of operations. Objective here is to force allied units to attack covering garrison units this way weakening them a little. Axis mobile units will be then attacking the allied units with air support. Italian corps will be swapped in Benghazi in next turn. Image below shows this and current PP's, manpower and oil levels.



Another 8 steps taken in the last turn torpedoed central convoy (673/465) and another british convoy at 33 steps spotted at the end of convoy movement phase.

Turn 46. February 17, 1942.

In last allied turn, russian tanks liberated Sumy and an italian corps was attacked and reduced to 7 steps. ZOC allowed the germans to keep their units from engaging in combats. No other offensive action in the rest of the front. Last turn allied moves around Kharkov:



Axis withdrew to Chernigov-Cherkassy line. No more retreats from here. Another armoured unit was deployed in the south coming from AGN. Remaining armoured in Bryansk will be railed or moved to the south in the following turns. Runsdtedt (inf corps adjacent to hungarian units) will change also his destination since he will be railed to take command of the northern forces whilst Dietrich's mech will definitely participate in the upcoming summer 1942 offensive. Doing those redeployments will mean that northern sector of the front won't progress much in this year but I don't think is that bad the line reached there. Recently bought mech was deployed in Konigsberg and also will be railed to Ukraine. This expects to be a strong offensive because of the many units involved and the concentration of firepower. Finnish keep on recovering territory and this turn they made retreat a russian garrison reducing it to 5 steps and red effectiveness. On the other hand, finnish pilots are performing really well against soviet ones this turn scoring a 2-1 and reducing the soviet fighter to 5 steps. Below two image at zoom level 2 at the end of axis turn and highlighted are the zoom level 3 images of Finland and Ukraine.









Brits made a rest in last allied turn doing mostly repairing units moves. Only the usual british subs attacks to italian BB's at their naval bases. Later in axis turn (image below is at the end of turn) italian fighters in Sicily kept on scoring good results on the Malta figher that was reduced to 5 steps.



33-steps convoy was left unescorted. Due to RN redeployments in the Med my opponent must think that Atlantic is no longer a safe place for his DD's. Mentioned convoy was sunk after 4 german subs hits (706/498). Spotted a fat soviet convoy at 95 steps. Both events showed below.





Kriegsmarine surface fleet is on its way to the Atlantic and now is reaching Ïceland. Those ships surely will be able to attack soviet convoy in the following turns.