Crazyg VS Zechi (No Zechi please)

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 46 and February 1942

Ok turn i would say if you are not the finnish corp that got sorounded....lol. No before shot since there was little action. There were some attacks made on my forward corps but none destroyed. One is left at 1 step, i have retreated it to safety and perhaps it will live. We retreat to dafety behind the river though leaving a couple of corps in the marsh exposed in the center. They will probably both be destroyed. We inted to holde the line here. Also Kalinin defensive leader coming soon, will also try and hold the southwestern forest part outside Kalinin.



In the southern part we see some action near Orel, think he will try and take the city, move in a bulgarian corp on the eastern flank of Orel to give it some time. Besides this it looks like Zechi is pulling out his units here in the south.



Graf Spee took a heavy beating in the southern atlantic by subs, we retreat up further out of range for the subs and head for France. Bismark on the other hand got a radio message from a sub near by that an escort made up by only RN DDs have been spotted, she scrambles and intercept the convoy and together with subs they sink a RN DD. The RN is still in port and the US fleet is not around either, don´t know where they are to be honest....but anyway i think Bismark and Graf Spee is safe from rataliation.

[Crazygunner1]

March 1942

To my surprize only the one corp destroyed in the swamp, some fighting near Kalinin also....it seems a bit that the russian winter offensive is running out of steam. Good.



So we evacuate the damaged corps and rail in a new italian corp near Kalinin, not much else here. Production que is now complete we will have 9 tanks in total ready for summer operations togheter with 7 mechs and all the corps you see on the map. Should be enough to take Moscow

In the south Orel will probably be taken, but it is nearing the end of winter so i start moving my infantry in position for summer action. I deem it to be low risk since most of Zechis troops are near Moscow and also railin in troops here to stop my advance now would only work into my favor. Poor russian gar...hahahaha



Bismark moves up north to assist subs here, also there is little chance for RN and US intevention....almost safe waters. Attack a convoy headed for Russia and set the trap for when the convoy moves the next turn.

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 48

Pressure is mounting up on Kalinin and Orel is taken



We respond by placing a defensive leader in Kalinin and refit the italian and german corp in the outskirts. Orel we can´t really do anything about during winter.



In the atlantic Zechi escorts the convoy as i suspected not knowing that the Bismark is lurking in the area supported by a lot of subs.



Together with DD Karlsruhe she sinks another RN DD, we also set a hope that the convoy migh head into our sub that has not yet been seen.

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 49

It seems action has shifted some to the atlantic, RN scrambles to finnish of my pocket BB in french port resupplying. Fortunately she wasn´t destroyed. Popped up another fat convoy in the west.



We go after the convoy and simply refit the Graf Spee in port, maybe Zechi will go for another attack? Bismark stays up north and attacks convoy, the rest of the RN DD escort flees. US bombers attack Bismark and Karlruhe for minor damage.



On the Russian front Kalinin fell at what it looks like low cost for the russians. Well well....we have started to refit and upgrade for summer offensive. Also railing in newly created units and planning for summer oparations.

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 50 in May 1942
First fair weather turn

Feels good to be on the move again after that winter, who started tough but ended ok....we make contact with the russian fronline and destroy a corp to start with. My guess is that Zechi will withdraw his line closer to Moscow since he doesn´t want to run the risk of being outflanked. In the north we secure a bridgehead near Kalinin but i doubt that i will be able to hold it. On the other hand if i can keep him busy here i will tie up some troops. We also take Novograd



In teh south Orel is reataken and Stalino, we had to wait for the bombers to assist in Rostov and Voronezh, so next turn. After Rostov and Voronezh falls i will go all out for Stalingrad i don´t know what kind of forces he has yet so i don´t advance to clos....my guess is light defense. Can´t be much since he has been there has been limited PPs for the Russians

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 51

Zechi retreats as he should, that means the frontline units has no entrenchment....let´s see if we can use that to our advantage. My bridgehad was a catasthrophy, will think twice before i cross that river again.... ha ha ha



Entire luftwaffe scrambles and bomb the frontline corps in the center and near Moscow. German army moves in and destroys 4 corps despite 2 of them turning into guard units. A good tally. Tula, Rostov, and Voronezh taken but i ran into a mech in Tambow and it turns into a guard ofcourse, not even 2 tank attacks and 2 infantry attacks destroy it. Well i brought in some reinforcements just in case, cause i don´t know what is in the fog of war. From here i have greater mobility also...so nice that the rail system is up to speed.



In the south we bring up some reinforcements and push a bit further towards Stalingrad just by ther river. There are a couple of units defending but my guess is that they will flee or take up position east of Stalingrad behind the river. If he does that it can develope into a nice trap for the remaining russian troops.

Atlantic convoy hunting continues, Graf Spee is fully repaired and waiting to hit the atlantic again. Bismark on the other hand has gotten herself into trouble. US bombers is wearing her down step for step and i haven´t been moving her around that much so my guess is that subs might be lurking. I doubt she will be floating the next turn....

[Crazygunner1]

In general i don´t see that many forces on the eastern front, either Zechi has reinforced the caucasus and waits for me to head down there, perhaps he has built a lot of expensive planes or tanks that are in que. Or the most likely is that the strategic bombing of Moscow and Leningrad in 41 has taken it´s toll. Moscow is now down on 1pp already after 4 bomber runs. Hopefully Stalingrad will be captured and Leningrad is out. Together with a lot of destroyed russian units it should cripple the russians to 43 atleast.

If i look at the forces window the americans seems to have been constructing a lot of strat bombers. UK has put their money into subs mostly. That means invasion of France or Italy in 42 is highly unlikely....that is a relief actually. On the other hand, atlantic battlefield will suffer....maybe even germany too from strategic bombing. I will put some fighter in the mill, also need a couple on the eastern front.

[Crazygunner1]

Zechi on vacation Will probably be back in August

[Crazygunner1]

Zechi is coming back to this weekend so here we go again

Turn 52

Russians destroy 2 corps and reclaims some hexes near Moscow. Looks like Zechi will stand and fight in Moscow as long as possible. Also in the north one unit destroyed. Here we have to take Kalinin in order to widen the attack on Moscow, so german forces simply must find a way over the river, marshes and destroy those russian tanks.



In the south nothing happen, so we will continue to march on Stalingrad



Bismark is still afloat, wonder how long she will survive at 2steps.



After my turn: In the north we send the luftwaffe to eliminate the two russian tank units causing trouble on the other side of the river. We manage to get a breakthrough and kill one of them. Hopefully now the bridgehead over the river and swamp will hold. In the center we destroy 2 infantry and reclaim the hexes just outside Moscow. Also one mech destroyed east of Tula.
A good tally



Stalingrad all but surounded. No reinforcements in sight so she should fall next turn. This army group will relocate to more important parts of the front after next turn. I will also head down south to Caucasus and secure the oilfields until atleast the whole 1943.



Convoy sunk and Bismark flees, she is in range of US bombers, so still in danger but there is hope.



Setting up a wolfpack next turn, there is also a chance that convoy will run into one of my subs and get stuck. Graf Spee fully repaired and upgraded set sail again in the right corner. She will continue to hunt convoys and DDs.



This stage is lost. I had to priorities more important parts of the war than Norway. The main thing is that the allies won´t set foot on European mainland and Sicilly. Can i prevent that in 43 i will be in good shape. But i did get my free corp in Finland after all

[Cybvep]

This looks good - it seems that you have a decent chance of conquering all three important cities (Leningrad - done, Stalingrad - almost done, Moscow - it's a maybe), which will hurt the Soviets greatly. These cities alone mean that they will get more than 22 PP less per turn and you will get a nice boost in revenue, too. Their MP won't be very good, either, since those cities have rail caps, so they lose MP when you take them...

It's easy to take Norway as the Allies, the big question is whether you can protect the German cities from Allied STRATs...

Anyway, nice AAR!

[Crazygunner1]

This looks good - it seems that you have a decent chance of conquering all three important cities (Leningrad - done, Stalingrad - almost done, Moscow - it's a maybe), which will hurt the Soviets greatly. These cities alone mean that they will get more than 22 PP less per turn and you will get a nice boost in revenue, too. Their MP won't be very good, either, since those cities have rail caps, so they lose MP when you take them...

It's easy to take Norway as the Allies, the big question is whether you can protect the German cities from Allied STRATs...

Anyway, nice AAR!

Thanks...

I think Moscow will be a tough nut to crack. If i don´t capture it i will strat bomb it down to 0 production. Since there has been intense combat on the eastern front his red army is very experienced, wich results in that almost every unit i hit turns into a guard unit. Usually i destroy them but at a higher cost.

You are right about strat bombing, if i look at the force pool, US has about 5 strat bombers making their way towards England and Norway. Hopefully they won´t get there until next year. By that time i should have organised defense over germany. The positive thing is that the US spent almost all PPs on strats and dds, wich means that an invasion of France or Italy is highly unlikely in the nearest future.

[Crazygunner1]

Zechi has been a way and so have i from time to time, so turn have lately been at a phase of 2/week. But we will manage

I found something strange this turn when i opened the turn, as you can see the red ring, russian gar moved into and captured the city of Novograd despite zoc. I didn´t know you could do this, but apperently in reality the gar used one mp to the hex south out of the zoc of my finnish corp then moved into the city for total usage of 2mp. As it is now the computer doesn´t show that move, it only shows the final destination of Novograd. Well well....you live and learn. Ofcourse this can develope into a bad situation for my northern army that pushes on Kalinin so i have to react accordingly to the threat of my supply line.


As you can see i decided to withdraw from the front in the northern part a bit only to secure my flank and recapture Novograd, this is valuable time lost for me....
The remains of the southern army group that took Stalingrad will be relocated to Tula for a push against Gorki and the "backdoor" to Moscow. Also to some other parts of the front By this i will hope to thin out his lines and hopefully cause the collapse of russian defense around Moscow.

On a side note i have neglected the building of new fighters, so i am having trouble keeping air pararity with the russians, more fighters in the mill and reinforcements should be arriving a couple of turns from now



Stalingrad finally captured, we also head down south with some units to secure the oilfields. Spot a deserted tank unit down there, haven´t seen anything else. My guess is that he will rail that one towards the defense of Moscow



Bit unlucky with the rolls against the US DD, sorounding subs gather around to attack the convoy next turn.

[Crazygunner1]

Wasn´t able to get a before picture of this turn

However Zechi closes the gap in his defense near Gorki pretty well, so well that i have to send reinforcements and relocate parts of the Luftwaffe to support the attack on Gorki, there is a small chance the Zechi will counterattack with the his tanks. Let´s hope for the best.
Attack on the outskirts of Moscow has resumed again. To keep pararity in the air battles, i have used my strat bombers with losses. I can probably only keep doing that a couple of more turns, but then more fighters should be arriving



The fight in the atlantic is still going strong, my capitol ships tough only 1 remain have caused a lot of havoc among convoys and escorts.



We are now at Turn 55 and in August 1942

Zechi did counterattack, did destroy 1 tank and severely damaged another one. That was not so good, hopefully i can retaliate and destroy those 2 tanks and put pressure on Gorki again. But to my surprise russians retreat near Kalininn, that was actually great news. I am also gonna try and reach his guard tank to destroy it, i have 2 bombers in range and hopefully i will reach it with my tank unit.



After my turn, as you can see i did reach the tank but it was not enough. only caused 2 steps damaged, i doubt that i will get another chance to destroy it again. It is a really tough nut to crack, have been pounding on it so the unit has a lot of experience.

However near Gorki, heavy fighting rages, supported by the Luftwaffe i manage to destroy the 2 tanks. Perhaps next turn i can attack Gorki itself. Attacks around Moscow was halted for upgrades and refit.



In the south things are quite, Zechi seems to have abandoned resistance here. I guess that is wise since he doesn´t have power to defend everywhere. I start moving in on Oilfields and also try to secure some cities where x is marked. Mayebe zechi will have to buy gar to man these in order not to let me capture them easily. Distracts some from the defense of Moscow.

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 56 and september 1942

Another counter attack by shock troops near Gorki, 1 tank and the mech with my leader on. That was a neat trick by him, attacked my Bulgarian inf, forced a retreat and then took out my mech that i thought was safe....Good one

I am gonna attack his guard mech that crossed the river and ofcourse the 2 corps exposed near Moscow.



After my turn, manage to destroy the mech guard and take out the 2 corps near Moscow. I chose not to advance into that square, since the powerful mech with Zukov attached will counter attack and destroy whatever is put there. Rommel was railed in to help attack on Gorki. Also my fighters are coming up to the front now and i am slowly starting to get air superiority again.



Caucasus is now cut of and only new units can be placed here. One oilfield also captured, the other one should fall next turn.



Ha ha ha ha....After heavy battles in the atlantic, Graf Spee seek safety in harbour on the french coast to resupply. Apperently Zechi wanted to make sure that my capitol ships are no more.....a large portion of the RN scrambles to finish the job in Saint-Nazaire. Still have plenty of subs in the atlantic though

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 57 after my turn

Not much movement by Zechi and no attacks. That is nice. Near Moscow zechi moved into the empty square again with his paratrooper. With no entrenchment it was a easy prey and i also took out the most menacing threat to my advance, the Mech with Zukov attached to it. It also opened up a ground attack by my corp to destroy one fighter just north of Moscow. Tough this is my last 100% fair weather turn, if i get lucky i might have a shot at Moscow in 42 anyway. I might need 1-2 turns. Atlest some good has come out of 42 so far, Stalingrad has been captured and the oilfields. Red army is not in great shape so perhaps i will have a quite winter.



Looks like RN is sailing for the Med. My guess is that a powerfull strike against Italy will be launched in 43 and strat bombing of Germany will begin. I have already taken measures to counter those plans. Hopefully it will be enough

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 58 October and winter, ofcourse.....

As usual the weather is not in my favor. In 41 Moscow evaded capturing by probably only one fair weather turn, all the turns that had a possibility of mud or winter, was exactly mud and winter....and now in 42 i had a small chance to take the city again but the weather stops me....blääää

Good things are that i am getting air superiority again. I might have a last shot at fair weather in November, think it´s 25% chance. So i refit this turn.



Mostly i refit and resupply in last hopes of fair weather next turn, otherwise we will withdraw to defensive position. I took Gorki, finally, doubt that i can hold it for long but it is worth a shot. Russians only got 1 fighter so i made 2 bomber runs at the corp just north of Moscow. If i get a fair weather turn it is always good to have an extra hex to attack from. Also if Zechi decides to counter attack, he will have to abandon entrenched defensive lines.



In the south, i will hopefully be able to capture Grozny. Then the oilfields should be secure throughout 43 atleast. Probably longer....

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 59 and fair weather November 42

Ha ha ha...you curse the weather gods and they give you what you want....fair weather on the eastern front

Before my turn as you can see Zechi rearranged almost all units, also attacked and destroyed my corp that occupied the hex just north of Moscow. I think that is to my advantage since no units around Moscow has got entrenchment now....



The entire Luftwaffe takes off and bomb Moscow and the sorounding units, Manstein puts in all effort against Moscow and the city falls, 2 corps and 2 gar destroyed.....a couple of turns ago i didn´t think that was possible at all. It shall be interesting to see what Zechi does now, there is still a small chance of fair weather next turn and as you can see he has no cities around Moscow to draw supply from. If only i had one more turn of fair weather, i could probably encircle most of the russians left there.



On other notes there is a large force of UK and US ships and transports sailing for the Med. They will probably be there in 4 turns. My guess is that Italy is the target, might also be Free french but i doubt it. Defense on Sicily is almost complete and Italy itself should be in good condition. Since russia has lost a lot of men and material my army there should be sufficient for 43 operations. Reserves are being built and placed in Germany, will probably go to counter allied attacks.

I have some really nice infantry upgrades coming in a few turns. But i am still behind in fighter research, hopefully i can catch up in 43...otherwise this might be very costly...

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 60 and winter

Zechi probably took the only choice he had....retreat. He himself pointed out in the mail that there was almost no chance to retake Moscow during winter since he couldn´t trace a supply from the sorrounding cities. To be honest, this was also pretty good for me as well, get a much needed rest and also time to secure Moscow and the gains i have maid in 42.



Luftwaffe flies probably the last sortie in the east for 42 and the army moves in to do a last encirclement of the retreating russian corps that fell behind. I also got survivability and attack upgrade on my standing infantry, so i decided to do them instead of pursue the fleeing russians. Now during winter i will have the same strenght as the russian infantry despite winter penalty. That will come in handy or act as a deterrent.



Bombing of Germany has strarted, fighters are being placed and should present some defense.



In the south, things are quite. I would have prefered to capture Astrakhan also but couldn´t reach it. I think my strong army prescence in the north will secure the Caucasus for alteast 43.



A glimps of the casualties list, very bloody on the eastern front. Think i have lost german tanks and 3 mechs along with some infantry....but i think it´s quite small compared to the russian losses

[Crazygunner1]

Turn 61 winter decmeber 1942

Red army continues the retreat and i can´t really do that much about it. It looks like Zechi is railing his troops out from Vologda. I just happily secure the new area and on a side note....it feels quite good that there isn´t any tough fighting during this winter. Hopefully it will stay like this.

[Crazygunner1]

As you can see in the previous picture, still doing good in manpower, hovering just above 77%. Oil is increasing steadily now after being a bit low in mid 42. I doubt that this will be a problem for the rest of the game. Italians are going down to around 60% manpower, not becuase of losses but mostly becuase i have been throwing out GAR to secure all the territory in the east and give Sicilly a proper defense.