AAR – PanzerGeneral vs Supermax - war is over

jjdenver · Post by **jjdenver** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 4:07 pm

"Britain received 38 PPs convoy through Halifax this turn. I will pretend that it landed on US soil and the PPs were transported to the Brits Right now I need all the help I can get. "

Honestly I think this makes sense. If halifax were captured convoys would go through Vancouver, or through the U.S. or to India/South Africa. So having the convoys stopped completely by the capture of Halifax doesn't make sense to me. For the Germans, ownership of Halifax is a big advantage since they can cover the port w/ interdicting Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe if they want to stop the convoys.

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:58 pm

I think that if a player really has something secret in mind then he shouldn't show it in the AAR to make sure he gets full surprise. Not because people are cheating, but some neutral observer might by mistake write something based upon what he knows is about to happen. So if Supermax feels some of his plans were revealed then he can only blame himself for writing about it in detail.

But I don't think Supermax is concerned about this. He seems to have joked about Panzergeneral being lucky having the units ready to deflect the invasion. If Panzergeneral had read something he shouldn't then Supermax would never have succeeded with taking Halifax or destroyed the fighter transport en-route to Canada. Then he could have seen where the German naval units were and chosen a different path.

So I don't think there is a reason for anyone to point a finger at Panzergeneral or anyone else here.

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 5:35 pm

Guys just to set the record straight.
Nobody has tipped me off about the Italian amphibious assault. As I said in a previous post this was pure luck on my part since part of my units were straggling behind the main force. Also looking into my opponents AAR is _cheating_ even though my situation is bad I am not that desperate to cheat. It is only a game.

The comments I have gotten have been general tips. If there have been any clues about Supermax' plans I am to thick to have noticed them

I'll send Supermax a mail and try to reassure him that this time the fortunes of war were on my side. Compared to how the rest of the campaign have been going. Supermax has had his share of luck, so finally I got lucky

--
Alexander

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 5:41 pm

13. January 1941, The Italians get offensive in North Africa
Winter continues.

England got a 1 PPs convoy through the axis blockade.

Supermax is making slow progress in England. I have decided to ship my strategic bomber to Canada. I feel that it is more needed there than in England. I will just take a chance and hope that Supermax does not spot it.

In North Africa it seems that the Italians have canceled their amphibious operation. I spot two transports back in Italian ports. The 8th army mechanized units continue to press forward. My infantry pull back from the beaches. I will keep some of them here, in case Supermax wants to try again.

In Canada the Luftwaffe and panzer korps manages to press forward and seriously damage one of my garrisons. I pull back my forces. The RAF fighter is relocated to Ottawa. Supermax has deployed his Kriegsmarine here. I want him to let it stay here, so I might sacrifice one of my garrisons later on, and send it to the coast so that he can attack it.
The Brits buy another garrison and infantry corps.

I see that Supermax has assembled some forces in Halifax. The troop transport is it inbound or outbound? I do not know, but don’t want him to run into my Royal navy. My navy is deployed further south so that he won’t spot it. I am contemplating to sail my navy into the bay further north and perform my amphibious assault there. This would give me a turn or two before the Kriegsmarine comes to attack me and I believe there are no subs there. I will wait for better weather before this operation.

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:01 pm

Here's a tip - sailing that strat bomber across the Atlantic is very risky, why dont you just rebase it along the Iceland-Greenland-North Canada route?

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:08 pm

USA is not active yet so Greenland and Iceland are still neutral.

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:12 pm

Aha, your learn something every day! Maybe though they should activate on Axis DoW on Denmark (being Danish territories)?

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:35 pm

Here is info about Iceland and Greenland during WW":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland_du ... rld_War_II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greenland

Britain occupied Iceland in May 1940. They transferred the defense of Iceland to USA in July 1941.

USA occupied Greenland in April 1941.

Since you need both Greenland and Iceland to get from Canada to Britain and USA controlled these territories for most of the war it's probably good to let USA control the hexes. This means they won't be used until USA joins the war.

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:59 pm

2. February 1941, British victory in North Africa
Winter continues.

England got a 27 PPs convoy through the axis blockade. I buy another infantry corps.

A French partisan unit is formed in southern France. There are no garrison in the nearest city (yet). It will try to liberate it.

The strategic bomber is shipped from Britain. The plan is to sail as far north as possible before turning south when it gets close to Canada.

In North Africa the 8th army defeats the Italians. The Italian motorized corps is destroyed and another infantry corps is surrounded. The Italian navy bombards one of my corps which is on the coast.

The Wehrmact has stopped its advance in Canada. Another infantry corps is deployed near Ottawa. Right now I feel that I have a decent force defending the last British capital. I actually feel quite optimistic this turn that the Brits will actually survive.

I observe that Supermax occupies the southern hexes near Halifax. Sob, this will be the last turn I can observe what is happening there. I assume that he has deployed his tac bombers here to stop my convoys from getting through, and he has not spotted my fleet yet.

As the defense of Ottawa has improved I am not very tempted to try an amphibious landing near Halifax. I fear that his bombers and Kriegsmarine will destroy much of my remaining Royal navy. What should I do? Sail the transport north and unload them, or sail back to North Africa where things are going quite well. Sigh, I am being indecisive. Right now these troops do contribute nothing to my war effort.

afk_nero · Post by **afk_nero** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:34 pm

If you are looking for advice then I will stick to my original thoughts of having your entire naval fleet in the Med - win the war in the Med then try invade italy or Sicily - start making him sweat.

That said the other option now (as they are so close to canada) is to sail the fleet North - forget Halifax, and then use the navy to defend the narrow strip of land - this will also give you 2 extra fighters (CV and fighter in transport). You can then make sure of your canadian defence.

I think the thing for sure is not to split the naval force you have - you just have enough naval for one area of operation at the moment, anything else will dilute your forces too much.

Anyway this advice is always taken with a pintch of salt as the tactics you use must feel right to you.

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:56 pm

Yeah, very important to keep this fleet alive as a threat in being... its mere existence will make Supermax nervous to fully commit vs Ottawa. I think with the number of Axis uboats you should assume he has spotted your fleet, and his defences look strong enough that an attack is too risky.

As to what to do with it... I rather like the invasion of London option... for sure will be a surprise and a nice grab back of initiative just when is prepping for war in Canada, Russia, Africa, basically anywhere but the UK

A rules question btw, what happens if London is reconquered to UK as re convoys, supply, rail capacity....?

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm

Do you have a leader in Ottawa? If not you might consider building or reassigning a leader there. Having a leader to improve your efficiency there is very important.

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:49 pm

Stauffenberg wrote:Do you have a leader in Ottawa? If not you might consider building or reassigning a leader there. Having a leader to improve your efficiency there is very important.

Yep, I have a leader assigned to the unit in Ottawa.

jjdenver · Post by **jjdenver** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:00 pm

What to do w/ the fleet? I assume the game is over if Ottawa falls so since they are so close I'd send them there. Just my 2 cents of uneducated opinion.

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:03 pm

22. February 1941, Wehrmacht offensive is resumed in Canada
Hmm, fair weather this early in Europe. Hopefully winter will return.

The US and Russian scientists work overtime.

The strategic bomber is continues to sail towards Canada. The Wehrmacht continues to advance slowly in England.

The surrounded Italian infantry corps in North Africa is destroyed. I think I will send the 8th army to capture the Beng Hazi which is defended by a garrison. The fortified defence of Tobruk looks too daunting for me.

Supermax has spotted my Royal navy with a uboat which attacked one of my troop transports. It is time to move, but where? In Canada I spot the Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe and another German korps which is assembled to facilitate in the final attack on Ottawa. It seems that Supermax is going to finish off Britain before Barbarossa. I move in my sub and it spots another axis troop transport. The situation seems critical. I decide to send in my Royal navy and land my troops to help with the defence.

Next turn should be interesting!

trulster · Post by **trulster** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:20 pm

A sneaky idea might be to not land where you are at the moment, but move transports to land ca halfway between Halifax and his frontline (the one hex spot on the US border, alternatively the mountain hex you already own, no invasion needed), threatening to cut supply to his front (weather permitting, but would be reduced to supply lvl 1). Should hamper his Ottawa rush a lot. And/or send your fleet to smash his fleet supporting his front. Advanteges then of being under your own air umbrella as well as getting leader effectiveness boost for your ships.

PanzerGeneral · Post by **PanzerGeneral** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:41 pm

trulster wrote:A sneaky idea might be to not land where you are at the moment, but move transports to land ca halfway between Halifax and his frontline (the one hex spot on the US border, alternatively the mountain hex you already own, no invasion needed), threatening to cut supply to his front (weather permitting, but would be reduced to supply lvl 1). Should hamper his Ottawa rush a lot. And/or send your fleet to smash his fleet supporting his front. Advanteges then of being under your own air umbrella as well as getting leader effectiveness boost for your ships.

You have spotted my cunning plan

. Yes the plan is to land behind his lines and cut him off. That should be an unpleasant surprise for Supermax. The Royal navy will afterwards engage the Kriegsmarine. With (a lot of) luck my sub can trap his navy from escaping.

Clark · Post by **Clark** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:42 pm

trulster wrote:A sneaky idea might be to not land where you are at the moment, but move transports to land ca halfway between Halifax and his frontline (the one hex spot on the US border, alternatively the mountain hex you already own, no invasion needed), threatening to cut supply to his front (weather permitting, but would be reduced to supply lvl 1). Should hamper his Ottawa rush a lot. And/or send your fleet to smash his fleet supporting his front. Advanteges then of being under your own air umbrella as well as getting leader effectiveness boost for your ships.

I would back up trulster's advice and add that you can get creative with your sub, using to block a critical hex where he thinks he can attack.

gerones · Post by **gerones** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:22 pm

PanzerGeneral wrote:
trulster wrote:A sneaky idea might be to not land where you are at the moment, but move transports to land ca halfway between Halifax and his frontline (the one hex spot on the US border, alternatively the mountain hex you already own, no invasion needed), threatening to cut supply to his front (weather permitting, but would be reduced to supply lvl 1). Should hamper his Ottawa rush a lot. And/or send your fleet to smash his fleet supporting his front. Advanteges then of being under your own air umbrella as well as getting leader effectiveness boost for your ships.
You have spotted my cunning plan . Yes the plan is to land behind his lines and cut him off. That should be an unpleasant surprise for Supermax. The Royal navy will afterwards engage the Kriegsmarine. With (a lot of) luck my sub can trap his navy from escaping.

With all these ideas and plans you could roughly stand up in Canada until USA enters at war that it isn´t so far.

Peter Stauffenberg · Post by **Peter Stauffenberg** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:34 pm

Remember that you have to build for the Americans now so you can liberate Canada asap. What you need most of all would be more fighters and some tac bombers to really hurt the Axis. You need to liberate Halifax and Fredericton to give the British a chance to build new naval units again. Some more US land units never hurts to have as well. But don't forget to build labs and more naval units. DD's would be nice to have to stop the sub menace, but then you should try to have 2 US naval labs and focus on ASW to get the extra techs for ASW. That can really be damaging to his subs if he uses them to
protect the German forces from shore bombardment.

The US navy is weak so you also need more BB's and maybe a CV as well. You can't manage all till November so the main priority should be to have the firepower to deal with Supermax'es forces in Canada. Make sure you build fighters so you have more fighters than him. Then tac bombers will be great so you can soften up the targets. Make sure you have enough naval units so you can block both Fredericton and Halifax from all hexsides. This means
Supermax can't withdraw any units from Canada and they will be destroyed.

He has one chance only and that is to take out Ottawa before USA joins the Allies. If you can prevent that then his forces will be eliminated. Remember that he can't withdraw his air units back to Europe if you block the ports. He can try to escape to islands, but you can always find them and attack with your fighters and CV's.

Supermax will probably block your landing hexes with air units so you can't cut off his supply. But at least he then can't use the air units to bombard Ottawa. If you can land adjacent to these air units then you can attack his air units before his land forces arrive to kill your land units. The Luftwaffe is the most dangerus opponent because these units can soften up all targets he attacks. The Royal Navy will deal with the Kriegsmarine once the Luftwaffe is less of a danger.