Slitherine

gchristie wrote:Plaid,

Smart move taking Tallin and eliminating the sub. If it isn't already, this is now in Axis players' play book.

Rooting for you in this one.

Regards

Thanks
In fact i developed this operation inspired by Sevastopol invasion, described in Max's own AAR.

Don´t you prefer an italian or a german inf corps in Taranto instead of a garrison?

leridano wrote:Don´t you prefer an italian or a german inf corps in Taranto instead of a garrison?

Its not frontline, so - why? If amphibious invasion happens, I can simple block beaches.

Turn started with bad news - some surprising effective (they had no air or tank support, but still deadly) soviet local counter-attacks against my armour.

AGC's Panzer Korps was damaged, while AGS one was destroyed, twice sad that it was Guderian HQ, and I lost thig general for 14 turns, meaning that he will not be availiable until late spring'42.
But anyway, bad suprises happens, and here we go further.
Von Kluge arrived into his HQ in Pskov, to lead my forces.
Situation in Finland starting to stabilize, also reasonable casualties inflicted to soviet FTR and armours, while infantry corps, threating my positions from behind, thrown back. One german corps deployed in Helsinki, and another is ready.

AGC this turn was focused mostly on destruction of counter-attacking soviet troops, aswell as I waited for TAC support, finally rebasing from their initial bases near Koenigsberg.

AGS lost its commander, but still have good forces ready to fight, so I made Red Army to pay for what they did, destroying very single unit and capturing Kiev aswell. Also I rebased here another TAC from Eastern Prussia.


In Italy frontline is ready now, and looks like its no chance to break it for Max without lots of TAC air, which he don't have.


Submarine operations were effective aswell this turn. I let southern british convoy to go with 3 PPs, while I switched into another one, that have 85 or 87 PPs now. In Northern Atlantic I spotted 40+ soviet convoy, and almost destroyed it with 3 upgraded subs.

Results of this turn on the east mean clearly, that time, when I walked all over the Russia, destroying units at will, probably ended, and its time for planned offensives with good air support now. I purchased Reichenau, who will lead my AGS now. Its time to decide, what objective I will place for this army group and for rest of my forces. I have options - Moscow (8 hex away from leading AGC unit in fact, but this forests look...scary), Kharkov/Stalino industrial region (its same ~10 PPs, as Moscow, but looks unprotected) and then Caucassian oilfields (looks like easy to get, but I don't like idea to have so long frontline, especially now, when I don't have enough Inf to maintain it, or maybe I will go for Leningrad aiming for major defeat for soviet forces in Finland.
Probably destruction of my HQ tank was smart move, but i still think, that Max is to offensive on the east, getting unnecessary casualties for uncertain goals. I expect at least '41 winter offensive to be very weak, if any happens.

Its time to decide, what objective I will place for this army group and for rest of my forces. I have options - Moscow (8 hex away from leading AGC unit in fact, but this forests look...scary), Kharkov/Stalino industrial region (its same ~10 PPs, as Moscow, but looks unprotected) and then Caucassian oilfields (looks like easy to get, but I don't like idea to have so long frontline, especially now, when I don't have enough Inf to maintain it, or maybe I will go for Leningrad aiming for major defeat for soviet forces in Finland

I'd recommend threatening the south for economic reasons, as well as, the extra territory it allows you retreat from during the winter - you want to keep Supermax's STRs as far away from Ploesti as possible. Being spread out isnt such an issue as long as the russian is also. If he makes a strong push in a particular sector, just withdraw a hex a turn from his forces.

Cheers

Neil

Fresh news from the Ostfron arrives.
Beaten soviet armies retreat from the Finland, while german forces approach Leningrad ( I guess it was an error, to leave garrison there, can be destroyed quite easy. Leningrad is crucial place to connect Finland with my major rail and supply network.
Also AGN Kluge's HQ is somewhat slightly exposed near Novgorod, but Max have to attack it with 3+ units and take casualties, if he wants to kill it.


Rundstedt's AGC now captured cyties of Vitebsk and Smolensk, aswell as taken part in attack on Gomel together with AGS units. Leading units are dangerously close to Moscow. I am going to deploy reinforcements here and conquers soviet capital...or not. Panzers spent this turn repairing and regaining effectiveness, since there were no worthy targets for them.


Reichenau arrived to lead AGS now, while panzers were repaired there aswell.
Dnepropetrovsk captured and assault on Kharkov prepaired.
Romanian forces finished off soviet garrison in Odessa region and now going to block Crimea (I don't have to assault this fortress of sevastopol for now, I will be happy just to patrool peninsula to avoid soviet DBA bombers being placed there and bombing Ploesti.


In Italy thing looks very stagnant for now. Second Italian sub is ready now, and 3rd one - purchased. Also this turn I got Italian SUB tech level 2. Only thing that Italians lack are commanders better than 4, they could be much more valueable if they had, for example, 8 star ones, but thats realistic, I think. Also, looks like Max dont bother to have commander in the MED at all. Probably I should finally build couple of AIR labs for Italians, since units in Russia scoped pretty good exp levels.



Also news from the Atlantic front - here was spotted allied convoy - corps and fighter transports and BB (i have seen trail from Saint Nazeir, where my U-boat was upgrading)
I abandoned 85 steps PP convoy and swithced my south U-boat force to intercept this units. Northern (soviet) PP convoy was destroyed though, probably 3 subs here is a bit overkill.



I have to say, that despite some difficulties Russian campaign goes pretty well, and I feel increased PP income from conquered territories.This turn my TAC was ready, while i purchased 3 new corps german units .

Nice job in Finland! Now you are more than able to take Leningrad with your tactical bomber stationed at Tallinn supporting the operation. Even more, you shouldn´t have much problems in also taking Novgorod and Petrozavodsk and this way you would reduce your front line only from Kalinin to Rostov reducing significantly the number of units needed for covering all the front line.

About those tempting allied almost unescorted transport convoys, they show the lack of surface ships units of supermax in the atlantic scenario since almost all RN are deployed in the Med. Obviously you should focus in torpedoing the fighter convoy.

August has arrived, and here are reports from fronts.
1.

AGN almost captured Leningrad. Baltic fleet tryed their best to break the siege, but could do nothing against HSF (anyway they don't have any base on Baltic sea)
I restored supply lines with Petsamo garrison, while I am happy with all this "soviet" territory in Finland. Since this hexes are forest, they spam partisans pretty well, free troops are always good.
Also assault on Novgorod prepaired.
Reconing fighters spotted major Max's frontline. I fear that this masses of infantry can overrun my advanced corps units, but thats just infantry, not something valueable. Also if red army attacks without air and tank superiority against dug in troops in forest hexes, they will pay dearly for every step taken from my INF (my one also better, 4 attack 4 def, while red army have 4 3). Anyway massive infantry reinforcements requested from reserves to build adequate frontline there.
2.

AGC captured Bryansk. Soviet front spotted there aswell, but its much weaker and looks exploitable. Probably it will be a place of '42 campaign action. Also maybe I will go for Orel right now.
I am almost sure, that I will not go for Moskov this year, since it looks like I will just stuck in this masses of unfantry, when severe winter hits, and it can lead to real histrory-style or even greater defeat.
3.

AGS sequred Stalino and Donbass mines, aswell as Kharkov. Now i will go for Rostov and Kursk probably, and Crimea aswell.
4.

Attack on british troops convoy was executed, I was pleasantly surprised to see, that Supermax's DD had only 8 steps and no ASW upgrades, so 1 sub striked transport, while another damaged DD. 3rd sub, which I used to spot allied forces, actually, ended turn in good position and is very likely to ambush unit, which Max will move first.
5.

As I said above, once I built a frontline, Italy became boring and stagnant place, where both sides sit in their trenches. No even air action.
Also I spotted garrison transports near Genua. My new sub squadron was sent to damage this transports mostly for leveling purposes, while Alpini Corps was railed from Russia to Milan, so Max can't spot this corps, while its ready to crash landed British troops.
Probably is was an attempt to lure my DD out of the port, since I can see some RN ships around. Also they are not fully repaired yet. One day I will sink couple of...maybe.
It left something like 3 guaranted fair turns in Russia, so I am planning to stop somewhere near my current positions, will just execute couple of minor operations to shape frontline better.
3 more INF corps were queued and I still have something like 150 manpower above 75%.
Italians got radar and organisation (quite useless +3) level one techs this turn, expedition force in Russia now consist only of MECH, armour and 2 planes.

Its late august, end of summer, and here we have fresh bunch of OKH reports.
1.

Fortress of Leningrad captured finally by von Kluge's AGN. Kriegsmarine forces are now done in Baltic sea and will head for Atlantic, to challenge RN, after some repairs and rest done.
Novgorod captured aswell, and finnish-german forces aproach Petrozavodsk. Original Petrozavodsk garrison, by the way, spotted in frontlines near Orel, so hopefully there is nothing in Petrozavodsk now, or at least something with low entrenchement. Also Supermax removed his planes, to avoid casualties from my fighters, thats right move, but now his spotting is limited by inf's 2 hexes and he can't actually see what I do around.
2.

Rundstedt's AGC captured city of Kursk.
Now I am planning to do something around Orel, all this garrisons are potential easy kills, and its good - less second line units for Max's future campaigns.
On other hand city has no PP outcome or strategic meaning, and probably will be abandoned in winter, since I see no point to defend it.
Voronezh looks exposed aswell, but I think, that trap can be prepared there. Also 3-supply zone, I don't want to enter, starts somewhere there.
3.

AGS now prepares final assaults on Rostov and Sevastopol.
4.

In Italy Max unloaded his garrison, and I started its destruction. Now its pinned by ZoCs and will be finished off soon. I also sent my fighter to the region, to counter CV and to provide me some air support. Don't think that my front can't survive couple of turns without fighter cover.
5.
Nothing to screen, but news from the Atlantic - british BB ran into that 3rd SUB and now its destroyed, while troops convoy gone for Gibraltar. I sent both Italian SUBs same direction, to strike it one more time.
This turn I purchased one INF corps and 1 mech corps for germans, aswell as repaired lots of units on eastern front. Probably its time to think about commander for Italy, since soon I am going to start major action there.

Congrats on getting Leningrad this easy - a real boon for Axis to free up all those troops as well as reducing Russian production significantly!

Also, seems you own the Atlantic. This can severley hamper global Allied efforts, even a strong USN commitment may not retake control if a couple more uboats are produced.

trulster wrote:Congrats on getting Leningrad this easy - a real boon for Axis to free up all those troops as well as reducing Russian production significantly!

Also, seems you own the Atlantic. This can severley hamper global Allied efforts, even a strong USN commitment may not retake control if a couple more uboats are produced.

Thanks , indeed it is, I think Max's offensive in finland was pure strategic error.
Also maybe I will build couple of BBs rather then subs. RN now have no single BB in atlantic, as far as I know.
Also BBs are less sensible to strategic bombers, which used to hunt SUBs normally.

Now we have early autumn, but its still fair. By the way I was happy to see, that I have 2 guaranted fair september turns, I thought that it would be only one.
Fresh reports from fronts, as often.
1.

Finnish troops of AGN reached Petrozavodsk, which was guarded by 8 steps rifle corps. Other troops prepairing defences. Tactical air suppor was railed to the south of Russia, to take part in final offensive action of this campaign around Crimea. Also you can see upgraded fighter here, since I got dog fight level 3 this turn. By the way it means, that even axis minor fighters will have 5 air attack, while soviet ones still have 4. So I will have at least finnish fighter to cover me during SW.
2.

AGC launced prepaired offensive for Orel, capturing city and destroying 4 garrisons (1 in city and 3 outdoors). I tryed to make my formations safe, and dont expect any counter-attack, since there are no exposed units.
When SW hits I will probably leave Orel and retreat to Smolensk-Bryansk-Kursk line.
3.

AGS captured Rostov. Again, I think my formations are pretty safe, and nothing bad gonna happen. Depending on situation, in winter I will either try to hold Rostov, or retreat back to Stalino region.
Also Sevastopol was sieged and supposed to fall next turn. If I will be really lucky with 2 TAC strikes, I even can capture Kerch same turn.
4.
I don't have fresh screen from MED, but landed british garrison was destroyed, just as planned.
Also I spotted troops convoy near Algerian coast, but it was heavily escorted by RN (likely all RN units in MED), so I was not able even to place my italian subs into contack with transports, because of escorts and ZoCs. But I rebased my fighter and DD to Sardinia, and probably next turn I will sink something like 8 steps BB.
This turn I purchased 3 wehrmacht infantry again, while Italians purchased thei 6th lab - infantry. Now they have 2 general (organisation); 2 inf (balanced) 2naval (subs).

Before I start to describe my turn, here is news - Supermax annexed Syria for unknown purpose (for 1.5 pp and fun, I guess).

Also here is pic of start of my turn in Med, since there was no pic last turn.
I am pretty sure, that transport with fighter, looking exposed, is escorted with SUBs.

Now to turn itself, its last 100% fair turn of 1941 on the east by the way.
1.

On the north I shaped my frontline, as I think. Also finally captured Petrozavodsk, finishing all planned offensive operations there.
2.

Soviet forces retreated from Orel instead of counter-attacking me...Well, I just repaired and upgraded my troops a bit.
3.

AGS succesfully captured fortress of Sevastopol and Kerch will fall soon hopefully, while frontline near Rostov supposed to stand against soviet attacks.
I don't think that even 3 4 3 soviet INFs can destroy my 3 4 (at winter) inf, attacking actoss the river, so I will fight here, unless I spot mechs/tanks or air support. Or probably i will use MECH unit to hold this hex (4 5 at winter).
Also, since there is no actual soviet line (at least sighted) between Orel and Rostov, I dont have to maintain here my own, it frees some units.
4.

In the MED i sent one italian sub to check, is there actual sub escort, or not. There was sub, and it was enough for me to belive, that 2nd hex is occupied by sub aswell.
Lucky, I have fighter in range, and I did 3 more steps damage to this transport.
Also, since there is no more offensive operations planned in Russia, I started to rail airforce to MED. This turn I railed german fighter and italian bomber to the northern Italy. I will keep on the ostfront, probably, two emergency groups of fighter + TAC bomber (sometimes you need to stop that tank, even when its bad weather) aswell as axis minor airforce (well, they are quite useless and don't worth rail points ) to help me to deal with soviet offencives, if any happen. While rest of my airforce (3 german TACs and 2 german fighters and italian airforce) will do something bad with RN in med. By the way 3rd Italian sub ready and was deployed, while next turn I will queue 4th.
5.

Looks like I will never upgrade this subs - allied convoy ran into them again, so I had no choice, but to sink it.
I will have useful 4th level sub tech next turn, probably (93% now, 2 labs and focused), so maybe its better, that I finally upgrade subs after I get it.
Also destroyed fleet (I will rename it, both to confuse Max and because "Baltic fleet" make no sence now, when it operates in Atlantic) now reached Cherbourgh. I am going to upgrade it and hunt very this southern convoys, because they travel so close to Brest.
Also HSF now finished repairs (lost all experience stars aswell ) and will be upgraded and sent to western France aswell. Only surface ships, resently spotted in Atlantic, were couple of RN destroyers, escorting convoy (one had ASW value of 7, meaning that Max have good tech afterall), so I don't fear RN this much.
This turn I purchased nothing, spent PPs on repairs and upgrades. Also next turn I will get next level of Industry, allowing me to build one more Lab (it will be Armour).

Nice one on harassing the RN in the Med, with more air power soon you should be able to do serious damage. Might have done even better if placed the 2nd sub just north of Bizerte, then his transport would run into it or he would have to sweep with a BB first (and take some hits and then be open to be attacked by your fighter next turn).

Great progress in the east Plaid. SM made some significant errors (which you have punished) in not protecting Leningrad and Sevastapol with INF's, and the loss of Petro and Novgorod will aid you significantly. If you can stabilise the Med and inflict some more casualties on him, you will be set for a 42 offensive.

With respect to the supply 3 zone, it starts the hex line east of Voronez. With respect to the Rostov area, the river line isnt a great protection based on my experience and you'd do better by withdrawing to Stalino if SM decides to launch a winter offensive in the area.

Neil

Might also consider railing those Finnish west coast garrisons to somewhere more useful, Italy or Russian front (no severe winter drop for them...)

trulster wrote:Also, seems you own the Atlantic. This can severley hamper global Allied efforts, even a strong USN commitment may not retake control if a couple more uboats are produced.

I agree. And keeping in mind that for US Navy it takes some time to get some ASW decent level, you can sink as many allied convoys as you want.

On this turn I got fair weather in north/east Europe zone and muddy one in central Europe. It was quite good, because allowed me to sort some things on the east.
1.

AGN now entrenched and ready to stand against soviet attack. I am going to hold Novgorod/Petrozavodsk and Smolensk cyties as long, as the price will not be extremely high. Basically, I think that forest terrain, allowing 2nd level ent, will help me a lot, and I will not have much problems here.
2.

AGC spent this turn repairing, upgrading and restoring effectiveness aswell. I sent italian fighter to check soviet formations, looks like there is nothing at least up to Tambov. While I don't mind to retreat from Orel, I don't see any offensive capable soviet forces here.
3.

AGS finished Crimean operation, capturing Kerch. Also it was a surprise, that Supermax launched a suicidal attack with his 1 step BB on my DD (and lost it). He was able to retreat to Batumi and repair his Black Sea fleet, while now he don't have any. Now I have german invasion cap of 3 and italy have 1, so I can do something amphibious there next campaign, aiming for Maikop oil and threating frontline near Rostov from behind.
I moved my STRAT and spotted soviet front line in detail. Offensive capable units are concentrated near Stalingrad. Armour have AT value of 2, while mine still have 1, probably Max focused tank destroyers, or simple build armour labs early.
I don't mind to retreat fron Rostov region to Stalino, or even further. PP income from this cyties will never cover casualties, if I face real soviet offence, so why shall I hold them. Also probably when fair weather will come back in spring, Max's troops will be purchasing me somewhere in steppes, exposed to me without protection of rivers.
4.

In MED I tryed to attack corps transport in port, but got 0 : 0 result. Whel, at least I didn't get casualties (this transports have 1 ASW aswell as 1 air attack)
Also I railed more planes from the east.

This turn I got industry level 3, increasing my PP income to 149 and allowing me to build 13th lab (I build 3rd armour one and now have 3 3 3 2 2)
German PPs were spent on repairs and upgrades. Also I ran out of rail points, in fact there were plenty on units I still wanter to rail, when I got 0 (for example 2 corps stayed in Germany without action). Also probably I need reserve army commander in Berlin, to rise effectiviness of fresh deployed troops. But I shall wait for start of germany bombing campaing, because same commander will increase effectiveness of fighters, defending my industry and synth oil plants. Commander I deffinetely need now is one for Italy. Still unsure, is it worthy to buy Kesselring/Model, or someone 5 star will be fine. Thing with german top-level commanders is that they have + unit stat. It will be quite useless there, while it increases commander's price greatly.
Italy queued 4th sub this turn, I think 4 or 5 will be enough, and I will switch to infantry production.

November brough winter into Russia weather zone, so now Supermax's troops have some advantage over mine.
Good thing is that i grabbed pretty much russian ground, and now have a lot of space to retreat.
Max rebased his assault troops from Stalingrad to Voronezh and looks like they will strike somewhere here.
My forces started retreats from Rostov and Orel regions, maintaining proper formations to slow soviet forces with ZoCs. My tanks still burn only 2 oil, so maneuveres are not problem for my oil pull yet.
Also I finally sent all intended airforce to the MED, now I have 2 bomber + fighter groups and 3 axis minor fighters there, all on centry for now.

SW actually hit at the end of my turn, but looks like I have only 3 units, which Max can attack his turn. (Inf near Rostov; inf near Kursk and Mech near Orel). All this units can be attacked only with 1 infantry each, and if they will not retreat in eastern direction (which possible, because nominally its still german hexes) after one attack, they are safe.

In the west my uboats still upgrades and repairs in french ports. Next turn 3 of 4 are ready to go to sea.
In Italy I upgraded and repaired luftwaffe forces, arrived from Russia previous turn, aswell as initially deployed there fighters.
Looks like RN now hides in ports, but I still hope, that I will get some targets for subs and planes. If I get no, I will rail some reserve ground forces there and deal with allied landing. Being in this mountain hexes not only provides defence for Max's infantry, but cause bad weather effects aswell, because this mountains are central europe weather zone.
Upgrades of HSW and DD fleet finished now aswell. I think about deploying some airforce (strategic bomber for example) to Brest region to provide spotting and support for my surface raiders and subs.
This turn I purchased Schoerner to command my forces in Italy, aswell as one more infantry corps for remaining PPs. (While I still don't have rail points to sent somewhere previously built corps units).

Plaid wrote:Being in this mountain hexes not only provides defence for Max's infantry, but cause bad weather effects aswell, because this mountains are central europe weather zone.

I am pretty sure the weather effects apply only to defender, so if he attacks from these hexes the units are winter-halved. You, however, can attack them at normal effectiveness. Same goes for air, deciding factor is the hex your aircraft is in, not the target hex. So, you might want to move aircraft to the Med weather zone south of Rome so they can operate at max effect vs the Royal Navy throughout winter.