Axis versus AI Tutorial AAR (War is Over, Grade Me)

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:53 pm

Turn 30. April 30, 1941.

I got a break with infantry -> anti-tank guns reaching level 1 in time for the 3 new mechanized corps builds (C123).

The movement of axis air units from the Balkans to Russia was halted to deal with an RN threat that appeared (C124). It seems that the AI was moving the UK BB to provide supply and support for the partisan that had appeared in Greece (C124). It appears to have done the same thing in France (C125), which shows the situation after the partisans was dispatched by the Hungarian infantry unit. Back to the Med, the odds were with me to sink the RN BB but it survived at 1-step. Based on recon that's 2 or 3 turns old I do know that only a UK CV and sub group remain in the eastern Med. So I plan to pursue the 1-step BB and destroy it. If I get a chance against the UK CV I see what I can do there. I'm able to be so bold because I of the weak deployment by the AI of the RN to the Med. The moving of single RN BB's into harms way to provide supply for partial strength partisans units is, in my opinion, not a very smart play.

The status of the buildup on the Russian front in shown in C126.

C123. T30 Build Queue.

C124. RN Sortie in the Eastern Med

C125. RN Sortie in the English Channel

C126. Status of Russian Build Up

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:46 pm

Turn 31. April 23, 1941 Axis.

The Italian sub group found the fleeing and badly damage RN BB (C127). Because of ZOC's I knew it could move as far as the Italian fleet. An Italian BB finished it off and the North African supply capacity increased by 10 points to 15 indicating that the allies have now dropped below the minimum naval requirements for the Med. I still have a strong force in North Africa and I will keeping them there representing the commitment I would have to make against a human opponent.

The UK BB continued to shell Normandy and the RAF planes continued their attacks. The losses inflicted are trivial so I'm not responding. I'm using my resources in higher priority areas such as u-boats continuing to attack the northern and southern convoys and sending air assets to the east front in preparation for Barbarossa (C128 & C129).

C127. UK BB Sunk.

C128. T31 Build Queue

C129. Eastern Front

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:36 pm

Turn 32. May 13, 1941 Axis.

A German wolfpack finished off the northern convoy. A second wolfpack had to let the central convoy go, which was at ~30 PPs, because of the strong RN response. Still, I'm avoiding contact with the RN in favor of attacking convoys. If I get a chance to take out a lone ship I might but the most cost effective use of the u-boats is to avoid the RN and go for the convoys.

The mobilization (C130) and build up on the eastern front for Barbarossa (131) continues.

C130. Barbarossa Mobilization

C131. The Eastern Front

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 4:23 pm

Turn 33. June 2, 1941

Countdown to Operation Barbarossa, T minus 20-days. Next turn it starts. The I and II corps along with the Kriegsmarine are position off the the coast of Tallinn ready to land next turn.

For the rest of this AAR I will post my moves with limited comments. The main points I intend to make will be tactical in nature as the AI, in my opinion, doesn't do well strategically in Russia or elsewhere. My goal is the total defeat of Russia, which I would not attempt against a human opponent. My goal against a human opponent would be to push east as far as I could and then hold on in 1943 - 1945 in dear life. However; against the AI I plan to hold in the west and totally defeat them in the east.

C132. T33 Axis Mobilization

C133. Eastern Front

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 5:19 pm

Turn 34. June 22, 1941

Wolfpack north finished off a small convoy and continued their patrol of the north Atlantic (C134). They will now focus on going after the Murmansk convoy. Wolfpack center had contact with the RN (C135). While it get a bit bloody it gave more than it received. The objective next turn will be to try to finish off the 1-step RN BB. There's a 50/50 chance that the BB trying to escape will run into the 7-step flotilla than move south after contact with the RN DD.

The Tallinn amphibious operation initiated Barbarossa and took Tallinn quite easily (C136), with two tactical bomber attacks followed by a landing and attack by I Corps. Note that after Tallinn was captured by I Corps the port appeared open but this was a trick as it contained a hidden Russia sub.

The opening attacks of Barbarossa (C138 - C141) went about as well as I could have expected. I was pleased with the results. I really have only two tactical comments. First, in moving the German BB to shell a Russian unit on the Baltic coast it ran into the "hidden" Russia sub in Tallinn. Though I knew the sub was there, there was no way to communicate that to the "admiral" of the Kriegsmarine moving the fleet. It's interesting that the game engine chose to move in a path that went through a port instead of staying at sea. Oh well, the good news was the the German BB suffered no damage. The second tactical point was that I wanted to make contact with as many of the Russian mechanized corps that I could in order to avoid them from being railed away to safety. The full strength corps northeast of Brest (C140) is in the swamp and cannot be railed so I still have a chance to get him. The only other one that I had a chance to get next to but didn't was in the south (C141). A human opponent would likely rail him away but for some reason I think the AI will probably stand and fight. We'll see though.

C134. Wolfpack North

C135. Wolfpack Center

C136. Tallinn Amphibious Operation

C138. Eastern Front after Opening Turn of Barbarossa

C139. Army Group North

C140. Army Group Center

C141. Army Group South

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 5:51 pm

Turn 35. July 12, 1941 Axis.

The cripple RN avoids the trap set by Wolfpack center and escapes to either Halifax or the LL port. Commander of WP center decided not to pursue and go after a large convoy (C140).

Oh the AI. It made a bad choice and decided to stand and fight (C141). This allowed me to encircle a significant number of the Russian forces including mechanized corps. This is definitely interesting and fun but there is no way an experience opponent would stand like the AI is doing (C142).

C140. Wolfpack Center

C141. AI Stands and Fights on the Russian Front

C142. Eastern Front (7/12/41)

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:49 pm

Turn 36. August 1, 1941

Wolfpack decide to go after the unprotected RN CV, which is a new builds (C143). Significant damage was inflicted on it and my objective is to sink it. Though, this may result in Wolfpack center having to be sent back to Europe for repair and refitting. Wolfpack north on patrol has had negative contact.

The situation in Russia (C144 - 146) is that the AI had decided to stand its ground resulting in less ground gained by the axis but many more losses inflicted (C147). I plan to take my time and push as if I were playing against a human opponent.

C143. Wolfpack Center

C144. Army Group North

C145. Army Group Center

C146. Army Group South

C147. Casualties

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 8:15 pm

Turn 37. August 21, 1941

Wolfpack center found and destroyed the damage RN CV. Again, the AI made a poor choice by moving the CV next to a port, which was empty when recon found it. Likely, the port was occupied when the CV moved, or it's currently occupied by a sub group. Either way, a player would have move his naval units such that the CV would have ended its turn in port.

The Germans built their 5th fighter (C149).

There are two guaranteed fair weather turns left on the eastern front. Also, there's some chance of severe winter in October so the axis offensive on the Russian front will begin winding down. However; if I get a chance to go after the Russian tank corps that just showed up I certainly will. This turn I brought several air units, including fighters forward to push wind up the '41 offensive.

C148. Wolfpack Center

C149. German 5th Fighter Build

C150. Eastern Front

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 8:49 pm

Turn 38. September 10, 1941

The AI cheated and I have proof (C151).

It move a garrison that was out of supply and which had movement of 1 into Villna, which I had left unoccupied because that hex was in the zone of control of two units and would require 1 + 2 = 3 MPs. But, the garrison as pretty as you please moved in and captured Villna bring supply to him and to two other units. I had to respond brutally to teach a lesson to the AI not to cheat.

Wolfpack north found prey, which was the first Murmansk convoy (C152). Wolfpack center started their way back to port for rest, repair and refit (C152).

I continue to make easy progress against the AI and it's tempting to keep going (C154); however beginning next turn I need to shut it down. The only remaining business is the capture of Kiev and the reduction of cut off troops. I can take my time with this second task and use second line troops.

Also, I was easily able to destroy a Russian tank corps and fighter unit (C155).

In terms of new builds I added the 5th German tactical bombers. This tactical bomber along with the two strategic bombers will be moved to Norway in the winter. I also need to deploy a fighter there and will probably build a new German one to send there.

C151. The AI Cheated!!!

C152. Wolfpack North Found Prey

C154. Eastern Front (9/10/41)

C155. Casualties

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 9:11 pm

Turn 39. September 30, 1941 Axis.

Wolfpack north finished off the first sited Murmansk convoy. Hopefully, many more will meet the same fate. Wolfpack center continues its journey back home.

In the east (C156) the axis have reached their '41 winter line and now it's time to repair, rest and dig in.

C156. Eastern Front (9/30/41)

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 9:27 pm

Turn 40. October 20, 1941 Axis.

It's official the '41 axis offensive on the eastern front is over (C157). This turn the weather was rain and mud in northern Europe. All axis fighters on the eastern front were ground and all ground units were order to hold on their current positions; except, for some movements to straighten up the defensive line. Casualties to date are shown in C158.

C157. Eastern Front (10/20/41)

C158. Casualties (10/20/41)

massina_nz · Post by **massina_nz** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:22 pm

One thing I would never do is have any Axis minor units in my front lines whatsoever. Or are you just being lazy against the AI?

Another thing you haven't elaborated on is what to do in the Finnish front. I've learnt through several games that it's best to do nothing, and withdraw back from the Karelin peninsula. Those Russian GARs up north look tempting, but your northern forces can easily get cut-off. Just keep them in Finland in strong defensive positions, the Germans in the south of Finland and the Finnish INFs in the north, that way they won't suffer any Severe Winter penalities and the German troops in the south can be in range of a German commander placed near Tallinnn.

If the Russians get aggessive in Finland, a FTR and/or TAC sent north can normally deal with any threat in 41/42.

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:46 pm

massina_nz wrote:One thing I would never do is have any Axis minor units in my front lines whatsoever. Or are you just being lazy against the AI?

In the initial push in 1941 I don't worry about having minor units in my front lines. In looking at my last screen CAP I have four minor axis units. Three of those units are in the south way away from any Russian units, as far as I can tell. They will be replaced as I get more German Infantry corps to front; but in 1941 my preference would be to place three or four axis minors in the front line versus German armor corps in order to establish a coherent front. Right or wrong this is how I'd play it against a human opponent.

massina_nz wrote:Another thing you haven't elaborated on is what to do in the Finnish front. I've learnt through several games that it's best to do nothing, and withdraw back from the Karelin peninsula. Those Russian GARs up north look tempting, but your northern forces can easily get cut-off. Just keep them in Finland in strong defensive positions, the Germans in the south of Finland and the Finnish INFs in the north, that way they won't suffer any Severe Winter penalities and the German troops in the south can be in range of a German commander placed near Tallinnn.

If the Russians get aggessive in Finland, a FTR and/or TAC sent north can normally deal with any threat in 41/42.

The only action in Finland is around Leningrad. I agree that it's not wise to push with the Finnish garrisons in the north. I too keep them for defensive purposes.

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 3:29 am

FLASH: October 20, 1941. A early severe winter storm has hit Northern Europe effecting the Eastern Front. Forecast is for a severe winter with sub zero temperatures effecting movement and combat.

Turn 41. November 11, 1941 Axis.

The severe Russian winter set in early. Fortunately for the axis they had stopped most operations and were preparing for winter. All aircraft had been ground because of the mud/rain. Also, only two Russian corps were even close enough to engage the axis with only one attacking and inflicting 3-steps of loss on an infantry corps. This illustrates why it's imperative for the axis to beginning planning for their stop in late September and be ready for bad weather in October. Given the situation in Russia the early winter is actually welcomed and will allow the axis time to rest, repair, build up and upgrade for the 1942 offensive. While the 1942 offensive is intended for a kockout it is intended to cripple the Soviet Union so it can be finished off in 1943.

The situation on the Eastern Front is shown C159 - C161.

The new Norwegian Command under General List was stood up this turn (C162). This commands includes 2 strategic bombers, 1 tactical bomber, 1 fighter, the Kriegsmarines (BB & DD) and Wolfpack North (C163). The primary purpose of this command is simple. It's to destroy as much of the Murmansk convoy as it can and any allied naval vessels that enter it's "death zone". It's secondary purpose is to serve as a strategic reserve for western allied attacks against Germany, France or Italy.

Wolfpack Center made it to ports in France and will be rested, refitted (i.e., repaired) and ungraded (C164).

German and Italian war technology and research status is shown in C165 and C166.

Also, in case you don't think I'm playing it straight up in Italy and the Med in terms of the forces I have deployed there take a look at C167.

C159. Finnish Front

C160. Eastern Front (Northern Part)

C161. Eastern Front (Southern Part)

C162. New Norwegian Command

C163. Wolfpack North Assigned to Norwegian Command

C164. Wolfpack Center and France

C165. German War Technology

C166. Italian War Technology

C167. The Med, Italy and Balkans

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:04 am

Turn 42. November 19, 1941 Axis.

It appears that the AI is sending the majority of the RN to support the French partisan in western France (C168). I'm not sure why?

The Soviet winter offensive has been very limited and only by two infantry corps (C169). When the weather clears those infantry corps will be destroyed.

The Norwegian Command (C170) was made operational this turn.

C168. France and the RN

C169. Very Limited Soviet Winter Offensive

C170. Norwegian Command is Operational

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:43 am

Turn 43. December 19, 1941 Axis.

The USA entered the war and the Siberian reserves were released.

Turn 44. January 8, 1942 Axis.

The Russians continue their very limited winter offensive (C171). The RN continues its overwhelming support for a small partisan unit. It seems that the AI puts very high priority on supplying [b]any unit[/b] that it can reach on the coast.

Axis builds include a new sub flotilla and a fighter.

C171. Limited Russian Winter Offensive

C172. RN Support of Partisan

C173. Axis Builds

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:14 am

Turn 45. January 28, 1942 Axis.

The allied AI is sending a lot of strength into northern Russia (C174). I'm biding my time until the weather clears.

Wolfpack center heading back to sea encountered two unescorted US transports. These are juicy targets. Interesting strategy by the allied AI to send the majority of the RN to support a 2-step partisan but leaves a US mechanized and infantry transport unescorted (C175).

The axis built their 8th u-boat flotilla (C176).

C174. Northern Russia

C175. Wolfpack Center and Unescorted US Transports

C176. Axis Build Queue

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:25 pm

Turn 46. February 17, 1942.

The allied AI buildup in the north against Army Group North (C177) is turning out to be more serious than I though. As soon as this bloody weather clears I will respond. This turn was the 6th and final turn of the severe winter.

The two unescorted USA transports (C178) are slipping away. I really want them, or at least one of them, but unless I get lucky they'll probably make it to the UK.

Wolfpack North was upgraded this turn and is ready for action along with the entire Norwegian Command (C179).

C177. Russian Buildup Against Army Group North

C178. Unescorted USA Transports Slipping Away

C179. Norwegian Command

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:53 pm

Turn 47. April 9, 1942

Mud in Northern Europe and on the Eastern Front and fair weather elsewhere. The AI continues its stand firm on the Eastern Front as more ground units are put in contact with the axis front lines (C180). The only combat, so far, is from air attacks against axis air bases. I'm riding them out in order to pound the Red Airforce when the weather clears.

The two US transports do indeed slip away and any chance of catching one was thwarted by a US DD running into one of the flotillas. The DD took all the losses. Wolfpack North decided to go after the poorly escorted, and apparently second built UK CV (C181). It almost got it but 2-steps remain.

The Norway command sites its first prey, a 43 point Murmansk convoy that will never make it to it's destination barring something totally unexpected (C182).

C180. The Eastern Front

C181. Wolfpack Center

C182. Norway Command

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:05 pm

Turn 48. March 29, 1942 Axis.

The allied AI is trying to open up a second front in France, which is a bit premature in my opinion (C183). This is forcing me to respond because there's no way I can allow the allies to land in France in 1942. Fortunately I do have two strategic reserves and new builds (2 mechanized & 3 infantry corps) in the queue. The first reserve is that I stripped the two German and one Italian fighter from the North Africa Korps Desert Army (C184). I approached this decision as I would have had against a human player. The Brits are nowhere in sight in North Africa and the I know the RN presence is below the minimum. At best, he has two fighters there, which assumes the Canadian fighter slipped past me. I doubt that but I'll make that assumption. With a weak RN and weak air presence there the ground forces left in place supported by the Italian navy is sufficient, in my opinion, to hold for a long time. I also stripped the fighter from the Norway command (C185) for France. The 43 PP Murmansk convoy was totally destroyed.

This turn I blocked all landing beaches against the invasion threat in France. Next turn I will select (i.e., build a leader) for France and start moving air and ground assets in place. It will take at best two more turns to properly stand up the new French command; which will be totally defensive in nature as my primary objective for 1942 is to cripple Russia so I can take it out in 1943.

Wolfpack Center (C186) went after another new UK CV build. By my count that makes at least 3 new CV builds of which 1 has been sunk and 2 have been badly depleted. For it's effort Wolfpack Center will need to return to port for repairs and to start operations against this premature allied invasion attempt of France.

The primary quarry for 1942 is and will remain Russia (C187). The weather was mud/rain on that front this turn.

C183. France

C184. North Africa Krops Desert Army

C185. Norway Command

C186. Wolfpack Center

C187. The Eastern Front