Slitherine

Turn 58. October 15, 1942.

No significant actions in last allied turn in eastern front so no shots. This turn it was mud in the east so axis plans for finishing Odessa and Crimea reducts were ruined. Anyway, extreme saving oil measures will start from this turn on so bad weather is kind of desirable for axis now in the east. Schorner defensive commander was bought this turn and will be placed in Rostov for commanding german forces around that city. Manstein will be deployed in Sumy for covering a much wider range of units. Von Bock in Smolensk and Von Rundstedt in Velikiye Luki covers the rest of german units in USSR. This turn most Luftwaffe air units in the east received upgrades. Two shots view at the end of axis turn:





8th army went on the offensive again in last allied turn. This time the brits pushed hard and achieved to destroy an italian corps unit at 10 steps. Bengazhi itself was attacked so Badoglio's unit there was reduced to 3 steps. Check out increased range of british carrier in Tripoli that allows that naval to attack axis units around Bengazhi. Americans seized Tripoli. Shots at the start of axis turn:





Axis decided to counterattack again with the australian corps at 6 steps as the target. Italian tac, although halved in strength, participated in the offensive action that was initiated by italian armoured that reduced australian corps to 2 steps and forced it to retreat. Empty hex left by the Commonwealth unit was occupied by Graziani's mech that finished off allied corps unit. Image below at the end of axis turn.





This last successful axis counterattack meant more and more difficulties for the british to finally have the upper hand in Libya so american aid seems like much needed for expelling the axis from Africa. Seizure of Tripoli meant the axis having to pay 2 PP's for exceeding axis supply cost in Africa so may be I will be rebasing italian tac to Italy in the next turn. Oran and Algiers are still axis (Casablanca was seized in last allied turn) but when those last ones are captured too by the advancing free french forces, there will be no supply even for the few units that axis has now in Bengazhi.

Turn 59. November 4, 1942.

This turn it was winter everywhere but the Med. Axis focussed in finishing cut corps in Crimea at 3 steps. Soviet Black sea fleet received a beating from Luftwaffe tacs that took 4 steps from the naval unit being finally reduced to 2 steps. Romanian fleet got a 1:1 odd when attacking the soviet naval unit once bombed by tacs but unsuccessfully romanian DD took 2 steps lost for none in the soviet unit. Two shots view at the end of axis turn:





Action is now focussed in the Med. 8th army, now supported by aeronaval forces of both USA and UK, are progressing more efficiently so Graziani's mech was destroyed in last allied turn. Check out the americans coming from the west and the british BB in Tunis almost repaired. Images below show last allied turn moves.





Regia Aeronautica was withdrawn from Libya this axis turn. Then axis attacks will have to go without air support from now on. This way, DAK and Badoglio's corps in Bengazhi attacked british mech taking 4 steps from this allied unit although both axis units took comparatively higher losses. It will be a difficult thing to do to successfully evacuate any of the axis units now present in Libya. Images below at the end of axis turn.





Back now to Atlantic so you get an update of what's happening there. Apparently, convoys are more escorted now that USA has deployed DD's in the Atlantic too. Spotted central convoy at 77 steps appears to be escorted by 3 DD's units west of Ireland and most likely will make its way to UK without problems. Shot below is at the start of axis turn where you can check out too minor naval engagements in English channel. American BB brought to UK means my opponent intends to face Kriegsmarine surface fleet threat.



7th german fighter unit purchased and italian paratrooper division deployed in Rome.

Turn 60. November 24, 1942.

This time I will start with the Med since nothing is happening in the east where this turn weather turns to mud. 8th army is about to take Bengazhi and probably it will take only 1 turn to acomplish that. In last allied turn, italian armoured was destroyed and Badoglio's unit was reduced to 2 steps as a result of the allied attacks. DAK was bombed but lost no step. In western Med, americans are transporting a unit that could be an air unit to be brought to Libya or Tunis. Pics below are at the start of axis turn.







Italian subs did not attack escorted allied transport since they are not fully repaired. Same goes for italian BB's and Vichy french BB in Marseilles so we let that transport alone. Axis made its last stand in Bengazhi with an attack to british mech by DAK that was reduced to 3 steps. Badoglio's left Bengazhi and italian unit there was repaired to 5 steps. Images below show situation at the end of axis turn with zoom level 3 image showing last axis stand in Libya. Check out italian mech deployed this turn in Rome and paratrooper division railed to Reggio just to be transported to Sicily.





Spotted a 46-steps central convoy and a 45-steps soviet one.

You should have attacked the transports with subs. The Allies wouldn't have been able to sink them with just 2 DDs nearby.

Turn 61. December 14, 1942.

Winter weather everywhere again. In last allied turn, a soviet corps attacked panzerkorps in Crimea getting bad results so the inf corps was reduced to 5 steps. Axis took the chance and with a previous tac bombing referred soviet unit was destroyed. Almost all axis units have been upgraded and repaired and below is how it looks like the front line in the east at the end of axis turn.





As of december of 1942, in the eastern front Germany has deployed 1 paratrooper division, 5 garrisons, 35 inf corps, 6 panzerkorps, 9 mechs, 5 fighters, 5 tacs and 1 strat. Italy and axis minors have deployed 14 garrisons,17 inf corps, 3 mechs, 3 fighters and 1 tac. Axis total is 19 garrisons, 52 inf corps, 6 panzerkorps, 12 mechs, 8 fighters, 6 tacs and 1 strat. From forces screen it could be calculated that Red army strength is 35 inf corps, 2-3 tank armies, 7-8 mechs 4-5 fighters, 3-4 tacs and 1 strat. Tech is slightly favourable to Germany but soviet one is pretty high in mechs and infs and soon it could reach parity with Wehrmacht.

In last post I forgot to mention that a german DD trying to make to North sea run into a american sub losing 4 steps. This axis naval unit was finished off in last allied turn by RN BB's and british carrier bombed german BB in Antwerp. Also, allied strategic campaign seems to have started. All of that can be ckeched in pic below taken at the start of axis turn.



Back now to the Med. Bengazhi was finally taken by 8th army ending this way a large campaign in which the allied have paid a high toll IMO. 3 inf corps destroyed and high losses taken in attaking units. In western Africa, Oran was liberated by free french forces. And yes, american transported unit ended its move in Tunis port meaning a likely air unit to be deployed there. Shots below at the end of axis turn.

Cybvep wrote:You should have attacked the transports with subs. The Allies wouldn't have been able to sink them with just 2 DDs nearby.

We are still under strict saving oil measures. At the edge of the summer 1942 campaign oil dropped below 50 which means problems for the axis at this stage of the game. So yes, in other oil situation I probably would have attacked the transport but now attacks that means spending of oil have to be necessary to execute like the one made in Crimea this very turn. Oil levels are recovering now and have reached 150 this turn.

Severe winter started at the end of axis turn.

Turn 62. January 3, 1943.

Red army winter offensive has started with many points in which axis lines were attacked. A german corps was reduced to 5 steps near Leningrad, in Smolensk there were also combats and finally in Kursk and Rostov where a german corps and mech were destroyed, respectively. Anyway, check out high losses taken by the attacking units specially around Rostov. Shots below are at the start of axis turn.







As you can see in the shots Luftwaffe forces in Ukraine are really strong so I planned a counterattack in Zhukov's mech east of Kursk. 2 german tacs bombed and took 4 steps in the HQ unit. Then, adjacent mech got 4:3 odds when attacking soviet mech and achieved to destroy it. In the rest, there were no axis counterattacks but repairs and readjustements of front line. Images below are at the end of axis turn.







Med now. An american landing fleet has appeared south of Sicily. There's only one landing unit strongly escorted by US Navy ships. Shore bombings of garrison units in the island did occur. Shots before axis moves:





Recently repaired italian BB's went to action. First, it was attacked one of the american escorting DD's, forcing it to retreat and taking 3 steps from it. Then, a second italian BB attacked the retreated naval unit taking other 3 steps. Allied naval unit was finally sunk after being attacked too by Vichy french BB coming from Marseilles and 2 italian subs. Location of where sunk DD was finished off is showed in image below at zoom level 3. Remaining italian sub torpedoed the LST unit taking 1 step on it. Many rail redeployments were made so 2 additional italian corps are already in Reggio. Italian mech crossed Messina strait. Shots below are at the end of axis turn.





It was lost track of both central convoy and soviet convoy spotted 2 turns ago. Assuming that 77-steps central convoy will have already delivered its PP's numbers are now 924/639.

How many naval units the Allies have in the Med? IIRC there was a British CV in Tobruk. I see 2 British BBs, 1 American CV and various DDs. It's a pity that you cannot provide air support for your naval units. Then you could pound that transport and reduce the threat that the CVs pose. I see 3 FTRs and 1 TAC, but they are all far away from southern Sicily.

Cybvep wrote:How many naval units the Allies have in the Med? IIRC there was a British CV in Tobruk. I see 2 British BBs, 1 American CV and various DDs. It's a pity that you cannot provide air support for your naval units. Then you could pound that transport and reduce the threat that the CVs pose. I see 3 FTRs and 1 TAC, but they are all far away from southern Sicily.

There must be a british carrier in Tobruk port but apart from those allied naval units that you see in the pics above and the mentioned carrier, I calculate that allies have no more or little more allied naval units in the Med. Due to the weak forces that allies have deployed in the Med, I am guessing a 1943 overlord.

Axis air units in Italy are positioned to attack allied units once they have landed in Sicily. I expect to rail 1 or 2 german corps to Sicily if possible.

1943 Overlord? I don't think that it would be a great idea. You have many subs, you don't need to be on the offensive in the East in 1943 and the British suffered high losses. The Soviets don't seem to be extremely strong, either. What do your spies tell you? Do the Allies have many heavy land units and bombers? If not, I think that Operation Sledgehammer is more likely.

Yes, may be I was referring to a Sledgehammer operation, that is, the seizure of Brest or Cherbourg and then to hold there bringing more and more troops to the conquered ports. This is likely to be executed by my opponent right in this very year. Soviets are a little bit pressed so something would have to be done in the west to divert german forces from the east. Forces screen as you know give some info but it's not much accurate. I will start building a reserve force from now on, anyway.

Turn 63. January 23, 1943.

Last allied turn soviets keep on attacking in several points. As a result of those attacks, a germans corps was destroyed south of Leningrad and other one in the Donets. Wehrmacht mech, that last turn destroyed Zhukov's unit, was reduced to 3 steps. Check out current Luftwaffe air superiority in the east making soviet fighter units to suffer many steps lost when escorting the tacs. Pics below are at the start of axis turn.







Axis took advantage of the high losses that soviets are suffering in their offensive and destroyed 3 soviet corps: one at 3 steps near Leningrad and other 2 at 5 steps SE of Kursk and NE of Rostov. This last one in Rostov meant to regain the position lost in last turn. In the rest, repairs mainly of air units just to keep on effectively opposing to the Red army offensive actions. Shots at the end of axis turn in this scenario.







Sicily. Higher survivability values of allied naval units allowed them to sink 2 axis BB's and to leave an italian sub reduced to 1 step. Patton has landed in Sicily leaving italian paratrooper unit in bad shape. Another landing ship has appeared in the coasts on southern Sicily. Pictures showing last turn allied moves:





Since surviving Regia Marina BB couldn't make it to a port because of naval ZOC's, free french BB was attacked by the italian BB and by a sub which achieved to reduce allied naval unit to 2 steps. Regia Aeronautica flew its first sortie against recent landed allied unit in Sicily taking one step on the armoured. Badoglio arrived Palermo and Graziani will command italian forces around Messina. Italian paratrooper unit was withdrawn and replaced by a Vichy french garrison. A german corps will be railed to Reggio in the next turn and german paratrooper division until now deployed in the east, will be redeployed in the Med. Also, a german tac is on the way to this scenario. Shots below at the end of axis turn.





Finally, a shot of current u-boats location in the Atlantic. 46-steps central convoy was spotted again and this time with its corresponding escorting force.



Bought a german mech.

Turn 64. February 12, 1943.

Red army destroyed 3 german corps in last allied turn as a consequence of its attacks all along the eastern front. Soviet tank armies first appeared in the Donets whilst guard mechs retreated from this river probably to get repairs or upgrades. Few air support for the attacks from VVS probably would have meant that some of the land attacks would have went without a previous air strike this explaining high losses taken in the attacking units like the ones suffered by Chuikov's mech that appeared reduced to 4 steps. Images below are taken at the start of axis turn.







Wehrmacht focussed again in counterattacking battered soviet units. This way, Chuikov's mech was 2 times hit by german tacs so it was rather easy to finish off referred soviet unit by a german inf. Some air support was provided either to another counterattack north of Kursk that finished off an attacking soviet corps unit at 6 steps. Another counterattack did occur NW of Velikiye Luki where a soviet corps at 5 steps was reduced to 2 and was forced to retreat. Finnish air force supported this operation.Two shots view of eastern front at the end of axis turn:







In the Med, the allies are bringing more and more units to Sicily. A british corps have landed in last allied turn, attacking Graziani's unit and advancing to central Sicily. Of course, remaining italian BB was sunk. Little tactical mistake in my opponent leaving landed units in Sicily unsupplied. Shots at the start of axis turn:





German paratrooper has arrived to Rome and a Luftwaffe tac will provide more air support to axis operations in Sicily. Italian paratrooper successfully survived and it was unload in Genoa. Italians counterattacked british inf in central Sicily in the hope of forcing it to retreat and this way giving room for more units waiting to cross Messina strait, but allied unit refused to retreat although it was reduced in 2 steps. Two shots below are at the end of axis turn.





At the end of convoy movement phase a central convoy at 62 steps entered the spotting range of the u-boats.

Turn 65. March 4, 1943.

A german garrison destroyed north of Pskov and a panzerkorps reduced to 2 steps were the main effects of soviet offensive actions in last allied turn in the eastern front. Romanian mech was reduced to 5 steps. Still few VVS air support for the attacks. Pics below show last allied turn moves.







This time axis forces saw failure in their reply since 2 german tacs lost 2 steps each one when attacking Vatutin's tank army that only lost 1 step and was upgraded to a guards unit. Bulgarian corps railed to Pskov to fill the gap left by the garrison destroyed in last turn. Panzerkorps at 2 steps withdrawn. Images below are at the end of axis turn.







Slow allied progress in Sicily in last allied turn with the Vichy french garrison reduced to 3 steps and the italian mech bombed. Anyway, allied heavy units are being disembarked in the island so italians will have short chances of doing anything here. Pics below are at the start of axis turn.





It was fair weather this turn in central Europe so italian mech could move and link with Badoglio's garrison in Palermo. British corps in central Sicily was attacked both by referred mech and by an italian corps which reduced allied unit to 2 steps. Complete failure of Regia Aeronautica raids that took no step in the depleted allied unit. An italian sub torpedoed a british BB in Palermo. Italian defensive commander bought to be deployed in Messina italian corps. Pictures below are at the end of axis turn.





Last turn spotted convoy at 62 steps was escorted by 2 DD's in last allied turn.



I decided to attack the convoy with 2 subs. Now that the subs have been upgraded they achieved to cause much more damage with two single hits since the convoy was reduced to 24. Other 2 u-boats were put trying to ambush the convoy but convoy followed another route in convoy movement phase.

Turn 66. March 24, 1943.

Red army offensive around Pskov continues although with no big results. Soviet units there are still getting high losses due to scarce air support. Nevertheless, in the south VVS seems to have reinforced considerably its firepower since in last allied turn were 4 tacs the ones performing ground attacks. As a result of that a panzerkorps unit was halved in strength only by air attacks. Also NE of Smolensk, soviets got a bridgehead in west bank of Dnepr river. Two shots below are at the start of axis turn.







No offensive action of axis this turn. Only repairs and upgrades. An hungarian corps was railed to Estonia just in case the soviets wanna try something there. Pics below, at the end of axis turn.





Italian mech in Sicily was destroyed in last allied turn. Graziani's garrison was attacked too and Vichy french unit reduced to 3 steps. Images below are at the start of axis turn.





Axis focussed in british inf at 3 steps. First, italian corps took 2 steps from the battered allied unit and finally Luftwaffe finished off the unit. This means 4th Commonwealth unit lost in the Med since the start of the campaign. My opponent seems to be skipping Sardinia so I will try to bring italian paratrooper to Cagliari when possible. Shots at the end of axis turn:





Atlantic now. In last allied turn, one of the escorting american DD's attacked an u-boat unit reducing it to 5 steps whilst other stood near for supporting its partner. Canadian DD's replaced the american ones in their escorting duties. Shot before axis moves:



Kriegsmarine surface fleet decided to enter action again. German BB in Saint-Nazaire was able to reach one of the canadian DD's and performed an attack in the allied naval unit reducing it to 7 steps. Then 2 u-boats finished the central convoy whilst the rest of sub units surrounded german BB for protecting it against allied navy retaliation attacks. Keeping in mind that 46-steps central convoy of past turns will have already delivered its PP's and the naval actions of this turn numbers now are 1032/701, roughly a 70% of convoys sunk.

Turn 67. April 13, 1943.

In last allied turn, an hungarian corps in Kursk and a german corps east of Kharkov were destroyed as a result of the soviet attacks. Also in Rostov, Red army pushed hard with the romanian and italian mechs left in very bad shape. More approachs in Estonia and little attacks in Pskov. Shots at the start of axis turn:







Germans focussed their counteroffensive actions in Orel-Kursk sector. As a consequence of the Wehrmacht attacks 2 soviets corps and 1 mech were destroyed and another more corps were cut from supply and reduced to 3 steps. Kind of breakthrough was achieved here with VVS air bases threatened. Luftwaffe took high losses this turn both in dog fight combats and in ground attacks. Romanian mech was withdrawn and italian mech received reinforcements. Images below, at the end of axis turn.







Med. Graziani's unit reduced to 1 step and garrison in Palermo to 3 steps mean that the allies will soon get the control over sicilian territory. Furthermore, a free french landing fleet appeared west of Cagliari. Last allied turn moves in the Med:





Regia Marina subs went to action again. First, torpedoing and forcing to retreat free french landing unit and second torpedoing and reducing to 2 steps a british shore bombing BB. Repairs of the italian units in Sicily were done and italian paratrooper unit sailed from Genoa to Ajaccio port to be unloaded in Sardinian in the next turn. Vichy french garrison in Palermo withdrawn to help in the defense of Sardinia. Shots at the end of axis turn.





Battle of Atlantic now. In last allied turn, US and canadian navies retaliation attacks achieve to sink an u-boat and many ambushes occurred. An american BB was reduced to 3 steps as a consequence of running into an u-boat and a german sub was left reduced at 4 steps. German BB lost only 1 step. Allied naval moves:



American BB at 7 steps was the target of axis this turn. After being attacked by 3 sub units and the german BB allied naval unit was sunk. Check out Jean Bart Vichy french BB that successfully managed to make its way from Casablanca to Bourdeaux.



Finally, a shot with the results of the ongoing strategic RAF campaign over Germany. Both Ruhr and Essen have been reduced to 1 PP. Image below also shows current PP's, manpower and oil levels. As you can see, oil levels have substantially recovered and manpower levels are still above 75.

Turn 68. May 3, 1943.

2 more german corps were destroyed in the east as a result of last allied turn Red army attacks in which weather was still winter. Cut soviet corps at 3 steps NE of Kursk got back to be supplied and Bryansk was heavily attacked with the german corps there reduced to 4 steps. In Pskov, bulgarians were forced to retreat because of the push of the soviets there. Shots at the start of axis turn:







In axis turn, Wehrmacht offensive actions saw success destroying a total of 6 soviet corps and 1 mech as a consequence of the attacks. German thrust is significant in Kursk-Donets sector where VVS air bases are threatened now. Furthermore, destroyed mech was a HQ-guards one (Bagramian's) this lowering soviet capability of repliying to the axis strike. Last allied turn threatened Bryansk was reinforced considerably by railing a mech to the city and by destroying a 7 soviet corps there. Killed soviet corps in Pskov was kind of unexpected. Images below are at the end of axis turn.







Italy. In last allied turn and due to current high allied ASW levels italian attacking sub in Sardinia was sunk and the free french landing unit positioned again adjacent to shore hexes. Palermo was taken by X british armoured corps and Graziani garrison was destroyed. Pics below are at the start of axis turn.





Axis moves were to unload both italian paratrooper and Vichy french garrison in Sardinia and a weak sub attack to free french landing unit. Repairs in Sicily. Images below are at the end of axis turn.





Spotted a central convoy at 73 steps at the end of a convoy movement phase. Location below.



I am buying nothing but german mechs. They have been recently upgraded, spend less manpower and are more efficient than corps.

Turn 69. May 23, 1943.

1 german armoured, 1 corps and Messe's mech in Rostov were destroyed in last allied turn as a result of soviet attacks. Red army kept on pushing in Pskov, forcing to retreat Wehrmacht units and leaving a corps unit reduced to 1 step. Shots at the start of axis turn:









Wehrmacht continued its successful campaing in the Donets destroying another 2 guards mechs and 1 soviet corps there. Another soviet corps was killed in Pskov front. Furthermore, campaign for taking soviet reducts in Ukraine has started. This way, Chisinau garrison was reduced to 1 step after being attacked by all the available axis minor units around. Images below are at the end of axis turn.









Med. Italian corps destroyed in Sicily in last allied turn. Free french forces finally disembarked in Sardinia with Vichy french garrison there reduced to 1 step. British LST unit about to land in Reggio. Check out all of those partisan units in southern France. Shots below are at the start of axis turn.





Luftwaffe hit hard british unit about to land in Reggio taking 4 steps from that unit with the tac in Foggia. German garrisons were busy in southern France getting ride of the partisans and italian paratrooper advanced to central Sardinia with the hope to arrive in time to Cagliari. Shots below at the end of axis turn.





Finally a shot of the naval group containing 73-steps central convoy. No chance for the u-boats to oppose to this with their units halved in strength and waiting for repairs in french ports.

Turn 70. June 12, 1943.

Red army continues its offensive in Estonia with the seizure of Tartu. Furthermore, in Pskov it was destroyed a german corps at 5 steps. Anyway, most important offensive actions of the soviets still occurring south of Voronezh. In last alied turn, Wehrmacht casualties as a consequence of the Red army attacks there were 1 panzerkorps, 1 mech and 1 corps. In other things, Kherson was liberated by partisans. Shots below correspond to the start of axis turn.









Axis responded in the north killing a depleted russian corps at 4 steps and in Voronezh destroying 2 mechs and 2 armoured. Furthermore, a leading panzerkorps was able to reach a VVS fighter air base and to destroy it. Numbers of this ongoing summer 1943 campaign are really favourable for axis: 2 panzerkorps and 2 mechs (counting Messe's mech too) lost in axis forces vs 2 soviet tank armies and 5 mechs (including 4 siberian mechs) lost in soviet forces. Anyway, counterpart of all of this for axis is oil situation which is below 50 again. Chisinau was finally taken by axis minor forces. Shots below are at the end of axis turn.









Indian Commonwealth unit landed in last allied turn in Sardinia to help free french forces fighting there. Vichy french garrison was destroyed. Italian corps in Messina was reduced to 4 steps and bombed british X armoured corps landed in Reggio. Images below show allies moves:





Axis moves were to reinforce italian corps in Messina to 9 steps, to move italian paratrooper adjacent to Cagliari for next turn swapping, to sail a garrison from Naples to Cagliari and to bomb again approaching british landing units around Reggio (this turn the unit bombed might be a mech). Shots at the end of axis turn:

Turn 71. July 2, 1943.

Most remarkable thing happening in last allied turn in eastern front was soviet regular units linking with partisan units south of Tartu. No offensive moves elsewhere and soviet tac airbase left at range of german fighter unit in the Don. Two shots view of the entire eastern front at the start of axis turn.





Axis occupied all Don river west bank hexes west of Stalingrad. Furthermore, offensive actions did occur around Rostov where a soviet corps was destroyed and other one was forced to retreat and reduced to 6 steps. Campaign for taking Voronezh also started so Wehrmacht forces destroyed 2 soviet corps and trapped 1 garrison in their way to take the city. Heavy Wehrmacht units started to participate in antipartisan duties in the north. Finnish were active this turn too (sorry, not taken their action in the screenshot but a soviet garrison was reduced to 4 steps). Kherson was retaken by romanians. VVS tac air base attacked for 3 steps. Images below are at the end of axis turn.







Back to the Med now. Cagliari garrison reduced to 4 steps and Messina corps reduced to 2 steps were the result of last allied turn attacks there. Americans are having a hard time in Messina so you check high losses they are taking. As I guessed, bombed landing unit around Reggio, already unload in the rail hub, was a mech. Images below are at the start of axis turn.





Italians made a swapping move in Cagliari and reinforced corps in Messina. German fighter unit in Italy received new aircrafts and tac was upgrades so its range is now 13 hexes. Shots at the end of axis turn.





An image now with the results of strategic allied campaign. Allied bombers started to bomb Paris and Hamburg and allied strategic bomber fleet is now larger: 6 units.

Turn 72. July 22, 1943.

Scarcity of shock units in Red army means no offensive actions made in last allied turn. Soviets will have to recover from having lost their most important land units and that will take a while. Anyway, I don't think the soviets are experiencing PP's issues for doing that. After Kriegsmarine surface was sunk, soviet convoys would have made its way to Murmansk with no problems and on the other hand I finally was not able to strategically bomb any of the soviet important cities for reducing a little PP's so it won't be long until Red army increases significantly the number of units. I think that the only issue that the soviets will experience in late game is the lack of time due to how eastwards axis is achieving to advance even in 1943. I mean that to start steamroller from Don river is not the same thing than to start from Dnepr river. We will see. Shots below are at the start of axis turn.





Axis main target this turn was to take Voronezh. Oil is so scarce that it did not even cross my mind to attack Stalingrad. This way, Luftwaffe focussed in supporting operation in Voronezh and also air strikes were made in Odessa Tolbukhin's garrison and to the soviet corps in Kerch. Voronezh was taken without problems and a 3rd SS mech unit arrived to Kursk. Odessa garrison was reduced to 6 steps and corps in Kerch reduced to 4 steps. Antipartisan action everywhere in the eastern front with a german mech advancing from eastern Poland to face the Red army onslaught in Estonia. Finnish finally destroyed last turn attacked garrison and advanced into the emptied location. Images below are taken at the end of axis turn.







In last allied turn Messina was finally taken by western allies. Battered american mechs were withdrawn so it was I armoured corps and free french forces which finally surrendered the italians. Italian paratrooper in Cagliari was reduced to 5 steps and a free french landing ship appeared in Tyrrhenian sea. Images below are taken at the start of axis turn.





In axis turn, italian paratrooper was reinforced to 8 steps and Luftwaffe was redeployed in northern Italy. Messe's garrison will try to oppose free french landings. Shots below shows referred moves.





Bought another german mech this way reaching 1943 limit of 12 units.