Slitherine

Hello there and welcome to my new AAR.
Zechi kindly agreed to play AAR game with me. Since we both didn't care about side, we rolled a dice and it showed that I will play guys in grey one more time.
My main plan is...Well, thing that I learned playing CEaW is that long term plans cost nothing - when you just follow plan choosen before starting game and ignore opponent's moves, its straight road to defeat. I have some interesting ideas, but they would be announced in their time. For now I want to do more or less traditional axis starting.
My opponent also will soon start his AAR.
One more thing about this AAR - previous one against Supermax (we together decided to stop that game, because it was pretty slow and annoying to play with so different time zones and because both of us lacked time) was probably to detailed - here I would post mostly about interesting things, not about how uboat flotilla 3 attacked convoy on hex 18 12

Anyway, proudly presents...

Germany ,recovered from defeat in 1st World War, now claimed native German provinces from new country of Poland. Polish government refused, so wehrmacht was used as a final solution to this question.
Assault on Poland was very fast and efficient - withing 2 weeks afret start of the war most of polish forces were destroyed and leading german corps approached Warsaw. Stalin's USSR also don't mind to "liberate" some lands in western Ukraine and Belorussia from Poles, so they have no chance against us all.
Picture of operation here.



Fact that Britain and France DoWed Germany was quite a surprise though. Army group "West" was reinforced at once with some forces, initially deployed for Poland.
2 Infantry corps, armour and fighter were added to 2 corps, defending Ruhr region. General Rundstedt arrived to command this force aswell. Now attack on Holland is planned, supported with amphibious invasion



This turn I also purchased 1st lab - air (dog fight). Idea to wait without focus for 1st level of strategic operations can be bad with random research ON and you can wait this way until early '41, which is not okay.

In Poland, some traditional polish counterattacks happened with modest results.



In return I attacked Warsaw with mech, then tac bomber (attack with mech were needed to free a hex to attack polish fighter before sending bomber), then with another mech and finished defenders off with infantry corps. Fighter was used as a source of easy experiece for panzers.
Polish campaign succesfuly finished, veterans receive their medals and so on.



Next turn I am planning to invade Denmark with traditional 2 corps force, supported with FTR, TAC and BB.

In the west...Well, initial idea was to attack France from the north, because attacking fortified Maginot line is bad idea - it was very clear to veterans of WWI like many German generals and leaders. But Holland refused to allow wehrmacht to pass through their lands. Commander of army group "West" general Rundstedt commented, that now, while marching, german soldiers have to make couple of shots.

Arnhem was captured with infantry supported by fighter, while another dutch garrsion corps was destroyed with Panzer, supported by strategic bomber.
Marines are also in place, to attack Hague next turn. Additional bombers deployed from Poland.



This turn 2nd lab was purchased - general (industry).

One of my subs now spying over Halifax, to trace canadian fighter, while another one deploying for atlantic convoy raiding (I moved less then maximal move, to avoid allied sweep, described in Ronnie's tutorial AAR).

Suddenly mud weather in central Europe, despite promised 75% fair.

So Hague holds for now and wehrmacht suffers additional casualties.



Hopefully I would get some fair in october and november later. Denmark invasion forces are all still in place, ready to attack when better weather comes.

Additional ground and air forces were redeployed to the region, prepairing Belgium campaign. (I will launch it on turn 5, if it will be fair, other way - seitzkrieg).

Infantry and armour labs were built for Germany this turn, rest PPs were used to refit some damaged units.

I got fair weather for this turn, so amphibious invasion was finally executed and Hague captured quite easy.
Also I invaded both Belgium and Denmark, though captured none of them.
As a side note, I DoWed Belgium, causing 20 effectiveness penalty for allies, but still french and british fighters, deployed in France, got 1:2 in their favour and 1:1 combat results with my fighter.



Also I spotted Canadian fighter. Looks heavy escorted and would be left alone. Uboats now ordered to go to central origin point near America (it looks like fattest convoys spam there) and sink em all down.

Question to GS experts : is it 3 convoy origin points (american one, upper left corner of the map, where Murmansk one spawns later, and bottom left corner of the map), or there is more?



I don't have focus point yet (by the way, any idea, at what rate they regenerate?), so I delayed build of 5th (naval) lab.

More armour railed from Poland, so if allies decide to fight for Belgium, they can be defeated, despite incoming bad weather season.

Winter arrived to the Europe this turn, and german offencive on Brussels continues, though city hold for now, against fierce attacks of german infantry and armour.





German corps railed from Poland to expoloit Maginot line, since garrison left it, while I think that Zechi would simple rail it back, at least he would be unable to use it, where he wanted.
This turn luftwaffe got better results, engaging allied fighters and its good. While repairing this few steps is minor PP loss for me, its a sensible for weak allied income.
Also BEF spotted (its 1st infantry from England, I am pretty sure, if I see also mech or canadians in France later, I would think about Sealion).

In Denmark end is near aswell, 1 step red garrison only stands between me and Denmark surrender.



Uboat, deploying for convoy raiding, spotted canadian fighter and its escorts again. Hopefully, they would not spot my sub.



This turn I still didn't had focus point, but I had PPs to purchase german fighter instead.

This turn weather was muddy, so my corps attacking Denmark had huge 65% penalty. Garrison reduced to 1 with 0 effectiveness again. At least I suffer no casualties, while burning some british PPs and experiencing troops.

Brussels finally captured - it taken 2 TAC attacks, 3 infantry corps attacks, 2 armour and 1 mech - looks like attacking capitals at bad weater is bad idea. On other side I lost no single ground unit step this time.



British mech spotted - now if I manage to destroy it and infantry, sealion becomes very real. Not like I like doing Sealion, but this BEF is sort of invitation.

35 PP convoy spotted near origin point, and hopefully will be tracked and destroyed with my 3 flotillas.

Still no focus point, so PPs are saved to build tactical bomber next turn.

This turn Denmark was finally forced to surrender.
Also I tracked down convoy, removing some steps (I am doing little axis SUB effectiveness survey in this game, writing down what they destroyed and what damage they taken...There would be some stats posted later).

In the west I had to repair fighters (were at 6 and 8), and to rebase bombers. Next turn I would rebase fighters aswell, to provide CAP, and then hopefully fair weather begins soon. With this not-so-fast Belgian campaign and powerful BEF deployed looks like its better to wait a bit, but make things right way, rather then to be in rush.



Germans purchased tactical bomber this turn, as planned.
Italians got their 1st lab - AIR (no focus).

Nothing worthy picture this turn.
In the west my fighters deployed closer to frontline, as planned. Also new one ready and placed near Cologne.
Since 1940 starts max labs increased to 2, so I purchased 2nd air one.
My forces in the west are ready to launch French campaign on nearest fair turn. Ofcourse it can happen not next turn, but in march or even (very unlikely) in april, but so I would have very high effectiveness and bomber ready, so its OK.
In atlantic convoy tracked down again and destroyed - 35 PPs didn't reach England already.

Fair weather came suddenly this early in the February, so german offencive has started.

Here is a screen of frontline before...



...and after german attacks



Lorrein captured, number of french units destroyed. Though my II Korps (7step one near Lorrein) is somewhat exposed, its only infantry.

I don't know why my opponent deployed british bomber so close to frontline, but I know that it is worthy to attack it with fighter
By the way this turn my tactical bomber scoped great 5:0 combat result, attacking entrenched corps in Lorrein...I didn't think, that this sort of results are possible at all, but it happened.

This turn I finally built 1st naval lab (subs) for Germany.

Well, if I played allies in this game, I would counterattack axis bridgehead near Lorrein, because high chance of bad weather next february axis turn (and it is actually mud) makes it hard for axis to punish french and british forces. Maybe my opponent considered infantry not enough valueable target, or didn't want to risk with 25% chance of fair weather, who knows.
Anyway, now we have mud, axis land and air units refited, additional tactical bomber KG deployed.
When fair comes for long in spring, offencive is ready to continue.



New 32 PP convoy spotted and already attacked. Would be destroyed soon.

After necessary repairs I had no PPs to build any lab, so I didn't.

Fair weather now begins for long, so attack has began.
Results were not great though - I destroyed only british garrison near Reims.
Reims itself holds, despite garrison having 0 effectiveness, also I attacked corps near Lorrein with panzers, attempting to force retreat and exploit a breach, but it received only minor damage.



On a good side, luftwaffe scoped good results attacking allied fighters and armour.
My 8 steps mech is exposed again, but with this damaged tank should be safe.

2nd general lab purchased for Germany, 1st infantry one - for Italy.
Rest PPs were used to buy a sub (hopefully for sealion, but useful anyway).
Convoy, spotted last turn, destroyed.
Totally 77 PPs gone to the bottom of the sea by now.

Still no counterattacks - frontline was just mended as good, as France can do it now. Looks like RAF units retreated back to Britain (or to french ports). So now Britain would not suffer costly fighter step casualties, but I also would not and all this luftwaffe fighters are free to support ground forces.



Offencive continues. Stubborn corps, holded its ground near Lorrein last turn, now forced to retreat and almost destroyed.
Reims captured aswell as one more french infantry desroyed.



German soldiers fighting for Reims :



Troops, including BEF. holding line betweeb Antwerp and Lille now expected to retreat (and be pursued, because they would lose entrenchment and this good position across river). If not, they can be pocketed quite easily.

This turn in fact I forgotten to buy a lab for Germany, but we would call this "saving PPs for 4th TAC" now hehe

Allies launched local counterattack, to recapture Reims from my panzer korps, but they had no air or tank support and only reduced it to 5 steps.



In return german offencive continues, british mech destroyed aswell as french corps, wehrmacht is closer and closer to Paris, also pocketing this troops north of Lille becomes very real, if they would not retreat. General Auchinleck got minor wound in action near Reims and will return in 1 turn.
By the way french tank receives more and more damage from german bombers, while doing nothing useful.



4th tactical bomber group purchased this turn, now its time to build labs finally, I am already slow with them.

Organised allied defence in France finally collapsed, and wehrmacht prepairs attack on Paris.
Also I moved some units to ZoC various fleeding allied units, so they can't rail now. Paris was attacked by TAC bomber, taking 1 step of defenders and good deal of effectiveness (around 70 -> 53)



French tank dispatched near Reims :



My subs fast destroyed convoy (small one this time, only 13) and now heading for channel, to block together with one new built (ready next turn).
Finally purchased 2nd armour lab for germany, infantry one is next.

Now first challenge for me is to organise both Sealion and defence of Lybia at same time (well, its unlikely, that britts would be offencive, while I attack their homeland, but they can and initial allied force in norther africa destroy initial italians pretty easy). And I want some italian corps (because of separate invasion limit) and bomber to take part in sealion, aswell as I want Italian commander here.

I think that couple of german corps + fighter would be send to Lybia for now, later this force would be expanded and probably even receive some offencive orders (unlikely though, I deffinetely don't have resources for Barbarossa + Sealion + offencive african campaign, and weak barbarossa is almost straight road to defeat).

France almost defeated - british corps left , while various garrisons launch suicidal attacks on my forces (somewhere surprisely effective).



After 2 TAC bomber attack, Paris was captured easily with german panzergrenadiers, after panzers cleared hexes near the city.

So Fall of France occured, and general Rundstedt promoted to field marshal for this campaign.



Same day in Berlin plans for future war were discussed. Some generals considered landing in England risky and costly, unnecessary operation. Number of plans of attacking various more or less pro-allied countries were offered instead, but Hitler himself stopped the discussion : "You, generals, have no sence in politcs and you always make simple things complicated way. Its Britain and France, who declared war on us, and France is already defeated. Britain is near, its alone and its weak - so go and conquer it, or shall I lead my armies myself "

So Sealion now prepaired, lucky I have 4 subs and 4 tacs (4th ready next turn) to fulfill dictator's demands. I have repaired already some infantry, which would next turn march to ports, and then load into transports to form 1st landing wave (around 6 german corps and 1 italian)



UF returning from combar patrol in atlantic spotted almost entire RN escorting convoy. I hope that my subs would be worthy protection against this BBs.



Probably inspired by fall of France, Italy joins axis right this turn.

I purchased 2nd air lab for Italians, and 2nd infantry one for Germany.

France has fallen, but BEF units still sits around. Garrison, supported by fresh french partisan (looks like some ot them refused to surrender) in Orleans and BEF infantry in Bordeux.
Well, less units to fight in England.



Airforce was repaired and ready to be redeployed next turn, 1st wave infatry also ready at their ports. Also italian bombers flying to france aswell, while italian commander Graziani was assigned on infantry corps in northern Italy and would be railed to the west next turn. Also RN sub spotted blocking chanel.



Italian fighter sent to Lybia, and while stopped on Sicily spotted that Malta fighter being repaired instead of evacuation (its partly a sign of no aggressive allied plans in the MED).

Early morning german DD task force entered channel, to check reports about british subs. Subs were spotted and coordinates transmitted to luftwaffe, while DDs retreated back to the Antwerp after combat.
It was the opening move of operation "Sealion" just started.

German DD Z20 Karl Galster in la Manche:



Part of the channel was more or less blocked with uboats, and 5 leading infantry corps ready to land and create a beachhead.



My preparaitions were spotted finally this turn with british SAC, deployed close to the shores, but in return I had an opportunity to attack this air unit with my fighters. If Zechi would use it to block some landings, it will receive even higher damage.

2nd wave of landing will include 2 mechs, some inf and maybe 1 tank. Think is not to overcommit forces, because after fall or London britts can't even deploy units in their isles.

XII infantry corps was railed to be shipped for Lybia this turn, XIII would follow next turn.

As a side show, commando landing in northern Britain seeks for unprotected cyties and spotted one.



My 2 atlantic uboats were to slow to take part in channel blocking this turn, but they were able to spot RN task force and damage a BB.



Britts still sits in France, while germans invade thir homeland...Thats okay, they would be done with later.

Italians got 2nd infantry lab (2th total). Time to build industry ones and they can switch on unit production.

Well, despite this powerful BEF deployed my opponent managed to block all possible beaches.



Before abandoning any idea of Sealion and retreating I decided to test my luck and attacked british bomber with 9 step german fighter. It was intercepted with british 7 step fighter, and it lost 3 steps. I send another 8 step fighter for it, and it lost 2 more. After 1:0 combat with my BB and 1:1 with DD this canadian fighter disappeared. Additional Iron Crosses given to this men of Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine, made my landing real.



Most of other combat results were not this great, subs scored quite bad rolls and were unable to sink RN BB (1step now) with all air support provided, but RN already damaged quite good, aswell as RAF - britts don't have PPs now to repair all this.

Also Italian sub detected MED RN task force and engaged it. Every bit helps now.

Even if not succesful in Sealion, I would harm britts as much, as I can.

He will not be able to stop you if you continue, he doesn't have any real combat units in Britain having sent them to France (and not enough PP's either).

But you do need to trade amount spent vs Barbarossa build up.

cheers from a Sealion advocate

Duncan