Slitherine

Hi,
This AAR is between me (Axis) and Kaibag73. I love to play very aggressively with the Axis and in this game providence (and german armours) gave me an opportunity to do so. I will try to do something rather extreme and both me and my opponent think it might be interesting.

Summary of the past events:
- Low Countries and Norway were double blitzed in '39
- Warsaw fall on turn 4
- French were unable to build defense line in time, so Rouen was taken on turn 5
- Paris was surrounded till we got foothold in North Africa (Tunis), Vichy was rejected
- Greece and Yugo were taken in autumn/winter season of '40

Here is the situation in February '41:

No opposition in NA.


Preparing for Barbarossa.


8th Army captured all of Libia.


Casualties up to now.


The plan is to attack both Russia and Middle East in '41. To do so I will try to capture Turkey in 3-4 turns just before Barbarossa.
Why it might succeed? Best British units are in Libia and can't rail, there will be an uprising in Iraq at the same time and my opponent shoudn't expect it at all, so maybe he will panic.

Screen taken just before the invasion of Turkey. In transport there are two infs (both with offensive leaders, one was ss'ed) and an armour.

I have to say that this is one of the most ambitious axis strategies that I've seen. Rejection of the French armistice, activation of Spain, invasion of Turkey and a '41 Barbarossa. It'll be interesting to see how all this turns out.

So the invasion begins. The trick is to land units in proper order to reveal all of Turkish troops.



We try to create supply line from Isbanbul to Ankara. Enemy FTR is hit by STR and we make a para drop to make it retreat (actually this time it was destroyed).
There is very small chance of capturing Istanbul on the first turn, but it's not really necessary.

4th of April before Axis moves:

Very interesting. It may be a bit overambitious, though. Are you planning to pin the Allies in Libya or intercept their transports if they try to withdraw? I don't think that your opponent expects you to attack Russia and the ME at the same time.

Well well Minor!

Believe me guys, this one is as agressive as me and Moriss. Sometimes i even feel like i am playing against good ol' Moriss.

I am currently playing 2 games with him, which i most enjoy. One is a Fortress Europa by me (3rd time the charm, looking good by the way) and the other is the agressive axis of minor against my allies.

Very strong tactical and strategic player that minor!

I will enjoy watching this AAR. I love it when people try different stuff. Ive always been tempted at doing something with Turkey, but always ruled it out because of the big assle it is to conquer. I look forward to see how its done so i can re-use this in my next axis game.

Looks very promising. If you are in position with troops on the Turkish-Russian border to instagrab Baku area on Barbarossa start it could be a gamewinner! Even in the Russian piles up defences they will be too weak due to the massive efficiency drop.

Not mentionning the fact that they will have a serious oil problem if they loose the Caucasus early...

It won't be easy, though. I'm sure that the Allied player will place many units in the Caucasus and there are many easily defensible hexes there. Also, the Axis' push will be weaker in Ukraine and Belarus. Still, it's worth the risk and this strategy is a novelty, so I'm sure that it confuse the Allied player!

Turkey option is always difficult, let´s hope the allied player doesn´t place 5 russian tanks, 10 mechs and supporting infantry at the russian border. Then this war will be over rather quick. Or do you intend not to attack Russia until surrender of Turkey?

This plan might be difficult if you didn´t destroy the 8th army in Libya, if not engaged in Tobruk they will probably cuase some trouble in Turkey

There is no time to place units on Causasus border.

Part of the 8th Army tried to storm Mareth, the rest is somewhere near Tobruk, 2 Australian infs were railed to Turkey. I can't intercept transports on sea, RN is very powerful, but it will take them a lot of time to get to the front.



I'd love to see all of Russian elite units sent to Turkey. They would have to fight on those muddy hills with Luftwaffe operating from med weather hexes. And who would defend Moscow?

24th of April, we advance a little. Istanbul was taken, so next turn we'll have level 4 supply in Anatolia.
The plan is to flank Ankara with our elite units.



Iraqi uprising starts, but it's rather a disappointment.



In the west Casablanca is taken and Spain joins. Just in time, don't have to postpone Barbarossa.



13th of May, before Axis moves...



and after:



Time for Russia!

So you took Turkey in 3 turns, that is really good progress.

it is impressive about Turkey ! Since Turkey is seldom Dowed , so anything happen in Turkey is interesting . But actually it seems the Axis played too aggressive & you will have to make a weaker Babarosa , If you face a veteran , you will probably meet serious situation in the first severewinter in Russia .But according to the performance of Allies in Turkey , You may look forward to Allies more mistakes .

Any way , it is a gamble ! Good luck !

Its a very interesting ploy, but it will only work once against a beginner and will have trouble against an experienced player who thinks about it a bit! (unlike me )

richardsd wrote:Its a very interesting ploy, but it will only work once against a beginner and will have trouble against an experienced player who thinks about it a bit! (unlike me )

You are quite experienced ! I am the one who had been defeated by your smart Allies !

Morris wrote:

richardsd wrote:Its a very interesting ploy, but it will only work once against a beginner and will have trouble against an experienced player who thinks about it a bit! (unlike me )

You are quite experienced ! I am the one who had been defeated by your smart Allies !

I made the mistake of being a little to aggressive in my defence of Turkey, better to just occupy the east of Turkey with allied troops and let the axis fight there way through

richardsd wrote:

Morris wrote:

richardsd wrote:Its a very interesting ploy, but it will only work once against a beginner and will have trouble against an experienced player who thinks about it a bit! (unlike me )

You are quite experienced ! I am the one who had been defeated by your smart Allies !

I made the mistake of being a little to aggressive in my defence of Turkey, better to just occupy the east of Turkey with allied troops and let the axis fight there way through

You still has great chance to defeat Axis in Russia since the babarosa looks easier than mine . Good luck !

Upadate - 1942 January 28th

Soviet front:





Middle East:




Axis surface fleet almost got trapped by the Allies:


So all of the Middle Eastern oil is secured. We got income of 204 pps and 80 oil per turn, but have to fight on many fronts. Too many, I'm afraid

I see there's a new terrain type (?) around Archangel.

Yes it is Tundra. Supply level 2.

Despite severe winter Russian front is pretty static (lost 2 romanian corps over 2 turns), so Axis tries to capture Persia.

8th of March, '42 pre move:

after Axis moves: