Slitherine

Berlin – June 20 1941 – Hauptquartier der Deutschen Wehrmacht

Two weeks ago Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath obtained the military power of the whole German Wehrmacht together with the immense burden to decisively win this war that was started by Germany in the year 1939.
The Generalfeldmarschall is sitting at his desk and studies again and again the master plan that he has prepared in the last days.

In his opinion the Nazi regime was totally crazy to send nearly all soldiers to the east and begin a war with Russia while in the west the old arch enemy England is still undefeated and gathers his powers to strike back.

But now it is too late. Barbarossa can’t be stopped anymore. The Russians already have realized the threat and mobilize the Red Army. The German Wehrmacht has to attack.

The perfect work of the German intelligence provided a very clear order of battle showing the enemy troops in Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa. This map is the base for the German strategy in the next years.
Generalfeldmarschall von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is looking at the cover of his master plan.
Hagen was the knight that killed the German hero Siegfried, the dragon slayer. Siegfried was invulnerable due to a bath in dragon blood but Hagen found out that there was a single weak point at the shoulder of Siegfried where a leave of a tree had prevented the dragon blood to work. Hagen stabbed Siegfried with a spear from behind.

Some people would say it was not an honorable act from Hagen to trick Siegfried and kill him from behind. But von Straublitz-Lüttenrath has a different opinion. Heroes fight for honor. But Hagen was no hero. He was a soldier. And if soldiers find out the weak point of the enemy they do what has to be done. Kill the enemy and win the war!

The enemy is the British Empire with all its resources and colonies and with the overwhelming economic power of the United States of America in the backhand. The enemy is the Russian Empire with its millions of Red Army soldiers, its vast country and the extreme winters that can easily eat up complete armies. But Generalfeldmarschall von Straublitz-Lüttenrath thinks he has found the weak point of the enemies. And he has decided to strike hard and to strike immediately.

He is taking the telephone. A silent voice can be heard: “Ihre Befehle, Herr Generalfeldmarschall?”

Generalfeldmarschall von Straublitz-Lüttenrath pauses two seconds looking at the picture of Hagen: „Angriff!“

Cool. I'm looking forward to reading your AAR.

Did you play through the earlier missions and bring a core force with you?

I am also replaying and will compare my progress with yours. But i am sure you will far outpace me as i have little free time to play. Good luck!

Berlin – June 21 1941 – Hauptquartier der Deutschen Wehrmacht

Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is looking at some big maps that are covering a wall in his office showing his masterplan Hagen. Now all the orders were given and the Axis troops in whole Europe are moving.
The first map is showing the military targets for phase one of Hagen.

The German Reich and its allied Axis powers are surrounded by a military and economic beast consisting of the British Empire and Russian Empire. To avoid a long war on two frontlines it is necessary to finish the British immediately. The invasion of England and the Near East is mandatory. After that the Russian bear will be hunted down by attacking him on three frontlines.

Main targets are the valuable oil fields in the Near East and the Caucasus. They will be captured as soon as possible. With these oil fields the German Wehrmacht can support its units for decades. And the economic power of the Allies will be strongly decreased. The plan is to capture the oil fields near Baghdad latest mid of 1942. The oil fields in the Caucasus shall be captured in winter 42/43.

The capturing of Malta and Kiev are the secondary targets.
To prepare the army moves it is necessary to get the naval superiority in:
English Channel: The German fleet from France west coast will be repaired. The submarines are called back from the Atlantic to support. The German fleet from Kiel will be prepared to enter the Channel from the east.
Baltic Sea: Destroyers will be sent north to hunt down all Russian submarines.
East Mediterranean Sea: The Italian fleet will clean the sea supported by extensive German and Italian bomber forces.
Mediterranean Sea around Malta and Sicily: The Italian fleet will clean the sea supported by German and Italian bombers.
Operation Speer
This is the main goal of the first phase of Hagen. Capture Cyprus with Fallschirmjäger from Crete. The airport on Cyprus is mandatory for all operations in the Near East. Gather strong invasion troops in Greece and transport them via naval transport to the coast of Aleppo. The city will be the German beach head in the Near East. This goal has to be reached in winter 41/42. From the beach head it is planned to strike in 1942 deep in the Near East (Hagen’s spear stabbing the weak point between the Red Army and the British troops) to Baghdad to capture the oil fields and prepare the invasion of the Caucasus from the south. Additionally a small force will move south to capture the important airport of Beirut.

Risks: There is a strong British naval fleet in the East Mediterranean Sea that could intercept the German naval transports. The air support in the Near East is difficult. From Beirut no fighters can reach the area of Baghdad thus the tactical and strategical bombers will attack without fighter protection until the airport of Baghdad is captured.

Operation Seelöwe
Strong German forces will be gathered at the French coast. The beach head will be set up south of London. Most of the Axis planes will fight in the Mediterranean theater. That means there will be an air superiority off the British in the Channel. Thus the attack on England will start with the first snow to keep the RAF out of the game as long as possible. Additionally many 88 Flak units will be installed at the French coast and will be part of the invasion forces.

Risks: The extremely strong British fleet from Scapa Flow will attack south. If they can overwhelm our fleet in the eastern part of the Channel the whole invasion will fail. In spring 42 strong British bomber forces will also attack.

Malta
Bombing of Malta will start immediately but the bombers have priority on attacking enemy naval vessels first. In winter 41/42 the German hero Rudel with his Stukas will be transferred from the eastern front to Malta to finish the fort in spring 1942.

The eastern front
All our activities in the west and in the south east will be paid by our eastern front. Most of our Panzer troops, artillery and elite infantry troops will be transferred to France and to Greece. Thus in the east we will attack only in the direction of Minsk to encircle some Russian armies and on Odessa at the Black Sea. Riga will be captured (but not hold) to transport German troops to Finland to support the attack on Kiev from the north. A strong defense line with deeply entrenched Pak and infantry will be set up in fall 1941 at the east border of Poland and in the Carpathian Mountains.

Risks: Strong Red Army forces could try to rush west and crush the defense line in Poland in winter 41/42 when all rivers are frozen.
The OKW is confident that this strategy will lead to a decisive victory about the British and the Russians latest in 1945.

I really like your strategy - especially with regards to getting the oil fields of the Middle East. For me, that was the hardest and longest lasting part of my original playthrough. In comparison, the capture of Britain was easier!

I think i will adopt this strategy for my current playthrough - capturing Crete and trying to use that as a springboard to land at Aleppo.

Sounds bold - good luck!

- BNC

Berlin – January 04 1942 – Hauptquartier der Deutschen Wehrmacht

Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is reading the newest reports about the operations Speer and Seelöwe.

Operation Speer

As the main strike of the masterplan Hagen, the landing on Cyprus and the coast near Aleppo has highest priority. Mainly German infantry, artillery and Panzer troops were shipped from the harbors in Greece to the coast of Aleppo. It took several weeks to prepare the troops and transfer them from the eastern front to Greece.

In the meantime the Italian fleet supported by German and Italian bomber forces have cleaned the eastern Mediterranean Sea from British naval vessels.

The German Fallschirmjäger divisions from Crete captured the vital airport on Cyprus and will soon attack Nicosia. The Fallschirmjägers payed a high price with more than 50% casualties. The OKW has proposed the commander of the Fallschirmjägers Major Steiner and his leading officers for the Iron Cross.

The coast of Aleppo was protected by two British destroyer fleets that were destroyed by the Italian battleships. Our invasion troops commanded by General Kesselring landed safely near Aleppo and start to encircle the city.
Operation Seelöwe

The invasion of England commanded by General von Runstedt is going in its critical phase. The first Panzer troops landed south of London. And more troops are ready to land in the next hours. The snowy weather helped the German troops and the Kriegsmarine not to be detected too early.

The OKW has transferred the best elite troops from the eastern front to build the spearhead of the attack. Grenadiers, Pioneers, Panzers and artillery. The Karl mortar is bombarding a strongpoint south of London to open the way to London.

The strong British fort at the southern coast will for sure inflict heavy damage under the stormtroops that will land now. A Pioneer division will immediately attack the fort.

The strong British fleet in Scapa Flow is expected to attack our eastern fleet soon. We try to transfer more submarines from the west to the east but British sea mines (and our own ships) slow down our submarines.
Attack on Leningrad

After clearing the Baltic Sea from Russian submarines the OKW has transferred German troops to Finland to attack together with Finnish troops the important city of Leningrad from the north avoiding the strong Red Army tank troops south of Leningrad.

The Axis troops have to fight slowly through deeply entrenched infantry to reach the fort north of Leningrad. After the fort is destroyed it should be possible to reach the northern border of Leningrad soon.

A German/Finnish bomber fleet will support this attack to suppress the Russian fort and artillery as often as possible.

The German hero Rudel with his Stuka squad has already left the battle of Leningrad to fly to Malta and begin bombing of Malta in spring 1942.

The Eastern Front

All our Herresgruppen in the east are currently not operational for far-reaching attacking strategies. The best infantry troops, heavy artillery and all medium Panzer troops were transferred to the harbors of France and Greece. Also the main cores of the Luftwaffe were transferred to the Mediterranean theater. The Heeregruppen mainly consist of infantry, light tanks, light artillery, Flak and antitank units.

Heeresgruppe Nord commanded by General Guderian mainly supports the attack on Leningrad.
Heeresgruppe Mitte commanded by General Hoth has attacked the Russians on the whole front line and mainly destroyed the Russian air force. After that the Heeresgruppe entrenched in safe positions to await an expected strong Russian counter attack in winter 1941/1942.
Heeresgruppe Süd commanded by General von Manstein, Romanian, Italian and Hungarian allies attacked and captured Odessa at the Black Sea. If a strong Russian counter attack will hit the Heeresgruppe Mitte the Heeresgruppe Süd is in a good position to strike north in the back of the attacking Red army forces and crush several Russian Armies between the two Herresgruppen. This plan was suggested by General von Manstein.

Afrika Korps

General Rommel is repelling the armored British attacks east of Tobruk. The Afrika Korps was enforced with one Gebirgsjäger division and two 88 Pak/Flak divisions.

Global summery

Our attacks on the Near East, England and Leningrad are striding ahead like planned.

The main duties in the next six month:
Capture Aleppo and strike east with maximum speed to reach Baghdad and the oil fields as soon as possible.
Capture Beirut and the airport to support the attack on Baghdad with our bombers.
Build a stable bridge head in southern England. Repel the attacks of the British Scapa Flow fleet. Try to break out of the bridge head where it is possible. Repel the RAF in spring 1942 mainly with our strong Flak batteries.
Capture Leningrad and Pedrozavodsk.
Defend the position of the Afrika Korps followed by the capturing of Tobruk.
Defend the weakened eastern front from Königsberg in the north to Odessa in the south.

Berlin – August 01 1942 – Hauptquartier der Deutschen Wehrmacht

Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is reading the newest reports about the battles in the Near East, England, Russia and Africa. In general the Generalfeldmarschall is satisfied with the progress of the war. England will not withstand the German invasion but the British are fighting for every forest, every hill and each village. So the Wehrmacht is losing time in England. Also the invasion of the Near East is delayed due to the difficult terrain and fierce British resistance. But Rommel is very successful in Africa. Malta in under Italian control and the fight of Leningrad also looks good.

Operation Speer

General Kesselring is doing a risky Blitzkrieg attack on Baghdad. The main Axis core has crossed the Tigris River in Mosul and is currently bypassing mine fields and the city of Kirkuk to reach the airport north of Baghdad as quickly as possible. Without this airport the German and Italian bomber fleets are attacking without fighter protection from the airport of Beirut. The defense of British colonial troops is strong and the movement in the desert is slow.

A second weaker Axis army is moving to Baghdad south of the Tigris River. It will take at least three more month to capture Baghdad, the oil fields, Nadjaf and Kirkuk.
A clear drawback was that a British battle fleet was able to enter the eastern Mediterranean Sea through the Suez channel. The channel was blocked by Italian submarines but these submarines went out of ammunition and had to go to Beirut to resupply. It took immense numbers of Axis planes and a lot of time to find all British ships and destroy them from the air. Planes that should have better be used to support the quick attack on Baghdad. We also fear that British submarines have sneaked in the Mediterranean Sea.

Nevertheless the OKW already rates the operation Speer as a big strategic long-term success.

Operation Seelöwe

The invasion of England commanded by General von Runstedt is going well but the German Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine paid with high casualties. For example a complete Pioneer division that should attack the strong fort south of London was annihilated after the landing without having any chance to shoot back. All invasion troops were under heavy fire in winter 1941/1942.

The most critical moment came in March 1942 when the British Scapa Flow fleet washed away the German Kriegsmarine in the eastern Channel and even started to bombard our invasion troops in England. In parallel the RAF started more and more successful attacks on our troops while still the break out from the beach head did not yet take place.
But Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath was confident that the attack of the British fleet came too late. Even if the British would have been able to block the Channel completely the German Wehrmacht already had landed 4 Panzer divisions, 8 infantry divisions, 4 artillery divisions and 3 Flak/Pak divisions. The leading strategist of the Wehrmacht confirmed that these troops will be powerful enough to capture England if General von Runstedt will not do a capital fault. And von Runstedt is not the man to do such faults.

Until August 1942 it was possible to capture London and Plymouth after heaviest fighting. Attacks on Cardiff and Birmingham will start soon.
The British Scapa Flow fleet was stopped by heroic German destroyers and battleships that slowed down the fleet until two fresh German U-Boot Flotillen reached the eastern Channel. The submarines, some strategic bombers and the remaining battleships Admiral Hipper and Tirpitz outmaneuvered and finally neutralized the British fleet. The Hipper and the Tirpitz even escaped the British submarines that reached the battlefield too late.

Attack on Leningrad

The Axis army has defeated the strong Russian defense north of Leningrad and has already captured the northern part of the city fighting house by house, room by room, cellar by cellar.

General Guderian has decided that a successful attack on the airport of Leningrad – and especially to hold these airfields against the Russian T34 tanks – requires German Panzer troops. Thus currently the infantry is set to defense while in Helsinki two Panzer battalions have landed to support the attack soon. The Russian tank troops and artillery east of Leningrad are continuously attacked by German and Finnish bombers to suppress their dangerous counter attacks.
The Eastern Front

Heeresgruppe Nord commanded by General Guderian still mainly supports the attack on Leningrad.
General Hoths Heeresgruppe Mitte is in safe defense positions. The counter attack in winter 1941/ 1942 did not hit the Heeresgruppe Mitte.
Heeresgruppe Süd commanded by General von Manstein was fully hit by a Russian counter attack and had to defend Odessa for the whole winter. It was necessary to send von Manstein substantially enforcements – mainly troops from Heeresgruppe Mitte and new troops from Hungary, Romania and Italy – to hold his lines. In spring 1942 von Manstein was slowly able to switch back to attack trying to reach the city Nikolayev until fall 1942 what would open the gate to the Crimea and the important city and fortress Sevastopol.

Afrika Korps

General Rommel repelled the British armored attacks with a clever strategy, captured Tobruk and Mersa Maruth. Now he is preparing to attack Egypt.
Rudel and his Stukas quickly defeated the fort of Malta and the island was captured by Italian infantry. Rudel is now already on the way to England to support von Runstedts invasion troops in the final battles in North-England.


Global summery

Our attacks on the Near East, England and Leningrad are striding ahead. Capturing the Near East takes more time than planned. But it is worth the effort because the strategic price will be the oil fields of Iraq and the open gates to the Caucasus.

The main duties in the next six month:
Capture Baghdad and the oil fields.
Send same troops from Iraq back to the west to support the attack on Egypt from the east.
Send the main core north to invade the Caucasus from the south.
Capture whole England
Capture and hold Leningrad.
Attack Egypt from the west.
Defend the weakened eastern front from Königsberg in the north to Odessa in the south.
Start the invasion of Russia from north, south and west in 1943.

Berlin – February 27 1943 – Hauptquartier der Deutschen Wehrmacht

Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is reading the newest reports about the battles in the Near East, England, Russia and Africa. The Generalfeldmarschall is excited. So many victories happened in the second half of 1942. The war is going well. But the Allies have surprised the OKW in North Africa.

Operation Speer
Victory in Iraq! General Kesselring has captured Baghdad, the oil fields, and Kirkuk. Nadjaf will fall soon. The main core of his army is already on the way north and entered the Caucasus. The bad mountain roads decrease the speed of the Wehrmacht extremely. Kesselring is counting the days until his invasion force will reach the plains south of Baku and start to attack the city. After Baku the troops can speed up on good roads to attack the Soviet Union from the south.

Operation Speer as finished to 50% as two oil fields from four are now in German hand. The economic benefits from these oil fields will be a big advantage for the fights in the next years in Russia and Africa.

Operation Seelöwe
Victory in England! In winter 1942/1943 the mainland of the British Empire surrendered.

The fight of Leningrad
Victory in Leningrad! The Axis army has captured the whole city fighting house by house, room by room, cellar by cellar and is now defending the city against fierce Russian counter attacks. This battle is of strategic importance binding at least 10 Red Army tank divisions and countless infantry divisions in the north while the main strike against the Soviet Union is coming from the south and the west.

The Russians were successful to recapture Pedrozavodsk in the very north from the Finnish army and start a counter attack to the west that could be a danger for our troops in Leningrad. General Guderian has sent Wehrmacht and Finish divisions in the endless northern woods to counter the counter attack.

The Eastern Front
Heeresgruppe Nord commanded by General Guderian mainly defends Leningrad.
General Hoths Heeresgruppe Mitte is starting the attack on Russia from the west.
Heeresgruppe Süd commanded by General von Manstein defended Odessa for the whole year 1942. Von Manstein started to attack east in spring 1942 but due to heavy Russian resistance it was still not possible to reach the city Nikolayev and the gate to the Crimea.

Afrika Korps
In November 1942 surprisingly the Americans started an invasion of the western coast of Africa. Generalfeldmarschall Rommel (he was promoted for his outstanding success against the British in Tobruk) was ordered to immediately stop all preparations for his attack on Egypt. His duty is to move to Tunis and repel the Anglo-American invasion.

The OKW is in great worries about this invasion because it is a danger for all our plans in Africa and even Near East. If the Americans can capture Tunis they even could try to invade Italy opening an additional front against the Axis. This has to be prevented by all means. Immediately troops from Italy and France were sent to Tunisia. And a brand new heavy tank division with Tiger tanks was handed over to Rommel to defend Tunisia. But the American fleet broke the Italian naval defense line between Sardinia and Tunisia and now has the control about the Tunisian coast. We have currently only infantry, one Pak and three 88er Flak/Pak divisions in Tunisia. We try to entrench these troops in good positions near the Kasserine Pass. These troops have no chance to defend Tunisia if they stay in the plains near Tunis against the armored Allied forces and the bombardment of the Anglo-American fleet.
The situation is currently very critical. The OKW is gathering bomber forces to attack the Anglo-American fleet and submarines because the Italian fleet is by far not powerful enough the fight the Allies. Italian submarines are repaired on Sardinia and will soon move back to the battle again. Enforcements with tanks and artillery are coming on the coastal road from Tobruk but they will need much more time to reach Tunis.

Urgent update: On 27.02.43 the bad news came in that our troops were not able to reach the Kasserine Pass. The Americans have already crossed the pass and intercepted our mounted forces causing a lot of casualties on the Axis side.

The OKW relies on the outstanding tactical skills of Generalfeldmarschall Rommel to defend Tunisia in the next weeks in this difficult situation.

Global summery
After England is defeated it is necessary to start the invasion of the Soviet Union and prevent the Americans to reach Tunis.
The main duties in the next six month:
Capture the Caucasus and the two oil fields.
Move troops from England to Russia and Tunisia.
Resupply Rommel in Tunisia against the upcoming attack of the Anglo-American armies.
Hold Leningrad.
Attack Palestine from the east and move to the Suez Channel.
Enforce the front from Königsberg in the north to Odessa in the south with troops and set them to attack.

This is really enjoyable. Keep the reports coming!

Good reports - a nice dynamic writing style. I was getting quite excited by the last one.

Rome – September 25 1943 – Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Reichsmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is enjoying the perfect view on Rome from a hill in Montemario. After a hard day of working he is relaxing in the fresh evening air, drinking a Cappucino. The Reichsmarschall travelled some month ago from Berlin to Rome to organize the mandatory supplies for Rommel’s Afrika Corps from Italy. And in case the battle in Tunisia would be lost von Straublitz-Lüttenrath would use his influence on the Italian government not to do a hasty thoughtless step. The Reichsmarschall is sitting down at the table and reads the reports, Rommel has sent him today about the battle of Tunisia, and the OKW reports from all other front lines.

Battle of Tunisia, Operation Palm, by Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel

13.03.1943, Tunis, Hauptquartier des Afrika Korps

Are in dramatic situation. American infantry stopped our approach to Kasserine Pass and our Pak and Flak is fighting and retreating in the hills east of pass.

American motorized troops were spotted near Annaba at Tunisian coast. From there it is only a short way to reach Tunis on coastal road.

Ordered three infantry divisions (2 Italian, 1 Wehrmacht) to slow American advance. My three valuable 88er divisions have to retreat. Can’t survive against infantry and I will need them when American tanks are coming. Need tanks and artillery to build a working defense line. American fleet has sunk so many of my supplies.

Malta makes the difference!!! American fleet broke through to Malta and if Malta would still be in Allied hands they would have strong fighter protection against our bomber raids. But with Malta in our hands our bombers can do continuous damage on enemy fleet.

Try to sneak in my Tiger division from north and an artillery division from south with naval transports. There are American submarines and bombers in the area. Unthinkable if they again sink my transport ships. Without any tanks and artillery Americans will overwhelm us soon in Tunisia.

Von Straublitz-Lüttenrath himself is in Rome. If I would lose Tunis he will do the necessary steps that the Axis will not lose Italy.
I need my tanks and my artillery soon ... at least tanks!!!
…

13.04.1943, Tunis, Hauptquartier des Afrika Korps

Americans finally have kicked us out of the hills and we retreat to the east. Fear that their tanks are coming soon. Their bombers already arrived. At least we have air superiority. I have to sleep more but find no time.

Finally ... relief and good news. My Tigers have landed and also an Italian Saharan Infantry division. But nearly Americans got them at the sea. Now I have a chance. Furthermore an artillery division reached harbor of Sfax in south Tunisia. Hope to transport the artillery to Tunis before Americans close circle around Tunis.
…

12.06.1943, Tunis, Wehrmacht Hospital

That was close!!! I was on way to the airport when suddenly American infantry attacked my troops and my car. Got a graze at my left arm. Not serious. Italian Saharan division holding the coastal road was defeated and suddenly road was free for Americans to rush to Tunis. I have to organize a new defense line at border of the city now. But my best troops are too far away.

…

01.07.1943, Tunis, Hauptquartier des Afrika Korps

We can breathe again. City was saved in the last minute and now defense line with Tigers and my IIIN tanks is pressing Americans slowly back west. Our bombers neutralized Anglo-American fleet. Axis Airforce has clear air superiority. Can win this battle now and have time to think about Egypt.

...

24.09.1943, Kasserine Pass

Finally reached Kasserine Pass that we wanted to reach already in February. American tanks divisions are decimated by our infantry and tactical bombers in hilly terrain. Tigers have reached the pass. Tunis is safe!!! The Mediterranean Sea is safe!!! I hand over battle to my deputy and leave to the second important ongoing battle in Africa. Back to Egypt.
Operation Speer
Victory in the Caucasus! General Kesselring has captured Baku and the important oil field. Now he is on the way to Grozny to capture the second oil field in the Caucasus and finish the operation Speer.

Operation Seelöwe
After the successful end of operation Seelöwe the main core of troops is transported back to the east. Especially the Fw 190 A-5 squads are urgently needed against the strengthened Russian tactical bombers and fighters at the eastern front.

The fight of Leningrad
General Guderian is holding Leningrad and binding several Red Army tank divisions and infantry divisions in the north.
The Wehrmacht recaptured Pedrozavodsk in the very north.

The Eastern Front
Heeresgruppe Nord commanded by General Guderian mainly defends Leningrad and supports Heeresgruppe Mitte near Smolensk.
General Hoth’s Heeresgruppe Mitte has captured Minsk and now is approaching to Smolensk. At Smolensk we expect strong Red Army resistance to prevent the Axis to reach the roads that lead to Moscow.
Heeresgruppe Süd commanded by General von Manstein has captured Kiew and is now on the way to Kursk. Also at Kursk we expect strong Red Army resistance to prevent the Axis to reach the roads that lead to Moscow. Von Manstein’s troops also have reached the Crimea and will soon start to invade the peninsula.

Afrika Korps
Generalfeldmarschall Rommel has repelled the Anglo-American invasion of northern Africa. Additionally in August 1943 Rommel ordered to start the attack on Egypt. Wehrmacht Panzer troops crossed the Suez channel from the east to invade Egypt. From the west Rommel is attacking the strong British defense line near Alexandria with bomber and artillery forces.

Global summery
Out masterplan operation Hagen is working well. If the Axis can end the war against the British and the Americans in Africa soon we can focus on the last remaining enemy Russia in the next years.

The main duties in the next six month:
Recapture the whole African coast from the Americans and kick them out of the war.
Invade Egypt and win the war against the British Empire.
Hold Leningrad. Attack Smolensk and Kursk. Capture Grozny and the whole Caucasus.

Minsk – April 23 1944 – Hauptquartier der Wehrmacht für den Ostfeldzug

Reichsmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is looking at the big map the OKW has provided for him. Endgame! All forces now are concentrated to end the war in the east until summer 1945. The war in the west is won already. Due to his masterplan Hagen all four important oil fields in the Near East and the Caucasus are in German hand and with these resources the equipment of the Wehrmacht is in excellent shape. Only Kesselring in the Caucasus has still some few Panzer IV and Panzer III models in operation. All other Panzer divisions were already replaced with Panther models. Rommel’s Tigers from Tunis have arrived at the eastern front and will build the spearhead to break the Red Army defense around Smolensk. The main fighter core of the Luftwaffe are the modern Fw 190A-8 models. Von Straublitz-Lüttenrath has reorganized the eastern front in Armee Guderian, Armee Rommel, Armee Hoth, Armee Manstein and Armee Kesselring. Generalfeldmarschall von Runstedt is guarding Europe and Afrika for the German Reich.
Armee Guderian
General Guderian is still holding Leningrad and binding several Red Army tank divisions and infantry divisions in the north. The Russians were able to recapture the southern part of Leningrad. But they had to use tanks and our infantry will soon show them that this was no good idea.
The Wehrmacht and Finish allies try to reach Archangelsk in the very north.

Armee Rommel
It is clear that the battle around Smolensk will be the decisive battle at the eastern front. The Russians have gathered thousands of tanks, countless infantry and the core of their still surprisingly strong Air Force in the area between Smolensk and Moscow.
We have concentrated 6 Panther divisions, the Tiger division and three anti tank divisions for this battle.
The battle will happen in a terrain that is very uncommon for tanks. The area contains swamps, hills and forests. Thus the infantry and artillery will play an important role. The casualties on both sides will be high, also for the armored units.
Armee Hoth
The duty of General Hoth’s army is to capture Kursk. From Kursk it will be possible to move north in the direction of Moscow. Kursk is very well defended. General Hoth will get additional enforcements (a second Tiger division) and the Karl Mortar to be able to solve this challenge.

Armee Manstein
Von Manstein’s troops will encircle the Caucasus from the west. They should meet Kesselring’s troops at Rostov and at Stalingrad.

Armee Kesselring
Victory in the Caucasus! Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring has captured Grozny and the important oil field. Our operation Speer is finished after 2 years with excellent success. The next goal is to capture the whole Caucasus from the south and attack Stalingrad.

Global summery
Out masterplan operation Hagen is working well. We have ended the war against the British and the Americans in Africa and now enter the last phase of Hagen: Operation Niederschlag (knock down). We focus on the last remaining enemy Russia to fight for a total victory.

Strategy for operation Niederschlag:
The northern armies of Guderian, Rommel and Hoth will fight against the core of the Russian forces. Their duty is to destroy as many Red Army units as possible and prevent the Red Army to send enforcements to the south from where the deadly blow will come. The southern armies of Manstein and Kesselring will capture Stalingrad. From Stalingrad we expect to be able to make a Blitzkrieg attack in the Russian hinterland to reach the cities at the Volga River. In that case all Russian troops west of the Volga River will be lost.

Smolensk – November 19 1944 – Hauptquartier der Wehrmacht für den Ostfeldzug

Reichsmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is watching the lighting on the whole eastern horizon. Even in the deep night Rommel is trying to make the final break through to Moscow. But the Russians bravely and sacrificial defended their territory in the last 6 month. The best German soldiers and the best equipment could not yet defeat the Red Army in the battle of Smolensk. Again von Straublitz-Lüttenrath got the reports from Rommel about the last 6 month showing the dramatic and fierce battles in this front segment. While a light ice cold rain is starting the Reichsmarschall is going back inside, sitting down at his desk and reading Rommel’s and the other OKW reports.

Battle of Smolensk, Operation Nadel (needle), by Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel

29.04.1944, Vitebsk
Have taken over command from General Hoth. My Tigers have arrived and are prepared to strike east. Hoth has already well prepared attack on Smolensk. Infantry has reached the border of the city through the forests. North of Smolensk is a huge Russian tank army waiting to intervene in the battle. I have ordered strong troops to Nevel to be prepared if Russians try to bypass through hills in north. I will try to bypass Smolensk south of Dnieper River and I will send in my Tigers in center now.

07.06.1944, Smolensk
Our artillery is doing good job to support our attack in center. Even Tigers can’t be successful without help of our artillery. Damages to our armored units are immense. Today I had to order a complete Panther division back to Vitebsk for repair. My attack in the south is not successful. Panthers can’t overwhelm the Russian infantry south of Dnieper River.

22.07.1944, Smolensk
We were able to capture the important city of Vyazma. Russian Air Force heavily hits our troops. There is no chance to capture southern Dnieper River territory. River is protecting my right flank but the Russians even attack over river to hit our artillery and there is Russian artillery division south east of Vyazma that makes us huge problems. I fear we can’t hold city against the Russian counter attack.

06.09.1944, Smolensk
I had to give up my attacks south of the Dnieper River and Russians consequently used this weakness with an own attack to recapture Smolensk from south. Our defense there in the moment is weak. A Russian super weapon shown up on the battle field. Heavy IS-2 tank can repel Panthers and even Tigers have a problem fighting him. We have lost Vyazma again. I have send infantry in forest to clean the area to the road in north. We have to go through small gap between Rzhev and Vyazma east as soon as possible.
20.10.1944, Smolensk
Finally enemy IS-2 division was destroyed but now forest west of Vyazma is occupied by Russian elite troops and covered by Russian artillery. West of Vyazma we are more or less stuck. We focus to achieve an overweight in north with infantry and artillery. Again I sent some troops south of Dnieper River trying to move east but even I have not much hope of success for this flanking maneuver.
19.11.1944, Smolensk
We cleaned hills in the north and we recaptured Vyazma but still eye of the needle between Rzhev and Vyazma is not crossed. Attack south of the Dnieper River is complete useless. No chance to break through quickly. And even worth, intelligence reports tell about another IS-2 division coming from Moscow. But there are also good news. Hoth is successful at Kursk. He promised to send Panzer troops north soon to help at my right flank. And Guderian tries to break out from Leningrad to help at my left flank.

Armee Guderian
The OKW has decided in fall 1944 that it is necessary to break out from Leningrad and support Rommel’s troops that approach very slowly east against heaviest Russian resistance. To be able to break out, General Guderian was equipped with 3 Panther divisions, 4 artillery divisions and 10 infantry divisions. In the last days Guderian has broken the Russian siege south of Leningrad and is fighting to reach the road Novgorod – Kalinin – Moscow.
In fall 1944 surprisingly the Finish ally decided to end his war against Russia and to move all his troops home. The impact was that the city of Pedrozavodsk was again lost to the Red Army and our attack force on Archangelsk was suddenly reduced by one Finish infantry division and one Finish artillery division now containing only two infantry and a single artillery division. These troops will not be strong enough to capture the well defended Archangelsk. The OKW is preparing a plan to support these troops that are now far behind the Russian front. The OKW is also preparing an appropriate answer to the Finnish government.

Armee Rommel
The battle around Smolensk is the decisive battle at the eastern front. Rommel’s Panzer have already destroyed more than 2000 enemy tanks. Four Panther divisions and the Tiger division are still operational. Deeply entrenched Red Army infantry covered by artillery and a new heavy super tank of the Russians make every step to the east bloody. 10 of the best Wehrmacht infantry divisions and five artillery divisions support the tanks to press the Russians slowly to the east. Currently the fight for the last cities before Moscow is ongoing. The Russian Air Force is nearly eliminated.

Armee Hoth
The battle for Kursk also proved to be a titanic battle. General Hoth also has destroyed more than 2000 Russian tanks. Currently Hoth has five Panther and a Tiger II division in operation accompanied by 12 infantry divisions, 3 artillery divisions and the Karl mortar. Kursk is captured and the last Russian defenders fight north of Kursk in the area of Orel to prevent Hoth’s troops from reaching the roads that lead to Moscow. General Hoth has order to strike north as quick as possible to help Rommel’s army.

Armee Manstein
Von Manstein’s troops have captured Kharkov and Rostov. Currently they fight the last Russian defenders west of Stalingrad to open the route to Stalingrad from the west.

Armee Kesselring
Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring has captured the whole Caucasus and soon will attack Stalingrad from the south.

Global summery
Operation Niederschlag (knock down) started half a year ago but at the northern front line there was no significant win of territory and the Volga River still seems far, far away. But the OKW is confident that the heavy losses of armor and men should soon lead to a collapse of the Russian defense lines at several points. Then the speed of the Panthers and the Hummels will be deciding.

The main strategic decisions for the next months are done after General Guderian broke out from Leningrad. He could go south east to Moscow or east to Vologda north of the Volga River. After Stalingrad was captured, General von Manstein and Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring should be able to reach the Volga River through weakly defensed territory quickly.

The attack on Archangelsk in the very north will be supported by strong bomber forces.

I went awol for a while as was o'seas on a business trip. I have to say that this is great reading. Especially the defence of Tunisia was riveting stuff. It motivates me to continue my playthrough.

One thing i am surprised about is that the Russians seem so strong, even though you captured both the oilfields and Leningrad. I would have assumed this would choke their reinforcements and lead to a relatively easy walkover.

Berlin – July 2 1945 – Hauptquartier des OKW

Reichsmarschall Friedrich von Straublitz-Lüttenrath is sitting at his desk and for the first time since 1941 he is doing nothing, giving no orders, making no tactical or strategical decisions. In March 1945 the Russian Army and Air Force collapsed at all front lines. Stalingrad and Moscow were captured in only some few days. After that the Wehrmacht rushed to the cities at the Volga River to cut off the European part of the Soviet Union from the Asian part. All this is the direct outcome from operation Hagen. The great victory celebration is planned for July 5 in Berlin to allow many leading Generals and Generalfeldmarschalls of the Wehrmacht to join.

After some time the Reichsmarschall is reading the last reports from Rommel and the OKW about the final decision in the east.

Battle of Smolensk, Operation Nadel (needle) continued, by Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel

03.01.1945, Smolensk
In heavy snow we slowly approach to east. Again blocked by an IS-2 division. Guderian is still far away in north. But Hoth has made it to send three of his best Panzer divisions in the back of southern Russian front that immediately collapsed. Way to Moscow seems open now.
17.02.1945, Mozhaysk
Hoth’s attack in south annihilated the Russian defense line and my troops finally broke through to Moscow. City is weakly defended and can’t resist for long time. In area east of Moscow our Panzers will speed up and will overrun every Russian defense. Guderian is still far away from Moscow and got the order from OKW to bypass whole area of Moscow and move directly far north east to attack Vologda. Today Russians made their last desperate move and have sent all their remaining fighters and bombers in defense battle of Moscow. Sky is filled with Russian planes and our fighters including new jet fighters are on the way to intercept.
03.04.1945, Moscow
It is over!!! The Russian defense of Moscow on the ground was weak and that means that the Russian bear has no reserves anymore. Our fighters and Flaks have defeated the Russian Air Force around Moscow. The few planes that escaped are fleeing east. My tanks rushed through Moscow and now are directly on the way east to our final target: the Volga River.