Ronnie vs Allied Player

After action reports for Commander Europe at War.

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 36. 8/1/1941 Axis.

The progress I continue to make across map continues to amaze me! I'm leery that I'm running myself into a trap. But; I'm not stopping! Not yet anyway!

1. I don't know if my opponent is losing focus; but in the Med he failed to move the RN DD from last turn. The RM swarmed the DD squadron but fell shot of sinking it by 3-steps. I do want it; but with its speed I'm afraid it will get away. Honestly, I felt a twinge of guilt going after this DD, which my opponent obviously forget to move away last turn. Oh well, not guilty enough not to try to sink it though.

2. The trapped RN BB near Rosyth was sunk, the CV was reduced to 3-steps and the KM uncovered a hidden UK sub group, which was reduced to 3-steps.

Belfast, N. Ireland. A German u-boat flotilla attacks a transport in port and knocks off 2-steps. Is my opponent evacuating to Northern Ireland? I'll need to keep a watch on that.

3. RN losses continue to mount. Also UK infantry and mech losses do too.

4. The '41 summer offensive in England continues full force. The axis push to the outskirts of Leeds and almost have 2 corps and a garrison in / near Liverpool trapped. The only way my opponent can save these three units, one of which has a leader, is by evacuation through Liverpool. My hope is that he'll stay and fight. If he does he will lose those units for sure within 2 to 3 turns.

5-6. The first of 2 German mech corps arrive in England. The second will land in Cardiff next turn.

7. I bit the bullet and spent around 55+ PP's repair the badly depleted fighter and TAC in England. These PP's will be put to good use as the Luftwaffe in England is chewing up UK forces at will.

The Russian Front.

Army Finland. Looks like my aggressive reinforcement of Finland on turn 1 of Barbarossa has paid off. My opponent appears to have to fully defensive there and gave up the 2 hexes in front of Leningrad without a fight. I really don't understand, but do appreciate, that move.

Army Group North. They capture Riga and are pushing on Pskov and Vitebsk. Where are the Russians?

Army Group Center. Minsk and Vinihtsa fall and Kiev is threatened. Unless the Soviets bring in reinforcements next turn, I may be able to capture that city; especially if he continues to defend it with a garrison.

Army Group South. Both Odessa and Chisinan are isolated. Chisinan should fall next turn and Odessa in 2 to 3 turn. Again, where are the Russians? Am I driving deeper into a trap?



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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 37. 8/21/1941 Axis.

1 (1st cap). Not only did my opponent decided not to evacuate from Liverpool and save his forces there, he doubled down (on a bad hand in my opinion) and reinforced the defense of Leeds with 2 Mechs.

2. Also, used what I have to assume to be precious PPs to repair the doomed (i.e., trapped) carrier in Rosyth.

1 (2nd cap). With the full might of the Luftwaffe in England focused on capturing Leeds, it falls rather easily resulting the loss of a UK mech and a mauling of the second on.

2. Well not all the Luftwaffe in England supported the Leeds offensive. One fighter unit was used to attack the RN carrier in Rosyth. This air attack was followed up by an attack by a u-boat flotilla. The result was that the RN CV lost 4 steps and is now down to 2.

3-4. German u-boats move into place to cut off the Irish Sea by blocking the two entrances at the North and the St. Georges Channels. There is now no hope for the UK forces defending Liverpool. It's only a matter of time before they're destroyed.

The Russian Front.

Army Group North & Army Finland.
5. Pskov was defended only by a garrison and was easily captured.

6. Tallinn is left undefended and will be captured next turn.

Army Group Center.
7. Kiev easily falls as it too was only defended by a garrison.

8. Gomel should fall next turn putting this the axis advance into Russia at the Dneper in August.

Army Group South.

9. Odessa was abandoned so the axis captured it without a fight.

10. The beleaguered defenders of Chisinan are easily swept away and the city is now owned by the axis.

Is anyone else bother by speed and ease of my advance in Russia?

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 38. 9/10/1941 Axis.

1. Looks like my opponent finally decided to try and save what he could in the Liverpool pocket. I'm confident that's one of the two infantry crops transported to Belfast. However; he left the second corps commanded by Auchinleck behind. They are doomed.

2-3. My opponent has two "unescorted" troop transports off the east and west coasts of Scotland. Barring a strong UK sub screening them, they are doomed too.

4. Also, my opponent chose to reinforce the doomed RN CV in Rosyth. Every turn that he reinforces that CV and I knock it back down is 26 PP's lost to the UK economy. At this stage of the game and given what the British have lost, that's got to be a significant percentage of their war economy.

5-6. No sub screens found and the 2 unescorted troop transports sunk. Three steps were knocked off the assumed infantry transport sent to Belfast.

7. CV in Rosyth knocked by down to 2-steps.

8. Liverpool falls.

9. RAF reappears but gets the worse end of it.

10. The axis push on killing 2 corps, 1 mech and 2 UK garrisons this turn.

The Russian Front.

Army Group North and Army Finland. Time to start preparing for the Soviet winter offensive.

Army Group Center.
11-12. I plan to use the Dnepr as my winter defensive line. I will begin preparing those defenses next turn.

13. However; there are no Soviet forces of consequence to be seen anywhere. Given the weak Barbarossa, low Soviet losses and an extra 8 PP's per turn, they're out there somewhere waiting. I don't plan to come to them. But; I'm not ready for them to come to me yet. So I need to feint that I'm still pushing forward in the hopes that they will keep the Soviets in the hide positions for a few more turns.

Army Group South.
14. Deneprpetrovsk looks inviting; but I think pushing that far with such weak forces is too far.

15. Kherson should fall next turn.

Builds & Losses
16. Builds - Infantry, fighters, leaders & mech. I could use 10x what I have in the queue.

17. Losses - The UK is definitely suffering. The USSR isn't! I need to be very careful of the bear with severe winter approaching.

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 38. 9/10/1941 Axis.

1. Looks like my opponent finally decided to try and save what he could in the Liverpool pocket. I'm confident that's one of the two infantry crops transported to Belfast. However; he left the second corps commanded by Auchinleck behind. They are doomed.

2-3. My opponent has two "unescorted" troop transports off the east and west coasts of Scotland. Barring a strong UK sub screening them, they are doomed too.

4. Also, my opponent chose to reinforce the doomed RN CV in Rosyth. Every turn that he reinforces that CV and I knock it back down is 26 PP's lost to the UK economy. At this stage of the game and given what the British have lost, that's got to be a significant percentage of their war economy.

5-6. No sub screens found and the 2 unescorted troop transports sunk. Three steps were knocked off the assumed infantry transport sent to Belfast.

7. CV in Rosyth knocked by down to 2-steps.

8. Liverpool falls.

9. RAF reappears but gets the worse end of it.

10. The axis push on killing 2 corps, 1 mech and 2 UK garrisons this turn.

The Russian Front.

Army Group North and Army Finland. Time to start preparing for the Soviet winter offensive.

Army Group Center.
11-12. I plan to use the Dnepr as my winter defensive line. I will begin preparing those defenses next turn.

13. However; there are no Soviet forces of consequence to be seen anywhere. Given the weak Barbarossa, low Soviet losses and an extra 8 PP's per turn, they're out there somewhere waiting. I don't plan to come to them. But; I'm not ready for them to come to me yet. So I need to feint that I'm still pushing forward in the hopes that they will keep the Soviets in the hide positions for a few more turns.

Army Group South.
14. Deneprpetrovsk looks inviting; but I think pushing that far with such weak forces is too far.

15. Kherson should fall next turn.

Builds & Losses
16. Builds - Infantry, fighters, leaders & mech. I could use 10x what I have in the queue.

17-18. Losses - The UK is definitely suffering. The USSR isn't! I need to be very careful of the bear with severe winter approaching.

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 39. 9/30/1941 Axis.

1-2. My opponent decided to leave the defense of Newcastle to a garrison and moved the corps there to Northern Scotland (Not sure what name of that port is).

3. Endinburgh is vulnerable to captured this turn except for ...

4. My TACs, which are in desperate need of upgrades, don't have the range! How frustrating! So, I decide to upgrade my TACs from level 3 to 7 and wait for next turn, assuming I get fair weather (75% chance).

5. With my 3 TACs no available this turn, Newcastle turns out to be more difficult to capture than it should have been. It took BB bombardment to finish off 1-step and then the Italians rolled in.

6. I used this turn to clear south of Edinburgh for my planned attack next turn. In this action, the Polish airforce showed up. To celebrate, I dropped the 2nd FJR to attack its airbase and reduced that unit to 3-steps. One of my favor tactics is to use airborne to raid enemy air bases. In addition to airbase raid, the 2nd FJR is in position to assist in the attack on Edinburgh next turn. Again, assuming the fair weather holds.

7. I couldn't resist ... I decided to take Dnepropetrousk. This is my last offensive action. After taking the city, I will now pull those forces back to more defensible terrain.

8. Three infantry build buys this turn. I need boots on the ground in the east and as many of them as I can get.

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Duplicate post ...
BattlevonWar
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

Ronnie, with those type of losses one could only dream. Though yes, I agree you are BAD need of about 10 German Infantry Corps(20 would look nicer, you're bald on the Eastern Front), YESTERDAY...plus in place, entrenched to get morale up. I would have about 10 Russian Tanks, 6-7 Russian Tacs, 7+ Russian Fighters for my offensive against you coming up for the Big Winter Hit and if you are not properly entrenched we all know how quickly that can turn a line into a mince meat sandwich.

England is neutered, I'd build just Destroyers for her to escort the US Army...since she should have the superior ASW... her -quality troops won't hold up in time for a great D-day. Her existing troops are still deadly!

P.S. I might temporarily sell expensive Research Chits in exchange for holding a firm front With Russia, cause I know they can bleed 2 or 3 Xs as many PPs if you're not ready!
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by Cybvep »

I would have about 10 Russian Tanks, 6-7 Russian Tacs, 7+ Russian Fighters for my offensive against you coming up for the Big Winter Hit and if you are not properly entrenched we all know how quickly that can turn a line into a mince meat sandwich.
He can always withdraw. Yes, he will lose some ground, but it can be retaken quickly in 1942 if necessary, especially with the additional income from GB, while suffering high losses as the Axis in 1941 can cost you a game. Ronnie needs to be in a position to start a strong offensive in 1942 in the East. He needs to kill Russian units.
BattlevonWar
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

Cybvep wrote:
I would have about 10 Russian Tanks, 6-7 Russian Tacs, 7+ Russian Fighters for my offensive against you coming up for the Big Winter Hit and if you are not properly entrenched we all know how quickly that can turn a line into a mince meat sandwich.
He can always withdraw. Yes, he will lose some ground, but it can be retaken quickly in 1942 if necessary, especially with the additional income from GB, while suffering high losses as the Axis in 1941 can cost you a game. Ronnie needs to be in a position to start a strong offensive in 1942 in the East. He needs to kill Russian units.

429 Russian Infantry Losses, 17 Tank/Mech losses/2 air losses. This guy is pulling back, pulling back, pulling back. If he knows how to tech up with the USSR and build..by '42 there is little doubt in my mind that the Russians can hold their own against the Germans in '42. Plus now the Germans are around 80 air losses(just 24 Tank/Mech though still gives favour to Axis in PPs :!: . It's at a hugely critical point of balance here. I think if the Germans can destroy all Russian Convoys, if the Germans can Bomb Moscow and Leningrad to shreds beyond a good defensive line..(rivers plus tech/plus good Generals) Also as Critical if the Germans can obliterate the Western Allied Presence on The Continent like a Fortress till at least '44 the Axis have Favor and initiative. Though if they cannot, I have seen this swing East fast. I would love to see what the Russians are building and if they know how to tech up. That will count for much. Plus tactics, very lovely AAR by the way, engrossing to read and follow : ) Keep up m8
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by richardsd »

at some point you have to kill a lot of Russian units! otherwise they will just steamroller
rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 40. 10/20/1941 Axis.

1. I got mud / rain in the West (25% chance). This was disappointing because my chance for an easy (i.e., 1-turn) capture went from very good to poor. I still calculate the odds. The two adjacent German corps against the UK corps in Edinburgh have expected kills of 3 and 2-steps. The only other ground unit that can reach and attack Edinburgh is this wretched weather is the 5-step Italian corps. At best, I put its expected kill at 1.

2-3. The expected step kills for the 5 and 6-step TACs are 1 and 2 (respectively), which puts the total expect step kills at 9-steps. But these are expected kills (i.e., I might get lucky or I could get unlucky) and the infantry expected kills were based on pre airstrikes. I decided to make the attack.

4. The 6-step TAC knocks off 1-step but loses 2. Not a great start. The 5-step TAC also knocks off a step and loses 0. So, I'm left with an 8-step UK corps with yellow efficiency. The first infantry attack knocks off 3 more steps and so does the second attack. This leaves the UK corps at 2-steps. I move the 5-step Italian corps adjacent and the odds show an expected kill of 2-steps. Could this be?! The Italian do it and Eninburgh and the port of Rosyth fall. Last turn it was the Italians who were able to capture the city of Newcastle. Way to go Italians!

5. Though the weather in the west has turn, I plan to still go after Glasgow. The adjoining port is under blockade so nothing will get in or out. Even in this foul weather it should fall in 2 to 3 turns.

6. Scapa Flow is also under blockade.

7. Plymouth on my western flank is still in British hands and needs to be dealt with before the US enters.

The Russian Front.

The buildup in the east continues. The good news is that the Red Army is no where to be seen. More good news comes from the estimates of Soviet forces. I've should have been keeping track on those estimate all along; but I haven't. My first look puts the Red Air Force at 3 fighters, 1 TAC and 0 strats and the Red AFV force at 0 armor and 10 mech. All estimate are +/-2 and, of course, can't be less than 0. This is good news; because even at the high end of those estimates (i.e., +2), my opponent doesn't have a lot of offensive firepower. The only thing that I can figure is that opponent has built against my usual Barbarossa and not this one weaken by my impromptu Sea Lion.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

As busy as you look in England, I am pleasantly surprised to see by October how well your Eastern Front is developing. The Russian Organization level should still make a complete breakthrough impossible if you can plug about 3 holes and also perhaps steam in some reserves. i.e. a tank or two behind each possible breathrough position. I would remove all Axis minors they get hit the worst. Plus consider Defense Generals on any hex that can be hit from say 3-5 directions...

I cannot wait to see what the Russians have in their Arsenal. If it's very tank and tac, you will lose a lot but you have won so much for your Axis, it is a gamble at this point and the level of player you're up against.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 41. 11/9/1941 Axis.

1. Mud/rain in the west; which will again hinder but will not stop combat operations in England.

2. Strange weather in the east. Got fair.

3. Glasgow was captured. This nearly completes the conquest of Scotland. only Aberdeen is left.

4-5. I create a picket with 3 u-boat flotillas to catch convoys head to the Soviet Union and any allied attempt to reinforce Northern Ireland through Belfast.

6. Speaking of Northern Ireland, I got my first peak at what's there by moving the strat to the Isle of Man, which I got after capturing Glasgow? I'm planning to capture Northern Ireland in the Spring provided I can keep the US from reinforcing during the winter.

7. The Germans move on the only remaining port in England, Plymouth, which should fall before US entry.

8. While the UK is far from defeated, I think they might be on the verge of being neutered.

The Russian Front.

Significant progress was made in the build of the defenses in the east.

The Siberian reserves were released this turn. Estimates of Soviet offensive units are: 3 armor, 13 mech, 4 fighters, 2 TAC and 2 strat. Of course all estimates are accurate to within +/-2. I'm not seeing a lot in the air. The axis have 4 German fighters, 1 Finnish, 1 Italian, I Romanian and 1 Hungarian fighter. Though, only the 4 German and 1 Finnish will fly during the winter. But still; that's parity in the East with the number of Soviet fighters. And, with only 2 TACs and 2 strats I can keep my armor close to front lines to plug any holes.

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richardsd
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by richardsd »

a casualty shot would be useful - how is that looking thinking ahead
rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 42. 11/29/1941 Axis.

1. Plymouth falls.

2. Aberdeen, the last city in England held by the English, comes under attack.

3. Oil levels are surprisingly respectable.

4. --

5. Casualties as requested.

6. British morale keeps dropping.

The Russian Front.

Defensive line in place with 3 more corps ready for transfer to the east.

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Peter Stauffenberg
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

It doesn't look like the Russian winter offensive will be a strong one. The Russians can gain quite a bit of ground in the south, but in order to do that they have to be at the front line when the severe winter hits. Severe winter probably starts next turn.

I agree that the Axis front line is a quite weak one, but it can be remedied by building 3 corps units per turn and send them to the east front.

The British losses are horrible. Most of their land and naval forces are wasted and still England, Wales and Scotland are lost. Northern Ireland can easily fall in the Spring of 1942. This just proves that once the Axis get a firm foothold in England you have to fall back to good defensive terrain and make sure your naval units don't get blockaded in port. Sometimes sailing back to Canada with the remnants of the Allied forces can be necessary. This game was probably one of such games.

A good thing about having the UK forces intact is that the Axis player will then have to keep a significant force in England to deal with future liberation attempts. If the UK forces are crushed there then the Axis can with no risk send all new units to the east.

I wonder what the British are doing in North Africa. They should be storming towards Tripoli by now with only a token Axis force remaining in Libya. Then they can be set to hit Vichy France when the US forces can join from the west. Putting pressure on Italy by invading lightly defended areas can force the Axis to send units to the south.

Regaining England will take some time and you need air support (CV's etc.). While you build up the US forces you grab easy targets.

This game will be won or lost in the east. The Russians have to take advantage of the weak Axis forces there and be aggressive. So far we don't see that. If the Germans are allowed to pretty much hold the line in Russia through the winter with few casualties, then I fear the Allied player has lost this game. The Allied units don't get any XP since they tend to die on contact with the Axis forces. Storming a well defended line in Russia with rookie troops against veterans will be very bad for the Russians. So you need to attack some in 1941-1942 to build up experience. Let your experienced troops fall back in the Spring and Summer of 1942 so you can launch another offensive late 1942.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by ncali »

This game is interesting from a strategic standpoint, particularly with the Allied advantage setting in play. It seems to me your opponent had two choices in 1941 after London fell: (1) fall back in Britain to the North and try to conserve British resources for future use (and use in the Med.) or (2) aggressively defend remaining British territory. He chose the 2nd option.

I think his choice here compelled an aggressive defense by the Russians to your 1941 offensive, with the idea of keeping as much Russian territory as possible. Instead, he fell back in Russia, which I think would have made more sense if he had chosen the 1st option in Britain (falling back there as well).
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 43. 12/19/1941 Axis.

1-2. I decided to splurge this turn on research and bought my 3rd infantry, and 12 lab, overall. Infantry and fighters will be key to my defense in the late game.

3. A UK partisan, the first, popped up and is hindering my attack on Aberdeen, which hopefully will fall next turn (or two) as should Inverness. This will out the last of Scotland. I do plan on moving 2 corps next to Scapa Flow to block any cheap entry back into Scotland by the Western Allies.

4-6. I moved 2 mech and 1 infantry corps back to mainland Europe for the defense of France; especially with US entry likely this turn.

The Russian Front.

7. The transition to German corps on the front line in the south is well under way.

8. 3 more infantry corps deployed and ready for the east.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

You can sacrifice the Brits, but you better get your Moneys worth... This is the opposite story, I hope the PP slider gives the Allies something plus, I hope they're teching up for war. That or Germans could be in Moscow in '42, this should be interesting in '42 and '43! Where are the Russians?
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by richardsd »

hiding like good russians I suspect
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