Axis versus AI Tutorial AAR (War is Over, Grade Me)

[rkr1958]

Turn 17. July 17, 1940

The AI bomb-a-matic was in operation last turn (6/27/40) with every allied plane that could bomb something doing that (C79). Apparently the only thinking that the AI bomb-a-matic does is to ask the question, "is there target in range for me to bomb or attack?" If yes, attack one of those targets. This answer is apparently unconditional and does not consider the strategic situation.

The Germans upgraded their 3 u-boat flotillas and deployed two new ones this turn (C80). Next turn, the 6th flotilla will be deployed.

The Buildup for the Greek campaign continues (C81). The forces and conditions for this operation are: (1) High Quality leader deployed to the command corps located in the heal of Italy. (2) 2 German infantry corps and 1 Italian garrison in or next to Taranto. This is the operations amphibious force. (3) Three upgraded tactical bombers deployed to the all time fair weather zone in Albina. (4) German maximum invasion capacity at 2 (3 more turns before that happens). (5) All the Luftwaffe and Italian air forces in the Med and ready to counter the RN if it sorties to defend Greece or to counter a UK ground incursion into Libya from Egypt. (6) Needed air units repaired to full strength.

Also, the build of the defensive forces in North Africa continues (C82). One or both German corps that participate in the Greek campaign will be deployed to North Africa afterward.


C79. AI Bomb-A-Matic


C80. German U-boat Upgrades and New Deployments


C81. Greek Campaign Buildup


C82. North Africa Buildup

[rkr1958]

Turn 18. August 6, 1940

General Rommel is given the overall command of the upcoming Greek Operation (C83). The 6th sub won't be deployed for one more turn. The 2nd strategic bomber will also be deployed then. The other full strength and fully upgraded subs head out to sea to do some convoy hunting. They've been away too long.

The Italians built their second air lab and all German air units were repaired to full strength (except for the strategic bomber and it was repaired to 9-steps).


C83. German Build Queue


C84. The Italian's Build their 2nd Air Lab


C85. Greek Operation Forces

[rkr1958]

Turn 19. August 26, 1940

The Germans deployed their 6th u-boat flotilla and 2nd strategic bomber from the new builds queue this turn. The other 5 flotillas are in transient to their convoy hunting grounds. 3 will be sent in the North Atlantic off the northeast coast of Canada to hunt for the northern convoy and 3 will be sent off the east coast of the USA to hunt for the central convoy.

Rommel was deployed to his command corps (C86). The preparation of the Greek invasion are nearly complete. Two tactical bombers in Albania were upgraded to give them range to Athens and beyond. A third tactical bomber, no yet upgraded was move to Albania and will be upgraded next turn. All three bombers are in the all the time fair weather zone. That is, they're based in the Med weather zone and NOT in a mountain hex, which guarantees that they'll always have fair weather.

The Norway invasion used up all the German's invasion capacity, which regenerates at 1 point every three turns. This was the second turn that it was back at 1, which means it'll be back at 2 in two turns, which will be October 5, 1940. So barring contact with the RN this will be the invasion date for Greece. This means that the invasion transports and fleets will sail next turn and take up station off the coast of Greece and Crete.

Except for the newly deployed strategic bomber all axis airforces are in the Med and will be used to: (1) directly support the Greek invasion, (2) defend against a potential RN sortie against the Greek invasion or (3) defend against a potential UK advance into Libya. Defensive operations include moving a German strategic bomber to Rhodes this turn, which served two purposes. This provide me early recon of possible RN activity (but none was spotted) and will be a base to strike out the RN if it moves either against Greece or Libya. Also, on the turn of the invasions a German and Italian fighter will be moved to the two Greek island hexes southeast of Athens to provide CAP over the invasion forces. Note that the German fighter will be moved next turn and join the Italian fighter in the magenta circle shown in C86 in order to be in position to move to the Greek isles on the invasion turn (i.e., 10/5/40). A second German fighter will be moved to Libya to join the Italian tactical bomber there to provide defense of Libya. And the third, and remaining, German fighter will provide CAP of the bombers in Albania and Rommel's command corps.

Also note in C86 that an additional German corps was moved into Rommel's area and is slated for transfer to North Africa.

By the way, I'm asking for suggestions on what to call the Greek operation.


C86. Greek Invasion Preparations Nearly Complete

[rkr1958]

P.S. I forgot to make two important points above. (1) Note that I moved the Italian DD northwest of Athens to sweep the channel for subs because I will move one of the German infantry transport there next turn. (2) I did not upgrade or move the German tactical bombers until after the sweep on the off chance that the sweep would uncover a RN sub group and be needed to strike them.

By the way, what is that channel of water called?

[gchristie]

Gulf of Corinth

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... try-fr.jpg

[Plaid]

By the way, I'm asking for suggestions on what to call the Greek operation.

I guess original name of german operation in Greece was "Marita".

[gchristie]

By the way, I'm asking for suggestions on what to call the Greek operation.

Operation Marita, German: Unternehmen Marita.

Or, if you want to be more up-to-date how 'bout Operation Junk Bond which I believe translates as Betriebsabfall-anleihe?

[AC67]

By the way, I'm asking for suggestions on what to call the Greek operation.

Operation Marita, German: Unternehmen Marita.

Or, if you want to be more up-to-date how 'bout Operation Junk Bond which I believe translates as Betriebsabfall-anleihe?

"Ramsch-Anleihe" would be more appropriate, IMHO.

[rkr1958]

August 26, 1940 10:22 Taranto Naval Base, Italy

General Irwin Rommel watching the scene unfold before him muttered the single word, “Incredible”, so that only his deputy commander and personal aide could hear. Two Ju 52 transport planes escorted by four Me Bf 109 fighters, with two in front and slightly below and the other two slightly behind and above, approached the landing strip at high speeds. So high that Rommel wondered if the two Ju 52 transports were going to do a flyby instead of landing; but moments later Rommel got his answer. The two transports dove steeply towards the front edge of the landing strip and touching down as the two lead fighters dove steeply too but leveling off at treetop level instead of touching down. As these two fighters swept the landing strip the other two quickly climbed maintaining protection of the transports from above. Part of what was incredible was that the transports touch down at such a steep angle and high rate of speed that both pilots had to apply full brakes to stop them before running off the end of the landing strip. But that wasn’t the most incredible part. The most incredible part was that one of the rear wheels just below a fuel tank of the lead Ju 52 caught on fire from the friction of the hard stop and started burning wildly as its passengers were disembarking. These passengers appeared not to be in any hurry and appeared not to even notice the burning tire as smoke from it whiffed over them. The lead passenger was non other than the Chancellor of Germany and its Fuhrer and the others were his inept, but dangerous, cronies. Cameras were rolling for the newsreels and as the Fuhrer and his cronies stepped down from the aircraft. Benito Mussolini, smiling for the cameras and looking smart in his military uniform, stepped forward with all the prompt and ceremony one would expect at such events to greet The Fuhrer and his other guests. While all this was taking place two enlisted German soldiers with fire extinguishers were running towards the burning tire and at the same time trying to stay out of the camera’s eye. They managed to mostly avoid the camera; but most importantly they put out the burning tire before it ignited the gas tank above it and the plane exploded killing all around it.

Rommel wondered to himself if Germany and the whole world might not be better off if the plane had exploded and took out its “distinguished” passengers and the Italian delegation. However; such an explosion would also likely have taken out the second aircraft and its passengers, which included Generals Eric Von Manstein, Heinz Guderian, Heinz Keitel and their staffs. While Rommel didn’t have much use for Keitel, the loss of Manstein and Guderian would be a tragic loss for both him personally and for the people of Germany. Generals Manstein and Guderian were senior to Rommel and he wondered why he had been given this command over them. Both generals had genuinely congratulated him and apparently held no malice at Rommel being selected by OKW to command this operation over them. This made him wondered if there were other commands in the work, of which he was not aware. Commands that were more important that this one or Rundstedt’s Africa Korps Desert Army command in North Africa. No matter, they seemed genuinely happy for him. Rommel thoughts now turned to business. He needed to speak to the Fuhrer’s Chief of Staff, General Keitel about a urgent matter and it appeared that Keitel needed to talk to him about some matter concerning his own deputy commander, General Freidrich Von Paulus. Rommel glanced over to Von Paulus and then to his aide and that reminded him of one other minor thing he needed to take care in the next day or two, which was unrelated to the all this and that was to approve the transfer of his aide, Major Claus von Stauffenberg, to the Africa Korps Desert Army. Stauffenberg was a highly capable aide and had demonstrated to him the qualities of an officer needed to be a deputy battalion commander. He silently wished Stauffenberg well and wondered if their paths would ever cross again in this war.

The Fuhrer and Mussolini had just finished their photo op and were both headed his way. General Rommel saluted his Chancellor the way a Prussian officer salutes and not the way his political cronies do.

August 26, 1940 13:30 Taranto Naval Base, Italy

After lunch with the Fuhrer and a selection of Rommel’s officers and enlisted men, Rommel met with General Keitel as The Fuhrer was given an abbreviated tour of the Taranto Naval Base and the newest Italian battleship, Roma by Mussolini. Rommel and Keitel had been vigorously discussing the same point for 15-mintues, which was a demand by Rommel. It was a simple demand. Rommel wanted more time to train his forces for the Greek Operation. He had only been in command for 3-weeks and he just wanted more time. His main invasion force were the elite I and II Korps, who were both veterans of the France and Norway Campaigns. These corps were well capable of amphibious invasion as they demonstrated in Norway. However; Rommel just needed more time to train and increase the effectiveness of all his forces including the Luftwaffe bombers based in Albania. Finally, Keitel said he would make no promises but would pass Rommel’s request along to The Fuhrer. Kietel was sure he’d have an answer for Rommel in 48. This ended discussion on this item and led to the next and last item on the agenda, which labeled General Von Paulus.

Discussion on this item was short and in fact, it wasn’t a discussion at all. Kietel informed Rommel that Von Paulus was needed in Berlin and was being transferred to OKW effectively 48 hours from now. Paulus was to report to his new assignment in Berlin and would lead the planning of a new operation called, Barbarossa. As Rommel left the meeting, still not having an answer to his demand and just having lost his deputy commander, Rommel wonder what Operation Barbarossa was. Was it going to be a paper study like Operation Sea Lion or was it going to be a real operation like Case Yellow. However; Rommel didn’t wonder long as he had more pressing matters on his mind such as carrying out a successful invasion of Greece.

[rkr1958]

August 28, 1940 10:45 Rommel’s Command HQ, Taranto Naval Base, Italy

“Incredible” though Rommel as he read the newly decoded dispatch from General Keitel for the second time. It wasn’t the contents of the dispatch that Rommel found incredible but it was the arrogance and conceit that General Keitel took in his response to Rommel’s demand for more time to train his forces to increase their effectiveness. Rommel already knew through backdoor communication with General Von Paulus the answer to his demand. Paulus had hitched a ride back to Berlin two days ago with Generals Keitel, Manstein and Guderian. Apparently to make space for Paulus, a fairly high ranking OKW staff officer was knocked off the flight and had to take a train back to Berlin. This put the officer in a foul mood and it was reported to Rommel that he was heard saying in poor language that this was no way to treat a Major General in the German army. Fortunately for this officer Rommel did not hear him make this comments, who himself was in a foul mood after losing his deputy commander and who thought that his demand for more time to train was likely to be rejected. Otherwise; Rommel would have given that officer something else to think about on his way back to Berlin. Mostly, how he likes his new garrison command in Poland.

Rommel’s opinion of Paulus was one of an excellent organizer, planner and strategist, which are perfect skills for a deputy commander; however, Rommel wasn’t impressed with Von Paulus’ skill to command and inspire men in the field. Oh well, the planning assignment that Paulus was given for some operation codenamed Barbarossa was the perfect assignment for him. Rommel still wondered what this operation was about and the only glimpse into that Rommel got was when he overheard, or though he overheard, the word “Russia” when Keitel and Paulus were talking together shortly before leaving for Berlin. In their fairwells to Rommel, Paulus had wished Rommel good luck in the Greek Operation; but Keitel did not. How Keitel become The Fuhrer’s Chief of Staff he didn’t know; but actually he did. Keitel was a rubber stamp for The Fuhrer’s wishes and the wishes of his fanatically cronies. As such, Keitel was not a man to be trusted. Rommel’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door by Major Von Stauffenberg.

Von Stauffenberg was stopping by to say good bye and to confirm completion of the last order given to him by Rommel. Von Stauffenberg was obviously puzzled how Rommel had found out a day before the official dispatch from Keitel, which he had personally oversaw the decoding, containing the answer to his demand that Rommel would be granted his requested delay. Rommel was so sure of the delay that he had ordered Von Stauffenberg a day earlier to personally notify all his corps and fliegerkorps commanders to stand down and begin intense training and combat exercises for Operation Marita. Not only did Rommel know that the operation would be delayed but he also knew the new codename that OKW had given to the operation. A name that to his knowledge hadn’t been officially mentioned until now in the dispatch from Keitel. Though curious, Von Staffenberg didn’t ask Rommel how he knew all this and guessed correctly that Von Paulus had somehow communicated all this back to him through informal means. The fact that it took Keitel an extra day to notify Rommel after The Fuhrer had obviously granted the delay was probably some payback for Rommel’s aggressive attitude towards Keitel at their meeting two days ago. Von Staffenberg took from all this that it’s good to have high level contacts that are in the know in major military commands. And, that he needed to stay away from General Keitel. Von Staffenberg was hoping that his transfer to the deputy battalion commander of the15nd Battalion of XI Krops in Ruhdstedt Africa Krops Army would one day lead to a promotion to colonel and to the command of his own battalion. Von Stauffenberg said good bye, shook hands and then saluted Rommel wondering all the time if their paths would cross again in this war.

[rkr1958]

Turn 20. September 19, 1940 Axis.

I hope you liked my scripts above. I wanted to spice up the AAR a bit; but I won't be writing any more like this for a while as they take me a lot of time do. By the way, the part about the tire catching on fire on landing and burning wildly just below a fuel tank as Hitler exited the plane actually happen. It happened on a visit to Finland to convince Finland to support him against Russia. There is actual footage of this and Hitler continued on for the cameras as nothing was happening. The footage contains a few frames of two enlisted men with fire extinguisher running to put out the fire but trying to avoid getting seen by the camera.

One thing that I preach but it's hard for me to practice is patience. I was so caught up in taking out Greece as fast as possible when I didn't really have to. All my forces are in an all fair weather zone. Also, because of my in patience I upgraded two tactical bombers last turn and got a good research result this turn and achieved level 2 in Close Air Support (C87). If I had waited one more turn, and I should have, these two bombers would have been at status 6/6 instead of status 5/6. Basically, I feel that I wasted 6x2 = 12 PPs by not waiting one more turn. Also, I'm a little frustrated that my dog fighting level is well below level 1. It's taking longer than I like; but for now, I'm holding off upgrading the German fighters. By the way, dog fighting level 1 does not improve tactical or strategic bombers so I can upgrade them without having to wait.

Also, my scripts above reflected an "internal" discussion I was having with myself on whether or not to proceed with the invasion or wait a couple of turns to increase the effectiveness of the attack ground and air forces (C88). As you can see waiting one turn brought up effectiveness significantly. However; I will wait unit the effectiveness of the two German corps (I & II) get into the mid to high 80's before proceeding. To be honest, against another human opponent waiting for the invasion would make me much more nervous than against the AI; however, I would still wait. If I had gone this turn the invasion corps would have had effectiveness in the low 60's when they landed, which would have unnecessarily made things more difficult.

The Italians built their 5th lab, which was their 2nd infantry lab (C89). Also, the Germans built Manstein who will be deployed to an armor corps in Russia. As you can see I've started transferring units to the east. I will deploy Manstein to max out unit effectiveness for Germans being transferred east in preparation for Barbarossa.


C87. German Technology Snapshot


C88. Southern Italy and North Africa


C89. Italian Lab 5, Infantry 2


C90. Manstein


C91. Build Up on the Eastern Front

[rkr1958]

Turn 21. October 5, 1940 Axis.

The allied AI bomb-a-matic continued this turn (C92) with the RAF strategic bomber hitting the port of Antwerp, which uncovered a u-boat there, followed up by a fighter attack against the u-boat, which inflicted no damage. The second attack was by the Malta fighter against the Italian garrison outside of Tripoli.

I can't decide if the AI made a brilliant move by attacking the port of Antwerp by a strategic bomber looking for subs (basically using them for recon) to follow up with attacks against them. Or, if it was being incredible stupid by attacking a port, which holds no resource value (i.e., PPs), and got incredible lucky in that it uncovered the sub, which by the way I moved to Brest to join other 5 u-boats flotillas at sea (C93).

My u-boats finally got back into the business of hunting convoys and three of them, in wolfpack formation, attacked a convoy. Noticed that none of the u-boats that attacked are adjacent to any UK ship or withing range of a CV. This way the can't be counterattacked. Also, a tactic I like to use to keep the convoy in place so I can continue the attack on next turn, assuming the RN doesn't move in, is to directly attack it with the top and bottom u-boats but keep the middle one in place and hidden. Then when the convoy moves it runs into the middle one and stays in place. If you move correctly you can keep a convoy in place and under attack using this method until you destroy it. The AI will likely move ships next to the u-boats next so I'll have to flee but if I can a change on a convoy out of RN range for a few turns I'll demonstrate this tactic.

I took my medicine this turn and spent 12 PPs to upgrade the two tactical bombers that upgraded prematurely two turns ago. I really hate wasting PPs this way. Against a human opponent little mistakes like this really add up and make a difference in the outcome of the game. As the old saying goes, for want of a nail a shoe was lost. For what of a shoe a horse was lost. For want of a horse a soldier was lost. For want of a soldier a battle for lost. For loss of a battle a war was lost.

Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece was still not launched this turn in order to increase unit effectiveness, which this turn was: 83/86 (I/II corps) and 75/71/72 (TAC bombers). Note that the last two TAC bombers were upgraded to 6/6, which dropped their effectiveness by 5 points. Operation Marita will begin next turn.

Rommel has gotten all the delay for training he could have expected. The Fuhrer was not known for his patience in such matters. Of course Keitel's patience was a direct reflection of The Fuhrer's as was everything Keitel did. Rommel was also puzzled by the newly decoded dispatch announcing the transfer of General Von Manstein from OKW HQ in Berlin to his new command in Poland. What transgression did Von Manstein commit to get posted to Poland. Or? Surely, that madman in Berlin (the Fuhrer) isn't planning to invade Russia. No one would be that stupid. Or would they?


C92. AI Bomb-a-Matic Continues


C93. U-boat Action and Disposition

[rkr1958]

Turn 22. October 25, 1940 Axis.

Finally! The Germans achieved dog fighting level 1 (C94) and the two German fighter in North Africa were upgraded.

The AI RN responded to the wolfpack attack last turn by moving a significant number of units into the area to protect the convoy (C95). Two major flaws in this response were: (1) it move to protect a badly depleted and low value convoy and (2) it left a CV exposed and vulnerable to sub attack. In my opinion these are two major flaws in naval logic. First, it didn't cost benefit of trying to save a 5 PP convoy versus the risk of loss. Apparently it doesn't seem to distinguish between a 5 PP and a 50 PP or even a 100 PP convoy. Secondly, it moved a CV in position without any escorts (i.e., adjacent ships). I had been giving the AI break by not going after allied fighters this exposed CV was just too much to pass up. It was sunk by 4 u-boat flotillas without any loss (C95).

Operation Marita (C96) was initiated this turn. The I/II corps were at 90/87 effectiveness. I crops was moved east of Athens and II corps was moved in the channel west of Athens. The Italian garrison was moved to invade Crete. The invasion corps moves were proceeded by the escorting Italian fleet to sweep for UK sub groups. If they had uncovered any the 3 German tactical bombers and 2 strategic bombers could have wreaked havoc on them and with the naval units moving first the operation could have easily been delayed until the sub groups were closed. If, instead I moved the invasion transports first, which would not be wise, and they found a sub or two then not only would they take losses but I would have been scrambling to try to save them and the operation might even have had to been canceled. The bottom line is to move your naval escorts first. Also, if you're planning any air upgrades then wait until after all the naval and transport moves in case they're needed against any uncovered subs. If not, then you upgrade; otherwise if you upgrade first then these air units aren't available. In this case, the 3 tactical and 2 strategic bombers were upgraded previously and were ready. Note that the two German fighters in North Africa were upgraded this turn and will move next turn to the Greek Isles to provide CAP of the invasion forces. I also have one German fighter in Albania to provide CAP of the 3 TAC airbases there.

By the way, I build the 4th German tactical bomber in preparation for Barbarossa. Other PP activities included repairs of a number of units who hadn't been repair from the French campaign. Another little thing is that I didn't need to rush to repair these units. I had other priorities for the PPs and it wasn't until those priorities were met that I repaired these units.


C94. Dog fighting Level .


C95. RN Response to Wolfpack Attack on Convoy


C96. RN CV Sunk without loss


C97. Operation Marita Kicked Off

[rkr1958]

Turn 23. November 14, 1940

Hungary entered the war and the weather was mud/rain in northern and central Europe (C98). I'm glad I waited to invaded Greece to not only make the point that I needed to the delay to increase effectiveness but to make the point that if you position your forces properly that you can carry out this operation without being dependent upon the weather. Before getting to the details of the invasion I took care of other business.

I started moving units in Hungary for preparation of the invasion of Yugoslavia (C99). The armor corps that I moved there is where I plan to deploy Guderian, who hasn't been built yet. I will use him to "command" the ground forces (i.e., increase effectiveness) and Rommel to command the air forces for the Yugoslavia invasion will happen on the first fair weather turn in 1941. I will need to move ground units into Romania so the invasion can only happen at the earliest a couple of turns after Romania activities.

A couple of French partisans have popped up (C100). I railed two Hungarian infantry corps to France to help deal with them and future ones.

I also built the 6th Italian lab, which was their 2nd general lab. Now to the Greek invasion.

I made four attacks; but of course, the primary focus and first attack was on Athens. If Athens had fallen, resulting in the surrender of Greece, the other three attacks would have not been necessary and would not have taken place.

Attack 1, The Attack on Athens: BB east of Athens, TAC with highest efficiency (81), TAC with next to the highest efficiency (79), II Corps west of Athens (in the channel), BB west of Athens in the channel, I Corps. The defending corps survived at 4-steps. The last two attacks (i.e., BB & I corps) inflicted no losses.

Now the other two attacks were focused on reducing the impact of the Greek counterattack since it survived.

Attack 2, Infantry corps in the Mine. 3rd TAC (79 effectiveness) which knocked of 2-steps.

Attack 3, Infantry corps in the north. Both strategic bombers, which inflicted no damage but did decrease effectiveness even further.

Attack 4, Crete defenders. DD, which knocked off 2-steps.


C98. Start


C99. Hungary


C100. French Resistance


C101. Italian Lab 6, 2nd General


C102. Invasion Greece (Operation Marita)

[rkr1958]

Turn 24. December 4, 1940 Axis.

Snow in central Europe and severe winter weather in northern Europe (C103). The allied AI continued its bombing campaign (C104). But what surprised me was the appearance of a new RAF tactical bomber and the movement of two RN BBs to supply the partisan next to Cheroburg. That supply was in vain as the partisan was wiped out this turn. I could respond to the allied bombings and RN shelling; however, they really aren't doing that much damage. And by responding then I'm reacting and letting the allied player set the agenda. Of course, this only applies to minor things such as what is going on in France. If the allied player were to attack Libya or the RN intervene in Greece then of course I would respond as I could really hurt them there.

Athens fell this turn but; surprisingly, with no margin. The AI repaired the infantry corps in Athens to 7-steps, the one in mine to 10-steps and moved the one in the north south. A human player recognizing that Greece would probably fall next turn would have still repaired the Athens defenders but would have counterattacked with the other two corps inflicting what damage it could. Anyway, the attack sequence on Athens was: BB (east), BB (west), TAC (83 efficiency) and TAC (81 efficiency). At this time the defenders were down to 2-steps and I though this was a breeze. Next the II corps attacked knocking off only 1-step leaving the I corps with expected odds of 1-step. It did the job and took Athens.

After Athens fell, the Italian sub took a recon trip to find the RN, which turned up negative. Next, the SAC bomber of Rhodes hit the port on Cyprus and found a UK sub group. However; an RN CV was near by and intercepted knocking off 2-steps from the bomber while losing 1 its self. One other piece of Recon is that my supply status for North Africa is 3, which means that the allied AI has at least the minimum number of surface ships in the Med, which is 3 or which 1 must be a CV. Note the sub group doesn't count, so at a minimum the Brits have 1 CV, 2 BB/DD and 1 sub in the Med.

By the way, I will be deploying Guderian to an infantry corps. The reason is that after the Yugoslavia campaign he will be moved to northern Russian and given command of Army Group North, which operates mainly in the woods. Manstein will command Army Group Center and Rommel Army Group South. All of this was the result of Paulus' planning; but of course Keitel took credit for it. And because this information is being held at the highest level no even Paulus dares to communicated it to Rommel via backdoor channels.


C103. T24. December 4, 1940 Start


C104. Allied AI


C105. Greece is Conquered


C106. East Med Recon

[rkr1958]

Turn 25. December 24, 1940 Axis.

Romania entered the war this turn so preparations for the invasion of Yugoslavia can begin in earnest (C107). I decided that Manstein would command the ground troops and that Guderian, who was "built" this turn, would be deployed to Prussia and begin his command and build up of Army Group North.

The Italian sub continued it's recon mission in the eastern Med and to my surprise found that Port Said, in addition to Alexandria are empty. Since Vichy Syria is still neutral this means that the RN must be gathered around Cyprus. The Italian sub group will swing north next turn to get a better look.


C107. Preparations for Yugoslavia Invasion


C108. Deeper Recon in the Med

[rkr1958]

Turn 26. January 13, 1941 Axis.

I made sure I had enough PPs to buy the 3rd Infantry and 3rd Armor labs for the Germans this turn (C109), which was the first turn of 1941 so the maximum labs per area went to 3. I am planning launch Barabarossa on June 22 and would like to have infantry and armor levels in all areas of 1 or better. However; Anti Tank Guns (Inf) and Armor (Armor) were at 0 and seemed to really be lagging so I focused in those areas. I really didn't want to that but need to advance technology in those areas. This used all my remaining focus points; however, as soon as those areas reach level 1 and I have the focus points I'll switch back to balance research in both areas.

The Italian sub group swung north and found an RN CV and BB. For previous recon by a SAC unit we also know that a UK sub group is in the area. Since the RN is satisfying the minimum naval requirements this means that the allies likely have a BB in Gibraltar, or much less likely, Malta.


C109. German Labs


C110. East Med Recon

[rkr1958]

Turn 27. February 2, 1941 Axis.

The weather in central Europe was winter and I started redeploying one fighter and one tactical bombers from Albania for Russia. This left two tactical bombers and it occurred to me that they were in the fair weather zone even though Yugoslavia was in winter. In looking at my situation I would be able to get two full strength tactical bomber attacks and two infantry in snow attacks against Belgrade. While the winter prevented for strength attacks and reduced movement it also would effect the Yugoslavia defenders, which meant that they would be able to move far or exploit any gaps. So I decided to invade and left the defenders at 1-step (C111).

Also, this turn two German wolfpacks found and attacked convoys (C112 & C113).


C111. Yugoslavia Invaded


C112. Central Convoy Attacked


C113. Northern Convoy Attacked

[rkr1958]

Turn 28. February 22, 1941

The weather in central Europe turned fair and Yugoslavia was finished off with two attacks by infantry corps (C114). Attacking Yugoslavia is not like attacking Greece. I could afford to be a bit reckless because, unlike Greece, Yugoslavia is isolated from the Brits and the RN. I really needed to just start my build up on the eastern front for Russia so that's why I decided to invaded in the winter. Even if I had gotten winter this turn I would have easily finished it off because the two tactical bombers in Albania, which I didn't use, would have attacked from fair weather and at full strength.

German research (C115) in infantry->anti-tank guns and armor->armor is still lagging a bit behind even after changing the focus to those areas last turn. Allowing one turn for railing then new armor builds must be made next turn (March 14), mechanized no later than April 3 and infantry corps no later than April 23 to be available for the opening turn of Barbarossa. The current build queue (C116) includes a German and Italian fighter, which of course will be ready in time.

Deployment of forces for Barbarossa to the four commands (C117) has begun. The four commands are: Army Group North (Guderian), Army Group Center (Manstein), Army Group South (Rommel) and the Italian Command (TBD). The total air forces available will be 2 German fighters, 1 Italian fighter, 3 axis minor fighters (6 fighters total), 2 German strategic bombers, 4 German tactical bombers and 1 Italian tactical bomber. This leaves 2 German and 1 Italian fighter in North Africa. Also, at the '41 winter stop the 2 strategic bombers will be deployed to Norway along with 1 or 2 tactical bombers, a fighter to go after the Murmansk convoy and any allied ships foolish enough to enter the "Murmansk Death Zone". The fighter and at least one of the tactical bombers will be new builds. Currently, three armor and one mechanized corps are on the eastern front. Next turn and regardless of technology progress in armor I will build two more armor corps and the turn after two more mechanized corps. I would like to build a 3rd mechanized corps but I don't think I'll have the PPs for that. After that turn then it's massive infantry builds until I feel I've got sufficient forces on the eastern front. Building up for Barbarossa is tight but the key is that I have the summer and fall of 1941 to really build up the number of German and Italian infantry corps there. For the Italians the next build priority is a leader then as many infantry builds as I can.

Two wolkpacks continued their attacks on the northern (C118) and southern (C119) convoys. Note that the center u-boat flotilla in both cases didn't attack but will allow the convoys to run into it and that keeps it in place. In C119 I demonstrate with the yellow lines the pivot tactic that I use to shift the wolfpack down 1 hex and attack with the top and bottom flotillas and keeping the center one hidden. Note that the only way to keep the center one hidden is by moving in a sub. The convoy will run into the center hidden sub and remain in place. The next turn you can pivot up one hex and do the same thing. In this way, you can keep a convoy in place for as many turns as you need and sink it. Of course, this assumes that the allied player hasn't moved any ships in to stop you.


C114. Yugoslavia is Conquered


C115. German Research Status


C116. Current Builds


C117. Eastern Front - Start of Build Up


C118. Wolfpack Attacks Northern Convoy


C119. Wolfpack Attacks Southern Convoy

[rkr1958]

Turn 29. March 14, 1941

Bulgaria enter the war so all of the axis minors except for Finland are fully mobilized. German technology in armor was teasingly close to making it to level 1 (C120). However; June 22, 1941 is a firm date and I decide to go ahead with the two new armor builds (C120). This means they won't have armor-> armor level 1, which is an increases in survivability by 1. However; they will have the technology advances in the other two areas and the 3 other armor corps will be upgraded and will have all available technology.

It looks like I will have the PP's to build 3 mechanized corps next turn. That's the good news. The bad news is that they must be built regardless of whether or not infantry->anti tank guns reach level 1.

The build up on the eastern front continues (C122). A strategy that's seems to be in vogue now is to launch an amphibious invasion on turn 1 of Barbarossa to capture Tallinn to primarily destroy the Russian sub. I thought I'd give that a try this game. Having some fun I moved the I and II infantry corps next Konigsberg and Gdynia and will use them again as my amphibious units. In addition to participating in the French campaign on land this means that they would have conducted amphibious invasions of Norway, Greece and Russia. Also, they directly conquered both Norway and Greece. There's definitely a lot of Iron Crosses in that unit.


C120. German Technology


C121. Axis Build Queue


C122. Eastern Front