Doug (axis) vs Victor (allies)

[gerones]

Turn 1. September 1, 1939

I will play another game with Doug (Schnurri). We have decided to start a new game so we can test the new updates done to the game especially the ones regarding to ASW and survivability bonus for destroyer units. So the game stopped by early december 2011 won´t be resumed. This game will be played with GS 2.01 RC6 and I will be using new large counters at 1 and 3 zoom levels. Occasionally I could be using zoom level 2.

It was a pretty typical first axis turn in Poland with a powerful german advance towards Warsaw, seizing Lodz in the process. Panzer german units did not find any resistance in their advance and only to mention that Luftwaffe took some losses in its air attacks: 3 steps lost.

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Polish army organized a counterattack near Krakow with the XVIII Armeekorps NE of the city as its objective. Firstly, Polish air force attacked the unit being intercepted by german fighters that took 1 more air step lost. Polish fighter took 3 steps lost in the attack. Afterwards, Armia Krakow attacked the germans followed by Grupa Tarnova (GAR) crossing the Vistula and attacking XVIII Armeekorps with such luck that forced the inf corps to retreat! Finally, Armia Karpaty also participated in the attack so the german was reduced to 4 steps. This successful polish counterattack plus Luftwaffe 4 air steps lost could be considered as a satisfactory result for this campaign for the allies.

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France and UK prepare for war. British I Corps was embarked to french ports for being deployed in France as soon as possible. UK bought its first air lab.

[gerones]

Turn 2. September 21, 1939. Poland surrenders to Germany.

Poland fell. Anyway, german forces suffered considerable losses for this campaign as you can see in the image below that also includes a shot from casualties window. To mention the 5 air steps lost by Luftwaffe.

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UK bought its first naval lab and I Corps disembarked in France ready for being deployed. Canadian BEF is about to arrive to France.

Not sure if Doug will try again Blitzkrieg strategy.

[gerones]

Turn 3. October 11, 1939

Denmark was invaded and conquered by the germans this turn. In the rest, to mention that a canadian naval transport was ambushed by a german sub near Brest. It was my fault not to move the DD first to ensure that no subs were in the way of the naval transport for reaching Brest port safe and sound. But keeping in mind that I did not expect any sub there and that the transported unit is a garrison unit would explain both why I relaxed.

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British I Corps arrived to front line. I will post an image with allied defensive dispositions for western front.

[gerones]

Turn 4. October 31,1939

Mud weather so no major operations foreseen.

UK bought its first infantry lab and Canadian BEF finally arrived to Brest port.

[gerones]

Turn 9. February 8, 1940.

Bad weather turns passed and almost nothing happened. Only to mention that german uboats (3 units) sunk a 20 steps allied convoy. Weather was winter in current turn so I will take the chance to show allied dispositions for western front at this date.

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Plan "E", that is, occupation of west bank of Schelde river when invasion of Belgium occurs is now a must do in allied defensive strategy for Case Yelow, since this much helps the french to keep the coast route closed to panzers. Yes, the germans can also force this position and to cross in force Schelde river but that will be at higher costs and with the risk of being harassed by allied naval forces. And if they succeed here, the allies are still able to form a second defensive line in Somme river. French troops in Lille, well entrenched, are also key for trying to deny this route to the germans as well as BEF that is deployed around that city. Central sector of the front is divided in two sectors: one under command of Gamelin and the other one which leader is Billote. Gamelin commands the most powerful and important french forces which mission is to keep the germans away from Paris. Billote forces main objective is to take advantage of the good conditions of the terrain (forest and rivers) for defense and to stop the germans here. Finally, in the east are french Corps d'Armée de Forteresse forces covering Maginot line sector.

UK bought two more labs during this period: first general lab before ending 1939 and second air lab once 1940 started. Also, to mention that French High Command has ordered North Africa forces to stay there so this territory will not be emptied of military forces because of the risk of an italian agression.

[gerones]

Turn 11. March 19, 1940. Case Yelow starts.

Turn 10 saw another bad weather turn so Case Yelow definitely started in march 1940. Wehrmacht invaded both Belgium and Holland and both surrendered to Germany in the very same turn. Panzers attacked Brussels without finding almost any resistance.

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• German tanks in western Belgium, May 1940

Situation at the end of axis turn:

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To mention that this time Wehrmacht losses were reasonably low and that Luftwaffe rebased many of its air units wings to Belgium and Holland. Also I was surprised that only 1 german tactical bomber unit participated in the air attacks.

French army inmediately advanced to Schelde river line as planned. Furthermore, allied positions in Nord-Pas de Calais were notably reinforced so British I Corps and French 2e Armee (inf corps) moved north to prevent a possible breakthrough in this sector. Gamelin HQ corps units moved 1 hex north to provide effectiveness to french troops wihtout leaving the mechs. France is recruiting more and more troops so a number of garrison units is now deployed forming a continued double defensive line from Strait of Dover to Maginot line.

Situation at the end of allies turn:

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UK bought its second naval lab.

[gerones]

Turn 12. April 8, 1940

Ouch! Wehrmacht forces helped by Luftwaffe successfully attacked french positions in west bank of Schelde river so german I Armeekorps and XV Panzergrenadier crossed in force the river and stablished a solid bridgehead. This way previous allied movements to northern France avoided further breakthroughs in this sector. As a result of these attacks 2 french garrison units were destroyed. Also, XIII Armeekorps attacked and destroyed another french garrison unit south of Lille. This was all for this sector of the front. But there were also intense combats in central sector of the front with IV, IX and XVIII Armeekorps attacking Lorraine and destroying french 9e Armee (inf corps) there.

Situation at the end of axis turn:

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Allied High Command did not expect the germans to achieve such quick and early progress in Schelde river so it was ordered a withdrawal to Somme river. French fleet made its first shore bombardments of german I AK in Belgium taking one step to this unit and french air force also saw action this turn. French army decided to launch its first offensive action of the campaign choosing the exposed IX Armeekorps NE of Reims as target. So both french mechs (1e and 7e Armee) attacked the german unit reducing it to 4 steps.

Situation at the end of allied turn:

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RN are really busy escorting convoys so no time for transporting canadian forces to UK for the moment.

[gerones]

Turn 13. April 28, 1940

Wehrmacht progressed notably in northern France conquering Lille and reaching Somme river thus destroying 2 more french garrisons in this sector. In the center, french 1e Armee (mech) was destroyed by a combined attack of german panzergrenadiers and tanks. Reims is now in danger and this way all the french defensive system. A little bit more SE, IV Armeekorps continued its successful campaign through the forests destroying another french garrison unit there.

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Allies have decided to reinforce even more their defensive positions. Unfortunately, I forgot to take screenshots at the end of allied turn but I can tell you that Maginot line has been mostly abandoned so available troops are being railed from eastern France to Paris. Reims defenders received reinforcements and 1 more french garrison was bought. French air force took a beat and RAF fighters from No. 11 Group saw action with a 2:2 result against Luftwaffe fighters.

Two questions: since they have only appeared for a single turn sinking a convoy, where german u-boats are? And second, why Luftwaffe is only using one tactical wing in Case Yelow?

[gerones]

Turn 14. May 18, 1940. Norway invaded by Wehrmacht!

Doug has decided to attack Norway without previously having conquered France. That´s why his tactical wings were not all deployed for Case Yelow. And that´s why also german paratroopers did not appear at all in western front since they have been dropped in Oslo. Note that no german commanders are now operating in french campaign and that 2 commanders have participated in Weserübung. May be Sweden is the next step? No way to an allied intervention here not only because this has been a really unexpected attack but also because France is the priority now.

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Back to western front, things have turned into a slow german progress in all sectors which much favour the allies. Wehrmacht made a little breakthrough destroying another french unit (GAR) but this is not supposed to have inmediate consequences in order to threaten Paris because in this sector the allies are well positioned and because of the many rivers around that favours defense. The same could be said right at the other side of the front (eastern France) where XIX Panzerkorps destroyed 1 more french garrison. Billote´s HQ unit was also heavily damaged. Abandoned Maginot line forts were occupied by german infantry forces. Below situation at the end of axis turn.

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It can be said that now western front is more or less stabilized and no major breakthroughs should occur in 2-3 turns so we aim for a july-august fall of France. North African french forces have been not moved at all since Italy is about to join the Axis. Depleted french fighter has been withdrawn to southern France for a possible deployment in Africa if armistice is rejected.

Situation at the end of allies turn:

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RN operation for escorting canadian forces to UK and/or Middle East has started.

[gerones]

Turn 15. June 7, 1940

Bitter fight in France now where many things happened this turn. Wehrmacht attacked and destroyed british I Corps in the Somme. Canadian BEF (GAR) was also attacked and forced to retreat so XV Panzergrenadier occupied the hex left empty by the canadians and finally reduced the garrison to 2 steps. This way a new bridgehead in Somme river was created. In the center, III Panzergrenadier and XVI Panzerkorps, surely with air support from Luftwaffe, attacked Reims and seized the city thus destroying the other remaining french mech. Finally, in the eastern sector of the front, XIX Panzerkorps cut off Strasbourg from the rest of France.

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French High Command ordered to launch a counterattack in Somme sector against XV Pzgr bridgehead. It was asked to brits some air support from RAF and RN. French fleet would also participate. And finally the main attack by land would be made from 2e Armee and Gamelin´s 6e Armee. Operation become a complete success for the allies since the german mech unit was destroyed and so the bridgehead recently formed. RAF and naval bombardments achieved to reduce 3 steps to the mech. XV Pzgr, reduced to 5 steps, was then attacked by french army being finished off by french 2e Armee. RAF fighters from No. 11 Group, when escorting the british bombers, scored a 2:2 against Luftwaffe fighters.

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No Italy entry at war yet. 1st armoured british lab bought. USA and USSR although not at war, have bought 3 and 2 labs respectively. USA has 2 general labs and 1 air lab. USSR has 1 infantry lab and 1 air lab.

[gerones]

Turn 16. June 27, 1940.

Unexpected massive U-boat presence in English Channel resulted in the sinking of the british BB that last turn participated in allied offensive action in Somme river. Surely, the u-boats were helped by Luftwaffe which fighter forces are really taking a beat against RAF fighter pilots (see in the image below Luftwaffe fighter wing south of Antwerp reduced to 4 steps). French BB was also torpedoed. Back to the ground, Wehrmacht started an offensive in Somme river that destroyed Gamelin HQ 6e Armee inf corps and forced to retreat 2e Armee to Rouen. Germans also progressed in the east sector of the front where a bridgehead in upper Seine was stablished by XIX Panzerkorps.

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RAF focussed this time in retaliation air attacks against the german subs. RAF forces (1 fighter, 1 strat) only achieved to reduce 2 steps from one of the germans subs, the one that was not protected by Luftwaffe fighters. French army try something against halved I Armeekorps (shore bombing from french fleet and attack from garrison unit) but failed completely in taking a single step to the german unit. In the center, garrison units close to Reims were withdrawn to form a new double defensive line in the Seine. Aircraft carriers sailed from Bristol to Portsmouth to help in ASW actions.

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Italy finally joined the Axis this turn.

[gerones]

Turn 17. July 17, 1940. Breakthrough!

Powerful Wehrmacht panzer formations crossed in force Seine river and broke french lines. Paris is now directly threatened. I Armeekorps also crossed the Seine in Rouen and XIX Panzerkorps continued its slow but continued advance in the east reaching the outskirts of Dijon. In the Channel, german subs continued their intense activity: french BB was sunk.

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French army organized what can be its last offensive action in this campaign. 2e Armee at Rouen would leave the city and would attack halved german I Armeekorps that has just crossed the river. Garrison unit would also participate in the attack. This way, french 2e Armee started the attack and took 2 steps from the german unit whilst garrison took 1 step. I AK was left reduced to 2 steps.

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As I commented in last turn post Italy have already joined the axis and first troops and naval movements have been done. RAF AHQ Malta reconnaissance missions revealed an italian naval transport that it is about to unload in Tripoli port. Why Tripoli and not Bengazhi? Could this mean that Schnurri is going to reject french armistice so this italian corps unit is going to make all the way to Tunis via Mareth fortress?

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[gerones]

Turn 18. August 6, 1940.

Paris is completely surrounded by Wehrmacht forces that did not make a final attack to the city: this only could mean that Doug wants Spain joining the axis.

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This way axis naval transports appear close to Oran and Casablanca and another italian transport has already landed in Corsica.

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French Mediterranean fleet was ordered to attack the italian transport that is to land in Oran. So french DD that was in Argel port moved to attack the transport but then run into an italian sub that lost 4 steps whilst the french naval unit lost 2. French BB did effectively attack the transport reducing it in 3 steps.

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British Mediterranean fleet was also mobilized: BB at Alexandria and aircraft carrier in Port Said moved west. Egypt and Irak joined the allies at the end of the turn which will be really helpful. Canadian fighter and mech arrived to UK which will help against an unlikely but possible Sea lion operation.

[PionUrpo]

Did you manage to evac any French corps'? Rather than losing them in France they'd be very handy for Sealion defense or Africa as UK hard pressed to build more.

[gerones]

Did you manage to evac any French corps'? Rather than losing them in France they'd be very handy for Sealion defense or Africa as UK hard pressed to build more.

To evacuate the 3 steps french fighter was a must do. Not sure about prematurely evacuating french corps units since you don´t know if they would be more useful for delaying the fall of France or using them in other fronts. You never know if your opponent is going to reject french armistice until the germans are close to Paris. Anyway, chances for a 1940 Sealion are now low but who knows. I will be also preparing for a possible 1941 Sealion since Doug is a player who uses to avoid a 1941 Barbarossa.

[PionUrpo]

I know he does

I've usually tried to save corps or two just incase. Well, unless Paris is going really fast or I know for (almost) sure that opponent won't delay Barbarossa. Just personal preference really. I do like to discourage this Axis strategy by keeping few French units around since I don't like playing against it very much

[gerones]

Turn 19. August 26, 1940.

Heavy naval battles in western Mediterranean sea between french and italian fleet this turn. In axis turn, ambushed french DD in last turn was decimated by italian navy and french BB at Oran was torpedoed by italian subs. But on the other hand, an italian BB run into french sub losing 2 steps both units. This ambushed italian BB was chosen as target by French High Command in North Africa. French naval attack would be helped by australian fleet in Argel port. So finally italian BB was attacked by french and australian fleet supported by french air forces in Africa. Result was that italian BB was reduced to 1 step. An italian corps landed in Oran.

• Situation in Western Med at the end of axis turn.

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• Situation in the Western Med at the end of allies turn.

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Eastern Mediterranean Royal Navy is moving west as fast as possible to participate in the bitter naval engagements near of Argelia coasts. If french fleet holds enough time may be we can see an early allied naval victory in the Med that could much complicate Schnurri´s plans for activating Spain as an axis ally. This way, 8th Army is also approaching Tobruk now that main axis forces in the Med are busy in French North Africa.

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Back to western front. In this scenario it would have to mention a significant naval event in Strait of Dover waters. A german DD trying to cross English Channel run into a british sub resulting in 2 steps lost for the german unit and 4 for the sub. RAF took the chance and the german DD was sunk by 2 air attacks both from carrier (5:0 odd against the DD!) and from fighters of No. 11 Group. No need that the german DD had to be finished by the sub that sailed to Chatham naval base for repairs. RAF aircrafts did not find Luftwaffe opposition in these attacks since likely german air bases are being progressively rebased to the Mediterranean scenario.

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British High Command has decided to reinforce naval forces in the Med in order to achieve a decisive victory against italian navy. That´s why 3 british DD´s will move to western Med. Meanwhile, in France inf corps in Paris continued to make attacks to german surrounding forces. In other sectors of France, axis forces are trying to reach Med and Atlantic french ports.

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[gerones]

Turn 20. September 15, 1940.

Intense naval battle in the Med continues. French decimated DD at 1 step was sunk and french BB was reduced to 2 steps at the end of axis turn. Below naval battle situation at the end of axis turn.

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This time eastern Med Royal Navy arrived in time! Italian DD was in range of both british BB and carrier positioned near Malta so they fired and seriously damaged the italian naval unit that was finished off by the australian RN DD. Furthermore, british sub, well positioned, spotted retreating italian BB at 1 step in Cagliari that was torpedoed and sunk in port. Finally, french sub and Armee d´l Air in North Africa reduced italian transport to 6 steps. Naval battle at the end of allies turn:

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Much further east but still in North Africa scenario, british 8th Army reached the vicinities of Tobruk and, as expected, it was checked the weakness of italian defenses at Tobruk.

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It can be said that the allies have now a fair chance to achieve an early success in the Mediterranean scenario. The sinking of 2 italian naval surface units has been really a blow for the axis here. Spain still could become an axis ally but now that thing it is much more difficult to happen. Allies will have an extra air unit in the Med (french fighter) and Tobruk, less defended, shouldn´t be much difficult to take in the following turns. May be this game is proving that to reject french armistice and go for NA could be a risky option if not carefully planned. Highlighted are the areas zoomed above.

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In Western Europe, german BB, when moving to St Lorient port, probably spotted british transport in the Atlantic that was sunk by u-boats. Anyway, destroyers and submarine continued their way to the Med. I have now doubts about to send Atlantic british sub to the Med because of the recent naval success there. May be it could result more useful against a possible 1941 Sea lion.

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As I like the soviets to reach a good air tech level right by 1942 I bought second USSR air lab.

[gerones]

Turn 21. October 5, 1940.

Luftwaffe forces have appeared in the Med. British BB near Argel was bombed by Regia Aeronautica being reduced to 7 steps. British carrier was torpedoed by an italian sub and French BB in Argel port was also torpedoed but holds at 1 step.

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French BB was finally evacuated and moved to Gibraltar since PP´s are going to be used in repairing fighter unit. RN carrier attacked and reduced 2 steps to italian sub whilst british BB sailed to Argel port and australian DD to Gibraltar both for repairs. In other sectors of Mediterranean scenario, Canadian corps started to attack german GAR in Casablanca and Indian Corps is also about to land in Morocco for helping the canadians. May be british carrier in Argel will be sent to Casablanca for providing air support and to for trying to liberate the city once the indians have landed.

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Activity around Tunis and Malta is increasing more and more. Tunis french garrison unit was heavily bombed and a german paratroop division was dropped close to Tunis but taking heavy losses. Meanwhile, italian armoured and one italian Corpo continued their advance to Tunis. Sicily is now also base for Luftwaffe with 1 fighter and 1 tac stationed there. AHQ Malta, as you can see, have received important reinforcements in fighter aircrafts and has reached full strength at the end of last allied turn.

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RAF Mediterranean Command decided to make its first sortie. Chosen target was exposed german tactical bomber south of Palermo. So AHQ Malta attacked Ju-87´s air base. Attack was successful: tactical bomber took 3 steps and german fighter took another 2 steps. British fighter lost 2 steps. Furthermore, a british naval transport carrying a garrison unit from Egypt approached to tunisian coast near Mareth fortress trying to threat italian supply in Tunisia.

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Back to Tobruk. British tanks are now close to the city-fortress. Italians have 2 corps, 1 mech and 1 garrison, that is, initial 1940 starting forces there.

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UK bought its second infantry lab.

[gerones]

Turn 22. October 25, 1940.

Italian subs continued to attack RN in the Med. This time it was british carrier that was reduced to 7 steps because of those attacks. Meanwhile, the only remaining italian surface ship in Cagliari port attacked naval transport that was to land in Mareth. Luftwaffe is bringing more and more air wings to Africa as you can see.

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Allies have decided to focus in retaking again Casablanca and that´s why RN ships and french subs moved west. Indian corps has just landed in Morocco and will attack the city in the next turn. French fighter was also rebased and it will be moved also to Morocco. DD´s from Atlantic have just arrived to the Med so now there´s a significant allied naval presence in this area.

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In Tobruk, 8th Army started its offensive over italian positions. XIII Mech Corps with air support from No. 202 Group, attacked 1st Lybian (GAR). Luftwaffe interceptors appeared and they cause some damage to RAF attacking forces: 2 steps lost for the brits, 0 for the germans.

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French corps at Paris was finally self-killed so France will likely surrender in the next turn.