BattlevonWar (Axis) vs Vokt (Allies)

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:50 pm

Cybvep wrote:Interesing. Invasion of the NA in 1941 is not a common sight, but of course, most players don't abandon Libya in 1940-1941. The problem is that the Germans will get free PPs from southern France. On the other hand, everything that distracts the Axis from the Eastern Front in an1941-1942 is a boost. You could try to invade Norway, too, or feint an invasion there, especially since the Kriegsmarine is stationed in the Gulf of Finland.

Brits could have well tried instead an invasion of Sicily with the support of the RN fleet coming from UK. Malta fighter revealed no strong Italian forces in the island. Still, since Reggia Marina is intact, it appears to be much safer to launch an early Torch.

GPT55 · Post by **GPT55** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 10:59 pm

If the allies successfully invade Norway they can strat-bomb Berlin, not to mention interdicting the Swedish iron ore in winter. This is a major problem for the Axis. Invasion of Iberia gives the Axis significant extra resources, and it's a long tough slog for the Allies thought all that terrain. Does anyone know of an AAR where the Allies did well by invading a neutral Spain?

Cybvep · Post by **Cybvep** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:50 am

In order to invade Spain it's almost mandatory to invade Portugal first. This is an option, but as petertodd said, an attack on neutral Spain is often a slog. On the other hand, Norway is close to GB and you can support the invasion by air. Moreover, many players forget about the Swedish iron ore and that's 6 PPs (multiplied by war effort) per turn - not an insignificant amount and a relatively easy way of hampering the German war effort. We know very well that the Axis needs every PP it can scrounge in 1941-1942 in order to deal enough damage to the Soviets.

Another argument against the invasion of Spain in 1942 in this game is that you plan to invade the NA in 1941. That means that the Germans will get extra PPs from southern France early. In this case, additional Spanish PPs would be yet another boon for the Axis.

IMO you should harass the Germans by invading or feinting an invasion (depending on circumstances) of Norway and prepare your forces in the Med to KO Italy early. As you said, with the Free French in play, you will have a strong force after the US entry. It should be easy to take Sardinia, then you can focus on Sicily. The Axis player won't be able to ignore this without serious consequences.

_Augustus_ · Post by **_Augustus_** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:08 am

Vokt wrote:Turn 33. June 2, 1941.

Naval british force is already on its way to NA. It will be a question of 2-3 turns when all is ready for taking Casablanca and Oran from the sea and Mareth from land. Early mobilization of Free french forces plus british forces will form a considerable army for further operations in the Med. Shot with the fleet sailing to NA:

I believe that in your situation(Allies DOW on Vichy before US entry) the FF forces will go to US pool and can be deployed only when US activates. That is they don't materialize around Agadir.

But maybe that's what you meant but the wording "Early mobilization of Free french forces" just caught my eye.

_Augustus_

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:34 pm

Turn 35. July 12, 1941.

The Axis is advancing fast both in Russia and in Ukraine.

_Augustus_ wrote: I believe that in your situation(Allies DOW on Vichy before US entry) the FF forces will go to US pool and can be deployed only when US activates. That is they don't materialize around Agadir.

But maybe that's what you meant but the wording "Early mobilization of Free french forces" just caught my eye.

_Augustus_

You are right here. I have just checked out that Free French forces go to US force pool. Anyway, invasion will occur since Tunis is one of the Italian surrender cities.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:51 pm

petertodd wrote:If the allies successfully invade Norway they can strat-bomb Berlin, not to mention interdicting the Swedish iron ore in winter. This is a major problem for the Axis. Invasion of Iberia gives the Axis significant extra resources, and it's a long tough slog for the Allies thought all that terrain. Does anyone know of an AAR where the Allies did well by invading a neutral Spain?

Cybvep wrote:In order to invade Spain it's almost mandatory to invade Portugal first. This is an option, but as petertodd said, an attack on neutral Spain is often a slog. On the other hand, Norway is close to GB and you can support the invasion by air. Moreover, many players forget about the Swedish iron ore and that's 6 PPs (multiplied by war effort) per turn - not an insignificant amount and a relatively easy way of hampering the German war effort. We know very well that the Axis needs every PP it can scrounge in 1941-1942 in order to deal enough damage to the Soviets.

Another argument against the invasion of Spain in 1942 in this game is that you plan to invade the NA in 1941. That means that the Germans will get extra PPs from southern France early. In this case, additional Spanish PPs would be yet another boon for the Axis.

IMO you should harass the Germans by invading or feinting an invasion (depending on circumstances) of Norway and prepare your forces in the Med to KO Italy early. As you said, with the Free French in play, you will have a strong force after the US entry. It should be easy to take Sardinia, then you can focus on Sicily. The Axis player won't be able to ignore this without serious consequences.

Free French forces in USA once Vichy french is attacked means more units available for the Americans for a potential invasion of Spain.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:50 pm

Turn 36. August 1, 1941.

Dnepropetrovsk was taken whilst in Northern Russia, Germans are at the gates of Leningrad.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:30 pm

Turn 37. August 21, 1941.

Heavy fighting near Novgorod.

Med. Landings Vichy NA started. Brits made sure that Vichy French fleet won't be used by the Axis.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 10:16 pm

Turn 38. September 10, 1941.

More cities taken in the USSR.

Some Vichy French garrisons NA are being evacuated to Europe.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:25 pm

Turn 39. September 30, 1941.

Axis offensive actions in the Eastern front are very limited now. Guessing that Axis forces have reached their objectives and now are digging in for the upcoming Winter.

Cakewalk operation in Vichy NA. All objectives seized without any problem.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:02 pm

Turn 40. October 20, 1941.

No Axis attacks at all in the East. Even more, in some spots there were some retreats.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:37 pm

Turn 41. November 9, 1941.

Winter weather in USSR. Germans kept on doing more withdrawals. They are retreating more than it could be expected (even Smolensk was left) and it could be guessed that they will get as much back as the Dnepr.

Empty Smolensk was retaken by the Red Army. First deployments of Siberian units.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:06 pm

Turn 42. November 29, 1941.

Bryansk also abandoned by the Germans. Soviets retook the city.

Severe Winter started.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:11 pm

Turn 43. December 19, 1941.

Scores of USSR cities were abandoned by the retreating Axis forces. In Soviet turn, Red Army did nothing but to retake emptied cities. Not reached yet Axis main defensive line in the East.

After completing the occupation of Vichy NA, Brits will launch an amphibious operation in Sardinia.

USA joins.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:52 am

Turn 44. January 8, 1942.

Red Army first attacked German positions in the Dnepr, destroying a corps unit.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 2:09 pm

Turn 45. January 28, 1942.

More Soviet attacks in the Dnepr. Dnepropetrovsk was heavily attacked by the Soviets but for now holds.

Landings in Sardinia commenced.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:56 pm

Turn 46. February 17, 1942.

Dnepropetrovsk was retaken by the Soviet army. 2 more German corps were killed as a consequence of Soviet attacks.

Reggia Marina intervened in Sardinia just to see one of its DD's units sunk by the Allies.

OxfordGuy3 · Post by **OxfordGuy3** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:07 pm

Are you playing this game now, or did this all happen a while back? Just wondering, as you going through the turns at an incredible rate if it's anything near real time!

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:03 pm

oxford_guy wrote:Are you playing this game now, or did this all happen a while back? Just wondering, as you going through the turns at an incredible rate if it's anything near real time!

We are playing about 2-3 turns per day. And turns are posted with a maximum delay of 1 day.

Vokt · Post by **Vokt** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:39 pm

Turn 47. March 9, 1942.

Normal winter in the East. The Axis withdrew from the positions it occupied between Cherkassy and Dnepropetrovsk. In Allies turn, the Soviets continued with their attacks no matter what, a Romanian mech ending destroyed as a consequence.

Med. Heavy fighting in Sardinia. First Italians launched a counterattack that targeted an Australian corps, forcing it to retreat. In Allies turn, an Italian corps was killed due to attacks from the Allies.