AAR: OzHawkeye V MarkClark (no MarkClark allowed)

[OzHawkeye2]

March 19, 1940

Norway

Invasion! German infantry and armoured units landed southwest of Oslo commencing the German invasion of Norway. The defending Oslo garrison inflicted a 2 step loss on the attacking German infantry suffering only 1 step loss itself. Local reinforcements made good this loss.

The French Atlantic Battleship Squadron valiantly sailed right into the Denmark straight and attacked the German Battleship supporting the invasion forces inflicting a satisfying 5 step loss on the Germans for 2 step taken in damage.

The RAF Squadron based in Norway was recalled back to England for repairs and home defense.



Atlantic

German U-boats disengaged from the battle in the North Sea, allowing the remaining French forces to interdict the German invasion of Norway.

A British Battleship redeploying to Glasgow stumbled upon a German U-boat just off the Scottish Coast and inflicted a multi-step loss upon it. British carrier-borne aircraft also engaged it and by the end of the day the German U-boat was down to 3 steps.

The British Admiralty is tracking 88 PP's of convoys inbound at this time.



France

The organisation of the French command structure for the Maginot Line is expected to be completed in the next three weeks. Aerial reconnaissance shows a number of German units near the border with Holland, however it could be seen that some were still un-repaired.

Garrison troops started deploying to the S/E of France to head off any potential Italian incursion.



North Africa

No action in this theatre this turn.

Casualties

German: 125,900 (^ 10,072)
British: 543,888 (^ 5,036)

Summary

A much better turn for the Allies there. The French Navy, which I basically consider expendable for the time being, thumped that German BB down 5 steps for only 2 steps of losses. If he survives the German counter-attack I may even consider withdrawing and repairing it, since it's now mid-March and still there's no invasion of Holland, Belgium or (most importantly) France.

By my reckoning, unless there's been reinforcements, the German U-boat fleet has only 2 boats at basically full strength, with the 3rd caught off the Scottish coast and down to 3 steps. It's a HUGE risk I think getting the Carrier to join the attack, but I'm gambling that the Axis doesn't have enough U-boat strength at the moment to take it out all in one turn.

I'm screwed if they do though....hehe.

The RN is still in a really bad shape. I've got one replacement Destroyer coming in 5 turns and I'm torn on whether to add another order, go for a replacement air unit, or build some garrison units in preparation for a possible German invasion.

One thing that puzzles me is where all the Axis strength is going. To be in mid-march 1940 with still no fighting on the Western Front worries me that perhaps the Axis have something really tricky up their sleeves ready to spring on me.

My concern is Britain, with both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in a parlous state. Frances needs to hold out for a good long time to give the British time to build up some more, and cut down on the Axis preparation time for Barbarossa.

[raffo80]

i have a question: did germany ever make an attack which resulted in no kill of the target in this game ? i ask cause germans seem very "lucky" in this game.

[OzHawkeye2]

i have a question: did germany ever make an attack which resulted in no kill of the target in this game ? i ask cause germans seem very "lucky" in this game.

Certainly their U-boats have been devastatingly effective (as the next post will show as well). Once or twice I've been able to grab a heavily damaged unit out but it seems MarkClark has invested heavily in U-boats and has quite a few of them, so I'm usually get thumped by 3 or more of them every time the RN steps foot outside a port.

[OzHawkeye2]

April 8, 1940

Norway

The defending Oslo garrison fights bravely on though with rapidly escalating casualties. Reinforcements have brought the unit back up to 7 steps, but Allied High Command fears they cannot hold out for more than the next few weeks.

Atlantic

Further disaster befalls the Royal Navy with its last Atlantic based Battleship attack by a 3 squadron U-boat wolfpack and sunk. The last remaining British naval unit in the Atlantic, the Carrier, withdraws to home port.

The great fear in Britain now is that for the next 6 months at least, German U-boats will be able to operate with near impunity in the Atlantic destroying the vital convoys the UK needs to survive.

The British Admiralty is tracking 85 PP's of convoys in bound, nervously wondering how much of that will actually make port.

France

The French Maginot Line leadership structure is now fully in place and further garrison units have been deployed to the S/E. The French and British public begin to label this the "sitzkreig" wondering how long it will be before the seemingly unstoppable German Wehrmacht comes crashing into France, Belgium or Holland.

Africa

Again, no activity in this zone this turn.

Casualties

German: 125,900 (^ 0)
British: 574,104 (^ 35,252)

Summary

Ok, so this game has gone good and bad for me so far. The bad:

* Royal Navy in Atlantic virtually wiped out. At least 2 BB's 2 Destroyers lost so far.
* Loss of 1 of RAF's two fighter squadrons.
* Atlantic left open to remaining German U-Boat force (at least 4 U-boats known to be in existence and all are fully or almost fully repaired)

The good:

* German U-boat losses at 2 with 2 more extremely heavily damaged.
* German BB twice reduced by half.
* Two German Luftwaffe units repeatedly chopped down by 2-3 steps for multiple turns.
* April 1940 reached without any German invasion of Holland, Belgium or France.
* Norway held from Dec 39 through to April 40 (ok, not much of a bonus, but a bit of extra PP's there)

Britain is my biggest worry now. The Atlantic fleet is virtually non-existent except for that Carrier. Two replacement destroyers are on their way but won't arrive until Aug and Sep '40 respectively. RAF is down to one squadron only, and it's a big 100 points if I want to rebuild that 2nd squadron. Except for the importation of some units, the UK hasn't added yet to its land based units in the UK itself. Combined with a weak RN and RAF, if France falls quickly Sealion is a huge possibility.

As to France, a double defense line of units stretches all the way from the Maginot Line to the coast, Corps and 1 Armour Unit in front, Garrison units behind them. Multiple extra Garrison units are deployed in S/E France, so I think I should be able to hold off the Italians when they come. It's already April and the units have been sitting there for a while now building up their entrenchment levels, so I'm a little hopeful that France can hold out for a good long time, giving both UK and USSR the breathing space they need. Fingers crossed.

I expect heavy convoy losses in the next few turns as MarkClark runs rampant with an unchallenged U-boat force. I suspect there's a good deal more than the 4 U-boats I'm aware of and that perhaps he has invested very heavily in a U-boat building program in order to seize the Atlantic.

[OzHawkeye2]

April 28, 1940

Norway

The valiant defenders of Oslo were able to hold out (just) against the continuing German onslaught thanks to reinforcements sent earlier this month. However, with the garrison at just 10% strength further recruits are being directed to make their way to England to continue the fight there as the fall of Norway is expected within the next few weeks.



Atlantic

Convoy losses to U-boat action have been surprisingly light this turn given the horrible fears entertained by the Admiralty after the near destruction of the Royal Navy. A single convoy was attacked off the Irish Coast and 12 PP's were lost to the action. Two new convoys have been organised and a total of 117 PP are in bound. The admiralty believes that the remaining 50 or so PP off the Western Approaches should make it into port unharmed.



France

The French Army waits nervously in their increasingly entrenched positions for the inevitable German onslaught. Belgium and Holland are still boisterously maintaining their neutrality which, so far, Nazi Germany has respected. Further deployment of Garrison units to the south east of France have been made, and likely will be the last made there as the French High Command adopts a slightly more relaxed (or is that slightly less worried?) attitude to the south east. Further French deployments are therefore expected to be concentrate on the MLR (main line of resistance) in the north.

Africa

In order to menace the Italians and hopefully give them pause for thought before throwing their lot in with the Hun, British armoured and infantry units in Egypt moved towards the Libyan border. The English Mediterranean Fleet also deploys to more forward positions to increase surveillance of the eastern Med.



Technology

British add to previous investments in General and Naval Technologies by kicking off an Air Research Bureau. Research efforts are focused on improved Dog fighting skills and ASW tactics.

The US and USSR both also commenced research activities, both into unfocused general studies.

Casualties

German: 125,900 (^ 0)
British: 604,320 (^ 30,216)

Summary

As expected we suffered convoy losses to U-boat activity but strangely only 1 convoy was attacked. Two other convoys totalling 51 points should now dock with the UK next turn. Two more for 50+ points have appeared on map and I would be surprised if I got much of either of those ones.

In France, with 4-5 Garrison units in place along the Italian border I think I'm sufficiently safe there, in fact it may be a unit too many - depends on where the Axis chooses to focus Italian effort I guess. The MLR is well and truly complete including a leader imbedded in the ranks (in the Armoured unit), so I'll keep on making more corpse units as long as I can to try and provide some sort of strategic reserve for that front.

I'm very surprised to not have been attacked yet, I'm a little perplexed to. April 28 and still France, Belgium and Holland haven't been attacked, which leads me to wonder where all those Axis PP's have been going to? Have they invested massively in Subs instead? Perhaps a wide technology effort? In any event, I'm hoping that my defenses in France can, given the advantage of such a late start to any invasion, really delay the Germans a very long time before capitulating.

I've got 12-18 months of fighting the Axis without the US/USSR so I need to make what I've got last as long as possible now.

[raffo80]

if you have no navy, i would worry about sealion.

don't put the armor on frontline, it will be the first target and killed.

[OzHawkeye2]

if you have no navy, i would worry about sealion.

don't put the armor on frontline, it will be the first target and killed.

Thanks for the advice, I'll see about swapping it's position with the Corps behind it.

And yep, I'm definitely worried about Sealion. I've got 2 Destroyers on order to try and help out, but I really need France to stand up for a good long while.

[OzHawkeye2]

May 18, 1940

Norway

Sadly, Norway becomes the third nation to succumb to the Nazi tyranny with the Oslo garrisons surrender and the capitulation of the country. The Norwegians stout defense of their homeland for six months in the face of German aggression will not be in vain.

Atlantic

Having so effectively sidelined the Royal Navy's Atlantic Fleet (save for one Carrier remaining in port), the Hun has taken to a vicious campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare with devastating results. Virtually no convoys are now reaching the UK.



Western Front (formerly France)

The Hun are coming! The long dreaded western offensives by the powerful Wehrmacht have begun with a lightning invasion of Holland which decimated the small nations entire home forces save for a half strength defending Corp at the Hague. British High Command managed to get 3 steps of reinforcements in to bring the unit back up to 80% strength but there's every chance the capital will fall in the next few weeks.

Belgium remains neutral, however the government is widely believed to concede that a German invasion of the country is all but inevitable and rumours are swirling of government evacuations including the nations gold stocks and some members of the royal family. Still the government stubbornly refuses to allow French troops to move into a forward defensive line in the hope, condemned by the Allies as completely in vain, that the Germans will somehow spare the country.

French High Command made some minor adjustments to the prepared defenses and now await the inevitable German onslaught.



Africa

With Italy remaining neutral so far, there has been no action in this zone, though Allied forces are ready to make Italy pay should she side with her Pact of Steel partner.

Casualties

German: 151,152 (^ 25,252)
British: 775,544 (^ 171,224)

Stored Production

UK: 36 FR: 31 US: 13 USSR: 85

Summary

Well, I figured there had to be some action on the Western Front this turn for sure, and so it was. MarkClarks invasion of Holland was brutal and came close to forcing Holland out in a single turn. The reinforcements I've sent raised the last remaining unit, a Corp in the Hague, from 5 to 8, but it's unlikely to be enough to spin out Holland for an extra turn.

German U-boats run rampant in the Atlantic with at least 6 known to exist now. Even with the arrival of both destroyers on order (and that's still 3 and 6 turns away), the RN wouldn't have sufficient strength to beat down the U-boats, so virtually no convoys are going to reach the UK any time soon.

My French defenses are as done as they can be really, so any extra points I can rustle up now will go to extra units to act as a reserve.

I figure it's June before MarkClark crosses into French territory so I hope I can hold out till December if possible, that'd be really nice.

[jjdenver]

I'd suggest you put a unit in Paris - preferably an armor unit imo - immediately. You can entrench up to level 8 in a capitol city ....that takes 8 turns to get there. So start entrenching a unit quickly.

Also with Germany waiting so long to go after France I think you have won the game already. Germany can't let France have all that time to build up, and Germany needs the French/Belgian/Dutch production sooner to begin preparing to face Russia. That's a huge PP switch. Not only will Germany lose those turns of production w/ the resources but they will face a much stronger France and take heavier casualties than normal.

[raffo80]

well, i would put an infantry in capital and keep armor behind the double line defence, ready to use it to kill a german unit if axis player makes a mistake.

i agree that the more time you give france, the more expensive it will be getting to paris. in this game, for sure axis will lose 4-5 turns than normal to take france. and also, given the fact france have now more units, it will also be more expensive.

this doesn't mean that allies won though. it all depends on what happen in barbarossa. In vanilla game, i "saved" many axis games with a successful barbarossa.

[OzHawkeye2]

I'd suggest you put a unit in Paris - preferably an armor unit imo - immediately. You can entrench up to level 8 in a capitol city ....that takes 8 turns to get there. So start entrenching a unit quickly.

Yup - the only reason it's not there now is it moved off the front line in a swap with the garrison unit that was previously stationed there.

Also with Germany waiting so long to go after France I think you have won the game already. Germany can't let France have all that time to build up, and Germany needs the French/Belgian/Dutch production sooner to begin preparing to face Russia. That's a huge PP switch. Not only will Germany lose those turns of production w/ the resources but they will face a much stronger France and take heavier casualties than normal.

Yeah, I'm hoping so. I think he got a bit tripped up in Norway, when I used my RAF units to block the invasion beaches and so got to keep Norway for a good four or five months, plus the effort I've put into losing the Royal Navy (lol) has cost him a few subs so maybe it slowed him up. I'll be interested after the game to ask why he waited so long for France.

Assuming even Holland falls this turn and Belguim in 2, that still puts him 2 months away from France even now.

[OzHawkeye2]

this doesn't mean that allies won though. it all depends on what happen in barbarossa. In vanilla game, i "saved" many axis games with a successful barbarossa.

True - the game is won or lose ultimately in Russia. His delay in France though should hopefully make Russia that much more difficult.

[OzHawkeye2]

June 7, 1940

Atlantic

German U-boats continue to rampage unchallenged through the Atlantic with no convoys reaching the UK at all. It will probably take until the entry of the US into the war to change this, assuming even that the UK can hold off any German invasion attempts.

Western Front

With the surrender of Holland, the Germans have attacked into Belgium, earning the Belgium government one of the most deserved "I told you so"'s from the Allies in living memory. Unassisted by French forces whose help they had so stubbornly refused previously, the Belgium army was all but destroyed in the initial attacks, reducing to the single full-strength Infantry Corp in Brussels.

French High Command gave consideration to moving the MLR north to link up with that garrison but decided instead that the time for assisting Belgium had passed, and that the troops would maintain their prepared defensive positions and entrenchment levels.

Both Britain and France recruit an Infantry Corp to bolster their respective home defense plans.



Africa

Without any entry of Italy into the war, this front remains quiet.

Casualties

German: 191,368 (^ 40,216)
British: 987,056 (^ 211,512)

Stored Production

UK: 7 FR: 29 US: 21 USSR: 109

Summary

Though the rest of the Belgium Army got clobbered, the Infantry Corp in Brussels stayed at full strength, giving me some hope that they might last through next turn before falling. If they do, it'd be July before any serious attacks would be launched against the French. Entrenchment levels for most of the Front line troops are 2, with some still at 1. For this reason, I declined the opportunity to advance and link up with the Brussels garrison.

I've got no hope of convoys reaching the UK I think until the US entry into the war, what little buildup of the UK Atlantic fleet I can manage I'll need for home defense until any threat of German invasion passes I think.

The key now is France, and making it hold out for as long as possible. Given MarkClarks late start into France I'm hopeful I can do this.

[OzHawkeye2]

June 27, 1940

Atlantic

German U-boat convoy losses continue. Currently 69 supply ships in bound for the UK, though Admiralty fears that not even one of these will make landfall. One convoy (19 ships) is already under attack with 2 U-boat squadrons known to be near to it as well.

Western Front

Belgium proved unable to resist the Nazi tyranny any further and with the destruction of her Brussels garrison the nation surrendered, placing itself upon the dubious mercies of the Hun hordes. British casualties crossed the one million mark displaying with terrible clarity the price the nation has paid in defending the smaller states of Europe against the Nazis.

German units have not yet crossed into French territory though they are now expected to hurl themselves upon the French defenders within the MLR (Main Line of Resistance) at any time.



Both Britain and France deployed newly formed Infantry Corps and France began the conscription of another one as well.

Africa

The Africa front remains quiet.

Casualties

German: 221,584 (^ 30,216)
British: 1,052,524 (^ 65,468)
French: 0 (^ 0)

Stored Production

UK: 22 (^ 15) -- FR: 14 (v 15) -- US: 29 (^ 8) -- USSR: 133 (^ 24)

Summary

Well, the wait for the French is finally over. MarkClark must attack the amassed French defensive line on his next turn; I don't think he can afford to wait any longer. The French units are as entrenched as I can make them, with effectiveness levels at 70+ for all, 1-2 entrenchment points on all as well. Now is the time to see whether he can quickly turn France or whether I can delay him here as I so very much need to do.

The first of the British replacement destroyers should soon arrive, with the second 2 turns behind it, but it won't be nearly enough to try and interdict the Axis U-boats. I suspect I'd need at least another 2-4 destroyers at this point to really challenge him. If Operation Sealion doesn't go ahead (depends how long France takes I guess), then perhaps the British may continue with a modest ship-building program, otherwise they'll continue making more infantry units.

My southern flank in France is secured with a line of garrison units. While it's not going to be exactly marching into Rome, they should hold the Italians fairly easily, so I'm not too concerned about Italy's imminent entry into the war.

[OzHawkeye2]

July 17, 1940

Atlantic

Extreme convoy losses continue. The Admiralty is tracking 115 inbound convoy ships, including the largest convoy group seen so far (78 ships), however it's unlikely that any will reach the Home Isles.

Western Front

Main French defenses sundered, panic in Paris! German armoured spearheads managed to break through the MLR near Lorraine with the French suffering heavy casualties. The French High Command decides that counter-attacks must be made to repair this breach.



French infantry and air force units are ordered to attack the mechanised infantry group north-west of Lorraine in an attempt to cut off the German panzers south-west of the town. The gallant French units carry out these attacks successfully destroying the German mech units and isolating the Panzers, though they suffer casualties in doing so, which will make them more vulnerable to a German counter attack in this area.

Another French infantry corp is deployed, with another being conscripted, and the RAF move its base to Western France to plug a hole in the second line of defense created by the action around Lorraine.

Like a vulture circling overhead, the Italians enter the war on the Axis side hoping to pick up the scraps in south-eastern France and Africa left by the Germans! French garrison units advance to the Italians in south-east France but do not attack. If the Italians attempt a major breakthrough there, the French plan on a war of encirclement if possible.



Africa

With the Italian declaration of war, the British forces in Egypt stage a lightning attack on the two Italian corp facing them over the border. This reduces one Italian infantry corp to 10% strength but frustratingly for the British they are not able to finish it off. With French intelligence reporting that the Italian navy has left its home ports, the Admiralty considers a highly risky plan. The British CV in the Med departs for the African loop and the two BB's retreat to Port Said to join it shortly. This fleet will then attempt to make it back to the Home Isles and help in the defense of UK against any German invasion attempt or to challenge for control of the Atlantic once more.



Casualties

German: 282,016 (^ 60,432)
Italian: 45,324 (^ 45,324)
British: 1,082,740 (^ 30,216)
French: 120,864 (^ 120,864)

Stored Production

UK: 48 (^ 26) -- FR: 8 (v 6) -- US: 36 (^ 7) -- USSR: 158 (^ 25)

Summary

Blasted Luftwaffe! That's no doubt how he achieved the breakthrough of my defensive line in 1 turn. I can see no less than 3 fighter squadrons so those combined with ground attacks virtually allows him to pick any unit he wants for destruction. This isn't helped by my loss of the 2nd RAF fighter back in Norway either. So, I'm adopting a very risky Grand Plan.

The British forces in Africa that invaded Libya to pummel the Italians a bit, will, as soon as possible, retreat back to Cairo. Having moved the French BB out from its base, I've found that the whole Italian Navy has deployed for Africa, meaning that the British fleet at Cairo will be heavily outnumbered (2 BBs and 1 CV to the Italians 3 BB's, 1 Destroyer, 1 Sub). Therefore, I've decided, since this is the plain mod, and there is relatively little oil for him to chase, to evacuate the British med fleet and send it back to the UK at high speed.

This will bolster the UK defenses should he try and launch Operation Barbarossa, and if he doesn't then the combined force would total 2 CV, 2 BB, 2 Destroyers (in production), enough I think to start taking on some of his subs (with perhaps a little more bolstering).

I'm basically swapping Africa for a guarantee of UK.....I hope.

[OzHawkeye2]

August 6, 1940

Atlantic

German U-boats continue merrily shooting up English convoys unchallenged by the shrunken Royal Navy. There are two groups of convoys in bound totaling 98 ships (20 and 78), though it's anyone's guess as to whether either will make landfall.

The British Admiralty deployed the first of its two replacement Destroyers. The second is about 6 weeks from completion. Despite please from the Army for more troops for home defense, Churchill decides upon a third destroyer order, due to arrival in 4 months time.

Western Front

Once again the Germans pierce the French MLR forcing the French High Command into desperate counter-attacks.



The French 1st Armoured Division was hastily withdrawn from the capital and sent to the front to join an Infrantry Corp and both French and British air forces in attacking another exposed German Mechanised unit, resulting in the destruction of the German unit. A newly organised French Infantry Corp took up station in the Parisian capital with a Garrison unit being deployed in the cities south-eastern suburbs.



To the south-east Italian infantry divisions make attacks into the French defenders resulting in 4:1 casualty rates in favour of the Italians. The remaining Garrison units in the line begin marching forward hoping to force the Italian infantry to retreat or risk encirclement.

Africa

British units reinforce in place just inside Libya. They plan to withdraw back towards Cairo shortly as the British go on the defensive with their fleet setting sail for the UK. A French Battlehship stumbles right into the Italian Navy but for reasons the French High Command do not yet understand it fails to attack. This unit is expected to suffer heavily when the Italians round on it as they are sure to do.



Casualties

German: 357,556 (^ 75,540)
Italian: 50,360 (^ 5,036)
British: 1,082,740 (^ 0)
French: 276,980 (^ 156,116)

Stored Production

UK: -4 (v 52) -- FR: 10 (^ 2) -- US: 44 (^ 8) -- USSR: 182 (^ 27)

Summary

Well, the French defenses have been broken in both of the two turns for which the Germans have been attacking it. It seems clear now that the French are not going to hold out the Germans for any great length of time, my objective now is to make their advance as hideously expensive as I can. To that end, I've destroyed 2 German Mechanised Infrantry units, and if I can I'll go for more while trying to keep them off the capital as long as I can.

The British Med Fleet continues its exit towards the UK. I think I should have done this much sooner. I'm pretty much forgoing any opportunities to advance in Africa, but that seems preferable to (at worst) losing the UK or (at best) endlessly losing convoys.

French casualties are rapidly climbing, but there's bugger all to do about that. The French BB ran into the Italian fleet but never gave me an opportunity to get a shot off which kinda blows.

[OzHawkeye2]

August 26, 1940

Atlantic

The German U-boats go silent. For reasons the Admiralty doesn't yet understand there's been no German U-boat activity in the last 20 days. Both convoy groups, one of 20 ships the other of 78, advance towards the Home Isles unmolested.

Western Front

Once again leading German armoured units pierce the French defenses. The French are growing increasingly desperate trying to contain this German breakthrough west of Lorraine. It should also be noted that the French front-line leadership was wounded in battle and the French have mobilised another Infantry Corp (deployed to Paris) as well as begun conscription of another one. Both the French and British Air Force are forced to retreat.



The French High Command decides to continue its highly risky strategy of attacking in place, with the lofty goal of destroying both German Panzer divisions south-west of Lorraine. To this end, all reinforcements of front-line units are scrapped and all units able to do so are ordered to attack the German tanks. The result is everything the French hoped for with both German panzer divisions destroyed in place.

The cost has been that several front line units are now dangerously low on fighting strength and a general German breakout of this salient is now expected at any moment. In the south-east Garrison units launch attacks upon the advancing Italians and also move to encircle them as well.



Africa

The British Africa Force retreats towards Alexandria in the face of numerical Italian ground superiority and the complete Italian naval monopoly in the Med, with the last of the British Med Fleet entered the Africa loop bound for the Home Isles.

The British CV has now arrived in the Atlantic and the Admiralty is worried that perhaps the German U-boats which have gone so quiet with regards to convoys have noticed the arrival of the carrier in the southern Atlantic.



Casualties (Infantry / Tank / Aerial / Naval)

German: 367,628 (^ 10,072) / 1508 (^ ?) / 806 (^ ?) / 265 (^ ?)
Italian: 75,540 (^ 21,580) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0)
British: 1,082,740 (^ 0) / 104 (^ 0) / 1326 (^ ?) / 245 (^ 0)
French: 423,024 (^ 146,044) / 364 (^ 0) / 208 (^ ?) / 50 (^ 0)
US: 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0)
USSR: 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0)

Stored Production

UK: 22 (^ 18) -- FR: 3 (^ 1) -- US: 52 (^ 8) -- USSR: 206 (^ 26)

Summary

Damn, damn, damn! For the second turn in a row I forgot to do anything with the French Battleship in the Med which is just sitting there. Far out!

Ok, on the positive Front I've sent two German tank units to prepare the way in Hell for their Fuhrer's arrival in a few years time. This means MarkClark has now lost 2 Mech and 2 Tanks on the Western Front of France, totaling 250 points of production and gutting the heart out of his spearhead forces.

The downside of course, is that there's a whole gaggle of French units needing reinforcements and most of them wont live long enough to get any, even if I had the PP to hand 'em out. I expect the Germans will be able to make a general breakout of that Lorraine salient any turn now. Since I know the French won't hold out for long, I'm determined to make the Germans pay for France with as many units as I can.

I'm feeling a little better about Sealion now too. With the remarkable French victory of taking out both Panzers, the Krauts have lost now 4 units and their 4 best ones just about, so I think it'd be pretty hard for them to put on an invasion any time soon. With the British Med Fleet now arriving in the Atlantic that would make it extra difficult for them as well.

In Africa, well, I'm basically giving up hope of any offensive action in the next few years by withdrawing the British fleet. The other concern of course with doing that is that the Italian fleet has free reign to bombard my coastal defense units, and (if MarkClark picks up on it) to launch amphibious invasions up and down the long coast of Egypt, Palestine and Syria. If the Italian Air Force shows up in Africa I'll really be on the backfoot.

The reason for doing this - and feel free to critique this logic - is that in the plain v1.12 of the game, there isn't the massive oilfields in Iraq that make it such a necessary strategic goal. So I think if losing Africa means the UK is saved (and even better, perhaps able to weed out the German U-boats knocking off the convoys), then it seems a fair swap for Africa to me.

[OzHawkeye2]

September 15, 1940

Atlantic

German U-boats resurface and attack the smaller of the two convoys inbound to the UK, reducing it from 20 ships to just 1. The larger 78 ship convoy proceeds unmolested towards the UK and should dock within the next few weeks according to hopeful sources at the British Admiralty.

The first Battleship squadron of the British Med fleet arrives in the Southern Atlantic joining the Carrier just of the African coast. The second Battleship squadron is due to join the Task Force, designated Task Force 18, and sail towards the UK shortly.

The second of Britain's two replacement Destroyers was also commissioned this turn. The British Atlantic Fleet will now consist of 2 Carriers, 2 Battleships and 2 Destroyers, enough the Admiralty believes to begin challenging, in limited fashion, German U-boat superiority in the Atlantic. Despite this, the Admiralty orders it's first submarine to assist in blocking the Channel from any German invasion attempts.



Western Front

The German breakthrough out of the Lorraine salient happened as expected with two German infantry divisions advancing on Paris. However, the French High Command noticed that neither unit had flanking support and begins to see that German offensive units are somewhat depleted (as below). They also note that the Italians have become dangerously over-extended east of Marseilles and decide to act.



The French Army executes both a tactical advance and withdrawl in order to isolate the leading German infantry divisions. In limited attacks manages to actually destroy the German Infantry division that had reached the outer suburbs of Paris while completely encircling the other.

In the South-East, a combination of further advances by the northern Garrison units and attacks by the southern ones, manages to isolate the most advanced of the two Italian infantry divisions and inflict heavy losses on the other, forcing its retreat towards Genoa.



For the first time the French survey the battlefield with some other than complete foreboding and the British High Command commences active consideration of intervening militarily with ground units to assist the French (though gaining control of the Channel is a necessary prelude to that).

Africa

The British Eight Army retreats to prepared defenses west of Alexandria as the last British naval unit, a Battleship squadron enters the West Africa loop. Ominously retreating British forward observers note the present of Italian air units in Libya. Sadly the French Med Battleship squadron was lost inflicting only minor casualties on the Italian Navy.



Other

Both the US and the USSR invest in Infantry labs.

Casualties (Infantry / Tank / Aerial / Naval)

German: 438,132 (^ 70,504) / 1508 (^ 0) / 858 (^ 52) / 265 (^ 0)
Italian: 95,684 (^ 20,144) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 5 (^ 5)
British: 1,082,740 (^ 0) / 104 (^ 0) / 1326 (^ 0) / 245 (^ 0)
French: 533,816 (^ 110,792) / 572 (^ 208) / 208 (^ 0) / 105 (^ 55)
US: 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0)
USSR: 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0) / 0 (^ 0)

Stored Production

UK: 0 (v 22) -- FR: -29 (v 32) -- US: 42 (v 10) -- USSR: 219 (^ 7)

Summary

Well, I'm starting to think that German losses in France, with a 5th unit lost now (the Infantry corp) are putting the writing on the wall for MarkClark. There don't seem to be that many followup German units around - I've got no idea where they are or where all those German PP's have been going to - and his invasion of France, on both fronts now is starting to look a little in danger.

As expected I was able to play the encirclement game with the overconfident Italian units in the South-East and both Milan and Genoa lie open to further advances. German units in France are now actually outnumbered by French units now, though the Luftwaffe retains its extreme presence and superiority. Unless MarkClark brings to bear the fruits of all the PP's he's been collecting, and very quickly, I think France may actually hold out for a good long time now.

I'd love to get some reinforcements to them, but without control of the Atlantic I can't. Once the Med Fleet arrives maybe I'll be able to do that.

French reinforced units for the first time ever just about this turn, so their production is deep in the red which could still screw me over I guess. I shouldn't get too cocky I know.

[joerock22]

Wow...people just don't seem to understand the importance of moving quickly and decisively as the Germans in 1939-1940. If you don't, you wind up in the situation MarkClark is in now: September 1940, fighting a long war of attrition in France. Protracted, costly campaigns like MarkClark waged in Norway simply CANNOT HAPPEN if the Axis player expects to win, in either vanilla or the BJR mod. Losing those two panzers is also an enormous blow. I give credit to OzHawkeye for taking advantage of his opponent's blunders, while not making any major ones of his own. If you continue to play this way, you will win this game handily. With France still alive in late 1940 and the German army greaty depleted, this game is yours to lose.

[OzHawkeye2]

Wow...people just don't seem to understand the importance of moving quickly and decisively as the Germans in 1939-1940. If you don't, you wind up in the situation MarkClark is in now: September 1940, fighting a long war of attrition in France. Protracted, costly campaigns like MarkClark waged in Norway simply CANNOT HAPPEN if the Axis player expects to win, in either vanilla or the BJR mod. Losing those two panzers is also an enormous blow. I give credit to OzHawkeye for taking advantage of his opponent's blunders, while not making any major ones of his own. If you continue to play this way, you will win this game handily. With France still alive in late 1940 and the German army greaty depleted, this game is yours to lose.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Joe. Particularly after knocking out both Panzers and now the Infantry Corp bringing his losses up to 5 units I must admit I'm feeling a lot more confident. If I could get some reinforcements across the Channel to France I think France might actually hold out.

The X Factor is where are all the Germans? The Germans would have gathered at least 1200 PP by now, but I can account for only a small fraction of that in terms of extra units (over and above the ones Germany starts with). Are they massing along the Russian frontier? Are there a lot more subs around than what I can see? I don't know, but certainly what I've seen so far can't be all of the German Army because it's just not big enough.