AAR - Joe (Axis) vs Ronnie (Allies) w/BJR (Allied Eyes Only)

[rkr1958]

January 13, 1941. Axis Launch Major Offensive in Egypt. British 8th Army Counterattacks. RAF Attacks U-boat Flotillas. Royal Navy Battles U-boats for Channel.

All heck broke loose this turn. Picture 30 shows the situation in Egypt at the beginning of the Allied turn. Axis attacks destroyed one garrison, badly depleted a second and knocked 2-steps off a third. This was decision time for the UK in Egypt. Do they retreat or counterattack? A counterattack was the answer (Picture 31). The decision to do so was based on the fact that the DAK was exposed to attack from two corps. It was first hit by a fighter and then CV air attacks. It was then attacked by the British infantry corps followed by the tank corps. I had hoped to knock off more than 4-steps but that’s what I got. To blunt the impending Axis counter-counterattack the Italian tank corps was attacked by a British infantry corps and shelled by one of the two BB fleets in the east Med knocking off 3-steps. Again, I’d hope for better. The remaining BB fleet in the east Med shelled an Italian infantry corps knocking off a step


Picture 30. Axis Launch North Africa Offensive (1/13/41)


Picture 31. British 8th Army Counter Attacks

German u-boat attacks against convoys continued close to England (Picture 32). The u-boat flotilla west of Ireland is UF-2 and the two west of New Herbidies are two new builds. So this brings the total number of confirmed u-boat flotillas to five. This number grew to six very quickly.


Picture 32. U-boat Flotilla Operating Northwest of Ireland

After the tech upgrade last turn the UK sub was headed back to the east channel choke point. It didn’t get there (Picture 33). It ran into a German u-boat flotilla (a new build) already at the choke point. The Royal Navy sortied and placed two BB fleets in harms way to pin (for now) that u-boat. Since the u-boat was discovered by the UK sub the u-boat was immune from attack for the rest of the Allied turn. This wasn’t an impact because the Allied had nothing in range that could have attacked anyway. Also, the Allied sub is immune from attack during the next Axis turn. However; the RN BB fleets aren’t. One or both will likely get hammered. My hope is that the Germans don’t have any tactical bombers within range and that one or both u-boat flotillas 1 and 3 are too far away to attack.

I think I understand Joe’s Med strategy but I’m baffled by his European strategy. He’s built three new u-boat flotillas and two strategic bombers. In addition to his offensive in the Med his forces in France, Belgium and Holland along with the u-boat flotilla contesting the east channel choke point to me implies he’s prepping from an invasion east of London in the spring. Though all this could be a feint or, worse, a trap that I fell right into. Next turn is going to be a brutal one for the Brits both in England and in Egypt.


Picture 33. Royal Navy Sorties to Battle for Control on English Channel

[rkr1958]

February 2, 1941. Alexander’s 8th Army in Egypt in Retreat. Eastern Mediterranean Fleet Redeploys through Suez Canal. Germany Gains Control of the English Channel. Britons Brace for Invasion.

This was a brutal turn for the Brits, who lost two BB fleets and an infantry corps. Picture 34 shows the situation in the Med before and after the Allied turn. The Axis destroyed a BB fleet and infantry corps. Alexander retreated to the Nile to form a defensive line there. He will not stand there but will continue his retreat. Hopefully he can survive long enough to combine forces with those in Iraq when they enter in May 1941. Also, the two remaining elements of the Eastern Mediterranean fleet implemented the RN redeployment (i.e., evacuation plan).


Picture 34. Egypt in Danger and Evacuation of East Med Fleet.

Picture 35 shows that my worst fears were realized in that the Germans had two tactical bombers, two strategic bombers, two fighters and two u-boat flotillas in range of the two RN BB fleets at sea in the channel. As a result one BB fleet was lost and the other was reduced to six steps. The second discovered u-boat flotilla in this area is also a new build. This brings the number of confirmed new u-boat flotillas to four, which gives the Axis seven confirmed u-boat flotillas. To rub salt into the wound UF-2 attacked a convoy in the northwest Atlantic (Picture 36).

The Brits retreated the Royal Navy in and around the channel and upgraded their two fighters and strategic bombers in preparation for an invasion come spring. Picture 37 shows the situation at the end of the Allied turn. Note that the UK sub took up a defensive position on the coast of England northeast of London.

Even though time for Sea Lion seems to be passing it’s still a very credible threat that I have to take seriously. The Axis have committed significant air and naval forces to control the channel. Either the Axis is planning a spring ’41 Sea Lion, which seems awful late to me but is still a very real possibility, or this effort is to keep the Brits tied up defending England in order to make the Axis push for the Suez canal and the Iraqi oil fields easier. Also, once the Axis gains control of the Suez canal I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more German u-boat flotillas deploy to the Med to make the Allies’ life very difficult with respect to Torch and Husky.


Picture 35. German Air and Naval Respond in Force to Control Channel


Picture 36. UF-3 Attacks Convoy in Northwest Atlantic


Picture 37. Bracing for Sea Lion (Again!)

[rkr1958]

February 22, 1941. Headlines. British Position Deteriorating in the Eastern Mediterranean. No Invasion!

The folly of the counterattack I made two turns ago in the eastern Mediterranean is coming back to haunt me. The British retreated their corps east side of the canal (Picture 38). The garrison in Cairo was repaired to 8-steps to act as a speed bump in attempt to save one of the depleted corps just east of the canal. I hold no illusions. Loss of both the depleted tank and infantry corps is very likely next turn as well as loss of the Suez Canal. The CV and BB fleets evacuated through the west African transport loop and will show up in the Atlantic next turn. They will join the BB fleet from Gibraltar. Together these three fleets will "patrol" the Med side of Gibraltar and will protect it Gibraltar from any seaborne invasion. Also, their "patrol" will reinstate the Malta rule for whatever worth that'll be.


Picture 38. Deteriorating British Position in Eastern Med (41Feb22)

No Sea Lion this turn (Picture 39). Apparently the Sea Lion threat was to keep the Brits occupied there and away from reinforcing the Med. Also, I gather it was to draw whatever RN and RAF forces into battle with the Germans and inflict whatever losses they could. I've kept the RAF out of harms way for the most part but lost a BB fleet. All in all that's not too bad. However; the likely loss of the Iraqi oil fields will be a blow to the Allies. Not so much in terms of loss of oil to the Allies but in terms of a boost to the German's oil stockpiles.


Picture 39. No Sea Lion! (41Feb22)

In the unit view map at the bottom of Picture 39 you can make out north of Nova Scotia three blue dots surrounding one black dot. That's three u-boat flotillas (UF-3 & two new builds) attacking a convoy. It looks like I finally got my wish, which was that the German u-boats would start going after convoys farther to the west. That reminds me of the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for because you might just get it."

P.S. Something just occurred to me. If Joe stops after taking the Iraqi oil fields and leaves me with Kuwait (or if I can manage to somehow hold onto Kuwait) then I have a plan to counter his capture of the Iraqi oilfields. What I need to do is bring in a couple of strategic bombers to take that oil production down to zero and deny the Axis the oil. However; this all depends on whether or not I can hold onto to Kuwait and at the moment I'm not very optimistic about that.

[rkr1958]

March 14, 1941. Headlines. British Defeat in Looming in the eastern Mediterranean. German U-boats Still Operating in Channel. 175 German u-boats Attack Convoy South of Greenland.

Until Iraq enters the war (1 - 3 turns) Jerusalem and Beirut are the only two supply sources available to the remnants of the British 8th army (Picture 40). The Axis destroyed the depleted infantry and tank corps last turn. They captured Suez City and Cairo and they now own the Suez Canal and that transport loop. An Italian and German infantry corps are position to carry out a flanking invasion and try for a quick capture of Jerusalem and threatening to cut off the two retreating infantry corps. The garrison in Jerusalem was move north to block the invading Italian corps from landing adjacent to Jerusalem. The depleted 4-step corps was moved into the city and Alexander's corps was positioned southwest of the city to block the German corps from immediately being able to land adjacent to Jerusalem. A combat retreat of Alexander's corps would still allow the German corps to land adjacent possibly capturing the city next turn.

The UK repaired it's fighter. Alexander's corps is in range of the German tactical bomber but out of range of the Italian one. Also, the Italian fighter is badly depleted and won't be a factor next turn. But it must be assumed that a second Axis fighter was deployed to Egypt and will be available next turn. I certainly hope that's not the case.


Picture 40. East Med (41 March 14) - Axis Threatening Flanking Invasion

Picture 41 shows the CV and BB fleets evacuated from the east Med linked up this turn with the BB based in Gibraltar. This force will reinstate the Malta Supply rule next turn (assuming no u-boats block their way).


Picture 41. Fortress Gibraltar UK Fleet (Force G)

While the risk of Sea Lion has greatly been reduced there still is a risk (Picture 42). A German u-boat flotilla ran into the UK sub and both appear to have lost 2-steps. The UK sub went back to port for repair and will again try to take up position in the east channel choke point. I'm more than happy to trade UK sub steps for German u-boat steps. The German u-boat flotilla was identified as one of the three confirmed new builds.


Picture 42. Risk of Sea Lion Greatly Reduced. German U-boats Still Operate in Channel.

Picture 43 shows an attack by 4 German u-boat flotillas (UF-3, UF-2 and two new builds) on a convoy south of Greenland. Using 5 subs per step this represents an attack by 175 submarines. With such a concentration of u-boats in one location I'm optimistic that other convoys will get home. The UK could sure use the PPs.


Picture 43. Convoy South of Greenland Attacked by 175 German U-boats.

The USA and USSR built the following labs (respectively) this turn; USA.Lab(5)=Navy->ASW(2) and USSR.Lab(4)=Inf(2). The UK, who currently have 7 labs, has capacity for 2 more. These will get built as soon as the PPs become available.

Even though the risk of Sea Lion is greatly reduced the Brits will still have to keep the Royal Navy and RAF at home until US entry. With the Suez Canal now available to the Axis this means that the Italian navy can now be brought into the Atlantic as well as German u-boat can be deployed to the Med. The gain of saving a few PPs by escorting convoys is still, in my assessment, much less than the risk of losing escort ships and / or opening the UK up to a late invasion.

[rkr1958]

April 3, 1941. Headlines. Alexander Wounded. 8th Army Fights on Bravely. Fortress Gibraltar.

Alexander's corps survives but he was knocked out for 7 turns (Picture 44). Actually, that's only two turns more than if he had been recalled from his corps. There's no hope that the Brits will be able to hold out in the Med. Their objective now is hold out as long as possible. I will sacrifice the remaining ground forces there to that aim. The only unit that I will save (or try to save) is the UK fighter which will evacuate through Kuwait City and be deployed to Gibraltar. Unless Joe stops at the Iraqi oil fields in which case I'll implement my plan to bring strategic bombers in to deny him the Iraqi oil. At this point; however, I figure that to be a long shot.

While the loss of the Iraqi oil fields is not pleasant it's also not fatal by a long shot. This game will now be decided in Russia.

The UK built their 8th and 9th labs; UK.Lab(8)=Inf(2) & UK.Lab(9)=Arm(2).


Picture 44. East Med (41 April 03). A Dire Situation

Picture 45 shows that the Allied player reestablished the minimum naval requirement for the Med, which means that the Malta supply rule is back in effect.


Picture 45. Fortress Gibraltar. Naval Force G.

[OzHawkeye2]

I look forward to seeing the battle of will in Russia coming soon. It's been very interested (and informative) watching you two battle it out so far.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

[quote="OzHawkeye"]I look forward to seeing the battle of will in Russia coming soon. It's been very interested (and informative) watching you two battle it out so far.[/quote

I agree and it proves a good Axis player can still win in the Med even under the Malta supply rule. So it shows that the Malta supply rule doesn't make the Med part of the game boring. You can still do a lot in the Med as the Axis player if you want to.

[raffo80]

I look forward to seeing the battle of will in Russia coming soon. It's been very interested (and informative) watching you two battle it out so far.[/quote

I agree and it proves a good Axis player can still win in the Med even under the Malta supply rule. So it shows that the Malta supply rule doesn't make the Med part of the game boring. You can still do a lot in the Med as the Axis player if you want to.

in this game allies didn't move units to africa...and then made the mistake to counterattack...If allies moved here just 1 more fighter, 2-3 infantries and some navy we would see how far goes the axis. and this is not hard for UK.

I think the problem is that some players play always scared of sealion. This is true in vanilla, but in BJR sealion is so hard (as it was in real war, i am not criticizing BJR mod in this issue) given all the garrisons UK that with 2-3 infantry built you can cover all coast hex making impossible to land (with 2 air attack limit you can kill a unit by air so how can you land if all coastal hes are occupied?).

[OzHawkeye2]

I look forward to seeing the battle of will in Russia coming soon. It's been very interested (and informative) watching you two battle it out so far.[/quote

I agree and it proves a good Axis player can still win in the Med even under the Malta supply rule. So it shows that the Malta supply rule doesn't make the Med part of the game boring. You can still do a lot in the Med as the Axis player if you want to.

in this game allies didn't move units to africa...and then made the mistake to counterattack...If allies moved here just 1 more fighter, 2-3 infantries and some navy we would see how far goes the axis. and this is not hard for UK.

I think the problem is that some players play always scared of sealion. This is true in vanilla, but in BJR sealion is so hard (as it was in real war, i am not criticizing BJR mod in this issue) given all the garrisons UK that with 2-3 infantry built you can cover all coast hex making impossible to land (with 2 air attack limit you can kill a unit by air so how can you land if all coastal hes are occupied?).

I definitely agree in the plain game, Sealion is far too easy to pull off. Africa is also too easily taken by the Axis.

[rkr1958]

in this game allies didn't move units to africa...and then made the mistake to counterattack...If allies moved here just 1 more fighter, 2-3 infantries and some navy we would see how far goes the axis. and this is not hard for UK.

What would be interesting I think would be for you to post this hypothesis in Joe's thread and get his assessment. Of course I'm not reading it but it would be interesting to see his response after we finished this game.

[rkr1958]

April 23, 1941. Headlines. Invasion of Cyprus Imminent. Large Wolfpack Attacks Convoy in North Atlantic. Bombing of London Continues.

Picture 46 shows the situation in the east Med. The two depleted infantry corps could only move one hex away due to terrain. It's like having that dream where you're trying to run but your legs just won't move. I'm afraid that the Axis ground corps will be able to close on these two depleted corps and finish them off.

As you can also see in Picture 46 the Axis are positioned to invade Cyprus next turn. The garrison may hold out two turns. No Iraqi entry yet. Hopefully they'll enter next turn.


Picture 46. East Med (23 Apr 41). Invasion of Cyprus Imminent.

Picture 47 shows the situation in the UK and North Atlantic. A sizeable wolfpack consisting of four u-boat flotillas (UF-1, UF-3 & two new builds). This is 4 of his 6 confirmed u-boat flotillas. The whereabouts of the other two confirmed flotillas (UF-2 & new build) is unknown.

The UK sub took up position in the east Channel choke point (again). It'll be interesting to see if the Germans try to move u-boats through there again.

Picture 47 also shows that the Germans still have a sizable force in France that could support an invasion.


Picture 47. Luftwaffe Still Bombing London. U-boat Wolfpack Attack in North Atlantic

I know some folks here think that I'm being to cautious in defending against Sea Lion and that the threat has passed. However; in my current game against Jim (Happycat) I started to pull forces away from England and ship them to Egypt in April of 1941. One of his u-boats picked this up and he launched a raid east of London. He managed to land a corps. He had two other infantry corps stacked up to land when possible. Fortunately I was barely able to stop the other two corps from landing and I had to divert the forces in route to Egypt back to the UK. This was a case where I let my guard down slightly and almost paid the price. I know from first hand experience that players of the caliber of Jim, Joe and Borger will make you pay dearly if you're too reckless. Just look at what one counterattack cost my in the Egypt. At least Joe is having to burn oil and taking air step losses. While I don't know what his oil stockpile levels are it would be interesting to see what they are when he starts Barbarossa. Typically for me I go into it with levels around 700. Maybe someone could request that he keeps up with this in his AAR (if he's not already). I'd like to see what they are after the game.

[raffo80]

i didn't mean to criticize. just stating my opinion.

Maybe i understimate the risk of sealion in BJR mod. But i can't see how germans can do a successful sealion with all garrisons and 4-5 infantry UK has. And this doesn't stop UK from reinforcing a bit africa.

[rkr1958]

i didn't mean to criticize. just stating my opinion.

No offense taken.
My playing style tends towards the cautious. I think my strength is on defense; though I certainly didn't demonstrate this in the Med. Now this pains me much to say, but I tend to be more like Montgomery than Patton.

Maybe i understimate the risk of sealion in BJR mod. But i can't see how germans can do a successful sealion with all garrisons and 4-5 infantry UK has. And this doesn't stop UK from reinforcing a bit africa.

The invasion threat now that I'm guarding against is one that would outflank my coastal defense. Once ashore it's just a matter of time before his overwhelming superiority in the air would easily destroy these ground forces and capture London. Apparently by keeping the Royal Navy and RAF at home this has deterred Joe from launching Sea Lion. If I have shipped a fighter, one or two ground units and /or one or two fleet elements to the Med I don't believe that Joe would have been deterred. I believe he probably would have launched Sea Lion.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

i didn't mean to criticize. just stating my opinion.

Maybe i understimate the risk of sealion in BJR mod. But i can't see how germans can do a successful sealion with all garrisons and 4-5 infantry UK has. And this doesn't stop UK from reinforcing a bit africa.

Ronnie seems to have built several new land units in Britain and sent the Canadian units to Britain. This has been done at the expense of his strength in Egypt. So he has done what he can to stop Sealion and paid the price by losing Egypt.

I don't think it's a bad thing that a British player focusing all on holding Britain can actually deter the Axis player from trying. Even after maximizing the strength in Britain we can all see that Ronnie is vulnerable to an invasion near Edinburgh. Ronnie has succeeded in preventing a Sealion close to London and that means the Luftwaffe can't properly support an invasion if it had happened.

I think the BJR-mod balance would have been broken if the Axis player easily would succeed with Sealion despite Britain doing everything possible to stop it. Sealion should be POSSIBLE, but not a certain thing to do. The Axis player should feel that by launching Sealion he's taking a big risk and it can blow up in his face. Then the reward for succeeding will be so much better.

The BJR-mod is NOT like the vanilla game. The victory conditions are quite different. E. g. the Axis player will win if they hold Berlin by the end of May 1945. In the vanilla game the Germans could hope to get to Perm and knock Russia out of the game, but in the BJR-mod it happens very rarely. I've only managed to do it once in all my games with the BJR-mod. This is how it should be in my opinion.

The BJR-mod is made to balance the game in a way that it will recreate the historical results quite often. If it does then I'm happy. E. g. Sealion did NOT happen in the real war and should not happen too often in the BJR-mod either. Several good players have tried Sealion in the BJR-mod and managed to capture London so it's definitely not impossible to succeed for the Axis player.

[rkr1958]

May 13, 1945. Headlines. RAF Long Range Bombers Attack German U-boats. Massive U-boat Attacks in North Atlantic. Cyprus Lost. Iraq Joins the Allies.

Picture 48 shows the situation in the UK and North Atlantic. All six confirmed German u-boat flotillas attacked this turn. Four in the north Atlantic and two west of Brest. The RAF strategic bomber unit responded and attacked one of the flotillas east of Brest. Unexpectedly, German fighters intercepted inflicting 3-steps of loss on the bomber to 1-step of their own. The bomber did manage to knock the German u-boat flotilla down by 3-steps. With the threat of invasion passing the decision was made to bring up the two RAF fighter units to southwest UK. This revealed a second German fighter unit. There is an efficiency difference between the UK (~55) and German fighters (~75) To try to compensate some for this Montgomery's corps was moved 3 hexes east so that the two UK fighters were within his 8 hex command range.

Unless my fighter units get mauled they are going to start trying to strike back and force the Axis to burn oil and repair step losses.


Picture 48. U-boat Attacks & RAF Strikes Back (May 13, 1945)

Picture 49 shows the situation in the east Med. Cyprus was lost this turn. The two depleted corps still survive and retreated as far as they could. Though it doesn't look good for them. Iraq did enter the war at the end of the turn so if either corps survives and is not adjacent to an enemy unit they can be railed to Kuwait city and out of harms way.

The RAF fighter did strike back hitting the Italian tactical bomber. The bomber lost 3-steps and the fighter lost 1.


Picture 49. East Med. Cyprus Lost (May 13, 1945)

[rkr1958]

June 2, 1941. Headlines. The Royal Navy Battles German U-Boats West of Ireland. The Air Battle of London Continues. Beirut Declared an Open City.
One of the two UK DDs escorting the 89 PP convoy ran into a German u-boat flotilla adjacent to it and the second destroyer, which was adjacent, attacked it (Picture 50). This exchange against the u-boat cost the DD 3-steps that found it 3-steps and the second DD that attacked it 1-step. The u-boat lost 3-steps total. The uncovered u-boat was a new build and was with the companion last turn of UF-1 that was knocked down to 7-steps. The other four confirmed u-boat flotillas (UF2, UF3 and two new builds) sunk a convoy off the east coast of Canada last turn.

The fact that the u-boat flotilla that was found and attacked this turn was parked next to two UK DDs implies that this placement was probably accidental and if it moved after the northeast wolfpack of four flotillas near Canada moved then the depleted 7-step DD is relatively safe. If not; however, and two or more of the 4-flotilla wolfpack moved at full speed towards the DD location then the depleted 7-steps DD could be at risk. Let's hope that's not the case!


Picture 50. U-boat Flotilla Found and Attacked West of Ireland (2-Jun-41)

The Luftwaffe was over by Brest to make you pay for any bombing runs on my subs, so with the subs underwater again I railed them out of there.

British intelligence intercepted and decoded the above communication. This means that the two German fighter units based near Brest last turn have been redeployed. British intelligence assessment, really their hope, is that they were deployed east for a pending attack on Russia. However; that didn't stop the Luftwaffe from bombing London this turn (Picture 51). And this didn't stop the UK fighter that's still north of Brest from taking 3-steps of loss to 1-step for a third German fighter based in Luxembourg. The UK fighter was repaired and its companion fighter unit was moved northwest of London to better protect that city.


Picture 51. Battle of Britain Continues (2-Jun-41)

In the east Med(Picture 52), the Italian fighter drew out the UK fighter and then the German and Italian tactical bombers there finished of the two depleted UK infantry corps. That was the last remnants of the British 8th Army in north Africa. In retaliation the UK fighter again attacked the air base of the Italian fighter. Both units lost 1-step; which, wasn't the favorable result that I'd hope. The infantry corps defending Beirut was railed out of the city to near Baghdad. The Commonwealth force available for the defense of Iraq/Kuwait consists of four garrison, two infantry corps, one motorized corps and a fighter unit. The garrisons defending the oil fields at Mosul and Kirkuk and the city of Baghdad will be evacuated for a last ditch defense of Kuwait City when and if this becomes necessary.

I know I'm reaching to find a sliver lining in a very dark storm cloud but there are a couple of up sides to the Axis offensive in the east Med. (1) He's burning oil and (2) taking step losses. Especially for the Italians, which have lost the equivalent of 184 PPs in repair costs, which has to be cutting into the building of new Italian units and / or research.


Picture 52. Beirut Declared an Open City (2-Jun-41)

One interesting thing to note in the east Med is the absence of the DAK armor unit (Picture 52). This makes me wonder if this unit has be redeployed for the pending attack on Russia. This would make sense because of Joe's heavy investment in u-boats (3 new builds) and strategic bombers (2 builds), which would imply that he's only built one or two more armor corps.

It's 10 turns (+/-1) before US entry. This means I need to begin think of long turn builds such as CVs and BBs, which take 8 turns. The optimum for me is to have these builds arrive 1-turn AFTER US entry. The rationale is that on the first turn naval units already in port will need to be upgraded. Also, by waiting the longest time possible I may get the advantage of any tech upgrades that happen before the build.

I made one small oversight turn, which was that the Russian war effort climbed above 50% giving me the potential to build their 5th lab. I spent their PPs on two new infantry corps before I realized this. I will build their 5th lab, which will be their 2nd armor lab, next turn.

[rkr1958]

June 22, 1941. Headlines. Royal Navy and RAF Continue to Battle U-boats East of Ireland. Axis Poised to Push into Iraq (Palestine). The depleted 7-step DD sailed to and docked at Cardiff without incident. So I though I was home free. However; its companion DD on its way to the port at Belfast ran into a hidden u-boat flotilla. The DD lost another 2-steps knocking it down to 7 and the flotilla was knocked down to 5-steps (Picture 53). This discovery was followed up by an air attacked by an air attack from the strategic bomber unit based in northern Ireland. This attack inflicted NO additional losses on the 5-step flotilla. Sir Arthur Travers Harris, commonly known as "Bomber" Harris and head of RAF bomber command, has been called to a meeting with Prime Minister Churchill to answer for this ineffectiveness.

The discovered u-boat flotilla was identified as UF-3, which was part of the large wolfpack that was off the coast of Canada two turns ago. This isn't exactly good news as it means that Joe could have six flotillas in the area. The RN sortied a task force consisting of two BB, one DD and one CV to try and protect the depleted DD fleet as best as possible. This fleet could be facing 6 u-boat flotillas. For what's worth UK communications on the discovery of UF-2 implied that they though it was the same flotilla uncovered last turn (i.e., new build and companion of UF-1). Here's their communications:

A UK DD found your hidden u-boat again! It was knocked down to 5-steps. This discovery was followed up by an attack from the RAF strategic bomber which inflicted ZERO steps of loss! Hopefully they'll get better "rolls" next time.

The 89 PP convoy west of Ireland last turn made it home this turn. The UK made use of these and their stockpiled PPs to build 3 DDs, which will be ready in three turns (see Picture 53).


Picture 53. UK and Battle of the Atlantic (41 June 22)

Picture 54 shows the situation in the east Med and that the Axis are poised to advance into Iraq. The goal of the UK forces there is to defend Kuwait city. They will avoid all other combat. Also, Alexander will be available in 3 more turns and will take command of these forces.


Picture 54. Axis Poised to Push into Iraq (Palestine) (41 June 22).

The Russians build their 5th research lab, which was their second armor lab (USSR.Lab(5)=Armor(2)). This turn is the historical date for Barbarossa. However; no Barbarossa this turn so I guess it will start next turn. Also, 9+/-1 turns until US entry.

[rkr1958]

July 12, 1942. Headlines. British Wins Battle Against U-boats. The Open City of Beirut Falls. UK Forces Bracing for Attack in Iraq (Palestine). US Sentiment Growing Pro Britain.

The following German naval communication was intercepted and decoded by British Intelligence. They posses some super secret device called Ultra that helps them in this effort. Anyway here's the decoded message,

That time, it was by design. I hoped maybe I could catch a DD or two isolated, but you brought the rest of your navy to the area, so an attack would be too risky. That damn strategic bomber is a real pain! It's more effective than the RN at USW at this point.

Apparently my "minor" deception worked in that he didn't realize that I knew the flotilla I ran into last turn was from the wolfpack near Canada three turns ago. I really don't know what advantage this gives me but it's definitely fun. Keeping track of units; especially, u-boat fleets by name certainly helps with estimating strength and where they may be operating. If only all new builds had to have a unique name. But in one game I'm currently playing as the Axis I've given all my u-boat flotillas the same name as to disguise the number of flotillas I have and where they may be operating.

Picture 55 shows the situation west of Ireland after the battle with UF-3. I brought up the UK sub to help search for any German u-boats and help clear the way for the RN to retreat back to port for repairs and upgrades. The DDs and CV are especially in need of upgrade for their fight against German u-boats.


Picture 55. U-boat Flotilla Retreats. British Wins Battle.

Picture 56 shows the developing situation in the east Med. It's really not much different than last turn except that the DAK has popped up again and the Axis forces have advance a little closer to Iraq. If the Axis head first toward Baghdad my plans are to rail the two garrisons in the north (at the two oil fields) next to Kuwait City and retreat all other forces in that direction. Their mission is to hold Kuwait City at all costs. As General Montgomery was quoted as saying before the Battle of El Alamein, "Here is where we will stay either dead or alive."


Picture 56. Axis Continue Their Push Into Iraq.

US entry is 8+/-1 turns away. Picture 57 shows the status of US research. The only near breakthrough is "dog fighting" level 2, which has no impact on any naval units. As such the US built 3 BBs and 2 CVs, which takes 8 turns. 2 of the 3 BB builds are to replace the lost of the two UK BB fleets several turns ago.


Picture 57. US Research Status and New Builds

Still no Barbarossa! I'll be extremely shocked if it doesn't happen next turn. This delay gives me more turns to build Russian infantry. On the down side this also gives the Germans the extra benefit of the USSR traded oil (i.e., Baku oil hex). If only Churchill could convince Stalin to cut it off!

[rkr1958]

August 1, 1941. Headlines. The Axis Invade Russia. Axis Advance Closer to Middle East Oil Fields. German U-boats Active in the North Atlantic.

The other shoe finally dropped. The Axis invaded Russia and Barbarossa is under way. Picture 58 gives the overall picture after the first turn of the invasion. All quality units are moving to the defensive line running from Rostov (on the Black Sea) to Moscow and Moscow to Leningrad. All Russian air units are being deployed to safe rear area well out of German air range. This force will stay in reserve; hopefully increasing in numbers and tech levels. This reserve will only be used to counter a move into the Caucasus or a strong push from Finland south towards Moscow. This force will probably be moved to a central (but still rear area) near Kazan.

Based on what I can make out the Axis forces consists of 3 German fighters, 2 German tactical bombers, 6 German Armor corps, 4 German motorized corps, 2 Axis Minor motorized corps, 14 German infantry corps and 9 axis Minors infantry corps. Not in this count are the one German infantry and two Finnish infantry corps in Finland. Also, the Finnish and Romania fighters are not visible. Two things strike me about the invading Axis force, which are: (1) the few number of air units (i.e., 5 fighters (3 German + 2 Minor not seen) and 2 tactical bombers) and (2) the relatively weak force in the south consisting mainly of Axis minor corps. I just have to see what Joe has in store for me; because I know he has something.

My early war build strategy for Russia is to keep research max'ed out and to build nothing but infantry corps. By the way, the Russians bought their 6th lab this turn, which was USSR.Lab(6)=Air->DF(2). I will continue to build infantry until I can establish a double defense line and during the winter I will build three leaders. Also, I will keep my armor back a bit and out of harms way of his air. Also, during the winter I hope to get infantry and armor tech upgrades in preparation for his '42 spring offensive.

By the way I did remember to turn the traded oil off at Baku. A Russian infantry corps next to the hex marched in and took control. Forgetting to retake this oil field is not something the Allied player wants to do.


Picture 58. Barbarossa Starts (41 August 01)

Picture 59 shows the situation in the east Med. It's still not clear whether he'll go for the oil fields or Baghdad first. He'll probably do both. I move the garrison in Mosul one hex back in order to preserve it's ability to rail next turn. The Italian tank corps, with a movement of 5, was within range to make contact next turn with it if I hadn't. In addition to stopping rail this would have also made it possible for the Axis to capture Mosul next turn by advancing after combat. Now they can't because the Mosul is empty.


Picture 59. East Med (41 August 01)

The UK sub moved into a blocking position to hopefully help the 87 PP convoy get home. The UK really needs the PPs. In addition to the two u-boats visible south of the convoy there was a third flotilla (visible in the small unit screen) that attacked a convoy near Canada. The two southern flotillas are a new build (with experience level 1) and UF-3. The other u-boat is a new build with no experience.


Picture 60. German U-boat Activity (41 August 01)

[ftgcritt2]

This is very interesting. I am just now starting a game against Joe in which he is also axis. It's nice to get a preview of what kind of a player he is. I'll be sure to pay very close attention to the u-boat situation and try to keep up with the RN. Do you think it would be wise to build a few DD's early?