AAR: OzHawkeye V MarkClark (no MarkClark allowed)

[OzHawkeye2]

Ok, MarkClark and I, equally uninitiated at battling human opponents via this game have decided that to challenge any of you warlords would be hugely embarrassing for us both, so instead we'll play amongst oursevles...So there!

So, here goes my AAR, from which of course MarkMark is strictly verboten.

September 1939: WAR!

London-- Prime Minister Chamberlain has announced that Great Britain is now at war with Germany, two days after the Germans invaded Poland and just hours after the expiry of the British and French ultimatums to Germany to withdraw. The French quickly followed suit and have also declared war. Unlike the scenes of jubilant crowds a quarter of a century ago the declarations have been met with quiet but determined stoicism by the average man on the street, though crowds gathered outside the British and French embassies in Warsaw to sing and cheer.

Commonwealth declarations of war are expected today as well.

The Polish home army continues it's valiant fight against the Nazi invaders and Allied hopes rise that Polish resistance will prove as determined as pre-war estimates supposed. With the magnificent French army and their impregnable Maginot defenses it is clear that old Adolf has finally bitten off more than he can chew.

[OzHawkeye2]

1st September, 1939

Polish Front

Polish forces report German infantry units bypassing Krakow. Attacks on Polands western boundary areas result in multi-step losses to forward Polish infantry units, as well as another attack originating out of East Prussia.

The Polish High Command, certain that French and British help is but days away went on the offensive. Counter-attacks by two forward Polish units resulted in an 7 step loss to a German Corp on the border. The Polish Corp stationed in the north-western provinces saw both an Armoured and Infantry unit pass by to the south and made a quick south-westerly dash across three sectors. This resulted in cutting the supply chain for both German units, and allowed the Polish unit to join the attack on the German infantry previously engaged, resulting in a further 1 step loss to the enemy, reducing the unit to just 2.

Other Polish units retreated from the Prussian border towards the capital while the Polish Air Force decided to remain in place and attack advancing German armour, resulting in a 1 step loss to the enemy armour, 1 to defending German Luftwaffe fighters. Polish losses, unconfirmed, were estimated at 3 steps.

Unfortunately the Polish High Command forgot to order reconnaissance photos of the battle scene. The officer responsible for this has been demoted to private. His replacement assuredly will not make the same mistake.

Western Front

French units have begun deploying to the Maginot Line and are starting to form a defensive line extending from the still uncompleted fortifications along the Belgium border to the sea. Garrison units from the interior have been moved up to Paris.

French intelligence notes that the Frankfurt Garrison has left the city. Consideration of a quick dash into western Germany is now in progress.

Atlantic

Some redeployment of RN assets to better face the German threat and potentially intervene in support of the Danes in the event of a Nazi invasion.

[jjdenver]

WTB screenshots. They're what make AAR's fun to read.

[MrPlow]

I look very much forward to reading this, I hope I started an AAR trend

[jjdenver]

In case anyone is interested I've written a bunch of AAR's for other games. Here are some for AT that I wrote last year (with screenshots)

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1735661
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1705427
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1689320
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1649284

[OzHawkeye2]

September 20, 1939:

Polish Front

German units continue to penetrate deep into Poland, reaching the outskirts of Warsaw. The Polish High Command sees no alternate but to continue trying to inflict upon the invading hordes as many casualties as possible. With that in mind, four attacks are planned.



The 1st Infantry Corp will move east an attack German armoured units. This resulted in 3 step loss for the Allies with no German casualties.
The 2nd Infantry Corp moved southeast to attack German infantry unites, resulting in a 1 step loss to each side.
The third attack came from the garrison at Krakow, which had originally intended to move north to engage more German infantry but instead took on some slightly damaged German armoured units. This attack proceeded very well for - without loss to the Allies - the unit inflicted a full 5 step loss on the German armour.
The final attack involved Polish infantry just north of Warsaw attack northwest to yet more advancing German infantry, inflicting a 2 step loss upon the Nazis for the loss of 3 steps.

Despite meager reinforcements to Warsaw itself, it seems certain that Poland will fall within the next few weeks.

Denmark

The power crazed Germans declared war on the nearly defenseless nation of Denmark and inflicted heavy (5 step) casualties on the defending garrison at Copenhagen. It seems likely that Denmark will fall shortly along with Poland.

Western Front

French reservists are due to arrive shortly to augment the Maginot line however there still remains insufficient units for even a single line of defense. Britain debates whether or not to send an expeditionary force to boost French defenses but without making a firm decision either way.

[OzHawkeye2]

I look very much forward to reading this, I hope I started an AAR trend

You've definitely been an inspiration.

[OzHawkeye2]

October 10, 1939

Polish Front

The Polish radio no longer defiantly plays the national anthem. Poland has fallen. France awaits her turn with growing unease.

Denmark

The tiny statelet of Denmark has also succumbed to the barbaric German invaders.

Western Front

All quiet on the western front....for now at least. France continues to call up reservists as fast as she can. Britain is still debating whether or not send an expeditionary force, though the British War Cabinet is wary of their own lack of defenses at the moment as well.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

Now it's a bit of a waiting game to see how long MarkClark gives me to bolster the extremely sparse French defenses. With English defenses even worse, I don't think a BEF is possible, I suspect France will have to do her best on her own, though to be sure the RAF will get involved where it can make a difference. A few convoys now would be handy....

[OzHawkeye2]

October 31, 1939:

Norway

The dastardly Hun has declared war on Norway, in an attempt to quickly add it to Poland and Denmark on their list of victims. Chamberlain immediately dispatches both the Royal Navy and Air Force to assist the gallant Norwegians in their resistance.

This resulted in the first clash of arms at sea, as a British battleship inflicted a 5 step loss on a German battleship for the loss of 2 steps of its own. A second RN battleship bombarded German Luftwaffe units in Denmark, however this backfired, with no losses to German aircraft and a 1 step loss to the attackers from defending shore batteries.

The RAF has bravely built a base right in the path of the expected invasion beaches, daring the Germans to delay their invasion and risk further action by the Royal Navy against the nearly defenseless troop transports.



France

Meanwhile, France continues to hurriedly deploy more troops to the Maginot Line Gap. The sector remains quiet with no combat.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)

British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

My air unit could take a little battering in Norway, but it's placement means that MarkClark will be unable to launch both German army units into Norway next turn. Hopefully I'm presenting him a cruel choice, go with a single unit invasion against defending air power, or keep or re-deploy the second unit and risk its attack by swarming RN naval units. This is, as much as anything else, merely an attempt to throw a spanner in the works and force MarkClark either to take more time with Norway or commit more resources to it than he'd have preferred.

If the two German subs show up though, it could get nasty for the RN for sure.

[raffo80]

Attacking Norway before france is always a mistake for axis. I tried this in my first PBEMs and i always had to delay attack on france (due to the airpower) cause at best you delay france attack by 2 turns and france must be attacked as soon as possible or it becomes expensive to beat france.

Why not moving your air unit near bergen, it would have been able to strike and still not so close to german fighters. i would use all the navy to destroy the german BB and attack air units: if you commit in norway some effort (but not too much and always think how to run) you can make germany losing time and PP that will pay later when he attacks france.

German airpower in vanilla game is just 2 fighters and 1 tactical and with no tech, so they won't hurt your navy a lot.

[JyriErik]

My question regarding the Herman's Norway attack is where are the Uboats? Against the AI (which never contests it) only the BB is adequate, but against a human, Uboats are a prime part of a Norway invasion. Based on what happened in the AAR, if Uboats were screening the BB, then it wouldn't haven been 2BB vs 5BB hit, but more likely after the first ambush, the British plan to attack the German BB with naval units would have ended. Simple math. 2 Uboats (which by judicious movement can be set up to ambush constantly, plus Tac in support would maul any naval assault in the straights between Nowray & Denmark, and the British cannot afford naval casualties in 1939-40)).

Jyri

[OzHawkeye2]

Why not moving your air unit near bergen,

The Fighter Squadron placed in Norway was specifically chosen. By placing it where I have, it prevents the second German troop transport from dis-embarking during his turn (see my map in post). He'll either have to go with a 1 unit invasion (which won't work I hope), or move the transport somewhere and risk it being attack by the Royal Navy.

If needs be I can then retreat the air unit on my next turn.

[OzHawkeye2]

My question regarding the Herman's Norway attack is where are the Uboats? Against the AI (which never contests it) only the BB is adequate, but against a human, Uboats are a prime part of a Norway invasion. Based on what happened in the AAR, if Uboats were screening the BB, then it wouldn't haven been 2BB vs 5BB hit, but more likely after the first ambush, the British plan to attack the German BB with naval units would have ended. Simple math. 2 Uboats (which by judicious movement can be set up to ambush constantly, plus Tac in support would maul any naval assault in the straights between Nowray & Denmark, and the British cannot afford naval casualties in 1939-40)).

Jyri

Well, as MarkClark is not supposed to be in this thread, you'll have to ask him another way I think. Certainly the absence of the U-boats is a cause for concern, because as things stand I hope a window of opportunity to real screw up his early-Norway strategy if the naval units don't take too much of a beating trying it.

[JyriErik]

Oops. I was confused as to who was writng the AAR.

Jyri

[OzHawkeye2]

November 20, 1939:

Norway

With the RAF and RAN making a defiant showing towards the German invasion fleet, Germany seems to have abandoned her plans for Norway, leaving it unharmed and in Allied hands. The RAF base remains in place while naval units retreated to nearby ports for repair.

France

More French units continue to be deployed in preparation for the main German thrust westwards.

Casualties

German: 158,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

Well, the two German troop transports retreated back into the Baltic along with the badly damaged battleship. All up I lost 6 steps to his 5 so it was a pretty even swap. I've now got Norway though, and with my forward air there I can see all units transiting into and out of the Baltic, as well as the welcome boost from Norways productive capacity.

I suspect however that after France there'll be another attempt to take Norway from me, but I'm happy to keep it as long as possible.

[OzHawkeye2]

December 10, 1939

Norway

Luftwaffe attacks on the RAF base inflicted a 4 step loss on the fighters there. 3 Reinforcements dispatched.

Atlantic

The Battle of the Atlantic is underway with a German U-Boat attack on a repairing RN Battleship at Scarpa Flow. This resulted in 3 step losses to the BB, though RN units flocked to the scene and managed to inflict 3 step losses on the attacking U-boat as well.

France

Desperate attempts to shore up the gap in the Maginot Line continue with France deploying as many unit as quickly as she can.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

I had been misreporting German Casualties as 158,828 instead of 115,828. I couldn't be bothered going back and changing the all the previous mentions of it.

The U-Boat attack was a nice followup, he went after my BB which was already half-damaged from the Norway thing. I dropped 3 steps on him as well, more to come if the sub is foolish enough to hang around.

Other than that, I'm making as many French units as I can to try and build a double-defense line if possible, but it's taking a long time. This would also mean leaving nothing for the Italian front, but they're much less of a threat I think.

If my losses to the fighter unit in Norway keep up, I might consider moving it back to England, however it's also occupying the attention of 2 Luftwaffe fighters which would otherwise be pounding the French into the ground soon, so I think it's a fair swap...hehe.

[OzHawkeye2]

December 30, 1939

Norway

Luftwaffe attacks continue pounding on the RAF Airbase in Norway, causing 3 step losses with 3 reinforcements sent, keeping the unit at 9 steps.

Atlantic

The German U-boat that attacked Scarpa Flow managed to escape, so there was no further combat. Repairs continue to damaged RN units.

France

Feverish preparations continue in an attempt to form a double defense line along the entire Maginot Line right up to the coast.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

Mostly a waiting game for the Allies at the moment. I hope to complete the double-defense line within a few more turns. The fighter unit in Norway is still tying down 2 Luftwaffe fighter units so I'm happy to continue repairing its losses (it seems to be inflicting losses of its own decently enough) - anything to move resources away from the upcoming Battle of France.

[OzHawkeye2]

January 19, 1940

Norway

Further Luftwaffe attacks cause 4-step losses to the RAF airbase in Norway of which only 3 can be made good via reinforcements. Two separate Luftwaffe fighter squadrons continue to blaze away at base, so British High Command remains of the view that they usefully distract those units from any French participation.

Atlantic

A fierce naval battle between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts results in the destruction of a German U-boat.

France

The French have completed their preliminary double-defense line, at the cost of making no provisions for defense of southern France should Italy enter the war on Germanys side. This will now be attended to.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

So need a last turn replay. MarkClark had to go out of town for a while so it's been at least a week I think since our last move. The naval battle I refer to was the appearance of 4 German U-boats off the Scottish coast. I can only assume he attacked and destroyed a Royal Navy vessel (and it showed 4 attacks) but for the life of me I can't remember what, if anything, I had there. Still I polished of a U-boat for the loss of only 4 steps so I got something back at least.

My main line of defense is basically complete in France now, so I need to start building up some units along the south-eastern border with Italy.

[OzHawkeye2]

February 8, 1940

Norway

The Germans appear to be launching a second invasion attempt on Norway. Heavy Luftwaffe activity reduced the in country RAF Fighter squadron by 5 steps in the last 20 days from 8 to just 3. Reinforcements have taken it back up to 6, but Allied fears that the unit may soon need to evacuate have increased.

In a highly risky strategy Englands second and only remaining fighter squadron flew into Norway to help combat German fighter presence in the area.

Atlantic

The fierce naval battle being conducted in the North Sea continues. Unfortunately the Royal Navy suffered the loss of a Battleship, and could exact only the destruction of a single submarine in return. RN assets have now been depleted by 2 units and concerns over these losses are high. However at least 2 German U-boats have been sunk and 1 other heavily damaged, 2 more slightly damaged, and the battle has prevented any interference with convoys which have now entered the Western Approaches.



France

France completed all preparations for the Maginot Line of defenses and can concentrate more thoroughly on building up a line of defenses in the south to protect against any Italian incursions into French territory.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

Playing a bit of a dangerous game here, committing more Aviation resources to the defense of Norway. Likewise the Royal Navy has now lost 2 ships for which our only recompense has been 2 subs destroyed, 1 sub and 1 battleship heavily damaged, 2 more subs slightly damaged. The real upshot I guess has been no German U-boat activity at all on the convoys, 2 of which will dock next turn for 39 PP. Two more are on the map for 50+ more PP as well.

I really think I need to replace at least one of those losses, so if at all possible, the Brits will build at least a Destroyer as soon as they can.

Strangely, it's Feb and I still can't see any preparations by the Germans for France. There's no German units along the Belgium border at all. Of course I expect they'll go for Holland first but it's definitely been very quiet on the western front.

[OzHawkeye2]

February 28, 1940

Norway

Disaster! German attacks manage to destroy the eastern RAF squadron and inflict 3 step losses on the second newly arrived RAF squadron, the Allied Norway Gambit has backfired completely!

A despondent Allied High Command now expects Norway to fall within the next three weeks.

Atlantic

The news on other fronts is no better. German U-boats attack and sink for minimal losses the last remaining RN Destroyer squadron. The enraged French Battleship strikes back at the attacking submarines as the British withdraw, but inflict only 2 step losses.

The RN has now been severly compromised, the RAF is trapped in Norway and French air surveys report growing numbers of German units along the border with Holland.



France

With the complete defenses the French consider organising a front-line leadership structure.

The border with Italy remains relatively undefended.



North Africa

The only bright spot for the Allies in the last few weeks has been the declaration of Egypt for the Allied cause.

Casualties

German: 115,828 (^ 0)
British: 538,852 (^ 0)

Summary

Awful turn for the Allies, my "risky strategy" with Norway has been very bad indeed (first time I've kept Norway for any length of time so I've been experimenting). It'll be an effort to extract now the second RAF unit there and most likely Norway will fall next turn.

The RN has been reduced to a Carrier and a Battleship. There's a new Destroyer on its way but still 5 turns off.

I really need France to hold out for a good long time now or England will be highly vulnerable to a Sealion attack.