Autumn 1942
Russia finally wins a battle. In the South the Germans under Manstein attempted to shorten their front with an attack on Zhukov in Stalino. However, the German attack never got going as they lost their entire front line along with a bomber. They did take the Crimea and advanced over the Kerch Straits threatening Maikop. A mechanized attack against Stalingrad also failed with two tanks corps destroyed. In the North the Axis launched a heavy assault on Novgorod to cut Leningrad out of supply. Despite strong Finnish cooperation, the dug in Russians inflicted heavy casualties - Novgorod remained in Russian hands and the Finnish army is virtually useless as an offensive force. Despite their losses the Germans retain superiority in the South (helped along with some new heavy armor formations) while in the North both sides are resting in their dugouts.
In Africa the Allies knocked Vichy France out of the war, taking Oran, Algiers, and Tunis in amphibious assaults. Due to poor planning the Allies dont have very strong forces in Africa, they will definitely need a turn to prepare a proper assault against the Italian mainland where the Italians with German help have set up potent defenses.
In the Atlantic another U-boat is lost and about 12 damage points dealt. The Germans have started to set up more serious defenses in France. By the time D-Day comes the Atlantic wall will be very potent.