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WWII: Struggle for Europe____WWII: Struggle for Asia => After Action Reports / Playtesting => Topic started by: Mark on June 05, 2014, 05:39:38 AM

Title: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 05, 2014, 05:39:38 AM
OK - have been recovering from ConsimWorld and am finally getting into the pictures we took and formatting them to be posted.
We had a great time in Phoenix - what a great con - I really recommend it to anyone who is into monster multi-day games. . .it is a great environment.  I will try and go back next year.

On to the game recap!  Things started as they usually do. . .in Autumn 1939. . .
The BEF landed in Normandy to keep the transports well out of the range of German aircraft.  The French started extending the Maginot line into Champagne and the Germans began redeploying their best leaders and units to the Western Front.  Poland fell with more of a wimper than a bang - minimal German casualties this time as I guess the Poles were caught unawares. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 06, 2014, 02:22:30 AM
In the Winter of 1940, The Germans invaded Norway.  The initiative fell in a way that prevented the British navy from reacting - so the Germans got off with a relatively easy landing at Narvik. 

The Germans also executed a well-planned invasion of Holland and Belgium in the Winter - again with relatively light casualties.

In North Africa, Italy remains neutral, but is landing a larger army at Tobruk and Benghazi under Graziani.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 08, 2014, 05:22:12 AM
Spring 1940 - France falls as Guderian's blitzkrieg slices through Sedan and on into Paris.  Again the Germans get off with relatively light casualties - this is starting off to be a tough game for the Allies. . .

The British did not have enough shipping to get all of the BEF out of France, so they got the armor and artillery out and dispersed the infantry into Brittany and Normandy to collect French production (Free french volunteers and whatever French equipement could be salvaged I suppose).  Hopefully the Allies will get a good initiative chit draw in the summer to get the rest of the BEF out of France.

The Germans continued to take the rest of Norway, pushing the Norwegian army out of Oslo and back to a last ditch defense of Bremen.  The British are too pressed to send them any reinforcements - especially with German air dominance over the sea zones off of Southern Norway.

Finally - the situation in North Africa remains relatively unchanged with the Italians building up in Libya and still neutral.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 09, 2014, 12:47:28 AM
It appears I did not capture the action after the Summer 1940, turn - sorry about that.  A lot of action however. . .
The Germans executed a very aggressive strategic warfare campaign against the British - with u-boats, a raid with their surface fleet into the North Atlantic and industrial bombing of Southern England.  The British were down to only 8 PP at the end of it - a rough time.

In the Med, the Italians declared war on Greece and took Crete with a combined amphibious invasion and Italian para-drop.  The Germans sent Rommel to North Africa with a good sized armored and air force and the British managed to reinforce Wavell on the the Libyan frontier - but he may be a bit over-matched and need to withdraw.

In the Balkans, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria joined the Axis and the Italians are massing for an invasion of mainland Greece.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Yoper on June 10, 2014, 03:23:17 AM
Quote
It appears I did not capture the action after the Summer 1940, turn - sorry about that.  A lot of action however. . .

Yeah, tequila and ASU coeds!!!  ::) :P ;D

"Hey ladies!!!  Do you want to see my metal miniatures?  They're painted!" :o :o :o
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 10, 2014, 03:44:51 AM
They are Pewter, actually. . .  ::)  and, no, it was not the best pick up line. . .

I have to say I liked Tempe, Arizona - the area around the convention (Mission Street) was full of bars and restaurants.  A very cool area.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 10, 2014, 02:07:12 PM
Winter 1940 - end of turn

In North Africa, the battle of Sidi Barrani resulted in Wavell falling back to Alexandria.  German Stukas took a toll on British Artillery. . .The 8th army digs in at El Alamein as Rommel pauses on the Egyptian border to await reinforcements.  Cunningham's fleet is still intact and rules the Eastern Med, but has not engaged the Italian navy in the central Med due to significant Axis air superiority.

In Eastern Europe the Germans are massing on the frontier for apparently an early Spring Barbarossa. The Soviets have met their minimum border requirements of 7 front line units and 1 air unit with mostly infantry and are reinforcing defensive zones around Minsk, Kiev, and Odessa.  One of the bright spots for the Allies in the early game was that the Russians took minimal casualties in the Winter war with Finland - so, while the Germans got off light in Poland and France - they are at least facing a little bit stronger Russia for Barbarossa.

In Western Europe, the withdraw of the Luftwaffe to Poland has provided England with some relief from strategic bombing.  U-boats ported in Brittany have range to hit all of the Atlantic convoy zones.  The U-Boat Pen largely protects the u-boats from air attacks while they are in port.  Another win for the Allies in the early game was that ASW warfare managed to eliminate 2 u-boat aces with only Prien left by the Winter of 1940. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 11, 2014, 03:09:58 AM
Spring 1941 - end of turn

In the Med, the Greeks continue to hang on and inflict significant casualties on the Italian invaders despite being heavily outnumbered. . .
The battle of Mersa Matruh ended inconclusively with Rommel falling back to Sidi Barrani and the British falling back to El Alamein.  Auchinlek takes command.  The 8th army is receiving a lot of reinforcements while Rommel's Afrika Korps is dwindling in resources and supplies.

On the Eastern Front, the Germans launch their surprise Barbarossa in the Spring of 1941.  Hoeppner's panzer group has taken Odessa and forced Budenny's army back across the Dnieper.  In the North, Hoth has taken Lithuania and Guderian led a mech assault on the defensive zone around Minsk.  He ended up taking it but suffered significant armor casualties.  The Soviets have fallen back to regroup in the better defensive terrain in front of Moscow and Leningrad.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Yoper on June 11, 2014, 04:01:50 AM
They are Pewter, actually. . .  ::)  and, no, it was not the best pick up line. . .

I have to say I liked Tempe, Arizona - the area around the convention (Mission Street) was full of bars and restaurants.  A very cool area.

Actually, I don't think that there is any line that would have helped you!  Not that I would have done any better. :'(

As for the con location, that was what John Kranz (con organizer) was going for.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 11, 2014, 02:52:26 PM
It was a great venue. All I can say is that folks stay in good shape with the good year-round weather... :)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 12, 2014, 04:24:41 AM
Summer 1941 - End of Turn

The British 8th Army launches an offensive and drives Rommel out of Egypt! Though Auchinlek suffers significant casualties in the process. . .While the British took Bardia on the 2nd mech phase, they were over extended and to weak to really defend it and fell back to Sidi Barrani on the Egyptian border to regroup. . .

In Russia, the Germans turned South with their panzers, taking full advantage of the good Summer campaigning weather and the double mech move that comes with it. . .Guderian's panzergroup swung South and along with Hoeppner's group that ended in Odessa in the Spring conducted a double envelopment of both Kiev and Kharkov.  The end of the Summer has the Germans in Rostov and the Soviet armies in the South reeling. . .

In the North, the German armies advanced less dramatically.  Being stripped of most of their mechanized forces, the Germans were only able to clear the Baltic States and send a recon-in-force to seize Smolensk before concentrating their forces around Vitebsk.  The Soviets continue to reinforce and dig-in in front of Leningrad and Moscow.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 13, 2014, 06:03:24 AM
I remember the Germans lost a lot of product hitting Minsk during the mech phase. Its easy to get over confident with Hoth or Guderian during the initial phase of Barbarossa. After losing about 6 armor units - I asked myself - "why did I just do that?" I could have just stayed put and Soviets would have backed off during the non com phase...
I'm sure I had some grand plan in mind for the summer double mech phase... :P
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 13, 2014, 02:57:45 PM
I have to admit, I really appreciate/admire the paint jobs on some of those miniatures.

Nice work.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 15, 2014, 02:43:04 PM
Mark has outdone himself. It was a long winter in New England... ;)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 16, 2014, 03:37:49 AM
Autumn 1941 - End of Turn

In North Africa, Rommel is reinforced and advanced again to retake Bardia.  The British are overstretched and have not been able to get reinforcements forward - though they finally are getting something close to parity in air power.

In Russia, Guderian's panzers sweep South out of Rostov and cut the Crimea out of supply.  The Germans reinforce the 10th army, under Rundstedt, with heavy artillery to storm the isolated Soviets in Sevastopol next turn.

Army Group North fights their way into the terrain around Leningrad, taking Pskov and Veliki Luki.  The Soviets continue to reinforce and dig-in.  Hoeppner's panzer group concentrates around Kursk.

Thanks for the compliments on the miniatures!  I can't take credit for the planes though - they were done by a friend of mine who is a MUCH better painter. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Yoper on June 16, 2014, 04:04:08 AM
Quote
It was a great venue. All I can say is that folks stay in good shape with the good year-round weather... :)

I think that it's the other way around.  They stay in shape because they don't want to look bad while out and about in the good weather.

Whatever it takes.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 16, 2014, 12:00:15 PM
Yeah - either way works out ok  8)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 17, 2014, 06:32:00 AM
Winter 1941 - End of Turn

America enters the war! Churchill is relieved and finally gets a good night's sleep!

Rommel's reinforced Panzer Army Afrika has again forced the 8th Army to Fall back on Mersa Matruh.  Cyprus fell to Italian and German paratroopers - but the Turks (wisely) do not tilt toward the Axis and remain neutral.  The British in Egypt are desperate for reinforcements to stop Rommel, but with Australian and Indian reinforcements no longer available due to war in the Pacific, things are looking 'untidy'.

On the Russian front, the Germans cleared the Crimea even as the Winter Soviet counter-offensive under Koniev and Vatutin liberated Rostov and also pushed the Germans out of Stalino.  at the end of Winter, the Germans established Panzer Army Caucasus under Manstein at Maikop.  Anticipating a German Spring offensive in the South, the Russians, have thrown together what troops they have in a desperate defense of Grozny. . .Not a Step Back!

In the North, the Soviet Winter counteroffensive made less of an impact on the German lines, but raids managed to take back Smolensk and a few other cities temporarily.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 17, 2014, 07:21:07 AM
 :P Winter 41-42 always makes me so sad when I play as the Germans.  Guderian, wo bist Du?

Mark, you are right, the Planes look awesome.  Kudos to whoever painted them.  However, what caught me eye and caused the comment was the Italian Naval Units.  Very Nice.

Hey!  I thought the Brits had to give that cruiser back to the Aussies!  (Sorry chaps.  We need for the War Effort, and all.)

Looks like you were having a lot of fun.  Whenever I look at the south, I always think "So much Russia, so few German Korps..."

Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 17, 2014, 08:18:57 AM
Here is a serious game question:

What keeps the Russians from using the port of Sevastopol (via Batum and Novirissiisk) to supply their units?
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 17, 2014, 11:59:24 AM
Axis air control of the sea zone of Sevastapol.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 17, 2014, 12:58:40 PM
Good answer...  :o
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 18, 2014, 12:47:49 AM
Quote
Guderian, wo bist Du?. . . .Hey!  I thought the Brits had to give that cruiser back to the Aussies!

Yes, it is sad for the Germans when Guderian is withdrawn. . .but think of it this way, maybe you would not get all those nice Tigers and Panthers if he did not become the inspector of armored troops. . .

AND - we did miss the withdraw of the Ausie Cruiser and transport at the end of the Winter turn - but we caught it shortly after the picture was taken - so they were indeed withdrawn to the Pacific. . .you won't be seeing it in any more pictures  :)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 18, 2014, 02:20:46 AM
Spring 1942 - End of Turn

A reinforced 8th Army (even with US heavy bombers and armor) now under the command of Montgomery is building up in Egypt to face Rommel.  The Allies finally have air superiority and are feeling more confident.

In the South of Russia, Manstein decides to strike North first to clean up the Soviet Winter Counter-offensive bulge in the German lines around Rostov.  Vatutin and Koniev fall back on Voronezh and Stalingrad.  Timoshenko is building reserves up around Grozny while the German Armies in the Caucasus under Paulus and Von Kluge consolidate their infantry and artillery.  Summer 1942 could be very scary. . .

In Northern Russia, Hoth takes Kholm, Northwest of Moscow, and consolidates his army their while Weichs continues to put pressure on Leningrad.  The Russians continue to build up their fortifications in Leningrad and build reserves under Zhukov around Moscow.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 18, 2014, 06:55:17 AM
I think one of the things I find most interesting in these photos from Spring 42 is the distribution of Air Assets on the Russian Front.

From the photos, it seems the Germans have concentrated their Ju-87's to the Southern Front, with most (but not all) medium bombers to the North.

I was noticing the total lack of Russian fighters near Leningrad and Moscow.  I see what look like 2 Lagg's / Yak's in the Central Region, then the surviving I-16's in the South.

Very interesting that.

I was also noticing that no Russian troops in the south directly border any German troops (except for Novorissiisk).  The strategy of "Want some Russia? Here, we have lots...".  All those pesky AT guns make it dangerous to slap them in the Mech phase.

Definitely looking forward to what Summer '42 brings...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 18, 2014, 12:40:46 PM
Quote
I think one of the things I find most interesting in these photos from Spring 42 is the distribution of Air Assets on the Russian Front.

Yeah - I'll have to let John comment on the distribution of German air - I think he was economic bombing Leningrad and Moscow - which is maybe why the medium bombers are up North.  I felt like his air was a little out of position in the South with the Stukas too far back from where the battles are likely to be.

As for the Soviet air, I could not defend everywhere, so I concentrated more of my AA assets in the North so I could get some advantage in the South where I felt more threatened.  All of my planes could concentrate on Stalingrad if needed and I could also achieve superiority down in Grozny since his planes were based too far North - at least that was my thinking. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 18, 2014, 06:26:44 PM
"Localized Superiority"  Got it.

I really LOVE how the Air rules work, especially as they pertain to Ground Support.  A Stuka or Medium Bomber added to the support mix can really help out an Army.

And lets face it, if you are flying a Stuka, even an I-16 is scary...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 19, 2014, 08:06:22 AM
Summer 1942 - End of Turn

In Southern Russia, Manstein drives on the oil fields.  German reconnaissance forces occupy Grozny after a German mechanized attack takes the city. Timoshenko falls back with the Soviet Caucasus Front on Baku.  Meanwhile, Vatutin advances on Manstein's left flank trying to put pressure on the long German Salient reaching down toward Baku.

In the North, German recon-en-force take Kalinin and Tula.  The Soviet Leningrad Front builds up reserves.

In North Africa, Rommel withdraws back across the Egyptian border again.  A reinforced 8th army, with air superiority, now under the command of Montgomery, advanced under much fanfare and over exposure in British newspapers. . .

Meanwhile, checking in on Western Europe. . .The Kriegsmarine has sallied forth - with 2 battleship units - and is ported in the Bay of Biscay in order to wreak havoc on Allied shipping in the North Atlantic.  The Luftwaffe has transferred several fighter air units to France in order to protect the fleet from Allied bombing.   the German navy is not only a threat to British convoys, but also to the movement of troops to Africa and the Middle East since the Allies can't move through German controlled sea zones on the non-combat movement phase
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 19, 2014, 09:00:17 AM
I'm a pretty big believer in investing in the German Navy - its good in the long run, especially if you are careful not to squander it. It really makes the Allies pay attention. The previous comments concerning air placement were pretty accurate. I was on a bombing campaign and need to situate myself where the enemy was not. Russia was careful to place air units where they had the advantage. Neutralizing the effectiveness of Stukas is pretty easy in that regard...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 20, 2014, 06:07:35 AM
Autumn 1942 - End of Turn

Monty goes on the offensive attacking Panzer Army Afrika in and around Bardia.  The 8th army is victorious, but Rommel's skillful defense inflicts punishing casualties on the British.  So, while they took the ground, Monty withdraws his battered army back into Egypt as more Axis reinforcements land at Benghazi.  Bloody, bloody battle for the British - I'm not sure the Germans missed with a single unit.

In the South of Russia, Manstein withdraws from his drive on Baku to shore up his Northern flank that was being threatened by Vatutin's Stalingrad Front.  An Italian-German Mountain corps drives the Russians out of Novosibirsk and Timoshenko liberates Grozny.

In central Russia, Koniev concentrates reinforcements around Voronezh as a Hungarian mechanized corps exploits a gap in the Russian lines to wreak (temporary) havoc in the Soviet rear.  In the North, Vasilevsky drives the Germans back from the gates of Leningrad and liberated Pskov.

In Western Europe, the Allies have concentrated a significant force in and around Gibraltar.  The British have managed to keep the German surface fleet bottled up in the Bay of Biscay by sending in the Royal Navy for the last two turns to blockade them - despite Axis are superiority.  Cunningham has been lucky so far in not losing any major ships from the Axis airpower and the maneuver, while risky,  has kept Allied shipping lanes free of German cruisers and battleships. German u-boats, however, continue to create problems for Allied shipping in the North Atlantic.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 20, 2014, 07:56:50 AM
The Battle for Bardia looks like a text book Pyrrhic Victory.  Just ow!  It does look like the Allies are going to uncork Torch soon, though.

There is just so much Russia, and so many Russians.  The play down in the Caucuses looks very interesting.  Winter '42 is next.

Looks like a fun game so far. Nary a dull moment...

Holy cow.  I just noticed the two SS Heavy Panzers there at Stalino.  Scary stuff...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Yoper on June 22, 2014, 04:44:09 AM
I don't remember from my reading of the rules for this version how Vichy is handled.  I see a sizable French fleet in the Med. 

How is that dealt with in the new game? 
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 23, 2014, 01:47:08 AM
Winter 1942-43 - End of Turn

In Southern Russia, The Germans shift their focus toward Stalingrad.  Manstein strikes North and drives the Red Army back to the gates of Stalingrad.  Model's army drives the Russians out of Voronezh putting pressure on the Soviet center.

In Northern Russia, the Soviet clean up the mechanized incursions and salients on their front, re-establishing a front line before Moscow and Leningrad and shifting a lot of their air power to this theater.  The Germans continue to hold onto their position around Kholm.

In the Med, the Allies land in North Africa - bypassing Morocco and Algeria and landing all the way East in Tunisia first. At the same time, the British navy engaged the Vichy navy outside of Marseille.  The Allies were hoping for a Vichy collapse, but it did not happen - the Vichy continue to fight for the Axis.

Vichy has a chance to collapse for every US occupied Vichy PP territory. If one PP territory is US occupied, they collapse on a 1-2.  If two PP territories are occupied, they collapse on a 1-4 and if three or more are occupied, their collapse it automatic.  I only occupied Tunis and needed a 1-2 and did not get it. . .I guess the Royal Navy hammering them in port did not endear me to them. . .

In Western Europe, the German fleet and u-boats continue to create challenges for the the Allies as both sides begin to build up forces in France and England.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 23, 2014, 07:48:17 AM
 ???

In the bottom of the photo from Aut 42 for Gibralter, is that an American Oiler I see?  I was wondering how those ships could be parked in that Sea Zone.  Missed that on my first view.

Sneaky that...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 23, 2014, 10:28:43 AM
Yes - the oilers become very important for certain operations - giving the navies much more flexibility and therefore options  8)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 23, 2014, 03:00:32 PM
I don't remember from my reading of the rules for this version how Vichy is handled.  I see a sizable French fleet in the Med. 

How is that dealt with in the new game?

When France initially falls - each surviving French ship has a chance to go Allied, Vichy, be scuttled or be sunk by the Brits in Operation Catapult. No chance or going Axis initially.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 24, 2014, 04:15:08 AM
Spring 1943 - End of Turn

In Southern Russia, Manstein takes Stalingrad and pushes Zhukov and the Soviet defenders back over the Volga.  Vatutin advances on Mozdok and Timoshenko liberates Novosibirsk in the Caucuses.  While the Germans have taken the important 2 VP city of Stalingrad in the South, their forces are dwindling and the Russians continue to build up.

In the North, the Germans have put most of their reinforcements into Army Group North and Rundstedt is driving on Leningrad with the 3rd Panzer Army and the 10th Army.  By taking the Soviet defensive position around Novgorod, the Germans have severed the land supply route to Leningrad - now only the River Flotillas in Lake Ladoga are keeping Leningrad in supply.

In the Med, fierce air and sea battles North of Tunisia have left he Italians in control of the sea zones there - isolating the Allied invasion and making it unsupplied.  The Vichy French continue to refuse to give up and the Axis have transferred Rommel and a significant Panzer Armee to a position near Mareth in order to launch an offensive to drive the Allied invasion of Tunisia back into the sea. . .I am beginning to regret my leapfrog of Algeria for my version of Torch. . .

The displacement of Rommel and many of the German units to Tunisia has opened up the Libyan front, however.  A reinforced 8th Army is driving on Tripolitania against a weakened army under the command of Graziani. . .Will Monty be able to put the pressure on fast enough to save his American colleagues from getting destroyed in their first major confrontation with the Germans?  Stay tuned. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 24, 2014, 07:13:58 AM
 ;D  It is all about expectations, I can see.

Rommel, expecting to be on the defensive, has had 2 Korps of Tank Destroyers delivered to him.  Awkward in the face of a counter attack vs the Allies.  If he only had some Tigers...

Corsica and Sardinia make painfully convenient airbases for the Axis, in that portion of the Med.

To my mind, this is the best thing about these kind of games.  A relatively historical event goes totally sideways and a nasty, vicious a-historical fight ensues.  Well played, gentlemen.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 25, 2014, 12:49:50 AM
Yeah - the Axis were committing a lot of airpower to the Med.  Basing them on Corsica and Sardinia is making my invasion of Tunisia challenging since I can't get my air forward to bases in Algeria.

Summer 1943 - Middle of Turn -

Summer 1943 was a massive turn of battles - so we paused and took a couple pictures of all the battles that were set up across the board.

In Russia, the Soviets had committed enough lend lease points to achieve motorization - and they were going to use it!  Stavka had two very ambitious plans: 1) to have Rokosovsky drive South from around Kursk to the Sea of Azov and cut off German Army Group South and 2) Have Koniev attack the Germans from near Rzhev and link up with Vasilevsky near Pskov and cut the German 3rd Panzer Army off around Novgorod. . .

In the West, Rommel's offensive in Tunisia and Algeria aimed to eliminate the Allied invasion of French North Africa while Montgomery attacked The Italian army in Tripolitania.  The Italian-Vichy fleet engaged Cunningham off the coast of Algeria in a major naval air showdown while Ramsay's Home Fleet engaged the Kriegsmarine surface fleet when it sortied from the Bay of Biscay.

Lots of battles to be resolved. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on June 25, 2014, 05:42:51 AM
Wow - I remember that turn. Looks like 10 battles at once! That was fun!
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 26, 2014, 01:14:06 AM
Summer 1943 - End of Turn

Well - a lot happened - and most of it not good for the Allies. . .

In North Africa, the allies managed to keep their beachhead alive.  Rommel recaptured Tunis and then swung through Kaserine and Tebessa to take the port of Algiers, isolating Alexander and his army around Bone in Northeast Algeria.  On the positive side, Cunningham's navy drove off the Italian-Vichy fleet with heavy losses.  In Libya, Monty took Tripoli after destroying much of the Axis army there and driving its remnants over the border into Tunisia.  You also can not see from the picture, but the Allies have also landed a force in Morocco.  While Rommel made a very good go of it - the allies are confident that the days of Axis presence in North Africa are coming to an end (finally).

In Southern Russia, Rokossovsky's grand offensive to reach the Sea of Azov did not quite pan out - and he lost a lot of units battering himself up against Model's strong defensive lines around Stalino.  On the positive side, his offensive diverted enough Axis attention to enable Zhukov to retake Stalingrad and help Vatutin to liberate more of the Caucasus.  While the Germans managed to stop the Soviet offensive, their forces in the South are severely depleted.

In Northern Russia - an even greater failure befell the Soviets.  Not only did the Russian fail to encircle the 3rd panzer Army around Novgorod as planned, but they beat themselves against German defenses to the point that the Axis were able to launch an attack on the mechanized phase and drive the weakened and disorganized Russians out of Moscow. . .and they occupied it with Romanians no less. . .

So the end of Summer 1943 leaves the Soviet army severely depleted after their failed master offensives.  On the flip side, German forces in Russia are also battered and it looks like the Allies are on the verge of driving the Axis out of North Africa.  Time is running out, however.  If the Allies do not start taking back Victory Points fast, the Axis are going to win.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 26, 2014, 06:16:21 AM
 :)

Wow!  A lot really did happen!  With the Allies holding Tripoli, it makes up, a little, for not holding Tunis.  There are a LOT of Allies in North Africa. (And that is not counting the ones I cannot see in Morocco.)  I am wondering how Rommel is going to get his bacon out of the fire over there.

Cunningham did well in the Naval battle.  Very little left of the Italian Navy.  I always felt the Italian Navy would have been more of a thorn in the Allies side if utilized well.  But, maybe not.  Armchair Admirals, and all.

How did the big battle in the Atlantic go?  From the battle boards, it looked like it was going to be a doozy.

And there are still too many Russians...

Looking at the Spring 43 and Summer 43 photos shows a lot of the changes you mention.  Question: Paulus had a decent Korps down in Maikop. 2 TD, decent Inf and Art.  It is totally missing by Summer 43.  What happened?  Did it get destroyed? (this seems unlikely based off what could reach it) Or did it meet up with Mannstein in Don?

The Germans do look pretty thin in the south ( I cant see into the corps, so I am a little unsure) but I am noticing the almost complete lack of Soviet armor down there.  One can only assume they ran into German Armor and AT guns, and exploded...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 30, 2014, 04:14:27 AM
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How did the big battle in the Atlantic go?

I think the North Atlantic was about a draw - both sides lost a battleship group and I believe the German battlecruiser group was damaged.  The Allies can afford the losses in ships a little bit more, though, I think.

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Paulus had a decent Korps down in Maikop. 2 TD, decent Inf and Art.  It is totally missing by Summer 43.  What happened?  Did it get destroyed?

I can't recall, but I think it did largely get destroyed by the Soviets. I believe the Soviets hit him in Maikop and even threw in the fighters and bomber air unit as well as Soviet Paratroopers as well.  The fact that there are no Soviet armored formations left down there as well makes me think there was a pretty significant battle that took out much of Paulus' army.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on June 30, 2014, 06:22:17 AM
Autumn 1943 - End of Turn

In Southern Russia, the Soviets concentrate around Maikop and Stalingrad as well as Kursk.  The remnant of Manstein's Panzer army withdraws to Rostov and the Germans reinforce the Crimea with some SS Panzer Divisions.  Now that the German army markers have been removed, you get more of a sense for how battered the German forces have gotten over the last few turns with their offensives in the Caucasus and Stalingrad in the South.

In Northern Russia, Koniev retakes Moscow with a strong Soviet Army and the Germans scrape up and concentrate their reserves in front of Leningrad.

In North Africa, the Allies finally push the Axis out of North Africa with offensives launched from Mareth in the South and from Morocco in the West.  Rommel manages to escape the jaws of the closing Allied Armies and withdraws to Sicily.  The Axis heavily reinforce Italy with a tremendous Luftwaffe presence anticipating an Allied invasion.

In Western Europe, the Allies continue to build up in England.  German intelligence has noted that Montgomery has been withdrawn from the Med and now is in command of a joint US-British Army HQ'ed in Wales.

While the Allies are on the offensive in most theaters, they are behind the clock by several turns.  The Axis are close to winning by hanging on to so many VPs this late in the game.  The Germans appear to be massing for an assault on Leningrad - and with its 2 VPs in Axis hands, it may push the game over the edge to a German victory.  If they can do that - and prevent the loss of VPs in Western Europe or in the Med, they could win the game in the next turn or two. . .
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on June 30, 2014, 07:11:10 AM
Crazy!

"Hollowed out" is how I would describe the German forces down in Southern Russia, although they are not kidding about Crimea.

Without seeing what the Germans have in their Armies in the North, I know from experience that Leningrad is a tough nut to crack, without giving them two years to build up their defences.  And attacking in the Winter...

Agreed, the Allies are really behind in their efforts to wrest VP away from the Germans.  The Germans might just be able to "run out the clock" on the Allies.  From the photos, it looks like their strategy might be to hold on to Italy at any cost.  That is an awful lot of Axis Airpower down there, I must say.

One of the big advantages that Russia has always had, in my opinion, is their ability to build new units right on the front.  The Germans get to deal with new Russian Armies simply appearing in their faces, and their own reinforcements have to travel all the way in from Germany.

I really do not envy the Germans on the Russian Front, but they have two major rivers to hide behind.  If they can just keep their northern flank from folding, they may be in a pretty good position.

I want to state that this after-action is ridiculously entertaining...

PS: 3 V-Weapons?  A little excessive, don't you think?
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 01, 2014, 07:35:08 AM
Crazy!

PS: 3 V-Weapons?  A little excessive, don't you think?

We take vengance seriously.  >:(
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Yoper on July 02, 2014, 03:45:20 AM
Looks like you guys had a nice table situation.  More than enough space for the charts, etc.  (Though I don't see any dice towers!!!)

Did the venue work out for you?
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 02, 2014, 04:15:20 AM
Yes - it was a great vacation and great audience! I think we are going back! 8)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on July 02, 2014, 05:39:35 AM
Winter 1943-44 - End of Turn

Italy just looked like too tough a nut to crack, so the Allies staged an Amphibious landing in the South of France.  It coincided with an amphibious assault into Brittany by Montgomery as well.  The early invasion of France caught the Germans by surprise with most of their forces in Italy expecting an Allied assault there - perhaps our misdirection of FUSAG in Tunisia. . . At any rate, the Allies are ashore in France with minimal losses.

In the South of Russia, The Soviets liberate Rostov and bring their armies up on a broad front in the South.  The Germans again retake Maikop, but with the front in the North being pushed back, it may just be a brief recon-en-force. (I don't think the Russian builds have been placed yet, so Rokossovsky will be reinforced).

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One of the big advantages that Russia has always had, in my opinion, is their ability to build new units right on the front.  The Germans get to deal with new Russian Armies simply appearing in their faces
I really like how this works in the game - it really throws the Germans off having a tank army that they knew nothing about attack them.  It simulates the fog of war fairly well on the Russian front - it is one of my favorite things to do.

In the North of Russia, the Germans were able to bomb away the river flotillas on Lake Ladoga, cutting Leningrad out of supply as a preliminary move for their expected attack against Leningrad.  Will the Soviet army there hold until relief can come from Koniev and Vatutin?

Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on July 02, 2014, 07:08:10 AM
Ack!

I have always thought of Southern France as a sincere weak spot in Fortress Europa, but ah, that stings!   Going to give the Germans a huge logistical headache getting any serious forces into France to slow up the Allies.  Two full turns early.  I would have needed a drink, after that.

Prediction: bypassing Italy, and leaving it in the game, bites you in the bum, later.

Wo ist Manstein?  He was hanging out in Southern Russian with his 50,000 closest friends, and now he's gone?

Reconn in force is correct. Two SS Tigers?  I would not want to tangle with that without at least 10 friends.  And still no armor in the south.

I bet this was one of those games where there was an open bottle of Tums near the table at all times...

Hey, I just noticed.  The u-boats are almost out of places to park...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 02, 2014, 02:24:57 PM
Well - the Italians took out Greece all alone - so they got the morale bump. Vino per tutti!
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on July 03, 2014, 04:44:15 AM
Aha!

That explains a lot!  I was noticing the Italians were pretty air heavy, for Italians, and I was wondering how you were doing that.  The increased max builds help out a lot.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on July 03, 2014, 04:57:16 AM
Spring 1944  -  End of Turn

In the Med, the Allied fleet is ported at Tunis with a small amphibious corps under Dempsey for a potential invasion of Sicily in the Summer.  Italian defenses still look formidable, however.  Also, Italian morale is still good as they managed to take out Greece all by themselves earlier in the game and are receiving the morale bonus for that.

In France, Bradley and Montgomery captured Paris and Normandy with minimal losses.  The Germans are retreating faster than we can advance back to Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine - but, are digging in to make a stand there.  In Southern France, the U.S. Third Army under Patton and the British 8th Army under Leese advanced rapidly to seize the mountains and the passes on the border with Italy.  However, Kesselring has scratched together a pretty strong army consisting of jagdpanzer units, AT guns, 88s, and lots of AA support. . .breaking into Northern Italy will be tough.

In Southern Russia, Zhuhkov and Rokossovsky have pushed the Germans out of their Don-Donets River line and are advancing in force.  What is left of Army Group South has fallen back behind the Dnepr to establish a defensive line under the command of List.

In Northern Russia, the Germans gave it their all to try and take Leningrad - and they almost succeeded. . .but Vasilevsky managed to hang on after losing all of his fortifications and fighting down to a handful of remnants.  Now, with new river flotillas in place, Leningrad is back in supply and is in a much more secure position.  Vatutin liberated Smolensk and Koniev is massing to drive the Germans out of Novgorod and break the siege of Leningrad for good in the Summer.

While the Allies are advancing on most fronts, the VP conditions continue to be very close for an Axis victory.  The Allies need to continue to take VPs back at a good pace or will lose the game.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 03, 2014, 09:18:48 AM
One of the best dynamics of the game is the Victory Point system for defining win/loss. The historical progress comparison insures continued pressure on both sides to beat the "historical clock". It's really fun to see Allies under pressure to make sure the Axis lose "fast enough" because the Axis can "win" the game by losing slower than they did historically. 8)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Wolf on July 03, 2014, 06:31:35 PM
I have made it to the end game yet, but I do see substantial Axis airpower, both in Italy, and Northern Russia.  I can see the Allied airpower coming up, with lots of P-51's and Typhoons on the board, but all those Axis planes have to be giving the Allies fits.

I am thinking that may be one reason the Allies are a little "behind".
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 04, 2014, 07:58:17 AM
Correct - this particular game - I went very heavy air. I heard Mark say "how did you get so much air!" several separate times throughout the game...
Go where you have the advantage - or don't go at all - unless you are desperate.  Simple.
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on July 07, 2014, 01:43:42 AM
Autumn 1944 - End of Turn

Sorry - it looks like we did not document the end of the Summer 1944 turn.  Perhaps too much excitement. . .

In Southern Russia, the Soviets have made significant gains over the last two turns, liberating Kharkov, the Crimea, Kiev and Odessa.  What is left of the German army in the South is retreating toward the Polish border.

The Germans have been pouring most of their reserves into the Baltic States and Minsk to defend against Soviet attacks in Northern Russia.  Here, the German defenses have held pretty strong as the Russians have smashed themselves up against the Axis with little gains.

In Southern Europe, Patton sliced across Northern Italy in the Summer and then turned South to capture Rome in the Autumn.  The Allies desperately needed the 3 VPs to stay in the game.  Italy has still not surrendered, though they are operating at a negative morale modifier.

In France, the Allies advanced into Belgium in the Summer, but were stopped cold in Holland and in Alsace Lorraine in the Autumn.  Bradley smashed himself up pretty bad trying to take Metz - lost all three paratroopers.  It was like Market-Garden, but in the South instead of in Holland.

Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 07, 2014, 10:46:08 AM
The end game is really fun. As the Reich collapses in on itself the game seems to move so much faster...
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Mark on July 09, 2014, 03:09:29 AM
End of Game

And that was it.  The game ended before the end of the Winter 1944-45 turn with the allies conceding they would not have enough VPs at the end of the turn to prevent and Axis victory.

From an Allied perspective, I think the heavy economic losses the British took for much of the game really paid off for the Axis later in the game.  The Allies invasion of France was made with much lighter resources than I would have liked and I did not have enough units to keep it plowing forward.  A couple of big attrition battles in Northern Italy and Alsace Lorraine really sapped Allied strength to continue to push forward.

Also, the delay in taking out North Africa and in trying to force Italy out of the war hurt.  Too many Axis VPs in Italy and the Western Allies did not have enough resources to take out both Italy and force a way over the Rhine in late 44.

In Russia, The Soviets got too aggressive too early I believe.  We had a few terrible offensives in 1942-43 that killed off a lot of Russians for little gain which sapped Russian strength in 1944.

One of the learnings that keeps coming back to me as an Allied player in PATIENCE.  Jumping on the offensive too early seems to cost them later in the game.

Was a great game though - had a lot of fun and it could have gone either way.  Lots of good moves and bad moves on both sides.  Tension was really good throughout the game!
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: Uncle Joe on July 09, 2014, 09:31:23 AM
Great summary!  I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!  You guys must have had a great time.
Would have liked to have seen pictures of the game at the end, though. . .just to how things ended after all that 'struggling'  ;)
Title: Re: ConsimWorld Expo 2014 - Game Play-by-Play
Post by: John D. on July 09, 2014, 03:38:01 PM
We'll document another  8)

I played a very conservative Axis, trying not to squander units in less than favorable offensives - but there are times when you just have to keep pushing outward against the odds just to keep Allied units busy and out of position (Russians in particular - in this game). That was my general take away.