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WWII: Struggle for Europe____WWII: Struggle for Asia => After Action Reports / Playtesting => Topic started by: jnimer on December 20, 2014, 05:50:12 AM
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The troops prepare for war as autumn 1939 approaches. In their haste to mobilize quickly many supply departments may have given out the wrong camouflage gear to their troops (my painting could use some work). Should start later today:)
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poland looks woefully unprepared to meet the german onslaught
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france eyes the the german army in their immediate vicinity and thinks "hey, we might actually be able to win this time"
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WOW - looks great! I think your paint job looks pretty good! Better than my paint job for most of the units! It took us years to assemble and finally paint our set - it looks like you did it in a matter of weeks. . .
I like how you are using different chips for the Allies and the Axis. . .
You may want to double check your German set-up. It looks like a couple spots are switched maybe and you are missing a few of the infantry that start in Germany.
Hope you have a great game - hope you can document it and post it!
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you're correct, i didnt quite have the right setup, thanks for catching that. so we played turn 1 this afternoon. it was slow going as i was teaching the rules to a new player, but hopefully the pace will quicken as we get into it.
Germany slaughtered poland with light casualties while railing almost all of its armor and its top generals west. it started 3 new me109s, a stuka, two panzers, 2 artillery and purchased some infantry and a landing craft in preparation for invading norway (1 para 1 alpine inf 1 bomber and 1 battlecruiser against oslo). it also attacked convoy zones dealing 7 damage although luth barely escaped with his life and fled from an overzealous destroyer before launching his torpedoes.
italy moved infantry and a bomber to africa and redeployed a fighter and tank division to southern italy while started a new transport and fighter.
in the west france prepared her defenses while the british landed the first divisions of the bef on the continent.
russia rolled over poland which really just had one of the worst autumns imaginable, inflicting about 4 casualties on the entire forces of germany and russia. russia also redeployed significant forces to leningrad under kirponos. he faces off with the intimidating mannerheim in what is sure to be a deadly winter war.
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Game looks fantastic! Love some of the different units for Panzgr and transport planes. Great initial buys for Germany. Especially fond of the 2 artillery right out of the gates 8)
A few turns - the game will go much faster.
Here is a new Players Aid Summary Page
Let us know how you like it.
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awesome, thanks. Indeed, france and belgium are quaking in their boots. I didn't see anything in the rules about paying for amphibious or parachute assaults? Is that correct or did I miss something?
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No - there is no additional payment for amphib or para-drops. The investment you have to make in landing craft is enough (note that you lose the landing craft unit when you use it to land units on an enemy occupied shore).
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Winter 1939-40
Lots of action. The Germans invaded denmark, holland, and belgium. guderian's tactical skill was on display in belgium saving several infantry divisions from destruction although an artillery was lost. the french bravely sent their air force to assist their belgium allies, and while not inflicting any casualties they escaped unharmed. germany also sunk the dutch transport. farther north a daring winter assault on oslo was successful. the successful initial invasion and substantial german airpower has hitler greedily eyeing swedens iron ore. u-boats swung into the north atlantic, dealing 12 damage points against britain and the commonwealth.
in the east russia invaded latvia and vyborg and only lost a couple infantry under kirponos's expert leadership.
italy beefed up africa and appears poised to declare war in spring while britain reinforced egypt with an australian infantry and artillery.
question - can units landed by transports in the movement phase move 1 space in the noncom phase?
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question - can units landed by transports in the movement phase move 1 space in the noncom phase?
Yes - unit landed by transports can move on the non-combat phase (into another friendly owned territory). Units landed by transports may not move on the mechanized phase.
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It will be interesting to see how initiative for Spring turns out. Both side have some interesting options here
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We are paused mid turn but a quick update. Germany won the initiative and drew a two to start. Germany has shattered the French 3rd army and is poised to mech into Paris under guderian . In Picardy a pinning attack under hoth has yet to be rolled but will include a massive airbase with 8 allied fighters of varying quality matching up against 6 me109s
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Air attack*
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spring 1940
so germany won the initiative and drew a 2. guderian shattered the french 3rd army in compagnie while hoth pinned the french 1st army in picardy. no casualties were sustained by either side during ground combat in picardy but in air to air fighting a british spitfire, hurricane and two french fighters were shot down against 1 me109. in the mech phase guderian smashed into paris soundly defeated the remnants of the french 1st army and mech reinforcements from picardy while the bef retreated to normandy. german losses were very light overall although two stukas were shot down by aa. in the atlantic uboats dealt another 15 damage points too britain and the commonwealth and with france defeated the economic warfare campaign shall surely reach a new intensity. in norway germany reinforced oslo and occupied trondheim pulling the fins closer into the german orbit. in the mediteranean italy continues to prepare for war against the british while in the east russia cleaned up the baltic states with no incident.
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summer 1940
the western allies win the initiative and draw a zero allowing them to save the bef from normandy. germany quickly occupies non-vichy france and finishes off norway. britain is faced by an intimidating french coastline and the battle of britain begins. the non-existent british fighter force offers no restistence to the intense german bombing. meanwhile the kriegsmarine sallies into the atlantic along with the wolf packs. it is a happy time as no uboats have been killed yet. in the med italy declares war and invades sidi barrani while the british reinforce mersa metruh - both sides might have the defensive advantage. meanwhile germany has deployed the afrika korps to italy and significant forces to the balkans.
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autumn 1940
in the atlantic the german merchant raider is finally hunted down by the exeter cruiser group in the south atlantic, bringing to an end a prosperous year of raiding. Germany with her balkan allies launch a cautious invasion of yugoslavia and greece while in africa graziani wins the initiative and dares to attack wavell. the british lose a tank and artillery against an artillery and two italian infantry. both sides pour reinforcements into the region and the british strip the british isles of fighters to send them to egypt. the british also attack italian shipping knocking axis mech units out of supply and making rommel angry at OKW. in the atlantic the german fleet sallies forth under lutjens to attack british convoys but is brought to battle by ramsey. in pitched battle the scharnhorst is sunk and the battered german navy retreated back to port only comforted by the thought that the bismarck will be launched soon. elsewhere the uboats and bombing of britain continues to wreak havoc on the british economy almost bringing them to their knees. one me109 is shot down but the net negative to britain is still 18.
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winter 1940
the germans finish conquering yugoslavia but are met with stubborn resistance in greece. guderian was redeployed to central poland leaving bastico in charge of attacking the peloponnesus. the greeks inflict four casualties, primarily against the italians and withdraw to athens. italy does launch an amphibious assault on crete which they easily take. in egypt wavell launches a daring counterattack against the italians ensconced at sidi barrani and sends them flying back across the border with heavy losses. in the atlantic thanks to advantageous initiative the weakened kriegsmarine again sallies forth to attack the convoys but the british begin to fight back - an ace is sunk and another sub and bomber are returned although a spitfire is shot down. with US lend lease picking up and the german air force redeployed to the east perhaps the worst is over for the british although many subs remain. in poland the germans prepare for a spring offensive against russia.
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You can tell the Axis took few losses based on the Barbarossa set up. Looks like the Russians will have their hands full and Stalin will have a meltdown for a turn or two. Everything in the North African campaign is out of supply - tough to keep that going. Very nice playing on both sides...
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I hope so. Im sure we've missed some opportunities through the rules not being second nature , but both sides have done good things.
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spring 1941
in the west the british fleet blockades some of the u-boats in port but consequently open themselves up to krigsmarine raids under lutjens. meanwhile in italy the british invade bardia setting up a showdown in africa. In russia the germans launched operation barbarossa and bagged several large pockets. Hoepner invaded riga and then meched over the dvina river while guderian smashed bialystok and took minsk in the mech attack with no losses! it seems that whenever the germans win a victory guderian is somewhere close. in the south things went less well tactically but was strategically succesful. hoth took uman and then sent his tanks into zhitomir - a brutal battle took place and although they took the city they took heavy losses in mechanized units. the finns also took murmansk. things look bleak for russia and stalin did indeed have a meltdown.
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russia
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summer 1941
mixed fortunes for both sides. in the atlantic the uboats sally forth while the british move to defend the convoys and blockade lutjens's fleet. however this early move allows the bismark to sally forth to attack convoys. the british are not getting good die rolls and despite decent protection take 20 damage points and inflict no losses. in africa there is better news as rommels attack on auchinlek in bardia fails miserably despite excellent air cover and his infantry are destroyed. in worse news the british fleet attacks italian shipping doing 15 damage points and cutting most axis mech units and two artillery out of supply. rommel wisely chose to retreat over Mussolini's protestations and tobruk seems likely to fall soon.
in russia the german southern fortunes reversed as the germans utilized the summer double mech move to encircle russian troops at odessa. in the center guderian advanced to the gates of a well defended moscow and destroyed some small soviet forces. however, in the north while the finns managed to take vyborg, hoepners attack against pskov bogs down in the lakes around leningrad - numerous infantry are lost and a bomber and stuka squadron are shot down by aa. the germans are forced to retreat and receive most of the german reinforcements.
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autumn 1941
in the atlantic the u-boats continue to deal significant damage to britain and the commonwealth and sustain no losses. only one u-boat has been lost the entire game. the german atlantic success has been tempered by a series of disasters in africa - while the axis devoted all of their Mediterranean air assets to defending shipping headed to el agheila and resupplied the africa korps.
in russia axis forces liquidated the odessa pocket and finally took pskov. german commanders opt for the cautious approach before the russian winter hits.
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Well guys - You are really both playing stellar! Amazing first time game! As the rules become second nature you will pick up speed but certainly impressive progress so far. Looking forward to seeing more!
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Love the Rodney miniature and the mixed vehicles you are using for the German Motorized units. I need to go pick up some of those. . .
Game looks like it is going well - whoever you are playing against seems to have picked up the game pretty quickly.
Are you playing with the variable US entry rules? I noticed some playing cards on the table. We usually do not play with that option - so I am interested in how it is going?
Hope you guys are having fun with it!
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thanks. for the motorized infantry i used what used to be italian motorized infantry miniatures before they were banished and some of the trucks from GHQ artillery sets. We are not playing with US variable entry but did with russia. tons of fun so far! I really like the new naval movement rules. Quick question, when ships return to port at the end of the turn, does it doesnt have to be a large fortified port right? and can a fleet be based at a port they took in the regular movement phase? thanks.
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A ship can return to any port (but must adhere to port capacity - so a 5 point port can only accommodate 5 ships). Note that if your Italian ships end the turn at a North African port, each ship ported there also counts for North African Supply.
You can dock your ships at a port taken during the combat phase.
cheers! John and I are starting a game tomorrow too!
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ah, we got that slightly wrong and put too many brit ships at benghazi but i dont think that it made much difference to the 1941 winter. good luck with your game!
winter 1941-42
the russians counterattack driving the germans back over the dnieper and retake vyazma. they also shoot down another stuka. however the germans rail reinforcements to smolensk and the south, and appear poised to launch a devastating spiring/summer offensive.
in the mediteranean the italians throw their fleet at the british, fearful that the pending loss of tobruk will reduce morale and combat effectiveness. lachino trusts in the number of his planes irrespective of quality to see the italians to victory. alas it was not to be, while the italians shoot down two british fighters, they inflict no naval casualties on britain while losing a cruiser and submarine. meanwhile on land slim finishes off tobruk before heading to the pacific while monty takes over the 8th army and institutes a lengthy training regime in preparation for the assault on el agheila in the spring. the germans land a transport plane at tripoli in preparation for the coming evacuation. maybe the regia marina will redeem itself and rescue the german heavy units.
in the atlantic the u-boats have a time time of things. two are returned and one sunk; only 10 damage points are inflicted on the british. meanwhile chit draws prevent any opportunity for the kriegsmarine to raid.
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spring 1942
The Germans stabilize their front in both the north and south. They retook Vyazma and pushed across the Dnieper at both Sumy and Perekop throwing Kharkov into a precarious position. Meanwhile the finns continue to advance, taking an undefended Lagoda.
In North Afric, Montgomery takes El Agheila and German forces are evacuated to Italy along with the generals. While Italy never managed to threaten Egypt, it has started to build up some strong defenses on the mainland which will test the Allies. The British built an airbase in Malta as well.
In the Atlantic the u-boats continue their good work but lost another to destroyers.
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Summer 1942
Pictures came out fuzzy so none of them for this turn.
In Russia the Germans unleashed a devastating Operation Blau, sending strong forces against both Kharkov and Mariupol with strong air support. Kharkov held on for four rounds during the first combat phase but fell during the mech phase. German armored and motorized forces then took Rostov and established bridgeheads over the Don threatening Stalingrad and the oil regions in the South. Casualties were heavy for the Russians. In the North large Finnish forces moved into Lagoda, menacing the supply route to Leningrad.
In Africa the British took Tripoli, driving the Axis from North Africa. The Regia Marina risked another battle, but Cunningham's tactical abilities were too much to overcome - a battleship and Me110 squadron were lost, and the remaining cruiser group damaged.
In the Atlantic the u-boats continue to steadily sink British merchant ships and the Bismark sallied forth to attack British Aircraft Carriers on convoy duty but was sadly hunted down by the British Home Fleet.
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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.
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Amazing AAR man, it seems you had a lot of fun playing his game,
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I love the struggle, would play it all the time if I had time and people willing to play
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Wow - this looks like it will be a very close game! Italy looks tough. Will the Allies invade France soon? Many mainland fronts look like they will be developing. :)
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Finished the summer 43 turn, pictures will be forthcoming. The Allies have opened two mainland fronts, perhaps dividing their forces too thinly, strategic bombing has begun, and the Battle of the Atlantic has reached a climax!!! More coming soon.
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Winter 1942-43
In Russia the German's smash Malinkovsky's forces defending Maikop but suffer a severe setback in the mech phase. Hoth meched onto the surviving Russian forces of two AT gun units supported by two artillery assuming that his tactical abilities would see him through, but he lost all four of his mechanized corps instead. A raging Hitler calls him back to Germany. Manstein takes Stalino dealing the Soviets heavy casualties and threatening Stalingrad. The German's are so close to blowing the Soviets away in the South and seizing all of the oil and the six available VP's. Alas the momentum has slowed - that Soviet defense of Stalino in Autumn may go down in the history books as the new Stalingrad. In the North the Russian attempt to split German Army Groups North and Center with an attack on Veliki Luki, but only succeed in grinding up their infantry.
In the Med the Allies prepare to assault Italy and have accumulated large forces.
The Allies have started to bomb German but not in force yet, only 8 pp's this turn. In the Atlantic the u-boats fight on.
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Spring 1943
In the Med the Allies invade Sicily at long last. The demoralized Italians take down two Allied bomber groups but once the Allies get ashore the Italians melted away rather than fight. Only one Australian Corps was lost in a decisive battle. The Germans have sent the Italians down South while setting up their own defenses in the north.
In the Atlantic bombing and U-boat attack continue with reasonable damage to both sides. British fighters strafe the French countryside while American heavies penetrate deep into Germany hitting the Ruhr.
In Russia Manstein smashes Soviet forces at Kalach and moves on Stalingrad while Kleist advances to Grozny. In a major air battle three Soviet fighter groups are shot down while the German's lost a Me109 and Stuka squadron. The German air dominance might be short lived as they have been sending fighters to defend against the Heavies and some to forestall an amphibious assault of Southern France while Russia has doggedly been producing two squadrons per turn. In the North the Russians achieve a breakthrough at Pskov. Both sides sustain heavy casualties and the Germans lose another two Me109 squadrons.
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This is an excellent PbP! The forts in the Rheinland will prove formidable! The pressure for the Allies to perform increases - they seem to be slow and steady! I find it fun when the Axis have to decide which front they can no longer strategically reinforce, no matter what side you are on! 8)
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Summer 1943
In the Med the Allies under Patton advance across the Sicilian straights, defeating the Italian defenders easily. A strong Italian line of fortifications has been set up in Naples. Meanwhile the Allies also launch a surprise amphibious assault on Greece, and take Athens. German forces are railed to the region to contain the landing. Older staff officers eerily remember the Salonika campaign.
In the Atlantic the entire remainder of the U-boat fleet (4) is sunk in Hunter Killer attacks!!!
In North Russia the Germans retake Pskov and retreat from Vyazma. The shortened German line should ease the need for reinforcements from the west and work on the Panther Line has begun. In the South the Germans attack Ertril but the Russians retreat with light casualties for both sides. In the Caucasses Kleist chooses to retreat from Grozny and retreats to Maikop.
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Yes, Germany decided to go for the slow win rather than trying to grab a bunch of points to win in late 1942/early 1943. The Allies are not showing enough urgency, I think that the Axis definitely are in the lead. As Germany I'm definitely feeling the crunch, making a lot of money but there are too many units to spend on :)
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Autumn 1943
In the Med Patton manages to take Naples fighting for every inch among an extensive set of fortified positions. Heavy casualties are taken but Patton prevails and the war-weary Italians throw in the towel. Allied morale is still low in Italian as another heavily fortified position at Casino looms, and this time Germans will be fighting. Allied forces are being stockpiled in Britain for D-day and strategic bombing does 15 pp of damage to Germany.
In North Russia the Soviets launch an attack on Veliki Luki and drive the Germans back to Vitebsk with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Soviets prepare a new offensive with the hopes of destroying Army Group North.
In the South Kleist cleverly attacks a weakened Soviet force in the Caucasus's (his earlier retreat having convinced the Soviets to rail some units elsewhere) and then mechs into Grozny with one SS tank corp against three Soviet infantry corps, scattering them. New German defenses are constructed on the Don line.
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Russia
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Sneaky Grozny move! Anything to buy time and keep Allied forces occupied elsewhere...
Still looks like a close game!
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Winter 1943-44
D-Day! The Allies land with overwhelming numbers in Brittany where the Atlantic wall wasn't quite finished. Heavy German reinforcements are deployed to Paris and Normandy and Todt Organization workers busily set to work fortifying the Westwall. In the Med Patton prepares a careful assault against Casino.
In Russia the Soviets clear weak German forces out of the Southern oilfields and approach the Don river where Army Group South has set its defenses. AGS has been getting very few reinforcements, mostly the Romanians and Hungarians. In the North the Soviets retake Pskov, the most fought over city in the USSR, for good. Like AGS, few reinforcements are getting to the Germans, they will have to make do.
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Spring 1944
The Allies advance in the West behind Montgomery and liberate Paris. The Germans sustain heavy casualties but retreat in good order. In Italy Patton's assault against Casino fails as Patton is unable to deploy necessary reinforcements in the difficult mountain conditions.
No Russian Pics, my bad. In the North the Russians take Veliki Luki and Latvia but still are suffering from a severe shortage of mechanized units. The Germans are retreating after one round of combat and trusting that the Russians do not have the time to reach Berlin without a few good mech attacks. In the South the Russians cross the Don and retake Rostov. The Hungarian 2nd Army is devastated and is withdrawn for rest and refitting.
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Summer 1944
In the West the Allies continue to liberate France and Belgium, Advancing to Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, and the border with Holland. In the pictures the German 15th Army is in Holland and the 7th is in the Rhineland. The German's have fallen back to their strongest defenses and will make their stand - if they can hold in Autumn... Winter is Coming, and hopefully with it a freeze of Allied mechanized vehicles. In Italy the Allies bounce off of Casino again with heavy casualties. Hitler is so happy he gave Kesselring a second Iron Cross. In Greece Clark has retaken Epirus and invaded Yugoslavia but suffered heavy casualties. Churchills insistence eon the Greek attack appears to have wasted good troops needed at Casino for questionable strategic gain.
In Russia the Soviets retake Minsk and Mariupol but are running out of time. The Germans retreat behind the Dnieper and with Winter coming the Soviets will be hard pressed to make a successful amphibious assault and they still dont have enough mech units.
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Russia
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Definitely a super close game. I can't decide who has the edge. I think that if the Axis can hold onto one of Rome or Berlin they will win as it doesn't look like the Russians will make it to Budapest or Ploesti. On that note, we've played the western half of Autumn 1944 which was marked by two major battles. The Allies bounced off of Cassino for a third time reducing the Allied commander to tears. The Allies sustained tremendously heavy casualties. The Allies also failed to take the Rhineland - the battle went all four rounds and neither side had any reinforcements available by the end of it. I think each side lost well over 100pp of damage, and numerous Allied Planes were shot down.
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Wow - there has been some serious action! The game goes so much quicker in the last year especially when you attrit so many units! Can't wait to see the rest!
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At first I was wondering about the disjointed German defensive line in the East, but then I remembered the Pripet Marshes. ;)
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If the Russians can punch through to Riga and East Prussia in the Autumn that will knock Finland out of the war and reduce 2VPs off of the Axis. . .I think if they can do that they will have a chance. Right now the game I think is leaning a little to the Axis.
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It looks like Russia is a bit light on mechanized units - although that can change very quickly.
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Messages from the bunker have gone silent. . . .
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Sorry for the delay. The final word is..... German Victory!!! Germany held on for a turn 23 win. The Allies simply did not have enough time. In the west the Allied forces were unable to break through the Rhineland in autumn in the biggest battle of the game - Germany was down to a handful of units by the end while the allied line was wiped out in round 4, and also failed to take it during a desperate winter battle that might have been a bit foolhardy. With Germany nearing victory they threw their forces across the rhine into holland in spring 1945 planning a mech attach into koln but german reinforcements saved the day as the Allies exhausted their forces and a few german units survived. The westwall proved most formidable and the winter turn occurred at the perfect moment for germany, breaking allied momentum. In Italy the Allies occupied an evacuated Casino reinforced it in Winter but failed to take Rome in a bloody battle. The british recoup some minor pride with a successful amphibious assault on Oslo. In the East the Russians knocked finland out of the war and advanced two spaces from berlin in winter 1944. They also advanced to budapest and ploesti preparing for a summer 1945 attack but were unable to put enough pressure on the germans. The deciding factor in the game was an overly aggressive strategy by Russia early on in the game which prevented them from pressuring Germany enough mid and late game. This allowed Germany to stack its western defenses and hold the western allies at bay. Germany wins with Berlin, Rome, Budapest, Koln, Munich, and Bucharest.
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Pics from autumn 1944
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I will put a couple more pics up of the final turns. Cant wait to play again
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Wow! That went far for a first game! German forts are tough to bust through. Allied paratroopers (both West and Russian) become pretty important to bust through these kind of defenses. Late game Axis units coupled with defensive terrain means the Allies have to hit very hard (Heavy arty, heavy bombers, paratroopers) with a replenishable front line (deep reserves). Problem at this late point is getting Allied units to the front to continue the offensive. If you didn't do some forward planning - it won't happen - ask me how I know :)
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The Allies definitely didn't have enough firepower, could have used more heavy artillery and bombers. I still feel that the Allies have the edge - going off of this game it seems like the Allies have a lot more room for improvement in how we played it than the Axis
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With planning, a good balance or forces and patience - the Allies should have the edge. Much easier said than done 8)
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Looks like a great game. . .I love it when it comes down to the wire! Looking forward to your next documented game - this one was awesome - and your minis all look great too!
I hope we can get you (and whoever your opponent was) out to ConSimWorld in June. . .would be great to get a big game going all with experienced players.
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pics
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more pics
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and more pics
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Thanks! The decals I ordered just arrived so hopefully I'll have those ready to go next time. Definitely interested in making it to ConSim in June if my schedule permits.
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Great game - lots of Allied pressure to hit very tough German defenses! Very cool documentation! Hope to see you at Consim World!
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What strategies are generally pursued by italy? I have never had any offensive success with them, even with German fighters and tanks
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I think there are a few options with the Italians - though John is the real expert on them, not me.
Lately I have seen the Italians push for the Greek morale bonus (taking out Greece by themselves). That usually means taking Crete first or else it is almost impossible.
As the Allied player, I have lost Egypt to the Axis a couple times - which can be a real game changer. Determined German mech effort and Luftwaffe commitment can really blast the British - especially with Rommel's 2 re-rolls. The British can not keep up with German air in 1940. Three German fighters on Crete with another in Rhodes backed up by bombers in Athens can make it very tough on the British navy in the Eastern Med. Take Cyprus to get another airbase as well. Shifting from France to Africa quickly with airpower and a few tanks can really throw the British off as the Germans can redeploy more rapidly to the Med and catch the British off-guard.
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Makes sense. Thinking about it, and it seems that there is a pretty significant trade-off between committing to Africa versus bombing britain