Battlefield Europe v1.9 – The Race to Berlin!

[PeteMitchell]

Warning: This AAR may include spoilers!

Difficulty: General and Normal

As I haven’t seen any recent AAR on the Normandy/Bagration save of McGuba’s Battlefield Europe v1.9 (except for Uhu’s AAR from 2015 based on v1.6), I decided to prepare another AAR for Battlefield Europe. FYI, here is the first one: viewtopic.php?f=145&t=86481. However, this time the AAR will be more focused on defensive than on offensive operations. The objective is to achieve nothing more – but also nothing less – than a draw, i.e. to hold all objective cities in Germany (cities marked with "+").

As with most defensive scenarios in Panzer Corps, it’s the AI’s turn and the starting situation reflects the overall historical situation as of 7 June 1944 (turn 73), i.e. one day after Operation Overlord in Normandy had started and about two weeks before Operation Bagration was launched at the Ostfront. The weather is clear and dry. Prestige stands at “1”.

In very general terms, the overall strategy will probably be a combination of (1) delaying the enemy advance and buying time as much as possible (maybe even with focused counterattacks), (2) retreating where necessary but holding terrain at critical places/lines as long as possible and (3) economizing own resources while eroding enemy resources.
(right click and open in new tab for larger picture, same applies to all others)

BE_Turn_73_001_Strategic Map.jpg (213.21 KiB) Viewed 5765 times

The incoming casualties are as follows:

BE_Turn_73_002_Incoming Casualties.jpg (48.42 KiB) Viewed 5765 times

Similarly to last time, I would again be very happy to read your comments or suggestions and also please note: all subsequent photos/screenshots will usually be taken at the end of the completed Axis turn.

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 73 – 7 June 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 18

Ostfront:
Early 1944 the siege of Leningrad had been broken and the German troops were pushed west again while the Finns stand north of Leningrad and at the Svir River.

BE_Turn_73_003_Leningrad.jpg (272.43 KiB) Viewed 5749 times

Most of the remaining forces of Army Group North have already moved west of Velikaya River at a line from Pskov to Vitebsk.

BE_Turn_73_004_Pskov.jpg (270.4 KiB) Viewed 5749 times

At the center, some German forces still stand east of Minsk trying to hold a line along the Dnieper River (Vitebsk-Orsha-Mogilev) – does a Russian offensive seem imminent?

BE_Turn_73_005_Minsk.jpg (279.46 KiB) Viewed 5749 times

[PeteMitchell]

In the south-west, first Russian AT and tank units already reached the Bug and Dniester Rivers, drawing a lot attention on them. Strong German tank forces were moved to Army Group South.

BE_Turn_73_006_Lutsk.jpg (281.43 KiB) Viewed 5748 times

Further south, Russian tanks are threatening Odessa and eventually the Romanian oilfield near Bucharest. It will be critical to hold this area as long as possible.

BE_Turn_73_007_Odessa.jpg (275.82 KiB) Viewed 5748 times

Balkans and Greece:
Scattered Axis forces are still holding the Balkans and Greece. However, they are expected to be withdrawn shortly.

BE_Turn_73_008_Belgrade.jpg (271.5 KiB) Viewed 5748 times

[PeteMitchell]

Italy:
After the defeat in Tunisia, the Allied invasion of Sicily and southern Italy, and Rome being declared an open city, Axis troops are withdrawing to the Gothic Line (also known as the Green Line) in northern Italy.

BE_Turn_73_009_Italy.jpg (263.91 KiB) Viewed 5747 times

France:
Some German occupation forces are still present in southern France.

BE_Turn_73_010_Marseille.jpg (261.7 KiB) Viewed 5747 times

Allied forces have landed at the beaches of Normandy and are establishing strong beachheads quickly while Rommel and von Rundstedt are having an argument on how to best deploy the remaining tank forces.

BE_Turn_73_011_Normandy.jpg (270.47 KiB) Viewed 5747 times

[PeteMitchell]

Germany:
The Luftwaffe has lost control over the German airspace and is planning to rely more on AA batteries to limit the consequences of Allied bomber raids.

BE_Turn_73_012_Frankfurt.jpg (289.03 KiB) Viewed 5744 times

Norway:
Norway is still under Axis control but the current occupation forces might have to be redeployed very soon. In addition, the Tirpitz is also still around. However, heavy Allied bombardments are expected.

BE_Turn_73_013_Trondheim.jpg (252.72 KiB) Viewed 5744 times

Battle of the Atlantic:
Although there are very limited chances of success, the unrestricted submarine warfare continues in the Atlantic Ocean.

BE_Turn_73_014_Atlantic.jpg (202.56 KiB) Viewed 5744 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 74 – 22 June 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 21 (+3)

Ostfront:
The Finns are withdrawing from Leningrad, mainly to lure some Russian tanks into the forests and away from Army Group North south of Pskov.

BE_Turn_74_015_Leningrad.jpg (290.27 KiB) Viewed 5709 times

The Finnish withdrawal from Leningrad is expected to support an organized retreat of the German forces behind the Dvina River.

BE_Turn_74_016_Pskov.jpg (292.73 KiB) Viewed 5709 times

During the Vitebsk–Orsha Offensive (as part of Operation Bagration), Vitebsk has been seized by the Russians and the German troops in Orsha have been lost as well.

BE_Turn_74_017_Vitebsk.jpg (308.07 KiB) Viewed 5709 times

[PeteMitchell]

Mogilev is still under Axis control with defensive positions being prepared along the road from Gomel to Minsk.

BE_Turn_74_018_Mogilev.jpg (312.42 KiB) Viewed 5707 times

The area around Lutsk has been cleared again while the city itself has been under Russian control since February 1944 already.

BE_Turn_74_019_Lutsk.jpg (290.49 KiB) Viewed 5707 times

Von Manstein’s weakened Army Group South has been stabilizing the situation along the Southern Bug River, also with support of Rudel and the remaining Luftwaffe in the area.

BE_Turn_74_020_Southern Bug River.jpg (287.79 KiB) Viewed 5707 times

[PeteMitchell]

Italy:
Most of the German forces have reached the Gothic Line in northern Italy. If needed, the OKW is considering to retreat even further north, i.e. behind the Po River and eventually to an Alpine Line close to Ljubljana with the Drava River as the ultimate natural barrier to Austria.

BE_Turn_74_021_Gothic Line.jpg (289.64 KiB) Viewed 5706 times

France:
In Normandy, Rommel decided to go on the offensive to stop the Allied invasion with some armor-supported coastal defense approach.

BE_Turn_74_022_Normandy.jpg (303.42 KiB) Viewed 5706 times

Norway:
In the meantime, Partisan activities are taking place in central Norway.

BE_Turn_74_023_Norway.jpg (288.54 KiB) Viewed 5706 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 75 – 7 July 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 26 (+5)

Ostfront:
As expected, Viipuri in the Russian-Finnish border area has been recaptured by Russian tanks.

BE_Turn_75_024_Viipuri.jpg (279.8 KiB) Viewed 5694 times

Pskov has fallen as well and heavy IS-2 tanks are heading towards Dvinsk.

BE_Turn_75_025_Pskov.jpg (293.35 KiB) Viewed 5694 times

In addition, Mogilev has fallen. However, some remaining German tanks and ATs have been refitted by now. Guderian is committed to slow down the Russian advance as much as possible while avoiding a big encirclement in the Minsk area.

BE_Turn_75_026_Mogilev.jpg (308.93 KiB) Viewed 5694 times

[PeteMitchell]

Additional Russian tanks appeared south of the Pripet Marshes and the threat of cutting off Army Groups North and Center persists if these tanks push north along the east banks of the Bug River.

BE_Turn_75_027_Pripet Marshes.jpg (293.23 KiB) Viewed 5693 times

Some cavalry forces have been sent to Banská Bystrica to limit the risk of an expected Slovak National Uprising in this area.

BE_Turn_75_028_Slovakia.jpg (295.13 KiB) Viewed 5693 times

Germany:
The Luftwaffe was able to eliminate three Allied bombers based on coordinated defense measures. It is now planned to have AA units focus on superior Allied fighters and Axis planes to attack unescorted Allied bombers as much as possible. It is also to be noted that the first V1 flying bombs (i.e. very early cruise missiles) have been made available to attack London.

BE_Turn_75_029_Hannover.jpg (277.67 KiB) Viewed 5693 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 76 – 22 July 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 32 (+6)

Ostfront:
Army Group Center is still holding out east of Minsk, however the pressure is expected to increase as T-34-85 tanks are pushing across the Dnieper River at Orsha.

BE_Turn_76_030_Minsk.jpg (309.4 KiB) Viewed 5689 times

Italy:
Most Axis forces retreated behind the Po River and only a small holding force remained at Bologna. The armored units will be sent to the Ostfront and/or to France.

BE_Turn_76_031_Bologna.jpg (296.09 KiB) Viewed 5689 times

France:
Rommel is pushing into Normandy and Brittany with some very risky maneuvers in difficult Bocage and urban terrain. The battle for Caen as an important transportation hub continues as well.

BE_Turn_76_032_Caen.jpg (303.3 KiB) Viewed 5689 times

[PeteMitchell]

Germany:
Air defense measures are taking shape in the industrial Ruhr area.

BE_Turn_76_033_Dortmund.jpg (310.26 KiB) Viewed 5688 times

Norway:
Dönitz ordered the remaining Kriegsmarine from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea as he is planning to attack the Allied convey routes in the Atlantic in winter.

BE_Turn_76_034_Stavanger.jpg (274.24 KiB) Viewed 5688 times

At the same time, the Tirpitz has been moved to Namsos due to Allied bombardments on the port of Trondheim. In addition, the risk of an Allied invasion into Norway increases from week to week.

BE_Turn_76_035_Namsos.jpg (256.82 KiB) Viewed 5688 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 77 – 6 August 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 44 (+12)

Ostfront:
Resisting the Russian attacks as part of the Viipuri–Petrozavodsk Offensive has exhausted the Finnish resources. The Finnish Continuation War may end very soon…

BE_Turn_77_036_Viipuri.jpg (277.67 KiB) Viewed 5680 times

The situation around Minsk remains tough as the German front is disintegrating in certain areas already.

BE_Turn_77_037_Minsk.jpg (300.4 KiB) Viewed 5680 times

France:
Although the German army doesn’t really believe that the Allies are able to launch two invasions into France, a few German troops started to fortify Lyon in the Rhone valley. The area around Marseille has been cleared completely. At the same time, Partisan activities continue around Vichy.

BE_Turn_77_038_Lyon.jpg (286.86 KiB) Viewed 5680 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 78 – 21 August 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 49 (+5)

Ostfront:
There are no German forces north of the Dvina River anymore. Also Riga has been cleared from any ground forces, only the Light Cruiser Nürnberg is still stationed there.

BE_Turn_78_039_Dvinsk.jpg (287.86 KiB) Viewed 5676 times

The defense of Minsk focuses on the city and its immediate outskirts now.

BE_Turn_78_040_Minsk.jpg (302.96 KiB) Viewed 5676 times

Lutsk has been recaptured.

BE_Turn_78_041_Lutsk.jpg (296.02 KiB) Viewed 5676 times

[PeteMitchell]

In addition, the German army has sent more tank and AT forces to Army Group South to ensure the Romanian oil fields can be hold in light of an expected Russian winter offensive.

BE_Turn_78_042_Southern Bug River.jpg (291.3 KiB) Viewed 5675 times

Odessa faces continued Russian bombardments.

BE_Turn_78_043_Odessa.jpg (285.4 KiB) Viewed 5675 times

Also the Romanian oil fields near Bucharest are under constant Allied attack.

BE_Turn_78_044_Romania.jpg (287.11 KiB) Viewed 5675 times

[PeteMitchell]

France:
Rommel’s high risk approach of counterattacking the Allies in Normandy didn’t pay off as much as expected, several Axis units have actually been damaged or lost in difficult terrain. However, the Luftwaffe started coordinated and escorted attacks on Allied landing crafts along the Normandy beaches.

BE_Turn_78_045_Normandy.jpg (294.4 KiB) Viewed 5674 times

England:
The first V1 rockets reached London! However, the launch sites in northern France have to be protected by AA batteries and by Axis fighter planes as the Allies are bombing and blocking the sites so the rockets will be damaged and/or can’t be launched at all. Furthermore, Allied naval gunfire is also used to destroy the rockets.

BE_Turn_78_046_London.jpg (293.09 KiB) Viewed 5674 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 79 – 5 September 1944
Weather: cloudy and dry
Open core slots: 56 (+7)

Ostfront:
So as expected, in September 1944, Finland signed the Moscow Armistice with the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, ending the Continuation War. As one of several consequences, the armistice compelled Finland to drive German troops from its territory, leading to the Lapland War 1944–45.

BE_Turn_79_047_Helsinki.jpg (262.53 KiB) Viewed 5629 times

First Russian tanks reached the forests east of Minsk!

BE_Turn_79_048_Minsk.jpg (300.13 KiB) Viewed 5629 times

The battle of Vinnitsa continues as Russian infantry and tank units are approaching the city.

BE_Turn_79_049_Vinnitsa.jpg (293.47 KiB) Viewed 5629 times

[PeteMitchell]

Italy:
Bologna has been lost and the German holding force south of the Po River is being annihilated. In addition, several British warships including an aircraft carrier have arrived at the Gulf of Venice.

BE_Turn_79_050_Bologna.jpg (284.8 KiB) Viewed 5628 times

France:
US naval transports have been scouted at the Côte d'Azur! Operation Dragoon is expected to start soon, adding a second front and increasing the pressure on the German forces in France!

BE_Turn_79_051_Marseille.jpg (251.72 KiB) Viewed 5628 times

Rommel has been regrouping around Le Mans. Caen and Le Havre are still under Axis control while a German tank unit continues to block the vital coastal road north of Rennes.

BE_Turn_79_052_Le Mans.jpg (308.21 KiB) Viewed 5628 times

[PeteMitchell]

Turn 80 – 20 September 1944
Weather: clear and dry
Open core slots: 57 (+1)

Overall situation:
The overall situation seems “under control” so far. However, things can change any turn. In addition, the number of open core slots has been increasing very quickly, i.e. from 18 (at turn 73) to 57 (at turn 80). Given that five main areas of operations have to “stay intact”, the OKW considers resource and prestige management as critical.
(right click and open in new tab for larger picture)

BE_Turn_80_053_Strategic Map.jpg (211.77 KiB) Viewed 5618 times

In the air, the Luftwaffe continues to lose any control but it is still able to conduct some targeted operations in well-defined areas of operations.
(right click and open in new tab for larger picture)

BE_Turn_80_054_Strategic Map Air.jpg (206.25 KiB) Viewed 5618 times

[PeteMitchell]

Ostfront:
The newly arrived Tiger II unit already experienced some surprising loses against a T-34-85 north of Minsk.

BE_Turn_80_055_Minsk.jpg (301.12 KiB) Viewed 5617 times

The situation around Vinnitsa could be cleared with the help of Rudel and the Luftwaffe, for now at least… The Luftwaffe (or whatever is left of it) is expected to be grounded for most of the coming fall/winter. Currently, there are no plans to cross the Southern Bug River for any offensive operations. In addition, the area around Lutsk and Rowno has been strengthened.

BE_Turn_80_056_Vinnitsa.jpg (297.72 KiB) Viewed 5617 times

Italy:
American and British troops have crossed the Po River and are heading towards Venice in northern Italy.

BE_Turn_80_057_Po River.jpg (290.9 KiB) Viewed 5617 times