Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

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Peter Stauffenberg
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

I agree with Morris here. Vokt had a golden opportunity to attack the weak German defense line in the east while the Luftwaffe was weakened from bad weather. It also allowed the Germans to prepare in France for Overlord. I'm pretty sure the Russian 1944 offensive will eventually be successful, but will it get to Berlin in time?
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Allied landing ships stopped near shores of Bretagne, but not sure, if actual landing or fake one.
Only 4 transports so far. Supposed to be mechs (3 ground attack). Just in case additional mechs railed to Rennes and Luftwaffe rebase slightly to the West.

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Still mud in the East - bombed same tank again, but no other action.

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Nothing dramatic in Italy - only some naval and air bombardment.

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Allies cancel D-Day and even stopped to bomb my troops in France switching back to strategic bombing of Germany.
Probably wise decision, as this 4 mechs first wave would be overrun in no time, wasting landing points.

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Thats probably good illustration, how significant force presence can effectively freeze situation

In the East we are really lucky - still mud here. According to forces tab Red Army is really strong - lots of armour, mechs and TACs. It is a question, if my frontline will hold for long. We have reserve position on Wisla just in case.

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And in Italy some landing crafts spotted. What are they up to?

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Still no sign of landings. Luftwaffe ordered to leave France for Eastern front, where major fight going to happen deffinetely:

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Only small operation against supplied partisan in Greece, elsewhere we stay quiet.

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Also spotted number of convoys (all 3 in fact). Qurious, how many of them I will be able to actually hit next turn.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

The Allies need to spend a few turns using their overwhelming air power to bombard the German defenders in France to have a chance to get ashore and expand the beach head. I wonder why Vokt is so passive. It's May 1944 and still no sign of any serious threats. Vokt is running out of time. Even in Italy the Allies can't expect to pickup Rome soon. So the Axis have 3 victory cities in their hands (Berlin, Paris and Rome).

I think Plaid has a very good chance of winning this game.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Well, Vokt didn't attack in the east during spring because of muddy weather. I am pretty sure I would do the same thing.
When fair finally arrives (next allied turn - May 17) he need his units at top shape - not battered by some low effectiveness attacks during muddy season.
It is better to wait for fair, than to spend one of valueable fair turns for repairing.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Morris »

Plaid wrote:Well, Vokt didn't attack in the east during spring because of muddy weather. I am pretty sure I would do the same thing.
When fair finally arrives (next allied turn - May 17) he need his units at top shape - not battered by some low effectiveness attacks during muddy season.
It is better to wait for fair, than to spend one of valueable fair turns for repairing.
If this is 1942 0r 1943 , maybe USSR can wait for good weather . But it is already the spring of 1944 ! after 18 turns , game over . I believe Vokt should attack whatever the cost will be ! Also I still remembered Plaid had cost his oil to red 50 ! But He did recoverd from it ! In Apr 1944 , Axis has 700+ oil ! more than enough until turn106 .
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by richardsd »

Plaid just remember not to let the Russians get the jump on your final defence line :-)
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by richardsd »

Plaid wrote:Well, Vokt didn't attack in the east during spring because of muddy weather. I am pretty sure I would do the same thing.
When fair finally arrives (next allied turn - May 17) he need his units at top shape - not battered by some low effectiveness attacks during muddy season.
It is better to wait for fair, than to spend one of valueable fair turns for repairing.
I think Vokt is probably planning on hitting all fronts at the same time, hence the slight delay

certainly I would have engaged the Luftwaffe in the Winter where possible and I would certainly wait to launch overlord until the East was well underway - trying to get as many Axis Air units drawn to the East

it will be interesting to see what defence strategy Plaid uses but I think the Russians might be running out of time - those extra mud turns really make a difference in this situation
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Lots of fighting this turn.

Red Army starts all-out attack on axis defensive lines in northern and central sections :

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Also paratrooper unit lands in Joensuu.

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Another commando paratrooper lands in the west, destroying section of fortifications and engaging Luftwaffe bomber.
Landing ships spotted again.


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Panzergrenadier troops in France alarmed, ready to face landing. Maybe it is fake again and only goal is to force German units to leave entrenchments for better bombing results?
Commando landing on the Western Wall dealed with - 2 airstrikes and panzer attack was enough for paratrooper unit. Building new US paratrooper and shipping it across Atlantic is a long story - hopefully I will not see them here until 1945 spring.

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In the East we focus on repairs and unit swapping, though couple minor counterattacks happened.

Soviet corps south of Vilna was destroyed by armour attack to restore defensive perimeter here.

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And armour south of Lvov was destroyed with TAC airstrike and 2 infantry attacks :

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Note that soviet TAC bombers suffered 2-3 steps of damage during allied turn, thanks to German tech focus on flak (artillery and tank destroyers), so withing 2 turns these air units will need repairs and soviet offensive will slow down.

In Finland we launch attacks against paratroopers and partisans behind our lines.

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Little happens in Italy so far.



Succesful Kriegsmarine attacks this turn - northern convoy (40 PPs) sunk near waypoint.

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And transport (supposed to be armour - 4 ground attack) strength halved.

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Cybvep »

Feints are good, but it's too late for all this. The Allied position is weak in the West IMO. In the East the Soviets are doing better, but there is not enough time to take Berlin and Hamburg with the Soviets alone. Vokt's only chance is to defeat you by attrition. You had more than 300 PPs when the turn started and fewer than 40 PPs when it ended. You are a well-known, experienced player, so I think that you won't suddenly become too confident :).
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Cybvep wrote:Feints are good, but it's too late for all this. The Allied position is weak in the West IMO. In the East the Soviets are doing better, but there is not enough time to take Berlin and Hamburg with the Soviets alone. Vokt's only chance is to defeat you by attrition. You had more than 300 PPs when the turn started and fewer than 40 PPs when it ended. You are a well-known, experienced player, so I think that you won't suddenly become too confident :).
I agree, West and Italy are OK for now, though I don't know exact strength and place of allied invasion.
Not so sure about East - if frontline here collapses, very little I can do. For now I have many good units on defense, but Red Army supposed to have much more.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Red Army keep pushing. We lost some corps (including Model HQ - luckily wounded only for 2 turns) and one of our armour units. Actually German (and allied aswell) tanks are quiet fragile with 8-9 surv. Looks like noone focused "armour" tech in this game.

Also soviet paratroopers jump, attacking Luftwaffe airbases.

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West :

Still no landing in France, but 3 more landing ships arrive to Calais - Ghent sector. As far as I know troops lose effectiveness when embarked, so I am rather happy with allies waiting, though repairing my mechs becoming annoying.

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US infantry lands in partisan - controlled area of southern France (quite far from any action at all) and this triggers "operation Dragoon" event.

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Axis turn :

Usual repairs in France. One of allied landing crafts was bombed by luftwaffe TAC escorted by Hungarian fighter (not like I am going to repair it anyway, so it was free escort). Transport lost half of its strength. Luftwaffe elements rebased one more time to engage landed troops.

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Finns succed in dealing with soviet partisans and paratrooper - looks like Finland will hold unless Victor redeploy more troops here.

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In the East we focus on destroying landed paratrooper units and fixing frontline where possible. Despite some damage suffered I see no need to abandon this line yet.

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Italy :

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And Kriegsmarine again engaged convoy - this time central, inflicting major damage (78 PPs). I think attacking convoys late in game is better idea, then sending uboats to the Channel in desperate attemt to interfere with allied landings.

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Operation Overlord finally launched!

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Allies land some ground units and paras in Brittany area. British and American airpower is so busy bombing german mechs, that they even stopped strategic bombing campaign (leading to Germany collecting 169 PPs this turn).

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Another landing in the Southern France, where Marseilles liberated by US mech and 101st airborne. And one more mech lands south of Rome.

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Soviets keep pushing, but nothing spectacular. We lost few corps, but Red Army also becomes battered.

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In France German troops under Hausser's command are damaged and suppressed by constant airstrikes, but still ordered to engage allied landings. Just landed troops also suffer from poor organization and low supply, so we got quite good results here. Objective is simple - total destruction of all allied landings.
Blaskowitz's corps railed from Cherbourgh fortress (replaced by garrison) to hex NE of Brest to prevent city from being cut completely.

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Mech landed south of Rome engaged and reduced to 4 steps.

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Not sure what to do with allied landing in southern France. Probably for now - nothing. They will spend some time moving through rough terrain and fighting with garrisons.

Traditional action in the East with few more soviet units destroyed and German positions fixed.

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Finland looks safe for now - price for it was not sendign finnish units to Germany but keeping them for self-defense instead.

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And more convoy attacks - soviet convoy was hit this time.

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Germany just ran into <50% manpower when I purchased corps at the end of my turn.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Cybvep »

Sinking Soviet convoys during the late-war period is definitely a good idea. I'm actually surprised that Vokt didn't send several DDs to protect that convoy. Despite all their power, I always need many PPs for repairs (air units, armour, later on - over-railing) and the Soviets just need to push forward. However, in case of the western Allies, I think that it's more valuable to harass Allied transports, even if you lose subs in the process. Not necessarily in the Channel, mind you, but transports in transit. The American units are useless if they stay in the USA. The biggest obstacle for the western Allies during the late-war period is logistics IMO. Because of VCs, even small delays count and an unit that is attacked at sea will lose steps and effectiveness. PP bill isn't crucial here. Time is.
Last edited by Cybvep on Wed Aug 21, 2013 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by richardsd »

lack of time is the Axis friend - east defense line is close to collapse, probably to late
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Heavy fighting in the East -

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Situation in Carpathian region south of Lvov becoming dangerous. Probably it is time to start railing good German units from the south.

In France allies land more units and try to advance forward with heavy air support.

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Some fighting in Italy - first attacks on Gustav line and local fighting for Nice.

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Post turn situation :

Defensive action with some local counterattacks on Russian front. Preparing some German heavy units to be railed from southernmost part of the front.

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In the north we are reluctant to retreat, because soviet forces are relatively weak (infantry with fighter support) and I don't want to give them free ground.

In France Germans still attempt to eliminate allied landings at any cost. Rommel's reserve mechs from Paris area and Luftwaffe elements from western Germany arrives to take part in this battle. Beachhead is reduced to 2 hexes and hopefully will be overran completely soon.

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In Italy destroyed mech south of Rome, but looks like another landing operation incoming. Some reserve troops arrive to Nice to make a stand - allies are neither very strong here.

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Number of convoy attacks :

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Cybvep wrote:Sinking Soviet convoys during the late-war period is definitely a good idea. I'm actually surprised that Vokt didn't send several DDs to protect that convoy. Despite all their power, I always need many PPs for repairs (air units, armour, later on - over-railing) and the Soviets just need to push forward. However, in case of the western Allies, I think that it's more valuable to harass Allied transports, even if you lose subs in the process. Not necessarily in the Channel, mind you, but transports in transit. The American units are useless if they stay in the USA. The biggest obstacle for the western Allies during the late-war period is logistics IMO. Because of VCs, even small delays count and an unit that is attacked at sea will lose steps and effectiveness. PP bill isn't crucial here. Time is.
Generally good logic, but northern convoys go without escorts because US transports are very good escorted. Didn't know it when actually making turn, but since game is 10 turns ahead, now I do :)

Also US troop convoys are relatively small - 2-3 transports with heavy DD escorts - that probably the reason of US troops shortage in France now, but it also means, that it is impossible to attack transports by subs.

And about "PP bill isn't crucial" part - UK have income around 50 PPs. Without convoys its totally impossible for them to repair their expensive bombers.
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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Plaid »

Soviets keep advancing forward destroying German units.

In the north we lose units, but generally hold the line.

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Frontline between Lublin and Cernauti is effectively broken though.

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In France allies try to advance forward. Another unit lands in Brittany and new landing prepared in Pas-de-Calais.

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In Italy US infantry lands north of Rome.

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German troops press on - landing near Brest reduced to 1 battered unit and going to be eliminated completely next turn.

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We retreat from Latvia to form shorten frontline a bit and make a stand somewhere else - prefferably behind a river.

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In Eastern Poland avaliable heavy units ordered to engage soviet spearhead, destroying number of units. More reserves arrive here - probably major tank battle incoming.

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Railed 2 mechs from the south to Poland aswell - Romania can fall, but who cares this late.

And in Italy landed infantry was engaged by wehrmacht for pretty good results (US infantry have relatively poor tech level, unlike UK or USSR)

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Sold 3 air and 2 general labs this turn (leaving with 4 4 0 0 0) and purchased some units. I can live without future upgrades in these areas. Got Dog Fight level 6 this turn, but its not like I need it really - even though I still use Luftwaffe when needed, I am unsure, if I ever repair them anymore.

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Re: Plaid (axis) vs Vokt (allies) GS 3.0 beta AAR

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

Things can become critical very soon on the east front so maybe you need to rail some of the units in France to the east to hold the line a few turns extra. You destroyed the first wave of Overlord so maybe you don't need such a strong force there now.

It was already August and soon the weather will delay a landing in France. If the Allies get ashore before the mud they won't get far in 1944. I don't believe the western Allies can get to Hamburg in time. So it will be the Russians who will win the war for the Allies.

Remember the following scenario. If Berlin falls to the Allies then Germany won't surrender. So you will get an Axis victory if you hold Paris or Rome and a stalemate if you only hold Hamburg.

So the Allies need to take BOTH Hamburg and Berlin to win.
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