Ronnie vs Allied Player

After action reports for Commander Europe at War.

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rkr1958
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

JyriErik wrote:Re: #5. If London falls the Russian convoys divert to Halifax IIRC

Jyri
Thanks. Well, that should somewhat compensate for the extra 8 PP's per turn that the Soviets were getting for a large allied advantage. Though in a normal game, I do place significant emphasis on sinking the convoys to Russia but some PP's still get through.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 64. 2/12/1943 Axis.

It's been quite the past 2 turns. I didn't post last turn and really didn't need to post this turn as there isn't much going on. What is going on is at sea.

1. 60 PP US convoy sunk.

2. Italian sub group attacks a transport that docked in Gibraltar. I hope it's an air unit.

3. The most interesting thing this turn is that the allied carrier task, with no transports, appears to be headed to the west coast of France. I don't know what to make of that?

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

Spotting for the strength of the Atlantic Wall?

If the western Allies landed in Portugal then going after Spain to later push into France seems to be an option. However to do that they need to first land a lot of units in Portugal. Landing in France can be very risky. The Germans can rail a lot of units near the beach head. The Allies won't have air cover there except from the CV's.

It seems to me the Russians are the ones who can save the day for the Allies. The western Allies can at least pin down enough German units to allow the Russians to reach Berlin. However both Hamburg and Rome also need to be taken for the Allies to win the game.

The Allies are running out of time fast. With no strong attack in Russia in 1943 in the winter then another possibility to turn the tide is lost.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

Stauffenberg is right, I have pushed back the Western Allies in my last Axis game at least half a dozen times(even Italian and Axis Minor Units can be effective there as they gain tech) in France railing in higher organized units while the Western Allied Units are completely weak and unable to stand a chance. You would need a high number of Tacs just to keep an even par for organization between the Axis and Allies in France. That or such a weak Axis Force there, they could not stop the D-day... P.S. If the Axis skimp on AntiTank Tech, it's an ace in the hole but I have had guys without Tacs have issues taking Sicily in a year of gameplay, and I can see why.(Weak Tech Axis Minors don't perform well against Allied Tanks with tech)

Now without Russians strong and able to really threaten the East there is that vast divide. Is Spain the answer? I would personally station about Corps in the Pyrenees and GOD, Mountains are hard terrain to bypass. Like going up the Italian Boot, but there you may have Tacs in Sicily or Sardinia with Naval power bombarding both ends. Front is too narrow for the type of breakout you get in France.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 65. 3/4/1943 Axis.

1-3. The heavily escorted allied carrier task force reversed course. A u-boat flotilla based in Brest sortied at top speed to recon what was going on. It "surfaced" in the middle of this task force, which has now grown to include 2 aircraft carriers. The u-boat flotilla is under orders to observe and not engage unless discovered.

4-6. It appears that the western allies are reinforcing Portugal with air and ground units. This probably means that he's planning on invading Spain.

7. A flotilla recons a US transport forming up in the in the Potomac.

Western Allied Force Estimates: 2 armor, 3 mech, 4 fighters, 1 TAC, 4 strat, 4 BB, 4 CV, 13 DDs and 4 sub units.

The Eastern Front.

Remains quite. I've nearly completed upgrades of all infantry, mech and armor units.

8. When the weather clears my plan is for Army Group South to push directly north and trap / kill what Soviet corps it can without incurring excessive losses. This offensive will not be about gaining ground. It's objective is to bleed off Soviet resources and dull their ability to counterattack.

Soviet Force Estimates: 3 armor, 10 mech, 7 fighters, 3 TAC and 2 strat.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 68. 5/2/1943 Axis.

The Russian Front.

1. Spring arrives, the weather clears and the axis kickoff their '43 fair weather offensive in the East with some success. Two Russian mech, two infantry corps and 1 fighter were destroyed along with knocking out two Soviet commanders, Govorov (5-0-1) and Malinovsky (5-1-0). A total of 23 Soviet fighter steps, which includes the 1 fighter unit killed, were destroyed.

2. My objective for this offensive is limited. It's to inflict what losses I can on the Red Army (and air units) in order to keep the Soviets off balance and using their PP's to replace losses as opposed to building up their offensive firepower.

(Not Shown) This initial success in the East was possible because the Luftwaffe has superiority over the Red Air Force both in numbers and in tech. The fact that I haven't had to face a credible threat in the west and can allocate the entire Luftwaffe to the East is the major factor that makes this possible.

The Western Front.

3. More transports under heavy escort arrive in Portugal. It's quite clear to me that Spain's next, which is fine with me. I'd rather fight the western allies in the mountains of Spain than on the plains in France or on the Italian islands in the Med.

4. My opponent means and does escort his transports in force. The result is that this leave his convoys unescorted and vulnerable to u-boat attacks. Something that I'm certainly taking advantage of. While I don't have the exact number, I estimate that in the last 6 turns alone, German u-boats have sunk 250+ PP's worth of western allied convoys. I'm a firm believer in taking what your opponent gives you. I'll give him his transports. I'm happy to sink his convoys.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 69. 5/23/1943 Axis.

The Eastern (Russian) Front.

1. The Soviets fall back so I don't have an opportunity to kill more ground units this turn. I do what I can, which includes inflicting more losses on Soviet fighters. Estimates of Soviet air units are 6 fighters, 3-4 TACs and 2 strats. With their fighter force badly depleted and their lack of TACs I don't see the Soviets being able to do too much. Estimates of Soviet AFVs are 6 armor and 8 mech corps.

2. My objectives in the East remain limited and focused. I would really like to pocket and destroy the Soviet force north of Tambov. I'm curious to see what my opponent does next in the east.

Causalities.

3. Looking at list of the Causalities it's obvious that the US has pretty much been untouched. However; the British and Soviets have suffered significant losses. The British more so than the Soviets. Though the US is "untouched" the western allies don't seem to have the numbers in ground and air forces to make gains fast; especially in Spain (expected) or France.

The Western Front.

4. Keeping an eye on Portugal.

5-6. Keeping many eyes out for more allied convoys.

7. Rotating u-boats back to port for upgrade.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 70. 6/12/1943 Axis.

The Eastern Front.
1. The fighting in the east continues to rage. However; I will need to start throttling back on the offensive as my oil levels dip into to the yellow.

The Western Front.

2. The USN sets a blockade in the Atlantic of the Spanish port El Ferol. This can only be interpreted as a prelude to an allied invasion of Spain.

3. In the Med, I had an Italian sub group spotting off the southern coast of Spain. I just realized this sub group is missing. Checking the casualties stats, it was sunk probably last turn or so. I strongly suspect that the western allies have an invasion fleet there ready to land troops in southern Spain next turn. Actually, the allied portion of this turn.

4. A German u-boat flotilla takes 4-steps off an allied transport. Again, I took what my opponent gave me. By the way, a wolfpack off the northern coast of Canada, sinks 53 of a 70+ allied PP convoy. In the mid Atlantic, a flotilla spots a 68 PP US convoy that moved closed by.

5. German troops start massing near Bordeaux to rush to the defense of Spain once the allies invade.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 71. 7/2/1943 Axis.

The Western Front.

1-3. As expected, the western allies invade Spain. The Germans and Italians rush reinforcements to three key areas.

(Not Shown). There's Manstein, 2 German armors corps, 1 SS infantry corps, 2 regular infantry corps and 2 Italian airborne divisions in France, Germany and Italy ready for deployment to Spain. The only impediment to them getting there is the logistics of rail. Also, I was planning on redeploying some of the Luftwaffe (especially fighters) in from the East; however my opponent gave me an opportunity in the East that I couldn't pass up.

The Eastern Front.

In the East, my opponent launched what seems to me to be desperate counterattacks stretching from just south of Tula to Rostov.

4-5. The axis counter attack exposed Soviet spearheads and destroy 7 infantry, 2 armor and 3 mech corps. They also knocked out the Soviet commander Eremenko (4-1-0). The 3 Soviet armor corps shown represent 3 of 4 estimated Soviet tank corps. Also, the 3 Soviet mech corps shown represent 3 of 5 estimated Soviet mech corps.

6-7. While the Soviets spent a lot of their offensive firepower, they still have some left led by Vatetin (tank army), Rokossovksy (tank army) and Zhukov (mech corps) that might strike back and cause some pain. However, if they then I'll likely be in position to knock them out too.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 72. 7/22/1943 Axis.

The Western Front - Spain.

More German and Italian troops were rushed into Spain.

1-2. A tank corps with Manstein was deployed to hopefully throw the allies back into the sea on the beaches near Barcelona.

3-4. This may have been rash but I sent the Italian RM on a suicide mission in the hopes of drawing the attention of the allied carriers to them and off of Manstein and his tank corps. If I can secure Barcelona and force the western allies to slog all away from Western to Eastern Spain then the it's worth the sacrifice of the RM. Though, I doubt Mussolini would agree. :)

5. Significant reinforcements rushed into and around Madrid.

The Eastern Front.

6-7. The Soviets launch a full scale retreat in the center. Both Tula and Penza are easily captured.

8. They also seem to be pulling back northwest of Moscow. Do I dare dream of Moscow in '44?

9. Oil levels while not desperate are dipping to levels I don't like. However; I'd be crazy to pass up on the chance to kill all these Soviet units and capture what I have in the last two turns.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

Pretty looking battle for Spain! I am impressed
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by Peter Stauffenberg »

Looks like it's possible to capture Moscow.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 73. 8/11/1943 Axis.

The Western Front - Spain.

1. In the Madrid sector, the UK tank corps with O'Connor is knocked out and more reinforcements are brought in including a tank, mech and infantry corps.

2. In the Barcelona sector, the allied carriers take the bait and hit the Italians who lose a DD and BB squadron. However, the two surviving BB squadrons are trapped and will surely be gone next turn. Manstein couldn't quite manage to knock Eisenhower's mech corps out. It was left at 2-steps. An SS mech corps in brought in to help finish off this mech and secure this sector. After that Manstein and these troops will be rushed to Zaragoza to help out there.

The Russian Front.

3. Another Soviet tank corps is killed along with 2 more infantry corps.

4. A large "bulge" is forming where I didn't intend to push. These forces will move back west towards the Don. The armor will go north for a possible Spring '44 push on Moscow.

5. 5 Luftwaffe fighters and 2 TAC (not shown) are being redeployed from this front to the west. These air units are in need of reinforcements, upgrades and rest. Barring an emergency, they won't be ready for use in the West until late '43 or even early '44.

Production.

All PP's the last 2 turns have gone to repairs. Fortunately I had several units in reserve and in the build queue. However; I do have a need for more fighters, leaders and corps. I do need to keep an eye on German manpower, which is now at 59%.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Stauffenberg wrote:Looks like it's possible to capture Moscow.
I agree; but not this year with only 2 fair weather turns left. I do plan to make a push for it in '44. I'm just too out of position now and in bad need of repairs to get there this fighting season.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by JyriErik »

One question. Over by Barcelona I see what seems to be an SS garrison!? May I ask why a garrison instead of infantry?

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 74. 8/31/1943 Axis.

The Western Front - Spain.

1. Eisenhower and the mech corps that landed next to Barcelona sent packing. This frees up some quality troops for use further west in Spain.

2-5. Cartagena, Valencia, Bilbao and Mardid reinforced.

(Not Shown). 3 Luftwaffe fighters, 2 Luftwaffe TACs, 1 Romanian TAC and 1 Italian TAC in transient from the East to Spain. These will join up with the Luftwaffe strat, which is currently in France. Again, these air units are in need of repair, upgrades and rest.

The Eastern Front.

6-7. While the majority of the units in the bulge east of the Don pulled back to the northwest, I decide to send 2 armor corps each supported by a second corps to capture the open Soviet cities of Saratov and Kubychev. These 2 cities represent 3.5 PP's and 1 rail point per turn to the Soviets.

8. Limited attacks launched southeast of Moscow with the goal of tightening the noose around the city. While the capture of Moscow isn't a realistic goal for this year, the isolation of the city is (I hope).


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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

JyriErik wrote:One question. Over by Barcelona I see what seems to be an SS garrison!? May I ask why a garrison instead of infantry?

Jyri
Because I hit the wrong button. :oops: I meant to hit the button that converts a garrison to an airborne division; but hit the convert to elite unit instead. And, I then clicked the ok button because I wasn't really paying attention. So I got an SS garrison instead of an airborne division. On the up side, I've never had an SS garrison before. It'll be interesting seeing how well it holds up on defense.
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by rkr1958 »

Turn 75. 9/20/1943 Axis.

The Western Front - Spain.

The axis are close to having a defense line in Spain that stretches north to south from the Bay of Biscay to the Med.

1. This defense includes a strong defense of Madrid. In this sector, the Germans counterattack Devers' and his tank corps and came within 1-step of knocking him out.

2. Manstein and his tank corps race to this sector from Barcelona to take overall command of the defense of Spain.

3. In the south, the axis through maneuver cut off an allied spearhead apparently racing toward Cartagena. This maneuver is intended to disrupt the allies advance in the south as the axis don't have sufficient forces there to keep the spearhead pocketed and finish it off.

4-5. Italian airborne divisions are rush in to defend the key Atlantic ports of La Corona and Bilbao.

6-7. 3 Luftwaffe TACs and start move into position to support the axis forces in Spain. Of course, they will have to wait on the 3 Luftwaffe fighter units in route before commencing operations.

8-9. An Italian and Romanian TAC are also in Italy in route to join in on the axis air operations in Spain.

The Eastern Front.

10. Zhuko and his mech were knocked out.

11. Southwest of Moscow, the Germans push to the outskirts of Moscow, in this the last guaranteed fair weather turn in the East for 1943.

12. In the South, the axis destroy a Russian corps that had push west across the Volga.

The losses inflicted on the Soviets during the 1943 axis offensive were: 24 infantry corps and 378 total steps destroyed; 8 mech/arm corps and 118 total steps destroyed; and 1 air unit and 83 steps destroyed. The estimated economic cost of these losses is ~2300 PP's. And this cost doesn't include the (temporary) losses of a half a dozen or so Soviet commanders knocked out over the course of this offensive.

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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by duncanr »

once you hit the tipping point in Russia they are toast - you can just take what everyou want, they have neither the troops nor the resources to resist
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Re: Ronnie vs Allied Player (Allied Player Please Stay Out)

Post by BattlevonWar »

This Allied player is having a hard time, there appears to be a pocket of Russian troops near Moscow about to get encircled!
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