T030: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T030. 27 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch

The main British force has broken out around the right. Things should move quickly from here, except for the supply issue that's holding back progress. Fully supply per hex is around 31, but it drops to single digits as soon as you get away from the west Morocco beaches. As much as I'd love to race to Oran and beyond, lack of supply is going to make these units almost worthless in combat. That means I'll have to slow down and allow supply to trickle in each turn. Very frustrating.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix

I'm not entirely sure how long the army will need to rest here, but I want to avoid attacking a well-rested, fortified enemy unless my divisions are at full strength.

T029: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T029. 20 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch

The attack eastward is grinding along, one hex per turn right now. The British on the right flank have reached the end of the narrow corridor, and next turn should be able to break out around the Vichy left flank. The problem is supply. From Casablanca to the front line the supply drops by about 75 percent, causing a severe penalty on my divisions any time they're in combat. But the immediate need is to break out and get to Algiers. Once there, I can give them a short rest before picking back up again.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix

Now comes the halt and rest, for at least one turn so that supply can catch up to the main force. The Italians at Alexandria are holding out. I can't imagine them repulsing another round of attacks next turn. I now can spot a Nazi panzer division near El Alamein, along with supporting Italian units. That's infantry and armor spotted in the last two turns, meaning the Afrika Korps is still there, waiting for my attack. The Nazis have been waiting, digging in, for several turns. They're likely rested and strong. I've got some thinking to do.

T028: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T028. 13 November 1942.

Theater Notes

A major boost to the strategic bombing campaign as been the arrival of three P-51 fighter squadrons of the RAF. Until now, almost all escorts were Spitfires or similar with short range. But now the bombers are getting escorts that can fly all the way to the targets and back. It was immediately noticed when two bombing missions inflicted more damage than any so far, while sustaining very low casualties. The air campaign will still be tough for the next few months, but this is a great shot in the arm for the RAF.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch

Attacks around Oran have been a great success, pushing the Vichy French back with little trouble. Once the Allied forces can break out of the narrow corridor and into Algeria, it should be nearly open roads to Tunisia. Some Vichy forces are moving in, finally, to counter my progress, but it appears far too late.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix

Recon has lost track of whether or not the Nazi divisions at El Alamein have been evacuated. But I can see at least one division still there. I must move quickly to destroy all remaining Axis forces in the immediate front of the offensive, while also maintaining a strong left flank in case Ken decides to counterattack with what I assume is still to the west. Once the Allies mop up the stragglers, I'll order a halt and rest for at least one turn. Then comes a likely showdown, again, at El Alamein.

T027: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T027. 6 November 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch

Opening this new front was absolutely necessary if I want to relieve pressure on Egypt. It was predictable that I'd land here, but the early moves in this scenario are mostly predictable on the Allied side. The key battle victory this turn was capturing the port at Oran. That will open up a sea lane through to Algiers, and allow direct reinforcement to the invasion force much further east than the initial landing sites around Casablanca. I'm a little surprised that Ken hasn't sent the Vichy French to block the advance more forcefully.

North Africa - Egypt
Operation Phoenix

The initial attacks in the south have been successful, as the 10th UK Armored and 5th UK Division broke through the thin Italian line and are sweeping the flank northward. On the right flank, the 2nd New Zealand Division and 4th New Zealand Armored Brigade crossed the Nile River and should be able to surround the Nazi 295. Division. It does seem like Ken is sacrificing these units in order to beat me up a bit. He may very well be planning to counter attack sharply once he sees my troops are tired. My hope is that if this attack grinds these front line Axis units into dust, I can take a break for a turn or two. The key is to keep the Axis here occupied while the landings in Morocco establish a solid front and advance toward Tunisia.

T026: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T026. 30 October 1942. (slides have wrong date)

North Africa - Morocco

The Torch landings went off without a hitch, even pushing the Vichy force out of Casablanca on the first attempt. The 1st, 4th, and 46th UK Divisions suffered minor casualties. The 1st US Division landed on the northern beaches and began its march toward Oran. The 3rd US Division and 102nd Cavalry will land next turn, and if necessary, the 5th US Division.

North Africa - Egypt

There will be three attack paths for Operation Phoenix. The main thrusts will be around the flanks of the Axis positions west of Cairo. As mentioned in the previous post, this attack will need to inflict maximum damage on the enemy. The secondary arm of the attack will make its way through the Nile Delta toward Alexandria. There's no expectation of recapturing the city with the northern force. However it's critical to clear the Delta of Axis units while the main attack advances in the south.

T025: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T025. 23 October 1942.

North Africa - Morocco

There's not much planning to be done for Operation Torch, the invasion of northwest Africa. The Vichy French have left a rear guard to block Casablanca from an easy capture by the Allies, but the rest seem to have been pulled back. My guess is they are blocking the narrow corridor to Oran, a common chokepoint in this scenario. The general plan is to send a smaller invasion force into Morocco before the Torch disband is activated. If I can get enough divisions onto the beaches with the current sea transport, it's possible to capture Casablanca, and the critical supply point, before the bulk of the landing force arrives from England and clear some of the areas to reduce the movement points required to get the units away from the beaches on the same turn as landing.

North Africa - Egypt

I have some reservations about launching an offensive here concurrently with the Morocco landings, as the Commonwealth forces are just now reaching full strength. It also looks like the Germans are forming a defensive line west of El Alamein, anticipating that I'll attack and break through their lines around the Nile Delta. If this offensive happens, it'll have to inflict maximum damage on the front line Axis forces. There won't be any more major reinforcements arriving in Cairo, unless I transport troops there with a naval escort. That takes too much time. It's possible to get them there through the Mediterranean, but that's also risky for obvious reasons. 

T021-24: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T021-024. 25 September - 16 October 1942.

Mud.

Not much happened these two turns. No major attacks by either side. I pushed back a few minor units on the Egyptian front. On Turn 22, the storms and mud arrived, sending both sides into 50% shock. So figure much of the immediate activity will be troop shifts. Last turn I activated an increase in supply, so that my forces in Egypt will recoup strength a little faster.

Plans for the landings in western Africa have begun, with the arrivals of the U.S. 1st and 3rd divisions and supporting units in England, as well as the British 1st, 4th, 46th, and 78th divisions and supporting units. I believe the Vichy French have pulled back from their coastal defenses except for Casablanca, which is where my supply point is located.

As for the rest of the European Theater, I've continued the strategic bombing campaign and shored up the Eastern Front in all sectors. The Allies in Egypt have regained nearly all their strength, and will be ready to launch a concurrent offensive there once the force lands in Morocco. I've also transferred some troops from Iraq to bolster the Commonwealth forces in the Nile Delta area.

T020: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T020. 18 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt. 

All divisions along the southern flank have pulled back into a consolidated line west of Cairo, using the delta marshes as a barrier to the north. This has freed up considerable reserves that I can now rest up and use to combat any excursions to the north. It looks like Ken is trying to force me into a counter move in the north, but I have enough to hold him for now. As my divisions in the south gain strength, that will solve my force's deficiencies I'm currently working against.

Eastern Front - Leningrad.
Operation Tuning Fork.

Things aren't all that horrible. The Soviets on the southern prong of the fork finally connected, but the bridgehead there is still tenuous. The Nazis are massing for what appears to be enough for a counterattack, but my money is on just a strong containment of my advance. The northern attack has fared very poorly, still unable to dislodge the SS division holding the main objective along the river. In several weeks, there's been literally no gains made here. It's laughable that I thought this offensive would get all the way to the Baltic. But it has at least forced Ken to move troops into the sector and away from other areas where he may have done more damage to my defensive operations.

T019: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T019. 11 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt. 

Disaster! The 5th U.S. Infantry Division has been destroyed while in transport ships bound for Egypt. This was a major blow to the Allied hopes for a counterattack on this front and will likely add many weeks to the preparations. As of right now, the northern flank is held by the Nile. A big risk if the Axis have ferry units available. But I have to roll the dice there. The supply line from Suez is now reopened, and that should start paying off next turn. If my front line divisions can regain some strength, they'll easily be able to handle anything Ken throws my way here. In two months time, the U.S. forces in England will be ready for a landing in the Mediterranean.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork

It was a good try, but this operation is dying quickly. I'll try to hold the bridgehead across the Volkhov River, as it would be a great launch point for future offensive operations in this sector.

Eastern Front - Karelia South

My guess here is that the situation on the border here will settle down for the winter. The terrain won't be suitable for offensive operations and Ken will want to pull his divisions back over the canal to ensure supply isn't interrupted.

T018: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T018. 4 September 1942.

North Africa - Egypt. 

Even with the general retreat and the chaos that goes along with it, I'm surprised the Axis haven't been able to further exploiting the situation. It shows they're running on fumes. A new airborne landing was conducted near Suez, but they weren't able to reach the objective this turn.

The tide appears to be turning here. For the first time since the start of the scenario, I'm making proactive moves instead of just reacting to the Axis. Three new support units arrived in Cairo, but they are still immensely helpful in containing the Axis units behind the lines. The recon unit moved to Suez to secure that position, while the rest bolstered the defenses around Cairo. To the north, at least half of the 34th US Division will escape destruction, while half of the 1st US Armored is well within safe distance of the main line. With supply to the main army now secured, the Commonwealth units will gain strength quickly and should hold until enough reinforcements arrive in Egypt to counterattack.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork

Unless something changes quickly, this operation will have to be ended with minimal gains. In fairness, I should have expected it this early in the scenario. The Soviet troops are not nearly up to the task of conducting offensive operations without overwhelming numbers. Even if I could muster up a force big enough, it probably wouldn't be strong enough to go head-to-head with the Nazis. I transferred two armored corps and a cavalry corps from the south, as part of a last-ditch push to make something out of this. We'll see.

Eastern Front - Karelia South

Still not sure what the end game is supposed to be here for the Axis. I have more reinforcements to send here if my defenses start to falter. But with the depth and good supply, I should hold here with the forces available for at least a few turns.

Eastern Front - Murmansk

Now it just feels like I'm operating on stolen time in the extreme north. I've beaten back three attacks that came within a hex of Murmansk. I don't think I can hold off another one. And the Kriegsmarine is now blocking the approach into the bay, so there's no hope of reinforcing the defenders.

T017: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T017. August 28, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt. 

The whole situation in Egypt has been a clusterf*ck for about 5 turns now. And every time I think things start to settle down into a manageable situation, some new problems sprouts up. Ken is still landing some paratroopers behind my lines, this time to block the eastern approach to Cairo. My general retreat order with screening troops did help consolidate my lines, but I've made a critical error. For the last three turns, I've done everything to recapture Alexandria, thinking it was a supply point for the Allies. My assumption was that if I could recapture that city, the Allied troops occupying it would hold out with supply until reinforcements arrive. Now that I've realized my mistake, I have to get troops out of there quickly and moving toward Cairo, where I plan to make a last stand in the delta region. I can hold the marshes to the north with minimal troops.

It wasn't a terrible turn, but I'm still kicking myself for the Alexandria blunder. Most of the Commonwealth troops have shifted south and consolidated toward the main Axis armored push on the flank to Cairo. The 5th UK Division's arrival at Cairo is a needed boost to the defense of the city, but the 7. Flieger paratroopers blocking the road has forced the 5th to stop short of occupying Cairo. The III Corps headquarters has moved into the city, and if they're attacked, the 5th will be there to counterattack next turn. The United States forces are still around Alexandria, and I'm afraid they'll be lost if a line of retreat cannot be opened through the Nile Delta marshes.

Eastern Front - Leningrad
Operation Tuning Fork

The offensive has begun. Attacks in the north have been met with much stiffer resistance from the Nazis than the spearhead in the south. The southern attack broke through the enemy line, but clearing the road's northern flank could not be accomplished this turn. It's critical that the northern flank be secured so I can freely flow reinforcements across the river. I'll have to pull more reinforcements from the south to help with the breakthrough, as I fear I've underestimated the size of the force needed to make this offensive a success.

Eastern Front - Karelia South

Unless there's a large contingent of Axis reinforcements here that I cannot see, I'm confident this defense will be a success. The terrain has greatly aided the mission here, as the Nazi divisions are already running low on supplies in the heavy woods and isolated from their bases across the river. Losing the Soviet troops on the western bank is worth the sacrifice if I can hold here and seriously damage the Axis forces.

Eastern Front - Mumansk

Sending the Independent Groups up here to bolster the Murmansk defenses was key to pushing back the most recent Axis assault toward the city. But I'll need more to hold Murmansk, much more.

T016: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T016. August 21, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt 

Still having trouble plugging the open drain on my southern flank. Had it not been for Ken's airborne and amphibious raids, I would've had no problem defending this and pushing back the Axis forces in Egypt. I think he's running out of airborne-capable troops, since this landing was much smaller than the previous ones.

My counterattacks focused on containing the southern sectors, while placing a ton of emphasis on destroying the Axis troops to the north behind my lines. Meanwhile, the main line at El Alamein has been given a general retreat order, to consolidate near Alexandria. Some screening units were left behind, namely the 5th Indian Division, which is removed next turn anyway. The British 5th Infantry Division will arrive at Suez next turn, being transferred from Iraq. The final US division will also arrive in about two more turns. At that point, if the Axis are threatening Cairo, a fresh full division should halt their advance.

Eastern Front - Karelia South

This is interesting. Did Ken buy my ruse here? He's been moving Nazi divisions to the north for a few turns. Now he's launching what looks like a moderate-size offensive across the canal with no fewer than three full panzer divisions. It appears he's trying to cut off and surround the 2nd Shock Army. Does he know I have so many reserves ready to counterattack? It doesn't seem like it, because without him capturing the road across the canal, his supply will run low very quickly on this side of the canal.

If the 2nd Shock Army gets destroyed, it won't go down without a fight. So it immediately attacked to cut supply lines to the lead panzer division, while three Soviet armies have formed to counterattack. There are more Axis divisions arriving from the south, so I'll need to keep up the defense-in-depth here for a few turns, especially keeping the 2nd Shock Army in decent shape to hold the supply road in the north.

First Named Offensive
Operation Tuning Fork

I'll admit I was nearly scared into cancelling this operation with the Axis offensive in southern Karelia. But then I realized this would be the perfect time to do this, as one of my goals from transporting all those armies up to the north was a diversion from the sectors at and south of Leningrad. Operation Tuning Fork has two prongs. The first in the south to defend against counterattacks on the left flank. The second to the north, cutting off Leningrad and possibly retaking the city. Reaching the Baltic Sea is critical to the success of this offensive.

T015: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T015. August 15, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt

The raids behind my lines continue, with an armored unit landing directly into the port of Alexandria, and another infantry unit landing in Port Said. Meanwhile, the attacks around the left flank have been tough to stop. Nothing is out of control, but I'm being forced to dedicate a significant number of troops to manage the situation in rear areas. This has caused my front line units to become more worn down that they would have been with the reinforcements rotation. Ken is really trying to exploit the left with his panzer divisions, though I can see they are very low on supply.

A massive victory on the left flank, as the combined Commonwealth forces surrounded and destroyed the 15. Panzer Division and KG Ramke. This battle restored the Allied line and eliminated a powerful Nazi division from the campaign. To the east, the arrival of the 51st "Highland" Division was a real shot in the arm for containing the enemy troops in the rear areas, mainly the 21. Panzer Division that was making its way quickly toward Cairo. The Nazis were pushed back and are now cut off from supply. It's only a matter of time before the 21. Panzer Division meets a similar fate to the 15. Panzer. Alexandria was recaptured by the Americans, but there is some concern over the Brandenburgers hiding in the swamps of the Nile River Delta. To the far east, I've staged the British 5th Infantry Division near Basra, ready to load onto the trains for Suez. With the 5th's arrival in two turns, that should end any hope for Ken of capturing Egypt. And just to be safe, the US 5th Infantry Division and two British SAS units are being shipped around Africa and will arrive in a few turns. 

Eastern Front - Karelia South

Here's where I'm hoping to do a little trickery. As Ken is shoveling troops northward to this sector and beyond to Murmansk, I've sent eight Soviet armies to the area. It's my hope Ken saw this move and will assume I'm going to stage an offensive here, instead of the unnamed operation discussed in the previous post, to be conducted south of Leningrad.

T014: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T014. August 7, 1942.

North Africa - Egypt.

The onslaught of raids continues behind my line at El Alamein, this time with an amphibious landing to capture Port Said. I've kept the Brandenburgers and Nazi glider troops out of Alexandria, but the left flank of the main line is still open and allowing the enemy to stream through. 

Counterattacks at Alexandria have now secured the city's perimeter, allowing me to divide the 1st Armored and 34th Infantry and send brigades to support the Commonwealth troops on the front line. I've pulled back the northern flank to consolidate forces. The 5th Indian Division shifted around to the southern flank, squeezing out the Italian armored unit. The 2nd Brigade of the 1st US Armored Division drove south to anchor the far left flank.

Eastern Front - Belomorsk.

Ken transferred much more here more quickly than I had hoped. So I'm chickening out and pulling back most of the 2nd Shock Army. The 39th Army arrived by train and will rest before taking up a position on the front line. I count at least 4 armored divisions, 2 mechanized (including 1 SS division), and assorted supporting units and Finn divisions. The Axis response here does give me an idea, however, and you'll see what that is at the bottom of this post.

Eastern Front - Karelia.

Even though I've cancelled a major offensive near Belomorsk, I'm continuing my threat against Kandalaksha. Adding to that operation, a hopefully-unseen landing on the upper peninsula and overland trek to cut the Axis line of supply for the operation against Murmansk.

Eastern Front - Leningrad. 

Back so soon... I'm not even going to name this operation yet. I don't want to get ahead of myself. So for now, it's just Operation 1942L. There would be three main objectives. The first would break through and cross the Volkhov River at three points. The South group would push west to Luga, stopping at the Luga River to protect from counterattacks from the south and west. The Center and North groups would follow parallel paths west across the river, then pivot north. The Center group would double as support for the North group and protection against counterattacks from Narva. North group, the largest, would attack directly toward Leningrad. The reach goal is to recapture the city, but at the least, this would force a break in the Axis line of supply from the rest of the Soviet Union to Finland. I have three Guards armies, a Shock army, and two more infantry armies to commit to this offensive. More might be added. I'll work on this.

T013: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T013. July 31, 1942.

Eastern Front - Belomorsk.

Screw it, I'm sending more reinforcements here to keep the pressure on by adding the entire 2nd Shock Army. The 14th Cav Corps is riding quickly north to see what's up there, while the main Soviet push will be south and southwest. Two divisions will cover the right flank, and the river bridging team arrived to help send over the divisions to the south. I'm very curious to see what Ken does here.

North Africa - El Alamein.

The first wave of paratroopers wasn't the only one coming my way, as Ken sent a few more regiments into the Alexandria area. Fortunately the 1st US Armored Division was right there waiting for them, with the 34th US Infantry Division right behind. The original intent for the US reinforcements was to beat back the offensive along the Alamein line, but this bigger air drop threw that plan into the garbage. The Axis have also broken both my flanks, but did fail to make much progress beyond that.

The Axis paratroopers put up some tough fights behind the line near El Alamein, but eventually were all killed or captured. The drop zones near Alexandria were another story, as the force dropped there was significantly bigger and of a higher quality. It took the full might of the 1st US AD and 34th US ID to get this situation under control, and even then, there is still a sizable contingent of Axis paratroopers and glider troops to the east of the city. I'll have to leave just a small task force behind to clean this up, and hopefully blunt the offensive at El Alamein.

T012: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T012. July 24, 1942.

Eastern Front - Murmansk.

The Nazis and Fins continue to pour reinforcements into the sectors around Murmansk. The trouble for them is that I'm doing the same thing. The 62nd Army is arriving in stages, and I can add more to the operation if needed. No major action yet, other than a few probing attacks on the eastern flank.

Eastern Front - Belomorsk.

I'm waiting for Ken to send troops this way, but for now, I'm trying to disrupt as much as I can. I'm very tempted to keep the remainder of the 62nd Army here and send them to exploit this breach. If--IF--the Axis forces don't respond quickly, there's a serious chance I can reach Kandalaksha. The prize there is to cut the Axis supply lines that converge there. But I wont' get ahead of myself.

North Africa - El Alamein.

Well well well... Ken had a few cards up his sleeve here, including a paratrooper assault that caught me completely by surprise. Fortunately, Ken's complementary attacks on my front line were unsuccessful. Had he broken any point, I may be in serious trouble. But the British were helped by New Zealanders and armor, and held. Now I really lucked out transporting the US divisions to Suez before their historical involvement in the European theater. The Allied position is also bolstered by the return of the 5th Indian Division, which reconstituted this turn, and the arrival of an artillery unit. The Americans will arrive at the front next turn to finish off the enemy behind my lines.

T011: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T011. July 17, 1942.

Eastern Front - Karelia South.

With all the Fins moving north against Murmansk, there's but a skeleton defense along the Baltic-White Sea canal. This was too tempting, so I launched a small attack across the river and was met with very little resistance. The 14th Cavalry Corps of the Arkhangelsk Group led the assault, followed by supporting divisions from the 26th and 32d armies. At the bare minimum, this should force Ken to redirect forces back to this sector. At the same time, I'm continuing to bolster the defenses at Murmansk, as the recently arrived 62nd Army is ready to depart Onega.

Eastern Front - Rzhev.

Not entirely sure what the end game was supposed to be for this offensive. Most of my forces escaped and are now in a tighter line with reinforcements arriving every week. Meanwhile, the Nazis are mopping up everything I left behind, and did not aggressively pursue my retreating divisions. Ken probably could have made my life very difficult had he kept the pressure on as I ran to the east. I may not even need the 2nd Shock Army, which was hastily transferred from the Leningrad Front. The 39th Army arrive and will be ready for action in a few turns. Near Moscow, the 64/7th Guards Army is ready to disembark the trains. They're better situated than the 39th, but will still need a turn to get up to strength. All of this should provide for sufficient reserves, should Ken renew his offensive in this front.

North Africa - El Alamein.

The 44th British Infantry Division arrived this turn and immediately marched to the front lines. The 9th Australian Division sustained heavy casualties in the last Axis attack, while the supporting 1st and 7th British Armored divisions took a few punches, too. The addition of the 44th gives instant strength to the line at El Alamein. If needed, I'll shuffle the divisions around so that the 4th Indian Division and 10th British Armored Division--both untouched so far in this battle--are moved to relieve the weakened divisions in the south.