T043: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T043. 26 February 1943

Strategic Update

Due to some logistical and administrative screw ups, the offensive has to launch right now even though everything isn't in place. The airborne transports aren't yet available, and some of the attack forces shifted into positions they weren't supposed to unless all other units were also ready. So, here it goes...

Eastern Front - Operation Pickaxe

The offensive has begun, with three waves of attacks against the dug-in Nazi positions. The artillery bombardment did succeed in knocking some of the defenders out of their positions, allowing the Soviets to punch a hole in the line in at least one spot. This attack area was planned to be more narrow than the main thrust in the south, but will open to focus on three hexes in the next turn. Quick tactical reinforcements allowed Ken to fill the gaps quickly, but casualties were very high, as you'll see in the combat results chart below, hexes 194,117 and the vicinity.

Surprisingly more success here than in the north, despite Ken reinforcing this sector much more than elsewhere. It was obvious from the start that this is where my main offensive would happen, so he has three lines deep. Several attacks were met with tactical reserves coming up to replace retreating defenders, and the Soviets performed very well. Two hexes were cleared of Nazis, one of which was captured outright. The battles were ferociously bloody, as casualties soared into the high 20 percent range, including one where the defenders suffered 35 percent.

T042: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T042. 19 February 1943.

Strategic Update

Lots of shifting troops this turn, mainly freeing up units in the north to move south for Operation Annoyance. Around Orel, Operation Pickaxe will launch next turn, 26 Feb. while the first phase of Operation Annoyance will launch at the same time. That will include the airborne assault to cut the rail line from Stalino to Rostov. One turn following, the ground attack will commence toward Stalino.

T041: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T041. 12 February 1943.

Crap.

Eastern Front - Stalino
Operation Annoyance

Here's the plan for Operation Annoyance. If the bridge along the southern coast line stays unrepaired, then all I need to do is cut the rail line from Stalino to the Axis facing the Soviets west of Rostov. The supply drop should help make this a more even fight, since many of the Soviet division are still not that high in proficiency. The airborne attack will land two paratrooper divisions right onto the rail line, about three hexes behind the Axis line. It may very well end up being a suicide mission, but if they can succeed in allowing the front line assaults to break the Axis, it could change the entire picture on the Eastern Front. So far there's been almost no movement by either side for months. Something has to happen, soon.

Sicily 
Plans for Operation Husky

Husky as an invasion of Sicily usually has to happen in this scenario, as Mark did a great job designing it to force both sides into a general flow following the real European theater while still allowing plenty of variation. But I'm really trying to find a different way into southern Europe. Just look at that island. By my count there are at least seven full Nazi divisions right on the beaches, reinforced by Italians, and the powerful naval squadrons that have given me so many headaches so far. My concern isn't what happens on Sicily, it's getting onto the island in the first place. If the amphibious force can't get onto the beaches in the first turn, then the Axis navy will blow them out of the water. I'm going to scout some alternative locations to invade. Sardinia/Corsica would give me closer air bases and ports to launch from, but aren't exactly that strategic to the front I'm trying to establish. Crete as a way into Greece could be interesting. At least Crete has decent air bases from which to launch escorted bomber missions into the Balkans and the Romania oil fields. But Greece is so far away from France, which will also have to be invaded at some point. Also, Greece is tricky terrain and bad transportation network. Still time to think about this.

T040: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T040. 5 February 1943.

Eastern Front - Strategic Update
Operation Pickaxe, Operation Annoyance

Relying a bridge-bombing campaign was a mistake, mainly because I can't rely on the bridges actually getting knocked out at a sufficient rate. So I've decided to merge the two offensives into a coordinated pair or two operations--the original Pickaxe, and now Annoyance. Pickaxe will stay the same, launching on 12 Feb. I expect losses to be heavy, particularly after the initial wave of attacks. Operation Annoyance will launch the following turn, Feb. 19, and include the paratrooper divisions in an airborne assault cutting the main rail line to the center of the Axis defenses west of Rostov. The objective here will be to break the Axis line, push west toward Stalino, then turn north if the situation allows. There's a good chance, by launching two large-scale offensives so far apart on the front, the Axis will not be able to shift enough troops to meet both at the same time, allowing at least one to succeed and break the stalemate. I've been racking my brain to figure out what was missing for Pickaxe. It seemed destined to fail miserably like Tuning Fork in 1942. But adding now Annoyance gives me much more optimism about this winter offensive season.

T039: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T039. 29 January 1943.

North Africa - Strategic Update

There's nothing but token resistance left in North Africa, with fortresses at Benghazi and Tripoli the only obstacles before the Allies can claim campaign victory. It wasn't easy, or cheap. The Axis nearly broke me in Egypt more than once, while dealing severe losses to the Allied naval forces in the Mediterranean. But this opens up the famed "soft underbelly" of Europe for invasion. Now I'll have to consult the scenario notes for where supply points are located along the southern European coast, and start planning the next moves.

Eastern Front - Stalino

I've activated a recon disband that will boost theater recon by 20. That should help me better get a sense of what I'm going to be up against near Orel. At the same time, I'll allow a view of this region of the Eastern Front, east of Stalino. It's precariously isolated, particularly the Axis positions immediately facing Rostov. Rail lines are easily cut off here due to the many rivers they cross. As my offensive preparations included a bridge bombing campaign west of Orel, that's diverted Axis repair units up there. It's allowed me to start cutting off rail supply to the Axis forces here. If I can manage it, I'll finish off the bridges circled in red, which would completely cut off the Axis units circled in gray. If I can do that, I'll rush Soviet units down here and launch an attack toward Stalino instead of Orel. Not only would the blown bridges lower supply for the front line Axis units, but--more importantly--hamper Ken's ability to quickly transport units here by rail, forcing them to disembark much earlier in their trip than right up to the front lines.

T038: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T038. 22 January 1943.

Eastern Front - Orel
Operation Pickaxe

Everything is set. All I have to do is activate the shock disbands and give the orders to advance. But I'm having trouble doing it while looking at all those Nazi divisions waiting three lines deep. As I analyzed the situation, I realized how much Ken is devoting to countering this offensive. He's been pulling from all regions on all fronts. Orel is a key to my greater plans after Pickaxe, but the situation has changed enough that I want to consider alternatives that utilized what's already happened. Stay tuned next turn for more. Until then, the artillery bombardment continues.

T037: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T037. 15 January 1943.

Eastern Front - Bryansk-Orel-Kursk
Operation Pickaxe

I need to find some more artillery for this part of the offensive. Right now, a single arty unit isn't enough to bust the Nazis out of their foxholes before the attack begins. The strength seems reasonable for a diversionary action, now that the 2nd Guards Tank Army has arrived. This attacks objective will be to pin down the northern flank and possibly make some breakthroughs along the line. If this assault can force Ken to divert units away from reinforcing the defenses south of Orel, it will be a great success. If there is early success here, and an opportunity to gain more than the original plan calls for, this force will receive reinforcements and press south to cut the east-west rail line to Orel.

The artillery barrage that has been going on for weeks now is taking a severe toll on the front line Nazi divisions, in some cases reducing combat effectiveness by 50 percent. Now with more than six armies assembled on and near the front line, the attack will begin in the next two turns. A late addition to this operation may be airborne divisions that are scheduled to arrive around Turn 40. If the operation is delayed at all, the chances of an airborne attack increase. I don't think it would happen in this sector, as the Nazis are too strong in the rear areas. But I could absolutely see it added to the northern portion of this offensive, in the areas just northwest of Orel.