T005: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T005. 05 June 1942

Eastern Front - Leningrad

Though I fear it'll be brief, I've made contact with the defenders inside the Leningrad pocket. If nothing else, it's symbolic. The western flank of the city is being slowly ground down and pushed back, and I do not believe I can pour enough troops through the narrow lane to the city from my main lines. The 2nd Shock Army is ready to keep moving forward, but again, I'm expecting this breakthrough to not last beyond the next turn. The 8th Army is exhausted, as are the defenders around Leningrad. The situation in the west is critical. I've pulled down some units from the north to at least slow the Nazi advance.

Eastern Front - Vyazma

This is a disaster, even if I was preparing for it. The pocket west of Vyazma was completely cut off and invested within a turn. It was not pleasant to watch several divisions melt away, but the Nazis put on a show and I'm sure they enjoyed it. Unless Ken is thinking of another major attack here, this sector might quiet down for a while. The line are solid to a degree. I would prefer to have pushed south a little more to free up another army or two in the northern portion of the bulge.

Eastern Front - Voronezh

I'm not entirely sure what Ken is thinking down here. There was a gap in my line 60-90 kilometers wide just begging to be waltzed through. But he's held back southwest of Voronezh, instead preparing what looks like an offensive from Kursk. I have room to fall back, but a full breakthrough would be really annoying. So I've shifted some of my reserves and mechanized units to the sector... just in case.

North Africa Front - Tobruk to Alexandria

The Italian Navy and combined Luftwaffe and Italian air forces have likely sealed the fate of the remaining Tobruk defenders. Frustratingly there remains far too many Commonwealth units in the pocket, including the very good 5th Ball of Fire division and a whole bunch of British armored brigades. Even moving the Royal Navy has been difficult due to lack of air superiority in the area. And without the naval escort, there's no chance any unit survives further evacuation operations from Tobruk.