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.

T036: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T036. 8 January 1943.

Eastern Front - Bryansk-Orel-Kursk

Nazi divisions keep pouring into the area, possibly reaching a point where this could complicate matters. Though, Stalin never let solid defenses stop a good frontal assault bloodbath, so...

North Africa 

For the next few turns, the Allies in North Africa will engage in a massive cleanup operation from Egypt to Algeria. Not much else to report here. Planning will commence shortly of the invasion of Europe.

T035: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T035. 1 January 1943.

Eastern Front - Bryansk-Orel-Kursk

It's not easy to disguise an offensive of this size. Ken is shifting troops into the Orel sectors, but I'm going to continue preparing for this to launch in a few turns. For the first time in this game, I've run out of rail transport in a turn. Seven armies have transferred into the staging areas, with several more waiting space on the trains.

North Africa - Algeria-Tunisia

It looks like the Axis have already abandoned this part of North Africa, save for some outposts to keep me busy. The British forces have continued advancing east down the road to Tunis, some jumping onto commandeered trains to save their legs and fuel. The US infantry forces are resting in Algiers, and will be ready to support the British if needed, while the US armored units are rolling through the mountain passes toward Kessarine.

North Africa - Egypt-Libya

After the initial breakout from El Alamein, now Commonwealth troops are racing toward Tobruk, pushing aside token Italian resistance and mopping up the two Nazi divisions that couldn't escape. I'd be surprised if Ken tries to defend any part of North Africa now. I expect him to evacuate what's left of the Nazi forces and only leave a small contingent of Italians to force me to sweep the entire region.

T034: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T034. 25 December 1942.

North Africa - Egypt

What began as just keeping the enemy busy on the front lines has now turned into a full-on rout of the Axis in Egypt. The Nazi 90. Division was overrun, and the 46. and 164. are being squeezed. I couldn't get the attacks in the order I needed to lock them into a pocket, but this is working out well in all sectors. The 1 Commando Group conducted a airborne drop to cut off any supply to the remaining Axis units.

Eastern Front - Orel

I need more artillery to get into position before I order all attacking armies to assemble east of Orel. But the artillery that has gotten to work is doing a good job of softening up the Nazi front line divisions. I've tried to keep a barrage going across the entire Eastern Front, but it's pretty obvious where I'm going to stage an offensive.

T033: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T033. 18 December 1942.

North Africa - Egypt

This was unexpected. One of the probing attacks--they were all limited attacks precisely because I wanted to avoid exposing units to counterattacks--pushed out the Axis units without a fight. That led to another attack, and another. The boys got their dander up. Within a few rounds, the enemy line was breaking apart from north to south. I decided to turn this into a full offensive by committing the UK 10th Armored Division, which had more attack ability than any of the enemy units had on defense in the area.

North Africa - Morocco

Mop up missions continue in the foothills south of Algiers. But elsewhere, the army is staging for the race eastward. Additional reinforcements will be arriving next turn, as army headquarters units, heavy artillery, and more are loading onto transport ships now in England. I'm also planning on sending the US 34th Infantry Division into Algeria, after that unit was crushed in Egypt several weeks ago. That division is now full strength again and ready to leave England for the front lines.

T032: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T032. 11 December 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch

With that, the Nazi 704. Division and all but a few remaining Vichy units are completely destroyed, opening what I expect to be a relatively clear road all the way to Tunis. Operation Vice has been closed. There's aerial recon reports of possible small Luftwaffe infantry units near Bone, but I'll deal with that after the army rests for a turn or two. The very important development is the supply increase due to capturing the deepwater port at Algiers. On Jan. 15 (Turn 37) the first Canadians will arrive in England, then immediately transfer to North Africa. Next turn I'll start developing the next stage of the North African campaign. I'm debating whether I should continue on the historical path through Sicily and Italy, not waiting for a breakthrough in Egypt, while adding more forces to Tunisia and send a second army eastward through Libya to squeeze the Axis from two sides.

North Africa - Egypt

The only real move I have at the moment is to keep slight pressure on the Axis defensive line at El Alamein, but not tire or deplete my own forces enough to allow them a chance to launch their own offensive. I'm not mentally ready to reenact the first battle for Egypt. I suffered a devastating naval defeat this turn, as the Italian navy went on a rampage once again, destroying the Royal Navy squadrons in the ports of Palestine. Since there are no replacements for the heavy ships, this is not something I'll be able to recoup from.

T031: Third Reich 42-45 - Mike (Allies) vs Ken (Axis)

T031. 4 December 1942.

North Africa - Morocco
Operation Torch
Operation Vice

Assuming this is what Patton himself would have thought about doing, I've crushed the Vichy French forces by conducting an end-run amphibious landing, code named Operation Vice, directly into the Port of Algiers. First off the landing craft was the 3rd Carpathian Division of the Polish II Corps, followed immediately by the 2nd US Armored Division. As luck would have it, one of the two Vichy divisions in Algiers was still embarked on trains. The Poles fought their way into the city and cleared the way for Patton's tanks.

Once the landing force was safely ashore, the push west to link up with the main Allied army was underway. That force was pushing east already on the same turn. The amphibious task force slammed into the rear of the Vichy main force, destroying nearly half of it in a single turn. An added bonus was the Nazi 704. Division that was hiding in reserve west of Algiers. The 2nd Armored inflicted nearly 70 percent casualties on it over two assaults, and now the Nazis are surrounded with some Vichy stragglers.

This victory will conclude Operation Torch. But now the difficult work begins of pressing east toward Tunis. Once the mop-up is complete, the Allied army in Algeria will need to rest for at least two full turns. It's been extremely frustrating to know that supply is going to hamper quick progress. The delay will also allow Ken to react more swiftly, possibly transferring more Nazi units into the area.

Eastern Front - Orel
Plans for Operation Pickaxe

The entire Eastern Front has been a staring contest since the failed Operation Tuning Fork south of Leningrad. But now winter has arrived, and with it the chance for an offensive to help shake things loose. The preliminary plans, code named Operation Pickaxe, are to capture the key road intersection at Orel. A diversionary attack from the north to misdirect the Axis and pin down some reserves there, will be launched one turn in advance of the main attack just south of Orel. I've begun transferring artillery into the region, combined with a targeted bombing campaign of the bridges and rail network leading into the sectors to be attacked. To make it somewhat less obvious what I'm planning, the bridge bombing mission has been also spread to other sectors along the Eastern Front. Units for this offensive have also been massed outside of the area, and will transfer to the staging points right before the attacks begin.