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.