Saturday, June 9, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T016: 08.21.42
Things were so quiet this turn, I'm pretty much skipping it. Plus, I forgot to write up the AAR for this turn when it happened, so I'm not going back and doing it with the benefit of hindsight. After all, the point of these AARs is to get a stream of thought through the scenario.
Friday, June 8, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T015: 08.14.42
T015 08.14.42
RUSSIA
Theatre Update
German Panzers are rolling along past Maikop. However, my ace in the hole is the narrow passes in the mountain range. The German armor does best in open terrain, as evidenced in the previous weeks' combat to the north. I've shipped by rail three armies from the Yelets-Voronez sectors down to Astrakhan, one of them already transported by sea down to Grozny. I simply cannot afford to lose Grozny this early, if at all. It seems like a long shot, but delaying for at least five more weeks will offer a great reward. That will come in the form of about 10 fresh Russian armies, including at least two Guards armies. That will allow me to change the focus from the Caucasus to the norther sectors.
Very preliminary plans are being made for a large offensive in the Velikie Luki area, just north of where I staged the controlled withdrawal during the first two weeks of this scenario. There are three shock armies there on the front lines now. With the arrival of reinforcements in five to six weeks, I'll have enough to make a decent push, forcing the Germans to pull troops from other sectors.
ELSEWHERE
Africa - The Afrika Korps and Italians are slowly inching toward my lines west of El Alamein.
NW Europe - A strategic bombing campaign by the RAF is beginning to target supply and industry targets.
RUSSIA
Theatre Update
German Panzers are rolling along past Maikop. However, my ace in the hole is the narrow passes in the mountain range. The German armor does best in open terrain, as evidenced in the previous weeks' combat to the north. I've shipped by rail three armies from the Yelets-Voronez sectors down to Astrakhan, one of them already transported by sea down to Grozny. I simply cannot afford to lose Grozny this early, if at all. It seems like a long shot, but delaying for at least five more weeks will offer a great reward. That will come in the form of about 10 fresh Russian armies, including at least two Guards armies. That will allow me to change the focus from the Caucasus to the norther sectors.
Very preliminary plans are being made for a large offensive in the Velikie Luki area, just north of where I staged the controlled withdrawal during the first two weeks of this scenario. There are three shock armies there on the front lines now. With the arrival of reinforcements in five to six weeks, I'll have enough to make a decent push, forcing the Germans to pull troops from other sectors.
ELSEWHERE
Africa - The Afrika Korps and Italians are slowly inching toward my lines west of El Alamein.
NW Europe - A strategic bombing campaign by the RAF is beginning to target supply and industry targets.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T014: 08.07.42
T014 08.07.42
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
As my Russian divisions scamper toward Tuapse and the fortified positions in the overlooking mountains, the Germans press on, crushing division after division on their deadly ride to the sea. I wish there were more to report here, but right now, it's a bloodbath.
Sectors: Murmansk
Murmansk is stabilizing with the arrival (finally) of the 33 Army. If things get sketchy here again, I can ship another army up, but I'd much rather focus on protecting the Caucasus oil fields and the rail hubs at Yelets and Voronezh.
ELSEWHERE
Yelets-Voronezh - Speaking of these sectors, it's just continued fighting with no progress on either side.
Egypt - No action since the fall of Tobruk. Axis supply is dwindling. It's only a matter of time before I must consider a counter offensive. But I'm not that brave just yet.
NW Europe - Bridge busting missions continue with the RAF. Holland has lost nearly half its bridges, as the attacks shift toward Belgium.
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
As my Russian divisions scamper toward Tuapse and the fortified positions in the overlooking mountains, the Germans press on, crushing division after division on their deadly ride to the sea. I wish there were more to report here, but right now, it's a bloodbath.
Murmansk is stabilizing with the arrival (finally) of the 33 Army. If things get sketchy here again, I can ship another army up, but I'd much rather focus on protecting the Caucasus oil fields and the rail hubs at Yelets and Voronezh.
Yelets-Voronezh - Speaking of these sectors, it's just continued fighting with no progress on either side.
Egypt - No action since the fall of Tobruk. Axis supply is dwindling. It's only a matter of time before I must consider a counter offensive. But I'm not that brave just yet.
NW Europe - Bridge busting missions continue with the RAF. Holland has lost nearly half its bridges, as the attacks shift toward Belgium.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T013: 07.31.42
T013 07.31.42
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
The German breakthrough is gaining steam with each shot fired. My lines are shattered, and now it's just a great race to the mountain passes and the sea. At first, I counted only three Panzer corps, but now I see that four were waiting to pounce. This, combined with the infantry corps, was too much for even my three armies plus another two to defend against. My hope here is to salvage a few divisions to defend the mountain pass along the Black Sea. Worse yet, the mobile supply points have been caught up in the panic, and are likely going to be destroyed in retreat.
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
Though it looks dangerous, the small breakthroughs by the Germans are only more of the same in this part of the Russian Front. I should have little trouble plugging up the two open holes (1 & 2), while still maintaining my reserve force of the 7 Gds Army. My plans for a counter offensive hinge on the front line divisions holding off the Germans for at least another two weeks. Somewhat surprising is how well my Yelets Sector forces have held against the 2 Panzer Armee, which wasn't able to puncture the defenses.
Sectors: Murmansk
Last week, I had the 33 Army all ready to sail from Archangelsk, but completely forgot about them. So now the Germans and Finns are pressing on Murmansk. The 33 Army won't arrive until next week. I should be able to hold until then. This would be a major loss for the Allies.
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
The German breakthrough is gaining steam with each shot fired. My lines are shattered, and now it's just a great race to the mountain passes and the sea. At first, I counted only three Panzer corps, but now I see that four were waiting to pounce. This, combined with the infantry corps, was too much for even my three armies plus another two to defend against. My hope here is to salvage a few divisions to defend the mountain pass along the Black Sea. Worse yet, the mobile supply points have been caught up in the panic, and are likely going to be destroyed in retreat.
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
Though it looks dangerous, the small breakthroughs by the Germans are only more of the same in this part of the Russian Front. I should have little trouble plugging up the two open holes (1 & 2), while still maintaining my reserve force of the 7 Gds Army. My plans for a counter offensive hinge on the front line divisions holding off the Germans for at least another two weeks. Somewhat surprising is how well my Yelets Sector forces have held against the 2 Panzer Armee, which wasn't able to puncture the defenses.
Sectors: Murmansk
Last week, I had the 33 Army all ready to sail from Archangelsk, but completely forgot about them. So now the Germans and Finns are pressing on Murmansk. The 33 Army won't arrive until next week. I should be able to hold until then. This would be a major loss for the Allies.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T012: 07.24.42
T012 07.24.42
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
What was once a stable situation in the south has suddenly turned dangerous. Mark even admitted he wasn't expecting such an easy breakthrough at Krasnodar, but has taken advantage quickly. There are three Panzer corps now pressing across the river, and the Brandenbergers have been deployed to take advantage of my fragile situation. Since the Germans have already crossed two full Panzer divisions, and are pressing in two other spots along the river, I have no choice but to fall back into the mountains. The passes along the Black Sea coast offer a fantastic defensive opportunity for me, but the trick is getting as much of my force out of here as possible.
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
A few gains by the Germans in these sectors, but nothing major. The Russians should be able to push back next week.
RUSSIA
Sectors: Maikop
What was once a stable situation in the south has suddenly turned dangerous. Mark even admitted he wasn't expecting such an easy breakthrough at Krasnodar, but has taken advantage quickly. There are three Panzer corps now pressing across the river, and the Brandenbergers have been deployed to take advantage of my fragile situation. Since the Germans have already crossed two full Panzer divisions, and are pressing in two other spots along the river, I have no choice but to fall back into the mountains. The passes along the Black Sea coast offer a fantastic defensive opportunity for me, but the trick is getting as much of my force out of here as possible.
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
A few gains by the Germans in these sectors, but nothing major. The Russians should be able to push back next week.
Monday, June 4, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T011: 07.17.42
T011 07.17.42
RUSSIA
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
Two fresh armies (60, 7 Gds) have arrived, but I've only committed one to battle so far. The 60 Army has bolstered the buckling center, between the 3 Gds Tank Army and the 38 Army. The 7 Gds Army will disembark next turn and build up its readiness. If the front lines can hold long enough, I'm hoping to use the 7 Gds in a counter offensive to drive back some of the most forward German divisions. This should give me more time to gather reinforcements as they arrive, and relieve the exhausted front line armies in this bloody stretch of the Russian Front.
Sector: Maikop
With three armies digging in, I'm confident this positions can hold off a mid-sized offensive for at least a week or two. If I must fall back into the mountains, so be it. The terrain south of this sector is so brutal, I don't imagine the Germans continuing any attack immediately following the eventual capture of Maikop. There are plenty of fresh German corps moving into this area via Rostov. I'm anticipating an impressive offensive southward from the Axis armies. Also to note, the Brandenbergers haven't been used yet. Could this be the first instance? It wouldn't make much sense to me. Capturing Maikop is good, but not like capturing Stalingrad or even Grozny.
RUSSIA
Sectors: Yelets-Voronezh
Two fresh armies (60, 7 Gds) have arrived, but I've only committed one to battle so far. The 60 Army has bolstered the buckling center, between the 3 Gds Tank Army and the 38 Army. The 7 Gds Army will disembark next turn and build up its readiness. If the front lines can hold long enough, I'm hoping to use the 7 Gds in a counter offensive to drive back some of the most forward German divisions. This should give me more time to gather reinforcements as they arrive, and relieve the exhausted front line armies in this bloody stretch of the Russian Front.
Sector: Maikop
With three armies digging in, I'm confident this positions can hold off a mid-sized offensive for at least a week or two. If I must fall back into the mountains, so be it. The terrain south of this sector is so brutal, I don't imagine the Germans continuing any attack immediately following the eventual capture of Maikop. There are plenty of fresh German corps moving into this area via Rostov. I'm anticipating an impressive offensive southward from the Axis armies. Also to note, the Brandenbergers haven't been used yet. Could this be the first instance? It wouldn't make much sense to me. Capturing Maikop is good, but not like capturing Stalingrad or even Grozny.
Friday, June 1, 2012
TR 42-45 1.5.2 - ALLIED vs Mark - T010: 07.10.42
T010 07.10.42
GLOBAL
Aside from some local skirmishes, this week has been eerily quiet. Nothing to report. Some Russian reinforcements have arrived and are being moved toward the front. The RAF has busted a few bridges in Holland. And the Afrika Korps is still massing after the fall of Tobruk.
GLOBAL
Aside from some local skirmishes, this week has been eerily quiet. Nothing to report. Some Russian reinforcements have arrived and are being moved toward the front. The RAF has busted a few bridges in Holland. And the Afrika Korps is still massing after the fall of Tobruk.
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