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

We've started a new game. I'm the Allies vs Ken as the Axis. Let's jump right in.

Eastern Front - Kharkov Sectors

This game starts out close to the same as it did the other times, but I'm ordering a general retreat from the Kharkov fronts much faster this time. All armies are to withdraw to the Don River over the next few turns, then hope to hold there until the Soviet reserves start arriving.

I'm more than a little concerned about the massive gap that opened in my lines from Kursk to Voronezh. I wasn't able to disengage from around Kursk, and this might allow the Nazis to swing around and into the hole. It would be a big blow to my strategy here, but one that I think can be overcome as long as I keep damage to the moderate range. As the line from Kursk falls back toward Voronezh, the units will start doubling up and cover less area.

Eastern Front - Rostov Sectors

The withdrawal in this area must be more carefully executed, as to avoid allowing the Nazis easy access into the Caucuses. Rostov must not fall for at least a few weeks. That's always a difficult task, if for no other reason than the defensive position is just terrible. River to the defenders' backs, open ground to the front. Rostov will become a hinge as the rest of the Soviets retreat east to connect with the Don River armies currently falling back from Kharkov. Once Rostov falls, the line will set up positions behind the Don and Donets rivers, connecting with the Don armies already further east.

Eastern Front - Rzhev/Moscow

West of Moscow is the Rzhev Meat Grinder. The Nazis aren't stupid here, self-collapsing the pocket quickly to avoid the Soviets pinching off a chunk of their forces. I've tried to move quickly enough to start squeezing from both east and west, with some success.

The ultimate goal with this operation is to completely destroy a few Nazi divisions. The intermediate goal is to pursue the withdrawing enemy as their front destabilizes, possibly catching one or two sectors before they settle into a good defensive position.

I've shifted some of my available Soviet reserve armies to the northern part of the salient, but I'm concerned the traffic congestion as the battle moves south. Things could turn into a meat grinder after all.

North African Front - Tobruk

There's no good way to defend in most of North Africa, and Libya is particularly difficult with all the open flanks and terrible supply lines. So what I'll hope for right now is to fall back into Tobruk and hold out until... ? Keeping the Nazis and Italians from getting to Alexandria is my only concern. I may rethink this strategy as things progress.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T055

T055. 05.21.43

Yelets

Fighting to the north of Yelets has been swinging back and forth, as moderate German counter attacks threw my lines back a hex. Now I was able to regain the lost ground. But the real development is coming to the south, where I have the 34th and 54th Armies pushing hard on the Hungarians, forcing them to fall back to the secondary line. Even though I didn't fill into the gap, this has created the opportunity to fight the Axis troops out of their trenches. With the 2nd Guards Tank and 2nd Shock Army ready to take up the next wave, there should be more movement here soon. And as this area becomes more threatened, Mark will have to take his focus off other sections of the line.

North Caucasus

Mark threw quite a bit at me in this region, forcing my lines back at several points. But over the course of this turn, I was able to counterattack and regain my footing.

Tunis

A massive air and artillery bombardment of the city's defenses softened up the Axis enough that two ground assaults forced open the city center. The port hex held, but not without the Axis main force suffering big losses. The assistance of the naval guns has made a big difference. I expect to control the city next turn.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T054

T054. 05.14.43

The mud has finally dried up, so I'm expecting a storm of action over the next few turns.

Murmansk

I need to open up another front somewhere. Since the Murmansk garrison held strong early in the game, I have the chance here to pump reinforcements into the port and launch an offensive southward. It seems far-fetched, but if I can knock Finland out of the game, it will really change the dynamic in northern Russia. The first wave consisted of the 4th Guards Army. Waiting back at Onega and Archangelsk are the 6th Guards Army and a bunch of artillery divisions.

North Caucasus

After sitting around for a few turns not doing much, it took a few good pushes to get things rolling again here. Three attacks broke through front line German divisions, but I'm afraid Mark has "double-fronted" his position here, forcing me to fight through lines twice as deep as elsewhere. My reserves are nearby, in case of a counter attack. Mark has had some time to rest, which was much more beneficial to him than to me.

Tunisia

Once the Mareth Line was broken, things started moving much more quickly in North Africa. The British X Corps has moved west to assist the clean-up efforts at Kessarine Pass, relieving the US I Armored Corps to advance east to link up with the lead elements of the British XXX Corps. I've initiated the very first paratrooper drop of the scenario, as the US 82nd Airborne was flown over the top of Tunis, cutting off the eastern approach to the city. It wasn't a very dangerous or critical operation, but necessary to get this division some experience in advance of the invasion of southern Europe. Meanwhile, the Canadian I Corps and Polish II Corps moved in tandem to contact the defenses outside the western limits of Tunis. I expect the city to fall within a few turns. The Royal Navy has cut off all evacuation routes.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T048

T048. 04.02.43

Surprisingly, not much has changed since the last update three turns ago. The battle lines in Russia have been tough sledding, particularly in the tempest around Yelets. I'm shifting fresh formations up there from the south, which has not seen nearly as much fighting as earlier in the scenario. The Caucasus lines are moving steadily northwestward, as Mark is executing a managed withdrawal with great skill. I've not been able to take advantage of his mobile formations that are now out of strong fortifications. Supply has become a significant issue in that area.

North Africa

The British have now done their main job of breaking through the Mareth Line. The secondary line south of Sfax was broken with one try, though I didn't have enough in the tanks to advance into the gap. I'll need to call up the III Corps from Egypt--waiting in reserve for months--to take up the offensive northward, hopefully linking up with the Americans in central Tunisia. Capturing the port at Sfax is my main goal at this point. I'm not sure if I'll need the III Corps to make a landing directly into the city, or approach it from the land. Either way, the Americans to the north are moving at a snail's pace, so help from them might not be readily available for some time. The Canadians in Algeria are an option, but I don't want to waste them here. They will likely take the lead in the north from the Americans, once the rail line from Algiers is repaired.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T045

T045. 03.12.43

Svir River

I'm cancelling this offensive due to lack of supply to the bridgehead force, and lack of reinforcements. The net gain wouldn't be enough to warrant the loss of so many men and machines. I'll keep the pressure on here, but can't commit to another river crossing until I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Yelets

Fighting has been heating up for a few turns here, but now it's really starting to flare up, as Mark is committing several Panzer divisions to push back the main point of the spear. Fortunately, I've brought in reinforcements from the south, so I'll have enough manpower to keep the fight going. This could end up being costly for both sides, but I have a distinct advantage: replacements. The Russians can afford the losses, while the Germans cannot, especially if it's over a long period. One of my main goals is to sever the rail line directly behind the German main line. This would reduce supply to a several-hex-wide swath of their line and allow me the opportunity to widen this offensive to the south.

Central Caucasus

The western German flank is beginning to bend, but I'm concerned it won't break quickly enough for me to sweep around into the interior. The biggest problem here is supply, as I don't have a direct rail line to the front. Once I can get the Axis forces moving back, it will push them out of their prepared positions, giving me a chance to fight them on open ground. There are now two more armies waiting at the supply hub just south of my lines, but they won't be ready for another turn or two.

North Africa

The Americans are pushing eastward toward Tunis, while the British are on the verge of breaking through the Mareth Lines. I'm expecting a more detailed update next turn.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T044

T044. 03.05.43

Strategic Outlook

I'm fully expecting things to heat up, now that the spring thaw is approaching. Mud season will likely throw a wrench into my plans for a few turns, but can easily be overcome with some planning. It also seems Mark is staging managed withdrawals at various points along the Eastern Front, concentrating in the south where he's most vulnerable and overextended.

Svir River

 The 2nd Shock Army unexpectedly shot across the river here, but I doubt I can develop it enough to hold a bridgehead into Finland. Controlling the rail line to the east will be critical to moving supplies here. If I can't, my units on the other side of the river will quickly fade away.

Yelets

Mark has some pretty strong reserves in this sector, but I have to keep pushing here because it's the only place along the main Eastern Front that isn't static. My main goal right now is to open up the hold a little more, allowing more units to funnel in and keep the main attack force fresh.

Central Caucasus

Before my flanking move could even get off the ground, Mark has begun his managed withdrawal to the north. As his forces fall back to the more secure position on the northern banks of the river, I'm keeping close and harassing him at all available opportunities. This doesn't preclude my original idea for moving around his western flank. It just complicates it a bit more, since I now have to move much more quickly to achieve any of the ambitious goals I had set for myself. The big one--trapping a few divisions and completely destabilizing his southern armies--may be gone before I could even attempt it.

North Africa - Mareth

Punching a hole in the Mareth Line was a huge development in North Africa. The "vice grip" can now begin to close tighter and more quickly, as the Americans and Canadians are once again on the move in Algeria. I'm hoping this breakthrough at Mareth can provide a window of opportunity for the strong British armored divisions to finally start the advance north to Tunis.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T043

T043. 02.26.43

Strategic Update

I face a difficult decision: Strike now, with adequate force, but risk a sputtering offensive; or, wait a bit longer, strike with much stronger forces, but risk Mark's defenses getting more time to prepare. I'm most optimistic in three sectors--North Africa, Yelets and the Central Caucasus. Launching forceful offensives in at least two of these sectors would greatly strain Mark's resources. In turn, that would hopefully open up other areas of the map I can exploit. As I approach Turn 50, a large wave of reinforcements are due my way, particularly in terms of Russian airborne units. But the time to strike may come before I get those units.

Yelets

Provided I can open up this crack to at least another hex or two wide, this is starting to look like a decent breakthrough. I'm tempted to use the 68th Army's airborne divisions to supplement this attack, but my air transport capabilities are not high enough at the moment to lift the necessary men and equipment. It'll be tough to squeeze so many units through such a tiny corridor, which is why I need to quickly expand the salient.

Central Caucasus

For some time now, I've envisioned my divisions here sweeping around the western flank of the German lines, hugging the mountains and storming down onto the plains below. But it's taken a while for me to get enough strength back to mount such an attack. The breakthrough in the middle of the lines is offering some hope of, at the very least, a diversion to keep Mark occupied while I prepare the flanking maneuver to the west. Ideally, this new offensive will launch by Turn 45.