Aussie Battler
14 Aug 02, 19:46
At present am 106 turns into game as allied. Score is just over 400 in favour of axis.
This game started with axis chosing to build Siegfried forts but not pre war build up. Axis attacked Poland which fell in couple of turns. The axis minor partners took over Balkans and greece. Allies declared war as soon as Poland attacked. Then axis turned sights on France. It was long struggle which went awefully close to winter 40/41. Forgot that axis attacked Norway too. British delayed defending Narvick. Made mistake about strength of early british and managed to get couple of corps subdivided units isolated and destroyed. I think only about 5 turns leeway in paris falling and start of winter 1940/41. Think it would have been big disaster for axis not to have taken france in 1940.
Somewhere along line Italy entered war. British had brief skirmish with Italians in North Africa. bit of to and fro with both sides settling to sit and wait through exhaustion.
After winter 1940/41 the axis invaded Turkey. Allies only had local forces to defend so Turks unable to hold. As axis approached Ankarra the option for Russians to enter was available. No hesitation about invoking Russians. Russians to date had left Finland alone and had manned defensive line in wooded areas in Baltic states and continuing south to Black sea. Once unleashed the Russians moved mobile forces into eastern Turkey.
In Italian east africa the japanese appeared and gave the local Italians a bit of support. The local italians started attacking but british soon had upper hand. With germans active in Turkey, I wanted east africa cleared as soon as possible. That was done a couple of turns ago. japanese carrier and marine unit still exists and is at sea. When I get to see it I attack with carrier planes. The swordfish are very fragile but always seem to recover afterwards.
US entered battle on turn 74. Made very few choices to delay activation. Only took option for extra planes.
Axis attacked Russia about 5 turns after Russia entered the battle. This attack at localised parts on east front. Not a general attack along entire front. Glad the Barbarossa option removed with Russian DOW but have to face german forts in Poland. So far the axis advance in east not particuarly troubling for russian forces. The 2nd of russian reinforcement waves has become available. PLenty of reseves coming along to plug any gaps the germans are creating in east.
Axis activated spain. Allies got plenty of additional units in North africa, Syria and france itself. This put Gibralta under great threat. Moved an entire UK corps plus some other units to Gibralta. Facing Gibralta there is an german unit plus what seems very powerful Spannis armoured unit. No attack made yet. Several of heavy fleet units of allies also in Gibralta to beef up fire power.
The french units which appeared in france following spain activation caused headache for axis. I think this may have helped unbalance axis a bit as they had to commit forces to clear up these forces and guerilla units. While active they blew up bridges wherever possible. Also the guerilla and reconsituted units in Turkey have been another thorn. The partisans in Yugoslavia were surrounded and eliminated and have no reconstituted. Think they need allied control of there entry hex. Sure miss them.
Now middle east positions under threat. German units have continued south from Turkey and threatening allied control of canal. Anticipating this I retreated Libyan desert forces back to El Allemain. They are faced by Italain units. The Rommel panzer unit is in Lebanon. The Battle of britain option used and the axis won. I think the increased sea lift used to get Rommel unit from North africa. No attack was made on mainland UK.
Now faced with strategic dilemma. I don't think forces on hand can hold out against german move south from Turkey. The lead german units all seem very red in health but yet they still have no trouble in pushing back my vanguard. They have only been the Paul Reynard group units. Have moved 2 US corps. I fear that if unable to defend canal then all forces commited will be trapped.
Not sure how things will pan out. As game progreesses the lalies will get stronger. Axis not made much attempt to KO the Russians so axis will have big perimeter to defend once US troops fully commited.
Enjoy this scenario very much
This game started with axis chosing to build Siegfried forts but not pre war build up. Axis attacked Poland which fell in couple of turns. The axis minor partners took over Balkans and greece. Allies declared war as soon as Poland attacked. Then axis turned sights on France. It was long struggle which went awefully close to winter 40/41. Forgot that axis attacked Norway too. British delayed defending Narvick. Made mistake about strength of early british and managed to get couple of corps subdivided units isolated and destroyed. I think only about 5 turns leeway in paris falling and start of winter 1940/41. Think it would have been big disaster for axis not to have taken france in 1940.
Somewhere along line Italy entered war. British had brief skirmish with Italians in North Africa. bit of to and fro with both sides settling to sit and wait through exhaustion.
After winter 1940/41 the axis invaded Turkey. Allies only had local forces to defend so Turks unable to hold. As axis approached Ankarra the option for Russians to enter was available. No hesitation about invoking Russians. Russians to date had left Finland alone and had manned defensive line in wooded areas in Baltic states and continuing south to Black sea. Once unleashed the Russians moved mobile forces into eastern Turkey.
In Italian east africa the japanese appeared and gave the local Italians a bit of support. The local italians started attacking but british soon had upper hand. With germans active in Turkey, I wanted east africa cleared as soon as possible. That was done a couple of turns ago. japanese carrier and marine unit still exists and is at sea. When I get to see it I attack with carrier planes. The swordfish are very fragile but always seem to recover afterwards.
US entered battle on turn 74. Made very few choices to delay activation. Only took option for extra planes.
Axis attacked Russia about 5 turns after Russia entered the battle. This attack at localised parts on east front. Not a general attack along entire front. Glad the Barbarossa option removed with Russian DOW but have to face german forts in Poland. So far the axis advance in east not particuarly troubling for russian forces. The 2nd of russian reinforcement waves has become available. PLenty of reseves coming along to plug any gaps the germans are creating in east.
Axis activated spain. Allies got plenty of additional units in North africa, Syria and france itself. This put Gibralta under great threat. Moved an entire UK corps plus some other units to Gibralta. Facing Gibralta there is an german unit plus what seems very powerful Spannis armoured unit. No attack made yet. Several of heavy fleet units of allies also in Gibralta to beef up fire power.
The french units which appeared in france following spain activation caused headache for axis. I think this may have helped unbalance axis a bit as they had to commit forces to clear up these forces and guerilla units. While active they blew up bridges wherever possible. Also the guerilla and reconsituted units in Turkey have been another thorn. The partisans in Yugoslavia were surrounded and eliminated and have no reconstituted. Think they need allied control of there entry hex. Sure miss them.
Now middle east positions under threat. German units have continued south from Turkey and threatening allied control of canal. Anticipating this I retreated Libyan desert forces back to El Allemain. They are faced by Italain units. The Rommel panzer unit is in Lebanon. The Battle of britain option used and the axis won. I think the increased sea lift used to get Rommel unit from North africa. No attack was made on mainland UK.
Now faced with strategic dilemma. I don't think forces on hand can hold out against german move south from Turkey. The lead german units all seem very red in health but yet they still have no trouble in pushing back my vanguard. They have only been the Paul Reynard group units. Have moved 2 US corps. I fear that if unable to defend canal then all forces commited will be trapped.
Not sure how things will pan out. As game progreesses the lalies will get stronger. Axis not made much attempt to KO the Russians so axis will have big perimeter to defend once US troops fully commited.
Enjoy this scenario very much