A musical global war AAR...

[Centuur]

And here is the weather for the next couple of impulses:

[Centuur]

March/april 1942, Allied impulse number 7:

France takes a pass action and all other Allied powers take land actions.

The city of Brussels gets a visit by Bomber Command, escorted by Spitfires. The Luftwaffe reacts:

[Centuur]

Bombs away:

[Centuur]

The Yaroslav factory is moved into Siberia. The USSR retreats slowly towards Siberia, while non essential troops prepare defensive position around Moscow.

Listen to: Марш защитников Москвы - March of the defenders of Moscow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrcgGntTKfw

Most of the units are now beyond the reach of the Luftwaffe or under FTR cover. The people of Addis Abbeba are cheering the return of their emperor who arrives together with British infantry. Other British units are moving North through Ethiopia.

[Centuur]

In Morocco, Eisenhower directs his units north. There are no allied attacks this turn. The turn doesn't end (10% chance, die roll 7)

[Klydon]

Russians have suffered some pretty serious losses this turn. Some of those units are not coming back either as the Germans have occupied the cities in question.

At this point, do the Germans look to clean up Leningrad (thinking victory hex there) along with knocking Sevestopol out to get rid of the Russian Black Sea fleet.

Allies are starting to knock on the door of Egypt and also elsewhere in Africa. The Japanese need to apply some pressure in the Pacific to punish the Americans for going and trying to deal with the Euro-Axis fleet.

Always enjoy coming here and checking out the latest. [:)]

[Centuur]

I don't know if it is wise to spend so much in effort, units and an offensive for the capture of Leningrad, especially with the Wallies knocking on the door in North Africa. I think I need those units elsewhere.

Japan is running the risk of overstretching. At this moment, the only units which it has available for offensive duties are the ones which has just captured Manilla. The rest is tied up for defense duty. If I take to many risks, the Japanese will get overstretched fast. If I look at the perimeter, only Portuguese Timor needs to be captured. Only the Japanese fleet is available for offensive duties. And those 4 US CV's with there BB and cruiser escorts currently in the Atlantic are just one turn away from entering Colombo or Brisbane...

[Klydon]

It is a tough decision as far as Leningrad goes. Tough hex to take. However, there is something to be said that at least 4 Axis ground units will be kept tied down watching it for the rest of the game.

The other issue with Leningrad is when is a good time to attack? Winter when you can use the extra hexes on the lake but potentially degraded air?

Also understand on Japan. To a point, they are sort of limited just by what they have available and there is also something to be said to keep the pressure on Russia in Manchuria. The US knows they can sort of let the Japanese run wild. The Japanese navy can pretty much go wherever but if the US fleet isn't around to be beaten, it really doesn't matter if the Japanese can't follow up with invasions.

[Centuur]

March/april 1942, Axis impulse number 9:

Japan takes a naval action, Germany a combined and Italy a land action.

The German fleet leaves Gibraltar and sails for the Eastern Med.

The Japanese moves TRS throughout the sea area's. A cruiser squadron moves into the Bay of Bengal. The Japanese decide to initiate combat. Both sides fail to find eachother (8 rolled two times).

Listen to: 軍歌：露営の歌 (Field Encampment Song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFJaj6awHuM

A CV task forces moves into Polynesia. The Japanese admiral decides to search for the enemy and rolls a 2. The Allies roll a 4. The cruiser Sheffield sinks:

[Centuur]

Of course, the Allies abort this sea zone, since fighting against three big Japanese CV's without any Allied CV's is certain death. SUB's sail into the Carol Sea and search for the enemy without succes (rolls Axis 7, Allies 6).

Another cruiser task force sails onto the New Zealand Coast. They find loaded TRS with a cruiser escort (rolls: Axis 2, Allies 9). I should have remembered to sail out the BB's to escort this one. I totally forgot to do so. The Japanese Commander decides to use 2 points to decrease damage to nothing and 4 to increase damage. Three are left to choose the TRS for a target. (1X, 1D, 2 aborted). It was damaged and aborted. The cruiser was damaged. I forgot the make a sceenshot. Of course, the Allies abort the sea area, and the 1st US Marines will come back as a reïnforcment next turn.

Finally, four cruisers sail to the Cape Naturaliste. The Japanese commander sees ships on the horizon and mistakenly identifies the CW cruisers with the British battleship currently in Brisbane (Axis roll 5, Allies 1). The combat was avoided.

Japanese long range flying boats appear above the city of Calcutta:

[Centuur]

Italy railmoves Balbo into Persia. Germany railmoves a Bf-109 into Gibraltar. Germany moves into Rostoc, an ARM moves along the railroad towards Stalingrad while the MECH goes south. Van Bock and von Manstein decides to reorganise several planes and land units.

[Centuur]

German tanks appear on the outskirts of Moscow and the Luftwaffe is rebased in force towards the city. There are no attacks, due to the weather conditions in the USSR.

[Centuur]

The Italian and Iraqi forces move further into Persia.

Listen to: Adolf Steimel - Sag mir Du !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0tvaleWipw

The turn doesn't end (roll 6, 30% chance). And here is the weather for the next couple of impulses:

[Centuur]

March/april 1942, Allied impulse number 11:

The situation in the USSR is desperate. If the turn doesn't end, the Germans will overrun large portions of the Soviet airforce. There is nothing which the USSR can do to stop this. If the turn doesn't end, Moscow and Voronesh gets surrounded. If the USSR doesn't move and the turn doesn't end, Yeremenko is in grave danger. So whatever is happening: the turn must end...

All major powers pass, making the chance of turn ending 70%... Stalin retreats into his bunker and announces: I won't leave Moscow...

[Klydon]

Wow..

To add insult to injury, should the turn end after the Axis go and the Axis get the first move next turn with good weather. Get the mop for Russia.

[Centuur]

Today, it's “Volkstrauertag”, also known as “Totensonntag”, in Germany and Austria. The day that they remember the deaths of the war and also the later deaths of their armed forces. Therefore, today is reserved for the official funeral march of the armed forces of Chili, Germany, Austria and Switserland. A march which is also used at funerals by the French Foreign Legion. A march which has the same legal status as the national anthems of Austria and Germany, which means that all armed personell has to salute and stand at attention whenever it is played in those countries.
It's a sad song but with very strong lyrics, without any political influence. Even the Nazi's didn't try to change the lyrics or tried to replace it. The march has been played in a lot of German and Austrian villages and cities today:

I'll put the English translation in here:

“I once had a comrade,
You will find no better.
The drum called to battle,
He walked at my side,
In the same pace and step.

A bullet came flying,
Is it my turn or yours?
He was swept away,
He lies at my feet,
As if it was a part of me.

He still reaches out his hand to me,
While I am about to reload.
I cannot hold onto your hand,
Rest you in eternal life,
My good comrade.”

To remember all who've died during the war:

Listen and watch the video of: “Ich hatt' einen Kameraden”...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVpM8OP ... 1448212785

No more music today...

[Centuur]

March/april 1942, Axis impulse number 12:

Germany, Italy and Japan take land actions. The Japanese decide to port attack Pago Pago. Allies roll 1, Axis 5. The Allies use the surprise points to avoid combat:

[Centuur]

Stuka's ground strike the defenders of Moscow. The Soviet airforce reacts and the Luftwaffe also sends FTR's:

[Centuur]

The German bomber aborts the mission.

Stuka's ground strike Belgorod. The Soviet airforce reacts. The Luftwaffe send FTR's and a dogfight commences:

[Centuur]

Bombs away: