Boldairade (Allies) vs Nirosi (Axis). Boldairade welcome

[Nirosi]

Hi all,

Here is a new AAR. It will be my 5th game in a row with a different opponent. I have for now lost to PL1, Vilain, Sveint and Stjeand. Boldairade might be the fifth one I lose to (we will see [:'(]). From what I understand, he is also a role-player type of wargamer, so we will see if it make a difference in the dynamic of play.

[Nirosi]

September 1st, 1939 (end of Axis turn)

On the morning of September 1st, with the expiration of the ultimatum sent earlier to the Polish government, OKW ordered Fall Weiss to be implemented immediately. Clearly, France and the United Kingdom, who have shown in the last three years that they do not really have the will to fight, will not come to the help of such a distant ally. The German invasion was spearheaded by a panzer corps and a motorised corps (whose ongoing reorganisation into a panzer corps was delayed until after the Polish campaign) and no less than five bomber groups.

Polish land forces were usually no match for the Heer and all three cavalry corps of the Polish army, as well as the Modlin Army near Prussia, where annihilated in the first few days of the invasion. Poznan was taken after some heavy fighting, but Krakow managed to resist the first German assault. Despite the good news coming from all over the front, OKH is not quite satisfied as the attempt to cut Poland in two and isolate the enemy units between Warsaw and Poznan failed. All army commanders in the area seem to blame each other for the failure. This will complicate the upcoming planed assault on Warsaw in the next few days.

But the most interesting news came on September 3rd, when after the usual ultimatum, France and the United Kingdom (and eventually its Dominions), did actually dare to declare war on the Reich! However, Abwehr is positive that the Allies do not plan any attack soon on the Western borders.

Nonetheless, OKM ordered two U-boat flotillas, including one with top-of-the-line type VIIC U-boats, to set sail and hunt Allies shipping, while OKL ordered the bombing of Lyon as a symbolic measure to show the French who they are up against! German intelligence managed to intercept some low priority and less protected French transmission confirming that Lyon sustained surprisingly heavy damage, much more than expected by OKL.

The Italian government is monitoring the situation and Comando Supremo ordered some reorganisation of Italy’s forces on the borders and in the Mediterranean. Rumor has it in Rome that Italy will not jump in with wither side until it gets a clearer view or the balance of forces.

[Nirosi]

The destruction of Polish cavalry was so swift, that much equipment was captured almost intact.

[Nirosi]

September 15th, 1939 (end of Axis turn)

Polish forces converged the best they could to protect the Polish capital. Polish bombers tried a few sorties to attack German troops, but German fighters decimated them.

OKH then ordered the troops to resume their advance toward Warsaw and easily took Lodz in the process, while further South, Krakow did not resist yet another assault. After some mop-up West and South of Warsaw, German forces managed to squeeze in enough troops through two small corridors to attack the Polish capital that fell on the afternoon of September 21st. It is not clear yet however it the Polish government will surrender or will officially continue the war in exile abroad. To avoid the risk of Polish units, or more precisely their soldiers, making it to France or the United Kingdom, German troops tried to eliminate or force to surrender most Polish troops in reach.

In the Atlantic, the German U-boats did encounter some success, but nothing yet to worry the Royal Navy.

In other news, German troops entered Denmark as part of a military exercise and quickly occupied Copenhagen. A modus vivendi was quickly found with the Danish government who will remain in control of the country for most internal affairs during the occupation that is supposed, according to OKW, to be “very short and painless”. OKW did not bother to give a reason for the occupation.

[Nirosi]

German troops rushing through the gap in enemy lines toward Warsaw.

[Nirosi]

September 29th, 1939

The last couple of weeks were very quiet with OKH redeploying assets toward the French border. OKM reported moderate action in the South Atlantic where some French and British isolated cargo ships were sunk.

Allied naval deployments all over Europe have been reported from the Mid-Atlantic, to France, to the Mediterranean, where the Italian government seems to keep warm relations with both sides for now.

[Nirosi]

A show of support by the King for his people in occupied Copenhagen.

[MagicMissile]

Good Luck!! I am sure it is your turn to win now [:)].

Love your AARs.

/MM

[Nirosi]

Thanks[:)]

[Nirosi]

October 13th, 1939

A few isolated British and Canadian cargo ships were found and sunk here and there South of Iceland. For now, German raiding is probably not disturbing Allied shipping too much but at least, despite some close calls, OKM has not reported any U-boat lost yet.

In France, British troops were reported landing in Marseille, most probably coming from Egypt. In Rome, the government is trying to determine if this might be a threat or an opportunity!

[Nirosi]

With already two ships sunk, a young Kapitänleutnant, Otto Kretschmer, is slowly making a name for himself.

[Nirosi]

October 27th, 1939

German U-boats in the North Atlantic have finally hit it big! 400 000 tons of merchant shipping, mostly British and Canadian ships, have been sent to the bottom of the sea. In Berlin it is hoped that by putting some pressure on the Allies, they will realise that fighting for a now conquered Poland (even more so a Poland now split between us and our new powerful Soviet ally) is not worth it. If necessary, as a compromise, German troops could leave Denmark as a gesture of good will to help London and Paris save face.

In other news, British troops South of France railed to the North of Rouen. In Rome, this removed any suspicion about Allied intention in the area.

[Nirosi]

Severn Leigh, a 5,242 toons merchant was among the victims of German U-boats. The picture was taken from U-37.

[Nirosi]

November 10th, 1939

The last few days were very hard on the German submariners who lost many friends. Despite relatively low escorts in the North Atlantic, both flotillas suffered from light to moderate loses for little merchant tonnage sunk. However, at least the Royal Navy suffered as well with some escort ships sunk.

[Nirosi]

U-28 in Kiel under repair.

[Nirosi]

November 24th, 1939

With heavy rains in most of Germany, the war seems to have taken a small recess.

[Nirosi]

Observing French actions (or the lack of thereof) near the border.

[Nirosi]

December 8th, 1939

Three U-boats flotilla are back in the Atlantic. However, British air and naval activity seems to indicate that London is taking the protection of the convoy lanes quite seriously.

[Nirosi]

In Germany, the arrival of snow can also bring opportunities for some rest and relaxation.

Berlin ordered OKW to prepare for an assault in April or May, just in case; but frankly, it is expected that the Allies will come to their senses and accept Germany's proposal for a negotiated settlement.

[Nirosi]

The Littorio is undergoing sea trials near Genoa. The brand new battleships is expected to be ready for duty, along with sistership Vitorio Veneto, by April; May by the latest.