The Rematch MM (Axis) vs HB (Allied)

[MagicMissile]

Ok. Having not done very well last time I hope to redeem myself a little bit anyway [:)].

The strategy wont change. I will still play a fairly conservative game with a 41 Barbarossa. Even though the evidence in the AARs is that the Germans are a bit too strong I guess it cant hurt to have another AAR for more sample size. And HB survived my Barbarossa without too much of a problem so I need to improve on that and also garrison properly if I am going to suvive until 45 in this game.

[MagicMissile]

Here is the tech.

I did lose the mediterranean a way too easily in the last game so I will put some effort into Naval air as well as defend Africa a bit more vigourously than I usually do. Otherwise nothing out of the ordinary I guess.

[MagicMissile]

September 1 1939

I probably wont post much in the beginning the early game is a bit more boring than it used to be.

But I did change a bit in Poland. Because I now after having played a lot finally understood how to take Copenhagen with 1 inf corps I can now use the 2nd arm corps in Poland something I have never done before. So instead I withdrew the whole airforce. I still think Poland will fall on turn 2 without a problem.

[Nirosi]

And same here : Good luck to both players![:)]

[MagicMissile]

Thank you I will need it in this game as well [:)]

[MagicMissile]

And the same house rules

1. French colonial troops cannot be moved at all until Italy joins the Axis. This is to prevent them from being replaced by UK units or weaker French Units.

2. Neither side can invade in the Caspian Sea.

3. Axis can’t enter the Far East Box (or whatever it is called). I think currently they can paradrop into it.

4. After the Winter War the Finns can’t enter the ceded territory until after they are at War with Russia, even if not occupied by Russian troops.

5. The Western Allies can move fleets into the Baltic (which of course requires that they deactivate the mine fields). But if the Axis subsequently reactivate the minefields then they can’t use oilers on any fleets trapped in the Baltic.

6. The French can’t build any escorts or MS until 1941.
7. The WDF armour unit can’t leave the Middle East until Italy joins the Axis.
8. The Axis cannot invade Portugal unless Spain is either conquered by one side or the other or is an Axis Ally. This is to prevent the Axis from conquering Portugal via an invasion from France so it can do a one turn take down of Spain.

[MagicMissile]

End of September

Poland and Denmark have been added to the Evil Empire. Troops moving west with some diverted to the Yugoslavian border in anticipation of an invasion in the future. The Subs doing ok. I dont have the result of the last turn of September but so far 6 merchants for no casualtes.

The idea not to use the Luftwaffe in Poland seems to be a soso idea. Yes no air losses but we took 29 ground losses way higher than usual.

HB lost 19 land and 9 air vs my 29 land. So seems pretty equal.

[CrackingShow]

What was the thinking behind not using the air units?

[MagicMissile]

Just being greedy trying to have less losses to be repaired. But yes I had less air losses but more land losses instead so it seems to make not much difference wether you use the airforce or not. Also you can if you use the airforce gain some experience so all in all I think it was not the best decision. Wont do that again [:)].

[MagicMissile]

May 10 1940

Before the move. Quite a lot of UK units and Luxemburg occupied. I only have 3 mech units available this turn so I am worried about invading Belgium so I think I will just take the Netherlands instead.

I think I am in for quite a slog [:)].

[MagicMissile]

Forces and casualties. I am fairly happy with how the subs are doing. I have built fewer of subs so far the 4th is just on the way. I have built quite a bit of landing ships in this game need to change something.

[MagicMissile]

And the tech.

The German tech have been really slow but most things necessary are ready in time.

[MagicMissile]

After May 10 move. The Netherlands fall with very small losses. Too scared to try take out Belgium. We do this the slow way [:)]

[MagicMissile]

May 24 1940

Lucky with the weather so far. Take out Belgium this turn. Again small losses. The allies do not contest in the air.

[MagicMissile]

June 7 1940

In France the invasion proceeds as planned more or less. But I somehow have a bad feeling about this [:)]. France wont fall until August thats almost for sure. Lille falls so that was good. I learnt another little tips from HB. He put his best unit in Lille which is clever as it will most likely not shatter or surrender it might well be possible to use it both in Lille and then later again in Paris. Something I will copy for sure [:)].

[MagicMissile]

Evil HB has betrayed our pact of playing conservative games! I am just joking maybe good if someone spices things up a bit [:)].
The nefarious Albion has invaded peaceful Norway!. Day of infamy for sure.

Funily enough I was kind of prepared for it in this game. I have for once not maxed out sub build but only built one sub so far and maxed landing ships so I had 80 available. Also once Paris falls the entire Italian airforce is on 41 naval air tech so hopefully I can scare the UK navy a bit later on. At great cost (lost 2 div and 2 ships) I manage to land a corps in Bergen. So I am hopeful to save the Norwegian corps which would replace the divs lost at sea. As well as the losses I put some units from garrison mode to normal mode and I diverted one bomber from France to try to project some airpower. But this will be messy how fun will it be to try and fight for Norway for the rest of 1940? Not much.

[canuckgamer]

I see 4 UK corps and 1 HQ (I think) in France. Debating whether to commit any UK units to France as I am concerned about the middle east. In addition, with all those naval engagements and the invasion of Norway, the UK must be using a lot of oil. We are only at Oct 27/39 in our second PBEM so lots of time to consider options.

[MagicMissile]

I think HB had five for a while but maybe one left for Norway or the UK so there are 4 now.

In my allied game I think a little bit about this as well. You should be able to build enough to secure both Egypt and defend France. I built 2 arm corps and 5 inf corps in the other game. And on balance I think it is worth it to defend France. If you dont France will fall quickly and give more time for the Germans to stir up trouble in the Mediterranean.

Yes some oil must be spent the whole navy is out as well as the French I guess UK cant keep all the navy out forever but for some time I guess they can.

[MagicMissile]

June 21 1940

In France teh attack continues. 5 French corps surrender and shatter so thats good but my mobile units look a bit tired already.
One arm corps is open to counterattack I got a hold result on a 4-1 so it did not have that extra point to retreat. It doesnt look like the UK have any arm in France but the French might. In any case I think there will be some suffering for sure.

I take the channel ports and there are one port right now ungarrisoned in the UK. It will probably be garrisoned but if not that could be tempting. I have never even tried to invade the UK before so maybe now?

[MagicMissile]

In Norway not much going on. I just try and rescue the Norwegian corps. Oh and I managed to invadwe Narvik.