warspite1 (CP) Vs Colberki (Entente)

[warspite1]

Having played and lost about 20 PBEM's now, I thought I would try and do a more detailed AAR so that the good peeps on the forum can tell me where I am going wrong!

The postings are some way behind the game just in case my opponent decides to drop by and read this [:)]

[warspite1]

House Rules – no scrapping fleets unless you have too (i.e. no port) and only one airship per country.

Turn 1 – 23rd July 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

I attack the exposed Serbian border unit in the north of the country with my 3rd Army, while 1st and 2nd Armies head east of Belgrade to begin my attempts at taking the Serbs in the flanks. The 1st (Temeschburg) Garrison heads south to the Serbian border. The 1st (Budapest) Garrison is railed to Cattaro to beef up my right wing.

I build nothing this turn and focus on Industrial warfare.

[warspite1]

Turn 2 – 30th July 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

My opening moves means that, unfortunately, I cannot see the Serbian movement around Belgrade. However I continue with my plan. 1st and 2nd Army continue east of Belgrade, while 3rd Army holds station in the north.

My build program – an artillery, Infantry and Garrison – means no repair for the latter this turn.

I move the 1st (Temeschburg) Garrison across the Morava river, southeast of Belgrade. He will come under heavy fire no doubt, but I need the bridgehead as part of my plan.

[warspite1]

Turn 3 – 6th August 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

Sure enough, the 1st (Temeschburg) Garrison takes a pounding, but he holds, allowing me to get 1st Army across the river, followed by 2nd Army which takes up station on the north bank of the Morava.

I move the 1st (Budapest) Garrison to the hex between Sarajevo and Cattaro and move 3rd Army northwest of Belgrade.

My newly arrived Garrison (the 2nd Temeschburg) is placed southwest of that city.

I build an Infantry and Garrison.

Germany

East Prussia

I move the fleet into the Baltic, fly my fighter to Posen and dig in with my Infantry.

France

I go for the “standard Schlieffen attack”. I laugh at the very idea of Belgian neutrality, I surround the Liege Infantry and quickly reduce the city, its forts and its defenders to a pile of rubble and bodies. I also begin the attack on the Belgian capital with an Infantry and Cavalry Army. Unfortunately Brussels has a 4-strength Army at the end of it…

Further south, I attack the northern most French Infantry and reduce it to an 8.

I research and focus on the Infantry Grenade.

I build nothing this turn.

[warspite1]

Turn 4 – 13th August 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

Disaster – the 1st Army gets destroyed! 2nd Army leaps into action and forces one of the two Serbian Infantry units to retreat and then the two Temeschburg Garrison units attack the Serbian Garrison south of the Morava river. But that is a totally disastrous turn for the AH….

I place my new Garrison near Temeschburg – the Russians will be all over me now but the loss of the 1st Infantry was a total disaster and, going against the military maxim, I now need to reinforce my failure...

To compound matters, the Serbs place a Garrison north of Cetinje, and when two of my Garrisons attack, the Serb suffers no loss and I lose 5-strength points….how is that possible? It’s a newly arrived Garrison and not dug-in???? Anger reigns supreme at AH HQ. There are questions in parliament (or whatever the AH had).

I build an Infantry and Garrison.

I research and focus on the Hydropneumatic Howitzer.

Germany

East Prussia

My fleets enter port and the sub mills around waiting for action…

France

In better news for the Central Powers, Brussels has joined Liege in being “liberated”. The Belgians are apparently delighted and no civilian has been shot on the dodgy pre-text they are Franc-tireurs (honest). The Grey machine charge for Calais to ensure they get first dibs on the cheap booze.

The Germans research and focus on Specialised Shells.

I buy two Infantry and a Garrison.

[warspite1]

Turn 5 – 20th August 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

The Serbian Front is now a bit of a mess…..

….but in for a penny, in for a pound. I attack toward Nis with my 2nd and 3rd (Temeschburg) Garrisons, forcing the Serb Garrison to retreat into the city with 2-strength remaining. I conserve my 2nd Infantry so that I can repair him at the end of the turn (and place Von Hotzendorf with that unit). The 4th Infantry arrives as a reinforcement near Temeschburg.

I place a Garrison in Lemburg and build another Garrison unit.

[warspite1]

Turn 5 – 20th August 1914 (Cont)

Germany

France

I try and take Antwerp before the enemy unit has a chance to dig in but the Artillery shot was poor and the Infantry attack even worse…..

I take a risk and push into France with four Infantry and one Cavalry army; 1st Army takes Calais, while 2nd (with Von Hindenburg), 3rd and 4th push toward Paris. 1st Cavalry Army pushes to within two hexes north of Paris only to find three Garrisons and an Infantry awaiting it…oh dear.

I place my new Garrison at Posen and I buy a Garrison and an Infantry.

[warspite1]

Turn 6 – 3rd September 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

The Serbians launch a couple of attacks against the Budapest Garrison north of Cattaro, but fail to dislodge my troops. Otherwise, this sector is quiet as no doubt the Serbs are repairing units.

I push 4th Infantry into the fray to keep the pressure on the Serbian Infantry west of Nis and the attack is quickly followed up by 2nd Army which finishes off this key enemy unit.

Meanwhile the 2nd and 3rd Garrison Armies, from the newly formed Army Group Temeschburg, try and force a way through to Nis, reducing the defending Garrison back to 2-strength.

I place the newly arrived 1st Artillery Army in Temeschburg. I do not attack in the west in order to allow my Garrisons to repair.

I purchase a cavalry unit.

Russia

Further north the Russians take Lemberg and threaten Przemysl, Krakow and even Klausenburg with their railroad gun. I place an Infantry and a Garrison in Debrecen and Klausenburg respectively.

Germany

East Prussia

The Russians start to advance so I place a Garrison south of Danzig behind the Bug river. I attack a Russian Garrison that has encroached onto Prussian territory with the 7th Infantry Army, but the 2-1 result is frustrating. I take no further action there – I need to cover Konigsberg.

France

The French have kept at least 3 Infantry Armies in Alsace. I can do no more than screen these with Garrisons. In the west, I destroy the French Infantry east of Rouen and force a Garrison to retreat south of the Seine from the hex northeast of Paris. I have 4 Infantry and 1 Cavalry bearing down on Paris, but with the main French strength located around Verdun, I have to move the 5th and 6th Infantry to Brussels to stop any possible cutting-off of my spearhead.

I purchase an Infantry.

[warspite1]

Turn 7 – 17th September 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

2nd Army takes a pounding southeast of Belgrade. I swap it with 4th Army and try and damage the Serb Garrison south of the capital. At the same time I try and reduce the Garrison southwest of Belgrade but the result is disappointing. I focus further east and I continue to try and put pressure on the Garrison in Nis with Army Group Temeschburg. However, as a result, these Garrison units are now vulnerable to a counter-attack.

I place my Infantry reinforcement near Temeschburg and move my Artillery south to the Serbian border.

Russia

My few units are a tad exposed but there is nothing I can do but send them my best wishes…and prayers.

I build an Infantry and repair some units.

Germany

East Prussia

I move my sub and fleet to protect the convoy heading south in the Gulf of Bothnia.

In East Prussia I attack two Garrisons with 7th and 8th Armies, dishing out some damage, but hold fire with my Garrison south of Danzig. I place a replacement army (the 10th) near Breslau. I would have preferred to put it in East Prussia, but at least this way the 10th can lend some assistance to the Austrians – who are likely to need it.

France

9th Infantry Army is placed near the Ruhr for service in France.
Action there is limited as the enemy have formed a solid line north of the Seine. I force a Garrison, 3 hexes northwest of Paris, to retreat and reduce a second Garrison unit, north of the capital, to a 5-strength. Otherwise all I can do is repair what I can.

I build nothing this turn.

[warspite1]

Turn 8 – 1st October 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

A quiet Entente turn in Serbia as they re-build strength. I should do the same, but I really feel that I need to expand the Nis salient and, more importantly, destroy the Garrison in Nis after all the hard work in reducing it. I divert 2nd Army from its primary task of Belgrade to assist Army Group Temeschburg to take the Serbian city. They achieve this with minimal casualties.

Then, in a bid to remove the Serbian unit south of Belgrade, I push the 4th Infantry Army and the 1st Temeschburg Garrison south to make room for an attack by the fresh 6th Infantry Army. The defender retreats, and is then finished off by the Sarajevo Garrison – that pushes into the gap. I now have a Serbian Infantry in Belgrade - and a Garrison next door - cut-off.

I bring as many units up to strength as I can in order to try and fend off the expected counter-attacks to come.

[warspite1]

Turn 8 – 1st October 1914 (Cont)

Russia

Of course, all of this has left the northeast of the Empire somewhat exposed. Przemysl is almost surrounded and Russian troops are heading south to threaten Klausenburg. I am surprised Przemysl hasn’t been taken this turn….

I build two Garrisons to try and reinforce the area next turn along with a cavalry unit due to arrive then too.

Germany

East Prussia

The Russians are threatening the Fatherland so I place my 11th Army reinforcement south of Koenigsberg. I attack Russian Garrisons in 3 places in the hope of checking their ambition…we shall see. I am unsure what to do with 10th Army and so move him to Krakow to help the Austrians. This leaves Posnan-Breslau somewhat devoid of troops but I can’t be everywhere!!

I build an Infantry and a Garrison.

[warspite1]

Turn 8 – 1st October 1914 (Cont)

Germany

France

I lost my 1st Cavalry Army to a British-French attack northeast of Rouen. I plug the gap using 1st Infantry Army and force the French unit to retreat. The question now of course is do I be bold and exploit the gap? I take a big gulp and go for it. I pour the troops of the 2nd Infantry Army into the gap and attack southeast, and the hex north of Paris. The result is highly disappointing as I lose 2-strength for the loss of 3 to the French Garrison… However, I am now committed and launch 4th Army on the same target. Again disappointment is the order of the day. The French Garrison does not retreat and still has 1-strength. I have no choice now but to move 3rd Army west to finish off the brave Frenchmen.

I now take a big gamble – I move a Garrison into Brussels to allow 1st Garrison to move south. This leave the Belgian unit in Antwerp free to make merry but I must keep the pressure on the French. I move the weak 3rd Garrison Army into Liege as insurance.

I bombard the French Infantry north of Verdun and then attack using 6th Infantry and two Garrison Armies. Now for the last battle of the turn: 1st Garrison and 5th Armies attack and destroy the French Garrison 2 hexes northwest of Verdun. I do not move into the gap as there is nothing left move in with. The last decision to make is what to do with the newly arrived 9th Infantry Army? I move it south of Brussels rather than the safer option of reinforcing my, almost non-existent, forces around Strassburg.

[warspite1]

Turn 9 – 15th October 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

Sure enough, the expected Serb counter-attack destroys the Sarajevo Garrison. Damn… I decide to go for, the now in-supply, unit in Belgrade instead of continuing south. 2nd, 4th and 6th Infantry follow-up an artillery barrage, but only succeed in reducing the Belgrade defenders to a 2-strength.

I place a reinforcement Garrison north of Sarajevo to try and keep the Serbs from joining up with their besieged comrades.

I repair as many units as I can.

[warspite1]

Turn 9 – 15th October 1914 (Cont)

Austria-Hungary

Russia

I can only hold station and wait for the Russian attack. I place the 1st Cavalry Army near Krakow and a Garrison north of Debrecen. I am becoming concerned that the attack against Austria is nothing but a feint, and that the real concentration will be against East Prussia….

Germany

East Prussia

The Russians launch further attacks in East Prussia. I send the High Seas Fleet to pound the Russian Garrison threatening Koenigsberg and follow-up with a highly disappointing attack by the Koenigsberg Garrison. The Russians do appear to be making a major effort here and so I rail the shattered 8th Infantry Army to Stettin where it is out of harm’s way while it slowly recovers. In its place I put the newly arrived 12th Infantry Army southeast of Danzig. I launch a dual-pronged attack against a Russian Garrison just inside the East Prussian border. The attack though has left 7th Infantry vulnerable to destruction….. mmm this is tough.

[warspite1]

Turn 9 – 15th October 1914 (Cont)

Germany

France

The French Infantry I previously shattered moved to the German border and was set upon by my two Strassburg Garrison Armies which pummel the French unit into oblivion.

I place a Garrison reinforcement in Strassburg to bolster these two Garrison units.

My 2nd and 3rd Garrison Armies take-up position south of Antwerp in order to keep a check on the Belgian armoured car unit.

Further west I pour shot and shell into the French Garrison northwest of Verdun and move the 1st Garrison Army into the gap. I then attack the Garrison with the 9th Infantry Army. Disappointingly the Frenchman survives and retreats south. Even worse, the 1st Garrison Army then attacks and the lucky French unit survives this too! – albeit reduced to 1-strength. Worryingly, the French still have two, full strength Infantry east of Verdun.

Although the last attack was not a brilliant result, I have at least managed to create a two hex wide salient between Verdun and the easternmost French Infantry guarding Paris, located two hexes northeast of Paris. I try and exploit this by pouring troops of 6th Infantry and 4th Garrison Armies into the salient.

What to do around Paris?? I decide to hold fire and repair units and hope that I can force a breakthrough in the east of the country.

I purchase a German artillery.

[warspite1]

Turn 10 – 29th October 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

The Belgrade Infantry and Garrison swap, and the Infantry wipes itself out against 2nd Army, albeit at heavy cost to the Austrian Army.

I attack Belgrade with my artillery and then attack with 3rd, 4th and 6th Armies, destroying the enemy unit and allowing me to advance into the capital.

In a bid to keep the pressure on the fleeing Serb Garrisons heading south, I bring all available Garrisons into battle against two Serb Garrisons north and northeast of Cetinje.

[warspite1]

Turn 10 – 29th October 1914 (Cont)

Austria-Hungary

Russia

Certain now that the weight of the Russian attack is in East Prussia I move forward with my units in Galicia. I use the Przemysl Garrison, the 1st Cavalry Army and the German 10th Infantry Army to dislodge the Russian Garrison north of Przemysl – reducing the enemy to a 2-strength in the process.

I place the 7th Infantry Army northeast of Krakow and advance the 5th Infantry and two Garrisons toward Lemburg.

Germany

East Prussia

Koenigsberg is now threatened by two Garrisons. I bombard the unit on the coast, but otherwise it’s a case of don’t attack, dig-in and hope for reinforcements as quickly as possible….

[warspite1]

Turn 10 – 29th October 1914 (Cont)

Germany

France

As is usual, I struggle at this stage of the game to make headway in France. My two southernmost units in the salient I created have been slaughtered, while my Infantry northeast of Rouen has been pounded by the Royal Navy.

In an unspectacular move, 2nd and 3rd Armies north of the Seine attack a British Garrison, while 4th, 5th and 9th Armies attack the northernmost French Infantry Army, reducing it to a 4-strength. Aside from advancing my newly arrived Garrison from Strassburg into France, there is no more to do other than repair.

I can build nothing this turn…

[warspite1]

Turn 11 – 12th November 1914

Austria-Hungary

Serbia

With Belgrade gone, the Serbs flee south. I have studiously kept my fleet out of harms way, suspecting that there is a strong enemy naval presence in the Straits of Otranto. But with a weak Serb Garrison in Cetinje, I decide to risk it. Again, disappointment rears its ugly head; a) the enemy IS there (and so will pound the AH fleet next turn) and b) the Cetinje Garrison survives with 1 strength point….

Oh hum. Elsewhere it is case of march south as quickly as possible so that the Serbs have little time to entrench. I repair and upgrade whatever I can on the way.

[warspite1]

Turn 11 – 12th November 1914 (Cont)

Austria-Hungary

Russia

I was right sadly.. the main weight of the Russian attack is toward East Prussia. I now need to do something with my forces in northern Austria to relieve the mounting pressure. An attack on Lemburg by the German 10th Infantry, the Austrian 5th Infantry and the Klausenburg Garrison sees the city quickly back in the hands of its
rightful owners.

Further west, 7th Infantry heads from Krakow to Brest-Litovsk, stumbling across a weak Russian Garrison along the way. With the aid of the 1st Cavalry Army, this Garrison is wiped out. My Cavalry advances to one hex southwest of the Russian city and spots a Garrison within.

I purchase a Garrison and Infantry and that concludes the Austria-Hungary turn.

Germany

East Prussia

East Prussia is under major threat. Four Infantry, five Garrisons and an armoured train have cut off the region. Danzig is now occupied by the latter enemy unit too. I need to decide where to place my reinforcement Infantry – I need him in France….. and Silesia….and East Prussia. I finally decide to place the 13th Infantry Army west of Koenigsberg.

In order to try and avoid being surrounded, I pull all troops back toward the East Prussian capital – which of course means abandoning 12th Army’s entrenched position but….