Time of Writhe - Allies

[gwgardner]

Don't blame me! I didn't name it!

In this '39 Campaign AAR I will play the Allies against Chocolino as the Axis.

My first interest in wargames is simulating historical situations. Therefore I'll probably play this time around 'fairly' straightforward. Example, I'm not going to have a USSR attack on Germany in 1940. Anyone who has read my AARs in RtV knows that I have done that kind of thing on occasion too, but this time around I'd really like to see how ToW models more historical situations. If Chocolino forces me into something weird however, no holds barred.

[gwgardner]

1st week of Sept, '39

In a few short days the German army has completely shattered Poland's forward defense. As the map shows, Poznan is already cut off from the rest of the country. Danzig, however, is still Polish!

Marshall Smygly-Ridz has ordered a fallback to protect Lodz and Warsaw, conceding to the enemy Cracow, Poznan, and Danzig.

The Lodz defense anchored on the Warta River southwest of the city. Unfortunately it was not possible to link up on the right of that line with the Warsaw defense, which is forming along the Vistula, and the Wrka-Narew River system facing towards Prussia and the northwest.

Polish High Command knows that both lines are open to flanking moves, but it's been impossible to do anything more.

[gwgardner]

The Lodz defense

[gwgardner]

The Vistula - Narew line

[gwgardner]

While the government is preparing to leave Warsaw, it is determined to save something from the impending defeat. The Polish Navy has gone to sea in the Baltic, and a convoy is being prepared using all available transport, to send equipment and supplies to the UK. As long as the Germans leave Danzig in Polish hands, the shipments will be sent out.

[gwgardner]

The Kremlin has no comment on the developing situation in Poland, however rumor has it that the Germans and Russians struck a deal to parcel out the Baltic States, and perhaps other regions as well. Further rumor has it that Comrade Stalin has ordered the movement of troops too the Finnish border.

[gwgardner]

Per agreement with the Allies, French forces are mobilizing and preparing for offensive operations against the Germans. General Gamelin has assured the government that it will proceed cautiously, however. Recon flights into Germany show no sign of a buildup along the Benelux borders (see attached). The German static defenses are in place, however, and with the infusion of manpower and supplies could be launched as expected through the low countries into France.

[gwgardner]

The BEF has landed. At least the forward elements. The 3rd Fusilliers disembarked at Le Havre and will move towards the border with Belgium immediately. While the 3rd is understrength, it was thought important to show the French that the United Kingdom will honor her agreements. Further elements of the BEF will be landed at Le Havre in the coming weeks.

[gwgardner]

In an early success against the Germans, the Royal Air Force was able to carry out extensive reconnaissance in the North Sea approaches to Kiel, and caught the pocket battleship Graf Spee fleeing into port. At least two sorties made contact with the mighty ship, struck heavy blows, and watched as the ship sank into the depths.

[gwgardner]

Also in action in the North Sea, the Royal Navy is cooperating with the Polish Navy in bringing supplies and equipment through from Danzig. this action is underway and the outcome is fraught with dangers.

[gwgardner]

In Egypt, it has been thought wise to send forward a garrison force at Sidi Barrani. A warning, as it were, to the Italians should they consider joining the German effort. it is likely that other units will be sent forward to the deserts west of Sidi.

[Magpius]

Questions.
Are any of the minor countries being played by a.i?
or do you decide beforehand, and use them all?
(looking forward to this btw)

[micheljq]

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

Don't blame me! I didn't name it!

In this '39 Campaign AAR I will play the Allies against Chocolino as the Axis.

Is it a PBEM, LAN, or Hot seat game? Tks.

[gwgardner]

It's a two-player PBEM.

All minor countries which are currently neutral are played by the AI.

A minor becomes human controlled, by our house rule, when a player has

1) obtained 50+% diplomatic influence on that country;
2) or the other player attacks the minor

The USA and USSR are major power neutrals, and I'm playing them. Chocolino is playing Italy as a neutral, as well as Germany and Slovakia.

[gwgardner]

2nd week Sept

The Lodz and Warsaw defense lines held up surprisingly well against weak German probes. It gives the troops some time to dig in along the rivers. However, with armored spearheads testing the perimeters of the lines, looking for weak points, it was decided to pull back the line south of Lodz to cover the immediate approaches to the city.

High Command fully expects that as the German Army moves its infantry up to support their armor, that the lines will come under intense attack.

Meanwhile the Polish air force was destroyed attempting to carry out desperate reconnaissance efforts north and west of the Warsaw defense.

[later - sorry for the blurry text on the image - didn't look like that originally]

[gwgardner]

The last Herculean effort by the Polish Navy to escort supplies and material out of Danzig, to support a future Polish army in exile based out of the UK, succeeded. But shortly after the transports left port, enemy forces entered the open city of Danzig.

[gwgardner]

It was of course fully understood before the war that the German Navy would again attempt to bring the UK to her knees by constricting transport of supplies by sea. Their U-boat attacks have already had effect, destroying convoys to both Gibraltar and Malta.

The Royal Navy is out in force on search and destroy ASW missions.

[dang, got to pay attention to that bullet cursor!]

[gwgardner]

France: Recon flights along the Benelux borders still show no buildup of German troops.

USSR: Stavka has been ordered to complete a buildup of offensive forces along the Finnish border. The Red Army's strongest armored units, with supporting infantry, are being moved up to the line and filled out with reserves. A massive concentration of the Red Air Force is expected to make it impossible for the Finns to maintain a front.

[gwgardner]

3rd week Sept

Not a lot to report this week anywhere other than Poland.

Of note is the beginning of the Royal Air Force's nighttime bombing over Germany. First target, the industrial sites in Koln.

Otherwise the slow infusion of reserves into the BEF continues around Southampton, prior to transport.

French recon flights show that the German army is still concentrated in Poland. Not a single armored unit has been spotted along the West Wall or the Benelux borders. British and French consultations concerning the German attack on Denmark have come up with ... nothing, other then a sense of helplessness. The Danes are unfortunately on their own.

[gwgardner]

In Poland, the government has authorized the Navy to join the British fleet. Now the ships must find a way out of the Baltic in the face of German action in Denmark.

The Lodz defense line has shattered, under heavy attack. The city is still in Polish hands, however, and it will not be abandoned. It is seen as the last hope for stalling the German attack on the capitol.

The Warsaw defense line has retracted, with forces being pulled off the river defense lines and sent south, due to the collapse of the Lodz defense.

At this point, the government is considering a relocation across the border into Hungary, with the ultimate aim to reorganize in exile, in Paris or London.