HB (Axis) vs Sveint (Allies) Sveint Welcome

[Harrybanana]

Mirror Games between Sveint and myself and each of us are doing AARs. Due to time limits mine will probably not be as detailed as my last AARs.

SEPTEMBER 29, 1939

Poland and Denmark both fell on the September 15 turn as per usual.

I got a bit of a shock when I opened my turn and discovered that France had conquered Luxembourg without triggering Belgium as an Axis Ally. I am informed however that I can now DOW Netherlands without triggering Belgium to join the Allies. So now I have a choice to make: Do I DOW the Netherlands on the first clear/snow turn as per the old way? Or do I still try and take Belgium down in one turn in May without invading the Netherlands?

I am open to advice on this.

[Harrybanana]

In the Atlantic I am surprised that Sveint has not sent any CVs or DDs out to increase his odds of finding me.

[Harrybanana]

OCTOBER 13, 1939

Nothing of interest to report. 2 more MS sunk, but also a hit on mu U-Boats. Sveint is not defending either Metz or Lyon with either AA or fighters; thus allowing my bombers to reduce the industry in both cities to rubble. Is this some sort of trick to keep my bombers at low efficency?

[Harrybanana]

OCTOBER 27, 1939

Some unusual (not wrong, just unusual) Allied Deployments:

1. The entire RAF (except the Egyptian squadron) is stationed in Western England.
2. The entire RN (including the subs) is organized in to just 2 locations: Plymouth (as shown) and Alexandria.
3. As far as I can tell the French Fleets haven't moved at all with the main fleet still in Marseilles.
4. The French have left only divisions guarding the Southern half of the Maginot Line. Does this make it worth it for me to attack there?

Add the above to the French conquest of Luxembourg, the RN not challenging the U-Boats and the French air force not challenging the Luftwaffe's bombing of their cities. It is only October 39 and Sveint is already making me feel a little paranoid. What diabolical plan is he hatching?? The tropical heat has clearly warped his cold calculating Norwegian brain and transformed him into an evil genius.

[Harrybanana]

NOVEMBER 10, 1939

A bad couple weeks for the U-Boats. Otherwise all is quiet.

[Harrybanana]

NOVEMBER 24, 1939

Little to report as the U-Boats slink home. The heavy rains of the last 4 weeks turn to snow. This allows the Luftwaffe to resume the bombing offensive on Metz and Lyon. I am not sure if the damage inflicted on the French economy is worth the loss in efficiency of my bombers. Can anyone tell me if damaged factories are repaired before or after production. In other words, if I damage a 10 production French Factory down to 2 production, on the French turn will it produce 2 or 4 PPs?

[Harrybanana]

DECEMBER 8, 1939 TO JANUARY 5, 1940

In these 3 turns a total of 8 MS are sunk at a cost of 2 U-Boat hits. I continued bombing Metz until he moved in 2 AA. I will now just rest my bombers and hope they recover some efficiency prior to the Spring. I think I cost the French a total of about 100 production. No BEF units in France yet. I mistakenly have 2 Interceptors building rather than 1 Interceptor and a TAC.

[Harrybanana]

JANUARY 19 TO MARCH 15, 1940

My U-Boats spent the first 4 of these 5 turns retreating to port and then repairing. When they finally sortied again on March 15 the results were as below. The frustrating thing is that they only faced 6 escorts. My understanding is that 6 escorts stand only a small chance of inflicting damage on subs, but this is second time this has happened. Meanwhile I have still not sunk a single escort. The vagaries of the BOA can often be frustrating for both sides.

Rain and then Snow on the first two March turns means the Sitzkrieg continues. There are no UK units in France. But I am sure he has some plan in the works for the British

[Harrybanana]

MARCH 29, 1940

Snow. 5 MS sunk.

[Harrybanana]

APRIL 12, 1940

Rain. My U-Boats sink 3 MS and 1 escort (my first).

As we near the Battle of France, here are the Force and Casualties.

[Harrybanana]

Technology. I am actually doing OK for a change.

[Harrybanana]

Deployment Schedule. I will have 5 Armour, 2 Mech and 2 Para available.

[Harrybanana]

I have considered 3 possible Plans.

Plan Red calls for me to retreat the French Infantry in Luxembourg on the first Clear weather turn from just the 2 hexes across the Rhine (ie without violating Belgian neutrality). This will undoubtedly require numerous bombing strikes and multiple attacks with different units. If successful, then on the next Clear turn Belgium will be attacked and conquered in one turn in the usual way. Plan Red thus avoids DOWing the Netherlands.

Plan Blue calls for a simultaneous attack on Belgium and the French unit in Luxembourg. The goal will be to conquer Belgium in one turn without DOWing the Netherlands.

Plan Black calls for the conquest of the Netherlands on the first clear weather turn followed by the conquest of Belgium on the next turn.

Plan Green is an intended diversion.

[Harrybanana]

MAY 10, 1940

Clear weather. I opt for Plan Black. The other plans might have worked, but were riskier. I will have to test them a few times in solo play first.

Before Moves.

[Harrybanana]

After Moves. I did attack the French unit in Luxembourg to soften it for next turn.

[Harrybanana]

MAY 24, 1940

Heavy Rain delays the conquest of Belgium. So between us Sveint and I only got one Clear Weather turn prior to June.

The U-Boats sink 4 MS and an escort. I am catching up to Sveint now in the BOA in our mirror games.

[Harrybanana]

JUNE 7, 1940

7 MS and 2 escorts sunk at a cost of 4 U-Boat hits.

Belgium is Conquered.

[Harrybanana]

JUNE 21, 1940

3 MS and an escort sunk at a cost of 3 U-Boat Hits.

The Wehrmacht advances well into France, shattering 4 French Corps in the process.

[Harrybanana]

JULY 5, 1940

5 MS and 2 escorts sunk; but so is one of my U-Boats (it had 3 hits) and another U-Boat takes 1 hit.

The French pushed my Armour back across the Somme.

[Harrybanana]

But there is no stopping the German Blitzkrieg (especially with no British).