New PBEM adaptation of TGW-Div 1.6: Playtesting!

[Tigranes]

Britain

Battle of the Wadden Sea

German Fleet surprised us this week. 1 BC (Elite Seydlitz), 1 BB (Westfalen), 1 CA and one DD left the safety of the minefields and made their way to the Holland's Wadden Sea, with DD caring survivors. Unfortunately most modern English BBs where undergoing maintenance, but the remaining forces been more that enough to take care of isolated German squadron. Seydlitz is shelled and redlined from the high range than a Veteran DD starts torpedo attack and sinks enormous ship.

Admiral Beatty's Battlecruissers squadron, also know as Beatty's Cats then attacks Westfalen and escorting DD and CA. British gunnery is appalling, nearly 10 misses from the high range, so Beaty's flagship Lion engages from the close range, gets yellowlined but sinks Westfalen. Second Cat Princess Royal takes care of CA (was it Blucher?). Regular DD charges the remaining German DD, but dies! Germans get promoted. Second DD sink German ship and get promoted to veteran.

Egypt gunners score 3 hits on Kemal. We try our luck with British A Div, and fail miserably.

British fleet annihilates Turkish Strategic Mineral mine near Adalia. Still no trace of Turkish ships.

Italy

Sad news from Isonzo. Ironically it all started very nice. Every single Italian gun score a hit this turn, so Cardona Veteran Corp decides to attack yellowlined German A Div. Italians just plain week! Even Corp cannot kill damaged Regular German division and dies himself! What a blow to Italian Army!

Mine is destroyed near Ragusa by Italian BB.

Italian workers created a Colony on the Rubber in Africa enabling Libya to train Infantry.

Another mine is cleared near Crete.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc

Week 42, 1914

Ottoman Empire:

Turkish ships shell British BC's outside of Adalia. No other action to report.


Austria-Hungary:

2 Austrian DD Flotillas venture out and sink the 2 Italian DD Flotillas spotted in the Northern Adriatic. No other action to report.


Germany:

Battle of the Wadden Sea

The battle continues as German Battleships strike out at the massed Royal Navy fleet. Shots are taken by various German DD's and then the BB's come out to play. 6 German Battleships go out and meet 6 British Dreadnoughts. The exchange lasts for hours as the two opposing Admirals sweat it out on their flagship bridges. In the end the losses are as follows:

Germany - 1 Battleship, the Königsburg goes down.
Britain - 5 Dreadnoughts are lost

On the Eastern Front last weeks probing attack is followed up by a reconnaissance in force. The Russian stack on the border near Lodz is heavily shelled redlining all the units there. German troops then proceed across the border backed by two armies. The entire Russian stack is destroyed for no losses to the Germans.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

While designing Survivor unit I was hoping to see some "fun" actions like this. I am glad my idea works, the only thing that bothers me -- one gets Survivors way too often. But I have no idea how to nerf "enslave" attribute. Feels like 50% of attacks leed to Srvivors or captured workers. On the ground I have moderated POW generation by enabling only 2 units to create prisoners -- Active Divisions and Corps. But right now any ship winning the battle can generate survivors. Do you guys feel that this needs to be limited to Battleships and submarines?

On the other hand, only during the Tannenberg Germans captured 90, 000 RUssians. During Brusilov offensive Russians captured 100, 000 Austrians. So maybe every ground unit should be able to "enslave" POWs?

We need to find a balance here, so feel free to report anything that bugs you as far as game mechanics conserned. Graphics and Pedia is another story, and outside of my scope for right now...

How are the POWs and the Survivors generated? Is it from the enslave flag being checked in the editor?

 

[Tigranes]

Yes, that's right!
PS. What did you mean about your DDs shelling my stack? AFAIK, DD cannot bombard yet...

 

[Arexander]

I didn't spot any note of DDs shelling. I only spotted "Turkish ships shelled" and "2 Austrian DD Flotillas venture out and sink 2 Italian ones".

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Sorry guys, what I meant to say was the CLs bombarded the British Ships. The unit graphics of those two types are similar and I got confused.

 

[Cyc]

A German stack of A-Inf, Arties, and Machine Guns cross the border at Lodz killing the Russian crack troops posted there to ward off any advance. Russian arties in Lodz damage the Elite A-Inf (was 8/9, hit it the first time killing troops but didn't lower the HP. Hit it two more times - once for 1 and once for 2) and it retreated at 5/9. The Brusilov Army (our nation's best) fortifies in and around Lodz, waiting for the onslaught.

Down South, roving Cossacks spot Romainian troops crossing the border from Jassy and heading for Odessa. Odessa is not quite sure what this is all about. In the Black Sea, a Veteran Gangut Class Battleship shells Constantinople and destroys the Naval Staion there.
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The French renew the Peace Treaty /ROP with the Neutrals.

155mm pillage the trenches and barbed wire in the other Cow Pasture by Strausburg.

In the Mediterranean, the newly arrived French Armored Cruiser Squadron signals a passing Italian Flotilla, requesting quadrants or best areas to search for Turkish ships.

gps to Tigranes

 

[Tigranes]

I didn't spot any note of DDs shelling. I only spotted "Turkish ships shelled" and "2 Austrian DD Flotillas venture out and sink 2 Italian ones".

I meant British disaster at Wadden Sea:

Shots are taken by various German DD's

Now we know those were CLs

I am thinking that attack and defense of a ship must be roughly the same, because right now attacking fleet gets to sink any comparable ship almost 90% of a time... Does not sound veru realistic to me...

 

[Tigranes]

Guys, my yahoo email is down due to the some sytem outage they have right now. I hope this will be fixed in few hours...

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Ok Tigranes no worries. When you're email is back up you should see something from me.

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

From wikipedia

His marriage to a very a wealthy heiress allowed Beatty much independence that most other officers lacked. She is reputed to have commented after he was threatened with disciplinary action following the straining of his ship's engines "What? Court martial my David? I'll buy them a new ship" She had bought him a steam yacht, houses in London and in the Leicestershire hunting country, and a Scottish grouse moor. The couple circulated in high society, even occasionally dining with the King. However, there were disadvantages, as Beatty discovered after his marriage, for his wife was an unstable neurotic who caused him extreme mental tortures.

British Propaganda could not conceal the disaster at Wabben Sea from the Neutral Press. "6 British Battleship lost for the sake of one battlecrussier and 1 Battleship", was a headline in New York Times. Admiralty was about to court martial David Beatty, who was present at his flagship BC Lion during the ill-designed attack in Wabben Sea. Ethel Beatty met with King and persuaded him to give her David a second chance. To help with this business American department stores chain donated new pajamas to King George V. David Beatty was cleared of all the charges but ordered by Jelicoe to meet him and stop any actions alone, without Grand Fleet's newest battleships. English ships bade a farewell to the German minefield as they steamed away from the cursed waters.

More rails were destroyed in Antalia by our Mediterranean fleet.

British workers established a Colony in Africa shipping Strategic Minerals to Egypt.

Heavy fighting reported at the doorsteps of holy Muslim city Medina. Lonely British A Div was very close to prevail, but redlined Turkish Division was victorious.

BEF was very passive this week, but Calais was receiving reinforcements non-stop.

British CL discovered another blockade runner near Iceland! We will catch them next turn

Italy

Italian DD and something else cleared 2 Turkish Floating mines near Create. Germans in Isonzo valley were shelled but not much damage observed. Army asked fleet to help with the defense of Venice. Italy was very lucky to see no German artillery here, since the tech required for Counterbattery Artillery will be researched only next turn!

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc

Week 43, 1914

Ottoman Empire:

No action to report


Austria-Hungary:

This week Austro-Hungarian forces capture Novi Pazar and with it much needed Oil for Austria's war effort.

In the Adriatic an Austrian CL shells Italian fleet in the area and then the Prinz Eugen BB attacks and sinks an Italian BB. I can't remember which ship went down but it was not the Andrea Doria.


Germany:

Before starting with this weeks report all of Germany mourns the loss of Ludendorf, hero of Tannenberg, this week.

The German army moves in full force against Venice. It seems that during the maneuvering Ludendorfs army got carried away in the excitement and could not wait for the follow up forces to arrive. They attack Cordoba? army and the Italian general proves to be the better in this match. Ludendorfs tragic death hurts but will not stop the offensive now.

Elsewhere the Germans capture Crajova and with it an oilfield.

On the Eastern Front the city of Lodz is shelled but no one is killed. Only Brusilov's army is damaged a bit.

 

[Tigranes]

Moff, we all very interested in AI resistance, their losses and any losses you see and guess they inflict on your forces Whenever it's not very secret can you please expand on that? Well, Serbians could report it to Russia any way

On my part I forgot to report some Arab rebel activity in Iraq observed by Lawrence of Arabia

 

[Tigranes]

Cardona Veteran Corp, the best one in Italy, died during the week 42, while attacking yellowlined A Infantry. Must be someone else

I still wonder if Veteran status for the Corp, i. e. transport itself, has any effect on the Corpperformance. They do not contribute to the hitpoints, thats for sure.

 

[Cyc]

Shelled German troops outside of Lodz this week, causing only minor damage to 2 A-Inf. units.

Down South, the Gangut Class shelled the railway leading into Eastern Constantinople, taking it out. A follow-up shelling was attempted on the roading for the same railway, but failed.
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The French received the Neutral Ambassador, who wished to end the current ROP. But the French Prime minister authorized an expenditure of 5gpt on the deal, and the Neutrals jumped on it. All's well with the lavender group.

Nancy shelled the trenches West of Strausburg and leveled half of the German improvements.

gps to Tigranes

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

Mediterranean Fleet punched Sirya this turn. No more Iron for Ottomans

We lost a trace for Blocade runner in Atlantic.

First British Agent has been trained on our Military Headquaters. Let the spy wars begin!

BEF thanks French for a trench We hope it's barbedwired too (really bad graphic hard to tell unless you have engineer unit on the tile with the trench.


Italy

Mine is cleared near Mudros. No other actions.

Duke Acosta was responsible for Luderdorff's death! But the situation near Venice is REALLY critical (it is a Victory Location by the way, delivering 50 VP to Entante each turn) :

There are 20 more units (11/15 A Infantry) not shown on this list, one needs to scroll up to see them.

SOS!

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc

Week 44, 1914

Ottoman Empire:

Kemal seeing danger all around him orders his men to fire their artillery at the invading British forces outside of Gaza. The enemy is softened up and then Kemal leaps into action. One British Rifle A goes down before Kemal withdraws from the area.

Near Constantinople a Turkish mine sinks the Russian Gangut BB that had been harassing our capital. The coastal battery of Constantinople preceded the attack by a preliminary bombardment.

Russian Cossacks spotted in the mountains of Bulgaria. Quickly a Bulgarian Infantry is dispatched to the area and drives off one of the Cossacks. It is clear the rail link to Sofia is threatened.


Austria-Hungary:

Austrian ships sink two unknowns in the Northern Adriatic. 1 survivor is rescued and interned in Trieste.


Germany:

The offensive against Venice begins! First a German Zeppelin is sent in and is promptly shot down by the keen gunners of the Italian anti-aircraft forces. This does not halt the offensive however. A massive barrage is opened upon Venice being joined even by minefields which damage an Italian BB there. 5xGerman Counterbattery guns go into action killing 2 Italian Light Artillery. Germany loses 3 Counterbattery guns however.

Then the real battle begins. First Kampf Gruppe von Moff attacks the Duke of Aosta. It is a grueling battle with both armies approaching the red. It is Moff, however, who prevails thus avenging the death of Ludendorf the previous week.

Next comes Moltke. He and Diaz duke it out for many hours. Another tense battle as both men approach the red. Once again the German is victorious and Diaz lies dead.


Lodz

German artillery shells the great Polish city. 1xGerman Counterbattery gun attempts to knock out an Russian Light Artillery but fails. A German Rifle A moves in next to try to damage or defeat the damaged Czar Army. The German dies. No other attacks on this sector.


Near the south tip of Norway two British Pre-Dreadnoughts are caught in a hail of German CL fire. Then each British ship is finished off, one by a German BC, the other by an unknown. There were no survivors.

 

[Tigranes]

The offensive against Venice begins! First a German Zeppelin is sent in and is promptly shot down by the keen gunners of the Italian anti-aircraft forces.

In fact, ships in Venice contributed to this. AA Gun is not available for Italy yet. The reason most capital ships have AA defense value more than zero is that no successful air attack against the ship was observed during the WW1, so I wanted to discourage that activity.

Also something needs to be done about minefield "shelling" Venice I was trying to make that unit more active and realistic, not just being passive defender, but apparently that opens a door for shore bombardments, which mines should not be able to do. In the final version I rolled back to the original minefield design of static defender.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

I agree that the minefields are better treated as static defenders.

Smart move on your part placing that battleship in Venice!

 

[Cyc]

Hi, lost my connection for a couple of days. I will have sporadic access until Sunday. Sorry about any delays.
And I swept the Constantinople Bay for mines several time before bringing in the Gangut successfully. Not happy about that.
Cyc