New PBEM adaptation of TGW-Div 1.6: Playtesting!

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Hope you're having less troubles than I had this week.

Thanks Cyc! My problem was installing a new graphics card and appropriate power supply. I was having issues booting up then a driver issue. Turns out I missed connecting one of the peripherals to my new power supply. Then when I was able to boot up my display would not go any bigger than 800x680. DL'ed the right drivers after some searching and I was good to go. Of course there were some family events I had to go to so I couldn't spend time on yesterday to work my issues.

But I'm back!!

gps Cyc


Week 4, 1915

Ottoman Empire:

Three more Arab Rebels killed in Mesopotamia. Shelled the British troops outside of Gaza then attacked a redlined Canadian Anzac Division near Jerusalem and defeated him with a Turkish Rifle.


Austria-Hungary:

Bucharest falls!

Shelled the defenders first and redlined all but one. (Entente MG, Special Fortress, Infantry R) Then the Austrian Armies moved in. After the regular army forces of Roumania were defeated we had to kill off 4 combat engineers who stubbornly resisted. They were easily defeated however but they did manage to inflict the only loss to Austria by killing a cavalry unit.

Near Fiume two unknowns were sunk creating one survivor. The rescued crewmembers were taken to safety.


Germany:

Still shocked by the massive counterbattery bombardment the Germans regrouped near Metz. Trench Artillery shelled the British forces who still refuse to leave German soil damaging some of the defenders there. Two German armies then move in and kill an Indian Division and one British Rifle R.

During the middle of the night German patrols came upon an unidentified intruder. Shots were fired but we did not hear any screams of death. More patrols were sent out and located the intruder. He was shot and we were unable to ascertain his identity. The action took place near Frankfurt.

Then near Metz another German patrol ran into another unidentified intruder. He was cornered and killed. Again he was not identified because he was not carrying any identification papers.

In the North Sea a Neutral Transport is sunk and the survivors are carried off to captivity. Near Amsterdam German patrol CLs run into an unknown sinking it. There were no survivors.

 

[Cyc]

Russian troops grow weary from the constant re-routing and digging in. The Observation Plane Pilots have become very popular as a source of updates.

The Nicolas Gang craters the hills SW2 of Sinope.
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French Observation Planes note the Army Group Lodz has left Hannover. Has it gone East to the Russian Front? France sighs and releases a russian Homing Pigeon carrying a message.

South of Liege, a Field Commander tests a Counter Battery against the Trench Artillery. He got the expected results. The loss of a valuable CB.

gps to Tigranes.

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

Rather uneventful turn. Our golden age has ended which dropped icome by 450 gold and prosuction of London by 50 shields!

Further dissapointement came with our planes.. Lack of airfields prevents them even to bombard Germany!

Sopwith Camel, Armored Car and Light Artillery failed to hit anything in Basra.

Italy

Another mine was cleared near Lesbos by Italian DD. Italian ships bombareded considerable Austrian fleet in Fiume (1 Semi Drednought, 1 or 2 CLs and 1 DD).

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Guys I will play my turn tonight. Was planning on playing it last night however our other WWI PBEM got real hot and heavy and took longer than I thought. In addition to that I got a game crash just like we did here. Tigranes is looking into it.

In any case plan on my turn arriving sometime late afternoon early evening tonight!!

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc


Week 5, 1915


Ottoman Empire:

Three Arab rebels destroyed in Mesopotamia. No other action this turn.


Austria-Hungary:

No action to report.


Germany:

German CL sinks British DD Flotilla near Amsterdam. No survivors.

French DD Flotilla mysteriously sinks near Scapa Flow. No survivors.

French trenches outside Liege: 4 French Rifle A units are defeated after trench artillery bombardment. The attackers were composed of three German Armies.

 

[Cyc]

The Nicolas Gang craters the hills SW of Sinope and again returns to deeper waters. The rest of Mother Russia is still on Manuvers.
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The French-German border remains quiet. New recruits are sent to the front lines, where the mud filled trenches and barbed wire await them.

The French troops on the Coal Hills South of Liege watch as the British reach safety.Then, they too retreat, into Liege where the warm fires and dry tents await them.

gps to Tigranes.

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

Room 40 Wonder, delayed by the abrupt end of the Golden Age, finally rolls in. Superior Inteligence obtained by deciphering secret German codes give Royal Navy much needed +1 MP. Our Transports in Atlantic uninterrupted by any raider will be able to deliver War MAterials and Canadian/ANZAC troops much faster now!

When it rains it pours! 1 English CL was ordered to clear minefields in Skagerack straight, with Admiralty having almost no hopes of success against defense 1000 object. But it worked! Very first attempted killed that minefield and now German Baltic is in danger! Lord Fisher's dream to land few troops just above Berlin might come to reality.

Elsewhere British ships shelled Gaza and 1 A Div was KIA while attacking Basra.

Italy

Finally Rome gets rationing Office and Romans get what they love the most: both bread and show!

Fiume is shelled again this turn but apparentely Austrian Fleet has left this Port last turn...

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc


Week 6, 1915


Ottoman Empire:

4 Arab Rebels killed in Mesopotamia and they keep coming! One of our workers will surely be captured by these barbarians near Basra. Unfortunately there is nothing Enver, Kemal, or Talaat Pasha can do.

Russian DD Flotilla mysteriously sinks near Constanta.


Austria-Hungary:

Austrian Trench Artillery shell Italian mountain mine near Venice.


Germany:

Near Amsterdam German CL sinks British DD Flotilla patrolling there.

Warsaw is attacked by two German Armies losing two Russian Rifle A divisions. This operation is deemed a reconnaissance in force.

 

[Cyc]

Stunned by the arrival of the German forces, Warsaw reels in the aftermath. With the loss of 2 A Div Infantry units, the locals were well aware this coin has two sides and it may fall the wrong way. The Russian Field Commander there releases a Homing Pigeon out of his office window. "This bird was a day late and a Kopeck short."As the bird's wings flutter away, the field Commander sees a fresh Army Corp arrive at the train Depot. "Good, just in time for the party." Returning to his subordinates in the room, " Commence Artillery fire on the visiting Germans, Captain."

2 Counter Batteries were fired, each get a counterpart CB NW of Warsaw. Then 2 Light Artilleries fail. Then the next 3 LAs took 4 HPs fro the Army Group Lodz. The next 2 took 2 HPs more from Lodz and 2 HPs from Army Group West. the next LA failed. The next took 2 HPs ore from Lodz, and the last one failed. Satisfied with the return volley, Warsaw dug in and prepared for the worse.

In the Black Sea, The Nicoas Gang sunk a Submarine that was slinking up in it's direction. No damage to the Russian ship.
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French Observation Planes spot german War Materials NE of Frankfort, lightly guarded by Landwehr Armee (6.9.1). The German troops have dug in around Liege, but remain too far away for a good shelling. At least you can teach a German.

gps to Tigranes.

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

This week was a week of bold actions on behalf of British and Italians. Admiral Jelicoe of Grand Fleet was informed that the entire High Seas Fleet is located in Kiel. Usually cautious Jelicoe was ordered to push toward German waters, provoking major and decisive fleet action in order to terrorize Germany itself. Russian Baltic Fleet was encouraged to harass Germans as much as they feel like, since any opposition is concentrated against invading Grand Fleet right now...

Famous Desert Mounted Corps in Palestine (represented by Cavalry Unit right now) felt very tempted by 2 unescorted(!) Turkish workers trying to connect Gaza back to the Ottoman Empire. Both workers were captured and 3 A Div were landed to protect captured Workers. Gaza was shelled by ships and another attack was ordered next turn.

Basra was shelled as well, with Light Artillery and Armored Car scoring some hits but our newest plane Sopwith Camel failing to create any damage to the Turks. Lawrence of Arabia witnesses how Turkish worker (again unescorted) was captured by Arab rebel.

BEF received massive reinforcements this turn and waiting for any French attack to support it next turn. With German Corps busy in Russia Western Front can mount some offensive against Germans.

Italy

Some may call it crazy, some call it bold but Italians went offensive this turn. Diaz and Cordona Corps attacked A and R Austrian Div North of Trieste. Italian soldiers prevailed against all odds, and in REALLY close and dramatic fight defeated Austrians. Entire bulk of Italian army moved into the Isonzo Valley to shield our brave Corps.

Request was sent to the French and Russian allies for the situation review after the Germans play their turn. We need to seize this opportunity with the bulk of German artillery gone, and hit them hard somewhere.

Italian Agento 002 was missing this turn and nobody reported that he was killed. I wonder what exactly happened to him...

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Italian Agento 002 was missing this turn and nobody reported that he was killed. I wonder what exactly happened to him...

Oops, my bad. I forgot to mention what happened to him.


Agento 002 was immediately recognized by our espionage ring. Then the local police were called in and Agento 002 was killed while trying to flee.

 

[Tigranes]

I also have a strong feeling that Mata Hari is MIA. If so, would you please tell us her tale?

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Mata Hari has indeed been MIA for several weeks now. I don't know what happened to her. I assumed either an Entente spy killed her and you forgot to mention it or she disappeared when I built my building that allows spies to be spawned?

The last I remember moving her she was safe in Munich but on my next turn I noticed she was not there. Coincidentally a spy was spawned and I thought that had something to do with it and never questioned her disappearance. In any case I don't know what her exact location was prior to her disappearance.

 

[Cyc]

Ok, ok. I'll admit it. We spent a weekend on the coast at a bed and breakfast weeks ago. I caught her going through my little black book. What was I to do? She knew too much. Your great spy has become food for a crow.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Your great spy has become food for a crow.

I laughed when I read that, but surely the French men had their way with her before she died?


gps Cyc


Week 3, 1915


Ottoman Empire:

Turkish troops kill two Arab Rebels.


Austria-Hungary:

Austrian CLs shell Andrea Doria near Fiume then the Prinz Eugen comes out and sinks the mighty Italian BB before retiring. There were no surviors.


Germany:

Unknown explosion detected near Amsterdam by German CL. Warsaw shelled by Trench Artillery but no other action is taken.

German scout planes detect Royal Navy off the North tip of Denmark. All efforts to try to get ships to Iceland to pickup desperately needed war materials have been called off. The Kriegsmarine must deal with this new threat. The Kaiser has vowed that Germany will not suffer the pathetic fate that the Ottomans were dealt with.

With the widening of the war and the demands placed on the Central Powers all efforts must be made to try to win the war on the ground. The people will starve for sure, but resources cannot be wasted on the unattainable goal of bringing war materials home to Germany.

 

[Cyc]

I laughed when I read that, but surely the French men had their way with her before she died?

Uh, oui. But.. you mean to say... we were to do that BEFORE she died?
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Ehem...A lot more of the same in Russia. Once again the visiting German forces were shelled outside of Warsaw. 10 of twelve Light Artillery hit for at least 11 HPs.

in the Black Sea, The Nicolas Gang cratered the hills NE3 of Eregil. Russian R troops were also landed for a sneak attack on Ottoman Iron mines. But they accidentally awoke the Turkish guard napping in one of the craters from a recent bombardment on another hill. It's not looking good for the attacking Russians.
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Nothing much happening in France. Re-inforcing the perimeter and still trying to help out the resident of Liege. Headquarters is still trying to locate those troops doing TDY in Venice...

 

[Tigranes]

Britain

The Second Battle of Gaza​

The Second Battle of Gaza, fought in southern Palestine during World War I, was the second attempt mounted by British Empire forces to break the Turkish defenses along the Gaza-Beersheba line. The First Battle of Gaza of 26 March 1917 was a fiasco for the Allies after the commander, General Charles Dobell, made the decision to withdraw when his troops were in a position to seize victory. Turkey, encouraged by victory during the first battle, resolved to stand upon the Gaza-Beersheba line so that by the time the British were prepared to renew their assault, the Gaza fortifications were even stronger than before. The battle became another costly defeat for the Allies and resulted in the dismissal of the commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, General Archibald Murray, who had conducted the campaign in Egypt and Palestine since January 1916.

Probably my most dramatic offensive ever in this game went on at Gaza. Archibald Murray was so busy with sending my troops to die, he forgot to count who killed whom. As everybody remembers from previous turns Gaza has 3 MG, 1 Bulgarian and about 6 Turkish Infantry as well as numerous guns. Not only those guns shells my boys before the attack, they shell them DURING the attack, which was the reason my first Gaza offensive went so bad.

The main impetus for this attack was the fact that Turks failed to reinforce Gaza for quite some turns now thanks to the Arab rebels. If we take Gaza we can connect Kuwayt's oil with Egypt which will allow for Armour Cars and Sopwith Camels to be produced in Egypt. Right now we cannot produce ANY unit capable of bombardment.

This time Archibald Murray tried a different tactic -- costly and hugely questionable. He sent the weakest troops first, just to waste all the possible defensive gun shots from Gaza so that British best A Divs attack later without any obstacles. So countless Indian, ANZAC and R Divs were sacrificed for arrogant British A Divs this turn. 2 BCs and 3 guns did all they could to reduce the HPs of promoted MGs who just mowed my boys. Then some 9-10 A Divs (only 2 of them full green) went over the top. We knocked out all the Turkish Divs, Bulgarians and 1 MG, but the other MG went all the way to Elite and produced a Leader !!!

We rushed some few fresh troops available to attack next turn. Only 2 MGs left together with a Leader (not sure of his name). Maybe, just maybe 2nd Gaza is not over yet! Unless Turks have transports somewhere in Haifa I doubt they can reinforce Gaza anyhow.

BEF went back to offensive this turn. Second request was sent to French and Russian to email German save before playing it for the Week 8!

Grand Fleet sent a CL to shell Kiel. Yep, all the Germans ships are still in port not risking any fight. Let's see who nerves will break first in this Mexican stand off.

In Russia British WM created a factory (mine) for the capital Petersburg on unimproved tile...


Italy

2 German howitzers were destroyed for the price of 1 counter battery. Hated Prince Eugine BB was shelled and redlined by Regia Marina.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

gps Cyc


Week 8, 1915


Ottoman Empire:

Arab Rebel killed in Mesopotamia. Then Russian Rifle R that landed near Sinope was dispatched by Bulgarian Rifle.


Austria-Hungary:

Austrian forces move into action in the Isonzo. As typical for the style of fighting in this war the attack was preceded by artillery bombardment of all types and calibres. Then 3 Austrian Armies supported Cavalry and Riflemen move in. The attack was finally called off after the barbed wire entanglements had been cleared. The result was 2 Austrian cavalry dead and 2 Italian MGs, 1 Italian Counter battery (from Austrian Counter battery), and 2 Italian Rifle As dead.


Germany:

This week starts off with some naval engagements. Two mysterious explosions are witnessed by two German CLs near Wilhelmshaven. A British DD Flotilla is sunk near Copenhagen (with survivors) and a British CL is sunk outside of Kiel. Near the Scapa flow a British transport goes down with no survivors. Another British DD Flotilla is sunk near Northern Germany creating survivors.

Eastern Front - Warsaw is bombarded damaging the Corps sent there to defend. He was brought down to 10HP. Then Moltke moves in and finishes him but not before taking heavy damage. Moltke is reduced down to 2HP. A Russian Counter battery gun is destroyed but he manages to kill one German Counter battery before dieing.

Western Front - German cavalry scouts capture and execute French workers near Liege. British stack entering the Metz area is lightly shelled.

Isonzo - 4 German Armies come in after a light artillery bombardment and defeat 4 Italian MGs before retiring to safety.

 

[Cyc]

Our Russian Golden Age has ended....

Light Artillery in Warsaw takes between 7-9 HPs from the German lines. Our Counter Battery takes their Counter Battery.

We are also thinking that the Ottoman people may not be as happy this turn. Who knows? I could be wrong...
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In Liege2 155mm redline the Kalveriee Unit who killed our Worker. Then an A-Inf unit from Morocco takes him out. The Moroccan promotes to Vet and captures a German Worker, which he does not kill, but brings back and puts to work.

Off the coast of Scapa Flow, a French 1914 Destroyer Tortillasinks a german Submarine, taking 1 HP damage.

gps to Tigranes.

 

[Tigranes]

Tortilla Flotlilla

Isn't it funny how we sink German subs without even seeng them? I really enjoy guessing whereabouts of subs and mines and perform historically correct anti-submarine zig-zags So far no German sub was able go by-pass our joined blocade. , Cyc!