Playing The Struggle for Europe as Axis

[Marko]

AUGUST 1941

Minor Nations declared war to me! They attacked Rumenia and Finland.
Allies captured Patrai and emptied Thessalonike with bombers.
Russians made counterattacks along the whole front. The strongest attack was against Kirovograd where 5th army suffered heavy losses. Near Minsk Russians used the first time T-34 tank. Still, they didn't manage to liberate any city.

I discovered War Economy I (Factory Complex, Hydro Plant). Scientists started research of War Economy II.

All the production in Norway is now directed for conquest of Sweden. Also I produce a transport and make amphibious descents with stormtroopers to Göteborg and other Sweden coastal cities. This combined with tank assault from Norway will must bring victory.

As U.S. will soon join with the war and the military balance in Atlantic region will shift to favor the Allies, I decided to occupy Island and create a naval base there. I rushbuilt Cruiser, 2 Destroyers and Panzer III in Norway for this operation.

Against Turkey I'll form a new army in Rumenia and capture Istanbul. Istanbul will be platsdarm for subsequent conquest of all Turkey. The Minor Nations will regret that they dared to attack the German Reich!

In Russia the 1th army captured Petrozavodsk. Army 1 has achieved all its objectives for 1941. Now it will rest and later take part of assault on Leningrad.
As the 2nd army captured Novgorod and Vitebsk, Leningrad is now under blocade.
Also Gomel and Kiev were captured.

The battle for Kiev was fierce. The city was defended much stronger than I expected. By the middle of battle I understood that I had to wait one month and prepare better for the assault. But there was no way back anymore. If I would give up then I lost whole tank army in Russian counterattack next turn. So I hurled every available unit against Kiev, even down to red bombers from neighbouring armies. At last defenders were beated and city was occupied by paratroopers because there was no other unit able to enter. I lost many bombers, tanks and infantry in this battle.

In Army 5 sector (South Ukraine) Axis advance in Russia is stopped the first time. Last month Soviets made here strong counteroffensive with numerous cavalry, supported by tanks, NKVD troopers and bombers. Also Turkish attack against Rumenia draw away many reinforcements from the army. So the actions of 5th army were limited to destroying attacking Soviet units.

Crete was occupied with successful descent after intensive bombing. Now 6th army will try to reconquer Patrai and Sparte.

Rommel's African Korps started offensive and captured Benghazi.If everything goes well, he hopes to reach Tobruk by the end of the year.

 

[Marko]

SEPTEMBER 1941

Sweden made strong attack against Northern Finland with Motorized Infantry divisions. Reinforcements for the 1th army had to deal with them.

In Eastern Front Bryansk and Dnepropetrovsk were captured and Sevastopol surrounded.
Offensive against Smolensk is sceduled to start in October.

So, after three months of unstopped advance in Russia, Axis armies are exhausted and cry for reinforcements. Still, it is quite clear that all tasks set for the Summer campaign 1941 will be completed and general war perspectives are good.

8th army was formed in Burgas (SS Troopers, Sturmtruppens, Motorized Infantry). Its main task will be capture of Istanbul (probably during the first half of 1942 when the army will get more reinforcements).

African Corps continued offensive, Darnah was taken.

Fleet of two destroyers with Sturmtruppen and Panzer III took course to Island. Cruiser will follow soon.

 

[Marko]

OCTOBER 1941

During their turn, Russians attacked Bryansk with T-34, T-28, T-26 tanks, NKVD Troopers and bombers. 3rd army lost most of its units. Dnepropetrovsk was also under strong attack.

Still offensive in Central Front started as planned and was successful. In fierce fight Smolensk and Sumy fell.

Air recoinnassance shows that many Russian NKVD Troopers, Cavalry and some T-34s are moving towards Sumy and Dnepropetrovsk. I destroyed many of them with Ju-87 bombers who just arrived to the front.

During the Summer Campaign 1941 against Soviet Union, Axis armies have managed to reach to the planned line Petrozavodsk - Novgorod - Smolensk - Bryansk - Sumy - Dnepropetrovsk - Sevastopol. Only Sevastopol has not yet taken but it is under siege and decisive assault is planned in November. Now I'm trying to consolidate my forces to withstand expected Russian Winter Offensive.

6th army reconquered all Greece. I send its powerful airforce (Ju-88s, He-111s, Ju-87s, Bombers) to help 8th army to attack Istanbul.

Rommel captured Tobruk. Axis army reached again to Egyptian border.

Italian fleet (2 Battleships, 3 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers) reached Gibraltar and big naval clash with British and French fleets started. 1 British Cruiser, 2 British Destroyers and 2 French Destroyers were sunk at the first stage of the battle. French Battleship and British Cruiser are seen at horizon.

My Atlantic Task Force reached near Island and sunk an Allied transport.

 

[Marko]

NOVEMBER 1941

Enemy turn was disastrous for Axis in all fronts. Soviets made counteroffensive against Smolensk with T-34, T-28, BT-7 and T-26 tanks. Field Marshal Manstein was killed during the attack. Manstein was in charge to lead attack on Moscow and he was my main hope against Soviet Winter Offensive. Plus I lost all my money (almost 4000 credits) because of this tragedy. General Zhukov appeared also near Smolensk. This Russian offensive was his work! He must be killed for revenge!

In Gibraltar seabattle Italian navy was totally beaten. Italians lost 2 Battleships and 2 Cruisers (with 6 Sturmtruppen units on board). Only one damaged Cruiser and 2 Destroyers are left.

During the final phase of Gibraltar seabattle Italian fleet sank French Battleship and British Submarine. Italians lost 2 Destroyers. Total battle casualities now (British and France: Battleship, 2 Cruisers, 4 Destroyers, Submarine; Italians: 2 Battleships, 2 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers) still favor Allies.
Axis has no Battleships anymore and Italian navy as force on Mediterranean Sea ceased to exist.

I started producing Ju-88 bombers in Italy. They will get ready in middle of 1942. Then I plan to bombard Gibraltar to ground and occupy it with air descent. When Gibraltar is taken, I can continue the conquest of French West Africa. Until it Axis 7th army will hold ground.

In Russia all armies are fortifying. army 5 postponed its assault on Sevastopol until December.

Offensive against Sweden will start next month. The first objective is Göteborg. Transport with Stormtroopers is ready in Denmark to make descent and Motorized Infantry division started moving from Oslo.

On Baltic Sea there was a battle between German and Swedish navies. Germany lost a Cruiser, Sweden several Destroyers.

I landed descent of Panzer III and Stormtroopers to mountains around Reykjavik in Island. Destroyers went to hunt down Allied transports.

 

[Marko]

DECEMBER 1941

Turkey made attack against 8th army in Burgas with Light Tanks, Motorized Infantry divisions and Bombers. My offensive against Istanbul will start in December.

Allies bombed Algiers and took it with air descent. 7th army lost Panzer IV and FW-190 because these units belonged to the city.
The United States joined with war!

I discovered War Economy II (Industrial Centre, Labour Teams) and started researching War Economy III.

During counterattack near Smolensk my 2nd army killed Soviet General Zhukov! The revenge for Field Marshal Manstein is carried out. :soldier:
5th army took Sevastopol and completed its task 4.

8th army discovered that Istanbul has Air Defence system and called off the attack after losing Ju-88. New offensive against Istanbul will be made in Spring with Panzer IVs. Army bombers were sent to Russia.

Göteborg was taken by sea descent and land assault supported by FW-190 fighters. This city will be a base for next conquests in Sweden.
Reykjavik was emptied and will be captured next month.

 

[Marko]

JANUARY 1942

Smolensk was under severe attack by Soviet T-34 tanks.
Allied bombed and captured Ouahran. 7th army is practically destroyed.

I destroyed 6 (!) battalions of T-34 and 1 KV-1 with bombers near Smolensk. I hope that this blow will seriously slow down Soviet offensive.
Reykjavik was captured and is now important Axis naval base.

 

[Marko]

I think that I shall move the thread to Civ2: Stories Forum because all playtesters are playing now version 1.7 and I'm working already with version 1.8.

 

[Marko]

FEBRUARY 1942

Many divisions of Soviet T-34 tanks and infantry are closing to Smolensk and Dnepropetrovsk.
Allied submarines sank my Cruiser and Destroyer on Atlantic!

German armies have easily hold their positions during the winter. Soviets haven't managed to liberate any city or to cause any serious casualities.

During Summer Campaign 1942 in Russia I plan reach to line Archangelsk-Vologda-Moscow-Tula-Voronez-Stalingrad-Stavropol-Maikop. The three most important objectives are capture of Moscow, Stalingrad and Leningrad. This will give a death blow for Soviets and create winning situation in Eastern Front.

Axis armies:

1. army - in Petrozavodsk (Panzer IVs, Panzer IIIs, Sturmtruppen). Task 1: capture of Leningrad. Task 2: capture of Archangelsk (with descent from Kirovsk).

2. army - in Smolensk (Panzer IVs, Panzer IIIs, Sturmtruppen, 105mm Guns, Ju-88s, Ju-87, FW-190). Task 1: capture of Moscow. Task 2: capture of Kalinin. Task 3: capture of Vologda.

3. army - in Bryansk (Panzer IVs, Motorized Infantry, SS Troopers, 105mm Guns, Ju-87s, Me-109). 4th army was joined with the 3rd army. Task 1: capture of Tula and Kursk. Task 2: capture of Voronez.

5. army - in Dnepropetrovsk (Panzer IVs, Cavalry, Sturmtruppen, Ju-87s, Ju-88s, He-111s, Me-109). Task 1: capture of Kharkov. Task 2: capture of Rostov. Task 3: capture of Stalingrad.

9. army - in Sevastopol (Panzer IVs, 105mm Guns, SS Troopers, Sturmtruppen, FW-190). Task 1: capture of Maikop. Task 2: capture of Stavropol.

8. army - in Burgas (Panzer IVs, SS Troopers, Sturmtruppen). Task 1: capture of Istanbul. Task 2: capture of Canakkale and Izmir. Task 3: capture of Samsun. Task 4: capture of Trabzon.

African corps - in Tobruk (General, Ju-88s, Bomber, FW-190s, Me-109s). Task: protect Cyrenaica.

7. army - in West Africa (Motorized Infantry, SPG 75s, Sturmtruppen, Paratroopers, Ju-88s, FW-190s). Task1: reconquer Algiers and Ouahran. Task 2: capture of Gibraltar.

10. army - in Göteborg (Panzer IVs, Panzer III, Motorized Infantry, Sturmtruppen, FW-190). Task 1: capture of Hälsingborg. Task 2: capture of Malmö and Kalmar. Task 3: capture of Örebro. Task 4: capture of Västeras. Task 5: capture of Stockholm.

Wehrmacht has 37 Panzer IV, 17 Panzer III, 22 other tanks, 8 Ju-88, 7 other bombers, 12 Ju-87 (few months ago there were 18 Ju-87 - I use them mostly against T-34 tanks), 10 Me-109, 12 FW-190, 1 Cruiser, 6 Destroyers, 7 Submarines.

 

[Marko]

MARCH 1942

During their turn Allies bombarded Reykjavik with two Cruisers and captured it with descent of Sherman tanks!

Spring started!

War Economy III (Merchant Fleet) was discovered. I started researching Mobile Warfare IV to get better tanks for 1943.

The 1st army started offensive toward Leningrad. Some fortifications which surrounded the city were destroyed and forward units of the army took positions near the city south of Lake Ladoga.
Operation Typhoon was launched too. 2nd army destroyed fortifications south-east of Moscow and took positions there under cover of FW-190 fighters.
3rd army had hard battles north-east of Bryansk where several battalions of T-34 and KV-1 tanks and Red Infantry were destroyed. The bulk of army assaulted Tula and hopefully the city will be captured next month.
As there is strong Soviet pressure against Dnepropetrovsk and 5th army need to wait reinforcements, the attack against Kharkov was postponed.
9th army started moving toward Majkop.

Analysing the status with reinforcements revealed that I am not capable to make simultaneous offensives against Stalingrad and Turkey. So all plans against Turkey were abandoned for 1942 and 8th army forces were sent to 5th army.

Hälsingborg in Sweden was taken by 10th army (task 1 completed).

In North France I concentrate my defences to Caen and Cherbourg because it seems that Allies like to bombard just these cities.

Ju-88 and FW-190 planes arrived to West-Africa. Also I airlifted Panzer IV and SPG 75 divisions to Tunesia. Offensive there will start next month.

 

[Marko]

APRIL 1942

Soviets gave serious blow to 3rd army near Tula: I lost 4 Panzer IV, 3 Motorized Infantry, Cavalry and FW-190. The army must cancel its attack until reinforcements will arrive. Also Russians started offensive with many T-34 tanks north of Petrozavodsk.

Operation Typhoon succeeded! MOSCOW IS CAPTURED! The 2nd Army first bombed Moscow with Ju-88 bombers and then attacked with Sturmtroopers supported by Panzer IV tanks. Also several Ju-87 battalions were throwed to the battle.
In Southern Front 9th army captured quite easily Maikop.

In Sweden Malmö was taken.

In West Africa I started my counteroffensive toward Gibraltar and recaptured Algiers and Ouahran. FW-190 fighters were stationed to both cities to avoid Allied bombing.

Everything is going very well in all fronts! It is realistic to hope that Soviet Union will be defeated before the end of year and if Russia is firmly in Axis hands, Allies have no chance.