Bill101 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 The British are now heading south, enjoying the hospitality of the French people on the way. De Castelnau orders a counterattack against the Germans crossing the Meuse, destroying two divisions, one of them being finished off with a cavalry charge! :eek: Further north, de Langle de Cary orders an attack on St. Mihiel where another German division is removed from von Moltke’s order of battle. Intelligence reports from our agents operating in Belgium report that there is no threat to that country, as the German divisions stationed on its border are all shattered units resting there after having been bloodied on the Meuse. While we would have been happy to gain an ally in Belgium, this news will free up six French infantry divisions for service further south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidFields Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Again, putting the pictures in the AAR makes it very engaging. "Intelligence reports" is from aircraft?--I have yet to well use my aircraft for such a task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Whenever the French decide to leave their trenches in order to counter attack, they end up paying for it dearly. The audacious troops of De Castelnau have been beaten back and the charge of our cavalry has reached the HQ of the old general, which is located in the town of St. Dizier. Apparently the French commander was so shocked by the sudden appearance of our Hussars, that the members of his staff found him hidden under the straw in one of the local horse-barns: *** It's 3rd of September, so that means that Von Moltke has only less than a month left to win this campaign. He is a realist and knows that reaching the ambitious objectives set by the Kaiser most likely won't be possible within this time. But Moltke is a dutiful soldier who loves his fatherland, so he will try at least to beat the French and Brit armies in the field and improve the German position before the upcoming winter. Right now the German armies consist of 73 divisions, while the French of 53, plus there are 7 British divisions on the way. The slight German numerical superiority is probably offset by the higher readiness of the enemy units, who fight on a friendly terrain, while our troops are tired with the constant marches and manouvering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 The Germans are at risk of overextending themselves, for their lead divisions are easily destroyed and it is a wonder why they are advancing into the barren terrain west of the Vosges. Surely marching through the rich country of Belgium would have been a better bet? It is too early for us to reveal where Foch’s new army is forming, or where the B.E.F are heading. But rest assured that when both see action, the Kaiser will feel the shock of it all the way back in Berlin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Palchinsky Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Bill or Mike, would you mind showing a screen shot of the strategic view of forces from each of your perspectives in your next post? If you would rather not, then I understand. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyhellowhatsnew Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 It really seems like the Central Powers never win in these AARs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 The recent comments made by the French HQ, suggesting that German army would be better off invading Belgium, are a clear proof of an aggressive mind set, that shapes the politics and strategy of the Third Republic! For our dear Kaiser, this is a preventive war, which is designed to weaken our enemies and allow our great nation to stay safe and prosperous in the future. Certainly invading the neutral countries goes against the honourable spirit represented of the Imperial Army and the gentle nature of the German people... The 1st and 7th Armies are continuing their push into the "void". Their mission is to outmanoeuvre the French and to prevent them from forming of a another solid, defensive line: A strategic overview, requested by Peter Palchinsky: As I have stated before, it is now impossible for the Germans to capture the victory objectives by the end of September, when this campaign ends. What I'm hoping for, is some decisive and bloody, Marne-like battle, that would allow us to end this great match with a big bang! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 It really seems like the Central Powers never win in these AARs Central Powers were the baddies, so it's a good news I think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyazinth von Strachwitz Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 How does the NM look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 How does the NM look like? As much as I remember it was around 83% for Germany and 74% for the France. Keep in mind that the French received a 5000 boost due to the British entry. All in all the NM will be irrelevant for the outcome of this match. In the best case scenario, I expect the French NM to drop to 50% by the end of the last turn. It would need to drop below 25%, so the German could achieve a minor victory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Just to clarify - I made a mistake on the strategic map - the German Army in Luxembourg is the 4th not the 7th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 More French reinforcements are coming up to help Foch form his new army. British troops go into action for the first time, in a joint attack with their French allies, and the German cavalry division that had just taken Bar-sur-Aube is eliminated! Further north, we’re conducting a fighting retreat ahead of the German advance, and one of their infantry divisions is thrashed within an inch of its life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Oddly enough, some elements of the British Expeditionary Force have been spotted in the area of Chaumont and Bar Sur Aube. The only way they could get there is by the rail... Von Moltke has duly dispatched a telegram to Der Kaiser: "The presence of the British units in that area could mean that the enemy may be planning a counterattack in order to cut off our advancing 7th and 1st Armies. Caution is recommended. We may want to consider to pospone further offensive operations in order to consolidate our postions". To reply of Kaiser was clear and sharp: "You shouldn't be affraid of those colonial police units on your flank. I want to spent the Christmass in Paris. Press forward" According to the wishes of His Highness the offensive has been resumed and the town of St. Dizier has been captured with two French divisions destroyed in the process: It seems that some of the town citizens were pretty happy seeing the German troops marching down the main street: Are they simply members of the German minority or maybe average Frenchmen, who are tired of the corruption and moral decay, which are endemic in the Third Republic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 Sir John French grants the three British divisions that took part in the successful liberation of Bar-sur-Aube a day of rest. Our French reconnaissance planes flying near Verdun give us a clear insight into the enemy’s plans, or lack of them, by showing that they obviously don’t involve an imminent attack on Verdun. Fair enough, but what then does von Moltke plan to do, if not to continue his advance west of the Vosges? The Germans face a tough prospect as they attacked us where we were strongest, and now having suffered horrendous casualties they can continue to drive us back near the Meuse, but will they have the strength to reach Paris? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 As we approach the deadline set up by His Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm, the events on the battlefield start to unfold with an ever increasing speed. Both sides certainly feel the preassure and a highly mobile warfare takes place on the central front. Gen Von Huter proves to one of the ablest German commanders and his 7th Army has advanced further West, capturing the town of Arcis Sur Aube, what means that the westernmost German units have advanced more than half way from the border to Paris. At the same time, two corps of the army have taken up the defensive positions at the river Aube. The new French army commanded by Foch and the elements of BEF are believed to be concentrating in the area of Troyes, so the protection of our flank is primordial there: At the same time the the 1st and 6th Armies exert pressure on the French positions located between the towns of Vitry le Francois and Bar de Duc. In Alsace the 2nd Army has finally become serious about the assault against Belfort. All the previous assaults had no chances of succeeding without the support of the heavy artillery and were only designed to bleed out the French. This time is different and a brigade of heavy siege mortars will be supporting the attack. The fighting there is expected to be exceptionally tough, but the German commander says to his French counterpart: "Adieu Belfort"! One more time, a strategic overwiev showing the current position of the Seventh Army: No doubt that the fighting on the central front has entered a highly maneuverable phase. The enemy has proven to be stubborn in the positional defence but how will he fare under those new circumstances, we are yet to see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Our forces at Belfort are strengthened and one of the German divisions flees after being battered down to strength 1. Joffre orders attacks into the flanks of the German spearheads, both on its northern and southern flanks, and three German infantry divisions are slaughtered. The British don’t see any action this turn as they have just received a fresh delivery of tea and need a brew up before their next battle. Won’t be long though! It will be interesting to see where the enemy attempt to strike next. Probably to the north as that would appear to offer them the best hope of a battlefield success. But will they be able to convert that into a strategic success? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Mobile warfare continues on the 11th of September and the reconnaissance cavalry units of our 7th Army advance further West, capturing the medieval town of Provins. It is located just 90 kilometers from the taverns and cabarets of Paris! In the vicinity of St. Dizier the French expose themselves by counterattacking and the 1st Army of gen Von. Kluck inflicts enormous loses on the enemy. At the same time, the 6th Army successfully "rolls" the Southern flank of the French main defensive line at Meuse, which is no longer impregnable, when attacked from that direction. More than half of the 7th Army has taken up the defensive postions along the river Aube, because a strong enemy counterattack is expected from Troyes and Bar Sur Aube: Great news have reached the Von Moltke's HQ from Alsace, because the mighty fortress of Belfort has fallen in to the hands of our 8th Division, after a tremendous atrillery bombardment! Heavy artillery support is essential when a fortress is attacked and it is believed that special Austrian, siege mortars have been used in order to pulverize the forts of Belfort. All in all, it has been the bloodiest day so far for the French army and in total six enemy divisions have been destroyed. The mobile warfare proves time and again very costly for both sides, but there can be no doubt, that the naturally superior German soldiers and commandes will be the ones who will prevail at the end! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 There is furious fighting south of the Marais St. Gond as our counterattacks continue to take a toll of the enemy forces. Two German divisions are battered, one of which flees to safety just out of reach! Against those heavy German and Austrian guns, no fort can withstand the pounding. But the loss of Belfort is acceptable given the distraction from their main aim which the investment of German forces here required. The enemy’s advance continues, and with each step we take comfort in the fact that their supply problems are increasing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 The expected counterattack by the Foch new army and the BEF didn't materialize on 12th of September. Instead on 13th of September gen Von Hutier ordered a preemptive strike against the French divisions resting in the area of Bar Sur Aube. The HQ of gen. Foch located in the town has been also uder a direct attack. Our cavalry in Provins has spotted the movement of French and British divisions, so an enemy assault agains our vulnerable spearhead is now quite possible. For the moment further advance towards Paris has been postponed and more German divisions are expected to reinforce our position there: Near Belfort, the French gen Dubai seems to be very attached to his ex fortress, because he hasn't evecuated his HQ from the immediate vicinity of the town. Sadly his officers have paid for this dearly and there are many casualties among his staff, due to the small arms fire of our advancing divisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 It’s time for a British counterattack! Sir John French orders three divisions into action, and they destroy a German division, allowing a French force to swing forward and attack the Crown Prince. At the same time, two more French divisions strike south, cutting off the enemy’s spearhead. The German Crown Prince is now in a pickle, being cut off from the rest of the German army and with only an out of supply cavalry division nearby for protection. General Dubail orders a general withdrawal from the Belfort area. It’s not a problem because we’ll win this area back in the peace negotiations, perhaps we’ll even be able to exchange the Crown Prince for Belfort? There are now two divisions of British cavalry in France. Here is a picture of one of them taken not far from the frontlines. These men are just raring to get into action and show the Hun what for. Are we downhearted? No! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 The Entente counterattack against our spearhead in the area of Province, has provided our forces with some potential opportunities to exploit. Such is the nature of the maneuver warfare - for every move there is a possible counter move. Gen Hutier has sensed that an attack against Troyes could possibly postion his forces in the rear of the advancing BEF task force. He urgently requested a reconnaissance information, that would confirm the dispositions of enemy forces around the city. Few aeroplanes that are left from the Army Group observation squadron had been dispatched in order fly a dangerous mission: Our barve aviators managed to confirm, that only one French division was defending the town. On their own initiative, the pilots also threw the granades at the French and shot at them from their revolvers, what caused some confusion among the defenders! A powerful attack by the four divisions of the 8th Army had followed and Troyes was captured after a bloody, close quarter fighting: The capture of Troyes certainly cannot be ignored by the BEF commander and makes the Entente counterattack a little more problematic. At the same time, the 1st Army struck the French divisions which form the the NE apex of Allied counterattacking formation. As a result, those units have suffered heavy loses and are now out of supply. The Bavarian cavalry in Provins has been ordered to dig in and hold the position at all costs, even if that would mean a fight to the last bulet... At the same time, the 6th Army moved towards Vitry le Francois and in Alsace gen Dubain lost another division. THE GERMAN AEROPLANES BEFORE THE MISSION OVER TROYES: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division is removed from von Moltke’s order of battle in a lightning strike by troops under Foch’s command. Further west, the German cavalry defending Provins are destroyed, as is a German infantry division that took part in the capture of Troyes. Today is a day for heavy casualties for the Kaiser, and our B.E.F. are still virtually intact! We are now forming a second French army to the south of the German breakthrough, and Lanrezac is given his orders to take up its command. De Castelnau is itching to launch further attacks on the northern side of the German breakthrough, but Joffre has restrained him as he thinks the time is not yet right. Last bit of news is that Dubail’s forces are falling back from Belfort and inflicting heavy casualties in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 On 17th of September, the First Army continues to inflict heavy loses on the French and it looks like only the BEF is left on it's way to Paris! So far the British have been facing only numerically inferior and tired German units. But soon it may change and they may be left face to face with the full might of the German steamroller ( so called Deutsche Maschine )... Most important action of the day took place in Vitry Le Francois. The 6th Army has captured the town after a heavy artillery barrage which means that Gen Catelnau is in trouble one more time :eek: At the same time the 8th Army has been improving it's positions in Troyes and and assault has been ordered against Bar Sur Aube. In Alsace gen Dubai faces a real disaster losing another unit. His army is now down to two divsions and the French retreat rapidly turns into a real rout! It proved to be another bloody day for the French army and in total five enemy divisions have been destroyed. It looks like the sneaky BEF commander is trying to use the troops of his ally as a shield, which continuies to absorb the heavy punches dealt by our armies. The French prisoners interogated by us, also share this view and the behaviour of the British seems to cause an increasing indignation among the Polius... All in all, the attrition continues to take it's toll one the enemy. Unlike in August, the loses cannot be replaced in full, due to the fact that the French mobilization is already over. The number of French units operating in the filed has reached the all time low of 40 divisions, while the number of German units is stable and above 70. Such a result two weeks ago would mean a victory for the Kaiser. Sadly right now, it may be just too late... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill101 Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 It’s time for another German general to come under attack, as British and French forces join together to give him a good kicking. Where were the soldiers under his command to protect him? Foch is strengthening his forces around Bar sur Aube, to the south east of Troyes, and we certainly hope that the changing situation and poor enemy supply levels will steadily put the enemy on the backfoot. More British Cavalry arrive too, which is good timing for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanov Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 The main figthing on the 19th of September has taken place on the southern flank of the 7th Army, along the river Aube. The situation around Bar Sur Aube can be described as a stalemate, where neither side can get the upper hand. Near Troyes, the trigger happy Brits pay the price for their audacity and the first BEF division is mauled and then finished off by our cavalry: In Alsace, the situation of the French army under gen Dubail who is retreating from Belfort, can be described only as a complete rout. The once strong enemy force, is down to one depleted division and a HQ unit, which are practically out of out of supply: *** THE FINAL CHAPTER - I HAD A DREAM ( OF VERDUN ). Some time ago, gen Foch woke up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare. He dreamt that the swarms of soldiers in the Pickelhauben entered an empty, undefended fortress of Verdun. Well, we cannot tell for sure, if the French general possess some supernatural, telephatic abilities but the assault against Verdun has been already planned from the beginning of this campaign and now the time has come to commence it! It's worth noting the big concentration of the heavy artillery, including the Austrian mortars, which become notorious, during the earlier fighting for Belfort. We should also mention here the long term deception campaign, undertaken by the German HQ. The French intelligence reported few times an activity along the German border with Belgium, which could possibly result in the invasion of that neutral country. In reality it was a feint, that was supposed to convince the enemy, that an attack agains Belgium was possible and force the French and UK HQ's to withheld some reserve North of Verdun, while our schwerpunkt was always located in the Vosges ( Neufechateau Gap ). It possibly worked out well, because at some stage the 7th Army moved West practically unopposed, due to the fact that the main body of the French army was tied up at Meuse. There was no reserve available at hand to plug up the gap. The German "Ardennes Army": Right now, when the main fighting takes 100km east of Paris, the timing of the assault against Verdun seems perfect and no doubt, it comes as a nasty surprise to the Entente. This splendid battle will be the last chapter of the campaing. The figting will be bloody but most of all, it will serve as an ultimate way to exert the pressure on the French, who are finally being attacked along most of the existing frontline. Gott mit uns! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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