Jump to content

Official 1939 World At War AAR/Walkthrough


Recommended Posts

There was very heavy fighting across much of the globe this turn. I am trying to create as many fires for Jim to put out as I can. I am sure that as he watches the replay he is probably reaching for some Advil.

63-SoutherRussia.jpg

In Southern Russia the Red Army launched a major offensive which culminated in the destruction of an Italian army and the mauling of several Axis units. The destruction of the Italian unit particularly hurts because the Italians are bleeding national morale and are now down to 41%. Every loss speeds that slide.

Speaking of the Italians…

63-AddisAbaba.jpg

Here is a screen shot of what is going on in Italian East Africa. As you can see the Italians are in trouble there. It is only a matter of time before organized resistance crumbles and the Italians take another major NM hit.

63-Amphib.jpg

In the Pacific, the Royal Navy caught an unescorted Japanese transport North West of Guadalcanal and sunk it. Jim is probably a bit surprised to find there is a little more resistance than expected in the islands of the South Pacific. After all… the fighting in the Med has been over for some time. He has got to be wondering where the bulk of the RN is.

63-ChinaCenter.jpg

The Chinese opened up a second major offensive this turn in Central China. Here is the first stage of a direct assault on his line.

63-ChinaCenter2.jpg

With the Chinese, I am attempting to take advantage of the distraction caused by the action in the Pacific, the cash drain there due to fighting and also the current advantage the Chinese have in infantry technology. Notice the fortifications Jim built. I am now confident he never had any intention of attacking China in strength and probably lacks the ground power to hold me back in the long run. What seems strange is a lack of invasion forces for Singapore, the DEI, the Philippians and several other islands. Jim seems to have a very large navy and it is possible he over invested in his Navy. If so… I think he might pay a very heavy price for that… the bulk of his navy is across the Pacific at the moment… I counted 15 separate surface combatants and 1 sub in the action that has taken place there. This means there is not a lot of home defense at the moment. The allies might just have the superiority in numbers navy wise south of Japan… I intend to try to take advantage of that… regardless Jim is facing a potential major crisis in China and has to put some serious attention there or he risks losing it all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 147
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

63-U-Boats.jpg

In the North Atlantic… there was very heavy action against Jim’s U-Boats. The Allies have a large surface fleet of DDs now and Jim’s U-Boats are taking a beating each turn. He seems to be operating close to bases in the Atlantic… there has been no naval raiding in the Indian ocean… and other spots which makes my job of sweeping the seas that much easier. He lost a U-Boat this turn and had another hammered pretty hard. The convoy lanes were swept clean once again as a result. I think the war over the Atlantic has decisively swung in my favor.

Over all I am very pleased. That said… the game is far from over and I cannot let my guard down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting turn.

We are now into March 42. I was able to nail another sub in the North Atlantic. A German cruiser made his presence felt but I was after U-Boats. I think that the major threat posed by the U-Boats is mostly over. Jim may have put his surface navy to sea. If he did, things could get interesting. On the eastern front my Russian armor destroyed a minor country corps and mauled a couple of other units… the ground is still not good for major action so no real tectonic shifts yet of the front. The UK began the assault on Addis Ababa this turn in Italian East Africa. A picture on this next turn.

70-ConvoyRaiding.jpg

As you can see… Allied raiding of the Japanese convoy lines has begun. This tiny amount combined with the sudden action in China should make things very difficult for Japan.

To date there are no serious Japanese forces in the Philippians. I can only confirm 1 unit has made landfall. The UK still holds onto Singapore and the DEI and I am working fast to strengthen those positions. I have absolutely no idea as to what Japan is up to. Perhaps an invasion of the USSR? I really don’t know… it has me very concerned.

70-CentralChina.jpg

In China… the Chinese continue their offensive drives in the North and South, inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese. I was able to secure SuChow in the center. I was very surprised to see a cavalry unit defending the city. Cav are weak units and are better suited toward garrison duty. Also notice the absolute lack of Japanese HQ’s near the front. Where are they?

You simply cannot fight in China effectively without HQ support. Losing this city translates to low readiness and morale due to decreased supply. Having taken this supply center from the Japanese, I have effectively unhinged Jim’s entire line supply wise. It will be interesting to see how he responds. He now has a real crisis in Central China. If he was preparing an invasion of the USSR… he had best reconsider and work to push the Chinese back or things could get bad for the Japanese quick. As you can see by the chart Jim posted… Japan has the largest number of ground forces deployed in the game. Where are they?

70-SouthernChina.jpg

In Southern China my offensive continued attacking the town of Shenzhen.

70-SouthernChinaB.jpg

Here is a better shot of the front. I have taken Shenzhen after having destroyed the defending corp. Effectively I have split Japanese held China in two. Most of Jim’s combat power appears to be trapped from Canton to Nanning to Hanoi. I don’t know how he is going to respond to me but now… he has to beat me back at all costs.

A powerful China is why the Japanese need to strike China early and hard… inflicting heavy casualties on the Chinese. For those who thought China in this game might have been a pushover… I believe I have demonstrated that she is far from that.

Momentum in the game seems to be slowly shifting to my favor. That said… we are a long way from Allied victory and things could change very rapidly back in the way of the Axis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since we are getting close... and honestly I have no idea on when AoD is due out... (just a feeling) I figured I would drop an offer for a multiplayer match to 2 players following the AAR. If you are interested post here on this thread. First come first serve.

Perhaps Jim will be kind enough to offer a game as well?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since we are getting close... and honestly I have no idea on when AoD is due out... (just a feeling) I figured I would drop an offer for a multiplayer match to 2 players following the AAR. If you are interested post here on this thread. First come first serve.

Perhaps Jim will be kind enough to offer a game as well?

Absolutely--I would be happy to play a multiplayer with someone. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very busy and exciting turn. Lots of action and heavy fighting. Jim hammered at me in the Pacific working to expand his foothold, especially in the South Pacific. He discovered… probably to his horror that the Australians have garrisons on several key islands… meaning he will have to fight to take them. They are also dug in.

71-CentralChina.jpg

In China my offensive in the center of the country continued. You can see Jim brought up an HQ… but I feel he is too far back to provide the supply bump he really needs to push his counter offensive forward. I was able to destroy the targeted army in the picture. You can see a number of Jim’s units are understrength from fighting. The costs of fighting in China are adding up for him.

71-SouthernChina.jpg

This is the picture in the south. I hammered away at his para with good results. I also began pushing at Amoy. I am going to try to make gains quickly before Jim can get sufficient carrier support in the region to slow me down. Those carriers will have to contend with ground bases air cover… which could prove costly. Jim did use carrier air in support of his Hong Kong offensive last turn. So I expect him to use them again against Chinese targets. Every casualty keeps him from building new units and gives the US and UK time to build up.

71-SS.jpg

One of the numerous US submarines raiding Jim’s convoy routes discovered a Japanese troop convoy. It seems like all of Jim’s DDs are off the US west coast… so I am hoping it will make it much more difficult for him to evict my subs conducting strategic warfare. In addition… he will need to begin clearing routes from Southern Japan to China so that his transports with fresh troops are not interdicted. This little guy was probably headed for the Philippians… which shockingly I still manage to hold!

71-Ireland.jpg

The British fresh off their success in North Africa invaded and occupied Ireland. I needed the readiness boost for operations in the South Pacific… to make it more difficult for Jim to take some of the islands… and hopefully increase his casualties. I also needed the cash. The readiness boost should also help in Italian East Africa.

71-RNStike.jpg

Jim learned where two of my UK carriers were this turn. His cruiser the Graf Spee pressed forward on hunting for my DDs which he found. Unfortunately one of my carriers was laying in wait. Just further north of this position several UK BBs and subs engaged an Italian DD and sunk that as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

71-Kiev.jpg

There was also heavy and brutal fighting on the Eastern Front in Southern Russia as Red armor and infantry forces hammered at the Axis lines. I managed to destroy a German corps and mauled a minor country corps.

The weather across Russia is still terrible… it will not last much longer. Major offensive operations for both sides should be kicking off shortly.

Thing seem to be progressing well. I am wondering what monkey wrench will be thrown into my gears.

Back to Jim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is an announcement from Naval HQ in Berlin: We regret to inform the German people that the Graf Spee was lost in a fierce combat with ships of the Royal Navy. Graf Spee successfully fought of a large number of British surface vessels, sinking more than we can count, but finally succumbed to bombing from the cowardly British air craft carriers.

We will have our revenge, have no fear!

This is the end of our announcement.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This is an announcement from Naval HQ in London, via the BBC World News. The Graf Spee and an unidentified Italian destroyer group were sunk today after bravely flown and well planned operations from Royal Navy aircraft carriers. While this is not the end, or even the beginning of the end, according to our Prime Minister, it perhaps marks the end of the beginning. It doubtless marks the end of the Graf Spee and of German surface ship operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

We now end our broadcast

++++++++++++++++++++

(GAME NOTE: The Graf Spee had some effect upon British income while it lasted, but now I will have to rely upon by U-boats. They are worth continuing to build throughout the game, in my opinion because not only do they hurt British income, but they tie up enemy warships and air units. In addition, they will later be useful to guard ports in France, to ensure no surprises from the British army. *** I did have some action in Russia, but can't show maps this turn, in order to not reveal my unit locations. A Russian light tank unit south of Kiev was destroyed, and otherwise fairly quiet).

DATELINE TOKYO: APRIL 12, 1942

This is Tokyo Rose speaking to all of you brave American sailors. While your girlfriends are dating the guys at home who didn't volunteer to fight, think also about this: Japanese bombers flying from His Imperial Majesty's glorious Akagi attacked Los Angeles, and sunk your brand new battleship "Colorado" before it could even receive a crew. Why do you fight us anyway? We have no grudge with America and will probably sell you Toyotas and Nissans after the war is over!

(((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))

This is Admiral King speaking to all Americans, but in particular the American boys who would have served on the USS Colorado, which was sunk this morning in Los Angeles Harbor. We will soon have many more "Colorado's" and other ships for you boys, and we will avenge the Colorado a thousand times over. That is all

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

45_zps2822bed7.jpg

45a_zpsb1722020.jpg

45b_zps9d786c3f.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lots of fighting this turn.

In China Jim showed up in the center with a lot of forces. I pulled back slightly to firm up my line because he was coming at me from 2 directions. I still hold the city I took in the center and as a result supply for Jim’s forces is a problem. Pulling back slightly I was able to bring my forces back into better supply. In Southern China I took Amoy and there was heavy fighting as I assaulted his paras once again.

No real action elsewhere in the Pacific. I had several sightings of Japanese naval units via intelligence… so I feel I have a good handle of what is going on. I am planning several operations… more on that later.

On the Eastern Front, Jim pushed forward apparently regardless of reduced supply effects that still carried over from winter and also on poor ground. I took the opportunity to launch a major offensive that claimed a German armor, corps and mauled a number of units.

72-SouthernRussia.jpg

Here you can see the beginning of my offensive having kicked off.

72-SouthernRussia2.jpg

Note the final positions and relative strengths of units on both sides. The soviets are in a commanding position at the moment in the south… at least until German supply rebuilds. If Jim stands and takes it in the short term… I think he will have a difficult time and the initiative will swing decisively to the Russians. The disparity of armor tech is killing him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My knowledge of history isn't all that great, but isn't it a little off that the Russians can even have the possibility of out-teching German armour by spring 1942?

That's something I found playing Storm over Europe as well, that the Russians could generally maintain tech parity with the Germans, and even superiority, relatively early on!

Otherwise really enjoying this AAR, thanks guys!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Will,

On armor that is very historical. Germans were in for a big surprise when they started facing Russian T-34 and KV-1 tanks in bigger #'s. These tanks had a 76 mm gun compared to the Germans 50 mm on down. Now as the war went on the Germans started to over-come them with technology as the Russians focused on #'s with a simple easily productive design where the Germans went for high tech. Germans did have a comparable tank on the Eastern Front until the spring of 43' with the Tiger then the Panther which was somewhat replicated towards the T-34.

The game represents this in a lot of ways because if you are the Russians you at times do not have the money to invest in the tech as much as the Germans after the war begins until the war starts turning in their favor and they are on the attack.

All depends on strategy and what you prioritize and why it is still a game too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While the Germans were surprised by the T-34's there were only 1,200 or so in service in june '41 http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ussr/tanks-medium/t-34.asp

So not a huge number by any means given the scale of the Russian front. So having a tech level is one thing, but have massive numbers of armor at that level is entirely another. So the Russians should either be very limited on the number of armor upgrades they can do per turn in '41 or earlier or make the cost of upgrading higher for the Russians. The higher cost could be be time limited too.

Any invasion in '42 or later would not have these restrictions to help put pressure on the Germans to invade historical or earlier :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Will,

On armor that is very historical. Germans were in for a big surprise when they started facing Russian T-34 and KV-1 tanks in bigger #'s. These tanks had a 76 mm gun compared to the Germans 50 mm on down. Now as the war went on the Germans started to over-come them with technology as the Russians focused on #'s with a simple easily productive design where the Germans went for high tech. Germans did have a comparable tank on the Eastern Front until the spring of 43' with the Tiger then the Panther which was somewhat replicated towards the T-34.

The game represents this in a lot of ways because if you are the Russians you at times do not have the money to invest in the tech as much as the Germans after the war begins until the war starts turning in their favor and they are on the attack.

All depends on strategy and what you prioritize and why it is still a game too.

I would love to see your sources for this. But, even if this is entirely accurate, as someone said before me only a very small number of these tanks were available. As if that wasnt enough the tech levels in the SC games do not seem to represent only the actual hardware used, but also to some extent doctrine, communications equipment and other components of the "whole" that is the general effectiveness of that nations armed forces (or infantry forces, in the "infantry tech" category). Given this, the prevalence of highly teched Soviet armor is very odd. The numbers speak a clear language regarding whose armor was superior. Basically;

http://chris-intel-corner.blogspot.se/2013/01/tank-strength-and-losses-eastern-front.html

Everything is on this page, gathering information from many sources. In summary, the german armor was ludicrously outnumbered throughout the entire war on the eastern front and the soviets still lost ten times as many tanks in 41, five times as many in 42, three times as many in 43 and about 2.5 times the number in 44.

The supposed technological superiority of the T-34 is also largely theoretical, this page debunks that myth very thoroughly;

http://chris-intel-corner.blogspot.gr/2012/07/wwii-myths-t-34-best-tank-of-war.html

Also, (considering the above) the Germans had a tank that outmatched the T-34 already by the summer of 1942, the long barreled PIV.

It's pretty strange that the soviets can maintain tech parity with the germans in most of these scenarios early on, not to mention tech superiority. From the statistics I've presented, it would be much more reasonable to make sure that soviet armor is very cheap (effectively representing two or three "armor groups" for every one of the german armor groups) but clearly inferior in combat values even with tech to make up for the numerical advantage.

In this particular game I suspect that it has to do with italy getting france, but even had that not happened I suspect that the germans would only have had parity in tank tech, not an advantage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not going to present sources, read the history books and actually your 1st source supports what I stated.

1200 is not insignificant when talking Germans invaded with 3600 tanks against 20,000 Russian tanks (however most obsolete or not maintained). However Russians misused their T-34's and fought individually mostly in the beginning and poor tactics. Also calculate 3600 x .40 for the heavier german models and you get 1440. My point on higher #'s is right around the battle of Moscow there was more coming off the production line whereas Germans were not getting the #'s to the front to replace. Not to mention the attacker in theory in this time should have at least a 2 to 1 advantage in #'s.

Can not read the 2nd blog as China blocks my internet a lot of times.

Their 1942 upgraded IV did not outmatch the T-34 as this was sloped armor compared to the German design. It was the Panthers/Tigers when they came online in 43' that gave the Germans the technical advantage.

Germans won by tactics early on, not by tech with their armor.

This game summary clearly shows a late German advance and then stated he concentrated on #'s and not tech where as the Russians decided to go more towards tech once they noticed there would be a late advance by the Germans. Also I see some Russian tanks not even upgraded. That's why it is a game and for you to decide which route you would like.

Same for being outgunned is true in France where the French tanks were better. Where the Germans win was by tactics and bravado.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the blog you cannot access, the PZ III by '42 also outclassed the T-34

T-34 vs PzIII

The main German tank in the period 1941-43 was the PzIII. It weighed roughly 22 tons and was armed (in that period) with a 50mm gun.

The PzIII made up 28% of German tank strength at the start of operation Barbarossa. Roughly 72% of these had the new 50mm gun, the rest the 37mm. These guns could only penetrate the T-34 from the sides at close ranges while the Soviet tank could destroy the PzIII from long distances from all aspects.

By summer ’42 it made up 51% of German tank strength. At that time it had received a longer 50mm gun that could destroy the T-34 from 500m frontally (with special ammunition). It also received more basic armor (50mm from 30mm) plus 20mm bolted on parts. The extra armor negated the performance of the F-34 at long ranges.

Despite its theoretical inferiority the PzIII was able to fight against the T-34.

What it lacked in armor and firepower it made up by having a better internal layout, better reliability and optics, a commander’s cupola and radio in every vehicle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was interesting reading the discussion about armour in '42. I tend to agree with those who say the Germans were in for a nasty surprise when they encountered T-34's.

However, the real point that was made, and with which I agree, is that this is a game. And as noted, it comes down to prioritization of research, builds, and overall strategy.

I have made a few mistakes with Germany that are now coming back to haunt me:

1. Italy got France's resources

2. Not enough research, especially in production, industry and armour

3. Going after the Russian light armour unit was stupid--my supply sucked, and I paid for it.

The beauty of SC games is the numerous options that players have. It is easy to get off of the "historical" track by making decisions different than the historical ones. And if those decisions are bad ones, it usually doesn't end well :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since we are getting close... and honestly I have no idea on when AoD is due out... (just a feeling) I figured I would drop an offer for a multiplayer match to 2 players following the AAR. If you are interested post here on this thread. First come first serve.

Perhaps Jim will be kind enough to offer a game as well?

I'd like to take you up on your offer. My email is: tomli72@hotmail.com

Either side is fine but I prefer the axis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

numdydar is correct about German tank units but its also the training. It roughly took the Soviets 3-4 shots to hit a German tank, it took the Germans 1-3 shots to hit a Soviet tank. Just that statistic can define a battle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well this is the end of this AAR/Walkthrough. With the “imminent” release of the game we are going to quickly switch sides and show you a different perspective of gameplay! I think in the last game there were a number of decisions and moves Jim wishes he could take back. I am sure he is going to take his revenge out on me in this upcoming game… but that said I intend to give him a run for his money. I will let Jim post some of his thoughts as unlike other Global games the Axis is much more difficult to play in AoD . They are much less forgiving. Thank you all for following the AAR/Walkthrough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


×
×
  • Create New...