Arado234 vs colin AAR

[Colin I]

Arado has made some commentsa on a general thread, but I wanted to put the full AAR on a new thread, so here it is. hopefully Arado will add.

Arado (Axis) vs Colin (Allies)

Germans move across Polish border destroying resistance rapidly and efficiently. Polish fighters even engage in ground combat – “magnificent but its not war” – but its all futile. Despite bombardment of Copenhagen and a land assault there is a slight delay in entering the city after destruction of the Danish Royal Army. But Denmark doesn’t last long. In the West, German troops eyeball the French from the Maginot line. The French observe that, unlike many of the troops involved in Poland, these are not equipped with the latest weaponry and transport. But the Germans seem to be taking the possibility of a French assault into Germany seriously without being geared up for an immediate invasion, which makes the nervous Gallic troops feel better. Sub attacks are reported on Canadian shipping though the RN conspicuously fails to connect with the U-boats.

In London, a wily Churchill assembles his generals and industrialists and tells them what he wants. Amongst other actions he sacks most of MI5 after the Enigma fiasco. One general resigns in protest, one heads to Oxford St. to buy a new winter coat (muttering something about why fight the Nazi’s THERE rather than Northern France) and the others get to work. On leaving the cabinet meeting one politician observes that "he has never seen such a cynical and ruthless leader, so at least we have someone who can match the Nazis blow for blow". New British fighters barrel roll over London though no-one mentions how few there are compared to the swarms of German aircraft.

Meanwhile the French rearm as best they can. Having taken Liddell Hart seriously, they concentrate an armoured reserve and improve command control. But LH (Paris born, in fact) is the only “Englishman” in vogue in France – its clear Churchill will not send troops to help. The French gather strength, deploying their navy North to intercept any German naval attack (not trusting the British to do this though Churchill did promise this much). It seems, despite no obvious German diplomacy, that the Allies fight independently.

By the end of 1939 formidable masses of German troops and aircraft are spotted on the Benelux and French borders. The French recall North African troops and send them to the home front, and brace, brace, brace. Germans rapidly blitz Benelux but the French show spirit – bombarding enemy held port and attacking into Belgium (kind of the historical plan). Its so close, heavy armour moves forwards and the French assault and almost destroy a German army. And then the cry goes up – the British are coming! British air finishes the job – the first German unit of the war to die, and a full army at that. But the Germans then quickly storm Paris though the French fight on one more turn. The only British involvement is harassment bombing of ports that could aid a Sealion operation and some raids towards Kiel. And, bizarrely, one French corps in transit by sea hijacks the troop ship and sails it to Egypt to defend North Africa – apparently Anglo-French cordiality still exists. Alternatively, perhaps it was simply hostility to Italy who seized Marseilles and then Tunis and who generally seem to be up to mischief in the former French world.

The RN finally finds the German sub (now heading to North Africa) but the engagement is inconclusive. The British storm Norway to reroute those ore shipments and simultaneously deploy well equipped troops and route out Quislings. On the South Coast the British deploy well equipped troops to deter any opportunistic Sealion. Meanwhile, the RN bombards the coast of fortress Europe out of sheer petulance. The Luftwaffe is worryingly quiet, "I mean dammit, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but why aren’t they giving our fly boys hell?"

[arado234]

They will.

[arado234]

While the imperialist dogs were liberating(i mean wiping out)norway,i noticed that he was using much more power than was required.I was thinking hm...i wonder what he really is up to,so i moved one of my planes up to north denmark and i saw it:He had many ships waiting to do bad things(i figured the poor sweds were next)so i struck.Sinking two battleships and damaging 1 crusier.He has a carrier sitting in oslo port.Im now waiting his response.I fear it could be the end of the kriegsmarine.THEY WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

[Colin I]

British fight back, only sinking a U boat and damaging other ships. On the whole so far the Germans fought better but British can afford the losses.

Meanwhile Russian recce reports Germans massing in Poland. What the hell!!?? Its still autumn 1940. What's the matter with the Kraut's, don't they have anyone small to beat up on? Or is Barbarossa VERY early!? [Germany has confined itself to Benelux-Poland-France-Denmark with Italy doing some dirty work in North Africa].

Hungary drifts to the Nazis.

[Colin I]

PS If the Kriegsmarine fights to the death that will do just fine.

[Colin I]

Both sides withdraw from Skaggarak naval scrap. Rumania joins Axis.

[arado234]

Colin is wondering why my germans were so passive.I cant say right now but i made a pretty big mistake.

[Colin I]

Britian prepares. Russians air recce Germany. Its FAR too quiet........

[Colin I]

Apart from italian airforce bombing Malta harbour Axis still quiet. Canadian cruiser finally finds Axis U-boat which is reduced to strength 1 so lets hope for rough weather. Its Winter 1940. 1941 is unlikely to be as peaceful.

[Colin I]

Finally! May 1941 and Barbarossa is launched with the overun of the forwards Russian recce air squadron. Axis showing HT2. Naval skirmishes in the Baltic piss off the Finns and Swedes. UK silent and US a long way from war entry.

[Colin I]

Germans advance - significant armour - but mud hampers this. German battleships deploy against Russian cruisers - Germans will win but their Navy looks fatigued. To show moral support for the Russians British air based in Norway launches a long range pinpoint attack against a German battleship off the coast of Finland!

[arado234]

German tanks on the move.Russians try to slow the axis machine.Russian cruiser takes a heavy toll of german ships.They were still trying to regroup after the mighty clash with the british.Hitler being a landlubber sent his ships out unprepared and paid the price.

[arado234]

German tanks on the move.Russians try to slow the axis machine.Russian cruiser takes a heavy toll of german ships.They were still trying to regroup after the mighty clash with the british.Hitler being a landlubber sent his ships out unprepared and paid the price.

[Colin I]

German armour is formidable and numerous. Russians start to brace themselves. Meanwhile UK attack Copenhagen port and destroy a cruiser. Game is hotting up - Germans are really dangerous in Russia but UK is starting to stir itself and move onto the offensive too.

[arado234]

Germany hopes to make major gains this year to try and offset mistake(still a secret)made earlier.

[Colin I]

Russians continue to draw back in the face of German armour, although supported by their own tanks stand firm before Moscow. British carriers starting to get good at sinking German navy in port - another German cruiser sunk at Kiel.

[arado234]

The german navy whimpers in port.They thought they had done more damage to the british than it appears.We will continue this uneven naval struggle to the end.

[arado234]

The german navy whimpers in port.They thought they had done more damage to the british than it appears.We will continue this uneven naval struggle to the end.

[Colin I]

British fleet is large and effective despite losses. UK attacks Sweden with ground and long range air and continues to bombard Denmark.

[arado234]

My swedish allies are being wiped out.The one bright spot is that it upset the yanks.Russian attacks slowed untill supplies can be brought up.Ive made the nistake of attacking with low supply.Wont be doing that again.Should the brits try to invade mainland europe we will attack with full force.

[Colin I]

British troops take Sweden and give shelter to harassed Russian cruiser in the Baltic. Partisans slow an otherwise ferocious assault by Germans in Russia.

Who needs to invade European mainland when you have this much long range air

[Colin I]

Germans hammer theoretically superior Russian armour near Moscow. Russians retreat covered by Siberians. But the British high fleet has broken into the Baltic in force.

[arado234]

Germans finally lay a good clubbing on the russians.1hq,1tank,some corps gone.No losses.The kriegrsmarine is fighting its final battle.Should the british try coming to russia,we will deal with them to.The british aircraft havent run into the luftwaffe yet.When the do we will see.

[Colin I]

Its true, the German land army is formidable and undefeated and luftwaffe untested against serious opposition. The Russians continue to reel under German tanks. But the Germans have lost control of their home waters and the British air can choose where to strike. Sunk his last cruiser this turn and started to harass the Finns from the air. US still far from committed to entry.

[arado234]

A major attack was needed to take moscow,lenningrad(home of the evil bolshiveks)was liberated massive luftwaffe strikes.(which the R.A.F.couldnt stop.We will see if his scandinavian crusade will pay off.