July '44: Balkan Crisis
AIR TECHNOLOGY:
Germany currently holds a slim lead in several key areas and is looking to expand its advantage. Most notable is the advantage in strategic missiles, which over time will become more powerful and have longer range. RADAR, specifically navigation radar is important for intercepting enemy bombers and fighters, is now a high priority for both sides.
The Soviet Union is currently researching:
Medium Air Search Radar
Installation Strike Tactics
The United States is researching:
Rocket Interceptor
Small Navigation Radar
Airbase Strike Tactics
Strategic Rocket Development
The UK is researching:
Rocket Tests
Civil Nuclear Research
Jet Engine
Large Navigation Radar
Ground Attack Tactics
Interdiction Tactics
Airbase Strike Tactics
Strategic Rocket Development
Germany has almost all its leadership working on aircraft and missile technology, including nuclear research. The following are current projects:
BOMBERS:
Medium Bomb 2
Twin Engine Armament 2
Medium Navigation Radar 1
FIGHTERS:
Aero Engine 4
Small Nav Radar 1
Jet Engine 1
SECRET WEAPONS:
RADAR-Guided Missile
Acoustic Torpedo
Strategic Rocket Engine 1
Strategic Rocket Warhead 1
Strategic Rocket Structure 1
DOCTRINES:
Fighter Ground Crew Training 6
Fighter Ground Control 6
Bomber Target Focus 6
Logistical Strike Tactics 6
Strategic Bombardment Tactics 4
Strategic Air Command 2
AIR WAR OVER EUROPE:
(above) The Allies continue usual bombardments in the west, and now the Soviets begin hitting targets in Eastern Prussia and Slovokia. British interceptors attacked Germany's air defenses near Paris and Antwerp. Air patrols continued both day and night, but no bombing missions were deterred.
(above) Western Front: Air General Hellingbrunner's night fighters are engaged by a large force of interceptors from Great Britain. The huge stacking penalty combined with night modifier render Allied aircraft virtually useless.
Mediterranean Front: Allied interceptors have a better luck in the daytime above Antwerp. Now, Air General Lozer defends against enemy aircraft, and holds a slim advantage in both attack and defense.
(above) Lozer's fighter are badly malled as allied aircraft continue the chase over Bruxelles. Germany's reserve fighters would take to the sky's the next day.
CRISIS IN ROMANIA:
(above) Soviet forces massing in the south threaten to break-through and take Romania out of the war. There are virtually no forces beyond the front lines, and so the Red Army could easily sweep through Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece (yellow arrows).
The operational plan to defeat the Soviets is to counter-attack (blue arrows). Armored elements from Southern Ukraine will sweep down from the north while panzers from the Black Sea region will meet them half-way. If successful, a new defensive line will be established along the Danube River.
Battle for the Danube: 21June-23August 1944
(above) Soviet assaults (red arrows) disperse Romanian divisions and cross the Danube river threatening to break Axis lines wide open. If the Red Army manages to get into the mountains beyond they will be extremely difficult to dislodge.
By July 1 the Soviet front (orange arrows) in the north continues moving along (orange arrows) while German defenders in the south (blue arrows) hold the line.
By July 9 the front is stabilized (white arrows). Black Sea panzers support the armored assault from the Ukraine (blue arrows) effectively flanking the Soviet pincer.
The Romanian front is mostly stabilized by 23 August (white arrows). Ukrainian Panzers are urgently withdrawn to shore-up defenses around Kiev.
ITALIAN FRONT:
(above) Intensive fighting around Monte Castello from late June to early July resulted in an Axis victory.
(above) Seizing the advantage, reserve panzers under Maj. General von Schwerin sweep along the coast and force beleaguered Allied forces into defending Rome. If the Axis can capture Rome it would shore-up its defensive line in the south, and provide a key forward air base from which to attack allied shipping and logistics.
Next Time: Fall of Finland