-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
No, no, no.
You got it all wrong.
The Captain will now try to make up for the last time he passed up the oppurtunity, and strike hard through the Ukraine, pushing on to Stazidgrad. Unfortunately, the Brilliant Stazid manages to hold the city until 1946. At this point, the UK starts researching nukes, and breaks the 1946-1951 stalemate by nuking Berlin. This, obviously, causes huge discussions about HRs, and why nukes aren't banned, but it wins the game for the Allies.
Wrong again! Obviously Cpt is going for something along the lines of the video below.
[video=youtube;6ZVwIH3H9TE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVwIH3H9TE[/video]
[video=youtube;6ZVwIH3H9TE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVwIH3H9TE[/video]
Man... guys... You are busting my photobucket accounds faster then I can open them.... 
Chapter XXXVII - Operation Hungry Wolf
Players: 2xSOV, USA, UK, 2xGER, JAP, ITA
Recap: Gibraltar is at last in Axis hands. Germany has now sent everything eastwards to try and stop the ever-growing Behemoth Bear of the Soviet Union. France is preciously empty, only defended by about two army corps of mostly Italians, Spaniards and remnant German divisions on 1/3 strength.
The Red Army is reaching further and further into Romania which has lots of mountains and not the best infrastructure to start with. The plan is to bomb ever province – from the German front to the Black Sea – hoping to shut down the heavy flow of supply and fuel to the Red Army Group Romania. Then, Italians will once again attack Odessa and Crimea, causing havoc and force a supply demanding response from the Russ, hopefully also minimize the possible provinces for Moscow to trace supply to Romania. If the Red Army can lose supply, then the German forces in Romania might be able to push them back and secure pockets. It is not the strongest of plan… but options are limited… It is Operation Hungry Wolf
February 25th, 1943
Stavka had not given up hope to seal the pocket of Wlodzimierz once again and attacked in earnest (red arrows). Many of the defenders were in a far from optimal state and Germany relied mainly on the panzers while the depleted leg infantry only had supporting roles.
Previous V-strikes on Soviet territories would hamper their attack speed, reinforcements and hopefully supply – especially if they made a break through (pink crosses = zero infra)
February 25th, 1943
As the battle around Wlodzimierz continued, the German High Command realized, as they chanced upon an underground network, than the vile Soviets had managed to establish underground networks in some provinces. They were still in an early stage, but could prove dangerous in time. Brzesc was apparently of interest for the enemy. The fort there was a good place for the Germans to anchor the defense-line along the river.
February 27th-28th, 1943
After long days of bloody struggle, the second battle of Tomaszow Lubelski was over. Germany had won them both. The first opened an escape-route for the trapped units in Wlodzimierz while the second finally secured the retreat. All in all, it had been an expensive offensive for the Red Army – but once again – they had the reserves. Many of the German non prioritized leg infantry was down to 1/3 of their full strength and could barely be used in battle anymore.
March 1st, 1943
Soviets next push was in the Brzesc area. They started by taking the province just south of the city and then attacked the fortress itself. They came in great numbers, but fortunately for the Germans, the High Command had placed Königstigers here and they were well dug in by know. Even if the worn down German infantry could be dispatched, the Königstigers would be another ball game entirely.
March 7th-8th, 1943
The close quarter battle of the city and the infamous fortress became chaotic, confused and hellish. Men died in heaps and the Germans were greatly out-numbered most of the time. Only with a clever use of the steel behemoths could the Red Hordes be kept at bay. While the Red Army poured in reinforcements the Germans really had to struggle.
Soviet attacks in neighboring provinces made it even harder for the Germans to reinforce the strategic city. In the end, the Red Army pulled back and left smoldering ruins littered with the dead.
March 9th-14th, 1943
Brezesc only got little less than a day to recover before the Red Army threw another massive wave of attackers on it. The Germans had managed to send some new divisions into the city but the reassuring 7th Heavy Panzer division needed much more time than 1 day to recover. They were scattered, needed repairs and their crews were utterly exhausted after the previous week of battle. After another two days of battle, they had to be pulled out. Fortunately, the High Command managed to send in a well rested division of mechanized infantry to support the defense and after almost another week of battle, the Red Army retreated again after yet another disastrous battle. The city of Brzesc was in ashes but it was still in German hands.
After a hard half month in the center of the East Front, the activities here died off somewhat. It was in the south the action continued…
March 11th, 1943
Romania. The pressure from the Red Army was massive. For the Wehrmacht, depleted and decimated, it was all about retreat. In the south (pink circle), a few Japanese marines under Italian leadership was lost. They were, sadly, forgotten* and overrun.
In Targu Mures (blue circle) the German Commander of the East (me) was surprised by a Soviet blitz and valuable panzers were threatened to be cut off. An attack on Bistrija was quickly initiated to try and take some pressure of the sack-opening. This was dangerous.
* It was simply imposible to keep track of some units not belonging to you...
March 18th, 1943
Unfortunately, the sack could not be kept open. As the Soviets moved in on it, German Tigers supported by mechanized infantry and modern armor cars immediately attacked them and gave them a very hard time. Still, the Red Army tried to move reinforcements as well.
The Luftwaffe, however, were now dominating the southern part of Romania and could use both bombers and V2s without little fear of enemy fighters. That part of Operation Hungry Wolf worked well according to plan.
As the Japan marines had perished, so did a few German division, being blitzed through in the south. It was as many as four leg infantry, but as they all were between half strength and 1/3 strength the real loss was less than two full divisions. Still, it was a clear signal on the over-pressure the Germans were under.
March 21st, 1943
After days and days of bloody battle Targu Mures became completely open and the Germans could move out of the sack and connect with the main formation. The Red Army had for over a week tried to wear down the panzers in the cold mountains of Gheorgheni but as they pulled out it was mostly Soviet bodies left behind.
March 21st, 1943
Then came the Italian attack. They failed to land closer to Odessa as the Red Army had troops guarding the beaches. The German Commander of the Luftwaffe (Thelamon) had sent waves of V2s on the area between German Romania and the Black Sea and it was hoped that the Red Army in Romania would get supply problems or at least fuel shortages.
March 30th, 1943
The Red Army had a rapid reaction force waiting and quickly closed off the peninsula. Even with the aid of coastal bombardment it was well known that the Italians could not hope to win against several divisions of T34. It was a disappointment. The Red Army simply covered up to well.
April 3rd-4th, 1943
In Dej, a massive tank battle erupted. Although the T-34s was feared by the Italians, they could not match the arsenal of the Third Reich. Sadly, no supply shortage had been seen so far.
April 12th, 1943
Operation Hungry Wolf did not seem to really hit the mark. The only it did was stalling the Red Army somewhat – nothing more. They had pressed further into Romania and nothing really stopped the Red Army to spill into Hungary and Yugoslavia and the lands beyond. The Axis hardly had anything in France. Everything was in the East and they were still losing rather badly. This was as close to doom as Germany had been before.
…………………………..
It was time for something really desperate. The Axis leaders had a long, hard and bitter talk. It was time… again… for a do or die operation.
It was time for The Romanian Gamble
April 13th, 1943
This is the almost final version of The Romanian Gamble – a product by desperate Axis leaders (but nicely painted by Thelamon).
The Germans will retreat at the present frontline in Romania, party to find a stronger defensive line, partly to lure the Red Hordes further in. They will then assemble a majority of the panzers and basically everything that can be squeezed out of the rest of the front and strike eastwards north of the Romanian mountains in a massive arching blitz – trying to link up with Italians and Japs in the Black Sea. The idea is that the Red Army will be caught in V2-bombed wasteland without any roads. Operation Hungry Wolf bombed part of the area but additional bombings are necessary.
The exact landing of the Jap landing will be determined when they arrive, which will be somewhat after the whole operation has started. There are many things that need to work and several dangers.
1. The German strike army has a long way to move through hostile territory and the rivers give the Red Army a chance to make that corridor dangerously narrow.
2. Italian and Jap forces has weak AT and an early armored counter attack from the Red Army might throw them out before the German blitz can connect.
3. Will the extremely weakened southern front manage to hold the Red Army by the river? Otherwise the risk is huge that the encirclers will be encircled.
4. If the hook fails and the Red Army burst further West, there’s nothing there to stop them
There are other dangers, but we feared these the most. Future will tell. This is do or die.
..................................................................
---> I have forgotten to tell you - If you havn't seen, there's an interview with me about the Carnage Group at the AARlander
---> Also, last call to vote in the most prestigeous Iron HeAARt Award.
Chapter XXXVII - Operation Hungry Wolf
Players: 2xSOV, USA, UK, 2xGER, JAP, ITA
Recap: Gibraltar is at last in Axis hands. Germany has now sent everything eastwards to try and stop the ever-growing Behemoth Bear of the Soviet Union. France is preciously empty, only defended by about two army corps of mostly Italians, Spaniards and remnant German divisions on 1/3 strength.
The Red Army is reaching further and further into Romania which has lots of mountains and not the best infrastructure to start with. The plan is to bomb ever province – from the German front to the Black Sea – hoping to shut down the heavy flow of supply and fuel to the Red Army Group Romania. Then, Italians will once again attack Odessa and Crimea, causing havoc and force a supply demanding response from the Russ, hopefully also minimize the possible provinces for Moscow to trace supply to Romania. If the Red Army can lose supply, then the German forces in Romania might be able to push them back and secure pockets. It is not the strongest of plan… but options are limited… It is Operation Hungry Wolf
February 25th, 1943
Stavka had not given up hope to seal the pocket of Wlodzimierz once again and attacked in earnest (red arrows). Many of the defenders were in a far from optimal state and Germany relied mainly on the panzers while the depleted leg infantry only had supporting roles.
Previous V-strikes on Soviet territories would hamper their attack speed, reinforcements and hopefully supply – especially if they made a break through (pink crosses = zero infra)
February 25th, 1943
As the battle around Wlodzimierz continued, the German High Command realized, as they chanced upon an underground network, than the vile Soviets had managed to establish underground networks in some provinces. They were still in an early stage, but could prove dangerous in time. Brzesc was apparently of interest for the enemy. The fort there was a good place for the Germans to anchor the defense-line along the river.
February 27th-28th, 1943
After long days of bloody struggle, the second battle of Tomaszow Lubelski was over. Germany had won them both. The first opened an escape-route for the trapped units in Wlodzimierz while the second finally secured the retreat. All in all, it had been an expensive offensive for the Red Army – but once again – they had the reserves. Many of the German non prioritized leg infantry was down to 1/3 of their full strength and could barely be used in battle anymore.
March 1st, 1943
Soviets next push was in the Brzesc area. They started by taking the province just south of the city and then attacked the fortress itself. They came in great numbers, but fortunately for the Germans, the High Command had placed Königstigers here and they were well dug in by know. Even if the worn down German infantry could be dispatched, the Königstigers would be another ball game entirely.
March 7th-8th, 1943
The close quarter battle of the city and the infamous fortress became chaotic, confused and hellish. Men died in heaps and the Germans were greatly out-numbered most of the time. Only with a clever use of the steel behemoths could the Red Hordes be kept at bay. While the Red Army poured in reinforcements the Germans really had to struggle.
Soviet attacks in neighboring provinces made it even harder for the Germans to reinforce the strategic city. In the end, the Red Army pulled back and left smoldering ruins littered with the dead.
March 9th-14th, 1943
Brezesc only got little less than a day to recover before the Red Army threw another massive wave of attackers on it. The Germans had managed to send some new divisions into the city but the reassuring 7th Heavy Panzer division needed much more time than 1 day to recover. They were scattered, needed repairs and their crews were utterly exhausted after the previous week of battle. After another two days of battle, they had to be pulled out. Fortunately, the High Command managed to send in a well rested division of mechanized infantry to support the defense and after almost another week of battle, the Red Army retreated again after yet another disastrous battle. The city of Brzesc was in ashes but it was still in German hands.
After a hard half month in the center of the East Front, the activities here died off somewhat. It was in the south the action continued…
March 11th, 1943
Romania. The pressure from the Red Army was massive. For the Wehrmacht, depleted and decimated, it was all about retreat. In the south (pink circle), a few Japanese marines under Italian leadership was lost. They were, sadly, forgotten* and overrun.
In Targu Mures (blue circle) the German Commander of the East (me) was surprised by a Soviet blitz and valuable panzers were threatened to be cut off. An attack on Bistrija was quickly initiated to try and take some pressure of the sack-opening. This was dangerous.
* It was simply imposible to keep track of some units not belonging to you...
March 18th, 1943
Unfortunately, the sack could not be kept open. As the Soviets moved in on it, German Tigers supported by mechanized infantry and modern armor cars immediately attacked them and gave them a very hard time. Still, the Red Army tried to move reinforcements as well.
The Luftwaffe, however, were now dominating the southern part of Romania and could use both bombers and V2s without little fear of enemy fighters. That part of Operation Hungry Wolf worked well according to plan.
As the Japan marines had perished, so did a few German division, being blitzed through in the south. It was as many as four leg infantry, but as they all were between half strength and 1/3 strength the real loss was less than two full divisions. Still, it was a clear signal on the over-pressure the Germans were under.
March 21st, 1943
After days and days of bloody battle Targu Mures became completely open and the Germans could move out of the sack and connect with the main formation. The Red Army had for over a week tried to wear down the panzers in the cold mountains of Gheorgheni but as they pulled out it was mostly Soviet bodies left behind.
March 21st, 1943
Then came the Italian attack. They failed to land closer to Odessa as the Red Army had troops guarding the beaches. The German Commander of the Luftwaffe (Thelamon) had sent waves of V2s on the area between German Romania and the Black Sea and it was hoped that the Red Army in Romania would get supply problems or at least fuel shortages.
March 30th, 1943
The Red Army had a rapid reaction force waiting and quickly closed off the peninsula. Even with the aid of coastal bombardment it was well known that the Italians could not hope to win against several divisions of T34. It was a disappointment. The Red Army simply covered up to well.
April 3rd-4th, 1943
In Dej, a massive tank battle erupted. Although the T-34s was feared by the Italians, they could not match the arsenal of the Third Reich. Sadly, no supply shortage had been seen so far.
April 12th, 1943
Operation Hungry Wolf did not seem to really hit the mark. The only it did was stalling the Red Army somewhat – nothing more. They had pressed further into Romania and nothing really stopped the Red Army to spill into Hungary and Yugoslavia and the lands beyond. The Axis hardly had anything in France. Everything was in the East and they were still losing rather badly. This was as close to doom as Germany had been before.
…………………………..
It was time for something really desperate. The Axis leaders had a long, hard and bitter talk. It was time… again… for a do or die operation.
It was time for The Romanian Gamble
April 13th, 1943
This is the almost final version of The Romanian Gamble – a product by desperate Axis leaders (but nicely painted by Thelamon).
The Germans will retreat at the present frontline in Romania, party to find a stronger defensive line, partly to lure the Red Hordes further in. They will then assemble a majority of the panzers and basically everything that can be squeezed out of the rest of the front and strike eastwards north of the Romanian mountains in a massive arching blitz – trying to link up with Italians and Japs in the Black Sea. The idea is that the Red Army will be caught in V2-bombed wasteland without any roads. Operation Hungry Wolf bombed part of the area but additional bombings are necessary.
The exact landing of the Jap landing will be determined when they arrive, which will be somewhat after the whole operation has started. There are many things that need to work and several dangers.
1. The German strike army has a long way to move through hostile territory and the rivers give the Red Army a chance to make that corridor dangerously narrow.
2. Italian and Jap forces has weak AT and an early armored counter attack from the Red Army might throw them out before the German blitz can connect.
3. Will the extremely weakened southern front manage to hold the Red Army by the river? Otherwise the risk is huge that the encirclers will be encircled.
4. If the hook fails and the Red Army burst further West, there’s nothing there to stop them
There are other dangers, but we feared these the most. Future will tell. This is do or die.
..................................................................
---> I have forgotten to tell you - If you havn't seen, there's an interview with me about the Carnage Group at the AARlander
---> Also, last call to vote in the most prestigeous Iron HeAARt Award.
Oh no... You're slowly bleeding to death and another do-or-die operation is needed...
I really hope this operation will work, and its goal is achieved - perhaps, if this succeeds, you'll have parity with the Soviets. It is good to see though that you have control over the skies; obviously, a large part of your IC has been directed to the Luftwaffe.
I really hope this operation will work, and its goal is achieved - perhaps, if this succeeds, you'll have parity with the Soviets. It is good to see though that you have control over the skies; obviously, a large part of your IC has been directed to the Luftwaffe.
The Axis is crumbling!
The only question is whether they can stop the USSR by pocketing a lot of troops and/or running it out of manpower.
The only question is whether they can stop the USSR by pocketing a lot of troops and/or running it out of manpower.
God those divisons are so undermanned. I fear that the Axis are on there last breath.
There is a nice doomsday atmosphere to all this. Desperate pincer maneuvers drawn up at the last moment make me happy inside.
That's all the german front that is endangered by the romanian breakthrough ... the end is near.
Always leaving us with the cliffhangers. Don't worry Sprites. An army will come to their rescue
Germany goes va banque again, but if it works, you could pocket a whole slew of Soviet divisions. Change the cards on the table. Wonderful stuff.
Nice battles, and I like the axis being the underdog. The operation won't work, as we saw the Red army is well covered and there is a long way to encircle all those divisions.
Whelp, can't say as I am all that surprised at what happened in the update. Cpt just lacks the boots on the ground to do more than a fighting retreat, and this time if the Allies land in France (assuming the Japs haven't cowed them into submission) there is literally nothing to stop them. The Eastern Front is too fragile to afford to lose those Koningsters.
It seems the Russians have quite a strategic reserve. The Allies have been quiet through all this. Potentially, they can make things difficult for the Axis if they have enough force to bare on France. If they bring their Pacific Fleets, they might be able to rest the Naval advantage back to the Allies!
My guess is that the Allies are going to stay mostly quiet until mid-1944. They have Capital Ships to replace. Once they've regained naval dominance, they'll try landing again, though probably on a smaller scale than last time.
The Allies are hurting from the defeats and losses in and around France. Particularly the naval ones IIRC. And of course the British have been low on MP and divisions ever since their misfortune in the Netherlands.