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Chapter 1 - Part 2 : D'day Reversal
D-Day Reversal

--- Battle of Normandy

( June 22nd, 1944 -> June 25th, 1944)
Things started to look more favourable on the Allies. The RAF was conducting stream of revenge strategic bombings (hurt about 90 of my IC at peak while 30 on average) before feeling the attrition from the Luftwaffle fighting back (this pattern would continue til the end of June). But in Normandy, Rommel had successfully delayed the Allies long enough to gather the entire 7th Armee and 1/2 portion of 15th Armee along with an incoming freshly built Panzer Korp (5 Panzer Div ~1000 tanks).

Reports coming from the East that the Russian was making a surprising gain in the Baltic, Russian Heartland and Romania front "they are in a total and complete retreat" - Stalin said. Which caused another panic in the Coalition Government[*] for two good reasons:
1) " If we aren't fast enough then Stalin would get a free hand on the entire Central Europe let alone the Balkan."
2) " The German are clearly reinforcing from the East. If our force in Normandy aren't advancing enough. There won't be any Liberate of Western Europe at all."

And they weren't alone. Both Eisenhower, Arthur Tedder and Montgomery felt the deep urgent having to attack harder as the German were increasing pressing on attacking the Allies' supply line on land and sea. So, with that goal in mind, Eisenhower ordered a series of counter-attacks towards Falaise. In return, the German made flanking attacks on the Allies' positions in Saint. Lo, Granville and Caen. For 16 hours, these escalated into a full scale battle almost similar to the one in Kursk minus the RAF. While of these were happening, a second major landing were under prepared[a].
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Luftwaffle's air strike began to hurt, Caen infrastructure is bombed to the ground to nullify any attempt to supply nor advancing forward while the infantry is being bombarded by ~1000 Stukas and 2000 Flying Ducks[1]. As a soldier put it:

" It's Dark Cloud[2] from above,
and then Thunder[3],
and then raining men on the ground."

(Pun intended :p) - A random soldier commented.
Neither side achieved a breakthrough.
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(June 25th -> July 3rd, 1944)
Eisenhower then switched his intention to establish a second supply line in Cherbourg to ensure the survival and possibly the evacuation of the Normandy force. But the reluctant Montgomery didn't want years of planning goes to waste so he proposed using the main reinforcement force of Normandy to make a second surprise landing to establish another supply line as well as a Second Front.
With the exhausted 7th Armee and resting Luftwaffle. Eisenhower threw the heavy weight with the wholehearted support of Arthur full onto the Gruppe Hellmich Korp in Cherbourg. Rip, F, RAF literally bombed them out of the existence.
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Holy scheiße :eek:!! So that's about 132000 men. 160 ~ 240 tanks[3] so average 200*7 = 1400 tanks. Sigh, I would be a shame if I just encircle them and eat all of them alive.
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But
... :rolleyes:. Cheeki me.
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Anyway, back in Normandy. Although Cherbourg was captured and a second supply line was established. It was just simply too late. Not only that but with the renew constant attack of the Heer and the Luftwaffle, " Good luck Dunkirk this, Bitch" - Hitler 1944.
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Sure, I guess this is more important than half a million men casualty then.
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--- Battle of Brittany
( July 4th, 1944 - July 12th, 1944)

Sometimes pictures speak louder than a thousand words. After all, through the eyes of Thomas, the fate of this Army Group would never be known.
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Comment F down below guys. And what do you think Rommel would do to Montgomery, his nemesis (meme included)?


Context:
[a] : Referring to Operation Dragoon which would be performed later in August, 1944.
[*]: See Churchill War Ministry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill_war_ministry


[1] : Actual figure from the German's side were 600 stukas and 1500 Flying Duck (Hs-129)
[2] : Thunder is Stuka's siren. Lightning caused by the reflection of Bf-109. Again, " It's raining men" is pun intended.
[3] : As a "heavy" division, the 3rd Armored possessed two armored regiments totaling four medium tank battalions and two of light tanks (18 companies) instead of three tank battalions containing both (12 companies), 232 medium tanks instead of the 168 allotted a light armored division, and with attached units numbered over 16,000 men, instead of the normal 12,000 found in the light armored divisions. Each division type had an infantry component of three mechanized infantry battalions. - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Armored_Division_(United_States)
 
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A very important step complete

I suspect Rommel would treat Montgommery with perfect kindness actually
 
Apparently UK had a homeland boost in one of the mods because I saw 2 English infantry divisions defeated my Panzer Korp (5 panzer division) and this pattern repeat until I had to give up for today. Smhh :oops:
 
So pretty much the whole Normandy landing wiped out? :eek: How is the Eastern Front going?
 
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Chapter 1 - Part 3 News from the Wolf's Lair
Sorry for the delay, guys. I was too enthusiastic in doing the Part 3 and Part 4. Anyway, here is part 2.

News from the Wolf's Lair
--- Überholung (Meaning overhaul)
( June 20th 1944 - 8:00, OKH's HQ)
- "All salute! Oberbefehlshaber coming in".
- "Heil Hitler! Greeting Oberbefehlshaber...... Erich???? von Manstein

- "Heil Hitler!", then he continued: "Führer ordered me on his behalf to take emergency control on Eastern Front to make sure the Retreat happens according to his plans while he is making big change. Send this copy of his plans to every single HQ starting from the Heeresgruppen to retreat to the Götterdämmerung line" (G-line). Tell the Armee Narwa-Abteilung will specifically move to Heisinki to ensure the Memeland doesn't have any funny idea[1]."

To everyone's surprise, instead of Guderian, it's Erich von Manstein, whom is generally respected by the colleagues, he is well-known for his earlier dismissal for disobeying Hitler in March 1944. Now suddenly one day, Manstein is brought back and given a free strategic command as if he is Hitler's Vader. But this is possibly the most normal thing happened before the day began - Himmler is dismissed from the politics; the SS is placed under control of Goebbels and limited to only Policing actions, Waffen-SS is organised into special SS-Panzer Korp and most importantly the personal appointments for hundred officers into the Divisions that were earlier dismissed or neglected.

Plan Götterdämmerung
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Battles of the Central Frontier - June 1944 -> August 1944
Despite having a full insight of the incoming Operation Bagration. Evacuating over a hundred divisions are still such a headache as the Operation just about to go on full-swing in 2 days. So Manstein devised a quick series of temporary defence lines based on the favourable terrains: behind the river banks, hills, low infrastructure areas. The reserve and flanked Armies will guard on these further of these lines, ready to counter attack if the Russian gets in too close, while the front line Armies will retreat to the inner circle lines; and repeat this pattern.
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I just realised how costly it is even for retreating.
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But not as costly as a counter attack to pin down the Red Army's advance.
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As can be seen here, the first defensive line starting to form to allow the front line to troop to retreat to the next defensive line at the rear
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Realising what the German is doing. Soviet conducted a total charge. But it was too late, casualties starting to mouth on Russian's side instead of the German. Hitler finally stabilised the Eastern Front, something that Napoleon couldn't do after he failed on his Russian Campaign.

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Yea, Germany is now in Rage Hack Mod.
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--- Black Vortex
If you are the Soviet and you want to make a break out of the G-line without facing enemies on the other of the river banks. There are only 4 options:
1) Attacking in Memel is the most direct way to the Prussian's heart land and taking Memel will gain access of extra air field. But behind Memel will be either a reserve force just on the other side of a river bank a strait or so it's favourable to make a continuous breakthrough.
2) Leading straight to Poland -> Berlin and the Soviet's most experience Tank guards already situated here. Grodno was and is still neglected by the OKH hence now it's has the poorest infrastructure of the Eastern Front. Although Manstein ordered a construction of both Grodno and Memel's defence but they are still in the infant state.
3) Stanislawow also has air field like Memel. The Red Armies did try to make a breakthrough on this specific area during their July Offensive but as we all know, it didn't work because a Panzer Korp along with a Waffen-SS division and a Mountaineer Korp just conveniently situated there.
4) is like 2) and will open ways to the Romanian Oil Field. Cutting the life supply of the German's War Machine but there are 2 Romanian Armies and 2 Panzer Korps guarding in this specific densely forest area.
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=> So the Soviet chose option 2, hence:

Battle of Grodno (August 1944 - November 1944)
Phase 1: August -> the end of September.
The Red Army begins their offensive by attacking poorly defended Swislocz. Yea, you can see the Red Guard and the Armour divisions concentrating their offensive here.
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Once the German used up their reserve Infantry Corp at the rear. The Red Army pressed a number of continuous assaults on Wolkowysk. Although unsuccessful, but it meant to pin down the forces in Wolkowysk while battle of Swislocz began to shift to the Soviet's favour. The German tried to commit a retaliate bombing run to wear down the Soviet Force but it just couldn't work. A costly air attrition battle with the Soviet meaning Luftwaffle and German's industry will become an easy pick for the RAF.
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Ok I was wrong, the Soviet does make a sneaky attack on number 4 as I pay too much attention on number 2.
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But of course, I also have a sneak attack for the Soviet as well ;).
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Whoopsie!!! :cool:
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Another Soviet pocket? Yummy :p!!!
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The German counter-attack for Swislocz
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Having just brought another Panzer Korp and an Infanterie Korp from the South. Manstein revealed his plan to counter-attack based on his earlier success in Kharkov[2]. (Sorry for the light drawing but if you look closely there are 2 small red pockets).
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Phase 2: From Beginning -> End of October.
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So this comes down to a race whether I finish the pocket first or the AI will breaks my encirclement.
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And I won that race.
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So despite the Red Army's loss. I realised they are ready to counter-attack and thus Soviet broke out my Romanian line so I pulled back. Thus, concluding Phase 2. Although I couldn't capture the nearby airfield on the above picture but by killing several Armour and Guard divisions, the Red Armies's offensive capabilities has been removed in this region.
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Phase 3: Beginning of Nov -> 13th Nov.
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----> Conclusion: Soviet Loss: Some tanks, Red Guard, Leningrad and ego. My Loss: Manpower as usual.

Is part 2 too long to read? Would you prefer less screenshots of the battle statistics? Do you want to hear more stories from Thomas in this crazy Hell world?

Context:
[1] Lapland war: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_War. Basically Finnish switched side to the Allies.
[2] Third battle of Kharkov https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Kharkov
 
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Funny enough. I posted too much screenshots that I reached the limit of 35 images.
 
Yep. My guy is getting crazier as he is exposing to future memes
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also I'm using trial on imageshack so this won't last forever. Any suggestion for the alternative to imageshack?
 
So pretty much the whole Normandy landing wiped out? :eek: How is the Eastern Front going?

Worse. Whole Operation Overlord wiped out and Montgomery.
 
also I'm using trial on imageshack so this won't last forever. Any suggestion for the alternative to imageshack?
I’ve used imageshack for the last couple of years and it’s been pretty good. The annual subscription isn’t too bad (depends what you can afford). I host three image-heavy AARs simultaneously, so it’s worth it for me.
 
I’ve used imageshack for the last couple of years and it’s been pretty good. The annual subscription isn’t too bad (depends what you can afford). I host three image-heavy AARs simultaneously, so it’s worth it for me.

this is probably the only AAR I will do so honestly Im less inclined toward image shack.
 
I recommend imgur. It's free, and has some minor editing (crop and sizing) capabilities built in. It used to have more robust editing, but they took it out.
 
Are you going to go pure defense in Italy?

well, although italy is easy to defend for both sides but you just wait and see.
 
A nice defence of the East.
 
chapter 1 part 4 has been updated.
 
wait, do you get notified whenever a post (thread mark) is edited?
 
Chapter 1 - Part 4.1: War on the Soft Bloated Belly of Europe
Oh gosh, last night was so fun and tired. I'm glad that I manage to set myself unto writing today. Anyway, enjoy the Part 4.


Chapter 4: War on the Soft Bloated Belly of Europe
Part 4.1: The second hand ticks
" Clara, I'm going to Sicily now so can you send this letter of mine to my Dad please? He would love to hear my victories in Africa, especially in Time like this", said Tom. She is taking a deep breathe, trying to construct a good answer: " Tom, I know I love you long enough to know I'm a soldier's wife and you got duties to do. "But..." (bursting into tears) " haven't you the casualties just yet? I don't feel like the War is.... I'm sorry I should stop talking about this." He said calmly: "Hey hey, don't worry too much okay. I heard report from the Command[1] that our forces is making progress in Italy and the German is retreating in Russia so they must have pull whatever they had onto Normandy. Plus, I'm only station in Sicily to train the men, it will be way behind the Front Line. I will stay out of trouble and I'll seeing you later, I promise at least 51%." *Kiss goodbye*, then finally he left on board to Italy. (War diaries: July 15th 1944).
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Meanwhile, the Allies High Command argues over 3 options regarding about the fate of Italy:
1) Holding onto Rubicon river with the force that was meant for Operation Dragoon as Churchill suggests.
2) Evacuate from the Peninsula all the way to Sicily.
3) Redirect Operation Dragoon to focus on Milan, encircle Army Group G and capture Alpine Region.

( Remember, Yalta Conference hadn't happened yet so it is obvious that every failures on the Western front for the Allies meaning the Soviet getting more leverage in the negotiation to divide Europe later on)

( August 1st 1944)
Tom was secretly redirected instead to Taranto reserve forces from Sicily was also brought to Taranto. Just as he arrives the base, it is filled with very urgent atmosphere. Recognising the familiar face of his old superior, he salutes but was immediately interrupted:
- "No time to explain, you will take command of the 11th Motorised Squad. This lad will escort you to the camp. Take the reinforcement to Pescara within a week. Please report the status every half an hour to this Americano. I need you to understand that the time is critical now. Hell is raging on this peninsula very soon."
- " Crystal clear, sir; ", said Tom.
- "Dismiss, let's hope God helps us this time."

Arriving near the truck, each men gave formal salutes:
- " Sgt, I heard you just arrived from Dover."
Thomas - " Yes, I was."
- " How bad was it, sir?"
Thomas having a PTSD about the raid for 5s straight, seeing his ex-soldiers slowly died as half of their bodies were already ashed, then he immediately calmed himself down to keep the discipline and the morale of his fellows, he said: - " No worse than a tenth of the first Blitz. Target was military not civilian. Hey, I assure, the Nazis will pay for their crimes; every single one of them."
- Thanks you, sir. So these are Harry, Hector, Oscar, Sam, Marvel and me; Edward. Nice to meet you, sir. I'm from Dover, as you can tell by now. Your stuffs has been packaged, time is very urgent at the moment as I heard"
Tom : - " Alright lads. Preparing for battle. Godspeed!"
Everyone : - " Aye sir! Godspeed!"
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Being a close friend to the his Army Commander, occasionally he awared of the situation on the front line. But it happened so quickly. Just today the Allies were digging in with Armoured Polish Division supporting by 2 other Motorised Divisions but by tomorrow the German already beaten the hell out all 3 Divisions. Reported shown the same pattern in the battle of Normandy - An overwhelming, consistent bombardment of the Luftwaffle:
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(Earlier on July, over 1500 TAC bombers were already based around Northern Italy region). But the Allies didn't aware of this because they didn't consider to do any strategic air recon deep in Northern Italy. Their strategic goal was still: tactical bombing to maul down the Gothic defensive lines and crippling the German industry in the homeland
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Many Polish troops were caught behind the line as the retreat were too quick yet disorganised:
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By 1600 of August 3rd, the Allies forces were already in the status of retreat into the difficult mountainous terrain to avoid being overrun by the Panzers. But already expecting this, the Luftwaffle logistical bombed the already poor infrastructure of the mountains making travelling a thousand time worse.
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By the time 11th Squadron reached Pescara. The German were already knocking in Rome
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The German would occupy Rome once in 15th of August
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If you think the atmosphere in Taranto is already intense, then wait and see the atmosphere in Pescara. Many buildings were converted into Field Hospitals but couldn't fill up the place. The majority of the supply truck lost the frontal windshield and covered in hole. At Pescara, you are either Pilots, Doctors or radio officers. MIA was all time high and reinforcement was rare.
- " 11th Squad has arrived, sir! How can we help?"
Not even bothered to salute back, the American said: " Barricade this Northern section in Santa Filomena. Use the half-track to block the road if needs be. I want to make this place the next Dunkirk by next fort night."

While Hitler is getting crazier and declare war on Switzerland just to break Geneva Convention. Logic!!
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And his prediction ain't wrong. By 18th Rome has already fallen and the Pescara would soon becoming another Dunkirk
- " Attack? Did you just forget what we've been doing?"
- " Sir, the German has blocked the easy path to Pescara. If our forces has to go through the mountain, they might not get here in time."
- " Take this man out of my sight. I have another meeting."
- " Sir, our force will be encircled on the mountain instead. There won't be another Dunkirk. Just it's Done, Kirk[*]."

So, on 19th August. An order was made for the counter-attack against the weaken Fallchirmjager currently occupying at Ascoli Piceno. The offensive were making progress on the early skirmishes, the flat terrain made the exhausted Jagers became easy targets for M3 AA-guns, forcing the Jagers to retreat on the isolated defensive positions.
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By the end of the day, the Motorised But unbeknown to Thomas as well as everyone else, the German Panzers were advancing on the left flank, threatening to envelope the all the Allies force in Central Italy. By the time Tom became aware of the German's advance on 20th August. Disaster became increasingly unavoidable as every minute passed, not just the hours.
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(You see the blue motorised division at Pescara where there is also an active airfield and a port. Yea that's where Tom is at)


[To be continued]

Context:
[*] The American's name is Kirk.
 
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Chapter 1 - Part 4.2
( August 20th, 1944)

So, let's re-assess the situation.
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(So, I've been sitting down and think how should I imagine how this epic tactical battle looks like. But then I remember, I'm sucks at RTS let alone having any Actual military experience so rather than ruining you guys' immersion. Let's just imagine how a realistic Fury looks like but with British people and replaced all tanks with half-tracks.)

Alright, so basically Thomas and his squad is experiencing some gradual successes in countering attack the German in Ascoli Piceno. While the exhausted British Armour Divisions in L'quilla defended surprisingly well against two spearhead attacks from North and West of the area, creating a safe bridgehead for many infantry troops to pull back. If this trend continues for the next weeks. They can successfully evacuate more than 600000 men. A great moral boost after the disaster in Normandy

But... That just simply didn't happen. As the Allies yielded Terni to the German on 22nd, they also given up an easy to defend area which was how they managed to hold the black tide of over 3 German corps attacking Terni. When these 3 Corps attacking L'quilla on 23rd, along with over ~1000 Luftwaffle bombers, that is a very different story comparing to Terni's. Communication was cut off from Pescara, and good luck with navigating cause Eastern wind just conveniently blocks any attempt to find other alternative routes as all the main routes were already destroyed during the logistical bombing run in 5th August. Instead of using star chart at night to navigate, they chose to make a quick retreat to a safer and easier to defend Avezzano on 25th. Good tactical decision to stop the continuing onslaught but terrible strategic decision because now whole 4 Corps in L'quilla can attack Pescara, the only available evacuation point.

So back to Thomas, on 26th, the motorised divisions in Pescara stopped the counter-attack and began the process of evacuation. On 27th, about 70000 German against 10000 British in Pescara so you can imagine a lot of people died in that 2 days battle. But 9000 troops were saved. Hector died when a Tiger shot a HE ground that blew up the half-track. Marvel was shot in the thigh, Sam was pierced through the head by an 88mm APCR dragging Marvel back to the team. Marvel also died from blood loss later in that day. Among the confusion, Harry was missing in the smoke, he was later captured by the German and later sent to the Demonetised Camp. So, only Ed and Tom survived.

But it could have been a lot worse. This is the fate of the rest remaining Allies forces
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Tom's former Commander and Friend also was not evacuated.
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And this is whatever remains of the Allies force in Italian campaign. Over 612000 men now is reduced into this.
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[To be continued]