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Great AAR. Subscribed. Do you think you could make a serious push in the south in June/July, or is Moscow an easier and/or better target?
@ Barvinok. Boy, do I agree. I am devoting all available IC to upgrading interceptors and getting them up to full strength. It is quite a challenge
@ dimovski Thank you. The upcoming plans will be in tonight's update.
@ dimovski Thank you. The upcoming plans will be in tonight's update.
Not a chance. My bombers are not even reinforced from when I started. The Luftwaffe is barely able to defend the very heart of the Reich. Even Hannover is bombed flat at this point.
Holding the Line
April 3, 1945
The month begins well with a technology breakthrough in Advanced Synthetic Oil Plant. The researchers shift their attention to a Turbojet Tactical Bomber initiative next.
The very next day another is achieved with Semi-Modern Submarine being researched. This event is eschewed by the High Command which has all but abandoned the battles at sea in the struggle to survive ashore. The researchers are tasked with following Japan’s lead in the field of Early Marine Divisions.
The conflicts in the East continue to go in favor of the Heer, particularly in Iasi, where the German-Romanian task force takes out Russians at a 20-1 ratio.
The Abwehr makes good use of their recent acquisition of decryption gear to refine their estimates of Soviet troop strength along the front. STAVKA has 459 divisions arrayed against the Wehrmacht in the East.
General Jodl briefs Chancellor Speer on plans and intentions for the coming campaign season. “The Heer has the ability to land some quality punches in the East. To augment this, the Luftwaffe is trying desperately to provide two wings for service in the East, just to slow the Red Air Force down. Getting two wings into serviceable condition will certainly take all of April and could well take the bulk of May as well. Our hope is that the Red Army will continue to wear itself further against our prepared positions, even as we husband our strength.
When the mud dries in May or June we will attack in the East. We do not have the fuel, supplies or manpower to make a general assault, so we will make use of local engagements, at least initially.
This map depicts the front currently. We assume that Ivan will generally stay in this deployment scheme for the near future.
Phase One is the withdrawal in the north, around the Courland Peninsula. We hope to both shorten our lines here so that we may constitute a reserve and to entice STAVKA into reducing defenses in Riga. This area is a good one to cut off and destroy some divisions as we saw in Barbarossa.
Weather permitting, we will then launch Operation Fruhlingserwachen, an attack into the Ukraine, seeking to pocket and eliminate Soviet divisions in the South per the assaults shown with Red arrows. If the attack is successful, we will push on to Kiev per the Purple avenues of approach.
Our hope is to eliminate some Russian formations and production facilities. We will then withdraw if necessary, but if we can hold the terrain taken, so much the better.
The penetration will be made using all our mobile forces aside from the 6 division reaction force staged in the West.
Further steps and objectives will be contingent on the level of success of this operation. Gentlemen, begin planning your dispositions for this effort.”
April 3, 1945
The month begins well with a technology breakthrough in Advanced Synthetic Oil Plant. The researchers shift their attention to a Turbojet Tactical Bomber initiative next.
The very next day another is achieved with Semi-Modern Submarine being researched. This event is eschewed by the High Command which has all but abandoned the battles at sea in the struggle to survive ashore. The researchers are tasked with following Japan’s lead in the field of Early Marine Divisions.
The conflicts in the East continue to go in favor of the Heer, particularly in Iasi, where the German-Romanian task force takes out Russians at a 20-1 ratio.
The Abwehr makes good use of their recent acquisition of decryption gear to refine their estimates of Soviet troop strength along the front. STAVKA has 459 divisions arrayed against the Wehrmacht in the East.
General Jodl briefs Chancellor Speer on plans and intentions for the coming campaign season. “The Heer has the ability to land some quality punches in the East. To augment this, the Luftwaffe is trying desperately to provide two wings for service in the East, just to slow the Red Air Force down. Getting two wings into serviceable condition will certainly take all of April and could well take the bulk of May as well. Our hope is that the Red Army will continue to wear itself further against our prepared positions, even as we husband our strength.
When the mud dries in May or June we will attack in the East. We do not have the fuel, supplies or manpower to make a general assault, so we will make use of local engagements, at least initially.
This map depicts the front currently. We assume that Ivan will generally stay in this deployment scheme for the near future.
Phase One is the withdrawal in the north, around the Courland Peninsula. We hope to both shorten our lines here so that we may constitute a reserve and to entice STAVKA into reducing defenses in Riga. This area is a good one to cut off and destroy some divisions as we saw in Barbarossa.
Weather permitting, we will then launch Operation Fruhlingserwachen, an attack into the Ukraine, seeking to pocket and eliminate Soviet divisions in the South per the assaults shown with Red arrows. If the attack is successful, we will push on to Kiev per the Purple avenues of approach.
Our hope is to eliminate some Russian formations and production facilities. We will then withdraw if necessary, but if we can hold the terrain taken, so much the better.
The penetration will be made using all our mobile forces aside from the 6 division reaction force staged in the West.
Further steps and objectives will be contingent on the level of success of this operation. Gentlemen, begin planning your dispositions for this effort.”
IMO, the south will falter even if you don't place all divisions on that task, I believe you would gain far more if you would try getting your frontlines to as far north as korosten. With a swamp and a river between you and your enemies, it shouldn't exactly be a problem to put up a good defense. It also allows for more space, acts as some sort of a buffer between the Russians and Kiev in case they start a big offensive. You could try placing the 33 divisions to the north of your attack positions on support attack, and divert some troops from the 28 division stack on advancing. Sorry for a wall of badly written text which doesn't make sense anyway 
Great!, An offensive those Soviets seems to be kinda exhausted from the silly offensives.
@ dimovski You may be right, but I have found that it is hard attacking into a marsh. I prefer to let them come out on the plains when possible. At any rate, if the attack works The Heer will continue to expand if possible.
@ Sandertje They have battered themselves considerably over the winter, but it has kept my manpower and reinforcement needs high, so it has consequences for the Wehrmacht.
@ Sandertje They have battered themselves considerably over the winter, but it has kept my manpower and reinforcement needs high, so it has consequences for the Wehrmacht.
The Unfriendly Skies
April 12, 1945
The most modern Luftwaffe wing is battered to pieces in an encounter with an American air armada. The USA wing was devastated as well but the Luftwaffe could less afford the result. The entire Luftwaffe is grounded for repairs.
On the ground though, the news is all good. Field Marshal Model in Iasi is particularly impressive, winning a battle that inflicted casualties at a 33 to 1 ratio.
A battle is handily won in Lublin, and the Abwehr publishes a typical daily bombing result. This is after winning several air battles at the beginning of the month to “cut down” the Allied air campaign.
The production is all allocated to Luftwaffe reinforcements and province repairs, and in both areas the German effort is slipping.
Decisive Interdiction Doctrine is researched, but it is unlikely to aid the war effort much at this juncture.
In the Balkans, the French take advantage of an unprotected beach and land two divisions. The anti-partisan forces in the area rally to halt their advance.
STAVKA orders more assaults in Stryj and Iasi, but the muddy conditions make it a turkey shoot for the defenders.
FM Mannerheim continues to hold in the North, where the Red Army divisions seems worn thin.
The French are cornered and struggle to hang on to their ill-gotten gains. It appears that one division may have escaped the noose via sea.
The snows are melting in most places but it is still falling in Jelgava, holding up the withdrawal there. FM von Rundstedt is determined to make any attacks on his moving formations struggle forward through the mud.
Some production is shifted to reinforcements as the Luftwaffe remains prostrate before the Allied air juggernaut.
FM von Manstein continues to dominate in HG Sud.
Bulgaria has an IC of 2, barely able to pay the HQ staff. Some Bulgarian divisions are attached to the Heer to ensure that they are fed.
FM von Bock continues to defend well in the north, driving every Soviet invader out of Kem as they arrive.
April ends much as it began. The air war is holding the economy at subsistence level. The High Command is uncertain whether this can ever be righted.
On May first, all the snow and frozen ground completely melt away over all of Europe. Must have been a warm day. This triggers the movement from Jelgava to Konigsberg.
The Abwehr reports the Soviets at well over two million casualties now.
Japan is having mixed results at sea, and reports that some UK elements are ashore north of Korea. The Allies are bombing them heavily from any bases in range.
The High Command continues to hold most movement until the mud dries in the East. Then they will cast their die for survival.
April 12, 1945
The most modern Luftwaffe wing is battered to pieces in an encounter with an American air armada. The USA wing was devastated as well but the Luftwaffe could less afford the result. The entire Luftwaffe is grounded for repairs.
On the ground though, the news is all good. Field Marshal Model in Iasi is particularly impressive, winning a battle that inflicted casualties at a 33 to 1 ratio.
A battle is handily won in Lublin, and the Abwehr publishes a typical daily bombing result. This is after winning several air battles at the beginning of the month to “cut down” the Allied air campaign.
The production is all allocated to Luftwaffe reinforcements and province repairs, and in both areas the German effort is slipping.
Decisive Interdiction Doctrine is researched, but it is unlikely to aid the war effort much at this juncture.
In the Balkans, the French take advantage of an unprotected beach and land two divisions. The anti-partisan forces in the area rally to halt their advance.
STAVKA orders more assaults in Stryj and Iasi, but the muddy conditions make it a turkey shoot for the defenders.
FM Mannerheim continues to hold in the North, where the Red Army divisions seems worn thin.
The French are cornered and struggle to hang on to their ill-gotten gains. It appears that one division may have escaped the noose via sea.
The snows are melting in most places but it is still falling in Jelgava, holding up the withdrawal there. FM von Rundstedt is determined to make any attacks on his moving formations struggle forward through the mud.
Some production is shifted to reinforcements as the Luftwaffe remains prostrate before the Allied air juggernaut.
FM von Manstein continues to dominate in HG Sud.
Bulgaria has an IC of 2, barely able to pay the HQ staff. Some Bulgarian divisions are attached to the Heer to ensure that they are fed.
FM von Bock continues to defend well in the north, driving every Soviet invader out of Kem as they arrive.
April ends much as it began. The air war is holding the economy at subsistence level. The High Command is uncertain whether this can ever be righted.
On May first, all the snow and frozen ground completely melt away over all of Europe. Must have been a warm day. This triggers the movement from Jelgava to Konigsberg.
The Abwehr reports the Soviets at well over two million casualties now.
Japan is having mixed results at sea, and reports that some UK elements are ashore north of Korea. The Allies are bombing them heavily from any bases in range.
The High Command continues to hold most movement until the mud dries in the East. Then they will cast their die for survival.
@ Sandertje That is true, though if they succeed in crushing Japan, that bodes ill for the Reich.
@ CzeReptile & BlizzardBean Thank you, it is quite a challenge, and since I am posting as I play, I do not know what is in store for the Wehrmacht.
@ CzeReptile & BlizzardBean Thank you, it is quite a challenge, and since I am posting as I play, I do not know what is in store for the Wehrmacht.
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Dawn Patrol
May 1, 1945
At last the Luftwaffe’s interceptors are all upgraded to the Natter level, but every wing is below 50% strength. The High Command reluctantly abandons any hope of beginning the Offensive until the skies can be contested against the Allied air armada. The wings are grounded and reinforcements are trained and poured in as fast as they can be produced.
In the East, STAVKA is making large troop movements, but the Abwehr has no way of deducing where the army groups are destined to arrive.
The Red Army continues to apply pressure along the front lines, even though many of their divisions need reinforcements as well.
Some extreme range English bombers raid Danzig from England, an impressive feat.
FM von Rundstedt begins the withdrawal from Siauliau, surprisingly without any initial reaction from the Soviets. In the Med, the British make a try for Athens, where three Bulgarian divisions are dug in.
Chancellor Speer reviews the grim details of the battered German industrial base, including a tour of Frankfurt-am-Main.
On May 9, Reich scientists complete research on a Turbojet Escort fighter. At this point a desperate Speer diverts ALL research monies into more reinforcements for the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe makes an occasional sortie, when Allied Strategic bombers ravage a particular province, with some result.
Field Marshals Model and von Manteuffel continue to bedevil the Russians assailing Stryj and Iasi.
The air war is unrelenting. No quarter is asked or given…
The Heer has much better fortune on the ground, particularly on the defense, but will it matter in the long run?
May 1, 1945
At last the Luftwaffe’s interceptors are all upgraded to the Natter level, but every wing is below 50% strength. The High Command reluctantly abandons any hope of beginning the Offensive until the skies can be contested against the Allied air armada. The wings are grounded and reinforcements are trained and poured in as fast as they can be produced.
In the East, STAVKA is making large troop movements, but the Abwehr has no way of deducing where the army groups are destined to arrive.
The Red Army continues to apply pressure along the front lines, even though many of their divisions need reinforcements as well.
Some extreme range English bombers raid Danzig from England, an impressive feat.
FM von Rundstedt begins the withdrawal from Siauliau, surprisingly without any initial reaction from the Soviets. In the Med, the British make a try for Athens, where three Bulgarian divisions are dug in.
Chancellor Speer reviews the grim details of the battered German industrial base, including a tour of Frankfurt-am-Main.
On May 9, Reich scientists complete research on a Turbojet Escort fighter. At this point a desperate Speer diverts ALL research monies into more reinforcements for the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe makes an occasional sortie, when Allied Strategic bombers ravage a particular province, with some result.
Field Marshals Model and von Manteuffel continue to bedevil the Russians assailing Stryj and Iasi.
The air war is unrelenting. No quarter is asked or given…
The Heer has much better fortune on the ground, particularly on the defense, but will it matter in the long run?
It seems you have done a better job of defending Germany than was done historically. Although it seems desperate I believe that this can be won, the Soviets can not maintain the number of casualties they are suffering.
@BlizzardBean I believe victory may be possible, if I can halt the bombing campaign and regain some IC to use. And yes, many Red Army divisions are now understrength and potentially vulnerable.
@Sandertje I have no idea what they are building but I hope the Heer is wearing them all down.
@Sandertje I have no idea what they are building but I hope the Heer is wearing them all down.
May 20, 1945
The victories continue in the East, with the Bear’s claws gradually being blunted. Field Marshal von Rundstedt continues to bide his time while the Luftwaffe regains its footing.
STAVKA has apparently selected Alytus as the perceived “weak link in the chain. The Heer continues to dig in even as shells blast the trees into kindling around them.
Chancellor Speer pushes the economy a step towards Central Planning, desperate for more production from the stricken Reich factories. The dissent in the streets in unwelcome but must be borne.
Additionally, all research is halted, freeing up some more production for rearming the Luftwaffe, and rebuilding some damage on a small scale.
FM Model wins another 30:1 battle in Iasi, as the lone naval fleet at sea rousts a Soviet sub interfering with the Leningrad convoy.
Alytus is assailed again. The German forces there seem adequate, though they could certainly use a short period to dig in fully and organize.
Air Marshal Milch begins the end of month cabinet meeting with a display of the Luftwaffe’s air defense network. There are five wings in all, none at full strength but all much improved over their state in March.
The Abwehr prepares the normal month end reports.
A quick look at the Manpower status:
General Jodl and Air Marshal Milch announce that the campaign from May will continue into June. The Luftwaffe will be fully reinforced, as will all mobile divisions. When this is accomplished, Operation Fruhlingserwachen will commence.
The victories continue in the East, with the Bear’s claws gradually being blunted. Field Marshal von Rundstedt continues to bide his time while the Luftwaffe regains its footing.
STAVKA has apparently selected Alytus as the perceived “weak link in the chain. The Heer continues to dig in even as shells blast the trees into kindling around them.
Chancellor Speer pushes the economy a step towards Central Planning, desperate for more production from the stricken Reich factories. The dissent in the streets in unwelcome but must be borne.
Additionally, all research is halted, freeing up some more production for rearming the Luftwaffe, and rebuilding some damage on a small scale.
FM Model wins another 30:1 battle in Iasi, as the lone naval fleet at sea rousts a Soviet sub interfering with the Leningrad convoy.
Alytus is assailed again. The German forces there seem adequate, though they could certainly use a short period to dig in fully and organize.
Air Marshal Milch begins the end of month cabinet meeting with a display of the Luftwaffe’s air defense network. There are five wings in all, none at full strength but all much improved over their state in March.
The Abwehr prepares the normal month end reports.
A quick look at the Manpower status:
General Jodl and Air Marshal Milch announce that the campaign from May will continue into June. The Luftwaffe will be fully reinforced, as will all mobile divisions. When this is accomplished, Operation Fruhlingserwachen will commence.