Chapter III - The Attack on the Baltic States
Players: UK, FRA, SOVx2, GER, JAP, ITA
(Zid and CptEasy on SOV)
Recap: The hordes of the Red Army attacked the Germans and Italians in Jaroslaw and Zamosc with old school charge tactics and won due to being in vast superior numbers. Now, the Axis counter strikes and the Red Army is tumbling backwards. They still have the numbers however, and prepares attacks in the northern sector of the front-line as well as attacking the Baltic States. But the most determaning factors of them all. Will France hold? Also - what surprise have the Axis cooked and how will they serve it?
March 11th, 1939
Attack is the best defense. Instead of giving ground in the south, the Red Army attacked in the north. The Wehrmacht stumbled backwards and a German infantry division was outmaneuvered and crushed. This was a loss the thin German East Front could not really afford.
March 17th, 1939
While moving through the German heartlands around Köningsberg the attack against the Baltic States (Zid) was initiated. The original plan was that this attack would open up a new northern front against the Germans, but that line was already broken. The German leadership had clearly underestimated the furious roar of the Russian Bear.
Stalin was not worried about the bravery of his men… but the bravery of the French. If the French fell… things would change very fast.
March 18th, 1939
The Wehrmacht seemed to have gotten completely stuck here. They had saved the men captured in Amsterdam, but they had not managed to move the frontline in any other significant way in the last month. Stalin could scarcely believe it. If the Axis had a hidden card to play, they would better play it soon.
Stalin started to worry even more about the Japanese. They did still not do any significant movement in the Far East. Yet, the Soviet declaration of war could hardly have come as a surprise for them. What were they waiting for? Stalin moved some newly trained militias down to the Black Sea area to back up the few regulars stationed there. Would the Japs dare to attack there?
March 18th, 1939
Italian troops have shown up around Königsberg (1). The prestigious capturing of that city would not come as easy as initially hoped. At the same time, the Axis continues to keep the pressure up in the south (2). The Soviet line along the river in the south is getting even more stretched and dangerous. Stalin is still hesitant to retreat. The line will hold…
March 27th, 1939
Latvia and Lithuania is conquered (1) and the majority of that force is now moving down towards Köningsberg (2) where the offensive has stalled since the arrival of the Italian troops. The incoming Soviet reinforcement from the Baltic Campaign is about 15-20 divisions. It should add the needed punch to secure the city of Köningsberg. Stalin just don’t want to let it go.
In the meantime, the Axis push in the south has slowly formed a loose sack. It is clear they want to create a pocket. Stalin must now leave the river or risk losing troops.
In the middle of the long front line, the Red Army has launched an attack against the infamous fortress of Brest.
March 31st, 1939
The Lwow Sack is slowly evolving, but the Red Army’s retreat is progressing according to plan. Stalin is not worried – although some of his troops are quite tired and wore down.
March 31st, 1939
It might be the Northern Offensive might be able to take Königsberg even before the Baltic Army arrives. Still, plenty of Italians have showed up and hamper the pace of the advance.
March 31st, 1939
The Japanese offensive was weak and slow. The Red Army had retreated to better defensive areas where the rather weak defensive force could hope to give the Jap a fight. It seemed however, that the Jap used so few men that it would not become a serious threat. Where were their men? It was a question he asked himself all the time. It was what he believed could threat his victory; Japs showing up at the wrong place. He did try to fore say these places and at least put some militias there.
March 31st, 1939
Germany has failed utterly to break the back of France. They are still stuck in Belgium. At the same time, the Red Tide had swept in over the Baltic States and Former Poland. Germany seems painfully squeezed. To Stalin, it seems only a Japanese intervention can change the outcome of this war.
Authors note: For Japan to attack the Allies they must then break all trade with USA according to our House Rules. Also, this opens up for the Allied team to put a player on USA. It was doubtful if they wanted to do that. On the other hand, I think it is doubtful this game will be long enough for that to matter. But they can always attack Soviet from the European side.
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As it turned out, the Axis team had made a bad calculation of the balance of strength and their plan had crumbled. There was no trap waiting to smack. There were no Japanese navy with full transports sailing for Europe. They had simply been running to the end of the line.
Axis surrendered.
One thing that had been troubling the Axis master plan was the fact that Italy cannot DoW Allies without pulling Japan into the war – and they did not want that (and House Rules prevent us from inviting majors (as this previously could be used to avoid threat)). We have seen this in previous games, like Carnage al Dente, but Axis had not realized this event. We came to argue about the wisdom of this event or if it was really a bug. From a historical standpoint it is quite odd, to say the least.
When Germany attacked Belgium through Holland, the Italians had been waiting behind the line to add their strength. Now, they had to be railed eastwards instead. It was far from optimal – and perhaps a bad secondary effect of our House Rules which we need to seriously look at.
Personally, I am quite disappointed that my Soviet adventure became this short. I guess I’ll have to play them soon again. On the other hand, it is always interesting when some games turn out completely different than expected.
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As the veteran readers already can guess, we have started a new game already. Due to summer holidays, we haven’t been able to keep the pace up and next AAR will not start right away, but probably in a month or so.
