September ’39 (fair)
Our game consists of all historical restrictions and none of the ahistorical options. We are playing RAW with no house rules. The only differences from RAW come from clarifications from Doug Niles.

Germany starts the war with raiding attacks on UK shipping. Both the BB Gneisenau (3-13-42) and BB Sharnhorst (3-13-42) began raiding the North Atlantic causing –8Eps to UK. Germany also had the CA Blucher (2-10-42) raiding the South Atlantic, who caused an additional –7Eps to UK. The lone U-boat wolfpack causes -4Eps to UK.

With Germany controlling the initiative, the Western Allies are asked to complete their Naval and Air phase first. UK moves the Polish DD to Narvik. UK sends 16 ships to escort duty, mostly DD’s, to avoid the penalty of being forced to close the shipping lanes next season. The UK sub leaves Gibraltar heads towards South Atlantic. Also located in the Mediterranean are all of the French BB’s (Marseilles) along with 2 slow UK BB’s stationed in Gibraltar to keep Italy from entering the war too early. One slow UK BB takes up its position to deliver its iron interdiction penalty for next month.

UK sends a large Naval force (including 4 carriers) to intercept and sink the Nazi raiders in the North Atlantic. France leaves its Atlantic fleet in port and does not join in the hunt (some kind of miscommunication between Navies, the UK admiralty is investigating). With 6 groups searching (+6) and the air modifier (+1) minus the interception penalty for the North Atlantic (-3), I’ll get a +4 modifier to get a 7. The first 3 groups miserably fail to locate the warships, but the fourth group locates and its carrier sends its Swordfish, 2-4-1 naval aircraft, to attack. The Swordfish fail to hit the swift moving German ships and they evade the British task force. The fifth group also fails to locate, but the last group, the Rodney task force which includes the BB Rodney (5-12-31), Illustrious (CV-11-40), CA Exeter (2-10-42), 2 CL’s and 1 DD, locates the fleeing raiders and forces a naval battle. The CV Illustrious sends her aircraft, but they fail to damage either ships and surface combat begins. The BB Rodney (5-12-31) fires her guns, but does not even come close to hitting anything! Now I’m realizing that both of these German ships are difficult to hit after the Rodney missed, and that I also may be lacking some firepower in this group. I feel the advantage is now slipping to the Germans while I continue to wish I had more battleships in this group. The Germans return fire and hit and damage the CA Exeter (2-10-42). The second round of combat begins with the UK leaving CA Exeter (2-10-42) behind to engage the raiders for the last time. All UK ships miss again and the German’s sink (with doubles) one group of CL’s.

No naval movement on the Axis side. The German 109 (4-4-3) attacks the Polish fighter and scores a hit, but the Poles return the favor (1 needed to score a hit, I rolled a 1) and damage the Axis fighter. The German player uses a combined offensive with Guderian in East Prussia and Kliest in the south near Krakow both performing breakthroughs. Both Generals are successful (Kliest’s panzer losing a step) and move next to Warsaw. Infantry moves into the two General stacks which are both attacking across a river (-2). Germany sends in the Luftwaffe and manages to send the Pole fighter down in flames, but not before it scores a hit on the German He111(6-12) bomber. All city resources fall and Poland capitulates. Sitzkrieg now begins.

All UK ships return to port and the German ships remain out at sea.

Autumn ’39 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 19 Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 0 Eps. Germany gains the Initiative for next 3 months with a total of 4 offensives, the Allies purchase none and the Russian’s purchase 3. Convoy lanes are declared open for next three months.

October ’39 (mud) air not grounded in severe zone
Germany begins the monthly turn with savagely effective raiding attacks on UK shipping -17Eps and the lone wolf pack damages UK with a further –5Eps. UK iron ore blockade inflicts -10Eps to the German economy.

UK is asked to proceed with its Naval/Air phase and begins to assemble a large task force (French included this time!) with the job of hunting down the North Atlantic raiders before the weather turns for the worst. Two French destroyers take up position around Narvik and Trodheim relieving the UK slow BB that was stationed here for ore interdiction. Confident that both German ships will be found and sunk, the UK player proceeds to the North Atlantic and separates his ships into searching parties. The UK admiralty decides to split into 7 groups to maximize the changes of finding the quick raiders. (The die roll required is calculated as followed: +1 for air in the area, +7 for total number of groups searching which totals to 7+1= 8 . After subtracting the interception penalty for the North Atlantic –3, makes the search number a +5 to roll a 7. Only a die roll of one will fail automatically. The picture of these search groups is located under Pictures from the Front. The fastest task force contained 1 BB and 4 CA’s and squadron ships (DD and CL), the next 1BB 3 CA’s and squadron ships, the next 1BB 3 CA’s and squadron ships. The final 4 search groups contained 1 CV each with 2 BB’s in each with squadron ships with the slowest two groups each containing a 5 gunnery rated Battleship (the Nelson and Rodney).

Just as the admiralty believes they have worked out all of there problems, catastrophe strikes. The first 3 searching groups fail to locate because I rolled 3 consecutive 1’s. The fourth search group locates, but the German warships evade. The swordfish attack and fail to hit. The fifth group locates and the Germans are going to have to fight it out. The swordfish miss again, and with the UK firing first, both BB’s, BB Malaya (4-12-32) and BB Q. Elizabeth (4-12-32), miss the German’s badly. The German’s strike quick scoring a hit upon the BB Malaya (4-12-32), but miss the squadron ships. UK withdraws the damaged Malaya, and the second round naval combat concludes with no additional hits scored by either side. The sixth group finds the raiders. The CV’s swordfish miss again, and the BB Rodney (5-12-31) and the BB Warspite (4-12-32) fire, but both fail to hit! The German warships however find their mark and damage the Rodney. UK withdraws the damaged Rodney, and the second round naval combat continues but again no more hits. The seventh and final task force pounces on the raiders and after the swordfish miss again, the BB Nelson (5-12-31) and BB Ramillies (4-11-28) fire and miss!! The Germans return fire and the Nelson is hit in the first round, which then withdraws for the final round of surface fire. The final round begins with the Royal Navy not being able to land any hits. The Germans however, have found their range sinking both the Ramillies and the French DD (double rolls).

The UK sub in South Atlantic fails to locate the Blucher who is still raiding the South Atlantic.

During offensive phase Germany invades Denmark successfully with no losses and Russia begins moving into the Baltics, East Poland and into Rumania (Bessarabia).

The stunned Admiralty returns its ships to port during the end phase still reeling from its wounds.

November ’39 (fair)
Fresh from their success against the Royal Navy, the raiders renew their attacks inflicting –10Eps in the North Atlantic, -4Eps in South Atlantic, and –7Eps from the two U-boat wolfpacks patrolling the North Atlantic. The French DD’s interdict German’s ore causing –7Eps to her economy.

After the failings of the past month, UK locates all possible surface ships for its next round against the Nazi raiders. Since my rolls have been so bad, I decide to try a slightly different strategy in attacking the German warships. Knowing that this may cause more losses than my previous attempts, I decide to go forth with my plan because I believe it is the best chance I have to finish this once and for all. I move all dedicated ships to the North Atlantic and begin to separate into my 7 search groups to insure success (I can only fail to locate on the roll of a one again, but with three one’s rolled in a row last month, I am far from confident).

I decided to maximize the firepower in my last 3 search groups so they would at least contain one CV, 3 BB’s, 2 CA’s and 2 CL’s each. I assumed he would fight through my first four stacks to avoid my last 3 stacks, so I made them as small as possible, and as French as possible. I also knew he would evade my first big group, so I put two carriers there so at least the naval aircraft could attack.

The two first French groups find the German’s but score no hits and are hit hard with the CA Dupleix (2-9-46), CA Suffren (2-9-46), and CA Foch (2-9-46) all suffering hits along with two DD’s also being sunk. The next task force containing the French CA Colbert and two UK DD’s is also hit hard with the Colbert taking a hit and a DD being sunk, but the German’s don’t get away before the BB Sharnhorst (3-13-42) is sunk by the damaged Colbert (double 6’s). A UK CL is damaged in the next search party. The last Nazi raider is located by the first of my 3 large search groups. The Gneisenau evades as predicted, but two swordfish groups attack which damage and eventually sink her.

In the South Atlantic the news of the German warships demise gives the sub located there a moral boost. With moral now high, the sub group locates the raider (on a roll of a six…I had to roll a six to find) and surprise her. The Blucher receives a critical torpedo hit and is sunk (roll of double 5’s!) on my first roll. The German raiders are no more, but at a large cost of men and material.

Germany has no offenses, while Russia continues to grab her pre-war territories.

December ’39 (winter) air grounded in severe zone, not grounded in moderate zone
Even with only the two U-boats now located in the Atlantic, the wolfpack (along with the winter weather +1 bonus) does –12Eps to the UK devastated economy. The French DD’s continue to interdict and German loses –8Eps to its economy.

The phony war continues with little movement on either side.

Winter ’40 Seasonal Turn
Luckily for the British, the damage to the Nelson and Rodney is minor and both will be repaired by spring seasonal turn. UK suffers 55Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 25Eps. The Allies gain the initiative for the next three months by a die roll to break the tie because UK, France, and Germany buy no offensives. The USSR, who doesn’t suffer a winter penalty, buys 4. The UK player declares all convoy lanes open.

January ’40 (winter) air not grounded in severe zone, not grounded in moderate zone
The UK now has three escort stacks (currently only using one CV which is switched out for the CVE this turn) but both U-boats evade detection and score a hit on a UK destroyer. The attack causes –11Eps to UK. The Iron ore interdiction is a little less productive this month only able to cause –5Eps to the Germany economy.

The German’s are asked to move first during Naval and Air phase and proceed to move four STP’s, CA Schles-Holstein (2-9-21), and CA Hipper (2-10-42) to Copenhagen where there are two 6-3 infantry corps there from last months invasion of Denmark. A 4-4-3 109 moves to Denmark (Aalborg) as the rest of the Luftwaffe moves into western and northwestern Germany.

The UK sends O’Conner and a 6-5 armor corps with two STPs to Alexandria. The British now have the following units in the Mediterranean: 1 3-4 infantry corps in Gibralter, 1 3-4 corps in Malta, 3 3-4 corps in Egypt and O’Conner and a 6-5 armor corps. The Italians currently have 3 4-3 corps and 1 4-5 armor corps in Africa.

February ’40 (winter) grounded in severe zone, grounded in moderate zone
The two U-boats continue to relentlessly attack UK shipping robbing her of 9Eps. UK’s attempt to block iron ore shipments are less successful and only stop 5Eps worth.

Germany moves her fleet to Copenhagen and four STPs move to Esbjerg, Denmark (2 6-3 corps located there). The Royal Navy moves her Mediterranean fleet to Alexandria from Gibraltar.

There are no offensives.

The French form two defensive lines, one from the Maginot Line towards the coast, and the second anchored on Paris. The primary defensive line contains only single corps, where as the second line contains multi-corps stacks. Three French corps move near the Italian border to stop any "accidental" border crossings from the Italians.

March ’40 (mud) air not grounded in severe zone
With winter weather fading in the North Atlantic, UK hopes of a small reprise quickly fades as the U-boats tear another 9Eps from her ravaged economy and damage another DD. The French ships stationed off Narvik and Trondheim to block shipments of ore to Germany are very lax this month and only are able to locate enough shipping to cause 3Eps of damage to Germany.

Even with the weather clearing around Norway, UK is confident that Germany will not attempt to invade this month because her spies inform her that Germany does not have sufficient preparations to launch an offensive this month. Both UK and French subs move near Olso in anticipation of a possible Norwegian invasion next month. The Home Fleet embarks a 6-4 corps from London and moves into position in the North Sea. UK solidifies her pact with France by sending the B.E.F. consisting of 2 6-4 corps a 3-4 corps and Auchinleck from South Hampton to La Havre, France. Auchinleck is the anchor of the second defensive line and its right flank extends through Paris to a French fortification.

Again, there are no offensives this month.

During Movement phase O’Conner and UK infantry deployed in Egypt move towards the Libyan border.

Kliest and a panzer corps rails to Copenhagen.

The UK keeps all naval units at sea (around Norway) and pays 4Eps. France pays 1Ep to keep her sub out.

Spring ’40 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 29Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 13Eps. The UK player declares all convoy lanes open. The Axis gains the initiative for the next three months. Germany bought 8 offensives, Italy 1, France 4, UK 3, USSR 0.

April ’40 (mud) air not grounded in severe zone
Germany’s 2 wolfpacks surprise the Royal Navy once again, scoring a hit on an escort DD. However, their luck runs out and a U-boat is hit (roll was against 3 stacks). Damage is light to UK, -1Eps. The iron ore roll is also low, rolling only a –4Eps to Germany.

UK is asked to move first during the Naval and Air phase. The Royal Navy shipping yard releases both the Rodney and the Nelson from dry dock, both ready for duty and two new CVs also are launched. These ships move and join the several task forces that are presently screening Norway. A freshly built 6-5 UK armor corps leaves towards Egypt with 2 STPs. UK runs supply to the French coast for the B.E.F.

Russian sends the CA Kirov from Leningrad towards Murmansk to link up with 2 STPs (just purchased) which are located in Archangel. Russia also bought 2 additional STPs, which were placed in the Black Sea with naval units there.

The Germany Naval and Air phase is surprisingly quiet with 3 6-12’s (He111) and a 4-6-1 (ME110) attempting and failing to find the French sub patrolling somewhere south of Oslo, in shallow water.

There are no offensives this month with both sides making last minute preparations for what seems to be an unavoidable war.

UK’s armor debarks in Alexandra during end phase and all UK ships head back to port.

May ’40 (fair)
After last month’s setback, there are now two full strength U-boats in the North Atlantic (a new boat moved out last Naval and Air phase) and one damaged U-boat. The two undamaged boats attack (again against 3 escort stacks) and the third damaged U-boat doesn’t attack. One hits, but again bad luck strikes the Kriegsmarine, and another U-boat suffers losses. Damage to UK is only –3Eps. The French ships off the coast of Norway are luckier this month and manage to stop 8Eps worth of Iron Ore to Germany.

UK moves first and her naval units take up the now familiar patrols in sea zones next to Norway. The two subs patrol near Oslo again. The German navy sends 4 DD’s (2 of them freshly captured Netherlands DD’s) to locate the UK submarine, and have barely miss locating the sub. 2 6-12 German bombers attempt to locate the French sub and have a near miss here also. All German ME109’s 4-4-3’s move near the French border.

With Sitzkrieg lifted, the phony war comes to an abrupt and violent conclusion. Germany attacks the Benelux countries. Guderian breaks through resistance in the Netherlands as he captures Amsterdam, but suffers a step loss from mechanical breakdowns and AT guns. The Netherlands surrender and generously hand over 2 of their warships (DDs) to the German Navy. Guderian, continues to exploit his victory and moves to Antwerp flanking the Belgium defenders. Rommel, located in the south of Belgium, breaks through heavy resistance to complete the pincer attack on Antwerp from the south, and is successful, but suffers a step loss in the process. During the regular combat phase, both Generals capture Antwerp, but Hurrying Hienz’s panzers suffer losses as they move too quickly into downtown Antwerp. Hitler is furious with the excessive losses of armor (3 steps!) even with the bonuses of Blitzkrieg and total air supremacy. Belgium surrenders, only France remains.

The Allies pass their offensive phase and there are no more offensives. Germany moves first and captures Luxembourg with infantry and Kliest is recalled from Denmark to the French front.

June ’40 (fair)
The undamaged U-boat in the North Atlantic sinks 3Eps worth of British shipping. Ore transports to Germany are only slightly disrupted, 5Eps. UK begins the Naval and Air phase by sending 4 DDs to the Mediterranean to protect the fleet stationed there against Italian tactical submarines. The French run supply to her colonies. Two UK taskforces take up station off the coast of Scapa Flow along with the UK and French tactical subs. A 6-12 bomber stationed in UK changes base and flies all the way to Alexandria avoiding German fighters.

The Italian tactical sub goes on patrol around Toronto and the German Fleet stays in port. The 3 groups of German 109’s (4-4-3) stationed near the French Border take off at sunrise and fly to Paris and surprise the French fighter aircraft who are based at the Paris airport. This attack does catch the French off guard, but the RAF detects the movement and requests permission to intercept with 1 Spitfire (4-4-3) and 2 Hurricanes (4-5-2) before the Germans enter French air space over Paris. Permission is not forthcoming, so the French with their home bonus will have to do on their own. The Luftwaffe proves it is a cold, calculating and efficient killing machine as it destroys both French fighters, while suffering no losses to themselves. The Italians counter the UK bomber move to Alexandria and rebase their own fighter, a Fiat C.R. 42 (4-4-1) to Africa (Tripoli) also.

The Germans begin their offensive phase with an attack into France’s first line of defense. Rommel’s panzer corps breakthrough the defenders, but luckily due to poor morale, the French withdraw before they can be annihilated (combat result (D2)). Kliest’s panzers also breakthrough the line routing all resistance (DE). Kliest exploits his breakthrough and moves next to Paris. German infantry corps use the holes created by the panzers to penetrate the forward defensive line and begin to roll up the French flank. France’s general staff surprisingly quickly recovers from the shock of the initial penetration by the German panzers and call for the total abandonment of the Maginot line, except for a token resistance, before certain encirclement would occur. A new line of resistance is formed off the right flank of Paris. One of Hoth’s panzer corps captures one hex of the Maginot line and then moves next to the new French defensive line. Guderian requests and receives approval for the transfer of Hoth’s single panzer corps to his own command as he moves to the front to form up with Hoth’s former panzer corp. Guderian then rallies his panzer corps as they rip through the new defensive line and he exploits capturing the last French corps located in the Maginot line. There are no more offensives. One French corps in Calais is isolated and will be marked out of supply during the supply phase.

During movement French shift units in an attempt to stop any further penetrations. During End phase all ships return to port.

With more that 8 supplied German units inside of France, Italy can use an offensive to join the war…but doesn’t.

Summer ’40 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 7 Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 17 Eps. The UK player declares all convoy lanes open. The Axis gets the initiative for the next 3 months. Germany buys 13, Italy 2, France 2, United Kingdom 4, and USSR 0. Current STP counts: Russia 4, France 1, UK 14, Germany 12, and Italy 8.

July ’40 (fair)
With only one Uboat in the North Atlantic (the rest are coming out later this month during Naval and air phase) Germany manages to score 6Eps of damage. The allies are successful by stopping 9Eps of ore from reaching the German Coast. The French fleet disperses into small groups. There are currently 4 UK carriers in the North Sea and 3 UK carriers in the Mediterranean (the French carrier is also located in the Med.). UK’s STPs move to Calais and pick up French forces trapped there and move them to Bordeaux. The French use their 1 STP in the Mediterranean to transport one of its two corps located in its Africa colonies to Marseilles. UK again continues with its "Norwegian patrols" in the North Sea with two task forces and the UK and French subs take up positions near Oslo. UK STPs (double the number required for transport) pick up the last French corps located in Africa and transport it to a nearby friendly coastal hex next to the Libyan border.

Germany responds to the subs again with DDs attempting to find the UK sub and her bomber aircraft trying to locate the French sub. 3 6-12 bombers searching do locate the sub, but it submerges before it suffers any hits. The UK sub is not so lucky. It is discovered in the coastal waters south of Oslo and its crew is sent to a shallow watery grave but not before it scores a hit on a German DD.

The Offensive phase begins with a combined offensive by Germany attacking the North and south flanks of Paris. The north flank contains two corps (10 strength points) and the southern flack contains two corps and a fort (12 strength points). Hoth (1 panzer and one infantry corps) and Kliest (full panzer stack) attack the southern flank at 4-1 (+1 for air superiority) and receive the dreaded (D2) result, which because of the fort turns into a x (attacker step loss). Rommel (full panzer stack) and 2 infantry corps also attack at a 4-1 (+1 for air superiority) and receive the same result (D2) and the French split up as they retreat towards St. Nazaire. The Allies pass on their offensive phase.

Guderian launches the next offensive as he slips south past French infantry and attacks an infantry corps north of Lyons and receives a D2x damaging a panzer corps. Germany infantry corps in the south of France attack (3-1 +1 for air superiority) and receive the (D2) result, French forces retreat westward. There are no more offensives this month.

During movement phase the Germans move infantry corps forward and now the B.E.F. (18 strength points) is now significantly threatened with a large number enemy forces in attacking range (Germans located on three sides). Auchinleck requests and receives permission to withdraw to a more advantageous defensive position. One British 3-4 corps moves to Cherbourg and 2 6-4’s (and Auchinleck) rail to Brest. DeGaulle, who is located in Paris, is upset by this British redeployment (especially one which is so far in depth) which only weakness his defense of Paris. He orders three French corps to take up flanking positions to the west and north of Paris behind the Seine to compensate for the withdrawing British.

All ships return to port during End Phase. French corps in Tunisia is marked Out of Supply.

August ’40 (fair)
With 3 Uboats deployed in the North Atlantic, Germany steps up its attacks scoring 8Eps against UK. The iron ore blockade is also fairly successful with Germany losing 8Eps.

The Allies are asked to move first during the Naval and Air phase. In a stunning move the B.E.F. leaves France and heads back to UK. Diplomatic relations between the Allies is temporary suspended. With the writing on the wall (French collapse imminent), Churchill regretfully recalls the expedition force because he needs the B.E.F. intact to defend elsewhere, maybe even the home isles! Germany too is surprised by this sudden move. The UK deploys the Royal Navy again in the North Sea with the French fleet in a small group near Oslo and single ships in the North Sea. French make a supply run to Tunisia. UK Mediterranean fleet leaves port, but stays in the port hex.

The Italian fleet and submarine move out of port. Germany Fleet stays in port. Italy ups the ante once again and moves a 6-12 bomber to Africa (now they have a 4-4-1 fighter and a 6-12 bomber whereas the UK only has a 6-12 bomber deployed there).

The offensive phase begins as it did last month with a German combined offensive. Rommel attempts a breakthrough across the Seine river (-2 penalty)! The final odds are a 3-1 –1 after air superiority is factored in, and the German player rolls a 3 modified to a 2. Rommel breaks out across the river and moves to the hex directly west of Paris. A massive German attack on Paris occurs. The German paratroops are dropped, but suffer losses (depleted) denying the +1 bonus. The Germans manage 4-1 +1 against the very heavily defended stack (2 5-5 infantry corps, 1 5-5 armor, Degaulle +2 strength, and a fort +2 strength: Total 19 points). The Germans only manage to roll a 1 that is modified to a 2 (D3x). French lose three steps, but hold Paris, and Germany’s elite paratroops cannot be relieved inside Paris and finally are forced to surrender and a German infantry corps suffers a step loss. At the same time, in the south, Guderian’s panzer corps and two infantry corps attack Lyons, but August’s bad luck continues for the Wehrmacht and even though the Germans muster 4-1 +1, the result is a (D2) which is converted into a x (attacker step loss).

French use an offensive to activate the unit in Tunisia so he can begin to draw supply again from the nearby sea supply. German passes in disgust. UK uses an air offensive to rebase a 4-5-2 (Hurricane) through France and down to Algiers, Algeria.

During Movement Phase, the UK player reluctantly abandons the Egyptian border due to the impending Italian fighter supremacy, and withdraws to the Qattara Depression, outside the possible range of the Italian fighter.

During End Phase, UK Mediterranean fleet moves to Algiers.

September ’40 (fair)
The Kriegsmarine’s wolfpacks (3 Uboats) have an outstanding month. Not only do these inflict 9Eps to UK economy, but they also score hits on a DD and a CVE! (Roll of double 6’s) The Allies iron ore blockade continues to be lackluster scoring only 4Eps to Germany.

Asked to move first, UK counters the damage to her escort fleet by (read reluctantly!) moving two CV’s into escort duty which brings the escort count back to 3 stacks. The Mediterranean Fleet picks up the 4-5-2 Hurricane in Algiers and safely transports the fighter aircraft to Alexandria. This redeployment of UK air in Africa brings the aircraft totals to one fighter and bomber each for the British and the Italians. The German’s have no naval movement and the Italians just continue to run supply to Africa. With eight Italian units in Libya, and only enough ports (3) to hold supply for twelve units, Italy has to run supply to two ports a turn to keep her African army supplied, which in only leaves enough reserve for four units if supply can not be delivered.

During the offensive phase, Italy finally decides to enter the war on the Axis side, by assisting the German’s attack by making a bombing run on the French with her 6-12 bomber. The offensive phase opens with combined attacks by the Germans on Paris, St. Nazaire, and Bordeaux, which are all successful without losses, except Paris where a Germany Infantry corps suffers a step loss. The German player declares Vichy France and all units are French units are removed from the game except the Naval units which we both begin to roll for. With a slight advantage in the odds, the UK gets 3 separate rolls in her favor and the Axis fails to have any naval units move to the Axis side. The booty is two old/slow French battleships BB Lorranine 3-11-28 and BB Bretagne 3-11-28 and one modern French ship BB Richelieu 4-13-40.

The movement phase is next and Italy marches into Egypt taking control of the land that the UK withdrew from.

Autumn ’40 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 23 Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 21 Eps. The convoy lanes will be open for the next three months (which turns out to be a disaster). UK attempts to activate Lebanon-Syria as a British minor partner, but fails. The Axis gains the initiative for the next three months with 7 offensives for Germany and 2 for Italy. The UK purchases 7 offensives and Russia purchase none. 

October ’40 (mud) grounded in severe zone
The Strategic Warfare phase begins with 3 Uboats on patrol and both carriers on escort duty with their planes grounded. This leaves only 3 stacks against the U-boats, and damage is heavy for 3 boats, 15 Eps. Iron ore is also above average, scoring 9 Eps against German.

The two British carriers on patrol in the North Atlantic leave and head south towards Gibraltar. The last of the damaged ships returning this month from dry dock and they also head to Gibraltar. A 4-5-2 Hurricane flies from the English Channel to Liverpool where the B.E.F. is located.

The Russian’s move their STP and Kirov towards Leningrad.

The Germans again shift a bunch of STPs around Norway again the Admiralty is very suspicious. It is very late in the year, and the weather will be failing, but the Kriegsmarine is definitely planning something in the near future. Island defensives go on alert, but with most German aircraft leaving French airbases, it still appears that Norway is his target. Italy runs her now standard 2 sea supplies to Africa ports.

There are no offensives this turn.

Two 6-3 Germany Infantry corps rail to Toronto, Italy where the Italian fleet is based. UK infantry on the island shift under the B.E.F. In Egypt, O’Conner falls back one hex to ensure he can’t be attacked from two hexes. 

November ’40 (fair)
The German player smiles as he deploys another 2 Uboats to combat duty in the North Atlantic to bring the U-boat count to 5. The UK pitifully still only have 3 stacks up for escort duty including their only CVE. The damage is high (20Eps) and a DD and the CVE is hit! The Germans sustain one U-boat hit during this slaughter of English shipping. UK counters as much as it can with 10Eps of damage to Germany from their ore blockade.

Without initiative, UK is asked to move first and the Mediterranean fleet braves the Italian air and heads for Gibraltar, but comes up short to avoid the possibility of being hit by two 6-12 bombers at the same time. A 4-5-2 Hurricane is loaded aboard 3 STPs along with a sea supply and are shipped to Gibraltar. The Home fleet takes up a position in the North Sea to deter the Kriegsmarine’s hopes of successfully landing any German troops anywhere on the North Sea coast of Norway.

The Italian navy surprises the British Intelligence and sorties with two 6-3 German corps aboard STPs to Malta to attempt an amphibious landing. Currently, a one step 3-4 UK infantry corps defends Malta. Side note: Malta was the eventual destination of the 4-5-2 fighter now in Gibraltar. With clear skies and clam seas around Denmark the Fuhrer, who is still in a state of euphoria over France’s capitulation, declares war against Norway! On STPs leaving Denmark is Guderian, and 2 8-5 panzer corps and 2 6-3 infantry corps. The Bismarck (4-14-40) who is on her first sortie, fires her guns in anger for the first time, quickly dispatching the Norwegian DD deployed in Oslo.

The Norwegians are deployed mainly in Oslo, a 4-3 infantry corps, and two 2-3 single step corps. The last infantry corps, a 2-3 corps is deployed in the North in the attempt to stop Guderian and the panzers from exploiting very far. The Norwegian air unit is based in Trodheim to avoid the Luftwaffe. The German’s attack Oslo with one 8-5, and two 6-3’s with Guderian leading the attack. The newly formed German air corps is dropped from ATP into Oslo and lands successfully bringing the amphibious attack to even odds at 4-1 (+1 for Blitzkrieg bonus, +1 for German air superiority, and +1 for the para drop). The German’s get their now famous (D2) auto retreat result and the Norwegians retreat 2 hexes and split up attempting to limit the upcoming exploitation. Guderian exploits west and south towards Stavanger and with 6-1 odds he destroys the nearby 2-3 enemy infantry corps.

Norway uses a minor country offensive to quickly rebase her plane to Narvik before the German planes can rebase to their newly capture Norwegian air bases. The Malta attack is next and the odds come out to be 4-1 –2 (ouch) which gives a 50/50 chance to take the hex. A 2 is rolled and is modified to a 0 xx (double step loss for the attacker). The UK player cheers the heroic defense of Malta, and promises more support to the fortress soon. (Another players note: without initiative it is very difficult to move anything to Malta because the German player can shift forces after I move to sink any units on STPs).

The Mediterranean fleet splits up with 10 ships going into Gibraltar and the rest stay out at sea which will require 2 Eps for naval supply.

December ’40 (winter) air grounded in severe zone, air not grounded in moderate zone
UK continues to reel under the U-boats, which at this moment appear to have come into possession of this month’s shipping routes. 4 Uboats cause 22 Eps worth of damage while the UK can only muster 4 Eps from their blockade.

The Mediterranean fleet safely traverses the Mediterranean, again, and splits up with one capital ship and STPs with the 4-5-2 hurricane aboard go into port, and the rest of the fleet takes up position at the Egyptian beach hex near the Italians. The Home fleet takes up its North Sea regular deployments.

The Germans pick up Kliest and two more panzer corps and move them to Oslo. Italy pulls its 6-12 air off the front line in Africa and moves it back to Tobruk . Another 6-12 Italian bomber moves near Toronto. This makes 3 6-12 Axis bombers covering the Mediterranean (2 Italians and 1 German).

With mud weather hampering German operations in Norway, only one attack can take place, but it is successful with one step loss for the attacker. The Norwegians are very reluctant to give up any ground at this point, and as long as the weather is bad, they refuse to retreat north.

UK launches the first attack in Africa with a breakthrough attack by O’Conner and his armor. With heavy naval support and one bomber supporting, he is confident, however, the Italians intercept the bomber. The British intercept the Italian fighter biplanes (4-4-1) with the 4-5-2 Hurricanes that have been stationed in Egypt (the new 4-5-2 uses this offensive to debark and is marked Previously Committed). Air combat takes place with both fighter planes receiving losses. The Italians fly in the own bomber during the defensive air phase and air superiority is canceled out. UK can only get 3-1 odds with no modifiers, but continue the breakthrough anyway and get a D1. The Italians decided to retreat and O’Conner moves into the hex, but he decides not to press the attack during the offensive phase because he now lacks Naval support and there is insufficient odds without the ships and he doesn’t want his fighter support to suffer another lucky hit.

All naval units that are at sea move back to port.

Winter ’41 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 57 Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 23 Eps. The North Atlantic convoy lanes will be closed for the next three months, penalty –30 Eps). UK attempts to activate Lebanon-Syria as a British minor partner, and fails. The United States has begun their Lend Lease policy and UK receives +15eps. Offensives cost double this month because of winter weather (except for Russia) and are as follows: Russia 0, UK 3, Germany 6 and 1 for Italy.

January ’41 (winter) air not grounded in severe zone, not grounded in moderate zone
After such a devastating season of U-boat attacks, Churchill is relieved that the North Atlantic shipping lanes will be closed during these winter months. Even with the penalty –30Eps and losing the US lend lease –15Eps (because the North Atlantic lanes are closed), and some minor damage in the South Atlantic when the U-boats shift there, it would have been worse than leaving them open. The UK ore blockade continues, but due to poor weather it is limited in success –4Eps.

UK is asked to move first during the Naval and Air phase and it is a busy month for the Royal Navy. With the North Atlantic sea lanes closed most escort ships return to England for duty. Two CLs and two DDs pick up a 6-4 Infantry corps, the B.E.F. HQ, and Auchinleck and transport them to Narvik. Three STPs leave another port and bring another 6-4 Infantry corps to Narvik. Two more CLs and two more DDs and the CA Cornwall (2-10-42) pick up two sea supplies and bring the supply to Narvik.

The two CLs that are currently on blockade duty return to port and 2 DDs take their place. This is done because the Germans have launched two tactical submarines this month, and at least the DDs can protect themselves from the German subs. A CL/DD combination brings a sea supply to Gibraltar. The Home Fleet takes up position north west of Scapa Flow.

With so many bomber aircraft stationed in Norway and Denmark, Scapa Flow and several other UK homeports are in danger of German bomber raids. Churchill recalls the RAF, which is stationed on the southern coast, to relocate to the north to protect the Fleets that are in port. The first aircraft to change base is a 4-5-2 Hurricane. Goering, worried about the RAF shifting aircraft into Narvik, launches a surprising air strike. Three 4-4-3 109’s wings to attack the 4-5-2 Hurricane group over its base, and the RAF is caught somewhat unprepared and only able to send a 4-4-3 Spitfire group to intercept. A wild air battle swirls over the coast. Both British groups suffer loses and so does one 109. Goering criticizes the Luftwaffe for their inability to destroy an air group in its entirety! With most UK pilots surviving (parachuting over home territory), the RAF will be able to bring the Spitfire group back up to strength by the end of his month.

The Axis moves next with Germany sending 2 U-boats to raid the South Atlantic route, which is currently open. A massive sea supply lift occurs, with Germany stuffing all controlled Norwegian ports with sea supply. The Italian Fleet sails to Malta again carrying the two freshly refitted German Infantry corps for amphibious invasion. One of the new SS units heads to find the Home Fleet (which currently has no DDs for escort) but the weather makes the search unsuccessful, luckily for the British.

The Offensive Phase begins with Army Group Norway launching attacks towards Trodheim against a 4-3 and a 2-3 Norwegian infantry corps. The Germans attack at 6-1 odds for both attacks, one with even die modifiers and the other at –1. The German rolls his most popular (D2) automatic retreat for both attacks. The Allies pass and Kliest attacks into Trodheim with panzers and takes it with a DEx but loses an armor step in the process. There is miscommunication this month between the Italian Navy and the Luftwaffe. The planed amphibious invasion does not have any German aircraft cover, and the Italians do not wish to use their only offensive for the next three months to activate their Italian bombers, so the attack is called off. The Malta garrison pleads for more UK support in either aircraft or more troops, Churchill is advised of the situation.

Hitler demands that Vichy France accept German occupation, but Hoth who is leading the attack into southern France pleads with Hitler to wait until the Luftwaffe can be used to support the attack on the two remaining forts located in Marseilles and Lyons. Both Goering blunders put him out of favor with the Fuhrer.

During Movement phase the B.E.F. debarks into Narvik and more German Infantry debark in Oslo. Replenishment phase UK pays for a pilot rebuild and Norway receives one 2-3 corps for free.

February ’41 (winter) grounded in severe zone, air not grounded in moderate zone
With the 2 U-boats now on station with free hits the score 6 Eps of damage even against a –1 per U-boat penalty for raiding the South Atlantic. The UK blockade is weak as normal –5Eps.

UK begins the Naval and Air phase with a CL/DD combination running sea supply to Narvik. Most of the Mediterranean fleet, who have been waiting for air to be grounded in the moderate weather zone for what seems an eternity, makes a dash across the Mediterranean through interception range of the Italian fleet and past 3 Axis bombers and is not intercepted (Med fleet contains 5 CVs with a large number of BBs and CAs). The fleet sails pass Gibraltar and into the Atlantic. There are now only 2 British capital ships in the Mediterranean, both CAs. 3 CVs from the Home Fleet move into Escort duty. (UK now has 4+ escort stacks).

The German SS unit moves to the 2 DDs that are blockading the iron ore in an attempt to locate and sink one but doesn’t locate any. Supply is brought to all Norwegian ports (The German Kriegsmarine is fearful of a future Royal Navy Blockade of Norway. German spies in Gibraltar have warned Berlin of the number of British ships heading towards Britian). Army Group Norway continues to grow, now consuming three sea supplies a month. A German 6-12 bomber moves to Italy and other aircraft rebase to be in range of Vichy.

During offensive phase the German corps storm fortress Malta only to be forced back out to sea with losses (a roll of 2 with a –2 modifier, xx double step loss for attacker). Hitler is furious and may not amphib again. The total loss for the two amphibious attacks is 36Eps! More than Italy makes in a seasonal turn. Churchill declares a national holiday in honor of the defenders of Malta.

The only attacks this month are in Norway with the Germany slowly gaining ground with two attacks, results are a DE and a DEx.

During End phase the former Mediterranean Fleet moves into port at South Hampton.

March ’41 (winter) grounded in severe zone, grounded in moderate zone
With poor weather again in the North Atlantic the U-boats raiding in the South Atlantic have no worries. The damage to UK is 7Eps. The ore blockade costs Germany 6Eps.

With the seasonal turn approaching, the Royal Navy is prepared to fight the U-boat chokehold on the Island. Six more CVs head out for convoy duty. This brings the number of escort stacks to 8 in the North Atlantic (9 CVs!) for April and 4 in the South Atlantic. Supply is run to the B.E.F. in Narvik via CL/DDs. The 3-4 UK infantry corps located in Gibraltar is embarked and travels west just 50 miles into the Atlantic. A 6-4 corps in Liverpool embarks and heads down towards Gibraltar.

The Italians withdraw a 4-5 armor corps and replace it with a 4-3 Infantry corps in Libya. The Germans run supply to Oslo and an SS unit moves to locate the DDs responsible for the ore blockade. The sub locates the 2 DDs, but the DDs find the sub before it can attack. Both DDs miss the sub and the sub launches an attack but also misses and decides to withdraw.

A panzer corps and a 6-3 infantry corps begin the offensive phase by attacking a 2-3 Infantry corps in Norway 6-1 (-1) and roll a 3 modified to a 2. The now famous (D2) is the roll, automatic retreat! The Norwegians use an offensive to redeploy their defenses. The German’s launch an attack into Vichy France (with support of the Luftwaffe) and take both fortified cities and lose a step in the process.

During movement phase Guderian demands that he be removed from this mountainous nightmare (Norway) with his panzers and receives permission to do so. He begins moving towards Oslo with his armor.

The Royal Navy uses End phase to disembark a 3-4 and 6-4 corps into Algeria (UK’s new ally). Unfortunately, both corps are marked out of supply during the supply phase.

Spring ’41 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 43 Eps from strategic warfare (and does not get 15 extra Eps from US because the North Atlantic convoy route was closed) and German suffers 15 Eps. The UK player declares all convoy lanes open! The Axis gains the initiative for the next three months. Germany bought 10 offensives, Italy 3, UK 5, USSR 5. Germany’s Minor countries are now in the war, Finland (because the Winter War was fought), Hungry, Rumania, and Bulgaria lending +22eps to the overall war effort. Finland positions 2 corps near Narvik hoping to quicken the demise of Norway. The current STP/ATP count is: Russia 4 STPs, UK 19 STPs, Germany 16 STPs, Italy 10 STPs. Only Germany has any ATPs, and they only have 2.

April ’41 (mud) air grounded in severe zone
With air being grounded in the North Atlantic and all the swordfish tied to the decks of the Royal Naval carriers, all 6 U-boats raiding (4 in NA and 2 in SA) do heavy damage, -17Eps for UK. The ore blockade finally gets an average roll of 7. The Royal Navy suffers a hit to a DD squadron from the U-boat wolfpacks.

There is much activity during the Naval and Air phase. UK moves first and 4 STPs leave Algiers and head towards the Atlantic and are unsuccessfully attacked by a 6-12 German bomber. STPs run supply from UK to Gibraltar, Casablanca and Oran. The UK SS unit stations itself to protect Malta against invasion and to be able to intercept shipping going to two of the Italian controlled Libyan ports. Churchill reluctantly recalls Auchinleck back to the UK and he unwillingly returns to for reassignment. Britain’s 2 6-4 corps that remain in Narvik, dig in and await the inevitable German attack. The DDs located off the coast of Norway return to port (they are unneeded because Norway is currently an unconquered enemy of Germany which means the blockade continues without the need for ships).

The three German SS units move out to the Atlantic in an attempt, possibly next month, to interfere with the UK supply runs to Africa. Two 6-3 German corps move to Finland along with 4 sea supplies. Supply is run to Oslo. The UK 6-12 bomber in Alexandra intercepts the Italian ships leaving Tobruk, the CA Trento (2-10-40), a CL, and a DD. The Italian 4-4-1 fighter intercepts the bomber and the 2 4-5-2 Hurricanes intercept in the fighter over Tobruk (same hex that the bomber is in) rather than over the Italian’s home base (where the fighter would get a bonus). The Italians succeed in hitting the bomber, but the Hurricanes shoot down the Italian fighter. The Italians next run STPs to Tobruk and pick up the 4-5 armor located there. A STP brings a 4-3 Infantry back to Tobruk in place of the armor unit. The UK sub misses an Italian STP bringing supply to a Libyan port. Four DDs move on top of the UK sub to attempt to locate it, but they fail to locate it. Two Axis bombers also attempt to locate the sub, and they miss also.

The Italians must use the first Axis offensive to disembark the 4-3 infantry corps off their STPs into Tobruk so they will have a unit there before a looming British offensive. The second offensive comes just as the Italians had feared, in Africa. Without any enemy air cover O’Conner confidently launches a massive thrust right down the middle of the Italian army deployed on the Libyan/Egyptian boarder. With the final odds of 3-1 +1 (for air superiority), the result is (D2) an automatic retreat 2 hexes. British Infantry advances into the hole and O’Conner exploits through the Italian line and then attacks the Italian forces at Tobruk. 4-1 +1 (for air, and the Italians can not retreat) the Italian resistance is smashed (DE).

Rommel launches the next offensive as he leads his 2 panzer corps and Germany’s new satellite Allies into battle against Yugoslavia. Belgrade is taken during Rommel’s exploitation and all resistance collapses. Loses for the German’s include a bomber step and a panzer step.

UK uses an offensive to get both of their corps back in supply in Algeria and advances them towards Tunisia. Russian border guards report back to Stalin about the heavy German movement near the front, but Stalin dismisses it. Russian commanders however continue to redeploy their forces with more infantry moving toward the Baltic area, as many German armored forces were detected in nearby East Prussia.

All ships move back to port during end phase, and the German SS units return to new ports off the west coast of France.

May ’41 (fair)
The first month of clear weather over the North Atlantic allows the admiralty’s escort plan to take shape. With 9 CVs on duty and with a countless number of supporting DDs and CLs the escort number stands at 8 in the North Atlantic and 4 in the South Atlantic. The Kriegsmarine does not attack in the North Atlantic against this number, but does attack in the south. The result is -3Eps to the UK. Ore blockade is weak -5Eps.

With the new threat of the German tactical SS units interfering with supply to Algeria, the admiralty reacts quickly and decisively by sending 6 DDs towards the German SS unit located in Bordeaux. The Luftwaffe sends its only bomber in the area, a 3-12 to attack the fleet, but it fails to score a bomb hit. The SS unit is sunk. Supply runs to Narvik for the first time come under the air umbrella from the Luftwaffe, and two 4-6-1’s (ME-110s and Stukas) are positioned to attack from Trodhiem. Two STPs leave England and are intercepted by one 4-6-1. Both UK STPs are sent to the bottom of the North Sea. Another group led by the CA Cornwall (2-10-40) containing 4 STPs leaves from another UK port and head to Narvik with supply. Only one STP is sunk from this task force and the sea supply arrives in Narvik (for a total of two sea supplies). The 3-12 UK bomber in Egypt launches an attack on the Italian CA Zara (2-10-40) and scores a hit. A 4-12 Mosquito bomber group rebases from UK across France to Algiers.

The Italians evacuate a 4-3 infantry corps near Bengazi and attempt to bring supply to Lybia, but the UK SS unit finds and sinks the STP. No other sea supply is run to Lybia.

In a very surprising move, a brazen Hitler declares war on Sweden! A small task force leaves from Finland containing a 6-3 German infantry corps on STPs and heads for Stockholm. Swedish forces deploy with one corps in Stockholm and the rest in the north with the idea that both Norway and the B.E.F. will be able to come to her aid and they can avoid the deadly German blitzkrieg bonus during the first turn of combat. By having the two minor country aircraft in the North near each other (both Sweden and Norway) out of Luftwaffe fighter reach, will cause Goering’s Luftwaffe some rough times ahead. There are several air movements by the German player, a 4-4-3 ME109 moves to Trodheim, the 4-6-1 ME 110 rebases to Finland, and a 6-12 bomber relocates to Oslo.

The first offensive is launched in Sweden and executed exactly to the Germans plan. Guderian moves to Malmo (undefended) and captures it (possibly allowing him to leave by ship and make it to East Prussia for next month). Germans drop paratroops down on the Stockholm while Guderian’s other 8-5 panzer attacks from the west, and a 6-3 infantry corps attacks from sea. The Fallschirmjaegers land, but do not achieve tactical surprise (they land depleted). The attack is successful DEx with a step loss. The German blitzkrieg turn is over.

O’Conner keeps the momentum of the newly launched African campaign and surrounds the remaining 4-3 Italian infantry corps near Bengazi and forces their surrender (DE). He resumes his movement and races his tank corps west towards Tripoli. The UK infantry near Tobruk continue to compress and collapse the 2 corps pocket of Italian infantry. The roll is a D1 and the out of supply Italians take a step loss.

June’41 (fair)
The U-boats in the North Atlantic once again decide not to attack against 8 stacks and in the South Atlantic their damage is the weakest of the war so far with only –1Ep. The ore block continues with –6Eps for Germany.

The Allies are asked to move first and 3 STPs leave Narvik and are harassed by a 4-6-1 and one STP is sunk. The Royal Navy does succeed in getting one STP with supply delivered to Narvik safely. The Italians transport a 4-3 infantry to reinforce their garrison in Tunisia along with a sea supply. The Kriegsmarine continues its supply lift to all the new captured ports of Sweden. A massive air shift occurs for the Luftwaffe and 3 6-12 He111 bombers change base to Sweden.

Italy must take the first offensive to reestablish supply for its corps located in Tunisia. It lands the 4-3 corps and moves it one hex and joins the other corps (now in supply) and they attack the UK 6-4 corps. The odds are 4-1 even because of Axis air superiority and the rough terrain the UK corps is deployed on. D3x is the roll and the British retreat 3 hexes while the Italians take losses. Mussolini curses his luck and his lackluster army. The Allies pass and Germany launches a stack offensive near the Norwegian coast destroying the Norway unit DEx (no replenishments because the unit was destroyed outside of Norway). Norway counters with an offensive to pull its remaining corps back towards Narvik.

Kliest begins his drive to capture Galivare (last city resource). He launches a breakthrough with one panzer corps 4-1 +1 (air) and is successful DE. Then another breakthrough attack with the last 8-5 panzer corps and is also successful (4-1 +2 air, out of supply) DE. However, he decides not to attack Galivare.

German launches an air offensive and moves a 4-4-3 to the new airbase just captured south of Galivare.

During the supply phase the last remaining Italian forces located in Libya (near the Egyptian border) surrender for lack of supply.

Summer ’41 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 21 Eps from strategic warfare and German suffers 18 Eps. The UK player declares all convoy lanes open. The Axis gets the initiative for the next 3 months. Germany buys 30, Italy 4, United Kingdom 2, and USSR 8 offensives. The UK receives 20 Eps from United States lend lease.

July ’41 (fair)
Again the North Atlantic is free from U-boat attacks but in the South Atlantic, the German wolfpacks make up for it as best they can scoring –9Eps. For the first time the ore blockade scores a damaging blow to the Germany munitions production –12Eps!

In the Mediterranean 2 UK STPs leave Alexandria with supply and head towards Malta. A lone 4-6-1 German 110 intercepts sinking one of the STPs. UK tactical sub moves into the same sea zone to protect the port of Malta from possible attack (like attempting to sink my STP in port). With the only Axis fighter unable to do anything further during the Allies Naval and Air phase, the UK reacts. The 4-12 Mosquito bomber group leaves Algiers and flies to Bizerte, Tunisia where the CA Bolzano (2-10-40) and 4 STPs are in port. With its four attacks the 4-12 bomber sinks the Bolzano but misses the STPs. The two 4-5-2 hurricane fighters currently in Africa change base to Malta. The 6-12 bomber in Egypt relocates in Libya. Another 4-12 bomber from UK flies across France to Algeria.

During the Axis Naval and Air phase, the Italian STPs in Tunisia split up one by one and head to separate ports. The two 4-12 UK bombers each intercept a lone STPs and sink them. The UK SS unit also intercepts an Italian STP and sinks it! Total losses for the Italian Navy, the Bolzano and 3 STPs at the bottem of the Med. The Italian SS unit moves to Malta in an attempt to sink the last remaining STP in port to deny Malta her supplies, but it misses. Mussolini, irate about the British attacks on his fleet, recalls his new 4-4-2 fighter unit from the eastern front back to Sicily. On its final hop it is intercepted by both 4-5-2’s from Malta which in turn are intercepted by the German 4-6-1. The counter interception takes place in the same hex as the other units. The Hurricanes score a hit on the Italian plane, which forces it back to its previous base, and miss the German 4-6-1. Both Axis planes do not score any hits. Hitler, disgusted, sends a German 4-4-3 from the eastern front to Sicily.

In Sweden the German 4-4-3 does a fighter sweep and intercepts the 3-5-2 Swede and the Norwegion plane intercepts the 4-4-3 over the Swedish base. The fight air supremacy over the Swedish skies will determine the fate of both countries, and the German player decides to go after the one step Norwegion 2-4-1 and shoots it out of the sky. The Swede can only manage to abort the German 4-4-3.

The offensive phase begins in Sweden with Kliest having a successful breakthrough allowing for infantry to move up. The Germans use a paradrop (the 3^rd time is the charm) and get the para bonus. The Swedish plane is swept from the sky by the German 4-4-3 and with a 4-1 +2, the Germans get a DE. All three corps are destroyed and Sweden becomes Axis controlled. The Allies skip their offensive.

At first light German guns can be heard along the entire front, Germany declares war on Russia! And the first of 14 offensives (10 German the rest minor countries) begins. The Russians are deployed mostly north of the Pripets in an attempt to slow the perceived path of the Axis armor. The attacks begin in the south with Hoth and Italians and Rumanians. The attack penetrates the initial line but Hoth loses a step of armor (Hoth has an 8-5 and a 4-5 Italian armor). Attacks continue in the south and most are stack offensives. The minor countries go first with a Hungarian offensive (4-1 +1 DEx) and two Romanian offensives (4-1 +1 (D2)) (2-1 +2 (D2)). Both attacks are successful because Russian corps could not retreat.

Five more stack German offensives occur all over the front (4-1 even DEx, 3-1 +1 DE, 3-1 +2 DEx, 3-1 +1 D1, 3-1 +2 DE) before Russian decides to act. Stalin demands some counter attack and the Russian generals reluctantly do so, (2-1 –1) and lucky get a (D2) automatic retreat. The HQ attacks in the north begin with 4 Generals with armor moving towards Minsk. Guderian and Rommel both have two 8-5 German panzer corps while Hoepner and Manstein have Italian armor as their second armored corps (just for the record, the other two 8-5 German panzers are with Kliest in Sweden). The driving wedge of steel slices through the Russians pocketing a few corps and destroying the rest. After the initial attacks and exploitations, the German panzers have lost one step (Guderian) and both Manstein and Hoepner have lost an Italian armor step. Rommel moves last and successfully captures Minsk with no losses.

The month is not complete, and we will have a few more German offensives in the south are possible, but the north has exhausted all units.

August ’41 (fair)
No U-boat attacks in the North Atlantic, but the Germans decide to attack in the South Atlantic and a U-boat is damaged. UK takes a measly –3Eps. The ore blockade seems to be in rare form with the damage remaining unusually high –10Eps to Germany. The Naval phase of this month claims 10 ships damaged or sunk.

Naval phase begins with an UK STP leaving Narvik which is promptly attacked by a 6-12 bomber which does not manage to score any hits. Two hexes later on the same journey back to the UK, the STP is jumped again, and this time her luck runs sour and she is sunk by another 6-12 German bomber. The Russian Navy decides to sortie to the two fortified hexes in front of Leningrad to provide some defensive gunnery support, but without Russian fighters located in Leningrad, the Luftwaffe (located in Finland and Sweden) rise to the skies to attack the ships. It is a massacre, the CA Kirov (2-10-40) and the BB Oktyabrskaya Revolutsia (3-10-37) are sunk and a DD is hit!

The UK sub moves out towards Malta again and the Exeter (2-10-40) sails from Gibraltar to Marseilles, in an attempt to sink a lone STP located there in port, and is successful. A UK STP leaves from Bristol with supply for the B.E.F in Narvik and is sunk along the way. With the sacrifice of the Russian Navy, Churchill is pleased that finally the Lufwaffe can not field any more planes to attack shipping and 4 STPs leave with 2 sea supplies and make it to Narvik without being harassed. The B.E.F. is resupplied! A STP with sea supply and the BB Duke of York (4-13-29) sail into Malta.

The UK sub intercepts, locates, and attempts to sink the CA Gorizia (2-10-42) but misses with both shots. The Luftwaffe flies to Narvik and sinks the CA Cornwall (2-10-40) located there. Goring also resumes the attack on the Russian Navy sinking a DD and scoring a hit on the BB Parizhskaya Kommuna (3-10-27) and BB Murat (3-10-27). Three 6-12 bombers attempt to located the Soviet sub but fail. The Italian sub moves to the coastal hex south of Marseilles, finds and sinks the CA Exeter (2-10-40) with doubles (5’s).

Offensives begin as they did last month on the eastern front with minor countries attacking in the south with success DEx. The Allies respond in Africa with O’Conner moving his armor corps to attack the Italian invaders in Tunisia along with a 6-4 UK infantry corps and he is successful, 6-1 +1 DE. Back to the eastern front and Army Group South. Several stack offensives continue to go well for the Axis (Italian 4-1 +1 DE, and a Germany Infantry attack 4-1 +1 DEx), and then the tensely awaited major HQ offensive is launched against the Soviet weak southern front. Hoth successfully attacks 6-1 +1 DE and exploits capturing an undefended Kiev and another resource hex (the Soviet armor in reserve was deployed behind the Dneiper River next to Kiev). Hoth is alone and with one full panzer corps and a weakened Italian armor corps. Stalin is informed that the tank army located nearby could probably muster a 1-1 attack (even, modifiers cancel each other out) Hoth would be out of supply (+1) and no retreat would be possible because he would be zoned on all sides, but Luftwaffe would control the skies (–1). Stalin orders the attack and an addition 4-5 armor corps leaves reserve near Smolensk to join 3 other armor corps and they head south to engage Hoth. Kiev is retaken, and the attack does occur as planned at 1-1 even (no retreat possible and OOS) and the roll result is a D1, his German panzer corps is stepped.

The Germans smile with excitement as 4 soviet armor corps are now within reach of a possible counter attack, but Hitler decides to begin offensives in the north for the time being. Army Group North, facing a large Soviet reserve force east of Minsk, decides to move north rather than attack east and attack towards the river Dvina. The attacks on the small Soviet bridgehead go as planned (3-1 +2 D3x, 4-1 +1 DE, 3-1 +1 DE, 4-1 +1 (D2), 4-1 +1 (D2)) and are successful. After the last remaining Soviet units south of the river have been eliminated, the lone previously surrounded Soviet corps deep behind the German lines realizes that his soon to be captors have allowed him to move. The Russians use a stack offensive and move the out of supply unit and destroy an airfield and attempt to take Konigsburg, East Prussia, which is only held by a lone German paratroop unit. The attack is unsuccessful, 2-1 –3, I rolled a 3 and lose 2 steps xx.

Guderian and Hoepner of Army Group North, begin a large HQ offensive. Guderian crosses the river Dvina successfully 6-1 –1 DE, and Hoepner follows behind 4-1 +1 DE. Guderian exploits and manages to destroy another Soviet corps without losing a step, 6-1 +1 DE.

It is at this time Stalin is informed that a recon unit notices that a damaged Italian infantry corps is currently defending the supply and retreat lanes for both Guderian and Hoepner. They also inform the high command that this unit is unfortunately on the opposite (south) side of the Dvina river (it will be a –3 modifier on the attack because of river –2 and enemy air -1) but the local leaders still expect at least a 33% chance of victory. Stalin decides to gamble and launches the first Soviet combined offensive of the war with the Baltic and Western HQs participating. All available units including all the remaining armor corps in reserve along with scores of infantry corps mobilize to attack Guderian (which he currently is commanding a 4-5 and 8-5 panzer corps, which with bomber support will make him an 18 strength stack). Even if the first attack doesn’t go as planned (to deny him his supply and retreat lanes), the Soviet high command believes it should still be a decent attack. The first attack (across the river) is 2-1 –3 (I need a 5 or 6 for success) I roll a 6! D2x. The Italian corps retreats and the Soviet corps moves back across the Dvina. Guderian and Hoepner have been monitoring the Soviet counter attacks and Guderian calls in the Luftwaffe for support. Against his 18 strength the Soviet battle group manages 2-1 even (-1 for out of Supply, +1 for German air superiority). The Soviets need a 6 for a DE and roll a 4. I sigh, but after examining the CRT we both notice that the outcome is a (D2) automatic retreat, which is impossible, thanks to my previous attack, the Germans are routed! There is overwhelming confusion on the battlefield and the NKVD locates the former German command post and finds scores of officers dead (apparent a direct hit by an artillery blast) including the panzer general Guderian himself. Moscow is contacted and Stalin is elated! Two panzer corps and the head of hurrying Heinz! Guns fire over Moscow for the entire day in celebration as Guderian’s corpse is transported to Moscow for the next day’s planned victory parade.

Germans launch massive revenge attacks in the south, 4-1 +1 DE (Soviet armor destroyed west of Kiev), 4-1+2, 6-1 +2 and Rommel (in the north) attacks 6-1 +2 DE. Riga is taken and the bloody Russian front finally goes quiet after both sides have exhausted and spent themselves with the Russians again reeling from the German offensive thrusts (another 30 steps destroyed).

Kliest, relayed the information on Guderian, vows to finish off Norway and the B.E.F. and attacks towards Narvik 6-1 (even) DEx against the 2-3 Norwegian corps and he exploits next to Narvik and attacks the B.E.F. 2-1 +1 D2x. One British infantry corps is eliminated, but the British will hold on another month and another panzer step is lost.

Most Soviet replenishments are deployed to the north districts again and Pavlov (in charge of southern deployments) is summoned from Kiev to the Kremlin and executed for his woeful deployment of his new reserves in the Kiev district. With Manstein railing to the southern front, it appears the southern front could be in grave danger, but the northern front gave up little or no ground this month.

Hitler begins leaking reports that Guderian was discovered as a traitor to Germany and her people and was executed for war crimes. There is no mention of the vicious battle that took place, and there is no mention of the two powerful panzer corps that were destroyed. This of course is done to maintain the facade of German invincibility to the world. German tank production is secretly scaled up in an attempt to make good the losses, but it will be 4 months before the new panzer corps see any action. They deny the Russian victorious battle reports and Guderian’s death in battle as propaganda.

September ’41 (fair)
In the North Atlantic the U-boats continue to avoid the convoys and their escorts but strike in the less patrolled South Atlantic and cause -5Eps of damage to the UK. The ore embargo continues and also causes –5 to Germany.

Now that Narvik will fall soon surface ships must take up station to continue the ore embargo. Two DD move to Norwegion coast and are jumped by a 6-12 bomber stationed in Norway and one DD is sunk. Four STPs leave Narvik (leaving the B.E.F. to their fate) and are not (surprisingly) attacked by the Luftwaffe. Three STPs and the CA Norfolk (2-10-42) move towards Gibraltar. The Soviet sub moves near Oslo (German major supply hub).

During the Axis Naval and air phase, 4 DDs escort supply runs (no interceptions by Soviet sub) and then return in an attempt to find the sub, no luck. Luftwaffe bombers sink the last DD by Narvik, there will be no embargo next turn.

The Offensive phase begins in the east with a combined offensive by Army Group South. Manstein swings around the east side of apparent Kiev pocket and Germany infantry cross the Dnieper on the west side without incident. The pocket is closed with one 4-3 infantry corps, one 4-5 tank corps and one 6-5 tank corps trapped inside. At this point, there effectively is no southern Soviet front remaining anymore. The Rumanians launch an offensive to block the traped corps from moving.

Kliest successfully concludes the Norway campaign with a 4-1 +1 DE. Churchill responds to this news by giving the order to destroy the last remnants of the two Italian corps in Tunisia instead of waiting for their inevitable surrender. O’Conner carries out these orders to their brutal conclusion (4-1 +1 DE). Germany’s Center HQ with its long range and great attack capability is activated and attacks occur near Leningrad. Two forts are destroyed one north of Lake Peipus and one on the Finish side of Leningrad 6-1 +1 DEx, 6-1 +1 DEx, and 6-1 DEx.

The Russians use an offensive to shift forces to the north in an attempt to solidify the Leningrad district. Germans continue to pound through Soviet lines as infantry push east from Minsk 4-1 +1 DEx 4-1 DE. A German HQ is activated for the next Axis offensive and Rommel 6-1 +1 DE and Hoepner attack 6-1 +1 DE (both rolls are 6’s on die to the cheers of my opponent). Hoepner chooses to exploit and is successful 4-1 +2 DE.

The last Russian offensive is for some further troop shifting to close hold in the line and the Germans launch their final offensive (stack) 6-1 DEx.

After the movement phase the Russians look weak. This has been by far the bloodiest beginning of Barbarossa we have seen. The Soviets have suffered 87 step losses over the last three months of Blitzkrieg to the Axis’s 26 (a ratio of 3.34 Soviets steps for every 1 Axis step lost). However after replenishments (only get the 3 for free), the roll for the shock troops is a 3 (+5 for cities) which is modified to an 8 and new purchases, I have most infantry units back on the map so it really doesn’t look that bad for the old bear. The actual front is also very close to historic for the month of October. The Germans have a huge stockpile of cash and can easily afford all of their repairs and few rebuilds that they have. This huge stockpile of EPs is due to the fact that the Germans have suffered so few losses to their Luftwaffe. I hope to change this soon. Zhukov is now near Moscow ready to lead the Soviets into victory.

* Finland 3-3

Autumn ’41 Seasonal Turn
UK suffers 17EPs from strategic warfare and Germany suffers 24EPs. The convoy lanes will be open for the next three months (excluding the Arctic convoy.) The UK receives 20EPs from the US (Lend Lease). UK gives USSR 15EPs. Axis gets the initiative with 22 German offensives and Italy’s 1. UK purchases 5 and USSR purchases 7. USSR has 20EPs in reserve, UK is broke, and Germany still has 82EPs and Italy only has 1EP.

October ’41 (Mud) grounded in severe zone
With all nine carriers unable to get any swordfish on submarine patrol due to bad weather, the U-boat attacks become furious again. In the North Atlantic –9EPs (but two U-boats are damaged) and –5EPs in the South Atlantic. There is no ore blockade this month.

Although the weather has interrupted convoy duty, the Russians are very thankful for mud and air being grounded. There is a huge amount of Naval and air Naval combat because the Russian Navy has taken up three different positions around Scandinavia in an attempt to block ore for next month. The Russian navy loses all its remaining Battleships (which were already damaged), the BB Parizhskaya Kommuna (3-10-27) and BB Murat (3-10-27). It also suffered a hit on a DD. However, the Kriegsmarine suffered also, maybe even worse than the Russian navy. Its losses include the CA Schles-Holstein (2-9-21), BB Scheer (3-11-38) (thanks to British bombers), and 2 STPs. Germany attempted to sink all Russian ships with subs or surface combat due to the fact that the Luftwaffe was grounded in the bad weather. The Russian navy is successful in managing to keep an undamaged DD out to block ore off the coast of Stockholm next month. The DD is eligible to raid next month for the cost of 1 EP to keep her out (after the DD performs Strategic Warfare, you are not required to pay EPs to keep them out of port). The Italian tactical sub sinks 1 UK STP transporting supply to Malta (it had no DD escorts).

UK also has massive Naval activity as a major landing in France will occur this month. Lucky, for the British, friendly German spies warned the admiralty that the landing craft were without DD or DE escort and could be attacked by German tactical subs. The admiralty responded quickly and thankfully and moved four DDs to both amphibious hexes.

With no air and a –1 penalty for attacks during the offensive phase will make for costly offensives. Germany’s high command, undaunted by the fowl weather, demands attacks across the front. Army Group North continues its push towards Leningrad in an attempt to link up with the Finnish, and establish a rail line through Scandinavia so that the 6 Germany infantry corps and Kliest and 2 8-5 panzer corps can rail to the Leningrad front. 2 Germany infantry corps attack north of Lake Peipus (3-1 –1) D1x, but cannot force the defenders back (Russians take step loss instead of retreating one hex). The Russians counter with their own offensive and move fresh troops forward to block this northern route to Leningrad. Army Group South, with its high level of German satellite countries, attacks next with Hungarian troops pushing north (4-1 –1) (D2) and the Russians are forced to retreat. The Russian’s use the next offensive to move Zukov to the front with his 3 range HQ so he can provide his bonus to all troops in the HQ range. More German infantry continue to attack, slowly pushing the Russian line to the north. The Russians choosing, at least now, to retreat rather than to hold the line. The Russian Kiev pocket is attacked and shrunk as the Axis brew up most of the Soviet armor trapped there.

Over on the Western Front, the British attempt their first amphibious attack of the war. O’Conner and his two armor corps have traveled extreme limits to reach St. Nazaire and will only be able to attack with a single armor corps, the other held in transport (not enough STPs for two armors to amphib further than 6 movement points, each armor requires 6 STPs). At Cherbourg, Auchinleck and his single 8-5 armor corps join a 6-4 infantry corps that will also be amphibing. The attack at Cherbourg happens first, 6-1 –2. I roll a 3, which is modified to a 1, D2x. Cherbourg, and its fort under construction falls into British hands. Auchinleck exploits across to St. Nazaire capturing its port too, effectively slicing off the Brest peninsula. UK units on standby (transported units) are then debarked in a subsequent offensive, and since they are debarking into a friendly port without ZOC, they debark and move one hex. UK units now on France mainland: a 6-4 corps (now a 3-4 because of step loss) and a 6-4 corps in Cherbourg, O’Conner and his two 6-5 armor corps northeast of St Nazaire, and Auchinleck his 8-5 armor, a 6-4 infantry corps, and a 3-4 corps in St Nazaire. During the end phase a 6-4 (from Africa) debarks into Cherbourg. A total of 44 UK strength points is now located in France.

Army Group South launches 3 more large-scale offensives including Hoth and Manstein and manage to move forward in several locations, but with heavy infantry losses. The dreaded xx (double step loss) on a roll of 1 (-1) occurred one time.

During movement phase, the Axis responds to the Allies landings and rail over the few remaining troops eligible for rail transport. This includes Hoepner with his Italian/German panzer corps, a Rumanian corps, a Bulgarian corps, 2 Italian Corps, and 2 German Corps. A total of 43 Axis strength points now in France.

Army Group North finishes out the month with Rommel pushing northeast towards Leningrad without losses.

* Romanian 4-3

  Hungarian 4-3

November ’41 (winter) air not grounded in severe zone, grounded in moderate zone
Temperatures begin dropping early this year all across Europe, but aircrews can still manage to operate in the icy conditions in the severe weather zone. The Russian winter bonus now begins for every winter weather turn (+1 attacks for Soviets and a –1 for the Axis). With all Russian aircraft located in the Moscow area, the Luftwaffe will reign the Russian skies negating the winter penalty. This is not because the brave Russian airforce will not engage the mighty Luftwaffe, but that perspective combat hexes are almost all out of reach of the Soviet fighters (which I guess is a good thing).

The Strategic warfare phase begins in the North Atlantic with only the DD escorts still in the North Atlantic convoy box and all the German U-boats attack with a damaging blow, 21 EPs worth, but receive two hits to U-boats. In the South Atlantic attacks occur here as well, 8 EPs of damage and a DE escort is hit. Thanks to the USSR, the ore blockade is once again resumed causing a decent 8 EPs of damage.

The Allies are asked to move first and transport supply to the troops in France filling both ports full of supply. A Russian CL and a damaged DD move to different positions around Scandinavia to take up positions for next month’s ore blockade. The Russian sub also takes up position. The Germans bring out all warships in an attempt to get all the blockading units. The BB Bismarck (4-14-40) fires her guns in anger for the first time hits and sinks a Russian CL, but not before this small fleet scores a hit on both a German CL and DD. A German tactical sub locates and sinks the last Russian DD, however, the blockade will continue thanks to the Russian sub that has taken up position near Oslo.

The Royal navy takes up position in both coastal port hexes so they will be able to add their strength to any attacks that may occur there. With a +9 gunnery strength bonus in Cherbourg and +7 in St. Nazaire, it will be unlikely that any attacks will occur in these hexes.

After a very difficult month of muddy attacks in which infantry losses were high for the Wehrmacht, November, with its hardening ground and a Soviet force which is not quite in position to counter attack yet, the offensive phase goes well for the Axis. With strength only to launch 3 large offensives for the month (4-1 even DE, 6-1 even DE, 4-1 even DE, 6-1 even DE) the Luftwaffe insures that the German’s attack with no penalties. The last remaining unit in the Kiev pocket is annihilated and the Hungarians launch an attack on Karkov and take the city 4-1 even DEx, but suffer a step loss in the process. Army Group North continues its push towards Leningrad.

The UK gets all units back in supply in France by activating them so that they can trace to a supply source and takes the major port of Brest by walking over the coastal fort that was located there.

* Hungarian 4-3

December ’41 (winter) air not grounded in severe zone, air not grounded in moderate zone
With all carriers back on U-boat patrol, and the frigid weather barely cooperating allowing air operations, the U-boats do not attack in the North Atlantic, and attacks in the South Atlantic are minimal only causing 1 EP to UK economy. The Russian sub is successful sinking 6 EPs worth of iron ore. Stalin curses the weather that has allowed the Luftwaffe to fly for this and last month’s winter turns.

The raiding Russian sub moves to the port of Oslo and slips into port attacking the undefended German STPs located there, sinking one. Supply is run to France, including the new port of Brest, which is stock piled full of supply. The Royal Navy takes up its supporting positions once again in the port coastal hexes.

UK relocates a 4-4-3 Spitfire, a 4-4-3 Spitfire, and a 4-5-2 Hurricane to France to protect the troops deployed there. Stalin does not allow Soviet air to rebase to Leningrad or anywhere else and all planes stay healthy and deployed around Moscow.

Four German DDs attempt to find the Russian sub but fail to locate it, ore attacks will continue next month. The BB Bismarck (4-14-40) and the CA Pr. Eugen (2-10-42) sink the last Russian DD.

The Axis, confident that the Luftwaffe will negate any winter penalties, attack in the north next to Leningrad attempting to capture another hexside south of the city (they already have one hexside in south and one on the Finish side) which will isolate it and seal its fate. The attack is 4-1 even D2x. The Russian units retreat and the German infantry take the hex.

With the Western Allies launching a second front in France, Stalin rallies his Generals for the winter counter offensive to begin. The Russians will have the advantage of attacking all month, and buying new units during Winter seasonal turn, placing them and attacking again in January before the Germans can rail any of their newly purchased units to the front.

The Leningrad front, although important, until this moment has not been a high priority for the Soviet defense. Priority of reinforcements, Zhukov, and all Soviet aircraft 4-5-0s (I-15s and I-16s) and 4-5-1s (Mig-1s, Mig-3s, Yak-1s) have been concentrated in the Moscow area to keep Axis units from threatening the city an its nearby resource hexes. However, the counter attacks begin here in an attempt to recapture the southeastern hex that was just taken. The Luftwaffe owns the skies and the attack is 2-1 even. With fresh Shock troops leading the way the German corps are shattered! DE (roll of a 6) and two Soviet corps move into the hex protecting Leningrad southern front. Hitler, infuriated, decides that now is the time for a direct attack on Leningrad forgoing an attempt to recapture the heavily contested hex. With massive Luftwaffe support and two German corps on the Finish side (a 6-3 corps and a 8-5 panzer corps) and two Germany infantry corps from the south (two 6-3s) the odds are 4-1 even. Paratroopers are flown over Leningrad, but vicious anti-air guns disperse the Ju52’s and the paratroops can’t land in an organized fashion (no +1 bonus). The roll is high, and the result is a (D2), but Leningrad contains a fort so the combat results are reduced to an attacker step loss x!

The Russians pass on their offensive, still gleefully happy about Leningrad, so the Germans launch a massive combined attack (two HQs) in the south. The attacks are successful 4-1 even DE, 4-1 even D3x, 4-1 even D3x, and 6-1 DEx. With most of the Luftwaffe now committed from the previous offensives, Zhukov launches his first attack of the war. It is a combined offensive (because of the pitiful attack capability of the pre-42 HQs which only allow one attack per HQ). There are 4 Axis infantry corps west and north west of Smolensk (the northern stack contains two Italian corps 8 strength points and the other directly west of Smolensk contains one Italian and one German 10 strength points. With only the Romanian fighter able to fly, and chooses not to, the Russian airforce controls the sky. The first attack (northern hex of all Italians) goes well 3-1 +2 DE. This attack seals the fate of the other, because the other is now out of supply. That attack goes well also 3-1 +3 DE. Shock troops rip open Army Group Center! Except for a ½ step German infantry corps, the road to Minsk is open.

Hoth launches an attack in the south, which is successful, 4-1 even DE. Stalin confident of his army to crush the Germany invaders orders the liberation of Kharkov and a small force of infantry corps attempt to liberate the city from the German satellite armies that are deployed there. The attack is 2-1 (even) and the roll is a 1 x attacker step loss. Attacks are halted for this month on both sides.

The Germans use an air offensive to relocate fighters to the Western front including a 4-4-1 (Fiat C.R. 42) and a 4-4-2 (Macchi M.C. 200) Italian fighters and the several German planes including two 4-4-3’s (Me109s) and one 4-6-1 fighter-bomber (Me110s and Ju87s).

* 2 Hungarian 4-3