... and no we weren‘t home at Christmas either! 6mm, on four large 6x4 tables, the complete first World War on European ground, started last Sunday at 12 noon.
Bart stepped in for the Kaiser with a little help from "Campbell von Hötzendorfff" as Austria-Hungary, while I just tried to get the Allies through a very painful period. For some reason, Bart and Campbell weren‘t to keen on the Schlieffenplan and reversed to attack the Romanovs directly, while keeping it stumm at the western front, not even invading Belgium! Campbell stated he wanted "revenge" for Ferdinand and ordered an offensive vs the Serbs. Which was repulsed first, but then collapsed as resources and reinforcements were thinly spread.
The Russians were, quite as expected, in a dilemma, with two central powers coming at them at the same time. Bart had in no time "liberated" Poland, and apart from his disastrous attempts at Riga, which resulted in the total annihilation of an entire army group, he soon proceeded to encircle Brest-Litovsk and began the battle. Of course I lost, anything the German player set his eyes on, he will gets it - it is just a matter when and under what price – turned out at no cost for the Germans this time - meh!
Pretty much else the Allies were on the run, the Serbs had to with draw into their cold mountains, The Russians back into their vast hinterland, praying that their reinforcements out strip their losses. The French made some attacks (as bound by plan 17) but of course Metz and Strassbourg were too strong a position to break through.
On top of that Westminster decided to wait, until the K.u.K. Marine (yes, the Austrian naval fleet!) sunk most of the French "Navy" before Marsailles, oh blamage! - and Britain joined the war as late as November!!!
But then the French promtly invaded Belgium and the British later the Netherlands, on the grounds of these little countries not joining the allied blockade (A friend of all, is a friend to none!).
We got until February 1915, and it looks still pretty grim for the allied case. Serbia is broken and Poland lost. Russian troops are on the retreat. The Advance through the Benelux countries is stalled by the usual fortresses (Antwerp and Liege), at least the Naval issue is solved for now.
The beginning of the war for the allies is always difficult, but 1914 especially. So with that in sight, I guess its still a bit of "consolidation" to do until we can hit back - wait for the big push! To be continued ...
P.S.
On December 1914 the Central Powers achieved momentarily Operational Victory (with the capture of Brest–Litovsk), i.e. if the game would have ended, they had a minor victory. As it progressed into 1915 (and the rating changed), it would be now rated as a draw, if hostilities would end.
 |
| After the initial deployment |
 |
| The East front |
 |
| The West front |
 |
| August 14, The Germans invade Russia/Poland! |
 |
| While keeping the French somewhat bottle necked |
 |
| The OHL diverting troops even to the east |
 |
| The Eastern theatre, even though Russians reinforcements arriving |
 |
| Slowly but steadily the Germans continue |
 |
| Trenches at the Western front |
 |
| Trenches in the Balkans |
 |
| The German military colossus advances on Brest-Litovsk |
 |
| Britain joins the war! |
 |
| The Germans souround the fortress city |
 |
| Brest-Litovsk has fallen ... |
 |
| The Russian front is split into separate parts ... |
I got all my objectives achieved: I took Kovno, Warsaw and Brest and split Russians into two parts! Stopped Allied on the west and force Entente to attack Belgium and Holland (so I got their forces for free). The small issue was my trip to Riga (but that was a great lesson learnt before Brest on how to deal with fortresses). Campbell also did very well, pushing Russians to Volhynia (we don't talk about the southern front right now, as he managed to survive there without massive reinforcements, which he was able to send to Galicia). It was a lovely game. I would love to continue it on January's Sunday game if there is an interest in it.
ReplyDelete