AAR "Greater Romania" - 22 July 41

[markkur]

Next chapters added at bottom of this page.

“A Greater Romania”

This AAR will follow Romania from 22 July 1941 onwards. However before I begin I need to briefly tell the highlights of 1936 to pre-Barbarossa.

The Buildup to Barbarossa

Overall Strategy
I decided that since Bulgaria is more liability than asset and Yugoslavia a country destined to be broken-up piecemeal by the Axis, that Romania would annex these two nations to make a greater single Axis power. In addition, since Greece will not go Axis and eventually also be broken up by the Axis, a third country would be annexed for a "Greater Romania" and that would be the end of our expansion.

The final part of my plan was to free up as many Axis troops as I could by sending as many Garrisons to Germany. Not wanting more UK ships at my doorstep, I also made a GAR x2 for Mytilene and a GAR x3 for Crete when I asked Italy to attack Crete to complete the takeover of Greece, in hopes of securing those two islands & ports.

Economy, Spies and Research
I used my abundant “Black Gold” to stockpile Metal and Rares from abroad and of course bought all of my Energy from Germany. Eventually I had lots of $ but nothing that I needed that was available without convoys, so after the end of the global-market, I opted to buy unneeded Energy from Germany in a weak attempt to support the Axis leader.

I put max Tech-spies in England and France until 41 but for the first time, they stole next to nothing from France and it was little better in England with only the tech to build CLs. Between the two I did not get a single tech I would use. After taking three countries LS doesn’t improve.

My plan for the Armed Forces was a strong up-to-date Infantry w/Radios, supported by AT and ART, along with a goal of 2 x3 INT wings and a single x3 TAC wing. As of 22 July I have the TAC-wing built but only the 1st of the INT wings flying with only the 1st group of the 2nd Wing in queue.

Knowing I would see some action from British STRATs and CAGs, I also made the airbase in Sofiya a level 3 since I needed an airbase to repair my x3 wings at the same time.

German Production Licenses.

I bought the German Z DDs to stop my convoy losses but by the time war unfolded these proved wasted IC; since Italy’s Navy is in shambles, I will probably give them my destroyers and transports - they‘re out of both. British CAGs prevent me from executing ASW as I intended and Italy does still have a few capitol ships left…so why not give this small force to the Italians. However, I think I will give each vessel separately to ensure at least some arrive safely.

On 2 Sept. 1939 I tagged to Germany and called Romania to the greater war.


Battles before Barbarossa.
* British STRAT bombers wrecked Sofiya on a regular basis and though my INTs fought them off, the damage was done quickly so every attack I was losing an 6 of 9 IC for production. I did manage to research and build another provincial-AA there but by that time both were finished, the British deployed elsewhere. I doubt my additional AA was the reason. :>) Brit-Strats also hit Ploesti a couple of times, knocking out 3 more IC.
* During this time I used my lone TACx3-wing to attack the Greek subs (attacking my shipping) but only did minor damage. I had a little better luck performing Port-Strikes on Mytilene but was only able to sink 1 TP.
* On 29 May 1940 when Germany invaded France, I sent my entire Romanian-Army-Group to Germany as an Expeditionary-Force thinking after gaining some experience from my 3 small wars, any additional experience would be needed facing the Soviets. Several Romanian units did play a role in taking Paris but most went to garrison duty.
- I was able to recall all my forces in time to set-up defenses before the start of Barbarossa. Since I planned to accept the Soviet demand for Bessarabia (1 June 1940), my units were always dug-in behind the Prut river and not the original border at the river Nistru (Dinister).
* France took Ethiopia instead of the Brits and France sent an INF unit to capture Tirane. Since Italy had no units there, I had to defeat and capture the 9,000 French troops at the Battle of Gostifar with my defensive forces stationed in old Yugoslavia. Outdated-Larm brigades+ Calvary divisions worked well.
* Italy and England did the usual see-saw battle around Tobruch.
* Italy declared war on Greece and did take Crete. However, on 12 April 41, I had to intervene there when Italy used my supplied GAR defense to fight invaders in the center of the island and allowed British Paratroopers to land at the air-field and capture Irakleio. In a very risky move, I brought my Divizie 13 in 1 Transport from Salonika. I took the city back and I waited till the GAR returned to its intended purpose. I nearly lost this Infantry and transport on the return trip - due to British CAGs.

Montgomery and 9,000 British paratroopers gone! We lost nearly 1,300 men in the battle for Crete.​

Our Defensive Command
​

* On 17 April 41 British Infantry landed in Tirane and gaining the airfield began bombing my troops on the way to secure the province. Once again my defensive forces took out another 9,000 allied troops. Soon Italy rushed 2 divisions to old Albanian capitol and maybe now that coast will remain secure.

On 9 May 41, I sent the first GARx3 made for Germany to Praha. I’ve noticed on many occasions that a GARx2 must not be deemed strong enough by the A.I. because it will keep an INF there regardless. Hopefully x3 will accomplish my goal of releasing as many German INF from guard-duty as possible. I’m planning to release at least 3 Corps or 12 divisions but we‘ll see.

16 May the Germans DOW’d the Soviets. I did not move my troops an inch wanting to stay dug-in and behind the river. As the German offensive intensified the Soviets began to thin the forces Romania faced.

By 22 July 41, the Italians had lost the port of Olbia and were struggling around Tobruch against British and Iraqi troops. And on this date I tagged to Germany and called Romania into Barbarossa.

The Next Chapters

“The Prut River”{22 July - 1 August 1941}
"https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ater-romania-22-july-41.970616/#post-21881125"
“Taking Our Land”{2 - 8 August 1941}
"https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ater-romania-22-july-41.970616/#post-21889854"
“Target Odessa”{9 - 26 August, 1941}
"https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ater-romania-22-july-41.970616/#post-21917573"
“A Secret Plan”{26 August - 9 September, 1941}
"https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ater-romania-22-july-41.970616/#post-21925836"
"The Order - Swing the Gate" {9 -17 September, 1941}
"http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...omania-22-july-41.970616/page-2#post-21937408"
“A Red Tide” {17 - 26 September, 1941}
"http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...omania-22-july-41.970616/page-2#post-21948245"
“Sevastopol & Surprises ” {26 September - 9 November, 1941}
"http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...omania-22-july-41.970616/page-2#post-21967020"

 

[sebas379]

Always nice to see another AAR of yours. Lets see if you can provide enough support for AI Germany to win the war, it looks good so far

 

[markkur]

Thanks Sebas. I had what I thought a great idea and wanted to do a much larger AAR. I took my "Early Rising Sun" Japan AAR at the Point where I had taken Britain out of the war. I tagged to the USA and restructured what was left of the US Navy, (I'd sank most but they had some new ships) reset the OOB and set my production runs. I successfully defended the former Danish islands after very tough naval battles. Also, four small U.S. Pacific bases were still in American hands...so I had a chance in the East too. So at this point the USA was "on the ropes" and I wanted to see if I could bring it back.

You know how many Game-makers will have you develop the Characters you end up fighting to win the game? well that was the inspiration to do the same in HoI3. Unfortunately I found this "Grand Alamo-Turnaround" too much for my health...so I decided to try a much smaller AAR. Here's Hoping!

I realize it cannot be terribly exciting but I hope to make it a quality story. And, as you know, there's no predicting how well Germany will do. Besides poor Italy already under siege with only a trace of its Navy.

 

[racebear75]

Subbed !

 

[markkur]

Subbed !

Greetings racebear75...good to see you here.

Folks, something I considered in the opening post will not happen. Romania is NOT going to give Italy its puny Navy. Instead, I have a very risky mission in mind... that will likely also end in disaster. We'll see.

 

[markkur]

Hi guys, before moving on to the “beginning,” I should explain something important; all of my Corps-commanders have 3 Infantry-brigades with them. <imvho> Romania has only an adequate number of Generals, so I believe this move is important in two ways. I’m not just preserving the number of available generals but also having some of my best leaders carrying a healthy amount of troops with them and gaining more combat experience. We will have only a small tank-force to support us, so our Infantry-based-army needs to be strong in any way possible.

ARM+MOT+AC composition​

Also I meant to post Romania's OOB and remembered to now.

This is from 30 days later but after 4 early wars we have good generals

“The Prut River”
{22 July - 1 August 1941}​

It was zero-hour and time for Romania to join-in Barbarossa and attack across the river into Bessarabia. Our Romanian troops attacked the entrenched Soviets. The rest of the enemy-forces were also well dug-in behind the Prut river. So our initial move was on our left flank, away from the river, in hopes of creating a spearhead that would eventually make Soviet units abandon their river-entrenchments wherever and whenever possible to lessen our casualties. It was not likely they would completely abandon a solid river-line defense but we forced the chance regardless. Even if only successful in one or two provinces, that would still be success in my book.

General Sanatescu led Divizie 14 & Divizie 15 Infantry into Cernauti. General Schwab led 2nd Corps HQ (3 Infantry brigades attached) and Divizie 16 into Chotinu. On the other end of the front, our tanks rolled through our province of St. Georg on their way to Kilia; a lost-order meant our best Corps were not where they should have been. The goal for our Armor is to soon take the important Soviet city of Sevastopol. We need that air-base for our Interceptors. This miscue and the resulting delay will cost us lives & also time.

For nearly two days the first battle raged but the ending was our first ground victory against the communist-forces. Surprisingly our 20,000+ troops defeated the larger 25,000+ enemy force. In the Battle for Cernauti we lost 287, enemy dead 735.

As Sanatesu’s forces advance into Cernauti, General Schwab still yet fights for Chotinu.​

On 26 July, because 1st Armor Corps was attacking from St. Georg across the river into Kilia and 1st Infantry Corps had units defending there as well, the Soviet’s 2. & 9. CAS-groups attacked the province. We were too fat a target to ignore. Later this same day at 10 at night, the Battle for Chotinu was won but the victory not a great one. We threw 20,000 men against 9,000 defenders but our losses were near even. Romanian dead 554 versus 624. However before we were able to enter the province the Soviet 69. Strelkovaya Div. in retreating from Cernauti, was caught in 2nd Chotinu and a brief battle resulted before the Soviet unit fled at 9:00 a.m. on the 27th. We lost another 54 men and they another 80 dead Mountaineers.

In the early hours of the 27th General Dimitriu led his entire MTN-Corps against General Savkir’s single Soviet ARM-division sitting in Jablonow. Our hope was to pin down his tanks for a while as Sanatescu entered Cernauti to possibly choke his retreat path. Unfortunately Hungary did not appear to be “called to arms” and the German-units to the north were not yet numerous.

Trying to trap those tanks​

However, Soviet General Savkir was no fool and after short resistance he fled the Battle for Jablonow, withdrawing to Kolomyja, leaving behind only 10 dead to our 48.

However, Savkir’s armor could not avoid capture, after German and Romania forces encircled him in Kolomyja.​

Our Romanian 15. Divizie participated in the final assault against Savkir’s 21. Armor in Kolomyja where another 825 Soviet troops died before the capture of the remaining 6,500 soldiers. Axis losses were 249.

Also during the 27th, at the other end of the front our tanks were crossing the river and fighting in Kilia.

The Soviets responded with their own tanks

On 1 August we attacked in the north across the Prut-river a 2nd time​

 

[sebas379]

A good start in retaking Bessarabia, your tanks seem to be pulling their weight. Now overrun the Ukraine!

 

[markkur]

A good start in retaking Bessarabia, your tanks seem to be pulling their weight. Now overrun the Ukraine!

The Germans were very nice to sell me some Panzers. I've bought plans for spART so that will make for nice full divisions eh.

 

[markkur]

“Taking Our Land”
{2 - 8 August 1941}

As mentioned earlier this is our number one goal on our right-flank. This is a fortified city but we hope our tanks will easily overrun the defenses once we reach the target.

We won the final tank Battle for Kilia on 2 Aug. suffering many losses crossing the river. Due to our overwhelming numbers of tanks, the Soviets lost nearly 600 men in the ground battle and another 2,748 killed from our unopposed Tactical bombers but our losses against 1 tank division was over 1,700 tank-men. This river-crossing was very costly to both sides.

The Air War
Due to the scale of the Axis offensive, Soviet bombers in our sector were few and far between and when they did appear overhead, for the time being, our Interceptors were far more numerous than their bombers making the Soviet bombing runs short. Soviet bombers targeted four provinces and we lost 129 men in Botosani, 114 in Orhei, 221 in Illichivsk and 91 during that quick run into St. Georg.

However, beginning on 8/8/41 Romanian bombers began having deadly effect on the Soviet forces along the river. Even though our troops are only fighting on the flanks our TACs are very busy along the line. They targeted every Tank formation they saw from the air. The next bombing was in Cahul were over consecutive days 1,435 more Russians were killed. The numbers are large and the strikes run like this; Artsyz-1,937, Rybnica-1,433, Cetatea Alba-270 and Chisnau-2,738. While we lost over 500 men to bombs, the Soviets lost over 10,000 fighting men.

To the north our flank attack into Bessarabia continues. In Soroca tanks wait behind the Prut and our bombers did not strike there.

With the destruction of the Soviet armor to the N.W. we have troops on the other side of the river now also attacking from Chotinu.

Also on the 8th we sent 2 Armored-divisions west into Artsyz in an effort to force the Soviets to back out of the Prut river salient and of course get them off the Prut-banks.​

We need to finish our last Panzer-brigade to complete our Divizie 4 Armor. Deployment is expected on 15 August but will need time to organize before it becomes an effective offensive force. Until that time, Divizie 4 along with the Arm-Corps HQ only defend gained-ground.

On the 7th General Phleps received word that the Battle for Soroca is over. Despite a supported attack from dry-ground, the river-crossing was terrible for us. Romania lost 2,523 men in the river, the muddy river-bank and in front of the heavily defended Soviet positions. The twin-pronged attack however, made sure the Soviets did not get off easy and they lost 1,766. We had now crossed the Prut in three places. Hopefully our pressuring the flanks will prevent our having any more battle-losses like this one.

The Front

Thought some might like to see what we are working in at present.

Of course with the Brits around we have to be ready in far-flung old Yugoslavia. We have a full Infantry Corps guarding our Greek-provinces.


​

 

[sebas379]

The soviets seem to have the lines rather thinly manned, i assume they are all fighting the germans? Maybe a romanian breakthrough will collapse the entire soviet line and roll them up from the south...

 

[markkur]

The soviets seem to have the lines rather thinly manned, i assume they are all fighting the germans? Maybe a romanian breakthrough will collapse the entire soviet line and roll them up from the south...

At the start of the War most of the river was 2 divisions versus 2 divisions except where I had a full Corps on both flanks. The pressure on the flanks did cause thinning in the river-salient but it ended very quickly. As you know 2 units crossing a river and attacking a single better training unit that is dug-in can still take hellish losses. My men might be equal in support I don't know but even if they are it is still costly.

I'm playing ahead (not too far) and the story now, I'll just say is not Romania getting a...Pass. The Soviet A.I. has actually done very well and "met the real threat" so far. I guess it's hard to take seriously German units waltzing provinces deep behind the line for whatever reason but Romania's-line? The Soviets are treating us very seriously...as they should - we are the right end of the line after all. But that story will follow.

Btw, I did an experiment that I've never tried before. I tagged to Germany and "Shared" their Mobile-Theory with Romania. I knew this meant Germany losing 1 LS but thought this would make the game a little more fair since my Greater Romania is a more potent ally than the normal A.I. Romania & Bulgaria. However, the benefit proved of little value since I'm not building scads of mobile units. The gift did make the 4 bought units complete faster but <imo> a nation that does not build much MOT or ARM doesn't get the bang for the buck. Oh well, had to try it once. And of course I don't have the LS to pursue any wheeled techs unless I had intended to forgo all Supply and Industry techs etc. To me, playing with small LS is a harder difficulty setting in its own right.

 

[markkur]

“Target Odessa”
{9 - 26 August, 1941}

The Front at the beginning of this chapter​

On 9 Aug two Romanian infantry divisions attacked a lone Soviet division dug-in behind the Prut-river. Two of our under-strength ARM divisions had advanced north of Ismail and we hoped this would cause the enemy to fear encirclement and withdraw from their strong defensive position. That is what happened, when we quickly won the Battle for Ismail after light losses for both sides. 16 & 23 dead. The Soviet 86 Strelkovaya then fled west into our offensive into Reni. Unfortunately for us, Soviet ARM was due north of Reni and would prove an exit for the defeated Soviet forces fleeing the river-salient’s two provinces.

To the northernmost end of our line we threw six divisions against more Soviet ARM, this time in Balti. Soviet bombers began bombing in Botosani in an effort to halt our attack across the river into Reni.

Romanian forces have fought across one river, two more loom ahead.​

Although Romania is unable to pursue most techs we did opt to research Aircraft Machine-Guns and Fuel-Tanks to improve our existing fighters. The better armament will be available 30 November this year but the fuel-tanks not until 5 February, 1942. The only thing that happens quickly for Romania is the loss of our men. Even our spies, seem to be in another world. They face no threat from French agents now and have to die from illness or old age but can’t discover good-techs to steal.

On the 11th the Battle of Reni is won with near identical losses. We are grateful because our men fought their way across the river. We lost 444 while the defenders had 401 men killed. We returned our TACs again into Cahul against the Soviet tanks there, in trying to close the escape route for 2 enemy divisions fleeing from the south. 152 Soviet troops died before we had to call off the bombing run.

To add more pressure on the enemy’s right flank, the next day on the 12th, 1st LARM attacked into Ermoclia and 1st ARM struck Cetatea Alba, both at present defended by one Strelkovaya division. Late in the day we won 1st Vendychany losing 367 versus 413. Again losses were even but considering the river barrier for our troops, Romanian generals are content.

Midday on the 13th we won Balti in the north. 682 Romanian dead and the Soviets at 841. In the south we attacked into Bender in an effort to cut-off the Soviet forces still holding to their original Prut line. The next day Bender was won with light losses for us at 72 versus 268 enemy dead but we captured no one.

Concerning our push with our mobile right-flank, Ermoclia was won at night on the 14th. 380 versus 305 dead but the battle in Bender erupted again- enemy units were now arriving from Soviet southern borders and this battle was reinforced.

Soviet bombers hit our port of Varna on 15 August. We had our small navy at port there for a secret-mission soon to be executed! Romanian fighters defended the city but could not stop all damage and our ships had to rebase to a safe distance in the rear port of Salonica. “Loose lips sink ships” Soviet agents at work? Who knows for certain?

August 16th brought a victory in the Battle of Cahul after we lost 804 men taking the province. Soviet losses were worse however at 1,329.

To reach the important city, we have in the Nistru (Dinister) an even larger river for our troops to cross.​

For the moment we have the Soviets on their heels and we continue attacking new provinces and soon our men need rest. On the 17th we began an assault on Illichivsk to the west of Odessa. Further up the line we win the Battle of Orhei losing only 116 men to the enemy’s 774. Victory follows in Bender the next day with our losing only 60 men versus 338, a small Soviet counterattack quickly ends adding 3 and 48 dead to the tallies.

Soon after these advances also on the 18th, we attack strong Soviet Armored formations in Chisinau in force.​

On the 19th we won the Battle for Illichivsk with 279 dead - 585 enemies. The 21st Kodyma 432 vs. 645. The 22nd Obodivka 55 vs. 106 but a tough Battle for Chisinau ends with high casualties. Romania lost 1,549 men of 60,000 troops and the Soviets 1,413 from half as many defenders. We need to get past the Nistru River and finish taking back our lands!

On 23 August we finally were in position to attack Odessa.​

Soviet bombers repeatedly attacked our troops but our fighters were able to keep loss of life to a minimum. Three days after our initial attack into Odessa, on the 26th we entered the city, losing 228 while Sinkiang and Soviet losses were 531. All Romanian planes rebased to the captured air-field.

Around the World

At this time, Italy is the weak link in the Axis. British forces have taken Tobruch and sit outside Bengasi. The port of Olbia on Sardinia is now held by a British infantry-division. The French captured Ethiopia and Edd and the Allies have removed Italy from southern Africa. Italian forces did take Crete but as I said earlier Romania had to take a very risky gamble to drive the Brits off the island. Meanwhile most of the Italian navy is at the bottom of the Med. Further, looking at the list of “Sinkings” the RN lost very few ships in the process of winning control of the sea.

German panzers and SS-units are nearing Leningrad and the German army currently has a spearhead aimed at Kyiv.

Japan lies peaceful.

 

[sebas379]

So far the advance is going well. No surprise the spies can't find good stuff in France considering they are in exile and have no LS to research anything left.
Then I read the last part. Are the French actually in exile or what? With the Italian fleet at the bottom, if their troops lose North Africa nobody can stop the British from executing one of their famed Balkan invasions. That would be....less than ideal.

 

[markkur]

So far the advance is going well. No surprise the spies can't find good stuff in France considering they are in exile and have no LS to research anything left.

True but even now they would still have many techs Romania does not have nor can we research anything in various tech-trees. As you know, Tech-stealing is a gamble that sometimes provides a few advances but I did not get any that I could use for a long time. I will say now that recently we did get something useful...yeehaw finally!

Then I read the last part. Are the French actually in exile or what? With the Italian fleet at the bottom, if their troops lose North Africa nobody can stop the British from executing one of their famed Balkan invasions. That would be....less than ideal.

TY Sebas, you've highlighted one of my concerns, that will prevent me from moving a full infantry corps from Greece, even though I really need them at the Front. Vichy, as far as I can see, only has some units needlessly standing in Japanese Indochina.

I would have liked to have added Turkey to my lands but I don't have the troops for such a grand-idea, even if taking Turkey would not bring Barbarossa to a screeching halt. Not doing that again.

 

[sebas379]

True but even now they would still have many techs Romania does not have nor can we research anything in various tech-trees. As you know, Tech-stealing is a gamble that sometimes provides a few advances but I did not get any that I could use for a long time. I will say now that recently we did get something useful...yeehaw finally!

Good, then it hasn't been a waste

TY Sebas, you've highlighted one of my concerns, that will prevent me from moving a full infantry corps from Greece, even though I really need them at the Front. Vichy, as far as I can see, only has some units needlessly standing in Japanese Indochina.

Yes, Vichy is useless. For some reason, when France falls they forget how to build French guns and tanks and the Germans dont give them the tech to build german stuff, so Vichy i basically thrown 20 years back in time. Its only that the Japanese Indochina and Siam events depend on Vichy, but otherwise I would not form it as Germany.

I would have liked to have added Turkey to my lands but I don't have the troops for such a grand-idea, even if taking Turkey would not bring Barbarossa to a screeching halt. Not doing that again.

Turkey is a blessing and a curse, and mostly a curse if you are not playing Germany. It wouldn't actually be too bad if Italy could clean up Iraq and Egypt, but well.... The AI will funnel too many troops into the area and kill the supplylines.

 

[markkur]

Turkey is a blessing and a curse, and mostly a curse if you are not playing Germany. It wouldn't actually be too bad if Italy could clean up Iraq and Egypt, but well....

I'm curious, what has happened with Italy in your on-going SU AAR? The reason I ask is; it seems that Italy never does well if I am in the Axis but when I have played as the USA, Italy painted the Med. I don't suppose there is a game setup command that would change Italy if the player was Allied but with my luck I've wondered. Haven't played the SU yet and you already know why. A nasty spine is not conducive to wrangling a huge bear. Although I might yet do it and just plan on playing that single war for a few RL years.

 

[sebas379]

I'm curious, what has happened with Italy in your on-going SU AAR? The reason I ask is; it seems that Italy never does well if I am in the Axis but when I have played as the USA, Italy painted the Med. I don't suppose there is a game setup command that would change Italy if the player was Allied but with my luck I've wondered. Haven't played the SU yet and you already know why. A nasty spine is not conducive to wrangling a huge bear. Although I might yet do it and just plan on playing that single war for a few RL years.

In my game, the Italian navy got trounced hard by Britain, but they actully managed to bring German units (under italian command) to Africa, which amazed me to no end. Its a real back and forth in Libya and Egypt (though remember that Turkey joining the war threw a big wrench in the Allies' defence plans and must have thrown the AI into chaos for a while).

I'm not entirely sure why they do so well, maybe Germany did more harm to the Brits than I think. Maybe the 25% IC boost from hard is just what Italy needed to succeed, your guess is as good as mine atm.

Believe me, my SU game is gonna take a LONG time to complete, so count on that.

 

[markkur]

Believe me, my SU game is gonna take a LONG time to complete, so count on that.

I do. You have THEE World-War going on...all by yourself as the SU. That work makes me cringe. That's why I patiently await your Fate.

 

[markkur]

“A Secret Plan”
{26 August - 9 September, 1941}​

Deplorable Production

We cannot make anything quickly. The last MOT will finally came off the line on 8 Sept. and filled out 1st Larm. The first INT squadron for our 2nd Wing is still over 5 months away. Starting our first spART shows the first of those units will not finish till after the INTs! We’re no powerhouse and are constantly reminded. We are on target with our goal of producing Axis garrisons; 12 brigades are being formed at present.

We received good news on the 9th, we have new AT Barrel and Sights and we need them against the Soviet ARM.

The Front

Since the beginning of Barbarossa to the start of this report our loss of men compared to the enemy’s is very close. Romania has 10,854 dead and the S.U. 12,650. Romania does not have the manpower of the S.U. so having equal losses is never our goal. However, considering the river obstacles and entrenched positions we have stormed in battle, we have been very fortunate with our flanking strategy which has proved a serious reduction in our losses. Additionally, as earlier reported, due to a large Luftwaffe, Soviet planes are not easily available to seriously deter our plans in the south, as the loss-comparisons reveal. 10,152 enemy troops have been lost during our regular bombing runs while by contrast to date, we have lost only a fraction of the serious Soviet losses at 561 Romanians.

By supporting the right wing of Germany’s Barbarossa, our advance into the Ukraine became a growing list of adding province-names to the greater conflict. Rodzilla fell to our forces on the 26th. 83 dead to 277 of the defenders. Bershad on the 29th. 403 Romanians fell to 265 Soviets. And also on the 29th, Budei, where we lost 116 and 588 Russians perished.

Our ARM-divisions are only 3 brigades and therefore under strength against Soviet ARM in one-on-one engagements. To date, we’ve generally overcame this weakness by sheer numbers but as the Front expands our generals know this “chink in our armor” will become much more of a disadvantage in the battles ahead. Because we have plenty of money we decided to now purchase Hummel spART from Germany to bring our ARM-corps to full strength and of course increase hitting-power. Upon beginning the first of these needed support units we see one more disadvantage of our nations being a minor power. IC for each spART is nearly at 10, which is 25% of our production and the practical so low that it is obvious building spART is comparable to Germany building the Bismarck. We spent the money - we began work on Hummels.

{Ssh…Top Secret}

On 30 August, Field Marshall Antonescu set in motion the beginning of a bold plan by Strat-deploying 3 divisions of 4th Infantry Corps to Salonika as the staging port. The remaining two divisions of 4th Corps have been reassigned to 2nd Army and will remain in Greece for defense against any allied landings.

However, we found out we did have a Soviet spy within our government. She was not a part of the government but had used her charm and beauty to corral a young man’s imagination. However, during the Soviet air-strikes in Varna, the woman in question escaped by boat to an unknown destination. Upon investigation, the traitor was discovered and taken out and shot. At the time officials believed the leak was prevented but events soon proved otherwise.

After the utter failure of mission “Black Dog” at least one unauthorized copy of the highly-classified plan has since been discovered and here it is.

"A dead black dog"​

Why this attempt? Soviet bombers were striking from Sevastopol and we wanted to take away that base to minimize their reach. With the location of the Soviet’s Black-Sea Fleet not known, Black Dog was indeed a high-risk mission from conception that depended on our catching the Russians unprepared for a sudden strike on Sevastopol.

Destroyers were used as screens but as it happened, no early warning was possible for the Soviet Black Sea fleet coming out from Sevastopol. No sooner had we attacked the weak Garrison defense, one of our transports was blown-apart by a single battleship salvo (thankfully the only empty) and the attack had to be called off. The enemy fleet did not pursue us but our damaged fleet was nearly destroyed and divisions lost when nearby Royal Navy carrier-planes struck the transports before we safely returned to Salonika. "Nothing ventured - nothing gained". Luckily we lost only the one transport.

Because of increasing supply problems, on 30 Aug. General Phelps, now the highest-level commander in Romania was promoted to Field Marshall to head our Army Group. The capable General Antonescu was demoted to Army-command.

The next day, the 31st, Field Marshall Phelps ordered our right-flank to “press”.​

Along the Front we still fought in places where we were not yet across the Nistru. We won in Kotovsk losing 160 men versus 646 enemy dead. The same day we sent our ARM-divisions into Berezivka & Berezanka with a single Arm-division moving to the small port of Mykolaiv. 2nd Kotovsk was won 1 Sept, losing only 7 men while the Russians lost 274 before their infantry fled before our tanks. The Battle in Balta ended in the same fashion with our loss of 130 troops as the enemy tanks withdrew after losing 51. Just before midnight we sent a full Inf.-Corps against 123. Strelkovaya defending Pervomaysk. Pervomaysk was won early on the 2nd - 61 dead vs. 215. Lt. General Schmidt entered Mykolaiv from the west as the Soviets hurried in from Kherson.

3 Sept. Ulyanovka was taken in unconvincing fashion - 370 dead to 174. 2nd Balta was won adding 40 of our men and 378 enemy dead to the previous losses there. We then attacked into Ulma, finding two battered Soviet divisions there. A second ARM was sent into Mykolaiv while Lt. General Lascar’s tanks rolled into Arbuzynka.

On the 4th the battle in Ulma heats up when Soviet Armor joins the fighting.

In the south our tanks are across the river but we don’t have enough to push up the river and chase the enemy.​

We attack cross the river again, this time into Lypnyazhka. Four battered divisions have reformed there to make a stand.

On the 5th Uman is not yet won so more troops are sent in.​

To the northwest German General Hoth led his LARM against Soviet ARM in Illinstsi and we sent in two infantry divisions from 2nd Corps. Soon a Hungarian infantry division arrived and joined the battle. On 5 Sept. we won Arbuzynka 477 dead vs. 518. We had crossed the river in two places. Two days later, the fighting in Lypnyazhka still raged across the river and we sent in more infantry to drive the Soviets back. Seven of our divisions were now engaged there. On the 8th General Antonescu was informed Uman was ours. Losses were high. Romania 1,162 - SU 1,097.

The Soviet port of Mykolaiv fell on the 9th of September. We lost 272 men as 553 defenders died. We were also crossing at Uman now and slowly winning the last two battles at Illintsi & Lypnyazhka. Soon we would be across this third river.

 

[sebas379]

Step by step your forces are breaching the Soviet riverline defences. It looks like you will soon be across, is Germany in position to support a dash across Ukraine to the Dnieper? That would be glorious