update IX: February 1915
THE BEGINNING
February starts with the expected attack from South Africa in Okavarona. Our brand new divisions stationed there won't have any problems unless more toops show up.
After a careful analysis of the Russian front, we decide to go offensive. Suwalki will be our first target.
This attack will be coupled with another one, further north, along Shavli and Libava. In preparation of this second attack, we send the High See Battlefeet ashore Libava... and encounter an unexpected Russian fleet. However, given the amount of ships, the Russian must be the most surprised !
On February 12th, another Russian patrol joins the battle, just as the news of a first capital ennemy ship beeing sunk reaches us. Somehow the Russian still believe in a chance for victory, at 78:6 odds ...
At the same time, we are ready to order a new batch of guards, but need more manpower first. Thus another round of soldiers promotion is started.
And the troops finally commissioned. 36 to go.
On February 13th, our soldiers arrive in Mwanza province, and engaged the British army. This might be a longer battle.
In south west Africa, we pursue the fleeing South African army by launching an offensive on Goxas.
On the Prussian border, while we finally sunk the Russian fleet (at the cost of 2 cruisers), our first line arrives in Libava and Shavli. Given the Russian maneuvers in Kapsukas, with send von Gallwitz as second line reinforcement.
With no further Russian naval threat, our fleet resumes its Bombarding task, changing the odds of the neighbouring battle. Looks like this will be a short one too.
Indeed: one day later, on February 22th the Russian defenders of Libava break off, and retreat towards Vindava.
On February 23th, Von Gallwitz arrives in Shavli; just in time to repeal the Russian counter-attack.
The same days, news arrive from the Western Front: the French are attacking in Arlon ! Von Below is outnumbered 2.25:1, but his entrenched position makes life difficult for the French. We call reinforcements from Trier and Liege.
In the East, things progress nicely:
So that we can Resume offensive on February 26th, hoping to trap 5 divisions in Vindava and suppress completely the direct Russian threat at Prussian borders.
On February 28th, yet another batch of 6 guards is commissioned. Only 30 to go (out of planned 81 guards + 12 engineers ). We had to promote new soldiers again, because of low manpower levels.
Towards the end of February, we have to call off the attack on Goxas, because South Africa manage to bring in 2 new divisions. No further attack here planned.
We send another gift to China to improve our relations; we are at +44.
Like previous months, we finish with an overview:
OVERVIEW: MARCH 1st 1915
In the West, the battle of Arlon is still raging, with the French loosing slowly. Having the odds against them (see picture), they loose around 5000 man a day while von Below keeps his losses under 300/day.
On the north eastern Front, the cavalry has arrived in Mitava, while movements towards Kapsukas are still ongoing. Overall situation looks good for us, with nice offensive opportunities, even without new troops.
On the Polish border, progressive Russia withdrawals left Poland only sparsely Garrisoned, so that we launch a general assault there. We hope to catch them with pants down, and advance quickly towards Warsawa, Sidliece and Spiff with a long term Russian encirclement in mind.
The Austrian border looks a bit better, since the Russians withdraw divisions from whole Galicia. Looks like our little offensive in East Prussia and Lithuania has some positive effect here. Should this be true, the major offensive over Congress Poland could reshape the whole border line.
In the Balkan, the play continues, with Montenegro being beating up, and Serbia launching invasions.
In Turkey, we discover the lost army of Poland, heading northwards. Looks like we saved the Ottomans too - at the last minute ! Though the Russian are making slow gains there.
In Africa, the battle on Mwanza continues, with von Beseler loosing more troops then his British opponent, though not enough to loose the battle. Crossing fingers here...
Game stats:
Manpower is still low; money reserves still growing.
Daily income:
+282 (expensive arm imports again)
Debt:
0
