The change in mood at OKW is palpable. The last month has seen the Soviet advance halted in the north and localized counter attacks continue to chip away at their forces. With little manpower reserves left the Soviet are in danger of their army shrinking. The reality is, of, course that at any one time a large percentage of their army is unengaged and so they have sufficient reserves to make up the losses and fill any gaps with ease. Notwithstanding this the Axis now have a solid line from Konigsberg to Lwow formed by infantry in forts, mostly division and regiment stacks, and Panzer Divisions/stacked Panzer cadres manning the gaps. Many are behind rivers and most are supplemented with DAS. This provides a defence of round 15 points per stack with those around the Soviet main armoured thrust south of Konigsberg higher still.

South of the Polish/Hungarian border the situation is not so good, and Rumania is in danger of collapse. However the Rumanians have successfully evacuated Bessarabia and are falling back with the remnants of AGS into the interior. With the situation apparently stabilized in the north the Germans should be able to release forces for the southern theatre next month.

The following player turn will decide if this is a New Hope or if the Soviets Strike Back.

Weather: Last turn of guaranteed Clear

Army of Norway:
The theatre welcomes another reinforcement at Narvik; a 2-3-6* inf brigade as a hedge against any Soviet Amphibious invasion. The main line continues to fall back towards the pinch point between Sweden and the Arctic coast where they are determined to make a stand.

AGN:
(3 attacks) German armour concentrates and attacks 3 targets. The result are disappointing with only one kill and two fruitless retreat results. They do not advance but evacuate two hexes to straighten the line.

AGC:
The three panzers in the Ukraine manage to extract themselves from partial envelopment and make their way to the MLR. The Soviets did however succeed in their aim in limiting their ability to concentrate and counter-attack.

AGS:
The 16-10 Panzer and 7-8 cadre race west and swing north to block any Soviet move south to Bucharesti from the Soviet’s cross-country dash into the interior. A thin sacrificial screen is left in the south to limit the Soviet Infantry follow up and give time for a defence to be formed around Galati. Sea Transports move supplies to Odessa which begins rationing to withstand a siege.

Air Combat:
The Axis are running out of airfields and land to build them so precious Resource Points will need to be shifted from fortifications to airstrips. For their part the Soviets are taking advantage of the slower moving front and are able to base more aircraft in range of the enemy. They are now awash with Resource Points so rail conversion and moving RPs forward is the limiting factor rather than their availability. In the south the Axis harass the Soviet drive in northern Bessarabia. Limited losses this turn for both sides.

Combat Report:

3 attacks
Losses: Soviet = 21