The Sky’s the Limit- PBEM GC 41 jubjub (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Soviet)

[Shupov]

So as long as I can build T-34 equipped brigades that have more tanks with the same armor penetration values than a KV heavy regiment and can eventually become guards, that lead to corps, that is my priority.

I have found the KV-1 (not so much the KV-1s) to be very survivable when used in Heavy Tank Regiments, and capable of doing some damage to Axis armor. Even better, they are "free" (0 AP) support units that make a nice addition to Cavalry, Tank and Mech Corps with good Mech leaders. By mid-1943 you may be running short of enough T-34's to build brigades, much less regiments (and likely not enough T-70's to properly fill them out anyway), so why not take the free heavies?

All the above depends on how many Tank Corps you plan to build. Are you planning to build the Build Limit = 29, or some smaller number? I for one think Soviet Tank Corps are very weak until the 43b OOB appears in November 1943.

[M60A3TTS]

So as long as I can build T-34 equipped brigades that have more tanks with the same armor penetration values than a KV heavy regiment and can eventually become guards, that lead to corps, that is my priority.

I have found the KV-1 (not so much the KV-1s) to be very survivable when used in Heavy Tank Regiments, and capable of doing some damage to Axis armor. Even better, they are "free" (0 AP) support units that make a nice addition to Cavalry, Tank and Mech Corps with good Mech leaders. By mid-1943 you may be running short of enough T-34's to build brigades, much less regiments (and likely not enough T-70's to properly fill them out anyway), so why not take the free heavies?

All the above depends on how many Tank Corps you plan to build. Are you planning to build the Build Limit = 29, or some smaller number? I for one think Soviet Tank Corps are very weak until the 43b OOB appears in November 1943.

Free heavies are not expending APs, but they do need trucks and so have to compete for a limited resource.

There are something over 20 corps built, but not to the limit. The 42b Tank Corps with only 72 T-34s authorized is certainly not able to take many losses without being effective. That said, waiting for November 1943 seems a bit late to wait for them to make a contribution.

[M60A3TTS]

Week 67 27 September 1942

...the elimination of over 80,000 Axis troops would have required a considerably higher cost had the Soviet ground forces been required to inflict them.

Week 70 18 October 1942

Here is where 95% of the action will be taking place for the forseeable future.

Impressive playing effort, though I assume that after a couple of turns, ones brain adapts with new neural paths and the activity changes from tedious work to dull chore. Well done sticking to it! 80k will not win the war but will contribute.

I was though hoping for an analogue treatise on how to conduct a ground effort, using the '43 assault front and a massive artillery commitment that would trade men in a negative but overall favourable ratio; away from the main action and keep the Axis honest, that is preventing just moving all reserves to there.

Is that the missing 5%? I'm still hoping.

Thanks for the vehicle numbers.

The missing 5% represents fighting in the north. This will be covered in the future.

Massive artillery commitments are somewhat offset by a lot of level 3 forts already in place on the map. More Soviet artillery will be coming in time, but once again vehicles have an impact on how much artillery we can afford.

[Shupov]

There are something over 20 corps built, but not to the limit. The 42b Tank Corps with only 72 T-34s authorized is certainly not able to take many losses without being effective. That said, waiting for November 1943 seems a bit late to wait for them to make a contribution.

Agree, I wouldn't suggest waiting that long to build Tank Corps. They do provide a mobile threat albeit a fragile one. Truck utilization is certainly a top consideration in late 1942 that only begins to be relieved in early 1943 when Lend-Lease provides 2500 trucks/week.

As you approach 1943 (T81) and the end of building individual rifle divisions for 2 AP each, have you considered how many to build by December? After T81 they get much more expensive since then it costs 11 AP to get a rifle corps comprising three rifle divisions. I think this is a major decision that can determine the Red Army's success or failure. Also they are much less truck intensive. In my game at that point I had ~400 division equivalents on-map (41 Rifle Corps + 280 divisions) but now wish I had built more. Depending on game circumstances I think ~450 division equivalents on-map would have been better, even at the expense of other more exciting units. What are your thoughts on this?

[M60A3TTS]

There are something over 20 corps built, but not to the limit. The 42b Tank Corps with only 72 T-34s authorized is certainly not able to take many losses without being effective. That said, waiting for November 1943 seems a bit late to wait for them to make a contribution.

Agree, I wouldn't suggest waiting that long to build Tank Corps. They do provide a mobile threat albeit a fragile one. Truck utilization is certainly a top consideration in late 1942 that only begins to be relieved in early 1943 when Lend-Lease provides 2500 trucks/week.

As you approach 1943 (T81) and the end of building individual rifle divisions for 2 AP each, have you considered how many to build by December? After T81 they get much more expensive since then it costs 11 AP to get a rifle corps comprising three rifle divisions. I think this is a major decision that can determine the Red Army's success or failure. Also they are much less truck intensive. In my game at that point I had ~400 division equivalents on-map (41 Rifle Corps + 280 divisions) but now wish I had built more. Depending on game circumstances I think ~450 division equivalents on-map would have been better, even at the expense of other more exciting units. What are your thoughts on this?

450 division eqivalents seems more in the ballpark. At this stage I'm at 447 on-map and reserves with the ability to squeeze out a few more if needed through brigade mergers, but that would be exclusively for guards rifle divisions.

[M60A3TTS]

Week 72 1 November 1942

The rains have ended as we begin to move into a period of cold weather with light snow on the ground.

The Stalingrad and Don Fronts put in some secondary attacks as the main effort lies to the south.




The North Caucasus and Don Fronts begin moving west as air recon scours the area along the western bank of the River Kuban for Axis troops. To the north, the town of Stavropol is taken by the 2nd Mechanized and 19th Tank Corps of Semyon Bogdanov's 3rd Tank Army. While making through the rough terrain, these two corps encounter the German 3rd Motorized Division. This strongly indicates the presence of a German panzer corps arriving on the scene. It is equally clear more Axis units in general are being put into line here, among them three German and three Rumanian mountain divisions. In the center elements of Fyodor Remezov's 49th Army occupy Kurasavka with its railyard along the main rail line. Remezov is also able to report that his 11th Tank Corps in the south manages to cross the Kuban, taking Mikoyan-Shahar.

Vasily Kuznetsov's 57th Army along with Pavel Rotmistrov's 5th Tank Army prepares to follow up any success by 11th Tank in this area.

[M60A3TTS]

In the area west of Kholm amidst a raging blizzard, the line of German infantry regiments that have seen little activity since late 1941 are awakened. Andrei Grechko's 1st Guards Army supported by four cavalry corps of Pavel Belov's 9th Army attack and make modest progress of some twenty miles in places, capturing the town of Poddorye from the 2/217 Infantry Division.

[M60A3TTS]

Week 73 8 November 1942

There is an aggressive German response to the activities of the previous week. North of the River Manych, the LVII Panzer Corps under Hans Hube make a series of quick attacks in the area of 19th and 54th Armies.




South of the Manych, XXXX Panzer Corps of Herman Balck hit elements of 28th, 47th and 3rd Tank Armies. Meanwhile after another set of German attacks, several of their divisions fall back to the western bank of the Kuban.



The response to these latest Axis moves is to press ahead in three locations.

Between the Don and Donets Rivers, elements of Central and Southwestern Fronts reinforced by multiple tank corps from Stavka Reserve liberate the towns of Alekseevka, Kantemirovka, and Koschary.



Despite the danger presented by LVII Panzer Corps along with other nearby panzer and motorized units, Marshal Voroshilov sends the Stalingrad Front forward to secure positions along the east bank of the River Don, bending to the east along the northern bank of the River Kumoyarsky, just outside of the town of Kotelnikovsky. This town is known to possess a minor railyard.



In the far south, Vasilevsky commits Pavel Rotmistrov's 5th Tank Army to a maneuver that is able to temporarily ensnare a few units. Remezov's 11th Tank Corps cautiously probes west, now 50 miles east of the Maikop oil fields.

[zebrazwo]

Beuatiful pictures of the steamroller rolling west. It's like the Axis is up against a slow moving mud slide and cann ot do anything to stop it.

Are you using a map mod? If so, which?

And which counter mod are you using?

[M60A3TTS]

I am using the Pretty Trees map mod by Overkill01. You can find it pinned on the Scenario Design and Modding forum. I don't believe that I am using a counters mod at this stage.

[M60A3TTS]

Week 74 15 November 1942

The end of the previous week saw a number of our cavalry and tank corps left exposed along the front lines. This week, the Germans take full opportunity to launch attacks against them.






Despite the losses, our own response does repeated damage to German panzer and motorized divisions.






Last week Soviet AFV losses were over 1k. This week it jumps to 2k, roughly half of which are T-34s. Axis losses the previous week in AFVs were over 200 and this week jumps to over 500. That last number represents the single greatest loss of German armor since the campaign began.

Soviet tank losses are high, but the reason behind them are clear. Light tanks that include over 700 T-60s (no longer in production) which are the approximate equivalent to a Panzer IIF are still found throughout the force.



The Soviet replacement vehicle for the T-60, T-70 which is itself the approximate equivalent of the Pz 38(t)E count for over 1,000 in service.



The US Lend Lease M3 Stuart is found in smaller numbers, with roughly 370 in service.

These light tanks all contribute to weekly Soviet AFV production numbers for all types that reach 600. These same light tanks are found across the regimental, brigade and tank corps level, equating from anywhere between 30-40% of the AFV force. They will continue to be an integral part of these formations for the immediate future.

[M60A3TTS]

Week 75 22 November 1942

There is a general lack of confidence in part of the current command team in the Caucasus. It needs to be strengthened; consequently Marshal Semyon Timoshenko replaces Colonel General Yakov Cherevichenko as commander of the Trancaucasus Front.

The obligatory 5-turn info.















In general, numbers have been steady over the last several weeks. The recent AFV losses are obviously concerning and will be looked at for ways to lessen the exposure to aggressive German counterattacks.

Next up, some front line pics:











Minor action south of Lake Ilmen insures German units here will not easily be withdrawn to aid other portions of the front.

No real action from Velikye Luki south to Voronezh.

The major actions are taking place across seven fronts. The Central, Southwestern, Don, Southeastern and Stalingrad Fronts push south and west towards the Rivers Don and Donets. The rail depot at Orlovskaya is taken north of the River Manych, allowing the continued advance in particular of Stalingrad and Southeastern Fronts. 2nd Guards Army of the Stalingrad Front under Rodion Malinovsky with five rifle corps, four of them guards, provide a strong impetus to the advance.

North Caucasus and Transcaucasus Fronts keep in contact with all Axis elements possible. The River Kuban is no longer a barrier of concern, with the 47th Army already over the River Laba to the west. This army under General Chistyakov now stands 40 miles from Maikop. A general lack of supplies in the greater area is definitely impeding progress, but the advance continues nonetheless.

[tm1]

looking at your latest strategic situation a number things come to mind to myself

1. The Battles in The Caucasus to me seem reminiscent of the " the third battle of Kharkov " to some extent, there were some heavy clashes.

2. The front line in the north forward of Leningrad I get the feeling there is are enemy units defending the city and the port of Osinovets or you might have been tempted to try a seaborne landing across Lake ladoga ( Possibly )

3. You seem to almost have your own Demyansk Pocket.

4. And this more for the German player the Vyazma / Kaluga salient looks awfully dangerous for his forces, winter weather has come just at the right time for him.

All in all this is a good fight and may go down to the wire come Jan 45

[M60A3TTS]

Week 76 29 November 1942

Ground operations are reduced somewhat this week. The southern advance in the direction of the River Donets by Central and Southwestern Fronts continue. In a rare example of German failure, Werner Kempf's attack against 78th Rifle Division of the 40th Army, Don Front goes awry with the timely arrival of 107th Rifle Division that reinforces the defense.




In the far south, forces under Chistyakov's 47th Army close to within twenty miles of Maikop.

[M60A3TTS]

looking at your latest strategic situation a number things come to mind to myself

1. The Battles in The Caucasus to me seem reminiscent of the " the third battle of Kharkov " to some extent, there were some heavy clashes.

2. The front line in the north forward of Leningrad I get the feeling there is are enemy units defending the city and the port of Osinovets or you might have been tempted to try a seaborne landing across Lake ladoga ( Possibly )

3. You seem to almost have your own Demyansk Pocket.

4. And this more for the German player the Vyazma / Kaluga salient looks awfully dangerous for his forces, winter weather has come just at the right time for him.

All in all this is a good fight and may go down to the wire come Jan 45

Operations in the Caucasus at least for me are continuously constrained by the supply situation. The lack of anything more than a Level 1 rail depot along double tracked rail is just insufficient in general to support two fronts, one of which is fairly well equipped with armor. Earlier in 1942 around Grozny, jubjub was telling me basically the same thing, he was struggling with logistics in the area.

Anything in a Leningrad operation would require some numbers, and I committed that south of Lake Ilmen. Not surprisingly, as was the intent, this did force him to divert some additional troops to the area, but the terrain is easily defended. Unless considerably more is committed by myself, there is a limit to what can be accomplished.

Pocketing anything jubjub has is unlikely to be permanent for some time. He has plenty of strength to deal with what I can throw around and this will be the case for a while yet.

This definitely has the makings of a closely run race. There is a long road ahead.

[teamwelfare]

found this AAR and am currently modeling my air game after it

well-done you absolute mastermind

[RKhan]

I have also been inspired by this excellent AAR, and although I did some things differently, I was able to get good results.

ait september.jpg (170.07 KiB) Viewed 401 times

However, the Soviet fighter/fighter bomber force is completely trashed. The losses in air combat run 15:1 in the German favor.

[Seminole]

I am using the Pretty Trees map mod by Overkill01. You can find it pinned on the Scenario Design and Modding forum. I don't believe that I am using a counters mod at this stage.

Your HQs show a checker pattern, whereas the original counter just says “HQ”.

[M60A3TTS]

I am using the Pretty Trees map mod by Overkill01. You can find it pinned on the Scenario Design and Modding forum. I don't believe that I am using a counters mod at this stage.

Your HQs show a checker pattern, whereas the original counter just says “HQ”.

Fair enough. I just don't recall what counter mod I used then. It shouldn't be hard to find on the forum.

[M60A3TTS]

I have also been inspired by this excellent AAR, and although I did some things differently, I was able to get good results.


ait september.jpg


However, the Soviet fighter/fighter bomber force is completely trashed. The losses in air combat run 15:1 in the German favor.

Those are good results, so nicely done. If you do lose a lot of fighters normally needed for escort, you eventually may need a pause in the action to refill your pools.