Im Osten nichts neues (Stef78 vs Hermann)

[STEF78]

Second round against Hermann. We already played a GC under 1.07. If I remember well Hermann tried a right hook on Leningrad.

The game ended before 1942, he gave up. The screen below explains why.... Blizzard can be harsh for the german player

[STEF78]

Turn, 26th june 1941

Hermann proposed me to write an AAR from the russian point of wiew. I agreed as it can be interesting for players to discover/feel the difference between german or russian action/reaction/strategy.

My goals for this summer:
- survive
- evacuate and keep enough HI/Arm (200/300)
- trade space against time
- avoid german Inf during the first turns

So, Hermann used an original strategy and did no Lvov Pocket. I think it's a strong gambit! I retreat calmly

In the north he ran to Tallinn. I think it's a waste of fuel. On my side I built the traditional Pskov/landbridge/Dniepr line

Nothing specific in the center. All but one Pocket were firmly sealed

Picture after my moves.

[STEF78]

Turn 3, 3rd july 1941

In the north, the raid on Tallinn was a lure, he is back on Pskov.

In the center his Pzd/Mot are hammering Vitebsk, Orcha and the direction of Gomel. Nothing decisive.

In the South, some interesting fights. My line looks strong enough.



And some counterattacks

[STEF78]

Turn 4, 10th july 1941

Focus on 3 areas

Pskov

As scheduled, after raiding Tallinn, the germans are back on the direct road to Leningrad and advance toward Pskov. His infantry is still behind, I will try to delay him one week.



Landbridge
The Dniepr is crossed and the germans cannot be pulled back. I give some ground



South

As he didn't the Lvov Pocket, I'm very rich in units... and maybe too agressive in counterattacking. I failed to reopen the Pocket and will loose some units. No drama!

[STEF78]

As usual, motivation for most players depends on the way the game is running.

If they are successfull, reply comes fast and the initial rate is sustained.

But as soon as the results become bad the rate get slower and slower, before giving up.

Below the losses of Hermann in our game (turn 8). Curiously, we only played 2 turns during the last 5 weeks... For the other one, I'm playing the germans and didn't receive a single turn since 13th may. The game is stuck turn 18. It's looks like these games are doomed but it's boring to spend so much time for nothing.