BrianG v. HYLA (no hard luck)

[BrianG]

North Leningrad is taken. I launch one attack on main City hex to drain supply for next turn.

[BrianG]

I take a very long time, thinking, studying, to determine where I should attack and where and if I can force a Don river crossing.

And I come up with this as my first attack of the week.

I wonder if I can force river West of Rostov. Not a great locale.

[BrianG]

I finally issue orders after identifying a suitable river crossing.

The cross river attack lineup

[BrianG]

And result

I'm over the Don!

Good battle, plenty of air, small tank Russian reserve activation. And an offensive reserve activation which really helped.

Medals handed out.

It was about now that HYLA said he had become weary of more WITE and that he may stop playing. Not our game but in general.

Anyhow I further enhance my bridgehead and send him the end turn final hoping the game will continue.

[BrianG]

South

The bridgehead should hold, at least one hex with cv's over 35 and rivers on flanks.

Question is, if I stay over, will HYLA retreat all his troops or fight it out now. I will funnel all armor over river next turn and hope it can cause a general retreat south of the Don.

[BrianG]

Final north Stalingrad.

Don river bend remains in Russian hands.

[BrianG]

final Kursk Model in charge of 4th Army which has a few tank divisions directly attached to the Army hq.

[BrianG]

Final Kaluga

[BrianG]

Final far North. I would hate for game to end before I actually take Leningrad. One battle away. I am hoping it falls next turn and I can send troop south to Kursk area. Or to relive armor near west Moscow.

[BrianG]

Ground kia since Russian turn

[BrianG]

Air kia since

[BrianG]

This is where we presently stand.

Hyla thinks game will end in 43 /44.

I scoff![:-]

[Bitburger]

The most epic AAR i have ever read, was your game against Sillyflower. A lot of players have spent so much time rehearsing perfect openings and such, but rarely see the game to it's end. HYLA'S kicked a lot of ass, unquestionably. But the later game, especially with game patches, makes it tougher to predict for players who are used to early victories.
The German army is resilient in this game, and too many players throw in the towel too early. Hang in there, there's no way your going down in '44, but start building that bunker[:D]