FITE Chambers vs Fulkerson

[larryfulkerson]

Curt is correct in that the minimovies seem to have slowed down in the progress of the Axis forces. The charactor of the game has changed in that the rapid movement and great loss of units is over with for the most part and a great struggle over a handfull of hexes per turn is the norm now. Here's the moves minimovie from turns 41 throu 45:

[larryfulkerson]

In the northernmost sector in the lower righthand corner a handfull of Soviet hexes were grabbed by the Axis. And that's about all the changes that happened here. Fighting is still severe in the Leningrad area it's just that the superior Soviet arty is preventing any meaningful gains by the Axis.

[larryfulkerson]

In the next sector to the south we see the Axis trying to widen some holes in the line. Right of center in the lower part of the shot we see the Axis forces capture Kalinin but the Soviets will probably get it back in their turn. Soviet reinforcements are still embarked on the rail but they will surely be employed in Curt's turn.

[larryfulkerson]

Not much changes near Moscow. Fighting is fierce in that the Axis is trying to create holes and surround units and the Soviets are doing their best to prevent it. The goal is still to capture Moscow by the end of '41 but it doesn't look like that is an ubtainable goal. Well maybe in early '42 or so.

[larryfulkerson]

In the Bryansk / Orel / Tula area we see perhaps the beginning of a good surround on some Soviet units. There isn't much progress by the Axis forces in the lower left of this shot because of the dominance of Soviet arty in the area. Perhaps the Axis can swing some forces down there and sneak up on that arty from the east.

[larryfulkerson]

In the Kursk area we see the steady pressure on the Soviet line as it's pressed upward and to the right. A couple of small holes are produced in the lines elsewhere here and there. Soviet reinforcements are still embarked in boxcars but they will probably be disembarked and employed in Curt's turn.

[larryfulkerson]

In the Kharkov area we see the Axis forces trying vainly to get a foothold across the Donetz River. It's not happening because of a shortage of units and the lack of arty support. This situation is reminecent of the Kiev river crossing and the struggle that was.

[larryfulkerson]

And in the southernmost sector we see two separate Panzer thrusts attempting to force a hole in the Soviet lines. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[larryfulkerson]

I believe I destroyed 11 Soviet units in turn 45: 10 infantry types, and 1 guns type. Here are the Axis losses so far:

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the major portion of the front lines as of round 3 of Axis turn 46: you'll notice some gaping holes. And the irregular-shaped line itself is what happens when you make a hole and the Soviet dude plugs it in his turn.

[larryfulkerson]

And a series of close-ups starting at the north sector. In this shot I widen some existing holes and start at least one new one.

[larryfulkerson]

In this shot the Axis gains some hexes and starts several pinch-off's.

[larryfulkerson]

Near Moscow the Axis gains a couple of hexes.

[larryfulkerson]

Near Bryansk the Axis gained a hex or two here and there:

[larryfulkerson]

In the Kharkov area there's not much new to report....just a hex gained here and there:

[larryfulkerson]

South of Kharkov we see the Axis still trying to gain a foothold across the river Donetz.

[larryfulkerson]

To the southeast of the last shot we see some continuing river crossing attempts:

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the Axis losses so far:

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the north half of the front lines at the end of Axis turn 47:

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the south half of the front lines at the end of Axis turn 47: