Operation Barbarossa - Alpha AAR

[elmo3]

AGN is swinging forces to the open ground southwest of Leningrad.  However there are a lot of Soviets between us and the goal so this is going to be a tough slog.  We'll get as close as we can before winter but I don't see us getting into the city before the blizzards hit.

[elmo3]

Turn 12 for AGC followed a similar patter to the previous version.  We liquidated the pocket even though the Soviets were in supply.  It cost us more casualties but nothing could be done about that.  We also move as many mobile units as possible into the area near Vyazma for the anticipated breakout toward Moscow next turn.  1st SS Mot Div and 60th Mot Div arrived by train from the west and were inserted into the line northwest of Vyazma.  Three more infantry divisions also arrived in the area this turn and will be fed into the flanks next turn if we achieve our breakthrough.

[elmo3]

AGS was not able to complete the encirclement of Kiev due to the major rivers (the Desna, Dnepr, and Pripyat) and swamps to the north.  However we are in position to close the pocket next turn and start reducing the defenders.  I am hoping the AI will stand and defend at this point.  I see no value in them giving up Kiev without a fight now.

[elmo3]

Some progress along the Rumanian front, about all we can expect given the low priority of this area right now.  Perhaps we can kick in the door down here once Kiev falls.

[elmo3]

I'll run the AI part of the turn and post the losses in a little while.

[elmo3]

Losses through turn 12:

[elmo3]

One quick shot from the start of turn 13.  The Soviets did indeed decide to stay and defend Kiev.  The tester in me is glad to see that, the German in me, not so much.  [;)]

[rickier65]

Elmo,

thanks for posting this AAR. I've been trying to avoid this entire thread, knowing it would make me start anticipating the game. But this morning I couldn't resist anymore.

And I was right, it is making me anticipate the release!

Thanks again, and good job on the ARR - I hope the map in the final version looks as nice as some of these screens.

Thanks
Rick

[elmo3]

Glad you are enjoying it.  And yes the map is really a work of art.

[wiking62]

Hi elmo,
 
In your latest AGN screenshot there is a German infantry unit that is half black and half grey. My understanding was that SS units were all black. What is this unit?

[elmo3]

The Elite SS are all black.  Units that are half black/half gray are Non-Eilte SS.  In this case it's the Polizei SS Inf Div.

[zbig]

Will the game allow you to restart from a previous turn?

[elmo3]

ORIGINAL: zbig

Will the game allow you to restart from a previous turn?

If you save from the previous turn and you are playing the AI then sure. PBEM is not implemented yet but I believe there will be mechanisms in place to prevent replaying an outcome you don't like.

[elmo3]

On turn 13 (9/11/41) the 4th Pz Grp (red) of AGN completed it's relocation to the northwest and is now driving east toward Leningrad with some success.  We're stripping the flanks to the south and trying to get more of 18th Army (purple) into the fight too.  From here on there is little room for maneuver so it will be pretty much a straight ahead push to the goal.

[elmo3]

If you go back a couple of pages in the AAR you will recall that turn 13 saw the Germans occupying W Moscow and being poised to take the rest of the city on the next turn.  As you can see the upgraded AI is having none of that this time around.  We made good progress toward Moscow but came nowhere near to the breakthrough from the previous play.  Still we are getting closer and some strong forces are poised to try again next turn.  You can expect more improvements in the AI as we get closer to launch too.

[elmo3]

AGS has isolated Kiev and we bombed the defenders this turn.  Not sure if we'll start the siege next turn or let them starve a bit longer.  Time is critical from now until the blizzards come so we may have to take more losses to clear the defenders sooner.  Units of 1st Pz Grp (red) are pushing to the east and will try to break out to the southeast next turn.

[elmo3]

Minor progress along the Rumanian frontier.

[elmo3]

Losses through turn 13:

[wiking62]

ORIGINAL: elmo3

The Elite SS are all black.  Units that are half black/half gray are Non-Eilte SS.  In this case it's the Polizei SS Inf Div.

Hmmmm, i don't really see the need for this as most wargame conventions are grey/green for Wehrmacht, black for SS and light blue for Luftwaffe. I would suggest that 99% of wargamers know which are elite SS units and those that are not.

Taking this further, if elite SS units are distinguished from non elite, should not elite Wehrmacht divisions - Gross Deutschland etc, also be colour coded?

[elmo3]

ORIGINAL: hart2412

...

Taking this further, if elite SS units are distinguished from non elite, should not elite Wehrmacht divisions - Gross Deutschland etc, also be colour coded?

That sort of thing was discussed. Not sure if it will happen though.