Moscow or bust! D21

[Silvanski]

It's been some time, but I'm still in D21
Turn 106 now. Let's see some screenies

First the Rtischevo bulge ... a real nuiscance

[Silvanski]

Turn 106.. closing in on Stalingrad

[Silvanski]

And finally for t106 the eastern end of my Caucasus front... on the doorstep of Mozdok but there is fierce resistance near Pyatigorsk
Off-screen further west I captured Novorrosiysk the gateway south along the west coast

[Silvanski]

At the start of turn 111 I have made several gains in the Caucasus... Approaching Tuapse is a nice thing

[Silvanski]

Further north, the situation in the Kalmyk Steppes

[Silvanski]

North of Stalingrad-where not much has changed- we come in the problem sector: Rtischevo... there the Soviets managed to break through in several places and I hardly have any reserves in that area... This may be a turning point.

[Ribak]

Hm - all done by the AI?

If so - impressive!

[Silvanski]

Yes Mr Ribak, this is a scenario with a decent PO -programmed opponent  (in TOAW we don't call it AI, cuz it has to be set up entirely by the designer)

[Silvanski]

OK let's look at some interesting areas in turn 112

In the Caucasus after capturing Maikop the supply situation changes ...Soviets loose 5 while the Axis gain 5, and there lies INHO a sore point.
The Soviet loss is too drastic, Maikop not being the main oil hub for them... And as is known they detsroyed the installations before the Wehrmacht captured them...
I'd change the supply difference to Soviets - 1 or -2 max. loss and Axis =1 or =2 with a 6-8 weeks delay ino order to repair the installations

[Silvanski]

Here's an overview of the Caucasus on t112
The Georgian legion pushed through to Malgobek, but finds itself cut off
We're pushing our way forward along the west coast to Sochi

[Silvanski]

The Soviet attacks near Rtischevo continue to bother me... I'm considering withdrawing from the bulge in order to stabilize the front line ... meanwhile sacrificing a unit to disrupt the Soviet's rear

[Silvanski]

More trouble looming west of Moscow where Elmer broke through near Naro Fominsk

[Silvanski]

And here's the animation from 108 till 112

[sPzAbt653]

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

OK let's look at some interesting areas in turn 112

In the Caucasus after capturing Maikop the supply situation changes ...Soviets loose 5 while the Axis gain 5, and there lies INHO a sore point.
The Soviet loss is too drastic, Maikop not being the main oil hub for them... And as is known they detsroyed the installations before the Wehrmacht captured them...
I'd change the supply difference to Soviets - 1 or -2 max. loss and Axis =1 or =2 with a 6-8 weeks delay ino order to repair the installations

I agree with your assessment here. The Maikop/Grozny/Baku region causes some creative thought in the possibilities for the scenario, and it does get complicated. Historically, Maikop was the only one of the three captured by the Germans, and Seaton's book claims that Soviet destruction of the facilities there was so complete that it might have taken the Germans up to a year to get anything of value from the area. We can assume the same situation if Grozny or Baku were taken. So the direct German benefit for the capture of these oil rich areas would be minimal, if any. On the Soviet side, the region produced something like 80% of the total oil produced by the Soviets in 1940. But from 1940 on, they were developing other areas rapidly, some with more output than Baku. So the effect on the Soviets for losing these oilfields would also be minimal.
My initial idea for the situation was to give neither side any benefit or penalty for the capture or loss of Maikop, Grozny or Baku. But from the standpoint of the overall situation in the scenario, we thought there should be some reason to encourage the Axis to move into the Caucasus area. I had some thoughts on making some complicated events to handle the situation, but instead opted for a simplier abstraction. The way it is now, the Germans get the supply bonus for holding Maikop, and nothing for Grozny or Baku. The Soviets take a supply hit for losing Maikop, and a production hit for losing Grozny and/or Baku.
A benifit/penalty of 5 isn't really a lot. 1 or 2 for each of the three locations would add up to that. I don't think the Axis would notice any difference with +1 or +2, but a +5 gives them something to fight for. The Soviets side probably has a current supply level around 40, so I think the same thing, -1 or -2 is no big deal, -5 will have a slight effect.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
I agree with your assessment here. .../...But from the standpoint of the overall situation in the scenario, we thought there should be some reason to encourage the Axis to move into the Caucasus area.

You got a point Steve. I'd spread out the locations where supply is lost/gained though, but that's just my opinion of design[;)]

[sPzAbt653]

Ok ... 1 supply for Maikop, 2 for Grozny, 2 for Baku.

The Soviets take a 5% production hit for losing Grozny, and a 10% hit for losing Baku (because the Soviets would gain by still using these oilfields if the Axis didn't advance into the area). Maybe 10% is too much for Baku. Also, it wasn't necessary for the Axis to occupy the actual location. The Soviets detroyed the facilities when the Axis advance approached. So maybe a 5% loss for each when the Axis get within 8 or 10 hexes?

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653

Ok ... 1 supply for Maikop, 2 for Grozny, 2 for Baku.

The Soviets take a 5% production hit for losing Grozny, and a 10% hit for losing Baku.../... Maybe 10% is too much for Baku. .../... So maybe a 5% loss for each when the Axis get within 8 or 10 hexes?

Sounds good

[Silvanski]

Some views from 9 August 1942 - Turn 119

Tired of the constant Soviet harassment by the Soviets near Rtishchevo, I decided to pull back and start straightening the line there

[Silvanski]

T119
The battle for Stalingrad has been a slow calculated, and surgical affair... not often do you get a chance to pocket such a bunch of Guards units[:)]

[Silvanski]

T119 Caucasus overview... annoying reconstituting Soviets in forgotten areas[:@]