Russia - North and Central Sector.
Major developments here as well. My manuver last turn by 1st Army in the North along with the para drop that cut the rail line between the Soviet Northern Army and the rest of the country clearly caught my opponent by surprise. Although he was able to respond to the move and reestablish the link, pushing the para's back. He clearly wasn't prepaired for the strength of my follow up attack. I had my engineers near the front and was able to throw a bridge up over the river north of Gorki. This allowed my forces to easly pass to the other bank and along with my Para's attack a critical Soviet position in the defensive line from 3 sides.
The position though fortified was out of range of any enemy flak or air cover. Therefore I was able to use Artillery and long range bombers to knock out the fortifications and there ground down the defending infantry with straffing runs by my fighters. The follow ground attack on the weakend defenders overran the position and by doing so cut off the entire Northern Army from it's supplies. Although I suspect he'll be able to reestablish the link on his turn...this puts his forces in a very difficult position. If he tries to hold this line in the North he'll likely be cut-off for good by me next turn...then easly destroyed. However withdrawing these forces will prove very difficult for him, as they will only have a narrow corridor of escape...and they mostly lack mobility....and withdrawing will put them in a position to be struck hard.
I just need to hold that bridge...but that should be doable. I had some left over points with my engineers...so I actualy built an airfield right next to it...and moved my fighter cover from Moscow to protect it...in case he tries to blow it by air.
Another major move was my assault on Gorki itself. I massed a force of more then a dozen guns to pound the city...we suffered some losses due to Soviet counter-battery as the Russians had a decent amount of artillery there, but it worked to weaken the defenses somewhat. I found myself in the fortuitious position of having 2nd Army forces in attack position on 4 sides of the city. Although the Russians had a huge garrison in Gorki...I decided to try my luck with an assault...as I need to begin to wear down the defences at some point. To my surprise I nearly succeded in taking the city...with only a few officers of the Russian HQ staff making a heroic last stand to prevent the cities capture. My casualties were not bad at all...far less then I expected. The Russians losses on the other hand were absolutely horrific! I expect they suffered very badly from an overcrowding penalty...while I made sure to avoid such with my attack...and the concentric bonus from 4 sides was a major boon to me. I am in good position with follow up forces to attack next turn...and can likely take the city.
Further East...I narrowly missed a chance to cut the Russian main HQ in Gorki off from the eastern production. If I could have attacked in one spot...I would have had the Soviets enveloped in 3 seperate pockets. However, I calculated that my forces weren't of sufficient strength to take the position so held off from the attack. Next turn, however...if the Russians don't withdraw...I may well be able to achieve that.
In all I'm very pleased with my position in this sector. The Russians are badly on the ropes...and just a little push will have them in shambles...and if this front falls...all of Russia is gone.
