Stalin's in the gulag, I'm in charge! II - vs 2ndACR (Axis)

[Senno]

He's very good.

But you are right, the mud cometh sooneth.[;)]

Keep on holding on.[:D]

[randallw]

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

ORIGINAL: randallw

The computer may automatically kick the 4th construction unit out of Army HQs.

You still have some re-org to do, with those North Cauc divisions, Airborne Corps ( under Kharkov MD ), and Orel MD units ( of that mech corps ) up front.

That's only if you have the support level at that Hq set at 3. If it is set at 9 you can have 9 of each, if it is locked, then nothing comes in or goes out. Construction units are exempt from the support level settings other than locked or 0.

The way I perceive what the manual says there is a max amount of engineer and construction units that a HQ will hold ( section 7.6.3.3 ).

[Sabre21]

ORIGINAL: randallw

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

ORIGINAL: randallw

The computer may automatically kick the 4th construction unit out of Army HQs.

You still have some re-org to do, with those North Cauc divisions, Airborne Corps ( under Kharkov MD ), and Orel MD units ( of that mech corps ) up front.

That's only if you have the support level at that Hq set at 3. If it is set at 9 you can have 9 of each, if it is locked, then nothing comes in or goes out. Construction units are exempt from the support level settings other than locked or 0.

The way I perceive what the manual says there is a max amount of engineer and construction units that a HQ will hold ( section 7.6.3.3 ).

Looks like you're right on the 7.6.3.3. I know at one time there was no limit. Anyhoos, that's probably another reason I always run with locked Hq's.

A die roll is made per hex to determine whether a construction unit gets commited there to help dig in subordinate units. So if you have 12 divisions all from the same Hq in 12 different hexes and you have 12 construction units in that Hq, there will be 12 die rolls with each having a chance of getting additional support. If you only have 4 construction units, then only 4 can be committed. This is all based on die rolls, so it is possible even with adequate number of construction units that if the die rolls all fail, then none get committed.

[Aurelian]

"Construction and engineer support units have permanently assigned support level settings
that override player support level settings, with the exception of “LOCKED,” which will stop the
automatic transfer of any support units from the “LOCKED” headquarters unit."

So if you lock the HQ, what you put there stays there.

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Turn 6[/center]
[center]24 july 1941[/center]

Well, I think Phase One of the Blitzkrieg is over. I haven't touched the Axis side, not even played the small scenarios! [X(] When I bought the game the 12 december if I remember correctly I of course first read the manual twice (and I should reread quite many parts again methinks), then started the GC against the German AI. I played like 7 or 8 turns vs the Axis AI then jumped to my first PBEM vs Sire Chaos (18 turns so far). Soooo, all I know about the Germans is that more or less on turn 6 or 7 or 8 (I can't remember exactly) the German war machine has sort to stop. This I know from what other people have said on these forums. And of course because my two opponents told me so. On his last two emails 2ndACR has mentioned this: "rail heads too far, running out of everything". [:)]

So what am I seeing? What could be my [possibly wrong] conclusion about this first and scary phase of the game? Well, I might be utterly wrong, But I LOVE what I see. The Southwestern Front is obviously another story, but if I have to survive the Blitzkrieg -my great or should I say VITAL objective- what happens there is not relevant in my opinion.

In fact I think my opponent has perhaps made 3 mistakes on these last two turns. His AGN has made the first mistake (and that might cost my opponent Leningrad, but of course I might be 100% wrong). His AGN Panzers were near Pskov... For some "reason" he's decided they should be sent to my Leningrad backdoor: Narva River, a bottleneck, swamps, heavy woods. He thought I would not be protecting that part? Had he seen my other AAR he would know I would not allow any enemy to pass through that place: in fact Sire Chaos is right now at that same place (turn 18)!

So, assuming that your enemy will not do "something" on the next x turns is a very wild and dangerous assumption [8D] The fact is that that maneuver has bought me 2 vital turns to protect Leningrad. He's needed 1 turn to get there (and NOT even all his Panzers managed to do that) and once he's arrived (tired, I guess), he's atacked, advancing one hex here and another hex there. That's all. Had they been CONCENTRATED where they originally were -Pskov area- they would have been MUCH MORE dangerous... he would have certainly destroyed my defences there and then... resume towards Leningrad [8D]

As I said, I will move my defence like an “accordion” now the main threat is in that bottleneck. I will too bring many hordes if I think they are needed (and I suspect they will), among them… the MONSTER Tank and Motorized divisions frozen at the start of the game near Leningrad are now UNFROZEN! One of these monsters is a 7=15 units. Not too bad. Let’s hope the game does not disband them to form the future tank brigades! I just need them er, 4 or 5 turns, I guess… If that happens I will send my assassins to the guy who created that devilish rule (so whatch your back)! [:D]

The second mistake: his AGC had a Panzer goup northwest of Vitebsk, in front of my Kalinin Front. I thought he would be attempting an encirclement to finally capture Vitebsk and then Smolensk…

Then nope, he’s moved these Panzers to the north! In front of Velikie Luki. BUT they are relatively isolated, I mean his other Panzer chums are far (AGN bottleneck and in the south near Gomel). In other words all these 3 Panzer groups are very separated which means –if I am not mistaken- that the pockets should be more complicated or simply much more small. A pincer should be formed exclusively by mere infantry, if I well understood. The other one with the Panzer units themselves.

And then I just have mentioned the third mistake: the Panzers near Gomel. Their close mates are then near Velikie Luki, that’s very far away! That in case this Panzer Group is going to suport the AGC operations. If they will be heading southwards, please, go ahead, Irkutsk is such a nice city!

I will obviously reinforce the forces in the Velikie Luki and Gomel areas to meet this new threat.

And what about the center? He’s only kept 2 divisions of his Panzer forces… Now I think I might resist here (and I am thinking about Vitebsk and Smolensk) maybe 4 turns (until turn 10). And that perhaps might definitely save Moscow. I could even resist more if I manage to make him advance at snail’s pace in the Velikie Luki area and around Gomel (IF he wants to help in the north that is).

RANT OVER and bring vodka and accordions!

P.S: and of course feel free to disagree with the many strategic idiocies I have said above. In the end maybe I will be getting some… That’s the spirit, at least until turn 18.

EDIT: in fact the third "mistake" is not a mistake per se. The panzers down there make sense IF the goal is the destruction of my Western Front mega hordes. So the presence of another Panzer Group in the vicinity of Vitebsk-Smolensk (NW or W) -the other classic scary pincer we see in many games- IS a must, I guess. So when he has sent this northern panzer group to Velikie Luki area this threat has disappeared, gone, vanished, poof...

[center][/center]

[TulliusDetritus]

Anyway, here's a map to show what I am more or less trying to say above [8D]

[randallw]

Using the backdoor approach to taking Leningrad may be the best idea for the Axis player; slugging in through the front can be a chore.

The counter CV is based on experience, amount of equipment, fatigue, maybe some other stuff.  Sov units at 6 or 8 CV in pre-blizzard 1941 are mainly there from having lots of tanks; if the experience level of the unit is low a lot of those tanks will be turned to scrap metal after just one battle.

[TulliusDetritus]

Randall, I understand this approach but... this assumption starts with "I can't advance here ergo I send the Panzers somewhere else". The first consequence or victim: two lost turns that should be vital, I hope! And accepting this as a fact is maybe dangerous (for him). How come? It's the Blitzkrieg, the Panzers cannot destroy the enemy's defences (near Pskov in this case)? A question inmediately appears: if you can't destroy them near Pskov what makes you think you can do so in that bottleneck?

Up there he needs brute force. The Panzers are subtle units that should be making subtle operations. They need space to maneuver, which they won't have.

I will bring him hell there (many hordes). I will even bring King Leonidas & His 300 Mates to see if I can Spartakick him. After all that place will look familiar to him: Oi! The Thermopylae! [:D]

And even if he manages to break my defences, infantry MUST follow or the Panzers might be in deep trouble. It's YES or YES. Therefore less infantry near Pskov if my maths are correct.

Needless to say I want you to be wrong. Because if you're right then I will be swallowing a lot of sh** (in fact that's what I am supposed to do until at least turn 18) [8D]

And it looks like you were definitely correct about the 4 RR Brigades in every army. I will be having that number (now I have 3) [:)]

[center][/center]

[PeeDeeAitch]

Pfft, everyone wants to coddle the Panzers and treat them like babies as the Germans. I say smash 'em up and they will rebuild in the Urban centers in winter.  [:D]

Maybe that is why I always seem to lose...

[Mynok]

They are weapons of maneuver not attack (have you spec'd a PzII lately?).

[PeeDeeAitch]

I don't like the starting panzers. I get rid of 'em fast.

[Mynok]

IIIj's are better but they still yell BOHICA when T-34's show up.

[PeeDeeAitch]

Like Rommel supposedly said when he ordered his dummy tanks (built on kubelwagens and trucks) into combat "I expect a few losses."

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

I say smash 'em up and they will rebuild in the Urban centers in winter.  [:D]

Maybe that is why I always seem to lose...

I like this strategy. Now please go convince my opponent to allow me to smash his AGN Panzers [:D]

[PeeDeeAitch]

The German player should be allowed to smash his own toys!

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

The German player should be allowed to smash his own toys!

If I can see that "destruction" from the cheap seats, I want some of this "smash" thing, please! [&o]

[PeeDeeAitch]

Read my AAR - I think Oleg would have a coronary if he saw how I played. Mynok would sentence me to a "Life sentence in front of a firing squad."
 
I am a bad, bad boy.

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

Read my AAR - I think Oleg would have a coronary if he saw how I played. Mynok would sentence me to a "Life sentence in front of a firing squad."

I am a bad, bad boy.

LOL

Why? You're doing very well. Turn 10 and you're at the gates of Moscow! 8 more turns before mud! You should be putting your hordes to good use. And don't forget the black market: you still can sell many boots, coats and stoves. Your not so secret bank account will be even more massive. The blizzard? Who cares? [8D]

[Aurelian]

Ah, but PDH and myself are about to play. Maybe I can go 0-3 as the Reds.

[TulliusDetritus]

Aurelian, you've already lost 2 games as the mighty Red Army? [:)]

Yes, PeeDeeAitch is doing an amazing game: he is destroying his opponent. Utterly [8D]

EDIT: and I hadn't paid attention to Leningrad area! [X(] [&o] Isolated, bypassed and he keeps advancing!