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

[Aurelian]

Yup. I played very badly. Ye old run, run, and run some more defense.

[TulliusDetritus]

You don't have to run. If you do that defeat is awaiting [:)] You have to be more confident and try to stop your opponent [8D] If he makes mistakes (he certainly will, we all make mistakes) be prepared and go for his jugular, show no mercy: at least you will buy one or maybe more turns. Whatever some may say (Axis Supermen), I think it can be done. I mean I still haven't been convinced yet.

[TulliusDetritus]

Ok, to meet the AGN Panzers in that bottleneck I have oficially formed the 28th Army, attached to the Northern Front (aka Leningrad). Rokossovsky is the boss because some MONSTER tank divisions have been attached to this army. I'll be attaching like 4 Rifle Divisions [:)] Oh, and I just assigned to this army 3 RR Bdes + 2 sappers + 3 artillery which will be available on next turn... in theory when these units will see action. I hope this will be a nasty surprise for my estimated e-enemy! These forces have enough punch to counter-attack and force some of his AGN Panzers to retreat... See the CVs

P.S.: King Leonidas will be somewhere in that bottleneck. I haven't decided yet where exactly. Sandals are forbidden, Dr Martens boots have been supplied. I want to make sure the Sparta Kick thing is more effective

[TulliusDetritus]

The Finns... they are totally irrelevant on this story as long as Leningrad is not captured or the Germans link with them that is. So I am retreating. Like I said somewhere I will be keeping minimum 3 divisions here, as per history. Simply fair play [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

East of Lake Ladoga I will keep 4 Rifle Divisions + Sec Regiments. Again, as per history, fair play, etc. etc. All these units will be attached to 7th Army which will be attached to STAVKA itself when I'll have enough APs [8D]

[timmyab]

Is this the start or end of turn?
If it's the end of turn, then I think you're overestimating your strength around Narva.In fact I'd fancy my chances of pushing you out of Narva this turn.I wouldn't even think of counter attacking with that armour, they'll be lambs to the slaughter.

[TulliusDetritus]

It's MERELY the start I am going to bring more hordes, don't worry. I wanted to show the unfrozen MONSTER tank divisions attached to a Top Ace guy (Rokossovsky's recently formed 28th army) [8D]

[timmyab]

Phew, that's a relief.You need to at least double the CV's up there and preferably triple especially in the coastal hexes.Don't forget to put the infantry on refit.

[TulliusDetritus]

What about this? I'll be possibly bringing more units. I am a little bit of a paranoid [:D] Maybe I'll be temporarily throwing overboard Sabre's advice about a defensive line along that river south of Leningrad (Luga River). But my guts are telling me: "do stop him, do slow him down NOW and HERE, not along that river". I might be wrong but those Panzers in the bottleneck should be a mistake [:)]

[timmyab]

Should be O.K as long as the units plump up during the logistics phase, and as long as they can build another fort level.I'd have one of those strong tank units just west of Narva I think.If you make it impregnable enough then the other two tank divisions wont be needed and can go south.

[TulliusDetritus]

The tanks can't get there. Already used all of their MPs. But on next turn let's say 3 of them might manage to make retreat some of his Panzers. NOT a crazy idea at all. The combined offensive value might me around 15 or 17... + the CV of neighbouring units. And Rokossovsky is possibly the best leader for Armored forces I dream I dream I dream, but in theory it's true [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

Oops, sort of funny. Luga River. You have the Lunga River in Guadalcanal, next to the American positions in the island. The river is not present in WitP though. The island = 2 hexes (Lunga and Tassafaronga if I remember correctly).

P.S.: I haven't touched WitP since I bought WitE on december [:(] I miss it!

[timmyab]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

But on next turn let's say 3 of them might manage to make retreat some of his Panzers. NOT a crazy idea at all. The combined offensive value might me around 15 or 17... + the CV of neighbouring units. And Rokossovsky is possibly the best leader for Armored forces I dream I dream I dream, but in theory it's true [:)]

Well it's your funeral, or should I say it's there's.[:D]
Be interesting to see what happens.The main problem I see is that the tanks will be decimated with nothing to show for it even if the Germans are pushed back a hex, which I doubt.Another thing, those tank divisions are terrible offensive weapons, they are extremely loathed to deliberate attack sometimes even when starting their turn adjacent to the enemy.

[TulliusDetritus]

Don't forget the Soviets only need 1:1 [:)] Clumsy elephants or not, these tank divisions deliver offensive value, they are not the classic 1=1 ants.

[bevans]

I see no problems with an aggressive defense; most of the AARs and certainly the AI is far less aggresive than the SU was historically. Those motorized divisions are NOT in tank country and the longer they are there, the longer before they are roaming in the SU rear is some other breakthrough. The SU has more and generally better tanks than the Germans, why not use them as they were supposed to be used?

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: bevans

I see no problems with an aggressive defense; most of the AARs and certainly the AI is far less aggresive than the SU was historically. Those motorized divisions are NOT in tank country and the longer they are there, the longer before they are roaming in the SU rear is some other breakthrough. The SU has more and generally better tanks than the Germans, why not use them as they were supposed to be used?

Exactly [:)] Not tank country, not space to maneuver... IF I manage to more or less stop him here I am pretty certain Leningrad will be saved. I'm sorry but his infantry near Pskov without panzers, that, I don't fear at all. Yes, push me here and there [8D] There's no way back. Putting these armored hordes again near Pskov would take 2 turns minimum. Maybe I can win the Battle of Leningrad here. Let's pray!

[PeeDeeAitch]

I like aggressive Soviet defense. It matches up well with my bulldog style. Of course, by winter I have no Germans left, but that is the price to pay for fun.

[TulliusDetritus]

PeeDeeAitch, your "bulldog style" is now paying extraordinary dividends. Agressive Soviet player + agressive German player = 2 galaxies colliding [8D]

[Encircled]

I'm playing two Soviet campaigns and I'm keeping my armor alive if at all possible.

The big problem is that one counter attack pretty much uses all your movement points, so if you attack, then you are stuck.

If you are stuck in '41, then you are dead.

But they do look good!

And it is very satisfying to see a German unit retreat in the summer of '41

[Tarhunnas]

My favorite is when jerry parks a panzer division in a swamp. Then I hit him with everything I've got, it usually succeeds even at poor odds, and if that panzer division retreats it will take fearsome retreat losses! [:D]