Ketza (Axis) vrs Fulkerson (CCCP) No commies!

[Ketza]

My other AAR game has slowed down and its quite possible with a Gov shutdown I may have a lot of time on my hands so I am giving another AAR a go.

My old friend Mark just cannot commit to playing so I decided to ask Larry Fulkerson for a game. I have been reading his AARs for the TOAW/FITE scenario in the matrix forums for quite awhile and I thought he would be a good opponent. He accepted my challenge and we started a game earlier this week.

So here goes another GC as the Axis.

[Ketza]

AGN - Much has been learned over the months and the AGN situation is much different then in earlier games. Riga has fallen with a hasty Panzer attack and armor is acrosss the Dvina at Daugavpils. Divisions were naval lifted to Riga and the other smaller ports to prevent Soviet resupply. A much better job of pocketing routed units resulted in a larger pocket in the north. Also certain units were not attacked to keep routing at a minimum. Due to a hold result at Liepja more assets were thrown in at that site then what was intended but they will just use the port next turn anyway if needed. Some 15 or so divsions are pocketed in the north.

[Ketza]

AGC - I failed to save the AGC screenshot. I went for a much larger pocket here then usual and did not attack the Soviet units in the vicinity of Lida as I have typically done in the past. This lead to less routing. 3rd Pz linked up with 2nd Pz near Minsk and a very large pocket was formed. Brest fell on the first attack and a smaller pocket was created south of Brest.

AGS - 24th Pz went south and a decent size pocket created at Kovel with 5 units solidly surrounded. 1st Pz went to Rumania and what was hoped to be a airtight pocket formed.

Airforce attack went well killing desroying 5100ish planes.

[Ketza]

Turn 2 - Upon opening turn 2 to my amazement every pocket held. A first!

[Ketza]

AGN pockets -

[Ketza]

AGC pockets -

[Ketza]

AGS pockets -

[PeeDeeAitch]

Nice openings. It is the in the first 5 turns that the setup for the entire Summer/Fall campaign plays out.

[Josh]

I knew Larry would drop by I've been following his TOAW AAR's for years. You be warned, he's a skilled player. [:D]

[Klydon]

Off to a good start in all three sectors.

I have been attacking with the 17th army to get a narrow thrust going in the open terrain towards the SE. One of the issues is that even isolated, the Lvov pocket is huge and it takes a lot of time to reduce just from having infantry marching through enemy controlled territory.

I find attacking with the 17th army that way helps reduce the amount of pocket area and also gets the infantry going towards the action sooner to the SE. Any routed units will likely still be in within the pocket.

[Mynok]

Yep, indeed I'm currently persuaded that everything needs to be blown off the line on the first turn. The small number escapee's due to routing is more than compensated by the faster progress of the infantry.

[Ridgeway]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Yep, indeed I'm currently persuaded that everything needs to be blown off the line on the first turn. The small number escapee's due to routing is more than compensated by the faster progress of the infantry.

Absotively. One Inf Corps (or less) can usually devastate all the units directly across from an Army. This gives everyone else a tremendous amount of mobility.

[Ketza]

Turn 2 AGN final -

4th Pz advances through a sporadic carpet defence and clears Pskov and the surrounding swamps. 39th Pz corp from 3Pz advances in support and to provide flank protection. 2 more infantry divisions of 4th Pz are sea lifted in to Riga. A few isolated pockets are created. 14 or so divisions are eliminated in northern pockets.

[Ketza]

Typically the Soviet defends Pskov with a line along the river. Larry chose a carpet defence and the city was overrun without a fight. My guess is he is laying a line closer to Leningrad.

This is the scenic town that fell without a shot:

[Ketza]

In the center the rest of 3pz skirts north of Minsk and lead elements press to Orsha. A small pocket is created in Minsk with 2nd pz skirting south of the city. There is danger of panzers being isolated but the deep drives are worth the risk. The Panzers are in no real danger.

[Mynok]

Yes, he seems to be without cav in the area which gives you much greater freedom of movement. Nicely recognized.

[Ketza]

AGC 2nd Pz - 3 bridgeheads over Berezina no chnace for him to form a line there. Swamps to south are screened. Potential of Minsk pocket to be relieved very low but possible. Bialystok pocket destroyed.

[Ketza]

AGS - He layed down a carpet here like I have yet encountered. He was dense in the Rovno area so thats what I decided to pocket. The pocket has 10 divisions in it some of which are very strong. I whittled away about half of the Lvow pocket but the remainder is well contained. As I was proceeding though his carpet I was able to "herd" a few units into the Rovno pocket with weak hasty attacks. Its possible he relieve the Rovno pocket but he will have to comit some froces to do so that will most likely be surrounded themselves next turn.

[Ketza]

AGS Rumania - Typical stuff. the Panzers went back north.

[Ketza]

Destroyed units - Nice pace and Lvov pocket is only half finished and another new 20 or so units pocketed this turn. Total losses so far around 750k.