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

[TulliusDetritus]

In fact what's the Blitzkrieg? It's mobility, yes, but it's also a big concentration of forces (or fire) (the Panzer divisions) in x place.

In other words, I fight fire with fire.

[Encircled]

Successive defensive lines are great, but you need the forces to do it.

Realistically, you are not going to manage that in '41

Checkerboard to slow them down, then swamp the front line and try to keep track of your opponenets Panzer and Motorised units.

Thats what I'm trying to do in my two games, with limited success

[Klydon]

I think the Russians grouping around the German armor is likely a good idea if the Germans have dispersed their armor out so it isn't that concentrated. I do also think it can be a very dangerous gambit to play against more concentrated German armor and you run the risk that if they gassed up, there is going to be a world of hurt coming. With enough armor concentrated, they can slice up a lot and have enough units to protect their flanks. Dispersed armor can't do that and can be cut off by a clever Russian.

In another way, the German armor is a big fish. When it is strong and full of fight, you set the drag down (checkerboard) and let him run a bit to wear himself out moving through enemy zocs and doing a lot of hasty attacks against the checkerboard. When it gets tired, you increase the drag and start to look to reel it in (clump more units around and look to cut off the armor).

Hopefully that makes some sense. [;)]

[Encircled]

Perfect sense!

If he doesn't move his armor for one turn, then the carpet wraps itself up, and becomes a very deep checkerboard*

*in theory!

[TulliusDetritus]

Klydon, when I talk about concentration it's not necessarily everyone next to Panzers. It is NOT. It's everyone in the strategic area: Leningrad or Moscow approaches or the south. You are massively covering a LOT of hexes. I welcome the Panzers, even if they are concentrated. Action... reaction [:)]

[Mynok]

I smell Commies in here.  [:D]

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


I smell Commies in here.  [:D]

Oops, true!

[Ketza]

AGN - Dunno what he was thinking here but the HQ buildup payed off. The Panzer line is leaky but recon shows he doesnt have much around Leningrad except a lot of his better planes that he brought on this turn in the area. I was starting to think maybe he wasnt going to defend the palce but then why all the planes? I managed to trap Leningrads factories.

[Ketza]

Turn 4 center - grabbed Vtebsk and HQ buildip was done for the large Pz corp left in 3rd Pz army. Pockets were eliminated and 2nd Pz drove to the river. 4th army had a delay but is starting to show up. With Leningrad doing well I have decided to commit 9th army to the Smolensk area and move 2nd army to the Odessa/Crimea area.

[Ketza]

Turn 4 AGS - All pockets destroyed except some tough looking guys that can cause no harm so why waste the casualties. Some reorg done between 17th and 6th army. 1 Pz corp heads for Kiev and storms the place grabbing the factories. 2nd game in a row I have stormed it with an SS division. He is building a solid line behind the river. Thats where his leningrad defenders went no doubt as he is still checkerboarding the south like crazy.

I did screw up major however when a retreated Soviet misplaced the HQ of 1st Pz army. Its down near the Rumanian border!

[Encircled]

Ouchski!

I don't think he will be doing that again, but its all part of the learning process

HQ build up is a real tool for the Germans in '41, and its very hard to counter this early

[Tarhunnas]

Thats pretty impressive cutting Leningrad off by turn 4! Nice maneuvering!

[squatter]

C'mon, there's no joy in watching someone publically eviscerate a guy who's still learning the game. It's over before it began.

[Ketza]

ORIGINAL: squatter

C'mon, there's no joy in watching someone publically eviscerate a guy who's still learning the game. It's over before it began.

Well I know Larry is an excellent gamer thats what of the reasons I started an AAR and chose to ask him for a game. Although he does seem to be making mistakes there is a chance he is actually following some sort of strategy that hasnt shown itself yet. His army has to be somewhere enmasse and I am sure to run into it eventually.

My theory at this point is he decided to not fight for Leningrad as he knew I was going to come for it hard if he read my other AAR. He also knows the strategic importance of the south and that is where his main resistance has been. He has been carefull to stay clear of large pockets and there is a wall of units on the Dnepr.

If things get too far out of hand I will stop the AAR but I do feel as a long term opponent he will stick to the game which is really the main thing I am looking for at this point. I am not a fan of the later war scenarios as they start in ways that I feel I can do better if I start the war historically.

[Ketza]

Turn 5 south start post recon -

He is pulling back the Zhotomir bulge and there are a few smaller pockets and remnants ov Lvow pocket. His forts along the river are 1-2 level. He is still checkerboarding towards the bend and Crimea but has somewhat pulled back to keep me from pocketing a sizeable force.

[Ketza]

5 center start post recon -

Checkerboard from the river east. Panzers are low on fuel except the 3Pz divisions.

[Ketza]

5 North post recon -

Only a few divisions have fuel that were air dropped. Rest of 4th Pz is in bad shape fuel wise. Corridor should hold and will be widened.

[Klydon]

Knowing when to gas the panzers is one of the biggest learning curves for the Germans in the 41 campaign I think. Done properly, it can be ugly for the Russians. 

[Ketza]

AGS turn 5 final - bridgehead over the Dnepr at Kiev. Unable to pocket whats left of Zhitomir bulge not enough mps.

[Ketza]

AGC 5 final - Not much Panzers soaking up fuel infantry on the way and bridgeheads over the Dnepr.