How to lose the war - PDH vs Cpt Flam

[PeeDeeAitch]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Whats happened to thier "30+" morale boost as an "Elite" unit?

[8|] It is the "near supermen" boost you refer to, and it is hidden.

[PeeDeeAitch]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

It appears the 11th panzer must immediately start attacking if it wishes to fix the tank issue since it has T-34's there. [:D]

Actually for the 11th ToE (75%) is pretty good. I don't know that it will get a lot more tanks with your two biggest elements well over 80% for tanks. You certainly are not building T-34's and I don't think panzer II's are really going to make that big of a difference for you, but then I could be wrong on that.

Maybe attach some battalions to pump it up some in areas you are concerned about? 

Actually, I showed this because it is one the best panzer divisions I have [:)]

It is the ones that are at 6-7 CV that worry me. At the very least, those units need time in refit to get their morale back up.

[PeeDeeAitch]

You know what plan I will likely try. My opponent knows what plan I will likely try. The bulge is too tempting, and I do have all my panzer armies ready to try. The problems are obvious. Given the weather, if I try this before full summer, I have to do it in one turn. Also, I have to (no matter what else) cut the rail lines leading out of the bulge.

All this through at least three lines of defense, ready and dug in for at least a month now. Sounds like a larger, more foolhardy Kursk a year earlier.

Below is a map of one way to do this, and where I need to get to at the very least. One panzer army north and south (after whatever pathetic infantry attacks I have) busts through and holds the pocket open, one follows and takes out any additional obstacles while - hopefully - one panzer corps from each reaches the magic line to encircle. Right now, I do not think it can be done - even with panzers full of gas and having rested through the mud. Of course, the Red Army just gets stronger, but this is one of those problems. Only I know if I will wait.

[PeeDeeAitch]

I would post more pics here of the panzers, but too much intel is not good. Let's just say that the tanks are rather puny now in certain cases.

[PeeDeeAitch]

Pros for the plan:

1) The major rivers have been crossed, the bridgeheads are fully linked to the rail system, most of the minor rivers (excepting one in the north) run north-south.
2) The infantry in both north and south bridgeheads are strong enough to at least help blow through the initial line of defenses
3) The armor will have full movement
4) At the worst, the Panzers have 2 more turns of refitting before attack - this can help CV

Cons:
1) Right now is Clear-Mud-Clear phases. Failure to close the pocket firmly, and I mean airtight, means likely no reclosing the next turn in mud. While some would still be pocketed, quite a few would get out. Worst case, spearheads could be cut off for the mud turn.
2) He knows where I will try, he has several good lines of lvl 3 and 4 forts in the way.
3) The panzers are brittle, and will lose CV even faster now in combats. They all might be +50% CV by June, but that is likely too late.

All in all, it seems dicey, but that's what dreams are made of.

[PeeDeeAitch]

Finally, and some here might find this funny, I am not really a "prepared battle" sort of guy. I guess I am too much a seat of the pants player, and thus this offensive, whatever I decide, has to start that way before mobility is regained.

Maybe I should resign and appoint Manstein.

[AKCLIMBER]

ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

And for those who worries that the 402nd Bicycle Recon might have had a rough winter busting through drifts in their mountain bikes, here they are!

Those guys are studs! Towing anti-tank and infantry guns across the vast Russian steppes, thru dust, mud, blizzards, snow, the hail of deadly gunfire and artillery - all with their 1930's era heavy, steel, single(?) speed bikes. Supermen indeed! [:D]

[PeeDeeAitch]

ORIGINAL: AKCLIMBER

Those guys are studs! Towing anti-tank and infantry guns across the vast Russian steppes, thru dust, mud, blizzards, snow, the hail of deadly gunfire and artillery - all with their 1930's era heavy, steel, single(?) speed bikes. Supermen indeed! [:D]

At least the mortars can be towed in little carts or maybe red wagons, the bigger guns must take teams of bikes and complex harnesses. Realize that they pedaled these over the Valdai Hills too!

[CapAndGown]

Well, after winning the Tour de France, the Tour de Belorus has got to be a cakewalk.

[Klydon]

It is rather obvious to try that. Pull it off and likely bag close to 50 divisions if he has one every hex on that frontage and a few reserves.

Part of the issue is does he think he can hold where he is, even tho he knows you are going to try it. If he has not been pulling back, then that seems to indicate he thinks he can hold. He could also have a very hot reception waiting on you in the middle. Depending on how many tank corps he has, your spearheads are going to go through a cycle of getting cut off and being put back into supply (hopefully) along with him making contact with the pocket, getting it rebroken, etc. The point being you can't start to liquidate the pocket very quickly because he won't be isolated. You could also meet some nasty infantry corps there as well. All in all, it could be a lot like a Kursk type of battle in that you are going to take a lot of casualties trying it and also a ton of time. Two differences between Kursk and this is that his tank corps are a lot better in 43 than they are in 42 and he has mech in 43, but not for most of 42.

While not ideal, I would assume there are some less well defended places on the board or perhaps you look at launching an attack from Orel east and look at meeting up with the northern pincer. This is approximately 13 hexes or so compared to 25 or so for the "big move" and should result in less exposure for your panzers, allow you to keep some panzers in reserve, and clean out the pocket that much faster. The southern half of the pocket would become more vulnerable since it would not have a unfortified northern flank open and he either has to withdraw or risks another easy encirclement.

[Aditia]

question PDH, your armaments pool is 4800. Isn't that a bit low, also a potential restriction of new tanks flowing to your divisions?

[PeeDeeAitch]

Everything is low right now! I am back into the negative manpower on turn 48...(grumble) negative soldiers...

I am producing the proper number of tanks each turn, the germans just don't make that many per turn in early 1942.

[PeeDeeAitch]

I would like to know what this means, really. Is this the game over-filling units and digging into manpower that will be?

[Helpless]

I would like to know what this means, really. Is this the game over-filling units and digging into manpower that will be?

Can please post bug report and attach the save (or point to MP game)? Thanks.

[PeeDeeAitch]

Enough of the nonsense. Here is my real 1942 plan. I expect it to be a winner. No fooling around any more.

[cpt flam]

that's a fine one
will need some fighting at least

[CapAndGown]

Why are all the arrows pointed east? [&:]

[Mynok]

He's going to invade Mordor.

[PeeDeeAitch]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


He's going to invade Mordor.

Its true, you can see it just to the upper right of the map.

[AKCLIMBER]

ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

At least the mortars can be towed in little carts or maybe red wagons...

Hence their nickname, "The Little Red Wagon Battalion." Sadly, the nickname didn't exactly strike fear into the Soviets (altho the sounds of the Russians giggling as red wagons and harness teams peddled past often gave away their postions).

Regarding your nagative manpower production numbers, that's bizarre. Perhaps you've resorted to conscripting the undead? Have you checked the commander's report for the availabilty of Generals Nosferatu or Van Helsing?