GC Olivier the french soviet vs Rolypoly

[olivier34]

Here I am playing the soviets ! My first games have been me as the german against the AI, a few scenarios, a lot of reading (forum and the rules, only one time...not enough I must say). I began to feel that I could not handle this game, that I should just quit until I realize that I just don't like to play against the computer (the AI, soviet side is fine but...). I did my first pbem, road to leningrad as the soviet and now I am in charge of the all front and I am having a great time !
Rolypoly and I decided to play with "random weather" and fog of war (I hope he doesn't read this !)

[olivier34]

Turn 1, the north :

[olivier34]

Turn 2, north

[olivier34]

Turn 3 North

[TulliusDetritus]

Excellent start, Olivier [:)] Yes, Panzers are scary BUT you must not allow them to do/go whatever/wherever they want. Keep cutting the mobile forces off everytime you can. That definitely hurts them: he loses vital turns. You only need to resist 17 turns [8D]

[olivier34]

Turn 4, North

[olivier34]

What a surprise ! Turn 5 and Mud everywhere, except the south ! Welcome general Mud ! My partner could only seat and do nothing (except in the south of course)
Turn 5, north

[olivier34]

Turn 1, Center

[olivier34]

turn 2, center

[olivier34]

Turn 5, center

[olivier34]

Turn 1 south

[olivier34]

turn 2 south

[olivier34]

Turn 3-4 south, the german are moving slowly east, The soviets hold the Rovno-Vinitsa line and Vinitsa which should be the next goal of the germans is well defended.
Turn 5, a surprise :

[olivier34]

Turn 5 south,

[Klydon]

He nailed the rail line going into Odessa, so you won't be able to get the industry out of there if you have not moved it yet.

PG1 is in some serious trouble. There is a pile of Russian units around them and you need to take away as many German controlled hexes around them as you can to limit their mobility. If you can get a couple stacks on them, you may even some of the ones to the east to surrender.

I am surprised at how aggressive he got in the south after being a bit timid in the opening moves, especially up in AGC and AGN.

Be interesting to see how all this plays out with two first timers. 

[TulliusDetritus]

Klydon, I pretty much suspect this game is going to be er another nail in the "German Supermen" coffin

[Aussiematto]

It shows that you have to be absolutely spot on with the Germans and not screw up anywhere -- good defensive work by the Russian player here, though I don't think the German has played well.

i see a lot of regiments in those german lines, I don't like that at all -- I know some swear by it, but I do it only a) with lighter infantry to screen the wester side of pockets and b) vry occasionally with panzers if I've not got the results I need. And every time I do it with panzers I curse the following turn.

[Klydon]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

Klydon, I pretty much suspect this game is going to be er another nail in the "German Supermen" coffin

I agree.

I think this points out that in a game with two inexperienced players, the Axis will struggle more because they need the good start to get things rolling. Be interesting to see the players switch sides and see what happens.

[olivier34]

When we get to the end of this game, we will of course switch ! (in a year maybe ?). I have been abble to attack those regiments several times and make them withdraw, maybe Rolypoly is breaking to many of his div...No more factorys in Odessa Klydon, all have been moved far east.

[olivier34]

Tullius, maybe this will be another nail but don't forget that we play with random weather on and the coming winter will perhaps be sunny !