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

[TulliusDetritus]

If I counted well, so far he destroyed 101 Soviet Divisions. And I only destroyed 2. He wins! [:D]

[Encircled]

Looking good so far

It will be interesting to see just how his defences hold up in the blizzard

[Klydon]

2ndACR has had some bad experiences early with the blizzard where his army basically just melted away when the Russians used the "vodka breath" secret weapon on them.

Will be interesting to see how he holds up considering this is one of the first AAR's using 1.04 rules during the blizzard. I am sort of surprised that he isn't giving some ground everywhere in December when the Axis are at their most vulnerable or perhaps he is testing the new rules, etc.

Clearly he did not do enough damage to the Red army during the summer campaign, but that is a subject for another day. [;)]

Good work TD and now it will be interesting to see how well you can unleash the hordes. [:D]

[TulliusDetritus]

So far I would say the killing of Sire Chaos' and 2ndACR's forces was more fun. That was all about maneuvering, out-flanking, surrounding, nasty massive infiltrations... [:D] From what I am seeing the Blizzard Offensive does look like a steamroller slowly advancing. You're pushing the enemy a few hexes per turn. But of course the Cavalry Corps along with the Tank Brigades might exploit some successful attacks [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

I'm done in Leningrad area. Two helds. 2ndACR will be happy again [:)] This Front is again an active front, which means I am occupying enemy hexes (aka advancing).

[TulliusDetritus]

Active fronts (aka places where I advanced):

Leningrad
Volkhov
Northwest
Southwest

Volkhov and Northwest Fronts attacks.

[TulliusDetritus]

Kalinin Front

[TulliusDetritus]

Western Front

[TulliusDetritus]

Few attacks in the Bryansk Front: the buffer hexes thing. Two Cavalry Corps will try to create a big mess behind his lines...

[TulliusDetritus]

Southwest Front

[TulliusDetritus]

The two cavalry corps are in the Southwest Front (active front), NOT the Bryansk front (inactive).

[TulliusDetritus]

I can't see how I would be making 45 retreats minimum per turn [&:] Most of the attacks would be against the odds [;)]

[TulliusDetritus]

Now I really can see what means having almost 6 million men. During the Blitzkrieg I had places with lots of hordes and places with few units: concentration of forces at work that is.

But now, I have strenghtened ALL the armies: they have minimum 20:24 CP. Therefore I am sort of spreading my forces. And despite this ALL the armies are quite strong! And all the fronts have now their reserves (especially 3 rifle divisions each). In other words, I don't need to bring more troops to the front, I already have enough [:)] Well, there is an exception. The Rifle Naval/Cadet Brigades are quite good (some of them 3=4 when ready [X(]). I will possibly send them to the front, I want them to be reserves of the front line armies [8D]

Which means the rifle divisions in the rear -along with the new ones which will be arriving as reinforcements-- will be forming the Reserve Armies I want in place on 1942.

And let's not forget the many many Rifle and Airborne brigades -and Fortified Regions- digging to prepare many defensive lines behind all my fronts.

So yes, I have plenty of forces, now I REALLY can see it! [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

In the Center, these are the defensive lines in place. More will be formed. Let's say I am a paranoid... [:D] There will be more or less the same thing along the whole front, especially in Leningrad and Moscow approaches and in the South (tank country).

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Turn 27[/center]
[center]18 december 1941[/center]

2ndACR is still happy [:)] "Well, at least I am not seeing the complete collapse of an entire front. I think the changes have helped a lot". Well... maybe he is right... or maybe I simply SUCK! [:D] The thing is I never played the blizzard offensive before. So I don't know what the German CVs were. I am seeing CVs like 3=12/18/2x and let's say fort levels 2 or 3. I ran some tests and no, even if my CVs are high, the enemy held.

Some pages ago I said what would be my objectives during this Blizzard thing. Basically 3 things: protect Moscow and Leningrad and push him especially in the south (where he advanced a lot during the summer that is). The truth is one of the objectives has already been achieved... And NO, I haven't done anything. He is retreating, leaving lots of buffer hexes (his forces relatively close to Moscow). So I don't really need to push him here. I would like to, but he is running away. Chicken! [:D]

Oh, and I am using Redmarkus' map [:)]

The screenshot with my Blizzard Offensive objectives thing.

[TulliusDetritus]

Here you can see how he's retreated near Moscow...

[TulliusDetritus]

He is still very weak in this part of the south... I should push him big time AND then turn southwards... I will not trap his strong forces in the south (Stalino area), but I guess I would be forcing him to retreat from there...

[Klydon]

One spot I like to work while doing Russian counter offensives is just south of Lake Ilmen. That could be important in this game as well (although not likely) because he has a salient there and I could see him massing troops in it and trying for a big hook to cut Leningrad off. That would be a lot of Russian troops out of the war that don't come back for free anymore.

I also think 2ndACR is feeling a bit better, perhaps not taking into account the restrictions the Russians are under with the house rules that were agreed to because I think you have the ability to launch a front wide offensive if you decided to.

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

I also think 2ndACR is feeling a bit better, perhaps not taking into account the restrictions the Russians are under with the house rules that were agreed to because I think you have the ability to launch a front wide offensive if you decided to.

I don't think the Blizzard Rule is being that important. Ater all, I still can make above "45 retreats" (which I haven't been able to do so far), so I am attacking in many fronts. But true, IF I don't advance after dislodging his forces this means he's got an extra turn to dig and rest.

I will be defending of course Leningrad and Moscow on 1942, but I very much doubt he'll be really threatening me. I will have MANY forces (front-line armies and Reserve Armies). Not to mention the units preparing defensive lines behind. And the units themselves will be more experienced and with more morale. If he wants to achieve something he will need to concentrate his panzers. And therefore I will be massing my forces (and I will have a LOT)... I am rather confident, but still, I will defend in depth, just like the Soviets.

[TulliusDetritus]

Active Fronts (aka I am advancing after the attacks):

Leningrad
Volkhov
Northwest
Southwest