41-45 GC Ketza v Manstein63

[Manstein63]

Finally here is the Dnepr River Line. I really dont like this position as it gives the Soviet player IMHO a false sense of security. You think you are safe & will be able to hold it for a few turns & then you find that half your forces have routed away & the other half are stuck either in a pocket or in EZOC's still you do want the German player to fight for it.

[Manstein63]

In case anyone asks why I am not showing picture of Soviet defense positions as Ketza is freely alowed to visit and watch & as this is our current turn I don't want to give away any more information about Soviet dispositions than he can find out for himself. When we reach the mud turns & his mobility is impaired then I may post some wider screen shots.
Manstein63

[76mm]

Manstein, why do you have a HQ unit in Odessa? Wouldn't it be better to stick one more division or even brigade in there?

[Manstein63]

Normally I would but I haven't for 4 reasons
1. There is a unit just off the screen shot that is attatched to the same HQ in refit mode (as are the 2 in Odessa)
2. I haven't got any spare decent units availiable (I have them doing other things) that I can ship in
3. I don't think that Odessa will hold for more than a turn against a determined German assault it would be a different matter if it was just Rumanian's that were attacking. However if it does hold this turn I might reinforce but that would also be dependant on what was happening in the other theaters.
4 It's only a Corp HQ & it might as well do something useful as it will probaly disband next turn anyway
Manstein63

[76mm]

Thanks, just curious. I had some units hold out in Odessa until probably March or April of 1942 (against passive Romanian besiegers) before they disappeared, I was surprised.

[Manstein63]

I would do this if faced by Rumanians in Odessa (this assumes that I have 3 strong divisions in a port ready to be moved by sea) 3 units in Odessa use 2 to attack the besiging forces either hasty or deliberate then withdraw by sea the 2 units that attacked & replace with 2 fresh. If it does nothing else it will probably make him bring German units back to take Odessa out. If done just before the blizzard turns you could probably break the siege & then you could have the oppertunity to ship in some cavalry divisions & go on a railway destruction tour.
Manstein63

[Ketza]

ORIGINAL: 76mm

Thanks, just curious. I had some units hold out in Odessa until probably March or April of 1942 (against passive Romanian besiegers) before they disappeared, I was surprised.

I attacked Odessa with the 2nd Hungarian army the first snow turn.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: Ketza
I attacked Odessa with the 2nd Hungarian army the first snow turn.

Ooops, didn't notice, I thought they had the situation under control...two of the defenders were NKVD regiments, I thought they might have disbanded.

[Manstein63]

This is not an AAR its more of a during action report
Its the end of July & all is not well in the Soviet Camp rumors are comming from the Kremlin that fresh purges may be about to happen & That Stalin is about to unleash his most feared Champion Captain CoCo!!!!!

Anyway here are some Screen shots this is the front line as it stands From Lenningrad to Smolensk

[Manstein63]

This is the Front line from Kiev to Odessa as you can clearly see Ketza's Bulge is far more impressive than PDH's (apologies for the plagerisation JAMiAM but I couldn't resist)

[Manstein63]

Here is a closer view of the Lenningrad Area

[Manstein63]

The Luftwaffe have been busy he found some of my IL4's & piled on the hurt. 25 visits its a wonder that there were any planes left

[Manstein63]

Down in the south arial recon showed an Italian HQ & a rail repair unit that we both seemingly alone so I just had to go & say hi & as you can see they were not pleased to see me will probably lose the 2 units but if I have managed to set back rail repair in that area it will be worth it

[Manstein63]

on a more serious not Ketza has broken through my defenses south of Kiev I am really tempted to try to cut off the spearhead but If I do I could end up with a large part of my army trapped. Will have to think seriously about this one

[Sabre21]

ORIGINAL: Manstein63

Down in the south arial recon showed an Italian HQ & a rail repair unit that we both seemingly alone so I just had to go & say hi & as you can see they were not pleased to see me will probably lose the 2 units but if I have managed to set back rail repair in that area it will be worth it

In a future patch, whever it may happen, the ability to conduct amphib operations will be limited to the Crimea and then no more than 2 divisions (give or take) a turn. Transport up to another 2 to 3 divisions will be allowed anywhere in the Black Sea. This hasn't all been ironed out yet but that's pretty close to what you can expect.

[Manstein63]

Not too happy with the speed of Ketza's advance especially in the Lenningrad Area but this is the price that you pay when you are trying new things keeping an eye on his fuel consumption as I don't want to be caught out by a HQ buildup. he should be quite away ahead of his supply by now so I hope that soon my counter attacks will become more effective.
Manstein63

[Manstein63]

[In a future patch, whever it may happen, the ability to conduct amphib operations will be limited to the Crimea and then no more than 2 divisions (give or take) a turn. Transport up to another 2 to 3 divisions will be allowed anywhere in the Black Sea. This hasn't all been ironed out yet but that's pretty close to what you can expect.
[/quote]

Damn!! I'll just have to adopt a different tactic then
Manstein63