some advice from OKH experts needed

[olivier34]

Hello there. I am into my first GC as the axis and I am in front of a wall of soviets along the Luga. See the sceenshot...for the past three turns, I tried to cross the river. Huge battles, WW1 style but my concern is that the lutfwaffe does not give any help (on the other part of the front, everything is fine). Two questions :
What am I doing wrong ?
Is the 18th army capable to break this kind of defense ?

[ComradeP]

Not sure why the Luftwaffe isn't providing support. As long as they have not flown missions and are not in a difficult terrain hex (more difficult than light woods) there should always be some support, provided you've set the ground support settings to higher than 0.

As to whether you can break such a defense: yes. Bring plenty of pioneers and attack hexes that can be attacked from multiple sides. You get an increased fort reduction chance as the Germans, and the Soviet defensive CV's rely heavily on forts.

As an aside: as it's turn 14, it might be a better idea to find suitable defensive positions and dig in. It's much too late to capture Leningrad in 1941.

[Q-Ball]

Well, here is my 2 pfennigs:

It's turn 14 already; the best way to bust the Luga River line is to get there turn 4 or 5, before the Reds can set-up.

I still think you can bust this line if you bring alot of troops up to it, but...why?

It's too late to take Leningrad, which is the only objective on the other side. I don't think you have a great chance here to encircle units, which is the only other thing you can accomplish.

I would divert troops elsewhere, and go on the defensive here. Build lots of trenches, including a couple rows along the Narva River line; you will need them come winter.

[Aussiematto]

+1

[olivier34]

thanks gentlemen. I was thinking too that it was to late. anyway...I will dig in instead and move what I can to the south where I may be abble to capture or destroy some soviets before winter.

[krieger]

I would focus on taking Novgorod b4 crossing the Luga and then envelop the Luga line, tightening the nose around Leningrad might be interesting even if you dont take it in 41.