sveint (Axis) vs jzardos (Sov) - Axis PoV

[CarnageINC]

I'll be watching your winter defensive battle [8D].  I need a good indicator for the newer changes that I haven't had a chance yet to test.  Good luck sir.

[sveint]

Turn 29, 1/1/1942, Blizzard

Ok, let's have a look at the situation in the new year.

[sveint]

AGN

[sveint]

AGC, Moscow

[sveint]

AGC, part 2

[sveint]

ACS

3 fresh panzer divisions in a counter-attack? Forget it.

[sveint]

AGS, part 2

[sveint]

Crimea

[sveint]

I suppose I have to watch what I write but at this point I have to admit something just doesn't feel right with this game.

It's the only email game I've got going and from the start the going has been rough. The feeling has been quite unlike any of my other 3 games. I don't think I did anything different from usual.

Not sure I want to continue this unless my opponent accepts a restart as a server game.

Anyway, this turn sees a massive full front offensive. The Axis basically has nothing left and is in full retreat everywhere.

[kirkgregerson]

Why would you restart? I'd be a bit pissed if my opponent want a restart if I was doing better than historical on either side.

Not sure what you're suggestion with 'not feels right'? Are are you trying to say there's a way for people to edit saved game files when not playing on the server? If so, I think you better let development know about it ASAP!! I for one don't want my games hacked. This said, I feel it's very unlikely since I've never seen anything on forums about it. As for your game, I think you need to look more at your play and your opponents before blaming something else. From what I've seen, you problem has been not encircling any large amounts of Soviet units since the opening turns. Your mobile forces were weak in the south and never reinforced, thus you can't expect good progress there. In the middle you made good ground, but needed to rest the mobile units after turn 3 or 4 and then use HQ build-up make some pockets of Soviets. Lather rise and repeat. With pushing the mobile forces so hard as you did, they have been easy targets for Soviet counter attacks. I believe all Soviet players need to try and get the historical Kiev pocket as those troops are the best the Soviets have in 41. Letting them escape can be detrimental to the axis gaining ground in 41. I know this first hand as all these things have happened to me in game playing the axis. Check the fatigue/fuel/supply levels at start of turns as that will help you decide when mobile units need a rest.

You can't expect to do as well in all games. I've yet to win a player vs player game [:(], but I've played on as long as my opponents have wanted. Sometimes some bad luck can also make for a slow start. So leaving a game for your reasons are not a good excuse. Looking at your AARs, the game you have against Empire has the axis in a less than historical situation too, but I don't see him about to throw in the towel.

I hope you continue as I'd like to see how you handle 42 and beyond. You seem to be a sound player and I'm sure you'll do just fine. Remember axis win by mainly holding on to Berlin past early 45, the last time I checked. Conquering the Soviets is a pipe-dream for axis players, unless your opponent is a moron. [:-]

[sveint]

I've come to have great respect for my instinct to tell when something is wrong. Hopefully in this case that is only the part that jzardos claimed to be a new/inexperienced player.

Already at start and at turn 5 I asked for a restart (as a server game). At the very least it is possible by email to reload a turn and replay. But jzardos has agreed to explain to me what he has done differently. The idea that I haven't tried to make pockets, etc is ridiculous as can be seen from any other AAR.

[kirkgregerson]

ORIGINAL: sveint

I've come to have great respect for my instinct to tell when something is wrong. Hopefully in this case that is only the part that jzardos claimed to be a new/inexperienced player.

Already at start and at turn 5 I asked for a restart (as a server game). At the very least it is possible by email to reload a turn and replay. But jzardos has agreed to explain to me what he has done differently. The idea that I haven't tried to make pockets, etc is ridiculous as can be seen from any other AAR.

It's not that you haven't tried, but they haven't come to fruition. Thus, not being the expert on axis, you need to determine why this hasn't been the case. I've found that Soviet players that move away from the troubled areas quickly by giving ground can avoid mass pockets. As they finally get near Moscow and Leningrad, they now finally have the troops to make more solid and in-depth lines. While the axis player has long supply lines and units which are tired.

Not trying to insult you or your play, as I have a hard time playing axis against humans players. Have you tried to get some experts to give you opinions on what are the best ways to pocket units and when?

[sveint]

Finally I really need to find out how he is managing this winter offensive. I stopped on turn 16 to dig in, didn't rail any units back, and had the Romanians hold Crimea. In other words I had very strong lines. Yet he has punched through it on the entire front as if it was paper. In the south I even had 2 lines of forts.

[kirkgregerson]

Well in my experience, forts still do little to stop a Soviet attack in Dec. I have had units in fort 4 and they didn't even last 1 turn before they got knocked out. Units in non-open (swamp is frozen and considered open I believe) terrain w/fort levels have a much better chance to hold. In blizzard it seems the special combat factors wreaks havoc on Axis troop's cv multiplier (more like a divisor [:(] )

The only thing you can do is to slowly move back. I've learned to limit as much as possible all Soviet deliberate attacks. By moving back a hex or two at times, will accomplish this for the most part. I never expect to hold a line much in December and maybe as the Soviet's wear themselves down and supply lines grow the lines can become more stable in parts for Jan and Feb. Remember that the blizzard effects get better for the axis starting in Jan.

I'm curious what other people reading this have experienced for Dec 41 as axis?

[Ketza]

Against a certain Soviet style of play it is near impossible to achieve the large scale pockets needed to dent the Blizzard offensive.

As the Axis you can only take what is given to you until the Soviets run out of room to withdraw. You do have to be able to recognize an opening and always be prepared for it as even seasoned Soviet players sometimes make a crucial mistake.

[sveint]

Turn 30, 1/8/1942, Blizzard

Two infantry divisions surrender. Most of my divisions now look like this (I chose this unit at random, there are worse, in fact this unit is in the "quiet" north near Leningrad):

[sveint]

North

[sveint]

South

[sveint]

Zoomed in part of the front. The word decimated would be a severe understatement. "Quintated" would be more like it, if that was a word.

[kirkgregerson]

Holding such a long line with that bulged in the north seems to have thinned you out on the front somewhat. Not sure how feasible it is even without a bulge like yours to have a staggered line. Seems you have kept the majority of your Pz Corps warm and cozy during the blizzard so far. That's a nice bonus to get the through winter with these mobile forces intact for later in 42. Historically the axis armor was very depleted after the tough winter as they didn't have the luxury to pull all these units off the line.

You should be in decent(normal) shape for 42 offensive. If only the fort issue was resolved for 42, which would help all axis players have a more realistic 42.
[&o]