RE: 1.04.36 KLilly vs Fulkerson T7

[larryfulkerson]

T72: Here's the front lines before any recon or movement:

[larryfulkerson]

It's October '42 right now and winter is going to descend upon us. Somebody refresh my memory.......the blizzard effects don't apply to
the '43 - '43 winter right? So I shouldn't expect to see the Axis CV go down a great amount right? I'm hoping to get some attacks in
during the winter however. I think maybe if I squeeze the lines together maybe I can get KLilly to voluntarily pull his stuff to the west with-
out a fight. That's the theory anyway. Or maybe I can construct a giant pocket. I'm not counting on that though because the Soviet
stuff is not Panzers after all. I'm hoping to be able to put an all-Cav army together to use in cases such as this one.

[Flaviusx]

The blizzard effects of 41-2 are a one off. Future blizzards are just snow turns with slightly different mobility effects.

Also, build some tank corps. And artillery divisions. Doesn't look like you have any of these. And your cavalry appears to be mostly divisional as well.

This is the time of the game when you need to be transitioning over to a corps structure. From January of 43 on, start building up as many rifle corps as possible, particularly guards rifle corps. And make sure you've got plenty of attachments available for all these corps.

Red Army divisions simply do not have the offensive potential to break the Wehrmacht and you will have a difficult time getting the necessary combat density to smash the German. So get to work on Red Army version 2.0, and retire the 1.0 version you are still using.

[randallw]

No, the blizzards after 1941 do not have extra pain on the Axis.
 
I believe in a previous campaign you had supply problems for your units in the Crimea, having to get supplies through Sevastapol.  The supplies may reach along your rail lines for 25 MPs from Sevastapol then dry up, so pushing a huge offensive northwards may not work.  Your easternmost dudes on the main chunk of land may have to do a lot of the work.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx
The blizzard effects of 41-2 are a one off. Future blizzards are just snow turns with slightly different mobility effects.

I thought maybe so.

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx
Also, build some tank corps. And artillery divisions. Doesn't look like you have any of these. And your cavalry appears to be mostly divisional as well.

I'll get right on it.

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx
This is the time of the game when you need to be transitioning over to a corps structure. From January of 43 on, start building up as many rifle corps as possible, particularly guards rifle corps. And make sure you've got plenty of attachments available for all these corps.

Red Army divisions simply do not have the offensive potential to break the Wehrmacht and you will have a difficult time getting the necessary combat density to smash the German. So get to work on Red Army version 2.0, and retire the 1.0 version you are still using.

I'm all over it. Thanks for the advice.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: randallw
I believe in a previous campaign you had supply problems for your units in the Crimea, having to get supplies through Sevastapol.  The supplies may reach along your rail lines for 25 MPs from Sevastapol then dry up, so pushing a huge offensive northwards may not work.  Your easternmost dudes on the main chunk of land may have to do a lot of the work.

I'm afraid you are correct. I wish cutting the rail south of Z-town didn't disable the rail to Sevastopol but what can a person do? I'm pretty sure the easternmost guys are going to have to coordinate with the northern dudes next to them to get some kind of push going without the help of the Crimean mob. Maybe in a future patch the rail will work correctly. We can only hope.

[larryfulkerson]

Will air groups fly operations from an air base that is still embarked on a train........anybody know?

[larryfulkerson]

Here's my moves with an overlay showing my attacks:

[larryfulkerson]

This is the OOB, losses, destroyed units, and production:

[randallw]

Any new units you raise up shouldn't be part of some plan to go on an offensive within 2 months of their ordering; even when they fill out to full size ( about 3-4 turns after their ordering ) the experience level will be very low, and they'll get chewed up on attacks.  They need months sitting in the rear, training up, before they can be ready for heavy fighting.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: randallw
Any new units you raise up shouldn't be part of some plan to go on an offensive within 2 months of their ordering; even when they fill out to full size ( about 3-4 turns after their ordering ) the experience level will be very low, and they'll get chewed up on attacks.  They need months sitting in the rear, training up, before they can be ready for heavy fighting.

Unfortunately, KLilly will probably not let me be able to allow about a dozen units to just sit for 3-4 months. I'm probably going to need
their services really soon now. But I get the gist of your meaning.

[Baelfiin]

One other good thing about the snow and blizzard turns is the rivers will be frozen at ice level 4 and Major rivers at ice level 7ish i think now. How strong are the Rumanians facing you on the Crimean front? There might be an opportunity to beat the snot out of them once the Dnepr freezes over, but I dont know if your supply and troop strength down there will allow it.

Cant remember if I have said it before or not but I really like your animated maps!!

[M60A3TTS]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson
Unfortunately, KLilly will probably not let me be able to allow about a dozen units to just sit for 3-4 months. I'm probably going to need
their services really soon now.

Sure he will. Take those raw units and stick them in a quiet place on the line where KLilly is sitting idle (he can't be active everywhere), replacing your troops that are there. Pull these more seasoned troops out, and voila- you have experienced troops for whatever it is you want to do. This is how the Germans got the seasoned troops they required for the Battle of the Bulge. The area of the Valdai Hills has some possibilities where you may find some experienced units.

[larryfulkerson]

Hey, M60 dude:  that's a really great idea.  See......this is why I lose and you guys win.

[larryfulkerson]

T74: Here's the front lines before any Soviet recon or movement:

[JKLilly]

Well, time to check in.

Its the beginning of Winter, 1942. 1941 was great for Larry; he preserved Moscow & Leningrad. He preserved his forces well. My losses were relatively light.

In 1942 I had more success, focusing as historical, in the South. Able to digest the Donbas. Now I'm in a strong position in that my Luftwaffe is basically full strength (I withdrew it during October).

Larry is doing probing attacks in the Center and Center-South with large Guards armies. Unclear when or if he'll cut them lose for a Winter offensive.

The one piece of advice I'd have for Larry is that you tend to put your forces into the line with reserves too far forward. This enabled me, when I broke through to pocket substantial forces. A better approach, I think, would be to maintain large mobile reserves maybe 5 hexes back, then attack the shoulders of the breakthrough.

As usual, a very enjoyable game.

K

[larryfulkerson]

T75: Here's the front lines before any movement or recon:

[larryfulkerson]

Here's my moves.....just a bunch of attacking all up and down the line.

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the oob, losses, destroyed units, and production: I'm low on manpower but good on armaments points.

[larryfulkerson]

T76: I changed my air doctrine settings to these: