abulbulian (Axis) vs bwheatley (Sov) GC v1.05 (no bwheatley)

[abulbulian]

T7: Romanians and 11th Army - 'do our minors have what it takes...'

The 73rd and 239th Inf divisions of 11th Army were re-routed north for a turn to help in the encirclement of large Soviet forces around Kirovograd.
It's almost time for the Romanians to flex a little muscle in attempting to capture the Crimea. Knowing what I do about their 'morale' and strength, I'm anticipating allocating a Corps from 11th Army to help in this venture.

[abulbulian]

T7: Loses and Destroyed Factories - 'capturing Krivoi Rog made headlines in Berlin

Loses continue to mount for the Soviets in men, tanks, and airframes. The goal we set for 1941 was 3.5 - 4 million, so we still have a long way to go.
Due to the good fortune of AGS at Krivoi Rog, we were able to destroy 3 armament factories and 3 heavy industry this turn. Thus ending our 3 turn drought of no factory/industry destruction and bring our campaign totals up to
14 armament factories and 17 heavy industry destroyed.
Still this is a bit disappointing, but Bill continues to sacrifice units to gain time for evacuating industry.

Note: the days of Germany having greater troop strength in the east than the Soviets are numbered and will be cherished! [&o]

[kirkgregerson]

Very nice!!

I understand how frustrating it is now in v1.05 for the Axis to destroy Soviet industry.  Since the smart Soviet players are aware of the importance of armament factories given the modifier changes in 1942, they will most certainly put a priority on evacuations.  Of course this will be at the expense of troops movement on rail.  Although playing the Soviets, most of the new cadre units they get in sum/fall 41 are very cheap to rail.   In a current game as Axis I too am being frustrated in destroying Soviet industry.

Good job on keeping the Luftwaffe strong, not sure how that will factor into 42.  Personally I think the use of air-power is very understated in WitE.  Just reading about Army Group North's struggles towards Leningrad, the Luftwaffe support was so vital time and time again in softening up Soviet prepared positions and demoralizing Soviet troops.  I just don't see that effect in WitE.  [:(]

[mmarquo]

Even if you don't see losses, a precursor aerial ground attack does wonders in softening up units about to be attacked by ground.

Marquo

[abulbulian]

T8: Finnish Zone - 'Osinovets taken by coup de main...'

The Soviets tried to build a fortified region the previous turn in the hex NW of the port city of Osinovets. However, it must not have contained any elements as it disappeared as soon as a Finnish unit moved adjacent to it. This allow the Fins to take Osinovets in force. So now I just need to close a few more hexes with AGN to cut all supplies by land to the forming Leningrad pocket.

[abulbulian]

T8: AGN - 'All out effort to close the Leningrad ring...'

Bill was able to open a supply route to the units previously encircled NE of Lake Ilmen. Using units from both 16th and 18th Army I reformed the pocket. I believe this time the encirclement will hold.
Due to the terrain and stiffening Soviet resistance I was only able to gain a few more hexes N towards linking up with the Finns on the Svir river. Unfortunately this turn I had to commit what was left of my 4th Pz Grp mobile reserves.
The plan is to redirect 4th Pz south to help AGC on it's drive to Moscow.

[heliodorus04]

Wow!
I've had several Soviet opponents ignore the No-Attack line as though Finns can't cross it.  While it's a great gift for the German, and I always appreciate it, the battle loses a lot of spirit when it's a little mistake with such big consequence (at least for me).

My rule of thumb when playing Soviets is to put units on the border and pretend they don't exist.

[abulbulian]

T8: AGC part 1 - 'Drive to Moscow gains momentum at Vyazma...'

Although the forces of AGC are somewhat spread thin over about a 500 mile font, they continue to push east. Two infantry divisions of 9th Army were successful in clear the city of Vyamza.
Although they didn't have the movement to advance into the city, 18th Mot Div of Hoth's 3rd Pz Grp was more than happy to take the credit and occupy the city.
We will try and re-group 3rd Pz Grp and 2nd Pz Grp for a more direct thrust towards Moscow. I need to probe and find a weak spot first.

[abulbulian]

ORIGINAL: abulbulian

T8: AGC part 1 - 'Drive to Moscow gains momentum at Vyazma...'

Although the forces of AGC are somewhat spread thin over about a 500 mile front, they continue to push east. Two infantry divisions of 9th Army were successful in clearing the city of Vyamza.
Although they didn't have the movement to advance into the city, 18th Mot Div of Hoth's 3rd Pz Grp was more than happy to take the credit and occupy the city.
We will try and re-group 2nd Pz Grp and 3rd Pz Grp for a more direct thrust towards Moscow. I need to probe and find a weak spot first.

Given the house rule on no HQ build-ups, gaining fuel reserves (MPs) for my mobile units is not an easy task.

[abulbulian]

T8: AGC part 2 - 'Heavy industry demolished as Bryansk is occupied...'

The high-lite in this region was the capture and destruction of 4 heavy industries at Bryansk by 4th Army. Although the terrain is mostly clear, all the rivers will make a quick capture of Orel and Tula a challenge.
I've finally got the Hungarian Mobile Corps on the front. This corps is nothing special, but it has enough strength for now to protect the southern flank of AGC.

[abulbulian]

T8: AGS - 'Kirovograd pocket of large Soviet forces is sealed off...'

It took another turn to re-seal the Kirovograd pocket and we were able to include a few more units in the trap. Our drive on Kharkov with the 2nd and 6th Armies continues, but is slowed.
We diverted forces of 4th Pz Grp from their planned drive on Stalino to help encircle a Soviet army west of Kharkov.

[abulbulian]

T8: Romanians and 11th Army - 'Romanian 3rd and 4th Armies set their sights on the Crimea...'

I've decide to divert two of the three 11th Army corps to help 17th Army drive towards the cities of Zapor and Dnepr. The other corps will assist the Romanians breech the lower Dnepr river and march towards the entrance of the Crimea.
For a little speed and quick punch I've attached the 1st SS Mot Brigade to 11th Army from OKH reserves.

[abulbulian]

T8: Loses and Destroyed Factories - 'Bryansk heavy factories are looted then destroyed...

A few more small pockets added to the tally of Soviet dead, wounded, and captures. The high command is excited about next turn's potential to net a much larger Soviet PoW pool from AGS pocket around Kriovograd.
The occupation of Bryansk added another 4 hvy factories to the totals which are now up to 14 armament factories and 21 heavy industry destroyed.
Nothing to brag about, but something each turn is better than nothing. We have 3 hvy factories locked down in the city NE of Bryansk. [:)]


Note: Another turn in which German troop strength in the east outnumbers our Soviet foes!