Soviet Winter Opperations Dec41 to March42 (Manstein63 V Sveint) NO SVEINT PLEASE UNTIL TURN 30

[Manstein63]

Zukhov's Kalinin Front has created a small gap in the Axis lines but has so far been unable to exploit. Recon has Identified combat units to the north of Kaluga, composition is unknown but at least 1 motorised division is present. 17th & 10th Panzer Divisions were forced to retreat from an attack by the 31st Army with the loss of 64 tanks.

[Manstein63]

Western Fronts 10th Army has launched its first attacks but has not been able to make any headway against determind Axis opposition

[Manstein63]

Here is an overview of the front from Lenningrad to Moscow showing attacks by Lenningrad, Northwestern, Volkhov, Kalinin & Western Fronts

[Manstein63]

No combat opperations took place in the areas occupied by The Bryansk , Southwestern & Southern Fronts apart from advancing into contact with Axis forces & extensive recon of the Stalino area.

[Manstein63]

I am relatively happy with how things have gone. I don't have the manpower to attack all the way up & down the front line & I do not intend to build very many extra units as I would rather keep the manpower back in reserve. I will continue to reinforce both the Lenningrad & Moscow areas but I will deliberarley keep the South looking weak so as to entice him into making his major effort in that area. (assuming that he just doesn't do a turtle)
Manstein63

[Manstein63]

TURN 26

Offensive Continues Lenningrad front is attemting to clear German units from Mna in order to re-establish a rail link with Lenningrad as I have some Heavy Industry & some Armement factories that I would like to evacuate. Lenningrad Fronts 20th Army Continues advancing on Both sides of the Volkhov River the 55th Army is slowly pushing forward from Lenningrad while the 23rd Army remains in defensive positions.

This is the first time that I have played the Soviets during the blizzard turns & I must say it is a lot harder than I expected. I can bring power to bear & generally force the German units to fall back but I don't have the mobile arm availiable to be able to get into his rear areas. I could push Tank brigades through but even in blizzard he should be able to nuteralise them.

Anyway here is the Lenningrad , North Western & Volkhov fronts note the two Stavka reserve Army's the 28th & the 2nd Shock. If I manage to actually breakthrough the front line these two Army's will be transferred to North Western & Volkhov Fronts contol respectively to continue the advance.

[Manstein63]

Kallinin Front Continues its slow advance towards Vyazma with Moscow MD's 4th army Supporting it & also Supporting Western Fronts 10th Army's drive on Kaluga. I expect that my opponent will fall back & renew his front line. So I will have to continue to 'knock on the door' in the hope that something breaks. Also I am sure that he has at least one Panzer Korps in this area that I would like him to commit to the front line rather than have it sitting & resting in reserve.

[Manstein63]

Westen Fronts 1st Shock Army Avances towards Tula where we have identified one Motorised & two Panzer Divisions defending the city Bryansk front has started to attack to the south of Tula & I have commited the 1st Cavalry Corp to that area to try & prise open his defences. I have reinforcements moving to the area which will arrive next turn.

[Manstein63]

Nothing happening at the moment in the South just arial recon of his front lines. I want to attack towards Stalino but need to wait for my forces to build up as most of the Armys are still refitting The German 1st Panzer Armee is resting in or around Stalino which makes it a tempting target but I do not want to over commit as this is where I want him to attack when the weather improves

[Manstein63]

TURN 27

Still pushing back the Germans in front of Lenningrad but the terrain does not make it easy

[Manstein63]

Northwestern & Volkhov Fronts also continue their advance again terrain is not making it easy

[Manstein63]

Kalinin & Western Fronts are also continuing to advance Kalinin Front has isolated a German Infantry division. Will it be left to its fate or will a rescue attempt be made

[Manstein63]

1st Shock Army Continues to try to envelope Tula in combination with a push by the Bryansk Front

[Manstein63]

Southwestern & Southern Fronts have launched limited attacks near Voroshilovgrad and ariel recon is continuing

[Manstein63]

As there is only a week to go before Christmas Southern Fronts 9th Army held a Christmas carol Concert for the Rumanian Forces iin the Crimea. unfortunatley it wasn't appreciated as two Rumaninan Divisions retreated from the front while two were so suprised by our kindness that they actually routed.

[Manstein63]

Just Downloaded Patch 1.05.37 so we will see if that makes any difference for turn 28
Manstein63

[Manstein63]

Turn 28 Upgraded to 1.05.37 current order of Battle

[Manstein63]

Here are the German Ground Losses for this turn

[Manstein63]

German Air Losses

[Manstein63]

To compare with Soviet Ground Losses