Disaster in the making. Oloren (axis) vs Terje (USSR)

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

Terje, the problem I see is that your expensive -and yet really fragile- Tank Corps might be easily spanked. It's the only thing you threw to the enemy spearhead. They are totally unprotected on that screenshot [:)]

But you need lots of rifle divisions (and some corps when you can afford them). The fragile corps would be hiding behind a wall of rifle divisions (strategic reserves committed to meet an enemy threat), always ready to hit and run.

Yup, was all out of kitchen sinks [:D]
Actually I am trying to retify that, but for the current turn, those armoured corps were the only thing capable of reaching his NE flank. It will be an exciting next turn, a turn that if things go as I hope, might break the armoured fist of the Wehrmacht in the centre.
But as you have pointed out, my dispositions are not good at all.
Good thing the exp level of my units match my own though [;)]

But I take it then, that you claim the USSR division sized units still holds some value? They are the only units I have that still rout and/or shatter.

Terje

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: terje439

But I take it then, that you claim the USSR division sized units still holds some value? They are the only units I have that still rout and/or shatter.

Terje

Well, they have an intrisic value, I guess [8D] I mean, a big area with 0 defenders is not the same as that same place with 50.000 defenders. The enemy will have to waste bullets, sweat and some blood. And sometimes your guys might even hold an attack (or counter-attack en masse).

After all, the Germans will basically try to encircle and destroy. 0 defenders are simply an invitation: come and bag whatever you want.

[terje439]

Turn 56

Mistakes made
I forgot (in my euphoria about my results in the centre) to check the losses screen.
*edit* BAH!! And I just forgot to type in numbers of attacks this turn. I do however remember that both sides launched close to 60 attacks each, and I actually launched more attacks on the line than the Axis since about 6 or so of their attacks were against partisans.

Overall
The Axis managed to form two pockets, one in the centre and one in the south. The southern one I was unable to break, and that will cost me a cav corps, two infantry divisions and (grrr!!!) a Guard Rifle Corps next turn. We ordered those units to attack as many times as possible this turn to atleast cause some damage before dying next turn.
In the centre I decided to "go soviet style", and attacked several times with single divisions to soften the target stack before launching a deliberate attack. The plan worked, and the pocket is reopened.
In the Finnish sector we have isolated a German panzer division, but it will likely be freed again next turn.

Units
We lost 1 rifle corps, 1 rifle division and 1 airborne brigade this turn. At the same time we ordered the creation of 4 rifle divisions and one Guard Rifle Corps. Stalin saw fit to hand me an additional 3 rifle divisions and a brand new airfield as well. I also now realize that for my next turn, I will spend excess CP at the start to start building new units, so that I have more units and CP available when it is time to start building corps formations.
The Axis lost one Fortified Zone this turn, as they are building some of those in the bottleneck in the centre. I guess this is to augment their defensive value.

Worries
Can I hold the Axis attacks across the Kerch strait in two turns, and should I or should I not move those two divisions from Sevastopol by sea?! It is tempting to let them stay due to the level 5 fort in the hex. A hard decision.

[terje439]

Turn 57

Overall
The first turn in clear weather where we launch more attacks than the Axis. The Axis make 3 partisan attacks, causing 3 retreats, while on the line they only make 8 attacks, scoring 5 retreats, 2 surrender and 1 rout. They did however reseal the pocket in the centre.
Our attacks were largely aimed at reopening the pocket, and we score 3 scout, 10 held, and 8 retreats on various spots along the front. The German Panzer in the north managed to fight their way back west, and are safe.
In the end our losses are far higher than those of the Axis. 36.000 Axis troops are reported lost this turn compared to our 151.000.
Orders are given this turn as well to fall back somewhat in the south, as this is a good way to free up some troops.

Intel
From: OKH
To: AH
Enemy forces much stronger in all areas of the front than earlier anticipated.

Units
With the destruction of the pocket in the Crimea, we lose no less than 1 Guards Rifle Corps, 1 Cavalry Corps, 2 rifle divisions and 1 AA regiment. 1 rifle division also routed this turn. To aid the situation somewhat, we recieve 1 rifle division, and order the creation of 3 more rifle divisions this turn. Since we also create one Guards Rifle Corps this turn, we score a net loss of 1 cavalry corps and 1 AA regiment. While this does not sound too bad, this is really not a good way to view the turn, as the Guards Rifle Corps would have been formed anyway.
Due to high losses this turn, our net gain in ammount of troops stops at 81.000.

Worries
Can I halt the enemy at Kerch?

[terje439]

Turn 58

Overall
A bad turn.
Although both sides launch few attacks, our situation deteriorates, as we are not able to reopen the central pocket this turn. Now we need to make sure a bigger pocket is not created...
The Axis launch a total of 22 attacks, scoring 5 held, 10 retreat, 6rout and 1 surrender this turn, while we achieve 5 held and 4 retreats for a total of 9 attacks.
The Axis lost 37.000 troops this turn to our 141.000. It seems killing Axis troops is very hard, even when we force them to retreat...

Units
If Kerch is to hold, I need a rifle corps there, so the orders are given to form one, and then reassign it to a nearby HQ, and provide it with 3 battlions of extra troops. For our remaining CP we buy 1 rifle division and 1 rifle brigade. Another rifle division arrives this turn together with the usual airfield. I do not need more airfields, I need more troops.
We also lose the Sevastopol Fortified Region this turn, that was not unexpected.
Our remaining units see a net increase of 91.000 troops this turn.

Worries
Can I withdraw before another pocket is formed, and can I hold Kerch?

[gids]

i would retreat the whole southern front very fast ,its maybe to late already,i had the same and underestimated the german push in 42 ,it costed me like half my front :p

[M60A3TTS]

You won't win a foot race, but if the railnet down there is intact, you should be able to get stuff pulled out.

[krupp_88mm]

strip men off your center front / moscow and rail them to that huge gap asap

[Q-Ball]

I agree with Krupp there

(OT: I have to ask, Krupp: What is the deal with the My Little Pony obsession? And who is making military My Little Pony art?)[&:]

Anyway, back to the war, look at T-54, this was a couple turns to develop. I think you would have been better served swarming the Panzer spearheads in the inital breakthrough, rather than trying to hold your positions and seal the base of it shut.

You never had the strength to completely cut-off the spearhead and restore the front. But by getting in front of the spearhead with a bunch of units, you could force him to grind forward with tanks, which the Germans don't have an amazing number of in 1942. His offensive probably would have ground to a halt.

[krupp_88mm]

I have to ask, Krupp: What is the deal with the My Little Pony obsession? And who is making military My Little Pony art?
i seriously hope your joking... mlp is the most popular thing among 15-30 year old males, it has probably millions of drawings hundreds of thousands of custom videos and animations games, tens of thousands of professionally composed songs and thousands of short novels and thats all in a few months, i guess its the law of statistics?

[CarnageINC]

HAHA, love the MLP stuff, though its hard to find on the net.  

[terje439]

Alas, I cannot strip away alot of troops from anywhere without causing THAT front to crumble. So instead we rail the other way, and will try to reform a new line further east.
The decision to try to open the pocket to free those 21 units is now really biting me in the rear, and I will lose alot more troops.
Well, it is the same mistake I tend to make in Witp, I want to act too soon, and am overly confident in the ability of my units...


Terje

[terje439]

Turn 59

Overall
The pocketed units are captured by the Axis, and we order our troops in the south to board trains and head east. We need to form a new line as soon as possible. We are too late however, and new pockets are formed. And as is to be expected, the game gives me two new guard divisions this turn, the fact that they are pocketed and will die next turn is a given...
At Kerch it seems the Axis will not push any further as they have build a fortified area there which means they can only attack wiith two units. That is good, one less worry.
Rearranging my line properly is going to cost alot of CP, which I by now am desperatley short of, so I guess it is fair to say that my aggressive behaviour is really coming back to haunt me.
In the north, the Finnish are able to push one hex further east, that is all.
Due to our rearranging of the line, we only make 4 attacks this turn, scoring 2 held and 2 retreats. To counter this, the Axis launch 33 attacks with the result of 4 held, 19 retreat (3 of which are partisans), 4 routs and 6 surrenders.
Losses are calculated at 7.000 to 119.000 (no points for guessing which is which...)

Units
We order the formation of 3 rifle divisions, 1 rifle brigade and 1 rifle corps this turn. Our losses are far bigger, so we are losing more units than we are able to build.
The available ammount of troops, however, increase by 111.000 this turn.

Worries
Can I reform the line in time?!

[terje439]

Turn 60

Overall
As was to be expected, a disasterous turn. Our losses were huge in terms of surrendered troops, and I am trying to reorganize as best I can. We only manage 4 attacks scoring 2 held and 2 retreats this turn. I am not sure I should even attack as my losses are usually higher than those of the retreating Axis forces. The Axis on their hand launch a total of 26 attacks (not a too high a number really), and have great success. 2 held, 7 retreats (3 of which are partisans) and 17 surrenders this turn is alot.
Casualties are not too high as I guess those that surrender are not counted (??). 4.000 Axis troops to our 73.000 seems awfully low.

Units
Although we recieve a new airfield and create 6 new rifle divisions this turn, we are still in the red in terms of available units. Our losses due to pocketed units ammount to no less than;
-2 rifle corps
-3 cavalry corps
-27 rifle divisions
-3 Guard rifle divisions
-1 mountain division
-9 rifle brigades
-3 naval rifle brigades
-1 AT artillery brigade
-1 AA brigade
-2 AA regiments
So a very substantial loss this turn. The remaining units see a strength increase of 164.000 troops this turn.

Worries
Can I at all make any sort of line anymore?

[M60A3TTS]

Sounds like you lost about 41 rifle division equivalents plus 9 cav. 400k perhaps, that's a front. Not a disaster but you can't take another couple hits like that anytime soon. Units to the south will probably be ok, but beware him trying to roll up your units southwest of Voronezh.

Has Stalingrad been emptied of industry?

[terje439]

Nope, there are still factories in Stalingrad, will rail them out next turn. Needed the rail capacity this turn to reduce the ammount of troops on the west side of the river...


Terje

[Q-Ball]

That's a bad couple weeks for the Red Army, but you can weather this. You were in pretty good shape before this happened, so you can easily recover.

I wouldn't spend APs building new units at this point, unless almost every unit you have on the map is topped-off with men and guns.

[M60A3TTS]

It's rather hard to tell, but it looks like you still have a fair amount of stuff in the far north along the Leningrad and Northwest Fronts.

[terje439]

Unfortunately the units in the north consist largely of mere divisions and brigades with low CV. They work as long as I can deploy them in depth, but if I am to remove some of them, the Axis will easily penetrate the front line and encircle even more troops.
I do not see how else to solve the Q-Ball, I need more units to close the gaps in the "line", since all Uncle Joe gives me at the moment is airfields, I think I need to build more units?!


Terje

[M60A3TTS]

I think you need to keep in mind the old adage "He who defends everywhere defends nowhere." The Axis is unlikely to break through in the north or surround much because that generally requires mobile units that are not currently deployed there. I have yet to see an AAR where the 1942 Axis Offensive has panzers attacking along the Leningrad Front, and for good reason. There is nothing of strategic importance to the Axis in the area, it only weakens the Finns by attacking. Don't be afraid to take it down to two lines there, and you can even put a unit in every other hex along the second line. Supporting airpower for that area should be like 3 airbases; just enough to provide air defense and maybe supply partisans.