Helio's Axis AAR (v Cannonfodder Soviet)

[heliodorus04]

On the other side of Ladoga:

[heliodorus04]

Germans are preparing Finland’s winter line along the Volkhov, and a little bit west, well, because Finland can. This turn, my Finnish Leningrad Garrison will move back to friendly territory to be replaced by the units currently on the demarcation line.

Side note (Rant): Here again, an arbitrary line is drawn such that Axis success is punished. Finland wouldn’t have been willing to occupy Leningrad after it fell? Even if you insisted that the morale-suck-line were at the Neva, you at least obviate some garrison need. ARGH, man… These things individually aren’t always big, but combined, they represent serious handcuffs on what is possible for German play. (Rant over).
For the blizzard, we’ll just take the morale hit. Next picture will hopefully show clearly how I intend to link the Fins with 18.Army, and hopefully 16.Army to 18.Army to 2.Army…

[heliodorus04]

A big gap...

[heliodorus04]

There’s not as much good news as it might look like. Scary, right. See the teeny white line sticking up out of Torzhok? That’s my southern supply line. And if you look a few hexes NE of Novgorod you can see how my supply line goes from the Leningrad area SE to that point. Between there and Vyshyn Volichek is a supply crunch area for the blizzard that leaves Vyshny a relatively easily bypassed ‘strongpoint.’

I also draw your attention to the Soviet Rail Line (also in white on their side): I don’t know how far the Soviet army can reliably push on offense in blizzard in this terrain (20 MPs? 30? 50?). But this is a post-recon shot, and I think I may try with 16.Army to drive that crossroad north of Vyshny, because it would be a big payoff.

The defense isn’t well connected between Vyshny and Torzhok, nor Vyshny and Lake Ilmen. And my rail situation is not going to get much better over the next three turns. I can see the likelihood of having to evacuate all the way to the Valdai when I have some decent forts forming right now (at least this is where I started them). Will a fort or two (near where those airbases are NE of Ilmen) provide adequate protection?
Oh, and before we continue, am I a fool for thinking I can allow gaps in my line? Maybe I don’t even want to know the answer to that question… I never hear any good news about my prospects.

[heliodorus04]

The NW Moscow Area

[heliodorus04]

If he were pushing east to west, I’m not in awful shape north of Moscow. My concern is the gap between Torzhok and Vyshny. How many forts are essential in that gap? How many are needed southwest of Kalinin as a secondary line protecting from the NE. At least supply between here and Kaluga is very good, as is the retreat supply path. One of the few places on my line.

I frankly need advice on preparing forts to support Torzhok and Kalinin.

It need not be said that I’m disappointed not to have had any meaningful reason to even push at Moscow. And now I will turn my own defense into a 1986 Nato one. Maybe I’m a romantic, but this anti-climax says a lot to me about the overall design parameters of possible strategies… (Rant over)

[heliodorus04]

Central Moscow

[heliodorus04]

How many layers of fort do I need? I realize these are too close right now. But I’m also occupying and fortifying the level 3 and 4 towns here, as that makes sense to hold. I don’t think I should give up ground until the last turn of snow.

Looking only at the first two turns of blizzard, my thought is whether to leave the forward forts to a screen, something strong enough to require a deliberate attack. And to start moving further west and digging new forts that are intended more for January. If so, where? And if that’s the case (need more forts further west for fallback in January) that applies all over the line.

[heliodorus04]

Here is the time-traveling NATO defense west of Voronezh:

[heliodorus04]

To me, I see no reason to do anything other than raid some railroad points, as mentioned last turn. Otherwise, I see a giant opportunity to thicken my defense between Kalinin and Orel.

If anyone thinks I should do something other than that, let me know. I will occupy the terrain in front of me, maybe take some railroad hexes, and otherwise send forces to locations where they will dig.

[heliodorus04]

East of Kharkov

[heliodorus04]

Some of 6.Army will sever the north and south hex along that rail line, maybe more, and call it a year. I will spread forts around. Any advice?

[heliodorus04]

Along the Donbas

[heliodorus04]

Just as the planned Orel offensive, this enjoyment stealing NATO defense has arisen, and I can skulk back to the places where I plan to build forts. How many layers can I squeeze forward of my current line, or do I plan on giving up D-town and Z-town this winter?

[heliodorus04]

I did a lot of deep recon this turn, and uncovered only 1 real obvious strategic reserve.

[heliodorus04]

The tanks near Saratov appear to be a group rolling in on rail recently, but you guys tend to know the reinforcement schedule better than I (I occasionally open an old save and look). Also because of the deep recon, I did not get good recon in the Crimea (as in: none); I’ll reassign some recon from reserve down there, and that’ll be fine for this turn. Local Romanian divisions are arriving in force to dig.

Anything else you want on this turn before I start pushing around counters, let me know. I’ve got some plans that will keep me from the game for a while.

[ComradeP]

That concentration of units could also be his Rifle brigade R&R area until 1942.

The Finns have some units that withdraw, you could use them to hold the frontline at the Svir. You don't really need to hold anything east of Janisjarvi if you want to, but it's a good idea to do so for now because it will give you some room to retreat.

It need not be said that I’m disappointed not to have had any meaningful reason to even push at Moscow.

That was because it would've been too little, too late, and your dispositions but particularly your supply state were not good enough to warrant the risk of the operation failing.

He's giving you free territory at the moment, so I wouldn't complain if I were you. You get some room between the Soviets and their first likely objectives in the center and south for free.

[Encircled]

I'm actually salivating as a Russian player at the prospect of the salients Nth and Sth of Moscow not being abandoned by blizzard.

[heliodorus04]

Not complaining, sir!

That free land is what I needed.
I am concerned, particularly west of Moscow where I've already built forts, whether I should plan on those being a first line of defense, or whether on the first turn of Blizzard if I should be further west.

I'm expecting to have to withdraw 1 to 2 hexes per turn, but what about that first turn? should I have more space, since he's going to have a snow turn move before I endure the first blizzard logistics phase?

I started a game as Soviet vs. Sveint, by the way.  Offered him 110 admin setting, but he declined.  I'll have an AAR up on that as we get settled into a few turns.  Already feeling more relaxed...  Not sure why.

[Encircled]

Thats because you are doing well!

Any territory you lose, you can get back from March onwards, so you have lots of territory you can afford to lose.

The south is far from great mind, but if he pushes forward down there, his northern flank is going to be prime counter attack territory