41-45GC - A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL - GLVACA (Sov) v SJ80 (Axis) - NO SJ80

[vicberg]

Are u using reserves? If not, start putting EVERYTHING behind the front lines on reserve and you will see a huge difference.

I can't tell what type of defense you are using. If it defense in depth, forget terrain and start building a solid 3-hex deep lines north to south east. Possibly not far north around Leningrad because of the major river that separates the east from Leningrad, but pretty everywhere else. Reserves will stop up his advance pretty quickly. The only thing you need to worry about then is small ball encirclements which can be prevented with solid stacks on your second line of defense every 2-3 hexes

[glvaca]

ORIGINAL: comsolut

That is a real fur-ball in the the south!

Tough to commit those 3 cav divisions, but so often as the Russian you just feel like it is imperative to cause some problems for the German or you just feel like a punching bag.

Leningrad is always difficult to see fall, psychologically it affects the Russian, I think every game if I can just hold Leningrad it will feel like a victory in 41. Not to mention stretch the German lines and keep the Finns at bay. Sigh.

I haven't lost those 3 cav divs yet!

Oh, I'm not to hung up on losing Leningrad. I've lost it in every game I've played so far. But in this game I4ve had very few counter attacking possibilities, SJ is very good at ending his turn in strong and difficult to attack stacks and places.

[glvaca]

ORIGINAL: comsolut

Not sure how accurate this is, but I notice your pool of 280mm Siege Mortars is zero, and I seem to recall someone saying those monsters are BIG armament hogs. I usually disband a Heavy Mortar Batt (I think that is the TOE they are found in) or two and try to keep some in the pool so they don't eat up my armaments making any Siege mortars when I have nothing to besiege.

Any comments on the above, either confirming or refuting appreciated.

You're right, heard the same but forgot. Will do so pronto but we're already at turn 20 so it'll take a while before it takes effect [:)]

[glvaca]

ORIGINAL: sillyflower

I shouldn't think building over 100 203mm howitzers helps either. I just turn TORs of siege artillery down. Can aways increas them again if you ever get more arms points than you know what to do with.

Another good tip, will disband a couple.
Although I'm still doing pretty well on ARM's, even in late October.

[glvaca]

ORIGINAL: vicberg

Are u using reserves? If not, start putting EVERYTHING behind the front lines on reserve and you will see a huge difference.

I can't tell what type of defense you are using. If it defense in depth, forget terrain and start building a solid 3-hex deep lines north to south east. Possibly not far north around Leningrad because of the major river that separates the east from Leningrad, but pretty everywhere else. Reserves will stop up his advance pretty quickly. The only thing you need to worry about then is small ball encirclements which can be prevented with solid stacks on your second line of defense every 2-3 hexes

I have been using reserves whenever I could and/or I thought it useful (you can see this in the screenshot indicated with redish counter edges). On the whole though, they've been unable to influence the results. Either they don't commit, or they commit and I still lose. His assaults are massive as you can see.

I'm using a mix between hedgehoc and carpet. Usually two units up front, 3 is I can spare them forcing him to deliberate attack. I don't believe in 3 hex carpets like you recommend. Much too easy for the German too wade through with hasties. Besides, I don't have the unit density yet to do such a carpet even if I would want to.

My current plan is to retreat to the Moscow defensive line, anchored on the Oka River to the South, and Kalinin in the North, in stages and then, in a constricted battlefield fight it out till mud...

Screen captures are comming.

[glvaca]

TURN 10

Overview Axis moves Center.
He further exploits the the East and creates another pocket of divisions left as screen and by herding units from the woods and swamps which participated in counter attacking the 20th Mot. Div last turn.

[glvaca]

Close up Center
Once more a hasty attack slugfest, combined with deliberate attacks where needed. Another 6 divisions pocketted, many high morale/expirienced, and the threat to Kaluga and Tula is now very real. My left flank is in danger of completely collapsing.

[glvaca]

North Overview

[glvaca]

North, close up.
He pushes through my lines like they don't exist sealing of Leningrad and there is nothing I can do about it although I've limited the amount of divisions in the pocket and perhaps they might keep him busy for turn or two. My losses are high, his low to moderate.

As a testament to the concentration of power he has assembled in the North, he finds troops to too attack below lake Ilmen. Having been constantly weakened to feed the furnace to the North, it is unlikely to hold without reinforcements.

I'm pretty confident he is now laying the foundation for the next stage of his plans. Once PzG4 finishes his work up North, the next planned encirclement will be from SE of the Valdai linking up with a push through lake Ilmen...

[glvaca]

South Overview.
To my great dissapointment, he calls my bluff and attack NE towards Kharkov, pocketing another 8 or so divs, including a mountain and Armoured division.

[glvaca]

Close up, South Kharkov area.

Again the same recipy and the same results. The amazing thing is these divisions have been in constant combat for 5 or more turns. Still they have the punch and mobility to pull this off...

[glvaca]

At the Black Sea front he rushes several infantry divisions to check the hole in his flank, pulls back his 2 SS divisions who have no trouble re-establishing communications and push back the weak Cav. divisions.

All-in-all, perhaps I was too optimistic if I thought I would be able to bluff him into reacting to this "raid" by sending in the Panzers from up North.
Anyway, back where I started and a pocket richer, it's time to consider my options.

[glvaca]

It's clear that with Leningrad cut off and about to fall, I can expect PzG4 in the Moscow area pretty soon. As mentioned, this is about the time when most Germans take a shot at pushing NE wards somewhere in the neighbourhood of Rhzev and try to pocket the Valdai defenders. I must be extra careful to twart such plans, but can't fall back now, the trick will be to fall back just before he strikes.

With my left flank shattered I transfer 10th army to plug the hole and link up with what's left of the Bryansk Front to the South.

In the center of the Moscow defense, I fall back and form a line which extends from Rzhev towards Kaluga, leaving pickets in swamps and other good defensive terrain in an attempt to delay him a bit. I also deploy a screen behind the Ugra river hoping he will not be able to reach much further.

With Kharkov under threat I don't have enough rail capacity to evaquate Kaluga's industry.

[glvaca]

Close up Center.
This position is just a step stone to the Moscow defenses now under serious construction. Please note that almost all his Mech deivisions are zoc-ed to keep their fatigue levels up.

[glvaca]

In the North I fall back behind the Volkhov. By now most of the divisions who took part in the Leningrad defense are battered, depleted and fatigued. Their morale has also taken a hit by the costant forced retreats. They need a break, which I hope the assault on Leningrad proper will give them.

[glvaca]

In the South & Center I have paid the price for not retreating further last week in full, now it's time to disengage as best as I can. Unfortunately, there is still quite some industry left in Kharkov so I try to put up as strong a screen as I possibly can. Maybe, just maybe I can buy myself a turn, in any case, I have to try.

At the Black Sea front, I decide on a full retreat again thinking he must be thinking on taking a breather, right?

[glvaca]

Close up Kharkov, not really a big chance he'll not zoc Kharkov but you never know [:)]

[glvaca]

And finally, Black Sea font.
A Cav screen up front with the odd inf. Div that couldn't get out otherwise. Further back, 18th Army and various Stavka units are preparing to dig the Kalmius-Stalino defensive line.

[smokindave34]

I'd try and protect your cavalry divisions as best you can. The cavalry corps will be your best offensive and most mobile units for a long time. You obviously can't pull them off the front lines yet but try and keep them in reserve and used as defense in depth. This will minimize the chances of them ending up in a pocket and being lost for good.

[Flaviusx]

Did you get the tank factory out?

There's no breathers in 1941. The magic HQ buildup button ensures that the Axis need never take an operational pause. You can only be sure that things will slow down once you hit his logistical dead zone or mud. Basically, you have to expect that any mobile divisions within 25 mps of a railhead or so is eligible for buildup.