Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis)

[TulliusDetritus]

And the last one (you already saw the south). In theory I should bring quite many forces to this place. Mostly weak German regiments here... no match for massed attacks.

But of course, as 76mm put it, Marquo has to know he is weak here. Therefore he might reinforce this part. Oh well, then he will weaken another place...

[TulliusDetritus]

And the new units I am creating. Many of them already sent to the front (experience minimum on the 40s now).

[glvaca]

Actually, you should keep them in reserve until they are about 50 morale as then experience will keep on rising even at the front.
Don't want to be nitpicking, but its very important... [;)]

[glvaca]

I like your planned operations. I'm not sure and perhaps this is already your plan, but maybe you should stagger them, the first with the aim to draw his reserves were they are the least useful. When that goal has been achieved, you launch the others.
In the plan you outlined, I would first strike his most Eastern front (East of Panza), he's probably not in really good supply there, so he won't be able to easily rail in reinforcements.
Most likely, if you cause enough trouble, he will send in panzers hopefully from the Stalingrad area which will (hopefull) make the operation there feasable.
Once the panzers arrive East, start the Stalingrad operation. Untill then, I'd be silent as a mouse [:)]
Speed is crutial, blow a hole and exploit, you need to get those rail links. Make sure you have infantry to hold the flanks, preferrably Inf. Corps.

Anyway, the order is flexible and should be where you expect the most results.
Good luck tovarischi!

[glvaca]

OH, and without having the complete picture obviously, I'd strip the Moscow front and to the West to the minimum that you consider safe. Once you gain the initiative, it's crutial to make a fist, strip failure and reinforce success.
Much better to have a good solid (2 units per hex) 30+ CV then 5-6 single divs. Whatever you can spare put them in reserve 5-10 hexes from the front. in strong hedgehoc defensive points on rail lines. Once you firmly have the initiative, rail them to were they are needed for offensive action.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus
Anyway, attacking from Moscow should be harder, as that is where he is more strong.

Harder, but very possible...buff up those corps with sapper and assault gun SUs, add some ArtDivs, and you'll be able to push him around at will up there. You need to be able to do this to instill a little fear in him, and meanwhile build up weaker, but still fairly strong, assault armies that can attack at weak points along the front.

At this point, your strongest efforts should crush his defenders, and you need to start the war of attrition, and Moscow is as good a place as any to do it.

[Aurelian]

As 76mm says. Grind him down, and the dam will burst in time..

It isn't pretty. But it will work.

[76mm]

I would consider attaching several ArtDivs to a spare Army HQ or an airborne corps up by Moscow, and using this massed artillery (3-6 ArtDivs) on as-needed basis for attacks up there. With two sapper regiments per rifle corps and 3-6 ArtDivs, almost nothing will be able to hold against you.

Frankly, his defensive CVs near Moscow look positively puny, I was regularly facing CVs of 60, 80, even more than 100.

I would definitely start attacking with a view to (i) ramping up the war of attrition and (ii) forcing him to pull back (and thus abandon fortifications). If you let him sit still too long and dig in, you will find it VERY difficult to dislodge him later on, this is what happened to me.

EDIT: Another thing, personally, I would try to avoid any overly-ambitious offensive plans at this point, as they probably won't work, as I don't think your forces are strong enough to maintain a sustained offensive if he can focus his reserves. And why not leave those Axis allies hanging out there past Stalingrad, attacking there might only encourage him to shorten his lines, which I'm not sure is what you want at this point.

[TulliusDetritus]

Hmm, I have a big problem with this war of attrition and attacking in Moscow area. First of all that is where he is stronger. On the other hand there are plenty of places where massed attacks must be irresistible (first blizzard or not, it's irrelevant). Just look at the trashed Hungarians this turn, and it's not even winter [;)]

Then of course the terrain lost. Will I accept this state of affairs: that is German troops 30 hexes east of Kursk (historical line by 1943)? If I do that I'd better give up right now and admit defeat because I will hardly (or should I say "never") get to the Reich.

There will be plenty of time to grind the Hitlerite hordes (1943-44). But to me accepting this very disadvantageous frontline in 1943 is NOT, and will never be an option. It's defeatism LOL I should have you all shot by a firing squad. I'll kill to push the killers [8D] So be it.

[TulliusDetritus]

But the aforesaid does not mean I will not attack at all near Moscow. As a matter of fact I attack every single time I can (the thuggish thing, I can't help it. And it's perfect for a good laugh). Especially true after the tough summer (Marquo truly deserves the stick now!). I had attacked east of Moscow, now I gathered again the deadly combo of Guards Rifle and Tank Corps and... bingo. An odd German division in the west end held though [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Turn 76[/center]
[center]26 November 1942[/center]

Well, the Big Offensive is here. So to speak! I guess some monocles might be dropping in the German High Command but -to be honest- that should be all... for now... Still, these attacks more or less prove that an offensive is indeed possible. So I will persevere.

As I had said, planned, I brought rifle divisions to the chosen area. This turn, another Tank Army arrived from Moscow (they discretely left the area, now only one tank army there). Which means now I have 3 tank armies in Marquo's weakest place...

[TulliusDetritus]

And here's the First Guards Tank Corps harvested. They have been inmediately put to some use but the attack (west of Moscow) failed. Oh well [:D]

[TulliusDetritus]

But other attacks were successful in this Moscow area. so as you can see, I keep attacking, no matter what. Tank and Rifle Corps were gathered again and four German divisions were trashed [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

East of Moscow, same thing, Rifle Corps and divisions unleashed and a single division was smashed.

[TulliusDetritus]

In Marquo's "weakest" place I also was really weak. A mere thin line and sometimes with some gaps here and there. Now you can see I am starting to mass the forces here. German regiments should be terrorised [8D] Yes or yes!

[TulliusDetritus]

More terrorism [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

And the southern part of this "weak" area.

[TulliusDetritus]

And needless to say I haven't forgotten the Hungarians! Some of them were forced to cross the Volga again, others routed. And hehehe, Marquo is bringing some armored hordes. The thing is they are welcome! I don't think they will strike, but if they do that... Tank and Guards Cavalry Corps are waiting.

[randallw]

Be warned that this period is about when rifle divisions convert to another TOE, with some rifle squads replaced with upgraded squads with a lower experience level. Counter CVs will drop.

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: randallw
Be warned that this period is about when rifle divisions convert to another TOE, with some rifle squads replaced with upgraded squads with a lower experience level. Counter CVs will drop.

CV drop or not, the pixeltroopov will carry on with the plan (aka advance towards the general direction of Kursk) or they will drop dead. No surrender! [8D]

Anyway, good to know, thanks [:)]