Axis war diary revisited

[HITMAN202]

This stuff is great. I think you game play at Rovno is perfect and is easy to achieve. I have a few possible refinements.

The 1st move in AGN/AGC should be to send the 14th Mot west of Vilnius, then north to form the western edge of the pocket on the strong infantry unit at X63, Y47 (see Michael T). That first requires some border clashes and the possible bad rout of the strong mech unit at Alytus to Vilnius (which will be further displaced out of any possible pocket), but that's a 50-50 thing from my practice. Finally by sending two other Pz Corp XXXIX units, one to form the eastern edge of the pocket on the X63, Y47 unit and another to skirt south of the Neris (stopping west of any Soviet unit) , a huge area is converted to German control to prevent later unwanted routs. It accomplishes want you outlined above and bags a strong unit too.


Second (not planning to take Riga ... I agree that it's risky ...Riga can still be isolated and the 1st and 6 th Panzers can be sent well across the Daugava on the first turn, ready to convert a ton of hexes aimed at Pskov), I send the 3rd Mot along the same path that the 13th Mot took, converting hexes up to X60,Y38 (also bumping up against the Daugava, converting a few hexes north of the river, to boot) to further block unwanted routs from future AGN border combats.

Third, by copying Sapper222 opening against Kamil in AGS, the 11th Pz and be so positioned next to the Rumania border to make the Lvov pocket, in that area, airtight.

Finally, I think you can isolate some key units just west and southwest of Minsk, but it gets technical (and a little chancey).

[Ketza]

Ty for the tips. There is always room to improve!

Axis players need every bit of info so this does not happen. Check the date....

[IdahoNYer]

This is a great read Ketza - love the detail!

[Walloc]

Ketza, Thx for sharing. I like the way u shape pockets/routs.
Can i ask one thing? detail ur RR construction/plans. U havent or i havent noticed it, highlighted it. One thing that i have found is that while making pockets is important, making them in a way that speeds up ur RR repair is just as importand for making pockets later on. The faster RR progress the sooner u can HQBU and the further in, helping in making pockets later on. I wonder, if u havent alrdy done that, if the 2 things can be combined when shaping the routs/pockets.

Kind regards,

Rasmus

[Ketza]

In speaking with my opponent via email he had reservations about an AAR as he thought I could be getting help from the masses. Rather then ruffle his feathers I informed him I would switch the AAR I had started to another game.

I started another game at about the same time with almost the same opening moves. Here is the south after Soviet moves. This opponent has opted for a large checkerboard in the south as opposed to a deep solid line. In this game the Rovno pocket also held mainly because I forgot to move one Panzer division but managed to do what I usually do. Doh! SO I then used it to firm things up.

[Ketza]

In the north and center all the pockets held. He is using a checkerboard and building up the landbridge line. This Soviet player seems to know his stuff so it should be a tough game.

[HITMAN202]

What's your goal on the number of SU's you rout outside of pockets on turn #1 ??? The screen shot you showed was at the start of your turn #2. How few escapees did you allow this game ???

[Fishbed]

Damn. I was really into watching you get to Kiev by turn 4... No way you could go on with the original AAR and just leave a solid 2 turns delay between the game and the report?

[Ketza]

ORIGINAL: HITMAN202

What's your goal on the number of SU's you rout outside of pockets on turn #1 ??? The screen shot you showed was at the start of your turn #2. How few escapees did you allow this game ???

The escapes were less then the 1st game partly due to the fact several more units routed into the Brest pocket.

[Ketza]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

Damn. I was really into watching you get to Kiev by turn 4... No way you could go on with the original AAR and just leave a solid 2 turns delay between the game and the report?

I am going to speak with him after a few more turns.

[76mm]

I am going to speak with him after a few more turns.

He was worried that you would get help from other forum members? Frankly that seems like kind of a strange concern, maybe you could suggest that he also start an AAR and get the same help?

[Ketza]

In the south the Proskurov pocket of 8 or so divsions is formed. (leaky) The mop up commences of the other pockets. 198,000 Soviet casualties on this part of the front this turn. His airforce is active and has not went to the reserve.

[Ketza]

ORIGINAL: 76mm

I am going to speak with him after a few more turns.

He was worried that you would get help from other forum members? Frankly that seems like kind of a strange concern, maybe you could suggest that he also start an AAR and get the same help?

He seems a rather strange bird from the other games I have played with him but was always a good opponent.

[Ketza]

AGC - I messed up the middle pocket and there are some stragglers left. Minsk has 2 divisions packed into it in a new pocket. I did not have the power to get to Mogilev or the landbridge which is a stretch turn 2 against a good opponent.

[Ketza]

AGN - All pockets cleared and good progress made. One hasty attack over the Pskov river line was a hold.

[Ketza]

Security divisions looking good!

[Ketza]

Not the best start but not bad. XIV Panzer was sent to AGC as the landbridge is gonna be very strong to break.

[Ketza]

Supply/rail usage has been a weak part of my game. here is my plan for AGN/AGC rails. This shows progress after turn 2.

[Ketza]

South rail progress after turn 2.

[Ketza]

Casualties. Not much from the border got away.