Idaho defends the Motherland

[IdahoNYer]

South of Orel, the Germans are on the move again. Not waiting to redeploy after digesting the Orel Pocket, both Army Group Center and South attack to encircle the majority of the 6th and 5th Armies of the Southwestern Front.

Didn't expect a pincer - should have - but thought the panzer concentration near Kursk was going to head SE toward Stalino. Instead, it swung north after breaking through, linking up with Guderian's panzers which broke through the 32nd Army.

Most of my defenses near Orel were geared to prevent a drive toward Tula, not Voronezh.

The result - about 20 or so divisions of the 5th and 6th Armies encircled. During the Soviet turn, we attempt to repair some of the damage.

Voronezh is "adequately" defended by the 37th Army along the Don River - and all but the HI has been pulled out. Good thing it was there, if not - the Germans would have waltzed right in.

50th Army, largely lost in the Orel Pocket, is rebuilt with STAVKA units and thrown back into the line. 30th and 51st Armies are stood up, also with STAVKA units from primarily areas in the Ukraine - although some Moscow area units were sent to the 30th Army. All three of these armies are fully capable of defense, backed by 150-200 guns in the Army HQs. The wonders of the Soviet "quantity has a quality all its own".

I'm able to establish a strickly temporary corridor to the Voronezh Pocket - won't last of course - and I really don't want to take forces from the Center to attempt and break the units out. The Germans will re-establish the pocket next turn, barring an early appearance by General Mud.

No activity south of this adventure - Germans have apparently given up trying to break into the Crimea, and so far are content to advance to the Southern Front's line screening the Donet's Basin.

[Fishbed]

hehe, the benefit of our hindsight couldn't be shared with you of course, but I have to say Scar is making up well for his former mistakes (then again the mistakes were cool and welcome, it makes the whole game much more interesting to watch, not like some generic clockwork stuff).

Although I quite understand your need to fall back everytime to avoid big losses, are you sure you're actually battling his units everywhere you can? Honestly, considering most of these divisions are not going to do anything valuable defending anyway, I think that every opportunity to have to even slightly blunt his spearheads should be taken. Every vehicle, every tank counts, every supply expended to defend against you is something he won't have when he goes on the offensive. I'd rather bleed him even when odds are dire, just for the sake of not ending up with useless supplyless units slowly dying inside of pocket.

Don't forget beachheading supplies for your fellows in your pocket too!

[IdahoNYer]

hehe, the benefit of our hindsight couldn't be shared with you of course, but I have to say Scar is making up well for his former mistakes (then again the mistakes were cool and welcome, it makes the whole game much more interesting to watch, not like some generic clockwork stuff).

Although I quite understand your need to fall back everytime to avoid big losses, are you sure you're actually battling his units everywhere you can? Honestly, considering most of these divisions are not going to do anything valuable defending anyway, I think that every opportunity to have to even slightly blunt his spearheads should be taken. Every vehicle, every tank counts, every supply expended to defend against you is something he won't have when he goes on the offensive. I'd rather bleed him even when odds are dire, just for the sake of not ending up with useless supplyless units slowly dying inside of pocket.

Don't forget beachheading supplies for your fellows in your pocket too!

Fishbed - yeah, could probably be a bit more aggressive in "quieter" portions of the front. I've "scrubbed" two limited counter-attacks. Each was overcome by crisises in the Orel-Voronezh area, requiring the moving of forces. One was a limited attack near Yelna, east of Smolensk - designed to tie down forces building up near Orel. The other was in the south against Rumanians - designed to force commitment of German forces. Both of these "limited" offenses would have required the commitment of an army - in order to "relieve" attacking troops in their fortified positions, and to establish a reserve in response for the expected counterattack.

In any case, really didn't want to reposition an army's worth of troops for at best, minimal gains. I'd rather focus uncommitted troops to redundant fortified positions expanding outward from Moscow. If he doesn't launch a snow offensive, he'll likely head that route in '42, so I best prepare now. The challenge is going to be leaving troops garrisoning the forts (I hope to use mainly brigades) during the blizzard offenses.

So, except for limited counter attacks in response to his penetrations, I'm staying on the strategic defensive until blizzard hits. I'd welcome other ideas of course......

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 17; Oct 9, 1941........Clear

Industry moved: Stalino 12xArm; moved 2xU2VS and 2xU2Trans from rear factories forward, hoping for the Germans to quickly overrun their locations. I'm leaving one factory each to continue production, which I think will be more than sufficient.

Screen shot shows the "quiet" northern areas. Now that Leningrad has fallen, the Germans have withdrawn from the port of Sviritsa, which pulls probably allows two corps worth of troops to pull off the line. The positon was exposed, and ripe for attack during the blizzard. Probably a smart move - but it also frees up the 55th Army, shown on the rail line about to move out.

I've left 55th Army on the rail "ready" to move rather than moving them this turn as I'd like to ensure the Germans are NOT going to be launching a late offensive from the Leningrad area - I've lost track of PanzerGruppe 4 - and he might just launch an attack - perhaps after the mud.

I'll probably wind up positioning the 55th in the Valdai Hills as a fall back position.

I also have to reorganize the Leningrad Front - its 23rd Army HQs is empty, and I haven't brought any fresh troops up to fill it yet. During the mud, I hope to stand it up and replace the 52nd Army with it.

Lastly, this screen shot is a good example of why Flav's recommendation to hold the Finns up north is such a good idea. Holding back the Finns with a 3hex defenisve line sure beats the extended Svir River line. Glad I read that in the forum before we started this game! Of course, now that I've written that, and its been VERY quiet up there, Scar will make a major assault up there and push on thru!

[IdahoNYer]

The rest of the northern approaches to Moscow remains quiet. This has been extremely quiet, and therefore, I've neglected the defenses somewhat. With Panzergruppe 4 attacking in the Leningrad area, and Army Group Center's panzers south of Smolensk, I could afford to. Now that Leningrad has fallen, and the where-abouts of the panzers up north are unknown, I need to pay some attention here.

As you can see, the Soviet defenses, especially the Northwest Front, are rather stretched. NW Front's 8th Army has not been rebuilt since the initial summer attacks, and, like the Leningrad Front's 23rd Army, is awaiting fresh troops from STAVKA - most of which have gone into the Moscow-Tula-Voronezh area.

Moving 55th Army into the Valdai Hills area will help, but I still need to stand up the 8th Army. I've considered a withdrawal to the less extended Valdai Hills, but until I have a chance to fortify it, I've held off moving back. I'd rather make the Germans fight for the terrain anyway.

If I leave this area alone, and don't "show" reinforcements to the prying eyes of German recon aircraft - this is probably the most likely area for a German "snow" offensive before blizzard. Either here, or toward Stalino anyway.

[bigbaba]

great work holding the finns so far in the north.

the idea came from flav and it's realy a good once because it saves a lot of AP&room and limits finnish abilities to cause troubles a lot.

you also have a good front organization compared with the "rainbow warriors" (different fronts mixed up)[:D] of some players here.

[IdahoNYer]

While the north is quiet, the center between Kursk and Voronezh is still VERY active.

The Germans re-establish a cordon around the Voronezh Pocket, that for the most part is very robust - one hope is the 60th Mot Div holding frontage due west of Voronezh. Showing a CV of 6, and we're only able to possibly assault it with two hexes, its possible....

So I throw 6 separate air attacks to "soften" it up. Apparently it works - the deliberate attack by 37th Army re-opens the corridor. However, Lehr Bde holds off 4 attacks from 5th and 6th Army forces - which possibly would have allowed some troops to actually move into the "corridor".

So, again, the corridor is just a temporary lifeline -

Elsewhere in this screen shot, I've re-constituted the Bryansk Front's 19th Army, which allows 48th Army to concentrate better around Tula.

While I've been able to establish a number of armies to re-establish a continuous front after two thirds of the Southwestern Front was encircled - I'm concerned with the number of armies in this area attached directly to STAVKA rather than a front - it is going to be tough to re-establish the Southwestern Front without expending lots of APs....not good.

Lastly, I "think" Scar has pulled some panzers west of Orel - perhaps another attack concentration?

[IdahoNYer]

At the southern end of the front, it remains pretty quiet - and from the Soviet point of view, over extended. And, I'm pretty sure from the German point of view, from Kharkov south anyway, also over extended.

As long as the Army Group South's panzers are tied up near Voronezh, I can afford the thin lines - but I detect a subtle shift of some forces, such as the two SS units NE of Kharkov, that may signal a late effort to drive south toward Stalino.

Its getting late to do that prior to mud, but definately likely point of attack for a snow offensive.

I've got 29th Army around the Stalino area, but that won't be enough if he shifts Panzergruppe 1 south. And the Southern Front extending to the Dniepr Bend is a tempting target.....

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 18; Oct 16, 1941........Mud

Mud hits across the front - great news!!!!

Industry: Stalino 10xArm, Taganrog 6xLaGG 29

With the mud, the Germans don't do much - closed the ring around the Voronezh Pocket, and that was about it. Was kinda surprised that with the mud, he didn't try and reduce it - going to be tough to maintain a ring with little to no depth and most of his units out of supply due to the mud (in red).

For the Soviet turn, I once again mass the Red Falcons to soften up the weakest point in the ring - this time the blow falls on the 16th Mot Div. Three air attacks preceed the deliberate attack by 37th Army's 6xRifle Divs - which succeed in pushing back the 16th Mot and re-opening the corridor. This time, elements within the pocket advance into the gap.

With his supply status showing red for the what appears to be the majority of his panzer force - this can work out well. At the very best, he could well be encircled by my relief attempts. At worse, status quo, and the encircled Soviets are isolated and crushed. Somewhere in between is the likely outcome - he either takes the less risky option and pulls back - conserving his panzer force, but abandoning the pocket. Or he keeps trying to maintain the ring, wearing out his panzers in the process.

In any case, this should weaken his capability for a late '41 snow offensive.

Elsewhere along the front, it remains quiet.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 19; Oct 23, 1941......Mud

Industry moved: Stalino 7xArm, Voroshilovgrad 4xHI

Pretty much a repeat of the previous turn - rest of the front quiet, Germans re-close the Voronezh Pocket and in the Soviet turn, it is re-opened. This time by the relatively newly formed 30th Army's attack against the 44th In Div - again using a number of air attacks to soften up the target.

If the Germans insist on holding only a 10 mile wide cordon on the pocket, they just might find themselves the ones who are ecnircled - if I can get both 30th and 37th Armies to find a "soft" target to attack in the same turn.

Elsewhere...not much. The Germans kill 2xRifle Divs left behind and that's about it.....

[bigbaba]

this can go forever and is absolutly good for the russian player. this nasty little pocket cost him 3,4,5? turns until now and the longer it is there the more russian troops can get into the area and fight a war of attrition.

good work keeping his tanks in thios 10 km corridor instead of letting them rest&refit for the winter.

[Fishbed]

Don't you wanna blow these weak Romanian units on the western side while you're at it? Soviet units so far into the pocket are done for anyway! Killing Romanian cav is always welcome.

[IdahoNYer]

Don't you wanna blow these weak Romanian units on the western side while you're at it? Soviet units so far into the pocket are done for anyway! Killing Romanian cav is always welcome.

I'd love to Fishbed, but most of the units in the pocket are in an unready status - nothing to attack with.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 20; Oct 30, 1941....North Sov: Mud; Central and South Sov: Snow

Industry Moved: NONE! Forgot to move the bloody industry before I sent the turn!!! Arghhh!

Quick update; Germans solidify the 10mile corridor around the Voronezh Pocket, boosting supply to all units with mass air drops. 30th Army's 6xRifle Div attacks stopped cold by 20th Mot and 51st Army's 3xRifle Div attack also stopped cold by GD Mot Reg. Of course, heavy Soviet losses in both efforts.

It was a good run, but the pocket is doomed. Still....we tied down many panzer units for about a month, and actually got a rifle division and an airborne Bde OUT of encirclement.

The remaining 14 or so divisions are of course written off.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 21; Nov 6, 1941.......Clear in South Soviet, Mud in Central and North Soviet

Industry moved: Stalino area: 5xHI and 3xArm, Tamboy 3xGAZ 37

Calendar flips to November, so its time for the informational screenshots.

Overall, October was pretty non-eventful with a good sized pocket established, but held out due to mud and being able to break through a corridor. Other than the fight near Voronezh, the rest of the front was very, very quiet. My guess is that the Germans are digging in, preparing for the blizzard...

As for industry, no major surprises as there was no major German advance. We'll continue to evacuate industry, as when summer 1942 rolls around, I'm sure the panzers will be back on the march.

[IdahoNYer]

OOB shows the Soviet's continue to expand - might get to 6 million before the Blizzard hits! Tanks, guns and aircraft all expand. On the German side, his forces also pretty much expand, but this should be his high water mark - or perhaps the Nov status will be.

Unless the Germans launch a very late major offensive (Ukraine perhaps), I don't expect much change here. Although the Soviet forces are numerous, the Germans are also "fat" going into the blizzard.

[IdahoNYer]

Losses offer no real surprises. The Voronezh Pocket begins to collapse, providing the majority of the Soviet losses for the month. Still, very acceptable. For a "quiet" month, the Germans had heavy losses in trying to maintain the pocket.

[IdahoNYer]

Lastly the destroyed units. First tank brigades and an airborne brigade are lost (got one of three encircled airborne brigades out of the Voronezh Pocket!). No catastrophes, fight continues

[IdahoNYer]

As for actions during the turn, the Germans began reducing the Voronezh Pocket, and, supported by the newly arrived 2nd and 5th Pz Div, broke into the Crimea - certainly didn't expect an attack there!

Screen shot shows the southern end of the front after Soviet moves - with the Crimea Isthmus line penetrated, no real need to stay so far forward in the south (to effect a link up in the blizzard), so the Southern Front pulls back.

If there is a late autumn German attack, attacking towards Stalino is a very likely candidate. With the Voronezh Pocket finally crushed - the panzers will be free in a turn or so to turn south. Backstopping the main line, we re-form the Southwestern Front's 26th Army and re-position some units of the 29th Army near Stalino.

I wouldn't mind a late season German attack - he might be more exposed come blizzard. However, I'd really like to keep his Voronezh "bulge" intact, as that is where I'm looking at the main effort of the Soviet's winter offensive.

[IdahoNYer]

Last screen shot for the turn shows the Crimea.

Preserving the forces is paramount, so I don't contest the Isthmus after the fortifications are penetrated. I split the Coastal Army in half, part falling back to Sevastopol and the other half reforming as the 56th Army near Kerch.

I also gained two "Fronts" this turn - the Caucasus and the Transcaucasus Fronts. I'll assign these two armies to one of these Fronts - the other I'd like to commit well away from the Caucasus - wish we could name the Fronts ourselves!