Laugh n a 1/2 - Manstein63 now allowed

[terje439]

Turn 63 aka beating a guy while he is down

Overall
First Sean strikes out in the South as expected, but only expand the bridgehead one hex, then he follows up with a proper attack in the Moscow sector. Then mud strikes, denying me any proper chance of beating the enemy back.
Not in good shape right now. Next few turns are crucial I think.
The USSR launched 15 attacks and scored 7 helds and 8 retreats, while our 9 attacks gave 4 helds and 5 retreats.

Losses
USSR : 61.000 troops, 652 guns, 65 AFVs, 181 AC.
Axis : 56.000 troops, 594 guns, 150 AFVs, 59 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
0.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
0.

# of USSR reserve activations
0.

USSR units destroyed
None.

Partisans
6 show up, we hunt down 5.

German Pools
Manpower : 3.179
Vehicles : 157.053
Armaments : 202.185
Hiwi : 7

[terje439]

Turn 64

Overall
The mud last turn might have saved us, as Sean only made small advances. Nevertheless, I have had to relocate a total of 3 Pz.Divs from my Pz.Armies to help contain the two threats. This turn we also managed to trap some USSR units again, and I think the pockets will hold.
11 USSR attacks resulted in 5 helds, 5 retreats and 1 rout, while our 23 attacks resulted in 6 helds, 14 retreats and 3 routs.

Losses
USSR : 87.000 troops, 1.152 guns, 84 AFVs, 213 AC.
Axis : 56.000 troops, 710 guns, 74 AFVs, 89 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
0.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
6.

# of USSR reserve activations
2.

USSR units destroyed
None.

Partisans
All 8 delt with.

German Pools
Manpower : 840 aka dry, which means I think I need to disband some stuff.
Vehicles : 160.327
Armaments : 207.000
Hiwi : 4

Something completely different
In this thread, Kaley is losing her vote [X(]
Go there and vote Kaley
Warspite's prettiest-contest

[loki100]

Assuming you have derailed that period of Soviet pressure, what are your realistic goals now for 1942?

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: loki100

Assuming you have derailed that period of Soviet pressure, what are your realistic goals now for 1942?

Not understanding the r-word of yours [:D], I'ld say push through the USSR line in the south, and reform a secure line.


Terje

[Tophat1815]

Keep fighting! Whats this talk of throwing in the towel? Hell,you had the stuffing smacked out of you far worse and kept up the show. I kinda hope he feels as unstoppable as you said,he'll over extend and another terje comeback is born.

[terje439]

Haha wish I was as confident, but we shall see what happens. His CV is a huge concern though
 
 
Terje

[terje439]

Oh, and I see no new votes for Kaley! [:-]
[;)]

[terje439]

Turn 65

Overall
Ok, NOW I am scared. Sean withdraws all his advanced units. What is he up to now? The 3 Pz.Divs are all heading back. Apart from that, we make progress that makes snails laugh as they pass us by, but we do form a new pocket. That however is needed as the USSR reopened one of the pockets formed last turn...
12 USSR attacks resulted in 3 helds and 9 retreats., Our 22 attacks gave 8 helds (I am developing an allergy to reserve activations...), 11 retreats, 2 routs and 1 surrender.
Only other big thing is that another army was placed in static mode this turn, as they are now dug in deep enough.

Losses
USSR : 112.000 troops, 1.475 guns, 258 AFVs, 440 AC.
Axis : 55.000 troops, 695 guns, 154 AFVs, 96 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
3.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
9.

# of USSR reserve activations
7.

USSR units destroyed
1 Rifle Division, 2 Guards Rifle Divisions.

Partisans
We hunted down 11 out of the 12 that showed up.

German Pools
Manpower : 1.044
Vehicles : 161.542
Armaments : 185.143
Hiwi : 1

[randallw]

You can try a massive withdraw all across the front, then counterattack once your opponent suffers supply difficulties.

If it fails, just think of it as your strategy to help shorten the war! [:D]

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: randallw

You can try a massive withdraw all across the front, then counterattack once your opponent suffers supply difficulties.

If it fails, just think of it as your strategy to help shorten the war! [:D]

Hehe yeah that is one option, but not the one I will follow unfortunately [;)]


Terje

[terje439]

Turn 66

Overall
And then the USSR launches a lot of attacks again... I need for my units to dig in to a level 3 fort, and I would like to see that happen before the mud, as that would allow me to relocate my panzers and strike elsewhere during winter.
The pockets formed last turn were ofc broken, and we made a new one this turn.
The USSR managed 30 attacks, scoring 13 helds, 16 retreats and 1 rout, while our measly 19 attacks gave us 7 helds, 10 retreats and 2 routs.

Losses
USSR : 98.000 troops, 1.363 guns, 234 AFVs, 383 AC.
Axis : 63.000 troops, 904 guns, 129 AFVs, 139 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
0.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
9.

# of USSR reserve activations
7.

USSR units destroyed
None.

Axis units destroyed
the 705th SP Infantry Gun Company is no more.

Axis units disbanded
6 Fortified Zones.

Partisans
All 4 that was on the map are now gone.

German Pools
Manpower : 4.490
Vehicles : 164.191
Armaments : 152.061
Hiwi : 609

[terje439]

Turn 67

Overall
This turn Sean was being rude again [:'(], oh and poor Herman Hoth was sacked again. I reinstalled him ofc, but he is not reguarded well by virtual Adolf at this time. We broke free of Seans rudeness and eliminated the pocket formed last turn. Although we did not manage to create a new one, it seems we are able to roll up the USSR frontline in the south at last, and I expect Sean to fall back unless he manages to push back my panzers with some hidden reserves I could not spot.
23 attacks for the USSR ment 12 helds, 1 scouted and 10 retreats, while our 31 attacks gave us 10 helds, 17 retreats, 2 routs and 2 surrenders.

Losses
USSR : 169.000 troops, 2.474 guns, 246 AFVs, 359 AC.
Axis : 58.000 troops, 808 guns, 134 AFVs, 93 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
9.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
0.

# of USSR reserve activations
3.

USSR units destroyed
8 Rifle Divisions and 1 Tank Brigade.

Axis units disbanded
3 Fortified Zones.

Partisans
7 showed up, and 7 are gone again.

German Pools
Manpower : 2.818
Vehicles : 167.206
Armaments : 137.823
Hiwi : 272
I tell the troops, "forget the trucks, save the guns", but do they listen?!

[terje439]

Turn 68

Overall
I am simply losing too many battles that I should win, but the USSR CV is often doubled and more. A good example is a deliberate attack by 3 Pz.Divs with 20 Cv vs 3 USSR Rifle Divisions with an unmodified CV of 4...Lost that one...
Come mud I have no choice but to go over to the defence and see if I can last throughout -43. I think so, but I have no chance to get through -44 as things are. Even -43 might be hard, but that should be doable.
Anyway, 27 USSR attacks this turn, scoring 14 helds, 1 scouted, 9 retreats, 2 routs and 1 shatter!!
Our 37 attacks scored 15 helds, 20 retreats and 2 routs.

Losses
USSR : 44.000 troops, 994 guns, 427 AFVs, 195 AC.
Axis : 51.000 troops, 520 guns, 101 AFVs, 84 AC.

USSR units in pockets at start of turn
0.

USSR units in pockets at end of turn
0.

# of USSR reserve activations
2.

# of Axis reserve activations
1.

USSR units destroyed
None.

Axis units destroyed
The 703rd SP Infantry Gun Company shatters.

Partisans
Only 6 this turn, all delt with.

German Pools
Manpower : 1.650
Vehicles : 169.347
Armaments : 115.202
Hiwi : 8

[Banori]

Every time nice to read your aar. it´s like a real war excitingly. never know enemys next step.
I think this is a little bit like ww2 . but in history the germans had a little bit more luck, but like you every time problems with the "Nachschub"(reinforcements). von allem zu wenig.

[Banori]

the germans can´t catch the russians in pockets.

[Arstavidios]

I don't leave stacks with only minors in the south, I always stack them with at least one German division.

the germans have a good defensive capacity. so even if you can't attack any more you can slow down the soviets for quite some time if you manage your force carefully. This is also interesting. The soviets have a long way to go and they do not have that much manpower. you have to make them bleed and use the opportunities for counterattacks as they advance into newly conquered hexes that have not been fortified yet.

[Tophat1815]

Keep up the good fight terje! Lots of guard divisions eh? He seems a bit impatient,open the door and see how far he'll stick himself through it.

[tm1]

Hi Terje
Hope you don't mind me posting im really enjoying the battle, it looks like a tough fight ahead fcr both of you.
This is what makes it great to play when its close.
You have certainly have much more experience and playing time than me but i hope you don't mind me sharing my 2 cents worth to your current situation
with few ideas of my own.
Firstly one of the members put forth the idea of a general withdrawal then counter attack, a good idea but if you give up to much ground its sometimes hard to win back.
Also Im certain any one who plays this game loathes giving up 1 inch let alone 1 hex wether they play Soviet or German.
However after looking at your map after t68 it looks like a tough ask to hold Smolensk, what about a partial withdrawal of Army Group Centre to a defensive line along the Dnepr River and dig for the winter.
The same for Army Group North shortening your defence lines with the hope of creating some kind of reserve.
My thinking is the south is the key to victory lots of open terrain,Infantry is no match for Tanks, it looks to me that you have concentrated your Panzers there so Army Group South should hold its ground till summer.
From what I see your opponent seems a very capable player and will have some formidable strategy prepared for the summer of 43 to counter your moves.
If your line has held over the winter when summer comes make your move in the south but instead of attacking fall back first as Von Manstein did at Kharkov then turn and strike with your Panzers better still if you can pull off Hannibals Cannae strategy you could destroy the entire Soviet southern front leaving you free to attack the Soviet central front.
Of course easy said than done but I believe I have read posts on here from fellow members that tell me your a master of encirclements.

I guess im not telling you anything you have not done in the past or even thought about before so good luck and don't surrender yet.
cheers
Regards TM

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: Banori

Every time nice to read your aar. it´s like a real war excitingly. never know enemys next step.
I think this is a little bit like ww2 . but in history the germans had a little bit more luck, but like you every time problems with the "Nachschub"(reinforcements). von allem zu wenig.

Thank you.
Hehe true, there are some paralells to WWII, apart from my advances (or lack thereof) in 1941 [;)]


Terje

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: Banori

the germans can´t catch the russians in pockets.

They CAN, (in my last game, I made a pocket the size of Poland), but Sean's units have such high morale now, and unlike me, he can afford to make a lot of attacks he knows will fail, because attrition is a friend of the USSR, not me.


Terje