Camerone in Russia (STEF78 vs Schascha), Schascha welcome

[STEF78]

Turn 167, 24th august 1944

3) Romania

Slow advance of the SHC thought the carpathian mountains. Look at the strength of my 16th PzD...

[STEF78]

Turn 168, 31th august 1944

SHC advances faster turn after turn and is getting more and more opportunities to achieve encirclement

In southern Poland my lines were almost pierced and Schascha only lacked of 1 or 2 tank corps to isolate units still east of Poland



I decide to retreat to shorten my lines At this speed we will be in Berlin in november!

[STEF78]

Turn 168, 31th august 1944

In the other parts of the front "Festung Königsberg", defended by XVIth corps, is under attack



In Romania, I give ground progressively

[STEF78]

Turn 169, 7th september 1944

During the last turns I was focused on avoiding a major encirclement.

Obviously I failed (or Schascha succeeded). he trapped 20 Divs 20 DIVS!!! in northern Poland.

It's the backbone of my northern defence which is virtually destroyed!!!



See below the list of the isolated units. I must admit the tactical skill of Schascha: all my units retreated in the direction he wished, As sheeps gathered by their Shepherd.

[STEF78]

I try a desperate counterattack in order to free at least the Pzd and Mot surrounded. The Infs won't have enough MP to escape.

In the north and in the west, I'm to weak. Freedom will come from the South. LVIIth corps with Hube will lead the fight.

Obviously, Schascha used paratroops to close/initiate the Pocket. They are easily routed.

Then I face the 2nd Mech Corps. I get a retreat.

[STEF78]

Now the problem is that my Pzd remaining don't have the required 17Mp to do deliberate attack against the 2nd Polish tank Corps

First attempt is a failure but the second one succeeded!

[STEF78]

The last attack is done by the first Pz Army and the corridor is reopened

[smokindave34]

Excellent AAR - I'm enjoying reading it. Unfortunately your in a bit of a desperate situation, hopefully you can save some of your mobile troops from the Soviet pocket. I looked at some of your previous screenshots and I don't think I would have seen that pocket coming either.

[SigUp]

The Red Army come 1944 truly is a monster. Impressive how he just tore up that line.

[Bozo_the_Clown]

He will close the pocket again next turn. Make sure to put an empty airbase into the pocket so that you can supply your troops.

[STEF78]

ORIGINAL: smokindave34

Excellent AAR - I'm enjoying reading it. Unfortunately your in a bit of a desperate situation, hopefully you can save some of your mobile troops from the Soviet pocket. I looked at some of your previous screenshots and I don't think I would have seen that pocket coming either.

It's desperate and I will loose 12/16 divs.

I didn't thought too that he would have enough MP to achieve such a Pocket. But I noticed my lines were weaker turn after turn (less CV, less entrenchment, less depth, less well organized stacks, less AP...) A harsh but good lesson!

[STEF78]

ORIGINAL: SigUp

The Red Army come 1944 truly is a monster. Impressive how he just tore up that line.

The number of 50+ CV is amazing. I just receive the last turn. SHC has now a 71 CV stack!!!!

[STEF78]

ORIGINAL: Bozo_the_Clown

He will close the pocket again next turn. Make sure to put an empty airbase into the pocket so that you can supply your troops.

Not sure that it would change the "isolated" status of the encircled units and with the monster CV around, these units are lost.

[STEF78]

2 others screenshots of this turn

1) South Poland

Just to show that others german troops aren't on holidays



and the final reorganization of my army

2nd Army runs to the lower Vistula, the Hungarians will try to hold the mountains and the XVIth corps evacuates Königsberg to reinforce the Danzig sector

[Bozo_the_Clown]

Not sure that it would change the "isolated" status of the encircled units and with the monster CV around, these units are lost.

If you put an airbase in the pocket the troops can be supplied by air (indicated by orange color). That means they only lose 33% CV. They can then participate in breaking out of the pocket or at least they can act as a speed bump for a couple of turns.

[STEF78]

ORIGINAL: Bozo_the_Clown

Not sure that it would change the "isolated" status of the encircled units and with the monster CV around, these units are lost.

If you put an airbase in the pocket the troops can be supplied by air (indicated by orange color). That means they only loose 33% CV. They can then participate in breaking out of the pocket or at least they can act as a speed bump for a couple of turns.

Thanks for the advice Bozo, I've post the turn and already got an answer. It's too late.

[STEF78]

An overview of the evolution of the OOB during the summer.

No comment

[STEF78]

Turn 170, 14th september 1944

Schacha cuts the corridor without any difficulty, and 3 Pzd choose the retreat to the north, well in the middle of the pocket... SHC reaches the Vistula from the Baltic to Varsovia and even manages to cross the river!!!!



Russian stacks show usually 50 + CV. And there is also a 71 CV!!!!

Of course I'm unable to reopen the pocket and even to break the bridgehead on the western bank of the Vistula.



I decide to give ground in order to avoid an encirclement in southern Poland. Security rgt are sacrified to cover the retreat

[STEF78]

Turn 171, 21th september 1944

One month ago I was hoping for a draw, now I'm now sure to reach the mud season!

The losses of the killing turn





All these units will be in refit mode and my pool will be dry

[STEF78]

Turn 171, 21th september 1944

And the losses aren't the worst part of the news. Schascha increases the pressure, breaks the Vistula lines and isolates Danzig! I had not enough time to bring lots of units in this sector, no AP to organise the stacks (see the -33%!!!). And SHC engaged 5020 arts!!!