Oshawott (Russia) vs. Stef78 (Axis)

[Flaviusx]

You are in some danger of actually falling behind schedule in the south. Stef has really done a good job here defending. It's come at the expense of the north for him, but I think he made the right choice here.

[Oshawott]

I think so too. Those elite forces in the south are blocking my approach towards Romania and I had to shift my troops further north. He is really stretched though and constantly has to divert his mobile forces to new hot spots.

[Oshawott]

T115 - North

Nice tank battle in this sector.

[Oshawott]

T115 - Center

The center is now much weaker and I am able to attack across the line.

[Oshawott]

T115 - Kiev

I continue to clear the rail lines.

[Oshawott]

T115 - South

3 Romanian divisions call it quits. They were in an overstacked condition before combat and that was obviously too much. Does anyone know what triggers a surrender like this? Is it a morale threshold?

[HITMAN202]

This has been an enjoyable AAR to follow. But the late '43 (post Kursk)- '44 eastern front conflict was a very different animal, so to speak. I've just read about the Cherkassy pocket and personal accounts of the '44 battle front and 1) the Soviets oftentimes spent weeks waiting for supply buildups, 2) the "political (NKVD)" officers had to coerce both soldiers and officers alike to fight (they acted like union workers), and 3) mass attacks were rare.

Battles across a 10 mile front consisting of 400,000 Soviet infantry, 500 AFV's and 10,000 art's were practically never seen. There was only one Kursk. Only so many men and tanks can be organized and directed to assault a area (even over a 7 day span).

At the same time the Germans were so depleted, units (even in '43) at 20-30 % strength, what we see in this AAR is pure fantasy.

Don't misunderstand me, WITE is a great game, but not a recreation. It would be impossible to reproduce the weirdness of the '43-'44 Russo-German conflict.

[Oshawott]

The game does a very good job modeling the 41 campaign despite most Axis players (including myself) ignoring the historical setup. Everything past 42 is a real problem in my opinion. There are too many variables and the logistic system is too simplistic.

Nevertheless, I will try to play both of my current games until the end. Despite the shortcomings I very much enjoy what the game has to offer.

[M60A3TTS]

Part of the problem is that casualties are so one sided in failed attacks that I think there is a focus on making sure an attack succeeds. At the same time the Soviet player is dissuaded from making chancy attacks against so many fortified positions that might boost Axis morale and eat troops. Clearly that isn't what happened historically, the Soviets would make large numbers of attacks which over time resulted in major attrition on both sides. That was after all the winning formula. The result of not conducting as many attacks in game is you get these bloated OOBs on both sides and the overloaded troop counts.

[HITMAN202]

I agree with both of your views and in spite of my inactivity, immensely enjoy the game. To suggest any further changes in WITE "rules" would add more opinions to the previous thousands; most which are thoughtful.

Small scenarios could more accurately depict each phase of the war.

M60, I think the best AAR simulating what really happened '43- '44 was when, as the Soviets, you were almost broken in a massive AGC slugfest, only to survive and then run roughshod to Berlin (or would had the game continued.) Who was your Axis victim ???

[M60A3TTS]

Ah yes, fifty miles northwest of Bryansk along the River Desna, the Battle of Dubrovka was fought from 17-23 June 1943. Over 2.3 million men were rescued from the German pocket by mobile forces of Marshal Zhukov's Steppe Front. That was a co-op game with larryfulkerson against farfarer.

[charlie0311]

Hi Guys, can I ever get into the elite club? PM me maybe??

[HITMAN202]

I wish old AAR's were saved. So much can be learned (or relearned) from great players like you. In the future (?? when ?? PI and FI dominate presently) I would love to cross swords with you again in a server game.

[Blubel]

Old AAR's are saved. You can go all the way back to 2010.

[Oshawott]

T116 - North

Continued progress in the north although his really good stacks are causing problems.

[Oshawott]

T116 - North

Fort levels are decreasing and I can hit the second line with tanks. Morale has been dramatically improving due to national morale going up. Many cavalry and tank corps are now above 70 morale as indicated by the green triangle.

[Oshawott]

T116 - Kiev

I continue to clear the rail line and prepare for mud in this sector.

[Oshawott]

T116 - South

Another 1000 tank Axis attack. But the losses are prohibitive and I can always counterattack the fatigued units. But it's awesome to see the Axis striking back like this.

[Oshawott]

T116 - Partisans

I will focus a little bit more on partisans over the next couple of turns. Strange things are happening. I have many incredibly overpowered partisan battalions. Over the next couple of turns some of them will actually reach almost division strength with TOE above 1000%. What is the reason for this? Are there no garrisons in the cities? Is this a flaw in the game? Anyway, occasionally the Axis can occur dramatic losses.

[Oshawott]

Another milestone has been reached. My first cavalry corps has 80 morale.