FIFTY SHADES OF WiTE: SILLYFLOWER V BRIANG

[sillyflower]

As I'm apparently facing the Hordes of Mordor, it was only fair that I got to use Gandalf.

[sillyflower]

Back to T28



The only pic I took of the turn as this was where the main action took place. The 2 divs holding the 'nose' 20 miles E of Moscow get attacked again, to no avail (see combat screen). They had the benefit of air resupply last turn so again had plenty of ammunition. The airbase is still adjacent to them as it had no MPs left to run back. The 2nd ground attack fared no better with G losses of 247 men, 9 arty and 1 fighter to 2715 men, 30 arty, 1 tank, 13 fighters and 1 bomber. Although on the 'wrong' side of Moscow, Brian seems keen to replicate Operation Mars ahead of schedule.

[sillyflower]

Thought on T28

A happy Xmas for the axis with opening casualties (from R turn and G attrition) still 38K to 46K in the German's favour. 3,3K to 7K during the turn. Air 15 v 40. Active OOBs G 3.02M R 4.65M. However, R OOB only went up by the 60K reinforcements the received this turn, so R casualties are running at the same level as their replacements.

Moscow area and the north are effectively static. In the centre and Donbass area, Axis forces give up a little ground. A few units had been surrounded, but all get out. Air supply flown in to these units where needed. All mobile forces in the south are kept fully fueled by Auntie Ju.

[sillyflower]

January arrives, along with T29



The middle is where the (only real) action is. 2 G inf regts surrender as the slow Soviet advance puts Kursk and Orel at real risk. However, mobile forces from 1 Pz army moves up to secure Belgorod in answer to the pleas of its citizens not to allow the Bolsheviks to retake it. Further units from that army move to Z town and Krivoi Rog to deter any further Russian advances out of the Crimea

[sillyflower]

Thoughts on T29

It always good to see in the New Year, even though start of turn casualties favour the Russians for the first time: 42K axis to 36K russians. Soviet OOB grows slightly to 4.69M. German troop levels assisted by the first 22K HIWIs who enter active service for the first time.

Apologies but I forgot to record casualties in my turn. They would have been low.

Fewer Russian attacks this turn - Brian seems to seems to be less inclined to throw away quite so many troops bashing their heads on the brick wall of the Moscow Defence Zone.

I remain in a happy place. The blizzard O has been even weaker than I had expected, though version .08 has to take a share of the credit.

[ericv]

ORIGINAL: sillyflower

I do not want to prolong your death throes. That would be bad manners.

it is bad manners editing your post, thereby disrupting the storyline......

[sillyflower]

Manstein is my opponent in a different game where he's the fascists.

I edit posts becauese I'm v. bad at typing and hate it when I spot a typo. I also edit sometimes when I've had to leave a post half finished as I only type with 1 finger

[sillyflower]

T30. New year brings a slight relief from the worst of the blizzard




Brian continues to bang his head against AGC, and communists who stick their noses out to far get them smacked. A similar tale in the south so so picture.

[sillyflower]

In the south 1 Pz Army continues its northerly trek to stabilise this part of the front



A group of 4 tank and 1 naval inf brigades find themselves herded westwards towards captivity. As many units were routed away but I didn't want to take any risks. This should make Belgorod safe and the panzers are refuelled so will be able to carry on northwards next turn.

[sillyflower]

Ringing the changes leaving the north until last



Though I never claimed that it was worth the wait............... He takes 2 hexes and I take them back.

[sillyflower]

Thoughts on T30

turn start losses were 38K to 28K. Brian has cut back the number of attacks. Don't blame him under the current beta. In turn was more fun for me. losses 6.1K to 15.6K with 1 inf xx shattered, 1 arty regt destroyed and 5 brigades isolated. losses 19 to 81 in the air.

Kursk had been surrounded but relieved, and 1 Pz Army should restore order there next turn.This is not the 1st blizzard as we know it so i hope that .09 restores it to being something the Russian can do something with.

Total losses to date 731K to 4.13M and air 3220 to 14881.

[HITMAN202]

Seems the German lilies in the Motherland are blooming quite early this year. I hear a funeral dirge echo in the air.

[sillyflower]

T31



Another skilled retreat, or an unnecessary withdrawl? Not v. exciting, but it was a very dull turn. Dull blizzard turns are good so I'm not complaining

[sillyflower]

Thoughts on T31

Losses at start of turn 23.6K G to 18.5K R, as the communist offensive starts to peter out: particularly around Moscow.

During turn losses 1.6K to 10K as the 4 tk x and 1 naval inf x surrender. Air losses 15 (8 Ju52s) to 19. Soviets withdrew slightly back to the Crimea, which is a shame because I want them to keep advancing, or at least to stay still until I'm ready to launch my counter-offensive against them.

Stay with me Gentle Reader. The blizzard does get more exciting in February.

[sillyflower]

T32



Brian managed to surround a couple of divs, but they stayed firm and he retired a bit, as did I. Nothing else of interest to see anywhere else.

[sillyflower]

Thoughts on T32

Another dull turn as .08 makes it too hard for the Russians to get anywhere, or even to attack much without unsustainable losses for no real gain.

Losses at the start of the turn were only 19.4K G and 11.7R - the latter partly due to Brian doing 3 more futile ground attacks vs 12 Pz N of Moscow. It's at max morale and experience so I really should rotate it out to let someone else have a turn. No movement to speak of elsewhere except that Brian continued to fall back slowly towards the Crimea.Losses in turn only 1.2K to 2.4K

To break the tedium a little, a short clip to show what is not happening at the moment:

https://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=m ... ks+in+snow

[Michael T]

In .09 I believe that blizzard attacks will not be effected by the new retreat/counter attack rules.

[sillyflower]

I hope so, but too late for either of my games.................

[sillyflower]

T33 was so uneventful that there are no screenshots.

Losses at start of turn were the lowest yet - 17.7K G vs 10.5K as the soviet blizzard O guttered (or Gutnered for afficionadoes of pathetic puns) almost to a halt. During my turn losses at 887 G vs 3,380 R were equally feeble, although 2 russian arty regts were destroyed.

This was the turn when G arms points reached zero , though there is a reasonable manpower reserve as HIWIs take over many support functions. Active OOBs G 3.29M to R 4.98M.

I also decide that if the communists are not going to have a proper blizzard O any more, perhaps I should and, more importantly, could come February.

[charlie0311]

My Dear Silly,

Perhaps if you hadn't so gently destroyed Brians army there could have been some fun in the snow.

Fight forward fans may enjoy sov +1 and full blizzard.