City Upon the Volga - NOSB (Sov) vs. Pitaman (Axis)

[NotOneStepBack]

September 1942

Our secret Soviet space program sent pics to show just how rough 1942 has been on the Motherland



It's gonna be a rough road pushing west from here. I feel Pitaman is starting to run out of gas though (I hope!) I think he may have secured some level of victory though and is now haggling over the amount. Either way, I'm looking forward to '43.

[Pitaman]

NOSB,

The Germans still have gas, food for their soldiers and ammo for their guns. There are still objectives to be taken before year end and new ones to be established for 43. We will continue to advance until the Russians stop us. That said, the Russians can still win this game. You have time on your side as this is a bitter end campaign and thus the game lasts longer.

[NotOneStepBack]

I'm glad you think so, at least I finally see the Red Army getting stronger, but your push in the south has been troublesome!

[NotOneStepBack]

Turn 67, just how far Pitaman has gotten! It's the start of October '42, hoping for mud here and the pinnacle of German offense...

[NotOneStepBack]

The Soviet Union is in dire straights. I may have to have armistice talks soon. It seems like I may have snowballed out of control on manpower after losing Moscow and Pita continues his advance to the Urals!

Turn 73:

[Peltonx]

VP wise your not in that bad of shape and German Army is at just 3.6 million.

Not over defending Moscow was a mistake.

Russians should be able to hold it in 42, you had far to much in the south which you simply will never hold in 42.

If you can stop the bleeding you might be able to go over to offensive in summer 43, and if he doesn't play it right German army can fall apart very quickly.

[NotOneStepBack]

The concensus has been to fight on which I will. Just seems crazy this could be possible to turn around. I'm in it until it's senseless to continue.

Begs the question is Germany OP with these settings or did I make too many mistakes?

[NotOneStepBack]

We fight on!

With memes!

[smokindave34]

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

The concensus has been to fight on which I will. Just seems crazy this could be possible to turn around. I'm in it until it's senseless to continue.

Begs the question is Germany OP with these settings or did I make too many mistakes?

Your in better shape than I was in my game against Pelton and I was able to make it "somewhat" competitive into '45 although the outcome was never really in doubt. Press on - see how your opponent handles being on defensive and dealing with hordes of Soviet tank corps. Plus you'll get some late game experience not many players have.

[NotOneStepBack]

ORIGINAL: smokindave34

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

The concensus has been to fight on which I will. Just seems crazy this could be possible to turn around. I'm in it until it's senseless to continue.

Begs the question is Germany OP with these settings or did I make too many mistakes?

Your in better shape than I was in my game against Pelton and I was able to make it "somewhat" competitive into '45 although the outcome was never really in doubt. Press on - see how your opponent handles being on defensive and dealing with hordes of Soviet tank corps. Plus you'll get some late game experience not many players have.

That's the plan. His pz's are weakening with time. The biggest hamstring of the Soviets in 1941 and 1942 are lack of any decent mobility, there's little you can do with massive breakthroughs besides retreat or face massive pockets. I should keep more reserves too in the future of tank corps instead of having them on the front lines.

I haven't had a game into 1943 or beyond with a human so maybe I was stupid to doubt this. I do want to see this until '45. Just frustrated temporarily with my back to the Urals

[Peltonx]

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

ORIGINAL: smokindave34

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

The concensus has been to fight on which I will. Just seems crazy this could be possible to turn around. I'm in it until it's senseless to continue.

Begs the question is Germany OP with these settings or did I make too many mistakes?

Your in better shape than I was in my game against Pelton and I was able to make it "somewhat" competitive into '45 although the outcome was never really in doubt. Press on - see how your opponent handles being on defensive and dealing with hordes of Soviet tank corps. Plus you'll get some late game experience not many players have.

That's the plan. His pz's are weakening with time. The biggest hamstring of the Soviets in 1941 and 1942 are lack of any decent
mobility, there's little you can do with massive breakthroughs besides retreat or face massive pockets.
I should keep more reserves too in the future of tank corps instead of having them on the front lines.

I haven't had a game into 1943 or beyond with a human so maybe I was stupid to doubt this. I do want to see this until '45.
Just frustrated temporarily with my back to the Urals

This is where you are weak skill wise,

1. Summer 41 OVER DEFEND Oka north and don't rail out a single industry pt west of rivers - use those RR pts to move your best 20-30 units north of Oka.
2. Over defend Moscow's flanks 42, IF you plan Moscow defence 41 it should never be taken never. I never take it playing a solid Russian player.
3. Expert Russian player have no trouble making up 2-3 mobile Russian Armies. You have to start building them in 41 and use them counter attacking then pulling back. Blizzard keep building morale.
By summer 42 you need 2 near Moscow + any reserve infantry armies. let the German play south of Oka. Now once you know where German attacks are committed move 75% of these reserves to the area in need. Never leave Moscow without some reserves as Germany can shift quickly. Just keep these good reserves alive during 42 and you have a very powerfull mobile reserve going into 43.
You can also cherry pick units from the rest of Russian armies to make a few more elite armies.
4. Make sure to attack even in 42 along areas of the front that are far from Panzers use a few mobile units to exploit wins this will help weaken German forces in other areas.

[NotOneStepBack]

ORIGINAL: Pelton

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

ORIGINAL: smokindave34




Your in better shape than I was in my game against Pelton and I was able to make it "somewhat" competitive into '45 although the outcome was never really in doubt. Press on - see how your opponent handles being on defensive and dealing with hordes of Soviet tank corps. Plus you'll get some late game experience not many players have.

That's the plan. His pz's are weakening with time. The biggest hamstring of the Soviets in 1941 and 1942 are lack of any decent
mobility, there's little you can do with massive breakthroughs besides retreat or face massive pockets.
I should keep more reserves too in the future of tank corps instead of having them on the front lines.

I haven't had a game into 1943 or beyond with a human so maybe I was stupid to doubt this. I do want to see this until '45.
Just frustrated temporarily with my back to the Urals

This is where you are weak skill wise,

1. Summer 41 OVER DEFEND Oka north and don't rail out a single industry pt west of rivers - use those RR pts to move your best 20-30 units north of Oka.
2. Over defend Moscow's flanks 42, IF you plan Moscow defence 41 it should never be taken never. I never take it playing a solid Russian player.
3. Expert Russian player have no trouble making up 2-3 mobile Russian Armies. You have to start building them in 41 and use them counter attacking then pulling back. Blizzard keep building morale.
By summer 42 you need 2 near Moscow + any reserve infantry armies. let the German play south of Oka. Now once you know where German attacks are committed move 75% of these reserves to the area in need. Never leave Moscow without some reserves as Germany can shift quickly. Just keep these good reserves alive during 42 and you have a very powerfull mobile reserve going into 43.
You can also cherry pick units from the rest of Russian armies to make a few more elite armies.
4. Make sure to attack even in 42 along areas of the front that are far from Panzers use a few mobile units to exploit wins this will help weaken German forces in other areas.

Interesting. 1,2 and 3 I agree with and will improve. #4 kinda on the fence about. Those mobile armies will be needed to blunt the spearheads and be held as reserve. I definitely made enough mobile and elite armies, just did not use them correctly.

[NotOneStepBack]

Turn 77, the beatings will continue on the Red Army until morale improves


In the south, Pitaman separates my forces in two, of which I have to hold Baku or I am toast.




In the center, he keeps pushing north with the rest of his panzers.

[NotOneStepBack]

December 31, 1942

The situation has become hopeless. Pitaman has broken through and encircled half of a front in the Center, and Baku has fallen. I command only shell divisions, all of which are on refit.

I have resigned and I congratulate Pitaman. My error of not defending Moscow and over committing in the south has put me in a situation that is so bad, I barely had any rail capacity to even get the shells to the front.

I look forward to a rematch!!!

Final screens:

North:


Center


South:


VPs:




OOB:

[Pitaman]

My thanks to NOSB for a great game and for playing on into 1943. Very few games go that far!

I am ready for a rematch any time. You are a great sport and I have enjoyed our game.

Best regards,

Pitaman

[NotOneStepBack]

We've started over to anyone reading out there. Not sure if I will do an AAR on this one since it's such a huge time sink, but that could change. I did manage to hold Stalingrad

Upon some reflection on this game I made more mistakes than I realized.

I invested too heavily into the red air force, really didn't matter in the end.

I was getting sloppy by the end on army management and support unit management.

I was way too thin on trucks by the end to supply anything.

Reserves are much more important than holding the line.

And the worst mistake was giving up Moscow.

Oh well, once more unto the breach!

[ericv]

better luck (skill etc) next time! I enjoyed your AAR, so I hope that there will be another one!

[smokindave34]

If you can hold Moscow (or Leningrad for that matter) - you can fight on to the bitter end. If you really commit to holding it I think it is VERY difficult for the axis player to take Moscow.

[EwaldvonKleist]

Certainly intersted in another AAR from you too[:)]

[NotOneStepBack]

Fiiiiinnnnneeee. I just got turn 1 but it might take a few days to get up and running.