Encircled by Enemies (PBEM gwgardner vs Chocolino)

[Chocolino]

The Axis oil reserves are not plentiful but not very low either since we have a relatively small number of motorized / mechanized units. Logistics will also not be limiting - instead manpower is probably the most critical stat for the Axis in this army build.

Americans seem very strong - just to name one more thing you have going for the Allies. I am getting very worried after the Lybia experience.

[Chocolino]

7-17-42

The last remaining Axis troops in Africa were told to hold out until the last man to delay Allied landings in Europe. No more units could escape. There will be no further reports from the desert for this game.

[Chocolino]

7-17-42

It was a surprise for the Axis that the Russians did fall back for a wide distance to a new defensive line roughly from Kursk over Kharkov to Rostov in the south. The Crimea is strongly defended, though.

[Chocolino]

7-17-42

In the center they did not fall back as far and clearly are intent on protecting Moscow. Germans take Orel and try to approach Moscow also from the south.

[Chocolino]

7-31-42

There are still very strong Russian units near Moscow. It is not possible to attack them head-on. German manpower is getting low and troops are authorized to only make high odd attacks. But we have now one hex on Moscow.

[Chocolino]

8-14-42

German troops still approach Moscow's defenses with caution and work themselves around the city. But the good weather season is coming to a close soon. I hope we can take the capital before the rains start.

[Chocolino]

8-14-42

The Axis breached the gate to the Crimea and entered the peninsula. Near Rostov Russian defenses are wearing thin and I hope we can make good progress here.

[Chocolino]

8-28-42

The Russians conduct another major retreat and Moscow is occupied by German troops.

My opponent offered his surrender at this point. The situation in Russia has apparently become untenable.

Interestingly, American troops have appeared in Russia (shipped in via Murmansk). Never thought about this option.

I was actually afraid of an early American invasion of Italy or Marseilles. As soon as Germany has to divert a larger portion of their forces to the west they have to stop exerting pressure in the east and Russia can slowly recover. It still has a lot of room to fall back on in the meanwhile. Another problem for Germany in this infantry build is manpower which has become extremely low lately. Not sure the Axis could have withstood a determined American onslaught. Oil and logistics were no problems. But it probably did look very different in my opponents eyes and he may not have been ready for a major invasion.

In any case, I would like to thank my fair opponent for the great game.

[AlbertN]

I am quite concerned that Western Allied troops can enter Soviet Russia...

[GenSlack]

I was just reading a book by David Stahel, a major East Front historian, and he documented Soviet/British/American talks regarding deploying western armed forces to fight on Soviet soil in the Caucasus in 1942. Of course, it never happened, but it seems Stalin wasn't opposed to it.

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: Cohen_slith

I am quite concerned that Western Allied troops can enter Soviet Russia...

We don't need Alvaro to stop things like that. Just play with a house rule against it.

[Michael T]

Well played, it was an interesting game.

[cpdeyoung]

As usual an instructive battle between you two guys.

It really makes me nervous for my Soviets. I have pared the Red Army down, and was even afraid the AI might choose to attack the USSR.

I want the Wehrmacht weak and late when they do come calling on Stalin. From the strategic point of view that is the goal of the defense of the West.

Chuck

[Chocolino]

Agree - playing the Soviets right seems to be the big challenge for the Allied Player in this game. It is not obvious from the start how to do it. There may be more than one answer to the problem.

In some other discussion threats on the same topic more experienced players than I am have provided excellent suggestions. I am curious to see how that works if I ever be the Allied side.

Looking forward also to you curbing the Axis, Chuck. Since the AI is having trouble getting Copenhagen in your current game I am not too worried about Moscow yet.

[Flaviusx]

Allied troops in the Soviet Union could well have happened under different circumstances. It absolutely should be an option.

[cpdeyoung]

I agree the Soviets would have allowed Allied troops to fight on the Soviet fronts.

It would have not pleased Stalin, but he would have allowed it if needs be.

Chuck

[Chocolino]

Allied troops in the Soviet Union could well have happened under different circumstances. It absolutely should be an option.

I have no problem with Western Allied troops in the USSR and agree with Gary that players who don't like it should house rule it. Always good to have more options in the game as it increases variety of gameplay and adds "suspense" for the opponent.

[gwgardner]

I finally surrendered. Chocolino swamped me with excellent strategies and tactics in Russia. Obviously my strategy in Russia was flawed - essentially building high quality infantry, and holding the line, only falling back when absolutely necessary. The latter part I think I was fooled into by the unusual timing of the AXIS invasion, when a large part of their armor was still in the UK. It got into my mind that that was a fatal flaw in Chocolino's Barbarossa strategy. My failure to revise my strategy in the face of the German success was the telling blow.

I dislike being a quitter. The losing side in a game ought to play it out, allow the opponent to see his tactics and strategies through to the end. In this instance at least Chocolino had a resounding victory. Russian production down to one unit a turn, the US with a silly completely unrealistic gambit onto Russian soil (just goofy, for someone who says he likes to play historically).

Thanks for the game Chocolino. May we meet again on the digital playground!

[Journier]

great fight overall, did you by chance notice your manpower as russia nearly run out by late 42 or did you keep your retreat just ahead of chocolino? Having current issue of if you decide to hold the ground to early, youll be completely out of manpower by end of 42 early 43 as Russia, which seems off to me.

[gwgardner]

I still had 1500-2000 manpower. Can't recall exactly.