AAR Barbarossa (ncc1701e (axis) vs Hairog (allies)) - Hairog welcome

[ncc1701e]

Following this post from Alvaro about cheese strategies employed by players that seem to break the game system.
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4768590

In particular the first one:

ORIGINAL: Alvaro Sousa

So let's have it. I have been playing 4 games to test balance. I need input on the cheese strategies employed by players that seem to break the game system.

I have heard the following ones.

#1 Russia just runs away and never let's the Germans attack them. There is no incentive for them to defend. I very likely will remedy this but putting factories in the way on a schedule of relocation. And/Or slow down default unit experience gain to force the Russians to fight and defend.

One proposal from Hairog was:

ORIGINAL: Hairog

I believe the Germans could advance faster than the Soviets could retreat, especially the civilians. I suggest you slow the soviet units down and reduce their manpower pool with every city taken. As you know, Alvaro, I've long advocated that the Soviets were too mobile.

Constantly retreating would make the units weaker through attrition and just plain shedding equipment like a hiker takes off his parka when it gets warmer. Now he has to carry that parka and does until a bear comes along. then he gets rid of everything but his running shoes.

Have the Soviets take a huge moral hit when they lose certain cities.

Add or increase victory points for certain historical areas that produce food, metal, etc.

All the civilians and Red Army units clogging up the roadways would make it much harder to move the manufacturing equipment to the Urals. Make it so the Reds lose copius factory points when certain cities are captured before certain dates to simulate not being ready or able to move the equipment.

As such, we have decided to test a small change regarding the operation points allocated to Russian infantry corps that may change a little the balance of the invasion of Russia.

Let's face it and let's be clear, I am certainly not the best axis player out there. So if people want to comment on my moves, they can. Finding the right balance may take few tries but I am happy with this game so I am not afraid to lose.

Our house rules are the following:

Allies player:

Play only the Eastern front (no move in Africa / ...)

Just to clarify the house rules, the operation points for Russian units are all reduced by 1:
. Headquarters: 3 pts instead of 4 pts
. Mechanized corps: 4 pts instead of 5 pts
. Paratrooper corps: 4 pts instead of 5 pts
. Armor corps: 5 pts instead of 6 pts
. Cavalry corps: 6 pts instead of 7 pts
. Infantry army: 4 pts instead of 5 pts
. Infantry Large corps: 4 pts instead of 5 pts


Axis player:

I will concentrate only on Eastern front. No move in Africa / ...
I will keep all units on the Western front where they are. No transfer of units to the East.

[ncc1701e]

Operation Barbarossa:

It started on June 22th, 1941 exactly one year after the fall of France. Its objective was to conquer the USSR in particular to take oil reserves and agriculture resources of the Soviet Union.

Despite early successes in the first months, the offensive finally stalled in front of Moscow at the end of 1941.

[ncc1701e]

Something impossible to achieve. Huge distance, logistics problem, even if the early phase was a success like in France 1940, it seems that the Germans never looked at a map. The depth of Russian territory helps them to absorb the numerous losses they suffer.

Several pockets will be formed and destroyed, in red in the below screenshot, but the resilience of the Red Army will surprise the world. [:)]

[ncc1701e]

German Order of Battle - June 22th, 1941:

The German OOB deployed for Barbarossa is impressive but USSR is a large country and there is a lot of territory to cover.

My spearhead will be composed of:
1. 8 Armor Corps (there is one Armor corps in Africa already and it will remain there)
2. 2 Mechanized Corps

My goal will be to do as much encirclement as possible to destroy the maximum number of units. USSR will deploy many armies during 1941. So, I must prevent the front from stabilizing if I want to destroy the Red Army.

My main problem is that I have to divide these units into three Army Groups:
1. Army Group North objective is Leningrad
2. Army Group Center objective is Moscow
3. Army Group South objectives are Kharkov and Rostov

[ncc1701e]

Oil situation - June 22th, 1941:

My oil stockpile is currently at 253 and I am receiving 70 oil each turn, mainly from Romania.

I have 250 supply trucks right now. Before starting the offensive, I will use 30 supply trucks to provide additional supplies to these 8 Armor + 2 Mechanized = 10 Corps. My goal here is, for those corps, to push as much as possible into Russian territory without looking behind. My infantry will be responsible for cleaning each pocket.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group North - June 22th, 1941 - Planning:

My first objective will be to take Kaunas to unblock the Finns, destroy these air units east of Kaunas and then reach the yellow line. My ultimate goal is the green line for the first phase of my offensive.

I do not expect large pockets in this sector. I am just going to push as much as possible.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group North - June 22th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

I made a very small pocket with this Russian mechanized corps and I have reached the yellow line. I will see what my options are for the next turn following the Russian reaction, going north or south, I don't know yet.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group Center - June 22th, 1941 - Planning:

In the center, my goal is to make two pockets. One before Minsk (the blue or yellow objective lines) and the second, the largest, ending east of Minsk (the green objective line).

[ncc1701e]

Army Group Center - June 22th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

Unfortunately, I fail to make the first pocket following the blue line as a guideline. It was short but I fail. [:(]

[ncc1701e]

Army Group South - June 22th, 1941 - Planning:

In the South, there are many Russian units. I decided to use my two mechanized corps in the South instead of the Center. Perhaps, one of the reasons why I have failed in the center. I will try to make three pockets respectively following the blue, yellow and green lines. With the reinforcements from the center, these two mechanized corps, I hope to succeed.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group South - June 22th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

The first pocket is finished. The second and third pockets are being formed. I know there are gaps in my lines and that some units will escape but I hope to catch most of them.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group North - June 22th, 1941 - Soviet counter attack:

The only major counterattack was carried out in the North in an attempt to ease the pressure on Riga. But, it fails miserably.

[ncc1701e]

Oil situation - July 6th, 1941:

My oil stock is currently at 227. I consume a lot but I have already minimized my Air intervention.
I kill more air units by overunning them with my tanks. [:D]

[ncc1701e]

Army Group North - July 6th, 1941 - Planning:

As the infantry units appear to be steaming east, two mechanized corps approach my positions in an attempt to slow me down.
My objective is to reach the green line and to form a new pocket south east of Riga.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group North - July 6th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

The pocket has been formed as planned. There are of course gaps in my lines and Russian units will escape. But, I hope they will have less supplies for next turn. A concerning gap is also forming between my infantry and my armor. Perhaps I will need to slow down.
Good progress from the Finns going to Leningrad.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group Center - July 6th, 1941 - Planning:

With my failure at the center, I change my plan. The yellow and green lines remain the only two objectives currently. But, in fact, I am now pessimistic in the hope of making a big pocket east of Minsk. Most Russian units will escape.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group Center - July 6th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

I am reducing two small pockets but I am incapable to close the pocket east of Minsk. My next objective should be Vitebsk.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group South - July 6th, 1941 - Planning:

As expected, the Russians are fleeing to the Dniepr river or Pripet marshes. Army Group South is now focusing on the green line objective. There is a good opportunity there.

[ncc1701e]

Army Group South - July 6th, 1941 - Situation at the end of German turn:

Two pockets were made and there is an opportunity for a third one. We need now to make a bridgehead on the Dniepr. Kiev seems to be declared open city. [:D]

[ncc1701e]

Supply situation - July 20th, 1941:

Pushing too far to create pockets leads to this kind of situation. The situation is very fluid on the battlefield.