Grognard1812 (Soviet) vs Pitaman

[Grognard1812]

Beginning of the turn - a large zoomed out strategic view of the lower and upper Don, showing a large panzer breakthrough just North of Boguchar.

[Grognard1812]

Another view at the beginning of the turn showing the large Panzer breakthrough just North of Boguchar. My opponent has concentrated all his Panzer and Motorized divisions into one huge offensive force, with this force he can breakthrough anywhere he decides to attack. A very difficult tactic to defend against as a Soviet player, even defenses 4 layers deep cannot stop the breakthrough.

[Grognard1812]

The Garrison at Sevastopol finally surrenders after a heroic fight. My opponent bombed the Port of Sevastopol to above 95% damage over many turns placing the Soviet units out of normal supply, so that in this final battle when the fortification level had been reduced to under 4 and the odds were greater than 2:1 for the attacker, the units surrendered. If the Port was still functioning, due to the +2 modifier from a major Port, the garrison I think would have only surrendered if the Fortification level was under 2. An excellent tactic by my opponent.

[Grognard1812]

The situation end of turn in the Boguchar area, trying to avoid a massive pocket the next turn the Soviet Army executed a large scale retreat setting up defenses further North of the River Don.

[Grognard1812]

End of turn in the Rostov area - very quiet in this sector - almost all the Axis forces are Axis Allies.

[Grognard1812]

Also quiet in the Stalingrad sector, the Soviet Army have set up defenses east of the Don river.

[redrum68]

Surprised he didn't try to ZoC lock the units west of his breakthrough. He got you to move back but in the end didn't capture any units.

[Grognard1812]

Yes, I was very fortunate, otherwise I would have lost a lot of units.

[Grognard1812]

At the start of turn 64, the large concentrated mass of Panzer and Motorized divisions continue to be unstoppable, creating another large breakthrough near Tambov.

[Grognard1812]

A small pocket containing 5 Soviet units was formed North West of Stalingrad.

[Grognard1812]

More retreating by the Soviet Army to try to avoid any large pockets from being formed next turn, situation end of turn North and East of Saratov.

[Grognard1812]

End of turn in the Stalingrad sector. The Soviet defensive line here is strong due to the Don river.

[Grognard1812]

Further retreating by the Soviet Army towards Tambov on the West side of the Axis breakthrough. End of turn situation.

[Grognard1812]

End of turn in the Rostov area - very quiet sector - no German Panzer or Motorized divisions in this area, the chance of an Axis breakthrough here is minimal.

[Dweomer]

"End of turn in the Rostov area - very quiet sector - no German Panzer or Motorized divisions in this area, the chance of an Axis breakthrough here is minimal. "

So why isn't your vast array of Guard divisions attacking the Italians and Rumanians?

Given that all of the German Panzers are in one spot, and you have a large army, shouldn't you be counterattacking in spots where they are not? It seems to me (but I'm not very experienced) you are just reacting to his moves and allowing him to concentrate.

Be like water making its way through cracks - Bruce Lee

[countrboy]

This AAR is pretty vivid example of the panzerball. Effective but pretty ugly to watch in action. Hopefully it's not possible in WitE2.

[Grognard1812]

ORIGINAL: Dweomer

"End of turn in the Rostov area - very quiet sector - no German Panzer or Motorized divisions in this area, the chance of an Axis breakthrough here is minimal. "

So why isn't your vast array of Guard divisions attacking the Italians and Rumanians?

Given that all of the German Panzers are in one spot, and you have a large army, shouldn't you be counterattacking in spots where they are not? It seems to me (but I'm not very experienced) you are just reacting to his moves and allowing him to concentrate.

Be like water making its way through cracks - Bruce Lee

My main focus in 1942 is to survive the year without any major troop loses due to large pockets. I think that the Soviet Army is still too weak in 1942 to start large offenses which could turn into opportunities for the Axis to create large pockets. Once we get into the summer of 1943, things will be different. Presently the majority of the Soviet mechanized forces are in the area where the Panzers are, in an attempt to try to contain the Axis breakthroughs, and wear down the German Panzer and Motorized divisions.

[Grognard1812]

ORIGINAL: countrboy

This AAR is pretty vivid example of the panzerball. Effective but pretty ugly to watch in action. Hopefully it's not possible in WitE2.

Agreed the Panzerball is a highly effective Axis tactic in 1942, difficult to contain and prevent large pockets. My strategy has been to continue to retreat and draw the Axis forces further away from their supply sources, and avoid any large pockets.

[Grognard1812]

Beginning of Turn 65, the massed Panzer and Motorized divisions breakthrough again, this time towards Saransk.

[Grognard1812]

The situation in the Tula sector, end of turn.