RtL - Xhoel (Axis) vs tyronec (Soviet)

[xhoel]

RtL, server game. Settings: AI Assist off, FOW on, Locked HQs, No TB control. House Rules: No temporary motorization of any units of any side, no super depots.

We had a few issues so far due to the server not working properly and i wasnt going to do an AAR, so there will be no pictures for turns 1-3. You might wanna check tyronecs AAR to see the map situation. I will just quickly summarize what happened in these first turns.

T1

Germans net around 900+ destroyed Soviet planes of which around 650 are ground losses. A few of our bombers get intercepted, but no big deal. We create 2 pockets, one in the 18th Army sector and another large one bordering the double track rail line out of Kaunas and Vilnius. The 1st Panzer Division takes Riga while the 6th Panzer Division secures the Daugava crossing. The rest of the motorized units are acting as screening forces for the pockets. The ports in Lithuania are also secured. We clear as much of the double track rail line as possible to help the speed of FDB repairs.

T2

Soviets break through the bigger pocket by a joint effort of RDs moving from north of the Daugava meeting up with isolated units south. A nuisance to be sure but nothing major. The pocket is reasealed as the panzers link up further to the north. No chance of escape now. Repair of the rail lines continues at high speeds. The smaller pocket in the west is cleaned up completely. Recon detects a big Soviet buildup at Pskov.

T3

The big pocket holds and clean up operations continue in full force. Meanwhile Soviet forces are fortifying the positions around Pskov banking on the Velikaya river. In Estonia they have set up screening units to prevent a quick German advance. German armor presses forward, cleans Soviet resistance in the bank of the Sorot river and moves for an envelopment of Soviet units in Pskov. Dno is captured. The pocket is not closed but the Soviet defenders are in a dangerous situation. Due to expected counterattacks, the forward forces are beefed up with additional SUs and AA assets.

In Estonia, a mobile task force made up of 1/36th MD and 1st Panzer Division push hard north, taking Parnu and even reaching Tallinn. A hasty attack by the 1st Panzer Division fails, the defending Soviet 16th RD puts up a strong defense and holds on to the port city.

[xhoel]

T4

Soviet troops counterattack a lone Panzer Regiment to enlargen their escape corridor at Pskov. The first attack fails, the second succeeds. The regiment starts the turn with only 20 MPs and a ready TOE of 60%, showing the effectivness of proper counterattacks. heavy recon in the area shows that enemy units have abandoned their defensive positions and formed a line stretching from Pskov to Lake Ilmen. No doubt, Soviet reserves from Leningrad are moving to the front now.

Interdiction bombing is ordered behind Soviet lines at Pskov. The sorties manage to create some interdiction but take heavy losses: 14 bombers lost out of 180 sorties, most of them due to flak fire. II./KG 77 takes heavy losses and its morale drops to 36.







German forces launch attacks aimed at isolating left behind Soviet RDs and succeed in cutting off 5 of them in the area. Strong attacks against Soviet armor and mechanized forces follow, with the goal of securing the pockets as infantry elements continue their march north to catch up with the panzers.





In Estonia naval patrols off the coast of Tallinn and Kuresaare manage to isolate the ports at heavy cost: out of 185 sorties, 18 bombers are lost a 10% loss rate only due to operational losses. An attack by the 30th ID takes the port of Tallinn and displaces the Soviet defenders while the 1st Panzer Division pushes east and is 10 miles away from the Narva river. Parnu should become operational this week and Tallinn the next, improving the supply situation in the sector.









In all sectors infantry is being pushed to their limits to catch up with the forward elements. Losses are heavy this week due to the numerous attacks and counterattacks. 1.110 trucks lost so far as well as 8 cargo ships (why?). Losses in the air are quite heavy even with 0 enemy air cover.

[xhoel]

T5

Soviet forces abandon their Pskov defense line and have pulled back to the Luga and Alyussa river line making good use of the difficult terrain there. Further to the north, the enemy has set up a defensive line banking on the Narva river. The pockets formed last week have held.



After cleaning up the isolated Soviet units, our forces start pushing north, clearing up the way for the panzers and and making conctact with the enemy. Forward elements of the 4th Panzer Army capture Luga and manage to cut holes in the Soviet defensive line. In a powerful attack by the Totenkopf SS MD, the Soviet 153rd RD is sent reeling with the formation being virtually wiped out.

To the north, L Corps makes contact with the enemy at the Narva line but no attacks are launched, the mobile elements are being rested in order to shed fatigue and build up CPP. Further to the south, 16th Army is pushing to capture Velikie Luki.







The losses the Soviets took this week were quite heavy: 70k men either dead or taken POW. Axis losses are also high as some of the attacks on the cut off Soviet forces failed. Air losses continue to be the biggest issues from our side. Heavy operational losses even though there is no enemy in sight and we are only flying moderate number of sorties. The pilot losses hurt the most. The scenario also imposes a 1 VP loss per plane and at this point i am honestly considering not flying at all anymore.







The situation of the armored forces is not very good either, the non stop advance has caused TOEs to drop to low readiness numbers as many AFVs are damaged or have been taken out. The equipment that the 4th Panzer Army has is also not the best with many old and obsolete tanks swelling the ranks.

[xhoel]

T6

The Soviets have pulled back from their exposed positions but continue to hold a good defensive line stretching from the Sea to Novgorod. The Soviet defense of the Narva has been broken through and the 4th Panzer Army has pivoted to the north west trying to make use of the more open terrain in the area. The swamps and heavy woods impede progress and a well placed Soviet Rifle division prevents a full strength crossing of the Luga river by our armored elements.





In Estonia, an isolated Soviet RD is destroyed and 2 infantry regiments cross the ferry and are heading for Kuresaare. Near Velikie Luki our troops shatter a weak Soviet Cavalry Division and have made contact with the garrison of the city.





Supply has now reached Pskov with 12k tonnes of freight being delievered last week. Tallinn has also become active and is receiving supply. Rail repair is also being slowed down by the bad terrain. The Soviets take 15k men KIA or POW while we take around 800+ lost.

[xhoel]

T7

Soviet defenders have pivoted to the west to counter the advance of the 4th Panzer Group and have formed a layered defense. Our attacks hit the Soviet first and second lines hard and regiments of the 36th Motorized Division and 6th Panzer division are now only 10 miles away from reaching the coast and 30 miles away from Leningrad proper. A Soviet Rifle division is encircled.

2 hasty attacks, 1 at Ropsha against the 105 Tank Division and one further south against the 22nd NKVD Motorized divisions failed. Nevertheless the 50 mile advance of the week is still good progress, especially considering that the supply situation in the area is not very good.





Soviet holds shown in red.



Kuressare and Velikie Luki are captured this week. The rail line to Luga has been repaired and the depot should become operative next week. FBD 4 has moved towards Pskov and will repair the single track rail line that goes along the lake coast.

[Hardradi]

Nice rapid advance of your forces past Pskov. Also your rail repair to Pskov and Luga are just as fast. Regiments look strong as well.

[xhoel]

Thank you, the main goal has been to advance as fast as possible and have the rail follow through behind. The supply situation should stabilize in the next 2 weeks and that will help the Leningrad offensive a lot.

[xhoel]

T8

The continous rain leads to light mud conditions in the northern sector. The Soviets have pulled back from their defensive positions (to my surprise) and have reestablished a defensive line stretching from Pushkin to Novogorod. The mix of bad terrain and mud makes the advance in this area difficult but by the end of the week we have taken over the new territory and have made contact with the enemy.



The Oranienbaum pocket has been formed, but the port will be able to keep the Soviet defenders supplied. Motorized elements have reached the outskirts of Leningrad. An attack on a Soviet Tank Division at Tosno fails due to bad recon. Predictions had enemy defensive CV at 2.3 but the real CV was closer to 9. Multiple formations of the 4th Panzer Group are being held back to build up CPP, shed fatigue and recover their TOE. The situation of the Panzer forces is especially critical, with 2 of the Panzer divisions having TOEs at around 55% readiness and the third one only having 68% of its TOE ready. Many tanks are damaged and awaiting repairs.



Soviet hold in red.



Notice the damaged tanks of the 1st Panzer Division.

At the Velikie Luki sector a Soviet division in a bad position is attacked from 3 sides and forces to rout leaving behind a lot of casualties. We continue to advance on this sector looking to capture Adreapol.





This week was the worst in terms of trucks lost (782), a combination of bad terrain and light mud conditions agravating the situation. In terms of rail repair it was the worst week as well as FBD 4 had to be recalled from Pskov north again due to the surprise pull back of the enemy. Rail repair was made even more difficult by the AI making nonsensical decisions on where to send the R.A.D batttalions.

North AI repair: Instead of fixing the rail hex where the depot is (black) and which leads east, the AI decided to fix a random hex (dark red) that leads to no where. HQ showed in yellow.



South AI repair: Instead of fixing the rail hex leading to the depot (black) that would be closer to the Velikie Lukir forces and which leads east, the AI decided to fix a random hex (dark red) which again leads to no where. HQ showed in yellow.



Losses:

[Beethoven1]

Sounds like the AI is doing about as well with German logistics as was historically the case, so must be WAD. [;)]

Anyway, you are clearly advancing rapidly. It seems like the Soviets are retreating too much too easily, although of course maybe it would end up worse for them than is the case here if they tried to fight more. But in this scenario, I think Germany is not very much limited by logistics, but more by the terrain. So retreating is less helpful for Soviets than it is elsewhere.

From this point to some degree you are actually through the worst of the terrain, there is a path (though a narrow path) of clear terrain and light forest to Schlisselburg now, and only 1 heavy forest hex standing in the way of Navoya Ladoga.

[xhoel]

Logistics are still limiting me. The house rule of no super depots means that whatever the most advanced depots receive gets used immediately. No having 40k in Pskov shenanigans, i am barely getting 7k to Luga and that has to be split between 85% of the units in AGN. But i am enjoying it nonetheless.

As to why the Soviets are not counterattacking more, my guess would be it is because they dont have the strength for it. We will see how things go but yes i feel confident that we will reach Navoya Ladoga in a few weeks.

[xhoel]

T9

The Soviet pullback from Oranienbaum continues. Units seem to be moving into the city fortress but my guess is that tyronec will try to move them across through Kronstadt in order to beef up his defenses in and around Leningrad.

The one week of rest has done wonders for our infantry and some of the armored elements. They have recovered their TOEs and have shed fatigue. CPPs are at around 40-50 and this is reflected in the CVs. Walther Model takes command of the XXVI Corps this week, which commands our assaulting Infantry Divisions. A strong attack against Pushkin by these units sees heavy enemy losses as the Soviet defenders are routed. 2 AA units surrender. Our air losses are very heavy, 21 planes lost. This pattern continues in another battle as the Soviets down 13 planes. Further attacks continue as we take Kolpino and other key locations in the sector. Enemy losses in both men and material are heavy. At the end of the week, we have encircled 3 Soviet Rifle Divisions and are 30 miles away from Schlisselburg.











To the south, our attacks continue in the Velikie Luki sector and both Soviet units are routed with heavy losses. II Corps makes contact with Soviet defenders at Andreapol. The city seems to be defended by a Cavalry Division and an infantry unit of unknown size.

To the north, the 126th ID has crossed the Pola river and taken Demyansk. The 20th Motorized Division has arrived to the sector and will seek to exploit this opening to capture Valdai. The 12th Panzer Division moves to the Luga area.

12th PD before and after moving to the Luga area. Notice the damaged AFV increase (+27) from the long march and the truck numbers ready vs need.











FBD 4 has repaired the rail line stretching from Luga to Pushkin. 2 more depots are expected to become operational next week. Pushkin, which has a size 3 railyard will really help the logistic situation in the area. Truck losses during logistics were lower at 557. Due to information that the Soviets have pulled back their air force, StG 1 has been transferred in the forward operating ABs to give air support. The ammo and supply situation of this bases is quite bad however and supplies have to be flown in.

The arrival of 2 armored/motorized units further puts a strain on the truck situation as these units siphon trucks from the pool. Their truck numbers are currently at 76% and 83% respecitvely which means they will ask for even more trucks next turn.

Main depots in the north:



Last turn freight movement:



Truck situation:

T8:



T9:



Soviet losses of the turn are quite heavy as you can see below: 25k men either POW or KIA, 746 guns and 260 AFVs lost. In the air we lose 37 planes and the Soviets lose 0 as they have moved their whole VVS to the reserve (who would blame them when german aircraft drop like flies even with 0 resistance?).

Probably the most annoying thing of this turn continues to be the air losses. To me both flak and operational losses are way too high, in both battles shown, losses from flak are at 9-13% which seems unrealistic. Moreover the VP point system is biased against the Germans as you pay 1 VP per 1 plane lost, which is insane. For me this means that only due to the air losses of the week (with the VVS sitting in the national reserve), i have lost 37 VPs and the Soviet player doesnt even have to use the VVS to reach these kind of results.





OOB:

[xhoel]

T10, 24th of August 1941


The pockets in the sector hold as the Soviets seem to have abandoned their positions at Mga and East of Kolpino and have retreated further north and east. Only a thinly screened line remains in front of our forces. Seems that the enemy has decided to pull back to Leningrad in force and make a stand in the city. Our troops make quick work of the weak Soviet brigades (the Lake Ladoga sector was only being defended by an understrength RD and 1 AT Brigade). All the ports of Lake Ladoga have fallen to elements of the 4th Panzer Group, cutting Leningrad off. There are at least 10 Rifle Divisions, 3 Tank Divisions and 1 Mechanized Division inside the pocket.

Another pocket is formed around Novgorod, trapping 3 Rifle Divisions and 2 Naval Infantry Brigades in it. The only Soviet forces east of the 4th Panzer Group are routed units.







To the south, in the 16th Army sector the enemy seems to have brought up some reinforcements but somehow has ignored our penetration at Valdai. The lone Motorized Brigade in the sector is routed and the 20th MD together with the 126th ID exploit the gap. Valdai has fallen and the two Rifle Divisions in the sector are at risk of being cut off.

Attacks from the II Corps also succeed and Adreapol falls this week. The presence of enemy Cavalry in the sector is worrying but considering the general situation and their combat strength we should be able to hold onto our gains.







The Soviets take heavy losses this week, 55k men KIA or POW as well as over 1.000 guns lost (mostly AA). Our losses on the other hand are moderate. 11 planes lost. Still no sight of the VVS. A large number of enemy depots are capture which will make logistics even worse for them next turn. Our forward depots at Pushkin and Krasnogvardeysk received 5k and 4.7k in freight respectively while Luga only received a measly 780 tonnes. Sonda has received a good 10k tonnes from Tallin but still needs to be connected to the rest of the rail line in order to push that freight to the main depots. Truck losses during the week were almost 500.







Logistics:

[Seminole]

Syasstroy is game, set, match.

Nicely done.

I agree the VP cost on airframe losses is high, but I don't know how to rate your overall losses. I note that over half of them are operational. It does appear logistics (supply, support, field size/status, operational pace) are a bigger threat than the VVS for the Luftwaffe, at least in 1941.

[Hardradi]

A very painful thrust along the south eastern shore of Lake Ladoga for your opponent. [X(]

[xhoel]

@Seminole: The issue is that they are too high. The only missions i have ran are Naval Patrol for a total of 2 weeks and low intensity recon. If you look at the nr of losses per sortie, they are quite high. Getting 10-15% loss rate when the VVS is no where to be seen, the weather is good, the crews are high morale and exp and flying from well supplied ABs (level 2 ususally) with 0 fatigue doesnt match up. Same goes for flak losses, where Soviet AA crews seem to be hitting pretty consistently, while my bombers only do miniscule damage or disruption.

@Hardradi: Indeed, that pocket was wiped out this turn. Will post the update soon.

[M60A3TTS]

Expertly done.

[xhoel]

@M60: Thank you! Will see how the siege will play out.

T11, 31st of August 1941


The pockets in the north hold. Soviet forces at Tikhvin are setting up some light screens around the city. To the south, the Adreapol sector has been abandoned as the enemy is pulling back towards Rzhev. Valdai is retaken by the 285th Rifle Division.





The 1st and 8th Panzer divisions continue the push for Tikhvin routing the enemy screens in front of the city and inching forward. In the Leningrad sector, attacks from Schlisselburg take 2 positions across the Neva, forcing the Soviet defenders to surrender. Osinovets is taken by the 3rd Regiment of the 3rd MD after a second attack (the first failed). An attack by the XXVI Corps across the Neva fails as the three RDs of the 27th Army hold their positions. The pcoket of Novgorod is cleared by the 18th Army. To the south another 2 Soviet RDs are cut off but they will be able to relink with their troops next week.

The 126th ID, reinforced by a StuG Bn, a Flamm Panzer Bn and a Pioneer Bn manages to retake Valdai. The II Corps further to the south is ordered to go on the defensive and not to pursue the enemy retreating towards Rzhev. The supply situation in the area is precarious as it is, a further strain is not needed.



Soviet hold (shown below) in black.









The Soviets take their heaviest losses since week 3: 76k men KIA or POW and 1.3k guns lost. Soviet POW numbers cross 400.000 this week. The intensity of combat and constant advance is showing its effect on our formations as well. The Panzer Divisons have ready TOE ranging from 54-66% and AFV inventories are not doing very well either: 1/3 of all Panzers are awaiting repairs and are not combat ready.





Logistics:





Panzer forces and OOB:

[xhoel]

T12, 7th of September 1941

The Soviets have pulled back from the Neva line in an attempt to slow down our advance in the sector. Osinovets has been retaken by the 22nd NKVD Motorized Division. Meanwhile a full strength fresh rifle division has entered Tikhvin and has taken up defensive positions in the city. To the south the 2 RDs have reestablished contact with their lines but that wont last long.





Our forces continue their approach on Tikhvin but an attack by the 1st Panzer division is repuled and the Soviets retain control of the city. We will try again next week.



In the Leningrad sector Osinovets is retaken and a powerful attack by the XXVI Corps manages to force 3 RDs to surrender. In Pavlovo we are not as lucky. An attack by the Totenkopf SS MD is repuled by the 3 Tank divisions in the city as we take heavy AA losses. A secondary attack by the 36th Motorized Division and the 12th Panzer Division succeeds after a massive tank battle. We lose 50 tanks in the attack, the Soviets 370. 2 Soviet tank divisions surrender. 2 further attacks by the 36th MD to the north are stopped by the Soviets. It is clear to everyone that the battle to clean out Leningrad will be a bloody affair but we are confident that we will take the city before the rain period starts.

To the south, we reseal the pocket that was opened (this time for good) and conduct spoiling attacks on the Soviet line. The whole 16th Army will go in a defensive posture next week as there is no longer any need to press further east. Supplies are air dropped to the II Corps as the situation in that sector is getting critical.



Soviet holds in black.



1st battle of Pushkin:



2nd battle of Pushkin:



Hold northeast of Pushkin:







FBD 4 completed the link to the Tallin port. This means that the 14k tonnes of freight will be moving to the forward depots at Pushkin and Krasnogvardeysk. FBD 4 will now continue the rail repair towards Novgorod. Soviet losses this week were quite heavy again: 60k men KIA and POW, almost 1.000 guns and 479 AFVs. Soviet OOB has dropped to lower than 500k ready men. 11 planes lost this week to GS.

Rail net:



Freight and trucks:





Supply situation for a unit of the II Corps (before air drops):



Losses and OOB:

[xhoel]

T13, 14th of September 1941

The Soviets have pulled back from Tikhvin and from their forward positions in and around Pavlovo. In the Valdai sector the enemy has pulled back 10 miles. The pocket holds. We have lost the services of the LVI Motorized Corps and the 2 Motorized Divisions this week. Next week, another 2 Panzer Divisions and the 4th Panzer Group will be pulled back so the 18th Army has been set to Assault status. It will absorb the left over units from the 4th Panzer Group.







Tikhvin is taken by the 1st Panzer Division and a solid line has been formed around the city. The Fortress in the norther western part of Leningrad is attacked by 5 divisions and falls after heavy fighting. We take heavy lossees (2.2k men and almost 100 guns lost). In the Valdai area the 2 Rifle Divisions are attacked and forced to surrender. We go into defensive posture here. The XXXIX Motorized Corp is pulled back to Novgorod.



Battle for NW Leningrad:





The fortress of Leningrad and Oranienbaum still hold on. An attack is expected either by next week or the next. 12 Divisions are earmarked for the assault, 10 Infantry Divisons, 1 Motorized and 1 Panzer Division. Pioneer Battalions and artillery is moving to their staging positions. Oranienbaum is considered irrelevant by the OKH and orders are to leave the fortress to starve out. Leningrad on the other hand, is the big price and everyone is sure that the Soviets will fight bitterly for the city.



Rail repair units have continued their work tirelessly, Novgorod and Lyuban will become active next week. FBD 4 will continue repairs towards Staraya Russa in order to create a depot that can supply the 16th Army sector. Unfortunately for me, the big freight transfer from Sonda did not happen as expected. I have dropped the depot to 0 and am hoping there will be movement there next turn. The supply situation of this week was worsened by the rain and mud conditions and the fact that our forces are so far ahead of the supply depots and positioned in bad terrain. The 18th and 16th Army barely got half of the required supplies for the week. Truck losses have been heavy at 634. To ease the strain on logistics most of the LW has been moved to the reserve.

Logistics:









Soviet losses for the week sit at 61k men in total, German losses at 5.2k. Soviet OOB at 423k men ready.

[xhoel]

T14, 21st of September 1941

This will be a short update as nothing happened this turn. It is raining now for the second week in a row which means we have light mud all across the front. Logistics and unit movement is constrained. 4th Panzer Group together with the 2 Panzer Divisions withdraws. The units that were under their command are transferred to the 18th Army which is preparing for the assault on Leningrad. 3 Corp HQs have been beefed up with artillery battalions and the Infantry Divisions have been reinforced with 1 Pioneer Battalion each. Earmarked formations have received StuG support. We decided to hold off the attack for 1 more week to allow the units to rest a bit more and recover CPP.



Assault Corps:







All across the front it is quiet. No fighting reported anywhere this week. We continue dropping supplied to the troops of the II Corps which are in a bad supply situation. FBD 4 repairs the rail to Staraya Russa and the depot will become active next week. Supply situation in general is poor, Pushkin got 3.7k, Novgorod 4k and Lyuban 3.1k. These depots are in a better position that those of last week but with so little freight on hand not much can be done. 16th Army is barely receiving 1/3 of the supplies it needs, for the 18th Army the number is at 2/3.







I am still perplexed as to why Sonda keeps hoarding freight. The depot is set to 0 yet has not moved any of the 9k it has on hand to the other depots. As a result, the forward depots have shortages which means units are using their trucks to go to Sonda for supply pick ups. I am a bit worried that something is not WAD here but im not sure. Still, quite annoying, considering that i diverted the FBD there explicitly so that the freight could be moved forward.