Ruin of the SW Front - Hardradi(G) vs JoeDoe(S)

[Hardradi]

Turn 1: New beginnings

This is my third game versus my H2H opponent JoeDoe(not JohnDoe from RtL). We had previously played a Road to Minsk mirror match where we had a Victory and a Draw in my favour. This is my fifth game overall.

After war gaming this opening I settled on forgetting the traditional Lvov pocket both the ‘Super’ and Normal versions from WitE1. I also noticed a significant change in the terrain west of Rovno compared to WitE1, this area once rolling plains was now mostly swamp. A new dynamic to deal with.

I went with the traditional air base bombing rather than killing pilots in the air. The bombings were very successful as I managed avoid the situation where scrambling of Soviet fighters can decimate a bombing run (and reduce their effectiveness thereafter for subsequent bombing runs). The VVS lost 2334 planes to my 122.

On land the main aim was to secure the double tracked rail line from Lvov to Vinnista as quickly as possible and travel to Kiev by the land bridges (2). This rail line was a good spot for a few depots and would also supply advanced air bases for the Lufwaffe fighters. The bulk of 1st Panzer would bypass as much of the Soviet Mechanized forces as possible push out along the rail line running east to secure the railyards at Tarnopol and Proskorov for early repair (1). Follow on turns would see them push the lands bridges (2) and capture Vinnitsa(6), one of the objectives.

Initially, I was not going to activate the southern front but it a momentary lapse of concentration I accidentally pushed a security division out of the way. I decided the best I could now do was push a panzer regiment further forward and interdict the railway line at Bar(3). The thought here, if my opponent was to rail the units out of the Lvov region there would only be one ‘open’ rail line out, to the south at Oknitsa(4). This would further complicate any rail movement of the activated Southern Front.

The remaining forces of 1st Panzer pushed across the swamps (with the assistance of one temporary motorised Division) to take Rovno, one of the objectives.

Around Lvov, I decided to break the entire border defence to further complicate the evacuation of the forming Lvov sack. Lvov was captured as I wanted to prioritise repairs on its railyard and get the FBD through there as fast as possible. (In the end I had to run a Panzer regiment down into the city to make sure it was secure from re-capture by the Soviets).

Expecting the lower dong to get cut off in two places and maybe counter attacked by Soviet Mechanized and Tanks forces.



The weather is clear.

[Hardradi]

Turn 2: Bugger Kiev

I open up the turn and…yeah it’s not as bad as I thought. The long penetration to the south has been cut off but it can be broken and re-opened. Especially with the newly activated forces of 1st Panzer Group in the rear, still back in Poland.
It the Lvov region it looks like the Soviets have formed a line and are defending rather than fleeing for the exit.

In the south, it looks like the Soviet Southern Front has left a screening force along the border.



Recon reveals a Soviet defensive belt along the Goryn River east of Rovno with unprotected flanks. In addition, a huge bulk of troops in still in the Lvov region. Bugger Kiev, it’s time for some encirclements.
Amazingly, I sneak around the Goryn River line to the north with a regiment from 1st Panzer Group forces. After careful consideration, I switch to blowing open the Soviet Mechanized forces cutting off the long penetration. For this I use overwhelming infantry attacks to avoid combat delay in those hexes as much as possible. The mobility of the German forces on these plains is quite different experience to the northern region in my other games.

The bulk of 1st Panzer Group pore through the carefully constructed infantry corridor hooking north, south and pushing east all the way to Vinnitsa (one of the objectives). The pocket in the north is easily sealed with follow on forces. To the south, tougher Soviet forces were dislodged and a link up with 11th Army achieved. Given the strong CV’s of Soviet forces in this area this position is carefully strengthened to make sure it is unbreakable (finger crossed).

Further south, the offensive is not quite as spectacular. No encirclements, just a stead advance of the Romanian 4th Army and elements of the 11th Army.

[Hardradi]

TURN 3: Journey across the Steppe begins

North, the pockets hold.



South



Onto Kiev (with a strong anti-motorisation screen)

[Hardradi]

TURN 4: Across the Dnepr and the Desna

Still digesting many pockets all along the front. Soviet bombing campaign begins. Supplies are excellent, 1st Panzer Group almost received twice its requirements. Ahh, life on the Steppe is good.


Kiev has been reinforced, so I go around it to the north. To the south of the city, very stubborn Soviet defenders hold out along the Dnepr ruining my encirclement. Rail repair reaches beyond Proskurov at the end of this turn.
Kirovograd, one of the objectives, is taken on the march by elements of 1st Panzer Group. In the south, Romanian Panzers and cavalry reach the outskirts of Odessa. Here the rails lines have just been repaired to Kishinev.

[Hardradi]

TURN 5: Fall of Kiev and Odessa

The bulk of Soviet forces in and around Kiev have retreated. None of my Panzer forces are cut off. Where are the enemy forces hiding?


Recon reveals that they are along the Dnepr between Kiev and Dnepr-town. Kiev is taken (by infantry I think). 1st Pazner Group pushes north east towards Kursk and south where it narrowly links up with infantry forces from the 17th Army pocketing part of the Soviet river defences. Other elements push east along the southern bank of the river. Here ground
“recon” (hex conversion) effectively tells me where Soviet units are positioned. Eventually I find an unguarded river crossing west of Dnepr-town where a motorised division establishes a strong bridgehead.


In the south a German Infantry Division storms a weakly defended Odessa. More elements of 1st Panzer Group push east and then south where they reach and capture an undefended Nikoleav on the Black Sea coast. This creates a further encirclement of a large group of Soviet mechanised and tank forces. This encirclement is not expected to hold.


Supply stats at the beginning of the turn still look great, still receiving way more than I need despite the stretched supply lines (I understand that these figures apply to the beginning of the turn). Looks like I missed a rail repair spot on the Proskurov to Vinnitsa line.

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: Hardradi

...Looks like I missed a rail repair spot on the Proskurov to Vinnitsa line.

not sure your opponent can create enough friction to slow you down now?

yep, I've managed to miss a few of these, that ability to repair a 'next to' but not 'linked' rail hex can really cause problems [;)]

[Hardradi]

Yes, I will try to be a bit more careful in future with that. [:'(]

The whole of the Steppe is pretty much open and I am getting amazing supply levels. With the rail error, I have now even managed to outrun the depot system (the 30 hex limit, I think it is). The supplies of fuel are drying up for the units outside this range and the red line has disappeared.

[Hardradi]

Turn 6: D-town and the Isthmus of Perekop

North of Kherson, Soviet tank and mechanised forces in the pocket attempt a break out but are unsuccessful. The enemy forces along the Dnepr River appear to have retreated ​
towards Kharkov. Only minor resistance can be seen along the entire front. The VVS is only running recon missions.



Recon indicates that a large Soviet force has gathered in between our forces and Kharkov in a crescent shape. No resistance is spotted anywhere else. Elements of 1st Panzer
Group push north east towards Kursk and east towards Dnepr-town. Maneuver warfare has been working so far so I will continue. Assuming I meet no resistance, I will try and
cut of the rail lines to Kharkov and encircle this enemy force.

In the north, elements of 1st Panzer Group push north east towards Kursk and try to link up with the off map German depot (it must be there for a reason). Infantry of the
6th and 17th Armies lock down the pocket in this area. The FDB pushes on towards Kiev continuing to repair the incomplete track. In the centre, elements of 1st Panzer Group
push straight east taking D-town on the march and advancing another 100 miles beyond. In the south, Romanians swarm the stranded Soviet Mechanised forces while elements of
1st Panzer Group reach the Isthmus of Perekop. The ports are not yet functioning.

[Hardradi]

Turn 7: Kursk and Stalino

The broken rail line from Vinnitsa to Kiev stands out like a sore thumb. Trying to control the rail repair units is like herding cats. Supplies are still good and the first port beyond Odessa is now partly operational. I lose track of the large Soviet forces in front of Kharkov and send in the recon.


The Soviet forces are still in positione but my recon is not great. Probably something to do with the distances I am making them fly. The pockets are digested. Elements of 1st Panzer continue their push to the northeast
and take Kursk on the march (this is not an objective but it is an important rail junction. In the centre elements of 1st Panzer Group and Hungarian Mobile forces reach a defended Stalino. The industrial
city is screened. A Motorised Division heads northwest back towards Kharkov and the Don River. The crossings are undefended and strong bridgehead if formed.

In the south, the Soviet defenders on the Isthmus of Perekop are pushed out by German forces from the 11th Army. Elements of 1st Panzer Group push on east to the Arabat Spit cutting the rail line and taking
the port town of Genichesk. Kharkov, Rostov and Sevastopol are the last three objectives.

[Beethoven1]

I would say that qualifies as having ruined the SW Front. The Soviet player made the mistake of not simply running away on the first turn, and from there I think if the Germany player knows what they are doing, it is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Soviets simply cannot defend clear terrain (including behind rivers), at least in the first 10 turns or so.

[Hardradi]

Yeah, it was pretty brutal. This is a mirror match and he might have tried to mimic my play on Turn 1 where as the Soviets I put up a defence. In that game his Turn 1 gains and Panzer attacks were way less threatening than mine.

I am glad my opponent has continued to play. Its given me a better feel for what its like down south. Movement rates are unbelievable and supplies easier. I feel it is quite different to WitE1. I hit the limit next turn (I think) and I am outside the 30 hex depot range west of Rostov.

[Hardradi]

Turn 8: Into the Crimea

I finally get those “cats” to where I want. The rail line will now open to Kiev next turn. Also the off map depot might start working as well.
For some reason the port of Kherson is not taking on supplies.


In the north 1st Panzer Group begins a Pincer maneuver on Kharkov cutting all rail lines into the region but does not quite seal the pocket. Infantry forces test the western boundary
of the sack. There is resistance.
In the centre, we move to take all Soviet ports along the western edge of the Sea of Azov. At the tip of the spear supplies are no longer getting through and fuel is low. Elements of
Das Reich reach the outskirts of Rostov on the Don. It appears heavily defended.
In the Crimea, we bust through the Soviet Division that retreated last turn and flood into the Peninsula. Mobile elements seize undefended ports and airfields but do not make it to Sevastopol.