Against the Grain – An Axis 1941 GC

[loki100]

...
T53 Moscow south, oh that's a rifle corps!.png


Oh, that's a rifle corps now! At least Model's combat power wasn't modified too far down as it was last turn. At least the LfW had a good day.

I haven't come across any corps of those outside of a Guards unit, I guess I better get familiar with them. I'm not sure the best way to deal with them
...

My very rough rule of thumb is at this stage a single Soviet rifle division will retreat/rout, 2 in a stack will retreat in relatively good order, 3 need to be dealt with as a very deliberate choice. So as you did, hit it hard, or bypass - at this phase he can't have that many

but by the same logic is there are 2 in a hex, really best left alone (or hit with the best you have)

[jasonbroomer]

T54 Something begins to stir in AGS

T54 smashed the front between Stalingrad and Saratov.png (2.06 MiB) Viewed 1765 times

The Soviet front between Saratov and Stalingrad caves in. There are two Pz armies ready to exploit the gap, 1st Panzer has created the breach and fresh panzers from the 11th Army (a panzer army in all but name) are moving to exploit the opening. Note that these are both panzer rich armies, as fewer tanks are required on the Moscow front

Meanwhile further south, Stalino is tidied up by troops relocating from the Sevastopol seige.

T54 Stalino falls.png (2.15 MiB) Viewed 1765 times

Back in the Crimea, Yalta is still holding out but I see no point in expending any time or materiel to deal with it. It is isolated by the LfW, and guarded by a couple of otherwise useless Romanian divisions. I guess this might cost me 3-4000 tons of supplies to keep on top of but it is hardly a thorn in my side

This is a shot from earlier, but you can get the idea

t54 Crimea.png (687.14 KiB) Viewed 1765 times

[jasonbroomer]

T54 Moscow

T54 Soviets reposition in the north.png (1.86 MiB) Viewed 1756 times

The Soviets withdraw their troops from the heavy woods to the north of Moscow back towards the City to avoid encirclement. I don't know what the Soviet manpower situation is in the area but it would have taken time to surround and eliminate them in the woods. Even surrounded, entrenched Soviets in heavy terrain can take some shifting. I was pleased not to have to do that but I dare say that these escaping troops will end up somewhere even harder to get at.

Note that some of 3rd Pz's panzer divisions have been allocated to 18th (?) army (coloured lilac). In difficult terrain, I use infantry more thus the assault army is heavy with foot. The panzers are there to capture the land opened by the infantry.

To the south Model continues to pound away, those swamps to the left of Moscow are difficult to clear entrenched troops. We managed to clear the second of the 3 swamp hexes this turn and as a bonus take the woods to the East of them, albeit just and only at the second attempt. Outer Moscow is a tough nut to crack, I'm not looking forward to the street fighting.

T54 it took two attacks by Model by we got there, NB £rd Pz advance from the north..png (4.65 MiB) Viewed 1756 times

Note also that 3rd Panzer made very pleasing progress from the north. I am now aiming to encircle Moscow by the end of July (i.e 4 more turns), which will give me a 10-12 turns to storm the city before the rains arrive

[jasonbroomer]

T54 AGN

Just to keep the Russians honest, I also made a local attack on the Luga line.

T54 ineffective attritional attack.png (2.59 MiB) Viewed 1743 times

The Soviet line here is still strong and it turned out to be something of a Pyrrhic victory.

Nevertheless, this has been another bad week for the Red Army as I continue to bleed down its numbers.

T54 A heavy week for the Russians.png (400.64 KiB) Viewed 1743 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 - Lots happen in this turn

Firstly starting in the north and working down,

On the Luga line a counter attack in response to my attack last turn was beaten back with heavy losses. 8k casualties v only 400 of mine makes up the the Pyrrhic victory in my turn. I can only assume that Soviets have not abandoned human wave tactics yet.

T55 AGN, Russian counterattack beaten back with heavy losses.png (4.59 MiB) Viewed 1699 times

There was activity in the Kalinnin forests, I only have a thin regimental screen here but frankly the entire has little strategic value as long as I don't concede any victory locations.

T55 signs of life in Kalinin forest.png (2.83 MiB) Viewed 1699 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 Moscow front

Again the Russians counterattack

T55 moscow, local counter attack.png (3.41 MiB) Viewed 1695 times

I see this as opportunistic and of little consequence.

Our operation continues, in the north Moscow sector 3rd Pz pounds on.

T55 N Moscow, establishing flanking position.png (3.28 MiB) Viewed 1692 times

It is important to keep a thrust 3 hexes wide to allow troops to move in and out of the front line, it also provides assault troops a place to rest. So we widen out the advance

T55 N Moscow, broadening the front ready for next turn.png (3.37 MiB) Viewed 1692 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 South Moscow

2 Pz get held up twice

T55A further irritating hold against 2nd Pz.png (3.1 MiB) Viewed 1689 times

But knowing how to handle assault armies correctly allows me sufficient momentum for a third attempt

T55 3rd time lucky.png (2.25 MiB) Viewed 1688 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 Saratov to Stalingrad Front

Last turn's pocketing of a rifle corps was not tested.

T55 Tambov region, pocket around corps not tested, ID routed.png (2.96 MiB) Viewed 1686 times

So one fewer Soviet rifle corps in the world.

Further south, armoured elements of 11th Army smash a hole in the hasty repaired line that had gotten mauled last turn, roll up the flank and lunge for Stalingrad.

T55 Flanks rolled up and LVI Corps crosses the Volga and reaches the gates of Stalingrad.png (3.25 MiB) Viewed 1686 times

With local Russian reserves all committed, the weak units in the way a swept aside by the fresh panzer juggernaut, till they happen upon the HQ site of the Russian front. A general tumbles

T55 RIP General Timoshenko from a displacement.png (2.47 MiB) Viewed 1686 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 Saratov to Stalingrad Front cont...

And then chaos ensues in the front command as 4 HQs are displaced and generals start dying by the bucket load, including one of their best, Tolbukhin

T55 HQs galor overrun and RIP Tolbukhin etc.png (440.92 KiB) Viewed 1685 times

It's very satisfying to reach the enemy's nether regions.

T55 The Don Valley

The Soviets had made attacks here to pocket a division or two

T55 Russian counter attack in Don Valley.png (2.66 MiB) Viewed 1683 times

No sweat and the situation is quickly resolved

T55 tidying up the front.png (2.43 MiB) Viewed 1682 times

[jasonbroomer]

T55 Summary

This was a horrific turn for the Soviets, which left their Stalingrad defences in tatters. Good territorial gains were also achieved in the Moscow encirclement.

Losses were heavy

T55 butchers bill mounts.png (467.03 KiB) Viewed 1680 times

T55 Losses.png (545.47 KiB) Viewed 1680 times

indeed this has been a cumulation of heavy losses since the spring campaign opened and the Soviet OOB pattern is making a distinct frown while the axis are even developing a little smirk

T55 Russian OoB dips again.png (686.04 KiB) Viewed 1680 times

With such losses, the Russian man power is living hand to mouth

T55 Manpower.png (502.85 KiB) Viewed 1680 times

[jasonbroomer]

T56 AGS

T56 AGS My nose ZOCing Stalingrad is pushed back and the Russians abandon the west Don valley.png (1.93 MiB) Viewed 1622 times

My bridgehead to Stalingrad is pushed back

T56 AGS where is the guard.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 1622 times

and I lose eyes on where the guard corps are

Further south the Soviets withdraw to the Don

T56 AGS Soviets withdraw to Don River.png (1.73 MiB) Viewed 1622 times

[jasonbroomer]

t56 AGS cont

T56 AGS close off suplly to Staliningrad.png (2.2 MiB) Viewed 1619 times

we limit our advance and once again cut off Stalingrad from its rail connection

Further north

T56 AGS Soviets eat up no mans land.png (2.81 MiB) Viewed 1619 times

The Soviet finally wake up to the lightest of screens between Tambov and the Moscow front. I have some mobile reserves but not many

[jasonbroomer]

T56 Moscow front

Russian counterattacks were not a surprise

T56 Not surprised to be pushed back here.png (2.82 MiB) Viewed 1618 times

and our attempt to slowly close the net around Moscow continues

T56 Moscow, although the odds didnt look good the Soviets had attacked last turn.png (2.43 MiB) Viewed 1618 times

[jasonbroomer]

T56 Overview

Supply stockpiles have been run down and supplying the offensive is becoming an issue. We shall concentrate on Moscow, we require 61 points for victory and Moscow will provide 66. This means that 1st Pz and 11th Army will not get the supplies that they need.

I am getting confident that we can envelope Moscow on schedule (i.e by the end of of the month). I have no idea how long it will take to storm it.

T56 supplying this offensive is becoming a struggle as stockpiles dwindle.png (691.95 KiB) Viewed 1613 times

Soviet losses are the lightest for some time

T56 Losses are lightess forsome while.png (468.46 KiB) Viewed 1613 times

[jasonbroomer]

T57

Even the best Italian unit under a decent German leader can't defend a marsh. I am still learning about their mettle. It appears difficult to underestimate the Axis allies capabilities. I'm a bit surprised to see the General Boege defending with his siege artillery, he had plenty of other guns to fire off

T57 AGS Even the best italian division under German command cannot defend a marsh.png (2.3 MiB) Viewed 1610 times

.

Our position around Stalingrad is consolidated

T57 consolidation around Stalingrad.png (2.34 MiB) Viewed 1610 times

Soviet air recon activity sets my spidy senses on fire. I pull from 1st Pz some armour northwards along with a corps of infantry to act as a reserve around Tambov

T57feeling vulnerable in this area, moved a corps from 1ts Pz to act as reserve.png (3.01 MiB) Viewed 1610 times

[jasonbroomer]

t57 Moscow

Model makes a big close win to clear the final marsh hex south of Moscow

T57 a close run affair.png (3.21 MiB) Viewed 1604 times

Other units rest in preparation to close the noose. It looks as if I am leaving some big holes in my rear, these will be plugged up before the turn is submitted

[jasonbroomer]

opps posted the wrong ARR

[jasonbroomer]

ignore

[jasonbroomer]

ignore

[jasonbroomer]

ignore