AAR - PBEM Game 3

[Becket]

Question: are there any special rules applicable to the capture of the following areas (due to fortresses/heavy fortifications): Crimea (Sevastopol) & Novgorod (Leningrad)?

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

quick math on SU factories and resources:

Japan: 1 Fac, 5 Res captured
Germany: 4 Fac, 5 Res captured
Soviets: 7 Factories, 20 Resources remaining (this does not count any Factories SU "might" be building)

Based on recent testing I'd bet the Russians will get creamed. The WA better respond aggresively or for sure the game will be all over. Since you guys started this game we've increased Russian production in 1941 back to x2 which would make a big difference. We do want to see however how this plays out with human players so please continue until a decision with Russia is reached.

[MButtazoni]

yes, those regions are Fortified. the final artwork will make it more apparent.

[Becket]

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

yes, those regions are Fortified. the final artwork will make it more apparent.

Excellent. Do fortifications give a bonus to defense, a penalty to attack, or both?

[MButtazoni]

we've increased Russian production in 1941 back to x2

Joel means 1940

[MButtazoni]

ORIGINAL: Becket

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

yes, those regions are Fortified. the final artwork will make it more apparent.

Excellent. Do fortifications give a bonus to defense, a penalty to attack, or both?

+1 to Evasion for defenders.

[neuromancer]

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

ORIGINAL: Becket

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

yes, those regions are Fortified. the final artwork will make it more apparent.

Excellent. Do fortifications give a bonus to defense, a penalty to attack, or both?

+1 to Evasion for defenders.

Is this true for the Maginot Line as well?

[Becket]

Okay, that makes sense to me (of course, it's hard to see the real impact until I play...

One interesting note about the map: the Crimea's borders are now so far north that the strategic value of the Karch strait is removed. Would it make sense to move the border down and impose movement restrictions moving from the Crimea to the Caucasus areas? For example, if only infantry can cross the strait when the other side is Soviet controlled (a Europe Engulfed rule that I'm learning to love), you might lessen Germany's ability to continuously raid the Caucasus as Paullus did to Oleg in Game 2. It seems to me that he was able to hit the Caucasus, leave, then come back and hit again a bit too easy for an area that should present the most extreme movement challenges.

Just a thought from the peanut gallery. [:)]

One more thought that is probably impossible at this stage: Start the game in Fall 39. This would allow the WA player to decide whether or not to contest France. As it is, it seems to me that France just falls every time in the same manner -- an earlier opening might allow for more variations in opening strategy (without a major impact on the overall game). Again, I recognize that this is probably impossible.

[a19999577]

After seeing how Leningrad has fallen in two AARs and taking another look at the Soviet map, it seems there is no way to recreate the siege of Leningrad. Is this intentional or inevitable?

[Becket]

ORIGINAL: a19999577

After seeing how Leningrad has fallen in two AARs and taking another look at the Soviet map, it seems there is no way to recreate the siege of Leningrad. Is this intentional or inevitable?

Leningrad falling doesn't bother me so much since one of the reasons for the long siege was that Germany diverted the necessary units elsewhere. If the game requires more units for Germany to conquer the area, and Germany is willing to allocate those units, then Leningrad should fall. It should not, however, fall with the ease of any other province (nor should Moscow, Stalingrad, east Libya, or Berlin).

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: a19999577

After seeing how Leningrad has fallen in two AARs and taking another look at the Soviet map, it seems there is no way to recreate the siege of Leningrad. Is this intentional or inevitable?

This is very good question, and the one I've been thinking about myself.

I'd say this is one of the situations that are inevitable in wargaming, and that is player knowing the historical value of some objective, and applying ahistorically strong forces to achieve it. That's why we see Malta falling in wargames although in real life there wasn't so much as attempt to take it. etc. Many such examples.

I think Leningrad issue is one of those "I won't repeat the mistakes historical commanders made" cases, and that is why I personally didn't complain about it on the beta board.

BTW yes Leningrad is fortified as MB explained, and the graphic is visible even now in alpha (little "crown" around the anchor icon). I assume this graphic will be changed though.

Oleg

Oleg

[daniel123]

question can China give SU a infantry unit? or just supplies.

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: daniel123

question can China give SU a infantry unit? or just supplies.

No units, just supplies.

O.

[Hanal]

Regarding Leningrad.... I would think it's difficult to create a fortified pocket of resistence when you are dealing with an area map on this scale, and seasonal turns.....

[a19999577]

There was this one wargame, "Europe Aflame" by TSR (I think), circa 1991. It also had season turns and was area based, but it did have special "boxes" for certain areas (Tobruk in Cyrenaica, Sevastopol in the Crimea, Leningrad) which could be garrisoned on their own.

But it actually was a pretty lousy game, so maybe it should just be discarded.

[Normal View]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings
Based on recent testing I'd bet the Russians will get creamed.

Rumors of my demise have been wildly exaggerated.[>:]

Winter 1941

We have sustained considerable loss of territorial integrity as gangs of armed criminals roam the countryside. The fleet in the Black Sea evacuated two infantry from Odessa to Rostov. Defensive preparations were made across the line as we shifted what little force we have remaining after the initial German attack. The main defensive effort is going to concentrate around Moscow and Caucasus, with a second defensive line in the north extending to the Urals. (This is all in theory but it sounds good for now.)

Since the north will probably be cut off, our units in the south have opened a path through Persia and secured the resources there.

The good news is that most of our damaged infantry will be back in action next turn and the local militias will be raised, allowing us to stall for a little time.

In the east, two infantry were moved by rail to hold the line in Siberia, militia will be ready to support them shortly. Depending on how the situation evolves more troops may be sent either to defend or to push the enemy back.



In the screenshot the red line indicates the current front. The green arrow indicates the newly opened supply route.

[MButtazoni]

The green arrow indicates the newly opened supply route.

just wanted to make sure you aren't in for a nasty surprise next turn, Normal View... the Persian region has no rail so the only way a unit can draw supply from an area without rail is to be adjacent to the supply. ie. if there is actual supply in Persia a unit in an adjacent region to Persia can consume it. (At least that is what i infer fromn the docs we have)

[paullus99]

London - Winter 1940

To our credit, we forced Germany to send Finnish forces to Norway instead of deeper into Russia (as was intended). To assist our Russian allies, we launched a heavy assault on the Netherlands with our combined airpower (carrier air, fighters & medium bombers). Heavy damage was done to the defending forces - hopefully drawing in reserves that would otherwise be sent to the Russian front.

We also sent Russia quite a bit of supplies - which should ease any shortages they might have at the moment. Our forces in the Med continued to advance, capturing the remains of the Italian Army in Libya. We continue to buildup and prepare.....and will continue to assist as we can.

[paullus99]

China - Winter 1940

Our supply buildup was successful last season, allowing our troops to advance against the Japanese this turn. To assist our new Russian allies, we launched a large offensive into Mongolia - eliminating the Japanese presence there....this should have a definite effect on the course of the war in the East. The remaining pockets of Japanese troops in China are now vulnerable & may make them rethink their Russian adventure.

[MButtazoni]

well i drove deeper into the SU this turn and shored up my Coastal reserves. took out 2 more SU Factories and 3 more Resources.

This game has a lot of depth, my biggest problem driving into the SU is logistics. not just my quantity of supplies, but where thy are and what rail to repair to get the supply where it needs to be. i can't even come close to repairing all the rail i want to in the SU, i have maybe 50% of what i want for rail cap, and i'm not asking for much i just wanted to do a 2 pronged attack (you can see it below) to encircle Moscow (it has 2 Factories but only 1 resource) but i have only been able to keep the southern prong rail cap where i need it. the northern prong has an abysmal rail situation.

how can you guys reading these AARs stand NOT having this game in your hands to play? To me, it's the best computer game since Harpoon I.