Rodina Struggle (Morvael vs Cpt Flam)

[morvael]

Those cavalry units in the pocket were very annoying. They penetrated every hole in my line, isolating my SS boys (because of MP cost going above 100). But they fought using airhead supply and prevailed (after all airhead > isolated).

Good news: pinned whole ARM factories in Tula (25) and Stalino (29).

[HITMAN202]

Great German play.

I asked Sillyflower the same question... What's your MO for ground attack and ground support in major attacks ?? Also do you use "soak offs" weak preliminary attacks to increase the chance of success of the main attack ??

[morvael]

Only in the sense that sometimes I make secondary attacks near main battle site to use up MP of reserve units. Otherwise I prefer to hit them with fullest force possible - so that units are not tired and air forces are not used up.

[morvael]

Classic soak up attacks are ok in case of isolated units - they expend ammo and are unable to replenish and their CV is affected by ammo shortage. So then it's good to tire them a bit before main attack (in case have quite a lot of CV).

Normally it's not good, casualties after failed attack are not worth minor damage and fatigue suffered by target units.

[sillyflower]

or the morale hit.

I never do soak-offs. Not since they days of Avalon Hill games anyway

[chaos45]

Soak off attacks for Soviets have a strong purpose--esp vs cut off Germans. As long as units arent above National morale the morale hit doesnt really matter.

As Soviets as long as the exchange rate isnt to one sided losing attacks isnt always bad. As its tough for the germans to replace defensive losses and losses on their spearhead units for offensives.

[morvael]

I do make risky attacks at secondary theaters, but never make attacks that are sure to fail (as I feel it).

[chaos45]

Well as Soviets I have launched many attacks I knew would fail just hoping to wear down the germans or knock off a fort level so the next wave could succeed lol.

[sillyflower]

That's not the same as a soak-off attack. It's a valid/sometimes necessary way of taking a hex. True soak-offs aren't needed here though Morvael's attacks to activate reserves that he doesn't want to activate to support his real target are the nearest one gets.

[cpt flam]

Turn 18 or october16 ,1941
Marshall Mud take action everywhere
Nikolai Klykov (32 Army) has is Infantry rating increase to 6
2 more Rifle div and a Para brigade become Guards

[morvael]

Notice the desperate struggle for a port on the shores of Azov.

[M60A3TTS]

When the weather finally turns to snow again, the Soviet units in the southern pocket that get surrounded and destroyed won't be replaced for free. Added bonus for morvael.

[cpt flam]

Turn 19 or october 23, 1941
again MUD on all the frontline
Rodion Malinovsky (40 Army) appointed Général-Leitenant
I got one more Rifle guard
Bryansk air commander (Ernst Shakt) has been executed
picture of my best fighter unit (more kills)

[cpt flam]

Turn 20 or October 30, 1941
Tula has been surrounded
Vasily Glazunov ( 3rd Para corp) is promoted Général Polkovnik

[cpt flam]

in the south they begin to reduce the pocket
a german corps take the entry of the Crimea
not much to be glad [8|]

[morvael]

And Stalino has fallen with industry.

[cpt flam]

Turn 21 or November 6, 1941
Mud come back except in Europe
Léonid Govorov has been promoted Général-Leitenant
Caucasus and Transcaucasus MD become Front
one more Rifle div awarded Guard distinction
picture of OOB

[cpt flam]

Turn 22 or November 13, 1941
My recco having localised a Panzer corps
I order to leave Rzhev open rather than loose 24 Army and his Guards
third sapper unit awarded Guard distinction

[cpt flam]

I forget to tell Tula falled
in the south they are reducting the pocket
you can see their maximal advance in Crimea
Leader of the Black sea air has been dismissed

[morvael]

ORIGINAL: cpt flam
My recco having localised a Panzer corps
I order to leave Rzhev open rather than loose 24 Army and his Guards

I liked it that I got Rzhev "for free". I couldn't move 4th Panzer Group to threaten its flanks earlier, as they were on guard duty in and east of Moscow (not enough infantry). When I captured Tula, I sent 2nd Panzer Group to replace 4th, and thus well rested 4th went west. At this time it appeared to me that it might be too late to capture Rzhev before blizzard, but the threat of encirclement was enough and Red Army pulled back. Since then, Rzhev became a cornerstone of my defense in the region.