The Rumble in the Tundra, a Vet (Sov) JB (Axis) rematch

[M60A3TTS]

So where has this one ended up?

[HardLuckYetAgain]

So where has this one ended up?

JB is on "Holiday" for a few weeks is what Vet told me over discord a day or so ago.

[Veterin]

Yeah JB has been on holidays but we're certainly continuing this AAR!

Turn 7 Soviets

1.png (2.47 MiB) Viewed 2833 times

The stalling tactics at Leningrad seemed to have worked as this turn was largely rebuilding supply and CPP by the looks of it. The west bank of the Narva is cleared for ~20k Soviet losses. Interestingly both RFFS brigades are attached to units in the area. It’s likely he’ll be able to cross in the next turn or 2 as I don’t have many fort levels here but it’s important, I try and hold or it could unhinge my Leningrad defences at Luga.

2.png (2.05 MiB) Viewed 2833 times

The centre probably remains the most critical sector at the moment with JB concentrating his forces for a push towards Vyzama and Rzhev. Unfortunately, I’m almost out of favourable terrain to defend on so next few turns will be costly. He also has the option of moving south between the swamps to encircle my frontline west of Smolensk so I may need to abandon part of that defence this turn or next.

3.png (1.84 MiB) Viewed 2833 times

With Axis forces breaking out from their bridgeheads on the Dnepr, I’ll likely need to pull back from Kiev very soon.

4.png (1.56 MiB) Viewed 2833 times

Interestingly no advancing towards Crimea at all allowing me plenty of time to improve my defences

[Veterin]

T7 Soviet

5.png (228.43 KiB) Viewed 2832 times

Soviets have been lucky with the weather around Leningrad. A few turns of sporadic rain but hopefully I can get 2 turns in a row so light mud covers most of that front.

6.png (2 MiB) Viewed 2832 times

I haven’t finished moving all my units but I’ve done a lot of repositioning. From this salient he could push north towards Rhzev, east towards Vyzama or pivot south to encircle my strongpoints in the swamps. I’ve had to try and accommodate all possibilities this turn which isn’t ideal but from next turn I should have a better idea what his goals are. I’ve had to weaken my line directly east and south east of Smolensk to strengthen Vyzama as well as mitigate risk from a large encirclement.

[jasonbroomer]

I've returned, so this ARR should begin to pick up pace again.

T8

Usually by turn 8, the Axis logistics are beginning to strain and the offensive diminishes. In this game I have managed my logistics and marshalled my forces in such a way that a 'fresh' offensive can now be launched from starting positions that are already deep within Russia. This will be a lengthy turn as a result to cover as coordinated assaults are made by AGN, AGC and AGS. Hopefully these will really press the Soviet defences and provide Vet with some difficult decisions.

Realistically I do not expect to take Moscow or even Leningrad against a skilled player in 1941, especially with TBs open. I am coming around to the conclusion that open TBs are a big benefit for the Axis, but the early arrival of an additional 30+ Soviet divisions from the TB means that it is very hard for the Axis to win in '41. Therefore my objectives in this game versus a very able opponent is to force the Russians to give battle, ideally on terrain of my choosing and destroy large parts of the Red Army. This should leave a Red Army of manageable proportions that can be crushed in 1942.

Originally I had little intention to press in the north, but with Vet's abandon the Baltics strategy I find myself thinking about whether I can take Leningrad. However, the weather has turned and the forecast is worse still with rain threatening almost the entire front

T8 SoT Weather forecast.png (264.91 KiB) Viewed 2697 times

While light mud has a bearable impact on fighting strength (usually at around 75% efficiency) what really hurts is the impact on movement. This limits advances (it costs IDs 4 MPs to capture muddy ground, rather than 3 MP) and slows supply replenishment.

Flying NP over the Baltic has preserved my Baltic merchant fleet till now

T8 Logistics 1.png (2.14 MiB) Viewed 2697 times

The rain will make this operation very difficult. Fortunately with 13 operational ships, I am in a position where I can afford to suffer losses from my merchant fleet.

My rail network is coming along nicely and I am beginning to 'pulse' supply forward from intermediate supply stashes.

T8 Logistics EoT supply pulsing.png (5.28 MiB) Viewed 2697 times

I have amassed some 60k tons of supply in Warsaw. By dropping supply priority from 4 to 1, this cache will be swiftly distributed to more forward depots. Note that the depot at BL has a supply priority of 0 and was emptied last turn. This can be placed back to 4 and refilled over the coming turns.

Employing techniques such as these has left my army supply need at 17,754, while supply delivered was 29,275. In my first game against Vet the numbers were 22,065 and 25,440 respectively, which represents a major improvement in my play from last year. Trucking losses were a mere 1,769 this turn.

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGN - Narva crossing attempt

This is a critical turn and with the weather worsening, I must cross the Narva this turn while my troops are rested and the ground firm. I am especially worried about Soviet reserve activations, so I fly interdiction with level bombers in an attempt to hamper these and hit the intended crossing point with GA. As the crossing point is a level 3 fort, the planes are loaded with large bombs.

T8 AGN Completely ineffectual GA killing 24 men and scattered interdiction.png (1.38 MiB) Viewed 2693 times

Well that was a waste of time. I killed the princely sum of 16 Soviet men in the GA and managed a handful of scattered interdiction points. This air attack will have cost a lot of supply but fortunately I have ample around my air bases around Riga.

This is my intended crossing point

T8 AGN Looks a low CV but I wont scout, just go all in.png (620.84 KiB) Viewed 2693 times

The defensive CV of 44 doesn't look too bad. I consider scouting it to validate it but I really don't see much point. I want this hex and will attack it regardless, so I pile in my resources. Interestingly, motorised are more effective at river crossings than foot, according to the manual, but infantry must lead the attack as I want the motorised to make the crossing.

I also assume that engineers are helpful at river crossings, also they'll be helpful in reducing the level 3 fort. Stukas will be flying in support. I also place troops on reserve - I've found that divisions will be activated from reserve as long as they haven't moved. (The manual also suggests that regiments will be activated more readily than divisions but I don't think this makes a material difference).

Anyway, the kitchen sink has been prepared and we're throwing it - crash...

T8 AGN nice.png (1.61 MiB) Viewed 2693 times

Phew. I nice attack and no Soviet activations (whereas the Axis got one). A decent body count too. We can now move up our armour into the bridgehead ready for the next phase

T8 AGN EoT with a second minor line from Riga to Sonda open, this front goes to supply 4.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 2693 times

Vet won't be able to shift that bridgehead with a defensive CV of 75

Note also that we now have a second minor rail line opening up from Riga to Sonda. This should augment the already sound supply in the region.

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGN - Luga front

I don't intend to assault the Luga line frontally, hopefully I can subvert it by flanking it. However I want to demonstrate there to ensure that it is fully manned. It takes at least 40 solid divisions to man the Luga line, and at least a further 20 will be now be required around the Narva. I want the Soviets to feel stretched!

Actually the Axis only have limited resources in the area, between the Narva and VL. I only have around 32 divisions. I want Vet to think that I have a major offensive planned though. Fortunately we see an opportunity as there is a block of infantry in open terrain, albeit in a level 2 fort, that we can make vulnerable in front of the main Luga defences. The blue arrows illustrate my troops retiring to open up a desired retreat path

T8 AGN retreat route engineered.png (1.75 MiB) Viewed 2689 times

By retreating the Russians we can force them into vulnerable spots. They won't retreat northwards becauce the available hexes are triple stacked, as is we presume is the swamp hex marked with a red cross. Now we can send in the armour to do unpleasant things, ouch

T8 AGN allowing my armour to do unpleasant things.png (977.17 KiB) Viewed 2689 times

and again, OUCH!

T8 AGN and again.png (1.7 MiB) Viewed 2689 times

Thus transforming a minor victory into a 35k slaughter

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGN Cont

I also take out Vet's suicide assassination squad, which I had thankfully isolated last turn

T8 AGN I thought that would be worth isolating, 880 trucks too.png (1.17 MiB) Viewed 2685 times

A decent haul though 9k men are minor compensation for the loss of Manstein. We also pick 880 trucks too.

Hopefully we have now made a big enough demonstration on this front so that Vet feels obliged to fully man it. Meanwhile we can suck away resources such as this fresh armour unit to our main thrust on Moscow.

T8 AGN Leningrad is not my objective for the moment.png (1.52 MiB) Viewed 2685 times

This leaves this front looking like this

T8 AGN EoT.png (2.84 MiB) Viewed 2685 times

Although only a handful of regiments are available to defend the 200 miles of front around VL

T8 AGN This weak of the front requires delicate resource management.png (2.07 MiB) Viewed 2685 times

Vet is unlikely to be in a position to spare troops to exploit this weakness in a region of little relevance

[jasonbroomer]

AGC

The schwerpunkt is poised aiming for Moscow. We are gradually working our way through the difficult terrain NE of Smolensk and aim to force the Soviet to defend the light terrain between Rzhev and Vyazma. However, our recon indicates some undefended swamps E of Smolensk as the defenders are spread to cover our main thrust.

T8 AGC SoT These swamps seem abandoned.png (2.13 MiB) Viewed 2682 times

I can't really believe that this key swamps are undefended. Vet will have learnt from our first game, that I don't like frontal assaults in the obvious places and that I will often make faint attacks to open up softer avenues. However, for this attack, I have the supply and CPP to bludgeon my way through along my existing axis, so I intend to do just that.

We begin by using some of our weaker IDs to clear away the spam blocking units

T8 AGC Using weak ID to clear away spam blockers.png (2.31 MiB) Viewed 2682 times

This is good play by Vet. I could have demolished these units with something stronger but it would have still left a combat delay, instead I am forced to use IDs which cause little damage, perhaps I should have attached a Stug battalion to increase the rout losses?

What do I do about this stack in a forest?

T8 AGC Do I want to go to the trouble of isolating these.png (660.6 KiB) Viewed 2682 times

It appears that I might be able to retreat them to a vulnerable hex to the north of where they currently are or I should just isolate them?

After consideration, I decided to isolate them as they weren't really blocking my positions. So my fresh infantry are employed eastwards to clear away the second line of defences

T8 AGC while stronger IDs are used to clear the strong second line.png (2.3 MiB) Viewed 2682 times

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGC Cont

Evidently Vet is happy to sacrifice those units in the forest and we can easily get around them

T8 AGC Vet cleared willing to give them up.png (1.56 MiB) Viewed 2679 times

Meanwhile our attacks eastwards continue, not always with success

T8 AGC Damn, stronger than expected.png (2.06 MiB) Viewed 2679 times

I am a clot - a panzer division can't taken on two divisions in the open unless they have been retreated. Oh well! Sufficient damage was done to permit a further single attack from a fresh panzer division which was more successful

T8 AGC Thats better.png (2.34 MiB) Viewed 2679 times

I couldn't resist this final attack against one of the divisions

T8 AGC Couldnt resist this, but not much effect on twice retreated unit.png (2.77 MiB) Viewed 2679 times

Yet it just won't implode. Must be a high moral division!

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGC cont

We finish the turn with much careful placement of troops

T8 AGC EoT I doubt this leaves a counterattack opp, esp with mud coming.png (941.2 KiB) Viewed 2675 times

By this stage of the game, the Soviets are very capable of launching powerful counter attacks. I doubt that they will be able to address this though!

The supply situation around Gomel is finally being addressed and the arrival of new troops allows the start of a tentative push here. We remain weak here but I want to keep pressure on the Soviets across the entire front.

T8 AGC EoTbeginning Gomel push as reserves and supply finally arrive.png (2.55 MiB) Viewed 2675 times

The presence of a single motorised regiment makes the world of difference to my attacking potential, especially when augmented by the Cv divisions

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGS

In the south we continue with our push towards Karkov. This blocking Soviet Cv slowed us down by a full 3 Mps before it shattered in front of our fresh panzers

T8 AGS Dealing with pesky Cv on the way.png (1.06 MiB) Viewed 2672 times

D'town is encircled following some thought to get around the defences. Here care was made not to leave a combat delay on this river crossing point NE of D'town.

T8 AGS Clearing away retreated unit to avoid combat delay.png (1.64 MiB) Viewed 2672 times

The divisions from XXX corps are reassigned to XXXXIV corps ready to assault D'town next turn. I want Vet to think that XXX is preparing for an assault on Kherson

[jasonbroomer]

T8 AGS cont

This Cossack raid has distracted these Rom divisions from their vital work

T8 AGS Cossack raid distracts my Roms from their vital role.png (1.06 MiB) Viewed 2671 times

Actually it's a bit of a nuisance as Krivvoi Rog was scheduled to be connected to the rail network next turn. Oh well.


The end of turn position

T8 AGS EoT Threatnes encirclement of Kiev, but Kharkov is the target.png (3.18 MiB) Viewed 2671 times

If Vet does not abandon Kiev next turn he will be encircled. We continue to mark time around Kherson with a handful of divisions, hopefully tying up Soviet defences. I know that the Crimea defences will now be strong but hey-ho.

These Italians have been buffed, lifting their moral to 60.

T8 AGS SoT Easy decision to send these Italians back to mama.png (2.25 MiB) Viewed 2671 times

They will still get sent back to their mamas. Their trucks are too useful.


Overall the Soviet losses for the turn were surprisingly modest

T8 EoT losses not huge but at least a further 30k isolated.png (370.18 KiB) Viewed 2671 times

We killed more than expected in the north and fewer in the centre. The good news is that we have at least a further 30k isolated

[K62_]

Wow massive update! Glad to see you guys are back at it

Yes, ground attack - unit has been seriously nerfed due to Soviet exploits and is basically an "interdiction but try to cause a few casualties" mission now.

Do you think the Soviets are using some version of the "abandon the south" strategy?

[jasonbroomer]

With several armies based around Kiev and Kherson, I don't see this as an abandon the south strategy. Just sensible play. I was on D'town so quickly that Vet had no chance to delay me especially as I was there in strength. I even got 4 time VP bonuses for the city which is far from usual.

It is pointless trying to defend the open ground in between these two K cities, at best the Soviets can only delay the Axis advance by a few hexes while risking significant causalities.

[Veterin]

T8 Soviets

1.png (1.56 MiB) Viewed 2496 times

A bridgehead has been established across the Narva river with a strong Axis attack. This included 2 reserve activations and many attached SUs. I’ll need to reorientatie my defence accordingly.

2.png (1.09 MiB) Viewed 2496 times

3.png (997.1 KiB) Viewed 2496 times

Taking some punishing losses from heavy axis attacks on the road to Luga. The first one was poor positioning on my part as I didn’t leave a valid retreat path.

6.png (2.32 MiB) Viewed 2496 times

I’ve done a lot of repositioning of units in Leningrad. My Luga line is fairly strong with lvl 3 forts and double/triple stacks. There is 1 hex that’s not heavy forest so I’ve placed some stronger units behind it as if JB continues to advance along this way, that is where he will target. Near the Narva bridgehead I’ve stacked it with units as its good defensive terrain although I have pulled back from the southern tip to avoid a heavy encirclement. I’ll likely need to start building some forts further back for when my current lines are breached. There’s a mountain/heavy forest range not to far back which would be ideal.

[Veterin]

T8 Soviets Cont

4.png (2.1 MiB) Viewed 2495 times

There were many ways he could have advanced this turn but he’s chosen to go north east and will likely flank Vyzama from the north next turn. I had a strong triple stacked isolated but I did need a strong point here to try and slow him down. In hindsight I should stacked 2 rather than 3 rifle divisions here though. This sector will need reinforcements as it’s now clear Moscow is a major focus in 41 (potentially to set up for Moscow in 42).

5.png (2.1 MiB) Viewed 2495 times

I’m actually grateful he didn’t shift his armies to encircle Kiev. I got a little to greedy and probably should have fallen back last turn to be safe. I’ve got 2 armies in the area so I’ll fall back this turn shifting one further east towards Kharkov. He has advanced very quickly towards Kharkov and whilst I had some reinforcements arrive this turn, I’m still fairly weak in the sector. My screening force at D-town was pushed back and the city will fall next turn.

7.png (2.88 MiB) Viewed 2495 times

Centre remains under pressure with both 2nd and 3rd panzer armies pushing towards Moscow (often 1 of them goes south towards Gomel). I’ve shifted units from Veleke further east to slow down the push but this is the last turn I’m on semi decent terrain. Once he pushes through my defence this turn (and he will!), I’ll need to fall back to the Rhzev river line in the north east and potentially east of Vyzama depending on how he moves. I suspect he'll go east/north east from where his panzer ball currently is.

8.png (1.38 MiB) Viewed 2495 times

Finally I got my first attack of the game in and I had to target a weak Romanian brigade to achieve it

[jasonbroomer]

T9 Logistics

I finally manage to get Minsk connected to the rail system this turn

T9 SoT Minsk is finally connected to rails.png (3.92 MiB) Viewed 2361 times

Normally this is connected by turn 4 but I am happy with the routes taken by the rail repair teams. Supply need has hit 19,770 (with 29,000 tons delivered), only 2,125 trucks were lost too. I am just about managing to supply half of AGN and AGC with a single dual rail line - but it ain't easy. I can't wait to extend this line further east to ease my supply issues.

Frustratingly I lost a cargo ship in the Black Sea despite having complete control of the sea lanes

T9 SoT Perfect levels of interdiction in BS but still lose a cargo vessel.png (1.58 MiB) Viewed 2361 times

Once again this is an important turn for the game as stage 2 of Barbarossa picks up momentum. Irritatingly it is once again raining in the northern half of the map, including the Moscow front but we can't do anything about that.


AGN

Vet seems to have withdrawn his lines and refixed his defenses

T9 AGN SoT defensive line pulled back.png (2.13 MiB) Viewed 2361 times

I think Vet has made a mistake by not defending the highlighted hex. Once a major river ZoC to Zoc has been crossed, there is very little you can do with a unit. This naval brigade can be swiftly dispatched and fresh troops can now get across the Narva and attack. I was always going to take this hex this turn but now I can focus my forces eastwards.

He has also made cavalry probes towards Pskov

T9 AGN SoT Probing raids get nowhere near my supply routes.png (2.22 MiB) Viewed 2361 times

Fortunately my handful of regiments screening this area made sure that they got no where near my supply lines. No damage done but it keeps me on my toes.

[jasonbroomer]

T9 AGN cont

In the event I made just one major attack in the north this turn though. My troops found no opposition when heading NNW from Pskov, which opened up an opportunity

T9 AGN Just this major battle in this sector.png (2.41 MiB) Viewed 2355 times

Instead I utilised my mobility to surround the troops manning the eastern banks of the Narva. To my surprise I have managed to link up the two offensive prongs of AGN

T9 AGN Delighted to get around major river supply block.png (1.9 MiB) Viewed 2355 times

Securing a ZOC free passage of the Narva by capturing the red highlighted hex is a real supply boon as it is very truck intensive otherwise. We didn't create many casualties this turn but we have encircled 5 divisions or so and gotten a lot of troops across the Narva. I bring to your attention the high CV of these rested troops - remember some of these hexes have light mud on them.

I am bit worried about the pocket holding, especially the 17 CV defensive panzer. I've fatten it with SUs , thankfully it can be only assaulted from one hex. The adjacent infantry division is also a bit vulnerable but I'm less concerned about that.

[jasonbroomer]

T9 AGC

My schwerpunkt is ready and launched. Next stop Moscow (well okay, Rzhev and Vyazma if you must).

T9 AGC SoT Juggernaught ready to rumble but I'd like to clear marshes.png (3.31 MiB) Viewed 2349 times

Actually, I'm really concerned about my supply lines which must come through Vyazma. I need to gain control of the highlighted the marshes. My hope is to push east and stretch Vet's front and force him to abandon these key hexes. Otherwise I'll have to clear them the hard way. In the meantime I must vigorously defend Smolensk from any counter stroke, my supply lines are worryingly close to the front.

Again I bring your attention to the CV of some of my units. There is light mud in the area but thankfully it is only scattered.

First job is to clear away the spam in the first line with weak units. This is good tactics by Vet as the unavoidable combat delay slows my advance. I also need to clear the isolated 3 IDs. Despite isolation, the defensive CV of 75 deserves respect, so I attack it with overwhelming force to crush resistance.

T9 AGC Thankfully mud is only scattered.png (1.43 MiB) Viewed 2349 times

I decide to advance only modestly while my infantry is rested making the attack. Used properly, assault armies are very good at restoring CPP.

T9 AGC EoT Modest advance as infantry rested.png (2.73 MiB) Viewed 2349 times

I am acutely aware of my supply limitations in this sector. I will only really begin to advance once the second dual rail line is connected which will happen in the nest turn or two. In the meantime I am happy to make attritional attacks on the Soviets to grind down their defences and maintain my CPP.

Note that the Soviet stack showing a 52 CV is almost surrounded. Vet will be forced to withdraw them, saving me the job of attacking another heavy wood hex. My forward units have now reached the section of open ground, this will be very difficult to defend.

Closer to home, I did manage to find a hex to grab in the marshes east of Smolensk as well.

T9 AGC Surprised to find this vacant.png (2.08 MiB) Viewed 2349 times

It would appear that the plan to press towards Moscow is bearing fruit allowing me to pick up difficult ground here cheaply.