BrianG vs Bobo

[821Bobo]

27.8.1942 - 2.9.1942

Map of the entire Eastern front.
South from Stalingrad, our and German forces have invented new form of entertainment. Turn by turn flipping hexes between our armies.

[morvael]

This is tiresome, but can't be ignored. Compare the speed of movement on friendly and captured hexes. If he does it, you must respond in kind. Otherwise he can attack you quickly, but you can't.

[Disgruntled Veteran]

ORIGINAL: morvael

This is tiresome, but can't be ignored. Compare the speed of movement on friendly and captured hexes. If he does it, you must respond in kind. Otherwise he can attack you quickly, but you can't.

An essential to proper WITE front line maintenance.

[821Bobo]

3.9.1942 - 9.9.1942

Mud in Northern zone enforced break in Axis operation.

10.9.1942 - 16.9.1942

Clear weather and surprisingly again no actions. Either Axis summer campaign is over or something bigger is being prepared.

[timmyab]

You seem to be in a good position here. If I was him I'd be desperate to remove that Vyasma bulge. Check that there are no vulnerabilities between Vyasma and Kaluga. A massive surprise attack, one turn breakthrough and blitz North from here would probably be my (desperate) plan.
I don't think he can possibly win through sudden death anymore.

[821Bobo]

That's what I've been thinking too but in the end it turned otherwise. I have problems guessing where Brian is going to strike because his mobile forces are spread out. My recon is crap so getting info about Panzer concentration before they strike is not possible.
As can be seen from turn 63 screenshot, he has mobile forces near Tula, Lipetsk, Stalingrad and in the Caucasus. But no concentration has been revealed.
Also south of Boguchar a Hungarian armor division is discovered. According to the GRU analysis this does not represent any threat to us.

[821Bobo]

17.9.1942 - 23.9.1942

Only minor action near Voronezh.
Germans have attacked across Don between Voronezh and Lipetsk. Soviet counter attack pushed all Germans back without any problems.

[821Bobo]

24.9.1942 - 30.9.1942

Germans have repeated theirs attack from last week and secured small bridgehead across the Don near Lipetsk.

The major attack came from Boguchar. Panzers have crossed Don in force and encircled 2 armies. This time I decided to stay and fight. Pocket has been opened and 3 Tank armies + 1 Cavalry army are in the area. Another 2 Cavalry armies and 1 Tank army will arrive next week.
Airbase loaded with transport planes is moved to the area as well. If needed, I will try to resupply any potential pocket.

[timmyab]

Yes I agree that it's time to make a stand. Throw the kitchen sink at him. With mud coming time isn't on his side.
Is your line a little thin to the North? Difficult to know without the CVs visible. The second line behind Voronezh looks like it should be wheeled in behind it.

[821Bobo]

The northern line is barely more than just a screen. The front line is pretty long and my forces are spread thin. There is not much I can throw at him at this point except my mobile reserves.
With the incoming mud season it looks to me like Brian is gambling here. We are playing with random weather and he is maybe relying on some good weather.

[loki100]

also. it must be tempting to hand out some last damage before the weather turns. Even if he gets a couple of armies and dislocates the front that may give him some headroom to limit any offensive you can make in the early winter?

[821Bobo]

So far it is looking he is determined to continue with offensive actions in winter. I doubt I will be able to launch any offensive before the 43 rifle corps spree.

[821Bobo]

1.10.1942 - 7.10.1942

As expected Germans have sealed the pocket and enlarged it little bit. Luckily my lines around Lipetsk have held. My counter attack resulted in cutting off the entire Axis spearhead. Around 20 divisions. However the ring is pretty weak and probably will not hold. Fuel has been flown to the most exposed tank units and more Soviet reinforcements have appeared in the theater.

[timmyab]

I was afraid he might do that.
I've no idea who's winning this battle though, it could decide the game. I should think he's pretty nervous at this point with the mud coming.

[821Bobo]

8.10.1942 - 14.10.1942

Fighting in the Voronezh - Boguchar bulge continues. Germans again tried to close the pocket and failed. I started to reduce the bridgehead. I did a lot of counterattacks and pushed or routed many German divisions. For the first time there will be favorable exchange for me. Two expendable Rifle divisions for the 5th Panzer division.

[821Bobo]

15.10.1942 - 21.10.1942

Mud. Brian is trying hard to trap at least some units. Another 3 rifle divisions doomed but I should be able to evacuate the main pocket.

[821Bobo]

5. Panzer division destroyed and first 9 Tigers gone.

[paullus99]

Fitting that Tigers would die during mud.....very historical.

[Oshawott]

5. Panzer division destroyed and first 9 Tigers gone.

9 air attacks on that poor Panzer division? [:D]

[821Bobo]

If I recall Brian flew some resupply missions to them.