More Dispatches from OKH: Q-ball (A) v Von Beanie (R) Rnd 2 v1.04

[marty_01]

I'm not meaning to distract from your AAR report. But as your in the middle of the blizzard, it seemed appropriate to talk about the games combat model in terms of blizzard effects. Historical vs Game...

QUESTION: Do you think something like the Demyansk Pocket could actually survive within the context of the current Blizzard Rules?

In game terms the dimensions of the Demyansk Pocket would have been about 3 hexes long (north-south) by about 2 hexes deep (east-west). There were six German Divisions trapped in the pocket from about 8th of February 1942 to about May of 1942. This included five infantry divisions and the Totenkopf motorized Infantry Division. In game terms, it conveniently works out, based upon review of the situation maps of the battle, to be about one German division defending each of the six hexes of the pocket.

The pocket was supplied almost exclusively from the air. That is until a corridor was finally opened to the pocket in the spring. – the “Ramushevo Corridor”. The German eventually withdrew from the pocket via the thin Ramushevo Corridor in May of 1942.

The Russian order of battle apparently included at least 18 Infantry Divisions and 3 Brigades.

In game terms, the pocket had to survive at least three turns of the February 1942 Blizzard – while also in an isolated state. In additional the pocket would have had to survive an additional several turns of March snow while still in an isolated state. The units within the pocket suffered approximately 13,500 casulties (KIA and WIA).

I’m in the middle of several PBEM games two as Axis and Two as Soviets. One of the PBEM is actually in the heart of the blizzard. I’m Axis in this one. I’ve already suffered the complete elimination of a three division\two hex pocket. One hex was a level three fort, the other was a level 2 fort. These were contiguous rough terrain hexes which were actually not far from the historical Demyansk Pocket. I used the entire Luftwaffe from AGC and AGN to air drop supplies on the two hexes. All three divisions were in reasonably decent state in terms of strength prior to the blizzard hitting. Moreover two were at CV of 8 and one was at a CV of 9 prior to the commencement of the blizzard. My game pocket held out for one turn after being isolated.

[Q-Ball]

Last turn numbers for posterity

[Q-Ball]

Feb 19, 1942

Winter is winding down, but it's been a grind. Attrition isn't a problem, it's the incessant Soviet attacks.

I have formed hedgehogs and given ground, but even that is not that helpful; you have to give up a hex a turn basically with that strategy (see below), which means eventually you are in open terrain.

It could be I'm not that good, and that Von Beanie IS very good at building reserves. Or both.

But this game is completely lost for me I am sure. Probably going to end it in 1942, once I confirm that an offensive is impossible.

I'll probably try Soviets, maybe I can win that side.