Stalin's in the gulag, I'm in charge! II - vs 2ndACR (Axis)

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


IMO you have way too much in the North, but that's just a German perspective. Some of those would be very helpful for you down south where you are really out of units. Your only saving grace there is his infantry and railheads are way in the back. That buys you some time.

He's got plenty enough panzers down there to pocket that entire bunch around Kiev if he gets across the river south of there.

This is indeed debatable [:)] I admit it might be a gamble. BUT as I have said I have a plan and stick to it. The Southwestern Front is NOT my priority: Moscow and Leningrad are [8D] It is a fact that the most important units are in the north, not in the south. Unless of course a German player decides otherwise. I don't think it's the case here. As I already said, if I were diverting forces from my now rather decent defence in the north to the south what would I have? WEAK fronts all over the place. No thanks [:)] And this last turn with the above screenshot has convinced me even more about this thing.

And finally, I will have enough forces in the north only when they will be able to stop my opponent. So I suspect in fact I DO need even more forces, which I will be bringing by the way [:)]

[Sabre21]

The panzers are the biggest threat, but not from their huge attack capability, but from their maneuverability. It is the infantry that really packs the bulk of the firepower and once in position will destroy any defense at this stage of the game. Don't expect your carpet defense to last very long. Against a good german player that knows how to deal with it, that defense will be broken in a single turn. You really need to create succesive lines of defense in the center. I typically run about 6 between the Dnepr and Moscow once it is all said and done.
 
Obviously you can't do this all at once, but I would start to create another line along the Smolensk north-south axis and another a few hexes east of that. Then intersperse a checkerboard to interlock your linear defensive lines.
 
In the north you have an intimidating force around Pskov, but this can be bypassed to the north thru Narva or south. You need in-depth defenses to protect the city. Get a line of units from Kolpino to the west about 5 hexes and on both sides of that river near Leningrad digging in. Then create a second line south of that and one along the river line a few hexes south of the city. Also get a few blocking forces west of Narva to prevent an end run.
 
Down south, the German player did well in trapping such a huge number of units which will complicate your defenses. Withdrawing all the way to the Dnepr is a mistake though without leaving any delaying forces west of the river. Allowing his units a clean sweep of the area will let him bring to bear a huge amount of firepower at your weakest point on the river before you can adequately dig in. Once he is east of the Dnepr, you will be hardpressed and praying for mud.

[Sabre21]

It does appear your opponent is squandering his strength in the center by using hasty attacks with single divisions. If he does this in the north too by attacking you on your terms he has already lost.

[TulliusDetritus]

Hmm, you are of course an expert Sabre21, and I am not [:)] but I think the current defence in the Vitebsk area will be staying perhaps 2 more turns. In fact I will be attacking a Panzer and Motorized division on this area this turn. It is evident that he wants to encircle from NW Vitebsk. The 16 Army of the Kalinin Front is there. AND I could attack the flanks of this attack, we never know. I had already decided that I would be bringing [this turn] like perhaps 8 divisions to help this army, to block such attack from the north (an obvious encirclement). The spearhead you see will be attacked by the way. Let's hope it retreats [:)] And one more turn = the fortifications are increased in this area.

On my other game a similar defence stopped my opponent (but true, he was "special") [8D]

As for the Southwest, for all I care he could go to Vladivostok (kidding though). I will try to prevent a movement to the north, northeast though if somehow I manage to more or less contain his AGC forces and therefore he tries of course to help in the north [:)] As I see it, I might lose the war in the north, not in the south. But of course I could be wrong.

P.S: if I see a possible encirclement I will possibly end up doing what you're saying. And needless to say, thanks for the advice [&o]

[TulliusDetritus]

As for my backdoor in Leningrad area (Narva thing), two divisions are already in place. I will be sending more on this turn. Still... I think he should need many hordes to threaten my position in Pskov from this NW barricade... among them possibly the ones which are right now near Pskov... And less forces here = I can divert hordes to the NW barricade A movement which would sort of imitate the movement of an accordion.

[Sabre21]

I think you are in excellent shape in the center after seeing how ACR is using his forces, but I would still recommend getting another line started around Smolensk. I create a very similar defense as you at the river bend, about 4 rows deep, but I have had Trey figure ways to defeat it and playing myself I know it can be busted in a single turn. You have done well though to slow him down up to that point. I would agree with your assessment that Vitebsk will hold for 2 more turns, possibly even 3 unless he swings in with 3rd Panzers from the north.

I tend to have the same priorities as you when it comes to strategic value, I consider Leningrad and Moscow of prime importance, but don't forego the south. There are tons of manpower centers there that if captured will cause manpower issues later on.

[Sabre21]

Here is another thing to look at. Use the F11 key to see where and what he is air reconning. You can get an idea of what his mindset is based on that. If it is just overall random and sparse, then he is probably letting the ai do it which indicates he probably has no real idea what your defenses really look like. If it is heavily focused in an area, it will give you some insight on where his priority may lie but be aware of deception too.

[TulliusDetritus]

I get the point of the manpower centers in the south. But you are talking to an eternal pessimist [:)] When I started my other game I was prepared: "Moscow and Leningrad lost, Rostov too, no matter what I am dead meat... [:(]". It didn't happen, er, au contraire, my opponent was dead meat.

On this game it is exactly the same. I am assuming my opponent will grab these places YES or YES during the Blitzkrieg. The eternal pessimist thing again LOL

In other words, I am using a short/medium term strategies. YES, I am terrified (ok, I exagerate, this is merely a game). I only think about surviving. As Lenin said during the Civil War: "everything for the front!".

In other words, I am not thinking about 1943 or 1944. Wrong? Possibly [:)] The good thing (if I manage to survive the Blitzkrieg, which I ignore)? Maybe the game will be ahistorically more balanced, my opponent will appreciate that.

[Klydon]

LOL at the German division getting a hold against the security regiment. The other thing that is interesting there is the Russians are not even that well dug in. (Thanks for showing entrenchment levels).

Good tips and insight by Sabre. Thanks.

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

Here is another thing to look at. Use the F11 key to see where and what he is air reconning. You can get an idea of what his mindset is based on that. If it is just overall random and sparse, then he is probably letting the ai do it which indicates he probably has no real idea what your defenses really look like. If it is heavily focused in an area, it will give you some insight on where his priority may lie but be aware of deception too.

Sabre21, the problem with the recon thing is that I recon to death. I recon everything which can be reconned, every 2 hexes. So if my opponent does the same it won't help me [:)]

Oh, which means I could try to trick him... On x turn I might recon only some places and avoid others...

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Klydon
(Thanks for showing entrenchment levels).

Cookie Monster told me to toggle the forts on at the beginning of my other AAR [&o] Along with the enemy controlled hexes toggled on, they are a MUST if people want to really understand what's going on.

And, in case I wasn't clear (in fact I wasn't) [:)] the goal of my current defence in the Western Front is not stopping dead my opponent. I know this is a pipe dream (as it should be). I just want him to advance at snail's pace Maybe this defence can achieve this at least one or maybe two more turns. But in the end the Germans must prevail, this I know... But hey, mud is around the corner... turn 18. That's what I am waiting for (I'm such a coward, but hey! the cemetery is full of heroes [:D]).

[TulliusDetritus]

A few posts ago I said I would be bringing cavalry units to my Western, Kalinin, Leningrad Fronts rear. Because they would be great to cut enemy units off aka delay the enemy a little bit [:)]

It looks like I was sort of prophetic.

P.S.: don't ask for the winning lottery numbers because that, I don't know, and if I knew I would not share those many millions with strangers [:D]

So, Soviet players, do appreciate your cavalry units [&o] Think about sending some of them to the north (they appear mostly in the south).

EDIT: oh, and this cavalry unit was the ONLY unit capable of this movement. All the other ones could NOT move there.

[TulliusDetritus]

And now that the Big Massacre is done here are the (or "my" for that matter) losses [8D] Kudos to my opponent [&o] His Southwestern Front mega pocket was simply the pure perfection [:)]

[Mynok]

It is the infantry that really packs the bulk of the firepower and once in position will destroy any defense at this stage of the game.

This is really the absolute essential summary of 1941. German infantry rule the mapboard and once in place in enough strength will wipe the map of any Soviet defense. "Once in place" and "enough strength" are the true challenges for the Axis in 41.

[TulliusDetritus]

Alright, turn 98% done. I screenshot the whole thing and send the turn to my impatient e-enemy [8D]

Ok. The Northwest Front. My opponent has divided his AGN Panzers. Maybe I am utterly wrong but that might be EXCELLENT news [:)] He is sending part of these forces to my NW barricade: Narva River, er... a bottleneck with some heavy woods and swamp hexes... I have obviously sent some hordes there (I was already reinforcing this place but given that the mighty Panzers will be visiting us I have sent extra hordes). Oh, and Konev, another Top Ace, has been appointed as Boss-in-Chief of the Northwest Front. All hail Konev! [&o]

I am going to follow Sabre21's advice and form two defensive lines [&o]

[TulliusDetritus]

Mynok, the infantry without Panzers, that I don't fear. They merely push you... at snail's pace [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

The Kalinin Front. An enemy Infantry Division will be isolated. The calm before the storm here. In theory the panzers in the south of the screenshot should be attempting an encirclement... I'll be ready to counter-attack, I hope!

[TulliusDetritus]

In the Western Front this has to the calm before the storm. Massacres are expected here. I'll be happy if I can hold more or less this position at least 2 turns. Oh, and I am following Sabre21's advice here as well: defensive line north-south Smolensk [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

In the Bryansk Front he will try to cross the river. And I guess if I manage to resist one or two turns in the north he will try to help attacking my units with the southern Panzers of the screenshot. I will resist all I can but will NOT allow him to pocket huge forces (if necessary I will pull back with some checkerboard, etc.). Well, at least that's the idea! [:D]

[TulliusDetritus]

And the Southwestern Front. When I said this front was NOT prioritary this did not mean I would empty this place [:D]

Just that no matter what I will NOT weaken my two vital areas: Moscow and Leningrad. I prefer having a strong defence for Moscow and Leningrad than a weak defence for everyone [8D]

So YES I am sending forces to this front (as I said to Alfonso, the STAVKA reserves which appear more or less near this area). Here I will simply pray for mud, right. This is tank country so you have to be careful. Not enough APs so I can't organize this front yet.