1.04 The Wolf and the Bear (no Gids)

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 29 and 30. Blizzard. Not much happening from my side, and not many Soviet attacks. However, recon shows enemy concentrations in the central sector. I wonder if the Ivans are up to something here...

[Tarhunnas]

My command structure is not optimal. Army Groups Center and South are heavily overloaded. However, Army Group North doesn't have much spare capacity. I transfer several Rumanian divisions on garrison duty to Army Group Antonescu to lighten the burden somewhat for AGS. Can't see much else I can do.

[Klydon]

Yeah, Rumanian 4th army is the big thing in the south. Be good to get that under Rumanian command to help relieve command pressure. 2nd Army is also a tough call for AGC. 5 armies is too much for AGC, but what else can you do? At some point, maybe transfer it when AG A and B come into play. 

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

Yeah, Rumanian 4th army is the big thing in the south. Be good to get that under Rumanian command to help relieve command pressure. 2nd Army is also a tough call for AGC. 5 armies is too much for AGC, but what else can you do? At some point, maybe transfer it when AG A and B come into play. 

I transferred a corps from 9th army to 16th army, that helped a little in AGC. However, then 9th army got ridiculously small, so I transferred another infantry corps from 3d Panzer army to 9th... And then I didn't have enough AP to reassign 4th rumanian, which seems to cost enormous numbers of AP to transfer. I mean, how hard can it be, just telling Antonescu to care of his own boys? [;)]

Well, I will have to save up APs for that and do it on a later turn.

[Tarhunnas]

Back to the action. Turn 31, blizzard, not much happening.

Turn 32, january 22 1941. Blizzard. Soviet attacks are getting stronger and more concentrated. Intelligence has identified three shock armies, circled on map.

[Tarhunnas]

Here is a closeup of the Soviet attacks in the Tula area. They are getting menacing, and it seems doubtful if we can hold Tula through the winter.

[Tarhunnas]

However, rested panzer reserves are thawing up in villages behind the front, and are now called upon for a counterattack. The most advanced Soviet spearheads are pushed back!

Note: due to a mixup at the propaganda ministry, this map actually shows a nearby infantry attack, but it will capture the glory and elan of the moment just as well.

[Tarhunnas]

It was some time since I showed losses and OOB, so here are those.

[Tarhunnas]

And here is production turn 32, showing armament production and trucks in units. This view is unfiltered and shows all axis production.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 34, January 5 1942. Blizzard north of Kursk, snow in the south.

I only post developments every second turn, as nothing dramatic is happening.

The Soviet attacks in the Tula area are getting more numerous and stronger. However, February brings a marked increase in German combat strength, and I have no great problems counterattacking and manage to drive back the Soviet spearheads in most cases. Map of Tula area showing Soviet attacks before German moves.

In the south, where there is snow, I launch a number of spoiling attacks with the purpose of reducing Soviet fortifications in the frontline. Soviet casualties are 2-3 times the attacking forces.

[Ketza]

I saw the same type of casualty 3-1 Axis favored casualty results when I counter attacked in the snow after blizzard. Later in the clear turns after the mud I saw a marked increase in Axis casualties with the same type attacks with simular odds.

Will be interested to know if you see the same trend.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 35. February 12 1942.

The Soviets continue to press forward in the Tula area, but there is no trouble putting together a new line. If they continue forward here, they will create a bulge, which offers some possibilities for the spring...

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 37.

Continuing pressure in the Tula - Orel area. The Soviets are slowly gaining ground. In other parts of the front only local attacks and counteratacks.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 38 - March 5 1942.

Snow over most of the front. In the area north of Stalino, an opportunity presents itself, and a modest snow offensive is started. A mid size pocket is created.

[Tarhunnas]

With the winter now almost over, here are some conclusions.

* The Soviet winter offensive was weak and didn't cause any real problems. The only place where territory was lost was in the area of Tula - Orel. Both these cities were lost, and at the most 5 hexes of territory.

* Reasons for this is probably the weak state of the Soviet army. Only in february were the Soviets organised in shock armies and had the strength to make a serious push, and by then German combat value was recovering.

OKH plans for the spring.

1. A two pronged offensive to eliminate enemy resistance in the Moscow area.

2. An offensive to cut off and destroy enemy formations in the Orel - Tula area.

In East Prussia is the completely rested and recuperated 4th panzer army of three panzer corps. It will immediatelly be sent to positions west of Orel, ready to take to the offensive as soon as the weather allows. There are also 6 infantry divisions that were kept in Poland so as not to unecessarily expose them to the Russian winter. These will be sent to reinforce the front around Moscow and give the necessary offensive punch.

Belao an overview of the fron with offensive plans indicated.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 39. March 12 1942.

Still mostly Snow. The early spring offensive north of Stalino continues.

[Tarhunnas]

Units destroyed in the recent encirclement.

Note: Destroyed Axis units are almost exclusively disbanded FZs.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 40, March 19 1942.

The southern pocket operation is concluded, and mud sets in in that sector of the front.

The Soviets continue pressing in the Tula area, but reinforcements are now arriving in the area. The 4th Panzer Army is making ready to vacate their cozy winter quartes in East Prussia, but rail capacity limits the mumber of units that can be sent to the front.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 42, April 2 1942.

Nothing dramatic happening at the front, so I thought I'll post some statistics.

Losses since turn 24 (when blizzard started) are 732946 men 8004 guns and 1114 AFV for the Axis, 1118225 men, 20074 guns and 1890 AFV for the Soviets.

Below losses and OOB turn 42.

[Tarhunnas]

Air losses. I must confess I am not an air expert at all, I put the airbases close to where I want the effect and hope they will do their job. Looks good so far though (I think).