MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR)

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

1 of 3, the Far North:

Here's what I would do....

Rail the 6-3 out of Leningrad to Pskov. You need to make a hole for a Militia reinforcement arriving next turn. The Finns can't attack 7 points in a swamp with engineer defense. For example, there would be a -4 on the die roll for the city, engineer, and factories. Move the unit in Novgorod NE. The Finns can start moving around to the east and then south between the lakes. A single unit in their way should be enough to stop them. You are going to want to bring in at least 3 reinforcements in this area. If Pskov has 2 units in it, they would arrive in Leningrad (1) and Novgorod (2).

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

1 of 3, the Far North:

Here's what I would do....

Rail the 6-3 out of Leningrad to Pskov. You need to make a hole for a Militia reinforcement arriving next turn. The Finns can't attack 7 points in a swamp with engineer defense. For example, there would be a -4 on the die roll for the city, engineer, and factories. Move the unit in Novgorod NE. The Finns can start moving around to the east and then south between the lakes. A single unit in their way should be enough to stop them. You are going to want to bring in at least 3 reinforcements in this area. If Pskov has 2 units in it, they would arrive in Leningrad (1) and Novgorod (2).

I can rail the 6-1 GARR, but not the INF. That was a reserve unit that came in when the war began. It's disorganized.

-4 on the die roll? I'm using the 1D10 charts, so does that figure correctly? I'll have to check.

Another question is if I'm going to have the right MIL units available to reinforce the right cities. I'll have to check who is in the Force Pool.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

2 of 3, the North:

I agree with you that the 3-5 Cav should be sacrificed on the Dvina. While the defense of Smolensk is shaping up nicely, there is nothing between Vitebsk and Pskov. By sacrificing the Cav, the Germans will be stopped on the Dvina for at least the next impulse. And who knows, the turn may end with them not having reached Pskov. Otherwise a snow impulse will let the move freely across the Dvina.

The garrison in Riga can not rail out, so it just sits there.

Some of the moves you showed here are not possible in the rain (in general it halves movement factors).

You do not have to run away from the Germans if you can put 11+ point in a hex and the Germans can only attack from 1-2 hexsides. This is especially true since 4 of their best front line units are disorganized. I would move the 2nd Inf two hexes NE, move both the 39 Inf and the 2nd Mech due west 2 hexes, move the 3rd Siberian NW 2 hexes and move the Art east 1 hex. I don't like having Yeremenko in the frontline but I dislike having him alone in a hex even more. You could do something clever like rail Yeremenko to one of the rail hexes SE of Vitebsk (HQ's are their own rail station), but those are clear hexes and a ground strike on him in the clear would be unpleasant. If you do decide to do that, move the 4th Siberian to the hex due west of Vitebsk. This should give you a frontline of 12 attackable from 2 hexes, 12 attackable from 2 hexes, and 10 attackable from 2 hexes (or 1 hex if the weather isn't snow. The best the Germans can put in 1 hex is 15 and in 2 hexes 28. Given bad weather those will be pretty poor odds. Oh, you could rail move the Art farther back if you want to, say to Smolensk. Notice that the ZOC frontline for the USSR would deny the Germans the ability to cross the Dvina. My rough count of this screen shot has the Germans with less than a 2:1 factor advantage at the moment. Things will get better when the reinforcements arrive for the USSR in the frontline and way back in Eastern Prussia for the Germans.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

1 of 3, the Far North:

Here's what I would do....

Rail the 6-3 out of Leningrad to Pskov. You need to make a hole for a Militia reinforcement arriving next turn. The Finns can't attack 7 points in a swamp with engineer defense. For example, there would be a -4 on the die roll for the city, engineer, and factories. Move the unit in Novgorod NE. The Finns can start moving around to the east and then south between the lakes. A single unit in their way should be enough to stop them. You are going to want to bring in at least 3 reinforcements in this area. If Pskov has 2 units in it, they would arrive in Leningrad (1) and Novgorod (2).

I can rail the 6-1 GARR, but not the INF. That was a reserve unit that came in when the war began. It's disorganized.

-4 on the die roll? I'm using the 1D10 charts, so does that figure correctly? I'll have to check.

Another question is if I'm going to have the right MIL units available to reinforce the right cities. I'll have to check who is in the Force Pool.

Sorry, I missed that the 6-3 was disorganized. So yes, the 6-1 gets to visit Pskov in February.

[Red Prince]

Some of the moves you showed here are not possible in the rain (in general it halves movement factors).

I'm using the rail movement optional rules, so I'm pretty certain every move I listed is possible.
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Edit: This doesn't mean I don't like your plans. I just want to make sure you're aware that the rails can help.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

So far, in the Ukraine, this is all I can think of to do, with the blue arrow the best option because it keeps the unit in supply even though it's going to have to get disorganized.

I like your move of the 6-3 to the hex east of Krivoy Rog. That gives you a contiguous ZOC frontline. If the weather changes and it is Fine, then he could be overrun, But No!, then he would be back in supply. If the weather stays rainy, then he might even live to wash his blood stained uniform in the Dnieper.

Get the 6th Inf across the Dnieper now. having a river between you and the Germans is really important if you were born into this world as a 4-3.

Again, you are assuming units can move farther than they actually can.

It is more difficult to reinforce the southern line of the Dnieper than the north. That's because the reinforcements will come in Stalino, Kursk, and Kharkov. Many of those militia units only have 2 MPs (short legs). You want the more mobile units in the center - that will let you redeploy them to where they are needed.

I am torn between placing 2 units in a hex to make the hex strong, and placing only 1 unit in a hex to dissipate the effect of ground strikes (at the start of the next turn).

I agree that Timoshenko should not be in the front line, drag his sorry ass east. Once on a rail line he will have more mobility (i.e., he can rail move).

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

Some of the moves you showed here are not possible in the rain (in general it halves movement factors).

I'm using the rail movement optional rules, so I'm pretty certain every move I listed is possible.
-----
Edit: This doesn't mean I don't like your plans. I just want to make sure you're aware that the rails can help.

Oh.

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

So far, in the Ukraine, this is all I can think of to do, with the blue arrow the best option because it keeps the unit in supply even though it's going to have to get disorganized.

I like your move of the 6-3 to the hex east of Krivoy Rog. That gives you a contiguous ZOC frontline. If the weather changes and it is Fine, then he could be overrun, But No!, then he would be back in supply. If the weather stays rainy, then he might even live to wash his blood stained uniform in the Dnieper.

Get the 6th Inf across the Dnieper now. having a river between you and the Germans is really important if you were born into this world as a 4-3.

Again, you are assuming units can move farther than they actually can.

It is more difficult to reinforce the southern line of the Dnieper than the north. That's because the reinforcements will come in Stalino, Kursk, and Kharkov. Many of those militia units only have 2 MPs (short legs). You want the more mobile units in the center - that will let you redeploy them to where they are needed.

I am torn between placing 2 units in a hex to make the hex strong, and placing only 1 unit in a hex to dissipate the effect of ground strikes (at the start of the next turn).

I agree that Timoshenko should not be in the front line, drag his sorry ass east. Once on a rail line he will have more mobility (i.e., he can rail move).

The purpose behind the move of the MOT Division and the INF Division is to make sure that ART type units have a regular unit stacked with them at all times. Just mentioning this because I don't think I was clear about it when I first posted this.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

The defense of the Dnieper is convex. What this means is that moving units from one place on the line to another takes more movement points than it would if they were in a straight line. Units with only 3 movement points can only move to adjacent hexes. When the German attacks come, USSR units get disorganized by ground strikes or because they were attacked and survived disorganized. Repairing the frontline so it is optimal becomes very difficult. Placement of which units go where has to take into consideration the movement points of the diverse units thrown together as a defensive force.

In Persia, I would maintain as forward a position as possible - provided it is absolutely safe from attack (i.e., even if the Axis gets to move 2 impulses in a row). If there is any danger at all, then fall back to the best defensive position available. Putting units in the far eastern hexes of the line can probably be delayed for a while.

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

The defense of the Dnieper is convex. What this means is that moving units from one place on the line to another takes more movement points than it would if they were in a straight line. Units with only 3 movement points can only move to adjacent hexes. When the German attacks come, USSR units get disorganized by ground strikes or because they were attacked and survived disorganized. Repairing the frontline so it is optimal becomes very difficult. Placement of which units go where has to take into consideration the movement points of the diverse units thrown together as a defensive force.

In Persia, I would maintain as forward a position as possible - provided it is absolutely safe from attack (i.e., even if the Axis gets to move 2 impulses in a row). If there is any danger at all, then fall back to the best defensive position available. Putting units in the far eastern hexes of the line can probably be delayed for a while.

I'll have to double-check the movement rates of the units on the Dnieper. I might be able to do what I'm trying to do (covering the ART units) with improved mobility by moving units other than the ones I showed here.

When I get to that point in the impulse, I'll post what I think I've got right and see if anyone agrees. At that point it'll probably be bedtime for me anyway. [:)]

[Red Prince]

With no Luftwaffe in the area able to scramble, the CW tried again to take out the factory in Lille . . . and ended up bombing a grain silo instead. Hard to tell the difference when the rain is coming down like it is, I guess. [:)]

[Red Prince]

The following several posts of Soviet moves can all be "fixed" if needed. I am going to save it before completing the Land Movement Phase and get some sleep before moving on. Any unit with a light grey or white status indicator at the top left can have its move undone.
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Since Zhukov isn't going to be in danger for 2-3 more impulses, I decided to move him forward. Next impulse he can swap with the 7-3 INF. Persia looks like it's shaping up well enough for the limited forces available.

[Red Prince]

In moving out of Novgorod, I decided it was best to move only 2 of the 3 hexes the INF could travel. This does two things for him: it keeps him in supply for his next move, regardless of what the weather is like, and it prevents a move across the frozen lakes into the hex he's in now (if it snows). Finland isn't going to want to risk leaving a unit out on open water with Spring and Summer coming up.

[Red Prince]

I altered my plan slightly for the Ukraine. I still managed to cover both the ART and the AA with a Division each, which means they don't have to fight with only 1 factor if attacked. I also moved the 2 MECH to more central locations, so that they might be able to reach any holes that need to be filled. There are still 3 hexes that need units in order to cover every hex on the East side of the river, plus Dnepropetrovsk will need to be reinforced, but hopefully the turn will end before the Germans can advance that far. Oh, and HQ-I Timoshenko is now on the rail line, so he can "advance toward the rear" as soon as it seems wise.

[Red Prince]

It's not quite what I planned, and it's not quite what Steve suggested, but this is what I've come up with for the Dvina defense for this impulse.

The main reason I had to change things around is that the MECH couldn't move to the forest hex Steve suggested (where the 2nd Siberian and 39th INF are stacked with the FTR). Also, in order to move a few of these units without getting them disorganized, I had to put Yeremenko in that clear hex at the crossroads. This defense still makes the Dvina difficult to cross in the east, and protects against a Blitz-Brekathrough that could threaten Yeremenko. I suppose I could add either the 2nd Siberian or the 39th INF to the 2nd INF, but it's a clear hex with more than 2 hexsides to use for attacks (depending on the weather). Unless the die roll produces Fair weather in the Arctic (10% chance of that), Ground Strikes against either Yeremenko or the 2nd MECH are unlikely. Even if the attempt is made, everyone here has FTR coverage.

I think that this setup should limit Germany to a maximum of 3 attacks, if they are willing to risk low odds: Riga, the CAV, and the 2nd INF. That's only possible if it snows or the weather is Fine. More likely, Germany will be limited to 1 good attack on the CAV and maybe a solid attack on one of the other 2 units, probably Riga.

The reason that preventing a Breakthrough on the 2nd INF is so important, is that HQ-A Rommel will almost certainly use his reorgnization abilities after the next impulse. That means the 3 units between Minsk and Vilna are likely to be active again if Germany gets another impulse after that. This means most of the units need to be on the rail lines and unable to be ZOCed in such a way that they can't retreat to a better defensive position . . . mybe I should add the 2nd Siberian to the 2nd INF hex, after all.

Anyway, take a look at these 4 posts, let me know what you think, and I'll adjust things in the morning if I've set myself up for a huge mistake. Enjoy!
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Edit: Forgot to mention . . . I'll be using my 3 Air Missions to get the LND near Vitebsk into a safer location, and to finally get the 2 short ranged LND into the Baku/Persia theatre. At the moment, they are both sitting around between Stavrapol and Tiflis . . . completely useless there.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

In moving out of Novgorod, I decided it was best to move only 2 of the 3 hexes the INF could travel. This does two things for him: it keeps him in supply for his next move, regardless of what the weather is like, and it prevents a move across the frozen lakes into the hex he's in now (if it snows). Finland isn't going to want to risk leaving a unit out on open water with Spring and Summer coming up.

I don't think the 5-3 can move there without becoming disorganized.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

It's not quite what I planned, and it's not quite what Steve suggested, but this is what I've come up with for the Dvina defense for this impulse.

The main reason I had to change things around is that the MECH couldn't move to the forest hex Steve suggested (where the 2nd Siberian and 39th INF are stacked with the FTR). Also, in order to move a few of these units without getting them disorganized, I had to put Yeremenko in that clear hex at the crossroads. This defense still makes the Dvina difficult to cross in the east, and protects against a Blitz-Brekathrough that could threaten Yeremenko. I suppose I could add either the 2nd Siberian or the 39th INF to the 2nd INF, but it's a clear hex with more than 2 hexsides to use for attacks (depending on the weather). Unless the die roll produces Fair weather in the Arctic (10% chance of that), Ground Strikes against either Yeremenko or the 2nd MECH are unlikely. Even if the attempt is made, everyone here has FTR coverage.

I think that this setup should limit Germany to a maximum of 3 attacks, if they are willing to risk low odds: Riga, the CAV, and the 2nd INF. That's only possible if it snows or the weather is Fine. More likely, Germany will be limited to 1 good attack on the CAV and maybe a solid attack on one of the other 2 units, probably Riga.

The reason that preventing a Breakthrough on the 2nd INF is so important, is that HQ-A Rommel will almost certainly use his reorgnization abilities after the next impulse. That means the 3 units between Minsk and Vilna are likely to be active again if Germany gets another impulse after that. This means most of the units need to be on the rail lines and unable to be ZOCed in such a way that they can't retreat to a better defensive position . . . mybe I should add the 2nd Siberian to the 2nd INF hex, after all.

Anyway, take a look at these 4 posts, let me know what you think, and I'll adjust things in the morning if I've set myself up for a huge mistake. Enjoy!
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Edit: Forgot to mention . . . I'll be using my 3 Air Missions to get the LND near Vitebsk into a safer location, and to finally get the 2 short ranged LND into the Baku/Persia theatre. At the moment, they are both sitting around between Stavrapol and Tiflis . . . completely useless there.

The 5-4 shouldn't be alone in a clear hex. It is too easy to attack him there. If you can't get the motorized to where you want him, stack him with the HQ. Single units are easy pickings for the Germans. I would prefer the HQ to have a river hexside to his east. Then he can always retreat behind the river when the time comes.

Have you given any thought to how this line will form up next turn if the Germans kill the 4-1 and 3-5 and simply push up next to the USSR frontline?

You should expect Rommel to reorganize 3 of his best units for continuing the advance if the Germans get to move again.

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

In moving out of Novgorod, I decided it was best to move only 2 of the 3 hexes the INF could travel. This does two things for him: it keeps him in supply for his next move, regardless of what the weather is like, and it prevents a move across the frozen lakes into the hex he's in now (if it snows). Finland isn't going to want to risk leaving a unit out on open water with Spring and Summer coming up.

I don't think the 5-3 can move there without becoming disorganized.

Trust me, it can. It's the rail movement bonus, which subtracts 1 MP after weather conditions are accounted for. So, the forest is doubled from 1 to 2, but subtract one for the rail. That means it has used 2 of 3 MP so far and can reach the X if it wanted to. I'm not so sure about the MOT travelling across the frozen lakes, but why take the risk?

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

It's not quite what I planned, and it's not quite what Steve suggested, but this is what I've come up with for the Dvina defense for this impulse.

The main reason I had to change things around is that the MECH couldn't move to the forest hex Steve suggested (where the 2nd Siberian and 39th INF are stacked with the FTR). Also, in order to move a few of these units without getting them disorganized, I had to put Yeremenko in that clear hex at the crossroads. This defense still makes the Dvina difficult to cross in the east, and protects against a Blitz-Brekathrough that could threaten Yeremenko. I suppose I could add either the 2nd Siberian or the 39th INF to the 2nd INF, but it's a clear hex with more than 2 hexsides to use for attacks (depending on the weather). Unless the die roll produces Fair weather in the Arctic (10% chance of that), Ground Strikes against either Yeremenko or the 2nd MECH are unlikely. Even if the attempt is made, everyone here has FTR coverage.

I think that this setup should limit Germany to a maximum of 3 attacks, if they are willing to risk low odds: Riga, the CAV, and the 2nd INF. That's only possible if it snows or the weather is Fine. More likely, Germany will be limited to 1 good attack on the CAV and maybe a solid attack on one of the other 2 units, probably Riga.

The reason that preventing a Breakthrough on the 2nd INF is so important, is that HQ-A Rommel will almost certainly use his reorgnization abilities after the next impulse. That means the 3 units between Minsk and Vilna are likely to be active again if Germany gets another impulse after that. This means most of the units need to be on the rail lines and unable to be ZOCed in such a way that they can't retreat to a better defensive position . . . mybe I should add the 2nd Siberian to the 2nd INF hex, after all.

Anyway, take a look at these 4 posts, let me know what you think, and I'll adjust things in the morning if I've set myself up for a huge mistake. Enjoy!
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Edit: Forgot to mention . . . I'll be using my 3 Air Missions to get the LND near Vitebsk into a safer location, and to finally get the 2 short ranged LND into the Baku/Persia theatre. At the moment, they are both sitting around between Stavrapol and Tiflis . . . completely useless there.

The 5-4 shouldn't be alone in a clear hex. It is too easy to attack him there. If you can't get the motorized to where you want him, stack him with the HQ. Single units are easy pickings for the Germans. I would prefer the HQ to have a river hexside to his east. Then he can always retreat behind the river when the time comes.

Have you given any thought to how this line will form up next turn if the Germans kill the 4-1 and 3-5 and simply push up next to the USSR frontline?

You should expect Rommel to reorganize 3 of his best units for continuing the advance if the Germans get to move again.

The 5-4 is actually safer than you might think. The Germans can get a total of 36 factors against him in Fine weather or snow . . . but that would mean no attack on the CAV or Riga. The CAV is just too good an opportunity to pass up. It would also mean placing Rommel too far forward on that front. If you think I should, though, I'll move the Siberian into that hex with him.

If wishes were horses . . . HQ with a river hexside to the east. Would be nice. Wasn't possible. He's too slow, and he was needed where he is or he'd have more disorganized units on his hands. But don't worry. He'll get there soon.

Yeah, I've thought about how to build a defense next impulse if the Germans push up against this. The MECH will have only 1 hex it can be attacked from, and Ground Support should be able to make him tough to defeat while the enemy crosses a river. It probably won't even be needed. Both of the stacks topped by Siberians move into the forests, and the NW stck gets an ART added to it. That leaves Vitebsk a little short on factors, but it can get Ground Support if needed, and has the river line, too. I'd like to be able to place a sacrifice where the MECH is now, but I don't have one available -- unless Yeremenko stays where he is and reorganizes the 2 units in Vitebsk and the 5-4 INF . . . but I don't like that idea. I'd like to send him to Smolensk, but weather considerations dictate that he probably will be needed to the SE for supply.

[Red Prince]

If you really mean next turn and not next impulse, here's what's coming in. Where these fellas go depends on which MIL units get picked in the draw. The Ukraine could really use that ARM, while the 2 white print units would be nice in the Novgorod region. That doesn't leave much to work with . . . only 3 of the 13 MIL units in the Force Pool would show up in truly useful locations. The rest are going to need rail moves to get them into position.