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Turn 16

Although the Germans have inflicted heavy losses on the Red Army they had failed to take any of their main geographical objectives: Leningrad, Moscow, Tula, Orel, Kursk, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk or Zaporezhye. However, the thinning ranks of the Red Army have finally been overrun, at least in the south, and a panzer exploitation has taken the industrial centre of Stalino. It will also encircle the whole of the North Caucusus front, complete with Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporezhye, and lay open the Crimea. Operation Barbarossa now looks like rather more of a success.

However, let us begin our situation report with Leningrad. Here the Germans have again broken over the Neva, but only with a single panzer division. This happened last turn as well, but I forgot to mention that it was counter-attacked and forced to retreat. On east bank of the Volkhov, the Waffen SS lead a thrust through bog and brush toward the Finnish army, which is now on the boarders of the Soviet Union. The only good news in this scenario is that any fanciful attempts to pull off a left hook, behind the Valdai, is off the agenda.

Incidently, I only remembered to take screen shots half way through my moves, which explains why the position in this one is impossible.

Both armies continue to dispute possession of the Valdai. I think I can hold this, at least until the snow turns, and I'd be surprised if the Wehrmacht had the capacity to take it then. However, the Germans have rather more success further south, as Kalinin is encircled and exploitation forces push on to Vyshny Volochek ... and away from Moscow.

Moscow. Two divisions of the Kalinin Front are encircled, but otherwise it's strangely peaceful.

At the Tula breakthough, the German forces in the salient thrash around, but Efremov does a good job of preventing any further exploitation. I'm beginning to dream of holding Tula.

I'm also beginning to dream of holding Kursk and Kharkov. If so, it's only a slight exaggeration to say that the whole of the centre is secured. It will also be a splendid jumping off point for the blizzard offensive.

But of course there is a high price to be paid for this stability in the centre: the collapse of my position in south Ukraine. Again, this shows the position after my first reactive moves.

Soviet responses

In Leningrad, there is no need for deep thought.

We also do what we can to smother the dangerous panzer thrust.

At Moscow I have an abundance of well rested units and it proves possible to push the powerful German infantry division to one side and rescue the encircled forces.

At Tula, we keep our teeth clamped onto the field-grey trousers of the foe, and neatly encircle a couple of divisions (temporarily).

Kursk. I reinforce as best I can, but that grouping of German forces looks awfully potent.

The disaster in the south. A collection of untrained troops are rushed to the east of Stalino and placed under the command of 6th, 9th and 18th Army. This may be enough to bar to door to Rostov, but I have no defence against a push south to the Black Sea and the Crimea. Bugger.

So there it is. One more turn until the mud, and a highly interesting and unbalanced situation has arisen. Both sides can still win the game, and I suspect the next turn will go a long way to deciding which it is.

Turn 17

The final turn of the first summer offensive, and at last it is clear what my opponent's plan was - to create a giant encirclement of the south-centre of the Russian line. I admire the wide sweep of the concept, although it probably needed a few more turns to bring it off. Nevertheless, those potent panzers at Kursk have broken through the crumbling Soviet lines and taken Vorenezh. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I can't remember whether I railed anything out of not, but Blubel assures me that I have at least lost a great many aircraft factories.

In the north, the German's continue to press on the Volkhov, Valdai and Kalinin fronts. These, I think, will be containable.

In the south the German reach the Black Sea coast and stand to at the gates of the Crimea. I order a round of bracing executions, in the same way that smelling salts are administered to a floored boxer.

Soviet responses

Leningrad. The Germans are now across the Neva in multidivsional strength, so the city is doomed. East of Volkhov, we instal a screen of troops, which should be enough to hold during the mud. A few tank brigades are sent to the area as reinforcement.

Valdai and Kalinin. A highly complex situation has arisen on the hills, with both sides threatening the other with encirclement. If I can reinforce this area during mud, I may make some progress here. Reserves are sent to Vyshny Volochek, another city I mean to hold if I can.

At Tula it proves straightforward to execute a defensive pincer. Will my cavalry division hold in the mud, though? I draw the general's attention to recent events in the southern Ukraine.

Vorenezh. After a little reconnaissance it becomes clear that the city was taken by the 18th Panzer Division with no support from any other German units. A sacrifice, in other words. Reserves are railed in to surround the doomed Germans.