Burns vs. Flaviusx

[AlbertN]

The Germans have not made it past the Dnepr in '41 and just got there in '42?

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Cohen_slith
The Germans have not made it past the Dnepr in '41 and just got there in '42?

Historical timelines mean nothing, it's the experience gap that matters in this game.

My opponent made a mistake with his panzers in 1941, had he not lost them he'd have been well past the Dnepr in 41. This game is all about experience. Germany is so powerful now, I do not see the Soviets ever overcoming his huge experience gap over them. He can destroy enough Soviet units at will now that gaining experience will be impossible for the Soviets.

In the past 3 turns he has caused the Soviets to lose 10 build experience. There are still 3 months of clear weather ahead, 1942 is going to be disastrous for the Soviets and will probably set the table for a 43 win by Germany.

Jim

[Flaviusx]

Panzer Gruppe South got smashed trying to cross the Dnepr in 41 when I pushed it too hard, and that was pure user error. I could've been more deliberate about it and had time.

The south in 41 was also under resourced, particularly in airpower. I had all but 2 bombers in the north. Leningrad was priority one in 41. And I am glad I have it, too. It would be much more difficult to do it later, maybe impossible. What I want in the south I can get later and am doing it now. I have the A team there this year: most of my mech, my paras, the bulk of the luftwaffe, and Manstein and Kesselring. And, no, I have no plans of driving to Stalingrad here, lol.

I have fighter coverage of those synth plants, btw.

But I had the silly plane set on mission only. That was back when I was trying to get the luftwaffe to tech up, and I forgot to toggle it back on full support.

My oil situation is much better this year, at least. Far less marching around. At one point my oil reserve got down to 350 and I was sweating bullets. As of right now I have 750 or so in the bank and that should be enough to see me through the rest of the summer 42 campaign.

[Flaviusx]

I think this idea of me winning in 1943 is too gloomy.

I will not be able to knock Russia out of the war or anything like that. What I want to do is take the Ukraine, grind up the Red Army nice and good, and sit tight. Then I need to run out the clock. This thing isn't going to be decided in 1943 or whatever, it will go the distance. Next year I have to start worrying about an allied landing somewhere. I am already taking some steps to secure Italy by putting german troops in key locations in the event it falls.

This winter I will be focusing my efforts on building up a big central reserve to respond to a landing. I may even start stripping Russia of a few units. The worst thing I could do here is to drive too far east and spread myself thin. Look how well that worked out in real life!

[Jim D Burns]

17 July 1942

The Soviet airforce finally does some good this year and manages to shoot down an attempted para drop southwest of Stalino. I'm curious if it's treated like unloading at a port, was the para unit destroyed or just damaged as the aborted mission statement implies?

Dnepropetrovsk falls and a hex or two in the center falls as well. In the South the Germans appear to be lining up for a push due east through the Stalino area.

[Radagy]

I’m really enjoying this AAR.
Thanks to both of you.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Radagy
I’m really enjoying this AAR.
Thanks to both of you.

You're welcome, glad to hear you're enjoying it. It's fun for me to post as well, as it makes me think about the game more and helps on the learning curve too.

Jim

[Flaviusx]

The para unit was returned to its original starting point at half strength and very low readiness. They are hors de combat for a while. And I guess I need to rebuild that air transport, too.

[comsolut]

[/quote]

This game is all about experience. Germany is so powerful now, I do not see the Soviets ever overcoming his huge experience gap over them. He can destroy enough Soviet units at will now that gaining experience will be impossible for the Soviets.

Reminds me of WITE where German morale and experience were critical to success.

[Jim D Burns]

31 July 1942

Germany relentlessly continues to push back the Soviets, forcing a large section of my line in the south to pull back two hexes.

In Africa the British have passed Bengazi and are approaching the Italian lines. In North Africa the American's have landed and will be moving into the lines soon. Soon the Battle for Africa will get underway.

[John B.]

I'm enjoying the AAR as well. Thanks for keeping up with it even in the gloomy times!

I've purchased the game, I just have not gotten around to trying it out.

[Jim D Burns]

14 August 1842

The Germans continue their drive eastwards towards Rostov. I've shown the entire front this turn so you can gauge their progress so far. With at least 3 more turns of clear weather I think he may make Rostov.

In Africa the Americans start to take over the northern positions in the Canadians line. The British begin to form their lines south of Bengazi but are not in contact yet.

The problem I foresee in Africa is the allied airforces aren't strong enough yet to really damage a strong position enough to make it assailable, so it may be 1943 before enough ground strikers are present to allow headway into fortress Tunisia/Tripoli.

Edit: I should mention the empty hexes in the center near Smolensk. My opponent attempted to take the city this turn from a very strong mech unit and the city held. My opponents armor was really weak showing perhaps 4 strength, so I assumed he pulled back his tired units to rest.

I was not willing to leave my trenches to go forward and see if I could find a weak victim as he's been driving me back easily on this front and he'd probably shatter the entire front if I gave up my dug in positions.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: John B.

I'm enjoying the AAR as well. Thanks for keeping up with it even in the gloomy times!

I've purchased the game, I just have not gotten around to trying it out.

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it. Gloomy times or not I am really enjoying this game. Even if I get obliterated I shall fight to the bitter end.

[Flaviusx]

Finally took Smolensk this last turn, you made me pay a pretty penny for it. Most expensive city by far compared to any of the others I've taken this year. Not having much airpower up north makes any such assault rough.

As far as Africa goes, I'm just trying to draw this out, once the allies show up in might my days are numbered over there. Where are all the allied aircraft? I figured more would be available by now.

You must be sending some truly incredible amounts of lend lease to Russia and delaying your builds. Aircraft are pretty much the first thing I buy with the Americans, anyways, once they are in the war.

I need more time to properly garrison Italy and a few other choice places in the Med.

[Jim D Burns]

28 August 1942

Smolensk falls, after last turns pounding the mech defender gave up the city after a single attack. In the south the Germans clear away some Soviet cavalry units and gain another hex towards Rostov.

The US make it to their positions and I look things over in north Africa. As I suspect I'm going to need a large airforce here, but it won't finish building until later this year. My opponents fondness for para drops has me using the north African troops to guard my rear area.

In Lybia my lines turned out to be a bit too far from Bengazi and my units start the turn out of supply. I pull back towards my lone HQ. We'll have to wait for my second HQ to arrive so we can chain supplies closer towards Tripoli before we can push farther here.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx
You must be sending some truly incredible amounts of lend lease to Russia and delaying your builds. Aircraft are pretty much the first thing I buy with the Americans, anyways, once they are in the war.

Max lend lease is all that is keeping the Soviet units fleshed out. You've been causing such high casualties I've forgone new builds in favor of nothing but reinforcements.

I made the mistake of assuming we were going to have a more active naval game and spent early cash on more shipyards (to build more escorts) and another carrier... Initial airforce is due late 42, won't see African coast until near the end of the year.

Jim

[Flaviusx]

I love paratroopers, they have paid off enormously for me. They cracked open the south for me this year, and they helped take Leningrad, too.

I even built the Italian Folgore unit, lol. But it hasn't seen action yet, waiting for a good drop opportunity with it, so you are not wrong to be worried.

[Jim D Burns]

11 September 1942

In the south, Germany shifts north in a drive on Kursk and orel. Kharkov falls and Germany reaches the outskirts of both Kursk and Orel but the cities are not attacked. This necessitates another major adjustment of my line and Gomel is abandoned. During his drive north, another para mission is shot down and aborted.

Nothing to report in the center.

In Africa the Germans and Italians fell back a bit. This may be due to the fact with three allied tacs in the area all but one (Tripoli) of his ports can be interdicted. He may be suffering from supply issues due to having such a large force in Tunisia.

[FelixCulpa]

Thx Guys for doing the AAR, very interesting.

On paratroops - would like your opinion on whether these are currently an exploit of the retreat rules and are overpowered as such.
Should a Paratroop Corps be able to hold out against two Mech as happened previously? - even with a bad roll!
Should they be allowed to drop into a hex surrounded by enemy units? undamaged - and be able to hold on longer than 4 wks - 2 turns.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: FelixCulpa
Thx Guys for doing the AAR, very interesting.

On paratroops - would like your opinion on whether these are currently an exploit of the retreat rules and are overpowered as such.
Should a Paratroop Corps be able to hold out against two Mech as happened previously? - even with a bad roll!
Should they be allowed to drop into a hex surrounded by enemy units? undamaged - and be able to hold on longer than 4 wks - 2 turns.

No problem, glad you're enjoying it.

As to para's, I say yes they are a bit of an exploit currently. They should have to commit to a drop two or three turns ahead and only be allowed to drop on that hex. The ability to conduct ground battles, see where units are in trouble and then instantly drop to block a retreat is an exploit in my view.

To stop this they could use the commit ahead system, or make it so they get attacked by fighters no matter what. So even if all enemy fighters have zero actions left allow the intercept and guarantee it happens. By the time they get used now, it is very rare for any enemy fighters to have actions left to roll an attempted intercept, not good.

Edit: Another possible idea is to make it so only divisions can drop. Then don't allow them to recombine until the next turn.

P.S. This is not a dig against my opponent. He is a fair and decent gamer and is simply using a system the game allows. I too will probably use it in our game, but that doesn't mean the system shouldn't be looked at.

Jim