The Rumble in the Tundra, a Vet (Sov) JB (Axis) rematch

[jasonbroomer]

T13 AGN

Vet continually leaves a line of spam in the first line. There is no way that I can engineer a HA with 10:1 odds with no adjacent Soviets, so I just have to blast them out of the way using DAs with unprepared divisions

T13 AGN DA rather than HA to limit delay.png (2.21 MiB) Viewed 2498 times

Having stripped away this thin skin, we find some muscly opponents siting in prepared positions. Despite throwing in elite troops, the odds of this attack aren't great

T13 AGN a bit chancy.png (1.19 MiB) Viewed 2498 times

but with mud forming in adjacent hexes we take the chance

T13 AGN an excellent result.png (2.14 MiB) Viewed 2498 times

A great result, again thanks in part to the excellence of the leadership


We've rolled another few miles forward but these strong points look imposing

T13 AGN Tough to bypass strong points.png (1.66 MiB) Viewed 2498 times

These will be difficult to bypass and difficult to attack in this weather.

Time to be realistic. Our attack in the north was only meant to be diversionary. We have only committed two armies here and no FBDs. Our supplies are becoming stretched and we have only just managed to get a RAD east of the Narva. Yet we have tied up a good many Soviets and taken a lot of ground. We need to accept that we are not going to get much further before the real mud sets in, so we need to start to think about our winter quarters. Hopefully we can seek out some softer parts of the Soviet lines in the coming turns.

[jasonbroomer]

T13 AGC


Our options in the centre are somewhat limited thanks to the supply situation producing low MPs. I'm really glad that we preserved our trucking fleet earlier in the game, which means that I can more or less afford the current trucking losses. So we do what we can with the mobility at our disposal

T13 AGC Stymied by low MPs so we do what we can.png (2.29 MiB) Viewed 2494 times

Indeed, we even throw in our panzers frontally.

T13 AGC frontal attacks to break fort line.png (1.83 MiB) Viewed 2494 times

While I don't like doing this, the clock is ticking, the weather deteriorating and we are building a nice reserve of tanks. So I don't mind denting a few.

By the end of the turn, we make a bit of progress. Our command structure is all over the place

T13 AGCnot much progress but sorting out mess.png (2.96 MiB) Viewed 2494 times

I'd really like to pause for a turn but with operations certain to be interrupted in 3 or 4 turns time, I can't indulge myself now.

In the southern sector of the centre, we can continue to roll forward now that we have rails working. I have a FBD making the long trek from Gomel to Kursk

T13 AGCGradually making progress here.png (2.83 MiB) Viewed 2492 times

The original strategy called for AGS a thrust up towards Tula from Kharkov to threaten Moscow from the south but I recognise that this is wildly optimistic from a timing perspective. Even with 2 FBDs and the Rom FBD, I would have had needed to entirely ignored the Donets Basin and the Crimea. Even then getting to or beyond Tula would have been tough. Attempting this would have left my right flank scarily exposed during the winter. I just don't have that sort of courage.

[jasonbroomer]

T13 AGS

So we do our best to tidy up our mishap south of Stalino. To the west of Stalino, I have a full fat fresh panzer division which was sent from France early. It's taken a long time to get into a position where it can do anything but I am unsure about the defenders troops density and with only Romanians supporting it, I don't dare commit it into the fray

T13 AGS I think he has withdrawn and could have encircled Stalino this turn.png (1.08 MiB) Viewed 2488 times

By the end of the turn, I realise that the Soviets have largely withdrawn and even with several of my divisions taking an enforced rest, I could have surrounded the city. Oh well, no matter, time is not of essence here as I do not intend to take Rostov

In fact a rare event occurred, Vet missed a trick. It was fairly obvious that I would air resupply the isolated troops south of Stalino. In fact, I could not get any fighters close enough to escort the long flight (from Kherson?) but felt obliged to press on regardless

T13 AGS A Soviet AS mission may have made this expensive.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 2488 times

A Soviet AS mission would have caused this to be an expensive trip. Again this is another aspect that the Axis gains from open TBs - a heap load more of air transports, which when used correctly can be very valuable.

In the Crimea, we grind out a further 10 miles along the entrance. This I know will take time.

So while we have had set backs this turn, we continue to charge a high tariff to the Soviets for defending their ground

T13 Eot at least decent body count.png (321.93 KiB) Viewed 2488 times

and keep the momentum going despite the worsening ground conditions

T13 Eot I need to keep pressure on despite lgt mud.png (479.55 KiB) Viewed 2488 times

[Veterin]

T13 Soviet

1.png (988.85 KiB) Viewed 2395 times

I overcommitted to Kherson/Crimea early on and I’m paying for it in a number of other sectors. The grind through my prepared defence is ongoing hex by hex with some very large battles for this stage of the game. I had GS turned on in this sector for these large battles but it didn’t seem to do much in any event.

Both sides had reserve activations in the battle with Axis forces ultimately being successful. At this stage of the game, Soviets have relatively low caps on how much CV they can cram into a single hex so nothing is completely “impenetrable” like it can be when Rifle Corps are available.

2.png (1.8 MiB) Viewed 2395 times

Following the attack I made last turn and the partial isolation of the Axis spearhead, I’ve had to fall back this turn and abandon Stalino as there was no way I could avoid a large pocket with so few units in the area. I had to sacrifice ~800 or so trucks in my Mech division to isolate axis forces this turn but i needed it to buy some time for any further advances. I really want to avoid losing Rostov in 41.

3.png (1.73 MiB) Viewed 2395 times

My slippery Soviets have reopened the pocket on Kharkov one last time. It’s possible JB doesn’t need these rails to supply his units around Kiev as it could be done further west. On the map you can see a FBD south of Kharkov along the double rails so me holding this city probably isn’t causing him any additional delays unfortunately.

[Veterin]

T13 Cont

4.png (1.63 MiB) Viewed 2392 times

The advance on Leningrad continues. Based on where the attacks were made last turn it’s likely he’s looking for an encirclement of my two strongly defended mountain hexes. Don’t think I’ll be able to stop him all together but can try and slow it down through maintaining strong ZOC on both sides and strong blocking units if possible

5.png (2.37 MiB) Viewed 2392 times

End of turn positioning around the Moscow front. I decided not to flip the two most eastern hexes he attacked from this turn as I wanted to try and get a lvl 2 fort on those triple stacks. The top hex requires a river crossing but I’m on clear hexes for both so that will lower my defence. The bottom has no river crossing required but it’s on light forest so at least it’s better than clear.

6.png (2.19 MiB) Viewed 2392 times

Kursk will fall very soon. I had some tank/mech reinforcements arrive from the TB last turn at Orel so I’ve sent them down here in the open terrain. The defence at Kursk is merely stalling as there’s no way I can hold without any good defensive terrain. He might go for the encirclement of Kursk this turn or potentially just keep pushing to Voronezh to outflank me.

[jasonbroomer]

T14 Axis

I am such a doofus, once again I allow my units to get cut off and miss out on supply

T14 SoT inconsequencial.png (1.52 MiB) Viewed 2312 times

T14 SoT a bit of argy bargy but fine.png (2.42 MiB) Viewed 2312 times

- a bit of argy-bargy. God, I love this term, rest in peace rugby commentator Bill McLaren

T14 SoT Not a great worry.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 2312 times

The first two instances are immaterial, but getting my spearhead cut off outside of Stalino, again, is a bit embarrassing Thankfully I am resolved not to press on to Rostov but it will slow my return to the Crimea. The Romanians can't be used for much, but regimented down, they are good at blocking moves like this.

Anyway, the main problem I face this turn is

T14 SoT rain everywhere this turn and next.png (441.67 KiB) Viewed 2312 times

The awful weather is forecast to continue. While the tariff for light mud appears modest (75% combat effectiveness), the real impact is on movement. Infantry divisions take 4 MPs to capture a hex and motorised MP costs are also higher. The latter impacts supply as a result and in turn means that units are awarded lower MPs as they use a lot of their own trucks to get supplies.

Lower MPs means that you can not do a deliberate attack and have significant SMPs remaining for CPP boosting. Using trucks, means more of them break down. So as is so often in this deep game, adverse minor effects compound into a material impact.

My advance has now gone beyond my depots and many units are beginning to struggle for supply.

[jasonbroomer]

T14 Axis AGN

In the north, I would love to isolate the two strong points (highlighted in the second screen shot) sitting in the rough terrain outside of Leningrad. However, with the resources available to AGN and difficult weather I just don't think I can do this in the time available.
Indeed, to do so would just exacerbate our supply problems. Instead, we continue to blast our way through and remove the pinch points of local supply route.

However, some battles are tougher than expected

T14 AGN Tough going.png (1.82 MiB) Viewed 2309 times

so we make the effort to hit the retreated units again

T14 AGN Blasting our way through.png (2.25 MiB) Viewed 2307 times

with predictable results. Other battles are surprisingly easy

T14 AGN Surprising result.png (1.16 MiB) Viewed 2309 times

Without scouting attacks, which I rarely use, it is very difficult to determine the quality of soviet formations. In the first couple of turns, they are all crap bar a handful of exceptions. Then trained reserves begin to appear which require a little more respect but at these stage of the game it can be assumed that I good Soviet player will not be placing soft targets in the front line (apart from the obvious suicide squads) but occasionally you will come across them.

[jasonbroomer]

T14 AGC

Our attack in the centre is being blunted by poor supply. I have finally got a super depot working

T14 SoT Super depot solves supply issues.png (2.52 MiB) Viewed 2297 times

a full turn late following Vet rudely evicting my FBD from Vyazma. It is also four or five hexes south of where I had hoped. Regardless, many units are still struggling for supplies. I would love to smash through the current line as I am fairly certain that not much lays beyond it, however, the combination of unprepared units, supply shortages and mud makes this a step too far. So I attack from mud free areas

T14 AGC Absence of mud dictated this attack.png (2.48 MiB) Viewed 2297 times

or take out strategic defensive hexes that may be useful during winter.

T14 AGC I need this hex.png (1.58 MiB) Viewed 2295 times

240 panzers sent to attack a marsh hex. It was all that I had available!

The weather forecast is such that I fear an early onset of heavy mud on turn 16. My attack on Moscow is stymied. Instead, I work on improving my fragile grip on Vyazma. While this is not a VP city, it is an important supply route for my advanced formations. So I make some preparatory attacks and rest key troops for attacks around this sector next turn. Hopefully Vet won't be prepared for these and believe that I am still focused on Moscow.

T14 AGC EoT Hopefully Vet is expecting attack to Moscow.png (3.94 MiB) Viewed 2293 times

If I am wintering in this area, I need to think about Rzhev. This city will almost certainly be the target of any Soviet counteroffensive. I doubt that I will be able to hold it but I want to make it as difficult as possible and tie up as many of the Soviets as I can in what I intend to make a kill zone.

The single line railway between Vyazma and Rzhev covers much open terrain and is not defensible, so I intend to run a line in the north from VL. Here the terrain is much more favourable. It's a pain to use a valuable FBD but I must. I am currently repairing the line from Vyazma. Once Rzhev is reached it will swing west to VL. Meanwhile, I will quietly try to extend the defensive buffer around this line. This part of the Soviet line is very lightly defended. I certainly don't want to plough through this difficult terrain against serious opposition.

Note also the use of regimented SEC units in the rear. These small formations are incredibly useful to protect lines of communications in the north where the allies refuse to come. It is well worth keeping a couple of divisions from the garrison TB.

[jasonbroomer]

T14 AGC/S


Till now little has been happening in the Gomel-Bryansk sector. I have had a FBD running a line between Gomal towards Kursk, which is taking forever, but I really want this ground and it's lightly defended.

T14 AGCS EoT Overview.png (3.58 MiB) Viewed 2283 times

The front is very 'wavy' at the moment. This is to the aggressors benefit, as it takes more units to man the line (whereas the attacker can leave gaps and pick his targets). However, come the winter I will be on the defensive, so a straighter front would be to my benefit, so I aim to make it so.

We still have to take Kursk, while it is in open terrain there is a river line to get over. Of course, the hexes that I was preparing to cross from are afflicted with mud

T14 AGS Lgt mud in these 3 hexes is so frustrating.png (1.21 MiB) Viewed 2283 times

I now need an elaborate set of attacks to clear the way

T14 AGS Good job I attacked with 2 divisions.png (1.98 MiB) Viewed 2283 times

so that we can clear a route across without a combat delay affecting the crossing hex

T14 AGS Combat delay avioded.png (1.33 MiB) Viewed 2283 times

[jasonbroomer]

T14 AGS - Kursk operations cont

This then opens the door to hard ground across the river where we can get to in strength and deliver swinging blows such as this

T14 AGS This is what we came for.png (1.6 MiB) Viewed 2279 times

Wallop!


This leaves Kursk nicely outflanked and it will have to be abandoned next turn. Meanwhile, motorised elements of 1st Pz have been assigned to 4th Army and these are tearing up the countryside towards Bryansk and pocketing a few units along the way with the help of a motorised division that was pealed off from the main body of 3rd Pz last turn.

T14 AGS EoT Kursk outflanked.png (3.59 MiB) Viewed 2279 times

In the Kharkov sector we have the Hungarian Cv brigade operating. This has a base morale of 65 but we happen to have been using it a lot to mop up Soviets, so it now has a moral and experience of 73. This is making it rather effective...

T14 AGS With Exp of 73 these Hun Cv are getting good.png (1.89 MiB) Viewed 2279 times

While Vet has managed to be very sly and somehow prevented Kharkov from being isolated this turn, it really doesn't matter as I can still get 6 bonus VPs for its early capture next turn

Further south, Stalino is more or less abandoned, so we isolate the units that were so rudely isolating our Axis columns there, along with the token defenders of the city. I conclude the turn by relocating 1st Pz HQ along with a motorised column to the Crimea to help out the assault on the Perekop isthmus.

[Veterin]

T14 Soviet

1

1.png (1.33 MiB) Viewed 2126 times

Rather than push between the mountains as I was expecting this turn was largely one of consolidation by JB. I notice a lot of units off the frontline rebuilding CPP. I’ll reposition directly east to slow down any advance in that direction but I still expect him to push north next turn.

2

2.png (1.44 MiB) Viewed 2126 times

End of turn defence in Leningrad. I’ve decided not to flip the far eastern hex so I can get higher fort levels on the units behind it. There’s a risk he’ll go directly north east from his 30=47 moto stack but I should have a lvl 1 fort there next turn so even if he does attack that way, hopefully it’s just the one hex instead of 2 deep. In any event, at turn 14 he has 2-3 turns left before heavy mud

3

3.png (1.12 MiB) Viewed 2126 times

Crimea might be safe in 41. Given he’s only got 2 infantry divisions on the frontline and I can see 2 rather than 3 building CPP in the hex behind it’s unlikely he’ll try to advance here. It’s likely that where he is now is where he will fortify up over winter. Similarly, I can see a number of units at Melitopol and 8 airdrops there so axis forces are likely shifting from Crimea to Stalino/Rostov area.

[Veterin]

T14 Soviet

4

4.png (2.05 MiB) Viewed 2125 times

This is the Moscow front at the start of my turn. Looks like the advance beyond Rhzev is on hold and the pivot has been moved south likely to push towards Kaluga/Bryansk. His units around the north are holding the river line and/or good defensive terrain.

Bryansk will likely fall to the AGS in any event. A lot of weak extended German units here so I might look to make a few counter attacks even though it will weaken my def a bit. I’ll likely try and unisolate that single division south of Vyazma.

5

5.png (1 MiB) Viewed 2125 times

The easy part is now done but now comes the hard part of pulling back my units as effectively as possible so they don’t get obliterated (too heavily) next turn. I would love to try and hold the salient east of Bryansk but with axis moto units both north and south of the salient it is too risky so I’ll pull those units back this turn.

[Veterin]

T14 Soviet

6.png (1.73 MiB) Viewed 2124 times

I’ve fallen back from the salient west of Bryansk. With motorised axis units north west and south east of that position it wasn’t tenable with my few units in the area. It’s likely the advance will go directly east of Vyzama next turn or pivot south east to link up with Bryansk.

7.png (220.04 KiB) Viewed 2124 times

8.png (181.37 KiB) Viewed 2124 times

9.png (293.69 KiB) Viewed 2124 times

End of turn OOB and loss screen

[jasonbroomer]

T15 Axis

A couple of turns ago I was supremely confident as the game was coming together like two butt cheeks but my strategic logistics miscalculation in the centre compounded by dreadful weather and some irritating Vet manoeuvres has really brought my attack to a standstill.

Vet keep pulling cheapo moves like this

T15 SoT I still have a couple of turns to take Kharkov or full VPs.png (1.22 MiB) Viewed 1924 times

This cost me a bonus VP at Kharkov (I'm not sure that I have the local strength to storm Kharkov unisolated and it would allow that division to escape annihilation) and delayed units moving forward.

The weather is not improving and only seems to be deteriorating.

T15 SoT dreadful weather set to continue.png (286.73 KiB) Viewed 1924 times

Heavy mud is normally triggered on turn 17 but I have fears that it will arrive on turn 16. This gives me 2 further turns to make progress. Realistically, I can not achieve anything further of strategic value, so I must think about tidying up my line and preparing for winter

AGN

In the north we resort to taking on targets of opportunity to keep Vet's refitting programme employed

T15 AGN Resorting to targets of opportunity.png (1.55 MiB) Viewed 1919 times

We begin to steer more powerful units away from the bastions defending the road to Leningrad, more southwards in the hope of finding softer targets.

T15 AGN EoT salients may force Russian withdrawls.png (2.21 MiB) Viewed 1919 times

We also try to create vulnerable salients to oblige Vet to give up decent terrain cheaply.

We have had trouble deploying RADs that are urgently needed to link up new depots that have been built in attempt to diminish the supply difficulties in the north. Shortage of supply means that RADs don't always deploy to repair. Around this stage, I also noticed that some RADs are battalion sized, while others are regiments. The latter appear more prone to deploy, a useful nugget of information about these invaluable units.

[jasonbroomer]

T15 Axis AGC

Here's a good example of the problems that mud brings

T15 AGC Lgt mud is so annoying.png (1.05 MiB) Viewed 1914 times

Despite supplying and resting this infantry division, 16 MPs is not sufficient to get it into a position for a DA. So resort to doing what we can dream up

T15 AGC Having to dream up attacks.png (2.03 MiB) Viewed 1914 times

and here

T15 AGC pretty pointless but hey encirlces 158th.png (1.83 MiB) Viewed 1914 times

which is pretty pointless at the pocket is tissue thin, but hey what else can be do against a dug in opponent?

A pretty feeble by AGC but it needs a rest and supplies are gradually getting through

T15 AGC EoT not much progress.png (3.17 MiB) Viewed 1914 times

and I'm actually quite pleased to have secured a rail route to Rzhev from the north east, as well as getting the line repaired from Vyazma.

[jasonbroomer]

AGCS

The plus side of the stalled attack in the centre is being able to push on to Bryansk and Kursk as supply route is finally opened. Soviet defences in this sector are very porous allowing some pockets to be created

T15 AGC Pocket resealed.png (4.23 MiB) Viewed 1908 times

I highlight the FBD which is making tortuous progress from Gomel. The key advantage of this strategy is that it smooths out the front and eliminates a salient which the Soviets might exploit in winter

We decide to storm Kursk

T15 AGS may as well take Kursk.png (1.5 MiB) Viewed 1908 times

We may not be able to hold onto the city during the winter (but I intend to have a really good try), but as I can gain 6 bonus VPs, it's a wash even if I eventually lose it.

We elect to reseal Kharkov, again!

T15 AGS Kharkov needs to be cleared next turn.png (2.01 MiB) Viewed 1908 times

Hopefully this time our ZOC lattice is better designed

[jasonbroomer]

T15 AGS

1st Panzer now turns its attention to the Crimea. We even have lousy weather here too but the eastern approach is mud free and Vet will hopefully be heavily committed defending the eastern approach where our efforts have been made thus far

T15 AGS weather forcing me to change angle of attack.png (1.44 MiB) Viewed 1906 times

We succeed but getting sufficient troops across the major river to hold onto our bridgehead is difficult.

T15 Bridgehead may get pushed back.png (716.38 KiB) Viewed 1906 times

So every available SU is brought up in the hope that the bridgehead (in clear terrain) can be maintained. It will be touch and go.


Despite the awful conditions, we still manage a pretty haul over the turn

T15 EoT Decent haul in tricky circumstances.png (304.9 KiB) Viewed 1906 times

This steady attrition helps keep the Soviet OoB to manageable proportions

T15 SoT Soviet OB.png (665.84 KiB) Viewed 1904 times

[Veterin]

T15 Soviet

1.png (1.88 MiB) Viewed 1763 times

Only a few axis attacks around the Leningrad sector this turn. A lot of axis units have been pulled off the frontline so there is a lot of combat strength building for next turn if he chooses to push. Next turn is likely the last turn he’ll have before heavy mud kicks in. I have very few forces near Staraya Russa but I deployed 3 infantry divisions nearby last turn so I’ll use these to reinforce that area. My defence towards Novgorod has also thinned out a bit over the last few turns as I’ve shifted units north so need to be careful not to thin it out much further.

2.png (884.46 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

I expected that the Axis pullback of units around Crimea would be redeployed towards the Rostov sector but they are continuing to push Crimea via the eastern approach rather than western. At this stage of the game, soviets can’t make any hex impenetrable and this is a good example of it with 35k units in a lvl 3 fort with a good general across a major river but the Axis forces can still push it aside with enough divisions and SU attachments (plenty of Pioneers, infantry regiment SUs and RFFS moto in this battle).

I was contemplating attacking the Axis bridgehead which includes a fresh panzer division and a moto regiment however I don’t think I have enough CV to safely do it. I could have probably mustered around 500-600 CV against the 260 axis def but that’s a bit misleading as a significant potion of my elements would have been damaged/disrupted before getting in range to start attacking the axis forces.

I decide to reorientate my defence to face the new bridgehead. It’s possible that JB will try and take Crimea after the heavy muds in 41 but I think it’s unlikely so should be able to hold it until the 42 axis offensive.

3.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 1763 times

4.png (1.91 MiB) Viewed 1763 times

I suspect that there will not be much more of an advance directly on Moscow in 41. There were some opportunistic attacks and advancement north west of Rzhev as I have few units in the area.

A larger axis effort is made east/south east of Vyzama likely to try and force me to cede all this good defensive terrain. It’s likely this is where he wants to anker his winter defence along the strong defensive terrain between Bryansk and the forests west of Kaluga.

[Veterin]

T15 Soviet

5.png (1.55 MiB) Viewed 1762 times

end of turn defence. A lot of those lvl 2 forts should hit lvl 3 when the turn runs so I’d like to hold them if possible.

[jasonbroomer]

T16

The appalling weather continues across the entire front and virtually everywhere is covered in light mud. This is making operations very difficult and straining my supply systems. My FBDs and RADs are working flat out the improve the rail infrastructure but I have advanced a long way in this game and my depot reserves are minimal. Winter could be tough.

I am expecting this to be the final turn of operations before heavy mud sets in, so I resolve to flat out attack targets of opportunity. As the weather will flip in the Soviet turn, I am not fearful about counterattacks.

In the north, I aim to reduce forts where I can

T16 AGN reducing forts.png (2.38 MiB) Viewed 1637 times

and use the pitifully few hexes of clear ground to launch attacks from

T16 AGN making use of clear ground.png (1.9 MiB) Viewed 1641 times

There is not much thought into why am I attacking here, much more of me as doing as much damage as I possibly can.

In hindsight I am very pleased with my push towards Leningrad, which has progressed much further than I had expected and just about getting into good defensive ground ready for winter. Essentially this has been done by two armies and has tied up a lot of Soviet defenders. I may have overcommitted by using prime SUs such as the RFSS in this sector but these are good in difficult terrain and until recently AGC has had more than enough force to dislodge what is in front of it.