timmyab (Sov) v Smokingdave (Axis)

[timmyab]

Yes the armor is always probing for weak spots. There aren't too many in Dave's defenses though because the probing armor forces him to spread his strength out.

I prefer to slightly overload the tank army HQs so that they are more able to operate independantly. Usually they have three tank corps and one mech corps each. Combat results aren't noticably affected by it.

[timmyab]

Turn 141

VL is liberated by 1st TA.
Growing signs of German fragility in the center.
Western front cavalry is at last in position to accelerate the drive through Gomel towards the Dneiper.

Trucks now over 100K short [X(]

[timmyab]

1st tank front captures Cherkassy and pressurizes the retreating Axis forces in a deliberate attempt to sow uncertainty and speed up their retreat.

Axis units start to fall back from the Crimea.

[timmyab]

Turn 142

With heavy support from Western Front 7th tank army is able to advance 40 miles this week. The speed of the advance seems to catch the Germans by surprise and 7th TA even manages to send some patrols across the Dnieper.
However we really want a bridgehead further North and intelligence reports suggest that there are strong German formations moving towards that area. Some of these units have probably been sent South from the Smolensk front which now gives way under the mighty blows of 5th shock army, 3rd and 4th Guards armies, 21st Army and 5th tank army. In fact the entire German front North of the Pripets is becoming strained.

[timmyab]

Situation in the South.
There is a particular danger for the Axis player in this position. Can anyone spot what it is?

[timmyab]

Turn 143

The German line pulls back in the center as reinforcements pour South to block Western front from forming a Dnieper bridghead.

Two German divisions find themselves behind enemy lines this week. The SS division will certainly be rescued.

[timmyab]

The answer to the question posed in the previous turn is that the Axis divisions in the far South are vulnerable to an amphibious landing at the mouth of the Dnieper.
The landing severs the rail connection and 4th tank army moves South to make the situation worse.

I thought about delaying this landing for another week but decided that the danger would be too obvious by then and the target units railed to safety. Only very high MPs will save them now.

[ericv]

nice idea and execution. That's going to hurt him

[timmyab]

Turn 144

Western front secures a small bridgehead over the Dnieper (circled). It's not in a good location though.
North of Mogilev 3rd tank army breaks through with advanced elements reaching the Dnieper East bank.

[timmyab]

Two German and seven Allied divisions are doomed with four more in serious danger of being overrun.

[bigbaba]

amazing staff work by coordinating amphibious landings and the penetration of his frontline. you realy act like wassiliewski or vatutin here. although he played like hitler and made some huge mistakes. his line was too exposed and he should have retreated the troops to nikolaev and creating a shorter defensive line. now he is swimming in the far south. those hungarian divisions are very juicy targets for your mobile troops.

[timmyab]

It's very easy to forget about the Soviet amphib threat. I've made the same mistake myself.
I don't use paras on principal in this game but I think amphib invasions are fair and reasonable as the rules currently stand.

[timmyab]

Turn 145

The Germans retreat to prepared positions on the Dnieper and land bridge. There is still one more week of good weather in which to secure more of the West bank.
An attempt to expand the Western front bridgehead fails.

Further to the South 7th tank army pushes into the lightly defended Pripet marshes.

[timmyab]

Good progress in the North where Leningrad front gains a strong toehold across the Narva river.

[timmyab]

The final toll of the Southern pocket is likely to be four German and eight allied divisions.
Two more are left behind defending Nikolaev.

[timmyab]

Turn 146
Last turn of my winter 43/44 campaign.

On the whole it's gone better than expected especially in the South where the Axis forces have relentlessly backed off from 1st Tank front. This strategy from Dave does at least mean that his force is still reasonably intact and progress in the North and center has been slow, untill the last few weeks anyway.
However, the Southern pocket is reduced this week and for the first time since I can remember German manpower falls below four million.
3rd shock army forces a crossing of the still frozen Dnieper just North of Mogilev (circled). Not ideal but I'll take it. Further South Western front again tries and fails to expand it's bridgehead.
Lt General Bobkin, commander of 7th tank army, continues to impress the Stavka as he exploits German weakness in the Pripet marshes.
24th army expands it's Narva bridgehead with help from two independent tank corps.

[timmyab]

Turn 147
A suprise attack through the Rasputitsa mud dislodges an unwary German division and expands our Southern Bridgehead.

Cavalry infiltrate into the marshes against thinly held defenses.

[bigbaba]

his front is realy swimming. i guess you will have a great summer of 1944.

[timmyab]

Turn 152

The first clear turn of Spring and the great German retreat continues.

My armor is now heavily weighted towards the South with 28 out of 44 mobile corps South of the Pripets.

[timmyab]

Turn 157

The Spring turns continue in the same manner. Some straglers are swept up but most of the Axis forces are staying just out of range of deliberate attacks.