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You can't isolate units by cutting rail lines. Your comment on cutting the rail line above makes me suspect you think that. HQs can trace a LOOOOOONG way to rail heads.

Mynok, thanks for the comments. I was hoping to cut the rail line to prevent its use in evacuating a large portion of the western SU forces. The SU has so much rail cap, I think its cutting in forming pockets is a must. As for supply, you are most certainly correct; supply can be traced a long way – thank goodness!

Turn 5

I took this time to review the leaders for the next drive by AGC. Several were replaced by more (hopefully) effective infantry leaders. Doing this is not cheap on AP.

AGN: The first of two pockets is forming. I hope to close the pocket at the town of Dno (east of Pleskau). The drive will then be due east to secure the Waldai Hieghts.

AGC: The infantry has arrived and taken positions. The panzers regrouped and rested. Turn 6 will see a breakout made by the infantry north of Smolensk. The panzers will drive NE to Rshew. The goal is to trap the SU units around Velikie Luki. The panzers near Mogilew will wait a turn or two more. Their task will be to breakout and drive ENE and link with the aforementioned offensive at the town of Wjasma. However, this may change depending on the circumstances at the time. For now consider them a reserve to exploit any weakness.

AGS: We have reestablished communication with the panzers. The time to do this allowed more infantry to make it to the front. The plan stands: Drive SE along the west bank of the Dnepr while the Romanian units drive due east.

I am a little concerned about my AFV losses. 88 Pz IIc, 79 Pz IIIg, 77 Pz 38(t), 36 Pz 38(t)E plus assorted others. These are the backbone of the panzer units. I'll have to be more careful and selective on my attacks with them.

Also, bombing airfields at this time does not yeild good results. I think fighter sweeps would be more effective.

Turn 6

AGN: A modest pocket was created south of Pskov. The panzers will continue driving to the southern shores of lake Ilmen.

AGC: The breakout NE of Smolensk has begun. The infantry broke the forts, the armour scattered a few behind the lines. The panzer corps at Mogilev will wait to see the outcome.

AGS: The AI has made the drive down the western shore difficult so, we take what we can. There is the panzers waiting with AGC after all.

Turn 7

I believe I have given the AI a lot to consider this turn especially with a reserve panzer army sitting in the centre. Things are being shaken up.

AGN: The Finns have worked their way south causing some enemy casualties. Conducting some low risk infantry attacks east and north toward Leningrad. I am attempting a low odds encirclement of several divisions south of lake Ilmen. The AI pulled out of Velikie Luki. I stepped in.

AGC: The drive NE continued with many more infantry attacks breaking open the lines and shoring up the flanks. The panzer corps worked its way north. I am hoping to get to Adreapol next turn and possibly close another potential pocket.

AGS:

The armour thrusts SE of Keiv has allowed the infantry of the 6th Army to drive north of Keiv. An armoured push toward Cherkassy is supplemented by a weak attempt at a pocket south of it. Unfortunately without divisions and their ZOCs in there, the encircled will escape.

Turn 8

AGN: The infantry continue their push east and north. Many low risk attacks gain both ground and position. The 3 panzer corps continue to drive east along the rail line. The weak attempt to encircle was broken but the potential still exists.

AGC: The assault to the NE is in full swing. The lines of communication are secured and the infantry have managed to keep the flanks secure. The single panzer corps is pushing north in an effort to link with the panzers of AGN.

In the marsh an enlarged infantry corps is nudging its way east toward Gomel. It is unlikely that this force will take the city but I am taking what the AI will give me. Loses here have been light so far so I shall continue.

Three fully rested and supplied panzer corps sit ready in the centre. I think next turn they will go north around Smolensk and loop back south. Lets see if I can bag a few SU divisions in the centre.

AGS: The 6th Army has made the river north of Kiev. Further south 4 tank divisions are caught. A small infantry pocket has formed and Kirovograd has been surround. The Romanians have Odessa surrounded (but its a port <sigh>), Nikolaev is cut off and Krivoi Rog is threatened. Alot for the AI to think about.

Turn 9

AGN: The infantry of the 18th Army have been very well. Losses are light and position is being gained. There is a weak spot to the south of the line. I am gambling that the AI does not have enough resources even for a spoiling attack.

The panzers continue they grind east. Loses are light. The enemy ZOCs are slowing me down. I suspect the AI position to be unhinged in a turn or two.

AGC: Pockets are forming around Velikie Luki. The drive NE is slowing as more infantry is needed to secure the east flank. I'll need to clear the pockets as soon as possible in order to use that infantry.

Two panzer corps round Smolensk after the infantry broke open another hole for them. My timing here was wrong. After breaking loose the 2 corps around Smolensk, I should have proceeded with the infantry assault from Mogilev. That assault was so successful that the third panzer corps could have linked half way to create a more secure encirclement. As it stands, I committed the two corps too far south leaving armour regiments to try and close the trap. I feel this pocket will escape.

On a happy note, the G.D. Mot Rgt over ran between 10-12 airfields capturing a lot of fuel!

Finally, in the marshes, I have broken through and threaten Gomel... kinda.

AGS: 6 Army is all the way across with a bridgehead north of Kiev. Several infantry corp threaten Cherkassy and the mobile forces have driven to Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye. This leaves my erstwhile allies to attempt and maintain the hold on Kirovograd.