Small advances in the north and central, nothing major. Focus of action was in the south. I have pocketed 10 div confirmed and a very weak pocket with about 5 more. I am slowly rolling his line up and if he does not withdraw, I will bag another group next turn. I will just take chunks as I get them.
Already starting to mentally plan my winter defense line and it looks like it will be the Dneper River. I really hate the thought of being on the east side of the river though.
Nice AAR, and I recognize our frontlines and the gallant efforts of our conqueror.
Up to now the Soviet strategy has been both to sacrifice a few lambs ahead of the front and to carefully build what our esteemed german guest calls nice defense lines behind the rivers.
Without giving too many clues to our distinguished invader, I would precise that the major difficulty is to choose the correct ratio of troops sent to the first line of defense vs secondary lines as well as the direction of the reinforcement (do not send too many divisions in the South so that resistance down there is not determined to the point of a formation of a balcony north and east of the pripyat marshes that invites for deep panzer rush southward and the formation of a huge pocket around Kiev). Anyway, we are not yet at this juncture...
For the time being, the two best allies of the soviet soldier are : the shovel (to dig in) and the locomotive (to bring the divisions where they are most needed).
Good Luck 2ndACR !
Kel
Kein Operationsplan reicht mit einiger Sicherheit
über das erste Zusammentreffen
mit der feindlichen Hauptmacht hinaus.
I definetly believe you need more concentration of force where you attack and economy of force where you screen, everywhere along the front. Also in the center you have blown three holes in his line, whereas you only need two for an encirclement. Basically screen everything and just concentrate where you plan to advance. Also I would not have sent 4th army to the swamps, its much more valuable helping in the smolensk area.
Glad I did not post too much operational info. LOL
Upon reflection, 2nd Army (think that is the one you meant) would have been better used there instead of the swamps. Or are you talking about the dark blue (I cannot keep them straight).
Okay, turn 9 complete. I saved and forgot to grab screen shots.
So, brief over view. I have blown a hole near Pskov and it is now isolated. Another hole below Vitesbsk and armor is now nearing Smolensk. Huge hole at my beach head over the Dneper with armor moving north and south. Infantry also crossing over.
Great big huge hole blown in the south. Armor outside Kiev. 12 Div securely pocketed and another 8 weakly pocketed. I am taking chunks out of his lower southern defense line about 6 hexes at a time and isolating those units. If he does not pull back, he will lose them all. Those six hexes are 6-8 div at a time.
Quick casualty update......Russian at 1.6 million losses and 12,000 armor.
4th is the dark blue. 2nd the lighter. And I agree with notenome. Never send 4th army in there. It's got too much good stuff. You need it at the front.
"Measure civilization by the ability of citizens to mock government with impunity" -- Unknown
I have captured Talinan and swept along the coast. Finally. Usually here at turn 3-4 against the AI. Heavy defenses near Pskov. So time to mass up and bust thru.
Here I am firmly across the Dneper. Also waiting for rail to catch up. Soon I will need to un-tangle the mixed units. That is going to hurt soon. Almost out of the swamps.
Here we have reached Kiev in force. Still closing up with infantry after clearing most of the pocket. Armor on the Dnepr. Very weak pockets formed, 1 good one.
Here we have busted his line completely. I took a risk and shot a grenadier div and cleared a large swath. Hope it does not turn into a rescue mission. Trying to decide if I should shift all my armor way south and then sweep around or try and bust thru south of Kiev and split north and south along the river. God I hate attacking across large rivers.
My rail is starting to catch up now. The last 2 turns have seen 16,000 tons of ammo each turn reaching my units. And I have launched only limited attacks. So finally I might get some where.
North. I am steadily advancing along the north Coast. Blasting anything in my way. 7 Div in 2 Corp are up there. Around Pskov, I am holding my line. Armor has shifted to the southern end of Northern Zone and is slowly getting ready to build a nice little pocket.
Here I have finally opened a very nice hole in his lines. Now to hold it and make him decide to hold his ground or to pull back. If he holds his ground, I will pocket alot of units. Either he is keeping alot of troops way back, or he has stacked his front. Everything I hit in his back field is very weak units.
Smolensk is slowly being squeezed from north and south. 4th Army is holding along the river. Need more supply. I really messed up here with my rail by cutting up to Minsk. Should have went straight thru.
Here I am steadily pushing him back and pocketing his units. Odessa fell on the first attack. He only had a security regiment there. I would have placed 3 strong Div and made it a pain in the butt to take. I just need my rails to make some more progress here. Starting to feel some pinch.
