9th army is making good progress towards Veliki Luki.
2nd Army is coming online behind 3PZ.
3 PZ area
And 2PZ area
End of AAR 76mm welcome
Moderators: Joel Billings, Sabre21
RE: GC Ketza Axis vrs 76mm Soviet (No 76mm)
Turn 5 AGC - Local attacks by 2nd and 3rd PZG to set up a potential pocket. 4th Army arrives in force. Fuel and ammo situation became much better this turn.
9th army is making good progress towards Veliki Luki.
2nd Army is coming online behind 3PZ.
3 PZ area
And 2PZ area
9th army is making good progress towards Veliki Luki.
2nd Army is coming online behind 3PZ.
3 PZ area
And 2PZ area
RE: GC Ketza Axis vrs 76mm Soviet (No 76mm)
Turn 5 losses and I think I am on the high side when comparing to other AARS and my Axis opponents in other games. I have noticed a tendency with my other opponents to not make nearly as many attacks as I do. I look at the situation as this is my time to cause casualties and many of these troops I am losing will probably succumb to the blizzard anyway. The time to kill on my terms is now. There wont be so many opportunities in the future.
Also knowing the Soviet side to some extent I know the Soviet horde is not limitless. AT some point this forward defence of his is going to fall apart in at least one axis of my approach.
Also knowing the Soviet side to some extent I know the Soviet horde is not limitless. AT some point this forward defence of his is going to fall apart in at least one axis of my approach.
RE: GC Ketza Axis vrs 76mm Soviet (No 76mm)
Turn 5 air losses -
I have toned down the airfield strikes a bit only hitting airfields with bombers or transports. Still a good ratio in my favor.
I have toned down the airfield strikes a bit only hitting airfields with bombers or transports. Still a good ratio in my favor.
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cookie monster
- Posts: 1690
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 10:09 am
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RE: GC Ketza Axis vrs 76mm Soviet (No 76mm)
I hate to see those 3 stacked hexes and linear lines by your opponent.
That big pocket is truly a disaster.
Hopefully he will adjust his troop placement otherwise he'll just be making pocket fodder.
That big pocket is truly a disaster.
Hopefully he will adjust his troop placement otherwise he'll just be making pocket fodder.
Turn 6
AGN -
Much action here as the pivotal battle of Novgorod started with the rescue of 8th PZ by 3 infantry divisions mounting hasty attacks into a swamp hex. The first 2 failed and after air support and some pioneers attached the 3rd attack broke through to 8th PZ. Revitalized with supply and its CV increased to 11 from 1 the Panzers hit Novgorod and took it with a 5-1 assault. This series of events was rather nerve racking as the 8th was totally surrounded. I did not expect to be able to take Novgorod. I suspect my opponent didnt either as he only had one rifle division there.
The rest of 4th PG headed east south of the lake and crossed the first river.
16th army crushed many pockets of Soviets and pushed towards Leningrad as well as east south of the lake.
18th Army made a surprising leap to the Baltic and started its drive towards the Leningrad area as well.
My opponent should have his hands full in this area. AGN had a fairly rapid advance and has some 30 infantry divisions in place threatning the whole length of the front and Soviet fort levels are low. 4th Pz is also close to bursting past lake Ilmen. 9th army is has maintaned contact to the south and is making headway to Velikie Luki. Overall I cant think of a better start for AGN.
Much action here as the pivotal battle of Novgorod started with the rescue of 8th PZ by 3 infantry divisions mounting hasty attacks into a swamp hex. The first 2 failed and after air support and some pioneers attached the 3rd attack broke through to 8th PZ. Revitalized with supply and its CV increased to 11 from 1 the Panzers hit Novgorod and took it with a 5-1 assault. This series of events was rather nerve racking as the 8th was totally surrounded. I did not expect to be able to take Novgorod. I suspect my opponent didnt either as he only had one rifle division there.
The rest of 4th PG headed east south of the lake and crossed the first river.
16th army crushed many pockets of Soviets and pushed towards Leningrad as well as east south of the lake.
18th Army made a surprising leap to the Baltic and started its drive towards the Leningrad area as well.
My opponent should have his hands full in this area. AGN had a fairly rapid advance and has some 30 infantry divisions in place threatning the whole length of the front and Soviet fort levels are low. 4th Pz is also close to bursting past lake Ilmen. 9th army is has maintaned contact to the south and is making headway to Velikie Luki. Overall I cant think of a better start for AGN.
RE: Turn 6
AGC - Unlike the frantic pace of AGN and AGS forces here are slowly advancing. 2nd army came online between 9th and 4th army and infantry from 3PZ was transferred. The Soviets had weakened the line in front of 3PZ dropping stacks from 3 units to 1 and 2nd army made deliberate attacks across its front routing and shattering 6 or so divisions and advancing a few hexes. In a move thats sure to make my opponent wonder I pulled 3PZ off the line completely and withdrew it close to my railhead in 9th army sector. From here it can threaten a few areas. I plan on leaving it a turn or so to suck up supply and rest for the next big push somewhee in the area.
4th army and 2PZ crossed the river at a few places and are starting to exert some pressure on his line. In a turn or 2 I should be able to burst through. A small pocket is formed at Mogilev.
4th army and 2PZ crossed the river at a few places and are starting to exert some pressure on his line. In a turn or 2 I should be able to burst through. A small pocket is formed at Mogilev.
RE: Turn 6
AGS - The big story is AGS. The pockets held and were both crushed by Rumanians, Hungarians and lower morale German divisions from 17th army. 5 of his divisions surrendered and here was the final tally:
8 arm XX
1 mot XX
25 inf XX
1 cav XX
4 other misc
These were all some of his better divisions. Many of them had very high CV values (for Soviets anyway).
After the pockets were crushed I saw an opportunity to create another small pocket on front of Kiev. As I was grinding out the edges of the pocket it became clear Kiev itself was very weak. Das reich had 23 mps so I decided to try an attack on the city hex itself. The resulting pocket holds 8 or so Divisions some with decent cobat values including a retreated calvary divsion with a CV of 5.
The city fell and the panzers of 1st PG then locked down the new pocket and snuggled up to the river. One assault was made across the river further south and routed a calavry division.
His position on the river is very weak. I think I will be over the river in force and rested by turn 8.
The rest of the south has the usual herding of Soviets eastwARD BY 11th army.
8 arm XX
1 mot XX
25 inf XX
1 cav XX
4 other misc
These were all some of his better divisions. Many of them had very high CV values (for Soviets anyway).
After the pockets were crushed I saw an opportunity to create another small pocket on front of Kiev. As I was grinding out the edges of the pocket it became clear Kiev itself was very weak. Das reich had 23 mps so I decided to try an attack on the city hex itself. The resulting pocket holds 8 or so Divisions some with decent cobat values including a retreated calvary divsion with a CV of 5.
The city fell and the panzers of 1st PG then locked down the new pocket and snuggled up to the river. One assault was made across the river further south and routed a calavry division.
His position on the river is very weak. I think I will be over the river in force and rested by turn 8.
The rest of the south has the usual herding of Soviets eastwARD BY 11th army.
RE: Turn 6
I thought the pocket would produce more casualties then it did. I was hoping to get very close to 2 million by the end of the turn. 1000 T-34s dead by turn 6 seems good to me but I dont know for sure.
RE: Turn 6
I didnt mention it at the beginning but all comments and tips are welcome. This is my first PBEM. I have two other Soviet PBEMs that started later.
AGN - No large breakthrough this time but headway was made all along the Leningrad front. Most of the infantry is in place to lay down some punishing attacks. One large XXX actually shattered a decent sized Soviet division. 8th Panzer grabbed some swamps and a small pocket was made but it can be rescued. Recon shows the Soviet fort line and reserves are weak. He has a pretty good line south of the lake but 4th Pz is about to burst through it.
I moved 3PZ to the area in case of a major Soviet meltdown the next turn or two.
AGN - No large breakthrough this time but headway was made all along the Leningrad front. Most of the infantry is in place to lay down some punishing attacks. One large XXX actually shattered a decent sized Soviet division. 8th Panzer grabbed some swamps and a small pocket was made but it can be rescued. Recon shows the Soviet fort line and reserves are weak. He has a pretty good line south of the lake but 4th Pz is about to burst through it.
I moved 3PZ to the area in case of a major Soviet meltdown the next turn or two.
RE: Turn 6
AGC - 8 or 9 division pocket formed around Mogilev. 2nd army and 4th army continue to grind forward looking to clear him from the river and see what develops. 9th army is now next to Veliki Luki and slowly grinding through the bad terrain towards the hills. The pocket is under the grey info box lol.
RE: Turn 6
AGS - My original intention was to cross the river right at Kiev. However recon and probes showed Cherkassy to be guarded poorly. I decided to move 3 Panzer corps south to see what could be made of the situation. Once again I was able to find his weak spot and too my surprise capture Cherkassy and get over the river. I think in the next 2 turns his strategy of defending forward in the south will have to be abandoned. If not there will be some good pockets in the making.
RE: Turn 6
In other news 11th army trudges on ahead sweeping individual divisions before it.
I am a bit ahead of schedule in the north and the south and right about where I expect to be in the center. In a few turns as things develop I will make the decision as to what to do next with the bulk of my Panzer divisions.
I am a bit ahead of schedule in the north and the south and right about where I expect to be in the center. In a few turns as things develop I will make the decision as to what to do next with the bulk of my Panzer divisions.
RE: Turn 6
Fantastic advance across the front for sure, especially in the south. His losses have been huge. I think Russians start with around 1200 T-34's, so you pretty much got them all. I have no idea what he is thinking going 3 deep stacks like that in very forward positions. Logistics are going to start playing a role in slowing things down unfortunately, but that is what happens. I wonder if you got to some spots fast enough that he didn't get some industry evacuated. I doubt it, but still.
Will be interesting to see if your opponent can recover from this or not.
Will be interesting to see if your opponent can recover from this or not.
RE: Turn 6
Turn 8 AGN - Nice gains all along the Leningrad front. The extra commitment of Infantry and now 3rd PZ has made a hug difference. 8th Panzer leads the way as usual making it close to Leningrad burbs. 3 Pz makes a slight breakthough heading toward leningrad and 4th PZ gets across the river south of Lake Illmen. 16th and 18th army hug as many Soviet units as possible to try and restrict his movement.
The Soviet dam is springing a lot of leaks and there is plenty of good weather left. Hopes are running high of success on this front.
The Soviet dam is springing a lot of leaks and there is plenty of good weather left. Hopes are running high of success on this front.
RE: Turn 6
Turn 8 AGC - 9th army grinds forward to Veliky Luki. The Soviet front is being stretched thin here. 2nd and 4th army hammer away with deliberate attacks and make room for 2nd PZ to pocket 7 or so Soviet divisions. Vitebsk is cut off and the whole Dnepr river line collapses. In a few turns Oanzers from either AGS or AGN/3rd PZ will be back in a few turns to see what else can be done.
RE: Turn 6
Turn 8 AGS - What was a small bridgehead has blossomed into a full blown jail break. Panzers run amuck in the rear of his solid line and infantry bust across the river south of Kiev as well. The Panzer corp north of Kiev is pulled out of the line to rest. A pocket cannot be completely formed but this leaves the Soviet a choice to either fight and keep the potential pocket from forming or flee the river line and abandon his forts.
With the success of crossing the river the next phase of operations is being considered including sending 3 Panzer corps North or a run at Kharkov.
11th Army grinds forward towards the Dnepr bend.
With the success of crossing the river the next phase of operations is being considered including sending 3 Panzer corps North or a run at Kharkov.
11th Army grinds forward towards the Dnepr bend.
RE: Turn 6
A large campaign was launched to kill Soviet transports within range. Overall it was a success and perhaps my opponent will move them out of range soon to hinder his partisan supply ops.
RE: Turn 6
Ground losses turn 8
RE: Turn 6
Turn AGN -
Things are really heating up in this sector. 8th Panzer had gone a swamp too far and was attacked and routed back behind the lines. An attack was made against the 3rd Pz army spearhead but it was repulsed. The Soviets managed to piece together another line and all the swamps were stacked high with troops. The one weak spot was just over the Volkhov where one swamp hex had only a division in it and was easily taken.
The big news was the battle over a hex stacked 3 high just south of the 8ths old position. A 3 division deliberate attack broke the hex and through the hole one corps from 4th PZ and one reinforced corps from 3rd Pz burst through the hole to the sea. 1st Cav also burst through and a much stronger corridor was put in place cutting off Leningrad much more securely this time around. recon shows most of his army in the north now bottled up in Leningrad. Very few units are located east of the Volkhov from what can be gathered from recon.
South of the Lake the reinforced Corps of 4th Pzg had a hard go pushing him back several hexes. In one case a Soviet infantry division with no forts in light woods held up to 2 hasty attacks from an entire Pz Corp. This kept the southern part of his Volkhov line from being pocketed.
Overall it was another turn of progress on this front. The swamps are a bitch. I look forward to them getting fixed.
Things are really heating up in this sector. 8th Panzer had gone a swamp too far and was attacked and routed back behind the lines. An attack was made against the 3rd Pz army spearhead but it was repulsed. The Soviets managed to piece together another line and all the swamps were stacked high with troops. The one weak spot was just over the Volkhov where one swamp hex had only a division in it and was easily taken.
The big news was the battle over a hex stacked 3 high just south of the 8ths old position. A 3 division deliberate attack broke the hex and through the hole one corps from 4th PZ and one reinforced corps from 3rd Pz burst through the hole to the sea. 1st Cav also burst through and a much stronger corridor was put in place cutting off Leningrad much more securely this time around. recon shows most of his army in the north now bottled up in Leningrad. Very few units are located east of the Volkhov from what can be gathered from recon.
South of the Lake the reinforced Corps of 4th Pzg had a hard go pushing him back several hexes. In one case a Soviet infantry division with no forts in light woods held up to 2 hasty attacks from an entire Pz Corp. This kept the southern part of his Volkhov line from being pocketed.
Overall it was another turn of progress on this front. The swamps are a bitch. I look forward to them getting fixed.
RE: Turn 6
Turn 9 AGC -
I swear when I play as Soviets (badly I might add) I never seem to have as many divisions as the AI or my opponent. 9th, 4th and 2nd Pz grind forward. A pocket of some 7 divsions was finished off. Smolensk is reached and some 15 or so of his divsions are routed away out of level 2 and 3 forts. Vitebsk is finished off and 2 nore divisions surrender. This is a slow grinding attack that is preparing for the commitment of more Panzer divsions in a few turns but there is just an endless carpet of Soviet mediocre units in the way.
I swear when I play as Soviets (badly I might add) I never seem to have as many divisions as the AI or my opponent. 9th, 4th and 2nd Pz grind forward. A pocket of some 7 divsions was finished off. Smolensk is reached and some 15 or so of his divsions are routed away out of level 2 and 3 forts. Vitebsk is finished off and 2 nore divisions surrender. This is a slow grinding attack that is preparing for the commitment of more Panzer divsions in a few turns but there is just an endless carpet of Soviet mediocre units in the way.