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Overview of the north and center after German moves, turn 3.

Closeup of Pskov area. The Soviet Pskov position is mostly obliterated. I send one motor division on a risky exploitation, but I want to keep the momentum towards Leningrad. I will probably find it isolated, but I hope it's worth it. Hopefully, it will mess up Soviet defense plans.

And the south after German moves turn 3. A little pocket is created southwest of Vinnitsa. Soviet interdiction is a real problem: one of my HQs suddenly get robbed of all its MPs at the wrong moment at the wrong place... I don't think Q-Ball will pass up the opportunity to displace it, so I reassign its units to other HQs nearby to mitigate the effects.

Turn 3 and almost in Novgorod? [&:] What is Q-Ball doing?

I suspect I was wrong. He was not going to follow x strategy.

ORIGINAL: Tarhunnas

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

Really... someone should assassinate the guy who invented the mega-pocket in the Southwestern Front [:@]... [:D] It's the thing I fear the most... And now it happens in every single game.

I am not sure who invented it, but an early practicioner was my opponent... [;)]

I would reckon it was a tester that came up with the idea, and yes I know who. It used to be a lot worse (and still can be), I really wish there was a way to keep this from being the standard move, bit if not this, players would figure out something else just as entertaining.

Yes, now I know, Sabre. The person who invented it (apparently) PMed me a few days ago and told me so [:D] Maybe he thought I would be sending my assassins for real... [X(]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

Yes, now I know, Sabre. The person who invented it (apparently) PMed me a few days ago and told me so [:D] Maybe he thought I would be sending my assassins for real... [X(]

Really..it would be interesting to know who thinks they invented it..I was doing this strategy over 2 years ago when Joel and I were trying to come up with ways of slowing it down.

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

Yes, now I know, Sabre. The person who invented it (apparently) PMed me a few days ago and told me so [:D] Maybe he thought I would be sending my assassins for real... [X(]

Really..it would be interesting to know who thinks they invented it..I was doing this strategy over 2 years ago when Joel and I were trying to come up with ways of slowing it down.

It was Al Gore...[:D]

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
I would reckon it was a tester that came up with the idea, and yes I know who. It used to be a lot worse (and still can be), I really wish there was a way to keep this from being the standard move, bit if not this, players would figure out something else just as entertaining.

One suggestion to that end would be a non-historical game start where both sides would be allowed to relocate units (i.e. limited number, and limited areas where to) before start. Force dispositions less clear, and so the games will be less straight forward. Just an idea for future patches.

ORIGINAL: janh

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
I would reckon it was a tester that came up with the idea, and yes I know who. It used to be a lot worse (and still can be), I really wish there was a way to keep this from being the standard move, bit if not this, players would figure out something else just as entertaining.

One suggestion to that end would be a non-historical game start where both sides would be allowed to relocate units (i.e. limited number, and limited areas where to) before start. Force dispositions less clear, and so the games will be less straight forward. Just an idea for future patches.

Yes, that would be an interesting idea! Another one would be a slight randomization of the starting positions of Soviet units behind the front line.

ORIGINAL: Tarhunnas

ORIGINAL: janh

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
I would reckon it was a tester that came up with the idea, and yes I know who. It used to be a lot worse (and still can be), I really wish there was a way to keep this from being the standard move, bit if not this, players would figure out something else just as entertaining.

One suggestion to that end would be a non-historical game start where both sides would be allowed to relocate units (i.e. limited number, and limited areas where to) before start. Force dispositions less clear, and so the games will be less straight forward. Just an idea for future patches.

Yes, that would be an interesting idea! Another one would be a slight randomization of the starting positions of Soviet units behind the front line.

That would be ok between 2 players, but against the ai, the first turn ai scripting would be a nightmare to create.

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
That would be ok between 2 players, but against the ai, the first turn ai scripting would be a nightmare to create.

Probably, and require a very powerful scripting language to write. Pretty much a mini-AI for the first turn itself.
Tarhunnas, sorry for hijacking your AAR, btw. Like your AAR style, and I am curious how you will beat Q-Ball.

Turn 4.

This is weird! The All Russian Disappearing Act has struck again! Look at the front before recon and German moves! [X(] Where have they all gone? [&:] And the same thing in the south. Well, I guess the recon pilots will have to find out (which will take an hour in 1.04.22 *sigh*).

ORIGINAL: Tarhunnas

Turn 4.

This is weird! The All Russian Disappearing Act has struck again! Look at the front before recon and German moves! [X(] Where have they all gone? [&:] And the same thing in the south. Well, I guess the recon pilots will have to find out (which will take an hour in 1.04.22 *sigh*).

This was the common Soviet strategy when I began testing 2 1/2 years ago. They would fall back to some point, typically the Vyzama to Kharkov north south line, and entrench units in a carpet hoping they would be well dug in by the time the Germans could get there. Some of the guys refer to it as the Sir Robinsky strategy. The downside was the Germans moved unimpeded to that defensive line with little to no loss well before the Soviets could really dig in and easily break thru it.

Soviet strategy shifted then to the forward deployed use of the checkerboard followed by a series of linear defenses ending in a carpet around Moscow and other key objectives.

And here is an overview of the front after German moves turn 4.

All in all things are looking good. In the North, the 6th Panzer Division has established a bridgehead over the Luga (this was made possible by a HQ buildup of one corps), while the XXXIX Panzer Corps is threatening a right hook.

In the center, good progress on the landbridge, and we are across the Dnepr in force, forming a small pocket in the river bend in the process.

The South, the panzers race for Kirovograd, which is taken against no opposition. The industry was unfortunately already evacuated.

Losses and OOB after German turn 4.

Soviet losses in men are only slightly lower than normal, but in AFVs I would say they are low. No doubt the withdrawing strategy is causing this. 755 axis tanks lost already is a bit worrying.

Turn 5.

The Lehr brigade takes a beating in a Soviet counterattack, thereby letting open a supply route to the surrounded Soviets in the river bend. The Fuhrer sends a message to the Lehr brigade: Do not fail me again (read in a throaty voice).

Turn 5.

The Leningrad front after German moves. Good progress towards Leningrad. We are over the Luga in force, but resistance is getting stronger...

Center turn 5 after German moves.

Pocket resealed, some pressing forward, otherwise not much happening. The Panzers can only make limited progress on their own, infantry moving up though.

The South after German moves. Nothing dramatic. The Reds are apparently hiding behind the Dnepr. Well, we will cross that river when we reach it [;)].

In the far south, the Rumanians as usual have problems taking even undefended terrain! Can they even march in step?