Ketza (Axis) vrs Timmyab (CCCP) game over

[Ketza]

AGS 17th army - Bare knuckles brawling as 17th army plows into the Soviet lines to push them back from Axis rail lines and out of their forts. Casualties are a bit heavy and several Axis divisions CV drop to 5. The rough hex is flanked and then pushed into the pocket.

[Ketza]

AGS 6th army - Kovel pocket is formed with help from 2nd panzer army. 2 Divisions from 9th army are railed in for support. 6th army units push towards Rovno and set up to help shore up the Lvow pocket from the east. Major Soviet armor forces are pushed west into the future pocket just to the south of the screenshot.

[Ketza]

2nd panzer army phase 3 and 1st Panzer moves. 2 motorized divisions are transfered to 1st Panzer army with SUs and 46th panzer corps heads south into the fray to help set up the Lvow pocket corridor.

1st Panzer is ready for the dash south.

[Ketza]

heavy fighting as 1st Panzer with 2nd Panzer army help sets up the corridor. I am not anticipating a break in the ring but even if one occurs the bulk of the Lvow pocket will be destined for the scrap heap.

[Ketza]

Destroyed Soviet units turn one.

Not as high as some games that attack everything in the way but the payoff is turn 2 with the pockets. I have played several Axis players that try and blow everything off the line. As the Soviet I find this to be a grave mistake as all those routed units come in handy turn 2 and 3 before substantial Soviet reinforcements arrive. Dive them into swamps and behind rivers and any time saved on turn one is lost later.

[Ketza]

Total losses turn one. I drove the Panzers pretty hard in the south and expected this number to be much higher. Most Panzer CVs in the south are down by 40-50% from multiple hasty attacks.

I have my fingers crossed all the pockets will hold. You never rally know as the Axis you just hope for the best.

[Ketza]

My final moves were hauling fuel to the spearheads and doing a ton of recon deep across the front. I am pretty sure spotting units helps with interdiction so I wanted to spot as much as possible. I then cranked up interdiction to 175% to hopefully foil his movements a bit.

[Michael T]

I am not sure about cranking the interdiction up. I think it will mean fewer but heavier attacks. Smart Ivan will move around a bunch of HQ's and Airfields to suck up much of your available air on rubbish targets. I think 75% to 100% might be better. More overall attacks with less effect might be better. You have to ask what would be better? Hitting 1 division hard or 3 moderately.

[Ketza]

That is a good point. I typically leave it around 50 most of the game but thought early on it may be better at a higher rate. There are a lot of HQs running around as you point out.

I usually do not even look at interdictions but planned on it this game after the bump up. Thanks for the advice.

[bigbaba]

great AAR ketza. always good to learn more about own mistakes by reading other peoples oppening.

[Flaviusx]

ORIGINAL: Michael T

I am not sure about cranking the interdiction up. I think it will mean fewer but heavier attacks. Smart Ivan will move around a bunch of HQ's and Airfields to suck up much of your available air on rubbish targets. I think 75% to 100% might be better. More overall attacks with less effect might be better. You have to ask what would be better? Hitting 1 division hard or 3 moderately.

These interdiction attacks on HQs and airfields are themselves problematic for the Soviet: it's a good way of losing leaders. (Admittedly, the odds are good they'll kill crap leaders, but still.) Also, will seriously hinder their command and control, and airbases also need some pretty serious redeployment before you can get the red air force into play.

These interdiction attacks may actually be more effective at the operational level in creating chaos than attacks on combat units.

[Manstein63]

Nice opening Ketza, its pretty much how I would do it apart from sending part of 2nd Panzer Armee South. also thanks for the info on air settings most helpful
Manstein63

[Ketza]

Interdiction was pretty much a non factor during his movement phase turn one.

[Ketza]

AGN pocket held.

[Ketza]

Western pocket held

[Ketza]

Brest/Kovel pockets held.

[Ketza]

And lastly the most important Lvow pocket held. This is probably the most units I have pocketed in an opening yet.

Lots of practice!

[Ketza]

AGN went fairly smooth. He was able to suck up a lot of MPs with regiments placed in front of his lines that just kept retreating. This stalled any major attack that I usually launch. Usually I have seen divisions placed out front which tend to rout more easily. Very good tactic in game terms but not very realistic that a 900 man security regiment can slow down a Panzer division out in the open.

Its these little subtle actions on the part of a Soviet player that seperates the good players from the average. I have a huge uphill battle ahead of me this game I can feel it.

You will notice most of my spearheads are pretty safe from being cutoff in all sectors. I like somewhat secure flanks guess it is a by product of Army ROTC [:D]

[Ketza]

AGC - once again I am slowed by just enough. I like to get to Orsha or adjacent to Mogilev but didnt quite have the oomph. I did however take out Minsk with a Panzer pioneer combo which should speed things up a bit.

[Ketza]

Pripyat marshes are fairly cleaned out for the time being. I like to clear it as I advance to keep pesky supply line breaks from leakers to a minimum.