Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis)

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Turn 2[/center]
[center]26 June 1941[/center]

The North. The calm before the storm. The Airborne Corps is pocketed. Still very weak here. We will see [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

In the center lot of activity, as usual and expected, given that here I always mass lots of hordes. First thing. The pocket around Minsk -which was relieved last turn- will get supplies again. A corridor was open. Minsk itself hasn't been captured. And I almost managed to cut off the whole AGC Panzers. Supplies will pass through a very narrow corridor so fair enough [8D] If only my airborne guys could destroy all those busy trucks!

[TulliusDetritus]

The "mighty" Stavka 16th Army (the one in Ukraine, remember) proved it is a good army. I first changed the leader. Tolbukin was chosen (of course!). Then all the divisions attacked en masse in front of the land bridge the poor souls of the 19 Panzer Division who were forced to retreat [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

And finally the general defensive dispositions in the center.

Well, first off this is a new frontier to me. Because the defensive technique I will be using is unknown to me. vs 2ndACR (my last opponent) I obviously used the standard carpet during the Blitzkrieg, because that's what everyone else did during the first months. Then one day -turn 3, 4 or 5, when the furious combats around the land bridge started- Sabre21 said on my AAR that carpets could be destroyed in ONE turn. And of course that is really dangerous because per definition all the eggs are in one basket, there's almost NOTHING behind... [;)]

The thing is I kept the carpets, and I was LUCKY, because 2ndACR could not figure out how to destroy this defence. Was it effective? Yes. But had I played vs let's say PDH I should have to quickly change the type of defence! MAYBE Marquo does NOT know how to deal with the carpet, by the way. So it might be useful. But this thinking leads you to the pure laziness. And the day you will need to throw overboard this defence and use another one you will be starting from zero. Risky. In other words, I have to assume that Marquo CAN destroy this carpet defence thing!

So what will be this other defence? Successive lines.

I also have to say that during my 1942 campaign (vs 2ndACR) I did not use the carpet. During the blizzard offensive I knew I had to use another defence in 1942 (because I trusted 100% Sabre's words). And that's what I did. But, humm, it is not really the same... I had a very thin front line, then lots of diggers behind the front (brigades and fortified regions) who were preparing tons of defensive positions (the paranoid thing eh), even 30 hexes behind the front (just like the Soviets did: never forget that I invent nothing, I simply follow Soviet strategy) [:D]

And just like the Soviets did, I created MANY strategic reserves. Grosso modo I had 100 rifle divisions (in armies + 40 independent rifle divisions) + 30 Corps (Tank and Cavalry, fifty-fifty). The trick? Easy. Let's say the Germans attack in 2 places... I could have theorically sent 50 Rifle Divisions + 15 Corps to each area. That's a lot. So in fact the many lines I had been fortifying behind the front (successive lines) were never reached by the Germans in the first place [:(]

But this I can’t do during the Blitzkrieg. The front is empty. The reserves that will be coming have to fill these enormous gaps. You cannot keep them out of action, it’s a luxury you cannot afford. All you can do is decide where you will be concentating your assets and therefore what places will be necessarily weak.

Now I have to say that Fiva55’s, Bletchley Geek’s AARs (and others as well) have helped me to more or less elaborate, understand this new technique.

Soooo, in the center I have decided to form 3 successive defensive lines in the land bridge. In the south, a first line obviously covers the Dnpers but a second line of defenders is already in place. All the Stavka Armies that started in the south are finally in the center: a big strategic mass that is, as it should be.

Oh, anyway I still think the carpet is indeed useful in some concrete places: around Moscow and Leningrad for example. I will be using it, that’s 100% sure.

[TulliusDetritus]

In the Southwestern Front I pull back a little bit in its southern part. Here I form successive lines as well. But unlike in the north and center, I am not really interested in resisting a lot. In any case this is a dangerous place to play with mobile units.

[TulliusDetritus]

And finally the south. Here I pull back in the north, to avoid er, pockets. And that's it. All the cities west of the Dnper are garrisoned, including the Dneprowhatever and Zapowhatever towns.

[TulliusDetritus]

Oh, I have sent 3 Cavalry Divisions to the Pripyat Marshes but I think Marquo is going to do his homework. There are least 2 enemy cavalry divisions in the west of the marshes. I'm pretty certain he is going to sweep this area [:D] After all, I gave him permission to read our false start and he saw I was planning operations there [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

Well, there’s going to be a Battle of Moscow!

So how are things?

In the North, Leningrad fell on turn 14 or 15, which means I did not give that part of the front for free. When the city was finally isolated I had around 30 divisions, counting the city hexes + the hexes S and SW of Leningrad, along the coast (the Oranienburg port thing) + the 3 rifle divisions I was keeping north of Leningrad facing the Finns (as promised to my opponent/s). I managed the same to evacuate at least 10 divisions. But given that I tried to resist all I could this means I was not forced to retreat lots of hexes eastwards, which I did NOT want to do. And of course, he kept panzers here until victory was evident. Units that he could have diverted to the center (I suspect these units are now trying to take Moscow, but maybe, I hope, it's too late ).

In the center, yes, like in the real thing we will have a Battle of Moscow. The area is flooded with massive forces and the best leaders are in charge of the front and armies there (Zukhov, Tolbukhin & Co.). Marquo has also concentrated his panzer forces here. Turn 22, random weather, remember. The city might fall or not.

In the South the fascist hordes got to the gates of Rostov, but I don’t think the city will be captured. In Crimea, I suspect he wants to take Sevastopol before the blizzard (he has already defeated and routed the units that were in the two adjacent hexes of the city). BUT he is NOT kicking me out of Crimea (which might be a mistake)… The eastern part is in my hands and come blizzard the fascist hordes in Crimea should be getting some. Even Sevastopol might be recaptured (if he manages to capture it on these few turns before blizzard).

Overall, Marquo has proven to be a really competent Axis player on my book. He started timidly, allowing me to open corridors and relieve the trapped guys in the south (I did that until turn 5 or 6, I think). After that he focused on bagging enemy units, small and medium sized pockets which could NOT be broken. Another of my favourite tactics during the Blitzkrieg (infiltration with cavalry) was never possible as he was securing his flanks and didn’t leave big gaps. So well done. In other words, I would describe his play style (on this game, obviously) as systematic and methodical.

He hasn’t really crippled the Red Army though. He’s only captured 1.6 million soldiers. But of course what Soviet player will not try to preserve the Red Army? Pelton has indeed a point. It’s quite hard –if not impossible- to emulate the historical Germans and bag enormous quantities of prisoners. At least that’s what we see in almost every AAR. Not saying that is wrong, eh! I’m a Soviet player after all!

As for industry, he has of course captured some but I think I managed to evacuate the bulk of it. At least I hope that! I did not ignore Heavy Industry, by the way.

Whilst we are at it, I almost did Q-Ball’s mistake LOL

On one of his games he completely lost the Li-2s tansport thing. They are in a tiny city west of Moscow. I did NOT even know there were factories there. When I saw the red icons (factories toggled on) I assumed they were the Moscow hexes… But then 3 days ago I installed Red Markus’s map and then clearly saw a factory icon west of Moscow! “What the hell is that”? Oops, the Li-2s. They were evacuated on next turn… pheeeewwwww.

As for the Blizzard Massacres I already know what will be my objectives, what part of the enemy front should be attacked. Easier in this game. I feel more threatened therefore I know where I have to smash (yes or yes) the enemy hordes. And the situation in the south (Stalino area, in German hands) is, er… interesting.

Oh, a last thing. I am rather happy with the successive lines defence thing. No big catastrophe so no complaint: a line was defeated (some of its divisions bagged) but then there was another one awaiting (and one more). In the center I always had 3 successive lines minimum at any given time.

[TulliusDetritus]

OOB and some production. I almost hit the 5 million men [8D] vs 2ndACR I started the Blizzard Massacres with these same numbers. And somehow the pool is not depleted. I still have guns (armaments) and cannon fodder (manpower). I hope these are bad omens for Marquo!

[Northern Star]

These seem good numbers to start the blizzard...

Did you expect my Kiev move in our pbem?

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Northern Star

These seem good numbers to start the blizzard...

Did you expect my Kiev move in our pbem?

No [:)] But the thing is... Many hexes (up to 20 perhaps) behind this bold panzer division will be Soviet. I am pretty certain you have to know what you're doing but I hope these guys get some... Can they swim by the way? Well, time will tell. I will try to send the turn as soon as possible [:)]

Cheers

[Northern Star]

Unforturnately I can't swim... What did you mean?

Did you retreat some of my divisions? I wanted to avoid a deeply entrenched line behind the Dnepr but maybe next time I'll think 666 times before doing that again...

[TulliusDetritus]

Eh?? No, don't worry, they have not been attacked (and will not be, they are untouchable right now with the current Soviet forces at hand there). I mean, they will be isolated (just like many of their chums behind) and what's behind them? The Dnper [:)] And west of that big river quite many hexes which will be Soviet as well.

[TulliusDetritus]

The northern part of the front (weather effects off). Snow now in Moscow area. As you can see, Marquo is concentrating his armored hordes to grab Moscow. I haven't moved yet. I will be disbanding the Fortified Regions and one rifle division will be sent to each of these hexes around Moscow. I have a thick carpet. Every single hex has 3 rifle divisions stacks. The maximum number allowed of forces that is. I can't bring more. Only fresh cannon fodder may replace tired units. These fresh units are of course in the area.

[TulliusDetritus]

And the southern part of the front [8D]

[TulliusDetritus]

And Crimea. For some reason Marquo seems more interested in capturing Sevastopol than kicking me out of the peninsule. That might be a mistake. Time will tell [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

And my half-ar*** plans for this Blizzard. Just like in the real war, the main blow should be near Moscow. The most important part of the country and that's where the most dangerous enemy units are located [;)]

Here the plan is really simple. Attack from the northwest (Kalinin Front) towards Rzhev... Another pincer would attack from the Western Front. I would be threatening to bag the enemy units in front of Moscow. More in the south I should be attacking towards Bryansk. If this operation was successful I could even link the forces from Rzhev to Bryansk. But I should stop sniffing glue [:D]

In the south, on my other game the big 3 cities there (Stalino & Co.) proved to be an excellent shield for 2ndACR. The situation here is *perfect*... I should be BYPASSING these cities, always threatening to swallow some enemy units.

As for the rest: push the enemy, grab wins, nothing else [:)]

P.S.: Moscow in Marquo's bag or not, the plan would remain the same.

[TulliusDetritus]

[center]Turn 23[/center]
[center]20 November 1941[/center]

Hahahaha! General Winter? Who is that guy? A mere aficionado on my book. General M U D is the real deal! [:D]

Mars has been kind with me (and harsh with Marquo). Mud in Moscow area. To capture the city he should first assault heavily entrenched 3-units stacks before he gets to the city hexes... He should be doing that on the next turn (24). And then turn 25: start of blizzard. But of course he could have a snow turn (25) (18% possibility so I am pretty safe). Still, perhaps that would be playing with fire given that I will massively unleash the bears in this threatened VITAL area.

Had he been lucky with the weather, he could have perfectly taken the city, in my opinion, so fair play. This is what Marquo has to say.:

"Last turn you had General Winter in the form of 2 blizzard zones, and this turn again blizzards and mud. No snow in Russia! Mud during the summer, mud in the winter, blizzards before their time"

Random weather at work!

As for me, I was only interested in NOT having snow in Moscow area (the rest, I did not give a rat's ar**). I think the blizzard zones he is referring to were NOT in Moscow. The offensive CVs were pretty high near Moscow (except the mud turns obviously).

P.S.: anyway, the turn 18 (when I was expecting mud) I got SNOW in Moscow area. As you can see you win here, you lose there. Not to mention the 10 rifle divisions bagged in the Velikie Luki area during the Blitzkrieg when mud suddenly appeared [:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

Volkhov Front is here

I made room for them. I assigned to this front armies of Leningrad and Northwestern Fronts. Along with the Stavka 4 army. Air Bases (filled with planes: IAD, SAD, BAD, VVS) will be able to start operations on next turn.

[TulliusDetritus]

Now that 1) I think Moscow is 80% safe and 2) the Blizzard Massacres should be starting, I have to redeploy many rifle divisions. Given that I was massing my forces to protect Moscow, other parts of the front have few forces. And I need a minimum number of forces in the frontline. I should be able to have 2-units stacks (rifle DIVISIONS, not brigades) in EVERY single hex at the frontline. So a lot of tchouk-tchouk. I will be evacuating more industry, including Voronezh and similar places which might be swallowed during the summer '42 offensive. I have plenty of time though, therefore I can NOW finally use all the rail capacity to deploy the many hordes [8D]

The bulk of the rifle brigades will NOT fight. Just like on my other game they will start digging fortified positions behind the frontline, positions that I might need during the summer offensive. If I am forced to retreat that is.

In december I will create 10 Cavalry Corps AND the support units will be assigned to the lot of them too. I had used VERY incorrectly these corps vs 2ndACR during the Blizzard. They proved to be UTTERLY useless, they could not even defeat enemy ants! The lack of support was the reason. No mistake this time [;)] The corps will ONLY see combat afer having the 100% of their support units.