Case Blue: Bwheatley vs 'The Russian Rat' abulbulian (no abulbulian)

[bwheatley]

Good thinking. I was hoping to save up enough PP to avoid stalingrad. But unless the PP starts picking up I might never have enough PP for that.

[krupp_88mm]

Case Blue: Bwheatley vs 'The Russian Rat' abulbulian (no abulbulian)

Greetings herr general. High command would like you to conduct a naval operation to unhinge the defense's of Rostov faster

My staff have extensive experience preparing naval operations, I ordered the production of a naval doctrinal plan for you. This operation requires you to play the 100pp naval assault card for Optimal impact, which will be well worth its cost and add the additional goal of accelerating a drive on Baku. But the operation retains flexibility and can be carried out without the card, if resources are not available.

The targeted date for this operation commencement is between turn 7-12



operational assault hubs: 2 Southern Kerch(with card only) 1 Northern Mariapol (with or without card)

Each operational assault hub will be fully prepared with

-defensive artillery emplacements, primarily 2 Kerch though (offensive ones placed at 2 Kerch).
-two landing flotillas each
-Support craft at each
-Airforces including fighters and divebombers.
-An korps or army headquarters for each landing force
-A division
-Anti aircraft guns either with the division or independent

Rear airfields will be staffed with level bombers and additional divebombers / fighters.

Air doctrine.

This operation requires airforces are flown to support it from the north a turn before the commencement. And preferably additional airforces prior to that to clear the soviet navy. Resigning their headquarters shouldn't be necessary.

Primary goal of fighters is the destruction of the soviet airforce prior to the landing assault, they will fly sweeps and recon to draw out the soviets and lower their readiness. if the soviets are not intercepting they will attack the planes on the ground from any spotted airbases. At the landing date they will all provide air cover on maximum intercept.

Primary goal of divebombers is the destruction of the soviet fleet, and during the operation attacking any opposing forces facing the landing.

Primary goal of level bombers is the destruction of the soviet fleet, the destruction of soviet airforces on the ground, additional recon.

Air transports should remain on station and on call to supply landing forces in the eventuality a port can not be secured immediately. And will fly in reinforcements once an airfield is captured.


Fleet doctrine.

Fleets are to remain in port at all times covered by defensive forces. Enemy fleets are to be harassed from air extensively and only engaged when they are close to port and with low readiness from air or naval attacks. Any soviet vessels that enter the sea of Azov are primary targets the intention of which is to turn the sea into German controlled waters. to facilitate this it will be necessary to remove the soviets port of Taman as a viable port.

Taman : Will be shelled from 2 Kerch by large caliber siege howitzers and other large caliber artillery, the intention is to sink any soviet vessels sheltering there, remove their reach from the sea of Azov and destroy the ports capacity to receive or send supply and forcing any soviet garrisons out of the city. the shelling must commence before the operation to be effected asap. The fleet is also to be re-based there under their cover asap. moving along the ports on the southern side of the peninsula from Alushta and Yalta.

From 2 Kerch under the artillery cover one half the fleet will be re-based to 1 Mariapol when the coast is clear, the fleet arriving when you play the naval reinforcements card will make its way to 2 Kerch under cover of Romanian naval escorts and aircover, following the ports again, the reinforced fleet should arrive at 2 Kerch roughly the same time the original fleet reaches 1 Mariapol.



Land force doctrine:

The divisions will be placed at the embarkation points, inside or outside the port they don't have to embark from the port if the have ap's left. The remainder that are not of immediate vitality to the attack will be placed guarding key supply points and as an emergency quick reaction force, they will remain within reach of rail transport at all times so they can be ferried to the ports for pick up when needed.


Primary assault(s):

The primary assault(s) will retain strategic flexibility and come in two main axis with a naval card, or one axis without. Northern landing zones from 1 Mariapol and southern landing zones from 2 Kerch.


Northern landing zones:
Primary Target Yeisk
Alternate target: Prihorsko, Azov

Northern landing will have Yeisk as the primary target. Two secondary targets available as alternate locations if the primary proves untenable or obsolete. The goal of this northern landing operation is to unhinge and envelop Rostov. Each port should be reconnoitered before landing to determine which target is favorable. The fleet with troops will need to end its turn prior to attack outside the port so it can affect a landing in one turn. You will envelop the port if garrisoned from the rear, and leave naval forces blockading the port entrance to prevent resupply by sea as well as guarding transports. The landing force must take anti aircraft guns either with the landing division or independent for additional air protection, all fighters will be placed on max intercept during the landing phase after being rested. After the port is out of supply if garrisoned it will be stormed from land after air attack. After the port is taken we estimate we can ferry about two divisions to the port as reinforcements every two turns.

Time for launching operation Earlier the better to unhinge Rostov. IF any of the ports are weakly garrisoned, or if the soviet navy is neutralized from the sea ahead of time this operation can launch early and or before the Southern landing operation, or alternatively, by itself without the naval reinforcement card.

Southern landing zones: (with naval reinforcement card)

Primary Target: Taman
Alternate targets: Prihorsko, Novorossik

Southern landing will have Taman as the primary target. Two secondary targets available as alternate locations if the primary proves untenable or obsolete. The goal of this Southern landing operation is to Provide cover for the southern flank of the northern landing zone, and to launch a drive to Baku earlier, as well as serving as a strategic base for further naval operations in the Black sea. Each port should be reconnoitered before landing to determine which target is favorable. The fleet with troops will need to end its turn prior to attack outside the port so it can affect a landing in one turn. You will envelop the port if garrisoned from the rear, and leave naval forces blockading the port entrance to prevent resupply by sea as well as guarding transports. The landing force must take anti aircraft guns either with the landing division or independent for additional air protection, all fighters will be placed on max intercept during the landing phase after being rested. After the port is out of supply if garrisoned it will be stormed from land after air attack. After the port is taken we estimate we can ferry about two divisions to the port as reinforcements every two turns safe from naval interdiction.



Commanders: Each primary assault will have at least one korps assigned. Commanders with the resupply card should be assigned if available. These generals will save their command points up prior to the landing assault, they can use the points to attack any roadblocks or ports, or offer resupply or movement bonus'. The headquarters should embark with the primary assault to give immediate command bonus if opposition is expected.

The earlier the operation can be launched the better. Preparations are to begin immediately.

High command trusts in you Herr general do not disappoint us.

[bwheatley]

Impressive plan Herr General. It was even more ambitious than i had even planned. I'm reviewing it now and will look into the logistics. We had hoped to secure the 2nd half of the straits and this would even threaten Rostov with the northern landings.

[Pawsy]

The Soviet player has quite large Naval forces I would simply interdict your supply lines. The AI did this when I tried a similar plan. Got my troops ashore but lost the supply line. I would also suggest that the above lacks concentration of force. Too many objectives for the forces available. As I said with 17, 11 and 1 Pz Army you should be able to capture one major objective if not two. There also tends to be less objectives in the North. I often find I have too attack in a south eastwards direction to provide freedom of manoeuvre.

I think case blue has two main objectives. Industrial, the oil fields in the south and political/morale city of Stalingrad. Either objective could be deemed to be supporting the wider grand strategic objective of winning the war. I favour taking Stalingrad because of its historical and strategic importance. The political consequences of losing Stalingrad could have been pivotal for Stalin. I think if you ignore Stalingrad then you should be driving hard to the south for the oil.

[rominet]

ORIGINAL: bwheatley

It's at the top

Oups sorry, i had missed.

So, 56 K losses inflicted against 16 K losses sustained. [X(][X(]

In only 1 turn (2 days), but it is huge.
Where am i wrong?[&:]

[Keunert]

The Pony plan is a recipe for desaster. with all due respect.
you would have to sneak your ships from Odessa to your ports without losing them
then you would need time to do the operations without them sinking them
and then you need open sea lines for supply to arrive.

if your ennemy is as good as you say, i would not do it.
it's like making a tank drive trough the ardennes without room to manoeuver and without roads for supply.

[bwheatley]

ORIGINAL: rominet

ORIGINAL: bwheatley

It's at the top

Oups sorry, i had missed.

So, 56 K losses inflicted against 16 K losses sustained. [X(][X(]

In only 1 turn (2 days), but it is huge.
Where am i wrong?[&:]

Heh yea i'm not as good a german as he is apparently. In our other game (me as soviets) T1 he killed 80k for 11k losses. OH well i have a long war ahead of me.

[bwheatley]

ORIGINAL: Keunert

The Pony plan is a recipe for desaster. with all due respect.
you would have to sneak your ships from Odessa to your ports without losing them
then you would need time to do the operations without them sinking them
and then you need open sea lines for supply to arrive.

if your ennemy is as good as you say, i would not do it.
it's like making a tank drive trough the ardennes without room to manoeuver and without roads for supply.

Good point..yea with my war game exercises (AI testing against a soviet AI) it's asking a lot to have 100PP to buy the extra navy card. And even with the extra naval forces we can sneak in we were unable to go toe to toe with the Red Navy. I think the only thing we'll be able to do is a landing at ASOV to unhinge Rostov. Or just go right across the kerch strait. I wonder if even a small raid would be enough to divert sufficient communist resources to allow a better push.

[krupp_88mm]

ORIGINAL: Keunert

The Pony plan is a recipe for desaster. with all due respect.
you would have to sneak your ships from Odessa to your ports without losing them
then you would need time to do the operations without them sinking them

The details of the plan direct, albeit maybe poorly; (punishment will be administered to the originators of unclear orders) how the navy will move under cover of land based artillery and air. Going from port to port within one turn of each-other. Allowing the force to slip past the soviet navy. Sneaking isn't necessary with Damocles divebombers hanging over the Russian head.

ORIGINAL: Keunert
then you would need time to do the operations without them sinking them

The reason the northern target was chosen as the priority target; was so that the soviets could not reach and sink them during the operation. If the enemy vessels can be kept out of the Azov, only one turn they must expose themselves outside cover. Than forces return back to port. After the first landing captures the port on the turn you transport fleet is reloading. The transports can unload their next shipment in the safety of the captured port with defensive artillery emplacements.

ORIGINAL: Keunert
then you need open sea lines for supply to arrive.

The soviets can only interdict the supply lines of the northern target by

1 Bombing the port. This is regarded eventuality with aa cover and extensive fighter cover.

2 Naval blockade directly in front of the port. Note the supply will flow naturally form Mariapol. This eventuality is protected by the pre-condition of clearing the azov of soviet naval power from air harassment. My staff believe it would be very costly to the Russians out of port, out of aircover; and potentially within range of artillery fire and naval counter attack preferable for multiple turns. Under this possible reality my staff recommends sinking them at all cost with airpower to facilitate easier landings further south towards Baku after kerch is taken next. With the naval card Naval offensive and defensive force can be concentrated at kerch, with new reinforcements, and all under cover of massive guns that would severely punish any soviet intervention. Hopefully airpower could force the soviets to keep a healthy distance from interdiction. Naval losses are expected, that is why the reinforcement card is required. And blockading of the kerch - Taman straight will be either poorly effectual and harassed via air. or will be effectual, but have the ships devastated under artillery fire. My staff regards either outcome as favorable to future operational advantage.

I would also suggest that the above lacks concentration of force. Too many objectives for the forces available.

the northern operation has a singular objective unhinging Rostov, and retains flexible alternative goals, maybe the map is confusing with the alternate's and the priorities painted together?.

[bwheatley]

T2 -

Casualties inflicted


Casualties sustained


Situation Map

North


Center

As you can see 21A 28A and some of 40A tried to stay close and fight and we clamped the jaws down on top of them.
Getting to Lisitchansk is taking awhile due to poor terrain.


South
Rostov looks like we will have to take via a left hook.


Sevatopol
We are inching ever closer to the city proper. But will we take the city before it is evacuated.

[bwheatley]

High Command has reported that due to logistics issues (I'm not familiar enough with germany yet) we will most likely not be able to implement Operation RustyHammer.

[bwheatley]

T3

Start Maps
North

It looks like the russian bear woke up with a hangover when he saw 2.5 of his armies in the center completely trapped and sealed away on the west side of the oskol. It appears he has cut his loses and run. (Which is probably what i should be doing in my game with him as russia..but screw that we fight!)


Center


South
The hills are going to be a tough nut to crack but we have no choice. OKH has told us to get to our objectives and we must obey. It is the prussian way.


Sevastopol
It appears there is a rescure force coming. We need to push hard to get this city and all its defenders.

[bwheatley]

Casualties at the start of the turn



By the end of the turn we killed many soviets. And it wasn't even the ones hidden away.

[bwheatley]

End of turn maps

North
We had to run to catch up but managed to get a few attacks off.


Center


South


Sevastopol

[bwheatley]

It appears sevastopol will fall tomorrow but he will probably be able to escape with all his left over forces to fight again another day.

[bwheatley]

T4

[bwheatley]

In the south Rostov has impressive forts along both edges so we've decided for the standard left hook.

[bwheatley]

Sevastopol has fallen.

We are still contemplating Operation RustyHammer. The advance sub scouts were destroyed but in retaliation we sunk a fleet of russian subs marked by the 'X'. We also sank half a patrol of some torpedo boats. The Soviet force to the farthest right is most likely the transports under cover of cruisers and destroyers. We did not risk a one-sided engagement.

The whole axis fleet is now in sevastopol. We have several divisions that we could pick up and attempt to take the east banks of the kerch. But we are still unsure if we will be able to hold off the soviet fleet long enough to land. Rostov looks like the soviets have pulled significant forces from the caucasus so an invasion might help us in that regard.

[bwheatley]

Reports

[olivier34]

Interesting to see how you use your 1 PK. I have allways move them up north in the direction of Lititchank.
How is the supply of your Wiking and 13th panzer ? To you plan to push forward with them the next days ?