The Fleeing Slavmen - Drakken v. jjdenver (no jjdenver)

[WingedIncubus]

T5
July 4th, 1941
Situation Overview


Finally! Zhukov has arrived in Southwestern Front HQ this turn, right in the nick of time and just at the right moment because most of the front has turned into mush.

Mud. Mud everywhere, giving me some respite this turn. Quite a bit more activations, as well. At least one army per front has fully activated, plus another in the Northern and the Southern Fronts. Let's see how to best use them. [&o]

I immediately proclaim that the Central Front to be given top priority to defend Moscow, with counterattacks if practicable.

[WingedIncubus]

T5
July 4th, 1941
Finnish and Baltic Front


Despite our best attempts, two Soviet Divisions whose communications were disrupted were surrounded and destroyed the woods southwest of Petrozavosdk. The rest of 7th Army have exited beyond the Finnish border, while 23rd Army in the Leningrad peninsula keep evading in the safety of the fortifications beyond the borders, in front of the Finnish Southeastern Army.

The Kaunas pocket has been liquidated, despite fierce resistance. They tried their best, and died there. [:(]

Baltic Military District, however, has fully activated and is still alove. Without any German infantry to keep the way between Windau and Riga I order the BMD Army to make a mad dash to transfer them wholly to Riga. Each turn we hold Riga in force is a turn that will bite jjdenver's behind for his fuel supply, while Daugavpils still holds. [:D]

[WingedIncubus]

T5
July 4th, 1941
Central Front

Western Front and Minsk have been surrounded by 2nd and 3rd Panzergruppe. However, Western Front has also fully activated, and I intend to fight it to the bitter end. Ordered to attempt a breakout, 3 Divisions violently counterattack against 12th Panzer Division, forcing it to retreat. I cannot push further to attempt to break the pocket this turn, however. Hopefully resistance will continue.

17th Panzer lands uncomfortably close to Mogilev. I order a garrison there to slow it down until 20th Army can organize.

Remezov is fired by Khruschev, replaced with Major-General Bychkov, a loyal soldier of Initiative 30 and No threat. Meanwhile I deploy 16th Army south of Mogilev between it and Gomel, a few hexes away in case Mogilev falls before I could defend it, and 19th Army far in Smolensk as reserve in case the proverbial sh... mud hits the fan.

[WingedIncubus]

T5
July 4th, 1941
Southern Front

Stupid me! 12th and 26th Army found themselves isolated due to a single Romanian Infantry Division cutting their supply lines near Czernowitz. And in total communication breakdown, too. [:@] Not much I can do, except bringing in the Tank Corps over 12th Army HQ and defend it.

Meanwhile at Southwestern Front HQ Zhukov grants Kirponos some measure of Independence and an All-out Effort, giving it +60 Activation Bonus from now on and +30 Combat Bonus while Zhukov stays there. Romanian elements of 3rd Romanian Army have captured Proskorov totally undefended .Unable to move due to the mud I still counterattack against SS Division Wiking and 25th Motorized Division to cause casualties, but also aiming to tire them a bit.

In the Crimea Eleventh German Army has pierced the Dniestr River at two places, threatening to surround 9th Army which is unable to cross the damned river.

I must admit I feel I am very badly managing my Southern Front, moving its Divisions trying to contain jjdenver with my troops unable to activate enough to organize a semblance of forward defence. The fall of Prosurow behind my rear, threatening Vinnitsa, by a bunch of barely-trained Slavs has hurt my morale. [:(]

[WingedIncubus]

After discussion with jjdenver, I conceded the game.

I apologize for wasting your time.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Drakken

I apologize for wasting your time.

warspite1

Why have you wasted anyone's time? [&:] Its a game, you are learning, and have been brave enough to share the learning experience with us through an AAR.

You probably put up a better job of it than I did vs Orm - I got my bottom well and truly handed to me in that one - and it was there for all the world to see [:D]

So thanks for the AAR [8D] and always know there is at least one player worse than yourself [:D]

[Tweedledumb]

Thanks for the AAR.

I think Zhukov is better used at the Front level than the Army level.

I notice you stack your Soviets in defence - I never do that unless in excellent un-surroundable terrain. Spread out the ZOCs - the tanks are great for that.

It's a great game - even in defeat!

[WingedIncubus]

ORIGINAL: Tweedledumb

Thanks for the AAR.

I think Zhukov is better used at the Front level than the Army level.

I notice you stack your Soviets in defence - I never do that unless in excellent un-surroundable terrain. Spread out the ZOCs - the tanks are great for that.

It's a great game - even in defeat!

I was simply discouraged and venting. Thank you very much for your comforting words, guys. In hindsight, it's like a first-time player getting mated by a fool's mate.

24 hours later after the "shock", I'm ready to go at it again if someone is interested in playing the Axis against me. This time I will use your and jjdenver's advice, and instead focusing on maximizing my Activation bonuses and spreading out.

No AAR from my part this time, as it is time-consuming.

[ChuckBerger]

Thanks for the AAR Drakken. I think perhaps you might have unrealistic expectations about what the Russian can accomplish. It's Barbarossa 1941. You're meant to get you're *** kicked, especially at the start. Your armies aren't meant to activate, other than here and there, now and again. All your starting armies are meant to get destroyed. The game is really about what happens after that. You were far from beaten in the game above, don't lose heart!

PS-

The fall of Prosurow behind my rear, threatening Vinnitsa, by a bunch of barely-trained Slavs has hurt my morale.

You're the slavs here! The Romanians who slipped in to take Proskurow are a Latin / Romance people, not Slavic.

[John B.]

I appreciate the AAR as well! Don't be too discouraged. As others have noted, you get kicked around all the time whispering to yourself "just wait for the Siberians!"

[WingedIncubus]

ORIGINAL: ChuckBerger

Thanks for the AAR Drakken. I think perhaps you might have unrealistic expectations about what the Russian can accomplish. It's Barbarossa 1941. You're meant to get you're *** kicked, especially at the start. Your armies aren't meant to activate, other than here and there, now and again. All your starting armies are meant to get destroyed. The game is really about what happens after that. You were far from beaten in the game above, don't lose heart!

Indeed. I tended to believe the Soviets could at least make a stand and fight a turn or two before retreating, like for instance the real-life Timoshenko counterattacks against 2nd and 3rd Panzergruppe at Smolensk and the Dnepr area in July 1941. This counterstroke however is possible only if the Soviet player is certain that it will be followed by renewed activation next turn so to keep mobile when things get too hot. When it doesn't show, however, its armies standing are screwed.

I start to understand why now the Soviets' first priority is to bide time so to improve its C3 - Command, control and communication, while preserving what can be preserved.

I was also VERY unlucky to have Zhukov delayed for three whole turns. [:@]