Road to Leningrad. A newbee attempt to tackle GAIA

[xavutrecht]

Turn2 SU.

SU air unit dropped some supply.
Axis AF flew 2 interdiction missions.

Air losses were Axis 1 / SU 2.

No ground combat. No enemy movement spotted.

[SparkleyTits]

Basically the further away from railheads you sent your airframes the less they can do as they get less fuel

Most efficient placement is to put airbases close to railheads then use staging bases to extend the reach of your air power while still keeping them far back from an opponents bombing runs and keeping your planes nice and fueled up

[SparkleyTits]

Good job so far mate my first attempt at this scenario was a complete mess [:D]

[xavutrecht]

Turn 3.

Recon showed that the AI will form a defensive line around Pskov and along the Velikaya river.
6th, 8th SAD ABs, and 5th VVS AB were spotted near Pskov.

The region south of Pskov looked clear of SU units.

My objectives for this turn will be:
1. To take Pskov with my PzDs.
2. Move II and XXVIII Inf Corps towards Velikie Luki.
3. Keep moving the rest of the IDs north and clear the rear area.
4. Relocate the air units to provide effective air superiority.

[xavutrecht]

Pskov was taken by the Pz Corps after some heavy fighting south of the town. It's not over yet, the 163rd Mot Div hold its ground south of the city.
6th and 8th ABs had to relocate.

IDs encountered light resistance from 179th Rifle Div and AB Div on the way to Velikie Luki. Progress wasslow due to terrain.

Air units and HQs moved forward.
The rear area looked clear, supply should go quite smoothly.

Achieved this turn, Pskov was taken, 6 SU units destroyed, front line is quite solid (I hope).

[xavutrecht]

Turn 3. Soviet phase.

AI some units moved towards Pskov. A lot of re-supply done by the SU Air Force.

[xavutrecht]

Turn 4,German.

I should now clear the area around Pskov, keep moving north with the infantry, and continue the push towards Velikie Luki.

I messed with the location of my fighters, 20 hexes is a short range, so no airfield bombing. [:(]
I planned some ground unit bombings to reduce the level of entrenchment.

[xavutrecht]

Pskov is clear of SU units.
German units kept moving north and east.
Difficult to keep all the units well organized and moving in an efficient and logical way.

Losses are light, I guess, less than 9000 men were lost and less than 50 AFVs. Air losses are very light, 23 vs 722.
VPs are still in favor of the axis 103 vs 54, but the VP locations are taking their toll.

[xavutrecht]

And the Finish armed forces are joining the fight.
First breakthrough.
Not the most efficient one but let's hope that will divert some Soviet forces to the north.

[xavutrecht]

Turn 5.

I think I found most of the SU units!
That's gonna be a tough nut to crack.

[xavutrecht]

I tried to reorganize the front line a bit.
I have some issue with the fuel supply going to the PZDs.

Question: Is there a way to know where is the supply coming from?
The town providing supply is mentioned but good luck to find it!

Anyway, here we are at the end of turn 5. I feel a bit behind.

[xavutrecht]

And up north:
Slowly but steady.

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: xavutrecht

Question: Is there a way to know where is the supply coming from?
The town providing supply is mentioned but good luck to find it!

Hit h on your keyboard and a search screen will come up - select city and type the name and it will take you there.

[xavutrecht]

Thanks.

[xavutrecht]

Turn 6.

Supplies are slowly making their way to the combat units.
PZDs are moving forward, slowly this time, and reach the subburbs of Leningrad.
Lot of digging was made on the soviet side, time to bring the IDs forward.

IDs are still moving eastward, no major issue there.

Situation at the end of the turn:

[xavutrecht]

And


A shame the Finnish army will have to stop. Does the AI know it?[;)]

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: xavutrecht
A shame the Finnish army will have to stop. Does the AI know it?[;)]

Knows and is scripted for it [:(]

Are you familiar with HQ Buildups? - it is the most important tool to keep your motorised full of movement.

[xavutrecht]

Are you familiar with HQ Buildups? - it is the most important tool to keep your motorised full of movement.

No, sadly I am not.
Do you have a chapter reference?

[xavutrecht]

Turn 7.

Very slow progress towards Leningrad.
GAIA is moving some units in the vicinity of Novgorod. I will have to be careful there.

Finnish army reached it's limit line. How frustrating...
Here we are:

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: xavutrecht

Are you familiar with HQ Buildups? - it is the most important tool to keep your motorised full of movement.

No, sadly I am not.
Do you have a chapter reference?

20.6 - which sounds deceptively obscure. In fact until v1.11.00 most Axis players spent every turn trying to do as many HQ buildups as possible - it was virtually the number one thing. The costs have gone up in v1.11.01. But it is still a very important part of your supply toolkit.