AAR D21 Hellen v. Computer

[Hellen_slith]

And here is Moscow. Axis is in a bind now. Going to be a long winter for them!

[Hellen_slith]

Just gave Elmer his chance to do Soviets 37, running in Win7 compatibility mode. Not a single "black screen". Not one instance of the message "Not Responding". The computer fan is running normally again, as are the discs. The inter-turn phase now zips through in less than 30 seconds, instead of minutes or freezing.

So, it seems to be functioning now as it should. Not much else to report ... AGN and AGC remain stuck, waiting on supplies, although I have managed to inch a few more divisions toward Leningrad.

In the south: crawling slowly toward Kharkov. Thanks for the helps!

[Hellen_slith]

So close ... and yet so far. You can't see it, but heavy thunderstorms cover almost every hex in this shot. Those planes aren't going to be doing much, or can they? Does weather have a lot of effect on air missions? Also, does the supply point being in reorg (not sure why it should be, it has not been in combat. Manual says reorg is for units recovering from combat.) Or is there another reason it might be in reorg status?

Also, Elmo has reinforcements railed in onto the seemingly empty rail hexes, ready to disembark. I had to put them there for him, he was using his rail to put Flak and Engineers all over the place, so I helped him out. Thanks!

[sPzAbt653]

Yellow Band = Garrison Mode. What does the Unit Report say about the Nachsch units?

[Edwire]

Nice AAR ! I find the Soviet Baltic Fleet a pain to deal with.

I think the mobile supply unit went to garrison mode during the mud, and after that, they should be able to move again.

Curious how the Winter will be, keep it going !

[Hellen_slith]

OH! Ok, I thought the yellow stripes were just like a better status than orange, I see now in the manual it means garrison mode as result of scenario event or scenario setting. The unit report just says "reorganizing". So maybe when the rain is not so rainy, or a certain time on game clock they will be back to movable. Thank you!

Yes, the scene is fun to play, not so big (like FiTE) and once I got the map in mind, and the OOB sketched out in my mind (and the computer in Win7 mode!) it is going pretty quick now. Hope it get a few turns in today, I too want to see how cold it going to get, and whether I can get into Leningrad. I finally got some more divisions up there next turn, and the two supply points I luckily got up there help. I think there are about 14 divisions knocking on the door there...with four or five more divisions well supplied and on the way. We shall see!

[sPzAbt653]

The unit report just says "reorganizing".

Thanks for checking. I suspect that it should report something other than 'reorganizing' as that is misleading, but it's been that way since the beginning of time so maybe there is a reason for it.

The Nachsch {Supply] units always go into Garrison during the Mud turns.

[Hellen_slith]

Sure, I just didn't know about garrison mode (that's why I was confused!) Anyway, here is Kharkov Front.

from the Soviet POV and after I helped Elmer out. Note the Soviet Tank Corps gearing up for an encounter.

Those are T-34s / KV1s / and T-60s. Not sure exactly how many (I didn't count) but it will be interesting to see how they do if we can get an armored clash going early on.

Axis has only now been able to cross the Psel River with a few infantry divisions (too muddy). Axis armor is situated right now around Sumy and Vorozhba, out of gas.

I expect Axis forces will take at least one or two weeks (game time) to reach a line running through Bogodukhov to Krasnograd (line shown) just because of the mud and supply situation for Axis. So there are at least three or more turns for the Soviet Kharkov front to prepare.

I wonder if it will snow soon? I don't think the Axis brought any cold weather gear. Does it snow down there around Kharkov?

[larryfulkerson]

I wonder if it will snow soon? I don't think the Axis brought any cold weather gear. Does it snow down there around Kharkov?

I can't remember if it does snow down there or not but I think it does. I'm pretty sure the rivers freeze over too. Enabling movement across the water.

[Hellen_slith]

Ah, ok. I just checked the environment for Kharkov, and it does get pretty cold there. Field Marshall Von Leeb just showed up around Leningrad with a couple of fresh divisions. I hope they brought snow shoes!! I did see in my game that a cold front is moving in, expecting snow in Leningrad in the next few turns, so it is going to be interesting there (at least to me ... I barely managed to save the supply net for Leningrad ... trying to fix AGS supply net now.) I'm not doing as well as historically happened ... failed to get a siege upon Leningrad, failed to get to Kharkov, have failed to take Tusla (sp?) Maybe I am helping Elmer too much, but I can't help it, I want to learn the Soviets, too, so I have been moving for Elmer the last few turns.

[Hellen_slith]

Leningrad, Nov. 5th, 1941.

Overnight low: -10 centigrade. An historic blizzard will soon usher in the coldest European winter of the 20th century.*

The Baltic Fleet has sailed to avoid being frozen in port. They are now pounding airfields along the coast.

Russian air forces in Leningrad have been instructed to limit interdiction and combat support missions to a 50 kilometer radius--when they can fly.

Two Russian Shock armies have arrived to coordinate a possible counter-offensive; every troop and artillery piece that can be spared is boarding trains bound for Leningrad.

The Germans don't have a chance.
----
*Lejenas, Harald. "The Severe Winter in Europe 1941-42." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (1989) p. 281

[cathar1244]

For anyone interested, the article about the 1941-42 winter can be read at:

https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10 ... 2.0.CO%3B2

Cheers

[Hellen_slith]

Leningrad: Nov. 12, 1941. Temperature at 7:00a.m.: -9.6

The Germans open fire with 4x150mm, 6x170mm, and 3x240mm RR artillery guns...

Six divisions of the Wehrmacht and SS will break the Soviet line, or die in the attempt.

[larryfulkerson]

Leningrad: Nov. 12, 1941. Temperature at 7:00a.m.: -9.6

The Germans open fire with 4x150mm, 6x170mm, and 3x240mm RR artillery guns...

Six divisions of the Wehrmacht and SS will break the Soviet line, or die in the attempt.

Good luck!

[Hellen_slith]

Field Marshall von Leeb reports heavy losses inflicted...but the target remains.

Bringing Karl's 520mm guns on line for another stab at it. If it hasn't frozen.

[Hellen_slith]

Karl has spun up.

Field Marshall von Leeb is given the honors....

"You may fire when ready."

Let's see how many shells I can get out of it.

[Hellen_slith]

AG South is looking much better today, from a supply standpoint...

Kharkov and Stalino are still in sight.

They are definitely on the table to be taken after the Spring thaw, if not before.

Heavy resistance all around. Moscow is just on hold ... supply there is still FUBAR for Axis.

[Hellen_slith]

Here's a closer look at AGS ... finally getting contact @ Kharkov.

Trying to encircle it, Black and Red from the North, Purple & Grey from the South.

Waiting on Black and Red to gas up there. Supply Net is looking better.

[Hellen_slith]

Farther South:

making a stab at Stalino ... too much resist @ Sevastopol ... so I veered North. That German Motorized is leading the charge.

[Hellen_slith]

FIRE!!!!