How to possibly save the Soviets. (stjeand as Axis)

[sveint]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

Any updates?

Soon, we are entering 1941.

[boldairade]

there isn't much AAR in this AAR[:(]

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: sveint

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

Any updates?

Soon, we are entering 1941.

Nice

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: boldairade

there isn't much AAR in this AAR[:(]

This is intent. Goal here is to focus on USSR 1941 and the reason why people think USSR is too weak.

[sveint]

ORIGINAL: boldairade

there isn't much AAR in this AAR[:(]

Sorry I am only covering the Eastern front. Things will start for real soon. I'll be detailed about the Soviet-German war.

[sveint]

March 14, 1941

The war has progressed more or less historically. Greece remains neutral, there is no fighting in Africa. At least 10 u-boats have been spotted, and the UK struggles to build enough merchants. The Soviets can expect no to little aid until the US enters the war.

Normally at this point I would stop building large corps, but I've decided to keep building them until war is declared.

Southern defenses:

[sveint]

Center:

[sveint]

North, there are 3 more corps on the Finnish border:

[sveint]

Total Soviets ground forces on the map are 1942.

[ncc1701e]

Are you not using the new garrison mechanism on your 20% experience Rifle Corps?

[sveint]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

Are you not using the new garrison mechanism on your 20% experience Rifle Corps?

No, I want them mobile to delay the Axis. Marginally increasing their fighting strength only to have them surrounded serves no purpose.

[sveint]

April 25, 1941

Barbarossa starts. The UK is struggling with merchants but will soon have 100 shipyards. I set up convoys for 46 production, not sure how much will come through.

Germany loses 15 ground steps and 4 air steps on the first turn. The Soviets lose 34 air steps and 7 ultra-weak corps overrun (147 steps).

Konev, Vatutin and Rokossovsky are appointed to the relevant fronts. The Baltic front gets a 5-2-5 general and two HQs are still without generals (Pripet and Finland).

Soviet land experience is 33%, air 36%. Reinf/Upgrade is set to 1000, we will build no further units for a long while.

The main Axis attack seems to be in the south:

[sveint]

The second attack is towards Leningrad (for now).

[sveint]

The Finnish front looks quiet, doesn't look like the rail line to Murmansk is in any danger.

[Harrybanana]

ORIGINAL: sveint

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

Are you not using the new garrison mechanism on your 20% experience Rifle Corps?

No, I want them mobile to delay the Axis. Marginally increasing their fighting strength only to have them surrounded serves no purpose.

If the only advantage was the increase in fighting strength I would agree with you. But garrisoning them also returns 17 PPs. Not a lot individually, but since there are something like 30 of them, it gives you enough PPs to build another 5 large corps (all with 30% experience).

[Flaviusx]

That was a pretty good experience gain for the first turn, but...no new construction at all? Are you waiting for experience to go up more before ordering new armies?

It's going to get expensive to replace your air losses, and you are letting them take replacements. Not sure I agree with doing that. Even if they are last in priority for them, setting replacements so high is going to mean a lot of this production you have in the bank is going to go into your air units.

I count 13 axis mobile corps. That seems a little low. Which is good for you. Axis ought to be able to hit 15+ in 41 (including the Italians) in the present ruleset.

[Flaviusx]

Harry, he has garrisoned some of them in the rear. He probably only loses maybe 3 new rifle corps by leaving the front line ones mobile. It's a judgement call, I'd probably garrison all the junk ones myself, but let it play out. Some of these guys might actually get away and with replacements become useful.

[sveint]

While the Barbarossa forces look slightly weak, Europe, Italy and Africa are very well garrisoned indeed. There is a "large formation" in Amsterdam already, there is at least one mobile corps at Tobruk. The UK stands no chance of attacking anywhere in 1941.

[sveint]

May 9, 1941

The entire Baltic fleet is sunk, to one step loss for the Germans. Nope, I kid you not!

[sveint]

The Soviets lose 6 corps overrun/surrendered. Axis losses are very light. Ground experience is now 34%.

On all fronts the Axis are surging forward. We fall back and keep delaying. We haven't really lost anything of value yet.