Campaign, tyronec (Axis) vs MSAG (Soviet)

[tyronec]

Lost a few too many Panzers this turn, attacking enemy tank units before the infantry have got up.
The Soviets front line seems a bit weaker than it could have been, think they must be holding some troops back. Their TB manpower has gone up 0.5M this turn, not sure if this is normal or perhaps they are recycling a lot through the Reserve.

[MSAG]

TURN 2

First Observations
- Axis offensive continues as expected; no major new pockets created
- Lost cities: Vitebsk (centre) and Vinnitsa (south).
- Leading German elements reached Pskov and Smolensk, but neither place is surrounded yet.
- In the centre Dnepr River is crossed in Orsha and Rogachev.

Detailed reports:
- Ground losses: 440K men, 7400 guns, 2800 AFVs, 50 aircraft
- Additional 220K men, 3000 guns and 1300 AFVs isolated
- Altogether 22 Leaders are KIA to date. Notable ones lost this turn are Kuznetsov (Mech 4, Inf 6) and Andrei Vlasov

Logistics:
- Most of the armies seem to have received the supply levels requested
- 290 000 tons of freight was sent out from National Supply Centres.
- Vehicle situation still not satisfactory. 40K trucks were mobilized this turn.

Intelligence reports:

Axis losses are relatively minor. Some interesting observations can be made:
- 120 AFVs lost (Pz Divisions took active part in the fights around Vitebsk and Vinnitsa).
= 110 Recon planes lost. That is A LOT for one turn.
- Vehicles. Appx 1000 lost till now. 7600 soviet trucks captured. Altogether +6600. Not good.

Ground
- Axis Pz/Mot forces are very active in the north (4th Pz Group, Pskov push) and around Smolensk (3rd Pz Group, AGC).
- 2nd Pz Group moves in the general direction of Gomel. No contact with them this turn.
- Reinforced 1st Pz Group (AGS) was relatively passive – capturing Vinnitsa only. Probably getting ready for the next big operation to cut off my S. Front (?)

[MSAG]

AIR WAR
I continue the night bombing campaign. Some successes reported in Riga and Minsk. For second turn in a row my missions against Lvov failed to execute.
Losses: 320 aircraft, 140 crews. LBs almost all. 70+ due to air combat. Axis fighters fly night missions.

GROUND WAR

- I forgot to lock the HQs. It is very frustrating to reattach SUs again! Most of them is now in STAVKA again. To be redistributed next turn…
- My forces are all over the place and in general in pretty sorry state. I see one chance for successful counterattack, but resist it (it would have to be done by Pskov garrison – that would weaken it substantially).
- Across the map withdrawal continues. Fastest in the south – hope to avoid pocket around Odessa. Decided to evacuate Kishinev. Having second thoughts now, but too late.

Fortresses.
Have 2 RDs in Odessa, will be 4 next turn. 3 best RDs in Kiev, 2RD+MD in Smolensk, 2RDs in Mogilev, 2 in Pskov, 1 in Velikie Luki. Additional 3 and 3 in Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk. All refitting, 50+ morale.
On top of that I have created the reserve of SUs: 24 MG battalions, 18 Security Units, 4 rifle units (only 1 Brigade as of now), 5 motorcycle regiments and 5 tank units (not counting AT & artillery). Will use them in the fortresses (especially Urban).

In the North:
Axis mobile forces around Pskov are mostly in regimental battle groups. I am too weak to stop them, but I believe I managed to limit their movement freedom next turn – that should buy some time.
Below: Situation in the North T2 end-of-turn

[RedJohn]

I'm interested to see how your use of fortresses works out for you. I had an opponent do it to me in one game (though moreso just shoving all pocketed units into a fort, as opposed to a deliberate long-term strategy of cityforting key provinces) and I just found it made the Soviet line too thin, and pockets were easy to hold.

It did cost a lot of time for infantry however, and obviously likely many more casualties.

[tyronec]

I'm interested to see how your use of fortresses works out for you. I had an opponent do it to me in one game (though moreso just shoving all pocketed units into a fort, as opposed to a deliberate long-term strategy of cityforting key provinces) and I just found it made the Soviet line too thin, and pockets were easy to hold.

It did cost a lot of time for infantry however, and obviously likely many more casualties.

My view would be is that it is only worthwhile to build city forts and put a strong garrison in them if:
They will hold out long term because of the extra garrison.
OR
They will slow up the Axis FBD for a critical move or two.

Smolensk could meet this criteria, though it needs to have a strong Soviet defence in the area. Probably would have to be the #1 Soviet priority of strong units to hold Axis back for a turn or two.
Odessa is only going to be worthwhile if the Soviets are going to obstruct Axis Naval Interdiction, otherwise it will just be isolated and the garrison lost.
Kiev is not on a critical rail line for most games so is generally not worth putting a lot of effort into defending.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

ORIGINAL: tyronec

AGN
Was able to get across the river near Pskov without combat, so cross and clear the way for more Panzers to follow up. Attacked a tank division with Panzers by mistake, couldn’t see what it was, which cost a few Panzers.
I think it is good to get attacks in with the mobile units the first few turns as if you can trash enough units the Soviets will have more difficulty forming a strong line. Once you get into mid summer they have enough strength and it is less viable.
Pocket a couple of stacks, maybe two infantry divisions but am not sure. They can probably break the pocket but that should disrupt their defensive line for next turn.

Have pushed hard here and am a little exposed, hope my spearhead won’t get cut off. Am thinking to push for Lenningrad with progress going well so far. Have always felt this is a bad strategy for Axis, better to concentrate where there is not so much heavy terrain. However playing out the same plan every game is also not good strategy and maybe MSAG will not be expecting it.

I thought Leningrad was a bad strat too, but I have changed my way of thinking on it since I was in BETA. Still not #1 target to be had but a strong #2 target for me. You have to have the right mixture or overwhelming strength to make it fall quickly. Once out of the way this area becomes a dead zone pretty much the rest of the war. If MSAG has enough units in Pskov my money is he attacks the circled PZ regiment. As I always have said, even in WITE1, regiments LOVE to retreat.

[RedJohn]

ORIGINAL: tyronec

I'm interested to see how your use of fortresses works out for you. I had an opponent do it to me in one game (though moreso just shoving all pocketed units into a fort, as opposed to a deliberate long-term strategy of cityforting key provinces) and I just found it made the Soviet line too thin, and pockets were easy to hold.

It did cost a lot of time for infantry however, and obviously likely many more casualties.

My view would be is that it is only worthwhile to build city forts and put a strong garrison in them if:
They will hold out long term because of the extra garrison.
OR
They will slow up the Axis FBD for a critical move or two.

Smolensk could meet this criteria, though it needs to have a strong Soviet defence in the area. Probably would have to be the #1 Soviet priority of strong units to hold Axis back for a turn or two.
Odessa is only going to be worthwhile if the Soviets are going to obstruct Axis Naval Interdiction, otherwise it will just be isolated and the garrison lost.
Kiev is not on a critical rail line for most games so is generally not worth putting a lot of effort into defending.

I tend to agree. I think Rostov is a natural city-fort, as well as of course Leningrad and Moscow. Kiev city fort is isolated way too early to matter, but it can hinder an axis push to Kursk/Orel from the south at least. I have also cityforted Kerch in the past. It's defensive CV isn't anything too big, but it ensures the axis will not get any port supply.

Odessa in my eyes is never, ever worth it. Besides the naval interdiction as you've pointed out, it also starts next to the 11th army which can very easily reach it without doing any attacks meaning they're at full CPP and 0 fatigue.

[tyronec]

T03 After recon.
Kept my recon losses down to 22 aircraft which is acceptable.
Soviets continued with their depot night bombing, caught some with A2A, some with AA on the depots and they had their ops losses. They are not doing that much damage so am not too concerned. No interdiction of Riga.
Pskov pocket held.
Smolensk the Soviets have made a city fort. Am thinking to maybe try and pocket the city and then assault next turn with infantry.
AGS, one small pocket was broken. Looks like they have pulled back from the Dnestr.

[tyronec]

AGN
The small pocket from last turn held.
Surround Pskov, am using full divisions as the screen so hope that will hold.
Manstein pushes on towards Lenningrad, trashing a few units and 3 hexes forwards.
The infantry arrive next turn so will see how progress continues then.
Am ignoring the whole Parnu/Tallinn area.

[tyronec]

This is my rail plan in the North.
By next turn the black line should be linked up using the SUs. Have an FBD coming up to extend the line beyond Pskov.
The blue are single tracks feeding in the naval supplies from Riga, that will eventually give me three single track lines feeding into the double track from Daugvaplis to Pskov and North.
The Red line is the double track to Smolensk. There is no link between the two rail systems which IMO is what works best in ‘41.

[tyronec]

AGC.
Pocket Smolensk after pushing the infantry division out of the swamp to the north.
More units across the river towards Gomel.

[tyronec]

AGS.
PG2 gets up to the Dnepr, there were some very weak units in the Soviet screen which get routed away.
PG1 make a small pocket and begin to close in on Odessa, threatening a push for Nikolaev at the same time. Am leaving the forts behind where possible as they just surrender rather than using up CPP.

[tyronec]

Losses for the turn.

[MSAG]

TURN 3
First Impressions
- Axis offensive continues as expected but no major new pockets created
- Pskov and Smolensk are surrounded
- No major cities lost yet.
- Southern mobile forces split – towards Kiev and Odessa, but both cities are safe for now
Detailed reports:
- Ground losses: 266K men, 4300 guns, 1800 AFVs, 200 aircraft
- Additional 174K men, 2400 guns and 1640 AFVs isolated (of which 84K, 1200+ guns in Smolensk and Pskov).
- 3 minor leaders lost

Logistics:
- Most of the armies seem to have received the supply levels requested
- Total # of vehicles reached 210K (with 30K mobilized this turn). Still we have only 70% of required vehicles in nits.

Intelligence reports:
Axis losses are minor.
Axis Vehicles.
1800 lost this turn (2800 total losses till date). 11000 soviet trucks captured. Altogether +8200.


Ground
- First infantry units have reached Dnepr on the Gomel direction
- In the north (Pskov area) elements of 20th PzDiv and 20th MotDiv detected. They are moved from AGC to AGN.
- So the pattern of weakening of the Mobile Core of Army Group Centre is repeated (this time north). At least for now. I mustn’t forget that reversing it possible (and indeed likely) later in the summer.
- Some weakening of the strength of the leading Axis units becomes visible.

Air
- Axis Fighter transfers: North –to the airbase just south of Pskov, Centre: Vitebsk and Minsk, South: Kishiniev, and Akkerman (Odessa direction)
- Tyronec definitely had his “GS” button on during his turn – we had numerus flight skirmishes. Unfortunately one-sided. Both sides committed fighters only.


situation in the North (before the turn)

[tyronec]

T04.
Air war disaster - all my fighters fly off into the darkness and don’t come back. I don’t quite understand these combats as some of the fighters are flying 17 hexes, they won’t do that in the daytime. However the message is clear, no more D&N for the fighters, will leave it up to the AA to fend off the VVS.

No Soviet counter attacks so all pockets have held.

[tyronec]

AGN.
PG4 continue to push forwards as fast as possible, routing a few units in the process. Have cut the double rail line to Lenningrad. AGN is a good bit over strength and should have enough for a strong counter attack if the spearhead is cut off.
My rail repair didn’t quite work out because a pocket hex flipped control and drew away an SU, so the link to Riga is not complete yet.

[tyronec]

AGC.
Take the pocket Smolensk by frontal assault, Panzers resting.
Small advance towards Gomel, chase a few units away but mostly resting.

[tyronec]

AGS.
PG2 find a weak spot defending the river and get across, unfortunately the second attack which would have enabled more units to cross without ZOC to ZOC fails. Have two divisions defending the bridgehead so should flood across next turn. The Kiev pocket is going to be a bit behind this game as both North and South pincers are short of Panzers but will be able to close it in eventually using the infantry, though probably the Soviets will pull back.

PG1. I have not done Naval Patrol on Odessa, was guessing there might be a small garrison and with a CV of 170 may be able to assault it directly next turn with 2 Inf. Corps. Am not sure if this is wise, will see next turn !
The Panzers meanwhile cross the next river and get a lot of routs, many of which retreat into the pending pocket. It is a pretty thin screen so probably the Soviets can break it.

[tyronec]

Losses for the turn. As you can see am not preserving the Panzers.

[Stamb]

Soviet pilots do not care if it is day or night. Vodka can do real magic!