Bish Bash Boche - A 41 GC JB (A) & Veterin (S)

[Veterin]

T3 - Soviet Perspective

JB continues his advance at lightning speed across the motherland.


3.png

Counterattacks are made by my best infantry/tanks/mech divisions on a number of the panzer regiments with ~100 AFV losses inflicted. 2 security regiments (white units) are moved directly to hug axis units to remove the CPP bonus as I noticed that after flipping hexes, some units had moved back from the frontline, likely to accrue CPP in Assault stance for the next phase. I would love to attack the 2-2 motorised regiment just south west of my counterattacks which would isolate a number of panzer regiments however I don’t have enough units south of the axis advance towards Smolensk yet. In any event, if i were to attack this unit, none of the units i use to attack will make it out alive as they wouldn't have the MP after attacking.

"CPP are gained at the end of the friendly movement phase." so there was no point moving up those SEC units, although they did slow me down a little

I stand corrected. You're right. I probably would have done that all the same as i don't like giving you free hexes for admin movement next turn

[jasonbroomer]

T4 Axis Review of Turn

Rains this early are a little unusual and concentrated in the north where I am looking to press. Light mud is scattered across the terrain, not too thick but enough to slow things down. It won't be helpful for my supplies that's for sure.

T4 AGN frontal assault will be difficult with this mud.png (1.99 MiB) Viewed 1450 times

Air recon suggests that AGC is still strongly opposed

T4 AGCSmolensk and Gomel defended in depth.png (1.62 MiB) Viewed 1450 times

Whereas AGS seems to face little opposition

T4 AGS Russians have retired.png (1.37 MiB) Viewed 1450 times

Veterin has managed to break the larger pocket made last turn, a slight delay to resew it back up. It also allows my foot sloggers to catch up

[jasonbroomer]

T4 Axis AGN

Well, I'm English and I won't let a little inclement weather stop my plans. We'll hit the attack button and see if we can flank that enemy division in the heavy woods and force him to leave

T4 AGN irritating.png (2.83 MiB) Viewed 1444 times

That was irritating, the unit was stronger than it seemed.

T4 AGN v. irritating.png (2.82 MiB) Viewed 1444 times

That is very irritating. I think I forget about the light mud malus and it also shows what the Soviets are capable of when well commanded.

But some reasonable progress is made. Note the advance in Estonia. I kept a motorized division here to capture as many important rail hexes as I while I still have a chance on them not breaking. I aim to capitalise on my good fortune in Lithuanian where already we have a functioning railroad. Veterin also abandoned Pskov, I'm not sure what the point of that was, those divisions will die just as easily in the woods as the city. I was delighted to take out the fortified unit with a hasty attack to secure a 2VP bonus for its capture. Okay a week later than historically, but my mobile troops are there to sightsee around Pskov.

T4 AGn.png (2.34 MiB) Viewed 1444 times

They will get a victory parade in Leningrad though

[jasonbroomer]

T4 Axis AGC

Copying from HLYA, I engineer retreat paths for advanced soviet units into a pocket.

T4 AGC retreat paths.png (2.67 MiB) Viewed 1436 times

This requires quite a lot of thought and is very easy to get wrong. Also, I don't have the experience to judge quite how hard to hit them, a couple of IDs routed away when they got clouted too hard. We got a couple in the bag though which is satisfying.

T4 AGc.png (2.22 MiB) Viewed 1436 times

2nd Pz gobbles up the undefended land south east of Solmensk

[jasonbroomer]

T4 Axis AGS

Not alot to report. Escaping Russians from the broken pocket are 'encouraged' back in. Managed to get one in, the other was hit too hard and routed

1st Panzer makes a decent bridgehead over the Dneper, ready to cut off Kiev while other corps sprints eastwards.

T4 AGS.png (2.51 MiB) Viewed 1431 times

In the west the pockets are tidied up (the Romanians even manage to do some of the simpler ones!!!) and the foot plod on.

[Veterin]

Turn 4 - Soviet Perspective

1

1.png (2.08 MiB) Viewed 1402 times

The situation of AGN looks dire with axis infantry only 1-2 turns away from the significant advance the panzer armies have made. I had several divisions on reserve (purple) this turn but there were no activations. Luckily the brave 249th Rifle division held it's ground against 2 Axis attacks. I moved Vasilevsky as the Army HQ commander last turn and i attached a full strength anti-tank brigade. These were essential in forcing a hold here and i'll take every bit of luck i can in this match-up. From this turn, it’s clear the actual advance is over the double rails/roads through Luga. Whilst this might mean I can hold the double rails to Leningrad for longer, it does mean I need to be careful near Narva not to be encircled. The weather has been clear so far however the forecast is light rain across most of AGN/AGC next turn so hopefully that eventuates.

2

2.png (357.15 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

This shows the Ground Combat info on one of the holds. As you can see the AT elements did the bulk of the work in these defensive battles against the 20th panzer division. SUs will continue to be prioritised towards AGN front as well as allocating any spare corps HQ to assist with dice rolls.

As mentioned by JB, regimented motorised elements continue to roam through Estonia at speed and he made great use of the turn 0-4 bonus for rail repair in the Baltics. A number of those units have low CV def and i would love to make a counter however i don't think i have the units in the area to do so.

3

3.png (248.85 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

Two counter attacks were made against regimented panzers/motorised units from my stronger units around Novgorod. This is a risky move as it weakens them on defence but killing a few AFVs and removing any CPP in the unit is worth the trade-off. There was the added benefit of R.Schmidt was killed following the displacement of the HQ following a counterattack heavily supported by the VSS. I don't have his stats with me at the moment but i know he is a great leader.

4

4.png (196.91 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

Battle where R.Schmidt is killed

Most of my reserves were sent to Southwest and Southern front this turn. SW front is almost non-existent as I pulled some units to reserve on T1 as well as losses due to effective encirclements. AGS hasn’t seen much combat so Axis infantry will be strong so I hope to hold Kharkov/Stalino line despite their fast advance so far. I still have a lot of my art in reserve despite having high TOE as they have low exp. I would like to gain at least 41-42 exp before I bring them back on map and allocate to Army HQs.

Lastly, on T4 the soviets receive ~120 engineer sapper battalions in the reserve with 50% TOE. I have put them all on refit and it will take ~30k manpower to fill but I think it will be worth it as I need these units on the map so I can fortify faster. The construction bonus is only +5 but every bit helps and I can deploy a lot of these to every army. If I was able to hold the Luga line for 1-2 turns longer these engineering assets would have been a great addition to the defence of Leningrad.

[jasonbroomer]

T5 Axis AGN

t5 AGN Leningrad front defenses are deep, but are they deep enough.png (3.24 MiB) Viewed 1279 times

Decision time, do we continue with our push north and suffer horrible truck losses or do we redirect to areas where defences are weaker. At least the rain has stopped and the forecast is good. Air recon suggests that the Leningrad defences are deep but they are not that deep, so we will press on and reinforce our success in this sector, and begin to gradually draw up our fresh infantry divisions still in Poland.

Note the advance that we have achieved in Estonia, I think a motorized division or two are well employed in this area, it sets us up to take Tallinn before a defence can be established and gains us the maximum opportunity to gain on rail conversions in the first 4 turns.

So we press on, employing motorised regiments (in blue) to surround enemy IDs (in was in the red highlighted hex)

t5 AGN sorrounding the 247th ID.png (1.3 MiB) Viewed 1277 times

from where we can deliver some nasty retreat attrition without slowing us down

t5 AGN unpleasant retreat attrition.png (3.58 MiB) Viewed 1279 times

Two hexes to the north of this action, we surround a further Soviet ID with 2 Panzer divisions, ready to be pocketed next turn

[jasonbroomer]

T5 Axis AGC

t5 AGC this looks difficult to bypass.png (3.18 MiB) Viewed 1276 times

The Soviet defences around Smolensk look imposing, reinforcing our decision to press on with AGN. Last turn, the Soviets sallied forth from the city to break a pocket on two small Russian units.

t5 AGC but the Smolensk defenders attacked last turn, can it be stormed.png (3.91 MiB) Viewed 1276 times

Frontal assaults are not really my style at this stage in the game, but the opportunity presents itself

t5 AGC frontal assaults are not my style.png (3.91 MiB) Viewed 1276 times

Locking up the 2 bonus VPs for capturing Smolensk on time, which were looking as as I might have to forgo. I know that killing the Russian army is key in 1941, but I will happily let a Russian division escape for a couple of VPs.

[jasonbroomer]

T5 Axis AGC/S

t5 AGC-S this looks passable.png (3.11 MiB) Viewed 1272 times

Air recon suggests that Gomel defences seem to be lighter and more dispersed than before as I purposely widened my front. My infantry is also beginning to loom on the horizon. So we can make some advances in this sector this turn.

SS Viking, one of the key German units has been brought up from the south (Das Reich, originally assigned to AGC was sent south on T1). It has been rested since its journey and now has some decent CPP. I am in two minds whether it is required in AGN's difficult terrain (breaking the maxim that one should always reinforce success) or should it help out here in what is already a reduced sized central attack

t5 AGC-S 3rd Pz outflanks Gomel.png (4.84 MiB) Viewed 1272 times

After some deliberation, Viking will remain with AGC as AGNs advance appears to be going very well. I see no need to prepare for a frontal attack on Gomel, the remaining defenders have the choice of escaping or being pocketed next turn.

[jasonbroomer]

T5 Axis AGS

Irritatingly, I forgot to reinforce one of the Rom armoured brigades with an SS regiment last turn. Needless to say the result was predictable. It had managed to seize the undamaged port of Ochakov on the Gulf of Odessa. A lost opportunity Last turn I had delayed deploying the SS regiment here while I completed the turn in case it was required somewhere more important, it wasn't but forgot to deploy it here before sending the turn.

t5 AGS Blast, I forgot to reinforce this unit with a SS SU and it paid the consequences.png (3.13 MiB) Viewed 1264 times

Reccie suggests that AGS only face a few blocking forces

t5 AGS A few blockers.png (2.98 MiB) Viewed 1264 times

Following the blunder at Ochakov, we discover that Odessa is only lightly defended

t5 AGS Oddessa abandoned.png (2.66 MiB) Viewed 1263 times

[jasonbroomer]

T5 AGS cont

So we elect to assault Odessa immediately but it turns out to be more strongly defended than we thought.

t5 AGS Odessa, there was a rifle division tucked away in there.png (2.46 MiB) Viewed 1261 times

So we attack again, this time with pioneers and the elite Airlanding division

t5 AGS Odessa, perfect result.png (2.66 MiB) Viewed 1261 times

and we get the perfect retreat to stop the light garrison escaping

And then we wrap them up with a further attack, only to realise that as they weren't isolated they can still escape even though we now hold the port

t5 AGS Odessa,dufus I forgot they werent isolated.png (2.5 MiB) Viewed 1261 times

[jasonbroomer]

T5 AGS Continued

t5 AGS 1st Pz sweeps northwarrds threaten linking with 2nd Pz.png (3.76 MiB) Viewed 1254 times

Elements of 1st Pz sweep north easterly, threatening to link up with 2nd Pz heading south easterly

A further corps is sent south to open the door to the Crimea

t5 AGS a corps from 1st Pz heads for the Crimea.png (3.31 MiB) Viewed 1254 times

[Veterin]

T5 - Soviet Perspective

1.png (210.2 KiB) Viewed 1219 times

2.png (190.05 KiB) Viewed 1219 times

On map men is below 2.8m which is below where I would like it to be. Of the 500k of manpower I have In reserves, ~200k is mech/tank units of varying strengths. TOE has been lowed to 50 on most of these units so I can get high TOE units back on the map quicker. 70k of reserves is construction units which arrived last turn and were put on refit. They will be transferred to the map this turn. A further ~100k in infantry/cavalry will also be transferred to the map to try and plug a number of large holes that are emerging in my defence.

Cumulative losses of 1.2m manpower so far. Given I receive ~100k manpower per turn (plus other reinforcements), I need to keep losses below 100k where possible.

3.png (350.21 KiB) Viewed 1219 times

Smolensk fell this turn from a frontal assault. I was not expecting an attack this turn as I had ~120 defensive CV and Jason has been bypassing strongpoints so far and i expected it to be encircled this turn and taken the following turn. As can be seen from the battle screen, significant pioneer and artillery assets were added for the assault which is the only way to truly frontal assault an urban hex. As shown from the HE hits, pioneer and mortar elements were very effective.

[Veterin]

T5 - Soviet Perspective Cont

4.png (1020.44 KiB) Viewed 1218 times

A two-pronged envelopment is closing I around Chernigov. I will pull back my units this turn to avoid any further losses as this cannot be held. In the event I don’t have enough movement points to make it out of the pocket, I will use the double rail out to Kursk to build up a defence there. Last turn I deployed most of my reserve to Kharkov, D-town and Zaporozhye so they can start entrenching. There is a secondary defensive line being formed around Stalino which I hope to hold until winter (unlikely!)

The Leningrad front is not looking good with Axis forces advancing quickly and having just crossed the river north of Luga. With regret I’ve lowered my supply priority to 3 on all other HQ’s and kept the Leningrad front at priority 4. I need whatever man/material I can muster to be prioritised to AGN.

5.png (904.76 KiB) Viewed 1218 times

Near Kerson, my entire 12 army pounces on a full-strength 13th panzer division causing it to rout (albeit with low losses). The reason the unit routed was that I had the cavalry unit flip the surrounding hexes around the unit before attacking. When a unit loses a battle and it has no friendly hexes to retreat into it will always rout. Whilst this unit will most likely recover from the rout next turn, any damage to AFV, guns, vehicles and moral on panzer units is a win.

6.png (364.73 KiB) Viewed 1218 times

I subsequently moved a security regiment and an unready rifle division next to the routed panzer division to force two more displacement moves. I checked AFV turn losses prior to doing so and this was able to destroy a further……3 AFV (potentially more damaged but i have no visibility on that). I was surprised as I expected 2 additional routing movements to do more damage than it did but it is what it is.

[Stamb]

Was also surprised to see successful frontal assault of Smolensk, i thought it is not possible after urban combat fixes, Jason is a brave man for doing it!

Displacing routed panzers is damaging their vehicles the most, unfortunately it almost does not damage panzers
Examples:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0#p5001250 (actually somehow panzers got more vehicles in my example after displacement moves )

[Veterin]

Was also surprised to see successful frontal assault of Smolensk, i thought it is not possible after urban combat fixes, Jason is a brave man for doing it!

Displacing routed panzers is damaging their vehicles the most, unfortunately it almost does not damage panzers
Examples:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0#p5001250 (actually somehow panzers got more vehicles in my example after displacement moves )

My units weren't full strength as 2 of them made an attack the previous turn. I thought i'd still be safe with 120 CV but not the case with all those pioneers/large guns!

[HardLuckYetAgain]

T4 Axis AGC

Copying from HLYA, I engineer retreat paths for advanced soviet units into a pocket.


T4 AGC retreat paths.png

This requires quite a lot of thought and is very easy to get wrong. Also, I don't have the experience to judge quite how hard to hit them, a couple of IDs routed away when they got clouted too hard. We got a couple in the bag though which is satisfying.

HURRAY!!!!!

Glad it is working out for you. Ya, takes a great deal of patience, reading the counters, and know your structure. Some herding I even take my units out of Command & Control, if that makes sense, to retreat units the correct way Glad you are getting the hang of it and keep at it. Congrats

[Beethoven1]

The Leningrad front is not looking good with Axis forces advancing quickly and having just crossed the river north of Luga. With regret I’ve lowered my supply priority to 3 on all other HQ’s and kept the Leningrad front at priority 4. I need whatever man/material I can muster to be prioritised to AGN.

Supply priority doesn’t really work like that. You are just weakening your units elsewhere rather than helping Leningrad. If you don’t have enough freight to Leningrad it is most likely because you don’t have enough rail lines. If not, the thing that will help is to lower DEPOT priority elsewhere a bit, not unit supply priority.

In general if your units defending Leningrad are too weak, the way to help them is to deploy more troops in front of Leningrad.

[jasonbroomer]

T4 Axis AGC

Copying from HLYA, I engineer retreat paths for advanced soviet units into a pocket.


T4 AGC retreat paths.png

This requires quite a lot of thought and is very easy to get wrong. Also, I don't have the experience to judge quite how hard to hit them, a couple of IDs routed away when they got clouted too hard. We got a couple in the bag though which is satisfying.

HURRAY!!!!!

Glad it is working out for you. Ya, takes a great deal of patience, reading the counters, and know your structure. Some herding I even take my units out of Command & Control, if that makes sense, to retreat units the correct way Glad you are getting the hang of it and keep at it. Congrats

It's very satisfying when you get it right

[jasonbroomer]

Was also surprised to see successful frontal assault of Smolensk, i thought it is not possible after urban combat fixes, Jason is a brave man for doing it!

Displacing routed panzers is damaging their vehicles the most, unfortunately it almost does not damage panzers
Examples:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0#p5001250 (actually somehow panzers got more vehicles in my example after displacement moves )

My units weren't full strength as 2 of them made an attack the previous turn. I thought i'd still be safe with 120 CV but not the case with all those pioneers/large guns!

It was a gamble, 2 units of flame throwing tanks, the elite 78th ID and the 1st RFSS regiment, along with some pioneers were my comfort blanket