tyronec (Axis) vs Quantas (Soviet).

[quantas]

The situation was bad, but not hopeless

[tyronec]

January '43.
The pattern over the winter has been a few attacks by the Soviets each turn with Axis counterattacking some of the time but not always.

From Lenningrad to Moscow the front has been inactive for a year.
Around Ryzan the Soviets took back three hexes recently but are not attacking this turn.

Near Saratov one Soviet attack this turn, Axis counter against the attackers in their turn.

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[tyronec]

At Stalingrad the Soviets do one attack.

In the Caucasus Axis are pulling back from Grozny to avoid any risk of being flanked through the desert. The Soviets ended up a bit too close so able to chase away a mech Corps and some cav.

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[tyronec]

On the black sea Axis pushed as far forwards as they could during December but with the gap in the rail line there is really little chance of getting to Sukhami, and even if that were taken without rail repair it is just too difficult to press on further. I think Baku could only be taken using the rail line along the Caspian coast but unless the Soviets were severely depleted that is probably not on.
So defensive line is formed and which may have to pull back when it is outflanked from the North.

Losses for the turn, probably one of the better turns for Axis.

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[Sammy5IsAlive]

Although this is No Early End, I'd still be interested to see where you are at in terms of Victory Points?

[quantas]

The HIghwatermark is 843

[quantas]

lets go back in time. T 16 and we see the next tricky move from tyronec. A large pocket around Orel

[quantas]

It was possible to open the pocket. But the troops were doomed. Around 200k were in the pocket. The starting mud in T17 saved them - for a while. So i decided to use a new strategy: Fortress Orel

[quantas]

In t21 Tyronec starts a new offensive north and south of Tula

[quantas]

At the same time I gave up a coherent defensive line in Leningrad. All troops were withdrawn to the Osinovets fortress. Leningrad was now only defended by one regiment.

[quantas]

Fortress Osinovets fell one/two rounds later. But the port was in good supply. So most troops routed to the east.
This was the last offensive action of tyronecs campaign in 41

[tyronec]

Turn 84, Game has fallen into a pattern. Soviets make some attacks and Axis sometimes counter attack with their mobile units while the beaten up infantry fall back to REFIT and build CCP.

Battles around Stalingrad. The Hungarians hold after a Pz div is activated - had been waiting for that to happen for weeks. Axis counter attack is mediocre.

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Battles around Stalingrad.

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[tyronec]

And near Saratov.

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[tyronec]

T85 was quite rough for Axis and we had to pull back a couple of hexes near Saratov - leaving the Soviets too far away to attack. I neglected to take screenshots.

T86
One attack by them near Stalingrad.
While near Saratov we do three attacks and try to create a two hex buffer for next turn.
Counterattacking Soviet Corps is getting borderline but if I see a moderate stack will have a go.
The Mech divisions have arrived, adding some combat power.

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The retreat in the Cacausus continues.

[CaedusZ]

Do you have an opinion yet about the new option for reduced retreat losses? Are there still 100 % losses after a follow up attack?

[tyronec]

Do you have an opinion yet about the new option for reduced retreat losses? Are there still 100 % losses after a follow up attack?

I think it is a good mod, follow up losses are definitely reduced. If you look at the posted combat results you can see some follow up attacks. Exactly how much they are reduced I have not done an analysis.
The morale mod is good too, in no way does it boost the Allies excessively.

[tyronec]

Turn 87 was fairly quite.
Position at the start of the turn at the three hot spots:
Saratov - the massed Soviet Corps are too much to take on and we pull back two hexes.
Stalingrad - Again the Soviet units are just too hefty.
Cacausus - keeping pulling back to avoid any risk of being cut off by a flanking attack. Mountain divisions have dug in near the coast.

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[tyronec]

T88.
No Soviet attacks this turn, thanks to our retreats on T87.

We find 4 exposed Soviet divisions and give them a thumping. It is really not making much difference but I think it is good practice to do any counter attacks I can, even if it risks the occasional one going wrong. The kill ratio is generally OK, it helps unit morale - both Axis and reducing Soviet, and sometimes slows up the advance by recovering a hex. Losses for the Axis action phase.

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And my gripe for the turn. One of the German Army Groups disappeared this turn, or maybe it was an earlier turn and I didn't notice. First there were 3, then there were 4, then 5 and now back to 4. So had to reorganise my command structure and move various armies around, which all took a fair amount of boring admin time. The game follows an historical model so it replicates what happened historically, the same with units leaving and arriving. Frankly would much prefer it if this were under player control, if you want another HQ then use APs to build one - would save on all the admin and checking the reinforcement schedule which clearly I don't do often enough. But I know it is never going to change, part of the ethos of the game...

[tyronec]

I seem to have got my turns mixed up, this is T88.
One Soviet attack, near Ryzan. It is probably not worth it having infantry on RESERVE, they don't get the entrenchment bonus and so unlikely to swing any battle - Soviets are winning about 95% of their attacks recently. And they lose all their CPP.
Bring on the mud, a few weeks to hold out yet. Not sure if I can hold on to Stalingrad till then, is looking borderline.

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[quantas]

It continues: with the obligatory winter offensive.
What are my goals
1) victories to generate Guards troops
2) to capture space to get a buffer for the counteroffensive expected in 1942
3) fortify Moscow

My plans are pretty simple. I will build all Cav-corps. The first 8 will be deployed in the center along with most of the existing tank and mech-divisions south of Tula. The next 6 Cav Corps will then launch a second offensive near Rostov in January.

But tyronec gets ahead of me, he hardly gives me a chance for easy victories and is retreating as planned in the center and south