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just further south I've placed troops past the Dnieper in 2 spots

And i've cut off the major swamp.

found a route and crossed the river near Kiev on turn 5.

Not bad.

rr repair not near screen

over the river north of Nikoleav. Thats should result in retreat.

Started attacks on fortress Odessa

2 losing attacks on Odessa. Fort level drops below 4.

Will make a strong attempt to take in turn 7

Kiev gets surrounded.

Infantry advance and tanks in the area rest

Another pocket. Russians will break this one but damage is done.

the RR is upper left is not maximum distance forward. Everyone has their own favorite routes.

This pocket was due to failure to retreat.

A productive German turn

I push Odessa garrison to surrender spot. Otherwise, steady advance. Tanks over river were low on fuel.

Over river but tanks low on fuel.

I will now move my light blue Panzer corp back north to reconnect with the blue panzer Army. One big happy family again.

Russian retreat is not deep enough. Major risk next turn.

RR repair is not really close.

For turn 7 I have not advanced far towards Leningrad. Here i am contained (low fuel). I do a HQ buildup so should get good results next turn.

Russians are too close to my lines. they need to retreat. at least 6 hexes back.

I get a beachhead over near Kerson.

and advance up to the Russin lines.

Just infantry advance.

This looks like standard middle board action.

Smolensk surrounded and advanced up to Russian lines.

Leaving Russians room to retreat.

Push thru Veliki and the first row of hill hexes. Fuel getting close. In good position for next turn.

Very nice corridor set.

Next turn will be decisive and fun.

There is no turn 9.

Lewis conceded the bitter end with kind words about my skill.

A few observations:

- Thought Lewis defense was a tad too forward - I had not really taken too many prisoners.
- Russians positions end of turn 8 still would allow for sizable retreat to save Army. The north pincer just meant that Leningrad was going to fall. But that happens in all the games.
- So i thought Russian position was not 'dead and over' and
- for new or not very experienced players, it is best to play a few tough games deep so you can actually see what you need to do early which you never learn by caving early. And mid game learning.

Anyhow - always fun.

Brian

Pleased to see some of the old brigade are still at it.

The Soviet position doesn't look too bad at all from what I can see.
Agreed that the defence is too forward vs an experienced player. The best the Soviet player can hope to do in the North is to force the Axis to commit an extra pz group to take the city and keep it tied down as long as possible.
If the reds can form a solid defence in the middle by turn 8 on a line Rzhev, Vyasma, Bryansk then it's going to be a tough game for the Axis. If pushed aim to fall back maybe one hex a turn from there towards Moscow and heavily fortify the Moscow area starting as early as possible (this is an interesting topic in it's own right). The Axis may try to go around to the North of Rzhev but the rivers make it easy to take the sting out of the offensive and their supply position becomes even worse.
You just need to defend sensibly in the South and the Axis supply difficulties do the rest. Keep the cav on the flanks of armor penetrations here and cut them off, or threaten to do so, to keep them honest.

WITE is a great game. There really is still nothing out there to match it (IMO).