OKH Plan 1942 - Alpha AAR

[Ron]

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

To say the AI needs a lesson or two on flank security would be an understatement.

I would tend to agree, as well I would think these AARs would be about showcasing the game and its mechanics and areas for improvement, not a platform for *beta-stars* to stroke their egos.

[pompack]

ORIGINAL: Ron

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

To say the AI needs a lesson or two on flank security would be an understatement.

I would tend to agree, as well I would think these AARs would be about showcasing the game and its mechanics and areas for improvement, not a platform for *beta-stars* to stroke their egos.

Well, I don't know... I kinda enjoy watching the egos at work. [:D] Of course I guess I might enjoy that showcase as well but since all we have are ALPHA testers taking the trouble to print the screenshots I'm pretty happy.

[PyleDriver]

Ron you sound like my wife. One minute I'm great. the next moment I'm being spanked...lol...Theres a few of us that play rough. Andy is by far rougher than me, go figure. He can destroy the 41 game. But we have gotten this AI over 2 years to play so much better. Hell my first games I was taking Vologda before the rain came...I'm not tring to show off, just keeping the interrest in this game going...Enjoy...

[PyleDriver]

Well I debated this move, I left a weak flank but with 6 divisions in the rear I pressed toward the Don...

[freeboy]

hello PD, why did you not attack the little red army unit that has a 1-5, was the defense very high, I noticed previously that there was a mobile unit behind the intial stack that was close to it, so I thought you would blow through that gap also!

[PyleDriver]

Bearclaws...There killing me...Attrition from their attacks are a real pain. I need (in losses) a 5 to 1 ratio in armor, 10 to 1 in manpower and 8 to 1 in guns...Not getting it, the AI has upset my tempo big time with their attacks. The idea is to capture the industral and population centers. Up to this point I've only sacked Voronezh...hum..

[PyleDriver]

We have a new dog (a puppy). I bounces around bites my feet, and looks at me like what are you going to do? The Soviets are like that in this game, at least I can put her in the bathroom... It's naptime for me. More reports to follow...

[PyleDriver]

(BAR) Omg, they took Orel. What is it with these guys...They produce like rabbits and they wont let up...You guys think the AI is weak now?...Lol...

[ComradeP]

I'm not sure how impressive that is considering that you had single understrength infantry divisions holding the hexes they advanced in. The stack with the Tank Corps on top was also on "your" side of the river, so I don't know how impressive a 3 hex advance is taking that into account.

What is truly impressive is that the AI decided to leave a huge hole where its western flank used to be, which allows you to convert railroads to your armoured/motorized spearheads. The AI also moved air groups closer to the front. Why the AI would think it's a good thing to place an air group 2 hexes away from the nearest motorized/Panzer formation is beyond me.

Considering that you're not concentrating a massive amount of forces no a single spot, but try multiple breakthrough at once, a few succesful AI counterattacks against overexposed/overextended units were the logical result. The question remains: what will the AI do now and why did they withdraw almost an entire flank.

[SGHunt]

Ron writes that this thread is not

a platform for *beta-stars* to stroke their egos...

A trifle harsh? I trust you two are good mates!

I for one am realy enjoying the reports and the insights into PD's motives and planning decisions. These ARE the game mechanics, to my mind.

And, ComradeP, the AI has plugged its gaps as far as it can, pushed back and cut off a couple of PzG Regiments, and the counter-attack at Orel is going to cause PD a load of hassle and time to clear up. Without the kind of overwhelming attack strength of the Germans, this is pretty good for the AI - I thought they would be running to reform this turn. Delay, delay and attrite. They can afford it.

S

[ComradeP]

And, ComradeP, the AI has plugged its gaps as far as it can, pushed back and cut off a couple of PzG Regiments, and the counter-attack at Orel is going to cause PD a load of hassle and time to clear up. Without the kind of overwhelming attack strength of the Germans, this is pretty good for the AI - I thought they would be running to reform this turn. Delay, delay and attrite. They can afford it.

Leaving 9 hexes next to enemy units open isn't what I would call "plugging gaps", it's causing gaps. If the enemy is trying to encircle you from the East, attacking towards the West doesn't seem to be the brightest idea, as the AI's still somewhat lucky PyleDriver is gambling on an everything or nothing approach and has little if any reserves close to the frontlines. However, the AI could not have known PyleDriver had little to no reserves, unless the AI doesn't suffer from FOW on this difficulty setting. The AI is doing a fair job with limiting breakthroughs, but capturing Orel doesn't really compensate for the braindead behaviour up north.

[SGHunt]

Further to that last post, I do see what you mean about pulling the Guards unit off that rail junction hex - that seems daft.   Either pull the whole line back and regroup, or die holding the key positions to prevent gifting the lead German units their supply line.

[PyleDriver]

Heres some level 2 ss's in the "show battles" mode . The attacks on my flanks of the 1st PzA will slow me down to cross the Don...

[SGHunt]

Last post for a bit (honest [;)]) - two pints:

1.  I still think the capture of Orel is a good move.  The active, aggressive defence is always good , especially when you have many units to deploy and can maybe still afford the sacrifice, and when the enemy is stretched to the limit.   Just as PD guesses the Russians are nearly spent, so the AI must 'know' that the Germans only have so many Panzer Diviisons.   (Or maybe it cheats!)   Either way, there's very little there to throw the Russians out.   I would have liked to see much better flank defence and a straightening of the lines to the South of the attack.

2.   I notice a couple of Para Brigades joining the line at the tip of Hoth's attack - are these the reserves that were originally deployed East of Moscow right at the start of the scenario (see the zoomed out SS on page 1 of this thread)?   If they are, then maybe, finally, the Soviets are starting to scrape the barrel of their reserves.   Hmmm, does this contradict my first point, then?

[PyleDriver]

It seems I'm being bated to turn 4th PzA west. I have 2 regiments isolated and my advance on Moscow will be slowed. The attacks toward Orel really hit hard... I have a timetable and this isn't it...

[PyleDriver]

Even up north they filled the gaps and launched attacks agianst 16th Army...

[The SNAFU]

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

Ron you sound like my wife. One minute I'm great. the next moment I'm being spanked...lol...Theres a few of us that play rough. Andy is by far rougher than me, go figure. He can destroy the 41 game. But we have gotten this AI over 2 years to play so much better. Hell my first games I was taking Vologda before the rain came...I'm not tring to show off, just keeping the interrest in this game going...Enjoy...

Very commendable response considering... I've never heard of a great leader (or player) who lacked an abundence of ego.

I persoanally like the enthusiasim. It certainly demonstrates the love for the game and that makes me look forward to it that much more.

[PyleDriver]

Well we sent the 8th SS cav from Warsaw to aid the battered Orel area, had to peice the area back together... Hoth decided to expand the salient and allow the railhead to advance. 6th Army rolled up the line to provide a better flank for 4th PzA...

[Ron]

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

It seems I'm being bated to turn 4th PzA west. I have 2 regiments isolated and my advance on Moscow will be slowed. The attacks toward Orel really hit hard... I have a timetable and this isn't it...

I don't understand the AI logic here. Why would it give up the defensive river line and allow you to expand your narrow salient? From that initial breakthrough you made, how far could you keep it supplied without a nearby railhead? It seems to me the AI just facilitated your breakthrough by giving you the rail and letting you advance your railhead? The attacks to Orel look like a typical trap for the AI as mentioned earlier in the thread?

[PyleDriver]

Yep Ron, that AI brainfart was reported to Joel. Theres another brainfart near Rostov also. I'll be posting that ss later...