Our cavalry manages to cross over the Volkhov to the north of Lake Ilmen. Cavalry-tank forces attempt to work their way around enemy positions to the east.
In the Orel region, attacks intensify east of the city.
The Zhukov-less Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
Moderators: Joel Billings, Sabre21
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
26 August- 1 September 1943 (115th week of the war)
Our cavalry manages to cross over the Volkhov to the north of Lake Ilmen. Cavalry-tank forces attempt to work their way around enemy positions to the east.
In the Orel region, attacks intensify east of the city.
Our cavalry manages to cross over the Volkhov to the north of Lake Ilmen. Cavalry-tank forces attempt to work their way around enemy positions to the east.
In the Orel region, attacks intensify east of the city.
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
Dave is very weak in the north and you have finally been able to exploit it.
He needs to shorten his frontage and transfer units from south to north before its to late.
He needs to shorten his frontage and transfer units from south to north before its to late.
Beta Tester WitW & WitE
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
2-8 September 1943 (116th week of the war)
The 11th week of the 1943 summer campaign.
On the River Volkhov, a new crossing is made to the far north. On the southern end the bridgehead is expanded slightly. South of Lake Ilmen, our tank-cavalry forces are engaged in making the Valdai Hills area untenable for the Germans.
In the area around Orel, attacks continue to the east of the city. The city of Kursk is still some distance away. It is hoped attacks in this direction will soon force the German defenders around Voronezh away from their positions.
There is still little to report in the area around Boguchar.
North
Orel
Boguchar
OOB
Production
Ground losses
The 11th week of the 1943 summer campaign.
On the River Volkhov, a new crossing is made to the far north. On the southern end the bridgehead is expanded slightly. South of Lake Ilmen, our tank-cavalry forces are engaged in making the Valdai Hills area untenable for the Germans.
In the area around Orel, attacks continue to the east of the city. The city of Kursk is still some distance away. It is hoped attacks in this direction will soon force the German defenders around Voronezh away from their positions.
There is still little to report in the area around Boguchar.
North
Orel
Boguchar
OOB
Production
Ground losses
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
9-15 September 1943 (117th week of the war)
The city of Novgorod welcomes the Red Army as liberators. The enemy has brought up SS troops to counter this offensive. Nevertheless the bridgehead on the southern end of the Volkhov continues to expand. The area of the northern Valdai has been abandoned by Fritz.
In the Orel region, progress is in the making as the enemy is pulling back to the south. Voronezh is now a front line city.
In the Boguchar area, slight gains are made.
Novgorod
South of Lake Ilmen
Kursk-Orel-Voronezh
Boguchar
The city of Novgorod welcomes the Red Army as liberators. The enemy has brought up SS troops to counter this offensive. Nevertheless the bridgehead on the southern end of the Volkhov continues to expand. The area of the northern Valdai has been abandoned by Fritz.
In the Orel region, progress is in the making as the enemy is pulling back to the south. Voronezh is now a front line city.
In the Boguchar area, slight gains are made.
Novgorod
South of Lake Ilmen
Kursk-Orel-Voronezh
Boguchar
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
16-22 September 1943 (118th week of the war)
The arrival of German reinforcements along the Volkhov signals that it is time to pull the cavalry-tank forces of Southwestern Front back for deployment elsewhere. Enemy deployments in the Moscow area are weaker in this area now.
Voronezh is liberated by troops of the Southern Front. Cavalry-tank forces west of the city are driving the enemy from their positions
2nd Shock Army commander, General-Maior Dmitry Lelyushenko, was promoted to General-Leitenant
Pavel Rotmistrov's 1st Tank Army was renamed 1st Guards Tank Army
North
Moscow
Voronezh
Boguchar
The arrival of German reinforcements along the Volkhov signals that it is time to pull the cavalry-tank forces of Southwestern Front back for deployment elsewhere. Enemy deployments in the Moscow area are weaker in this area now.
Voronezh is liberated by troops of the Southern Front. Cavalry-tank forces west of the city are driving the enemy from their positions
2nd Shock Army commander, General-Maior Dmitry Lelyushenko, was promoted to General-Leitenant
Pavel Rotmistrov's 1st Tank Army was renamed 1st Guards Tank Army
North
Moscow
Voronezh
Boguchar
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
Mybee Dave can save the day from Oka north?
Dave has allot of OOB to play with and M60 your way to heavy Oka north.
General Winter favors Germany from 43-45 your mobile units are really usless Oka north and more usless .05.
Oka north =
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DiSQ36zfWk
Dave has allot of OOB to play with and M60 your way to heavy Oka north.
General Winter favors Germany from 43-45 your mobile units are really usless Oka north and more usless .05.
Oka north =
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DiSQ36zfWk
Beta Tester WitW & WitE
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
23-29 September (119th week of the war)
Southwestern Front began arriving back in the Moscow sector in preparation for new attacks designed to take Vyazma from the fascists.
3rd Shock Army was once again on the attack, this time in the area southwest of Voronezh. It was the intention of STAVKA to drive the enemy off of their positions along the western bank of the River Don south of Voronezh before the onset of the rasputitsa. On 26 November, Ivan Chernyakhovsky was ordered from his command and flown from Voronezh to Moscow. The following day, he was summoned to a meeting with Stalin who informed him that he was to receive a new command. He was to replace General Armii Ivan Tyulenev as commander of the Western Front.
4th Air Army commander, General-Leitenant Aviatsii Fyodor Michudin, was promoted to General-Polkovnik Aviatsii
Leningrad
Moscow
Voronezh
Western Front Change of Command
OOB
ground losses
Southwestern Front began arriving back in the Moscow sector in preparation for new attacks designed to take Vyazma from the fascists.
3rd Shock Army was once again on the attack, this time in the area southwest of Voronezh. It was the intention of STAVKA to drive the enemy off of their positions along the western bank of the River Don south of Voronezh before the onset of the rasputitsa. On 26 November, Ivan Chernyakhovsky was ordered from his command and flown from Voronezh to Moscow. The following day, he was summoned to a meeting with Stalin who informed him that he was to receive a new command. He was to replace General Armii Ivan Tyulenev as commander of the Western Front.
4th Air Army commander, General-Leitenant Aviatsii Fyodor Michudin, was promoted to General-Polkovnik Aviatsii
Leningrad
Moscow
Voronezh
Western Front Change of Command
OOB
ground losses
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
30 September – 13 October 1943 (120th and 121st weeks of the war)
The summer is coming to an end as the offensive resumes in the Moscow area with a new objective of Vyazma. The German defenses have become weaker in recent weeks, allowing Red Army troops to reach the outskirts of Vyazma.
Troops of Ivan Konev's Central Front arrive in front of Kursk.
East of Belgorod, men of the Southern Front move westwards as Axis troops in the area are pulling back.
13th Army commander, General-Leitenant Maksim Purkaev, was promoted to General-Polkovnik.
Moscow
Bryansk-Tula
Kursk
Kharkov
The summer is coming to an end as the offensive resumes in the Moscow area with a new objective of Vyazma. The German defenses have become weaker in recent weeks, allowing Red Army troops to reach the outskirts of Vyazma.
Troops of Ivan Konev's Central Front arrive in front of Kursk.
East of Belgorod, men of the Southern Front move westwards as Axis troops in the area are pulling back.
13th Army commander, General-Leitenant Maksim Purkaev, was promoted to General-Polkovnik.
Moscow
Bryansk-Tula
Kursk
Kharkov
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
14 October - 10 November 1943 (122nd through 125th weeks of the war)
Mud prevailed on all fronts during this period so there was little movement.
The Red Army expanded to nine million men. Rifle corps were expected to exceed 150 shortly after the offensive resumed.
The summer campaign against the German air forces was deemed a great success as it had been reduced from a high of 2,900 to 2,200. Many German pilots now flying their fighter aircraft were considerably less experienced. Their reconnaissance arm had been considerably reduced, making it more difficult to discern the direction of future Red army offensives.
The Armor Directorate directed the implementation the latest TO&E change to the Soviet tank corps, version 1943b, designed to finally put it on an equal footing with German tank divisions. Each corps would now be authorized 195 medium tanks. The light T-70 medium tank would disappear from these units, while continuing to remain a part of cavalry and mechanized corps.
2nd Tank Army was renamed 2nd Guards Tank Army.
Volkhov Front commander, Marshal Sovetskogo Soiuza Kliment Voroshilov, was dismissed and replaced by General Armii Andrei Eremenko.
Voroshilov's political rating really should be reduced. Sure, he was a Stalin favorite, but he wasn't getting assigned to High and Front commands constantly either.
OOB
Ground losses
AFV inventory
Moscow
Kursk-Belgorod
Mud prevailed on all fronts during this period so there was little movement.
The Red Army expanded to nine million men. Rifle corps were expected to exceed 150 shortly after the offensive resumed.
The summer campaign against the German air forces was deemed a great success as it had been reduced from a high of 2,900 to 2,200. Many German pilots now flying their fighter aircraft were considerably less experienced. Their reconnaissance arm had been considerably reduced, making it more difficult to discern the direction of future Red army offensives.
The Armor Directorate directed the implementation the latest TO&E change to the Soviet tank corps, version 1943b, designed to finally put it on an equal footing with German tank divisions. Each corps would now be authorized 195 medium tanks. The light T-70 medium tank would disappear from these units, while continuing to remain a part of cavalry and mechanized corps.
2nd Tank Army was renamed 2nd Guards Tank Army.
Volkhov Front commander, Marshal Sovetskogo Soiuza Kliment Voroshilov, was dismissed and replaced by General Armii Andrei Eremenko.
Voroshilov's political rating really should be reduced. Sure, he was a Stalin favorite, but he wasn't getting assigned to High and Front commands constantly either.
OOB
Ground losses
AFV inventory
Moscow
Kursk-Belgorod
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
Snowfall. 11 November - 1 December 1943 (126th through 128th weeks of the war)
In the north, troops of the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts begin their efforts to liberate Leningrad before Spring comes.
37th Army of Marshal Kulik's Moscow Military District takes Vyazma while troops under Timoshenko and Chernyakhovsky begin their slow push on Smolensk.
The Germans and their allies begin a withdrawal in the south as the 299th Infantry Division is isolated at Orel while Simonyaks 64th Army liberates Kursk.
Leningrad
Smolensk-Vyazma
Sumy-Kursk
Belgorod-Kharkov
OOB
In the north, troops of the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts begin their efforts to liberate Leningrad before Spring comes.
37th Army of Marshal Kulik's Moscow Military District takes Vyazma while troops under Timoshenko and Chernyakhovsky begin their slow push on Smolensk.
The Germans and their allies begin a withdrawal in the south as the 299th Infantry Division is isolated at Orel while Simonyaks 64th Army liberates Kursk.
Leningrad
Smolensk-Vyazma
Sumy-Kursk
Belgorod-Kharkov
OOB
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
State of the VVS
The VVS now consists of 330 regiments as follows:
14 Fighter
8 Yak-9D
6 Yak-9
151Fighter-Bomber
48 La-5F
54 Yak-1B
37 Yak-7B
4 Yak-9T
4 La-5FN
2 I-16 T24
1 I-153
1 Hurricane II
100 Tactical Bomber
15 IL-2
32 IL-2M
53 IL-2M3
25 Level Bomber
7 A-20B
3 DB-3B
5 IL-4
4 Pe-2
3 SB-2
3 TB-3
15 Transport
7 U-2T
2 TB-3G-2
6 LI-2
25 Recon
8 U-2R
6 SB-2R
5 Pe-2R
6 other
The VVS now consists of 330 regiments as follows:
14 Fighter
8 Yak-9D
6 Yak-9
151Fighter-Bomber
48 La-5F
54 Yak-1B
37 Yak-7B
4 Yak-9T
4 La-5FN
2 I-16 T24
1 I-153
1 Hurricane II
100 Tactical Bomber
15 IL-2
32 IL-2M
53 IL-2M3
25 Level Bomber
7 A-20B
3 DB-3B
5 IL-4
4 Pe-2
3 SB-2
3 TB-3
15 Transport
7 U-2T
2 TB-3G-2
6 LI-2
25 Recon
8 U-2R
6 SB-2R
5 Pe-2R
6 other
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
2-8 December 1943 (129th week of the war)
Blizzard conditions reign. The Leningrad Front is moving in force to the west opposed by the Finns.
Operations in the direction of Smolensk continue.
Konev's Belorussian Front advances along the Kursk-Sumy Axis.
Red Army troops are now 50 miles from Kharkov.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Kursk-Sumy
Kharkov
Blizzard conditions reign. The Leningrad Front is moving in force to the west opposed by the Finns.
Operations in the direction of Smolensk continue.
Konev's Belorussian Front advances along the Kursk-Sumy Axis.
Red Army troops are now 50 miles from Kharkov.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Kursk-Sumy
Kharkov
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
9-15 December 1943 (130th week of the war)
8th Guards Army (cavalry) and 2nd Artillery Army continue to support operations in the direction of Smolensk.
Operations in the direction of Sumy show continued success. Reinforcing cavalry and tank forces from 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts are now assisting the Belorussian Front in its offensive.
The Germans evacuate Voroshilovgrad and Rostov.
Smolensk
Bryansk
Kursk-Sumy
Kharkov
Rostov
OOB
8th Guards Army (cavalry) and 2nd Artillery Army continue to support operations in the direction of Smolensk.
Operations in the direction of Sumy show continued success. Reinforcing cavalry and tank forces from 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts are now assisting the Belorussian Front in its offensive.
The Germans evacuate Voroshilovgrad and Rostov.
Smolensk
Bryansk
Kursk-Sumy
Kharkov
Rostov
OOB
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
that offensive on the Kursk-Sumy-Kiev(?) axis looks very promising, seems you have the weight of units (and terrain) to make gains and force the Germans to pull back on the flanks?
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
That is the axis which is drawing the panzer and panzergrenadier divisions in like a magnet. My tank and cavalry armies are being pulled in there as well so it's looking to be a consistent clash of armor the closer I get to the Dnepr. It's a good thing the factories in the Urals are churning out T-34s at a frenetic pace.
Here is the big picture overview of where Dave's mobile forces are on the next turn (131).
Here is the big picture overview of where Dave's mobile forces are on the next turn (131).
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
23-29 December 1943 (132nd week of the war)
The push towards Leningrad continues as the bulk of the Finnish army remains shoring up the German left.
In the offensive towards Smolensk, 1st Baltic Front continues to hammer away at strong fortifications. The Western Front appears to be reaching the first enemy units in less prepared positions so this may aid in advancing later at a faster rate.
Near Sumy, the elite 3rd Shock Army is beginning to see the German line opening up slightly. This may offer an opportunity for exploitation in the coming week. The 6th and 7th Guards Armies are within 20 miles of Kharkov.
The VVS undergoes a significant reduction in force structure. The 13th and 14th Air Army HQ along with Long Range Air Command are disbanded. A total of 11 airbases are eliminated. Also disbanded are the remaining level bomber regiments so that the VVS will rely now on tactical bombers only. In addition, five recon regiments were disbanded due to adequate supplies of aircraft. Finally 28 fighter and fighter bomber regiments are removed from the order of battle as no longer required.
The VVS now consists of:
137 fighter/fighter-bomber regiments
100 tactical bomber regiments
15 transport regiments
20 recon regiments
note: this was largely an exercise in saving trucks as blizzard eats them and the HQ and base removal puts quite a few in the pool
The remaining regiment disbands are about getting rid of excessive planes that will never get used.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Sumy-Kharkov
South
Level Bombers disbanded
64th Army commander, Nikolai Simonyak, was promoted to General-Leitenant.
The push towards Leningrad continues as the bulk of the Finnish army remains shoring up the German left.
In the offensive towards Smolensk, 1st Baltic Front continues to hammer away at strong fortifications. The Western Front appears to be reaching the first enemy units in less prepared positions so this may aid in advancing later at a faster rate.
Near Sumy, the elite 3rd Shock Army is beginning to see the German line opening up slightly. This may offer an opportunity for exploitation in the coming week. The 6th and 7th Guards Armies are within 20 miles of Kharkov.
The VVS undergoes a significant reduction in force structure. The 13th and 14th Air Army HQ along with Long Range Air Command are disbanded. A total of 11 airbases are eliminated. Also disbanded are the remaining level bomber regiments so that the VVS will rely now on tactical bombers only. In addition, five recon regiments were disbanded due to adequate supplies of aircraft. Finally 28 fighter and fighter bomber regiments are removed from the order of battle as no longer required.
The VVS now consists of:
137 fighter/fighter-bomber regiments
100 tactical bomber regiments
15 transport regiments
20 recon regiments
note: this was largely an exercise in saving trucks as blizzard eats them and the HQ and base removal puts quite a few in the pool
The remaining regiment disbands are about getting rid of excessive planes that will never get used.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Sumy-Kharkov
South
Level Bombers disbanded
64th Army commander, Nikolai Simonyak, was promoted to General-Leitenant.
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
some nice gaps starting to open up in the German front line, at some stage I'd suspect that smokindave is going to have to give up quite a lot of ground to avoid a major problem.
I realise its something that we need to agree to disagree over but I wouldn't scrap all your LBs. Agree they are truck and supply hogs but if the front really does start to open up you can outrun the effective range of your tactical bombers (esp if you are keeping your airbases on functioning rail lines). In that case some A-20s/Pe-2s can make the difference between no air support and some.
I realise its something that we need to agree to disagree over but I wouldn't scrap all your LBs. Agree they are truck and supply hogs but if the front really does start to open up you can outrun the effective range of your tactical bombers (esp if you are keeping your airbases on functioning rail lines). In that case some A-20s/Pe-2s can make the difference between no air support and some.
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
Yes, we'll agree to disagree. As long as my railroad repair corps follows along the main axis of advance, I should have airpower available most of the time where it's needed.
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
30 December 1943 - 5 January 1944 (133rd week of the war)
The Red Army is over the River Neva. The Finns still maintain a good part of their forces to the south of Leningrad. Will Mannerheim risk his homeland by keeping his army in the war at the side of Germany?
The slow but relentless advance on Smolensk continues.
At Sumy, a breakthrough as 3rd Shock Army advances southwest along the River Psel.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Sumy
Stalino-Rostov
The Red Army is over the River Neva. The Finns still maintain a good part of their forces to the south of Leningrad. Will Mannerheim risk his homeland by keeping his army in the war at the side of Germany?
The slow but relentless advance on Smolensk continues.
At Sumy, a breakthrough as 3rd Shock Army advances southwest along the River Psel.
Leningrad
Smolensk
Sumy
Stalino-Rostov
RE: The Zhukov Memoirs - GC41-45 M60 vs smokindave redux
ORIGINAL: M60A3TTS
....
At Sumy, a breakthrough as 3rd Shock Army advances southwest along the River Psel.
..
unless he has a huge (unseen) reserve that must unhinge all his defensive positions to the south and east, generally it looks like you are pushing him back faster than he can recreate fort lines?