GC41 - Saper222 (Ger) vs Kamil (Sov) (No Saper222)

[glvaca]

tough choice, euh? [:D]

[Flaviusx]

I think this approach to Tula from the north is problematic.

I would've built up my forces west of Ryazan, including a lot of cavalry, and gobbled up the Axis out in the open, where there's more room to maneuver and the terrain is favorable. Tula would naturally fall as a result. This is the longer, but easier route and gives you more pocketing opportunities.

He's just got too much stuff near Moscow and can snub your flanking maneuvers. The area is best suited for a frontal infantry push, and really should have no cavalry at all imo, you've got a lot of cavalry up here that is better suited for operations elsewhere. Western Front alone has 3 cavalry corps just east of Vyazma, from what I can see on the screens.

Am surprised at the stubborn Axis defense down by Rostov. He's sticking his head in a noose here and is danger of losing a lot of stuff. Those mountain divisions are flirting with disaster. He cannot possibly hold this position for another month, but neither can he easily retreat, he's now ripe for a big pocket.

[TulliusDetritus]

Kamil, just a thought: I can see -from the Moscow screenshot- you keep having a thick carpet in this area. And at the same time, many parts of the front lack Red Army hordes [:)]

As I see it, there are two consequences (bad for you that is): 1) NOT every single Red Army unit will be trashing the enemy (and they deserve it, you know that! [:D]) and 2) you won't be grabbing all the land you could grab (and you could do that).

I think you should somewhat spread your mighty forces (no carpets, in any case), simply to make sure every single unit can trash enemy units, and this every single turn.

Give 'em spinachs and vodka, tovarich, they will do their job [:)]

[Tarhunnas]

Impressive winter offensive! You are really turning this one around!

[KamilS]

Flaviusx

I think this approach to Tula from the north is problematic.

I would've built up my forces west of Ryazan, including a lot of cavalry, and gobbled up the Axis out in the open, where there's more room to maneuver and the terrain is favorable. Tula would naturally fall as a result. This is the longer, but easier route and gives you more pocketing opportunities.

He's just got too much stuff near Moscow and can snub your flanking maneuvers. The area is best suited for a frontal infantry push, and really should have no cavalry at all imo, you've got a lot of cavalry up here that is better suited for operations elsewhere. Western Front alone has 3 cavalry corps just east of Vyazma, from what I can see on the screens.

Am surprised at the stubborn Axis defense down by Rostov. He's sticking his head in a noose here and is danger of losing a lot of stuff. Those mountain divisions are flirting with disaster. He cannot possibly hold this position for another month, but neither can he easily retreat, he's now ripe for a big pocket.

I have to confess I am not entirely pleased with my initial winter disposition. You are right, 3 cavalry corps west of Moscow could have been more productive elsewhere.


Problem with my advance towards Tula lays in the south - my forces near Voronezh are too weak to take advantage of his commitment in the north, so it looks a bit like lost effort, but at the end of the day I pay for terrible summer.


Situation near Rostov is interesting, but I feel presence of mountain division will make the difference.

TulliusDetritus


Kamil, just a thought: I can see -from the Moscow screenshot- you keep having a thick carpet in this area. And at the same time, many parts of the front lack Red Army hordes

As I see it, there are two consequences (bad for you that is): 1) NOT every single Red Army unit will be trashing the enemy (and they deserve it, you know that! ) and 2) you won't be grabbing all the land you could grab (and you could do that).

I think you should somewhat spread your mighty forces (no carpets, in any case), simply to make sure every single unit can trash enemy units, and this every single turn.

Give 'em spinachs and vodka, tovarich, they will do their job

Units around Moscow are worthless. During the course of offensive I cannibalised plenty of troops, overall CP are around 1000 now. Despite that almost third of my units are unready. I wait until they reach state of being usable and will commit them where necessary.


State of my army is so bad that I am not able to sustain offensive in all areas at once, so I prefer to be idle in the north to be able to pocket something in the centre and further south.

Tarhunnas

Impressive winter offensive! You are really turning this one around!

Thank You.

[KamilS]

T30 centre (German)


Fighting withdrawal of German forces from Tula bulge continue.

Further north Saper stands his ground.

[KamilS]

T30 south (German)


Saper decided that time has come for major retreat in the south. Frontal units moved several hexes back and best formation were deployed on the northern flank.

[KamilS]

T30 battles (including non tank brigade unit)

Defensive incompetence of my troops is annoying as always.

[Tarhunnas]

Interesting AAR, and god maps! Just one wish from the audience. It would be helpful if you indicated if maps are before or after Soviet moves.

[KamilS]

Tarhunnas

Interesting AAR, and god maps! Just one wish from the audience. It would be helpful if you indicated if maps are before or after Soviet moves.

I apologise for not explaining.


Examples:

T12 centre (German) - situation in the centre after German moves, before Soviet
T15 south (Soviet) - situation in the south after Soviet moves



Green arrow - moves
Black arrow - attacks

[KamilS]

T30 north (Soviet)



I don't even know why I bother to post screen-shots from this area.

[KamilS]

T30 centre (Soviet)


I decided to change direction of advance of Western (blue) Front to southern, it should support my push past Tula, push that regained its momentum - I moved more cavalry units there and strengthened infantry by cannibalising smaller and weaker formation.

[KamilS]

T30 centre/south (Soviet)


Situation in Voronezh region developed according to my plans. Much ground was covered and several German regiments retreated north.


Further south pocketed units were destroyed - 2 inf regiments, 5000 soldiers.

[KamilS]

T30 south (Soviet)


Looks like I won't be able to create massive pocket here.

Saper will regroup and probably re-establish his defensive line using Stalino region as a anchor point. I will have to asses situation next turn and act accordingly.



Rostov was captured what costed Axis 7000 prisoners and 2 inf regiments.

[KamilS]

T31 centre (German)


Saper continues his fighting withdrawal from Tula bulge.

[KamilS]

T31 south (German)


I failed to trap German forces against the sea and there won't be second chance.

[KamilS]

T31 north (Soviet)



I sent 2 divisions here. I think it is mistake - nothing will be changed in northern part of the front and they might be missed somewhere else.

[KamilS]

T31 centre (Soviet)


In Moscow area advance to the west is over. Western from changed its axis of attack to souther. I plan to capture Kaluga and gain some buffer west of Tula.


Fighting at the bulge was quite successful this turn. I managed to herd several inf regiments and push few hexes forward.


1 inf regiment was destroyed.

[KamilS]

T31 south (Soviet)


It was last opportunity to capture units in souther part of the front. Presence of mountain division supported by panzers prevented me from trying anything more ambitious than attempt to herd 4-5 regiments. I succeeded in trapping 3.

In the meantime I started to move units to north-west to flank German positions in Stalino.




German losses - 1 mountain division, 5 infantry regiments. I have to admit, that destroying mtn unit was pleasant experience.

[KamilS]

T32 centre (German)


Obviously northing happened in far north.

In the centre more of the same - Saper keeps withdrawing his forces from Tula bulge as fast as it is possible. Increasing presence of German mobile forces will probably prevent big encirclements.