George vs. Seille - A Russia 1941 AAR over 60 turns

[TheArchduke]

Nice, a very strong but belated attack. This is really an amazing game.

Also, george always says that he losses production when he lost Kharkov or not gained Sevastopol..
In my games I can´t produce anything with those centers..

[Appren]

It is my understanding that the German production increase after capturing Russian production centres, in the way that the things you build become cheaper. Just start a fresh game and check the cost of units, then load a game in 42' and compare. Not sure if this is the same for all cities, or just some.

[TheArchduke]

Ah, I thought this was the normal scenario increase..

[seille]

ORIGINAL: TheArchduke

Ah, I thought this was the normal scenario increase..

No, the german production becomes cheaper the more russian cities you get under control.
And vice versa [;)]

[seille]

Russian turn 27

[seille]

The North

[seille]

The South....i´m in trouble there.

[TheArchduke]

Quite absurd situation at Sevastopol as the plus of production seems to be tied up there by one infantry corps of George. His defenses the last winter discouraged you too much, I guess.

[seille]

After the game with a complete picture of the situations it´s easy to say [;)]
In fact i had a very strong infantry corps as opponent in a VERY good position and fortified.
Plus the fact George can always throw some planes to this point with a airfield near.
So he would slaughter my defensive units in open terrain and after that get Sevastopol for free !
I never play that short term. I think long term and what could be the result of such a "free crimea"-campaign.
For now i was happy to keep Sevastopol. Sevastopol had no hugh reserves, most of the time it had
to produce the complete supply need plus some reenforcements for the crimea only.
I was not able to waste any troops in useless attacks. I would go the same way again here [:)]
Only difference would be to set the focus 1-2 turns faster to Maikop.

[george1972]

I think this AAR clearly demonstrates how things are often decided differently "in the heat of the moment" and how the mental picture in a player's mind can influence his behavior on the battlefield.

[seille]

Yes, that´s true George. Ingame we did not have all the informations we provide the readers now.
We had to make decisions on a complete different base. I was always worried about something that wasn´t there,
but COULD be there. Like you [:D].
A little mistake and the game can be over.

[TheArchduke]

Oh, have no fear, I have a healthy respect for you both.

Seille did me the favour of trashing me (Yes trashing, loosing with both sides in Russia 41 in, yes 41..), so I guess he knows how to play. And the fact that George held out that long (or won, who knows.) is testimony to him. So: [&o]

[george1972]

Well, I had the exact same experience vs Seille in our first two mirrored games. Both lasted 18 turns before I surrendered. This game is the result of those hard-learned lessons.

In general it's part learning how AT works on the inside, so you can maximize the effect of your moves and minimize those of your opponent, the other aspect is learning how the scenario is set up, so you know which objectives are vital and which aren't. (A bit vague, but I think you know what I mean here).

[TheArchduke]

Indeed. I especially underestimated the strength of artillery in softening up targets. So I built a steady stream of 3-4 artillery pieces in my last game with good effect thanks to this game.

[george1972]

Turn 28 - December 14, 1942

Christmas is almost here, and Santa brought me some presents: The Russians move back or remain stationary on all fronts except for Maikop and Stalingrad. Now that's what I call a Merry Christmas!

By now, morale in the army is high and confidence restored. It is under these conditions that the Wehrmacht launches its first winter offensive: Operation Winter Storm.

[george1972]

In the North, all is quiet. I wasn't sure why. Perhaps Seille was moving forces South for an attack towards Kiev/Kharkov? Of transferring them to the Stalingrad front? I could not be sure, but could only be happy with the respite given to me.

[george1972]

Another snapshot of AG South's left flank, extending some 700 km's from Gomel all the way to the Don Bend. If only he had known...

[george1972]

The South has all the action as AG South pierces the Stalingrad defenses, breaking them up into incoherent pieces. As the spearheads reach the Don river, they find to their amazement that all bridges are still up. Unfortunately the foul weather prevents them from establishing any bridgeheads.

The Romanians are now involved in a life-or-death struggle with the Maikop Front. Despite killing more enemies than taking casualties, the Russians are sending reinforcements into the battle at a much higher rate than the Germans and the Maikop Front is still growing as a result.

In a change of tactics, the Romanians get a huge shipment of artillery this turn and the next in a bid to break the deadlock. A new airbase will allow air support to be applied as well. They MUST break!

[seille]

Turn 28 Russia

[seille]

got the R&D card.

my PP´s are now at 108.
Decided not to use thm now for upgrades.
Need a lot for creating new units actually....