OKH Plan 1942 - Alpha AAR

[ComradeP]

By the way, is there a reason 13th Panzer wasn't resting on a rail line, instead of resting in the middle of nowhere?

[PyleDriver]

Well a (AAR) redo of the attack on Rostov... Manstien took control of XIV PzC, and gave control to AGS of the XLII corps in the Crimiea... C&C, its big in this game. Really didn't like the AP cost now, but it will payoff later...XIV bolted south across the Don to cut supply to Rostov. Looks like a fight for the city is in store. Manstien made the move with reports that most reserves were up north on Kliest's southern flank...

[SGHunt]

Why did you not close the ring around Rostov with the Slovak Division, rather than have it extend the line South in what seems a potentially dangerous and exposed position? It must have had the MP's to get to that fianl hex in the ring?

What's your thinking? Is this an invitation to the garrison to walk out of the city?

[PyleDriver]

Yes it was MP's. It was my second choice, but I cut supply. The fight will cause reserves to move south, as I press north...

[PyleDriver]

(DAR) Tula, 2nd PzA has got the task, and 4th PzA presses north. 2nd Army cleared the pocket and now is providing a strong flank...Hoths goal, crossing the Oka River...

[Captain B]

Jon,

The Soviet Airborne Bde's...a sign that reserves are running thin or a stop gap to build stronger lines behind them? My guess is Mr AI dropped them int to slow your advance and defend the Oka. If Mr AI has anykind of mobile forces lurking there, your PzC may take some real casualties crossing the river. The Oka may be a tuff nut to crack. What week is it now? And how long to General Mud rears his ugly head again?

[PyleDriver]

I allways post a full screanshot so you can veiw the date and turn number in the top right corner...Yes I feel also the the Oka will be tough to get across...I'm hoping they withdraw from the Tula area, this is really eating up my timetable now...

[PyleDriver]

(DAR) Armin's XXXIX PzC got the boost from Tot's SS (yellow arrow). Told you he would love it. This time he busted north, this is getting good guys. Model hasn't moved his 9th army yet. The press is on...I have to spread the Soviets out, I may just do this...

[PyleDriver]

Someone call a plummer. The northern approch is springing leaks. Model now is pushing 30 miles inward. If this doesn't pull reserves to this front, well I guess were going to see another AI ajustment...What you guys don't see is the huge amount of artillery Model's corps commanders have...Another note I really need there reserves pulled here, as I need Kliest to break into the rear down south...

[SNorth]

It is pouring down rain here. I would love to be playing your game right now. Vervoaerts! Marsch!

[kfmiller41]

Being August 42, I am assuming the AI has reserves forces that can still be committed. Stalin held many troops back protecting Moscow thinking that the Germans would focus the 42 offensive there.(as you are doing). Letting you take groud other than towards Moscow would seem to make sense. Do you have any idea what manpower the Russians have at this point and have there losses been substantially higher than historical? Thanks for the great AAR by the way piledriver, a great read with lots of information.

[Theng]

I love the AAR. Just two minor nitpicks: The Generals are Kleist and Manstein (e before i)

[PyleDriver]

Sorry never could spell in English. So please over look those errors. IQ of 142 and never could spell. Go figure...I took German in collage and had straight A's in spelling German. The English language makes no sence in my brain...So agian forgive my shortfalls...Oh plus I'm dislectic, bet I screw that up too...lol...But in the words of Dustin Hoffman in Rainman "I'm a very good driver"...Enjoy the AAR guys...

[Hard Sarge]

Hey Jon, how about telling us your shoe size too, even better, how about the losses page

(I been playing this battle from the other side, the Russian have some reserves, and they got some massive numbers, the Russian may be waiting for the weather to break)

[PyleDriver]

Well in spite of the growing flank threat Kleist pushes his other PzC across the Don. With Model and Hoth pressing towards Moscow, I dont really see an attack on my southern flank. I have 10 divisions across the Don now. Hell it only took me a month...When you guys look at unit numbers remember this is an AAR shot, and those boys get worn out and fatuge sets in and the numbers reflect it. Yes they could hit me hard right now...Hum, but theres fires elsewhere...

[Montbrun]

Excellent AAR - is there another Hungarian Corps off-map somewhere?

[Zorch]

It's 8/15 - so you have about 8 more weeks of good weather. When do you plan to stop attacking?

[ComradeP]

Are you entirely happy with your flank security? If the AI can push back those 4-7 and 4-10 regimental stacks, there will be Soviet troops on that rail junction, which should cut your supplies down a bit, esepcially if the Soviets get lucky and whack those rail repair units.

[PyleDriver]

Well I'm not sure about another Hun Corps. Maybe Jim can answer that...As far as attacking, I'm going to continue until I can't anymore. This is really the last dance for the Germans, they make it or break it in 42...Now Kleist's flank, Angelis's XLIV corps is in question, not. Hes a very good commander and he has alot of unseen units in his hands. As I said before if they spend the time on my flank it will just help me up north...Heres a (ss) of XLIV corps. I did move a LW Flak Regiment this turn there, alot of 88's in it, hopeing to see those T-34's...lol...

[ComradeP]

Hes a very good commander and he has alot of unseen units in his hands. As I said before if they spend the time on my flank it will just help me up north...Heres a (ss) of XLIV corps. I did move a LW Flak Regiment this turn there, alot of 88's in it, hopeing to see those T-34's...lol...

If the Soviets attack towards the rail junction, it will automatically help "up north" too because it will mean you need to pull some units back or call other units to the area, not to mention that Kleist's guys might be short of supplies pretty soon. If the railroad's cut, your forces will be on the other side of a major river, 10 hexes from the nearest functional railroad hex.

The Soviets already have what seem to be significant forces in the area, they might as well use them.

As to XLIV Korps: I would be less confident that 203 guns and 28 AFV's, together with about 2 infantry divisions, will be able to stop an advance. You were overconfident in both the Voronezh and the Orel area earlier too, stressing how Soviet attacks would fail there, whilst they succeeded. That morale of 80 also doesn't look like it can take a lot of hits before plummeting. Not to mention that the HQ's 1 hex from the frontline, so if the Soviets come, it will have to move.