General Goofy Does Barbarossa

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: freeboy

Mainly due to this aar I have picked up Case blue and have decided to over run the red menace

warspite1

Hi freeboy - thanks for the comment [:)]. I am glad it has helped - I am having so much fun with this game. As you can tell from the AAR's I pretty much suck at wargaming, but it allows me to explore my passion for military history - and so long as its fun right? This game has already paid for itself and then some in terms of time/cost.

So pleased I got this - and for that I have to give thanks to wodin. He had been banging on for ages about how good this game was going to be - which fed my curiosity. Then a combination of the aesthetically pleasing graphics and the thread about the 'Geneva Convention option' moved this from possible to definite purchase. It was 100% the right decision.

[Numdydar]

I also picked up the game [:)] I hope your check is in the mail from Matrix [:D]

What I find interesting is that reading your AAR (which is great btw) makes me want to play WitE [X(]. But unfortunately I want to wait for the next patch which will not be out until mid January [:(] Until then I will continue to follow this with interest. [:)]

[Franciscus]

I have also to say that Warspite1's AAR was one of the deciding factors to buy this game. I am glad I did it, one of the best wargaming experiences of my life !

Thanks

[warspite1]

1st August 1941
Turn 11
Army Group South

Let's see if this front can give me any better fortune....

The action starts with a three divisions attack by 11th Army against the 418th Rifle Division north of Nikolayev. This attack pushes back the Soviet infantry. This is followed up by the Romanian armour destroying a weak tank division. However there are insufficient forces to follow up these attacks.

East of Pervomaisk no less than 5 German division assault two Soviet rifle divisions in order to expand the bridgehead from the city. Have achieved success here, once again the Germans are unable to take further advantage - indeed the Romanian 3rd Army has to be used to reinforce the German positions....

In the centre of the front the Soviets have left Cherkassy only weakly held by a badly shot up tank division. 17th Army's 24th Infantry are tasked with getting rid of the 95th Rifle Division that is blocking the way to the city. The attack stalls and Kleist has little option but to bring in the 14th Panzer Division to get things moving. The 14th pushes the infantry aside and then has little difficulty in occupying the Cherkassy.

The Germans have a big issue now. Elements of the 1st Panzergruppe and 17th are spread over a large area - and no doubt leaving some units out of command range.....

Well such is the German overstretch its a case of fix what needs to be fixed - and worry about the details later! First off Kleist orders the 111th Infantry Division and the 16th Motorised to attack the 410th Rifle Division. This is part of a plan to try and clear Soviet units between Cherkassy and Kiev. The infantry are pushed back and the 16th is joined by the 25th Motorised and the 11th Panzer Divisions for a further attack against the retreated unit - which now has two other divisions with it. The attack continues to weaken the Soviet units but cannot finish them off. They will remain a concern for the Germans in the area.....

Focus now moves to the north of the army group's sector.

6th Army continue to move northwest - the exact opposite of where they should be headed as the Soviet units in the Pripyat Marshes continue to worry German supply lines.

On the 6th Army's right flank, German units from the 17th Army and 1st Panzergruppe set about reducing the pockets previously created. This is completed comparatively cheaply and now comes the question of deciding what formations to send where.....

von Rundstedt orders 17th Army north to take up station on the right of 6th Army. 1st Panzergruppe will need to head south ultimately, but may be required in the Kiev area for a while yet.

[Aurelian]

Could be time for the Hitler rap.

Heil, ziggity Heil....

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Aurelian

Could be time for the Hitler rap.

Heil, ziggity Heil....

warspite1

There's always time for the Hitler Rap [:)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu2NqfISm9k

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Franciscus

I have also to say that Warspite1's AAR was one of the deciding factors to buy this game. I am glad I did it, one of the best wargaming experiences of my life !

Thanks

warspite1

Thanks for the kind words Numdydar and Franciscus [:)]

[Aurelian]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Aurelian

Could be time for the Hitler rap.

Heil, ziggity Heil....

warspite1

There's always time for the Hitler Rap [:)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu2NqfISm9k

[:D] If this doesn't get you to Moscow, nothing will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oQGEhe4l9Q

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Aurelian

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Aurelian

Could be time for the Hitler rap.

Heil, ziggity Heil....

warspite1

There's always time for the Hitler Rap [:)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu2NqfISm9k

[:D] If this doesn't get you to Moscow, nothing will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oQGEhe4l9Q

warspite1

Ahhh ... Panzerlied. The only memorable thing about that pile of rubbish that was the Battle of the Bulge.

Yes, armed with that piece of rousing music, it would take a total and utter, 24-carat twat to be in charge of the Germans in order for them not to get to Moscow by the end of autumn......


er hold on......

[warspite1]

5th August 1941
Turn 12
Finland

A Soviet division rocks up to the 1939 border in Karelia. Two Finnish divisions are employed to send it packing back to the Soviet side of the border.

Outside of this there is no action in this sector once again.

[warspite1]

5th August 1941
Turn 12
Army Group North

In the extreme south of the sector, 16th Army attempt to advance the right flank of the army group. Seven divisions are employed in battles that see four Soviet divisions beaten back. This creates additional space for five of Busch's divisions to attack a further three Soviet formations on the edge of the marshland south of Ostrov.

The benefits of being rested and refitted appear clear here.

On the southwestern edge of the marshes the Soviet 39th division is providing cover for the approaches to Ostrov. The SS Polizei and Totenkopf Divisions are ordered by Hoepner to clear a path, which they do. Keen to keep the momentum going three infantry divisions are ordered to press home with attacks against the retreating infantry. The Soviet troops reel under the force of the blow and continue to fall back hotly pursued by the German infantry - which finally runs out of steam.

At this point, von Leeb has a change of heart. The good work by Busch has meant an opening - albeit narrow - has opened up for Hoepners panzers in the south. Rather than operating with 18th Army, by sending Hoepner in this new direction, not only could a way to take Ostrov in a pincer be found, but more importantly, the 4th Panzergruppe could provide greatly required assistance to 9th Army.

[warspite1]

5th August 1941
Turn 12
Army Group North

Rheinhardt's XLI Panzer Corps are sent southeast to the edge of swamp land, where four Soviet divisions - two tank, one motorised and one infantry are dug in. The defenders are badly mauled and retreat in a south easterly direction - taking them further away from Ostrov. There are now five Soviet divisions at the junction of the AGN and AGC boundary, and of these, only one - the 9th Motorised Division - is anywhere near full strength. Hoepner orders the 3rd Motorised Division to join the attack. Two Soviet divisions are completely destroyed in the ensuing battle - three retreat from the battlefield.

We move now to 18th Army. von Kuechler is unable to approach Ostrov closely enough to engage with forces west of the city. However, in company with the 6th Panzer Division, a Soviet rifle division heading down from Tallinn is brought under attack and forced to withdraw with heavy losses.

That was a good turn for the German Army Group North.

[warspite1]

5th August 1941
Turn 12
Army Group Centre

Following on from AGN success, what is really required now is a similar performance from the 3rd Panzergruppe. von Bock knows he has to be sensible here. The panzer arm are too weak for anything too extravagant and the last thing the Germans need is to allow themselves to be counter-attacked in numbers.

12th Panzer and 14th Motorised divisions breakout of their bridgehead on the Upper Dvina and head directly north - smack into the 57th Tank Division, which they blow aside. 7th and 9th Panzer follows them over the river and they turn back on themselves to attack three rifle divisions in concert with two infantry divisions on the right flank of 9th Army.

Once again the Soviet troops are forced into a retreat but now the absurdity of the German plan becomes evident. The German panzer units are too small in number and too weak in AP's to continue the advance. Two German divisions are on their own deep in enemy territory....

It will be interesting to see how the AI plays this.

But before returning to the mess that is the 3rd Panzergruppe, attention is switched to Guderian's 2nd. The sensible thing would be to straighten the lines pending getting Hoth in as good a position as possible. However, the Germans cannot keep playing into the Soviet hands and von Bock orders Guderian to press on for Mogilev.

The city is held by three rifle divisions. Guderian summons three panzer and one motorised division to take the city. The attack is a succes and the surviving Soviets are pushed back across the Dneipr. Guderian then unleashes two more panzer divisions and two motorised division to take the enemy position north of Mogilev - which is held by 8 divisions, only one of which is full strength.

Once again the Germans eat heavily into the Soviet positions and force the enemy to retreat. The next target are the 11 Soviet divisions southwest of Orsha. An attack by the remaining panzers of 2nd and 3rd Panzergruppen fails to dislodge the enemy but the punishment dished out is brutal - by both sides. Further efforts to reduce the two remaining pockets are only partially successful. The Germans are being bled white.

The turn ends for AGC with an attack by 9th Army which succeeds in obtaining a bridgehead over the Dvina - most of 9th Army is now on the north bank. 4th Army too have limited success against a couple of Soviet divisions on the left flank of the army.

[warspite1]

5th August 1941
Turn 12
Army Group South

This theatre kicks off with 6th Army's attempts at stopping the Soviet advance through the southern Pripyat. von Reichenau's troops achieve some useful victories but these are necessarily frontal slogs and not the sweeping manoeuvres that the Germans expect - or need.

17th Army and 1st Panzergruppe are still widely spread but it was the right decision - at least in the case of Kleist's panzers. The enemy left Kiev woefully defended and a concerted effort by the panzer forces saw the Ukrainian capital captured. Further south 11th Army and the remainder of the panzer forces took Kirovgrad and made inroads across the steppe toward the Crimea. The only counter was that the right wing of Schubert's 11th Army needed to withdraw slightly to ensure there was no over-extension of the lines.

[warspite1]

9th August 1941
Turn 13

The Fuhrer has issued a new directive. He has decided that Rostov is now the main goal. Not only that, but Moscow is relegated to 4th in order of importance. This is not great.... What is von Rundstedt supposed to achieve with one panzergruppe?

The panzer forces of AGC have been on the receiving end of some determined counter-attacks. I can see nothing for it but to take some units out of the line soon - before they disappear.

I spend 7pp to move AGC's airfield to Minsk.
I have lost the commander of 20th Panzer Division. I spend 5pp to try and get an experienced replacement.
Given the new priority target - Rostov - I spend 8pp to go and visit von Rundstedt.
I also spend 5pp on a small amount of increased artillery ammunition for AGC.

[warspite1]

9th August 1941
Turn 13
Army Group North

von Leeb orders two panzer and two motorised infantry divisions to try and exploit the success from the previous turn. The Soviets have two tank, two motorised and one rifle division - all badly depleted guarding the gap between the marshland and the army group boundary. The Soviet units are pushed back and the armour advances into the gap. The retreating Soviets are chased mercilessly and after another bloody engagement, they retire into Central Front's area of responsibility. The panzers then swing northwest toward Ostrov and dispose of another Soviet tank division. Finally, the units guarding the southeastern approaches to Ostrov are engaged by the remaining tanks and sundry units from 18th and 16th Armies and 4th Panzergruppe. The Soviets are almost annihilated but the Germans cannot follow-up.

Meanwhile 16th Army have only limited AP's. This is a real issue as they are unable to assist Hoepner's armour.

Nothing more can be done about Ostrov but von Leeb, desperate to keep the Soviets off balance, orders 6th Panzer and the SS Totenkopf Divisions north to attack 27th Army (forming a barrier in central Estonia) in conjunction with von Kuechler's 18th Army.

In a series of attacks 18th Army slices the Soviet Army in two, although once again the ultimate results are disappointing due to a lack of AP's and indeed units.

[warspite1]

9th August 1941
Turn 13
Army Group Centre

With the failure of 16th Army, General Strauss get's a chance to do some good. The 46th, 57th and 59th Rifle divisions are surrounded. Strauss orders three of his own divisions to eliminate these units and get his army headed east to protect the flank of 4th Panzergruppe. Two separate attacks are delivered - and both end in abject failure.... its a desperate start for Army Group Centre.

3rd Panzergruppe come to the rescue and create a corridor between the ten Soviet divisions trapped behind enemy lines - and safety. However, this operation has taken three panzer and one motorised division to achieve this. This leaves the remainder of 3rd Panzergruppe short of units south of the Dvina... As a result these units can do no more than maintain a watching brief.

South of the Minsk-Smolensk road, the effects of the Soviet counter-attacks can clearly be seen. 2nd Panzergruppe is desperately in need of a rest and refit. However the Dnepr must be taken before von Bock can even think about this. Both the 2nd and the 4th Army make some gains in their respective zones before the attacks peter out.

[warspite1]

9th August 1941
Turn 13
Army Group South

von Reichenau's 6th Army are ordered to head in a line directly toward Gomel. The idea is to trap any Soviets facing 4th Army that don't retreat - and to attack any that do.

Stulpnagel's 17th Army is strung out north and south of Kiev. The units in the north attack the Soviet defenders in the southern Pripyat Marshes on the right flank of 6th Army. Meanwhile those in the south start to gain a couple of bridgeheads along the Dnepr in conjunction with attacks by 1st Panzegruppe.

Further south Kleist needs to bring his panzer units back into command range but the slow moving, and largely ineffective Romanians means that 11th Army will have very little support.

[warspite1]

13th August 1941
Turn 14

Right, looks like in my haste to play the game, the delay in the manual arriving, and the lack of time to read it since, I have made quite a few faux pas which haven't helped me in the games I am playing at present.

As practically the entire North, Centre and South Army Groups are doing this at the moment.....


...I think its time to look a bit closer at some of those things.

[warspite1]

13th August 1941
Turn 14
Army Group North

Army Group North is in Blitzkrieg posture. I have read that Sustained Offensive Posture is the way to go. I understand this is better for fuel consumption and also better for defending against attacks than Blitzkrieg. At a cost of 6pp I switch the three armies of AGN. While switching the divisions are vulnerable, but they cannot do much in the way of anything at present given the mud so that should be okay.

The two Finnish armies remain on the Defensive.

So then that’s Posture – Sustained
Command Focus – 4th Panzergruppe. Now because of this, I can play an officer card of Hoepner’s (as per below)



So I need to do some digging. What are the symbols to the right of the General and what do the cards allow and how many can be played?

Symbols first:

From left to right these are – Offence, Defence, Manoeuvre, Inspire and Entrench

All are at 20 except Inspire. The manual does not say (or I cannot find) what is the highest or lowest? It does seem to indicate that Hopener is a good all-rounder.

What cards do I have? Tactical, Flanks, Envelopment, Manoeuvre and Inspire. All of these cost 1pp to play and can be played once per turn (they remain in place until changed) and there are different card mixes dependent upon the posture of the army. Units needs to be in command range to benefit.

There is also a % underneath the general’s portrait – in this case 80%. I cannot find the page that explained that for the moment but I think its something to do with the overall position of the subordinate units.