Unentscheiden - PBEM Russia 41 (Russian AAR)

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
Losses are light for turn 5 - mostly airstrikes.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
In the north I bombard Leningrad and launch some airstrikes on the lead units of AGN.

I may have left my Soviet navy out at sea too long as I'm sure that the Luftwaffe will try to sink it as soon as they get northern airbases...but I really want to reduce the Helsinki defenses quickly so I can free up my offensive forces to return the the Leningrad area.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
In the center the Germans launch heavy attacks against Orsha and push east of Orsha. They also blast back the river defenders north of Orsha in a series of battles that leaves the defenders almost eliminated.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
The Central Front retreats rapidly toward Tula.

The Moskva front garrisons a defensive line between Smolensk and Moskva. Strong defenses are also prepared around Smolensk itself but AGC is very strong and I don't expect to hold Smolensk.

The German units across the river to the north are disturbing but I don't see any engineers yet which would be needed for a strong river crossing. It's interesting that these units are part of AGN - it looks like the Germans have diverted at least part of AGN to support the drive on Moskva - which I think is good since my Leningrad defenses are relatively weak.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
Not much happens in the south, but I see the very strong AGS advancing toward Kharkov - thunder is about to break there.

This picture shows projected retreats for the Voronezh and Don Fronts.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 5]
Production is focused on specialized defensive units this turn: Flak, Fighters, Bazookas, Machineguns. I've been producing a lot of rifles that are now digging into defensive lines - it's time to supplement them w/ the specialized units they'll need to kill the German tanks and planes about to hit them.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 6]
Leningrad is bombarded then assaulted by Leningrad Front. But the Finns hold out in the center of the city despite heavy losses.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 6]
Valdai and Leningrad Fronts pound AGN's lead elements w/ artillery and air strikes. Here is pic at end of turn 6.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 6]
In the south the Parakop defensive area holds out, the Germans are still unable to cross at Dnepropetrovsk, and Kharkov has not yet been assaulted.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 6]
Soviet production focuses on airpower, machineguns, rifles, and flak.

So I'm pleased w/ the overall situation.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 7]
In the north the Germans aren't able to do much around Leningrad.

Farther south the Hunsslowly push back the defenders of Smolensk from the suburbs into the city itself.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 7]
Leningrad Front orders another assault on Helsinki. After a heavy bombardment and vicious street fighting, Finland is finally knocked out of the war.

Around Smolensk the battered defenders are evacuated to the main fort line but a strong corp is left to hold out in the city.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 7]
The Germans have taken Kharkov and also Dnepropetrovsk on their turn so Voronezh and Don Fronts fall back.

Crimean Front in the Parakop area is still holding the river crossing.

[jjdenver]

[TURN 7]
Here are overall kills and losses for the game so far. I'm happy w/ the way the kills/losses look, but I've given up a lot of ground including the Dniepr crossings as Seille pointed out.

[tweber]

I would put a thin line of troops along the Don.  Even every other hex.  This will prevent the 'free painting' across the river.  Notice how the 2 strength infantry unit a few hexes north of Perakop on your picture from turn 7 has 'painted' a hex across the Dneister.  This is important since engineers can only build bridges if both sides of the river are painted.  Fully manning a river line will make if difficult to both cross and then exploited.
 
However, it looks like you are holding out well.  

[jjdenver]

FYI- I never updated the final status of this game.

We rolled into early winter 41 I think and Germany surrendered due to massive losses and powerful Soviet counterattacks.

Also see my AAR as Germany in a different game for another point of view

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