Anybody win with the Russian ?

[Duck Doc]

Well, I can tell you from playing the Axis the AI stoutly defends Mogilev & Orsha & even Bykhov. I am finding myself getting behind on points by the fourth turn in spite of maximum pressure to take those vital objectives. I wonder if bypassing them & surrounding those with infantry & letting them rot on the vine might not be something to try. I haven't had much time to play & I am not a good player but I am getting a little frustrated. The Russians seem to be holding their own at least in the early going & I can easily see how they could win. Any thoughts?

[jjdenver]

I think Orsha and Mogilev should fall early and not be bypassed by all forces. Mogilev should fall probably by turn 3 or 4 at least. Orsha by turn 4 - 6. You can bypass these with some forces using the bridge between Mogilev and Orsha as well as the bridge south of Mogilev. However the first infantry division to enter in the south should be used to reduce Mogilev and the first (infantry) division or two that enters along the Orsha-Smolensk highway should be used to reduce Orsha.

One trick you might not be aware of is that you can hit these strongpoints with artillery and if you get one hit their chance to retreat goes up by +1 that turn. Also you can try for multiple attacks on a hex in the same turn (attack with some units, move them away a hex then attack with other units) to wear them down and get a better shot at a retreat result. You can leave a retreat hex (across a river for example where it's not profitable to put attacking units anway) so that they leave the city hex. Once a retreat is obtained the retreating units will be devastated by the extra retreat losses even if they can't retreat anywhere and the city is as good as taken.

If the Soviets put an NKVD unit in Orsha it will be harder to take but there are only 3 NKVD units so that's one less you'll face at Smolensk itself.

Be sure you're getting max tactical shifts (I think you can get about 3(?) green hexsides at Mogilev even with the city hex west of Mogilev still help by Soviets, and 2 green hexsides at Orsha even w/ the city hex west of Orsha still held by Soviets).

Be sure to take all hexes around both Orsha and Mogilev other than the other city hex (each has one city hex west of it) before attacking. This means clear out the east side of the river. This will prevent the Soviets from reinforcing Orsha and Mogilev hexes to undo the work you've one to reduce units there.

The cities must be assaulted but ensure max tactical shifts, ensure they are surrounded, ensure you have an infantry unit to take losses, and try to get more than one attack per turn as well as shoot for an artillery hit to up the chance of retreat. Do those things and the cities should fall in a reasonable timeframe.

And while you're making those assaults the bulk of your mechanized forces should be pushing east. If the Soviets leave strong forces at Orsha and Mogilev east of the rivers then you can create some big pockets by crossing at other bridges.

Keep killing and surrounding Soviets and they will wear down. If they stand and fight the German can wear them down due to better unit quality, more artillery, and better tactical shifts than the Reds.

[hank]

"The Axis lost 120 units for 5180 VPs and the Soviets 482 units for 3531 VPs in the official AAR.'

That's impressive; but then that's Tempest.  I know I'm a much more timid player especially when on the defensive.  My kill numbers are quite disappointing compared to other more aggressive players.

Work's kickin butt right now so I have not got far in my new game with Axis.  I'm sure I won't kill as many comrades as those who are good offensive players but I'll try.

[Duck Doc]

Excellent advice. I am following most of it & in my current game the gateway cities have fallen on pretty much the schedule you say. I am on turn 7 & all have fallen. Now to push on. I am down a heap in points & I must be careful not to push too far into enemy territory without being able to support myself. I did not know that about artillery & retreats. I will keep it in mind. Thanks,
[&o]

[JSS]

ORIGINAL: Dale H

Well, I can tell you from playing the Axis the AI stoutly defends Mogilev & Orsha & even Bykhov. I am finding myself getting behind on points by the fourth turn in spite of maximum pressure to take those vital objectives. I wonder if bypassing them & surrounding those with infantry & letting them rot on the vine might not be something to try. I haven't had much time to play & I am not a good player but I am getting a little frustrated. The Russians seem to be holding their own at least in the early going & I can easily see how they could win. Any thoughts?

Bypassing strong defense points is my preferred tactic. Especially like to by-pass the elite Gds Rifle Divisions and the Abn Corps. The German Panzerkorps are best used to isolate areas and exploit gaps in the defense (IMHO); this has both pratical and historical value for their employment.

Think its better to capture Mogilev and Orsha with the infantry divisions once they arrive. This gives you a two-for-one benefit of panzer forces moving East/not getting bogged down (that's the most important concept!) and setting up the stout-hearted defenders for encirclement!

[ComradeP]

Well, Squatter got his overwhelming victory as I gave up. The game was one big exercise in futility.

I guess the Soviets can indeed win, but things need to go right for them from time to time and cities need to hold out when attacked. The city CRT is pretty generous as it is, so the Germans can attack over and over for average losses. Squatter didn't even need artillery to capture any of the cities, all of them just fell in a single turn when attacked, regardless of the size of the garrison.

[Duck Doc]

JSS, thanks. I will try it next game.