1.04 The East is Red II (no Jajusha please)

[Tarhunnas]

Closeup of the Leningrad front. The aim now is to delay the enemy to create more time for strengthening the Luga line. Otherwise fortifications are in progreass around an in front of Leningrad. Closeup of the Leningrad front, after Soviet moves turn 10.

[Tarhunnas]

And here we have the pride of the Soviet army, the 1st tank division. Carefully nurtured to CV 11 it is our counterattack resource in the north. It will probably be a one hit wonder, given the fragility of Soviet tank divisions, but it will still hopefully be able to give the Germans a nasty tolshok.

[TulliusDetritus]

On my game I had a very similar situation. The Germans around Pskov and Narva River (aka The Bottleneck). My hordes were concentrated in both places. One of these Monster Tank Divisions (Rokossovski was the boss, good armored forces commander) did their job near Pskov. A nice counter-attack forced a panzer division to retreat. Who said they are useless? Put them to good use: 11=x IS a good thing [:)]

[Klydon]

Turn 10 and not over the Luga river in the Leningrad area spells doom for the Germans unless he can break through someplace and I don't see that happening. Not a fan of having that much west of the Luga river. I would perhaps leave a skeleton force there, but he can cut that off fairly easy and trap around 10 units or so, which is not exactly a toss in the bucket in the area. I would think you would be better off sticking at least a few of those units in the swamps behind the Luga. Also, not sure I like forking over points at 16 a shot for the fortifications, which are a bad drain on your armaments pool as well, but they do help dig I guess.

Honestly, I think Hermann is ready for the fork. Going to be a very long winter.. [;)]

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 11. The situation on the approaches to Leningrad. Some units cut off, but the enemy has not yet closed up on the Luga. Map after Soviet moves.

[Tarhunnas]

And in the south after Soviet moves turn 11. The encirclement is once again reestablished, and this time not even the most self sacrificing counterattacks can break through. Actually, I think I got some more units trapped by my relief attempts. It is a tradeoff, if its worth it to keep the Germans occupied a turn more for the loss of a few more units. Anyway, the front is pulled back and the surrounded units written off. There are plenty more where they came from...

[Tarhunnas]

Losses turn 11. Rather mild from the Soviet perspective.

[Tarhunnas]

And the OOB turn 11.

[invernomuto]

Thanks for your AAR Tarhunnas, it's very useful for beginner Soviet player like me.

Excellent defence with the Soviet so far!

[Speedysteve]

Agreed. You're doing well and the Axis is behind the bell curve. You'll be fine unless some massive disasters occur for you.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: invernomuto

Thanks for your AAR Tarhunnas, it's very useful for beginner Soviet player like me.

Excellent defence with the Soviet so far!

Thanks! Glad that you find it useful. I am looking forward to a real awesome winter offensive!

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 12.

Near Novgorod, a German panzer spearhead has crossed the Luga. Units of the Workers and Peasants Red Army go over to the offensive, and in a heroic counterattack manage to throw back the invaders!

[Tarhunnas]

With the enemy temporarily pushed back, the Luga line braces for the storm...

Map after Soviet moves. Note units digging rear defense lines, prepared in advance. Also note fortifications at the "back door" (circled). It is very important to start to fortify this position early. Lack of fortifications here can mean that Leningrad is lost!

Goodies like Guards Divisions and Tank brigades are starting to appear!

[Tarhunnas]

In the center, everything is calm. German infantry is slowly nearing Smolensk. Reserve units are digging rear defense lines at Vyazma - Rzhev and in front of Moscow.

[Tarhunnas]

And the south, turn 12.

Some withdrawals have been necessary in the far south. Odessa is preparing to stand siege.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 13.

Not much happening at all in the north! Even at the Luga line there is an anticlimax.

In the south however, there is a rather bothersome breakthrough. No great encirclements, but a spear straight into the Ukrainian heartland. Map before Soviet moves.

[Tarhunnas]

The front is pulled back and adjusted, cavalry move in to cut the supply lines of the leading panzers, and reinforcements brought in to "tar baby" the spearheads. The industry in Poltava was evacuated in the nick of time. Lesson: Never get complacent about evacuations.

Map after Soviet moves.

Edit: Also note how reserve units are placed to the west of cities with industry left, like Zaporozhe and Kharkov. This is to prevent an unforseen breakthrough leading to enemy units moving easily adjacent to the city, which will put a stop to any evacuation. An exploiting panzer division can ruin your entire day (or week turn)!

[Tarhunnas]

We have had a peace offer from Berlin. It appears that their movement into our territory was "a border incursion unfortunately arising from military excercises getting out of hand".

Well, wether we belive that or not, we are happy to accept a peace, and negotiations on some border adjustments in Eastern Europe will now take place. We will use the same venue for the negotiations as in the peace of Brest Litovsk (could it have been a railway carriage?).

[Klydon]

Congrats bud on a very well run campaign. 

[Tarhunnas]

Thanks! I am starting another one now.