Operation Barbershop II (Carnage vs. Redmarkus)

[Empire101]

Thanks...very useful reference map.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 2 - NORTH AND CENTRE

Well, the moves against the Axis supply lines on T1 had the desired effect and Carnage appears to be well behind schedule here:

1. Riga still stands.
2. I now have 2 divs and an HQ in Tallinn.
3. Although the panzers have advanced well beyond Minsk, my pocketed troops only lost supply this turn and still have the potential to interfere with the advance of AGC.

See next post for details on the fighting around Minsk.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 2 - THE BATTLE OF MINSK

Carnage is attempting to race East, but he needs to focus on clearing up the pockets of Soviets in his rear, or he will pay the price.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 2 - SOUTH

The Axis opted to swing the bulk of their armour South in an attempt to pocket the Soviet troops along the Romanian frontier. I have been able to extract the bulk of my forces from the threatened pocket and also isolate at least two Panzer divisions. I almost isolated two more, but a single hex still links them to their supply lines. (See next post for a zoomed in view).

However, I should have bought myself another week here.

The main question arising is whether this move by Carnage indicates an intention to swing into the Crimea and across the straights at Kerch in 1941? I will move troops to defend against that prospect on the next turn.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 2 - THE BATTLE OF KISHINEV

This image shows more detail of my counter moves to cut the panzers off from their supply around Kishinev. Carnage has left the city unoccupied but I lacked the MP to re-take it. However, he has clearly over extended here and may be more cautious after the experience of being cut off twice in two turns. I need him to be cautious and to give me time to organize a defense.

[Redmarkus5]

My brave fighters in the Pripyat took this little supply convoy clerk as their prisoner. After several shots of vodka and much sweet talk, they managed to get her to disclose intelligence suggesting that Carnage will indeed head for the Crimea.

As to the fate of the clerk, well let's just say that her Russian is improving by leaps and bounds!

[timmyab]

Pretty sloppy start in the North and South from Carnage it has to be said.
Riga not taken nor the Northern port in Latvia, pockets not secured, the river not crossed in strength, how much worse can it be?I think you possibly could have taken a more aggresive stance in the North to contest his freedom of movement in Estonia.If Axis players don't get across the river on turn one they pose very little threat to Pskov and lose the initiative right from the start.I expect you know this already, but if you can reconvert those hexes on your side of the river, it's a right pain for him.Not always possible I know.
I think he made a mistake in not tearing up the first Stalin line forts West of Proskurov.
I've not seen anyone go that far South on turn two before.It would be a very intersting tactic if it was properly executed.I wonder why he didn't move any of his units in Rumania?

[Redmarkus5]

House rule at the top of the thread explains the lack of movement by the Romanians, but that rule also weakens the effect of the southward lunge, so I agree with you. Anyway, there are still plenty of chances for me to screw up, so I am not breathing easy just yet.

I'll do what you suggest with the aggressive posture in the north if you can send me a few more divisions

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 3 - NORTH

In the north it looks as though Carnage plans on taking the northernmost route to Leningrad. I am holding Tallinn in strength and have pushed the reserves I have over to slow his advance. I don't want to strip away troops from Pskov if I can avoid it, as he may push in that direction next turn and I have a good position there.

Novgorod and Leningrad itself still need to be much better defended, so that's going to be one priority for T4.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 3 - CENTRE

Not a great deal of movement here this turn. I am trying to build a defensive line and I still have pocketed troops able to move around the enemy's rear areas. I am trying to keep them astride the rail routes, just in case that slows the rail repair effort.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 3 - SOUTH

Here Carnage has attempted to swing his armour east, possibly intending to make a sickle cut up towards the Dnepr crossings, with a view to creating a large pocket.

I have again managed to cut off two Axis armoured divisions (one SS and one Romanian) and almost cut off two others.

I have pulled the bulk of my forces back and shifted a large number to sit on the northern shoulder of the main Axis thrust. If Carnage tries to reach for the Dnepr I should be able to inject mobile forces into his flank.

[Redmarkus5]

I hope Carnage sticks with it and doesn't let his early reverses put him off the game. Berlin or Moscow!

[Redmarkus5]

Turn 4 - very little to report this turn. I have pulled back towards Kiev and straightened the line in front of the Dnepr. Carnage has not make any significant moves in the center or north, probably reorganizing before hitting me on Turn 5.

Factory moves are ongoing and I was able to move everything out of Mogilev, which is a first for me.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 4 NORTH

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 4 CENTRE

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 4 SOUTH.

Note the small Axis pocket in the SW.

[sillyflower]

ORIGINAL: redmarkus4

TURN 4 SOUTH.

Note the small Axis pocket in the SW.

What I don't understand is why you don't just let yourself be captured by that Tiger's crew

[Redmarkus5]

Because I heard there's a whole division of them heading my way, so I'm waiting to be completely surrounded before I drop my weapon [:D]

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 5 - North

Limited activity here this turn. Carnage must be building up supply for a big push next turn.

I generally don't fly recon this early in the war, as the Soviets would have had limited capabilities at this stage.

[Redmarkus5]

TURN 5 - CENTRE

Carnage has made one big push towards Smolensk. I am defending in depth but will need to start digging in around Moscow on the next turn.