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As far as Riga goes - I usually send a PZ Corps to cross the Daugava and then send the other to take or at least cut Riga off from rail supply altogether.  This is done by cutting off the rail line to the East by a Pz Div.  I have played the AGN ALOT "Road to Leningrad" as a learning tool - and it it not a sure thing at all that Riga can be taken on Turn 1.  In my estimation you have about a 70% chance. The large rivers make it an adventure. I don't like my Panzers or Motorized troops taking lots of casualties on turn 1.

What I usually do is isolate it and then cut off all the units in the pocket by taking the rail line to the East of Riga and to the west of it. Then make sure I take ALL the ports on the West side.  I accomplish this by using the  unattached SS Motorized Div to get to Ventspils and take it.  This it will do easily by hasty attack.  This cuts off all supply to the pocket and the Soviet Divisions in the pocket are totally isolated.  I don't care how talented you are - you will not get an infantry div. as far as Ventspils.  I am only interested in Riga on the first turn - insofar as isolating it.  If I take it - that is a bonus.

Besides the RR unit will not get there till turn 3 anyway.  Of course you can trace supply - some at least.  But my main concern is getting two PZ corps to the Pskov area ASAP.  They will be able to do this on internal supply - then can be supplied by air at end of turn 2.

The 18th Army can sweep up the remaining isolated units in the Baltic Pocket and the SS Div. can help in taking Riga on turn 2.  I have the 16th Army bull rush Kaunus and take it - despite some casualties.

On turn 2 I am heading to Pskov.  Not only with my Panzers but with the 16 Army - like a dog on a leash.  Pskov becomes a BIG thorn in your side if you are not there on turn 2.  It gets built up real fast.  THAT should be the main objective. 

The 18th Army I send towards Talinnin and along the Baltic Coast.  I also use at least one Division (or brigade) to take Kurrasare.

I don't use the Riga gambit - I consider it gamey - and a hole in the rules.  Does it make sense that Riga's port would be that intact after one week to transport that many men?  Thank God 1.05 does away with this.

Anyway that's how I do it.  Everyone has an opinion or strategy - this is only mine....

An experienced german player can have armor across the Daugava from Riga to Daugavpils solidly without having to break them down into regiment nor risk them getting isolated or pockets opened. The mechanics of the game, the ability of the Soviets to fortify Riga and slow down rail repair make such things as the panzer attacks on Riga fairly important on turn 1.

I agree on Riga, though I approach it differently from Larry.

You can get 2 Panzer Divisions accross the Daugvina 2 hexes east of Riga, then circle back and hasty attack from the rear. The advantage is that you aren't attacking accross the river. If you Hasty attack with 2 Panzer Divisions, I think that attack will work every time, no matter what the rolls. It also converts a few more hexes to the east, and gets you closer to Pskov.

I also agree that you must take all the ports up to Riga; the first one can be cleared with Infantry, but you probably need to use the SS to clear the northern most one. That's what I do anyway.

The real decision is to what extent you try to surround forces, vs. rout them and keep moving.

The other real decision to me is how much to send south of the pripet to AGS, but that's several pages ahead at this point

I used to use the SS division to clear the northern port, but it leaves an elite moral unit badly behind for turn two moves. I started using a motorized infantry division and it seems to work just fine as well.

smile Larry, put on the blinders on and let the backseat drivers talk to each other. 

Nice push on the port by the way.

Hey you guys......I just upgraded to the 1.05.18 beta version just now So I'm going to discontinue this thread and re-start the game under the new rules ( 1.05 ) and start an AAR describing what I consider to be the opening moves for the Axis.  Let's take this conversation there and continue please.  These conversations are golden to a virgin Axis-PBEM player ( like me ) and I'm considering everyone's viewpoint I promise. 

Click here to go to the AAR I started.

ORIGINAL: Klydon

I used to use the SS division to clear the northern port, but it leaves an elite moral unit badly behind for turn two moves. I started using a motorized infantry division and it seems to work just fine as well.

THis is true, and I can see the benefit to using a Mot Div, and putting the SS Division further up front.

If done properly the SS division does not have to be too far out of place, nor unable to help out on turn 2. It should only attack the northern port, then cut across toward Riga. After pockets are cleared turn 2, it can easily help out - provided it has the movement (both fuel and perhaps harder to fudge, command...)