Don to Danube AAR - Decision in the Ukraine - Soviet Side

[Speedysteve]

OOB.

I thought it important to look at this now we've had several weeks of relative inactivity both sides will have built up for the 'Real Deal' which sould start once the Dnepr freezes.

Axis since start:

Men: + 87,000
Guns: + 160
AFV: + 800
Planes: + 300

Soviet:

Men: + 360,000
Guns: + 7,000
AFV: + 1,500
Planes: + 1,700

A lot of these will be due to reinforcement units by both sides.

[Speedysteve]

Turn 12. Blizzard everywhere. The northern parts of the Dnepr have frozen solid and Operartion Bratwurst Basher has begun.

The troops were ready after 2 months of preparation. Each 10 mile crossing hex was secured by 2 Armies operting in conjunction with the aid of BAD's (Breakthrough Art. Div.) in the rear. Fully rested Armoured reserves then crossed and secured the other side whilst also conducting local attacks against some battered Axis units.

[Speedysteve]

Further south the Dnepr is not quite frozen over as such 2nd Guards Army was not let loose against the enemy positions SE of Nikolaev. Instead a gradual advance of 10-20 miles were ordered with little combat (ComradeP withdrew mainly except a Rumanian Cavalry Division which lost 20% of it's strength after being smacked by 2 x Rifle Corps and 1 x Mech Corps)

[Speedysteve]

As an FYI the sideshow that is the Crimea. No chance of me progressing here as ComradeP gradually withdraws his men via the sea. My units are all second rate troops who are not receiving replacement as a priority (I'm sure they'd be happy knowing that[;)]) Merely a holding operation now.

[Speedysteve]

Losses. Need to try to engage ComradeP's Panzers if he'll let me. They'd the trump card for the Axis

[Speedysteve]

Turn 13:

ComradeP's trump card - Elite Panzers decidd to counter attack the leading formations involved in Operation Bratwurst Basher. The fighting was heavy but my formations could not withstand the massed Panzers and most withdrew across the frozen Dnepr. Here's a view of 2 of the 3 key battles:

[Speedysteve]

During the my turn I took the opportunity to attack across the frozen Dnepr again. Although losses were heavy last turn I can take them and my forces were still in good shape (most Armoured units were 77-95% of TOE). The Rifle Corps were used a lot this week. The sheer bulk of the units and the high amount of high ROF weapons make them a dedly weapon in the Soviet Arsenal.

Positions were re-taken and heavyish losses were sustained on both sides. A war of attrition suits me though.........

ComradeP still has a lot of very good Panzers around though so it'll be interesting to see if he retreats or counter-attacks.

Mud down south so no frozen Dnepr there and no attacks.

[Speedysteve]

Losses (note mine include attrition so my combat losses were around 20,000 men and 300 tanks):

[Speedysteve]

T14-15.

Snow/blizzard everywhere making the Dnepr irrelevant. In the northern cauldron we slug it out week after week with me conducted heavy overwhelming local attacks by Rifle Corps (supported by Mech/Tk Corps sometimes) + lot of artillery. ComradeP then uses his panzers as his fire brigade retreating my Soviets that took the recently won ground. Here's a snapshot of the area at the end of T15:

[Speedysteve]

South -

Progress has been 'swifter' here over the past 3 weeks with fewer Axis units to prevent mass movement. ComradeP has shifted some powerful reserves down here recently and last week heavy counter-attacks were launched by 1st SS, 5th SS, 7th, 9th and 23rd Panzer divisions.

This week we successfully smashed back 3 battered German, 2 Rumanian Divisions and 7th Panzer SW of Nikolaev.

[Speedysteve]

Losses from my attacks this week. Decent exchange ratio and happy taking out 109 Axis tanks.

[Speedysteve]

OOB: good to see the Active Germans down to under 1 Million.

ComradeP is doing very well in shifting around his panzers for counter attacks and keeping his panzers massed in defence. However, the strain is starting to be felt on his Landsers as they take the brunt on my constant attacks.

[Speedysteve]

Here's the 'quiet' northern sector. I may potentially create a ruckus up here soon. The circled areas are potential targets. In 2 weeks 2nd Tank Army arrives with 2 x Tk Cps and 1 x Guards Cav Cps. I may throw these into this area (depending on how action fares down south). I also have 3 x BAD's forming up near Kharkov which may also be used here as well.

[Speedysteve]

Anyone have any questions? You're all very quiet [:)]

[janh]

Following in anticipation... Seems like the axis still has pretty sharp teeth, although they can ultimately but trade space for time.  Curious to see what  I can learn from your AAR for the conduct of any late war battles.  Nice AAR!

PS. You clearly have one huge disadvantage, the outer lines. Wouldn't it be an option to apply simulataneous pressure to both extremes of the Axis arc? I.e. add more pressure around Kiev?

[Speedysteve]

Hi janh,

Good to hear from you [:)]

Indeed. The Axis Panzers are their only saving grace and since over 80% of all Axis on the Eastern Front was in this scenario at the time it makes it fun [;)]

You're logic is right in that the best policy is to stretch the Axis and their reserves with simultaneous strong blows. However, I don't have the additional strength to mount a 3rd prong right now (2 prongs in the center and south at present). You're right though and the 3rd prong can potentially go from the Kiev area when 2nd Tank Army arrives in 2 weeks time.

I'm not an expert on late war battles but from the knowledge I do possess there's a couple of key things for the Soviets:

1.) Smash the Axis lines with your Rifle Corps. They have great staying power and many high RoF weapons = many Axis casualties. Although I find it tempting to use Mech/Tk Cps they are often 1-2 shot wonders as their tanks will get eaten up. Sometimes needs must though and they are thrown in as well. If you can though move the Mech/Tk corps behind the Rifle Corps line once they have conducted an attack.

2.) Artillery. Just like RL mass it. Wherever you plan to breakthrough use the Art/Rct Divisions. I often conduct an Artillery only attack from 2 hexes away on a target unit BEFORE launching the main attack. The key here is that the Art/Rct units in question have 12 x MP so they can launch 2 x deliberate attacks. If massed then the defender untis can frequently suffer substantial disruption and negative effects on their defensive CV. You frequently need 2-5 Art/Rct units massed to have an appreciable effect though.

[Karri]

How's manpower and production? Situation log? Screenshots please

[Speedysteve]

Hi Karri,

Both are fine. Here's the current shot. Ok for tanks as well. For example I have 91 x T34 in the pool despite distributing almost 2000 already.

[Speedysteve]

T16-18.

Still Blizzard in most areas except 1 week of mud in the south. Still slugging/slow progress against stiff and brutal German resistance.

The planned attack in the north failed due to poor leadership rolls allowing ComradeP to bring in reinforcements to bolster the area a week later. Grrr.

Have now shifted the forces nearer to Kiev. We'll see.

[Speedysteve]

The main central push still slogs on but some fanatical resistance by random divisions causes heavy casualties. An example of this below as 3 Axis Divisions hold off 2 heavy Soviet Assaults before a 3rd finally pushes them back: