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Carlos's turn 63

And the situation at the end of my turn 63 - nothing much has changed at Stalingrad - no hexes have changed hands but the wearing down goes on....

In the Caucasus the exhausted German Panzer divisions are easily pushed out of Grozny - one of them ceases to exist as an organised force, and elsewhere there are Korps weaker than divisions.

My own supply situation is weak, and the Axis are closing on Rostov. Reinforcements from the Crimea have retreated to Novorossisk rather than be isolated at Maikop. They probably won't be able to hold it for long, but it will all help use up time until Stalingrad is recaptured - it remains the key to retaining the southern oil fields.

Current strength is 102,200 squads in service, and 3900 in reserve.

Carlos's T64

The Russian Caucasus front isn't all that well supplied, but it is numerous and the Axis forces are weak and dispersed - AGA's infantry reserves are trapped against the Caspian Sea, and the leading Panzer divisions and their reactionary lickspittles are bundled backwards.

However just off the top left of the map the Caucasus HQ and 1 corps have been trapped at Novorossisk by the fascist capture of Maikop. Rostov is holding, but there seems little opportunity to relieve them - the furthest reaches of the axis advance are weak, but closer to the Don River no so much - the trapped forces will have to hold out and rely upon developments elsewhere for their succor.

The end of Axis T65

By the end of the Soviet turn the traitorous so-called "cossacks" have been destroyed, and the Korps surrounded against the Caspian forced to surrender.

Supply is still precarious, and the fascist units numerous - I am concerned about being surrounded - their rail network is almost complete and Rostov will fall next turn further improving their position.

The Black sea fleet is supporting the units isolated at Novorossisk.

Carlos has mentioned developments near Stalingrad so I have shown the offensive that has crossed the Volga, and also the effect of attacks further north at Voronezh - I hope these are keeping him distracted!!

Carlos's T66

And the Soviet response...

Supply remains a major issue in the Caucasus, but the weak Axis Korps there are also a temptation that is hard to resist!!

The Soviet armies around Stalingrad are quite strong and are attacking every turn to keep the Axis there "in the red" and slowly wear them down.

The fortified troops there are slowly losing strength, and if Carlos replaces any of them there the replacements will not be fortified for a couple of turns - either scenario is my opportunity to retake the city.

Carlos's T67:

In response to the loss of Rostov I've decided to pull back and at least make a fight for Baku - corps have reformed into armies for the proficiency bonus and are lining up along the main line of advance.

Novorossisk is effectively lost - I cannot move or amphib the Corps and army HQ there, and they dig in to sell themselves dearly.

Elsewhere the Axis defence at Stalingrad is down to its bare bones - constant attacks have worn units down and forced a few to retreat. He can move reinforcements in - but they will not be fortified.....

Carlos's T68 - no, we haven't forgotten to finish this!

And my T68 - the big news is that attacks force the Germans out of Stalingrad!!

The supply situation in the Caucasus remains terrible and the axis now has a supply route through Rostov, but if I can force him over the Don bend at Stalingrad then that will allow me to attack the flank of the Caucasus forces and relieve some pressure.

Carlos's T69

And mine - Stalingrad is duly occupied by anything that can still move.

But apart from Novorossisk under siege no Axis forces are visible.....

I love these AARs, keep them coming please!

Carlos's T70.....

And mostly stuck in the mud for my T70 too....

Carlos's T71....

My response is to reorganise to await the next attack - intelligence has completely failed to see any withdrawals - the area of the Kuban under the inserts is completely blank to me!

So instead I've included a shot of the Kursk-Voronezh area that Carlos mentioned, where I have advanced slowly over all these turns.

Carlos's T72....