My German Adventure!

[dmoose42]

Southern Portion of the Front: Turn 25

[dmoose42]

Turn 26:

The Soviets struck across the entire front, we probably lost another 10-15 hexes. The most stress is being faced northwest of Moscow (which we have reserves to combat, but we are losing some ground) and AGS which stretched itself a little too thin (and relies more on the Romanians who are really struggling in the Blizzard). Given how much success few had in pushing the Russians back, it's disconcerting to see them doing the same to me now.. [:(]

Casualty report:
End of Turn #26: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 623k men (52k last turn), 2531 AFV (119 last turn), 844 aircraft (8 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 3.918 million men (103k last turn), 17116 AFV (473 last turn), 9212 aircraft (83 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.08 million soldiers, 30.7k guns, 4935 tanks, 3742 aircraft
Russia – 4.26 million soldiers, 57.9k guns, 5570 tanks, 7888 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 27:

We sheltered in place again, with AGS again selectively retreating to minimize losses, effectively trading territory to keep our troops alive. We lost 7000 troops to Russian attacks, at least half of which were Romanians who deserted us as the Russians attacked. Russian casualties were 52 thousand, 35k of them dead, the rest disabled. The 45k men we lost during logistics hurts us far more, fortunately most (40k) were disabled so we’ll be able to get them back over time. Over half of our armored units are resting in cities over level three fortifications to minimize Blizzard damage.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #27: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 675k men (52k last turn), 2593 AFV (62 last turn), 847 aircraft (3 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.021 million men (103k last turn), 17576 AFV (460 last turn), 9321 aircraft (109 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.03 million soldiers, 30.5k guns, 4785 tanks, 3785 aircraft
Russia – 4.26 million soldiers, 58.1k guns, 5191 tanks, 7841 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 28:

AGN continues to be well dug in and has only given up two hexes so far. We are optimistic about being able to hold off the Russians this winter given that they haven’t been able to penetrate our lines and these lines were dug in front of our fortified zones, which we can retreat into. Very optimistic here.

AGC has been under some pressure, with tactical retreats in the north, as well as west of Moscow. The Russians probably win hexes in 3 out of 10 combats, which is a ratio we can accept. Our main strategy is to wear the Russians out here. We have five undeployed panzer divisions in this sector that we are waiting until the snow season in March to deploy although we can use them to plug holes in the line if necessary. Overall, we are feeling fairly good about this sector, although we will probably lose another 20-30 miles over the next month or so.

AGS is struggling. We’ve already been forced back 50-60 miles from the Don River and Voronezh and the Russians have opened a 50 mile gap in our lines north of Voroshilovgrad. We continue to fall back a hex or two a turn to minimize the amount of damage we take, but we are under serious pressure here. Fortunately, we have four divisions we sent east from the Sevastopol lines that arrive this turn, which hopefully will help stabilize the lines. We attached a photo of the lines prior to turn 29 to illustrate the dilemma we are in as we try to pull back to stabilize the breach.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #28: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 731k men (56k last turn), 2665 AFV (72 last turn), 857 aircraft (10 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.126 million men (105k last turn), 18066 AFV (480 last turn), 9447 aircraft (126 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.20 million soldiers, 32.3k guns, 4912 tanks, 3805 aircraft
Russia – 4.28 million soldiers, 59.1k guns, 4799 tanks, 7908 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 29:
We continued to hold on. AGS continued to slowly retreat, but we’ve suffered no major losses. We did set a new record for men lost between the blizzard conditions and higher troop losses. However, the Russians are losing 55k men a turn in attacking us and hundreds of AFV’s – this will sap their strength if it continues. The AFV losses, coupled with me mostly holding my armor in reserve has led to the Germans having more AFV’s available than the Russians. They better watch out come spring!

In the south, we had been struggling in part because most of our army was beyond an acceptable distance from the railhead – in evaluating our progression on converting Russian rails, roughly half of AGS is now within range. This should help us over the coming weeks to put up more resistance in the south. The first couple weeks has been rough in the South, but we have managed to trade land for troops, and we have yet to deploy the three armored divisions that we are holding in reserve in Kharkov. Ideally we would like to rest them until spring, but if things got really out of hand, we could unleash them.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #29: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 770k men (49k last turn), 2704 AFV (39 last turn), 932 aircraft (75
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.128 million men (102k last turn), 18509 AFV (453 last turn), 9611 aircraft (164 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.26 million soldiers, 32.8k guns, 4936 tanks, 3817 aircraft
Russia – 4.31 million soldiers, 59.8k guns, 4312 tanks, 7931 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 30:

We are very pleased with our troops’ performance last turn. Not sure if it was getting half of AGS in supply or what, but we only gave up about 5 hexes to the Russians across the entire front. Perhaps losing 50k of their best troops each turn is having an effect. Last Soviet turn – we lost 2 (TWO) AFV’s – to their 385. As demonstrated by the OOB, this is having a critical impact on the Soviet ability to damage me. I think part of their limited success last turn is that the tank shortage is finally having an impact, reducing their ability to break my lines.

AGN and the northern part of AGC, feeling good after repulsing multiple Russian attacks, launched several attacks on weaker Russian units, driving them back. Additionally, based on our review of the supply situation in the South, only 6 units remain beyond reasonable range of supply, greatly enhancing our ability to resist in the south.

In other news, we integrated our Sevastopol troops into AGS, basically accepting that we will not be able to conquer the Crimea anytime soon. However, we need those soldiers to support AGS and to close the gap in our lines. The Russians have decided not to fully take advantage of the hole as a result of their lack of mobile units, which has resulted them being afraid send too many troops into the breach due to the risk of encirclement.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #30: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 809k men (39k last turn), 2777 AFV (73 last turn), 958 aircraft (28
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.320 million men (192k last turn), 18983 AFV (474 last turn), 9753 aircraft (142 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.27 million soldiers, 32.9k guns, 4907 tanks, 3847 aircraft
Russia – 4.32 million soldiers, 60.7k guns, 3890 tanks, 8070 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 31:

The Russians were more successful this last turn, particularly near Orel and south of Orel where they were able to push back 8-10 divisions. On the other hand near Stalino, we only suffered one defeat. North of Moscow, we continued to be able to repulse all attacks, and again took one hex from the Russians. However, they continue to suffer a significant reduction in their AFV’s, with now a thousand less than me. Even after the initial attacks – they had 14,000 tanks in the field on turn 5. Now? Less than 4000. Even though we are taking losses, this seems to bode poorly for our Soviet friends.

On our turn, AGN and AGC were fairly quiet, a few modest troop maneuvering to hold the line, but that’s about it. In the south, we made the decision to fall 30-40 miles back towards Kursk and Kharkov in order to shorten our lines and redeploy some troops. We were getting concerned about the Russian salient east of Kharkov and we hope that this proactive withdrawal will prevent any encirclements.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #31: 0 units destroyed for a total of 523 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 847k men (38k last turn), 2860 AFV (83 last turn), 1005 aircraft (47
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.405 million men (85k last turn), 19200 AFV (217 last turn), 9900 aircraft (147 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.30 million soldiers, 33.1k guns, 4849 tanks, 3842 aircraft
Russia – 4.34 million soldiers, 61.2k guns, 3625 tanks, 8199 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 32: The Russians made some progress in the Crimea, shattering a Romanian unit, and sending some others into a full out rout. We’ll have to do something about that in the spring. Additionally, the Russians have us pinned near Voroshilovgrad, with only one hex connecting us to our panzers in the city. I can’t lose those panzers…

After careful consideration, we launched several counterattacks in AGS to reduce the pressure on Voroshilovgrad, it’s still surrounded on four sides, but pushing the Russians back a bit will help.

AGC got sick of being pushed around by the Russians and launched a broad attack west of Moscow, they went 6 for 6 in attacks, shattering an infantry brigade and routing two divisions. The Russians will have to focus on filing the line on their turn. The time for German retreat in the Moscow sector may have ended!

The Russians attacked across the entire front again, having limited success in most sectors, although occasionally pushing us back a hex. The one exception was at Orel, where we lost multiple battles and the front is in disarray.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #32: 1 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 885k men (38k last turn), 2934 AFV (74 last turn), 1055 aircraft (50
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.491 million men (86k last turn), 19537 AFV (337 last turn), 10024 aircraft (124 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.30 million soldiers, 33.0k guns, 4868 tanks, 3844 aircraft
Russia – 4.40 million soldiers, 62.5k guns, 3291 tanks, 8140 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 33: We rushed some additional divisions to the Orel front to help stabilize the front. AGC- Moscow sector launched additional attacks on the Russian lines, sending more divisions into routed status. Our main goal with these attacks is to thin out the Russian lines so that when spring comes, our panzers will slice through them like butter – we currently have 6 panzer divisions still in reserve in AGC, another 3 in reserve in the south, and two in the north.

But all in all, we didn’t really do much. Mostly just waiting for Spring to arrive at this point.

The Russians attacked across the entire front again, having limited success in most sectors, although occasionally pushing us back a hex. AGS continues to struggle around Orel and Voroshilovgrad. I’m seriously considering deploying my reserve to stabilize the situation.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #33: 0 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 925k men (40k last turn), 2978 AFV (44 last turn), 1100 aircraft (45
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.583 million men (92k last turn), 19906 AFV (369 last turn), 10142 aircraft (118 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.36 million soldiers, 33.7k guns, 4910 tanks, 4016 aircraft
Russia – 4.42 million soldiers, 63.2k guns, 3010 tanks, 8284 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 34:

Well I’m sure enjoying blowing up Russian tanks – at the current rate they won’t have any left! LOL. While we are taking a bit of a beating (probably lost 100 miles in certain places in the south), but the lack of Soviet armor gives me confidence that come spring, our fortunes will turn.

Not much happened across the line during the German turn, other than we pulled back to shorten our lines a bit east of Novgorod.

The Russians attacked as they always do, but really only making a dent against AGS, continuing to push us back. The main line is now within 40 miles of Kursk and 60 miles of Kharkov.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #34: 0 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 957k men (42k last turn), 3012 AFV (34 last turn), 1160 aircraft (60
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.663 million men (80k last turn), 20150 AFV (244 last turn), 10267 aircraft (125 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.42 million soldiers, 34.2k guns, 4999 tanks, 3929 aircraft
Russia – 4.44 million soldiers, 63.7k guns, 2930 tanks, 8205 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 35:

We were able to rail two fresh divisions to plug into the gap in AGS, but will probably need 10 more to stop the Russians. Given the attrition our armored units take in battle in the blizzard, I’m holding off deploying them, but it may become necessary. We shall see.

Our troops in the AGS did a little better this time, but the Kursk sector is starting to crumble under repeated attacks and being the furthest from supply. Not sure what we can do about it, but will evaluate the situation.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #35: 0 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 992k men (35k last turn), 3051 AFV (39 last turn), 1210 aircraft (50
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.752 million men (89k last turn), 20438 AFV (288 last turn), 10380 aircraft (113 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.42 million soldiers, 34.2k guns, 4956 tanks, 3948 aircraft
Russia – 4.46 million soldiers, 64.5k guns, 2820 tanks, 8059 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 36:

The Russians continue to cause problems in the south, breaking through our lines in several places. We are rushing reinforcements into the breach, but I’m getting worried that we could lose another 100 miles. That being said, from the Moscow sector north, the Russians are making no progress. I am hopeful that when spring breaks, this will allow us to capture both Leningrad and Moscow within a month.

That being said, I am sad to report that we crossed the million men mark this week, though I would have to think that a good hunk (200k?) are Romanians…

Casualty report:
End of Turn #36: 0 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.028k men (36k last turn), 3081 AFV (30 last turn), 1231 aircraft (21
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.842 million men (90k last turn), 20656 AFV (218 last turn), 10486 aircraft (106 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.44 million soldiers, 34.5k guns, 5214 tanks, 3996 aircraft
Russia – 4.46 million soldiers, 65.0k guns, 2801 tanks, 8121 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 37.

We made it to March. AGS in front of Kursk is on the verge of collapse, but the Rostov front has stabilized and it’s been a month since the Russians have made any appreciable progress. Hopefully we will be able to use our reserve panzers to break open the Russian lines – but we will save that surprise for after the mud. The Russians attacked, but generally didn’t make much more progress. This is the last turn of Blizzard I think…we made it!!!

Casualty report:
End of Turn #37: 0 units destroyed for a total of 524 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.070k men (42k last turn), 3151 AFV (70 last turn), 1253 aircraft (22
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 4.937 million men (95k last turn), 20973 AFV (317 last turn), 10615 aircraft (129 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.56 million soldiers, 35.0k guns, 5407 tanks, 3972 aircraft
Russia – 4.45 million soldiers, 67.2k guns, 2577 tanks, 8036 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 38

AGS went first as the shift to snow changed the dynamics back in our favor as we attacked the Russians across the line, routing 10+ divisions. We did not advance, but used the opportunity to give our stressed lines some breathing room. We lost 1300 men in these attacks, compared to 3500 Russians. We decided to wait for clear conditions in the northern sectors before attacking.

During the Russian counterattack, they pushed some units back in the Kursk area, but we only lost minimal ground. They didn’t attack in any of the northern sectors. It appears the front has grinded to a standstill. I’m hopeful we have survived the Russian winter offensive. The Russian attacks this turn cost 2600 Germans and 9400 Russians, way less than the 50k Russians that were dying in their attacks earlier.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #38: 2 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.091k men (21k last turn), 3170 AFV (89 last turn), 1342 aircraft (111
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.005 million men (163k last turn), 21224 AFV (568 last turn), 10720 aircraft (234 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.63 million soldiers, 35.4k guns, 5537 tanks, 3948 aircraft
Russia – 4.54 million soldiers, 66.2k guns, 2705 tanks, 8470 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 39:
Interestingly, the Russians decided to abandon their Kharkov offensive as well as pull back from their defensive positions north of Moscow. There is some logic in both moves as I was contemplating using my armor to try and cut off the Kharkov salient come Spring and moving to behind the river offers them better protection in the North.

We launched a few attacks to strengthen our lines, but we are waiting until Spring to unleash our panzer reserves. The Russians also launched a few attacks, mostly in the Kursk area where they continue to have an advantage.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #39: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.113k men (22k last turn), 3187 AFV (17 last turn), 1372 aircraft (30
last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.073k million men (68k last turn), 21356 AFV (132 last turn), 10814 aircraft (94 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.65 million soldiers, 35.3k guns, 5582 tanks, 3885 aircraft
Russia – 4.63 million soldiers, 67.6k guns, 3063 tanks, 8678 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 40:

We launched some attacks to push back the Russians, and they counter-attacked in a few places, but no real changes. The main move I made was repositioning our panzer reserves to position them for a strike on Moscow on the first clear turn. While obviously this is a month away, I’m hoping the Russians notice and move troops away from other sectors to improve our odds in those sectors. If not, well then, I will just have to attack.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #40: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.133 million men (20k last turn), 3210 AFV (23 last turn), 1384 aircraft (12 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.144 million men (71k last turn), 21556 AFV (200 last turn), 10933 aircraft (119 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.65 million soldiers, 35.2k guns, 5614 tanks, 3900 aircraft
Russia – 4.70 million soldiers, 68.2k guns, 3115 tanks, 8802 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 41:

The Russians cracked the front at Kharkov – thank goodness that next turn is mud and will allow our troops to recover a bit before the Spring Offensive.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #41: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.154 million men (21k last turn), 3226 AFV (16 last turn), 1441 aircraft (57 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.210 million men (66k last turn), 21731 AFV (175 last turn), 11028 aircraft (95 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.64 million soldiers, 34.6k guns, 5773 tanks, 3818 aircraft
Russia – 4.78 million soldiers, 69.1k guns, 3171 tanks, 8928 aircraft

[dmoose42]

MUD 42-44. Not a lot happened - although I did pocket three extended Russian divisions for fun.

Turn 45: Still mud - though the Russians decided to pull back from the Kharkov/Kursk front, pulling back 3-4 hexes, which we gladly claimed. Other than that, not much happened.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #45: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.198 million men (13k last turn), 3249 AFV (8 last turn), 1441 aircraft (0 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.376 million men (40k last turn), 21819 AFV (9 last turn), 11320 aircraft (175 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.73 million soldiers, 34.9k guns, 5984 tanks, 3936 aircraft
Russia – 5.15 million soldiers, 73.9k guns, 5627 tanks, 9170 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 46:

MUD: Boring. Maybe next turn will be clear.

Casualty report:
End of Turn #46: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.210 million men (12k last turn), 3256 AFV (7 last turn), 1441 aircraft (0 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.416 million men (40k last turn), 21826 AFV (7 last turn), 11320 aircraft (175 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.74 million soldiers, 35.0k guns, 6101 tanks, 3942 aircraft
Russia – 5.23 million soldiers, 75.2k guns, 5690 tanks, 9278 aircraft

[dmoose42]

Turn 47:
The mud has started to clear. Germany and Southern Russia are now clear, while northern and central Russia remain in the mud. We launched a few attacks south of Stalino to push the Russians back a bit, but with only about 5 hexes in the south zone there, we didn’t have a lot of room to maneuver. However, we did manage to outflank the Russians, sending our elements of the 1st panzer army in the south through the hole in the line we made with our infantry and reaching Rostov. We blocked off 6 units, but assume that they will escape via the sea. However, it will allow us to advance easily upon Rostov. The picture shows our success!

Casualty report:
End of Turn #47: 0 units destroyed for a total of 526 units destroyed.
German Losses to date: 1.225 million men (15k last turn), 3276 AFV (20 last turn), 1447 aircraft (6 last turn)
Russian Losses to date: 5.462 million men (46k last turn), 21834 AFV (8 last turn), 11507 aircraft (187 last turn)

OOB Update:

Germany – 3.80 million soldiers, 35.4k guns, 6126 tanks, 4061 aircraft
Russia – 5.27 million soldiers, 76.2k guns, 5720 tanks, 9258 aircraft