George vs. Seille - A Russia 1941 AAR over 60 turns

[george1972]

The Central section of the front sees no action in the Crimea and an opportunistic attack towards Kharkov. Due to weather consideration, the units used to annihilate the Russian unit behind my lines aren't able to redeploy east quickly, and as such are nice candidates to support a renewed attempt to take Kharkov. If they succeed, Kharkov would come under German rule for the 4th time in this campaign.

[george1972]

The huge battlefront from Donetz to Baku sees limited action this turn as the weather does not allow me to exploit my mobility to the fullest. Also the Russian change in tactics gives me no chance to inflict as great a loss to my opponent as in previous turns.

[seille]

Russian turn 46.

With the winter arrived it was mostly a quiet turn.
I just picked some opportunities to attack near Minsk and Rostov
doing as much damage as possible.

[seille]

The north saw some action north of Minsk,
but without air aupport and after the terrible
artillery losses in the last turns i have to be very careful.
The germans have still some nasty units here to fight back
and i can´t replace any higher losses cause i need all
i can get in the south.

[seille]

The South.

Also very quiet except some air attacks to fortifications
near Rostov. The unexpected success i had here allowed me to
start a ground attack with weak own forces which throwed the
germans out of their bunkers.

In a risky manouevre i moved my northern fighters from Kursk
to a airfield very close to the Stalingrad front. The only way to get it to Stalingrad
during the winter.
I hope the germans can´t surprise me here, but i don´t think they can
since the airfield is two hexes behind the front and guarded itself.
Not to forget the winter weather....

My Baku front is moving back again building up more strength and experience.
Have the feeling i do the right here now.

[TheArchduke]

A game of amazing turnarounds. Here I am hoping for an update.[&o]

[george1972]

Today is out of the question I'm afraid, but I will post my next turn tomorrow. A happy new year, by the way!

[george1972]

Germany Turn 47, December 29, 1943

As 1943 is about to change into 1944, the initiatives in the various sectors of the front seem to swing again. In the North, the Germans start a new offensive, while in the South the Axis forces' drive is halted by bad weather and a widening of the front which disperses the attacker's strength.

[george1972]

In Belorussia, the front is shaped in a manner that gives the Russians a lot of tactical possibilities when attacking. The heavy pressure being put on AG Center near Minsk is becoming unbearable and something needs to be done.

Spearheaded by the 1st SS Panzer Division, I launch an attack towards Dvinsk in an attempt to straighten the line and force Seille to withdraw some units from his drive on Minsk.

[george1972]

The Donetz/Volga Front sees some limited attacks but nothing like the scale of the previous fall turns. With the appearance of the Red Air Force in strength over the Donetz/Don area, the scales in the air war are suddenly tipped over.

[seille]

turn 47. Russia.

We´re close to enter 1944 which will hopefully be better than 1943 for mother Russia.

[seille]

The North.

Some well prepared attacks in direction to Minsk.
My artillery is a great help here.

[seille]

In the south i started a risky move.
Attacked the left arm of AG Romaniaa with some of my mobile reserves.
The attack was not really successful (no air or artillery support), but crippled
the well fighting german unit.
Looking at this move now i must say i would not do it again....

[george1972]

Germany Turn 48, January 18, 1944

At the turn of the New Year, the German position on the Eastern Front is becoming ever more precarious. The front line itself stretches from Konigsberg in a East South-Easterly direction all the way to the steppe between Don and Volga.

In two and a half years of fighting the Red Army suffered casualties severe enough to force any nation to surrender, but somehow they managed to take all this and not only maintain but also improve their field army. Strategically, Germany has conquered herself some vital parts of European Russia, but the production capacity Russia managed to develop beyond the Urals is beyond reach of the Wehrmacht and Russian production figures have not once dropped below those of Germany.

Time was starting to run out...

[george1972]

The front North of the Pripet marshes starts to pivot as both parties concentrate their attacks on their respective left flanks.

[george1972]

The Southern front is splitting into 4 separate battles. A dilution of strength Germany should have avoided, since it would have serious consequences on her ability to maintain control the situation.

The German newsreels proudly show Wehrmacht troops marching across the great square of Kharkov once more as the city falls into German hands for the 4th time in under 3 years. The city becomes a symbol for the swinging fortunes and volatility of the war in the South.

More ominous news comes from the Romanian army group: its opponent is growing by the day and they decide to withdraw.

[rominet]

Hi

What are you using as software for your screen and the drawing?

Thanks!

[seille]

For the screenshots i´m using "SimpleScreenshot", but there are lots of similar programs
available.
For the drawing i´m using paintshop pro.

[seille]

Turn 48 Russia.

The first turn in 1944 made me happy when i realized the germans moved back bigger parts
of their AG Center and the Romanian army group. This allowed me to recapture Minsk
for free.

[seille]

In the north i had two important things to do.
Prevent the germans from getting Dvinsk and capturing the undefended Minsk.
I was able to do both. I destroyed the former mighty SS unit close to Dvinsk
and reorganized the defense in the city self. Moved some of my planes out there
and also the HQ back over the Dvina.