THE IMPORTANCE OF GORKY
In the last defensive plan issue by the supreme commander, Gorky and Yaroslavl were not consider important objectives and supposedly are to be abandon if necessary.
As well that all forces are too fall back behind the Volga River.
This can NOT and should NOT be done! Gorky is a major Industrial Center. you can do the math your selfs, the total cost of evacuation is a whooping 470 816 rail capacity!!
that is
5 turn worth,
I repeat 5 turns!! and it implies we don't transport ANY troops what so ever during those 5 turns.
I'm not even mentioning Dzerzhinsky(e), 2 hexes west of Gorky with a LaGG-3 factory, 2 Armaments and 2 Heavy Industry with an evacuation cost of 53056, about half a turns worth of rail cap.
For all intents and purpose, Gorky is the new Soviet Capital, with its Industry and 25 manpower and should be defended as such, AT ALL COST!! I propose the fallowing plan for the final defense of Gorky.
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the black lines represent a general defensive perimeter, red lines are "NOT a STEP back!", the blue lines are a bonus objective to try to hold if possible with weak units.
Do NOT despair! at the final front lines with low supply, a strong defense can not be overcame, Central commander! gather Zhukov, Rokossovky, Zhakarov, Tolbokhin and any others if you have too!!
and the Volga itself can and should be guarded by weak formations in areas at risk of crossings, a simple tank brigade or AT-brigade is enough for the peaceful areas(they require an actual attack by the enemy).
and at least 1 decent division should Garrison Gorky and Yaroslavl at all times.
WHY a defense in front of the Volga is important.
The last defensive plan called for the eventual retreat behind the Volga, while it is true we have far to few troops for a pro-active defensive, we should try at the very least the form a "outer ring" in Yaroslavl.
1st off, the worst out came, the Germans forming a "Volga line" is the most ideal for the Axis! they have zero reasons to go beyond the Volga, the Germans would just fortify along the river until Blizzard.
that way, only once the Volga river is completely frozen, and no longer effects movement or combat, do the Axis calmly withdraw, while we try at best to catch up. Remember infantry in blizzard takes
3! MP to move to any hex, motorize is
worse.
Ice levels go from 0 to 10, at snow weather, ice levels go up by +1 per turn. during blizzard its +4 for North Soviet zone, +3 for central soviet zone, +2 for south soviet zone and +1 for Europe zone.
with presumed 3 sown turns that is ice level 3, in the 1st blizzard turn is now ice level 7. giving huge penalties to movement and thus a valuable turn of blizzard is wasted.
there is also the point that any redraw must be executed with care. the Industries of Ivanovo, Yaroslavl and Rebisk can NOT be forgotten.
Ivanovo - 3 Armaments, 3 Heavy Industry = 38400 rail cap.
Rebisk - 2 Armaments, 2 Heavy Industry = 25600 rail cap.
Yaroslavl - 3 Armaments, 2 Heavy Industry, 5 Vehicles = 56400! rail cap.
while Ivanovo and Rebisk can be evacuate and are acceptable losses, as long as the Outskirts are defended until the evacuation is complete.
Yaroslavl must stand proud! not only is it quite expensive to evacuate, it has the Volga at its back! an excellent counter to encirclements!!
and the Outer Ring aspect of the plan is Important because it is necessary that our forces are not easily contain, in order to conduct an effective Blizzard offensive of course.
to make the situation more easy for the central front. this area in particular can be lightly defended.
I'm willing to bet that because of the Terrain, this area is likely to be ignored by the enemy, a push here will not harm our situation much.
and to compound why we should adopt this strategy, remember there is still the industry in the South. too much demand for rail capacity.
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