BrianG v. HYLA (no hard luck)

[corbon]

Take this advice with a large pinch of salt. I only ever play against the AI due to time/response/availability issues. So I'm aware things are very different playing against a human.

The three things I notice are:
1. The presence of low quality (German) commanders. I've seen several in battle reports that have only 5 Inf rating, with no more than 6 Morale rating and also low admin. I guess you have other uses for Admin points, but I make leader replacement quite a high priority until I have at least 6Inf/6Mor everywhere, preferably 7s with one rating, or with also at least 6 Admin. In every German combat corps at least. I saw Jodl commanding one attack, he's a 3/3 Mech/Inf!

2. There often seems an enormous CC jumble, with units from multiple Armies interspersed thoroughly. I''m sure you are being careful about HQ proximity etc, but maybe that is having some effect?

3. I notice a lot of 'white' units. Which means they are not attached to any army, at best to an army group or even OKH. While there can be overloading problems, I find it makes a big difference getting these attached somewhere.

As I said, I only play against the AI, so this advice may be already well understood, or not entirely relevant. But those things stood out for me.

[MattFL]

Russians will be in Paris by spring ‘45 the way this is going. Sorry Brian, but this is a bit of a mess from the German perspective. 🧐. Entertaining as an AAR though so thanks for sharing and I’m looking forward to seeing if you can turn it around in ‘42.....a bit of rest and refit after a long winter can do wonders.... that and maybe 3-4 nukes might just do the trick. 😊👍

[Dinglir]

If everyone else is coming with their advice, I'll offer mine as well.

I think you are right in trying to take Leningrad. While the move is the obvious one, you will need to get the Finns into the war to free up German resources elsewhere.

However, the attack on Leningrad will soon devolve into a slugfest with heavy Soviet defenses on virtually every hex between you and the city. The Soviets will also concentrate heavy air forces in the area, which means your attacks will suffer great attrition. You will need to stop wasting your air force and concentrate virtually everything in this area.

The Soviets will assist this with a series of heavy counterattacks elsewhere (especially as the Luftwaffe can not intercede). You need to be prepared for this.

On the ground, the "good" news are that your Panzers will not be very usefull in attacking the swamps, rivers and urban hexes of this area. Using infantry at 100% TOE, with "Refit" and stuffed full of Pioneers will probably be the way to go. This will also save your Panzers for the battles to the south.

As for who will win: In history, Adolf argued (in late 1944) that the Germans would win the war, with the Battle of the Bulge. I do think your chances of winning at this point is greater than Adolf's at that point. Besides, giving up would certainly not improve your chances.....

[jbeil]

I think you're probably looking at a difficult game from here on unless you can achieve a pretty hefty series of encirclements between now and the next mud; your biggest problem is that in the south, where there are few troops, there's relatively little worth taking. If HYLA is determined to have a patchwork defence there, don't press it - transfer some corps up north and go for a big kessel before you hit Leningrad?

[iwolfhound]

Have no fear Brian, good solid tactics will get you though.

...and give us a great drama.

[Fanstar1]

is Moscow possible before October 42?

[BrianG]

Moscow is possible in 42. So says OKH

I've not spent ap on promotions I don't want to risk losing a good rating (Probably a bad strategy)

I seem to have plenty of promotion candidates available. how long till they would get promoted on their own?
I have no clue as to these natural promotions

I like messy. It confuses the other side.

cc is a mess. But I am trying to keep hq's within proper limits. The rumanians have been detached to Rumanian high command.

The Hungarians are part of Southern force and thus I need to take Rostov.
I have 3 or 4 German corp hq which are direct to OKH.

Paris in 44. ha! The Rhine works both ways.!

[BrianG]

The south pocket holds.

[BrianG]

Weather forecast is clear next two weeks in Central Soviet Zone.

We plan accordingly

[BrianG]

I needed to bring in panzers to finish off the south pocket due to the mud. I wanted this group removed from my rear area.

[BrianG]

So begins the German 1942 offensive to capture Leningrad, albeit one year late.

We are willing to sell naming rights to this operation.

We begin with a very heavy take no chances attack.

Overkill yes, but hey it's a nice announcement.

[BrianG]

3rd attack. trying to get up thru the clear hexes

[BrianG]

4th attack a rout

[BrianG]

working the right side of the river. Strong straight on attack

[BrianG]

I send in mech unit to the empty behind the lines hex stopping reserves from coming to this battle.

I get good kills during air interception

[BrianG]

With no way to retreat Russians start to rout away.

The high number of Russian fighters trying to defend the battle is spooky and unnerving.

[BrianG]

And for the key weekly battle I give you the attack lineup.

by the way and on a side note, I wish somehow the division name or number could be listed on the face of the counters.

Thanks

[BrianG]

Big win

Woop woop!

btw I have OKH and agn within 5 hexes of these battles.

damn 357 Russian fighters in support. that's alot

[BrianG]

Down south a double Russian reserve activation causes problems for the german attack

[BrianG]

The next attack caused some Deja vie but some how the decisions reversed into a german win.

Until I can get sufficient force down here my intention is to push onto the Don via the grind