OKH Plan 1942 - Alpha AAR

[gingerbread]

At the difficulty level you are playing, are the combat abilities of the Soviets enhanced?

I want to know if the defence in the hexes would be equally powerful if I played the soviet side vs a human playing the Axis, or if more would be needed to achieve the same effect that you are facing.

/g

[PyleDriver]

(DAR) OKH activated 3rd PzA, there iching for a fight. I had to pull alot of strings to make this happen. 27th PzD just arrived and 20th PzD has been rested this whole time and is ready to jump into battle...More pressure, but lack of time...It's not on my side...

[SGHunt]

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

Things have gone from bad to worse now...

I don't see it that way just yet!

You have a good pocket still, with two rail crossings as prizes.

There's an opportunity to drive a bit harder as well, going through that HQ stack, and you can re-set that pocket.

You also encircle Ryazan and drive North beyond it.

And 3rd PzA and Model link up through the lakes to the NW, with 2 fresh Pz Divs and a Mot Div!

What's the problem? [;)]

Stuart

[janh]

I'd agree. I looks quite promising, except for the upcoming rains. But maybe luck will also be on your side with the weather. Unless there are a lot of hidden AI units around Moscow, or the AI pulls formations up from the northern and southern sectors, I don't foresee anything stopping you from encircling Moscow in the next 8 weeks.

And I would say AI so far has done quite well, at least meaning well within the limits of using historic tactics of that precise time frame. It would be nice to be able to select at the beginning of a game whether AI will act accord with the historic evolution, or whether it will be smarter and use say 1944 tactics already rightaway. In that case I would have expected AI in this scenario to counterattack more often with its armor concentrations and force you to react instead of leaving the whole initiative to you.

[PyleDriver]

Well guys, If haven't thrown in the towel... Theres just alot of things going on with timing and armor losses that don't add up to what I need...I been looking at this for two days thinking what to do next (plus a lack of time to play). I needed some dream power (I like to sleep over things)... However, I will still press this fight...

[PyleDriver]

(DAR) Harps's XXXXI PzC joined the party... Model pressed hard and moved a vital railhead forward. He needs to get a bridgehead over the Klyazma to his left to flank Moscow...

[PyleDriver]

(DAR) Armins corp has a new task, don't let Models supply line fail. The rail junction at Likhoslavl (yellow arrow) must be held... In the mean time he had to kick the crap out of something, another city bites the dust...

[janh]

Hoth approaching Moscow within 40 miles from the south, and Model within 40 miles as well... This will be a huge pocket in the west of Moscow... see how AI will "think" about that. Very interesting! Increase OP-tempo!

[PyleDriver]

I'm pretty sure their reserves are based there (Moscow), and the weather is about to change. I think with my postion I still have a chance at the goal... Remember I'm out produced 4 to 1 in armor, and the Americans joined the party now...I go down to 70% of production/replacements in 43 going east and lend lease really begins to kick in then also...I'll see how a winter offence holds out. They will have time to dig in over the mud months, and I won't blead my armor...Hum...

[SGHunt]

Joel reckons three weeks to the mud, so Hoth has this turn and two more to come, tops.   I'm with Jan on tempo - this must be the time to throw caution to the wind.   Can you get Hoth over the Moskva this turn?!  It's only 20 miles![;)]   If you don't pull it off now, I guess you never will.

Looking towards Ryazan, I've just noticed there's no rail link over the river there!   So where do the panzers go and remain in supply?   Or do you just take the plunge and strike North North West?  Time to roll the die?

If you manage to complete the encirclement, can the mud be to your advantage?   Then, assuming you have and can maintain supply to the front lines, it will be you that is digging in and the Russians that are starving!

Looking forward to next big screenie!

[ComradeP]

That railroad coming into Moscow from the Northeast might be the crucial one, as you can cut the others without too much trouble if you can keep the advance going.

[SGHunt]

Yes, Comrade - I was thinking Model should insert Harpe's Pz Korps into that hex where the Klyazma bends away to the East and the rail line crosses the river  - leaving it to the infantry and the 3rd Pz Armee to fill in the gaps! 

This turn there is only a 1=1 division and a 0=0 unit in the way - next turn of course...

[PyleDriver]

(BAR) Tambov...Kleist was hit hard agian, 122 AFV losses. Not sure how many are permanent. It was a hit and run agian. 16th PzD was airdroped supplies at the cost of 92 transports. His PzA is still drawing attention in the center, but growing weaker...

[Hard Sarge]

don't you just love that hit and run ?

those can really hurt

[ComradeP]

Did the AI completely abandon Tambov and the strong position it had there?

[SGHunt]

Maybe time to go over to the defence here (where else is there to go?  And besides hasn't Kleist done his job?)   So occupy Tambov, dig in along the river and send your best, a reinforced Pz Korps, North by rail to help Hoth?  16th PzD into winter quarters at Lipetsk, to lick their wounds?    Everyone else shuffles up the line North, to free up a couple more divisions to provide flank defence for the push to encircle Moscow.

BTW, Jon - if my running commentary is a pain, just ask me to stop.   If it sounds like I'm trying to teach you anything you don't already know far better than me, please note that it's only my excitement!    I've never taken part in a forum like this before (I've lurked on plenty) and I don't really know if it's OK to post so much, or with so many ideas...
Stuart

[ComradeP]

Stuart, personally I think it's quite nice to have a debate to accompany the AAR, as that's what makes AAR threads interesting: the mix of the AAR and comments by others.

Of course, this is Jon's thread, so he could ask the debate to stop, but he said earlier he's OK with talk about strategy/what's happening in the game.

BTW: As using first names now seems to be the standard: My name's Pieter.

[SGHunt]

Thanks, Pieter.  

Now, I've been looking at it and I have maybe glimpsed Jon's intent with the Pz Corps East of Ryazan.  It would be possible to drive North along the West bank of the Pra, and then turn West and attempt to link up with Hoth as he crosses the Moskva using his 21-45 stack, these driving East over the river not North.   This would create a very large pocket, a huge hole in the front lines South East of Moscow and force the Russians to commit reserves.  Hoth's other Corps could continue to push directly NE towards the E of Moscow, after tidying up the pocket to their SW.   It would be bold (and risky) but may be the last push needed to crack the defence, especially with the pressure coming in from Model and 3rd Pz A.

It would require the armies further South to commit to holding the flank lines, even as far as the Pra river line North of the Oka, and thus halting the Kleist offensive and shuffling North, as I suggested before.   I also believe the Pz Korps that could then be detached from Kleist's army could be deployed overland, just behind the front line, rather than by train, to exploit the thrust East of Ryazan in a couple of turns.   (Or more likley help to fight off the inevitable massive counter attack!)

Jon, what do you think?
Stuart

[PyleDriver]

Guys as I've said before this is a S&T sight. So feel free to comment.... Got you guys thinking and wishing for this release...This is really a tough turn, so much hangs on what I do...

[SGHunt]

Hey, sleep on it - but do reflect on my last post.   I think it could work, depending on whether there is light resistance North of Ryazan and along the Pra!   Do you have any air recon left?  

Oh, and good luck and good hunting!
S