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South 1

Pulling back to the Dnepr and Kiev. Going to hold East Kiev and the small towns outside.

Red line marks my proposed line.

South 2

Decision time. Should I go with red line or blue line defense? A lot of troops are shifting right now. I just do not have the troops to defend that frontage. Unless I rely heavily on my Allies and I don't trust them during Blizzard.

Interesting to fall back that much, but we shall see how it goes. I don't really know what you plan for Leningrad in 1942, but if nothing major there, I think you got a bit of an overcommitment north of Lake Peipus. I am sure you can use some of those units a bit further south. Its not exactly like if he breaks through up there that you won't know he is coming from a long way away and if he wants to wear himself out retaking Estonia, then by all means let him and you send a panzer drive right up his tailpipe along the two lakes and cut anything he sent there off.

Just a reminder for planning purposes is that swamps and rivers are not as effective terrain in blizzard (minor rivers are frozen solid). I would look to fortify every rough hex between Pskov and Velikie Luki I could. The other thing is I would be digging double fort lines at the least and triple of the Soviets give you the time and opportunity. A single German division can usually dig pretty quick, so I would consider spreading them out a bit. I would look at going with a straight line to the SE from Velikie Luki to Smolensk and the reason is as old for as long as hex board games have been around.

As long as you run a diagonal line, the most he can get on a hex is 2 stacks. If you try to go with a vertical line, he can get 3 stacks of guys on a lot more of your line, which is really bad for you. This also gives you the shortest possible line, freeing troops up to defend in depth or send troops to trouble spots.

Down south, I would again use a diagonal line rather than trying to defend the river, which will add a lot of length to your line. You won't get the full effect of the river defense when you need it (blizzard) but he will get it back in the spring when you want to attack and I don't know trying to crack that river line again against dug in Soviets that will be stronger than you likely faced in 1941 would be much fun at all. If you do decide to stick with the river defense, I would look to keep some bridgeheads where it makes some sense.

You are quite correct to not trust the allies during winter. Have them on digging duty as much as you can so you can keep your good troops in the line. The exception are allied mountain units. Those are not affected by the blizzard conditions, so I would make sure they are resting up during mud because they should be used at critical points of your line. Don't forget your two German mountain units will also be in good shape as well.

Up to Nov 41........nothing to report, mud everywhere. Pulling back and digging in. As much as I can due to mud, mud, more mud.

Turn 22. Nov 13,1941

Finally snow. Digging in is progressing. Lots of level 2 and 3 forts. Armor/Mech units heading or in major cities. Right now, my front line is almost all double stacked. Soon I will drop them to single Div and move the others back 1-2 hexes to dig in again.

I have a ton of AP's, should I build a slew of forts to start the digging in process behind the lines?

Turn 23.

We are almost to the Blizzard turns. (sigh) This is going to hurt. Most fort level's at 3. Still some at level 2. Russian units have not entered my buffer zone in the south. So figure 1-2 Blizzard turns before they hit me in force.

Try as I might, I just cannot keep the Romanians off the line. It is just too long. Will have to just cross my fingers and pray.

Other than digging in and repairing rails. Nothing has happened across the entire front. Not a shot fired.

If you are going to put Rumanians in the line, I hate to say it since it will lead to more German casualties, but I would consider sticking them in cities where the effects of blizzard will be less. If you leave them in the open, they are total garbage except for the mountain units. I would also be considering where you are going to use your mountain units in defense at or if you try to use them as a fire brigade in the case of the Germans. 

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR
I have a ton of AP's, should I build a slew of forts to start the digging in process behind the lines?

No one knows except the testers. Why not try it and see if it helps?

ORIGINAL: 2ndACR

I have a ton of AP's, should I build a slew of forts to start the digging in process behind the lines?

I think that is an excellent use of forts. Be aware of a couple things:

1. They do siphon-off manpower from the Pool. At the moment that isn't an issue, but keep that in mind if you REALLY need more replacements

2. Do not ever expose them to Combat. That is a complete waste of manpower.

Are you going to break down the mountain divs or leave them as division?

I am thinking of leaving them as Div. First Blizzard facing a human so expecting the worse. Or should I break them down? I have 2 turns till Blizzard to make final preps. Just waiting on turn to arrive. I hate leaving my armor on the line, but they are all in town (single units) or City (double units). Just not enough infantry to hold a solid line. Buffer in front of Kiev is 8 hexes. In the far south, it is 4-6 and he has to cross the Dnepr there. Central it is about 3-6 hexes and up north only 2 hexes.

I don't trust the Romanians as far as I can throw them. I have gotten a few to decent morale levels, and trying to keep them in town/cities. The ones on the open will be doubled up with Germans.

Turn 24

The stuff is about to hit the fan. Lots of screen shots today. I feel this will be a brutal, brutal winter. Not nearly enough casualties.

Now for lots of pics of defense line etc.

North Zone 1

North Zone 2

Central Zone 1

Central Zone 2

South Zone 1

South Zone 2

South Zone 3

Rail Zone 1

Rail Zone 2