1.04 The Wolf and the Bear (no Gids)

[Tarhunnas]

Production turn 12, filtered to German production.

[Tarhunnas]

A summary of industry captured so far.
Kremetchug
Ordzhonikidzegrad
Nikolaev
Kursk
Tula
Kalinin

Leningrad is ripe for the picking.

I don't know what happened really, the last two turns it seems like Soviet resistance is crumbling. Like they ran out of units. I am no expert on casualty calculation (I consider myslef an expert in inflicting them though [:D]) but it seems to me that Soviet casualties are not excessive at this point. Well, I will try not to succumb to victory disease again, but things do seem bright at this point.

[Mynok]

You're still in good shape to seal that big pocket next turn.

It might be interesting to see how many units you've destroyed in the last few turns.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Mynok

It might be interesting to see how many units you've destroyed in the last few turns.

Not all that many actually. They seem to rout a lot though, I would say in some sectors of the front half the Soviet units seem to be routed after my turn.

[Mynok]

That 51, plus the pretty decent numbers before that look telling. If you can get that big pocket set and eliminated, he'll be in a world of hurt for units.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


That 51, plus the pretty decent numbers before that look telling. If you can get that big pocket set and eliminated, he'll be in a world of hurt for units.

Yes, it does. The thing is, I can't really recall killing that many units on turn 10, nor can I see it when I look back at the AAR, but apparently I did.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Tarhunnas

ORIGINAL: Mynok


That 51, plus the pretty decent numbers before that look telling. If you can get that big pocket set and eliminated, he'll be in a world of hurt for units.

Yes, it does. The thing is, I can't really recall killing that many units on turn 10, nor can I see it when I look back at the AAR, but apparently I did.

Further investigation (serious interrogation of prisoners as to what unit they belonged to) reveals that apparently the main part of the 51 units were support units. I guess I bagged a couple of army HQs.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 13. Overview of northern part of front. Due to supply difficulties and Soviet remnants fighting with desperate ferocity, it proved impossible to close the big northern pocket. Still, the entire front north of Moscow is seriously unhinged.

Leningrad is now a mopping up operation for the infantry with the Ladoga port taken via the back door.

German infantry is making good progress through the defensive belts of Moscow. Hopeful German infantry officers raise their binoculars, looking for the glint of the sun on the cupolas of the Kremlin...

In Tula, the Grossdeutschland is still isolated after its rush to capture the city, despite hard attempts to reach them by friendly forces. The situation is beginning to look dangerous, even with the Luftwaffe doing its utmost to fly in supplies. Still, the capture of the industry in Tula makes the possible loss of a regiment worthwhile.

The panzer corps that arrives as reinforcements is sent straight to AGC, to help in the final assault on Moscow.

[Tarhunnas]

In the south, I forget to take a screenshot or do a save before I closeout the turn and send it. I usually make a save before pressing F12, then I can go back to the save and do the screenshots for the AAR in my own good time.

Anyway, back to the action, I will describe it in words. One panzer corps crossed the Dnepr between Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhe last turn along with some infantry. They also got a HQ buildup. The infantry can now clear a path for the panzers, and they make a spectacular breakout. In a slash and burn operation lone mobile divisions capture Stalino, Kharkov and Mariupol, all with their industry still left! No solid encirclements, but the capture of the industry is an objective in itself. As in Tula, these deep penetrations risk a unit here and there, but will seriously pull the rug out of the Soviet defense.

Below a picture of the result of the slash and burn operation at the start of turn 14, before German moves. As predicted, the penetrating divisions are stuck far out and isolated, but the Soviet armies are pulling back heels over head.

[Tarhunnas]

This is the central part of the front. Some medium size pockets were made there last turn. Shot before Axis turn 14, with isolated units highlighted.

[Tarhunnas]

Anttrail antipartisan defense. Note that partisans will not blow the rails adjacent to a combat unit. The FZs and regiments protect the rail line. The unit under the railbreak combat symbol is a construction unit with CV 0. Note anttrails going back to Germany on jump map.

[Tarhunnas]

Just discovered that the Sovits have had the gall to actually rout my Rumanian tank dividion! Wonder wherever they got the idea to pick on the Rumanians? [;)]

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 14 in the north, after Axis moves. The big mega-pocket is finally closed, though it will be broken. However, I have no doubt I will be able to reseal it, and with that seal the fate of all those Soviet units.

Leningrad is being mopped up and the Finns are trickling south.

LVII Panzer Corps have been moved up towards Borovichi from their somewhat ill-fated session at Staraja Russa to help with the final sealing of the pocket, hopefully next turn.

[Tarhunnas]

In the center, concentric attacks are closing in on Moscow, panzers from Kalinin and Kaluga and infantry from the centre. Large parts of the Moscow defenses are cut off. They will no doubt reestablish supply, but it will force them to leave their fortifications. OKH estimates it is now only a matter of time before Moscow falls.

Plans are being made to demobilize a large part of the army. Only security forces will have to remain in Russia. That winter clothing clogging the rail sidings in Poland can safely be sent back to the warehouses...

[Tarhunnas]

In the south, the SS Wiking division is cut off in ravaged Kharkov. It proved impossible to relieve them, so they will have to hold out for one turn more. However, otherwise the Soviet front is in shreds, and the chances of cutting off and destroying a large part of the Southern Front appear favorable.

The Crimea has been bypassed and that section of the front is left to the Rumanians to hold, That might backfire come winter, but the capturing of the cities in the eastern Ukraine seems more important.

[Tarhunnas]

Losses turn 14. We are closing up on the 3 million mark!

[Sabre21]

It doesn't appear that your opponent is very aggressive. He should have been making attacks from about turn 3 or 4 onwards. I spotted many Axis units that were susceptible to Soviet attacks. You tend to split up a lot of your units into regiments and against a good Soviet player those would be prime targets as would be any division with a defensive cv of 7 or less.
 
You've been able to maintain the strategic initiative throughout the game and making him dance to your tune so far. It appears he is on his last legs and any possible Soviet recovery at this point is probably non-existant.
 
What I would like to know is on what turns and how many times you might have used the Hq build-up? I noticed it being used a few times on various turns, but didn't keep track of it. 

[Tarhunnas]

As far as I can determine by memory and the AAR (and I feel pretty sure those are all), these are the HQ buildups I have made:

Turn 4: 2 Corps AGC (one in Pg2 and one in Pg3)
Turn 9: 1 Corps AGC
Turn 10: 1 Corps AGC
Turn 11: 2 Corps AGC (one in Pg2 and one in Pg3)
Turn 12: 2 Corps AGS

The turn number is the turn I did the buildup, the benefits of course would be in the subsequent turn. At present, turn 15, my truck situation is 156 (154).

I did HQ buildup on two corps this turn (15) in Pg2, to complete the surrounding of Moscow next turn (haven't had the time to write up the AAR for turn 15 yet).

As for Soviet counterattacks, there have been a number, and some have occasionally retreated regiments and displaced headquarters, only I have not mentioned them as they have generally been of little consequence for the greater picture, although they have inflicted casualties. I have noted that one consequence of units being retreated by counterattacks will be a morale drop, which can have important effects in that the division mauled will thereafter pay 3 MP instead of 2 to enter enemy controlled hexes, and that can make a big difference in a breakthrough.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 15. In the north, the Mega-Pocket at Vyshni Volochek is finally closed, and this time it should stay closed.

Meanwhile, the attack on Moscow goes forward...

[Tarhunnas]

... and the winner in the race for Moscow is a rather late entrant, the 2d Panzer Division, fresh from the Balkans. Exploiting a breakthrough at Kaluga, the 2d Panzer curls around Moscow and enters from the East! When the leading elements roll into the Red Square, crowds line the streets to cheer what they think are reinforcements heading for the front, but the crowds grow silent and enthusiasm turns to dismay as the distinctive coal scuttle helmets of the "reinforcements" are seen!

Map after German move. Note the "slime trail" that shows the route of 2d Panzer to the Red Square.