Red Star Ascending Axis (BrianG) VS Soviet (HLYA) All Welcome

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 The air force "MAD BOMBS" everything that moves

Not sending my air force EN MASSE to the Reserve has racked up some nice kills for me during the turn. Not to mention my interdiction is doing well. Here is a bomb run on a hex for all those people that send their Airforce to reserve forever. Enjoy.

Yes, that is 182 men lost Get off your butts and get that Air force rock and rolling. The Germans are not everywhere on the damn map. Just make it happen.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Total Loses

10 to 1 total ratio But I like the Germans at 30k+ in loses. The more the better.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Loses Soviets caused to Germans

Here is the control factor if you will. But I was able to inflict 2,820 German loses to my 22,530. I will take that even though it is not the greatest. Hell the freaking program is weighed heavily in German favor. I guess I am lucky to get what I got ;-P

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Air loses

Air has been pretty much interdiction up to turn 2 so far. I am happy to leave it there.

164 German

TO

525 Soviet

I am set up for either type of Airwar. See what the wind blows in the next few turns.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 ending OOB

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Pskov end of turn

The pocketed SEC units that I hardly knew I got to meet again!!! YEA!!! Was able to break them out and in turn counter surround the Panzers of the North. Notice also that some of the Panzers are low on supply(Red). From me attacking them Their fuel is also Red. So we become family and I go up for some hugs. You will also notice units coming online with Reserve movement. My criteria for Reserve movement is under 25 fatigue (20 and under is best). Anything over that I have had very bad luck on even with the Germans.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Velikie Luki end of turn

The Tank Division that was hiding under the Airborne HQ becomes known by cutting the Northern Panzer off from supply for turn 3. I was also able to recapture some of my TREES!!!! in the VL forest. I also set up some reserves behind the line for this area. Every opportunity MUST be made to have reserves. If you don't you need to practice doing so. Or you can just suffer.

I have no illusions that I am going to be on the end of another encirclement on any of the fronts. Playing with fire like this will get you burned.

Both the Northern Front and Northwest Front are under their Command limit.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Minsk end of turn

All quit on the Minsk cauldron front. I was able to put a supply squeeze to the PZ Corps to the east of Minsk bringing the MP's to 48 for delivery of supplies.

Brians Rail net reached Vilnius this turn and another went north of Kanaus.

Yes, those are two Armor and a Mech unit on refit to the east of Smolensk

Again reserves are set up. It is a must do for the Soviets. If you need help in setting up reserves please call 1-800-Reserves-NOW!!!

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Gomel end of turn

2 areas squeezed on supply to forward Germans. Local attacks on the PZ did not have much effect other than getting from bright green to a darker green Bleh

Again Reserves are set up

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Kiev end of turn

I was able to move the regiment in the yellow circle and re-establish contact with the Southwestern army. Pretty much 90-95% of the Southwestern army Brian has surrounded or in a broken circlement. I have no illusions that more units are going to be lost but I am feeding the Beast. I just hope I don't run out of units too soon. I continue my attacks to burn fatigue and supplies on the PZ/Moto units. The mass loss of Soviet life is horrid for very few Germans if any at all.

Again I have reserves set up. You will notice that I counter surround Brians Panzers which are now cut off from supply.

You will also notice that I have brought up a Kharkov Army. This way I get around the Southwestern Command point limit. PLUS!!!! wait for it.... The Kharkov Air commander has GOOD ratings I also bring up the Southern army and assign the HQ that has Konev in it to that front. I now have a good commander on the front line in the South. Brian finds him turn 3 As the Soviets you can get a well led army if you do a few things for free. Like the beginning of turn 3 I get an excellent leader for the Western Front(of course the Western front commander gets the Axe) then the next leader (Zhokov) gets an Army command. All of this for no points spent on the leader front. Just need to be patient and leaders start falling into your lap I even go and disband some HQ's. Yes I said it and I know it is taboo!! But there is a method to the madness.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Vinnitsa End of turn

I was able to cut off the northern part and the southern part to cut off the Panzers of the South. I also do attacks on Panzers to keep them fatigued and to use up supplies. In my tests depending on the leader you will get 10-20 fatigue back a turn at a minimum. By keeping panzers in combat all the time and wasting their supply the Soviets are able to do more losses to them. Sooner or later I am sure Brian will realize this and start protecting them. (of course he can read this too and then he would know) But of course then that is what I want because infantry is the soft underbelly and I can do more damage to them in my tests. It is just a very difficult game to play is all. I will get burned and yes I have said it many times.

Again I set up reserves and Konev is in control of the top Southern units on the map. He is pretty good so I expect at least 2-4 reserve activation from my units which are under 15 fatigue

So far the Stalin offense is progressing nicely.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 Odessa End of turn

The Stalin offense in the South was able to recapture Kishinew & displace 2 Rumanian airbases marked with red star(of course they were bombed but Soviet bombers were so bad they hit Polesti instead of the damn airbase) (I bet Brian goes and looks at Polesti now ;-P ) We also take over the Mountains on the front and set up a defense. Very minimal reserves are set up here and I feel naked

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 2 end thoughts

I have been able to take advantage of items that Brian has left open. You can't do that against me or I will make you pay for them. I am sure it is because Brian is used to the Soviet side and it has been a long time since playing the Germans. But I also know that Brian is a very quick learner and I am soon to be on the receiving end of that stick. So far I am curious of what effect if any my attacks are doing. Turn 3 does show promise but I can't chalk it up to my constant attacks but more of me cutting off the supply in general. Anyway, turn 3 awaits onward!!!

[dcaflak]

Oh my, you gave the Germans a bloody nose and ensured some of their panzers will barely budge in the next turn! I don't know much about this game, but I'm really impressed. From what I've seen, usually the first turns are just the Soviets being tossed around like ragdolls and the Germans barely sutaining any losses. That the Soviets would inflict this level of casualties and annoyance to the Germans feels...more historically accurate, if nothing else.

Well it surely is satisfying to watch and read [:)] Stay strong, commander! no matter what, we WILL have the final victory!

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Just an update that I am currently on holiday touring in Europe and will not be back to the states until the end if the month. At which time i will update the AAR which I currently have turn 7in my possession.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

I am back from Europe & have sent turn 7 to BrianG. I appreciate BrianG's patience in waiting while I was on Holiday.

Of all the turns in this game turn 8 is my least favorite as the Soviets. It is the witching hour where bad things tend to happen. I will bring the AAR up to date in the next few days.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

I have been reluctant to post anything on either of the two games that I have been doing. Reluctant because I did not the direct outcome as I have had in the past. (I am not playing the Pskov Defense) I believe I have both games under control but it is a nail bitter for sure. Matter of fact I have had no time to post anything because all my time was utilized to get the turns accomplished. Bearing that in mind I had to put my game with Beender on hold until a time in the future. The game is not closed but just on hold. (Bonus for Beender so now he gets to read and see what I am doing against BrianG, bleh

I just sent turn 14 back to BrianG a few minutes ago and this game hangs in the balance by a shoestring. I did liven it up so will have to see his response. Again I iterate that I am playing up front when I can with the Germans. I will spread if I think an HQ buildup was done to get a defense in depth to restrict movement. I will then consolidate and set up to restrict movement points there too. I am not stacking more than ONE (1) unit per hex unless I intend to do a hold at all cost stand. Yes, I did stack on a turn when I should have not done so. But I do have to be hit in the head from time to time to get the information through my thick head. BrianG slaughtered those units . Oh well. I will ALSO use rail to move all replacements and reinforcements to the front line as quickly as possible. This has its pro's and con's but so far it hasn't worked out too bad.

Without further fanfare on to turn 3. Unless of course, no one wants to see the crap I post.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

By the way, you are free to read and post in here BrianG. Added comments from the opposing side is always nice.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 3 Pskov BoT (Beginning of Turn)

Brian does not have a strong push towards Pskov.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

Turn 3 Pskov EoT (End of Turn)

I set up a defense in depth. Yes they can be herded pretty easy but I will take the Panzers using their MP's to herd them. You will also notice I don't always set up behind rivers since some river defenses will get you in more trouble than they are worth. Here it is not worth the effort. But of course, I have a weird sense of defense

Please note the units in reserve movement. All of those units are under 25 fatigue. I know it doesn't matter per the rules but I have always found this the best.