Against the Grain – An Axis 1941 GC

[jasonbroomer]

T58 Moscow

New Soviet formations come to reinforce the final two hexes protecting Moscow from encirclement

T58 fresh troops buttress the neck of the cauldron.png (1.03 MiB) Viewed 2130 times

The northern 3 prove to be tough troops to crack

T58 Moscow 3rd bite of the cherry and cauldron sealed with victory in th esouth.png (2.23 MiB) Viewed 2130 times

Our offensive forces are deep enough to allow us 3 attacks, which is finally enough to achieve a break through. Panzer replacement battalions prove the Axis with extra punch, and as they are SUs, they are easy to refit

The 3 formations to the south prove to be an easier nut to crack and our first attack is successful

T58 1st time of asking.png (3.34 MiB) Viewed 2130 times

Moscow is sealed tight

[jasonbroomer]

T58 AGS Stalingrad


The Soviets launch a counter offensive led by the guards corps

T58 AGS the guards lead the way.png (2.09 MiB) Viewed 2126 times

However, the defences around Saratov now seem to be weak, can we attack here to force him to redeploy his counter offensive troops to the defence?

T58 Saratov defenses stripped.png (2.73 MiB) Viewed 2126 times

[jasonbroomer]

t58 AGS

Firstly, we'll use our panzers to blunt the main thrust of the Soviet counter offensive

T58 well that sorted that out.png (2.63 MiB) Viewed 2123 times

Then we'll herd some Soviets into a nice pocket

T58 Tambov filling the pocket.png (1.91 MiB) Viewed 2123 times

Which can be sealed shut and consumed next turn

T58 pocket filled and sealed.png (2.7 MiB) Viewed 2123 times

We still have some panzer forces so let's isolate this Soviet corps and force it to rout away

T58 Tambov lets just add to the Soviet woes.png (2.6 MiB) Viewed 2123 times

[jasonbroomer]

t58

We have been consistently running down the Soviet forces on the map since the start of the spring offensive, however, we have caused fewer casualties in the last couple of turns as we engineer the Moscow kessel.

T58 Is the soviet forces frown about to become a smile.png (705.41 KiB) Viewed 2122 times

Is the Soviet frown about to turn into a smile?

[Stamb]

i dont see Soviet bombers, was it house ruled ?

[jasonbroomer]

No, I'm not sure why they didn't fly. With Moscow incapacitated, supply down single track rails from places like Saratov may be limited. Looking back through the game, MSAG seems to have only used them for interdiction, in particular targeting GA on leading panzer formations

[Stamb]

if MSAG is reading this then GS must be used, it is very effective now, especially tactical bombers

[jasonbroomer]

T59 Moscow

We first attempt to capture Moscow West, as we will need this hex to assault Moscow itself.

t59 Moscow W, not as heavily defended as expected.png (2.45 MiB) Viewed 2042 times

It fell surprisingly easily, well perhaps not considering that it was facing an entire assault army, almost a quarter million strong, made up of veterans and led by an able general.

The key seems to have been pioneers, the siege artillery only had a minor impact

t59 Moscow W, pioneers are the key.png (1.28 MiB) Viewed 2042 times

[jasonbroomer]

T59 AGS

Air recon doesn't identify too many threats in this sector. Where are the Russians? I know that we have been pounding them, but there are still 5.5m of them.

t59 recon.png (1.72 MiB) Viewed 2038 times

Anyway, our blood is up, let's just ravish them. Firstly tidying up last turn's pocket

t59Tambov, 3 corps dealt with.png (2.95 MiB) Viewed 2038 times

Then ravage the front that we started on last turn

t59 smashing in another front.png (2.62 MiB) Viewed 2038 times

[jasonbroomer]

T60 Moscow

Model and Guderian rest and prepare for the coming assault

T60 Model prepares for hopefully the coup de grace.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 2031 times

Tambov

The Russians have finally come alive and threaten my massively undermanned flank between Moscow and Tmbov

T60 The front comes alive.png (3.22 MiB) Viewed 2031 times

But real embarrassment comes further south, as the Russians ignore my offensive and strike hard and deep destroying my supply for 11th Army

T60 cripples my supply line.png (2.86 MiB) Viewed 2031 times

Around Rostov, the defenders pocket my troops that were about to pocket them

T60 some embarrassment around Rostov.png (2.31 MiB) Viewed 2031 times

Am I getting too cocky?

[jasonbroomer]

T60 AGS Response

The campaign against Stalingrad cannot continue without risk to the encirclement of 6th and 11th Armies. I am not 'the world's greatest general' so I concede that I must withdraw,

T60 AGS troops extracted from peril .png (2.5 MiB) Viewed 2028 times

Around Rostov, we smash the counteroffensive and reseal the pockets. Bizarrely, the Italians had to be called upon to restore order

T60 Rostov taken after defender sallied forwards.png (2.69 MiB) Viewed 2028 times

Further north, mobile elements of 3rd Panzer were already on their way towards Tambov and, although tired after their recent attacks, 1st Pz are able to stabilise the situation

T60 AGS situation stabilised.png (3.66 MiB) Viewed 2028 times

[jasonbroomer]

T61

AGS begins to look to be in a precarious position, and the Kessel begins to warm

T61 AGS Thoughts of Saatov diminish.png (2.54 MiB) Viewed 2025 times

Rostov, again our pockets are reversed and the Romanians on a land grab get a good kicking

T61 AGS Roms get hurt in their grab for land.png (2.68 MiB) Viewed 2025 times

The Russians attempt to break the Moscow siege, with a huge 250,000 men assault

T61 Moscow Moscow spoling attacks are flickd aside.png (3.47 MiB) Viewed 2025 times

...but these are flicked aside

[jasonbroomer]

T61 Moscow

The entire 3rd Pz is thrown at Moscow, either directly or on reserve activation.

T61 Moscow entire 2nd Pz committed to storm Moscow, only one reserve activation triggered.png (3.41 MiB) Viewed 1949 times

A comfortable success. I quickly tidy up the situation in the south and return the turn with a message about accepting terms. I have 755 VPs, which I need to hold on to for 6 turns before the next sudden victory check.

MSAG concedes at this juncture and I thank him for a greatly enjoyable game. This game has shown that the Axis can pummel the Soviets defending open terrain during the first half of 1942. MSAG admits that he has been too passive, my guess is that he may have been scarred by his previous game against Tyronec. It is surprising how personal confidence/morale affects your play as a wargamer.

This has been my first PvP game and it has been very instructive. I finally now feel that I have mastered most of the mechanics of how to use the operating system and I am eager to develop my tactical and strategic insights. Taking control of the Axis forces in 1941 feels like being given the keys to an expensive sports car.

[jasonbroomer]

Post Game Stat Porn

T61 Air Losses.png (904.06 KiB) Viewed 1948 times

T61 Destroyed.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 1948 times

T61 Fighter aces.png (1.61 MiB) Viewed 1948 times

T61 Losses.png (610.63 KiB) Viewed 1948 times

[jasonbroomer]

T61 OoB.png (657.82 KiB) Viewed 1947 times

T61 Top divisions.png (1.56 MiB) Viewed 1947 times

[Stamb]

nice AAR, thanks for doing it!

[Hardradi]

Well played, congrats on the win.

[Veterin]

An interesting game and congrats on your win