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Hi Smirfy. I agree 100%. Actually, until the AI is fixed, I think that every VP location and/or other major urban hex should get the following created automatically with zero MPs and no return to the pool if disbanded:

1. RR units that represent the local railway work force being sent back to work by the occupiers/liberators. These will fix the rail in that hex and then disband automatically.
2. A garrison unit to deal with partisans or stay-behind enemy stragglers.
3. A Fortress unit that appears from autumn '41 onwards.

If a player wants to defend the hex with more powerful units, he can disband these auto garrisons as he wishes.

Turn 61.

Well, the AI has finally responded to my advance by pulling Panzer units out of the line near Chernigov and and sending them north to counter attack. He has:

1. Broken through to relieve a pocketed infantry division.

2. Pulled back his exposed Pz Div and abandoned 6 infantry divisions to their fate.

3. Smashed my cavalry and tank spearheads on the Mogilev road.

4. Countered one of my probes south of Bryansk.

I am actually relieved!

The AI's line around Chernigov is now thinned out as desired. I will launch an offensive toward Gomel this turn.

The resistance in the south is stiff, but I have made an initial shallow bridgehead.

The panzer units defending Mogilev turned out to be weaker than I expected and I made good ground there.

How many recon missions do you perform?

Recon shows that Mogilev is undefended at the moment, so a quick rush next turn may take it.

I do an AI recon most turns and then I recon enemy units in the front line if the DL level is below 10, which is rare.

I also check major hubs and cities for enemy reserves, but as the AI has none left, that's a bit of a waste of time at the moment.

Logging off

It was just a general question, seeing as to how the panzers showed up.

Turn 62

Mogilev, undefended (3 VPs to me without a fight!) will fall on my next move

And at Chernigov the AI has pulled out to create a line 1 hex longer than it would have been, ceding another 3 VPs as well as the benefits of urban terrain to the defence.

There was a fort value of 3 in this hex and the AI prefers an open hex with zero fort value.

There is very clearly an issue here that needs to be fixed.

Note - I have not attacked this hex - the AI pulled out during its turn.

"Objective Gomel".

In keeping with the operational plan agreed with STAVKA, Mogilev & Chernigov have both been seized by the glorious soldiers of the Red Army this day.

Stalin has issued the two word command "Objective Gomel". Gomel is now the key to cutting the only rail supply route remaining in the Axis centre. By driving on Gomel simultaneously from north and south in a classic pincer, the fate of the German Armee Gruppe Mittel (AGC) may be sealed, and with it the fate of Germany and her allies.

I decide to make a risky airborne drop to capture the bridges at Gomel. I am gambling that:

1. This will cut AGC supply and dramatically reduce its combat strength.

2. No major combat units are in the immediate vicinity of Gomel.

3. I can advance quickly enough to rescue my elite paratroopers.

Strategic situation and plan - end of turn 62.

It is possible that the AI has a surprise in store for me, but at the moment it appears as if it intends to just "lie back and enjoy the ride". Maybe OKH has issue a no retreat order?

Turn 63.

Well, that didn't work! I underestimated enemy strength.

The AI eliminated by paratroops and counter-attacked my Dnepr bridgeheads in the south of the bulge, driving most of my troops back across the river.

On the Mogilev side of the bulge a weak line is forming. I must break this immediately and regain the initiative, before I get bogged down in an attritional battle for which I lack the reserves.

I shift the focus of the attack in the south about 50k east, to attack the weakest part of the enemy's line.

This assault achieves the desired breakthrough and threatens to link up with my units advancing from the north, forming a Bryansk pocket which could contain 14 Infantry, 3 Mot and 3 Pz Divs, unless the AI moves quickly to breakout.

I have scraped together every remaining reserve unit I can find, from Tikvin to Rostov and moved them by train to the railhead near Smolensk.

Turn 64.

the AI is fighting like a demon. It has shifted forces to counter my break though and hit me hard.

However, this has further thinned the AI's line near Chernigov, where I still have substantial forces in situ, so I will renew the attack in that sector...

This is just about the toughest fight I have had vs. a computer opponent.

One more heave...

The strategic situation at the end of turn 64.

A huge victory is within my grasp. Will the AI snatch it from me?