Oshawott (Russia) vs. Stef78 (Axis)

[Oshawott]

The numbers for T15

[loki100]

Looks like you have completely stopped the German offensive, especially if you are looking at 'quiet' sectors not as places where you are not under pressure but where you can carry out a few localised attacks.

Your Gds formation rate is impressive.

Am trying your trick of dedicating a few airbases just to the Il-2s, it does seem to speed the rate at which they rack up victories

[Oshawott]

I almost entirely rely on IL-2, Su-2 and U2VS for ground support in 41. I also use a couple of bombers but only because there are so few IL-2 at the beginning of the game. Bombers just use up too much supplies. I am always surprised how effective the Su-2 is. I always try to draw down the stockpile of Su-2. I still even use the Yak-2 tactical bomber regiment and it is a guard unit now.

When I play the Axis I always ask myself: Was the STUKA really such a horrible airplane? You can really only use them once before having to rotate them back into reserve. The Russian tactical bombers, however, can stay in combat almost permanently.

[bigbaba]

great job. the sheer number of succesful attacks is amazing. and holding crima and odessa can cause huge problems for axis when the blizzard begins.

about the Ju 87 and Il2 the game is very unrealistic. the stuka could operate with little risk over russia even in 1943 because of poor red army fighter tactics and fighter control. on the other hand the Il2 had its weakspots and was shot down in dozens by crack luftwaffe fighter pilots.

Otto Kittel for example downed dozens of Il2 with this result:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Kittel

A large number of his Soviet victims included the IL-2 Shturmovik aircraft, leading the German Army to call him the "Butcher Killer", a nickname they had given to the tough Shturmovik.

[Oshawott]

Interesting story about him landing behind enemy lines and making it back to the German lines. Movie material.

I agree regarding the Ju-87.

There is a "clear" pattern regarding the combat results (pun is intended). [:)] It will get even worse with some highlights during mud. But there are also things the Axis can do to prevent it.

[Oshawott]

Standard procedure. He pushes my troops east so that he can cross the river next turn. I will defend Leningrad with 1 full army.

[Oshawott]

A deliberate attack on Leningrad fails. A brave attempt!

[Oshawott]

The situation at Moscow before I move my troops. He puts a decent Panzer division in swamp but tanks in swamp is a bad idea. The displayed CV mean nothing. I believe his CV gets halved and the CV of my infantry gets doubled. There are two small pockets again. Otherwise not much action because he has to bring the HQs back in range.

[Oshawott]

The situation after I move my troops. The Panzer division is pushed out of the swamp, the swamp hex is reoccupied with infantry and the pockets are reopened. I decide to evacuate Vyazma. Will he go for a last push in this sector before mud?

Also, I received 2 more guard rifle divisions and 3 guard air regiments this turn.

[Oshawott]

The Bryansk front sees almost no changes.

[Oshawott]

Things are settling down in front of Voronezh. Many Axis units are depleted. German tank production in 41 is a disaster. Another change this turn is that I use my rail capacity now almost exclusively to move my troops.

Also, I replace a number of air leaders this turn including Ernst Shakht who is on paper the worst air leader in the Russian army but has achieved 33 wins and 1 loss. [&:]

[Oshawott]

The south has also calmed down. Some local counterattacks. 44th army has now moved further north to help out at Voronezh.

[Oshawott]

Same stuff at the Crimea. I'm hitting the Romanians where I can including one attack out of Odessa.

[Oshawott]

The battle reaches a fever pitch. I am hitting anything I can. I get the first real HELD result due to reserve activation. Still wondering if he has adjusted his TOE too low.

4 battles require the 1=2 rule.

[Oshawott]

The numbers for T16

[Oshawott]

T17 - Leningrad

The Germans have crossed the river. Two hasty attacks on Osinovets have been repelled. Next turn is mud so I am trying to restrict supply.

[Oshawott]

T17 - Center

In the center he shifts most of his tank and motorized units further west in the direction of VL. I was hoping for a last push towards Moscow so that I could maybe cut off some of his troops before mud but that didn't happen. I move a couple of units to restrict supply.

[Oshawott]

T17 - Tula

Not much going on in the Tula sector.

[Oshawott]

T17 - Voronezh

I open another pocket just before mud. He will be in big trouble in this sector during mud because of supply.

[Oshawott]

T17 - Stalino

Exciting turn in the south. This is the situation before I move my troops. Three hexes are covered by Romanians. Behind this line some air headquarters and air bases with mostly fighters in them.