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Firstly, apologies Comrades. The last few weeks of War have had me flying across all of Soviet Russia trying to bolster morale and organise things and I've not had the time to update you all.

Truth be told Herr Loki has kept you up to date and there's little positive to report from the Soviet side.

I've been trying to organise local counter-attacks where possible in all sectors with a focus on the enemy Tank Units. I've begun to instruct the VVS to conduct weekly attacks on the enemy spearheads focussing on interdiction and ground attacks. I'm sceptical of the results and affects.....even more so when local beaver farmers report seeing bombs falling amongst their beaver huts....nonetheless for morale purposes I've issued more vodka rations....The focus on my VVS efforts are posted above. Most of my reinforcement focus has been on the Northern and Central sectors to date. Leningrad and Moscow must NOT fall. If they do I'm dead I know that.

One of my constant focusses (after the useless use of AP's on City Forts) is on getting my competent friends into the Front Commands. Over the next 2 weeks all Front Commands should have someone capable-good in charge which will surely help. I can only help it somehow stops these Nazi Devils....

Up North after the surge of the Nazi's towards our crucial rail connection to Moscow is was agreed we had to pull back our westward defences as they were useless out there, threatened and at risk of being encircled. Purkaev was told get the engineers out, dig deep, no more retreating....otherwise no more Snow Queen vodka for Maksim and his comrades.

Center:

I focus on 22nd Army efforts west of Rzhev....the silly enemy attempts to force cross country towards Rzhev was fatally rebuffed as an enemy Tank Rgt was repulsed by a concerted attack. Extra Snow Queen vodka was given to these men. Huzzah! In addition....in response to our previous air attack on Romania our VVS decided to decimate 87 of 88 JU-88's in this attack...all's fair in love and war[;)]

Unfortunately there's little positive to comment on elsewhere and I can't show you operational maps in case the Abwehr is watching. As always happens there's hours of reorganising the frontlines, positioning reinforcements to the key sectors, prioritising refits for divisions, dishing out vodka. There's still a lot of modernisation that is needed in the airforce and army. The 1 positive I can post from this is the number of enemy gun tractors.....errr...tanks destroyed to date and my men managed to destroy 28 to my 14 during our offensive actions. Huzzah!

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

.. The 1 positive I can post from this is the number of enemy gun tractors.....errr...tanks destroyed to date and my men managed to destroy 28 to my 14 during our offensive actions. Huzzah!

...

yes, we meant to thank you for that, it saved us a trip to the recycling centre to get rid of that old junk [8D]

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

Unfortunately there's little positive to comment on elsewhere and I can't show you operational maps in case the Abwehr is watching. As always happens there's hours of reorganising the frontlines, positioning reinforcements to the key sectors, prioritising refits for divisions, dishing out vodka. There's still a lot of modernisation that is needed in the airforce and army. The 1 positive I can post from this is the number of enemy gun tractors.....errr...tanks destroyed to date and my men managed to destroy 28 to my 14 during our offensive actions. Huzzah!

1.6 million Soviet losses at T9 is doing well in my opinion. For me 1.6 is normally my turn 6 goal. So on my schedule you are doing really well, by 3 turns Loki needs to step up the pain on you!!!!

Wait until you see the next few weeks of action[;)][:D]

Re-arrange these words: Shoot Stalin me Comrade definitely will[;)]

Once Herr Loki posts his next weekly update I'll post my 10 week summary and a bit of narcissistic assessment of my war and actions to date.

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

Wait until you see the next few weeks of action[;)][:D]

Re-arrange these words: Shoot Stalin me Comrade definitely will[;)]

Once Herr Loki posts his next weekly update I'll post my 10 week summary and a bit of narcissistic assessment of my war and actions to date.

Oh!!!! So good thing I have the popcorn already

T10 – 24 August 1941

Autumn is definitely on the way.

Should start a new opening section – things I am going to blame the Soviets for. After all it couldn't be my fault that I forgot to repair these 2 hexes, making a complete mess of my rail net along the Black Sea?



Definitely can blame them for bombing my army, a lot of attempted interdiction and this sort of thing. Glad I'm leaving GS on as my airpower weakened that attack – taking out almost 250 elements.



But, I mean, there is really no need to do this ....



My turn was relatively straightforward, for good or ill I am committed to my current force allocation. While I can (and am) pulling some units out of the line for redepoyment, that is secondary.

So AGN, was surprised the Soviets pulled back. Grabbed the hexes and let some of 18A have a week to regain CPP. Have managed to pull elements of 4 Pzr Grp off defensive duties so that will help with CPP. That should allow me land a decent blow in a couple of turns but also content to use up one Pzr Corps on a steady drive towards the rail line.



The drive on Vyazma is mostly infantry. Had one extremely irritating draw that stopped my motorised divisions breaking through. 2 PG mostly through the really bad terrain, still able to pull some off the line to refit so I can sustain this for a few more turns.



Gomel sector is an infantry fight, as such I'm content just to steadily wreck a number of Soviet divisions, the real threat to their defensive line here is to the north and south.



Usual pattern of rest one Pzr corps, use the other two. Break out towards Kharkov was a bit of a pac-man attack as I ran out the CPP of the SS mot with hasty attacks on already weak defenders. 17A comes up the Dnepr bend.

Not much happened in the south. Took Kherson, looks like the Soviets have pulled back behind the Dnepr.



Losses seem to have settled into a pattern, struggling for pockets at the moment.



Looks like my guess that the Soviets have used their reserve manpower was correct. Their combat losses seem to be coming off their on-map army. Especially in the Ukraine, think I am facing a lot of weakened formations. Which makes sense given the heavy commitment at Leningrad.



VP situation. I have 484 (so fairly safe for the 525), neither of us are gaining or losing much in the Theatre Boxes. Should gain +40 in the Ukraine before the rains, if I add one of Stalino, Orel or Tula then that means I can make my own choices in November (something I think is fairly important).

OMG!!!

Well, I can't say that I haven't done that, not in WITE2 yet, but I have done that. It is like OH SH***************T, F, F, F!!!!!! But yeah Soviets did that ;-P

T11 - 31 August 1941

So before moving on to the silly mistakes and Soviet nasty moves section. Worth a brief detour to logistics.

Here's the second advantage of a super-depot, Minsk has steadily released all that stored freight and its now located in my depots behind Smolensk.

This trick of building up a stock, leaving the HQ (for the capacity) and moving forward can really keep a large block of freight on a relatively narrow sector. Its actually even more important for the Soviets from 1943 onwards.



So AGN, gave up on the driving tour of the Valdai, I'll redeploy LVII Pzr where it will do more good, but 16 A is well dug in and I have some ground that I can trade off in the winter if I need to.

Another Soviet retreat at Leningrad, am using my infantry to secure my flank on the Volkhov, more usefully have cut the rail link (even if I couldn't occupy the hex). Using the supply soft factor and it looks like the Soviets have their own problems here (predictably), also most retreats escalate to routs.

I don't think there is any realistic chance of taking the city but I was more deterred by the original defence in depth than by one based on large stacks and not much room to retreat. Both the armies here are on assault and I can regain CPP fairly quickly.



Forgot to mention - this sort of thing went on whilst I wasn't looking.



So AGC relied more on its infantry for this turn, letting as much of the mobile units have a rest, especially after some bruising Soviet attacks, as possible, I'm happy enough with a hex row a turn advance on Vyazma, especially given the number of routs but PG2 really needs to be able to make real progress.

Am finding these sustained infantry offensives to be very effective at this sort of operation (given the terrain and the Soviet defensive layout its not as if I am going to gain much manouver space). If you have a division in an assault army, attack once and then don't move (& rest in a non-ZOC hex), you regain 25 CPP for the next turn. That creates the ability to sustain the momentum, so I'm using the infantry in PG3 for this and letting 9A occupy the new front line (as their CPP regain is so much less in any case).



AGS is strung out. 6A covers a long flank north of the Dnepr – not too worried here as 4A is probing at the west side of this salient and its vulnerable to my mobile units making progress towards Kharkov.

Decided just to take Dnepropetrovsk, it only had a single division in defense so no real gain to constructing a pocket.

Not shown but also forced the Dnepr opposite Kherson.



Wider picture. Usual approach of let one Pzr corps rest, use the others. Managed to break through north of Dnepropetrovsk and then risked a deep salient. Its vulnerable but I have fresh infantry arriving so if I need to free up a pocket I can with some ease. Some holds but generally the Soviet formations collapsed on contact. Also undermines the Soviet defensive line along the Dnepr.

Have a choice next turn of Kharkov or the Dombas.



Losses – much the same as usual. I remain worried at the relative lack of pockets but Comrade S is proving very tricky to pin down.



Air losses – a lot more clashes that turn, note that the Mig-3s have been committed – to little effect.

Think not doing any recon is a bit risky, especially with Pzr corps off the line (& not shown in any of the images above).



OOB, not much changing but at least the Red Army isn't able to grow with 100k+ losses per turn.



Managed to finally find the AP to start swapping out the weaker Corps commanders.

VP situation. My focus is on matching the HWM for January 1942 and only 30 short. A combination of Zaporozhye, Kharkov and Stalino should deliver since the Theatre boxes are pretty stable.

My logic here is this puts me into a degree of control over the autumn-early winter battles. I actually think its a mistake for the Axis to opt to defend in that period but clearly there is a difference between picking how you attack and having to do so in a desperate search for VP.

Realistically, if there is any chance of a clean victory, best to look towards late 1942.



Have now lost 25,000 trucks but have been given 15,000 as gifts from the Soviet Union.

A lot of the stuff I borrowed from the French seems to have broken down.

So 10 weeks into the Great Patriotic War I figured it was time for a bit of reflection on how things have gone and what I've learnt, did well and didn't!

So.....for starters:

I'm going to rate myself in different area from A+ to E. It's obviously tricky to be totally objective as it's about me but.....

I always rated myself as a B/B+ WITE1 player as a guide. Now I've played 10 weeks of WITE2 I'd currently rate myself as a C+/B- player of WITE2. There's still lots to learn.

VVS

Rating: C-

It took me a good 6/7 weeks to get fully to grips with the air war, the VVS and how best to do something with it. I managed to re-organise the correct air unit types into the AOG's relatively early on. I think I've done the right strategy for gradually upgrading the VVS focussing on the most experienced units first BUT I was too inactive/passive for the first 6-7 weeks. If I re-do this war in an alternate universe I would be more aggressive with the VVS from the get go.

I don't know if I can do more than what I'm currently doing with it (GS missions for all Fronts and GA on the Axis spearheads on both units and interdiction). I chose not to do Night bombing on key railyards (apart from Riga on T1 to test it) as it feels too overpowered and gamey to me.

Counter-attacks

Rating: B

I think I've done fairly ok in this department. I've tried to attack as I can on any weak or over exposed Axis units.

Unit placement

Rating: B+

I'm quite happy with how I've performed in this area. I think I've utilised the terrain well. I also think I've done well for causing the Axis headaches in how to move and advance with their units.....at least in the North and Center![;)]

City Forts

Rating: E

I've performed miserably with them and every one I've placed (Smolensk, Kiev and Odessa) was easily wiped out. I could have better used those AP's for replacing a nincompoop with a decent commander.

Leaders

Rating: A-

Unless I'm a nincompoop I think the logical thing is to get your best dudes into your key Fronts ASAP. This is what I've done with the likes of Vatutin, Konev, Zhukov etc. I replaced Zhukov with Boris in Stavka.

Reinforcements

Rating: B

Bot sure there's a right or wrong for this one but I'll give myself a B[;)] I focussed a lot of the initial reinforcements on the Leningrad area followed by Vyazma. It wasn't until week 11 of the War that I sent the first reinforcements to the South!

Now onto the specific areas...........

North

Rating: B+

Comrade Stalin made it very clear to me from the start and I remember his words "Comrade Speedyevsky you must never lose the City named after one of the key's in our Revolution and one of the founding fathers of Communism". I naturally took that to heart.

I'm pretty happy with how I've done here. I focussed a lot of reinforcements here early on to build defences along the rivers and amongst the trees. I'm not sure if the Goose Steppers will focus on trying for Leningrad but if they do I've got a surprise fleet in the Baltic that will sail for Germany and take Berlin. Huzzah!

I may have pulled back from defensive lines a couple of times but I do not want to lose my men in pockets and it's kept my losses down to date.

Center

Rating: B

I've also focussed a lot of my resources here as well. Comrade Stalin likes the Red Square so I can't lose that either.

In general this area has seen a gradual attrition and grinding forward by the Axis without any pockets being formed after the Bialystock fiasco. I've had a defence in depth and have counter-attacked any exposed Axis Tank units. Even now in week 13 Vyazma still stands Soviet. Quite happy with that.

South

Rating: D

What....a.....mess.

Now, I have understandably focussed more on the North and Center but with the large open terrain expanse I've found it almost impossible to form any sense of coherent defence from the start. Comrade Stalin is not happy! He even halved my vodka rations for a month. Meanie.

Just have to bide my time, wait and then (in the words of a famous Roman General) "on my signal, unleash Hell"

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

So 10 weeks into the Great Patriotic War I figured it was time for a bit of reflection on how things have gone and what I've learnt, did well and didn't!

....

VVS

Rating: C-

It took me a good 6/7 weeks to get fully to grips with the air war, the VVS and how best to do something with it. I managed to re-organise the correct air unit types into the AOG's relatively early on. I think I've done the right strategy for gradually upgrading the VVS focussing on the most experienced units first BUT I was too inactive/passive for the first 6-7 weeks. If I re-do this war in an alternate universe I would be more aggressive with the VVS from the get go.

I don't know if I can do more than what I'm currently doing with it (GS missions for all Fronts and GA on the Axis spearheads on both units and interdiction). I chose not to do Night bombing on key railyards (apart from Riga on T1 to test it) as it feels too overpowered and gamey to me.

Counter-attacks

Rating: B

I think I've done fairly ok in this department. I've tried to attack as I can on any weak or over exposed Axis units.

Unit placement

Rating: B+

I'm quite happy with how I've performed in this area. I think I've utilised the terrain well. I also think I've done well for causing the Axis headaches in how to move and advance with their units.....at least in the North and Center![;)]

...

partial response. yes the VVS was too passive, in turn that meant I could let the LW lag behind till I could just about pay the supply costs up at the front

yes your unit placement has been first rate, a nice steady stream of lost MP or attacks I really didn't want to do

I'll make no further comment about all those counter-attacks, I believe there are forum constraints on language (& apparently I have to stick to English not Gàidhlig) - but yes I am now really cautious about setting my front line in clear terrain

Must admit, I've made a mass of mistakes too, in part just out of practice with the axis and prob too much vs AI in testing. Worst is not generating more pockets, yes combat kills but you can't just fight your way forward

T12 – 7 September 1941

So as is traditional, its time to record the bad things they did

exhibit 1: - that is a complete Pzr Corps cut off.



#2 winning battles.



#3 reckless bombing – somebody could have been hurt with all that going on.



AGN had a quiet turn, this time I took and occupied the rail hex, 16A launched what could charitably be described as an offensive towards Rzhev with some success.

Logic at Leningrad, is the chance to take the city has gone, so I want a final 100 CPP offensive to do a lot of damage and gain a decent stop line. So a turn or two resting doesn't disrupt my timetable as basically I plan to attack for about 3 turns before the autumn rains intervene.

3 PG reached the outskirts of Vyazma, 2 PG almost past the rough terrain opening up a potential treat to Kaluga, Tula or Orel.

Not shown but to the south, major Soviet retreat to the Desna. Letting as much of 4A have a rest as I can, rail almost repaired to Gomel which will help as the weather worsens.



AGS had a week off, well some of it did. Rescued my cut off Pzr Corp but then didn't move it. The other 2 struck north towards Kharkov – given the timescales I can leave Stalino to 17A. Substantial Soviet retreat so usual pattern of enough advancing to flip hexes while most units have a break.

Super-depot set up at Kirovgrad, I'll try and get that to stock up before moving the FBD east again.



Losses down a bit



German (only) active pools. I have the manpower to replace my losses, just its not very easy to bring to the front lines.

Luftwaffe is a bit threadbear after all the recent usage.



Anyway XXXX Pzr Corps has arrived and its probably my last big choice of 1941 as to where it goes.

Wider issue is I am now close enough to the HWM that I can alter my approach. There is no feasible way to an early win but I can make my own choices as to what and where (to some extent).

So I have a few goals, not all mutually consistent:

a) while I don't need to worry re HWM I don't want the Soviets getting VP either (so for eg if I don't take Kalinin or Rostov they get the +6 bonus for early 'recapture'). That is potentially another city I need to take in 1942 if I am to get a win.
b) if I stop attacking, the Red Army will recover too fast
c) but as at Leningrad, I can start to take the sort of pauses that make a real difference

I have say 5 turns to the worst of the autumn rains (prob 6) and then the possible 4 turns of frozen ground in November.

I also need to think about where to set up for the winter, this is the gain re HWM, I can get most of my infantry digging and building up their CPP to my timetable.

There is also the question of wanting well stocked super-depots, lateral N-S rail links and the depots as close to the front as feasible - all by the mid-November.

As September sees it's way in we're hopeful of holding the Axis enemy and ultimately laying waste to them.....there wasn't a lot to report in the North and Center....well except the loss of thousands of men, artillery and tanks....my men continue to dig in, learn how to use a rifle and learn which lever fires the tank gun....

In the South it's utter chaos....I urged my men to attack where they could though and they forced a German Motorised Rgt back by 20 miles and sent some silly Hungarian troops running....hurrah....all's looking up!

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

As September sees it's way in we're hopeful of holding the Axis enemy and ultimately laying waste to them.....there wasn't a lot to report in the North and Center....well except the loss of thousands of men, artillery and tanks....my men continue to dig in, learn how to use a rifle and learn which lever fires the tank gun....

In the South it's utter chaos....I urged my men to attack where they could though and they forced a German Motorised Rgt back by 20 miles and sent some silly Hungarian troops running....hurrah....all's looking up!

Do you try and save CPP for defense?

Since the Axis are gloating at their production I present to you the glorious Soviet view...look at that shiny oil there Herr Loki[8D]

ORIGINAL: Speedysteve

Since the Axis are gloating at their production I present to you the glorious Soviet view...look at that shiny oil there Herr Loki[8D]
...

well - would be more useful if you'd loan me a few more trucks, its not as if you are using them at the moment?