Bish Bash Boche - A 41 GC JB (A) & Veterin (S)

[Stamb]

there is bug, and it is reported, that sometimes GS in defense does absolutely 0
looks like you you encountered it jasonbroomer

[HardLuckYetAgain]

It's a well known fact that the Luftwaffe's bombers in the game are a massive letdown. Actually damaging and destroying ground elements on top of causing disruption is something the VVS excels at while the Luftwaffe struggles to disrupt elements most of the time.

The only thing I can think of that may improve Stuka performance (level bombers are hopeless no matter what) is fiddling around with ground support altitude and their individual loadout.

Soviet bombers are not a let down. (I still feel that the CRT (Combat result table) is switched between the two nations) Just in my recent game Soviet Bombers are blowing away guns like there is no tomorrow with their bombers/Tac bombers.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

It's a well known fact that the Luftwaffe's bombers in the game are a massive letdown. Actually damaging and destroying ground elements on top of causing disruption is something the VVS excels at while the Luftwaffe struggles to disrupt elements most of the time.

The only thing I can think of that may improve Stuka performance (level bombers are hopeless no matter what) is fiddling around with ground support altitude and their individual loadout.

Soviet bombers are not a let down. (I still feel that the CRT (Combat result table) is switched between the two nations) Just in my recent game Soviet Bombers are blowing away guns like there is no tomorrow with their bombers/Tac bombers.

Once Soviets start flying 400 - 600 bomber/TAC bomber GS the Germans will lose 1/3 to 1/2 of the guns & a crap load of ground troops. The way the Air War works now, yes it has changed since I have been gone, the Germans will be lucky to shoot down many bombers. Even your GS missions shows that in your game already. Look at your combat results for Air losses and I can almost bet you that the Soviet bomber losses were to OPS and none to A2A.

[Veterin]

there is bug, and it is reported, that sometimes GS in defense does absolutely 0
looks like you you encountered it jasonbroomer

I'm not sure if it's a bug though. In this example there were a tone of fighters from both sides in the battle so why would we assume the bombers got in range to bomb etc. On defensive GS as soviets I've noticed some battles i do little to no disruption, other times i do get through and do some.

[Jango32]

It is an acknowledged bug because in those other situations defensive bombers flew with no enemy fighter & bomber presence and did nothing.

[Veterin]

T10 - Soviet Perspective

1

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The glorious VSS lost 257 aircraft in one week due to extremely heavy training accidents. I haven’t worked out what determines the losses from week to week but sometimes it’s low and other times it’s over 300 even though the number of air groups/aircraft in my reserve TB remains steady. I generally try and remove most of my i-series planes off the map at this point and replace them with MIGs/YAKs/LAAGs. In Sep 1941 the VSS air group size reduces from the current 32 to 20 so it’s important to ensure that the TBs are overallocated in August to adjust for this trip (would hate to give away easy VP!). A reorganisation of the VSS will take place given a lot of aircraft will move off map when this triggers.

2

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Leningrad will fall this game, it’s just a matter of how long until it falls. Aside from the victory point considerations, my main concern is that it will free up a Panzer Army to be used in another theatre, JB will gain access to a number of strong railyards improving his supply situation across the front and lastly, it’s very difficult to take back due to the terrain. My defence has been reorganised with a number of divisions moving to different armies to ensure that each hex only has one army group as a commander. I have pulled back some units that would have been encircled near Siversky and sent some towards Leningrad city and Oraniembaum. I don’t expect to put up a strong resistance near Oraniembaum but I do want at least 150 def CV in the fort. I’ve noticed that the entrenchment has been very slow in key hexes around Leningrad so I’ve reassigned those units to a better commander to hopefully fortify faster. I really need at least lvl 2 fort on the north side of the major river to help with Leningrad defence. Lack of supply from the double rails being cut is hindering my fort levels (once again well played on cutting my double rails JB!)

3

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In AGC, I made two counter attacks against infantry units before retreating. Building up wins on infantry is important in the long run to develop Guard units ASAP. When Axis infantry are attacking, they take very few losses so it’s worth trying to inflict a few losses on attacks of my own. As JB pointed out in his T10 write up, there's a lot of fighting occurring around those 2 swamp hexes. In order to encircle those units he needs to hold a clear terrain hex however i can attack that hex from 4-5 sides so we're both fighting back and forth over a single hex.


Overall a relatively quiet Axis T10 by the looks of it. Ongoing advance in AGN with a few attacks in AGC too. In AGS, it looks like the advance has slowed down likely to allow for the infantry to catch up as well as building CCP. I’ve noticed a lot of hexes were flipped and then the unit was pulled back so I will try and reconvert these hexes back to soviets this turn if I can safely do so.

It’s pretty quiet on the Bryansk/Orel/Krusk front. JB is setting up for an attack over the next few turns and there are a number of VP points here so I need to play this carefully. I have reinforced Oral/Krusk area as I feel that the attack will drive straight up between the two to force me to pull back from my strong points around Bryansk.

In AGS, there is a large build up of forces south of Kharkov/West of Stalino. I don’t know which direction the attack will go but I suspect it will be towards Kharkov. Kharkov defences have also been strengthened this turn.

[jasonbroomer]

T11+12 Axis AGN

My T12 files seem to have gotten mixed in with my T11 screenshots, so I will cover off both turns.

Leningrad remains our key objective, our push while making progress keeps getting snarled up in the marshes. When combined with light mud and an agile Russian defence our advance is too slow. We are now at the end of August and perhaps I have 5 or 6 more turns before the heavy mud strikes. I really want to at least isolate Leningrad, through taking Osinovets before the rains hit and air interdiction becomes very difficult, if not impossible. I have huge commitment in the region and resources continue to be deployed here, at largely the expense of AGC. After a lot of vacillation, last turn I finally redeployed SS Viking from AGC. The demands of terrain in the north means that motorised infantry is a better cutting tool than panzers. I cannot afford not to take Leningrad, the risks of over deploying assets here massively outweigh the risks of under deploying formations.

Air recon indicates that Soviet presence around Leningrad remains significant, notwithstanding their supply issues, so I was pleased that Viking is on its way. It should find itself in a target rich environment.

T11 AGN Regimnets can't even hold marsh when entrenched.png (3.43 MiB) Viewed 1094 times

We find that regiments, even when entrenched cannot withstand a determine Soviet assault. No matter, we will persist with defending our flanks with regiments as the key fresh troops are deployed in the northward thrust. Only when the divisions have exhausted their CPP, do our flanks get shored up with divisions.


This we determine as a crucial attack this turn so we make sure that the Russians are hit sufficiently hard to ensure success, and Totenkopf is assigned a RFSS brigade. This does comfortably gets the job done!

T11 AGN A big attack.png (2.35 MiB) Viewed 1094 times

Sadly, the motorised regiment that we have lined up doesn't have enough MPs to get where we want it, despite having 43 MPs. This wretched mud!

T11 AGN But not quite enough MPs.png (2.32 MiB) Viewed 1094 times

So Totenkopf has to move up instead (must have been on turn 12) and we surround 3 soviet divisions sitting in the wood. We have no time to isolate them, so we hit them hard this turn.

T11 AGN disappointing retreat attrition.png (2.64 MiB) Viewed 1094 times

But the rewards were very disappointing

[jasonbroomer]

T11/12 Axis AGN/C

On T12, I note that the Soviets have not built any new fighter bases near Lake Lagoda. This is encouraging news for the coming air campaign, which is already being prepared.

T12 no fighter bases for the Russians.png (2.18 MiB) Viewed 1089 times

Irritatingly, Cossacks have weaved their way through my porous front line and retaken VL and messed up my rail line which had just been built through. Fortunately, SS Viking had just passed the blockage area on its trip north.

T11 AGC VL lost, nusiance and Viazma looks well defended.png (3.4 MiB) Viewed 1089 times

This is a minor inconvenience, which a couple of RADs will have to patch up once the infiltrators are dealt with.

AGC is so undermanned, we are being very cautious about advancing, particularly with our panzer divisons running with ToEs of 60-70. With hindsight, I should have combined 3rd Panzer with 2nd Panzer for a concerted push rather than both of them dithering around not doing much. I would like to push on to Kursk, but I just don't have the resources to do so.

However, Veterin has been very active with his cavalry raids, so on T12(?) I left him an invitation which he duly accepted, bagging me a further 3 cavalry divisions for no loss.

T11 AGC I diliberately left a hole here to bag a few Cv disions.png (3.22 MiB) Viewed 1089 times

I guess if I had concentrated the two Panzer armies, I would have had to cede a lot of land, including some repaired rail which in principle I hate doing.

[jasonbroomer]

T11+12 Axis AGS

Further Cossack raids outside of Kharkov, means we spend some time herding horses. I really don't feel that I have sufficient strength to press into Kharkov. Viking is still with 3Pz, so this must be T11 and railed this turn. This of course weakens 3rd Pz further.

T11 AGS herding horses outside Kharkov.png (1.59 MiB) Viewed 1084 times

Amusingly, the following turn a unique event occurred. A Romanian regiment withstood a Soviet deliberate attack

T11 Roms kick ass.png (2.53 MiB) Viewed 1084 times

My Roms kick ass

[jasonbroomer]

T11+12 Axis Crimea

T11 I forgot that there is a major river to cross here so our first foray into the Crimea is rebuffed with the help of a nice reserve activiation.

T11 AGS failed attacks into Crimea.png (1.75 MiB) Viewed 1076 times

The following turn, we return with an infantry corps from 11th Army and a Panzer Corps from 1st Panzer. Then we notice that the Soviets haven't blocked the ferry route. Nice

T11 AGS that looks nice!.png (2.06 MiB) Viewed 1076 times

So we sling a panzer division over it and attack avoiding the major river

T11 AGS pathectic.png (2.34 MiB) Viewed 1076 times

Pathetic! We seem to be getting more than our fair share of marginal defeats.


So we have to send in the poor bloody infantry to do the job, but we lose more time

T11 AGS leave it to the poor bloody infantry.png (2.01 MiB) Viewed 1076 times

[Veterin]

T11 - Soviet Perspective

A few comments following JB's post earlier.
- I was only able to build 2 level 1 airfields in AGN due to the supply issues i've been having. I can't even get to level 2 forts due to a lack of supply so my chance of expanding those airfields to lvl 2 (or building more) is slim to none unfortunately.
- I was not expecting that VL break in the lines to be over any repaired rails but that was a pleasant surprise.
- Nice pick up on my unguarded ferry hex near Crimea. I missed that on my defence as i was worried about your flanking/encirclement manoeuvre of my units defending the western entrance to Crimea.
- I feel deep shame for failing an attack on a sole Romanian calvary brigade!

1

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This is one of the first times losses has been below 100k per turn which is encouraging. I am currently producing ~96k manpower per turn so if losses remain below 100k for a while the Soviet army will continue to grow. There weren’t many battles or encirclements this turn with JB continuing to advance towards his VP objectives. I still need to do scouting this turn but from what I can see of AGS, he continues to advance his main effort towards Kursk/Orel with a secondary effort towards Stalino. Over the next 1-2 turns there will be a lot of battles/encirclements so I’m expecting my losses to shoot back up. I’ve spotted a rail repair unit just east of D-town which would be following the double rails all the way from Lvov.

2

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The weather is clear skies across the map for the next 2 turns. Hopefully we get some early heavy mud to help Leningrad survive a few more turns.

AGN is playing out as expected. JBs strategy will most likely be to take control of the southern bank of the Neva then attack the hex that sticks out across the major hex (from 4 sides) before proceeding to cut-off and isolate Leningrad via Osinovets. I need to make sure that I pull out high win units from Leningrad whilst still maintaining a decent resistance. Similarly, I’ll reinforce the north eastern advance to product my ports on the east side of lake Ladoga so the city isn’t isolated that way.

3

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No attacks around AGC which is always a little unsettling. Infantry has moved to the spearhead so this is still an area that JB is looking to advance. This screenshot is before my recon but I need to try and find where his panzers are as I currently can’t see any in the frontline. They are either refitting/resting near Smolensk this turn or they have been redirected south where there will be a lot of fighting over the next few turns.

[Veterin]

T11 - Soviet Perspective Cont...

4

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5

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As mentioned in JB's write-up of the turn, two holds on a key hex in the Crimea. I had several units on reserve which triggered these wins so it’s always nice to throw the Axis player off on how much defensive CV they’ll actually be facing. The axis advance in Crimea is only coming from the eastern flank despite the fact they could have advanced from the western path too so this leads me to believe JB was hoping for a breakthrough on the east followed by an encirclement of my frontline here. I may pull back on the western end this turn as the eastern wing will break next turn.

6

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A number of my rifle divisions have started converting to a new TOE which is from the 41A to 41B. Overall these divisions are a little weaker and drop from 14.5k to 10.8k men at full TOE. This will at least allow more of my existing units to reinforce to full strength. The VSS (along with the LW) are in great shape so I’ll continue to use it as appropriate.

[Veterin]

T11 - Soviet Perspective Cont...

7

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6 attacks were made across the front on infantry divisions/regiments, 3 of which are around Novgorod. Axis defences around here are thin and using regiments to allow for more forces to push towards Leningrad. I need to continue putting the pressure on weak areas of the line so JB can’t just concentrate all his forces on his advance. Some of these successful attacks were on good defensive terrain with forts. Quantity really has a quality of its own!

8

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West of Bryansk, my recon spotted what appeared to be a gap in the line. My ninja calvary make a brave charge along the double rails advancing as far as possible. These double rails are unlikely to be repaired as the likely path being repaired would be the double rains from Kiev to Kursk (as that’s how he’s advancing so makes sense that’s where his repairs would be)

9

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I did make a few mistakes this turn. When I was deploying 5 IL-2 air groups to map, I used the default option to decide where the overflow aircraft went to after the primary airport. 3 air groups (~100 aircraft) went to Oboyan which is right at the frontlines. As they were placed on the map this turn, they have travelled 100% and will be completely lost if the airport is overrun (spoiler - luckily this didn't occur next turn!)

[Veterin]

T12 - Soviet Perspective

T12 starts off with reorganising the VSS. On this turn, the average Air Group size decreases from 32 to 20 so a large number of planes are sent to the transit pool which will be available for redeployment in 2 turns (1 turn in transit then 1 turn in active pool). All Air TBs remain above 100% as I stacked them closer to 180% last turn to plan ahead for this change. The exception is the Northern Front Naval which has dropped to 50%. I have sent a second Patrol unit there which should get me back over 90%. I have started filling out the empty air group shells I have around the North Caucus and will continue to deploy them to the frontlines over the next few turns now that each airport has more capacity due to smaller air group size.

1

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Around AGN, JB has found a weaker point in my line (as he always does!) and has started moving south east of Leningrad. There is good defensive terrain here so I will move a few units around to slow him down and potentially counter-attack if the opportunity to do so arises. Around Oranienbaum, there is only a regimental screen and 1 division so it would appear that JB has no intention of assaulting this strong until its isolated

2

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Not much to report around AGC. Most of the line of contact has been attacked this turn by infantry with reasonable damage inflicted on the attacker (reasonable by Soviet 1941 standards!). He continues to be conservative with panzers on this front so will likely continue pushing slowly with infantry until he can open up part of the line to break through.

3

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Not many battles around AGS this turn however the slow advance continues. Kharkov will likely be encircled next turn so I need to think about how badly do I want to try and hold it. It’s a lvl 9 railyard so if it falls into Axis hands, it would do wonders for their supply situation over the winter as well as hinder mine. Further south, the axis advance is along the southern side of the Donets River. I have significant counter attack forces in the area so there will likely be a few attacks made in this area too. Near Stalino the infantry are 1 hex away from the river which my forces are behind. I’m expecting significant fighting around this area over the next few turns as well.

[Veterin]

T12 - Soviet Perspective Cont...

4

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Crimea is playing out as expected with all the attacks made coming from the eastern opening and nothing on the western end. I will pull troops back from lvl 3 fort at Perekop this turn as they will be encircled otherwise. Interestingly, there is a panzer corps in Crimea which I was not expecting with the following 3 divisions visible before recon (60th motorised, 11th panzer, Das Reich SS). I am tempted to try a counterattack but if I fail, I run the risk of having my entire Crimean army encircled so it isn't worth the risk.

5

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When looking at the OOB at the start of the turn, I noticed that the on-map Axis AFV numbers had improved. JB has been cautious the last few turns with lower losses following however the ~400 AFV jump this turn was driven by a scripted transfer from Western TB. Over the next 2-3 turns I will also be able to deploy a large number of reinforcements from my own TB but I just hope they can get them to where they are needed on time.

[jasonbroomer]

T11 - Soviet Perspective Cont...




6.png


A number of my rifle divisions have started converting to a new TOE which is from the 41A to 41B. Overall these divisions are a little weaker and drop from 14.5k to 10.8k men at full TOE. This will at least allow more of my existing units to reinforce to full strength. The VSS (along with the LW) are in great shape so I’ll continue to use it as appropriate.

Good to know this, I've often wondered why Soviet IDs become a lot more squishy in the second half of 1941. Of course the fall in NM also contributes

[jasonbroomer]

T13 Axis AGN

t13 move rain coming.png (682.48 KiB) Viewed 974 times

The weather is deteriorating, I must press on in the north at all costs.

t13 AGN hope to seal Leningrad this trun.png (2.35 MiB) Viewed 974 times

Thankfully, we are in a position to seal off the land connection this turn. Let's get to it -

t13 AGN I made sure of that.png (2.56 MiB) Viewed 974 times

I want no mistakes here, so I prefer to over commit than under commit. Totenkopf is more than capable of dealing with that final puny division blocking my path.


We also make preparations to cross the major river blocking our path to the isthmus

t13 AGN begin to clear a way in.png (2.4 MiB) Viewed 974 times

I love working with Model and Manstein in combination, they really know how to clear hexes

[jasonbroomer]

T13 Axis AGC


The road from Smolensk still looks crowded with Russians, we will have to slog on.

t13 AGC I hard slog to continue.png (2.52 MiB) Viewed 969 times

we make some progress and encircle some troops, though I am not sure that the pocket will hold

t13 AGC An attempted encirclement.png (2.59 MiB) Viewed 969 times

t13 AGC I'd like to get through the woods around Byransk.png (2.44 MiB) Viewed 969 times

I'd really like to get through the woods around Bryansk but this is wishful thinking - just look at my stretched line in this sector. Many of those blue units (4th Army?) are regiments.

[jasonbroomer]

T13 Axis AGS

We need to make a decision on whether to push for Kharkov or Stalino. Stalino looks busier than a prom queen visiting a frat house

t13 AGS Stalino to be defended.png (1.88 MiB) Viewed 966 times

Kharkov looks an easier call. It is has lovely rail hub, but unless I can get clear of the Donets river line, defending it through the winter will be difficult. I think Stalino would be easier to hold, possibly.

t13 AGS Kharkov looks easier the Stalino.png (1.83 MiB) Viewed 966 times

I will start to demonstrate at Kharkov, but my upcoming troops will be positioned so that they can detour to Stalino if Kharkov is too well defended, which is what I expect. At this stage in the campaign momentum is beginning to shift back towards the Soviets as the Axis suffer from supply issues in this region, while Russian reinforcements build. I have resources in this region, but I my strategic objectives are Leningrad and the Crimea. Capturing those will free up a lot of troops. Stalino and Kharkov are just nice to haves. Kharkov is a big industrial base, Stalino is a strategic railway junction for the Soviets. Kharkov is a good manpower centre, but Leningrad is a way bigger one.

t13 AGC Raise pressue on Kharkov.png (2.42 MiB) Viewed 957 times

At this stage, we make a show at Kharkov. If we can threaten/surround it, the industry from this location will be forced to relocate early and thus suffer manufacturing penalties. For the moment, we will look to keep our options open.

[jasonbroomer]

T13 Axis Crimea

Having blundered away a turn getting into the Crimea (forgetting about the major river on the eastern side of the way in ). I am eager to make up for lost time. 11th Army has been disciplined in maintaining its strength and CPP, lthough a corps has had to be used to open up the entrance. We still have 2 strong corps, loaded with supplies and pioneers ready for the assault on Sevastopol this year. One of which is still in Odessa, waiting to be shipped across.

Unsurprisingly, the Soviets withdraw now the entrance blockades have been overcome.

t13 AGS as expected a pulled back in the Crimea.png (1019.37 KiB) Viewed 956 times

We make an energetic thrust to harry the retreating Soviets, while the foot of 1st Pz hold back as they regain CPP.

t13 AGS Crimea progress.png (1.48 MiB) Viewed 956 times