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After several frustrating "learning" sessions over the last month, I think I MAY finally be on to something vs that pesky Red Army. In a game I could only describe as experimental and odd, the Finns captured what I'm guessing is Kronstadt and to boot destroyed 600 Soviet planes on the ground after shattering the 2 Soviet land armies defending the northern approach. All this after the first 2 turns of successful AA on the Lenningrad HQ. Luckily, I got snow instead of rain on the first and third October turns, so General Mud has not been a huge factor and I pounded Stalin good despite lowered supply lvls. My line is historically accurate with some intense fighting around St. Petersburg sans air struggle. In the South, I'm west of Rostov facing a sizeable build up, Crimea occupied. In the Centre, facing Rhz and buldging temptingly towards Moscow from the SW.

Of course, summer glee has turned to concern as the Soviet air force is gearing up. They were a non-factor until now---first Nov turn---and I have a few queries about General Winter and production:

My instincts tell me to form up a defense, pull the armor back, and selectively air raid. Is it wise to pull out loads of artillery? How effective is air war in winter, especially the dreaded bizzard? Do natural terrain defences apply effectively even though my supply will be a shivering? Do the Finns really kick rear in winter (they sure did in '40).
Production: I'm still feeling like I have not grasped this concept fully. I need a thumbnail sketch of how to do honest production and retooling apart from what will naturally occur as replenishment.

I really enjoy this game and the challenges it presents. On a literary note, check our Robert Kershaw's "War without Garlands." It takes a lot of myth out o the blitz.

Pull out all panzers and artillery from the fronts for the blizzards. They will die in great masses (usually if a german unit retreats in blizzard it losses *all* artillery and panzers who showed up for the fight), and should be saved for the next summer. I usually keep the panzers 3-4 hexes behind my infantry line (if I can) and pray for a snow turn to strike back hard. The Luftwaffe should attack soviet troops as hard as it can, but they will not do much of a harm in blizzards. Oh and its quite healthy to have a good entrenched ifantry line before the blizzard strikes in december. Life is very rough until march for the germans <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

In one of my PBEMs as german, I wanted to try to push as far east as possible. I took Leningrad and was 1 hex from Moscow. So when rain came I decided to wait for snow for final attack and 1941 win. I didnt withdraw panzers. Unfortunately blizzards came right after rain. So in winter I was beaten so badly (lost artillery and lots of panzers). We are now in may 42, and I am not able to launch new offensive. Fortunatelly enough soviets couldnt build up yet. But I am not sure if I can survive next winter. It was painfull lesson. That was first and last time I risk that much. From now on I coming back to old tactic - do maximum damage to soviets in 1941, withdraw, and try again in 42.
Maciej

Originally posted by czerpak:
In one of my PBEMs as german, I wanted to try to push as far east as possible. I took Leningrad and was 1 hex from Moscow. So when rain came I decided to wait for snow for final attack and 1941 win. I didnt withdraw panzers. Unfortunately blizzards came right after rain. So in winter I was beaten so badly (lost artillery and lots of panzers). We are now in may 42, and I am not able to launch new offensive. Fortunatelly enough soviets couldnt build up yet. But I am not sure if I can survive next winter. It was painfull lesson. That was first and last time I risk that much. From now on I coming back to old tactic - do maximum damage to soviets in 1941, withdraw, and try again in 42.
Maciej

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Ha

Maciej vindicates my strategy for a '42 win. Get everything but infantry to the rear.
That is good. because when you attack me in blizzard Maciej dont ask 'Where are your panzers'? <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

You will see them in may/june '42. (and they will be all shiney with flowers om top)

Loki <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Lokioftheaesir:



You will see them in may/june '42. (and they will be all shiney with flowers om top)

Loki <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

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yeah, to welcome soviet liberators in Berlin <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Thanks for all the advice. I really wish the Wermacht didn't have to do crisis management in the Balkans for Mussolini...that extra month of good weather...

Mr Blizzard hath come, so its bear down time. The only question I have at this point is Lenningrad. What a tough nut to crack! Flak is my only nemisis in this sector as the Finns did their part initially. Do you advise mass bombings of the city in non-blizzard turns or defensive attacks on his perimeter? I have 3 fliegerkorps within range and his Moscow front is just now becoming active with planes.

Regards,
Montenegro