Smolensk 41 Help!s t

[Rietas]

Well, Im new to the forum and the game, and I hope this is the right place to post this and my questions.
I only played a few scenarios to really know them well, among them are Africa 42, and Market Garden.
Now Ive been playing Smolensk 41 as Axis, and it made me aware that I have some important questions to ask about the game. The pictures are direct links.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4420 ... skplan.jpg

This picture is my initial plan, on the last round screenshot.
So my plan was to advance on the main road, break any Russian resistance and meet with my reinforcments coming from the North on the road junction. While leaving some troops behind for possible Russian counter attacks the main body would move to attack Smolensk.
The reinforcments from the South would make a straight dash to the Desna river, and taking the town next to it (cant remember name sorry), while making a defensive position on the river, and sending any troops that are not needed to hold the position North to attack Smolensk.

Now you see what the situation looks like, The southern troops made it to the river, but they didnt have time, and frankly not any forces to spare to send North,they could deal with the Russian forces there, but couldnt do much else.
The Main body got bogged down in bloody fighting with the Russian who just kept coming by train into Smolensk, and I dont know how, as far as I know there is a capacity for Rail transport for every turn, and I in another game as the Russians had much of my forces on foot because there was no option for Boarding trains for most of time. It was greyed out.After all some of my forces on the flank managed to take Smolensk, but they would be probably flushed out next turn if it wasnt the last turn.
The Northern reinforcments couldnt do much on their own, some of them got encircled and you can see them behind Russian lines, while the main part just blended in with my main battle line. The game ended with a minor Axis Defeat. I play on MODERATE difficulty.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3107 ... loseup.jpg

Here is a close up picture of the main body.
Now for my questions.

1.Advancing on roads, or off roads? Advice?

2.When I advance I tend to use my armored units to smash trough enemy lines and (hope) that the rest of my troops can widen that gap and encircle as much of the enemy army as possible and then catch up with the armored pincers. The problem is, most of the time even when the pincers get through the line without being dragged into senseless fighting and take some strategic positions, the main body just lacks the speed to keep up and eventualy the armored units get cut off and destroyed? Advice?

3. I tend to let the A.I control my Aircraft, is that a big disadvantage?

4. When playing a scenario I see no other way then to encircle and destroy every enemy unit I can, and there is no way I can leave enemy units behind my main body, because they get active again if left alone.
So the problem is while destroying every enemy unit I can I only loose time precious time, and like on this map suffer defeat because of it? Advice?

5. Is the enemy loss ratio worth any victory points, I got a draw in Africa 42 as Axis, only got to El-Alamein and there it was a stalemate, WWI trench warfare style. While it was a draw, the allies had a loss ratio of 95, while I had something like 7? The tactic of destroying any enemy units was well used here especially near tobruk, but it doesnt seem to work very well in Smolensk.

6. When I play on bigger maps I find it hard to keep units sortet division vise, that means I mostly use units from different divisions together, is that a problem? Or should I stick to order of battle and use division on their own, by giving them a sector or objective to attack?

I know its a lot of question but I hope you can help!
Thank you! [&o]

[Ribak]

1. Rather on the roads, depends (interdiction, situation, enemy forces in way and so on ...)

2. Keep your ID's close in order to prevent encirclement of your armored troops.
Or use other spots for attacks - depends on situation ...

3. Not huge, but unnecessary and pointless.

4. Again, depends on the situation. I play bigger scenarios where I can loose maybe 1 or 2 rounds without loosing the whole game - maybe you have to be more efficient with your combatrounds.

5. As far as I know (and I dont [:D]) - no.

6. I tend to keep assigned units together - you get a supply bonus near HQs. Apart from that it doesnt matter (as far as I know). But "feels" better to attack with the f.e.: 7 ID and behind the 7. HQ is giving arty support.

Ps: I dont think that the AAR-Forum is the right one to post questions about the game itself - maybe move to another one? War Room maybe?

EDIT: Ah, nearly forgot: welcome to the Forum!

[Rietas]

Thank you for your reply and your kind welcome

I will look more into the subject, especially combat rounds are still not really clear, but there is enough about that one on the forum.
About the sub-forum, I was thinking about posting in War Room, but its in some way a AAR after all, a AAR of me playing Smolensk and having some conclusions and question. But the mod can move it ofcourse if he wants to.
Thanks again, looking forward to any other replies.