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IdahoNY and I have had some really fun games in the past, this looks to be no different. We will each post our version of events each turn on a seperate thread, without reading the other guys posts. The German side of things can be found in the AAR section.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

41-45 Campaign
As the Soviet's get pummeled in the early going, and keeping Front's together and in any semblance of order is difficult for the first few turns, I will divide my areas of discussion into the same boundaries as the Germans. North will denote Leningrad and those forces facing AGN. Middle will encompass the Minsk - Smolensk and Moscow sector and those formations facing AGC. South will be the Kiev and those units facing AGS and the Rumanians.

PLAN
I really don't have much of a plan, but more of an idea of how I want to fight the initial stages of the campaign. I will basically run in the north and middle areas, trying to escape with what I can towards the first real line of resistance at Pskov in the north and Smolensk in the middle. By the time the German panzers arrive around the Pskov and Smolensk areas, they should be fatigued and unsupported by infantry. I hope that the Germans will pause a turn or two to rest and allow the infantry to catch up if I put forward the appearance of some strength in these areas. In the south I hope to fight a bit more of a delaying action as reinforcements and units behind the lines take up positions at Kiev and along Dnepr river.

I also plan to relocate all air forces to the national reserve on the first turn. I will then send forward the oldest model fighter planes, and a few of the older bombers, to the forward fronts in areas where I will put up some resistance. The newer model aircraft will be sent to airfields farther behind the front to train and equip. The one exception here is the Leningrad area, some of better fighters and tactical bombers will be sent here to gain a bit of experience against the Fins and in preparation for the fight for Leningrad.

If everything goes according to plan, what units survive from the Baltic MD will head toward Pskov and then retreat eastward when pushed, taking up positions between Novgorod and Velikie Luki.

What remains from the Western MD should end up in the Smolensk area and southward along the Dnepr to Gomel.

The Kiev MD will conduct a fighting withdrawal towards the river line from Kiev to Cherkassi to Dnepropetrovsk and finally to Zaporozhye.

The one other major area of attention for the Soviets early on will be rail allocation. I plan on using much of the rail to insure as many of the units around
Lvov are able to escape as possible, as it seems a drive by the German armored formations of AGS in a southward direction is almost assured. I also plan to bring a few divisions forward to important sectors from the east, with Leningrad having priority. If there is anything left the first turn, I will relocate factories that are in danger of capture. This "troop" priority for rail usage will remain for probably two turns, and then switch to relocating factories as a higher priority.

TURN 1 (22 JUN 41)

North
The Germans nabbed 8-10 divisions in their opening moves along the border. Strong amored units are just to the south of Riga, effectively cutting off all the Soviet units to the west and south. However, several divisions were able to board ship from Liepaja port and head to port Kuressare just to the north.

The Leningrad front has three major concentration of forces. First, the city of Leningrad is busy digging in and I built several support units for the Leningrad Front. Two construction engineers, some artillary units and MG units. Leningrad was also reinforced with several infantry divisions that are tasked with improving the fortifications around the city. Second, the Pskov area is a rallying point for routed units and stragglers heading east. As the units arrive, they will join in the defense of the area, and I hope the Germans will take their first pause before attacking the city or units defending the area. Third, 5 AB Corps set up a defense in the marshes along the Sinyaya river. The 21 Mech Corps is also there, but I allowed them to rest and set the corps to refit. They will need to be built up a bit as they will be used in the defense of Velikie Luki.

Middle
The center was surrounded as seems typical in most opening moves by the Germans, with a large pocket around Bialystok. However, the German armored units pulled up short about 10 miles outside Minsk, which allowed many of the units starting there to retreat east and form a weak line on the Berezina river. The 64 Rifle was given the unwelcome task of staying in the city to draw off forward German units to isolate him, or even better, to defend from an assault on the city directly.

Finally one rifle divisions and an NKVD regiment were tasked with defending around Polotsk to prevent any German units from coming unhindered to the north of Vitebsk.

Rail
With what little rail capacity remained after training many units eastward, and bringing others west, I was only able to relocate 3 heavy industry from Minsk to Siberia.

South
Things didn't go well on the first turn for the Kiev Military District. German armored units cut down through Tarnopol, torn up a bunch of rail track, and then retreated back about 30 miles north of the city. While I was able to open up a corridor (graphic below) and bring in much needed supplies to the units around Lvov, none of them where able to use the rails to head east.

A bit to the north, just east of Rovno, along the Goryn river down almost to Tarnopol, I have set up my first line with the tank and motorized units not isolated in the German opening move. The infantry is heading east at full speed.

So much for the fighting withdraw, now I will have to really focus on getting as much east as possible in the south.

TURN 2

North
The north was rather quiet this turn, as the Germans nosed around a bit, but have not shown any indication that they are preparing to hit Pskov. One armored division attempted to force a crossing of the Sinyaya river near Zilupe, and was repulsed twice by the brave Soviet paratroopers. Not sure if this means Velikie Luki is the main target for AGN, things will most likely become clearer next turn.

Middle
AGC pushed further toward the Smolensk river gap, trapping four divisions and NKVD unit and a para brigade. I was able to break some of the units out of the pocket, but two infantry divisions were beyond help and will most likely go down next turn. On a bright note, Minsk held for another turn as the 64 Rifle prepares for the siege.
I moved many units into the center this turn, and began the first real line of defense along the Dnepr and on up to Vitebsk. Its shallow, the divisions disorganized and ill trained, and the entrenchments are shallow, but Stalin has ordered the Western Front to buy time by contesting Smolensk and the major river.

South
A disaster. The Rumanians released, and helped seal the fate of those units still around Lvov and anything east of Tarnopol. While its frustrating to lose so many units, luckily they were not the cream of the Kiev MD.
The Southern Front made a general withdraw back to the Dnestr river with the AGS panzers heading south east to threaten their right. I would have gone further east, but many of the infantry divisions couldn't make it any further.
Finally, the 16 and 19 Army's took up position along the Dnepr south of Kiev and began digging in. This will be the southern MLR. I also went ahead and spent the points to build a fortified region in Cherkassy, and beefed up both armies (16 & 19), as each formed a construction BN, a heavy mortar BN and two MG artillery BNs.

Rail
I moved enough units around this turn wherein rail capacity was somewhat limited when it came time to start moving factories. However, there was just enough to move both Gomel and Mogilev's factories to the east.

The Smolensk AO

TURN 3

Northern Front

The north has been surprisingly quiet. The only German activity has been contact with the 36 Mot. Division south of Pskov. There has been a tremendous amount of air recon, but not sure of that is in preparation for an attack, or merely to insure my line is still located in the same place. My own air recon failed to reveal a build up south of Pskov, although there was a concentration of mostly unidentified units around Rezekne (one airfield was identified).

Further south, 9 Pz, a motorized unit and an SS unit have started making some headway toward Velikie Luki around Stanislavovo. The 21 Mech corps and several infantry divisions from 22 Army repositioned to meet the threat, but if it is a determined effort, they will not hold as they are not entrenched.
All in all, I will take the extra time and continue to fortify the Leningrad area.

Western Front (Smolensk)

In the center, the 12 Pz, 20 Pz and 19 Pz divisions have been spotted 40 miles south of Vitebsk, but my line is strengthening along the Dnepr and in the river gap between Smolensk and Vitebsk. I doubt that the Germans plan to push straight in, but we will have to wait and see.
Further south, the 24 Pz Corps was spotted 20 miles west of Mogilev, but I cannot believe they intend to force a crossing in that area, as the city is a natural defensive bulwark. Then going even further south to the west of Zhlobin, the 17 Pz and 29 Mot are pushing back stragglers from the Western Front. Recon flight also spotted several other unidentified German armored units a bit further west. Again, it doesn't seem the best place to force the river, but it would allow a crossing here the option of turning north or south.

Kiev Front

The Keiv Front is continuing to fall back, losing a division here and there. The units trapped around Lvov are being hemmed in, but the Germans are not making any great effort to destroy them. I assume that's because I am moving the pocket south and east, and it is shrinking. I hope to make it into the mountains, and make their final stand there.
Rail

Most of the rail was used to move factories this turn, as there were not that many divisions coming west, and the new divisions formed around Moscow are hoofing it forward. The following factories were moved in their entirety: Kiev, Odessa, Kirovograd, Nikolaev and Krivoi Rog.


South of Smolensk

Turn 4

Leningrad Front
The Germans finally started making some noise around Pskov, and I was forced to pull most of the units defending the town north and east. Still not sure where he plans on making the break towards Leningrad, but it appears the German plan is to push further east toward Volot, and then swing north; or make straight for Novorod.

Turn 4

Western Front
I was forced to abandon Vitebsk this turn as 7 Pz and 14 Mot threatened to isolate the defenders. I pulled back toward Velikie Luki with most of 22 Army, and the paras from 4 and 5 AB have taken up positions in the marshes to screen the complete withdraw.

There is a big buildup of units south of Mogilev, with LAH SS Mot and two panzer divisions 10 miles south. The 4 Army has been assigned all the infantry divisions in the area, and will try to meet any crossing between Mogilev and Zhlobin.

Turn 4

Kiev Front
More bad news down south as more units get trapped. There have not been any large encirclements in the south lately, just losing a few divisions a turn. But it adds up quickly and the Southwest Front is a shell of its former self.

Rail
After moving reinforcements from the east forward, and what little movement was needed at the front via rail, I was able to completely remove the Leningrad factories. I would hate to think what the loss of Leningrad would mean to the Soviet war effort, but the loss of those factories would be even worse, so out they went.
Also of note, Stepan Oborin (commander 14 Mech) was arrested and executed this turn.

Turn 5

Overall:
This felt like a good turn for the Russians, only lost a few divisions, cut off in previous turns, and the Germans seem to be losing steam a bit. I hate to be over confident in mid July, with plenty of time before the rains, but there has been little to be pleased with from STAVKA's point of view so far, and no immediate emergencies makes for a pleasant change.

North

The Germans seem to have split the AGN Panzer Group into two parts. 6 Pz and 36 Mot with infantry support are slogging their way directly north from PsKov. They are making headway, but it is slow going and they are facing only a light screen of infantry divisions from 27 Army.
The real fight in the northern sector seems to be taking place at Velikie Luki. 8 Pz and 31 Mot have tried to cut up north of the city through the swamps, while the 206 Infantry Division, along with Lehr Mot Bde are leading the German assault on the city, with an unidentified SS unit and another panzer unit in support. Surprisingly, 20 Mot and 14 Mot where being used to contain a small salient that had developed to the south, which must mean that the Germans are short on infantry divisions in the area.

I will not be able to hold Velikie Luki, and did not commit enough troops to even really try. My hope is that the Germans will slog through the defenders and therefore gain more fatigue and losses.

Turn 5

Middle

Very little going on directly west of Smolensk, and unusually raining weather has caused a slowdown of operations around Smolensk. 12 Pz, 19 Pz, 18 Mot and 20 Pz are all west of Smolensk, but none of them are pushing with real vigor towards Moscow. I can only surmise that the Germans have no intention of truly making a move for Moscow, at least not directly. I will take a bit of a gamble next turn if no attacks are launch towards Moscow from the Smolensk area, and start pulling some of the infantry divisions currently digging in around the capital south towards Tula. I plan on starting a build up now around Tula for the winter offensive. I won't build up quickly, just a division here and there, and allow the formations to train and refit for the next several months. Tula is also close enough to the front that these divisions can be siphoned off in an emergency, or committed together if needed (I will endeavor not to allow them to be called away absent a dire emergency).

Mogilev was the target area for the German crossing, and my units along the river where pushed aside rather quickly at the point of attack. The Germans attacked Mogilev directly with three infantry divisions and support, against two Soviet divisions with a corps Art Rgt in support. My fort level was three, but the defenders could not hold. The 172 Rifle retreated, while 110 Rifle routed (the commander has been shot). German losses where 852 men, 23 art and 1 afv. Russian losses where 8,348 men, 149 art and 0 afv. Hard to beleive how poorly the two rifle divisions performed in the city like that, but they were green and barely refit. Two other attacks were made in the sector, with similar results.

I probably could have tried to contain the breach, as there where good entrenched disions on either side of the breach, and a para corps was nearby to fill the gap, but I decided to go ahead and give up the Dnepr line north of Gomel, and pulled back to a secondary line. There is a lot of firepower coming across the river, but it may take a turn before the Germans are ready to assault my second line.

Turn 5

South

The south portion of the front was fairly quiet. The Germans attempt to catch the last of the Southwestern Front units escaping across the river north of Kiev and diverted some of their panzer group elements toward the city. However, it looks like most of the Soviet units will escape, and it is a definite was of time for the panzers and motorized infantry.

The Southern Front and 9 Army continue to retreat southeasterly, and seemed to have finally disengaged. If the Germans don't move quickly, they will be firmly entrenched across the river in a couple of weeks.

Rail
The Kremenchung, Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye factories were all moved east.

Trying to hold the Dnepr with the Western Front is terribly tough.  The first tun for the Axis beats on them a bit, and they are short on armor, which is really needed since the eastern bank is open.

Then a panzer group comes barreling in and rips into your troops, who've barely had time to prepare a defense.

My last try against the computer was a mess; my forward units were routed and those panzers just kept pushing through.  This time around I put the weak surviving Western Front units to the rear a bit for more prep time and i'm trying to put a rifle division behind every tree.  Also Zhukov is in charge, and even if he takes a bunch of losses he may not be too liable to be replaced by Comrade Stalin.

ORIGINAL: randallw

Trying to hold the Dnepr with the Western Front is terribly tough.  The first tun for the Axis beats on them a bit, and they are short on armor, which is really needed since the eastern bank is open.

Then a panzer group comes barreling in and rips into your troops, who've barely had time to prepare a defense.

My last try against the computer was a mess; my forward units were routed and those panzers just kept pushing through.  This time around I put the weak surviving Western Front units to the rear a bit for more prep time and i'm trying to put a rifle division behind every tree.  Also Zhukov is in charge, and even if he takes a bunch of losses he may not be too liable to be replaced by Comrade Stalin.

I agree with you. However, it seems a stand on the Dnepr south of Kiev is a must for a couple reasons. If anyone has counter points here, please fire away.
1. The divisions you send south as reinforcements from turn 1 need a place to go to refit, and train. The Dnepr river line makes a great spot, natural terrain etc.
2. Once the Germans arrive at the river line, they have to pause long enough for the infantry to come up, I don't think 1 Pz Grp can breach and cross on their own, that will take time and giove a natural pause (say a turn or two and maybe more). Anything that delays the Germans for that long is a plus for the Soviets.
3. As the going gets tougher for AGC and Moscow seems out of reach, the Germans always decide, or at least are tempted, to bring a Pz grp south, to help their buddies in AGS. This diverts strength from AGC, which again gains time. Eventually the line gets breached, and then its a running fight east, but by then general mud should be arriving soon.

The down side to this idea is that some units will probably get pocketed, but they always do somewhere it seems. Also, you need to also entrench some units around Gomel and to the east from they facing north, to meet the panzers from AGC when they do come, and buy yourself some time to leave Kiev and the river line.
3.

Turn 6
North
The Finish front is a shambles, but nothing can really be done here as I have sent all of the infantry divisions to Leningrad. Only the valiant NKVD units remain to harass the Finish army as it marches south. The 7th IAK PVO Air Command is also staying near the fighting in the far north with the 7th Independent Army, with two air bases of older fighters and ground attack aircraft. My hope is that these pilots will get some much needed experience fighting the less well equipped Finish air force.

Leningrad is coming along nicely, as more units refit and dig in for the coming German assault. Several armored units with infantry support are pushing north of Pskov, and they should have little trouble for the next 50 miles or so until they hit the main Leningrad line. Currently, they are only faced by a smattering of NKVD units and a nearly isolated infantry division. The 27 Army finally wheeled to the east and has taken up positions around Novgorod. I will dig in deep here, and the 27 Army will stop retreating if the Germans make a move for the city, otherwise, they will allow the Germans to push on to the north and harass their right flank.

Velikie Luki
Most of the real action seems to be developing around Velikie Luki now. It appears that the Germans plan on cutting up through the Velikie Luki area and then swing north to isolate Leningrad. The 11 Army (4 Rifle & 2 Cav divisions) and 22 Army (10 Rifle divisions) are fighting stubbornly, but without entrenchments they are being pushed steadily back. Additionally, the German panzers tried to push through the 11 Army units in the swamp last turn, and were repulsed, so now they have brought infantry support forward. I will need to rush some units in by rail when they are available to bolster 11 Army.
To make matters worse in this sector, the German units around the Smolensk area have cut north through the Dnepr and Mezha river gap. Luckily the wooded terrain has slowed the panzers, and I was able to send the 30 Army from the Moscow MD in to head off the breach, while the 24 Army from the Moscow MD squeezed forward.

Middle
In the center, much of the Western Front has pulled back again with a line running due south from Smolensk. I decided to try and hold a turn on the Oster river with the 3 Army and 4 Army from the Western Front. I normally would have dropped back again, to try and prevent and envelopments, but the next line on the Besed river is not ready yet. 2 AB corps and some unready units from both armies are busy digging positions, for the next withdraw. I am probably taking too big of a chance staying another turn, but its a risk I am willing to run to gain some time.

South
The south was strangely quiet, as the German infantry moved forward and presumably the panzers from 1 Pz Grp are repositioning for an assault on the Dnepr river line. My air recon was not able to spot any build ups, but the armor that can be seen is south and west of Cherkassy. However, this probably has more to do with pushing the survivors from Southern Front than it does indicating a likely crossing point.
If I am lucky, it wil take one more turn for the German infantry to close up, so the Germans may not be ready to force the river until early or mid August.
In the far south, no sign of the Rumanians, as it seems the Southern Front is running faster than they can advance.

Rail
Factories moved where port Kerch, Mariupol, Taganrog, Kramatorskaya and Poltava.

Turn 7

North

Everything still seems fine in the far north, as Leningrad continues to refit and dig in. I assume the Germans don't plan on heading straight in, but that's where my strength is currently. The 27 Army is tasked with defending Novogorod, and its a fairly strong army with nine divisions. However, the army is oriented to stop a move from the south or south west, and the Germans may be coming north farther east, after the debacle at Velikie Luki.

Velikie Luki

It's tough playing the Russians in 1941, and takes a strong stomach, especially when you see two whole army's get taken down, virtually without a fight. 22 Army, one of the strongest of the Northwest Front army's and 31 Army from Moscow MD were surrounded after German armored units broke through the river gap to the southeast and to the northeast of the city. They are not isolated yet, but soon will be, and I just don't have any way to try and break them free.

Also, even more worrisome, would be a drive to the north via say Torzhok, to isolate Leningrad from much farther east. I was short on replacement/reinforcement divisions this turn, but will have to send some towards Torzhok next turn just in case.

Middle

The panzer group which forded the Dnepr below Mogilev seems unstoppable. They have punched through three lines now, the Dnepr river line, the second line at the Pronya river, and the third at the Oster river. Whiel they were not huge holes, my troops are constantly forced to retreat back, thus losing their entrenchments, and then await the next assault.

The Orel Front has been working on a line on the Desna river, just behind the retreating Western Front, but most of the entrenchments are only 1s or 2s now. Additionally, the 6 Cav Corps was forced to ride out and try to cover a gap that opened up between 3 Army and 4 Army. If the Germans drive hard south or southeast, I will have to abandon the Kiev Dnepr line.

South

The river defense looks stout in the south, but I know down deep it's not. I was able to counter attack one German division that forded the Dnepr river about 30 miles south of Kiev, forcing him back across, which was a big boost to the remnants of the Southwest Front (currently holding the river line at Kiev and just south and north of the city).

It also appears that the Germans are not pausing to allow more of their infantry to come up, as several panzers (14 Pz, 16 Pz and 25 Mot. are trying to force a crossing just south of Cherkassy. I have strengthened the positions near the crossing attempt, and have brought what little mobile reserve is to be had up close, but it will be a near run thing to hold out for more than a turn or so.
And in the Southern Front sector, it appears that the units in the far south will get away clean, to take up their station on the river line.

Rail: Factories moved, Kursk, Bryansk, city north of Bryansk, and Kharkov (T-34 and SU-2 plants).

Turn 8 is when the GE reach their max length supply lines in the centre and south. His panzers will have only 16-24 Mps to play with so his rate of advance should be reduced. A lvl 3 fortified line from Rzhev to Kaluga should start increasing defensive CVs to a point where he will have to think about switching from hasty to deliberate attacks. This is the key to slowing down the axis rate of advance.

From turn 8 onwards the GE ammo levels get dodgy. If you look at the combat reports and see units that made 2-3 attacks, they will be on 25% ammo or less and will be good counter attack targets. Keep cavalry ready to get behind spearheads and then pile in with 6-9rifle divisions. The Fascists don't like their beloved panzers being knocked around so start scoring morale points and he will start being more cautious and will slow his rate of advance even more.