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This is such a fun game. I tried the "Road to...scenarios" and did pretty well so this was my first campaign.

I am a strong-north proponent so the plan was to take Leningrad in 41 and go as far as I could everywhere else then save strength for a good 42 summer campaign. I learned from RTL to drive the armour straight toward Pskov.

This is the center. Nothing earth-shattering really.

This is the south. I did go extra deep to get a larger pocket. I know this would be foolish against a human opponent (I struggle with the results of these aggressive AGS panzer moves for quite a few turns later).

Here is Turn 4 for the north. The panzers by themselves were not safely strong enough to blow past the Pskov area so I wait for the infantry. In my opinion it is definitely worth it to go east of Novgorod to cut off the lake ports to isolate Leningrad. The forces the AI builds up along the major river east of Leningrad are tough. As you advance toward the lake you can never have enough infantry because of the two long-exposed flanks. On my next game I will send almost all of AGN infantry east of Novogorod, plus all the new OKH infantry divisions arriving.

This is the northern part of AGC. Waiting for the infantry to catch up mostly. ...ready to strike forward.

The southern part of AGC. Still mostly getting infantry support. I did race the panzers forward across the major river. I am planning to drive these forces mostly south to cut off Kiev and help pocket everything in the swamps.

Sufferin" succotash! Where is the six-deep Russian line of defence in front of Smolensk?

Henri

This is the south. After turn one the panzers raced east to cross the Dnepr early. In hindsight it was a mistake because I could have gotten across easily a little later. The tanks were over-extended and spent several turns with spotty supply and little infantry support. Plus, the pocket had a huge area to contain. I thought it was important to send the german infantry in Rumania due east to support the tanks instead of to Odesssa. The Rumananians can handle that.

This is Turn 7 in the north. ...almost to the coast! The supply tanks get in this area is so poor infantry is faster. The is no need for a lot of pressure on Leningrad itself until the supply falls.

Turn 7 Center near Moscow. I like a strong push from the northwest and am heading for Rzhev...

Turn 7 lower part of AGC. East toward Bryansk and south to help AGS near Kiev.

Turn 7 AGS. There are still are lot of soviets west of the river to surround. The infantry is finally catching up but 17th army spent a lot of time mopping up the border. Plus, since I made this mistake I lost a little time on the rail conversion.

Turn 7 deep south. Pretty much advancing with little opposition here. I just realized it will take germans to break into the Crimea and will move the fast mountain divisions (not sure if mountain troops are better in rough but have them for Sevastopol just in case) along with the 7th flieger. The plan is to load as many divisions as I can with pioneer and stug battalions for extra punch and give the 44th mountain corps Model as leader.

Turn 10 North. Leningrad is being reduced. Once the Finns are released they will occupy the whole northern line. AGN armor is headed southeast to help against Moscow.

Better Turn 10 shot of AGN armor heading toward Moscow. Once strong lines form in that rougher terrain between Leningrad and Moscow it is so tough to pressure Moscow from here!

Turn 10 near Moscow.

We all would prefer a large encirclement instead of bullying into the city so that it is the plan...

Turn 10 south of Moscow. No real visible opposition. Supply is the problem...
The AI certainly prefers defending in front of the city.

Turn 10 south

Huge progress since last screen shot. The front has moved east all the way to Kharkov. Here the supply is the problem again.

Turn 13 north
AGN infantry has finished in Leningrad and is moving SE.
The Finns are moving east into position.

Turn 13 Center
Moscow is encircled! Will it hold? Airdropping is crucial to keep the spearheads moving. And to concentrate the drops to get a lead unit up to 30-40MP instead of spreading drops out.

Being able to do this in 1941 has has been the big surprise of the game for me.