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FINISHEDThis is my first AAR. I hope it is of some use to folks.

I am playing the German 1941 campaign scenario versus the AI on normal difficulty. I have played Operation Typhoon and I am aware of the devistation blizzards will bring upon the Axis armies. I'll be prepared for it (I hope).

My goal is the destruction of the Soviet army. Period. I am not interested in targeting cities unless they lay in the path of n encirclement. I am not interested in micro managing production (if it can be) nor am I interested in micro managing the units themselves. That said, I will be avoiding head on clashes where ever possible. I need to preserve my forces as much as possible; to use infantry as much as possible to make the gaps in established lines and not panzer divisions. Finally, I will purposely forgo temptations of “one more attempt when mud in near. I wish to be well established for every mud/blizzard turn. Weather is set for random.

I am doing this AAR in the hopes that the community will help me learn more about the game and to help others.

To that end, enjoy...


Turn 1.

I have abused select infantry divisions. I feel very bad about it. Honest. I did it to maximize the manoeuvrability of follow on infantry divisions. There sacrifice was their brother divisions' well being.

I used select infantry divisions to run the Soviet defensive lines. Some divisions made 4 to 5 attacks alone along the front. They'll need some rest. This allowed maximum movement of follow on units free on enemy ZOCs.

I have many bad habits one of which is to move front line units before HQ s that may share the same hex. The result? Displacement and loss of supplies. I did it this turn in the centre.

I use recon to see only my lines of advance and a little to the flanks. I also use it to see airfields and possible concentrations of enemy forces. Finally, I do my airfield attacks at the end of the turn. Strange? Maybe but I have decided that I want maximum air power for ground support. Also, at the end of the turn I can fly the air force to its maximum for airbase destruction where ever its warranted.

I have changed the screen shots to include the attacks made. Thought it might be interesting. Also, the shots are at the end of the Axis move but before the Soviet move.

Turn 2

AGN: I will be screening Leningrad. I will advance on the city and dig in. My goal here is to cut the rail lines to it further east. I'll swing north from Velikie Luki. Frankly I doubt I will achieve this but where ever the Soviet army goes I will follow.

AGC: Pockets are interesting things; you do not want to over commit and slow down an advance not under commit and take too long to reduce. I think my commitment to them was no more than average. Several more mini pockets for the infantry to clear and I managed to get with 40 miles of Smolensk.

AGS: Recon was conducted SE toward Proskurov and due east toward Kiev. There was nothing of significance to stop me due east. In fact there was a huge aircraft parking lot. There were all overrun. The result was cutting the rail lines in the marshes trapping a significant force there.

Remember, I want to destroy the Soviet army therefore an southern encirclement will come later. Crossing the Dnepr may not happen till '42.

Turn 3

AGN: Moves made to firm up the northern flank while the two panzer corps to the east prepare a to advance on Velikie Luki.

AGC: Panzer corps consolidate the river side plus a bridgehead. I saw the approach to Smolensk clear and I got greedy. Attempted a corps assault on the city. Lots of dead panzers. Very silly. Infantry is a turn away.

AGS: Began reducing the marsh pockets. Strengthen the southern line of the salient. Simply cannot drive further east. Against a human player what I have done would like cost me dearly from counter attacks. Time to turn the panzers south. The Romanian forces are now free and will make a “dash” due east to link with the panzers.

You need to cut south with your armor and connect with the Romanians. That will kill a huge chunk of units.

Don't fight in the central swamps head on. Keep units advancing to keep the pressure on and use an armor unit from the north and 1 from the south to cut the entire swamp off. Then go kill them. Swamps are a hard slog.

Watch out around Kiev, the AI loves to really pack the units there and you can find yourself surrounded by sheer numbers of units.

Turn 4

I am pleased with the AI. In the south the previous turn I was only 2 hexes away from cutting the rail line for the western most Soviet units. The AI used this to escape. As you will see the pockets closed too late. All is not lost however.

AGN: Some hard fighting for the eastern most panzer corps. Fortunately the infantry is arriving to take the load.

AGC: Again a case of waiting for the infantry. I pulled the panzer corps back from Smolensk for a break. I strengthen the bridgehead by adding more panzers. They will be join by infantry next turn.

AGS: More pocket reduction in the marsh area. Beginning of the reduction of a smaller pocket a little south. Recon clearly demonstrated a massive pullback of forces east. There is a gap but not worth the risk. I do have a hex on Kiev but the panzers must rest and guard against counter attack until the infantry can catch up. I anticipate 2 turns for this to happen.

In the meantime the Romanian front is continuing east.

Thanks for the heads up 2ndACR. I'll be pushing down the western bank of the Dnepr shortly. I have gambled alot here so far for few losses. I hope that continues. Granted, I did lose out on a pocket but there will be more, I hope...

The AI likes to build a wall of units in the swamp right along the last north south rail line in the swamp. You can already see 2 units. I find it easier to blow across the Dneper just south of the small city south of Smlonsk and make a sharp turn to the south. You are out of the swamps so can make super time. That will unhinge the line. I usually only have the Cav div and 2 Inf div moving thru the swamp so the Russian front is farther west in the swamp.

Nice thing about the AI, it smells a pocket coming and it will flee. Big pockets are hard to pull off. Can be done though.

SU Turn 4

I wanted to highlight the AI here. I knew ( you knew) I was driving too deep but I thought I could manage. The AI pulled back, prepared (rested a week) and counter attacked. The screen shot (SS) is the result.

OH DEAR!!!

Nice bit of ISOLATION!