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I was wondering for all you Axis PBEM players -- do you use the linebacker defense even if you've captured Leningrad? It seems to me that releasing the Finns would allow you to cover the entire line with divisions without breaking them up. Or is it still advantageous to do this so you can place regiments in reserve?

I think the linebacker style defense depends on the participation of the Finns in order to make the line short enough to implement it. 

I thought the linebacker defense was breaking up divisions into regiments, then keeping one of the three regiments in reserve mode...am I wrong?

Nope, thats the one. 

But if you break up your divisions into regiments, you can cover a wider line (assuming you don't stack). I thought this was the whole point of the linebacker defense. My question was whether releasing the Finns eliminates the need to do this sort of thing to cover a wide enough line.

No, linebacker provides better defense in depth. (Basically you follow a pattern of 2 regiments up front and 1 in reserve and rotate any battered regiment out to rest up, that one typically being in reserve).

If you don't have Finns in the line that most likely means you are either stretched too thin or have Rumanians in the line during the winter (yikes!).

I use linebacker, it works great.

I beleive you also lose less troops by atrition because you have 33% not in front lines.

I break my units down then put them 3 deep before or as soon as mud season hits. Generally I can have a line of 3 deep of level 3 forts. I also use all my mech units to plug holes in the line where needed.

As the German you really need to take Leningrad to have a chance for a minor victory in the long run, but I could be wrong.

Pelton

hope you are wrong...In my first GC, I did not take Leningrad...did not destroy the red army...Interesting to hear about this kind of defense.
A question : Can the rumanians hold behind the Dniepr during winter ?

ORIGINAL: olivier34

hope you are wrong...In my first GC, I did not take Leningrad...did not destroy the red army...Interesting to hear about this kind of defense.
A question : Can the rumanians hold behind the Dniepr during winter ?

The Rumanians have a tough time EXISTING in the winter. And the river is frozen anyway

Against a human player the breaking up of divisions into regiments on the front line is akin to suicide. A good Soviet player will slice right thru that, although some of the latest combat model changes we are looking at may make that a more viable strategy.
 
If you release the Finns, you should have enough German and Finn divisions to cover the line north to south with enough left over to place another division a couple hexes back spaced 3 hexes apart. It just depends on how long of a defensive line you have. You may be forced to break up a couple divisions, but that should be the exception, not the rule. Regiments don't have the oompf to push back any small breakthru. Placing divisions in both the front and interspersed in a second line allows you to bring 5 or 6 of them to bear on any breakthru. I then use my panzers and motorised more as a strategic reserve that can be brought into any sector that is seriously threatened. Use your German and Rumanian mountain units as a fire brigade too since they are unaffected by blizzard.
 
 

The Axis minors (exception is their mountain units) should not be involved in combat if you can avoid it. Use them as diggers, preferably in cities/towns. 

ORIGINAL: Klydon

The Axis minors (exception is their mountain units) should not be involved in combat if you can avoid it. Use them as diggers, preferably in cities/towns. 

they also make gook sacrificial lambs when needed

The Hungarians are ok. I use them as front line troops. There is really no choice. You do not have enough to cover otherwise.

good to hear that. I will use the rumanians too because I have no choice.