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Pocketing - Pros and Cons
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:01 pm
by gargoil
I have played only 8 turns as Axis - but I have 40 years wargaming experience. I have a issue I am deciding on and I will like to state my views for your reaction. It is if pocketing Soviet units should be used to a greater or lesser extent in the first months of the war. I am not proposing the total avoidance of pocketing. I am only trying to estimate an optimum usage. Here are the 4 cases:
1) Create as many and as large Pockets as possible to the sacrifice of all other considerations - Pros - destruction of the maximum # of Soviet units. Cons - much time spend beating down those pockets, many units not advancing.
2) Moderate use of Pockets - Pros and Cons are somewhere between 1) and 3).
3) Only Pocket when it happens naturally - Pros - you can keep the most units moving forward on the frontlines, gaining more ground. Cons - more Soviet units escaping to come back to haunt you later.
4) Aviod Pockets like the plague - maximizing Pros and Cons listed in 3).
Which of the above would you say is the proper strategy in your opinion?
RE: Pocketing - Pros and Cons
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:25 pm
by Klydon
To a point, it is a little more complicated than that. [:D]
I think somewhere in the middle is the best and part of it also depends on where on the front you are talking about and when.
For instance, in the north in the first part of the game, units are at a premium for the Russians. A well executed offensive pocket by AGN will result in the Russians having very little to shove in front of the Germans to further delay their advance and they wind up having to pull in troops from other theaters early. An offensive that routs a lot of Russian units will result in the Russians not having to rail in nearly the units, making it tougher in other theaters.
When going for encirclements, quality can be important too. If you have the chance to bag tank/motorized divisions, do it. While the tanks are mostly garbage, the other elements (mainly trucks) are beneficial to the Russians longer term and will absolutely have an impact on the amount of tank/mech forces the Russians can later field along with the ability to supply them. In addition, motorized divisions allow the Russians not only to save a huge pile of trucks, but also get a boost to their available command points that they can use to replace crappy commanders and improve their command structure by putting those units in static someplace for a huge net gain in command points. Removing cav and mountain divisions are also important. (mountain divisions are never replaced and cav divisions become cav corps in the winter).
Basically what I am saying is I think you stay away from the extremes (no pockets or big time pockets, etc) and be opportunistic. Part of this depends on your opponent too. If they run for the hills, you will be hard pressed after the first turn to form any significant pockets. If they stand and fight, you may have a better chance.
RE: Pocketing - Pros and Cons
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:14 pm
by gargoil
ORIGINAL: Klydon
To a point, it is a little more complicated than that. [:D]
I think somewhere in the middle is the best and part of it also depends on where on the front you are talking about and when.
For instance, in the north in the first part of the game, units are at a premium for the Russians. A well executed offensive pocket by AGN will result in the Russians having very little to shove in front of the Germans to further delay their advance and they wind up having to pull in troops from other theaters early. An offensive that routs a lot of Russian units will result in the Russians not having to rail in nearly the units, making it tougher in other theaters.
When going for encirclements, quality can be important too. If you have the chance to bag tank/motorized divisions, do it. While the tanks are mostly garbage, the other elements (mainly trucks) are beneficial to the Russians longer term and will absolutely have an impact on the amount of tank/mech forces the Russians can later field along with the ability to supply them. In addition, motorized divisions allow the Russians not only to save a huge pile of trucks, but also get a boost to their available command points that they can use to replace crappy commanders and improve their command structure by putting those units in static someplace for a huge net gain in command points. Removing cav and mountain divisions are also important. (mountain divisions are never replaced and cav divisions become cav corps in the winter).
Basically what I am saying is I think you stay away from the extremes (no pockets or big time pockets, etc) and be opportunistic. Part of this depends on your opponent too. If they run for the hills, you will be hard pressed after the first turn to form any significant pockets. If they stand and fight, you may have a better chance.
Original OP here. Klydon, your reply is quite compelling, and is very much in line with what I do. Thanks.