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Well here I go again, playing the Axis. I'm really looking forward to playing againt heliodorus04, I think it will quite a challenge. But by now I do have the mechanics down.

The first turn is a bit boring, hope I didn't miss anything. Playing against an enemy whose positions you know by heart isn't all that giving - turn 2 will be more interesting. I wonder how heliodorus04 will react...

Turn 1

AGN

Standard: take Riga, create some pockets, move mobile units as far east as possible.

AGC

Same here: create pockets, move east, get units next to Minsk. The central pocket is leaky but those units aren't getting away.

AGS

This may be slightly controversial but I choose not to close the Lvov pocket. Instead Rovno is taken and the river east of it crossed. The pocket southwest of Rovno will be broken but at least those strong units are tied down.

We advance to Proskurov and clear forts. A hasty attack on the city itself fails. If the Soviets don't fall back there may be the possibility of a Rovno-Proskurov pincer for another pocket next turn.

Strong fresh infantry units east-northeast of Lvov are ready to march to Proskurov next turn.

What is the big advantage of moving that far east in the south? Do you want to cross the Dnepr at Kiev?

The soviets will have a hard time moving out of that would be pocket but I urge you to close it next turn.. You can't afford to leave that many very good rifle divisions alive in your southern sector...

Heliodorus is very methodical and he will know almost exactly how far you can move..

Connonfodder, the point of moving east is to create friendly corridors for the infantry to walk through. Besides moving east and taking territory is a goal in itself.

Turn 2

Things are going well, very well.

AGN

Soviets go for a classical Pskov defense. Infantry is lagging a bit as they cleared all the pockets. The mobile units make some minor pockets and exploit a gap in the southern sector.

Next stop Velikie Luki!

AGC

Multiple minor pockets as the infantry moves forward. Panzers punch through and make two successful deliberate attacks on strong diggers south of Vitebsk. Soviet strategy seems to be a curious mix of stay and run, and so far it is not working.

Next stop Smolensk!

AGS

Pockets are re-established and several new smaller ones made as the panzers surge east. As much of the infantry as possible follows close behind. The plan is to not leave any quality units behind to deal with pockets unless absolutely necessary. 14th panzer division (just north of Vinnitsa) is completely exhausted, otherwise panzer strength isn't too bad.

Next stop Kiev!

How did he try to defend? Checkerboard in the south? I found it very hard to stop axis spearheads but you can buy a few turns to enable infantry reserve to dig in behind the Dnepr.

I usually start reinforcing near Kiev, and then work my way south as that area is harder to reach for the germans..

So far your progress seems great.. Insane even

That's just the thing, his defense was somewhere in between: not enough to slow me down but enough to get some units pocketed. I think he would have been better off either running or fighting. Of course this is still turn 2, not many options yet for the Soviets. By turn 3 my panzers will already be low on fuel and fatigued.

A delayed Lvov pocket via an early strike towards Proskorov is a perfectly reasonable alternative. The Sovs aren't getting out either way.

AGS:Yes really poor defence by russian player in south not sure what hes thinking. Mybee just tring to slow your infantry down as he is in north.

AGC:Your railhead in center looks good. Progress very good all around. I see you now have extra panzers from AGS north of swamp, Moscow main objective?

AGN: Your really exposed and infantry are behind 1/2 a turn, but doesn't look like your enemy is putting up a fight yet.

There are more manpower pts exposed from Tula south then Leningrad and Moscow together. Don't pull to much from AGS.

Pelton

Moscow is always a main objective, but only if possible (no slugging matches or direct assaults).

I took one panzer corps from AGC to AGS on turn 1. On turn 2 I gave an unfrozen panzers corps from AGS to AGC. So it balances out.

Turn 3, 7/3/1941

Oh well we were a bit too optimistic last turn. All pockets in the south are broken, even Lvov. Allthough at the cost to the Soviets of actually moving units west. In the center things hold up nicely, while in the north the units near Velikie Luki are temporarily cut off.

AGS after recon before moves

What looked to be a bad defence in south might not be so bad.

He is throwing away a few units, but I say its worth the cost.

AGN

Panzers are out of fuel. Infantry moves up.

AGC

Panzers fight for Smolensk while infantry marches.

AGS

Pockets are finally and irrevocably sealed. Panzers do little fighting while clearing corridors. Honorable mention goes to the Rumanian Armored division which helps seals a new pocket.

Turn 4, 7/10/1941, Mud South

Mud in the south zone creates lots of problems. Elsewhere infantry marches to the front as panzers are too low on fuel to accomplish much.

AGN

Infantry finally at the frontlines. Airdrops focus on the 36th motorized, maybe it can get somewhere next week.

AGC

Infantry begins to catch up. Panzers are still able to stop any digging beyond level 1 forts.

AGS

I stupidly try to reduce the Lvov pocket in mud and suffer casaulties. It will be left to Romanians, Hungarians and security forces. The infantry really needs to march east.

The 11th panzer division receives almost all the airdrops, it's fuel is now at 124%.