Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 game over
Moderators: Joel Billings, Sabre21
Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 game over
Back in June, smokindave34 pm'd me requesting that I come out of PvP retirement for a rematch. Same sides as before, and of course I said sure, why not.
And once again Comrade Stalin put on his war bonnet and prepared to lead his countrymen against the remorseless fascist invaders.
For rules, we agreed to play with mild blizzard. I've also held back from any airborne drops to the point in time where the game is now, in September '42.
We're playing a server game; screenshots from previous turns that aren't already taken are of course unavailable. So this will be an AAR that covers more of the "big picture" related to past events. If people want particular screenies and details of stuff going forward, just let me know.
So away we go...
And once again Comrade Stalin put on his war bonnet and prepared to lead his countrymen against the remorseless fascist invaders.
For rules, we agreed to play with mild blizzard. I've also held back from any airborne drops to the point in time where the game is now, in September '42.
We're playing a server game; screenshots from previous turns that aren't already taken are of course unavailable. So this will be an AAR that covers more of the "big picture" related to past events. If people want particular screenies and details of stuff going forward, just let me know.
So away we go...
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
For the first three months of Operation Barbarossa, Axis troops drove forward across multiple lines of advance. In the north, the grave threat to the city of Leningrad was immediately recognized by Comrade Stalin. Accordingly, he replaced Markian Popov as Northern Front Commander with General Georgy Zhukov. Boris Shaposhnikov assumed command of the STAVKA during these critical weeks.
Zhukov was ruthless in stripping the southern front armies of some of its best divisions to insure the invaders would pay a heavy price for any advance against Leningrad. He was also unhesitating in taking the best leaders of the Red Army and with Shaposhnikov’s concurrence assigning them to his command. Several STAVKA reserve armies were brought into the line of battle to reinforce the Leningrad Front.

Army Group North forced its way through the Baltic states and approached the defenses in front of Leningrad from west to east, rather than pushing hard north from the direction of Pskov. This was the situation in the vicinity of Leningrad by mid-September.

Zhukov was ruthless in stripping the southern front armies of some of its best divisions to insure the invaders would pay a heavy price for any advance against Leningrad. He was also unhesitating in taking the best leaders of the Red Army and with Shaposhnikov’s concurrence assigning them to his command. Several STAVKA reserve armies were brought into the line of battle to reinforce the Leningrad Front.

Army Group North forced its way through the Baltic states and approached the defenses in front of Leningrad from west to east, rather than pushing hard north from the direction of Pskov. This was the situation in the vicinity of Leningrad by mid-September.

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
In the weeks following, Zhukov demonstrated his armies could mount a stubborn defense when called upon. One such example occurred on the 18th of September, when XXXXI Panzer Corps was repulsed at by the 48th Army of Major General Ivan Bagramyan. Assisting 48th Army was one tank brigade of Nikolai Vatutin’s 28th Army. This was the 93rd Tank Brigade, formerly the 40th Tank Division after being reorganized only two weeks prior. Commanding the brigade was Colonel Ivan Chernyakhovsky who had previously served for almost two months as Vatutin’s operations officer for mechanized troops. Chernyakhovsky had narrowly escaped capture in the course of the destruction of his own 28th Tank Division, Northwest Front, in the early days of the war. He had slipped the German noose in the opening days of July via a still Soviet controlled Riga and subsequently found his way to Leningrad. After debriefing and processing he found himself with the 28th Army operations group. At Chernyakhovsky’s request, he received from Vatutin command of the 93rd in order “to get back into the fighting”.

Meantime, Zhukov showed he could give as well as take, launching his own carefully orchestrated blows.

In spite of the local success of Zhukov's forces, German attacks were successful in severing the physical link between those forces north of the Neva and the bulk of the Leningrad Front. Still, it was now the first days of October and time was running out for significant German gains in this area with worsening weather approaching.


Meantime, Zhukov showed he could give as well as take, launching his own carefully orchestrated blows.

In spite of the local success of Zhukov's forces, German attacks were successful in severing the physical link between those forces north of the Neva and the bulk of the Leningrad Front. Still, it was now the first days of October and time was running out for significant German gains in this area with worsening weather approaching.

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
By mid-October, the German drive on Leningrad reached a conclusion. The city itself remained in Soviet hands, while those forces of the Red Army north of the River Neva held onto their heavily entrenched positions. The area around the River Volkhov was likewise heavily defended. There would be no further advance for Army Group North against these forces even as the rains passed and the first snows fell. Those at Rastenburg would have to content themselves with the knowledge that the defenders of Leningrad were largely cut off, no longer playing an active part in the war.

Meanwhile, there was Moscow.

Meanwhile, there was Moscow.
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
The planners of Operation Barbarossa in early 1941 fully understood the value of capturing the capital of the USSR. To that end the most powerful of the Wehrmacht’s panzerwaffe was slated for the road to Moscow. At the start of the campaign, all came off like clockwork. Dmitri Pavlov’s Western Front was surrounded and largely destroyed in the Bialystock pocket. In the attempt to escape the pocket, several Soviet generals lost their lives, including Vasily Kuztetsov, commander of 3rd Army. German forces continued to press eastwards, breaking the Soviet defenses along the banks of the Dnepr. Smolensk, gateway to Moscow, was in German hands by August. With the German forces seemingly unstoppable on their drive to the capital of the Soviet Union, Stalin was looking for scapegoats. Directly in his sights was Pavlov, now desperately working to reform and reorganize the fresh division formations filling the ranks. Even the support from Marshal Shaposhnikov seemed unlikely to spare Pavlov the firing squad. A death sentence was on Stalin’s desk ready for his signature as the Germans seemed poised to roll onto the Volokolamsk highway and the historic nineteenth century battlefield of Borodino.

But news was now being delivered that seemed to give Pavlov the narrowest of chances to escape Stalin’s wrath. The Germans were slowing. Red Army divisions of the Kalinin and Western Fronts reinforced by three cavalry armies of I. Konev, K.K. Rokossovsky and L. Bobkin barred the direct approach to the Soviet capital. In addition, in August Stalin had called on General Dmitry Lelyushenko to form 22 tank brigades to aid in the defense of Moscow. Some of these tank brigades were assigned to a new army of Bryansk Front, the 49th. Others were assigned as STAVKA reserve and stationed along the River Moskva, southeast of the city. Some of these were newly formed while a few were combat experienced units including 90th Tank Brigade of Mikhail Katukov as well as Chernyakhovsky’s 93rd.

By the second week of October the summer campaign came to an end. No further attempt was made by the German army to advance towards Moscow with winter approaching. By late Novermber, the Red Army was able to call up sufficient reinforcements and prepare for a counteroffensive that would start in early December.


But news was now being delivered that seemed to give Pavlov the narrowest of chances to escape Stalin’s wrath. The Germans were slowing. Red Army divisions of the Kalinin and Western Fronts reinforced by three cavalry armies of I. Konev, K.K. Rokossovsky and L. Bobkin barred the direct approach to the Soviet capital. In addition, in August Stalin had called on General Dmitry Lelyushenko to form 22 tank brigades to aid in the defense of Moscow. Some of these tank brigades were assigned to a new army of Bryansk Front, the 49th. Others were assigned as STAVKA reserve and stationed along the River Moskva, southeast of the city. Some of these were newly formed while a few were combat experienced units including 90th Tank Brigade of Mikhail Katukov as well as Chernyakhovsky’s 93rd.

By the second week of October the summer campaign came to an end. No further attempt was made by the German army to advance towards Moscow with winter approaching. By late Novermber, the Red Army was able to call up sufficient reinforcements and prepare for a counteroffensive that would start in early December.

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
So rather than work up a storyline that's a year behind, I think I'll just cover things up to current events.
Dave wiped out a good chunk of the Southwestern and Southern Fronts in '41. In return, I evacuated virtually the entire Soviet industrial base to safety in the Urals. Effectively the total loss was 8 arms factories, 4 of which were lost on Turn 1 in Minsk. With Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov still under my control by the end of summer virtually nothing happened on the snow turns leading up to blizzard.
Here were the OOBs and unit losses by the end of summer.


Combat losses at start of blizzard:

Dave wiped out a good chunk of the Southwestern and Southern Fronts in '41. In return, I evacuated virtually the entire Soviet industrial base to safety in the Urals. Effectively the total loss was 8 arms factories, 4 of which were lost on Turn 1 in Minsk. With Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov still under my control by the end of summer virtually nothing happened on the snow turns leading up to blizzard.
Here were the OOBs and unit losses by the end of summer.


Combat losses at start of blizzard:

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
During the mild blizzard, the main effort was to retake Tula and Orel and push on Kursk. The Moscow front was pushed a little ways west but still short of Smolensk.
This is where the lines were at the end of blizzard.
Leningrad region

Moscow Region

Orel Region

Dnepr Region

This is where the lines were at the end of blizzard.
Leningrad region

Moscow Region

Orel Region

Dnepr Region

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
In the time leading up to the summer, I pulled back the southern front to the east. Dave recaptured Bryansk and Kursk and was still able to make a panzer hook that trapped some southern divisions with 90k men during clear turns. All in all it was something that the Red Army could deal with. Also during the winter and spring, all the industry of the Caucasus was pulled out, down to the last HI factory.
The pocket

Units isolated and then destroyed in south

Orel-Kursk Region
Moscow - Smolensk Region

OOB prior to start of summer:

And production at the start of summer

The pocket

Units isolated and then destroyed in south

Orel-Kursk Region

Moscow - Smolensk Region

OOB prior to start of summer:

And production at the start of summer

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
Once summer started, the Red Army braced itself for the great German Summer Offensive of 1942.
But at first they didn't come... [&:]
For the first three weeks of clear weather nothing happened and left one to wonder what was the German strategy going to be.
Then in late July of all places the Northwest Front was caught up in the Lake Ilmen Offensive. This time twice as many were bagged by Dave's forces during his first summer foray, a little over 180k. The Red Army's mobile reserves were rushed in to try and counter what was next. The main concern was a push north that would cut off Leningrad and the units in Karelia.


Dave gobbled up what he came for and then withdrew his divisions. So I waited for his next move.
And waited...
And waited.
That it turns out was the Grand Plan of 1942 for the Wehrmacht. There were some belated Red Army attacks here and there, but Dave was content to sit on what he had for the summer and build morale beating off my attacks.
But at first they didn't come... [&:]
For the first three weeks of clear weather nothing happened and left one to wonder what was the German strategy going to be.
Then in late July of all places the Northwest Front was caught up in the Lake Ilmen Offensive. This time twice as many were bagged by Dave's forces during his first summer foray, a little over 180k. The Red Army's mobile reserves were rushed in to try and counter what was next. The main concern was a push north that would cut off Leningrad and the units in Karelia.


Dave gobbled up what he came for and then withdrew his divisions. So I waited for his next move.
And waited...
And waited.
That it turns out was the Grand Plan of 1942 for the Wehrmacht. There were some belated Red Army attacks here and there, but Dave was content to sit on what he had for the summer and build morale beating off my attacks.
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
This is how things looked as the summer ended.
OOB

Ground losses were understandably low without being hammered throughout summer

Air loss ratios were reasonable while actively managing the force

And the big picture

OOB

Ground losses were understandably low without being hammered throughout summer

Air loss ratios were reasonable while actively managing the force

And the big picture

RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
Once the Fall was over, it was time to see if the upcoming snow and blizzard turns would be more "exciting."
As it turns out, Stephen Speilberg could have made a movie about this. It could be called "Winter Wars- The Phantom Menace"
No German offensive, just selective attacks by the panzers and motorized divisions while sitting comfortably in reserve state behind row upon row of Level 3 forts. So it is left to the opposing forces to replay World War I in all its glory. One hex at a time.
As it turns out, Stephen Speilberg could have made a movie about this. It could be called "Winter Wars- The Phantom Menace"
No German offensive, just selective attacks by the panzers and motorized divisions while sitting comfortably in reserve state behind row upon row of Level 3 forts. So it is left to the opposing forces to replay World War I in all its glory. One hex at a time.
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
not quite re the (intriguing) AAR, but what map (mod?) are you using - esp for the 1942 images ... looks very impressive
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
goranw's planning map
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
Did the Axis just concede their 1942 offensive because 1941 didn't go well enough?
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
Could you tell us something about your blizzard setup? How many cavalry corps did you build? What support units were you using? Also, how many units above 50 morale did you have before blizzard?
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
I built 14 cavalry corps at the start and had 16 at the end. My standard setup is two sapper regiments in each. They were concentrated in 4 armies, including 1st Shock Army under Vasilevsky.
By the end of April, 13 had attained guards status. I couldn't tell you how many were above morale 50.
In all remaining 3 shock armies, I put 9 tank brigades. The plan was to convert 6 of them to 2 corps come April. The other 2 corps slots remained open until the shock armies got their 2 mechanized corps in September. I also created two artillery armies of 9 light howitzer brigades each at the start of 1942. As it was, the AI filled them with 152mm howitzers that aren't exactly "light".
By the end of April, 13 had attained guards status. I couldn't tell you how many were above morale 50.
In all remaining 3 shock armies, I put 9 tank brigades. The plan was to convert 6 of them to 2 corps come April. The other 2 corps slots remained open until the shock armies got their 2 mechanized corps in September. I also created two artillery armies of 9 light howitzer brigades each at the start of 1942. As it was, the AI filled them with 152mm howitzers that aren't exactly "light".
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
ORIGINAL: jwolf
Did the Axis just concede their 1942 offensive because 1941 didn't go well enough?
Probably so, but Dave would have the definitive answer. I am just guessing.
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RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
Hi M60,
You want the tank/mech corp in shock armies rather than tank armies? Why?
M60-a3tts, that's pretty old tank by now, yes?
You want the tank/mech corp in shock armies rather than tank armies? Why?
M60-a3tts, that's pretty old tank by now, yes?
RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
I have 5 tank armies already, each with 3 tank corps. Plus the shock armies allow for 4 corps without exceeding the command limit.
Yes, it is an old tank now, but I used to ride in them.
Yes, it is an old tank now, but I used to ride in them.
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RE: Der Fuhrer goes Blauless - M60A3TTS vs smokindave34 (no SD pls)
caught a ride on one myself (once) back in the day. Spring 68, Hwy 1, south of Hue.
Your AAR is great
Your AAR is great