Long campaign

[Cruku]

I started the long campaing as germans...in year 1941. So far I have played 4 missions, of which 2 have been defensive(rivers crossing and defend) and 2 meeting engagements(in the other one I could place my troops anywhere I wanted...)
The casualty ratio is something like 1:20
my enemy is SU of course...
Is it supposed to go this way or is there a problem???

[Gary Tatro]

Does anyone read history anymore? Yes that is about right but I think it is a little low. SU had tremendous losses at the beginning of the war with the Germans. A little reading about the losses, human and vehicle might help to put it into perspective. I can not give you any titles but I am sure if you asked a number of knowledgeable forumers would be able to help, if you are interested.

[Warhorse]

Against the AI can be very easy at times, especially early in the war when the Russian morale/experience is low, if you want a real challenge, find someone to play your campaign against, with a human playing the Soviet side, you will find it a totally new experience!! This is by either PBEM, or hotseat, of course...

[Cruku]

I am not saying the casualty rate is too high. I am saying that I haven't had any attack missions yet...why?

[Warhorse]

Ahhh (light dawns), I gotcha now!!! That is a little strange, especially since that IS what the Germans were doing!!

[Henpecked]

In SPWAW's long campaign, it's not unusual to fight defensive battles in what was historically an offensive campaign. I recall starting one in 1939 and fighting two defensive battles against the Poles.

It can even be rationalized, if you think about it. Though on the strategic defensive, the Russians were constantly counterattacking in 1941. Guderian, for example, writes about Russian attacks on his southern flank during the Smolensk campaign. As I recall he even pulled back from a place called Yelnya because of the constant Russian assaults.

Or maybe the game is simulating breakout attempts by surrounded forces, or attempts to relieve pockets of resistance from the outside.

As for the casualties, 20:1 or better is perfectly reasonable against the 1941 Soviet AI, especially in defensive battles. The ratio tends to be less favorable in assaults, although with patience and the right force mix the player can achieve similar results.