Dave vs Bobo (no Dave pls)

[821Bobo]

I have started new game with, I think hardcore settings for Soviets. I am really curious how this will evolve.
Dave is also WitE veteran therefore I expect this will be another good game. [8D]

It is Sudden Death 41-45 GC, me playing the evil Soviets.

Server game

Full FoW
Locked HQs
Random Weather
Reduced Blizzard
None Soviet Combat Bonus

We have no HR except no paradrops on German rails.

[micheljq]

What is sudden death?

Thank you, Michel.

[821Bobo]

It is Grand Campaign with alternate victory conditions.

This is from the Lost Battles manual:

Turns: 211
This campaign is a variant of the 1941-45 Campaign - Alt VC260 campaign, with the only
change being additional sudden death victory conditions. The victory conditions are the same
as that in the Alt VC260 campaign with the addition of three sudden death victory condition
checks made during the campaign. The checks are made at the beginning of the first turn of
April 1942, April 1943 and April 1944. If during one of these checks, a player is determined to
have met their Sudden Death victory conditions, the game will immediately end and declare a
Decisive Victory for the winner.
37
April 1942
German Victory if victory points are >=242
Soviet Victory if victory points are <=191
April 1943
German Victory if victory points are >=255
Soviet Victory if victory points are <=188
April 1944
German Victory if victory points are >=210
Soviet Victory if victory points are <=150
The Alt VC260 campaign victory conditions used in this campaign as well are:
• The Axis Decisive Victory level (Automatic Victory) is 260 instead of 290.
• The Soviet Major Victory timeframe ends on 31 March 1945 (instead of 31 May 1945) and
the Soviet Minor Victory timeframe between 1 April 1945 and 30 June 1945.
• A draw occurs if Germany does not surrender by 1 July 1945 and the Axis has less than
142 victory points.

[821Bobo]

22.6.41 - 25.6.41

The 1st turn was pretty much standard. NW, W and SW front mostly destroyed. All pockets are unbreakable but maybe too many units were routed out of the pockets.

Screenshot was taken after Soviet moves.

[micheljq]

OK thanks for the answer 821 Bobo.

Michel

[821Bobo]

26.6.1941 - 2.7.1941

In north, first line to make a stand is around Pskov. Germans did not reach the line in T2 which gives me some more time do dig in.
Around Riga remains of the surrounded units from T1 are still holding.

[821Bobo]

In center, Germans have reached landbridge which I am trying to heavily fortify and force them to rather attack across Dneper. I am surprised that Dave did not advance on broad front here. I think it is mistake not reaching Dneper on T2.

[821Bobo]

South. Around Proskurov new small pocket is formed. 5 more divisions are lost. Nothing other than that happened and I am continuing to retreat in order towards Dneper.
Usually I am sending the 21. Army from south to the center but not this time. I am curious if I will not be missing the 21. at the landbridge later.

[VigaBrand]

Is this checkerboard defence?

[821Bobo]

ORIGINAL: VigaBrand

Is this checkerboard defence?

Yes.
Some people claim it is unrealistic but it is the only way how to slow down German advance in first months.

[Mehring]

Checkerboard looks horrible but in a way it compensates for the week long turns in which one side sits in place while the other moves. Put two or more turns to a week and there would be less need for it.

[821Bobo]

3.7.1941 - 9.7.1941

Mud in the north zone. I hope that at least in one zone mud will come in more appropriate time.

This turn I started with industry evacuation.
Evacuated factories are:
8 armament points from Poltava
4 heavy industry from Kiev
2 heavy industry from Gomel
1 T-50 from Leningrad

Situation in Pskov area is exactly the same as week before. Dave is wasting precious time. His fuel situation can not be that bad. Crossing Velikaya is possible on T2, Inf is not needed for it.

[821Bobo]

In center is also quiet. Small skirmishes at the lanbridge and Panzers have reached Dneper at Mogilev and Zlobin.

[821Bobo]

In the south, Panzers have smashed through my checkerboard and spearhead is near Kiev. The flipped hexes are not from counterattacks. Dave have retreated with his most exposed units. He is too cautious. In the early stage and with none advantage for Soviets it is unnecessary.
Slow retreat continues.

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

3.7.1941 - 9.7.1941

...

Situation in Pskov area is exactly the same as week before. Dave is wasting precious time. His fuel situation can not be that bad. Crossing Velikaya is possible on T2, Inf is not needed for it.

Interesting comment as I'd say the same about my game with Vigabrand ... which makes me wonder if something in the patches has reduced axis fuel/supply in the north ... or it maybe that axis players aren't picking up on the implications of no +1?

[821Bobo]

You can reach Pskov with the fuel Panzers are loaded with on T1. In my case Dave probably saw the 5CV Tank div and concluded it won't go with hasty attack.

[821Bobo]

10.7.1941 - 16.7.1941

Clear weather everywhere.

Factory evacuation:
16 armament points from Dnepropetrovsk
3 armament points from Kirovograd
2 armament points from Gomel
2 T-34 from Kharkov

In the north Velikaya has been finally crossed by Germans and 3 rifle divisions will be probably lost. Exchanging 3 units for slowing the drive towards Leningrad a little is good trade off.

[821Bobo]

Landbridge is holding but Germans were able to cross Dneper at Zlobin. Order of the day was partial retreat from Dneper.

[821Bobo]

In the south, Germans have tried to cross Dneper with hasty attacks. Both had failed.
South front have retreated behind next river what probably has not been necessary.

[Peltonx]

Yes in the north if you leave a few JU-52's T-2 Germanys can had D attacks across river.

I am playing vs Mr. X under the new rule set and see a little less fuel, but nothing that can't be made up by a few fuel drops.

In the south I really don't understand why people go to Kiev first?

Its a long ways from Romanian border or RH's + you can easly bag all the industry west of the river then have a real shot at locking down D/Z towns industry.
I even did it vs Sapper.

SHC has to abandon Keiv at that point anyways