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So, what’s your favourite first impulse in Barbarossa?

I was thinking if taking a air impulse, launch many ground strike using surprise benefit and reorganise most of the air units (but leave some HQ free to advance with the land units) would be a good idea.

Have you ever tried this?

A Super-Combined is best I think. There are plenty of targets that you can get good odds on and you ground strike the others and re-org the best planes with some of your HQs. That way you still take advantage of any weak hexes and get the advance underway as opposed to missing ground strikes and having your land units sit idle while the Russians run away. And any of the Russian units that get disorganized may be put OOS and disposed of later. If the Russians commit HQs to re-orging their units too early then their HQs may not survive Turn One of Barb.

Also save some planes for ground support and this allows them to RTB further forward if such hexes were left open for your ground units to occupy. That helps with keeping your aircraft from being left behind and those are the choice planes to re-org. Don't forget with surprise your air units are doubled on ground support so if you have the same value as the defender that puts the attack up two die roll modifiers which is guaranteed as opposing to rolling for a disorganization on a ground strike which is not guaranteed. If your plane doubled is even more than the defensive value in a hex, that could mean ground support actually gives you more die roll modifiers than a successful ground strike would.

(Edit: about the die roll modifiers, I'm referring to using 2D10 here.)

Wow! As Soviet players, do you really allow your units to be exposed to German air on the surprise impulse? As the Soviets, in the south, I try to save the Odessa factory if I can...I weigh the cost in lost units vs the factory. Also, its important to keep mass as the Soviets. I prepare my Dnieper defense early. I have some step by step defenses leading up to Leningrad, and delay in the middle leading to Smolensk.

The Soviets cant afford to lose units forward and in range of German air. I don't even pretend to keep the Germans from DOW in Summer of '41...I know its possible, but the risk too great for me.

I suspect that the original poster was thinking of the scenario 'Barbarossa', and there USSR is forced to place its forces on the border.

No, not really. I was, actually, thinking of Global War.

ORIGINAL: juntoalmar

No, not really. I was, actually, thinking of Global War.

Then I am with Jagdtiger14. I have yet to experience a 41' with border defence in Global War.

But if I did I would seriously consider the super-combined that Paul suggests. Although a air offensive might be what I finally select.

It depends on the situation at the starting point of Barbarossa during Global war.

What's the timetable, how are the Wallies doing, is there still an offensive chit available for Germany, are there German units in Rumania and the most important thing: how are the Soviets positioned.

An active USSR (and I personally believe the USSR should try to become active by DoW'ing the Japanese or the Italians) is normally able to get the fast and most important parts of the army and airforce out of the border regions. In such a case, it is the Soviets who dictate when the pact can be broken by Germany. That's the position I like to be in with the USSR.

Many play with the option that the pact is easier to break in '41. This makes it harder for USSR to dictate terms.

I like to play with that option too. It seems a reasonable one to have around, I believe.

But to come back on the question asked:

If the USSR is caught with his pants down on the border, I go with Paul.

If not, than a land impulse usually is needed to cover the ground between the German and Soviet lines before Germany can start hammering the enemy.

Yes, I think the super combined would work best with reds on the border. Unfortunately this game I'm playing without O-chits, so a land one will do.

About the Russian set up in Global War, I thought of keeping as many units in the border as possible in order to prevent Germany breaking the pact. Then retreat when it's almost time for the pact to be broken, but with only combined impulses, you can move too many things each impulse, right?

Other than that... keeping air units and HQ out of reach of german bombers (and on forest if possible). Any other tips for the USSR?

ORIGINAL: juntoalmar

Yes, I think the super combined would work best with reds on the border. Unfortunately this game I'm playing without O-chits, so a land one will do.

I have never played a game without O-chits. What is it like?

ORIGINAL: Courtenay
I have never played a game without O-chits. What is it like?

You remove the stress to decide when to use them. The fact I wasn't sure what was the best way to use them, and that this is my first Global War solitary, made me start the game without them... I guess (I don't really remember, and it seems strange now that I started the game like this).

GE Land + IT Air

Keeps those offensive points handy for Leningrad, Sevastopol, the river lines or the Kaukasus.