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Starting a PBEM AAR, will update as the game goes on.
No helpers will be used.

June 22, pre-start

Friends and foes:
Himmler's opinion(-17, -2 bias) doesn't matter(don't let him know that), we don't necessarily need his support to win this war. Wagner(-11, -2 bias), on the other hand, will inevitably cause some grey hairs down the line.

Meeting the Führer in Berlin:
Since we're confident of von Brauchitsch's support, military independence was demanded.
The Führer takes the news surprisingly well.

Oil train:
A soviet oil train was scheduled to arrive just prior the launch of our attack. Unsurprisingly, it was late once again. No matter, OKW assures that there is enough fuel for a successful offensive.

Meeting with Gercke about AGN and AGC rail routes:
It was concluded that the Eisenbahntruppe would follow the Kaunus - Dunaburd - Luga line in the north, and Brest - Minsk - Smolensk line in the center. Gercke appeared quite pleased for having the opportunity to discuss these matters.

(I would have some accompanying screenshots, but apparently I can't post them since I haven't written enough on this forum.)

I think its 10 posts. Good luck, looking forward to your AAR

June 22, Command

Hitler Directive no.21, strategic priorities:
1.Leningrad
2.Destroy Army HQ's
3.Rostov
4.Moscow


Decisions

Hitler Oath: Took oath and joined the Party. The Führer is very pleased(+18), von Brauchitsch is furious(-19).

Air Offensive: Maintain offensive for 8 more days. Goering pleased(+9), von Brauchitsch unimpressed(-6).

Expand Romanian Oilfields: Suggested a study for oilfield expansion. Expansion not happening.

Russian Oil: Consulted with von Brauchitsch, came to agreement that Russian oil be put to use. Results to start showing in about a month.

Theatre Fuel Allocations: No need to adjust, allocations as per original plan.

AGN Security Divisions: Leave on mop up duty for a month. AGN commander von Leeb very satisfied(+11).


Artillery and command focus
AGN: Artillery support to 18th Army, PZG 4 gets command focus.
AGC: Artillery support to 9th Army, PZG 2 gets command focus.
AGS: Artillery support to 17th Army, PZG 1 gets command focus.

June 22, AGN

AGN initial plan


AGN turn end


A very satisfactory breakthrough cutting the Kaunas-Riga rail line. Soviet 8th Army HQ destroyed in the process. Good chance of trapping the Soviet BMD Army in the Liepaja - Windau region. Soviet 11th Army HQ spotted at Kaunas.

18th Army is to proceed to Riga, 16th Army attacking in the Kaunas - Daugavpils line. PZG 4 to secure crossings over Dvina river as soon as possible, while preventing retreat of Soviet BMD Army.

Finnish forces retake Vyborg, continue towards the 1939 border.

June 22, AGC

AGC initial plan


AGC turn end


Successful capture of Grodno with the bridge intact by PZG3. Brest-Litowsk surrounded and will fall by June 26th.
Soviet 10th Army practically encircled at Bialystok, Soviet 4th Army HQ all but destroyed. PZG2 in drive towards Minsk, in contact with advance elements of Soviet Western Army.

PZG2 is to continue the drive towards Minsk. PZG3 to continue towards Vilnius, then to advance on a broad front on northern side of Minsk. 9th Army in support of PZG3. 4th Army in support of PZG2 and to advance through the Pripet marshes.

June 22, AGS

AGS initial plan


AGS turn end


Significant breakthrough north of Lvov by PZG1, destroying Soviet 5th Army HQ along the way. Good opportunity to envelop numerous Soviet divisions around Lvov.

PZG1 is to turn south towards the eastern side of Lvov, then drive toward Proskurow and Kiev. 17th Army to advance around southern side of Lvov, then on to Proskurow. 6th Army will clear the southern side of Pripet Marshes while covering the northern flank of PZG1.

Romanian front to start offensive operations on June 26.

Apparently I've to wait 7 days to be able to post pictures. I will edit the screenshots in then.

June 26


Command

Decisions
Rail Infrastructure AGS: Ignore infrastructure, convert rail as fast as possible. Gercke disappointed(-3), Brauchitsch approves(+5).

Tire Shortage: Allocate spare tires to AGC, von Bock pleased(+2), von Rundstedt disapproves(-3).

Lost Paperwork/Fuel Substitution: Administrative hassles at the OKH resolved by Chief of Staff Otto Kropff
(CoS handicap reduced from 25 to 15). Not that he gets to make any decisions anyways.

PZG Strength
AGN: 82% runners operational
AGC: 90% runners operational
AGS: 95% runners operational

Casualties
Axis: 12,9K
Soviet: 211,6K


AGN

AGN turn start


AGN turn end


PZG4 continues drive towards Riga, almost cutting off entire soviet BMD Army. Soviet 27th Army discovered at Riga, with several divisions south of Dvina river. Major garrison confirmed at Riga.

18th and 16th armies continuing as planned, 16th Army to assault Kaunas on 30th of June. Encircled and destroyed some enemy elements in preparation. Soviet 11th Army fleeing from Kaunas towards Daugavpils.

Finnish forces successfully push Soviet troops eastwards.


AGC

AGC turn start


AGC turn end


Repelled counterattack against the spearhead of PZG2 on the main railroad to Minsk.

PZG2 keeps pushing towards Minsk along the main rail line. Restricted movement of some panzer divisions due to fuel situation.

Bialystok encirclement sealed and cleared by cooperation of 9th Army and 4th Army, soviet 10th Army completely destroyed. Brest-Litowsk conquered.

PZG3 breaks out of Grodno bridgehead towards Vilnius, destroying Soviet 3rd Army HQ as well as several full strength divisions from Soviet Western Army. Western Army HQ location confirmed between Grodno and Minsk.


AGS

AGS turn start


AGS turn end


Three reinforcement divisions arrive. Local soviet counterattack west of Lvov forces the 68th Inf. division back, but soviet forces do not advance.

PZG1 continues flanking around Lvov, 9th Pz. reaches Tarnopol. 17th Army continues push around the south side of Lvov. Aiming for Lvov pocket to be closed by 30th of June. 6th Army approaches Rovno facing little resistance.

Soviet 6th and 26th Army HQ's spotted south of Tarnopol. Significant soviet forces from Southwestern Army spotted 60km east of Tarnopol, possibly preparing for counterattack against PZG1.

Romanian front starts pushing slowly east towards Odessa with few battles taking place. Numerous soviet divisions confirmed on the west bank of Dniestr river, likely to pull back toward Odessa. 1st Romanian Armored division stays put in Jassy to conserve fuel.

June 30


Command

Intel
Abwehr indicates field fortifications being build in AGC sector, 30km east of Vitebsk.
Commissar Khrushchev rumored to be at soviet Central Front HQ.

Decisions
Unexpected Fuel Use: Fast divisions ordered to adopt a fuel efficient doctrine due to fuel situation restricting movements across the front. Wagner appreciates this despite his personal grudge against us(+2).

Einsatzgruppen: Informed Himmler that there will be no cooperation from Wehrmacht, and any observed violations by the Einsatzgruppen will be reported. Himmler is visibly upset(-12), while von Brauchitsch is pleased to hear this declaration(+10).

AGS Rail Signaling: Ensured that the AGS Eisenbahntruppe has enough proper signaling equipment. Gercke appreciates this(+6), while Feldmarschall Keitel is annoyed(-11).

Security Divisions AGC: Divisions will be reassigned to security duties within a month. von Bock acknowledges the decision(+6).

Propaganda Film: Agreed to be filmed by Goebbels' crew. He is enthusiastic(+17).

Div. Commendation: 14th Mot. Inf. Division of PZG3 will receive a commendation for outstanding performance in combat operations around Grodno.

PZG Strength
AGN: 71% runners operational (half of the losses accounted to recoverable mechanical breakdowns)
AGC: 84% runners operational
AGS: 87% runners operational

Casualties
Axis: 26,9K
Soviet: 464,3K

Misc.
von Rundstedt renounces command focus from PZG1. Aiming to amend the situation as soon as possible.


AGN

AGN turn start


AGN turn end


Local counterattack from soviet BMD Army to open a corridor to retreat northeast. Repelled.

PZG4 takes Riga despite major garrison presence. BMD Army retreat route completely cut off.
Kaunas and Liepaja taken by 16th and 18th armies. Soviet 11th Army withdrawing towards Daugavpils.

18th Army is to destroy remaining forces of BMD, then proceed north towards Tallinn. 16th Army to keep pushing toward Daugavpils. PZG4 to break out of Riga bridgehead along the northern bank of Dvina river.

Fuel situation restricts movements, expected to improve.

Finnish forces reach old border on Karelian Isthmus, halt offensive operations there. Battles still taking place north of lake Ladoga. Offense to halt there within a week depending on soviet movements.


AGC

AGC turn start


AGC turn end


Major success by Guderian's PZG2 along the Brest-Minsk rail line. Majority of soviet Western Army forces destroyed, and the Army HQ encircled west of Minsk. Minsk expected to fall on the first week of July.

Fuel situation restricts PZG3 movements.

4th and 9th armies advancing east as fast as possible behind the two PZGs.


AGS

AGS turn start


AGS turn end


Counterattack against the PZG1 spearhead repelled.

Large encirclement at Lvov with the majority of soviet 6th and 26th armies trapped in the pocket. Breakout attempt likely. Soviet SW Army movements indicate an imminent major counterattack against PZG1. PZG1 launched preemptive attacks against SW Army elements.

PZG1 supply route stretching longer than would be ideal, taking Lvov as soon as possible deemed crucial. Major garrison presence confirmed in the city.

Fuel situation restricts movements.

Romanian front reaches the western bank of Dniestr river, most soviet forces withdrawn to the eastern bank.

Now with pictures! Next turn coming soon™.

July 4


Command

Intel
Abwehr estimates enemy strength at 7 enemy HQ's, 84 divisions, and 27 formations of unknown size across the entire front.
Confirmed enemy casualties 5 HQ's, 65 divisions.

Intercepted enemy communications indicate that Marshal Timoshenko is in command of Soviet Central Front.

Enemy building field fortifications 60km southwest of Narva in AGN sector.

Decisions
Synthetic Oil Production: Petitioned for accelerated timeline in production increase. Accelerated timeline will not be adopted.

Exploit Austrian Oil Fields: Support the idea of Austrian oilfield exploitation. Results to start showing within 2 months. The Führer is pleased(+9).

Security Divisions AGS: Divisions to switch over to security duties within a month. Von Rundstedt is satisfied to hear this(+15).

Signaling AGN: Made sure proper signaling equipment will be available for AGN Eisenbahntruppe. Gercke approves(+16), while Keitel is upset(-14).

Division Commendation: 9th Pz. Division of PZG1 will receive a commendation for the successful capture and holding of Tarnopol.

PZG Strength
AGN: 69% runners operational (half of the losses accountable to mechanical breakdowns)
AGC: 78% runners operational
AGS: 73% runners operational

Fuel situation restricts optimal movement and combat operations across entire front.

Casualties
Axis: 38,8K
Soviet: 656,3K

Misc.
Discussion with von Rundstedt results in him agreeing to give command focus back to PZG1.

Tactical air support focus given to PZG1, PZG2, PZG4.


AGN

AGN turn start


AGN turn end


PZG4 advances east of Riga conquering Jakobstadt. 18th Army pushing the remnants of BMD towards Windau. 16th Army advances towards it's objective, Daugavpils. Confrontations with elements of Soviet 11th Army.

Finnish forces halt offensive operations north of lake Ladoga after encircling and destroying two divisions of Soviet 7th Army. By the order of Finnish Commander in Chief C.G.E. Mannerheim, Finnish forces are not to advance further east until German forces get closer to Leningrad.


AGC

AGC turn start


AGC turn end


All available fuel primarily reserved for PZG2 maneuvers.

PZG2 swiftly takes Minsk destroying soviet Western Army HQ, continues further east towards Orsha, as well as taking Mogilev. Very little resistance. Soviet 20th Army HQ confirmed at Orsha, imminent deployment of soviet reserve divisions anticipated.
4th Pz. Division of PZG2 transported from Brest-Litowsk to Minsk.

PZG3 takes Vilnius with 9th Army after a brief battle with a small garrison.

Few infantry divisions designated for withdrawal from the front for the purpose of forming 2nd Army.

4th Army keeps moving east behind PZG2, as well as advancing through the Pripet marshes with no resistance.


AGS

AGS turn start


AGS turn end


Lvov pocket successfully destroyed, confirmed destruction of numerous soviet divisions.

PZG1 manages to push east using all available fuel, destroying soviet SW Army HQ, which should cause serious issues in soviet command.

6th Army keeps pushing east from Rovno.

On Romanian front, German 11th Army forces a crossing over the Dniestr along the main rail line bridge. Battle causes numerous casualties on both sides.


Overall Assessment
Satisfying progress across the entire front. Rapid advance necessitates FSB movement soon. Fuel situation sustainable at present.

Excellent in Detail AAR. Keep on the fantastic work!

July 8


Command

Intel
Abwehr estimates enemy strength of 63 divisions and 13 unverified formations.
94 enemy divisions confirmed to be destroyed thus far.

According to rumors marshal Rokossovsky is in command of soviet Southern Front.

Decisions
Convert German Locomotives: Locomotives are to be converted to run on coal. Excess fuel to be released for PZG use within 20 days. Gercke(-4), Wagner(+2).

Scheduling AGC: Had a conversation with Gen. Wagner about AGC scheduling issues. He insists that there is no problem in his end, scheduling issues remain. Wagner(-9), Gercke(+8).

Captured trucks AGN: Ordered von Leeb to release all trucks to Wagner. von Leeb(-14), Wagner(+2).

Captured trucks AGC: Ordered von Bock to hand over most of the trucks to Wagner. von Bock(+9), Wagner(-10).

Have a Word: Asked von Brauchitsch to smooth things over with von Leeb after the squabble about captured trucks. von Leeb(+22), von Brauchitsch (-4).

Atrocities suffered: Acknowledged an incident that affected the 20th Mot.Inf. Division of PZG3.

Logistics
AGN: Main Luftwaffe operating base to be moved to Jakobstadt. Air operations to resume on July 12.

AGC: FSB will be moved to Minsk. Expected to be operational in 12 days.

AGS: FSB will be moved to Lvov. Expected to be operational in 8 days.

Fuel situation limits movements across the front. FSB movement will necessitate a pause in most combat operations for PZGs of the affected sectors.

PZG Strength
AGN: 62% runners operational
AGC: 76% runners operational
AGS: 63% runners operational

Casualties
Axis: 60,4K
Soviet: 871,8K

Estimated total troops in action
Axis: 1297,0K
Soviet: 851,8K


AGN

AGN turn start


AGN turn end


Finnish front turn end


18th Army continues clearing BMD remnants, expected to be done by July 12th. 16th Army prepares to assault Daugavpils. PZG4 attacking elements of the retreating soviet 11th Army, aiming to reach Ostrov by July 12th.


AGC

AGC turn start


AGC turn end


4th and 9th armies continue eastward trying to keep up with PZG2 advance.

Soviet 20th Army deployment at Orsha is bypassed and encircled by PZG2. Breakout attempt anticipated. Smolensk reached without resistance. Soviet 19th Army HQ pushed out of Vitebsk, which should hinder 19th Army deployment greatly.

Soviet 21st Army elements approaching Mogilev from southeast.


AGS

AGS turn start


AGS turn end


Romanian front turn end


Many soviet divisions still severed from command due to SW Army HQ destruction.

PZG1 reaches Proskurow, Vinnitsa, almost encircling the entirety of soviet 12th Army, as well as the remnants of 6th and 26th Armies.

6th Army keeps advancing east with little resistance. 17th Army pushing eastward on the Lvov-Proskurow rail line, aiming to destroy the soviet 12th, 6th, and 26th armies. Soviet 9th Army expected to put pressure on forward elements of PZG1 to open a retreat route for the soviet forces trapped between Lvov and Proskurow.

On Romanian front, Soviet forces manage to retake the river crossing along the rail line, battle causes numerous losses on both sides. 11th Army crosses the river north of Kishinev to put pressure on soviet 9th Army, aiming to assist the Proskurow encirclement.

July 12


Command

Intel
Enemy strength estimated at 66 divisions and 9 unknown formations under 9 HQ's.
106 divisions and 7 Army HQ's confirmed as destroyed thus far.

Fortifications being constructed 60km SW of Narva in AGN sector.

Decisions
Civilian Oil Allocation: Requested that a quarter of civilian oil used be directed to the eastern front instead. Goebbels(-7), the Führer(-1).

Goering lobbies Hitler: Goering tries to get more fuel allocated for Luftwaffe use. Fortunately the Führer agrees that the Heer should have priority on fuel use. Goering(-4).

Luftwaffe Oil Allocation: To spite Goering even further, we requested some high octane fuel that was reserved for the Luftwaffe, enough for two PZG's. Goering(-8).

Propaganda Film: Approved a film crew to be attached to 253rd Inf. Div. of 16th Army. von Leeb(-3), Goebbels(+4).

Rail Infrastructure AGN: Gave orders to ignore the unnecessary infrastructure and concentrate on converting rail only. Gercke(-16), von Brauchitsch(+7).

Signaling AGC: Gave orders to Gercke to keep converting rail at maximum speed and to no use extra signaling equipment. Gercke(-6).

Convoys to Riga/Liepaja: Authorized supply convoys to start shipping operations.

Logistics
AGN: Ordered FSB relocation to Daugavpils. Operational in 12 days.

Fuel situation low across the front, FSB relocation ongoing in AGC and AGS. Luftwaffe delivers reserve fuel to AGN and AGS.

PZG Strength
AGN: 58% runners operational
AGC: 75% runners operational
AGS: 61% runners operational

Casualties
Axis: 66,8K
Soviet: 989,5K

Estimated total troops in action
Axis: 1348,7K
Soviet: 723,8K

Current command relations
The Führer: Good
von Brauchitsch(OKW): Good
Goering(Luftwaffe): Neutral
von Leeb(AGN): Good
von Bock(AGC): Good
von Rundstedt(AGS): Good
Gen. Gercke(Trains): Neutral
Gen. Wagner(Trucks): Poor

AGN

AGN turn start


AGN turn end


Soviet forces withdraw from Daugavpils, city captured without resistance. 18th Army finally clears the remnants of soviet BMD Army around Windau, and can now proceed towards Tallinn.

PZG4 takes Ostrov, chasing the 11th and 27th Soviet Army command elements northeast.


AGC

AGC turn start


AGC north turn end


AGC south turn end


Breakout attempts from the encircled soviet 20th Army at Orsha repelled. Waiting for more infantry divisions to arrive before clearing the pocket.

Soviet 19th Army encircled north of Vitebsk, along with some freshly deployed formations.

9th Army marching east at full speed, 4th Army crossing the Dniepr to cover the right flank against soviet 21st Army.


AGS

AGS turn start


AGS turn end


AGS Rom. front turn start


AGS Rom. front turn end


All German armies work in unison to close the encirclement west of Proskurow. Major soviet forces now trapped.

Most of 6th Army advancing towards Kiev, but fail to dislodge the garrison at Zhitomyr.

On the Romanian front, 11th German Army engages in numerous battles against soviet 9th and Southern Army forces to further solidify the bridgehead across the Dniestr.


Overall Assessment
Very satisfactory situation along the entire front. Fuel situation expected to improve after FSB movements. Increasing fatigue among the men as well as wear and tear on equipment necessitates allocating some time for rest and refit in the coming weeks.

July 16



Following failed breakout attempts by encircled armies, soviet High Command has overthrown Stalin, and ordered an immediate surrender.


Gameplay notes

This was among the best opening drives I've had on the German side. While the soviet side could still mount a resistance with all the reinforcements that would be arriving, it would require some big mistakes from me to not be able to reach the objectives. While some mistakes are more than guaranteed to happen, I would only need one objective.

Looking at soviet movements during the game I'd wager there was very little luck in the way of activations. The absence of minor garrisons indicate there was likely some poorly timed paranoia episodes.

Although this AAR came to an end rather quickly, fret not, there's another one in the pipeline.