Early war, Russian Troops

[Itdepends]

Does anyone know of any AAR’s where the Japanese have gone after the Russians early to try and knock them out of the war?

My opponents have (inadvertantly? Perhaps through too low a garrison) activated the Russians in August 1942.

Any feeling on the relative capability of the Russian infantry or armoured divisions in 1942?

Would you consider them equivalent to US or Australian troops?

I haven’t gone into the editor to look at relative firepower ratings but Im a bit cautious given they start with 1941 squads and don’t get upgraded until 1943.

Concerns over supply levels?

There are a lot of ships which will be at risk due to air attack but fortunately I have been a little ocd and have been running a semi active training program.

Early strategic bombing campaigns?

Other thoughts?

[GetAssista]

There is an ongoing pair of AARs by Lowpe and obvert which did exactly that - inadvertantly activated the Russians in 42.
It is not pretty for Japan.
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In a nutshell, with the help of US Allies can really ruffle the Imperial feathers from the North. Numerous if a bit thin-skinned tanks, capable infantry, immediate threat of strategic bombing, zillion capable subs with working torps. Russian airforce is a one-shot joke with crappy planes and zero replacements except for short legged light bombers, but that's hardly a relief

Edit: oh, and Russian artillery is terrifying when concentrated

[BBfanboy]

Long ago when the game first came out, a couple of IJ players took on Russia and beat it by establishing air superiority everywhere and bombing the heck out of all LCU resistance. But those players planned their offensives so they had their air, land and transport assets ready to go at the outset.
In early 1942 the IJ player has some mandatory goals for southern resource area conquests (plus an outer barrier to protect them), so the Japanese navy, air force and ship transport fleet is all south.

Given the unexpected start, the Russians should be able to move to better positions and smash a lot of the Japanese defence lines before their air force can return to stop it. Japanese anti-armour ratings are still dismal so Russian armour will eat up Japanese armoured cars and light tanks.

Per what GetAssista said, Russian artillery is awesome. e.g., the US most plentiful howitzer is the 105mm while the Russians have hordes of 122mm guns, and the average Russian arty unit seems to be at least twice the size of the US arty Bns. Then there are the Russian BM and OM units with siege guns of 203/280/305 mm calibers. Enjoy!

[GetAssista]

Speaking of Russian artillery, this is counterbombardment from my AI game against Ironman Japan, using about half of artillery available in 42 (same as in stock). Wooded hex with forts 1 for Russians

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Ground combat at Voroshilov (112,45)
 Japanese Bombardment attack
 Attacking force 59559 troops, 1762 guns, 464 vehicles, Assault Value = 4728
 Defending force 130710 troops, 2376 guns, 3878 vehicles, Assault Value = 4124
 Japanese ground losses:
       2243 casualties reported
          Squads: 148 destroyed, 18 disabled
          Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 47 disabled
          Engineers: 10 destroyed, 5 disabled
       Guns lost 63 (15 destroyed, 48 disabled)
       Vehicles lost 56 (27 destroyed, 29 disabled)
  
 Allied ground losses:
       97 casualties reported
          Squads: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
          Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
          Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

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[ITAKLinus]

If I am not wrong also Rader did that in Scen2 many years ago and trashed the Russians.