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I had nothing to do so I decided to invade Soviet Union.

Directive 21, 4.6

Objective is to crush Soviet Union and capture Moscow, Leningrad and Kharkov before winter. The ultimate goal is Astrakhan Arkhangelsk line and Caucasian oil fields.

Here is my plan for the next five months:

Army Group North

The first obstacle is Dvina River. Possible crossings are at Riga, Jekabpils and Daugavpils. We must cross the river fast before the enemy has time to dig in.

The next objective is Pskov. There is a river and swamps, it's an easy place to defend. It's a very important to secure Pskov quickly, otherwise we'll be in big troubles.

18th Army is going to march through Riga to Estonia and then east along the coast towards Leningrad. 4th Pz Army is going to drive straight towards Pskov. 16th Army will capture Kaunas and then march through Daugavpils towards Pskov.

That must be one of the best opening lines for any AAR I have ever read. 'I had nothing to do so I decided to invade the Soviet Union.' Classic!

I am currently fighting through v.4.6 of this incredible scenario and am having difficulties. I'll be interested to see if you will be able to repeat the incredible success you had on your last go round. Good luck and smite the heathen commies!

Army Group North, turn 1

Everyting goes smoothly. The enemy frontline crumbles, our panzers advance up to 180 km. 16th Army captures Kaunas.

Army Group Center

This is our main sector of the campaign. Our ultimate objective is Moscow, but first we’ll have to take Smolensk. Smolensk is an important supply point. It is essential to take it fast before we run out of supplies. If we can’t take Smolensk by mid-July, there is no chance to take Moscow before winter.

To reach Smolensk we’ll have to take Minsk first. 3rd Pz Army is going to take Vilnus and then advance on the north flank. 2nd Pz Army is going to capture Brest-Litovsk and then drive east towards Dnieper River. 4th and 9th Armies will follow behind as fast as possible.

After Minsk the next major obstacle is Polotsk – Vitebsk – Orsha – Dnieper line. We’ll have to take it before the enemy has time to dig in.

Army Group Center, turn 1

Everything goes as planned. Vilnus is captured. Enemy armies near Bialystok are surrounded and soon destroyed.

Your tanks made 180km on first turn, while the maximum a recon unit can do in FITE2 is 120km per turn.
Am I missing something here or the FITE2 is not consistent with historical capabilities?

I like the handwritten plans. Nice touch. Might actually still the idea from you

ORIGINAL: gliz2

Your tanks made 180km on first turn, while the maximum a recon unit can do in FITE2 is 120km per turn.
Am I missing something here or the FITE2 is not consistent with historical capabilities?

I like the handwritten plans. Nice touch. Might actually still the idea from you

There is an error in the game engine code for 5KM scenarios per Bob Cross, explained in another thread. The FITE2 scenario has made movement adjustments to overcome this issue and will be fixed/updated when the next patch is released.

Army Group South

Our main objectives are big industrial cities Kharkov, Stalino and Rostov. There are two major obstacles ahead. The first obstacle is Stalin Line, running along the old Polish border. Then there is Dnieper River and Kiev. Kiev is going to be tough nut to crack. It may be too strong to take head on, we’ll have to surround it first.

Rumanians are advancing in the south along the Black Sea coast. Objectives are Odessa and Sevastopol.

Army Group South, turn 1

Lvov was captured. Our panzers are moving towards Tarnopol.

Army Group North, turn 2

4th Panzer Army has reached Dvina River. Riga was captured by 1st PzD, bridges are intact. Next we are going to cross the river and rush forward as fast as possible. Our infantry is marching 100 km behind.

Army Group Center, turn 2

We have met several roadblocks along the Minsk highway. RR artillery is helping to clear the way, but we are behind the schedule. Situation is better on both flanks. 20th PzD is already north of Minsk driving towards Vitebsk. 17th PzD is closing Slutsk on our southern flank.

Army Group South, turn 2

Here in the south the enemy has been stronger than in other sectors. We have destroyed several tank and motorized formations. We have advanced 150-200 km in a week, while in other sectors our progress has been about 300 km. Most of the enemy formations are now destroyed. Road is clear to the Stalin Line.

We have destroyed about 3000 planes and 4500 tanks. That’s about the same number we have in our inventories. Massive losses. They are never going to recover. #blizkrieg

Got any tips on how others might recreate such an efficient turn 1? I tend to struggle, especially when I don't get the RBC I want. And I can never clear Lvov area out the way you have on Turn 1.

ORIGINAL: GrauWolf80

Got any tips on how others might recreate such an efficient turn 1? I tend to struggle, especially when I don't get the RBC I want. And I can never clear Lvov area out the way you have on Turn 1.

I decided that Lvov is my primary goal for turn 1. I'll try to make all my moves towards that direction. If the enemy is withdrawing to some other direction, I don't follow but drive towards Lvov. No steps side or back. Some other unit is going to deal enemy stagglers.

There is a bunker line front of Belzec. I bypassed that line left and right. 16th PzD drove through Yavorov, 11th PzD went through Sokal and Radekhov. I was in the enemy rear area before round 1 combat phase.

I'll try to find easy routes with my panzers. I won't fight strong entrenched units, I'll go around. I'll leave some split up regimets to guard it. Next turn the entrenched unit is isolated and my infantry will finish it.

Sometimes I can't go round and there is no alternatives. Then I'll gather everyting I have nearby (artillery, airpower) and I'll make one overwhelming assault.

It's also important to use only enough units to get the work done, not too much. I like to have odds 3-4. Over 4 is too much.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the words as they do help in give me added perspective. Even small changes on how I approach the battle can pay dividends. I just launched a new game with that added insight, and while my results weren't as efficient as what you achieved, I did benefit in achieving results I have not had before. I even took Vilnius for the first time, ever, on turn 1.

Cheers

Army Group North, turn 3

4th Panzer Army has crossed Dvina River. Next objectives are Ostrov and Pskov. Railhead is already north of Riga.

Army Group Center, turn 3

We have captured Minsk! Next objectives are Vitebsk and Dnieper River.

Army Group South, turn 3

Our Panzers have reached Stalin Line on several locations. Now we’ll have to make a breakthrough. Rumanians are going to join our invasion next turn.

Army Group North, turn 4

Drive towards Pskov continues. Opposition is very light. 16th Army has crossed Dvina near Daugavpils. Railhead is now at Daugavpils airfield moving towards Ostrov.