FitE1 (GeneralJCL [Axis] v. Hellen [Soviets])

[Hellen_slith]

Playing this original FitE scene (number 1) online, using TOAWIV
(original FitE was for TOAW III as I recall, but I never got to play that)

nice to see that the originals web site is still active @

http://www.ac-smolf.dk/fite/

If you look at that page, you will see credits to Daniel McBride for some map etc.
and credits to his Drang nach Osten scenario, which I still seek ... anyway,

We are on turn 12 now, at beginning of Soviets T12 move
July 12, 1941 things have been quiet for a couple of turns...
Odessa is about to get it, though,
as is Kiev. After Minsk, the General seems to be resting
AGC a bit (or catching up his infantry)
heading for Bryansk and Smolensk no doubt.
Leningrad: still waiting for Pskov contact, otherwise I think he's
cleaning up Estonia etc. before making a stab at Leningrad.

[Hellen_slith]

On turn 21 as Soviets now,
last turn 20 saw Smolensk coming under more fire

Kiev is holding (for now)
Odessa is holding nicely (for now)

Just need to buy enough time to get Moscow and Leningrad dug in for the Winter.

[Hellen_slith]

On turn 29 now...
Murmansk has fallen
Kiev has fallen

everything else is holding pretty well for the Soviets
Germans are moving toward Kharkov

here is Smolensk area ...
Moscow front has moved up and it
is now centered on Vyazma

[StuccoFresco]

Has the Germans changed the focus of the offensive from the Moscow axis to the Ukrainian one?

[Dreamslayer]

ORIGINAL: Hellen_slith

On turn 29 now...
Murmansk has fallen

I thought there was no-move line or something.

[Hellen_slith]

ORIGINAL: Dreamslayer

ORIGINAL: Hellen_slith

On turn 29 now...
Murmansk has fallen

I thought there was no-move line or something.

There is a "stop" line for the Finlandians north of Leningrad ...
until the Germans take Leningrad (not happening)

I think Murmansk is fair game, though. The Germans took Murmansk after a long standoff.

[Hellen_slith]

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

Has the Germans changed the focus of the offensive from the Moscow axis to the Ukrainian one?

Not sure ... AGS seemed really strong, and they took Kiev just a turn or two ago.

Odessa is VERY heavily reinforced. As is Leningrad.

I've called up the Coastal Army / Sept. divisions and they are moving toward Odessa.
I may focus the winter counter-offensive down there and try to relieve Odessa (surrounded, but supplied by sea I guess....they are holding this long and are still very strong. Just a few months more and I may be able to drive AGS / Hungarians / etc. back w/ the Coastal / Sept. / and a Shock Army that is forming south of Kharkov)....news says it is starting to get a bit cool in the North, so I am hoping for snow soon and General Winter

Not sure if he is having trouble with the supply net / RR repair,
but that is what I suspect.

Smolensk still holds, and is getting lots of Soviet reinforcements now, too.
NKVD forces are picking up a lot of slack south of Smolensk. But he is getting closer there.

I think AGS is turning north now, there are recon units showing up that seem to be turning so as to try to cut off Smolensk, I think.

I am fortunate to have kept the rails open to Leningrad, Smolensk, and Kharkov.

Worried that some Brandenburgers might get too far into the backfield and disrupt my rail,
but so far I have been able to keep them under control.

Still waiting for the next turn ... that will give me more info.

[Dreamslayer]

ORIGINAL: Hellen_slith
There is a "stop" line for the Finlandians north of Leningrad ...
until the Germans take Leningrad (not happening)

I think Murmansk is fair game, though. The Germans took Murmansk after a long standoff.

If I'm not wrong there is a "stop-line" not only near Leningrad.
Most successfully the Red Army defended in the Murmansk sector. So because it's too difficult to simulate many factors in this area the line should stops not only Finns before fall of Leningrad.

[Hellen_slith]

Ah, ok, I did not know that. I do recall a stop line for the Finlandians around the big lake on the east side of Leningrad, around the Ice Road / Life Line to Leningrad.

but not around Murmansk.

At any rate, the General took Murmansk using only Germans that I saw.
For me, it was too much trying to ship / rail reinforcements to Murmansk.
Not sure how much it will affect me yet, losing Murmansk.
(I did fight for it, but was eventually overwhelmed after a long and good fight)

I have noticed some stacking problems in AGS though...

stacking Hungarians with their sworn enemies (Rumanians?)

but I generally overlook those kind of things, I just like to play!

Have also noticed some yellow chits sailing around the Baltic states....
I had thought yellow is Italians, but I cannot imagine Italians being in the Baltic.

They are something else, but it seems they are sailing, bound for Leningrad.

Maybe they are Estonians? Not sure, I will watch the next replay
and try to figure out who those are.

[Hellen_slith]

@Soviet Turn 34 here,
currently a German marginal victory.

cease-fire has been going for a few turns
due to the storms

I think there are a few more moves before the weather clears.

Here is the Leningrad Front ... not sure if there are
Germans preparing to try to cross the Luga?

or have they turned southeast ...? we shall see!

[Hellen_slith]

Many Many storms ongoing, hampering German movement ...

The last few moves, Stalin has issued an "STOP" order on further Soviet movement,

awaiting further reports from the fronts.

STAVKA does not want to commit, until they know more about of German movements.
Time now to eliminate the "panic mongers" among Upper Soviet Military.
"Shoot them" says Stalin.

ooc:/ so far, Soviets have held very well. Odessa holds, mightily.
I am wondering if Soviets have an advantage.

We shall see!

[Hellen_slith]

I have been reading Erickson's Road to Stalingrad alongside playing this scene against the General and alongside the other Russo-German War scene I have going against the PO.

Erickson gives a detailed and revealing glimpse into the mess that was STAVKA ... pretty amazing how the Soviets finally managed to get their sheize zusammen despite Stalin's meddlings ... arresting / shooting top officers, regularly shuffling commanders around, boondoggled communications, issuing orders to "troops" who were either out of ammo and supplies or just not there. Mind boggling that the Soviets held at the last.

Gives me a better appreciation and understanding of why the scenario designers have the Soviets' formations so scattered about and rather disorganized.

Anyway, in this game, I *think* the storms have finally lifted (we got in quite a few moves this weekend, while the "cease fire" was in effect") and so I expect a new push later today by the General ... only question is, where will he push? I'm thinking Smolensk.

If anyone knows, was this scene "optimized" for Elmer / PO as Soviets? I am starting to think that. I get the feeling that the Soviets are a bit overpowered, but who knows? My opp. may overpower ME when the shooting starts again.

Anyway, thanks for reading!

[StuccoFresco]

Soviets wasted a lot of units into pointless counterattacks; if the player doesn't and save those troops for later, the Soviets should stop the German advance earlier than historical.

[Hellen_slith]

Cease-fire has ended, Axis is on the attack again...

and Odessa, which I thought was secure, suddenly gets slammed!!

Odessa is in trouble now.
This bodes interesting for STAVKA and the Southwestern Front....

[Hellen_slith]

Ukraine is really heating up

[Hellen_slith]

Another move cycled today,
and one of the things about the Slither server "on line" experience I do NOT like,
is that the game does not provide a SAL file at end-of-move....
to be able to look at the board as it stands, while awaiting next move by OKH.

Be that as it may,
I am glad that STAVKA issued the "STOP" order some moves ago,
b/c it allowed me the chance now to move the 58th? Army to stem some deep penetrations
made by the General these past few moves.

He is threatening some essential rail lines around Orel, and is moving on Bryansk it seems.
I am still curious about Smolensk area ... Soviets seem to be holding that mightily,
but as w/ Odessa, it may get slammed next ... not sure if my tankers can hold there.

I tried evacuating troops by sea from Odessa, as was done IRL,
but Rumanian Navy sunk a few ships, and now they are hamstrung there.

Soviet counter-offensive around Kirovograd continues ...
Moscow and Leningrad seem safe enough.
We shall see what the Winter brings!

[Hellen_slith]

Meanwhile, at the Bryansk Front (Sovs turn 46)

Germans are looking randy.
Bryansk asks for reinforcements.

Soviet reinforcements are looking a bit thin.

Stalin: "SHOOT ALL COMMANDERS! NOT FIGHTING HARD ENOUGH!!"
having to call up Babushkas, looking dicey in the Soviet rear areas ...

and here I thought all was well.
HAH!! Going to have to think up more strategy to hold Bryansk.

[Hellen_slith]

@Soviets turn 50 now ...

lots of theater options.

Spending a lot of time railing armies around,
trying to shore up Bryansk, Orel, Kursk

[Hellen_slith]

@Soviets turn 55 ...

The Kirovograd / Nikolaev counter-offensive is having a bit of success.
AGS seems a bit weak in this sector.
I am wondering if my opp. is not "digging in" many of his units?

I see a few "fortified" stacks,
but it seems a lot of stacks retreat pretty quickly.

Beginning a counter offensive around Vilikiye Luki now, too.
All Soviet fronts are holding (for now).
Kharkov / Orel is still a bit weak, but
2d Shock Army is almost there to reinforce.

[Hellen_slith]

@Sovs 62

37th Army/ 4th Shock / 28th Army
drive back toward Odessa
under cover of a driving blizzard