Bread v Blue (Game n

[RedJohn]

Another game. We've both played against eachother a number of times, as both sides. After an okay Barbarossa, a bit similar to my Fracas game, I absolutely and completely collapsed during blizzard. I think I was too stubborn in places, and I didn't have time to set up pretty much any fortifications except in the North - even that fell, though. I resigned around turn 35ish, but the game was probably decided a bit before then.

Anyway! This time I'm the Soviets. I of course chose the Soviets on the one beta patch which seems to give a huge buff to Germany, so that'll be fun.

The Southern thrust:

[RedJohn]

Centre - a tight pocket almost broken via a single hex. I'd have let him not have it be broken regardless, but I do enjoy seeing if I can break the turn 1 pockets.

[RedJohn]

North: Very usual opener.

[RedJohn]

Notable battle 1:

[RedJohn]

And 2 (less notable, but hey)

[RedJohn]

Cleaning up the pockets, but a worrying lack of advance everywhere except South and towards Talinn.

What's he up to? I am concerned.

[RedJohn]

Our tank divisions bravely take out another 30 AFVs, whilst defending to the last. Only notable battle.

[RedJohn]

Turn 3, his Centre advance is very slow. I remain very wary but I would like to hold the Dnepr for a little while longer.

No sign of an approach at Pskov either.

[RedJohn]

I'll do the rest of the turn when I'm back from the gym, but things seem ok so far.

[RedJohn]

I did the rest of the turn, nothing eventful happened.

Anyway, turn 4, something very eventful happened: the encirclement of much of the South-Western front.

[Jango32]

Did he divert PzGr 2 to Army Group South on turn 1?

[RedJohn]

ORIGINAL: Jango32

Did he divert PzGr 2 to Army Group South on turn 1?

It seems elements of it, perhaps the majority, but there are still Panzers near Mogilev and at the land bridge. Given the battles in the south, that's my conclusion.

Anyway, we broke the pockets. The armored elements in the southern one had 35 mps and could literally just leave, but we didn't have enough MPs for the rest. Hopefully he routs them, but if nothing else I've bought a turn here.

The infantry in both will die, alas.

[RedJohn]

We THWAP a Panzer at the land bridge, who dared to sit at a measly 12 CV.

It has been put out of commission, I would say, but not without cost.

[RedJohn]

Let's skip 40 turns, shall we?

Leningrad front. I took very few hexes in Blizzard due to being unable to overcome the massive german CVs here. I was also getting routed for 20-30k losses in heavy snow, in blizzard, as we used the artillery patch.

[RedJohn]

This was the typical battle, but instead of retreating I just routed and lost way more.

[RedJohn]

I have reinforced the sector, and this will likely be the place I deploy my rifle corps. I believe he is pushing for Leningrad, and an non-insignificant amount of his armor is here - I think.

[RedJohn]

We retook a large amount of land here, during blizzard, even reaching the outskirts of Smolensk.

[RedJohn]

We also retook Bryansk!

[RedJohn]

Kharkov was a target, but I directed my efforts northwards and thusly couldn't seize it. We are both giving each other a wide berth here.

[RedJohn]

The first skirmishes in the south for a good few turns.