An Impossible strategy - VPs vs thinning the Red Army?

[Teo41_ITA]

Hi everyone!

I am currently playing the Road to Leningrad scenario, impossible difficulty level. I am learning a lot, in regard to choosing the least expensive path for my panzers and rotating my units to keep at least 2 Army Corps behind the front line to regain CPP and reduce fatigue.

Still, I am getting worried about using the wrong approach in this particular scenario. Coming from Hearts of Iron 4, I am the type of player who cautiously prefers to shrink the size of the enemy Army before heading for the VPs. I understand that in 1941, as an Axis player, I need to be aggressive, but I really cannot (yet!) judge when is the time for the big push and when is the time to rest and recover.

Here below is the situation at the end of T6: Pskov is still in enemy hands (it should have fell on T2, to be historically accurate) and the trapped enemy divisions SE of the city are putting up an unexpected resistance (see for yourself the combat delay values).

While I am confident that within the next two turns Pskov will fell and all those trapped units will be gone, this means that the AI will enjoy 2 more turns to set up a strong defensive belt around Leningrad. August is knocking on the door and September will mean the arrival of the rain season... and I really don't want to get caught with my panzers at Staraya Russa by that time!

EDIT: I uploaded the wrong screenshot. The 36th Motorized and the 1st Panzer Divisions managed to surround Pskov by taking the town two hexes NW of it. Pskov will be isolated next turn, still no idea of when it will fall.

[thedoctorking]

As a general rule, the key thing in this game is to kill enemy units. Get your mobile units fully gassed up and as high CPP as you can, then bust the enemy's line with your infantry in two places and send the mobile troops through to form a pocket. If the pocket holds and the units are isolated the next turn, take them out while withdrawing the mobile guys to gas up again, rinse and repeat. Taking territory is less important. Ultimately, you win by scoring VP's, but you'll get those easily once the enemy doesn't have a powerful army any more. In the "Road" scenarios, intended as introductory exercises, capturing territory quickly is important, though. But still, get in the habit of looking first for ways to beat up the enemy army.

This is particularly important against a human opponent. As the Soviets in 1941, I might give you Leningrad if it looks like you have sent enough troops up there rather than risk having a whole Front cut off there and destroyed. They call it the "Sir Robin" defense, but Sir Robin looks pretty impressive in 1942 if you didn't inflict a couple of million casualties in 1941.

[Teo41_ITA]

Thanks for your response, thedoctorking!

I never played against a human opponent but I must say that the AI on Impossible difficulty is a real nut to crack. In particular, I am finding very limiting the 30% reduction in logistics and transport levels, I need to be extra careful in not overextending my supply lines otherwise my divisions will barely get any MP during the next logistical phase. And the 150 morale boost is such a big bonus to the combat capabilities of the AI.

I really don't want to imagine my first winter in the GC with an opponent on steroids! [:D]