Reserves

[39battalion]

Playing a campaign game as Axis vs AI I just got my butt kicked by the Soviets.

As the Soviets broke through my lines I found it very difficult to stop them as I had few reserves behind the lines. The main reason for this is that the front lines were so vast I needed almost every unit for the front.

This got me thinking about reserves. I don't know what the Axis did historically but I would be interested to hear from experienced players. Which would be a better strategy : (1) Designate an Army in each Army Group as a reserve army and deploy it behind the lines ? (2) Designate a Corps in each Army as a reserve corps and deploy it accordingly ?

This is definitely a great game which consistently presents the player with interesting strategic and tactical choices.

[Veterin]

Do you have any screenshots of your defence when the Soviets broke through? AI is a little different than human players but against human players, you really don't need to defend every hex, just the points of advance and enough of a screening force to stop the enemy going deep to cut of your lines.

Have a look at a few of the AARs on the forum for an idea of how players defend but holding every 2nd or 3rd hex is viable. You can also break your divisions down to regiments if you need to cover more area but just be careful as regiments are weak and easy to break.

[39battalion]

Thanks Veterin.

No I don't have a screen shot as I have started a new game. Anyway it would be embarrassing to post evidence of my defensive ineptitude

I am aware of the checkerboard defence tactic, but it is interesting that you don't see the need for defensive reserves. Maybe I am too cautious.

[Veterin]

No worries. For the first 10 turns or so the line moves quickly so there will always be gaps. I think the Soviet AI generally forms a connected line rather than players who congregate around certain chokepoints.

Having a second line of reserves depends on what stage in the game you are. For 1941 as Axis, you really wouldn't need any second row units unless your rebuilding CPP, refitting or protecting the Axis allies from Soviet attack (Romanians etc). Come the first winter, second row defences make sense in key areas that you might not be able to hold. This allows you to fall back into hexes that have built up fortification levels.

Good luck in your new game!

[39battalion]

Yes the Soviet breakthroughs came in January 1942 so I should have planned for reserves then.

[Veterin]

Yes the Soviet breakthroughs came in January 1942 so I should have planned for reserves then.

Soviets shouldn't be able to completely break your line in Jan 42 (especially AI which just attacks along a broad front). I suspect you had issues supplying your units so their TOE and supply/ammo kept weakening until your line wasn't strong enough to hold. That would be more a problem of managing supplies rather than having reserves.

[39battalion]

Yes I am sure that was a factor

[Jango32]

Well, if you have a screenshot or two of the turn before disaster struck, we could probably figure out what went wrong and what could have gone better.

[39battalion]

Sorry Jango I don't. Playing a new game now.

Not really concerned about being whacked by the AI (on challenging) in the last game. Good to play a game where the AI can be challenging.

I was more interested in the viability of deploying reserves at the Army or Corps level.

[Jango32]

Well, it depends on how the front line is looking like. If you can cover every hex without regimenting at the cost of no reserves, it's not a bad idea. If you can cover every hex without regimenting and also have reserves, that's better.

[39battalion]

Yes it's very situational

[Jango32]

If you sit out and just dig in during the heavy mud turns of October, and do not try to launch offensives in November, it should be okay to put everything on the line against the AI assuming you've done a good job at reducing the Red Army throughout '41.

[39battalion]

Okay thanks Jango