BrianG v Topolm

[BrianG]

So, Topolm saw my plea for an opponent and a wish to make it to 1943.

I agreed to play alt CV which gives greater info on units cv.

Historical weather, harsh winter, and no soviet plus 1.

Topolm took the Germans.

I did not start taking games pictures until December 1941.

So here goes:

[BrianG]

Germans start on turn 1 was pretty good.

Not great so I was able to cut off units near Kovel and the north side of the marshes ( If memory holds)

Now Topolm was new to war in east 1.

So turn 2 and 3 he hesitated. I don't think he liked getting units cut off. Inexperience?

The German hesitation turned into pressure at points but otherwise there was an orderly retreat of Russian units and methodical evacuation of all the industry. So by mid 1941 offensive, i was confident my Army was going to be very large. Perhaps Topolm was going to play a 'don't lose any German units' strategy and fight it out as so.

I was not objecting just wanting to get in the game action.

I had units cut off but never was threatened with a big encirclement. By the snow and winter we were basically slugging it out.

[BrianG]

Stalin released this info:

It seems Russians automatic rr repair is iffy elsewhere on the map (as coded for 1941) but Topolm retreated from the Russia/Finnish hold line.

The Russians raced north to follow.

Lo and behold the RR repair found its way up north. Good coding!!

topem late 2025 start rr repair works nov 41 way up north no where else.jpg (785.58 KiB) Viewed 247 times

[BrianG]

I thought it odd that Azov sea would freeze over.

Guess, i never noticed before as it has many ports on the north bank.

Did it actually freeze in 1941?

You can also see the furthest reach of Topolm's forces. Not deep.

oddity of frozen lake azov.jpg (711.51 KiB) Viewed 244 times

[BrianG]

The Germans will do regular bomber missions. Usually with success and mild or no air interdiction.

Here they are retreating during the blizzard. Taking lumps but Germans set up sufficient for next turn.

Note the large CV values.

They will fluctuate as the weather changes.

My view of ALT CV is that it gives too much info on yours and the enemies Cv. It was probable helpful to Topolm as he was new. He handles his units with skill.

Thus, less FOG. And I like FOG.

Giving me more info was probable to my advantage in this campaign.

nice bomber kia.jpg (959.4 KiB) Viewed 240 times

[BrianG]

I have pushed north. I want to get on the west side of the river up there.

I took a photo so i must have been happy with this attack on the Fin unit.

You can see I lost Leningrad.

t36 win against fin.jpg (904.1 KiB) Viewed 240 times

[BrianG]

So, I lose a Zhukov and gain a Kulik.

That is what you get for winning a war.

Zhukov will get a week off with the Vodka mobile and be back better than ever.

Note the Guards upgrades. Many.

At some point I realized the Topolm was going to keep playing on. More photos!

t40 zhukov dismissed but he was doing well.jpg (531.64 KiB) Viewed 239 times

[BrianG]

Here are 3 juicy GUARDS airborne brigades all stacked nicely.

We will combine them.

You can see the battle line which is west of Kharkiv. Germans are recovering from a brutal winter of smash mouth football.

airborne merge.jpg (700.37 KiB) Viewed 239 times

[BrianG]

The combined unit is a Guards infantry division with morale of 60, above the then normal 55.

airborne merge new guards at morale 60.jpg (707.15 KiB) Viewed 239 times

[BrianG]

I already have 10 Guards armies.

That takes many battles and wins.

10 guard armies.jpg (509.9 KiB) Viewed 227 times

[topolm]

I am very interested in remembering the battles again.Especially from the opponent's perspective.
In 1941, the Germans' strategic goal was to capture Leningrad, so large forces were concentrated there.On other fronts, because of this, the Germans' successes were small.

[BrianG]

nice v mud switch. I have been pushing trying to get to Chernigov and splitting Germans in half.

My partisans are slicing up the rr nicely.

Did the Germans forgot to read the rules on garrisons. I will end up with many partisan units.
Or was it intentional?

t48 rr damage.jpg (808.54 KiB) Viewed 185 times

[BrianG]

Here are my first Guards air groups.

100 kills gets you guards status. either air kill and/or ground damage

guards air corp.jpg (597.03 KiB) Viewed 185 times

[BrianG]

and my about to be Guards air groups.

I've switched the Hurricanes to bomber mode as they will drop a 500 pound bomb.

nonguards air corp.jpg (675.26 KiB) Viewed 185 times

[BrianG]

Up north i attack the Fins

t49 north.jpg (977.94 KiB) Viewed 182 times

[BrianG]

I push thru a hole looking to split German armies at Pskov.

t49 north breakthru.jpg (974.71 KiB) Viewed 182 times

[BrianG]

While i attack up north, I need to rescue 6 units trapped trying to reach Chernigov.


That Russian offensive is over.

t49 mid rescue.jpg (958.08 KiB) Viewed 182 times

[BrianG]

after mud/clear and back in forth bashing, major Guards units are cut off and corralled.

The far north rr to German Leningrad has been cut.

t52 german couterattack rr also cut now upnorth.jpg (994.04 KiB) Viewed 104 times

[BrianG]

Here are my lost units spring 42 awaiting reinforcement.

eliminated units reinforce schedule.jpg (499.57 KiB) Viewed 104 times

[BrianG]

german turn ground kia.jpg (632.58 KiB) Viewed 104 times