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I'm playing a game when my opponent has shattered 3 soviet korps who were in SL 1. The game is blizzards '41. I would have thought the units would have retreated and not shatter. What is going on?

Any unit risks shatter if the readiness of the divisions which comprise it falls below 20%. One of the tactics a good German player can employ is to fortify several key cities back from the front lines prior to blizzard, then retreat to those cities when blizzard arrives. The advancing Soviets quickly fall to low readiness while making a long advance and then are ripe for devastating counterattacks. I've shattered many, many Russian formations during my games by using this tactic which most good German players employ.

As the Russians, you need to limit your advance during blizzard to no more than one hex, and if you are approaching a city that you think might have German units in it you need to wait a turn, allow your units to gain some readiness, then use special supply before advancing adjacent. Your supply level should never be below 40% if you anticipate moving next to the main German defensive line.

Another tactic is to still move at maximum speed but to use small expendable units in the vanguard. This will let you know at a low cost where the German defence line is and allow you to attack at your convenience with well-supplied Shock Armies. The enemy will often fortify single hexes and not a regular defence line. Outflank those without moving next to them. Have decent numbers of a/c on your frontline to do spotting too.

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