Twig's War (Twigster Axis, thedoctorking Soviet)

[tyronec]

Because the silly forum software will only allow one picture per post...

I am using 'picpick' freeware and merging pictures before uploading them.

[Twigster]

ORIGINAL: thedoctorking

And BTW, who knew the Rumanians could swim? I completely missed that little crossing point at the mouth of the Dnestr. Luckily, I had some reserves in Odessa to kick them back out again.

And BTW, who knew the Rumanians could swim? I completely missed that little crossing point at the mouth of the Dnestr. Luckily, I had some reserves in Odessa to kick them back out again.

The Rumanians quite like their little island now...they think they might build a summer home there...

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: tyronec

Because the silly forum software will only allow one picture per post...

I am using 'picpick' freeware and merging pictures before uploading them.

You can also host pictures on a third party site (e.g. imgur.com) and embed them here

[Twigster]

Will have screenshots to verify once we get there (unless thedoctorking has screenies of loss reports for Turn 7), but as of end of Axis Turn 8 manpower losses for Axis were around 150,000 and 1.3 million for Soviets. Aircraft losses were 467 total for Axis of which 207 were fighters; Soviet air losses were 7,112. It appears as if thedoctorking's strategy of fatiguing Axis fighters is paying off.

[tyronec]

Aircraft losses were 467 total for Axis of which 207 were fighters; Soviet air losses were 7,112.

Almost the same in my game, 470 inc 237 fighters for 8543 - think my extra soviet kills came on T1. Perhaps this is the new norm with aggressive Soviet tactics.

[thedoctorking]

German turn 7 saw steady advances in all three sectors. In the north, they pushed forward only a couple of hexes against stiff resistance. I was expecting that Leningrad would get cut off this turn but it was not to be. I still hold the hills to the south of the city and have pushed a new Army HQ (48th) and a number of divisions into the city. Northwest Front has shortened its lines and has taken over the sector to the south of Lake Ilmen, permitting the small army there to return to the defense of Novgorod. I’m feeling better about my position in this area though no doubt the fascists will continue to advance.

[thedoctorking]

To the south, the Germans consolidated their position around Velikie Luki and launched a limited offensive to the east of Smolensk. Their main armored forces did not move much, and I suspect that they have performed an HQBU and will be smashing through my front in some direction next turn. The most likely line of advance is straight for Vyazma. I put 13th and 20th Armies in the way, though they are both now suffering severely from fatigue. 3rd Army fell back to the south of the Dnepr, heading for a supplemental line running south from Smolensk. 32nd and 54th Armies stand to their rear to plug any gaps that might appear.

I’ve moved all my air groups farther from the front. My bombing still seems to be effective and experience levels are rising.

[thedoctorking]

To the south, the headlong push for Kiev continues. A powerful, well-entrenched army awaits. I wish them luck. The forces to the north and south of the push are withdrawing to the Dnepr line. Hopefully, the major river will allow me to free up forces either to push into the city fight for Kiev or to move southwards to cover the industrial regions in the bend of the Dnepr. The Romanian push across the Dnestr towards Odessa has been beaten back by my reserve forces in the region. Otherwise, the fascists remain oddly quiescent on the southern front. I’m wondering if they have some clever plot for a surprise attack up their sleeves?

[Telemecus]

Here it might be worth getting a unit or fort digging on Shlisselburg. Currently it is empty - and that is the last difficult hex before crossing the Neva?

[thedoctorking]

ORIGINAL: Twigster

Will have screenshots to verify once we get there (unless thedoctorking has screenies of loss reports for Turn 7), but as of end of Axis Turn 8 manpower losses for Axis were around 150,000 and 1.3 million for Soviets. Aircraft losses were 467 total for Axis of which 207 were fighters; Soviet air losses were 7,112. It appears as if thedoctorking's strategy of fatiguing Axis fighters is paying off.

Sorry, I only saw this after pushing the turn end button and there doesn't seem to be any way to open up a saved game in the Multiplayer server once you have turned control over to your opponent.

My memory is that I have about six to eight squadrons with experience in the 70s and maybe 15 more in the 60s. My air losses look to be going about 2:1 in favor of the Axis, which is tolerable from my point of view. Land losses have been horrendous, but probably about historical? Or maybe even less? I seem to remember that my overall total at this point is about 1.2 million men. I seem to remember that I've killed about 1,000 German AFV's, which seems high. I think maybe that includes maintenance losses? I'll put screen shots in the turn 9 AAR.

[thedoctorking]

Historical losses for the USSR in 3rd quarter 1941 according to Wikipedia were 2.1 million. So I'm a little ahead of historical but there are four turns left to go before September.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: thedoctorking

Historical losses for the USSR in 3rd quarter 1941 according to Wikipedia were 2.1 million. So I'm a little ahead of historical but there are four turns left to go before September.

I might propose that he key is not historical results but parking 3 Guards XXX in Berlin right around May 1945 .. as long as your indices follow that pattern I say your good!

[HardLuckYetAgain]

ORIGINAL: tyronec

Aircraft losses were 467 total for Axis of which 207 were fighters; Soviet air losses were 7,112.

Almost the same in my game, 470 inc 237 fighters for 8543 - think my extra soviet kills came on T1. Perhaps this is the new norm with aggressive Soviet tactics.

I see the "numerous" German CAP missions as the source of the aggressiveness. The Soviets just continue the game into their turn since imho the Soviets can take the loses where the Germans can not for too long or suffer a lack of fighters in later turns. On top of this fact the Germans now fly both day and night missions. So the Soviets would run their gambit of CAP missions drawing out the Germans by day. Then begins the Night bombing which will normally be intercepted by fatigued fighters from the previous Soviet CAP runs. This is where the Soviets will get their fighter kills in Aircraft but will take lots of level bombers loses even at night against this setting. But imho worth it.

Personally I play the Germans differently on fighter aircraft. I don't go ballz to the wall German CAP missions. You can accomplish like results with a different set up that favors the Germans in the Quality winning over Quantity war. Again I'm not knocking anyones play style and love seeing the different styles play out. The Germans just need to understand that the longer they can keep the Soviet Air Exp and Morale low the better.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

ORIGINAL: thedoctorking

Aaaaand again. It would be really nice if the dear dear company could upgrade their forum software...

....................

On the southern front, German armor is again pushing straight for the big city. Surprisingly little action to the south where the big factory complexes are. So far, I have been able to evacuate all factories other than those in Minsk to the east. I did manage a little counter-attack in this area, taking advantage of my large armored reserve to cut off two German armored divisions in the area south of Zhitomir. As in the north, I’m looking forward to getting the Germans into hand-to-hand fighting for heavily fortified cities.

I LOVE the pictures! Thank you for posting them.

The South looks pretty secure . You should have no problem getting industry out.

[Twigster]

This is the ground loss report for the end of Turn 8.

Yes, definitely Axis armor losses are quite high and I attribute that to A) I have been pushing the panzers very hard from start with no let up, no down time as of yet and B) the incredibly fierce fighting in AGS area resulting from the Soviet's very strong forward defensive posture there. And kudos to thedoctorking for isolating various panzer divisions serveral times.

The Turn 7 slowdown in AGC actually resulted from fuel shortages for 2PG and 3PG and the need to finish clearing the Vitebsk area pocket. Likewise, fuel shortages caused a slowdown in the advance against Leningrad as well.

Getting the panzers the opportunity for refit has become critical.

thedoctorking has begun to discern what my strategy in the far south has been: note how the Soviet southern defensive line is beginning to deform; I saw no reason to be offensive in this area as yet, especially given the difficulty I have had pushing to Kiev. Soon enough the far south will look more to my liking.

[Twigster]

Air losses for end of Turn 8.

[Twigster]

Turn 8

The battle for Leningrad proper begins in earnest. The units garrisoning Pushkin and the divisions immediately southwest of Pushkin both withstood heavy bombing and several attacks to dislodge them- not an auspicious beginning. Defending units in Leningrad itself also suffered air attacks; no bombing of the city has taken place as of yet.

[Twigster]

AGC, Smolensk area. Axis highlights this week were the taking of Smolensk and getting the infantry fully pursuing eastward. Again this turn, not enough MPs for the panzers to do very much.

[Twigster]

Area around Velikie Luki.

[Twigster]

NOT cutting off Soviet forces in the eastern Marshes has been a major failure for the Axis.