Rodina-mat' zovet! (no Lysander pls)

[821Bobo]

I haven't touched WitE for over 2 years but I was somehow missing it and decided to start one more pbem game. Didn't trust myself so choose the easier side and took Soviets.

We are playing GC41 with Alt CVs.
Full fog
Random weather
Full Blizzard
No +1

Are the any major changes in past 2 years I should be aware off?

[821Bobo]

Overall situation at end of T1.

Decent pockets, all held.

In north, at the moment Pskov(27th Army, Berzarin) is the centre of defense.
20th Panzer division attended in battles around Daugavpil so 1. Panzer Gruppe was definitely reinforced.

In centre, pocket doesn't look very tight but I wasn't able to open it due to the lack of MPs and low morale.

In south the usual Lvov + Dubno. At least one Panzer Korps was diverted from AGC to AGS.

Suprisingly Pavlov hasn't been shot yet.

[STEF78]

Good luck, axis opening is looking fine

[bigbaba1111]

good start. lvov pocket will be open in the next turn but maybe he will throw good money after bad one by giving you the chance to pocket more units in turn 2 when your tanks still have gas.

[821Bobo]

Thanks Stef

bigbaba I am playing Soviets and Lvov did hold, unfortunately for me

[821Bobo]

26.6.-2.7.41

1. Panzer Gruppe has been reinforced by entire Motorized Korps and Pskov position was outflanked. With presence of 3 motorized corps on the Leningrad direction more Soviet reinforcements will flow here as well.
Axis flank security is non-existent and 4 division were cut off.

[821Bobo]

It looks like only 2 motorized corps are in the center. Both were cut off. Minsk still in Soviet hands. This rather weak presence on this direction will allow most of reinforcements to be directed to north and south.

Pavlov still alive, over 100 defeats and barely any victories. If he survives I will keep him.

[821Bobo]

In south, Axis attempted to encircle( and failed) around 20 more divisions. Around half were evacuated from the soon be a pocket and another half was left there to harass the Panzers. Axis spearhead is completely cut off and out of fuel. Also I was able to established contact with remains from the Lvov pocket.
Axis reinforced the southern wing with 2 motorized corps from the center. With such strong presence, from now on I can only run for the hills.

[Neogodhobo]

Its good that you keep Pavlov. He was really an under-estimated Generals. Its too bad the game doesnt give him good stats because his only fault were bad communication and German Surprise. Every Soviet Generals were guilty of that in June 41. Anyway, who are you playing against ?

[821Bobo]

I am playing the same opponent as you are.

From current Axis mobile forces disposition it looks like there will not be much pressure on Moscow and therefore I think Pavlov will do fine.

[timmyab]

Near catastrophic Axis turn two. Surprising after a pretty good turn one.
AGC is particularly fubar. I think I might have gone all-in against the Southern-most AGC pz corps, possibly the Northern-most one as well, hard to see where a rescue could come from.
It's not like the other army groups are much better off.
The lesson to learn here is that flank security is a thing. Not needed vs the AI but human opponents will find the gaps. Cav is especially dangerous on the flanks of panzer thrusts.

[SparkleyTits]

Indeed Timmy always protect those flanks, that's a nasty switch from turn 1! [X(]

You should cut some of regiments into compartmentalised logs and then you'll catch a few that cannot be saved on turn 3 for surrendering
I'd also jump right in AGC too as it looks like you can safely destroy a couple of PzD there too!

Ouch!!

[821Bobo]

In north, there are still 2 corps that are not cut off. That is the standard disposition for AGN(I mean AGN starts with 2 motorized corps) so can not take any risks here.
In center, there are no troops in good numbers in vicinity of the 2 Panzer corps.
In south Axis have still one unused corps around Dubno, spearhead will be definitely relieved on T3. Will see how Axis will handle this situation next turn.

I can remember sappers games when he totally ignored flank security and even being cut off turn by turn he still managed to advance/pocket Soviet troops.
Better safe than sorry....

[EwaldvonKleist]

Ouch (from Axis perspective).

Agree about poor Pavlov, he was unlucky to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[bigbaba1111]

Pavlov reminds me of good old perkins here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jdQqjcsfC8

"chocked" 40 times by darth vader but still aive and kicking.

your situation is outstanding. he will need some turns to sort out that chaos and meanwhile you can happily dig deeper at the dnjepr and the vitebst-orcha line. i did the same mistake he did against stef here. i wanted too much against a good opponent.

[821Bobo]

ORIGINAL: EwaldvonKleist

Ouch (from Axis perspective).

Agree about poor Pavlov, he was unlucky to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

This reminds me that Zukov was one of the candidates for Western Military district before the invasion. He was actually lucky not getting the command.

[821Bobo]

Regarding replacing Pavlov. There is no one really better(except Zukov) right now.

[HardLuckYetAgain]

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

Didn't trust myself so choose the easier side and took Soviets.

Depends on your German opponent on how "easy" it is to play the Soviets.

[821Bobo]

I've been schooled by Pelton and MT [:D]

[HardLuckYetAgain]

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

I've been schooled by Pelton and MT [:D]

That may be so. But again that is my point & is already playing out on how "easy" this game can be. Or "hard" if things change around really quickly. Time will tell. But looking at the German moves I would say that you are playing someone "not" on your skill level at all. Just my 2 cents from what I am seeing. So "yes" I think this will be an easy game for you is my prediction.