AAR vs Seminole

[AlbertN]

PREMISE:

Greetings,

Leaving the opponent unnamed as I've not asked them permit for an AAR! Presently I've 2 fresh games that I feel I should do the AAR for.

Til now with one-two exceptions of games that have had a favorable outcome for my Axis nations (and I feel due to the Soviets running far too quickly and too far than, and not out of personal merits of mine); I've got persistently stuck in horrid situations.

I like the game and its potential - but it has turned in something I feel wrong and that frustrates me - in how it tells the narrative of the start of Barbarossa. What should be the ride of glory (to extents) of the Germans, with grand advances and inflicting massive losses, ends up in a bloody trench war OR an advance where the Soviet wants and allows.

My mind is fairly simple - if this is what is in '41, what awaits for the Axis later? Not something I plan to waste time to discover.

I feel in both the games I won't hit the 525 VP marker either (Barring grand rabbit runs of the Soviets).

I tend to ask the grace of not opening T1 pockets - due to how binary the Surrender business is; and how a game changer is to have pockets opened up.

[AlbertN]

T2 AGN Post Recon

Grand panoramic here.

The Soviets apply what to me seems default 'ZoC' delatory defence to slow down the armoured spearheads. Fair and square.

There seems to be a build up by Pskov. Seen that in roughly half of the MP games I started but not always.

[AlbertN]

T2 Post Recon

The Soviets have massed here as well ... recon has not found many Soviets in the southern zone though!

Blind recon crews or true absence of Soviets?

I suspect the later since the whole zone there is a mix of bogs and swamps.

[AlbertN]

T2 Post Recon

AGS - grand retreat of the Soviets.
In general in the South - due to open plains for the most - the Soviets tend to waltz and dance in front of the Germans, but never in real reach of them.

In general the dance to the East is a problem I perceive here as much as I felt it in WITE1 (Which I admit, I ditched quickly due to how initially it was imbalanced).

[AlbertN]

Of Soviet Tactics - Decoy!

The Soviets left behind an amount of 'empty' HQs, Corps HQ mostly.

I assume that is a way to decoy Air Recon, since usually one Recon for 'Interdiction' (Read: Spot new units) without defining which units they're.

[AlbertN]

Southern 'Pockets'.

Ontop of the usual liquidation of Lvov and the like T1 made pockets some new ones are formed.

A single Tank division got routed in Psokurov and got wrapped up there.

The larger pocket east of Lvov in truth is an 'empty' one, there are 4-5 HQs, some Fortified Unit and 1 or if I am lucky 2 real combat units.

Romanian Front pockets are something normal - with one of my various failures of the turn, to not have wrapped up Beltsy.
Though there it is just one Division and 2 HQ.

The Soviets as predicted are elusive in the south - and can well crash some Panzer Regiments with ease due to their massed armoured units and the hit and run tactics easened by the full Admin Movement they benefit of.

I'll have to see if the Soviets will try to counterattack (Which I dread because presently they're OP in that department) or be cautious and leave these few units to their fate. (What most of the 'novice' Soviets do. The experienced ones attacked me, routed this or that panzer regiment, and free their forces. If not by T2, by T3.)

For that purpose - and as a first as I've got enough bloodied noses, I've set some Panzer Regiments in reserve. (Alas no full divisions to spare).
Also realizing the enemy has relocated the VVS away entirely (A mistake here since Luftwaffe gets whittled down) I can leave GS turned on, I feel.

My Air Supply missions were entirely unopposed which suggests to me the VVS is not present at all (Or the opponent has aptly set all their squadrons to Rest but are lurking there - I doubt).

[AlbertN]

AGC Tango:

After the Recon I was quite puzzled on what to do - as per usual the Soviet reaction to T1 is excellent, they deploy a variety of troops that even if of supposedly insignificant strength on the paper, when in a swamp or a forest ...

The southern venue - the possibly vacant one - is tested.

It is spotted a lurking motorized formation of NVKD guards that is quickly routed as dissuasive force - and then the advance proceeds. The Soviets have at least another unit spotted by Air Recon lurking in the swamps to the south. I assume to perform disruption movement to deny Admin movement to the Germans - for the 'cost' of immolating one regiment (or having the Germans plop an amount of their regiments there).

Alas the Beresina there was not crossed - despite having attacked with Panzers in poor terrain as well. The enemy was ultimately dislodged and routed for excellent losses, at the cost of 10 panzers.

The path to the land bridge is guarded by something in Rough Terrain that ZoCs the clear hexes! A fresh panzer division (It's T2 they're pratically all fresh) sweeps past the river and attacks from the south. The (not so) puny Soviet division blasts away some Panzers, and the local commander calls the attack off. What a humiliation for the cream of the Wermacth!

Motorized forces are issued to surround that single division since it seems a monster with 9 defensive strenght!

A shy attack is made on Mogilev (Attack 1 of 6 - not seen there!) relying on 'Enemy Scouted' result. That is so and I gain some information on the defenders - for more than acceptable losses for a MOT Rgt.
It follows up a Deliberate attack by a Panzer Division. I believe I've been lucky there or the enemy HQ was pretty far - Mogilev was taken with light losses (some panzers, but in urban they're accounted for).

The desired goal was to cross the Beresina on T2 (Historical), something that it is pretty hard to achieve in general due to Soviet resistance and swift reactions.

I took a gamble there and it worked, assuming the Soviets deployed not too strong units in the City (Thinking the Germans won't attack urban). It is also T2 and Soviets do not have beast-monster units everywhere yet.

[AlbertN]

AGN Tango:

This is where the Soviets dictated me where I could go instead.

Aptly and expertly placed Infantry divisions in Swamps and Thick forest turned it pratically impossible for my forces - too far from their infantries - to adequately make a way in.

I adapted and decided to swing toward Velike Luki with a mix of 3rd and 4rd Panzergruppen.
From there they could supposedly proceed east or north (Even if I am convinced the Soviets will still choose where the Germans can advance unless the Germans immolate on the altar of the thick forest and the deep swamp a bazillion of panzers, which will be missed til '42).

The Soviets also deployed wisely to prevent the arrival in Parnu of German motorized forces. Not much by what is in Parnu - that is kind of 'standard' but in deploying delaying forces on the way.

Slovak Airforce will be issued as 'naval security' for the Gulf of Riga imminently.

[AlbertN]

The Save went bogus so the turn has been redone - with some minor difference in its unfolding.

I added the name of the Opponent as they made a post about it in the Tech Support. Seminole seems quite competent to me, from the first turn movement of the Soviets. I foresee a sour and bitter loss on my end soon!

So will try to experiment on something - instead of the traditional opening toward Kishinev for the rail, I'll try to link up the two Railyard 2 marked in red there with the mix of the Romanian FBD and the support of some RAD units (Including the 2 that will come from Norway).

I've noticed that there are some Railyard 2 in Hungary that may help push supplies through the Carpathian mountain passes and fuel a bit better freight through the main venue north of Lvov-Vinnitsa.

The rationale is that in general in the south the Soviets run, run and run further.
So if that helps catching them better ... why not.

How it will pan out it is to be seen!

[Seminole]

ORIGINAL: AlbertN

AGN Tango:

This is where the Soviets dictated me where I could go instead.

Aptly and expertly placed Infantry divisions in Swamps and Thick forest turned it pratically impossible for my forces - too far from their infantries - to adequately make a way in.

I adapted and decided to swing toward Velike Luki with a mix of 3rd and 4rd Panzergruppen.
From there they could supposedly proceed east or north (Even if I am convinced the Soviets will still choose where the Germans can advance unless the Germans immolate on the altar of the thick forest and the deep swamp a bazillion of panzers, which will be missed til '42).

The Soviets also deployed wisely to prevent the arrival in Parnu of German motorized forces. Not much by what is in Parnu - that is kind of 'standard' but in deploying delaying forces on the way.

Slovak Airforce will be issued as 'naval security' for the Gulf of Riga imminently.

Albert played this a little different in the last iteration.

Instead of moving on Velikie-Luki he made sure to take the port at Parnu and instead clear territory toward Pskov. This puts his forces at much less danger of encirclement at the end of round two.
BTW, the agreed upon rule to not break turn 1 pockets was unnecessary. The pockets were sound, but I understand a random Soviet mech MP can put a real stumble into the first week.

[Seminole]

The Soviets left behind an amount of 'empty' HQs, Corps HQ mostly.

I assume that is a way to decoy Air Recon, since usually one Recon for 'Interdiction' (Read: Spot new units) without defining which units they're.

Honestly not trying to be that clever (yet - I would consider using them under terrain where their type was imperceptible). I tried to displace my Army HQs while leaving the corps HQs in place.
The leader loss rate was brutal. I have it documented for my AAR, but it was 50%.
It was pointless too, as in turn 2 you were able to overrun the HQs again easily. I won't bother with displacement again on turn 1 for the Soviets.

[Seminole]

ORIGINAL: AlbertN

AGC Tango:

After the Recon I was quite puzzled on what to do - as per usual the Soviet reaction to T1 is excellent, they deploy a variety of troops that even if of supposedly insignificant strength on the paper, when in a swamp or a forest ...

The southern venue - the possibly vacant one - is tested.

It is spotted a lurking motorized formation of NVKD guards that is quickly routed as dissuasive force - and then the advance proceeds. The Soviets have at least another unit spotted by Air Recon lurking in the swamps to the south. I assume to perform disruption movement to deny Admin movement to the Germans - for the 'cost' of immolating one regiment (or having the Germans plop an amount of their regiments there).

Alas the Beresina there was not crossed - despite having attacked with Panzers in poor terrain as well. The enemy was ultimately dislodged and routed for excellent losses, at the cost of 10 panzers.

The path to the land bridge is guarded by something in Rough Terrain that ZoCs the clear hexes! A fresh panzer division (It's T2 they're pratically all fresh) sweeps past the river and attacks from the south. The (not so) puny Soviet division blasts away some Panzers, and the local commander calls the attack off. What a humiliation for the cream of the Wermacth!

Motorized forces are issued to surround that single division since it seems a monster with 9 defensive strenght!

A shy attack is made on Mogilev (Attack 1 of 6 - not seen there!) relying on 'Enemy Scouted' result. That is so and I gain some information on the defenders - for more than acceptable losses for a MOT Rgt.
It follows up a Deliberate attack by a Panzer Division. I believe I've been lucky there or the enemy HQ was pretty far - Mogilev was taken with light losses (some panzers, but in urban they're accounted for).

The desired goal was to cross the Beresina on T2 (Historical), something that it is pretty hard to achieve in general due to Soviet resistance and swift reactions.

I took a gamble there and it worked, assuming the Soviets deployed not too strong units in the City (Thinking the Germans won't attack urban). It is also T2 and Soviets do not have beast-monster units everywhere yet.

Alberto changes things up a little bit. Hitting Mogilev hard enough with some motorized to avoid frustration, and better exploit the crossing. Also eschewing bitter lessons in the hills before the land bridge, and in the forests on the Dnepr entering it:

[AlbertN]

Yes I admit the 'Hill' attack I deliberately avoided knowing I'd have took a punch on the nose - or well risked it. - Mogilev has been pratically a duplicate without the scouting! (I admit I intensified air recon though).
But Mogilev has gone pratically the same - without a single regiment doing the 'Enemy Scouted'.

In general lots of Soviets let the Germans arrive straight by Pskov or that zone in T2 already! You put lots of speedybumps!

[AlbertN]

T3 - Beginning

Checking for enemy combat actions, I find multiple attacks performed by isolated units trying to ... break out?

Personally I feel they're a mistake, learning from the enemy action here.
Losses on Axis end are virtually insignificant OR non existant at all (like in this combat) while the Isolated Unit spends supplies, gets losses and tire itself.

The 'gain' is that it may produce some damage (Romanians got some casualties) before the Axis can attack it at its own comforts.

The 'loss' are multiple I believe. It adds experience to the Axis units (I do not know of any 'promotion' system for which the Axis units have a win / loss count!) but mostly softens their own capability of inflicting casualties when attacked.

[Jango32]

I highly suspect that the intent behind those attacks was to drain your CPP.

[AlbertN]

T3 - Romanian Sector

The Romanian pocket an amount of units.

Not my merit I feel, but STAVKA commandering them to hold the grounds I feel.
Some were in ZOC and may not easily slip away (The Beltsy ones for instance). But some other Soviet forces were there just because.

Despite poor capability in leadership and their Armoured Unit isolated at the start of the turn, the Romanians form a small line - with a weaker spot in the middle (as you can see the Regiments) where no real pockets are at risk to be opened up.

Small tiny units, but they can sum up at the end of the day!

[AlbertN]

@ Jango

That is also true - I admit I forgot of that (I'd change that to a stage that a too insignificant attack does not cost CCP but that's me trying to apply common sense).

Nonetheless, it is also to be said that a 10% loss of a unit that maybe has 20-30 CCP remaining (or less!) is not a grand loss (Assuming my units marched, may have fought, and are adjacent to the enemy, etc).

[AlbertN]

T3 - Vinnitsa lightly defended?

This is a relative surprise. (After the first surprise that the air recon directive in that direction has not took off!)

I've learnt some 'easy' herding, that pocket was the one from T2 that got an opening but now got back in there.
The 'grander line' of 'leave a town out of zoc in the pocket' to shove units in there worked. That is simple and prolly the basic.

More advanced levels of herding I still need to practice!

Nonetheless T3 is still one of the initial turns of Axis glory.
The enemy formations - the bulk of them at least - are nowhere to be seen, thus I assume they're undergoing the usual process (no-brainer process from my perspective, just by how game mechanics are) of getting mighty leaders, getting replacements for the highest morale units, and be assigned under an Assault HQ.

Probably T3 or T4 are the last ones for bonanza times.

[Seminole]

I made an effort to save the two rifle divisions pinned by ZOC on the Rumanian border. Figured it would likely fail and perhaps even cost a ‘rescuer’ or two, but might delay the siege of Odessa a week as or two as well, depending. Probably a mistake. It’s just untenable to battle on the clear terrain in the south as a turn getting battered leaves you too weak to even retreat effectively the next turn and you’re pocketed. I try to do my fighting where the terrain lends its irreducible hand.

The attacks from the pocketed units were primarily to ID the formations in the cordon, with the marginal benefit of adding fatigue, reducing supplies and maybe costing them a movement point or two the subsequent week. The trapped units are doomed, so I’m not worried about them ‘wasting’ supplies in last gasp attacks.

[AlbertN]

It's good to exchange opinions!

Got to save to server right now and go do stuff away from pc. Will continue turn later.