RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the East Series >> After Action Reports >> RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis)

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/29/2011 4:03:31 PM

ComradeP

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You had no units/no good units guarding the entrypoints to the Crimea? Ouch. That move bought him a couple of turns at least, especially if he pushes into the Crimea during the snow turns and you don't have much of a garrison in it.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/29/2011 5:37:48 PM

Flaviusx

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Piffle. Just guard Sevastopol and the Kerch straights and if he wants to march into the Crimea and offer himself up as a blizzard sacrifice, so much the better. It costs him more to try to occupy the whole place minus the parts of it that actually matter than to guard the entry points.

I rarely guard the entry points nowadays, myself.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/29/2011 6:40:35 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

You had no units/no good units guarding the entrypoints to the Crimea? Ouch. That move bought him a couple of turns at least, especially if he pushes into the Crimea during the snow turns and you don't have much of a garrison in it.

I did, and beautiful Lvl-3 forts too, with Fort Zones, but I moved the good units just the last turn, because I didn't think he could/would get that far on T-17. My mistake!

I also pushed over the Dnepr against the Romanian Screen to attract attention and pull Germans away from the Center. That part worked, though not the way I intended.

Still, the Crimea ain't worth much, I won't lose Sevastopol, and there isn't much in the Crimea; about 10 Manpower, that's really it. Plus a bunch of coastline the Germans have to guard.

The main thing this impacts is the Siege of Odessa. I still hold Sevastopol, so I still plan to get units into Odessa this Blizzard to create problems, but now I probably have to just abandon it in February after I'm done

(BTW, the Industry is still in Odessa; I can probably get it moved this Blizzard if I really want to!)

Anyway, I am more concerned with the loss of 12 more divisions than I am the Crimea. My losses will exceed 3 mil this summer. On the flip side, I only lost 18 armaments, and I am still getting 125K recruits per turn, so I should be able to have a nice replacement rate this Winter.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/29/2011 6:43:19 PM

ComradeP

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The problem with that is that Q-Ball's now more or less allowing him to make up for his slow advance in the south by putting some space/no mans land between the Soviets and the Dnepr. That's all that will matter in the blizzard. The starting point of the blizzard offensive matters more than whether or not Sevastopol is still in Soviet hands at this point as defending the Crimea is not just about Sevastopol or Kerch in 1941.

Besides: I simply don't think there's a real reason not to defend the entry points, especially this late. If it costs the Axis 1 or 2 turns to break through, that's time in your favour. An offensive out of the Crimea is perhaps not entirely viable with recent patches, but it can be successful if it starts at the entry points.

Baelfiin ended up having an easy time around Moscow in recent turns (which, in turn, also nullified the plan of not placing an army in Moscow because you would lose it, as he's now still losing that army in a predictable and unnecessary pocket north of Moscow) and now in the south because the defensive deployments were less than ideal.

< Message edited by ComradeP -- 12/29/2011 6:45:26 PM >

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/30/2011 3:30:17 AM

Scook_99

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No matter how bad this looks, The Donbas is pretty safe, Leningrad is held, and General Winter will be showing up very soon. That is the fun part of playing USSR, you can have what would be unmitigated disasters to other countries be minor setbacks for you, and will be forgotten about by 1943. I still lean towards Q-Ball being in control in this game, not pushing harder towards Leningrad and no significant (ie: before turn 16) advance towards Stalino will come back and bite Baelfin in the hiney.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 12/31/2011 6:17:01 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Scook_99

No matter how bad this looks, The Donbas is pretty safe, Leningrad is held, and General Winter will be showing up very soon. That is the fun part of playing USSR, you can have what would be unmitigated disasters to other countries be minor setbacks for you, and will be forgotten about by 1943. I still lean towards Q-Ball being in control in this game, not pushing harder towards Leningrad and no significant (ie: before turn 16) advance towards Stalino will come back and bite Baelfin in the hiney.

Baelfiin has had a good summer campaign, and he should enter Blizzard having destroyed 3.5 mil Reds. That's pretty good. But it's not all bad news for me.

Silver Linings

First, though he is making good progress near Moscow, and the South, the other fronts have suffered. I haven't shown, but we are actually making 4-6 counterattacks a turn between Ryazan and Stalino, consistently pushing German infantry. Not sure how wise this is as the combat loss ratio is not favorable to me, but it's good for morale.

Second, I have kept reserves out of harm's way, including a fair amount of Cav, all my Mountain units, and all 50+ morale rifle units. So,while my guys at the front are getting hammered a bit, I do have stuff in reserve to uncork during Blizzard.

Finally, Baelfiin's pushing hurts, but he has virtually no defenses prepared at all for Blizzard. I think he'll probably run like crazy as a result, though the one place he can't run is around Moscow. I plan to make my main push there, because he might fight there. Particularly south of Moscow there is clear terrain to fight over in my favor.

So, I have the opportunity I think to recover a bit.

As a PS, my MANPOWER situation isn't bad, as I am getting 125K per turn, and I only lost 18 armaments, so the Red Army should be able to quickly replace some losses.

T-18

Moscow:
The weather gods shone on the Germans this turn, as the push around Moscow could continue with a Turn of SNOW.

I am disappointed that Baelfiin didn't keep pushing north. I don't think he had a chance at all to make it to the Finns, and would have been ridiculously overextended had he tried. I have extra units i can pull from Leningrad that are of good quality, and would have stopped anything short of the Cherepovets rail line. I already had a couple units in reserve up there in key Heavy Woods hexes blocking a bit breakout.

Instead, Baelfiin did the smarter thing and continued to bag units. I have made some mistakes around Moscow, but he keeps surprising me, probably because he has so many units a 4-deep stack can't stop them.

I should get a couple turns break soon, and I need to hold him off enough for Blizzard.

Elsewhere:

It's mostly mud elsewhere.

Up NORTH, Baelfiin had a division Isolated in Mud; we counterattacked and pushed it back. He has no chance of holding the Luga line during Blizzard if I push, but I don't plan a major effort; too exposed a position.

SOUTH of Moscow, there is just a very thin screen from Ryazan, all the way to Dnepropetrovsk. I think Baelfiin plans to simply pull-out of this entire area in Blizzard. I plan to commit some Cav to chase, but not much infantry; no point.

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< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 12/31/2011 6:18:20 PM >

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/3/2012 3:40:17 AM

Q-Ball

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T20: 10/30/41

Last turn was all Mud, but this turn, SNOW or BLIZZARD across most of the front. That's 2 out of 3 so far around Moscow, so the weather gods are answering Baelfiin's prayers. They wouldn't answer mine, since we are godless communists!

Moscow:

Blizzard this turn near Moscow. Baelfiin attacked north, but made limited progress. I am not sure what he is trying; if it's getting to Finland, there is no way that is happening. He is threatening some units, but I should be able to get them back a bit more next turn if it's Mud, and there is greater than 50% it is.

We'll see what happens. Losses this turn were very high on both sides.

Crimea:

Further south, he is cleaning up the last of my guys holding out via air supply near Nikolev. Not much else, I expected a move by now on Stalino.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/3/2012 5:16:30 AM

Wuffer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

quote:

ORIGINAL: Scook_99

... The Donbas is pretty safe, Leningrad is held, ... That is the fun part of playing USSR, you can have what would be unmitigated disasters to other countries be minor setbacks for you ...

Second, I have kept reserves out of harm's way, including a fair amount of Cav, all my Mountain units, and all 50+ morale rifle units. So,while my guys at the front are getting hammered a bit, I do have stuff in reserve to uncork during Blizzard.

Finally, Baelfiin's pushing hurts, but he has virtually no defenses prepared at all for Blizzard.

Scook, in a nutshell one couldn't hardly describe the situation more adequate

Q-Ball, I predict hmmmm, a massacre. :-)

Not only because I trust your famous reputation as the defender of the revolution ...
BTW, I am relieved by your reserve arrangement as I looked very careful all over the place to find some some CV's > 1 ...
let's only hope that the fat tankdiv didn't decide to switch in a brigade just before the first attack...

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/3/2012 5:32:17 AM

Peltonx

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I think hes pushing around Moscow to gain space.

Your loses were higher then averge 3 million, but not that bad.

You must have hung onto most of the manpower in south and Leningrad to still have that high of a manpower out put.

Just taking Moscow will not get a German player victory.

Leningrad has to be taken and south then try for Moscow.

Over all I would say you done good.

You lost Moscow, but won North and South.

Pelton

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/3/2012 8:18:01 PM

Q-Ball

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T-21: 11/6/41

Another BLIZZARD turn in North Soviet near Moscow; fall was very strange. Only one MUD turn during the Raputista, and the rivers up there are now all frozen solid. The die-roll gods definitely smiled on Baelfiin during Raputista, which make sense, since we are godless communists and get no divine help.

So, though Baelfiin was robbed during the summer of a critical turn of Clear (T-13, IIRC), he is getting it back with favorable weather during Fall. Things should actually improve for him, as it's likely to be Snow for 3 turns before the real Blizzard hits.

Moscow:

Baelfiin continues to push north, toward Vishny Volochek (V-V).

He managed to pocket 3 units in Torzhok; I would have been able to extract them I think if I had a MUD turn, but I lost that die roll, and it cost me an extra unit. C'est la guerre!

I still think I would like him to continue north, though I am shifting units along the Rail Line through Cherepovets, just in case he gets a big breakout. It's tough terrain though; between snow and light woods, a minimum of 4 MPs per hex for him, 5 for units under 86 morale, so that should limit big breakouts.

Pelton wondered if he is just creating space around Moscow. Maybe, but all the space he is creating is NORTH of town. He must be thinking about setting-up for a 1942 campaign to the Svir, taking Leningrad. Meanwhile, though, I am pretty well dug-in 5 hexes EAST of Moscow. So, I'm still pretty close to the town. He might still shift attacks to nail me in this area; he can have some success, though it won't be easy.

Soviet Attacks:

West of Voronezh, we launched 4 successful attacks against 3 Inf Regts. The Germans here are nothing but a thin screen, more evidence that he plans to RUN during the Blizzard. We are already attacking to the West, which makes me a bit nervous, though I think I have all the Panzers accounted for.

Crimean Bridgehead:

Our air-supplied forces continue to hold out near Nikolev. This is very good, as several Panzer units are tied-down liquidating them. It's taking them awhile, due to mud and lack of German Infantry support.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/4/2012 4:09:10 PM

Q-Ball

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T-22: 11/13/41

The weather this turn was Snow everywhere, which was expected.

I was seriously worried about this turn, because not only would Baelfiin have some Snow, but all the rivers in Russia are frozen solid already. While Non-Random snow turns, the Russians benefit from ice-choked rivers, not the case this time, as Ice Levels are 9 in North Soviet Zone already. Everything is a block of Ice.

Given this, the turn could have been worse; I will lose yet another clump to a pocket, but I think that's going to be it for the Snow.

Attacks in the North

This turn featured a major Panzer attack toward, and around, V-V. Panzers blasted through my lines on either side, and plowed through the Snow to unit above V-V.

I have a couple maps below. At first glance, it looks very very bad, with high-risk of connecting with the Finns. But there are only 2 more turns before Blizzard rules, and with Random weather, there is a 40% chance of Blizzard conditions in advance, which would really slow him up.

Next turn, he will liquidate the 10 divisions in the V-V pocket, and might be able to form 1 more. If he doesn't wrap-up next turn, he will leave several Panzer divisions outside during Blizzard, which is a good thing for me.

Elsewhere:

We launched several successful attacks elsewhere, as the Germans seem to have disappeared from the front in most places. Not completely, but from Moscow all the way to the Sea of Azov, there is only a thin screen of Germans. I think Baelfiin intends to RUN like crazy during Blizzard everywhere but the North. I am already beginning to move forward, and get an early start on the Blizzard offensive.

In response, I am starting to pile everyone up around Moscow, because that's the only place I think he will make a fight of it. Elsewhere, I will use CAV to flip hexes and pursue best I can while the infantry catches up, but I will probably do more marching than fighting in the Ukraine.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/5/2012 5:28:32 PM

Q-Ball

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T-23: 11/21/41

Only two turns before Blizzard, and my weather luck turned: MUD in North and Central Soviet zones (and SNOW in South Soviet!). You gotta love Random weather.

Even though it's Muddy, rivers are all still frozen-solid from that Blizzard weather we had in October, so go figure.

At any rate, the MUD happened at a good turn for me, and pretty much will end any major offensive action on the part of Baelfiin.

Moscow/V-V:

I didn't post a map, as there is little change since the last post, except that Baelfiin did liquidate most of the V-V pocket, with the exception of V-V itself. But with Mud everywhere, little chance to really advance.

In fact, I moved up in all the gaps. Chances are next turn will be SNOW, so he will have fuel, but it's pretty risky to try any major pocketing the last turn before Blizzard.

I hope he attempts to hold the bulge at V-V. For this reason, I cling to the Valdai Hills; if Blizzard wasn't coming, I would be out of there rather than risk a big pocket.

Interesting to see what he does with the last Snow turn before Blizzard, but I think he will pull back the Panzers and get them to some shelter ahead of the Blizzard.

I hope he keeps them outside, but I doubt he will. Moscow itself can house 9 units, almost a whole Panzer Army, so I expect some to go there.

Next turn, I will post a full casualty report wrapping up the '41 campaign, and also post my evil Blizzard plans in detail.....

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/6/2012 4:37:46 AM

Q-Ball

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T24-11/28/41

Last call before Blizzard! We are gathering our Comrades for the big Blizzard assault.

In several places, we have ZOC locks already on German units, and one unit is completely surrounded.

Summer Assessment:

Overall, I think the summer campaign wasn't all bad for me.

Where Baelfiin did very well, and where I got beat, was on tactical handling of the Panzers. He went for a "Pocket First" strategy, and was consistently able to close large pockets of my guys. I planned defenses in depth, but he concentrated enough force to break through successive lines of defense. I calculated MPs and Fuel, but he consistently exceeded that. His pockets were also very air-tight, and showed an excellent understanding of ZOC on the ground.

Where I think Baelfiin erred is more grand strategic. Not going for Leningrad was a big mistake, IMO. His focus on Moscow also pulled resources from the South, where his advance was very tardy. Finally, that last push toward V-V was off target, as he really should have pushed me away from Moscow to the EAST, not the north.

State of Red Army:

Our current OOB is 5.2 mil; I have tried to economize on Armaments, so we have 60K Manpower in the pool right now. Everyone else has a Rifle. We disbanded some excess Air HQs as well as the Corps, so alot of typists are at the front as well. The OOB number is OK, not amazing.

We lost 187 Rifle Divisions during the summer, a huge number. Baelfiin surrounded and destroyed tons of units. Most of these were before November, so they re-spawn, but we lost tons of guys.

On the bright side, we lost only 18 Armaments, and we are currently netting 125,000 Manpower per turn, so we have the flow there to ramp-up in 1942.

I didn't lose any Mountain Divisions other than the ones that are doomed in Lvov turn 1, and tried to limit Cav losses, though he got about 6 more divisions than I would have liked.

Blizzard Strategy:

The line of Germans south of Ryazan is very thin; every other hex, no forts. This leads me to beleive that Baelfiin plans to RUN come Blizzard!

I do see more around Moscow, though, and it makes sense to defend it. It's a pain to take back due to terrain, and a worthwhile prize. He needs to hold it to have a successful 1941. I think he will fight hard for Moscow.

Therefore, I am focusing on Moscow. IN other sectors, I will probably just march westward for 10 turns, making the occasional attack, gobbling up empty space. The real fighting will be Moscow, so I am gathering forces there.

A couple interesting situations on the FLANKS:

Around Leningrad, there is only a thin line along the Luga, and no rail lines nearby. I can probably walk to Pskov an Talinin if I choose, I wonder if Baelfiin is daring me, since I would end-up hugely exposed. I will probably grab the territory, and quickly fall back during Feb/March.

I still hold ODESSA. I don't think I have seen an AAR where someone holds ODESSA way in the German rear like that! It is besieged by single Romanian units in lvl-3 trenches, who will become jelly in December. I just shipped in two more units, and we will attack out of Odessa, and see how far we can push it. I plan to pull-back to Odessa come February, and stick to the town itself again until I am kicked out (or Sevastopol is threatened, whichever comes first). Oh, and I also plan to pull the Industry out of Odessa; why not?

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 1/6/2012 2:55:03 PM >

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/6/2012 4:54:14 AM

Flaviusx

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I don't really get what Baelfin was hoping to accomplish with that push around Vishny Volochek. He has indeed set himself up far some hard knocks as a result. Leaving the vagaries of weather aside, he never should have done it, even if the weather gods had been in his favor.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/6/2012 2:59:29 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx

I don't really get what Baelfin was hoping to accomplish with that push around Vishny Volochek. He has indeed set himself up far some hard knocks as a result. Leaving the vagaries of weather aside, he never should have done it, even if the weather gods had been in his favor.

I think two reasons: First, pocket a bunch of guys, which he did; 12 divisions were elminiated, which is some payback for it. His Panzers were focused around Moscow, and he had greater opportunity to pocket in this direction than to the East, where I had rows of dug-in troops in good terrain.

Second, I think he wanted to keep a springboard for a 1942 campaign to cut-off Leningrad from there. I don't think closing it now is realistic, but thinking ahead, reaching the Svir from there would pocket 2 whole fronts and be the mother lode.

A better idea, IMO, woudl have been to push directly EAST of Moscow. It would have been slow-going and bloody, but he needed to push me away from the city more hexes to create space. He also would have ended-up with some swamp hexes, which are good Blizzard defensive terrain.

As it stands, I am 6 hexes from Moscow, and therefore within striking distance. Not sure I can hold it in Snow, but let's take it first and figure that part out later.....

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/6/2012 11:56:40 PM

Wuffer

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An astonishing start for you, 'December Madness' really.

I guess he will be badly surprised, well done. IMHO GER is in a quite difficult position here just at the start, he couldn't pull back without sacrifing a LOT...

With Odessa(!) and Sewastopol any chances of naval landings?

edit: some people would like to look some 100 km's further in the south.

< Message edited by Wuffer -- 1/6/2012 11:58:56 PM >

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/7/2012 6:00:32 PM

Q-Ball

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12/4/41: Blizzard!

First turn of Blizzard, and Baelfiin already has problems. He screwed up not moving a few units in the south, but to his credit, he declined when I offered a mulligan. I have certainly been there before (see my AAR with B-G, and two units I lost in the Crimea)

Attack Counter:

25 wins, 10 losses the first turn. Not that many total attacks, for two reasons: 1, I made none around Moscow where he retreated a hex first, and 2, in a few areas I passed on attacks to surround German units instead of attacking them.

Northern Fronts:

Not much combat north of Moscow, as Baelfiin is in full retreat out of the V-V bulge, and elsewhere.

We crossed the Luga, and are pressing south, with few Germans in the way. We'll probably halt just from flank exposure

Moscow:

Little fighting so far, as we just closed with his lines (he pulled back a hex). Next turn, big battles should break out.

There is little south of the Oka, though, so I plan to move west then circile back toward Moscow.

Ukraine:

Big problems for Baelfiin down here. A German Infantry Division surrendered this turn, and 4 regts are going to be toast. More are in ZOC lock. Not sure what he's going to do, but it's a mess around Kharkov.

Odessa:

I cleared two hexes of trenches; I should be able to clear the other two next turn, and bring in more troops, plus an army HQ. I don't plan to stay long-term, but for a couple months I want to really gobble up territory and create a big problem for him.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/7/2012 7:10:47 PM

Flaviusx

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You did the right thing in seeking the flanks and locking down the Axis, Q-ball. This is the way to do it. The attacks will come in due course.

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/7/2012 7:22:04 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Flaviusx

You did the right thing in seeking the flanks and locking down the Axis, Q-ball. This is the way to do it. The attacks will come in due course.

I don't anticipate alot of attacks south of Moscow; I will destroy a few units, and then I think he's just going to run faster than I can catch-up. I agree, though, the real prize is destroying German units. Even though they respawn, all the men and material in them is gone forever, and the respawns are totally green.

I will have plenty of attack opportunities in front of Moscow. The number of combats will be low, but lots of units involved

I'm not really set-up for massive guard conversions, but I'm sure I'll get some, as some untis entered Blizzard with 4 or 5 wins already.

One thing wierd, though: I don't see ANY mountain units, other than the Hungarian one. They have to be somewhere; Baelfiin must be keeping a reserve.

He held out the Romanian Mountain units, which is a good idea; I think the best use of those is to park them halfway through summer, to build up Morale/Experience for Blizzard.

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 1/7/2012 7:23:47 PM >

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RE: Under the Red Banner: Q-Ball (R) v Baelfiin (Axis) - 1/7/2012 7:25:41 PM

Flaviusx

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You'll get your guards, don't worry. Plenty of time to earn your wins. Particularly if you dislocate him badly enough and turn a mere retreat into a sauve qui peut.

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Blizzard Battles - 1/8/2012 10:43:31 PM

Q-Ball

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12/11/41: Blizzard

Our glorious comrades surge forward to remove the fascists from the sacred soil of our Motherland. Most of that soil so far is pretty much open terrain. So far I am pleased with the winter offensive, though I wish I could come to grips with more Germans.

Attack Counter:

This turn: 33-13
Total So Far: 58-23

I was bloodied a couple turns this time by Reserves from Moscow; Baelfiin is using reserves. I am also pretty aggressive, and probably need to be more sure on my attacks. I've been pushing my guys alot

In terms of losses, we each lost about 150K this turn

Overall:

The Germans are running quite a bit. I made not a single attack between Ryazan and Kharkov, over half the map, though we did maneuver into a favorable situation near Voronezh (see shots below). But for the most part, Baelfiin is running faster than my guys can march to keep up.

In the north, I am within 5 hexes of Pskov, where I shall NOT remain into Snow. Down south, we are within 3 hexes of D-Town and Z-town. But Moscow holds.

My first Guards Division flipped over, and I plan to attack as much as possible to bleed the Germans. But the priority are POWs.

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Post #: 51

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 3:10:31 PM

Klydon

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Rumanians and Italians out in the open during blizzard.. yummy!

As good as Baelfiin was with the advance in destroying Russian units, etc, I think he has underestimated the type of damage Q-Ball will be able to do during the blizzard. Q-Ball is one of the best Russians I have seen in these AARs when it comes to the blizzard and I think he is going to lay a hurting on Baelfiin.

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Post #: 52

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 3:26:49 PM

karonagames

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quote:

I think he is going to lay a hurting on Baelfiin.

Yep, stacked divisions spaced one hex apart may work against the AI, but are a recipe for disaster against a human who knows what he is doing. I fear Pelton's record of 55 division losses during a blizzard will get beaten.

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Post #: 53

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 4:08:23 PM

Q-Ball

Posts: 7336
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quote:

ORIGINAL: BigAnorak

quote:

I think he is going to lay a hurting on Baelfiin.

Yep, stacked divisions spaced one hex apart may work against the AI, but are a recipe for disaster against a human who knows what he is doing.

The one-hex apart thing, I think that works IF you couple that with a 1-hex retreat each turn. Otherwise, the Russians will just infiltrate the stacks, and you are screwed if that happens. You're right about that, it's a disaster.

It takes 6 MPs for a Soviet Rifle Division to enter a German-controlled hex (assuming 41+ morale). This is the key number in Blizzard; this means that a 1-hex withdrawl will limit attacks to those units with 12+ MPs at least. By double and triple stacking, the German can really limit attack opportunities if coupled with withdrawls, because not every Rifle unit will have 12+ MPs.

My game vs. Bletchley Geek, I think I have done pretty average so far, though where I did well IMO is in Blizzard as the Germans. I didn't "win", you can't, but I successfully limited the damage, and kept reserves for quick counterattack. My basic strategy in that one was 1-hex withdrawls to prepared fort lines, and lots of stacks. It works, but again, ONLY if you pull those stacks back each turn.

I know you like that Linebacker Bob, but I think any Stand and Hold strategy is dooomed. The problem is that if the first line is pushed, the second line of Regiments are easy pickings for a Cav Corps; this wipes out 2 rows of forts in one turn, and provides some easy wins. It also provides opportunity for ZOC locks, which are the best way for the Soviets to kill units; lock the ZOCs, and push the flanks until the unit is doomed.

I think the best strategy for the Germans is "Stack and Pullback".

Post #170 sums up what I think is best for the Germans in my other AAR:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2903427&mpage=6&key=

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 1/9/2012 4:12:33 PM >

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Post #: 54

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 4:20:02 PM

karonagames

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quote:

I know you like that Linebacker Bob, but I think any Stand and Hold strategy is dooomed.

A pre-requisite for linebacker to work is maximising damage and disruption of the Red Army before the blizzard starts (getting Leningrad helps too)- I have proved that a 4.0m Red Army can be held. If I was facing a 5.0m+ Red Army I would consider retreating every turn of December, every other turn in January and holding fast in February.

< Message edited by BigAnorak -- 1/9/2012 4:24:37 PM >

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Post #: 55

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 4:45:55 PM

Q-Ball

Posts: 7336
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From: Chicago, Illinois
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quote:

ORIGINAL: BigAnorak

quote:

I know you like that Linebacker Bob, but I think any Stand and Hold strategy is dooomed.

A pre-requisite for linebacker to work is maximising damage and disruption of the Red Army before the blizzard starts (getting Leningrad helps too)- I have proved that a 4.0m Red Army can be held. If I was facing a 5.0m+ Red Army I would consider retreating every turn of December, every other turn in January and holding fast in February.

I can see that, but you have to kill an awful lot of Reds to get them down to 4 mil. I started Blizzard over 5 mil, and I lost 3.5 mil during the summer campaign. How much would you have to kill: 4.5 mil?

To get to that number, you need some "help" from the Red side. I've lost 187 Rifle Divisions so far; how many do you need to destroy to get the Red Army down to 4 mil?

(The other possibility is that your opponent did a very poor job of managing armaments. With a few basic steps, you should be able to keep the Red Army equipped through 1941).

T27: 12/18/41

We are starting to run into some speedbumps on our march to Berlin.

Attack Counter:

This turn: 36-8
Total: 94-31

I am averaging around 50-ish attacks per turn. Nowhere near the 100 or so I had vs. Tarhunnas, but that was in 1.04 and awhile ago in versions. Not the same thing.

Production:

Our Manpower Pool is now empty of active troops; we have enough armaments for everyone. We ran a Manpower surplus for a couple turns, but we just caught-up. All the armament factories I moved are coming back on-line. When January hits, we should start running an Armament surplus. We have 352 Armament plants.

Tank Production is nearing full-strength.

For Blizzard, all Front-line units are on REFIT. All STAVKA units are set to non-Refit. I am trying to funnell replacements to combat units, and keep all the new, low-morale ones from filling out.

Moscow:

Near Moscow, 2 German Mountain divisions appear south of town, in my main axis of advance. This should put a halt on that pincer from the South. Heavy fighting, though, around Moscow still. My losses are heavy, it's a question of whether my replacements can keep up with the losses and keep the attacks going.

South of the OKA, Tula will fall next turn, and we are continuing our advance toward Kaluga, which I hope will threaten Moscow from the South.

Orel Sector:

I haven't posted any shots between Tula and Kharkov, because the Germans are falling back faster than I can keep up, even with Cav and tanks. Nothing to see here, other than we are appraoching Kursk/Orel, and I should re-take both

Kharkov:

See shots below; it will fall pretty soon.

Odessa:

The fun is over. As long as that Panzer stack sticks around, I can't really expand out of there. That's OK, if I pin those two divisions, it served it's purpose.

I'm pretty sure Odessa will be a top objective in March to clear.

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Post #: 56

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 4:54:22 PM

TulliusDetritus

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As I expected, you are doing an excellent job: this is a massacre. Ah the gaps he's leaving...

I am not sure what you are doing with the rifle brigades, but believe me, they are UTTERLY useless as diggers

They will NOT build any fort level (a zero) come spring.

You better throw them to the vile enemy. Well, if the big boys (rifle divisions) allow them to bite the German's a** LOL

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Post #: 57

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 5:02:30 PM

Q-Ball

Posts: 7336
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quote:

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

As I expected, you are doing an excellent job: this is a massacre. Ah the gaps he's leaving...

I am not sure what you are doing with the rifle brigades, but believe me, they are UTTERLY useless as diggers They will NOT build any fort level (a zero) come spring.

You better throw them to the vile enemy. Well, if the big boys (rifle divisions) allow them to bite the German's a** LOL

I have 2 types of Rifle Brigades: Ready and Unready ones. The READY ones come with full TOE's; I am moving them toward the front, as they have good experience and morale usually, though their utility is limited on attack because of the MP penalty.

The UNREADY Rifle Brigades have about 700 men each; they are purely for Fort Maintenence; I park them on lvl-2 forts that I might need later. In some of my shots you see those; they are tending to some forts; not really digging.

The March counterblows are so bad, precisely because you can't really dig forts in advance, and also because the Rivers are all frozen over. There is nothing to stop the Germans, other than woods if you have them.

Some 0-CV shells are back of the front; I hope to build their morale into the 50s, and combine them later into divisions in the summer, when I'll probably need the reinforcements. For now, I want to keep them depleted.

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Post #: 58

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 5:45:18 PM

Flaviusx

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I'm doubting that stack and pullback will work against a Sov who knows how to use his cav correctly. What I would do against an Axis opponent trying this is to mass all my cav in one sector and rush them through the gaps, stacked 3 corps high in order to make them invulnerable to counterattacks in blizzard. Once those get behind the stacks, the German is screwed. They can fan out to his rear and envelop them. Use 3 or so armies for this purpose, 5 cav corps per army, and 4 tank brigades per army, mass them together as a Front. (Maybe under Volkhov. Or perhaps leave them under STAVKA armies.)

The rifle units are purely follow on forces.

You won't be able to do this across the entire front, to be sure. I think I could wreck an Army Group this way, however.

< Message edited by Flaviusx -- 1/9/2012 5:46:01 PM >

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Post #: 59

RE: Blizzard Battles - 1/9/2012 6:27:39 PM

Klydon

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Lot of partisan units I see in those screen shots. His rail has to be shot up big time if they are that dense.

Looks like he is determined to hold Moscow, but appears vulnerable to flanking actions if you can move fast enough.

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Post #: 60

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