Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: glvaca

What you need to try and do is increase the distance between the pocket and the outside. That means attacking to the East.
The pocket itself can be held pretty easily on the inside (ie. facing the surrounded troops). On the outside, you need to push and create space. That's where you need the best and most troops.

Nice work!

quote:

ORIGINAL: janh

Awesome job, Terje. One of the most impressive pockets I ever saw. Curious as to how many units will add to the casualty list by the end. With that you've really turned around this game it would seem. Quite a show of skill, you'll have to pass on the "poorest Axis player" award I fear.

After blizzard you made some quite daring moves and create some breaches, especially down south. Seems like this is one example showing there's hope even if the summer 41 campaign goes well below average. In less than 10 turns you pushed the Red Army back by 150 miles or so in most areas, that's not that much slower than a year before... and chewed up a lot of units. That's already a lot better than I would have bet it ever to go at this stage. *scratches head* That makes me wonder whether Pelton will also succeed with his winter withdrawal strategy... might depend on whether the opponent follows so closely.

Another thing I noticed is how ordered and strong the opposition is you faced by turn 11-12 across the board. Hard to break, as you noticed, but possible. Looks very reasonable for the Red Army, though, if not to say realistic compared to what the Germans did face. After all, not for no reason the front went static before breaking the land bridge (and before sending PG2 to Kiev). Apparently in this game it makes a huge, very huge difference if you loose 3-4 turns within the first 8 ones? Most if not all games where the Axis got stuck, either mud, or unlucky rolls, or isolation of Panzers caused a number (>>2) turns time loss before the Djenpr around Kiev and the Smolensk sector were taken, usually after turn 11-12ish or so then. All these AARs show the Red Army putting up organzied lines again. The other bunch of AARs on the fast limit, like Michaels or Peltons typical ones, saw the Djenpr and landbridge or the Pskov region overrun by turn 7-8ish. Obviously 3-4 "faster" turns means the reinforcement schedule is overtaken by the Germans, and Russian lines in these AARs are thin and look widely spread out. The tempo seems to have a huge impact. Any thoughts?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walloc

Since every one so cheerfull and supportive...

Hi Terje,

Where is the real Terje? and what have u done to him?

Any how glad to see that ur game as in skillz are progressing nicely. A far cry from the 42 campaign of last game. What can u say, attacking is every thing in this game.
Thats a nice AP drain and i guess that there was a reason to play on after the abysmal 41 campaign


Kind regards,

Rasmus

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tophat1812

Need some more closeup pics of the pocket corridor and whats happening north and south of it. Did any of those guards divisions participate in the reopening of the pocket?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tophat1812

Well if and I really do mean "if" he reopens the pocket he'll need more than that now to pull it off. Not sure he really wants to put his best units in that kind of position,but I really hope he does.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tophat1812

Some more pics showing the rest of the front please as well as closeups for those of us with poor eyes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: terje439

quote:

ORIGINAL: glvaca

What you need to try and do is increase the distance between the pocket and the outside. That means attacking to the East.
The pocket itself can be held pretty easily on the inside (ie. facing the surrounded troops). On the outside, you need to push and create space. That's where you need the best and most troops.

Nice work!

Although I agree in theory, in reality I simply do not have the CV needed in my panzer/mechs topush east atm. Untill I get inf into the ring, I cannot push east.


Terje

quote:

ORIGINAL: juret

I would strike very hard against orel / tule when the pocket is done with all the panzers. He will be forced to reinforce moscow south alot and then u can strike to SE and make another huge pocket of hes central/ south fronts.

quote:

ORIGINAL: glvaca

Thrust me Terje, yes you can!
It will probably mean you will need to strip forces away from elsewere and temporarily have to accept some risks elsewhere too. The key ingredient is reinforcing the panzers with infantry. Take a look at your line, is there anywhere you could do with less in order to reinforce the point of decision? I am sure you can...

quote:

ORIGINAL: glvaca

Ah, nice job. It's in the "pocket" now
Now I'd recommend you take out the panzers, put them on rails in woods or swaps. Rest/refit & look for new opportunities.
It will drive the Russian player mad when he doesn't have a clue where the panzers are!

quote:

ORIGINAL: juret

I would strike very hard against orel / tule when the pocket is done with all the panzers. He will be forced to reinforce moscow south alot and then u can strike to SE and make another huge pocket of hes central/ south fronts.

Terje u have huge armys in the swamp. U need to correct that and march/ train those to needed areas before summer campaign is over and mud hits.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mevstedt

Well played Terje and nicely done with the giant pocket.

Like Juret I feel the need to pitch in but would rather suggest you aim to get the russians out of the baltics as that would shorten your frontline. Striking north from the area just east of Vitebsk (towards Velikie Luki) should put some pressure on Brad and will likely force him to withdraw his entire baltic army or run the risk of another huge pocket.

Remember that part of the game is "psychological warfare" and he is likely not eager to risk losing another major chunk of his army.

If you do it decisively enough there should still be enough time for another strike elsewhere.