RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the East Series >> After Action Reports >> RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/3/2017 5:32:37 PM

M60A3TTS

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I don't generally criticize my opponent in my AAR, so I'll let Pitaman speak to the unescorted air missions. Our game is actually on break as he is on a vacation until mid month.

Our game has been at a very easy pace as some times I only get 1-2 turns back from him a week, so plenty of planning time available. I have a second game running with Twigster, but after 10 turns he hadn't even made it to Kiev, and now he's gone dark. That one may be over.

You can see from an earlier screenie that the bulk of my air forces are concentrated on a few fronts where the action is. Pitaman seems to be somewhat equally distributed between the areas of Leningrad, Smolensk, Kursk and D-Z towns. This allows me to gain significant superiority in numbers in the areas I consider key. You could see in another screenie that he only made a few attacks up at Leningrad. The bulk of my force there are fighters because there really isn't much to fight for in that area. Still, he's got Model assigned up there doing the fighting with some very good divisions, so he must see some value there.

I posted the air doctrine earlier for the benefit of Nix77, and there is no change. The only thing I do differently than the past is air support is off because generally those are battles with the enemy ground forces at some fortified level, and I prefer my bombers to hit targets with minimum fort levels that maximize casualties. Brian has pointed out numerous times how light German casualties are during ground combat and my air war is some attempt to make up for that.

As far as my airfield bombing goes, he lost about 200 aircraft on the ground with more damaged From Weeks 47-49. If that can be sustained, his regular losses in the air on top of the airfield losses will exceed his ability to produce replacements, which is about 180 per week.

Approximate weekly German air production 1942

F/FFB 59
Tac B 17
LB 69
Rec 25
Trans 10

(in reply to HardLuckYetAgain)

Post #: 31

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/3/2017 5:53:03 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: M60A3TTS

I don't generally criticize my opponent in my AAR, so I'll let Pitaman speak to the unescorted air missions.

I would love to hear his reason(s). The tactic doesnt seem to be working imho.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/3/2017 9:26:18 PM

M60A3TTS

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Weeks 50 & 51 Two mud turns

At the start of turn 50, I came in on target with 315AP, With The Voronezh Front arriving on Week 51, I hit 500AP exactly and can build up to 25 rifle corps.

The bulk of three cavalry-mechanized groups and two guards armies of STAVKA's strategic reserve lock down the panzer spearhead. The would-be German rescuers are in sight to the west, but will they be enough?

The Germans at Kursk could only release so many panzers for their rescue mission to the south due to the weather and an aggressive hold on the southern pincer.

And the newly formed rifle corps...

(in reply to HardLuckYetAgain)

Post #: 33

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/4/2017 1:51:44 AM

topeverest

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hahahahahahaha

quote:

ORIGINAL: HardLuckYetAgain

Unescorted bombing missions are just stupid in my opinion if that is truly what he is doing. Doing this as a German does nothing but build up Soviet Air Morale and experience which eventually leads to parity with the Germans in the Air. Not to mention a morale boost to the Soviet player playing that side. Heck if I opened up a turn with those type of losses to the Germans as a Russian player I "would not" have to take Viagra.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/4/2017 8:39:52 AM

Dweomer

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Even if the would-be rescuers are enough to rescue the spearhead (which I doubt), it will largely halt his summer offensive as he has to spend at least a month to extricate his forces.

More probably, he will lose both momentum and spearhead, and together with the Great Eastern Front Turkey Shoot that seems to be going on, I would order chew-proof carpets for Berchtesgaden if I were the Germans.

< Message edited by Dweomer -- 4/4/2017 8:51:17 AM >

(in reply to HardLuckYetAgain)

Post #: 35

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/5/2017 4:11:18 PM

M60A3TTS

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Week 52

The German rescue attempt comes up short. The elimination of the trapped forces is completed. Some reporting glitch only allowed support units to be shown surrendering, but the divisons went with them.

The would be rescuers are themselves surrounded.

The westernmost tank corps cannot hold the pocket closed, so the Germans are sent packing, allowed to fight another day.

Two full panzer corps are among the casualties.

As a result of the southern battles, the Kursk operation is largely at a standstill.

Back in the skies, the fortunes of the Luftwaffe are little changed.

(in reply to Dweomer)

Post #: 36

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/5/2017 4:24:33 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: M60A3TTS

Week 52

The would be rescuers are themselves surrounded.

Very Nice M60! You making me peepee hard.

< Message edited by HardLuckYetAgain -- 4/5/2017 4:25:30 PM >

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/5/2017 4:28:19 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: M60A3TTS

Week 52

Back in the skies, the fortunes of the Luftwaffe are little changed.

This is unsustainable for the Germans. Another well done M60!

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/6/2017 8:18:47 AM

Dweomer

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And now comes the great strategic decision for Stalin:
- launch an offensive in the south to exploit the German disarray and link up with the Crimea, or
- withdraw all Tank, Cavalry and Infantry corps to the strategic reserve, straighten the line and await developments

BTW: After losing 2000+ planes in a few weeks, how much is left of the Luftwaffe?

< Message edited by Dweomer -- 4/6/2017 8:22:56 AM >

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/10/2017 2:15:31 PM

M60A3TTS

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Dweomer

And now comes the great strategic decision for Stalin:
- launch an offensive in the south to exploit the German disarray and link up with the Crimea, or
- withdraw all Tank, Cavalry and Infantry corps to the strategic reserve, straighten the line and await developments

BTW: After losing 2000+ planes in a few weeks, how much is left of the Luftwaffe?

A link up with forces in the Crimea is deemed undesirable for the present. There would be a potential over-extension of our forces to accomplish this goal, and the terrain while open farther to the west is not so easily accessed from the east at this time.

Cavalry-Mechanized Group Bobkin's 34th Army along with Groups Zhadov and Sokolovsky will return to the Kursk sector. Group Rokossovsky and 4th Shock from Group Bobkin will remain in the south. 2nd and 9th Guards Armies under Bagramyan and Vasilevsky to assist General Kozlov's Transcaucasus Front in clearing the enemy from the area east of the river Molochna. Marshal Shaposhnikov's Crimea Front to clear the enemy off as much of the area east of the Dnepr in the area of Dnepropetrovsk-Zaporoyzhe as practical.

Available airframes within the Luftwaffe's air reserves have drawn down in the initial weeks of air combat. Peak Luftwaffe numbers were seen in late April with 3,696 total aircraft and 3,633 operational. Current numbers are 2,849 total and 1,884 operational. Their operational readiness rate has been significantly degraded.

(in reply to Dweomer)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/10/2017 2:44:26 PM

M60A3TTS

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Week 53

The Voronezh Front is activated and Comrade Stalin requests that Chief of the General Staff Vatutin take command of this new organization. He says he prefers to see his top leaders at the front rather than the halls of the STAVKA. In fact, Comrade Stalin is highly suspicious and distrusts successful generals. They might get too comfortable in their position and make powerful friends in Moscow, becoming potential troublemakers later. General Armii Tolbukhin gives up his command of 10th Army to assume the role of Chief of Staff. The following week Nikolai Vatutin will be elevated to the rank of Marshal. (Game note: this is a complete waste of APs, but I can afford it under the current circumstances as the fastest way to get certain generals to marshal which has no importance in the game. But I like the historical marshals in the game where possible, so why not?

A last week of mud slows our efforts to re-position rifle forces, but the more mobile corps are on trains headed for the Kursk sector. The ground crews of the Luftwaffe perform miracles in restoring hundreds of damaged aircraft into operational condition. They manage to put almost 600 more planes into service.

The area of the Kursk sector sees some minor re-positioning of forces while we await the return of the needed cavalry-mechanized groups.

(in reply to M60A3TTS)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/11/2017 12:49:08 AM

chaos45

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He should prolly just concede at this point. 30+ Axis divisions already lost he has no hope of gaining any momentum in 1942. Esp since about a third his armor will be out of action for most of the summer rebuilding.

(in reply to M60A3TTS)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/11/2017 9:54:12 PM

M60A3TTS

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Week 54

Good weather is here to stay for a while. The Germans renew the Kursk offensive, although the committed forces are now considerably less.

STAVKA will have Voronezh Front commit the guards rifle corps of the 39th and 48th Armies in a counterattack from the northeast while 6th and 7th Guards Armies supported by CMG Bobkin attack from the south. Additional forces will prepare for secondary offensive operations to disrupt enemy plans of attack.

Week 55

The German offensive at Kursk continues. They are within 30 miles of the city itself.

Farther south, our operations are succeeding in pushing the enemy back.

Northwest of Poltava, weak Axis forces are targeted for action by our cavalry-mechanized troops.

Air losses are not as high on both sides, but neither are the previous air inventories.

Ground losses

< Message edited by M60A3TTS -- 4/11/2017 9:56:03 PM >

(in reply to chaos45)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/18/2017 3:55:22 AM

M60A3TTS

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Week 56 was played about 3 weeks ago and there are no screenies, so straight to week 57 then...

At Smolensk, a little back and forth fighting, but nothing of significance. There is not any value doing something major.

The German offensive at Kursk has officially run its course. The enemy is pushed back to the west.

A new Red Army offensive west of Poltava sees our forces pushing towards the River Sula.

The Germans are slowly bleeding to death as the Ostheer falls to slightly over 3.2 million. Artillery, AFVs and aircraft all trending the same direction. And it's mid-July 1942.

And the air war continues along the same line as the most recent weeks.

(in reply to M60A3TTS)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/18/2017 4:13:17 AM

M60A3TTS

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Week 58

The panzers are attempting regroup as our forces surround Poltava.

Near Zaporozhye, the entire east bank of the Molochna is cleared of enemy forces. There is an option now to just keep the line where it is all summer long.

Week 59

The Ostheer has lost another 60,000 from their OOB in just two weeks.

Red Army units push locally west of Kursk

Our advance towards the Sula has been checked in places by counterattacking panzer forces. With success comes a price, as their tanks steadily are falling out of service. Poltava has been liberated.

(in reply to M60A3TTS)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/18/2017 3:18:00 PM

sillyflower

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I think that I owe you one. Pitaman's LW has been almost invisible in our game. I suspect that he does not want me to do what you've done.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 4/25/2017 12:09:14 PM

M60A3TTS

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Weeks 60-62

This latest update is now only 3 turns behind.

Not much to report as we are trading the same hexes northwest of Zaporoyzhe and only marginal gains elsewhere. The lack of rifle corps currently limits the progress that I can make and his panzers are burned out to a point where they cannot break through.

Kursk

Lower Dnepr

(in reply to sillyflower)

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/23/2017 7:55:56 PM

M60A3TTS

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Week 63

Slow going east of Smolensk, but at least it is moving in the right direction.

In the south similar slogging to try and clear the enemy east of the Psel and Sula Rivers.

The Luftwaffe continues to train recruits for the "Divine Wind" Geschwader.

OOB

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/23/2017 8:06:27 PM

M60A3TTS

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Week 64

In the north, the Finns and Germans keep up their isolated attacks.

Punching and counter-punching in the area round Poltava.

A reduced German garrison invites a massed attack of Guards rifle corps against Zaporozhye. Victory is achieved.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/30/2017 2:22:00 PM

M60A3TTS

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Weeks 65-69 Closing out the summer campaign

Some movement to the west amidst more slugging it out with my opponent.

Smolensk-Bryansk

Kursk-Sumy

3rd Shock Army spearheads an attempt to advance northeast of Cherkassy

OOB

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/30/2017 3:06:07 PM

bigbaba

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his bomber loses are stunning. that is why i as a Wehrmacht Player have only my Transporters, fighters and dive Bombers at the frontline from end of 1941 on.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/30/2017 3:07:57 PM

EwaldvonKleist

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Do you bomb the enemy airbases with your level bombers? Long term it should be possible to completely destroy the German fighter force which makes the bomber force worthless as well?

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/30/2017 4:22:00 PM

M60A3TTS

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In 1941 I tend to use the IL-4, DB-3B, SB-2 and Pe-2 level bombers to supplement the tactical bombers mainly because the tac air force is small in numbers. By 1942 that has changed as the IL-2 factories come up to full production around the May time frame.

My TB-3 bombers are now used as transports, along with the few Yer-2 and TB-3G-2 aircraft. About 15 regiments can supply an isolated army with 500+ tons of supplies a week.

In 1942 and beyond I can bomb the airbases with level bombers and leave the tactical air forces alone to do the ground support work.

It's not easy to wipe the Luftwaffe out, mainly because in winter, LBs don't tend to fly, so the inventories rebuild at that time. But in Baba's example if this threat keeps his level bombers out of the picture beyond 1941, that is a bloodless victory for the VVS.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 5/31/2017 7:56:34 PM

M60A3TTS

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Mud and Beyond

The Fall rains came and went.

On turn 77, I prodded a couple regiments south of Lake Ilmen to see what sort of response it would illicit.

On turn 78, since his response was rather muted, it was deemed appropriate to commit something a tad more substantial.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 6/13/2017 12:26:52 PM

M60A3TTS

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Turn 79

Mid-December 1942

The Lake Ilmen attacks draw off German forces from the north. A considerable number of Luftwaffe field divisions are operating in this area.

A general offensive is kicked off south of Smolensk.

General Armii Vasilevsky commits his guards armies in the area of Chigirin and crosses the Dnepr at three points.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 6/13/2017 8:57:43 PM

bigbaba

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holy moly. never saw such a Russian steamroller in late 42. just the sheer number of successful attacks is impressive.

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 6/18/2017 5:00:00 AM

M60A3TTS

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Turns 80-82

Chernyakhovsky's 3rd Shock Army approaches Kiev. Marshal Vatutin has orders from the STAVKA to take the city during this offensive.

Farther to the south, Cherkassy is liberated and the bridgehead expanded west of the Dnepr.

In the Smolensk region, Marshal Zhukov is outside the city.

Ground losses of over 50k for the Axis forces

(in reply to bigbaba)

Post #: 57

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 6/19/2017 5:11:15 PM

M60A3TTS

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Turns 83-85

The southern Ilmen offensive has quickly ended as the enemy quickly reinforces the area. The action is not a failure though, as the Finns are now more vulnerable to attack in eastern Karelia. Some mobile troops are already preparing for redeployment to a new area.

In the area of Smolensk, troops of Marshal Zhukov's Western Front continue their advance to the west.

At Kiev, Marshal Vatutin's troops are over the Dnepr north of the city. Eastern Kiev is in Soviet hands.

Farther south, Marshal Konev's troops continue to battle against multiple German tank corps.

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Post #: 58

RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 7/10/2017 3:52:37 AM

M60A3TTS

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I haven't updated this lately in part that Photobucket is now charging $400 US annually for 3rd party hosting of .jpg files, such as on this forum. That's certainly their call but I have no interest in incurring that sort of expense as you might imagine.

Dropbox is a possible alternative, but the previous images posted to date aren't worth my time copying over. So whether it's worth continuing this AAR is something I have to mull over.

< Message edited by M60A3TTS -- 7/10/2017 4:01:13 AM >

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RE: Last We Heard... Pitaman (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Sov) - 7/10/2017 4:08:05 AM

Dinglir

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quote:

ORIGINAL: M60A3TTS

I haven't updated this lately in part that Photobucket is now charging $400 US annually for 3rd party hosting of .jpg files, such as on this forum. That's certainly their call but I have no interest in incurring that sort of expense as you might imagine.

Dropbox is a possible alternative, but the previous images posted to date aren't worth my time copying over. So whether it's worth continuing this AAR is something I have to mull over.

One option would be to place the reports in a word/pdf file and then zip it for uploading to the server. It does require the reader to have access to a zip file converter, but if the alternative is to discontinue the report, that might not be the worst option.

_____________________________

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To do is to be -- Jean-Paul Sartre
Do be do be do -- Frank Sinatra

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