Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grognard1812

As the AAR is only one turn behind the actual turn we are playing, I think it keeps things very interesting because
neither Tyronec or I know yet how our strategies will turn out and any advice or comments that are posted can
have an effect on the progress of the game.

I didn't know that a fortification level 3 is considered dense terrain, which makes building them much more
important.
Yes, I did place General Zhukov is charge of the army defending Leningrad. Without his Infantry 9 rating the city
would fall too easily.

As the Soviet player my basic strategy is the following in order of priority

1) As we are playing the Sudden-Death Campaign Scenario which is a variant of the VC 260 campaign, as the Soviet
player I cannot allow the Axis to obtain 260 victory points (if they do the game ends immediately as a decisive
Axis victory). This requires that I defend the Leningrad, Moscow, Voronezh to Rostov line. To reach 260 the
Axis must capture all four.

2) Avoid unnecessary loses due to units being encircled. Although it appears that I retreated
quickly during the game, I actually tried to accomplish 3 things each turn - avoid the formation of a pocket,
only move back 4 to 5 hexes a turn if possible which would require the Axis infantry to expend an extra +1 or
+2 per turn to enter hexes that have not yet been converted to Axis control and try to keep his panzer units
over 25 MP and 20 hexes from their rail supply to limit fuel delivery.

3) Hold Leningrad and Moscow if at all possible.

Against a capable and experienced Axis player such as Tyronec by defending forward and trying to delay the Axis
advance on Moscow I feel would have probably only resulted in my losing a large part of the Soviet army. Possibly
delaying the Axis forces only a few turns - a Pyrrhic victory as then there would not be enough Soviet forces
to prevent the eventual capture of Moscow before December, and the Soviet forces would be too weak to have a
successful Winter counter offensive (our game settings are no Soviet combat bonus and normal full blizzard.

Presently I am completing Soviet GT 8 and the Order of battle has the Soviets at about 4.1 million and total Soviet
casualties of about 1.26 million, having lost few units in the retreat.

Thank-you for your advice and comments.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grognard1812

The following was the most successful airfield attack mission of GT 6, where 14 fighters were
lost by the Luftwaffe.

quote:

In this case the fighter activation wasn't high. Why I can only guess, was it exhaustion from fighter sweeps in the Axis turn? Not many fighters at all in this area? Fighters deliberately turned off for the Soviet phase? Was the fighter air base stacked with a HQ with a high amount of mixed and heavy LW flak bataillions? Would be interested in this tyronec if you still remember.

quote:

and then the air army HQ nearby, I don't know if you can get more than 6 AA SU's into the defense this way - do you ?

quote:

ORIGINAL: John B.

Curious to see how long you can hold Moscow!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grognard1812

I have evacuated all my Aircraft, AFV and Combat Vehicle factories that are in harms way, I don't evacuate
generic vehicle factories because Lend Lease in later years will provide far more generic vehicles than
Soviet production can. Just before blizzard starts I will list how many factories (Armaments, Heavy Industry, and
Generic Vehicles) have been lost.

My impression from reading the AARs is that when a Soviet player decides to resign in 1941 or 1942 it isn't
because they have lost too many factories, it is because their army has taken too many loses to recover.

quote:

the problem is giving up space that quickly = lost units, as the soviet manpower bonus in 1941 is huge. Yes he will end up with more experience units in late 1941 and early 1942 but Im also curious how many factories he has lost will lose, as this can present a big problem in 42/43 when armaments points reserve runs dry.

Soviet attrition losses are also massive until late 1943 due to low experience and support, so you need alot of manpower just to keep the soviet army afloat. Be interesting to see how the run at max speed turns out- Im thinking not good.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

quote:

the problem is giving up space that quickly = lost units, as the soviet manpower bonus in 1941 is huge. Yes he will end up with more experience units in late 1941 and early 1942 but Im also curious how many factories he has lost will lose, as this can present a big problem in 42/43 when armaments points reserve runs dry.

Soviet attrition losses are also massive until late 1943 due to low experience and support, so you need alot of manpower just to keep the soviet army afloat. Be interesting to see how the run at max speed turns out- Im thinking not good.

New strategy for me so not sure how it will work out. From the Axis side I have been at the limit of my supply which is frustrating, however without much combat my army is in good shape and lots of APs with only two HQBs to date.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

AGC. The Soviets have retreated yet again! So have wasted my HQB. Will follow up and get set up for the attack on Moscow next turn. There are around 1500 fighters providing air cover.