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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the East Series >> After Action Reports >> T44

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T44 - 5/14/2020 10:58:08 AM

tyronec

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quote:

The Russians need to use the mud to escape in the south if possible. You are already over the river they have no chance to defend the far the south now. He should retreat the mountains and Stalingrad basically....an I really don't see how he can hold Stalingrad due to how advanced you already are before summer.

You are right, am hoping it will cost him.

Start of turn after Recon.
Snow in the Central Zone, mud elsewhere. What I was hoping for, chances are you will get at least one 'clear of mud' during April.
I can only see 11 Soviet Cav. units and 8 Guards so am thinking there may be a lot of reserves somewhere.

Looks like the Soviet strategy is to continue to keep the pressure up North of Moscow and hold the river line from Stalingrad to Voronezh and Tambov. At present am thinking to have one Panzer army attack East between Tambov and Moscow. The other three will break out from the Rostov area, one prong pushing down to the Black Sea and the other North through Stalingrad to force the Soviets to abandon the area around Voronezh.
Will send some more infantry up to the North in the hope of keeping as many Soviets up there as possible, will likely try a small offensive somewhere as a distraction.

The one unit pocket held from last turn. Will try for a couple of pockets, one West of Stalingrad - using the mud as a defensive buffer. Not sure if it will work but will also try something South of the river, again using the mud to limit Soviet counters.

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Post #: 151

RE: T44 - 5/14/2020 3:41:10 PM

tyronec

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End of turn.
Can't manage the Southern pocket - just had to rout them away.
Hopefully the Northern one is secure.
Have cut the Rostov-Stalingrad rail line which well mess up the Soviets moving units around in the area.

Very high risk for the Soviets to hang on to Rostov now, one random turn of good weather and chance of a big pocket.

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< Message edited by tyronec -- 5/14/2020 3:48:17 PM >

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Post #: 152

RE: T44 - 5/14/2020 4:20:43 PM

redrum68

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Very nice use of the weather zones though I always found the way they work to be a bit strange. I feel like weather should be a bit more dynamic.

Both Rostov and Stalingrad are looking pretty risky for the Soviets to hold much longer.

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Post #: 153

RE: T44 - 5/14/2020 5:37:08 PM

tyronec

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quote:

I feel like weather should be a bit more dynamic.

Yes, WITE2 has a much improved weather system with more subtle variation and by hex instead of the big block zones.

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Post #: 154

RE: T44 - 5/15/2020 3:28:44 AM

joelmar

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I was in a similar position not long ago in one of my games, and I wreaked havoc on the Soviet player in great part because of freak winter turns during mud.

Where are your railheads? I don't believe Stalingrad is in immediate danger because of the big German supply leash in that area and combined with mud can hold quite a while if the Volga can be manned adequately, even with freak snow turns. Because of that, going through that thin corridor between Don and Volga won't be easy, I would go for an assault of the Don with a strong infantry force at Kletskaya west of Stalingrad instead and then exploit the bridgehead with panzers, but it helps a lot if your railhead is in the Surovikino area.

That said, I agree your position has a lot of advantages, and that there is a clear danger for a big Rostov pocket now. Again main problem is supply south of the Don. Good thing it's 1942 and airbase resupply is possible

The north pocket looks good. I don't know what kind of defensive CV you have, but if it holds, 2 guards divs is always a very nice prize.

< Message edited by joelmar -- 5/15/2020 3:30:05 AM >

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Post #: 155

T45 - 5/15/2020 5:36:05 PM

tyronec

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Have marked the rail lines.

All MUD, but in the center the front line was being held by Brigades and they mostly routed when attacked.

Clear half the pocket near Stalingrad.
Continue to push South near Rostov and make a small pocket. Most of the Soviet units seem very weak, though it is a bit of a lottery attacking them as sometimes they have a reasonable CV and sometimes they just rout.

Next turn is the last of full MUD.

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Post #: 156

RE: T45 - 5/16/2020 9:20:41 AM

chaos45

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Looks like he is trying to run, think he waited a turn to long though as its going to cost him. relied on mud to keep you from attacking, but 1 CV isn't the same for every unit even in mud.

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Post #: 157

T46 - 5/16/2020 7:28:55 PM

tyronec

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Yes, all MUD this turn but still caught a few more units, though they are small.

Next turn is May, 50/50 turns, prediction is CLEAR in the North, MUD Center and South.

Set up to try and rescue my 18th Army division, not sure what it's prospects are.

Tambov - Advance another hex or two against Rifle Brigades, and also take Litebsk by assault. Looks like they will pull back from Voronezh.

Stalingrad - Clear the remains of the pocket and get my guys all lined up on the Weather border in the hope of a CLEAR in the North.

Rostov Soviets have left very weak units and manage to pocket 3 more, just 1 MP short of cutting the rail line to Rostov.

I don't see any fortifications in Stalingrad so just maybe I can make some progress there, weather permitting. There are a lot more good Soviet units up North than down here but I think there strong forces somewhere that I am not spotting.
Am concerned that there could be an attack down from Ryzan to take my Tambov offensive in the rear, not having played into '42 before just not familiar with what the Soviets can do. From the map it looks like they are intending attacking the line from Moscow northwards.

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Post #: 158

RE: T46 - 5/16/2020 7:37:22 PM

Telemecus

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quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec
are a lot more good Soviet units up North than down here

I have seen this phenomenon many times - including now in our opponents in the 2x3+ team game where that AAR is now. Even in solo games where there are no player barriers to overcome. The north has a lot of units to defend Leningrad which fall back on to shorter lines after it falls. They tend to have a better blizzard farming guards. The south is the inverse with lines now getting longer especially as they bulge outwards into the Caucasus. For whatever the reason Soviet players seem to lag (a lot) this change on the ground and not redistribute North to South (or fast enough). End result is a strong North defending something less important than the weak South is defending.

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Post #: 159

RE: T44 - 5/17/2020 10:48:28 AM

timmyab

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quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec
Will send some more infantry up to the North in the hope of keeping as many Soviets up there as possible, will likely try a small offensive somewhere as a distraction.

This is a nice touch. It's like the old magician's trick. Look over here, there's nothing to see over there :)

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Post #: 160

RE: T44 - 5/17/2020 11:42:49 AM

chaos45

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strategy wise.....the south doesn't offer much to the soviets in 1942...defend the mountains and Stalingrad is really it after you lose the river. You always want to be stronger in the north as the terrain makes it harder to retake from the Germans and its closer in hex count to Berlin.

In the south on the soviet side you really have to rely on terrain for defense in 1942 you just cant build enough CV to stop the Germans...you don't get the upgraded tank corps nor enough AP to build a lot of infantry corps until usually late 1942/early 1943. Fighting without a terrain edge in the south for the soviets is just losing units for no gain. As unlike historical limitations one rail line can supply every panzer division in the german army, so the Germans can always build enough CV to crush any soviet defense without lvl 3 forts and terrain bonuses. Not to mention that but the mobility of that many panzer divisions means pocketing entire soviet armies/fronts in open terrain is extremely easy...and even crossing rivers---with 40-50 MP and lots of divisions easy enough to do.

Its why once the soviets lose Leningrad/Moscow---the game IMO is about over for the soviets as you effectively cant defend the south in 1942. So you lose a lot of manpower in 41 from those cities...then lose more in 42 when you lose the south. Not to mention the men you lose trying to defend the south. You can keep playing but its really just to see how bad you are going to lose compared to history as the soviets. The Germans may never push you off the map but getting to berlin is going to take you a lot longer than history. Now let me caveat that with....Brian did pull a massive reversal on Sillyflower years ago....but aside from an outlier like that ya.....Gotta know when to pull back and use terrain to just defend and counterattack as the Germans in 1943.

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Post #: 161

RE: T44 - 5/18/2020 2:14:21 AM

HardLuckYetAgain

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I normally keep 1 Armor Division, 1 Moto Divisions, and 2 moto brigades up North and Central area at a minimum. This normally curtails Soviet nonsense in the area after you punch through their 1 hex deep defense and surround units.

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Post #: 162

T47 - 5/18/2020 4:21:37 PM

tyronec

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MUD only in the South.

North - relief effort is easier than expected as both attacks win.

Center. Soviet defences to the North of Tambov look a bit strong so switch the attack further South. Am going to get some Panzers cut off but they all did HQB last turn and I don't think the Soviets have much to seal them off with in the area.

Stalingrad. Win a couple of heavy attacks and make good progress. Have found where the Soviet strong Corps are, several of them around here. Am going to need to pocket Stalingrad soon as it blocks the rail line North and expect frontal attacks are not going to work.

Rostov. MUD so not much happens, hoping for a CLEAR next turn and can get the FBD to progress southwards.

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Post #: 163

RE: T47 - 5/19/2020 1:33:08 AM

Sammy5IsAlive

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What victory conditions are you playing? Unless Brian is playing possum somehow he looks to be in deep trouble.

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Post #: 164

RE: T47 - 5/19/2020 7:29:25 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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What does the Caucasus look like further south? Any defense at all beside Kerch?

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Post #: 165

T48 - 5/21/2020 2:35:17 PM

tyronec

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We are playing standard scenario, so I need 290 VP and have 248 for Sudden Death.

No visible defences down South, there are several units around Kerch but don't see any elsewhere. Guess if I cut the rail line East of Stalingrad it will be slow for the Soviets to switch units in and out to the Caucasus.

Center. Not good from last turn, Soviets had more units reinforcing the area than I expected and pocket most of my Panzer Divisions. The weather forecast was wrong and MUD messes things up big time.

Stalingrad. All MUD. Still progress a little and surprisingly not much Fort in Stalingrad, may be able to assault it without a pocket which would speed up the rail conversion.

Rostov. More MUD. Clear Rostov and start the drive to the South. Read a great book last year, 'We will not go to Tuapse', that could be the same for me.

Heavy losses from Soviet attrition attacks this turn, a lot of my Northern units are barely dug in and the front is quite fluid. Was expecting it would cost the Soviets a lot to attack there but it seems not.

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Post #: 166

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 3:02:00 PM

redrum68

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Ouch on the mud in the Center around the panzers. Do you think he'll be able to make the isolated one surrender? If so would that be the first panzer division you've lost this game?

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Post #: 167

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 3:22:34 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: redrum68

Ouch on the mud in the Center around the panzers. Do you think he'll be able to make the isolated one surrender? If so would that be the first panzer division you've lost this game?

Panzer division in Woods in mud with crap Soviets around the Division. Highly unlikely that will happen unless BrianG has something not shown on the photos provided.

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Post #: 168

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 3:28:06 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

We are playing standard scenario, so I need 290 VP and have 248 for Sudden Death.

No visible defences down South, there are several units around Kerch but don't see any elsewhere. Guess if I cut the rail line East of Stalingrad it will be slow for the Soviets to switch units in and out to the Caucasus.

Yes, Stalingrad is the key to the Caucasus. With Stalingrad in hand you have the gambit of capturing all of the Caucasus. If successful could pay off in spades. If not, well I rather not go there. Will be watching on what you choose to do. Good luck to you.

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Post #: 169

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 4:22:18 PM

redrum68

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quote:

Panzer division in Woods in mud with crap Soviets around the Division. Highly unlikely that will happen unless BrianG has something not shown on the photos provided.

Ok, I wasn't sure if maybe enough soaking attacks could weaken down the panzer division.

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Post #: 170

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 7:11:08 PM

tyronec

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quote:

Yes, Stalingrad is the key to the Caucasus. With Stalingrad in hand you have the gambit of capturing all of the Caucasus. If successful could pay off in spades. If not, well I rather not go there. Will be watching on what you choose to do. Good luck to you.

I was not intending to go for the Caucasus, it would probably take at least half of my offensive power and then am not even sure you can get through the last few hexes against stacks of Infantry Corps. Sillyflower did it against Brian but I think he would know now better than me the best way to hang on. There are more population centers available in the Central area that should be easier to capture, so will go for those. More space to manoeuver around and less heavy terrain. Having said that have never played '42 before so I don't know.
Will have to check out how quickly they can ship units across the Caspian - looks like 2 divisions a turn.
Will send a couple of armies worth plus a Panzer Corps Southwards to take what I can. Then there is always the possibility of switching units by rail faster than the Soviets can.

I would hope my Panzer Division can hold out in the mud, he got nowhere against the Infantry division up North despite trying to attack it.

< Message edited by tyronec -- 5/21/2020 7:18:57 PM >

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Post #: 171

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 8:36:45 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

quote:

Yes, Stalingrad is the key to the Caucasus. With Stalingrad in hand you have the gambit of capturing all of the Caucasus. If successful could pay off in spades. If not, well I rather not go there. Will be watching on what you choose to do. Good luck to you.

I was not intending to go for the Caucasus, it would probably take at least half of my offensive power and then am not even sure you can get through the last few hexes against stacks of Infantry Corps. Sillyflower did it against Brian but I think he would know now better than me the best way to hang on. There are more population centers available in the Central area that should be easier to capture, so will go for those. More space to manoeuver around and less heavy terrain. Having said that have never played '42 before so I don't know.
Will have to check out how quickly they can ship units across the Caspian - looks like 2 divisions a turn.
Will send a couple of armies worth plus a Panzer Corps Southwards to take what I can. Then there is always the possibility of switching units by rail faster than the Soviets can.

I would hope my Panzer Division can hold out in the mud, he got nowhere against the Infantry division up North despite trying to attack it.

When I say Stalingrad is the key I am referring to cutting the rail off which I am sure most understand but wanted to make sure.

You are going to be gifted a large part of the Caucasus. The Soviets are just too weak to put much down there. If the Soviet does put units in the Caucasus then your main operation area will benefit. Thus you aren't going to need an over abundance of German units. Having said that I would also be reluctant to pursue the Caucasus gambit because of one reason. That reason is the defense of urban cities with high fort levels now is a little bit on the "insane" side to take from a determined defense player in 12.5. Otherwise to me the benefits of having the whole Caucasus under control is a huge win.

Destroying Pop centers is nice as always and is a good long term strategy. But speed killing Soviet Corps that show up is a much better one for 42 :) I go out of my way to make them POW's. But you know all of these things and you are an extremely capable player.

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RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 8:37:26 PM

eskuche

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I see the 6 Army is steering well clear of Stalingrad :)

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Post #: 173

RE: T48 - 5/21/2020 9:33:47 PM

chaos45

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As weak as the Soviets are you might be able to get away with the Italians/Romanians/Hungarians and some german infantry pushing them into the mountains.

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Post #: 174

RE: T48 - 5/22/2020 9:45:06 AM

tyronec

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quote:

As weak as the Soviets are you might be able to get away with the Italians/Romanians/Hungarians and some german infantry pushing them into the mountains.

Yes, was thinking 1 German, 1 Romanian and 1 Italian armies plus a Panzer Corps but should have a better idea of what the Soviets are going to defend with in a few turns.

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Post #: 175

T49 - 5/23/2020 9:29:10 AM

tyronec

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MUD in North and South which covers all the combat areas.

PG2 continues to clear Soviet Brigades out of the way. The Voronezh garrison disappeared during the Soviet turn.
Am moving a Panzer Corps towards Moscow, the bulk of the Soviet strength is still up North and don't want to lose any cities.

Continued progress around Stalingrad. Get across the Don South of the city and continue to clear weak units to the north. Even if I don't take the second Stalingrad hex next turn can still progress rail conversion past it. Just need a CLEAR and things could really open up here, the Soviets are on the Don in strength but can get past them to the East. Also the isolated lead Panzer from PG2 is breaking up that defence line.

Caucausus - have got a few mobile units into the Europe zone for next turn so should see what the Soviets are up to next turn.

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RE: T48 - 5/23/2020 10:05:22 AM

sillyflower

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quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

quote:

As weak as the Soviets are you might be able to get away with the Italians/Romanians/Hungarians and some german infantry pushing them into the mountains.

Yes, was thinking 1 German, 1 Romanian and 1 Italian armies plus a Panzer Corps but should have a better idea of what the Soviets are going to defend with in a few turns.

As you know, I went for the 'Caucasus 1st then S'grad' approach.The main difficulty I had taking the Caucasus was not the defences per se, but a combo of Brian's skillful insertions (mainly using weak kamikaze tank xxxs) to cut the supply lines and he seemed to get lucky with partisans which so often cut the lines he could not otherwise reach.

I agree with Chaos that Brian that Brian is unlikely to have the troops to stop a strong thrust but you would need to be able to manage the problems better than I did until the later stages of my O. However, S'grad first will probably make it easier for you in the Caucasus as it looks like you will have time for both.

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Post #: 177

RE: T48 - 5/23/2020 10:15:21 AM

chaos45

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Its not even summer 1942 yet and the Germans already have Stalingrad....Brian is in for a very rough remainder of 1942.

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Post #: 178

RE: T48 - 5/23/2020 1:03:59 PM

HardLuckYetAgain

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quote:

ORIGINAL: sillyflower

quote:

ORIGINAL: tyronec

quote:

As weak as the Soviets are you might be able to get away with the Italians/Romanians/Hungarians and some german infantry pushing them into the mountains.

Yes, was thinking 1 German, 1 Romanian and 1 Italian armies plus a Panzer Corps but should have a better idea of what the Soviets are going to defend with in a few turns.

As you know, I went for the 'Caucasus 1st then S'grad' approach.The main difficulty I had taking the Caucasus was not the defences per se, but a combo of Brian's skillful insertions (mainly using weak kamikaze tank xxxs) to cut the supply lines and he seemed to get lucky with partisans which so often cut the lines he could not otherwise reach.

I agree with Chaos that Brian that Brian is unlikely to have the troops to stop a strong thrust but you would need to be able to manage the problems better than I did until the later stages of my O. However, S'grad first will probably make it easier for you in the Caucasus as it looks like you will have time for both.

Tyronec has some hexes NW of Stalingrad that BrianG can flood across based on current snapshots. Along with some Regiments that can be pushed aside on the front line even behind major rivers. (Regiments will retreat over hold when attacked) If Tyronec isn't careful he could end up with a fiasco behind his Stalingrad troops like you had in the Caucasus because we all know BrianG loves to FLOOD in.

Stalingrad is always the key to the Caucasus. Just need to make sure the rail going South to the Caucasus is also cut at the same time behind Stalingrad, that is the first key. Once that is done the Germans just need to rush to Baku where the rail to the West Caucasus is cut as the 2nd key. Once that is done the rest of the West Caucasus will wilt on the vine as the Germans assualt Baku. With the current state of the Soviets, and what I see on the snapshots provided, I would say this has a very good chance of success with the forces involved barring any outlier if Tyronec pursues this. Based on what I see I give it a 91.5% chance of working at current snapshots. Will update my prediction when getting closer to Baku, BrianG could always throw in those outliers ;-P

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Post #: 179

RE: T48 - 5/23/2020 1:11:08 PM

joelmar

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tyronec
Yes, was thinking 1 German, 1 Romanian and 1 Italian armies plus a Panzer Corps but should have a better idea of what the Soviets are going to defend with in a few turns.

Get all your mountain divisions in one German army, you will need each one of those in the Georgian mountains
Get your rumanian cavalry together.
Get most of your FBD's in Caucasus to go into the Georgian valleys through Sukhumi

panzers can be useful for a while, but they will soon become superfluous. Cavalry is good enough to flip hexes

Those are the keys

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