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Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/6/2021 6:43:30 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Hello everyone,

I'm going to try my hand at my first AAR, after the [unsuccessful] conclusion of my first run through of WITE2. I'm an avid fan of WITE 1 and the Eastern front in general, and I've always enjoyed peoples AARS, so it's about time I sum up the motivation for one of my own.

That said onto the rules;

Human Axis Vs Soviet AI
Fog of War/Movement Fog of War on for both sides.
AI Air Support Off [But I will likely use the assist.]
Theater Boxes unlocked.
Difficulty normal.

There will also be roleplaying.

I shall be doing my best to consider not what just would be the most correct 'game' move to make, but also what would be possible within the political constraints of the time.
Some examples will include -
Not firing Generals unless they have performed unsuccessfully in battle.
Sending copius construction units to the Western front to build the adlantic wall.
Careful use of 'prestige' units, like the SS and being mindful of the nationality of the SS subunits.

I will however be placing myself in Hitlers shoes, and will making my own mircromanagement, and decisions about what fronts require what support at the appropriate time and what objectives are appropriate.

With that done, onto the war!

Turn 1 - 22 June, 1941.

Operation Barberossa is successfully launched without a hitch, with the Red Army in full retreat. My orders are simple; the inital focus of our operations will be deep penetrations into the soviet lines with the destruction in principle of the Soviet Millitary Districts on the border. Regrouping with the Infantry, we will then move to capture Leningrad and link up with our Finnish allies, to encircle and raze Moscow in the center, and secure the Cimera and Rostov in the south. With these objectives secured and the Soviets army in ruin, we will surely secure an easy surrender and can turn our attention back to the English in 1942.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829059620533698580/unknown.png

350,000 Soviet Troops killed, wounded and captured in the intial conflicts for 13,000 Germans seems an acceptable ratio.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829061804177096724/unknown.png

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829060168795815936/unknown.png

2nd & 3rd Panzer have successfully completed their encirclement east of Minsk, competely surrounding the Soviet Western Millitary district. As a bonus a corps of paratroops was caught unawares and largely destoryed. 4th Panzer group have successfully taken and occupied Riga securing several crossing points across our first major river barrier. Meanwhile 1st Panzer made a spirited attempt to link up with the Romanians east of Lvov, but has been held up by difficult terrian and unexpectly stiff resistance.

Theater Administration -

Heeding Rommels cries for renforcement, the reduced 7th Flieger Division is transported to Africa for a planned invasion of Malta. Operation Hercules is greenlit for later in the year. Several detachments of mixed AA are also dispatched from the reserves to ease the pressure of allied bombing - The remainder of our motorised AA units are transported to the Ostfront to ward off any surviving soviet plans and as further reassurence every Panzer Division and SS Motorised division is attached its own motorised AA support unit. Army objections that their own motorised units should be given similar protection are coldly dimissed by Himmler - We don't have the resources for that. Confident in our early successes in the East, to Halder's horror I plan to ship many of the Army's reserve divisions away to help out on other fronts...

Other News -

OKH moves to take up residence a little outside the little kown town of Rastenberg. The Commander of XVII Corps, Wener Kientz, is summarily dismissed for being the only corps commander to fail to secure their objectives by the end of the first week. He will return to the Furher reserve, likely for the rest of the war. He is replaced by the more competent seeming and much more well connected Hans Gollnick, who promises a swift advance. Special priority is affored also to the 18th Army [Set to Assault] for the coming weeks - A swift advance to the north is essential.

------

The plan is to try to give a picture of the war, 'From the Bunker' perspective. I'll be avoiding many screens of the close up action on the ground in favour of my thoughts in the mountains or deep in the bunker. However, if there's popular demand, I will take requests to summon an army commander to the bunker for an extensive review of their situation.

Post #: 1

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/6/2021 8:53:16 PM

M60A3TTS

Posts: 4014
Joined: 5/13/2011
Status: offline

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 2

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/6/2021 10:29:50 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 2 - 29 June, 1941.

Air Phase -

Goring declares that Luffwaffe recon elements are to precious a resource to risk on the idle demands of the army. They will now only fly in periods of excellent weather and for only a limited part of the week. Additionally it is not cost effective to risk aircraft in poor weather. The army shall have to do without any support during periods of rain and storm across the front. This news does not go down well on the front...

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829112111409004576/unknown.png

281,000 Soviet Troops killed, wounded and captured as another 12,000 letters are written home for the Germans [and a handful of Romanians.] That's over half a million men knocked out of the fight so far. The first stage of the fight is going as expected.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829112614952108102/unknown.png

While the Red Air Force has been consistantly wrecked and is now woefully short of front line strength or trained pilots, the Luffwaffe's losses have been brutal with over 300 operational losses, each killing an irreplaceable veteran pilot. Will the fair weather directive pay off?

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829111811042574386/unknown.png

The reports from Army Group North are best described as 'Woeful' rough terrian and an overabudence of unexpected defenders [If only they had accuracte recon] results in a failure to reach Pskov. The infantry are tied up primarily in mopping up the baltic states, only two have managed to cross the Daugova. If a change in fortune does not occur in the next two weeks, heads may roll.

AGC center on the other hand, has been progressing exactly as hoped. The central pocket formally containing the Western Milltary district has been almost completely destoryed freeing up two armies to continue their march onwards. Meanwhile 3rd Panzer has breached the Divina and secured Polotsk, while 2nd Panzer have secured multiple crossing points on the Dneper, securing Mogilev in the process. All now depends if the airlifted fuel will be enough to propel them onwards and force the Russian back to a further line.

AGS has closed the Lvov pocket and 17th Army has begun moving into position to reduce it's component elements. Meanwhile the Soviets have all but abandoned the Romanian border, allowing their divisions to surge across and gain ground. In a bold move, the Romanians sole panazer division attempts to cut off the Soviets new front line heading to meet up with the 25th Motorized Division - They finish the week only 40km apart. Will the Russians hold their new front line, or abandon to fall back once more?

Theater Administration -

Continuing with the established plan, several reserve divisions have been about faced to return to France as part of the occupation force. The Lehr motorized brigade, with both the Special Purpose Motorised Batallions have also all been abruptly to Africa to suppliment Rommels drive towards Cario. The presently forming Africa Light Division is likewise earmarked for this purpose. However, grim news as Rommel reports several supply ships were sunk and a major ammunition deport was destroyed by a suprise British Air-raid. He expects this will set back their efforts in Africa by up to two weeks, meanwhile civil unrest in Europe causes political concern in Germany. Garrision efforts too have begun, with the Hungarian border guards being released to watch the newly occupied Lvov, and German Security divisions and their commanding formations begin pulled back. The two Romanian Fortress divisions are also earmarked for garrision duty.

[Note to Devs - Beginning the game with every Theater understaffed seems like bad design, this means every Theater will trigger rolls for possible penalities in every catagory on turn one and its impossible to avoid this. You could in theory fail a sea, air, and land roll in Africa on turn one, moving events four weeks forward. While I don't mind the added randomness in a Single player game, this seems harsh in a multiplayer game, where in some games you'll just start a flat disadvantage compared to others through no fault of your own. I'd move that Theaterboxes shouldn't trigger any posative or negative events until turn 3.]

Other News -

Six Army is given special priority for the attack, completing our list of assault formations. While the Corps commanders of 4th Panzer are under review, no-one has been dismissed this turn.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 3

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/7/2021 6:17:41 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 3 - 6 July, 1941.

Air Phase -

Air operations are restricted to minimal ground support missions for the advancing army groups to conserve losses this round. No other significant changes.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829401612111446056/unknown.png

Another 200,000 Soviets fall, as we begin to sweep up the southern pocket and tidy away the last stragglers from the center. A horrifying 500 Panzers have been cleared away from our Spearheads, primarily in the outclassed Pz 35/38 Ts and many of the PzII's. 16th Panzer reports only 83 tanks remaining on strength of which only 36 are actual runners. Early signs of the Wehrmatch 'Winning itself to death.'

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829401652800520192/unknown.png

With minimal air operations run, and most of the forward soviet airforce fallen from the sky, losses are light for both sides as we regroup.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829401463083761704/unknown.png

AGN fails to take Pskov again, prompting further grumblings from High Command. However they do manage to ford the river south of the city, and encircle seven infantry divisions and an airborn brigade. If the cordon holds this further loss of manpower may significantly aid our drive towards Leningrad and prospective link up with the Finns.

AGC however, runs into a brick wall. 52nd Motorised Corps, under A Kutznen, which had cross the Dvina with a strength of two Panzer and one Motorised division, finds its position abruptly faced by no fewer than 16 divisions, including at least two armoured corps in favourable terrian. 15 further divisions obstruct 39th Motorised Corps progress over the landbridge forstalling any real gains and slowing 3rd Pz Group to a crawl. 2nd Panzer's fording of the Dneper however, is much more successful with the week concluding with a full 8 divisions over the river including SS Das Reich. With nothing but clear terrian between us and Smolensk, 'Fast Heniz' is confident we can get the eastward advance rolling next turn. Meanwhile 9th and 4th Armies are spread out around Minsk with the slower elements of 2nd Panzer, waiting to catch up.

AGS reports some success in clearing the Lvov pocket, only five divisions, four of the mountain divisions with limited numbers, are believed to remain for 17th army to mop up. As expected 1st Pz Groups threatened encirclement left the reds to flee our trap, conceading an easy eighty kilometers of ground. However the weakened 11th army lacks the punch of mobility to attempt to perform another circlement, so 1st Panzer performs a bold left hook with the hopes of punching through the Russian lines this turn before swinging south towards Odessa and once more cutting off the bulk of the Russian forces. 6th Army will continue the march through difficult ground towards Kiev, the first of our major targets for the summer.

Theater Box movement -

As promised a rapid withdrawal of reserve divisions begins towards the Western front as we remain dangerously understrength everywhere. It will take some time for fruits to show for our labour, but they are urgently needed. Rommel reports a British offensive is in full swing [Another ground loss] further compromising our plans in Africa - And our promised troops will not complete their transfer for another two weeks! Still, we have high hopes the two Pz Divisions currently stationed in France will have been regrouped to be sent to the east within the next two weeks and will likely be assigned to Army Group North once ready. The Reich reserve continues to be stripped of any available troops, as two Stug Battalions make their way eastwards and Flak Regiment moves to cover the French coast from expected English bombing raids.

Other News -

With no gross failures of command, there is no futher dismissals of front line officers. The mood in the Headquarters is tense however already there are signs of increasingly stiff resistance, excessive casualities and crippling loses in Africa. Could we have been overconfident?

< Message edited by AdmiralHalsey -- 4/8/2021 4:21:09 PM >

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 4

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/8/2021 4:20:51 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 4 - 13 July, 1941.

Air Phase -

Air operations are restricted to minimal ground support missions for the advancing army groups to conserve losses this round. No other significant changes once more.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829744414615928905/unknown.png

On the good news, over a million soviets have been removed from the equation. Their central front has been completely destroyed, and the northern front shattered, while their forces in the south have been dealt a heavy blow. In return, 624 Panzers roughly 20% of our starting strength have been blunted, and casulities amidst German Recon units have been particularly heavy.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829744451348987934/unknown.png

Poor weather means most of the Luffewaffe don't fly. On the bright side this allows us valuable time to replace lost planes.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829745751566975016/unknown.png

AGN's cordon holds. There is however, a furious scene back at high command when it is confessed that we were not actually able to reduce the pocket, and several Panzer and Mortorised Divisions failed in their assigned directives, resulting in further casulities and the inability once more to take Pskov. The only good news was the arrival of 50th Corps, harbringers of the 18th army, promising a more significant push next turn. The setbacks are blamed on the poor weather, difficult ground, and lack of logistical support.

AGC has mixed news. 3rd Panzer are able to achive a localized advance, cutting off two understrength soviet rifle divisions as they press on the land bridge from the north and the south. 2nd Panzer however tries something more bold, with an armoured spearhead reaching out behind Smolensk, as 9th army begins to follow up over the river behind them, crossing bridges established and secured last turn. The plan is to prompt another withdrawal, and ensure that 3rd Panzer is able to catch the slower elements as they flee. Next stop Rzhev.

AGS progresses further with its efforts to cut down the Lvov pocket, reducing the Russian hold outs to two battered mountain divisions occupying the passes to Hungary. 1st Panzer also has a success, leaping forward to surround a mechanised corps and the remains of a Russian southeast of Vinnesta. The Romanians meanwhile, approch unhindered towards Odessa and the sixth army continues the unforgiving task of clearing the forests towards Kiev.

Theater Box movement -

This turn focuses on beginning the garrisoning of newly occupied Russian Territory. Fully half the Security divisions now join the Romanian Fortress Divisions to watch over the captured populace. Rommel suffers _another_ setback in North Africa, resulting in another furious arguement in High Command - Our first major renforcements arrive in Africa next week and we can only hope they begin to make significant inroads in the allies gains. No new reserves are available for transfer to the front this turn and it is unlikely there will be much more movement over the next few turns while the dust settles.

Other News -

4th Panzer Group, disgraced and short of its objectives has its commander retired to the reserve in disgrace, General Gottard is promoted from the reserve in the hopes of reversing its fortunes and ensuring a swift and firm drive on Leningrad before our oppertunity to take it is lost before the winter. Rommel retains his command in Africa - For now.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 5

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/8/2021 5:35:40 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 5 - 20 July, 1941.

Air Phase -

At least this turn the rain has stopped. Air groups are reminded to begin moving up to the front line and ground assault and resupply directives are applied. This time in clear skies we do fly a number of vital recon flights.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829767781339758642/unknown.png

One of our most bloody turns so far with a number of unsuccesful attacks in a bid to form new pockets. Losses of a 100 Pzs a week are likely unsustainable. That said, much of our present stock likely shouldn't be on a modern battlefield to begin with and preserving their strength till 1942 will have little effect in the long run as the Soviets upgun themselves. Another respectable 200,000 loses inflicted, which is our target per week for the rest of the war.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829767815426211880/unknown.png

The soviets appear to have found some spare planes and got entangled over AGS in the south, resulting in 300 losses on their side.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829767904710098975/unknown.png

Replacing 4th Panzer Groups commander appears to have had a posative impact on their performance. The last of their pocket is destroyed and we begin a pincer movement with 1st Pz crossing around behind lake Pskov heading towards 3rd Mot on the other side. Pskov's defenders have a 20km gap to fall back through and abandon the city or risk being annilated. Meanwhile 18th army begins the dull job of securing the Baltic ports.

AGC almost manages to pocket Smolensk at last as a ring is formed around 11 divisions just south of the city. Two rifle and one mechanised divisions hold the pocket open against a probing attack from SS Das Reich, but much as with AGN the Reds will likely have to abandon their defences next turn or risk being cut off and destroyed and with such a narrow gap to freedom it is unlikely they will all be able to escape. 4th and 9th armies meanwhile, are across the water barrier and facing stiff soviet defences on the open ground.

In the south one of the two remaining mountain divisions is hunted down by its German and Hungarian counterparts and much of last turns pocket is destroyed. Unlike AGN/AGC AGS manages to form another fully secured pocket, containing 4 rifle divisions and a stray mountain division as the Panzers continue their drive southwards towards Oddessa threatening the entire southern wing of the soviet defences. Meanwhile the 10th Romanian Infantry division exchanges artillary fire with the port itself...

Theater Box movement -

At long last we appear to have a respectable amount of forces in each theaterbox, and can begin to breathe a little easier. Premptive commitment of the Paratroops in North Africa appears to have stemmed the allied advance for now, but operation Hercules will simply have to wait. Another wave of motorised AA units are forming up in Berlin and we expect to dispatch these to the various fronts within the next few weeks. The commitment of additional infantry forces to France also looks to be able to free up the two refitting Pz Divisons for next turn in time to support AGN's hoped for breakthrough.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 6

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/8/2021 8:54:20 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 6 - 27 July, 1941.

Air Phase -

So much for the good weather. Army group north and center are soaked to the bone. At least the airforces have relocated to the north, but we'll be flying minimal missions.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829814602123968602/unknown.png

Our target kills figure is reached with another 200,000 Russians biting the bullet, but even more Panzers fall apart in the rain, stressed by being trapped on the front line and attempting dogged rencirclements. Some rest and refit is clearly needed or in a month or two we'll be fallen apart.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829814663029194762/unknown.png

Despite minimal missions, only flying in good weather and a relative absence of Russian planes, we still experience unacceptable air losses this turn.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829815325578625044/unknown.png

Army Group north finally has some success as the Soviets flee the encirclement, leaving one division to mind the city, soon encircled. Still the horrific weather prevents any meaningful progress at all and the Panzers stall hardly 30km north. A long way to go.

Army group center however, completes its encirclement of Smolensk and the 3rd Panzer group also entraps a stray mechanized division which failed to flee fast enough. Any attempts to progress further however are met with swampland, rivers, rainstorms and well dug in Russian divisions, until the pocket has been reduced there will be no further progress. However many of the infantry divisions are on the front line, ready for phase two.

In the South, the Panzers abruptly abandon their dash for Smolensk, regrouping south of Keiv to entrap two full mechanised corps and threatening the city itself, the closest divisions now only 10km away from Keiv's outskirts. Even further south, the Romanians ineffectively crawl on, making between 10-30km progress. Odessa at least, is now only supplied via the sea. Next week naval interdiction will begin.

Theater Box movement -

With every Theater just about hanging on, the only exciting news is the movement of a single unit of assault guns to the Ostfront.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 7

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/9/2021 12:02:34 AM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 7 - 3 August, 1941.

Air Phase -

So much for the good weather forever it seems. The rainy season is on us and with it goes the aircover. However interdiction missions around Odessa have begun, already costing us almost sixty bombers in one week alone.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829864128633765888/unknown.png
Losses [Units] - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829864200305770506/unknown.png

This week was a solid improvement in the kill score with over a quarter of a million Soviets and a thousand AFVs removed from the board. A rare shot of the units destroyed progress shown - Just shy of a 100 Divisions since wars start. Since we all of course know the Soviet Army is only 200 divisions in total the war must already be won! ... Right?

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829864156592078898/unknown.png

The air war continues, poorly. If only I could fire Luffwaffe generals...

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829864100162961438/unknown.png

AGN is now desperate short of manpower. Their front line is 370km long and is manned by only 18 divisions, and as we push further north, that gap is only widening. Meanwhile even with minimal reconissance we are aware of at least 27 Soviet units in opposition, likely far more. The weather too, is only getting worse and with it the already poor ground. A small hole is opened and a single mechanised division is isolated. Small progress, and Pskov itself _finally_ falls.

Army group center spends the turn edging forward, picking off small soviet units and waiting for its logistics to catch up. Boring.

AGS - A small victory, Kiev falls to massed assault by the 6th Army. 1st Pz group is withdrawn from the front lines for a rest and refit - The plan being to force through another encirclement next turn with renforcements, fuel and repairs. In the south, three german and four Romanian divisions including 4 Pioneer battlions gather for an assault on Odessa next turn. Optomistic, perhaps but the boil must be lanced.

Theater Box movement -

Both of our reserve Pz divisions have now been drafted from France. They should arrive in the Ostfront over the next two weeks. Too little, too late.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 8

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/9/2021 7:47:23 AM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 8 - 10 August, 1941.

Air Phase -

Clear weather strikes again across the front, allowing for marginally more air activity. The interdiction of Odessa continues with further high losses in aircraft. Hopefully we won't have to maintain the siege for long...

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829981727534350416/unknown.png
Our worst results of the war so far, only two divisions and a brigade destroyed and only 150,000 soliders removed from play with excessive German losses once more. A lot of these come down to our first assault on Odessa, which did cause significant damage to the fortifications but blooded and a number of Romanian divisions. Furthermore with no pockets left over from last turn, there were no sweeping victories across the front, though a large number of untried Russian divisions were routed in localised actions

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829981926504267817/unknown.png

Soviet Airforce poked its head above the battlements with the return of the nice weather and paid a steep price in untrained pilots for the attempt.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/829981666696888340/unknown.png

A decision is made - Perhaps too little too late. The 2nd Army, consisting of five infantry and one Panzer division and forming our operational reserve, will be committed to AGN in an attempt to provide more blocking power and allow the Panzers to rest. This troop movement will take weeks - So operations must continue as best they may in the meantime, but it affords our best chance for Leningrad. Elements of 18th army now reach the outskirts of Tallinin while 4th Pz makes a small encirclement of a single Cavarly division and makes about thirty miles progress towards lake ILemn. This will then act as the flank of our thrust.

AGC does some minor skirmishes with infantry formations against overstretched and undertrained Soviet forces while 3rd Pz Group quits the front line and readies itself for a prospective breakthrough next turn. With the infantry and logistics caught up, it's fast approching do or die for another breakthrough.

AGS - A mad charge over the river secures the second half of Kiev. As noted above the siege of Oddessa begins in earnest, 11th Army is hopeful for a breakthrough next turn. The best news is the much delayed southwards shift of 1st Pz Group has begun and no fewer than 19 soviet divisions are encircled. With no obvious hope of escape and very little behind them we hope this will either force a painful redeployment of soviet forces or leave previous little to stop our March to the Crimea and Rostov.

Theater Box movement -

We are all thrilled by the Italians commitment to the Eastern Front. Their three understrength semi motorised divisions shall doubtless be a huge asset to the cause. Otherwise only 2nd Pz's arrival and attachment to second army is of note, with another Panzer division due to arrive next turn. At least Rommel reports no more screw ups and the rumors are the SOviets have had to divert significant resources from their other fronts to combat the issues we've caused.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 9

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/9/2021 11:12:51 AM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 9 - 17 August, 1941.

Air Phase -

The rainy season strikes the north once more, seriously limiting our available reconissance. The siege of Odessa continues, sending more planes tumbling out of the air, in general most of our recon planes have been lost.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830034350850179112/unknown.png

Our patience of the last turn is rewarded with over a quarter of a million soviet casulities, principally in the South. While Axis losses remain unsustainably high, I'm fairly confident we're getting our monies worth.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830034446237171722/unknown.png

Another turn of brutal losses, but at least on their side we feel we've managed to make a significant dent in the red air force. Once the rain and snow hit however, we'll be grounding the entire Luffwaffe in preperation for the summer offensives.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830034593305460776/unknown.png

2nd Army is one weeks March further north, but the lack of earlier commitment to the north front and the withdrawal of many reserve divisions to France and Africa has clearly had concequences. Supply lines are tight, and the lone infantry division outside Tallian predictably fails to take the city. We are able to make a small amount of localised gains, but things look dire.

In the center we do finally achive a small breakthrough. Freshly rested panzers slip through a hole created by the infantry, demolishing the soviets thin defensive line and encircling two rifle divisions an armoured division and an airborne brigade. Our rail lines are now directly behind the front and with luck next turn we can press on down the Moscow highway at last. However in the Marshes the situation has grown increasingly unfavourable as an entire Russian army with a mechanised corps and a cavarly division menaces my flank, nessistiating an entire motorised division be dispatched south to help contain them. Second Army will be missed.

In the South is where the big successes are once again. The siege of Oddessa is brief and bloody. Eighty thousand Soviets fail to escape and the 11th Army is already redeployed. Even worse, 1st Pz Group encircles a further eight divisions at the expense of clearing the existing pocket

Theater Box movement -

We are all thrilled by the Italians commitment to the Eastern Front. Their three understrength semi motorised divisions shall doubtless be a huge asset to the cause. Otherwise only 2nd Pz's arrival and attachment to second army is of note, with another Panzer division due to arrive next turn. At least Rommel reports no more screw ups and the rumors are the SOviets have had to divert significant resources from their other fronts to combat the issues we've caused, though resistance has begun to significantly thicken. Our plan is to force the 11th Army through to the Crimea and reduce Sevastapol before Christmas.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 10

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/9/2021 12:31:43 PM

Sammy5IsAlive

Posts: 514
Joined: 8/4/2014
Status: offline

Looks like things are going ok - hopefully the bonus VPs from Kiev/Odessa will help you avoid the 1942 sudden death loss.

Just going off your description of your previous game and the current game's 'grand map' - it's important not to take you eye off the boundary between AGC and AGS. IMHO It is easy to over concentrate on the two AG's objectives at the expected extremities of their 1941 advance (i.e. Moscow and Stalino/Rostov/Sevastopol) at the expense of the less 'glamorous' area in the middle. But you need to get the basics done there otherwise you are potentially storing up problems for yourself down the line both in terms of VPs and in terms of vulnerable flanks over the winter. So make sure you've cleared the Pripyat and that you divert the required forces to take Orel/Kharkov/Kursk.

Those are minor quibbles though

- the big picture is looking good for you and the AAR is very well written!

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 11

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/9/2021 3:14:21 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 10 - 24 August, 1941.

Air Phase -

Air directives are halted over the fallen Oddessa as craft are returned to their normal duties. Once we cross into the Crimera these will resume. Other than that its just ground support in clear skies.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830047005526065162/unknown.png

Another productive turn, mostly the fruits of entirely sweeping up the Southern pockets, though committing to clearing them out prevented me from making anymore. There were other successes up and down the line in local battles, but with the rain coming down and most of our forces tired and scattered, this won't continue.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830047052519440385/unknown.png

Could have been worse this turn, but no thoughts here.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830047916810305546/unknown.png
2nd Army is now about a week from the front lines. While 1st Panzer Division is only 10km from the Narva and Tokenkopf is just 20km from lake Ilmen. Too little too late perhaps, but at least some progress at last, and perhaps because of our lackluster efforts and successes to the south, Russian resistance is patchy. Unlike the rain. There's been a lot of rain.

ACG continues its March to Vyzma repocketing the divisions they managed to reach last turn and kicking the line back in 20km in all directions.

AGS is tied up with clearing up its pockets, though another small encirclement begins forming likely forcing them to abandon the gateway to Crimea - Though we are now steadily behind scheule.

Theater Box movement -

Little to do here without understaffing any Theater boxes. However there was a minor movement of SS Regiments from Western Europe to the Garrison fronts to help police their non-native populations.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to Sammy5IsAlive)

Post #: 12

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/10/2021 11:52:23 AM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 11 - 24 August, 1941.

Air Phase -

Air directives are halted over the fallen Oddessa as craft are returned to their normal duties. Once we cross into the Crimera these will resume. Other than that its just ground support in clear skies.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830407594497146880/unknown.png

With this turn dedicated to creating pockets rather than mopping them up, losses inflicted are a crippling 100,000 men, hardly enough to offset daily soviet recruitment.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830407622065651722/unknown.png

Could have been worse this turn, but no thoughts here.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830407536439721984/unknown.png

2nd Pz Division finally reaches lake Illmen, and 2nd Army reaches the rearmost combat zone. Next turn they'll take over the flank between the lake and AGS, and 4th Pz Group will group to push north to Leningrad once more. Newly arrived 5th Pz also manages to storm the city of Tallinin providing a coastal port to provide supplies to 11th Army.

Another strike in the center as 4 rifle divisions and an armoured corps are encircled Spearheads are now 30km from Rzhev. Signposts read 150km to Moscow. However German divisions are beginning to look increasingly ragged. Supplies just arn't coming in as fast as men are bleeding out. The rainy season will need to be spent regrouping.

AGS forms another encirclement, 2 mechanised, 3 rifle and a cavarly division are encircled west of the Dneper bend, and a rifle division is caught up in Nikolev.

Theater Box movement -

In a few turns we'll begin stripping out understrength German divisions and sending them back to France and rotating in the reserve formations. No movement this turn however.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 13

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/10/2021 1:08:08 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 11 - 7 September, 1941.

Air Phase -

Air directives are halted over the fallen Oddessa as craft are returned to their normal duties. Once we cross into the Crimera these will resume. Other than that its just ground support in clear skies. The weather however, seems to be holding up suprisingly well.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830425675559075880/unknown.png

Just under 200,000 loses inflicted is acceptable, but German Pz loses remain crippling. We're down to 3,733 Pz's across the entire Eastern front, 5,793 across all theaters, although many of those are tied up in Africa, or captured French models used in France on Garrision duty.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830425700493819914/unknown.png

3.5k aircraft still serviceable on the Eastern front. Soviets are holding steady at about 5.8k.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830425642269016076/unknown.png

2nd Army is now finally in position to take over guarding the Southern flank of AGN and 1st Pz takes up position on the far side of the River Narva as Russian defences begin to collapse. Another two divisions are encircled, Leningrad Milita, and the clear weather holds for a turn. Finally it looks like we might be making progress.

News from the center is bleaker. The encircled russian divisions tried to stage a breakout. While they were contained and the front driven back another 30km, almost to our next target city, it'll be another week till we can mop up the surrounded troops, tying up vital men for another week. The 102nd Infantry division, reduced to an effective 46% Strength, is the first division to be ordered back to France for rest and refit. More will likely have to follow even as we close on Moscow.

AGS has some limited success in pushing the Romanian Armoured and 25th Motorised over the Dneper, as well as clearing its pockets, but despite the huge number of loses they've sustained in the south the Soviets are pushing a resistance of at least 50 divisions.

Theater Box movement -

A reserve corps is deployed from France - 3 Divisions are sent East with the intent of curbing the alarming level of Soviet Activity in the largely uncontested Marshland which seperates AGC & AGS. Several so called 'Coastal Divisions' are dispatched from Italy to Garrision the coastline of the Neatherlands, and an Italian Armoured division is released from the Balkans to join the IEC.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 14

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/10/2021 2:23:03 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Turn 11 - 7 September, 1941.

Air Phase -

The only major change to air directives today is an extra selection of Air Superority missions over AGS in reports to observations of several lightly escorted Russian transport flights last week working to supply the divisions being squeezed between AGN and Center.

Losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830444367516008478/unknown.png

With no major encirclements to lose both armies continue to bleed dry. Several German divisions are now reporting less than 10,000 men on hand and the poor weather creeping in once more suggest replacements are going to be hard to come by.

Air losses - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830444497820319764/unknown.png

A bad day for the Red Air Force with over a thousand aircraft dropping out the sky, leading to over 11,000 loses in the war so far.

Grand Map - https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/828634903893114921/830444332480725043/unknown.png

AGN is now drowned in rain once more. 38th Corps, the only real formation part of 18th Army, pushes towards the Narva in order to shortern the front lines and reach out to 1st Pz still doggedly holding the far bank. All other operations are determined attempts to shortern the line and get into position for the winter - Far, far short of our objectives.

AGC is now 20km from Rzhev, and takes Vyzma. Last weeks encirclement is mopped up and we pick up another Cavarly division pressing forward. 120km to Moscow.

In the south, another 2 rifle divisions and an airborn brigade get caught up as the Southern Front falls back. 11th Pz enters the Crimea.

Theater Box movement -

Nothing to do here this turn, units are in transit.

Other News -

No hiring and firing this turn. Interviews with specific division/corps/army/army group commanders available on request.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 15

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/10/2021 3:40:31 PM

AdmiralHalsey

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

I think I'll call the AAR here. It's not very engaging without outside interaction and mostly just becomes a chore at the end of the turn. I might try one of these again if I'm ever doing an MP game I take more seriously.

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 16

RE: Totalkrieg - Human vs Soviet AI - 4/15/2021 7:52:15 AM

Floxolydian

Posts: 42
Joined: 3/25/2021
Status: offline

Little attempt of constructive feedback here: I think what dampered intrest a bit for me personally was

A) The lack of in-post-images (I did like the steady summary-images for each turn, but zoomed in images supporting points you mention in the text can create that bit of extra-immersion)

B) Relative abundance of similar AARs and MP-AARs (not your fault of course, but I'm sure MP games have an extra-level of spice, also the other grand scenarios other that Barbarossa 41 could potentially spark more interest)

What most interests me are the strategic problems and subsequent decisions an AAR player faces and makes. That is after all, what makes stories and narratives alive and interesting.

I really hope you're not discouraged by this. I'm sure all the great AAR-makers have started somewhere.

< Message edited by Floxolydian -- 4/15/2021 7:54:16 AM >

(in reply to AdmiralHalsey)

Post #: 17