D21 - A different approach (Full Version)

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Abnormalmind -> D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 5:14:01 PM)

I'm currently on turn 78, and would like to share a slightly different approach. I stopped my first game around turn 20 because the dense woods south of Leningrad block mobilized units. In game 2, instead of sending too many panzer divisions to Leningrad, I sent many more infantry divisions.

41 Objectives from north to south

Murmansk
Leningrad
Kalinin
Start the Moscow siege
Minsk
Kiev

Rationale

The Soviet loss of Murmansk causes long term affects. Anything that causes a long term affect is desirable. All German units in Finland, whenever activated, were sent to assault Murmansk. Also, the gebirgsjager division attached to AGS was transported to Finland to support the assault on Murmansk. Only German units were used.

The Soviet loss of Leningrad allows Finnish troops to cross the stop line and has a long term affect on the Soviets.

Moscow is obviously very important. My goal wasn't to capture Moscow in 41, rather to start the siege by capturing the permanent fortifications west of the city.

The Dnipro River formed the farthest advances in the south during 1941. This is a big deviation from most Barbarossa offenses. The Axis forces used the super river as a defensive line freeing up other German divisions for rail transport to AGN/AGC.

Army Group South was stripped bare to reinforce Army Groups North and Center. It was stripped to the bone after the fall of Kiev. All available assets were railed to hot spots in the north.






Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 5:20:39 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-2B03_4B646A3B.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:56:22 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-DC58_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:56:49 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-3531_4B647D13.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:57:12 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-AA65_4B647D13.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:57:35 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-C8D6_4B647D13.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:58:05 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-C634_4B647D13.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:58:36 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-2883_4B647D13.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 6:59:10 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-EA51_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:00:01 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-063C_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:00:34 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-0022_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:01:06 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-75BB_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:01:36 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-D450_4B648000.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:02:07 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-FE33_4B648095.jpg[/img]]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:03:37 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-4638_4B648095.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:04:09 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-9F21_4B648095.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:20:34 PM)

Kalinin Falls on Turn 15

This is turn 13 - the roads to Kalinin

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-B498_4B648656.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:32:34 PM)

Kiev Falls on Turn 21

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-E5A9_4B648899.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:40:37 PM)

The Siege of Leningrad on Turn 23

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-9618_4B648B04.jpg[/img]




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 7:46:35 PM)

Roads to Moscow Turn 23

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-FF5B_4B648C08.jpg[/img]

Axis forces are starting to run out of steam. Fortunately, the roads are lightly defended and the push presses on. Although Kalinin fell on turn 15, the counter attacks forced the forces to dig in to hold on.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 8:11:19 PM)

Leningrad Falls on Turn 28. Finnish Units are Freed

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-00CC_4B648D91.jpg[/img]

It took a while, but the heavy artillery from the Kiev assault force in AGS was railed to Narva. The heavy artillery made all the difference.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 8:17:57 PM)

Turn 27 - Moscow

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-85C0_4B64934A.jpg[/img]

Axis forces press up against the Soviet outer Moscow defensive line. Reinforcements are streaming in. Since Army Group South was gutted to reinforce AGN/AGC, the Axis assault force is quite formidable. As the norm for this operation, Axis forces use the super rivers as a natural barrier against the Soviet forces.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 8:27:37 PM)

Moscow Turn 32 - 8 Oct 1941

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-CE8A_4B649586.jpg[/img]

The northwest fortress line was cleared. More AGS reinforcements are arriving. The Moscow Canal is a super river, and a strong defensive line is built.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 8:37:48 PM)

Turn 41 - Moscow

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-02B4_4B649728.jpg[/img]

The heavy rains lasted a long, long time. Axis supply was drastically reduced. During the torrential rain period, Axis forces did little, thus conserved their supplies. The rail network is almost repaired to the west side of Moscow. Soviet artillery in the Moscow area is doing considerable damage to the Axis forces. The weather is starting to cool.

November 9th, 1941.

With all the 41 objectives captured, Axis forces are digging in all over the front. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of Axis lines are static for 30 turns, through around turn 70. There is activity in Finland as Axis forces push the Soviets backwards. 11th Panzer Division is railed to eastern Finland to assist with the southern push towards Murmansk.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 8:46:00 PM)

Turn 41 - Leningrad

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-1B69_4B64999A.jpg[/img]

The Soviets pockets are still quite strong around Leningrad. Axis forces are using artillery instead of assaults to reduce the pockets. There's no need to assault the Soviet pockets until the bitter end. Time and artillery shells will do the work, while preserving the integrity of Axis formations.

The Volkhov River will become a static line for 30+ turns as Axis forces dig in and resupply in preparation of winter.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 9:25:17 PM)

Turn 50 - Moscow

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-D5B1_4B64A090.jpg[/img]

The cold has blasted the north, freezing the rivers and lakes. Axis forces have been digging in and resupplying for the last 15+ turns. Soviets were pushed out of Moscow. The bad news is the 41 Winter Offensive hasn't happened yet! Axis heavy artillery, about 10 different formations, were railed from Leningrad to Moscow and now cover all portions of the City. By this point in the scenario, Axis shock is down to 100. It will decrease even further during Winter Offensive. Axis bomber groups are now holding up around Berlin and Warsaw. I saw little need to lose planes during the forthcoming Winter Offensive. Also, the Soviet airforce has made a remarkable recovery and easily contests the airspace around Moscow. Axis airbases are far and few.

10 December 1941.

Time to think of 42' objectives. The first one that comes to mind is Arkhangelsk. Its capture will have a long term affect on the Soviets. A good thing!




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 9:44:32 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-9A0E_4B64A74A.jpg[/img]

The Soviets go on a brutal offensive during the winter months. Most of the Axis forces have been dug in for 25+ turns waiting. Moscow falls during the Winter Offensive, and I bite the bullet recapturing it. The Soviets almost pushed the German artillery, that's how close they were. After the smoke clears, the Soviets are spent. Their aggressive offensive has left most of their lines in ragged shape. Axis forces continuously bombard the Soviets during the entire Winter Offensive. It's a way to dull the offensive, since the Axis player usually goes first. However, there is one series of turns in which Axis forces do not go first... Nice surprise.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 9:59:03 PM)

1942 Objectives

- Destruction of STAVKA northern armies by pincher movement. Fins and Germans will push southwards from the north, while Romanian forces are railed to contain the pocket and German forces advance EAST of the Volga River northeastwards to Vologda.

- Capture of Arkhangelsk

- Capture of Gorky, Inta, and finally Sverdlovsk... A very long road, but shall prove rewarding.




Abnormalmind -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 9:59:40 PM)

[img]http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-EB8E_4B64AA4F.jpg[/img]




Josh -> RE: D21 - A different approach (1/30/2010 10:16:30 PM)

Amazing AAR so far [&o]
Apparently your new approach paid off, less units in the south, many more in the Centre and North. The South must've been a peaceful place. [;)]
And as to post 28... that's not a pocket... it has the size of a country! You're really planning to go all the way to Sverdlovks?




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