Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (Full Version)

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gwgardner -> Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 3:37:28 AM)

Hope this won't be a bust, in terms of my game play. I'm a relative newbie to the game, so who knows if Berlin - and Vienna - are out of the question.

I'm playing Russia, with the AI taking the Central Powers and the Western Allies.

The options I've chosen:

[image]local://upfiles/20372/D465C4C4776F4097A54AC6FA974B747A.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 3:50:18 AM)

My War Plan will be right out of the book - I can hardly do worse with it than the Grand Duke did.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/F794B876CB6A49379B6E49AB17D61EC9.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 3:58:15 AM)

Enemy warplans:



[image]local://upfiles/20372/1E8574834E3E44BEA9FD9010EFD356AD.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 4:05:18 AM)

French plans:


[image]local://upfiles/20372/FA0746A1BC67438FBFC54191A186C2AB.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 11:29:23 PM)

Event and diplomacy phases for the first turn. I sent an ambassador to Romania, and seeing that the Germans had sent one to Serbia (which is already at war) I sent one there too, hoping to counteract German influence. (I'm still getting a handle on diplomacy in this game, which looks to be of no little significance.)



[image]local://upfiles/20372/2D1EDB6CAF5748A1915EA3030A4B3D88.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/5/2010 11:34:22 PM)

As the armies begin to march across the face of Europe I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm going to have to review the disposition of my forces, and consider the mandatory attacks I have to carry out in Prussia and against the Austrians. It looks like forceful action will be necessary on Russia's part in order to give France a spine. After their initial attack, they abandoned Plan 16 already.

Poland is a deep salient from which I have to attack north into Prussia, guard the western flank, and hold off the Austrians in the south. General Ludendorf is known to be commanding the German 4th Army to the west. Our intial planning had not counted on the 4th being present on the flank.

It is probable that Hindenburg is in command of the 8th Army guarding Poland.

Why do I have a presentiment of disaster in the offing? Those reservists better arrive quickly.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/1BBD746060BD4AB3BDE96981F61D6420.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 1:35:33 AM)

Facing the long line of the Carpathians, 4 Russian Corps have the task of attacking into Austria. Unfortunately, recon shows that there are at least 4 Austrian corps in waiting, each as strong or stronger than ours.

Our 4th Corps may have to lend a hand on the flank against the Germans, so it is unlikely that it can be used in offense immediately. The 5th and 3rd are our strongest of these four armies, and are in position to move forward towards Lemberg. There are three railroads leading across the Carpathians, and Lemberg is a major hub. It's vital to any success in the future. Cracow and Przesmyl are important too, but I'm doubtful that any sustained offensive is going to be possible on a long front.

The 8th Army may be able to add just enough punch against the Austrian center, if it can hold off the Austrian's in the south.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/C93BE856960C46A3BA59113C4BD3AF02.jpg[/image]



06 Maestro -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 5:38:37 AM)

This is an unusual twist-good luck.
I think you are headed for a quick stalemate with those being played-an extra German Army or two in the east will male things a bit more difficult for an advance on Berlin.




gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 6:07:28 AM)

Yeah, I can almost hear the clash now as the German 4th slams into the flank of Samsanov's 2nd. But the Grand Duke is adamant. I'm going to have a junior officer take the bullets out of Samsonov's sidearm.



06 Maestro -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 6:04:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

Yeah, I can almost hear the clash now as the German 4th slams into the flank of Samsanov's 2nd. But the Grand Duke is adamant. I'm going to have a junior officer take the bullets out of Samsonov's sidearm.


[:D] I have never had such an opening combination, but I assume it will get very tough for the Russians quickly. If the French come on strong-and have some good luck, then maybe you can pull it off.



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 10:19:03 PM)

To complete the review of initial dispositions, the 10th Army is in the Caucasus. Although it seems to start out of position to guard the vital railroad through Batum.

It should be noted that initially all forces but the 1,2 and 9th Armies are 'locked.'



[image]local://upfiles/20372/3F9ED2635C994B66A1CA178D5250D298.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 11:23:00 PM)

The Early August military phase:

With all other units still moving into initial positions, only the 1st and 2nd Armies are authorized to launch their attacks.

Only Samsonov's 2nd comes into contact with the enemy, at Tannenburg, against what was apparently only a detachment of Hindenberg's 8th Army.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/7087876675DC4C3BBD83F5F7F9E679AC.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 11:29:31 PM)

After the initial phase, the German 4th was seen moving up against Samsonov's western flank, where he has posted 2 blocking corps.

With the mandatory advance satisfied, both 1st and 2nd Armies must decide how to react to the presence of the German 4th, and the scattered 8th around Koenigsberg.

Farther south, the remaining Russian Armies facing Austria and now released to begin their attack. It's a one - two punch that the Grand Duke intends to send both Germans and the Austrians reeling.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/8F9ED9B2A94146C89B1535928AEB059B.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/6/2010 11:39:42 PM)

In the West, French attacks in the center have met with some success, but German advances in Belgium have to be alarming. Kluck's Army has already advanced close to the French border, having swept aside any Belgian resistance.

In Serbia, the Austrian 5th Army as forced its way across the border and has besieged Belgrade.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/5BB57854DF5D4BE7B1ECDC7A80306C04.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/9/2010 5:18:31 PM)

Late August:



[image]local://upfiles/20372/8B10FC0B8171414CB6FA02C7AF19F9F9.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/9/2010 5:43:02 PM)

Stavka did order a general advance all along the Austrian front. 3rd Army inflicted a severe defeat on the Austrians, hopefully preparing the way for a successful coordinated move against Lemberg.

In the Caucasus, the Turks remained inactive, while 10th Army moved to defend Batum.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/C5772C09B2DD49C28D6FBEDA96DD534E.jpg[/image]



NefariousKoel -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/9/2010 7:35:31 PM)

Hey Gardner,  have you run into any certain oddities when playing 1 player in the 4 player game yet? 



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/9/2010 7:58:31 PM)

No problems. However, as you can tell, I play slowly. I'm actually reading the manual as I get to each phase. Currently I'm in the Politics phase, and have to read up on that.

I was surprised that in the late August part of the turn, I got no reports of battle on the Western Front. Whether that means there were none (very surprising!) or I just didn't get to see them, I don't know.

I have read that the mode I'm playing in leads to a less active/aggresive AI - army by army mode.



NefariousKoel -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/11/2010 7:36:01 AM)

Yes, the AI seems to be less aggressive in army-by-army mode but that's the most fun to play in my opinion. Tabeltop style. [8D] The AI has still stood up to me fairly well in that mode, though. They just don't seem to exploit a breakout or drive forward well in 1914. I've not played against it much in that mode during trench warfare but I'd think that's more what the AI is suited for. For some reason, in WEGO mode, the AI can tear some stuff up in 1914, though. I've seen it ravage the French armies pretty good in the first year as AI vs AI in WEGO.

This is a great AAR, by the way. I like AARs to utilize some drawing on the map screenshots to illustrate what's going on, as you do . [8D]






gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/11/2010 3:12:17 PM)

Reading the forums I panicked that throughout the August turn I totally ignored supply. So here's the supply situation, as shown in the 'supply map mode.' Fortunately, every unit, as far as I can tell, remains in supply. I'll have to start considering the repair of RRs, and length of supply lines.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/82484220E25B4796B71DDACE30C282DE.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/11/2010 3:14:19 PM)

And on the Austrian front



[image]local://upfiles/20372/88ECDCB3952F4F33A94E4DC59705049A.jpg[/image]



WallysWorld -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/11/2010 10:33:27 PM)

Please continue as it's great reading.



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/13/2010 5:26:06 PM)

No actions during the Politics and Events phases.

Sept. Heavy action on the Western front, with the German army winning most battles.

In the East, the Russian 1st Army has been reinforced and taken replacements for earlier losses, and once again intends to attack the German 8th Army detachment in Allenberg, still hoping to avoid battle with a concentrated 8th.

It has proved impossible to coordinate the attack with 2nd Army, so Stavka orders the 9th Army, which also has been brought up to full strength, to head north. If the 1st and 9th could concentrate against the German 8th, Koenigsburg may still be achievable.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/A5C2EF98F6184546986D938E894076DC.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/13/2010 5:30:51 PM)

Hindenberg proves too wily to allow his detachment to be caught unsupported, and a major battle ensues near Allenberg.

Rennenkampf was eager to commit his Army, realizing that his artillery was available, while the Germans were still moving forward.

The strength of the German corps was too much, however, and lead Russian units fell back shaken and disorganized. After two rounds of battle, the Germans brought their artillery up too. At this point, Rennenkampf saw the writing on the wall, and decided to withdraw to fight another day. Hopefully providing a double whammy when the 9th comes up.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/5DB2DCBCA92F406F8D97E1E638CA3207.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/13/2010 5:32:30 PM)

In Prussia, then, it's all building up to a combined assault by the 1st and 9th Armies, with the 2nd Army hopefully holding off the German 4th.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/952D2552AC9F49DAB7044A429FE0B6DC.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/15/2010 7:10:45 PM)

In the Caucasus, as I feared, the Turks moved north into Batum before I could get a defense force there - but they made their move not with impunity! Tenth Army is poised to arrive in force.



[image]local://upfiles/20372/3BB7926CF4BF4FFDB58EB0B96E20E60E.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/15/2010 7:11:59 PM)

Battle is joined, and I order a breakthrough south ... in the event of victory.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/E42AE5AA04284303943EF54D5A0CDE1C.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/15/2010 7:14:00 PM)

The fighting was not without cost, as an entire corps from 10th Army was destroyed in retaking the oil-rich province. 10th Army reserves rushed forward through the faltering Turkish positions.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/1C65A226E5F440D4BE5A09664BC2F6F5.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/15/2010 7:22:35 PM)

On the Austrian front, a look at the OOB on both sides is sobering.

Russia is at a 9 corps deficit, which brings in question 3rd Army's victory in August. Going on the defensive seems in order, but what help is that to our Serbian allies?

[later edit] My bad. I was looking at only one detachment for each Russian army! Actually, each of the Russian army outclasses the opposing Austrian.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/88872BC2BFE44676BE93484889E2EF8A.jpg[/image]



gwgardner -> RE: Berlin or Bust AAR - Russia, in 4-Player Campaign (9/15/2010 7:36:52 PM)

Serbian allies, indeed. A newbie mistake, as I didn't realize in August that I could give orders to the Serbian forces. So basically they just stood in place while the Austrians besieged Belgrade.

[image]local://upfiles/20372/FB99463748244896B3249DCC414C8E38.jpg[/image]



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