Altaris -> RE: For those taking Leningrad (4/4/2011 9:55:18 PM)
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There is a light wood hex 2 hexes east of Leningrad, behind that major river line. That is the Achilles heel of Leningrad, IMO. If you take this hex, you can easily cut off the only port on the western side of Lake Lagoda, and Leningrad is out of supply. I also firmly believe that this hex is undefendable by a concentrated German attack. Here's the rundown of the plan: 1) Designate one Army as your assault group (I like using the 18th Army). Divide it into 4 Corps of 3 divisions each. Load it up with your best leaders, loads of pioneers and heavy guns. Try to keep it in good shape (that won't be hard, since it has such good leaders and firepower). 2) Designate two-three more Armies to help blow into Leningrad ASAP and cover your flanks. 3) Use your armor to get as close to Leningrad as fast as possible. Usually you can be within 12-15 hexes by turn 6 or so. 4) Now the heavy fighting comes in, just bull-doze straight towards that light wooded hex as quick as you can. There's some tough fighting to do it, but the Russians really can't stop your concentrated attack at this stage. You'll be at the river by turn 13-14, more likely around 10-11. 5) Once at the river, get 18th Army ready to alternate your attacks. Have 2 Corps deliberate attack the light wood hex, they will likely fail but hopefully reduce forts some. THen move them back and bring in the other 2 Corps. Keep doing this each turn til it falls. Once the forts come down to 1 or 2, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion to fall. Should you start having troubles for some reason, designate another army to keep cycling the attacks. I took it on the first turn of attacks this way, despite facing about 28 CV of rifle divisions behind lvl 3 forts and a major river. But my opponent had taken a bad beating, and I imagine these guys were a little wrecked. I played a HtH game vs myself to test out this strategy, and even starting to build and plan for this hex to be attacked on turn 1, the Germans still were able to take it down around Turn 15. The only way I could think to better defend it as the Soviets was to bring plenty of rifle divisions back behind Leningrad and cycle them each turn, to keep fatigue from building up, and to have motorized/tank divisions behind teh lines on reserve. But I'm not sure it would ultimately make that big a difference, and all those extra units will be trapped if the Germans do breach it. Personally, I think this is the best approach vector for the Germans to Leningrad. It requires far less troops than a flanking attack on the eastern Lagoda ports, and should it fail, you've not left your armies in an overly extended position.
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