Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (Full Version)

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TulliusDetritus -> Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 4:16:25 PM)

Turn 1

22 June 1941


LOL

Everytime I get a first turn I become a lab rat who only thinks about finding a way out! [:D]

It looks like Marquo hasn't sealed his pockets... I have already used the recon planes and I am pretty certain corridors will be open in his 3 Army Group Areas...




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 4:33:28 PM)

Yep, corridor in his AGN area. A Rifle Division is sacrificed or maybe they'll survive to tell the tale. Too bad the two pockets cannot be linked.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/12AAF6A129FE41A394C71007EC833FC1.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 4:47:31 PM)

In his AGC area I almost opened a corridor which would have relieved (supply would have passed, routed if attacked) the trapped froces in the border. It could not be done. But at least one corridor was open.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/3CEBB7C8FC084811B0CA9B97C90AABA5.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 4:58:15 PM)

And that should have been the hardest thing to do. In the Southwestern Front I guess it's easier (the pocket is more ambitious therefore easier to break). A corridor is open near the Romanian border so fair enough.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/32CB11ACBFE74D529FA024EEFD1EF7F6.jpg[/image]




Klydon -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 5:11:45 PM)

Nice job breaking the pockets. I wish Marquo had learned a bit more from his previous experience in order to tighten up those 1st turn pockets and I am sure he learned more this time, but he will need some good followup turns to make up for it. I can't put enough emphasis that any would be German MUST work at perfecting the craft of creating good unbreakable pockets on turn 1.




CarnageINC -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/2/2011 10:42:17 PM)

Well....version 3.5 I guess [:D]  Good luck TD [sm=00000613.gif]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/3/2011 3:32:31 PM)

This game I will really pay attention to the air war. On the first one I basically ignored it, that's the truth [:D] Suffice to say that I only started to pay attention to partisans in october 1941. Not a single transport or bomber flied to airdrop supplies and most important... vodka!

On the second and last game, yes, I had paid much more attention. Still, it could have been improved methinks.

So now no mistakes, please. I have almost completely organized the air force (I will need I guess 2 more turns to do that).

What I want in every Front (and this will be both a minimum and maximum, at least until the units in the National Reserve are decently trained and have morale >50):

1 x IAD = Fighters only
1 x SAD = Tactical Bombers only
1 x BAD = Level Bombers only
1 x VVS = Recon and Transport only*

*not enough VVS for everyone. Recon is indeed vital. So the really important fronts should get a VVS base and recon unit, obviously, to make sure I know where the enemy units are located. Leningrad/Northwest, Western and Southwestern.

And then we have the 4 BAK Air Commands. This time, yes, I will try to put them to good use. If they want their daily (or should I say weekly) vodka they will have to earn it!

1st BAK should cover the north approaches (Leningrad and Northwest Fronts)
3rd BAK should cover the western approaches (Kalinin and Western Fronts)
2nd BAK should cover the Bryansk and northern part of Southwestern Fronts
4th BAK should cover the southern part of Southwestern and Southern Fronts

Their mission? Two missions. Bombing armored spearheads and dropping supplies to isolated units, partisans. Always at night.

The transport units with a very short range will be placed in VVS air bases (in the front that is). They should supply isolated units and partisans as well.

If you have any other idea/s or think what I have written above is utter boll**** I am all ears [:)]




Encircled -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/3/2011 5:56:24 PM)

Use your bombers to attack HQ's

Especially ones on their own in a hex




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/3/2011 6:10:15 PM)

Hmm, I know top leaders should be assassinated. The problem is: isn't sort of gamey? In theory intelligence should know where is Guderian for example, then prepare and launch a mission. The killing of Yamamoto in 1943 -when his Betty plane was intercepted in the Solomons by P-38s- proved to be a very complex -and yet successful- job.

So I really don't know if I want to do that. Now if you can convince me that this kind of mission could have been done almost every day... [sm=00000622.gif]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/3/2011 6:15:08 PM)

Now I have nothing against accidental deaths. If the German High Officers start slipping in the bathtub and break their necks... by all means, give me some of this, please! I would even bomb the trucks which carry the anti-slip stickers.




Encircled -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/3/2011 7:49:55 PM)

If you want to be historical, then you could limit yourself to night attacks with the U2's.

You could also ignore massive, sweeping encirclements while you are at as well![;)]

Its not about killing leaders btw, its a good a way as any to kill troops, guns and AFV's




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/4/2011 8:34:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Encircled

If you want to be historical, then you could limit yourself to night attacks with the U2's.

You could also ignore massive, sweeping encirclements while you are at as well![;)]

Its not about killing leaders btw, its a good a way as any to kill troops, guns and AFV's


Alrite, Encircled, HQ's will be bombed as well. Thanks [8D]

Strategy. I could paste here what I wrote on my 1st and 2nd (and the 3rd false start) AARs... Because the strategy will always be the same: protect Moscow and Leningrad and preserve the Red Army. Making sure, of course, that I can evacuate the industry.

BUT, there is small change. When I say "send everything to the center"... I mean it! Have you seen all the [Soviet] white units (STAVKA) in the south? Then I railed the LOT OF THEM! [:D] This time it's going to be different. Yes, the Stavka Armies in the south will be sent to protect Moscow approaches: 16, 19, 21. BUT the independent corps will stay in the south to reinforce basically the Southwestern Front. Except the 45th Rifle Corps, which has been sent to the center and is covering the Dnper south of the land bridge.

These independent units make like 12 divisions (I haven't counted them). A respectable force. But hey, if I see I am hard pressed in the center I will rail these divisions to the north. No sh*t Sherlock! He who defends everything defends nothing. I am not interested in putting a good fight everywhere to lose in the end Leningrad and Moscow. No thanks. I have my priorities. I could be utterly wrong by the way but I will always stick to this simple plan (until proven utterly wrong). I don't like to spread my forces, I concentrate them.




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/4/2011 10:44:03 PM)

Ok, dispositions in the North. Not enough units to put in the path of Panzers.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/AD65ED6AFEB844AEAFCDD302BFEF42EE.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/4/2011 11:03:54 PM)

Dispositions in the Center. The mighty 16th Army arrived from Ukraine and is covering the landbridge. She is strong! Many units start to cover the Dnper too. On next turn I will be able to mass many more units (frozen now): 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24 Stavka Armies.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/23F71A6E8B764E88864003AECDDA13CC.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/4/2011 11:24:43 PM)

And finally the Southwest. Do you see that white Tank unit SE of Rovno? It's a frozen unit. I would have formed my first defensive live following that axis (north-south)... but... on my other game (17 first turns of the GC) Northern Star managed to slaughter the units on that line. The panzers soft factor (fuel) is still in the GREEN, therefore I have to be cautious, especially when this front will NOT get lots of reinforcements [;)]

Here what I'd need is Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus aka "Cunctator"... "The Delayer" that is [:D] The guy appointed as dictator after the Battle of Lake Trasimene and before the Cannae disaster. He became famous and earned that nickname because he systematically avoided any decisive fight vs Hannibal. Small skirmishes and harrassing the enemy, that's all. And he was probably right.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/8D02191B1A3348589CC0DF0B144989A4.jpg[/image]




BletchleyGeek -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/5/2011 12:25:53 AM)

That's a very expensive rearguard TD. Very much like Fabius used as rearguard triarii furnished with golden armor :P




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/5/2011 12:36:05 AM)

No Triarii in the Soviet Red Army '41 [:(] Only weak Hastati, Velites and Auxilia.

And what rear-guard are you talking about? The one trapped near Lvov or the one running away?




CarnageINC -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/5/2011 1:09:22 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

No Triarii in the Soviet Red Army '41 [:(] Only weak Hastati, Velites and Auxilia.



TOTAL WAR ROME!!!! YEAH! [:'(]




Klydon -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/5/2011 1:36:26 AM)

Those forts is what I am thinking he is referring to. Lot of easy armaments points going away there. 




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/5/2011 3:40:27 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Klydon

Those forts is what I am thinking he is referring to. Lot of easy armaments points going away there. 


Oh, I see. My bad. As long as I keep the enemies out of Rome it should be ok. But of course I love feeding the sacred geese of Juno. Not to mention the two Urban Legions... [;)]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 1:38:37 PM)

Turn 2

26 June 1941


The North. The calm before the storm. The Airborne Corps is pocketed. Still very weak here. We will see [:)]


[image]local://upfiles/11562/BFE0EEAABDAE4AF6B4F4233AE9834D79.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 1:48:45 PM)

In the center lot of activity, as usual and expected, given that here I always mass lots of hordes. First thing. The pocket around Minsk -which was relieved last turn- will get supplies again. A corridor was open. Minsk itself hasn't been captured. And I almost managed to cut off the whole AGC Panzers. Supplies will pass through a very narrow corridor so fair enough [8D] If only my airborne guys could destroy all those busy trucks!

[image]local://upfiles/11562/F281FB8EFA8E4B6A82A15E9E681031C5.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 2:00:33 PM)

The "mighty" Stavka 16th Army (the one in Ukraine, remember) proved it is a good army. I first changed the leader. Tolbukin was chosen (of course!). Then all the divisions attacked en masse in front of the land bridge the poor souls of the 19 Panzer Division who were forced to retreat [:)]

[image]local://upfiles/11562/31CD778503E348E08F6135E0F119863F.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 3:15:57 PM)

And finally the general defensive dispositions in the center.

Well, first off this is a new frontier to me. Because the defensive technique I will be using is unknown to me. vs 2ndACR (my last opponent) I obviously used the standard carpet during the Blitzkrieg, because that's what everyone else did during the first months. Then one day -turn 3, 4 or 5, when the furious combats around the land bridge started- Sabre21 said on my AAR that carpets could be destroyed in ONE turn. And of course that is really dangerous because per definition all the eggs are in one basket, there's almost NOTHING behind... [;)]

The thing is I kept the carpets, and I was LUCKY, because 2ndACR could not figure out how to destroy this defence. Was it effective? Yes. But had I played vs let's say PDH I should have to quickly change the type of defence! MAYBE Marquo does NOT know how to deal with the carpet, by the way. So it might be useful. But this thinking leads you to the pure laziness. And the day you will need to throw overboard this defence and use another one you will be starting from zero. Risky. In other words, I have to assume that Marquo CAN destroy this carpet defence thing!

So what will be this other defence? Successive lines.

I also have to say that during my 1942 campaign (vs 2ndACR) I did not use the carpet. During the blizzard offensive I knew I had to use another defence in 1942 (because I trusted 100% Sabre's words). And that's what I did. But, humm, it is not really the same... I had a very thin front line, then lots of diggers behind the front (brigades and fortified regions) who were preparing tons of defensive positions (the paranoid thing eh), even 30 hexes behind the front (just like the Soviets did: never forget that I invent nothing, I simply follow Soviet strategy) [:D]

And just like the Soviets did, I created MANY strategic reserves. Grosso modo I had 100 rifle divisions (in armies + 40 independent rifle divisions) + 30 Corps (Tank and Cavalry, fifty-fifty). The trick? Easy. Let's say the Germans attack in 2 places... I could have theorically sent 50 Rifle Divisions + 15 Corps to each area. That's a lot. So in fact the many lines I had been fortifying behind the front (successive lines) were never reached by the Germans in the first place [:(]

But this I can’t do during the Blitzkrieg. The front is empty. The reserves that will be coming have to fill these enormous gaps. You cannot keep them out of action, it’s a luxury you cannot afford. All you can do is decide where you will be concentating your assets and therefore what places will be necessarily weak.

Now I have to say that Fiva55’s, Bletchley Geek’s AARs (and others as well) have helped me to more or less elaborate, understand this new technique.

Soooo, in the center I have decided to form 3 successive defensive lines in the land bridge. In the south, a first line obviously covers the Dnpers but a second line of defenders is already in place. All the Stavka Armies that started in the south are finally in the center: a big strategic mass that is, as it should be.

Oh, anyway I still think the carpet is indeed useful in some concrete places: around Moscow and Leningrad for example. I will be using it, that’s 100% sure.


[image]local://upfiles/11562/6F69F97CCFD34E238CF70ED623AD3BCF.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 7:03:40 PM)

In the Southwestern Front I pull back a little bit in its southern part. Here I form successive lines as well. But unlike in the north and center, I am not really interested in resisting a lot. In any case this is a dangerous place to play with mobile units.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/343588F675D74B39B562842FBE9CDD1A.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 7:06:53 PM)

And finally the south. Here I pull back in the north, to avoid er, pockets. And that's it. All the cities west of the Dnper are garrisoned, including the Dneprowhatever and Zapowhatever towns.

[image]local://upfiles/11562/50DC29CFDD0047B7AA9BBEDE09165B37.jpg[/image]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (10/7/2011 7:11:51 PM)

Oh, I have sent 3 Cavalry Divisions to the Pripyat Marshes but I think Marquo is going to do his homework. There are least 2 enemy cavalry divisions in the west of the marshes. I'm pretty certain he is going to sweep this area [:D] After all, I gave him permission to read our false start and he saw I was planning operations there [8D]




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (11/5/2011 7:57:13 PM)

Well, there’s going to be a Battle of Moscow!

So how are things?

In the North, Leningrad fell on turn 14 or 15, which means I did not give that part of the front for free. When the city was finally isolated I had around 30 divisions, counting the city hexes + the hexes S and SW of Leningrad, along the coast (the Oranienburg port thing) + the 3 rifle divisions I was keeping north of Leningrad facing the Finns (as promised to my opponent/s). I managed the same to evacuate at least 10 divisions. But given that I tried to resist all I could this means I was not forced to retreat lots of hexes eastwards, which I did NOT want to do. And of course, he kept panzers here until victory was evident. Units that he could have diverted to the center (I suspect these units are now trying to take Moscow, but maybe, I hope, it's too late [sm=innocent0001.gif]).

In the center, yes, like in the real thing we will have a Battle of Moscow. The area is flooded with massive forces and the best leaders are in charge of the front and armies there (Zukhov, Tolbukhin & Co.). Marquo has also concentrated his panzer forces here. Turn 22, random weather, remember. The city might fall or not.

In the South the fascist hordes got to the gates of Rostov, but I don’t think the city will be captured. In Crimea, I suspect he wants to take Sevastopol before the blizzard (he has already defeated and routed the units that were in the two adjacent hexes of the city). BUT he is NOT kicking me out of Crimea (which might be a mistake)… The eastern part is in my hands and come blizzard the fascist hordes in Crimea should be getting some. Even Sevastopol might be recaptured (if he manages to capture it on these few turns before blizzard).

Overall, Marquo has proven to be a really competent Axis player on my book. He started timidly, allowing me to open corridors and relieve the trapped guys in the south (I did that until turn 5 or 6, I think). After that he focused on bagging enemy units, small and medium sized pockets which could NOT be broken. Another of my favourite tactics during the Blitzkrieg (infiltration with cavalry) was never possible as he was securing his flanks and didn’t leave big gaps. So well done. In other words, I would describe his play style (on this game, obviously) as systematic and methodical.

He hasn’t really crippled the Red Army though. He’s only captured 1.6 million soldiers. But of course what Soviet player will not try to preserve the Red Army? Pelton has indeed a point. It’s quite hard –if not impossible- to emulate the historical Germans and bag enormous quantities of prisoners. At least that’s what we see in almost every AAR. Not saying that is wrong, eh! I’m a Soviet player after all!

As for industry, he has of course captured some but I think I managed to evacuate the bulk of it. At least I hope that! I did not ignore Heavy Industry, by the way.

Whilst we are at it, I almost did Q-Ball’s mistake LOL

On one of his games he completely lost the Li-2s tansport thing. They are in a tiny city west of Moscow. I did NOT even know there were factories there. When I saw the red icons (factories toggled on) I assumed they were the Moscow hexes… But then 3 days ago I installed Red Markus’s map and then clearly saw a factory icon west of Moscow! “What the hell is that”? Oops, the Li-2s. They were evacuated on next turn… pheeeewwwww.

As for the Blizzard Massacres I already know what will be my objectives, what part of the enemy front should be attacked. Easier in this game. I feel more threatened therefore I know where I have to smash (yes or yes) the enemy hordes. And the situation in the south (Stalino area, in German hands) is, er… interesting.

Oh, a last thing. I am rather happy with the successive lines defence thing. No big catastrophe so no complaint: a line was defeated (some of its divisions bagged) but then there was another one awaiting (and one more). In the center I always had 3 successive lines minimum at any given time.




TulliusDetritus -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (11/5/2011 8:11:51 PM)

OOB and some production. I almost hit the 5 million men [8D] vs 2ndACR I started the Blizzard Massacres with these same numbers. And somehow the pool is not depleted. I still have guns (armaments) and cannon fodder (manpower). I hope these are bad omens for Marquo! [sm=00000622.gif]



[image]local://upfiles/11562/C6C9ACA1FF51417F8CA79E982E77052F.jpg[/image]




Northern Star -> RE: Stalin's fired, I'm in charge! III 1/2- Tullius (Soviet) vs Marquo (Axis) (11/5/2011 8:24:20 PM)

These seem good numbers to start the blizzard...

Did you expect my Kiev move in our pbem?




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