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