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Blubel -> RE: Stalingrad to Berlin historical capabilities and play balance (1/27/2016 10:04:15 AM)
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No, not in this scenario. If I remember correctly, the attack bonus only applies until April 42.
I played the scenario quite often from both sides and I think it is well balanced. Breaking the pocket repeatably is not as easy as it looks from the Soviet point of view. The pocket is designed to be breakable at turn 2, as otherwise the German player wouldn't have a chance and, WitE pockets being what they are, it would be wiped out by turn 4. Against a good player it is unlikely, that one can destroy all of 6th Army, but one can destroy quite a few divisions. I think that is ok, as 6th Army wanted to break out at the beginning and probably would have been able to get at least some of its units out. And, of course, with hindsite the German player is likely to do better as in real life, just as most Soviet players do better in terms of casualties in 41.
I have found that the following - more or less historical - approach works quite well for the Soviets:
The Soviet player has to keep the Germans occupied in the north, as they did historically. In my experience, most Soviet players don't do this, as they know Operation Mars didn't work that well for the Soviets and therefore don't attack much. Quite often they rail most mobile units south themselves. However, one has to keep the Panzers occupied, as you will struggle against them massed in the south otherwise. Also, while the fortifications around Rzhev are good, they are only one level deep and the infantry units are static. I think attacking south towards Smolensk is the best option to do this, as it is the only German railline towards Rzhev and they have to react to such a move. It will also cost them trucks. The infantry in this region is very weak. Another good attack spot is Velikie Luki and of course the Caucasus. Also one should hit the Italian 8th Army hard and with good mobile units, as in real life. But don't get the mobile units, especially the ones with good morale, to far ahead of your rifle corps, as otherwise they might get destroyed or routed easily. Generally try to get them out of the front ranks after turn 2.
It is also advisable to reduce parts of the pocket as fast as possible, even if you rout some divisions out. One should especially try to get the airfields out of the pocket. If that isn't possible, sending lots of fighters that way and bombing the start airbasis might help. Finally, don't try to advance to much, better to stick many rifle units around the pocket. And, of course, one should do lots of recon to see were the Panzers are.
On a sidenote, the German mobility decreases quite a bit after the first few Blizzard turns, as they repair only about 11.000 trucks per turn and way more are damaged or destroyed. Also, with the latest patch, the German rail capacity has decreased. Therefore, a railroad destroying raid might be worth the loss of a tank corps.
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