Army and Front commanders (Full Version)

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topeverest -> Army and Front commanders (5/10/2017 1:59:19 PM)

FYI - no AP's to change anyone.

Note Zhukov demoted to army command...

[image]local://upfiles/26803/157D26E9762E4A57B9883893564CC202.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Turn 59 July 30, 1942 (5/14/2017 3:12:20 AM)

Germans continue the advance.
1. they stall around the Stalino triangle and now are trying to pass the cities complex to the north and south. It will be successful, but I hope to make it drag on a few more turns
2. Germans mostly keep the Don between them and the strong Russian forces south of Voronezh and begin a SE push in a general direction, but they push one unit across the minor river above the city. I did not counterattack, as I would refer him to push more units across the river and face the strong Russian units in the vicinity.
3. The northern shoulder of the German attack is an 80 mile east facing shoulder X xxx Y 68.
4. Opportunistic Russian counterattacks in the Finnish sector push some units back ---- but are only nuisance related
5. Russian forces are being transferred from the sectors around Moscow and brought to the Don.

Strategically, the 42 summer campaign is playing out pretty historically.

Less combat in general



topeverest -> Finnish Zone (5/14/2017 3:34:37 AM)

If I only had some extra troops, I could drive on lake Ladoga.

[image]local://upfiles/26803/217D6FBB67EC4E55BE1BD351BCB8AF09.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> The MLR (5/14/2017 3:36:46 AM)

Must assume enemy will drive SE from Voronezh from this point. He has dangerously thinned his northern line to make some big objective - perhaps the caucuses?

[image]local://upfiles/26803/538F439C34114307AF21C1066987F5F0.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Fixed for rest of game? (5/14/2017 11:22:41 AM)

This air HQ is fixed for 18 more turns after being an active command...

WAD?

[image]local://upfiles/26803/7D66AE604AED485487C3C9013EF9FB10.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 1:10:03 PM)

Germany continues along its major lines of attack.

1. German armored army around Voronezh. Germans could not take the city, so tried to push north and east around it. This was met with counterattack in my turn and was unsuccessful.
2. Germans force the Tikhaya Sosna river about 100 miles south of Voronezh. Concerted armored attacks push across and functionally take the river, but only one hex east progress made in the turn.
3. German armored columns punch a 5 hex deep penetration to the Aidar river, north of Voroshilovgrad, forcing Russian forcesto the north to retreat 3-50 miles to avoid a pocket.
4 German and Axis minor countries continue to gradually reduce the Stalino-Makeeva-Gorlovka defense. Concerted attacks into the cities and attempts to push around to the north and south not successful. a couple hexes take on the northern and southern flanks. Expect that this will be the last turn the 3 cities are held. Expect flank pressures to finally require withdrawal
4. Hungarian and Romanian forces have reached the Calmius river at the transition of sea of Azov to the Taganrog bay



topeverest -> Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 1:12:31 PM)

Russian force dispositions are consistent with prior turns.

1. greatest concentration of Russian strength at the
northern shoulder of the german advance - around Voronezh
2. Russians are defending rivers and using defense in depth
3. Russians are peppering german armor and motorized with attritional attacks wherever possible
4. Russian air force mainly deployed for offensive ground operations
5. Russians have moved forces to defend the Don - with units covering most of the expanse of the river



topeverest -> RE: Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 1:20:28 PM)

A note on the air war.

Germany recently changed its air allocations, pushing most of her fighters for interdiction effectively controlling that aspect of air combat.

I responded by attacking his airbases and HQ's to force more of his fighters until he again shifts his fighters. Russian air continues a robust ground attack program where feasible, but I wont throw away planes. As the enemy shuts down one avenue of attack, I focus airpower where he is not. Russians are not strong enough to go toe to toe with Germany's fighters at this point in the war

ASIDE - German ability to project fighters from bases 15-20 hexes away that have been bombed in the turn is amazing.



topeverest -> RE: Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 1:25:43 PM)

Industry -

Russia is preparing for the potential loss of major industry in the combat zone. The following pictographic helps understand the strategy.

1. All moveable industry is out of the Caucuses.
2. Stalingrad is in process of moving east.
3. Saratov area and Penza are contingent moves based on how far the Germans advance

[image]local://upfiles/26803/5F070B0114264BE29341CB4B0398AB61.jpg[/image]



EwaldvonKleist -> RE: Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 2:30:16 PM)

Regarding the Air war: If your opponent is using his fighter force really that much, you should be able to exploit this.
Flying many escort missions=>German fighters have high % of damaged planes and miles flown in your turn. Now turn fighter intercept and ground support off to keep your forces fresh. Ground bombing can still be done as you can set up the missions manually which keeps losses down.
The enemy fighters will appear in force on the sky to protect the bombers, but as none of your planes are in the air they will waste miles.
At the end of your turn, you might have reached the point where enemy fighters don't fly anymore. Now its time to bomb airfields with 300%/300% settings for bombers/fighters. I like to use level bombers for airfield bombing as they have good range and are 100% expendable, a 1:4 loss ratio is already a win.
In my game I get up to 20 fighter kills per bombing run on this way (in 1941 though). The German chocking point are always fighters as production is not that high.
You can't bomb the German airforce into submission but force it to focus on a narrow front, force it to use flak on airbases and not in units and you reduce the bomber missions it can protect which already is a victory for you. In addition you have a chance to delay the upgrade to better planes because of losses inflicted.
Sorry for the interuption in case you already know/do this...

Good AAR and Maps!



topeverest -> RE: Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 10:38:12 PM)

Thanks for the advice - I am far from an experienced WITE player.

I like our suggestions and will try a flavor of them in the ensuing turns, which should come faster over theses next days.

Thanks again, and please offer suggestions.


quote:

ORIGINAL: EwaldvonKleist

Regarding the Air war: If your opponent is using his fighter force really that much, you should be able to exploit this.
Flying many escort missions=>German fighters have high % of damaged planes and miles flown in your turn. Now turn fighter intercept and ground support off to keep your forces fresh. Ground bombing can still be done as you can set up the missions manually which keeps losses down.
The enemy fighters will appear in force on the sky to protect the bombers, but as none of your planes are in the air they will waste miles.
At the end of your turn, you might have reached the point where enemy fighters don't fly anymore. Now its time to bomb airfields with 300%/300% settings for bombers/fighters. I like to use level bombers for airfield bombing as they have good range and are 100% expendable, a 1:4 loss ratio is already a win.
In my game I get up to 20 fighter kills per bombing run on this way (in 1941 though). The German chocking point are always fighters as production is not that high.
You can't bomb the German airforce into submission but force it to focus on a narrow front, force it to use flak on airbases and not in units and you reduce the bomber missions it can protect which already is a victory for you. In addition you have a chance to delay the upgrade to better planes because of losses inflicted.
Sorry for the interuption in case you already know/do this...

Good AAR and Maps!




EwaldvonKleist -> RE: Turn 60 - August 6, 1942 (6/6/2017 11:20:55 PM)

Ok one more comment then :)
Every player has to set a % ready to fly. AFAIk it is calculated based on the ratio ready planes/(ready+damaged planes) for each air group.
If your opponent has high % settings and you bomb his fighter bases and get them below this limit, they won't fly anymore.
If this happens in an area, your opponent will take heavy losses on the consecutive bombing runs because none of your bombers will break off attacks or get shot down so all reach their target+none of his fighters make it in the air to escape your bombs.

And as I already wrote in Stef78s AAR: If you play soviet music in background, effectivity is doubled :)

Your maps are really well done.



topeverest -> RE: Turn 62 - August 20, 1942 (7/30/2017 3:16:05 PM)

Long game hiatus due to my work schedule. We are back on playing and I will received another turn today.

1. Germany cannot pass Voronezh and turns north in the gap between Lipetsk and Orel. Germany has initial success, taking about 30 miles. Russians counterattack and a deleterious attritional warfare ensues.
2.Germany driving slowly amid very heavy resistance SE along the Don towards Boguchar. Russians throw guard army into the fray, and heavy fighting ensues with either side gaining little amid heavy losses.
3. North of Voroshilovgrad, panzers fore the Aidar river. Russian counterattack fails, and the Russians will make a fighting withdrawal back to the Derkul river.
4. Stalino triangle defense finally cracked after a month of heavy fighting. Russia pulls back 30 miles amid heavy fighting and losses. Germany attempting to force the gap between Stalino and Voroshilovgrad. Russian forces holding but losing ground gradually.

The battle of Rostov has begun!



topeverest -> Panzer battle highlight (7/30/2017 3:21:28 PM)

Germany blitzes 3 panzer divisions into the gap northeast of Stalino. Russian gang tackles them in a 10 battle sequence with heavy losses each side.

Aside - whenever they German armor ends up on the MLR, I do my best to punish it, even if I cant win the battle.

[image]local://upfiles/26803/6931422AF9B04A959918014F855EB5E0.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Forcing of the Aidar (7/30/2017 3:26:19 PM)

Well done to my opponent. I couldn't get the hexes back



[image]local://upfiles/26803/AD62D81EEC334B62A2ADBF17A83163CD.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Strategic View (7/30/2017 7:49:48 PM)

here is the strategic view of German attacks.

Note the several corps of axis minor units hanging out in reserve looking for a breakthrough

[image]local://upfiles/26803/85C9603C448B47B0B0BC34542E5B8E87.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Turn 63 - August 27, 1942 (8/2/2017 8:03:49 PM)

Germany continues along its major themes.

1. German armor now 7 hexes from Rostov. Russians forced to evacuate back to the Mius river - as much as 7 hexes given up to prevent isolation.
2. Russia activates its Rostov defense - begins withdraw of Crimea back to the straights. Again, to prevent a rapid capture of the 51st army currently posted there. Crimea has no strategic value within the context of available forces, and I am sure to lose the army if I leave it there any longer. if it withdrawals, it can participate in the upcoming battle of the Caucuses.
3. Russia abandons Aidar river defense, moving back to the Derckel River
4. Germany takes 2 hexes in its push north to towards Tula and have reaches the Mecha river, where Russian forces are dug in. Russians conduct local counterattacks and take back some - but retire behind the river
5. Russians complete about 2/3 of a battlefield reorganization to reincorporate strict army boundaries. The area around Voronezh is still reorganizing
6. German air concentrated on interdiction consequently, Russian air forces conducted ground attack.
7. Axis in process of inserting those axis minor forces into the MLR where the Don protects them from the Russians. I interpret this as definitive proof that the enemy has sights set on Stalingrad Astrakhan and Baku.
7. Russia recently built 3 sapper regiments in each army, and is in process of ensuring artillery in each army. I am way behind in that as noted before



topeverest -> Rostov (8/2/2017 8:08:01 PM)

Here is the view of Rostov. Enemy forces are deployed to push into the Caucuses.



[image]local://upfiles/26803/2C2EEBCB78714B34A6F0165BE9DF66BF.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Strategic View of Rostov Stalingrad (8/2/2017 8:15:45 PM)

Certainly it is my hope that the mud comes before the Germans clear out the Don everywhere and make progress to Krasnador

[image]local://upfiles/26803/25527872252F4CDE87BC66D96C5FDADB.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> Russian Armor (8/2/2017 8:23:17 PM)

Cant wait for the Russian Armor gets its +5 morale starting next turn. Man its about time!

[:D][:D]



topeverest -> Turn 64 Turn 9-3-42 (8/5/2017 9:31:59 PM)

September is upon the game. I will watch the maturation of soviet armor morale over this next month

1 - The enemy's northward progress toward Tula has slowed to a hex a turn and probably will peter out. Axis cannot make progress across the Don.
2 - Germany bogged down clearing the west side of the Don approaching Boguchar but still progressing.
3 - Axis main thrust is to capture Rostov drove 30 miles, forcing a strategic withdrawal of considerable territory to recent capture when Rostov peninsula is cut
4 - Soviets build defenses in eastern Crimea at the squeeze down. Troops wont withdrawal until / unless enemy makes progress past Rostov towards Krasnodar
5 - Soviets complete infantry guard corps building program and transition to support units, which are very poorly covered.

The enemy had a solid August, driving the Red Menace along a broad front from the Stalino triangle and is marching on Rostov and Stalingrad. The enemy's MLR is stretching, and he is inserting allied minors along the MLR to focus strength in the combat areas.

Soviet goals for until the mud is to deny breakout across the Don at Rostov and force any advance towards Stalingrad. Russia continues to build up on the eastern side of the Don everywhere and will begin massing strength as appropriate for the post mud battles



topeverest -> RE: Turn 64 Strageic view (8/6/2017 1:54:10 AM)

A strategic view of the summer campaign.

[image]local://upfiles/26803/05C98707DA6542C5BB9AA2160BDCB2EB.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 64 Support units (8/6/2017 1:57:51 AM)

Support units is a place I have made major mistakes squandering earlier points - here is where I am now. Over September, I expect to spend the majority of the available points on support units, but I don't yet know the mix.

As of yet, I don't have any support units in corps. Generally speaking I am WAY underfuneded if one realizes I have 64 armies 10 air armies and 12 fronts ----- that is about 4.7 support units per army + front excluding air HQ.

Pretty BAD!

[image]local://upfiles/26803/8A80721A2EF7425FA68BC229124CC59F.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 65 Summary September 1, 1942 (8/12/2017 1:32:05 PM)

Same themes - 4 turns remain until fall 42 mud season

1. I have come to the realization that the northern German attack probably will capture Tula and push to the Oka River. I am trying to sto that obviously, but the enemy is driving 10-20 miles per week. If he passes Tula, I will be forced to withdrawal back to the Nara river and the Oka.
2. More Russian counterattacking this turn into three of the four panzer balls. Russian launch a concerted effort at Rostov to blunt the German offensive with some success
3. Russian air force scores more kills as we continue to play cat and mouse with the air doctrine (I'm the mouse!)
4. Admin points split between putting units into 2 new armies, and building support units, mostly for those two new armies. There are still several units that need reattachment along the MLR



topeverest -> RE: Turn 65 Tula (8/12/2017 1:39:06 PM)

Here is the view of Tula - I am not confident I will hold the city until the mud

[image]local://upfiles/26803/3253745A8CA149CF9024CBC1A24BA04B.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 65 Rostov (8/12/2017 1:43:59 PM)

Russian launch counterattacks with some success.

[image]local://upfiles/26803/975A8E1CCF504220B8A91CAD3D157485.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 65 losses (8/12/2017 1:49:29 PM)

Not sure that I am giving the enemy enough losses.

[image]local://upfiles/26803/582021823AB94585BC0F53C4F4EAE361.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 65 losses air (8/12/2017 1:55:43 PM)

Here you also can see the downward trend in German losses.

I produce about 650 aircraft so losses need to stay under 600

[image]local://upfiles/26803/199307D672D845BDAA70B2FC2940B5E2.jpg[/image]



topeverest -> RE: Turn 66 September 17, 1942 (8/13/2017 5:52:16 PM)

3 turns until the mud

Germans make material gains with their southern two pincers.

1. 1 hex german progress towards tula among heavy attritional fighting
2. Axis appear to be beginning a southern bypass of Boguchar
3. South of Boguchar, Russian forces driven back to the Kalitka river as far as DOnnets
4. Germans drive 20 miles on average towards Rostov despite taking heavy losses last turn. On average 2 hexes from river / Rostov.
5. Germany has a good air turn, only losing 89 planes to Russian 409. Russians cannot interdict at this point without deleterious losses, but ground attack has been open these last turns.
6. Reset all air squadrons back to auto upgrade
7. built 30 support units, mostly artillery and anti tank



topeverest -> RE: Turn 66 Rostov Theater (8/13/2017 5:57:43 PM)

Updated view -



[image]local://upfiles/26803/EACA6B0BC2FC49ABB5C96BFD8B90CBEC.jpg[/image]



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