Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - SOVIET RETURNED - NO AXIS (Full Version)

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WingedIncubus -> Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - SOVIET RETURNED - NO AXIS (9/5/2017 1:05:46 AM)

This is my first AAR of attempting to play the Soviets in PBEM GC. This game is against Psych0 as the Axis. Part the reason I create this AAR is that by doing so, I more or less force myself to go to the bitter end. Plus, it's the best way for other, more experienced players to observe where I go wrong - and where I go right - and help as teachers.

I will surely be making MASSIVE amounts of errors, panic-induced moves, hesitations, dumb moves, etc. Feel free to school me and, also reassure if and when I do fine.

- No Soviet Bonus
- Non-random weather
- No Reduced Blizzard
- Better CV Math





WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 1:11:03 AM)

T1 - Northern Front

Venspils is retaken by ZOC. Hopefully, this will allow some limited supply. I concentrate troops beside Riga to be as much as a pain in the butt as possible to the Axis.

I successfully pierce open the Kaunas area pocket in the South, but there is nothing I can do for them.

The Daugava river is not usable to build a defensive line, sinze a Panzer division has pierced through the river. I decide to forfeit the plains around the Malta River, because I just do not have the mass of units to make a defence in depth there while covering and building forts around Pskov. So everyone that can goes directly behind the Velikaya River to build a line behind and around Pskov.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yvYoJCl.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 1:15:20 AM)

T1 - Minsk - Centre-North Area

Well, that sucks.

Everyone able to reach is ordered behind to Berezina, while those who cannot go beyond the river are placed in the woods and in hedgehog positions. I am sure they are not placed optimally, but at least it is in a fan-like position, which serves to cover on both my flanks.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/gXKeXOh.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 1:21:38 AM)

T1 - South-Centre Area

This region will be horrible for him to mop out in the next few turns. Psych0's large pocket was very porous, so I was able to chain-link the small pockets to a line of supply. This should buy me at least a turn. However, My MP was too low to reestablish control over the Buchach-Chertkov-Gusyatin railroad, which would have allowed me to rail as many troops as possible from around Stanislav to the East. [:(]

His Panzer divisions are way too forward around Proskurov, I move a SEC and Rifle unit to cut them out of supply.

EDIT: Oh damn! Looking at it back again, I believe the Axis ZOC will overtake Yampol, which is completely empty on his supply turn - and thus link up the panzers to their zone! [X(]


[img]https://i.imgur.com/R4dl5Hj.png[/img]


Whatever is left from the area is redirected to Kiev. The area is so flat, however, how will I be able to build a line here with so few units left?

[img]https://i.imgur.com/VNOkjrf.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 1:26:14 AM)

T1 - Southern Front

Nothing here, except some minor shuffling of some divisions. I wait for Psych0's move when the Axis minors get activated, as I know it is the hardest sector for the Axis to push in.

However, I bring my paratroops brigades to reinforce behind Bendery. 7th Rifle Corps and 26th Mechanized Corps are also brought from the Caucasus as reinforcements.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/df8gdWX.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 2:40:11 AM)

T1 - Other considerations

I was not able to evacuate any factory this turn, even with 13K Railroad capacity by the end of my turn. Under Rail Mode, the option was not available when clicking on various cities. Could it be because I had no AP left when I attempted to evacuate?



HardLuckYetAgain -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 3:07:58 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Drakken

T1 - Other considerations

I was not able to evacuate any factory this turn, even with 13K Railroad capacity by the end of my turn. Under Rail Mode, the option was not available when clicking on various cities. Could it be because I had no AP left when I attempted to evacuate?


Evacuation starts turn 3, not a second sooner.



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 3:16:15 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: HardLuckYetAgain


quote:

ORIGINAL: Drakken

T1 - Other considerations

I was not able to evacuate any factory this turn, even with 13K Railroad capacity by the end of my turn. Under Rail Mode, the option was not available when clicking on various cities. Could it be because I had no AP left when I attempted to evacuate?


Evacuation starts turn 3, not a second sooner.


Good thing I spent every single Rail capacity I could to move in more counters, then. [:D]



timmyab -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 4:08:02 AM)

quote:

Oh damn! Looking at it back again, I believe the Axis ZOC will overtake Yampol

It wont. It will remain Soviet controlled at the start of the Axis turn because it's in supply. The bad news is that panzers don't really need supply on turn two because they carry fuel with them on turn one.



Laeska -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/5/2017 5:29:30 PM)

I am not an experienced h2h player but have red some AAR's.
Good start deploying in Pskov.
Berezina too forward IMHO. Direct route from Glubokoe to landbridge is vulnerable and no one digging in Bogushevsk yet.
Stand in Romanian border and open rear. After T2 AGS supply comes mainly from Romania so German will be better supplied if they turn south and not reaching Kiev.
From pockets you can do more nuisance. Spread out and try to ZOC second echelon move and supply routes for spearheads. Sit on swamps and hills.

Even you were able to broke some of pockets your enemy did good start as beginner. We will see a great game.



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 12:07:42 AM)

Turn 2 in.

I am on the verge of giving up on this game, completely. This game is non-sensical. There is absolutely nothing that stops the Axis from running amok, even reality.

This is so frustrating. I have barely nothing left of the Soviet army on the Northen Front.


[img]https://i.imgur.com/LvwhzBz.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/GPOLYO6.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ed8cAXA.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/MkiQzhB.png[/img]




56ajax -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 3:59:54 AM)

Turn 2 in.

I am on the verge of giving up on this game, completely. This game is non-sensical. There is absolutely nothing that stops the Axis from running amok, even reality.

This is so frustrating. I have barely nothing left of the Soviet army on the Northen Front.

Remember that historically the AXIS got all the way to the gates of Leningrad, Moscow and into Rostov.

So retreat, retreat, retreat.

Lower Max TOEs almost across the board as your units are crap.

Rebuild your airforce as it is nearly the only offensive weapon you have.

Evacuate, Evacuate, Evacuate.

Rest units well behind the lines on Refit.

Pray for rain.



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:20:07 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: johntoml56

Turn 2 in.

I am on the verge of giving up on this game, completely. This game is non-sensical. There is absolutely nothing that stops the Axis from running amok, even reality.

This is so frustrating. I have barely nothing left of the Soviet army on the Northen Front.

Remember that historically the AXIS got all the way to the gates of Leningrad, Moscow and into Rostov.

So retreat, retreat, retreat.

Lower Max TOEs almost across the board as your units are crap.

Rebuild your airforce as it is nearly the only offensive weapon you have.

Evacuate, Evacuate, Evacuate.

Rest units well behind the lines on Refit.

Pray for rain.



HOW??? I get barely enough railroad to shuffle my troops around and move in reinforcement. My units can move so fast, when the Axis motorized get to move even faster.

If I rest unit behind the lines, the Axis get all the space needed to go directly to the big cities. If I create a defence line, the Axis just go around it across swamps and woods without problem, with no wear and tear seeming to happen to their panzers. In real life, panzers had to stop every 200-300 km or so for maintenance, because they'd just break down.




WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:25:58 AM)

T2 - Northern Front

Over half of my standing army on the Northern Front are surrounded and condemned to be wiped out. Time must be saved to allow reinforcements to be rushed to Leningrad and start to evacuate industries.

The remaining troops are sent north in a hedgehog position, to bide time and hinder the panzers in the woods around Novgorod.

Meanwhile, 22nd Army is ordered to guard Velikiye Luki, while 24th Army guards Staraya Russia South of the Lake Ilmen. 41st Rifle Corps has been reassigned from Moscow Military District to blocks the Shelon river at Dno.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/0Leal9Q.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:34:28 AM)

T2 - North Centre Front

I rapidly evacuate the Berezina River to seek refuge behind the Dnipr, I bring in reinforcement from Gomel and Rshev to fill it the gaps around the right flank of the Dnipr, at Smolensk

But I see too late, after making my moves... that there is a huge gap between Velikiye Luke and Mogilev!!! Because the front is curvy, I have no counters to spare to close the front!

I start to panic... my only hope is that psych0's panzers divisions seem to have no railroad that is not cut. Will this force him to stop and mop out what remains before continue to Vitebsk, and save myself a turn to plug the hole?

[img]https://i.imgur.com/e0pg9cf.png[/img]


Looking around, I see that 23rd Mechanized Corps is waiting for orders doing nothing at Bryansk. I immediately order its units to reach the Dnepr to cut the way across towards Vyasma.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/mGHkI4c.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:46:06 AM)

T2 - Southern Front

I have had more success in the South. I was able to retreat enough troops of Southern Front to link up with the Souteastern Front, linking both fronts with reinforcements from 19th Army from STAVKA to link both rivers into a single, united front. If things come to push, I will be able to wheel behind the Dnepr to Cherkassy.

All units in the pockets were ordered to find favourable grounds (hills, forests) and stand to fight and die there.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/D1bvJb4.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 5:02:21 AM)

T2 - Other considerations

General of the Army Kirilii Meretskov was assigned to command Western Front. Pavlov was... fired.

General of the Army Georgi Zhukov was assigned to lead Southwestern Front in front of Kiev.




bigbaba -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 1:20:00 PM)

Drakken: remember that for the first two turns the axis mobile units have almost max mobility. then they run out of fuel and have to slow down.


also for the next game: re- deploy those strong units from the west Ukraine to the land bridge between Dnepr and Dvina.

you also could use some crap units (security, AT, ART) to "hug" his panzer divisions to reduce their supply and increase attrition.

also, it would be nice to reckon his panzer schwerpunkt. if he sends more than 1 panzer group to the north then he goes after Leningrad and you have to hold it as long as possible to bind the Panzer and strong infantry units there.

good luck for the game although I fear that Leningrad will be gone by turn 8 or so.:(



KenchiSulla -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 3:47:14 PM)

Next time, build a defense around Pskov. It is a key area. You allowed yourself to get scared and fallback but Pskov is usually a place where you can draw some blood and withdraw after.....



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:22:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KenchiSulla

Next time, build a defense around Pskov. It is a key area. You allowed yourself to get scared and fallback but Pskov is usually a place where you can draw some blood and withdraw after.....


How can I build a defence around Pskov, when his panzers have passed the Velikiya in the South and are now nearby Idritsa? Over half my Northern troops are already pocketed east of Kaunas, and now from he can veer north into my rear area behind Pskov. It was untenable.

I had to choose preservation of troops. With two panzer groups going for Leningrad, and one in my back if I stayed in Pskov I would have faced destruction. Hence why I decided to prioritise retreating toward Leningrad to bide enough time to evacuate as many factories and production points as possible.



Crackaces -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 4:33:04 PM)

quote:

How can I build a defence around Pskov


An expert in this forum has posted such a defense .. albeit at the sacrifice of the center ..



Laeska -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 7:54:30 PM)

Soviet T1 positions are Pskov and landbrige (Orsha - Vitebsk line). Pskov normally 27th Army and for landbridge replace some available Western Front army commander and equipmement and reorganize these armies to take tasks. Pskov you had a line but landbrige not. Lucky you it was not exploited. Dvina line from Polotsk then LB and start to occupy Dnepr line. South give up Romanian border and occupy Dnestr line positions. Prevent move to Southern Front rear around Rudnytsa level. Turns 2-4 soviet will be able to hold and delay in north and center because Germans had fuel just for two turns drive. They have to wait panzers are refueled and infantry to catch up. South land is more open and some late activated panzers have fuel longer. Dont forget Romanian border is still close to supply them. So continuous fall back to river line. T1 and T2 you should use much of rail to move quality troops from south.
What comes to rail supply it only helps when rail is repaired. No need to protect rail lines if you cant slow German rail repair. Normally can't.
Thats by my half of 41 summer human game experience. What hurts is losing experienced troops and manpower. Good pockets early game makes Soviet 41 summer painfull. Dont give up yet. Learn what Soviet can do and what Germans can do.

T2 Pskov retreated even Germans have no much fuel left. Center easiest route is given for free and Soviets are lying behind Dnepr. South looks better. Probably some Soviets were not able to follow and are left behind. Generally North looks empty.



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/7/2017 9:48:14 PM)

Because I overestimate the Axis panzers' reach, seems I was so afraid to be pocketed and all my counters destroyed that I became chickenshit. I just do not know what the Axis player can or cannot do.

Truth be told, on the North at T2 I was confused and helpless about what to do next. All I saw was that he could fly in my rear and surround me at Pskov if I didn't move from there, or simply continue pass Velikiye Luki and go right to flank towards Moscow.



HardLuckYetAgain -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/8/2017 4:06:52 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

How can I build a defence around Pskov


An expert in this forum has posted such a defense .. albeit at the sacrifice of the center ..


If you are referring to my AAR post "Defense of the Soviet Union begins one hex west of Pskov" then I'm by all means no expert. I will never claim I'm an expert in anything since we are always learning :)

Building a defense against Panzers is difficult at best. Even harder when you are just beginning. Believe it or not playing the German side makes you a much better Soviet player. But if you haven't done so already there are some good AARs out there with good defenses. If you have questions just pm me, I will answer.



Crackaces -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/8/2017 2:29:53 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: HardLuckYetAgain


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

How can I build a defence around Pskov


An expert in this forum has posted such a defense .. albeit at the sacrifice of the center ..


If you are referring to my AAR post "Defense of the Soviet Union begins one hex west of Pskov" then I'm by all means no expert. I will never claim I'm an expert in anything since we are always learning :)

Building a defense against Panzers is difficult at best. Even harder when you are just beginning. Believe it or not playing the German side makes you a much better Soviet player. But if you haven't done so already there are some good AARs out there with good defenses. If you have questions just pm me, I will answer.


Using Bloom's Taxonomy as a guideline you have demonstrated to me at the very least application level thinking about Pskov including strategic details of moving elite units into exact positions, and setting up ambushes. What is the interesting question is .. can Moscow be held? And if it is lost ..can Belin still be taken in time for a victory? The problem is that opponents quit before the Moscow question is answered ;)



Telemecus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/8/2017 3:50:45 PM)

Drakken

For what is worth you are going through all the experiences we have all been through at some point in the game! [:)]

Axis in 1941 is a beast, and the first two turns you are mostly a spectator.

The beast will slow, the real deciders are up to turn 18 at the gates of Moscow etc. This will be invaluable experience. Next time you will know not to regret the loss of the Soviet army in 1941 but accept it as a write off. And even to sacrifice more for the time and space for blizzard and the next army you will build from 1942 on.



HardLuckYetAgain -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/8/2017 4:44:35 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces


quote:

ORIGINAL: HardLuckYetAgain


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

How can I build a defence around Pskov


An expert in this forum has posted such a defense .. albeit at the sacrifice of the center ..


If you are referring to my AAR post "Defense of the Soviet Union begins one hex west of Pskov" then I'm by all means no expert. I will never claim I'm an expert in anything since we are always learning :)

Building a defense against Panzers is difficult at best. Even harder when you are just beginning. Believe it or not playing the German side makes you a much better Soviet player. But if you haven't done so already there are some good AARs out there with good defenses. If you have questions just pm me, I will answer.


Using Bloom's Taxonomy as a guideline you have demonstrated to me at the very least application level thinking about Pskov including strategic details of moving elite units into exact positions, and setting up ambushes. What is the interesting question is .. can Moscow be held? And if it is lost ..can Belin still be taken in time for a victory? The problem is that opponents quit before the Moscow question is answered ;)



Of one of the two games left I can confirm 100% on turn 16 that Moscow will not fall before mud.



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/9/2017 6:17:50 AM)

T3 SITREP - Northern Sector

Pskov has been overtaken by the Germans, while forward elements of the 3rd Panzer Group has taken Vitebsk. More than likely, I predict that 4th Panzer Group will go North towards Leningrad while 3rd will continue toward Rzhev through the Centre corridor.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/pAvAS4f.png[/img]


Summary evaluation tells me if I want to build a solid temporary double line of defense line along the Novgorod line, I will need at least 24 counters. That is the bare minimum.

By my count, excluding the SEC unit that I will use to hug the Panzer Divisions in Pskov, I dispose of only 14 counters. I will need to find 10 more elsewhere if I want to maintain the following objectives:

- Keep the newly arrived Leningrad Rifle Divisions behind to build fortifications
- Maintain coverage along Staraya Russa and the Shelon River
- Use the harsh terrain toward Novgorod to slow the Germans, so to bring more mass toward the Northern Sector in the next turns.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/UQhE0Nl.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/9/2017 6:34:41 AM)

T3 SITREP - North Centre Sector

Axis' plan is plain here: Cross its Panzer Group across Vitebsk and go straight east toward Vyasma, then Rhzev. Thankfully, the panzers have not gone very far, although I am quite afraid of an eventual HQ buildup going for the Centre.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/3ZXGnb8.png[/img]

My counterplan is to slam the land bridge shut in front of 2nd Panzer Group by linking with Velikiye Luki on a long, thick front. Troops will come from veering the Smolensk line like a shutting door, plus troops from Rhzev, Vyasma, and Moscow. Plus, I will borrow aa few Divisions from the Southern front to make a third line in the landbridge basin.

Reinforcing Velikiye Luki is also a priority, as it is still possible that the Axis will instead veer back to thrust through there instead, around my right flank.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/bqxCbS5.png[/img]



WingedIncubus -> RE: Newbs in the East: Psych0 (Axis) vs Drakken (Sov) - NO AXIS ALLOWED (9/9/2017 6:52:53 AM)

T3 SITREP - South Centre Sector

2nd Panzer Group are spread evenly within a 2-hex zone to probe my defensive line. This is tactically VERY odd, as it ensures that Psych0 will not be able to exploit a breakthrough easily with its Motorized Divisions evenly spread like that across the front. This is to my advantage, as each turn will cause friction onto each of its 2nd Panzer Group unit.

While the northern part around Kiev is solid, the southern part along Sinyuhka is less so. 25th Motorized Division has already probed 132th Rifle Division into a retreat into Lysyanka. Points for reinforcements have already been identified.

Furthermore, some empty Army HQs leftover from the Minsk pocket are safe and sound, within movement reach. I will use them to reassign Corps away from the overburdened Southwestern sector to STAVKA.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/juRwkjF.png[/img]



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