March to the Drina: CharlieVane Vs. Stephane. (Full Version)

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FlyByKnight -> March to the Drina: CharlieVane Vs. Stephane. (11/19/2017 4:46:38 AM)

This will be the AAR for my first PBEM in this game. So far I've been trying out some scenarios against the AI. I've tried out the Yugoslavia scenario (Immense, but not overwhelming), the Okinawa scenario as Japan (Not the exercise in Masochism I was expecting. I used air support to sink 5 or 6 carriers and 3 battleships in the first week, and a few destroyers with Coastal artillery).
I decided to start with a small-scale battle this time: The Battle on Mount Cer. Historically an amazing Serbian Victory, bit I'm no Radomir Putnik.
[image]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/March_on_the_Drina_1964_film_poster_Avala.jpeg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 12 (11/19/2017 4:52:25 AM)

I've already tried this scenario, and right after viewing the first screen I can see a major difference. The AI steamrolled the initial Serbian positions. Here, they're being bombarded with one exception.


[image]local://upfiles/55211/36AA28E0FC1647C59607672F6AE64F83.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 12 (11/19/2017 5:02:38 AM)

The battle results provide some nice details.
The engagement at 11,5 (Novo Selo) was highly surprising. 3 Austrian regiments that lacked organic artillery fought a Serb border defense unit and lost 16 disabled and 36 destroyed infantry squads. Both sides took 9% losses, but the Austrian 9% was greater than ours.
The battle lasted 10 rounds, but one Austrian regiment broke off on round 2.
Another 4 squads were destroyed in the bombardment round.



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 12 (11/19/2017 5:16:04 AM)

For my orders, I'm setting all the border units to dig in and ignore losses. Serbian reinforcements will arrive at a steady rate, but I need to delay the Austrians until at least the historical date when the two armies met. If I screw up badly and the Austrian take Kujovica or Pecka, I might get a division each of emergency reinforcements...might.
For movements, the 2nd Drina division is currently locked. I order the unit defending Krupanj and Banjevac to dig in, as well as the Division HQ and Artillery at Zavlaka. The rest will be ready to move as needed.
The 1st Drina division is unlocked. They will defend around Draginje and Gradojevic.

With this the turn ends.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/089EE3B732894C77968370CCFBAEBBDC.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 13th (11/19/2017 8:14:27 PM)

These were pleasing results. It took two separate rounds of fighting to drive out the defenders of Novo Selo and outside Loznica. My opponent seems quite cautious.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/AB18728F04D04717BB85AC1F299E4494.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 13th (11/19/2017 8:24:13 PM)

All the Border guards are immobile. I order them to dig in where possible and ignore losses.
2nd Drina division is still locked. I order the units already dug in to Entrench. The other elements will need to fall back or advance as needed.
The 3rd army under General Jurisic-Sturm arrived at the town of Valjevo in the Southern corner of the map. So did the Sumadija 1st division. 3rd army HQ moves towards Obecina. The newly arrived division will defend around Kujavica. 1st Drina division will defend around Zablace and Pejinovic.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/8C09B5CC927047B885AA9BD1112B0B40.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 14th (11/20/2017 5:04:01 AM)

It's getting late, but here's a screenshot showing the frontline currently. Not pictured: Sabac remains in Serbian hands. The Border unit is now Fortified there.
2 Divisions worth of reinforcements arrive tomorrow.



FlyByKnight -> August 15th (11/20/2017 5:52:14 PM)

I went through the August 15th without posting anything.
Sabac was left unmolested, so I sent in units from the Sumadija division to hold the line there. I formed a defensive line at Slatina, Jeremovic, and Bojic, sent more troops to Zavlaka, Banjevac, and Krupanj, and moved newly-arrived forces to Mistar, Bojovic grad, Zablace, and Jelenca.
The Austrians pushed the other border units backed and reached the hexes near Krupanj. I tried moving one border unit into the fortified hex of Kosanin Grad.



FlyByKnight -> August 16th (11/20/2017 5:54:53 PM)

The front as of August 16th:

[image]local://upfiles/55211/6DFBBFD7A9074A159263E9D84C4BBAC2.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 16th (11/20/2017 6:07:13 PM)

The battles of the day. I fear that Krupanj is in danger of falling. I might shift a regiment over to bolster the defense.
Bombardment reports are worrying. The Austrian artillery advantage is quite clear.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/4FD3707A326249058F6DC59E1012119F.jpg[/image]



Cfant -> RE: August 16th (11/20/2017 7:12:09 PM)

Your opponent is too slow. ;) He has to rush in, take enough victory hexes an then defend them, before the Serbian Supersoldiers mount their counter offensive.

Strange fight on 15,7: A-H loses no men, Serbia 40%, defintive a remis (battlefield possesion neither). :D



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 16th (11/20/2017 10:56:52 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Cfant

Your opponent is too slow. ;) He has to rush in, take enough victory hexes an then defend them, before the Serbian Supersoldiers mount their counter offensive.

Strange fight on 15,7: A-H loses no men, Serbia 40%, defintive a remis (battlefield possesion neither). :D


Indeed. The AI swept aside those units on the border quite quickly. He could've reached the infantry units that were still immobile under those circumstances. Here, I feel comfortable with losing my forward positions because I've got enough reserves for a prolonged fight now.



FlyByKnight -> August 17th (11/21/2017 3:22:00 AM)

The latest battle results. Multiple bombardments. This is good, it gives me time to move in more troops.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/A017C1A5D413499783CF348A4A84E9AE.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 17th (11/21/2017 3:26:29 AM)

The regiment from Banjevac is being moved south to reinforce Krupanj. The infantry regiments of the Morava division and their HQ are one Hex south of Zavlaka, helping prevent encirclement. Their artillery is still far behind. in the pass at Mt. Vlasic.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/E8B4BD271C984C3ABCCAC9F9FC25A54E.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 17th (11/21/2017 3:30:17 AM)

Recon shows a weakness in the Austrian lines at Sabac. A Single cavalry regiment guards one hex. I'm going to counterattack their with the 3 Infantry regiments and 1 Cavalry regiment in the hex south of Sabac, supported by two Artillery batteries. The Serbian border unit is in local reserve.
Reinforcements have stopped arriving for but a day. The 18th will see the arrival of 6 Infantry regiments, 1 Army HQ, one Divisional HQ, 3 Cavalry regiments, one Artillery, and one Irregular regiment.
[image]local://upfiles/55211/ADC8AD1E676846F287BA2090A88B7DDF.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 17th (11/21/2017 3:42:40 AM)

The results of the attack. The first phase is on the left, the second on the right. I added in the Border unit and used the division HQ's guns for more support.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/27C2DAF1C11B4F0880BB48566087256B.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 17th (11/21/2017 3:53:11 AM)

In an attempt to further bend the Austrian lines, I launched an attack on the hex below my first victory. Despite several units breaking off, the Serbians succeeded.


[image]local://upfiles/55211/45C41A12DC5C4F65B266C062AB5B7E03.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 18th (11/21/2017 3:08:48 PM)

A turn that I wen through and then finished up with the computer, leaving me unable to post the details. The Austrians launched some heavy bombardments, but I managed to keep up counterattacks at Grujica Mehana.



[image]local://upfiles/55211/AAC3A7FCB51C4C8DB64A13BA987A33C7.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 19th (11/21/2017 3:29:28 PM)

No bombardments, but the Austrians are moving up troops. The news report says they've got reinforcements as well.
Two more divisions arrived. One will head North, the other will head West to the front around Bojic.
There was another successful counterattack against a lone cavalry unit.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/9ED9358DBA62406ABB5F368D8FD3948B.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 20th (11/21/2017 10:48:57 PM)

The Serbians are withdrawing. Austrian counterattacks pushed out the Cavalry regiments that advanced into the newly-won areas. In addition, the only reinforcements to arrive will be irregulars. I realize now that I made the mistake of trying to fight the Austrians on equal footing and form a frontline far from reinforcements.
Before I start the next turn, here's the preview showing how the front had shifted. I cannot zoom in while viewing replays.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/867A9D05E3374DDE883F688CC0FB021D.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> August 21 (11/21/2017 10:53:03 PM)

Combat results for the 21st. Perhaps my withdrawal was a bit too enthusiastic in the south.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/FB3E20BEFB314623A35B36DF1874B986.jpg[/image]



FlyByKnight -> RE: August 21 (11/21/2017 11:07:02 PM)

The new frontlines.

[image]local://upfiles/55211/4D67E027F3D44362A9FAFF896431809E.jpg[/image]



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