Workers of the World Unite! (Full Version)

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John B. -> Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 3:39:10 PM)

I've had this game for a long time and pulled it out once to try to play as the Germans only to have my head spin. But, I thought I'd give it a shot as the Soviet Player. It looks like I fill the role of Comrade Stalin.

So, as we know, this will be a short a very boring AAR because Hitler is not about to attack the USSR. That is a myth foisted upon us by that arch imperialist Churchill who wants to embroil us in his capitalist war to pull his own chestnuts out of the fire. Members of the Politburo am I not correct? YES COMRADE STALIN!

Nevertheless, Zhukov wants me to pick an objective that we must hold. I pick Moscow since that's where I live. Members of the Politburo, is this a wise decision? YES COMRADE STALIN!

And now it's early in the morning and my phone is ringing. It's probably Zhukov calling to beg forgiveness. I'll shoot him next week.



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 3:49:12 PM)

Treason!! We are betrayed!!! I knew I should have shot everyone!!!

[This does not bode well for the campaign. On the upside, at least I don't have to waste time with pesky decisions this turn. :)]



[image]local://upfiles/39741/10A9FAABC72545FEAD75E5D4398EA8FD.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 3:51:32 PM)

Not a single army activated or even partially activated!

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John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 4:18:52 PM)

Members of the Politburo, didn't I tell you time and time again that the Nazis were about to invade the Socialist Motherland! YES COMRADE STALIN!!

[So, I executed the patented Monty Python "run away" strategy all along the front trying to save what I can while I'm stuck in offensive mode and with the first few turns defensive hit. I lost 149K the first turn and the Nazis 29k. I am trying to make a stand at Brest Litovsk and leaving troops on raillines.]

[image]local://upfiles/39741/E3443F2BF7834B3198918F0413B904B2.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 4:36:21 PM)

I'm not paranoid!!!

Ok, maybe, just maybe I made a mistake. Members of the Politburo, do you think that I made a mistake? NO COMRADE STALIN! But I just told you that I made a mistake. Do you think I was lying? NO COMRADE STALIN! Well, which is it, did I make a mistake or not? PLEASE JUST SHOOT US COMRADE STALIN, IT'S EASIER THAT WAY! That's the way that I like it. :)

[Zhukov is off to the central front and Kruschev to the southern front. I'm rasing a garrison in gomel, fortifying next to it and I'm also fortifying Leningrad. Last turn was very very grim with lots of dead for not a lot of loss by the Nazis. More running away this turn]

[image]local://upfiles/39741/D5E26E4464E542D389E27AF6B7E37B8E.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 4:57:38 PM)

Start of turn 3 and I'm still not paranoid! But, my paranoia level has increased by 15. Kruschev is at the northern front HQ and if anyone can ferret out traitors it's good old Nakita.

[As you can see, heavy losses for Russia in the first three turns. But, I am able to play cards and will continue to dig in and accept reinforcements. I need PP as I only have 17. Right now it looks like I get 12 per turn. Not good, not good at all].

[image]local://upfiles/39741/E435346B80CE48A19AF7F08EC21F7BB1.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 8:40:24 PM)

I believe that traitors have made our command system too hidebound and that we should reform it? Do you members of the Politburo agree? YES COMRADE STALIN!

[this is an expensive card in terms of pp. Two turns in a row now I've tried to put an army into a defensive posture and communications failures prevented me from doing so. Oddly, once there was a communications failure I was unable to play any posture cards on any front. I wonder if this is deliberate or a bug] [Meanwile, Zhukov is visiting the 21st army, has overseen some bridge destruction and is personally motivating the army to try harder. Let's see if that helps!]

[image]local://upfiles/39741/944A2CE6EE1D42D49F3F10FB8A7D9088.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 8:59:39 PM)

Paranoid again. Sheesh, it seems really hard to avoid in the early going since cities have such a major effect on his mood (+30 for minsk).

[image]local://upfiles/39741/827505D4685A4086BBECA0C78182A341.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 9:40:12 PM)

I'm not paranoid again. :)

Here is the situation on July 12. On the Romanian border so far the Dniester line has held. I'll fall back to cover Odessa when the time is right. The first army reinforcements for the south have finally shown up. I'm not sure if the main German effort is here or directed at Moscow.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/2E72F72BD7EF47B58D4017427122122A.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 9:42:44 PM)

Near Kiev the Germans are pushing hard. I've Switched the local army to defensive posture and Zhukov is on the way to provide some backbone and, to drop that bridge over the Deniper. That's a key to the Germans. I was a bit lazy about Gomel and I just have to hope that my minor reinforcements that I could get there can stop his push through the marshes.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/DE076159A6924DB09DBA01ABB4EA8CCB.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 9:44:56 PM)

In the center I've got a whole lot of troops and at least another army on the way. But, Moscow is almost already on the map. I've got the 21st army into defensive posture and hopefully the blitkrieg bonus is wearing off and the Germans are short of fuel. :) You can see that their railhead is almost all the way to Minsk.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/C29F6D74D37449909121E26724A2F782.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/11/2018 9:47:17 PM)

In the north things look OK for July 1941. I still hold Riga and may do so for a turn or two depending on how good the Nazi's are in their assault. I have a new army coming in at Pskov and an army deploying up near Narva. the Finns are in the way but, thus far, they are not advancing.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/9B04F8D9772A476697B7B5D17BA46016.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 9:26:14 PM)

Ok, maybe holding Riga was not such a great idea. :) On to the next turn!

Members of the Politburo, we need to decided on a front for our main effort. I propose to make it the Southern front given the -- what is it Comrade Toadykopf? Ummm, begging the Comrade's pardon but we have identified elements of three Panzergruppes in the Central front. Should we make that our main effort especially given that we are supposed to defend Moscow?

Members of the Politburo, it's interesting that Comrade Toadykopf said "panzergruppe" rather than "panzergroup." The only possible explanation is that he is a German spy! Do you agree? YES COMRADE STALIN!

Take him away.

Now, were was I. Oh yes, my proposal to make the Central Front the focus of our efforts rather than the Southern Front as suggested by that Nazi traitor. Members of the Politburo, do you agree? YES COMRADE STALIN!




John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 10:04:35 PM)

Well, I tried a couple of counter attacks that did not push two of his spearheads back and killed lots of me. but, I'm not sure how to see the battle report at the bottom of the screen as I see when the Germans attack me. I opted to not blow the bridge at Kiev yet since I have lots of units on the west side of the river but next turn that puppy is heading into the water!



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 10:16:01 PM)

Members of the Politburo, as you can see, I've ordered a garrison for the city south of Pskov. Does this meet with your approval? YES COMRADE STALIN!

Excellent, and it appears that the fascist lackeys did not press home their attacks in this northern front as much as they may have hoped. Supply problems?

[image]local://upfiles/39741/6B5F669D130F45D0B8232B5CF074A54F.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 10:19:55 PM)

In the central front, we have reports of mud! This will not help Hitler's minions. We have also seen an increase in partisan activity as our men refuse to surrender but, instead, melt into the woods to attack the bourgeois supply columns. We did have a failed attack in this sector four days ago and after a complete investigation Proletarian Justice was meted out on the traitors generals in charge. Do you concur? YES COMRADE STALIN!

[image]local://upfiles/39741/CCA3E891C3924CFE890C26E7FEFE84ED.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 10:24:03 PM)

In the far south Odessa holds but there is a strong danger of a pocket. Our comrades may not be able to make it out in time! But, I am authorizing Odessa as a do not retreat city using up the rest of our PP because, after all, if I go paranoid we lose the PP anyway. Is my joke funny? VERY FUNNY COMRADE STALIN. HA HA HA!!



[image]local://upfiles/39741/643FEB7A7991404EB060C377C62353B1.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 10:47:42 PM)

Comrades, I have glorious news to report. Under the steady hand of Comrade Stalin we have pushed Berlin's thugs back and liberated Orsha. Two of Hitler's panzer divisions have retreated and out magnificent troops have started the liberation of the Rodina!

ALL HAIL COMRADE STALIN!



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/12/2018 11:01:26 PM)

Comrades, Marshal Buddeny has let us down too many times. It's true he was an Old War Buddy of mine and we had many delightful nights around the campfire after a busy day looting the homes of the aristocracy. But, the Rodina is at stake and thus, after a thorough investigation Comrade Khrushchev has meted out Proletarian Justice. Marshall Rokossovsky, another old War Buddy, has taken his place. Members of the Politburo, do you agree? YES COMRADE STALIN!

[These are not historical stats so Rokossovsky is no prize but Stalin feels so much better with Buddeny dead].



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 7:58:19 PM)

Comrades, countrymen, join me in our victory march as we vow to kick the hineys of the Hinies!

Well, that speech was pretty gosh darn inspiring don't you agree members of the Poliburo! YES COMRADE STALIN!

[actually, it came in at the low end of the inspiration score but it did not cost many any PP this time so what the heck. Now on to the German turn and no mud in the forecast!]

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John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 8:06:18 PM)

Oh happy day! I'm not paranoid. I knew shooting Buddeny was a good idea! :)

Still picking up PP for Kiev, Talinin and Odessa.

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John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 8:14:44 PM)

In the North the Germans pushed on but there was a heroic defense of Ostrov which has lived to fight another day. They'll have a massive concentric attack on it next turn but they did take large casualties. Still, I'm not getting the sense of a major German push up here so there is no sense in sending more this way.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/A0D24657BDDF4DE39C78E2C2D6909BD7.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 8:17:16 PM)

In the center I'm paying the price for ignoring the swamps for one turn too many as the Germans seem to have done a rapid fire rail repair and now at least have a minor line over the river. There is a pocket forming so it's time to run away!

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John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 8:19:55 PM)

In the south the Nazis really took it on the chin at Kiev losing about three times my losses but they are set up for a very nice concentric attack. Odessa is besieged and they are pushing on. I"ll be able to blow the only other Dniepr bridge this turn and really play with their logistics as they try to go for Karkov and Rostov.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/58ACE6E12E284C5D84528147AFEC3FEC.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 9:41:32 PM)

Well, there was success in the center! I killed a motorized division (x marks the spot) and roughly handled a panzer and two motorized divisions who retreated and discombobulated an infantry division that did not retreat but took high losses in the center (where the circle was).

The north does not seem to have much action. But, the worrying part is in the south. The Germans have massed to take Odessa and Kiev. Even worse, they forced their way across the Dnieper in the hex west of Kiev (which had been fortified) and I was unable to retake it in my counter attack. The southern front is not getting a lot of reinforcement armies so I may have to divert one from the center or north if I get the opportunity.

If I lose Kiev and Odessa this turn you know who is going to blow is stack!

Where is the mud!!!

[image]local://upfiles/39741/76C0E9E864824C1E9078E69E150DE685.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 11:06:48 PM)

Comrades! You will be happy to note that I"m not paranoid this turn!! Does this make you happy? YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY COMRADE STALIN!

And, I'm happy to report that Odessa withstood another direct assault! ALL HAIL COMRADE STALIN AND HIS GLORIOUS LEADERSHIP.[&o]

But, that traitor in the 45th army is claiming that he did not receive all of his orders and his army is very vulnerable to destruction. I need to send Zhukov there but he has been stuck in transit for more that a week. Hmmm, he's probably off plotting somewhere![:-]

[image]local://upfiles/39741/40B8D358BD944335A7F0882BCF2DC96D.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 11:12:29 PM)

I am also happy to report that Kiev survived another direct assault with heavy losses to the Germans! ALL HAIL COMRADE STALIN AND OUR EVER VICTORIOUS RED ARMY!

But, Nazi lickspittles are bearing down from the north. So, do I cut and run or do I launch an attack on the highlighted hex? could not dislodge them last turn but I have a kick hieney concentric attack and it would restore the Dniepr line. I think I can hold off his norther advance for a little while but the ant like hitlerites don't seen to be bound by the same "ahem" boundaries as our forces.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/9D5CABAC1148443DB758A2A8DA9AB9E3.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 11:16:59 PM)

In the center the capitalist hordes did not lose any significant battles and they seem to have learned their lesson to not stick lone divisions in a hex. But, their not as fresh as the used to be and more soviets armies are deploying here. I may leapfrog back a couple of hexes to let the next line take a beating while the first line recovers a bit.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/8D6FB65E06CC4C5F8FB8456D03ACFE0F.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/13/2018 11:21:59 PM)

Finally, in the north the hirelings of the bourgeoisie are closing in on Tallinn. I get a PP per turn that I hold this town and the Germans are not sending huge forces this way. I believe that this is where I'll mobilize the northern army this turn but I'll have to spend a lot of PP to put a garrison there. Members of the Politburo, do you approve? YES COMRADE STALIN!

It does not appear as if the Germans have enough to force there way up past Pskov anytime soon so we won't have to worry about the Finns for a few turns yet.

By the way, does anyone know what those white circles with U-boats in them in the sea hexes represent?

And, while we're at it, do soviet units get replacements? The rule book says no but on map toggles indicate that they do.

[image]local://upfiles/39741/01AC0BF70B66492C97F545C45332ACC7.jpg[/image]



John B. -> RE: Workers of the World Unite! (3/14/2018 12:20:03 AM)

Ok, so I'm paranoid this time but it's not a real surprise since both Odessa and Kiev fell in the same German turn. So, my paranoia level was 115 (and I only roll a 100 sided die :)). Still, I rolled a seven so let's just hope that in this little corner of the multiverse there is a law of averages and one of the low rolls has been used up.

Now to ponder!



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