RE: Adventures in Russia (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> The Operational Art of War IV >> After Action Reports



Message

larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 12:48:36 PM)

Here's what's happening up in the NE corner of the front lines right now. I'm cutting
off the supply to a group of Soviet units that are fighting the Finns and I'm trying to
surround a medium group of Soviet units near the Life Road river crossings. If I can get
one of my LOC's around the group they would be cut off from their supply and it would be
easier to defeat them.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/17E79890305A421392F758654B159805.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 6:39:39 PM)

I did some attacking with the 71st Inf Div and got as far as adjacent to the city
before it ran out of bullets for this turn ( turned yellow ). So, unless and until
I can scrape up a green div it looks like the take-down of the city will have to
wait better supply conditions. I think there's time yet. I believe I have until
04Dec41.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/1B5EE7A18E9E4E53A05A7D30ACC41E8F.jpg[/image]



TPOO -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 11:17:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

I did some attacking with the 71st Inf Div and got as far as adjacent to the city
before it ran out of bullets for this turn ( turned yellow ). So, unless and until
I can scrape up a green div it looks like the take-down of the city will have to
wait better supply conditions. I think there's time yet. I believe I have until
04Dec41.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/1B5EE7A18E9E4E53A05A7D30ACC41E8F.jpg[/image]


It looks like there is an issue with Soviet Supply here in the Crimea as all the Soviet Units are out of supply. Steve has the supply to the Crimea set in the hex in the sea next to Sevastopol and I think this is a TOAW 4 issue as this never occurred in TOAW 3. The next update I am moving all the sea supplies to the mainland. I keep finding issues with TOAW 4 all the time compared to the playability in TOAW 3 but at least this is fixable.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 11:28:31 PM)

quote:

...The next update I am moving all the sea supplies to the mainland. I keep finding issues with TOAW 4 all the time compared to the playability in TOAW 3 but at least this is fixable.

So if I'm playing this version all I have to do is hook up with the supply just off-shore and all of a sudden I'll
have some supply for my people. Cool. I was wondering why the Soviet units kept shrinking in strength. I saw
the supply point change to blue after I sank the last ship in this area but didn't stop to think about how it
changes the game all of a sudden. So the take-down of Sevestopol was a gimme? Okay with me.



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 11:41:45 PM)

Larry,

This continues to be a fun read. Thanks for sharing.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/10/2018 11:55:20 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

This continues to be a fun read. Thanks for sharing.

I'm having a blast doing it. I'm having more fun than the Baptist church allows.
The Soviet Winter is almost upon me, about four more turns, and I need to rest
most of the troops but little scurmishes where I can hurt the enemy more than I
will get hurt ( three adjacent hexes around a target hex ) I can do that with a
clear conscience but my rule of thumb right now is no-events and I'm allowing
exceptions. Sevestopol is one of the exceptions because of the reward specified.
It's worth doing for the delivery of the Bulgarians into the active inventory.
Right now they are parked near Sofia, Bulgaria in garrison mode, both armies.
They are in the OOB, I just can't use them for anything, besides a threat to
Elmer for all that's worth. I disbanded a lot of the CD guns because they were
crowding up my OOB. There was like 30 of them that were disbanded. Now the
number at the bottom of the dialog reflects a more accurate number of active
combat units for my rules of thumb to work with. Like my rule of thumb of a
floor of about 30K HRS squads. Like my policy for units, yellow needs to rest.
Red means move to better supply if able, else no move nor shoot. Green means
AOK for liftoff. Use at your disgression. Mature audiences only.



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 1:44:47 AM)

Larry,

Your approach makes sense to me, good luck with Sevastopol.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 2:30:41 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

Your approach makes sense to me, good luck with Sevastopol.

Thanks for the good luck Mike my friend. But Sevestopol is mine for the taking since
the Soviets are out of supply, have been experiencing pestilance and have been
whittled down to bargan basement prices reguarding their strength and I've discovered
that they are a pushover waiting to happen. My theory, then, is to tke Sevestopol you
just need to sink all the ships in this area, the supply point will turn Axis and
the Soviets will be overextended, wait about 10 turns and voila, you can almost walk
in without much of a fight. The 71st division fought it's way adjacent to the city
by itself all alone in the fights and the battles were little more than RBC's in
slow motion. At least with this version of the scenario. Rick sez he's going to fix
the problemo and a different strategy will have to be employed. There was a version of
this scenario in which the city was empty and there just happened to be an empty hex
adjacent to the city so I dropped a paratrooper in the hex and just walked into the city.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 3:50:24 AM)

Here's a view of the front lines in the NorthEast corner. I'm still trying to get
surrounds going on the Soviet groups to free up the river crossings and get the
rail started toward Moscow. Since all the river crossings are in despute still
I'm repairing rail going south and I plan to turn east as soon as a river crossing
is ready for it and that looks to be Staraya Russa so far. I'm not going to get
it done this year I realize but I'd like to get a good start on for the next year
and the progress that I hope to make then.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/C2FC77F551D84CB9BA4142143C4566AA.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 6:07:07 PM)

Here's the T45 front lines before I have moved anybody

[image]local://upfiles/16287/91D757BB67E24F5AAF13E161E7A8ABE2.jpg[/image]



700851McCall -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 7:19:16 PM)

That area where they have broken through is always trouble. He really stacks up the troops there. You're going to need to scrape up some strong infantry divisions from somewhere to stem that tide.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 7:36:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 700851McCall
That area where they have broken through is always trouble. He really stacks up the troops there. You're going to need to scrape up some strong infantry divisions from somewhere to stem that tide.

The only division unemployed right now is the FJ paratroopers and they are relatively nearby. I'll have to use them
until I can find a Panzer formation somewhere to come to the rescue, which is a lot of what they are doing right now.
I use them to dash through the holes that the Infantry makes and then they get ambushed by Soviet units and the front
lines get extended another couple of hexes. But it all adds up to the difference between losing and winning.



DanNeely -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/11/2018 9:50:25 PM)

Is that a break through, or just Elmer waltzing through an open doorway. [sm=00000506.gif]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 12:13:06 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DanNeely
Is that a break through, or just Elmer waltzing through an open doorway.

Here's a view of the breakthrough and I see an engineer unit that's red now and
I have a theory that the Soviet unit defeated my engineer unit and shoved him
out of the way and then zoomed south to where it is now. I'm going to have to
put together a possee and see if I can't kill that guy.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/D8F434808C444E1FAB674BE717B63351.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 5:01:08 AM)

This is the northeast corner of the front lines as of T45 and we're still fighting
over the river crossing and probably will be during the Soviet Winter Offensive and
that spells trouble because during the SWO they get a shock boost of 120 for 10 turns
and my shock is lowered to 90 for five turns and I think they get some kind of temporary
supply boost too. I've got to be prepared to give up the ground on the east side of
the river. The other river crossings are just as iffy if you want my opinion. But the
condition of the planes is good and if I just adhere to a no-events policy the units will
be rested and ready for the fury of the Soviet onslaught.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/37BC64082937477C8A49BE0EF6EF1059.jpg[/image]



gliz2 -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 10:05:10 AM)

Kudos fir the effort to you Larry. I myself am fighting both sides on FITE2 :P
Great read. Very detailed description.
I have to issues though:
1. Playing against Elmer unfortunately is a wasted effort. Even the less skilled Human will beat the crap out of Elmer.
2. How and why you have chosen your objectives? The reason I'm asking is that I see you try all-in approach (taking all major objectives) which is neigh to impossible as the line will get very thin. Seems like you are not using the center of gravity strategy which allows shifting focus quite flexibly.

By no means I am criticising. We are all just armchair generals. I'm just curious why not play against yourself and why are you trying all-in approach?

PS. From my experience with FITE2 I can tell it is a hell of a task to shuffle the counters but on the other hands you kinda forget what are the current objectives of each sides. Might sound strange but I honestly cannot follow what I did a turn before and therefore I can be challanging to myself. Effectively I discovered to be much more of opponent that the poor Elmer in almost any IIWW scenario.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 10:05:51 AM)

Have I mentioned yet that Sevestopol fell? This situation where the Soviets didn't
have any supply and decreased in strength and are now pushovers....I'll have to see
if I can't do that with the newer version of the scenario that Rick and Steve are
going to produce. I'm hoping this releases the Bulgarians.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/679DB8DD270F4273B97B049460CAD9AD.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 10:18:42 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: gliz2
Kudos for the effort to you Larry. I myself am fighting both sides on FITE2
Great read. Very detailed description.
I have two issues though:
1. Playing against Elmer unfortunately is a wasted effort. Even the less skilled Human will beat the crap out of Elmer.

2. How and why you have chosen your objectives? The reason I'm asking is that I see you try all-in approach (taking all major objectives) which is neigh to impossible as the line will get very thin. Seems like you are not using the center of gravity strategy which allows shifting focus quite flexibly.

By no means I am criticising. We are all just armchair generals. I'm just curious why not play against yourself and why are you trying all-in approach?

PS. From my experience with FITE2 I can tell it is a hell of a task to shuffle the counters but on the other hands you kinda forget what are the current objectives of each sides. Might sound strange but I honestly cannot follow what I did a turn before and therefore I can be challanging to myself. Effectively I discovered to be much more of opponent that the poor Elmer in almost any WWII scenario.


Hey there gliz2 dude. Thanks for your questions. Um....I just never thought to play against myself.
That's actually a pretty good idea for these larger scenarios. But I'm lazy and impatient and I'm
curious to see if I can kill all the Soviet units on the map, because of the lack of skill of the
Elmer dude. And the all-in approach....I've gone as far east as is necessary for my plans in the
north. I'm fighting over the river crossings leaving the Leningrad area leading to the SE, in
the direction of Moscow. And in the south I'm after all the industrial centers the Soviets have plus
I want to capture Stalingrad just for the grins. That sounds like a modified broad-front kind of
thing to me. I'm mostly playing this game by the seat of my pants and don't have a plan of action.
I'm driving on Moscow because it seems the thing to do, for the drop in production and reinforcements
it would mean to the Soviets. Plus the grins of having done it. I don't remember ever having done
it playing this scenario. I've never been past T63 yet. This is a great game and I'm having a blast.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/12/2018 4:32:37 PM)

Here's the area around Stalino right now. I'm going for the supply point even tho
it'll be removed at the end of November because if I own it the Soviets don't and
they may have to move their units to better supply. I can dream. And besides
the supply point is the industry in Stalino that needs to be destroyed. This is
one of the points on the supply line leading to Stalingrad that I'm going to probably
need for feeding the troops. So it's kinda important that I own it. There's no hurry
tho because the SWO has to happen before I'm able to drive east some more.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/28384729E29B4D21826B02B079F01D46.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/13/2018 3:28:45 PM)

I only just got this section of the front lines built when Soviet units showed up.
That's what I get for leaving a gap in the lines. I think maybe I have it contained
for now but more people would help out a lot.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/DA778735E8004C8895D0468A58BF5A5E.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/13/2018 7:41:48 PM)

This continues to be fascinating.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/13/2018 8:06:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
This continues to be fascinating.

I'm trying to cover all the important details and those things I figure you guys
would like to know about. We fellow wargamers can understand what is considered
important when it might be too subtle for Joe Sixpack to discern. I'm trying to
make it an easy read and like you're watching me play it over my shoulder, as it
happens. I've got open TOAW IV, MSpaint, and Chrome all at the same time
so I can switch apps and so on. I do the screenshot and post it relatively easily
so it's not much of a chore...kind of fun. Like writing a wargame in comic book
fashion. I like it.



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/13/2018 8:36:10 PM)

Larry,

I understand, I do the same sort of thing using Libre Office, the windows sniping tool and chrome. I find that taking the time to copy it and write things out makes me think about what I am trying to do.

If it helps someone else learn, even better. I am learning tons about what to think about by watching your threads.



Nicholas Bell -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/13/2018 8:39:55 PM)

quote:

so it's not much of a chore...kind of fun. Like writing a wargame in comic book
fashion. I like it.


Speaking as one who doesn't have the time to invest in these large scenarios, I am grateful, Larry, that you (and others) take the time to post these detailed reports. Good thing you enjoy it too or you don't do it and I'd miss my lunchtime AAR reading! [;)]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/14/2018 6:02:40 AM)

There's a place near Stalino where I've almost surrounded a small group of Soviet
units. There was a hole in the Soviet lines and I've been pouring units through it
and it looks like the hole is about to get wider and I might be able to roll up the
Soviet front line down south. It's probably not possible to get it done before the
SWO ( Soviet Winter Offensive ) but maybe I can get a lot done and maybe kill
a few Soviets.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/A3B23CC415BD4AABA1DA84ADF662B927.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/14/2018 7:59:25 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,
I understand, I do the same sort of thing using Libre Office, the windows sniping tool and chrome.


I find that taking the time to copy it and write things out makes me think about what I am trying to do.


If it helps someone else learn, even better. I am learning tons about what to think about by watching your threads.

I find that same thing myself. I tend to produce better games because of the AAR I'm writing. It's so much better that I almost always do an AAR about my games. It's becoming a habit. But I think it produces better games by me. Sometimes it's documentation about what not to do. And I love your comment about learning from my threads....GOOD, that's great and I'm glad. The more you learn and practice and try things to see what works the better player you become. Better games are produced. It's a win-win. Thanks for your posting as always.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Nicholas Bell
quote:

so it's not much of a chore...kind of fun. Like writing a wargame in comic book
fashion. I like it.

Speaking as one who doesn't have the time to invest in these large scenarios, I am grateful, Larry, that you (and others) take the time to post these detailed reports. Good thing you enjoy it too or you don't do it and I'd miss my lunchtime AAR reading!

Thanks for posting Nicholas Bell dude. It's encouragement that keeps me going and going and going like the energizer bunny. I'll try to make it entertaining for you. When I happen to come back a year later to read my AAR's sometimes I'm surprised about what I wrote. We all learn I guess.




larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/14/2018 7:41:49 PM)

Here's the T47 front lines before I have moved anybody. The Soviet Winter Offensive is
in T49 or so. It's getting exciting around here.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/E2E971565B0D46B28DD28D22DDC8AB99.jpg[/image]



700851McCall -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/14/2018 10:34:58 PM)

I've got OKH back in the Wolfs Lair. It just seemed to be the right location, historically.

I have wondered if Leningrad had actually fallen would they have moved up to there and built a new compound and bunkers, to be a bit closer to the front? Do you think there is any benefit to bringing it up to the airfields? I suppose there must be a supply bonus but it seemed just a little too gamey to use it like that.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/15/2018 3:39:41 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 700851McCall
I've got OKH back in the Wolfs Lair. It just seemed to be the right location, historically.

I have wondered if Leningrad had actually fallen would they have moved up to there and built a new compound and bunkers, to be a bit closer to the front? Do you think there is any benefit to bringing it up to the airfields? I suppose there must be a supply bonus but it seemed just a little too gamey to use it like that.

OKH is an HQ unit like any other and can do HQ kinds of things wherever it's parked so yeah it would help out the aircraft to refit faster and give a supply boost. I would park it at Wolfs Lair but I don't know where that is. In some mountain range somewhere I think. I can't imagine them moving OKH to Leningrad if it had fallen. I don't know why they would want to do that. For the grins?



cpt flam -> RE: Adventures in Russia (4/15/2018 7:43:15 AM)

My OKH is in Riga, this give me 2 airbases for bombers in the north
4th Army near Minsk with 4 airbases
AGS near Kiev with 2 airbases



Page: <<   < prev  12 13 [14] 15 16   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
0.828125