FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (Full Version)

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larryfulkerson -> FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/21/2018 7:12:32 AM)

I changed my mind about putting game 2 in the same thread as game 1 which was abandoned. This image is a section of the front lines and shows a contest in the middle of the war in which the Soviets are badly outnumbered and will soon be overrun. The Axis vehicles are going as fast as they can as far as they can each turn. The follow on forces are following too far behind to be of much help. So far so good.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/67F45E91D71F492A9E17051559783B0E.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/21/2018 7:27:05 AM)

It's turn 5 already and I'm only just now starting the serious attacks at Riga. I've gotten across the Dvina just south of Riga and I'm working on capturing the crossings and I've sent troops to the NE to clear the terrain of threats to the Riga operation. I need that port city because the rail runs through there headed northeast to Leningrad. The supply levels on the NE side of the river are way too low for sustained operations. I'm hoping to be able to get some supply flowing that way before too long. Else I'll have to halt the advance for a bit.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/0FAEB938B37A49488D2226AEC3C86DE6.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/22/2018 1:51:23 PM)

Soviet Turn 5 .........6th July 1941

Attacks pummel the defenders in Riga but the garrison holds on for this turn at least thanks to the armoured units in the city though Daugavpils lower down the Dvina river has fallen and Minsk is also now surrounded and besieged.

The blocking defence line to the west of the lower Dnepr just south of the Pripet marshes still holds back AGC trying to buy time for a more solid defence of the Dnepr river and Soviet troops have begun to start forming a defensible line around Dnepropetovsk which proved such a tough nut for the Germans to crack in our last game.

Likewise Odessa and the Sevastapol isthmus now are also firmly held with orders to resist at all costs given their dual role as an impediment to German supply and a springboard for an eventual counter attack.

In the north, Estonia remains in Soviet hands and so the defence lines west of Leningrad are reinforced as reinforcements continue to arrive at the front.



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/22/2018 7:45:39 PM)

It's turn 6 and more of the Finns became active so I've set them in motion headed toward the exits so that the Soviets can't escape. I want to see if I can trap them and destroy them before they get away.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/DD24A46E51454898B2ADF096E0147222.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/22/2018 8:01:50 PM)

This is the Riga area now and I've leaped the river and units are spreading out and moving NE and clearing terrain as they go. I've been pounding on the Riga defenders for a couple of turns now and I'm not making much of a dent. Ian has constructed some pretty stout defenses there. I'm thinking about bringing in the RR arty since Odessa isn't within range yet.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/A226B278D83842D6842EE1B346F09AEE.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/22/2018 8:15:23 PM)

Here's the north end of the Stalin Line down south and I've leaped the river and I'm getting into the Soviet backfield. I'm going to drive some more units across the river and get in behind the Stalin Line in force and liquidate the Soviet units.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/3C0D4067A23543BFBB80C99FB1A6C170.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/23/2018 6:59:10 AM)

Soviet Turn 6 ....9th July 1941

As the Soviet troops on the Stalin line find German formations outflanking them from North and South the order is given to abandon their positions and most are able to save their men and equipment and melt away in the night...

Finnish troops are now pushing hard at Soviet line in the South of Finland which just manage to hold and Riga is repeatedly attacked but manages to resist for a further turn although it is predicted to fall imminently.

In the far North the defence lines just West of Murmansk are also under attack though things remain quiet in the South where defences around Sevastapol and Odessa are further strengthened.



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/24/2018 4:26:30 PM)

Soviet Turn 7....13th July 1941

After some heavy bombardment and assault SS and Wehrmacht troops from AGN push my Soviet garrison out of the centre of Riga and only light resistance continues in the suburbs.

A bloodbath for the Finns as they assault the dug in Soviet garrison at the fortress city of Viipuri as in ferocious fighting the Finns lose over 800 rifle squads for the loss of 40 or so Soviet Rifle squads but eventually force of numbers tells and the city falls with the Soviets retreating in good order.

German recce troops are sighted only 40km south of Pskov as defences in the area continue to be bolstered but as yet the situation in the far south remains quiet with neither Odessa nor the Sevastapol isthmus disturbed by the invaders...



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/24/2018 7:22:26 PM)

It's turn 8 and I've gotten Minsk surrounded and I'm getting across the river and progress is being made.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/9D9569C7D84C48229CE167B59264110C.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/24/2018 8:54:28 PM)

Axis units are approaching Pskov and the advance is going to slow down slightly because of the Soviet defenses there. I'm going to have to try to outflank them and roll up the Soviet line. I'm wondering what would happen if I neglected to grab Leningrad and drive on Moscow instead.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/08DA878382E841B1B424FAFA1A81E698.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/25/2018 2:36:13 PM)

Soviet Turn 8.....16th July 1941

German troops from AGC stream across the Berezina river towards Mogilev and Zhlobin though the resistance at Minsk continues.

Interdiction from German bombers make a movement around the Front difficult and dangerous but in another couple of turns Soviet air shock improves again and the Soviet Air Force can try and contest the skies.

In the South, Romanian tanks advance to within 40Km of Odessa and battle for the crucial city cannot be long in coming.

In Finland the Soviets have withdrawn back to South and East of the pre war borders apart from just North of Leningrad which prevents Finnish units attacking them until turn 40.



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/25/2018 7:54:46 PM)

Here's what the war looks like to the Finns. They have advanced eastward and have taken over LapLand and they are going to stop at the stop lines as I understand them and then go into garrison mode. I've included lots of German units in the forces advancing on Leningrad so that they don't have to stop at the stop line and can continue to push on the city.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/62DB123D530F43C2932C5E0BF7BBDB2E.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/26/2018 11:41:37 AM)

Turn 9 20th July 1941

Minsk is on the verge of falling after a stout resistance and in the North the Soviets in Finland, calling back towards Leningrad are surprised to find German regular and SS troops facing them, posing a greater and more immediate threat to the city than expected, forcing a hurried redeployment in the Leningrad Military District.

The heavy guns of the Odessa garrison open up on Romanian Infantry that has approached the defensive cordon around the city and more reinforcements reach the Sevastapol area.

Finally some Soviet air assets start to reappear slowly near the Front in an attempt to at least curb the total Axis air domination a little.

It is evident that the German and Finnish advance is much more threatening and well organised than our last game and Larry is doing a fine job. It is very much in the balance whether it will be possible to stabilise the Front....



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/26/2018 11:32:48 PM)

The rails are being repaired closer to Odessa so I railed the RR arty down to start the bombardment on the units defending. I understand that there's a supply center in the city so the takedown is going to be prolonged and losses are going to be heavy and I'm wondering if it's going to be worth it. Maybe I should just cordon off the city and babysit it.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/2AA83424B0614B67AD4C764BB2E9661B.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/26/2018 11:54:39 PM)

Here's the situation north of Leningrad. The Finns have reached the stop line but I railed some German units down from the far north and they have been the spearhead of the drive south and have come in really handy. Plus, I don't need to stop at the stop line with them. It might make a big difference in the game.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/D0CEE19E919247E8A5F8ABF0E3B6FDFE.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/27/2018 6:05:18 AM)

I've finally reached the vicinity of Narva and my troops are out of supply so the push will have to rest a bit. I've flown the Stuka's up north and the port of Leningrad is within range. The drive to Narva was made easier by the fact that Ian had evacuated all his troops from the peninsula. My RR engineers are having a really hard time keeping up with the front lines in this area. Pskov is turning into a fortress since he's had time to dig in and bring up the arty. I'm extending the lines to the east by bringing up more troops and forming a rough line. My troops have been resting periodically and they are mostly ready for combat. One or two of the formations are tired but the rest of them are good to go. I've been moving the aircraft to keep up to the front and provide a lot of good support. I haven't seen a lot of Soviet aircraft lately.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/D3A9BC54219A4E1E88201F4792B837C9.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/27/2018 1:23:46 PM)

Turn 11...27th July 1941

After Minsk fell last turn German advanced elements are now battling to cross the River Dvina at Vitebsk and the Upper Dnepr at Mogilev and Orsha. In our last game both these crossings were the scene of furious resistance but I have only left a delaying force at both in this agame as I am still rushing to form an MLR slightly further East.

The arrival of the 3rd Army in Leningrad has seemingly helped stabilise the situation in the nick of time and the Leningrad fixed artillery helps to inflict heavy casualties on the forward regiments of 6th Geb SS Division which has reached the fortified lines.

Soviet Air shock increases to a more respectable 100 (though Axis is still at 120) so air losses this turn are about even despite two ill judged airfield strikes by Soviet bombers north of Odessa which do no damage and cause over 15% losses. Odessa itself is now completely surrounded.



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/27/2018 5:00:14 PM)

I have pushed east to Orsha and the next big river to cross and I'm resting the units, let them gather their supply and refit a bit. The RR engineers have labored day and night to keep up with the front and they aren't so far away now. Soviet aircraft have started to show up at the front.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/431EC081AE1F4772B07F12C8BE8A538C.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/28/2018 6:48:17 AM)

Turn 12 (Soviet)

As Larry indicated German forces took a breather this turn so Soviet activity was restricted to giving the artillery on the east bank of the Narva River in the north and in Odessa in the South a workout. Once again the Leningrad heavy guns also did a lot of damage to SS troops pushing against the fortified line. My hope is that if I can blunt the Germans the Finns will be unable to force their way over because of the movement restrictions that are in place until turn 40.

Two more full Armies are railed to the front lines from the East and a solid north to south MLR is just about in place the length of the country with the delaying units around Orsha, Smolensk and Mogilev still in place. The Germans have crossed the upper Dnepr at Ragichev but for now have been stopped by a Soviet infantry screen

After getting a serious bloody nose trying to hit German airbases last turn the Soviet bombers keep a low profile ... !



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/28/2018 7:35:34 AM)

This is Kiev now. I've gotten units around the west side of the city and I've brought in a lot of arty and I'm going to rest them until they have 100% of their supply and then start the bombardments, about once per turn, three-dots per strike. And the aircraft. I need to be carefull because some of the Kiev defending hexes contains an AA unit and that's a no-strike hex. I hate losing planes to flak. Attacks seem to garner more enemy losses if a ground contingent is included with the bombardment and airstrikes and I'm wondering what kind of damage I can expect from one-dot attacks with everybody.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/1ADF44AD26B34F20B740BCA1A50F5225.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/28/2018 4:15:14 PM)

Here's what Orsha looks like now. I've scopped out the Soviet defenders and I don't think it's possible to push the Soviet units out of the Orsha hex because I can attack from only one hex. I'll have to use the engineers to leap the river and get more attacking hexes on the target. I'm going to have to bring up a lot more arty to support. At least the railhead is close and the supply level is good.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/F9AF8DE820CA4D178CB7BF1E4E39C454.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/29/2018 8:02:12 AM)

Soviet Turn 13....3rd August 1941

Vitebsk holds against determined attacks this turn but will likely fall next but otherwise no significant cities fall to the Germans.

An attempt by Soviet and American long range bombers to blow a bridge in the south, well to the West of Odessa is foiled by large numbers of Luftwaffe ME109's and the Soviets take 17% losses but in the North there is much more success as the US Dauntlesses sink an entire Finnish naval flotilla off Narva that had been bombarding Soviet lines. Five destroyers and two battleships are sunk.

Soviet artillery in Leningrad takes a heavy toll on the Finnish Infantry from 4th and 6th Divisions that have replaced the German troops on the front line and artillery in Odessa and Kiev are also busy.

Two more reserve armies are deployed in the fragile centre and the garrison at Mogilev resists for now an assault across the Dnepr.



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/29/2018 7:06:38 PM)

Soviet Turn 14...6th August 1941

As predicted the garrison at Vitebsk is overrun but attempts by the Germans to force the river crossings at Orsha and Mogilev fail for now.

Over 200 Stukas supported by 130 fighters hit the Leningrad Port and sink four destroyers and a battleship in a revenge attack apparently ordered by Larry after the loss of the Finnish naval flotilla last turn !

The Soviets, undeterred decide to strike at the Kriegsmarine which has now made an appearance off Narva and another battleship is sunk along with a destroyer escort.

The Soviet line in and around Smolensk is reinforced as it is decided to commit the sizeable forces that had been held back for the defence of Moscow further to the West. It remains to be seen how wise a move this is.

Some disruptive manoeuvring begins in the far North of Finland in an attempt to cut German supply lines using small mobile operating behind enemy lines....



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/30/2018 12:55:05 AM)

I've gotten my troops across one river only to have to cross another. The Soviets are guarding all the crossings in force and it's going to be a hassle to try to find a weak spot because Ian doesn't do that often. I'm going to have to move the engineers up to the river and try to do an assault in more than one spot simutaneously so that the defense might be swamped and overwhelmed. I don't have nearly enough arty in this image. Something else to bring forward.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/33C49D88FF8B40FB975118EE241FBB2C.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/30/2018 10:40:00 AM)

Soviet Turn 15.... 10th August 1941

A worrying German breakthrough by Panzers and Panzer Grenadiers at Orsha threatens to outflank positions at Smolensk and further south at Kiev and two recently raised Armies are rushed to plug the gap.

Smolensk itself repels a determined German attack with the help of artillery and tanks but Zhlobin falls after repeated assaults.

A further Soviet battleship is sunk in Leningrad but there are heavy losses for the Stukas on this occasion as extra fighter cover has been brought in.

Further south at Cherkassey an NKVD counter attack forces some combat engineers off the blown bridge to try and delay any German assault and there are more concentrated bombardments by Soviet artillery on German forces massing on the west bank of the Dnepr.

The position at Odessa remains strong for now and Soviet partisans are proving useful in the German backfield.





larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/30/2018 1:45:33 PM)

Somehow I forced my way across the river at Orsha but Ian is blocking the intrusion and it seems that there is no breakthrough yet. Ian has railed a lot of reinforcements into the AO and using them he's going to block things up really tight. This is a hard fight and there's plenty of losses on both sides. I think I need to use the engineers to leap across the river at another spot yet.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/50ABD17B8BC2403089DCC3580A1C4DFC.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/30/2018 2:13:14 PM)

Ian has built a pretty good looking MLR along the river up north and I haven't advanced that far yet. I guess Ian thought the advance would advance faster than it did. The Finns have reached the stop line so there's not much going on up there, just arty duels back and forth. I underestimated the number of troops that would handle the northern front lines and I think there may be a problem unless I rail some more people toward Leningrad. I'm not intending on pushing hard at the bottleneck, where Narva is. I'm heavily outnumbered and if Ian pushes real hard he can cause all kinds of problems and I'm worried about the weakness of my line. It's holding so far but Ian has some really stout units up there, plus armor. And all the arty in the world. He's got some RR guns that can reach a lot further than my arty can so I need to bring up several of my RR guns to counter his.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/FAF3707B785844B89CCD6478B447711E.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (10/31/2018 8:58:59 PM)

Soviet Turn 16....13th August 1941

The Central Front now has some serious problems as the German breakthrough at Orsha by 4th panzer Division is now joined by that by the 18th Panzer Division a few miles south at Mogilev. The railed in 58th and 50th Armies manage to prevent them linking and cap the breaks across the Dnepr for now, despite heavy air interdiction, but things are still now stable.

To add to the worries a concentrated attack on the south western suburbs of Kiev pushes back the Soviet defenders towards the city centre and even the presence of reserve armoured units fail to help.

A small positive arrives in the shape of the previously distinctly underwhelming Soviet bomber forces finally having success against the Axis airfields in the north with several Swedish squadrons being particularly hard hit. With Larry continuing to employ widespread interdiction Soviet fighters also have some success and this is the first turn the Axis air losses appreciably exceed that of the Soviets.

In Lithuania and Ukraine the partisans are again active and it is to be hoped they can cause some supply issues for the Germans advancing in the centre.

Down south Odessa continues to hold and the Germans have yet to reach the Soviet front lines in the Eastern Crimea.



larryfulkerson -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (11/1/2018 4:29:15 PM)

Ian left a section of his front lines unoccupied and all I had to do is apply some engineers to the river and walk across. I've gotten a good foothold and expect to expand it a lot larger. Now to clear all the crossings and keep going.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/7E7DC89D1DCB4CC59EEB7CD6C76C667B.jpg[/image]



devoncop -> RE: FITE v.5.0 try 2 same sides as before (11/2/2018 8:01:02 AM)

Soviet Turn 18...20th August 1941

What had already been moderately concerning has now become extremely serious as at least four German Divisions swarm across the Dnepr just South of Mogilev before swinging North and South in an attempt to cut Soviet lines. The few reserves immediately available are thrown in to try and cap the leak but it is likely this will be little more than an inconvenience to the Germans.

I am now left with a dilemma...do I try and reinforce what is already a creaking Central Front with newly arriving reinforcements East of Moscow or do I write the area off and try and construct a new MLR just West of the capital ?

Smolensk somehow survives another assault as does Pskov with less problem.

In the North a concentrated bombing offensive wipes out several Swedish squadrons West of Narva but progress is tougher in the far South near Odessa where German fighters are more numerous.

Italian Expeditionary Forces have reached the western arm of the Sevastapol isthmus and the Soviet defenders have shelled their lead elements.



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