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eskuche -> End (9/27/2020 8:29:57 PM)
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Unfortunately, at this point, we have decided to call off the game. Sillyflower played a generally nice defensive game but neglected some out of the way swathes of land that I abused by using whatever ways I could get fuel to the otherwise starving forces. I'm not sure I was quite happy with this mode of gameplay, which is much, much more maneuver warfare and industry-focused. However, as STAVKA put up very hard walls with units that otherwise would have defended those areas, I felt no recourse. I have bagged over 50 armaments and heavy industry at this point (all of Mogilev, Bryansk, Odessa, Kirovograd, Krivoi Rog, Stalino/Gorlovka/Konstantinovka). However, given the relatively new state of the supply game, whether this is optimal and whether it even matters remains up for grabs. This uncertainty of the meta-game as well as update fixes makes this tactic whereby I gained a lot of ground at a cost of making pockets questionable. Soviet OOB at 3.6 million and only 369 units destroyed (starting turn 1, 87, 77, 95, 52, 32, 19, 7), which is likely relatively less than a slower paced pocketing game would have achieved.
Overall strategic map is shown. I am slightly slower gaining ground on Leningrad than could have been otherwise due to the encirclement mishap on turn 4. However, that in turn led to huge force commitment by the Soviets as well as the opportunity cost unit fort building due to their surround. Leningrad will likely fall before mud, and Osinovets port bombing is insurance for this, being already at 19% damage. Center is rather slow because of my gambit towards Bryansk. I could make the connection between Gomel and Kiev at any time I want, but this is a pointless endeavor and will leave it to 1 or 2 high morale infantry divisions from 6th army marching north. My PzG 2 foray towards Rzhev will likely force a retreat from Velikie Lukie and a repositioning from Vyazma, making the penetration to Moscow that much easier. At the same time, Soviet must guard Tula against a surprise thrust from my already forward units. Finally, in the South, we both ignored the Kiev skirmish. I made the unexpected pocket near Nikolaev by penetration the Dnepr swamps where tanks usually would not even attempt to go against any defense, so this perhaps calculated risk by STAVKA failed and resulted in loss of 9th army as well as unhinging of the southern Dnepr by the drive to Stalino.
Depending on the supply meta-game, my industry grab may have no effect at all. If the game were to continue, I would have to all-in on industry given the lack of pockets this game. Armor would be railed down to Moscow region from AGN turn 9-10, and with the forced reposition this coming turn, forts will likely be weak. STAVKA will have to make a decision to evacuate Moscow or Tula/Voronezh, squeezing Soviet future supply even harder.
I welcome comments and discussion on this example of a maneuver game.
As Sillyflower and I both felt either disgruntled or uncomfortable by the meta-state of the game and the future prospects based on the results, we have called off this game. Good game to SF, and stay tuned for the next AAR.
[image]local://upfiles/59341/D9419826FF4D4697BCB8295AA3E8D934.jpg[/image]
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