Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (Full Version)

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Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/25/2021 11:25:41 PM)

This is a Stalingrad to Berlin Campaign.

Server game with enhanced TB on with the condition that I report the transfers I make using enhanced TB.

At the beginning we agreed to only have one motorised unit per turn. However around turn 4 we agreed along with only one unit per turn, to also limit temporary motorised units to movement and attacking only from friendly controlled hexes. This is what I think the best option and balance is for this feature as I like to think about temp motorisation as a means of non-strategic transport. This is because leg infantry aren't trained to use vehicles in combat and them only being able to attack from a friendly hex can represent them just leaving their trucks far away for pick up and acting as normal leg infantry again.



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/25/2021 11:34:11 PM)

T1

I open the turn and the pocket around Stalingrad is sealed shut. I move units from the vicinity and the motorised units from Khalkhuta to prevent any further exploitation from Soviet units. My general plan to survive the Soviet winter offensive is to hold my positions as long as possible to prevent Tyronec from claiming the +6 bonus VPs that are scattered across the south.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/42E4E689A33748B19856E564E25540C4.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 12:11:25 AM)

Was considering pulling the Romanian units back behind the river, but then they would be placed in clear terrain within deliberate attack of Soviet infantry, no forts, in bad weather, and with no AT weapons against all the Soviet armor nearby. I decided the only real use I would have for these weak units is to have them hold down the forts and stall for reinforcements to the Stalingrad region.

I also pulled weak units further into the Stalingrad pocket as they were overexposed.



[image]local://upfiles/76389/C6EFEA9E67824968B20F68E4B6FB5782.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 1:09:16 AM)

Strategy is the same in the Caucasus. I'm going to hold on as long as possible to deny bonus VPs at Maikop and Krasnodar.

I launch counterattacks (forgot to turn on the battle filter for the first turns when I took the pictures oops) on exposed soviet units crossing the river, send a small amount of reinforcements and withdraw units onto the rough terrain for more defensive CV.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/0FB5CC7DE18A49DA877D325E6B8C1889.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 1:14:27 AM)

Seems like tyronec is using the units that were originally slated for Op. Mars for an attack near Orel. I send my mobile reserves to this area and I try to take advantage of his redeployment and cut-off three Soviet divisions to try and straighten the line.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/CE7B9D65871E465D873340B32DAA75EB.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 1:27:28 AM)

Tyronec also takes Velikie Luki. A troubling development as this rail junction opens up more supply for his units to attack and potentially destroy the Rzhev salient. Although he has deployed units elsewhere, this will for sure become a problem later on in the campaign.

The city of Rzhev (worth 10 VPs) and Vyazma are also part of a rail system that the Soviets must capture in order to push for Smolensk and further into AGC.

I cut off over extended mechanized units in hopes of securing their surrender next turn.
[image]local://upfiles/76389/42E4EF41B28543EDBF420270ABADE076.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 1:46:11 AM)

In AGN, the front is static and a withdrawal is begun from Demyansk to free up needed divisions. Demyansk itself holds no rail lines and has very little strategic value.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/C89FC51DCC92483C81CA40BC42B6D334.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/26/2021 1:59:22 AM)

The 9th Army has been set to assault along with the 2nd panzer army. The fireman has also been sent to contain the Soviet offensive near Velikie Luki.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/7DFD3C225CED46C49F9567CD1F006461.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/27/2021 8:44:12 AM)

T2

Just going to start T2 and perhaps finish it before I go to bed. The next few turns I was in a hurry to finish so they won't be very long or as in depth until around T7.

Not suprisingly, the Romanian divisions have been encircled. I reopen the pocket to delay their surrender but don't bother trying to evacuate them out. They'll just get slaughtered by the soviet armoured formations as these divisions have literally 0 AT weapons. They should hold out for a few more turns as the triple stack of Romanian infantry divisions have a combined defensive CV of 16.

Reinforcements arrived to this sector of the front and counter attacks were made with 1st Slovak Motorised Division, 22 and 6 Pz on exposed Soviet divisions to inflict losses and most importantly, set there CPP to 0.

Now that I am on turn 8, with hindsight I should've just gotten some of those units out. I left them there because I wanted to slow down Tyronec's advance but as you'll see in the next few turns my assumption that he was going to continue pressing towards the Don and Rostov was incorrect.




[image]local://upfiles/76389/8A23D32D98AC4828900D39AE40603BF0.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/27/2021 8:57:53 AM)

Caucasus:

The units in the north have been unfrozen and begin to advance. Additional reinforcements have been sent to take the river line and stop the advance.

Since last turn as well, two panzer regiments have also been trapped where highlighted. Wiking division along with 23 Pz relive them and they are recombined back to the 3 Pz division.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/6D775F5012A34B1FB2E35551922769F9.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/27/2021 10:09:45 PM)

Soviets breach the line near Orel, however they are repulsed with a counter attack.

The pocket was also reopened and I suffered heavy losses. At least I took some CPP from his units that were redeployed from Op. Mars.

Additional reinforcements arrived to the Orel sector.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/4A876B2EC15E4F2EB5CFF29656B82AC9.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/27/2021 10:13:40 PM)

Velikie Luki:

The pocket has been reopened and I reseal it. Counter attacks have been launched towards VL.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/EC3830EDE80842EBBAC1EB33941B4CE2.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/27/2021 10:15:10 PM)

Withdrawal from Demyansk is continuing. Units previously propping up the salient are already being sent to critical sectors of the front.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/764AC1A252A04EB799D0057F384C0899.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 6:30:09 AM)

T3

Don:

Romanian pocket is sealed but reopened again.

22 Pz and 6 Pz Division trash weak Soviet divisions. Was considering attempting a breakout with 6th Army, but they are too weak just as they were in real life. If the breakout attempt fails then Stalingrad will fall significantly earlier than it did historically and Tyronec will get all those sweet bonus VPs.




[image]local://upfiles/76389/E8D2B94C9B54483E97B2CC3FA66B1D09.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 6:45:19 AM)

Just a battle report from one of panzer division attacking soviet units. Most of the battles were nowhere as dominating as this one but it gives you an idea of what Germany can still do in 42/43 in the right conditions.

By the way, does anyone know how in M60s AAR he managed to put more than one image in a post? Does it have to do with how many total posts you have?

[image]local://upfiles/76389/BB08C3B0F8BE474A882BBD0DCE60DCCD.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 7:00:21 AM)

Soviets build up near the Italians. Additional units are sent to reinforce them. I am hoping that with a CV of 14 the Romanians can hedgehog long enough (though I definitely don't have the armoured reserve or enough spare transports to relive them) to help with the situation.



[image]local://upfiles/76389/194B9075C97A4B05ACBAB0A449C0B836.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 7:33:24 AM)

Orel:

Soviets launch attacks near Orel but only grab a hex. Are thrown out with a single counter attack. Somehow I forgot to take an image of this part of the front, but it basically looked exactly the same as the Orel picture from T2.

Ground losses:

Nothing much to note here except the very high AFV losses. Only 279 AFVs were lost during my action phase - too many, but for the other 295, I hope I manage to recover them.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/41605195D8A74FCEB52ED2EE1F69B23E.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 7:37:37 AM)

Air Losses:

The war in the air was intense this turn, though if this loss ratio continues, I'll win the air war through attrition.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/7AB200FB2A614F96A4F5A56398131797.jpg[/image]



carlkay58 -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 12:20:54 PM)

To get multiple shots in one post the usual technique that I know of is to use Paint or someother image editor to combine the shots into a single image.



loki100 -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 4:43:40 PM)

I think Tyrone tends to create a composite image of his text and pictures and then posts it as a single image.

I tend to use a paid for image website, upload to there and link. But that also fits with some paid work I do so that covers the annual subscription etc



tyronec -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 5:26:00 PM)

Yes, I stick multiple images together using Paint.



loki100 -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/28/2021 5:37:52 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Rosencrantus

T3

... If the breakout attempt fails then Stalingrad will fall significantly earlier than it did historically and Tyronec will get all those sweet bonus VPs.



He will also need the railyard, so stopping that helps you. While its all single track lines on this sector having a huge railyard pumps out a lot train capacity that offsets the worst problems. Till he gets that he'll struggle in the Donets etc



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/30/2021 9:00:08 PM)

T4

AGA - Caucasus:

My units continue to cling on to their positions and launch attacks on exposed Soviet Divisions. One of my motorised units also had enough MP to scout and cut off a Soviet rifle division.

Don:

Romanian pocket is finally sealed shut. Not too bad of a result considering how much time was spent in that area and the commitment of his guards units. 6 Pz Division also launches attack on overexposed Soviet Divisions. Reinforcements are sent to patch the hole created from the attacks on the Italians.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/B253F8B08E7B4C338BEBA7D0C1EC598F.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/30/2021 9:12:22 PM)

Orel:

Soviets attack and take the hexes where I placed regiments on. Not good. I just lost all those lvl 3 forts for low Soviet losses and high German ones. I am at least able to counter attack and repulse his units though at a high AFV cost.

Velikie Luki:

Pretty quiet around VL this turn, just a few attacks. He relieves the isolated mech unit and I am only able to attack and route it. The whole debacle on surrounding those two mechanised units were not worth it. I lost far too many tanks and didn't even secure any surrenders.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/EF3132FA12F14EE299E6A71578833DCA.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/30/2021 9:41:36 PM)

T5

Next two turns are really short. Here we go.

Don: Nothing really happening in the South except at the positions where the Hungarians used to be. Soviets focus all their resources on them and blew them out of the Earth. Fortunately I had mobile reserves to create a strong line Tyronec has to go through next turn.

Orel: Soviets intensify there offensive here and gain ground. There are 6-7 guard rifle corps here! I am only able to launch counterattacks on one stack and secured a surrender of a rifle division. Me and Tyronec believe that this surrender occurred because there were too few hexes for the division to retreat to. Units are able to retreat more than one hex, but I believe the assault was so strong combined with fact that there were a lack of hexes to safely retreat to that the division surrendered instead.

Velikie Luki: More ground gets taken but his progress is really beginning to slow down. With reinforcements arrive I should be able to halt his entire offensive in this area soon.

Ground Losses: Only thing notable is the high AFV losses. Only half of them were actually loss in my action phase, the rest should be mostly recovered in the next few turns.

Air Losses: Nothing to note here.



[image]local://upfiles/76389/17B483C9E0EE4A0D92217F029C27B7FC.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (8/30/2021 9:58:18 PM)

T6

Was in so much of a rush to finish this turn before I went to sleep that I forgot to take photos of the turn save a few battle results. What I can say is that this turn was like the previous, a few hexes gained by the Soviets and such.

Not a single GC 41 or StB campaign has gone long enough to see new Axis tank models go up against Soviet ones. This one hopefully will though [:D].

As we can see, the Tiger tanks perform exceptionally well against armoured opponents. 19 Tigers destroyed more tanks than the 47 Panzer IIIL's and from what I remember only 2-3 Tigers were destroyed and 6 were damaged.

Overall AFV loss ratio was 4.26:1 in my favour. Very nice.



[image]local://upfiles/76389/A7714FA893AA424AB4502A991859AD04.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (9/7/2021 10:39:19 PM)

Don't have time to play the game so might as well update the AAR.

T7

Don: Not much is happening in the immediate vicinity of Stalingrad. Would have expected him to at least try and take the level 3 airport before focusing on somewhere else. 6. Pz Division launches counter attacks and to the north GS carries a fight against a Soviet guard rifle corps.

AGA: Units near Grozny are holding on to bleed Maikop and Krasnodar bonus VPs dry.

Novorossiysk: Tyronec a few turns ago left a gap in his line and I took advantage of it. It resulted in having units cut off though still in supply due to the port. As soon as the weather clears up, naval patrols will be conducted to isolate those units and attacks will be conducted to destroy them.

Orel/Voronezh: Line is holding solid, though the three Soviet guard corps are forcing me to keep a good amount of troops near Orel to ensure the rail line does not get cutoff. Soviets launch an attack south of Voronezh where the Hungarians where. We were forced to retreat, but at least achieved a 4:1 AFV loss ratio.

Velikie Luki: Tyronec has left a minimal garrison north of Toropets. Units have been concentrated and will attempt to cut off the rail line. They do not have to travel far, just 2 light woods and a heavy woods is enough to stop supplies to Velikie Luki. If this is successful and the chokehold on the supply line is held, the units from Velikie Luki may be forced to withdraw. Might be a bit over optimistic, but this should at least divert units from other sectors of the front where the Soviets are launching attacks.


[image]local://upfiles/76389/0DA28F03CEF64B2C834E475E42F55F17.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (10/7/2021 9:06:18 AM)

T8 - January 7, 1943

Been awhile since I posted here, game has a bit too many issues right now for me and Tyronec to continue playing in a satisfactory manner, so I'll just continue this AAR.

Here's just a general look at how the map is looking for me at turn start. Pretty good. I'm doing better than the germans did historically in terms of holding ground and the Soviets have taken very heavy AFV losses attacking my positions.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/BCC035840A8944D1A634A4516E96172A.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (10/7/2021 9:38:11 AM)

Don:

Just doing the same as before. One thing to note is that I have no need to form a continuous line as units with 1 hex spaces with them to ZOC are sufficient to hold the line. My reasoning for this is because I simply do not have enough up to strength units to sufficiently fill out the Southern part of the front. If I tried to do so, the Soviets would blow them away easily. I take advantage of the fact that if the Soviets do manage to rout a stack (very unlikely) they still only have one hex to exploit which with the combat delay penalty and heavy snow, should make any breakthrough weak. This is unless they also clear the stacks to the side of it, but that is impossible at this stage. I can't use this tactic once summer comes along as there isn't anything inhibiting movement like snow, but right now I'll take every advantage I can get.

Heavy combat is also taking place near the 2nd Hungarian Army. A few notable battles are one where hungarians and Italian Alpini infantry hold off a Soviet attack (but are push back in a subsequent one) and a massive tank battle. 48th Panzerkorps was defeated with heavy losses on both sides but at least the AFV ratio was nearly 5:1.

Also, since Tyronec has not really bothered with reducing the 6th Army pocket, I've taken the intiative to air transport units out. I have been doing this for a few turns now and have evacuated about 30000+ men. Being able to evacuate out these units mean that I don't have rebuild them from low xp, and I can immediately send replacements to use these units for the frontline.


[image]local://upfiles/76389/DB27FDE0C0ED4D54B3D51BD6D33FCC67.jpg[/image]



Rosencrantus -> RE: Final Days of the Reich - StB Rosencrantus (Axis) vs Tyronec (SU) (10/7/2021 10:01:36 AM)

Orel:

Soviets make some incursions into the line, I launch counter attacks and repulse them, but at high AFV losses (history repeats itself with the poor, poor, 27th Panzer Division [:(]... Well, almost). Even got a tank corps that routed towards my line and inflict some high losses on it. This isn't the worse thing that can happen though, I have panzer divisions already refitting in WE and my strategic reserve and a cycle will eventually be made where I send depleted panzer units to the reserve and send the refitted ones back to the front. I believe to even have a chance of surviving to 1945, the Axis needs to play actively and aggressively, keeping the Soviets off balance and achieving favourable combat results to burn up their units' strength and most importantly, supplies. Playing passively just ends up with you getting annihilated.

Any holds I am getting are also resulting in high losses for the Soviets. Don't be afraid to stand your ground if you have armoured reserves nearby, make the enemy fight for the forts that your units have dug into. In some cases, if you give up your fortified positions without a fight and have no prepared fall back line to retreat to, your units will get trashed if they are caught out in plains and no forts.

[image]local://upfiles/76389/81E7B70AB7AB4FF7A3E49710C9F4FA47.jpg[/image]



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