RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (Full Version)

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jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 3:12:24 AM)

@originalperson0 - thank you. Your appreciation is my motivation.




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 3:14:30 AM)

Turn 9 – Air Recon Results and Action Planning

This turn, Axis flew 8 Recon Air Directives with 5 recon aircrafts lost.

The screenshot shows the situation after air recon and the Axis action plan. Highlights include –

1. Elements of the German 2PzG and 2A will arrive in the next two turns along the red line. It is desirable for German actions to take this into account.

2. 1PzG is to move towards the direction of the VP city Kharkov, maybe taking the city of Poltava on the way this turn (the black arrow). This will also path the way to form a huge pocket together with 2PzG to be arrived in the next two turn (the two big green arrows).

3. German 17A (the green color units) will be mainly responsible for clearing the Cherkassy pocket (the red circle).

4. German 6A in the North and Rumanian troops in the South are to advance into undefended territories (light blue broken line and arrows).

It is worth noting that there is raining this turn. The light brown hexes indicate ground condition changes to light mud. While the original map of this game is very beautiful, my poor eyesight has difficulties in distinguishing clear, light mud and heavy mud hexes. Hence I made this map mod, which can be downloaded here - https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=5034215.


[image]local://upfiles/78787/5B81A52CAB604DD39BBDAC7784BCA324.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 3:16:52 AM)

Turn 9 - Weather

The dominating weather conditions at this time of year should be clear (the red box and arrow). However, the weather was affected by a weather front and became raining (see the big blue L(mP)-2 circles on the current map on the left). The black box in the centre of the map indicates the playing area of this scenario.

The rain is expected to cease soon. Weather forecast for the next turn is clear (see the map on the right).

[image]local://upfiles/78787/5797654A9CC74B2EA239DB652103DBA3.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 3:19:01 AM)

Turn 9 – Action Phase (Part 1)

While advancing in the South, Rumanian units encountered an earlier undetected cavalry division defending Nikolaev. German troops were called in to attack. What is interesting is that after the German infantry divisions win the battle from a ferry hex, they were automatically advanced to occupy the Nikolaev hex (despite the units did not have sufficient movement points to enter Nikolaev if they had to move themselves).

[image]local://upfiles/78787/2FF9B8767E124353B2CCF32DE6CCA058.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 3:21:03 AM)

Turn 9 – Action Phase (Part 2)

Screenshot shows the frontline as at end of German Action Phase. Highlights include –

1. In the Centre, Poltava was taken (black circle).

2. There was no progress in the Dnepropetrovsk sector (green box). I am awaiting infantry from catching up.

3. Axis completely cleared the Cherkassy pocket (red circle), with 14 Soviet divisions and 1 AT brigade destroyed (red box).

Apart from the Cherkassy pocket and the Nikolaev battle, no other combats were fought. I also adhered to my adopted approach of not using any panzer/armored units to attack.


[image]local://upfiles/78787/BA0B9BC6F3A34F61BD31C92BB40D9320.jpg[/image]




Hardradi -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/20/2022 5:47:54 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jlbhung

Turn 6 – Naval Patrol

(b) regarding the red box - the scenario’s default schedule and strike num. for naval patrol were flying on 5 days and “auto(2)” strikes each day equivalent to a total of 10 raids each player turn. I wanted to start with 50% more raids (i.e. 15 raids), translating to flying on 3 days and 5 strikes a day. I also arbitrarily set 15 for minimum mission aircraft/escort [Min AC(Esc)] just to ensure escorts are flying. Others are default settings.

[image]local://upfiles/78787/874F0484858041F39F5545AC35BDF37A.jpg[/image]


Regarding the Min AC(Esc) setting, for a while I never took the time to understand what was going on with these settings. I find it very helpful as you can make sure you missions will ONLY fly with Escorts and for locking in the minimum number of escorts. I also now use it in conjunction the Req AC(Esc) which is Requested. I set my upper limit with Req and my lower limit with Min. I still get a chunky allocation of planes if I want it and if I take casualties or damage in earlier missions my minimum (or higher) will most likely still fly. Doing this is particularly helpful on contested Naval Patrol/Port bombing missions where you are trying to accumulate sorties in a hex or hexes.

Solely using the Min setting is absolute. Thus it also has its uses.




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/21/2022 3:30:54 AM)

I would wish that the Min AC(Esc) setting is also available for Ground Support (GS) missions.

To prevent unescorted GS from flying, at the moment I have to check fighter AOG's range circles before turning on GS for a battle in the frontline.




Stamb -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/21/2022 8:58:44 AM)

range circles alone does not guarantee that there are available fighters, to be 100% sure, you have to check travel distance in CR, a lot of clicks :(




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/21/2022 10:52:38 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Stamb

......, a lot of clicks :(


Clicks really hurt. My right hand index finger aches from playing WitE. I have to learn to use left hand mouse since 2-3 years ago. I miss the the good old days when SSI's War in Russia can be played with keyboard only (if my memory does not fail me).




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/22/2022 2:54:12 AM)

Turn 10 (Part 1)

Weather returns to clear. This turn is simple. So I proceed directly to the end of Action Phase position.

In the North, a pocket with the river Desna in the middle (the “Desna pocket”) was formed with -

(a) newly arrived units of 2A (blue color) in the northwest;
(b) newly arrived units of 2PzG (light blue color) in the northeast;
(c) units of 6A (purple color) in the southwest; and
(d) elements of 1PzG (red color)and Axis minor motorized units in the southeast.

This pocket was actually planned at the start of last turn (the green arrow in screenshot of earlier post #62). The only battle fought was initiated by a motorized division of 2PzG. Given the little resistance to the forming of this pocket, I have a feeling that not many Soviet units were isolated.


[image]local://upfiles/78787/1A3C4B5A12434EC6987226309B16DA1D.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/22/2022 2:57:14 AM)

Turn 10 (Part 2)

Highlights in the Centre and the South –

1. In the Centre (see the red box), no new territory was occupied. Infantry finally arrived and took over the frontline from panzer/motorized units.

2. In the South, Axis troops continued to advance into undefended territories.

There was no combat in the whole of the Action Phase in both the Centre and the South, unbelievably peaceful.

[image]local://upfiles/78787/6F3DD26A7FAD419D95B2AAF0D45A1B20.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/22/2022 3:00:48 AM)

Turn 11 – Air Recon Results and Action Planning

Screenshot shows the frontline after air recon. The Air Mission Target Boxes are turned off as they block some Soviet units. Axis flew 11 Recon Air Directives along the frontline from north to South. Soviet anti-air fires were heavier than before and 15 recon aircrafts were lost.

There are a lot of planned actions this turn –

1. 2A (blue color infantry), with support of 6A (purple color infantry), is to clear the Desna pocket (red circle);

2. 2PzG will advance eastward into seemingly undefended territories (light blue solid arrow). The dotted arrow line is a possible direction for further advance in subsequent turns;

3. Elements of 1PzG and 17A (units in black circle) is to make a breakthrough towards the VP city Kharkov (solid black arrow). If the breakthrough is successful, 1PzG may either move northward or southward to form pockets in subsequent turns (see the black dotted arrows);

4. Motorized units of 1PzG arrived at the outskirts of Dnepropetrovsk in Turn 8. Since then, no action was taken pending arrival of infantry. This turn Axis infantry will storm this VP city (red solid arrow);

5. Elements of 1PzG and 11A (units in blue circle) is to make a breakthrough towards southeast and cross the Dnepr River (blue solid arrow). In subsequent turns, they may either move northward to form pocket or proceed to take the port Osipenko;

6. Further to the South, 11A and Rumanian troops will continue to advance into undefended Soviet territories, towards the entrances to Crimea (big light green arrow).


[image]local://upfiles/78787/A51251965AE443C9B8D5783FD6033CE2.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/22/2022 3:04:10 AM)

Turn 11 – Action Phase (Part 1)

Desna pocket was cleared with 4 Soviet divisions and 2 brigades destroyed. As I feared earlier, there were only few units in the pocket.

[image]local://upfiles/78787/443FD17671BD4CCB971C1FEBAA7C5A0B.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/22/2022 3:06:27 AM)

Turn 11 – Action Phase (Part 2)

Screenshot shows the battle for the VP City Dnepropetrovsk. Battle did not go well for the Axis as the final CV ratio was just 1.1:1. However, the Soviet defenders unexpectedly routed, likely due to too little ready elements left after battle.

In the air, nearly 300 Axis and 600 Soviet aircrafts participated. Air losses to both sides were heavy – 68 Axis and 343 Soviet losses.

While ground losses to Axis appears to be light (-1635 men), actually there were a lot of damaged elements. TOE% for the German infantry divisions were not healthy after battle, two even dropped below 60% (see the red box/arrow). They may need several turns’ refit to become combat-worthy again.

[remaining parts of T11 to be updated tomorrow]


[image]local://upfiles/78787/342A1A0C558E48DE9018DF7B69E50493.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/23/2022 3:26:24 AM)

Turn 11 – Action Phase (Part 3)

Screenshot shows the end of Action Phase situation in the northern half of the map. Highlights include -

A. 2PzG spent this turn moving to the Soviet frontline and threatened Kursk (dotted light blue line/arrow). No battle was fought.

B. 1PzG and 17A spent a lot of efforts in making an opening in the Soviet line. Reserve activations were frequent. Luckily, the hard work was rewarded with an undefended Kharkov. The red arrow indicates the advance of 1PzG to Kharkov.


[image]local://upfiles/78787/8647053FC5F349338405C9B12F65E5F0.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/23/2022 3:28:59 AM)

Turn 11 - Action Phase (Part 4)

Now let us proceed to the highlights in the screenshot showing the southern half of the map -

A. Elements of 1PzG and 11A fought their way and finally managed a one-hex opening allowing the cross of the Dnepr River. The combination of swamp and a major river is very unfriendly to movement.

B. Further to the South, Axis troops finally reached the Perekop fort blocking the entrance to Crimea. No battle was fought in this sector. Italian troops arrived (the yellow counters).


[image]local://upfiles/78787/FA901ED1C68F4F0E80244CEC3F776C4C.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/23/2022 3:30:12 AM)

Turn 11 – Panzers in Combat

This turn, there was only one attack by panzer/armored units. It was also the first time a full German panzer division was used in an attack in this scenario. The enemy was a much weakened rifle division (defeated and retreated twice before this attack) defending a swamp hex and blocking the access to Dnepr River (see the white arrow). Axis losses in the battle were light as expected.
[image]local://upfiles/78787/A56ACFFB05A04689A5445E278C94CB39.jpg[/image]




jlbhung -> RE: Scenario: The Destruction of Southwestern Front vs Sov AI (2/23/2022 3:31:51 AM)

Turn 11 – Losses

The two breakthroughs this turn was achieved with intensive fighting. Both Axis ground losses (15.5k men) and air losses (126 aircrafts) were the highest turn loss so far.



[image]local://upfiles/78787/A138F537A69F4EADA670AFF45EEE0993.jpg[/image]




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