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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Advanced Tactics Series >> After Action Reports >> RE: Random take 2

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RE: Random take 2 - 4/28/2011 2:20:05 PM

henri51

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Joined: 1/16/2009
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DISASTER!!

The French have broken through my right flank on the Japanese front with powerful armored units consisting of light and medium tanks, tank destroyers, assault guns, and armored cars.

My light forces are no match for this kind of opposition, I have no anti-armor and no air power in the area at all, and they are going through my forces like crap through a goose.

I am backing up my line as fast as I can, leaving a few units long the river where they will have a better defense, I am transferring units down from the British front, and I am manufacturing AT guns at the AGS HQ where they had just arrived, but it will take a few moves before they are ready to fight.I have moved two air forces down from the British front, including my more powerful air unit consisting of 8 level bombers, 4 divebombers and 4 fighters. On the next move these units along with my artillery should be able to do inflict some serious pain on the advancing French.

I should have seen this coming when I saw some powerful French armore gathering on my right flank, but I never imagined that the French would launch a major attack intomy territory while they were still mixing it ip with the French. At least this prodded me into building some AT guns, which have arrived hopefully in the nick of time. I had built no bazookas since I was not meeting any significant armor, and now it will take a few move before I can equip my infantry with bazookas.

Henri

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Post #: 31

RE: Random take 2 - 4/28/2011 7:30:24 PM

henri51

Posts: 1151
Joined: 1/16/2009
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Finally! I breakout of the forested area into clear terrain on the road to the British homeland. My forces below the road alsopush the British back to the edge of the forest. I have dorpped a patrooper that is in dire straits, surrounded by the enemy but only one hex away from friendly forces - can he survive? If he does not he wil get a citation for distracting the enemy while I was ramming my way through.

In the forest to the South, 20 battered British units are within a hex of being surrounded; I dropped a paratrooper to reduce the escape corridor to one hex. Will the British concentrate on getting out, or on trying to stop my forces to the North?

I have moved most of my production to Army Group South to deal with the French incursion, and also moved more than half of my air forces there.A devastating air attack on his armored spearhead crumpled his armor significantly, and my new anti-tank units are training up for the fight. I have stiffened up some of the infantry with bazookas in case he attempts a thrust up through the center of my line.

Further East, the Russians are ganging up on the fortress which they can only attack from one hex.This is convenient for my air force there which can bomb all of his units at one go. Will the fortress hold?

Still further to the East, I noticed with horror that on the critical northern neck of land giving access to my cities, I had built not a fortress but a fortification!

I quickly brought back a ship full of engineers headed to the mainline to build a fortress before the Russians get there. Now that they have taken the Southern city, they seem to be coming up in force towards Odessa. I don't expect Odessa to hold for very long once it is surrounded, but the more time I can save here the larger my chance of survival.

If I can now eliminate the British, I can move one of my Army Groups South to deal with the French and Japanese; the latter seem to be on the road to perdition, which means that the French, who are already stronger than I am, will be a very tough foe to deal with. After I finish with the British I will work out a strategy to attack them from all sides.In a toe-to-toe brawl, it is unsure that I can come out on top, especially if I have to divide my forces between the French and the Russians

.

Henri

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Post #: 32

RE: Random take 2 - 4/30/2011 8:54:34 PM

henri51

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Joined: 1/16/2009
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The British are now in full retreat; I have cleaned out the pocket in the forest, and my spearhead has reached the ocean, cutting the British force in half and isolating the southern half of their forces from their two remaining cities. Both those cities are on the shore and Nashville in particular could be tough to take, since it is adjacent to only two land hexes.

I have captured a number of British factories, but turned most of them off, because new mechanized units are eating my supplies so fast that I have had to convert most of my cities to making supplies for a move or two.

If all goes well, the British should be out of the game in a few moves, but don't forget that two of their cities are occupied by the french on an island to the Southeast of this map. That island cold be a high priority for an amphibious invasion, but on the other hand, it can produce only PPs for the French, and my priority should be the original French cities. I have started to move KG Blue to the South to join the fray against the French, since AG West and KG Rose should be able to handle the remaining British.

Speaking of the devil, The French are walking all over the Japanese which at least in the area I can see have become a negligible quantity - all of the forces on the Southern front that are a threat to me are now French, and only a few out-of-supplies Japanese units remain there. The Japanese have lost most of their cities to the French, who are a very tough opponent because contrary to my other opponents, they use afully mechanized army supported by air and artillery power. I will show this front next time.

On the Russian front, so far they have not made a serious effort to break through the bottleneck leading to my left flank. To the East I have gathered a varied force that is fighting to hold them off from my fortresses and from Odessa. I am hoping that they and the French will be spending their main energy fighting over the Japanese spoils to the South.

Henri

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Post #: 33

RE: Random take 2 - 5/2/2011 2:17:58 PM

henri51

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Joined: 1/16/2009
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The end of the British. The picture shows the British occupying their last city after their adjacent capital fell on the last move. The Japanese are also down to one city, and the French are expected to put an end to them very soon.

In the meantime, I am advancing against the French on the former Japanese front, but I expect resistance to stiffen now that Japanese resistance has become negligible.

I am going away for a week, and will carry on after I return.

Henri

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Post #: 34

RE: Random take 2 - 5/2/2011 5:50:04 PM

mgaffn1

Posts: 175
Joined: 11/20/2009
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Interesting "speed bump" tactic - will have to try that one myself.

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Post #: 35

RE: Random take 2 - 5/12/2011 2:42:10 AM

henri51

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Joined: 1/16/2009
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Here is the situation on the Japanese Front. Note that all the Japanese units in the area are out of supplies, and the city just below belongs to the French. However the French are in danger of encirclement if they cannot counter my threat of breaking around behind them, capturing the city there and blocking the supply line.In additio, if I can block the neck of land at the top left, they will be isolated and risk annihilation.

Further to the NW there is a sizable force of Japanese with their backs against the sea. The French have conquered most of the Japanese cities to the south, but they are fighting a five-front war: in addition to this front and the Japanese to the NW, the French are fighting on two fronts against me in the East, and are probably fighting another two-front war against the Japanese and the Russians to the South.So although the French are now the most powerful and control the most cities, their forces are somewhat dispersed.

It was a strategical mistake for them to hit the Japanese in the back on this front and to engage me, because the Japanese were holding me back in this area and were thus acting as "allies" of the Front. Instead they should have left the Japanese with enough forces to hold me back and send some forces against the Russians in the SE.

Now that the British are almost eliminated, I already have significant forces coming down the road to this front, with more to follow as soon as I wipe out the last British city. My plan for the follow-up there is not yet formed: I could send some on an amphibious attack on the two French cities on the former British island in the NW, an amphibious attack on the left flank of the French, or bring them all down here for a major offensive.

I HAVE had to reduce my armored attacks, because despite having an income of 22,000 oil each turn, I run out of oil on each move. So I have shut down most of my factories and I am concentrating on horse-drawn units to reduce oil consumption. It is important to keep my artillery and air forces operational, and armored attacks must take second place. I have noted that an artillery attack followed by an air attack can so weaken almost any enemy stack that it is almost annihilated by a following significant ground attack.

Henri

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< Message edited by henri51 -- 5/12/2011 2:44:34 AM >

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Post #: 36

RE: Random take 2 - 5/12/2011 3:03:42 AM

Tac2i

Posts: 2001
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: WV USA
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I finally finished my game against 3 AI. It lasted nearly 5 years in game time. The game started May 1938 and ended with victory in February 1943. Longest AT/ATG game I've played.

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Post #: 37

RE: Random take 2 - 5/12/2011 6:11:38 PM

henri51

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I haven't checked how many years it makes, but my game has been going on for over 90 moves, and it is far from over.I have reached the point where almost all my cities are producing supplies, and I have had to shut down all factories to save oil. Maybe what I need is a war of attrition...

Henri

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Post #: 38

RE: Random take 2 - 5/13/2011 3:19:32 PM

Josh

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From: Leeuwarden, Netherlands
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You don't need to shut down your factories, all you need to do is *not* move your gasguzzling units. So put those armoured units in a defensive position and forget about them, and only move the armoured units you need for the offense. Also moving ships and attacking with lots of planes does cost you a lot of oil. Burning 22.000 oil per turn... blimey

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Post #: 39

RE: Random take 2 - 5/13/2011 7:38:49 PM

Tac2i

Posts: 2001
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: WV USA
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Fuel isn't the only issue. Late in a game with lots of units constructed, adequate supply can become a problem. The more stuff you have the more supply that is required. If you don't cut back production of units at some point in your game, more and more of you cities production will have to be devoted to supply. You can mitigate the issue to a degree by setting some units to 50% supply. I've reached a point in some of my games where I only built only enough to replace losses.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Josh

You don't need to shut down your factories, all you need to do is *not* move your gasguzzling units. So put those armoured units in a defensive position and forget about them, and only move the armoured units you need for the offense. Also moving ships and attacking with lots of planes does cost you a lot of oil. Burning 22.000 oil per turn... blimey

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Post #: 40

RE: Random take 2 - 5/13/2011 11:06:39 PM

henri51

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Joined: 1/16/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Josh

You don't need to shut down your factories, all you need to do is *not* move your gasguzzling units. So put those armoured units in a defensive position and forget about them, and only move the armoured units you need for the offense. Also moving ships and attacking with lots of planes does cost you a lot of oil. Burning 22.000 oil per turn... blimey

Yep, but fuel guzzlers require fuel (a lot less) even when not moving, and as you mention in the next message, they also need supplies, which is also an issue in this game.

A bigger issue I am now facing is the impossibility of building ships in the NW sea, although I have captured 3 enemy cities and built a port there.

Henri

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Post #: 41

RE: Random take 2 - 5/14/2011 7:38:38 PM

henri51

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If you look at the last map, my strategy succeeded, and I now not only control the necks of land but have units in all of them, and the central ones have broken out West into French territory. I have also fought my way further South where I am meeting mixed French-Russian resistance.I have moved KG Blue down the pike where they will replace the AGS (red) units fighting their way South so that these red units can concentrate on fighting their way West across the 3 necks of land, and into the main French territory.I have also sent AG Rose (pink) down the pike where they will be diverted East to go fight the Russians.

As mentioned before, I have exterminated the British, and just finished building a shipyard up NW, from where with AG West (grey) I will launch an amphibious invasion )of the NW island and of the Japanese retort containing the last Japanese city, hopefully joining my Westward forces in the former Japanese territory.

In the far East, I have succeeded in holding on until the British were beaten, and I have switched to the offensive on all fronts against the Russians, who have been giving the French a hard time in the center.

Because AGW stopped altogether until a port could be built and because KG Blue and KG Rose were only moving and not fighting, I grew a considerable reserve fuel and supplies. I am still keeping my factories shut down though, and manufacturing only horses and SMG infantry.

For the first time, it looks like I am winning. Or at least I have the initiative. If I can get AG West (my strongest army)into the former Japanese territory, the French will have a hard time holding me off.

Henri

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Post #: 42

RE: Random take 2 - 5/15/2011 4:15:56 PM

henri51

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Here is a situation map of the central front.Mot of AG Rose is not visible, but they are coming down the pike. Almost all of AG Blue are nearing the Southern Front or are engaged there, whereas AGS (red) have moved most of their units towards the Western Front. All of AG West (grey) are stationary up North waiting for a fleet to carry them on their amphibious strike, which will begin on the NW island, then followed up with an attack on the Japanese redoubt.

When AG Rose reaches the front, the red units there will either be pulled out and sent West, or change HQs to AG Rose.

Henri

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Post #: 43

RE: Random take 2 - 5/15/2011 9:17:24 PM

henri51

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Here is the situation in the Far East. AG East (orange) has retaken the territory East of the neck of land and is about to break out into the main Russian territory. In the meantime, the fastest units of KG Rose have arrived and are helping the AGS (red) units nearby to break out. The two groups will try to link up as fast as possible.

The rest of KG Rose are still coming down the pike and will reach the front in a few moves. The problem will be with the AGS (red) in the area, which are getting further away from their HQ as the AGS HQ moves West into French territory. I may have to pull hem back when KG Rose arrives to allow them to change HQs to AG Rose or AG Orange.

The main Russian force seems to be fighting the French near my main AGS forces further West. A similar situation is developing as that I faced earlier against the Japanese, when I found myself fighting both the Japanese and the French on the same Front. So I have exercised restraint there to allow the French and the Russians to batter each other while I gain territory elsewhere.

I have landed a few units without opposition on the island in the NW (see minimap in previous post). The engineer with them will build a port next turn to ensure a flow of supplies, then I will bring in more forces there.

Henri

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RE: Random take 2 - 5/18/2011 12:47:24 AM

henri51

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After 5 years of hard fighting, here is the situation on the Eastern Front. AG East (orange), element of AG South (red), KG Rose and KG Green have linked up and are pushing the Russians back hard. My armor has captured a piece of the only road and cut communications between those Russians and the other Russians fighting in the French territory.

On the central Front, I am fighting both the French and the Russians, but I have flanked the Russian right wing and also have a foothold on the road there. Linking up my two forces could be a problem due to the blown bridges that should cause supply problems until I can bring up some engineers, but I have non in the vicinity.

One engineering unit is coming down the sea, but will take some time to arrive. Another engineering unit is near the central front, but will have a number of bridges to repair there. There is another one to the North, but he will also not be available for some time, and he might be required to build airbases to the West of the map (not shown) where most of AGS is fighting the main French forces and the remnants of the Japanese.

In the NW Island, the French resistance is stronger than expected, and I decided to transfer the main HQ of AGW to the island, with the result that most of its sub-units and production facilities were paralyzed while the HQ was at sea, and almost all the units on the island found themselves out of supplies (the feared red dot).

Henri

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< Message edited by henri51 -- 5/18/2011 12:50:37 AM >

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Post #: 45

RE: Random take 2 - 5/30/2011 4:03:28 PM

henri51

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OK, I guess I will put an end to this AAR here (unless there is an outcry...). Although I have captured only 47 of the required 60 victory points, it is clear from the map that my forces (green) am now unstoppable. The Russian main force in the center are about to be cut off from their capital Kiev, and the last significant resistance is that of the French. But the latter's forces in the center are being overwhelmed by my advance, I am making significant progress towards the West, and my large AG West forces in the North are about to take the last city on the island in the NW, and will then be poised for an amphibious invasion of the French West flank.

Henri