RE: A look at Barbarossa.

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> World in Flames >> After Action Report >> RE: A look at Barbarossa.

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RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 12:39:24 AM

Red Prince

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But before we get to Ground Support, here are a few things I have been doing today:

I may have lost my Ski Division near Murmansk, but the Helsinki Militia was able to get into position to block the rails with its ZOC. Sure, it is now out of supply, but that doesn't really matter for my purposes. No resources will make it to the USSR through this port during this turn.

Picture taken after Land Movement of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 12:40:17 AM >

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Post #: 181

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 12:42:39 AM

Red Prince

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Of course, those resources can still come in through Archangel, so I have to cut that rail line, too, by taking control of Vologda:

Picture taken at Land Combat Declaration of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 12:43:38 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 182

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 12:46:40 AM

Red Prince

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Since there is movement away from the isolated cities of the Soviet Empire, I spent a lot of time seriously considering making this attack with a total of 30+ factors, just so that I'd have the units in position next impulse to try a 3:1 attack on the 3-5 CAV sitting in Sevastopol. In the end, I decided I needed those troops elsewhere, so these guys will have to take care of business here.

Picture taken at Land Combat Declaration of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 12:49:14 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 183

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 12:50:29 AM

Red Prince

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And here's why I needed those units. I have two attacks on the Russian steppes, one near Kursk and the other in Kharkov:

Picture taken at Land Combat Declaration of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 12:51:17 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
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Post #: 184

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 1:44:15 AM

Red Prince

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Ground Support could reach either of the central two targets.
Near Kursk, it is a 67:15 attack at -1 (4:1 -1, with a 47% chance of 5:1 -1)
In Kharkov, it is 43:9 (4:1, with a 78% chance at 5:1)

After calculating all of the possible odds changes, what seemed best was to send the Pe-2 bomber and the MiG-3 fighter from Kursk to Kharkov. If the bombers get through, the odds are reduced from 4:1, with a 78% chance at 5:1 down to 3:1, with only a 30% chance at 4:1. This seemed the best option, since this is the last defensive outpost between this battlefield and infinity. That's a good odds reduction for only 4 Tactical factors, and significantly improves the chances of disorganizing German attackers.

However, that leaves no fighter protection for the other attack. Since the USSR needs to believe the turn will end soon (or else the worst might happen), disorganizing the Rocket Artillery seemed a reasonable trade-off for a 4 extra factors which cannot be intercepted. Odds here are reduced to 3:1 -1, with a 53% chance at 4:1 -1.

Picture taken at Ground Support Interceptions of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 2:17:18 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 185

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 1:52:02 AM

Red Prince

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Ouch! It would appear the decision was solid, so far. Not only did the bombers get through, but the Soviet MiG took out its German counterpart. Chalk one up for the enemy.

Picture taken after Air-to-Air Combat Digression, Ground Support, of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 1:53:26 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 186

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 1:57:41 AM

Red Prince

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So, here are the final combat odds:

Picture taken at Choose Land Combat of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 1:58:36 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 187

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 2:02:18 AM

Shannon V. OKeets

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gridley

quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

quote:

Bah! I forgot that pesky long range Condor. I doubt if I would have made this attack if I remembered it. At least it is a forrest hex so that their ground support is halved.

That's okay, Orm. I didn't even see the attack near Murmansk when you asked me about it what I wanted to do for Ground Support!

When you are putting in Defensive/Offensive Ground Support is there a list that pops up with all planes that reach the hex?

Yes. The Selectable Units form (described by Aaron in his reply to your question) appears for all air mission phases, for all air mission subphases (including AA fire). You still have to manually check to see what your opponent can do in response (e.g., what interceptors he might send up), but the units that you can presently move are always identified in the Selectable Units form.

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Perfection is an elusive goal.

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Post #: 188

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 2:10:02 AM

Red Prince

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To the North, in Vologda, that lonely Militia had to choose between a 40% chance of survival, with a 40% chance to disorganize the enemy (Blitz) OR a 0% chance of survival, with a 60% chance of disorganizing the enemy (Assault). Well, we all want to survive, so this was a Blitz.

And, of course, I rolled that magic '1' !!!

I should be thankful I got a +1 on this attack. Operationally, it was a success. A costly success, but a victory regardless. The Allies will get no resources to Russia this turn!

Say goodbye to the Gaurds Infantry, Finland . . .

Picture taken during Land Combat Resolution of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 2:11:23 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 189

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 2:39:14 AM

Red Prince

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Just outside of Sevastopol, I chose a Blitz combat. I won the Fractional Odds roll, getting the 7:1 Blitz table, and rolled a '10' (if the odds didn't begin as Automatic, the game still 'rolls' the die). Now that, my friends is a wasted '10' if I ever saw one.

The last two attacks are both going to be Assaults. If they can be kept on the 3:1 charts, there's a good chance of that the USSR can hold the German troops at bay.

First, we visit Kharkov:

Here I needed to roll a .307 or less to get the 4:1 table for the attack. I rolled a .011, so i got it. This now means the Soviets have a 40% chance to save the city, instead of a 60% chance. But they don't. A roll here of '8' makes up for my bad luck in the North. Not only did I win the city, but my units remain organized (just barely), and the USSR now needs the turn to end ASAP.

Moving on to the battle outside Kursk:

Here, again, the Assault table is a better choice. It almost assures the USSR of disorganizing my units, much to my chagrin. I have 12 units engaging in combat here, desparate to eliminate some Russian tanks. I do have a fair shot at the 4:1 table, at 53%. And, once again I get the roll (.375) for Fractional Odds.

You're not going to believe this. Unbidden, the words "Oh, my God!" just passed my lips. As if to make up for the wasted '10' at Sevastopol, I rolled another one here. Even modified to a '9', that means nobody disorganized, and the enemy Shattered! We both seem to be doing well on this blood-stained steppe.

Picture taken during Land Combat Resolution of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 2:40:08 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 190

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 2:42:02 AM

Red Prince

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This time I converted the result to a Retreat, not wanting the remaining 2nd Armor to come back in a more useful spot next turn. There are 4 hexes I can put him in. I choose to place him with Zhukov. If the Red Army gives me a shot at that stack, I'll get it at +2, and have a chance to take out an ARM and an HQ-A. Not that I'm likely to be given the chance! This also keeps the way pretty clear for my units to push through to the south.

Picture taken during Land Combat Resolution (Retreats) of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 2:43:08 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 191

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 2:54:55 AM

Red Prince

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After moving into the empty hex, I moved on to Air Rebasing. I have just a few planes left to bring up to the Front, starting with the ATR I have waiting in K�nigsberg. My II Paratroop Corps is in Smolensk at the moment, so I move the Air Transport to that frontline city. One final LND can also reach the Front, and my FTR-3 fighter-bomber is slightly back, so I brought that up North, too. The last thing I want to do is to reposition my last organized front line fighter, and I'm ready to move on.

I don't expect to make much more headway in the center this turn, so I had von Bock reorganize another fighter and the slow AA division in Vitebsk.

Picture taken during HQ Reorganization of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 2:56:18 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 192

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 3:02:54 AM

Red Prince

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A roll of '9' keeps the turn going. Can the dice be loaded ???

Here's how things look in the Moscow region, also known as the Northern Front. Not much real movement here. I got to Vologda, but I really wanted that unit organized to threaten Moscow in the coming impulses, assuming the summer continues. Perhaps I'm just getting greedy (see below).

Picture taken at end of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 8/11/2011 3:04:04 AM >

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 193

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 3:07:00 AM

Red Prince

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And here's a look at the Southern Front. I got extremely lucky here. That's really all I can say about this region.

Picture taken at end of Axis impulse #9, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 194

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 3:16:36 AM

Red Prince

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I don't know how I am where I am, besides good luck. I'm still short of the needed victory totals, so I need at least 1 or 2 more impulses with weather that I can fight in before the game ends. I would be very surprised if I got another one this turn. There is a 40% chance to end the turn coming up. I know that means a good chance to continue, but I don't trust good luck. I'll take it when I can get it, but I still don't trust it. I know my tactics just aren't that good overall. Perhaps it has something to do with these new helmets I've issued to the Nazi Stormtroopers.

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 195

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 10:02:49 AM

Orm

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Rijssiej

I just have to say that I really enjoy this�look at Barbarossa. I especially like how it shows the gameplay. Keep it up guys!

We will keep it up to my bitter end.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. This, of course, goes for all of you. And I will make an attempt to answer it. And when I manage to make a bad answer I am sure my opponent, Red Prince, will clarify things.

I am so glad that there are at least a few out there who use up some of their precious time to look at this thread. Thank you all.

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Post #: 196

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 10:09:43 AM

Red Prince

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I second that emticon.

This has been very exciting to create and share. It has also been very educational. Thank you.

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Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 197

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 10:49:45 AM

Joseignacio

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Post #: 198

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 3:07:44 PM

Klydon

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Thanks for taking the time to do this AAR. I think this should provide both a good snap shot of what is coming and the fact that the game has come along far enough for something like this to be possible. Like many, I can't wait for this to come out having played it when it first came out way back when.

My issue is going to be trying to figure out all the new stuff in game.

Somehow, I think I will manage.

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RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 3:15:09 PM

composer99

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It's been interesting to see.

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RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 6:33:56 PM

Centuur

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Good luck, indeed. Thinks could have been worse for the German (that's probably the understatement of the year, but hey...). He's got lucky in attacks and the turn continues...
However, if the turn ends after the Russian impulse, there still isn't a problem for the Soviets. Surely the emergency build plan after last turn was in order, giving a lot of short term building units as reinforcements...

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RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 7:59:38 PM

gridley

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Yes, it has been fascinating to watch. I particularly like how you guys are showing some of the combat pages, etc. Things to show us how the Computer game will work.

Thanks again.

Can't wait for more AAR's...

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Post #: 202

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/11/2011 10:31:18 PM

Orm

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Unfortunately my build plan was mostly militia last turn and they already arrived. Here is a picture of the next turns reinforcements as they stand now.

Edit: My impulse will have to wait for tommorow.

Picture taken at the beginning of Allied impulse #10, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Orm -- 8/11/2011 10:33:03 PM >

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Post #: 203

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 10:10:45 AM

Orm

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I am to low on units to both keep a defencive line and make any real counterattacks. This saddens me since there are several targets to attack. I am, however, making 2 attacks anyway that does not affect my defence so much. An automatic attack against Vologda is given. With much hesitation I decide to attack Pskov as well. It is a desperate attack but if it succeds it could force Germany to withdraw front line units.

I feel alot more daring since Germany has no defencive support that reach any of the attacks.

Picture taken at Land Combat Declaration of Allied impulse #10, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Orm -- 8/12/2011 10:13:04 AM >

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Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 204

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 10:19:04 AM

Orm

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I rolled a 4, modified to 5, and funnily enough this was actually one of the best possible results for me. The german unit dies and mine survives. It feels weird that at times a low rolled resulult is better than a higher.

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Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 205

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 10:36:34 AM

Orm

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I thought it could be appropriate to post a picture of the land combat tables at this point. The area marked in yellow is the possible outcomes of the Pskov attack depending on what attack table Germany decided to use.

Attachment (1)

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Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 206

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 10:39:00 AM

Orm

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And the result of the Vologda attack. I like attacks where I can't take any losses regardless of what is rolled.

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_____________________________

Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 207

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 11:07:11 AM

Orm

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North part of the front.

Picture taken at end of Allied impulse #10, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Orm -- 8/12/2011 11:08:34 AM >

_____________________________

Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 208

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 11:09:45 AM

Orm

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And this is how the central front looks.

Picture taken at end of Allied impulse #10, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

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< Message edited by Orm -- 8/12/2011 11:10:10 AM >

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Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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Post #: 209

RE: A look at Barbarossa. - 8/12/2011 11:11:19 AM

Orm

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A close look at the Kursk area. I decided to move the Bryansk militia to support the artillery west of Kursk. Now at least Germany has to commit some units to destroy them.

Picture taken at end of Allied impulse #10, Jul/Aug 1941 (Turn 2 of 5)

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Orm -- 8/12/2011 11:22:15 AM >

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Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett

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RE: A look at Barbarossa.