The Anti Bolshevik Crusade - Tarhunnas vs Q-Ball (no Q-Ball please)

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 46. Ditto.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 47. May 7 1942. Clear!

The spring offensive kicks off with attacks according to plan B and C. Initial attacks go forward more or less according to plan. The Soviet defenses are deep and heavy. Many panzers started some way from their point of attack so as not to give away the points of concentration. The results are still more or less satisfactory. 1st Panzer Army covers more than half the way to Kharkov and displaces a couple of airbases and HQs in the progress.

[Tarhunnas]

Closeup of the Kharkov area. CVs are not too hot as can be seen.

In retrospect, I wonder if I wasn't a trifle too bold with that panzer thrust towards Kharkov. If I am cut off, I will have to rescue them in mud... (I hate non-random weather). Well, the die is cast.

[Tarhunnas]

Losses. Close to 2.5 to 1 in men and guns. Not all that great a ratio, but still...

[Ketza]

I liked the A approach the best. You have def waded into the deep water with B and C.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Ketza

I liked the A approach the best. You have def waded into the deep water with B and C.

Maybe, but A felt kind of obvious, and his defenses were the thickest there. I think I achieved at least partial surprise with the Kharkov thrust. Well, we'll see.

[Ron]

I think launching the offensive now was premature, both in weather and forces involved, unless you can create a pocket before Mud sets in again. Even considering further Russian defenses, June would have been better I believe in that several turns of clear could be taken advantage of.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Ron

I think launching the offensive now was premature, both in weather and forces involved, unless you can create a pocket before Mud sets in again. Even considering further Russian defenses, June would have been better I believe in that several turns of clear could be taken advantage of.

The problem is if I wait for June, Soviet fortifications will be stronger, as will the Soviet army. It is certainly not optimal to attack now, but I prefer that to waiting.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 48. May 14 1942. Mud.

With 20-20 hindsight that bold move with the SS division towards Kharkov ranks as one of my stupidest moves ever. I kind of forgot that next turn would be mud, then I realized at the end of my turn. One of those times I would have liked to redo my turn, but no cheating here! I have no great hopes that they will hold out.

Other than that, my offensive has led to a withdrawal by the Soviets in the area west of Kharkov. Not entirely unexpected; Q-Ball is very cautious and methodical (myself, I am somewhat more impulsive, and pay the price sometimes [;)]).

[neuromancer]

ORIGINAL: Tarhunnas
C. A two-pronged offensive towards Kharkov. Probably not expected by The Soviets (possibly because its daft?).

[:D]
Go for that one then! I would!

Oh wait, I suck at these games, don't taje my advice.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 49.

That didn't end happily for the SS-division. Well, I have no one to blame but myself.

The offensive continues somewhat more cautiously. Given the cautious behaviour lately, I guess STAVKA will just continue to give ground in the intervals between my spearheads, so I expect it will be difficult to make any encirclements.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 50. Mud. Nothing happening worth a screenshot.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 52. June 11 1942. Clear.

This is the front before Axis moves but after extensive recon. I am faced with a mega carpet! I doubt I will achieve anything at all by attacking into this, but I will try for some turns more, mostly for the show. It would be a dull performance to just settle down to defense.

[Ketza]

He is doing what 76mm did to me that time frame. Extensive carpet and falling back when a pocket looms. Seems to be a standard Soviet strategy for that time of year and is quite effective.

No advice to give and I am pointing out the obvious but your AAR is so enjoyable I felt I needed to say something [:)]

[molchomor]

It is the magic flying carpet. You know the one that would never fly in the real world, only in a game.

[Tarhunnas]

ORIGINAL: Ketza

He is doing what 76mm did to me that time frame. Extensive carpet and falling back when a pocket looms. Seems to be a standard Soviet strategy for that time of year and is quite effective.

No advice to give and I am pointing out the obvious but your AAR is so enjoyable I felt I needed to say something [:)]

Thanks anyway for the support, and for letting me know I am not alone.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 52. I do some cautious attacks to enlarge my bulges, but nothing too ambitious. Next turn will be mud again.

In the Moscow area, I kick the commies out of two hexes northwest of the city, to get more secure lines. I plan on building up a two-line defense here, as this is sure to be one area where the reds would love to make an encirclement!

[Tarhunnas]

Losses turn 52. 2-1 in men and artillery, not really good enough, and this exchange rate of tanks cannot continue.

[Mynok]

I don't see you making any progress against that carpet with the state of your infantry. I'd start setting up your defense lines for 43.

[Tarhunnas]

Turn 53. Mud.

It seems that the Soviets have started counterattacks, and have no problems pushing back my gains! This is extremely ominous. I realize that there is no point at all in trying any further advances. All I accomplish is putting myself out of fortifications in positions where the Soviets can counterattack my mobile formations.