Having just one ongoing GC with Manstein at the moment, I figured the time was right to challenge Sillyflower for a game.
I originally intended to play as the Germans, since that is what I am most experienced with.
As usual, I planned to write an AAR of the game, but realizing that most AARs are already of the German side, I decided to take on the Soviet side.
I haven't played the Soviets in a 41 GC before, so hopefully this AAR will also be helpful to new Soviet players.
Houserules
1 Latest beta updates
2 No T1 Riga gambit
3 Only 1 bombing attack per city per turn, and same for airbases after T1.
3 No soviet amphib before dec 41, and none west of Sevastopol or Odessa unless the unless Soviets hold S and O respectively
4 Victory conditions: Axis control 270 points (not 290). Soviets win if they manage to capture Berlin before May of 45.
Making History III: fiva55 vs Sillyflower
Moderators: Joel Billings, Sabre21
The Initial Onslaught
The Initial Onslaught
Early morning of 22 June 1941, suddenly, a storm of artillery fire shatters the previously calm along the Soviet border. Minutes later, the first wave of the German soldiers deployed along the border lunged forward, achieving total tactical surprise, and utterly shattering the Soviet border defences.
Within a week's time, German forces had destroyed the Western Front's forward elements and severely mauled those of the Southwestern and Northwestern Fronts.
Meanwhile, Luftwaffe planes had struck Soviet airfields in the the forward areas, destroying large numbers airplanes, most of them before they could even take off. These strikes succeeded in destroying almost 5000 planes, ensuring German air superiority for time to come.
Early morning of 22 June 1941, suddenly, a storm of artillery fire shatters the previously calm along the Soviet border. Minutes later, the first wave of the German soldiers deployed along the border lunged forward, achieving total tactical surprise, and utterly shattering the Soviet border defences.
Within a week's time, German forces had destroyed the Western Front's forward elements and severely mauled those of the Southwestern and Northwestern Fronts.
Meanwhile, Luftwaffe planes had struck Soviet airfields in the the forward areas, destroying large numbers airplanes, most of them before they could even take off. These strikes succeeded in destroying almost 5000 planes, ensuring German air superiority for time to come.
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A Desperate Situation
A Desperate Situation
In the first week of fighting, German forces had destroyed or isolated much of the Soviet forward defences, and stood ready to to resume their advance once supplies and infantry support caught up with the the fast moving panzer groups.
Of the Northwest Front in the north, only 27th Army survived somehow intact. Now commanded by Tobukhin, this army had the vital task of manning and holding the Pskov Line, delaying the Germans as long as possible, in order to allow reserves to be railed in and defend Leningrad and its approaches.
In the center, tattered remnants of Western Front hastily retreated east towards the Dnepr. Here, the Red army defended the Smolensk landbridge by the hastily reinforced remnants of 4th Army, now commanded by Rokossovsky, while the riverline itself was defended by the somewhat intact 13th Army, under Filatov.
In the south, most of Kiev Military District best formations were isolated. Of the surviving formations (corps and divisions),most were directly attached to the Front HQ, complicating the command structure in this sector. The only somewhat reliable formation surviving the initial onslaught was 16th Army, which now formed an temporarily erected defense line together with the heavily overloaded 9th Army of Odessa Military District.
In the first week of fighting, German forces had destroyed or isolated much of the Soviet forward defences, and stood ready to to resume their advance once supplies and infantry support caught up with the the fast moving panzer groups.
Of the Northwest Front in the north, only 27th Army survived somehow intact. Now commanded by Tobukhin, this army had the vital task of manning and holding the Pskov Line, delaying the Germans as long as possible, in order to allow reserves to be railed in and defend Leningrad and its approaches.
In the center, tattered remnants of Western Front hastily retreated east towards the Dnepr. Here, the Red army defended the Smolensk landbridge by the hastily reinforced remnants of 4th Army, now commanded by Rokossovsky, while the riverline itself was defended by the somewhat intact 13th Army, under Filatov.
In the south, most of Kiev Military District best formations were isolated. Of the surviving formations (corps and divisions),most were directly attached to the Front HQ, complicating the command structure in this sector. The only somewhat reliable formation surviving the initial onslaught was 16th Army, which now formed an temporarily erected defense line together with the heavily overloaded 9th Army of Odessa Military District.
Turn 1: Northern Sector
End of Turn 1, June 22 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
27th Army forms up a defensive line along the Velikaya. Put in refit mode, given 3 RR brigades and 4 Arty Regiments, this army, commanded by Tobukhin, will hopefully be able prevent the Germans from capturing Pskov for a few turns.
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
27th Army forms up a defensive line along the Velikaya. Put in refit mode, given 3 RR brigades and 4 Arty Regiments, this army, commanded by Tobukhin, will hopefully be able prevent the Germans from capturing Pskov for a few turns.
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Turn 1: Central Sector
End of Turn 1, June 22 1941
Central Sector
Clear Weather
A rearguard is left behind in Minsk, while 4th Army and 13th Army have pulled back in order to start fortifying the landbridge and the Dnepr.
Central Sector
Clear Weather
A rearguard is left behind in Minsk, while 4th Army and 13th Army have pulled back in order to start fortifying the landbridge and the Dnepr.
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Turn 1: Southern Sector
End of Turn 1, June 22 1941
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
With the tattered remnants of Kiev MD and Odessa MD, a temporary halt line could be erected. There is a gap in the Soviet lines near Kishinev, but hopefully that won't become a problem.
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
With the tattered remnants of Kiev MD and Odessa MD, a temporary halt line could be erected. There is a gap in the Soviet lines near Kishinev, but hopefully that won't become a problem.
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Manstein63
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:58 pm
RE: Turn 1: Southern Sector
Welcome to the dark side.
I think that you should do rather well as the Soviets as you are quite aware of what the Germans are able to acheive.
Best of luck to you in this game.
Manstein63
I think that you should do rather well as the Soviets as you are quite aware of what the Germans are able to acheive.
Best of luck to you in this game.
Manstein63
'There is not, nor aught there be, nothing so exalted on the face of god's great earth, as that prince of foods. THE MUFFIN!!!'
Frank Zappa (Muffin Man)
Frank Zappa (Muffin Man)
The butterfly effect
Thanks Manstein for the support.
Here is a small treat.
Memoirs of Rokossovsky
June 26, 1941
Central Sector
South of Vitebsk
The situation seems bleak. In the first week of the war, large numbers of our troops have been
either killed or forced into captivity. The mere mention of Germans panzers seems to inflict panic in
the men, and neither threats nor reassurances by our Commissars seems to improve the morale.
Clearly a victory, even a small one, is needed to convince our troops that not all is lost.
Than, an opportunity arises. Having encountered no resistance after the first week of fighting, a
German panzer division (19th), having grown complacent, decides to halt on clear terrain to
rest and refit, just 20 miles of our lines, as if to mock us!
Quickly, a counter-attack is organized. Two of our best rifle divisions (4th Army), supported by a
rifle division of 13th Army, are ordered to storm the German positions. Knowing the importance of
their task, the men selected for this seemingly suicidal task do not hesitate following their orders.
Such is the ferocity of their attack, that our troops manage to overwhelm the German positions,
forcing them to retreat, leaving behind 40% of their vehicles!
Here is a small treat.
Memoirs of Rokossovsky
June 26, 1941
Central Sector
South of Vitebsk
The situation seems bleak. In the first week of the war, large numbers of our troops have been
either killed or forced into captivity. The mere mention of Germans panzers seems to inflict panic in
the men, and neither threats nor reassurances by our Commissars seems to improve the morale.
Clearly a victory, even a small one, is needed to convince our troops that not all is lost.
Than, an opportunity arises. Having encountered no resistance after the first week of fighting, a
German panzer division (19th), having grown complacent, decides to halt on clear terrain to
rest and refit, just 20 miles of our lines, as if to mock us!
Quickly, a counter-attack is organized. Two of our best rifle divisions (4th Army), supported by a
rifle division of 13th Army, are ordered to storm the German positions. Knowing the importance of
their task, the men selected for this seemingly suicidal task do not hesitate following their orders.
Such is the ferocity of their attack, that our troops manage to overwhelm the German positions,
forcing them to retreat, leaving behind 40% of their vehicles!
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- Naamloos4.jpg (102.95 KiB) Viewed 620 times
The Soviet Strategic Defence plan
The Soviet Strategic Defence plan
Defensive doctrine
Forward defence
Defence in depth
Priority of Regions
The main priority is the northern sector. Every effort must be made to prevent the Germans from capturing Leningrad.
Failing that, 4th Panzergroup should be occupied in the north for as long as possible.
Command and Control
Starting from turn 1, attempts are made to give each front at least one strong army with a decent leader. This
strong army, always in refit mode, will be used to form a main line of defence, while weaker shell armies are used
to slow down the invaders. Ideally, all the high morale rifle divisions should be concentrated in this army.
Saving Soviet Industry
The first 4 turns, priority will be given to railing in armies over evacuating industry.
Red Airforce
Despite heavy losses, the Red airforce has been in action from the very first week of the war. Depleted formations
will be send to the reserve on a weekly basis. Aircraft update has been set to manual.
Defensive doctrine
Forward defence
Defence in depth
Priority of Regions
The main priority is the northern sector. Every effort must be made to prevent the Germans from capturing Leningrad.
Failing that, 4th Panzergroup should be occupied in the north for as long as possible.
Command and Control
Starting from turn 1, attempts are made to give each front at least one strong army with a decent leader. This
strong army, always in refit mode, will be used to form a main line of defence, while weaker shell armies are used
to slow down the invaders. Ideally, all the high morale rifle divisions should be concentrated in this army.
Saving Soviet Industry
The first 4 turns, priority will be given to railing in armies over evacuating industry.
Red Airforce
Despite heavy losses, the Red airforce has been in action from the very first week of the war. Depleted formations
will be send to the reserve on a weekly basis. Aircraft update has been set to manual.
End of Turn 2
End of Turn 2, June 26 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
The north has been reinforced with 3 armies. 11th Army now joins 27th Army defending the Pskov line. 24th Army is building fall back positions for the Pskov line. 20th Army has started manning the Luga line.
The baltic states have been left undefended. To defend it would require at least another army. Instead, it has been left clear of Soviet presence. Hopefully it will convince to Germans to overcommit in a left hook.
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
The north has been reinforced with 3 armies. 11th Army now joins 27th Army defending the Pskov line. 24th Army is building fall back positions for the Pskov line. 20th Army has started manning the Luga line.
The baltic states have been left undefended. To defend it would require at least another army. Instead, it has been left clear of Soviet presence. Hopefully it will convince to Germans to overcommit in a left hook.
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RE: End of Turn 2
End of Turn 2, June 26 1941
Central Sector
Clear Weather
The Smolenks landbridge has been reinforced by 22nd Army. Troops of Orel MD have started to move in to help defend the Dnepr line. 10th Army has been formed and ordered to form a screening line in front of the Dnepr line.
One succesfully counterattack has been made by elements of 4th and 13th Army.
1 armaments point has been evacuated from Mogilev.
Central Sector
Clear Weather
The Smolenks landbridge has been reinforced by 22nd Army. Troops of Orel MD have started to move in to help defend the Dnepr line. 10th Army has been formed and ordered to form a screening line in front of the Dnepr line.
One succesfully counterattack has been made by elements of 4th and 13th Army.
1 armaments point has been evacuated from Mogilev.
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RE: End of Turn 2
End of Turn 2, June 26 1941
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
This sector has been reinforced by 19th and 21th Army, while 5th Army (already attached to Southwestern front, but almost without troops) has been reformed.
Three lines have been formed to defend the direct approach towards Kiev and the Dnepr. The first line consist out of corps directly attached to the Front. Most of these troops are of low calibre. The second line is formed by armies with decent strenght, while the last lines consist of a checkerboard of mobile units, with orders to cut off lone German spearheads.
Odessa and Nikoleav have been left clear, due to lack of troops. Hopefully this will convince the Germans to send their entire panzer group this direction.
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
This sector has been reinforced by 19th and 21th Army, while 5th Army (already attached to Southwestern front, but almost without troops) has been reformed.
Three lines have been formed to defend the direct approach towards Kiev and the Dnepr. The first line consist out of corps directly attached to the Front. Most of these troops are of low calibre. The second line is formed by armies with decent strenght, while the last lines consist of a checkerboard of mobile units, with orders to cut off lone German spearheads.
Odessa and Nikoleav have been left clear, due to lack of troops. Hopefully this will convince the Germans to send their entire panzer group this direction.
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- Naamloos.jpg (281.28 KiB) Viewed 619 times
End of Turn 3
End of Turn 3, July 3 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
27th and 24th Army have been pulled back to form fall back lines. 11th Army stays behind manning the Pskov line.
With Germans panzers low on fuel, the line should be able to hold for another week. 5th Airborne corps has started digging in to prevent a right hook.
Meanwhile, 28th Army has arrived in the North, with orders to complete the Luga line, together with 20th A.
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
27th and 24th Army have been pulled back to form fall back lines. 11th Army stays behind manning the Pskov line.
With Germans panzers low on fuel, the line should be able to hold for another week. 5th Airborne corps has started digging in to prevent a right hook.
Meanwhile, 28th Army has arrived in the North, with orders to complete the Luga line, together with 20th A.
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End of Turn 3
End of Turn 3, July 3 1941
Central Sector
Clear Weather
Panzer strength in this sector is surprisingly low. A forward defence is still doable. 31th Army has been moved in to reinforce the sector. Together with elements of 10th Army, they are to form a fall back line.
Central Sector
Clear Weather
Panzer strength in this sector is surprisingly low. A forward defence is still doable. 31th Army has been moved in to reinforce the sector. Together with elements of 10th Army, they are to form a fall back line.
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End of Turn 3
End of Turn 3, July 3 1941
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
Sillyflower seems to have concentrated the bulk of his armour in this sector. Consequently, I have send the best of the Soviet troops to this sector, and have spend considerable amounts of AP sorting out the command mess.
This all pays out this turn, when the Germans are unable to break through cleanly through the main line of defence. With the strongest divisions of my forces untouched, counter attacks could be launched. These attacks managed to temporarily relieve trapped units, while isolating the German spearhead at the same time.
At the end of the turn, the lines are pulled back a bit, while 18th Army has been railed in to reinforce the sector and block the direct approach towards Kiev.
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
Sillyflower seems to have concentrated the bulk of his armour in this sector. Consequently, I have send the best of the Soviet troops to this sector, and have spend considerable amounts of AP sorting out the command mess.
This all pays out this turn, when the Germans are unable to break through cleanly through the main line of defence. With the strongest divisions of my forces untouched, counter attacks could be launched. These attacks managed to temporarily relieve trapped units, while isolating the German spearhead at the same time.
At the end of the turn, the lines are pulled back a bit, while 18th Army has been railed in to reinforce the sector and block the direct approach towards Kiev.
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Turn 4: Tolbukhin's counterattack
Turn 4, July 10 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Not entirely unexpected, Sillyflower managed to establish a bridgehead across the Velikay, just north of Pskov.
Possession of that hex allows easy access to a row of unfortified clear hexes, greatly jeopardizing my forward
defence, especially since the Luga line has yet to be completely fortified.
Thus, I had the option to either pull back Northwest Front (Zhukov), or try to launch a counter-attack. Naturally,
I chose to attack:
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Not entirely unexpected, Sillyflower managed to establish a bridgehead across the Velikay, just north of Pskov.
Possession of that hex allows easy access to a row of unfortified clear hexes, greatly jeopardizing my forward
defence, especially since the Luga line has yet to be completely fortified.
Thus, I had the option to either pull back Northwest Front (Zhukov), or try to launch a counter-attack. Naturally,
I chose to attack:
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End of Turn 4
End of Turn 4, July 10 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Northwest front remains in a forward position. 27th and 24th are positioned to guard the direct approach towards Leningrad, while 11th and 8th Army have been positioned to block a right hook.
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Northwest front remains in a forward position. 27th and 24th are positioned to guard the direct approach towards Leningrad, while 11th and 8th Army have been positioned to block a right hook.
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End of Turn 4
End of Turn 4, July 10 1941
Central Sector
Clear Weather
Reserve front (31st and 22nd A) have been moved forward to slow down any German thrust, while Western front has been pulled back to form new lines.
Central Sector
Clear Weather
Reserve front (31st and 22nd A) have been moved forward to slow down any German thrust, while Western front has been pulled back to form new lines.
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End of Turn 4
End of Turn 4, July 10 1941
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
Southwestern and Southern Front have been pulled back out of reach of the German infantry. Anticipating either an attack towards Kiev (industry evacuated) or Cherkassy, those areas have been reinforced the most.
Southern Sector
Clear Weather
Southwestern and Southern Front have been pulled back out of reach of the German infantry. Anticipating either an attack towards Kiev (industry evacuated) or Cherkassy, those areas have been reinforced the most.
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End of Turn 5
End of Turn 5, July 17 1941
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Northwest Front is slowly pulling back.
Northern Sector
Clear Weather
Northwest Front is slowly pulling back.
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