IdahoNYer -> RE: Drang Nach Osten - Revisited (11/24/2012 11:39:19 PM)
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At the southern end of the front - AGS takes Stalino... I had intended to pull back 1st Pz Grp which was exposed in a Salient east of Gorlovka, but the lead elements were so exposed, they didn't have the MPs necessary to pull out - so instead we had to attack! Newly arrived XIV PzKps drove in from the west, reducing much of the salient. I really didn't want a major pocket just before blizzard, so my focus was reducing the salient defenses, and eliminating the salient in the lines. Made up of rifle divisions in level 2 forts, XIV PzKps had a tough time, but with the help of some infantry, was able to reduce most of the western side of the salient. III PzKps attacked the last 10 miles from the east, and we wound up with a small pocket anyway. That I probably can deal with next turn, or be able to now pull back the III and XXXXVIII PzKps. Stalino fell to the 11th Army's XI Korps, with 1st Pz attached. Was enough to take the city, which was all I was going for at this point. The industry fell to the Germans. Nice... 11th Army's LVI Korps also dug itself out of trouble, rescuing the trapped 60th Mot Div. Like AGC, AGS is in no position to defend against the coming blizzard attack. 6th Army, near Kursk, is probably in the best shape, with it's XXXXVI PzKps panzer and mot division in cities resting in the rear. 17th Army is over-extended, with most of its offensive combat power concentrated to assist with 1st Pz Grp, which itself is still postured more for offense, than defense. Placing the Rum 4th Army in the line is just asking from trouble, but for now, it has to hold some of the line until I can redeploy 1st Pz Grp. 11th Army has capable forces, but like 1st Pz Grp, needs to transition from offense to defense Overall, AGS, once I get the panzers out of the line, will give ground - have plenty of it to pull back. Will attempt to keep the Soviets as far east of the Dnepr as I can. My hope here is that in areas I'm over stretched, the Soviets are, and will remain, weak. He's got most of his combat power in the Stalino-Voroshilovgrad area - the furthest east of the German line, where I can best afford to lose ground. So with some luck, he'll punch me in the nose instead of shifting forces to less defended - and more vulnerable places. [image]local://upfiles/32782/7EC75F567E5A4B0189C4825877238FED.jpg[/image]
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