1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul

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Taiko
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:31 pm

1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul

Post by Taiko »

Technically this isn't an AAR but a PBP (play by play). The Germans (Taiko) have just finished turn 2 and sent it back to the Russians (Paul). There is the map in post 2. Its in Black and white to save size, I only have 5 Megs on my free webpage and its big enough already. Color makes it 3 times as big.


Turn 1, Russian - The great russian horde warms up thier artillary tubes and commisars provide encouragement to the eager young troups <snicker>. The town of Votylevka is the first target. The first pickets and forts fall, even one Near the beleagured town of Tichonovka. In the north the march to retake Krutiye Gorby commences.

Turn 1, German - Bracing for the russian horde, the stalwart german defenders Dig in and blow a few unneeded bridges. Near the town of Tichonovka is the first reduction of an unmanned and lightly defended outpost is reduced south of the city. Disappointed, the german command learns that the russians all but abandoned it to seek safety in the city proper. Cowards. The city willl not save them, in a day at most we will anhilate the inferior army.

(cont)
Taiko
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:31 pm

1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul : Turn 2

Post by Taiko »

Turn 2, Russian - Units of the 5th Mechanized and various support clash with the german 34rth Infantry and a unit of AT. Under immense artillary bombardment (9 shifts worth sheesh) the valiant defenders give way and retreat. Despite that, they inflict as many casualties as they recieve. Votylevka has fallen to the Russians. Various pickets and forts that were neglected last turn fall this one, some as low as 2-1 odds. In the north, russian elements of the 180, 232, 337 infantry position themselves for a push to Medvin and the northern cities. Many Russians crowd into Tichonovka and dig themselves what I'm sure will be shallow gra.., er foxholes.

Turn 2 German - Looking around everything is going pretty much as expected. Consulting the Combat Advisor nothing immediately stands out for my attention. Upon closure inspection though I notice a weak spot in the northern front, 3 divisions in the open and NOT dug in. While the odds are not impressive at 5-1, what is nice is the 2 armor shifts that go uncontested. And to add icing to the cake, its an automatic overrun! The nordic gods are smiling on us. Time to roll the dice and test ourselves. 7 infantry divisions and 1 tank battalion are thrown into the fray, under the Commanding General and one unit of artillary in support. The results are better than I hoped (1DR!), an overrun and the paint isn't even scratched on our StuG's. Watching the cowards retreat to lick thier wounds, we strategically re-deploy and brace for the coming counter-attack next turn. In the south, the troops surrounding Tichonovka pound a lone defender to the southeast of the main group and destroy him utterly. The noose is tightening as we surround the city for the upcoming slaughter. Our Nebelwarfer (I can't spell it heh) gunners are licking thier chops waiting to rain death to the poor defenders. Finally, our engineers hurry around blowing up yet more bridges. We can but hope for another ambush next turn.


http://home.san.rr.com/tranquil/Images/Turn2Bw.bmp
Taiko
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:31 pm

RE: 1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul

Post by Taiko »

Turn 3 Russian/German - More manuvering, in the north one German attack of a unit caught in the open, forced Russian to retreat, lose one step. In the south I left one division as bait to draw out the russians. Well, it worked but those blasted 5th Mech are too tough, the only ones we feel our equal in this theatre. Couldn't close the noose.

Turn 4 Russian - Advancing and clearing some fort remnants. He keeps re-inforcing the pocket. Have I waited too long to crush it? Should I have taken some of the troops from the front line back to help in the early turns? Listen to me, its only turn 4 and I'm thinking the pocket may survive. I wonder if Paul is reading this? He's playing a good game. I don't think either of us belongs in the beginners catagory. Heck, I even bought an original Squad Leader game in the 70's and taught myself to play when I was a teen. Guess thats not too "beginner".

Turn 4 German - No potential attacks stand out here, attempt to reduce pocket. Each of us lose a step but it says his fort will be repaired in one turn. Is this because there are so many defenders there? Do you lose Entrench if you attack? If so I might tempt him to attack out of the pocket to get rid of his entrenchment. No easy choices in the north. The russians have time there, except for additive VP, they will always get 25VP for capturing Medvin. I'll make them pay tho. Stupid engineers fail to blow up north bridge for the 3rd time. They should take lessons from my StuG tankers. Gonna let him have it soon.

(Right before I move on Turn 4)
http://home.san.rr.com/tranquil/Images/Turn4Bw.bmp

(Comments or critiques are always welcome)
Taiko
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:31 pm

RE: 1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul

Post by Taiko »

Russian Turn 5 - More advancing, notibly the 5Th Mech advancing on Medvin. I'm sure the defenders in the pocket groaned when they saw that move. I think this means the russians have given up on the pocket for now. More Forts and pickets fall. But the most interesting thing is 2 units of the 337th infantry and one of the 232th along with a AT gun make a stab toward dividing my forces. And his air cover seems to suggest he wants to cripple those caught on the north part of the axis. Upon closer inspection, its noted that there is 4 units in that hex and three behind it. This leads into ...

German Turn 5 - Immediatly orders are given to encircle these units with the 198th and 88th infantry supported by an independant StuG company. Guess what? We got 5-1 odds. Do you know what that means boys and girls? If you are on clear terrain, it means you are going to feel a German boot running over you! After the first attack with a little artillary fire we didnt need any more help to continue our second attack. One division makes it back to the russian front lines, battered with spirits broken. The germans melt back into a defensive line and listen for news on the southern front. Elements of the 5th guards and 58th and 359th infantry get a little too anxious so we pull some units from the pocket and punish them backwards. I think they are out for a while, with only one step left in the infantry.
I have a bad feeling about the 5th mech so I advance a full company to meet them across the broken bridge. A unit of engineers stays to lend thier meager firepower. I can't let him get that bridge rebuilt. One last thing, you see that division of the 180th to the east and south? Well, I didnt see it at first, but after the turn is over and I'm making threat estimates I find that there are 3 artillary pieces right underneath it. I almost regret killing those other three units earlier. Sigh.

http://home.san.rr.com/tranquil/Images/TvPturn5.jpg
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John David
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RE: 1rst Ukrainian front - Taiko vs. Paul

Post by John David »

Keep up the PBP Taiko,

I really enjoy reading it and looking at the images.

JD
The only thing good about war, is it's ending!

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