Rank and File: A clerk's war Germany 1936 (Semper Fi)

[Uriah]

Rank and File
A Clerk’s War​

Saturday 27th to Tuesday 30th September 1941

OKW​

The latest information from our meteorologists is worrying not only OKW but the Führer and the Cabinet. The ambient daylight temperature at Lake Ladoga has dropped to 1.2 degrees Centigrade. Temperatures in the north are consistently just above freezing. And Baltic Army and Polen Army Nord have both reported isolated storms in their areas. Winter is coming.

To allow the three northern-most armies maximum supplies and therefore maximum speed, the Balkans Army has been given no new objectives. It is hoped that this will allow us to capture Moskva in a few weeks.

We have also received updates from our military liaison officers in Rome and Tokyo.

The Italians still have a large force sitting in Greece, unable or unwilling to storm the Greek defensive line in front of Athina. Despite our encouragement to drive across the Suez, a series of small engagements in Egypt have simply maintained the stuatus quo. In Ethiopia, a similar stand-off, with the British unable to defeat our African allies. Overall the situation is good, however, with the Italians in control of the Mittelsee.

Egypt: the British maintain a foothold west of the Suez.​

Indo-China is still a problem, even though the Japanese have now established a convoy route to Saigon. The port is unable to handle the tonnage required to fully resupply the forces trapped along the coast, and as a result a breakout is unlikely.

Indo-China: small amounts of food and ammunition are arriving, but nowhere near what is needed​

In China, progress is painfully slow, though improvements in supply delivery to frontline units have been noticed. The Imperial Japanese Army has vast supply depots on the mainland, but now it is apparently a lack of troops that is slowing the advance.

China: the front line is stable and well supplied, but the IJA lacks the strength for a massive assault.​

Baltic Army (Kesselring)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

The thermometer showed that it was just above freezing when 13.ID moved into Meglesty. Fortunately the skies are clear, so no chance of early snow. Nevertheless, it is an indication of the need to advance while we can. General Leeb dealt with 20 Gorno-Kavaleriy quickly and promised 1st Baltic Korps that his men would be ready for action within days. The excellent roads in the Baltic States and the now repaired port facilities in Leningrad mean that General Kesselring’s divisions have no supply problems. A brief scare on the 30th lasted just an hour: Vatutin’s retreating 88 Strelkovaya was not looking for a fight.

General Keitel was also aware of the need for urgency, and the force of his attacked initially shocked the defenders of Cheshevo. General Berzarin quicky rallied his two divisions, however, and 109.ID found itself involved in a battle of attrition against a well supplied and prepared defence. Keitel is still confident of victory, but cannot say when he will control the area. It did not help that during the night of the 29th the area was hit by heavy storms, just as 8th Kampffliegerkorps was able to switch targets from Pikalevo. Help is on its way, courtesy of General von Manstein, who has agreed to release 58.ID to Keitel’s command. It should arrive within a day or so.

A similar situation was developing in Dodorovsky, but then General Buhle received massive reinforcements. At first Buhle’s 102.ID was up against an armoured division supported by a motorised and a rifle division and was making little progress. The arrival of Ott’s 43.ID (mot) made a huge difference, and word that 6th Panzer was on its way must have influenced General Prohorov’s decision to release 15th Tankovaya, probably to ensure it was not caught by our technically superior tanks. He has another rifle division in reserve, but the latest word from 3rd Panzerkorps HQ is that the front line should be broken before Prohorov can get the unit into action.

While the Soviet armour withdrew, the BA-10s of 7 Motorizavannaya took the brunt of the fighting​

If any evidence of a stiffening of Russian resistance was needed, it was provided by the fighting for Pikalevo. 1st Baltic Korps had thought this would be a fairly easy exercise but what had been thought to be two demoralised units had shown outstanding determination in holding off both von Schoberts’s 31.ID and Böttcher’s 1st Marine-Sturm Division, at least long enough for reinforcements to arrive. By the time von Schobert declared that Pikalevo was ours, we had lost more than 1,000 men and six precious days of good weather.

Polen Army Nord (von Manstein)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

At midnight on Saturday von Manstein was told that Zubcov had been secured, with minimal casualties. Polen Army Nord is getting into position for the final drive on Moskva.

General von Weichs led the first attack. Knowing he had massive aid moving up behind him, he had no hesitation in taking 101.ID (mot) into Knyazh’i Gory, though Solamatin had 35,000 men with which to oppose him. Von Weichs’ confidence in his reinforcements was well warranted, and soon he had nearly 32,000 men under his command. What he did not know was that Solamatin also had been promised assistance, and that by the climax of the battle on 29th he had nearly double that number available. It was only the better condition of our divisions that gave us victory: we need to remember that Stavka will throw every man it has to block the roads east. If we attack at anything under full strength, it could be a disaster.

After a few days’ rest from the bloody battle of Torzok, General Barckhausen was told to take up a position in Vydropuzhsk, north of the battlefield where he left more than 1,000 of his men. Although he had refilled his commissary, 44.ID was still 1,500 short of its full complement. He was not to concerned as he expected replacements would arrive soon, and all the fighting was to the south, in Mar’ino. So news of an enemy rifle division in contact with his forward scouts was not welcome. It seems as though the Russians were just as keen for a break from combat: late on the 29th they withdrew, after just a handful of casualties on both sides.

Polen Army Sud (Rommel)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

Another major city fell on Saturday: Brjansk. Even with 110,000 soldiers General Turchinskij could not hold off the tri-pronged attack. Our troops poured into the city, intending to pursue the fleeing Ivans, but soon ground to a halt. The area was devastated, and our supply vehicles struggled to get through roads blocked with rubble and debris. For the time it takes the work parties to repair the infrastructure, there will be no pursuit. The Russians will no doubt make good use of the head start.

Further north, the open plains of Deryagino allowed the motorised infantry of 105.ID to race forward. The single rifle division standing in their way was brushed aside in a matter of hours. Schlömer’s men are getting closer to the Oka River, a major tributary of the Volga. Could that be the winter boundary for Army Group South?

The dirt roads still allow the trucks of 105.ID good mobility: until the rain and the snow arrive. Then we will need halftracks – none of which have reached the east.​

Hundreds of thousands of retreating Russians are making for Kalinin, perhaps planning to make a stand behind the Volga and Tver rivers. In a bid to cut off some of these troops, General Brandt has been instructed to take Emel’yanovo. This marks the furthest north that a unit of Polen Army Sud has reached, and the constant fighting has led to a confused situation where von Manstein’s and Rommel’s armies share a common border. The confusion had no Impact on the effectiveness of 104.ID. Despite having 25,000 soldiers under his command (boosted by fleeing men from Khnyaz’i Gory the south to over 40,000), General Schlemin could only hold the province for two days. (To his credit, General Brandt did acknowledge the assistance provided by his Bremer’s 23.ID attacking from Starista.

1 Hadtest (Shvoy)​

The Hungarians are still marching south where they are desperately needed.

Balkans Army (Guderian)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

With Scigry still held by the enemy after the pathetic effort of “Isonzo”, and the Italian Expeditionary Army reeling from the loss of the Corpo D’Armata Alpina HQ, on the 28th Guderian ordered 2nd Motorkorps to stabilise the right flank. General D’Angelis, the veteran divisional commander who earned his spurs in Frankreich and Spanien, now commands that unit. He delegated the job to General Reith who showed he too can command a motorised infantry division. Scigry was secured by noon, showing what could be done by well led and equipped troops.

1st Italian Expeditionary Army (Pintor)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

A half-hearted effort by General Rossi to take Scigry was soon over. 14a Divsione “Isonzo”, encountering a single Soviet cavalry division, retreated after a few shots were fired. Nobody can tell us whether this attack was approved by General Pintor’s HQ or whether it was simply Rossi blundering into Russian held territory.

Blundering into harm’s way led to serious difficulties for our allies. The irrepressible Rokossovsky was once again the cause of the debacle, when he attacked one of the better Italian divisions, the 10,000 strong 16a “Pistoia”. Although outnumbered, 220 Motorizavannaya took less than a day to destroy Volpini’s attempts to hold them back. As the Italian infantry hurried west, Rokossovsky hit gold. Stretched out before his men was the headquarters of the Corpo D’Armata Alpina. Müller-Michels and 5th Kampffliegerkorps did their best to deter the Russians, but it took no time for the battle hardened Ivans to butcher hundreds of the administrative staff. There were not enough survivors to reform the unit and a new headquarters is being assembled at OB Sud in Romania. A dark day for the Regio Esercito.

Early on the 29th Gariboldi renewed the attack on Belgorod that had been abandoned a weak before after the Soviet counter-attack. Showing considerable élan, the 6,000 men of “Firenze” stormed the 8,000 men of 185 Motorizavannaya. As might be expected, they soon ran into trouble. Once again the Wehrmacht had to step in. General Guderian was contacted by General Pintor himself, prompting a call to 1st leichte Panzerkorps HQ. Geyr von Schweppenburg and 2nd lePzD were made available and immediately broke the Russian line. Fighting continues, but VII Corpo D’Armata has all but claimed the victory.

One of von Schweppenburg’s Pz 38(t)s races forward , throwing up a cloud of dust from the unsealed road.​

At some time over the past few days General Cochenhausen must have wondered why he agreed to lead the attack on Belye-Berega. What had been a simple operation, 161.ID clearing out a rabble of Russians fleeing Brjansk turned out to be a confused battle with more than 180,000 combatants. We have identified no less than 26 rifle regiments, 10 tank destroyer brigades, one armour and four light armour regiments, 2 regiments each of cavalry and engineers as well as a smattering of artillery, anti-aircraft and ant-tank units. Cochenhausen found himself commanding six divisions as fighting flared across the whole province. He has declared victory, but the Russians escaped with relatively light losses. No doubt we will meet them again.

Österreich Army (von Kluge)

Situation at end of 30th September 1941​

Fighting continued in Oleksandrivka for most of the 27th, but by mid-afternoon Peschel was able to claim victory. (In fact he thought he had won an hour earlier but met with an unexpected second line of resistance). Both sides realise this province is critical to the defence of Dnipropetrovsk. Holding it channels any attack on the city up a narrow corridor bounded by the Dniepr River to the south-east. Now it is up to 198.ID to hold the bitterly disputed northern side of the corridor. General Peschel did not appear confident: his report ends with a copy of his instructions that there is to be no rest after the battle. Every soldier is to dig in before nightfall.

To the south, the Soviets simply abandoned Vesele to 111.ID. General von Bock was prepared for a hard fight; his infantry backed by the 15cm guns of the attached artillery regiment against the tanks and armoured vehicles of 18 Tankovaya. The terrain was perfect for the Soviet light vehicles, yet within a few hours Tsinchenko and his tanks were pulling out. Although Kesselring and Österreich HQ were celebrating, many here at OKH wondered if this signified a change in Soviet tactics. Are they withdrawing key units for a counter-attack?

18 Tankovaya, at near full strength and in perfect tank country, retreated when attacked by a single infantry division. IS OKH reading too much into this? Has Stavka a secret plan or was the Russian commander just unwilling to commit his elderly tanks to combat?​

Supply is getting to a problem in the south, and this was reflected in the performance of 27.ID. Attempting to take Poltava from a couple of Soviet divisions, after less than a day General Feketehalmy-Czeydner has reported that he is receiving no food or ammunition. He has sufficient for the present, but should the fighting continue for long he could be forced to call back his men.

Army of the Ukraine (Höhne)

Situation at the end of 30th September 1941​

Stumme’s Tigers continue to grind their way forward into Dnipropetrovsk, but at a snail’s pace.


Finalised Battles during the period 27th to 30th September 1941

Scigry: 8 (5,996): 3 (6,415) (Italian)
Zubcov: 20 (19,485): 106 (5,803)
Brjansk: 756 (41,969): 903 (110,157)
Knyazh’i Gory: 695 (31,712): 689 (63,675)
Oleksandrivka: 47 (9,504): 91 (8,995)
Deryagino: 60 (9,996): 141 (7,976)
1st Shishaki: 43 (9,984): 13 (7,949) (Italian)
2nd Shishaki: 235 (998): 1 (7,827) (Italian)
2nd Scigry: 106 (7,999): 106 (6,160)
Megletsy: 39 (9,751): 107 (5,997)
Emel’yanovo: 610 (19,980): 485 (40,713)
Pikalevo: 1,063 (19,992): 1,813 (49,568)
Belye-Berenga: 796 (61,516): 947 (119,132)
Vydropuzhsk: 6 (8,593): 8 (9,999)
2nd Megletsy: 9 (10,000): 16, (9,000)


Total Battlefield Casualties during the period 27th to 30th September 1941

Hungarian: Nil
Italian: 286
German: 4,207
Russian: 5,429


Prior Battlefield Casualties

Hungarian: 2,731
Italian: 6,189
German: 347,455
Russian: 380,611


Total Battlefield Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 2,731 = 2,731
Italian: 286 + 6,189 = 6,475
German: 4,207 + 347,455 = 351,662
Russian: 5,429 + 380,611 = 386,040



Bombing Summary for the period 27th to 30th September 1941

Luftwaffe
The VVS is still proving to be a problem. Perhaps “nuisance” would be a better description, as it is unable to have a critical effect. On the other hand, the crew of the thirty aircraft that Udet lost over Verkhn’odniprovs’k would consider Rog and his three fighter regiments to be more than a nuisance, even though they only made one appearance and did not affect the second and third missions of 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps. No doubt Udet thanked Christiansen and 4th Jagdfliegerkorps that evening in the Odessa airbase officers’ mess they share: the lack of Russian fighters for the rest of the day can be attributed to the raid by Christiansen’s Messerschmitts on Sevastopol. Rog’s MiGs were caught on the ground and suffered heavily.

4th Jagdfliegerkorps makes sure that the Russian fighters cause no more trouble.​

Verkhn’odniprovs’k: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 106, 195, 166 (467)
Verkhn’odniprovs’k: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 225, 306, 145, 103, 258, 68, 259, 343, 170 (1,877)
Pikalevo: Wever with 8th Kampffliegerkorps: 246, 305, 340, 261, 324, 308 (1,784)
Oleksandrivka: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 240, 190 (430)
Chutove: Müller-Michels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps: 196, 220, 114, 170, 213, 177 (1,090)
Cheshovo: Wever with 8th Kampffliegerkorps: 160, 244, 305 (709)
Emel’yanovo: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 130, 385, 325 (840)

VVS

Even though his dive-bombers were escorted by Kutakhov’s fighters, Zhigarev was not able to complete his mission in Vysokoye. Waber led two Jagdkorps to overwhelm the defenders and chase the bombers so diligently that not a single casualty was inflicted.

Rychagov was more successful, but his attack on the 30,000 troops in Sinezerki did little to impact the outcome of the battle of Belye-Berega. Repeat bombing may have affected our soldiers fighting on the ground, but as 1 and 2 BAD left were attacked by 6th Jagdfliegerkorps. As a result they were unable to return and complete their task.

Vysokoye: Nil
Sinezerki: Rychagov with 1and 2 BAD: 156


Total Bombing Casualties for the period 27th to 30th September 1941

Hungarian: Nil
Italian: Nil
German: 156
Russian: 7,197


Prior Bombing Casualties

Hungarian: 128
Italian: 65
German: 5,019
Russian: 251,494


Bombing Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 128 = 128
Italian: Nil + 65 = 65
German: 156 + 5,019 = 5,175
Russian: 7,197 + 251,494 = 258,691

East Front: situation at end of 30th September 1941


Total East Front Casualties for the period 27th to 30th September 1941​

Hungarian: Nil + Nil = Nil
Italian: 286 + Nil = 286
German: 4,207 + 156 = 4,363
Russian: 5,429 + 7,197 = 12,626


Prior Casualties

Hungarian: 2,849
Italian: 6,254
German: 352,474
Russian: 632,105


Total East Front Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 2,849 = 2,849
Italian: 286 + 6,254 = 6,540
German: 4,363 + 352,474 = 356,837
Russian: 12,626 + 632,105 = 644,731

Unterseebootsflotte activity report for the month ended 30th September 1941​

A U-boat surfaces to replenish air supplies: the weather in the Atlantic is getting worse and winter storms will arrive soon​

1st U-boatflotte (Aßmann): Southern Cape Verde Terrace: 3 convoys
2nd U-boatflotte (Dönitz): Northern Bay of Biscay: 5 convoys
3rd U-boatflotte (Fricke): Eastern Charcot Seamount: 13 convoys (inc 2 Irish)
4th U-boatflotte (Wolf): Horseshoe Seamount: 6 convoys
5th U-boatflotte (Krause): Nil

Total confirmed sinkings: 27 convoys (inc 2 Irish)

(It was discovered Krause and his U-boats have spent the month idling in Gibraltar, no doubt frequenting the bordellos and bars for which the port is famous. The Führer is livid and has demanded that Großadmiral Raeder investigate this personally. If Krause is not careful his next position could be in charge of a supply ferry on the Dniepr.)

 

[Baltasar]

What is the Italian / Hungarian unit blob doing in the middle of the last map? Seems like they are not going anywhere...

Good idea not to order new targets for the southernmost armies, may be you should do that for the northermost as well?

 

[Surt]

Did you help the Italians by bombing Athens?

 

[Uriah]

The south is supply hell. I can't imagine how it will be by the time you get to Stalingrad. If you have some air transports you could always fly some supply forward
from Romania. I have avoided a few clusterf***s by selectively supplying individual units/provinces by air at least to help them regain org when on the defence.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

I have done that once in this game, but after a while it creates a problem in that supply starts to flow backwards to the airbase. In the next month dozens of province upgrades come in, I'll see how that goes. But main reason for my transports was supply, the paradrops are the jam. So I will use them if things look grim for any unit/province.

It's only end of September, you can still expect at least another month of fighting ahead of you. Plus whatever infrastructure you manage to upgrade will be replaced by even more infrastructural upgrades further east. And you still get reinforcements from the closed pocket plus whatever you manage to deploy. Best of all, there seem to be holes in the Russian front.

My tactic of bleeding the Russians of supply seems to be paying off - most units I face are now low. My difficulty is that the AI takes my low org units out of the front and will not use them for offence. Obviously a reasonable approach, but annoying. In the early days of the offence I could afford having 1/3 of my units in the rear for a few days, but in the south it is now taking about a week for these units to recover. This has led to the troops shortages at the front and the related high losses.

ButI am hoping that a slow down in winter will allow my road gangs to catch up a little.

No just decided to go with that for my steam account. and good luck with the war effort and here's hoping for our friend being sent to visit Moscow before the new year

He may be sent to Moscow, but I hope he is not looking for a visit to Stalingrad for a while.

You can always base one of the transports from an allied capital/airbase and use his supply network instead. Though you might not be able to drop the supplies at the front, you might be able to drop them close enough to relieve some of your supply strain.

Probably come November your advances will come to screeching halt due to supply issues. It might also give you time to imporve/repair the infrastructure for a spring offensive.

Also, how bad is partisian activity in russia?

Unfotunately the nearest allied capital is in Hungary - too far for the front I think. And I always prefer to keep my supply flows one way. But I may try dropping in regional centres (say Odessa) and see how it goes.

I fully expect to slow rapidly. Pity the weather in the north gets worse earlier as that area has the best infra.

Partisans have had no real impact: a huge herd of Italians/Hungarians have taken up unofficial garrison duties.

Vic II isn't very conductive to AARs without a great deal of "out of game" action and creative license. Granted, you're very talented in that department, but I'd say wait and see on the House Divided expansion, it might offer some more interesting writing avenues, but then, of course, by the time this war is over, Vic II will be on it's 5th expansion, with Vic III recently announced. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

My mind makes up stories about any game I play: just a matter of interest and sustainability. But I agree, it is a long way in the future (unless this is a really bad winter, in which case my cleark will read in his gulag).

What is the Italian / Hungarian unit blob doing in the middle of the last map? Seems like they are not going anywhere...

Good idea not to order new targets for the southernmost armies, may be you should do that for the northermost as well?

Those are the Hung/It forces not under my command. They are spread throughout Europe, whereever garrisons seem needed. The AI has taken it upon itself to keep the partisans under control. I don't mind: those areas have good infra and the amount they take doesn't impact the front. The amount of supply is not the problem, it is the throughput.

As soon as the weather turns nasty I'll go defensive in the north and switch to the south. ("Nasty" is when my air effectiveness drops: you may have noticed the death rate from bombing is nearly three times that from combat.)

Did you help the Italians by bombing Athens?

Not yet: probably in the winter: I won't need all the bombers in Russia then.

 

[Tallfellow]

An excellent aar, and very well writen! Read it in a couple of days!!!

 

[VonMudra]

I do hope that, if the Russian bear is tamed, the clerk will be filing papers for Sealion and the final defeat of the allies

 

[NERFGEN]

watching those screenshots I have come to the conclusion that the AI deliberately ensures that all divisions are out of range from their Corp HQ, which are all out of range from their army HQ, all of course out of range from their Army Group HQ...

 

[Baltasar]

My tactic of bleeding the Russians of supply seems to be paying off - most units I face are now low. My difficulty is that the AI takes my low org units out of the front and will not use them for offence. Obviously a reasonable approach, but annoying. In the early days of the offence I could afford having 1/3 of my units in the rear for a few days, but in the south it is now taking about a week for these units to recover. This has led to the troops shortages at the front and the related high losses.

ButI am hoping that a slow down in winter will allow my road gangs to catch up a little.

Since you still have plans for the northern thrust, you may want to switch AI for the southern armies to defensive. That should make sure your forces will attack less often, resulting in less supply consumption and also more force concentration in the event of an attack. On the downside, this would also take pressure off the Russian forces.

 

[Octobersky92]

Hi Uriah. Just gotta say I saw this last year and fell in love with it. Keep up the outstanding work.

 

[unmerged(85143)]

great aar!!! congrats

 

[MajorStoffer]

Fear not the winter, the Magyar Kiralyi Honved shall ride in to the rescue!

I've found in vanilla HoI the reds don't put up much of a fight in the winter unlike history. FTM does a little to rectify that; the Soviets control a "fur" resource which mitigates winter effects by 33% (current under Imperial Japanese authority in my current campaign, mighty handy that), but otherwise the winter's just a stalemate. The real question is what does the spring look like, and so far your rapid pace of advance has kept the Soviets from really coordinating a defense, the winter might just give them that.

Next year will be decisive either way; I imagine your naval building program is starting to show results, the eastern front will be decided and I imagine the USA isn't far from entering the war, if they haven't already and I've simply forgotten.

 

[Surt]

If the manpower is getting low he should definitely look into building more ships and less ground troops.
The winter period is also a good time to upgrade units to mech and heavier armour as well as building more rails.

 

[Blackfriar]

I imagine your naval building program is starting to show results

If the manpower is getting low he should definitely look into building more ships and less ground troops.

Undoubtedly I'm forgetting, but what naval program? I realize all of Berlin is talking about a post-Soviet world, but are the winter priorities really Kriegsmarine > Luftwaffe??

 

[Surt]

Big Ship are more impressive than planes, anyway I think he has enough planes for now

 

[Uriah]

Rank and File​

A Clerk’s War​

Wednesday 1st to Tuesday 7th October 1941

October. For some reason the phrase “Winter is coming” keeps passing through my mind. Here at OKH in Berlin the weather forecasters are under a lot of pressure. Every day they must provide estimates of conditions over the whole East Front. In vain do they protest that there is insufficient information for accurate forecasting. I have heard that even the Führer himself gets a weather update every morning with his tea.

Far to the north, weather teams on vessels like the “Externsteine” suffer to obtain date for our meteorologists​

The month did not start well, with news that the Italians had allowed the Soviets to retake Shishaki. On the other hand, as a sign that the Ostsee is now secure, 1st Schlachtflotte has been allowed to stop its patrols and return to Danzig. Only a few ships need repairs, but von Greim, commander of the “Graf Zeppelin” trägertruppen is relieved: he will be able to replace the more than 50 aircraft his unit lost in the past few months.

Less happy will be the crews of Krause’s 5th U-flotte. Their holiday in Gibraltar is over. The Kriegsmarine will make them pay for their fun in the sun: they have been ordered to patrol the Central Atlantic Fracture Zone, the furthest our U-boats have been sent since hostilities began.

No more lazing in the sun on a Spanish beach for this crewman of 5th U-flotte: the Central Atlantic is cold and stormy and danger is always present.​

Baltic Army (Kesselring)

Position at end of 7th October 1941​

In the north, with supply and troops plentiful and the opposition weak, Kesselring’s generals have things easy, at least compared to their fellow generals in front of Moskva or in the Ukraine. Gurenichi, for example, was won in a matter of hours, for the loss of just 56 men.

Von Brauschitsch had a painless win in Olonec, killing 200 administrative officers from the 1st Sinkiang Army and 3rd Mechanised HQ units. There is now little between 24.ID and the Sturm-Marines heading towards them from the north.

What little there is will not give up, however. 2nd Sturm-Marine defeated 142 Strelkovaya yet again, but had no time to rest. It was immediately attacked by Di’1 Shi. There is no prospect of Yuang Liy-yuan’s force ever posing a serious threat to our elite marines, but General Jahn cannot ignore them either. And despite the hopelessness of their position, the Sinkiang soldiers continue to attack, wave after wave.

On the 5th von Brauchitsch had to deal with cavalry raids as he advanced into Olonec. Once more, not serious, but enough to stop his columns and force 24.ID to spread out. By the end of the day Muzich and 41 Kaveleriy were gone, and the advance could continue.

With all these easy battles, it was a shock when General von Küchler informed General Student at 1st Baltic Korps HQ that he had met strong resistance in Svir’stroj. Given that von Küchler led 4.ID “Falkenberg”, a unit with an impeccable reputation for hard fighting, it was not possible to shrug the report off. Have the Soviets managed to stem the tide of retreats? Or was it the near freezing conditions? Whatever the cause, Denisov and his two battered rifle divisions are holding off the cream of our infantry and inflicting heavy losses. Student had not considered that the “Falkenberg” division might run into difficulty and no reserve was available to assist. Von Küchler was told to do the best he could, and the battle is still raging.

Svir’stroj: The “Falkenberg” division runs into unexpected trouble​

General Keitel, a close relation of the Luftwaffe commander of the same name, could have warned von Küichler not to be overconfident. He has spent the last week gouging his way forward in Cheshovo. Although reinforced, 109.ID could not achieve a breakthrough against the Russians, and they had to be winkled out of every foxhole and shell crater. As it was, our losses exceeded the Soviet casualties, but Keitel at least is glad that it is over.

Morozovo to the south was more like the Baltic Army’s standard operation. Lüdke gave the signal to commence the attack at 7PM on Monday night, and by 6AM the next day 58.ID had another win.

Polen Nord Army (von Manstein)

Situation at end of 7th October 1941​

General Erfurth pushed towards Moskva, against stiffening opposition. 1.ID was at close to full strength, and it needed every man as it forced its way into Sahovskaja. Katkov’s armour and motorised troops had enough supplies to put up a spirited resistance, and as the battle raged Stavka fed in another 35,000 men. It took more than 5 days (and two more divisions) for Erfurth to crush the opposition, a sign that the clearing the road east will be costly.

Erfurth’s neighbour to the north, General von Weichs, was also on the move. His objective was Sukhoverkovo, on the road to Kalinin. Although at first glance his opponents appeared as solid as those in Sahovskaja, that solidity was just a facade. 5 Tankovaya and 159 Strelkovaya were both exhausted and in no fit state for action. Accordingly it was no surprise when Haritonov pulled back after just one day of fighting.

Taking Kozel’sk was a joint Polen Nord and Sud Army operation, but command was given to General Agricola of 72.ID. Agricola hoped that by attacking Khryashchev’s 4 divisions from two directions he could break their morale. Instead the Russians stood firm and have received reinforcements. Any hope for a quick breakthrough has evaporated and even if Agricola finally takes Kozel’sk, his divisions will require some rest before they can be used offensively again.

While Agricola is struggling to achieve victory, in the next province to the north General Frießner is trying to avoid defeat. 103.ID (mot) was sent into Soskensiy by itself, in hindsight a rash decision. There were two battle-hardened divisions holding the province and the armoured vehicles of 11 Tankovaya were always going to be a threat to the trucks and light vehicles of Frießner’s force. We have now heard that our troops are running short of supplies, despite there being ample available in Deryagino. Consumption is just outstripping the ability of the unit to replenish its stocks. Unless, of course, the problem is not shortage of supply but shortage of morale. Let us hope not: if our lead troops start to lose hope in victory we will have a major problem.

103.ID (mot) is finding the Russian armour to be a handful​

Morale is not an issue in our panzer divisions, at least if 5th Panzer Division can be taken as an example. With 218 Motorizavannaya safely ensconced in the heavy undergrowth of the forests of Juhnov, Tanaschishin probably felt he could hold off our armoured vehicles for some time. He did not take into account the apparent disregard for hidden anti-tank guns shown by Kleinheisterkamop’s panzers. Attacking just before midnight (a most unconventional time for an armoured attack on a concealed enemy!) 5th PzD broke the resolve of the Ivans just after dawn, and by 9AM the panzertruppen were relaxing and marvelling at the speed with which they had defeated the enemy.

Typical of the dashing attitude that von Manstein has installed in his generals was the behaviour of General Erfurth in Lotoshino. Days after the critical battle for Sahovskaja, his Aufklärungsabteilung detected four divisions in front of 1.ID, including an armoured division. In addition, there were two rifle divisions in reserve, giving Alexandrov nearly 50,000 men. Against this Erfurth had less than 9,500 men. Nevertheless, he gave the order to move into Lotoshino. His intelligence indicated that the Russians were disorganised and would be unable to withstand a determined attack. His infantry was soon supported by the tanks of 5th Panzer (interrupting their break after taking Juhnov), and continuous bombing by 5th Kampffliegerkorps was devastating to the defenders. Although late on the 7th the battle was not over, the outcome is not in doubt.

Lotoshino: Erfurth disregards the odds​

It seems unbelievable that it has taken this long to capture Mar’ino. The battle began on 24th September, and a week after that I (together with OKH and General von Manstein) was sure that it was all over bar the shouting. The calibre of our troops and the skill of our leaders (Generals Kalmukoff and von der Chevallerie) would quickly overcome the Soviet defenders. But it simply did not happen. The Russians just held on, and on and on. Always close to defeat, but always able to stave off the last onslaught. Now it is over. 1,300 of our 19,000 men are dead, and two weeks of good weather lost. A few more battles like this and Polen Army Nord will be lucky ot reach Moskva, let alone take it.

9th PzD and 28.ID made short work of 34 Srednevolzhskaya, so the front is moving more rapidly in some areas. Spirovo, however, was a special case: flat and open, there was no place for Lutchinski’s men to hide from our tanks. Eicke’s infantry had little to do but mop up.

As a sign, perhaps, of the efforts it made in Mar’ino, Kalmukoff’s 88.ID could not just walk over the HQ units that were all that defended Likhoslavl’. It does 88.ID credit that after such a gruelling clash that it was able to move into combat so soon. But it was 700 men down on its full strength, and although Zashibalov had just 3,500 administrative and support troops, he is still holding firm.

Polen Army Sud (Rommel)

Situation at end of 7th October 1941​

Late on Thursday Rommel started the final push on Kalinin. Moskva was to be isolated from the north. 23.ID was assigned the task of driving out a few weak divisions from Mednoye. The three rifle divisions were supposedly at the end of their tether, but as is becoming common in reports as we move east, they fought with unexpected tenacity. Before he could claim victory on the 6th, Bremer had to be reinforced with another three divisions. Even then the Russians did not give up: we heard that on the 7th our troops found the way blocked by a cavalry division. Rommel seems displeased with Bremer’s performance: General Pfeffer is now in charge of the advance.

It was Hansen’s 16.ID that was the first into Volokolamsk, within sight of the Soviet capital. The only defending unit was the unfortunate 218 Motorizavannaya which had barely escaped from Kleinheisterkamp’s tanks in Jahnov. Tanaschinen did his best, and managed to get his demoralised and exhausted men to hold off our attacks for more than a day. Late on Monday, however, they could do no more. We are adjacent to Moskva.

After more than a week of fighting, Buhle can allow his men to rest. For a battle that started with just a single motorised division, Dudorovskiy grew to involve 2 panzer divisions (one from Polen Army Nord) and another infantry division, and 140,000 Russians. The numerical disparity did not alter the outcome: a crushing defeat for the Soviets. Hopefully this will break the back of the defence south of Moskva.

One of the armoured divisions that took part in the fighting for Dudorovskiy was 6th Panzer. Obviously it was still in very good condition as von Langermann und Erlenkamp had his tanks in Ul’janovo within an hour of Buhle’s announcement that Dudorovskiy was ours. By acting so swiftly, 6th Panzer caught no less than five HQ detachments before they could either pull back or be reinforced with regular troops. The lightly armed rear area units were soon put to flight. Twice more 6th Panzer was forced to fight its way forward, once against 197 “Kievskaya” and once against 48 Strelkovaya. Both were no more than nuisances, with just half a dozen casualties to the panzertruppen. Slightly more serious was the battle that started early on Tuesday. Our old foe, Turchinskiy, has been able to get two rifle divisions between 6th Panzer and its objective. Von Langermann und Erlenkamp assured von Manstein this will take no more than a few hours to settle.

The villages that had housed Soviet HQs in Dudorovskiy had to be searched house by house to locate not only the enemy, but also to check for radio equipment and documents. This gave the motorised infantry a chance to get down from their trucks.​

Balkans Army (Guderian)

Position at end of 7th October 1941​

After days of impatiently watching his fellow generals plough further east, Guderian has finally been given new orders. Supplies are no longer an issue in the drive on Moskva and it is hoped in Berlin that Guderian’s army might draw reinforcements away from the south. On the 3rd he was given Voronez as his objective, and nobody in OKH expected him to wait more than a few hours before ordering his subordinates to start moving. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fast Heinz did not have plans already drawn up for a range of different objectives, just to be sure he could hit the road immediately permission was granted.

Ready to go: der schnelle Heinz in his Sdkfz 251/6 Ausf A Kommanderpanzerwagen​

Nor was I surprised at which of Guderian’s generals was first to report he had clashed with the enemy. De Angelis, commanding 2nd Motorkorps, has always been a fighting officer, and he had Cochenhausen and 161.ID (mot) deep into Melkhevo before dawn on Friday. Cochenhausen and his men must have been champing at the bit to get back into action, as unassisted they simply raced through nearly 40,000 Soviets. The rest certainly did them good, and Melekhovo was ours by 6PM Sunday.

Another of De Angelis’s commanders, General Phleps, was not far behind, and had an even quicker victory. With his own 98.ID (mot), another 2nd Motorkorps unit (345.ID (mot)) and 107.ID (mot) from 1st Motorkorps, he took Homutrovo from General Mitrofanov in less than 12 hours of swift and sometimes ferocious action. 9 Tankovaya and two rifle divisions simply fell apart under the weight of 30,000 motorised troops, supported by 2 self-propelled artillery brigades and an Aufklärungs regiment. (But that was not enough to satisfy Phleps. On the 7th he led 98.ID (mot) into Chern’, held by Mitronov with 9 Tankovaya. Fighting is still going on, but reports are optimistic.)

Bolhov was next, hit by Crüwell’s 13th PzD from 2nd Panzerkorps. 197 “Kievskaya” was in trouble from the start, and even the arrival of two more divisions could not stave off defeat. By midday Saturday the Soviets were in full retreat. General Tamruchi, even though his men were already demoralised by defeat in Homutovo, tried to stem the flight by interposing 43 Strelkovaya but our panzertruppen took only hours to send him packing as well.

Homutovo: the sheer weight of the attack swamps the defenders​

Needless to say, the “Bitburg” division, 10.ID (mot) was given a more difficult task. Kolpny was held by two of the better Russian divisions, 15 “Sivashskaya” and 238 Strelkovaya, and both were fully rested. After four days, the battle in the woods continues, and General Bieß has warned that his men are both tired and low on ammunition.

It took General Herzog some days to get 36.ID (mot) to the front, but once there his unit immediately showed its class. 219 Motorizavannaya, a unit that has seen heavy fighting all the way from the Polish border, was well prepared, but could not slow, let alone halt, the flood of trucks and Sturmpanzers into Bohoduchiv. Just before midnight Lavrinovich gave the order to retreat.

Italian Expeditionary Army (Pintor)

Situation at end of 7th October 1941​

With only 150 men in his reconstituted HQ, and while on the road to his new base in Holobyne, Lt General Roatta was still able to organise an attack by units of Corpo d’Armata Alpino. 1a Div Alpina “Taurinese” and 2a Div Alpina “Tridentina” were ordered into Krasnohrad, held by General Kutlin with 221 Motorizavannaya and 23 Har’kovskaya. The Italian mountain troops were making good progress when General Zhmachenko launched a surprise attack on Krasnodom from the north, from Poltava. (Zhmachenko had already defeated 27.ID’s attempt to take Poltava. As predicted by General Feketehalmy-Czeydner, lack of supply had doomed the offensive). Caught off balance, General La Ferla had no choice but to call off the attack and use his men to buttress the defence. With the addition of La Ferla’s two divisions General Glokke was able to repulse Zhmachenko, though it took a further 5 days.

Österreich Army (von Kluge)

Situation at end of 7th October 1941​

As described above, General Glokke’s position in Krasnodom became very precarious. Only by cancelling the Italian attack on Krasnohrad and calling on General von Kluge for assistance was defeat avoided.

Having received the request from General Glokke to relieve the pressure on Krasnodom by launching an attack from the south, a shortage of divisions forced von Kluge to call on Bayer’s 2nd Gebirgsjägerkorps. Bayer reluctantly agreed that the 6th Gebirgsjäger and 7th SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgsjäger “Prinz Eugen” were available. General Hell was placed in command with orders to attack Pavelkin’s two divisions in Kobelkavy. What was supposed to be a minor engagement to distract the Soviets has turned into a pitched battle, draining much needed resources and men from Österreich Army. Von Kluge has had to ask Pinto for assistance, and the attack from the north by 1a Div. Alpina “Taurinese” may have finally tilted the balance in our favour, though fighting continues.

With many Soviet troops tied up, von Kluge decided on a gamble. He ordered Bader to launch a near suicidal attack across the Dnepr on Synelnykove, and at the same time sent von Bock into Melitopol. Finally, at 7PM on the 3rd, 34.ID moved into Novomoskovosk. Virtually every combat ready unit of Österreich Army was engaged, but the gamble paid off. With promised reinforcements sucked into the battles surrounding the city, the defenders of Dnipropetrovsk could take no more. The Tigers of 3rd and 4th schwere Panzer Divisions had their first victory, though at a heavy price.

Yet another costly river assault: 6.ID prepares to cross the Dniepr. Our artillery has already started huge fires on the other side: if the smoke drifts the right way it will save many lives.​

And the price for the city is still mounting. Although 111.ID successfully took Melitopol from Popov’s tanks, Synelnykove and Novomoskovosk have proved to be costly and neither general has been able to disengage. Both battles are now fairly evenly balanced, and the death toll could be high.

It could be that General Heißmeyer was swept up by the attacking enthusiasm. How else can one explain his decision to turn 162.ID and send it back into Novotrovits’ke? He has resupplied his men, and replaced most of his losses, but Semenchenko has two good armoured divisions with which to hold the recently recaptured province. The battle grinds on, but soon the III Armeekorps commander, von Henneken, must step in to call back our men.

At the northernmost edge of the Österreich Army, General Feketehalmy-Czeyder restarted the assault on the important regional centre of Poltava. As usual, he is outnumbered nearly two to one, but such niceties are unimportant. If von Kluge’s generals waited until numbers were on their side, nothing would ever get done. The Russians, having already thrown back 27.ID once before and also having mounted a serious challenge in Krasnodom, were not ready for more fighting. At the time of writing Zhmanchenko is still holding the outer suburbs of the city, but 118 Strelkovaya has already broken and 81 Motorizavannaya is hanging on by its fingernails.

A demolished building in Poltava: were the Russians using it as an observation point?


Army of the Ukraine (Höhne)

Situation at end of 7th October 1941​

Thanks to the actions of General von Kluge (and the sacrifice of hundreds of his troops in hopeless attacks) General Höhne was at last able to pull 3rd and 4th schwere Panzer Divisions from the street fighting in Dnipropetrovsk. Understandably, considering the baptism of fire that they had experienced in the city, there was no urgency in the transfer of the two divisions to the south to continue the drive on Mariupol by attacking Berdyans’k. It was the 7th before 3rd sPzD was in position in Tokmak, and only late in the day was Stumme ready to send his tanks forward. Popov has two armoured divisions, but the Russian tanks are seen as a joke by our Tiger commanders.

Berdyans’k: Two to one, but our Pzkpfw VI crews are not concerned in the least​

Finalised Battles for the period 1st to 7th October 1941

Sahovskaja: 774 (29,989): 604 (47,067)
Sukhoverkovo: 244 (9,800): 123 (56,659)
Poltava: 489 (10,000): 233 (17,388)
Krasnohrad: 188 (11,985): 47 (14,628)
Krasnodom: 537 (43,791): 554 (17,756) (387 Italian, 150 German)
Gurenichi: 56 (9,912): 122 (7,995)
Mednoye: 784 (39,979): 520 (23,877)
Juhnov: 74 (11,991): 93 (7,999)
Melekhovo: 443 (9,818): 416 (36,923)
Homutovo: 138 (29,989): 264 (28,995)
Bolhov: 87 (9,999): 448 (27,767)
2nd Bolhov: 63 (9,911): 373 (7,763)
Olonec: 0 (9,999): 200 (1,588)
Dnipropetrovsk: 1,269 (20,000): 1,205 (27,996)
Melitopol: 487 (10,000): 449 (19,997)
Suojärvi: 535 (9,999): 696 (18,951)
2nd Olonec: 26 (9,995): 102 (5,998)
Volokolamsk: 188 (10,000): 243 (15,447)
Dodurovskiy: 1,162 (43,990): 2,175 (140,522)
Ul’janovo: 0 (11,870): 62 (3,313)
2nd Ul’janovo: 2 (12,000): 34 (8,548)
3rd Ul’janovo: 4 (11,977): 55 (7,730)
Mar’ino: 1,317 (19,364): 1,878 (32,344)
Cheshovo: 1,543 (19,989): 1,476 (34,939)
Spirovo: 41 (19,988): 198 (9,997)
Morozovo: 25 (9,460): 67 (16,576)
Bohoduchiv: 71 (10,000): 166 (7,998)


Total Battlefield Casualties for the period 1st to 7th October 1941

Hungarian:Nil
Italian: 387
German: 10,160
Russian: 12,803

Prior Casualties:

Hungarian: 2,731
Italian: 6,475
German: 351,662
Russian: 386,040

Total Battlefield Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 2,731 = 2,731
Italian: 387 + 6,475 = 6,862
German: 10,160 + 351,662 = 361,822
Russian: 12,803 + 386,040 = 398,843



Bombing Summary for the period 1st to 7th October 1941

Luftwaffe

8th Kampffliegerkorps carried out two successful missions against Berzarin’s divisions in Cheshovo, but Wever’s aircraft were continually harassed, first by Vershinin and then by Falaleev’s MiGs. The third mission was abandoned as the number of aircraft lost passed 110. KG 25 “Kran” alone lost 48 bombers, nearly half its strength. No longer can our escorts hold off the Russian fighters: we need more interceptors to block the VVS. We have the aircraft; the difficulty is finding airbases close to the front that can hold (and supply) large numbers of planes.

Christiansen decided that the best way to protect our bombers was to attack the enemy fighters before they could reach their targets. 4th Jagdfliegerkorps flew north from its base at Odessa to block Yakovlev’s MiGs as they left their own airfields around Kharkov. 56th and 57th IAD should leave our bombers alone for some time. Notr only that, but 3rd and 4th BAD had no escorts when they tried to bomb Novooleksiyivka, and were unable to reach their targets when intercepted by 4th Jagdfliegerkorps and the 1st Squadra Area.

Cheshovo: Wever with 8th Kampffliegerkorps: 172, 244 (416)
Verkhn’odniprovs’k: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 238, 332 (570)
Sahovskaja: Hoffman von Waldau with 4th Schlachtfliegerkorps: 196, 97, 165, 243 (701)
Sahovskaja: Kitzinger with 3rd Kampffliegerkorps: 136, 199, 241, 324 (900)
Sahovskaja: Keller with 7th Kampffliegerkorps: 157, 405 (562)
Dnipropetrovsk: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 185, 349, 153, 195, 284, 117 (1,283)
Sukhoverkovo: Grauert with 4th Kampffliegerkorps: 132, 257 (389)
Poltava: Müller-Michels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps: 156, 134, 185, 267, 209, 236, 123, 263, 254, 129, 259, 140 (2,355)
Synelnkove: Dörstling with 6th Kampffleigerkorps: 267, 279, 125 (671)
Lotoshino: Grauert with 4th Kampffliegerkorps: 273, 320, 225, 389, 108 (1,315)


VVS

Novooleksiyivka: Khudyakov with 12th and 13th BAD: 47

On the 4th Fisser and 500-600 fighters turned back Golovanov and 30 and 37 BAD. The bombers were headed for Zmiyevka where Bieß and 10.ID “Bitburg” were struggling to make inroads into Kolpny.

Heißmayer was not so lucky, though Khudyakov’s bombers did little actual damage. Nevertheless, 162.ID has such an uphill battle any casualties are deeply felt. Christiansen’s fighters did arrive eventually and the bombers did not return, but according to Heißmayer the effect on the men was apparent.


Total Bombing Casualties during the period 1st to 7th October 1941

Hungarian: Nil
Italian: Nil
German: 47
Russian: 9,162


Prior Bombing Casualties

Hungarian: 128
Italian: 65
German: 5,175
Russian: 258,691

Total Bombing Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 128 = 128
Italian: Nil + 65 = 65
German: 47 + 5,175 = 5,222
Russian: 9,162 + 258,691 = 267,853

Congestion at a forward airbase: conditions are primitive and overcrowded, leading to a reduction in efficiency.​

Following insistent demands from the Luftwaffe, approval has been granted for the expansion of airbases at Kuzenkino, Smolensk, Orel, Sumy and Odessa. It will take some time to complete, but our commanders have repeatedly complained of long waits to have aircraft refuelled and repaired. The main problem is a lack of facilities close to the front, and this building program over winter is designed to allow us to begin an increased bombing program in the spring.

East Front: Position at end of 7th October 1941​

Total East Front Casualties for the period 1st to 7th October 1941

Hungarian: Nil + Nil = Nil
Italian: 387 + Nil = 387
German: 10,160 + 47 = 10,207
Russian: 12,803 + 9,162 = 21,965

Prior East Front Casualties

Hungarian: 2,849
Italian: 6,540
German: 356,837
Russian: 644,731

Total East Front Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 2,849 = 2,849
Italian: 387 + 6,540 = 6,927
German: 10,207 + 356,837 = 367,044
Russian: 21,965 + 644,731 = 666,696

 

[Uriah]

An excellent aar, and very well writen! Read it in a couple of days!!!

Read in a couple of days!!! There are 140+ pages!! I hope you weren't at work?

I do hope that, if the Russian bear is tamed, the clerk will be filing papers for Sealion and the final defeat of the allies

Well, if the USA has not cluttered the place up with invasions etc. I am still sinking heaps of convoys, so the Brits must be building them. I will probably buid a few more TRS before though, I only have 4 and they are pretty vulnerable.

watching those screenshots I have come to the conclusion that the AI deliberately ensures that all divisions are out of range from their Corp HQ, which are all out of range from their army HQ, all of course out of range from their Army Group HQ...

I admist I have come to the same conclusion. I don't know how the programmers wrote that bit, but it doesn't work very well. If a unit gets too far away, the AI just ignores it from then on.

Since you still have plans for the northern thrust, you may want to switch AI for the southern armies to defensive. That should make sure your forces will attack less often, resulting in less supply consumption and also more force concentration in the event of an attack. On the downside, this would also take pressure off the Russian forces.

After turning off the Balkans Army, I have decided that supply to the north is fine. The infra is much better and Leningrad can keep the Baltic Army going. I intend to keep the south going while the weather permits (which is why I sent the Hadtest there) so I won't turn that off. I need to keep draining the Soviets of supply and manpower as long as I can.

Hi Uriah. Just gotta say I saw this last year and fell in love with it. Keep up the outstanding work.

Thanks octobersky92 (is that some reference to your conception?) Will keep on until either I or the readers get bored or I do something so stupid I cannot bear to admit it.

great aar!!! congrats

Thanks Ferraris. I hesitate to ask if that is the model of your car, in case you say yes.

Fear not the winter, the Magyar Kiralyi Honved shall ride in to the rescue!

I've found in vanilla HoI the reds don't put up much of a fight in the winter unlike history. FTM does a little to rectify that; the Soviets control a "fur" resource which mitigates winter effects by 33% (current under Imperial Japanese authority in my current campaign, mighty handy that), but otherwise the winter's just a stalemate. The real question is what does the spring look like, and so far your rapid pace of advance has kept the Soviets from really coordinating a defense, the winter might just give them that.

Next year will be decisive either way; I imagine your naval building program is starting to show results, the eastern front will be decided and I imagine the USA isn't far from entering the war, if they haven't already and I've simply forgotten.

If it weren't for the Hungarians and the Italians I would be in real trouble. I jsut don't have enough manpower. I lost too much in France and particularly in Spain. The AI, though pretty good overall, does not protect its men. Too many bloody battles when a withdrawal was called for.

I hope to take Moskva soon, but I agree that the wointer will give the Soviets time to resupply their divs and get a bit of new material out. I want to keep fighting inthe south until it snows there, just to keep the pressure as long as possible. On the bright side, I think the Soviet leadership is shot: too many officers dead. That may be why some units are crumbling.

The KM is currently 5BC, 2BB, 1CV, 3DD, 3CA, 5CL, 12SS, 4TP. I have a CV due in Jan 43 and a DD and a CL due next month.

If the manpower is getting low he should definitely look into building more ships and less ground troops.
The winter period is also a good time to upgrade units to mech and heavier armour as well as building more rails.

I currently have a huge infra upgrade budget - as soon as they start to complete will start to do more. I have about 400 MP left, and am researching Agriculture 8 - due next July. So I can afford a few more divs. I am not a big fan of upgrading: pulls good units out of the line. But maybe winter will be good time to motorise or mechanise some units.

There will be more ships: I just want to get a few more reseach levels in before spending the money.

Undoubtedly I'm forgetting, but what naval program? I realize all of Berlin is talking about a post-Soviet world, but are the winter priorities really Kriegsmarine > Luftwaffe??

See above. The LW is in pretty good shape. 2 CAG, 10 CAS, 27 INT, 8 FTR, 4 NAV, 2 STR, 20 TAC and 3 TRS. A lot of aircraft, but I have found in Russia that if using the AI you need a lot - the AI rests damaged air groups far more than I would. I have though about some more INTs for the west, just in case the USA goes STRAT bombing on me.

Big Ship are more impressive than planes, anyway I think he has enough planes for now

Can one ever have enough planes? I am building a third STR and will have two more CAGS for my new CV in a year's time




Sorry for the delay, but have had to spend some time reorganising my games room to set up a combined "Guderian's Blitzkrieg", "Enemy at the Gates", "Case Blue" game. From south of Lake Ilmen to the Black Sea, from Smolensk to Stalingrad. Total size of maps: 8' x 12' (for you US imperial measure people). About 2.5m x 3.5m for the rest of the world.

Battalion, regiment, divisional scale with 5 km per hex. Start October 1 1941, 2 turns per week.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1962/p1010062p.jpg

View from North

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3339/p1010061r.jpg

From South

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6324/p1010064li.jpg

A close up near Smolensk

After Turn 1 Axis

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/5519/overallfinal.jpg

After Turn 1: Guderian's Breakthrough

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3824/gudfinal.jpg


I have started an AAR for this too: but not quite as detailed as this. If I can keep it up I'll post a link for those interested.

 

[Surt]

Moscow is sooo close, it seems you will get there before winter after all

 

[Forster]

I have been away for awhile and am happy to see three pages to read. You should be able to knock of Moscow, as long as the AI doesn't fret too much about the strength in it. Once you have that, you can start looking for your winter lines. I don't see how the Soviets can recover once they lose both Leningrad and Moscow. Make sure you cut off the Murmansk route. In spring, you will be able to concentrate on the South and try and get the bitter peace to fire. Great updates as usual.
Hope you had a good holiday time.

 

[arkham1010]

Taking out Moscow is going to really screw with the Soviets supply and resources isnt it. All resources will be lost, right?

 

[Warlordtheft]

Pretty much all that supply and resources (such as oil) get sent back to Berlin. So yeah, russia will be in big time trouble.