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Great report on the air battles, just shows that %'s is not everything, you have to know % of what ie. Me-262 vs. Spitfire.
July-September '46: Eastern Front
With Great Britain now relegated to the status of a minor power all that stands between Germany and victory is the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. As the Americans are occupied in the Pacific, Germany must now focus its attention on the eastern front. . . .
AIR CAMPAIGN OVER THE USSR:
The Lufwaffe did not get the additional aircraft it requested to support Arnimius and as a result it will have to take the role of spoiler. The air force will also enforce certain “kill zones,” regions saturated by logistical bombing. Kill zones play an important part in the overall plan as they entrap enemy divisions.
(above) Improvements in fighter intercept and target selection were designed to improve German air missions after 2dBOB.
(above) Skirmishing in the air, the Lufwaffe searches for an advantage against the Red Air Force. Testing the Soviet air defenses, several nighttime CAP'S were launched using the best night pilots. The following are some of the results:
-A- Much like the British, Soviet aircraft have a built-in advantage in experience. The Soviets also have an advantage in mission efficiency, while German pilots suffered from the difficulty of the mission (CAP at night).
-B- The Red Air Force is so large, they suffer from multiple-overlapping fields of responsibility.
-C- Soviet interceptors followed Lt. General's Bodenschatz's forces back to their base at Riga. In a rare daylight mission the Soviets gained a decisive advantage on the merits of their pilot experience.
-D- When Lufwaffe missions overlap it hands the initiative over to the Soviets. Again, Soviet mission efficiency and pilot experience provide the difference.
-E- The Soviets kill their chances having too many interceptors in the air at a time.
-F- Despite nighttime advantages it is clear that mission efficiency must be improved.
Based on the above, German strategy will be to use "intercept" missions over their own territory. If the Red Air Force choose to engage they will be quickly cut to pieces.
NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN THE BALTIC:
In order to support operation Arminius the Kregsmarine needed to bottle-up the Red Fleet, or at least defeat it decisively should it wander into the Baltic.
(above) A great propaganda victory as Admiral Marschall catches the Red fleet at sea, sinking it piece-meal including the battleship October Revolution!
OPERATION ARMINIUS--Battleplan
Final preparations for Operation Arminius include weapons build-up, special forces, and all units moving to start lines.
(above) Disposition of Axis forces in Europe. Fortress Europe is well defended by a combination of elite paratroops and Axis minor infantry. There are some reserve infantry corps in France and England to call upon if need be. All infantry corps on the eastern front received heavy weapons, a process that took 1 ½ months of manpower and 3 months to build.
(above) Timetables for Arminius (Phase I) are as follows:
-A- Army groups Mitte and N. Ukraine launch simultaneous attacks aimed at capturing Smolensk and Kyiv. It is important the Soviets believe the main thrust is Moscow. Once Red Army reserves are committed to the middle of the front the next phase will begin.
Logistical bombing establish kill zones in two areas perpendicular to the front. These zones will trap retreating units and forstall strategic re-deployment if Soviet divisions. German motorized units readily move around the trap, leaving Soviet divisions caught therein at the mercy of the advancing infantry.
A third kill zone is established on the edges of Moscow itself. This region is designed to slow the flow of supplies from the capitol. As the front slowly advances German missiles will come into range and expand this zone to completely encircle the capitol.
-B- Once the Soviets are fully committed to the center of the front, Army Group Sud will launch their attack. Panzer formations (orange arrows) will break for Dnipropertrovsk to cut-off and trap retreating Soviet divisions, while a second pincer hooks-up with panzers from AG Norte. The complete destruction of all Soviet forces south of Kyiv will leaving Moscow open to attack from the south in Phase II.
-C- As the Soviets focus their reserves in the south a corps of marines will land in upper Finland. Together with the mountain army in northern Norway, the forces will threaten the Soviet port of Murmask. If the Soviet's take the bait and commit reserves in the region north of Leningrad it will make capturing the city that much easier.
-D- As the Soviet divisions approach, marines will be withdrawn and re-grouped for a landing outside Leningrad.
-E- With Soviet's fully engaged everywhere, AG Baltic will launch the final assault to capture Leningrad.
-F- Marine landing north of the city will seal the northern approaches and block Soviet divisions in Finland from relieving the city.
OPERATION ARMINIUS—OOB
Operations on the eastern front are broken into four (4) army groups. They are, in order of timing, as follows:
Army Group Mitte (E.Germany):
(above) Field Marshall Rommel moves down to command the 3d Panzerarmee leaving his most capable chief of staff, Balack, to manage the logistics and keep him apprised of events from the headquarters located at Konigsberg. From top-to-bottom:
Rommel now moves to the forward command post at Wilno where he has two motorized infantry corps at his disposal. The goal will be to punch through enemy lines at two places and eventually come back together again trapping as many enemy units in the pocket as possible. The main target of the assault will be the city of Smolinsk.
General von Rundstedt commands the 16th Armee from his base at Kaunas. This army is poised to deal crushing attacks on the Soviet's front lines from several directions. Note, motorized reserves one province back to be used as needed.
General Ziegler is in charge of the 4th Armee from his HQ at Ziezmariai. Operating out of the strategic city of Minsk, it is most important that Ziegler break the Soviet lines to allow Rommel's panzers to pass through. Following this, 4th Armee will surround the kill zone to the east and bag as many enemy divisions as possible.
General List heads the 9th Armee from his HQ at Druskienniki. This army fronts the great marsh to the south, and will act primarily to hold the flank and as a ready reserve.
The 2d Armee under General Veith at Grodno has the simple task of clearing the Soviets out of the marshlands north of the river. Once this task is done Veith will relocate and become a ready reserve for further operations.
Army Group Norte Ukraine:
(above) The Northern Ukraine army group HQ is at Krakow. General Guderian has moved down to command the 31st Panzerarmee leaving the job of logistics to his most capable chief-of-staff, General Mauss. From top-to-bottom:
The 1st Army under General von Kluge at Przemysl is tasked with the all-important role of creating a hole in the Soviet line to allow Guderian's panzers to break into the enemy rear.
The 4th Armee under General Senger und Etterlin, whose HQ is at Bilgoraj, has the unenviable task of invading the great marsh. Essentially, this army will clear out the kill zone, capturing or destroying as many enemy divisions as possible.
The 11th Armee under General von Manteffel at Negresti-Oas in Hungary holds the southern flank of the army group. Its principal goal is to capture the strategic airfield at Stanislovov.
Finally, General Guderian at Krasnobrod will reprise his role from Barbarossa. With two motorized infantry corps of the 31st Panzerarmeee, he will leapfrog the enemy line and make for the strategic objective of Kyiv. Once this is achieved, his panzers will hook-up with armored formations moving northward from the Black Sea, and seal the fate of the Red Army's entire southern flank.
Army Group Sud Ukraine:
(above) The Army Group of South Ukraine is based in the Romanian city of Busuresti. This army has the most important task of delivering the hammer blow that will crush the southern flank of the Red Army. The timing of this attack is critical to the success of the entire operation. General von Sponeck leaves HQ to take personal command of 44th Panzer Army, leaving his chief-of-staff, General Kirchner, in charge of logistics.
Supply and logistics are the most important part of making this a rapidly-moving campaign, and for this reason all corps commanders in AG Sud Ukraine must be logistical wizzards.
From top-to-bottom:
The 8th Army of General von Leeb is headquartered at Barlad. This is the southern most point of the eastern front, and its main goal is to capture the port of Odessa. Following this, 8th Army must seal the line from the Black Sea to the strategic city of
Dnipropertrovsk.
General von Falkenstein and 6th Army is headquartered in Toplita in Hungary. Facing mostly river defenses of the Soviets, this army must find a way to break through and roll-up the Soviet line.
The 44th Panzer Armee is headquartered in Barlad in Romania. The largest panzer formation on the eastern front, it consists of four (4) motorized infantry corps. Its main goal is to breakthrough the Soviet line and make for the city of Dnipropertrovsk, and also splitting off two (2) corps to link-up with General Guderian at Kyiv. Timing of this attack is to occur when the Soviets are at their weakest, the enemy must believe this to be a lightly guarded and quiet sector.
Army Group (North) Baltic:
(above) The key to Arnimius Phase I is the capture of Leningrad, and this is the sole responsibility of Army Group Baltic. This will be a delayed attack, waiting patiently for Rommel's army to press the Soviets into releasing their reserves. Secondly, a diversionary attack will be made in northern Finland in order to remove certain obsticales around Leningrad. The final assault will begin after the army of Southern Ukraine makes a breakthrough, and the region around Leningrad is devoid of reserves.
From his headquarters in Riga, Field Marshall Model remains in overall command of this army group, providing both logistical support for two armys and retaining direct command over two (2) corps including special forces. From top-to-bottom:
General Grasser at Parmu commands the 18th Armee, which is tasked with breaking the Soviet lines between Rezekne and Karsava. After this 18th Armee will follow the panzers, hooking northward to envelope the city of Leningrad.
Panzer Armee Abteilung “Narwa” is an elite force commanded by General von Gross Zache Strahwitz out of the port of Tallinn. These panzers will jump into the enemy rear and completely envelope the defenders as they hook northwards towards Leningrad. It is hoped the city may be taken by surprise, but if not the pocketing and destruction of all forces facing AG Baltic is of prime importance.
Lt. General von Salmouth's 43d fortress busting corps (not shown) holds the northern tip of land directly opposite Leningrad. This corps will push forward on command to tie-up opposing forces to allow the panzers to loop northward behind them. The fortress busters will then move on Leningrad if need be.
General Ringel and the 19th Marine corps will provide the diversion that hopefully will allow the city of Leningrad to fall more quickly. Moving from the port of Konisberg they will first invade northern Finland at Olhava just as the 1st Mountain Army attacks over the border from Norway. The goal is to lure Soviet reserves from the southern part of the country, especially around Leningrad, to the far northern reaches of Finland. Once the Soviet's have committed major forces to counter-attack, and AG Baltic has broken through on their front, the marines will be withdrawn completely. Ringle's marines will then be transported directly to the Leningrad region, to invade north of the city and establish a perimeter to seal the city off from the north. It is a bold and adventurous plan, with small chance for success, but is just the kind of operation the Soviets will least expect.
OPERATION ARMINIUS—Infantry Technology and Organization:
There was not enough time or manpower to upgrade panzer corps, therefore success of the entire operation now rests with the infantry, and the all-important command doctrines.
(above) Wehrmacht HQ at the Wolf's lair in the woods of Eastern Germany. The principal doctrines of the German army are mobile warfare and integrated support.
(above) The '46 infantry corps is carefully constructed with three divisions of infantry supported by one division of mobile reserves. Stacked together, without reserves, the corps is a formidable force with soft attack above 70, and hardness and toughness above 100. Mobile reserves give the corps the added flexibility of operating independent of panzers corps. Individual divisions are composed as follows:
(above) Heavy Infantry designated “h.” Just infantry, and lots of it. Fully equipped to fight on any terrain, day or night, these divisions are more than a match for any Soviet rifle division.
(above) Artillery Support Infantry designated “a.” Provides a bit extra fire support at the expense of total weight.
(above) Storm Troops designated “s.” A throwback to the storm troops of WWI who were rapid infiltrators. This division has the firepower equivalent of artillery support infantry, but requires less supplies and moves quicker over broken ground.
(above) Motorized Reserve designated “m.” The standard motorized reserve is two brigades of motorized infantry and one battalion of the recently up-gunned armored cars. These divisions are designed to move swiftly into gaps, or over-run a retreating enemy infantry. They have the least supply and fuel needs of any motorized division. (Note: Schwerplunkt and Blitzkreig at '46 levels)
(above) Motorized Reserve II designated “m.”As there was not enough time or manpower to build sufficient armored cars prior to Arnimius, a number of mechanized brigades were pressed into service. With the added power of light armor these formations are the strongest mobile reserves in the field. On the downside, they require somewhat more in the way of supplies and fuel to operate.
(above) Motorized Reserve III designated “m.” Extra brigades left-over from Panzer armies help fill the role of mobile reserves for several infantry corps. Consisting of entirely mechanized brigades these divisions are the fastest units on the field, although more fuel-hungry than the rest.
Next Time: Operation Arminius (Phase I)
With Great Britain now relegated to the status of a minor power all that stands between Germany and victory is the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. As the Americans are occupied in the Pacific, Germany must now focus its attention on the eastern front. . . .
AIR CAMPAIGN OVER THE USSR:
The Lufwaffe did not get the additional aircraft it requested to support Arnimius and as a result it will have to take the role of spoiler. The air force will also enforce certain “kill zones,” regions saturated by logistical bombing. Kill zones play an important part in the overall plan as they entrap enemy divisions.
(above) Improvements in fighter intercept and target selection were designed to improve German air missions after 2dBOB.
(above) Skirmishing in the air, the Lufwaffe searches for an advantage against the Red Air Force. Testing the Soviet air defenses, several nighttime CAP'S were launched using the best night pilots. The following are some of the results:
-A- Much like the British, Soviet aircraft have a built-in advantage in experience. The Soviets also have an advantage in mission efficiency, while German pilots suffered from the difficulty of the mission (CAP at night).
-B- The Red Air Force is so large, they suffer from multiple-overlapping fields of responsibility.
-C- Soviet interceptors followed Lt. General's Bodenschatz's forces back to their base at Riga. In a rare daylight mission the Soviets gained a decisive advantage on the merits of their pilot experience.
-D- When Lufwaffe missions overlap it hands the initiative over to the Soviets. Again, Soviet mission efficiency and pilot experience provide the difference.
-E- The Soviets kill their chances having too many interceptors in the air at a time.
-F- Despite nighttime advantages it is clear that mission efficiency must be improved.
Based on the above, German strategy will be to use "intercept" missions over their own territory. If the Red Air Force choose to engage they will be quickly cut to pieces.
NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN THE BALTIC:
In order to support operation Arminius the Kregsmarine needed to bottle-up the Red Fleet, or at least defeat it decisively should it wander into the Baltic.
(above) A great propaganda victory as Admiral Marschall catches the Red fleet at sea, sinking it piece-meal including the battleship October Revolution!
OPERATION ARMINIUS--Battleplan
Final preparations for Operation Arminius include weapons build-up, special forces, and all units moving to start lines.
(above) Disposition of Axis forces in Europe. Fortress Europe is well defended by a combination of elite paratroops and Axis minor infantry. There are some reserve infantry corps in France and England to call upon if need be. All infantry corps on the eastern front received heavy weapons, a process that took 1 ½ months of manpower and 3 months to build.
(above) Timetables for Arminius (Phase I) are as follows:
-A- Army groups Mitte and N. Ukraine launch simultaneous attacks aimed at capturing Smolensk and Kyiv. It is important the Soviets believe the main thrust is Moscow. Once Red Army reserves are committed to the middle of the front the next phase will begin.
Logistical bombing establish kill zones in two areas perpendicular to the front. These zones will trap retreating units and forstall strategic re-deployment if Soviet divisions. German motorized units readily move around the trap, leaving Soviet divisions caught therein at the mercy of the advancing infantry.
A third kill zone is established on the edges of Moscow itself. This region is designed to slow the flow of supplies from the capitol. As the front slowly advances German missiles will come into range and expand this zone to completely encircle the capitol.
-B- Once the Soviets are fully committed to the center of the front, Army Group Sud will launch their attack. Panzer formations (orange arrows) will break for Dnipropertrovsk to cut-off and trap retreating Soviet divisions, while a second pincer hooks-up with panzers from AG Norte. The complete destruction of all Soviet forces south of Kyiv will leaving Moscow open to attack from the south in Phase II.
-C- As the Soviets focus their reserves in the south a corps of marines will land in upper Finland. Together with the mountain army in northern Norway, the forces will threaten the Soviet port of Murmask. If the Soviet's take the bait and commit reserves in the region north of Leningrad it will make capturing the city that much easier.
-D- As the Soviet divisions approach, marines will be withdrawn and re-grouped for a landing outside Leningrad.
-E- With Soviet's fully engaged everywhere, AG Baltic will launch the final assault to capture Leningrad.
-F- Marine landing north of the city will seal the northern approaches and block Soviet divisions in Finland from relieving the city.
OPERATION ARMINIUS—OOB
Operations on the eastern front are broken into four (4) army groups. They are, in order of timing, as follows:
Army Group Mitte (E.Germany):
(above) Field Marshall Rommel moves down to command the 3d Panzerarmee leaving his most capable chief of staff, Balack, to manage the logistics and keep him apprised of events from the headquarters located at Konigsberg. From top-to-bottom:
Rommel now moves to the forward command post at Wilno where he has two motorized infantry corps at his disposal. The goal will be to punch through enemy lines at two places and eventually come back together again trapping as many enemy units in the pocket as possible. The main target of the assault will be the city of Smolinsk.
General von Rundstedt commands the 16th Armee from his base at Kaunas. This army is poised to deal crushing attacks on the Soviet's front lines from several directions. Note, motorized reserves one province back to be used as needed.
General Ziegler is in charge of the 4th Armee from his HQ at Ziezmariai. Operating out of the strategic city of Minsk, it is most important that Ziegler break the Soviet lines to allow Rommel's panzers to pass through. Following this, 4th Armee will surround the kill zone to the east and bag as many enemy divisions as possible.
General List heads the 9th Armee from his HQ at Druskienniki. This army fronts the great marsh to the south, and will act primarily to hold the flank and as a ready reserve.
The 2d Armee under General Veith at Grodno has the simple task of clearing the Soviets out of the marshlands north of the river. Once this task is done Veith will relocate and become a ready reserve for further operations.
Army Group Norte Ukraine:
(above) The Northern Ukraine army group HQ is at Krakow. General Guderian has moved down to command the 31st Panzerarmee leaving the job of logistics to his most capable chief-of-staff, General Mauss. From top-to-bottom:
The 1st Army under General von Kluge at Przemysl is tasked with the all-important role of creating a hole in the Soviet line to allow Guderian's panzers to break into the enemy rear.
The 4th Armee under General Senger und Etterlin, whose HQ is at Bilgoraj, has the unenviable task of invading the great marsh. Essentially, this army will clear out the kill zone, capturing or destroying as many enemy divisions as possible.
The 11th Armee under General von Manteffel at Negresti-Oas in Hungary holds the southern flank of the army group. Its principal goal is to capture the strategic airfield at Stanislovov.
Finally, General Guderian at Krasnobrod will reprise his role from Barbarossa. With two motorized infantry corps of the 31st Panzerarmeee, he will leapfrog the enemy line and make for the strategic objective of Kyiv. Once this is achieved, his panzers will hook-up with armored formations moving northward from the Black Sea, and seal the fate of the Red Army's entire southern flank.
Army Group Sud Ukraine:
(above) The Army Group of South Ukraine is based in the Romanian city of Busuresti. This army has the most important task of delivering the hammer blow that will crush the southern flank of the Red Army. The timing of this attack is critical to the success of the entire operation. General von Sponeck leaves HQ to take personal command of 44th Panzer Army, leaving his chief-of-staff, General Kirchner, in charge of logistics.
Supply and logistics are the most important part of making this a rapidly-moving campaign, and for this reason all corps commanders in AG Sud Ukraine must be logistical wizzards.
From top-to-bottom:
The 8th Army of General von Leeb is headquartered at Barlad. This is the southern most point of the eastern front, and its main goal is to capture the port of Odessa. Following this, 8th Army must seal the line from the Black Sea to the strategic city of
Dnipropertrovsk.
General von Falkenstein and 6th Army is headquartered in Toplita in Hungary. Facing mostly river defenses of the Soviets, this army must find a way to break through and roll-up the Soviet line.
The 44th Panzer Armee is headquartered in Barlad in Romania. The largest panzer formation on the eastern front, it consists of four (4) motorized infantry corps. Its main goal is to breakthrough the Soviet line and make for the city of Dnipropertrovsk, and also splitting off two (2) corps to link-up with General Guderian at Kyiv. Timing of this attack is to occur when the Soviets are at their weakest, the enemy must believe this to be a lightly guarded and quiet sector.
Army Group (North) Baltic:
(above) The key to Arnimius Phase I is the capture of Leningrad, and this is the sole responsibility of Army Group Baltic. This will be a delayed attack, waiting patiently for Rommel's army to press the Soviets into releasing their reserves. Secondly, a diversionary attack will be made in northern Finland in order to remove certain obsticales around Leningrad. The final assault will begin after the army of Southern Ukraine makes a breakthrough, and the region around Leningrad is devoid of reserves.
From his headquarters in Riga, Field Marshall Model remains in overall command of this army group, providing both logistical support for two armys and retaining direct command over two (2) corps including special forces. From top-to-bottom:
General Grasser at Parmu commands the 18th Armee, which is tasked with breaking the Soviet lines between Rezekne and Karsava. After this 18th Armee will follow the panzers, hooking northward to envelope the city of Leningrad.
Panzer Armee Abteilung “Narwa” is an elite force commanded by General von Gross Zache Strahwitz out of the port of Tallinn. These panzers will jump into the enemy rear and completely envelope the defenders as they hook northwards towards Leningrad. It is hoped the city may be taken by surprise, but if not the pocketing and destruction of all forces facing AG Baltic is of prime importance.
Lt. General von Salmouth's 43d fortress busting corps (not shown) holds the northern tip of land directly opposite Leningrad. This corps will push forward on command to tie-up opposing forces to allow the panzers to loop northward behind them. The fortress busters will then move on Leningrad if need be.
General Ringel and the 19th Marine corps will provide the diversion that hopefully will allow the city of Leningrad to fall more quickly. Moving from the port of Konisberg they will first invade northern Finland at Olhava just as the 1st Mountain Army attacks over the border from Norway. The goal is to lure Soviet reserves from the southern part of the country, especially around Leningrad, to the far northern reaches of Finland. Once the Soviet's have committed major forces to counter-attack, and AG Baltic has broken through on their front, the marines will be withdrawn completely. Ringle's marines will then be transported directly to the Leningrad region, to invade north of the city and establish a perimeter to seal the city off from the north. It is a bold and adventurous plan, with small chance for success, but is just the kind of operation the Soviets will least expect.
OPERATION ARMINIUS—Infantry Technology and Organization:
There was not enough time or manpower to upgrade panzer corps, therefore success of the entire operation now rests with the infantry, and the all-important command doctrines.
(above) Wehrmacht HQ at the Wolf's lair in the woods of Eastern Germany. The principal doctrines of the German army are mobile warfare and integrated support.
(above) The '46 infantry corps is carefully constructed with three divisions of infantry supported by one division of mobile reserves. Stacked together, without reserves, the corps is a formidable force with soft attack above 70, and hardness and toughness above 100. Mobile reserves give the corps the added flexibility of operating independent of panzers corps. Individual divisions are composed as follows:
(above) Heavy Infantry designated “h.” Just infantry, and lots of it. Fully equipped to fight on any terrain, day or night, these divisions are more than a match for any Soviet rifle division.
(above) Artillery Support Infantry designated “a.” Provides a bit extra fire support at the expense of total weight.
(above) Storm Troops designated “s.” A throwback to the storm troops of WWI who were rapid infiltrators. This division has the firepower equivalent of artillery support infantry, but requires less supplies and moves quicker over broken ground.
(above) Motorized Reserve designated “m.” The standard motorized reserve is two brigades of motorized infantry and one battalion of the recently up-gunned armored cars. These divisions are designed to move swiftly into gaps, or over-run a retreating enemy infantry. They have the least supply and fuel needs of any motorized division. (Note: Schwerplunkt and Blitzkreig at '46 levels)
(above) Motorized Reserve II designated “m.”As there was not enough time or manpower to build sufficient armored cars prior to Arnimius, a number of mechanized brigades were pressed into service. With the added power of light armor these formations are the strongest mobile reserves in the field. On the downside, they require somewhat more in the way of supplies and fuel to operate.
(above) Motorized Reserve III designated “m.” Extra brigades left-over from Panzer armies help fill the role of mobile reserves for several infantry corps. Consisting of entirely mechanized brigades these divisions are the fastest units on the field, although more fuel-hungry than the rest.
Next Time: Operation Arminius (Phase I)
Wouldn't it be better mp wise to go 3inf+1art as the mainstay of your army instead of the mp-intensive 4xinf?
EDIT NOTICE
ALL--Had to make an edit to 2ndBOB post for "Difficulty" percentage in air combat.
Please note: Difficulty is not a function of mixed groups of aircraft, rather it is derived from the Difficulty level of the game. So, in this case the Luftwaffe receives a -20% difficulty penalty against the Soviets because we're playing on Hard.
ALL--Had to make an edit to 2ndBOB post for "Difficulty" percentage in air combat.
Please note: Difficulty is not a function of mixed groups of aircraft, rather it is derived from the Difficulty level of the game. So, in this case the Luftwaffe receives a -20% difficulty penalty against the Soviets because we're playing on Hard.
I understand you're approach, but consider this: A corps of 3x(3+1) would stack as 12 but have a front of only 9. With one division of heavy infantry, the corps stacks as 12 but with a front of 10. Also, I like the added defensive quality of heavy infantry.
There's no intellegence on the USA, so don't know.
Not that it's not important, just that Germany has been researching a lots of techs and boosting officer levels. So, there's not much left over for intellegence excepting against the Soviets (and the Soviets eat-up agents at a pretty good clip).
Unfortunately the AI is unable to appreciate the individual qualities of each unit and instead treats all land units more or less equally. Unless you decide to control the units manually, I assume a generalised approach would be better.
Yes, assume so. The AI game is foreign to me, but I understand where you're coming from. In London the AI was building 2+2s--real light-weight divisions. Why programmers didn't go with a 3+1s is quite revealing. The AI would stand a better chance, possibly even dominate, with 3+1s IMHO.
Closer to home, heavy infantry has other advantages too, for instance it can split into two (2) light infantry divisions. This is especially useful in the vastness of the Russian Stepps as a corps may expand from four (4) to five (5) divisions to cover more ground (is the plan).
With britian out of the picture and the soviet fleet sunk the eastern front shall open up. I just hope you arent walking into a giant trap.
He probaly kicks the door in, walks too far in and then the structure comes down on him?
I cant wait for the offensive....the ................anticipation..............is killing me.....Your plan is bold and wide reaching. I just fear that each Army is dependant on the success (or failure??) of the other Armies, and Army Group to Army Group. It is however well thought out. We shall see how the AI reacts to the grand offensive..........hopefully it will be overwhelmed (just as the Russians were in 1941).
Eagerly awaiting the results!
Eagerly awaiting the results!
Attachments
Ppure 2+2 divs work better than 3+1. Firstly, 5 x 2 width means 10 frontage and the way the game mechanics works, you can still add units when you use 10 out of 10 frontage, so in fact you can use 6 2+2 divs, not 5. When you use the 3+1 composition, then you can only stack 4 divs. The firepower that 6 divs of 2INF+2ART will bring will be greater than the firepower of 4 3INF+1ART divs. There is the issue of stacking penalty, but it can be reduced by appointing a good Theatre commander, attacking from multiple sides or researching the tech which improves Unit Coordination.
I really enjoy your AAR's and since you seem to know a lot i figure ill ask you this:
Ive played 2 germany games in a row the first time i dishonored the Nazi soviet pact and when i attacked britain the soviets attacked me
the 2nd time i honored it, and i made sure to have a fairly strong garrison force on the border, but when i invaded britain the soviets still attacked! do you have any idea why? i thought they wont attack if you honor the pact
(this is FTM btw)
Ive played 2 germany games in a row the first time i dishonored the Nazi soviet pact and when i attacked britain the soviets attacked me
the 2nd time i honored it, and i made sure to have a fairly strong garrison force on the border, but when i invaded britain the soviets still attacked! do you have any idea why? i thought they wont attack if you honor the pact
(this is FTM btw)
I don't know what your chances are, and as KLorberau already pointed out, success seems to depend on the whole sequence working ad planned. But not doing anything cedes the initiative to the Soviets and if there is one moment for you to attack the USSR, then it is now, with Britain effectively knocked out and the Americans still pre-occupied with Japan.
I'm impressed with the extensive overhauling of your plans, based on the limitations of fuel and time to upgrade. I don't know if there is any plan that would hand you a guaranteed victory in the East at this time, but the one you came up with sounds as good as any. I look forward to its execution.
I'm impressed with the extensive overhauling of your plans, based on the limitations of fuel and time to upgrade. I don't know if there is any plan that would hand you a guaranteed victory in the East at this time, but the one you came up with sounds as good as any. I look forward to its execution.
Well, if you get the most of Africa with its ports, you won't need much port defense 
.
.
October '46: Operation Arnimius Phase I
All units finally reached their start lines around October 6-7 and operations commenced. Army groups Mitte and N.Ukraine began with infantry attacks all along the line. The Luftwaffe was called in only to oppose enemy bombing activity. The following are early results of the operation:
OPERATION ARNIMIUS: Army Group Mitte:
(above) Infantry corps movements shown as red arrows, Panzer corps movements in orange.
OPERATION ARNIMIUS: Army Group Norte Ukraine:
(above) Infantry corps movements shown as red arrows, Panzer corps movements in orange.
Next Time: Fall of Leningrad
All units finally reached their start lines around October 6-7 and operations commenced. Army groups Mitte and N.Ukraine began with infantry attacks all along the line. The Luftwaffe was called in only to oppose enemy bombing activity. The following are early results of the operation:
OPERATION ARNIMIUS: Army Group Mitte:
(above) Infantry corps movements shown as red arrows, Panzer corps movements in orange.
OPERATION ARNIMIUS: Army Group Norte Ukraine:
(above) Infantry corps movements shown as red arrows, Panzer corps movements in orange.
Next Time: Fall of Leningrad
Yes, that's interesting. If you notice, Russian agression was quelled in this AAR using defense-in-depth. The AI looks for weakness, and so the theory goes, if it sees more than one line of defense it shifts focus elsewhere. If there is a double line of defense everywhere, then the AI goes into trench warfare mode and ceases to attack.
Hope that helps.
Would you say that applies even if the AI's attacking force outnumbers any of the defensive lines individually?