Analyze This! (please)

[dojoboy]

1.06

Here I am again, preparing for a face-off v. the SU. Last time I was here, I was crushed within months. But, a few things are different this time.

(1) I didn't push toward the Middle East and capture Egypt & Iraq from the British.
(2) I didn't capture the British Isles.
(3) I did annex Norway.
(4) I didn't DOW Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Allied instead and took control of their forces.
(5) I'm not waiting on the SU to DoW me, as I did last time. As soon, as my forces are in position, I'm going.

Check out the below images and let me know what you think. I'm planning to use mech inf to encircle the SU forces. At the moment, I've got about 36 divisions of mech inf ready to go and more in the queue. I've about 36 divisions of mixed inf as well and more in the queue. Outside of these forces, I've the other Axis forces as well. I am concerned for my rubber and oil supplies. Apologies for the blurry pic.

 

[unmerged(13931)]

How large an Air Force, how many tanks, High tech?
For right now u will need a lot more infantry, U have 1000manpower, so use that to buid 30 more inf divs. I know these are not mobile, but u must guard the encirlements, flanks, as well as to provide a decent defence.

I play CORE, but here is what I usually have:
-On the Eastern Front-
18 Tac Bombers
12 fighters (groups of 3, even before latest patches)
50+ mech
100+ inf
30 tanks

as well as entire Romanian, hungarian, and slovakian armies.

With this force I can concentrate on huge sweeping offensives, using TAC Air as fire Brigades.

All my armies are groups of 5, except pz which are 3. I group (not merge) 3 pzgruppe with 5 Pz. Gr. (mech) to form an Army Group. These Army Groups/Kampfgruppe are the main fire power, as the most important thing for me in war is mobility.

Otherwise for your Oil and rubber:
Capture the Caucuses -some oil
Otherwise, replace your ministers so as to lessen demand.

-Western Front-
Use the exp. Italians as well as 3 ger divs on each coastal province in the west, with 6pz and 10 pz gr. in reserve.

With these tactics, your army is incredebly fluid and agile, as the real life German army. This strategy has yet to fail me, SP or MP. Tell me what u think, as I am more than willing to answer Q's


EDIT: Oh and by the way let the Soviets declare war on you. This has two benefits, it makes u a little stronger, as well as giving them dissent. Oh and it helps to have lvl 2 forts on the Eastern border with lvl 3 on the western coasts. Thats it

 

[unmerged(13931)]

Yeah looking more indepth, u will definately need more men. I mean look in your center, u have 6 vs 13.

What are your preferences; diff. lvl, etc.....

I understand the Soviets look daunting, but if u keep the initiave, and maintain momentum (even in winter), the Soviets won't be able to counter.
Their army is huge but cumbersome, the AI uses its tanks with its infantry, so as long as u stay mobile, u shouldn't have any problems, except maybe in Prussia. The Soviet AI loves to attack Prussia, so in your case do a fighting retreat towards Danzig, while keeping tour mobile forces in Torun. Then attack from that flank with the luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine (if u still have BBs) providing support.

 

[unmerged(26876)]

Nice. A strategy question!
My favourite!

1.06

Here I am again, preparing for a face-off v. the SU. Last time I was here, I was crushed within months.

It happens.

But, a few things are different this time.

(1) I didn't push toward the Middle East and capture Egypt & Iraq from the British.

Meh, that will come later...

(2) I didn't capture the British Isles.

!!That could hurt you heaps particularly if you are DoWed by USA.

(3) I did annex Norway.

Are you allied with Finland too? They are a big help and provide a nice 'back door' to attack through.

(4) I didn't DOW Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Allied instead and took control of their forces.

Always good Considered amphibious landings from the Black Sea? You have the frindly ports now.

(5) I'm not waiting on the SU to DoW me, as I did last time. As soon, as my forces are in position, I'm going.

Fair enough - just don't loose momentum and make sure you have a reserve in case you unexpectedly suffer a setback or get attacked on another front.

Check out the below images and let me know what you think. I'm planning to use mech inf to encircle the SU forces. At the moment, I've got about 36 divisions of mech inf ready to go and more in the queue. I've about 36 divisions of mixed inf as well and more in the queue. Outside of these forces, I've the other Axis forces as well. I am concerned for my rubber and oil supplies.

Yeah, Rubber and Oil

Attacking eastward from Lwow looks promising and north int Pinsk. You have the plan - just hope you have the firepower and don't get any unpleasent surprises.

Good Luck!

 

[unmerged(23980)]

I always find you need a huge forces when you're fighting against Russia. Usually by the time I finish up with the Allies and they DoW on me, they have about 430 divisions.

What I tend to do is build up land fortresses in around Warsaw and East Prussia. The AI never seemes willing to attack fortresses unless they have overwhelming numbers, which lets you use your forces elsewhere.

I usually let the Russian steam roller attack through the south toward the Rumanian oilfields. Then a pincer breaks through further north and swings south to get a entrapment. The Russians had about 90 divisons in there but damn are they fast at marching because 30 divs managed to march out before the last province was taken. Still destroyed 60 divisions caught between the mountain range and my pincer.

I would suggest a single pincer movement against the coast as it is easier than trying with two pincers when you're outnumbered.

 

[Inbrainsane]

What difficulty are you playing on? On normal, you have good chances with this setup. On hard and very hard i think you wont make it until the end, because russia will take too long and without GB the USA will beat the crap out of you.

 

[unmerged(3221)]

STRATEGY: Use most of your mobile forces to attack into Lwow and then spread out in two directions: (1) going around the Pripet Marshes then north (2) going east towards Baku and Stalingrad. There's lots of room to attack there. In the north attack with inf and with whatever mech/pz you do not need in the south. Your inf will beat their inf so attack and keep the pressure on. Then your forces can meet around Smolensk and create a pocket. Look for other opportunities to create pockets so that you can eliminate Red Army div rather than just weakening them.

If you share tech with your allies their inf will be almost as good as yours. Then use Hungarian and Romanian inf to hold the pocket. Sprinkle in a few German inf div in the same provinces with them to altert you about any attacks.

Just build plain inf to quickly build up numbers. As long as you use 12 plain inf div under a good FM and attack from two or more directions with 24+ div, you can keep pushing the Red Army back. Attack when you have enough numbers in either spring 1940 or 1941. Attack when you finish some important research such as synchronized artillery.

AIR: a few fighters are needed to take out some large fighter stacks and then to take out their bombers. Build some basic or better tac bombers and use them in two groups of 9 or 12. They will soften up the enemy considerably before your troops arrive. Also consider building a few para to drop into open provinces or to add a direction to another attack. They can usually grab an empty Pripet Marsh province for you and that eliminates one long slow march. Upgrade the prewar transports to basic for the longer range.

 

[dojoboy]

Great feedback.

Setttings: N/N

From what you guys have said, it'd be risky if I attacked now. Because I do not have:

(1) enough forces to pull off the maneuvers and protect supply lines.
(2) inf. reserves
(3) air support

I do have divisions of mech inf and inf in the queue, but no air power. I've moved my tac bombers and some fighters from the western front along w/ a few strat bombers.

The date is 7 Dec. 1939. Here is how I approached the game from a tech/military angle. The first year and a half, I built no forces. Zero. All I did was jack up research IC and get techs: doctrines et al, inf, mech, tank, artillery. Very little air and sea. I then began pumping out forces. I have not built any panzers yet, waiting on at least 70mm. I do have the pzkpfw IV (50mm) atm.

So, how long do I have to get ready? My last game as Germany, the SU attacked in '42. That would give me about 2.5 years.

Finland is currently in a war v. the SU, so I could get them to ally now. If not, would they after their war? I'm trying like hell to get Sweden as an ally, but they keep refusing even though their aligned dead-on w/ the fascist philosophy.

Someone mentioned my manpower (1,000) and to use it. Other than by waiting for unit production to finish, how would I grab the extra IC? Cull back my research? My mech inf org is in the 90s, inf in the 70s/80s, and I'm waiting on the bigger panzer techs to finish. But, its queued up, I guess I no longer need such a high investment at this pint. ???

Here are a some better images, one of units and one of the front (for those who wish to design me an operation). You can even pin a name to it. how about: "Operation, what the hell is dojoboy doing?" I like the idea of the single encirclement. From the north or south?

Any how, thanks.

 

[unmerged(3221)]

You do not need to display screen images of this prewar situation.

Just build up plain inf and do some land doctrine research to get higher org for your inf and other units (elastic defense and synchronized artillery). Then attack in May 1941. Do not wait until 1942. The longer that you wait, the comparatively better the Red Army will be. Time is not on your side.

 

[unmerged(17617)]

Hm, you're in a tough situation because of your Allies, they took the nice route into Russia. Virtually your only option is to go north but do that you'ld need to take out Kaunas and perhaps Siauliai first to get an attack from multiple directions going into Grodno and Wilno, from that point on swing north to cut of the Baltics. Have Mot-E's or Mechs follow your Panzerarmies to hold a corridor until the infantry arrives, at that point it maybe an option for your Panzers to head for Moscow and to cut of the troops involved with the Finnish, while the infantry takes care of the units in the Baltics. Once you have accomplished that, advance along one or two axis of attack to the south to encircle the troops that are being pinned down by your Allies. Also keep some mobile units in the south to prevent a Soviet thrust into Romania or Lwov. If they take that you may be in deep trouble.
Good luck.

 

[dojoboy]

You do not need to display screen images of this prewar situation.

Apologies to the vets. I promise, this'll be my last one. Because, I did it! Woo-hoo!

After reading all the success stories, I've finally pinched the Red Army. However, Stalin still has an unimaginable number of divisions remaining. Still accepting comments of interest. Thanks for theinput. Turned out, a two-prong flanking maneuver developed rather than a sweeping one from the North. It took me a while to capture Memel.

Very little action anywhere else. I did get Finland to join the Axis, and of course Italy as well (finally). Current date is 23 July '40.

 

[unmerged(2457)]

Awesome Kesselschlacht (cauldron) you have there!

I wouldn't worry about your rubber or oil supply. In your trade screenshot I see you have an abundance of coal and a decent output of steel. Make sure your coal to oil, oil to rubber conversion techs are researched and you should be all set.

Good luck with Barbarossa!

 

[unmerged(19976)]

Your pupulation is a bit upset. I usualy prefer 2 calm them down as soon as they get angry. For the more IC and the better Combat abilities.
To get the SU fighters down may be a bit dificult in 1.06c because of the large stack penalities you get and the dont get it. There you may miss the 10% realy.

 

[dojoboy]

Good luck with Barbarossa!

I thought this was Barbarossa? Or, are you just wishing me luck w/ the remainder of the operation? I didn't think there was an event regarding Barbarossa.

 

[unmerged(2457)]

Yes I'm just wishing you good luck with the rest of the campaign in the east, aka Barbarossa!

No there is no event regarding Barbarossa, I'm just calling the operation by the historical name. Anyway you are doing much better than any game I've played as the Germans.

 

[dojoboy]

Yes I'm just wishing you good luck with the rest of the campaign in the east, aka Barbarossa!

No there is no event regarding Barbarossa, I'm just calling the operation by the historical name. Anyway you are doing much better than any game I've played as the Germans.

Thanks.

I've finally captured Moscow. It took a lot of juggling fronts, "feints" (perfer to fight a bit to draw in enemy forces then manually retreat; feint option doesn't work IMHO) in several locales. Then, I was finally able to get an offensive w/ two 40 division armies (at various strengths) attacking from two directions. Caught them w/ their pants down. Now, w/ low manpower, I'm near a stalemate but attempting to capture Stalingrad.

When are these guys going to start hurting? Its 11 Aug. '41, and I'm controlling the entire North European Plain.

 

[unmerged(23663)]

Thanks.

I've finally captured Moscow. It took a lot of juggling fronts, "feints" (perfer to fight a bit to draw in enemy forces then manually retreat; feint option doesn't work IMHO) in several locales. Then, I was finally able to get an offensive w/ two 40 division armies (at various strengths) attacking from two directions. Caught them w/ their pants down. Now, w/ low manpower, I'm near a stalemate but attempting to capture Stalingrad.

When are these guys going to start hurting? Its 11 Aug. '41, and I'm controlling the entire North European Plain.

Well they won't hurt for a while yet.

Remember they have almost unlimited manpower at this stage of the game so you have to destroy their capacity to wage war (just like the UK-USA did IRL to Germany via the strategic air war) rather than just eliminate russian armies.

This means destroying their industrial base, which is behind the Urals, as well as their raw resource production areas. Given that you are at Stalingrad, the coal and steel of the Donnets basin should be yours, so you need to conquer the oil fields of Baku (sound familar).

The game mechanics do not allow for any inderdiction of Lend Lease supplies to the Soviet Union so you are stuffed on this front. It would be nice if the game allowed for say a 25% reduction in Lend supplies if you took any of Murmansk, Archangelsk or Baku, but it does not.

As for their industrial base behind Magnitogorsk, this can be hit by strategic bombers. A stack of 4 to 6 of these should be enough to bomb the provinces immediately behind the Urals in regular rotation thereby removing about 60IC from the Soviets. This should be easy if you have the bombers, have already destroyed the Soviet air forces, and have a base in province south west of Stalingrad like Elista or Astrakan within range of the Trans-Ural industrial provinces. Once these conditions are met it is realatively easy as these provinces generally do not have AA defences.

Anyway once you have taken Stalingrad and completed all of the above you have to take the Trans-Ural industrial provinces to make the Soviets really start to hurt. From there you have the great pleasure of fighting in the mountains of Soviet Central Asia which start at Prokopjevsk so make sure you have plenty of Infantry Engineers or Mountain Engineers because standard infantry moves too slow in the mountains to my taste.

Oh well, that as far as I ever got (in CORE v.83, that Patriotic War event really boosts Soviet military output!) so from there you are on your own.

Goodluck.

 

[Spruce]

to beat the Soviets - did it eventually a few weeks ago =

- the AI seems to leave a weak spot from time to time in their key cities, lure for that,
- I hate to let the Fins go down, but it seems difficult to help them. I don't konw if it's worthwhile to save them - sorry finnisch guys on the forum ,
- look out with pockets, I don't like to create too big pockets - they can break out those buggers,
- create as much of mech. and pz armies,

you are doing well, hang in there and most important - learn from your own errors,

 

[HFL]

Building an Slowakian Empire ???

Apologies to the vets. I promise, this'll be my last one. Because, I did it! Woo-hoo!

QUOTE]

Screenshoots: Good that you provided them, because you seem to build a huge Empire for Slovakia or Italy (green colour) !

You are wasting the russian ICs on your Axis partners. The starting province of succesful attacks must be your own to control newly gained provinces. The Map should get grey !

Germany also has fine ministers to increase the ICs gained on foreign territory.

Or play alone against the world.

 

[dojoboy]

Screenshoots: Good that you provided them, because you seem to build a huge Empire for Slovakia or Italy (green colour) !

Yea, I wasn't thinking about the "where a force attacks from/draws supply" when I began.