Barbarossa help

[unmerged(252489)]

I would need some help, please, on how to successfully start and conclude Operation Barbarossa (I know that it´s an already-discussed topic in this forum, but can´t just read the entire forum). So, I´ve occupied practically the entire Western Europe and now it´s 22. June 1941, my troops and Luftwaffe are ready to attack the Soviet Union. I have tried several times to advance beyond this moment, but always stalled with the attack. I tried to encircle enemy´s troops right at the border, but powerful Soviet counterattacks pinned me to the ground. I tried to advance along the entire front at the same time, but that try also failed. I try to keep the Panzers in reserve until the infantry have encircled the Soviet armies (to not wear them out). I´ve got over 100 Inf, 16 Pz, 8 Mot. Inf divisions by the border and, additionally, 9 Inf. divisions in reserve for Army Groups Nord, Mitte and Süd each.

 

[Count of Reval]

I would need some help, please, on how to successfully start and conclude Operation Barbarossa (I know that it´s an already-discussed topic in this forum, but can´t just read the entire forum). So, I´ve occupied practically the entire Western Europe and now it´s 22. June 1941, my troops and Luftwaffe are ready to attack the Soviet Union. I have tried several times to advance beyond this moment, but always stalled with the attack. I tried to encircle enemy´s troops right at the border, but powerful Soviet counterattacks pinned me to the ground. I tried to advance along the entire front at the same time, but that try also failed. I try to keep the Panzers in reserve until the infantry have encircled the Soviet armies (to not wear them out). I´ve got over 100 Inf, 16 Pz, 8 Mot. Inf divisions by the border and, additionally, 9 Inf. divisions in reserve for Army Groups Nord, Mitte and Süd each.

Just some quick ideas before someone gives you a complete tutorial with detailed phases, required unit structure etc...

You have to look where your enemy is positioned, concentrate your blows and be decisive. Time and timing are both assets here - do not waste the former and do use the latter. Try to advance the whole front, but target your critical mass attacking just couple of provinces at a time (Grodno and Kowel are useful to start with), using all the advantages you can (enveloping, the best units and leaders, HQs, air support). (It's like judo where you want to shake your opponent's balance.) Try to destroy through encirclements as many enemy units as you can right at the beginning of the operation. Pin down their forces while advancing your "encirclement arms" past the enemy. Use your Panzers, and overrun retreating units. Be flexible, keep the tempo, and try not to bite too big chunk at a time. (Encirclements of merely one province with 5 units inside is also better than nothing. Especially when you succeed to repeat that couple of times.) Do not let the enemy regain org and make you fight them all over again in low infrastructure provinces deep in Russia's territory. Protect your supply lines. And all the time keep in mind that your ultimate goals are Leningrad, Moscow and Stalingrad - you have to reach them with sufficient forces, properly supplied and be able to take them.

 

[Rocket88]

I agree with everything the Count has said - in particular 'timing'. The Soviets will start with most / all units static [cant remember if you get the dug-in bonus whilst at peace]. Either way once you have started attacking in one or more provinces - and especially if you advance and occupy some - then the AI 'wakes up' and will start shifting some units - often all the way along the front. Watch carefully and you may see it weaken one or more provinces - thereby improving your chances!

What is the size of your Luftwaffe? In the above scenario they will become more effective attacking moving targets - or reducing infra to slow down movement and org regain.

If I understand correctly you are keeping 25% (27 divs?) of your Infantry in reserve. I would at the very least move them up to the frontline to make the most of your opportunities to react to any weakspots - and also their presence may force the AI to retain units in certain provinces at the expense of reinforcing against your other attacks / breakthroughs.

In my numerous previous attempts () in various HoI versions from Doomsday onwards - I have nearly always successfully used the two prong attack north and south of the Pripet Marshes area - aiming to advance 3 to 4 provinces at least before getting too bothered about making specific encirclements. Thrusts this deep seem to really confuse the AI and allow you to take the initiative - just dont get too carried away if lots of empty provinces appear in front of you - especially in the south!

Notice you haven't mentioned HQs - did you build any extra? I always try and have 4 to 6 for Barbarossa ....

 

[Count of Reval]

In my numerous previous attempts () in various HoI versions from Doomsday onwards - I have nearly always successfully used the two prong attack north and south of the Pripet Marshes area - aiming to advance 3 to 4 provinces at least before getting too bothered about making specific encirclements. Thrusts this deep seem to really confuse the AI and allow you to take the initiative - just dont get too carried away if lots of empty provinces appear in front of you - especially in the south!

Yes, the Pripet Marshes area is probably the best place to go for the huge encirclement in the Eastern Front. (Because it's right at the border, you can attack it in early phase of the operation with forces that are in excellent shape and superior to enemy's.) Don't keep your Panzers in reserve, but use them in thrusts through Grodno-Lida-Bobraisk to Zhlobin and through Kowel-Tarnopol-Zhitomir to Vyshgorod, closing the pocket at Dnieper River. The idea is to use a natural speed advantage offered by the terrain. 7 out of those 8 provinces mentioned above are plains (so you move fast). You create a pocket with a size of 10 provinces - half of them marshes, half of another half forests (enemy can't retreat fast). Be sure to fill the "encirclement arms" - corridors left by Panzers - with infantry units as soon as possible. Especially try to protect and defend Bobraisk and Zhitomir, as those are the provinces through which the enemy probably tries to escape. You can expect to pocket about 15 units. Attack also other parts of the front at the same time to prevent the enemy reposition its idle forces, and support attack and break the encirclement from outside. You should keep the enemy under the pressure all the time.

 

[unmerged(252489)]

I agree with everything the Count has said - in particular 'timing'. The Soviets will start with most / all units static [cant remember if you get the dug-in bonus whilst at peace]. Either way once you have started attacking in one or more provinces - and especially if you advance and occupy some - then the AI 'wakes up' and will start shifting some units - often all the way along the front. Watch carefully and you may see it weaken one or more provinces - thereby improving your chances!

What is the size of your Luftwaffe? In the above scenario they will become more effective attacking moving targets - or reducing infra to slow down movement and org regain.

If I understand correctly you are keeping 25% (27 divs?) of your Infantry in reserve. I would at the very least move them up to the frontline to make the most of your opportunities to react to any weakspots - and also their presence may force the AI to retain units in certain provinces at the expense of reinforcing against your other attacks / breakthroughs.

In my numerous previous attempts () in various HoI versions from Doomsday onwards - I have nearly always successfully used the two prong attack north and south of the Pripet Marshes area - aiming to advance 3 to 4 provinces at least before getting too bothered about making specific encirclements. Thrusts this deep seem to really confuse the AI and allow you to take the initiative - just dont get too carried away if lots of empty provinces appear in front of you - especially in the south!

Notice you haven't mentioned HQs - did you build any extra? I always try and have 4 to 6 for Barbarossa ....

To answer Rocket88´s questions, my Luftwaffe consists of 4 TAC corps and 2 CAS + probably enough INT corps. Secondly, I´ve more than 100 Inf divs. already at the border and separately, 27 divs. in reserve. Third, I´ve only got 3 HQs (North, Centre, South).
I´ll start the game from an earlier save and deploy units to better positios, then I´ll try again.