Turn 59, July 30th 1942

In the Northern sector of the front German forces continue to mop up cut-off Red Army forces. Another 100.000 casualties for the USSR with minimal losses on our side. The infantry corps march East, some having to cover up to 250 miles to catch up once again with the Panzer and Motorized divisions. Only the notion that victory is close at hand keeps the weary Landsers on their feet as they continue to march along dusty roads day by day.



In the central sector the last remnants of the trapped Russian forces are destroyed, another 75.000 casualties for the Red Army. The Soviets try to cut-off my forward forces in the Gorky area by a brave counter-attack across the Volga, but infantry divisions of XII and XXVIII Korps, gallantly supported by II Fliegerkorps, smash these attacks, routing half a dozen enemy divisions of the field.



All along the front from Arzamas to Saratov my infantry corps move East, their advance only limited by their soldiers' will to march on. West of Penza a strong Soviet force consisting of a tank corps and several infantry corps tried to halt the onslaught, but XI, XXIV and XLII Korps literally cut those forces to pieces. More than 30.000 Red Army soldiers killed or captured, against less than 1.000 German casualties. The front line here is not only breached, it has for all means ceased to exist.



The Stalingrad area sees the destruction of the forces cut off last week, another 125.000 Red Army casualties. Red Army operational (ready) strength has dropped to 2.9 million men. Total Soviet losses have exceeded 9 million men.



Down South the forces of Operation Windhund are handicapped by a serious shortage of fuel. The divisions have been on a constant advance since the start of the offensive on May 21, covering more than 800 miles in the three months since their break-out from the Kerch peninsula. The Red Army tried a desperate defence at Derbent, a natural bottleneck between the Caucasus mountain ridges and the Caspian Sea with 6 rifle divisions, but the assault by 100.000 soldiers of the crack I and XXX Korps, commanded by Field Marshall Model of 11th Army blasted through these defences in no time! So powerful was the frontal attack that all six defending rifle divisions surrendered, something that so far has been limited to cut-off formations.

With the road to Baku cleared, 2 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions are waiting for the precious fuel to commence that last attack of the war against Russia.



I'm currently at 287 victory points, the capture of Baku will yield another 3 VPs, and the game will end with a total German victory at 290 VPs.

We're almost there!

Turn 60, August 6th 1942


The Battle for Baku


In the morning hours of August 6th, a Thursday, the artillery of I and XXX infantry corps open fire on the Soviet positions west of Baku. After a brief but violent barrage the assault troops of 11th, 50th, 61th, and 290th infantry divisions attack and quickly rout the defending Russian divisions. 14th and 18th MotInf divisions overrun the airfields North of the city, and then the Panzers are unleashed for the last time: 12th and 24th Panzerdivisions roll forward, nothing able to withstand the 220 tanks and 28.000 men, supported by corps and army level artillery.





Victory!!!





It's over.

After 60 weeks Operation Barbarossa ends with a total German victory!

The Red Army has been broken.

German losses:

Troops: 1.817.550
Guns: 18.097
AFVs: 4.735
Aircraft: 2.887

Soviet losses:

Troops: 9.063.009
Guns: 130.274
AFVs: 26.046
Aircraft: 18.528

It's been an amazing ride and it's been one of the most fascinating gaming experiences of my life. Thank you all for your continued interest, your encouragement, your humour and understanding despite numerous breaks and delays. I wouldn't have finished this monster of a game without you guys. I hope you enjoyed this "virtual year" on the Eastern Front as much as I did.



A final note at the end of this AAR: my deepest respect goes to those who fought and died getting the world rid of the Nazi regime. May they never be forgotten.

Just wow, just Wow Para. Great job and an AAR that sets the standard for everybody else.

Thank You Para.

Thank you very much for a gripping narrative, especially during those winter months last summer. I'm glad that I could experience this monster of a game through your eyes without actually having to play it myself.

Thank you Para.

And Berlin celebrated a thousand day party...

Congrats and thanks, Para!

Thanks Para!

I'd like to echo the above sentiments, and thank you for an excellent AAR. Certainly one of the most thrilling sagas on the AAR forum I've ever read.

Now then, when does the russian campaign start?

*duck*

Itkovian

...one question though:



That's it?

I mean, you do bombsgedroppen for an entire year and kick Soviet Pixeltruppen ass for a sensational 60 round victory, and all that you get is this lousy victory alert box?

Really?

There was also a short black&white vid (German infantry advancing, inspecting destroyed Soviet armour), but nothing spectacular.

And yeah, I kinda missed something like the old "Panzer General" style briefings/debriefings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcpMokAqlcA&feature=related

0:18 ff




BTW I've just re-read the whole AAR, what a trip from Brest-Litowsk to Baku! Feels a bit... strange to have finally finished it.

As the others have said, this AAR set a new standard. Your narrative, dramatic and humorous by turns, really made it a treat to read.

Thanks again!

Enjoyed going on the journey with you Para.


Wheels

Well done Para. Good game and an excellent AAR. Really enjoyed it.

Now you may celebrate with all the cumgespurten that you wish. To Victor goes the spoils.

Thank you !!!!!!

It was awesome!!!

Nice work Para Very cool journey.

Front page now AND sticky. Please. This is a textbook case of AAR!

Para, many thanks for this really special AAR. I can merely second what others said, it set new standards.

I have to second everyone's opinion...I've greatly enjoyed reading the entire experience and it's set some very lofty standards for AAR's for sure.

Wouldn't mind one bit seeing this given a direct link so future SimHQ'ers would have the chance to read it all the way through.

Been waiting awhile to post this:




Thanks Para_Bellum. Thanks also to all others who posted here.