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WitE: Grand Campaign: VICTORY!

Posted By: Para_Bellum

WitE: Grand Campaign: VICTORY! - 01/19/11 03:37 PM

I'll post an AAR of the Grand Campaign in Gary Grigsby's War in the East here, decided to post it in a new thread to keep things tidy. Because of the scope of the campaign I'll post updates as I play through the campaign.

"The world will hold its breath."

On June 22nd 1941 Germany, together with its allies, invaded the Soviet Union in what was to become the larget military confrontation in human history.

I'll play the Grand Campaign as the Axis vs (normal) AI, hopefully securing a quick and easy victory against the Red Army who has shown its incompetency recently in the Winter War against Finland. The plan is we'll all be home by Christmas, ready for some R&R in Paris! And while plans rarely survive contact with the enemy, the Führer himself said that if you just kick in the door the whole rotten structure will come crashing down. So, after the victories of the previous Blitzkrieg campaigns everybody expects a short and intense campaign which will culminate in nothing but an inevitable and total victory in the East.

It is imperative that the Wehrmacht inflicts crippling losses on the Red Army and the soviet industrial and manpower base during the summer, hopefully knocking out the USSR in the first round. Neither the German economy nor its army are prepared for a drawn-out war. Logistics will be the Achilles heel of the German war effort, and while the Red Army will fight with severe penalties the 1st couple of months, given enough time it has the potential to grow into an unstoppable juggernaut. Especially when the winter blizzards arrive, the situation for the Axis can quickly turn into a major catastrophe.

For this endeavour, three German Army Groups, supported by Hungarian, Romanian, Italian, and Slovakian forces with more than 4.5 million men are at my command, from Königsberg in the North to Constanta at the Black Sea coast. The tip of the spear of the invasion will be the four Panzergruppen, basically Panzer Armies in all but the name, with Panzergruppe 4 (Hoeppner) with Army Group North, Panzergruppen 2 (Guderian) and 3 (Hoth) with Army Group Center and Panzergruppe 1 (v. Kleist) with Army Group South.

Against these forces stands the Red Army with more than 4.2 million men organized in a dozen military districts, from 'Western' to 'Transcaucasus'.

The scene is set:



Turn 1:

The war starts with the axis air forces exacting a terrible toll on the Red Army Air Force. Everything that flies attacks soviet airfields, with no regard to pilot fatigue. The aircrews may rest later, but during the first week they don't get a break. After seven days the red air force has lost more than 4700 aircraft while we only lost ~120 planes. We shouldn't need to worry about the Red Air Force any more for the coming weeks.

In the Army Group North sector the initial attack is met with only light and uncoordinated resistance. The infantry divisions of 16th and 18th army breach the soviet defenses east of Königsberg and the Panzerdivisions of XXXXIst and LVIst Panzerkorps(reinforced by Totenkopf SS division) race through the torn frontline north, reaching Riga after a 180 mile advance. The few unfortunate soviet armoured and mechanized formations in the way of the Panzers are literally swept away in the onslaught. Besides making sure the Feldeisenbahndirektion attached to AG North immediately starts converting the rail lines in the captured territory I transfer the infantry divisions from the Panzerkorps to infantry corps for supply reasons. XXXXIth PzKps now includes 2 Panzer and 1 Motorized Infantry divisions and LVIth PzKps 1 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions.



My plans for AG Centre involve creating a large pocket west of Minsk, hopefully trapping the bulk of the Soviet armies deployed on its western border. To achieve this I will use a pincer attack by Panzergruppe 3 from east of Königsberg and Panzergruppe 2 from the Brest-Litowsk area. In the north the infantry of Vth, VIth and XXTh corps shatter soviet defenses and again the armoured spearheads dash forward. 7th Panzer and 18th Motorized Division are the 1st formations reaching the outskirts of Minsk.

In the south Soviet soldiers fanatically defend the fortress of Brest-Litowsk against the German assault. The heaviest fighting so far causes considerable losses among my attacking forces, but finally the attacks by 31st, 34st and 45st infantry divisions, well supported by corps artillery and the Luftwaffe break the defenders. With the road clear, Guderian orders the Panzers forward and 3rd PzDiv at last makes contact with 12th PzDiv south-west of Minsk! The 1st great Kessel on the Eastern Front has been sealed, all rail lines are cut. 20 soviet division plus several brigade- and regimental size formations have been surrounded. With their supply cut off the infantry of 4th and 9th armies will get the orders to destroy these forces in the next turn.



Posted By: Sluggish Controls

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 04:12 PM

This is going to be brutal, I'll watch from the sideline.
How many turns per day you planning Para?

Cheers,
Slug
Posted By: enigma6584

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 04:21 PM

That map is so cool to look at. They've really done a great job with the game artwork. I've noticed that they show railroad lines but not roadways. Any idea why or am I missing something?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 04:27 PM

Originally Posted By: Sluggish Controls
How many turns per day you planning Para?


Depends on how much time I can dedicate to playing and writing. After the 1st few turns where the workload is rather heavy until you get everything organized I hope to get several turns done every 1-2 evenings. Still, finishing the campaign will probably take quite some time.

@enigma: While rail lines play an important part due to the supply rules the road network is abstracted.


In the Army Group South sector I decide to go for a massive pocket around Lvov by sending Panzergruppe 1 south towards the Romanian armies. The latter will not attack in the 1st week and XXIVth Panzerkorps will only be available from next turn on, so a calculated risk is involved. But other than the situation in the north and centre the soviet forces in the south are deployed in depth and in considerable strength, so I want to destroy these formations ASAP. Especially the powerful tank and mechanized units can become quite dangerous, even during this (for the Red Army) chaotic time.

Again the infantry (LVth, XVIIth, XXIXth corps) breach the soviet line, then the Panzer and Motorized division pour through the gaps. But here in the south the Red Army doesn't crumble the moment its frontlines are pierced. Near Brody 13th and 16th Panzerdivisions run into 34th Tank division. With heavy Luftwaffe support the Soviets get mauled, losing more than 120 tanks. 16th Panzer pushes east to widen the corridor towards Tarnopol and routs the 20th Tank division in the process. 11th Panzerdivision catches up and in concert with 13th PzDiv forces the 12th Tank division, another powerful formation to retreat with more than 100 destroyed tanks. The situation is critical but if my infantry catch up next turn I should be able to close the pocket by linking up with the Romanian forces in the south.





Turn 2:

In Army Group North sector Panzergruppe 4 pushes on and 6th Panzerdivision manages to capture Pskov! Unfortunately, the relentless advance over the last 14 days have depleted the fuel supplies of my armoured formations, 6th and 1st PzDiv are at 20-25%, while 8th PzDiv and 3rd and 36th MotInf divisions are basically out of gas. I moved the airfields north this round, so air supply won't change much this turn, but I need to wait on the infantry divisions to catch up anyway. A week's rest will hopefully get my spearheads back into fighting shape, thankfully casualties so far have been light.

Behind the armoured spearheads the infantry divisions of XXVIth corps start slowly closing in on the surrounded Red Army divisions west/ south-west of Riga. Riga itself is defended by a NKVD Rifle division, I'll assault the town next turn.



In the centre 4th and 8th armies start destroying the trapped Red Army forces in the Kessel west of Minsk. It's brutal defeat for the Soviets, I estimated this battle alone will cost the Red Army at least a quarter of a million men and thousands of lost guns and tanks. While the Red Army is in still in obvious shock Panzergruppe 3 continues its drive east. Rolling past and often right through retreating Soviet units XXXIXth PzKorps, with 14th MotInf division in the lead, captures Vitebsk! LXIIth PzKorps pushes on overrunning several Soviet airfields in the process, the prize of Smolensk almost in sight of its 12th PzDivision. Unfortunately, 300 miles of rapid advance in just two weeks are beginning to take its toll on the supplies and readiness of the mobile formations. I'll have to decide next turn whether I'll keep pushing on for one more week or wait for the infantry to catch up and rest my spearheads.

Guderian's divisions aren't lazy, either. After annihilating several Red Army division threatening their flanks Das Reich leads another leap forward, crossing the Berezina east of Bobruisk and XXXXVIIth Panzerkorps with its 14th PzDivision reaching the Dnepr!

I wonder if I can manage to create another large pocket east of the Dnepr, by linking up Panzergruppe 2 and 3 behind Smolensk. If just my infantry would come up faster!



In Army Group South sector XXXXVIIIth Panzerkorps links up with the Romanians (who are not activated yet) and completes the encirclement of more than 30 Soviet divisions in a giant pocket. Tarnopol is taken by 75th infantry division. I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can stomach, especially since in the south the pocket is anything but closed tightly. I just hope the Luftwaffe does some effective interdiction...
IIIrd Panzerkorps has pocketed another concentration of Soviet forces around Rovno, but here I really doubt I can keep the pocket closed. Would've needed one more mobile division to really close the door here.


Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 08:50 PM

Turn 3:

In the North this is a rather uneventful week. As announced except for some minor front line cosmetics Panzergruppe 1 is resting and resupplying around Pskov.
Riga finally falls to IIIVIIIth corps assault, although the defending NKVD division manages to put up a tough fight. The (reinforced) XXVIth corps keeps on clearing out the pocket to the west. And I'm busy converting the rail network. The railhead in the north is almost up to Riga thanks to the compatibility of the rail gauge within the baltic rail zone.



Army Group centre manages some astounding achievements this turn. While the infantry corps destroy the remaining units in the pocket west of Minsk LVIth Panzerkorps in a bold advance captures Smolensk! The Red Army hasn't managed to form anything resembling a defensive line between the Dnepr and the Dvina and 7th Panzerdivision rolls into the door to Moscow! And almost unbelievable: the road the Vyazma seems wide open, too!
The Motorized Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland takes Mogilew while south of the city the leading elements of XXXXVIIth and XXIVth Panzerkorps force a crossing across the Dnepr. If Soviet resistance remains so weak I'll soon swing Guderian's force north-east towards Tula. Or maybe push them south towards Kiev...
Problem is that of course my mobile units here need some rest, too. We'll see how fast the Red Army can rebuild its destroyed divisions.



In the South the pockets hold and I manage to trap another two tank and one motorized division around Proskurov. Furthermore the Romanians and Hungarians have entered the battle. While their formations have nowhere near the combat power of German divisions they'll still be very helpful in holding the line and finish off cut off Red Army divisions. The main objective for the Romanians (supported by a few German divisions) will be the capture of Odessa on the Black Sea coast.

If I can reduce the pocket around Proskurov quickly enough I'll send XXXXVIIth Panzerkorps south to link up with the Romanians and create another pocket.




BTW at the end of turn 3 axis casualties are 62.000 men, 500 guns, 400 tanks and 233 aircraft. Soviet losses are 670.000 men, 8790 guns, 5600 tanks and 5900 aircraft.
Posted By: enigma6584

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 10:15 PM

Quote:
@enigma: While rail lines play an important part due to the supply rules the road network is abstracted.


Ah...that is what I was wondering. Makes sense though. Very enjoyable AAR. The game looks superb!
Posted By: 2Lt_Joch

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 10:30 PM

It looks very interesting. I have both WITP and WITPAE, but never get past more than a few days because of all the micro management. How does WIE compare? I presume you still have to plot a separate order for each unit?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 10:53 PM

I've never played WitP but from what I hear on the forums WitE is quite a bit easier to play with less micro-management. And yes, you still have to plot every move for every unit, no formation orders here.
Posted By: 2Lt_Joch

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/11 11:10 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I've never played WitP but from what I hear on the forums WitE is quite a bit easier to play with less micro-management. And yes, you still have to plot every move for every unit, no formation orders here.


thanks. I don't know how much longer I will hold out.. banghead

another question. Are the Soviets reacting to the encirclements?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 12:02 AM

Yes, they do. WitE features one of the best AIs I've ever seen in an operational wargame. The AI will fall back on defensible positions once its lines are breached and ruthlessly tries to cut off your spearheads if you're not careful.


In the north I keep slowly pushing past Pskov, but I still need to wait for the infantry corps to arrive and fuel supplies are still low among the mobile formations. The pocket west of Riga has been cleared and the freed corps will now push north towards Tallin. Leningrad is going to be a tough nut to crack. There's heap of Red Army divisions and they're digging defensive positions. Some of those positions are already real fortresses, a frontal assault would be very costly. Instead I will use my infantry corps to attack from the west and south, while Panzergruppe 4 swings around west of the Ilmen lake in a wide arc towards the coast east of Leningrad. With the city and its defenders cut off from supply things should get easier. Problem is there are already Red Army divisions digging in along the Pola river, south of the Ilmen lake. Breaking through that position and then wheeling 180 miles to the north isn't going to get easy.



In the centre Panzergruppe 3 has to counterattack several Soviet penetrations and, low on fuel and supplies, finally manages to restore the front line north of Smolensk. There's a tempting opportunity to strike north towards Velikie Luki to link up with Panzergruppe 4 and cut off all Soviet units west of that. Problem is I need a couple of infantry divisions to shore up my front first. And I don't want to delay the thrust towards Vyazma too long.

Panzergruppe 2 crosses the Dnepr with the bulk of its divisions, against heavy resistance. Supply situation is meh, and the infantry is still way behind. Casualties have been light though. Will probably need to wait another week before I can start the next big move.

Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 12:23 AM

@Joch:

I play WITP and WITPAE. I play WITP a LOT.

I just started with WitE (no grand campaign started yet) and it seems exceptionally well-done. I think it has less micromanagement but it is deep, still, to say the least. I love it so far!!!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 01:27 AM

Army Group South continues to clear the pockets, forcing another 20 Soviet divisions to surrender, plus a dozen regiments and brigades.

Having successfully ended the Kesselschlacht around Lvov I reorganize my mobile units and move them into the start-off positions for the next phase, the attack on Kiev. In the north III Panzerkorps with 13th and 14th Panzerdivisions and 16th MotInf division, reinforced by LSSAH Motorized Infantry division, in the south XIV Panzerkorps with 9th PzDiv, 25th MotInf division, reinforced by SS Wiking MotInf division and XXXXVIII Panzerkorps with 11th and 16th Panzerdivision.

Again, I have to wait for the infantry corps to catch up. This time it really hurts me to keep the Panzers waiting because the fuel situation is rather well here, but with the number of divisions the Red Army starts to put up against me I have no other choice. The Soviets indeed create new divisions as quickly as I destroy them. This is gonna get tough.



Down South nothing spectacular happens. The Romanians and the infantry of XI and LIV Korps march towards Odessa.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 01:55 AM

The AAR looks very interesting. I might end up having to get the game myself.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 12:24 PM

I'm not gonna buy the game, but I'll read this AAR to the end(sieg). biggrin


The attack on Moscow and any incursions into the Caucasus are going to be extremely interesting.

Please refrain from taking Stalingrad. biggrin
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 02:06 PM

Turn 5

In the far North Finland enters the war!

II and IV Finnish Corps advance on Leningrad, but they will not push past the "Finnish no attack line" until I have actually taken the city. Having the Finns bolster my lines up north (they are far better prepared for the Russian winter than the Germans) is worth taking Leningrad for alone. There are some 40-50 divisions around Leningrad, this is going to get ugly.




Panzergruppe 4 consolidates its position east of Pskov with the finally arriving infantry corps and pushes a bit further east, towards lake Ilmen. Supply situation is getting better with the railheads approaching Pskov, but the Panzer and Motorized divisions are still in no position for the great breakthrough towards Lake Ladoga in the north to cut off Leningrad. I have to tell myself I don't have to rush, it's still July and the Russian winter is still far away. No point in grinding down my mobile formations as long as their combat power is diminished.




In the centre the Red Army pulls back the bulk of its forces from the Dnepr! Panzergruppe 2 took too long crossing the Berezina and the Denpr, there goes my chances of easily pocketing the Soviet troops defending the river line. OTOH, Panzergruppe 3's supply situation is pretty bad, I doubt they could manage more than a 40-50 mile thrust south at the moment anyway. They're still more than 200 miles from the railheads. The railwaymen of Feldeisenbahndirektion 2, attached to Army Group 2 are working day and night to repair and re-gauge the rail lines, but it still takes time to cover the 500 miles from Brest-Litowsk to Smolensk.



To the south Panzergruppe 1's Panzer Divisions break through the Soviet front south of Vinnitsa and north of Zhitomir! I haven't managed to seal the pocket though, there's still a 50 mile gap west of Kiev. Again I start to wonder if I haven't bitten off too much. There's some 40+ divisions inside that pocket...



In the far south 11th Army and 4th Romanian Army continue their advance on Odessa while 3rd Romanian Army covers the flanks to the north.


Posted By: 2Lt_Joch

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 02:54 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum


Again I start to wonder if I haven't bitten off too much. There's some 40+ divisions inside that pocket...



Fortes fortuna adiuvat


the real question is when to start the push on Moscow?
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 08:40 PM

Great AAR; I'm lovin' it !

Do you have a recap of casualties so far ?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 08:53 PM

Turn 6

In the far North the Finns are closing in on Leningrad from the North, while I and XXIII corps are engaging Red Army units west of the Narva river.

In the Pskov sector I used 3rd Motorized Infantry division to break through the Soviet lines and together with II corps thrust south towards Velikie Luki.
From the Vitebsk area this attack is supported by the infantry of LIII corps and the 8th Panzerdivision. 20+ Russian divisions are cut off! The encirclement is, yet again, far from tightly closed, but the Red Army in this area simply lacks the powerful mobile formations to break such a pocket.



At Smolensk the bulk of Panzergruppe 3 is still resting and resupplying. If the Red Army doesn't pull back its forces east of the Dnepr I'll try to cut them off with a pincer movement from Panzergruppe 3 moving south-east, and Panzergruppe 2 from the Gomel area moving north-east. A success of such an operation would cut off a large part of the Soviet forces currently defending the approaches to Moscow, around 30 divisions. Panzergruppe 2

In Army Group South sector the giant pocket around Zhitomir holds! The divisions of III and XXXXVIII Panzerkorps beat back all attempts to break out, while SS Wiking Division stops a corps-strength attack to relieve the pocket from the south-east, destroying more than 200 russian tanks in the process. The divisions of 6th and 17th armies will soon finish them off.



To the south Romanian and German forces continue their advance on Odessa and towards the Bug river, with the leading elements of 73rd Infantry division coming to within 10 miles of the city.


Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Great AAR; I'm lovin' it !

Do you have a recap of casualties so far ?


Thanks!

Casualties at the end of turn 6:

Axis: 115.000 men, 970 guns, 750 tanks, 410 aircraft
Soviet: 1.110.000 men, 14.140 guns, 8551 tanks, 6543 aircraft.


Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/21/11 11:10 PM

Turn 7

Nothing new to report in the north, the Finns have reached the outskirts of Leningrad and the "no attack line" which they won't cross until Leningrad is taken, I and XXIII corps still close in on Leningrad from the west and XXVI and XXVIII corps start advancing towards Leningrad from the south. Supply situation of Panzergruppe 1 has improved quite a bit, next turn I should probably be able to unleash my spearheads again.

The great Kesselschlacht west of Velikie Lukie is as good as over, during this week's fighting the Red Army lost ~ 150.000 men in this pocket.



South of Mogilev the 134th and 292th infantry divisions blast a hole into the Russian front. In repeated attacks, supported by corps artillery and Luftwaffe attacks counting up to 250+ aircraft, they rout five Soviet divisions off the battlefield! The door opened, the divisions of XXXXVII, XXXXVI and XXIV Panzerkorps rumble towards Smolensk. At the same time VII corps attacks across the Dnepr west of Smolensk and breaches the Soviet lines. 19th and 20th Panzerdivisions and 18th Motorized Infantry division exploit through the gap and link up with the spearheads of Panzergruppe 2. Another 20 Red Army divisions are cut off.



Army Group South finishes the Battle of Zhitomir. Cut off by Panzergruppe 1 the Red Army loses more than 250.000 men and almost 2.000 tanks in this battle. Total losses for the Red Army in this week alone come to 450.000 men, while Axis losses are ~9.000 casualties.



While Panzergruppe 1 moves into position for the attack on Kiev a Kampfgruppe of the Mobile Hungarian Corps, LV corps and XI corps push east towards Kirovograd the major Red Army airbase in this area.

In the south Odessa has been isolated and 11th army's division are ready for the assault next turn. The city is defended by 30.000 Soviet soldiers and has been heavily fortified, so I don't expect an easy victory. But with corps' artillery and air support and led by the crack 22nd Luftlandedivision we will take the fortress.




Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/22/11 02:13 AM

Turn 8, 14th August 1941

After eight weeks of fighting it's time for a little review. So far everything goes exceptionally well. The previously played scenarios have seemingly prepared me quite well for the real thing. I keep an eye on logistics, re-organize corps and armies when necessary and keep Guderian's saying "Klotzen, nicht kleckern!" in mind to keep my Panzerkorps together, avoid using Panzerdivisions for "lesser" tasks and mainly try to use my mobile formations for exploitation through the gaps created by the infantry corps.

OTOH in this phase of the campaign there's just not too much the Soviets can do. They have to trade space for time and hope for mud and, ultimately, the winter.

My divisions are still in good shape, although the Panzer strength has dropped from 3.800 at the beginning of Barbarossa to 2.800 by now. Panzer strength in the divisions ranges from ~100 to 150+, so I'm not (yet) worried though.

Casualties since June, 22nd:

Axis: 160.000 men, 1.384 guns, 1.000 tanks, 529 aircraft
Soviet: 1.853.000 men, 21.000 guns, 12.420 tanks, 7.000 aircraft

On the Leningrad front I'm now ready for Panzergrupp 4's "big push". The mobile divisions of LVI and XXXXI Panzerkorps are at 90% fuel supply, the infantry corps have caught up and several attacks have provided for good start-off positions for the new offensive. The elimination of the pocket west of Velikie Lukie has secured the flank, we're ready to roll next turn. I just hope I can manage to secure that 150 mile flank from Pskov to Lake Ladoga. A dozen infantry divisions will have to do.

In the centre the battle between Mogilev and Smolensk ended with the destruction of the trapped Red army forces, at least 100.000 Soviet casualties. 7th Panzerdivision has broken through the front east of Smolensk and has reached Vyazma, 120 miles west of Moscow. 100 miles to the south 17th Panzerdivision leads XXXXVII Panzerkorps towards Bryansk.

I'll probably try to swing Panzergruppe 3 to the north and Panzergruppe 2 to the south of Moscow.

Around Kiev von Kleist's Panzergruppe 1 through a bold assault across the Denpr managed to surround another 18 Soviet divisions. 6th Army with its four corps stands ready to clear out the pocket and take Kiev next turn. Nice surprise: during this operation the commanding general of XXXXI Panzerkorps, General Werner Kempf has been promoted to Generaloberst (colonel general)!
Furthermore a battle group consisting of SS Wiking Division and 11th Panzerdivision have thrust towards Kirovograd, cutting off 7 Soviet divisions. Again the pocket isn't really sealed tight, but I want to use the current disorganized state of the Russian forces.

On the Black Sea coast Odessa falls to 11th Army's determined attack. 20.000 prisoners are taken. The next objectives are Nikolaev and Krivoi Rog, then we'll see what to do about the Crimea. I already realize that the further I advance, the more stretched my lines get.

And here's the big picture:





Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/22/11 05:18 AM

That Soviet formation west of Krivoi Rog looks like it might be next.

Wondering, how long does it take to complete turns in this WitE campaign?
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/22/11 04:54 PM

Originally Posted By: TankHunter
That Soviet formation west of Krivoi Rog looks like it might be next.

Wondering, how long does it take to complete turns in this WitE campaign?


Those are soviet airfields, denoted by the rotor symbol.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 03:46 AM

Yep, what MadDog said, those units are airfields.
Unfortunately the Soviets pulled them back before I could pay them a little visit...

How much time you need for a turn really depends on the workload of the current turn and personal preference. In a turn during an ongoing operation you can probably finish everything within 20 minutes, while you can easily spend 2 hours on a 'planning turn', with checking individual units' strength and supply situation and checking out the map extensively. Some people love to micromanage everything, assigning single battalions to divisions and re-organizing their armies all the time, others let the AI do lots of that stuff. I'm somewhere in the middle.



Turn 9 & 10

Not too much action so I go over the last two turns together.

In the north it took some heavy fighting with considerable losses to break through the Red Army positions south of Lake Ilmen, but finally Panzergruppe 1 tore the frontline open and XXXXI Panzerkorps starts its race to the coast of Lake Ladoga. I have moved every motorized reserves towards that gap, let's hope I can move my divisions fast enough to keep that corridor open. To the North 1st Infantry Division has closed to within 10 miles of Leningrad! The divisions of I and XXIII corps have succesfully broken through the Narva line and now move into position for the siege. XXVI and XXXVIII corps are also making good progress against heavy restistance.



In the center I have built up my positions around Vyazma and have prepared the divisions of Panzergruppe 3 for the attack on Moscow, while to the south Panzergruppe 2 fights through the Soviet armies guarding the approaches to Kaluga. Supply situation, especially for Panzergruppe 2, is rather bad though, even though the Luftwaffe, from its forward airfields around Smolensk, drops large quantities of supplies on the leading divisions.




In Army Group South's sector 6th Army takes Kiev, while Leibstandarte SS division in heavy fighting thrusts north, linking up with the divisions of XLIII corps advancing south from Gomel, cutting off several Soviet divisions between Dnepr and Desna. XXXXVIII Panzerkorps pushes east towards Sumi and Belgorod, its 9th Panzerdivision overrunning several Red Army air fields in the process.



To the south III Panzerkorps advances rapidly on the eastern side of the Dnepr past Cherkassy, while XXIV Panzerkorps swings around Kirovograd from the west. Another pocket closes around some 14 Soviet division. As just reward III Panzerkorps commanding General, von Vietinghoff is promoted to colonel general.


Romanian 1st Armoured division
swings east of Nikolaev towards the Black Sea, cutting off that city and the four divisions defending it. 11th army will take it next turn.






Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 05:46 AM

Wow, intriguing AAR. I enjoy reading this very much. Thanks for sharing.
How is the progress of your campaign vs what happened historically?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 05:14 PM

Thanks, Zero Niner.
cheers


I'm doing a bit better than historically so far. The main difference is that instead of diluting the Panzer strength of Army Group Centre north towards Leningrad and south towards Kiev I've kept Panzergruppen 2 and 3 intact in the Vyazma-Bryansk sector. Historically both Hoth and Guderian reported their forces ready for the attack on Moscow by mid-August, which pretty much was the exact situation in my game.


Turn 11, 28th August 1941

In the north the great advance by Panzergruppe 1 so far continues well. Minor Red Army counterattacks have been beaten back and the mobile reserves pour into the gap while the Luftwaffe flies numerous missions to supply the spearheads with fuel. 1st Panzerdivision is just 50 more miles away from its objective, the port of Sviritza! 9th and 18th armies continue their advance from the west and south, ever pushing the enemy back towards Leningrad with heavy losses to the Soviets.



In the centre the Battle for Moscow has begun! Again the infantry corps smash huge holes into the Red Army's lines, then the Panzer and motorized divisions start their rapid advance. From the Vyazma and Bryansk areas Panzergruppen 3 and 2 burst up to 150 miles into enemy territory. XXXIX Panzerkorps with 8th and 19th Panzerdivision reach the outskirts of Moscow north and south of the Soviet capital.



In Army Group South sector XXXXVIII Panzerkorps advances on Belgorod and Kharkov, III Panzerkorps pushes south-east towards Dnepropetrovsk



Down south Nikolaev falls to 11th Army's assault, and the Romanian Divisions of XI, V and the Mountain corps surround the powerful Soviet 11th Tank division west of Krivoi Rog. Forward elements of the advancing 11th Army have reached the mouth of the Dnepr, the road to the Crimea seems wide open.

Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 06:35 PM

Am I blind or is Moscow defended rather weakly compared to Leningrad and Pskov?


- Edit:

What do you want to do about Leningrad anyways? Surround, compress and hope they won't counterattack?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 07:08 PM

The defences around Moscow are indeed rather week, but that's mainly due to me having destroyed pretty much all its defensive forces in earlier battles. I usually take the screenshots at the end of my turn, so you don't see the many Red Army units that didn't survive my attacks. So far I've destroyed more than 180 Soviet divisions, not counting all the independent regiments and brigades. The USSR rebuilds its forces in 1941 at a frightening pace, but even the Red Army needs time to recuperate from such losses.

The defences around Leningrad are quite formidable, my only chance of taking the city quickly with limited losses is by cutting those forces off, which my Panzer attack will hopefully do. Cut-off units in WitE suffer some serious penalties to morale and combat power, so even large, well dug-in armies will succumb to attack in a short time.


Turn 12



In the north I grind my way up to the coast, one more push and the giant pocket around Leningrad is sealed.



In the centre I cut off another another 24 Soviet divisions and continue to push around Moscow with my Panzerdivisions.



In the south I take Sumi, close in on Kharkov and surround 7 divisions near Poltava. 16th Panzerdivision swings around Zaporoshye.



Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/23/11 10:18 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
The defences around Leningrad are quite formidable, my only chance of taking the city quickly with limited losses is by cutting those forces off, which my Panzer attack will hopefully do. Cut-off units in WitE suffer some serious penalties to morale and combat power, so even large, well dug-in armies will succumb to attack in a short time.


There are fewer examples of successful breakouts of encirclements in military history than examples where they failed. Especially mechanized and armored forces will quickly succumb out of necessity if cut off from fuel supply. Ammunition consumption, though moderate by today's standards, was unprecedented in WW2, and certainly put another serious strain on the supply chain. In some respect modern armies are more vulnerable to encirclements than they used to be at times where you relied on pointy sticks and sharp blades primarily. But as long soon as your side runs out of fuel and ammo and the other side still has it, resistance (on a large scale) is futile.

Willpower and heroism is not enough to break a tank's armor, or to protect from its MG bullets.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/24/11 02:07 PM

Yes, that's certainly correct. I've read lots of accounts of WW2 where being cut off from the supply even if only for a short time would result in a unit's ammo and fuel reserves depleting at an alarming rate.

BTW a very interesting read about the problems of such a breakout is "Korsun Pocket", by Zetterling and Frankson.


Turn 13, September 11th 1941


We've done it! With 1st Panzerdivision capturing the port city of Sviritza 80 divisions plus various brigades and regiments are cut off in the Leningrad sector. The fighting has been tough, especially breaking through the final Red Army line on the Syash and Pasha rivers. 1st Panzerdivision is down to 60 serviceable tanks, 6th PzDiv down to 85. If I can keep the Kessel closed I should be able to destroy the bulk of the trapped armies within a 2-3 weeks.



In the centre the pocket east of Vyazma has been reduced, next turn we'll clear it out. My Panzerdivisions are still fighting their way around Moscow, against heavy resistance. 12th Panzerdivision has fought off several Soviet tank divisions, but is now down to 40 serviceable tanks. My divisions are tired and casualties have been severe, but we will take Moscow!



2nd, 4th, and 17th armies push towards Orel and Kursk. XXIV Panzerkorps will support these attack from the north next turn.



In the south I've taken Zaporoshye and Dnepropetrovsk. Kharkov will fall soon.



11th army prepares to attack the Crimea.



In general, most of my infantry divisions are still in good shape, but the Panzerdivisions soon need some rest to refit. Manpower on the eastern front has actually increased, from ~3.3 mio men on June 22nd to 3.55 mio this week. My Panzer strength has dropped to ~ 2.200 serviceable tanks, down from 3.800 at the start of Barbarossa. A very welcome addition to my forces this week has been the arrival of XL Panzerkorps with 2nd and 5th Panzerdivision. They are currently on trains heading for the Pskov area where they will help in cutting off the Russian 'bulge' that stretches from Kalinin to Velikie Luki.


Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/24/11 04:03 PM

Bravo. Excellent game and AAR.

These strategic/operational games are my favorite. Grew up playing them. First te board games and then as they transitioned onto the computer.

Thus my username.
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/24/11 04:22 PM

Para_bellum, again thanks for this. Can you tell me how the game works with encirclement? I admit I haven't read the entire manual (I'm waiting for the hard copy)... I have a hard time figuring out what the encircled troops supply status is. Since the turns are one week, and since at the beginning of the war it is absolute frenzied advance for the Germans, my problem is that I end up blowing by any encirclements and just end up killing/capturing or routing them with the follow on troops. I mean, it is lightning war like I've never seen!

Anyway, basically, I'm curious what you do (how long you wait, etc.) with encircled units (like when you get a pocket of 24 divisions, etc.!)

Thanks!!!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/24/11 05:11 PM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Bravo. Excellent game and AAR.

These strategic/operational games are my favorite. Grew up playing them. First te board games and then as they transitioned onto the computer.

Thus my username.


What I find so fascinating is that you really face much of the same problems the historical commanders did. I'm currently re-reading Guderian's memoirs and sometimes it feels as if he's writing about my game.

Been hooked on these games since Jonny Reb 2 on the C64 back in the 80s.

http://www.gb64.com/oldsite/gameofweek/19/johnnyreb2/Johnny_Reb_II.gif

biggrin

Originally Posted By: Airdrop01
Para_bellum, again thanks for this. Can you tell me how the game works with encirclement? I admit I haven't read the entire manual (I'm waiting for the hard copy)... I have a hard time figuring out what the encircled troops supply status is. Since the turns are one week, and since at the beginning of the war it is absolute frenzied advance for the Germans, my problem is that I end up blowing by any encirclements and just end up killing/capturing or routing them with the follow on troops. I mean, it is lightning war like I've never seen!

Anyway, basically, I'm curious what you do (how long you wait, etc.) with encircled units (like when you get a pocket of 24 divisions, etc.!)

Thanks!!!


Cut-off enemy troops will suffer severe penalties to morale and combat power starting one turn after you have actually surrounded them. Also they might even start surrendering without a fight during your enemy's turn. Always check the pockets with the 'show battles' function at the start of your turn to see what or if units have surrendered.

Forming pockets is very important because only surrounded units surrender. If you rout enemy units then only a fraction of their troops are actually killed/captured, the majority is transferred back to the force pool, as they're supposed to simply have run away to the rear. Getting the enemy to surrender is what really hurts him.

Strong, multi-division stacks in fortified hexes may need more than one turn to force them to surrender, but an average division after one week of being cut off is basically dead.


Turn 14-16

I've merged these into one report because it was pretty much the same every turn.

In the north the Battle of Leningrad continues in full force, 100.000 German soldiers attacking the fortified city from the west. The Soviets resist stubbornly, but after three weeks of fighting the souther parts of Leningrad, the suburbs of Pushkin and Kolpino are in German hands. The Red Army has concentrated its remaining force on the defence of Leningrad harbour, which we will hopefully take next turn.




In the centre the Battle of Moscow rages on, all attempts at relieving the besieged city beaten back and the infantry of VI, VII and VIII corps fighting their way through the city. With 1/3 of the Soviet capital already in our hands, 130.000 men prepare for the final assault on the eastern and northern parts of the city.



Once Leningrad and Moscow are taken I intend to cut off the large Russian bulge that stretches out to Velikie Luki. In the north XL Panzerkorps is ready, but I will need to give the Panzerdivisions around Moscow some time to rest, resupply and refit before I commit them again. Problem is that with October coming we'll soon see the dreaded Rasputitsa the "time without roads" where the muddy weather brings all mobile operations to a complete stop. Oh, and the frantic race to lake Ladoga has caused quite some chaos among my corps and divisions. I need at least a turn or two two reorganize and restructure my corps and armies. At least logistics is getting better since the railheads are slowly catching up again.



In the southern part of the front I plan on reaching a line going from Voronezh to Rostov before winter. The river lines should help in fortifying my lines.

6th Army has taken Kursk and Kharkov and Belgorod will fall next turn.

9th Panzerdivision has reached Voroshilovgrad on the Don and the bulk of Panzergruppe 1 has cut around Stalino. Once we've cleared out that pocket I will stop major offensive operations in that area for the next couple of weeks.



On the Black sea coast 11th army, in heavy fighting broke through the fortified line guarding the Isthmus of Perekop! Romanian forces are taking part in these fierce battles with great courage and, besides directly supporting 11th army guard the northern flank east of the Dnepr.




Casualties until October 2nd, 1941

Axis: 343.000 men, 3541 guns, 2003 tanks, 895 aircraft
Soviet: 3.213.000 men, 37.370 guns, 15.371 tanks, 8736 aircraft





Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/25/11 02:58 PM

Turn 17, October 9th 1941

In the north Leningrad is taken!

Not only will the loss of the city weaken the Soviets' ability to rebuild their army, the capture of Leningrad has also led to Finland agreeing to a more aggressive stance. Finnish units will now be able to operate south up to a line north of Novgorod, securing 100+ miles of front line and freeing a bunch of German divisions for other tasks.

Also the victory at Leningrad will now free the 10 divisions involved in the assault to bolster my lines.

Immediately after the end of the fighting in Leningrad I withdraw Panzergruppe 4 south of Novgorod for refitting. 1st Panzerdivision is down to 48 serviceable tanks.





In the centre Moscow falls!

After a month of heavy fighting the infantry of 4th and 9th armies finally clear out the last pockets of resistance. The Soviet capital is in our hands.

Having secured the city I start pulling back my Panzerdivisions for refitting around the railhead at Smolensk. I start with the weakest divisions, 12th, 17th and 19th Panzerdivisions which are down to 45, 74 and 62 tanks, with the number of serviceable tanks actually less than half these figures.

I barely can scratch together enough infantry divisions to relieve all my mobile formations around Moscow. There's a corps moving up from Orel, a reserve division coming from Smolensk, but I need at least another corps or two to really secure my positions here. The elimination of the 'Velikie Luki Bulge' would really solve many of my problems, but the meteorologists already warn of heavy rain the next days...



In the 400-mile stretch from Tula in the north to Voroshilovgrad in the south Army Group South pushes on towards the Don. The troops are weary but they know that soon they'll be resting in their winter quarters. The Red Army is withdrawing on a large scale in the whole sector, with the German divisions ever on their heels.



Further south Panzergruppe 1 continues its push on Rostov, with 16th Panzerdivision finally reaching the outskirts of the city! 16th, 9th and 11th Panzerdivisions with this move have cut off all Red Army units west of Rostov. I just hope the Soviets won't be able to evacuate most of those formations across the Azov Sea.



On the Crimea 11th army and the Romanian mountain corps advance south against heavy resistance towards the fortress of Sevastopol. I would like to clear out the Crimea before winter but the fortifications at Sevastopol really looks like a tough nut to crack.








Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/25/11 03:32 PM

Meanwhile, in Berlin, a very, very drunk Führer mumbles "Told you I can do it, too." at a painting of Napoleon. biggrin


Congratulations on taking Moscow and Leningrad!
Let's see what the winter will be like.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/26/11 12:47 AM

Now, here's where the wargame ultimately fails - it doesn't take into consideration the political dimension. Would Stalin still be in power after the fall of Leningrad and Moscow? Hard to believe. And with Stalin dethroned, would there be another power struggle in the Soviet leadership, further deteriorating the war effort, maybe even seeking peace? Will there be resistance in the occupied territory? How many divisions will get tied down with this task?

These may be more questions to the historians, but clearly there are limits to what a game (even of this epic scope) can accomplish. But that shouldn't distract from the impressive accomplishments by our chief of staff [Para_Bellum[/i].




Given that Stalin will remain in power for all purposes of this simulation, I wonder if there's still a chance for a turn-around, or if the Soviets actually are knocked out effectively in this first round.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/26/11 01:56 AM

What are the victory conditions for the grand campaign?
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/26/11 12:32 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Now, here's where the wargame ultimately fails - it doesn't take into consideration the political dimension. Would Stalin still be in power after the fall of Leningrad and Moscow? Hard to believe. And with Stalin dethroned, would there be another power struggle in the Soviet leadership, further deteriorating the war effort, maybe even seeking peace? Will there be resistance in the occupied territory? How many divisions will get tied down with this task?


Doesn't Hearts Of Iron take this into account?
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/26/11 02:45 PM

HOI has a surrender event if you capture Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad and Archangel.
Posted By: digger52

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/31/11 11:22 AM

just bought the game specifically for the grand campaigns. What difficulty are you playing on with your success? Im trying a different tactic. I'll see how it goes.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/31/11 01:33 PM

Let us know!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/31/11 09:50 PM

Had trouble with my ISP and couldn't upload larger files the last couple of days, will post another update tomorrow.

And it won't be pretty... wink


The victory conditions for the grand campaign are:

Axis:

290 v(ictory) p(oints): automatic decisive victory
200-289 vp turn: major victory
142-199 vp on ending turn: minor victory

Soviet:

39 or less vp (axis) and Berlin is capture before 1945: decisive victory
39 or less vp (axis) and Berlin is captured from 1/1 '45 to 5/31 '45: major victory
39 or less vp (axis) and Berlin is captured from 6/1 '45 to 9/30 '45: minor victory

Otherwise: draw

I'm currently at 238 vp and I'm paying against the AI on "normal" level.



EDIT:

Next update will have to wait until I'm back from my vacation in two weeks.




Posted By: 2Lt_Joch

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/02/11 02:13 PM

Any news from the front?
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/02/11 04:20 PM

Oh no! He says 2 weeks and it's not even Tuesday.

Really enjoying this what-if campaign. Keen to see the next instalment!
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/02/11 06:53 PM

Dude, I am having real supply problems in my drive to Moscow. How about you?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/02/11 07:43 PM

Originally Posted By: Airdrop01
Dude, I am having real supply problems in my drive to Moscow.


Big surprise, that. hahaha
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/03/11 12:27 AM

LOL Ssnake!

duh
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/05/11 03:48 AM

325km from Moscow....8/41. Don't know how you're doing PB, but this is my third try at the campaign on normal. I've had a lot of time this week as we closed our offices for two and a half days and the day before that I was stranded in Wichita with nothing else to do!!!
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/05/11 09:15 PM

Another great AAR man, good job so far.... Encirclement Armored Warfare circa 1941 at it's best.

You really got me itching to push that buy button.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/06/11 11:46 PM

I'm looking forward to any updates. I am interested in what happens in the snow turns.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/11 01:35 PM

We're waiting.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/11 01:51 PM

Two weeks = 14 days

Corollary: Jan 31 + 14 = Feb 14.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/10/11 09:09 PM

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I just wanted him to know we are waiting.

Like we are still waiting on Dart.
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/10/11 11:31 PM

OG, try this:

Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/11 06:24 PM

I'm telling you; they get us hooked and then leave us squirming.

It just ain't fair.

I want my AARs. cuss2
Posted By: HarryM

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/11 06:32 PM

Here he is....
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/11 06:56 PM

Major Mud definately is a factor when present in this game..pretty much zero mobility.

I just realized something...is he playing with Fog of War off?...or just for the screenshots wink neaner

Even with ample aerial recon, fog of war on makes a huge difference.

I am making an alternate 1942 attack scenario, although the editor has almost zero documentation.. I always thought it was a big mistake to attack Russia in 41, the Germans should have taken care of Africa and the Med/Balkans first IMO. If it works out I'll do an AAR...I want Leningrad, Moscow and Baku year one! Charge It starts in April 42 and May is a really muddy month in playtesting so far.

edit: BTW, my bet is that the Para Bellum got his clock cleaned in Moscow.
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/11 07:48 PM

The man is a tease.

I believe we are having our collective nipples tweaked.

Keen to see your AAR as well, Nixer.
Posted By: digger52

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/13/11 01:48 AM

My first go at the grand campaign - difficulty normal with fog of war on.

Firstly what is my strategy for victory?

3 Aims - Destruction of the soviet army
- Moscow
- The food bowl of the ukraine and as a politcal focus, support for the white russians ( rather than Hilter's confusion between fighting russia and fighting communism)

Overall it is the destruction of the communist political , economic and fighting capability

Once successful, push on to the oil rich east and south east

How am I going?

It is now the 25th of September, 1941.

What have learned so far? Whilst I have pushed north past the town of Narva, this is just a feint toward leningrad by the 18th Army. Leningrad is no interest to me yet.Deriklazaro a small town east of the two inland lakes / sea that force a split to my forces will echo to a major breakthrough this turn. My forces are swinging south from the north whilst the 16th army push north east.This should crush the russians fighting there.

1st,3rd and 4th panzer groups have pushed east close to Velikie luki, whilst encircling 3 infantry divisions of the russian army. Today we wil destroy them to add to the 132 russian units already destroyed.Whilst Im achieving a kill ratio of 5 to 1, most of my losses are coming from my allies in the south. Those romanians must be using peashooters.

What im growing concerned about is the ability of 2nd Panzer group and 4th army to break through and cross the river Dnepr. The russians keep throwing infantry divisions to block progress at the river and I need to get to Gomel quickly.

to the south Army group south is pushing to Kiev and a number of russian divisions are encircled. This is a side show to me currently, I just wish we can get a move on as supplies are beoming an issue across the whole front.

I have eliminated Soviet bomber air fleets and airfield attacks have become fighter furballs. So the losses ratio is not as favourable now as turns ago.Whilst I have destroyed 7000 russian planes, my loses have climbed to 1500 including 659 fightes which is worrying.

So in summary so far

1/ Geography works against the Germans after the first few turns - The Pripyat Marshes push your armies apart so you inevitably follow the historical thrusts. Also up north the Peipus sea/ lake acts as a channel that restricts large army movement. Then theres that damn river Dnepr!!! Also the distance and supply, im fearful of winter but I wont be issuing any " no retreat" orders. real estate is irrelevant in Russia, there is so much of it.

2/ The germans really need a good fighter bomber. Didnt they learn after the battle of britian? Im losing too many aircraft to ground support missions, Ju87s too slow and range of german aircraft makes deep strikes unsustainable

3/ Crete may have lost them this war. Hitlers refusal after crete to use airborne troops means that 4 to 5 oppotunities I have seen to break the soviets with pace has been lost.


Well whats next. I need to get to Gomel, Smolensk and Kiev quickly whilst destroying the centre of the Russian Army. I need to get there quickly, wish me luck. I'll let you know how I get on.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/15/11 08:04 AM

...mm'kay, Para. Your holiday is over. SitRep.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/16/11 01:26 PM

See Ssnake, I told you they are just tormenting us. It's a diabolical plot. They get us hooked and then leave us hanging. F#cking commies.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/11 09:29 AM

Sheesh, you guys are impatient!

biggrin


I'm currently sitting in an airport lounge on Koh Samui, Thailand. Next stop: Bangkok. Then Amsterdam. Then Zurich. Then back to the East Front.



Charge
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/11 09:48 AM

You mean you are not running WitE on your laptop and uploading AAR's while waiting?
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/11 05:55 PM

Well, I just gave up on try number 7. Para, what is the best way you keep your guys supplied? I get to Moscow (or even partially in Moscow) and all my front line troops show decent supply but for fuel (which is of course big) and show -1 on the "sp" notation. I tried blowing past Moscow to Stalingrad one of the campaigns and those poor bastards got cut off and destroyed.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/11 07:30 PM

Supply is a huge problem in this game....I would trade a couple of Infantry Corps for RR repair units that actually work "right".

I have been reading some on the official Matrix forum and alot of people are saying that you just cannot win. Personally, I think maybe Hitler was wrong............... biggrin

Posted By: 2Lt_Joch

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/11 09:44 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Sheesh, you guys are impatient!

biggrin




well its about time you came back...

I want to know who shot J.R....... We may need a season one recap as well...popcorn


Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/18/11 03:01 PM

Home again!

My rucksack is still MIA somewhere between Bangkok, Amsterdam and Zürich though...

skyisfalling


I promise I'll post an update on Saturday.


@Airdrop: you simply can't keep you mobile units supplied forever when they are advancing rapidly. Just like in WW2, after 3-4 weeks of rapid offensive operations you will need to put in a brief resting period to let your railheads catch up a bit. Air supply drops are very important, and the "HQ buildup" option is a very powerful tool to fix supply issues, although with a heavy hit on the transportation pool.
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/19/11 01:56 PM

Sure, he posts holiday pics before the AAR update. Tsk tsk.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/19/11 07:56 PM

Ok, back to Russia!

Charge


Turn 18, October 16th 1941

One word: mud.

Forget about fighting a war during the dreaded Rasputitsa, the "time without roads". While the supply echelons of my divisions desperately try to move ammo, fuel and supplies to the fighting regiments, the front lines become virtually static. Divisions are reduced to the fighting strength of small Kampfgruppen, attacks become a pointless waste of effort.

I use this turn mainly to reorganize my units and start building a line of defensive positions behind my main line.

In Army Group North's sector the Finnish formations continue to replace the German units east of Leningrad, freeing up reserves and making the northernmost front blizzard-proof.
Around Leningrad I've formed a reserve of three Infantry divisions which will be transported to the Rzhev-Moscow area.

South of Lake Ilmen I have my armoured reserve of 3 Panzer and 2 Motorized Infantry divisions. This strong force with 468 tanks will form the northern pincer of my attack to cut off that soviet front bulge towards Velikie Luki.



In the Moscow area I've pulled back the four weakest Panzerdivisions back to the railhead at Smolensk to use the mud period for refitting. The weakest one, 12th Panzerdivision was down to 46 tanks. These four Divisions will form the southern thrust of Operation Westerwald, which will start once the mud period ends. The success of this operation should result in a shorter frontline, netting me 5-6 divisions to strengthen my lines around Moscow. And destroy some 20 Soviet divisions, among them quite a few of the cavalry formations that could really pose a nuisance in case of enemy breakthroughs.



From Moscow all the way down to Voroshilovgrad the situatuion is the same: The Red Army withdraws east, my forces follow. The Soviets seem to make a stand at Voronezh though, which means I'll try another Panzer thrust to encircle the defending units, once my Panzers stop sinking into the mud...



In the south the situation is still a bit chaotic. My rapid advance has lead to an over-extended line here, with the bulk of my infantry formations still trying to catch up to the mobile divisions. I had to order both 16th Panzerdivision and SS Wiking to withraw in order to avoid encirclement while 16th MotInf division had to abandon Voroshilovgrad to stop a Soviet advance into XXIV PzKps flank. Rumours say the Führer threw a tantrum when hearing the news...

Another problem is the huge "pocket" west of Rostov. Due to a number of ports all those Red Army units aren't really cut off from their supply, which means that sooner or later I'll have to deal with them.

Still, I am confident to get that situation sorted out in due time.




In the far south the 73th Infantry division has destroyed the trapped Soviet 339th, 290th and 30th rifle divisions, killing almost 2000 men and capturing a further 16,000.

Other than that no offensive operations were initiated. I doubt I can take Sevastopol this year. It already sports strong garrisons in heavy fortifications, so anything besides a well-prepared full army attack supported by all the heavy artillery I can get would only end in a bloodbath for attacker. If I can isolate it and form a front line at the isthmus of Kerch I'll be already more than happy.




All in all I'm still confident, but the expanse of the front line already gives me a small headache.


Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/19/11 10:07 PM

Is the mud as bad in the south?

If not, I'd use eliminate the pockets in the Stalino area, rush some of the units eastward to keep up the front and pull the rest down south to split the large pocket into several pieces or at least try to capture the most important harbors.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/19/11 11:21 PM

That pocket down south might be a problem in the winter...
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/21/11 02:33 PM

Hi,
Turn 18, right? Your frontline north of Smolensk looks rather frightening. Whatever the outcome of "Westerwald", it leaves you with a salient around Moscow. I just went through a whole blizzard season in my GC, and I know what the Soviets can do to an exposed German Army. Although I managed to grab Leningrad and Moscow by turn 17 (Soviets down to 2.6 Mio men), and with a very short frontline - I barely had enough troops to hold the line. Why are your "Westerwald"- arrows that far west ?
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/23/11 08:18 PM

Well, we're waiting.
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/23/11 10:09 PM

I believe he's been recalled to Berlin. We've all taken a step backward, and you, OG, having been daydreaming about flying a Cessna over the hills of the Fatherland, neglected to do so and thus appear to have stepped forward. You should probably report to the mouth of the Don River with all due haste. As you appear nearly surrounded there, and in poor supply, I would also advise having your affairs in order before so reporting.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/24/11 12:16 AM

Damn, I hate it when that happens.
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/24/11 07:22 AM

Herr General OG may be needing his thick woolly socks...
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/24/11 09:12 AM

The release of DCS: A-10c unfortunately had quite some impact on my command of the fatherland's forces the last days.

I'll post an update later this evening.


@mcray: welcome to SimHQ!
I agree, this is gonna get tough soon. The reason why Westerwald is rather limited in scope is that I fear I can't clear out the pocket soon enough before the blizzard starts. I would like to withdraw my Panzerdivisions back to the safety of large cities ASAP.


Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/24/11 11:27 AM

Äch ak-zep-tiere Ihre dömmlichen Ausreden nicht!
General! Äch ärrwarrte Ihren Bäricht. Ond lassen Sä mäch nie wieder so lange warten!
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/24/11 02:28 PM

Post a pic or 2 of your rail net if you can.

It's my biggest problem, although it's gotten better now that I know you have to return all those little independant RR repair guys to HQ every freakin turn.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/11 12:28 PM

Will do, Nixer.


My dad's in hospital since Thursday so I'm a bit busy right now, updates will have to wait for a couple of days, sorry guys.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/11 03:08 PM

Man....... all our best to your dad Para.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/11 05:38 PM

Family is first Para. I wish the best.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/28/11 04:48 PM

While we wait for Para's campaign reports I am still working on my 1943 alternate version. I felt for awhile that I had bit off more than I could chew though.

The editor is, well...confusing at times. yep

I've got adecent handle on most of the stuff now, and after spending most of the last THREE days updating a re-supplying/re-equipping almost every single unit on the map I am ready to begin playtesting again...I think.

Baku here I come, I hope.
Posted By: Groove

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/03/11 09:34 AM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Äch ak-zep-tiere Ihre dömmlichen Ausreden nicht!
General! Äch ärrwarrte Ihren Bäricht. Ond lassen Sä mäch nie wieder so lange warten!


Lol SSnake, can you put that on youtube? smile

Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/14/11 09:46 PM

While we wait for the continuing saga from Para..........

I am still working on my 1943 Attack scenario. I have a back story in-mind, just need to get motivated to type it all up.

The only thing I have for screenshots ATM is Gimp, and I just can't get the hang of it. BUT, I just completed a MASSIVE encirclement of a big chunk of the Red Army in front of Moscow. Two turns later my bag for just that pocket was: ( I won't even bother listing Bde's)

9 Tanks Corps
3 Mech Corps
23 Infantry Corps
102 Infantry Divisions biggrin
4 Mountain Divisions

The AI was really slow to react to my closing of the bag as I was threatening to break out in the North and had crossed the Dnepir in a few more places in the south. It's also 1943 without 2 years of attrition and I have lots of Armor and a few more of those FBD rail repair units. I have 5 really strong Panzer Armies, only Panzer or Panzer Grenadier units in them.

The pocket stretched from the Hungarian border to Kharkov, Just east of Kiev, around the east side of the Prypet Marshes and back up almost to Minsk. It's now mid August and I have to decide whether to drive on Moscow in the center or swing north and encircle another big army group in the north and dash for Leningrad. In the south I am driving on Stalino and the Rostov with my eyes on Baku.

Right after closing the pocket I swung a Panzer Army Northeast and overran a BUNCH of Airfields and captured over 1,000 Tons of fuel and supplies.

Still testing the scenario, I may have made it too easy. wink
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/17/11 12:20 AM

Jesus Christ! Thats alot of Russians. What changes if any did you make on the USSR side of things on the scenario?
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/17/11 01:00 PM

Lesson learned: DO NOT hit preview on the picture if you post a pic with the lightbox option before you finish your post or you will lose your whole post. I had given you a rather lengthy reply last night TankHunter, but I lost the whole thing when I previewed my screenshot. mad

Anyway.... As far as the Red Army goes, I just globally updated all their units TOE's to 1943 versions. I guessed that STAVKA's mad division making machine and the USSR's 1943 industrial base would even things up, and I seem to have been right.

The only screenshot I have of the big pocket is from two turns after I closed that big sack. I had eliminated over 50 units prior to this shot (it's clickable):



I need to do some further tweaking so I have quit as of the first mud hit in mid October, 1943.

I captured Moscow a few turns after that big pocket. I hold Rostov in the SE and I am across the Don. Stalled around Riga in the North. The Soviet losses were:

Almost 4 MILLION men
Almost 90K guns
Almost 10K Tanks
Over 11K aircraft

32 Tank Corps
11 Mech Corps
80 Inf Corps
11 Cav Corps
264 Inf Divisions smile
18 Cav Divisions
4 Arty Divisions
7 Mountain Divisions

Even with those losses, the Soviet Union is still building units like they have infinite Men and material. I guess that I need to deal them a crippling blow to industry and manpower centers before the first mud and snows to win. Working on it.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/17/11 05:15 PM

Nice pocket you go there, nixer.

yep


BTW things have calmed down here, I'll soon post another update.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/23/11 12:39 PM

Yeah Para, we're waiting.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/23/11 01:16 PM

I was waiting for him to finish before I start my AA on my modded campaign, but as I am about to upgrade/wipe my HDD's new thread incoming.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/23/11 05:49 PM

Here we go again, sorry for the long delay.

This is the current status of my rail network:

In the north the railheads have almost reached Leningrad.



In the Moscow sector the railheads are west of Vyazma.



In the center I made a mistake with the rail line running south-east from Gomel to Kursk, not realizing that the rail network was cut by the river Desna. Stupid mistake that means I've repaired 8 hexes for nothing, wasting 2-3 turns.



In the South the railheads are 70 miles from Poltava and still 100 miles from Zaporoshye.

As you can see supply is a BIG problem, especially since during mud many units are basically out of supply due to the distance from the railheads.


Turn 19 soon to follow...

wink
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/25/11 06:59 PM

Man, looking at the rail net reminds why I added more rail repair units in my mod.

What really drives me batty is that we can't designate a main supply line say for each army group. All those AI RR repair guys just run around in the far rear repairing lines we don't really need.

Good to see some clear weather in October though.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/25/11 09:47 PM

In all fairness, the question is to which extent it would be possible (or even desirable) to manage the railway lines to the point that you also control the degree of saturation. Assuming that the lines aren't always doubled a single connection between two points simply may not be sufficient. Add to this the effect of battlefield air interdiction missions to disrupt the rail network, and I understand why the programmers opted for a degree of abstraction here.

How many users are into linear optimization problems and know the mathematical tools to solve them?
This is higher university level math.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/28/11 11:44 PM

Well ... we're waiting.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/11 12:43 PM

and still we wait.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/11 01:02 PM

+1
Posted By: Dick Dastardly

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/11 02:46 PM

Para got abducted by Göring's press gangs, and was last seen being strapped and locked into the cockpit of a 109 near Calais. wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/07/11 01:34 AM

I'm still on it.

Got me a new PC system and am now slowly reinstalling/tranferring all stuff.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/07/11 07:52 AM

Fegelein!
Fegelein!
FEGELEIN!
FEGELEIN!!!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/07/11 11:07 AM

Ok, that one had me spilling coffee over my brand new keyboard.



biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/14/11 07:54 PM

OK, you've gotten as much as a pass on the keyboard incident as you are going to get.

Now, get on with it.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/15/11 03:50 PM

Geez guys, give him a break. He's busy waith A-10...
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/15/11 09:29 PM

Äch haabe däse Äntschuldigongen satt. Dieses Gäräde, Gefaasel, Ausreden, Ausflüchte, dieses säch-Winden, diese geradezu bolschewistische Verschleierongs-Taktik, ändlose Värzögerungen, Zagen, Zittern, Bangen, Winseln. Man glaubt wohl, äch wörde aufgeben, das Änteresse värlieren, womöglich kapitulieren. Aaaber äch saage ähnen: Äch kapituliere niemals!

Äch will jetzt die Lagebesprächung, sofort!
Wie soll denn dääser Krieg zo einem Ände gebracht wärden, wenn es keine Lagebärichte gibt?
Das ist INSUBORDINATION!

DIE DULDE ÄCH NÄCHT!
Posted By: DocTF2011

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/16/11 10:18 AM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Äch haabe däse Äntschuldigongen satt. Dieses Gäräde, Gefaasel, Ausreden, Ausflüchte, dieses säch-Winden, diese geradezu bolschewistische Verschleierongs-Taktik, ändlose Värzögerungen, Zagen, Zittern, Bangen, Winseln. Man glaubt wohl, äch wörde aufgeben, das Änteresse värlieren, womöglich kapitulieren. Aaaber äch saage ähnen: Äch kapituliere niemals!

Äch will jetzt die Lagebesprächung, sofort!
Wie soll denn dääser Krieg zo einem Ände gebracht wärden, wenn es keine Lagebärichte gibt?
Das ist INSUBORDINATION!

DIE DULDE ÄCH NÄCHT!


sehr fein erinnert mich ein wenig an stromberg und das video sehr fein. smile

very fine reminds me a little of Stromberg and the video very nice.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/18/11 12:18 PM

tanksalot love the aar
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/18/11 02:23 PM

Finally managed to finish another turn, just need to find an hour or two to write it all down. Terribly busy ATM and most of my gaming time currently is drawn to IL2:CoD. Sorry for the delay, but don't worry, I'll continue this AAR soon.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/20/11 02:19 PM

Yeah; soon.

Well. We're waiting.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/25/11 02:18 PM

I'm beginning to worry here, despite the assertion that I should not.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/02/11 03:20 PM

See, I told you all he was just stringing us along.

Yeah ... "soon". nope

So yet we wait. darkcloud
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/02/11 04:26 PM

You guys are relentless!

biggrin

Check back tomorrow evening (Berlin time. wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/03/11 04:58 PM

Turn 19, 23rd October 1941



No major battles were fought during this turn, the front has been mostly static due to mud again.


In the North I keep bringing the Finns into the line, relieving German troops to deploy on other fronts. The Leningrad sector so far suffered the least from the mud since the rail network in the North is quite good, the short distance from the railheads keeping my troops in supply.

Northern strike group started to assemble in preparation for Operation Westerwald. Any kind of offensive warfare besides a limited number of preparatory attacks where Red Army units had exposed themselves was still impossible due to the mud and the logistics problems that comes with it.



In the Smolensk-Moscow sector the 6th Infantry Division managed to rout two Soviet rifle brigades in preparation for the southern attack of Westerwald. 16th and 19th Panzerdivisions start moving into their assault positions. If Westerwald doesn't succeed in destroying a large number of Red Army divisions and shortening my front line the winter will get dangerous really quickly...



The vast expanse between the Oka river south of Moscow and Rostov at the coast of the Black Sea sees the Red Army continuing their slow withdrawal with my troops following behind. In the Tula sector the Soviets keep concentrating a large number of formations, looks like the forces for a southern pincer movement towards Moscow. The preparation for Westerwald leaves only four Panzerdivisions around Moscow, I need to strengthen the lines around Tula ASAP with reinforcements from the Leningrad front.



Down south the critical situation in the Stalino-Voroshilovgrad-Rostov sector slowly gets under control again. The attack on Rostov has failed because I overextended my lines and outran my supply in the mud but I managed to pull back my armoured spearheads in heavy defensive fighting in atrocious weather conditions. Still, all three Panzerkorps (III, XXXXVIII, XIV) are now in need for a week or two of refit/resupply.

At least my infantry formations are slowly coming up to reinforce the line (or actually form a line at all!) and to the west the Romanians have started clearing the area between the Black Sea and the Dnepr.



On the Crimea the situation is unchanged, I bring up reinforcements and try to keep my divisions supplied, but no major battles are fought under the current weather conditions.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/03/11 10:57 PM

...so you let us wait for more than three months, just to tell us that you're stuck in the mud?
What is this, an artistic attempt to force us to empathize with you?






wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/05/11 09:19 PM

It's the old anti-climactic climactic anticipation building stratagem designed to drive the enemy you crazy.

yep



Anyway, on we go:


Turn 20, October 30th 1941


The vast task of resupplying and reorganizing in the Army Group North sector is finally done. The northern pincer of Operation Westerwald has concentrated east of Lake Ilmen. Four Panzer Divisions (1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th), four Motorized Infantry divisions (3rd, 36th, 60th and SS-Totenkopf) and four Infantry divisions (1st, 163rd, 254th, 291st) have been assembled. 550 tanks and 150.000 men stand ready. Now all I need is some good weather. Some non-we-sink-into-the-mud-up-to-our-ears-weather will do nicely, thank you.



In the Smolensk-Moscow sector the preparations for Westerwald didn't go as smooth in the North. My lines here are pretty strained, the Panzer divisions suffered much heavier casualties than in the North and the rail network has only reached Vyazma this very week. As a result especially the Panzer divisions are still weakened. The four Panzer divisions leading the southern pincer can only muster around 350 tanks, and both the Infantry and Motorized Infantry divisions are down to between 70-80% manpower.

Still, Westerwald has to succeed. I reckon I could destroy up to 80 Soviet formations of brigade of division strength, and while few of these units are anywhere near full strength over time this front nose will pose a grave threat. Even more important, I need to shorten my frontline to get at least half a dozen divisions for the Moscow sector.



In the South I continue to consolidate my front. To my great surprise the Red Army withdrew its forces from the giant bridgehead between Zaporoshye and Rostov, a move that greatly reduced the threat to Army Group South.

I will try to establish a frontline running north from the Black Sea along the Mius river, with a fallback position, called Siegfried Line along the Dnepr towards Kharkov.

To illustrate the kind of logistics problems I'm dealing here with: the railheads this week have reached a point about 60 miles west of Zaporoshye. The easternmost formation of Army Group South, the Motorized SS-Division Wiking is 290 miles east of that point...



On the Crimea it's again muddy business as usual. Despite the horrible weather conditions I have cleared about half of the main island. I still hope to invest the port fortress of Sevastopol and advance towards isthmus near Feodosia in the East, but my forces here are rather weak. I currently have only four German Infantry divisions on the Crimea, supported by five Romanian divisions of questionable value. We'll see...






Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/05/11 10:24 PM

Ok, did everyone get that ? More of nuthin'. biggrin
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/06/11 02:08 AM

How many Divisions *do* the Russians have? The mass of red in the 2nd pic is scary, lol.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/06/11 05:49 AM

I hate you guys!

biggrin


Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
How many Divisions *do* the Russians have? The mass of red in the 2nd pic is scary, lol.


Thank god it looks worse than it really is. In that sector there are usually only around 1000-4000 men per brigade/division, often also lacking heavy weapons. Their average fighting strength is far less than a single German regiment. And of course many of them are totally green troops. Don't forget the Red Army has lost close to 4 million men in the last four months, which is basically their whole pre-war army. Divide them by three or four to get a more accurate picture.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/06/11 12:45 PM

Still, there's red everywhere!

Also, you're willing to give up nearly 300 mi should push come to shove?
The Führer might not be amused about that...
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/06/11 03:44 PM

Question for you Para; your northern pincer for Westerwald. Is there a reason you are striking there ? The mountains seem to work against you. Why not just about 4 North-east, down that line to the junction and then straight south ? It would seem less terrain issues and less opposition. Would it stretch the northern pincer to far out of position from the southern one. I can't tell because of how the screens show it. Would that put you beyond air support or logistical support ?
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/06/11 10:55 PM

Sounds like something's brewing, waiting to see how the northern pincer goes.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/07/11 04:39 PM

Originally Posted By: Heretic
Still, there's red everywhere!


I hope there will be much less red on the map after my next offensive.

biggrin


Quote:
Also, you're willing to give up nearly 300 mi should push come to shove?
The Führer might not be amused about that...


That's the fallback line for the "worst case" scenario. I hope I won't get pushed back that far.

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Question for you Para; your northern pincer for Westerwald. Is there a reason you are striking there ? The mountains seem to work against you. Why not just about 4 North-east, down that line to the junction and then straight south ? It would seem less terrain issues and less opposition. Would it stretch the northern pincer to far out of position from the southern one. I can't tell because of how the screens show it. Would that put you beyond air support or logistical support ?


Good question. The main idea for the northern pincer was to avoid having to cross rivers, which always slows down an advance. I'll only have a narrow window of three to four weeks to inflict maximum casualties on the Red Army before the blizzards hit, so it's important to seal the pocket in one week if possible. OTOH the Russians did indeed fortify some of those mountain hexes, which could prove difficult to crack. Due to a delay (another turn of mud) I was also able to shift a few more infantry divisions south and an assault from the area you proposed would also provide a nice flank protection through the rivers Msta and Tveritsa. So, consider my plan changed, I'll attack a bit further north.


Turn 21, November 6th 1941

There was yet another turn of mud, so nothing worth reporting happened that turn. Thanks to that unexpected delay I was able to deploy my forces according to the altered plan for the northern pincer of Westerwald though.


Next turn (with action again!) is already finished, just need to do the write-up. Check back later this evening.
Posted By: Airdrop01

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/07/11 04:43 PM

I'm really curious to see how it turns out. I've almost come to the conclusion that on normal settings it is unwinnable as Germany.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/07/11 07:13 PM

Turn 22, November 13th 1941


Finally, after weeks of stagnation during the Rasputitsa, the muddy season that stops all movement, the weather has turned cold, with mild frost enabling the mobile units to move once again.

We now have three to four weeks until the Russian winter hits us with full force, and I plan on using that time as well as possible. The main objective of this phase of the campaign will be to decimate the Red Army in order to destroy their ability to mount a serious counter offensive.

In the North our Finnish Allies start the offensive by pushing back the Red Army on a 100-mile front. Although the Soviet units are entrenched well, the Finns succeed in inflicting large casualties while suffering light-modest losses themselves. I can't stress enough how important it was to take Leningrad and get the Finns to join as "full" allies. The ability to use Finnish troops well south of the Finnland-USSR border freed about a dozen German divisions to deploy elsewhere. I am quite confident to hold the Leningrad front in the coming months.




Operation Westerwald

In the early morning hours the 32nd, 58th, 86th and 79th infantry divisions assault the Red Army positions south of the river Msta and tear a 30-mile gap into the Soviet front. L and XXII infantry corps widen the gap to the north and south and provide initial flank protection. With the Red Army lines breached the XL and XXXI Panzerkorps are unleashed and race forward, routing half a dozen Soviet divisions from the battlefield. 1st Panzerdivision enables the Corps to rapidly cross the Shlina river to the west of Vyshnyvolovheck by taking on and defeating no less than 5 armoured brigades, 6 infantry brigades and 2 infantry divisions. The leading Panzerdivisions, 2nd and 5th, with 335 thanks have penetrated more than 100 miles and have closed to within 20 miles of Kushinovo and the last railroad out of the Kessel.

200 miles south of the assault teams of XXXVIIth, L and XXII Corps the companies of V and VI corps commence their attack. 6th Infantry division assaults across the Volga and takes Rzhev against dogged Russian resistance, well supported by the Luftwaffe and corps artillery. With the river crossings secured the XXXXVII and LVI Panzerkorps move out and break into the Red Army lines. In heavy fighting the 10th, 12th, 17th and 19th Panzerdivisions, supported by 18th and 20th MotInf divisions fight 60 miles through heavy Russian resistance to a point only 30 miles from the leading tanks of 5th Panzer division. The giant pocket is almost closed, 80 brigades and 20 divisions are threatened with annihilation.



All along the front my divisions have resumed the offensive and have pushed the Red Army back. The idea is to use carefully planned deliberate attacks to inflict a maximum of damage with little casualties.



East of Orel and Kharkov the ferocious attack by 6th and 17th armies and XXIV Panzerkorps virtually destroy the Russian frontline on a 200-mile stretch! 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions have reached Voronesz




In the Stalino-Rostov sector I've completed the extraction of XXXXVIIIth Panzerkorps while my infantry corps move into the line. Despite the logistical nightmare of the past weeks the five Panzerdivisions of III, XIV, XXXXVIII Panzerkorps still number around 100 tanks each. With the infantry divisions finally coming into the line I think I'm actually in a good position to retake Rostov and capture Voroshilovgrad. Meanwhile the three Romanian corps continue to advance up the Back Sea coast.



Last but not least: the Crimea.

71st infantry division and the 2nd Romanian Mountain brigade have defeated a a force of three Soviet brigades that landed in Yevpatoria on the western coast. 5.000 prisoners were taken.

Soviet units all along the front were pushed back and Simferopol fell to a combined attack by 22nd Luftlandedivision and 198th infantry division.





Red Army losses this week amount to 125.000, my own casualties are ~20.000.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/07/11 08:14 PM

I suppose, the success of Westerwald will to a large degree neutralize the threat of a thrust from the Tula area...

Do you think you are exploiting game mechanics, or is it still a freewheeling strategic exercise for you where you were in part lucky, but apparently also learned lessons about supply management? You mentioned in the beginning of this thread that after three or four attempts at it you felt that you grasped how to balance maneuver and resupply, so I'm wondering if we're seeing here a master of the "game rules" at work, or sheer genius (with a bit of a benefit of hindsight, given that the Wehrmacht was a bit surprised about mud and winter conditions and just how many tanks the Russians had and how vast the country's expanse actually was; you clearly know a bit about the conditions that await you even though you can't predict when exactly the weather changes etc.)
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/07/11 09:05 PM

IMO the most important "gamey" thing is hindsight. I know that the Red Army will not simply disintegrate under my attack and that if the Soviets recover from the initial onslaught I'll be in a world of hurt. I know that logistics will play a very important part and that the winter '41/'42 will be brutal.

This knowledge basically dictates my strategic and operational planning.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 04:10 AM

What effect does losing Moscow have on the Red Army, game wise?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 06:26 AM

How much of real time equivalent does it take before a Kessel collapses?
Do infantry units hold out longer than mechanized units? One would assume that light forces can sustain being surrounded and cut off a bit longer without losing too much of their fighting power (though ultimately living off the land isn't possible for troop concentrations like these).
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 11:17 AM

Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
What effect does losing Moscow have on the Red Army, game wise?


It reduces the manpower pool available, meaning the Red Army will have a much more difficult time rebuilding its forces. Moscow is also home to a lot of industry. I don't know how many factories the Russians managed to relocate, but industrial production will certainly suffer. The fielding of brigades instead of full divisions is a definite sign that the Red Army has massive problems rebuilding its shattered forces.

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
How much of real time equivalent does it take before a Kessel collapses?
Do infantry units hold out longer than mechanized units? One would assume that light forces can sustain being surrounded and cut off a bit longer without losing too much of their fighting power (though ultimately living off the land isn't possible for troop concentrations like these).


It depends. Units cut off will start surrendering after 1-2 weeks by themselves, but I've also seen units still fighting after four weeks. It mainly depends on morale. Their combat value will drop sharply after a full turn of encirclement. I don't think there's a difference between tank and infantry formations in WitE. But of course without fuel the combat value of armoured units suffers horribly.

Since I want to clear out that pocket before the blizzards hit I'll start clearing the Kessel next round.


Turn 23, November 20th 1941


The giant Kessel between Velikie Luki, Rzehv and Vyzhnyvolocheck has been closed! 100+ Soviet formations of brigade and division strength have been surrounded! A cautious estimate puts the number of encircled troops at around 350.000 men.



The trapped troops are already separated by at least 40-50 miles from friendly lines, there's no chance for them escaping any more. 6th Panzerdivision took Vyzhnyvolochek in heavy fighting, which will be an important part of a planned defensive line Vyzhnyvolochek-Torzhok-Kalinin linking the Leningrad and Moscow fronts. Torzhok will fall next week and I'll try as best as I can to take Kalinin, too.

The larger map shows the importance of cutting off that front bulge:



In the Moscow sector I conduct some limited attacks to remove strong Russian forces from the north side of the Oka river. An ad-hoc group involving 7th Panzerdivison, Grossdeutschland regiment, SS Das Reich MotInf division and two infantry divisions throw the Soviets back, although Grossdeutschland suffered serious casualties in the process.




On the central sector of the front Voronezh is taken by 137th and 263rd infantry divisions against fanatical resistance of NKVD troops and two rifle brigades! Supported by everything that XI corps could muster more than 500 artillery pieces were used to smash the Russian positions. With the Red Army fleeing the city 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions cross the Don.



In the south three infantry corps and one Panzerkorps converge on Voroshilovgrad. In front of my advancing forces in this sector are only battered remains of brigades and divisions with minimal combat value.



All along the front I keep reorganizing my Corps. The rapid advance through the southern steppes and the quagmire of the Rasputitsa having lead to sometimes miserably mixed up units. On happy note: on a 400 mile stretch from Orel to Rostov an organized Soviet front line has disintegrated with resistance limited to local concentrations of smaller formations.

A typical "battle" in this sector is a single, understrength, untrained Soviet rifle brigade with around 2.000 men seriously lacking heavy weapons getting attacked by a veteran German infantry division with 15.000-18.000 men, with a full complement of artillery. The result is rather predictable.

On the Crimea my forces have reached the outskirts of Feodosiya, sealing off the peninsula towards the east. I will dig in here, hoping to defend the isthmus against any attacks. Sevastopol is far too well manned and fortified to take with my limited forces, I will contend myself with sealing it off and hope for spring. There are 9 full Russian divisions in that fortress and because of its port I can't simply starve them. Digging them out will be nasty business and will require at least another full infantry corps.










Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 07:30 PM

Turn 24, November 27th 1941

In the Leningrad sector the taking over of the front line by Finnish troops is completed. They are prepared for winter warfare and are already in decent fortified positions. There's an SS Cavalry brigade an a German infantry division as reserves that should be able to handle local penetrations.



To the South the battle of annihilation in the wake of Westerwald is in full swing. Massive fighting has seen about 2/3 of the trapped Soviet units destroyed, total losses for the Red Army this turn amount to 220.000 men, ~2500 guns and 247 tanks. Both Torzhok and Kalinin are taken! I need one more week to clear out the pocket. All the little tank icons on the map represent the site of a battle.



In the Moscow sector I've succeeded in pushing the Red Army back from the north side of the Oka. With this objective achieved the Panzerdivisions are relocated to Moscow to take shelter in preparation for the winter. There are currently four Panzerdivisions in Moscow with an average strength of ~100 tanks.

The first two reserve infantry divisions are about to reach the front in this sector, much welcomed! Two more will be sent towards Moscow from the Rzhev area next week.



In the central sector of the front not much has happened, mainly a couple of limited attacks to reach a favourable defensive line, including as many smaller towns as possible.

In the south the LII corps with 297th infantry division and 100th Jäger division take Voroshilovgrad after a flanking thrust by 11th and 13th Panzerdivisions.

After this last objective has been secured I will now pull back the Panzer and Motorized divisions towards Stalino.

The Romanian II, IX and the cavalry corps meanwhile have almost cleared all of the northern coast of the Black Sea.



On the Crimea two German and four Romanian divisions have taken positions along the Panther line to hold the isthmus against Soviet attacks from the east.

11th Army with six divisions, among them the crack 7th Fliegerdivision and the 22nd Luftlandedivision have reached the fortress of Sevastopol.








Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 09:03 PM

Wonder how much more arsewhupping the Soviet bear can take. Are you going to go static for the winter? Is stuff like winter clothing for german units modelled?

Good stuff, thanks for posting.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/08/11 09:26 PM

All that counts is if you can survive the next few winters. Looks like you have a good shot at it. Good luck!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 11:35 AM

Small update:


Turn 25, December 4th

The Russian winter has finally hit us in force! Temperatures reach as low as -40°C. Men and machines are suffering terribly.

The average combat value of my divisions has dropped to 20-30%. And the Soviet divisions have theirs doubled or tripled.

Except continuing the liquidation of the Westerwald pocket I put all offensive operations on hold. The build-up of Red Army forces in the Moscow sector worries me a lot. In addition to the first two infantry divisions arriving to bolster my lines here I start railing another four infantry divisions to the Moscow area.

All along the front we now await the Red Army. God help us.



Small update due to basically no change in unit disposition and little to report. Next turn will get a regular update again.


@vonKhan: the lack of winter clothing is modelled for the Germans in the winter '41/'42, only the Finns and all mountain troops do not suffer drastic penalties in that year.

Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 01:49 PM

Turn 26, December 12th 1941

The cold... the terrible cold...

All along the front the Red Army starts a series of vicious attacks. More than 30 major battles are fought this turn, some with up to 60.000 Soviets attacking a weakened German division.

My divisions have repulsed about 50% of these attacks in desperate fighting, mainly in the areas of Army Groups North and South, where either the Finns were holding the line or Red Army forces are still weak. Where the attacks are repulsed the Russians are taking heavy casualties.

But where ever the Soviet attacks succeed my casualties are horrible. 14 of my divisions had to retreat, suffering between 1.000 and 3.000 casualties each in the process. And battle casualties are actually only a small part of my losses. Thousands of my soldiers simply succumb to the cold.

In the North the situation is still good. The Finns hold the line and the 8th SS cavalry brigade destroyed a partisan unit that threatened the rail lines to Leningrad. I am confident of holding the line here.



In the Kalinin sector the Red Army manages to push back the 126th infantry division, inflicting 2.744 casualties. But that division's right neighbour, SS-Totenkopf division puts up a gallant defence against three attacking Soviet divisions, inflicting more than 4.000 casualties while suffering less than 100 on their own!

Soviet attacks in this sector by and large have been repulsed, but 10th Panzerdivision in Kalinin is in grave danger, facing 6 divisions, 4 brigades and a cavalry corps to the North, East and South-east. And the division is down to 66 tanks... The question is whether to pull out or reinforce the city, risking serious losses in case of an overwhelming Russian attack. I have a dozen infantry divisions moving up from the west, so if I can buy a bit of time I will be able to significantly reinforce my line.

In the end I decide to reinforce Kalinin with the 17th Panzerdivision and 6th infantry division. Giving up a major city without a fight just doesn't sit well with me. Or the Führer.




In the Moscow sector the situation is serious. Massive attacks push back 258th, 23rd, 26th infantry divisions, 78th Sturmdivision and the 900th Mot. Lehr brigade.
Two infantry divisions from the Rzhev area have already reached the front lines and six more divisions should reach the area within a week or two. With those divisions I think I can hold Moscow, but the next two weeks until they're in position will be brutal. All formations that had to retreat have suffered appalling losses.



The vast stretch from Kaluga to Rostov stays comparatively quiet. A number of Russian attacks are beaten back, four of my infantry divisions were forced to retreat, again with serious losses. Since the Red Army lacks really powerful formations in the whole area I'm positive that no disaster will strike here.



On the Crimea my forces have seen serious fighting: two Soviet rifle divisions and a naval brigade assaulted the Panther line, pushing back the defending forces in the northern part. 21st Romanian infantry division routed off the battlefield while the German 72nd infantry division and the Romanian 2nd Mountain brigade retreated in orderly fashion. Casualties were almost 7.500 men.

A counter-attack by Romanian 13th and 14th and German 50th infantry divisions contained the breakthrough, routing a Russian tank brigade and enabled my divisions to regain their old positions.

Next turn I'll probably pull my troops back a bit from Sevastopol, I fear the strong garrison breaking out and badly mauling my weak troops.




All in all I survived the first week of blizzard in decent shape. Despite serious losses my line holds and no breakthroughs occurred.

Just to stress the point how serious my losses still were: in the last turn I suffered more than 125.000 casualties. In a single week. Up to that point my total losses since the start of Barbarossa on June 22nd amounted to about 450.000.


This is gonna be fun.

grunt




PS: right-click->show image if the text in some of the screenshots is too small.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 01:54 PM

Meh. Too bad you're pinned down by the weather now. The momentum from Westerwald eastward would have offered a nice possibility of encircling part of the soviet forces east of Kalinin when combined with a strike northwards from the Moscow bulge. Westerwald II, so to say.

Let's see if you can survive the winter without losing ground. The mass of red dots in the nothern sector just screams for more large scale encirclements from your current positions...


- Edit: Bad timing; you've just posted an update. Crap, lol.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 02:00 PM

Hehe... Yeah, we're pretty done with offensive operations here for the time being.

biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 02:16 PM

These are really good Para.

Thanks for doing this AAR.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 04:45 PM

Yikes, well bite down on a blade and go for broke. Hopefully you can survive the winter without major losses.

Curious, given hindsight, is it not possible to make sure your army is ready for winter?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/09/11 06:42 PM

@OG: thanks, I enjoy writing this AAR. Keeps me (somewhat focussed) and forces me to actually formulate (and adhere) to plans.


@von Khan: No, the unpreparedness of the German (and Romanian, Hungarian and Italian) troops (except mountain troops) in the winter 41/42 is hard-coded. I'd also like to see an option to prepare my men, maybe at a massive cost of administration points or lowered general refit/supply. As for now, I just gotta survive somehow.




Turn 27, December 18th 1941

Again my forces suffer horrific casualties to the extreme cold. Total casualties this week are ~ 134.000 men. More than 2/3 of them non-combat related. Even divisions well behind the front in towns suffer up to 2.000 casualties per week. In just two weeks the German troops have suffered more than 250.000 casualties. I have no idea how long I can sustain losses on this scale. I was prepared for a tough time, but this is just brutal.

In this week the Red Army again conducted more than 40 major attacks, my brave troops repulsing ~60% of them. 17 of my divisions had to conduct fighting retreats before their positions were overrun. Still we make the enemy pay for every step.

In the Leningrad sector the situation is unchanged, only light Soviet attacks that are easily beaten back by the Finns.

In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector the Red Army keeps attacking. 126th Infantry division, despite heavy Luftwaffe support, gets badly mauled by a cavalry corps, two rifle divisions and two tank brigades, suffering 4.400 casualties. Another three of my divisions retreat in heavy fighting, but my lines so far only bend, not break. Red Army casualties are reported "high" in all reports.

Kalinin is still in German hands, looks like my gamble to reinforce the city paid off. 10 infantry divisions will strengthen my line here by next week.




In the Moscow sector the Red Army launches a dozen major attacks, pushing 8 of my divisions back. 900th Mot.Lehr brigade has been so badly mauled that I have withdrawn it from the front. The brigade lost almost 2.000 men when attacked by four rifle divisions and two tank brigades. Still, the brigade has bought me time. East of Moscow 29th Motorized Infantry division has fought especially well, causing 3.000 casualties among three attacking rifle division while suffering only 42 men! I still had to withdraw the division due to Russians threatening both flanks though.

The Moscow sector gives me the most troubles ATM, but since this week five infantry divisions arrived I should be able to hold the line. Backbone of the defence are the 280 tanks of 7th, 8th and 18th Panzerdivision.



Again only minor actions are fought along the long front running south towards Rostov. In one or two places German divisions have retreated, but most attacks in this area have failed and where they succeeded where quickly contained.

I am trying to get all armoured divisions in this sector out of the front line to rest and refit and act as fire brigades in the case of Soviet breakthroughs.



On the Crimea I've pulled my forces back from Sevastopol to take shelter in and around Simferopol. In the East the Panther line holds, my divisions there fighting off another Russian attack.






So far, so good. The front line still holds and I have reserves to move around. Casualties are extremely worrying though.





Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/10/11 12:26 PM

How long does it take to plan and then play a turn?
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/10/11 03:44 PM

Here's hoping you can replenish once spring dawns.

I want to see Fall Blau happening! :ugly:
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/13/11 08:14 PM

Great work so far.

Lots of mean Red Army Divisions popping up. The longer they are allowed to stay inactive, the stronger they get it seems.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/13/11 08:18 PM

OK - time for the next dispatch from the front.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/14/11 02:12 PM

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!
biggrin biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/17/11 05:26 PM

More like - HE SHALL NOT POST !!!

OK Para, on with the war.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/17/11 09:54 PM

You guys are worse than attention-depraved six(teen) year olds... :P

"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"

You find that annoying?


Yes?


Then wait until Para actually posts something instead of bumping the thread and thus making me think Para has posted an update.



Sheesh...
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/18/11 12:09 PM

The Führer was lastly seen installing the Combat Mission: Normandy demo and The Witcher 2. Since we can't continue operations without his glorious leadership operations have been on hold since then.

We expect the continuation of hostilities within the next 48 hours.

yep
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/18/11 12:26 PM

Originally Posted By: Heretic
You guys are worse than attention-depraved six(teen) year olds... :P

"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"

You find that annoying?


Yes?


Then wait until Para actually posts something instead of bumping the thread and thus making me think Para has posted an update.



Sheesh...


Oh lighten up. It is all in good fun and Para knows it.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/18/11 09:53 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
The Führer was lastly seen installing the Combat Mission: Normandy demo


Surely he will recognize it as an Allied propaganda attempt to subvert the resolve of the Reich and to suggest that an invasion of France, as ridiculous as it sounds, might actually be successful. To whom it may concern over there, just watch and learn from the fate of the Soviet army. Surely all Commonwealth and American forces will be just as quickly driven back into the sea, should they be insane enough to follow such reckless adventurism.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/19/11 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: Heretic
You guys are worse than attention-depraved six(teen) year olds... :P

"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Hey you!"
"Entertain me!"

You find that annoying?

Yes?

Then wait until Para actually posts something instead of bumping the thread and thus making me think Para has posted an update.

Sheesh...


Hey look Para just posted another AAR.

NOT biggrin
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/19/11 07:38 PM

Originally Posted By: vonKhan

Hey look Para just posted another AAR.

NOT biggrin


Well played. *Tips hat*
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/20/11 07:24 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
The Führer was lastly seen installing the Combat Mission: Normandy demo and The Witcher 2. Since we can't continue operations without his glorious leadership operations have been on hold since then.

We expect the continuation of hostilities within the next 48 hours.

yep


Your 48 hours have expired.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 03:26 PM

Turn 28, December 25th 1941


Frohe Weihnachten! indeed...

Another week of the most atrocious weather conditions and relentless Russian attacks.

Another 131.000 casualties... my average infantry division is down to less than 8.000 men, which is about 40% of its regular strength. The number of still operational tanks on the whole Ostfront has dropped to less than 1.700.

In this week alone we have counted 40 major Soviet attacks. And god knows how, our brave troops have managed to throw back the attackers in 28 of those desperate battles.


East of Novgorod the 58th Infantry Division, gallantly supported by more than 80 aircraft, repulsed attacks by 3 Soviet rifle divisions, 2 rifle brigades, 1 naval infantry brigade and several artillery regiments, inflicting over 5.000 casualties, while suffering only light losses (363 men). In the Vyshnyvolochek sector the 251st Infantry Division helds its position against 3 rifle brigades, 2 tank brigades, a rifle division and a cavalry corps! South of Voronezh the 71st Infantry Divisions fought back 3 rifle divisions, 2 tank brigades and 2 naval infantry brigades.

But where ever the Red Army breaks through our losses are dreadful.

206th Infantry lost 3.800 men and 50 guns north-east of Moscow when assaulted by 4 rifle divisions, 3 tank brigades and 3 rifle brigades... The elite 14th Motorized Division is down to 6.000 men after three weeks of a fighting withdrawal East of Moscow. 110th Infantry lost 2.000 men East of Orel. 93rd and 98th Infantry Divisions fighting East of Stalino lost close to 8.000 men and 90 guns....

Still, we're holding the line.

In the North the situation is good. The Finns are like a granite wall, there's a fortified fall-back position behind the Volkhov river and I even have the luxury of reserve formations. The North and Leningrad will hold.



In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector most of the Red Army attacks have been beaten back with heavy losses to the Soviets. Two small penetrations, one in the North near Bologoe, the other in the South near Kalinin, have been sealed up by counter-attacks.



The counter-attack near Kalinin involved no less than 2 Panzerdivisions, three infantry divisions and one motorized division, supported by corps artillery and 100 aircraft, and succeeded in routing two rifle divisions and a tank brigade! A rare victory in these dark days.



I was able to pull out three Panzerdivisions to rest and refit behind the frontline. I still have five Panzerdivisions fighting at the front in this sector, I'd really like to pull them back as soon as the situation allows it. Panzerdivisions are not meant for static, defensive fighting.



In the Moscow sector the situation is serious.

Massive attacks from the North and East are slowly pushing back my divisions with heavy losses. Where ever possible I try to counter-attack exposed Soviet units, successfully routing several Russian formations to the North, East and South-East of Moscow. The biggest battle in this sector was fought near Mikhnevo, where three infantry divisions, led by Das Reich SS division rout three Soviet rifle divisions and a tank brigade off the battlefield.

Still, the Red Army keeps advancing on Moscow and my divisions have suffered serious losses. By now most of my troops are in heavily fortified positions, so I hope I can hold out. Reinforcements have also arrived and been put into the line. It's a brutal battle of attrition and I have no idea if I can hold Moscow if my troops continue to suffer these horrific casualty rates.




In the Tula sector the biggest threat comes from attacks on both sides of Tula itself. The Red Army has concentrated several tank brigades in that area and I'm having a hard time preventing a breakthrough. So far 56th Infantry Division has done a terrific job defending the city and counter-attacking any penetrations, but the lack of reserves in the area is a problem.

20th Panzerdivision
and 10th Motorized Division to the North are rather busy fighting off a dozen Red Army divisions supported by tank brigades and thus my only mobile reserve in this area currently is Großdeutschland Motorized Infantry Regiment. I'm sending the 2nd SS Motorized Brigade from the South but it will take two weeks until they arrive near Tula.




In the Voronezh sector the situation is stable. 3rd and 4th Panzerdivision are holding the city itself, backed by the divisions of 4th and 17th army on their flanks.




The Voroshilovgrad-Rostov sector is my biggest problem next to Moscow. A series of attacks have pushed back four of my infantry divisions in the area with heavy casualties. Voroshilovgrad still holds, but with the current rate of casualties I don't know long my forces here will last. I've pulled back most of my mobile forces towards the Stalino area, including 9th, 11th, 14th and 16th Panzerdivisions and LSSAH and 25th Motorized Infantry divisions. There's no sense in grinding them down in the icy wastes to the East and I need to rest and refit them if I want to go on the offensive again some day. 11th Panzerdivision currently has 20 tanks still operational...





On the Crimea no fighting happened this week. My troops are still investing Sevastopol and digging in at the isthmus near Feodosiya to the East. If the strong garrison of Sevastopol would break out I'd be in a world of hurt there. I need to get a handful divisions to reinforce my forces there, but from where?


Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 04:26 PM

I really love this AAR Para. It has gotten a friend to buy the game and start learning. He wants to do an e-mail game with me, so I will soon get it and learn. It seems to have a good balance of strategic/operational/tactical involvement.

Thanks for posting this.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 05:39 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
And god knows how, our brave troops have managed to throw back the attackers in 28 of those desperate battles.


Most probably with lots of love in 88mm caliber size. biggrin


How long will the "awfully cold" part of the winter actually last?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 06:53 PM

Thanks, OG.

I'm sure you'll like WitE. It's a great game once you've got the basics down and quite rewarding.


@ Heretic: if I understand the manual correctly, until the end of February. Which would be another 8 weeks. I have no idea how I can cope with the losses if the casualty rates stay that high.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 10:12 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I have no idea how I can cope with the losses if the casualty rates stay that high.

There's only one way to find out.




Surely those Killbots have a threshold after which they shut down, so you just need to throw wave after wave of Germany's finest and bravest into the Commie meat grinder.
wink

:o
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/23/11 10:13 PM

Turn 29, January 1st 1942


Another 126.000 casualties for the butcher's bill...


This week the Red Army initiated 30 major attacks. And while the number of attacks decreased, the majority of them this time succeeded. 17 of my divisions were forced to retreat during heavy fighting, all of them with heavy casualties. Worst hit was probably the brave 46th Infantry Division, defending against determined Russian attacks on the north-eastern shoulder of the Moscow salient for four weeks now. The division, down to ~9.000 men and half their artillery was hit by three rifle divisions and two tank brigades and lost another 3.200 men and 66 guns, despite heavy Luftwaffe support.

Up North the front remained calm. Except airdropping supplies on some Finnish units and the 8th SS cavalry brigade destroying a partisan unit south-west of Leningrad there wasn't much to do. No map update because nothing has changed.

In the Vyshnyvolochek-Kalinin sector The Red Army attacked several of my divisions, but achieved no breakthrough. My lines here, anchored around SS Totenkopf division in the North and XXXXVII Panzerkorps in Kalinin in the South hold. But with the manpower simply draining away at the current speed soon there will be only skeletons of divisions left.

No map update here either because nothing has changed.


Moscow. Damned Moscow.

Here the blows of the Red Army fall the hardest. 16 infantry divisions, 5 motorized infantry divisions and 3 Panzerdivisions defend a 160-mile stretch against the Soviet onslaught.

So far we could not stop the enemy attacks, but we have made them pay for every step.

As the Red Army approaches Moscow they now face heavily fortified positions. And 7th and 18th Panzerdivisions in reserve in Moscow itself have been brought up almost to full strength again and with the 8th Panzerdivision together field more than 450 tanks.

In a series of counterattacks east and south-east of Moscow we have shattered 2 tank brigades and routed three rifle divisions of the field. Enemy casualties have been severe.



The long line from Tula to Voronezh sees several Soviet attacks and several German counterattacks, but the cornerstones Tula and Voronezh hold fast. The Red Army continues to concentrate forces south of Tula, I'm not liking this. The SS motorized brigade won't reach Tula for another week due to the weather, and I have barely any reserves there. If the Russians break through at Tula I'll have to bring up the 20th Panzerdivision from the North. Problem is I can't spare that division there yet.



In the South the Red Army pushes hard towards Stalino. I'd like to say that my troops here are conducting a fighting withdrawal, but the truth is the Russians are simply kicking us out of our positions week after week, pushing us West. Casualties are heavy.
On the positive side: I have 5 Panzer and 3 Motorized Infantry divisions back resting in the Stalino area, so there's no danger of a deep breakthrough.

And Voroshilovgrad still holds.

As everywhere, my biggest problem is the ever-decreasing strength of my infantry divisions. Some of the divisions here are down to less than 5.000 men...




The Crimea saw no action this week.


Some statistics as of January 1st, 1942:


Infantry losses:

Germany: 980.074 USSR: 4.731.440

Guns:

Germany: 8.747 USSR 58.612

Tanks:

Germany: 2.895 USSR: 17.314

Aircraft:

Germany: 1.503 USSR: 12.067






Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 12:11 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum


Some statistics as of January 1st, 1942:


Infantry losses:

Germany: 980.074 USSR: 4.731.440

Guns:

Germany: 8.747 USSR 58.612

Tanks:

Germany: 2.895 USSR: 17.314

Aircraft:

Germany: 1.503 USSR: 12.067




Au weia! jawdrop


I'm not so much in strategy games nowadays anymore as I used to be years ago, but I really enjoy your AARs. Thanks for them. smile
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 01:07 AM

Thanks Para another great set of reports.

Will be updating my "What if version" AAR soon also.

Your infantry casualties remind me why I choose Armor when I joined the Army!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 01:31 AM

It's not so bad, actually. wink

Many of my losses are wounded/sick who will (hopefully) return to their units soon.

Keep in mind I have only lost 1 (Romanian) Infantry Division so far during the whole campaign. Those bastiges just surrendered!


In the same time I have destroyed:

39 Armor Divisions
20 Motorized Divisions
213 Infantry Divisions
48 Cavalry Divisions
8 Mountain Divisions
30 Armor Brigades
140 Infantry Brigades
13 Airborne Brigades
10 Anti-Tank Brigades
2 Motorized Regiments
11 Artillery Regiments
33 Anti-Air Regiments
29 Security Regiments
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 06:39 AM

Does the game let you train new formations?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 08:36 AM

It would be interesting to know whether you can choose to build new formations, or to train reinforcements that then get assigned to existing divisions. In the "Kampfkraft" study by Martin van Creveld this was identified as one of the points that gave the Wehrmacht an edge.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 09:02 AM

Your grim situation makes me wonder if rather than a broad front assault in the initial stages (which is the impression I get from reading the AARs) one would be better served by conserving forces and selecting points of attack - one of the key principles of the attack, if memory serves me.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the winter pans out.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 12:29 PM

Originally Posted By: vonKhan
Does the game let you train new formations?


The Red Army commander can create new formations (within certain historical limits), the German player has to make do with historical reinforcements. For example: in the current turn (30) I got two fresh infantry divisions from OKW. Now I just need to rail them from Berlin to Moscow...


Originally Posted By: Ssnake
It would be interesting to know whether you can choose to build new formations, or to train reinforcements that then get assigned to existing divisions. In the "Kampfkraft" study by Martin van Creveld this was identified as one of the points that gave the Wehrmacht an edge.


Ah, one of my favourite WW2 books!

You can't create German formations the same way you can create Red Army formations. But what you can do as German commander is, for example, disband the Luftwaffe field divisions (or actually any other unit) and have their manpower and equipment be used as "normal" replacements.

Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
Your grim situation makes me wonder if rather than a broad front assault in the initial stages (which is the impression I get from reading the AARs) one would be better served by conserving forces and selecting points of attack - one of the key principles of the attack, if memory serves me.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the winter pans out.


Keep in mind that it's not the combat that is killing me, but rather the weather conditions during the Blizzards. My casualties up to the 1st week of December were actually pretty light (~400.000).

Combat losses during the Blizzards are still (somewhat) sustainable despite my divisions having their combat value drastically reduced while the Red Army units have theirs doubled and trippled. But the 80.000-100.000 additional casualties due to the cold are brutal.

On a happy note: the first convalescents are starting to return to their units. I hope it's enough.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 01:30 PM

How long does it take you to plan then play a turn?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 01:47 PM

It really depends on the turn and how much micro-management you're willing to do.

Some turns can be done in 10-15 minutes, others might easily take an hour or more. I'd say on average I need about an hour for a turn.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 04:44 PM

Well here's hoping come spring time you can open a can of whoop arse on Ivan.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/24/11 06:53 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
@ Heretic: if I understand the manual correctly, until the end of February. Which would be another 8 weeks. I have no idea how I can cope with the losses if the casualty rates stay that high.


A soft retreat à "lure in and cut off"?



Originally Posted By: Nixer
Your infantry casualties remind me why I choose Armor when I joined the Army!


The panzer force - where the equipment is more precious than the men manning it...at least that's what I was told in my day.

"You [conscripts] are expendable, this Leopard 2 is not." biggrin
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 03:46 AM

Originally Posted By: Heretic
A soft retreat à "lure in and cut off"?


Yeah...maybe on the southern flank before the spring thaw and mud. Then try to bag a bunch and get Stalingrad?

The again, it may just be unwinnable????
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 07:41 AM

Well, in historic comparison he got substantially farther than the Wehrmacht did in 1941, and historically the biggest advance wasn't made until about September 1942, so there's still a fair chance to win, it seems. The question is whether the game cheats by giving the Russians more resources than they should have (especially here in this example, after the fall of a few important industrial centers in 1941 already), and how many forces will later be tied down with policing the area against the partisans.
Posted By: Immermann

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 04:04 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Turn 28, December 25th 1941

East of Novgorod the 58th Infantry Division, gallantly supported by more than 80 aircraft, repulsed attacks by 3 Soviet rifle divisions, 2 rifle brigades, 1 naval infantry brigade and several artillery regiments, inflicting over 5.000 casualties, while suffering only light losses (363 men). In the Vyshnyvolochek sector the 251st Infantry Division helds its position against 3 rifle brigades, 2 tank brigades, a rifle division and a cavalry corps! South of Voronezh the 71st Infantry Divisions fought back 3 rifle divisions, 2 tank brigades and 2 naval infantry brigades.


Ah! So this is where those elusive Iron Crosses grow!
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 07:40 PM

Originally Posted By: Nixer
Yeah...maybe on the southern flank before the spring thaw and mud. Then try to bag a bunch and get Stalingrad?

The again, it may just be unwinnable????


I don't know how the Wehrmacht prepared for Fall Blau in summer '42, but I think they got at least a few reinforcements and pulled some units from the northern front. They kept the Soviets busy around Rzhev (to suggest a threat for Moscow), but instead broke through the rather weak lines down south to capture some oil and industrial areas.

As Snake said, Para is in a much better position than the Wehrmacht was historically, so I guess the "A-A line" (Archangelsk-Astrakhan) isn't an entirely utopian goal for the winter '42-'43.

The main point until February is not giving up any important strategically important cities...
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 07:57 PM

I would think the key is to keep the units from being mangled or destroyed. Ground can always be retaken if you have fit units.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/25/11 10:46 PM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
I would think the key is to keep the units from being mangled or destroyed. Ground can always be retaken if you have fit units.

In reality, yes. The question is, which abstractions does WitE make with respect to resupply, industrial capacity, and the ability to draft the population into military service. Depending on the answer, the game mechanics may reward holding on to certain cities even if that means to sacrifice a number of divisions. Admittedly it doesn't look like it from the countless number of red icons. Then again, we don't know how much WORSE it would be without holding Moscow and a number of other cities that now are in German possession (but weren't in reality).

It also seems to me that Para's advance was a bit faster than what the Wehrmacht historically achieved, so not only did he hurt the Soviets in this game even more and preserved his own forces better, the more rapid advance should have eventually prevented the relocation of some more of the industrial capacity of the Soviets than what historically fell into German hands. Furthermore, Para, with the benefit of hindsight, managed to prepare better for the winter (at least WRT reinforcing the frontline by a cessation of the advance at the beginning of the mud period). My impression is, he is about as good as the game will possibly allow you to be, so this should be a good experiment to see to which extent WitE takes these factors into account.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/26/11 04:13 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
It also seems to me that Para's advance was a bit faster than what the Wehrmacht historically achieved, so not only did he hurt the Soviets in this game even more and preserved his own forces better, the more rapid advance should have eventually prevented the relocation of some more of the industrial capacity of the Soviets than what historically fell into German hands.


Having watched a nice documentary on Barbarossa yesterday, Para is only a wee bit ahead of the positions the Wehrmacht could have held, if Hitler hadn't stopped it multiple times.
Capturing Leningrad was definately an option, but the GröFAZ didn't want to supply millions of civilians over the course of a winter and preferred besieging and starving them.
And considering that advance units got to a point 20kms away from the Kremlin with a longer R&R break, capturing Moscow *was* an option indeed!
Heck, even the real Wehrmacht got kicked out of Rostov after capturing it!

Para saved valuable time by e.g. pincering his way around a soviet army before capturing Kiev or making the Leningrad pocket larger than it was in reality (and thus not having to struggle his way into and out of Schlüsselburg).

All in all, I'm amazed how plausible Paras playthrough is (+/-5%). It really depicts how Barbarossa could have been without all the "yes/no, stop/advance" from above...
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/26/11 06:14 PM

Well, proof that sufficiently sophisticated wargames can indeed predict the past.

wink
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/26/11 06:24 PM

I think he is pretty well ahead. Leneigrad can be seen as either way. However taking Moscow is a huge difference. Yes some elements of the German Army got close to Moscow, but that is a far cry from taking it. You think Stalingrad was a meatgrinder - Moscow would have been the same or worse. The German Army was at its full extension just to get near. There was no strength to take and hold it. This is a very big improvement in results compared t historical. Coupled with Leningrad and the advance in the south, he is doing much better than history.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/31/11 07:58 PM

OK, well past time for another update.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 05/31/11 09:43 PM

Terribly busy ATM, no update before the weekend, sorry.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/01/11 12:41 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Terribly busy ATM, no update before the weekend, sorry.

frown
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/05/11 07:15 AM

Right. Here we all are, anxiously awaiting news from the Eastern Front, and Feldmarshal Para_Bellum decides to go mountin climbing!
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3310076/It_s_that_time_of_the_year_aga.html#Post3310076
Get on with it PB! Der Fuhrer's getting impatient! biggrin
Posted By: Dick Dastardly

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/05/11 07:40 PM

The Grail isn't up there, and even if it was you saw the movie, it won't end well. Now get back to Rastenburg! biggrin
Posted By: Mad Max

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/05/11 11:36 PM

One aspect of the real campaign that I cannot see mirrowed in the game is the morale factor.

In reality at the commencement of Typhoon in October, Moscow was on the verge of open revolt against the Commies, with anti-semitic slogans appearing on walls and NKVD units taking brutal measures to suppress opposition. Stalin himself was almost convinced to move the Government to Kuibyshev.

Now if both Leningrad and Moscow were captured well before the Winter, I can truly see Stalin being deposed and a surrender being negotiated.

Are there any "built-in" Soviet collapse conditions?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/06/11 07:20 AM

Yeah, I asked the same on page 2 of this thread ... no direct reply yet - just a reference to Hearts of Iron so far.
Posted By: Mad Max

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/06/11 07:35 AM

Sorry, I missed that.

It certainly should be modelled as "blitzkrieg" was always based on "Shock and Awe", paralysing and confusing the enemy's C3.

Had the front been East of Moscow in October all the conditions would be present as in the 1940 Western campaign in France and the Low Countries.

Collapse.

If it isn't modelled you can imagine a USSR pushed over the Urals and with a residual population of say 50 million still generating armies to throw against the Germans. Never happen.
Posted By: Dick Dastardly

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/06/11 10:46 PM

The closest thing to a complete collapse is the automatic victory trigger. If Germany holds 290 VPs, they win an automatic victory (at end of turn cycle IIRC) The value was based on the Archangel -> Astrakhan line as laid out in original German plans.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/07/11 12:44 AM

Originally Posted By: Dick Dastardly
The closest thing to a complete collapse is the automatic victory trigger. If Germany holds 290 VPs, they win an automatic victory (at end of turn cycle IIRC) The value was based on the Archangel -> Astrakhan line as laid out in original German plans.


I would hazard a guess that that goal is a tad too ambitious. yep
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/10/11 08:24 PM

Well ... ?
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/14/11 02:51 PM

Hey Para; what's the word ?
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/14/11 05:35 PM

He prolly froze to death somewhere outside of Moscow.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/14/11 06:19 PM

Just got back from a short Pentecost holiday in Paris with the missus.

Wasn't allowed to bring my laptop.

wink


I promise to post a long-ish update tomorrow evening.


twoweeks
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/15/11 01:36 PM

First mountain climbing, now a Pentecostal holiday. What next, a mid-year break? biggrin
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/16/11 02:36 AM

I keep telling ya, he's frozen somewhere outside of Moscow..........
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/16/11 03:50 AM

Originally Posted By: Nixer
I keep telling ya, he's frozen somewhere outside of Moscow..........

biggrin


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/17/11 02:06 PM

Feck... just deleted an almost finished, detailed turn report due to utter daftness... 1.5 hrs wasted...

banghead


Bit frustrated right now, here's the shorter version...




Turn 30, January 8th 1942


Soviet attacks this week decreased in numbers and scale, as a result my casualties are "only" around 80.000, the smallest number since the blizzards started. Also my divisions started receiving convalescents, bringing the number of reinforcements to almost 200.000 men.

Despite all losses my troops still hold the front line.

In the North the situation is a calm as I could wish, the Finns holding their front from heavily fortified positions with the luxury of a fortified fallback position behind them




In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector Soviet attacks manage to push back the infantry divisions of XXVI corps, but as long as von Manstein's LVI Panzerkorps holds Vyzhnyvolochek itself and continues to deliver shattering counter-attacks the line will hold. Problem is that due to the heavy fighting I haven't been able to relieve my Panzerdivisions in this area, except for 2nd and 5th PzDivs which still field around 100 tanks each the average strength of my armoured formations in this area has dropped to an abysmal 60...



In the Moscow sector the Red Army continues its offensive, but my divisions, fighting from heavily fortified positions, successfully defend against the attacks in most cases. And where my divisions retreat punishing counter-attacks soon push back the attackers again. As long as the Red Army doesn't manage to cut off Moscow it will hold. And the 400+ tanks of XXXIX Panzerkorps in the area will prevent that.



In the Tula-Voronezh sector the Soviets achieved a minor breakthrough south of Tula. The three tank brigades leading the attack lack the power to really exploit it into an operational success, but still I take precautions to counter a crisis here. 20th Panzerdivision has been ordered South, its 155 tanks should be able to easily deal with those Red Army tank brigades.



In the Stalino-Rostov sector the Red Army continues its attacks, inflicting serious casualties especially among the Romanian troops. I finally unleash my mobile formations and in devastating counter-attacks the divisions of III, XIV and XXXVIII Panzerkorps rout 4 rifle divisions, 2 rifle brigades, 6 tank brigades, 2 cavalry divisions and a cavalry corps!

Several attacks on Voroshilovgrad have also been beaten back with heavy casualties to the attackers.



On the Crimea a rather embarrassing event took place this week: the 35th Reserve Romanian infantry division with 6.200 men surrendered to the enemy when attacked by the Sevastopol garrison. This is the 1st axis unit to surrender to the enemy in this campaign. Its former position has now been taken over the the crack 22nd Airlanding division.


That's it for this week, sorry for the short-ish report.

Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/17/11 05:09 PM

Good, thanks.

I really enjoy these.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/17/11 06:03 PM

Para;

I did the same "accidently delete" thing with a major update on my modded 43 Campaign After Action report. cuss2

Never mind how long a turn takes in this game, you guys on the sidelines have no idea how long and complicated detailed campaign update is to prepare.

Really good job Para_Bellum, and my hat is off to you for your progress in the stock scenario so far.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/22/11 04:31 AM

Almost a week now without news from the front...

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet? biggrin

wink
Posted By: Mad Max

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/22/11 04:52 AM

Seventy years ago today it was all happening.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/22/11 10:20 PM

Yeah. It certainly wasn't a game for anyone.
Posted By: FALAES

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/24/11 05:14 AM

At first I'd like to thank you, Para, for your efforts spent on writing all these AAR - I am reading them with great interest.

And then I am adding some historic perspective. I am sure taking Moscow comes with a great satisfaction and performing better than an Austrian apprentice painter is certainly a great thing. But there is a certain Frenchman who already took Moscow several hundred years before and who finally had to understand that the Russian's resources in men, material and, most important, simple vastness are larger than everything what the greatest army at that time could destroy during one year or any military planner could really grasp until today. I mean, could any other nation lose the most decisive battle, burn its own capital and still win the war ?

Best of luck to your undertaking Para, but from a historic and geographic perspective taking Moscow is little more than poking the Russian Bear and his thick fur with a ridiculously small straw - not even a needle yep

Prove me wrong neaner
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/27/11 01:17 PM

Para, what's the deal ?

C'mon, we're depending on you.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/05/11 03:29 PM

Para, this Campaign is a struggle to the death (or something). It must be won, or lost - but cannot remain suspended indefinitely.

Report to SimHQ ASAP - or face the consequences of a virtual court-martial.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/05/11 04:50 PM

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting, still terribly busy.

Hope to get in another update before Friday.
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/05/11 05:08 PM

tick, tock.
Posted By: Dick Dastardly

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/05/11 07:49 PM

"What are your orders sir?"



Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 12:46 PM

Well, so much for "before Friday".
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 01:58 PM

I'm on it right now. Smash




Turn 31, January 15th 1942


The Red Army mounted 28 major attacks this week, forcing my divisions to retreat in 19 battles. Only 9 attacks could be repulsed.

Losses this week are 83.000 men.


Army group North's sector remains calm as in the previous weeks.

The Finnish Divisions by now are mostly in lvl 3 or 4 fortifications, making this line very tough to attack.

I really don't want to know how I would've held the line without the Finnish reinforcements.






In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector 123rd Infantry division suffered heavy losses when attacked by 2 soviet rifle divisions and 2 tank brigades, but a counter-attack together with 58st and 251st infantry divisions retook their positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the Soviets.

Another concentrated attack by SS-Totenkopf, 6th Panzer and 1st Infantry division smashed a rifle division and 2 tank brigades, while 1st Panzerdivision pushed back 2 rifle divisions and a cavalry corps.

An example for the ferocious fighting in this area is the 121st infantry division. This formation has been in constant combat for the last 6 weeks, has been repeatedly attacked by superior forces and is now down to 3431 men...

In the Kalinin sector I conduct a series of sharp counter-attacks, routing 6 tank brigades, 2 cavalry corps and 5 rifle divisions. Still, whenever I smash a Soviet formation, another one seems to step up out of thin air.

Keep in mind that we're still right in a Blizzard, so the combat efficiency of my troops is still vastly reduced. Each attack has to be carefully planned with maximum force to have a chance of success.

For example: in order to smash a dangerous Red Army concentration consisting of a Guards cavalry corps, a rifle division and a tank brigade I had to concentrate no less than 2 Panzerdivisions and the remains of 2 infantry and a motorized division.

In general the Red Army divisions have their combat value doubled to tripled, while the German divisions' are reduced to 1/3 to 1/4.

Still, I have to attack and disrupt the Soviet attacks otherwise they are free to concentrate superior forces to smash my divisions one by one.




In the Moscow sector another reinforcements from Germany have finally arrived by rail, the 211th and 88th infantry divisions. The value of two full-strength divisions (each 16.000+ men) at such a time cannot be overstated.

The Red Army only mounts a small number of attacks in this area, but keeps on building up its forces. There are several strong troop concentrations which worry me quite a bit.
I again order a series of sharp counter-attacks with the goal of smashing the most dangerous Russian formations before they can strike. East of Moscow the 8th Panzerdivision, together with the 4 infantry divisions of LIII corps inflict a crushing defeat on 3 Soviet rifle divisions. 20 miles north 14th MotInf division leads 3 infantry divisions in a successful attack against 2 rifle divisions and an airborne brigade. North-East of Moscow 46th and 227th infantry divisions rout a cavalry corps, a rifle division and a tank brigade.

Altogether during these attacks I have routed 2 rifle brigades, 3 rifle divisions, 3 guards cavalry divisions, 1 guards cavalry corps and 2 tank brigades.

My main focus is to destroy the exposed, mobile Soviet formations to prevent penetrations of my lines to develop into operational exploitations.



In the Orel secor the situation is dominated by the Soviet penetration south of Tula.

After pushing back 62nd and 197th infantry divisions a 40-mile gap developed through which 8 tank brigades, a cavalry corps, 2 cavalry divisions and half a dozen infantry divisions threaten to advance on Orel.

Right on schedule the 20th Panzerdivision with 158 tanks thrusts south from the Kalinin area and cuts off the tip of the Soviet penetration, routing two tank brigades and a rifle division.

I was tempted to let the Soviets penetrate deeper and try to cut off more of the advancing troops but with my troops' limited mobility and combat value I went for the safer option. If I had another Panzerdivision on the souther flank of the penetration I might have tried it. But under the current circumstances I didn't want to see any of my divisions cut off and then maybe lacking the power to relieve them in time. With the help of 2nd SS Motorized Brigade arriving from the south I should be able to seal off the penetration next turn.




In the Voronezh sector attacks and counter-attacks take turns. Voronezh itself is still held by 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions, I haven't managed to pull them out of the frontline yet. I hate using Panzerdivisions in static defences but with my lines still stretched to a breaking point I can't help it. I just hope I'll be able to rebuild them once the blizzards end.



The Red Army lacks the reserves to really conduct a serious offensive here.

Thankfully I also have three mountain divisions in this area and they are the backbones of my defence since they do not suffer from the dreadful blizzard penalties. The crack 4th mountain division for example, supported by Stuka squadrons, severely mauled a guards cavalry division, a rifle division and a tank brigade, causing more than 3.000 casualties while suffering minimal losses.


In the Rostov-Stalino sector the Red Army continues its offensive towards Stalino. The mix of Hungarian, Romanian and German troops in this area are hard-pressed repulsing the attacks. The combat value of the Romanians especially is almost nil under these conditions. The Soviets have concentrated about 40 divisions on a 120 mile front in this area, making it the strongest concentration next to the Moscow sector.

My armoured reserves continue to press savage counter-attacks against the strongest Russian formations. A battle group consisting of Leibstandarte and Wiking SS Motorized Infantry divisions and 1st Romanian Armoured Division stopped the most powerful Soviet formation in this sector in a head-on battle while III Panzercorps with 14th Panzer and 25th motorized infantry divisions tore into the northern flank of the Soviet attack.

I've reinforced the two infantry divisions holding Voroshilovgrad with 13th Panzerdivision. If I can hold it for another week or two this will give me the time I need to stop the Russian attacks east of Stalino.




On the Crimea it's business as usual. Dig in, and wait for the blizzards to end.



Sevastopol is stuffed with troops in lvl 4 and 5 fortifications. It will take a hell of firepower to take that city. 100.000 men holed up in a fortress.

This is gonna be fun.


Soooo...

Positive: I still hold a continuous frontline from Leningrad to the Crimea. I still hold Leningrad and Moscow and haven't lost a major formation yet. The Red Army has suffered heavy casualties and is only able to threaten my lines on a tactical level.

Negative: Despite reinforcements and convalescents arriving at the front many of my divisions are in terrible shape. Even divisions that haven't seen heavy action are down to ~2/3 strength. And those that have been fighting for several weeks without pause are down to 1/3 to 1/5 strength. I also couldn't pull back many of my Panzerdivisions from the front to rest and refit yet. And while average tank strength is still around 87 troop strength has dropped to ~ 60%.

I can't stress enough how BAD blizzards are.

My main intent for the next weeks besides holding the line is extract as many of the Panzerdivisions from the front as possible, especially ones like 6th Panzerdivision, whose epic defence of Vyzhyvolochek, cornerstone of the Kalinin sector, has left it with 36 tanks. Of which 6 are ready for action as I write this...


Oh, and Göring has proudly sent me the brand-new Luftwaffen Jäger Regiment "Moskau". Green troops led by inexperienced officers and NCOs. Brilliant idea. The Russians will eat them for breakfast.







Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 06:17 PM

Good, very good.

How badly is the Luftwaffe affected by Blizzard ? What is the status of a/c ?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 07:02 PM

The Luftwaffe is in surprisingly good shape. Still around 3.000 aircraft with 2.300 operational. So far I've lost about 1.600 aircraft.

Since all bases are well behind the front and in direct supply to the rail network they don't suffer from the Blizzards that badly. Their combat value of course drops in this kind of weather and a large percentage (50?) of planned missions get scrubbed.

Truth to be told, the effects of the blizzard on my air force seem a bit...weak, compared to the brutal casualties my ground forces took.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 08:36 PM

Hang in there till March!
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/08/11 10:01 PM

Thanks a lot for continuing to write AARs for this pestering, ungrateful bunch of us SimHQers. smile
I appreciate the effort that is being invested.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/09/11 01:26 AM

+1
Thanks PB
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/09/11 05:34 PM

Looks like you are still hanging in there.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/09/11 05:39 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Oh, and Göring has proudly sent me the brand-new Luftwaffen Jäger Regiment "Moskau". Green troops led by inexperienced officers and NCOs. Brilliant idea. The Russians will eat them for breakfast.


I doubt it. The Red Airforce wasn't in the best shape in 41/42.
Posted By: csThor

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/09/11 06:11 PM

Jäger in that sense is light infantry. wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/10/11 02:32 PM

Turn 32, January 22nd 1942


This week saw some kind of lull in the fighting, with the Red Army only mounting 14 major attacks, half of them getting repulsed by the German forces.

German casualties were around 62.000.


Up North in the Leningrad sector situation is unchanged, with not combat initiated by both sides.


In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector the Red Army's attacks got squarely repulsed, while in return several concentrated German counter-attacks hit the Soviet formations hard.

North of Torzhok an attack by 2nd and 5th Panzer, 269th infantry divisions, SS-Polizei division and the 1st SS motorized brigade pushed back the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps and routed a rifle division.

20 miles East 9th and 12th Panzerdivisions spearheaded an attack of 12th, 161st and 256th infantry divisions and, supported by a massive Luftwaffe attack, severely mauled two cavalry divisions and a rifle brigade.

The reserve 132th infantry division has finally arrived at the front and will strengthen the western part of that line, reinforcing the divisions of L and XXXVIII corps.

The brutal defensive battles in this area have taken a heavy toll on my divisions though. Average strength of the 8 PzDivs in this area is ~7.500 men and 42 tanks, with around 40% of the latter actually ready for action. That's roughly two Panzer companies per division... And many of the infantry divisions in this sector are pretty much reduced to regimental strength.

Holding the line has cost me dearly here.


Red tank icon: Soviet attack, black tank icon: German attack




In the Moscow sector only minor fighting happened this week.

I counter-attacked several Red Army concentrations with massive force, inflicting heavy casualties. My divisions in that sector are still in fairly decent shape, with many of the infantry divisions at around 70-80% strength. 7th and 18th Panzerdivisions, in reserve in Moscow, are basically at full strength.

Pretty much all my divisions are in lvl 2 or 3 fortifications, making attacks on them very costly.



In the Orel sector the week began with a venerable crisis when 20th Panzerdivision was savagely attacked by a cavalry corps, 2 rifle divisions and 4 tank brigades. The division, despite excellent Luftwaffe support, suffered a serious defeat, losing 71 of its 150 tanks.

Fearing a Red Army breakthrough towards Orel, I throw everything at hand at the flanks of the Russian spearhead. From the South the infantry of XII corps and the 2nd SS motorized brigade attack, from the North the battered 20th Panzerdivision and the 56th infantry division move in. And finally, I order the elite motorized infantry regiment Großdeutschland from Kaluga to join the attack.

After heavy fighting Großdeutschland breaks through the Soviet lines, cutting off the leading formations, a tank brigade and a cavalry corps south-west of Tula!

Now they need to hold off the inevitable Soviet attacks...



In the Stalino-Rostov sector the Soviet offensive still slowly grinds west, with heavy casualties on both sides. And while my armoured formations exact a severe toll on the Red Army the Hungarian and Romanian infantry divisions suffer badly. I desperately need half a dozen German infantry divisions in this sector, but I have none to spare. Voroshilovgrad still holds out but my forces here get weaker every day.




On the Crimea an attack by 4 Romanian and 2 German divisions have routed 2 tank brigades and a naval infantry brigade, and a few reinforcements finally arrive.




All in all, business as usual. Still no major soviet breakthroughs, but the state of many of my divisions is deeply worrying. After 7 weeks of Blizzard my front line in several sectors is close to collapsing. I can only hope that the Red Army soon runs out of steam.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/10/11 04:00 PM

Methinks you need some some special wintertruppen reinforcements.


Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/10/11 06:33 PM

Originally Posted By: csThor
Jäger in that sense is light infantry. wink


Why would Göring want to send unsuited ground troo-...never mind, it's Göring.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/10/11 06:50 PM

The whole luftwaffe field divisions/ground troops was fail. Most of the Fallschirmjager formations were a whole different breed however.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/11/11 06:07 PM

Originally Posted By: Nixer
The whole luftwaffe field divisions/ground troops was fail.


A desperate measure. With very, very, very slightly more combat value than your average Volkssturm regiment.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/11/11 06:13 PM

They would have been better off if they had been put into the Wehrmacht regular training/replacement system. That way they would have received proper training, leadership and utilization. But then, it wouldn't fit with the whole NAZI system.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/12/11 06:19 AM

That's exactly my impression, too:

Most of the many suggestions how the Nazis could have done "better" and eventually managed to win WW2 fall under the category "if they hadn't been Nazis in the first place...". And if they hadn't been Nazis, they probably wouldn't have started the war in the first place.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/12/11 12:53 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
That's exactly my impression, too:

Most of the many suggestions how the Nazis could have done "better" and eventually managed to win WW2 fall under the category "if they hadn't been Nazis in the first place...". And if they hadn't been Nazis, they probably wouldn't have started the war in the first place.


Absolutely agree.


And yes, I plan to disband all Luftwaffe field divisions as soon as they are formed to get their manpower back to the replacement pool.

If I haven't already won the war when they start appearing, that is... wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/17/11 02:52 PM

Got a bit sidetracked this week by Panzer Corps: Wehrmacht, a Panzer General remake and great little game in its own right.


Once more into the breach...


Turn 33, January 29th 1942


For the 1st time in eight bitter weeks my troops experienced a couple of relatively calm days. Only 8 major Soviet attacks were counted all along the front from Finland to the Crimea, with 2/3 of them repulsed.

Losses dropped to a new low (for blizzard), with only 52.217 casualties. The fact that 50.000+ casualties in a week is considered "light" gives an indication of how shatteringly brutal the blizzard has hit my forces.

In the North the situation is unchanged. The Finns hold the line and smash some exposed Russian formations that are either weak or not in heavily fortified positions.



In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector the line still holds, although with great difficulties. More and more of my divisions are starting to fall into 'unready' status, limiting their offensive value. Especially the Panzer and Motorized divisions in this sector that have led Operation Westerwald and then acted as fire brigades in heavy defensive fighting for the last eight weeks are in bad shape. SS-Totenkopf is down to 4.300 men. 60th Motorized Infantry counts 3.100. 1st Panzerdivision is down to 4.000 men and 43 tanks. 36th Motorized barely counts 3.500 men. 3rd Motorized 5.000. 2nd and 5th Panzerdivisions are down to 5.000 men and 70 tanks. These are the very divisions supposed to resume the offensive in a month or two...

10th and 17th Panzerdivision lost Kalinin but retook it in a counter-attack. Both divisions together field less than a company's worth of running tanks...

I can't sustain such losses anymore. I have already pulled many of my armoured and mobile formations out of the line and will continue to do so next week. I might lose Kalinin and Vyzhnyvolochek, but that can't be helped. If my elite formations continue to hold the line at all costs there will be nothing left of them at the end of February. They have done a magnificent job of blunting the Red Army's offensive in this sector, but the fighting has taken a terrible toll on them.



In the Moscow sector the situation is still stable. The Red Army has suffered heavy losses here and my troops are still in good shape, defending from heavily fortified positions. This week saw another series of sharp counter-attacks, causing again considerable losses on the Russians. There is still a threat of a Soviet breakthrough from the left shoulder of the Moscow salient towards Rzhev, but even if the Red Army manages to defeat the 162th and 30th Infantry divisions defending here I have enough mobile reserves (two full-strength Panzerdivisions and a motorized infantry division) to crush any such attempt.




In the Orel sector the good news is: The Kessel south-west of Tula held! A Soviet tank brigade with 1.000 men and 32 tanks surrendered to 62th Infantry division and 2nd SS Motorized Brigade, while 20th Panzerdivision forced the Russian 15th Cavalry Corps to retreat further to the west. The Cavalry corps is as good as dead, and the breakthrough sealed up. Voronezh is still held by XLIII corps.




In the Stalino-Rostov area the Russians seem to gather their breath. Voroshilovgrad is still threatened by powerful Soviet formations but so far the infantry of LII corps, supported by 13th Panzerdivision hold fast.

A retreat by 16th Motorized Division threatened to cut off two infantry divisions (one German, one Romanian) and a Romanian mountain brigade, but a quick counter-attack restored the situation, routing two Soviet rifle divisions and a tank brigade. Another rifle division and a tank brigade were severely mauled by the Leibstandarte and Wiking SS divisions due east of Stalino.

The Red Army has concentrated considerable strength in this sector, but they are facing a fair number of infantry divisions in still rather good shape, backed up by 1st Panzerarmy. They can push us back, but can't penetrate our lines.



Situation on the Crimea is pretty much unchanged. Reinforcements strengthen the front towards Sevastopol and my forces at the isthmus of Feodosiya fought back Russian forces advancing from the East.




Except for the dire situation in the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector I'm still doing rather well. My divisions have suffered terribly, but so has the Red Army.

Only four more weeks 'til the Blizzard ends...





Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/17/11 08:01 PM

Thanks again.

Very good AARs. You are explaining things well enough that I really have a good feel for it.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/17/11 09:48 PM

I agree. Enjoyable reading, good screenshots, and quite a drama to tell. smile
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/18/11 12:00 AM

Para, love the AAR.
Have you thought of where you intend to attack in the summer months?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/18/11 01:00 PM

Well... it's not really a question, is it? wink

Stalingrad will fall!

biggrin

If I can take Stalingrad I will achieve a decisive axis victory and the game will end. I currently have 246 victory points and the advance towards Stalingrad should net me easily another 50 points. Also the terrain in the South is made for fast-moving units, and Stalingrad is 'only' 220 miles from my lines. A distance a rested and well-supplied Panzerdivision covers in two weeks.

So, another four bitter weeks. Then 3-4 weeks of rest, refitting and re-organizing corps and armies. Then, by the end of March/early April I hope to attack again.

Also I will strike on the Crimea. First Sevastopol must fall, then I plan to advance towards Kerch and the Taman peninsula.
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/18/11 02:01 PM

Have you installed the newest patch, Para? It does something with the 'first winter' strengths.

Øystein
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/18/11 05:41 PM

I'm really enjoying the AAR, ParaBellum!

Can I ask what the benefit of taking the Crimean peninsula is? Could you not have simply "bottled up" the isthmus at the north end with a minimum of troops? Seems like you could spend a lot of resources attacking the troops solidly dug in at Sevastopol for (what seems to me like) little benefit...

C_G
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/18/11 06:57 PM

Cant wait till you refit and kick in Ivan's teeth.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/19/11 04:08 AM

Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
I'm really enjoying the AAR, ParaBellum!

Can I ask what the benefit of taking the Crimean peninsula is? Could you not have simply "bottled up" the isthmus at the north end with a minimum of troops? Seems like you could spend a lot of resources attacking the troops solidly dug in at Sevastopol for (what seems to me like) little benefit...

C_G
I concur with C_G's comment - unless there is a strategic benefit to capturing Sevastopol. Perhaps the game allows it to be used as a port to shorten supply lines? But then IRL I doubt if this would have been easy as any ships would have to sail from the Med into the Black Sea.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/19/11 09:38 AM

Couple of points:


1.) My actual forces on the Crimea are rather weak. 3 German Infantry Divisions and half a dozen Romanian and Italian divisions of dubious fighting value.
2.) To effectively bottle up the Red Army on the Crimea I would have to defend the two crossings on the northern coast with at least six divisions, so it's not like I'd save a lot of troops anyway.
3.) I really didn't like the idea of an open flank 300 miles behind my forward lines in the Stalino area. A breakthrough in this area, followed by an 80-mile advance would enable the Russians cut the main railway in the south.
4.) The more cities and towns I hold the harder it gets for the Red Army to replenish their manpower pool.
5.) The Crimea yields another 20 victory points to my tally. I need 290 VP for an automatic decisive victory, so 20 VP isn't bad for a rather 'easy' objective.
6.) I plan on supporting my 1942 spring/summer offensive towards Stalingrad with an attack from the Crimea towards the Kuban. The capture of Novorossiysk and Krasnodar would net me another 30 VP and win me the war even if I failed to take Stalingrad.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/19/11 12:08 PM

OK, looking forward to reading about the remainder of the campaign. Its looking good for you so far with Moscow and Leningrad taken already smile

C_G
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/22/11 12:58 PM

Yes, we are looking forward to it. As long as it is very soon. neaner
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/22/11 11:07 PM

More power to ya Para, much better than did in my couple of tries at the stock campaign.

However, on my third run through of my modified campaign I have taken Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad, AND The Crimea while driving for Baku,and it's not even October yet. woot No automatic Victory has happened. I may have to take a look at how I set up the Victory conditions in my campaign scenario. Of course it's September 1943 and I started in May 1943. WinkNGrin

The Red Army, or what's left of it ( I have destroyed over 425 Division size formations) has HUGE freakin gaps in its lines, I mean hundreds of miles in the far east.

Will post it somewhere when I finally get it tweaked.

Oh and Para....take at look at Gorky and that big city east of the Urals and look at the factories located there. You just might be in for a nasty surprise come spring.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/28/11 07:44 PM

Time to get on with it Para_Bellum.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 07/31/11 06:24 PM

Hrm-hm.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/04/11 05:27 PM

I read all 23 pages of ParaBellum's campaign AARs over the course of a day... two weeks ago... now I know why OG was jonesing for an update!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/04/11 09:20 PM

Hehe... Check back tomorrow evening. wink


EDIT: SimHQ was down for me Fri evening, will post update on Sunday.

Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/05/11 12:52 AM

You big tease wink
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/06/11 06:19 PM

Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
I read all 23 pages of ParaBellum's campaign AARs over the course of a day... two weeks ago... now I know why OG was jonesing for an update!



I sat down and read them all at one sitting myself and always check back daily now to see ParaBellum's progress against the Red Horde...really a great read.... thumbsup
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/06/11 06:40 PM

I think Para took my advice and checked out the Red's production and replacement capacity and is now AFRAID!
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/07/11 12:28 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Hehe... Check back tomorrow evening. wink


EDIT: SimHQ was down for me Fri evening, will post update on Sunday.



Yeah ? Well it is late Sunday.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/07/11 02:25 PM

Update Time!


whoohoo

Turn 33, February 2nd 1942

This week saw 14 major Soviet attacks, with half of them getting repulsed by my divisions. Despite the relative 'calm' losses have almost doubled compared to last week, to over 100.000 men again.

A quick 'operational strength' (=ready) comparison:

Germany:


Troops: 2.265.000 Artillery 27.879 Tanks: 1.574 aircraft: 2.498

USSR:

Troops: 4.618.000 Artillery: 45.604 Tanks: 3.057 Aircraft: 7826

Positive: OKH has granted me two new infantry divisions, 201st and 83rd, and the 205th security division. God knows I can certainly use them.


Army Group North:

Yup, you guessed right: unchanged situation. No Red Army attacks, the Finns sitting in their fortified positions having a good time and everyone happy to be still alive. I'm slowly starting to suspect the Finns have kind of a secret non-agression pact with the Ruskies... wink

But I won't complain. I'm pretty sure that without the Finns I wouldn't have been able to hold Moscow.



The Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector once again saw fierce fighting.
In a brave counter-attack 132rd and 123rd infantry divisions, despite their air support cancelled due to bad weather, routed a Soviet tank brigade and shattered the 16th Cavalry division. I'm still holding the line but the weakness of my troops in this area is a great problem. So far I've managed to pull 5 Panzerdivisions and 3 Motorized Infantry divisions out of the frontline, all of them are in desperate need for refitting. I still have 3 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions engaged in the front line, their strength melting away like snow on a summer's day... Kalinin is still in grave danger, if the two Panzerdivisions defending the city are pushed back I doubt I have the strength to immediately re-take it.
Both new reserve infantry division are headed for this sector. I still have no idea how my mobile formations in this area are supposed to be ready to resume the offensive in two months...



In the Moscow sector my forces are not only holding their positions, a series of local attacks inflicted substantial losses on the Red Army. The most important battle in this area was fought south-east of Moscow at the Oka river, where repeated attacks by 87th and 88th infantry divisions and 10th and SS Das Reich motorized infantry divisions defeated two powerful Soviet infantry divisions and a tank brigade.

The Moscow sector is the only area of operations on the whole Ostfront where I actually have two full-strength Panzerdivisions in reserve.




In the centre the counter-attack at Tula ends with the destruction of the 15th Cavalry Corps, 9.000 Russians are captured. The timely intervention by 20th Panzerdivision, despite suffering serious casualties, has saved the city. For the time being at last. In the fighting around Tula the Red Army has lost more than 50.000 men and 250 tanks in the last three weeks. German casualties are about 1/5 of those numbers. All in all the divisions in this area have done quite well in the last two months. 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions in reserve west of Voronezh are already back to ~100 tanks each. I've created a fallback position along the Oka river, 50 miles to the west but so far there was no need to pull back that far. Still, knowing there's a string of lvl 2 fortification to the rear is a good insurance for disasters.




In the Kharkov sector only minor fighting occurs.

A special citation at this point goes to the XXXIX Mountain Corps, led by Colonel General Mattenklott. Its divisions, 68th and 257th infantry and 4th mountain, have held the southern cornerstone of the Voronezh defence against a numerically superior enemy in terrible weather for two months, fighting off a dozen Soviet divisions and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.



In the South the counter-attack to stop the Russian attack towards Stalino is in full swing.
While Voroshilovgrad is doggedly defended by the divisions of LI Corps my armoured strength is unleashed upon the Red Army spearheads. From the North 9th and 14th Panzerdivisions break through the enemy lines and advance thirty miles through heavy resistance. From the South 16th Panzerdivision, 2nd Hungarian Armoured Division and the Wiking SS Motorized Infantry division smash through the front and advance 20 miles. In the course of this action 3 tank brigades and 4 rifle divisions have been routed. The manoeuvre is completed by Leibstandarte division who makes contact with 9th Panzer, cutting off 2 tank brigades and 3 rifle divisions. Now if I only can keep this Kessel sealed...



On the Crimea not much new to report.
Reinforcements continue to trickle in, my divisions continue to dig in and sit tight and a Russian rifle division has been thrown back at the isthmus of Feodosiya.



Despite the rather heavy losses a 'good' week. The front is still stable and except for the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin sector in rather good shape. The counter-thrust East of Stalino so far went well, if I can keep the pocket closed this will become a major victory.

Three more weeks of Blizzard.... three more weeks of terrible cold, massive casualties due to frostbite and sickness and severely reduced combat value.


Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 02:02 AM

Very good Para_Bellum. Not only are you playing the game well and seem to be making good decisions, but your explanations of it make it very understandable and enjoyable. I appreciate your screenshots and arrows and other markings that show what you are talking about.

Thank you for doing this.
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 02:04 AM

If I may ask, what are your major plans after the coming thaw, on a strategic scale?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 06:33 AM

Thanks for the update. I suppose, Para answered the question about his major plans after the coming thaw a few posts above (page 8, I think). Whether the offensive CAN actually be resumed with the forces being horribly depleted at the current rate is a different question, of course.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 06:35 AM

Yes, here:

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Well... it's not really a question, is it? wink

Stalingrad will fall!

biggrin

If I can take Stalingrad I will achieve a decisive axis victory and the game will end. I currently have 246 victory points and the advance towards Stalingrad should net me easily another 50 points. Also the terrain in the South is made for fast-moving units, and Stalingrad is 'only' 220 miles from my lines. A distance a rested and well-supplied Panzerdivision covers in two weeks.

So, another four bitter weeks. Then 3-4 weeks of rest, refitting and re-organizing corps and armies. Then, by the end of March/early April I hope to attack again.

Also I will strike on the Crimea. First Sevastopol must fall, then I plan to advance towards Kerch and the Taman peninsula.
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 07:06 AM

Thanks, Ssnake. That's my curiousity, too...given the attrition rate the winter has caused.

Not knowing how the game treats things from a historical view, if it follows history semi-close...he's gonna have troops for one major push and that's really all. It does sound like he's got a lot more control of logistics and manpower than actually happened in 1942 for sure, so hopefully it follows those parameters instead of historical patterns.

The Finns have been a great addition for him, for sure...freeing up forces for other areas. Just hope the Hungarians can hold it together for him in his drive to the Volga.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 03:01 PM

Dunno how it will turn out but he doesn't seem to have Fog of War turned on and that changes the game dramatically.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 04:14 PM

I've played a few scenarios with FoW on but don't think it's a feature that is implemented very well in WitE, at least when playing the AI. What it adds IMO is only the rather tedious task of manually launching a large number of recon flights at the beginning of each turn. The resulting information is basically the same.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 05:54 PM

Yeah the recon flights are tedious and they give you very little info other than a type unit is there. No strength or other info.

Not knockin you man, you are doing a bang up job so far. yep

I just happen to like FoW.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 06:38 PM

No worries, mate.

cheers

I'd love to see an improved FoW in WitE. I've tried letting the AI handle the recon flights but that doesn't work when you're on the offensive. For me the current implementation is just way too much micro-management for IMO very little gain.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 07:32 PM

The rail repair is the micro-management that drives me nuts. dizzy
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/08/11 09:32 PM

...at least it allows you to set priorities that support your strategy.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/11/11 07:49 PM

Another 3 weeks of the cold... ouch!

Can you tell if the Russians are also suffering some weather-related attrition?
Of course, historically, they were both materially and psychologically equipped for the severe winter of '41-42, so they had nowhere near the same losses...
I'm wondering how you're going to get enough units to mount your equivalent to Operation Blue to take out Stalingrad.

As always, a wonderful and engaging read smile
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/15/11 05:30 AM

1. With FOW off it is a lot easier to plan your next move. You get important informations such as the exact location of enemy counters (even extended recon flights don't reveal everything) and the true strenght of those units (with FOW on you have to find out by making contact). It takes away - IMO - a lot of realism, because it gives me 100% intel, something commanders never have.

2. great job around Moscow, never thought it will hold after your "Westerwald" thing, which came rather late. What game version are you playing? The more recent ones make it somewhat easier for the Ger in blizzard.

3. your Pz numbers are very low. From my experience, you gonna need every Pz in 42, because the Sovs will be of another breed then. Did you ever had a look at your Pz pools? If the pool is large enough, it would be great news to know how fast your Mob Divs will be back to full TOE.
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/15/11 05:41 AM

One more thing:

Quote:

6.) I plan on supporting my 1942 spring/summer offensive towards Stalingrad with an attack from the Crimea towards the Kuban. The capture of Novorossiysk and Krasnodar would net me another 30 VP and win me the war even if I failed to take Stalingrad.


I don't understand your calculation. From the manual light urban areas are worth 3 VPs, so both cities gives you 6 VPs.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/16/11 07:24 AM

Quote:
you gonna need every Pz in 42, because the Sovs will be of another breed then
neaner

That's why I killed off Schikelgruber and started in 43, with a real Mechanized force.

Start thinking reserve Panzer ARMIES...not divisions.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/16/11 02:21 PM

Thanks for all the comments!

cheers


Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
Another 3 weeks of the cold... ouch!

Can you tell if the Russians are also suffering some weather-related attrition?
Of course, historically, they were both materially and psychologically equipped for the severe winter of '41-42, so they had nowhere near the same losses...
I'm wondering how you're going to get enough units to mount your equivalent to Operation Blue to take out Stalingrad.

As always, a wonderful and engaging read smile


No, the Russians are not suffering from blizzard-related attrition, at least not to the extent of the Germans in the winter of '41. The 'blizzard '41' is a special rule to simulate the unpreparedness of the German forces for the Russian winter. If it comes to it, the effects of the winter in '42 will be much less severe. But by then I really hope to be somewhere else...

Thanks.

Originally Posted By: mcray
2. great job around Moscow, never thought it will hold after your "Westerwald" thing, which came rather late. What game version are you playing? The more recent ones make it somewhat easier for the Ger in blizzard.


I'm currently using the latest official patch.

Originally Posted By: mcray
3. your Pz numbers are very low. From my experience, you gonna need every Pz in 42, because the Sovs will be of another breed then. Did you ever had a look at your Pz pools? If the pool is large enough, it would be great news to know how fast your Mob Divs will be back to full TOE.


Especially in the North my Panzer losses were horrific, due to the need to keep them in the front line. I currently have about 300 Panzers and 100 StuGs in the production pool. And yes, I'm very excited to see how quickly I can bring my mobile divisions back to full strength.

Originally Posted By: mcray
One more thing:
I don't understand your calculation. From the manual light urban areas are worth 3 VPs, so both cities gives you 6 VPs.



You're correct, I made a mistake here.






Turn 35, February 12th 1942


Finally the Russians give us some rest!

For the 1st time since our armies crossed the borders almost 7 months ago the whole front from the Svir river in the Far North to the Crimea in the South seems to have taken a nap for a whole week. The Red Army mounted a mere 3 (!) attacks along the whole front, all of them desperate attempts in the Stalino area to relieve the trapped forces there. All failed.

German Casualties dropped to 60.000. Still a brutal number but not even half of what I've seen in earlier weeks.

Compared to last week the number of combat-ready troops has actually increased by 130.000 to ~2.4 million men, but the bad news is that Panzer strength has fallen to a new all-time low with barely 1.400 tanks ready for action. That's basically half the strength I started Operation Barbarossa with. I really need to take drastic steps to refit my Panzer forces.

If I can't mount a decisive offensive in two months to finish off the Soviet juggernaut I'll better start fortifying Berlin...


In the Leningrad sector situation is unchanged. I'll skimp on a screenshot here.


In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin area my divisions finally got some much-needed respite from the desperate defensive battles of the last weeks. Two fresh divisions from Germany, the 85th and 205th Infantry divisions, have finally arrived and will bolster my defences here. I've conducted a couple of spoiling attacks against exposed Red Army formations and have routed two rifle brigades and shattered a rifle division. Furthermore I have continued to relieve my mobile divisions from the front line. I have pulled 4 Panzer and 3 MotInf divisions back to the railheads to refit, 2 Panzerdivisions have disengaged and are in reserve behind the front line and the 10th and 17th PzDivs are still holding Kalinin. Relieving these two divisions will be my most important task in this sector in the next 1-2 weeks.

The average strength of a Panzerdivision in this sector has dropped to 40.



In the Moscow area my forces enjoyed a rather uneventful week. To the East a carefully planned attack by 4 infantry and 1 Panzer division severely mauled a Guards Cavalry division and a Guards Cavalry Corps while to the North and South minor spoiling attacks inflicted heavy losses on the Red Army. The 3 Panzerdivisions in the Moscow area still have an average strength of 150 tanks.



In the Orel sector both the Soviets and me relinquish any kind of offensive operation. The Red Army here is still licking its wounds after the Tula counter-attack and I'm happy with my current positions. The only Panzerdivision in this sector, the 20th, is down to 80 tanks and has moved into reserve position south-west of Tula.



The vast stretch from Voronezh to Voroshilovgrad remains quiet. 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions are in reserve West of Voronezh, both divisions still field almost 100 tanks each.
There are a number of powerful Red Army formations south of Voronezh, but with a powerful mobile reserve available they are no immediate danger.

Thankfully the Red Army still lacks the large mobile formations necessary for deep operations. They can severely maul my front line troops but they're still incapable of the deep thrusts necessary to cut off large forces.




In the Stalino sector the Kessel surrounding 3 rifle division and 2 tank brigades holds against desperate attacks. Then the Russian forces are destroyed in concentric attacks. More than 20.000 prisoners are taken! A great success, considering my forces are still fighting in atrocious weather conditions.

Immediately after the annihilation of the trapped Soviet forces I move the Panzer and MotInf division back into reserve positions.

Voroshilovgrad still holds out, its position slowly improving due to the success of my counter-attack.

Average tank strength of the 4 Panzerdivisions in this sector is 96.



Situation on the Crimea is unchanged, so I don't post a screenshot.



Another "good" week. Lower casualties, the front still holds, and I continue relieving my precious Panzerdivision from the front lines. The Red Army seems to slowly run out of steam, and I'm grateful for that. The only "crisis sector" at the moment is still Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin, but with the two reserve divisions coming into the line and two more on their way I should be able to stabilize the situation and finally manage to refit my hard-hit mobile formations in this sector.

Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/16/11 03:25 PM

Good, very good.

These are very entertaining. You are stoking my desire to get this game. So many things I want to do; so little time.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/16/11 05:18 PM

Yay! The war goes on smile Wait, that's supposed to be a bad thing, right? wink
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/16/11 06:35 PM

Nice, so what, two more weeks of terrible weather?
When are your new tanks coming to the front? How do you intend to realllocate your resources so that you can push to Stalingrad without compromising the strength around Moscow?
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/17/11 04:26 AM

Great reads, PB. Thanks for taking the effort to post these AARs!
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/17/11 08:49 AM

Quote:
...and I continue relieving my precious Panzerdivision from the front lines.


Why did you actively use your Pz/Mot Divs in the first place? This is a rather "unusual" Axis strategy during blizzard, because Pz Divs CVs are low, attrition is high and your infantry - presumed their fort levels are reasonable - should be able to hold the line (one of the main consequences of the latest 1.04.36 patch). Even if one needs a Pz Div to fill a gap here and then, why counterattacking and sacrifying a lot of precious AFVs? Because March will be 4 weeks of snow, which is perfect weather for successful attacks. However with low AFV numbers, and Pz Divs spread all over the frontline, you will probably have to wait until clear weather (mid June).

Can you show us screenshots with Sov fortification levels (since the shovel is the most effective soviet weapon in 41/42)? .


Quote:
The Red Army seems to slowly run out of steam, and I'm grateful for that.


Unfortunatly they're not. Except you got their tank factories in Leningrad and Kharkov before evac. Red Army will mushroom in 42. Still is not quality though, but it's numbers. Simply brutal. Enjoy.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/17/11 11:38 AM

When the blizzards hit the last patch wasn't released yet, so my infantry divisions were suffering brutal losses even in decent fortifications. Without my Panzerdivisions I would've suffered several breakthroughs, of that I'm sure. Where the situation allowed I did pull out my Panzerdivisions, but especially in the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin area I was fearing a breakthrough that could actually endanger Moscow. With hindsight I should have gone over to a defensive posture 2-3 weeks earlier, but then the need for Operation Westerwald made that impossible.

Originally Posted By: vonKhan
Nice, so what, two more weeks of terrible weather?
When are your new tanks coming to the front? How do you intend to realllocate your resources so that you can push to Stalingrad without compromising the strength around Moscow?


Yep, two more weeks.

The new tanks will trickle down to the divisions in the coming weeks. How much time exactly that will take I don't know. Right before Westerwald I refitted 4 Panzerdivisions in the Vyazma area and they went from a pretty battered status to 80+% tank strength in 2-3 weeks. I plan on moving the bulk of my Panzer and MotInf divisions South, keeping only half a dozen of these divisions in the North. Before I do that I'll have to do something about the "nose" protruding to the south-west on the western shoulder of the Moscow front though...

EDIT:

Here's a shot with the (approximate) historical situation in February '42 compared to the situation in my current game:






Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/17/11 03:18 PM

That's a lot of "red" in front of you... "quantity has a quality all of its own".
Looking forward to the next instalments.
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/18/11 06:21 PM

Sov bulge NW of Moscow: there is a gap (FOW off?) in the Sovs frontline which I consider a rare opportunity to start a pocket. March is snow weather, and your Pz/Mot Divs will be back to business. From your pictures you have a rested and refitted(?) 3rd Panzer in Moscow ("southern pincer") and lot of IDs north of the bulge ("northern pincer"). At leat I would go for it.
Thanks again for your elaborate comments.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/18/11 07:55 PM

I've been contemplating a strike into that gap with the two Moscow Panzerdivisions for two days now. It's just too tempting. wink

Problem is I seriously lack a striking force from the North. But a success would cut off one of the most dangerous Soviet concentrations along the whole front, netting a dozen divisions plus a dozen brigades and a cavalry corps. In blizzard! Now THAT would be a brilliant victory.

Or I could get two Panzerdivisions severely mauled at best and destroyed at worst.
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/18/11 09:44 PM

I was talking about March. And even if the gap will be closed by then, any Sovs there won't have time to seriously dig in. So please tell your Pz commanders in Moscow to ask for a HQ buildup.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/19/11 08:49 PM

Mmmm.. I smell a good plan in the making! biggrin
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/20/11 01:43 PM

Now this is gonna get interesting!

biggrin



Turn 36, February 19th 1942



Losses this week again are on the low-ish side (for blizzard, that is) with ~56.000 casualties.

The Red Army mounted a mere four (!) attacks along the whole Eastern Front, all of them repulsed by my troops. Looks like the Soviets are as much in need of a pause as I am. And that's not the only good news: the army ready strength on the Eastern Front has increased by another 70.000 to 2.470.000 troops. (Serviceable) Tank strength hasn't changed and is still ~ 1.400, but there's a good reason why despite reinforcements from Germany it hasn't increased, more on that later... wink

Leningrad sector:
As in the previous weeks the front here remains calm. There's a Soviet build-up consisting of 10+ divisions in the Tikhvin area, but they are facing two Finnish divisions and a brigade in lvl 3 and 4 fortifications, which are basically Maginot-line/Sevastopol fortresses. So, while I'll keep an eye on the situation here, I don't get too nervous about it. Yet.



In the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin area the fighting for the 1st time in weeks almost ceases. The fresh 83rd and 205th infantry divisions continue moving into the line while from the South two other divisions from Germany, the 208th and 330th are marching to the front from their railheads at Rzhev (not on this pic). 1st Panzerdivision, resting 50 miles behind the front, is already back to 129 tanks, and both 60th and SS-Totenkopf MotInf divisions are counting almost 10.000 men again. And with 36th MotInf division successfully disengaging I now have all mobile divisions in this sector withdrawn to refit. Well, all except two. But more on that later... wink




Kalinin sector:


Heated discussions about Operation Schneehase among front commanders, OKH and OKW lasted for several days. The reason was a serious blunder committed by the Red Army: a gap that had developed in the Povarovo area. Thus the plans for Operation Schneehase were born. While the Panzer Army commanders Hoth and Guderian suggested an immediate strike by their Panzerdivisions to cut off the Russian forces protruding south-west from the Kalinin area OKH argued to wait until the weather conditions improved. In the end Hoth and Guderian won the day with the argument that that would take another three weeks and god knows how many divisions the Soviets would put into the line in that time.

Just before dawn on February 19th the artillery of V and XVII corps north-west of Moscow hit the Russian divisions manning the shoulders of the Povarovo gap. In heavy fighing the defenders were pushed back, the gap widened. Then XXXIX Panzerkorps, led by 7th Panzerdivision, Rommel's famous Ghost Division from the campaign in France, smashed into the gap! 300+ tanks and 30.000 men, well rested after several weeks in reserve in Moscow, raced north, with 18th Panzerdivision finally reaching the Volga reservoir south-east of Kalinin after heavy fighting.

From the Kalinin area VI corps and LVII Panzerkorps commenced the attack by pushing back the Red Army against determined resistance. With the initial positions secured the battered 10th Panzerdivision launched itself from Kalinin against a Guards Cavalry division holding the last way out of the forming Kessel. Gallantly supported by everything the Luftwaffe could launch 10th Panzer broke through and met with 18th Panzer at the Volga reservoir. The attack from the North with the severely weakened divisions was indeed a great risk. But in the Kessel formed by this bold operation we have cut off 11 infantry brigades, 5 tank brigades, 7 infantry divisions, 7 cavalry divisions and one cavalry corps!




Now if we can keep this trap shut for just a week or two...

In the Moscow-Tula area the situation is basically unchanged. A counter-attack or two and that's it. The front is as stable as can be and I'm conserving strength for the spring offensive. Near Tula itself both the 20th Panzerdivision and the élite Großdeutschland MotInf regiment have been pulled out of the frontline.



The situation along the stretch from Voronezh to Voroshilovgrad is just the same: no major fighting, mobile divisions are resting and refitting. Waiting for spring...



In the Stalino area I have finally been able to disengage 20th Panzerdivision and pull it out of Voroshilovgrad. I've also been able to withdraw allmost all Panzer and MotInf divisions that were involved in the successful counter-attack to withraw to rest and refit. Only SS-Wiking is yet to be relieved, I hope to do so next week. I think I have pretty much blunted the Red Army offensive power in this area for the next couple of weeks. Especially the mobile Soviet formations have suffered considerable casualties.



On the Crimea again business as usual, no changes, therefore no pic.



It's been an interesting week. Operation Schneehase has the potential for a major, unexpected success and I'm slowly rebuilding my Panzerdivisions all along the front. It is a bit of a gamble pulling off such an operation in blizzard, but with the ability of the Red Army to put up large numbers of fresh formations in very short time I think it was a good idea.




Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/21/11 01:52 AM

Seems to me you gave the Red Army commanders a severe headache, well done. smile I really enjoy these AARs of yours, please keep them coming.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/21/11 06:22 AM

An unexpected but welcome surprise on two levels, this AAR. smile
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/22/11 02:02 PM

And slowly but surely, the panzers are pulled back to create an armored fist. Lets see if your kessel holds in that crappy weather. grunt
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/22/11 02:28 PM

Bold move! Well done...

The fuhrer is no doubt foaming at the mouth back in Berlin. "Who's the fool who authorized this attack?!"
Of course, if it works out he'll take the credit as usual wink
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/23/11 05:43 AM

Excellent read , i was biting my nails leading up to the winter weather! I don't know if i would have been as bold and probably would have stopped (as you said ) a week or two before you did, but then would have missed the chance for Westerwald and been hit by many more Russki's when their offensive started.General Winter just sits at the back of your head everytime you play a Barbarossa based game, scary stuff.

Look forward to your next offensive moves Para smile and well done so far.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/23/11 06:42 AM

I am still nervously waiting for that hidden army group that is going to smash into your defences unexpectedly. Good luck on keeping the wolves at bay Para. thumbsup


Wheels
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/23/11 03:17 PM

How are the engineers coming along converting and extending the railheads?
Has the winter had as much effect on them as on the rest of your troops?
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/24/11 01:04 AM

I imagine some of you may read the AAR here WAR IN THE EAST , if you scroll down it has a link to a 66 page aar that a guy called HvB did.He takes Leningrad to get the Finns in and encircles and destroys as many Ivans as he can before winter 41. Then pulls most of his forces back to Poland to avoid the great winter losses biggrin Sets up defences in Romania to stop the Russians , and when he steps of his start line again in 42 he has more troops than what he started with and a lot of the train track into Russia is still in the german gauge.

All up in the first winter he lost only 100000 troops and launches his new offensive 'Snowbarossa' in March 42.Interesting read and i noticed he credits Parrabellum and this thread in his AAR as it helped him learn how to encircle properly amongst other things.

Here is a link to his pdf aar SPENDING WINTER IN POLAND
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/25/11 07:34 PM

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed our little ride so far.

smile

Here's a shot of the current rail network. It's in rather good shape, with all frontline units in decent supply. I haven't seen much impact of the blizzard on the Reichsbahn guys. Of course them basically sitting on railheads all the time, far from the enemy, most probably helps.



As for the hidden army group: yeah, I still remember only too well how the Red Army created dozens of armies in september/october out of thin air. Still the USSR has suffered some massive casualties (5.2 mio men, 20.000 tanks, 65.000 guns) and lost the important industrial cities and population centres of Leningrad and Moscow, so I'm still rather optimistic that I'll not suddenly run into a wall of well-equipped and well-trained divisions.

@Ajay: that's an interesting AAR, thanks for the link. Of course, this strategy is about as realistic as the "Sir Robin" defence favoured by some Red Army players. wink

BTW I won't be able to do another update for a couple of days since I'll be away from home over the weekend.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/25/11 08:39 PM

I wonder if it wouldn't be worth a try to thin out a part of the frontline (maybe somewhere in AG South's sector) with a strong reserve ready to provoke a deep incursion, and then cutting it off at the base, so they practically encircle themselves. Just to see if the AI can be lured into such a trap. Of course that's a bit of a gamble. You want a credible opportunity for the enemy and at the same time avoid to turn it into a rout. On the other hand, if the AI doesn't fall for it, it allows you to rebuild more divisions while they are kept on standby as your reserve.
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/25/11 09:35 PM

I did it once and the AI took the bait. I had a stretch of frontline about 10 hexes wide east of Kursk, and manned by 3 Inf Divs only. I was driven back by about 90-100 miles (9-10 hexes) until February 42. With the first snow turn in March, I just had to cut into the salient right were it protruted, and managed to isolate about 40 units.
However, and it was the reason why the counterattack worked, the AI was not very good in building up it's salient. No proper flank protection (where I later cut in) and no attempt to widen the gap or outflank my units at the northern and southern corners. In short: yes, the AI is doing salients, but it's easy to counter it, at least in early 42. But I would'nt try such a "trap" from summer 42 onwards.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/26/11 02:52 PM

Thanks ParaBellum for the answer. Your engineers have been busy beavers!
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/26/11 06:10 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Of course, this strategy is about as realistic as the "Sir Robin" defence favoured by some Red Army players. wink


What the heck is a "Sir Robin" defense? confused
Posted By: EinsteinEP

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/26/11 06:45 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZwuTo7zKM8
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/27/11 09:38 AM

Originally Posted By: EinsteinEP


Provided that was the answer to my question, unfortunately I can't watch that video, as it's blocked in Germany.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/27/11 11:33 PM

Same for me. Is it related to Monty Python's Sir Robin in the Quest for the Holy Grail?
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/28/11 12:52 AM

Having watched the vid, maybe it means "tactical withdrawals?"
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/28/11 08:11 AM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Same for me. Is it related to Monty Python's Sir Robin in the Quest for the Holy Grail?

Yes

This is the videos description.
Quote:
Brave Sir Robin is followed by his favourite minstrels who sing odes to his great brave deeds.


"Brave Sir Robin" is the title:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Brave+Sir+Robin&aq=f


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/28/11 10:09 AM

So wwhat is a "Sir Robin's defence"?
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/28/11 10:22 AM

Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
So wwhat is a "Sir Robin's defence"?

I would love to know the answer to that one myself since I don't have a clue either. The video didn't give me any insights into what he meant by the "Sir Robins defence."


Wheels
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/28/11 11:44 AM

It's the "Runaway Runaway and live to fight another day" method.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/29/11 10:58 AM

Sorry guys, should've explained the term.

OG is correct. It's a strategy where the Red Army immediately pulls back on a large scale to deny the Germans any large encirclements in '41. And yes, the name derives from the "brave Sir Robin" character from Monty Python. It can be very effective, if done right.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 08/29/11 03:37 PM

Thanks for the explanations.

I think I better watch "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" once more, apparently I haven't done that often enough yet. duh
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/05/11 01:25 PM

Ahem? smile
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/05/11 04:03 PM

I got seriously distracted by the Red Orchestra 2 beta.

blush

I'll post another update tomorrow.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/06/11 10:23 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I got seriously distracted by the Red Orchestra 2 beta.

blush


Open or closed beta?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 11:37 AM

Open to everyone who pre-ordered the digital exclusive edition on Steam (35.99€).


WitE update is almost finished. Will post it later today.

EDIT: Gaaaaa... browser ate my post.... hate when that happens...

banghead
Posted By: csThor

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 04:46 PM

It's okay, Para ... Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale ... biggrin

I'm currently playing Gary Grigsby's "Bombing the Reich" full 1943 campaign as Reichsdödel Meier ( WinkNGrin ). It's now early April 1944 and my new Ta 152 Cs are giving the USAAF really ugly headaches. Just waiting for the rest of my factories to finish retooling so I can dish them out a hundred a day. ready
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 06:44 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Open to everyone who pre-ordered the digital exclusive edition on Steam (35.99€).


Oh, okay. :|
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 07:41 PM

@ CsThor: Is that the Matrixgames version? I'm really tempted to try out that one sometime. When I'm finished with this monster.



biggrin


Anyway, here we go again:


Turn 37, February 26th 1942


Another week with comparatively low casualties: 51.000. The Red Army limited itself to only a handful of attacks this week, all of them but one getting repulsed with heavy losses for the attacker.

Troop (ready) strength has increased to 2.650.000, and the number of operational tanks has increased to 1.560. Looks like my efforts to rebuild my forces are slowly getting rewarded. The Ostheer is still far from ready for offensive action on a larger scale again, but it certainly looks as if we've passed the worst. For now.

In the North again nothing new to report. The Red Army is still reinforcing its troops in the Tikhvin area, which has prompted me to move a Finnish coastal brigade to strengthen my positions. I'm not too worried because anything less than a full army assault will most probably shatter against the heavy fortifications in this area, but better safe than sorry...

Göring has blessed me with another 5 Luftwaffe Jäger (=light infantry) regiments, and I'm currently contemplating sending them to Leningrad to relieve the three infantry divisions of I Corps.



In the Vyzhnyvolochek area I'm slowly reinforcing my almost crumbled lines and reorganizing my infantry corps. Two fresh reserve divisions from Germany are already in position, another three divisions have moved to within 50 miles of the front and two more are marching North from Rzhev. With 7 (!) new infantry divisions I'll easily hold the front now. All Panzerdivision are well back, refitting.

Torzhok was abandoned by 269th infantry division when attacked by two Guards cavalry divisions, only to be re-taken in a counter attack by X corps.




The great Kesselschlacht south of Kalinin still rages on! The Russians throw themselves against the German divisions to break free, but to no avail.
7th Panzerdivision fights off brutal attacks by 1st Shock Army, leaving the battlefield littered with Russian corpses as far as the eye can see. The Soviet 10th Cavalry division manages for a short time to open the Kessel, but VII corps quickly closes the door again, smashing the cavalry division aside. To make sure I can keep the Russians sealed up I move up another reserve division from the Moscow area, the crack 29th MotInf division. If I can keep the trap closed for another week it'll be over for the trapped divisions.



From Moscow to Tula I conduct a series of carefully orchestrated attacks that push back or rout a number of Soviet divisions, usually with a casualty ratio of 1:10 in my favour.

One result of my constant counter attacks is that all along the front Russian formations suffer one defeat after another. Sure, my troops suffer casualties, too. But for the majority of Red Army divisions their battle history is a rather bleak affair, which should greatly impact their morale.

With the impending success in the Battle of Kalinin I am now able to move an infantry division south to finally relieve SS Das Reich.

Special mention at this point goes to XXXXVI Panzerkorps, a Panzerkorps only in name since it consists of 26th, 88th, and 223rd infantry divisions, 10th MotInf division and the SS MotInf division "Das Reich". The corps has held the southern shoulder of the Moscow area for more than three months, its commander Colonel General von Vietinghoff racking up an impressive combat record of 41 victories and a single defeat!

I was also able to relieve the elite regiment Grossdeutschland and pull it back to Kaluga to act as mobile reserve.




In the Voronezh sector the situation is basically unchanged. 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions in reserve behind the front are already back to 100 tanks each.



In the Voroshilovgrad-Stalino area the situation has calmed down, too. The Red Army offensive seems pretty much stopped, and I have been able to withdraw all armoured divisions to refit. The five Panzerdivisions in this area have ~105 tanks each, which isn't too bad considering the ferocity of the fighting in the last 3 months.



On the Crimea nothing new to report. Every time the Russians advance on the isthmus of Feodosiya my German-Rumanian divisions give 'em a bloody nose. In the coming weeks I will have to reinforce my troops here, with the current divisions I can neither take Sevastopol nor advance towards the Kuban. I think I need an additional half a dozen divisions including a MotInf division or two and all the corps and army artillery I can get my hands on to take the fortress and advance east. We'll see...


Conclusion: still hanging on. Looks like the worst is over, and the Ostheer hasn't disintegrated in the Russian winter. Only one more week of Blizzard! Then a lot of things will change.





Posted By: csThor

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 08:11 PM

Yes, Para, the Matrix version. A bit pricey but captivating nontheless. I just finished a round in which my Reich Defense scored a major victory: an amazing 304 kills (including AAA kills) vs just 34 losses. This is the third (and by far largest) victory in a short row - I estimate I've managed to shoot down some 400 to 500 heavy bombers over the course of three days and a large number of escort fighters as well. Damn, I love that Ta 152 C.

spartasign

PS: I wonder when the allied assault takes a break. Even they can't sustain such losses (and the AI spends its bombers on non-essential targets *harharhar*).
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/07/11 08:14 PM

How about writing an AAR?

biggrin
Posted By: csThor

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/08/11 06:56 AM

Nah ... I'm playing it irregularly, just from time to time since the game's only on my notebook which I don't use much - except on vacation (such as now). wink
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/08/11 09:23 AM

Excellent read, PB! How soon do you reckon your spring offensive can start?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/08/11 11:32 AM

As soon as possible.

yep

Since I play with 'historical' weather I'll have four weeks of clear weather in March, followed by a month of mud in April. I'm currently thinking about conducting another limited offensive in the Vyzhnyvolochek-Kalinin area, code name Landsknecht. Target would be the Red Army concentration in the Torzhok area. And maybe another in the Stalino area.After that I'll have to wait out the Rasputitsa, because offensive operations are basically a no-go in the mud. During that time I would then transfer quite a few Panzerdivisions (in fact, all of Panzergruppe Guderian)south in preparation for the major offensive towards Stalingrad. So, I got 8 weeks to conduct a limited offensive or two and further rebuild my mobile forces.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/08/11 12:08 PM

Mud season would apply equally to the Soviets, yes? Which means both sides get a couple of turns to rebuild & reorganise?
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/09/11 06:50 PM

PB, if you get a chance...another complete front screen would be nice to look at to give some of us an idea of the overall progress you've made across the front compared to the last full screen we've seen.

I really enjoy reading your AAR's and wish you the best in defeating the Red Horde. biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/09/11 07:50 PM

OK, we're waiting with a worm on our tongue.
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/16/11 02:19 PM

Dear Herr Oberkriegkaboomfuhrer, please be to stop fliyink down das Autobahn und get back to das kampaighn.

Danke. biggrin
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/18/11 08:22 AM

Just got back from a 2-day hiking trip. Need a couple of hours to ease my aching legs, I'll post another update later this evening.



Oberkriegkaboomfuhrer, love it!

biggrin
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/19/11 06:40 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I'll post another update later this evening.


Promises, promises...
neaner




wink
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/20/11 12:05 PM

Well another promise unfulfilled.

I'll keep the worm on my tongue.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/20/11 06:53 PM

I guess it won't help when I tell you it was all my girlfriend's fault?

shedevil

biggrin



Anyway:

Turn 38, March 5th 1942

The Blizzards are over!

Finally. We survived the worst the winter and the Red Army threw against us, the front line is still intact and the Heer despite brutal losses, still capable of offensive operations. I can't stress enough how desperate the situation felt in January/February, seeing my divisions suffer such terrible casualties week after week was painful. I don't think I've ever suffered that much for my poor Pixeltruppen in a game before. From glorious advances to getting stuck in the mud to finally fighting to stave off total annihilation, WitE certainly offered some thrills!

Now, with the weather reverting back to mild frost, my divisions' combat values have vastly improved, while the Red Army formations no longer enjoy their blizzard bonuses. Time to hurt the Red Army again!

Troop ready strength this week has increased to 3.021.561, a surprisingly high number considering the past months. Operational tank strength has also increased again to 1.786.


Leningrad sector:


Again not much action in this area. Most importantly, I have used the Luftwaffe Jäger regiments to relieve I Corps at Leningrad. The 11th, 61th and 260th infantry divisions are already on their way to the Crimea, where they will join the assault on Sevastopol. I have plans to roll up the Red Army front here from the South, once this offensive commences the Finns will finally see action again.



In the Vyshnyvolochek area meanwhile I'm preparing for another limited offensive, Operation Maiglöckchen. The goal of this operation is to cut off and annihilate the Red Army forces concentrated in that front bulge, consisting of ~ a dozen infantry divisions and 5 cavalry corps. For this operation I'll use the recently arrived infantry division to breach the lines, then a mobile force of 2 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions close the Kessel.



All along the front from Vyshnyvolochek to Moscow I've launched a series of attacks, inflicting heavy casualties (~9:1 ratio) on the Russians and routing almost 20 formations of brigade or divisional strength off the battlefield. With my division's fighting strength restored now my infantry divisions are finally an offensive weapon again!

And the Kesselschlacht near Kalinin still rages on. Again the Red Army tried desperately to break out, but my troops managed to keep the cauldron closed, despite some a crisis at 7th Panzerdivision. With their final effort failed the Red Army units encircled are now officially doomed.




In the Moscow area I push the Red Army back with heavy losses to the Russians, and launch another limited offensive to cut off the Soviet forces east of Moscow. The attacks cost the Russians 35.000 casualties and result in the encirclement of another 3 rifle divisions, 1 cavalry division and a tank brigade. Once again SS Das Reich MotInf division and the Großdeutschland regiment have been the spearheads of a successful operation.



All along the front from Kaluga to Voroshilovgrad I commence a general attack, inflicting 40.000 casualties on the Red Army with a 10:1 loss rate. I want to prevent the Red Army to build up prior to my main spring offensive and want to destroy as many powerful formations as possible. With the fighting strength of my divisions finally back to normal levels the weak Russian divisions don't stand a chance.



In the Stalino-Rostov I launch Operation Abendrot, yet another limited offensive aiming to cut off and destroy the forward Russian troops.

South of Lutigino German infantry divisions, gallantly supported by the Hungarian Mountain Brigade, break through the Russian flank and open a way for the 13th and 14th Panzerdivisions, 1st Rumanian Panzerdivision, 25th MotInf Division, SS-Wiking MotInf Division and the Slovakian Mobile Division. Under this onslaught the Russians break apart and my spearheads race South. At the same time German and Rumanian infantry divisions assault the Russian lines north of Taganrog. Soon the front is torn open and the 9th, 11th and 16th Panzerdivisions roll through the gap, to meet the northern pincer at Kuybyshevo. My losses during this operation amount to ~ 5.000, with Russian casualties well over 40.000.

Operation Abendrot has trapped another 4 tank brigades, 4 rifle brigades and 6 rifle divisions.



On the Crimea nothing happens because I have to wait for reinforcements and heavy artillery. I'm in no hurry to take Sevastopol.


This was a good week. I inflicted more than 120.000 casualties on the Red Army while suffering ~ 15.000 myself. And even more important: the Red Army lost 640 tanks this week, while my own Panzer losses are a mere 33. This means the Red Army is down to less than 2.500 operational tanks!


Also the Russians are down to an operational troop strength of 4.350.000 men, while my German forces are at ~ 3.000.000. Add to that 1.5 Mio of allied forces and it doesn't actually look too bad.


I'll now have a nice Scotch or two.









Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/20/11 09:12 PM

Pixeltruppen ... Oberkriegkaboomführer ... I'm still not convinced that WW2 was worth it for these two great new words - but still, I get a chuckle out of both. smile
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/20/11 10:58 PM

Go the pixeltruppen!

Enjoy the scotch Herr General cheers
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/20/11 11:35 PM

This is very impressive. I still wonder if the game mechanics allow the Russians to come back. But from these figures, and if it also continues like that, for once I'd doubt it.

Viel Glück! smile
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/21/11 12:34 AM

Para, have you done any changes to the tank or aircraft production ? I mean like concentrating on newer types to try and get them in quantity earlier ?
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/21/11 04:32 AM

Does it take into consideration any action taking place on the western front? In 1942 the Americans should just be starting to give you some fits in the air and Rommel's desert forces should be drawing on German resources to fight in Africa.


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/21/11 10:09 AM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Para, have you done any changes to the tank or aircraft production ? I mean like concentrating on newer types to try and get them in quantity earlier ?


No, you can't actually change production like that in WitE. Would be nice though, for example, to switch production to long-barrelled Pz IIIs sooner or get Panthers in 1942.

Originally Posted By: wheelsup_cavu
Does it take into consideration any action taking place on the western front? In 1942 the Americans should just be starting to give you some fits in the air and Rommel's desert forces should be drawing on German resources to fight in Africa.


Wheels


Yes, it does. Every year an ever increasing percentage of war production goes to other theatres and is therefore not available on the Eastern Front.




Posted By: Lion

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/21/11 06:42 PM

Have you ever played the Hearts of Iron series?
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/22/11 05:52 AM

Thanks for the explanation PB. thumbsup


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/22/11 09:02 AM

I'll now have a nice Scotch or two

Shouldn't it be schnapps? Or vodka liberated from the Russians? biggrin
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/22/11 02:17 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Para, have you done any changes to the tank or aircraft production ? I mean like concentrating on newer types to try and get them in quantity earlier ?


No, you can't actually change production like that in WitE. Would be nice though, for example, to switch production to long-barrelled Pz IIIs sooner or get Panthers in 1942.



Actually, you can. But it involves making changes to the game data files.

Great job so far Para, may your great campaign continue.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/22/11 05:21 PM

Looks like the Reds don't stand a chance come springtime, the way you're rolling up sections of their defence already.
As always, great read. Eagerly anticipating the next instalment smile
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/22/11 09:01 PM

Well it seems with the latest patch, you can now modify the data for the game on a scenario by scenario basis, while keeping intact the generic game data. For example bringing in ME-262's in 1943 or even creating completely new units/formations/TOE's.

Link to Matrix forum thread

Can't wait to try this out myself on my never-ending (it seems) work for my 1943 "What if" secenario.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/28/11 02:43 PM

What happened to das yellin und screamin und bombsgedroppen ?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/29/11 05:01 PM

@OG: biggrin


Sorry, update will have to wait until next week, was terribly busy the last couple of days and right now the missus and me are packing our stuff for a looong weekend in the Dolomite Alps.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/29/11 08:09 PM

So it will instead be mit das yellin' und screamin' und cumgespurting ?
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/30/11 02:36 AM

Lol OG, you're priceless!
"cumgespurting" biggrin
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/30/11 04:53 PM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
cumgespurting ?


Sounds like something from the the horizontal movie business, ifyouknowwhatImean.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 09/30/11 07:51 PM

Hope he doesn't get any on the poor Pixeltruppen.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/02/11 10:38 PM

ewwwwwwww, pixeltruppensplatteringk ...death from above.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/05/11 12:05 PM

OK Para, you are back from your hike, did your necessary cumgespurting ; - now back to the bombsgedroppen.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/06/11 11:05 PM

Demokrazia - Strunk!
Libertad - Strunk!
Pixeltruppen - vorwärts marsch!

Bombsgedroppen! Kaput! Kaput!
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/07/11 05:30 PM

Para ... we're getting restless.

By the way, how is your father; fully recovered ? I hope whatever it was is not a life-long problem.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/08/11 08:33 AM

Next turn is finished, I just need to find an hour to post the update. Hopefully Sunday evening, won't find time before that.


My father has indeed fully recovered, but he was quite lucky since he narrowly avoided a full-blown heart attack. He now got 'stents' in several arteries and is doing very well, thank you for asking OG.
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/09/11 07:20 AM

All the best PB...
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/09/11 09:43 PM

17 minutes to midnight....
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/09/11 11:49 PM

Gypped again.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/10/11 12:54 AM

biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/10/11 03:48 PM

Wo ist unser bombsgedroppen ?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/10/11 11:21 PM

In the meantime, here is a special announcement of our beloved Führer, Adenoid Hynkel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLDGBzbbndg#t=0m50s
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/11/11 11:03 AM

Wiener Schnitzel!!!

We Germans love the Bombsgedroppen... Give him some time, there's someone ill in his family if I recall well enough.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/12/11 12:20 PM

Thanks for your patience, guys.

cheers



Turn 39, March 12th 1942


German (operational) troop strength at the beginning of this turn has increased again, to about 3.1 Mio men, with the number of tanks ready for action increasing to 1.814 as well. The number of operational aircraft on the Eastern Front has been pretty stable the last couple of months, hovering at ~ 2.800.


Army Group North:

Operation Maiglöckchen

In the early morning hours, the forests and marches still shrouded in dense mists, assault groups from the Finnish IV Corps and the German XXVIII Corps broke into the Red Army positions north of Nebolochi. Devastating air attacks by the Finnish Air Force and the Luftwaffe caused heavy casualties among the Russians and soon the front line crumbled under the relentless assault. 60th Motorized Infantry division quickly deepened the penetration, handing over the momentum to SS Totenkopf division which completed the planned movement for the northern pincer by swinging south.

At the same time to the South XXIII and XXXVII infantry corps, attacking between Bologoe and Vyzhnyvolochek blast a 30 mile gap through the Russian front line. Having cleared a way through the Red Army positions Col.General Hoepner unleashes his XXXXI and LVI Panzerkorps. 1st and 6th Panzerdivision drive through the remaining Soviet troops like a hot knife through butter and 36th MotInf division finally links up with Totenkopf after heavy fighting, closing the trap! 9 rifle divisions, 10 rifle brigades, 1 cavalry divisions, 4 cavalry corps and 3 tank brigades are caught in the Kessel!



150 miles to the South-East the great Battle of Kalinin has been won! More than a 100.000 Russian soldiers surrender, 2.000 guns and 100+ tanks are captured! Among other formations the 1st Shock Army has been wiped out to a man. Our losses have been light, although several of my Panzerdivisions are still in dire need of refitting. 10th, 12th, 17th and 19th Panzerdivisions count less than 30 thanks on average. Thankfully, the other 6 Panzerdivisions in this sector are back to well over 100 tanks each.

To the East of Moscow the small Kessel at Ramenskoe has been liquidated, 35.000 Russians have surrendered.



The number of fresh Red Army formations appearing on the front is a tad disconcerting though, although most of these new brigades and divisions have only very low combat value.

To deal with that problem I'm thinking about yet another limited offensive thrust, Operation Rheingold. In the Moscow area I have a Panzerdivision, two MotInf divisions and the elite Regiment Großdeutschland, while I could easily muster three Panzerdivisions in the Tula area for a raid towards Ryazan. I need about two weeks to prepare for this operation, we'll see how the situation looks by then.



All along the front from Kaluga to Voronezh I conduct 20+ carefully orchestrated attacks, causing another 50.000 Red Army casualties and routing two dozen formations of brigade and division size, my own losses about 1/10 of the enemy's. The Soviet forces in this area are by now very weak, quite an inviting opportunity for a Panzerarmy...



In the South Operation Abendrot ends with the complete annihilation of the encircled Soviet troops! More than 80.000 Russians surrender, 1.500 guns and 150 tanks are captured.



On the Crimea the situation is unchanged. Other than starting to transfer artillery regiments from all along the front to 11th Army there's not much to do right now. 6 infantry divisions are on their way to the Crimea, once they're in place I can start worrying about taking Sevastopol.




This was a very good week. The Red Army lost almost 300.000 men, while my casualties are a mere 10.000.

Red Army operational (ready) strength at the end of my turn has dropped to 4.166.000 men and 2.600 tanks.





Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/12/11 12:53 PM

Thanks; I eagerly await more.

Mit das yellin' und screamin' und bombsgedroppen, Ja ?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/12/11 04:37 PM

Ja, ja!
Ve like it zat vay!
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/12/11 05:20 PM

"This was a very good week. The Red Army lost almost 300.000 men, while my casualties are a mere 10.000."



eek Nicely done!!! Looking forward, as always, to reading further updates.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 12:22 AM

Nice AAR. From the sounds of it the Russian reserves still seem to be a problem in the making though. My guess is the longer they can hold out the worse it will be for you. Good luck. smile


Wheels
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 09:21 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Here's a shot with the (approximate) historical situation in February '42 compared to the situation in my current game:




An update of that now and then would be nice. It isn't really needed as of yet, but maybe in June and October '42?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 09:37 PM

Will do, Ssnake.

There hasn't been much change to the front line recently but I'll post an update at the end of March/beginning of April.



Turn 40, March 19th 1942

Troop ready strength on the Eastern Front has increased again slightly to about 3.137.000, and the number of operational tanks has increased to 2.100!

Also the OKW has blessed me with a brand-new Panzerdivision, the 22nd! The division was immediately ordered on trains and is already heading towards the Stalino area.

I have started this turn with some serious reorganizing of my forces. Many of my divisions and corps have become horrible mixed up in the desperate winter fighting, and it took me quite a while to reorganize most corps into reasonable formations again. With the corps structures (more or less) in place I can now start on reforging my armies, especially the Panzerarmies that will lead my future offensives. I also need to start my strategic planning, most importantly deciding what armoured formations will be transferred South and which ones will stay back with Army Groups North and Centre.

Northwest of Vyshnyvolochek the divisions of XXIII and L infantry corps start attacking the trapped Soviet forces. In the first week of fighting more than 80.000 Red Army soldiers are captured, along with 1.000 guns and almost 100 tanks. I estimate that another 50.000 Russian troops are still in the Kessel, with no chance to escape.



In the Kalinin area I restrict myself to a few limited attacks and continue to dis-entangle my divisions. 4 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions are resting/refitting near Rhzev, slowly regaining their fighting strength after months of desperate combat.



On the Northern sector of the Moscow front the same: a few limited attacks against weak Red Army units but nothing serious.

To the West and South-West of Moscow though I got a little surprise for comrade Stalin:

The more I thought about Operation Rheingold the more I got convinced that the sooner I launch this strike, the better. The ability of the Red Army to churn out seemingly unlimited numbers of new troops means that the longer I wait the more difficult it will become to pierce the layers of Soviet brigades and divisions.

I did a lot of re-organizing and railing units and managed to get together a limited force for this operation: 3 Panzerdivisions, 2 MotInf Divisions and the Großdeutschland Regiment for the Northern pincer that would strike from the Moscow/Ramenskoe area, and 3 Panzerdivisions, a MotInf Division and an SS Motorized Brigade that form the southern pincer to attack from the Tula area.. Especially the southern pincer severely lacks an infantry corps to secure the penetration, but I don't want to postpone the attack. "Who dares wins!", as the Tommies say...

In the North the LIII Corps assaults the Soviet lines and pushes them back in heavy fighting. Still, no breakthrough is achieved until I commit both 7th and 8th Panzerdivisions. Against the combined strength of two almost full-strength Panzerdivisions the Russians fall back in panic, with 8th Panzer taking the important town of Kolomna. With the town secured SS Das Reich once again takes the lead and crosses the Moskwa river, establishing a bridgehead. 10th MotInf Division soon follows and together with Großdeutschland widens the penetration. 29th MotInf advances further down the Oka river and comes to within 20 miles of the operation's objective, Ryazan.

South of Tula meanwhile the divisions of XII and XLII Corps tear a 40 mile gap into the Russian front. Several Red Army tank brigades have the misfortune of getting into the way of XL Panzerkorps, with predictable outcome. These tank brigades count 20-40 tanks each, half of them useless light tanks, crewed by green troops, commanded by officers who've known only defeat.

During the battle 2nd Panzerdivision manages a special feat: the rapid, 120 mile advance catches the Red Army Air Force completely by surprise. 2nd Panzer overruns half a dozen airfields to the South of Ryazan, capturing or destroying more than a 1.000 Russian level bombers and vast quantities of fuel! The division then captures Ryazan and sends a regiment across the Oka.

The trap is closed! The 'walls' of the encirclement are still rather thin, but what a prize awaits us! 15 rifle brigades, 8 rifle divisions, 15 tank brigades and a Guards cavalry corps! If I can keep this cauldron closed tight for a week or two it will be another severe blow for the Red Army.




The feeble resistance of the Red Army in this area and an 'unemployed' Panzerkorps north of Voronezh that didn't make it for the southern pincer of Rheingold in time gave me another idea: why not expand Rheingold into a double-envelopment? The risk involved should be rather low since the Red Army still lacks the hard-hitting, mobile mechanized and tank corps needed to deliver powerful counter-attacks. And the prize again would be worth the risk: 8 rifle brigades, 2 rifle divisions, 6 tank brigades, 2 cavalry corps and 2 cavalry divisions.

I order the attack for Rheingold II.

Again the stalwart infantry divisions, this time of IX Korps, smash through Soviet positions and open the way for the Panzer and motorized divisions. My strike force is rather small this time, only 2 Panzer and an Italian MotInf division, so I don't expect to complete the encirclement. Still, I manage to capture Lipetsk, 50 miles behind the front line and 3rd and 4th Panzerdivisions reach the Voronezh river, 60 miles behind the original front. There's still a 30 mile gap to the North, but even if the Russians manage to extract their troops from the forming trap it will further unhinge their defences in this sector.

We'll see...



From Voronezh to Voroshilovgrad I again only conduct a few limited attacks to maximize enemy casualties and gain advantageous positions.



In the Stalino-Rostov sector I complete the extraction of my Panzerdivisions and continue to build up my forces. With 3 fresh infantry divisions having arrived this turn I'll probably make another limited attack to recapture Rostov while preparing for the big spring offensive. Right now I have 5 Panzer and 4 MotInf divisions here, with another Panzerdivision en-route. I also plan to move Guderian's 2nd Panzerarmee South soon to take part in the attack towards the Volga.



On the Crimea, no changes.

Another good week. The Red Army suffered another 150.000 casualties while German losses are 1/10 of that. Rheingold looks like a great success and maybe even Rheingold II will work out. And despite some major fighting involving Panzerdivisions the (ready) tank strength is still at ~2.000.

If I start the spring offensive after the mud period in April my forces should be rather decent shape for an offensive. Of course, a 4-week mud period will enable the Red Army to field a gazillion of new divisions... that can't be helped.











Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 10:34 PM

Possible names for Wagner-themed multiple operations (to avoid future abominations like "Rheingold II"):
  • Alberich & Mime
  • Fafner & Fasolt
  • Flosshilde, Woglinde, Wellgunde
  • Need more? here are nine:
    Brünnhilde, Helmwige, Gerhilde, Ortlinde, Waltraute, Siegrune, Roßweisse, Grimgerde, Schwertleite
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 11:21 PM

I would suggest the tale of Beowulf also.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/13/11 11:52 PM

Once more, very enjoyable AARs. thumbsup Still, the masses of troops the Soviets can gather is frightening.

Why only Wagner? I could imagine Operation Zauberflöte, Operation Nutcracker...ouch, that's Tchaikovsky, nevermind.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/14/11 06:25 AM

Wagner is appropriate so that when things turn into a total disaster we can have a closure with Norse-themed names like Heimdall (if there is still hope) & Gjallarhorn (if there is none), then Naglfar & Fenris, and finally Ragnarök or better yet, Götterdämmerung.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/14/11 06:31 AM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
I would suggest the tale of Beowulf also.


Should the British brotherfolk finally decide to make peace with the Reich, and join the Führer's struggle to liberate the world from the scourge of bolshevism, I'm sure there will be room for joint operations under names taken from Beowulf as well. The Führer is magnanimous and bears no ill thought about the British soldier, just its leadership, that ... that Churchill!
Rrrah!
Snort!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/14/11 07:24 AM

Ssnake is hereby promoted to Ia/f, which is the general staff officer responsible for funny code names.

biggrin

@Purolator: keep in mind that the numerical, as well as the fighting strength of Red Army units is FAR lower as those of comparable Wehrmacht formations. For example, a Red Army rifle division has roughly 50% the manpower of a German infantry division, and far less heavy weapons. And many of the newly created Soviet formations aren't even full divisions but brigades with 1000-2000 green troops. Massed, they can certainly slow down an attack, but on an operational scale they simply don't pose any danger. It's going to get interesting once the 1st tank and mechanized corps appear... those will be prime targets for my Panzerkorps.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/14/11 06:10 PM

Aaaand another update:


Turn 41, March 26th 1942


A little (operational) force comparison:


Troops:

Germany: 3.110.000 USSR: 4.300.000

Tanks:

Germany: 2.100 USSR: 3.300

Artillery:

Germany: 32.000 USSR: 43.000

Aircraft:

Germany: 2.700 USSR: 9.000


In the North Operation Maiglöckchen ends with the destruction of the encircled Soviet divisions. Another 65.000 men march into captivity. A side effect of the fighting is that North of Vyshnyvolochek a 20 mile gap has developed in the Russian front, with two Panzerkorps in striking distance. The mass of Russian formations to the North just invites another rapid attack, and so I move 10th Panzerdivision north from Rzehv to support the attack. Operation Alberich is born. Even if I don't succeed in trapping all divisions the attack will again unhinge the Red Army defence of the whole sector, forcing them to withdraw from well fortified positions or to stand and die. Both is fine.

The Luftwaffe flies countless missions trying to supply the mobile divisions with fuel, they should be ready to strike next week.

A problem is that the northern pincer is basically non-existent. The 8th SS Cavalry Brigade is moving North from Leningrad to bolster the Finnish attack, but I doubt they'll be able to move more than 30 miles into enemy territory. But if the southern strike force manages to capture the railway at Podborovye the Russians won't be able to withdraw the bulk of their forces. 110 miles...



Along the front from Vyshnyvolochek to Moscow the situation is quite favourable. Due to the shortening of the front I've actually been able to extricate a full infantry corps with three divisions from the front line, as well as two other divisions from various corps that got a bit bloated with reinforcements/troop movements during the blizzard fighting. Two MotInf divisions resting near Rzhev are already back to full strength, and the Panzerdivisions are slowly regaining their strength, too.

A number of limited attack have pushed back the Russians a bit, and all in all the front here is as stable as I could hope for.



In the Tula sector the Russians desperately fight to escape destruction in the two cauldrons formed by operations Rheingold and Rheingold II. Heavy fighting erupts along the Oka river in the North, but the divisions of XL and XXXIX Panzerkorps hold the line. Unfortunately to the South the smaller Kessel North of Lipetsk can't be closed off in time to prevent several Soviet formations to withdraw. And even now the trap isn't fully closed. But still, another 80 miles of front line has basically ceased to exist as the Russians try to escape annihilation.

Together, both operations have torn apart the Red Army front on a 200 mile stretch.



From Voronezh to Rostov no major operations took place. Again just a few limited attacks. Rostov is heavily fortified and well manned and won't fall easily. I'll keep smashing the Russians in front of me but won't start a real offensive here until after the mud period in April. Then Operation Dietrich will launch, its objective the city of Stalingrad on the Volga...

Oh, and four (!)fresh infantry divisions, along with the 22nd Panzerdivision, have arrived at Stalino. It's nice to have reserves once again.











Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/14/11 10:09 PM

If you can pull off Alberich that'll be pretty decisive for the northern sector!

Looks like you have a good chance at it, the terrain appears favourable for your motorized force to advance fast to at least cut off the railline.

Eagerly looking fonward to the next moves; so far your risks have paid off handsomely! smile
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/15/11 12:17 PM

@ PB: Your AAR is the reason I got the game myself. Really like your progress in the game.
I guess if you keep the strategic thinking with the operational exploits of the war you won't have a problem in crushing the russian in the east finally. It's a little sad the game doesn't provide a glorious finalisation only a point game win.

However, your AARs provide a nice trade off for this unsatisfying outlook.
Hats off to you yep
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/15/11 07:18 PM

Thanks guys!

I've said it before but you guys commenting on my progress and following this thread really keep me motivated. And by writing this AAR and forcing myself to formulate plans and organize my ideas I've learned a lot about the Eastern Front.


And then there was...

"Ach Gott, der Schlamm!"

Or: how to wage Blitzkrieg during the Rasputitsa. (Hint: not all).



What to do during the "time without roads" in Russia:

1.) [x] get boozed on local spirits
2.) [x] try to score with one of the ladies of the Fronttheater from Berlin
3.) [x] bribe the Luftwaffe guys for a trip to Paris in that Ju-52
4.) [x] regret not being in Africa with Rommel where lately ALL the fun seems to be
5.) [ ] fight a war

For those who voted 2.) I present Erika and Anna. They love kittens, afternoon walks, drinking games involving amphoras and comforting lonely Landers far away from home.





In a word: mud. Yeah, I got a bit surprised, thought I'd have another week. So much for that. The officer in charge of weather forecasts will get quite a bit of experience in clearing mines soon.

So, all operations have been put on hold, there's simply no way to move or fight in the mud. The combat value of my divisions has dropped to a fraction of their normal stats, and any movement (except on rail) has become severely restricted.

I've done a further bit of reorganizing, freeing another corps HQ to move South, shuffling divisions to and fro, and I even got another brand-new Panzerdivision with 161 tanks from OKW, the 23rd. Other than that there's nothing to do. Any attack under these conditions only causes massive casualties with little gains. I restrict myself to contain the trapped Soviet troops as best as possible and...wait...

There's no point in detailed update shots, so instead I'll post another strategic overview of the Eastern Front. Not much changes since February in the front line, but I've actually done some serious damage to the Red Army during the last four weeks.

Soviet casualties have exceeded 6 million men, with German losses at ~ 1.6 mio. An important difference in these figures is that a very large part of the Red Army casualties are actually 'total' losses, mainly due to capturing entire formations, while a large part of the German casualties are WIAs that (to some extent at least) do in fact return to their divisions over time.

To illustrate my point: so far all axis forces together have lost exactly one division, a Rumanian infantry division that surrendered during the blizzards.

The Red Army OTOH has lost 246 infantry divisions, 39 armour divisions, 20 motorized divisions, 57 cavalry divisions, 8 cavalry corps, 52 armour brigades, 165 infantry brigades, 20 airborne brigades and a host of other minor formations.





Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/16/11 03:01 AM

Your frontline looks more stable. There are none of the deep bulges that existed in the historical frontline.


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/16/11 11:30 AM

Yeah, the rather straight front line without big bulges provides me with a nice assortment of reserves. I'm currently counting a dozen uncommitted, full-strength infantry divisions and 5 (!) Panzerkorps in reserve right now. After the desperate struggle to hold my lines during the Blizzard this is indeed rather comforting.

And my Panzertruppe is gaining strength again:



You can see that out of 21 Panzerdivisions (5th PzDiv is split up into three regiments)

8 PzDivs are > 90% TOE (tables of organization and equipment-> strength)

6 PzDivs are > 80% TOE (I rate 5th PzDiv with 2 regiments @ 81% and 1 @ 72% as in the 70s category)

4 Pz Divs are > 70% TOE

3 Pz Divs are > 60% TOE

This means that 15 PzDivs are to be considered fully combat ready, 4 are ready for limited operations and should be up to full strength in short-ish time and only 3 PzDivs are still in need for a prolonged period of rest&refitting.

TOEs of the motorized formations:



Of the 14 MotInf divisions, 3 brigades (900th Lehr Mot. Brigade is to be withdrawn soon) and one Mot. Regiment

11 formations are > 90% TOE
3 formations are > 80% TOE
4 formations are >70% TOE

The conclusion is that my mobile formations have survived the winter of '41/'42 in pretty decent shape which will enable me to strike hard during my planned spring/summer offensives.


Turn 43, April 9th 1942


The situation for the infantry divisions isn't as good, many are still recuperating from the severe casualties suffered during the winter. I'm trying to relieve fought-out divisions from the front line and am confident to have the Heer in decent condition for the new offensives soon.

I won't post map updates this turn since there wasn't really a lot of change. Besides the usual re-organizing of various corps and armies I limit myself to a few attacks against the cut-off Soviet units, but during the mud even these attacks need to be conducted carefully. Still, the Red Army loses another 70.000 men, 1.000 artillery pieces and 550 (!) tanks this week.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/16/11 06:03 PM

And another update!


Smash


Turn 44, April 16th 1942


And another week of (comparatively) calm on the Eastern Front. The mud still precludes any major combat (against non cut-off units) or movement other than by rail, so there's barely any change to the front line.

The only actual combat occurred within the two Kessel North-East and South-East of Tula where the infantry divisions engage the cut-off Russians. The result of this fighting is the liquidation of the smaller cauldron and another 150.000 Red Army soldiers dead or marching into captivity, with another 2.000 guns and more than 400 tanks captured or destroyed.
The Luftwaffe played an essential part in this operation, supporting the infantry divisions with up to 200 aircraft for single attacks. Almost 100 Soviet aircraft have been shot down in furious air battles, while the Luftwaffe only lost 8 planes. I estimate another 30.000 enemy soldiers still trapped. All in all Operation Rheingold and Rheingold II will cost the Red Army about 250.000 men, 3.500 guns and more than 1.000 tanks. German total losses in the fighting will be about 10.000 casualties and fewer than 100 tanks, with many of these losses WIA and damaged vehicles that will return to their divisions.




Still, not all news are good news. A long-awaited, but nevertheless distressing information has reached HQ: The Red Army has finally started converting its tank brigades into tank corps. These formations are comparable to Panzerdivisions, although they feature less infantry and support weapons. Still, they are powerful and highly mobile formations and will have to be treated with respect.

Also Partisan activity is slowly increasing in the rear areas. I have garrisons in all captured cities and so far all identified partisan units have been quickly dealt with, but I'll have to pay attention to this development. Attacks on the railway system can seriously hurt my operations.

The only other memorable action this turn was the transfer of LVII Panzerkorps, with 12th Panzerdivision and 14th and 18th MotInf divisions to the Crimea in preparation for an offensive towards the Kuban and Krasnodar.


EDIT:

OK, I just couldn't bear watching all those shiny Panzerdivisions around Stalino doing nothing, so I started yet another limited attack, aimed at surrounding and capturing Rostov. The Red Army in this area is just too weak at the moment to miss the opportunity. I've seen how the Russians put up a wall of new formations seemingly out of thin air before, and at the risk of damaging my precious Panzers in the mud I attack. The fighting goes well and if I'd indeed manage to capture Rostov soon that would greatly help me for the great spring offensive.




Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/17/11 02:59 AM

ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK !!!!
This where we grab them by the nose and kick them in the *** biggrin

Patton Intro (NSFW - language)

http://youtu.be/t3J9hmCLmvg


Wheels
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/17/11 03:45 PM

Pass the amphora, I'm bored wink
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/17/11 03:54 PM

PB vor, noch ein Tor!

PB fore, another score!

neaner
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/18/11 03:32 AM

Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
Pass the amphora, I'm bored wink


Make that two, i'll join you Gambler thumbsup

Look forward to Operation Dietrich Para smile
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/19/11 02:09 PM

When's the Bum Bum Boris back?
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/19/11 05:25 PM

Go Para Go!

Yeah, and the mud really, really sucks.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/24/11 02:42 PM

Speaking of sucks; how much longer to the next update ? biggrin
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/27/11 11:08 AM

Where is the screaming and bombsgedroppen, Herr Oberkriegkaboomführer?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/28/11 11:58 AM

Check back later this evening, I'm on it.

Just need to prepare for another hiking weekend with she_who_sabotages_the_war_effort then I'll head off for the Eastern Front once again.

yep
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/28/11 12:41 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Check back later this evening, I'm on it.

Just need to prepare for another hiking weekend with she_who_sabotages_the_war_effort then I'll head off for the Eastern Front once again.

yep


Curse these infernal fifth columnists!

Itkovian
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/28/11 03:18 PM

Cumgespurting always has priority.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/28/11 07:36 PM

Change of plan: we're already heading off today. Update will have to wait until I come back, sorry.

blush
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/28/11 07:43 PM

As I said.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 10/31/11 11:38 PM

OK, the weekend has passed ... and so has MONDAY !
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/02/11 09:49 PM

and Tuesday.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/02/11 10:08 PM

...and Wednesday, in about 52 minutes.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/02/11 11:22 PM

Just got back yesterday from the cumgespur...mini vacation, the bombsgedroppen will soon commence again.

Charge
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/03/11 01:02 AM

Thanks PB. Hope you enjoyed your cumgespur... mini-vacation. biggrin
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/03/11 01:03 AM

You report from the East Front, and I'll publish a new Steel Beasts video on YouTube - deal?
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/04/11 01:24 PM

Are we getting some more of the Eastern Front ?

Don't be telling us that it is now the weekend and you have other plans.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/04/11 03:03 PM

I am more curious about Stavka's plans.

Their manpower base is still huge as is their industrial base. Might be interesting to see who's Spring Offensive it will really be. A really large amount of Soviet units in depth up north.


South Of Moscow looks intersting also.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/04/11 05:40 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
You report from the East Front, and I'll publish a new Steel Beasts video on YouTube - deal?


Deal!

biggrin



Turn 45, April 23rd 1942


German troop ready strength this week has increased to 3.240.000 men, the number of operational tanks has increased to 2.428 tanks, Luftwaffe operational strength stays just below 3.000 aircraft. Not looking too bad.

This week Colonel General Guderian has been promoted to Field Marshal! A well-deserved reward for the father of the German Panzer forces. Less good news: I'll lose the 10th Panzerdivision in about 5 weeks. The division will be heading for France to refit. Lucky b*astards...


Up North it's been a calm week. No Red Army attacks and I won't attack either. The mud pretty much precludes major offensive operations. I really don't like the build-up of Soviet forces in this area though. Especially the presence of several Tank Corps. Will keep an eye on them.



Same for the Moscow area. Except for a small number of limited attacks against exposed Red Army formations I keep my units on the defensive, continuing the reorganizing of various corps and armies.



In the Tula area Operation Rheingold finally ends with the destruction of 3 rifle brigades, 3 rifle divisions and the 2nd Tank Corps. More than 35.000 Soviets march into captivity. German losses have been light and by next week all Panzer and motorized divisions currently still in the front line will have been relieved by infantry divisions once again. The 5 Panzerdivisions in the area number around 85 tanks each on average. Not terribly bad, but they will need 2-3 weeks of refitting to get back to strength.



In the Rostov area my forces continue their attacks. 11th Panzerdivision throws back a Soviet rifle corps back across the Don, and 16th Panzer forces two tank corps to retreat, leaving 40+ burning tanks on the battlefield. With the arrival of two fresh infantry corps, the XI and XVII, I should be able to cross the Don with my Panzerdivisions next week and cut off Rostov and the Russian divisions defending it.



On the Crimea 8 infantry divisions and the crack 22nd airlanding division have been assembled for the assault on Sevastopol. 12 artillery battalions have already been transferred to 11th Army and XXX Corps to provide the heavy firepower necessary to crack open the fortress and pretty much all of the Romanian Air Force has been moved forward to support the attack, too.

And from all over the Eastern Front the really heavy stuff is rolling South: 8x240mm guns, 30x305 and 355mm howitzers and Karl, a 600mm siege mortar.


The LVII Panzerkorps has also arrived on the Crimea and will be ready for an offensive towards the Kuban once the weather gets better.



All in all it's been a rather quiet week. It's going to be interesting to see if I can take Rostov even in the mud, and at what cost. And I need to decide when to start Alberich, the offensive in the North to destroy the large Soviet concentration of troops.

PS:

Totally forgot that my Hungarian allies have released the 2nd Hungarian Army for operations on the Eastern Front. 7 (light) infantry and an armoured division(s) are already on their way to the Crimea, a very much welcomed reinforcement.




Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/04/11 05:45 PM

Yeah !
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/04/11 11:26 PM

Once more unto the breach, dear Para, once more;
Or close the wall up with your Pixeltruppen.
In forums there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the Oberkriegkaboomfuhrer;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
and write up another episode
of screaming and bombsgedroppen
and suspend the fruitless cumgespurting
until the pixelwar is won!
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 12:08 AM

Snake, you wax poetic. Very good.
Posted By: mcray

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 08:13 AM

Para_Bellum,

What are you looking for on the Crimea ? There's nothing there worth spending much troops, no VPs, no factories, nothing. Once you cross the Don near Rostov (you probably will) and eventually reach the rail line at Krasnodar, the whole of the Crimea gets evac, which means Sevastopol for free. Until then, any fight for Sevastopol is going to be very bloody, SU there has a lot of defensive power with high entrenchement levels.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 11:39 AM

@ Nils: That was...beautiful, man.

grunt

BTW love your work with SB, one of my all-time favourite simulations. Can't wait to play around with 2.6.

yep


Originally Posted By: mcray
Para_Bellum,

What are you looking for on the Crimea ? There's nothing there worth spending much troops, no VPs, no factories, nothing. Once you cross the Don near Rostov (you probably will) and eventually reach the rail line at Krasnodar, the whole of the Crimea gets evac, which means Sevastopol for free. Until then, any fight for Sevastopol is going to be very bloody, SU there has a lot of defensive power with high entrenchement levels.


1.) I wanted to close off the Crimea in order to avoid it becoming a spring board for a Soviet winter offensive into my rear areas of communication.
2.) The best place to seal off the peninsula seemed to be at the isthmus of Feodosiya
3.) I mainly used allied formations to hold the Crimea (plus 2 German infantry divisions) so it's not a big 'waste of ressources'
4.) With the arrival of a LVII Panzerkorps I'll be able to burst out of the Kuban to seriously wreak some havoc in the Caucasus region. Hopefully. wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 01:33 PM

Turn 47, May 7th 1942

Finally the weather clears up again, my forces no longer waddling through seas of mud!

I had planned to wait another week or two to get all forces into position for Operation Alberich, but the situation around Vyshnyvolochek practically forced my hand to strike sooner. The Soviet lines here were still rather weak and not yet heavily fortified, with the threat of Russian reinforcements 'closing the door' looming over the whole battle plan. So, despite not all forces yet in place I launched the great offensive in the North:

The heavily reinforced II Korps smashed a 40 mile gap into the Russian front line and then once again the Panzers are unleashed: spearheaded by the SS Totenkopf division 5 Panzer and 4 MotInf divisions of LVI and XXXXVII Panzerkorps, thunder North to meet up with XXIII Korps battling through the Russian divisions on the Oyat river. The leading formations cover more than 120 miles, and while not yet able to close the giant Kessel the Red Army in this area is suddenly threatened by a crisis of epic proportions:

No less than 18 rifle brigades, 39 (!) rifle divisions, 11 cavalry divisions, 10 cavalry and guards cavalry corps and 10 tank corps are threatened with annihilation!

The attack is a great risk, with XXXIX Panzerkorps not yet in position (its leading formation, the 18th Panzerdivision having just reached the breakthrough area) but the situation was just too inviting for an attack. There's still a 50 mile gap between Totenkopf in the South and XXIII Korps in the North, we'll see what happens there soon...



In the Moscow area the situation stays calm, besides the usual limited attacks.



In the Tula area I'm observing a powerful Soviet build-up, including no less than 8 tank corps. I'm currently contemplating using the three Panzerkorps in the area to eliminate this potential threat, codename Operation Hagen. Maybe next week...




In the Stalino-Rostov area heavy fighting continues. To the west of Rostov the infantry divisions of XI Korps cross the Don river, while to the East XIV and XXXXVIII Panzerkorps cross the river in force. Special commendations go to 9th Panzer and 25th MotInf divisions who, with strong Luftwaffe support, severely maul the powerful Soviet 7th tank corps, destroying more than 60 tanks in battle with very light own casualties.

Rostov has been surrounded!

And 200 miles to the North the III Panzerkorps is now in position for the offensive towards Stalingrad.



On the Crimea Sevastopol has been taken! After an immense artillery preparation the assault groups of I, XXX, and LIV Korps stormed the fortress after savage fighting. With the fortress port cleared out I can now concentrate on advancing towards the Kuban. And the Caucasus!



Another good week! Sevastopol finally taken, Rostov surrounded, a giant trap forming in the North and my mobile formations in the South poised to strike towards Stalingrad, I don't want to be the commander of the Red Army right now.

cheers
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 01:45 PM

Very good, PB. As enjoyable as ever. thumbsup

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I don't want to be the commander of the Red Army right now.


Hmm...I read in Prawda the old one had to retire due to somewhat bad health. Or was it like this?


1. Stalin's initial reaction when hearing the news of Alberich and the fall of Sevastopol:

jawdrop

2. and then his second reaction: cuss2


3. The Soviet Red Army CO tries to: exitstageleft


4. Well...didn't work

ar15
ar15
ar15 eek2 <---former CO of the Red Army
ar15
ar15
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 02:04 PM

Good to see that Sevastopol didn't turn out to be a 2 or 3 turn grind. Quick and total collapse was good for you.

A successful conclusion of Operation Alberich will be the death knell of the Red Army. There will be more fighting, but the Soviets will no longer have any real chance of favorable results. It will be like the Germans when they suffered the Destruction of Army Group Center.

Well done Para.

Good AAR's.
Posted By: Lipfert

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 02:04 PM

cheers

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Once more unto the breach, dear Para, once more;
Or close the wall up with your Pixeltruppen.
In forums there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the Oberkriegkaboomfuhrer;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
and write up another episode
of screaming and bombsgedroppen
and suspend the fruitless cumgespurting
until the pixelwar is won!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 02:45 PM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Good to see that Sevastopol didn't turn out to be a 2 or 3 turn grind. Quick and total collapse was good for you.


Yep. I was actually a bit surprised by how quickly Sevastopol fell, but then I really concentrated lots of heavy artillery and a couple of fresh, full-strength divisions led by some of my best infantry commanders.


Quote:
A successful conclusion of Operation Alberich will be the death knell of the Red Army. There will be more fighting, but the Soviets will no longer have any real chance of favorable results. It will be like the Germans when they suffered the Destruction of Army Group Center.


I agree. Even the Red Army cannot sustain losses on such a scale. Now I just need to close the trap. And pray the encirclement holds.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 03:38 PM

Quote:
I agree. Even the Red Army cannot sustain losses on such a scale.


Quoted for future reference. FYI, I have killed over FIVE HUNDRED division size formations and the RED buggers still are fighting...and multiplying....and I have freakin jets and Panther A's and I finally figured out how to Paradrop Skorzeny onto Stavka HQ...Macht Nicht

If the the Kommandant der Pixletruppen offers you a brief respite in say...South Afrika or maybe even Wolkenkuckucksheim...I hear it's nice this time of year ;), take him up on it.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 06:33 PM

The only thing that can stop Para now:
http://kcgreendotcom.com/CC/comics/cc-stalingrody.gif

(NSFW - language)
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 09:07 PM

Turn 48, May 15th 1942

Gottverdammter Schlamm!

banghead

Mud... goddamit I hate it. Once again the whole Eastern Front from the Finnish border to the Crimea sinks into a bottomless sea of mud. Oh my, why didn't apply for the Afrika Korps instead?
Once again my divisions have become basically static, their combat value dropped to nothingness and my patience with the Russian weather slowly coming to an end...

Of course this means I couldn't close the cauldron up North, I actually had to pull back my spearheads a couple of miles to avoid having them cut off themselves. I still hope to link up with the infantry divisions slowly slugging their way south through endless forests, swamps and Russian divisions in this miserable weather. 3 fresh infantry divisions are on their way to the Finnish border but I wonder if they'll arrive in time...

Did I mention that I hate mud?



From Vyshnyvolochek to Moscow there's nothing to report, besides the Red Army pulling back a couple of divisions west of Moscow.



In the Ryazan-Voronezh area the two pincers of yet another armoured strike are in position, 6 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions waiting for the roads to dry up once again.



In the Rostov area and on the Crimea there's nothing to report, the mud bringing all operations to a standstill.

I'll now have a Schnapps. And shoot my meteorologist.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 10:41 PM

Turn 49, May 21st 1942



We did it!

With the weather clearing up the giant pincers of Operation Alberich have finally closed, cutting off vast numbers of Soviet formations! 7 Panzer and 5 MotInf divisions with more than 750 Panzers have paved the way for one of the greatest battles of annihilation of the war so far. The fighting has been tough but we have now cut off a major part of the offensive power of the Red Army.




And in the Vyshnyvolochek area the infantry divisions of XXVI and X Korps have managed to trap another 2 tank corps, 3 rifle divisions and a rifle brigade.




Also, the attack in the Tula area, Operation Hagen , has met with great success! 6 Panzer and 3 MotInf divisions have cleanly broken through the Russian front and have cut off a massive number of Soviet units, among them no less than 15(!) tank corps! Together with the armoured forces cut off during Operation Alberich the Red Army is now threatened with the loss of more than half its operational tank forces.



In the South the next offensive starts, with the 3 Panzerkorps converging on the city of Stalingrad, Operation Himmelblau.

Both pincers advance rapidly, with the leading elements closing in to within 60 miles of the city on the Volga river. Special commendation goes to the SS Wiking division that advances more than 200 miles in a frantic dash East.

The Red Army in this area quite obviously lacks the means to conduct a meaningful defence due to losses incurred earlier.




And finally: the Crimea.

After some major reorganizing I brought up all the heavy artillery of XXX Korps and 11th Army and blasted the Russian fortifications at the isthmus of Feodosiya. In heavy fighting the 61st, 50th and 72nd infantry divisions finally broke through! Immediately the infantry of I and LIV Korps advanced and battered aside all Russian resistance. Then the LVII Panzerkorps rolled forward, towards their 1st objectives: Novorossiysk and Krasnodar.

14th MotInf division has reached Anapa, with the foothills of the Caucasus in sight!

Oh, and yet another Russian tank corps has been cut off... smile



Good times!





Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/05/11 11:49 PM

Impressive.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 11:29 AM

With the operations Alberich and Hagen in progress and being successful so far, the crimea secured and Himmelblau about to start I can't see how the Soviets can regain a foothold too soon. It might well be you broke their back this time. So, I'll congratulate on this great success. notworthy

I can already imagine now to see you in Astrakhan, Samara and Kazan smile
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 01:42 PM

I've been quietly reading these AARs for a couple of weeks now and finally I'm piping in to say I really enjoy them

Keep it up!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 03:49 PM

Thanks!

cheers



Turn 50, May 28th 1942

Hey, it's another week of mud, ain't that fun?

pitchafit


In the North the weather conditions don't interfere much with my operations since all my units are already in position and I just need to wait a week or two until I can start destroying the trapped Soviet formations.



The same in the Tula area: the Kessel is still closed tightly, the Russians trapped inside are basically doomed.



Now, what is very unfunny is that the mud stopped my advance on Stalingrad dead in its tracks. The same divisions that could easily cover 100-150 miles a week last turn now struggle to advance more than 20 miles. A week. Besides the annoying delay of the whole operation the mud greatly endangers my spearhead formations. The Red Army is pulling back and while the Don provides for some valuable flank protection to the North the danger of my mobile formations getting cut off is a fact. The Luftwaffe makes great efforts to deliver fuel to the leading divisions but it's nowhere near enough.

Time and time again I'm surprised how good the AI in WitE actually is. Sure, a human opponent would at times be much more aggressive but all in all the AI rarely does something stupid and reacts extremely well to changing situations. I'm very glad that the Red Army simply doesn't have the powerful formations needed to threaten me on an operational level.



In the Crimea/Kuban area operations are greatly helped by the lack of mud, 14th MotInf division advancing to the outskirts of Krasnodar and 12th Panzerdivision capturing the port city of Novorossiysk. The area in front of my divisions seems to be almost void of Soviet troops, but I wonder how I will keep my units in supply over these vast distances.





"It's 600 miles to Baku. Our PzKpfw IV has a full tank of gas, we got half a pack of cigarettes, the sun's shining and we're wearing fancy uniforms. Hit it."



tanksalot
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 04:22 PM

Drive east in the south fast Para and cut that RR from Baku to Stalingrad.
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 05:04 PM

Gotta love the Blues Brothers reference... wink
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 05:22 PM

Wow. In two weeks this thread will have gone for a full ten months. I almost couldn't believe the date when I went back to page 1.

So, let me just thank for 38 weeks of entertainment with about 45 AARs. It was interesting to follow this.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 05:39 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
The area in front of my divisions seems to be almost void of Soviet troops, but I wonder how I will keep my units in supply over these vast distances.


Romanian ports -> caucasian ports?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 08:01 PM

Ten months? Woah...

I mean, I knew it would take me some time, but I had no idea that this would turn into a venerable Opus Magnum.


biggrin

@Nixer: yeah, I just need to get there. Somehow.

@Heretic: The ports do help with supply, but you still have to have rail lines running from the ports to your lines. Fortunately my railheads have almost reached the Kuban area by now.



Turn 51, June 4th 1942


Surprise! Another week of mud...

bs_sign


In the North the great Kesselschlacht following Operation Alberich is in full swing. Cut off from their lines of communication the Soviet troops, severely lacking supplies and ammunition don't stand a chance against determined German attacks. Tens of thousands surrender, the number of tanks and guns captured too many to count.



The same situation in the Tula sector: breakthrough attempts are thrown back, then one after another the Russian divisions get destroyed.




At the end of the week the fighting in both cauldrons has cost the Red Army more than 500.000 soldiers, 1.500 tanks and almost 7.500 guns. And there are still dozens of divisions and corps trapped without hope of relief. Total Soviet casualties since June 22nd 1941 have exceeded 7 million by now.

But not all's well. On the upper Don Operation Himmelblau is facing a serious crisis as the mud has stopped the Panzer and MotInf divisions for two consecutive weeks. The northern pincer is in grave danger of getting cut off from the following infantry corps. The Russians have concentrated a dozen+ divisions on the northern flank of the forming cauldron, ready to pierce the thin German lines.



In the Kuban/Caucasus area operations are coming along nicely. Krasnodar has been captured and my mix of German, Hungarian and Rumanian troops continue their advance eastwards.



Operation Himmelbau is giving me a bit of a headache right now. Other than that I'm doing fine. The success of Operations Alberich and Hagen have surpassed my wildest dreams, the Red Armies offensive power will be greatly weakened for the coming months.




Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 10:27 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
The ports do help with supply, but you still have to have rail lines running from the ports to your lines. Fortunately my railheads have almost reached the Kuban area by now.


Seems those POWs are put to good use.


Also, I'd pull back the units from the nothern drive towards Stalingrad. It was a bit overambitious anyways.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 11:37 PM

That northern pincer is going to have an interesting time ahead of it.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/06/11 11:51 PM

Ouch...
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/07/11 12:50 AM

Hopefully, any losses you incur from the re-appearance of the mud won't hurt your overall campaign objectives.

Really gotta say....this is the best AAR thread of any game I've seen, great job!.... thumbsup
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/07/11 05:10 PM

Stalingrad...hmmm...meat grinder comes to mind. That northern Pz Korps needs to be extricated ASAP.

With the use of 20/20 hindsight, methinks you would have been better off going for Baku and cutting off the vast majority of the Russkies fuel supplies. All those Tank factories in Stalingrad and further east would be moot without fuel to run the tanks and trucks.

How many VP's (victory points) do you have right now?
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/07/11 09:20 PM

If that northern pincer fails, remember to make some heads roll! Somebody MUST pay for the first major setback of the campaign! smile

I must admit, I'm looking forward to the next update with baited breath... and so is OKW. smile

Itkovian
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 12:06 AM

Thanks guys, great to hear so many of you are still following this.

cheers


Turn 51, June 11th 1942

In the North the great battle of annihilation east of Leningrad rages on. Together with our Finnish allies the infantry of XXVIII, L and XXIII corps plus three fresh divisions from Germany methodically hack the Red Army divisions trapped in the giant pocket to pieces. In a single week the Russians lose another 400.000 troops, almost 6.000 guns and 240 tanks.

I need another week to finish off the remaining Soviet forces in the Kessel, then another week to reorganize, then I'll strike East again.



Along the front to Moscow I do not engage in major combat this week. Only in one area I attack, which results in a Soviet rifle corps getting cut off.
I still have a lot of reorganizing to do, but the reward is finally a free corps HQ which I immediately send South to 1st Panzer army. I frequently get fresh division from Germany but no new corps or army HQs, so to effectively employ these new divisions I need to be quite creative with higher HQs, constantly shuffling divisions around.


In the Tula region Operation Hagen ends in total defeat of the trapped Red Army forces. Another 100.000 soldiers, 1.000 guns and more than 400 tanks lost. In just two weeks the Red Army has lost 1 million soldiers, 15.000 guns and more than 2.200 tanks. Red Army operational troops strength this week has dropped below 4 million, with the number of operational tanks barely reaching 1.600.



The South saw heavy fighting this week in the course of Operation Himmelblau. A crisis developed in the Serafimovitch area where Soviet forces managed to cut off the leading formations of III Panzerkorps. Unfortunately (for the Red Army) these two divisions were no ordinary divisions, as the attacking Russians were to find out rather quickly. The Luftwaffe mobilised everything that could fly to deliver supplies and fuel to the cut-off divisions, with the Bf-109s of Jagdgeschwader 77 keeping the skies clear of attacking Russian fighters.

When the Russians finally attacked they faced two of the finest Divisions on the whole Eastern front, the two Waffen-SS divisions Wiking and Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. Besides being extremely experienced divisions (both have racked up a most impressive count of 40+ victories in battle) led by one of my finest commanders (v. Mackensen) both divisions were at full strength (almost 20.000 men), lavishly equipped with artillery and reinforced with additional StuG battalions, Panzerjäger companies, Pioneer battalions, Flak detachments, pointy sticks and I think I actually saw a war elephant or two... wink
The Soviet attacks met a wall of steel and the two divisions didn't yield an inch, throwing back the Russian attacks with heavy losses to the attackers.

With the immediate crisis passed I consolidated my positions along the northern Don and then ordered the Divisions of XIV Panzerkorps forward. 9th, 11th and 13th Panzerdivisions crossed the Aksay, the Myshkova, and finally the Don itself, sweeping away all resistance. Finally 13th Panzerdivision made contact with the Leibstandarte, linking up both pincers.

At the same time XXXXVIII Panzerkorps moves north-east at full speed and it is 23rd Panzerdivision that takes the honour of being the 1st German division to reach the Volga, 40 miles south-east of Stalingrad!




In the South operations are going just fine. I've trapped another tank corps and a mountain division north of Krasnodar and the LVII Panzerkorps is advancing on Voroshilovsk. Soviet resistance in this area is basically non-existent.

Only my supply lines give me a bit of trouble. Looks like I can't continue the rail lines coming from the Crimea, even though I have ports. Which means I have to connect the rail lines to my existing rail network somehow. It's not too bad though since I do get a some supply through the ports and the railhead advancing South from Rostov is barely 150 miles from Krasnodar. I'll have two rail repair units fixing the railroads as quickly as possible, shouldn't take too long.




The plan is for the Panzerkorps to advance towards Grozny and, finally, Baku while the infantry divisions march towards Batumi and Tblisi.

It's been an interesting week! The Red Army seems to be staggering like a boxer right before the K.O. I can't see the Russians mount any kind of offensive in the coming months. Their losses in the last two weeks due to Operations Alberich and Hagen have been absolutely brutal and already the next Kessel west of Stalingrad has been formed. And summer has not even really started, which means I now have 4-5 months to finish off the Soviets. I still have a tremendous respect for the Russian juggernaut, but at the moment it looks pretty bleak for comrade Stalin.






Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 12:55 AM

Mit das yellin' und screamin' und bombsgedroppen, Ja ?

Sehr gut !!!
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 01:19 AM

Excellent reading! Thanks for posting.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 02:56 AM

Haven't been posting but I'm still following this terrific AAR. The recent updates have really fed the addiction smile
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 03:20 AM

Looking good Para, i fail to see how Stalingrad will now live up to it's historical self.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 12:22 PM

I'm also liking the update pace of these past few days smile

Keep at it! biggrin

Who needs cumgespurten when you can have bombsgedroppen!

smile
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 02:38 PM

She_who_secretly_works_for_STAVKA is currently in Tenerife on a wellness holiday. While I got to play work.

So no cumgespurten for me.

nope

But all the more bombsgedroppen.

yep
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 07:49 PM

Don't make a mistake now! (Stalingrad...)
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/08/11 08:23 PM

Stalingrad? Stalingrad is WEAK! It will fall like so much wheat before the National Socialist Combine!

Nothing can go wrong, nothing at all!

Itkovian
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/09/11 06:43 AM

Just caught up with this one. Looking real good. thumbsup



Wheels
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/09/11 11:22 AM

I have bad news from the front!

The UberBombenGedroppenKommandant will in all likelyhood be busy with schwertgeslachten in Skyrim from friday morning!
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/11/11 07:17 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
But all the more bombsgedroppen.

yep


Promises, promises...
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/11/11 01:01 PM

Wo ist unser yellin und screamin und bombsgedroppen ????

Sind Sie wieder cumgespurten haben ?
Posted By: Immermann

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/11/11 03:46 PM



biggrin
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/12/11 05:01 PM

I jinxed it when I said I liked the pace!!! frown

lol
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/13/11 05:42 PM

Dear Parabellum

This came across my ticker this afternoon, I thought you might need to know:

"Oberkriegskaboomführer Parabellum,

Heeresnachrichtendienst published reports today, that the Soviets have launched a major offensive at the region of Ryazan.
It said a major tank force is already driving down to Tula and Soviet Soldiers have been sighted near Orel.

If it's true the whole operation Barbarossa II is endangered. We hope it's false reports of own tank movements and partisans. But you never know. We command you to return quickly and give the Soviets a bloody nose (if not a knock out...)

Kind regards, Reichsverweser Beck"

Don't know what's going on, is your radio connection to the Headquarters down?

neaner
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 08:39 AM

Looks like Herr Oberkriegskaboomführer has moved to Skyrim and is hacken und slashen instead of bombgesdroppen.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 03:29 PM

Yeah, and he probably got distracted with some cumgespurten as well.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 06:24 PM

Yeah the Stavka spy is back from holiday I bet.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 09:11 PM

Dammit; doesn't he know he has a waiting audience ?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 09:21 PM

sniff...
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 09:44 PM

Maybe a major set back around Stalingrad???
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/14/11 10:18 PM

*Tries to think of a Cumgespurten + Operation Uranus joke...*
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/16/11 09:12 AM

Originally Posted By: Tomcat84
*Tries to think of a Cumgespurten + Operation Uranus joke...*


Ouch, that hurts...




my eyes...
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/16/11 10:21 AM

Well I have to wait at least 2 weeks for an update....I am unhappily leaving port in an hour...Oh boy 3 days of Ten foot seas and a coldfront coming.......

No wonder I always try to take the winter off. ahoy
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/17/11 04:45 AM

Originally Posted By: Nixer
Well I have to wait at least 2 weeks for an update....I am unhappily leaving port in an hour...Oh boy 3 days of Ten foot seas and a coldfront coming.......

No wonder I always try to take the winter off. ahoy

See you when you get back Nixer.


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/17/11 09:26 PM

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting.

wave2



Turn 53, June 18th 1942


Now who would've thought that? We get yet another turn of mud. Awesome. Just what I need. Offensive operations grind to a standstill, once again.

Himmiherrgottksakramentzefixhallelujah!

pitchafit

In the North the heavy fighting in the wake of Operation Alberich still rages on. Another 40.000 Soviet soldiers are captured, but some units still offer stiff resistance, helped by the abysmal weather conditions.

While the infantry divisions continue to clear our these last pockets of resistance I again start to concentrate my Panzer and motorized infantry divisions for another deep strike into the Russian lines.



In the centre the infantry divisions of XIII Korps force a crossing over the Oka river and thus secure the jump-off positions for the southern pincer of Operation Roland. With the Red Army weakened after their disastrous losses following Operations Alberich and Hagen I want to keep the momentum up and go for another massive Kesselschlacht. The fact the the Soviets seem to concentrate their remaining armour reserves in the South helped with that decision.

The northern pincer of Operation Roland, consisting of 4 Panzer and 5 MotInf divisions and the élite regiment Großdeutschland will advance south-east past Yaroslawl on the northern bank of the Volga river, while the southern pincer, consisting of 5 Panzer and 3 Mot Inf divisions will head north towards Gorky, with the Volga providing protection on their right flank.

The operation is vast in scope but with the current weakness of the Red Army should be possible to succeed.



On the 200-mile stretch from Ryazan to Voronezh the front remains calm, I have planned no major offensives here. IX and XXXV Korps will take the major city of Tamboy once the roads are clear again though.



In the Stalingrad area the situation is still serious. The mud couldn't have hit me at a worse time, my spearheads were in grave danger of getting cut off themselves. But in heavy fighting especially 13th and 14th Panzerdivisions and the SS MotInf division Wiking have performed most excellently and thrown back all assaults. For example: a regimental Kampfgruppe of 14th Panzer clashed with the Russian 7th Tank Corps between Don and Chir, destroying 38 enemy tanks while only losing a single Panzer themselves!

And although the mud impairs the fighting ability of my divisions I order my infantry formations to destroy the trapped Russians. Time is the one thing I don't have. The result of the heavy fighting is about 1.500 German casualties and more than 150.00 captured or killed Red Army troops and more than 2.000 guns captured! Despite some problems and a crisis here and there Operation Himmelblau seems to become yet another triumph.

But even while the trapped Russians within the giant cauldron fight for their very lives Soviet High command throws its reserves towards the city that bears its leader's name: more than 20(!) new divisions have arrived in the area, making it rather obvious that the Russians don't intend to hand over Stalingrad easily. Of course, these fresh divisions are basically empty skeletons, their OOBs full with untrained recruits and lacking heavy weapons and tanks, but the rate at which the Red Army creates new formations is still amazing.

Unfortunately the mud and the resulting supply problems means I couldn't cross the Volga south of the city. And anyway I have to finish off the Red Army forces west of the Don first before I start to battle for Stalingrad seriously.



In the South operations go ahead as planned. Voroshilovsk is taken by 12th Panzerdivision and there's still no Russian defences worth mentioning in the area. 240 miles separate the leading elements of 14th MotInf division from Grozny and the important rail lines running North from Baku. A distance a well-supplied Panzerkorps can cover in two weeks. Of course until I can move the railheads South from the Rostov area LVII Panzerkorps is anything but well supplied...



Despite the mud which greatly limited my ability to exploit my successes from the previous turns this was another good week. The Red Army continues to suffer immense casualties week after week and is unable to rebuild its shattered armoured forces. The Red Army currently is down to about 1.500 operational tanks, with probably half that number basically worthless light tanks that don't stand a chance against my Panzers and their veteran crews.

The creation of rifle and tank corps greatly increases the striking power of the Red Army and is a sign of things to come if I don't finish off the Red Army soon, but as long as these units seriously lack manpower, heavy weapons and experience they are no threat. Yet.

The fate of the Eastern Front will be decided within the next few weeks during Operation Roland, the battle for Stalingrad and the advance on Gorky and Baku.




Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/17/11 09:43 PM

Tank you for the update!
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 04:02 AM

Looks like they intend to defend Stalingrad pretty much along historical lines.


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 11:28 AM

Too bad for the Red Army that I don't intend to attack Stalingrad along historical lines.

biggrin


Turn 54, June 25th 1942


Operational German troop strength at the start of this week is ~3.336.000 men, 2.400 tanks, 3.300 aircraft.

Operational Soviet troop strength at the start of this week is ~3.860.000 men, 1.600 tanks, 10.000 aircraft


The vast number of Red Army aircraft is mainly due to WitE's air war system still being kinda... broken. Russian losses due to aerial combat should be FAR higher than they are ATM, but then the Russian air force has played only a small role in the fighting so far. I basically ignore the air war except for the (automatic) close air support and the dropping of supplies.

In the North I clean up the last pockets of resistance within the cauldron and capture another 50.000 Red Army soldiers.

With the rear area secured I launch Operation Roland. Once again the infantry divisions of XXIII and L corps, supported by 3 divisions from OKW reserve and my Finnish allies tear a 70-mile gap into the Soviet front line. The fighting is heavy since much of the ground is swamp and forests, but in the end the Red Army units break apart under the onslaught and the way is open for my armoured spearheads: The divisions of XXXIX, XXXXI and LVI Panzerkorps with about 600 tanks start their advance, their movement slowed down more by the difficult terrain than Russian resistance. There's a swampy 60-70 mile stretch of land between the rivers Sheksna and Mologa, definitely no tank country, but I have to cross this bog until I reach more open terrain. Still, the advance in difficult terrain is considerably, Cherepovets is taken and the leading division, SS Totenkopf covering 100 miles.

The idea is to meet the southern pincer at Kostroma , another 160 miles from the spearheads.



With the jumping-off positions for the offensive on the northern bank of the Oka river secured already last week the divisions of XIII Korps have no problems in delivering a series of devastating attacks against the defending Russians. 60 miles of Soviet front lines simply disappear as the Panzer and MotInf divisions of XXIV, XXXXVI and XL Panzerkorps with 550+ tanks roll North. The terrain in this area is much more suited to mobile operations and thus the leading formation, 2nd Panzerdivision, manages to advance 140 miles. 90 more miles to Gorky.

The pincers are still about 250 miles from each other but with the lack of powerful tank formations I see no way how the Red Army will interfere with this operation. Now I hope that I can keep my units supplied. And that I get a few turns without mud...



The Rostov-Stalingrad area sees continuous fighting as Operation Himmelblau draws to an end, the encircled Red Army formations surrendering en masse to my divisions. Another 150.00 Soviet soldiers are captured.

With the armies defending the approaches to Stalingrad wiped out I now focus my attention towards the city itself. My plan is to avoid a frontal assault and use my armoured formations to cross the Volga river North and East of the city to cut off the Red Army divisions preparing for a desperate last stand in the city. For this operation I have 7 Panzer and 4 MotInf divisions with about 800 tanks, supported by ~20 infantry divisions who are slowly catching up after clearing out the Kessel.





In the Caucasus Operation Windhund rolls on, the advance of my divisions only limited by the fuel reserves. 90 more miles to Grozny. Slowly my railheads move South, but so far the Luftwaffe has done a splendid job of keeping my spearheads supplied.





Again a good week. The Red Army has lost another 300.000 troops, total Soviet casualties since the beginning of the war 12 months ago have reached more than 8 million by now.

In normal conditions the Russians are still unable to withstand determined attacks unless in heavily fortified areas and there is simply nothing in the Red Army's arsenal that can stop a Panzerkorps. The massive losses to their tank forces mean the Red Army has no ability to cope with breakthroughs, the rifle divisions and corps being basically immobile and suffering from weak combat power.






Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 01:58 PM

Thanks PB thumbsup

When I read about Roland in the first AAR I was shocked and thought "Now that is too ambitious now.". But I'm positively surprised how it works out until now.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 02:37 PM

More more more!!!!!

biggrin
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 03:20 PM

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh - bombsgedroppen.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 07:38 PM

Rasputitza at the end of June?

Thanks for the AAR... Looking forward to reading how you deal with Stalingrad.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 10:11 PM

@Purolator: Yeah, the plan looks kinda over-ambitious, but with regard to the current weakness of the Red Army I think it's doable.


And because I've let you guys waiting so long: another update! For free!

biggrin


Turn 55, July 2nd 1942


In the North Operation Roland is in full swing. The Red Army tried to block the advance of the northern pincer but the handful of rifle divisions and corps desperately thrown into the fray could only slow down my armoured forces, not stop them. Despite the resistance and some supply problems the northern pincer managed to advance another 80 miles, with the infantry divisions already securing the corridor.

The southern pincer meets less opposition with 2nd Panzerdivision reaching the outskirts of Gorky and 20th Panzerdivision advancing as far as the Volga, a mere 30 miles from its objective, Kostroma.

The Red Army by now only has a minimal chance of managing to extract its forces from the forming Kessel. A 120-mile gap and a single rail line is all that stands between the utter annihilation of what amounts to no less than the entire Soviet North-West front and the off-chance of a military miracle.



In the Voronezh region I suddenly realized that the Russians had actually thinned their already weak lines, most probably to get some sorely needed reserves. I quickly capitalized on this situation by launching an all-out assault by XXXV, IX and XLIII corps. 10 infantry divisions with close to 150.000 men in savage fighting broke through the Russian lines and blasted apart the Soviet front on a 170-mile stretch! Half a dozen rifle division have been destroyed, two rifle corps cut off. Now my infantry corps can strike into the rear of the Red Army forces holding the northern bank of the Don and threatening the northern flank of my attack on Stalingrad.



The Battle of Stalingrad

7 Panzerdivisions, 1 Rumanian and 1 Hungarian armoured division, 4 MotInf divisions and 27 infantry divisions. More than 550.000 men and 700 tanks, supported by more than 1.000 aircraft are about to strike at the city that bears Stalin's name. Defending against the attack are 25+ rifle divisions and half a dozen rifle corps plus several cavalry formations.

East of Kletskaya 5 Panzer and 2 SS MotInf divisions crossed the Don and pierced the Russian defences like a hot knife going through butter. And it is 13th Panzerdivision with its remaining 90 tanks that manages to cross the Volga river 40 miles north of Stalingrad!

South-East of the city XIV Panzerkorps has to fend off some minor Russian attacks and with the infantry divisions of VIII and XVII corps finally arriving the 23rd Panzerdivision with 139 tanks forces a crossing of the Volga! The bridgehead is soon reinforced with the 2nd Hungarian armoured division and should be able to withstand all counter-attacks.

With the Volga defences breached on both flanks of Stalingrad the situation for the Red Army is getting more desperate by the hour.



In the Caucasus region my mobile divisions roll across the plains ever eastwards, with barely any halt. 18th MotInf division had a brief clash with a Soviet rifle corps that had the misfortune to get into the division's way and got cut to pieces in a brutal and rather one-sided battle. And along the Kumat river 2 Russian rifle brigades got annihilated by my screening infantry divisions. Other than that it's "Vorwärts!" all the way. 14th MotInf division has closed to within 20 miles of Grozny, having covered almost 500 miles since breaking out of the Crimea a month ago.



It's starting to look grim for the Red Army. Operation Roland in the North threatens to destroy basically a whole army group and the 2nd major concentration of Soviet forces around Stalingrad is facing the same danger. If the Red Army loses both these forces it's over for the USSR. The Soviet front line at the moment is the thing military nightmares are made of. It's either dangerously thin, in danger of getting cut off or simply not existing anymore.

OTOH my forces are still in good shape and I got a bag full of reserves. My Panzers have suffered quite a bit (operational tank strength has dropped to 2160 at the end of the week) but so far they have done a magnificent job of securing my operational objectives and cutting apart the Red Army.


Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/18/11 11:26 PM

I think that the success of Alberich broke the Soviet's back already. Even earlier, I think the key to success was capturing and holding Moscow, and essentially preventing a Soviet winter offensive. They built up their forces, but never got them rolling. Had they decided to attack to the southwest some five weeks before the thaw period, things might now look rather differently.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 12:12 AM

A lot of things contributed to the current situation. The capture of Leningrad and the subsequent full entry of the Finns into the war immensely helped reinforcing my line and halting the Soviet winter offensive. I doubt I could've held the front without the Finnish divisions. Also, the heavy losses in the summer and autumn of '41 prevented the Red Army to unleash a much more dangerous offensive in the first place, although my troops still suffered horribly in the winter. When my infantry divisions were down to regimental strength I honestly thought the Ostheer was done for... Still, they prevailed and my forces were actually in a pretty decent shape again just in time for the spring offensive. And both Alberich and Hagen were absolutely disastrous for the Red Army. Hagen especially crippled the Soviet armoured forces by wiping out 15 tank corps, effectively halving the Russian armoured forces in just two weeks of fighting.

The problem for the Red Army is that the summer has barely started yet. I now have three months of good weather and I do not intend to give the Russians any time to catch their breath.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 01:21 AM

PB, thanks for the report.

Perhaps it is prematurely, but congratulations - Du kannst jetzt zum Halali blasen!

Unless a real miracle happens the Soviets are doomed and I don't expect the fight to last into 1943 anymore.

1. Roland is about to form a Superkessel now

2. annihilation of 170 miles of Russian front behind Voronezh. Well, who's gonna stop your troops there? Forest fairies and swamp trolls?

3. the encirclement of Stalingrad. At the very least it will bind many Soviet troops, at best it will be another crushing victory for you.

4. the drive into the Caucasus. Seems so that Stavka hoped for some mountain spirits there to stop you (yes, I play too much Skyrim...).

That is a lot to devour for Stavka and simply too much at once. You are right, it is early summer and there is more to come as well.

I honestly can't see how the Soviets could come back from that (again, unless a real miracle happens) and I suppose Stalin, Berija and Molotov have their TT-33s loaded or cyanide capsules at the ready now.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 05:03 AM

I've got to agree with Purolator. The way your forces are just ripping through Russian lines at this point makes it hard to imagine how they could ever come back.

Looking forward to reading how the coup de grace will be administered.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 08:10 AM

Finish them today!!!! haha smile
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 11:20 AM

If the real Soviet army had sustained the amount of losses that you have inflicted in your campaigns I wonder if the Russian people would have revolted against Stalin?

Without some sort of hidden in game force multiplier that is engaged when you attack Stalingrad I think the Soviet army is done.


Wheels
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/19/11 11:47 AM

I think that would be a given. As it was, in reality the Soviets were close to revolting at the end of '41 and Stalin and Berija moved out of Moscow to evade the expected attempt to capture Stalin. And that was without the loss of Leningrad and Moscow.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/21/11 10:43 PM

I expect the new nightmare word in Russia is 'Kessel'.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/23/11 01:46 PM

????
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/24/11 06:29 PM

Sorry guys, no update before next week. GF's in hospital and I'm swamped with work.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/24/11 07:15 PM

Sorry to hear that, PB. About the GF, not about the update delay wink

That damn RL thing rears its ugly head again.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 04:08 AM

Hope she's ok & it's nothing serious.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 09:43 AM

Sorry to hear about your girlfriend being in the hospital Para. Make sure to take care of yourself too while you are taking care of everything else. wink


Wheels
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 10:41 AM

Best wishes... despite her past diversionary activities. I hope she'll get well soon!
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 01:48 PM

You know that we are all up lying for all to be well and are hoping it is nothing serious. Best wishes to the both of you.
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 03:39 PM

I hope that it is nothing serious. Best wishes.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 09:05 PM

Gute Besserung an Deine Freundin, PB. Ich hoffe auch, dass es nichts schwerwiegendes ist und sie wieder ganz gesund wird. frown
Posted By: Moses

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/25/11 09:09 PM

This is on sale on Matrix's website
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/26/11 08:48 AM

Same thoughts from me, who cares about a game update if she is in the hospital. Hope it will turn out just fine!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/26/11 10:43 AM

Thank you all from both of us.

It's nothing serious, just a small-ish surgery as a consequence of a traffic accident she had two years ago, everything went well and she's fine.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/26/11 10:46 AM

Thanks for the info and nice to hear that all went fine smile
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/27/11 02:43 AM

Glad to hear she is doing well. smile


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/27/11 07:31 AM

She's ok? Then back to yellin und screamen und bombsgedroppen, Herr Oberkriegskaboom fuhrer!
biggrin
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/27/11 09:05 AM

Hey PB,

Good to hear she's well. Take your time making it cozy for her.
I think your campaign won't last more than 5 turns anyway anymore. Thus keep our tension high, we need to roast a little more than you keeping us entertained during 10 months. kneeldown

Many greetings to your beloved even without knowing.

Lazardus
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/27/11 09:01 PM

Glad the GF/Stavka spy is ok. yeah

Awesome Job Para. In my latest test of my start in 43 campaign I am feinting towards Leningrad, secondary Obj is Moscow. I am sending my two best Panzer Army's straight at Baku. A quick glance at oil/fuel production everywhere else tells me if I can pull that off, the Soviet Army will become a big fat imobile slug ripe for the slaughter.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/29/11 01:09 PM

Isn't it time for bombsgedroppen ?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/29/11 05:59 PM

It is.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/29/11 06:54 PM

Me tinx de Cumgespurten ist diverting der Kampfwagons!
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 11/29/11 08:13 PM

Victory first---- then cumgesprurten !
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/01/11 10:19 AM

A noiseless, patient Para,
I mark’d, where, on a bulging East Front, it stood, isolated;
Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth Pixeltruppen, Pixeltruppen, Pixeltruppen, out of binary;
Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
Kessel'd, cauldron'd, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,—seeking the pincers, to connect them;
Till the bridge you will need, be form’d—till the ductile anchor hold;
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.


Walt Bitman
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/02/11 01:13 PM

Now look what you did, Para. You've got Ssnake writing poetry!

Our minds grow frail in your absence, help us before we start posting in limericks!

Itkovian
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/02/11 03:19 PM

There once was a lady from China................... woot
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/02/11 03:23 PM

There once was a Pirate named Dave ...
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/02/11 04:42 PM

Make bombesgedroppen not cumgespurten!
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 11:42 AM

Para, ... pleeeeeze!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 04:46 PM

I'm really sorry guys, but I have some bad news for you:


I just ran out of Lagavulin. And there's barely a dram left in the Ardbeg.


Despite this horrible news I'll try to write another update.


WinkNGrin



Turn 55, July 9th 1942


Operation Roland continues despite some problems keeping my spearheads supplied with fuel. The leading Panzerdivisions by now have advanced between 200 and 250 miles from their jump-off positions and even increased air supply can't keep all divisions well supplied.
But then the most important objective of the operation has been secured: 7th Panzerdivision, Rommel's famed ghost division from the fighting in France in 1940, has severed the last rail line out of the forming Kessel north of Yaroslawl! The only slight chance to save the majority of the Russian forces trapped in the giant cauldron has been shattered by the rapid advance of my Panzerdivisions. Only a narrow, 30 mile corridor around the city of Kostroma on the northern bank of the Volga still connects the vast number of the entrapped Soviet divisions with their lines of communication. But since my breakthrough was targeted into the distant rear of those units there simply isn't anything that far behind to break open the encirclement. With the lack of powerful armoured formations in this area the trapped Soviet divisions are as good as dead.

And while XXXXVI and XXIV Panzerkorps continue their drive north-west towards Kostroma, securing the Volga banks, XL Panzerkorps with 2nd and 4th Panzerdivisions take Gorky against stubborn resistance.

Northern pincer:



Southern pincer:




Current estimate of the trapped Red Army forces: 20+ rifle brigades, 14 rifle divisions, 2 rifle corps, 6 cavalry divisions, 3 cavalry corps and 4 anti-tank artillery brigades.

A telling picture of the situation the Red Army is facing at the moment is the fact the Soviet front line has ceased to exist on a 150-mile gap along the Oka river from Ryazan to Gorky. I'm tempted to turn a Panzerkorps or two east to capitalize on this lack of covering forces, but I need to eliminate the Red Army forces trapped during Operation Roland first. And without fuel my Panzers won't advance much further anyway.




In the centre the situation is dominated by the disintegration of the Russian front line. Tamboy is still defended by 3 rifle divisions but is cut off and will fall next turn. All along the front my infantry corps are advancing steadily East. Operational objective for them is the Volga, which they should reach within 3-4 weeks.




The Battle of Stalingrad

Unfortunately for me the STAVKA decides against a not one step back policy in the Stalingrad area. With my infantry corps outflanking the the Soviet divisions holding the northern bank of the Don and my leading Panzerdivisions having already crossed the Volga Red Army high command does the only sensible thing: immediately withdraw all forces west of the Volga. I only manage to destroy 4 infantry divisions and a rifle corps but the bulk of the Russian forces succeeds in escaping across the Volga.

Of course this withdrawal also means that Stalingrad cannot be successfully defended any more. The infantry divisions of XVII Korps in heavy fighting secure the eastern bank of the Volga opposite Stalingrad and together with 11th Panzerdivision attacking from the North close the ring around the city. Only token forces are left to defend the city and 328th infantry division, supported by up to 1,000 Luftwaffe aircraft captures the southern part of Stalingrad!



In the South Operation Windhund continues with only minimal interference from the Red Army. With my leading divisions 300 miles from the next railheads the advance is only limited by the supply situation.
Under heavy attacks by 24th Panzer and 14th MotInf divisions the Red Army evacuates Grozny. And while the fighting still rages 12th Panzerdivision advances and cuts the rail line running North from Baku! Another bad news for Stalin.



Despite no real battle of annihilation this week the Red Army suffered another 100.000 casualties.

The German army's situation is quite good, losses have been comparatively light, although the constant action for the Panzerdivisions of the past weeks has reduced operational tank strength to little more then 2.200 tanks. Of course this is nothing compared to the desperate situation the Red Army is facing. For example: there's a 250 mile gap south of Stalingrad that's basically void of Russian forces.




And the "big picture":





Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 05:04 PM

It's really impressive.

Somehow, I'm happy it didn't go this way...

I'd love to have some battles with you, PB, with either Empire TW or another strategic game! If it's true that losing teaches more than winning I'd learn SO MUCH!
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 05:24 PM

Originally Posted By: komemiute

Somehow, I'm happy it didn't go this way...


Totally agree.

Quote:
I'd love to have some battles with you, PB, with either Empire TW or another strategic game! If it's true that losing teaches more than winning I'd learn SO MUCH!


Oh, I'm not actually that great a player. I'm sure a human opponent would've given me a serious spanking in this game.

hahaha
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 07:35 PM

Wooohoooo! Bombsgedroppen!

Thanks for the update smile
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 07:55 PM

Quote:
Oh, I'm not actually that great a player. I'm sure a human opponent would've given me a serious spanking in this game.


Who cares, I'm even worse! biggrin I only play for fun, I know I'm not a general! wink
My offer still stands. smile

Like, forever.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/04/11 11:28 PM

I'd *so* race for the caspian sea in that desert of nothing...


Btw: There's an awfully big cluster of divisions to the west. Broseph's core red bros guards?
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 03:21 AM

Great read Para. thumbsup
I was a little surprised to see them concede Stalingrad though.


Wheels
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 11:40 AM

Originally Posted By: komemiute

My offer still stands. smile

Like, forever.



Hehe... Ok, I won't have much time before the new year, let's see if we find something interesting then. I'm more the turn-based player though.


Originally Posted By: Heretic
Btw: There's an awfully big cluster of divisions to the west. Broseph's core red bros guards?


Hmm? Which ones do you mean?

Originally Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

I was a little surprised to see them concede Stalingrad though.



So was I. I really was preparing for a tough fight, but the AI did the right thing: the position around Stalingrad had become un-defendable and leaving the forces in place would've simply doomed them.

The AI is really one of the best I've ever seen in a strategic game, although it might not be that apparent from my AARs. The problem is that my spring offensives have broken the back of the Red Army so even though the AI might know what to do it simply lacks the forces to do so.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 12:54 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Hmm? Which ones do you mean?


That huge cluster some distance east of your easternmost divisions/brigades. Northern sector.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 01:12 PM

Ah, those are merely empty HQs and airfields reconstituting after getting annihilated in previous turns.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 03:10 PM

Btw thanks for adding in that whole front overview pic. As i was reading I was hoping for one and you did not disappoint smile

Now bring on the next turn! haha
Posted By: fatty

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 07:01 PM

This has been a really enjoyable read, Para, thanks for keeping with it.

I've been following this intermitently, so forgive me if this has already been asked. But I'm curious about the German strategic goals here. Save the Roland pocket, the Soviet army is basically routed. So what else needs to be accomplished before you are considered to have "won?" Is there any critical territory left that you need to seize before the Soviets collapse entirely?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 08:10 PM

The victory conditions in WitE are quite simple: 290+ victory points means a German automatic victory. City hexes give 1 point, light urban 3, heavy urban 5 points. I'm currently at 266 VP, so I'll need another 24 to win.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/05/11 11:38 PM

...so there are "non-automatic" victories as well?
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 12:06 AM

Para you may be able to conclude your campaign this month thus bringing it in to just under a year smile
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 10:01 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Originally Posted By: komemiute

My offer still stands. smile

Like, forever.



Hehe... Ok, I won't have much time before the new year, let's see if we find something interesting then. I'm more the turn-based player though.


No problem anyway, in the middle of house-moving, with re-painting of several rooms and IKEA furniture mounting...

I'd love turn based game, there's a very free and interesting and realistic turn game. Can I PM you a link to it?

Take it easy anyway, no rush-ian wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 02:43 PM

@ Ajay: yeah, that's the plan.

yep

@Komemiute: sure, sounds interesting.

smile


Turn 57, July 16th 1942


It is done!

With the northern and southern pincers of Operation Roland meeting north of Yaroslawl all Soviet formations south-west of the Volga are cut off, a 300+ mile stretch of Red Army front line trapped and faced with annihilation. Logistics have become a serious problem for my leading mobile formations but the risk was well worth it. My divisions hold the northern bank of the Volga, sealing off any attempts by the Russians to escape their doom.



I'm really tempted to unleash XL Panzerkorps East across the Volga, but I have to wait for VII and XIII corps to secure the area first. And I also need to shift another Panzerkorps east. Next week...



In the Tamboy area the Russian front line crumbles away, my infantry divisions pushing relentlessly East, battering Red Army units that come in their way, bypassing others. 5 rifle divisions and a tank corps are in danger of getting cut off. XXXV Korps takes Tamboy, destroys 3 rifle divisions and captures 25.000+ POWs. Organized resistance has ceased to exist.



The Slovakian mobile division leads a bold advance by LV corps towards Saratov.




The Stalingrad sector saw heavy fighting this week. 25 major battles saw the Red Army torn to pieces. The Russians lost more than 100.000 men in the fighting, with minimal losses on the German side. Special tribute goes to the Waffen-SS division Wiking, who in a serious of vicious battles, gallantly supported by the Luftwaffe, routed no less than 9 (!) soviet rifle divisions off the battlefield, inflicting more than 40.000 casualties, while suffering less than 600 casualties. But the other divisions have not been idle either. 44th infantry, the (austrian) "Hoch und Deutschmeister" division destroyed the Soviet 3rd rifle corps in the ruins of Stalingrad and completed the capture of the city. The battles of III, XIV and XXXXVIII Panzerkorps are too numerous to recount in detail, but all inflicted terrible casualties on the Red Army.

The fighting ends with 5 rifle divisions, 1 guards cavalry divisions, 2 guards cavalry corps and 2 rifle corps surrounded.



In the South the relentless advance continues. Grosny falls and Makhachkala on the Caspian Sea is taken by LVII Panzerkorps.

The leading divisions by now have advanced ~ 600 miles since the beginning of the offensive, a feat that couldn't have been done without the efforts of the Luftwaffe and allied air forces. Countless missions have been flown in the last weeks to keep the spearheads supplied with fuel.

120 miles to Baku.




The Red Army is finished.

Operation Roland will basically destroy the Soviet north-west front, the central front is crumbling away, the forces in the Stalingrad area have suffered a terrible beating this week and in the South there is basically nothing to stop my divisions. And I still have months of good weather to use. This will be over soon.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 03:26 PM

Keep pushing East and the Russian forces might have to use the Bearing sea land route to escape this winter to North America. biggrin


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 04:24 PM

Excellent news from the Eastern Front! bottles beercheers
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 09:49 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum

Turn 57, July 16th 1942

...
The Red Army is finished.


It was basically finished ten turns ago when Alberich nearly cut off the monster cauldron in the first attempt. The mud created a bit more tension, but even in the critical situations when your pincers seems to be in real trouble, when they survived the Soviet attacks even without serious loss of combat strength, it was clear that there is nothing that the Red Army can do to save itself and the rodina. Comrade Stalin, even if he would have lasted past the fall of Leningrad and Moscow, must certainly have been fed to Siberian wolves in turn 48, or 49 at the latest.
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/06/11 09:57 PM

O.o No one sees the real THREAT! All those POWs!

Just think about it!

All those healthy russian mens, in the back of your army, all over the country!
All this while all the german able men are fighting in the east!

Basically the russian have alrady conquered Germany and europe!
The ratio of prisoners and guards is 1000 to 1!

ALL IS LOST!


biggrin JK, awesome AAR, I'll be left with a hole when all this'll be over.
This AAR should be made a Sticky thread and put on the front page of SimHQ!
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/07/11 11:34 AM

Congratulations, ParaBellum - that's it, the show is almost over for the Red Army and I suppose it is the turn of the diplomats in a few weeks to sign a peace treaty. Or it might as well be an unconditional surrender, the way this goes.

Originally Posted By: komemiute
This AAR should be made a Sticky thread and put on the front page of SimHQ!


I second that, as it's exemplarily written and documented. thumbsup
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/07/11 04:43 PM

Quote:
inflicting more than 40.000 casualties, while suffering less than 600 casualties


Can't help but have a mental image of walls of "last dregs" empressed farmers, old men, and 15 year-olds being marched straight into German lines with the NKVD waving PPsh-41s at their backs... What a slaughter!!

It's been an awesome AAR, Para. Thanks so much for your detailed and map-referenced updates.

Of course, you do know that that dumb-ass with the silly mustache is going to be taking all the credit and claiming that "the Corporal had to teach the Generals how to wage this campaign".
Posted By: enigma6584

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/07/11 07:45 PM

Congratulations ParaBellum,

That was a most enjoyable read. You've not only won the war in the east but you can bet now there will be no allied landings in Normandy due to all those first rate divisions of yours to be moved to France.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/07/11 10:22 PM

Something that crossed my mind while reading Para's AARs on the stunning victories in the East.

Click to reveal..
If Britain didn't fall in this fictional scenario and the US still developed the A-bomb I wonder if Wilhelmshaven would have been the logical first victim of its use on a military target? It's a coastal city within reasonable flying distance of bases in Britain and it has significance as a major German port for the Kriegsmarine during the war. With the A-Bomb and a way to deliver it I don't see even with the loss of Russia to the German forces a negotaited peace between Britain, US, and Germany...



Wheels
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/08/11 02:35 AM

With Russia finished in mid '42 and the German army and airforce not bogged down in that campaign, and now also having the oilfields, all of the farming land and industry capacity Russia has to offer..i don't think the Allies would even contemplate a landing in 44. The great bombing campaign may come to nought as Germany will have a much bigger fighter force available, plus the chance to relocate industry out of reach.With the amount of land she now controls the allies are going to need a lot more than two bombs to knock anyone out of the war.

It would depend on what the next moves where by the German armed forces, but like i said above ..with the mass amount of industry now at their feet, planes and tanks are going to be rolling from the factories at a tremendously increased rate.Plus the amount of manpower they can pilfer from the defeated Russians.By mid to late 43 you may not even be able to get an allied aerial attack over a target in Europe with acceptable losses.

We would have to roll up the Pacific campaign a lot quicker than historically..especially once the Germans reach the Eastern tip of Russia.

England is going to being feeling even more lonely once news of Russia's defeat reaches them ..and i'm sure the Swedes and any other nuetrals are going to be pooing themselves as well.

The end game either way could very well now hinge in the desert sands of North Africa and the Med.Could possibly become a slugfest on a similar scale to Russia.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/08/11 08:23 AM

Sweden "neutral"?
Before Stalingrad it was a very pro-German neutrality, and after Stalingrad it turned into an anti-German neutrality.
wink
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/08/11 12:25 PM

Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
Can't help but have a mental image of walls of "last dregs" empressed farmers, old men, and 15 year-olds being marched straight into German lines with the NKVD waving PPsh-41s at their backs... What a slaughter!!


Indeed. Those 'soldiers' were basically peasants led by incompetent officers in 'divisions' that lacked the most basic resources, from trained staff to heavy weapons. Now imagine such a bunch of untrained, under-equipped men hit in force by one of the best-trained, lavishly equipped elite divisions in the Wehrmacht, supported by whole Geschwaders of bombers, ground attack aircraft and fighters and artillery up to corps and army level. Utter carnage.

Quote:
It's been an awesome AAR, Para. Thanks so much for your detailed and map-referenced updates.



Thank you! And I can only repeat myself, it's been a great time and I really appreciate all your comments and encouragements.


Quote:
Of course, you do know that that dumb-ass with the silly mustache is going to be taking all the credit and claiming that "the Corporal had to teach the Generals how to wage this campaign".


Last news from Berlin are he got so excited about the fall of Stalingrad he had a stroke.

WinkNGrin


re: "what if" scenarios

I don't believe that the allies could've continued the war in the current scenario. Keep in mind that I currently have more than 3.000 operational aircraft on the Eastern Front alone and that my pilots are highly experienced. I could easily send a thousand aircraft to North Africa. And take Malta. My crack airlanding division is bored in the Caucasus anyway. And with the fall of the USSR Germany could've changed much of its industry to concentrate on aircraft and submarines. Even the atomic bomb IMO in such a scenario isn't that much of a game-changer. Keep in mind that Germany had developed highly advanced nerve gases which could've acted as a deterrent to a nuclear attack. "You nuke Wilhelmshaven? Then we drop Sarin on London."

Let's be glad this is just a game. And for what it's worth, I don't believe Germany had any chance to actually beat the USSR in WW2, at least not in the way Hitler intended this war to be fought.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/08/11 01:55 PM

Now for the coup de grace!
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/09/11 12:28 AM

Well, if you look at the map now it is only natural to think of "what if" scenarios.

I think there is an extremely high chance of a prolonged guerilla war in the east with high bloodshed, given the cruel ideas the Nazi ideology pursued concerning racial ideas. So I'm not so sure the German eastern agricultural and industrial settlements would be as productive as soon as the Nazi leadership probably had hoped for.

As mentioned, Germany might have used nerve gas as a deterrent against a nuclear threat. It certainly lacked behind in nuclear engineering. But I don't think London would be the prime target, as there would have been probably enough ressources now not only for an A4 (aka V2), but an A9/10...the "Amerika-Rakete", or the first true intercontinental missile. Mind you, it already was on the engineers drawing boards and certainly a less fancy idea compared to certain 'uberheavy' tank designs. My point is, at least the A4 became reality, and a step to the A10 wouldn't have been as radical as a 1500t tank! So, if indeed the A-bomb would have been ready in 1945, in this scenario it could well be that the first A10 was ready as well and primed with Sarin in order to be launched towards NYC.


Reality is fortunately different. Now back to the economy news, as that's already bad enough.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/09/11 03:51 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
re: "what if" scenarios

I don't believe that the allies could've continued the war in the current scenario. Keep in mind that I currently have more than 3.000 operational aircraft on the Eastern Front alone and that my pilots are highly experienced. I could easily send a thousand aircraft to North Africa. And take Malta. My crack airlanding division is bored in the Caucasus anyway. And with the fall of the USSR Germany could've changed much of its industry to concentrate on aircraft and submarines. Even the atomic bomb IMO in such a scenario isn't that much of a game-changer. Keep in mind that Germany had developed highly advanced nerve gases which could've acted as a deterrent to a nuclear attack. "You nuke Wilhelmshaven? Then we drop Sarin on London."

Let's be glad this is just a game. And for what it's worth, I don't believe Germany had any chance to actually beat the USSR in WW2, at least not in the way Hitler intended this war to be fought.




Indeed smile

We would have used the bomb as a threat but i dont know if we would have dropped it considering the shift in power once the bear has fallen.Knowing Hitler's total madness though we probably would have been forced to somewhere, i mean what are the options?If he claimed Nth Africa and made the Med an axis sea then things are looking decidely worse for us. Not much chance of a successful invasion when the Germans have such a large force to draw on in the continent.If we could take out the man himself and a bunch of his fawners like Goebells,Goering and Himmler in one fell swoop ala Enola Gay style..who knows.We would virtually have to abandon Europe, maybe just concentrate on knocking Japan out asap so we are not on two fronts.

Still..we had Winnie and he wouldn't go down not swinging , bomb or no bomb biggrin

Look forward to the end of the Eastern Front campaign Para..been a most interesting read.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/12/11 06:48 PM

Isn't it time for more yellin und screamin und bombsgedroppen ?
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/12/11 07:16 PM

I'm definitely up for more.

Though at this point this is like watching a nature documentary showing an injured gazelle on the Serengeti.

"Sadly now, there can only be one outcome."

smile

Itkovian
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/12/11 08:03 PM

rofl @ Itkovian biggrin
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/13/11 12:01 AM

Lions need to eat, too, and they aren't at liberty to choose a vegetarian diet.
Posted By: WolverineFW

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/13/11 05:05 AM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
Isn't it time for more yellin und screamin und bombsgedroppen ?


Anytime is good WinkNGrin
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/14/11 07:09 AM

Dang lazy Feldmarschalls, a couple of easy victories and now you can't get anything from them.

Seriously Para, just drove an old rust bucket 8 hours in freakin 8 foot side seas and the first thing I check at the dock is this to see your final victory, but Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. ahoy pitchafit

It's that gespurten thing again isn't it? woot

Cya in two weeks..... wink ahoy
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/14/11 07:39 AM

Or maybe he's exploring Skyrim.
The tease.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/14/11 10:09 AM

I'm simultaneously trying to defend Guadalcanal AND the Imperial Republic from the bad guys at the moment.

Don't know if I can slip in another update today between keeping the Marines supplied and the Sith at bay, but I try to do another one tomorrow.


yep
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/15/11 01:04 AM

What is this Guadalcanal business? Sounds interesting? smile
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/15/11 10:08 AM

Probably War in the Pacific.

Para!
You're a land lubber!
Back to Stalingrad, subito!
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/21/11 07:43 AM

Der pixeltruppen are crying in despair!
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/21/11 08:55 AM

Maybe he should just forfeit a turn or two because of indecision. biggrin

Maybe Herr Meier of the Luftwaffe has promised again that he can bomb the remainders of Russia into submission? exitstageleft
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/26/11 06:26 PM

Yo !
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/26/11 11:20 PM

Yeah, right. Christmas is over. No more excuses. This war won't win itself, will it?
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 07:53 AM

Well at least this time I only had 5 foot following seas to check in, methinks that Stavka spy has had some special training???

Well maybe in another 2 weeks....why does that sound familiar? biggrin
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 09:18 AM

wave



Wheels
Posted By: Groove

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 10:28 AM

Vielen Dank Para!

Fantastic AAR, great fun to read and watch.

If you ever start a War in the Pacific AAR - i will buy that game straight away biggrin

Guten Rutsch !
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 01:41 PM

Thanks Groove!

Since I surived the family christmas celebrations and the STAVKA spies's ways of saying "thank you" I might be able to post another update...soon. wink

Check back later this evening for some more bombsgedroppen.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 02:04 PM

Hurray! The Reds' final hours are at hand!
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/28/11 11:46 PM

Looking forward to it Para. whoohoo


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/30/11 06:37 AM

This evening? That was 28 Dec.. Year is coming to an end...
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/30/11 12:08 PM

I had a bit of a technical problem here. Had a HD failure yesterday and just bought a new HD. Thankfully I did a backup just before christmas so no important data's lost. Still need to do a full restore and set up everything again. I'll be away from home for the next 2 days, so the victory parade has to wait until the new year.

Thanks for everyone for your patience.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/30/11 01:43 PM

Where is Frau Farbissina to yell

Lies , all lies !
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/31/11 03:22 AM

I sense a Russian turn around in the making...


Wheels
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/31/11 04:24 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
I had a bit of a technical problem here. Had a HD failure yesterday and just bought a new HD. Thankfully I did a backup just before christmas so no important data's lost. Still need to do a full restore and set up everything again. I'll be away from home for the next 2 days, so the victory parade has to wait until the new year.

Thanks for everyone for your patience.



Ok, I didn't know the Red Army was that advanced to fall back on such sneaky tricks.

Good thing you did a backup though.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 12/31/11 07:57 AM

Sabotage by the Stavka spy!
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/02/12 09:50 AM

Sigh. It's 2012 and no bombsgedroppen frown
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/02/12 11:21 PM

Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
Sigh. It's 2012 and no bombsgedroppen frown

The troops haven't stopped their Holiday revelry yet and are in no condition for a fight. biggrin


Wheels
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/05/12 02:01 PM

Yoo - hooo , we're waiting.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/05/12 02:05 PM

I think Stalin & Hitler must have signed a new Non-Aggression Pact frown
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/05/12 10:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
I think Stalin & Hitler must have signed a new Non-Aggression Pact frown


http://kcgreendotcom.com/CC/comics/cc-stalingrody.gif

biggrin
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/05/12 10:29 PM

How much hemp are these guys smoking?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/07/12 02:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Had a HD failure yesterday ... need to do a full restore and set up ... the victory parade has to wait until the new year.

The Eastfront AAR ... my precious!
Must. Have. The precious!
Sneaky evil Para - he stole it from us, and we wants it back, Gollum! Gollum!


No!
No!
Para is kind to us! He's the master!
It's not his fault that the harddisk crashed!



Ssshut up!
He promised!
He promised us the precious!
Where. Is. It?
He ... traited us!
Gollum! Gollum!
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 03:23 PM

Dammit Para! You broke Ssnake!

If we don't get any more SB updates, I'm blaming you. smile

Itkovian
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 03:56 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Had a HD failure yesterday ... need to do a full restore and set up ... the victory parade has to wait until the new year.

The Eastfront AAR ... my precious!
Must. Have. The precious!
Sneaky evil Para - he stole it from us, and we wants it back, Gollum! Gollum!


No!
No!
Para is kind to us! He's the master!
It's not his fault that the harddisk crashed!



Ssshut up!
He promised!
He promised us the precious!
Where. Is. It?
He ... traited us!
Gollum! Gollum!


rofl
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 07:59 PM

You know kids,

I can actually remember when PB used to post in this thread.

Cue Tumbleweed etc


Just kidding, sorta.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 08:35 PM

I actually managed to play another turn. Just need to finish the write-up. Should be done in...the near future.

Just saying...

wink
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 08:47 PM

The betting room is open! Make your bets, what comes first - the next part of Para's AAR, or the US presidental election?
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/09/12 10:01 PM

Meanwhile, on the eastern front...

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/6264/bear2ih0.jpg
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/10/12 03:00 PM

Can't waitttttt!!!!!!
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/11/12 08:01 PM

Para who? exitstageleft
Posted By: FlatSpinMan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/12/12 02:12 PM

Jeez, I just read the first paragraph of the first post and am already gripped by a feeling of dread and tension. You know what is coming but can you stop it?! I have to find out!
28 pages - man, I don't have time for this but it sounds like a fantastic game.
Posted By: FlatSpinMan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/12/12 02:17 PM

Jeeeeeeeeeez. It is amazing how tense even the first page of this thread is (if you 'pretend' a little). What is this game?
Posted By: FlatSpinMan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/12/12 03:59 PM

I'm utterly hooked. Have read through until nearly the end of the first winter. What drama. You tell a good tale, PB and this game looks to be the answer to some of my dreams. But man it must be hard! I can imagine it's the kind of game that worms its way into your brain when you're working or doing other stuff, like Total War games do for me.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/14/12 10:29 AM

...and a year later FlatSpinMan walks into the cold room biggrin
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/16/12 08:51 AM

Originally Posted By: wheelsup_cavu
Originally Posted By: Zero Niner
Sigh. It's 2012 and no bombsgedroppen frown

The troops haven't stopped their Holiday revelry yet and are in no condition for a fight. biggrin


Wheels

Must be a helluva party then. Mid January and still no bombsgedroppen. frown
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/16/12 11:56 AM

Three days left for the first year anniversary.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/18/12 02:05 AM

Ever so slowly, the German will to continue the fight is sapped by the Stavka femme fatale and her evil (?) ways.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/18/12 02:11 AM

It's that damn cumgespurten I tell ya !
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/18/12 01:56 PM

Really sorry for all the delays, hate to disappoint you guys once again.

sigh

The STAVKA spy is going into medical rehab next week for two months (800km from my home) so right now we try to spend as much time together as possible before that. She had a serious accident in the US three years ago (she worked in Kentucky for a year) and still suffers from the aftermath. We got a bit surprised by the date (didn't expect it before May) but in the end the sooner the better.

I will finish this AAR, just at the moment my mind's not really into it.


Again my apologies.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/18/12 02:23 PM

Oh man....so sorry to hear that. I am sure the rehab is important and all will turn out well. Give her all our best, she is no doubt way more important than any game.
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/19/12 01:07 AM

No problem. All the best for the Stavka spy, hope all turns out well.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/19/12 02:41 AM

Hope all goes well Para smile
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/19/12 09:12 AM

Best of luck, and may she get well soon!
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/12 03:43 AM

No apologies necessary PB. My best wishes that her recovery is swift and complete.


Wheels
Posted By: TankHunter

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/20/12 06:29 AM

Best wishes PB
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/28/12 02:10 AM

What news from the Eastern Front, mein herr? And of the Stavka spy?
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/28/12 12:56 PM

happy_bday

Congrats on the 1st year anniversary of your original post Parabellum cheers It has been a briiliant and entertaining read .

Hope all is well with your lady thumbsup


kneeldown
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/29/12 07:20 AM

I also hope that everything is going well with you and your lady Para_Bellum.


Wheels
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 01/30/12 07:22 AM

whenpigsfly
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/06/12 01:00 AM

Awwwww.... pitchafit
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/12 12:41 AM

Well, I guess this is finished.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/12 01:46 AM

As some really hot chick once said to me at a concert.. " ..never!"
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/12 03:30 AM

Let's not forget the Para_Bellum has been dealing with a family issue recently.

I hope everything is working out well in that regards PB.


Wheels
Posted By: SteveGee

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/09/12 05:04 AM

PB's provided us with over a year's enjoyment...we can wait for the next installment whenever it's good for him to do so.
Posted By: Paleo_nard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/12 04:25 PM

This has been the best After Action Report for War in the East on the Internet. Thank you Para_Bellum and thanks to your supporters too.

Here's something interesting to end(?) this thread on...

It is possible, in this campaign game, to garner 290 Axis Victory points. - IN 14 TURNS -

The main secret to repeating this feat is concentrating the Panzer Armies/Groups and allowing NOTHING (NO distractions whatsoever) to stand in the way of taking the shortest possible routes to: First - MOSCOW and Second - LENINGRAD. Leningrad will usually fall first but, it's important to keep your first/main priority on taking Moscow.

These cities can be, for the most part, directly overrun and taken. If you have to completely surround all of the city hexes before they fall - you're doing something wrong.

No more hints, you've been given the major essentials, the missing details will have to be worked out on your own.

Have fun.......see if you can do better.
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/11/12 05:31 PM

Not finished yet, I say.

PB, I hope everything turns out fine for you and your girl.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/12/12 12:02 PM

I'm not giving up on Para either, I think he'll be back to finish it, even if it takes a while.

Para, I wish you and your gf all the best and I hope everything will be ok. Hang in there and take your time!

I've really really REALLY enjoyed this AAR and I'll be here to read the rest when you finish it, even if it's during the 70th anniversary of Bagration smile
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/12/12 01:24 PM

I think it that damn cumgespurten that is the problem.
Posted By: WolverineFW

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/12/12 08:13 PM

Originally Posted By: oldgrognard
I think it that damn cumgespurten that is the problem.


Too much blood in the wrong head? rofl
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/12 08:59 AM

200 Pixeltruppen had to be shot this week for dereliction of duty. All this downtime are making them sloppy and lazy.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/12 10:24 AM

Hey guys, just want to let you know that this is not finished. I'm currently visiting the STAVKA spie (she's doing well) and will be back home on Monday. I will post an update next week.

Thanks for your understanding and support.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/18/12 01:39 AM

That's good news Para. cool

You do realize that the future of mankind rests on you finishing this don't you? No pressure though.

Time to execute some more Pixeltruppen.
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/18/12 04:25 AM

Originally Posted By: Para_Bellum
Hey guys, just want to let you know that this is not finished. I'm currently visiting the STAVKA spie (she's doing well) and will be back home on Monday. I will post an update next week.

Thanks for your understanding and support.




I am very happy to hear that she is doing well. thumbsup


Wheels
Posted By: kail

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/22/12 10:18 AM

Good news from the home front, best wishes for a speedy recovery thumbsup

btw I came across this news about an expansion for War in the East

http://www.wargamer.com/article/3153/screenshots-feature-war-in-the-east-don-to-the-danube
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/12 12:47 PM

Finally some bombsgedroppen again! Thanks for all your patience.


Charge

Turn 58, July 23rd 1942


In the Far North the Finnish troops rout 2 rifle divisions south of Lake Beloe and manage to cut off a rifle corps. A rapid flanking move by XXXIX Panzerkorps, supported by Totenkopf SS Division cuts through the weak Russian lines around Danilov and trap 6 rifle divisions around Vologda. The Panzerdivisions by now roam free, Red Army resistance crumbling every day.



In the Yaroslavl area my troops start clearing out the giant Kessel formed during Operation Roland. 15 rifle brigades, 12 rifle divisions, 4 cavalry divisions, 2 cavalry corps and 4 infantry corps surrender, in addition to numerous support troops. 215.000 Soviet soldiers march into captivity!



In the Gorky sector the Red Army desperately tries to form a new defensive line along the Oka river. A Soviet attack with two tank corps west of Gorky is driven back with heavy losses and the bridgeheads subsequently liquidated. With the bulk of my Panzerdivisions still engaged to the West I'm a bit reluctant to mount another offensive move with my limited ressources in this sector, but OTOH I won't let the Red Army reinforce its frontline forces. XL Panzerkorps is unleashed across the Oka with 7th Panzerdivision capturing Arzamas, 60 miles behind the Russian Oka line! To complement this operation XII Korps attacks from the South. Unfortunately I don't have armoured formations there, but due to the lack of mobile Russian reserves even my slower-moving infantry divisions will be able to do the job.



In the Tamboy area my infantry corps keep pushing East, bypassing isolated Russian divisions and cutting off 2 tank corps near Ritchevo. 134th infantry division, supported by waves of FW-190s annihilate the 3rd tank corps near Balashov, destroying 47 enemy tanks in battle. To the south-east I reinforce my positions in the corridor leading to Saratov.



In Stalingrad the cut-off Russian forces are finally destroyed, more than 100.000 men are captured, the remains of 2 rifle corps, 8 rifle divisions, and 2 cavalry corps. And even while my infantry division are still busy clearing out the least pockets of resistance XXXXVIII and XIV Panzerkorps once again break through yet another Russian defensive line. 4 Panzer and 2 MotInf divisions roll East, then turn North and South and create another pocket trapping basically ALL Soviet forces in the area. The Red Army has ceased to be a military threat.




In the South the advance towards Baku continues, the pace of the Panzerdivisions only limited by the lack of fuel. 70 miles to Baku!



Another disastrous week for the Red Army. The Russians have lost 436.000 troops this week.

The Red Army is incapable of mounting any kind of serious resistance anymore. The lack of troops and reserves and thereby the lack of any kind of defence in depth mean I can outmaneuver any new defensive line, cut off the defending forces and hack them to pieces.

This will soon be over.







yep
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/12 03:39 PM

Nice!


Can we have a front overview and some stats regarding theatre forces, if it ain't too much work?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/12 04:37 PM

Sure.

Operational forces as of July 23rd 1942:


Germany:

Troops: 3.313.696
Tanks: 2.219
Aircraft: 3.387
Guns: 34.122

Add to that 1.6 Mio troops of allied forces

USSR:

Troops: 3.174.985
Tanks: 2.100
Aircraft: 10.540
Guns: 27.663


Losses:

Germany:

Troops: 1.806.940
Tanks: 4.641
Aircraft: 2.874
Guns:17.941

USSR:

Troops: 8.791.689
Tanks: 25.807
Aircraft: 18.218
Guns: 125.401

Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/26/12 11:05 PM

Looks like the Russians are going to make you chase them clear across the map.

Another good read. thumbsup


Wheels
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 12:54 AM

Thanks PB, appreciate the update.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 07:23 AM

yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!! smile
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 08:16 AM

kneeldown
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 08:27 AM

dance clapping

Way to go!
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 12:42 PM

Thanks a lot, PB. I missed these AARs of yours. thumbsup

Btw, has anyone heard anything from comrade Stalin?


And regarding real life, good to hear that your girl is recovering.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 03:21 PM

Para, it is quite clear that the Soviets are finished. I am eagerly watching for just what it takes for the game to register your victory.

As I said a while back, after Alberich, it was essentially over. There would still be some hard fighting, but it was done.
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/27/12 03:46 PM

I estimate I can achieve a total victory within the next 2-3 weeks. I'm at 285 victory points right now and the game will end with the USSR surrendering at 290 VP.

And yeah, after operations Alberich and Hagen the Red Army was pretty much done for. In about 4 weeks I destroyed ~ 30 (!) tank corps, the Russians just couldn't recover from that blow, especially since I managed to launch these operations at the very beginning of the '42 campaign season. With the bulk of its armoured forces destroyed the Red Army basically became a static force, easily cut apart by my fast-moving Panzer and MotInf divisions.

BTW yesterday night I've read through the whole AAR, quite interesting how it all played out. I still shudder to think of those dark days in January '42 when my lines were close to a breaking point...


I'll post another update later.
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/28/12 02:08 AM

Thanks for the overview, Para.


It's amazing how all the weapon systems in the world just can't make up for experience and organisation.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/28/12 01:45 PM

Good to hear your lady is coming along well Para thumbsup
Posted By: csThor

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/03/12 11:08 AM

Just a little headsup. There's a new addition to WitE which was released yesterday. Since my time is too limited to start something on the scale of the 1941-45 campaign (or any of the larger campaigns) I went ahead and bought the expansion since it's focused entirely on smaller scenarios. But ...

I am honestly and completely disappointed. The selection of scenarios is slanted in favor of the russians and the force ratio, time limitations and VP allocation is even worse than that - it's blatantly and oviously set in favor of the russians. Not only the AI (even on easy) gets movement and combat values that the real Red Army didn't get until 1944 (they had real problems with distributing information quickly enough to make use of them) so that any kind of attack that doesn't happen in 1941 ends in the equivalent of the tar baby of US folklore.
For example I just played the Cherkassy scenario in which my forces were greatly outnumbered, in a horrible state and virtually incapable of doing anything unless I did something drastic. Well, I ended up withdrawing quickly into defensible positions, merged units which were virtually dead to get some units with at least a bit of combat value and managed to avoid loosing any unit to encirclements. Essentially I stabilized a dramatic situation but the darn victory conditions gave the reds a "major victory" simply because they held towns I could no longer hold. In that particular situation holding onto locations simply for "game values" vs rescuing all of your forces ... Which one should be rated higher, hmmm?

Sorry, but this game has gotten a lot worse. I was already miffed at the german OOB in a straightjacket and the inaccessibility of the production system to the german player, but the game design decisions are getting worse and far more one-sided. screwy
Posted By: Lazardus

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/03/12 09:42 PM

Hey Para,

Great AAR. Was really enjoying it throughout last autumn and this winter. Couldn't believe what you've done all last year.
Also glad to hear your best half actually does better. Became a little concerned when I didn't hear anything from you and everyone was speculating about.

I also got myself WitE and played it with "easy" adjustments. I think you've done not only a formidable AAR but also played the game extremely well.
As I just finished on 25.5.1944 with my 'total' major victory.

After taking Moscow and Lenigrad in 16 turns (tried to test the 14 turns hypothesis, presented earlier here - but I think it's wrong). A quite mild 1941/42 winter with oddly low levels of casualties came 1942, where I experienced a stalemate on a quite huge scale.

The red army increased up to 6M soldiers within spring and any attempt to cut deep into their troops was countered with a 'deep defense'. Before a breakthrough was made within one round to encircle troops they simply threw everything at it. It was frustrating as I came no further then Gorky. At the same time I had trown in 1941 all tank groups at the operation Taifun so that the eastern part of Ukraine wasn't occupied before 1943. Actually sat at the dnjpr for about a year.

When then I realized that I was about to loose if I was to counter the soviets by either earlier tactics or simply sitting still, I changed over to Mansteins proposal to take the blackblow offensive. Basically you open up pockets which the russians in their attemt to exploit happily take on whilst your panzergroups wait north and south of it. Once the extended forces then fill the pocket you cut it off. Three times had to do it, to bring the Soviet army back to reasonable levels of 5m. First one however was at 600'000 casualties. This, I guess was the turning point. With a cascading row of offensives during 1943 from gorky southwards to the djnepr line, I was able to "roll up" their front each round. Casualties were small because of the smaller size of pockets, but constistent.

Keeping their troops to 5m was the result but hard enough because their production gives them 200k each round during 1943. So if you don't keep them occupied with constant offensives you loose the stand. During 1942 so I was able to cut off their whole south front which was nailed to the djnepr line by quickly going to rostov. They start trying to hold the front so if you think of smart combinations you can cut off vast pockets again. Krim fell thereafter.

Since then in winter 1943/44 I was sure they would regain harder strength, with new tanks and artillery formations as well as organized units all on corps level, I decided to keep the push even though it might have been uncoordinated. Sevastopol fell and Krasnodar was taken. Huge pocket was formed around north of rostov nearly touching stalingrad. It fell the round afterwards as it was uncovered (ok it was on easy level).

Then the caucasus was taken as north of it one panzer group as well as one army from Krasnodar unified. Only around the mountains the front remained.
During Feb 1944 the Soviets sneaked around north of my finish front which wasn't covering the polar sector. It was cut off during two following round eliminating the threat but I had nearly no forces to clean the pocket.

Then during spring until may 1944 the remaining offensives were a northward cascade starting from stalingrad. Their front dismantles slowly as the panzergroups now southbound can take over over the steppes area's they simply don't have forces anymore to cover such a long front (Also there's only astrachan and the ural delta city to give away). It's interesting because you don't have enough forces as well, but somehow you have a little more since 1943 was a constant streak of pocket battles.

The point number is around 270-280 at that stage but victory came close only when I was closing the last big pocket from the southward tank groups and the infantry based around gorky (Imagine 1943 as a giant swing door sweeping through the eastern ukraine/southern russia SSRs).

It was keeping me entertained for long as some forces touched the eastbound edge of the map around the steppes. Also the huge built up of the soviet army keeps you entertained for long. Haven't sat straight playing for long like this.

Here my forces and casualties numbers to compare (you will like this ;-))

German forces
Troops 3.6m
Guns 39k
AFV 5k
Planes 3.4k
Allied forces around 800k (you loose all italians through 1943, thank god they never covered my ass anywhere).

Soviet Union
Troops 5.2m
Guns 67k
AFV 13.6k
Planes 26k

Casualties
Germany
Troops 2.7m
Guns 38k
AFV 12k
Planes 2k

Soviet Union
Troops 16.2m
Guns 320k
AFV 47k
Planes 30k

You see by their losses, that 1942 and 1943 they recover so quick if you let them. Thus all my best regards to your achievement.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/13/12 09:28 AM

...surely mopping up the rest of the Soviet Union can be done before the autumn... right?


Wink, wink
Nudge, nudge
Say no more...
Posted By: Paleo_nard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/20/12 04:16 AM

I would prove my assertion of 290 Victory Points in 14 turns. However, good manners dictates that maps/game screens ONLY relating to Para_Bellum's After Action Reports be posted here. In other words, no hijacking or appearance of hijacking will be made on this thread until and/or after Para_Bellum has finished his campaign.

Hopefully, the following story may be only pushing the "limits:"

American POWs are standing in formation, in a German Stalag.
All are bobbing their heads from side to side while saying "tick - tock, tick - tock..."
All except one guy in the back row just tilting his head to one side while saying, "tick - tick - tick..."
The furious monocled German Commander notices him and quickly gets into this guys' face and says,
"Vee haf vays of makink you TOCK!!" banghead exitstageleft
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/25/12 12:51 PM

Originally Posted By: Ssnake
...surely mopping up the rest of the Soviet Union can be done before the autumn... right?
Well we're already into spring...
Posted By: Topcat

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/25/12 08:05 PM

Paleo_nard, I for one would be very interested in seeing this as I firmly believe the German Army could have finished the Soviets before winter 1941. A good book on the subject you might want to read is "Hitler's Panzers East" by R.H.S. Stolfi. Moscow and it's rail yards and network were the keys to victory.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/27/12 12:47 AM

...Para...?
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/31/12 08:51 AM

Para!

Nooo
ooooooooooooooo!
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/31/12 05:01 PM

Worst case scenario: He knocked up his girlfriend, was forced to a shotgun wedding and is now shopping for new furniture (all day every day) instead of waging wars on his PC.
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 03/31/12 06:10 PM

It's that damn cumgespurten at the root of this problem I tell you.
Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/02/12 05:08 AM

Don't know how many of you have WITE but the latest update has really improved the AI.

As for Para he's really left us hanging here. Lemme guess, he's gonna show back up and tell us his dog ate his HDD. neaner
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/02/12 06:58 AM

No, but he is on vacation right now IIRC, and his work just lost their biggest client after 7 years. I'd guess WITE isn't too high on his priority right now...
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/03/12 08:29 AM

Yep, just got back from a holiday. Things are finally quieting down a bit again, so far it's certainly been an interesting first three months of the year. I really hope to finish this campaign this week. Will post another update this evening (German time). Probably will need another turn or to two for victory.

yep

Until then: chicks with guns, STAVKA spy edition. I have no idea what all that sniggering about "size does matter, honey" meant...


Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/03/12 12:44 PM

Thanks for the update, Para, and I'm glad to see you and The Spy are safe and sound. Looking forward to the final war updates. smile

That said, keep in mind the last thing the regulars here need is help in the innuendo department. :P

Itkovian
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/03/12 03:19 PM

snigger...he said innuendo
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/04/12 02:49 PM

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!


Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/04/12 06:08 PM

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.

Posted By: Nixer

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/04/12 06:38 PM

Just wow, just Wow Para. Great job and an AAR that sets the standard for everybody else. cheers
Posted By: Vitesse

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/04/12 06:54 PM

Thank You Para.
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/04/12 11:18 PM

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. wink
Posted By: Zero Niner

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 02:39 AM

Thank you Para. cheers
Posted By: Heretic

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 08:53 AM

And Berlin celebrated a thousand day party...

Congrats and thanks, Para!
Posted By: theKhan

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 10:51 AM

Thanks Para!
Posted By: Itkovian

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 12:25 PM

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. smile

Now then, when does the russian campaign start? smile

*duck*

Itkovian
Posted By: Ssnake

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 04:49 PM

...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?
Posted By: Para_Bellum

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 05:27 PM

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

yep


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.
Posted By: Cold_Gambler

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 05:50 PM

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!
Posted By: wheelsup_cavu

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 07:34 PM

Enjoyed going on the journey with you Para. thumbsup


Wheels
Posted By: oldgrognard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/05/12 11:32 PM

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.
Posted By: Tomcat84

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/12 01:04 AM

Thank you !!!!!!

It was awesome!!! biggrin
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/12 03:41 AM

Nice work Para cheers Very cool journey.
Posted By: komemiute

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/12 08:08 AM

Front page now AND sticky. Please. This is a textbook case of AAR! smile
Posted By: purolator

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/06/12 08:49 PM

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

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/07/12 12:19 AM

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.


thumbsup
Posted By: Paleo_nard

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 04/08/12 06:27 AM

Been waiting awhile to post this:




Thanks Para_Bellum. Thanks also to all others who posted here.
Posted By: apelles

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/21/13 06:51 PM

Now once again with the red army. :-)
Posted By: EAF331 MadDog

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 06/21/13 07:42 PM

There are actually two expansions out for WitE.

Don to the Danube:
Quote:
This expansion to the award-winning War in the East comes with a wide array of later war scenarios ranging from short but intense 6 turn bouts like the Battle for Kharkov (1942) to immense 37-turn engagements taking place across multiple nations like Drama on the Danube (Summer 1944 – Spring 1945). Don to the Danube and the War in the East system gives players unprecedented control over pivotal operations in the Second World War like Operation Uranus, the encirclement of the 6th German Army at Stalingrad, the Cherkassy Pocket and much more.


Lost Battles:
Quote:
Shorter scenarios like Operation Mars, Courland Pocket, Smolensk 1941, Operation Bagration, the Liberation of Leningrad and Operation Konrad bring you to some of the most interesting operations in World War II while keeping the time investment to 15 turns or less. Added to these are medium size scenarios like the Battle for Moscow, Vistula to Berlin and Winter 1942-43, as well as the immense new Stalingrad to Berlin campaign and a new sudden death victory variant of the main 1941-1945 campaign.
Posted By: Ajay

Re: WitE: Grand Campaign - 02/17/17 01:29 AM

Finally grabbed WitE and just read through this monster of an AAR again, deserves a bump!
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