Tuesday, October 9, 2012

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T027

T027: 11.6.42

Strategic Outlook
Action has somewhat settled into a steady stream along the Don and Caucasus Fronts. The Axis divisions continue to press, as my defense-in-depth approach is working rather well. I’ll have to wait until next turn for the large assortment of artillery divisions. More updates in the sector reports.

Don Front
The arrival of the Orel Front mechanized divisions has made a big difference here. Not only have they plugged big gaps in my line, but managed to launch two counterattacks that threw back some lead German divisions. It’s still a situation far from resolution, but I’m feeling a bit better now about my chances of keeping Mark far away from Stalingrad.

Central Caucasus
I’ll need a few more armies to really bolster my next stop line along the river/canal. The 5th Guards Tank has been railed down from the north, though it’s not up to full combat readiness. It will file into position behind the 70th Army. I’m trying as hard as I can to keep my divisions in front of the Germans, forcing them to fight for every hex gained. Reinforcements are still coming, but it takes time to get just one army ready for combat, never mind a bunch of them.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T026

T026: 10.30.42

Strategic Outlook
I’ve recaptured Tobruk well ahead of schedule. Leningrad is still well defended. The Yelets-Voronezh corridor is stable. Mark has yet to reach Grozny or Stalingrad. I’m rather pleased. Granted, much of Mark’s initial focus was on reducing the Rzhev sector to a smaller front, which was something not previously done in our last game. However, in this scenario, the key to the entire Russian Front is delaying the Axis forces long enough for decent reinforcements to arrive and replacements to build up. That is happening now, as next turn I’ll get an entire Guards Tank Army, and a slew of artillery divisions a turn later. Those arty units will be critical to my shift from defensive warfare to offensive, which should take place over the winter months.

Don Front


I was surprised to see Mark didn’t make much progress here. Even with my increased strength in the sector, the German Panzer divisions should have been able to push aside many of my depleted divisions. The 67th Army deployed in the northern half of this sector, where Mark is massed the strongest. The southern wing will have to deal with the pressure for now, as I’m just now shifting 10 mechanized divisions from the Orel Front Group to launch what should be a very strong counter-offensive in this sector. That will have to wait at least one turn, until the tanks are unloaded from the trains and get gassed up.

Central Caucasus


The German forces here have the distinct advantage of a rail supply line from Maikop/Rostov. My supply lines are stretched over open terrain from the Astrakhan/Grozny rail line. Mark has plowed through my western wing, as two Panzer divisions raced as far into the rear area as possible. I have surrounded them for now, but their friends should be trying to reach them soon enough. Using a defense-in-depth approach here should work, as I’m only looking to delay the enemy advance, not necessarily stop it. The 70th Army has arrived from Astrakhan, and deployed along the river east of Blagodarnoye. That will be my new stop line.

Tobruk
As I alluded to in the Strategic Outlook, I’m occupying Tobruk far earlier than in the previous game. At this point last time around, I hadn’t even launched Operation Turnpike, which was basically the Battle of El Alamein. My tanks didn’t enter Tobruk until Turn 37! So this is a significant victory for the Western Allies. It also sets the timetable for advancing to Tunisia.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T025

T025: 10.23.42

Strategic Outlook
Skipping ahead one turn, the mud has now cleared, and I’m bracing for what should be a renewed attack from Mark’s forces along the Don Front and in the Caucasus. Since this is the first turn since the mud cleared, Mark hasn’t yet moved without the shock penalty. So not much action actually took place this turn. I was able to ship reinforcements to all sectors. Most of them were reconstitutions of destroyed units, meaning I had to give them a few turns resting in the Urals to build up some additional strength.

Don Front


With the deployment of the 2nd Guards Army, I have at least a little more strength in my defensive line. Ideally, I’d like to hold the line a few hexes in front of the Don, as I don’t want to let Mark get even close to Stalingrad. Plus, my position at the western neck of the Don is very advantageous, in it could allow an opportunity to launch an offensive to Rostov. Right now, it’s all about delaying the Axis as long as possible.

Tobruk


Mark will likely get his last two units out of Tobruk. There is one infantry division and an AA unit in the port hex. I’m in complete control of the region. Once the Eighth Army recouperates for a few turns, I’ll begin moving west toward Tripoli.

TR 42-45 1.8 ALLIED T023

T023: 10.9.42

Strategic Outlook
Mud season continues, likely for just this turn. The gap in the line west of Stalingrad has allowed Mark to continue his operation despite the mud season. Nearly all of my formations are in reorganization, negating any benefit I’m getting from the mud. The 66/5th Guards Army arrived, along with a bunch of reconstituted divisions. More updates below.

Don Front
 
Axis divisions are flowing through the huge break in my line, getting in behind the 1st Guards and 1st Guards Tank Armies. This could be disastrous if I can’t get reinforcements deployed in time. I don’t think I’ll be able to do that, as the 65th Army had to cover the river crossing in the north, while only the 47th and 51st Armies were able to get within range of the German spearhead. More reinforcements are slated to arrive, but not quickly enough or strong enough to halt Mark’s advance here. Looks like I’ll have to form a new line just west of Stalingrad.

Tobruk
Mark is evacuating as much as he can from Northeast Africa, as the final few units are in Tobruk and ready to sail back to either Tunisia or Italy. I won’t be able to claim complete destruction of the Axis forces in Northeast Africa, but a solid victory was gained much earlier than usual in this scenario.