War in the East

August 14, 1941...Leningrad has fallen...linked up with the Finns...next objective...to wipe out the Soviet forces on the westbank of the Volkhov River...awful terrain though, full of swamps...despite losing a 1/3 of my tank force (and another 100 out of service), and 40,000 men (12:1 in my favour though), my 4th Panzer Group,  and 9th and 18th Armies control the Leiningrad front...move fast...winter is coming.

Ivan and the winter will get you in the end.

As long as you stick with Porta, Tiny and Sgt Beier you'll get through it.

tanks get boged down to easy better use horses

Plus you can't eat tanks.

After a completely decisive victory at easy level, gone way up to the "Challenging Level"...

June 26 (After 1st turn):

4 Panzer Army Group (pink forces, yellow circle)...Riga an open city....gonna romp through the vacant Baltic states (the Baltic Drive) outflanking the bulk of the Russian forces...this follows von Manstein's preferred plan (as opposed to what actually happened - shown by the red arrow - a more safe/but slower approach)...3rd turn, the bulk of my panzers will regroup in the yellow square and start clearing the outskirts of Leningrad, Army Group North's main objective...18th Army (orange circle) to follow behind...in support...but at least one of their corp's to clear the Courland...bastard that...could leave the Russians there to rot I spose...but really can't have that in my rear...16th Army to COMPLETELY WIPE OUT the huge encircled pocket to its north (probably 100,000+ encircled ruskis)...and together with my reserve army (the 9th - green circle) to secure the south east flank - and help with the attack on Leningrad - if needed...

Suggestions with reasoning plz...

July 3, 1941...start of turn 3...

Issue no. 1...while my motorised units/panzers have plenty of ammo, they now have serious gas issues...

Issue no 2. Stalin Line is forming, though weak, reasonable units are forming around Pskov east of 4th Panzer Group.  Dangerous.

Issue no. 3...lack of gas, means can only run a limited offensive (with SS Totenkopf - they will crush them) at the northern part of the Russian line.  Tallinn is another "open city"...is this a Russian trap?

Issue no. 4...horses are shit...need trucks...my infantry are just too slow...still 3 turns away from the battlefield...

Issue no 5. Russian resistance in the Courland and the "pocket" was stiffer than expected...only 50,000 pows (they just wouldn't give up) and the Courland is still a turn away from being taken (sucking up a whole vital corps)...

It'll only end in tears and a divided Vaterland.

Would suggest you sue for peace and then concentrate your efforts on securing the African front.

Seriously.

Oh, and also get rid of those abominable "Arbeits macht frei" camps.  They suck monkey balls big time and are not cool.

The more I think about this, 4th Panzer Group may have to halt this turn, regroup, and get gas supplies...the Stalin Line is starting to look more formidable all the time...

 Got this game...Got confused...Gave up

 Bit pricey for a 3 year old game at $103 NZ no?

If you have to take on Ivan, focus on the oilfields in the South.

P!ssing around oop north is just silly.

Also give Stalingrad a miss ("Not much fun in Stalingrad eh Mr Hilter?" ) @1:40

Turn 9, mid August, this has turned into a nightmare...conceded...Leiningrad is saved...blundered...my panzer group is spread out all over the show...not taking Pskov bleed forces away from the Leiningrad sector...maybe Manstein was full of it...might be able cut off Leiningrad...but I'll be in no state to take it...holes all over the line, have had to divide my panzer divisions into regiments to plug the gaps...lack of gas is a constant problem...terrain appalling for armour...southern armies have no punch...getting pissed off...time to bone up, and play at NORMAL LEVEL...

Stuff moving back to normal level...I've got to do this at "challenging" before I do Barbarossa...after regrouping, 4th Panzer Group to destoy the Russian forces around Pskov, and drive head on for Leiningrad, with flanks protected by my infantry armies...need at least two infantry armies for the assault on Leiningrad...

Hahaha looks like you drew a penis!

July 3rd...4th Panzer Group has the gas (been very wise in that department)...so the attack on Pskov begins...might not be able to take it this turn...but can certainly mess up those Soviet units there...playing this time with 'Fog of War'...it's cool.

The 150 mile dash takes Pskov!  Guessing those southern Russian forces will retreat- but I don't want them to get away...I want them destroyed...another issue, do I send my 18th Army through the Baltics?  Or through Pskov??  Issues!

Reload.  The Soviets want Pskov back.  Screw the Baltics.  18th Army, you're off Pskov.  Then Leningrad.

August 14, 6th Panzer makes it to Lake Ladoga.  To take Leningrad, I've got two choices: attack east of the city to wipe out Leningrad's overland/lake supply - or go east to knock out the ports...problem is, I've got a whole Soviet tank corps waiting to rip into my rear.  Time to put the panzers in reserve and for the infantry to begin their attack on Leningrad's outskirts...but with what?

PS: 7 more turns and the scenario finishes...

October 16.  Axis minor victory...Leningrad was just too well defended...but the Russians were spent too, XXIII Corps was like a hot knife through butter...Barbarossa may have to be launched very soon...

Kosta or George?

Kosta I guess as he may be a bit more familiar with that part of the world.

i'd take the ports