Battlefield: Europe MOD v2.5.1

[Uhu]

@McGuba

We probably asked, but

1., How much % less units gets the CCCP after Leningrad, Caucasus Moscow fall and when the effects start?

2., After how many turns are the Soviets weakened in Leningrad and with what numbers?

[PeteMitchell]

Hi, Field Marshalls, another status update.
This time I made until turn 46 - but I will back to turn 17.
Why, why why?? Again the question arises.

Well, I could survive the horrors of the winter of 1942-43. But I paid a high price. A lot of casualties, only inf, but still.

And while the Rostov thrust of the Soviets were mostly defeated and the whole Caucasus were either captured or recaptured, for a long time the oil field at Grozny was in hostile hand which will be a huge income loss later because the +10 prestige/turn will only later turn on.

The Kursk direction I could not hold the masses of Soviet armor AND Siberian Inf and one by one the entrenched city defenders were destroyed. Now the tank armies are trying to advance further west...

The England direction is slowly advancing, bomber waves were defeated until now and the Kriegsmarine (capital ships) is in good condition, almost all ships at full strength now with mostly with 2 star. But the advance is a crawl and I fear in 1943 bigger bomber streams will appear and I do not have the strength to counter all of them... And with 25% prestige even one 150 prestige penalty would be a disaster (I think, the game would also give just 25%, as with the panzer-AT conversions, but I would play fair and manually calculate the additional penalty).

The El-Alamein line and Alexandria was taken, but my forces - except the 4 arty - are weak and the counteroffensive has began. Until now it could be halted and at least, finally Rommel's corps could be upgraded to Pz IIIL so it will be a huge boost...

...But things are not really looking good at Tunis. Until now the hostile forces could be halted west of the town and the naval battle had until now a great outcome but I know that stronger forces will appear soon and I simply do not have the strength to counter them. So, while the other theaters are while not in good, but in OK shape this has definitely a looming defeat future.

Moscow and the line to Orel could be held for what I was really happy. But Leningrad could be not taken: the mop-up operations lasted far longer than excepted and while my troops see the outskirts of the city they are also shocked at the strength of the defenders (str 12-17). Maybe I siege would have been good? But who would pay the price for the attrition of the besieging troops? On the other hand maybe it still would worth the price of this decision because when Leningrad is taken, the Finns would also take part fully in the war (Archangelsk!) and also with Moscow, Caucasus, Leningrad taken, the Reds would be much weaker.

Still because I sustained to much casualties and the battle at Tunis and Kursk is surely not in my favor I have to reload. And why from turn 17? I see, that upgrading both 10,5 cm arty from horse to tracked is an extreme lot of prestige for me (2x100, while my turn income is below 100) - and actually the front do not moves anyway as fast because of the sieges of Tobruk, El-Alamein line, Cairo. So, horses are still good. And later when they are needed to advance faster in the desert to Baghdad and Abadan, I can transport them back to Tobruk and make the tracked move update. But I made my first upgrade already at probably turn 2-3, so I will NOT load back until that!! But the second one was at turn 17.

One last cause while I loading back: the support line to Baku was very long time severed in the winter of 1942-43 and PzC simply to not model that. Still, for realistic gameplay I would take this part also into account. So, I do not must to let this line severed. Leningrad can wait.

Turn 46 - Baku.JPG
Turn 46 - Cairo.JPG
Turn 46 - England.JPG

Very impressive and very rough at the same time!

[PeteMitchell]

@McGuba

We probably asked, but

1., How much % less units gets the CCCP after Leningrad, Caucasus Moscow fall and when the effects start?

2., After how many turns are the Soviets weakened in Leningrad and with what numbers?

re question 1: Caucasus, Moscow, Leningrad:
viewtopic.php?p=647805#p647805

re Stalingrad:
viewtopic.php?p=677186#p677186

[Locarnus]

An issue with the Bomber Command triggers was recently encountered by HerzogSieg.
Since he is playing with my Locarnus Addon, and thus the bomber triggers are from an older version of BE, I'm not sure how much of it affects BE 2.5 itself.

Due to playing on a much harder difficulty and the resulting resource rationing, he did not deploy any fighters to contest the airspace above France and the channel.
Thus none? of the "Bomber Command" British bombers operating there have been shot down in 1941 and 1942.
Six? strat bombers spawned early in 1942 for the strategic bombing of German cities, as expected.

But contrary to those six, the further 1942 strat bomber spawns for Germany have a check for number of "Bomber Command" units already operational. And with the France and Channel bombers also being named "Bomber Command" and still operational, there seem to be no further strat bomber spawns for Germany in 1942. Despite the original 6 with that task being shot down since a few turns ago.


I have attempted to deal with this issue by adding something to the name of the British strat bombers intended for Germany, eg "F Bomber Command". And also changing the triggers for most of the British bombers intended for Germany to check for the numbers of "F Bomber Command" instead of the shorter "Bomber Command". Also lowering the number requirement for those by eg 2, so checking for lower than 4 or 5 existing "F Bomber Command" instead of lower than 6 or 7 "Bomber Command" air units.


Still experimental, so trying to find the right balance or a better way.

[Uhu]

So, after the last failed attempt, my new goals are from turn 17:

- Recapture Moscow, hold it with minimal force
- Full priority to the capture of Grozny and the rest of the Caucasus
- Capture faster and with less casualty Novorissysk and eliminate the Soviet forces SE of it
- Clear the Black Sea from Soviet naval forces with the help of Stukas and recon planes
- Hasten the advance in England with additional arty and armor
- When there is some surplus arty capacity left, after the Novorissysk region mop up, start mop up the Moscow-Leningrad region/line
- Build defense belt around the Kharkov-Makhachkala line, prepare for the defense of Baku from the British counterattack
- Advance faster with the stronger Rommel's PzIII upgrade at El-Alamein/Alexandria
- Transfer forces, also arty to Tunisia in time

[PeteMitchell]

Are you planning to go through the Black Sea to Baku?

[Uhu]

Nope. Just eliminate the frustrating Soviet light cruisers and destroyers which were a significant factor at the siege of Novorissysk.

Are you planning to go through the Black Sea to Baku?

[PeteMitchell]

I am still wondering how fast Baku could be captured

[JimmyC]

It is the summer of 1944 and our forces have reached the Volga, where the Russians have their final line of defences. The Luftwaffe cause significant damage to the massed Russian formations, however there are limited crossing points and a substantial portion of our forces have been transferred to the West. As there are only a few crossing points, we will mass our armoured forces and make a push for Stalin's bunker.

In the West the Allies have made landings around Normandy. We have massed our forces to meet them, however with the enemy having air supremacy, it will be a difficult task to hold firm. We are heavily reliant on our AA to provide some protection to our armour and artillery.

[Locarnus]

It is the summer of 1944 and our forces have reached the Volga, where the Russians have their final line of defences. The Luftwaffe cause significant damage to the massed Russian formations, however there are limited crossing points and a substantial portion of our forces have been transferred to the West. As there are only a few crossing points, we will mass our armoured forces and make a push for Stalin's bunker.

In the West the Allies have made landings around Normandy. We have massed our forces to meet them, however with the enemy having air supremacy, it will be a difficult task to hold firm. We are heavily reliant on our AA to provide some protection to our armour and artillery.

How many fighters do you have in 1944?
How did the air war and your fighter numbers progress, did you convert strats to fighters?

[PeteMitchell]

Any thoughts on whether it could be faster through the Black Sea to Baku vs. over land, e.g., by capturing the Kerch airport in Crimea early and then eliminating the Black Sea fleet, landing in early winter between Sotschi and Poti?

[Uhu]

Any thoughts on whether it could be faster through the Black Sea to Baku vs. over land, e.g., by capturing the Kerch airport in Crimea early and then eliminating the Black Sea fleet, landing in early winter between Sotschi and Poti?

Very interesting question.
You can slip through in the winter troops without capturing Sevastopol which is a long lasting siege. So, theoretically the above mentioned airport and port could be a starting base for this operation. On the other hand...
- Axis has only one destroyer, which is able to clear the bottom mines at the shores. Takes time.
- The shores have a lot of defending, or fast reacting (mtn inf in the hills) troops in the vicinity. While there is no, or almost no landing point, where the enemy do not see you. So, already a hard situation to land.
- Also you still need a lot of siege equipment, arty to take Baku. Airforce is not enough. So, while you land it takes a lot of time and a lot of casualties.

I would say, theoretically it could succeed, but only if you spend a lot of scarce resources to this operation while you waste it for other, more effective operations. Also take into consideration that while your troops sits in the fragile landing crafts they are inactive, idle, while on the land they can constantly fight.

Some versions earlier it was much easier possible, but it was such a long time ago, it is already a myth...

[PeteMitchell]

The airport is empty in the first turn, don't know how long though, maybe land units or paratroopers. It's outside Sevastopol. If you have the airport and most of your airforce there, you can clear all of the Black Sea Fleet from there. Plus soften Poti area.

[PeteMitchell]

It might be faster than via land

[PeteMitchell]

So, after the last failed attempt, my new goals are from turn 17:

- Recapture Moscow, hold it with minimal force
- Full priority to the capture of Grozny and the rest of the Caucasus
- Capture faster and with less casualty Novorissysk and eliminate the Soviet forces SE of it
- Clear the Black Sea from Soviet naval forces with the help of Stukas and recon planes
- Hasten the advance in England with additional arty and armor
- When there is some surplus arty capacity left, after the Novorissysk region mop up, start mop up the Moscow-Leningrad region/line
- Build defense belt around the Kharkov-Makhachkala line, prepare for the defense of Baku from the British counterattack
- Advance faster with the stronger Rommel's PzIII upgrade at El-Alamein/Alexandria
- Transfer forces, also arty to Tunisia in time

The British will conduct a counter attack on Baku?