DLC43 Kursk South: Yakovlevo

[charonjr]

Manstein - imported core

I though about switching my Tigers without movement heroes to Pathers, but with the harder hitting Soviet tanks I am expecting I stay with the Tigers for now. The Elephant on the other hand is a nice upgrade for my +1 movement StuG IIIG. Neither of the SP artillery impress me very much, but the Nebelwerfer 43 does look tempting - 30SA!. I will upgrade one +1 attack and one +1 range Wurfrahmen to Nebelswerfer 43s. And finally 2 Ju 87Ds are switched to Gs, since I took the armor path this seems fitting and their better airattack of 5 might help as well, I might even switch another one later on. And since I see AAA aux units again I buy another Me 410A fighter-bomber (the other one gained 2 starts during the last scenario and was a fairly decent dogfigther). 31.4k prestige are left after all of this.

All of these fortifications mean that I will take my 3 heavy bombers along and a bit more infantry than usual.

By turn 3 all fortified positions except the left flank up to strongpoint 105 have been eliminated and the undefended Kiselevo has been reached.

Nice large armored force around the airfield to the south of Rzhavets and to the south of Yakovlevo as well, but sadly they are using lemming-tactics again, simply rushing towards a certain target while largely ignoring tanks that might have been engaged by 2-3 Soviet tanks.

After dealing with the forces south of it Rzhavets is reached at turn 8 as is Yakovlevo and the Tiger proves its worth as a bunkerbuster again - 0:13. Nearly lost a Stuka to a Hurricane + La-5, down from 14STR to 1 in 2 shots, all in all 4 new Soviet planes - only managed to take out both fighters in one turn with 1 8,8cm + 3 FW 190 + 2 Me 410s - those are the joys of Manstein

Dragunskoje and Rzhavets are taken on turn 10 and the Donets is crossed. Constant Red Airforce attacks have forced me to withdraw one of my heavy bombers for repairs after the scenario (2HP left).

At turn 13 the airfield between Luchki and Yakovlevo is occupied. And at turn 14 the defenders at/around Luchki are destroyed, but the town will be saved for last. The first hex of Yakovlevo is occupied as well and the armored force to the north of it is engaged.

At turn 16 the last units outside of Luchki are destroyed and Luchki has been farmed for the last 2 turns as well.

DV at 20/20 with 30k prestige left, depending on the scenario prestige (and the repairs) it looks likely that I lost prestige again on this one.

Very nice it was not that difficult, but the pressure from the Red Airforce was the highest yet. Most of my losses were from Soviet fighters and bombers since it was simply impossible for me to guard all my units. This played a large part in my using lots of prestige for reinforcements during the scenario since I didnt what to be caught with a low strength unit that might be destroyed by planes. But then again I didnt not use the aux AAA which would most likely have made a lot of difference. It took me often 3+ turns to get rid of all planes from a new wave - using 5 FW 190A and the occasional Me 410A (max of 3) and 8,8cm.

I think the scenario might use some more Soviet armor, but you have to keep in mind that I say this with a core full of Tiger Is, so this is hardly representative.

And here the Tigers and even more so the Elephant are very nice bunker busters - I have no idea if this should really be the case - IMO Pioniere still should be best at that - maybe up the Pionieres bunker buster bonus a bit?

Edit: After repairs my prestige is at 26.6k, so yes, I lost quite a chunk of prestige here - close to 5k! - thats the price you pay for using way to many Tigers I think this could have been lower with the use of the aux units, but would surely still have hurt. And I will buy another Fw 190 for the next scenario for sure

[Longasc]

Following Charon jr.'s path I also picked the southern path. Maybe I am still Stalingrad shocked and I liked the more open scenarios of 1943 so far.
Sorry won't be able to test the northern path... just saved over my savegame. doh.

FM, default 43 core
Starting Prestige: 4227
3357 after repairs and stuff
(upgraded all Ju87D to G, tank hunters. Panzer IIIN to IIIM <- not sure if this was a good move. Also: should switching between M/N be that cheap? but i guess it's ok)
40 Core slots and I can buy 6 units. This shows that 42/43 is getting harder than 39-41.
1021 at start, bought 2x Hummel, 2x Flak-Sdkfz, 2xElefant. I wonder if the slower but better armored esp. against air attacks SIG would not have been a better choice, or maybe more StuGs instead of 2 Elefants.

So let's see how this will turn out!

Edit 1:
2-3 turns in: Soviet Engineers are beasts. The Russian Airforce is now good enough to attack my Stukas even when they are escorted and my Stukas take losses.
I wonder if turning the M's in N's and the D's in G's was really that good -> entrenched soft targets. Interesting strategic choice there.
Annoying Pak and prepared defenses. My Tigers and Elefants shoot bunkers and tanks to crap, that's nice.
Edit 2: I decided already in deployment to entirely ignore the area east of the Donets. All objectives for a minor victory are located on the western side and the optional objective is located not far from the final objectives of the push north.
Edit 3: Prestige goes down dramatically, heavy fighting and unit losses. I have broken through and rolling North but the Russians don't give in. Very exciting. Stukas near useless as I don't dare to expose them to enemy attacks anymore, even with escorts they get attacked.

Edit 4: Down to 173 Prestige, lost a Stuka, a IIIM and something else in turn 8. Making good progress though. Sturmoviks attack any exposed unit and are hard to kill.
I think an imported core will do better here, so it's not too difficult but this turn will probably start the "failure cascade" for me as Prestige is almost gone.

[BriteLite]

LOL I went south also.
Last report on Beta 1. D/l V2 after report.

DLC43, Mission 4 Yakovlevo, Lt Difficulty, Prestige 7625, Default Core
DV 18/20, End Prestige 424
Units Lost: Core, 1xGrenadier 14STR with 2 Heroes 1 was +3 Attack!
Aux Units Lost: 1x7-1 AA, 1x7-2 AA,
Awarded 1xSE Panther D
Purchase 1xElefant

After reinforcing my depleted core 4500 prestige remain. The Orel mission revealed the combat power the Soviet Union now possesses. A decision must be made regarding the upgrade path I should take. Panzer IV-G is still a good tank but had trouble dealing with massed armor. Especially considering heavy Russian armor. Upgrading to Tigers is logical excepting the cost. At 703 per unit times 7 PzIV’s the cost would exceed the points available leaving nothing for replacing battle losses that are sure to be high. The cost for Panthers is slightly less but would still totally deplete prestige. PzIV-H cost 20 per conversion resulting in increased offensive/defensive stats and importantly initiative gain. 5xPzIV-G upgraded to PzIV-H. 1xIV-G to Panther D. 1xIV-G to Tiger. 2xStuka to ME410.

Map study indicates many fortified areas certain to be well manned. City and objective hexes where prestige might be captured don’t appear as numerous as in previous scenarios. The main effort would be from the left side of the Donets with a small panzer force advancing over and up the east side.

My plan held but at high cost. The prestige bank of 4500 went quickly as I continued to use elite reinforcements. New prestige was limited and enemy counter attacks were severe as I approached all cities. Many units were worn down to near elimination and with low prestige were withdrawn to save them. Russian air was a constant nuisance attacking artillery units. I pushed hard sustaining high losses near the end trying to win the scenario. Airfields are scarce and far apart sometimes limiting air missions.

Again a tough scenario but enjoyable. The AI seemed even more determined when counter attacking.

[Longasc]

Will restart with the new build / stronger default core in Kharkov 43.

My units would probably make a minor victory but take losses due to having barely any prestige for replacements as mentioned in my previous posting.

[grabbysnatch]

just played the first few turns. Tough breaking through but my Tigers and Panthers , with Artillary back up help clear the way, with infantry taking out the strong points and mopping up.

I agree, even with fighter escorts, my airforce still finds it tough as the Russian airforce is strong.

nice scenario and the forces balance seems good. will keep battling on and contine report when I finish this scenario.

[billmv44]

General, 1942 DLC Beta Imported core. Upgraded to 1943 Beta 2 about midway in the battle.

I my desire for plenty of Russian tanks has been met and then some. Massive Soviet armored forces throughout the entire scenario. Several units were nearly wiped out (time to upgrade my Pz IIIs as soon as possible). A challenging and well balanced scenario. Tactics are critical to victory now. DV on turn 17. I think I killed every enemy unit on the map except for one fort that I bypassed. Prestige on last turn 1864. Prestige to start Obayan 3864. No issues with the scenario.

[grabbysnatch]

just finished this scenario and although I enjoyed it, I didnt think the Russian tank forces were strong enough and although the infantry units etc were dug in, well placed artillary followed by air attacks and infantry support soon mopped them up. The main nuisance was the strong Russian air force constantly turning up when most unwelcome.lol

[margeorg]

The main nuisance was the strong Russian air force constantly turning up when most unwelcome

Holy shit yes. They always go agains my weak units, manly SP artillery, Wurfrahmen and recon vehicles. They are really giving me headaches ...