AO 1942 - Operation Blut
Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 55085
Hero:
Last hero of 1942 joins AufkAbt 12 and will essentially create another tank unit.
New Equipment Provided:
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11)
That's the end of the Pazner III upgrade path, at least without transforming the vehicles into other unit types. I'll have to wait for some major transformation into Panthers or Tigers now.
Starting Army Composition:
Tank
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor,
Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
Recon
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Anti-Tank
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor,
Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Artillery
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support,
Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
Anti-Aircraft
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** -
Karla Wuhrer
Fighter
I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor,
Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor,
Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
Tactical Bomber
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor,
Hans-Ulrich Rudel
Reserve
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor,
Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** -
Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - * - Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Highlights
Infantry getting caught in open terrain is free awards for me.
Yes, finally! Steamroller on a recon car will be huge in allowing me to wipe out wounded units.
Another valuable award, better AT guns are something I grew to enjoy this campaign.
After snowy weather, Soviets try to sneak up on my positions.
Time to make a push for the city that blocks the road for my evacuation transports. Recon cars are surprisingly effective at this.
Panzerjäger Abt 202 will now strike true fear in enemy tanks commanders' hearts. As if it did not do so earlier.
Another surprising attack after a snowy weather period. Time for Rudel to clear up this mess.
Transports arrive safely with just one getting slightly damaged on the way.
One last award to wrap things up, I'm really running short on possible awards after this DLC, the fighting was really intense!
Summary:
Equipment Captured:
OT-34 - 5 (up to 5)
203mm M1931 - 2 (up to 87)
Final Prestige: 54718 (down 367)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)
Overall:
The enemy air force was a bit of an annoyance and the fact that hexes did not grant prestige meant that I was not able to offset the prestige loss. Still it was a really fun scenario, a upgraded version of Klin in 1941 that offered more tactical freedom, but still was some challenge and gave the constant feeling of uncertainty. Luckily the enemy was not as aggressive as I feared in the beginning and my escorts were not overwhelmed, but I wonder how much of this was because of my own aggressive playstyle and trying to cut of any reinforcements from encircling my advance and how much was from AI settings. Still a nice scenario to end 1942 with, a satisfying conclusion on the fictional path where the difference is not huge from actual events, but impactful enough to give some possible benefits later in the DLC.
AO 1942 - Summary
Starting Prestige: 33498
Final Prestige: 54718 (up 21220)
Final Army Composition:
Infantry
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor,
Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** -
Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Tank
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor,
Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
Recon
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Anti-Tank
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor,
Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillery
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support,
Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
Anti-Aircraft
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** -
Karla Wuhrer
Fighter
I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor,
Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor,
Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
Tactical Bomber
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - * - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor,
Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
Strategic Bomber
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Armored Train
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Trophies of War:
Tank:
FT-17 - 35
Vickers Mk.III - 13
BT-5 - 39
T-26 - 100
Trubia - 57
Char B1 - 27
AMC 35 - 26
Somua S35 - 34
Renault R35 - 7
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
TKS - 18
FT-17 (pl) - 7
KV-2 - 60
T-15 - 4
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
Matilda II - 74
Char 2C - 35
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 12
L6/40 Lf - 105
38 M Toldi I - 100
M14/41 - 70
BT-7 - 51
R-1 - 35
KV-1/40 - 54
T-28 - 11
OT-133 - 17
T-34/40 - 57
KV-1/41 - 35
T-34/41 - 35
T-50 - 11
T-34-57 - 44
T-60 - 5
T-34/42 - 17
42M Toldi IIa - 50
Valentine III - 3
KV-1/42 - 8
T-70 - 7
OT-34 - 6
Recon:
Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
AAC-1937 - 15
BA-6 - 3
AMC P16 - 6
Panhard 178 - 38
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
DK Motorcycle - 6
Daimler Dingo - 7
Humber AC Mk.I - 3
BA-10 - 20
T-38 - 11
BA-64 - 30
Anti-Tank:
37mm M1930 - 12
45mm M1932 - 6
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 3
AT-1 - 14
T-13 - 4
QF 2 pounder - 2
45mm M1937 - 16
ZIS-30 - 35
57mm 1941 - 10
SU-100Y - 0
SU-122 - 30
76.2mm M1942 - 3
45mm M1942 - 4
Artillery:
105mm Vickers M22 - 31
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
203mm M1931 - 87
152mm M10/30 - 13
122mm M10/30 - 25
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
75mm mle 1897 - 13
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
105mm mle 1913 - 28
105mm wz. 29 - 12
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 36
BL 5.5 inch - 1
QF 25 pdr - 15
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
BL 4.5 inch - 5
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 37
105mm M.1925/27 - 7
SU-5-2 - 15
BT-7A - 31
122mm M1938 - 29
BM-13 Katyusha - 56
152mm M1938 - 15
SU-76 - 4
SP-T-18 - 5
Anti-Aircraft:
20mm M33 - 48
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
76.2mm M31 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm wz. 36 - 15
85mm M1939 - 16
20mm M/38 - 3
75mm FRC M27 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
40mm Bofors - 17
QF 3 inch - 4
Vickers AA - 4
20/70 quadruplo - 35
37mm M1939 - 12
SU-6 - 13
Gaz-AA MG - 1
T-90 SPAAG - 13
Fighter:
I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
I-15 - 19
Fokker D.XXI - 30
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 70
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 31
Meteor Mk.III - 0
Me 262A - 5
MiG-3 - 136
Yak-1 - 75
La-5 - 38
Pe-3 - 28
Tactical Bomber:
Breguet 693 - 30
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 48
Bf 109Z - 45
Ca.135 - 35
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 52
Sukhoi Su-2 - 23
Tupolev Tu-2 - 29
Strategic Bomber:
PZL P.37B Los - 17
He 111Z - 42
Stirling Mk.I - 29
Ilyushin Il-4 - 40
Thoughts:
AO 1942 was an unusual experience for sure. The emphasis on air combat made it refreshing, but these scenarios where it was the main feature luckily did not overstay their welcome. With 1943 I hope things will focus more on tanks battles, Kursk will be the main point for sure, but this distraction was a welcome one. It will also be interesting to see if the DLC splits East and West, but that's not too important right now. What is important is the fact that I enjoyed AO 1942 quite a lot and while 1941 remains best in my opinion, this was still a very strong piece of content. Aside from missions there are first signs of technological changes on the battlefield, with planes such as Fw 190A or tanks destroyers such as StuG IIIF/8 making a difference and the players forces are catching up in terms of available units. Time for three more attempts to the campaign now, with Retrograde being interesting due to the pace of new units being introduced that will mean I cannot upgrade what I want all the time, Panzermon being crazy due to my weak air force and Wunderwaffe getting tons of new stuff to test out. As usual, first on the list is the old school run with not-so-new equipment and basically no special unit awards. I wonder how long will I have to wait for long barreled Panzer IV's...
