AO Very Slow Retrograde

[Tassadar]

AO 1941 - Approaching Leningrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 38484

Hero:


If I./JG 2 ever sees more action it might need a hero, so I'll assign him already for future gains.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - *** - Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ***
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ***

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - * - Double Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - ** - OS13, Survivor

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Panzer IIC - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Overwhelming Attack, Envelopment
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Hit and Run, Survivor
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Summary:


Enemies here were not expected! Luckily I had a few planes nearby.


So much for support fire from my 3.7 cm PaK 36 guns. Upgrades are needed desperately on this front.


I'm sure it's a lovely city, but I'll admire it from a distance...

Final Prestige: 42427 (up 3943)

Overall:

Lack of any major tank forces was not an issue this time despite the memorable encounter with a KV horde near Krasnogvardeysk. I took the risk thinking that with terrain full of forests, swamps and other types of close terrain infantry supported by tons of artillery will do just fine and any armored threat can be dealt with using Stukas, since the weather was expected to be good and mobile airfields helped with setting up locations that improve range. For once my intuition was good when it comes to my army composition in this run instead of making me regret the initial deployment on these new, unknown maps.

AO 1941 - Gomel

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 44329

Hero:


Marvelous! Now Artillerie Abt 2 will be free to deploy and once I get the 17 cm Kanone 18 I'll be able to make that very valuable upgrade.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - *** - Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Panzer IIC - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Overwhelming Attack, Envelopment

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - * - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Fighter

I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ****
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Summary:


Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 with recon support to the rescue!


Wrapping things up around Gomel with some classic encirclement.

Final Prestige: 46092 (up 1763)

Overall:

Gomel is not too difficult, but that's perfectly fine, a chance for other units to gain experience, such as I./JG 2 that was so far kept in deep reserve. It's a tank friendly map, which I will appreciate in the Paznermon AAR with limited infantry and maybe deploy some of the second line weaker units there. For now I'm happy I can do some unit rotation on such occasions, since not only does the core slot limit grow a bit faster than core unit costs, but also I feel many missions now benefit from a flexible roster and having access to at least slightly experienced reserves.

AO 1941 - Lokhvitsa

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 46023

Hero:


I have a great (or crazy) idea and it involves massively overpowered cavalry. If I get an Avenger her I know where's he's going. And no Zero Slots shenanigans - I'm going to pay the full 9 slot price.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - *** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Overwhelming Attack, Envelopment

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - * - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor

Armored Train

Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 4 - Panzer IIC - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ****
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Look at my horse, my horse is amazing!


Rudel is going to take out this nasty gun in almost one turn. Almost, since the enemy Resilient hero means it will survive with one power to be finished off by another unit.

Final Prestige: 47947 (up 1924)

Overall:

Very few enemy heroes can resit the power of my "surrender bombers" and in situations like these it helps to keep otherwise deadly units in check once again. It's something I need to rely on quite a lot since Soviet tanks are clearly superior and very dangerous, so avoiding their attacks allows me to move my large artillery force in full, covering what needs support fire. As for the super cavalry, it performed admirably and the Prudent hero with 25 unit overstrenth seems to work as intended. That's a whole lot of slots, but with Zero slots on my artillery I can afford to do some silly moves like this.

[WalterTFD]

Killing it. 2 shock attack heroes is way more than the AI can deal with, just brutal.

[Tassadar]

AO 1941 - Kiev 1941

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 48695

Hero:


Seriously, game! I am not using captured equipment this run, but I'll guess I'll combo with Panzerjäger Abt 2 and have an emergency unit for those most difficult missions.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11)

I was complaining about low power of my AT guns, so it's a welcome upgrade that appeared.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - *** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Panzer IIC - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - * - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ****
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Summary:


That's support fire on top of more support fire.


Quite a few tanks get trapped in the open, but manage to inflict losses.


Double Support Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 does what it does best.

Final Prestige: 51544 (up 2849)

Overall:

Approach towards Kiev took more time as I got distracted on a few occasions. Also, apparently not dropping paratroopers up north meant that enemy forces were not confused and rushed to meet my army head on. This resulted in heavy fighting and more captures, but also more losses, so the overall gain is not as impressive as I though it would be. I also took some of my experienced unit out of this battle, so that would explain the extra time needed to reach and encircle the city. Also, I'm starting to like Kavallerie Reg 1 more and more. Sure, it's costly to replace, by draws fire whenever I need that and can withstand a lot of attacks.

AO 1941 - Bryansk

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 51311

Hero:


Back to more normal rolls, assigned to Infanterie Reg 1 for some support for regular power units.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11)

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - *** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Panzer IIC - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 3.7 cm PaK 36 (SdKfz 10) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Summary:


Time to test my new AT guns, they did not see that much action in Kiev...


Ignores ZOC shows that it's useful even in poor ground conditions. In fact it's the enemy who will have a rough time getting out.

Final Prestige: 52491 (up 1180)

Overall:

The mission was progressing at a really slow pace as expected, but the volume of my artillery really shined here. Surprisingly, 13th Army Soviet units did not appear for a long time, which had me concerned if I will manage to get enough of them destroyed. I finally managed to do this on turn 20, but in retrospect I should have brought more heavy tanks down south to do this, as with most of my forces pushing center and north, the southern flank was a bit underpowered at times and with no planes to help and no easy way to move units in such poor terrain conditions sending any reinforcements took more time than I hoped.

AO 1941 - Mozhaisk Line

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 26032

Hero:


Torsten will join PzAbt 5 and thus create a specialized infantry support tank that can provide cover fire, attack if needed, and not be afraid of getting hit in cities.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11)

AT gun upgrades finished and the useful Flammpanzer II appears in time for Moscow, which makes me happy since there's tons of close terrain there and hordes of infantry.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - * - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - SdKfz 231 6Rad - ****
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Summary:


I might not be able to provide support fire at this distance, but with the extra range my artillery will still reach and do silly amounts of damage in the absence of Luftwaffe.


Sometimes with artillery it's not the size that matters, it's the amount.


Super horses doing a great job. They usually stabilize at 15-17 strength and after that even tanks have trouble inflicting more damage on them.

Final Prestige: 29159 (up 3127)

Overall:

This took a surprisingly long amount of time again. There's clearly something about my ground forces that makes them less mobile than in the original AAR and ultimately it might boil down to play style, caused by extra artillery, rather than unit quality. Wit my main tactics being "shower everything in a rain of steel" and waiting for the defenses to soften, I might take smaller losses, but also approach objectives more passively. Also an experiment with deploying three Wehr Infanterie units without transports that were a part of the Operation Mercury force was not that spectacular. They got bogged down in mud and could traverse the terrain at a terribly slow pace only if outside roads.

[Panzer73]

Super cavalry to the rescue?1 That is one awesome unit. If you could add Artillery Support or Provocator to it...

[Tassadar]

AO 1941 - Battle of Moscow

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 30950

Hero:


Gerhard joins newly upgraded AufkAbt 3, as it won't hurt to have a recon unit that can contribute to combat more.

New Equipment Provided:

AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - ** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Summary:


8.8 cm Flak 36 back in AT mode.


Super horses on the attack really pay off. No encirclement risk by the way, that strongpoint is going to be blasted to bits by artillery.


This is something not seen every day. AufkAbt 3 armed with Pazner IIF recon tanks takes out a 7 power KV-1 tank unit in an ambush!


Having AA guns with AA Veteran is really useful this mission. Sadly, I cannot fully take out the Soviet airforce for the entire duration of the scenario, as the weather switches between clear and snow every second turn, giving Soviets time to repair.


However, on those rare occasions where the weather stays clear, FlaK Abt 3 can one-shot most regular fighters and bombers. All of this for just one core slot.


Kremlin is almost taken, but with not too many turns to spare. Bad weather significantly slowed my advance and delayed the attack on the city itself, so I'm behind schedule.

Final Prestige: 33127 (up 2177)

Overall:

Fighting around and inside Moscow was as expected intense and bloody. Snowy weather was a real pain this time, as it provided cover for retreating Soviet planes, negatively affected accuracy on my attacking units and hid reinforcements from my sight, which did surprise me one my way from the south where I was sure the road was clear already. This was probably since due to my slower advance extra wave of reinforcements had the time they needed to go through the capital and engage my units before they could establish positions within the city hexes. Even despite involving Envelopment/Overwhelming Attack combo on Panzerjäger Abt 2 and taking out a tank every other turn I still had to deal with massive waves and this speaks volumes about the design of the mission, since other factors than powerful heroes are decisive here. Of course this helped against several nasty Soviet reinforcement units, but I for sure did not feel any "easy mode" in the most important battle of the campaign.

AO 1941 - Klin

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 33309

Hero:


Further upgrade to AufkAbt 3 and trying to have it actively contribute to battles more and more.

New Equipment Provided:

Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7)

Second heaviest gun I can have and a second one with Zero Slots and Double Attack. In missions like this I would normally even not deploy them, but since I've got free access, I might as well.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - ** - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Immediately taking out forces guarding the important transfer airfield in case things go bad with my froward aerial force.

Final Prestige: 36707 (up 3398)

Overall:

No taking this mission lightly I've replicated the earlier strategy that worked well, only replaced some fighters with AA guns for more passive cover and for potential AT support in secondary mode. I did not have enough bridge engineers to block key hexes with them, but managed to resort to other cheap units. I also too all my combo capturing heroes since I did not plan to leave anything to random chance. With all of this the mission went well and all convoy units were saved, but I absolutely did not have the damage and momentum to push back towards Klin yet again.

AO 1941 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 25402
Final Prestige: 36707 (up 11305)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - ** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVD - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - ** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Thoughts:

Retrograde version of 1941 went better than expected. I managed to stick to the rule runs and get Operation Mercury without extra troops, got really good hero assignments and managed to get all bonus objectives, but of course I got to spend barely any of those commendation points earned. My core did not expand too much - I got some infantry with no transports, a StuG and a light field gun (I wonder if I will ever get to use it again, but it's got 157 experience, so it would be a shame to dismiss it just like that). There were a few important upgrades, but overall I am slightly behind in terms of useful machines, especially the useful Bf 110F and Ju 87D, as well as better SdKfz 250/1 half-track for my infantry. The biggest question for the future of this run is if I can keep Kavallerie Reg 1 relevant all the way until 1945, since i was impressed with its performance and want to actively use it as much as I can. Now time to get back to the favorite series - Panzermon and the captured unit festival.

[Panzer73]

AO 1939 - Forbach

Starting Army Composition:

Volunteers only, no core army is deployed.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 35440 (up to 600)

Overall:

Not much to say this time. No option to do upgrades and the scenario went very similar to the usual approach, with the sacrifice of just one auxiliary recon unit.

A bit too late now (as you're about to start AO42 for this gang), but it is possible to upgrade your core units during this scenario. You could have upgraded one infantry or support unit to trucks...

[Tassadar]

I missed that entirely, interesting stuff! Still this run is a bit underpowered in general when it comes to equipment availability and also tracking these changes is not an easy task. For example when preparing for 1942 I noticed some tiny bugs in my summary list (a star or trait missed here and there or a version upgrade not listed along the way). Still I try to keep it different from the other ones and limit myself in a way. It's however only retrograde, not demotorized - that concept as shown by Hexaboo has some really fun potential, but for now I won't have the time to test it as well on top of everything else. Maybe one day with all the DLC there will be this ultimate crazy demotorized, no normal hero, Generalissimus attempt with some extra spice to make it real difficulty insanity like in Edmon's vids...

[Tassadar]

AO 1942 - Rzhev 1942


As usual, the unit list options do not look bad, but the overall availability of units will likely be greatly postponed in time, forcing me to use inferior version in scenarios where equipment quality matters most.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 36191

Hero:


This is actually a useful hero with Retrograde. I ultimately decide for a standard assignment to II./AG 1, but Kradschützen Batallion 1 was also a consideration, but ultimately I think I want to save it for heroes more useful when attacking.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF, OS 13
Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - transport upgraded
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11)

Now that I know the campaign structure, my top priorities are - fighters, tanks, bombers in this exact order. As no fighters are for now available, I decide to upgrade my old tanks as first priority and the move to some other utility units. However, there's an issue. The first scenario of 1942 offers basically no major upgrades. Oh well, too bad, things will get interesting as basically none of my tanks can reliably penetrate Soviet tanks armor. At least I have time for a cosmetic upgrade on the FlaK....

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - ** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - ***
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


I'm in dire need for better armor. Even AT support does not stop KV-1 tanks from attacking my units, the damage the guns on my vehicles do is just too low.


Now if only I had ammo in my heavy artillery from the start, I could easily broken the encirclement without external help.


The T-34 unit wanted to attack my Kradschützen, but after seeing potential support fire that I could bring to the table, it just gave up on the idea.

Final Prestige: 42703 (up 6512)

Overall:

Rzhev 1942 benefits from map knowledge in that I know I'm in no hurry to save encircled units. This allowed me to position my forces better, making most of their abilities. My air force did a good job and dealt with Soviet planes quickly, while my ground forces also managed to repel the attackers with ease. A lot of artillery with Double Attack really helps break enemy formations and choose what targets I get to engage, so even if my tanks are weaker, I get to fight greatly softened up targets. Also, my Envelopment plus Overwhelming attack combos do come in handy, even if I do not get to use whatever they capture. Now there will be time for some extra air scenarios and it looks like for those I will have to resort to some extra purchases that with Slow Modernization will not be a priority to upgrade later.

AO 1942 - Demyansk Pocket

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 42668

Hero:


Hero for I./ZG 1 to operate without fear of enemy fighters.

New Units Commissioned:

II./JG 2 - Bf 109F

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - transport upgraded
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid

Tank

PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - *** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ***
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - ** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - ** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


AA gun gets brave shooting at Soviet fighters and is in turn struck by tons of artillery shells.


It took FlaK Abt 4 some time to find valid target, but once that happened, it was well worth the journey.


Counterattack starts on the western side and my flame tanks need to retreat, not being useful at this stage of the battle.


Interesting, and attack though the river on the eastern side? This did not happen in my previous run, so I'm glad I've left some defenders there.

Final Prestige: 46483 (up 3815)

Overall:

This mission went well not that I knew what to expect and where to strike first best, but I must say that with a weaker air force, taking out all the Soviet fighters was a much more lengthy process. Especially the experience issue made a noticeable difference in the flexibility I could respond with. Later in the mission I've put some units in swampy terrain just to bait the planes to come at them and get shot down by AA fire. Out of four such traps only one was successful, but it did allow to take out three whole units. Now things will get interesting as an even more impactful air scenario starts...

AO 1942 - Operation Cerberus

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 47796

Hero:


II./ZG 1 will help main fighters take down wounded planes with this extra bonus to attack values.

New Units Commissioned:

III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

I did not expect to run out of Bf 109F in stock. This makes things not as straightforward as the could be given how other planes are also very limited for me.

New Equipment Provided:

Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - transport upgraded

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - * - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - ** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ****
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


I can already see this will be tricky. RAF elite units can massacre my forces if I'm not careful since I lack both the equipment quality and experience.


Some of my units indeed barely make it out alive from encounters with the RAF and all of that despite being moved carefully and heavily escorted on the way.


Even more RAF veterans appear - it will take all of my best fighters to try and take them down. And I really need to do so, I do not want them to repair and come back again.

Final Prestige: 46919 (down 877)

Overall:

This approach was much, much harder than in my first run. My fighters were less experienced and sometimes I had to resort to Bf 109E variant, not the most advanced one at this point. Same for my bombers, who were not as sturdy as more modern designs. At least Shock Tactics prevented the capital ships from running all over the sea. Once they were detected, I pinned them in place with Shock Tactics and took down one rather reliable. Now I dread to face this mission in Panzermon with I-16, I-15 and other poor fighters - I will probably end up using them in recon role and buy as meany meat shield fighters to fill in the core as I can. In a way, I can't wait for that particular challenge, but I also feel it might drive me nuts.

[Panzer73]

I found Cerberus to be the most challenging scenario in AO42, due to the greenness of my units. I fielded 10 fighters in my first core (No Overstrength), with only 4 of them veterans. Likewise, I doubled my strats from 3 to 6. All of those green units suffered horribly, and my experienced bombers hurt a lot too. This was with an overabundance of Rapid Fire 1.5x, No Retaliation, Hit & Run and First Strike heroes in this core. I am wondering what will happen with my core that has only one each of the last two and none of the first two...

Still, there is hope if you could handle it with the Very Slow Retrograde cohort!

[Tassadar]

AO 1942 - Kummersdorf

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 46885

Hero:


Newly formed PzAbt 7 will get this hero to help with urban combat later.

New Units Commissioned:

PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD

New Equipment Provided:

Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - transport upgraded
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F

I could go and upgrade to the new 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) as well, but since I do not have approximate production figures (this was more of a field conversion), I decide to skip it.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - Artillery Support

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Famous

Fighter

I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - * - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - * - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - *
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - ** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B

Strategic Bomber

IV./KG 1 - He 111H2

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIG - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - ****
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - **
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - *** - Readiness
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Ready to train, AT guns and other support units mostly.

Final Prestige: 47375 (up 490)

Overall:

Ready to move back to the East with new units and equipment, new heroes and some precious experience...

AO 1942 - Kerch Peninsula

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 48315

Hero:


Adding this hero to Kradschützen Batallion 1, so that motorbikes can last longer against better and better tanks. Just in case.

New Equipment Provided:

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - transport upgraded
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIH - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - ** - Artillery Support

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - ** - Exterminator
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Strategic Bomber

III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110C - **
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B - **
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Summary:


Karla Wuhrer is already making the enemy regret flying into AA gun range.


I try to make the attack via the swamps work, I really do, it's just that pushing through fortifications while slower, is much safer. It might be the case of map scale, since northern reinforcements can move south too quickly.


Assistance from the Romanian air force is appreciated, but when they block the targets my dive bombers could take out, things become a bit awkward.

Final Prestige: 53343 (up 5028)

Overall:

I've played this mission fully siege style. This involved having large artillery batteries defended by AA guns, that were tasked with softening specific defenders, so that tanks and infantry can make holes in the defenders' lines and attack juicy targets hidden further away. Again I mostly ignored the swampy terrain south, but some infantry made a push from that direction so that the Soviet forces would be equally occupied on the whole frontline. Once the initial resistance was dealt with and the large armies destroyed, the rest was just a matter of time. Small pockets of resistance could not seriously challenge my force afterwards.

AO 1942 - Second Battle of Kharkov

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 53907

Hero:


Artillerie Abt 3 with Reduced Slots means I can add even more firepower to my best unit type in this core.

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - transport provided
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - ** - Artillery Support

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ****

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ** - Distraction, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - ** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
I./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./SG 1 - Ju 87B - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B - **
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Summary:


I place my planes close to the frontline. They will have to rebase since these airfields will get taken, but in the meantime they can do some damage to the attacking forces.


I planned to encircle partisans, but they just charged my super horses and got wiped out...


It took my core just a moment longer to get to Izium and that moment was enough for the defenders to get totally overwhelmed.


With Prudent my super horses at at one point become basically immune to infantry damage in the open, and can be considered tanks for all intents and purposes.

Final Prestige: 61006 (up 7099)

Overall:

I appreciate how straightforward this mission is in a way if one wants it to be. It can be that huge clash of forces in the open, but at the same time it can also be a deadly trap for the forces with enough patience and planning. So far I felt no need to do the laying the trap approach, but I am confident that in my next AAR I will try it since it just fits the capturing theme so nicely. This time the situation stabilized as soon as I formed a defensive line with a lot of AT support, but partisans were a real annoyance as I forgot to place enough of anti-infantry forces on the road to Izium and had to push my way through the forest more slowly as a result.

[Tassadar]

AO 1942 - Voronezh

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 60672

Hero:


AufkAbt 4 will now fill the distraction role and sneak through enemy forces to turn artillery off.

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - transport upgraded
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D
III./SG 1 - Ju 87R

Ju 87D has a very nice, solid supply, but upgrading to these one by one will take some time.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87B - **
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Summary:


That was a nice defensive position. Too bad for the Soviets that my tank got here.


Time to engage the enemy. That city hex will be occupied by infantry that can help tighten the grasp around the Soviets.


With the heaviest tanks turned into scrap metal, the rest is just a matter of time.

Final Prestige: 67844 (up 7172)

Overall:

Using the same approach as earlier, but more cautiously due to inefficiency of my panzers, I managed to set up a trap for the Soviet army in the exact same location. It's just perfect for these purposes and I really do not imagine trying to do thing differently. What went a lot better elsewhere was attacking the city itself. There's really no defensive force that can stand up to so many artillery pieces raining down steel on them. It takes more time compared to a more aggressive approach, but is brutally efficient.

AO 1942 - Voroshilovgrad SDO

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 68399

Hero:


With this, AufkAbt 4 can not only distract, but fight better and be more annoying.

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - transport upgraded
II./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87R - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Without the Bf 109G yet available, the combat results are not that amazing, even with my best heroes.


Enemy fighters tend not to operate over this forest, so I can afford to send out my strategic bombers unescorted to suppress infantry.


I just noticed that Hungarians have better tanks then the ones I've got... feels awkward...

Final Prestige: 69593 (up 1194)

Overall:

With proper prior knowledge about this mission and the fact I do not have to fear unlimited airplane waves, plus the fact Romanian do get reinforcements, my approach was less rushed. I focused on taking down individual planes and ground units entirely rather than just wounding them, even if as a result they would retaliate against Hungarian ground forces with more force. Loss of a few Hungarian tank and infantry units would not be as bad as having to chase Soviets all over the map just because they had a chance to retreat and heal...

AO 1942 - Operation Nordlicht

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 70284

Hero:


An investment in Panzerjäger Abt 3, will come useful once I get access to better self propelled AT guns.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - transport upgraded
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D

Oh, new tanks, finally something with better guns! I need to upgrade my Panzer IVs more, but for now the Panzer III needs to hold the line.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF - **** - OS13, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Auxillary troops are not expected to last long, but they will hopefully buy me a few turns.


This way I can ensure that bridge engineers don't get any funny ideas...


Looks like this forest surprise will be a shock for the Soviet Shock Army.


That range!


Something I have never seen happen before. If advancing artillery gets ambushed, then counter battery fire will trigger. Quite a useful thing indeed.

Final Prestige: 74118 (up 3834)

Overall:

This was my first attempt at this campaign path and as suspected, it offered a totally different experience to the other branch. the map is really small, turn limit quite low and the enemy really determined to surround the player's forces. Fortunately all of these attack can be quite easily thwarted. Western side by the river is approached by only two bridge engineers. This means once they are stopped, the only path to worry about is the bridge next to Moskovskaya Dubrovka. That location can be held by a minimal force with ease, allowing to concentrate efforts fully on the attack from the East. Soviets split into two main groups. The smaller southern one will take more time fighting auxiliary forces and can also be ambushed by tanks on open ground. It works fine, since it's mostly composed of infantry and light vehicles. The larger, tanks heavy part of the attacking force moves up north, but it makes the poor choice of advancing through the forest. A few well placed infantry units with support mow down armored targets and just need to be wary not to get overwhelmed by accompanying infantry and rocket launchers.

[Panzer73]

The eastern disposition seems a bit wrong - infantry in the open and tanks in forests? Ouch on that 6-hex ranged 21 cm!

[Tassadar]

The eastern disposition seems a bit wrong - infantry in the open and tanks in forests? Ouch on that 6-hex ranged 21 cm!

Actually, that forest can provide a false sense of security. One thing I noticed, and I believe someone on the forums already mentioned this as well, is that Soviet infantry can very aggressively attack in this mission and deal some serious damage. Especially since Katushas are scary when it comes to dealing suppression and allowing the enemy to safely attack even 5 star infantry. So while indeed the placement of enemies is rather awkward, it's best not to become too relaxed about it - I've learned it the hard way.

[Tassadar]

AO 1942 - Battle of Lake Ladoga

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 74905

Hero:


New hero for PzAbt 2 - almost all of my tanks ignore zone of control now.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF/2
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - transport upgraded

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, No Retaliation
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **
I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Partisans, why is it always partisans?


Looks like taking horses over tanks was the right call.


Even more partisans. In future campaigns these will probably even more numerous, so my forces are never truly safe...


There they are! Now I just need to get across...


...and defenders of Volkhov will not make this an easy rescue.


Finally something to spend my commendation points on!


Those are well spent indeed, I have tons of ideas where to assign Gero.

Final Prestige: 75370 (up 465)

Overall:

I was rushing through the forest expecting that my extra objective and saving the general's son will be somewhere in the dense forests immediately near my location and I need to hurry. I did not expect the truth, but luckily I had a mobile force advance on the road east, so I was able to cross the river and intervene in time. That was a tricky one, I really came too the rescue in the very last minute with just two units barely offering resistance against the large Soviet force trying to take them out. The reward was fortunately well worth it, as this pace and having to take risks on the way was quite costly.

AO 1942 - Bombing of Stalingrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 75360

Hero:


Seriously? OK, I guess PzAbt 1 still did not have this hero.

New Equipment Provided:

III./AG 1 - Fw 189
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D
II./KG 1 - He 177A

Continuing my air force modifications just in time for this mission. Sadly, the Bf 109G is still not normally available.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - **
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ju 88A - *** - Shock Tactics
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Do 17Z
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

I end up having a free core slot, but there's no point getting yet another recon plane here. Also, some of my planes start in reserve, as I cannot deploy as many, I've got limited airfields in the beginning.

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Infantry to the rescue, but I'm not sure why that recon car went straight into support fire earlier.


Romanians might not have the heavy equipment needed, but they sure don't plan to give up and attempt an encirclement.


Despite a lot of strategic bombers providing suppression, some pockets of resistance are quite hard to get though for the ground forces.

Final Prestige: 78121 (up 2761)

Overall:

Weaker planes mean more time was needed to break through the ground forces which also meant that my Survivor farming was slightly delayed compared to the most optimistic plan. Rudel ignoring entrenchment helped make holes in enemy formation and more strategic bombers overall also had some nice utility, but overall the flow of the mission was mostly the same as it was in the previous run.

AO 1942 - Streets of Stalingrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 78967

Hero:


Hero for Artillerie Abt 4, even more discounts on my artillery means I can always rely on it.

New Equipment Provided:

FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2
I./KG 1 - He 177A
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tank

PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVD - *** - Artillery Support

Recon

AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - **** - Butcher, Combat Luck

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness - Survivor
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - ** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor

Strategic Bomber

III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - **
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator - Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Summary:


Night Witches do not fear AA fire.


High losses on two of my plane units, but taking out 203mm guns was critical to secure the approach towards the Red October Factory.


Who needs tanks in urban combat if a recon plane plus heavy artillery can do the same damage.


I move a wall of infantry supported by artillery and just slowly overpower individual defenders.


Crossing the Volga river this time! Well, at last some small branch of it...

Final Prestige: 79636 (up 669)

Overall:

Lots of artillery meant I advanced carefully and without the need to rush things. I was confident that I can overpower the defenders eventually, so I tried not to overextend and get myself attacked from a flank, especially that I took no serious anti-tank weaponry, so I planned to stick to moving using close terrain to not let potential Soviet tanks surprise me. Having bride engineers also allowed me to raid the spawn location of Soviet reinforcements, but that idea is always risky - a unlucky spawn can encircle a unit, so only the absolute best forces should attempt such a raid, backed up by heavy artillery and air support in case things go wrong. The upside of this risky attempt was getting even more experience on a few units.

[Tassadar]

AO 1942 - Assault on Stalingrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 78779

Hero:


Combat Luck on FlaK Abt 5 = potential to never miss a one-shot attack on an enemy plane.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG
I./JG 1 - Bf 109G
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G

How ironic that all this useful stuff appears with just two missions to go in 1942.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - *** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck
I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109F - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness - Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Exterminator - Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Unguarded airfields get taken almost immediately.


I decide to make the crossing near Kalach. It already has some guards around it and major roads lead to it, which helps all my half tracks and other slower units.


In the meantime surviving troops in Stalingrad try to engage the enemy who captured the airfields.


An attack from the north tries to compromise my crossing attempt, but I keep my army together so that all units can support each other.

Final Prestige: 81471 (up 2692)

Overall:

I my first attempt I've out of curiosity tried to take the fight to the Soviets on both southern and northern side of the map. I got crushed. No matter being able to provide good support fire and have a tight formation. In the open terrain there will always be some unit willing to take the hits so that a hole in my lines appears and also there's the constant risk of being surrounded by huge numbers of enemy tanks. It does not help that my armor is of weaker quality, so I cannot just fight the enemy on equal terms. As such, I decided for an organized push towards the train station and this worked well. It is easy get attacked on the way, so the formation needs to be tight, but it is still quite manageable - especially if the 8.8 cm Flak 36 in AT mode threatens to wipe out any opposing tank unit with support fire.

AO 1942 - Operation Winter Storm

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 84432

Hero:


I can technically only consolidate infantry, so I assign this new hero to Infanterie Reg 2, hoping I can use some slot reduction heroes in the future. Using it on other units and reassigning heroes for combo potential (Grenadier Reg 1 would be insane!) seems like the easy way out. My goal is to only move heroes around if they turn out to be essentially useless in their role and otherwise keep them always where they are, unless potentially I have more heroes than placement options in core army.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness - Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator - Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


I'm sorry, was that your only airfield in range that I took over as the snow begun to fall?


Towed AT guns finally see some action.


The historical path means a lot more direct fighting apparently. Time to prepare for an incoming counter attack!


Yes, looks like there's a war and everybody came.


I never gave it much thought, but towed AT guns, being soft targets, are excellent against opposing self-propelled AT guns.

Final Prestige: 88354 (up 3922)

Overall:

Operation Winter Storm went a lot better than the previous mission in terms of my capability to mount an offensive. I had a few options to try out. Cross the Don river with bridge engineers and attach there with most of my force, ignore the river and push alongside it directly towards Stalingrad, or try to split my force and do both. I decided to rush towards Stalingrad directly, curious of what would happen. A huge line of bunkers quickly made me realize that this terrain was mostly off limits, but I decided not to divert the bulk of my force west over the Don, but instead clash with Soviet counter attack waved. Only a minimal force went west and captured some terrain, but it was not expected to capture all hexes, and seeing the amount of units that roamed the battlefield, that was probably not a reasonable objective anyway.

AO 1942 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 36191
Final Prestige: 88354 (up 52163)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - OS12, Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Suppport, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness - Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator - Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z

Armored Train

Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Thoughts:

1942 represented a much tougher challenge due to retrograde. Important units such as the Bf 109G, the Panzer IVG or better AT guns, were all unavailable during the majority of the campaign and these represent an important step up when it comes to firepower. I also had to gave up on tons of potentially great awards and rely on the basic core. This culminated in the Assault on Stalingrad scenario, where despite my best efforts, I could not just meet the Soviets head on and not worry about things. Cerberus was also not easy, but on the other hand, Stalingrad was not as bad thanks to the critical mass of artillery. Now for the probably toughest challenge with weak planes and only two possible infantry units - but that not before the weekend I'm afraid.

[Panzer73]

Those are tough battles to fight without high-end units. At least you can use the Tiger (P) and the T-34-57 with Panzermon, along with the SU-122 and the OT-34!

[Tassadar]

Actually the Tiger (P) is not viable for Paznermon as it's German. It's ok for the Wunderwaffe run, but since I was not able to capture stuff there, I will not be gaining the extra 15 parts for the Jagdtiger trade. At least I can get a refill in Kummersdorf and maybe manage somehow with Field Repairs on it.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Zaporizhia


Latest list. Since production figures started to go up for Germany overall, the key units are surprisingly well available.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 88818

Hero:


I see, so that's how it's going to be? Off to Infanterie Reg 6.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad
Former Panzerjäger Abt 3, now Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8

As usual, just 3 upgrades per mission due to Slow Modernization and as usual I cannot upgrade the same unit twice (I'll have to make an exception for Azul Infanterie later as it's a limited event). The table also makes the life harder. For now, I need to probably focus on tanks and anti-tank weaponry, especially given the requirements of this mission and the next one, but I also cannot neglect my air force and other units...

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - Learns from Mistakes
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IVE - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Suppport, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck
I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110F - *** - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Ready to start with somewhat outdated armor.


This time I keep the AT guns as they are, moving them does not accomplish much and can actually cause a gap in the defenses.


Kavallerie Reg 1 in close terrain deletes tanks like crazy, as then really only the power of the unit counts. Even conscripts would be almost as deadly.

Final Prestige: 92782 (up 4054)

Overall:

I followed the suggestion of the mission briefing and had overstrengthened infantry and cavalry wreck havoc in swampy terrain, but the new StuG also did a good job. Panzerjäger Abt 1 is also quite effective, since with initiative higher than basically all Soviet tanks it can shoot and instant surrender them without fear of return fire. It is only one per turn, but gives me the option to deal with the strongest units easily.

Now, for the gift Panther (P)... I cannot use it in the run, but it's 2 star crew is something I do not want to waste, so I've got an idea on how to utilize them.

AO 1943 - Backhand Blow

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 95151

Hero:


Good for AufkAbt 3 - Combat Luck is somewhat redundant on the offense with Overrun (but can ensure overruns and no low rolls), but on the defense it will still be nice for a recon vehicle and the option to overrun smaller targets can come in handy.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G

I just "upgraded" the gift Panther (P) unit, since it's not possible to reject, to a SdKfz 251/7 Brücken. Let's keep any Panthers with the spirit of this run, so not yet available for a long time. I'll do the same with the gift Me 262A. I'll take it for the hero, but downgrade the plane to something silly.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck, Overrun

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Skilled Support, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Suppport, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Survivor
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - Learns from Mistakes
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken - **
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Do 17Z
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Those consolidator units are really becoming close terrain masters, even with not that good stats.


Two Soviet light tanks in a row suicide themselves against Azul Infanterie on hills just to do some damage.


With +11 defense from Prudent now, cavalry with some artillery support is basically unmovable, even in the open.

Final Prestige: 100025 (up 4874)

Overall:

This was not as bad as I expected it to be and gives good hopes for the rest of the scenarios, including the historical path still unknown to me. While my units are taking quite a few hits, the surrender AT machine and all the Legendary heroes are keeping my prestige well in the positive numbers, so I just need to focus on not accidentally exposing my weaker units to too much danger, as most are much weaker on defense than optimal equipment I would be getting now. Air force is also doing fine, but some extra AA support is a welcome addition, as the battle results are not as one sided as they were with Fw 190A.

AO 1942 - Kummersdorf 1943

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 106141

Hero:


Meh, if I were playing the fictional route that would be the perfect hero for Return to Stalingrad, but overall nothing too amazing. Off to Infanterie Reg 5 as I want my main units to get some more useful heroes.

New Units Commissioned:

Panzerjäger Abt 3 - Marder IIIH
Werfer Abt 1 - Wurfrahmen 40

Probably the only new units I'll get unless something great pops up, as I might need rocket artillery and currently have none. An extra mobile AT vehicle also seems good if my tank power keeps as low as it is.

New Equipment Provided:

III./JG 1 - Fw 190A
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109G
II./KG 2 - Ju 88A

I expected Kummersdorf to start giving me better tanks. It did not. This means I'll have to focus on other areas for the time being as investing in Panzer IIIL or even Panzer IVG seems sub-optimal. Air force seems like a good choice to focus on.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Survivor
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - Liberator
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - Learns from Mistakes

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 3 - Marder IIIH

Artillery

Werfer Abt 1 - Wurfrahmen 40

Fighter

I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ** - Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 2 - Ju 88A
II./KG 2 - Ju 88A

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - ***** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, Steamroller
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken - **
Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck, Overrun
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Skilled Support, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Suppport, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck
I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - Survivor
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Survivor
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


I have a lot of 3 star units and I could get them up to 4 or 5, but that seems wasteful. Some of them will eventually get there naturally, and a lot of my basic infantry and planes have very little experience. Especially infantry and fighters might be important on the defensive side of the historical path, so that's probably the best occasion to have them be more useful.

Final Prestige: 106141 (no change)

Overall:

Fairly standard mission as training goes, but the 43 Azul Infanterie will be huge, as well as the two new heroes. Ironically, I forgot I can deploy trains in this mission. I could have trained trains, as pun intense as it may seem.

[Panzer73]

The historical path is going to be interesting with this core, to say the least. I took it with my first core, which had 4 zero slot heroes, in addition to von Manstein Jr. This core has No Overstrength, so I couldn't do some of the more ridiculous things. I also relied more on Bf109Gs, PzIIIMs (my two capture tanks), and StugIIIGs instead of Elefant, etc.

All of those partisans in the second half of the campaign are major irritants, make sure you have enough recons on hand so you don't get ambushed. The missions are set up as (i) race to the defense area while fighting through partisans, then (ii) defend against insanely large and powerful hoards of Soviet forces. Except most of my units had 5 stars and this core has an over-abundance of Tank Killer, Rapid Fire 1.5x and similar heroes. Some of my units got beat up badly (my habit of overextension), but overall the missions ended with me taking the fight back to the Soviets.

It seems the developers don't really want us to do that. The spawn zone of Kiev in the final mission has an insane defensive ring around it - 25 strength 203 mms, 25 strength 85 mm AA/AT, defending 50 strength pillboxes... I'll have to prepare accordingly in the next core that follows the historical path!

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Yakovlevo

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 108271

Hero:


Now that's interesting. I could assign this hero to a plane unit seeing how well this went for the AI. That said, I like this on PzAbt 7 even more, now having a tank supporting against both soft and hard targets. The ultimate protector and if I give him the Japanese tanker hero, I can park the unit for support purposes in any terrain whatsoever. As for the planes, maybe next time.

New Equipment Provided:

Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
PzAbt 2 - Tiger I
I./NJG 1 - He 219

OK, now things got really interesting. A lot of the good stuff appeared, so I need to start thinking about my choices and plan them ahead. Obviously Tigers are top priority. I also need to downgrade the jets. A night fighter unit will be just fine for this purpose. Infantry is also up to the 43 standard and since there's a lot of it, I will need to keep one per mission rate.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - ***** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Tiger I - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Panzer IVG - *** - Artillery Support, AT Support, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck, Overrun

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Skilled Support, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - Marder IIIH - **

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - Wurfrahmen 40 - ***

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - *** - Combat Luck

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Bf 109F - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - *** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Liberator
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Learns from Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken - **
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - ** - Survivor
I./NJG 1 - He 219 - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
II./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


One benefit of Retrograde is being able to deploy much more units than normally due to their on average much lower core slot cost.


Bf 109 and 110 are not as good as the Fw 190 and these losses I get each round show this well, even heroes do not help as much.

Final Prestige: 115120 (up 6939)

Overall:

What I lack in terms of tanks I sure make up in artillery and bombers. Plus really not that many good tank vehicles are needed. The single Tiger was often enough to strike through enemy tank formations on its own and in other areas the weaker units cooperated in attacking weakened targets one by one. Having a lot of AT support fire also helped a lot, since the enemy was really not looking forwards to counterattacking most of the time.

AO 1943 - Oboyan

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 118494

Hero:


Added to Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - I like both Field Repairs and First Aid heroes, not for the prestige gain, but for the little bit of repairs they do saving the need to stop and order replacements.

New Equipment Provided:

Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
PzAbt 7 - Tiger I
IV./JG 1 - Fw 190A

Infantry, tanks, air force. The most pressing upgrades as usual.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - River Assault, First Aid
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - ***** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Tiger I - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Tiger I - *** - Artillery Support, AT Support, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck, Overrun
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Skilled Support, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - Marder IIIH - **

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuG IIIB - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - Wurfrahmen 40 - ***

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - *** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - **** - Combat Luck

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - *** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Liberator
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Learns from Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken - **
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Leadership
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109E - ** - Survivor
I./NJG 1 - He 219 - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
II./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Making sure that everyone stays under some sort of AA protection at all times will be quite important this mission. I'll let enemy planes come to me and shoot them down then to avoid risking my slightly weaker fighters being too far ahead.


This approach really works fine.


Distraction on fighters can sometimes be quite useful if the enemy has a large plane formation like this.

Final Prestige: 125501 (up 7007)

Overall:

Oboyan was a repeat of Yakovlevo. Slowly moving in tight formation, using artillery to deal with problematic targets, getting infantry to bust entrenchment and utilizing now two Tigers to block the way the most dangerous enemies could arrive form. Now it is time for Prokhorovka, which should be yet again more of the same, but with much more enemy units, even better fortifications and a lot of terrain to cover. I will try to go for the bonus objectives, even if I ultimately use the historical path in this run.

AO 1943 - Prokhorovka

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 128716

Hero:


Added to Panzerjäger Abt 3 with the hope to once again build an instant surrender machine on it, similar to Panzerjäger Abt 1.

New Equipment Provided:

Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger 43
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuH 42
I./JG 3 - Bf 109G

I could get one more Tiger as per the equipment table, but do I really want to? That a steep prestige cost and for now I should be just fine with two. I'd rather grab a cost efficient fighter and help some other support units be more useful as I await Panthers and better versions of the Panzer IV.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 4 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Flag Killer, Unyielding, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 7 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 1 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - River Assault, First Aid
Gebirgsjäger Reg 1 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 1 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - OS20, Flag Killer, No Retaliation, Gero von Manstein
Kavallerie Reg 1 - Kavallerie - ***** - OS25, Consolidator, Prudent
Infanterie Reg 1 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - First Aid
Infanterie Reg 2 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **** - OS25, Consolidator, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 1 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Butcher, Ignores ZOC, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 2 - Tiger I - ***** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Steamroller, Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 4 - Flammpanzer II - **** - Ignores ZOC, Tenacious Defender, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - Panzer IVG - **** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - Tiger I - *** - Artillery Support, AT Support, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama

Recon

Kradschützen Batallion 1 - Kradschützen - **** - Tenacious Defender
AufkAbt 1 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack
AufkAbt 3 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Butcher, Combat Luck, Overrun

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 2 - StuG IIIF - **** - Ferocious Defense, Karl Ullmann
Sturmgeschütz Abt 3 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Hit and Run, Legendary
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - Marder IIA - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Hit and Run, Skilled Support, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - Marder IIIH - ** - Overwhelming Attack

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 21 cm Mrs (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 17 cm K 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Legendary, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots
Artillerie Abt 5 - 15 cm sFH 16 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - Sturmpanzer I - **** - Field Repairs, Reduced Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 1 - StuH 42 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - Wurfrahmen 40 - ***

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 8.8 cm Flak 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support, Survivor, Karla Wuhrer
FlaK Abt 2 - SdKfz 10/4 - **** - Fast Learner
FlaK Abt 4 - SdKfz 7/2 - *** - Famous
FlaK Abt 5 - SdKfz 7/1 - **** - Combat Luck

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Bf 109G - **** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 1 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Fast Rebase, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 1 - Fw 190A - *** - Distraction, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 2 - Bf 109F - *** - Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 2 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
I./JG 3 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Exterminator, Survivor
II./AG 1 - Fw 189 - *** - Resilient, Sixth Sense
III./AG 1 - Fw 189
I./SG 1 - Ju 87D - ***** - Tank Killer, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 1 - Ju 87D - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 1 - Ju 87D - **** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - * - OS16, River Assault, No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - Flag Killer, Unyielding
Infanterie Reg 3 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - **
Infanterie Reg 5 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Liberator
Infanterie Reg 6 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - ** - Learns from Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - SdKfz 251/7 Brücken - **
AufkAbt 2 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 4 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Distraction, Superior Maneuver
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - 5 cm PaK 38 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 6 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - 10.5 cm leFH 18 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 7.5 cm FK 16 nA
FlaK Abt 3 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Double Support
II./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
III./JG 2 - Bf 109F - ** - Survivor
I./NJG 1 - He 219 - *
I./AG 1 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Resilient
IV./AG 1 - Fi 156 Storch
I./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
II./AG 2 - Fi 156 Storch
III./ZG 1 - Bf 110G - *** - Survivor
I./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
II./KG 1 - He 177A - *** - OS11, Shock Tactics, Survivor
III./KG 1 - Do 217E - *** - OS13, Survivor
IV./KG 1 - He 111H2 - **
I./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
II./KG 2 - Ju 88A - **
Panzerzug Bismarck - Armoured Train - ***
Panzerzug Hindenburg - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Enemy planes seeing how good cover is over my columns either decide not to attack after all, or go after some of the weaker fighters.


Tigers ignoring zone of control can get wherever they want to do whatever they want.


Attempting to trap a large enemy infantry and artillery force, as well as some counterattacking tanks.


Things get messy as I approach Prokhorovka, my army looses its disciplined formation,


Well then, the map is mostly cleared but we're going the historical path, so not capturing the last objective.

Final Prestige: 148547 (up 19831...)

Overall:

I must say this core is absurd at capturing equipment and gaining prestige. How ironic therefore I'm not using any of that captured stuff and also not doing much with that prestige, other than having it for repairs once the mission is over (and after this one the repairs will cost me a small fortune). I guess it has to be due to much better heroes compared to the default run and also the indisputable power of artillery. It make me optimistic about any scenarios in which I will be attacking, but the defensive historical path will likely have less and less of these as time goes on.

It seems the developers don't really want us to do that. The spawn zone of Kiev in the final mission has an insane defensive ring around it - 25 strength 203 mms, 25 strength 85 mm AA/AT, defending 50 strength pillboxes... I'll have to prepare accordingly in the next core that follows the historical path!

Wow, doesn't that delete units in one shot? If that's not a subtle suggestion not to go there, I don't know what is.