Slitherine

AO 1941 - Bryansk


Another special hero is really welcome. Alongside Rudel these will be possibly the best spent points.


Helmut will join Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - the extra mobility is going to be great, added defense is always welcome and initiative will help defend against enemy infantry eagerly trying to take the unit down in close combat, even if not useful on the attack due to No Retaliation.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 48627

Hero:


Steffen joins Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 continuing the idea of adding these type of heroes there, as in terms of combat bridge engineers can only reliably take losses, not inflict them.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf)

Adding mobility and leaving just one towed AT gun in my core. Not spectacular due to being half-tracked only, but will become useful at least slightly.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *

Reserve

Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ****
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Skilled Support
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armored Train - * - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - **

Highlights


In muddy conditions, Oleh Dir's unit overtakes tanks and half-tracks...


With careful progress, the rainy weather results in the Soviets being ambushed by my own forces, a twist of fate.


Using a period with no rain, Fallschirmjäger land southeast and attempt to assist my main army. This time however they stay closely together to not get overwhelmed.


Such a valuable trap!


Bridge engineers prove useful, helping my tanks cross the river and assist in attacking Bryansk.


AufkAbt 12 does not fear driving into the city. With Artillerie Abt 602 and 701 providing a total of three support rounds thanks to Double Support on one of them, any attacking infantry unit would get blown away before even getting to fire.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

KV-1/40 - 8 (up to 147)
T-34/40 - 4 (up to 57)
T-34/41 - 4 (up to 4)
BA-10 - 5 (up to 14)
T-38 - 6 (up to 11)
122mm M1938 - 4 (up to 26)

Final Prestige: 49718 (up 1091)
CP gained: 4 (8 used up, 12 remaining)

Overall:

Time for the weather go bad and as predicted by WalterTFD about upcoming winter, my airforce is going to take a break mostly for this scenario.

Absolutely brutal start in terms of mobility. Tons of dirt roads that in muddy conditions do not help pushing the attack and rain rarely gives up for enough time to make things easier and at least not limit visibility. In hindsight, paratroopers were not really needed and a bit of a wast of slots, since they were not too mobile after landing and if the weather was even worse, they could get stuck in transit. Recon planes I deployed with the idea that they can prevent ambushes had very limited use as well, as their range is not too high and after a few turns they could not assist further. If these conditions continue into more future missions I will have to learn to reevaluate the approach. It is interesting how huge of a thing this turned out to be, compared to the base campaign where weather was rarely an issue.

Gah, such a slog! Still, the super sniper hero is a fantastic help. Moscow awaits!

AO 1941 - Mozhaisk Line


Fine for a test. I have more than enough prestige and I'm curious to see what I'll get. I like the concept of trading prestige for some parts instead of commendation points only.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 24554

Hero:


I could go crazy with overrun on fast infantry, but I'll stick with AufkAbt 21 that lost a hero earlier and also might get then upgraded with heavy armored cars in the future.

New Equipment Provided:

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F

Not a huge upgrade, but that little bit of extra air attack counts and will make these on par with most Soviet fighters.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - *** - Skilled Support

Armoured Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armored Train - * - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - **

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **

Highlights


After breaking through initial defenses, my recons spot very first Soviet tanks.


Artillerie Abt 701 finally gains an award after fighting multiple tanks over the course of the war.


Same for PzAbt 412, as apparently the unit did not get many chances earlier.


After crossing a dense forest and taking Korobeyniki, my mountain infantry requires some assistance when encountering tanks.


Snow falls already in October, freezing the ground and helping my units move.


Pionier Bataillon 33 takes the town and earns the highest possible anti-infantry award.


It's raining awards and that's really good news before approaching Moscow.


Two trains parked near the final objective. This seems like the end, but...


There are still some awards to be gained...


... and I welcome this extra firepower.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-26 - 2 (up to 100)
KV-1/41 - 8 (up to 20)
ZIS-30 - 5 (up to 14)
BM-13 Katyusha - 3 (up to 29)

Other Equipment Gained:

38 M Toldi I - 35 (up to 100)
M14/41 - 35 (up to 70)
L6/40 Lf - 35 (up to 105)

Final Prestige: 25991 (up 1437)
CP gained: 3 (up to 15)

Overall:

As with Bryansk, moving my units forward at a reasonable pace was a challenge, but this time I made use of lessons learned and avoided paratroopers and recon planes entirely. Distances on the map are possibly smaller, but terrain is heavily fortified, making this a fight not only against the weather, but against entrenched infantry and AT guns positioned in key locations to basically project their zone of control and limit movement, and bogging down my forces in muddy terrain and slowing down any attempts to attack reliably, not to mention trying any encirclement. Still, turn after turn and unit after unit, holes in those defenses were created and my forces pushed through. Artillery was key to success this time, providing occasions to turn pointless struggles into profitable attacks.

AO 1941 - Battle of Moscow

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 28069

Hero:


Udo arrives just in time to join PzAbt 411 for the upcoming city battle and that's one welcome appearance, that's for sure!

New Equipment Provided:

Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf)

More fuel, more speed, more defense, these are all good things.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent

Armoured Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armored Train - * - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - **

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **

Highlights


Group of mobile units moves from Volokolamsk. I still have that Pazner General 2 scenario flashbacks...


More units move in the south, but encounter entrenched enemy positions.


Central part of my forces discovers "unexpected" reserves from Siberia...


...but as long as the weather is good and terrain is within dive bomber range I'm not too concerned.


Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) slowly starting to catch up to their more experienced Spanish friends.


I'll have some more KV tanks, thank you very much.


Things are getting busy up north!


My plan to capture some tanks down south is temporarily put on hold as reinforcements arrive and hit my infantry quite hard.


Finally, a top tier award for my Grenadiers.


Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) is not too good at fighting vehicles, no wonder it took them that long and now basically due to the fact that squishy Gaz-AA trucks can convert into tank mode and thus count for the award.


Looks like after dealing with units in the south the rest of the road might be mostly clear.


Love how recons can utilize high ground and have enough movement to fall back from that vulnerable position afterwards.


Time for some rough city combat...


...which sometimes results in getting into trouble.


Only fitting that my favorite StuG unit takes this victory hex.


Wrapping things around Tula with Moscow also mostly secure behind a stable defensive line to hold ground against more reinforcements.


Final award of the scenario as more and more enemy tanks rush from the east.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BT-7 - 3 (up to 31)
KV-1/40 - 7 (up to 154)
KV-2 - 7 (up to 55)
KV-1/41 - 23 (up to 35)
T-34/41 - 23 (up to 35)
T-50 - 3 (up to 3)
BA-10 - 6 (up to 20)
45mm M1937 - 5 (up to 16)
SU-6 - 7 (up to 7)
203mm M1931 - 25 (up to 54) - technically not all in this mission, I just forgot to count them earlier...
BT-7A - 17 (up to 24)
76.2mm M1939 - 9 (up to 24)
BM-13 Katyusha - 4 (up to 33)

Other Equipment Gained:

SU-100Y - 1 (up to 1)

Final Prestige: 32310 (up 4241)
CP gained: 0 (15 remaining)

Overall:

Well, that was a long and intense battle. Not like Warsaw, where the city part of the map was much bigger and the turn limit much longer, not like Ebro due to the amount of units covering the battlefield, but rather due to concentrated groups of enemies divided into two separate armies with different behavior. Focusing efforts on the units positioned defensively would often lead to bumping into reinforcements that were assigned to counterattack. Since they had quite a few good tanks and solid infantry and the weather was not always ideal, the possibility of ambushes was high. This also presented some unique challenge in regards of approaching the city, as there is not much close terrain that can be used to position infantry, so it has to hide behind tanks until it is ready to march into city hexes proper and to do that it also needs to clear out Soviet infantry on the edge in one, two turns tops to secure close terrain for themselves. However, once these objectives are cleared the fighting in Moscow itself is not too bad. Sure, it's full of enemies, but with a lot of support fire they cannot really engage anything well. The reappearance of the Soviet planes was an annoyance, since I did not take any AA guns, thinking that the experience fighters will be enough. Normally they would be, but since snow had the tendency to fall just after the enemy turn, I could not reliably take down opposing aircraft and for quite a while limited range was also an issue. Overall I prefer this city mission design to Warsaw, but I can only see how Stalingrad, if it appears, will combine the length ow Warsaw with intensity of Moscow.

This was a ferocious battle for me, though you seem to have crushed it more easily. The Siberian forces, the return of the Russian Air Force, and especially the fact that you still have to push forward into the map in the face of bad weather all add to the difficulty. Stellar scenario, to my mind the best they've done so far.

AO 1941 - Klin


Sure, I have points to spare and not much I can do with them besides this.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 32366

Hero:


Final hero of this DLC will get assigned to II./AG 9 as I'm quite curious about recon plane potential to block fighter support fire and I'm also curious if it will work on ground units.

New Equipment Provided:

I./SG 7 - Ju 87D
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D

Just one upgrade, but what an upgrade it is! One extra point of passive air attack does not change much, but soft and hard attack boost is great.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - **** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - * - Distraction
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


The convoy is evacuated from Klin and escorted by mobile, elite support units.


Meanwhile Rzev itself is quite secure, as attacking Soviet troops cannot do much to my defenses.


Solid defensive formation on open ground. AT guns protecting tanks who in turn protect the AA gun thanks to Provocator hero and any unit getting caught by this ability would in turn provoke AT fire. With a fighter overhead, this should block any tanks pursuing my transports


Wrecks of pursuing Soviet vehicles are scattered all over the road.


Finally, all the convoy units reach Rzev successfully and without a scratch!


Time to trade those KV-1/40 tanks collected over the course of the campaign for something good for the future.

Summary:

Other Equipment Gained:

Jagdtiger - 1 (up to 1)
ZIS-30 - 19 (up to 33)
BM-13 Katyusha - 18 (up to 51)
MiG-3 - 29 (up to 58)
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 26 (up to 52)

Final Prestige: 33843 (up 1477)
CP gained: 0 (5 used, 10 remaining)

Overall:

A change of pace for the last mission of the DLC. After attacking all the way in previous scenarios with very little purely defensive action, it is now time to retreat and do that in style. I made a bet on high unit mobility and dense fighter cover for my units. I quickly realized, after deployment, that airfields are separated in a way that requires capturing a soviet airfield in the middle, so Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) with its insane attack capability alongside PzAbt 412 were responsible for taking it. Defending Rzev itself was not a problem at all, even considering the fact I had to deploy bridge engineers as roadblocks due to pure lack of core slots. The mobile escort force was quite busy, but Rudel made sure anything that came too close got nuked. In the meantime, PzAbt 402 with Provocator did an amazing defensive job, this hero really shines when it comes to scenarios like this and it's the moment he's been waiting for. The only unit that in hindsight under-performed was FlaK Abt 272 - it became a prime target for ground units and my fighters managed to provide cover just fine without its assistance. At one pint things stabilized enough that I could probably go retake Klin, but a sneak peak of my recon revealed a huge force positioned there, so it would probably require amazing heroes and perfect knowledge of the map beforehand - maybe something of a challenge for my Wunderwaffe AAR?

AO 1941 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 19594
Final Prestige: 33843 (up 14249)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - **** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - * - Distraction

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **

Armored Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Trophies of War:

Tank:

FT-17 - 35
Vickers Mk.III - 13
BT-5 - 39
T-26 - 100
Trubia - 57
Char B1 - 27
AMC 35 - 26
Somua S35 - 34
Renault R35 - 7
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
TKS - 18
FT-17 (pl) - 7
KV-2 - 55
T-15 - 4
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
Matilda II - 74
Char 2C - 35
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 12
L6/40 Lf - 105
38 M Toldi I - 100
M14/41 - 70
BT-7 - 31
R-1 - 35
KV-1/40 - 54
T-28 - 11
OT-133 - 17
T-34/40 - 57
KV-1/41 - 35
T-34/41 - 35
T-50 - 3

Recon:

Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
AAC-1937 - 15
BA-6 - 3
AMC P16 - 6
Panhard 178 - 38
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
DK Motorcycle - 6
Daimler Dingo - 7
Humber AC Mk.I - 3
BA-10 - 20
T-38 - 11

Anti-Tank:

37mm M1930 - 12
45mm M1932 - 6
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 3
AT-1 - 8
T-13 - 4
QF 2 pounder - 2
45mm M1937 - 16
ZIS-30 - 33
57mm 1941 - 2
SU-100Y - 1

Artillery:

105mm Vickers M22 - 31
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
203mm M1931 - 54
152mm M10/30 - 13
122mm M10/30 - 25
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
75mm mle 1897 - 13
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
105mm mle 1913 - 28
105mm wz. 29 - 12
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 24
BL 5.5 inch - 1
QF 25 pdr - 15
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
BL 4.5 inch - 5
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 37
105mm M.1925/27 - 7
SU-5-2 - 9
BT-7A - 24
122mm M1938 - 26
BM-13 Katyusha - 51

Anti-Aircraft:

20mm M33 - 48
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
76.2mm M31 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm wz. 36 - 15
85mm M1939 - 2
20mm M/38 - 3
75mm FRC M27 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
40mm Bofors - 17
QF 3 inch - 4
Vickers AA - 4
20/70 quadruplo - 35
37mm M1939 - 2
SU-6 - 7

Fighter:

I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
I-15 - 19
Fokker D.XXI - 30
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 70
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 31
Me 262A - 5
MiG-3 - 58

Tactical Bomber:

Breguet 693 - 30
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 48
Bf 109Z - 45
Ca.135 - 35
Petlyakov Pe-2v52

Strategic Bomber:

PZL P.37B Los - 17
He 111Z - 42
Stirling Mk.I - 29

Thoughts:

I'm torn between AO 1940 and 1941 in terms of my favorite DLC so far. AO 1941 really kicks in with Barbarossa ideally capturing the flow of the campaign, but partially due to that more realistic approach it is not as difficult as some AO 1940 scenarios. This can also partially be caused by access to better and more experienced units and total air dominance. However beyond difficulty I think this ad-don again does more to provide some interesting challenges like Klin or Operation Mercury, has interesting idea of getting equipment for pure prestige, new heroes (Rudel!), very varied captures and gift and tons of potentially interesting event for later. I'm also immediately curious about my other AARs. Retrograde coming up next might not be as bad, since a more siege path with a lot of Double Attack artillery should work fine. Panzermon will have tons of new captures to use and with the greatly increased slot limits some older units might appear once more and finally Wunderwaffe run, while not getting much in terms of actual Wunderwaffe, will have more than enough unique prototypes to enjoy. Onward then, while these forces rest until 1942!

1941 becomes more challenging to play with the Inefficient Supply trait. Those muddy scenarios are not "blitzkrieg" when your vehicles average 1.5 tiles per turn of movement because only 3 units of fuel are delivered (average) and many more units of fuel are used up due to the muddy conditions... Often I ended up with my infantry abandoning their trucks...

That seems realistic enough. The weather was my biggest enemy from the very first mission onwards.

That would be indeed quite nasty! The struggle with normal fuel in these conditions is real and then with Inefficient Supply some side objectives might not be doable at all.

AO 1942 - Rzev 1942

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 33498

Hero:


Stefan can join IV./SG 7 - I might not always use 4 dedicated dive bombers, but when I do, this will help the unit operate freely despite lower experience.

New Equipment Provided:

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Distraction

We shall see how this long awaited plane will do, but not in this scenario. I need more direct ground forces here.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - *** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger 35R - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Distraction
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


Rudel is working hard since the very beginning!


PzAbt 511 takes some hits for the team - anything that would dissuade the enemy from attacking surrounded units.


Once even a tiny gap in the encirclement is made, things get much better for my surrounded units.


Soviets counterattack from the East, for now in limited numbers.


Time travel? Zombies? An android? I'll believe anything at this point.


I always trade prestige when I can. Commendation points not so much, they are more limited.


Now that's really welcome, extra parts will be useful if I decide to use these prototypes.


Northwest area is being cleared out, but I progress carefully. I'm not sure where and when counterattacks may appear, so that's somewhat risky.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

203mm M1931 - 5 (up to 59)
SU-5-2 - 6 (up to 15)
BT-7A - 7 (up to 31)
122mm M1938 - 3 (up to 29)

Other Equipment Gained:

Tiger (P) - 30
T-34-57 - 29

Final Prestige: 14519 (down 18979)
CP gained: 3 (up to 3)

Overall:

Start of 1942 is not as hard as I initially thought given how Moscow and Klin looked like in 1941. There's time to assist encircled forces, there's also time to set up a proper defense line again Soviet armies moving from the eastern side of the map. That said, the abundance of enemy planes was a nasty surprise after earlier years where most of the time Luftwaffe was totally unopposed. I won't lie that having four fighters with Fast Rebase really made things easier - otherwise losses form bombardment would have been higher. Among other things, I really like the fact that Tiger (P) is granted in two "batches". One normally possible to trade for prestige and the other for the extra objective from 1941. This does not lock out its use, yet still awards for going the extra mile. As usual in my first runs, not that many captures - there were occasions to encircle the attackers, but as I was not sure what to expect I played the careful game and went with a more passive approach. Finally, everyone's favorite assistant comes back like Rudol von Stroheim - I'm sure he's secretly a cyborg too now...

Rzhev was easier than I expected as well. I tried it this morning with my first core, G1. G1 through G3 finished AO41, G4 just finished AO40 the day after AO42 came out. Crete is probably going to be extremely painful for that core, with the new modifications to the air transports.

I left the NW grouping alone in my first try. Once all the other airports in between are captured and my units moved east, the fighters in the NW airfield became inactive. I used my paratroops (as they aren't equipped with vehicles) as the encirclement breakers for all three groups (I have Perimeter Control as a trait in G1), so that by Turn 3 all three previously encircled groups began their counter-attacks. It was fun, now I'm procrastinating about Demyansk. It usually takes me 30-40 minutes to decide my deployment, good planning can save a lot of lives!

Judging by Oberst Wagner's previous humane behavior in Spain and Poland, his cryptic remarks at the end of the scenario and that eye-patch, I wonder if he is going to be the officer who plants the bomb under the table in Hitler's HQ in 1944?

AO 1942 - Demyansk Pocket


Not for now - I do not really use these prototypes this run where only limited parts are available, so it will have to wait for later, for more variety.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 14248

Hero:


Dieter will join II./AG 9. I'm not a fan of these heroes, but on planes they make some sort of sense. On ground units maybe for anti-partisan duty, but I've got recon cars for that just in case.

New Units Commissioned:

I./JG 62 - Bf 109F

Extra fighter might not be a bad idea, even if the stats will be weak at this point due to no experience.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Marder IIA
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Marder IIA

New tanks and anti-tanks, great! They cost one core slot more each - that's not so great.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Marder IIA - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Marder IIA - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ***
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
I./JG 62 - Bf 109F

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - Lightning Attack
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Distraction, Sixth Sense

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Prudent
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


II./AG 9 scouts the front and detects potions of Soviet forces.


Good, I was afraid they might try to start their runs before I secure airport positions, that's positive news for me.


Panzerjäger Abt 202 pushes enemy tanks around effortlessly, leaving them vulnerable to getting overrun.


An award for Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 while fighting tanks in a forest. These awards will get rarer and rarer as time goes by.


My Panzermon alter-ego will be happy about this.


Another award in the same mission? Unexpected, but not unwelcome.


Best airfield secured, time to clear the way for transports...


...and not a moment too soon!


While Luftwaffe works hard, some of my units go on an adventure.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BT-7 - 16 (up to 47)
KV-2 - 5 (up to 60)
37mm M1939 - 5 (up to 5)
85mm M1939 - 6 (up to 8 )
203mm M1931 - 3 (up to 62)

Other Equipment Gained:

MiG-3 - 25 (up to 83)
Yak-1 - 25 (up to 25)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 19 (up to 19)

Final Prestige: 19662 (up 5414)
CP gained: 3 (up to 6)

Overall:

Very interesting concept of the scenario. Fast paced ground combat in the beginning that is required to take over airfields before transports start their run, followed by the puzzle-like approach to clearing ou the enemy fighters on the way towards the besieged city. There were just two minor issues that I noticed. First was the already mentioned a few times strange behavior of the Ju-52 transports, that tended to fly sideways towards Soviet airfields, sometimes getting into ambushes if the enemy was rearing there. The second was the fact that counterattacks by the Soviets on the ground were quite limited. After setting up defenses over the river it did not require any particular effort to hold them. A few tough units and support fully secured the bridges. A larger attacking force or maybe an extra crossing would make things more exciting.

AO 1942 - Operation Cerberus


A pass on that. These units have limited parts, so don't apply.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 20184

Hero:


Added to AufkAbt 11, since sometimes support fire can impact my ability to get surrenders done with Envelopment.

New Units Commissioned:

II./JG 62 - Bf 109F
III./JG 62 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109F
I./JG 63 - Bf 109F
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
III./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./KG 43 - Do 217E
I./KG 44 - Do 217E

Wow, that's a horde of new units. With no overstrength I'll need to fill in the slots with green troops. Not that all of these will be equally useful, but I take what I can get. I smell trouble for my Retrograde and Panzermon runs where my options will be seriously limited.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
I./JG 62 - Bf 109F
II./JG 62 - Bf 109F
III./JG 62 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109F
I./JG 63 - Bf 109F

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - ***
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
IV./KG 43 - Do 217E
I./KG 44 - Do 217E

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Marder IIA - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Marder IIA - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38(Sf) - ** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


That's a lot of planes suddenly, if only they had more stars on average...


The Fw 189 is even more useful than I thought! It's got "active" instead of "passive" air attack, so with a bit of experience they can actually help finish off wounded units.


Instead of focusing on my ships, enemy bombers try to fight my AA guns on the French coast. Works for me, this will make them easier to take down.


A useful award due to operating to close to the British coast and getting hit by AA guns positioned on high ground.


With Hurricanes and Spitfires being quite scary, my zerstörer units focus on hunting down bombers, especially those suppressed by AA fire.


Unexpected event spices things up for me, time to have more units covering the terrain.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 22696 (up 2512)
CP gained: 4 (up to 10)

Overall:

I enjoyed the scenario by how unique it felt. The idea of the escort mission itself was well thought of and required cooperation from all units. Recons needed to constantly check enemy positioning, fighters were really busy trying to repel the RAF, zerstörer units used their superior range to take out vulnerable targets, strategic bombers attacked the heavier ships once they were found and dive bombers focused on destroyers. It is only a shame that the fact I still have Galland as a hero was not addressed in any way, but... I'm content with an explanation I thought of myself - he's just so used to flying as a fighter pilot that he secretly sill operates on the front and while High Command would be furious if the knew, it's not like I can deny him the opportunity. The only point that I had some issues with was the scenario length and scale. The map is huge, which is quite taxing on the PC, 30 turns is a long time and the activities are rather repetitive, plus the core slot size for just planes was perhaps a bit too large. I'd be fine if the mission was on a smaller map with less core slots and just 20 turns to go.

I salute General Tassadar and his gallant heroes! Talking of gallant heroes, you still have Galland so I wonder if you got the Operation Cerberus option. I couldn't find anything in the LUA scripts that depend on Galland being in the core or not.

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 9:02 pm I salute General Tassadar and his gallant heroes! Talking of gallant heroes, you still have Galland so I wonder if you got the Operation Cerberus option. I couldn't find anything in the LUA scripts that depend on Galland being in the core or not.

Yes, I got the choice just fine, the game did not change for me despite having Galland in my core. I frankly don't mind. Aside from some mental gymnastics required to justify two Gallands, it's nice that the content is not locked out between two DLC like that.

Your update hadn't showed up when I wrote my question! The second Galland is a twin with the same name !

Oi, all of my three cores that completed AO41 released Galland, so I'm a little bummed now... I'll have to keep him for my 4th core.

AO 1942 - Kummersdorf


Yet again I'll pass, the supply is limited.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 22305

Hero:


Thomas joins I./AG 9. Since the Fw 189 can actually fire this has some real utility.

New Units Commissioned:

FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7)

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF/2
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF/2
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIA
Werfer Abt 621 - 21 cm Nblwf 42 (SdKfz 10)
I./KG 43 - He 177A
II./KG 43 - He 177A
III./KG 43 - He 177A
IV./KG 43 - He 177A
I./KG 44 - He 177A

That's quite a lot! New tanks might not be Tigers, but they should do just fine. Not to mention that StuG IIIF can really improve my options against Soviet armor.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIA - ** - Double Support

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 21 cm Nblwf 42 (SdKfz 10) - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - ** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7)

Fighter

I./JG 62 - Bf 109F
II./JG 62 - Bf 109F

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

IV./KG 43 - He 177A - Survivor

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
III./JG 62 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109F
I./JG 63 - Bf 109F
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189
I./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


Let the training begin!


A subtle spoiler of things to come in future DLC? I sure hope so, it would be interesting to see even more unique heroes and units.


More heroes, are welcome especially for just two commendation points...


...and if the abilities are powerful enough. Rapid Fire 2x sure is, and Fast Learner is just an extra bonus.


Even more heroes, sure I won't mind...


... the abilities are equally impressive!


Finally an event to use some of that captured prototypes. Sadly not for me tu use in this run, but will be useful later for sure in other AARs...


...especially since I remember how useful these vehicles were in Panzer Corps 1.

Summary:

Other Equipment Gained:

T-34-57 - 15 (up to 44)
SU-122 - 30 (up to 30)

Final Prestige: 22825 (up 520)
CP gained: 0 (4 spent, 10 remaining)

Overall:

As far as training scenarios go, this was probably the most interesting and useful one so far. The ability to train both planes and ground units was a welcome one, the extra heroes will be a huge help for any player and the possible prototype units can further strengthen the army. I agree that having this training before Operation Cerberus would make things easier in the previous scenario, but that's life. What actually bothered me a bit was the trucks moving on the roads up north. Not sure why they exist, but not having them there would be better as it would speed up the second faction's turn.

Those two heroes are really useful. I assigned Karla to my new StugIIIF, gave her Tank Killer and No Retaliation companions, and she absolutely slaughtered the Soviet tanks on the Kerch peninsula...

It turns out that AO42 is rather generous with the Tiger (P) and Bf109Z. A total of 45 Tiger (P) are offered, and I currently have ~ 55 Bf109Zs (including deployed), after suffering some losses during AO41 and AO42 - I just started Kharkov'42.

AO 1942 - Kerch Peninsula

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 23355

Hero:


Gerhard joins PzAbt 502. For mere 2 core slots I'll have an amazing, fast tank that can decimate most soft and lightly armored targets.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIA - *** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - **** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase

Tactical Bomber

II./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **
III./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ** - Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***

Armored Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - 21 cm Nblwf 42 (SdKfz 10) - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
I./JG 62 - Bf 109F - **
II./JG 62 - Bf 109F - **
III./JG 62 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109F
I./JG 63 - Bf 109F
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110F - **** - Readiness
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110F
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Highlights


Panzerjäger Abt 202 becomes a deadly unit being able to take out most hard targets in two shots easily.


PzAbt 502 is also on a rampage. Despite steadily weaker base stats, the heroes and the slot cost make it one of the most efficient units in my entire core.


A large portion of Soviet forces gets cut off from any supply.


The IAR-80 is such an elegant plane. I like the way the He 112 looks, but this Romanian fighter is even more stunning.


Nice, another place to remember for Panzermon.


Rudel gets the second tier anti-infantry award. Took a while, since bombarding infantry is a secondary task, only when there are no better targets in range.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-50 - 3 (up to 6)
BA-64 - 3 (up to 3)
57mm 1941 - 6 (up to
37mm M1939 - 3 (up to 5)
85mm M1939 - 3 (up to 11)
203mm M1931 - 1 (up to 63)
152mm M1938 - 4 (up to 4)
76.2mm M1939 - 12 (up to 36)

Other Equipment Gained:

MiG-3 - 19 (up to 102)
Yak-1 - 25 (up to 50)
Sukhoi Su-2 - 23 (up to 23)


Final Prestige: 26001 (up 2646)
CP gained: 2 (up to 8 )

Overall:

Now that's my favorite scenario in the AO 1942 so far. Not too difficult, but still offering a decent challenge, having a really unique start with having to either push through fortified positions or sneak through the swamp and some really tempting encirclement opportunities by moving armored spearheads through the Soviet forces. All of this means the scenario is dynamic, quick paced and there's always something to do. It also is once again going on the offense fully, so offers a welcome change of pace. I'm really looking forward to replaying it. On a totally unrelated note, some of my units are reaching five stars, so I'll be slowly rotating them out in potentially less difficult battles in favor of less experienced units - of course my judgement of what is a less difficult battle can always be wrong on this very first run...

It looks like you went through the center. Did you try pushing units through the swamps? I tried sending some units there, but the movement cost meant that a couple of panzers which went through Prapach and turned south got there at the same time as the units stuck in the swamp. My three FJ had landed a couple of turns earlier so I ended up with a minor encirclement on top of the major one up north.

There was a T-34-57 in the scenario? I must have destroyed it without realizing what it was. One of my panzer battalions is equipped with the T-34-57. Its defensive stats are weirdly superior to T-34/41 and T-34/42. I prioritized the capture of the OT-34 though, I intend to deploy one in Voronezh, after I capture more OT-34s in Kharkov.

AO 1942 - Second Battle of Kharkov


As per usual, I'll pass on that offer.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 28732

Hero:


New hero for I./ZG 6 so that my fighters can focus on interception and escorting Stuka dive bombers.

New Equipment Provided:

I./JG 61 - Bf 109G
II./JG 61 - Bf 109G
III./JG 61 - Bf 109G
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109G
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G
I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIJ/1 - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVF/2 - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - **** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIA - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

III./JG 61 - Bf 109G - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109G - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - **
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - **
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***

Armored Train

Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Reserve

Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - ***
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 21 cm Nblwf 42 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Highlights


Scout planes discover targets for bombardment and for interception in the south.


Meanwhile my northern force is delayed by partisans.


I decide to take the enemy on near Izium. PzAbt 401 and other tank units need to face superior Soviet numbers.


I probably could have intercepted the Soviets near the more western river crossing, but I take the aggressive approach and meet the army head on.


Even my recon cars can sometimes overrun targets.


With help from bridge engineers I send a small, experienced force across the river to try and encircle the attackers form multiple directions.


That encirclement is just about to be completed and allow my forces to finish off the remaining Soviet forces with ease.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-60 - 5 (up to 5)
BA-64 - 8 (up to 11)
85mm M1939 - 5 (up to 16)
SU-76 - 4 (4 up to 4)

Final Prestige: 34784 (up 6052)
CP gained: 1 (up to 9) - seems like an error, I did not get CP for Romanian unit survival, or I simply missed it...

Overall:

Interesting situation - I gained quite as lot of prestige due to surrenders, but most of it was huge swarms of infantry, not any useful equipment. The Romanians in this mission assisted bravely, but not efficiently, aside maybe from their air force. My decision to rush towards Izium proved risky, but successful. I arrive just in time as first of the armies crossed it. My forces managed to stabilize the situation, weaken the enemy, and forma defensive lie by the time the second force arrived. This one was swiftly encircled thanks to bridge engineers and wiped out. Partisans proved to be an annoyance that required attention and careful planning. Not only they slowed down my advance, but also took one of the forward airfields that was a tempting place to base my bombers in initially. Moving forward I need to remember that these units can appear near the front like that and especially in bad weather not leave my airfields empty, even at the cost of the pace of my advance.

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:44 pm It looks like you went through the center. Did you try pushing units through the swamps?

I sent just a few - ultimately I was confident my main force can push through the middle, the swampy terrain looked like a trap from my panzers and to a degree it was, despite good support fire.

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:44 pm There was a T-34-57 in the scenario? I must have destroyed it without realizing what it was.

Apparently that's from Kummersdorf - I had 29 when Kummersdorf started and suddenly 44 at the start of Kerch - 15 are given in addition to SU-122 guns. I missed this initially since I did not suspect such a thing to happen and thought these were captures I picked up in Kerch. Edited.