Slitherine

AO 1942 - Voronezh

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 34753

Hero:


Assigned to PzAbt 401 for some extra protection against those superior Soviet tanks.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IID
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (SdKfz 11)

Of all the upgrades, it is finally time to say goodbye to the Neubaufahrzeug in favor of the Panzer IIIN. It takes up less slots, has better defense, especially close defense and is still rather good against infantry.

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

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Overrun

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 IID - **** - 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

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***

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 - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack

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 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
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 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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) - ***
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 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Highlights


Ground forces are not willing to attack me, but the Soviet air force is really becoming a menace.


Challenge accepted!


Armored trains have a chance to be useful in this mission.


Now that's a roadblock! 18th Soviet Corps may be powerful, but they won't be able to get through this narrow passage without getting absolutely destroyed. This gives me time to encircle them.


PzAbt 502 gains a valuable reward combining nicely with Rapid Fire 1.5x.


Yet again, a useful note for the future.


There we go, the trap is completed...


...and all that is left to do is capture Voronezh itself.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-50 - 1 (up to 7)
T-34/42 - 15 (up to 15)
BA-64 - 13 (up to 24)
76.2mm M1942 - 3 (up to 3)
Gaz-AA MG - 1 (up to 1)
37mm M1939 - 3 (up to 8 )
T-90 SPAAG - 7 (up to 7)

Other Equipment Gained:

Yak-1 - 25 (up to 75)
La-5 - 10 (up to 10)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 21 (up to 40)

Final Prestige: 38183 (up 3430)
CP gained: 1 (up to 10)

Overall:

Solid mission with a powerful Soviet army, a possible sign of things to come. This reminded me of battles against de Gaulle and his troops in 1941. The scenario itself required moving at a fast pace, despite good weather the distance is rather large and the number of various obstacles and natural barriers near key objectives cannot be underestimated. It is very difficult to spread a large enough force to cover the entire front line equally, so concentrated pushes in specific directions are required. I still keep some of my five star units in reserve for now, the missions are still forgiving enough that it is a viable option. However I am starting to see less and less generous turn limits, so in particularly large maps I might be forced to deploy all the veterans to speed up the pace at which I destroy enemy units and as such manage to get to a specific target sooner without wasting time on dealing with weakened, but still alive enemy forces.

AO 1942 - Voroshilovgrad SDO

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 39316

Hero:


Can't ever go wrong with more free slots. Dirk is assigned to Werfer Abt 621, as a towed rocket artillery set for 2 core slots is something I can always find a use for.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
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
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - 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
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
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 - ***
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor

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 IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - 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/8 - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Reduced Slots
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) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - **

Highlights


Involving III./JG 61 more finally results in the best anti-aircraft award.


I./KG 43 is also becoming more powerful.


Soviets advance, but on a few occasions trap themselves in the thick forest.


Powerful enemy planes deal a lot of damage to the ground units, but my retaliation will be swift and powerful.


I./JG 62 is starting to catch up to more experienced units, but continues to cooperate with them and mostly just finishes off wounded planes.


Rudel makes sure no semi-decent Soviet tank unit can make contact with Hungarian forces.


Awards for I./ZG 6 are really useful, since the base hard attack of the Bf 110 is not as impressive as on dive bombers.


The sound of reinforcements surprised me, but for once this happens on my side!


I take the offer for science. I won't use these in the run, but I'm curious about the model and stats.

Summary:

Other Equipment Gained:

42M Toldi IIa - 50 (up to 50)

Final Prestige: 42660 (up 3344)
CP gained: 2 (3 used up, 9 remaining)

Overall:

At first this scenario sounded scary. After a long battle of attrition that was Operation Cerberus and the possibility of seeing entire swarms of Soviet planes, I did not know what to expect. Luckily, one thing makes this mission not as difficult as it might sound at first and it's the fact that the Soviet forces are not unlimited. This means not only even a weaker air force could do what I was able to do with mine (bit of optimism for other runs), but also there's nothing wrong in relying on Hungarians more - they even get ground reinforcements that will help push the advance later in the mission. This should be critical for Panzermon, where my air force will indeed just support the ground forces, it won't be able to independently make openings in the Soviet lines.

AO 1942 - Novorossiysk

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 42998

Hero:


Adding Sebastian to Panzerzug Hamburg. I do not use armored trains as often as I would like to, but when I do, I really prefer to maximize experience on them.

New Equipment Provided:

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad

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) - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - **** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Reduced Slots
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

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

Strategic Bomber

IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor

Armored Train

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

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 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
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
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109G - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - **
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
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
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Highlights


River Assault combined with high defense values of the Panzer IIIN makes it a really good choice for attacking bridges and crossings, even with swampy terrain to fight in.


My tanks suffer losses from constant Soviet air raids, but there's not time to stop if I want to secure those oil fields...


...and besides, once the Luftwaffe arrives it's the Soviets who will be in trouble.


AufkAbt 21 is starting to gain useful experience versus infantry and with Overrun it will have much potential later as well.


Looks like crossing the larger bridges will not be an easy task compared to the previous attempts!


Just one extra point of soft attack will be great for Panzerjäger Abt 202 due to Rapid Fire.


Another point of interest noted for the future.


Oh dear, Novorossiysk itself is quite well defended. This will take some time to assault.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BT-7 - 4 (up to 51)
Valentine III - 3 (up to 3)
KV-1/42 - 4 (up to 4)
AT-1 - 6 (up to 14)
T-90 SPAAG - 6 (up to 13)
152mm M1938 - 4 (up to 8 )
BM-13 Katyusha - 5 (up to 56)

Other Equipment Gained:

MiG-3 - 34 (up to 136)
La-5 - 11 (up to 21)
Pe-3 - 28 (up to 28)

Final Prestige: 45072 (up 2074)
CP gained: 1 (up to 10)

Overall:

Despite having three air transports available, I did not deploy Fallschirmjäger and that was a good decision indeed. The terrain around the pumping stations is flat and swarming with Soviet units. My forces would get surrounded and overrun, without achieving their goal. Sending a fast armored force down the road was a much better idea, and while I had to do it at a rather quick pace, taking more damage on the way than I would ideally do, it still worked as planned. An interesting thing about this mission was also the fact that the distance between airfields was very large. As such I've kept dive bombers in reserve and went with Bf 110G that have superior range. They might not hit as hard, but at least they can reach their targets. Armored trains on the other hand were of limited use. Sure, they were able to cover much ground fast, but they also were never in really favorable firing positions.

I had a very similar experience with my first playthrough (no overstrength, trophies + liberator) on Voroshilovgrad mission. My airforce wasn't very strong, so I was worried. I did end up losing a fighter, but ultimately pulled through because the Russians don't get reinforcements like they do on real missions. This DLC is really good so far!

I used two bridge engineers in Voronezh and crossed the river north and south of the city. I have an obsession with destroying all enemy units on the map in such missions, which proved to be a little challenging. I managed to capture Voronezh with one turn left. Voroshilovgrad was thankfully a lot easier than Cerberus.

I've just started Novorossiysk. I had to do a double take when I saw your first picture - I got a Fast Learner too in the exact same mission! I'm taking a few hints from your solution. I think I'll end up deploying more tanks vs. artillery, and I'll need to deploy Strats for long-range air support (I have only a Bf109Z and a Beaufighter squadron for long-range tacs).

AO 1942 - Grozny


I decline, but that's a tough fight given my StuG obsession...

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 45159

Hero:


Gerhard joins II./SG 7 and as such all my dive bombers are now immune to support fire - that's a scary thought for any enemy tank commanders.

New Equipment Provided:

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A

First of these amazing fighters arrive, for now given to veterans and for now also not deployed due to high core slot cost.

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
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann

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
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
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

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 - **

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

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 - ***
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
III./KG 43 - He 177A - ***
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner

Highlights


On the very first turn, IV./JG 61 scouting ahead gets attacked by a swarm of Soviet planes and barely makes it out in one piece!


Panzerjäger Abt 202 does not joke around, it's now my main tank clearing unit next to Rudel, who in this scenario is taking a break.


Provocator proves quite useful and saves my recon cars from heavy losses.


While the map was probably designed in a way that making the crossing up north is optimal, I brute force the attack from the direction of Terek...


...and this means some deadly armored combat.


Nice, shiny new plane location for future reference discovered yet again.


Once the tanks are dealt with, getting Grozny to surrender is not as difficult as it may seem. It was crossing the bridges and establishing a foothold that was the worse task.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-50 - 4 (up to 11)
KV-1/42 - 4 (up to 8 )
T-34/42 - 2 (up to 17)
T-70 - 7 (up to 7)
BA-64 - 6 (up to 30)
ZIS-30 - 2 (up to 35)
57mm 1941 - 2 (up to 10)
37mm M1939 - 4 (up to 12)
SU-6 - 6 (up to 13)
203mm M1931 - 22 (up to 85)
152mm M1938 - 7 (up to 15)
SP-T-18 - 5 (up to 5)

Other Equipment Gained:

La-5 - 17 (up to 38)
Tupolev Tu-2 - 29 (up to 29)

Final Prestige: 46724 (up 1565)
CP gained: 3 (up to 13)

Overall:

Now this can be considered one of the more difficult scenarios so far. The base objectives are easy enough and in fact should not be an issue despite the large distances to cover. As for the side objectives... well this is where things get interesting. Climbing Elbrus is manageable, in fact Oleh Dir and his units with some minimal tank and artillery support was able to secure that part safely over the course of the scenario. Raiding Grozny was far more difficult, as the enemy fortifications beyond the long bridges over the Terek river seemingly have no weak points. That said, Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) was not impressed by the defenses set up by the Soviets and under artillery and anti-tank support assaulted the fortified city hexes directly. After pushing the defenders back and establishing a defensive formations all I had to do was to deal with large amounts of tanks roaming the flat terrain beyond the river and 203mm artillery that would harass my forces from a long distance. Infantry itself, no matter how fortified, could not offer resistance alone and in a while the town fell, but with almost no time to spare.

AO 1942 - Bombing of Stalingrad


Based on all the info I now have Commendation Points for all awards, so I accept out of curiosity.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 46794

Hero:


Torsten will join Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 in case there's some occasion to use paratroopers in the future.

New Equipment Provided:

III./JG 61 - Fw 190A
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A

Slow addition of new fighters, but JG 62 and JG 63 will for now have to still use Bf 109G, I won't have the core slots to deploy superior planes to all.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
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

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 - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

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

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 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ***
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
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) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer
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 - *
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - ** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - ** - Fast Learner

Highlights


The new Fw 190A fighters are quite impressive!


Romanian tanks do not stand a chance on their own against their Soviet counterparts.


First of the many, many awards that will be gained during this mission.


Reinforcements? That's actually great, it should help stabilize the frontline.


Heavy AA fire means it's easy to get the Survivor awards...


...regardless of unit type and position.


Four AA guns next to each other? I think this has some potential...


...for award farming while trading prestige for experience and Survivor.


It goes on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on...


...and on. It's basically just placing a unit there turn after turn and getting shot at.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 52413 (up 5619)
CP gained: 4 (3 spent, 14 remaining)

Overall:

What can I say, it is an interesting scenario, very similar in a way to Voroshilovgrad SDO in that the enemy waves are not infinite. It allows to train the planes in usual combat and to trade prestige for awards and experience massively. Some of the options feel a bit cheap, but it is at least fun to use All the objectives are straightforward enough, but I imagine Retrograde to other traits that limit the effectiveness of the air force will make it much more difficult. One thing is for sure - my pilots can now really brag about surviving Stalingrad!

AO 1942 - Streets of Stalingrad

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 52840

Hero:


PzAbt 511 will make use of this hero with their Panzer IIIN tanks for sure!

New Equipment Provided:

Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5

Valuable close support artillery and not so valuable, but still noticeable AA gun upgrade.

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 411 - Flammpanzer II - **** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, 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
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

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

Strategic Bomber

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

Armored Train

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

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 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - * - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Highlights


Starting with mountain infantry gaining valuable experience.


Same for my Spanish allies.


I've deployed my army in two main groups - one south and one north, leaving some of the terrain unguarded. I'll reclaim that later, there's not enough core slots to cover all of the terrain initially.


Rudel takes out problematic artillery, ignoring any fighter and AA fire.


Looks like my mountain infantry is really starting to catch up!


Yes, no doubt about that!


Things down south are going well, my army slowly moves north to take more of the districts there.


Even more awards for infantry that's fighting hard near one of the factories.


Enemy tanks felt they can take on a 8.8 cm gun in AT mode. They were wrong.


I./ZG 6 with more awards? That's great, extra air attack will put it on par with many Soviet fighters.


These just keep coming, this time for ferocious fighting against infantry swarms...


...or for trying to help with the few tanks roaming about.


Oh dear, reinforcements are coming, time to try and set up some defenses!


Some of my slower troops stay behind on captured territory in case of an amphibious landing by the enemy. I don't know the map yet, so I can't take any such risks.


Another StuG, another award, this time driving bridge engineers away to prevent reinforcements.


My pioneers are becoming true veterans, culmination of this during the attack on the tractor factory.


And finally, PzAbt 511 is becoming a true anti-infantry vehicle.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

45mm M1942 - 4 (up to 4)

Final Prestige: 52329 (down 511)
CP gained: 3 (up to 17)

Overall:

Stalingrad is, as expected a truly long and tedious scenario where the amount of city terrain combined with solid defenses makes every decision count. That said, it could have been worse and in the end I thought it was more about careful micro management of my forces and not rushing the attack rather then facing overwhelming odds. What made things more interesting for sure was the fact that I could not cover all of the map at once, I had to make choices. Splitting my force in two was the best I could do, but approaching the map with just one combined army would also be feasible. Dividing it into more parts would not really be an option, unless I had really incredible heroes on each of my infantry units. Of other things worth mentioning, looks like I experienced a bug in which I did not get offered the Commendation Point award in this mission, but from what I can see it was only prototype units, so nothing I'd use anyway. Still I need to be careful, I suspect this is the usual bug of not getting an event trigger if a game is saved on turn zero but not started in the same game instance. At any case, it won't be an issue until the last of my AAR, so I just need to remember about it - it's a long enough scenario that I would rather not replay it just for that...

That last one was supposed to be a regular Tiger I prototype, not the Porsche Tiger. Were there any amphibious landings?

No, there were no unexpected landings fortunately. There were counterattacks, but all through the river mentioned in the briefing, making them much easier to contain as it just required taking out bridge engineers and setting up some defenses just in case new arrived.

AO 1942 - Assault on Stalingrad


That's fine, at this stage I have no other use for Commendation Points anyway.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 52249

Hero:


Being fresh out of more towed AT guns, I put Matthias on Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1, in case I need to close the gap in my front line with some cheap unit.

Starting Army Composition:

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIL - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIL - **** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots

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

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor

Tactical Bomber

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

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (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
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - * - Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Ah, trying to change history? Sure, why not!


Romanian army trying to hold, turn 1.


Turn 2.


And turn 3. This did not last long, there was simply not enough heavy firepower on the Romanian side.


In the meantime, defending airfields is going well...


...and any Soviet unit unlucky enough to get near is being destroyed.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 54330 (up 2081)
CP gained: 0 (5 used up, 12 remaining)

Overall:

I expected a change of pace, but this still ended up quite surprising in other ways. Initial storming of Romanian positions by the Soviets made me wonder if I will hold at all, but then... nothing really happened. I assume defending the rail station would probably be more difficult then the ahistorical objective, since defending the airfields was a breeze. Barely any units appeared to challenge my forces and the only real issues were periods of snowy weather - if I knew about them beforehand I would not deploy any planes at all.

Defending the rail station isn't all that different really, I think I just encountered 3-4 infantry or so once I arrived there. The main issue is getting your troops down there while protecting those units that are a bit vulnerable or slow cross-terrain. I got attacked by quite a few tanks and some infantry on the way, but they either ran into my tank-screen, or got annihilated when they ran head-first into a unit protected by the camouflaged Sturer Emil that gave AT support. Units really need to be lucky to not be auto-killed instantly when facing support-fire from that thing

Looking at how your mission turned out, I'll go with defending the airfield next time as well. I didn't want to try it the first time around, because it seemed like there were a ton of units coming. And in a way, the core of my second playthrough seems a bit stronger anyway. It also has better heroes, even though I'm still waiting for a vigilant one for my tanks. In part, the feeling of the second core being stronger may just as well come from the fact that the first time around you enter a scenario blind, while on the second one you already know what to expect. Minus choosing different paths, of course. The first time I went with Leningrad, the second time the Caucasus.

AO 1942 - Operation Blut

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 55085

Hero:


Last hero of 1942 joins AufkAbt 12 and will essentially create another tank unit.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11)

That's the end of the Pazner III upgrade path, at least without transforming the vehicles into other unit types. I'll have to wait for some major transformation into Panthers or Tigers now.

Starting Army Composition:

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - **** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - **** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
I./SG 7 - Ju 87D - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ****
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Bf 110G - * - Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
II./SG 7 - Ju 87D - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Infantry getting caught in open terrain is free awards for me.


Yes, finally! Steamroller on a recon car will be huge in allowing me to wipe out wounded units.


Another valuable award, better AT guns are something I grew to enjoy this campaign.


After snowy weather, Soviets try to sneak up on my positions.


Time to make a push for the city that blocks the road for my evacuation transports. Recon cars are surprisingly effective at this.


Panzerjäger Abt 202 will now strike true fear in enemy tanks commanders' hearts. As if it did not do so earlier.


Another surprising attack after a snowy weather period. Time for Rudel to clear up this mess.


Transports arrive safely with just one getting slightly damaged on the way.


One last award to wrap things up, I'm really running short on possible awards after this DLC, the fighting was really intense!

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

OT-34 - 5 (up to 5)
203mm M1931 - 2 (up to 87)

Final Prestige: 54718 (down 367)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)

Overall:

The enemy air force was a bit of an annoyance and the fact that hexes did not grant prestige meant that I was not able to offset the prestige loss. Still it was a really fun scenario, a upgraded version of Klin in 1941 that offered more tactical freedom, but still was some challenge and gave the constant feeling of uncertainty. Luckily the enemy was not as aggressive as I feared in the beginning and my escorts were not overwhelmed, but I wonder how much of this was because of my own aggressive playstyle and trying to cut of any reinforcements from encircling my advance and how much was from AI settings. Still a nice scenario to end 1942 with, a satisfying conclusion on the fictional path where the difference is not huge from actual events, but impactful enough to give some possible benefits later in the DLC.

AO 1942 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 33498
Final Prestige: 54718 (up 21220)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

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

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer II - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVG - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIF/8 - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - sIG 33 II (Sf) - *** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
FlaK Abt 275 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Karla Wuhrer

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor

Tactical Bomber

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

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - He 177A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - He 177A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - He 177A

Armored Train

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

Trophies of War:

Tank:

FT-17 - 35
Vickers Mk.III - 13
BT-5 - 39
T-26 - 100
Trubia - 57
Char B1 - 27
AMC 35 - 26
Somua S35 - 34
Renault R35 - 7
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
TKS - 18
FT-17 (pl) - 7
KV-2 - 60
T-15 - 4
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
Matilda II - 74
Char 2C - 35
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 12
L6/40 Lf - 105
38 M Toldi I - 100
M14/41 - 70
BT-7 - 51
R-1 - 35
KV-1/40 - 54
T-28 - 11
OT-133 - 17
T-34/40 - 57
KV-1/41 - 35
T-34/41 - 35
T-50 - 11
T-34-57 - 44
T-60 - 5
T-34/42 - 17
42M Toldi IIa - 50
Valentine III - 3
KV-1/42 - 8
T-70 - 7
OT-34 - 6

Recon:

Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
AAC-1937 - 15
BA-6 - 3
AMC P16 - 6
Panhard 178 - 38
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
DK Motorcycle - 6
Daimler Dingo - 7
Humber AC Mk.I - 3
BA-10 - 20
T-38 - 11
BA-64 - 30

Anti-Tank:

37mm M1930 - 12
45mm M1932 - 6
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 3
AT-1 - 14
T-13 - 4
QF 2 pounder - 2
45mm M1937 - 16
ZIS-30 - 35
57mm 1941 - 10
SU-100Y - 0
SU-122 - 30
76.2mm M1942 - 3
45mm M1942 - 4

Artillery:

105mm Vickers M22 - 31
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
203mm M1931 - 87
152mm M10/30 - 13
122mm M10/30 - 25
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
75mm mle 1897 - 13
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
105mm mle 1913 - 28
105mm wz. 29 - 12
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 36
BL 5.5 inch - 1
QF 25 pdr - 15
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
BL 4.5 inch - 5
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 37
105mm M.1925/27 - 7
SU-5-2 - 15
BT-7A - 31
122mm M1938 - 29
BM-13 Katyusha - 56
152mm M1938 - 15
SU-76 - 4
SP-T-18 - 5

Anti-Aircraft:

20mm M33 - 48
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
76.2mm M31 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm wz. 36 - 15
85mm M1939 - 16
20mm M/38 - 3
75mm FRC M27 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
40mm Bofors - 17
QF 3 inch - 4
Vickers AA - 4
20/70 quadruplo - 35
37mm M1939 - 12
SU-6 - 13
Gaz-AA MG - 1
T-90 SPAAG - 13

Fighter:

I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
I-15 - 19
Fokker D.XXI - 30
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 70
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 31
Meteor Mk.III - 0
Me 262A - 5
MiG-3 - 136
Yak-1 - 75
La-5 - 38
Pe-3 - 28

Tactical Bomber:

Breguet 693 - 30
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 48
Bf 109Z - 45
Ca.135 - 35
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 52
Sukhoi Su-2 - 23
Tupolev Tu-2 - 29

Strategic Bomber:

PZL P.37B Los - 17
He 111Z - 42
Stirling Mk.I - 29
Ilyushin Il-4 - 40

Thoughts:

AO 1942 was an unusual experience for sure. The emphasis on air combat made it refreshing, but these scenarios where it was the main feature luckily did not overstay their welcome. With 1943 I hope things will focus more on tanks battles, Kursk will be the main point for sure, but this distraction was a welcome one. It will also be interesting to see if the DLC splits East and West, but that's not too important right now. What is important is the fact that I enjoyed AO 1942 quite a lot and while 1941 remains best in my opinion, this was still a very strong piece of content. Aside from missions there are first signs of technological changes on the battlefield, with planes such as Fw 190A or tanks destroyers such as StuG IIIF/8 making a difference and the players forces are catching up in terms of available units. Time for three more attempts to the campaign now, with Retrograde being interesting due to the pace of new units being introduced that will mean I cannot upgrade what I want all the time, Panzermon being crazy due to my weak air force and Wunderwaffe getting tons of new stuff to test out. As usual, first on the list is the old school run with not-so-new equipment and basically no special unit awards. I wonder how long will I have to wait for long barreled Panzer IV's...

Will you opt for the historic path on any of the other playthroughs, or go with the alternative every time?

I guess we don't really know what either path entails, whether the campaigns will remain as one and only see a difference in the missions, or be split into two seperate DLCs. A bit sad that we will have to wait a bit longer this time around, so the answer will be left ope nfor quite a while, but it's a deserved break for the team.

For the time time in these three AARs I think my Little Tanks standard run will go ahistoric where possible, just like here, Retrograde will go historic for added challenge and variety, Panzermon will also go historic since capturing enemy equipment will be the same on each front (plus it has extra flavor on the defensive war where things go bad just use the enemy weapons agianst them) and Wunderwaffe will go ahistoric for sure, especially if there is a invade USA/UK final with some insane still like the Horten Ho 229 flying wing and even more futuristic designs.

In future DLC I guess it all depends on how things branch. If there are separate East/West paths like in Grand Campaign the I'll probably to a lot of alternatives as well.

As for the break, it will actually be a welcome distraction and refresher. I already though of some flavorful traits for the USA Pacific campaign as it will give me the chance to select options I have not really tried out yet.

Congratulations to General Tassadar and his troops! Now there is the matter of facing a court-martial for disobeying orders!

I'm looking forward to reading the adventures of your remaining three cores. It looks like the Pacific campaign will introduce a lot of new mechanics, so that is something to look forward to.

I haven't used the PzIVs with the long-barreled guns yet in my first core. The Porsche Tiger and the T34-57 units fulfilled the need. And the OT-34 is just icing on the cake. I highly recommend them for Panzermon!

Taking a step back and letting his three other alter egos finish the 1942 campaign, the general uses the free time between battles to do some personal modifications of the equipment.

Is that the COBI version?

It is indeed - I bought it out of curiosity since I've read mixed opinions on these, but it ended up really decent, especially for the price. The parts do not fit as super neatly as LEGO, there are some artifacts from the mold on a few parts and when I made a mistake connecting parts, disassembly required a paper knife, but the end result is really solid and sturdy. Finally, I could not locate the antenna that was supposed to go there on the top, but I had this bizarre feeling I misplaced it, not that it was missing, since it was the very last part I was supposed to attach. Luckily the manufacturer sells spare parts, so when I get this bad boy a friend I'll get that antenna as well.

Looks like I'll assemble my own AO core at this pace, I've got my eyes on the Panzer IVG or the Sturmpanzer II.

I still have some of my 1/72 Revell and Tamiya models and others, which I built through high school, college and grad school. The survivors are the most recent ones (built about 20 years ago): KV-1, KV-2, IS-2, T34/41, T34-85, Pz.Kpw. IVG, Stug. IIIG, Pz.Kpw.38(t), Bison, Tiger I, Tiger II, Panther G, A34 Comet, M3 Grant and M4A1 Sherman. I still have an unassembled T26 which I purchased from Russia a few years ago... I should build it one of these days...

PS: The larger COBI T34-85 (668 pcs) looked interesting so I just purchased it for myself.