AO Simple AAR - General Tassadar and his Little Tanks

[Tassadar]

I used to have tons of Academy Minicraft fighter and bomber plane models - almost all in the 1:144 scale I really liked, but also some larger ones. Then I had a long break, 15 or so year with an attempt last year to get to plastic assembly kits with a ICM Do 215B-4. Let's just say that went... interesting. I forgot a lot, so getting it built was really a challenge and I still did not get to paint it - that's something I always postpone and postpone somehow. So for now the brick models seem like the quicker way for me and besides, the AO makes me motivated to build and this way I at least can skip the whole painting thing...

[Panzer73]

AO 1942 - Assault on Stalingrad
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.

Based on your experience at the air fields and George_Parr's experience at Chir, I decided to counter-attack the Soviets. I filled all 21 land unit slots and 2 Bf109Fs. As auxillaries I picked 2 Fw190As, 2 Ju87Ds, and 3 Fw189s. The planes were mostly grounded and I didn't encounter any Soviet planes. If I had known, I would have brought two of my Ju87Ds instead. Anyway, the counter-attack went smoothly. I used horseshoe formations, with AT units in the center supporting most, if not all outer units. One group went north then swung to the west, then split to capture the northern victory hex and Kalach. The other group went south then west to clear Chir Station. There was some intense fighting early on, especially in the south, where the Soviets are nearer. After that though, the Soviets were scattered around the map and I wiped out most of the enemy units. I ended the scenario with both objectives accomplished and only three Soviet units remaining in the NW corner of the map.

I'm not sure if the VSR core could do it, but I suspect the Panzermon and especially the Wunderwaffe cores could mount a similar counter-attack.

[Tassadar]

For VSR, with no Soviet aircraft on the map there should in theory be little threat to all my Double Attack artillery. If I can can safely escort it into good firing positions then I can engage the enemy just fine, even with inferior armored vehicles. I'll actually try this, since that particular run wants the historic approach, so I'll be attacking the rail station anyway.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Zaporizhia

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 54484

Hero:


Paul joins Panzerjäger Abt 203. The 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) is only 5 strength, so it's not the best Provocator carrier, but once I plan to upgrade it to a Ferdinand/Elefant it will become deadly.

New Equipment Provided:

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
PzAbt 411 - SdKfz 251/16 Flamm
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIG
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIG
I./ZG 6 - Me 410A
II./ZG 6 - Me 410A
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A

Wow, that's a lot to start 1943 with. Infantry upgrade is the most important as it gives an overall impressive stats boost, but at the cost of one more core slot, which is certainly not nothing. The fact that Tiger I tanks now officially join the army will also matter a lot, but having more than 2 at this point would be silly, they cost 7 slots! Upgrading the Verdeja 2 to this standard is a 5 core slot change. Other changes are mostly cosmetic, but the Me 410A is also great, at least on the Eastern Front, where it has stats that allow it to fly without escort in most situations.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - 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

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - SdKfz 251/16 Flamm - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - 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
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
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
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 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
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
I./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - * - 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
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Infantry and scout cars in the open versus Tigers? I mean, you can try...


High command transport gets a few hits after the Soviets sneak past the defenses, but reinforcements are on the way.


I know the objective mentions ignoring these units, but in the test run I just have to try out if there's nothing hidden here. Curiosity got the better of me and of course there is nothing hidden. Apparently it's a place for the rest of the core for players who want to start AO 1943 without importing their army from previous DLC .


That's interesting! It's obviously something I will only use in some of my runs, but I appreciate the extra firepower.


Karl Ullmann does not joke around... Giving this unit the extra No Retaliation and Double Attack heroes really made it deadly.


I'll avoid spoilers, but I see that effects of Operation Blut are starting to pay off.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-34/42 - 8 (up to 25)
T-34/43 - 3 (up to 3)
76.2mm M1942 - 7 (up to 10)

Final Prestige: 56354 (up 1870)
CP gained: 3 (up to 3)

Overall:

Zaporizhia was an easy scenario to begin with, but maybe that's just the sudden shock of going to this level of equipment quality after going though the entire AO up to 1942 as Bertorelli and his minor Axis powers. Still, even with this relatively low challenge level, the mission is quite interesting, as the map is set up in an unique way and introduces new options, plus there is a bit of puzzle elements in trying to delay the Soviet tanks advance, which I did not entirely complete as well as I wanted - I was hoping to not allow the HQ to get hit even once, but by relocating the AT guns I actually made a gap in my defenses.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Backhand Blow

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 57974

Hero:


Assigned to PzAbt 401, Double Support works well with heroes who already have another support hero. In theory other units can gain it naturally, but AO pace of this is slightly too high for it to happen naturally. It might be hard to get even in 1945.

New Units Commissioned:

PzAbt 512 - Panther (P)

Gift unit form the previous mission, can stay as it is for some extra flavor and eventually will need ot get upgraded. A shame it has to gather Steamroller.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - **

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *** - Provocator
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

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
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - * - 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
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - SdKfz 251/16 Flamm - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun
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
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) - ***
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
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 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Wow, the Fw 190A is so good compared to Soviet fighters that in cloudy weather it does not even risk kills from support fire.


Rudel and friends are turning Soviet tanks into scrap metal.


Some of the less often used bombers even get to receive awards.


PzAbt 402 doing some Provocator traps...


...but they can backfire as the only work on adjacent units. Still, Panzerjäger Abt 201 gets to earn an award.


Double Attack allows fighters to eventually gather anti-tank medals.


Securing the way to Kharkov...


...with some finds.


As with the road to Izium, some interesting finds for the Panzermon run for sure.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BT-7 - 2 (up to 53)
OT-34 - 22 (up to 22)
T-34/42 - 3 (up to 28)
PT-34 - 29 (up to 29)
T-70 - 3 (up to 10)
45mm M1942 - 5 (up to 9)
SU-57 - 17 (up to 17)
P-40 - 19 (up to 19)
Spitfire Mk.II - 21 (up to 70)
P-38E - 26 (up to 26)

Final Prestige: 60115 (up 2141)
CP gained: 4 (up to 7)

Overall:

Very dynamic, fast paced scenario with tons of tank combat, open terrain and the ability to take out whole groups of units in one go. I could for sure approach this methodically, encircle and strike at the opponents in a better way, but due to the way this map look, with very few close combat locations and not that many well positioned rivers, this was much easier for my core, especially since for now Tigers absolutely decimate the opposing forces and if they cannot just steamroll a target, a quick bombing run makes it possible. For PzAbt 502 ammo was really the only limiting factor and the other Tiger unit did not fall behind too much.

[Panzer73]

Good start to the turning point of the war.

I have completed only the first three missions so far in AO'43 with Panzer Gruppe 1. The first mission depends a lot on your deployment. I had a camouflaged Sturer Emil, a Panzer Grenadier'43, a recon vehicle and a Tiger I up front, they decimated the first wave of tanks coming from the NE. It was the first time I used Emil in combat - it got over 100 kills in a single mission! It had Karla commanding it. The rest of the group from the south took its time and mostly cleaned up the partisans and AT guns in the south.

As for the 2nd mission, I used fewer planes and more tanks - I had 10 deployed IIRC. I created a PT-34 unit in the Kummersdorf scenario to supplement my engineers in the Kursk scenarios. It is easy for it to get close to Steamroller - clear up three mine fields and attack a target each turn (assumes a Rapid Fire 1.5x hero).

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Kummersdorf 1943


I'm leaving this trade for the Wunderwaffe run. First of all these will be limited parts and secondly, I am not yet sure how many commendation points I will needed, so in the initial run I always try to save up some for the options that count and note down how much will I need for future ones.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 67074

Hero:


Wow, I'm not getting huge results so far. I guess Andreas can join Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90, as I can see some benefit of having mountain infantry with extra river attack protection for sneaking though hills.

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1)

Both to be upgraded during the scenario with a quite new use of scripts.

New Units Commissioned:

II./JG 63 - Me 262A

A unit to appear in the mission, I'm all in even considering how many fighters I have already.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ****

Tank

PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - **

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - ** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - 10.5cm K Gepanzerte (Sfl.) - *** - Provocator

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 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - Survivor
I./JG 63 - Bf 109G - Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A

Tactical Bomber

III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - * - Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 44 - Ju 188A

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIM - **** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIM - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - SdKfz 251/16 Flamm - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVG - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - 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
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIH - **** - Double Support
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 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuH 42 - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Reduced Slots
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) - ***
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
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./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - 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
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87D - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Nice to see continuing narratives and awards for objectives completed in the past!


Not I will not say not to this. No commendation points need to be spent and it also gives...


...and extra hero. I like how the stats were changed form the inital dev diary screen form having First Strike and an initiative bonus, as it was a bit pointless to have both. I'll let him fly in II./JG 63 on his jet fighters.


Now this I certainly did not expect, a really surprising turn of events...


...and the commendation points are going to be well spent, I'm just curious what the debt will be exactly.


Still, this is a really solid hero! I'd put him on flame tanks in PzAbt 411, but that unit already has a the Vigilant hero, so I will give him to PzAbt 501, so he can command a Tiger tank unit for the extra narrative flavor. Plus it won't hurt to have a Tiger I can safely put in close terrain and at half cost.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

Final Prestige: 67074 (no change)
CP gained: 2 spent (5 remaining)

Overall:

As this is likely the very last training scenario option, I took the advice and trained my less experienced units. 2 slots had to be taken by Azul Infantry, but the rest was all that needed that extra experience. I am now only left with some green troops in a few recon plane squadrons, some bridge engineers and paratroopers, all units that don't really need those stars too much.

I had a camouflaged Sturer Emil

There's this bit of me that really feels sorry for the AI at this point...

[Panzer73]

Hartmann is easily the most over-powered hero to date. Hartmann on the ME262 is overkill^2 in 1943. I don't think the AI will have a counter until 1945.

Akiyama on a Tiger I is bad news for the AI as well.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Yakovlevo

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 67534

Hero:


A new pilot for I./JG 63, but my luck continues to not impress. At least I have randomness set to default 50%, so the hero works better than usual.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panther D
PzAbt 402 - Panther D
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM
Former Artillerie Abt 602, now Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel
Former Sturmgeschütz Abt 751, now Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär
Former Sturmgeschütz Abt 752, now Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel
Former Panzer Artillerie Abt 611, now Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42
I./JG 63 - He 219
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2

Panthers, Elefants, self-propelled artillery, new tactical bombers, that's all great and can immediately provide massive improvement to my firepower. It does require some unit renaming to be consistent, but I can live with such a minor side effect. Also, I keep a Marder IIIM instead of some more powerful tank destroyer, as it's quite cost efficient.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - *****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - **** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - ***

Recon

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

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - *** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
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 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
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
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - 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./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - 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 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Breaching the fortifications northwest...


...northeast...


...and east. All while first two turns slow down my progress with heavy rain that immobilizes my aircraft.


At least the rain meant that 8.8 cm could take out tanks instead. Just southeast of the wreck - effects of Provocator Elefants in action.


Survivor on I./JG 63 becomes useful once rain stops and Soviets pick the squadron as the primary air target for all their fighters.


Pioneers do what they do best - clearing mines and fortifications and earning some medals for it.


For my current core enemy tanks are really not a major obstacle, as most get taken out without even being able to shoot back.


Rocket artillery gets some awards after finally being used more on the battlefield.


Yakovlevo is full of fortifications, mines artillery and infantry, but best they can do is stall for time.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

57mm M1943 - 5 (up to 5)
152mm M1938 - 3 (up to 18)
85mm M1939 - 3 (up to 19)

Final Prestige: 72454 (up 4920)
CP gained: 3 (up to 8 )

Overall:

I could have taken a bit more infantry and less tanks. Adding the Flammpanzer would also benefit the battle a lot. Wagner's comment about much fighting for little ground gained was true, but it did not yet feel like the Soviet resistance is at it's best. It was indeed complicated to navigate and required precise planning, but those 45mm AT guns often could not even penetrate Tiger and Panther armor at all. The mission also proven that mines in their current iteration can be annoying and true obstacles, even if they are not as damaging as in PzC 1. Looks like the few upcoming battles will only get more complicated and the challenge has only just begun.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Oboyan


Once again, this is nothing I really need, but good to know this event exists here.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 75329

Hero:

Assigned to III./AG 9, but oh boy. At least my recon planes will be able to freely scout the air, but it's not too impressive once again.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - *****
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - **** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - ***

Recon

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

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - *** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

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 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - ** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
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
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) - ***
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./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Forces deployed at Yakovlevo no have a slightly different composition to the previous one to account for the possible fortifications I will almost surely encounter.


That's going to be an interesting battle to observe!


Some ferocious support fire, but ironically I might still go for the attack.


Flame tanks are useful, but sometimes get themselves into trouble against "real" tanks.


PzAbt 501 gets the second anti-tank medal. Quite late in the campaign it seems.


Well then, my German allies just ambushed themselves onto a mine...


Excuse me? +17? No wonder this hero is no longer possible to get for the player normally.


Oboyan is in range, I just need to meet the bonus objectives first.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

45mm M1942 - 2 (up to 11)
122mm M1938 - 3 (up to 32)

At this point all captures are accidental. I have lots of prestige and since I do not use captured equipment, I end up mostly just grabbing stuff with Envelopment. Still, I am actively tracking this in this run - partially since I have been doing it from the start, partially since it's some reference for next runs.

Final Prestige: 80759 (up 5430)
CP gained: 4 (up to 12)

Overall:

As with the Yakovlevo mission, this was all about a slow-paced careful approach trying to crack through enemy defenses with actual tanks being the least of my concerns. Enemy air force was quite active again, but the fact I split my army into three battle groups operating closely to each other made covering them by fighters a lot easier. The extra event happening in the east was something unexpected, but welcome. Historical references make the campaign more grounded in reality, so as long as the missions follow the historical path, including them makes a lot of sense.

[Panzer73]

I'm still working on getting my limited supply core PanzerGruppe5 to the end of '42 before I continue PanzerGruppe1's battle in Yakovlevo. I noticed there is at least one SU-122 and at least one SU-152 there. Good catches for the Panzermon run - especially since you get 30 SU-122s in Kummersdorf'42.

I'm planning on having PG1 take the historical path, PG2 take the ahistorical path, and then figure out options for the remaining three PGs. My limited supply core PG5 will probably be a nightmare to upgrade in AO'43...

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Prokhorovka

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 84490

Hero:


Finally some useful hero, he will be assigned to PzAbt 512 so that this less experienced unit can me more useful on the battlefield and help attack vulnerable targets.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - *****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ****
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC

Recon

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

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - *** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots

Anti-Aircraft

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 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - ** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
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
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - 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 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
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./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Smaller group of my forces attacks Vasliyevka, which is rather difficult to approach.


Main group just pushes east in the direction of Prokhorovka, trying to take out as many targets on the way as possible.


Sometimes leaving my valuable units exposed like that can hurt!


Useful award, especially since this tank unit started only in 1943 and already managed to get it.


Most of my tanks barely take any damage, aside from occasional Il-2 raids or unlucky artillery hits.


While I do not capture units actively, surrounding them is a good way to try and dela with static defenders that are placed over the entire area.


Tank Killer is a fine hero trait for Rudel, but in situations like this, Ignores Entrenchment is infinitely better.


Another Steamroller - it now only works if the Overrun hero remains in the unit.


These Soviet tanks waves simply do not end.


Prokhorovka is finally in sight and will soon fall.


With new awards, some of my tactical bombers are even more useful in fighting enemy aircraft. They even start to earn medals.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BM-13 Katyusha - 2 (up to 58)
76.2mm M1942 - 2 (up to 2)
SU-76 - 3 (up to 7)
SU-122 - 2 (up to 2)

Final Prestige: 95868 (up 11378)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)

Overall:

This was appropriately epic and massive. Even considering how fast I can dispose of enemy tanks, they keep appearing and appearing. More and more aircraft attack in waves as well, static infantry and AT guns of fortifications tiles block the way, mines prevent easy approach directions, it is all quite challenging to deal with and to get to the bonus objective. I finally captured that bonus with some time to spare, but I clearly will have to be more focused in other runs, since I will have either a much smaller core force, or a much weaker one, so I will have to focus on key locations only and will not be able to spread my units around trying to get every single tile. Luckily both Retrograde and Panzermon will go the historical route, so at least in their case it will not be compulsory. Wunderfaffe vehicles will probably do just fine as well, but poor general Bertorelli is probably in for some tough times...

My limited supply core PG5 will probably be a nightmare to upgrade in AO'43...

Probably this will mean rationing Tigers slowly and that Panther (P) will be a godsend. It depends on the values you've got set, but overall might be indeed tricky without captured equipment.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Operation Roland

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 96153

Hero:


OK, assigning to Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89. I am 100% sure I will get one more still in 1943 for the third Gebirgsjäger unit.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - *****
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Fast Rebase, Survivor, Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Leadership, Fast Rebase, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - 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
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
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
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, 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./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


It feels refreshing to be able to place vigilant Tigers in cities.


Wow, the 6th Army has some serious firepower. They will make this mission much, much easier than it would otherwise be probably.


Looks like Hartmann is determined to catch up to the rest of my force quickly.


That is a LOT of units. I expected a challenge, but not this. 6th Army assistance is critical.


A small prize, not to be underestimated in the future.


This fighter just took 6 points of strength out of II./JG 61 in one hit. I need to remember that while my units are very good, they are not invincible.


Provocator Elefants baiting some tank attacks at "defenseless" Hummels.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

KV-1/42 - 6 (up to 14)
KV-85 - 19 (up to 19)
BA-64 - 1 (up to 31)
SU-152 - 30 (up to 30)
BM-13 Katyusha - 4 (up to 62)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 34 (up to 74)
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29 (up to 29)

Final Prestige: 103037 (up 6884)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)

Overall:

I can now go the fictional path and see how things look like. This mission was interesting in its own right with the huge distance that needed to be covered and the really dangerous enemy units lurking about. As mentioned, without the 6th Army it would be tough. Maybe not impossible, but certainly tough and I'm sure two of my other core forces will have the chance to see for themselves. Also, defenses around Pristen were well set up with special combinations of heroes that make it more difficult to approach, so that even players with a great hero set and experienced, well equipped armies, will have to think about their moves.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Stalino


I will always agree to exchange CP for custom heroes...


...especially with so good abilities. Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) could use the help.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 106320

Hero:


Finally the game decided to give me a great hero after a long while. Adding him to Artillerie Abt 601, as I'm lacking that Double Attack flexibility on a long range gun that makes a lot of combat scenarios easier and allows to weaken enemies from a safe distance.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
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 - Hummel - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - 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
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - **** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor

Reserve

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 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, 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
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Just in time on the banks of Kalmius river to be able to set up defenses.


First command tanks falls victim to Rudels bombers while crossing the bridge.


Regular infantry is not used as often these days, but the soldiers are still veterans and add a medal to their collection.


Hummels get some chance to fire at Soviet tanks.


Even more command tanks are down, just 2 left to go and then the main objective can be accomplished as well.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-34/43 - 1 (up to 4)
SU-76M - 1 (up to 1)

Final Prestige: 109218 (up 2898)
CP gained: 3 used, 4 gained (13 remaining)

Overall:

Some typical close terrain combat in a city, by a river and with lots o forests around the location. This is now a better setup than it used to be as infantry is well upgraded, some of my tanks have Vigilant bonuses and what is most important, I had the chance to run towards the town, set up positions on one side of it and only then had to battle the enemy in a regular fashion. It made the whole thing much easier than starting the attack from outside the city in the first place, a welcome change of pace to the usual approach of these missions. The command tanks had some interesting hero traits but ultimately were just Rudel fodder, as the AA guns in the area were not that plentiful.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Rostov 1943


I guess that now I know I'll have commendation point for everything, so I can spend the rest for some random stuff I will not use this run.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 113867

Hero:


Now seriously, I was just joking on having this hero on all Gebirgsjäger units! OK, Oleh Dir will get his River Assault friend then...

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther D - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther D - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - 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
III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
IV./JG 61 - Fw 190A - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Fast Rebase, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
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
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - ****
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/5 - ***
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10) - ***
I./JG 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, 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
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Mius river crossed, now the question is should I try to spring the trap, or focus on a direct fight.


Part of my army moves further east to scout the encirclement options. I might not use it now to the fullest, but it for sure will be useful for future runs.


Fw 190F planes pick up experience really quickly.


Interesting, looks like Rostov itself is barely defended. This really does mean that the encirclement trap is a solid option to try out.


But first, I'll try it out on the smaller force in the city itself...


...and then move to the remaining Soviet forces and trap them as well.


Another interesting find, I'll be sure to make use of it in the future approaches.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

L6/40 Lf - 41 (up to 146)
M15/42 - 25 (up to 35)
T-34/43 - 1 (up to 5)
P26/40 - 29 (up to 29)
KV-85 - 19 (up to 38)
IS-1 - 27 (up to 27)
AB 43 - 52 (up to 52)
Autocannone 90/53 - 35 (up to 35)
122mm M1938 - 4 (up to 36)
152mm M1938 - 4 (up to 22)
BM-8-8 - 2 (up to 2)
20/70 quadruplo - 27 (up to 62)

Final Prestige: 119523 (up 5656)
CP gained: 6 spent (7 remaining)

Overall:

Now this is really well thought out mission! I am quite curious to try and make the full ideal encirclement as designed in one of my future runs, since the map has a lot of potential for that. In a way I was playing it safe here to avoid missing the objectives by some hidden enemies on the map that would foil my plans, but also I was confident that my forces can take the Soviets head on if needed. After all, that's how this core approached most missions up to this point and that's what it's best at. Not encircling and slowly choking the enemy army, but smashing tanks deep into their formations and dealing with any target that can be overrun in one go.

[Panzer73]

You might need to change the title of this AAR, the days of the Little Tanks are long gone! I should dig up how many Panzer Is can be fit in a Panther...

I am amazed at how many Fast Rebase heroes you have in this game. The most I have in my five AO cores is 2, and one has none.

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Elista

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 125570

Hero:


That's actually great, perfect way to boost IV./SG 7.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panther A
PzAbt 402 - Panther A

Small upgrade - some initiative and extra air defense. Still valuable for that very little prestige cost.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - * - Ferocious Defense, No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
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 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support

Fighter

III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - ** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - * - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
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
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
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Paratroopers ready. Given the distance needed to cover, their assistance might be quite useful.


Soviet SU-5-2 gets caught in tipple counter battery fire, one from Double Support hero. Those towed artillery pieces are still useful whenever speed is not the essence.


Divnoe secured and once again the vigilant Tigers get to stand in a tile no other tank would dare stop in.


Paratroopers drop in to help encircle Elista. Once captured, they can use the nearby airfield to fly again to other targets.


I./JG 63 with He 219 gets medals. The pace of this first air award is now really quick.


A rare sight, I am actually forced to use encirclement to my advantage since the enemy was otherwise rather tough.


It took Artillerie Abt 601 quite some time for this medal, but it is understandable, it usually had better targets than infantry.


Good I had my recon cars scout ahead. Running into this trap could have been bad.


Oh, that's nice for Panzermon, as captured aircraft are extremely rare... or not. Panzermon will be taking the historical route after all.


Even more artillery awards. Since I am not recruiting any more units if I can help it, the amount of these messages should slow down with each mission.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

BA-10 - 2 (up to 22)
SU-152 - 1 (up to 31)
203mm M1931 - 2 (up to 89)
B-25B Mitchell - 32 (up to 32)
B-17F - 29 (up to 29)

Final Prestige: 126661 (up 1091)
CP gained: 4 (up to 11)

Overall:

That was indeed a race against time rather than a fight against the enemy. The Soviet forces are well positioned and rather experienced with some nasty heroes, but ultimately all they are tasked to do is slow down any progress to a snail's pace. The map has a few clever traps that unprepared generals can run straight into, since at this stage of the war it might be tempted to drop recon vehicles in favor of tanks. It also tempts the player with the bonus objective well and suggests committing to it too much, which might end up costing the player precious time. I really enjoyed the way this played out, once again much different from many previous missions due to the unique setup. I am only a bit concerned if the Inefficient Supply trait will not make this mission a nightmare for my mixed nation Axis force, but that assuming that core can even reach this after the grinder of Prokhorovka and somehow get enough bonus supplies or simply not run out of prestige there. In the current run prestige however has long stopped being a factor at all. I could be loosing thousands each scenario by the end of 1945 and probably still have more than enough.

I am amazed at how many Fast Rebase heroes you have in this game. The most I have in my five AO cores is 2, and one has none.

It's one for the heroes I did not feel too great about until I got a few and saw how powerful it can be to have that rebase flexibility, especially on these huge maps. So yes, it's quite a lucky setup indeed.

[Kerensky]

Now this I certainly did not expect, a really surprising turn of events...

[Tassadar]

AO 1943 - Astrakhan

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 129521

Hero:


Provocator has proven really useful in the run, I am warming up to this type of hero as it allows to operate small battle groups and still keep artillery or infantry quite safe. Added to PzAbt 512.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger
Infanterie Reg 100 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Josef Allerberger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - ***
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - ***** - River Assault, Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - First Strike

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panther A - ***** - AT Support, Double Support, Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panther A - ***** - Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Flammpanzer III - ***** - First Strike, Vigilant, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Panzer IVH - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Ignores ZOC, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 512 - Panther (P) - *** - Ignores ZOC, Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Tiger I - ***** - Envelopment, Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 502 - Tiger I - ***** - Rapid Fire 1.5x, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Panzer IIIN - ***** - Artillery Support, Butcher, River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Overrun, Steamroller
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 234/1 8Rad - ***** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Sturmgeschütz Abt 201 - StuG IIIG - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Double Attack, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
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 - Hummel - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 612 - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 631 - Wespe - **** - Skilled Support
Sturmpanzer Abt 751 - Brummbär - **** - Skilled Support

Fighter

III./JG 61 - Fw 190A - **** - Fast Rebase, Legendary, Thorough Preparation, Survivor
I./JG 63 - He 219 - *** - Combat Luck, Survivor
II./JG 63 - Me 262A - ** - Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./AG 9 - Fw 189 - **** - Avenger, Prudent

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 188A - **** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
III./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
I./KG 44 - Ju 188A - **

Reserve

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 4 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger 43 - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Butcher
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger 43 - **** - River Assault
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 233 8Rad - ***** - Envelopment, Lightning Attack
AufkAbt 12 - Panzer IIF - ***** - Distraction, Field Repairs, Overrun, Steamroller
Sturmgeschütz Abt 202 - StuG IIIG - **** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 203 - Elefant - **** - Provocator
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - Marder IIIM - **** - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 7.5 cm Pak 41 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Werfer Abt 621 - Panzerwerfer 42 - **** - Reduced Slots
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
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
I./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
II./JG 62 - Bf 109G - *** - Survivor
III./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
IV./JG 62 - Bf 109G - ** - Survivor
II./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *** - Distraction, Sixth Sense
III./AG 9 - Fw 189 - * - Sixth Sense
IV./AG 9 - Fw 189 - *
I./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - ***** - Aggressive Counterattack, Readiness, Survivor
II./ZG 6 - Fw 190F - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Readiness, Survivor
III./ZG 6 - Me 410A - **** - Survivor
IV./ZG 6 - Me 410A - *** - Survivor
I./SG 7 - Ju 87G - ***** - Double Move, Crippling Blow, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - ***** - Crippling Blow, Entrenchment Killer 4x, Lightning Attack, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - *** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Hs 129B2 - *** - Crippling Blow, Lightning Attack
IV./KG 43 - Ju 188A - *** - Survivor
Panzerzug Berlin - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armoured Train - *** - Fast Learner

Highlights


Glad I took the recon plane, it confirms the suspected Soviet counterattack and ambush attempt in the north.


Recon cars spot a similar thing southeast. Best be prepared.


I./AG 9 is also getting some fighter action as with Avenger and Prudent its chances to strike down heavily damaged enemy planes are not zero.


The Tigers were supposed to scout the area, but I guess they can just wipe out the defenders instead...


Dropping paratroopers in the Astrakhan docks does not achieve much. A note to self not to try this next time, it is not worth the trouble and prestige loss when defending from enemy planes.


These swamps are a nightmare to navigate, but I do have an idea for the future, as the terrain offers a unique opportunity to capture the enemy in an encirclement.


Astrakhan itself is not a major fortress, the biggest problem is reaching it. I guess at this point paratroopers finally have some useful role to play.

Summary:

Equipment Captured:

T-70 - 3 (up to 13)
T-34/43 - 12 (up to 17)
KV-85 - 5 (up to 43)
SU-152 - 4 (up to 35)

Final Prestige: 132278 (up 2757)
CP gained: 5 spent (7 remaining)

Overall:

Another mission with a very unique set of circumstances. The bonus objective does not really interfere with the main one, it naturally falls on the way, but the good news is that it does not have to be achieved - it is still possible to set up bomber bases close to the swamps and operate bombers from there, essentially skipping the close terrain fights if they are too difficult. Since it's really easy to place a unit in a vulnerable position in those swamps, it sometimes might not be the worst idea ever.

Now this I certainly did not expect, a really surprising turn of events...

I recall there was a story behind it, but never delved into the details of the event, Nice to see such references being added and happy to see more from time to time to spark player's interest. Plus Mark Felton continues to be a goldmine of stories and references as always.

[Kerensky]

One of the reasons it's possible to make the Axis Operations campaigns when the Grand Campaign already exists is thanks to Mark Felton.

I was able to add to much to the Panzer Corps 2 campaign. I don't think I've ever been accused of copy pasting from the original Grand Campaign. The complaints always seem to steer towards the Panzer Corps 2 Axis Operations campaign is too different... which is a complaint I wear as a badge of honor.