Slitherine

5) Smolensk 41 [DV] Prestige = 42016 [captured tank + 2x hero units]
Strategy: Similar to minsk, a big map, spread out initial units, well/multiple unit defended urban complex with VH's at the end. However because of bad terrain near smolensk you cant go
around the north and side of smolensk, you have to attack direct. I expect a few losses there. At mogilev on the dneiper you can have a bit of a killing field on the bridge. I want to rack
up kills on my p4 so I might have that there. There is time to take secondary hexes but not neccessarily all of them. There is some initial air, (one prepositioned within range,) and some
air attacks. The terrain up to minsk is good, suitable for tanks.
Core activity: Disbanded T34. Repaired stuka and recon. overstrengthed P4 by one point. You get two hero units in this scenario. A tough grenadier A+2 i+3 and a useless (unless upgraded) P2 ADMS+1 i+2. When upgraded that range of heroes on one unit is quite nice. I am upgrading uber-rudel to a BF110. The reason for this is; with those stats if he is converted he can still function superbly as a tactical bomber but does not need a fighter escort, freeing up a slot and with those stats he can also function as a secondary fighter. The skies are alot busier in russia. For the same reason I am also converting my A+6 stuka to a bf110 although he may not get deployed as much since I now have two better tactical bombers.
Deployed:3x SE P3h, P3h S+2, P4f, 3xwurfrahmen, 4x Sturmpanzer, 4x17cmart, 88mm, mobile AA, stug3b, recon, 2xpara, pionere, grenadier, M+3, aux bridge engineer, 3xbf109, Heinkel, recon rudel, 3xBf110 (uber-rudel & A+1 i+6 & A+6)
Destroyed:25,23,2,7,7,7,6,3,1,1. Total = 76
Comments: straightforward, took all the secondary hexes and still had time. The captured tank a KV-1b is worth 485. It is actually a very good tank, not as good as a tiger but better than
anything the germans have at this time and will be for a while. For this reason I will keep it on the roster as the standby and disband the matilda I have that was in that position. I will
still try to avoid using it in preference to german so as not to waste experience building opportunities. In future when approaching smolensk I would go from the south and from the far side of the dneiper pick off a few units (arty and AA) before direct frontal attack, that way it could be completely losseless. My other losses were due to carelessness as usual with my travelling towed arty and my recon which i am surprised has managed to survive this long.

You now get a choice of two paths of three scenarios each. I am choosing the 'kiev' path for no particular reason. On both paths you get the opportunity for one capturable tank. I think that the leningrad path gives you maps with more rough terrain. These are now smaller maps but still with plenty of units.

6) Zhitomir [DV] Prestige = 46111
Strategy: Small map with plenty of units. Mixed terrain. Plenty of time. Some air but most of it within range of pre-emptive attack. Time enough to take alot of secondary hexes but do not
go beyond the river on the right other than to take the last two VH's. Its not worth the counter-attack with a very large amount of enemy units. Initial deployment is important because it is such a small map and there are alot of units spread out near the deployment zone.
Core activity: Disband matilda, repair recon and 17cm. Downgade free A+2 i+3 from super expensive transport to without. That transport is more expensive than the unit itself and of course softcap and repairs include the value of the transport. I may eventually change it to another infantry or add a cheap transport as with those excellent initial stats it will become one of my main infantry. The ADMS+1 i+2 P2c hero from smolensk needs to be changed to something to use those heroes. It is a tricky question as to what. It will be changed to a tiger in 1943, one and a half campaigns time, in the mean time I dont know if I will use it that much. An obvious choice is a cheap temporary 153 prestige upgrade to a panzerflamm but as I have already said they take losses even when performing well (compared to a wurfrahmen and infantry combination) and are quite expensive to repair. Ok the obvious choice it is. This is an experiment for me as I have never run with one before however if I pair it with a stug3b or arty it would earn alot of kills in the meantime. I definately want to use it's M+1 later on specially as a tiger/king tiger.
Deployed: 3xSE P3h, P3h S+2, SE P4e, 4xsturm, 4x17cm art, 3x wurfrahmen, 88mm, mobile AA, recon, stug 3b, flammapnzer, pionere, 2xpara, M+3, Gebirjager, 3x109, Heinkel, 3xbf110 (A+1 i+6, uber rudel, A+6)
Destroyed:23,18,0,4,2,3,0,4,1. Total = 55
Comments:Easy scenario. There are a couple of T34's towards the south west of the map that can be tricky.

7) Zhurivka [DV] Prestige = 49731
Strategy: Medium sized map, mixed terrain. Spread out enemy units, a small cluster near deployment means deploying for immediate action and deployment is quite cramped. There are a number air units, two within pre-emptive strike range. There are two big counter attacks lurking. One in the extreeme north east and one in a big blob in the south east. The south east blob goes for you when you go for the final VH's. I would just go for it down the right side before you do the final VH's. The northwest one you can just bomb the tanks out of it before it is launched and leave a few units to mop up. you get a couple of free aux bridge engineers that are useful as bait later on.
Core activity: overstrength; mobile AA to 12, 88mm to 13, uber rudel to 12
Deployed: 4x sturm, 3x 17cm art, 3 wurfrahmen, 3xSE P3h, P3h S+2, P4, recon, stug 3b, flammpanzer, 3x109, Heinkel, 88mm, Mobile AA, 3x110 (A+1 i+6, uber rudel, A+6), recon rudel, 2x free aux bridge eng.
Destroyed:28,16,3,3,6,2,0,4,0,2. Total = 64
Comments: Straightforward scenario. I did of course ignore my own advice and go straight down the centre. I lost some overstrength points on a tank by blindly rushing ahead into an area I could not see even though I didnt have to and had plenty of turns left. I lost a few odd points on infantry by attacking without fully suppressing the target first. Finished early although I tried to prolong it.

8 ) Zolotoshna [DV] Prestige = 53314 (captured tank)
Strategy: Mixed terrain, a medium sized map. A bit more difficult. First there is an attack from the east on your right side of your deployment zone. This can be dealt with by good use of terrain and using your tactical bombers on the tanks. There will also be a few from the south by the centre units near your deployment zone including a KV. Almost immediately after there is an attack from kiev in the west on the left side of your deployment zone. You cant use your bombers for this one as it is too near a strong 3 range AA on the outskirts of kiev. So just good use of terrain and some good units with lots of arty. At the same time as this there are a few air units attacking. In the replay I set a trap immediately for two with a 109 and a mobile AA. To get the free T34 which is in kiev; after those two attacks use some of the free aux units to go into kiev from the left/west side of the dneiper. From the south go in with a couple of italian infantry. If you go before they have all rushed out to attack your deployment zone they will get nowhere. You still need to add some help from good units and you need to keep some aux units blocking the dneiper river crossings. After this you can take your time to get the VH's in the rest of the map. You have plenty of time. You should go carefully and slowly as they are well defended. There should be time to get all the secondary hexes as well.
Core activity: Overstrength SE panzers to 13
Deployed: 3xSE P3h, P3h S+2, P4, 4xsturm, 3x wurf, 4x 17cm art, recon, stug 3b, 88mm, mobile AA, flammpanzer, 2xpara, pionere, grenadier, M+3, 2xbebirjager, 2 free aux 5cm AT, 8 weak italian/rumanian units. 3x109, 3xbf110.
Destroyed:24,18,4,7,6,4,0,4,1,0. Total = 68
Comments: Much more time than I remembered. I lost some points on the tanks by rushing forward without spotting first, as usual. When will I take my own advice . While I can get away with it now, later on when the units are much more expensive a little carelessness can be very costly. The T34 is a good tank for its time but I just dont need it now. The T34 can be redeemed for 357. I will disband it immediately. Finished early although I tried to prolong it.

9) Vyazma [DV] Prestige = 56376 [captured tank]
Strategy: This is a very difficult scenario. It is a big map with largely open terrain BUT The main VH in the centre is in the middle of a large fortified position. It also has a very large
number of enemy units, mainly tanks and an armoured train. The furthest VH is similarly in a very well fortified postion with some units guarding. The centre VH is impossible because of the fortifications to attack straight head on. You have to go around the back and sides. Then you have to deal with the large amount of units. There is a trick to getting the furthest VH. Send an airborne paratrooper to the furthest northeast corner of the map to sneak in behind the fortifications, take out a couple of dug in units and then hold off counter attacks. In getting the centr VH you have the additional problem in that the weather is rubbish and initially you only have one airfield in the southwest corner. This makes covering your troops in the north very difficult as you cant hang around due to fuel constraints and the weather is quite random (but not for the AI it seems! ). You have to split your forces into two groups. One in the north to take the centre from the north and one in the south to take from the south. Both of them have to take some other hexes before they get there and both face a counter attack before they get there. There does not seem to be a way to take the centre without big losses. Also you seem to be quite short of units/slots.
Core activity: Disband T34, upgraded bf110's from D to F. Panzers overstrength to 13
Deployed: North group; SE P3h, P3 S+2, KV1b, 2x17cm art, sturmapnzer, stug 3b, 88mm, pionere, para, M+3, wurf, recon, 2x109, bf110, para (air). Centre; gebirjager, recon rudel 110 South group; 2xSE P3h, SE P4, 2x wurf, 2x 17cm art, sturm, flammpanzer, para, grenadier, 3x109, 2x BF110.
Destroyed: 26,16,3,3,6,4,0,4,0,2. Total = 64
Comments: That was quite close. I nearly lost my DV by leaving a secondary hex in enemy hands behind my lines. I should have occupied the nearest VH with a redundant unit or taken that SH. As expected I had some losses when I went for the centre VH's. I should have waited for the captured kv 1a and let it take some punishment but as usual I rushed when I didnt need to as there was plenty of time. I also did not need to go for those extra units trapped by the river but I though it would be good to rack up kills. The captured KV-1A is worth 458. I do have a (better) KV-1b on the roster so I will disband the kv1a for prestige as I just dont need it. Next time I would swop the gebirjager I left plugging the dneiper crossing for a cavalry unit and possibly use it to take that secondary hex that spawned and then return it to keep and eye on the river crossing.

10) Streets of Moscow [loss] Prestige = 60369 [2x captured tank + free heroed 109 unit]
Strategy: I am going to deliberately go for a LOSS as it is a mostly completely urban scenario and you always take losses in urban scenarios, the main reason being because of the use of
strongpoints by the enemy you cant do enough spotting and fall into pre-set traps despite how well you protect your infantry units by backing them up with arty. I really want to do this for the 2 capturable tanks - worth about 800 and the free hero unit (109). That is at least 1,300 prestige between those three units. This will not dump you out of the campaign since this is a bonus scenario. Regardless of the result you go to demyansk next scenario. The capturable units are in the northwest and northeast corners. The deployment zone is in the southwest. So I will deploy and strike north along some non-urban terrain to get the first one. I expect a counter attack then and there but I hope to have my bombers weaken it and then destroy it easily. Then at the top of the map I have to go east to take the next one, also in non-urban terrain. I will have to go through a small amount of urban territory to get there. Similarly I expect another big counterattack with alot of tanks after getting the second one. I expect to have plenty of time left over so I may do some target practice to rack up kills. It is fairly easy to take some urban territory in the south but the centre is very tough and is where you will lose the points. I will use two groups, the north group will go after the goodis and the south group will have a bit of target practice in the south of the urban sprawl.
Core activity: A new upgrade for stukas is available but I dont regret changing my two stukas (uber-rudel and A+6) to 110's. As you saw from the last scenario and as the skies get busier,
it will become common practice to take out enemy fighters mostly with a dedicated fighter then finish it off on the last one or two points with a 110. Repair (for free) and disband KV1a.
Repair para. Overstrength stug (more). Repair (for free) recon rudel.
Deployed: North group; 3xSE P3h, P3h S+2, P4, stug 3b, wurf, 2x17cm art (2xR+1), sturm, para, M+3, bf109, 4xbf110. South group; 2x88mm, mobile AA, wurf, 2xsturm, KV1b, recon, 2x17cm art, pionere, grenadier, para, gebx2, para (air), 2x109.
Destroyed:9,15,1,1,5,2,1,3,2,0. Total = 39
Comments: I did spend alot of time fiddling around with the deployment to get it right. That worked out very well after having disbanded the two tanks. The T34 is OK but I dont need it. The KV1b is very good but I already have one which I am trying not to use. The total prestige gain for that scenario is 3322 plus a 109 worth 451!. With 39 enemy units destroyed and lots of kills/experience racked up for NO prestige loss is pretty good. I am satisfied, better than an expensive slog taking lots of losses and maybe not getting ALL the goodies. The 109 has
heroes; A+3 i+2 D-2. The D-2 makes it a bit vulnerable to taking losses but the A+3 i+2 is very good. If I could be assured of getting D+x for the first hero I woud go to great lengths to
train it up however it is a bit of a gamble so for now I will just keep it on the roster and see if I get to use it much.

11) Demyansk [DV] Prestige = 63313 [Captured tank] Enemy moves first. 100 prestige per turn given.
Strategy: This is a straightforward scenario. It is a very good earner, a good opportunity to rack up kills/experience and prestige from surrenders. In fact you will probably have to try to
prolong it as the actual DV mission is very easy. It is a small map. There are some initial air attacks for which traps can be set. There is a bit of air activity later on but not much.
The attacks start all around the perimeter but are very light in the north and west. After destroying a few units on the north/west the attacks are reduced to the south and east. In the
south the terrain gives a natural bottleneck and killing fields near the south supply airfield in which you can earn lots of prestige surrenders and earn lots of easy kills. You are also
given a few aux units and 4 aux static AA units. Good use of the fortifications and terrain will help you fight off the initial attacks. Then you can venture out of the perimeter in the
east to get the capturable tank and the only VH outside the perimeter, there is a counter attack when you do this. There is a lot of enemy static AA so you have to be careful where you put your planes.
Core activity: Disband two captured tanks. Upgrade P3's. Overstrength P4
Deployed: 4xsturm, sxSE P3, P3 S+2, P4, 4x17art, recon, stug 3b, flamm, 3xwurf, 88mm,mobAA, pionere, 2xpara, grenadier, M+3, 2xgeb, 2x109, 4x110.
Destroyed:37,29,3,0,6,4,0,10,2,2. Total = 93
Comments: I did spens alot of time getting the deployment right.It is a very busy scenario as you can see from the total above, in fact the last few turns I slowed down but could have kept advancing and got a few more. The T34/41 is worth 386. I start the next scenario with 68407 after disbanding the T34. The air attacks during it seem to be a bit random.

Compressed save of last turn of GC40.

Prestige before next scenario = 68407
Comparisons:
GC39: Total prestige gained = 10918 .......Destroyed: 196,69,5,27,37,36,13,16,3,1. ...Total = 404
GC40: Total prestige gained = 24114 .......Destroyed: 288,112,13,73,50,43,40,26,20,11. Total = 676
GC41: Total prestige gained = 28975........Destroyed: 279,153,18,42,55,48,3,41,11,12. Total = 662
The amount gained for GC41 surprises me.

You now have two paths. In the west path you have to cherry pick a few (9) of the best unts so you are effectively building up a new core again. It is a bit faster as the technology developmment is faster and there are more free goodies etc. In the east path everything is bigger and a bit more predictable. In both paths there are alot more defensive scenarios.
New units now are not likely to get more than one hero for the rest of the GC.

State of the core address:
100 to 300 first hero, 300 to 1000, second hero, 1000+ third hero.

SE P3j/1 A+3 D+1 354/797/13 Good, will probably have third hero in GC43. As a tiger/king will be a one shot lossless killer
SE P3j/1 A+3 D+2 349/703/1 Very good, as above
SE P3j/1 A+1.....333/584/6 rubbish hero but it will make three heroes eventually.
P3j/1 ...S+2 A+2 D+2 M+1 374/989/4 ..Awesome, will get third hero as soon as GC42. I would prefer more defence to make it invulnerable. The M+1 will make it a great tiger/king.
P4ivf/2 .M+1 219/374/1 Will get to three heroes, M+1 will be great as tiger/king. In the meantime the P4 series has less tank defence than the P3 series.
Flammpanzer ADMS+1 i+2 211/247/2 I am getting fed up of having to mollycoddle this unit to rack up easy kills but when changed to a tiger/king, it will be great, however it is unlikely to
get the third hero award. For next hero would prefer a D+ or an A+ for its distant future as an attacking tank.
KV1b 148/85/3 I am trying not to use it but it is a very good tank, eventually IFF its stats get good enough I would convert it to a king tiger.
czech P38 225/171/5 Havent used it since GC39 and probably wont again, but dont want to throw it away yet as the 171 kills is valuable.
recon M+1 321/295/59... Well I normally consider recons as 'disposable' so I dont know how this one has managed to survive!. It will probably get a second hero soon, a spotting hero or a
defence would be great, then I would have to get a 'disposable' and keep this one for special occasions

Oleh dir M+3 i+3 A+2 375/1348/6.. A one man army, he is so good it is hard to resist using him to make things easier!. Due for third hero soon. A good defence hero would make him truly
invincible, must remember to make others do the work also
Gebirjager D+2..... 340/783/4 Will make second and third hero soon. I may convert him to other infantry depending on heroes and operational needs. A D+2 makes him a tough guy; good for defensive situations of which there will be more and more in both fronts.
Gebirjager A+2 i+3..152/102/1 Great attacking hero awards so will convert him to other unit soon. I need to rack up experience though and it will be a while before he gets another hero.
Because of the lack of action it is very unlikely he will ever get a third hero.
Para A+3 M+1 362/929/9.. Great unit, great kill stats because he got a usefull hero early. Due for third hero in GC42
Para M+1.....301/500/10..Good unit. M+1 in infantry is always useful.
Pionere A+2...306/906/7.. Good unit/hero, will probably get second hero next scenario and third in GC42, will probably get or convert another pionere as their ignore entrenchment attribute makes them essential.
Cavalry...50/21/4... I have one of these because they function as recon (movement 5) in rough terrain where recons cant move properly. With defence hero they are excellent when used
thoughtfully. If only I had not very carelessly lost mine in GC39. Unfortunately its a bit late to build up its stats now so I forsee a short lifespan for this one!.
Para (air)...124/92/15... Despite being my 'disposable far away places para' he might even manage to get a hero at this rate!.

88mm..M+1....325/648/4..While the M+1 is very useful, particularly as an AT unit, I still want an R+1. It is very difficult to get to three heroes with an AA. I may get there with this one.
88mm........75/34/1.. A spare without transport, there are a few scenarios where you need two 88's. Unlikely to ever get a hero.
Sdkfz 7/1 AA...251/113/1 I would like an R+1 and then an A+3. Although they dont get much action in any scenario and are not as attacking as an 88 you do need to run with one of these
specially in the later scenarios. Unlike the 88 being able to fire after moving long distances makes them invaluable in group attacks as their deterrence effect is essential. Its low stats
are made up for by the hidden fact its Rate of Fire is 120% so it packs a much bigger punch than it appears. It really shines with overtrength.

Sturmpanzer.. A+1..373/321/1 Not big enough hero to make that much difference, hopefully better hero with next one - coming soon!.
sturmpanzer..R+1...375/414/1. Very usefull
Sturmpanzer..D+2...375/346/0 Not very useful, if you get hit it will not make that much difference as your base defence is so low anyway. I may convert to to a stug.
Sturmpanzer.......375/225/0. we will see!
17cm art...R+1...375/376/2... So usefull
17cm art...R+1...375/359/2... So usefull
17cm art.........375/276/17...Hero due any time now.
Stug 3b... 239/40/1..... unlikely to get a hero.
wurfrahmen..328/220/0
wurfrahmen..227/142/0
wurfrahmen..218/149/0

109...A+2 i+2 D+1 375/485/1.. Hero coming soon. A good defence hero so I can overstrength it without great losses would be nice.
109...A+3.........375/643/5.. As above.
109...A+3.........375/524/4.. As above
109...D+1.........332/332/1.. Not great.
109...............207/74/1.. Not used much so far.
109...D-2 A+3 i+2..135/20/0...That D-2 makes it succeptable to losses. Otherwise it would be a fabulous attacking 109. There is alot more air activity in the later campaigns so we will see if there is enough call for it as I would use other 109's first.
110...A+1 i+6.....375/850/2...The high initiative makes it a great attacker/fighter as well as tac bomber. Due for new hero imminently.
110...A+6.........375/1670/4...Due for third hero, would like a high D.
110...A+9 D+9 M+1...305/462/1..uber rudel. Another high D or A would be nice.
110...S+2 A-5 D-2...173/65/10..recon rudel. still usefull and even essential in some scenarios, will get deployed much less despite his super recon abilities as the skies get busier and more dangerous.
Heinkel.............375/290/1.. hero immmenent in next deployment. Want an A+x.
Ju88................160/2/0.. Spare so never likely to get heroes. Very few scenarios need two strat bombers.

Overall a good core (without reloading/'cheating') and despite my mistakes.
If anyone has any preference for me to do iether west or east path next, let me know which asap.

This is an alternative way of doing GC39 scenario 1 ; posnan.
It is a VERY elegant solution courtesy of braccada (from his current manstien playthrough) but it works very well at the lower levels like this. Notice how the game is completely closed down by about turn 5! by the simple trick of clearing of the path of and well positioned rail transport of the P2. The rest is just mopping up. It is so effective it is difficult to prolong the game to farm/rack up kills for your air force!, and you do it without the p38 czech panzer.