Slitherine

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:52 pm Looking at the AO'43 scenarios, there will be plenty of tank upgrades: T-34-85s, KV-85s and even IS-1s will make an appearance. The SU-152 will appear in great numbers. And there are some interesting rocket launcher and AA options. There are plenty of SU-57s. There are even some interesting airplane captures.

On the flip side, the Kursk missions with only two infantry should be insane! Panzermon'43 should be an interesting run!

I already made some shortlist notes and what I want to capture form specific paths. I still need the full Retrograde run to finish as Panzermon follows the historical path, but apparently Taman Peninsula is an air only mission, which will be tough (at least it's optional!), not only due to the issues with my aircraft core, but also the fact I played before the patch, so no Spitfire Mk.VB for me... and since in theory I have enough non-German craft, I'll probably be flying I-15's and PZL P.11c

I'm taking my first core down the historical route and playing the Taman mission now. The Taman Peninsula mission looked really scary at first. Only during playthrough did I realize that about half of the massive ground forces are garrison units to ensure the player doesn't "cheat" and capture the Soviet airfields. The forces around Taman itself are a garrison force. The easternmost task force that attacks the Romanian garrison stays put once it captures the town. So I managed to extract all of the Romanian troops (minus their bunkers of course!). And all of the German forces have now left as well.

The random spawns are of mixed quality. The 5-start 15-strength I-16 hardly does any damage to my Bf109Gs. But the 2.5 star La-5s are tougher to deal with.

AO 1943 - Zaporizhia

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 168378

Hero:


Actually quite spicy! With my air force being limited due to having to capture planes the hard way (and no better Spitfires for me as I played before they got added in 1942 in a cache), a camouflaged heavy AA gun in FlaK Abt 3 will be a blessing.

Also, I did one more change. I unassigned the Butcher heroes from flame tanks, as they actually almost redundant. There are extremely rare circumstances where +5 on flame tanks against infantry changes the math, so they will suit me best elsewhere. I do not like to reassign heroes, but this is an occasion where it makes sense. I moved them to PzAbt 15 and AufkAbt 6 instead for actual value. Rest of the heroes after a quick review are assigned well apparently.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/42 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - ZIS-30 - *** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - **** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - **** - Field Repairs, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - **** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - ***
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - **** - No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - **** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - **** - Butcher, Overrun
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 47mm SA 37 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 57mm M1941 (SdKfz 11) - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - ****
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - * - Double Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - ** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - ** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16
III./JG 3 - D.520
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3
I./JG 4 - Bf 109F
II./JG 4 - Bf 109F
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - ** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - **** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


First capture of the run might not be impressive, but it still counts.


Since I know these guys are passive, let's farm some AT guns.


So much good stuff is just lying around and waiting for a crew change.

Final Prestige: 179711 (up 11393)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-1/41 - 240 (-2) - in use
T-60 - 282 (+4) - in use
Valentine III - 89 (+4) - in use
KV-1/42 - 124 (+20)
T-34/42 - 433 (+99) - in use
T-70 - 111 (-5) - in use
T-34-57 - 80 (+18) - in use
GAZ-67B - 16 (+16)
45mm M1942 - 230 (+64) - in use
ZIS-30 - 113 (-3) - in use
76.2mm M1942 - 38 (+36)
SU-57 - 97 (+24) - in use

Overall:

Solid gains in the first mission. I was slightly concerned about my ability to perform the needed encirclement given the chaotic start of the scenario, but ultimately it was possible to do with infantry tanking some hits and choosing favorable attacks with AT guns. I also figured I could get some static towed AT pieces and indeed was able to pull it off.

AO 1943 - Backhand Blow

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 181570

Hero:


RNG really wants me to improve my chances against Soviet aircraft. I won't complain. My next best fighter that has space for it in its hero setup will be probably II./JG 2, the future squad for Hartmann.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43
PzAbt 17 - PT-34
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i

T-34/43 is nice as it has actual close defense. Gift Panther (P) becomes a specialized mine sweeper. It will serve a critical role around Kursk, as I have extremely limited infantry. New AT weapons also add extra firepower to catch up with Soviet tanks.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - **** - Field Repairs, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - **** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - **** - No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - **** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - **** - Butcher, Overrun
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - ZIS-30 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - ***
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - ** - Fast Learner

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - **** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - ***
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - * - Double Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - ** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16
III./JG 3 - D.520
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3
I./JG 4 - Bf 109F
II./JG 4 - Bf 109F
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - ** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Camouflaged AA gun already doing amazing work!


Eastern group is 5 turns deep into the battle and still did not encounter the enemy who was previously spotted there.


That's a lot of useful tanks I can get my hands on.


I wanted to capture that 20 strength Consolidator KV-1/42. Sadly, it ambushed itself into a triple support fire setup...

Final Prestige: 204621 (up 23051)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

BT-7 - 289 (+12)
Char B1 - 122 (-5) - in use
KV-2 - 180 (-6) - in use
KV-1/41 - 233 (-7) - in use
T-50 - 218 (-6) - in use
T-60 - 313 (+31) - in use
OT-34 - 176 (+38) - in use
M3 Lee - 56 (+18)
KV-1/42 - 140 (+16)
T-34/42 - 577 (+134)
PT-34 - 37 (+29) - in use
T-70 - 145 (+34) - in use
T-34/43 - 142 (+88) - in use
T-34-57 - 97 (+17) - in use
BA-10 - 305 (+16) - in use
Panhard 178 - 217 (-9) - in use
57mm M1941 - 228 (+18)
ZIS-30 - 130 (+16) - in use
76.2mm M1942 - 36 (+8) - in use
SU-57 - 148 (+51) - in use
SU-76i - 52 (-4) - in use
203mm M1931 - 226 (-2) - in use
105mm Vickers M22 - 101 (-4) - in use
SU-122 - 36 (+20)
85mm M1939 - 205 (+14) - in use
Vickers AA - 45 (-1) - in use
P-40 - 19 (+19)
Spitfire Mk.II - 67 (+19) - in use
P-38E - 26 (+26)

Overall:

Backhand Blow was a successful capture operation, although it did not result in and breakthroughs yet, the new models of Soviet tanks and anti-tank weapons will only start appearing around Kursk. At least for the time being I do not have to worry about supplies for what I use. I also found the one and only aircraft cache on the historical path. On the fictional one I could also get some better bombers, but that's about it, so my choice here will be greatly limited for the rest of 1943, with Taman Peninsula being the elephant in the room. I will need to conserve strength for it and even then it's not 100% certain that the mission will be doable.

AO 1943 - Kummersdorf 1943

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 209948

Hero:


Pilot for III./JG 3 - I will need all the edge I can get in the future.

New Equipment Provided:

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1)
I./JG 4 - P-40
II./JG 4 - P-38E

Two air force "upgrades" based on the rules. At least I now really have just Fallschirmjäger when it comes to German units, but these two planes are not that thrilling.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - **** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - *** - Ferocious Defense

Artillery

Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - ** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - * - Double Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Skilled Support

Fighter

IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - ** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - ** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - ** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase
III./JG 3 - D.520 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - ** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - **** - Field Repairs, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - ***
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - **** - No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - **** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - **** - Butcher, Overrun
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - ZIS-30 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - ****
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3
I./JG 4 - P-40
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - **** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Mine sweeping tank might get Steamroller, or very close to it, in addition to experience on this map.

Final Prestige: 210088 (up 140)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

None, as usually is the case in training scenarios.

Overall:

While training ground units was simple, I just took the least experienced ones and the ones that will take most time to gain experience overall, the planes were a different matter. I had a lot, so I could get the least experienced ones all over the board, but all preparations are for the Taman Peninsula mission really, I can get by with minimal air support in the rest of the scenarios. As such, there is not point training weak aircraft like the I-15 as they will be mostly useless anyway. I need to focus on anything with decent air attack so I can try and get at least some help form the stars. I skipped 4 star units, as the fifth star will be gained naturally, as well as I skipped unis very close to the next level, I can just take them on more missions to add those last missing bits. Also, I took the Me 262A just for the sake of training a 1 star pilot for the future. As soon as I get anything he can be assigned to, he will get that plane, but for the time being he's going to be in deep reserve, unused and waiting.

At least the P40 and P38E are on-par with most of the Soviet air force at the beginning of AO'43. It would be nice if you got a bunch of First Strike, No Retaliation and Readiness heroes before Taman.

You have an insane amount of T-34/42s. And with Kerscher and T-34/43s, Pz. Abt. 1 will probably be competitive against the T-34-85, KV-85 and even IS-1.

AO 1943 - Yakovlevo

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 212538

Hero:


Added to Panzerjäger Abt 4, as the retrograde run proved how useful this hero is on AT guns.

New Units Commissioned:

III./JG 4 - Me 262A

Deep reserves. I'm not allowed to use this until I'm able to swap the jets for something else.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - **** - Field Repairs, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - ***
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - ****

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - **** - No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - **** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - **** - Butcher, Overrun
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - ZIS-30 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - ****
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***

Fighter

II./JG 1 - La-5 - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - *** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - *** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - **** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *

Strategic Bomber

III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16
I./JG 4 - P-40
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Until I secure a safe advantage in the air, my planes retreat to not get attacked and suffer accidental losses.


This time there will be a lot of chip damage, as there is no easy way to get through rivers, mines and fortifications.


Lacking opportunities for large traps, small traps will have to do.


Rudel doing his most important job - baiting fighters into AA gun range.


I simply refuse to deal with the enemy directly.

Final Prestige: 247404 (up 34866)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

TKS - 89 (-1) - in use
KV-2 - 196 (+16) - in use
KV-1/41 - 226 (-7) - in use
T-60 - 333 (+20) - in use
Valentine III - 88 (-1) - in use
KV-1/42 - 152 (+12)
Toldi IIa - 37 (-1) - in use
T-34/42 - 659 (+82)
T-70 - 193 (+48) - in use
T-34/43 - 317 (+175) - in use
BA-10 - 314 (+9) - in use
Panhard 178 - 208 (-9) - in use
BA-64 - 272 (+11) - in use
DK Motorcycle - 67 (-1) - in use
GAZ-67B - 30 (+14)
45mm M1942 - 276 (+46) - in use
ZIS-30 - 128 (-2) - in use
SU-57 - 178 (+30) - in use
SU-76i - 88 (+36) - in use
SU-152 - 18 (+18)
57mm M1943 - 40 (+40)
203mm M1931 - 238 (+12) - in use
122mm M1938 - 416 (+26)
152mm M10/30 - 84 (-5) - in use
152mm M1938 - 252 (+56)
BL 7.2 inch - 68 (-1) - in use
QF 25 pounder - 104 (-2) - in use
BM-13 Katyusha - 286 (+22)
76.2mm M1942 - 58 (+10)
SP-T-18 - 68 (-1) - in use
BM-8-8 - 81 (-1) - in use
BL 5.5 inch - 44 (-2) - in use
SU-76 - 78 (+45) - in use
SU-122 - 60 (+24)
37mm M1939 - 310 (+12)
75mm mle 39 - 71 (-2) - in use
85mm M1939 - 236 (+31) - in use
Vickers AA - 39 (-6) - in use
37mm Zis-42 - 54 (+16)
MiG-3 - 103 (-2) - in use

Overall:

This was a lot slower than previously due to my constant urge to capture everything that's not nailed down. Soviet defenses were not that easy to crack with just two infantry units, so the PT-64 was doing some serious overtime. As for encirclements, the mine fields provided some unexpected help, allowing to set up grander lines and actually making my units safer as the blocked the option for the enemy to attack through them. While in the end I got tons of equipment the only new addition is the SU-152. Certainly powerful, but yet not plentiful enough to risk using it and running out of parts, but after Oboyan I will hopefully have a decent supply.

AO 1943 - Oboyan

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 248019

Hero:


Hero for IV./JG 3 so that fighters might have some useful options, but not a hero I was hoping for this time.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - **** - Field Repairs, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - **** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - **** - No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - **** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - ZIS-30 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***

Fighter

IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - *** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - *** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 3 - I-16
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - **** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *

Strategic Bomber

III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - **** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Battlefield overview from the west...


...and the east.


Hey, I should be the one doing the encirclement!

Final Prestige: 264369 (up 16350)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-1/41 - 224 (-2) - in use
M14/41 - 57 (-1) - in use
T-60 - 356 (+23) - in use
Valentine III - 79 (-9) - in use
OT-34 - 194 (+18) - in use
T-34/42 - 679 (+20)
T-70 - 203 (+10) - in use
T-34/43 - 341 (+24) - in use
Panhard 178 - 206 (-2) - in use
Humber AC Mk.I - 55 (-1) - in use
BA-64 - 264 (-8) - in use
45mm M1942 - 284 (+24) - in use
SU-57 - 202 (-8) - in use
SU-76i - 102 (+14) - in use
SU-152 - 80 (+62)
BT-7A - 199 (-1) - in use
122mm M1938 - 426 (+10)
152mm M10/30 - 81 (-3) - in use
BL 7.2 inch - 67 (-1) - in use
SU-76 - 92 (+14) - in use
75mm mle 39 - 70 (-1) - in use
85mm M1939 - 235 (-1) - in use
37mm Zis-42 - 70 (+16)
P-38E - 15 (-1) - in use

Overall:

Mostly a repeat of Yakovlevo, as long as I keep my units in formation and protected against enemy fire, I can get the units to surrender slowly but surely. Fortifications were a pain once again, but I'm used to that at this point. What is most important is that I continue to refill me stock and my losses in older equipment, that which I am unlikely to ever get more of, are still minimal. Just relying on Soviet captures would be difficulty, as they do not offer enough good options for a balanced core. Also, quite ironic that I'm gaining more prestige in one mission than the level of Bertorelli's reserves in his whole run in 1942.

AO 1943 - Prokhorovka

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 265806

Hero:


AufkAbt 1 hero for the full added value of the defender trait as well.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152

Time of the ZIS-30 has ended, time of this monstrosity has started.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Field Repairs, Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - AMC 35 - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Valentine III - *** - River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - **** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76 - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - **** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***

Fighter

IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - *** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - *** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 3 - I-16
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *

Strategic Bomber

III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - *

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Rudel fans gather in the sky and the AA artillery is here to greet them.


It's quite crowded here in the middle lane.


So many tanks on my approach to Prokhorovka.


Got them! That said, I will not be taking the city, I'm going the historical route after all.

Final Prestige: 304666 (up 38860)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

AMC 35 - 97 (-4) - in use
TKS - 81 (-8) - in use
KV-2 - 188 (-8) - in use
KV-1/41 - 217 (-7) - in use
T-50 - 217 (-7) - in use
M14/41 - 51 (-6) - in use
T-60 - 365 (+9) - in use
Valentine III - 67 (-12) - in use
KV-1/42 - 162 (+10)
T-34/42 - 811 (+132)
PT-34 - 34 (-3) - in use
T-70 - 263 (+60) - in use
Churchill Mk.IV - 22 (+22)
T-34/43 - 495 (+154) - in use
T-34-57 - 93 (-4) - in use
BA-10 - 324 (+10) - in use
Morris CS9 LAC - 58 (-2) - in use
Humber AC Mk.I - 51 (-4) - in use
BA-64 - 292 (+28) - in use
SU-57 - 200 (-2) - in use
SU-152 - 160 (+90) - in use
57mm M1943 - 52 (+12)
BT-7A - 193 (-5) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 80 (-3) - in use
122mm M1938 - 432 (+6)
BL 7.2 inch - 65 (-2) - in use
BM-13 Katyusha - 312 (+26)
SP-T-18 - 73 (+5) - in use
BM-8-8 - 80 (-1) - in use
BL 5.5 inch - 43 (-1) - in use
SU-76 - 101 (+9) - in use
SU-122 - 86 (+26)
SU-76M - 18 (+18)
76.2mm M1943 - 78 (+78)
Gaz-AA MG - 141 (-3) - in use
85mm M1939 - 231 (-4) - in use
Vickers AA - 32 (-7) - in use
SU-6 - 51 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 76 (+16) - in use

Overall:

Phew, despite that huge prestige gain and tons of captured stuff this was not as easy as it seemed. The approach that required using a lot of suppression and encirclement was much slower than just smashing through enemy positions and as such, it took me almost to the final turn to reach Prokhorovka. The fact that my planes had to constantly operate in the back did not help at all. While I do want them to gain that valuable experience, it will not be easy as the enemy does not offer many windows of opportunity in which there are no swarms of fighters in the sky. Another thing to note, some of the French and English stuff is getting low on parts and not as useful, as it's more and more outdated.

Are you capturing the SU-122s in AT or artillery mode? The original 30 SU-122s gifted in AO'42 are in the AT section. In my first run, I was getting frustrated that I wasn't capturing any SU-122s, until I realized I had 100+ in the artillery section. For some reason the captured SU-122s don't get merged if they are caught in artillery mode, but the SU-152s do...

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:28 pm Are you capturing the SU-122s in AT or artillery mode? The original 30 SU-122s gifted in AO'42 are in the AT section. In my first run, I was getting frustrated that I wasn't capturing any SU-122s, until I realized I had 100+ in the artillery section. For some reason the captured SU-122s don't get merged if they are caught in artillery mode, but the SU-152s do...

Yes, it happens each time. Similar thing happens to the 76.2mm towed AT/artillery, but there I could have sworn it is a bit different and I captured both versions. Now, I I have no solid idea as to why it is happening. Maybe it's depending on the mode in which the units are pre-placed on the map. Maybe it depends on the mode in which they are captured. Maybe it's a combination of both plus some other things. In any case, only a few selected unit types seem to be suffering from this issue and for SU-122 it's not a big deal. Once SU-85 become available I plan to upgrade and the SU-122 will the be used in the artillery units.

AO 1943 - Operation Roland

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 303528

Hero:


OK game, I get it. You really want my fighters to be useful for something... Added to II./JG 3.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M

Some new tanks and artillery becomes available and replace the again AMC 35 and Valentine III. To keep the limited supply of Churchills going, Field Repairs hero from PzAbt 6 joins PzAbt 11 - one of the rare occasions when I'm fine with the change as it makes logical narrative sense.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-1/41 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ***

Fighter

IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - *** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - *** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - *

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - PZL P.37B Los
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Not many units to use, but I can still focus on captures and caches.


SU-11? I have not see this one around yet.


I waited three turns to get it, essentially stopping the entire offensive to make sure I capture the maximum amount, but given how this is something new, it should be well worth it.


KV-85 looks like a perfect thing to grab as well.

Final Prestige: 322659 (up 19131)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-1/41 - 211 (-6) - in use
KV-1/42 - 196 (+36)
T-70 - 274 (+11) - in use
T-34/43 - 571 (+76) - in use
T-34-57 - 85 (+8) - in use
KV-85 - 41 (+41)
BA-10 - 332 (+8) - in use
Humber AC Mk.I - 46 (-5) - in use
BA-64 - 302 (+10) - in use
Mototsikl - 56 (+14)
SU-57 - 199 (-1) - in use
SU-76i - 95 (-7) - in use
SU-152 - 253 (+93) - in use
203mm M1931 - 231 (-7) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 79 (-1) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 79 (-2) - in use
BM-8-8 - 93 (+13) - in use
SU-76 - 127 (+16)
SU-122 - 100 (+14)
Gaz-AA MG - 124 (-17) - in use
75mm mle 39 - 67 (-3) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 79 (+3) - in use
SU-11 - 24 (+24)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 56 (+34) - in use
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29 (+29)

Overall:

The mission has proven unexpectedly difficult, as my limited core, combined with weakness of my aircraft and not that much long ranged artillery I deployed meant that breaking though the central fortified zone, which previously was not that much of a problem with proper planning, now required a very slow and grind of a battle. I had issues dealing with the units due to the way the aircraft protected ground troops and I could not bring AA guns in position reliably and not get punished by the 203mm artillery in the back or risk placing them in a dangerous spot. Ultimately I broke through the sides, but it involved some serious losses. Later parts of the mission ware less of an issue, but I constantly had to deal with overwhelming air advantage of the Soviets.

AO 1943 - Orel

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 322351

Hero:


Added to I./JG 4 with the hope that extra initiative will achieve something in Taman Peninsula...

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 14 - KV-85
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

KV-85 is amazing, will for sure improve my ground unit options. Yermolayev Yer-2 can replace the Polish bombers in IV./KG 1. They have little experience, so that stat boost might be useful, of course provided I'll get to deploy them in defensive scenarios at all.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - **** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - **** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - Humber AC Mk.I - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - DK Motorcycle - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ***

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - ****

Armored Train

Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M14/41 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Summary:


Fighting against vanguards, I just need to make sure to avoid encirclement as the enemy has the numbers on their side.


Infantry binds several units in one place. Well, technically it's trapped, but help is around the corner and at last the vanguards cannot advance down south this way.


I suddenly stumble upon horse-pulled AA guns.

Final Prestige: 332309 (up 9958)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

TKS - 78 (-3) - in use
T-60 - 363 (-2) - in use
OT-34 - 186 (-8) - in use
T-34/42 - 815 (+4)
L6/40 Lf - 163 (+51) - in use
T-70 - 324 (+50) - in use
M15/42 - 65 (+65)
T-34/43 - 651 (+80) - in use
T-34-57 - 80 (-5) - in use
KV-85 - 28 (-3) - in use
Humber AC Mk.I - 42 (-4) - in use
DK Motorcycle - 54 (-5) - in use
Mototsikl - 86 (+30)
GAZ-67B - 60 (+30)
MAB 43 - 82 (+82)
Autocannone 90/53 - 45 (+45)
SU-152 - 274 (+21) - in use
203mm M1931 - 227 (-4) - in use
BT-7A - 181 (-12) - in use
BM-8-8 - 88 (-5) - in use
SU-122 - 138 (+38)
SU-76M - 52 (+44) - in use
85mm M1939 - 243 (+12) - in use
20/70 quadruplo - 62 (+37) - in use

Overall:

Doing a fighting retreat is never easy. Doing a fighting retreat combined with capturing enemy units is even more tricky, as there is very little room for maneuvering and units can get cut off from the rest of the force. Not to mention the AI for some reason constantly keeping their SU-76, SU-122 and SU-152 in AT mode not allowing me to get them in their weaker artillery version and manage around support fire. In the end it went well, but at the cost of a few hits I could not avoid that lost me some precious supplies. Italian stuff might come in handy, as the offer some upgrades to less powerful units.

AO 1943 - Panther Line

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 333202

Hero:


Assigned to PzAbt 4, will help with capturing particularly tough enemy units.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 16 - M15/42
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl

Some of the new Italian equipment is put into good use. AufkAbt 2 will enjoy the 3 extra hard attack to help penetrate armor and force surrenders. I also replace the Danish motorcycles with the Soviet ones. These have 2 less air defense, but cost a core slot less to deploy and will probably be captured regularly, so the supply should not run out.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - **** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - **** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ****
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Fast Rebase, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


Escort group on the way to deal with infantry south of Smolensk and clear a path for the HQ vehicle.


Two capture groups are also ready and will engage the advancing Soviets, trying to get some of their vehicles and maybe even circle around the river to attack the enemy in the north from behind.


Somebody just made a big mistake! Captures are of course important, but I won't waste an opportunity like that, especially since I have a decent SU-152 supply already.


Hunting the IS-1 I saw at the start of the scenario, it must be here somewhere.

Final Prestige: 342940 (up 9738)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

TKS - 75 (-3) - in use
T-50 - 217 (-7) - in use
T-60 - 359 (-4) - in use
OT-34 - 180 (-6) - in use
M3 Lee - 64 (+18) - in use
T-34/42 - 829 (+14)
PT-34 - 46 (+12) - in use
T-70 - 351 (+27) - in use
T-34/43 - 673 (+22) - in use
T-34-57 - 79 (-1) - in use
KV-85 - 37 (+9) - in use
IS-1 - 18 (+18)
T-38 - 124 (-2) - in use
BA-10 - 342 (+10) - in use
Morris CS9 LAC - 56 (-2) - in use
AB 43 - 65 (-7) - in use
SU-76i - 101 (+6) - in use
SU-122 - 14 (-2) - in use
SU-152 - 300 (+26) - in use
203mm M1931 - 236 (+9) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 78 (-1) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 77 (-2) - in use
BM-13 Katyusha - 326 (+14)
SU-122 - 152 (+14)
SU-76M - 47 (-5) - in use
SU-6 - 50 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 77 (-2) - in use
20/70 quadruplo - 61 (-1) - in use

Overall:

Grabbing that IS-1 was almost not worth the effort, since the stats are not that insanely good compared to a KV-85. However, I just cannot drop the aim of the run to literally gather whatever is possible. It turns out that it is possible to face the Soviet onslaught, but the close terrain makes that tricky, since the enemy will use multiple Katyushas to soften up defenses and the try to simply overwhelm any support fire. Too bad I did not have that last chance to train up my planes, as the opposing air presence was simply too scary to try and deploy them.

Good luck in the Taman peninsula. The IS-1 isn't all that good - the IS-2 and IS-3 are much better. The rare SU-11 is an interesting catch. If I am not mistaken, it is the only example in AO'43. There shouldn't be many of it around. Historically, only a single prototype existed.

AO 1943 - Taman Peninsula

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 345213

Hero:


At the very last moment the game throws me a life belt. This is a perfect hero for a fighter that should prevent it from getting shot down by multiple enemies as it discourages attack in the first place and even if it does not, it still reduces damage suffered. Added to Hartmann's II./JG 2 and moved the Entrenchment Killer 3x to IV./JG 2. Still even with this, the mission will be a nightmare.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - *** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - ** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ****
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


AA Veteran is the only reason this attempt is even remotely viable.


Weaker fighters gang up on scout planes, as they are the eyes of the enemy. Blinding him should help my vulnerable transports sneak by sea.


Ultimate escort formation with bombers as meat shields?


We have a serious breach, but no matter, the evacuation is complete!

Final Prestige: 349250 (up 4037)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

SU-122 - 166 (+14)
Fokker D.XXI - 2 (-7) - in use
D.520 - 9 (-8) - moved to reserve due to losses
Spitfire Mk.II - 53 (-14) - in use
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 6 (-4) - in use
MiG-3 - 84 (-19) - in use
Pe-3 - 8 (-9) - in use
P-38E - 5 (-10) - in use
La-5 - 17 (-10) - in use
Ca.135 - 23 (-1) - in use
Sukhoi Su-2 - 10 (-3) - in use
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 33 (-3) - in use
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 66 (-5) - in use
Tupolev Tu-2 - 18 (-1) - in use
Petlyakov Pe-8 - 2 (-7) - in use
Stirling Mk.I - 15 (-2) - in use
Ilyushin Il-4 - 51 (-5) - in use

Overall:

Yes, success! I imagine this was only possible on general difficulty, that's why I chosen it for this bizarre run. I even have no complaints about running out of D.520 planes, I honestly expected that I will run out of a lot more than just this one type (however realistically the Fokkers and Pe-8 just have a few parts left). I had to test every possible trick there is to air combat, abuse the 8.8 cm Flak and use bombers as bait, only leaving fighters with Readiness exposed whenever it was possible. It not always was. Rudel in his Il-2 also did a lot of work, getting enemies fly into FlaK range. I almost did not make the bonus objective, as I misread the number of Romanian units I need to evacuate and thought 3 tanks will be enough. After realizing it's actually 4, I quickly brought one of the artillery in the last batch of transports and somehow managed to get the bonus on turn 13. Speaking of which, I am not quite sure why this mission is set to 30 turns. Both now and in the Retrograde run I could not extend it much beyond turn 15 - maybe turn 20 would be doable. Unless the player has some insane heroes, the ground will be overrun sooner or later. On an unrelated note, the best highlight of the mission was capturing SU-122 artillery - it drove itself into a trap on hex 37,21 and got added to my inventory. Capturing ground equipment in an air scenario is always an interesting turn of events.

AO 1943 - Kremenchug

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 369730

Hero:


Nothing too exciting, but I guess I can give the hero to PzAbt 15, making the ultimate little artillery tankette.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ****
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-122 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artilery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39

Reserve

Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SP-T-18 - *** - Double Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ****
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Summary:


M3 Lee turns just the turret when fighting soft targets? Wow, nice attention to detail. Some might argue how the main and secondary gun was meant to be used, but nitpicking details aside, it does show some things that normally are easy to miss in unit animation.


Rain is saving me some trouble from aircraft, but at the same time hurting my counterattack.


Trapping the KV-85 took forever. I'd even consider destroying it instead of capturing, but had no actual means to do so easily.


Soviets want to retake the bridgeheads. Time to take control of Cherkassy and end the mission.

Final Prestige: 379323 (up 9593)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

TKS - 72 (-3) - in use
KV-2 - 177 (-11) - in use
T-50 - 209 (-1) - in use
T-60 - 338 (-21) - in use
M3 Lee - 58 (-6) - in use
Toldi Ila - 33 (-4) - in use
T-34/42 - 843 (+14)
L6/40 Lf - 162 (-1) - in use
T-70 - 377 (+26) - in use
M15/42 - 47 (-8) - in use
T-34/43 - 692 (+19) - in use
T-34-57 - 73 (-6) - in use
KV-85 - 63 (+26) - in use
AMC P16 - 31 (-4) - in use
T-38 - 113 (-9) - in use
Morris CS9 LAC - 53 (-3) - in use
BA-64 - 314 (+12) - in use
AB 43 - 63 (-2) - in use
45mm M1942 - 300 (+16)
SU-57 - 204 (+5) - in use
SU-76i - 103 (+2) - in use
SU-122 - 13 (-1) - in use
SU-152 - 345 (+45) - in use
SU-85 - 22 (+22)
203mm M1931 - 232 (-4) - in use
105mm Vickers M22 - 99 (-2) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 77 (-1) - in use
SU-76M - 46 (-1) - in use
Gaz-AA MG - 123 (-1) - in use
25mm CA mle 39 - 54 (-1) - in use
85mm M1939 - 237 (-6) - in use
SU-6 - 47 (-3) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 72 (-5) - in use

Overall:

Wow, this was a lot harder than my previous attempt, but looking back it is mostly due to not having enough infantry. There were very few units I could safely position in close terrain, so advancing towards the bridgeheads was slower. Even if flame tanks could decimate infantry they still were vulnerable to other armored vehicles, causing the advance to take a puzzle-like state. This was also coupled with my determination to get some of the new SU-85 and also get some KV-85 parts for the future scenarios. Ultimately all went well, but I took some small bits of damage on a few units I was hoping to keep safe from harm. Nothing critical, just a bit annoying as I need to be careful with them, not knowing when, or even if, any suitable replacements may appear.

AO 1943 - Zhitomir

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 380623

Hero:


Added to AufkAbt 3, but not a particularly useful hero, prestige is not a problem in this run.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122

Small cosmetic swap. Since captured SU-122 appear as artillery, I granted them to Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 in place some old and less useful vehicles, while Panzerjäger Abt 7 got the SU-85. It's less versatile than the SU-122, as it does not give artillery version, but it deletes tanks like nothing I have right now.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - *** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artilery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary

Armored Train

Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - *

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack

Summary:


I'm in position almost on time, but this will not be an easy fight!


Snow and a captured airfield means three fighters down easily.


Stalemate, but that is fine for me. I can just capture one unit after another.


Anti-partisan unit is quite busy.


This really never ends!

Final Prestige: 413385 (up 32762)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

Char B1 - 116 (-6) in use
TKS - 70 (-2) in use
T-50 - 204 (-5) in use
T-60 - 329 (-9) - in use
OT-34 - 176 (-4) - in use
Toldi IIa - 27 (-6) - in use
L6/40 Lf - 160 (-2) - in use
T-34/42 - 895 (+52)
Churchill Mk.II - 40 (+40)
T-70 - 432 (+55) - in use
M15/42 - 47 (-11) - in use
T-34/43 - 772 (+80) - in use
T-34-57 - 69 (-4) - in use
KV-85 - 94 (+31) - in use
IS-1 - 100 (+82)
T-34-85 - 22 (+22)
T-38 - 101 (-12) - in use
BA-10 - 330 (-12) - in use
Panhard 178 - 185 (-21) - in use
Morris CS9 LAC - 46 (-7) - in use
BA-64 - 306 (-8) - in use
Mototsikl - 73 (-3) - in use
AB 43 - 61 (-2) - in use
76.2mm M1942 - 28 (-8) - in use
SU-57 - 216 (+12) - in use
SU-76i - 97 (-6) - in use
SU-152 - 397 (+52) - in use
SU-85 - 57 (+45) - in use
203mm M1931 - 231 (-1) - in use
BT-7A - 175 (-6) - in use
BM-8-8 - 78 (-10) - in use
SU-122 - 194 (+38) - in use
SU-76M - 46 (-1) - in use
BM-8-24 - 46 (+26)
20mm M/38 - 71 (-3) - in use
SU-6 - 46 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 70 (-2) - in use

Overall:

Ending the 1942 with absolutely great capture figures, as the map really favors trapping a large force. This includes the new T-34/85, more SU-85 and KV-85 and enough IS-1 tanks or BM-8-24 rocket launcher sets to justify upgrades.This means that start of 1943 will give me the opportunity to do some important updates to the core team. At the same time, these efforts cost me some significant parts in other units' stock as the reinforcement waves and just the sheer number of enemy vehicles and aircraft meant I was not able to be everywhere at once. Sometimes I was forced to use units as body blockers who are meant to take the hard hits, with recon cars especially suffering this fate.

AO 1943 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 168378
Final Prestige: 413385 (up 245007)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger
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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34/43 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - T-34-57 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-8 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Armored Train

Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Trophies of War (compared to end of 1942):

Tank:

BT-5 - 100 (no change)
L3/35 - 14 (no change)
Vickers Mk.III - 28 (no change)
Vickers Mk.VI - 72 (no change)
Somua S35 - 30 (no change)
BT-7 - 289 (+12)
OT-133 - 191 (no change)
T-26 - 528 (no change)
T-28 - 106 (no change)
Trubia - 23 (no change)
38M Toldi I - 82 (no change)
7TPdw - 50 (no change)
7TPjw - 73 (no change)
AMC 35 - 107 (-4)
T-15 - 32 (no change)
Char 2C - 35 (no change)
Char B1 - 126 (-11)
Cruiser Mk.I - 40 (no change)
Cruiser Mk.IV - 195 (no change)
FT-17 - 45 (no change)
Renault R35 (gr) - 44 (no change)
Hotchkiss H35 - 143 (no change)
Matilda I - 238 (no change)
FT-17 (pl) - 22 (no change)
R1 - 35 (no change)
Renault R35 - 85 (no change)
TKS - 80 (-20)
FT-17 (yu) - 58 (no change)
Renault R35 (yu) - 126 (no change)
Matilda II - 185 (no change)
Wasp MkIIC - 72 (no change)
M13/40 - 32 (no change)
L6/40 - 36 (no change)
KV-1/40 - 231 (no change)
KV-2 - 187 (-9)
T-34/40 - 467 (no change)
KV-1/41 - 221 (-31)
T-50 - 214 (-18)
M14/41 - 61 (-7)
T-34/41 - 355 (no change)
T-60 - 339 (+51)
Valentine III - 77 (-18)
OT-34 - 186 (+38)
M3 Lee - 68 (+30)
KV-1/42 - 196 (+94)
Toldi IIa - 37 (-9)
T-34/42 - 895 (+551)
L6/40 Lf - 170 (+48)
PT-34 - 56 (+38)
Churchill Mk.II - 40 (+40)
M4 Sherman - 20 (no change)
T-70 - 442 (+326)
M15/42 - 46 (+46)
Churchill Mk.IV - 22 (+22)
T-34/43 - 782 (+746)
T-34-57 - 79 (+7)
KV-85 - 104 (+104)
IS-1 - 100 (+100)
T-34-85 - 22 (+22)

Recon:

AMC P16 - 41 (-4)
BA-6 - 90 (no change)
Bilbao - 55 (no change)
UNL-35 - 128 (no change)
SP wz. 29 - 19 (no change)
SP wz. 34 - 48 (no change)
T-38 - 111 (-25)
BA-10 - 340 (+41)
AAC-1937 - 127 (no change)
Panhard 178 - 195 (-41)
Morris CS9 LAC - 56 (-14)
Daimler Dingo - 88 (no change)
Humber AC Mk.I - 52 (-14)
AB 40 - 46 (no change)
BA-64 - 316 (+45)
DK Motorcycle - 64 (-14)
Mototsikl - 83 (+41)
GAZ-67B - 60 (+60)
AB 43 - 71 (+71)

Anti-Tank:

AT-1 - 108 (no change)
45mm M1937 - 200 (no change)
25mm SA 34 - 89 (no change)
37mm wz. 36 - 92 (no change)
47mm SA 37 - 102 (no change)
47mm Bohler - 124 (no change)
QF 2 pounder - 295 (no change)
45mm M1932 - 51 (no change)
37mm M.39 - 36 (no change)
47mm M.36 - 44 (no change)
37mm Bofors - 48 (no change)
37mm M1930 - 64 (no change)
T-13 - 15 (no change)
2pdr portee - 18 (no change)
57mm M1941 - 228 (+18)
SU-100Y - 0 (no change)
Autocannone 90/53 - 45 (+45)
45mm M1942 - 300 (+124)
ZIS-30 - 138 (+11)
76.2mm M1942 - 38 (+36)
SU-57 - 226 (+143)
SU-76i - 107 (+41)
SU-122 - 23 (-3)
SU-152 - 407 (+407)
57mm M1943 - 52 (+52)
SU-85 - 67 (+67)

Artillery:

203mm M1931 - 241 (+3)
105mm Vickers M22 - 109 (-6)
75mm Schneider M06 - 47 (no change)
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 100 (no change)
SU-5-2 - 96 (no change)
70mm Schneider M08 - 133 (no change)
BT-7A - 185 (-24)
BL 4.5 inch - 146 (no change)
105mm wz. 29 - 72 (no change)
122mm M10/30 - 87 (-6)
122mm M1938 - 432 (+42)
152mm M10/30 - 87 (-12)
152mm M1938 - 252 (+56)
155mm wz. 17 - 28 (no change)
75mm wz. 97 - 52 (no change)
76.2mm M1939 - 222 (no change)
105mm mle 1913 - 120 (no change)
155mm C mle 1917 - 133 (no change)
75mm mle 1897 - 139 (no change)
105mm M.1925/27 - 192 (no change)
155mm M.1917 - 36 (no change)
75mm M.1919 - 96 (no change)
105mm Bofors - 84 (no change)
150mm Krupp - 62 (no change)
75mm Krupp - 74 (no change)
7.5 cm m/01 - 70 (no change)
105mm M.13 - 36 (no change)
155mm M.17 - 42 (no change)
75mm M.15 - 98 (no change)
BL 7.2 inch - 75 (-4)
QF 25 pounder - 114 (-2)
BM-13 Katyusha - 326 (+62)
76.2mm M1942 - 58 (+10)
SP-T-18 - 83 (+8)
BM-8-8 - 88 (-4)
BL 5.5 inch - 53 (-3)
SU-76 - 127 (+84)
SU-122 - 204 (+188)
SU-76M - 55 (+55)
76.2mm M1943 - 78 (+78)
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 73 (no change)
BM-8-24 - 46 (+26)

Anti-Aircraft:

Gaz-AA MG - 133 (-21)
20mm M/38 - 81 (-3)
20mm M33 - 124 (no change)
20mm Oerlikon (gb) - 38 (no change)
37mm M1939 - 310 (+12)
40mm Bofors (gb) - 156 (no change)
40mm wz. 36 - 98 (no change)
75mm Vickers M1931 - 23 (no change)
75mm wz. 36 - 78 (no change)
76.2mm M31 - 80 (no change)
75mm FRC M27 - 14 (no change)
25mm CA mle 39 - 64 (-1)
37mm mle 30 - 116 (no change)
75mm mle 39 - 77 (-6)
20mm Oerlikon (nl) - 28 (no change)
40mm Bofors (nl) - 38 (no change)
75mm Vickers/Resita - 18 (no change)
40mm m/36 - 34 (no change)
75mm m/32 - 32 (no change)
QF 3 inch - 138 (no change)
20mm M.35 - 94 (no change)
80mm M.05/32 - 32 (no change)
85mm M1939 - 247 (+46)
Vickers AA - 42 (-14)
20 mm portee - 15 (no change)
40 mm SPAA - 30 (no change)
QF 3.7 inch - 16 (no change)
SU-6 - 56 (-6)
T-90 SPAAG - 80 (+10)
37mm Zis-42 - 70 (+32)
SU-11 - 24 (+24)
20/70 quadruplo - 71 (+36)

Fighter:

I-16 - 35 (no change)
PZL P.11c - 17 (no change)
Fokker D.XXI - 12 (-7)
LaGG-3 - 17 (no change)
I-15 - 15 (no change)
P-40 - 19 (+19)
D.520 - 9 (-8)
Spitfire Mk.II - 63 (+7)
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 16 (-4)
Meteor Mk.III - 0 (no change)
MiG-3 - 94 (-21)
Yak-1 - 69 (no change)
Pe-3 - 18 (-10)
P-38E - 15 (+15)
La-5 - 27 (-10)
Me 262A - 0 (-5)

Tactical Bomber:

Ca.135 - 33 (-1)
Breguet 693 - 29 (no change)
Sukhoi Su-2 - 20 (-3)
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 43 (-3)
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 76 (-5)
Tupolev Tu-2 - 28 (-1)

Strategic Bomber:

PZL P.37B Los - 13 (no change)
Petlyakov Pe-8 - 12 (-7)
Stirling Mk.I - 25 (-2)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 61 (+29)
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29 (+29)

Thoughts:

With a lot of new vehicles appearing in 1943 there were a few noticeable upgrades to my core, but some only in the late stages of the DLC and some even will have to wait until 1944, as they were obtained just in the very last mission in adequate numbers. A lot of this is much better than what I have used so far and more versatile, such as the excellent SU-152. However, as this equipment gets better, it is much more challenging to capture it without a lot of losses. Even surrounded and suppressed, these units fire back quite hard, so a lot of AT support is always needed to discourage surrounded units from trying to break through. As for my air force, after Taman Peninsula it really did its job well, but who knows, next DLC might have another air only mission, so I'll try to keep it in reasonable shape so that I may use it once more if these planes are required. For the rest of the 1944 I will probably rely on AA Veteran more and more, especially playing the historical losing campaign.

That was quite the performance. That prestige increase is insane.

Taman is winnable (i.e. no breach to the end of the scenario) with a good set of heroes and up-to-date equipment. Luftwaffe units supporting Panzer Gruppe 1 annihilated the enemy with support from the existing ground units in my first run. However, that run had the Me 262 with its ace, an He 219 with First strike (both equipped with Rapid Fire 1.5x), and other killer planes and tactical bombers that had some really good hero combinations as well (double attack + lightning attack on two bombers, in addition to Rudel having the same combo on a third). I also upgraded the Il-2 to FW190F, with another First Strike hero.

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:54 pm That prestige increase is insane.

The power capture traits are real if the whole run focuses on that, but ironically it's also pretty useless aside from a personal challenge to try and build up to a million by 1945.

I can have all the prestige in the world this run, but if the enemy does not bring new stuff to the battlefield there's not many upgrades happening.

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:54 pm Taman is winnable (i.e. no breach to the end of the scenario) with a good set of heroes and up-to-date equipment. Luftwaffe units supporting Panzer Gruppe 1 annihilated the enemy with support from the existing ground units in my first run. However, that run had the Me 262 with its ace, an He 219 with First strike (both equipped with Rapid Fire 1.5x), and other killer planes and tactical bombers that had some really good hero combinations as well (double attack + lightning attack on two bombers, in addition to Rudel having the same combo on a third). I also upgraded the Il-2 to FW190F, with another First Strike hero.

I guess even if I equipped my P.11c, I-16, I-15 and Fokkers with the same heroes, It would still not be as efficient. I can see a 5 star I-15 with First Strike and Rapid Fire taking out 2 Yak-9D and then getting shot down in return fire (but maybe not, the He 112 in the Wunderwaffe run is still in service after all with good results!). The bunkers and Romanian infantry did the hard work blocking the ground this time.

AO 1944 - Shanderovka

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 412335

Hero:

None, as per usual.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85
PzAbt 4 - IS-1
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24

I do not have many T-34-85 parts yet, the IS-1 is slower than a regular tank and the BM-8-24 is also slower, but all these are needed in 1944. Increased defense will be critical as I need to account for elite troops and a scary air force compared to the one I can deploy.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Expert Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


I hope this snow storm will not result in friendly fire, seeing how I'm mostly using Soviet vehicles.


Here we go, as per usual hunting equipment first, objectives second.


Double Attack / Tank Killer heroes are defenseless against the power of the encirclement.


Even with 28 power, an OT-34 cannot really penetrate tank armor, so looks like some free parts coming up! Of course, I need to end the mission the same turn, as other insane units in the area won't go down that easily and also, as far as I remember, they have nothing better I could grab than this.

Final Prestige: 423220 (up 10885)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-60 - 327 (-2) - in use
OT-34 - 226 (+50) - in use
T-70 - 432 (-4) - in use
T-34/43 - 828 (+46)
KV-85 - 110 (+16) - in use
IS-1 - 89 (+9) - in use
BA-64 - 336 (+30) - in use
AB 43 - 59 (-2) - in use
M3A1 Scout Car - 34 (+34)
SU-76i - 129 (+32) - in use
SU-85 - 115 (+58) - in use
BM-13 Katyusha - 340 (+28)
SU-76 - 155 (+32)
SU-76M - 44 (-1) - in use
BM-8-24 - 64 (+28) - in use

Overall:

This was quite the intense mission given the circumstances. The snow makes capturing easier, as I can sneak up on the enemy, but also they can simply ambush themselves by accident, wasting perfectly good parts. The meant that I had to carefully balance my support fire between preventing losses and destroying potential targets. I am mostly happy about the capture of new flame tanks from the overpowered group. These were by accident the only valuable targets I could get my hands on, but if their friends came along things would not be pretty, so I ended the mission immediately to not push my luck.

AO 1944 - Lysyanka

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 425053

Hero:


Finally, the hero was long overdue! I could use his power in many different ways, be it for forcing surrenders more easily, or reducing losses on units. However, he's most needed in my air force, as there will be almost no resupply chances for planes and I need to make every machine count in the air. Due to this, I make a slight pilot rearrangements. Avenger and Prudent heroes join the MiG-3 unit, as that one has an overabundance of parts, while Wagner joins Heinrich Bar to benefit from Double Attack the most. On a side note, PzAbt 14 gained Skilled Support now, so the Expert Support Hero there gets moved to Panzerjäger Abt 5.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - **** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - SU-57 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942 - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Sometimes the biggest disadvantage of a snowstorm is ambushes they cause. Normally it is a great way to deal with dangerous enemies instantly, but here I do not want this to happen, I prefer having the opponents to surrender normally.


Evac transports can't fight, but they can still help encircle targets that are fully suppressed, to prevent them from getting out.


As long as Soviets use T-70 light tanks, this instant surrender vehicle will continue to replenish parts indefinitely.

Final Prestige: 435758 (up 10705)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 176 (-1) - in use
T-60 - 322 (-5) - in use
OT-34 - 225 (-1) - in use
T-70 - 459 (+31) - in use
T-34-85 - 11 (-1) - in use
BA-64 - 350 (+14) - in use
Mototsikl - 121 (+48) - in use
M3A1 Scout Car - 46 (+12) - in use
SU-57 - 217 (-1) - in use
SU-76i - 147 (+18) - in use
SU-152 - 392 (-5) - in use
57mm M1943 - 68 (+16)
SU-85 - 114 (-1) - in use
ISU-122 - 30 (+30)
122mm M1938 - 446 (+14)
BM-13 Katyusha - 350 (+10)
SU-76M - 43 (-1) - in use
76.2mm M1943 - 108 (+30)
BM-8-24 - 82 (+18) - in use
37mm M1939 - 338 (+28)
85mm M1939 - 245 (+8) - in use

Overall:

Too bad most of the overpowered Soviet units do not surrender, but at least most of them had things I already gathered for my core. ISU-122 is the most valuable gain, as it is universal, powerful and relatively slot cheap. I also managed to get a solid resupply elsewhere and thus gained some solid replacements. Losses remain low, which was rather surprising, I expected the AI to cause me more damage, but I guess it really did not fancy my AT fire, even with those crazy tanks in the middle.

AO 1944 - Operation Margarethe

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 439240


Added to II./JG 3, as aside from Famous and maybe some niche use for Learns from Mistakes, I really do not benefit from this hero more.

Hero:


I'm cursed by River Assault in most of my runs, this one is not an exception. At least I can assign the hero to AufkAbt 7 to give it that amphibious tank flavor it should have.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122

Very important upgrade, as all units that can swap artillery and AT mode are invaluable for capturing, plus the SU-57 was really getting obsolete already.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 38M Toldi IIa - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - SU-76i - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - **** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Fighter

IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942 - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Some in-advance knowledge about the map helps. I know there is no air resistance, so I can use my old Entrenchment Killer fighters to help with surrenders in fortified positions and also to safely gain some of the experience stars they need.


Plan is simple, capture all vehicles that become newly available, destroy infantry units.


Auxiliary troops doing a good job as well, they help secure some interesting targets.

Final Prestige: 452058 (up 12818)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-60 - 319 (-3) - in use
T-70 - 455 (-4) - in use
41M Turan II - 142 (+142)
T-34-85 - 9 (-2) - in use
39M Csaba - 14 (+14)
AB 43 - 57 (-2) - in use
43M Zrinyi II - 32 (+32)
105mm 37M - 28 (+28)
150mm Bofors - 16 (+16)
80mm 18M - 62 (+62)
SU-76M - 42 (-1) - in use
40M Nimrod - 34 (+34)

Overall:

Change of pace this time, in a relatively safe city combat scenario. Not having much infantry would be an issue if not for the good amount of artillery and some useful anti-infantry tanks. Having access to the freshly captured stock of Hungarian equipment will surely improve my situation. None of this is as impressive as the Soviet made equivalents, but at the very least it will allow to upgrade some of the older kit that is desperately looking for any modifications it can get. 41M Turan II and 43M Zrinyi II especially are a welcome change, but the 40M Nimrod is probably just a bit too weak at what it does compared to my existing tools.

AO 1944 - Targu Frumos

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 454659

Hero:


I normally really like Provocator heroes, but in Panzermon their effect can be counterproductive, as they can accidentally take out units I would prefer to capture instead. Still, they remain the best choice for dealing with difficult targets that need to be destroyed outright and in protecting weaker units. As such, assigned to PzAbt 4, since IS tanks are one of the better protected ones.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II

Two Hungarian upgrades for this mission. The 41M Turan II does now have Rapid Fire, but still has a 2 slot cost and a lot more parts, so as an anti-infantry support tank it will do well. 43M Zrinyi II is slower than the Su-76i, but has more ammo, a feature I cannot underestimate in light of increasing Soviet armor presence.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - **** - Liberator
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - **** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - **** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.II - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - 45mm M1942 - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - 25mm CA mle 39
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - D.520 - *** - Leadership - equipment shortages
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
II./SG 2 - Breguet 693 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


I need quite a few units in this area, especially since I do not pack the power of multiple Double Attack artillery pieces like in Panzermon.


From time to time, I let the Soviet bombers have a go at the Romanian fleet to lure them out of fighter cover and take out this way.


I am doing well, but I need to improve my line of sight since I cannot counter enemy artillery otherwise and it is freely firing at my units.


As I feared, Provocator works a bit too well and denies me some valuable parts.


Hunt for the new flame tank.

Final Prestige: 471891 (up 17232)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 174 (-2) - in use
T-50 - 195 (-8) - in use
OT-34 - 217 (-8) - in use
T-70 - 473 (-8) - in use
T-34/43 - 888 (+24)
41M Turan II - 124 (-8) - in use
IS-1 - 87 (-2) - in use
OT-34-85 - 473 (+28)
T-34-85 - 47 (+36) - in use
T-38 - 98 (-3) - in use
Morris CS9 LAC - 45 (-1) - in use
AB 43 - 56 (-1) - in use
SU-152 - 416 (+24) - in use
SU-85 - 140 (+36) - in use
ISU-122 - 42 (+22) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 76 (-1) - in use
152mm M1938 - 262 (+2)
BL 7.2 inch - 64 (-1) - in use
BM-8-8 - 104 (+16)
SU-122 - 193 (-1) - in use
SU-76M - 34 (-8) - in use
76.2mm M1943 - 120 (+12)
BM-8-24 - 93 (+11) - in use
37mm M1939 - 348 (+10)
SU-6 - 43 (-3) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 82 (+12) - in use
Spitfire Mk.II - 47 (-6) - in use
Spitfire Mk.IX - 59 (+59)
A-36 - 64 (+64)

Overall:

Setting up the captures in this scenario was a relatively complex thing to do considering the needs of each section of the front. In the east, in the crowded close terrain, it was easier to control the situation and safely stop the enemy advance, waiting for opportunities to target individual units. At the same time, the mass of Soviet forces concentrated in a small area meant that getting to the most wanted vehicles was often more complicated than usual. In the east, the open fields gave much more freedom of movement, but the sheer firepower of the tanks gathered there meant that a singe bad decision could lead to heavy losses, and in fact I did get my units hit a few times due to insufficient AT cover. In the air, it was surprisingly easy to keep the destroyers safe. I was concerned that my weaker fighters might not be enough to provide escort, but as it turns out, just passively protecting them would be enough to discourage the enemy and only occasionally allowing them to bomb a single ship lured smaller portions of the bomber fleet and helped destroy it on my terms.

AO 1944 - Cernauti

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 477021


Added to Infanterie Reg 2 (span.), as my capacity for infantry heroes is very limited.

Hero:


Added to PzAbt 12. While the unit for now does not have impressive firepower, I hope it will have a chance to get better armor later.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II
Former II./SG 2, now II./ZG 1 - A-36

New T-34 flame variant has much better armor stats, which will help prevent accidental damage, so even with less parts overall it will probably last longer. Getting the new Spitfire Mk.IX is more important however, as it allows me to put the Mk.II in service in III./JG 3, to account for the shortage in D.520 parts (I know in theory using the same variant of a vehicle is not ideal for the run, but with planes the choice is much smaller). This will just leave III./JG 4 to maybe be rearmed one day, but this does not seem to be a quick thing to happen. As for the A-36, I still had some older bombers available, but among them the Breguet 693 is by far the most obsolete one, so II./SG 2 gets reformed as II./ZG 1. Finally, circumstances of the mission force me to deploy FlaK Abt 9 with some modern vehicles to assist and provide better AA cover. Due to similar reasons, rather green Panzerjäger Abt 5 gets deployed.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11

Fighter

II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Thanks to First Strike, Bar's unit is one of the few that can get into action immediately, without waiting for the enemy planes to be significantly weakened first.


Moving slowly ahead, mostly with minimal losses.


Now it is time to take out the wooden mockups and move to the part of the front where the actual attack takes place.

Final Prestige: 486120 (up 9099)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-70 - 506 (+33) - in use
M15/42 - 29 (-7) - in use
41M Turan II - 123 (-1) - in use
KV-85 - 106 (-5) - in use
BA-64 - 372 (+22) - in use
Mototsikl - 131 (+10) - in use
GAZ-67B - 72 (+12)
AB 43 - 55 (-1) - in use
M3A1 Scout Car - 54 (+8)
SU-76i - 171 (+24) - in use
57mm M1943 - 74 (+6)
ISU-122 - 60 (+18) - in use
BL 7.2 inch - 61 (-3) - in use
SU-122 - 185 (-8) - in use
SU-76M - 49 (+15) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 102 (+20) - in use
Spitfire Mk.II - 46 (-1) - in use
MiG-3 - 82 (-2) - in use
A-36 - 53 (-1) - in use

Overall:

Knowing now that it is a simple mission without large and dangerous concentrations of Soviet armies yet at the same time with a huge air presence to deal with, I was able to prepare accordingly. This set up allowed even the old fighter planes to once again gain some extra experience and be useful, even if at this point they really do not stand the test of time. No particularly useful captures happened, but a decent amount of support vehicles was added to the pull and these are all machines that will probably stay in service until the end of the war. I also am more willing to actively use my own planes. It does mean some extra chip damage, but at least it keeps them active, slowly gathering medals and experience. I was almost surely too passive with this in 1939 and 1940, or even 1941 where there were more chances to train up planes against weaker opposing forces.

AO 1944 - Minsk Offensive

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 486820

Added to Infanterie Reg 2 (span.), as my capacity for infantry heroes is very limited.

Hero:

None due to special scenario conditions.

Starting Army Composition:

None, custom force only.

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer
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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Skilled Support, Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


With these bridge engineers taken care of, it is hard for the enemy to make a decisive push in the area. However, I still try to retreat this time to prevent issues with the 5th Guards Tank Army scattering.


AA Veteran trait is really a life saver in this scenario, it shows its worth once more.


Unfavorable trade, but for IS-2 tanks, I can take it.


The enemy line is breaking, but I still need to take the crossings.

Final Prestige: 495249 (up 8429)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-34/43 - 912 (+24)
IS-1 - 113 (+26) - in use
T-34-85 - 189 (+142) - in use
IS-2 - 22 (+22)
SU-152 - 432 (+16) - in use
57mm M1943 - 80 (+6)
SU-85 - 168 (+28) - in use
ISU-122 - 80 (+20) - in use
122mm M1938 - 474 (+28)
BM-8-24 - 107 (+14) - in use
BM-31 Katyusha - 24 (+24)

Overall:

This is a strange scenario for the Panzermon core. One the one hand, my capturing options are limited by not having the custom core and also being restricted by a rather aggressive timeline. On the other hand, the custom commander traits work really well even with this auxiliary force. AA Veteran as mentioned above is a wonderful trait here, as it greatly reduces losses to Il-2 bombers and often totally shuts down fighter strafing runs, allowing time for the Luftwaffe to try and regain at least air parity. Deadly Grasp also combines well with the ability to set up small encirclements for those Soviet units that form bridgeheads after crossing the river and help mitigate their otherwise visible advantages. There is also the instant surrender hero on one of the Tiger tanks, who I employed to get as much captures as possible, especially the new IS-2 tanks that appears here for the first time.

AO 1944 - Lublin

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 498427

Hero:


No good heroes for me this time! Added to I./JG 3, because why not.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-1 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - **** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Skilled Support, Expert Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


This will be extremely tough, I'm not even looking at captures for now. I have deleted four enemy tanks in a single Provocator trap, but the 1st Armored Brigade is relentless and I have less ammo than there are enemies.


Critical breakthrough achieved! The No Supply / Zero Slots hero is essential for making this work, as it can push from the other side of the besieging Soviet forces.


Evacuated forces should be quite useful in retaking the crossings, as I am not actively defending them this time...


...just making a stand near Lipsko and will move from there.


This lone infantry unit held the position for two whole turns, buying me a lot of valuable time.

Final Prestige: 519907 (up 21480)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

Char B1 - 107 (-9) - in use
KV-2 - 170 (-4) - in use
T-60 - 308 (-11) - in use
M3 Lee - 55 (-3) - in use
PT-34 - 62 (+16) - in use
T-70 - 508 (+2) - in use
T-34/43 - 961 (+50)
KV-85 - 102 (-4) - in use
IS-1 - 135 (+22) - in use
OT-34-85 - 11 (-7) - in use
T-34-85 - 259 (+70) - in use
IS-2 - 56 (+34)
Mototsikl - 143 (+12) - in use
GAZ-67B - 94 (+12)
SU-57 - 241 (+14)
SU-152 - 429 (-3) - in use
SU-85 - 191 (+23) - in use
ISU-122 - 126 (+46) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 75 (-2) - in use
BM-13 Katyusha - 362 (+12)
SU-76M - 73 (+24) - in use
ISU-152 - 16 (+16)
BM-8-24 - 98 (-9) - in use
BM-31 Katyusha - 28 (+4)
75mm mle 39 - 61 (-6) - in use
Vickers AA - 27 (-5) - in use
SU-6 - 42 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 100 (-2) - in use
37mm Zis-42 - 84 (+14)
Spitfire Mk.IX - 48 (-1) - in use

Overall:

Since Panzermon has a very specific tank heavy core it is not well suited for some of the defensive operations it could otherwise do, as it cannot use close terrain in an advantageous way. Lack of overstrength also makes it risky to rely on single units and the fact that not all equipment is still of equal quality further causes some pain points. The best part of my core is overpowered, but the quality drop is quick, and some of the supporting units can barely hold ground. This is of course quickly changing in 1944 as same of the new captures do a good jobs and there even more new stuff coming, but while normal and bonus objectives are not a problem, the elite ones can be true challenge to achieve. All as it should be really.

AO 1944 - Warsaw Rising

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 517964

Hero:


Immediately assigned to II./JG 1, it's not even a question. My fighter force needs every bit of support it can get to stay competitive.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 4 - IS-2

I have some more upgrades in mind, but not enough parts yet. The IS-2 has a decent supply already and is perfect for now. It is slower than the IS-1, but with Provocator I am looking for different qualities. Note that it costs 9 slots, but Zer Slots Ulrich Hoffmann gets assigned to PzAbt 1 instead. This is because sometimes the IS-2 might be simply too slow to be worth deploying, while the T-34-85 will always be useful and universal.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - *** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M15/42 - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - **** - Leadership

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support


Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Fighter

II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - Entrenchment Killer 4x

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - **
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


With proper AA cover things are going to be much easier than last time, or at least I hope so.


I plan to move east and engage first the Polish army and then the Soviets to capture some extra equipment, before capturing the city proper.


Shermans will be a nice upgrade for some of my older vehicles.


I check if fighting the Soviets is possible, but after seeing these combat predictions for my more powerful tanks, I decide to just end the mission. The terrain is open and the frontline too vast to make a proper stand and try to rely on support fire. I would get surrounded and quickly overwhelmed.

Final Prestige: 542279 (up 254315)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 169 (-1) - in use
M3 Lee - 72 (+17) - in use
M4 Sherman - 46 (+26)
41M Turan II - 120 (-3) - in use
AMC P16 - 30 (-1) - in use
M3A1 Scout Car - 70 (+16)
SU-57 - 257 (+16)
203mm M1931 - 230 (-1) - in use
BT-7A - 172 (-3) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 72 (-3) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 75 (-1) - in use
BL 7.2 inch - 60 (-1) - in use
SU-76 - 171 (+16)
SU-122 - 183 (-2) - in use
BM-8-24 - 97 (-1) - in use
75mm mle 39 - 60 (-1) - in use
La-5 - 16 (-1) - in use

Overall:

It was not as bad trying to defeat the uprising forces with just a limited number of infantry forces, since I could still rely on massive artillery support and abuse the fact that districts are separated by paths of open terrain. It meant that the process was of course slower than a more infantry focused attempt, but still successful. By the time Polish reinforcements arrived, the situation was mostly secure and I was ably to block the river crossings, while focusing on dealing with remining infantry and bunkers, to the move an intercept the Polish army, capturing some valuable equipment, especially the Shermans and extra parts for the Lee tank supply. Both are not too impressive, but certainly better than some of the vintage vehicles I still used in a few units.

AO 1944 - Operation Panzerfaust

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 543262

Hero:


In this run, the hero is perfect for my fighters that want to attack bombers or ground targets, but need to evade opposing air forces, as was already proven a many times. For this reason assigned to II./JG 4, as the P38E has a massive pool of 16 move points.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman

This upgrade helps due to more speed, more soft attack and better defensive values. Not to mention I have more parts. Most of Italian equipment at this point is getting phased out anyway as it struggles to remain relevant.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - *** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - **** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Fighter

III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive

Strategic Bomber

IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Some Hungarians advance, but do not attack in the end, as I set up dense defensive formations.


Catching a Hungarian plane on the airfield during rain was worth this damage.


Siege of Buda Castle is slow, I want to get as many vehicles as I can.

Final Prestige: 554430 (up 11168)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

TKS - 69 (-1) - in use
KV-2 - 167 (-2) - in use
T-50 - 191 (-4) - in use
T-60 - 306 (-2) - in use
M3 Lee - 61 (-9) - in use
Toldi IIa - 65 (+28)
PT-34 - 58 (-4) - in use
M4 Sherman - 34 (-2) - in use
T-70 - 505 (-3) - in use
41M Turan II - 144 (+24) - in use
Panzer IIIM - 6 (+6)
Panther A - 6 (+6)
Tiger I - 16 (+16)
T-34-85 - 249 (-10) - in use
39M Csaba - 36 (+22)
AB 43 - 53 (-2) - in use
SU-152 - 428 (-1) - in use
43M Zrinyi II - 63 (+49) - in use
BT-7A - 166 (-6) - in use
105mm 37M - 74 (+46)
150mm Bofors - 44 (+28)
80mm 18M - 74 (+12)
15cm Nebelwerfer 41 - 12 (+12)
SU-122 - 181 (-2) - in use
Gaz-AA MG - 120 (-3) - in use
75mm mle 39 - 53 (-7) - in use
85mm M1939 - 243 (-2) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 98 (-2) - in use
40M Nimrod - 122 (+88)
I-16 - 24 (-1) - in use

Overall:

This was an almost relaxing mission yet again after the past several scenarios. I was able to not only slowly advance and take my time capturing everything I can, but also build up experience on some additional units as well as capture some further supplies of Hungarian machines. Ironically in this captured pools there are some German tanks and other things, but I will not reuse them even if they are spoils of war, it would defeat the point of the run trying to use non-German production only. Unfortunately with the last 1944 mission incoming, there is nothing I can upgrade anymore. There are some interesting targets in the Battle of Carei scenario itself, but they will not come into play until 1945.

AO 1944 - Battle of Carei

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 556536

Hero:


Is there some random bias towards this hero in 1944? Oh well, added to Panzerjäger Abt 6 if I ever use it.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - **** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Fighter

II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Due to the rain I missed a sneaky Soviet tank unit and my artillery got hit by it.


Rain does not stop and the ground is muddy. Advancing with the counterattack will be severely delayed.


Massive traps result in great captures, but the mud is making this risky, as forward units can easily get git, forced to retreat and surrender if they cannot do so.


At this stage of the war, the Verdeja 2 is not what it used to be...

Final Prestige: 589311 (up 32775)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-50 - 181 (-10) - in use
T-60 - 297 (-9) - in use
T-70 - 500 (-5) - in use
T-34/43 - 978 (+16)
T-3 - 10 (+10)
KV-85 - 145 (+43) - in use
OT-34-85 - 10 (-1) - in use
T-34-85 - 336 (+87) - in use
IS-2 - 76 (+30) - in use
T-44 - 16 (+16)
T-44/100 - 20 (+20)
BA-64 - 380 (-8) - in use
AB 43 - 49 (-4) - in use
SU-152 - 446 (++18) - in use
SU-85 - 200 (+9) - in use
TACAM T-60 - 14 (+14)
ISU-122 - 155 (+19) - in use
Stug IIIG - 6 (+6)
Jagdpanther - 8 (+8)
TACAM R-2 - 18 (+18)
Mareșal - 52 (+52)
203mm M1931 - 263 (+33) - in use
BT-7A - 163 (-3) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 65 (-7) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 72 (-3) - in use
105mm model 1913 - 8 (+8)
150mm model 1934 - 12 (+12)
SU-122 - 176 (-5) - in use
ISU-152 - 34 (+18)
BM-8-24 - 109 (+12) - in use
BM-31 Katyusha - 46 (+18)
76mm Land Mattress - 59 (+59)
25mm Hotchkiss - 10 (+10)
Vickers AA - 23 (-4) - in use
37mm Zis-42 - 106 (+22)
SU-11 - 10 (-4) - in use
Wirbelwind - 18 (+18)

Overall:

That was a long, but interesting scenario, as it sets up perfect opportunities for capturing. As mentioned in the debriefing, it was one of the last successful major offensives and attack always favors the capturing side, especially with the right traits. There were of course the occasional misses of units in the rain and a surprising impact of muddy ground that I did not encounter in this scenario previously, but aside from this, things went smoothly and the new Romanian anti-tank units will be a major upgrade in 1945. Too bad that some got acquired in limited numbers, but the Mareșal is the best an most valuable one, so for now I will probably limit myself to it only.

AO 1944 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 412335
Final Prestige: 589311 (up 176976)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer
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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-34-85 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-50 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - SU-76i - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - BT-7A - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Armored Train

Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Trophies of War (compared to end of 1943):

Tank:

BT-5 - 100 (no change)
L3/35 - 14 (no change)
Vickers Mk.III - 28 (no change)
Vickers Mk.VI - 72 (no change)
Somua S35 - 30 (no change)
BT-7 - 289 (no change)
OT-133 - 191 (no change)
T-26 - 528 (no change)
T-28 - 106 (no change)
Trubia - 23 (no change)
38M Toldi I - 82 (no change)
7TPdw - 50 (no change)
7TPjw - 73 (no change)
AMC 35 - 107 (no change)
T-15 - 32 (no change)
Char 2C - 35 (no change)
Char B1 - 117 (-9)
Cruiser Mk.I - 40 (no change)
Cruiser Mk.IV - 195 (no change)
FT-17 - 45 (no change)
Renault R35 (gr) - 44 (no change)
Hotchkiss H35 - 143 (no change)
Matilda I - 238 (no change)
FT-17 (pl) - 22 (no change)
R1 - 35 (no change)
Renault R35 - 85 (no change)
TKS - 79 (-1)
FT-17 (yu) - 58 (no change)
Renault R35 (yu) - 126 (no change)
Matilda II - 185 (no change)
Wasp MkIIC - 72 (no change)
M13/40 - 32 (no change)
L6/40 - 36 (no change)
KV-1/40 - 231 (no change)
KV-2 - 177 (-10)
T-34/40 - 467 (no change)
KV-1/41 - 221 (no change)
T-50 - 191 (-23)
M14/41 - 61 (no change)
T-34/41 - 355
T-60 - 307 (-23)
Valentine III - 77 (no change)
OT-34 - 227 (+41)
M3 Lee - 71 (+3)
KV-1/42 - 196 (no change)
Toldi IIa - 65 (+28)
T-34/42 - 895 (no change)
L6/40 Lf - 170 (no change)
PT-34 - 68 (+12)
Churchill Mk.II - 40 (no change)
M4 Sherman - 44 (+24)
T-70 - 510 (+68)
M15/42 - 39 (-7)
Churchill Mk.IV - 22 (no change)
T-34/43 - 978 (+196)
T-3 - 10 (+10)
T-34-57 - 79 (no change)
41M Turan II - 154 (+50)
Panzer IIIM - 6 (+6)
KV-85 - 155 (+55)
IS-1 - 145 (+123)
Panther A - 6 (+6)
Tiger I - 16 (+16)
OT-34-85 - 20 (+20)
T-34-85 - 346 (+346)
IS-2 - 86 (+86)
T-44 - 16 (+16)
T-44/100 - 20 (+20)

Recon:

AMC P16 - 40 (-1)
BA-6 - 90 (no change)
Bilbao - 55 (no change)
UNL-35 - 128 (no change)
SP wz. 29 - 19 (no change)
SP wz. 34 - 48 (no change)
T-38 - 108 (-3)
BA-10 - 340 (no change)
AAC-1937 - 127 (no change)
Panhard 178 - 195 (no change)
Morris CS9 LAC - 55 (-1)
39M Csaba - 36 (+36)
Daimler Dingo - 88 (no change)
Humber AC Mk.I - 52 (no change)
AB 40 - 46 (no change)
BA-64 - 390 (+74)
DK Motorcycle - 64 (no change)
Mototsikl - 153 (+70)
GAZ-67B - 84 (+24)
AB 43 - 59 (-12)
M3A1 Scout Car - 70 (+70)

Anti-Tank:

AT-1 - 108 (no change)
45mm M1937 - 200 (no change)
25mm SA 34 - 89 (no change)
37mm wz. 36 - 92 (no change)
47mm SA 37 - 102 (no change)
47mm Bohler - 124 (no change)
QF 2 pounder - 295 (no change)
45mm M1932 - 51 (no change)
37mm M.39 - 36 (no change)
47mm M.36 - 44 (no change)
37mm Bofors - 48 (no change)
37mm M1930 - 64 (no change)
T-13 - 15 (no change)
2pdr portee - 18 (no change)
57mm M1941 - 228 (no change)
SU-100Y - 0 (no change)
Autocannone 90/53 - 45 (no change)
45mm M1942 - 310 (no change)
ZIS-30 - 138 (no change)
76.2mm M1942 - 38 (no change)
SU-57 - 257 (+31)
SU-76i - 181 (+74)
SU-122 - 23 (no change)
SU-152 - 456 (+49)
57mm M1943 - 80 (+28)
SU-85 - 210 (+143)
TACAM T-60 - 14 (+14)
ISU-122 - 165 (+165)
Stug IIIG - 6 (+6)
Jagdpanther - 8 (+8)
43M Zrinyi II - 73 (+73)
TACAM R-2 - 18 (+18)
Mareșal - 52 (+52)

Artillery:

203mm M1931 - 273 (+32)
105mm Vickers M22 - 109 (no change)
75mm Schneider M06 - 47 (no change)
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 100 (no change)
SU-5-2 - 96 (no change)
70mm Schneider M08 - 133 (no change)
BT-7A - 173 (-12)
BL 4.5 inch - 146 (no change)
105mm wz. 29 - 72 (no change)
122mm M10/30 - 75 (-12)
122mm M1938 - 474 (+42)
152mm M10/30 - 82 (-5)
152mm M1938 - 262 (+10)
155mm wz. 17 - 28 (no change)
75mm wz. 97 - 52 (no change)
76.2mm M1939 - 222 (no change)
105mm mle 1913 - 120 (no change)
155mm C mle 1917 - 133 (no change)
75mm mle 1897 - 139 (no change)
105mm M.1925/27 - 192 (no change)
155mm M.1917 - 36 (no change)
75mm M.1919 - 96 (no change)
105mm 37M - 74 (+74)
150mm Bofors - 44 (+44)
80mm 18M - 74 (+74)
105mm Bofors - 84 (no change)
150mm Krupp - 62 (no change)
75mm Krupp - 74 (no change)
7.5 cm m/01 - 70 (no change)
105mm model 1913 - 8 (+8)
150mm model 1934 - 12 (+12)
105mm M.13 - 36 (no change)
155mm M.17 - 42 (no change)
75mm M.15 - 98 (no change)
BL 7.2 inch - 70 (-5)
QF 25 pounder - 114 (no change)
BM-13 Katyusha - 362 (+36)
15cm Nebelwerfer 41 - 12 (+12)
76.2mm M1942 - 58 (no change)
SP-T-18 - 83 (no change)
BM-8-8 - 104 (+16)
BL 5.5 inch - 53 (no change)
SU-76 - 171 (+44)
SU-122 - 186 (-18)
SU-76M - 83 (+28)
76.2mm M1943 - 120 (+42)
Cruiser Mk.II CS - 73 (no change)
ISU-152 - 34 (+34)
BM-8-24 - 119 (+73)
BM-31 Katyusha - 46 (+46)
76mm Land Mattress - 59 (+59)

Anti-Aircraft:

Gaz-AA MG - 130 (-3)
20mm M/38 - 81 (no change)
20mm M33 - 124 (no change)
20mm Oerlikon (gb) - 38 (no change)
37mm M1939 - 348 (+38)
40mm Bofors (gb) - 156 (no change)
40mm wz. 36 - 98 (no change)
75mm Vickers M1931 - 23 (no change)
75mm wz. 36 - 78 (no change)
76.2mm M31 - 80 (no change)
75mm FRC M27 - 14 (no change)
25mm CA mle 39 - 64 (no change)
37mm mle 30 - 116 (no change)
75mm mle 39 - 63 (-14)
20mm Oerlikon (nl) - 28 (no change)
40mm Bofors (nl) - 38 (no change)
75mm Vickers/Resita - 18 (no change)
40mm m/36 - 34 (no change)
75mm m/32 - 32 (no change)
QF 3 inch - 138 (no change)
25mm Hotchkiss - 10 (+10)
20mm M.35 - 94 (no change)
80mm M.05/32 - 32 (no change)
85mm M1939 - 253 (+6)
Vickers AA - 33 (-9)
20 mm portee - 15 (no change)
40 mm SPAA - 30 (no change)
QF 3.7 inch - 16 (no change)
SU-6 - 52 (-4)
T-90 SPAAG - 108 (+28)
37mm Zis-42 - 106 (+36)
SU-11 - 20 (-4)
20/70 quadruplo - 71 (no change)
40M Nimrod - 122 (+122)
Wirbelwind - 18 (+18)

Fighter:

I-16 - 34 (-1)
PZL P.11c - 12 (no change)
Fokker D.XXI - 12 (no change)
LaGG-3 - 17 (no change)
I-15 - 15 (no change)
P-40 - 19 (no change)
D.520 - 9 (no change)
Spitfire Mk.II - 46 (-7)
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 16 (no change)
Meteor Mk.III - 0 (no change)
MiG-3 - 92 (-2)
Yak-1 - 69 (no change)
Pe-3 - 18 (no change)
P-38E - 15 (no change)
Spitfire Mk.IX - 58 (+58)
La-5 - 26 (-1)
Me 262A - 0 (no change)

Tactical Bomber:

Ca.135 - 33 (no change)
Breguet 693 - 29 (no change)
Sukhoi Su-2 - 20 (no change)
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 43 (no change)
Petlyakov Pe-2 - 76 (no change)
Tupolev Tu-2 - 28 (no change)
A-36 - 63 (+63)

Strategic Bomber:

PZL P.37B Los - 13 (no change)
Petlyakov Pe-8 - 12 (no change)
Stirling Mk.I - 25 (no change)
Ilyushin Il-4 - 61 (no change)
Yermolayev Yer-2 - 29 (no change)

Thoughts:

AO 1944 allowed for some great upgrades to the captured only core many of the newly acquired Soviet equipment was vastly superior to the one I used and occasional captures of Lend Lease vehicles lust the Hungarian and Romanian acquisitions meant that often just utility units use the older stuff, such as the TKS still serving a decent role as "artillery" support, or the Gaz-AA MG and Vickers AA still having enough punch with my anti-aircraft trait. The only real issue I encountered towards completing the collection was the fact that Soviet YaG-10 anti-aircraft vehicles dis not allow themselves to get captured. They bizarrely always suicided themselves into my tanks (even under correct support fire selected) which is too bad, as I could use this heavy AA piece. There is of course aloes the fact that the historical route does not favor capturing as much as the fictional one does, especially with the Caucasus mission giving access to a variety of British equipment. However, it still remains enjoyable, as it adds a bit more challenge to the run, having to rely on a smaller variety of options. Sadly, achieving one million prestige by the end of 1945 will probably not be possible.

Another great run!

Panzer73 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 8:10 pm Another great run!

Thanks! It certainly looks nice when I look at the prestige each time thanks to the undeniable power of capturing, but I enjoy the fact that things like dilemmas with the air force, not having an overabundance of all the allied equipment and a distinctive lack of certain unit types typical to the German units still make this entertaining and sometimes quite challenging to pull of those valuable hunts. Plus until we get any non-German DLC it's the only way to experience other sides of the conflict in a way, aside form multiplayer of course. That said, I will probably not get back to General level anymore in any new runs. After all of the attempts Generalissimus will likely be the way to go, but of course this will probably wait for the Western path. I have one idea for a historic Eastern run to make the historic/fictional ratio equal in my attempts, but after so many in a row, I'm keeping that one safe for the future to not get overwhelmed with content.

AO 1945 - Tata

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 598821

Hero:


I already found some utility for Provocator in this run, but it has the unfortunate side effect of sometimes going against capture attempts, so it is not as powerful as in usual situations. Added to Panzerjäger Abt 2 and we will see how it goes.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152

Time to seriously upgrade my ground forces to be able to stand up to the Soviets. I'm going to use their best equipment against them and strengthen it with any other occasional captures.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - ****

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - *

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - MiG-3 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - Yak-1 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move
III./JG 4 - Me 262A - *
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Let's see how this messy bunch does. I need to advance slowly and watch out for ambushes, yet try to capture as many targets I can.


Looking away and not having support even for a moment means that valuable equipment can get damaged.


Cloudy weather covers my advance and protects me from planes, but just in the very beginning.


Greed can have consequences. Trying to encircle a huge force costs PzAbt 2 some losses.


I know I should hurry, but this is just too tempting to pass on.


Wagner must survive, but nobody mentioned anything about intentionally using him as a shield.

Final Prestige: 625457 (up 26636)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-60 - 286 (-9) - in use
M3 Lee - 59 (-2) - in use
Toldi IIa - 146 (+71)
M4 Sherman - 24 (-10) - in use
T-70 - 606 (+106) - in use
T-34/43 - 1036 (+58)
41M Turan II - 218 (+72) - in use
KV-85 - 172 (+17) - in use
IS-1 - 187 (+42)
OT-34-85 - 5 (-5) - in use
T-34-85 - 439 (+103) - in use
IS-2 - 89 (+13) - in use
Panhard 178 - 177 (-8) - in use
BA-64 - 410 (+30) - in use
GAZ-67B - 104 (+19)
M3A1 Scout Car - 132 (+62)
45mm M1942 - 332 (+22)
SU-57 - 275 (+18)
SU-85 - 242 (+42) - in use
ISU-122 - 180 (+25) - in use
Jagdpanther - 0 (-8) - the game zeroed my "capture" upon loading the core, as it was DE only equipment
43M Zrinyi II - 110 (+47) - in use
100mm M1944 - 18 (+18)
Mareșal - 39 (-3) - in use
SU-100 - 12 (+12)
203mm M1931 - 262 (-1) - in use
122mm M1938 - 516 (+42)
76.2mm M1942 - 76 (+18)
BM-8-8 - 110 (+6)
SU-122 - 175 (-1) - in use
SU-76M - 95 (+22) - in use
ISU-152 - 19 (-5) - in use
BM-8-24 - 131 (+22) - in use
Gaz-AA MG - 118 (-2) - in use
Vickers AA - 16 (-7) - in use
SU-6 - 41 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 96 (-2) - in use
40M Nimrod - 200 (+78)
Wirbelwind - 0 (-18) - the game zeroed my "capture" upon loading the core, as it was DE only equipment
Me 210C - 69 (+69)

Overall:

First scenario ended up not that big of an issue power wise, but in terms of time, I lost quite a few turns on those grand encirclements of forces I was supposed to bypass. As such I had to hurry in the last part of the scenario and speed up may advance significantly. Annoyingly, the mission this time did not offer that much snowy weather, which made my attempts to hide from Soviet aircraft more difficult. On the positive side, the hidden caches with Me 210C fighters will be invaluable and getting my hands on some other equipment can be considered a great gain.

AO 1945 - Operation Bodenplatte

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 625765

Hero:


Added to III./JG 3. I will need all the help I can get to try achieving at least the first bonus objective.

New Equipment Provided:

II./JG 1 - Me 210C
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1
II./JG 2 - La-5
III./JG 4 - MiG-3

I have no numerous captures that can replace ground equipment yet, but Me 210C fighters will be put to good use. Yes, this is German design, but it was only used by Hungarians and it is not in DE equipment list, so it counts. Let's see if II./JG 1 can carry this whole mission. I also reshuffle some other decent planes around for extra firepower.

New Units Commissioned:

IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9

Since I can use German units in circumstances where I have free cores slots after deploying all available non-German ones, I use the 35 extra core slots I have spare to get 7 fighter squadrons. Ironically, despite having zero experience, they are better than most of my other core forces...

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
II./JG 1 - Me 210C - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Double Move, Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move
III./JG 4 - MiG-3 - *
IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer
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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Field Repairs, Vigilant, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.IV - **** - Field Repairs, River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Char B1 - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 3 - Morris CS9 LAC - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - T-38 - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - *****
FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - Gaz-AA MG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Vickers AA - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - * - Skilled Support
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


I have 35 turns, and the FlaK 8.8 can move one hex each turn. Since the map is 29 hexes wide, starting the crawl turn one is not that silly as it may seem, given I can try to abuse AA Veteran this way.


My planes will mostly finish off enemies heavily damaged by AA fire. Direct and fair combat is not an option.


Ah, right, I can capture equipment with the ground forces being under my direct control!


As I move and get the trophies, allied aircraft relentlessly shoot at my units. Fortunately, split AA fire slowly damages the opposing fighters.


Two commendations points acquired with minimal use of aircraft so far.


Once I feel it is safe to do so, I bait fighters into 8.8 cm FlaK range using the Il-2. That's some Saburo Sakai style action on the edge of survivability!


River crossed, final hangars are about to be destroyed, much equipment captured, aircraft usage remains minimal.

Final Prestige: 627743 (up 1978)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

M3 - 18 (+18)
M4 Sherman (us) - 36 (+36)
Churchill Mk.VI - 18 (+18)
Cromwell Mk.IV - 18 (+18)
Humber AC Mk.IV - 18 (+18)
Willys Jeep - 18 (+18)
M8 Greyhound - 18 (+18)
M24 Chaffee - 18 (+18)
57mm M1941 - 16 (+16)
76mm 3 Inch M5 - 34 (+34)
QF 6 pounder - 18 (+18)
M10 Wolverine - 18 (+18)
M3 75 GMC - 18 (+18)
105mm M2A1 - 68 (+68)
BL 5.5 inch - 61 (+18) - in use
Firefly Tulip - 18 (+18)
Xylophone - 18 (+18)
20mm Oerlikon (gb) - 80 (+62)
40mm Bofors (gb) - 190 (+34)
QF 3 inch - 156 (+18)
3 inch M3 - 54 (+54)
M1 Bofors - 85 (+84)
90mm M1A1 - 18 (+18)
Sherman Skink - 18 (+18)
Me 210C - 55 (-4) - in use

Overall:

Case proven, Operation Bodenplatte can be completed with almost no use of aircraft. I mostly just finished off wounded fighters with Double Move planes and occasionally sent the Me 210C in, otherwise all of this was conducted by ground units alone! Having tons of prestige to spare and being able to use it freely is great, but splitting AA units into two 5 strength ones and benefiting from AA Veteran totally changes the dynamic of the mission. Almost all planes taken out were due to AA fire or lack of room on captured/destroyed airfields... Ground forces also secured many unique vehicles in great numbers and again splitting weak stacks is the key of dealing the least possible damage when doing so.

AO 1945 - Operation Konrad III

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 628883

Hero:


For I./SG 1, as it has infinite parts.

New Units Commissioned:

PzAbt 18 - Churchill Mk.VI
PzAbt 19 - KV-1/42
PzAbt 20 - KV-2
PzAbt 21 - M4A3
PzAbt 22 - M4 Crocodile
PzAbt 23 - T-34/43
PzAbt 24 - T-34-85
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - M10 Wolverine
Panzer Artillerie Abt 4 - SU-152
Werfer Abt 2 - Calliope

Many new units available, but some will be immediately rearmed, as I already have these vehicles.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 12 - Cromwell Mk.IV
PzAbt 19 - Valentine III
PzAbt 20 - 42M Toldi IIa
PzAbt 24 - T-50
AufkAbt 3 - M3A1 Scout Car
AufkAbt 7 - M24 Chaffee
Panzer Artillerie Abt 4, now Werfer Abt 3 - BM-31 Katyusha
FlaK Abt 4 - 40M Nimrod
FlaK Abt 6 - Sherman Skink

Most upgrades here are either due to duplicate units appearing as gift ones or having to set for more sturdy vehicles, or those easier to replace. This is the last year of the historical DLC, so I don't have to worry about long term options as much. Still, I make best use of those units that do have Filed Repairs heroes giving them the unique M24 Chaffee captured in the earlier mission. T-34-85, KV-2 and SU-152 have to go, since I already have those. Later on the list 40M Nimrod and Sherman Skink offer much better ground defense values, making them less prone to getting damaged, even considering very limited parts for the Skink.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Field Repairs, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.VI - **** - River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Cromwell Mk.IV - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Field Repairs, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 22 - M4 Crocodile - ** - Vigilant

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 7 - M24 Chaffee - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - Aiming Assistance, Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Karla Wuhrer
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - M10 Wolverine - **

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - *****
Werfer Abt 2 - Calliope - **
Werfer Abt 3 - BM-31 Katyusha - **

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 40M Nimrod - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 75mm mle 39 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Sherman Skink - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - * - Skilled Support

Fighter

II./JG 1 - Me 210C - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - *** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Cheap Replacements, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel

Strategic Bomber

IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
PzAbt 18 - Matilda II- **
PzAbt 19 - Valentine III - **
PzAbt 20 - 42M Toldi IIa - **
PzAbt 21 - M4A3 - **
PzAbt 23 - T-34/43 - **
PzAbt 24 - T-50 - **
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - M3A1 Scout Car - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Double Move, Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
III./JG 4 - MiG-3 - *
IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


There is a small group working on the remote location in the southwest.


As I move from the south, I attempt an encirclement for many captures...


...but breaking through enemies in the north to achieve that will be difficult and time is very limited.


I will be able to capture the crossing just in time as the mission ends.


Reaching Budapest is out of the question. What's worse, it means it's another mission where there's a AA YaG-10 available, but I won't get to capture it.

Final Prestige: 652722 (up 23839)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 177 (+10) - in use
M3 Lee - 56 (-3) - in use
KV-1/42 - 206 (+10)
M4 Sherman - 52 (+28) - in use
T-70 - 602 (-4) - in use
T-34/43 - 1036 (+10) - in use
41M Turan II - 217 (-1) - in use
Churchill Mk.VI - (+8) - in use
KV-85 - 182 (+10) - in use
IS-1 - 199 (+12)
OT-34-85 - 23 (+18) - in use
T-34-85 - 517 (+78) - in use
IS-2 - 122 (+33) - in use
BA-64 - 424 (+14) - in use
45mm M1942 - 354 (+22)
57mm M1943 - 116 (+36)
SU-85 - 277 (+35) - in use
ISU-122 - 178 (-2) - in use
100mm M1944 - 30 (+12)
152mm M10/30 - 65 (-7) - in use
152mm M1938 - 292 (+30)
BM-8-8 - 122 (+12)
SU-122 - 174 (-1) - in use
SU-76M - 118 (+23) - in use
BM-31 Katyusha - 50 (+14) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 95 (-1) - in use
40M Nimrod - 187 (-3) - in use
Pe-3 - 5 (-3) - in use
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 30 (-3) - in use

Overall:

Aside from the new awards for Commendation Points and some refill on OT-34-85 parts, there were no particularly exciting captured this time. It also did not help that the terrain really works against me in the north, with dense forests limiting mobility of vehicles and making it dangerous to move. In the south on the other hand open terrain would work well, but 15 strength Soviet elite tanks and anti-tank guns are a serous threat and need to be avoided. There is even no particular motivation to try and encircle them, as they all use things that I already have in great numbers, aside from that elusive YaG-10 AA self-propelled gun. Once again the time limit proved to be challenging for this core, as it usually deals with the enemy in a less direct way, which takes more turns to set-up and finish.

AO 1945 - Operation Southwind

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 652791

Hero:


Ok, the game is clearly mocking me now on a run with captured equipment... Hero joins PzAbt 21, again for the value of infinite parts.


At least the CP award hero is good regardless of the nature of a run. Added to Panzerjäger Abt 8.

New Equipment Provided:

FlaK Abt 5 - 3 inch M3 (SdKfz 7)

I noticed the American AA guns has one more ammo than the French one. Good enough reason to make the upgrade.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Cromwell Mk.IV - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Field Repairs, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 21 - M4A3 - ** - Cheap Replacements
PzAbt 22 - M4 Crocodile - ** - Vigilant

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 7 - M24 Chaffee - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - Aiming Assistance, Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karla Wuhrer
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - M10 Wolverine - ** - Helga Grese

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - **** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - *****
Werfer Abt 2 - Calliope - **
Werfer Abt 3 - BM-31 Katyusha - **

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 40M Nimrod - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 3 inch M3 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Sherman Skink - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - * - Skilled Support

Fighter

II./JG 1 - Me 210C - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 3 - I-16 - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
I./JG 4 - P-40 - Leadership
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Cheap Replacements, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Field Repairs, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.VI - **** - River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
PzAbt 18 - Matilda II- **
PzAbt 19 - Valentine III - **
PzAbt 20 - 42M Toldi IIa - **
PzAbt 23 - T-34/43 - **
PzAbt 24 - T-50 - **
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - M3A1 Scout Car - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 76.2mm M1942 (SdKfz 10) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 2 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Double Move, Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./JG 4 - MiG-3 - *
IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2 - *
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


I now have a decent amount of captured American equipment, enough to form an independent battle group, supported by some fast ground units.


The best forces will have to hold this position directly.


Other relatively good units secure the swampy terrain between Hron and the Danube.


There goes a T-44 due to support fire in a snowstorm. A shame...


Working with the few remaining Hungarian forces to encircle the Soviet attackers in the south.


Getting a few decent tanks while I can.


Commendation points earned. They will be used to further increase the collection.

Final Prestige: 671258 (up 1846)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 173 (-4) - in use
T-60 - 281 (-5) - in use
KV-1/42 - 208 (+2)
T-70 - 589 (-13) - in use
41M Turan II - 214 (-3) - in use
KV-85 - 213 (+31) - in use
T-34-85 - 555 (+28) - in use
IS-2 - 121 (-1) - in use
T-44/100 - 9 (-1) - in use
BA-10 - 334 (+4) - in use
Mototsikl - 149 (+6) - in use
M10 Wolverine - 17 (-1) - in use
57mm M1943 - 126 (+10)
SU-85 - 290 (+13) - in use
100mm M1944 - 56 (+26)
203mm M1931 - 266 (+4) - in use
122mm M1938 - 542 (+26)
152mm M1938 - 306 (+14)
BL 7.2 inch - 56 (-4) - in use
SU-122 - 173 (-1) - in use
ISU-152 - 55 (+34) - in use
BM-8-24 - 149 (+18) - in use
37mm M1939 - 354 (+6)
85mm M1939 - 241 (-2) - in use
3 inch M3 - 43 (-1) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 153 (+58) - in use
37mm Zis-42 - 130 (+24)
SU-11 - 8 (-2) - in use
40M Nimrod - 179 (-8) - in use
La-5 - 15 (-1) - in use
Me 210C - 54 (-1) - in use

Overall:

Southwind was a good source of a few useful pieces of kit, such as the T-90 SPAAG and a few tank parts of various types. However, it did not contribute as much as I would hope for, so despite the victory, not much will change in the core force. I am still left with some equipment that is outdated, or has precious few spares to use, so what keeps things going it the fact I am not that far from the end of the campaign. This type of run has a bit more potential in the fictional route given the awards and diverse locations, but at least the current set-up is way more challenging!

AO 1945 - Operation Spring Awakening

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 674161

Hero:


Finally change of luck. I'd prefer AT support at the late stage of the war, but it's still decent and added to PzAbt 8.

New Units Commissioned:

PzAbt 25 - Char B1
PzAbt 26 - Crusader Mk.III
PzAbt 27 - M15/42
PzAbt 28 - M3 Lee
PzAbt 29 - Matilda II
PzAbt 30 - T-26
PzAbt 31 - T-28
Panzerjäger Abt 9 - Achilles
Panzerjäger Abt 10 - M18 Hellcat
Panzerjäger Abt 11 - SU-100Y
FlaK Abt 10 - Zis-42

That's a huge haul and some of the AT vehicles will be immediately put to good use while some others need to be "upgraded". Interestingly, there is one additional purchase, as I am desperate for further AA support.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 28 - AMC 27
PzAbt 29 - Wasp MkIIC
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 100mm M1944 (SdKfz 7)

Most of these are a result of having duplicate units now, but the AT gun is an effect of recent gains.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Field Repairs, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Artillery Support, Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.VI - **** - River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Cromwell Mk.IV - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Field Repairs, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 20 - 42M Toldi IIa - **
PzAbt 21 - M4A3 - ** - Cheap Replacements
PzAbt 22 - M4 Crocodile - ** - Vigilant
PzAbt 23 - T-34/43 - **
PzAbt 24 - T-50 - **

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
AufkAbt 7 - M24 Chaffee - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 100mm M1944 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - * - Aiming Assistance, Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-85 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karla Wuhrer
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - M10 Wolverine - ** - Helga Grese
Panzerjäger Abt 9 - Achilles - **
Panzerjäger Abt 10 - M18 Hellcat - **
Panzerjäger Abt 11 - SU-100Y - **

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - *****
Werfer Abt 2 - Calliope - **
Werfer Abt 3 - BM-31 Katyusha - **

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - SU-6 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 40M Nimrod - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 3 inch M3 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Sherman Skink - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-11 - * - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 10 - Zis-42

Fighter

II./JG 1 - Me 210C - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
II./JG 2 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Cheap Replacements, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
PzAbt 18 - Matilda II- **
PzAbt 19 - Valentine III - **
PzAbt 25 - Char B1 - **
PzAbt 26 - Crusader Mk.III - **
PzAbt 27 - M15/42 - **
PzAbt 28 - AMC 27 - **
PzAbt 29 - Wasp MkIIC - **
PzAbt 30 - T-26 - **
PzAbt 31 - T-28 - **
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - M3A1 Scout Car - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - * -Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Double Move, Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - * - Leadership
III./JG 4 - MiG-3 - *
IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2 - *
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Wow, I have about 1/3rd of my army still not yet deployed...


I do not have air support to spare, so the 6th Panzer Army has to manage on it's own and so far it's doing well.


First encounter with the menace of this map ends in an ambush and easy victory.


Kaposvar is secure, but it looks like it will be difficult to proceed any further.


6th Panzer Army is scattered, there will be no help coming from this direction.


Some SU-100 captures will be a welcome addition to the core.


Once again hunting the YaG-10 is almost impossible. This truck will convert to AT mode when it spots my ground units and suicide attack them each time...


Well then, it got quite crowded...


YaG-10 captured, it's the true hidden ending of this run!

Final Prestige: 693042 (up 18881)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

T-26 - 538 (+10) - in use
T-28 - 106 (+10) - in use
Char B1 - 117 (+10) - in use
Matilda II - 185 (+10) - in use
KV-2 - 167 (-6) - in use
T-50 - 171 (-10) - in use
T-60 - 279 (-2) - in use
M4 Sherman - 47 (-5) - in use
T-70 - 586 (-3) - in use
M15/42 - 39 (+10) - in use
T-34/43 - 1028 (+2) - in use
41M Turan II - 212 (-2) - in use
Churchill Mk.VI - 15 (-1) - in use
T-34-85 - 595 (+40) - in use
IS-2 - 147 (+26) - in use
T-44 - 34 (+18)
T-44/100 - 29 (+20) - in use
BA-10 - 327 (-7) - in use
M10 Wolverine - 16 (-1) - in use
43M Zrinyi II - 104 (-6) - in use
100mm M1944 - 60 (+14) - in use
Mareșal - 37 (-2) - in use
SU-100 - 82 (+70)
SU-122 - 171 (-2) - in use
SU-76M - 113 (-5) - in use
ISU-152 - 54 (-1) - in use
BM-8-24 - 148 (-1) - in use
BM-31 Katyusha - 48 (-2) - in use
YaG-10 - 22 (+22)
Me 210C - 47 (-8) - in use

Overall:

If one knows there is no need to hurry, the whole dynamic behind Spring Awakening changes, as it is now possible to just slowly advance without worrying about the objectives. There is of course some level of ambition active making me want to capture as many victory hexes as I can, but for this run it would not be possible to get all of them due to key limitations in several areas, air force being the main one. At least even at this stage of the campaign I can enjoy little things like getting my hands on an AA vehicle that has been escaping my grasp all this time. Sudden increase in SU-100 parts will also make my life that little bit easier.

AO 1945 - Vienna Offensive

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 692482

Hero:


Added to I./JG 3. At this point I am almost certain, that the hero script has some issues and a tendency to multiply specific heroes that already exist.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-100
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - SU-85
FlaK Abt 3 - YaG-10
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-6

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 1 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - First Aid, Survivor, Josef Allerberger, Oleh Dir
Infanterie Reg 2 (span.) - Azul Infanterie 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***** - Survivor, Helmut Wirnsberger, Matthaus Hetzenauer

Tank

PzAbt 1 - T-44/100 - ***** - Provocator, Steamroller, Survivor, Albert Kerscher, Ulrich Hoffmann
PzAbt 2 - T-34-85 - ***** - Double Move, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 3 - T-60 - ***** - Butcher, Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 4 - IS-2 - ***** - Fearsome Reputation, Provocator, Tank Killer, Steamroller
PzAbt 6 - OT-34-85 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Field Repairs, Rikugun Tai-I Akiyama
PzAbt 7 - 41M Turan II - ***** - Butcher, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 8 - M3 Lee - **** - Artillery Support, Fierce Fighter, Steamroller
PzAbt 10 - KV-2 - ***** - Skilled Support, Reduced Slots, Steamroller
PzAbt 12 - Cromwell Mk.IV - ***** - Aiming Assistance, AT Support, Field Repairs, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 13 - T-70 - ***** - Envelopment, Overwhelming Attack, Steamroller
PzAbt 14 - KV-85 - ***** - AT Support, Skilled Support, Tank Killer, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 16 - M4 Sherman - *** - Steamroller

Recon

AufkAbt 2 - AB 43 - ***** - Overwhelming Attack, Shock Tactics
AufkAbt 7 - M24 Chaffee - ***** - Field Repairs, River Assault

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 1 - SU-152 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karl Ullmann
Panzerjäger Abt 2 - ISU-122 - *** - Provocator, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 4 - 43M Zrinyi II - *** - Hit and Run, Skilled Support
Panzerjäger Abt 5 - Mareșal - * - Aiming Assistance, Expert Support
Panzerjäger Abt 7 - SU-100 - ***** - Skilled Support, Karla Wuhrer
Panzerjäger Abt 8 - SU-85 - ** - Helga Grese
Panzerjäger Abt 9 - Achilles - **
Panzerjäger Abt 10 - M18 Hellcat - **
Panzerjäger Abt 11 - SU-100Y - **

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 1 - 203mm M1931 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Zero Slots, Skilled Support, Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 3 - 122mm M10/30 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Famous, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 4 - 152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 5 - BL 7.2 inch (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Fast Deployment, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 7 - BL 5.5 inch (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 1 - ISU-152 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 3 - SU-122 - **** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 3 - BM-31 Katyusha - **

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 1 - 85mm M1939 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Legendary, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 2 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 3 - YaG-10 - ***** - Camouflage, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 4 - 40M Nimrod - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 5 - 3 inch M3 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 6 - Sherman Skink - ***** - Field Repairs, Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 7 - T-90 SPAAG - **** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 9 - SU-6 - ** - Skilled Support

Fighter

II./JG 1 - Me 210C - **** - Fast Rebase, First Strike, Survivor, Heinrich Bar
II./JG 2 - La-5 - **** - Fast Rebase, Readiness, Erich Hartmann
II./JG 4 - P-38E - ** - Double Move

Tactical Bomber

I./SG 1 - Il-2 Shturmovik - ***** - Cheap Replacements, Survivor, Hans-Ulrich Rudel
III./SG 1 - Ca.135 - ** - Lightning Attack

Reserve

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 - Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 6 - Fallschirmjäger 43
PzAbt 5 - Verdeja 2 - ***** - River Assault, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 9 - L6/40 Lf - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 11 - Churchill Mk.VI - **** - River Assault, No Surrender, Steamroller
PzAbt 15 - TKS - **** - Artillery Support, Butcher, Expert Support, Steamroller
PzAbt 17 - PT-34 - **** - Steamroller
PzAbt 18 - Matilda II- **
PzAbt 19 - Valentine III - **
PzAbt 20 - 42M Toldi IIa - **
PzAbt 21 - M4A3 - ** - Cheap Replacements
PzAbt 22 - M4 Crocodile - ** - Vigilant
PzAbt 23 - T-34/43 - **
PzAbt 24 - T-50 - **
PzAbt 25 - Char B1 - **
PzAbt 26 - Crusader Mk.III - **
PzAbt 27 - M15/42 - **
PzAbt 28 - AMC 27 - **
PzAbt 29 - Wasp MkIIC - **
PzAbt 30 - T-26 - **
PzAbt 31 - T-28 - **
AufkAbt 1 - Panhard 178 - ***** - Fierce Fighter, No Surrender, Tenacious Defender, Survivor
AufkAbt 3 - M3A1 Scout Car - ***** - Liberator
AufkAbt 4 - BA-10 - ***** - Overrun, Superior Maneuver, Steamroller
AufkAbt 5 - AMC P16 - ***** - Leadership
AufkAbt 6 - BA-64 - ***** - Butcher, Overrun. Steamroller
Kradschützen Bataillon 1 - Motosikl - ***** - Combat Luck, Flag Killer, Liberator
Panzerjäger Abt 3 - 100mm M1944 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Ferocious Defense
Panzerjäger Abt 6 - QF 2 pounder - Cheap Replacements, Learns From Mistakes
Artillerie Abt 2 - 105mm Vickers M22 (SdKfz 11) - ***** - Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 6 - QF 25 pdr (SdKfz 10) - *** - Double Support, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 8 - 75mm mle 1897
Panzer Artillerie Abt 2 - SU-76M - ***** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 1 - BM-8-24 - *****
Werfer Abt 2 - Calliope - **
FlaK Abt 8 - 20mm M/38 - Legendary
FlaK Abt 10 - Zis-42
I./JG 1 - Spitfire Mk.IX - ***** - Fast Rebase, Adolf Galland
III./JG 1 - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **** - Double Move, Evasive, Readiness
IV./JG 1 - Yak-1 - **** - Avenger, Prudent, Fast Learner
I./JG 2 - Pe-3 - **** - Double Move, Entrenchment Killer 3x
III./JG 2 - Fokker D.XXI - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Learns From Mistakes
IV./JG 2 - I-15 - Entrenchment Killer 3x
I./JG 3 - PZL P.11c - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Learns From Mistakes
II./JG 3 - I-16 - * - Entrenchment Killer 3x, Gerhard Barkhorn
III./JG 3 - Spitfire Mk.II - *** - Double Move, Leadership
IV./JG 3 - LaGG-3 - * - Entrenchment Killer 4x
I./JG 4 - P-40 - * - Leadership
III./JG 4 - MiG-3 - *
IV./JG 4 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
III./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
IV./JG 5 - Fw 190D-9
I./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
II./JG 6 - Fw 190D-9
I./ZG 1 - Beaufighter Mk.IF - **** - Aggressive Counterattack, Evasive
II./ZG 1 - A-36 - **
II./SG 1 - Tupolev Tu-2 - *** - Aggressive Counterattack
IV./SG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-2 - **
I./SG 2 - Sukhoi Su-2 - **
I./KG 1 - Ilyushin Il-4 - ***
II./KG 1 - Stirling Mk.I - *** - Survivor
III./KG 1 - Petlyakov Pe-8 - **
IV./KG 1 - Yermolayev Yer-2 - *
Panzerzug Kolberg - Armoured Train - *** - Lethal Attack
Panzerzug Breslau - Armoured Train - **

Summary:


Situation in the center is mostly under control. but will take time to stabilize and allow reinforcements for the rescue mission.


In the north, the army stands firm, but some infantry slips past defenses north of Lajta River.


At least in the south I have good control over the frontline.


Even auxiliary forces can sometimes make good captures.


In the end, I will not make it to the abandoned HQ, as I am lacking infantry and additional air presence to make it happen. I will at the very least get some IS-3 tanks for the last mission.


So close, yet so far. I'm just about two turns short.

Final Prestige: 699651 (up 7169)

Captured equipment pool changes (+10 extra to the total figure if it's in use):

KV-2 - 167 (-7) - in use
T-50 - 176 (+5) - in use
T-60 - 275 (-4) - in use
M3 Lee - 53 (-4) - in use
M4 Sherman (us) - 96 (+60)
T-70 - 571 (-15) - in use
T-34/43 - 1036 (+8) - in use
41M Turan II - 201 (-11) - in use
KV-85 - 212 (-1) - in use
Cromwell Mk.IV - 7 (-1) - in use
OT-34-85 - 20 (-3) - in use
T-34-85 - 626 (+31) - in use
IS-2 - 155 (+8) - in use
T-44/100 - 25 (-4) - in use
IS-3 - 22 (+22)
SU-152 - 428 (-8) - in use
ISU-122 - 175 (-3) - in use
100mm M1944 - 62 (+2) - in use
Mareșal - 33 (-4) - in use
SU-100 - 87 (+15) - in use
122mm M10/30 - 63 (-2) - in use
152mm M10/30 - 64 (-1) - in use
BL 7.2 inch - 54 (-2) - in use
BL 5.5 inch - 57 (-4) - in use
SU-76M - 125 (+2) - in use
76.2mm M1943 - 126 (+6)
ISU-152 - 71 (+17) - in use
Gaz-AA MG - 130 (+2)
85mm M1939 - 255 (+14) - in use
T-90 SPAAG - 157 (+4) - in use
40M Nimrod - 178 (-1) - in use
Me 210C - 46 (-1) - in use
Ca.135 - 21 (-2) - in use

Overall:

Finally a mission in which getting the elite objective was impossible for one of my cores. I expected this to happen sooner or later, but did not imagine it would take all the way until AO 1945 on this run for it to happen. Technically, I also did not do the High Command directive in Spring Awakening, but since that changes nothing for the outcome of the mission, I'd say it does not have to count. Still it is refreshing to see that challenges can be set for even experienced, elite forces. If I focused on the objective and ignored captures entirely, I could maybe get to the target, as the issue was time, not that it seemed impossible due to enemy resistance, but I do not redo missions. That's the outcome I got, so I'm fine with it. Now for the last mission of the historical route, for the possible "good end" I skipped last time. I will even have a few IS-3 tanks to deploy as a finishing upgrade for this fun and unusual core force.