Slitherine

Turn 32 reaching Stalingrad Do you want to know what actually happened?
TIK channel is the answer
I am following this is great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAfo5ms ... 2pxYdCYiXX

Turn 33 Tobruk victory.. alarming news from HQ

U-Boat revenge in the Atlantic

Situation report October 1942

The time is running fast! Clock is ticking and Caucasus has not been breached!
Rostov is about to fall in turn 34! This is end of October 42, and we all know what is coming after… Another disastrous for aggressive combat operations period! Well, lets face it the High Command made lot of mistakes in their plans, it is not the fault of the brave soldiers of the front, it is wrong doing on behalf of OKH!
Where are the new Panzer Divisions promised from the Army Group North? Where is the Artillery support? We reached Rostov to the outmost of our abilities and then fall to short to reach Caucasus by end of the year!!! Said the commanding officer of the AG South…. After few moments of dark silence…. The leader of OKH replied.: Well meinen Herren, the Oberkommando of AG South to resign immediately. The OKH will resume operations tomorrow…


In my previous strategic objectives 42-43 post I wrote: … advancing to the south Caucasus! I know it sounds a bit to much optimistic… yes indeed…
The tides of war are starting to go against us. The Oil Crisis has hit hard the war economy and simply there is not fuel to sustain swift military operations in more than one army group front. The battlefield Europe represents accurate the historical effects of lack of oil. All naval operations were drastically (some turns ago) reduced except smaller ships and U-Boats in the Atlantic. And the winter is coming …

We need to revise our objectives for the coming year 1943, see our mistakes and seize all the opportunities still existing to end this in winning way.
Comments please welcome on the strategy before we proceed any further with the updates.
I am actually on turn 43 this is huge fun, I am into it…..

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:43 am

PeteMitchell wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:53 am ......... It will become harder month by month out there in the Atlantic as the number of Allied escort groups protecting the convoys increase continuously. Plus the AI has some randomness built in.

I am sure about it, Thanks for the info, it helps a lot, since I have never played this map before.

In one point I managed four U-Boats coming through the North.
Three other U-Boats operating for prestige west of Atlantic.
A total of seven in two groups as wolf pack attempt.

The mysterious airfield problem in the Atlantic at 11.00 :
I wonder if anybody have ever tried to take out a US airfield hex 8,2 (at eleven o clock) up in the north west.
From there recon airplanes get their fuel and ammo.
I am thinking about it, to make an assault.

If this airfield is taken, then things will be much easier for UBoat tactics later in the game.
be-UBoat-plan-special-ops.JPG

Yes, it was tried in earlier versions of the mod but most people didn't consider it being worth the effort (i.e. to win the war)... In case you do, just imagine what the US would do if it had been invaded by Germany in reality... I mean just to be prepared yourself...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Iceland

PeteMitchell wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:15 pm ...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Iceland

Very informative article.
So, Operation Ikarus !!!

"After the British invasion, the Germans composed a report to examine the feasibility of seizing Iceland, proposed as Operation Ikarus. The report found that while an invasion could be successful, maintaining supply lines would be too costly and the benefits of holding Iceland would not outweigh the costs (there was, for instance, insufficient infrastructure for aircraft in Iceland).[52]"

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:10 am

goose_2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:55 pm I see McGuba said the ROF for the artillery is in the library where it is detailed.

Could anyone who has access to it reprint that info here so I can research it here now and not have to try and circumvent the manual during gametime.

Thanks for the assist.

Rate of Fire: ROF for easy access next time:

rof-be.JPG

This has me curious. As the artillery that I have sometimes has like 3 heart strength or 7 or 5 why limit rate of fire when you limit the size of the artillery, doesn't that make the arty even less effective? Maybe I should upgrade these weakened artillery to more effective artillery. (I really like the 4 range artillery.)

goose_2 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:06 pm [ Maybe I should upgrade these weakened artillery to more effective artillery. (I really like the 4 range artillery.)

What is your thought, this is very interesting !

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:36 am Turn 32 reaching Stalingrad
bev2-turn-32-south-donets.JPG

Do you want to know what actually happened?
TIK channel is the answer
I am following this is great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAfo5ms ... 2pxYdCYiXX

In taking a look at what is around Stalingrad in my playthrough I did not even see it as feasible to even try. I want to slowly push everywhere I have gained ground on and grind them down where and how I can, but not get bogged down in Stalingrad. Instead focus on my Caucuses attempt to seize needed oil

goose_2 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:06 pm

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:10 am

goose_2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:55 pm I see McGuba said the ROF for the artillery is in the library where it is detailed.

Could anyone who has access to it reprint that info here so I can research it here now and not have to try and circumvent the manual during gametime.

Thanks for the assist.

Rate of Fire: ROF for easy access next time:

rof-be.JPG

This has me curious. As the artillery that I have sometimes has like 3 heart strength or 7 or 5 why limit rate of fire when you limit the size of the artillery, doesn't that make the arty even less effective? Maybe I should upgrade these weakened artillery to more effective artillery. (I really like the 4 range artillery.)

I think he is just very clean on these two very different concepts, i.e. rate of fire being different from unit size.

When some units have 3, 5 or 7 strength points, this is mainly because there weren't that many produced/availabe of these specific types. He used force composition ratios to kind of reflect what units (by type) were available back then... (in very simple terms).

Some units have upgrade blocks, i.e. you may not be able to upgrade them but please feel free to try... Same way some units can be purchased.

goose_2 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:46 pm

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:36 am Turn 32 reaching Stalingrad
bev2-turn-32-south-donets.JPG

Do you want to know what actually happened?
TIK channel is the answer
I am following this is great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAfo5ms ... 2pxYdCYiXX

In taking a look at what is around Stalingrad in my playthrough I did not even see it as feasible to even try. I want to slowly push everywhere I have gained ground on and grind them down where and how I can, but not get bogged down in Stalingrad. Instead focus on my Caucuses attempt to seize needed oil

A focus on the Caucasus is probably a good idea right now. I very much like your recent overall progress!

Hello Pete,
thanks I'm fine. Maybe a little tired after the playing the Kursk and Stalingrad saves till to the end.
Thanks, I will look for this software. Although I would avoid this tool of policital-ideological censorship HQ as the youtube as much as possible in the future.

PeteMitchell wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:20 pm

Uhu wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 3:36 pm Nice work! Good luck!
I always had plans to make AAR's, but I never had the energy for it (also my mother language is not English).

Hi Uhu... hope all is well! You could dry YouTube with OBS https://obsproject.com/de

Do not get confused: there are also very useful with that stenght and are quite effective if used properly.

goose_2 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:06 pm

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:10 am

goose_2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:55 pm I see McGuba said the ROF for the artillery is in the library where it is detailed.

Could anyone who has access to it reprint that info here so I can research it here now and not have to try and circumvent the manual during gametime.

Thanks for the assist.

Rate of Fire: ROF for easy access next time:

rof-be.JPG

This has me curious. As the artillery that I have sometimes has like 3 heart strength or 7 or 5 why limit rate of fire when you limit the size of the artillery, doesn't that make the arty even less effective? Maybe I should upgrade these weakened artillery to more effective artillery. (I really like the 4 range artillery.)

- Caucasus is and absolute must: you will need that extra prestige badly... I'm little confused in which difficulty the oil crisis has those effects, but on higher diff, your airforce will be ruined from 44 slowly but steadily (in 44 -3xp/turn, in 45 -5xp/turn). Also the reconstruction of the oil wells take 24 turns, until that the effects exists and you get no prestige from them.
- I would try to clear the region east of Moscow until Grozny. It is a hard task, but if you do it, you can much easier defend this region and destroy the Soviet units, which come over the Volga. Also, if you have enough resources, try to reach the Don river from N of Voronezh to W of Stalingrad, because that would be also a better defense position. Of course these benefits will be neutralized in the winter, but it is still worthy.
- I would collect most of my arty and many of my strat. bombers and take Leningrad. This would give a lot of prestige (partly from capturing units), free up the Finns - who should aim Archangelsk and take part mopping up the Soviets in the wilderness NE of Leningrad - and secure your northern flank.
- A big question is, what you do in Africa: totally abandon it, or make a defense to buy time. If abandoning it than prepare for a strong defense of Sicily, because if you loose it, you will loose most of your experimenced Italian units too (you will get later others though).
- Also do not forget to prepare some units to defend Normandy from turn 72 and on...hopefully you can destroy the CCCP until that, but it is not sure, that it can be done so fast. Also do not forget, that if the CCCP is finished, the British will attack from Iran.

faos333 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:18 am Situation report October 1942

The time is running fast! Clock is ticking and Caucasus has not been breached!
Rostov is about to fall in turn 34! This is end of October 42, and we all know what is coming after… Another disastrous for aggressive combat operations period! Well, lets face it the High Command made lot of mistakes in their plans, it is not the fault of the brave soldiers of the front, it is wrong doing on behalf of OKH!
Where are the new Panzer Divisions promised from the Army Group North? Where is the Artillery support? We reached Rostov to the outmost of our abilities and then fall to short to reach Caucasus by end of the year!!! Said the commanding officer of the AG South…. After few moments of dark silence…. The leader of OKH replied.: Well meinen Herren, the Oberkommando of AG South to resign immediately. The OKH will resume operations tomorrow…


In my previous strategic objectives 42-43 post I wrote: … advancing to the south Caucasus! I know it sounds a bit to much optimistic… yes indeed…
The tides of war are starting to go against us. The Oil Crisis has hit hard the war economy and simply there is not fuel to sustain swift military operations in more than one army group front. The battlefield Europe represents accurate the historical effects of lack of oil. All naval operations were drastically (some turns ago) reduced except smaller ships and U-Boats in the Atlantic. And the winter is coming …

We need to revise our objectives for the coming year 1943, see our mistakes and seize all the opportunities still existing to end this in winning way.
Comments please welcome on the strategy before we proceed any further with the updates.
I am actually on turn 43 this is huge fun, I am into it…..

Uhu wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:16 am
- Caucasus is and absolute must: you will need that extra prestige badly... I'm little confused in which difficulty the oil crisis has those effects, but on higher diff, your airforce will be ruined from 44 slowly but steadily (in 44 -3xp/turn, in 45 -5xp/turn). Also the reconstruction of the oil wells take 24 turns, until that the effects exists and you get no prestige from them.
- I would try to clear the region east of Moscow until Grozny. It is a hard task, but if you do it, you can much easier defend this region and destroy the Soviet units, which come over the Volga. Also, if you have enough resources, try to reach the Don river from N of Voronezh to W of Stalingrad, because that would be also a better defense position. Of course these benefits will be neutralized in the winter, but it is still worthy.
- I would collect most of my arty and many of my strat. bombers and take Leningrad. This would give a lot of prestige (partly from capturing units), free up the Finns - who should aim Archangelsk and take part mopping up the Soviets in the wilderness NE of Leningrad - and secure your northern flank.
- A big question is, what you do in Africa: totally abandon it, or make a defense to buy time. If abandoning it than prepare for a strong defense of Sicily, because if you loose it, you will loose most of your experimenced Italian units too (you will get later others though).
- Also do not forget to prepare some units to defend Normandy from turn 72 and on...hopefully you can destroy the CCCP until that, but it is not sure, that it can be done so fast. Also do not forget, that if the CCCP is finished, the British will attack from Iran.

Well thank you very much this advice really helps a lot.

- Finns the real north.. while waiting for germans to help, we are attacking with success north along the rail line
- Leningrad, I have done nothing so far, strong puzzle on how to crack it, I have to watch a Goose video how he did it, and copy his attack. Did nt know about captured units, nice
- Moscow to attack Grozny, very nice idea, I have not thought about it, and from there easy defense over Volga
- Voronezh and Don river very important to hold off the numerous attacks keep on coming so far..
- Stalingrad another puzzle not a priority, I am so close to it ...
There might be an opportunity while terrain is frozen, bypass everything and attack from behind that would be a tremendous trick!
- Caucasus, I did not know it takes 24 turns to put the oil fields back! I must hurry then... I have in mind some nasty little tricks to take Grozny as fast as possible, for Baku it will be a long ride..
- N. Afrika the US invasion goes unopposed, either I evacuate from Tobruk back to Italy, OR attack Alexandria pass Suez Canal and stay comfortably behind, then take Palestine and perhaps Cyprus.
- Atlantic U-Boats gather prestige. Later on I might attempt Operation Ikarus!
An attack to take the Iceland airfield, even for few turns might worth a lot of prestige for my U-Boats. In winter I will abandon and retreat from the airfield.

Overall now in Turn 43, my biggest problem is how to prioritize ltd resources to achieve best balance:
So, no1 is Caucasus but this might take a year to finish in Baku
No2 Leningrad we need to start moving units around it, then attack towards Grozny and Finns continue their advance in the North
No3 Atlantic wolf packs to gather prestige
No4 DAK to attempt taking Alexandria, if fail, retreat to Europe
I have not fully decided on the others yet

You are welcome! Nice to see your and Goose_2's first struggle to achive the victory. If you want, I can give more tipps, I just do not want to "spoiler" it for you.

faos333 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:48 am

Uhu wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:16 am
- Caucasus is and absolute must: you will need that extra prestige badly... I'm little confused in which difficulty the oil crisis has those effects, but on higher diff, your airforce will be ruined from 44 slowly but steadily (in 44 -3xp/turn, in 45 -5xp/turn). Also the reconstruction of the oil wells take 24 turns, until that the effects exists and you get no prestige from them.
- I would try to clear the region east of Moscow until Grozny. It is a hard task, but if you do it, you can much easier defend this region and destroy the Soviet units, which come over the Volga. Also, if you have enough resources, try to reach the Don river from N of Voronezh to W of Stalingrad, because that would be also a better defense position. Of course these benefits will be neutralized in the winter, but it is still worthy.
- I would collect most of my arty and many of my strat. bombers and take Leningrad. This would give a lot of prestige (partly from capturing units), free up the Finns - who should aim Archangelsk and take part mopping up the Soviets in the wilderness NE of Leningrad - and secure your northern flank.
- A big question is, what you do in Africa: totally abandon it, or make a defense to buy time. If abandoning it than prepare for a strong defense of Sicily, because if you loose it, you will loose most of your experimenced Italian units too (you will get later others though).
- Also do not forget to prepare some units to defend Normandy from turn 72 and on...hopefully you can destroy the CCCP until that, but it is not sure, that it can be done so fast. Also do not forget, that if the CCCP is finished, the British will attack from Iran.

Well thank you very much this advice really helps a lot.

- Finns the real north.. while waiting for germans to help, we are attacking with success north along the rail line
- Leningrad, I have done nothing so far, strong puzzle on how to crack it, I have to watch a Goose video how he did it, and copy his attack. Did nt know about captured units, nice
- Moscow to attack Grozny, very nice idea, I have not thought about it, and from there easy defense over Volga
- Voronezh and Don river very important to hold off the numerous attacks keep on coming so far..
- Stalingrad another puzzle not a priority, I am so close to it ...
There might be an opportunity while terrain is frozen, bypass everything and attack from behind that would be a tremendous trick!
- Caucasus, I did not know it takes 24 turns to put the oil fields back! I must hurry then... I have in mind some nasty little tricks to take Grozny as fast as possible, for Baku it will be a long ride..
- N. Afrika the US invasion goes unopposed, either I evacuate from Tobruk back to Italy, OR attack Alexandria pass Suez Canal and stay comfortably behind, then take Palestine and perhaps Cyprus.
- Atlantic U-Boats gather prestige. Later on I might attempt Operation Ikarus!
An attack to take the Iceland airfield, even for few turns might worth a lot of prestige for my U-Boats. In winter I will abandon and retreat from the airfield.

Overall now in Turn 43, my biggest problem is how to prioritize ltd resources to achieve best balance:
So, no1 is Caucasus but this might take a year to finish in Baku
No2 Leningrad we need to start moving units around it, then attack towards Grozny and Finns continue their advance in the North
No3 Atlantic wolf packs to gather prestige
No4 DAK to attempt taking Alexandria, if fail, retreat to Europe
I have not fully decided on the others yet

faos333 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:48 am - Caucasus, I did not know it takes 24 turns to put the oil fields back!

It depends on the version of the mod you are playing. In BE v2.0 only the "realistic+" version has a waiting time of 24 turns for the reparation of the oilfields. In the other versions ("moderate", "realistic" and "multiplayer") the waiting time is 12 turns or about half a year in game time. When you capture the first oilfield a message will tell you how long you have to wait. And the same will happen with every oilfield.

My plan is it will be 12 turns in every version in the next update of the mod. I think 24 turns may be a bit too long to make it worth, even though probably it would be more realistic.

But the main thing is once you capture all the oilfields the Soviets get significantly less new units and it takes effect immediately. So if you go for them it is best to capture them as soon as possible.

A brief roundup of how things are developing.

I am in turn 50 (July 43) east goes slowly but with success, most important I am closing in to take Grozny in Caucasus and also just took Astrakhan with a surprise attack. The Volga front from Moscow to Stalingrad defensive line is holding well. Leningrad is under siege as well. Alexandria is close to fall.

But after Tunis and Sicily fell to the Allies in 43. The odds look quite overwhelming. I am considering even if a draw can be reached by turn 99. Don’t get me wrong there is a good chance to win in the east.

But in the west I am overwhelmed from the sheer numbers of air and naval units appearing on the map.
While in the east it seems that for every important ground unit there is an air attack.
In the west after US enters... It seems like for every important hex there is an incoming air or naval attack.
West allied Bombers fly everywhere even towards Ukraine!

Soon I will post updates of turns with screenshots.

D day will come around turn 72

- HQ 1943 directives and Strategic Goals

Five days after the new leader of the Army Group together with high ranking officers and chief of stuff from all Army Groups are summoned in the High Command headquarters.

The Oberkommando des Heeres OKH (High Commander of Army) addresses them.
Meine Herren we gathered here today to share the goals and means of our East Campaign for year 43 and more…

Directive 1943/251IVI Goals for 1943 east front campaign:
A. Army Group North covers area of Nordics to Tula south of Moscow.
- Finns advance along the rail line to Archangelsk
- Leningrad start the siege and take the city by end of the year
- Defend along Don River
- Protect rail lines from partisan attacks (Pripet Marshes, Belarus area).

B. Army Group South covers area of Voronezh to Caucasus.
- Main goal advance to Caucasus take Grozny while protecting left flank.
- Aufklarung (Recon) units to head towards Astrakhan. By end of the year reach and lay siege of Baku
- End the siege of Sevastopol securing Crimea

East front organizational changes 1943:
- Army group center to dissolve. New command structure effective immediately.
- Units to be transferred with priority of Panzer formations and Artillery to Army Group South.
- The remaining units to be added to Army Group North.

Creation of special ops Kampfgruppen under the leadership Otto Skorzeny.
Consisting from Fallschirmjager and Brandenburg units. They are free to operate in any direction looks more promising. They report only to the high command OKH.

Directive 1943/669G2 Goals for West operations in 1943:
- West Europe set up anti air network
- N Afrika abandon Tunis, Tripoli, leaving a rear guard in Tobruk. Take Alexandria and Cairo. Establish a new defensive line west in El Alamein area. Cross the Suez Canal and start advancing towards the Middle East.

In case of allied invasion of South Italy in 43. Abandon Rome and establish a defensive line south of Bologna to be named Gothic line, were the terrain is mountainous with narrow passes.

- Atlantic U-Boats: Refuel and repairs in France during summer 43. Resume full operations to south west route of convoys after October, when enemy air surveillance is becoming affected by the winter conditions.
U-Boat tactics: increase number of subs in wolf pack formation to five. Goal is to attack a limited area from any unit present there. Then stay and gather prestige as long if possible.
Leading units to have commanders with scout traits (heroes in Mod). Clearing a specific area includes even attacking an isolated enemy destroyer.

Strategic Possibilities 44:
- Assuming collapse of Caucasus. Attack Stalingrad from the rear.
- Assuming Leningrad has fallen to axis, majority of Army Group North units to form a defensive line in Normandy, Intelligence suggest an allied invasion to Europe. Some units to be transferred under the command of Finish Army to attack further North.
- Advance to Gorki to establish a new defensive forward positions away from Moscow.
- Assuming takeover of Baku, elements of Army Group South to continue advance towards Iraq.
- DAK eliminate enemy positions in the Middle East consider a link with Army Group South advancing elements. Prepare for a Cyprus possible invasion.
Atlantic front 44: Consider a surprise attack code name operation Icarus. An airborne assault to Iceland to take over airfield. Destroy the airfield denying air surveillance during summer and retreat to Germany. Consider suicidal attacks in case of an invasion to Europe.

Good luck to all