Morris vs. Doug - Axis Steamroller?

[Schnurri]

First AAR I've done. Morris asked me to do this so the group can see another example of a Morris early Barbarossa. I'm starting in May 41 just to view this part of the game. I won't focus on other aspects as they are irrelevant in Morris' strategy. Just to note, besides an early, strong Barbarossa the Brits can see 3 new German INF in France so he is protecting his flanks. My Malta FTR doesn't spot the usual MECH buildup in Sicily though, as usual, Morris has abandoned Africa completely. You will see the small Italian Air in Romania along with a leader.

May 13, 1941 - Germany launches a surprise attack against their "Allies" and they suffer the usual 30% morale drop as the weather was fair. The first shot is an overview and the next 3 show the north, central and southern fronts respectively.

Northern Front - 4 ARM, 1 TACs 1 STR, 3 FTRs.
Center - 1 MECH
Southern - 3 ARM, 7 MECH, 4 TACs (2 Ger, 1 It, 1 Minor) 2 FTRs (1 GER, 1 IT)

To achieve this army it seems Morris hasn't built any new air units (a 5 step minor FTR defends the gas plants in Germany) and has maxed out ARM, MECH and lots of INF.

There are hordes of INF in the Northern Front prepared to fight in the forests, a very weak center with mostly INF and minor Allies and few INF in the southern, just to destroy some frontline GARs.

If anything, Morris has done better here than against Joe Rock. He has captured Odessa with a clear shot across the steppes towards the oil fields. In the North he is knocking on the door of Minsk on turn 1.

It doesn't look good for the Russians. I'm going to defend at Rostov/Stalingrad and Moscow. Try to slow his advance with GARs and build defenses. Minimum goal is to keep him out of the oilfields and Stalingrad. Doubt I can prevent him from reaching Rostov.

Images to follow once I figure that out.[/img]

[Schnurri]

Morris sent me these images of his at start forces.

[Schnurri]

[Schnurri]

[Schnurri]

[peterjfrigate]

Should be very interesting and I'm looking forward to following your AAR.

I'm curious about some details - is there a double line near Petrozavodsk? And Did you buy leaders in April?

Also I'm also interested about whether it's best to fight in the forests near Moscow or run away. On the one hand, the Axis can pound 4-5 corps per turn if you decide to stand and die, but on the other, that's if they have strong TAC support, which MOrris seems to lack. It might therefore be very costly for him to dislodge entrenched infantry in the forests.

[Schnurri]

Axis continues strong advance into USSR - he has boxed me in with good units, preventing them railing away. I think I slowed (slightly) his advance in the south by placing GARs, forcing the Armour to take them out. Also, GARs around Minsk prevent the fall of this city for 1 turn. If we compare this to Joe Rock's game, by this date, June 2, the Axis was already at Gomel, and Dnepropetrovsk, because he was able to start two turns earlier.

[Schnurri]

[Schnurri]

[Schnurri]

[Schnurri]

Should be very interesting and I'm looking forward to following your AAR.

I'm curious about some details - is there a double line near Petrozavodsk? And Did you buy leaders in April?

Also I'm also interested about whether it's best to fight in the forests near Moscow or run away. On the one hand, the Axis can pound 4-5 corps per turn if you decide to stand and die, but on the other, that's if they have strong TAC support, which MOrris seems to lack. It might therefore be very costly for him to dislodge entrenched infantry in the forests.

There is a double line near Petro... now. Bought leaders with defensive bonus immediately.

I don't know the answer to that - If Morris gets close enough to Moscow in fair weather we'll go behind the river.

[Schnurri]

Axis steamroller continues - I'm going to make a stand behind Rostov and hopefully stop him there. He could reach Leningrad and Moscow fairly easily as well. From now on I'll just post the overview so it loads faster. If there is interest in more detailed views I can do that.

[Schnurri]

Advance continues - we lost a couple of MECHs that couldn't be railed. Morris is just outside Rostov and will take it, either this turn or in early August. He will then go for Maikop. I hope to hold Stalingrad and keep him from cutting off Grozny. Any advice is appreciated.

[Schnurri]

Well, I spoke too optimistically. I could very easily lose Rostov and Stalingrad next turn. He still has 3 more turns of fair weather so the Caucasus are in danger and he will probably hit Moscow as well. I think Leningrad is safe for now. Looks really grim for the Russians.

[richardsd]

ah, takes me back to the early days of being in shock of the Morris onslaught

things are a bit easier now (believe it or not ), but if you aren't ready for it - ouch big time

I have found a couple of things help (but really you need to know in advance of playing Morris)

firstly, you need to slow him down a little with key placement of GAR's - south and east of the marshes are candidates for this

second, you cant just let him run free in year 1 as you end up without enough PP's to do any damage later in the game so you need to pick a defense point and build it from turn 1 of Barbarossa, two deep GARs with ARM in striking range works wonders

now it will still hurt but it takes its toll on the Axis and he HAS to get the oil so you can plan around that

[Schnurri]

I did place some GARs to slow him down around Odessa and then Kherson. I had planned to hold at Stalingrad and Rostov but that looks like it was overly ambitious.

[Schnurri]

Rostov, Bryansk taken. Stalingrad almost encircled. 1 more turn of guaranteed fair weather, which I'm sure Morris will take advantage of as I have little offensive capability. Hope for mud after that and then a late severe winter after I get my Siberian troops. Looks pretty bleak. If Voronezh holds out I will rail the Siberian troops there for a small winter offensive. Moscow and Leningrad should hold.

[Cybvep]

You will be in a tough position in 1942. I wouldn't be surprised if Morris tried to take Moscow and the Caucasus at the same time.

[Schnurri]

I agree - don't have much of a chance. Speed and preventing my MECHs from escaping have doomed me.

[Diplomaticus]

I agree - don't have much of a chance. Speed and preventing my MECHs from escaping have doomed me.

Really? Remember Morris' weakness: aggressiveness to the point of recklessness. With good strategy and tactics, you ought to be able to punish him for extending so deeply into the '3' supply salient near Stalingrad. My advice would be to set yourself up for a strong winter counterstrike where he's stuck his neck out the furthest.

At the same time, the Western Allies need to do their part. He's thrown everything into Russia, it seems, so he ought to be vulnerable elsewhere. Again, if you look at other AAR's and get a sense of M's playing style, he's probably left himself dangerously vulnerable in the West. It's his M.O. You just need to exploit it.