[CB-7172]

Last week Mark Ruggiero asked if anyone had actually played the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign, and I mentioned that I had just started the game on Vassal, with the Oct 1, 1941 start. I am playing the Axis and finally finished my first move. If all the turns go like this, actual play time will be somewhere in the vicinity of 5-6 years. 😊 That won’t happen, of course, since mud could possibly make its appearance in 3 turns

Anyway, I have sent the forwarded the vlog file to my opponent, so I will have a bit of a wait myself. Here is my situation after my move. Pictures are in order, North to South.

1) Velikiye Luki and north – Moved some stuff around Demyansk. Will likely move SS-T out of the area and send in another Infantry division or two. Hoping that this area remains quiet, but preparing for anything.

2) Smolensk area – The 3rd Panzer Group has 2 short term goals. The first is to trap as many Russians as possible at the line in front of Smolensk and make them disappear. Did pretty well here, and it looks like there are about 11 Divisions now behind my lines from that move.

The second was to rush towards Rzhev and cut the rail line to Nelidovo. Also worked well, and there are 7-8 divisions that could be trapped.

I will have to see how many units go away, and how my opponent reacts. Next goal, Rzhev and Vyazma.

3) Roslavl area – The 4th Panzer Group will be used to cut off more of the Russian front, head towards Taluga, and assist 3rd Panzer Group in the drive to Moscow if need be. The initial results were an overall success. I was able to take Spas Demyansk and cut supply to 14-15 Divisions. My opponent will have a real hard time getting them out of there, though the pocket is pretty loose at the moment. I was also able to capture 5T in supplies at Spas Demyansk, always a bonus.

This group will continue towards Taluga, but it is imperative that the Taluga/Bryansk rail line be cut. Still trying to figure out how I will pull that off.

4) Guderian’s Blitzkrieg – 2nd Panzer Group is tasked with taking Tula and ensuring Bryansk is isolated. The move toward Orel was a rousing success, the move toward Bryansk by the 17th Panzer, not so much. I was unable to take out the Russians sitting on the railroad, but did trap 4 division there. Depending on what my opponent does, at the very least I should be able to cut the Orel/Bryansk railroad, and possibly take Orel. I will be able move beyond Mtsensk and stay in trace supply up until the freeze comes and my trucks start to disappear. I should have alternate sources of supply by then (maybe).

5) Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk – Kharkov is going to be a pain. The infantry will take time to get there. Lots of stuff in front of my forces and little supply to spare. The problem is, I have to take it, one way or the other. I will slog along.

As for Dnepropetrovsk, it should clear out after this turn, freeing up some of the troops there to make a dash east and to assist in the Kharkov endeavor. Unfortunately, not being able to put a railway bridge across the Dnepr until November kind of puts a damper on the dash. Oh, and I also have supply issues (shocker).

6) Crimea – the scene of my most disappointing reversal. I was not able to crack the hog line on turn one, and I have few troops and fewer supplies (??!!!??). I just can’t let the Russians really fortify the area, so the sooner I get one of the hexes taken, I will be in better shape.

As for the mad dash towards Rostov, getting my troops in position to begin the trek, with Mariupol as the interim goal. The ONLY thing I have going for me here is the Russians don’t have much to get in my way, not that it matters much 😊

The losses I took for the first turn were 3 infantry steps, 2 mech steps, and 2 bomber steps as opposed to the Russians losing 9 infantry steps, 3 mech steps, 3 arty units, 2 bomber steps, and 5 HQs. In addition, I cut supply to about 40 divisions, but I know I won’t bag all of them.

The big cost was supplies to move everything. I ended up spending 25 SP, of which 16 SP was used to move mechanized stuff. The failed attack in Crimea cost me 5T alone, and the infantry attack in front of Kharkov cost me another 5T. I used most of my air force for hipshots/fighter sweeps. To refit everything next turn will cost 6T. The good thing is I don’t have to move quite as much next turn, and I got a lot of my infantry in a position to move forward to engage the Russians.

Final comments: Still wondering if I bit off more than I could chew with all these panzer division leaps into the great unknown. I know my opponent will not be as inept as the Russians really were, so I will have to see what he does. I am already dreading mud and winter and trying to keep my army as intact as possible.

Here is the situation at the end of turn 1 of the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector.

1) Velikiye Luki and North – Pretty much nothing happened and it looks like my opponent will let the sector stay

2) Smolensk area – The 3rd Panzer Group pocket (red ovals) in front of Smolensk bagged around 8 divisions. About half of the breakouts were successful (that was true of all my opponent’s breakout rolls) but his attritional rolls were abysmal, and only one step survived. He did a small counter attack to get some units back in trace and across the river (red arrow), he took a step loss, I took my option as a retreat, and he was able to move into the hex.

Cutting the rail line west of Rzhev was a total success. Again, his breakouts were about 50-50 in the area of the red circle, so nothing in front of me there. I will easily be able to secure this area next turn.

3) Roslavl area – Many of the units in the red oval area where able to get out of the pocket and are now heading to Vyazma, but many of them did not. Again, 50-50 on the breakouts, but any units who rolled for attrition died in place (red X’s). The biggest pain is the division designated by the arrow who was able to eat off the map. This position is blocking the 11th Pz from getting into striking distance of the units on the run.

4) Guderian’s Blitzkrieg – OK, major mistake not taking Orel (red circle), but I will cut off Bryansk next turn. Wasn’t able to destroy anyone in the small pocket next to the blue circle, but I should be able to cut trace for about 18 divisions once I cut the railroads. Supply is my big problem.

5) Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk – Didn’t pocket anything in this area and my opponent is making a general retreat towards “Fortress Kharkov”. The units in the red circles are all heading in that direction, plus the units that started to the NW of the city are also heading that way. The only unit he left in my way around Dnepropetrovsk is a division in the blue circle, but it really isn’t affecting my movement. I guess I will just have to cut off Kharkov and make a big pocket.

6) Crimea – No big changes, but my opponent is pulling back to the east toward Stalino/Rostov, doing the Russian thing, trading land for time.

Final accounting for turn one:
My step losses – 3 inf, 2 mech, 2 bomber

My opponents step losses –
Combat – 10 inf, 3 mech, 3 arty, 5 HQ, 2 bomber
Breakout losses – 22 inf, 3 mech
Attrition Losses – 13 inf

Russian Grand Total –
45 inf, 6 mech, 3 arty, 5 HQ, 2 bomber

22 inf and 1 mech steps successfully broke out and so I will see them again within 6 turns.

Overall, not bad. Unfortunately, the weather went sour and turn two has limited flight. Additionally, my opponent won the initiative roll and chose to go first, giving him a chance to firm up defenses. We will see how it looks when he gets the files back to me.

The Russians won initiative after turn 1 and chose to go first. Here is the situation at the end of my opponents turn, 5 October, 1941.

1) Velikiye Luki and north – Lots of fishing and deer hunting going on. A quiet sector that my opponent is willing to leave that way.

2) Smolensk area – The Russians continue to bug out and look to be setting up defenses around Rzhev and Vyazma (Red Ovals). My opponent used his air force wisely and did some trainbusting on front of Rzhev (Green Checkmarks) to slow me down. It is obvious to me that my opponent is enticing me to attack the two units in strat mode to the south (Blue Circle) at odds of what, a billion to one? The only reason for that is to make me use up 2T of supply. I will likely oblige him, as they are both full sized rifle divisions. The more I kill, the less in front of me. My biggest annoyance are the units blocking the road in front of Vyazma (Blue Square). It is a fairly hefty stack and I really don’t know what is in it, but they have to go.

3) Roslavl area – A bit surprised my opponent didn’t at least try to defend Sukhinichi (Red Circle) as that rail line is critical to keep for Bryansk in trace supply. Fine with me, it will make my move by the 2nd Pz easier to pull off. He did a bit of trainbusting (Green Checkmark) to the north of Spas Demyansk to slow any advance towards Vyazma and/or Taluga. The rifle division in the middle of 11th Pz (Red X) is annoying to the extreme, and since he is still there, he must have some supply with it. Sigh. My infantry keeps pushing forward in all directions.

4) Guderian’s Blitzkrieg – My opponent is going all out to get his forces to Bryansk. If my forces to the SW had gas, it wouldn’t work, but they don’t. Decided to move the 1st Cavalry (Blue Oval to north) cross country during the exploit phase to get into position to take Karachev the next turn. Don’t believe my opponent will expect that.

As for the rest of the map, lots of empty space and limited supply to take advantage of it. My opponent is trying to turn both Orel (Red Circle) and Mtsenk into fortresses, causing me to kick myself again for not taking them on the first move. I will now have to take them the hard way. My plan is for 4th Pz (Blue Circle) to leapfrog over 18th Pz to take up positions around Orel. The 3rd Pz (Orange Oval) will move to cut the Orel/Bryansk Railroad and assist 4th Pz. Various other units to the south (Green Circle) will move to take L’Gov. The infantry will keep trying to keep up.

5) Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk – General retreat by the Russians, and it looks like they will make stand at Kharkov. This will be an infantry struggle as I am severely limited in supply. As for the forces around Dnepropetrovsk, I will continue to move them East and Southeast as long as I have fuel and can stay in trace. Likely will not be able to make a big move until I can put a railroad bridge across the Dnepr.

6) Crimea – The Russians are running so fast it is impossible to keep up! What can I say? I’ve got to punch through the hog line (Red Circle) as soon as possible and move towards Sevastopol. Supply will be a problem, as will men. On the other hand, a clear shot to Rostov. I should be there by the end of the month 😊

This turn didn’t turn out as bad as I feared since it looks like the Russians are in bad shape. I’m up, so let’s see what happens.

Here is the situation at the end of turn 2 of the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

1) Velikiye Luki and North – Pretty much nothing happening. The camping and nature trails are wonderful in the fall! A hint of winter though.

2) Smolensk area – The 3rd Panzer Group has a lot going on. First, a key of what you are looking at.
Red Circle – North – Rzhev
Red Circle – South - Vyazma
Blue Ovals – NW – 4 inf divisions on the move towards Nelidovo and beyond.
Green Circle – North – 1st PZ, 14th Mtr, plus 3 inf division
Green Circle – South – 7th Pz
Blue Triangle – Truck Extender
Blue Hexagons – HQ’s
Blue Circle just north of Smolensk/Vyazma road – river crossing by armored forces to flank the hog line
Red X’s – attacks made during the turn, took all hexes attacked.
Blue and Green Arrows – Intended advance from circled areas
Orange Arrows – intended axes of advance toward Vyazma

This turn ended up being a bit of a regrouping exercise, much of it due to the successful trainbusting campaign my opponent had last turn between 1st PZ and Rzhev. I got lots of the infantry close to the front to free up the mobile divisions to make a second push. I’ve decided to repair the Smolensk/Zemtsy/Nildovo rail line to ensure trace to the units going after Rzhev. It should take 5 turns, well before a freeze has a chance of killing some of my trucks. I hope to have the city before then.

I intend in putting Vyazma under pressure this turn from the West and North, and will have units from the south in place in a turn or two. Will he stand or run?

One thing I discovered is I am pretty used to having intact rail lines in most of the games I play. Extender use is kind of new to me. Also, I should be making better use of trainbusting myself, but I keep forgetting to do it. Hopefully I will learn.

3) Spas Demyansk area – A key of what you are looking at.
Red Circle – North – Vyazma
Red Circle – East - Taluga
Blue Ovals – From West to East – 11th PZ, 10th PZ, 2nd PZ
Green Oval – 6 Inf division on to the rescue
Blue Lines – Blocking Russian lines of advance
Blue Triangle – Truck Extender and HQ
OK, OK, I should have got rid of the Russian rifle division next to 11th PZ this turn, but I didn’t. Live and learn. My main goal this turn is to get 10th and 11th PZ on the move, across the river, and into to open to threaten Vyazma. I have enough infantry in the area to take over security of the supply lines, so no problem there. I am repairing the railroad to the North East and should be at Spas Demyansk in 4 turns to ensure trace supply for the advance towards Taluga. 2nd PZ gets a rest. I think their mere presence on top of Sukhinichi ensures the Russians won’t try anything. I should get infantry in the area next turn to then set them loose on the next target. I’m just not sure what my opponent will do with his forces around Bryansk. There are lots of units, so I will be interested to see how many he tries to break out in his turn.

I still have 3 mobile divisions in the area that haven’t moved yet, and with supply the way it is, not sure when they will.

4) Guderian’s Blitzkrieg – A key of what you are looking at:
Red Circle – North – Karachev
Red Circle – NE – Orel
Red Circle - East – Mtsensk
Red Circle – South – L’Gov
Blue Oval – West – 1st Cavalry Division
Blue Oval – East – 3rd & 4th PZ
Green Oval – Various infantry and assorted other units
Blue and Green Arrows – Lines of advance
Red X – a Russian AR3 infantry division in strat mode who is about to be chased down and killed
Blue Triangle – Truck Extender
Blue Hexagon – HQ
Blue Lines - Blocking Russian lines of advance

Bryansk is cut off from trace by rail. My opponent is in a bit of a pickle here.

Priorities in this sector:
1) Surround Orel and take airfield. Block reinforcements from Mtsensk. You all don’t have to tell me I should have taken Orel on turn one, I kick myself constantly about that.
2) 1st Cav take Karachev and block any move to reopen the rail line.
3) Take L’Gov and the airfield.
4) Try to use as little supply as possible for this move.
5) Get the infantry up!!

Moving SPs to the fighting units is a royal pain. I see no easy way to get rail trace to the area. Right now my repair unit is heading to L’Gov and will be there in 4 turns. I will have to see the situation from that point to figure out the best line to repair after that.

5) Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk – A key of what you are looking at:
Red Circles – Intermediate objectives to cut off Kharkov
Blue Oval – West – 14th & 16th PZ
Blue Oval – Center – 13th PZ
Blue Oval – West – It D’Aosta Cav Div
Blue Circle – 60th Mtr
Blue Triangle – Wagon Extender and HQ
Blue Hexagon – HQ
Blue Arrows - Lines of advance

With as little supply as I have in the area, this sector is shaping up to be a tough one. Kharkov is the big prize and my opponent probably won’t give it up without a fight. My thought is to cut the rail lines around the city and starve him out.

The 60th Mtr is in a good position to cause the Russians problems and I don’t think my opponent knows where the division is at. I haven’t decided how to use it yet this turn. This turn I will move toward the airfield north of Kharkov and village Merefa just over the river south of Kharkov, hopefully putting the Russians moving along the road in danger.

The 13th, 14th, and 16th PZ are starved for fuel, and not yet sure when I can get them on the move. SS-W is in the same shape. The Italians have some cavalry, but not enough, so my plan with them all is to slowly push out and take territory.

6) Crimea – Finally punched through the hog line. Cost me 2 infantry steps and 8T, but now my opponent will have to move. The rece is on to Sevastopol!

Limited supply and limited manpower will make this a challenge too, but now I am on the move.

Final accounting for turn two:
My step losses – 2 inf

My opponents step losses –
Combat – 8 inf, 1 mech
Attrition Losses – 1 inf
Barrage Losses – 1 Unk, believe it was inf

Russian Grand Total –
9 inf, 1 mech, 1 unk

Kind of a pause due to weather and supply issues (when don’t I have those?) Weather for turn 3 is full flight, and I won initiative. After giving it some thought I decided to go first. There is a possibility of mud starting next turn, want to move as far I can before that happens, and I want to ensure I pocket more Russians, especially around Bryansk.

Finally, this AAR actually helps me play the game. I have to look at the situation again and really study the map.

I won the initiative and decided to take a double turn at this point for two reasons. #1 I still want to trap as many Russians as possible behind my lines and this makes it easier, and #2 is that mud can show up next turn. I want to be as far forward as possible before that happens.

My replacement roll was a bit above average (9-1=8) so I got an EQ replacement. My supply roll was an 11! I’ll take that any day, and comes at the right time.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector.

1) Velikiye Luki and North – Still an inactive sector. Some excitement though! The red X marks the sighting of a European Sparrow! Kind of late in the year for this, so a real prize! One of the birdwatchers mistook it of an African Sparrow. That person has since been “dispatched”. In actual war news, I did move the SS-T division from this sector to south of Smolensk. In its place I have reinforced the area with two infantry divisions. Motorized units really not very useful here and better used to the south.

2) Rzhev Sector – Lots of possibilities here and tried to set up my forces to take advantage of whatever my opponent decides to do. First, a key of what you are looking at.

Red Circle – West – Rzhev
Red Circle – way NW – Kalanin – the big prize here
Blue Oval – North– 1st PZ
Blue Oval – South – 7th PZ
Orange Circle – 14th Mtr
Blue Circle – RR Repair unit, eventually heading to Nelidovo and beyond
Blue Checkmark – Truck extender
Blue Triangles – HQs currently in combat mode
Red Arrow – Railroad to Vyazma. From where the arrow sits, Vyazma is 5 hexes away, all open terrain.
Blue Arrows – Possible moves by my PZ divisions

In addition to the circled units there are also 9 infantry divisions moving up. The northernmost ones will be able to engage the hogs west of Rzhev next turn. The Panzer Grenadier regiment from 1st PZ is across the river, which is where he will stay. I attempted to DG the unit in the northernmost occupied Rzhev hog, but was unsuccessful and decided to not attack (odds just not too favorable and rather not lose the regiment).

If my opponent decides to make a stand around Rzhev, he will likely cause me some trouble. The hogline to the south is in real danger, and I expect him to abandon the position. I will decide what to do with 7th PZ based on what he does.

3) Vyazma Sector – This situation turned out much better than I envisioned. I think my opponent is in real trouble here and could lose a large number of steps.

Map Key –
Red Circle – West – Vyazma
Red Circle – East – Borodino
Partial Blue Oval – 7th PZ
Blue Oval – 10th and 11th PZ
Blue Triangle – HQ in combat mode
Green Checkmark – Trainbusted hex, something I seldom use but should
Red X’s – Cut off Russian units (estimate 6-8 steps)
Blue Arrows – Possible lines of advance for my units next turn
Big Blue Arrow – Where I really want to go

I estimate my moves this turn put about 20-24 steps in mortal danger. If he decides to hold the hogline, I will likely cut it off next turn. If he decides to run, I will likely catch his units out in the open. If he decides to make Vyazma a fortress, again I will likely cut the city off, but he could probably hold off for some time there. The trainbusting hex I created will slow him down somewhat.

My biggest problem right now is supply (isn’t that a shock?). With my limited number of RR repair units, I am really hard pressed to keep trace to my forward elements. I have decided to move the RR repair unit heading toward Spas Demyansk to the Smolensk-Moscow double rail line next turn to get everything pushed further east.

Also, my opponent must now give some serious though to manning the Moscow hog line. I think he is running short on units at the moment (that won’t last forever) and is in a real quandary.

4) Bryansk Sector – I think my opponent waited too long to evacuate. I have a very loose pocket of (I’m estimating here) 30 Infantry and 10 mech steps. I really don’t think he has a praryer of opening up the rail line this turn either.

Map Key –
Blue Circle - North – Spas Demyansk
Blue Circle – NW – Roslav
Orel is just off map to the SE
Blue Oval – NE – 2nd PZ
Blue Oval – West of Bryansk – 8 infantry divisions
Blue Oval – South – 29th Mtr
Blue Oval – SE of Bryansk – 1st Cavalry Division
Blue Checkmark – Truck extender
Blue Triangles – HQ’s in combat mode (have to move some of them and put them somewhere useful)
Green Checkmark – Trainbusting hex

As you can see, no blue arrows showing my next turn moves. I would much rather starve out Bryansk than assault it, but can’t wait forever either. I will see what my opponent does next turn and evaluate.

I don’t think the Russians have a prayer of getting out of there and expect most of them to try a breakout. The purpose of the trendbusting we to break up the pocked and keep the units from the south from getting to Bryansk

5) Orel Sector – Surrounded Orel and DG’d the stack. I know there is an HQ there and 5-6 RE.

Map Key -
Red Circles – from N to S – Mtsensk, Orel, Kursk
Blue Circles – from E to W – L’Gov, Konotop
Blue Ovals – from E to W – 3rd and 4th PZ, 18th PZ, 17th PZ and 29th Mtr
Orange Circle – present position of RR Repair unit
Blue Checkmark – Truck Extender
Blue Triangles – HQ’s in combat mode

Like Bryansk, I would prefer that Orel just starve quickly. Since that will probably not happen, I will have to plan to assault the city. To make it worse, I will then probably have to do the same thing at Mtsensk. I’m really curious to see what my opponent plans to do around Kursk.

As always, lots of mobile units, no gas to move them. What makes this area even worse is I really don’t have much infantry either. I’ll just have to keep importing it one division at a time.

6) Kharkov Sector – this is coming along, but will be slow and cost lots of supply. I think I trapped about 10-12 steps of infantry and a couple of steps of mech, so things are looking up.

Map Key –
Blue Oval – under the Reserve – 25th Mtr
Other Blue Ovals – from N-S – 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr
Blue Checkmark – Wagon extender
Blue Triangles – HQs in combat mode
Orange Triangle – HQ in move mode
Red X’s – Intermediate objectives to cut off Kharkov

The infantry is getting into position to take the intermediate objectives, and since the Germans move faster than the Russians, I was able to trap some of them in the open. I blocked the river crossings and don’t think he can get trace unless he attacks me.

I will be able to move over the minor river south of Kharkov next turn due to the HQ I placed next to it. This will give me two axes of attack next turn.

As always, the supply situation is marginal, but I was able to get the rail line repaired to Poltave, so it is now a reinforcement hex. Always helpful to have these spots closer to the line.

I did spend an SP to get 9th PZ on the move. With it sitting in a position to go for either Belgorod or Kharkov, hopefully it will give my opponent another headache.

7) Dnepropetrovsk and South Sector – Lots of miscellaneous units, all of which are pretty much at the end of the supply line. Until I start repairing railroads down here, this is pretty much as far as they go.

Map Key –
Blue Ovals – from N-S – 14th PZ, 13th PZ, 16th PZ, It D’Aosta Cav Div, SS-W, LAH

8) Crimea Sector – The breakthrough of the hogline is complete and my opponent will likely try to breakout 4 divisions, leaving me a clear shot south. Unfortunately, the limit of my advance is determined by the railroads, and that means that until I get a RR repair unit down here, I can’t get next to Sevastopol. Plus, you know, supply.

Map Key –
Blue Triangle – my one and only HQ
Green Checkmark – Trainbusting hex
Blue Arrows – optimistic plan for movement.

Taking the double turn worked out well. If the weather does turn to mud next turn, I at least got my army in position to attack in spots. Now awaiting my opponents move.

As expected, I caused my opponent some major problems, but he strike back to show me he is not completely without resources to fight back. Overall, this was a pretty good turn for the Axis forces.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector.

1) Velikiye Luki and North – Still an inactive sector. No changes, and willing to keep it that way. This is tying up 18-20 Russian divisions, so worth the effort.

2) Rzhev Sector – The scene of a small Russian victory. The Blue X indicated the spot previously occupied by the Panzer Grenadier regiment from the 1st PZ division. My opponent barraged it and then attacked and destroyed it, using (likely) some paratroopers as the lead unit. Total cost to him was at least 2SP and 1 step of 4AR infantry, gaining him bragging rights with Stalin. Was it worth it? Well, possibly, as those units are hard for me to rebuild and it did blunt my move somewhat.

Symbology Key –
Blue Oval – North – 1st PZ
Blue Oval – Center – 14th Mtr
Blue Oval – South – 7th PZ
Blue Star – Truck extender
Blue Triangles – Present positions of HQs
Green Checkmarks – Russian trainbusting hexes
Blue Arrows – Likely moves PZ divisions next turn

It looks like a stand will be made at Rzhev. Since my opponent pulled back from Vyazma (see next picture), 7th PZ will be committed to taking the city. If only those pesky Russians would just get out to of the way! The trainbusting hexes are placed to cause me maximum heartburn.

3) Vyazma Sector – My opponent lost 12-16 steps here between breakout failures and attrition. Overall, his breakout percentages were poor, but the low numbers he rolled worked well for attrition. Not going to trap as many this turn, but I want Vyazma and the airfield as soon as possible.

Map Key –
Partial Blue Oval – 7th PZ
Blue Oval – South – 10th and 11th PZ
Blue Oval – West – 6th PZ and 36th Mtr. 36th Mtr is fueled already
Blue Triangle – HQ in combat mode
Red X – OOS Tank Brigade who is targeted to perish via overrun as soon as the turn starts.
Blue Arrows – Lines of advance to invest Vyazma

Did pretty well cutting off his units and a good amount died. Once I secure Vyazma, I can plan to possibly pierce the hogline in front of Moscow. My opponent is starting to man the line now, and I don’t expect it to be easy.

4) Bryansk Sector – This sector was a disaster for my opponent. I estimate he lost 25-30 steps between failed breakouts and attrition. He still has 10-15 steps left, but most are already OOS, and few, if any decent AR units to roll attrition with.

Map Key –
Blue Oval – NE – 2nd PZ
Blue Oval – SE of Bryansk – 1st Cavalry Division
Blue Oval – NW of Bryansk – SS-R, fueled
Blue Start – Truck extender
Blue Triangles – HQ’s
Small Blue Arrows – Planned moves to invest Bryans
Large Blue Arrows – Planned moves of infantry divisions to the front.

I am hoping attrition goes quickly here for the Russians, but if it is more than two turns, I may just put them out of their misery.

5) Orel Sector – Surrounded Orel and DG’d the stack. Only 1 step died of attrition. The wait begins, so time to move the rest of my army.

Map Key -
Blue Ovals – from E to W – 3rd and 4th PZ, 18th PZ, 17th PZ and 29th Mtr
Blue Star – Truck Extender
Blue Triangles – HQ’s
Blue Line – Railroad that should be repaired within the next 2 turns

I really have no desire to attack Orel as the cost in both supply and manpower would be fairly high. I will have to plan for it though, just in case. I need more infantry down here!

6) Kharkov Sector – As expected, this sector is becoming a bit of a slog. My opponent has decided to make a stand in both Kharkov and Belgorod, so I have my work cut out for me. I was able to kill about 10-12 steps due to breakout failures and attrition of the units I caught out in the open south of Kharkov.

Map Key –
Blue Oval – under the Reserve marker – 25th Mtr
Other Blue Ovals – from N-S – 10th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr
Blue Star – Wagon extender
Blue Triangles – HQs
Small Blue Arrows – Infantry lines of movement
Large Blue Arrows – mobile division lines of movement

I’ve decided to use the mobile divisions to threaten Belgorod while the bulk of my infantry will attempt to cut off Kharkov. I will probably cut the rail lines, but my opponent will still have a secondary road out of the city to the East. Oh, and supply is a problem.

7) Dnepropetrovsk and South Sector – Nothing in front of me, but no way to follow up until I get railroads repaired. Russians lost 4 steps lost due to attrition. I have decided to take Lozovaya, because I can 12 Killing strat mode units is kind of fun.

Map Key –
Blue Ovals – from N-S – 14th PZ, 13th PZ, 16th PZ, It D’Aosta Cav Div, SS-W, LAH
Blue Triangles - HQs
Red Circle – Lazovaya

8) Crimea Sector – The Russians facing me at the hog line have disappeared once I cut supply. Attrition accounted for 6 steps. As always, logistics limits my freedom of movement. I do what I can.

Map Key –
Blue Triangle – my one and only HQ
Blue Circle – limit of throw range of my HQ.

Overall, not a bad turn, and I think that my decision to go first was correct. I also believe this is pretty much the last of the “big” pockets for me. My total losses have been pretty minor, but it will still take a while to make them up. Oh, and then we have winter. I can’t wait.

Final accounting for turn three:
My step losses – 3 mech

My opponents step losses –
Combat – 8 inf, 1 mech
Breakout losses – 18-22 inf, 4-6 mech
Attrition Losses – 20-24 inf, 3-7 mech

Russian Turn Total –
46-54 inf, 8-14 mech steps. Midrange = 50 inf, 11 mech
10-12 inf steps and 4-6 mech steps successfully broke out and so I will see them again within 6 turns.

For turn 4, no mud, limited flight, and I lost initiative. My opponent wants to keep the hammer, so I go first. Until next time!

My opponent, hereafter referred to as Jim (since that is his name and easier to type) won the initiative and decided to keep the hammer. At this point, going second isn’t a priority, so I am perfectly happy for him to keep it. This turned out to be more of a repositioning turn anyway.

My replacement roll was a lousy (5-1=4) so I got no replacements. The only silver lining is I didn’t roll one less and lose a truck. My supply roll was a 7, and with the 2 SP I received as reinforcements, I ended up with 15 SP this turn.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector.

Forgive me for changing up colors/symbols on the maps. I’m trying to come up with some sort of standard way to show units and movement. I’ll get there eventually.

1) Velikiye Luki and North – Absolutely nothing going on. Jim seems a bit paranoid about the forces in the north and is leaving 18-20 infantry division and probably 10-12 steps of other stuff to make sure I stay there. Fine by me, it means those forces aren’t in front of my units in other sectors.

2) Rzhev Sector –This attack bogged down for two reasons. First, Jim hogged up and is going to make me work for every hex on the way to Rzhev, and second, supply is a problem without a detrainable hex in the near vicinity. I’m doing my best to take care of the supply issue, and will just have to figure out a way to make a hole is Jim’s line to surround Rzhev, which is the key to taking Kalinin.

Map Key:
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair unit heading to Nelidovo
Orange Star – Truck Extender. I have to make this irrelevant by the time freeze sets in
Orange Triangles - HQs
Blue Circle – West – 14th Mtr, ready to roll
Blue Circle – East – 7th PZ
Blue Oval – 1st PZ
Blue Checkmark – Brand spanking new airfield to (hopefully) counter trainbusting
Green X – IMO, the key hex to taking Rzhev. Punch a hole here, and I can run my army through
Blue Arrows – Possible lines of advance for my PZ divisions

The Infantry has caught up to the front, which is critical. I’m hoping a hole in the hogline, in addition to a PZ division or two on the backside of Rzhev will collapse Jim’s defenses allowing me to head toward Kalinin.

3) Vyazma Sector – I believe I just created my last pocket. As per usual, supply is a problem, but I have everything in place to make another push quickly, once the pocket is clear of Russians.
Map Key:
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair unit heading East
Orange Triangles - HQs
Blue Circle – West – 6th PZ14th Mtr, ready to roll
Blue Circle – SW – SS-R, across the minor river, next to the road to Maloyaroslavets
Blue Oval – South – 10th PZ
Blue Oval – North – 11th PZ
Blue Oval – East – 36th Mtr
Blue Arrows – Possible lines of advance
Red X – site of overrun attack that took out a armored brigade, making this move possible

There are 6-8 rifle division and 4-5 steps of other stuff in this pocket. Jim will likely get a goodly portion out via breakout, but not all. The bigger prize to me at this moment is the airfield right outside of Vyazma, which I sorely need to keep my army under air coverage.

I note the red X where Jim had placed a 6-2-5 armored brigade. It was out of supply, but still in the way of 10th and 11th PZ. I used a 7-5-7 Flampanzer battalion to attack and ended up getting a Ao1, DL1o1 result, which did not make me happy, but I will accept the loss to keep my army moving.

In addition to the mobile divisions, I have 9 infantry division in the traffic jam, which will all come in useful at the hogline. I expect Jim to start manning the Moscow hogs with a vengeance, so I have to pierce the line asap.

4) Bryansk Sector – Getting on the move to the north, major traffic jam to the south.

Map Key:
3 Blue Circles – NW – from N – S – SS-T, 3rd Mtr, 5th Pz.
Just off the picture to the west are 19th and 20th PZ
Blue Circle – NE – SS-R
Blue Oval – North - 2nd PZ
Blue Oval – SE of Bryansk – 1st Cavalry Division
Orange Checkmark – Truck extender
Orange Triangles – HQ’s
Red Circle – a placed to allow breakout
Red Square – 99.9% sure there is an HQ in that hex
Blue Square – Orel and lots of German stuff. To be discussed in next picture

As I mentioned in the last picture, I have SS-R across the minor river right next to the secondary road towards Maloyaroslavets. My next move from here is race to get past the next river line to outflank Kaluga, and take at least grab a couple of hogs in front of Maloyaroslavets to get past the hogline. Plenty of infantry here to help out.

Jim, sneaky devil that he is, moved the cavalry unit in the red circle to that hex last turn. Knowing that you can’t be in strat mode and not be in trace, I am sure that there is a HQ in the hex with the red square. If so, Jim will be able to attempt breakout with all but one unit from the Bryansk pocket this turn. The only question will be is how many units will he leave in the pocket to take their chances and slow me up.

Finally, I have no idea when I will ever be able to move the 5 motorized divisions behind the lines. They will likely sit there with reserve markers on them for some time.

5) Orel Sector – Orel took zero step losses during my turn. Very frustrating.

Map Key:
Small Blue Circle – N of Orel – 18th PZ
Small Blue Circle – S of L’Gov – 10th Mtr
Large Blue Circle – around Orel – 3rd & 4th PZ
Large Blue Circle – West – 17th PZ & 29th Mtr
Orange Star – RR Repair Unit
Orange Checkmark – Truck extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Red X – Kursk, my next priority objective

I counted out the turns and the distance to various detrainable hexes and discovered that I have to take Kursk before November 1. I have enough infantry to do it, but will move up 17th PZ to help. Once I take the city and repair the rail road, my supply is in much better shape for the move towards Moscow.

Orel is going to be a major pain, but it will fall eventually.

6) Kharkov Sector – What a slog. Jim is going to put up a fight, and I don’t want to take the losses, so rethinking a bit.

Map Key:
Blue Circles – from north to south – 25th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Red Circle – 3 Russian divisions
Red X’s – My new objectives to cut off Kharkov

I wasn’t able to completely cut off the Russians trying to escape, so the stack just to the north of the red circle will get across the river and get away. The units under the red circle will not.

I have decided that my original strategy of cutting the railroads to Kharkov is sound, but have decided not to go for the cities to do it. Jim can’t protect all of the hexes, and I will just jump on the low hanging fruit. Once the city is cut from trace, he will have to react. I can’t do this in one turn, so he will see what I will be attempting. His reaction will be interesting. This will also get my motorized division on the move and useful once again.

7) Dnepropetrovsk and South Sector – Got a HQ in position so I can move some formations forward.

Map Key:
Blue Circles/Ovals – from West to East – 14th PZ, 13th PZ, LAH (south), It D’Aosta Cav Div, SS-W, 16th PZ
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Orange triangles – HQs
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair unit
Blue Arrows – Lines of advance

I want to get over the Donets quickly to make Jim nervous about Izyum. Also, getting a PZ in that position will assist in taking Kharkov. Now I just need the other two PZ divisions to start moving.

I will only repair the rail road to Dnepropetrovsk city center, then move it back north to assist in completing the net to advance on Moscow. It won’t be until after the beginning of November before I start repairing any of the railroads in the south.

8) Crimea Sector – This area will go quiet soon. I will move as far as I can and then sit for a while until I can get my supply net expanded.

Map Key –
Red Circle – Russian division, 1 step
Red X’s – Furthest I can get until I repair railroads or build an extender
Orange Triangles - HQs

One of my big concerns right now is getting rail lines repaired so I can remove the truck extenders before freezing occurs. The first time it could happen is 1 November. I should be able to do it, but it will be close.

Jim didn’t do a lot directly in front of me, most of his was behind the lines, moving up reinforcements and starting to man the Moscow hogs. His attrition rolls were poor, and most of the units behind my lines disappeared.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. Since the graphics of the situation looks very close to what it was at the middle of the turn, so I will only post the sectors that had significant changes.

1) Vyazma Sector – Breakthrough almost complete, just a few Russian holdouts that will starve soon. The units that were on both Vyazma itself and the airfield next to the city disappeared, so I can start flying from there this turn. With the mud next turn, I will probably make this a repositioning turn to get as far forward as I can in hopes of dry weather in the near future.

Map Key:
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair unit heading East
Orange Triangles - HQs
Blue Ovals – North to South – 11th PZ, 6th PZ, 36th Mtr, 10th Pz
Blue Checkmark – Vyazma
Blue X – airfield
Blue Arrows – Possible lines of advance

Jim lost 3-5 inf and 2-4 mech steps here due to attrition, and has 4-6 inf and 2-3 mech steps less in the two hexes he still holds. Hopefully they will go away next turn. After this, another hog line to pierce. Ouch.

2) Bryansk Sector – Pocket almost cleared

Map Key:
Orange Triangles – HQ’s
Red Circles – Bryansk and one OOS rifle division
Blue Arrows – lines of advance for my infantry divisions

The lone rifle division in the south will likely go away next turn, leaving me Bryansk. Jim has supplies in the city, just don’t know how much. I will probably use 1st Calvary division to if I need to assault as they go away on November 1st anyway. I would like the city soon for the train unit.

Jim lost 8 inf steps due to attrition this turn. I know that the division to the south is 2 steps, and I believe there are about 5 steps of infantry in Bryansk.

3) Kharkov Sector – The grind continues. Jim saw me coming and took measures to thwart my flanking moves, plus the weather roll for next turn did not help. I will just have to be methodical and about taking this city, but I will take it.

Jim lost 1 inf step due to attrition at the OOS marker, leaving 1 mech step in the hex, plus 1 inf step, maybe 2.

Map Key:
Blue Circles – from North to South, West to East – 25th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 14th PZ, 16th PZ
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Red X’s – My original objective for 16th PZ

16th PZ is fueled, but with mud, it won’t be able to do what I hoped. The original plan was to move 4 hexes with the HQ right next to it and then during the exploit phase move to the position of the X. ON the next turn I planned on taking 14th PZ and moving across the river. Unfortunately, I’ll have to rethink this one.

As you can see below, mud will make its appearance next turn. I need at least one more turn of dry for all my plans to come to fruition, so I am now at the mercy of the weather. Also, the mobile divisions I pre-fueled this turn are in the middle of the steppe, without a decent road. I will just have to move them as far as I can.

My losses have been very light to this point, but it makes me dread the freeze even more. My army will look nothing like this when the cold weather comes.

Final accounting for turn three:
My step losses – 1 inf, 1 mech

Jim’s step losses –
Combat – 2 inf, 1 mech
Breakout losses – None attempted
Attrition Losses – 13-16 inf, 2-4 mech

Russian Turn Total –
15-18 inf, 3-5 mech steps. Midrange = 16 inf, 5 mech

For turn 5, light mud, normal flight, and I lost the initiative roll again. Jim tells me to go first.

The situation at the end of the October 15 Axis move for the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

Light Mud was on the menu for this turn. It caused me to pump the brakes, and I can see that a full Mud turn will likely bring my army to a stop. On the other hand, I am beginning to correct the SP deficit of the last 4 turns. More SP is a good thing 😊

My replacement roll was a 10, which turns into a 9, so not bad. I was able to bring back my destroyed Ju-88 and the panzer grenadier regiment from 1st PZ. My supply roll was also 10, bringing me 15 SP.

I received 12 Panje wagons this turn due to the mud. I have plans for them !

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. I have decided to only post graphics to sectors that had significant movement/action.

1) Vyazma Sector – Cleaning up around Vyazma. I will give the two stacks of Russians behind my lines (3 steps of infantry in each) one more attritional roll to surrender on their own before I take evict them forcibly. Pushed forward towards Borodino, and hope to find an opening to outflank the Moscow Hog line.
Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Truck extender
Blue Ovals/Circle – North to South – 6th PZ, 11th PZ, 10th PZ & 36th Mtr, SS-R Mtr
Red X’s – OOS Russians
Red Circle – Borodino
Blue Arrows – Possible lines of advance

I will splurge next turn and build up the airfield just south of Vyazma so I can rebase some of my air force. The RR repair unit to the north will make it to Vyazma in 3 turns, and the one to the south will get to Spas Demyansk in two, so I can remove the extender.

I hope to trap and kill the cavalry division to the north, though I realize that probably won’t happen. At least I made his path to safety more torturous.

SS-R took out a tank brigade during the exploit phase, effectively outflanking the units on the road to Maloy(lots of other letters). Let’s see what happens next turn.

2) Bryansk/Orel Sector – Jim has between from 3-4 RE in Bryansk, and 4-5 RE in Orel, together with an unknown amount of supply in each city. I was able to take out 1 step via barrage this turn from Orel, but I have to keep moving and can’t wait forever to clear them both. Also, Jim built a Hog in Orel, making the process more difficult. I will probably start assaulting Bryansk next turn, but still have to move more infantry up to begin the process on Orel. Assaults will also make Jim burn supply faster.

Map Key :
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair Unit
Orange Star – Truck Extender
Orange Triangles – HQ’s
Blue Circles – North to South – 3rd / 4th / 18th PZ, 17th PZ & 29th Mtr, 10th Mtr
Blue X’s – Future positions of wagon extenders
Red Circle – Kursk, my next objective to secure my supply situation
Blue Arrows – lines of advance towards Kursk and my eventual resumption of movement towards Tula

Once I start the assault on Bryansk I plan to use 1st Cavalry as lead since they go away at the beginning of November. Gamey ? Maybe, but the horse soldiers want glory too !

My infantry divisions are just now getting around Bryansk. I only have 1 near Orel, and really need at least one more.

It is obvious that Jim intends to make me fight for Kursk. I should be next to the town next turn, but it will likely turn into another siege. I really need the hex for the railroad connections.

I will have my wagon extenders in place in 3 turns so shouldn’t have to worry about truck losses quite as much when the freeze comes. The Panje wagons do come in handy !

Getting the divisions in the backfield up to the front is still a challenge.

3) Kharkov Sector – Making slow progress, and I really can’t blame it on mud. My goal now is to surround Kharkov by early November, though I’m sure Jim will make it very tough to take the city completely out.

I killed 3 inf and 1 mech step due to combat this turn, and hope attrition takes out the last surrounded step this turn.

Map Key :
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Checkmark – future location of a wagon extender (I should have done this a couple of turns ago)
Blue Circles – from North to South, West to East – 25th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 16th PZ, 14th PZ, 13th PZ, It D’Aosta Cav
Red X’s – Objective hexes to encircle Kharkov and cause Jim heartburn

I am next to the Donets in two places and intend to cross the river at the large X to the south next turn and will be able to do the same thing next to the 16th PZ the turn after. This should put Izyum in dancer and make Jim respond. He really doesn’t have enough units to hold everywhere.
Belgorod is a problem, but I don’t have enough resources to close on the city yet.

Once I get the wagon extender set up, I can start moving the Italians and all my other miscellaneous units east. I want a firm position on the east side of the Donets before winter sets in.

4) Crimea Sector - Finally cleared out the last of the OOS units and began general movement of my army toward Sevastopol. Not likely I will be able to actually take the city, but I can surround it and make sure Jim can’t use it as a conduit for general reinforcements.

Map Key :
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Stars – Wagon Extenders
Orange Checkmark – future position of another Wagon Extender
Blue Arrows – Axes of advance

Unsurprisingly, supply is a problem, and this sector is going to become even more of a backwater. It will take some time to build up and advance on Sevastopol.

Mud did really slow me down. I am hoping for a turn or more of clear weather before full on mud makes its appearance and stops me completely.

I blew it by not planning for wagon extenders two turns ago, but it won’t be a show stopper. I will be able to remove all my truck extenders before the first freeze, so those shouldn’t be a problem. What is really holding me up is lack of RR Repair units, but I will have to make do.

Orel keeps haunting me, and I expect the same treatment at Kursk and Mtensk. All I can do is go around the cities and reduce them as quickly as possible.

I am very happy about my light losses, but I will make up for that as soon as the freeze hits. Oh well.

Finally, this is the first turn where I have used less supply than what I have received through the supply table. I don’t expect Jim to counterattack anywhere, and if not, for the first 5 turns I will only have 10 less SP on the map than what the set up called for. I watch those numbers very closely.

The situation at the end of the October 15 Russian move for the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

As expected, the light mud slowed Jim down as well as me. I am beginning to see the areas he feels are important, and have to come up to counters for his troop concentrations. His manning of the Moscow hog line has picked up. He has also started to pull units out of the line in the far north, which would imply he is running short of steps to man the front elsewhere. Jim’s attrition rolls were poor again (except for Orel, curse that city anyway). I also made a couple of blunders, but hey, that’s why we play the game !

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. Only sectors with significant changes are posted.

1) Rzhev/Vyazma Sector – Mud is now a big factor. I will have to stay on the roads and trails to make significant progress, and trucks are next to useless, but cross country is still a better option than trying to bull my way through the center of Jim’s line. Jim is also very concerned about Rzhev, and committing considerable resources to slow me up, as evidenced by the DG markers on my infantry divisions.

Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Truck extender
Blue Ovals/Circles – North to South – 1st PZ, 14th Mtr, 7th PZ, 6th PZ, 11th PZ, 10th PZ & 36th Mtr
Red Checkmark – Russian Trainbusting hex

Jim was able to abort and reduce my fighter rear Rzhev (hey, it happens) and DG’d the two southern infantry divisions using aircraft. The northernmost one was DG’d via artillery barrage. I appreciate the use of resources on those units, though my plan was not to do a frontal assault, I’d much rather go around.

Because I have difficulty understanding rules no matter how many times I read them, I left a hex open for a breakout and 1 infantry step was able to escape. The 3 Russian steps next to the airfield all gratefully surrendered to their new German overlords and marched to captivity. This cleared out the secondary road and railroad past Vyazma. Lots of choices open to me, but weather will likely continue to be a problem.

2) Kharkov Sector – Jim took me by surprise and pulled the majority of his troops out of Kharkov. I believe he will leave a goodly amount, including supply, in the middle of the city to cut the railroad and the secondary road that goes through the city for as long as possible. This will tie ups troops for the short term and make it more difficult to move on Belgorod and Izyum. These mini fortresses are a pain, I will admit.

Map Key :
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Blue Circles – from North to South, West to East – 25th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 16th PZ
Red X’s – More Fort Apache’s by the Russians
Blue Arrows – My lines of advance

The mud does have its good points in that I actually make up my supply deficit from the first 4 turns. With the completion of Turn 5, I am only 10.5 SP less than when I started the game.

My losses this turn were again very light, only 1 fighter and 1 bomber step. The Russian losses are slowing down, but still much greater than mine, and way more than what he is getting in reinforcements and replacements.

Final accounting for turn three :
My step losses – 1 fighter, 1 bomber

Jim’s step losses –
Combat – 4 inf, 2 mech
Breakout losses – 2 inf
Breakout successes – 1 inf
Barrage losses – 1 inf
Attrition Losses – 6-7 inf, 1 mech

Russian Turn Total –
13-14 inf, 3 mech steps. Midrange = 13 inf, 3 mech

For turn 6, light mud (again, oh joy), limited flight. I won the initiative and I let Jim go first. Hopefully I will still have the hammer when weather is not so disadvantageous to me.

The situation at the end of the October 19 Axis move for the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

I will only post one report for this turn as this is the second consecutive of light mud. I won initiative and decided to go second. Not a lot going on as the mud slows up Jim even more than me, but the overall effects are more detrimental to the Axis forces. Jim is manning the Moscow hog line with a vengeance and I can see I will be having some real fun getting through it.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. Only sectors with significant changes are posted.

1) Rzhev/Vyazma Sector – A second turn of little movement. Jim attacked an infantry division that was in the location of the red X on the map and killed two steps, taking no losses himself. I think it cost him about 2SP for that attack, but he is much more able to burn the supply than I am. Other than that, just trying to get the RR repair units up the line so I can move my HQ’s up also. Additionally, I will be able to remove the truck extender next turn.

I built up the airfield next to Vyazma to a level 2 so I could base some Stuka’s there for my eventual assault on the hog line. Still not sure where I will attempt to break through.
Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Truck extender
Blue Ovals/Circles – North to South – 1st PZ, 14th Mtr, 7th PZ, 6th PZ, 11th PZ, 36th Mtr, 10th PZ
Red X – Site of Russian counter/spoiling attack
Blue arrows – Mobile division lines of advance ?

2) Kursk/Belgorod/Kharkov Sector – Mainly repositioning my forces in hopes of good weather, and trying to cut down on supply usage. Kharkov will be a tough nut to crack, and looks like Kursk and Belgorod will be too. I have to get some wagon extender out in the steppe to continue movement east, and until then, the advances will be limited.

IN another turn or two I will have the rail line repaired to the village north of L’Gov and a wagon extender to the east of that hex so I can remove the truck extender now in place.

Map Key :
North Orange Star – Truck Extender
South Orange Star – Wagon Extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Checkmark – RR Repair Unit
Blue Circles – from North to South, West to East – 29th Mtr, 17th PZ, 10th Mtr, 25th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 16th PZ, 14th PZ
Blue Arrows – My lines of advance

My losses this turn a bit heavier (3 inf steps, 2 from the Russian attack near Rzhev, and 2 mech steps) with the attacks I have been making, but I took Bryansk (finally) and Orel is about to fall.

Final accounting for turn three :
My step losses – 3 inf, 2 mech

Jim’s step losses –
Combat – 5 inf, 1 Arty. No other losses.

The weather rolls have not been in my favor as turn 7 is a full mud turn with full flight. I lost initiative and Jim is giving me a double turn, not that I will be able to take advantage of it. I expect even less movement next turn than this one.

The situation at the end of the October 22 Russian move for the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

Another turn with only one report since this is the third consecutive turn of mud, and the first turn of full mud. Jim won initiative and gave me a double turn (why not ?). My army is not completely stopped, but even with strat moves and using all my reserve markers, most of my units didn’t get very far. Breakthroughs with exploitation pretty much out of the question. On the positive side, I didn’t burn much supply and it does give me a chance to reposition some units.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. Only sectors with significant changes are posted.

1) Rzhev/Vyazma Sector – Turn 3 of immobility. Full mud only allows me to repair two hexes of rail line per turn rather than 4, so I can’t reposition my norther repair unit until next turn. Most of the move was setting up for when the mud goes away. I was able to get rid of the northern truck extender this turn, and I will collapse the southern one next.

Jim is manning up the hogs, has put a level 2 hog in Rzhev and collecting units for a reserve. The job will not be easy in November, especially after frostbite and engine freeze really hits me. Nevertheless, I have to move as far as I can to the east and continue to kill as many units as possible before December and the likely massive assault that will occur then.

Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Truck extender
Red Star – Truck extender that is now removed with the rail line repair to Nelidovo
Blue Circles – North to South – 1st PZ, 14th Mtr, 7th PZ, 6th PZ, 11th PZ, 36th Mtr, 10th PZ, SS-R Mtr
Blue Circles – Cities I want to take
Blue arrows – Mobile division lines of advance ?

2) Kursk/Belgorod/Kharkov Sector – Jim took me by surprise, in a good way. During my move I attacked Kursk (Red X) and even though my combat roll was below average, was able to kill the only combat unit in the hex with a DL1 result. Since my result was an Ao1, I decided to retreat and wait until the next turn to take the village. Looks like Jim decided that it wouldn’t be worth the cost to try to hold out and he bugged out. I’m not at all displeased.

Kharkov, on the other hand is a different matter. From my barrages into the hex, I know he has between 3-4RE in the city hex he holds, and a level 2 hog. This may take some work (and supply) to force him out of there.

I have a bunch of mobile divisions and some assorted other units sitting in the middle of the steppe, but I will not supply them for movement until I am able to get them out in one turn. I am not a big fan of Mud 😊

Once the weather gets better, I will continue my drive to the east.

Map Key :
Orange Star – Wagon Extender
Orange Triangles – HQs
Blue Circles – from North to South – 10th Mtr, 9th PZ, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 16th PZ, 14th PZ
Red Circles – City objectives

My losses this turn very light, but so were Jim’s. I took Orel this turn, but that was pretty much preordained, as I was attacking a lone NKVD Border unit. Since this was full mud, I added 16 more Panje wagons (that’s the last of them), and my supply usage was pretty minimal. At the end of this turn, I am only 4SP below the supplies I had on the map at the start of the game.

Final accounting for turn three :
My step losses – 1 mech, 1 bomber

Jim’s step losses –
Combat – 3 inf, 2 fighter

The weather roll for next turn is again a full mud turn with full flight. This makes 4 turns in a row with mud, 2 of them consecutive full mud. Jim won initiative and is “letting” me go first.

The situation at the end of the October 29 Axis move for the full Guderian’s Blitzkireg II/Case Blue Campaign October 1, 1941 start.

Since Turn 8 for October 26 was another full mud turn, and pretty much nothing happened except for movement in the background, I will move on to Turn 9, October 29. For a change the weather was dry, but flight was limited. I won initiative and decided to go first again (not a double move) since I don’t want Jim to take advantage of the dry weather before I have a chance to make him miserable. Also, since starting in November there will be no chance for dry weather in the north, this may be my last best chance to get into position and attack with my army still somewhat intact before I have to roll for frostbite, trucks, and yellow symbol units.

With the 4 consecutive turns of mud I was able improve my supply situation and started this turn with 2SP more than I started the game with, before my supply roll, which was a 5. With the addition of 2SP I received as reinforcements, I got 13SP this turn, which will have to do.

Almost all my supply was spent on movement, mainly to ensure all my HQ’s were placed to help my advance, and moving mobile divisions to positions where I can take advantage of a breakthrough. I was also able to move elements of the 5 mobile divisions in the deep rear that have been sitting in one spot the entire game to this point. Finally, I built a new airbase and expanded another.

Please click on the pictures for a synopsis for each sector. Only sectors with significant changes are posted.

1) Rzhev/Vyazma/Kaluga Sector – Rzhev is where the action is this turn. The northernmost HQ (Orange Triangle) is right next to the minor river, thus negating the extra movement points I would normally have to spend and extending the throw range of the HQ. The HQ can throw to the hex pointed out by the orange arrow.

I moved 1st PZ north of Rzev and elements are now east of the city. All the units are in combat mode. 2SP are sitting in the hex pointed at by the orange arrow, since I will have 4 units that will have to eat off the map until I get a trace supply to them.

Additionally, 7th PZ closed from the south, and I now have Rzhev in a lose pocket. Jim has at least 9 rifle divisions defending the city, and I am hoping he will decide to fall back to Rzhev itself. This move is a gamble, but for me to keep moving east I have to take some risks.

I attacked his units right in front of Borodino, but my real goal is to get Jim worried so he will freeze his units in place rather than send them north. I made it look like this would be a main line of advance, and hoping he buys it.

Further south I am keeping the pressure up, but still need another turn before my supply network is in shape to really move again.
Finally got my railroads repaired far enough that I could collapse my Truck extenders.

Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Blue Circles/Ovals – North to South – 1st PZ, 7th PZ, 14th Mtr, 6th PZ, 36th Mtr, 11th PZ, 10th PZ, 19th PZ, SS-R Mtr, 3rd Mtr, 5th PZ, 20th PZ, 2nd PZ
Red X’s – North to South – Kalanin, Rzhev, Borodino, Maloyaroslavets, Taluga

2) Orel/Kursk Sector – Repositioning as much as humanly possible in anticipation of starting east again. I have two RR Repair units working overtime to get the double rail lines up and operational. The line to Kursk will be completed in two turns, so I can start bringing reinforcements there after that, making my transportation situation much improved.

Map Key :
Orange Checkmarks – RR Repair units
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Blue Circles – North to South – 18th PZ, 3rd PZ, 4th PZ, 29th Mtr, 17th Pz, 10th Mtr
Red X’s – North to South – Kalanin, Rzhev, Borodino, Maloyaroslavets, Taluga
Blue Arrows – Axes of advance

3) Belgorod/Kharkov Sector – The reduction of Kharkov went much better than planned due to inflicting 2 step losses from barrages. I did attack the remaining 2 steps, and was able to destroy another (at a cost of 2 infantry steps by my forces). Jim is down to one step, and I should take it out this next turn.

Note the 3 wagon extenders, the only thing keeping me moving right now. I don’t foresee moving a RR repair unit to this area for at least 2 more turns as the north is much more critical right now.

I have the Italians on the move, and will be targeting Izyum with them and German mobile divisions in the next turn or two.

Map Key :
Orange Stars – Wagon Extenders
Orange Triangles – HQs
Blue Circles – from North to South – 9th PZ, 25th Mtr, 16th Mtr, 60th Mtr, 16th PZ, 13th PZ, 14th PZ, D’Aosta Mtr
Blue Arrows – Axes of advance

4) Crimea Sector – At the very limit of my supply network, but I will move into positions outside of Sevastopol and towards the strait of Kerch as I dribble in reinforcements. This will be more a long term project that I don’t expect to get really ramped up until spring.

Map Key :
Orange Triangles – HQs
Orange Star – Wagon extender
Blue Arrows – Axes of advance

Let’s see how Jim responds to this.