Off we go!
I am playing The Man, Stalin himself. Very apt as I have just finished reading Court of the Red Tsar. A great book.
I think the game very well summarises my situation:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fn2u8gdnob%2Fstalinmemo.jpg&hash=f9b183fa1250e497f2817ea03be6de01b3af3bd5)
My Front commanders are semi-random generated in terms of Initiative modifier (penalty, almost guaranteed) to the Army HQs under them, and their Threat level in relation to Stalin's paranoia. Here is Central Front HQ with a bit of explanation:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Faa64ggc2j%2Fcentralfront.jpg&hash=97938f8e0924af9bfe4a2cf1142b9c046e8b602b)
North:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fgnq5mlamz%2Fnorthernfront.jpg&hash=7e5872520a2731dbd4f61cfd84ea2cd0adca7095)
South:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fof6vl5esb%2Fsouthernfront.jpg&hash=3332b9930d16c9a2a871edf731b0b55cd8d66b0d)
Apart from moving my units wargame-style, I will have to manage the priorities between the fronts, the stance of armies, and a slow reorganisation of the disaster that is the Red Army into something worthwile, via cardplays. More on that later after Drakken's first turn.
Who the fuck wrote that memo? Balls the size of a major non-planet.
I love how the description guys were executed mid-sentence.
Quote from: The Brain on December 12, 2015, 05:59:39 PM
I love how the description guys were executed mid-sentence.
:lol: Brain, you made anoth
:lol:
Promote Budenny to the highest office! Any Marshal who parties with naked girls in vats of wine is our man to lead the Red Army to triumph. Plus, he had a great 'stache.
Quote from: PDH on December 13, 2015, 10:00:54 AM
Promote Budenny to the highest office! Any Marshal who parties with naked girls in vats of wine is our man to lead the Red Army to triumph. Plus, he had a great 'stache.
Wasn't he the one who argued that instead of tanks, horse-drawn artillery was the future, even in 40-41? :D
Quote from: The Brain on December 12, 2015, 05:58:50 PM
Who the fuck wrote that memo? Balls the size of a major non-planet.
Quote from: The Brain on December 12, 2015, 05:59:39 PM
I love how the description guys were executed mid-sentence.
:lmfao:
TURN 1
First of all, important pre-turn info: I have chosen Moscow as my ultimate objective: I need to hold it to even have a chance at winning.
Drakken had a pretty good first turn, this is not going to be easy.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fgf2n33asz%2Foverview.jpg&hash=98a2219a3f96a3cc4040536f3f5ae454a4851438)
NONE of my armies managed to activate. Not even partially. Which isn't unheard of but pretty unlucky. They could still move around a bit but about 40% worth of action points with some divisons totally paralyzed.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fxi5eylrhv%2Ft2summary.jpg&hash=071c0575870fd6e7fe7c58d6d9b2370c3d5c95a9)
An example of details on army activation rolls for the Central Front:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fbmo8dwqr7%2Fexample.jpg&hash=43eb2c618f17dcc78ba622c2b1bfb4dc052aede8)
As I mentioned, a lot of flexibility (and also many ways to screw) comes from managing the war via the command cards. I have a fairly limited 10 PP (Political Points) income per turn. One of the cards let me raise that gradually, but it costs 30PP to play at first and only gets more expensive.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fp4v4q72wj%2Fcards.jpg&hash=aa774c5a91285b229e5cbf6fcf907c36e1e7ef2c)
I want to save up to it ASAP, but there were lots of things to this turn.
First of all I held a victory speech (if you think its premature, well, haters gonna' hate). This shall give a bit of initiative boost next turn.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fgvnupiyk3%2Fspeech.jpg&hash=fd7bb6271986ebdb8afc57c4269f9cbe9a9f2622)
Then I used my free options: I ordered one of my surrounded divisions down south to disperse and become partisans (partisan activity up 2% to 2% total there), I have placed a free ragtag garrison in Vilnius since it is prone to being overrun next turn, and I placed a free fortification next to Dunaburg at the southern edge of the Northern Front.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fhg2vs7rsj%2Fpartisans.jpg&hash=063a34725cd97e0f6275afa30de37d4defd61023)
I have a plan: I will try to hold the Germans -at least temporarily- at the Dvina river. There are 3 cities to anchor upon, all just accross the Dvina, and there are 2 hexes of forest next to Riga.
It all depends on whether I can evacuate my Northern forces SW of that line. So, not only did I order a costly "no retreat" option on Riga (placing a strong garrison unit), but also I have authorised the release of a Tsarist general from the Lubyanka prison to be place in command of the Northern Front replacing Voroshilov. He is quite good:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fogqvkztkj%2Fnewnorth.jpg&hash=50e5b7fa623fe6b74025d48869500abb5d44c734)
Also I have dispatched one of my two Troubleshooters, Zhukov (the other is Khruschev, who is more of literal trouble-shooter), to the HQ of the 27th Army, which guards the southern half of my planned northern defensive line (the northern half being completely undefended ATM).
This will grant me a few extra options (for PP) regarding that army. I am planning to a) blow bridges while I can, and b) give the general a free hand (initiative bonus for the rest of the game).
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fx442z07eb%2Fzhukov.jpg&hash=a01945056cc5034e4e6aa749f15665b7347507e8)
Kruschev is more about removing generals on the cheap, which is nice but it also reduces Threat levels (as example is made) so I'd keep him in reserve a while until the generals start being uppity.
I also tried to put the West Army into a neutral posture (from an offensive one) as they are facing the bulk of the German advance in the middle and it would be splendid if there was some of the army left for next turn. But communications failed, the order didn't carry through, but my one-time-a-turn chance of changing stances was lost.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2Fwarh6e1df%2Fcentralfail.jpg&hash=112b1f8f7a9ec418322dcfca3866573bb0e9a0f1)
As far as troop movements, I cut off a mechanised unit in Byalistok and attacked it, but to no effect. It was highly optimistic to say the least but in general I am planning to be counter-attacking whenever I seem to have the chance. Most of my units are in offensive stance, and I can soak up losses, Drakken can't.
Otherwise, I was just trying to soften the fall, so to speak, by setting up roadblock units and such. Will see how that goes.
Give us some more meat, Tamas. The German HQ is brimming with activity! :mad:
Oh, that Tsarist general looks like a beast!
Um Marshall Rokossovsky was not a Tsarist...or is that just code for anybody who was purged earlier?
Quote from: Valmy on December 15, 2015, 12:48:12 AM
Um Marshall Rokossovsky was not a Tsarist...or is that just code for anybody who was purged earlier?
Yeah, I kind of wondered about that.
Quote from: Valmy on December 15, 2015, 12:48:12 AM
Um Marshall Rokossovsky was not a Tsarist...or is that just code for anybody who was purged earlier?
He fought in the Tsarist army in WWI. Close enough!
It was the closest in-game category to match him
Besides its about what implied of him. The big threat level isn't his real intention of grabbing power, it's Stalin's perception of him doing so.
TURN 2, June 26th
Well, none of my armies activated, again. This is mostly due to the furious Luftwaffe interdiction campaign, especially in the North where now I have a decent Marshal in command.
Zhukov hasn't arrived to 27th Army HQ yet (had 22% chance of being delayed, rolled a 10 :rolleyes:) Drakken's forward echelons are approaching the Dvina fast, I am less sure about my plans on serious delaying actions there:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpostimg.org%2Fimage%2Fsqhaereqt%2Ffull%2F&hash=26c83021c0cf825a75204bce7f2ac4d2ea5dd2b2)
All screenshots are after me moving BTW.
At the edge of the screen you can notice two of my reinforcement armies, the 21st and the 22nd.
The way it goes (for both sides) is that you first plunge down the HQ unit, then pending divisions start arriving (ie appearing on the map) at the HQ's hex. The speed of which depends on the line of communications and such, so you want the HQs ideally in a city but at least on a railroad.
I have sent Khruschev to the Central Front HQ. He shall offer a cheaper opportunity to replace Timoshenko (by shooting him), but the replacement may not be one of the Tsarist ones. Will see. The situation can become critical in the Center I will need to be ready to sacrifice PPs there.
All depends on timing now!
Zhukov's delay is painful... Seeing Drakken's progress I already should be sending him to the newly placed 22nd HQ to help set up the defenses of the Dnepr. Although that shall depend on the next turn... I am very much tempted to try and put up a fight for Minsk, plunging these two new armies forward once deployed, but the risk of encirclement and catastrophe is significant.
On the South, the situation is fairly average. I can (and by all probability will) lose a LOT of units but already most of the German infantry is tied down way behind the panzers... They will need to mop up and consolidate which will give me some pause.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fli4bkq5m3%2Ft2south.jpg&hash=e2ff6f58e2ca7c6c711b185e0c8aca8946510e53)
I have used most of my PPs to put a bunch of armies on neutral stance accross the whole front.
And that's pretty much it! T3 will be very exciting.
Just cancel comrade Krustchev's travel card. I hear he makes lewd gestures at the female tram conductors.
One thing I forgot to mention: I have been moving my armor units around as much as I could, which in turn makes them lose tanks like there is no tomorrow. (most of Soviet tank losses were due to malfunctions, not combat).
That is pretty accurate by all accounts for that time in the campaign.
TURN 3, 30 June
Well, I am not happy.
First of all the general situation report:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs11.postimg.org%2Fv86d2879v%2Ft3report.jpg&hash=9ee179c925e1f272e71422e70ccbfaf02f8dbfda)
Rokoshovsky's effect finally shows, as at least one Northern HQ is not busy running around in a panic with their pants down. So let's start with the North.
Zhukov FINALLY arrived, not a moment too soon. He has ordered the blowing of the bridges of Dunaburg, just right in front of the nose of the 6th Panzer division.
He also motivated the commander to fight better next turn, the way only Bolshevik leaders can!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs11.postimg.org%2Fot2qrtb6b%2FT3inspire.png&hash=a8881d27baf50a69c35f28fc40db567852d43cb4)
Here is how this particular front line looks after I have tried to even it out a bit:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs7.postimg.org%2Fbiefqj9ne%2FT3_North.jpg&hash=6edb999cbb6317b74749eb4014150873535cac02)
I have used my turnly free garrisoning card on Dunaburg, which was a tough decision, because the Central front looks like this:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs4.postimg.org%2Fymrdf5z59%2FT3_Central.jpg&hash=f508c3d59d73d130edaf64d4334b2755d276a43a)
And my two new armies are inactive, needless to say, so there is NOBODY to plug that massive hole with.
I do have 3 new armies as reinforcements to the Central front (the 16th, the 19th, and the 20th), and I WILL put one each to Vitebsk and Polotsk, but the only thing that can possibly stop Drakken from overruning them (if he wants to risk overextension) is the river in case of Polotsk.
Kruschev has arrived to the Central Front HQ but I still have the "release Tsarist" general for the same cost as his options to dismiss or shoot, so I did just that:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2Fec91i9zq1%2FT3centralmarshal.jpg&hash=5bc02532571c6dd429945561a504abd1de874717)
I should be fine with Paranoia for now, as the masses of scared mice army commanders who have not gained a name for themselves yet, will still more or less balance the rehabilitated Marshals, as you can see from this confidential report from the start of this turn:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs12.postimg.org%2Fdl7y0fvn1%2FT3paranoia.jpg&hash=de3bfccdef1350e6e49eab435671d348830cc8b1)
So yeah, the Central front is an unmitigated disaster. Still, I have opted to be able to freely place one of the 4 new armies arriving there next turn. I will want to use it up north for protecting the flank of what I hope to be a successful defensive line.
the South itself is pretty boring in comparison. Yes, massive losses to the encircled units (made one of them partisans) but hey what else is new. I have plenty of space to trade there, and if there is an imminent deep breakthrough to happen, I am not seeing it.
AND I have had the first successful offensive action of the war, when I sent the Romanian tank division back to the western side of the Dnestr.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Fawb4iu8tn%2FT3victory.jpg&hash=1a4e3f4cb23ceb6bacca0a4b8258f4486d2caa2b)
I have also made an attack in Karelia but that didn't end well.
Next turn we will see the first test of my Might Northern Line of Defense (MNLOD), and if anything will stay between the Panzers and Smolensk.
The Soviet response was such a huge disaster in real life, and it's been such a long time since I read up on the campaign that I'm having a hard time discerning whether you're doing worse.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 17, 2015, 08:03:03 AM
The Soviet response was such a huge disaster in real life, and it's been such a long time since I read up on the campaign that I'm having a hard time discerning whether you're doing worse.
I think I am more or less in the ballpark.
Paranoia runs... ZERO??!?
This is an interesting AAR. Waiting to see how it progresses after more turns go by and if the Soviets gain more footing, which they should. I can imagine the mess it is for Mutha Russia in the first many game turns.
I have several armies incoming almost every turn indeed. Most of them will be for Central, so I shall be able to plug that ugly disaster up if
a) Drakken will start experiencing his first command and supply issues due to rapid advance
b) the reinforcement armies will be in the mood of activating (new marshal should help)
c)there will be no disaster on the other fronts forcing me to spend precious PP reallocating some of those armies to other treaties
Up North Drakken is very passive with the Finns I wonder what is brewing. Usually I try to press with them to keep the pressure up.
I am awfully tempted to move the Leningrad army down to the northern front line, but what if he spots that and decides to ignore the huge PP penalties of prematurely advancing with the Finns past their old border?
If I were you I would order a hold everywhere and shoot generals who retreat.
That's your answer for everything PDH :rolleyes:
Quote from: Tamas on December 15, 2015, 09:41:56 AM
One thing I forgot to mention: I have been moving my armor units around as much as I could, which in turn makes them lose tanks like there is no tomorrow. (most of Soviet tank losses were due to malfunctions, not combat).
Tying to get rid of obsolete models?
Quote from: Tamas on December 17, 2015, 08:07:34 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 17, 2015, 08:03:03 AM
The Soviet response was such a huge disaster in real life, and it's been such a long time since I read up on the campaign that I'm having a hard time discerning whether you're doing worse.
I think I am more or less in the ballpark.
I'd say yip. Darn close.
Quote from: PDH on December 17, 2015, 08:41:28 PM
If I were you I would order a hold everywhere and shoot generals who retreat.
What about forming all of his divisions into one, massive army?
Quote from: Tamas on December 17, 2015, 02:16:25 PM
I am awfully tempted to move the Leningrad army down to the northern front line, but what if he spots that and decides to ignore the huge PP penalties of prematurely advancing with the Finns past their old border?
I think that moving troops to where there
is fighting is more useful than leaving them where there
might be fighting, all else being equal. Could you delay the Finns long enough to reinforce without the Leningrad army around to keep them honest?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 17, 2015, 08:03:03 AM
The Soviet response was such a huge disaster in real life, and it's been such a long time since I read up on the campaign that I'm having a hard time discerning whether you're doing worse.
The seeds of the disaster were sown during the initial Soviet planning COA cycles in 1940 & 1941. That set the Soviet armies deployment wrong from the get go. Soviet General staff predicted correctly about where the German main effort would fall, but was overridden by Stalin. In short the general staff predicted the German main effort would fall north of the marshes with AG Center, which it did. Stalin over road them and stated the main effort would come from AG South into the mineral rich Ukraine. He chose poorly, because that placed the bulk of the Soviet mobile forces with Kirponos' Kiev MD/ Southwestern Front. Get the book Stumbling Colossis by Glantz, it goes into get detail Soviet prewar planning and deployments.
Btw you guys have sold me on this game.
Quote from: Habbaku on December 17, 2015, 10:16:44 PM
Quote from: Tamas on December 17, 2015, 02:16:25 PM
I am awfully tempted to move the Leningrad army down to the northern front line, but what if he spots that and decides to ignore the huge PP penalties of prematurely advancing with the Finns past their old border?
I think that moving troops to where there is fighting is more useful than leaving them where there might be fighting, all else being equal. Could you delay the Finns long enough to reinforce without the Leningrad army around to keep them honest?
In theory I should be able to direct one of the incoming reserve armies to Leningrad in time. Plus I wonder if I shouldn't in fact tempt Drakken into breaking the border with the Finns . The PP penalty is huge for that.
Yeah will see what happens next turn. It is entirely possible he will break through my river line in strength in a turn or two and then I will have no choice anyways
Quote from: Habbaku on December 17, 2015, 10:15:11 PM
Quote from: PDH on December 17, 2015, 08:41:28 PM
If I were you I would order a hold everywhere and shoot generals who retreat.
What about forming all of his divisions into one, massive army?
Grand Divisions only work against Tamas, not for him. :(
:lol:
What about long divisions?
Or joy divisions?
Quote from: katmai on December 17, 2015, 09:21:04 PM
That's your answer for everything PDH :rolleyes:
He even did that in Football Manager.
Quote from: Norgy on December 18, 2015, 10:10:36 AM
Quote from: katmai on December 17, 2015, 09:21:04 PM
That's your answer for everything PDH :rolleyes:
He even did that in Football Manager.
worked there though.
TURN 5, 4 July
Well that Northern thing didn't last long, did it?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs23.postimg.org%2Ff5r3rkpwb%2FT5north.jpg&hash=77862cf94b87e1e2f848184ebb40a928c476b09b)
Retreat begins! Except from Riga - that will serve as a roadblock, and Zhukov departed to the respective HQ (Baltics) to blow up the cities bridges.
Also the reinforcement army I redirected last turn, the 24th, have been placed to Pskov.
Regarding the Lengingrad HQ, the Finns have activated themselves it would seem, besides, I didn't realise the HQ's units are already partaking in defending the front line there. So the HQ is staying.
I have retreated along the entire front as much as I was able, and deployed my Central reinforcements. The recently arrived armies there were ordered to try and take up defensive positions. They are planned to be used as roadblocks at this stage. If I can trust my intel on the map, Drakken hasn't moved his FSBs, he will need to soon. That shall give me time to prepare holding the Dnepr.
I have also ordered one of next turn's reinforcements to be freely deployable. It is probably going to the South where a giant envelopment from the north started. It is scary-looking for sure, but then again that route is the furthest from the German supply routes. It cannot be maintained forever.
Here is how the central and southern fronts look like respectively, after I moved and placed reinforcement HQs:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs12.postimg.org%2Fnwbh9sq7h%2FT5central.jpg&hash=f79406db439cdbeecd2862d1649615fe7ca74fb5)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs12.postimg.org%2Fi9f4cbnot%2FT5south.jpg&hash=86b8e7d26e72601e1fe09070d220993a142a4410)
Seeing how my Paranoia has started to grow, Kruschev has been dispatched to the South Front HQ. Budenny is probably toast.
Otherwise though, I saved some PPs to enact some minor reorganisations next turn.
TURN 6, 8 JULY
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fypz3cuehf%2FT601report.jpg&hash=48cc02e27bacffdc1a0de9043d44fe144bc6fca4)
Lots of losses this turn, of units that were pretty much dead already.
HOWEVER, the northern front has not turned into a full blown disaster YET. In fact, I managed a successful counterattack against the 8th Panzer. Not that it would amount to anything but panzer losses are awesome losses, and it should give me an extra turn as it pushed down the possible start-off point of their next pig push.
Unfortunately I couldn't blow up the Riga bridges as the city got cut off from the army HQ. So Zhukov bestowed increased independence on the general and departed for 21st Army in the center of the Central Front, expecting the bulk of enemy pressure there from next turn.
Speaking of the Central Front: I see Drakken opted for converting the railroad toward Vilnius first but I have spotted units from both of his Central panzergruppes next to Minsk. If he will base his next thrust from there it will make his earlier choice sub-optimal, although it depends on a few things.
At any rate, I decided to move my reinforcements armies there forward a bit. This can make me vulnerable but I am not willing to give up a big portion of land unopposed, and I have new armies coming in to form a second line behind the rivers.
On the South the situation is very dire and is expected to totally collapse any turn now, unless Drakken is already having fuel issues.
Which prompted Kruschev to do this:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fhmwbhbxsj%2FT602firingsquad.jpg&hash=c1de99bcffb8e4b7992b8b9a03a610ad1d5d0361)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fncck1n3yr%2FT603newmarshall.jpg&hash=42427d3e5a3b0f231d7d045116870e4b0c4d77b8)
The new Marshal, however, isn't exactly the jackpot:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2F4hgtb83wz%2FT604_Vasilevsky.jpg&hash=f9dd6215fff7f1feab0c3f90936071ee5a37d320)
HOWEVER, since I already had around 38 Paranoia points, the big decrease given by this is welcome.
If you remember I opted to have one army deployed freely this turn. After some considerations I placed it to Kiev. It would have been of great use up North, it would have given me a feeling of confidence in the center, but as I mentioned, the South is about to utterly collapse.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fvn2yn7owj%2FT60531st_Army.jpg&hash=ac469d2ff1f31eb7ba7b05240337283c1ac426d0)
Here are how the fronts look after my moves. Mind you, I don't expect any of these first lines to actually hold; but I want to slow the enemy down.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fqymys0zpv%2FT606_North.jpg&hash=f5aa518011437f5b3bcab951918d894d2b7c4036)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2Fh2lvsdtxv%2FT607_Central.jpg&hash=58e66e32fb1423681873546db4fa132dc19b161a)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.postimg.org%2F6v3cfz7pv%2FT608_South.jpg&hash=b49b5a49d193910bff64343800a5c3e8779ca92b)
Also, I am REALLY hoping for some of the July rains to arrive and produce some mud. I need it.
Hamas, can I get a front overall pic and what date you guys are on.
Quote from: 11B4V on December 23, 2015, 09:38:33 AM
Hamas, can I get a front overall pic and what date you guys are on.
You're such a romantic.
Hey, it's better than Tampax. :P :hug:
Good point
Turn 7, 12 July
A very short Christmas update, but also because we have the calm before the storm - mostly.
I see German FSB's have been moved very close to the frontline at the center and South - in a turn, maybe two, Drakken will be in a great shape to resume major offensive operations. I have advanced a bit into no man's land in the Center - will see how that will go. But at the least it should prompt Drakken to use some infantry for covering what I expect to be the northern flank of his main thrust.
In general, I am building up a weight of troops in the middle that should be able to at least slow him down and make him pay heavily for any advance. Two new regular armies have also arrived there this turn.
On the North the situation is not good, I lost Riga WAY sooner than i wanted to, but it seems like the FSB hasn't been moved up there, so I am hoping the regular army I redirected to Pskov a turn ago will be able to move to position the next one, and I have deployed a new reserve army to Tallin.
As bad as the North can potentially become, it is nothing to the absolute disaster that somewhat unexpectedly has come on the Southern edge. The German 11th Army and the Romanians basically destroyed my line there and I have NOTHING between them and the wide empty steppes.
Odessa is as good as gone, and I have deployed me one-a-turn cheap garrison to Nikolaev, the first major point of interest in the Axis' way. I have also deployed the new (reservist) 47th Army HQ there but that is a bit of a risky move.
Next turn I will have 3 more reservist armies forming up in the South, but they will have to be dispersed along the front as I fully expect to find my Southern line shattered and in danger of envelopment next turn.
PP-wise, I did a bridge-blowing in the center, but otherwise I am saving up to demand more power next turn. Costs 30 but will give me +5 per turn. Plus Paranoia increase which I can ill afford but Kruschev is still at the Southern Front HQ overseeing a largely useless Marshal...
By popular demand, an overview screenshot:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs17.postimg.org%2Ftw420yymn%2Fimage.jpg&hash=af5285f10bbe24eb0cfb154b5de99b0a09edf8fa)
TURN 8, July 16
I am in a heck of a rush so only one screenshot now, that will tell a thousand stories. Notice the more than two turns worth of PPs that I have lost. Should not have ignored the fact that the fall of Odessa costs a shitload of paranoia points (40).
Futher updates on what happened will be summarised later.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs4.postimg.org%2F5tq1wc7bh%2Fimage.jpg&hash=4033b49f1095845f42355a7e02fa60bb7364ecf3)
Yikes, that does not look good.
Turn 9 (20 July)
The lull last turn, helped by also mud in some places, seems to be coming to an end.
The South is just this ever growing shit-balloon that the closer it gets to bursting, the bigger mess its going to make.
So it was time to replace the guy there with a Tsarist as well:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs30.postimg.org%2F7w45smgb5%2FT9_marshall.jpg&hash=280f15f87b243e126f853fa06f18bc977d84254f)
I have also ordered the South Front to receive STAVKA priorities (forgot to take screenshot :P ). This two together MIGHT save me if most of the armies fully activate next turn. If not... I have no idea.
On the North, Drakken is smartly pushing at the border between the North and Central fronts, although that may disadvantage him as well at some point. I had to move some of the 32th Army out of bounds to block quick advance from that breakthrough of his. (This will mean PP penalties).
Screenshot before that move:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs30.postimg.org%2Ftwki98yz5%2FT9north.jpg&hash=e3a5fb769fba7cb7eab6bfff6681563a01552688)
On the Central Front I shuffled units around a bit, anticipating a fuller breakthrough up North. I should have the troop numbers to react to whatever will happen there, but we should not forget there are two Panzer armies there (largely hidden from my view at the moment) that can cause a lot of trouble very quickly if coordinated well. The recent passivity there also suggest Drakken is up to something big. But needless to say, this is the front I worry the least about. Situation after movements:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs30.postimg.org%2F9qh0ad3bl%2FT9central.jpg&hash=1574bcbbb06c86555d65cbad54e283f224435621)
And, well, the South largely speaks for itself. I could only partially activate the 44th army out of the new reserve ones. So down south is open country between the Axis and Rostov.
I guess my only hope is that Drakken won't believe things are that undefended, and will stay cautious.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs30.postimg.org%2Fl43jlkdu8%2FT9south.jpg&hash=9b35baa69de2f82b2e0c5d7a7cba63c48ad99261)
Speaking of new armies and such, the mobilisation is now complete and it will be a while (3 turns IIRC) before I get any new armies.
Last screenshot is X'd out
Is not
Sorry, it is. Maybe it's cached for you.
Shows for me.
Last screenshot works for me too. Keep going Tamas. :)
Don't be a Tim, Norgy.
Shows up fine for me too.
Works for me, too. If you can't see it, reload the page.
Pictured AAR coming later, but I feel decisive couple of turns are coming up. With the German breakthrough at the north and the Central panzers massing, I think the northerners will switch south to create a big pocket. As you will see, though, I am getting ready for them!
Turn 10
FINALLY, the new Marshal and the focus on the South managed to activate most of the armies:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2Fa6syiteyh%2FT10_FINALLY.jpg&hash=3687c9ddb282ec121551f29821a313ed3c358d7b)
Not a single turn too soon, either. I'd like to point out I managed to move my only active reserve army last turn straight into the way of the advancing Axis forces.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2F49tofqn7d%2FT10_south_toldya.jpg&hash=1fc33aa0459141186d2b88df82f76574fa27eff1)
Keeping to the South, I have counterattacked at the bottom against the Romanians, PROBABLY made a mistake trying to link up with my mass of stragglers who finally got activated enough to cross the river, and hoping these feints will show strength, spread out a bit.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2Fi23hxmol5%2FT10_south_situation.jpg&hash=1c3ec303c485efd7ee7d45d15aafe3d5dcbb9d5f)
The interesting stuff, however is developing on the border of the northern and central fronts:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2Ffng7qxxq1%2FT10_North.jpg&hash=e9877fa5157fb94fd1190e25762431828e8985a9)
In the North I am rushing the Leningrad Army south toward Pskov, conceding the Finnish territories. You can also see my reserve army trying to check what appears the flank of his advance.
Now of course that armored breakthrough could try and cut north and I will be in trouble.
However I think -as mentioned- he is planning on creating a big-ass pocket with his 3 Panzergruppes.
In anticipation, I have reshuffled my Central armies a bit, hoping to crush into the armored arms of the pocket before they could be consolidated via infantry.
Also if he does go north, I could swallow the PP penalties and move an army to try and cut him off.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.postimg.org%2Fjfv4sxnuh%2FT10_central.jpg&hash=0df4f2b7ed1f9c0ed4f5ad2b662665b8fa578e63)
I did not retreat with the to-be-pocketed units because I'd actually prefer he tried to pull that off. I actually have reserves to throw into the fray there, unlike up north.
TURN 11
The new German push seems to be under way but no grand drama so far. But it appears there are heavy troop concentrations on all 3 fronts. Especially the South and North look scary, with everything massed for Kiev, I assume, and on the North an attempt to encircle the remaining regular forces there.
On the latter, I came quite close to pulling a surprise. A successful local counterattack against the spearhead has seen most of the armored forces hurdled up in a single hex, but I could not properly cut them off as their lifeline was through a swamp hex which I had no units able to attack effectively. Still should make Drakken mind his flanks which in turn should give the Leningrad Army time to arrive and save the day. I am slowly retreating almost everywhere by the way, but I don't want to give up a single hex I don't have to.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.org%2Focoh0y3mt%2FT11_north.jpg&hash=d40a10b61cdbf06e41031244ed30e9062baf8b86)
On the Central front I am biding my time - I haven't retreated with my front line of defenses and I haven't pushed my reserves forward that much. I want the Germans to bleed a bit and I want to minimise the risk of encirclement.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.org%2Fz9psppqed%2FT11_central.jpg&hash=f3c6c4518c6fb24a2ef470527c667cf431c45f61)
On the South Zhukov had a private talk with the Marshal to install some backbone, which was a success.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.org%2Ff12f3zr39%2FT11_backbone.jpg&hash=2e4ee93eda16375b9ae418edb666f26e6da5aff5)
Then he departed for the 22nd Army on the center of the Central front, as I think they will see heavy combat from next turn onward.
On the South I made gradual retreat, except down south where I continued my limited counteroffensive against the 11th Army. In fact I think I have something to seek there if Drakken refuses to consolidate his lines or bring in reinforcements, both of which would work for me, as the 46th Army is going as fast as it can toward Kiev.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.org%2Ftzktyf65h%2FT11_south.jpg&hash=27a4b379542637c97a5e6db20d5d7161fc86eb8e)
Next turn I shall have one reinforcement army each for the Fronts. Only real question about where to deploy is for Central.
TURN 12, August 1
I am quite sick and with the last drops of energy I have made my turn but didn't take any screenshots, sorry.
The German advance along the frontline is more or less contained for the time being, but the South is shaky as always. Only thing I have to be careful about in the Central front is to not allow such a big encirclement as it happened down South.
Otherwise have received one reserve armies each to the 3 fronts, and I have about two turns before the next Paranoid episode, I am afraid.
TURN 13, August 5
Ok, I admit, the strength of the push in the Center is worrying.
But lets go from North:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.org%2Fwftj9byxx%2Ft13_north.jpg&hash=df589f868d258909b4ee13c396ebcfe0b427aaed)
This is after my movements, including placing down the 52nd Army as a reinforcement. It is not looking good but I am not expecting any dramatic Axis breakthroughs either. I have placed the 52th there because if Talinn falls the Finns can trigger to cross their border and unleash themselves on an understrength Leningrad.
Central, after my moves and the 50th placed in Smolensk:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.postimg.org%2Frgwiidlff%2Ft13_central.jpg&hash=cdf93c700eeb605aebe69c4c3e53e14255221b01)
I have lost a lot of troops here last turn, and I have largely retreated to my Dvina-Dnepr defensive line, where moment of truth approaches for the line of fortifications I have been building up turn by turn. Here it is:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.postimg.org%2Fu2bqgr6ij%2Ft13_forst.jpg&hash=345fc043b69c01e9966f7f3164dac070b37eb522)
It just stops one hex short of the marshes at the south, something I will correct next turn if I have the chance. To be honest that line is already compromised from the north by a highly likely envelopment but a) I am hoping Drakken will fail to notice that and b) I have 4 armies at or very close there, so maybe its not so bad.
South
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs10.postimg.org%2F71s33mizd%2Ft13_south.jpg&hash=33e29c8faab69dcce454a8e0512e9eab581c25fd)
MASSIVE buildup toward Kiev. The No Retreat order (card) has been issued putting a formidable garrison unit there. Zhukov has been delayed so not with the SW army yet. I am preparing a general fallback to just in front of/behind the Dnepr on most of the front but I'd need a few more turns ideally.
The only good news happened here, though, managed to drive the 11th Army back accross one of their two Bug beachheads.
Looks like the Germans are off the historical timeline. Keep wearing his Nazi ass down. :lol:
I also can't see the screenshots. They appear either as an x, or as thumbs that cannot be enlarged. Reloading the page doesn't work.
Load fine for me.
Quote from: Monoriu on January 28, 2016, 09:10:44 PM
I also can't see the screenshots. They appear either as an x, or as thumbs that cannot be enlarged. Reloading the page doesn't work.
HK sucks, news at 11.
Quote from: katmai on January 28, 2016, 09:19:08 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on January 28, 2016, 09:10:44 PM
I also can't see the screenshots. They appear either as an x, or as thumbs that cannot be enlarged. Reloading the page doesn't work.
HK sucks, news at 11.
Drakken's screenshots load fine :P
Quote from: Monoriu on January 28, 2016, 09:21:06 PM
Quote from: katmai on January 28, 2016, 09:19:08 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on January 28, 2016, 09:10:44 PM
I also can't see the screenshots. They appear either as an x, or as thumbs that cannot be enlarged. Reloading the page doesn't work.
HK sucks, news at 11.
Drakken's screenshots load fine :P
HK hates UK?
Quote from: katmai on January 28, 2016, 09:24:25 PM
HK hates UK?
Most of the time, I can see the screenshots and picture posted on languish fine. This is the exception. Just checked that my browser is up-to-date.
Is this game dead? :unsure:
Der Fuhrer to Comrade Vojd:
1.03 is such a different ball game as far as balance is concerned, I propose we restart the game under 1.03 in exchange that I concede.
Quote from: Drakken on March 19, 2016, 06:09:53 PM
Der Fuhrer to Comrade Vojd:
1.03 is such a different ball game as far as balance is concerned, I propose we restart the game under 1.03 in exchange that I concede.
I agree. :) But lets postpone decision on a new game until after Easter. I am way too busy unfortunately.