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View Full Version : Drang Nach Osten - Xandamere vs. Jamiam


Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:51
My initial thoughts for this monster scenario are that I (obviously) have to move as fast as possible. I need to get as many motorized units behind his lines and keep them moving fast, going around any defenders rather than through them. I'm not going to reveal my overall plan just yet, as I don't want to give anything away to my opponent. For anybody who hasn't seen this scenario, it's a monster 1941 Eastern Front scenario, one of the best built in my opinion. One key thing is that many of the roads start in German control, at least near the initial front lines. This is to simulate the fantastic initial rates of German advance, so units can move along the roads without movement penalties. The thing to watch out for is a Soviet opponent moving to reclaim the roads, and deny me the route of fast advance, thus I need to move along those roads at top speed to get the most benefit out of them.

Turn 1 sees a terrific opening for the Germans in the north and the center, with panzer and motorized divisions driving far into the rear. The Russians in the south are much more stubborn, and I'm not able to make that much headway...some units survived 4 full combat rounds of attacks by entire German divisions...quite frustrating. The Luftwaffe opens up with a massive airfield bombing campaign to devastate the Soviet air force, destroying over 2000 aircraft (at least on my air briefing).

Turn 2 is where things started to get a bit more interesting. I continued to make excellent progress in the north and center. 36th motorized division has reached Riga, with 1st panzer right behind. 6th panzer crossed the Dvina river east of Riga, at Plavinas. 3rd and 4th panzer divisions have begun attacking Russian positions on the outskirts of Minsk. The airfield bombing campaign continues unabated, with another 1400 Russian planes destroyed this turn as Luftwaffe bombers range as far into Russia as Leningrad, Novgorod, Orel, and Smolensk. Here are some screenshots of the action so far.

Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:52
Here's the situation at Riga

Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:54
Here the 6th panzer division has crossed the Dvina river in force, with more units following behind. Note the Luftwaffe units moving to newly captured forward airbases to bring more of Russia into bombing range.

Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:54
In this shot you can see several recon units rapidly moving towards Vitebsk and Orsha, to pave the way for oncoming motorized units...hopefully before James can put together a defensive line in this area.

Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:55
Here is the situation as Minsk, with 3rd and 4th panzer driving through the Russian defenders. Note the Brandenburger airdrop to gain an extra hex and put my forces directly in contact with Minsk itself.

Xandamere
22 Jul 03, 20:57
Ah, the south front, where the first turn started off pretty poorly. Fortunately I was able to break things open a bit more on turn two, although part of the reason was Jamiam pulled back a lot of his units in the area. I need to breach the Stalin line before he can put together a line in this fortified area.