Tigersqn vs Southern Dandy

[tigersqn]

Well, my opponent has agreed to a deployment TO + 2 more. :D

I plan on a centre deployment and early 19th Pz but I'm stuck on whether to do Thunderclap or 1st Pz Army. I like the extra units of 1st Pz but they appear on turn 16 don't they?? Thunderclap gives a nice immediate boost where it's needed though. I think I can get into the pocket by turn 3.

[MikeJ]

Well, my opponent has agreed to a deployment TO + 2 more. :D

I plan on a centre deployment and early 19th Pz but I'm stuck on whether to do Thunderclap or 1st Pz Army. I like the extra units of 1st Pz but they appear on turn 16 don't they?? Thunderclap gives a nice immediate boost where it's needed though. I think I can get into the pocket by turn 3.

http://www.warfarehq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6057

This thread explains 1 Pz Army deployment schedule. It's possible to get 2 divisions on turn 2 (event delay from 1-5 turns).

The only problem with THunderclap is if you fail to linkup with 6th army, then 6th army dies much sooner and all those Don Front forces are now added to the Soviet hordes.

That's why I wouldn't recommend using Thunderclap until you're absolutely sure you'll both link up with 6th army and be able to maintain a supply line (or hold the corridor open long enough to evacuate/rail out 6th army).

[tigersqn]

I finally got turn 2 in. :D

Centre deployment, early 19th Pz Div and early 1st Pz Army.

The attached map is after turn 2.

Green arrows: 23rd Pz Div
Black arrows: 6th Pz Div & elmts of 11th Pz Div
Blue arrow: 336th Inf Div
Blue circle: 17th Pz Div
Yellow circle: 3rd Pz Div - mot rgt

In addition 19th Pz Div is at Starobelsk while 304th Inf Div has been moved to Millerovo. These formations will attack in the direction Sovetskaya/Petrovka should the opportunity present itself. 16th Mtz Div has assumed defensive duties south-east of Rostov.
For next turn 17th Pz Div will join in the festivities around Ostrov while 3rd Pz Div remains in reserve around Morozovsk to await intel on the location of 2nd Guards Army and the imminent arrival of SS "Viking" Div. to assist in it's destruction. 6th Pz Div's Tiger btl and the remainder of 3rd Pz Div will be railed to the battlefront.

Downed 220 Sov. a/c and lost 33. :(

[MikeJ]

Nice!

Just be careful that he doesn't shift a bunch of Don Front forces (you are in a * hex) immediately south there to counter... or at least plan for it... not like you can hypnotize him and order him not to do it ;).

[tigersqn]

I've been taking my time with this scenario and I'm pretty happy with what I got so far. It's turn 6 and I haven't broken through to the pocket yet but I'm only 1 hex away.
I've begun the attacks to clear the rail line running to Stalingrad. It's about 60% cleared now.

My opponent has moved huge amounts of firepower to my extreme northern flank; luckily, I had already taken the precaution of moving 19th Pz Div and 385th Inf Div to this vulnerable flank on a hunch. From such decisions are victories made. Hopefully, this maxim will carry through to this battle. Next turn(turn 7) I get the 379th Inf Div. They too will most likely see themselves committed to the northern flank.

When the opportunity presents itself, my 22nd Pz Div(which had previously been relieved by 304th Inf Div) will attack east through Petrovcka accompanied by the Rum. 1st Tank Div.(off map)
For the moment these units stand ready in reserve.

I've adopted a de-centralized reserve strategy with regimental-sized units backing up the lines along the entire front. These reserve units are somewhat more concentrated in the central portion of the front(circled in blue on the maps).

Hmmmm. That's odd. I can't seem to upload the maps. The limit is 300kbs right ??

[Furocity]

Just some lessons learned which might assist you:

1. Soviet reconstituted units arrive vicinity of Solodinki so be cautious of that flank, it caught me off guard, and I had to divert 17th and 23rd PZ to guard the flank of the pocket.

2. Do not move any air units within the pocket :) I thought I could gets some close in air support, but I forgot about his arty, :hurt:

3. BY turn 30 he will get all of his forces, Kalach is a must to take, for Soviet reinforcments arrive there for operation Koltso.

4. Protect your northern flank with infanty and a mobile reserve, make him grund through the rough terrain, it will eat up his supplies and make his units easy to surround and kill. Looks like you are doing that :)

5. Once you get AS, put all bombers on Interdiction, maybe save a few stukas for those stubborn Soviet tank units that might break through.

6. Move the corp and Paulus units out of the pocket when you can, for the Soviets can mass a lot of arty and evap them.

7. Most of all, read every's AAR's :)

GL

[Panzerpelle]

Just some lessons learned which might assist you:


3. BY turn 30 he will get all of his forces, Kalach is a must to take, for Soviet reinforcments arrive there for operation Koltso.


GL
The DON Front reinforcements arrive in the north, north-east part of the map. Its a supply point that is deployed in Kalach on turn 30.

[Furocity]

even better intelligence :)

[tigersqn]

North:
Southern Dandy has committed most of his strength to the extreme north. I have 19 PzD & 385 InfD defending in this sector with 387 InfD railed to Chertkovo this turn. 1 Abt., 27 PzRgt & 1/73 PzGren Rgt of 19 PzD are in reserve. Evapped SD's penetrating units. My front line remains contiguous.

Centre:
The battle to gain the rail line to the pocket is well & truly under way; with only 3 rail hexes remaining in Soviet hands. Extensive attacks on Kalach resulted in the retreat of all but 1 very stubborn Soviet tank Btl. I've committed some forces to expanding the bridgehead south from Chir Station. I'm hoping to come in behind Soviet 4 Cav Corps. 22 PzD has begun their attack at Petrovka following the transfer of 1st Gds Mech Corps south to deal with 27 PzD's attack to clear the rail line.

South:
306 InfD & 15 LftD have begun cautious attacks north-east from the Kotelnikovo area. Although most of my line south of Kotelnikovo is reasonably secure, the Soviet 28th Army has managed a major penetration in the extreme south. I have reinforcements rushing to the sector now; including 60 MotR from 16 MotD and a couple of Turk Btls.

Pocket:
On the cusp of a link up at Kalach. Gavrilovka captured by 91 Rum InfR(hey! they can fight) and Soviet lines along southern rim of pocket pushed back 1 hex.