Gaming Barbarossa: November 1941
In November the initiative switches back to the Axis. The mud is gone, now replaced by “Mixed” weather, which makes Air Bombardment more difficult and reduces the movement of all Axis Mech/Motor units by 1. More importantly, the Axis get to choose only 2 panzer HQs as the Wehrmacht and its allies feel the strain of logistics and depletion.
Still, the Axis can afford to alter their main objective. It no longer need to be Moscow at all. With 26 VPs all they need do is capture and hold 4 more VP cities over the next three turns. Two of those VP cities (Vitebsk and Smolensk) can be quickly pocketed this turn for capture later. Out of Kiev, the German infantry concentration will drive toward Kharkov. Meanwhile, the next objective on the Ukraine is Rostov. If the Axis captures these four cities it will win the scenario (winning the war is another matter altogether and would require playing much deeper into the game).
The Axis get a couple of weak infantry divisions which they use to help garrison some exposed supply depots. There are no Axis replacements for the next several turns, they will simply weaken slowly as the casualties accumulate. Meanwhile most Soviet reinforcements go into STAVKA reserve for deployment later in the turn. For the first time in the game, the Soviets receive a number of air assets, which work similarly to the Romanian air unit, only there are more of them. The 20 replacement factors are used to regenerate two infantry armies. One is placed at Leningrad, the other at Kharkov. The other factors create eight 1-4 infantry divisions that are split in major cities between Kalinin, Tula, and Rostov. Two airborne corps are recreated and placed in Moscow.
Mixed weather allows for Soviet air drops. One of the airborne divisions is dropped in the Strategic Movement Phase on the German units at Yelnya. The airborne division is permanently eliminated from the game but it costs the Germans a mechanized division, which cannot not be replaced for the rest of the Barbarossa scenario.
This is the last turn that the Axis will have the initiative for this scenario. The “Move” chit is chosen again. This will ensure that the Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket is closed, as well as help consolidate forces all over the map for future operations. In the far south, the Romanians and Germans approach the Crimea. The 1st Panzer moves through the Soviet line near Tagenrog, getting into its rear so that when it attacks later in the turn it will cut off their retreat. The mass of German infantry near Kiev moves across the Dnepr and prepares to attack Soviet forces under the command of Zhukov. The pocket is closed around Vitbesk-Smolensk while a strong panzer contingent surrounds a weak Soviet infantry army near Vyazma. The noose tightens at Leningrad.
The Soviets will now play the STAVKA chit. An “8” is rolled, which allows all the units in reserve to be placed within 6 hexes of the STAVKA HQ. A cavalry corps and an infantry division are sent south to Zhukov to strengthen his lines. The rest of the units, the very strong 1st Shock Army among them, deploy and then surround the most advanced panzer divisions for a 5-1 attack at Vyazma. An “Exchange” result wipes out the two panzer divisions at the cost of four Soviet steps. This is the biggest catastrophe faced by the Germans so far in the game.
Soviet “Combat” is the next chit drawn. The Soviets are too weak to obtain decent odds around Leningrad and in the Ukraine. Several attacks are launched in the center, however, in an attempt to disrupt the encirclement. None of these accomplish much. The Soviets lose a total of three infantry steps while the Germans lose one.
The 2nd Panzer is drawn. The available forces, along with air and assault gun support, manage to destroy a weakened Soviet infantry army; a meager achievement given the overall situation. Then the “Logistics” chit is pulled. This isolates the large Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket. Also, four Soviet infantry divisions lose supply (OOS) near Tangarog. Next comes the Soviet “Move” chit. The Soviets consolidate various positions. They fan out along the Vyazma defensive line while pulling the 1st Shock and the Guard Cavalry corps back for possible counterattacks next turn.
Axis combat comes with the next chit drawn. An attack along the Leningrad defensive line results in both sides losing a step. The Germans choose to lose a weakened panzer division. This is purposeful. Outside of the scope of this scenario, on turn 11 all eliminated panzer divisions are brought back onto the map as reinforcements. In effect, by eliminating the division, the Axis player is allowed to bring it back onto the map later wherever it is needed. Whereas, if it had remained in the far north, it would have taken many turns to physically move it back to the main fighting in the south. This way it gets to move “strategically” for free when it is brought back into play.
There is not much point in attacking in the center. The Germans need to just maintain the pocket to eliminate the isolated units inside. In south, however, two major attacks are launched. The German infantry corps attack eats of Kiev, eliminating another Soviet infantry army due to cutting off its retreat. Another attack results in both side losing a step.
West of Rostov, one attack by the German 1st Panzer results in a defender retreat. Another attack with air and assault gun support against the OOS units results in a defender retreat, which is again impossible due to the Germans attacking behind the four infantry divisions. They are eliminated. Finally, the 1st Panzer action chit is drawn. Another defender retreat result is attained in a direct attack on Rostov. The city falls to the Axis giving them a total of 27 VPs.
In the Attrition Phase several Axis Supply Depots are moved forward. Those in the center are stuck with nowhere to go until the pocket is cleared. There are no OOS Axis units in need of Air Supply. The large Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket is then liquidated in the Attrition Segment; 15 infantry armies, a Guard corps and three infantry divisions are captured, the largest encirclement of the war to date. The City Defense marker from Vitebsk is placed at Orel. The road to Moscow is finally open. But it is too late for the Germans to reach the capital within the confines of this scenario, as will become obvious next turn.
Still, the Axis can afford to alter their main objective. It no longer need to be Moscow at all. With 26 VPs all they need do is capture and hold 4 more VP cities over the next three turns. Two of those VP cities (Vitebsk and Smolensk) can be quickly pocketed this turn for capture later. Out of Kiev, the German infantry concentration will drive toward Kharkov. Meanwhile, the next objective on the Ukraine is Rostov. If the Axis captures these four cities it will win the scenario (winning the war is another matter altogether and would require playing much deeper into the game).
The Axis get a couple of weak infantry divisions which they use to help garrison some exposed supply depots. There are no Axis replacements for the next several turns, they will simply weaken slowly as the casualties accumulate. Meanwhile most Soviet reinforcements go into STAVKA reserve for deployment later in the turn. For the first time in the game, the Soviets receive a number of air assets, which work similarly to the Romanian air unit, only there are more of them. The 20 replacement factors are used to regenerate two infantry armies. One is placed at Leningrad, the other at Kharkov. The other factors create eight 1-4 infantry divisions that are split in major cities between Kalinin, Tula, and Rostov. Two airborne corps are recreated and placed in Moscow.
Mixed weather allows for Soviet air drops. One of the airborne divisions is dropped in the Strategic Movement Phase on the German units at Yelnya. The airborne division is permanently eliminated from the game but it costs the Germans a mechanized division, which cannot not be replaced for the rest of the Barbarossa scenario.
This is the last turn that the Axis will have the initiative for this scenario. The “Move” chit is chosen again. This will ensure that the Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket is closed, as well as help consolidate forces all over the map for future operations. In the far south, the Romanians and Germans approach the Crimea. The 1st Panzer moves through the Soviet line near Tagenrog, getting into its rear so that when it attacks later in the turn it will cut off their retreat. The mass of German infantry near Kiev moves across the Dnepr and prepares to attack Soviet forces under the command of Zhukov. The pocket is closed around Vitbesk-Smolensk while a strong panzer contingent surrounds a weak Soviet infantry army near Vyazma. The noose tightens at Leningrad.
The Soviets will now play the STAVKA chit. An “8” is rolled, which allows all the units in reserve to be placed within 6 hexes of the STAVKA HQ. A cavalry corps and an infantry division are sent south to Zhukov to strengthen his lines. The rest of the units, the very strong 1st Shock Army among them, deploy and then surround the most advanced panzer divisions for a 5-1 attack at Vyazma. An “Exchange” result wipes out the two panzer divisions at the cost of four Soviet steps. This is the biggest catastrophe faced by the Germans so far in the game.
Soviet “Combat” is the next chit drawn. The Soviets are too weak to obtain decent odds around Leningrad and in the Ukraine. Several attacks are launched in the center, however, in an attempt to disrupt the encirclement. None of these accomplish much. The Soviets lose a total of three infantry steps while the Germans lose one.
The 2nd Panzer is drawn. The available forces, along with air and assault gun support, manage to destroy a weakened Soviet infantry army; a meager achievement given the overall situation. Then the “Logistics” chit is pulled. This isolates the large Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket. Also, four Soviet infantry divisions lose supply (OOS) near Tangarog. Next comes the Soviet “Move” chit. The Soviets consolidate various positions. They fan out along the Vyazma defensive line while pulling the 1st Shock and the Guard Cavalry corps back for possible counterattacks next turn.
Axis combat comes with the next chit drawn. An attack along the Leningrad defensive line results in both sides losing a step. The Germans choose to lose a weakened panzer division. This is purposeful. Outside of the scope of this scenario, on turn 11 all eliminated panzer divisions are brought back onto the map as reinforcements. In effect, by eliminating the division, the Axis player is allowed to bring it back onto the map later wherever it is needed. Whereas, if it had remained in the far north, it would have taken many turns to physically move it back to the main fighting in the south. This way it gets to move “strategically” for free when it is brought back into play.
There is not much point in attacking in the center. The Germans need to just maintain the pocket to eliminate the isolated units inside. In south, however, two major attacks are launched. The German infantry corps attack eats of Kiev, eliminating another Soviet infantry army due to cutting off its retreat. Another attack results in both side losing a step.
West of Rostov, one attack by the German 1st Panzer results in a defender retreat. Another attack with air and assault gun support against the OOS units results in a defender retreat, which is again impossible due to the Germans attacking behind the four infantry divisions. They are eliminated. Finally, the 1st Panzer action chit is drawn. Another defender retreat result is attained in a direct attack on Rostov. The city falls to the Axis giving them a total of 27 VPs.
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| After months of battles, the Germans finally manage to encircle a huge Russian force at Vitebsk-Smolensk. Meanwhile, they also advance on the defensive line at Vyazma. |
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| By the end of November the central pocket liquidated, paving the way for two more victory points for the Axis next turn. Meanwhile, the Soviets counterattack at Vyazma and eliminate two panzer divisions. Then they fan out along the defensive works to prepare for possible future attacks. Orel is assigned the City Defense marker that was at Vitebsk. The Soviets will garrison that city in the next reinforcement phase. |
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| In the Ukraine, the German infantry push forward from Kiev, the Romanians and Germans approach the Crimea, while the 1st Panzer Army advances on Rostov, using their mobility to attack the screening Soviet infantry from behind. It was a mistake on my part to stack the Russian forces as I did. Instead, I should have fanned them out, making attacks from the rare more difficult. |
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| Rostov falls by the end of November as the German infantry moves slowly (too slowly) against the meager forces commanded by Zhukov. |
In the Attrition Phase several Axis Supply Depots are moved forward. Those in the center are stuck with nowhere to go until the pocket is cleared. There are no OOS Axis units in need of Air Supply. The large Vitebsk-Smolensk pocket is then liquidated in the Attrition Segment; 15 infantry armies, a Guard corps and three infantry divisions are captured, the largest encirclement of the war to date. The City Defense marker from Vitebsk is placed at Orel. The road to Moscow is finally open. But it is too late for the Germans to reach the capital within the confines of this scenario, as will become obvious next turn.
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