Smolensk Tips

[Marquo]

I am trying my hand as the Soviet in S'41; after years of playing the aggressor I am now defending

S'41 presents a map and not enough Soviet units (or Axis ones) to be everywhere.

1st Problem: all the Soviet units coming in on the South side of the map can be wiped out peicemeal by a patient Axis player: how to deal with this.

2nd: Not enough units on the map form a line to defend Smolensk

3rd: etc...


Any thoughts (and yes I have read the Smolensk guide but I need more advice).


Thanks

[Dog Soldier]

From my experience with S41.

S'41 presents a map and not enough Soviet units (or Axis ones) to be everywhere.

That is the beauty of this game. Open flanks for both sides. Axis in deep penetration mode after the Minsk pocket and Lepel. The Soviets with three echelons to use wisely. Pick your own ground to fight on, if you can.

1st Problem: all the Soviet units coming in on the South side of the map can be wiped out peicemeal by a patient Axis player: how to deal with this.

Do not let him do that. There are several ways to prevent that if you think creatively. S41 is not like other PzC games.

2nd: Not enough units on the map form a line to defend Smolensk

Never had trouble with that. There are a lot of Russians.

3rd: etc...

IIRC there are two Axis Army groups entering piecemeal. I like to take out a couple of corps in one then turn on the other. Why sit back and wait for destruction like some kind of AI?

The stock CG with extra Russian forces is tough but doable as the Russians. Call it a victory if you hold Vyazma at the end and the Germans only have a minor win.
The CGs in the XP2 pack and the Michael Avanzini, Rick Bancroft 0708_01: The Drive on Smolensk scenario is excellent.

The _alt versions have too high a movement cost for my taste. The poor Russian units cannot enter an urban hex or woods, or any cover in deployed mode unless they start right next to it. Travel mode Russians need a road to enter cover. Fighting in the open against the _Alt Germans is not fighting, it is just murder. But maybe someone else knows the solution to that problem.

Be careful what OR you use. Play balance is more important than historical reality. The Russian pdt value for artillery set up is a dismal 20%-25% IIRC. Things move too fast to take 1.5 -2 days to set up the best leg in the Russian army in S41.

If all goes well the Axis player will be sending you emails that start out..."How many times do I have to kill you boy?"
That is right where you want him to be.

Dog Soldier

[Marquo]

Obviously the stock default is awful for the Soviet: full aerial recon, no delay in aerial bombing; no real supply penalty for hisotrically overextended Axis.

I think limited recon, no artillery set up, virtual supply trucks...anything else?


Marquo

[Dog Soldier]

I like using this set of OR for S41.
Recon Spotting
Virtual Supply Trucks
Low Visibility Air effects
Night Fatigue

Limited Air Recon is fine also. Sometime I have played with it on others times not. LVAE can limit the Axis air at times which makes for a good time to hit back on them. One cannot predict when the weather will change, so the military principle of having a reserve is a good idea.

Dog Soldier