S42' Campaign Strategy

[Scar]

I posted something regarding this same topic several weeks ago when I had just started two campaign games of S42 (one as axis and one as the Soviets). I can give you my thoughts, but I am still working on my theory for axis play, so what I say may be subject to chnage.

First, in the north, the axis minor units are terrible, and no matter what you do, they are going to get swamped. I tried a slow steady retreat, but once the Soviets get a hole or breach, things get ugly fast. Just be ready to accept the loss of all these units or most of them (depends on how badly the Soviets want them really). Also, don't try to hard to save the Rum 5 infantry division, as you can lose more units to to make sure this division gets out than if you leave them to fend for themselves.

The 22 Pz and Rum 1 Arm should probably protect the main highway running north to south to the Chir, or head east toward the Don. Don't waste these guys, if you are playing the base scenario, they are your only mobile units in the northern portion of the battlefield.

The 376 Inf, 44 Inf, and 384 Inf must get back across the Don. Do not lose these divisions! Do not try to retreat with them to the south west, they won't make it and you will end up losing them.

In the city itself, get all your mobile divisions out asap. Either head southwest or due south depending on your overall plan. The forts where 60 Mot and 3 Mot start the game can be held if you send sufficiant units of infantry to take their place, but it will be close.

Then the big decision. Do you allow the pocket to be formed, or do you retreat the pocket units to the south west? I don't know yet, as I have not gotten far enough into my game as German or Russian to have an opinion yet. I think both might be viable, but if your going to allow the pocket to be formed, you might have to keep at least on mobile division with the pocket for a reserve (I hate this idea as I want all the mobile divisions roaming outside the pocket for the relief effort).

In the city proper, a few important Soviet positions can be taken if you will make the effort. The Red Oktober Factory is a must take if you plan on forming the pocket. The Tennis Racket should also be taken. The Ferry and Red Square would also be nice, but I am not sure they can be taken without committing the mobile divisions you want to get out.

The southern shoulder should be defensible with 371 Inf and 297 Infantry. The 29 Mot can really give the Russians a bloody nose if they get to ambitious in the south, so the Russians should be a bit cautious.

As for the southern axis minors, I was able to save most of Rum 20 Inf and Rum 2 Inf divisions. Rum 1 Inf and 18 were a loss. Further south Rum 4, Rum 5 Cav and 8 Cav can probably all make it if the head south west. If they go north, they may get run down, depending on what the Soviets try to do.

This isn't much, but its the makings of a plan I think depending on your tastes. So, taking these tips, the plan might be as follows:

1. Slow retreat with all axis minors in the north directly south, and hope the Russians stop the chase to head south east with the mobile forces to close on the Don and meet up with the southern Soviet wing. This might save some of them.

2. The northern (west bank of Don) German infantry units run like hell for the Don. Just make sure you have time to cross the Don at the bridges, it can be tricky with Russians on your tail.

3. Allow the pocket, using the Don as the west line, the northern forts as the north, Volga as the east, and the Cherelenaya river and Yelkhi as the south. Now thats going to leave a big gap between the southern defenders and the west, but not all plans are perfect!

4. Have the mobile divisions that escaped the pocket try to entice the Russians into a fluid battle south of Stalingrad, or move them to the north and try the same idea, while you wait for help.

5. Play the rest by ear.

I hope this helps.

Scar