formulating an attack plan

[SuperIke]

Bacillus, I am currently playing the shorter version of this scenario (Out of the Izyum bulge) against the AI and I had to make the assessment of what to do in this area.

I think AI's advice of first looking at the objectives is good common sense. Since there is a 100-pts objectives just 4 kms behind the Hungarian trench lines, it certainly looks like an attractive target.

When attacking with the Soviets, it is important to look at troop quality since it tend to be generally worse than German. The 253rd Soviet Rifle Division was an experienced division at that time and is of C quality if I remember correctly, which is better than the D quality of the average rifle division which tends to be disrupted fast. Add to this the fact that they are facing Hungarian troops in trenches rather than bunkers, and it makes it kind of obvious you should try to break through there.

Another factor to take into account when assaulting with Soviets are the presence of enemy minefields. It is quite damning to get disrupted upon entering minefields without having the chance to launch an assault. Soviets have few Engineer units to clear minefields, which forces you as much as possible to look for clear hexes from which to assault from (the 253rd division is lucky enough to have an engineer battalion, which is not the case of all rifle divisions in this scenario). Fortunately, there is an unprotected gap in the Hungarian lines from which you can assault without having your units getting disrupted by minefields.

Keeping a few units to screen your flanks is also important when breaking through. A human player will cut you off if he sees wide holes. Even the AI is quite good to spot unprotected flanks where he can infiltrates and cut your supply lines. Finally, unless I am in dire straits and need to commit every single man to the attack, I always strive to keep reserve units behind, either to prevent enemy counterattacks or as second echelon assault forces. For example, in this case I would keep a regiment or 2 battalions of the 253rd ID behind, and assault with the 2 other regiments.