441029_01: Prelude - The Drive to Budapest_Alt - PzC 17 Budapest 45
2 - 0 - 5
| Rating: | 7.68 (8) |
| Games Played: | 7 |
| SM: | 6 |
| Turns: | 90 |
| Type: | Custom |
| First Side: | Russia |
| Second Side: | Axis |
Central Hungary, October 29th 1944: The first Russian attempt to capture Budapest by storm began in late October, when Stalin ordered the Commander of the 2nd Ukrainian Front, Malinovsky, to capture Budapest in five days. Malinovsky replied that he could do the job but needed five days to prepare. Stalin ordered him to proceed immediately! Thus, on the morning of October 29th, prior to all necessary preparations being completed, the attack began. Initially successful, once the outskirts of Budapest were reached, the attack bogged down, due to supply shortages and Axis counterattacks. Another way in, to capture Budapest, would have to be found. [Size: large] Designer Note: This scenario has been optimized for Soviet Human vs. Axis AI.
| Player Voting Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Member | Balance | Enjoyment |
 von Nev |
Slightly Pro Russia | 8 |
 Aces8 |
Well Balanced | 8 |
 SandySandie |
Well Balanced | 10 |
 Kool Kat |
Moderately Pro Axis | 6 |
 philm |
Well Balanced | 9 |
| Gaming Records | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Side Player | 2nd Side Player | Result | Score | ||||||
|
 |
The_General | vs. | akilpio |  |
|
Axis Minor Victory | 84 | 36 |
|
 |
Oldman | vs. | crazyivan |  |
|
Russia Minor Loss | 36 | 84 |
|
 |
philm | vs. | Landser34 |  |
|
Russia Major Victory | 108 | 12 |
|
 |
Kool Kat | vs. | Bioman |  |
|
Axis Minor Victory | 84 | 36 |
|
 |
timshin42 | vs. | Mike Bowen |  |
|
Russia Major Loss | 12 | 108 |
Seems like the German strength needs some tweaking. Germans are largely on the defense the entire campaign with limited to no offensive ability. _Alt version reduces morale of German panzer and infantry divisions that weaken them considerably. Would like to see a little stronger Germans and then reduced victory conditions to help the Russians.
I really enjoyed this scenario. I made some mistakes allowing most of the Hungarian troops to get encircled and destroyed near the beginning. Should have made a fighting withdrawal. This went down to the wire almost had a draw.
Tough on both sides, Soviet supply and command problems, Axis weak dispersed troops. You have to love mud, snow and poor vis.
Cheers Sandy
Axis player is primarily on the defense for the entire game with few opportunities to counterattack. Hungarian troops will be decimated by the advancing Russian spearheads, especially after the Soviet armor releases. Axis must defend tenaciously and utilize his scarce mobile reinforcements - late war King Tigers, Panthers, Mark IV's, motorized infantry, and SPA's to stiffen Hungarian defense lines and delay the Russian Bear. Difficult terrain - Extensive canal network coupled with mud, snow conditions and few primary roads will hamper any rapid Russian advance to Budapest. Moderate Axis advantage. Prelude - The Drive to Budapest is not a balanced scenario and unfortunately there is a bleak "sameness" in the execution of turns - Russians blasting through the hapless Hungarian troops only to be bogged down by terrain, weather, and the occasional German troop reinforcement. Not a favorite Budapest '45 scenario.
Regards, Mike / "A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - George S. Patton /
A careful Axis who retreats rather than seeking battle is likely to win. The distance is too great to Budapest in soft conditions where all the VP's are. Keeping the Axis army intact is the key to victory.
Axis retreating or a fighting withdrawal makes it difficult for the Russians to come to grips with the Axis
The Hungarian forward forces are doomed to defeat, but the Axis player has a chance to concentrate his remaining forces on the outskirts of Budapest and effectively hold the enemy there.
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