Dave Hauth and I are engaged in a playing of RBCGI: Into the Factory. I'm the Reds. He's the Jerries.
We're each maintaining a blog correspondence as the game progresses. We've a Gentleman's Agreement that neither of us will read his opponent's blog until given express permission to do so.
Readers are encouraged to comment! Speak your piece! Just be sure not to inadvertently reveal any information about Dave's plan to me or vice-versa.
You can read earlier episodes of my account:
You can read Dave's blog here.
Aftermath of CG Day 6
CG Day 6 saw the most savage fighting yet of the campaign game. The Germans suffered 69 CVP, while the Russians suffered a whopping 110 CVP! The fighting took place in three sectors.
Day 7 perimeter |
In the factories, Dave set up his shock troops in big stacks, which he then used to pulverize my conscripts as he pushed eastward. He made good progress, seizing the R23 factory and all but the few southernmost hexes of the P21 factory. Once again, his eastward progress was stopped only by some desperate intensive fire by my 76* howitzers, one of which went to its reward.
The big counterattack I had planned for the south succeeded nicely. I was not only able to completely win back the P33 factory, but I annihilated the Germans guarding that factory and put a big hurt on Dave's reinforcing rifle company that came hustling in from the western board edge. My T34 M43s were unstoppable down there.
Dave sees this... |
There is no retreating at this point. Just stand here and slug it out. My retained forces are these:
- 9-0 x 2, 9-1 x 3, 8-1, 8-0 x 3, 7-0, 6+1
- 82mm Mtr.
- 76* INF
- T34 M43 x 3
- T60 M42 x 2 (dug-in hexes T31 and V31)
- 628 x 9
- 527 x 3.5
- 458
- 447 x 2
- 426 x 4
- 228 x 2
- .50-cal HMG, HMG, MMG x 2, LMG, Lt. Mtr., Atr x 3, German Lt. Mtr., German Atr x 2
- OBA Module 80mm Mtr (scarce ammo, pre-reg hexes Q33, U38)
Which brings up another point: the way this game is playing, with neither side gaining any clear advantage, it is conceivable that we could play out the campaign all the way to the end. I've never seen that happen before, either. Dave and I are in uncharted territory here, as regards Red Barricades. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.
Day 7 setup |
- I2 Guards SMG Coy (reserve)
628 x 9
DC
8-1, 9-0
- I3 Rifle Coy (reserve)
447 x 12
HMG, MMG, LMG, Atr., Lt. Mtr.
9-1, 9-0
- I4 SMG Coy
527 x 9
9-0
- A2 T70 Pltn (dug-in)
T70 x 3
8-1 AL
I'm pretty sure Dave will be buying armor for this campaign day. He needs it. But I can't afford to buy a proper AT Battery, so I'm settling for a platoon of dug-in T70s with their 45L guns that could prove troublesome to incoming German armor. More about these later.
- M1 80 Fortification points
AT Ditch
Trench
HIP: Squad, HS, SMC x 3, AFV x 6
? x 14
Day 7 setup, north |
I've set up my reserve rifle company in the Commissar's House and vicinity. They get the duty of doing what they can to guard the riverbank.
I've got a hidden .50-cal HMG on the second level of the Commissar's House. Dave will certainly know that there is something hidden somewhere on the second level, but he still has to deal with the fact of it.
I've got a hidden spotter in GG21, sighting for the surviving 82mm Mortar.
Unfortunately, the weather for Day 7 is clear, and that means one thing: Dave will be buying Stukas. So, in anticipation of that unhappy development, I'm setting up my T34s in the factories, where they will stay and support the infantry. I'm spending 30 Fortification points to hide them and the dugin T70s, as well. I'll keep the T34s hidden for as long as possible, hoping to avoid the Stukas and maybe just catch Dave by surprise here and there.
Day 7 setup, south |
In the south, I'm starting to fortify the P33 factory. This may be where the Red Army is forced into its final stand. An AT Ditch in O34 makes it less easy for German tanks to enter the factory. And two of my hidden T70s are poised on the flanks to open up as the Panzers approach from the west.
My reserve Guards SMG company awaits the Germans within the factory, and I've still got my 80mm Mortar OBA module to assist in the defense.
My reinforcing SMG company will enter wherever the need seems most dire.
My Red Army heroes and the mighty Sixth Army are approaching a culmination. Now is not the time to lose our nerve.
To be continued...
1 comment:
Ohh Good Stuff -- if I must live vicariously -- what a way to do it!
Go Comrade -- Only here is Stalingrad much fun for you ant the Krauts.
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