"For every turn that the Germans are unable to reduce the Russians ... the balance will shift in (their) favor..." BitE Dortmund Campaign AAR, pt 11 February 1942

I am playing out a solo campaign of Blocks in the East using all optional rules. As I play, I'm taking photos for a session report, which I hope will function also as a review of this game that I have become enthralled by. This is Part 11.

As February came to the Russian Front, the German highest of the high commanders sat, studying the map. With his wife at school, he would be able to contemplate his situation with no baleful glares longing for more space on the dining room table. Space for what? When was the last time they'd sat to eat together? How many times must he tell her, “This is WAR!” And it was a long war. His forces were strong, of that he had no doubts. He was ready to fight, and he had ample reserves. But the cold, the damnable cold. His machine guns fired only sporadically, his tanks started only occasionally, and fought effectively only rarely... Yet the Russians were growing stronger with every passing day. The Commander's experienced, gleaned through countless hours of reading the weather rules (advanced game AND optional rules) told him to wait, to move cautiously into position, to strike when summer comes. Yes, we will wait. Yet the Commander could not sign the order, telling his commanders to hold in place. The words of his most trusted military advisor weighed on his mind. “For every turn that the Germans are unable to reduce the Russians for a significant amount of purchased PPs (should be around the 15 to 20) the balance will shift in the favor of the Russians.” Rauol had proven himself in countless briefings. His assessments were never misguided, his judgement always sound. What choice would the commander make? Never before had the burden of command weighed this heavily on the Commander's mind. As I discussed in previous AARs, from the German perspective, however well the battles have gone thus far, I fear the pace is too slow. I allowed infantry support to lag behind the forces advancing on Moscow, and the Russians have built themselves a stout line of fierce warriors in the forest around their capital. The Russian steppes have fallen, with vast production reserves now toiling for the Wehrmacht. And yet the Russians again build an army, north of the Caucasus, and in the environs of Stalingrad. Yes, German forces are strong, but will that be enough? I could not decide if I should risk German tanks, planes and artillery in combat. Raoul's words did, truly, ring in my ears. As I eyed the likely spots for concentrated attacks, I hesitated. At last, I decided not to risk the precious German war machine now. All units that attack during this first winter attack with only ¼ firepower – a single die per unit. The Soviets are not bothered by the snow, they roll full firepower. And somewhere out there, the behemoths that are Soviet shock armies lie in wait. So I decided to wait. *** (see sidebar below)

Leningrad is surrounded, and will soon enough fall.

Moscow is becoming a fearsome Russian stronghold, but relief forces are making all possible speed to the battle.

The salient near Stalingrad may seem vulnerable, but strong armored units are prepared to reinforce any beleaguered troops.

Most heartening, the German economy is becoming a force to be reckoned with. No matter how hard the fighting in the spring, replacements should be available. And by the time winter arrives, many German tanks will be produced each month.

*** SIDEBAR*** So I couldn't quite let go of wanting to know what would happen if the Germans sent their armor out to attack the now quite strong Soviets. I didn't want to actually risk it, but I did want to know. So I picked out 4 key spots that I'd have attacked, if I was going to attack, and rolled out the battles. I was wise to avoid conflict.

More than anything, I knew that the Soviet shock army which had succeeded in creating a pocket outside of Moscow had lost some steps. That seemed like a good place to start.

The Soviets had seven steps to start the battle. The Germans brought a big bomber and a (at start) full strength artillery. But first winter, it is hard on the Germans. The arty is halved, the rest of the units are quartered. So, after attacking bombers and artillery failed to score a hit, the Soviet infantry rose up in their hasty defenses and let loose … a bunch of blanks! That is the first roll they made. Now the Germans are feeling OK, even though their armor only rolls 1 die each, they've got a chance to take a step or two from the Russians.

This was the scene when the Germans “retreated.” An entire Panzer army eliminated, the last down to a single step! No more shells for the cannons, and the bombers at risk of falling from the sky for lack of fuel (losing a RED step with one more AA hit). All that for 3 black and 2 white Soviet infantry steps. Well, maybe that battle would have been an anomoly?

Establishing a bridgehead across the river, before they unfreeze, seemed like a good idea.

No bombers were in range (poor planning), but the fighters would make sure Russian fighters had a surprise if they flew out in defense (none were in range).

As in the first battle, the Soviet shock army was not prepared for battle. Although it did score 2 hits in AA fire, its first defense roll was again a bunch of nothing.

Even so, the battle was not favorable to the Germans. In total, I simulated 4 attacks, all with either 2 full strength German armor units, and at least one full strength fighter, if not artillery / bombers. The total of all that combat? Germany would have lost 9 armor steps (white steps, 18 yellow AND red PP), 3 black and 2 white infantry steps, 2 black and 2 white air steps, and used 6 steps of artillery. In exchange, they cost the Soviets 14 black and 5 white infantry steps. Or, in PP terms, the Germans used 18 red, 6 blue, 41 yellow and 10 black (including HQ activations) to cost the Soviets 24 yellow. It was a debacle. Attacking fortresses still makes sense in winter, regardless of which winter, as all units will roll 1 die regardless. Other than that, German offensives in the first winter are suicide unless they know the forces they're attacking are 1 or maybe 2 step infantry units. *** END SIDEBAR ***

The Super Supreme Soviet High Commander looked at his growing strength. The capital seems safe, at least as long as the earth doesn't move underneath it, as an angry matriarch reclaims her dining room for more useful things, such as random paper, pocket books no longer being used, and an occasional half filled (half empty?) cup of coffee... He also doubted the Germans could drive all the way to Baku, his forces there were becoming well equipped and trained. WAIT! What was this? Underneath, yes, an

old, half filled coffee mug, a report. The rail lines from Stalingrad to the east had NEVER BEEN COMPLETED!!!! The enemy had only to take one small patch of ground now to strangle the city as they were Leningrad. Yes, Leningrad will soon fall, but to no great cost – the armored factories from there were almost completely operational in the Urals now. Stalingrad though, that MUST stand. Those railroads must be prioritized. It was still not time for a large scale counterattack. In another month, the large infantry armies should be fully -equipped and well trained. The Red Army had learned lessons from all of its losses. Local counterattacks, pre-positioning forces, building reserves, those will be his orders for the month of Ferbruary. Those, and surprise he has in store for the Germans. His special secret agent in the German army, code named ULTIMO, has shared interesting findings. “The Soviets have 2 Long Range Bombers for hitting Ploesti... they can reach it from both Krasnodar and Novorrassysk.” so says the ULTIMO. Yes, the Germans may not be expecting that. The view from 12,000 feet would be quite lovely with the snow capped Romanian mountains as a backdrop.

With Soviet infantry reaching Tech 2 in a month, this is a good time to reinforce the VVS and start to prepare a more large scale counter offensive. Infantry forces are strong, but more armor is still needed. And it is time to pay a visit to Ploesti. Past time, actually. Russia launched 4 attacks. Two were in the north, trying to push the Germans back from Moscow, while also taking back the mining center of Stalinogorsk.

The other two were attempts to begin shrinking the German salient approaching Stalingrad. After furiously working to finish the rail lines leading from the city, the Soviets were still not confident that they could keep the city supplied without a limited counter offensive.

The Russians won ground in two of the hexes (marked with the yellow barrels), but lost in two. More terribly, an entire shock army was eliminated trying to take back Stalinogorsk.

Only a single German armor step remained, vs. the 1 step shock army and another 1 step of infantry. The Russians could not roll high in their hour of need there. Perhaps they should have retreated sooner, but it seems likely they'd win the day. The two very highest of the high, supremest of the supreme commanders stared into the mirror at each other, then back at the mapboard. Losses were mounting for both sides. The Germans have pushed far, but there is one more month of winter and near Moscow supply may become an issue for the forward units. As the commanders locked gazes, they smiled wryly at each other. The carnage, the tension, the planning, the lack of sleep in order to finish meticulously detailed orders. God help them, but they loved this. Then, their smiles faded. In unison, they muttered, with no small trace of sorrow: