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Scenario 2 - Smolensk (Sedan map)

Due to the low cap in the first few scenarios it isn't worth it to buy new units, so I upgraded some of my core
units instead. 

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit, P = Prototype)

1x Pz IVF1 TK [1] C
1x Pz 35(t) TK [0 ] C
1x Pz IVF1 TK [0 ] 

1x StuG III B AT [0 ] C

1x 21 M18 ART [0 ] C

1x Psw 222 RCN [0 ] C

1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ] C
1x 88mm FlaK37 [0 ] C (upgraded from no transport to a 251/1)

1x Infanterie INF [0 ] C

2x Me-110C TB [1, 0 ] C (These bombers really suck)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [0 ] P

This scenario is played on the good old Sedan map from the blitz campaign. This time you attack from the
west though. There are four VH on the east side of the map and lots of flag hexes all over the place. You've
got an amazing 18 turns to get a BV, so I expected some stiff opposition here. In the beginning it was easy
again. Not that many russians on the west side of the map. Advanced quickly and without severe losses took
three of the VH. Just had the eastermost one left and still had 12 turns to go, so I expected a counterattack
any time now. Sent some units south and some north in preparation, and yes, as I expected there came a
russian counterattack from both north and south plus a hidden VH way down south suddenly appeared. If
there one thing I hate it's hidden VH-es. Grrr... Anyway, the northen counterattack was easy to beat back (or
at least defend against) as I had heavily entrenched units at the VH-es here. In the south it was a bit (or
should I say VERY much) tougher. Several huge russian tanks (my tanks look so small compared to the ruski
ones) and lots of arty and other stuff made it hard to reach the VH. Luckily I had my super experienced 13
strenght aux leader SS-infantry which successfully assaulted the VH and allowed my recon to take it. Still had
7 turns to go for a BV, so I had some margins. In the end, a quite easy win here as well, but had I been a
turn or so slower it would have been almost impossible to get a win since there were lots of russians driving
towards my westernmost VH-es.

The low cap (2000) and the fact that you get 1500 prestige for any kind of victory allows you to replace
freely, saved points will only be lost anyway. This is a new experience for me and gives you a very interesting
game. Got 1484 prestige again for my BV (deduct my 516 prestige tank remember) and a Pz IVF2 prototype.
YES! Boy someone in high command likes me.

Btw, I really hate those Me-110C bombers. They can air-attack like fighters, but they can't protect my other
bombers. Really expensive though, so hopefully I can upgrade them to something usable later on without
ruining myself.

Next stop Orel (near Moscow).


Scenario 3 - Orel (Volokolomsk map)

Since the prestige cap is now up to 2500, I decided to buy some new units. Decided on two 10.5 leFH18 artys
and two SS Infanterie. I also upgraded my original Infanterie to a Sturmpioniere. After this I've got 36 prestige
left, so I overstrengthened my StuG to 11. My non-core units now add up to a total of 1644 prestige. This
means that I'll get 856 prestige regardless of which victory I get here. (I wasn't sure whether transports were
included in the unit cost or not, but after this scenario I see that they are as I presumed)

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit, P = Prototype)

1x Pz IVF2 Tk [0 ] P
1x Pz IVF1 TK [1] C
1x Pz 35(t) TK [1] C
1x Pz IVF1 TK [1]

1x StuG III B AT [1] C

2x 10.5 leFH18 [0, 0 ]
1x 21 M18 ART [0 ] C

1x Psw 222 RCN [1] C

1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ] C
1x 88mm FlaK37 [0 ] C

2x SS Infanterie INF [0, 0 ]
1x Sturmpioniere INF [1] C

2x Me-110C TB [1, 0 ] C (These bombers still suck)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [1] P

Well, I had a déjà vu feeling here, looks like one of the scenarios from the original blitz campaign, can't
remember the name though. You start out in the lower left corner of the map along with around 5-10 aux units.
There are 4 VH in an almost vertical line at the eastern end of the map and lots of flag hexes all over the map
as usual. You've got 11 turns to get a BV, which sounds reasonable. Remember that since you'll hit the roof
prestige point wise at the end of the scenario anyway, use all points you get in the scenario to buy
replacements (and I really needed that). Easy start this time as well, except for several russian fighters that
kept attacking my poor planes. Weirdly enough, when his fighters attacked one of my Me-110 bombers right
over one of my AD units, it didn't fire? This happened not only once, but twice. Why didn't it fire? I finally
managed to kill off all of his fighters and his bomber, but I had to buy replacements for my planes several
times to do this. Not much opposition in the west this time either (a trend in this campaign it seems). I had
half my army take the southern route and the other half the center/north one. His two southernmost VH were
heavily defended, lots of big artys backed by range 3 AD covering each other. Several AT units and infantry
here as well. My southern army managed to kill off his artys and then the rest was a pice of cake here. In the
center I was having some problems killing of a huge russian tank (KV-1 I think). Ugh, they are a real pain to
take out as my tanks/AT are no match for these beasts. Luckily there were only a single tank here, had there
been more I'd have had serious problems. After my southern army took out his artys in the center from behind
I quickly overran the last units here as well. The two northernmost VH weren't that heavily defended and if it
hadn't been for a two-turn snowstorm it would have gone quicker than it did. Anyway, I got a BV with one
turn to go. Quite easy scenario in the end here as well. I got my first leader here too, a First-strike leader on
my StuG, could have been worse. 

Got 856 prestige as I guessed for my BV but no prototype. Am I out of favor now? 

Ever onwards....

Scenario 4 - Tula (Klin map)

I decided to save some prestige and buy a good fighter after this scenario. So I only bought a SdKfz 6/2 AD
for 348 or something prestige (as you'll see I could have waited with this one). Have around 500 prestige left
now. As my non-core units are now worth 1992 prestige and the prestige cap after this scenario is 3000 and
since you get 500 prestige for a BV, I guess I'll have 1008 prestige when I'm finished. 

Note, it seems like you get some turn prestige here as well, not sure how much, forgot to check, so I had
around 700 prestige when I won the scenario. This means you can buy even more replacements I guess.
Didn't really have the time in this scenario though.

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit, P = Prototype)

1x Pz IVF2 Tk [0 ] P
1x Pz IVF1 TK [1] C
1x Pz 35(t) TK [1] C
1x Pz IVF1 TK [2]

1x StuG III B AT [2*] C (First strike)

2x 10.5 leFH18 [0, 0 ]
1x 21 M18 ART [1] C

1x Psw 222 RCN [1] C

1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ] C
1x 88mm FlaK37 [0 ] C
1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ]

2x SS Infanterie INF [0, 0 ]
1x Sturmpioniere INF [2] C

2x Me-110C TB [2, 2] C (Yes, they still suck)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [2] P

The story: You are close to Moscow, but are being encircled and have to fight your way back to the German
lines, that is, take one of three russian VH (two at the western edge and one at the southern edge of the
map). Only 8 turns for a BV and it's snowing. You start out in the northeastern part of the map alongside a
bunch of 5 strength aux units. I decided to go for the northernmost VH even though the one along the
southern edge looked easier to take, but I think it's a trap (I didn't check, so I don't know if this was the
case). It was snowing the whole scenario so I used my bombers as recons and saw that the way was clear
for the first part at least. Drove everything as far west as possible. Nothing happened even though there were
several russian artys within range (guess they didn't have any radar bunkers here ) On my turn (still
snowing) I hit the artys and AT he had at a town here and quickly eliminated them. A southern force of some
aux units I used to screen my flank got hit by long range heavy artys and got killed, but then, who cares
about aux units. Nothing major happened on the russian turn except that lots of fighters kept passing by,
so I love the snow. On my turn (still snowing) I used my bombers as recons again and quickly advanced
towards the VH. He only had three or so units here, so they got overwhelmed and I took the VH with two
more turns to go for a BV. Due to the snow it was a very easy scenario, but I think I took the easiest route
here. Got 500 prestige for my BV which gives me a grand total of 1008 prestige (right again). I even got
another prototype, a StuG IIIF, so I guess High Command likes me again. Actually I feel that my luck with
prototypes might actually unbalance the campaign, so if I get more prototypes I'll probably sell them or reload
until I don't get any. Enough is enough.

Next stop Staraya R. (wherever that is).

Scenario 5 - Staraya R. (Novgorod map)

I decided to buy a Fw-190A-3 fighter for 972 prestige, so now I only have 36 prestige left. The prestige cap is
raised to 4750 after this scenario, so I guess I'll be in the safe zone for a while now since my non-core units
only add up to 2964 prestige. Btw, supporting country here is Nationalist Spain. I first thought it was an error,
but you do in fact get the Division Azul as reinforcement after some turns (in a naval transport). Interestingly
enough, if you right click on them while they are in the transport, they've got the Norwegian flag? When you
unload them they've got the Spanish flag. Also, since the expire date is now working they've got exactly 4
different units you can buy.

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit, P = Prototype)

1x Pz IVF2 Tk [0 ] P
1x Pz IVF1 TK [2] C
1x Pz 35(t) TK [1] C
1x Pz IVF1 TK [2]

1x StuG IIIB AT [2*] C (First strike)
1x StuG IIIF AT [0 ] P

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [0, 0 ]
1x 21 M18 ART [1] C

1x Psw 222 RCN [2] C

1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ] C
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [0 ] C
1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ]

2x SS Infanterie INF [1, 1]
1x Sturmpioniere INF [2] C

1x Fw-190A-3 FTR [0 ]

2x Me-110C TB [2, 2] C
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [2] P

Oh boy, the warm fuzzy feeling you get inside when you see this map... Anyway, for once there aren't flag
hexes all over the map, just two russian VH in the NE corner of the map. If you remember they map, you know
that there are several streams and rivers all over it, so I guessed that the russians here would be easy to
contain. I expected a major russian attack from the south or southwest though since I had some VH hexes
here that I couldn't deploy at. 

You start with some aux units already in place at the NE corner (some inf and artys, several of them 5
strength), and can deploy 7 units and your fighters/bombers in the center of the map. The rest comes in at
the western edge. Decided to put all my three AD units, my big arty, my best tank and my ATs in the center.
Best way to beat back a russian attack, especially if they had a lot of tanks. Trucks are much faster than
tanks anyway and would get here quickly. In the russian turn there were a huge attack from the NE corner
ofcourse, but due to the river here he had problems advancing fast. His planes stopped right over my AD
units, this meant I almost took out his entire air force turn 2. On my turn I sent an infantry and an arty
down to my VH in the southeast, just in case. Left a tank (my weakest one) in the center VH and
counterattacked with the rest. My four artys here along with the river made the difference and I quickly killed
of his tanks. Had some help here from an 88mm AT aux unit. Great units in close quarter fighting. Everything
seemed to go ok, no attack from the south yet, and I advanced in the NE (despite his range 5 monster arty
covered by two AD units). Suddenly a russian truck appeared two hexes away from my northwestern VH.
Yikes. Luckily I had exactly 156 (120 turn prestige plus my initial 36) prestige points at this moment, so I
quickly bought a SS infanterie to put here. There also came several russian guard infantry and a big tank from
the north towards my center VH. I though he only had a single infantry unit here, but I guess I was wrong. I
quickly withdrew the troops I had at the southern VH to the center one and hoped that I'd take his VH before
he took mine. In the east I incredible enough got reinforcements just when I needed it, the aforementioned
Division Azul. With two units here I could hold the VH against his two guard units (had some help from a
bomber in the end when it was looking critical). Due to my total air superiority, I had less problems in the
center than I first thought, so even though I didn't manage to kill off all of his units here, my VH was never in
danger. In the east I took some hits on my tanks/ATs to kill of two of his three artys here. When I had done
that I quickly rushed all my four artys within range of the last one (and the two VH which contained heavily
entrenched overstrengthed infantrys). He hit my aux AT unit (so what?), but on my turn I killed his arty, and
then the two VH were easy to take. I had an amazing 7 turns to go for a BV. Wow! Got 1630 prestige for the
win which along with my core units brings me up to 4750 prestige. So I hit the roof afterall, who'd have
thought that? I didn't get any prototype thankfully, so no hard choices whether to keep it or not.

Got two new leaders in this scenario. A Devastating Fire leader on my newly bought FW-fighter and an
Influence leader on one of my Me-110. Now I can finally upgrade it to something better.

Next stop somewhere else...

Scenario 6 - Donets (Kanev map)

Since the cap after the next scenario is only 5000 and you get 1500-2000 prestige for a victory, I used all my
gained prestige on upgrades. No point in buying new units as it'll only give you less prestige points in the end.
My Pz 35(t) tank isn't really useful anymore, so I upgraded it to a Pz IIIJ2 which has a good HA. Also upgraded
my StuG III from a B to an F (range 2 is just so good). Finally I got rid of my Me-110C when I upgraded both
of them to Ju-88s. Had some points left after this, so I overstrengthened some units to 11. Have 13 points
left now.

My non-core army now adds up to 3336 prestige after upgrades. Almost like the good old blitz campaign days.
I love to upgrade units.

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit, P = Prototype)

1x Pz IVF2 Tk [1] P
1x Pz IVF1 TK [3] C
1x Pz IIIJ2 TK [1] C (Upgraded from Pz 35(t))
1x Pz IVF1 TK [3]

1x StuG IIIF AT [2*] C (First Strike) (Upgraded from StuG III B)
1x StuG IIIF AT [0 ] P

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [0, 0 ]
1x 21 M18 ART [1] C

1x Psw 222 RCN [2] C

1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ] C
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [0 ] C
1x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0 ]

3x SS Infanterie INF [1, 2, 1] (Got a 251/1 transport for the new one)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [2] C

1x Fw-190A-3 FTR [1*] (Devastating Fire)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [3*, 3] C (Influence) (Upgraded from Me-110C both of them)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [3] P

This map has got a total of 36 flag hexes and 13 VH, wow! You have got lots of aux units in this scenario,
mostly infantry without transports and some smaller AT and artys (in horse carts most of them). In the
beginning it went really well as I didn't face much opposition. My airforce hit the few units I saw, and when his
air units arrived, I managed to take them out rather quickly. There are lots of streams and such all over the
place, but since they didn't interfere with movement at all, I guess there's something wrong with this map.
There's a big impassable river that divides the map in two that works ok though. Just two places you can
cross it, a bridge in the SE and a small ford in the north (and since there's 4 VH on that side of the river, you
have to cross it). I sent a task force of two tanks, one StuG, one arty and three infantry across the river at
the southern bridge. Some russians at the VH here, but as I have got massive amounts of prestige points at
the moment, I just assaulted him with my inf (and replaced afterwards), and then killed the remains with my
tanks. In the center I divided my troops into two halves. One went for the VH to the east inside the river,
while the other went for the western ones and the ones across the northern ford. Some difficult terrain
(rough), slow aux units and lots of russian artys across the river made progress slow in the inside east. Finally
managed to get some artys into position (those range 5 artys are great) that could hit his supporting ones,
and then it went easier. When my eastern side task force arrived behind his lines and could take out his AD
units here so my planes could attack, the remaining russians were quickly overwhelmed. 

In the west there were hardly any opposition at all, so I quickly got to the ford. Left some slow romanians at
the western VH, as I felt they were to slow to be of any use anyway (I was wrong as you'll see). The river
crossing went really slowly as you first had to move into the river and stop there, and then on you next turn
move up on the other side. Put a bunch of artys on the southern side and hit everything in sight. Finally
managed to get a tank across and take the airfield here so my planes could resupply more quickly. At this
moment it was looking really good. I still had 10 turns or so to go for a BV, and I just had two more VH to
take. One just above the airfield/ford in the north and the one across the river in the NE (and it was allready
surrounded by my eastern task force). 

I expected a russian counterattack of course, but I thought it'd come from the north/northeast. So when 20 or
so russian units suddenly appeared at the western edge of the map, I was rather surprised. He got at least
6 big tanks as well as several big artys, ouch. Luckily I had left some romanians in this area, but they couldn't
hold the westernmost VH (and barely the ones in the center). As I hadn't been able to cross the ford with
that many units, I quickly sent the ones on this side of the river south. Several units were arriving from the
east as well, since I had taken all VH on this side of the river here. I really enjoyed the fighting here, my
measly entrenched romanians covered by small artys and small AT holding of the big russian tanks while my
germans came rushing to relieve them. Some new russian fighers/bombers arrived as well, but quickly got killed
by my devastating fire Fockewulf (this fighter is great, got around 400 experience in this scenario). In the end
my huge air superiority made the difference. With the aux ones, I had seven or so air units, so it was really
only a matter of time in the end. A counterattack by my aux units covered by planes took back the VH (with
HUGE losses) the turn before the last for a BV. Great scenario this, I really enjoyed it, even though I hate
surprises.

Got 1664 prestige as expected (adds up to 5000 with my non-core units). Didn't get any prototype this time
either, but did get a nice letter from High-command telling me what I brave hero I was and how much they
really wanted to give me a prototype if they had had one. 

Next stop Rostov I think


Scenario 7 - Rostov (Oakridge map)

I have 1664 prestige at the moment. The cap after the next scenario is 5600 and you get 1000 prestige for a
victory. This allows me to expand my non-core army somewhat. I really need another heavy artillery, so I
bought a 21 M18 in a truck. I also need another recon, and since I can't wait anymore for a better one to
show up, I had to settle for a Psw 231. I also upgraded my core Pz IVF1 to a Pz IVF2 (range two is good,
remember). Lastly, I decided to upgrade the Sturmpioniere transport to a 251/1, so they can get into action
more quickly. This leaves me with an amazing 8 prestige. Btw, as you can see, I gained a lot of experience in
the last scenario. Got several new leaders too.

My non-core army now adds up to 4356 prestige after upgrades. 

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit/Prototype, NC = Non-core unit)

2x Pz IVF2 Tk [2, 4] (C, C Upgraded from Pz IVF1)
1x Pz IIIJ2 TK [2] (C)
1x Pz IVF1 TK [4] (NC)

2x StuG IIIF AT [2*] (C First Strike, C)

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [1, 1] (NC, NC)
2x 21 M18 ART [0, 2] (NC, C)

1x Psw 231 RCN [0 ] (NC)
1x Psw 222 RCN [2] (C)

2x SdKfz 6/2 AD [0, 0 ] (C, NC)
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [1] (C)

3x SS Infanterie INF [2, 4*, 2] (NC, NC Aggressive Maneuver, NC)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [3] (C Upgraded transport to a 251/1)

1x Fw-190A-3 FTR [4*] (NC Devastating Fire)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [3*, 4*] (C Influence, C Skilled Recon)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [4] (C)

You start out along with some Slovak aux units along the western edge of the map. There are 7 VH (of which
4 are in the center town, Rostov in this case). Not that many other flag hexes this time. This scenario was
tough as you'll notice, only pure luck kept me from loosing any core units. I the beginning it was easy, sent
some troops south to take the VH here, while the rest went straight east towards Rostov. I quickly took the
southern VH and the westernmost in the center. On the Russian turn I got attacked by an armada (five I
think) of fighters and bombers in the center. Weirdly enough since I had two AD units that fired at them when
they attacked? On my turn I killed two of them with my AD units while my fighter killed a third one, yeah. He
had one monster artillery unit (range 5, high attack values) just beyond the river here and another in Rostov
along with other smaller artys, AT units, several range 3 AD units, infantry etc. I got hit hard and only massive
replacements kept me from loosing any units. I managed to kill the units just across the river and could the
advance towards Rostov. The troops I sent around the southern route quickly took the other two VH south of
Rostov. This allowed me to send some units across the second river to try to attack the defenders of Rostov
from the flank. Unfortunately he had some AT defending the approach here, grrr. The fighting in Rostov was
almost like Stalingrad, huge amount of units in a small town. After I managed to kill two of his artys (including
the huge one), I started killing of the entrenched infantries here. It went really slow though. Attack with
tanks and arty, assault. As he can’t retreat (too crowded) he dies. Get another infantry in there while you
replace the first one, repeat. Had to risk my air units to reduce the strength of his artys several times.
Luckily, the AA value of the Russian AD units are quite low (9), so often they didn’t do any damage. With
some help from a 15 strength Cossack unit that I got as reinforcement I finally took all four VH in Rostov. I
advanced towards the last VH in the center north, hoping that there wouldn’t be too many Russians here
since none of my units had more than 6 strength left, but he only had one infantry unit and an artys here, so
I quickly killed them.

I actually managed to get a BV with one turn to go, but it was a hard fight. I even got a prototype unit, a
Me-410B-3 bomber (guess High-Command doesn’t like them either), but since I’m getting BV as it is
already, I’ll sell it so I won’t unbalance the campaign. I got 1244 prestige for the win which along with my
4356 prestige non-core army brings me up to 5600 prestige total.

Next stop Grozny.


Scenario 8 – Grozny (Madrid map)

I sold the prototype bomber I got, since I felt that too many prototypes would unbalance the campaign,
especially a low cap one as this is. So now I’ve got loads of prestige. The prestige cap after this scenario is
still 5600, so I decided not to buy any new units, since I need another fighter soon. I upgraded my core Pz
IIIJ2 to a Pz IVF2 though. Also upgraded the transport on my core 21 M18 artillery to a 251/1. I used the rest
of the prestige points to overstrengthen almost all my ground units and my fighter somewhat.

My non-core army still adds up to 4356 prestige after upgrades. 

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit/Prototype, NC = Non-core unit)

3x Pz IVF2 Tk [2, 5, 3] (C, C, C Upgraded from Pz IIIJ2)
1x Pz IVF1 TK [4] (NC)

2x StuG IIIF AT [4*, 3] (C First Strike, C)

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [2, 2] (NC, NC)
2x 21 M18 ART [0, 2] (NC, C upgraded to a 251/1 transport)

1x Psw 231 RCN [1] (NC)
1x Psw 222 RCN [3*] (C Aggressive Maneuver)

2x SdKfz 6/2 AD [1, 0 ] (C, NC)
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [2] (C)

3x SS Infanterie INF [2, 4*, 3] (NC, NC Aggressive Maneuver, NC)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [4*] (C Combat Support)

1x Fw-190A-3 FTR [4*] (NC Devastating Fire)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [4*, 4*] (C Influence, C Skilled Recon)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [5*] (C Influence)

This is the Madrid map we all have fond memories of from our blitzkrieg days. You deploy in the north and
northeast as usual and get two aux Cossack units across the river to the west. There are 7 VH total, two in
the east, three in the center and another two in the east. Quick advance in the beginning as usual. Hit his
visible defenders with arty and bombers and then overran them with my tanks. Took the northernmost VH the
first turn. On the Russian turn, he attacked my bombers with lots of fighters. My bombers have rather good air
defense values though (and are quite experienced) so no one got any major damage. On my next turn I killed
two of his four fighters with AD units and my fighter. Sent a task force containing one of everything down
towards the two VH in the east. The rest of my units advanced towards the western/center ones. On the
Russian turn the kamikaze bomber pilots the Russians had borrowed from the Japanese decided to try to bomb
some of my artys covered by a 88mm AD unit overstrengthened to 12. What can I say? Thank you perhaps.
He then flew one of his remaining fighters here as well to support the bombers. Thanks again. On my turn I
killed one of his bombers with my AD unit and my Dev. Fire Fighter killed the other bomber and fighter. Quick
way to get air superiority. I easily took the northern VH in the east (with some bomber help) and advanced
southwards. In the center it was easy as well and in the beginning (bombers and artys as usual), and I took
two VH here in a couple of turns. I also killed his last fighter here. When I got close to the southern VH I
decided to do a little defense test (I usually do this). Just send one aux unit to attack a defender and see
how many defending artys he has and where they are. And yes, he had some defending artys here, including
one of the 5 range monster units. I did my usual stunt here. Rush everything forwards without attacking, take
the hits on his turn, then kill his artys with your artys and tanks (range two remember). Couldn’t use my
bombers here as he has two range 3 AD units covering the town.

In the east the lower VH was well defended, but after a turn or two I had the upper hand here as well.
Interestingly enough he had lots of units sitting around the VH in the center here. Had he attacked my
eastern task force with them he probably would have killed them. But I guess the AI was set to defensive.
After killing of the remains in the east and west I attacked the last VH in the center from both sides. Hit his
AD units with my artys and then bombed the rest to oblivion. Got a BV with one turn to go as usual. 

Now for some sweet problems. I got a Panther D as a prototype, this unit is just too good to keep and too
good to sell. Arrghhh, what should I do? Got 1244 prestige for the win. In fact I had 1198 prestige when I
killed his last unit, so I only got 46 prestige points for the win (instead of 500). Had I been able to take the
last VH without killing the unit here, I’d have gotten even more prestige.
    
Got several new leaders in this scenario, including my first tanks leaders. Yes!


Scenario 9 – Baku (Greece map)

I have got 1244 prestige, and since I really need another fighter, I bought a Fw-190A-3 for 972 prestige. Used
some of the rest to overstrengthen my best fighter to 12. My non-core army now adds up to 5328 prestige
after upgrades. Btw, this scenario is a BV win or lose scenario, and you only get prestige for a win (500 in
that case).

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit/Prototype, NC = Non-core unit)

3x Pz IVF2 Tk [3*, 5, 3] (C Infiltration Tactics, C, C)
1x Pz IVF1 TK [5*] (NC Combat Support)
1x Pz VD Panther TK [0 ] (C)

2x StuG IIIF AT [4*, 3] (C First Strike, C)

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [2, 2] (NC, NC)
2x 21 M18 ART [0, 3] (NC, C)

1x Psw 231 RCN [1] (NC)
1x Psw 222 RCN [3*] (C Aggressive Maneuver)

2x SdKfz 6/2 AD [1, 0 ] (C, NC)
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [2] (C)

3x SS Infanterie INF [3, 5*, 4*] (NC, NC Aggr. Man, NC Sup. Man)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [4*] (C Combat Support)

2x Fw-190A-3 FTR [5*, 0 ] (NC Devastating Fire, NC)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [4*, 5*] (C Influence, C Skilled Recon)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [5*] (C Influence)

You start out in the northwest, but can only deploy 3 ground units in this scenario (ouch). I decided on my
new Panther tank (probably should have taken an experienced overstrengthened Pz IVF2), my best artillery
and my Sturmpioniere. Luckily you get to use all your air units, which are needed here. You have got lots of
aux units, mostly infantries and small to medium size artys and ATs. Btw, one of my Cossack cavalry units had
an Alpine Training leader, great on this map. There are only 4 VH, two in the north, one deep down south
and one in the east. Sent my core units, some infantries and one of the two AD units I have towards the
northern VH. The rest of my troops all took the road southeast towards the VH in the south. On the Russian
turn I got hit by several planes as usual (seems like he has got 4 fighters and 2 bombers at start in all
scenarios). Didn’t loose too much though and started killing off his air units with my fighters (good buy the
new fighter). 

The southern force advanced quickly (or as quickly as you can on foot) without any major problems beside
the Russian bombers. He had some infantry entrenched in the various towns (city hexes) here, covered by a
few smaller artys and some smaller tanks. After I managed to kill off all his air units I could hit the artys with
my bombers and then it was easy to shell the entrenched infantries with my group of artys, either killing them
or allowing my infantries to kill them. So while it was a long and winding road, it wasn’t too hard to advance
on it. 

In the north I was having much bigger problems. First of all, I had sent too many units south, could have used
one or two of the smaller artys here. Secondly, he had some destroyers in the sea here shelling my troops all
the time, irritating. Real slow advance (or rather no advance) for several turns. He had two AD units covering
several artys (including the usual range 5 one) and some deeply entrenched infantries. Bombed his artys even
though they got hit by the AD units, and finally managed to take out the huge one. The destroyers kept firing
at my big arty, and while they usually didn’t do any damage, they forced it to fire back and use up ammo. An
attack by a Russian recon brought it down to 2 strength, so I had to use almost all my gained prestige to
replace it. Wish list: Allow the player to decide how many strength points they want to replace. At last
managed to take the first VH hex here with my Sturmpioniere, but it was down to 4 strength by that time, so
I had to replace it as well (bye, bye prestige). After some suicide attacks by my aux infantries here along with
some additional bomb runs, I managed to take the second VH as well, but it was hard fought. Would have
gone much better if the airfield had been just a hex or two closer, as it took two turns to get there to refuel
as it was.

In the meantime I managed to take the VH in the south (just one or two defending units) and started to
advance towards the eastern one. I had actually sent one aux Para unit there earlier to soften up the
defenders, but to no avail. I would have needed at least one more turn to get a BV, probably two, so alas, my
first loss in this campaign. How will I explain this to High Command? I didn’t get any prestige for the loss
either, so ended up with around 450 prestige. So for once I’m actually below the cap, which is now at 6000. 

Next stop Winter storm (and the defensive part of the campaign I guess)


Scenario 10 – Winter Storm (Chir map)

Since I only got to use 3 ground units in the last scenario, my army is almost identical to the one I had there.
I only have 498 prestige at the moment, so the only thing I did was to use some of it to overstrengthen my
best fighter to 12 as usual. Since the cap is at 7000 after this scenario and my non-core army only adds up to
5328 I decided to save the rest.

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit/Prototype, NC = Non-core unit)

3x Pz IVF2 Tk [3*, 5, 3] (C Infiltration Tactics, C, C)
1x Pz IVF1 TK [5*] (NC Combat Support)
1x Pz VD Panther TK [0 ] (C)

2x StuG IIIF AT [4*, 3] (C First Strike, C)

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [2, 2] (NC, NC)
2x 21 M18 ART [0, 4] (NC, C)

1x Psw 231 RCN [1] (NC)
1x Psw 222 RCN [3*] (C Aggressive Maneuver)

2x SdKfz 6/2 AD [1, 0 ] (C, NC)
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [2] (C)

3x SS Infanterie INF [3, 5*, 4*] (NC, NC Aggr. Man, NC Sup. Man)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [5*] (C Combat Support)

2x Fw-190A-3 FTR [5*, 1] (NC Devastating Fire, NC)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [5*, 5*] (C Influence, C Skilled Recon)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [5*] (C Influence)

This is the good old Winter Storm scenario with a twist. You can deploy your units along the western edge as
usual, or in the SE corner of the map. You have several Romanians infantries and smaller artys in the north, 4
German units in the center (Stalingrad?) and four additional Romanians at the southern edge. There are 8 VH
here, five in the center (sort of), one in the west (close to the Romanians) and two in the north. I deployed
almost half my army in the southeast, and the other half in the west. Most of the western force actually
started out in the southwest, as I felt that I’d be easier to join up with the aux units I had here and just let
the Romanians in the north try to manage on their own. It was snowing the first turn, so I used my planes as
recons and checked out his defenses. Didn’t see many defenders in the south or southeast, but he had lots of
guard infantry in the north. Sure doesn’t look good for the Romanians. In the north I began to move the
Romanians into position to strike at the VH here without attacking. In the southwest I crossed the river (or at
least began to), while moving my four Romanians here east to support them. In the southeast I advanced
quickly as he only had a single infantry unit in sight. von Paulus and the Germans in Stalingrad didn’t wander
anywhere. On the Russian turn my Romanians in the north got hit by some heavy range 5 artys and
attacked by some guard units. Had three or four supporting Romanian artys here, so they didn’t do much
damage (as opposed to the artillery). In the south he threw some tanks and other stuff at me, mostly hurting
my Romanians. Next turn the weather was better and I began hunting his planes with my fighters. I bombed
his big artys in the north as well to help the Romanians. In the southeast I meet some Russian tanks and
stuff, but no match for my killer units. The same story on the southern plain. Combined attacks are the way
to go. 

The few German units I had in the west ran into several Russian tanks when they tried to help the Romanians
kill off the Russian artys here, oops. On the Russian turn several units got hit by his planes, luckily it was
mostly aux ones. He also mounted a counterattack in the center taking back Stalingrad. In the east I was
advancing quickly and had taken the two VH here (range 2 tanks are so much better than range 1 ones). My
counterattack in the south scattered his forces and I took the two VH here as well. In the north my
Romanians took the VH here after my bombers had killed his artys and taken care of the tanks. Good thing
that he used his fighters to hit units in the south while my bombers were busy in the north. After a couple of
turns I had killed off all his planes and taken the last VH in the center (he only had a single infantry here). My
Romanians killed the Russians here (four artys, even small ones do make a difference). 

Suddenly there were no more Russians in sight and I drove my trucks at highest speed towards the two
remaining VH in the north. My Romanians got to the westernmost one first and didn’t face much of a defense
here either. Quick kill after some bombing help. The last VH was heavily defended but after some refueling of
my units and stuff I got my army into position and prepared for the kill. The turn before this I had gotten some
Italian reinforcements (one tanks and two infantries) in the west. Yeah I though, much good they’ll do me
now. Saw no point in having them sitting there, so I drove them north towards the Romanians, and did I do
the right thing or what? Anyway, there came a Russian counterattack from the NW (surprise again as I wasn’t
expecting it from that direction), and if it hadn’t been for my brave Italians (and two Romanian damaged
infantries) that happened to stand in the way, he’d have taken back the VH here. He got some new bombers
as well, but decided not to attack the Italians with them, instead going for my Romanians in the north, which
made me a happy man. On my turn I took the last VH after killing his bombers with my fighters.

Got a BV with one turn to go (or was it the last?), so I guess I’m back in favor with High Command, even
though they didn’t award me with a prototype. Did get 1672 prestige, which along with my non-core army
brings me up to 7000 prestige (the cap). Got a leader on one of my 10.5 leFH18, so finally I have an arty with
range five.

On to Don and Paulosgrad.


Scenario 11 – Paulosgrad (Ciechanov map)

As the cap after this scenario is 7500, I felt I could afford to buy some new units. Decided on two
Paratroopers in the belief that I could upgrade them for free to the 43 variant when that one came (I was
wrong though, perhaps you should change this Adler). They cost 300 prestige each, so my non-core army
now adds up to 5928 prestige. Used the rest of the prestige to overstrengthen my units, especially my killer
fighter which is now at 15 strength.

Current core army 
([#] = experience lvl, * = leader, C = Core unit/Prototype, NC = Non-core unit)

3x Pz IVF2 Tk [5*, 5, 4] (C Infiltration Tactics, C, C)
1x Pz IVF1 TK [5*] (NC Combat Support)
1x Pz VD Panther TK [1] (C)

2x StuG IIIF AT [5*, 4] (C First Strike, C)

2x 10.5 leFH18 ART [3*, 2] (NC Determined Defense, NC)
2x 21 M18 ART [0, 4] (NC, C)

1x Psw 231 RCN [2] (NC)
1x Psw 222 RCN [4*] (C Aggressive Maneuver)

2x SdKfz 6/2 AD [1, 0 ] (C, NC)
1x 88mm FlaK37 AD [3] (C)

3x SS Infanterie INF [3, 5*, 4*] (NC, NC Aggr. Man, NC Sup. Man)
1x Sturmpioniere INF [5*] (C Combat Support)
2x Fallschirmjager INF [0, 0 ] (NC, NC)

2x Fw-190A-3 FTR [5*, 1] (NC Devastating Fire, NC)

2x Ju-88A-4 TB [5*, 5*] (C Influence, C Skilled Recon)
1x Ju-87G-1 TB [5*] (C Influence)

There are only three VH on this map, two in the northeast corner and one in the center. You can deploy your
troops either in the northwest or the southeast. You also have a bunch of German aux units in the southwest,
defending a VH here. I split my army in two equal halves, with the intention that the units in the east should
head straight north towards the VH here, while the other half along with the Germans in the southwest should
go for the center one. Quickly took the northern airfield with my paratroopers, but no air transports were
available in this scenario alas. Drove the rest of the units here south towards the bridge across the river. He
had an infantry here that quickly got killed. In the southwest a recon check showed that there weren’t any
Russians close by surprisingly enough, so I advanced a couple of hexes. In the east I used some aux
Romanians to defend the VH here while the rest of the army headed north. Bombed some infantries he had in a
town here and killed them the turn after. Sent one of my StuGs and a recon west and north instead though,
just in case he had lots of units here posing for a counterattack. On the Russian turn the usual four fighters
and two bombers appeared. He also managed to drive some tanks into the troops in the southwest, so I
almost killed two tanks here right away. Some tanks appeared in the west as well, but without backup they
were easy to kill. My paratroopers had some problems with a Russian bomber and an infantry, but they
managed to hold the whole scenario. In the southwest the range 2 AT gun I had here killed one of his
damaged tanks and my two artys and some infantries killed the other one. Great job! He had several infantries
heading this way, but without the two big tanks I didn’t have any major problems here. My 15-strength fighter
quickly killed off Russian planes in the meantime, so didn’t take long for me to gain total air superiority as
usual. A Russian counterattack in the east was quickly taken care of, as was a Russian tank that drove into
the StuG I had in the center. Took the center airfield after some turns with my recon here as it wasn’t
defended. My western and southern forces soon joined up at the center after killing some infantries that were
in the way. He had lots of big artys here, but no AD at all? Did take some hits on my units while trying to get
to the artys, but all in all it didn’t take long. 

In the east he had several range 2 AT guns, big artys covered by AD and entrenched infantries (never change
a winning team, right?). Had a rather hard fight here as new range 2 AT guns kept appearing out of the blue,
almost killing several units. Also had to divert some units to fight off a small Russian counterattack from the
west. Some bombing and the fact that his big arty was out of ammo allowed me to take the last VH with two
turns to go for a BV.

Got 1572 prestige for the win and no prototype. This along with my non-core army brings me up to 7500
prestige, which as you probably guessed, is the cap. 

On to Zitadelle and some hard upgrade decisions.

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