Should we Hold Vitebsk/ Smolensk?

[conmcb25]

Should we hold those cities? What is your opinion? Cast your votes here!

See this thread for a discussion I started about this part of the Front line:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1947788&t=4226#post1947788

[belisariu]

The opinion of this simple worker of a collective farm of Kazan is that is necessary evacuate Vitebsk to Smolensk, and defend Smolenk all cost!!!

PD: This is my first reply in english, such what I have done it?

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by belisariu
The opinion of this simple worker of a collective farm of Kazan is that is necessary evacuate Vitebsk to Smolensk, and defend Smolenk all cost!!!

PD: This is my first reply in english, such what I have done it?

For your first post you did just great, not perfect but great!

[The ANZAC]

as I said in another thread, we should try and hold Kaluga. I think we can do it, I've done it in my games and it gives us room to organize around Moscow, yet not be too far stretched out against the Nazis.

[H Tower]

The issue is that colwyn has been preparing to defend these two cities, laying down minefields, etc. A retreat to moscow could mean the loss of several slower units like AA batteries in the open fields. Yes, minsk was recaptured, but I'm sure no one has any doubts about it being retaken on the next turn by the germans. Why isn't the front commander preparing this poll I wonder?


H Tower, ex Marshal of the Soviet Union and winner of the Order of the Red Banner

[greeny]

Holding Smolensk is possible, athough it will take a LOT of troops to do it, but it will put us in a very good position for the winter offensive and the summer 1942 campain. If the Germans hold it for a while they will be very hard to kick out again. I dont think we will be able to hold Vitebsk until winter, although leaving a garrison to fight to the last there should slow the Germans down and help the defence of Smolensk.

[Shaka Naldur]

I've managed to hold both cities, but with the uK airlift cheat, I don´t think we will be able to do it this time
maybe holding smolensk is possible, but I have to check the file first

[our_man]

I usually manage to hold both Vitebsk and Smolensk, but they usually have a lot more troops in them. I say withdraw to Smolensk - clever use of bomber/AA battery combos should slow the Germans advance sufficiently to hold it.

[Colwyn]

Belorussian Defence Plan

Comrades,

Enclosed are my battle plans for this front with the sole purpose to defend Moscow as Germany's prime target before winter.

If we happen to hold a few extra cities it would be a bonus, especially since our lines of co-ordination to other front commands are not installed as yet and the lack of modern units to take on the german divisions.

I plan to try to keep out the germans from the Minsk-> Moscow salient as long as possible and then if the germans break though in key area's withdraw units to one of the two cities.

One of my immediete concerns is my flank (1st Ukr front) as a too swift a german advance here will be disasterous in having any chance of holding any city in the salient outside Moscow.

[conmcb25]

A masterfull plan Comrade.

We need to look into the defenses of the 1st Ukrainian Front.

If only our armaments minister would get us more troops! He may have to go to the Gulag! Especially if he disappears into the Brothels of Moscow again!

[Shaka Naldur]

the 1st Ukrainian front won´t defend the cities of bryansk, smolensk and Gomel, it is a suicide

[Case]

Comrades!
We must face the fact that the cities of Vitebsk and Smolensk are doomed to be occupied by the facists. However, this doesn't mean that these cities should be imeadiatly abandoned! Let us hold those cities for a few extra months in order to buy time for the defenders of Kalinin, Kaluga, Tula and Moscow.

I propose that, if possible, the garrisons of Vitebsk and Smolensk be each issued with a brigade of T-34 tanks. Combined with the cannon fodder infantry garrisons, these fearsome tanks will be able to inflict horrific casualties upon the facists, and will slow down their advance.

[yop73]

It's already October. Soon, winter will come, and we will need to keep the red army units, in order to make partizans.
And remember: Winter time is Soviet time ...

[Shaka Naldur]

I think that holding both until winter is possible

[H Tower]

Can we still expend the resources needed to defend the two cities now that we are having to take emergency measures along the Baltic and Murmansk fronts? Something tells me that it is not the case and we should look to defend just Smolensk.

H Tower, ex-Marshal of the Soviet Union and winner of the Order of the Red Banner.