BYELORUSSIA No. of Turns: 23 Battle Posture: Axis = Defense Allies = Attack Per Turn Prestige Boosters: Axis = 0 Allies = 0 No.of Units Available for purchase: Axis = 1 Allies = 1 - This is the reverse of the map in Barbarossa. Terrain is open and favors the attacker because of roads leading to most objectives and plains allow for swift mechanized movements. No. of Objectives: 10 Axis: hold Warsaw. - One is held by the Soviets and all others are fairly open and easily accessed by attacking units. Favorable terrain is located near the last objective only. Prestige: Axis = 852 Allies = 1521 - As the scenario begins the numbers are about even in the number of units. Unlike earlier Soviet/German scenarios, the Soviets have high quality units in the IS-2s tanks and the ISU-122 anti-tanks which can stand and battle with the big heavies of the Germans except the Tiger IIs. For the Soviets, the high prestige will allow to make a few purchases of fighters to seize air superiority. The Axis can purchase one fighter but that may cripple future purchases of high end units for ground defense. New Unit Exp:Axis = 2 Stars Allies = 2 Stars Air Superiority - At the beginning the Soviet fighters, while weaker, outnumber the German fighters with five overstrength Yak-9s and a Yak-7b. The two FW190s and the singe BF109 can take on the fighers but can be worn down by shear numbers. The Yak-9 has the same iniative and begin with the same experience as the German fighters and therefore have an even chance of getting the first shot. And if the Soviet General is aggressive enough u should be able to take out most of the Axis fighters early and any others very soon. The Soviets on turn 1 should purchase 2 Level Bombers and concentrate at least 1 of them and another Bomber up North to help deal with the powerful Tiger 2 that is there, otherwise without Level Bomber suppression that Tank would haunt the Allies the whole scenario. And also at least 1 more Soviet Fighter should be bought as soon as possible. Once an FW190 is wounded then it becomes an easier target for trapping by the more numerous Soviet planes. The good 88 AA guns are conspicuously absent in numbers and will cause a serious disadvantage if the German planes are wiped from the skies without adequate aircover. Ground Superiority - The Soviets have finally fielded the IS-tank series to contend with the dominant German armor. With the tank superiority gone there is little hope to defeat the Soviet tanks in a straight on fight due to their superior numbers. However the tanks can cause significant damage in a delaying action as they slowly pull back and choose the battles. AXIS: This is familiar ground: Barbarossa in reverse.You start with decent entrenchments and should make the most of them before falling back behind the Dniepr-Dvina river line to a new defensive position. Airpower is once again important, and with skill and luck, your superior aircraft will enable you to win air superiority against the enemy fighters and destroy their bomber force. Begin by bringing the small armored group at Minsk forward to Borisov to help keep the partisans at bay. The front line is precarious. Mogilev will hold out for some time, but VItebsk is doomed -- the main question is whether to stand and fight or fall back. While a forward "stand or die" defense would let you hold on to those prestigious cities for a while, the "big step back" strategy in due course can also pay off by relieving the pressure on your line and forcing the Soviets to either separate their armor from their infantry and support units or to bring them forward in vulnerable trucks susceptible to air, artillery and armored attack. Spend what time you have entrenching defenders in Minsk and other rear-area cities. If you get driven back too quickly, Warsaw is a strong defensive position where you can consolidate for a last stand. ALLIES: Mogilev will be tricky to take by a frontal assault, but elsewhere you can push the Axis hard. The Infantry near Mogilev should go South thru the Mountains and push on to the Axis rear, and use Artillery to wipe out the AA guns near the city so the Bombers can help get the Artillery there. Storm Vitebsk and try to drive the Axis center and left wing into the river. Also consider purchasing some cheap Anti-Tank guns with transport and move them to the front lines,also Partisans will do in trucks, to help drain the Axis Tanks of ammo after they are Bombed and suppressed by Level Bombers Use your partisans to take Borisov if possible,otherwise keep them in the woods but position them where they can interfere with Axis movement between the woods. Once you force a gap, remember the lessons of blitzkrieg you learned from the Germans the hard way--when a gap opens, push forward relentlessly and bypass isolated points of resistance. One northern and one southern thrust is a standard plan. You will need to use trucks to move quickly enough forward,but be aware of the risks involved--in particular, watch out for the Tigers and Panthers prowling the Byelorussian countryside. General Information - The terrain is good for the offensive action of the Soviets and the Germans must stay mobile because of the starting position of the units. Therefore there will be little chance for the frontline units to get good entrenchment to protect them from artillery and bombing attacks. Final Evaluation Prestige Experience Axis +2 0 Allies 0 0 You may have to give the Axis +1 Experience also. Allies: Do not let up here, except maybe to let your Artillery catch up and resupply planes and other units, keep the Level Bombers going. Axis: BLock the River and all roads and let them run into you for some good Rugged Defenses, and try to roam freely with a few Panthers looking for stray units that break thru.