Alexor wrote:Ok, this is just some comments and questions about the Whites in the south at the very beginning of the Grand Campaign.
I did the first 4-5 turns a couple of times to try and understand the dynamics.
My first priority is to save my forces as much as possible and not throw the White Elite divisions into massive assault against Red Guards right away.
Keeping that in mind what do you do ? I see 3 choices. I quickly activate the options to raise conscripts and build as much White INF (and a couple of supply) as I can in Azov, then;
1/concentrate all Cossack and White forces in the Kuban and try to mop up all Reds in and around Ekaterinodar and Grozny (with some Cavalry sent north to cut the railroad from Tsaritzyn)
2/concentrate all Cossack and White forces towards Tsarizyn to make sure you take it asap with only a defensive force (new units being created) around Azov to delay the Reds there. Some Cav must sneak behind Reds in the Kuban to destroy as much railroads as possible too.
3/a combination of the 2 above, Whites in the Kuban and Don Cossacks rush to Tsaritzyn to join with the isolated Cossack division up there (these guys will cut the railroad north of Tsaritzyn on turn 2).
This would be my favorite combo so far but the Reds in Tsaritzyn are way too tough for the Krasnov Don army. I'm trying to lure them out of the city with the Cossacks North of them but it doesnt seem to work...Damn the AI is not stupid enough.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smile.png)
Any comments?
I disagree with one things you wrote:
Don't build at all or don't build much except for perhaps one or two White Guards for garnision duty. You can train them with one of your training officers.
You need your resources to buy Southern White and some Don Cossack replacements. Don't waste money on English, American or French replacements.
As for the strategic options:
3/ is more than your troops can achieve.
1/ is in my opinion the best: Those Reds south of Azov are highly vulnerable. Attack with massed forces under Denikin from the first turn on. The Reds take terrible punishment if you attack them with a strong force.
The aim is: to destroy as much as possible of the Red forces south of Azov.
Take Ekaterinodar, mop up the rests of the Red troops, rest for a turn or two and then send your massed forces against Tsaritzyn (you should just be able to take it before winter comes).
At least that is my opinion: first Ekaterinodar than Tsaritzyn if you keep your attack troops strong you will get both done without too much casualties.
One more thing, send one single cavalry regiment to Astrakhan in turn one (the AI often evacuates the town).
![Bonk :bonk:](./images/smilies/bonk.gif)
There is one conscript point to be had.
And a very cynical tip for later on (1919): Foreign forces (English, French, American, Greek) should be your vanguard. They will retreat eventually. Better make good use of them before they do.