The n00b to end all wars!

[MetalDog]

The last battle notification for the turn is outside Uzice, which is an area in Serbia on my right flank.  Truthfully, I had no idea where Uzice was when the screen popped up, even though they show you in the bullseye at center.  This time, I can see the enemy's deployment.  He has picked strong flanks as a deployment.  I again pick strong center for deployment and massed fire as my tactic. 

[MetalDog]

Whilst I knew that crossing a river brought with it a severe penalty, I had no idea I would pay the price I did.  I lost almost half my forces and will need more than one turn to get back to full strength.  Meanwhile, the plan to encircle Belgrade is in serious jeopardy.  Side note: from the screenies showing the original line of march I took in planning the Serbian invasion, I believe that two corps got drawn to the sound of the guns when the main army became engaged in battle.  I did not plan for this and as a result, I am out of position.  Then again, I may be hallucinating and I planned this more poorly than I thought.  Either way, it's a bad beat.

[MetalDog]

This is the mess I am left with outside Belgrade.  There is a Serb Army in Belgrade and three Corps guarding their left flank.  There is a division each of Cavalry and Infantry on the Serb right flank.  The forces I have are hurt or their general failed their activation check. 

[MetalDog]

These are the advances I am going to make along the Russian border.  All I see on the map is a Russian Army at the east edge of the map.  I have an Army and three Corps there.

[MetalDog]

There is a large Russian Army on the northern edge and one at the southeast edge.  I am moving two Corps to suss out the southeast Russian Army while moving an Army and Corps out of Koenigsberg to join the Corps facing the northern Russian Army.

[MetalDog]

On the Western Front, everything is static except for Belgium.  I started with a lot of offensive firepower in that area and it behooves me to use it.  I don't want to extend myself too far, otherwise, I risk my defensive trenches in the center and south becoming useless.

[MetalDog]

There are at least four French Armies on this map along with numerous Corps.    I number almost the same in Armies and Corps.  If I can tie up French power in futile assaults, I can advance before the offensives in the East are complete.

[W8taminute]

Looks like you've got the West under control but have your hands full with Serbia and the Russian armies threatening Prussia.  Good stuff here MD, keep it up!   O0

[MetalDog]

I played a Munitions Decision Card for a munitions factory in Budapest.  I also put in orders for a Medium Artillery unit, an Infantry unit and a Supply Train in Budapest and environs.  I put in orders for two Infantry Divisions in Prussia.  With my moves complete, I flipped my turn.

The first battle was another French attack on Festung Metz.  Their commander is still better than mine, so, I choose my Battle Plans blindly, using Balanced Deployment for both deployment and tactic. 





And to the same result!  I had close to 400,000 men in the battle against his 135,000, nearly three time his numbers.  And it was a slaughter.  56,000 + French casualties litter the field.  A couple more results like this, and I may have no choice but to break cover and move forward.

[MetalDog]

Gumbinnen is next.  I had a Corps and a Division there, opposite the large Russian Army on the northern Prussian border.  It was also where I was sending my Army and Corps to reinforce.  Again my general is outclassed and I have to blindly pick my Deployment.



Looks like I did alright.  I was outnumbered, but not outclassed.  I lost the battle but took out 10,000 more troops than I lost.

[MetalDog]

There were several smaller battles this turn, including a victory in Africa:





And crushing the defenders of Bruxelles:

[MetalDog]

A costly Corps versus Army battle for the Austrians.  An unseen Russian Army was met by my lone Corps.  I lost more than a quarter of my force.  Luckily, there are reinforcements in the area.

[bob48]

Makes for great reading so far, MD. Good stuff indeed.

[MetalDog]

You gentlemen are too kind.  I am going to try to jazz it up with proper unit designations rather than just, 'Austrian Corps,' 'German Army,' etc.  We'll see how that works out.

[MetalDog]

Zamosc is the next site for a battle.  My commander is better than the Russian, so, I see that he selected Harrass Deployment.  I chose Balanced Deployment.  Let's go to the tape.





Another Austrian defeat.  This is getting tiring.  A moral victory, I was outnumbered 5 to 1 and inflicted twice as many casualties as I took, but, I can't sustain that.