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GM Robert Frisby fends off the
challenge of Keith Schoose. |
Michael Pustilnik on his way
to his third PGG title. |
More Grognard Fare ...
As was the case last year, the semi-final and Final rounds
featured rematches of the usual suspects. In fact, all six
laurelists were taken from the top eight in the list so the event
remains a closed club with an exclusive membership.
In the first semi-final, two-time champ Michael Pustilnik's
Germans defeated four-time champ Robert Frisby in their fifth
meeting. Pustilnik had defeated Frisby in the first round
in 1998 and in the 2001 Final while Frisby had come out
on top in the first round in 1999 and in the 2002 Final. This
year Frisby conceded on Turn 4 after Pustilnik opened
a gap in the Soviet double line and was about to move ten
divisions through the gap during his second movement
phase. Pustilnik destroyed three defending units
in a hex in the MLR through initial movement
phase overruns after an overrun with a regiment at 1-3 odds revealed
one zero defense unit and two units with a combined defense of
eight. He then obtained a D2 result on a 4-1 attack against
the three units defending behind the destroyed units --- a zero
defense unit and two other units with a combined defense of four.
This created a gap in the Soviet line, and assured that the Germans
could rapidly surround Smolensk and pocket a large number of
Soviet units during the second movement phase.
In the second semi-final, defending champ John Popiden's
Soviets defeated Jim Tracy. Popiden had also defeated Tracy
in the 2005 semi-final. This time Tracy moved
aggressively to seize Roslavl and the southern hex of
Smolensk relatively early; however, stiff Soviet resistance prevented
him from taking the northern hex of Smolensk needed for
victory.
In the Final, Popiden conceded on Turn 7 after a major German
penetration of the Soviet MLR on Turn 4 enabled the Germans to
surround Smolensk and destroy a large number of Soviet units.
Pustilnik disrupted three defending units in a hex in the MLR
by overrunning them at 1-2 during his initial movement phase.
This enabled the Germans to place seven Soviet units OOS during
the combat phase. Successful attacks and subsequent overruns
during the second movement phase resulted in the destruction
of a large number of Soviet units and enabled the Germans to
surround Smolensk. Soviet counterattacks destroyed
the German cavalry division, but failed to contain the German
advance. The Germans continued to advance east and
inflict heavy losses on the Soviets during turns five and six.
With Roslavl and Yelna likely to fall within a few turns, and
little chance of destroying any German divisions, the Soviets
conceded.
This year the Germans won 15 of the 20
games played, including the Final and one of the semi-final games.
In addition, only players with considerable WBC PGG tournament
experience prevailed as the Soviets (John Popiden, Michael
Pustilnik, and Jeff Hacker). Most veteran players consulted
by the GM agreed that the play balance favors the Germans if
the VP level is 50. Therefore, next year's format will
likely include a VP bidding system similar to the one in place
before 2005.
Panzergruppe
Guderian Play By Email
This year's tournament featured a repeat of the
previous event and perennial combatants John Popiden
and Jim Tracy again met in the semi final.
John and Jim fought a evenly contested game that was described
by one combatant as "...a real dogfight".
By Turn 9 Jim cut off all the Soviet units defending
the area around Smolensk. Smolensk itself was defended by five rifle
divisions who could not be reinforced but were in command. The
Germans lost two motorized divisions in overruns. So Jim
had a difficult challenge to gain the needed additional
victory points after capturing Smolensk. By Turn 12 however -
German units were in the Soviet rear and Jim won as the Germans
with 79 points. A critical Russian mistake resulted in a lone
Panzer division running amok in the rear and capturing the two
20 VP hexes on the edge of the board toward Moscow on the final
movement point in the German Mech phase of the last turn.
Tracy vs Frisby: Frisby once again made it to the Final but
had a relatively easy time by defeating Stewart, Kaye and Meyers
on the way to the second straight Final that last time around
saw him lose to Popiden. This time he faced Jim Tracy, and both
players have played each other many times in person at the WBC.
The following was an edited Sit Rep that recalled the Final....
Situation Report to Army Group Center 4 Jul 1941 (Turn
1)
The Soviets have deployed the 13th Army on a line between Mogilev
and Orsha. The 20th Army has been deployed in depth along
the Orsha Smolensk highway, Vitebsk is undefended. The
Germans moved three Pz and two motorized divisions just
north and parallel to the Orsha Smolensk highway which the Soviet
20th army has decided to defend.
SitRep to Army Group Center 6 Jul 1941 (Turn 2)
Recon units found a gap between 20th Army and what looks to be
the Main Line of Resistance (MLR) for the 19th and 16th Soviet
Armies defending to the northwest of Smolensk down to the Dnepr
and on past Smolnesk. I have ordered three of my
five divisions to pin the 20th Army in place and sent a Panzer
and Motorized Division to exploit the gap. Overnight the
Soviets have slipped a couple of mechanized divisions to complete
the line. My two divisions easily smashed through and are
now encircling the 20th and 13th Armies.
SitRep to Army Group Center 8 Jul 1941 (Turn 3)
The leading elements of Army Group Center have successfully surrounded
the 20th and 13th Soviet Armies and the rest of my armored elements
have come up during the night. We have now completely destroyed
these two armies except for a few divisions holding desperetley
onto the crossroads.
SitRep to Army Group Center 10 Jul 1941 (Turn 4)
Today I probed the bend in the Soviet MLR and into the outskirts
of Smolensk. Soviet resistence has stiffened and held up
under pressure. Will probe the line tomorrow.
SitRep to Army Group Center 12 Jul 1941 (Turn 5)
Lehr and GD were lost to operational status today while probing
the Soviet MLR. Found a potential week spot and have all
of my armored units up in anticipation of a breakthrough.
Attempted to overrun the Soivet position between the bend and
Smolensk and disrupted the defending units. (1-2 overrun), pushed
DR behind the bend in the Soviet line cutting them off and successfully
overran them also. These overruns allowed me to push through
to the second line and attack it in force with a combined Infantry
and Armor assault.
SitRep to Army Group Center 16 Jul 1941 (Turn 7)
Finished destroying 24 Soviet Rifle divisions and three more
HQs from the Smolensk pocket. I have now concentrated my
armor for an assault on the next Soviet line of defense.
My units have been engaged for 14 days straight now.
Vyazma is just beyond the next Soviet line. I will begin
my assalut on the 17th of Jul.
SitRep to Army Group Center 18 Jul 1941 (Turn 8)
Great news to report! I have assaulted the Soviet MLR and
found another hole in the line and will continue on towards Vyazma.
I have the opportunity to take Yel'nya as defending units have
been pushed back and we can just drive into town.
SitRep to Army Group Center 18 Jul 1941 (Turn 9)
I still have supply problems which limits my thrust towards Vyazma.
However I have punched another huge hole in the Soviet line and
even with my leading elements running out of supply I have encircled
Vyazma and am now looking towards Kaluga and the road north of
Kaluga.
By turn 10 - the results were a forgone conclusion and Frisby
graciously conceded to Tracy who can now claim the wood.
Over 80% of the games played resulted in a German victory.
There has been great discussion among the elite PGG players as
to what can be done to resolve this for the next PBeM tournament
that has yet to be scheduled. Currently - in the hope that the
new edition of PGG is ready to roll out of the L2 warehouse,
the next PBeM tournament is waiting for the publication
date for revised PGG.
Full details are available at http://armchair-warrior.tripod.com/id2.html Contact jeff.lange@mac.com. |