In the early part of the game it is critical for the Germans to engage a Russian defensive line with ZOCs and/or battalion-sized units. The Russian should already be hard pressed to switch effectively to his next line of defense as he retreats toward better positions. If he also has to pay movement point costs to leave ZOCs, he will be forced to draw up his secondary switch line that much closer to his old line.

Similarly, positioning a friendly unit, regardless of size, adjacent to the Soviets at the start of their turn denies them the use of administrative movement. Therefore the Russian player doesn't have freedom of maneuver and maximum ability to run from the enemy, so each defensive line will be harder to man and allow the German infantry to close up sooner. So, during the heyday days of summer while the Red Army is in full retreat, be sure to stay in contact with it.

While this tactic is extremely effective in disrupting Russian planned withdrawals in the earliest stages of the game, it does carry with it some risks. The problem with engaging the enemy line is that if poorly done the Russian can possibly stand and fight, or exploit motorcycle units or such into positions which cut supply to the panzer spearheads.

So, let me caution that when using these tactics you must realize that there is a downside to each, and measures must be taken to reduce what the enemy will be able to do in response.

Administrative Matters

When regauging rail lines perthe new rules and units from TEN #7 don't bother with quick construction. Simply break all regiments down to battalion size and string them out along a rail to be converted, using admin movement if needed. The conversion rate is faster and more track can be converted this way. Be sure to leapfrog several battalions forward each turn to convert greater distances.

Track don't have to be converted continuously, but can be done in isolated stretches and patched together later. Lateral lines can be started after reaching Smolensk and Kursk - until then, move east with the conversion as fast as possible. The road out of Pskov should be upgraded as soon as the line is reached, as this is the shortest path to Dno and is a necessary supply conduit if the Volkhov river is crossed early.

Trucks are best used in one of two ways, either with a stack of panzers going into a position from which overland supply can't be guaranteed, or to string them out three hexes apart to extend the rail heads.

When using trucks to extend supply lines be sure to keep a unit with a defense strength greater than zero stacked with them. Otherwise a partisan could force the truck to retreat automatically, thereby disrupting your carefully counted three-hex supply extension.

Protect your airbases, particularly reference cities with a capacity of one. A slick partisan move is to attack the capacity of a one- capacity fighter base during the initial phase and then, knowing the results, follow up any success with air strikes against the now-grounded fighters. Also remember that unprotected positional flak automatically dies if attacked by a partisan, and a partisan can attack on the turn it is placed.

German Play in 1941 Part One Hints on Playing Fire in the East

Introduction
Panzers and Breakthroughs
Complicating the Red Retreat
The Northern Campaign
The Finnish Theater

German Play in 1941 Part Two Army Group North and the Leningrad Campaign

Army Group North
Clearing the Way
Dash to the Luga
The Parnu Parameter

Germany Play in 1941 Part Three The Final Chapter

Army Group Center
Army Group South
The Rumanian Army