Ivanov

It's over then for Makhno and his revolted peasants! Hulaipole had fallen into the hands of White troops for the second time and the Anarchists gave up the fight. Right now our troops are searching the area looking for possible Makhnovist supporters. The order has to be re-established there. We are pretty sure, that most of the Ukrainians are god-fearing people and they will welcome us as liberators. The recent fighting near Hulaipole is pretty significant, because a large number of aeroplanes and tanks supported the assault on our side. The Reds have nothing like that in their arsenal! Remaining Bolshevik corps in the area is partly cut off. Will it manage to breakthrough to the safety? We should probably ask this question directly to Mr Trotsky and his clique, who are watching the battlefield safe in their armored train, while the poor Red infantrymen are dying... In the mean time, the Ukrainian forces of Otaman Symon Petliura are reinforcing and rearming. The Frech withdrawal is expected soon, so they will be ready to take over the north western part of the front. Cossack cavalry is manouvering hard around Tsaritsyn. Before the final assault can commence, the appraches to the city need to be cleared of the enemy: At the same time, the Bolshevik Uralus Front is not having the best time: The Allies advancing from Archangel are trying to root out Bolshevik corps in Epmtsa and another battleship of Baltic Fleet is sunken by Royal Navy in Kronstadt.

I'm glad you like it! Having multiple factions is great and accurately simulates the madness of Russian Civil War. There are even Red and White insurgents taking over some cities or provinces and establishing independent republics there The White victory is quite possible and in my opinion RCW is very well balanced. I'd say it's a masterpiece, equally good as Call To Arms. Hopefully we will see the Whites entering Moscow at the end of this AAR

The High Command of Southern Whites is determined to crush the Reds in Ukraine by the end of Fall 1919 and it's units are constantly engaged in rapid maneuveres, violent assaults, tactical retreats and counter attacks! The French ( who are already plagued by mutinies and desertions ) with a support of one White cavalry division, have managed to destroy the revolutionary bands, that were recently occupying Kremenchug. The main forces of Army South Ukraine, have for the first time used tanks on the battlefield! An elite corps of the Makhnovists has been obliterated in the attack. The success was so rapid and unexpected, that the pursuing Cossacks, have partly overrun the main positions of the Bolshevik artillery. Clearly, the Reds have no answer for our tanks and some of their troops were evidently paralized by the fear. Anyway, the Whites are again at the gates of Hulaipole! Another Bolshevik division was destroyed near Tsaritsyn and gen Deninkin is slowly but surely improving his positions before the final assault. In the north, few British and one US divisions are again combat ready and they begun manouvering around the Bolshevik corps entrenched in Emptsa. Will they succed or not, they are doing a good job, forcing the Red unit to stay in place, on this remote and secondary front. Gen Kolchak has captured Kazan! A Red division has been finally overcomed there after a gallant fight - it's very rare to hear that kind of statement from the Whites about their enemies... But right now, Kazan is liberated and the future of Bolshevik Uralus Front looks very bleak:

It is obvious that, some of the White units are of much better quality than their Red conterparts and this has been proven during the recent fighting south of the Makhnovist capital. Two of the regular Bolshevik corps have been annihilated there. Driven by the counter revolutionary zeal, French 30th infantry division captured the ancient city of Poltava. Fate of Charles XII seems not to preoccupy the French at this very stage. Southern Whites got the infantry tech level one at the end of the previous turn but there was no time to upgrade, as the units are constantly ordered to move and attack! There was still no major breakthrough at Tsaritsyn-grad, but the troops of gen Denikin are tightening the noose around the city. It become clear now, that the Uralus armies of Alexander Kolchak are in the process of an enormous pincer movement, aimed at total destruction of the Bolshevik Front led by gen. Vacietis. Their progress has been satisfactory so far: *** While the fighting has been inconclusive so far, it's worth to have quick look at how belligerents compare in terms of share numbers: The Bolsheviks have taken far greater loses so far and they field right now 46 land units ( it were more than 50 few turns ago ). It seems like the Whites have an overall numerical superiority, however the western interventionist are not fully reliable and Poland is obviously still not at war. In general, the Whites have more experienced units but each of their factions has to research tech on it's own. It terms of industrial production the Reds have a clear superiority however: They make around 350MPP with a considerable potential for a growth. On the other side of barricade, the Southern Whites make 150MPP while the Uralus and Northern Whites only 40MPP respectively, making it very difficult for them to research and purchase new units. This comparison probably explains quite well, why the Whites need to hurry - at some stage the Red Behemoth can become unbeatable!

Permit us to commence the report from June of 1919 with a quick look at the situational map of Southern Ukraine: After sustaining 50% loses the division of brave Don Cossacks has managed to break through from Hulaipole. It’s daring raid has surprised the enemy, who had to reorientate the whole South-Western Front in order to expel Cossacks from the Makhnovist capital. The men of division have finally joined their brothers from White Wolves. There were some scenes of wild celebrations in Alexandrovsk: Main forces of the White South Ukraine Army have advanced further north and destroyed the last remaining Red units, that were fleeing from Crimea ( a HQ and a division, marked by the red stars ). As expected, the French units have mutinied but the reckless gen d'Aselme ordered them to push further east, engaging the revolutionary forces in Kremenchug. No doubt he will be court martialed in France, but by the moment his actions helped the Whites to secure the western bank of Dnepr. As can be seen on the map, some precious hardware send by the British allies is arriving by rail and by the air. It’s obvious now, that the main forces of Bolshevik South-Western Front are moving south, rather than west. Will the fighting here turn into a stalemate or the upcoming summer months will sufficie for the Whites to achieve a breakthrough? We are hoping for the best. Few hundred kilometres east, the troops of the Caucasus Army are already placed in the vicinity of Tsaritsyn and a supply route has been established, in order to support the Kuban Cossack Division, that occupied the eastern suburbs of the city. Here the question is the same as in the Ukraine – will city fall this summer or the fighting will degenerate into a true “Red Verdun” of Comrade Stalin? Finally, the Uralus Whites have been able to unleash their main offensive: The Oranenburg and Orel Cossacks have launched a vigorous assault south of Syzran. They mauled a Bolshevik army that has fled in panic. Main forces of gen. Kolchak are approaching rapidly Kazan. An elite infantry corps has cut off the Red division stationed in the city, so no reinforcements could be sent there. The weak military presence of the Reds in Kazan, is actually quite pleasing for the White command, because it means that the Bolsheviks are already unable to field sufficient forces, in order to stop their enemies advancing simultaneously in the south and in the east. Especially the Tsaritsyn ulcer is taking it’s toll – the Reds have sent few new armies to the city, yet the fighting there is unconclusive so far. *** Not the best news from the diplomatic front. Still, it was expected:

That's actually fine. It reflects quite well the situation, when the war effort ( mobilization of the economy and society ) is unsustainable in the long term for the Tsarist monarchy.

It's May of 1919 and the civil war expands rapidly... Southern Ukraine has become the main theatre of operations, where both sides have engaged their most numerous forces. Because the Bolshevik attack against Ukraine came slightly earlier than expected and the push North of White forces from Criemea has been slow, gen Denikin asked the French Expeditionary Force for assistance in securing of the precious mines in Krivoy Rog. Gen d'Aselme agreed, however he may pay dearly for this move, because the French goverment does not want to see it's troops engaged fully in the war in Russia. This move will also have a severe impact on French Political Standing and the Expeditionary Force may be sailing home quickly. Still, the White HQ is happy to see it's allies taking some useful action. Nevertheless the situation in the eastern Ukraine is extremelly fluid. The Bolshevik South Western Front is still marching towards Kiev and the White Armed Forces of South Russia are pushing from Crimea and Rostov trying to outmanoeuvre Reds and their new allies - the anarchists of Nestor Makhno. In a bold move a Kuban Cossack division has captured Hulaipole the capital of Makhnovists: Heavy fighting is still raging around the city of Stalingra... ups - I beg you pardon - Tsaritsyn. Gen Denikin is consequently moving his main forces towards it, trying to prevent at the same time the flow Red reinforces. Another Red division has been destroyed there. In the East, a difficult terrain and mud are slowing down the operations of Uralus Cossacks but a corps of gen Kolchak army supported by a captured armored train has approached Kazan which turend out to be lightly defended. Royal Navy has been very efficient blocking Petrograd. A Bolshevik cruisier has been sunken there. It seems that all the Baltic Fleet has been trapped and will become a source of Political Standing boost for the Brits: *** The scope of UK military aid to the Whites is becoming significant now:

So here we are, in April of 1919 and the violence escalates nicely through the vast spaces of beloved Mother Russia... Our troops of the Caucasus Army led by gen. Denikin himself, have done a wonderful job so far and are pushing mercilessly towards the city of Tsaritsyn ( the red stars mark destroyed Bolshevik armies ). A vanguard of Cossack cavalry division has approached Stalin's headquarters in the city of Volzskiy. Apparently comrade Koba is quite terrified by this fact: The Army South Ukraine, is chasing remnants of Bolhevik forces from Crimea. Right now, they have been cut off near Melitpol by a bold action of our 1st Division moving from the direction of Taganrog. Hampered by poor supply, the Red South Western Front is marching slowly towards Kiev and the mines in Krivoy Rog. Will the White reinforces come in time to save Ukraine? Quite dramatic action is expected here... In the East, Uralus Cossacks corps has approached Syzran, where two entrenched Red armies have been encountered. By the moment the attack has been postponed here. In the North, few allied divisions have moved South from their bases around Archangel and they bumped into a Bolshevik army in Emptsa: This is actually a good news, because it means that the Red army besieged in Eptsa, won't be transfered to some other, more important front. The only possible way of achieching victory by the Whites and their allies, is too push simultaneously from all the directions and pin down Bolshevik forces in place, disallowing them to operate their troops using the interior lines. Other than that, the newly arrived task force of Royal Navy, has commenced the blockade of Petrograd, nearly destroying the legendary Aurora cruiser. The Bolsheviks certainly begin to feel the preasurre... It's going to be a very hot summer for them! *** Britain has promised to send some tanks to the Southern Whites! It will be very hard for the Reds to counter them...

BREAKING NEWS: our allies have finally made an important move!

So the Bolsheviks have shown their true colours again - they have invaded Ukraine! It seems that all this chit chat about peace and liberty is only an empty propaganda talk! *** The invasion of Ukraine is probably one of the most important events of the whole war. In the long term, Bolsheviks won't be able to achieve a total victory without the Ukrainian resources, but right now the invasion is problematic... for both sides. First of all, the Reds had to form the Southeastern front, while they are hard pressed from the East and from the South. I know for the fact, that right now they are not strong enough, to defeat the Southern and Uralus Whites, while maintaining the offensive against Ukraine. The move is certainly right but maybe it came a little to early? In the short term, Ukrainan resources have allowed the Southern Whites to double their industrial production and the Red armies that have been sent against Kiev, may be severely missed somewhere else. Also, Poland is alarmed by the Bolshevik aggression and it's mobilization jumped now about 20% up. Anyway, the Southern Ukraine and Criema are turning rapidly into the main theatre of operations. And yes - the French have landed in Odessa: Unfortunatelly, their morale is weak and they cannot move too far away from the port, because it would have a catastrophic impact on the French Political Standing. Anyway, it looks like 1919 is going to be a difficult and decisive year for both sides... *** Some good news from the Baltics:

Apparently, after seeing the Lenin’s poster, gen. Denikin was so moved, that he had tears in his eyes... But he quickly added: -“I don’t care if we get him dead or alive. Onwards to Tsaritsin”! The order has been executed with no delay. *** Firstly, the elite 2nd Army, with a Cossack unit support, was fairly lucky in destroying a Red division, acting as a rearguard in Stavropol ( big red arrow on the screenshot ). Under the normal conditions, it would be quite obvious course of action, but let’s not forget that it's winter now, so the effectiveness of attacks is low. The victory of our troops there, is just another statement of how good they really are! Instead of attacking directly the Bolshevik army which is trying to escape from Caucasus, the Don Cossacks strike force, attacked in the North. Their intention is to cut off the lines of communication, between Tsaritsin and the rest of the Bolshevik held territory. It seems, that there are no much red troops in the city by the moment. I would hope for a quick vitory here in summer, but I doubt if anything can be achieved before arrival of the spring thaw... Will Tsaritsin be a quick victory or the battle will turn into a meat grinder, sucking up the resources of both sides? Well, each course of action can have it’s benefits for the Whites, however they should rather avoid a prolonged and attritional battle here... The second White strike force in the South was less lucky. Despite the naval bombardment, Kerech is still in the Bolshevik hands. Reinforcements are on the way however and it will fall sooner or later. In the East, forces of gen Kolchak have captured Perm, which is a very good news for them, because the Red stocks have been discovered in the city ( an artillery unit, armoured train and 125MPP )! South of them, the Uralus Cossacks have captured Samara, which turned out to be undefended. It has been a good start for the Whites so far, but their advance has to keep up the momentum at all costs! *** More Russian patriots are joining our ranks: It’s good to have them bad boys on our side...

Ok, so here it comes! After playing this campaign few times already, I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do and how to do it – unfortunately the same can be said about Bill… I has been mentioned by him already, but needs to be stressed again – time is the key factor for the White player. His armies are more experienced than the Reds and that gives him an initial advantage. In the long term, the Bolsheviks will have a great superiority. The MPP and research of the Whites are divided into the three factions ( with the Northern and Uralus Whites making less than 50MPP per turn ), so it is much more difficult for them to invest in the research and purchase new units. However I am aware, that in 1918 and 1919 the Reds walk on a really thin ice. It will be interesting to see, how Bill will cope with the multiple threats during this time. He will need to manage his forces carefully and adopt the right strategy. Apart from the main White actors, there are the British and US interventionists around Archangel in the North, but they are prone to the mutinies and they cannot fully engage in the conflict. Poland is potentially an ally of a great value, but there are few factors, that may speed up or slow down its entry. Also, the White generals do not wish to see Poland as an independent country after their eventual victory in the civil war, so the Polish army may be helpful to secure the Belarusian and Ukrainian territory, but it is practically impossible to see it marching against Moscow. Anyway, Poland won’t join the war before 1920 ( unless the Reds will declare war on it before that date ). Right now we are in the November of 1918. All quiet in the North – the Allied forces around Archangel are for the moment combat ineffective. There was however a DE regarding the North-Western Whites. I could choose between a direct British intervention or send the UK money to arm the local forces under gen. Yudenich. I have chosen the second option, because Britain is a feeble and war weary ally. Something tells me, that it may eventually withdraw from the conflict all together. Anyway, it will take some time before the North-Western army in the Baltics will be ready for action. In the east, around Ekaterinburg, there are two corps under gen Kolchak operating. They are ready to avenge our dear Tsar Nicholas II, who has been recently slain by the Bolsheviks in that city. The units have advanced West and attacked a Red division in Perm, hoping for the best. A damage has been done, but the defenders have stood their ground. There are a considerable Cossack forces operating further South, with their capitals in Orenburg and Orel and they have advanced too. I won’t reveal much for the moment and how I will employ them, depends also on what Bill will do. As in every RCW game, the main fun is in the South. Also, the biggest White armies under gen. Denikin are operating there. I have split my forces into two army groups. First one, has been tasked with finishing off the Bolshevik forces in Crimea. The land assault on Kerch has been supported by the Allied navies. The Melitpol mines are the main prize and there is not much Bill can do here, mostly because because Ukraine is still not at war and the Bolshevik enclave in Crimea is not linked with the rest of Red held territory. So an easy and morale boosting victory is expected here... I have a feeling though, that the Reds will attack Ukraine sooner or later ( I’m suspecting that Bill is eager to see those Anarchists in action ), so I’m pretty sure that the Crimean army group will be busy enough in the future… The second army group under gen. Denikin himself, is in a full pursuit after a Bolshevik army, which is trying to avoid an encirclement and is running for it’s life towards Tsaritsyn, where comrade Vasily Iosifovich Dzhugashvili ( aka Stalin ), has already located his HQ: A position of Cossack unit in Elista is crucial in preventing the Reds from the escape: It will be interesting to see what will happen here next. I’m sure, that Bill is pumping all available reinforcements into Tsaritsyn and a major battle is ahead. Will the beleaguered Bolshevik army escape to safety? Well, they are marching and I’m the one who has plenty of cavalry…

A little introduction before I start the actual AAR. The Russian Civil War, is one of the brand new campaigns, that come with the "Breakthrough" package. Testing it, has been an amazing experience for me, because I find it really unique and fascinating. First of all, the game play is very different from the WWI campaigns. Aggressive maneuvering and force economy are the key factors here. There are relatively few units within a big space, so digging in and hoping for the best is not an option. Also, unlike in the WWI scenarios, the cavalry plays a really important role - the Whites start with numerous experienced Cossack units and the Reds will eventually deploy the fearsome Konarmiya - ( 1st Horse Army of Semyon Budyonny ). An effort has been made to keep RCW a mobile and a relatively “low tech” campaign. For example the maximum trench warfare level possible to research for the Reds and the Whites has been limited to two, the max heavy artillery to one and the gas/shell production to two. Also, the maximum possible chints to invest per category, have been limited to two and the maximum research advances per turn are lower, comparing to the WWI campaigns. The national Morale has been replaced by Political Standing, but it basically works the same way as NM and there are many scripts and decission events that affect it through the game. Other than that, RCW is a pure madness It’s packed with many historically accurate decision events, that add a lot of flavor to it. There are Bolsheviks, three White factions, Cossacks, Anarchists, Western Interventionists, Poles, Czech Legion and few more central/eastern European nations, hoping to fulfill their ambitions of national independence in the post World War I chaos. My guess is, that the Russian Civil War is less commonly known, than the World War One, so the campaign may serve, as a great jumping off point for the future research. Most off all, I hope you will enjoy our AAR!

Ok, thanks for the insight!

What about the impact of naval blockade then? It should lower the NM of CP regardless their success in Russia ( just like in happened in reality ).

Of course. The Serbs were crushed only, thanks to the presence of a considerable German forces, that sent to that front. Some basic facts regarding the Balkan Campaigns can be found in this book: http://www.amazon.com/History-World-War-1914-1918-ebook/dp/B0062MXD7M/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3

Ha, Ha, Ha - Hilarious!!!

I totally agree with that.

Yes, this is what happened to me. I downloaded it from Atomic Gamer.

Hi Hubert, Thank you for your feedback. It could be the case - I just don't remeber what I did with the game in the past - it could be that it was installed and updated it few times previously. Anyway my problem is solved now and the 1.05 works perfectly. Thanks!

Well, I had the original game installed, but after running the 1.05 exe, no shortcut was created and the 1.05 folder was missing many fies, that I had to copy form 1.04. I never had this problem with previous patches - after running the exe the shortcut was always created.

I think, it's practically impossible for the French and UK, to stall for good the advance of Germans, with all their Panzer Groups and tactical airforce ( SOE campaign 1940 ). The French are alwyas very weak in terms of the tech. The only hope would be maybe to prolong the campaign until autumn, what could be beneficial for the Soviet Union. It would be a gamble for the British though. Sending so many units to France, would mean that the German player could for example launch a parachute assault against southern England, as a prelude to Sea Lion, even before the French capitualtion.

So it's Bordeaux then It's a nice city BTW. Great news Bill Thanks!

Bill - I sent you a PM.

Hi Bill, It's great to hear you feedback regarding this issue. If you decide to provide France with an alternative capital, I would suggest Bordeaux or Toulouse, due to their relative geographical remoteness. Then, in case of fall of the alternative capital, the Grman player should be offered a DE about creating the Vichy France.