5-7 November (Axis)

Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

5^th to 7^th November 1941

Weather dr = 5  so LIGHT FREEZE/MUD                  Air Conditions DR = 3,1 so LIMITED

Initiative DR:      Axis 4,3                                                 Soviet 3,1

Axis elects to take the initiative (double turn)

Replacement DR = 6,1 (-1) so 1 Pax

Supply DR = 2,2  so 11 (+1) = 12 SP

With the clear (if cold) weather continuing, the Axis choose to push on.  Unfortunately their supply situation declines sharply, reducing their ability to exploit the opportunity.

Valday – Toropets - Rzhev

An artillery barrage shook the garrison of Valday an inflicted casualties before German infantry stormed the town.  185^th Strelkovaya was lost in the street-fighting but another division escaped.   A small amount of supplies was captured.  Infantry pushed on, but were stopped as they reached the limit of their supply range.

900^th “Lehr” was again withdrawn from service following an abortive attempt to overrun the cavalry near Toropets.  To make the loss worse, the isolated cavalry had exhausted their supplies and could only mount a limited defence.  Further bad news came when a group of Heinkels were badly shot up by ant-aircraft guns near the town.

Significant forces moved to the north west of Rzhev, with mobile units reaching Selizharsvo.

Nelidovo – Vyazma – Spas Demyansk

Nelidovo itself was quiet, with all the action to the east and west. 

Around Vyazma there was some air activity.  Some Sturmoviks were destroyed at the Vyazma airbase, though at the cost of a few Bf 109E fighters.

To the south, 4^th Tank Brigade was overrun by 268.ID: the destruction of such a powerful unit was a relief to the Germans in the area.  Lack of supply prohibited further attacks, though targets were plentiful.

A slight withdrawal took place at Yukhnov.

Bryansk

5^th Army HQ, as expected, was annihilated by infantry east of Bryansk.   Little else happened in that area.

Orel – L’Gov – Kursk

The assault gun battalion that had performed so well weeks ago in holding the bridge on the route to Bryansk continued its good work.  A lightning lunge along the railway saw the last Russian unit south of Bryansk destroyed.  The way is clear for the railway conversion gangs.

The Axis had great hope for an operation near Kursk and the Luftwaffe committed many aircraft.  Bombing defending troops to the north of the city led to the loss of some Junkers 88s but the VVS paid dearly when they tried to attack the advancing armour, with two separate groups of Il-2s and some I-16s being shot down.  Another group of Messerschmitts was lost while escorting a bombing mission to the south.

 The Soviet rifle division south of Kursk was crushed by a fast moving assault gun battalion, but that was the last success.  18^th Panzer Division lost its Kradschützen battalion while inflicting no damage to the defenders and another attack was thrown back.  Overall, a large expenditure of supply and men for very little result.

Poltava

At last the Axis moved on Khar’kov.  In the air the VVS exchanged a flight of LaGG fighters for Heinkel bombers, while on the ground the 1^st Guards Division was eliminated (though it took an assault gun battalion with it).

To the northwest of the city the mobile units moved forwards slowly, while directly west a large mass of infantry reached the Russian front line.  To the southwest, a panzer division and Axis light troops (supplied by captured locomotives) looped towards Zmiyev.

Zaporezh’e

 Once again the Soviet artillery disrupted a planned attack, but the German commander decided to carry on with half his men.  The attack was successful in that it drove the Russians back, but no casualties were inflicted.     Heavy counter-attacks can be expected.

Kherson

The stand off continued

Supply: Axis rec’d                            12 SP

             Axis used                            18.2 SP

             Soviet used                         3.3 SP

Dead Units

Axis        10(5)4                                   900^th “Lehr” Motorised Infantry Brigade

                4(5)8                                      18^th Kradschützen Bn, 18^th PzD

                5(5)8                                      197^th Assault Gun Bn

Soviet      2 x 11(1)1                             143^rd, 398^th Infantry Division

                12(2)2                                   185^th Infantry Division

                8(4)8                                      4^th Tank Brigade

                10(0)0                                   5^th Corps HQ

                13(3)2                                   1^st Guards Infantry Division

Aircraft losses

Luftwaffe            Fighters                        2 x Bf 109E step

               

                            Bombers                     Heinkel 111 step (Flak)

                                                                Ju 88 step (Flak)

VVS                      Fighters                        I-16 step

                                                                 LaGG step

                             Bombers                       3 x Il-2 steps (one to flak)

1-4 November 1941 (Axis)

Guderians’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

1^st to 4^th November1941

Turn 10 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 4,1 (-1) so Nil

Supply DR = 6,4  = 15(+1) = 16 SP

Valday – Toropets – Rzhev

Ignoring the presence of Russians at Velikiye Luki, the Germans in the Toropets area struck at the tenuous Soviet supply lines.  252.ID overran the infantry holding the railway line east to Andreapol.  The “Tula” Infantry Brigade was destroyed and a rifle division retreated with losses.  A subsequent attack destroyed a rail gun and drove a Soviet HQ towards the rear.

The Dovator cavalry held off a spirited attack, destroying the 53^rd Aufklärung Bn, 3^rd Motorised Division.  This used the last of the cavalry’s internal stocks of food and ammunition and left it vulnerable.

The VVS reacted strongly to the incursion of the Luftwaffe near Rzhev, but it cost them dearly.  Some newly arrived P-40s as well as some elderly I-16s were lost but they did shoot down some of the precious Messerschmitts. 

Vyazma

Unfortunately the bombers did not perform as well.  The failure of the bombers led to a disaster on the ground.  Leading an assault on 1^st Guards Infantry Division which blocked the direct route to Vyazma, 101^st Flammpanzer Bn was destroyed.

Things went a bit more smoothly to the west, as the last fort of the north sector of Vyazma line was captured by German infantry.  There were no survivors from 151^st Strelkovaya.

An attempt to catch a powerful Soviet tank brigade in the open failed when the Russians surprised the attackers and drove them back.  Again, there was better luck when attacking the fort line and the southernmost fort was captured.  As in the north, there were no survivors.

Axis units started to pull back from Yukhnov, cheered at the sight of Soviet fighters being shot down over the airbase.

Bryansk

The column of Ivans pushing slowly east was disrupted when 855th Infantry Brigade was annihilated by a surprise river crossing.  Even more devastating, 283.ID attacked the supply depot on the far bank of the river and not only destroyed the defending 283^rd Strelkovaya but also captured 400 tonnes of supplies.  The headquarters of 5^th Army was able to escape, but for how long?

Some Axis units were also seen to have started moving towards Kursk.

Poltava

There was some movement in the three mobile divisions near Belgograd, and indications that the troops around Poltava were again heading east.

Zaporezh’e

Preparations for an attack due south of the city were cancelled when a massive Soviet artillery barrage disrupted the units in their staging area.

Kherson

The arrival of some Romanian infantry, while welcome, did not alter the stalemate.

Supply     Axis rec’d            16 SP

                 Axis used             14.1 SP

                 Soviet used        5.1 SP

Dead units

Axis         3(5)8                      53^rd Aufklärungs Bn, 3^rd Motorised Infantry Division

                7(5)7                      101^st Flammpanzer Bn

Soviet      3(2)2                      “Tula” and 855^th Infantry Brigade

                12(2)2                   152^nd and 283^rd Strelkovaya

                 11(1)1                   33^rd Strelkovaya

                 6(0)                        Rail Gun

Aircraft Losses

Axis        Fighter                  Messerschmitt Bf 109E step

Soviet    Fighter                   P-40 step

                                             I-16 step

                                             Yak 1 step

1-4 November 1941 (Soviet)

Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

1^st to 4^th November 1941

Weather dr = 5  so LIGHT FREEZE/MUD                  Air Conditions DR = 6,6 so NORMAL

Initiative DR:             Axis 4,2                                                 Soviet 6,4

Soviet elects to take the initiative

Replacement DR = 6,2 (-1) so 1 FTR, 2 (+1) Pax,  1 Eq

Soviets rebuild MiGs and 72^nd Cavalry Div

Supply DR = 3,2  so 18 + 1 = 19 SP

The sudden cold snap has solidified the mud, allowing normal travel speed.  The Red Army took advantage of the change, at least in the north.

Valday – Andreapol – Nelidovo

(Unfortunately I missed the extreme west - trust me: there are Soviet cavalry there)

More units appear to have left the Valday area, perhaps being railed towards Andreapol.

As expected, the cavalry erupted from the area north west of Andreapol .  They had some immediate success as they swept unopposed into Velikiye Luki, capturing some wagons that were waiting in the town.  A group of trucks escaped unharmed.  Some cavalry remained in the west, but a division from the Dovator group caught an reserve artillery unit near Toropets and destroyed it.

The VVS made vigorous attempts to ensure German troops on the road through Nelidovo and Olenino were unable to move south, but flak inflicted heavy losses on the Pe-2s and Il-4s involved.  Only one section of road was interdicted.

Sychevka – Vyazma – Spas Demyasnsk

Interdiction was more successful near Vyazma, with some Bf 109Es shot down as they attempted to intercept the Soviet bombers.  Artillery barrage results were mixed, as vast amounts of ammunition were wasted to no effect on a lone German regiment near Sychevka but another barrage destroyed 19^th Kradschützen Bn near Vyazma.  The destruction of the Kradschützen encouraged the Russians who immediately attacked and destroyed I/27 Pz Bn, 19^th PzD.  An attack on the stubborn 1^st Infantry Reg’t, 1^st PzD, achieved its purpose as the unit was eliminated, but it cost the Soviets 1,200 tonnes of supplies and a machine-gun battalion.

78.ID, savagely mauled in earlier fighting, could take no more and was officially declared lost after a small battle near Yukhnov.

Bryansk

Two rifle divisions, 132^nd and 155^th, were unable to be supplied and both commanders decided to make a break for the Soviet front lines.  Both were successful, though it will be several weeks before the 132^nd is fit for combat and at least a week more for the 155^th.

The South

From Bryansk south, the Red Army was quiet.  West of Zaporezh’e several groups moved along the Dneipr, but did not cross the river except in the immediate vicinity of the city.

South of Kherson, some Sturmoviks were shot down and the Russian artillery failed spectacularly.  All attacks were called off as a consequence.

Supply:     Soviet rec’d                       19 SP

                  Soviet used                        22.3 SP

                Axis used                             2.2 SP

Dead Units

Soviet                      4(3)6                      38^th Machine Gun Bn

Axis                         20(5)4                   78.ID

                                4(5)8                      19^th Kradschützen Bn, 19^th PzD

                                6(5)8                      I/27 Pz Bn, 19^th PzD

                                7(4)3                      1^st Mot.Inf Reg’t, 1^st PzD

                                26(2/3)2               Artillery Group

Air losses

Soviet                   Bombers              Pe-2 step (Flak)

                                                                Il-4 step (Flak)

                                                                Il-2 step (Flak)

Axis                        Fighter                  Messerschmitt Bf 109E step

29-31 October (Axis)

Guderians’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

29^th to 31^st October 1941

Turn 9 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 4,5 (-1) so 1 Ftr, 2 Pax, 1 Eq

Axis rebuilds III/27 Panzer Bn, 19^th PzD and 41^st Motorised Reg’t, 10^th Motorised Infantry Division.

Supply DR = 3,2  = 11(+1) = 12 SP

Andreapov – Nelidovo

One of the cavalry units building up west of Andreapol had come too close to the German lines.  102.ID launched a swift attack and destroyed 9^th Cavalry Division.  Four divisions remain, however.

A few units move north of Nelidovo, but no action.

Vyazma

Another fort in the line west of Vyazma fell and its garrison was lost with it.  The slow advance also saw the destruction of 222^nd Strelkovaya directly east of Smolensk.

127^th Tank Brigade, which was not prepared for combat, was quickly reduced to a group of wrecked vehicles by the panzers of 19^th PzD as they resumed the push from Spas Demyansk.  Next was 5^th NKVD divsion which proved much tougher.  19^th Aufklärung Bn was lost in the fighting but the Axis achieved the destruction of the elite unit. 

Bryansk – Kursk

German infantry still crept forward from Bryansk, keeping the supply lines to the fleeing Russians under pressure.  A tank battalion from Orel occupied the Karachev airbase, making sure no further emergency airlifts could be carried out.

Rail conversion swung north from L’Gov, heading towards Bryansk.

Poltava – Zaporezh’e

98^th NKVD Border Regiment, now alone in Krasnograd, was easily destroyed and the city captured.  A large quantity of rolling stock was found, enough to transport 400 tonnes of supplies to the front.

The main attack in this area, however, was west of Zaporezh’e.  A strong Soviet force had crossed the Dneipr and could have moved on the railway gangs which were pushing European gauge east.  Following air and artillery barrages, German armour and infantry were able to destroy both 58^th Tank Bn and 164^th Rifle Division, not allowing a single soldier to make it back across the river.  Wary of Russian counter-attacks, the victorious troops pulled back from the river.

Kherson

Still unable to risk any offensive action, the Axis strengthened the river defence lines and prepared to defend the river crossing at Novaya Kakhovka.  All that could be done now was to hold tight and wait for reinforcements.

Supply:                 Axis rec’d                            12 SP

                              Axis used                            10.1 SP

                              Soviet used                        2.1 SP

Dead Units

Axis                    3(5)8                                      19^th Aufklärung BN, 19^th PzD

Soviet                4(2)4                                      58^th Tank Bn

                          4(1)5                                      127^th Light Tank Brigade

                          2 x 12(2)2                             164^th, 222^nd Strelkovaya Div

                         11(1)1                                   2^nd Strelkovaya Div

                         7(3)4                                      9^th Cavalry Division

                         (2)(4)3                                  98^th NKVD Border Reg’t

                         8(3)3                                      5^th NKVD Division

Air Losses                                            Nil

29-31 October (Soviet)

Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

29^th to 31^st October 1941

Weather dr = 5 so LIGHT MUD/DRY                         Air Conditions DR = 5,2 so NORMAL

Initiative:             Axis 5,5                                                 Soviet 2,2

Axis kindly allows Russians first use of the mud.

Replacement DR = 5,2 (-1) so 1 FTR, 2 (+1) Pax,  1 Eq

Soviets rebuild 28^th Tank Brigade and 40^th Cavalry Division

Supply DR = 7,1 so 22 + 1 SP

Andreapov – Nelidovo

In a threatening move, four Soviet cavalry divisions swept north-west from Andreapol.  In combination with the large number of infantry present, the road west to Velikiye Luki is in real danger.

Vyazma – Sukhinichi

Intelligence identified a prime target: an area packed with supply trucks.  Soviet artillery failed yet again, and the commanders had to call on emergency supplies to carry out another barrage.  This was far more accurate and 275^th Flak Bn was destroyed.   That was the end of the good news as 205^th Tank Brigade was lost in the subsequent attack.    The trucks and a HQ (with the armour unit that had held off the Russians) were able to pull back unscathed.

An attack near Yukhnov started off just as badly as some Sturmoviks were intercepted and shot down carrying out a bombing mission.  Here, however, the artillery stepped into the breach, killing thousands of men of 197.ID and preparing the way for the assault.  The German broke under the pressure and ran.  Three quarters of the unit’s troops were casualties.

Bryansk

Some Il-4s were lost carrying out interdiction near Bryansk, but transport aircraft were able to land 200 tonnes of supplies at the isolated airbase at Karachev.  The men of 132^nd Strelkovaya were saved from making the choice to breakout or surrender.

Poltava – Zaporezh’e

Some movement north out of Khark’ov took place, but the loss of SB-2 bombers and the failure of the artillery yet again led to a stand-off at Zaporezh’e.

Kherson  (no photo due to yet another administrative breakdown at OKH)

For the loss of some Stukas, the Luftwaffe was able to destroy what remained of the once proud 23th Strelkovaya.  This did not dissuade the Red Army.  Close to the coast, a security division was eliminated by Soviet infantry, although the nebelwerfer unit is guarded was able to flee.  (This unit has led a charmed life).   An attack up the road to Kherson destroyed a German division, 50.ID, but the attackers had to retreat to recover.

Supply:                 Soviet rec’d        23 SP

                              Soviet used        21.1 SP

                              Axis used             1.1 SP

Dead Units

Axis                                         (7)(4)3                  271^st Flak Bn

                                                6(3)2                      213rd Security Div

                                                20(4)3                   50.ID

Soviet                                        4(2)5                      205^th Tank Brigade

                                                13(3)3                   25^th Strelkovaya

Air Losses

Axis                                        Bomber                  Ju 87B (Flak)

               

Soviet                                      Bomber                Il-2

                                                                            Il-4 (Flak)

26-28 October (Axis)

Guderians’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy at the Gates and Case Blue)

26^th to 28^th October 1941

Turn 8 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 5,1 (-1) so 1 Pax

Supply DR = 5,5  = 15(+1) = 16 SP

Star’ya Russka – Nelidovo

The remaining units of “Totenkopf” railed to Nelidovo.  The long column that has existed for weeks along the road east through the rail depot has started to split, with half moving east towards Rzhev and the remainder heading to deal with the massive build up at Andreapol.

Rzhev – Vyazma – Yukhnov

The slow but steady advance south-west of Sychevka continued as artillery from 14^th Motorised shocked the Russians holding the most northerly fort.  The subsequent assault was incredibly successful.  An elite regiment was destroyed, and a rifle division took losses before it fled.

On the other side of Vyazma, things went just as well.  A combined 19^th and 20^th PzD armoured attack saw 251^st Strelkovaya disintegrate allowing the infantry and armour to exploit the breakthrough.

The short-lived supply crisis for the Yuhknov area was ended when a German infantry division overran the position.  The presence of a detached regiment behind the defending cavalry forced the Russians to retreat away from safety.

With supply restored, II/7 Panzer Bn, 10^th PzD was able to destroy a railway repair unit and then inflict casualties on 160(ii) Rifle Division before pulling back to relative safety.

Sukhinichi – Bryansk – Orel

The infantry near Sukhinichi pulled back slightly: there is not enough supply to allow offensive action and the forward position was too vulnerable to counter-attack.

287^th Strelkovaya was successfully overrun east of Bryansk as the struggle to eliminate the trapped Red Army units continued.   Even the perfect ground conditions were not enough to allow rapid movement through the network of streams, woods and swamps near the city.

Kursk – Belgograd

There was not a uninterrupted series of victories.  A probing attack west of Kursk cost the Axis a Pionier Bn when the attack was easily repulsed.

On the other hand, “Gross Deutschchland” Infantry Regiment and 119^th Motorised Infantry (27^th Mot. Div) completely outclassed 3^rd Airborne Brigade south of Belgograd.  The attackers wisely pulled back.  The huge Khark’ov garrison has sent considerable forces north.

Poltava - Dnepropetrovsk – Zaporezh’e

Another attack on Krasnograd was a bitter fight to the death.  Spurred on by the NKVD, the men of 7^th Tank Brigade fought hard from behind the fortifications, and 94.ID, already at half strength, was completely destroyed.  The attack was beaten off, but once again the NKVD was left by itself: 7^th Tank Brigade had ceased to exist.

Precious fuel was provided to the Italians who were able to move most of their forces to the south, to support the defence of Zaporezh’e.  The Soviets have been heard claiming the city is as good as recaptured already.

Novaya Kerkhova – Kherson

The Axis could not defend the extended front line and have pulled back further.  Will they be able to hold the final river before falling back behind the Dneipr?

Supply:                   Axis rec’d                            16 SP

                                Axis used                             13.3 SP

                                Soviet used                        2.1 SP

Dead units

Axis                         2(5)4                                      43^rd Pionier Bn

                                20(4)3                                   94.ID

Soviet                      11(1)1                                   287^th Strelkovaya

                                12(2)2                                   251^st Strelkovaya

                                5(3)3                                      3^rd Airborne Brigade

        (1)(0)3                                  Railway Repair Bn

                                5(1)5                                      7^th Tank Brigade

Air losses             Nil (no air operations)