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