Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II (including Enemy
at the Gates and Case Blue)
15th to 18th November 1941
(Triple 6 in successive weather/air rolls! Why are my combat rolls such crap?)
Initiative DR: Axis 2,1 Soviet 6,5
Soviet passes the initiative to Axis
Replacement DR = 6,2 (-1) so 1 Ftr and 2 Pax
Build 900 “Lehr” (5 turns – 1st December)*
*We have decided it is too easy to just rebuild high AR units: the Soviets their 4 level cavalry and armour, the Axis the AR 5 single step units. So we have a new house rule that rebuilt units have a turn delay equal to the unit’s AR.
Supply DR = 5,1 so 22 (+1) = 23 SP
Toropets
The slow withdrawal to the east continued. A battalion of French volunteered to form the rearguard, blocking access to the airfield at Staryy Tornopets. 25th Cavalry was surrounded but the marshy terrain it occupied meant it was left to die from attrition.
Rzhev
Although a combined 7th Panzer and infantry attack on 110th Strelkovaya achieved surprise, the conduct of the attack was so poor that the Kradschützen Reg’t of the 7.PzD was lost for no return.
Sychevka held on even though the effects of artillery and ground attacks destroyed 18th Strelkovaya. An NKVD Border regiment was the sole survivor.
Spas Demyansk
The unexpected success of an artillery barrage south of Vyasma led to an improvised assault on the fort line. Without preparation, the attack failed with minor losses on both sides.
Bryansk – L’Gov
An attempt to recapture the wagons lost at Sumy was a disaster. Facing two full regiments of highly trained troops, the Russian motorcyclists were able to not only avoid destruction but to destroy 165th Motorised Infantry Reg’t, 16.ID (mot). When Sumy was taken, the wagons were a smouldering heap, surrounded by butchered horses.
Khar’kov
The Axis units were content to continue the withdrawal from the city.
Zaporezh’e
The Axis artillery maintained its accuracy, wiping out 18th Army headquarters and demoralising the other headquarters and its protecting infantry. Infantry crossed the Dneipr and attacked both the supply links. “Nordland” regiment of SS “Wiking” Division was unable to destroy the last Soviet headquarters though it destroyed 218th Strlekovaya. The hedquarters fled south east. 111.ID did a better job, leaving no survivors from 63rd Mountain Infantry Division.
Supply Axis rec’d 14 SP
Axis used 10.3 SP
Soviet used 1.2 SP
Dead Units
Axis 2 x 4(5)8 7th Kradschützen Reg’t, 7th Panzer
165th Kradschützen Reg’t, 16.ID (mot)
Soviet 10(0)1 299th Strelkovaya
10-0 18th Army HQ
12(2)2 218th Strelkovaya
10(3)3 63rd Mountain Div.