8 - 11 November 1941 (Axis)

Apologies for the long delay between posts: RL intervenes every now and then (university exams etc).  As a result, not as much detail as usual (I can't remember who did what 3 months ago).  And so no notes to the photos.

 

But don't worry - the campaign continues.  A few abridged reports then back to normal.

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

 

8^th to 11^th November 1941

 

Turn 12 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 2,1 (-1) so lose truck

Supply DR = 5,2 so 13 (+1) SP

Lack of supply meant that Axis operations were limited.  The Luftwaffe was severely punished as it tried to substitute for artillery which was constrained by lack of ammunition.

 

Toropets – Rzhev

Every effort was made to free the units trapped near Toropets, but with no success.  (Some Stukas were shot down while trying to demoralise the Soviets.)  An attempt to break out destroyed a Soviet infantry brigade, but failed to open the trap.  Luckily no casualties were caused by attrition.

The Axis drive south from the Rzhev line met mounting resistance and was forced to eliminate a cavalry division that was blocking supply lines.  Closer to Rzhev, another Soviet attempt to block supply was removed, but at the cost of an Aufklärung battalion from the “Totenkopf” division.

 

Vyazma – Sukhinichi

 

German units were content to secure good defensive positions.

Bryansk – L’Gov – Kursk

 

Overall the position in the Kursk area was improved as 100^th Flammpanzer and II/18, 18^th Panzer Division overran 160^th Strelkovaya and 343^rd Strelkovaya was wiped out in the fighting.  Kursk is now under siege.

Khark’ov – Poltava

 

With a geschwader of Stukas lost near Khark’ov and two groups of Heinkels shot down east of Poltava, this was a disaster for the Luftwaffe.  As a result of the loss of the tactical bombers, all offensive action from Poltava was called off.  Three mobile divisions based on Sumy, however, kept moving.  9^th Panzer pushed south, and with the presence of infantry just west of Zyimev, the front line of the Khark’ov defenders was threatened.

Zaporezh’e

 

Having realised the threat that the units west of the city posed, what troops that were available attacked the Russians who had crossed the Dneipr.  The attacks were a huge success.  A tank brigade and infantry division were destroyed, and as a bonus, some I-16 fighters were shot down when they tried to intervene.

To the north of the city, an infantry division was destroyed as the push for Vasikovska continued.

Kherson

All quiet.

 

Supply

Axis rec’d:     14SP

Axis used:     16.2 SP

 

Soviet used  3.1 SP

Dead Units

Axis:               4(4)8                                      Aufklärungs BN, SS “Totenkopf” Division

 

Soviet            2 x 12(2)2                             150^th, 160^th  Strelkovaya

                        4(1)4                                      4^th Cavalry Division

                        3(2)2                                      930^th Infantry Brigade

                        2 x 11(1)1                             343^rd, Stalingrad Strelkovaya

                        6(2)5                                      13^th Tank Brigade

 

Aircraft losses

Luftwaffe        Heinkel 111 (2 steps)

                         Junkers 87D (1 Step)