1 - 4 December 1941 (Soviet)

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

 

Turn 19: 1^st to 4^th December 1941

Weather dr = 5 so DEEP FREEZE/ LIGHT FREEZE 

           
Air Conditions DR = 2,1 so NIL

 
Initiative DR:      Axis 4, 3                                             Soviet 4,1

 
Axis allows Soviets first go.



Replacement DR = 3, 4 (-1) so 1 FTR 2 (+1) Pax, 1 Eq

 

Supply DR = 2, 6 so 22 + 1 = 23 SP

 


Zemtsy

 

After being pushed back from Smolensk, the Soviets swung their attention to the Zemtsy – Smolensk railway.  The heavy snow slowed all movement, so no combat took place.


Smolensk – Vyazma

 
The Katyushas finally earned their keep.  After grinding their way forward to get in range, they rained hell on 192^nd Assault Gun battalion, completely destroying it.  This left only a disorganised rabble of administrative offices from 8^th HQ to defend the truck depot.  They were no match for 9^th Guards Infantry Division.  The truck convoys fell back to Smolensk.

 
The other artillery was just as successful.  86.ID lost a regiment and its morale, and the already fatally weakened 113rd Panzer and 6^th HQ were demoralised further.  All were wiped out in attacks, though 86.ID did force the Russians to retreat after the battle.

 
The only bright news for the Germans was the performance of a lone artillery group which not only held off the attackers, but even destroyed an infantry regiment.

 
To the south of Vyazma, the Soviets were less successful.  They did manage to gain some territory, but at a heavy cost to the attacking units.  13^th Tank Brigade was able to destroy an artillery group in battle and then overrun another.

 
Spas Demyansk to Zaporezh’e

Very slow movement in the snow, no action.

 
Kherson

 

The slightly better weather in the south allowed the Soviets to mount several attacks, one of which destroyed the 4^th Rumanian Mountain Brigade.  95^th Strelkovaya, one of the better Soviet units, volunteered to cross the river and hold a bridgehead across the frozen river.  To the disappointment of the Russian commander, an enormous combined arms attack on a Gebirgsjäger division was an almost complete failure.  After artillery bombardment and the expenditure of vast amounts of supply, the Germans stood their ground while the Soviets withdrew.



Supply                 Soviet rec’d =       23 SP

                             Soviet used =       19.1 SP

 

                             Axis used =            1 SP


Dead Units

German                5(5)8                    192^nd Assault Gun Bn

                             20(4)3                  86.ID

                             2 x 8-0                  6^th and 8^th HQ

                             6(3)3                    4^th Rumanian Mtn Brigade

                             8(4)6                    113 Pz Bn, 1^st Pz Div

                             2 x 26(2)(3)2        Artillery Group

 
Soviet                            3(3)2            USSR Cadet Infantry Regiment