19 - 21 November 1941 (Axis)

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

 

 

Turn 15: 19^th to 21st November 1941

Weather dr = 5 so MOD FREEZE/LIGHT FREEZE*             Air Conditions DR = 5,1 so LIMITED


*To simulate the effect of the first winter on the Axis (and to a lesser extent the Soviet) forces, we are using the following house rules.

      1. All Axis AR are reduced by 1 when attacking in Moderate or Deep Freeze.

      2. All units have AR reduced by 1 when attacked in non-combat mode unless in a town or city.

     3 . No Axis Armour advantage when Mod or Deep Freeze and No Air (Blizzard)


Initiative DR:      Axis 2,5                                                Soviet 6,3

Soviet passes the initiative to Axis

 
Replacement DR = 6,2 (-1) so  1 Ftr and 2 Pax

*Attrition DR = 6,3 (+1) so  - 2Pax and -1 Eq

Lose 670 Panzerjäger Bn (2(4)8).  Pax losses are offset with replacements.

 
*We have both always been unhappy with the huge and random one-off winter losses in the standard rules.  Not only could the random selection lead to a critical point being rendered defenceless, it strains credulity that scarce resources would have been spread evenly along the front.  Wouldn’t the Axis have given preference to key areas?  Not to mention that all losses take place over a few days rather than accumulating over the cold weather.

So we have decided to have a separate “Attrition DR” that the Axis player rolls from 19^th November (first possible moderated freeze) to 22^nd February (last possible moderate freeze).  The “Attrition DR” is the opposite of a Replacement DR, but with a +1modifier.   Units to be lost are selected by the Axis player, and replacements may be used to offset the losses.


Supply DR: 5, 5 so 15 (+1) = 16 SP


Toropets

 

Axis Command decided to completely abandon Toropets: the Soviets forces were simply too strong and numerous.  A new defence point was made around Staryy Torpopets.  Trying to remove the annoying threats to supply wagons, an attack was made on 53^rd Kaveleriy Division which resulted in the loss of 53^rd Kradschützen Regiment, 3^rd Motorised Division.  Now exhausted with no food or ammunition, the cavalry retreated.  The survival of this cavalry unit behind the lines could prove costly. 

 
Rzhev - Vyazma

The situation was stabilised

 
Spas Demynask

This has become the “Sleepy Hollow” of the Eastern Front

 
Orel – Kursk

The tank brigade that had pushed west of Kromy was easily overrun by 4^th Panzer, and but the emphasis was on Kursk.  Bombers eliminated the NKVD who had been holding the defender’s morale, and 3^rd Com. Militia Division was crushed in the ensuing attack.  Kursk has been captured at last.


Khar’kov

As fast as the Russians had pulled back towards Khar’kov, the Axis pulled back towards Poltava.

 
Zaporezh’e

Every effort was made to eliminate the Russian armour trapped behind the Dneipr before another bridge could be prepared.  Artillery destroyed the 6^th Tank brigade, while a mass attack (although badly performed) was enough to wipe out 14^th Tank Brigade.  22^nd Tank ceased to exist as it was forced to retreat into the impassable river.  The poor conduct of the attack led to the loss of 3^rd Bersaglieri, D’Aosta Motorised Division. 

(Axis rolled three 3s and one 4 on 2D6 attacks this turn!)

 

Supply           Axis rec’d                  16 SP

                        Axis used                  11.3 SP

 

                        Soviet used              1.1 SP

 
Units killed

 

Axis                 4(5)8                          53^rd Kradschützen Reg’t, 3^rd Mot Div

                        5(4)3                          3^rd Bersiglieri, D’Aosta Mot Div

 

Soviet             5(1)3                          33^rd Tank Brigade

                        11(1)1                       3^rd Com. Militia Div

                        2 x 6(2)5                   6^th, 22^nd Tank Brigade

                        7(3)6                          14^th Tank Brigade

                        (2)4-3                           88^th NKVD Border Reg’t

 

 

 

 

 

15 - 18 November (Soviet)

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

 

15th to 18th^th November1941

 

Turn 14 (Soviet)

Reinforcement DR = 3,1 (-1) so one Pax

Supply DR = 4,3 so 22 (+1) SP

 

Toropets

Although the Germans may have thought 25^th Kavaleriy would rot trapped in the swamps, its horsemen had other ideas.  They struck at the weakest link in the chain: 454^th Security Division.  Overrun by thousands of cavalry, the second line troops fled, leaving half their number dead.  It did not save them.  When they halted 18 kilometres north of Zemtsy, they were again hit by the cavalry and the unit ceased to exist.

2^nd Guards Corps was not as successful, as 20^th Kavaleriy died breaching a thin line of infantry north of Staryy Torpopets.  The loss and subsequent retreat by the supporting infantry meant that even though the way was clear, no advance was possible.

The cavalry was not finished, however.  Just as the Germans were relaxing, a last minute dash by 53^rd Kavaleriy, Dovator Group, saw the destruction of two wagon convoys on the track to Zemptsy.  200 tonnes of supplies were lost, but as 600 tones had just been unloaded and used, the Axis were not as concerned as might have been the case.

Vyazma

North of Vyazma 8^th Brigade, 4^th Airborne Division was at the forefront of a counter-attack.  When resistance was fiercer than expected, the brigade died to a man.  The opportunity for more attacks was reduced by effective bombing raids.  A few Yak 1 fighters were shot down by escorting Messerschmitts.

 

Spas Demyansk

Very little movement

Orel – Kursk

 

With Kursk surrounded, air transports landed at the city airfield carrying sufficient supplies to stave off starvation.  At the same time, at the other end of the Kursk – Orel Highway, the Soviets struck at weak points in the German lines.  75^th Artillery Regiment, caught alone on the round, was no challenge.  As it turned out, nor was 521^st Panzerjäger Bn which was assigned to hold Kromy.

Khar’kov

With the German threat fading away, Russian units were content to pull back towards the city.

 

Zaporezh’e

 

 

Emergency fuel was used by Russian armour north of the Dneipr in order to reach the river, but trucks were rushed to refill the divisional stores.  The infantry were able to cross the river, but the armour was still trapped.  Needless to say, there was no combat.

 

Supply           Soviet rec’d              23 SP

                        Soviet used              19 SP

 

                        Axis used                   2.3 SP

 

 

Dead Units

 

Soviet              7(3)4                          20^th Kavaleriy Div, 2^nd Gds Corps

                         5(4)4                          8^th Brigade, 4^th Airborne Division

 

Axis                 6(2)2                          454^th Security Division

                        18(3-3)2                   75^th Artillery, 3^rd Panzer Division

                        2(4)8                          521^st Panzerjäger Bn

 

Aircraft Losses

VVS                Fighter           Yak 1 (step)

                       

 

 

15 - 18 November 1941 (Axis)

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

 

 

15^th to 18th November 1941

 

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

(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 – 1^st 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.  25^th Cavalry was surrounded but the marshy terrain it occupied meant it was left to die from attrition.

 
Rzhev

 

Although a combined 7^th Panzer and infantry attack on 110^th 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 18^th 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 165^th 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 18^th 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 218^th Strlekovaya.  The hedquarters fled south east.  111.ID did a better job, leaving no survivors from 63^rd 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                   7^th Kradschützen Reg’t, 7^th Panzer

                                                            165^th Kradschützen Reg’t, 16.ID (mot)

 

Soviet             10(0)1                       299^th Strelkovaya

                        10-0                           18^th Army HQ

                        12(2)2                       218^th Strelkovaya

                        10(3)3                       63^rd Mountain Div.                                   

 

 

12 14 November 1941 (Axis)

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

 

12^th to 14^th November1941

 

Turn 13 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 6,1 (-1) so one Pax

Supply DR = 4,1 so 11 (+1) SP

Toropets

 

With the loss of 10^th Armeekorps HQ, many of the units west of Toropets were out of supply range.  They all had to urgently pull back to Toropets itself or to the neighbouring Staryy Torpopets.  This was the limit of the control area of 41^st Panzerkorps.  To the west, there is nothing to prevent the Russians from advancing – nothing bar the Soviets own supply problems.

 

Rzhev

 

The Axis attempt to cut the Soviet supply line at Peno has failed.  The ability of the Russians to rail reinforcements to the area and the tenuous supply links of the German attackers combined to doom the mission.  The exhausted survivors made it back to Selizharvso, where an attack was mounted on the infantry unit in column outside the town.  To underline the Soviet success, the Ivans surprised the attackers and 26.ID was forced back having lost a regiment.

In front of the Rzhev, the threatening Soviet forces were forced back but at the cost of 36^th Kradschützen, 36.ID (mot) which was hit by defensive artillery.

The centre fort of the line in front of Seychevka was stormed, though some of the last Dornier bombers in the Luftwaffe were lost in a preliminary bombing attack.  402^nd Strelkovaya was obliterated.

 

Orel – Kursk

 

Strong Soviet forces prevent any action in the Orel area, while Kursk is surrounded.

Kharkov

 

Although no combat had taken place for some days, a slow advance by significant Soviet armour and infantry had cut off the lead units of 9^th Panzer.  With priority for supply being given to the north, the push for Khark’ov has been suspended and the troops ordered to pull back.  In a coordinated attack, the trapped units and the relief forces eliminated 3^rd Tank Brigade which blocked the way.  Low on supply, the tank units moved 8 kilometres closer to safety.

 

Denpropetrovesk – Zaporezh’e

 

East of the city, near Vasikovska, the Axis units pulled back, shocked by the destruction of the Czechs a few days earlier.  More importantly, all available troops are being diverted west to meet the threat from the Soviet Dneipr bridgehead.

Supply has also been sent west, and allowed several artillery barrages on the Russian headquarters on the south side of the river.  Both were hit, and though no losses were recorded, the temporary bridges that supplied the Soviets who had crossed the river were put out of use.

Supply                       Axis rec’d                  12 SP

                                    Axis used                  10 SP

 

                                    Soviet used              2.1 SP

 

Dead Units

Axis                             4(5)8                          36^th Kradschützen, 36^th Mot.Div

 

Soviet                         11(1)1                       402^nd Strelkovaya

                                    6(2)5                          3^rd Tank Brigade

 

 

 

 

 

12 - 14 November 1941 (Soviet)

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

12^th to 14th  November 1941

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



Initiative DR:      Axis 5,2                                                 Soviet 6,5

Soviet elects to take the initiative


Replacement DR = 3,2 (-1) so 0 (+1)Pax


Supply DR = 5,1  so 22 (+1) = 23 SP

 
147^th Tank Brigade is converted to 1^st Guards Tank Brigade

 
179^th and 250^th Strelkovaya are consolidated.

 

Toropets – Rzhev

 

Near Ostakov, a large attack by the Soviets was a total failure.  Forward elements of 6^th Panzer Division turned the tables on the combined cavalry/infantry assault, and 42th Cavalry Division was destroyed and the infantry took losses.  Slightly to the east, 36.ID (mot) lost its Aufklärungs battalion when it was completely overwhelmed by a 12:1 overrun.   Exploiting the success, 1^st Guards tried to capture some supply vehicles, but the defending infantry regiment lived just long enough for the trucks and wagons to escape.

Much further east, at the small town of Zapadnaya Dvina, an unprotected headquarters was the target of 25^th Kaveleriy.  Taken by surprise, 10^th Armeekorps HQ was wiped out.

 
Vyazma – Sukhinichi

Some movement but no attacks.

 
Bryansk – L’Gov – Kursk

An overrun was attempted near Kursk, but strong resistance led to both the attacking 25^th Tank Brigade and the defending II/9 Panzer Reg’t being destroyed.  A follow-up attack had similar results, with 9^th Aufklärung Battalion exchanged for 132^nd Tank Brigade.

A wagon convey was captured at Sumy by a fast moving 11^th motorcycle battalion.

 
Poltava – Dnepropetrovsk – Zaporezh’e


No combat took place other than near Zaporezh’e.  East of the city 21 Rychla was lost, while to the west 2/2 Airborne was destroyed.

 


Supply           Soviet rec’d              23 SP

                        Soviet used              20 SP

 

                        Axis used                   3.0 SP

 

 

Dead Units

 

Soviet             7(3)4                          42 Cavalry Div

                        2 x 7(3)6                   25, 54 Tank Brigade

                        5(3)3                          2/2 Airborne Brigade

                        8(4)8                          132 Tank Brigade

                        6(2)5                          131 Tank Brigade

 

Axis                 2 x 3(5)8                   Auflklärungs Bns of 9PzD and 34^th Mot Div

                        7(4)3                          11^th Mot Reg’t, 9^th PzD

                        5(3)3                          21^st Inf Reg’t “Rychla” Div  (Czech)

                        10-0                           10^th HQ

 

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)