29-31 October (Axis)

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

29^th to 31^st October 1941

Turn 9 (Axis)

Reinforcement DR = 4,5 (-1) so 1 Ftr, 2 Pax, 1 Eq

Axis rebuilds III/27 Panzer Bn, 19^th PzD and 41^st Motorised Reg’t, 10^th Motorised Infantry Division.

Supply DR = 3,2  = 11(+1) = 12 SP

Andreapov – Nelidovo

One of the cavalry units building up west of Andreapol had come too close to the German lines.  102.ID launched a swift attack and destroyed 9^th Cavalry Division.  Four divisions remain, however.

A few units move north of Nelidovo, but no action.

Vyazma

Another fort in the line west of Vyazma fell and its garrison was lost with it.  The slow advance also saw the destruction of 222^nd Strelkovaya directly east of Smolensk.

127^th Tank Brigade, which was not prepared for combat, was quickly reduced to a group of wrecked vehicles by the panzers of 19^th PzD as they resumed the push from Spas Demyansk.  Next was 5^th NKVD divsion which proved much tougher.  19^th Aufklärung Bn was lost in the fighting but the Axis achieved the destruction of the elite unit. 

Bryansk – Kursk

German infantry still crept forward from Bryansk, keeping the supply lines to the fleeing Russians under pressure.  A tank battalion from Orel occupied the Karachev airbase, making sure no further emergency airlifts could be carried out.

Rail conversion swung north from L’Gov, heading towards Bryansk.

Poltava – Zaporezh’e

98^th NKVD Border Regiment, now alone in Krasnograd, was easily destroyed and the city captured.  A large quantity of rolling stock was found, enough to transport 400 tonnes of supplies to the front.

The main attack in this area, however, was west of Zaporezh’e.  A strong Soviet force had crossed the Dneipr and could have moved on the railway gangs which were pushing European gauge east.  Following air and artillery barrages, German armour and infantry were able to destroy both 58^th Tank Bn and 164^th Rifle Division, not allowing a single soldier to make it back across the river.  Wary of Russian counter-attacks, the victorious troops pulled back from the river.

Kherson

Still unable to risk any offensive action, the Axis strengthened the river defence lines and prepared to defend the river crossing at Novaya Kakhovka.  All that could be done now was to hold tight and wait for reinforcements.

Supply:                 Axis rec’d                            12 SP

                              Axis used                            10.1 SP

                              Soviet used                        2.1 SP

Dead Units

Axis                    3(5)8                                      19^th Aufklärung BN, 19^th PzD

Soviet                4(2)4                                      58^th Tank Bn

                          4(1)5                                      127^th Light Tank Brigade

                          2 x 12(2)2                             164^th, 222^nd Strelkovaya Div

                         11(1)1                                   2^nd Strelkovaya Div

                         7(3)4                                      9^th Cavalry Division

                         (2)(4)3                                  98^th NKVD Border Reg’t

                         8(3)3                                      5^th NKVD Division

Air Losses                                            Nil