29-31 October (Soviet)

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

29^th to 31^st October 1941

Weather dr = 5 so LIGHT MUD/DRY                         Air Conditions DR = 5,2 so NORMAL

Initiative:             Axis 5,5                                                 Soviet 2,2

Axis kindly allows Russians first use of the mud.

Replacement DR = 5,2 (-1) so 1 FTR, 2 (+1) Pax,  1 Eq

Soviets rebuild 28^th Tank Brigade and 40^th Cavalry Division

Supply DR = 7,1 so 22 + 1 SP

Andreapov – Nelidovo

In a threatening move, four Soviet cavalry divisions swept north-west from Andreapol.  In combination with the large number of infantry present, the road west to Velikiye Luki is in real danger.

Vyazma – Sukhinichi

Intelligence identified a prime target: an area packed with supply trucks.  Soviet artillery failed yet again, and the commanders had to call on emergency supplies to carry out another barrage.  This was far more accurate and 275^th Flak Bn was destroyed.   That was the end of the good news as 205^th Tank Brigade was lost in the subsequent attack.    The trucks and a HQ (with the armour unit that had held off the Russians) were able to pull back unscathed.

An attack near Yukhnov started off just as badly as some Sturmoviks were intercepted and shot down carrying out a bombing mission.  Here, however, the artillery stepped into the breach, killing thousands of men of 197.ID and preparing the way for the assault.  The German broke under the pressure and ran.  Three quarters of the unit’s troops were casualties.

Bryansk

Some Il-4s were lost carrying out interdiction near Bryansk, but transport aircraft were able to land 200 tonnes of supplies at the isolated airbase at Karachev.  The men of 132^nd Strelkovaya were saved from making the choice to breakout or surrender.

Poltava – Zaporezh’e

Some movement north out of Khark’ov took place, but the loss of SB-2 bombers and the failure of the artillery yet again led to a stand-off at Zaporezh’e.

Kherson  (no photo due to yet another administrative breakdown at OKH)

For the loss of some Stukas, the Luftwaffe was able to destroy what remained of the once proud 23th Strelkovaya.  This did not dissuade the Red Army.  Close to the coast, a security division was eliminated by Soviet infantry, although the nebelwerfer unit is guarded was able to flee.  (This unit has led a charmed life).   An attack up the road to Kherson destroyed a German division, 50.ID, but the attackers had to retreat to recover.

Supply:                 Soviet rec’d        23 SP

                              Soviet used        21.1 SP

                              Axis used             1.1 SP

Dead Units

Axis                                         (7)(4)3                  271^st Flak Bn

                                                6(3)2                      213rd Security Div

                                                20(4)3                   50.ID

Soviet                                        4(2)5                      205^th Tank Brigade

                                                13(3)3                   25^th Strelkovaya

Air Losses

Axis                                        Bomber                  Ju 87B (Flak)

               

Soviet                                      Bomber                Il-2

                                                                            Il-4 (Flak)