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)