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