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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Oops, sorry :o I shouldn't post late at night!
Brian |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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KG Krafft, 5 June, 1942 - Afrika Korps
Repair, resupply, and reorganization: Replacement vehicles finally arrive, all panzer platoon leaders (excepting platoon D) now have PzKw IIIL model panzers and the /1 panzers are all PzKw IIIj/1's giving two panzers in each of the main panzer platoons with the 50L60 long barrel 5cm guns (and incidently, smoke dischargers). Situation: For nearly two weeks, Rommel's forces have been trapped in "the Cauldron" between an extensive minefield and stiff British resistance. A few days ago a corridor was opened for resupply, splitting the Allied front in half. Early in the afternoon, Rommel issues orders to resume the attack. KG Krafft's operational area is the "Knightsbridge box", a generally open sandy region with numerous hills topped by rocky outcroppings. Numerous sand dunes are present however there are also a few windswept areas of packed earth as well as an east/west road running through the area about three quarters a kilometer from the southern edge of the area. [Assault mission, visibility 57, length 47, standard victory hexes, 100x100 map size] Orders: Launch an assault against the "Knightsbridge box", destroy the enemy defenders and sieze control of the area. Attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the operation is the II battalion of the 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment. Primary artillery support will be provided by the I battalion of the 33rd Artillery Regiment (10.5cm) with Korps providing one captured 25pdr battery for counterbattery and smoke only (limited ammo). Luftwaffe is able to provide four Bf 109E-7's and four Bf110E-2's for tactical airstrikes. Battle Plan: The initial axis of attack is west to east one kilometer north of the southern edge of the area. The panzergrenadier battalion will lead the advance two up with the third company held in ready reserve. The panzer company will follow and provide direct fire support. Upon reaching the southernmost objective area, the axis of attack will change becoming south to north towards the center of the northern objective areas. Execution: KG Krafft kicked off the assault with artillery strikes on likely AAA positions followed by an all out airstrike of eight planes. The airstrike resulted in one Grant tank destroyed and a small number of infantry units destroyed, decimated, and/or routed. British also fired interdictory missions from four 25pdr troops but with no casualties resulting. Artillery and airstrikes continue to pound the British defenses as KG Kraft advances. At the 15 minute mark, Oberstlt Krafft gives the wind up order and the mechanized and motorized portions of the kampfgruppe prepare to move out. On the next pass of the Luftwaffe one Bf109 strays too far north and is nearly shot down by Bofors 40mm AAA fire, the pilot coaxes the badly damaged airplane towards the nearest friendly airbase. The sIG33's, having shifted firing positions, are given a new mission to bombard infantry positions spotted by the Luftwaffe pilots. The Luftwaffe, as usual, refuse to follow ground guidance and intent on avenging their crippled comrade, find two of the AAA positions, destroying one of the Bofors and damaging the other. The previous fire mission for the sIG33's is cancelled and they are given a new one to knock out the remaining AAA position. Enemy artillery fire comes uncomfortably close to KG Krafft's SdKfz 10/4's and, while undamaged, they are forced to reposition. Platoon T of S company is fired upon by a dugin infantry squad. A torrent of long range machinegun and 5cm cannon fire together with fire from the nearby platoon U of S company quickly suppress the enemy unit. Mortar fire is plotted just in case and the 10.5cm batteries of the supporting artillery battalion are retasked to fire smoke to mask off the enemy front line from rearward support elements. Within minutes the solitary British infantry squad near the road is routed. Another airstrike, this time a Bf109 and a Bf110 are damaged but the second known AAA position is knocked out of commission. A second infantry squad is encountered, about 250 meters east of the first one, and yet another fires but remains unspotted. The lead British squad has been eliminated and the second routed as the advance continues. The sIG33's are being reloaded so the 8cm mortars are given instructions to shift fire towards the second position further east. A smoke mission is called on the secondary obscuration targets about 500 meters east of the first obscuration targets. Two more squads are spotted as the second of the first two encountered routs. Both are in reverse slope positions that render them immune to long range direct fire except from very narrow angles. Fortunately a few machineguns of the panzergrenadier battalion found themselves in one of those narrow arcs. Given the restricted vision into the surrounding area, forward observers were having a tough time getting the mortars to shift fire onto those new targets so the sIG33's, despite not having completed reload, were once again given the mission. Mines were spotted on the road and just as the pioniers attached to the panzergrenadier battalion arrived to remove them, enemy artillery began falling. Fortunately the enemy spread out its fire missions to a number of other spots as well, only one of which resulted in any damage (a disabled truck). Still the enemy artillery failed to stop the advance, supported by the panzer company, the lead elements of the panzergrenadier battalion overran the British platoon protecting the road. As the engineers cleared the road of mines, the advance continues and artillery fire is called in on suspected enemy positions near the southern objective area. Just as the advance is starting to pick up speed, another, much more extensive, minefield is detected (in one case stumbled upon). The mechanized pionier platoon is ordered forward just in case the minefield proves deeper than anticipated. Time is not yet a factor, but at nearly an hour and a half into the battle, the deadline is two and a half hours away and the plan doesn't allow for too much wasted time. Of course, the British pick that moment to begin raining artillery down on the troops near the road and the minefield. Oberstlt Krafft curses the designer of the Knightsbridge box minefields, just when you think you've penetrated them, you run into another batch. Time is beginning to become a factor as the 10.5cm batteries are running low on ammo and most of the Luftwaffe aircraft have returned to base either out of ammo or too damaged to risk continuing. Two hours in to the battle, KG Krafft is still 500 meters short of the first phase objective. Enemy artillery continues to play a minor role in the delay, but of far more importance are the multilayered and random minefields being encountered. Using long range machinegun fire to suppress squads and smoke to separate them from their support, the panzergrenadier battalion closes in towards the first objective area, overrunning two more British infantry squads on their approach. A sniper opens up on the advancing panzergrenadiers but liberal spraying of machinegun fire in the sniper's vicinity soon flushed him out and direct fire from a 5cm mortar battery finished him off. While 25 pounder troops unleash shells on the reargaurd of the advance causing some halts and rerouting of traffic, the British have a colossal turn of bad luck when they launch a counterattack right in to the teeth of the advance. A new, never before encountered, size of ATG has fired upon one of our panzers, fortunately it missed. It appears about the same size as our 50L60 PaK 5, perhaps a bit larger, this does not bode well. The 10.5cm batteries report HE ammo nearly exhausted and no more smoke shells available. The sIG33's still have over 50% remaining after last resupply, the 8cm mortars have been fully restocked, and the 7.5cm IGs are currently being resupplied. A pair of Honey tanks launched a brief counter attack from the north, they managed to destroy one halftrack before being destroyed. A troop of Grant tanks with accompanying infantry has been spotted in the north, it is headed west, presumeably to attack our rear area. Of course, there's nothing there to be attacked. A Bofors AAA position in the north has been destroyed and the only spotted 6pdr ATG has been damaged, it is also under mortar bombardment. The southern objective area has been secured and a little over one hour remains to capture the two northern objective areas, Oberstlt Krafft orders the commitment of the reserve panzergrenadier company. Enemy artillery falls among a group of machineguns but, as they have not been moving for awhile, there were no immediate casualties. The G3 panzer was lost to 6pdr fire from an unspotted gun. A pair of Lee tanks are spotted coming down from the far north and the Grant tanks have reversed course, now heading generally in the direction of the southern objective area. A previously unspotted Bofors 40mm gun just east of the northeastern objective causes major damage to the G4 panzer. The G1 panzer destroys the gun with its second shot. The G2 panzer is lost with all hands to a 6pdr ATG located near the northwestern objective area. The G1 panzer destroys another Grant tank and destroys another Bofors 40mm gun. The G0 panzer is heavily damaged by ATG fire and is forced to withdraw. A 6pdr ATG located within the northeastern objective area fires upon and destroys the E3 panzer, it also heavily damages the E4 panzer which is forced to withdraw. There are three Lee tanks advancing south just west of the northeastern objective area and there are at least two squads of infantry supported by an immobilized Grant covering the northwestern objective area. Time is running out, less than an hour remains. Panzer platoon F takes the Lee tanks under fire, destroying two with the help of the command panzers and then the F3 panzer advances and kills the last Lee tank. With half an hour remaining, the D1 panzer is brewed up by a Bofors 40mm AA-gun that was hiding in the area of the northwestern objective. From the far north, a Matilda II is spotted advancing towards the northeast objective area. A troublesome Vickers HMG squad in the north continues to catch the occasional unwary squad during movement with a burst of deadly fire. The reserve panzergrenadier company (Y) rode its Opel trucks within a few hundred meters of the northwestern objective area using smoke from nearby units to cover the path. Having disembarked, they are advancing on that objective. The northeast objective area is being secured by the KG's pionier (gep) platoon with support from panzer platoon D. Company Y stumbled upon a group of three bunkers just south of the northwestern objective area, fortunately they were facing west and the nearest was quickly destroyed with grenade bundles. The Matilda II, hit with a blizzard of 5cm AP rounds, popped smoke. A few minutes later, the Matilda emerged from the smoke screen only to find itself at short range to a half dozen 5cm barrels, the surprise was short. Panzergrenadiers destroyed the bunkers near the northwest objective area while panzers and artillery supressed the Vickers machineguns. Three pillboxes were discovered northeast of the northeastern objective area and to their east, the British headquarters. Within ten minutes, the pioniers had destroyed all three pillboxes and the British headquarters surrendered to panzer platoon D. Another 6pdr ATG was discovered just west of the northwest objective area, it was destroyed by panzergrenadiers. With ten minutes left, the northwestern and northeastern objective areas were declared secure. Oberstlt Krafft radioed in the 'all clear' message and KG Krafft went into hasty defensive positions awaiting further orders. Decisive victory, KG Krafft! Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :) |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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KG Krafft, 26 August, 1942 - Eastern Front
Reorganization: KG Krafft has undergone a radical change. Due to political backstabbing by an old nemesis Oberstlt Krafft is initially reassigned to an infantry battalion on the Eastern Front. However, this order is intercepted and changed due to friends of Krafft within the Heer, and he finds himself in Juterbog taking command of a replacement assault gun batterie and assigned to Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 667 but detached to 1st Panzer Division, XXXIX Panzer Group, 9th Army, Army Group Center. With the assistance of Rommel's chief of staff, some of the members of his old unit who were rotating out currently (or had rotated out recently) for health reasons (Africa's climate was rather rough on germans of more nordic stock) cross trained into his new unit. In effect, his panzer company calved an assualt gun battery. The resulting TOE with attachments from Army/Corps/Division ends up as: * 1x SdKfz 250/12 observation vehicle * 1x StuG IIIf/8 command vehicle * 3x StuG platoons each with: ** 2x StuG IIIf/8 ** 1x SdKfz 250/1 (halftrack plus cannister provides upgrade path from 2x StuGs to 3x Stugs) ** 1x Ammo Cannister * 1x IG section with: ** 2x sIG Ib ** 2x SdKfz 250/6 * 1x AAA section with: ** 2x SdKfz 7/1 FlaK * 1x Sturmpioniere platoon gepanzart with: ** 3x Sturmpioniere ** 1x SturmPio(flam) ** 1x Pionier LMG ** 5x SdKfz 251/1 * 1x mechanized scout section with: ** 2x SdKfz 250/10 ** 2x Spaehtrupp Additionally, the core may be temporarily expanded from time to time with a panzergrenadier company. Situation: His units had barely been detrained than orders came down from XXXIX Panzer Group, KG Krafft was thrown in to replace a panzer company that was responsible for stiffening the defense of the frontlines in a lightly wooded area of broken terrain with a road intersection between a secondary road running east-west about one kilometer north of the southern edge of the area and another secondary road running north south nearly two kilometers from the western edge of the area. Orders: Reinforce the Panzergrenadier company and hold the area against any Russian breakthrough attempts. No artillery assets other than KG Krafft itself are available. Luftwaffe will be providing intermittent overflights of the area with an observation plane. [Delay mission, visibility 22, length 38, standard victory hexes, map size 80x80] Battle Plan: The panzergrenadiers will deploy in two up formation making as much use as possible of the terrain. The heavy weapons will deploy so as to overlook the clearing containing the southern objective and the intersection. StuG platoons will deploy in concealed positions with ammo carriers 300 meters or so to the west. Platoon D will cover the north flank, platoon E will support the center, and platoon F will cover the south flank. The scout section will deploy to the far north against the possibility of an outflanking attempt there. The basic plan is, don't let the Russian infantry get into the woods containing the northern and central objective areas. If by some mischance they do, it will fall to the sturmpionieres to eject them. Execution: All was quiet until the Storch passed overhead, then the sounds of AAA were heard, at least three guns. The pilot reported enemy armor moving west along the road in reinforced company strength, mostly T-60's and T-26's but at least one OT-34. There is a calvary screen ahead of the armor and at least a company of infantry accompanying it. A half a kilometer north of that force is another smaller one headed cross country, it looks to be a company of infantry supported by at least three T-28e M1939 tanks. Oberstlt Krafft immediately calls for interdiction fire from the sIGs upon receiving the pilot's report. The pilot ended transmission abruptly in and was last seen leaving the area trailing a bit of smoke. In the far north, scouts report a group of three BA-10 armored cars moving west at full speed. After allowing them to approach to within a few hundred meters, the two SdKfz 250/10's of the scout section drive up out of the gully and engage, killing two of the BA-10's with only a few shots each before driving back into the gully and out of sight. A few minutes later the last of the three BA-10's is destroyed. In the south, the T-60's advance past the intersection, platoons E and F, with the aid of the batterie commander, perform popup maneuvers destroying three of the enemy tanks. Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon D to procede south along the road and reinforce platoon E. Panzergrenadier platoon N and the machineguns of the heavy weapons platoon begin long range fire at desant teams on the road. Oberstlt Krafft calls for 8cm mortar fire to assist the sIG's in interdicting reinforcements. With platoon D arriving to reinforce, the StuG batterie quits playing hide and seek and procedes to slaughter nearly a dozen T-60's. Desant teams all along the road are in retreat or rout. Over the next few minutes the kill count climbs and includes BA-10's, T-26's, OT-34's, and T-28e's. The only warning note is the large numbers of artillery that the enemy is beginning to bring to bear. Thus far the enemy infantry advance hasn't been too steady, most squads are routing at the near passage of a bullet. One bit of bad news though, the truck that was going to be used to haul the 8cm mortar team to a resupply point was destroyed by incoming artillery. The sIG Ib's are in the process of being resupplied, and the StuG batterie is taking advantage of a short lull in armor concentration to send one vehicle from each platoon to its resupply point. The N1 squad of the southern platoon routed, a StuG fired a smoke round to block enemy los to them so they should rally soon. The southern 'redoubt' platoon has taken nearly all the heat so far. Relief is on the way though, platoon F is shifting positions to north of the road, this should free up D and E to engage the enemy infantry head on and the sIG's will resume firing very soon. Enemy artillery is becoming a factor, there's no safe place across the entire front, mortars, howitzers, and entire batteries firing all over. A bit over an hour now since the first enemy units were spotted and its become an artillery slugfest on both sides. Platoon N's position in the south has really become untenable, so much incoming that they are all in rout, the only thing saving them is that all enemy in range is also routed. Resupply units have been ordered to withdraw further to the west, they are too vulnerable to artillery and too valueable to risk. The batterie commander's StuG was the first one to suffer damage, it lost it's main gun and is being withdrawn. Platoons E and F are swapping positions so that E platoon can begin resupply. Just over an hour and a half since the beginning of the battle and although we haven't given much ground yet, one strong position has been abandoned, the sIGs are out of ammo and beginning resupply, the 8cm mortars are too low on ammo to do much than cover their own sector, and most of the StuG's have run out of HE ammo. Enemy artillery is slowing down the resupply process for the StuG's and degrading the remaining infantry position's ability to prevent the central russian infantry mob from advancing. The only advantage to the mob advancing is that only a small repositioning is needed to bring the panzergrenadier company's machineguns to bear from the southwest. At the two hour point, the sIGs are back in business and the tide is once again ebbing. A mammoth of a tank, a KV-1 was spotted northeast of the intersection but it was too busy trying to get away to pose a threat. The sIG storm passed once again, leaving a broken scattering of squads in the place of an advancing mob. Still, the russians continued to rally and return, and occasionally a tank or two would try its luck. Finally, a little more than three hours after the first shots were fired, the Russians called it quits. Decisive victory, KG Krafft! Game Notes: This terrain was perfect for this mission with the given forces, well perfect for KG Krafft, quite lousy for the Russians. Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :) |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
These all are nicely written. There is a bit of a flair in the writing and they provide nice detail. There is also a nice flow in the story telling.
Well done! |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Im enjoying reading this. Im playing a long German game myself and its giving me a few ideas and getting the mind going.
How many battles did you set for the campaign Brian? |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Thanks to both of you :) I *think* I set the number of battles to 60... but.. I might have lost my mind and set it to 80. I've forgotten! :D I haven't had time to do the next battle yet, hopefully before next weekend.
Thanks again, Brian |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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KG Krafft, 27 August, 1942 - Eastern Front
Resupply: ammo stocks only, no time for replacements or repairs. Situation: The defeat of the Russian advance in the previous battle opens up an opportunity for KG Krafft. If the Russians are successfully attacked before they have a chance to reinforce, this area of the front might be made much more stable for the Germans. The Russians have fallen back to an area that is roughly flat but with numerous gullies and a few stands of woods. There are two roads in this area, one runs east west about a kilometer south of the northern edge, the other runs northwest/southeast leaving the area in the centers of the northern and eastern edges. the two roads intersect about one and a half kilometers from the eastern edge. To the east-southeast of the intersection is a stand of woods covering most of two objective areas. The third objective area lays in the open a kilometer and a half south and a few hundred meters east of the intersection. [Advance special mission, visibility 22, length 43, standard victory hexes, map size 80x80] Orders: KG Krafft is to eject the Russians from the area, securing it for follow-on forces. One company of motorized panzergrenadiers is attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the operation. Corps is providing counterbattery coverage which covers the area (17cm K18 battery), this battery is *not* available for fire missions. Battle Plan: Attack group 1 will be comprised of StuG platoon F and panzergrenadier platoon N; it will advance towards the intersection along the road, drawing the enemy's attention and pinning the northern enemy force in place. Attack group 2 will be comprised of the remainder of the force. Panzergrenadier platoon L will ride the StuGs of platoons D and E during the initial approach. Using woods and gullies for cover, AG2 will advance in the far south deep into the enemy rear areas. AG2 will delay dismounting as long as possible, preferably dismount location is in the gullies to the south and southeast of the southern objective. After dismount advance with panzergrenadiers in the lead using two up formation supported by StuGs, secure the southern objective area and then advance north taking the remaining two objective areas from the south/south-east. Sturmpioniers will be held in reserve. Execution: Roughly twenty minutes into the operation, a Maxim HMG squad opens up on squad N2 in the north. The StuGs of platoon F move into firing positions and send the HMG squad packing, heading east in full rout. In the south, the lead spaehtrupp climbs up out of the gully and immediately spots a rifle section two hundred meters to the northeast and an AOP truck 600 meters east-northeast. The spaehtrupp freezes in position and passes word back for platoon D to advance. Game note: this is the tricky part, the southern force cannot bypass the rifle section or AOP truck due to their positions but must not engage them until the enemy is fully occupied with the northern feint lest artillery be drawn down on the soft vehicles following in the south. Another HMG squad opens up on squad N2 in the north but this one is hard to spot. The StuGs of platoon F advance closer to the suspected firing position and squad N2 draws fire from the HMG once more. StuG F1 spots the HMG and opens fire, joined shortly by F0, they manage to pin the HMG but it is located in the edge of the woods and doesn't rout easily. Squads N1 and N2 advance into the next gully taking cover from the HMG. In the south, the StuG's advance carefully staying out of los of the spotted enemy units and a fire mission is called in to the sIGs to suppress the rifle section. With a bit of luck, it may be possible for dismounted infantry to deal with the enemy blocking the southern passage without the accompanying StuGs drawing attention to themselves. The second spaehtrupp unit quietly moves into position and spots three more rifle sections near the first. Up north the StuG's finally machinegun the HMG into retreat and platoon N advances. In the south, the force awaits the arrival of the 15cm rounds. The enemy takes the bait and mortar fire falls near the northern StuGs, additional mortar and local artillery fire at phantom targets in the center. The first 15cm rounds fall too far south and an adjustment is quickly called in. The remaining HMG in the north is finally put to rout, the path seems clear to the westernmost objective area. However AG1 soon discovers two rifle sections south of their position, delaying any possible move towards the objective area. One rifle section in the south is routed by 15cm fire, a followup mission is called, Oberstlt Krafft is in no hurry at the moment. Up north, AG1 continues to exert slow steady pressure on the enemy and two rifle sections are routed. The sIG fire mission in the south is closer to being on target this time and only a small adjustment is required. After the adjusted fire arrives, the scout vehicles engage the AOP truck, destroying it with a few shots and the StuGs advance to firing positions and put the southern enemy infantry platoon in retreat. Panzergrenadier platoon L begins to advance to put the enemy to rout and all hell breaks loose. At least two more platoons in supporting positions north of the retreating platoon fire on the panzergrenadiers bringing the entire operation into jeopardy. Platoon L pops smoke and the lead trucks of platoon M make a mad dash eastward to gain the next gully. They make it without coming under fire and a new plan is formulated on the spot, to use smoke to mask the soft vehicle's advance while the StuGs and platoon L deal with the enemy infantry. In the north, things are much smoother, AG1 is meeting very little opposition. Just when they start to relax, a 76.2mm ATG opens up and causes a bit of panic though no damage. The panzergrenadiers of AG1 begin to advance on the ATG position only to be fired upon by the first HMG that has now rallied. It is sent back into rout by a StuG and both of the northern StuGs hide in the nearest gullies. The southern advance continues, though at substantially greater risk than planned. A hidden T-26 fires on StuG D0, it pops smoke while E1 returns fire. No damage to either D0 or the T-26, until E1 fires two more shots and destroys the T-26. The sIGs have relocated to new firing positions and are given a fire mission targeting the ATG that fired upon AG1 earlier. The northern force continues to make small advances but the StuG's are running low on HE and need to reload before pushing further. Just past the one hour mark, Russian artillery hits far too close for comfort both in the north and south, in the north one squad is routed requiring a StuG to fire smoke rounds to mask the squad from direct enemy fire. In the south, a truck was destroyed but no other losses occurred, at least initially. After the bombardment, things quieted down for a moment. The last volley from the sIGs before relocating forced the crew of the ATG to abandon it. In the north the infantry hunkered down while the StuGs were resupplied, and in the south, the advance through the gully resumed. As the southern force maneuvered through the gullies, largely unseen by the enemy (hopefully), enemy artillery resumed firing and this time concentrated mostly on the northern positions. No casualties resulted as the northern infantry was staying put for the moment. Continuing artillery fire makes further advance of soft vehicles, even via the gully route, inadvisable. Panzergrenadier platoon M, having reached a position 600 meters southeast of the southern objective area, spots a pair of T-26 M1939 tanks between them and the objective area. The StuGs of platoon E make short work of the northernmost tank of the pair but cannot get los to the remaining T-26. Artillery fire continues to keep panzergrenadier platoon N pinned down in the north, however the situation is even worse for panzergrenadier platoon L in the south as continued incoming artillery causes the L3 squad to rout. Oberstlt Krafft orders the pioniers to advance using a more southerly gully, with platoon L out of the picture, the pioniers will need to take up the slack. A further bit of maneuvering allows StuG E1 to fire upon the second T-26 near the southern objective area, two shots and a shell penetrates, knocking out that obstacle. StuG platoon F finishes resupply in the north and the advance there resumes, engaging an enemy infantry squad in the northwestern objective area. The StuGs of E platoon in the south begin their resupply as all southern StuGs have run out of HE ammo. Panzergrenadier platoon L is on the move again, squad L3 having rallied, the platoon is currently escorting the sIG Ib's eastward through the southern gully. The southern advance seems to have caught the Russians flatfooted, enemy infantry squads are moving in all directions even when not under fire. The MG34s of the panzergrenadier company, supported by StuGs from platoon D, take advantage of this situation and procede to encourage Russian units to choose westward movement. Panzergrenadier platoon M advances by bounds towards the southern objective area. A 76.2mm ATG just northeast of the southern objective area fires on StuG F1 but inflicts no damage. The MG34s of the panzergrenadier company engage the ATG at long range from behind, inflicting casualties among the crew and the ATG is then destroyed by a single shot of 7.5cm HE from StuG F1. Panzergrenadier platoon N advances and flushes out a 37mm AA-gun which is promptly destroyed with assistance from StuG F0. Another pair of T-26 tanks are spotted far to the east of the southern objective, the southernmost of the pair is destroyed by fire from StuG E0 as it emerged from the gully after resupply. Two more ATGs are spotted northeast of the southern objective area when they open fire on StuG E0, which promptly pops smoke avoiding damage. With the help of panzergrenadier platoon M and the SdKfz 250/10's of the scout section, the StuGs of platoon E and section C not only put an end to the two ATGs but also destroy the remaining T-26 to their east. The northern group continues to slowly advance on the northwestern objective area, a Russian sniper brings progress to a halt for a moment. The advancing pioniers discover a Russian AAA park and the accompanying StuGs proceeded to dismantle them with 7.5cm HE. Another T-26 was discovered nearby hiding in a gully. Pioniers, under cover of smoke, are advancing on it as StuGs maneuver for a flank shot. One hour left to go, time is getting short but the plan has, more or less, gone unexpectedly well. The northern group is poised to seize the northwestern objective area, panzergrenadiers in the south are advancing steadily on the southern objective area with assistance from sIG Ib's and StuG's. The question of the hour is, will the northeastern objective area be too heavily defended to overrun in the time remaining? StuG E1 is hit by a hidden ATG, the tank is destroyed but the crew survives. The pionier platoon overruns the Soviet HQ and engages with SMG fire at short range, the Soviet HQ ceases to exist. All objective areas under control except for the northeastern one, the pionier platoon will attempt to advance upon it. The pionier platoon runs into a nest of interlocking 47mm ATG positions, though a halftrack is lost, the platoon destroys the ATGs and secures the northeastern objective area. The Russian forces made a heroic effort to regain the southern objective area, it was hard at times to pick out units which were firing from those which were just running east. Finally the combination of sIG Ib fire and the advance of panzergrenadier platoon L broke the counterattack. Decisive victory, KG Krafft! Game notes: this was a tough fight despite the use of gullies as 'protected' infiltration routes. The StuGs run dry on HE rounds very quickly and it can be rough to decide when to use them and when not to. Frequent resupply is necessary! Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :) Brian |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Battle #30 is coming up, its a defend battle with KG Krafft coming to the aid of an understrength Slovak battalion caught in the path of the Soviet hordes with no engineering support. (15 build points for trenches though - they did have shovels!)
I'm still figuring out a defense plan, I'm thinking of establishing a static defense with the Slovak forces (see attached picture). One company will deploy at position A the other at position B. Positions C and D will be the AT defenses with the one at C including an antitank ditch to force any vehicles to go off road. KG Krafft will enter at position E and eventually launch a counterattack along the path of the black line. I've attached the turn 0 save file so you can see the forces available as well as terrain details. I wouldn't mind some advice on this one - it looks hairy! Brian |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
I took a look and it does look like it will be complicated. With the objectives scattered, it will make holding them difficult. The infantry on both sides should be equally green, so your foxholes should help, but the Soviets will have numbers on your side. Much if this depends on whether or not you have it set up as AI Tank Heavy. If yes, you will probably face a battalion of infantry and somewhere between 1-2 battalions of armor. On the other hand if no, you will see about a battalion of tanks and at least two battalions of infantry. Your ammo situation in your StuGs could be a problem if the AI throws two battalions of infantry at you, because you don't have nearly enough HE to deal with them. The inexperience of the Soviet troops could help here, however.
In the defend I just fought, the AI seems to put most(90%+) of its units in one half of the map. It even did that in a test set-up with the numbers you expect to face. Your plan might work but you might also have to be flexible. If a major push comes in the northern half of the map, maybe your push east along the road with your core and have your allied infantry at B take the hill. You can also have them go to the hill if your core goes there as well. Another possibility would be have them move up to support the infantry in A. Once they get there they can double up in the foxholes. Also, unless things have changed in one of the patches, I've seen tanks go over the trenches. They pick their way through like infantry moves through dragon's teeth. Be prepard for the enemy to get tanks through, just in case. You will win or lose this battle based on what your core does or is capable of doing. Their capability should be well know to you, so that is the difference will be in this battle. Don't get them bogged down in a slug fest or the AI will zero in with artillery. An immobilized StuG doesn't make a good pill box. If they have been in position for more than four turns, think about moving them to some place else. Move forward, move back, just don't stay in the same spot. Expect the AI to field something along the lines of two battalions of artillery, more or less. Strike aircraft aren't likely, so deploy your AA guns to engage light tanks and infantry. If you have the CD version, use the filter option or at the very least cut the range down to self defense so you can control what they shoot at. Them firing at at T-34 just makes for a mad enemy tank. No matter what you do, you are going to have a very difficult battle on your hands. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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With scattered victory hexes I won't even try to hold the southern ones. I'd probably have been better off if I'd have set AI tank heavy but I didn't so I expect you're right about the infantry hordes. I'm going to have to keep a third of my StuG's resupplying most of the time.
I'm thinking of putting a fire trench up on the hill in position A, if I can find the right los, I could use them as fall back positions for a forward deployed infantry company and could send my sturmpioniers in to make local counterattacks around them. I'm hoping the timing on any mass armor advance along the road will be such that the StuGs can support the ATGs, so a temporary halt or immobilization will work fine. I'm hoping some will get stuck in the mud there too. Anyhow, all set up now, crossing fingers :) Thanks for the helpful advice and comment! Brian PS: here's what the final starting setup looks like |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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KG Krafft, 31 August, 1942 - Eastern Front
Resupply and repair: all units resupplied and repaired. Situation: No rest for the weary, a nearby section of the front is held by an ally, a Slovak infantry division. Unfortunately transportation delays have delayed their full deployment and now the Russians are bearing down on a badly understrength battalion trying to hold down a regiment's worth of front. To make matters worse, the same transportation foulup has kept their supporting artillery from being resupplied. The section of the front is a hilly area with large stands of woods and equally large clearings. The northern hill has quite a few areas of mud along its approaches, including on both sides of the east-west road just north of the hill. While the Slovak battalion has no engineers, thus no mines, barbed wire, or improved fortifications, they do have shovels and their commander put them to good use. There is an anti-tank trench cutting the east-west road and a small clearing just to the south, also they have prepared a firetrench atop the northern hill as a fallback position. Game note: I shifted the position of some of the Slovak units a bit, with the idea firing once at max range and then falling back to prepared positions, as well as keeping the companies together as much as possible. Orders: KG Krafft is ordered to reinforce the Slovak defenses and support any necessary local counterattacks to prevent a Soviet breakthrough in this area of the front. The only artillery unit in range is a K 18 counterbattery unit that will provide support as necessary in this emergency. Battle Plan: The Slovak battalion has prepared its defenses prior to the arrival of KG Krafft. One company (company K) is deployed in forward positions on the eastern slope of the northern hill. The second company (company Q) is deployed in the woods southwest of company K providing flank coverage. The Slovak battalion has two adhoc antitank groups, each with two 4.7cm ATGs, two 2cm AAAs, two ATR units, and two tank hunter teams. The group attached to company K is deployed covering the northern flank, including the road and antitank ditches. The second group is deployed in the gap between the northern hill and its southwestern neighbor providing coverage on the southern flank. Both companies have deployed their machineguns to support the antitank groups. The Slovak battalion also has a mortar platoon and, surprisingly enough, two wagonloads of ammunition. The Slovak defenses anticipate the major point of enemy effort to be in obtaining the northern hill and as such are prepared to fall back onto the hilltop prepared defenses until such time as a counterattack can be mounted. KG Krafft will secure the open area in the south and prepare to conduct any necessary counterattacks to the north. One platoon of StuGs (platoon D) will reinforce the northern Slovak antitank group during the first wave of the attack. A fire support group will operate east of the Slovak positions, comprised of the sIG Ib's, their ammunition carriers, and the SPAA section for defense. Execution: No sooner has KG Krafft arrived in the area than the Russian artillery begins to fall in copious amounts of 152mm and 122mm shells all around, and in a few cases, upon, the Slovak defenses. Counterbattery fire from the K 18 batterie reportedly falls on one of the 152mm batteries. The Slovak troops hold up fairly well under the fire and order is soon restored to most units. A pair of T-34/76 M1941's carrying Gaurds engineers advanced along the road until they met the guns of StuG platoon E. A T-34/76 M1942 is spotted heading cross country towards the northeast face of the north hill, another is spotted moving northwest on the road possibly following the first. A pair of armored cars and a platoon of T-60 tanks are operating on the approaches to the southeast face of the north hill. Another pair of T-34/76 M1941's is spotted in the far south. Squads from infantry platoons M and N fire upon the T-60's at extreme range to dislodge their riders and then begin to withdraw to secondary positions. In the north, StuG's of platoon E claim another victim, but at least two more are lined up awaiting treatment. The T-60 advance is flanked on the south by a couple troops of calvary. Further to the south, another group of T-60's is operating with support from at least two T-34s. A trio of BA-64's is operating in the open southeast of company Q's hill. Two more T-34's in the north explode under 7.5cm gun fire from the StuGs there, while to the southwest of the north hill, an ATR and tankhunter team join forces to destroy a nosy BA-10 armored car. Company K continues to refuse engagement, firing only when safe, and withdrawing westward after firing. A fire mission called on the path of the northernmost T-60 advance is reinforced with sIG Ib fire now that the road looks to be clear. A trio of T-34s advance into the woods, one is destroyed by close assault as the Slovak infantry continues its hit and run withdraw to the fire trench. StuG platoon E heads south to join the rest of the batterie as its work in the north seems complete. The SdKfz 250/10's of the recon platoon destroy a pair of BA-64's before the Soviet armored cars can spot the main body. Two more T-34s are destroyed by close assaults from the plucky Slovak infantry. A T-60 is also destroyed but another two survive. In the south, KG Krafft claims three T-34's, a T-60, and a BA-64 as it swings into open field action. The T-60's in the forest are proving a bit rough for the infantry to handle so the southern tankhunter teams are moving northeast to assist. Platoon S of company Q destroys two T-34's with close assaults and damage a third. A T-60 is destroyed by a southern antitank group 4.7cm ATG and its partner bounces a few rounds off of a nearby T-34. KG Krafft, on the prowl in the south, destroys one T-34 and damages another, as well as routing a Maxim HMG squad. All is not well however, although the K 18 battery continues to conduct counterbattery fire, the intensity of the Soviet bombardment is making life difficult for company K, delaying its withdraw to the fire trench. In a stroke of good fortune, the Soviet artillery shifts fire to the southern antitank group and the entire barrage falls short, right atop their own advancing tanks and infantry. A few more T-34s and T-60s are destroyed while the Axis troops take advantage of this opportunity. Oberstlt Krafft orders friendly artillery to shift positions and resupply. Despite the stalled advance due to friendly fire, the Soviets aren't through yet. A pair of KV-8s are seen in the south, and some artillery batteries continue to pound positions atop the northern hill causing no end of problems for company K. Still, an hour into the battle, Oberstlt Krafft cannot help becoming a little bit optimistic, while company K is having difficulties, company Q is in fine shape and the Soviets seem to have precious little armor left with which to threaten the StuGs. Company Q begins its counterattack, advancing eastward under cover of the StuG's. The pionier platoon of KG Krafft assists in the operation, sweeping the southern areas along with the recon platoon. A few Soviet tanks remain but are operating independantly and are being picked off one by one. The north hill is still a sticking point, but gradually most of company K has gained the protection of the fire trench while machinegun and indirect fire have whittled down the opposition. There are still at least two T-60 tanks operating on the hill which are no end of trouble but they seem to be as handicapped by the heavy Soviet bombardment as the Slovaks are. An hour and a half in and the counterattack in the south has been a success, there is still some enemy resistance and a second echelon infantry attack is incoming but overall the south looks to be in good shape. Company K holds the fire trench upon the north hill and not much else. A counterattack there would be possible except for the continual heavy bombardment. The second echelon infantry attack turns into a full scale company+ strength attack on the south flank. Although the StuGs rapidly run out of HE ammo, their machineguns are required to prevent a collapse and no time for reloads. The pionier platoon is thrown into the gap in the hopes of holding the line until the attack has slacked off and company Q can advance. Despite the best efforts of the K 18 batterie's repeated counterbattery fires, the rain of steel from the Soviet guns continues making troop redeployments hazardous at best and endangering vehicles on the south flank. On the north flank, three T-28e's and a platoon of infantry are advancing, repositioning of the ATGs there account for one T-28e. One of the remaining two braves the antitank ditch. Mortar fire was slowing down that advance but the Slovak mortars are out of ammo and are sent to resupply. An ATG in the north manages to immobilize one T-28e but in doing so leaves itself exposed to enemy fire. Two hours into the battle and the southern flank is stabilizing, whether it will hold once the StuGs and sturmpioniers withdraw is another matter. Unfortunately they are going to have to withdraw soon, not only are they in sore need of resupply but two platoons of infantry are about to outflank defenses to the north. The StuG batterie commander and platoon F which were operating in the south have to break off and head for resupply. The Slovak infantry platoon they were supporting is in full rout. The SdKfz 250/10's of the recon platoon are engaging the advancing Soviet infantry with long range fire. There is some hope though, the sturmpioniere platoon together with StuG platoons D and E have successfully pulled out of line and are redeploying to take the southern Soviet infantry in the flank. Slovak company K continues to hold on tooth and nail in the fire trench, the northern flanking movement by the enemy has thus far gone largely unchecked but sIG Ib's and SdKfz 7/1's of KG Krafft are racing towards long range firing positions from which they can hopefully slow down the advance. Soviet artillery fire continues to be heavy and 152mm batteries continue to pound company K. The K 18 batterie continues counter battery fire though company K found that hard to believe as they were subjected to increased levels of incoming fire. Under combined artillery and infantry attack, their hold even on the fire trench became tenuous. The south was a different story, the Soviet second echelon attack crumbled as the sturmpioniers and StuGs hit them in the flank. Three hours into the battle, with time running out, KG Krafft breaks off pursuit in the south and heads north in hopes of recovering at least some of the eastern positions on the north hill. Company K is losing the battle for the firetrench, the northern half of the trench has become a nomans land. All friendly artillery is called in to assist by fire missions on the enemy positions north of the firetrench. The remnants of company K hang on till the bitter end, reinforcements began to trickle in from company Q, enemy artillery began to slack off, and KG Krafft pushed up the eastern side of the north hill. It wasn't enough for complete victory as time ran out. Marginal victory, KG Krafft (whew)! Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :) Brian |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Well done, especially using inexperienced allies for most of your leg units :up:
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Yes, an inspired effort when units are so heavily engaged that supply becomes an issue. Fun reading too as the enemy gets to dish it out sometimes instead of just being a punching bag.
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
yeah also nice with the backstory.
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Very nice read:).
But i agree it would even be better if the AI had a chance other than being a turkey shoot every time. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Depending on how you play, campaign battles often can be turkey shoots, especially if the human player has the technology edge. Your reward for destroying 50 tanks in one battle of a campaign is likely to face 70 the next battle and so on. A major factor is how the AI uses it mechanized masses. Their vast phalanx of armor charges straight ahead and don't pause to say, "Hmmm...I'm losing tanks that way, so maybe I need to go a different direction." The player can start changing the settings, but you start losing one aspect of realism for the sake of another. I personally leave the settings along, because I don't like the idea of fighting a T-34/76B that acts more like a IS-2, but that is my opinion :)
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Problem with the AI is that it doesn't support its tanks. They move every unit at full speed, leaving the infantry behind.
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Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Oberstleutnant Krafft returns! :)
As usual of late, he gets stuck with a situation noone wants in a place noone has ever heard of. :D KG Krafft, 12 September, 1942 - Eastern Front Resupply and repair: all units resupplied and repaired. Situation: The remainder of the Slovak infantry division finally arrived as the Russians withdrew. According to Army Group intel, many Soviet units facing the Slovak positions are being withdrawn and redeployed to support operations near Stalingrad. While second line allied units are not normally used in offensive actions, the situation in this sector is developing into a favorable one for an exception to be made. If sucessful, Axis lines will be straightened enough to free up considerable units for offensive action elsewhere. However, Army Group intel missed a rear guard movement by some of the Soviet forces in the area and as KG Krafft together with a motorized company of Slovak infantry moved to secure staging areas for the forthcoming attack, they run into each other. [Meeting engagement, map 80x80, custom V-hexes, visibility 24, length 36] Orders: KG Krafft is ordered to assist a motorized Slovak infantry company in securing a staging area for a local offensive. The changing situation implies that they must first defeat the rear guard of the retreating enemy forces. The only support available at this time is a flight of two Fw 190A-3/U-2s. Slovak TOE: The motorized infantry company has the following attached elements from higher echelon units: 2x Motorcycle sections, 1x motorized FO, 1x Towed ATG section with 47mm guns, 1x field gun battery of three 76mm field guns, 1x mortar section, 1x Light Truck platoon for transport of the field guns and mortars. Special Rules: Slovak artillery fire may only be called by the Slovak forward observer, the Slovak mortar unit may be called from either Slovak forward observer or company commander. No Slovak unit may call german artillery or airstrikes. Language barriers at lower levels prevent intermixing of KG Krafft with the Slovak reinforced motorized infantry company, therefore each must operate independantly. Battle Plan: Control of the roads is vital for victory, there are two roads which cross in the western portion of the map, one runs east/west, the other south-west/north-east. The roads are dominated by hills 133, 134, 135, 204, 205, 206, and 322. It is also considered vital to control the wooded areas southwest of hill 204 and south of hill 205. Enemy strength is expected to be an understrength infantry battalion with armor and artillery support. http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8...ftbattle31.png The Slovak forces (group B) are ordered to secure hills 132 and 133 and then advance into the woods with the goal of securing the western approaches to hill 204 and denying the enemy use of the diagonal southwest/northeast road. KG Krafft (group A) will secure hills 134 and 135, and secure the woods south of hill 205 while advancing to hill 206. After securing hill 206, KG Krafft will procede north and circle hill 205 from the northeast, relieving any remaining pressure on the Slovak contingent. Should either element encounter overwhelming forces, KG Krafft can break off the advance towards hill 206 and procede to positions southwest of hill 205 were the two forces can better support each other. Execution: (to be continued) Turn 1 file is attached as zip. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Execution: (continued)
All units set out on the first leg of their journey as Russian 122mm artillery lands all around the road intersection. Barely five minutes into the engagement and a trio of T60s are spotted east of KG Krafft. StuG D1 opens fire and destroys two but is unable to get a line of sight on the third. Slovak recon spots a T60 and a T34 moving towards hill 133. Rifle platoon L races forward and dismounts to secure sites for the ATGs. The Slovak field guns and mortars also dismount in order to be ready should their services be required. KG Krafft destroys the remainder of the T60 platoon in the south, machinegunning disoriented desante teams. Further north, its a race between the T60's and the Slovak ATGs to see who can get into position first. From the sounds Oberstlt Krafft hears over the radio, it seems the Slovak FO is calling for a smoke screen to be dropped somewhere north of hill 133. The Slovak advance seems to be in trouble, a pair of BA-64 armored cars have outflanked them to the north and the northernmost recon motorcycles briefly exchange fire with soviet calvary before retreating. Motor-rifle platoon M decides to risk long range fire from the T-60s and create their own smoke screen after disembarking in the open. Hopefully this will cover the trucks in their withdrawal. In the south, A StuG from platoon E destroys a T-28e and suppresses the machinegun crews it was carrying. StuG platoon D may soon reach position to fire upon the northern T-60's from the flank. Army Group Intel really dropped the sprengladung on this one, a full company of T-34/76s is approaching the Slovak positions and there appears to be an entire company of Guards infantry riding them. One platoon pops up out of nowhere between the two southern recon motorcycle squads. As the Slovak ATGs are frantically pushed into better positions, the Slovak commander, Kapitan Urban, contacts Oberstlt Krafft on the radio net and in broken German seems to say "Der plan is kerput!!" Oberstlt Krafft tries to tell him to hold position but finally gives up and switches to KG Krafft command net issuing the order "Execute contigency plan now! Engage armor east of hill 133, fire at will!". StuG platoon D charges ahead and despite taking long range flanking fire from a 76.2mm ATG, knock out the southernmost T-34/76 platoon. StuG platoon E holds the rearguard, knocking out another T-28e. The remaining StuGs lay down a smoke screen that will hopefully mask off the ATG fire temporarily. The sturmpionieres of KG Krafft dismount and shield the eastern flank against infantry and ATR fire. Oberstlt Krafft calls in an airstrike, hoping to catch the northern enemy armor by surprise. The Slovaks put up a good showing, knocking out one T-60 with ATG fire and another by infantry close assault. Two 76.2mm ATGs badly maul StuGs D0 and F0, forcing them to retreat with heavy damage. The airstrike overflew the T34s and did minor damage to a T60 far to the rear. Amazingly both planes managed do avoid being shot down despite being fired upon by at least six AA-guns. The StuGs of KG Krafft, in blatant disregard of standard procedures, engaged the enemy ATGs with HE fire, destroying both. A Slovak ATG destroys a BA-64 but is in turn destroyed by a T-60. StuG D1 destroys a T-34 that threatened to overrun the Slovak command post but suffered heavy damage in the process and is forced to retreat. StuGs C0 and F1 get a leg up knocking out three T-34s and a T-60 between them. The Slovak center is in full rout, their FO is blindly calling in artillery in that area, hopefully giving the routed infantry a chance to recover. The Slovak platoon in the far north is the only good news in the entire battle, it has destroyed the soviet calvary and is moving towards its original objective. The effective loss of nearly half KG Krafft's StuGs force the Sturmpionier platoon to take over rear gaurd duties with assistance from the recon section and the SPAA section in ground attack mode. The sIG1b's put a damper on Soviet infantry's enthusasim for advancing but the rear guard is still forced to give ground. Oberstlt Krafft isn't ready to give up yet, at least without saving his allies, but if he were in range of the GHQ Intel section odds are good that there would be a friendly fire incident. An hour into the battle, the four remaining undamaged StuGs eliminate the major soviet armor threat. Further south, the long range fire support from the recon element allows the sturmpioniers to withdraw with few casualties and only minor vehicle damage. In the north, the remaining cohesive Slovak infantry platoon continues to hound enemy calvary as it advances into the woods towards hill 204. Ninety minutes in and the Slovak units on hill 133 can barely hold their own against the tattered remnants of the soviet forces in that area. The, now understrength, StuG batterie is out of HE ammo and must retreat to reload, leaving only the sturmpioniers and recon element to counter the southern soviet infantry advance. With the help of sIG1b fire to suppress air defenses, a second airstrike destroyed a soviet SPAA. Slovak artillery seems to be engaging in a, rather late, counter-battery strike against local soviet gun and mortar positions. Two hours in and the Slovak contingent has a better hold on hill 204 than they do on hill 133. Not that KG Krafft has been doing much better, the StuGs are unable to withdraw from the line long enough to fully reload, even with the aid of the sIG1b's in direct fire mode. Still, the southern Soviet Guards company is a shadow of its former self as they've paid for every meter in blood. Two and a half hours into the battle, the russian forces are all but defeated, unfortunately there are still enough of them and enough AAA/AAMG units still in their rear area, that it doesn't look possible to secure all the objective areas in time. At the three hour mark, end of battle, despite not having possession of all victory hexes, the result is: Decisive Victory, KG Krafft! Last turn file attached as zip, hope you found this worth the read :) |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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KG Krafft, 18 October, 1942 - Eastern Front
Background: Although the last battle was a tactical victory, operationally it was more of a draw. While KG Krafft was being repaired and resupplied, the Soviets withdrew of their own accord to nearly the same line the attack had been designed to push them. The Slovak division was able to move up and dig in unopposed. Headquarters seemed satisified in the Slovak division's ability to hold the new positions and after a bit of reorganization, had a new set of orders for KG Krafft. Both sides were drawing down their forces in the area to feed the grinding maw that Stalingrad had become, KG Krafft's Sturmpioniere platoon was a casualty of this, rejoining its parent company and shipping off to Stalingrad. The recon sections were also being rotated out, being replaced by a Panzer Aufklarung zug. KG Krafft's StuG batterie is being expanded to ten StuGs, the three 'new' StuGs coming from the remnants of a sister batterie that had been so badly mauled in recent fighting it was decided not to reconsitute the unit. The biggest change however was the attachment of a full motorized PanzerGrenadier Kompanie. [Historical Note: I'm stretching things a bit, although 10 StuG batteries were shown as an option in KStN 446 01.11.1941, I'm not sure how many, if any, were actually constituted before '43] Situation: A surprise attack has broken through our lines. All other maneuver units in the area are engaged in attempting to seal the gap. A Soviet breakthrough element of unknown strength and composition is heading towards one of our supply dumps. The only unit currently defending the supply dump is a company of the 634th Ost Battalion, they have no heavy weapons. A Panzer VI is nearby, having thrown a track earlier. Only one 10.5cm battery is available to provide fire support in that area, all other artillery is engaged or out of range. [Meeting engagement, map size 80x80, standard victory hexes, visibility 27, length 41] Orders: Procede with all possible speed to the area, sieze control of the eastern approaches to the suppy dump and prevent its destruction or capture. Special Rules: The ammo dump is represented by an ammo bunker, if it is destroyed, all KG Krafft units must exit the map as quickly as possible. The Tiger tank is nearby but the crew has been unable to repair the left side track, it can change facing and fire normally but may not be moved. Also in the area is a championship marksman, Feldwebel Becker, who was practicing at the firing range nearby. He is under orders from the Ost Kompanie Kommandur, Hptmann Rittenhaus, to defend the Tiger from enemy infantry. Hptmann Rittenhaus will not depart from his orders to defend the supply dump, which to him means staying put right where he is. KG Krafft enters at turn 1 from hex 1,78. http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7...tbattle32a.png http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6...tbattle32b.png Start of turn 1 file attached as zip file. Battle Plan: With the Panzer Aufklarung Zug leading the way, the StuGs of KG Krafft followed by the Panzer Grenadier (motorized) Kompanie, will advance towards the gap between hills 705 and 706, hopefully gaining position to either block the main Soviet advance or take it in the flank. Execution: to be continued next post. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
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Execution: (continued from above) Less than 15 minutes after arrival an armored car of the recon zug spots a T34 approaching to the south of hill 706. One T34 turns into a platoon followed by a platoon of T60s and at least two BA-64 armored cars. Further north, three Ba-64s exit the gap between hills 705 and 706. Firing on the short halt, the StuGs of Zug D fire one shot each and three T34s are no more. They continue firing and brew up three T60s and two BA-64s.
The last BA-64 of the trio that passed through the gap is taken under fire by the armored cars of the recon zug and is destroyed. Panzergrenadier zug K detours to the west, taking a longer route over some treacherous terrain to avoid coming under fire. The StuGs of zug D destroy two more T60s and a pair of BA-64's at short range. The enemy opens up with numerous mortars, fortunately most fall on empty ground far away although a few 120mm rounds fell close enough to the StuGs of zug E to shake up the crews a bit. Five T60s and a T34 are spotted atop hill 705 moving west at full speed. Despite the range, fire from the StuGs destroy four of the five T60s. Oberstlt Krafft requests counterbattery fire from the 105mm batterie against a suspected mortar site. The panzergrenadier kompanie makes good time despite the detour and though being far west of their original goal, prepare to dismount if the StuGs cannot soon clear the area of enemy armor. Five T26s are spotted moving through the gap immediately following an intense bombardment with two more T26s traveling in flanking positions atop hill 706. Both flankers and four of the T26s in the gap were quickly dispatched by the StuGs. The vehicles of the recon zug move into depressions to stay out of the line of fire. More T26s, a T34, a trio of T28s, and a trio of KV1s appear north of the gap. Oberstlt Krafft calls in a fire order to the sIG1b's to drop the hammer on the KV1s. The StuGs drop a smoke screen between themselves and the KV1s. They then turn their attention to the remaining tanks and knock them all out in turn. The StuGs continue the advance. Oberstlt Krafft finally orders the panzergrenadiers to advance and disembark. They will have to screen the ammunition carriers so the StuGs can reload. One of the KV1s makes the mistake of skylining itself at short range to the StuGs, it took numerous hits but it finally blew up. Enemy artillery is bombarding the area where the StuGs had intended to reload, hopefully the bombardment will cease before ammo levels run critically low. The remaining two KV1s make a critical error by getting too close to StuG E2, in an amazing display of gunnery and command skills Obrgfrtr Krohner and his crew knock out two KV1s with two shots. Oberstlt Krafft orders StuG zug E to retreat and resupply, noting it would be rather hard to explain running out of ammo while guarding an ammo dump. One and a half hours after arrival on scene, KG Krafft seems to have no targets left but infantry. Enemy artillery is still a problem but one by one the 10.5cm batterie is knocking out mortar positions. The StuGs have to withdraw behind infantry lines now though as enemy infantry AT teams are beginning to infiltrate the area. Two hours in, the StuGs are withdrawn for reloading. Oberstlt Krafft retargets the 10.5cm batterie on clumps of Gaurds infantry out in the open. The Panzergrenadier kompanie takes a bit of a beating but manages to hold M zug out of the action as a reserve while whittling down the forward elements of the Soviet company and dealing with the odd sniper. Casualties however, begin to mount and the early return of StuG zug F is very welcome along with the very effective observed 10.5cm bombardment. The armored cars of the recon zug add their machineguns into the mix and slowly the Soviet advance begins to halt. The partially resupplied StuGs reenter the fray along with the sIG1b's and the enemy infantry evaporates. A maxim machinegun section engaged a MG42 section and came out the loser by far. Although a few panzergrenadier squads are down to half strength, the situation is well in hand. Two and a half hour mark Oberstlt Krafft orders Major Rittenhaus to advance to hill 712 with the aid of the recon zug. StuG zug D is detached to remain in the area southeast of the ammo supply dump to aid the panzergrenadiers in mopping up. The panzergrenadier reserve platoon is ordered to mount up and join Major Rittenhaus. Hill 712 is found to be free of enemy troops and the detachment turns its attention south to the gap between hills 705 and 706. A steady stream of routed soviet infantry is passing through the area and encouraged to keep moving by the machineguns of the detachment. The panzergrenadiers in the west are still being shelled by 122mm guns but are beginning to drive southeast to dislodge the last few enemy holdout squads. In the process they are nearly outflanked by a reserved Guards platoon emerging from the ravines southwest of zug L's position. The StuGs of zug D quickly disabused them of the notion but not before they sent the L2 squad running for cover. Oberstlt Krafft orders the FlaK gruppe to provide long range fire support in that area. The 10.5cm batterie reports guns dry but there is little doubt that without their support the battle would have had a much higher cost. Three hours into the battle, while the outcome looks favorable, the Guards platoon in the south is reinforced by a few desant teams and with one of the StuGs going guns dry as well as the MG42 section running out, it has been tougher than expected. Panzer aufklarung zug I is keeping watch over hill 712 while panzergrenadier zug M approaches the gap. The StuGs of that group have crossed over hill 705 and are now in the western half of the gap. Panzergrenadier zug K is being attached to Major Rittenhaus's group as soon as transport arrives. PzGrZug K comes under fire from an unspotted maxim machinegun platoon and is unable to join Major Rittenhaus's StuGs for the time being. To the west, another StuG runs out of HE and MG ammo while two more Gaurds squads are spotted moving in. Oberstlt Krafft lends a personal hand in the area, leading his HQ squad in eliminating a desant team. Soviet long range artillery continues to bombard the Ost-Inf Kp's position but the shells continue to fall short. Nearly three and a half hours after arriving on scene, Major Rittenhaus reports hill 706 and the gap are now also under KG Krafft control. Oberstlt Krafft barely had time to respond when he hears over the area command net that the rest of Ost Battalion 634 reinforced by a detachment from 17 Panzer will be arriving at the supply depot momentarily. The breakthrough had been successfully contained. Decisive victory: KG Krafft. Notes: I messed up on the setup, I believe if I'd put a few victory hexes near the supply depot that the battle would've been much harder. As it went, the Ost-Inf Kp was barely engaged at all and nothing ever came within the Tiger's field of view. Still, it did have its challenging moments despite ending up an overwhelming victory. Last turn file attached, hope this was worth the read :) |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
It's great to see KG Krafft back in action after a short hiatus. Very detailed, creative and interesting reads.
One comment I would make is given the fact that this formation is the best in the Wehrmacht, wondering if they shouldn't have a larger area of responsibility (map height 120 w/scattered VH), be sent to areas with more competent enemy forces (experience 90) and more numerous (Russian build points 10k). That might better convey the general situation of the Eastern front, sending the elite formations into the more difficult situations. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
Glad someone is enjoying it :)
As far as best in the Wehrmacht :D actually less the a dozen units in the core are elite status. Admittedly some of those are nearly in the Michael Whitman category at this point and I'm only a bit over halfway through the long campaign. :doh: Larger height maps would, I think, just give me more room to outmaneuver the AI, larger width maps.. maybe but I don't want to get into a situation where I'm throwing real world tactics completely to the wind and doing wild rushes hither and yon. Scattered victory hexes do make it more difficult, I tend to use those for some battles but I like the objectives to have tactical/operational meaning - this last battle I just plain screwed up and didn't move a few v-hexes from the center to just in front of the supply depot. Otherwise, the victory hex placement was just about perfect from a tactical objectives point of view. I have the AI bonus in config set to 125%, I hesitate to up that too much because I have another long campaign with a small infantry core that is in the early stages. What I'm considering doing is creating a useless unit, say a ammo cannister duplicate that costs half as much as my entire core force, and add that into the core. When deploying I'd just place it in a grey hex so it automatically retreats. One thing I have been doing that does make the battles more difficult is to use single hex entry point deployment of my forces. Effectively this is increasing the map size without giving me additional space to maneuver and also gives the AI a few turns head start. I really do not want to start messing with the default player preferences, for one thing that would mean someone else trying out one of the battles would have a very different situation. Another reason is that I'm considering getting back into pbems and playing with a different set of preferences would throw me off quite a bit I'm afraid. Despite the victories, many of the battles in this campaign have had their touch and go moments where the wrong move (or bad random) could have resulted in a drastically different outcome. For storyline reasons (and the fact that a armor heavy force in urban terrain is a horribly bad idea) I've been avoiding Stalingrad even though the long campaign generator keeps trying to throw me in there :p Still, I think sometime soon KG Krafft will find itself in another delay/defend/advance/assault mission which should prove more challenging. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
KG Krafft, 26 November, 1942 - Eastern Front
Situation: Soviet forces have mounted a major offensive against Army Group Centre threatening to cutoff the Rzhev Salient. As the operational picture emerged, KG Krafft was called into action as a part of its parent organization (1st Panzer Division) early on the morning of 26 November near Belyi to oppose the advance of the Soviet 1st Mechanised Corps. Orders: Intercept and destroy all Soviet forces in your assigned area. A 17cm K18 batterie will be providing counter-batterie fire in your area, no other artillery assets are available. [Delay mission, map size 80x80, shotgun vhex, visibility 18, length 44] Mission: The assumed enemy mission is to pass through this area, capturing or destroying all axis forces encountered as part of attempt to cut off a portion of the Rzhev Salient encircling Belyi in the process. Our mission is to stop them and to render all enemy units in the area combat ineffective for the duration. Enemy: Expect a battalion of armor, possibly including heavy tanks; a battalion or more of infantry, some at least of Gaurds quality; and substantial local and long range artillery assets amounting to at least a battalion, possibly two. Despite the low visibility the possibility of enemy air activity cannot be dismissed. Troops: during refit after the last battle, the panzergrenadier kompanie recieved an attachment of two MG42 HMGs and two SdKfz 251/2 GrW from its parent battalion. Late yesterday afternoon, division released a panzer aufklarung gruppe (gepanzart) and a 5cm PaK 38 gruppe (gepanzart) to be attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the present operations. Thus we have a ten vehicle StuG batterie with organic supply and sIG Ib support in gruppe strength, a reinforced panzergrenadier kompanie with ATG, HMG, and GrW support in gruppe strengths; and two recon gruppes, one with limited ATG capability. We also have counter batterie artillery support. Terrain: Visibility is poor, under 1km. There are extensive ravines in the northwestern portion of the area offering good cover and the shadow of the western slopes of hills 117 and 118 provide reasonable cover. Some cover farther forward is available in the southern ravines and the western slope of hill 205. North of hills 117 and 205 the northern edge of the area presents numerous barriers to passage although there is a gap about 400 meters wide which is passable. The northern face of hill 205 is all but impassable to vehicles due to extensive mud slides. The northern part of the gap between hills 117 and 205 also contains a large mudslide area. There is another mud slide east of where hills 117 and 118 join and the south face of hill 118 is covered in a mudslide which extends to the southern edge of the area although further south it is frozen except for a 50m wide strip. Except for that narrow strip in the north, all avenues of approach to the western edge of the area from the eastern must cross atop either hill 117 or hill 118. The only exception would be for tracked vehicles at slow speed through the narrowest portion of the mudslide south of hill 118. Plan: the ATGs will be positioned at the northern end of the ravine north of hill 117 so as to deny the enemy use of the northern passage. They will be supported by both MG gruppes and one panzergrenadier zug should be stationed in the ravine within supporting distance. The recon group with AT capability will be stationed at the southern face of hill 118 west of the mudslide. A panzergrenadier zug will deploy nearby for support using the ravines to hide their vehicles. The remaining panzergrenadier zug will be held in reserve in a central position also using a ravine to hide their vehicles. Artillery assets with their supporting vehicles will use the extensive ravines southwest of the ATG position to gain some cover from enemy fire. The newly attached recon group (without AT capability) will deploy on the northern end of hill 117. One of the StuG zugs will deploy in forward position atop hill 118, the remainder of the batterie will deploy atop hill 117. http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5...ftbattle33.png Ten minutes after the StuGs reach their positions the first enemy units make their appearance. Three BA-64s in the south which were engaged and destroyed in turn by StuG zug F. A pair of BA-10s attempted to cross hill 205 but ran into 75mm roadblocks curtesy of StuG zug E, putting a permanent end to their voyage. A few minutes later a pair of T-34/76 m1941's carrying a section of Guards infantry each made their appearance in the south. One was destroyed, the other immobilized both by StuGs of zug F. The crew of the immobilized tank bailed after a few more shots and the Gaurds infantry sections were soon put to rout by MG fire from the StuGs. A few tubes of 120mm mortars dropped smoke north of hills 117 and 205. Oberstlt Krafft ordered the sIG 1b's to fire upon their suspected positions. A platoon of T-60s approached StuG zug F in the south, three were quickly dispatched although a desant team from one managed to jump off in time. A fourth T60 survived a minute longer but met its end just as surely. Another platoon of T-60s made an appearance in the south but, again, were destroyed in short order. In the northern passage three T-34's are spotted, MG fire prompts their riders to disembark and once the tanks are buttoned up the 5cm PaK's open fire. Unfortunately the range was still a tad bit long so only one T-34 was destroyed. StuG zug D heads north in hopes of taking the remaining T-34's in the flank. The enemy opens up with some 82mm mortars both in the northern passage and east of StuG zug F in the south. Both fires were far short of doing any damage to any friendly units. Things heated up quite a bit for StuG zug F, a dozen additional 82mm mortars joined in firing upon them along with a 122mm battery. The StuGs retreat for now. In the north a single T-34 continues to advance and despite the closing range still shrugs off numerous hits from the 5cm ATGs. Oberstlt Krafft orders mortar fire dropped on the group of dismounted infantry in that area. Three more 122mm batteries open up, this time on hill 117, just south of one of the scout positions. They are joined by a 76.2mm batterie and another 76.2mm batterie fires into the northern passage but falls well short of friendly troops. Two additional 120mm mortars join in firing on the former position of StuG zug F in the south. StuG zug E manages to destroy one of the southern T-60s with a long range flank shot. One of the 5cm PaK ATGs comes under fire from the T-34 it was firing at. It is time to relocate the ATGs. StuG zug D just manages to enter into firing range to kill two T-60s that were advancing towards the ATGs, only one StuG was able to get into position to fire a quick pair of shots at the T-34 but both shots glanced off. The glancing shots distracted the T-34 enough that it began to retreat, at which point a 5cm round penetrated its rear armor. The ATGs claimed two more T-60s before relocating. The StuGs of zug E knockout two T-26's that were advancing in the south. One scout has two more enemy tanks, a T-34 and a T-60, under observation but there are no other enemy tanks in view of any unit. The answer to the 'where are all the tanks?' question is soon answered when a full company of T-26's advances all along the front. Five are dispatched rapidly by the StuGs of zug E, still in their original central positions. StuG zug D in the north dispatches the last known T-34 along with two T-26's. StuG zug E eliminates an entire platoon of T-26's in the south. Three known T-26's remain and only because they are just beyond los of StuG zug D. A lone T-60 in the north is the first soviet tank to actually fire at a StuG in this engagement, it missed and didn't get a second shot. In the far south StuG zug F moves back into its earlier positions and spots a T-26 and T-28. Shortly thereafter, both are dispatched. The StuGs of zug E become the target of a heavy bombardment just after spotting what appears to be a half company's worth of Guards infantry approaching. They withdrew before confirming. An hour after the first soviet tank was sighted, two remain, both late arriving T-26's, one immobilized, the other slowly picking its way through the wreckage of its predecessors. Enemy artillery fire remains heavy and an infantry attack is expected soon. The battle continues, a few more T-26's arrive and are quickly dispatched. Pressure from enemy infantry is mounting in the center and the StuG's quickly run out of HE. Oberstlt Krafft calls in both sIG gruppe and GrW gruppe to rain upon the central mass of Guards infantry. The recon gruppes and deployed panzergrenadier zugs are called upon to begin advancing toward the center. At the halfway point, enemy artillery is still falling in large amounts though for the most part missing any target. Still no sign of the K18 batterie having any affect. Oberstlt Krafft commits the reserve panzergrenadier zug to operations in the centre. At two hours into the engagement the enemy infantry advance is largely brought to a halt and is slowly being pushed back. Although the enemy infantry is still trying to advance on the eastern slope of hill 217, the majority of the Gaurds infantry battalion is in rout. Soviet artillery is still a danger as the operation goes into the mopping up stage. StuG zugs are being rotated one at a time out of line for resupply. For the next hour KG Krafft slowly eliminates stubborn pockets of resistance and sends large numbers of russian infantry running. The K 18 batterie finally begins counter-battery fire though given the number of soviet batteries engaged, it had little effect. After the battle loss estimates for both sides are: German 1st Panzer Division/KG Krafft 0 AFVs 47 men Soviet 1st Mechanized Corps/219th Tank Brigade 81 AFVs 1099 men Historical note: Operation Mars is much less well known than its much more successful counterpart Operation Uranus (Stalingrad). Although accounts differ and historians argue over the details, the end result was that using similar force commitments, the Soviet offensive in the Stalingrad region was a tactical and operational victory while the offensive against the Rhzev Salient was a tactical and operational failure bordering on catastrophe. In the end though, the strategic win in both operations goes to the Soviets. Game note: despite being a delay the battle wasn't as challenging as I'd hoped, unfortunately. I'm going to put this campaign on the back burner for a bit and try an infantry based small core long campaign for a change of pace. |
Re: DAR: GE Long campaign - small core
I decided to try a smaller map as suggested to improve AI armor/infantry cooperation. So...
KG Krafft, 27 November, 1942 - Eastern Front Situation: The battle for the Rzhev Salient continues as the Soviets pursue Operation Mars objectives despite early setbacks. KG Krafft, still operating as part of 1st Panzer Division near Belyi, isn't given much time to recuperate from yesterday's battle (special delay battle). The Soviet 1st Mechanised Corps under Gen. Solomatin, despite having its nose bloodied the day before, continues to press the attack. Battle setup notes: KG Krafft has the same OOB as it did for the previous day's battle with the exception that the 17cm K18 batterie has been replaced with a 10cm K18 batterie. Yesterday KG Krafft faced elements of 1st Mechanised Corps/219th Tank Brigade - the 219th suffered severe losses and should be considered combat ineffective. Gen Solomantin had already committed 1st Mechanised Corps reserves, so it is likely that the attacking force from this battle is drawn from the 65th Tank Brigade and possibly 91st Rifle and/or 19th Mechanised Brigade. Historically, this is the day that Solomatin asked Tarasov for reinforcement but Tarasov sent the reserves to the north instead. Orders: Prevent the Soviet task force from breaking through in your area. [delay mission, map 40x60, scattered victory hexes, visibility 53, length 40] http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7...ftbattle34.png Battle plan: The western portion of the area is dominated by two low hills, hill 231 and hill 307. A panzergrenadier platoon will deploy on the western edge of hill 307, supported by the ATG platoon deployed on the eastern slope of hill 231, with a MMG team and a StuG platoon on hill 231. The northern flank will be secured by another StuG platoon in reverse slope positions on the northwestern slope of hill 307. The southern flank will be secured by a panzergrenadier platoon deployed in the gully south of hill 307 with support from a StuG platoon hidden in the gullies south of hill 231. The third panzergrenadier platoon will be held in reserve west of hill 231. Depending upon the strength and composition of the first wave of the enemy force, the northern and southern StuG platoons may execute a pincers counter-attack to the east of hill 307. Should the enemy advance in the far south be strong enough to threaten the panzergrenadier platoon there with being overrun, the panzergrenadier company's SP-GrWs are to provide cover smoke for withdraw. With the exception of the transport for the reserve panzergrenadier platoon, all soft vehicles are being withdrawn to the west for the duration of the battle. Execution: T02: The Soviet recon and first wave of armor are spotted by scouts. A pair of BA-10s trailed by a T-26 approach the southern panzergrenadier positions. A BA-64 trailed by a T-60 some 500 meters behind approach hill 307, and a pair of T-34s along with another T-26 advance in the north. The veterans of KG Krafft ensure fire discipline holds and no units betray their positions. T03: As the BA-10s try to pass through the positions of panzergrenadier zug M in the south, one is destroyed by close assault and the second is destroyed by the StuGs of zug F as they advance out of the gully (south of hill 231) into firing positions. At least a dozen additional armored vehicles are spotted joining the first wave, a mix of T-34s, T-26s, T-60s, and a pair of SU-76s. T04: The StuGs of zug D join the battle, destroying a BA-64 as it advanced into range. Another BA-10 is destroyed by close assault in the south. T05: The StuGs of zug D destroy another BA-64 and a pair of T-34s as the Soviets try to advance across hill 307. In the south, zug F destroys two T-26's and a T-60 just beyond the panzergrenadiers. Oberstlt Krafft orders an artillery strike from the sIGs and GrWs on the mass of russians in front of panzergrenadier platoon M in the south. T06: More Soviet armor lumbers into view, at least four T-28s, a pair of KV-1s, and at least a platoon of T-26s. Three T-34s and a T-60 are destroyed in the north, the ATGs open fire and knock out one T-26 south of hill 307. Two more T-26s and a T-60 are dispatched by StuG fire in the south while panzergrenadiers send another T-26 into retreat. Soviet artillery fire begins landing, 120mm mortars and 76.2mm field guns shell hill 231 but inflict no casualties. Irregardless of losses, the Soviet advance continues despite losing an entire platoon of T-60s to StuG fire as quickly as they entered view on hill 307. Our only functional MG34 team was destroyed by long range fire from Maxim MGs. No other significant losses have yet been reported. T07: Close assaults by panzergrenadiers in the south destroy a T-26 and with assistance of fire from one of the PaK 5cm 38s routs a T-34. StuGs claim four more Soviet armored vehicles including a SU-76 but now smoke from wreckage is blocking fire lanes and some StuGs shift to shelling enemy infantry as they approach. A third KV-1 is spotted in the south just as 15cm shells begin falling all around them. Heavy mortars and field guns continue shelling positions around hill 231 and some on hill 307, 82mm mortars begin dropping smoke south and east as well as on hill 307 further obscuring firing lanes. The southern StuG zug comes under heavy bombardment from a 122mm battery and a pair of 76.2mm batteries. A few more Soviet tanks fall to StuG fire as they emerge from the smoke. T08: Panzergrenadier zug M is in a precarious position now, under assault from at least a platoon of enemy tanks with enemy tanks and MGs to the north preventing a withdraw and smoke obscuring the line of sight for artillery spotters who were directing the GrW and sIG fire in support. Despite their predicament, the panzergrenadiers launch close assaults against the Soviet armor, knocking out one T-34 and routing another along with a pair of T-26s. While enemy armor continues to advance against the southern panzergrenadiers, panzergrenadier zug K in positions on the western edge of hill 307 are mauled by combined air strikes and bombardment by two additional 122mm batteries along with 82mm mortars. One of the Soviet aircraft is heavily damaged by FlaK fire. A 76.2mm battery drops smoke right in front of the southern StuG zug while other 76.2mm batteries and mortars pound the StuG positions atop hill 231. A 152mm battery opens up on the area just southeast of hill 231, fortunately no friendly units were affected. A PzAufklaerer team is killed by enemy infantry on the southern edge of hill 307. T09: A few more enemy tanks are taken under fire, one T-34 and a T-26 are destroyed. All StuGs are advancing, zug F in the south is moving closer to panzergrenadier zug M in hopes of an extraction, zug E in the north is advancing onto the northwestern edge of hill 307 to forstall any enemy advances on the hill, and zug D along with StuG C0 advance towards the eastern edge of hill 231. The PaK gruppe is being withdrawn to the northwest both to escape enemy bombardment and to block any enemy armor movement north of hill 307. Panzergrenadier zug L is still being held in reserve. Heavy enemy shelling continues but the K18 batterie swings into action and secondary explosions are heard in the distance. StuG D2 suffers damage knocking its guns out of action. A rifle squad of zug M is rendered combat ineffective but a KV-1 advancing on the remnants of the zug is destroyed by StuG fire. Another tank in that area, a T-26, is destroyed by a direct hit from a 15cm shell. T10: Advancing StuGs knock out two more enemy tanks, a T-60 and a T-26, and the PaK gruppe completes its redeployment north of hill 231. Enemy artillery slacks off momentarily and an advancing KV-1 is immobilized in the gully occupied by panzergrenadier zug M. The first wave of enemy armor appears to have been largely defeated and with the assistance of smoke from a GrW, it may be possible to withdraw the remnants of zug M. The StuGs are, however, running low on ammo, with some units out of HE, others out of AP. T11: With the assistance of the StuGs of zug E who destroy three enemy tanks, panzergrenadier K recovers from the bombardment and retakes their positions on the western edge of hill 307 repulsing the russian infantry advance. T12: StuG zug F manages to break through to panzergrenadier zug M's position, destroying a KV-1 in the process. Soviet infantry is mounting a major attack in company strength from southeastern positions on hill 307. Enemy shelling is once again mostly ineffective but another airstrike disables StuG E2's guns. T13: Extraction of zug M continues and, as the strength of the enemy infantry attack on hill 307 becomes more apparent, Oberstlt Krafft orders zug K to fallback as well. It is hoped they can be redeployed along with zug M to cover the StuGs from infantry close assaults while resupply operations begin. There are only three known enemy tanks still operational though one of those may be an artillery mobility kill. In a rather mixed fortune turn of events, heavy enemy shelling occurred in the area of the extraction of zug M resulting in the loss of the zug kommandeur, however, the majority of the enemy bombardment fell short - on their own advancing armor and troops that were already being shelled by our sIGs and GrWs. Secondary explosions indicate at least one enemy AFV was destroyed by their own artillery fire. In the north, one SdKfz 251 of the ATG gruppe was hit by artillery fire and immobilized. T14: A T-34 advanced in the north only to be destroyed by the massed fire of three PaK 5cm 38s. One, nearly full strength, squad from zug M remains behind after relocating to a better position, the other surviving squad is evacuated to the rear. The attempt to withdraw zug K in the center is being complicated by 76.2mm battery bombardment. The sIGs and GrWs are relocated to avoid possible counter-battery fire and the StuGs continue to withdraw towards the resupply area. Another SdKfz 251 of the PaK gruppe is lost to artillery fire and 152mm shells begin landing on the withdrawing panzergrenadiers of zug K. Fortunately much of the rest of the Soviet bombardment is falling short, impeding their own advancing infantry. T15: The sole surviving SdKfz 251 manages to extract one squad of zug K from the fire zone, but otherwise zug K is pinned down. Oberstlt Krafft orders the now relocated sIGs and GrWs to bombard the southern hilltop of hill 307 in hopes of slowing the soviet infantry advance. StuG zug F moves at top speed to the resupply area. The soviet artillery bombardment renders one squad of zug K combat ineffective and continues to pin down the two squads remaining in the beaten zone. T16: A few Soviet tanks, evidently of a second wave, make their appearance but all but one are quickly dispatched by the StuGs with AP ammo remaining. Another airstrike, this one only does slight damage to a StuG. Soviet artillery slacks off for the moment with only a few batteries firing. T17: Combined sIG and GrW fire land on the main body of the soviet infantry atop hill 307 bringing its advance to a halt. StuGs of zug D maneuver into firing positions and quickly dispatch the sole remaining known T-34. StuG zug F begins resupply operations. While overall the enemy bombardment is continuing at a much lower intensity, damage from 122mm shells damaged a SdKfz 7/1 FlaK. T18: Our artillery continues to fall upon the soviet infantry under direct observation of Hptmann Tellner in his SdKfz 250/12. The damaged SdKfz 7/1 FlaK is withdrawn to the rear. Soviet bombardment picks up again but one 122mm falls short atop their own infantry advance. The other falls upon the previously undamaged SdKfz 7/1 FlaK killing or seriously wounding most of the crew and causing the lone survivor to abandon the vehicle. T19: Oberstlt Krafft orders our artillery to begin the move into direct fire positions to support the advance of the reserve panzergrenadier zug. As soon as StuG zug F has completed resupply, it is planned for them together with panzergrenadier zug L with the sIGs and GrWs in support, to advance and reclaim the lost ground on, and north of, hill 307. Soviet artillery badly damages one of the SdKfz 251/2 GrW's. T20: Long range machinegun fire from our AFVs continue to encourage the remaining russian troops to head east. It appears, apart from the ongoing bombardment, that the battle is largely won and we merely need to reclaim our lost ground to make it clear to the enemy. Another airstrike, now unopposed by FlaK, damaged the SdKfz 250/12 observation vehicle. T21: Panzergrenadier zug L prepares to mount up as StuG zug F has nearly completed resupply. Other AFVs continue machinegunning any soviet troops spotted within range. T22: Heavy bombardment of hill 231 by a 152mm battery and other batteries convince Oberstlt Krafft to delay the counter-attack a few minutes. StuGs, recon elements, and support elements continue to push forward on the flanks, albiet slowly. T23: The counter-attack is finally launched, flanking units continue to probe forward, destroying a lone enemy T-26 along the way. Enemy artillery continues to fall heavily on the north portion of hill 231, preventing panzergrenadier zug K from regrouping and joining the counterattack. T24: The main counter-attack force advances quickly, the infantry dismounting between hills 231 and 307 as the StuGs destroy a T-60 and suppress an enemy infantry squad. Zug K's HQ vanishes in smoke and dust as its position is pounded by numerous 122mm shells. Another 122mm battery begins firing uncomfortably close to the sIG's ammo vehicles. T25: With the aid of the flanking units, the lost ground is quickly recaptured. Now the decision awaits as to whether or not to push into the enemy's rear areas. T27: Oberstlt Krafft decided to push ahead into the enemy rear and no sooner had the advance begun until a third wave of enemy armor was spotted. Two T-28s and two T-34s were destroyed by fire from the flanking StuGs as the center advance continued unopposed. T28: As the advance continued, additional enemy tanks were spotted and destroyed along with two SPAA vehicles. Over a company's worth of infantry was spotted and brought under fire. They quickly routed and headed east. T29-40: Pursuit and destruction of mostly routed soviet units to the western edge of the battle area. Continual heavy bombardment of areas 500m behind forward lines. Code:
Battle Report Decisive Victory, Germany. Game Notes: There was less time between the first wave of armor and the following infantry, but... well its easy to see by the turn by turn above. Part of the reason it is less challenging than it could be is no doubt due to the experience levels of most of my StuG crews after so many battles, it did seem a bit more challenging than the previous battle. |
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