DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

USSR vs. Germany

Mission: Advance, Korosten, USSR, 7/1941 - scattered objectives.

Enemy: Reinforced Company Strength – 1 Tank Plt, 1 Infantry Co (+), 1 Artillery Sec., plus ATG and AAA. Strike aircraft possible. Average force experience, ~75.

Terrain: Map = 100x100. Fairly open map with a number of medium sized low hills and one large level 20 hill in the enemy deployment zone. The edge of the level 20 has a few areas of rough ground. Trees are in clustered groups roughly 500m across and might account for about 20% of the total space. Only one group of trees can be classified as dense. All the others are loosely packed, with many small clearings. The open areas are dominated by tall grass. Starting in the southeast corner is a stream, which winds its way generally northwest until it forks about 300m from the north edge and both forks exit. Bordering the stream are trees, rough and swamps. There are no man-made features on the map. Visibility = 90.

Troops: Battalion Strength – 1 Armor Co. (6xT26 1939, 4xT26 M1931), 3 Infantry Co., 1 Support Co (3xHMG sec., 2x45mm ATGs, 2x82mm Mort. sec., 1xBA6 AC, 2xScouts w/trans., 1xEng. Plt, 1xAAMG sec. and 2xSupply Trucks). From Support Points, 4xScouts. Average force experience, ~75.

Time: 41 Turns

Analysis

The first thing I noticed when I looked at the map was how the objectives, although scattered, seem fairly densely packed. It might be just my impression.

The level 20 hill does provide long range visibility of the map, but the majority of my force will be infantry. They can get pretty close without being spotted. With the high visibility, vehicles will kick up a cloud of dust where ever they move anyhow. I can use the AIs tendencies with respect to dust to my advantage here.

One thing that will play into my deployment is the stream. Any vehicles that will actually be used to advance on the enemy will deploy west of the stream. I don't want to have something I need get mired trying to cross. This means they will be in the southern part of the map.

Strength and force composition will play a major part of this battle. I might see a few German tanks, but no more than one platoon. Maybe not that many. Enemy infantry is likely to be a reinforced company; somewhere between 15-20 squads. Each of my infantry companies will be dealing with roughly six enemy squads each. All artillery should be on board and not much of it. Off board artillery is expensive and can't hold ground.

Plan

The first part of my plan is more of a special operation related to deception. One thing the AI likes to do is call in artillery on dust trails. With this in mind, my scouts will go without their rides for this battle. My Komsomolets (spelled correctly this time :)) will stay east of the stream and run around, intentionally kicking up dust. IF the enemy targets them, I will counter battery will my mortars and try to take them out of the battle before it really starts.

Since my mission is an Advance, I've mapped out axes of advance for each of my infantry companies. Each one has two objective areas, which are shown on the Battle Plan map. Once all companies have made it to their first positions, they will all move out toward their secondary positions. Two scout teams with each company will push out in advance to try to identify enemy positions.

Support Company machine gun and ATGs will take up over-watch positions, primarily to be able to put fire on the large hill and the center of the enemy positions. Primary targets for ATGs will be any enemy tanks visible and will find positions to best enable them to engage such targets.

Armor units will be maintained in reserve until any enemy armor units are located. At that point, they will begin to maneuver against them. Once this begins, primary targets for all other units will be those with long range tank killing capability, aside from enemy tanks.

I've attached a map with my basic plan outlined on it.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 0 (Prep Fire)

No prep fire by either side.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 1 thru Turn 8

All units advancing according to plan.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 9

Enemy took the bait on the special mission, finally. Three rounds of 75mm fell on the dust trail of my two Komsomolets. Unfortunately, three rounds doesn't create enough smoke to be spotted.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 10

More artillery coming in, but not enough to put up a cloud of smoke. The idea was fine, but the tube the Germans are using is just too small.

Positional update for my infantry companies:

Alpha - 1000m ESE of A1
Bravo - 400m E of B1
Charlie - 250m E of C1

No enemy units have been spotted.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 11

Enemy artillery still chasing the decoys, but nothing spotted.

No enemy units have been spotted.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 12

One enemy artillery piece spotted, visually!! I've been looking for them tucked along the back edge of the map. This one is in the rough on the level 20 eastern edge of the large hill.

Lead squad of Bravo fired upon by a hidden machine gun. It popped smoke to cover its position. The fire seemed to come from someplace on the large hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 13

Found three enemy squads in various places the hard way.

Charlie was starting to move into C1, one opened up from the far side. Smoke popped and the firing stopped. Enemy was engaged later by one HGM team from support.

One Bravo scout stumble on to two enemy squads, taking two casualties in the progress. A whole bunch of support machine guns opened up on one cutting its size in half.

Mortars plotted on the enemy howitzer. My FO has eyes on the target.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Six casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 14

Charlie engaging two enemy squads around C1. Support machine guns can't see them so Charlie is on their own. One enemy squad running, but the other one his holding. Unless it has company, it should be overrun next turn.

Bravo continuing to move forward, leaving the dirty work of dealing with two enemy squads just northwest of B1 to support guns. They've done well. Both are running.


Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 15

C1 is crawling with Germans. At least one platoon in there. Calling in light mortar fire to suppress them before pushing further in.

Bravo catching some fire from MG-34 and small arms from the northwest. Spotted another squad and sent it running, but that MG is still hidden.

Alpha pressing ahead faster. Since Bravo and Charlie are running into quite a bit of contact, Alpha's sector might be clear. Scouts out front haven't spotted anything.

Mortars hit the enemy howitzer. Will adjust and hit again.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 16

Charlie pulled back into a containment perimeter around the enemy in C1. I need to be clear when the mortar rounds start dropping. Support guns were able to one enemy squad that was sent running from the very beginning.

There might be two MG-34s west of B1. One scout got hammered as it got close. I'm going to bring mortar fire in on that area. The MGs have lost all seen infantry support. Except for one machine gun, helping Charlie, all the rest fired at enemy in Bravo's area.

Alpha is still not spotted any enemy along their front.

No need to adjust mortars. They were both right on target. I don't know if the howitzer has been destroyed, but it is quiet.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 17

Charlie's light mortar a touch off target. Next turn should be better. Otherwise, they are holding position and will rush once they mortar has the desired results.

One of the MGs opened up on Bravo's HMG section and sent it running. Plotted one mortar on the enemy MGs. In the meantime, I'm trying to shift around to the flank.

Alpha still moving. No contact.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 18

Couldn't adjust Charlie's mortar because it was out of contact. They are holding position. The plan was to wait until all infantry companies were at their #1 position and Alpha is still moving in, so this delay isn't a problem.

Enemy MGs destroyed Bravo's HMG section. It just couldn't get out of sight. Bravo squads are waiting for suppressing fire to rush.

Alpha still moving. No contact.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 19

Mortar fire coming down in enemy in C1, but still off. I'm not going to rush until I get a good hit.

Mortars targeting enemy MGs off. Will adjust and hit again. In the meantime, support machine guns fired at routed enemy squads to make sure they don't rally.

Alpha should start turning flags in a turn or two. They are moving on to the lower level of the big hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 20

Adjusted aim of Charlie mortar. It should hit hard next turn.

Adjusted aim of mortar targeting enemy MGs. Will hit next turn. Continued to hit running enemy squads, sending one into the great beyond.

Alpha next to two flags. Will turn them next turn and move on, leaving one platoon and HMG section behind to cover.

Enemy mortar fire on support guns, causing casualties. I'll plot my other 82mm mortar section on it.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 21

Charlie mortar on target. Company set to move next turn.

Mortar firing at enemy MGs on target. I've got engineers moved up to rush. One Bravo platoon will push forward to support.

Alpha turned three flags and pushed through. No contact.

Enemy mortar fire hit support guns a second turn in a row. Two of my AAMGs are suppressed and out of action for now. I will hit back in about two turns.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 22

Charlie moving deeper into C1. No contact where there had been enemy units before. Walking mortar fire to the west to hit anyone who dropped back a bit. I have a scout on the backside of C1, so they will see anyone who comes out.

Engineers moving up. One enemy squad moved out and took a few shots, causing a few casualties. Enemy MG-34s silent. Like in C1, I'm walking the mortar fire to the west. One of Bravo's scouts crested to level 20 and was destroyed by two enemy squads.

Alpha on edge of A1.

Moving my armor out. Haven't seen any enemy tanks or ATGs and figure they might be helpful dealing with enemy strong points.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 23

Circle closing in on enemy in C1. Found and blasted two squads, but there is a third I need to get. My forces are on three sides and closing. The two other squads are running out of C1 on the west side. Shifted the 50mm mortar to the west side of C1 to stay clear of my troops.

Support guns shot up enemy squad near MG-34. The MG was active again and caused a few more casualties, but I had too many troops there. They tore into him and sent him running. Another enemy squad popped out of the woods 100m to the south and took fire as well, but not as badly. I had mortar rounds dropping about 50m behind the MG, so I should be able to take them all out this turn or send them packing for a good long time.

Alpha pushing into A1. Scouts are out in front and going to try to get a fix any enemy squads on top of the hill.

Tanks are moving up, but I don't have the fastest ones in the world.

Enemy artillery dropping to the rear of my support guns, near one of the AAMGs. It was running already. My mortars dropped on their mortar behind the hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 24

C1 is clear, so Charlie pushing on. They are firing at enemy fleeing to their front. There are two enemy 75mm howitzers nearby. I'll see about detailing a platoon to shut them down. Mortar fire has been lifted and it is pushing forward to catch up.

Two more enemy squads came out of the trees in front of Bravo and there is another one back some distance. These aren't the ones I sent running. The MG-34 has been destroyed. Here, I kept my mortar rounds coming in, which is a good thing. Two flags were turned as the company advanced.

One platoon of Alpha deployed to cover three flags turned earlier. Remaining two platoons pushing to the hill top. Scouts will be up top soon.

Enemy 75mm rounds still dropping behind most of support machine guns. That will stop soon.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 25

Charlie taking fire from an AAMG to the northwest and two enemy tanks charging forward. One is heading toward a scout armed with a satchel charge. My SMG teams have molotovs also, so at least I have some ability to kill them. This area is the furthest from my tanks. It will be a while before they can help. Maybe my ATGs can at least fire at the tanks, even if they can't kill them.

Enemy in front of Bravo cut up and are running. My mortars helped. I took casualties, but they took more. Bravo will continue to push forward. Charlie is on their own until the tanks show up or the ATGs score. I might be able to divert some engineers from this area, since they aren't part of Bravo.

Alpha is near the top of the hill and one scout is up. Another will be there soon.

Counter battery falling on enemy mortar. Some rounds on target, but the spread was somewhat extreme because of the range.

Just as an update, I have 8/21 flags.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 26

Charlie sending a platoon to try to deal with the two enemy tanks, but that AAMG is causing problems. I'm going to put some smoke out to cover my force. My scout, which came out of support points went, "Eeek!!!" and ran. Didn't use his satchel charg. One platoon is heading toward the howitzers and the other is in reserve at the moment.

Bravo found an ATG and support machine guns took it out. There are about seven enemy squads to the west; four are running. I'm holding and waiting for armor support. My armored car is passing south of B1 and should be there soon.

Alpha forming up to crest the hill all at once.

Tanks lagging behind my armored car. Should be passing B1 in a turn or two.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 1x50mm ATG destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 27

Those tanks are being a pain on my right flank. My movement hasn't been stopped, but it certainly has been slowed. I'm trying to move on the tanks, soaking off their fire to allow my killers to get close. The scout regrouped and was able to toss a satchel charge, but no results. A little further south, one platoon found a howitzer and put it out of action. I don't know if the gun is destroyed, but the crew is running. Just as good. The other is the one I shelled early on. It pulled back 100m. One platoon is closing in on it also. One enemy squad returned to be clobbered again.

Engineers and one platoon of Bravo forming up in B2. The other two platoons are trading fire with an enemy platoon up high and are pinned. Shifted one mortar section to try to help. My armored car pulled up and took a few shots at 500m. Lead of tank column south of B1. Light tanks will support Bravo and medium tanks will turn north and move on enemy tanks. Somewhere, there is another enemy ATG. Those things done come one at a time.

Alpha still forming up.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 28

My infantry put up an east-west line of smoke for cover. One enemy tank tried to push through and caught a lot of small arms fire. I also pelted it with 50mm direct fire from a light mortar. It made the mistake of getting to close. I might be able to overwhelm it next turn. The other tank is about 100m north of the smoke line and only a scout is out there. One other Charlie platoon is moving on the last howitzer, which starting sling rounds 150m in the wrong direction. Keep running into enemy AT teams, but they die fast.

The fire fight between Bravo and Germans on the top of the hill is continuing. Light tanks getting closer. Medium tanks are swinging north on the east side of B1. My armored car moved up to get better fire on target. Support machine guns are also hitting the enemy from 1000m+ and dropping a few. My mortars dropped on one of the enemy squads, but three still out of the impact zone.

Alpha is ready to move out after the enemy up top are suppressed.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 29

Swarmed over one German tank with a platoon of infantry and another supporting with fire. They succeeded in immobilizing it; the crew bailed and were destroyed. The other enemy tank stood off, firing at my infantry, but didn't seem to do much. The smoke thin some and the enemy AAMG was firing again. Charlie's remaining platoon was all over the enemy howitzer and it was destroyed.

Bravo is still slugging it out with Germans in and near B2. There is an MG-34 in there as well. Slowly, the enemy is becoming unravelled. My light tanks are still moving in and managed to put some long range machine gun fire on the top of the hill. The enemy should be broken up soon. Mortar fire still hitting around the enemy, as they try to move forward.

Alpha held off moving up because the enemy wasn't suppressed enough.

Medium tanks moving north past B1, but might not be needed to deal with enemy tanks.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 30

My troops rushed the last enemy tanks and succeeded in rattling him. He was seen heading west at full speed. Two enemy scout teams showed up from the northeast and traded fire with a platoon. They are holding their own at the moment, but without the tank to distract them, Charlie will take care of them quickly. The Germans haven't succeeded in turning any of the flags back in this area. The platoon that had pushed into C2 to destroy an enemy howitzer moved southwest into the open to fire on the enemy there.

Enemy west of B2 is crumbling. Located and destroyed the enemy MG-34 in B2. The woods are mostly clear, but I'm still guessing they have another 50mm ATG around somewhere. Units south of the woods pushed more to the west after light tanks lit up the enemy on the hill. There is very little resistence from the enemy on the hill top now.

Two platoons of Alpha rushed onto the hilltop and fired into the enemy from the south. The Germans are catching it from the north, south and west. They won't hold.

Tanks coming through B1. I want to divert my tanks elsewhere, but I'm willing to guess the lone German tank will rally and return. I don't believe it was damaged.

It might be another turn or two, but I plotted a mortar section on the enemy AAMG. That thing has to go.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 31

Charlie dispatched both scout teams and one platoon consolidated around objectives. Another started to push to objective north of C2 and found another MG-34. I moved my support machine guns to be able to put fire on it, but they saw one and opened up. Last platoon trading fire with disorganized enemy in hill top.

Bravo continuing to push to edge of level 20 on large hill. They stumbled on a crew. Not sure where they came from. My only guess is that second enemy ATG might have caught mortar fire and they left. Anyhow, they died, so where ever there weapon is, they won't make it back. Light tanks pushed enemy back from the crest of the hill, so no fire coming from there anymore.

Alpha is rolling up enemy right flank. No resistence here at all.

Rounds started dropping near enemy AAMG. Time to adjust.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 32

Two platoons of Charlie held fast, except for one squad that put a torch to the abandoned enemy tank. The AAMG still is putting fire on them. My tanks are moving up slowly. They are located about 400m E of B2. I'm moving the armored car over there because it still might beat the tanks there and dispatch the MG-34, which was silent this turn. The other platoon pushed a little further south, turning three flags.

Bravo crested the hill, turning two flags on the way and dispatching a couple of enemy squads. I'm holding my light tanks back, just in case there are ATGs up top. The tanks won't be needed up there anyhow.

Alpha continuing to move to A2, destroying three enemy squads along the way. Any enemy left on the hill puts his life in peril by firing.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 1xPzKw IIIe 50mm tank destroyed, estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 33

Popped more smoke as a screen to the AAMG LOS. It worked, but some smoke cleared and the MG-34 opened up. Mortar section plotted on him. Rounds on target at the AAMG. Routed at the moment, but no casualties. I can wait until either my tanks show up or the mortar puts the MG-34 out of action. There is no rush. Elements of platoon on hill 50m from one flag.

Bravo holding position.

Alpha continuing to push to A2. Two more enemy squads dispatched. Only one left. Scout pealing off to turn flag 50m away.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 34

AAMG retreating. MG-34 destroyed. One tank opened up at 1000m+ and scored a solid hit. Charlie's HMG section finished him off. Two squads got into a fire fight with fragments of an enemy squad while turning a flag. The enemy squad was zapped.

Bravo holding position.

Alpha scout turned flag on hill and dispatched last known enemy squad. Alpha moving into A2.

The only real wild card is the enemy tank. Routed is not destroyed.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 35

One platoon moving on last flag. No resistence. Mortar fire hit enemy AAMG hard this time. Dust from enemy tank gone. It hasn't exited the map. Basically, it is on the backside of the hill building his nerve back up. My tanks are getting closer.

Bravo holding position.

Alpha pushing through A2. There was a mortar on the back side of the hill. I'm going to see if they can find it.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Turn 36

Mortar finished off AAMG. No sign of enemy tank. Last flag, 50m away.

Bravo holding position.

Scouts out on back side of hill. No sign of enemy mortar.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Two casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Germany 2
 

Decisive Victory!!!!

Turn 37

Quiet turn. Captured flag and that was it. No one sighted any enemy units.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Total Casualties

USSR

Men: 93
Artillery: 0
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 0
Air Transports/Helos: 0
Aircraft: 0

Germany

Men: 283
Artillery: 6
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 1
Air Transports/Helos: 0
Aircraft: 0

Score

USSR: 36113
Germany: 171

Final Comments

This was a standard advance. I took casualties, but was able to meet my objectives and pretty much didn't have to deviate from my plan. All of my infantry companies made it to their objectives to one degree or another.

A couple of items worth noting. I was right about the enemy tank. It was on its way back. My tanks were in position to deal with him if my infantry didn't get him first.

I did make some comments about finding only one enemy ATG. If you recall, I mentioned spotting a crew that I couldn't find where it came from. There was another ATG in B2. My mortars did send the crew running and it was effectively put out of action when I destroyed the crew.

Finally, I said there wasn't any sense in sending my light tanks up on top of the hill, just in case there were enemy antitank guns I didn't see. Well, there was one. What's more, I had it completely surrounded and never saw it. The gun never fired a shot. It was just waiting for tanks to blunder into their line of sight. I attached screen print of a fate my tanks managed to avoid.

I've attached the save just before I ended my last turn. Enjoy!