"Impossible Orders" - Scenario No. 322

[RightDeve]

Impossible Orders

Date: December 19, 1942

Battle Location: Kasatschi Heights, Stalingrad

Battle Type: Germany assault vs USSR defend

Description: In a surprising move the heavily depleted Grenadier Regiment is relieved from the front and pulled back to Demitrijewka for rest. There will be no rest however as a Soviet attack has managed to break into the lines of the Austrians of the neighbouring 44th Division.

Zank and his 673d Regiment is ordered to counterattack the Soviet penetration and regain the old frontlines near Kasatschi Heights north of Dimitrijewka. Support from artillery and an armoured group under a Hauptmann von Pogrell is promised.

While the tanks show up, Zank is disappointed in discovering that they number only five vehicles. As for his own regiment the strength is that of a reinforced company. On top of everything the terrain is more or less open steppe with little cover. However, orders, even impossible ones, are still orders for the troops of the 673d. The attack is launched.

Notes: If played against the AI the human player should take the German side.

Source: Zank, H - Stalingrad: Kessel und Gefangenshaft

Design by: Ulf Lundstrom.

Main Force Composition:

Infantry: 3 Platoons of regular infantry, and 1 Platoon of engineers.

Armors: 1 Platoon of Panzers.

Support Units: 1 Forward Observer, 2 Mortar Tubes, 4 Tubes Offmap Howitzer, 4 Scout Squads, 2 MG Squads.


Battleplan:

To avoid being pounded by the full firepower of Soviet defenses, I decided not to go broad-front against the trenches there. Besides, advancing directly to the west will put us in the open, with little cover. Putting smoke covers while advancing directly west might be tempting, but due to the snow condition thus slower movement, quite a big distance, very high visibility (50+), and very limited smoke rounds, I believe this method will be very ineffective.

There are two approach-gullies, one running toward the northern flank of the Soviets, while the other running toward southern flank of the Soviets. I decided to go the southern one, because the jump off area (no man's land between gully and the first trenches) is the smallest. Also the Soviet trenches' coverage area toward the south is rather minimal, compared toward the north.

Approaching the Soviet position using gully will not only provide cover, but also once we reach the Soviet's southern area, the Soviet's firepower will be much reduced due to LOS blocking by the High Point South.

All units must be present on the jump-off area before we attack, so advance units must wait for the late-comers. This is to avoid attacking piecemeal. We will use full-force once the attack is launched. For this purpose, the Panzers will also serve as transports, carrying slow & rear units toward the jump-off area quicker.

Once the attack is ready, full artillery fire and smoke covers will be delivered to the Soviet's southern flank.

Because I suspect strong anti-tank positions from the Soviets, the Panzers will not dash off in front, but rather serving as infantry support, in the rear.

Note: once we reach Soviet defenses, do not climb over the High Point South, lest we are exposed by the full force of the enemy fire. Use the High Points wisely as LOS Blocker.