AH TL Jul43-46 Campaign KG Griffon

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 18 July 1943

KG was assigned to delay 8th Army Forces trying to push north up the coast to the town of Lentini. We were to delay them at X roads in the hills south of the edge of town.

My Pz Gren Bn was deployed across our sector, mostly in good ambush positions or good observation spots along a 7.5cm ATG Btty. My Panzer IV Kp was held back as a mobile reserve along with the KG Recce Gp. My Tigers and 2 Nashorns took up positions overlooking the likely routes of advance.

At first chance I sent out my 3 Spotter HUBZ’s they quickly spotted enemy armour in what appeared to two columns one aimed at each flank. The western column turned out to be the main drive and a massive drive it was. From where my troops sat, it appeared that Brits had mustered every tank they could get their hands on.

They hit 3 Pz Gren Kps lines without some much as a lone scout. My Tigers took what they could but they came on hard and fast advancing though a blistering barrage and well supported by Spitfires and Beaufighters. My Grenadiers took their toll as well as I tried in vain to shift my Panzer IV Kp to meet the threat. As soon as my Panzers moved in came the R freakin’ AF. I also found out the hard way that there was a new tank amongst them armed with a 6pdr not the pitiful 2pdr, called the Cavalier we believe.

3 PzGren Kp was almost wiped out as were most of my Panzer IV’s and half of my Tiger attachment, before we stopped these Mad Englishmen not 100 meters from the main crossroads.

While the KG met its objective full repair was not even close to possible, we are being withdrawn across to the Italian Mainland where I hope to revive my KG.


[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img]Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PatG]

Wow.

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon Orders 14 Sept 1943

KG Griffon has revived and reinforced and is poised to make a counterattack to help drive the Americans back into sea. Our KG consists of a Pz Gren Bn and Kp of our newest Panzer the Panther. I’ve also managed to hold on to 6 of our Tigers. For command purposes the Tigers will be under the Panther Kp. Our designation number is technically the 13th Bn, all Kp Zug and Gp will follow on the Bn designator.

SS KG Griffon OOB

13th BN+

0-HQ/HEAVY KP
13 -HQ--- HQ + 1X SDKFZ250
1301- BEOB GP--- 2X BEOBPZ IV
1302 - MOT MMG GP--- 2XMMG 2X ARMD TRUCKS
1303 – PZPIO ZUG--- 4X SS PIONEERS, 1X SS LMG SQD, 5x 251/1
1304 – 7.5 PAK BTTY--- 3X PAK 40, 3X OPELS
1305 – SPRcT BTTY--- 4X 251 WERF 28cm

1st PZ GREN KP
1311- KPHQ--- 1X SS SMG, 1X SS SQD, 2X 251/1 2X 250/11 2.8cm
1312- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1313- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1314- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1315- SPAA GP--- 2X 251/17 20mm FLAK

2nd GREN KP
1321- KPHQ--- 1X SS SMG, 1X SS SQD, 2X 251/1 2X 250/11 2.8cm
1322- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1323- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1324- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1325- SPAA GP--- 2X 251/17 20mm FLAK

3rd PZ GREN KP
1331- KPHQ--- 1X SS SMG, 1X SS SQD, 2X 251/1 2X 250/11 2.8cm
1332- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1333- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1334- PZ GREN ZUG--- 1X SS SMG, 2X SS SQD, 1X SS HV SQD, 1X 251/10 3.7cm, 3x 251/1
1335- SPAA GP--- 2X 251/17 20mm FLAK

4th RECCE ATT
1341- RECCE HQ--- 1X 250/11
1342- MC RECCE GP--- 3X MC SIDECAR
1343- PZSPAH GP--- 1X 233, 1X 222,
1344- MC RECCE GP--- 3X MC SIDECAR
1345- PZSPAH GP--- 1X 233, 1X 222,

5th PANZER KP
1351- KPHQ--- 2X PANTHER
1352- PANZER ZUG--- 5X PANTHER
1353- PANZER ZUG--- 5X PANTHER
1354- PANZER ZUG--- 5X PANTHER
1355- swPz ZUG--- 3X TIGER
1356- swPz ZUG--- 3X TIGER
1357- PZ ESCORT GP--- 2X 233
1358- PZ ESCORT GP--- 2X 233
1359- SPAA GP--- 2X 7/2 3.7cm FLAK


We will be pushing west towards the town of Eboli, however our immediate objective is a rise of hills, which give good overview to the town. We do not expect any dug in forces but reports have the in or around Eboli.

We will advance in two columns 1st & 2nd Kps along with 4th Recce will advance up forward with the intention of grabbing the Rise. 5 Panzer Kp will follow in support, and 3rd Kp will follow up in reserve.

I’ve secured 2 HUBZ from the Luftwaffe, which will hopefully give us advance warning and location of enemy forces. Division has also attached 4 more Tigers and 2 15cm Bttys in support.

Good Hunting Men


SS Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 14 Sept 1943

KG Griffon moved smartly forward and quickly occupied our most of the objective, accept the southern rise. Enemy resistance to our move was heavy, but not beyond our means to repel.

The only real surprise was one tank company tried to sneak thru the woods in the northern part of my AOR, (SEE ATTACHED MAP) but he was finally spotted by a HUBZ. I made sure they had a warm reception when they topped the north ridge.

The demise of the northern tank attack stopped the Americans in their tracks.

Of note, none of the reported up gunned Shermans showed up with this unit. The only large (Kp plus) infantry unit was used on my south flank but was poorly supported. Arty attacks were only of a harassing nature and JABO attacks were largely ineffective, 2 Thunderbolts were smoking as they flew away.

Only big loss was my 3rd Kp CO and his squad were wiped out by a stray 105 round hitting their 251 dead on while taking the southern objective. 5 other HT’s and a 233 were taken out by arty and two real ballzy bazooka teams.

Late in day we were told of the cessations of hostilities in Russia, situation is unclear but is sounds like the Stalin is dead and the Red Army is in revolt.




Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif[/img]

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 24 Sept 1943

KG Griffon after the push on the Allied Beachhead was ordered to pull back in a series of fighting withdrawals. Upon reaching the area around Potenza, Division was ordered to set up a defensive position to prevent Canadian units joining up with the British and American Armies pushing north. We were given a sector east of Potenza along Hwy 94 defending the roads in to the valley behind us. We received 3 76mm ATG’s, a dozen or so MG’s, Barbwire and 1500 mines from Div. for job at hand. Plus since the last big engagement I’d stared converting my AT Guns into StuG’s, had attached a battery of 17cm guns and two batteries of 12cm mortars with ammo and transport.

A Work Bn assigned quickly emplaced the 76’s in small concrete bunkers on in each Kp sector; Several MG nests were set up looking down the roads in question. The emplacements were also wired along with a hasty minefield stretching from east to west, 100 to 200 meters wide.

We sat while improving our defence works, enemy patrols and probes told me the Canadians were coming, but when…………………………..

The morning of the 24th all hell broke lose as the Canadian Artillery started pounding us 15min after sunrise, followed by smoke mostly to my western AOR. I had dug my 3 Kp in up forward along with my Engineers, my Panzer spread equally in second line positions. (I was not getting caught with a mobile reserve trying to move under air attack again).

Initial advances by the enemy indicated an assault under the cover of the western smoke screen. My panzers began picking Shermans etc off through the smoke and I started to work my HUBZ around on the flanks to see what was coming. While in the smoke one HUBZ found the enemy and found himself in the sights of a Staghound right below him, the Staghound opened up and blew one of my eyes out of the air. As events would prove, they killed the wrong HUBZ.

Fighting continued on my west, and my other HUBZ carefully flew at rooftop level over the village on my east side. His caution paid off as the minor smoke cleared he spotted in least 2 Kps of Shermans headed towards the village. They were moving cross-country slowly either trying to flank me or come though the village. I shifted my 17 battery off CB duty ordered him to fire behind the village. Having been spotted the jig was up I guess and enemy artillery was redirected to an area rough between 2 & 3 Kps boundaries. The boys held up well despite the punishing fire.

See Map

My eye in the sky withdrew as soon as he confirmed armour in the village and the first 17cm shells crashing into them. As soon as the first explosions were reported from the minefield, I shifted my Mortar Batteries into the fray and readied my rocket battery for the event of a point assault between 2 & 3 Kps.



Despite my concentrated arty, the Canadians smashed into my defences where expected. The attack in the west became nothing more than few remnants harassing my troops. The maelstrom of fire was terrific as I poured in my artillery assets combined with the Canadian Artillery plus all the ground fire, mine strikes, smoke and panzer fire as I moved a few in to help the troops. After 20 minutes or so, it became clear we had kept the upper hand. The enemy’s armour had been crushed and most other units were in retreat.

Now came the hard part, irregardless of our success we were ordered to pull off this hard fought ground and head further north, no doubt with the Allies nipping at our heels. At least today we gave them a taste of what should be coming.

Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob



Excerpts From “In the Führer’s Service” Reichsfeldmarschall (RFM) PanzerBob 1955

On our way north I was called to Rome for a special briefing on the state of affairs within and outside the Reich. We were informed that the Russians did truly quit the war and had turned to internal matters, the way I understand it, the purges under way were making Stalin's look like a cakewalk although they were being driven against the Communists.

We were informed about two other events, which were to have a huge influence on the war. First off, Hitler had finally realised in August 1943 that his Doctor was a quack, (he was “retired”) and had stopped the regiment of drugs he was on, upon rising from the fog, he realised that he was running the war when he had not the expertise, he had since passed back the baton to the General Staff. The other event was the execution of Goering, for treason, for his failure to defend the Reich from the constant Bomber Raids and allowing the Allies to achieve air-superiority over Western Europe.

As for us men on the front, we were told the strategy for now was to trade ground for time. That if events in Russia worked to our advantage and the skies over the Fatherland were made clear we would come out punching.

[Brummbar]

By far the best AAR's I have read so far. Great work!

[PanzerBob]

There will be more coming I'm play testing What If equipment at the moment.

Prosit!