DAR: GE Long campaign - small core

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 7 August, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit, resupply, and reorganization: Oberstlt Krafft's command tank is replaced by a PzKw IIIh and platoon D recieved a PzKw IIf as replacement for a worn out PzKw IIc. The destroyed JPz I and SdKfz 251/1 were replaced and all other vehicles repaired. KG Krafft has been reinforced with a panzergrenadier company and supporting elements for the duration of the campaign in theatre. These reinforcements consist of a PzGren Kp (mot) with a PzGrMG Zug (mot), a PaK Zug (mot) having three 5cm Pak 38's, a FlaK Grp (mot) having two 2cm Vierlings, and two Kraftradmelder sections.

Situation: Open desert area dominated by a central plateau. The eastern, northern, and western portions are dominated by numerous wadi, many are impassable to vehicles. Numerous sand dunes, some over half a kilometer in length, are found on and around the plateau. Radio intercepts indicate that a British armored column is operating in the area. [Meeting engagement, visibility 86, length 37, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: Destroy the armored column, possession of the battlefield at the end of the battle is highly desireable. Be advised that the British have achieved air superiority in the area at present. A recon group from division is operating in the area and will be attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the battle. This recon group consists of 1x SdKfz 222 (commander), 3x SdKfz 221, 2x SdKfz 231(8), a Kraftrad platoon, 1x SdKfz 223 (Fu), 2x SdKfz 251/2 GrW, and 2x SdKfz 10/4 FlaK. Artillery assets available consists of a 17cm K18 battery from korp, this battery will engage in counter battery fire missions only.

Battle plan: The panzergrenadier company will advance to the wadis northwest of the central plateau and deploy into a defensive position. The recon group, supported by panzer platoon F, will advance south of the central plateau and upon encountering the enemy, will maintain contact at extreme range and withdraw to the northwest. The panzer company will advance to the edge of the plateau slightly north of center and will engage all enemy units except heavy armor. Panzer platoon E, panzergrenadier platoon S and the panzer company's security element will be held in reserve.

Execution: The panzergrenadier company successfully deploys in the north, two A9 tanks are spotted moving towards their position. Panzer platoon G gains the central plateau with platoons D and H following. A British motorized column is advancing towards them and is taken under fire, destroying trucks and carriers as well as disrupting dismounting units. The recon group advanced in the south, taking the southern objective and the armored cars of the group move northwest onto the plateau firing at the motorized column from the flank. A section of Morris CS9 armored cars are attempting to intercept them but popped smoke under fire from the 231(8)s. Supporting panzer platoon F, near the southern objective area, fires upon scout cars, armored cars, and an A9 tank section which is advancing towards them. Local artillery fire from the sIG Ib and SdKfz 251/2 GrW sections is called upon the central enemy force.

Six 25pdr batteries fire upon positions behind the panzergrenadier company, endangering the withdrawing transports. Platoons D and G fire upon the central advance destroying a few more carriers and trucks as well as suppressing enemy troop movements. The 150mm and 81mm shells begin falling, catching at least two trucks and impeding reinforcements. The armored cars of the recon group continue to maneuver northwest, firing upon the flank of the central force. In the south, platoon F continues to destroy scout cars and armored cars as they advance. The kraftrad platoon withdraws west, taking cover in a wadi until needed.

One truck is destroyed by 25pdr fire and a pair of 3in mortars lay smoke in front of the northernmost platoon of the panzergrenadier company. An advancing Bren carrier is destroyed by PzIIc fire in the center and the adjusted barrage of 150mm and 81mm shells continues to disrupt the enemy force. A number of scout cars and armored cars along with one A13 Mk I tank are destroyed by panzer platoon F as they advance in the south.

The enemy force in the center is completely stopped, mostly destroyed. The enemy advance in the south intensifies as a platoon of Crusader I tanks and Mk VIc light tanks advance with infantry support. Numerous enemy tanks and armored cars are destroyed by panzer platoon F and the kraftrad platoon is called forward to assist in repulsing the infantry advance. The armored cars of the recon platoon take over panzer platoon G's responsibilities as it advances to assist platoon F. The light panzer platoon D together with KG Krafft's spaehtroop section advance on the central objective area with overwatching support from platoon H and the command vehicles. An infantry platoon is spotted advancing just north of the plateau and is engaged by long range machinegun fire from the panzergrenadier company. The 5cm PaK38 platoon continues to hold its fire as the pair of A9 tanks slowly advance.

As the first hour of battle draws to an end, 25pdr batteries begin firing on previously vacated positions on the plateau and upon platoon F's position in the south. Platoon F withdraws to the west as platoon G provides convering fire from the north. An airstrike by a pair of Hurricane fighter bombers destroys the SdKfz 251/2 GrW section in the southwest. In the north, the A9 tanks finally come within effective range and are both destroyed by 5cm PaK38 fire. The K18 battery knocks out one of the 25pdr batteries but shells continue to fall in the south.

Enemy armor in the south continues to take a beating caught between platoons F and G at short range. A section of Crusader I tanks is sighted advancing towards the plateau, platoon H is ordered into forward positions to support platoon D. The infantry advance in the north is brought to a halt by the panzergrenadier company and a fire mission is called in to the sIG Ib section to break up the attack. Oberstlt Krafft orders committment of the reserves, platoon E will move to reinforce the panzergrenadier company, the security element is ordered to support the armor in the south, and the panzergrenadier platoon is ordered to support the armor on the plateau.

The enemy counterattacked in the center with three Crusader I's along with infantry, the attack was repulsed and the tanks were destroyed by close range fire from platoon D. An hour and a half into the battle and all objectives are firmly under control by KG Krafft. At two hours into the battle, a pair of Hurricanes destroy one PzIIc, one of the attacking planes is damaged by AAA fire. Despite another battery being knocked out by counterbattery fire, an armored car is lost to artillery fire as the remaining 25pdr batteries continue to bombard various areas. The battle ends shortly thereafter as the British force has no hope of capturing any objective areas.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Game notes: this was a fun one, I added the infantry company to the core but will replace it when KG Krafft leaves the theatre. As it turned out, the panzergrenadiers weren't really needed in this battle. The southern armor advance by the AI was disasterous for it, especially once platoon G was able to attack the flank as it came off the plateau. Ranges in the center and south dropped so low that Pz IIc's were firing point blank at Crusader I's coming out of the smoke, at that range the 20mm was very effective. In the south, at least three late arriving Matilda IIs were given the same point blank treatment by Pz IIIg's and h's.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 8 August, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Situation: Open desert with extensive wadis, many impassable, and numerous dunes. A plateau juts down from the north just east of center. [Advance mission (special battle), visibility 51, length 35, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: The destruction of the British armor column in the last battle left their division command post only lightly defended. Eliminate the enemy forces and control all objective areas. Speed is of the essence so no refit or replacements are possible. The only artillery battery capable of covering the area is the same 17cm K18 battery that supported the previous battle and is only to be used in counterbattery fire. Luftwaffe has made four Bf110E-2's available for close support.

Battle plan: There are only two usable routes for vehicular traffic, along the far north, and just south of the plateau. Trucks are in short supply so infantry will ride panzers to the disembarkation points. The kampfgruppe will be divided into three columns: column A will consist of panzer platoons D, E, and H along with panzergrenadier platoon Q and the security element; column B will consist of panzer platoons F and G along with panzergrenadier platoons R and S; column C will consist of all remaining assets. Column A will use the northern route with the primary objective being the northern objective, column B will use the southern route with the primary objective being the central objective. Column C will follow column A at a one kilometer interval and provide support for both columns. After capturing the northern and central objectives, a fourth column will be formed taking the best half of each column A and B, its objective will be the southern objective.

Execution: An early airstrike on suspected enemy positions results in the destruction of a Matilda II, the immobilization of an A13 Mk I, and two Matilda IIs. The aircrews also spotted additional tanks and infantry east of those positions. A 2pdr AT-gun fired upon tanks of platoon G, heavily damaging one and forcing the others to pop smoke, disembark infantry, and withdraw.

Airstrikes are continuously called on enemy positions and the sIG Ib section bombards a clump of tanks as infantry leads the way. Infantry units destroy the AT-gun but more are suspected in the area. An airstrike destroys a Matilda II. One panzergrenadier squad is crippled by mortar fire and three trucks are destroyed, another damaged, by 25pdr battery fire. The enemy mortar is spotted and engaged by 81mm mortar and machinegun fire.

Forty minutes in and an airstrike destroys an A13 Mk II and immobilizes a Valentine II, one Bf110E-2 is shotdown by Bofors 40mm AA-gun fire. 150mm shells destroy another A13 Mk II and the only remaining tank in that group is routed and soon abandoned. In the south, infantry destroys a second 2pdr AT-gun and machinegun fire routs the 3in mortar. Armor advances along both routes as the sIG Ib section relocates.

At the one hour mark, the advance is back on in full swing. Both 81mm and 150mm shells rain on enemy tank positions and airstrikes continue. A PzIIf is lost to fire from a pair of 2pdr portees and a kraftradmelder is destroyed by a previously unspotted infantry squad. Two 25pdr batteries rain shells around the panzergrenadier heavy weapons sections. Both columns continue to advance, three more portees are destroyed and a number of infantry squads put to rout.

Halfway through the battle, KG Krafft is within reach of two objective areas but a full company of Matilda IIs plus a few Valentine IIs and an unknown number of infantry positions remain. An airstrike destroys another Matilda II but other Matilda IIs kill a PzIIIe. Column B infantry seizes control of the central objectives. A Matilda II near the center objective area is destroyed by close assault, a second one adjacent is also assaulted but survives although retreating.

Another PzIIIe is destroyed by long range Matilda II fire, however, the crew from the surving Matilda II from the close assault abandoned it and in a push on the north objectives, two Matilda IIs and an A13 MkII were destroyed by platoons E and H with assistance from column A's infantry. A PzIIf was destroyed by a Valentine II but fire from a nearby 5cm Pak38 killed the Valentine. With the northern objectives secured, KG Krafft prepares to defend against a counterattack from the south.

Past the two hour mark, a 25pdr barrage destroys the panzergrenadier company's machinegun squad, the K18 battery counters and knocks out the battery. The sIG Ib's and 81mm mortar squad, with some help from panzergrenadiers, lay a smoke screen south of the central objective area. All operational panzers with 5cm guns together with platoon H charge to positions just behind the smoke screen. As luck would have it, no sooner had the panzers charged than a 25pdr battery began firing on the new positions.

Close assault was the order of the day, three Matilda IIs were destroyed or had their crews bail out, two more fell to point blank 5cm fire after being softened up by close assaults. The remainder of the Matilda II company was destroyed by close range 5cm fire, though at some cost. Two PzIIIh's were badly damaged, and another PzIIIe was destroyed. Finally, on the last turn, the southern objective area was secured. British artillery kept firing up till the very end, destroying a truck on the last turn.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 15 September, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: all destroyed PzIIIe's replaced with PzIIIh's.

Situation: ANZAC forces are attempting to cutoff the 21st Panzer's lines of supply during a reconnaissance in force near Bir el Habata. Area is coastal plains, with a small number of scattered hillocks and a few grassy areas. [Delay mission, visibility 8, length 34, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: KG Krafft is the only unit able to reach the area in time to block the ANZAC attack. Prevent ANZAC forces from controlling the western portion of the area. The only available artillery with the range to cover the area are two Italian 149L40 batteries, an Italian artillery observer (motorized) will join KG Krafft shortly before the battle. [only the Italian observer will be used to call in fire missions for the two Italian batteries]

Battle plan: spoiling attack on a broad front with infantry in the center, panzer platoon D interspersed among the infantry, panzer platoon E on the north flank, and panzer platoon F on the south flank. Reserve consists of panzer platoon G and the KG's security element. Once contact is made, force will fall back, shifting as necessary to maintain cohesive force.

Execution: contact made across the front, infantry interspersed with armored cars of various types. Artillery called in on central infantry advances. The armored cars were quickly dealt with, but the infantry, seemingly a regiment's worth, just keeps coming. Attempting to execute a fighting withdrawal, KG Krafft's far flung elements slowly retreat towards the western center.

At the half hour point, with all units engaged, Oberstlt Krafft ordered the reserves to be brought forward, ready to commit at a moments notice. Not ten minutes later, a half dozen 2pdr portees came up through the ANZAC lines, destroying one panzer before they could be eliminated. Panzer platoon G was ordered into the gap between platoon Q and the ill treated S platoon, in a desperate attempt to save platoon S and the guns supporting it.

To the north, platoon R was withdrawn from the line and replaced by the security element. Panzer platoon D was ordered to regroup in the center, while panzer platoons E and F were ordered to regain contact with their neighboring infantry platoons as they were in danger of being cutoff. The only good news was the artillery duel, the two Italian batteries along with the KG's organic artillery did much to ease the pressure on the center. Elsewhere, three 25pdr batteries fired short and caught their own frontline troops.

One of the last two PzKw IIIe panzers was destroyed by a 2pdr round from a portee in the north. The elite crew is rescued by three BeiwagenKrads and carried to safety. At the two hour mark, a JPz I destroys a scout car that had snuck by in the north, the two remaining kraftradmelders are scouting the rear area for any more flankers. The center has become a salient and to avoid being cutoff, a withdrawal is ordered. Platoon D and the security element is being withdrawn to form a new reserve, and the sIG Ib section is being relocated and resupplied.

One and a half hours into the battle, just a bit past halfway, all PzIII's are running critically low on mg ammo. As soon as platoon D resupplies, panzers will be rotated out of each platoon to resupply. Although the panzergrenadiers have taken quite a beating, now that the artillery is arriving on target they should be able to hold during resupply.

Two 25pdr batteries fire on the northern flank throwing it into disarray, at the same time, scouting reports indicate an unknown number of infantry have outflanked the KG on the far north and far south. The situation calls for a change in resupply strategy, platoon E is pulled out of line (was on the north flank) and heads for resupply. Another barrage from 25pdrs and platoon G's central position is threatened, this forces a change of plan.

The decision is to have platoon G counterattack the flanking infantry to the south, this leaves platoon F and the command panzers to cover the slow withdrawal in the center. As soon as platoon D is resupplied, it will lead the counterattack against the flanking infantry to the north.

At the two hour point, ANZAC forces hold 2/3rds of the objectives, panzergrenadier platoon R has been decimated, and ammo shortages restrict available options. Both counterattacks are running into stiff opposition, the advances are slow at best. The center has deteriorated into an artillery duel, the only saving grace is that the 25pdr batteries are firing short half the time. Command panzers are forced to engage targets on the north flank to avoid collapse of the front.

The enemy northern and southern flanking forces turned out to be much larger than hoped for, together with eight 25pdr batteries pounding the ever shrinking pocket in the center, and the near total loss of the panzergrenadier company, at two and a half hours in, Oberstlt Krafft ordered all units to break contact and flee to the east.

Result: Draw, grrrr!

Last turn attached, thanks for reading

[Ts4EVER]

Delaying with a tank heavy force in these sight conditions against an infantry heavy opponent is bound to end in disaster.