DAR: GE Long campaign - small core

[Ts4EVER]

Problem with the AI is that it doesn't support its tanks. They move every unit at full speed, leaving the infantry behind.

[Brian61]

Oberstleutnant Krafft returns!

As usual of late, he gets stuck with a situation noone wants in a place noone has ever heard of.

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 According to Army Group intel, many Soviet units facing the Slovak positions are being withdrawn and redeployed to support operations near Stalingrad.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.



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.

[Brian61]

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

[Brian61]

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.





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.

[Brian61]

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