Our first battle, we were assigned to advance and secure a road/rail bridge, and keep it from falling into enemy hands. A small FJ Unit was assigned to secure a bridgehead and we were to link up with them.
Higher, gave us in support, 3x Bttys 7.5cm Guns plus 2x HS123's and a ME110. We also had a Kradschützen Zug attached.
Our objective was to secure the bridge which spanned over a 600m river. Our approach from the east was mostly low lying with a small hill overlooking the bridge. Main road and rail lead to the bridge with a few building near the bridge. On the Western side a large village, with a small train station and a castle on an 80m rocky hill just to the north providing a good view of the river and bridge. Dirt roads run up both sides of the river with some houses plus a small Ville at the north of our Area of Responsibility (AOR) with a dirt road heading off west on the enemy side.
Our plan was fairly straight forward.
A---The FJ were to jump into the west bank in the area where the bridge ran off into the train station. This area was to be smoked with our 75’s and one of our dive bombers was sent over the most likely avenue of approach for the Polish Forces.
B---The Kradschützen and our Recce Elm were to lead the rush across the bridge and join up with the FJ to hold the Bridgehead ….
C---until 2 Zug with 8 Panzers in support could join them and secure the village. The remainder were to provide fire support from the east bank of the river and the hill.
Execution:
The FJ jump into their LZ went fine with some injuries and they were able to set up a perimeter before the Poles arrived. Plan B the Advance party were either just to the west bank or on the bridge were the first Polish Infantry attacked the Bridgehead. Polish Calvary started showing up in the South of the Village as well and at first it was thought a flanking attack.
Kradschützen managed after shooting it out with the Poles as more of their Infantry massed, to cross and join with the FJ boys. Perimeter was now ordered expanded as the first SS Zug crossed and joined the fray.
The main Polish advance was on the Bridgehead and train station area with several attempts to flank around on both sides of the main axis of attack. The early Recce/strike also found a mass of Polish Armour near the small Ville in the north with several barges. Once confirmed this force was put under air assault and my 105’s and failed to move to assist or otherwise. The Calvary move in the South proved to an attempt to cross the river along with some Infantry there in the South along with scattered attempts further along the west bank in the north. Our support troops were is a fine position to halt this effort.
As with the enemy our main battle was for the bridge. The second Zug came across the bridge on foot with the Panzers as the trucks were deemed too risky as Polish light Arty was shelling the bridge and the bridgehead, Once across the order was given to attack the Poles in the Village as they were the most numerous and had been under continuous 75 fire.
It turned into vicious house to house brawl as the Poles Counterattacked as least every two houses worth of advance. Two PanzerIV’s and a PzIII were lost in the counterattacks to their ATR’s. After clearing two blocks the Poles faded back in retreat and the battle ended.
Losses besides the 3 panzers were light to heavy to my troops in the village but no Zug’s were lost. Several trucks were taken out by arty, plus other equipment was damaged.
It was considered a marginal victory. So says the Computer!!! HA!!
Bob out
Re: KG Kreighelm Bat 1 Poland
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