German Long Campaign 1939 -1945

[blitzkreig]

Setting hardest - 20% repair points
Map size 50 x50
Turns 28

Core Force: Kamfgruppe Steiner -

Fictional KG from 1st Pz Div. I intend to build it into a all arms force based around a Schutzen/Pz Gren btl.

Battle 1: Poland, September 1939 - Meeting Engagement
(The battle of the bridges).

Situation:

Folowing the outbreak of war the KG prepares a passage of lines through the Infantry Division that has seized the intial border crossing in front of 1st Pz Div. The majority of the KG is snarled in a huge traffic jam close to the border. Obrstlt Steiner takes the intiative and takes his KG TAC HQ and other lead elements to recce the FEBA. SIG INT indicates a possible Polish counter attaack on the KG line of advance. Obrstlt Steiner advances and takes Op Control of two Infantry Kp manning the FEBA.

Core force:

KG TAC HQ - Kommandeur - Obrstlt Steiner
KG Staff - 1 x Speahtrupp, 2 x Kfz 15
Tornister Funktrupp (Signals section)- 1 x speahtrupp, 1 x kfz 15
2 x Kleinerpzfunktrupp (light arm sigs sec) -
2 x sdkfz 223

1 x le Pz Kp

kp HQ - 1 x PIIc, 2 x Pz Ib, 1 x Pzbefwagn

3 x le Pz Zug - 3 x PIIc, 2 x PZ 1b each

Support

2 x Inf Kp (Grw)including 50mm mortars and anti-tank rifles. Each Coy supported by 2 x 81mm mortar tubes.
3 x SpearTrupp squads.

Ground

Heavily wooded. A stream crosses the map N-S through the centre of the map. A dirt track runs E-W in the North. 2 wooden bridges allow the road to cross the stream and a minor tributary.

Victory Hex clusters: North - located around the bridges
Centre - In forest E of stream
South - Very bottom of map in woods


Plan:

With much of the map unsutiable for Pzs 1 x Inf kp to cross stream take and hold the centre VH cluster. 1 x Infantry Kp to cross stream and take village on high ground over looking the bridges. Le Pz Kp to push down the road and take over watch posiotons on a small rise overlooking the brige creating a cross fire. KG TAC HQ to accompany le Pz Kp. 2 x Kleinerpzfunktrupp to maintain radio communcaiotns in KG rear.

Turns 1- 5

The Inf Kps advance through the woods towards the centre VH cluster. Le Pz Kp speeds down the dirt road to take up overwatch positions covering the bridge. 1 x pz Zug and Kp HQ in reserve 500m behind lead Pz Zugs. KG TAC HQ deploys into treeline overlooking bridges. Enemy tanks observed moving on high ground N of bridges. Serval 20mm cannon bursts at 800m fail to pentrate enemy armour. Polish infantry observeded on road marching for the 1st bridge. Steiner observes through his field glasses that the Polish tanks seem to be charging straight towards the boggy ground around the stream at full throttle.

Turns 5 - 9

Polish Infantry squads and anti tank rifles attempt to rush the 1st bridge but are beaten back by MG fire from several Pz Ibs. The Pz IIcs are ordered to hold fire until the Polish Vickers Tank plt is within 500m. Polish 75mm artillery and 82mm mortar rounds impact on the two leading le Pz Zugs blowing a track of a Pz Ib. The central VH cluster is taken by Ge Inf Kp. 2nd Kp crosses stream and begins to climb up to the village. Some harassing Polish 75mm rounds land several hundred metres behind the infantry to no effect.

Turn 9

Steiner smiles grimly. So far so good, two of the KGs objectives within grasp. He raises his field glasses the rest of the Polish horde must be close by!

in the N the vickers Plt is hard hit with 4 tanks taken out by accurate 20mm fire into its flanks from 400-500mm. Return fire from several 47mm rounds is pityfull. A Tks plt attempts to storm the bridges but is completely wiped out buy accurate 20mm fire from two pz IIcs. One Pz zug pulls back in a fake retreat in an attempt to lure the Polsih infantry out into the open. Steiner plots 81mm mortar fire plans onto the bridge. Will the Poles fall for the bait?

In the centre Ge inf Kp digs in and prepares to defend their patch of forest from the on coming Poles.

Turn 10-14

In the N the last TKS and Vickers is dispatched by 20mm cannon fire. A brave but fruitless effort by the Polish tankers. Polish infanrty show themsevles after the ruse. The Pzs hold fire until the Poles are midway between the two bridges before opening a devastaing MG and 20mm fire on the hapless Poles, 20mm rounds are running dangerously short with the 2 Zugs in contact! the 2nd Ge Infantry Kp moves into the village making the Poles misery worse as they open up with small arms and 50mm mortars catching the Poles in a deadly crossfire. Return fire from anti-tank rilfes and grenades bouce off the Pzs light armour but damage several. The imoblised Pz 1b has its MGs shot off by an accurate Polish anit tank rifleman before he is cut down. Steiner's 81mm mortars hit the bridge causing carnage amongst the routing Polish infantry. Polsih 75mm rounds continue to impact upon "Pz Hill" damaging a PzIIC. The Zug fuhrer considers withdrawl but that would mean abadoning the crew of the Pz 1b with it's shot of track and destroyed MGS to the Polish horde! Steiner decides offense is the best form of defense and orders the le Pz Ke HQ to counter attack and take the still neutral N VH cluster.

The central Inf Kp fights off several Cavalry probes with ease. Horses against MG34 LMG not a winner!

The Souhtern VH cluster is snapped up by Polish forces. Steiner dispatchs the reserve le Pz Zug to head S to form up for a counter attack.

Turn 15 -

Supressing fire from Pz Hill and small arms fire from the village keep the Poles heads down while the le Pz Kp HQ take the N VH cluster with guns blazing. Despite several damaging hits from anti-tank rifle and Anti-tank grenades the Poles are pushed further back and begining to rout following further mortar hits from the 81mms. Steiner decides the time will be right for a charge in finiest blitzkreig style to take the fight to the enemy.

In the centre the Polish horde makes it appearance. Several Polish infantry Coys attack but are held at bay buy the brave Landseers. 81mm mortar fire is requested by Kp HQ in order to keep the horde at bay. The Lansders take light caualties.

T16 -24

75mm arty and 82mm mortar rounds impact across my lines causing several causlties around the centre VH cluster.

In the north the Pz kp heads deep into the Polish rear killing and capturing a Polish Infantry Coy and an 82mm mortar group. The KG TAC HQ advances when a sharp eyed signaler observes movement in the bushes next to the road. Steiner jumps out of his field car and promtly sprays the pushes with his SMG causing a die hard Polish squad to disperse, a close one! The 2nd Inf kp occupy the N VH cluster.

In the centre a nasty hard fought battle develops as the Landser fight off numerous Polish Squads who almost sucidally charge their postions. Accurate 81mm mortar fire is vital in keeping the horde of 20 man squads at bay.

In the south the Reserve Pz Zug launches its flank attack. One Pz IIc becoming bogged in the stream bed but the other Pzs put there foot to the floor take the VH cluster without contacting the enemy.

Turn -25 game over result Decivise victory! Hurrah!

Casualties:

Germany 25 men
Poland: Men 437
Arty: 1
AFVS: 11

Scores Germany 1988
Poland 35

debrief:

Good;

The le Pzs stood up surprisngly well to anit tank rifle and grenade fire at 100-300m range. several many hits only a few hits causing light damage. The 81mm mortar teams were battle winners. Without them the Landsers would have been overrun.

Bad:

No arty for counter battery. The 75mm on and off board were a pain but didn't cuase massive damage. But wanted the extra Landser so I wouldn't get swamped buy the inevitably 20 man horde.

Man of match:

Fldwbl Bauman in his PIIc with 7 kills! Tks hunter extrodinare!