Witch's Cauldron - West German

[MikeJ19]

Good day all,

It has been a while since I have played this game. However, I have some extra time on my hands so I am going to give it a try!

Here is a look at the overall situation:

[MikeJ19]

A look at the battlefield

[MikeJ19]

A look at the objectives

[MikeJ19]

Enemy Forces

11th Guards Tank Division of the 1st Guards Army is a second echelon attack
There is confusion over what enemy force is moving in our direction. I suspect that I will be attacked by at least two Regiments, and maybe a third. I’m going to plan on the Soviets attacking with 2 Tank Regiments (TR), an Independent TB and a Motor Rifle Regiment (MRR).

Early Int reports show a force of
Over 80 tanks
70-80 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Infantry
With usual Recce, AD, and HQ support
No indication of soviet fire support resources…

here is the first En Option

[MikeJ19]

Soviet option 2

[MikeJ19]

Soviet option 3

[CapnDarwin]

Thanks for posting.

[MikeJ19]

Jim, Thanks! This should be an interesting battle.


My initial thoughts

I start with a couple of companies (one Pz and one PG) plus some mortars, AA and recce elements.

I can deploy on either side of the river near RINTELN.

Most of my reinforcements arrive in the NW corner. Except the remaining Pzs which arrive in the SW corner

My Artillery assets arrive about an hour in, and will then take some time to get into place.

There is an obstacle belt to the East of RINTELN that should slow down the Soviet advance a little.

The key ground is RINTELN. If I can hold it, I will likely stop the Soviet advance.

The weather to start is clear with great visibility.

I need to take out Soviet recce elements as early as possible. I would also like to focus on Soviet HQ elements.

Blowing bridges North of the A2 may be a good option. Or even along the A2.


A look at my forces

[MikeJ19]

The next three slides show my options.

Option 1

[MikeJ19]

Option 2

[MikeJ19]

The third. Now time for a run as I think through which one I like the best

[MikeJ19]

Here is the plan. EA stands for Engagement Area.

I’m going with Option 2 – defend forward.

I want to use the forward defence to buy time for the rest of my forces to get into place.

Also, the obstacle belt will give me the chance to hit the Soviets as they try to breach it.

Worried about the timing and how to move the forward defenders back. I do not want them to get destroyed out front. Need to look more at the map to make sure they have escape routes.

Need to think about how my reinforcements will be moving – In reality, I would want them to use hasty movement most of the way forward and then switch to deliberate. However, I can not do that so I need to think about balancing speed versus risk. I can make this decision later as the reserves arrive.

I think it would make sense for the Pz Coy to be under command to the PG Bn. Of course, this means that the Pz Bn CO is not going to have much to command – his other Pz Coy is being used as the force reserve leaving just an M113 Inf Coy to control.

[MikeJ19]

Here is the initial deployment.

[MikeJ19]

The battle kicks off with a bang...

[MikeJ19]

The Soviets are taking a beating, but my defence is fragile in the South.

[MikeJ19]

Here is my plan ...

[MikeJ19]

Some 34 minutes later and the Soviets have managed to get across the obstacle belt – both along the A2 and in the plain East of RINTELN.

My estimate is that 40% of the Soviet force has been destroyed, including 57 T-80s, 6 HQs and 4 artillery pieces.

My losses have been a lot less, but the Soviets are looking at a clear run to the two bridges. There is no way that I can stop them from seizing the bridges.

Oh well, they are going to be in rough shape when they get there.

The MRR has sent some elements South while other elements continued along the A2. The TR has eight Tank Coys (TC) in the South. There are also two Artillery Regiments close behind the obstacle belt.

Not much for me to do at the moment. The Inf Coy is in the middle of a battle and should be able to hold its own. The Pz Coy has already been given some move orders, no use changing them. They are going to have to remain where they are and engage the Soviets the best they can.

I need to move the Gepard in the North back a little and think about moving the HQ as well.

I have received some AT pls and guns as reinforcements. The two AT Pls will move quickly towards RINTELN to get into position to take on the Soviet tanks.

The Gun troop and mortars are going to engage the Soviet guns. I would like to remove them from the battle.

In 17 minutes, my first Inf Coy reinforcement arrives in the NW corner. They are likely at least an hour away from getting involved in this fight.

[fluidwill]

I've played this against a human its a nasty fight, great AAR. Thanks W

[MikeJ19]

Will, I am glad you are enjoying it. It is a fun battle! Here is my next update:

Overview

As expected, the Soviets have managed to seize the northern ends of both bridges in RINTELN. I guess I should have stuck with my first option. Oh well.

Enemy

The Soviets have lost over 50% of their force so far, but continue to drive West.

The Soviets have pushed elements of six companies into RINTELN. For the most part, these companies have taken significant losses, so likely they have about three companies of tanks in the city – that is still a Tank Battalion.

To the East of the city, there are three more tank companies (two of which are pretty intact) moving West.

Elements of the MRR have run into my Inf Coy in the North along the A2 and have taken a beating. Four more Inf Coy turned South and are in the obstacle belt and will likely head to town as well.

A significant portion of the Soviet artillery has been destroyed.

Friendly

The Inf Coy along the A2 is doing well. They have stopped at a couple of companies cold with minimal casualties.

The Pz Coy in the centre is down to four Leopards. They are in a good position to continue inflicting losses on Soviet units heading to RINTELN.

Reinforcements

My two AT Pls are 20 minutes from the Western bridge. Not sure that is where I want them now. A Marder Coy is about an hour away from the Western bridge. I have also received the second artillery troop.

The next reinforcements are 40 minutes out (Rocket artillery) and over an hour out for the next Coy.

Now, it is time to decide how to get the bridges back!

[MikeJ19]

Here is the plan - it will be modified slightly as we get closer to H-hour.