1941 Operation Munchen v02 AAR

[rhinobones]

1941 Operation Munchen is a scenario based on the Romanian portion of Operation Barbarossa. OOBs and terrain are close to historical while unit TO&Es are built from data drawn from Niehorster’s Armed Forces tables of organization. The scenario has been designed to yield a playable, challenging and enjoyable solitary game. Romania’s 4th Army is assigned an objective and given 30 days to accomplish the task.

Major characteristics of the scenario:
Designed for solitary play as Axis verse Russian PO.
Axis maneuver units are at battalion level (divisible) and Russian at company level (non-divisible).
Axis objective selected randomly (one of four possible objectives).
Russian objective track selected randomly (one of five possible tracks).
Reserve formations may be deployed based on probability.

Romanian Battle Plan
For this game Romania’s assigned objective is the bridge at Olanesthy.
The Romanian 4th Army is composed of two corps: 5th Corps in the North and 3rd Corps to the South.
5th Corps (German 50th, 35th and 15th divisions) is assigned flank protection and capture of Kishinev. After occupying Kishinev, the strategic situation will be assessed and orders issued accordingly.
3rd Corps (11th, Guards, 21st and Border Guard division) is assigned capture of the bridge at Olanesthy. Each division is assigned an avenue of advance with special attention paid to clearing, and repairing, the railroad supply line. The Corps will converge in the southeast capturing the bridge at Olanesthy.

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50th 35th.jpg (370.56 KiB) Viewed 521 times

15th 11th .jpg (392.15 KiB) Viewed 521 times

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T01 Romania

Operation Mϋnchen started a few days after Barbarossa which alerted the Russians to the possibility of action on the Southern front. Surprise was not achieved, but the Romanians were able to make the initial attacks with a considerable advantage in organization and strength.

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50th and 35th Infantry Divisions
Assault troops crossed the Prutt River by pontoon and bridges at Skulyana and Ungheny. The 50th was able to out flank the defense but the 35th attacked on a limited front and was only able to make frontal assaults. Russians were pushed back from the river front which allowed the attackers to consolidate their positions.

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15th Infantry Division
The division traversed marshy terrain before crossing the Prutt River. Crossing was unopposed, possibly because the Russians considered the marsh unsuitable for military operations.

11th Infantry Division
The 11th made two crossings, one at Leuseni and the second further South through the marsh. Both assaults encountered border guards in fortified positions which were attacked and pushed out. To strengthen the division, 3rd Corps detached the 2nd Tank Rgt and attached it to the 11th Div. The 2nd Tank Rgt is the only armored formation in the Romanian 4th Army.

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Guards Division
The Guards crossed the Prutt River at Leovo and near Yarga. Both crossing engaged Russian border units which resisted but were pushed back. 3rd Corps detached their artillery regiment and assigned them to the Guards. Corps artillery includes two battalions of 150mm Howitzers making the Guards an artillery heavy formation.

21st Infantry Division
The division crossed by pontoon and bridge, attacking the fortifications protecting Kaniya. Russian border guards in the Southern fort retreat but the Northern guards held their position. In the hills above Kaniya a Russian regiment was spotted, making the quick securing of the river crossing essential.

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T01 Russia

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Northern Sector
The Soviets reinforced the Skulyana/Ungheny garrison with infantry and cavalry units. After forming a defensive line, they used artillery to attack the 50th and 35th Divisions. A formation of about battalion size was detected marching rapidly from the East.
No overt movement was made against the Romanian 15th Division.

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Central Sector
Russian units approached the 11th Division on the Northern and Southern flanks but conduced no attacks. Their disposition appears to be purely defensive, possibly waiting for reinforcements before attacking.

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Southern Sector
Regiments from the 2nd Cavalry Corps have moved to reinforce units blocking the Romanian Guards and 21st Divisions. The presences of Regimental HQs indicate the Russians may be planning on deploying substantial forces in this area. More units have been observed moving in from the East. No attacks were made by Russian units.

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T02 Romania


Regiments of the Border Guards Division arrive as reinforcements and move to the center in support of the 11th Division.

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50th and 35th Infantry Divisions
The Soviet units facing the divisions are identified as belonging to the Russian 90th Regiment. Units from both divisions coordinated their movement, encircled a group of Russian companies and eliminated the pocket. The remaining troops conducted frontal attacks on the Russians, inflicted casualties and took ground.
Units from the 35th have partially surrounded a border unit on the right flank and planned assaults for the following day.

15th Infantry Division
So far, the division has encountered little resistance. A fortified border unit on the left flank is being surrounded and there appears to be few Russians on the road leading to Kishinev.

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11th Infantry Division
The 2nd Tank Regiment from 3rd Corps has been attached to 11th Division. This is the only armored formation deployed by the 4th Army and is intended to be used against infantry for achieving breakthroughs, not planned to engage enemy armor. Enemy armor will be delt with using divisional anti-tank assets.
The 11th is able to clear all border fortified positions and is now able to focus attention on the advance Eastward. Facing the 11th is a battalion stationed at Lapushna and another further East at Kotovskoya. Neither formation is strong enough to stop the 11th.

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Border Guards Division
Elements of the Border Guard Division deployed in the 3rd Corps area. It is planned that the division will move to the right (South) of the 11th and advance in parallel towards the objective.

Guards Division
3rd Corps’ Artillery Regiment, which includes two battalions of heavy howitzers, has been attached to the Guards Division. The heavy guns will be used as needed to support all units within range.
The Guards have become fully engaged with Russian border and cavalry units which, when combined, have total strength of a regiment. About 30 kilometers behind the defenders is the Russian 2nd Cavalry Corps HQ which probably has additional regiments at its disposal.

21st Infantry Division
The formation facing the 21st has been identified as the Russian 72nd Cavalry Regiment. So far only a cavalry battalion has been encountered but it is suspected that more Soviets are deployed in the hill and forest between Kaniya and Komrat.

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T02 and T03 Russia

Variable initiative gives the Russian PO a double turn making Russia into Force 1 starting turn 3 and going forward.
Russia has received reinforcements as follows:
320th Artillery Regiment (in Olanesthy, which is the primary Romanian objective)
35th Engineer Battalion (in Kishinev which is a minor objective)
47th Rifle Regiment/Battalion II (near Orgeyev)
374th Artillery Regiment (in Slobodzeya)
48th Engineer Battalion (in Kishinev, which is the secondary objective)

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Northern Sector
Russian Border Guard units maintained contact with the invaders as units of the 90th Regiment withdrew Eastward to the hill terrain. Other elements of the 90th already in the hills established defensive positions to block the enemy advance. Border Guard units South of the 90th have little choice other than to die or surrender with dignity.

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Central Sector
A reinforced mechanized battalion has established defensive positions in the town of Lapushna then hits the Romanian 11th with artillery fire. More units from the mechanized corps are observed behind the lines however their orders are unknown.

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Southern Sector
Soviet units have established blocking positions in front of the Guards and 21st Divisions. These units appear to be under the control of an unidentified divisional HQ located in Chimistliya. To the East several regimental HQs have been spotted which indicates a large number of reinforcements are in the area but hidden from view. The 2nd Cavalry Corps HQ has moved to a location which is out of Romania’s sight.

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T03 Romania

Two additional infantry regiments, 35th and 55th, from the Border Guards Division deploy. Orders are to join up with their parent divisional HQ.

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35th and 50th Infantry Divisions
The divisions make multiple attacks against the Soviets and occupy the enemy positions. Most attacks are frontal assaults except for one envelopment which pockets, and eliminates, a mixed Russian force. After action analysis shows that the Russian units destroyed include a couple of border guard companies and two companies from the Russian 57th Infantry Regiment. This is the first that the 57th has been encountered.

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15th Infantry Division
The 15th has encountered light resistance and is advancing East of the Prutt River. After eliminating a few isolated border guards, the Divisions moved into the hills and confronted several small infantry units. The plan is to move up additional infantry and artillery before making an overwhelming assault.

11th Infantry and Border Guards Divisions
As the divisions pushed toward Lapushna they became engaged with a strong Russian force of at least two battalions. The newly attached armored regiment was ordered to perform a flanking maneuver, but daylight ran out before a major attack could be mounted. After driving the Russian out of Lapushna they intend to move on Kotovskoya.
The Border Guards Division is still forming behind the 11th; however, their lead elements will soon be directed toward Kotovskoya. This town appears to be the operational center for the Russian 2nd Mechanized Corps and at least one divisional HQ.

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Guards Division
The Guards Division has identified the units blocking them as the Russian 108th Cavalry Regiment. With the division’s Elisabeta Regiment still in reorganization all major action is delayed. Some flanking maneuvers were performed with the intent of destroying the opposition as soon as possible.

21st Infantry Division
Reconnaissance units have successfully infiltrated the area behind the Russian 72nd Cavalry Regiment and cut their supply line. The division should be able to quickly dispatch the 72nd and advance to the East. Romanian G2 has detected very little opposition blocking the division’s route to the bridge at Olanesthy.

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T04 Russia

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North
The Russian 90th continues to withdraw and form defensive lines further East. The regiment makes no land or artillery attacks but does leave some cavalry and a battalion of border guards behind to block the Axis advance.

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Center
The 161st makes a stand in the hills against the Romanian 15th Division while reinforcements are seen moving up to the front. Unlike the Northern sector, the center intends to defend its territory.
A heavy battalion from the 2nd Mechanized Corps conducted counter attacks and artillery bombardments against the Romanian 11th Division in defense of Lapushna. Additional regimental units are located in Kotovskoya and may be deployed in direct support of Lapushna.

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South

The 108th and 72nd Regiments hold their defensive positions but only perform a minor counterattack against the Romanian Guards Division. Otherwise, the regiments remain in static positions with the 72nd in danger of being enveloped. Still, there is no evident movement of reinforcements from the East.

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T04 Romania

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35th and 50th Infantry Divisions
Withdraw of the Russian 90th Regiment exposed a battalion of border guards to envelopment and destruction. The Romanian and German units were able to quickly make the maneuver, eliminate the threat and advance Eastward. Units not engaged in the envelopment moved into the hills and assaulted the 90th head on. Assaults were bloody for both sides. The 35th Division ended the advance in position to make another encirclement following maneuvers by the Russians.

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15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions
These divisions are now fully engaged with the Russian 161st Regiment and elements from the Russian 2nd Mechanized Corps. The 11th attacked and isolated units from the 161st but ran out of time before the defenders could be totally eliminated.
As the attacks occurred in the hills, recon companies from the 15th and Border Guards attempted to work their way into the defenses’ rear areas. The 15th found a clear path and hopes to exploit the gap as soon as possible. Recon from the Border Guard Division made the same maneuver on the right flank but quickly ran into battalion sized formations commanded by the Russian 2nd Mechanized Corps HQ. Defenders were observed stretching from the front line back to Kotovskoya. The Soviets in this sector seem intent on holding the Romanians back.

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Guards Division
The Guards Division has eliminated the last of the border guards and are now fighting the Russian 108th Cavalry Regiment in the hill country. As they advance, a priority for the Guards is to secure the rail lines on their left flank. The logistics tail will be critical in supporting units making the final assault on the Olanesthy bridge.

21st Infantry Division
The Russian 72nd Cavalry Rgt is rapidly being enveloped, assaulted and eliminated as a viable fighting force. As the battle progresses Romanian commanders are looking ahead to moving quickly toward Komrat. At the moment, there is little evidence that Russian troops are defending this area.

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T05 Russia

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North Sector
The 90th made another withdraw to the East and appears to have reinforcements deploying. Axis G2 has made some observations of Soviet movements, but so far identification, strength and location of the reinforcements has not been determined.

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Center Sector
Russia has been reinforcing and counter attacking the Romanian 15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions. Some of the attacks are intense and result in substantial casualties. Several of the defensive positions are now manned by reinforced battalions making any Romanian assault costly in men and material.

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South Sector
This sector is rapidly being overrun. The 5th, 72nd and 108th Cavalry Regiments are being depleted and have little expectation that reinforcements will arrive. So far there has been barely any Russian activity observed to the East that indicates this sector’s defense is taken seriously.

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T05 Romania

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The 50th and 35th Divisions are having a difficult time getting the Russians to engage in a stand-up fight. The Russian strategy appears to be drawing the Romanian/German units further East and possibly setting a trap. Their tactic of leaving small units behind is succeeding in slowing the invasion.

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The 15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions are engaged in the toughest fight of the campaign. The Russian 161st and 2nd Cavalry Regiments are entrenched in the hills and putting up stiff resistance, but they are sustaining heavy casualties and are on the brink of being overrun. Behind them, to the East, more formations of the 2nd Mechanized Corps are observed in defensive positions.

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The Guards and 21st Divisions are making good progress. Guards are in the process of eliminating the Russian 108th Cavalry Regiment; with the 108th gone the supply rail line will be secure. The 21st Division has destroyed the Russian 72nd Cavalry Regiment and is now free to advance Eastward. Recon in the center has established that the immediate area is clear of Soviet forces. A second recon unit from the right flank is ordered to join the reconnaissance and scout Eastward.

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T05 Romanian Infantry Regiment

In this scenario the infantry division is the primary formation in the Romanian Order of Battle. The division’s brigades and regiments are then broken down to their battalion and supporting company components. Unit TO&Es are based on data published in the Niehorster World War II Armed Forces Orders of Battle and Organizations web site. Graphics copied and posted here are authorized by permission received from Leo Niehorster, for which I am personally grateful.

June 1941 Romanian infantry divisions were organized as division > infantry brigade > infantry regiment > battalion. Along with supporting battalions, companies and troops, the scenario uses the infantry battalion as the basic maneuver unit. As desired battalions can be divided into two or three companies.
The divisional TO&E illustrates the placement of the infantry brigade within the organization.

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For this scenario the brigade HQ is not used. Not only would it add an additional layer of useless command, but in reality, I suspect that regiments were commanded directly from division and brigade was only used for administrative functions.
The regiment is composed of three infantry battalions, a reconnaissance troop (company) and a heavy weapons company. In the scenario the heavy weapons company has been redesignated as an infantry gun company. This was done to distinguish it from the battalion’s heavy weapon company. Note that the regimental weapons company contains six 37mm anti-tank guns which, in addition to a few anti-tank rifles, represents the total anti-tank/armor capability organic to an infantry regiment. The basic Romanian infantry regiment appears to be poorly equipped to battle Russian armored units.

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Infantry battalions were light on heavy weapons, relying on rifle and light machine gun squads for combat power. A single anti-tank rifle was assigned to each of the three company HQs. Infantry battalions need to work closely with supporting units in combined forces operations.
Once again, appreciate that Leo Niehorster has given permission that his work be reposted here.

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T06 Romania

Variable initiative switches Romania to Force 1. Romania takes the opportunity to assault and eliminate Russian forces across the front with the best results achieved on the Northern and Southern flanks.

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50th and 35th Infantry Division.
The 50th is able to encircle and kill units of the Russian 90th Regiment along the Northern flank. Afterward the division will advance toward Orgeyev and as needed, help with the envelopment of the remaining 90th units. After Orgeyev the division will turn South and move on to Kishinev.
Russians are still putting up a defense against the 35th but the division is able to fight through the hills, pushing the 90th back. The 35th is also taking advantage of some clear terrain on its right flank to begin working units behind the Russian 90th. Elimination of this pocket of Russians will certainly create a gap in the defense which can be exploited.

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15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions.
These divisions face the Russian 161st Regiment. The 15th is able to surround two pockets of 161st units and eliminates the threat. The terrain in front of the 15th is now clear of enemy troops.
11th and Border Guards Divisions are also enveloping an enemy concentration which includes the 2nd Cavalry Corps HQ. The pocket cannot be immediately closed but the Romanians are able to inflect heavy casualties on the Russians. If unable to withdraw the Russians will certainly be destroyed on the next day’s assault.

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Guards and 21st Divisions
The last of the Russian 108th Cavalry Regiment is enveloped, assaulted and destroyed where the stand. Russian resistance in the Southern sector has collapsed and there appears to be little to oppose the Division’s move East to the Olanesthy bridge. Reconnaissance companies are ordered ahead of the column to locate any remaining Soviet defenses.

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T06 Russia

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Northern Sector
Remains of the 90th Regiment and some unidentified units continue to withdraw Eastward. Units are observed moving behind the 90th, but no defensive line is evident.

Central Sector
2nd Cavalry Corps HQ was able to escape the Romanian envelopment and withdrew to the relative safety of a second rank formation. This move was enabled by an influx of reinforcements from the 47th Rifle and 2nd Cavalry Regiments. Reinforcing units formed into a pair of regimental sized formations and multiple strong points of battalion size. The 2nd Cavalry includes a battalion of amphibious tanks and several companies of armored reconnaissance. These units are pressing on the Romanian Border Guard’s right flank and the Romanians have few weapons capable of stopping armor.
Additional Soviet reinforcements have been detected moving in from the East toward the center.

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Southern Sector
After signs of a Russian collapse and an easy victory, trouble for the Romanians appears to be brewing in the South. Although many of the subordinate combat units have not been positively located, seven regimental and one divisional HQ are observed moving toward the Guards and 21st Divisions. Considering the number of HQs, the Russians may be planning a counter offensive on the Romanian Southern flank. The road to Olanesthy is probably not going to be as easy as it appeared a day ago.

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[Cpl GAC]

What happens if they get to Olanesthy and find there's no bridge?

Where's that confounded bridge.png (2.91 MiB) Viewed 277 times

Also - will you put this up for download? It looks great.

[rhinobones]

What happens if they get to Olanesthy and find there's no bridge?
Also - will you put this up for download? It looks great.

For my purposes, to make the game fun, interesting and challenging, there is a bridge.
Over the years I think I have made it abundantly clear that I sometimes use historical events as a framework and am not obsessed with historical fact. I’ll leave the historical fact checking to those who thrive on commanders and OOB/TO&E minutia.

On the Mods and Scenario page it’s the ninth one down.

Regards

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T07 Romania


The intensity of battle increases in the Northern and central sectors. A big reason is the recent decision of the Russians to contest the center and counterattack the 15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions. The fighting becomes serious.

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50th Infantry Division
The Germans finish off the few 90th Regiment units still facing them and a couple of units assist the 35th with an envelopment. The rest of the division begins the march on Orgeyev.

35th Division
The 35th became fully engaged with Russians defending in the hills. The fighting was tough and the Romanian assaults inflict heavy casualties on the 90th. During the fighting Romanian cavalry reconnaissance units found a soft spot in the Soviet defense. Recon units plan to take a railroad bridge, work units behind the 90th and eliminate the entire pocket.

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15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions
In the center the 15th identified elements of two Russian regiments, the 161st and 241st Rifle Regiments, building a defense against them. The division is not yet fully engaged but intends to bring all battalions to the front as soon as possible.
The 11th and Border Guards face stronger opposition. Romanian G2 counted 36 Russian combat companies, making four heavy battalions, two of which are tank companies and another two armored reconnaissance. This represents a large portion of the Russian 2nd Cavalry Corps.
There were intense battles all along the line with the Romanians able to make an impact using their two armored battalions on the left flank. However, the Russian armor is all positioned on the Romanian right flank. To compound the problem, this is a vulnerable point in the Romanian line and the Russians appear intent on exploiting the weakness. This forces the Romanians to find units, mostly rear area types, to plug the gap.

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Guards and 21st Divisions
The 21st still has not found significant Russian opposition, but the presences of so many Russian HQ units does rise alarms.
After cleaning up Russian stragglers, the Guards Division is free to maneuver, however, there is a decision to be made. Should the division move North and close the gap with the Border Guard Division, or continue on the original path and advance toward Olanesthy? The next action by the Soviets should clarify the situation and make the decision obvious.

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T07 Russia

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North
As the 90th attempts to make a defensible position in the hills two new regiments are deployed South of Orgeyev. The regiments are known to contain artillery and infantry. These forces alone will not be enough to stop the German 50th Division, but hopefully they can slow down the advance while stronger defenses are established along the Dniester River.

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Center
Russian command has concentrated its forces in the center. A minimum of six regiments, including the 32nd Tank Regiment, are opposing the Romanians. There are also numerous additional units which are not identified by regiment and may be units of additional formations.
Counterattacks are concentrated on two positions. Near the center the Romanian 15th is attack causing significant enemy losses. Further South, on the Russian left flank, the Border Guards Division is assaulted. The possibility exists that the Russan 32nd Tank Regiment will skirt the Border Guard’s flank and attack rear area units. There are few Romanian units available to defend against such a move.

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South
A weak divisional support formation, composed of AA, engineers and support troops, is moved against the Guards Division but otherwise, movement is directed toward the center. The combat units of spotted regimental HQs are still hidden from view, but it is estimated that about two divisions are in the Southern region. More reconnaissance is required to uncover the enemy’s deployment.

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T07 Russian Inf Rgt


In the scenario Russian combat units are broken down by regimental HQ and company level units. Artillery units are usually regimental HQs and battalion level fire units. Since the Programmed Opponent isn’t very good at breaking down units to cover large areas and it isn’t bothered by micro-management, I made the design decision to brake combat regiments into indivisible company sized units. The PO isn’t good at breaking down units, but it certainly doesn’t have a problem making stacks of combined arms formations. In the AAR I have tried to illustrate how the PO uses stacks for both defense and attack.

Comparison of the Russian and Romanian rifle regiments reveals that the Russian regiment contained a significant number of heavy weapons not found in the Romanian TO&E. These units include companies of engineers, anti-aircraft, anti-tank, infantry gun and mortar. Note that this is the paper TO&E, reality was probably something else.

All TO&E graphics are posted with the permission of L. Niehorster.

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The Russian rifle battalion TO&E was also heavier than the Romanian counterpart. Romanian battalions contained platoons of machine guns and anti-tank guns while the Russian battalions contained companies of machine guns and mortars along with a platoon of dedicated anti-tank guns.

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Individual rifle companies were approximately equal with the Russian having an edge with three 50mm mortars. In the scenario Russian rifle companies do not typically deploy individually but are deployed stacked with supporting companies. Stacking to form combined arms formations of battalion strength is a common PO tactic. The graphic below shows the composition of a typical rifle company.

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T08 Romania

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50th and 35th Divisions
The 50th will soon engage Russian units located in the vicinity of Orgeyev. The force is too small to stop the 50th but it may hold them up for a couple of days. The Russians are estimated to be a battalion of infantry with artillery support.
The 35th has made frontal attacks against the 90th while mobile units work their way behind the defense. With help from the 50th the Romanians plan to complete an encirclement in another day and eliminate the remaining 90th Regiment units. The next objective is Kishinev.

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15th, 11th and Border Guard Divisions.
The three divisions are facing the full strength of the Russian 2nd Cavalry and 35th Corps. Six Russian cavalry and infantry regiments, which include companies of older T-37 and T-40 amphibious tanks, are counterattacking and inflicting heavy casualties on the Romanians. These attacks are threatening to collapse the Romanian right (Border Guard’s southern flank) flank and destroy the logistics tail. The Romanians have few weapons capable of stopping armor, even the light armor of the amphibious tanks. Additional Russian units can be seen behind the main line, they have not yet been identified by regiment but appear to be several regiments in strength.

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Guards and 21st Divisions
Guards engage the HQ of the Russian 11th Tank Regiment. HQ units are no match for the Guards, but the HQ’s armored battalions are hidden from view and are thought to be nearby. The Guards have orders to relieve the pressure on the center, but the presences of an armored regiment upsets those plans.
The 21st has finally located Russian defenses which are found to be primarily cavalry units. The Romanian commander does not anticipate that these light units will offer much resistance to their advance Eastward.

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[Magpius]

As more and more people seem to post game turns on youtube...
Just a big shout of thanks for a comprehensive and detailed 'old-school' AAR.