Romania - Izyum 3/42

[Korpraali V]

3/42 0600 South of Izyum

Romanian defend – Soviet assault.

Visibility 700 meters, length 30 turns, weather hazy


As part of the 6th Corps under command of Gen.Lt. Corneliu Dragalina the 15th Battalion has been transfered to South of Izyum. Soviets have noticed the change and are now testing the Romanian ability to defend themselves. Fortunately most of the positions were well fortified and the HQ has informed Oberstleutnant Karl about the incoming attack. Also few desserters have given valuable information. The Romanians are ready.

Some changes have occurred since the last fight:
- Combat engineer company is equipped with new 9mm Orita submachineguns.
- Cornu, leader of second infantry platoon was promoted to locotenent. Sublocotenet Banciu is still company leader althoug he now has lower rank than Cornu.
- Iancu, leader of third engineer platoon was promoted to locotenent.






Attachment: Deployment in north

[Korpraali V]

Support units:

5x Bunker

30 build points

2x captured 76,2mm ATG

FO
3x M42 120mm Mortar
3x RS 81mm Mortar

Mountain infantry company
Co Hq
1st Platoon (Plt Hq, 3x Munte sqd, M35 60mm mortar)
2nd Platoon (Plt Hq, 3x Munte sqd, M35 60mm mortar)
3rd Platoon (Plt Hq, 3x Munte sqd, M35 60mm mortar)
4th Platoon (Plt Hq, 3x Munte sqd, M35 60mm mortar)
2x 7,92mm ZB37 MMG
3x Schwarzlose HMG
2x Scout team



The purpose of the few obstacles and minefields is to direct the enemy assault in front of Romanian AA and AT guns and HMGs. Their job is to weaken the bolsheviks and then withdraw to secondary positions in rear area. The purpose of the infantry is to fool the enemy armors to come out from the open and into the woods so that their visibility will be reduced significally. Then, with the help of the mortars, Romanian Panzer and infantry will destroy them. AA and AT guns will take care of the armors which choose to stay in the open. T3 platoon far north is to peek and kill enemy armors. Mortars play very important role in the fight. Their main job is to suppress and devide the armors from infantry. After the bolshevik armors are beaten, their infantry will be destroyed in the open. Expecting lots of armors and huge barrages.






Attachment: Deployment in south

[Korpraali V]

0620

Soviet barrages started. Some suppression, no damage. Little smoke laid little north from the centre. At least two companies of Soviet infantry and engineers in the centre. Schwarzlose and ZB53 kill some from the long distance. Barrages ordered. They hit well in the middle of the troop concentrations. More ordered. T-34s seen in the centre. One is hit by 47mm ATG with no effect. One seems to have lost its tracks. Two other T-34s far north.

At least 16 T-34s in north, carrying infantry and engineers! About 20 T-34s in centre plus some ZiS-30 Panzerjägern. There’s not much those weak 47mm AT guns can do. One T-34 is destroyed by side hull hit. First ATGs withdraw.

More Soviet barrages hit the southern area, and first casualties are taken. Karl gets worried for those T-34s. They are too many.





Attachment: FO covers the withdrawal in the centre.

[PimpYourAFV]

Why do you still need mines and hundreds of units to beat the AI?

[forgorin]

Dont knock him too bad.  He is having fun.  Though I do agree with you.  Use some obs to push him to different directions but the mines?  Cummon.  Too easy!!

[Korpraali V]

TBT and forgorin: Thanks for the feedback. I have mined the central hill and few hexes in the south. Nothing else. And they didn't came towards the hill by force, as I suspected they wouldn't (and that you can well see in my unit deployment). Soviet spears are coming from northern and southern side of that hill. Before this campaign I've never played with the Romanians so I'm trying different kinds of tactics with them. So I may use few mines in some defence missions to gain some experience on fighting with the Romanians. Not many thou, I know the AI's problems with minefields. I'm trying to play this campaign through instead of quitting after few battles so I'll use all the support points AI gives to me. If you, TBT, don't want to fight the campaign through and see your heroes developing and perhaps die just before the war ends, that's your style. For that kind of fighting I tend to use single battles. In campaigns I'll try to fight until the war ends.

-----------------------------------------------

0635

Seems that the barrages have stopped the central infantry. But two strong Soviet spears are coming from north and south of centre. Northern one is mix of T-34s and infantry, southern one is mainly T-34s.

Huge amounts of T-34 and infantry, how on earth can this onslaught be stopped?!? Some T-34s and ZiS-30s have been destroyed by ATGs but that’s like der Mückenstich. ATGs start to withdraw from the central hill to avoid getting flanked and overran. FO covers the withdrawal throwing smoke.

Concentrated barrages are ordered on both spears to slow them down. Hopefully that’ll work so that the trucks and tractors could get enough time to take the AT-guns to new positions. Lots of AP-ammo have been wasted, most shots miss their targets, even when shot with high hitting percent.

After the barrages about company of enemy infantry is retreating, but that won’t stop T-34s. Something more is needed now.




Attachment: Southern spear.

[azraelck]

So, actually using real strategy in a strategy game is "stupid weakling nonsense"? When I want to devise strategies that could actually work in a real life situation, I'll use mines and obstacles to create an obvious path, which will have the shit knocked out of it by air and artillery support. I'll use smoke screens to narrow their field of fire down, and natural terrain, smoke, and obstacles to force them into crossfires with AA, ATG, and MGs blazing. When I want an arcade shoot-em-up, I'll play Doom II modded with WWII weapons and enemies.

[PimpYourAFV]

The problem with you azraelick is you lack the intelligence to make strategy. Instead you only copy formulas others have made, which includes sitting behind minefields and shooting at what tries to come through them. Making strategy is doing what others have never thought of. You think you are a military genius azraelick cause you watched some programs on tv and hang out with KG Erwin... wait a moment while I laugh this off... okay, and you try to copy what others do but that only makes you lose. Hannibal's own brother tried to copy exactly what Hannibal had done at Cannae and as expected, he lost against the Romans. Formulas don't work against smart people who adapt and create their own ideas.

[Korpraali V]

You may continue in general forums, please let this be for SPWAW AARs and DARs.

------------------------------

0640

North: The hill is now occupied by Soviets. Locotenent Delavracea, leader of AT-gun platoon gets overran by T-34. Bunkers hold the enemy infantry and draw the gunfire of T-34s. Some KV-2s seen. Soviet barrages hit the ATG positions causing few casualties and lots of suppression.

South: The hill is occupied by Soviet T-34s. First Vickers AA-gun is out of AP-ammo and is taken to resupply. Couple T-34s destroyed, but not enough. Also mortar barrages take out some armors. Well placed AT-guns get some good flank shots but only few of those T-34s are destroyed, their armor is too thick. The red steel horde is moving forward…

Company of bolshevik engineers and riflemen are continuously retreating. Now also many T-34s have joined the retreaters. Finally some good news. Barrages have done fine job of routing and slowing the enemy advance sicnifically. Couple non-routed T-34s have broke through in north but they’re soon destroyed by T3s.



Attachment: Battle-hardened and very experienced Romanian support FO that can call the mortars at minimum of 1.1 delay!

[Korpraali V]

0650

North: Soviet barrages hit the northest hill which is the position of ATGs, bunker, HMG and T3 platoon. ATGs are either routed or their view is blocked by flowing dust. Another T-34 is knocked out and one loses its crew. But still many more are to come. They are now trying to push through over the hill. That’s exactly what we expected. By trying that they’ll reveal their weak flanks to T3’s ATGs and R-2s enclosing from central forest. One is immediately knocked out by enemy ZiS. Revenge comes fast when sergent Gigurtu kills both attacking ZiS’s with his 47mm ATG.

Centre: Ivan’s infantry is closing the central hill. Schwatzlöse is unable to hold them anymore. At least one company of Ivan’s armoured vehicles are retreating.

South: The situation eases suddenly, when three T-34s are destroyed in a roll. Two of them are deactivated by sublocotenent Radulescu, leader of first ATG platoon. They are preparing to kill more. T-34s’ strong front armour is impenetrable but since all three ATGs have managed to stay hidden they’ve revealed their weaker side hulls to guns. 47mm guns are totally outdated and even T-34’s side hulls need usually several hits to penetrate and take the beast out. Real troubles arrive when the gun crews see monsterous KV-2 on the hill.





Attachment: Sublocotenent Radulescu in a close fight.

[Korpraali V]

0700

Ivan barrages continuously our ATG positions in north, south and centre. How long they can last and fight? They’ve done that already long time, but bolsheviks are getting closer and closer. Are they able to evacuate the positions before they’ll get overran? Heavy shells start to take their toll among the defenders.

North: Second R-2 gets destroyed when two KV-2’s join to battle. They must be fooled to come inside the forest where infantry can take it out with molotovs. T3’s 50mm KwK L/42 gun seems too weak to penetrate T-34’s front armour. Side armour is possible, so sublocotenent Melinte’s platoon backs behind the hill to wait Ivan to come and show his flank.

South: Finally the KV-2 gets side hull hit by 47mm AP round that penetrates and destroys the beast. It took more than a twenty shots to kill that monster. That was the last panzer on the hill. Are they really withdrawing or just gathering the troops for next try?



Attachment: Situation in north.

[Korpraali V]

0725

If we’ll win today, or even survive, the biggest reason is well working mortars. They’ve again showed their value by slowing and stopping the Soviet infantry masses. They have destroyed whole platoons and knocked out several panzer. Without them whole defence would have collapsed by now, there’s no doubt in that.

North: First bunker is lost. Several 76mm shells had already hit it and most of its men were killed or seriously wounded. Last rush of T-34s was too much for it. One KV-2 damaged due to side hull hit by 47mm AT-gun. They still do their job, although they are using too much ammo per enemy panzer. Getting short of AP grenades. Special mention to sergent Ilica, who killed whole platoon of enemy infantry with his ZB53 HMG.

Centre: Soviets are on the central hill! Mortars are pinning them down.

South: After scoring eight kills and using all ammo sublocotenent Radulescu orders his ATG crew to take the gun back. Truck starts to move them to cover. Other two guns have five AP ammo left, and there’s a KV coming… hopefully it’ll drive to mines. If not, then the gun crews are in trouble. And on the left… T-34! Two armours and five AP shells… this is getting tough. When the KV-2 turns its tail the 47mm ATG shoots. Hits the tracks and cuts them! KV-2 is immobilized! Mortars can handle it now. Four AP ammo and one T-34 left. Hopefully that’s the last one.





Attachment: Northern trops start their counterattack.

[Korpraali V]

0730

North: The pressure gets lighter. So it’s time for counterattack! T3 Platoon advances from north and riflemen from south. Sergent Florea takes out two T-34s and one KV-2. Infantry pushes suppressed bolsheviks packing. Some troops still put up a good resistance and also Romanians suffer some casualties. Veteran HMG squad led by sergent Ilica is again reaping the enemy infantry inflicting them notable casualties.

Centre: With his last AP ammo sergent Gigurtu’s 47mm ATG destroyed T-34 that had rolled inside the Romanian lines. KV-2 follows it and R-2s are desperately trying to stop it with their hopelessly outdated 37mm tank guns. The threat if finally over when sergent Jonker destroys the beast with molotovs.

South: Munte company makes small counterattack and reaches the western side of southern hill. Enemy infantry seems to be mainly routed and only couple of Panzer coming anymore. Have the attack starved their forces?




Attachment: Sergent Gigurtu.

[Korpraali V]

0750

North: The counterattack seems to work well. Enemy infantry is pushed back and they are suffering heavy casualties. Some units attempt to fight back and cause casualties to Romanians. Locotenent Cornu gets killed by flamethrower. After short fight where R-2’s support infantry advance the Soviets get totally beaten. They are running in chaos. T3’s from north join the chasing of enemy infantry. Immobilized T-34 is found! With two lucky shots it destroys sergent Florea’s Panzer and cuts tracks from sublocotenent Melinte’s T3. Barrages ordered on it.

Centre: The central hilltop is again in Romanian hands. Bolshevik infantry is withdrawing faster than Karl’s men can follow.

South: Counterattacking Panzer kills the remaining T-34 on the southern hill. On the northern side of hill couple T-34s are knocked out by AT-guns, one or two left. Câpitan Lazarian destroys the immobilized KV. The hill is now again in Romanian hands.




Attachment: Lucky T-34 in north.

[Korpraali V]

Battle ends. Soviet forces withdraw from the field leaving some woundeds and abandoned vehicles behind. Several prisoners were taken. The attackers were from special armoured engineer Regiment (5 rifle companies, SMG company, 6 engineer companies, 5 armoured companies). Almost their whole armoured force was destroyed. This Regiment won’t do anything for a long long time, if ever. The battle was hard, and it really seemed that this time the Romanians would get overran. And it was really surprising how low the Romanian casualties were. That was mostly because the enemy never get to close combat with the infantry. ATGs and mortars pretty much did the job with the assist of T3’s.


Today’s heroes:
- Sergent Ilica, who just arrived with the reinforcements before the battle and took the lead of first Company’s HMG (18 kills!)
- Sergent Florescu, leader of 120mm mortar (13 kills)
- ATG company that carried the main burden on striking back the Soviet attack with most guns using all their AP ammo

Romanian losses: 114 men, 1 ATG, 2 trucks, 3 AFVs (13390 points DV)

Soviet losses: 1504 men, 64 AFVs (865 points CD)

[serg3d]

Was it hard or medium battle ?

[Korpraali V]

Medium battle with AI Advantage ON. And with 8.4 so my support units are... well, you know. [;)]

(I'm planning to change it to Hard Battle with AI Advantage OFF during the Stalingrad era. And perhaps someday to Hard Battle and AI Advantage ON, if I'm good (or fool [;)] [:D] [:D]) enough)

[Twotribes]

After reading the sniping about play style I dont think I will be posting any AAR. Not being a military genius has its draw backs. Sounds like you had one heck of a fight. Good job.

[Riun T]

I agree with twotribes in the sence that your DAR/AAR  sounded and looked like a great fight, and u did an excellant job in outlining your plan and implimenting it, with the resources at hand, doing the job intended.
TWOTRIBES, I wouldn't put hesitation to giving your own renditions on actions here for all of us to see, MOST,, of the readership on the forum are more than happy to give assistance in a positive,unsniping and respectful manner and I believe we've all been here long enough to figure out which of the comintaters replies have merrit and deserve attention. I've been chastized and slandered lots here and all it seems to do for me is make me more diligent to show these charicatures for precisely what they are and how little their offering the forum.
KEEP YOUR CHINS UP AND THE DEBATES COMIN!! RT 

[Korpraali V]

Thanks Twotribes and Riun T! It's good to hear some feedback [:)]

Also I'd like to encourage you to post your DAR's/AAR's to forums. I agree with Riun that almost all the feedback is constructive and good. No need to be an expert before posting. As you can see, I'm still playing with Medium Battle -level [:)]

So please post the reports. Either here or at the Depot. They are also there for all to read, not just for members. And there you won't see any 'unsportsmanlike conduct', as you won't usually see here either.