Guards advance at Bryansk 10/18/41

[robot]

Brayansk Russia
October 18 1941
1800 Hours

We are to advance against the Germans holding Bryansk. We understand they are well dug in and well supplied with tanks. We are about 380 miles SW of Moskow. What we do here today may well save Moskow. We have to stop the Germans before they take Moskow. All our men know what is at stake and are very up for todays battle.

I have placed B CO near the north map edge. Thery will have about 500 yards of fairly open ground to reach the norhtern objectives. A Co is on there right flank and will advance along a road about 650 yards to reach the center objective. C Co will be on As right flank and will move along with A. Once the center and the northern objectives have been secured they will then advance SE to the southern map edge and secure the sothern objectives there. At least they will have mostly woody area to move thru and will be concealed as they move forward.

All companys are supported by at least 2 platoons of heavy tanks. Our IG guns have trucks for tranport today at least. They will be moved to the closest hill in support of there respected companys. We are to jump off at 6:pm which is fast approaching. There is a very heavy thunderstorm raging which will cut down on visability today. Will only be able to see maybe 300 yards so this is going to be up close and personal and movement will be very slow. This is going to be a tough one today will just have to wait and see if our men are really up to the job. I myself have all the faith in them and believe we will reign supreme today.

HQ:V Heavy Guards
Col: Ivan Tarsakar Commanding

[robot]

Bryansk Russia
October 18 1941
1850 Hours

We are moving well against the Germans. Have pushed them back from the middle objectives and they are in our hands and secure. We are doing well against there armor as well. Have taken out at least ten of there tanks while losing only two of our own. Our 76.2 guns are tearing there armor to pieces.

Our tanks mgs are cutting there infantry to shreds as well. Most of my tanks have moved up in front of the main line and engaging the infantry before our infantry has a chance to get there. This dam thunderstorm has really slowed our advance the infantry is having a very hard time making any progress at all. Taking almost 5 minutes to make a hundred yards at a time.

I am constantly screaming at our tankers to slow down. They just dont have the patience to wait for the slower moving infantry. Our 107mm and 120mm Morters have been laying down a murderous fire on the enemy. And with the tanks moving ahead and laying down a heavy fire with there Mgs the enemy doesnt have a chance to even fire on our infantry. Our losses are slight so far and I hope this continues as we begin to move on the rear objectives. The Southern objectives are with in 400 yards and will be ours within the half hour. A company is with in 150 yards of the northern and moving well as well.

We still have at least 800 yards to reach the rear northern objectives. Our Partisans are trying to move on the southern rear ones but have run into at least 5 tanks guarding them. Have taken out one so far but have lost one complete squad to the German armor. They are trying to jocky a couple of squads to take out the second one sitting about 100 yards from the objective. We are trying to rush a platoon of heavy tanks to give them some help with the German armor. They have gotten to with in 300 yards of where they are engaged.

[robot]

Bryansk Russia
October 18 1941
1945 Hours

The Germans are in full retreat. Once again we have beaten the dreaded German hordes. We really gave them a drubbing today. They lost 1734 men along with 36 artty and 87 tanks. Our tank gunners were right on the money all day today. Ripping there armor to shreds even before they had a chance to fire on our guys. We also had a field day with there 88mm atg. If they missed there first shot they were dead before they got there second shot off.

We only lost 425 men along with 11 of our tanks. This also included at least 3 of our recon cars that were shot up. One of our 120 morters fell short and took out one of our own tanks. All in all it was a great day for mother Russia. Our losses were fairly small while we inflicted heavy losses to the enemy. We took and had secured all of our objectives today just before the enemy began to run from the battle field.

HQ: V Heavy Guards
Col: Ivan Tarsakar Commanding