Return to Smolensk and Beyond, IdahoNY vs Scar

[IdahoNYer]

Near Moscow, Soviet attacks continue, and all are successful. However, this is more attritional warfare, no significant ground is lost, and the German frontage is actually being reduced. In 4th Pz Armee's area, LVI PzKps is actually able to pull completely out of the line and refit in towns behind the lines.

I'll continue to give ground slowly for as long as I can. And try and keep the panzer divisions off the line....

[IdahoNYer]

South of Moscow, opposite Tula, the Soviet attacks continue to push AGC slowly west, as do the attacks aimed toward Orel against 1st Pz Armee.

This attritional warfare is bleeding the Wehrmacht dry, but there isn't much I can do about it, especially as I don't want to execute a wholesale withdraw west. So far, it is manageable....so far.

2nd Army is finally coming up in line in strength, and I've attached 1st Pz Armee's infantry Korps to 2nd Army to facilitate pulling 1st Pz Armee out of the line and shifting it further south.

[IdahoNYer]

In front of Kursk, 6th Army is being pressured hard by repeated Soviet attacks. This is why I want to pull 1st Pz Armee further south, 6th Army is going to need help. XXXXVI PzKps HQ was pulled south to assist 11th Army, leaving behind Das Reich and GD Reg as 6th Army's mobile reserve.

Other than defending in a town or better - there is no effective barrier to prevent a successful Soviet attack. Not nearly enough mountain troops to go around, and I have been very dissappointed by the non-effectiveness of level 3 fortifications. So the Soviets can attack successfully where and when they want - but they seem unable to effect a breakthrough - at least so far and that is the critical point.

Of course the long term wear and tear on the Wehrmacht to continue the offensive in summer of 1942 is also a concern...

[IdahoNYer]

At the southern end of the line, Soviet's keep pressure up against 11th Army, but surprisingly, leave 17th Army alone. Very surprised at the lack of a thrust against Kharkov.

Continued pressure against the Rumanian 4th Army, but no breakout from the Crimea either.

XXXXVI PzKps is assembling just west of the screen shot - it contains 10th Pz, TotenKopf and 2nd SS Bde. Not needed right now, but in position to react to a crisis in either the Crimea or the Donets Basin.

[EntropyAvatar]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer
At the southern end of the line, Soviet's keep pressure up against 11th Army, but surprisingly, leave 17th Army alone. Very surprised at the lack of a thrust against Kharkov.

Well, attacks cost him manpower too, and given how much you hurt him in the summer he might not have the strength to attack everywhere long-term. Besides, if he pushes you back north and south of the 11th, he extends your line and may oblige you to fall back on your own.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 30, Jan 8, 1942 Beginning of turn, showing Soviet attacks

Only time for a quick update tonight. Blizzard rages, Soviets continue a general attack across the front. AGN and AGC seem to be managing - barely near Orel, but managing. First 4 infantry divisions (around 5000 strength) being readied to rail west back to Germany for refitting, along with 17th Pz Div.

Major crisis developing here in the south. Cirlced units indicate "ready" status - all others are "unready". Not a good picture. Add Totenkopf, just north of the screen shot, moving south as part of XXXXVI PzKps to assist. Even with the PzKps, looks like the Soviets might get a breakthrough out of the Crimea or from the Donets Basin. The good news is that I've begun moving 18th Army HQ and two Korps (no divisions attached, just some support) are going to rail south to replace the Rum 4th Army - and be in position to attack into the Crimea after blizzard. Will rail out some of the new infantry divisions assembling from reinforcements, as well as the LI Korps, now part of the 4th Rum Army.

Rumanians are useless in the blizzard!

Elsewhere up north....1st Pz Armee is relieved by 2nd Army opposite Orel. It will move south to support 6th Army's defense of Belgorod-Kursk.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 32, Jan 22nd 1942.

And the weather is........SNOW!!! Glorious SNOW!!

Timing couldn't be better - in the Russian's portion of turn 31, with the blizzard still raging, Scar goes all out, launching some 75 attacks, all but 12 are successful, including multiple attacks against successive hexes - something I haven't seen much of as yet. While no major break throughs are achieved, some areas of the front seem to be at the breaking point.

Then....snow....and the Germans are instantly rejuvinated. Combat power of most ground units significantly increase. Replacements are received. Time to counter-attack!

These counterattacks are possible not only by the snow, but by keeping the panzer divisions close by - usually just behind the front in towns or cities. The objective of these attacks are "spoiling attacks" - designed to knock the Soviets off balance by throwing their lead units back. Our strength isn't sufficient to achieve large encirclements, nor has Scar been able to exploit any attacks, so he is not that vulnerable.

In addition to the snow and attacks, 18th Army is offically activated as part of AGS, with 3xKorps relieving the 4th Rumanian Army against the Crimea. Four fresh infantry divisions are enroute to the army by rail from Germany. Also, 17th Pz and 4xIN Divs are being railed west from AGC to Germany for rest and refit.

[IdahoNYer]

At the northern end of the German line (the Finns to the north make a few attacks to straighten out the line, but nothing significant), the 16th Army makes a few limited attacks, regaining some lost ground. 9th Pz of XXXXI PzKps with its 90 panzers and the newly arrived 1st In Div are committed routing one Rifle Div in the army's main attack.

The intent here is just to throw the Russians back and then in my next turn pull back to the fortifications. With only one panzer division available, we're not going to accomplish anything dramatic.

[IdahoNYer]

9th Army's front from Kalinin north remains quiet. Its southern divisions assist in 4th Pz Armee's spoiling attacks.

During the Soviet portion of the preceeding turn, 4th Pz Armee is heavily attacked - all of its front line positions are attacked, all but one is pushed back. Its 254th Infantry Div is the first German division routed in the blizzard.

4th Pz Armee counter attacks with its two panzer korps - the LVI PzKps attacks in the north, retaking Klin and pushing the Soviets back to their start line from their attacks. XIV PzKps, anchored by the strongest unit on the Russian Front, Wiking Motorized, also throws the Russians back. Infantry between the Pzkps likewise pushes the Soviets back.

These attacks, although successful, will only bring a temporary respite. 4th Pz Armee will withdraw west once the blizzard resumes, but hopefully gaining some breathing space.

[IdahoNYer]

Like 4th Pz Armee, 3rd Pz Armee realed from heavy Soviet attacks. Its counterattacks are also limited spoiling attacks, throwing the Russians back, and even routing a number of infantry divisions.

This will also serve as a temporary respite, provide enough battlespace and time to pull back to positions to the west.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pull most of 3rd Pz Armee's panzer divisions off the line - much risk here, exposing the panzers to Soviet counterattacks in their portion of the turn.

[IdahoNYer]

South of Kaluga, the situation maps are a bit confusing. 4th Army was in the process of relieving all of 2nd Pz Armee, and was being hard pressed by Soviet attacks. 2nd Pz Armee, had XXIV Pzkps near Kaluga, while XXXXVII PzKps with its 18th Pz (only 29 tanks remaining after heavy Soviet attacks and subsequent retreats) was south of 4th Army. XL PzKps with two very strong Pz Divs (2nd and 5th), had been resting in Orel since the start of the blizzard.

Here also, the Soviets spearhead their attacks with tank brigades, pushing ahead of the rifle divisions - ripe for counterattack.

XXIV PzKps attacks in the north, routing a number of tank brigades and rifle divisions, regaining lost ground. However, with the fighting against the rifle divisions, the PzKps is unable to pull entirely off the line. XL PzKps, very fresh and well supplied, attacks vigorously routing numerous tank brigades and a few rifle divisions. They gain about 30 miles in places, and have sufficient movement left to return to Orel to refit. These panzer attacks relieve the isolated 183rd In Div and allow 4th Army to regain lost positions.

Good success here, but again, only a temporary respite. If nothing else, the concentrated attacks by fairly strong panzer korps should give the Russians pause in subsequent attacks.

[IdahoNYer]

Even 2nd Army, without any panzer divisions, conducts spoiling attacks to retake some lost ground. Although its infantry attacks rout a few tank brigades, most rifle divisions are just pushed back. Note the lack of fortifications in this area - having just relieved 1st Pz Armee, nothing has been dug yet.

[IdahoNYer]

Between Kursk and Belgorod, 6th Army's lines are severely stretched during the Soviet attacks. 1st Armee was moving south slowly - taking advantage of towns and cities to rest the panzers - as they were re-positioning south of 6th Army after being relieved by 2nd Army east of Orel.

1st Pz Armee's two Pzkps spearhead the attacks - the weak III PzKps gains some ground north of Kursk, and 16th Pz Div is able to pull back off the line after the spoiling attacks.

XXXXVIII Pzkps fairs better, as it is quite a bit stronger. Here, Soviet defenders fight stubbornly, and for the most part, do not rout - Soviet Cavalry Corps in particular resist attacks stubbornly. Ground is gained, but the panzers are unable to pull off the line.

Like elsewhere, these spoiling attacks are only designed to throw the Soviets off balance and gain time.

[IdahoNYer]

Like 9th Army well to the north, 17th Army has been largely spared from Soviet attacks during the blizzard, and its line has remained fairly static. Only at its juncture with 11th Army to the south, do the Soviets attack, one successful, one held. With no appreciable reserves, nor large scale Soviet attacks to counterattack, 17th Army's front remained quiet during the German turn as well.

[Senno]

Exciting AAR.

Wonderful advance, can't wait to see how you come out of the blizzard.

[IdahoNYer]

11th Army remains heavily pressed. Heavy Soviet attacks push the troops back - the Rumainians being particularly worthless. Even the fortifications and reinforcements from 17th Army do little to stem the tide. This forces me to commit the XXXXVI PzKps (10th Pz, Totenkopf) in a spoiling attack at the most critical point in the line. While it gained some ground and routed some units, I'm afraid it is not enough to stabilize the situation here.

Also, committing the PzKps here, is not really where I had intended to use it - against the Soviets attacking out of the Crimea. However, for now, it is needed here, especially with the new concentration of Soviet cavalry in this area.

While reluctant to give ground - it is here that I may in fact have to conduct a large scale withdrawal before the blizzard is done. Of course, of all the places along the front, I have the space here to trade for time.

[IdahoNYer]

Against the Soviets attacking from the Crimea, 18th Army establishes control over LI Korps, formerly of the Rumanian 4th Army - and its four divisions! The other two korps of 18th Army are not yet established or deployed. Heavy Soviet attacks have broken the back of the Rumanian forces.

Here is where I wanted to commit XXXXVI PzKps - but another crises loomed. Hopefully the snow will stall the Soviet attack, gaining time for 18th Army to stabilize the situation - without having to fall back to the Dniepr.

[Aussiematto]

I am really going to be comparing this to mine... I have the same strategic problem with crimea not taken at the moment. I am already digging in, turn 15, and have high hopes for my Rumanian allies (am I foolish?)

[IdahoNYer]

Don't pen your hopes on your Rumanians!!!! I figured with some German divisions as "corset stays", the Rum 4th Army could easily hold the entrance to the Crimea through the blizzard.

WRONG WRONG WRONG!

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 34; Feb 5, 1942.

The good news was that in the Russian portion of the snow turn 32, not a single Soviet unit attacked! That was a bit unexpected. Welcome, but, unexpected.

As expected, the blizzard returned on turn 33. With the blizzard turn, I pulled back one hex in most areas - those gains in the spoiling attacks were largely given up. Trading a bit of space for time. Not enough space however to prevent a good number of Soviet attacks. Back to blizzard standard operating procedures!

The good news is that Soviet casualties have exceeded 5 million men! These blizzard attacks are costing both sides heavily, but the Russians can absorb them a lot easier.

My "reserve" force of battered units I've sent back west to refit is starting to mature. 11, 17 and 20th Pz are all over 95% rebuilt and well over 100 AFVs - including the new PzIIIj/60. 16th Mot is also rebuilt. Including uncommitted reinforcements, 8xIN divisions are also available. My intent is to keep this reserve force fresh - not exposed to blizzard effects - and rail them east to spearhead the counterattack in March. Timing will be critical.

The following screen shots show the Soviet attacks from Turn 33