Drang Nach Osten - Revisited

[gingerbread]

Might we see the OOB numbers, as well as losses?

[IdahoNYer]

Scar is probably facing some very hard decisions. To me it seems he's already for turns now scraping the bottom of the barrel -- as IdahoNYer noted, he faces no more than moderate opposition in most sectors, and fresh tank brigades litter the ground.

Maybe he just couldn't pull forces back to Moscow in time because he fell behind schedule evac'ing industry in the face of the rapid Axis advance? Could explain this Tula issue?

Janh - I think you're right on the money here. He pulled 14 of the 25 AP out of Tula before the panzers drove in - he's got to be pressing all the rail he can muster into industry movement, which would severely limit his ability to reposition forces.

[IdahoNYer]

Here's the overview for Oct 2, 1941, starting with the Frontline.

We're close to Moscow, but its going to be a close run thing. Still need to press hard to get the Stalino Region under control.

Orel Bulge looks inviting, but want to keep the focus on Moscow!

[IdahoNYer]

Destroyed units - a good month of campaigning with 58 Rifle Divisions destroyed! With Leningrad, and a number of smaller pockets, the haul adds up.

Also of note is that infantry and armor brigades are starting to make their appearance in the lines, and are being destroyed accordingly. Most of these new formations seem to have been thrown in the line with little time for training or equipping - many tank brigades encountered have had anywhere from zero to twenty tanks. Good signs!

[IdahoNYer]

Losses highlight the pockets - of 800k in losses, over 500k wound up in the POW cages. Obviously, this was a banner month that can not be sustained, but I'll savor it just the same.

Soviet tank losses are of course light - there aren't many to be destroyed right now as the Soviets begin to stand up the tank brigades.

German losses are, and have been fairly consistant. Nothing truly excessive, even though resistance is stiffening around key objective areas.

[IdahoNYer]

Forces available show an increase in German AFVs for the first time - the addition of the 2nd and 5th Pz Divs!

Highlight of Soviet forces is that they are under the magic 400k figure - AND showed a decrease in overall strength for the first time. Very positive news!

[IdahoNYer]

Lastly for Oct 2, 1941, the panzerwaffe. Of course, I had a brain cramp and forgot that I had 2 motorized divisions that were broken down to regiments, so they aren't reflected here - and that its then a poor comparison to the previous month. Still, what is noteworthy here is the overall state of the decisive arm of the German forces in the east.

While still a potent force - they are much understrength in tanks and very much fatigued. Frankly, the panzermen would welcome a respite due to mud right now....

until then, we press on!

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 17; Oct 9, 1941........Clear

Offensive continues to churn forward on its last gallons of gas, creating pockets and pushing the Soviet Hordes eastwards - but crucial objectives of Moscow and Stalino, teasingly close, appear just out of reach for the summer campaign!

In AGN's area, 18th Army begins shifting considerable combat power south. The Valdai Pocket holds, but 16th Army is really stretched too thin to effectively reduce it. It's II Korps, and lead elements of 18th Army begin reducing it from the north and northeast. 4th Pz Grp's two PzKps push around Kalinin, and link up with 3rd PzGrp's XXXIX PzKps, diverted north from Moscow (its too weak to batter closer to the city right now). This creates another pocket that needs to be reduced however - meaning that the infantry of 16th or 18th Army, so badly needed to take Moscow, will remain unavailable for a number of weeks. All three PzKps involved in this encirclement will now need some rest and reorganization before attempting to blitz around Moscow from the north following mud.

The challenge is whether or not either the Valdai or Kalinin Pockets can be reduced somewhat in the coming mud turns.

[IdahoNYer]

AGC transitions to deliver the final blow on Moscow....

9th Army infantry eliminates the last elements of the Rzhev Pocket, and move into the line west of Moscow. 3rd Pz Grp, until it can have its XXXIX PzKps and V Korps released from the Kalinin area, is not capable of offensive action against Moscow. 2nd Pz Grp focuses on locking down the Kaluga Pocket and gaining a small bridgehead across the Nara River. While 2nd Pz Grp occupies the majority of the Soviet's attention southwest of Moscow, 4th Army shifts its XXXX PzKps from Tula north, attacking across the Oka River and gaining a solid bridgehead to the rear of the stout Soviet defenses holding up 2nd Pz Grp.

On the plus side, this bridgehead might just force the Soviets to pull back in front of 2nd Pz Grp, and be the jumping off point for the southern pincer come November's frost. On the negative side, again, a pocket must be reduced prior - the Kaluga Pocket - in mud if possible.

Reducing pockets, or any attacks, in mud are never a good thing....

[IdahoNYer]

The northern portion of AGS is still focused on cutting off the Orel Salient - which the Soviets have in fact started to withdraw from.

6th Army's entire focus is driving a wedge up to Tula - but supplies are running very, very thin. XXXXVI PzKps made some good progress as infantry was up in force to bull open a hole. XIV PzKps was pulled off of the attempt towards Veronezh, and advanced north in direct, vs. distant, support of 6th Army's drive. Once contact is made with 4th Army, XIV PzKps will move back towards 1st Pz Grp.

Both AGC's 2nd Army, and AGS' 17th Army is getting fairly well stretched in this area. If the salient isn't cut off in short order, there could be severe problems....and with mud, this could get even rougher....

[IdahoNYer]

The southern wing of AGS still focuses on the Stalino area. III and XXXXVIII PzKps finally join together, forming a small encirclement north of Stalino - one that will surely be broken. Still, supply situation is getting better in this area, and the bulk of 17th Army infantry is now in support.

Also, lead elements of 11th Army, including the much vaunted 60th Mot of Crimea fame, have advanced on Stalino from the west - a Stalino still loaded with industry!

That of course is the good news - the bad news is that with mud around the corner, this, like Moscow, is going to be a slugfest come the frost.

[IdahoNYer]

Lastly for the turn is the Crimea. Of 11th Army, on its XXX Korps remains - and I have brought all three divisions to bear on Sevastopol as the Soviets are actually weak here - and perhaps a quick victory can be made. Only 2x Naval Bdes seem to be in the area - and a deliberate assault routs one from the western fortifications. With some luck, the Soviets will not reinforce and we can secure this major fortress....

The approach to Kerch looks to be held with enough force to give the Rum 3rd Army pause. Given the choice, I'll focus on Sevastopol if there is a chance I can take it. Kerch can wait...

[juret]

Nice summer campaign.

U will take stalino and moscow during the snow. Question is ; does he have any industry or fabrics left in them then?

[IdahoNYer]

U will take stalino and moscow during the snow. Question is ; does he have any industry or fabrics left in them then?

Juret - you have more confidence in the winter offensive than I do at this point! Those pockets are problematic as they need to be liquidated to get the infantry forward to support any serious offensive against Moscow - that's going to be tough!

And yes, as far as I can tell, Moscow and the three Stalino cities still have what appears to be full industry! Very worthwhile objectives!

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 18; Oct 16, 1941.........Mud

General Mud arrives to save Moscow! The mud of course brings offensive operations to a standstill - time to pull the panzers off the front to refit and prepare for a short snow offensive. However, it isn't that simple......

AGN has two fairly large pockets to deal with - the Valdai Pocket and the Kalinin Pocket. The Valdai Pocket is very large in scope - enough depth for the Soviets to withdraw into when attacked - and its taking pretty much all of 16th Army to contain it, let alone attempt to attack it. 18th Army infantry is brought down and begins a slow, deliberate attack against the pocket - making slow, but sure progress. The Kalinin Pocket is more compact, but also closer to the Soviet lines, and in lousy terrain. And....no sizeable infantry force like 18th Army to begin to reduce it. "Holding" the outer cordon of the Kalinin Pocket is most of 4th Pz Grp's panzer and mot forces - which need to be relieved to be brought against Moscow - that is going to be challenging....

AGC has a hand in dealing with the Kalinin Pocket with a 3rd Pz Grp's V Corps, and one other pocket to deal with - the Kaluga Pocket - and even in the mud, elements of 2nd Pz Grp and 4th In begin to reduce this pocket, and hold current gains. That is the challenge.

Three railheads support this area - and are fairly close to the front. One of the three will begin working a north-south rail line shortly linking the three Army Groups - which will greatly assist shifting of forces.

[IdahoNYer]

AGS also grinds to a halt - and is in worse shape with the mud due to the distance to the railheads - 6th Army in particular is running on dry gas tanks...

With supply critical, and no chance with the mud to continue the drive north, we admit failure in 6th Army's attempt to reach Tula and 4th Army. We'll hold the salient, as 2nd Army is coming up from the west as the Soviets pull out of the Orel Bulge. The panzers begin to pull out, begining with 1st Pz Grp's XIV PzKps. Orel will fall, just not through encirclement. Missed opportunity here - and will be listed as a major mistake if I don't succeed in taking Moscow - where 4th Army's XXXX PzKps has established a bridgehead for the offensive - which could have cut south from Tula and linked up with 6th Army in short order - and trapped 20+ Soviet Divisions near Orel. Ah, the fortunes of war....

And until 2nd Army advances to eliminate the need for 6th Army to be in a major salient, 17th Army is VERY over stretched east of Kharkov....

Despite the mud, 1st Pz Grp manages to re-seal the Oskol Pocket with about 6 Divisions trapped. Rum 4th Army infantry also close on the Stalino city area, releasing 11th Army to shift a bit south - as the southern prong of the upcoming winter offensive.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 19; Oct 23, 1941..........Mud with snow in the Central Soviet Zone.

I catch a break with the snow in the Central Soviet Zone - although it only encompasses a very small portion of the front at this point.

AGN and AGN stay solidly in the mud, and focus on reducing pockets - some progress gained against the Valdai and Kalinin Pockets, but they still remain a thorn in the side. 2nd Pz Grp infantry reduces the Kalinin Pocket which definately helps.

AGS takes advantage of the snow, quickly eliminating the Oskol Pocket, and launching with un-rested and low fueled III and XXXXVIII PzKps, a dash to flank the Soviets defending the Stalino area and threaten Voroshilovgrad. Panzers get across the Torets River and establish a bridgehead, but the lead element, 11th Pz Div is down to 44 tanks - and will certainly be mired in the mud next turn. Still, progress has been made with the unexpected snow! Good news!

[wadortch]

Hello

This is a great AAR and you are running an impressive campaign.

I have been playing WITE since its release and am only now turning to considering managing the air game.

I am interested what you are doing in that regard--doctrine settings especially and any specific management of the Axis air reserve if these are not trade secrets!

Thanks.

[IdahoNYer]

This is a great AAR and you are running an impressive campaign.

I have been playing WITE since its release and am only now turning to considering managing the air game.

I am interested what you are doing in that regard--doctrine settings especially and any specific management of the Axis air reserve if these are not trade secrets!

Wadortch -

thanks! Not sure if I can help you much with the air doctrine - for what its worth, below are my current settings. Frankly, since adjusting them to these settings following the first turn attacks on Soviet airfields, I haven't given much priority to the air doctrine settings, or micro managing the Luftwaffe. Focus has been airlifting fuel and supply, followed by ground support. Reserve is pretty bare at this point of the war.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 21; Nov 6, 1941.........Mud

Two straight turns have really brought eastward offensive operations to a dead stop. Remaining Soviets encircled in the Valdai and Kalinin Pockets have been liquidated, and panzers brought out of front line positions to refit as best as possible. Rail repair inches forward, and I begin repairing a north-south line to link AGN and AGC - to prevent troops from having to rail back from the front all the way to Warsaw, before heading to other army groups.

Even with the mud, destroyed units continue to add up - crossed the over 200 Rifle Div mark! Of course, these units had been largely encircled prior, and have finally been destroyed.

At this point, with hindsight, I realize that I made a strategic mis-step in not eliminating the Orel Bulge - I should have committed XXXX PzKps south to link up with 6th Army - that would have encircled at least 20 divisions or more. Instead, the Soviets pulled back, giving up Orel, but saving the divisions. While XXXX PzKps did establish a good bridgehead towards and advance on Moscow - I'm begining to think its getting a bit late to successfully take the city before blizzard - not that I won't make an effort of course....