Drang Nach Osten - Revisited

[IdahoNYer]

Panzers continue to get in better shape. The panzers used in the spoiling attacks in the south have been pulled off the line, and are now refitting as well. Most of the divisions are in good shape, goal is getting all the divisions over 100-120 tanks - and I think that will be very do-able.

[IdahoNYer]

And, as requested, here is a snapshot of the infantry. Two screen shots, this one showing the best of them in the morale category. Bottom line is that of the 117 divisions, 55 have morale at or over 70 - including a dozen at or above 90.

[IdahoNYer]

On the bottom end, the worst is a morale of 55 - but the bright spot across all infantry is that all but one division is over 10k. If we can manage a few more snow turns prior to the mud, we can probably improve the morale on a quite a few more infantry units before summer hits.

So, even with out a heavy Soviet blizzard attack, the blizzard itself really cut into the German morale - for well over half the infantry on the front.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 40; Mar 19, 1942.........Snow with blizzard in the South Soviet Zone.

Weather continues to cooperate with the German post-blizzard attacks. These attacks have been largely successful, and have increased in intensity as blizzard gives way to snow.

Overall, the attacks have served the following purposes:
1. Reblood the German infantry and motorized formations - gain them morale prior to the summer offensive; morale that was eroded from blizzard (keep panzers back to refit where ever possible)
2. Set conditions for the summer offensive by breaching now frozen rivers and destroying Soviet fortification belts - especially target forts that are on their way to level 3.
3. Inflict casualties on the Soviets; create small encirclements where possible.

Also, while not directly tied to attacks, the German forces in the east are in the midst of re-organizing. Rail capacity is maxed out each turn, sending the divisions in reserve in Germany and Poland east, as well as moving formations along the front. Also attempting to reorganize the support units across the front - pulling them out of corps and divisions where they will not be essential, and maxing combat power in those units that will be launching attacks this summer.

Here, north of Moscow, all those actions have taken place. AGN has completed its move of 18th Army to the east of 16th Army, and it is already moving directly from trains into offensive action, supporting the unit it will replace, 4th Pz Armee. Both 4th and 3rd Pz Armee launch heavy local attacks, designed mostly to set conditions for summer, but have the added bonus of encircling 6xrifle divs. While 3xPzKps took part in this attack, only 2xPz Divs participated - and that role was limited to exploiting gains, not attacking directly.

[IdahoNYer]

The rest of AGC conducts attacks of a more limited nature. With 2nd Pz Armee totally pulled from the line, the infantry armies are a bit stretched, but mass locally for limited attacks - aimed at seasoning German troops and busting Soviet fort belts. 9th Army is successful in this, as well as actually gaining some ground toward Moscow. Soviet defenses are not as strong as I would have thought - the rifle divisions here are brittle - I would have though the Soviets would have their best troops here to protect the capital.

4th Army and 2nd Army conduct a more ambitious attack - encircling 2xrifle divs - but the attack is actually aimed at gaining a solid bridgehead over the Oka River while it remains frozen. This will serve as the springboard for 2nd Pz Armee's attack near Tula this summer.

[IdahoNYer]

AGS stays actively engaged in offensive operations as well. 6th Army made gains to further create an "Orel Salient", ripe for picking once summer begins. Soviet defenders here seem more robust than anywhere else encountered so far. Of XXXVI Pzkps, its two Pz Divs remain to the rear refitting.

17th Army, still stretched very thin until the Hungarians move in, conduct very limited attacks to gain bridgeheads across the Oskol River.

[IdahoNYer]

Near the Stalino area, AGS attempts to set the conditions for an encirclement of the region once summer begins. To this, 1st Pz Armee - with all 3xPzKps (but only 1xPz Div), attack east in an attempt to bridge the Krasnaya River. Resistance is inconsistant - some very tough units, other that rout easily.

The Rum 4th Army takes up the line between 1st Pz and 11th Armies, freeing up half a dozen German infantry divisions. Taking risk here, but I doubt the Soviets will launch any major attack any time soon. The Rum 3rd Army is forming up from the Crimea behind the German 11th Army. They will also enter the line once summer attacks begin, to cover the "back door" of the anticipated "Stalino Pocket".

11th Army, hampered by blizzard conditions, breaches the Kalmius River, but well short of its goal - the Mius. That will likely be a river too far to gain prior to mud. 22nd Pz is enroute to augment 60th Mot, and one of the infantry Korps (likely XXX Korps) will become an "ad hoc" PzKps with a good armor leader to exploit success.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 42; Apr 2, 1942.......Mud

General Mud finally arrives to put a stop to the limited German Post-Blizzard attacks. Overall, the limited attacks did pretty well - gained some ground, destroyed some Soviet units, and probably most importantly increased the morale in a number of German infantry Divisions.

Here, along the front north of Moscow, AGC's 3rd Pz Armee's attack has pretty much culminated, just short of Kalinin. I didn't expect to take the city, and with the Soviets unexpectedly pulling back west of the city, this gave AGN's 16th Army an easy advance against vacant hexes - the only way that overstretched army could advance.

18th Army has relieved 4th Pz Armee, which has partially moved by train to vicinity of Bryansk to refit and prepare for the summer offensive. With the Soviet pull back, it is also in great shape to take Kalinin and Torzhok, and 3rd Pz is in good position to attack Moscow from the NW once weather permits.

Now, its time to complete reorganizing and conduct final preparations for the summer. That means alot of troops shuttling around the battlefield to new locations....

[IdahoNYer]

AGC is also in good shape. 9th Army was able to batter through a few hexes of Soviet fortifications due west of Moscow, closing to within 40 miles of the city. 4th Army pushed slightly north of Kaluga, setting conditions to encircle the city once summer hits. Its XXXX PzKps was "loaned" to 2nd Army - who's infantry needed to be "blooded" more, managed a small bridgehead across the lower Oka River SW of Tula. This will provide 2nd Pz Armee a good springboard once summer hits. Would have liked to clear a few more hexes, but not with the mud....

4th Pz Armee begins to arrive near Bryansk, and should complete its move next turn. 2nd Pz Armee is fairly well assembled west of Bryansk - hopefully out of Soviet Recon's prying eyes...

Now, we just wait for summer....

[IdahoNYer]

Of all three army groups, AGS has probably been the most active. Its 6th Army has pushed east south of Orel, and towards Voronezh, but mud and heavy Soviet resistance has limited gains. Still we're in good shape.

1st Pz Armee has done well, but mud stopped a nice size pocket from being established. This now leaves elements of two of the three PzKps exposed in a salient - and unable to close the salient off. With the mud, the Soviets are pretty safe.

17th Army has supported both of these attacks, but remains stretched thin, and awaits the arrival of the Hungarians to take up the frontage.

To the south off the screen shot, Rum 4th Army and 11th Army hold the line.

[IdahoNYer]

And the info charts at the start of April 1942......

Destroyed units - not much accomplished - one smallish pocket and apparently got one rifle division to shatter. At least its something!

[IdahoNYer]

Losses reflect the passing of the blizzard - amount of German disabled has gone down significantly.

[IdahoNYer]

German troop strength continues to climb, and almost as much as the Soviets! Nice.

German boost in panzers reflect not only industry output, but the addition of the 22nd and 23rd Pz Divs to the front. Also nice.

Soviets continue to gain strength, but at a slightly reduced pace which is due to the German post blizzard attacks. Not sure what the cause of the drop in Soviet airpower is, but I'm not complaining.

[IdahoNYer]

German panzer strength shows a nice boost - again, mainly due to the two additional panzer divisions. Still, panzer strength across the force continues to climb. We'll be in good shape for the summer.

What isn't shown is the addition of new types of panzers - although in small numbers, the PzIVf2 has made its combat debut with the 2nd Pz Div. The PzIII with the long 50mm gun is appearing in good numbers. The Marder and StGIIIf are also starting to appear. All these modern AFVs should be more than a match for the T34 which of course is the mainstay of the Soviet tank force - which fortunately is still limited to being organized into tank brigades.

The only negative stat for the panzer force is that some obsolete models are still serving as medium tanks - the 6th Pz still has 43 Pz35(t)s! And the feared Pz38 still serves with 7 panzer divisions!

[janh]

I am once more amazed how well you are progressing. Even the early counterattacks after blizzard went very well. No question you really know to handle mobile warfare like this. If I look at Scar's situation, I am kind of afraid to say the least. Looks like you might be in Penza, Ghorki or Batumi by winter 1942.

Scar must have nerves of steel to keep up his hope in this situation. I wonder what he might be planing, he needs to wrestle the initiative from you quick or this summer offensive will be disastrous. Maybe he's by now so short on everything that he can only react and improvise.

[Walloc]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

And the info charts at the start of April 1942......

Destroyed units - not much accomplished - one smallish pocket and apparently got one rifle division to shatter. At least its something!

Ur a full 1 mio man up and soviets arre 400k down, compared to historic OOBs(roughly as the date isnt the accurate). Tho the mud to come, will get him higher in men. IMO with the skillz u shown far and that of Scar's there is a possibility of a 260 victory here. Ofc Scar might surrender before but thats the same thing.

Kind regards,

Rasmus

[juret]

love this aar

idaho- > whuts your plan / target with summer 42?

[IdahoNYer]

there is a possibility of a 260 victory here.

- well that's what the target is for summer '42. We had a high of 240 VP in Dec, now down to 211. I figure to get the 260 I'm going to have to regain the cities lost in the blizzard - Moscow is going to be the bear - AND grab everything Voronezh south to Stalingrad-Rostov to gain the 260.

Possible, but going to be tough, even with the leaving the blizzard in good shape. The plan to accomplish that of course is still on the drawing board....

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 43; Apr 9, 1942......Mud with snow in the North Soviet Zone

Snow in April?? General Mud takes a holiday - at least in one part of the front, and we'll make the most use of it! It will delay some reorganization, but a snow turn IS a snow turn!

AGN and AGC take full advantage of the snow.....

AGN's 18th Army takes Torzhok and gets a bit closer to Kalinin. 4th Pz Armee departs the Army Group for the Bryansk area.

AGC's 3rd Pz Armee pushes to the Volga Res, but just can't push across the Lama River. While it's pushed east toward Moscow, without clearing the Volga Res area, the army really isn't in a great position to launch north of Moscow, especially with 18th Army to its NW - not in the best position to support the Pz Armee. This is going to be a tough area to attack in - well defended and fortified. However, 9th Army has also made gains - another 10 miles shaved off towards Moscow. Depending on how well the Soviets manage to fortify the approaches to Moscow, it may be more efficient to swing 3rd Pz Armee behing 9th Army, and cut behind the Volga Res to link up with 18th Army.....then strike SE toward Moscow. Flexibility, flexibility....plenty of time to work the details.

[IdahoNYer]

West of Tula, 2nd Army - with XXXX PzKps still "on loan" from 4th Army, expands its bridgehead across the lower Oka River to a depth of 20 miles. This will was an unexpected plus as it will give 2nd Pz Armee a solid springboard towards Tula, and, in conjuction with 4th Army, cutting off Kaluga.

On the negative side, the Soviets have seen the danger developing in the Orel Salient, and have pulled back 20 miles - I think he'll try to retain Orel though, which should STILL provide an opportunity for a pocket.

AGS's 6th Army also takes advantage of the snow, and expands its bridgehead across the Olymn River. This bridgehead should appear to the Soviets as a direct threat to Voronezh - which it could be. However, 6th Army will first strike north, to cut off Orel.

The key to success in the summer is first to destroy the Soviet forces, THEN to advance on the geographical objectives - so the summer offenisive will strart with a series of attacks designed to pocket enemy forces. These spring attacks are now focused more on setting conditions to enable those initial attacks than anything else.