Red Hammer AAR

[Tazak]

Phase 2 activities & objectives

4/57th to resupply while 57th to take the lead in pushing onto the objectives with 2 Tank Bns leading and 3rd in reserve to reinforce success. Right away I ran into a company of Leopard2 tanks who made quick work of a recon unit.
Bringing up the arty, plastered 2 objectives with as much HE & rockets as I could KO-ing 2 Leopard tanks. Under assault orders my troops advanced to push the enemy troops out of the first objective while losing an entire tank company and reducing the 2 remaining tank companies to about 50% strength.

The 2nd objective appeared empty and was taken with little loss – 1 or 2 from the retreating enemy being pushed out of the 1st objective.

Time to bring arty to bear on the 3rd objective which will be taken by the troops of 4/57th, before I could move them battle was over with the Germans retreating.

[Tazak]

So final state of my forces

- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 12 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting, 2 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
BM-21 Grad - 18 starting.
BMP-1D - 33 starting, 3 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] - 64 starting, 17 fallen out, 8 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 34 starting.
BRDM-2 [g] - 12 starting, 6 fallen out, 6 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting, 8 fallen out.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRM-1K Korshun - 9 starting, 1 fallen out.
GAZ-66 - 26 starting.
Headquarters - 31 starting, 2 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
Mechanized Rifle - 75 starting, 17 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 9 starting, 2 fallen out.
T-80B1 - 41 starting, 7 fallen out, 11 destroyed.
T-80BV [m] - 94 starting, 16 fallen out, 7 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 7 starting.

7 units reactivated, 82 fallen out units 31 replacements over 6 hours and 455 VPs

on a side note, either one of the variant of BO-105 is not being classed as helo in terms of losses or helo’ KO’d by 2S6 are being recorded as recce kills. My 2S6 units scored 'recce' kills while my SA-11 unit scored helo kills, cant be 100% sure they weren't engaging different versions of the BO-105

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Tazak

Suspect I'll be facing similar forces as the last battle...

If I were you I wouldn't make too many assumptions about what kinds of forces you will meet from one battle to the next. There is a set equipment list for the war but there is enough variety of units you can meet that no two battles OOB's really look the same.

The mix of tanks to infantry alone can make your hair turn gray.

It did mine! [X(]


Good Hunting.

MR

[Tazak]

Yea found that out when I ran into the screen of BO-105's and my AD units were taking a ciggy break as they hadn't seen much action over the last few battles

[Tazak]

5th and final battle

Well one last push to reach the river Ruhr.

2 phase approach, 1st phase will see 57th Guards Tank Rgt force their way towards an area that I can use as a jump off point for the assault towards Phase 2 objectives.

Phase 2 will see the 4/57th and 2/241st MRR (-ATK Assets) push towards the river and 25000 points of VL for a win hopefully a knockout blow.
1/241st MRR (+2/241 ATK assets) will maintain blocking positions on the south, and if the opportunity presents itself attack southwards towards the remaining VLs

[Tazak]

H +1 hour
Comrades, we are facing Yankees, let show them want the might of the red army can do, push them into the river. Well first blood to me against recon elements of the 7th ACR…let the bloodbath commence


H +2 hour
First losses caused by US arty strikes – 1 recon platoon just vanished in a cloud of smoke, need to ensure that I keep moving otherwise I can except to lose more.
Exchanged shots with some US tanks, appeared to be M60 rather than M1’s but suspect they are deeper into the defenses, no losses or kills yet but expect to get into a tank firefight very soon.

[Tazak]

H +3 hour

2/57th engaged a platoon of M60A3 (TTS) destroying 2 for the loss of 1 T80BV before loses sight of the tanks as they pulled back.

2/57th pushing further S/W towards Kurtscheid making contact with a M3A1 platoon K/O 2 of them for no loses again US forces pull back when facing nearly 30 T80’s coming out of the tree line
1/57th are holding the river to the north incase the recon units make another appearance, while I bring 3/57th forward to join 2/57th leading the attack.


H +4 hours
The arty battle is heating up with counterbattery fire occurring to little effect, US forces appear to have at least 3 arty units with short reaction times so constant movement is a must.
Losing a few tanks to what appear hit and run tactics from north of Hardert so bringing 2/241st to hold the area with support from 2/57th once I rest them. This will leave 3/57 to take over lead units followed up by 1/57th.

Will start moving 4/57th MMR Rgt ready to push onto Phase 2 objective soon

[Tazak]

H +5 hours
Need to get moving as I’ve used nearly ½ the time for the scenario but not quite ready to push onto phase 2 objectives.
At least 1 tank unit spotted in the area of Hausen so will start some fire missions to suppress any units in the area.

H +6 hours
Encountered a M60A3 platoon which were quickly destroyed for the loss of ½ mechanized company. Still no decisive encounter nor sighting which is slightly concerning.

[Tazak]

H +7hours
Contact wait out….
Units creating a bridgehead over the river into Hausen began engaging approx. company strength ACR units, while under arty fire (including ICM strike on 2 companies of T80’s at the southern crossing point), Let the battle commence….


H +8 hour
The sun light glinting off TOW missile wires leading to damaged and destroyed T80’s marks the start of the battle……that was a costly turn, 57th Guards Tank Rgt taking the brunt of the causalities leaving my forces at less than 80% combat effective. Add ICM and minelet fire missions into the mix and this is turning into a good fight.
- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 24 starting, 1 fallen out.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 7 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 8 starting.
73mm SPG-9 RCL - 4 starting.
AT-7 Saxhorn - 14 starting.
BMP-1D - 33 starting, 6 fallen out, 5 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] - 62 starting.
BMP-Ksh - 37 starting.
BRDM-2 [g] - 8 starting, 2 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting, 1 fallen out.
BRM-1K Korshun - 6 starting, 3 fallen out.
BTR-80 [g] - 78 starting.
GAZ-66 - 40 starting.
Headquarters - 40 starting, 2 fallen out.
Mechanized Rifle - 129 starting, 9 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
RPG-29 - 8 starting.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 21 starting, 1 fallen out.
T-80B1 - 35 starting.
T-80BV [m] - 97 starting, 28 fallen out, 7 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 8 starting.

[Tazak]

H +9 hours
3 attacks going on
First southern attack consisting 1/241 & 2/241 MMR units attacking in a pincher attack from north and east.

2nd Northern attack with 4/4/57th Tank Battalion

3rd is the main attack
Most of 57th Guards Tank Rgt is now combat ineffective, once the 2 units from 4/57th move through to form a forward defensive line the 57th will go into defensive positions and resupply.
My aim now is to secure the objectives I hold as I have enough to get a marginal success but my force is down to 65% and dropping each turn [:(], but with another 6000 VPs from the north and south locations I should be able to get a tactical victory.

[Tazak]

H +10 hours
Well I’m down to about a reduced regiment worth of effective combat troops at 56% of starting forces but control 36% of VPs so a long as I can hold what I’ve captured I should get a decisive victory for this scenario.

[Tazak]

H +11 hours
In the south some ‘sniper’ fire from long range weapons with good night vision (or thermal?) are taking out a few of 241st MRR troops or BR80s so will be looking to silence those with arty fire
North has lost one of its tank companies (was only 1 tank so no major change)
In the center I have a battalion size force slowly pushing forward towards the river Rhine and one of its 10000 VL, don’t hold much hope of taking it but at least I should spot any counter attack early.

To: General, commanding Red Hammer

You won 61,986 cumulative victory points completing 5 of 5 battles in the Soviet Campaign campaign in 63 hours. Also, you personally survived the battle.

Scenario 1: 85% rating - Decisive Success
Scenario 2: 46% rating - Marginal Success
Scenario 3: 77% rating - Decisive Success
Scenario 4: 52% rating - Decisive Success
Scenario 5: 36% rating - Decisive Success

Your overall success based on your average outcome is a decisive success.

Your forces claimed a grand total 78 Recce, 9 Helo, 83 Tank, 111 APC, 241 Inf, 32 SP AT, 10 AT, 76 HQ, 47 AD, 15 SP Arty, 2 Arty, 230 Utility and 3 Air enemy subunits destroyed in combat.

Apart from fallen out subunits, your forces took lifetime losses of 11 Recce, 68 Tank, 62 APC, 36 Inf, 1 SP AT, 2 AT, 6 HQ and 3 AD subunits. They accumulated 0 medal(s) for heroism and leadership and 0 medal(s) for valor in recognition of their losses.

Transmission ends.
Campaign record complete.

[Tazak]

Campaign feedback

Couple of minor points
A) 4/57th guards Tank Rgt - not sure if the designation is correct, it seems to have a battalion designation but is a MRR strength
B) missing flight of Mig27 in the 3rd battle??
C) the Germans could do with some AD units in the 3rd battle, they have some in the 4th battle but the soviets have no air support
D) either one of the variant of BO-105 is not being classed as helo in terms of losses or helo’ KO’d by 2S6 are being recorded as recce kills. My 2S6 units scored 'recce' kills while my SA-11 unit scored helo kills, cant be 100% sure they weren't engaging different versions of the BO-105, confirmed that the germans lost 18 helo's but only 9 recorded as helo kills(3rd battle - can provide saved game files if needed).
E) give the soviets more artillery....okay this is one more a wish list item [:D]

Overall though very good fun, the slow build up of resistance in the battles into the final clash of steel and bone made for an interesting campaign and look forward to the US one.

[Enigma6584]

Fantastic AAR!