Russo-German War 41-43 AAR

[Monash]

AAR – JanRoss Playtest 2

Introduction
The following AAR will take the form of a series detailing fortnightly (4-turns bi-weekly) outcomes of a PBEM of RGW 41-43 between myself (Monash), and my friend, the very talented Jan Ekelin. This is an authorised variant of Steve Sill’s Russo-German War 41-45, and we owe Steve a vote of thanks for allowing us to develop it.
Our aim in developing JanRoss was to add to the availability PBEM versions of great scenarios with appropriate scenario rules, modifications, and detail.

We would be grateful for interest in this scenario to develop over time. In particular, it would be super-helpful to have more play testers make a serious attempt at it!

Please see sPzAbt653’s post of the scenario – particularly the accompanying PDF.

The Scenario - RGW 41-43
Can a strategically limited Germany subdue the Soviet colossus before shortages of industrial and material resources force an outcome?
Accepting their strategic limitations, German leaders realise they must strike hard to avoid the conflict extending past 1942.
Eastern Front - June 22nd 1941 to March 30th 1943
COMPLEXITY: Advanced
MAP SIZE: 313 x 341
UNIT COUNT: Axis = 1665, Soviet = 2321
TIME to PLAY = 30-90 minutes per turn
TURNS: 186
TURN LENGTH: Half-week
MAP SCALE: 10km per hex
UNIT SCALE: Div/Bde/Rgt levels

AAR 1 – Turns 1-4 AXIS (Monash)
It has been said that Hitler erred in ever crossing the Soviet border, and I have some sympathy for that view. Hence, I have elected to make some significant departures from the original Directive 21 plan, notably reinforcing the force assaulting from Rumania and breaking my force into 5 Army Groups:
Army Group E – Finland
• German 20th Army (inclusion at this point is of course a-historic)
• Finnish 1st Army
• Finnish 2nd Army
Army Group D
• 18th Army with XXXXIst Pz Corps attached
• 16th Army with LVI Pz Corps attached
Army Group C
• Panzergruppe 3
• 9th Army
• Panzergruppe 2
• 4th Army
Army Group B
• 6th Army
• Panzergruppe 1
• 17th Army
Army Group A
• 3rd Rumanian Army
• 11th Army
• Panzergruppe 4 – moved by rail over turns 1-3
• 4th Rumanian Army

Note here that reflecting my desire to make greater initial effort in southern Ukraine, PzGruppe 4 has been moved to Rumanian starting points over turns 1-3. This force includes 2 Panzer, 4 Motorised, 1 Cavalry, and 4 Light divisions, all concentrated for exploitation across the Prut and Dniester rivers.

Bookkeeping for my distinct operational groups is maintained down to divisional/manoeuvre-unit in a separate Excel. This because I am conscious of the need to keep operational tempo in TOAW. Jan has repeatedly beaten me; hence I need an edge. Perhaps good operational planning and some order will pay dividends?

I will now explain my progress to Turn 4, north-to-south starting with Group D, since the Finnish Front is not yet open, though I have entrained an Gebirgsjager Corps of two mountain divisions en-route to Baltic ports:

Group D
Having chosen to lead both 18th and 16th Armies with panzer corps, progress is swift and this group has no real problem exploiting as per the original Barbarossa plan. 18th Army’s XXXI Pz Corps is approaching Tartu, while 16th Army’s LVI PZ Corps is focussed on both Pskov and Veliki Luki (somewhat riskily).
The advance is typical of any Barbarossa scenario, and Jan’s forces have not been positioned to do much since I gather that he is electing to hold interior lines closer to his supplies and reinforcements.
The only notable battle is a single turn’s fight for Riga which Jan elected to defend. The city and its bridges have been left a smouldering ruin, but the Soviet’s here did not put up much resistance and I am pleased he devoted the resources he did.
Mopping up surrounded Soviet formations has largely been left to available security divisions which are an excellent force for clearing Kurland and other pockets of surrounded Soviets.
See MAP Army Group D

Group C
This group has been weakened by the decision to move formations to join the Rumanian effort, but it is still a very strong force. I am making a calculated decision in this; one that is based on the view that the Soviet’s will melt with the remaining forces.
The net result is that my decision here was largely warranted, though PzGruppe 2 was noticeably slow to make it to the area Borisov- Beresina, and in fact has not occupied either town.
Soviet forces manage to delay but not derail the overall effort. PzGruppe 3, with 20th Panzer leading makes it to within striking distance of Nevel-Vitebsk. These are pleasing advances.
It is hard to ascertain Jan’s strategy in this sector, but that is not unusual for this period of Barbarossa, and I am focussed on what my forces are doing – not worrying overly at his response.
See MAP Army Group C

Group B
Like Group C, this group has been weakened by the decision to apportion greater effort from the Rumanian sector. Hence, PzGruppe 1 is lacking a panzer division and two motorised formations. It has also donated XXXXIX Gebergsjager Corps to the Finnish effort (two mountain divisions).
This punt pays off in much the same way it did for Group C. The weakness has not materially reduced the effectiveness of the early attacks, and assaulting infantry formations are more than a match for Jan’s Tank Corps – thankfully.
The heavy strike to the south (ignoring risks that might emerge from the Pripet Marshes flank, pays its usual dividends and by the end of Turn-4 Vinnitsa is surrounded and PzGruppe 1’s advanced formations are able to aid Rumanian 3rd Army units as they struggle to make ground across Moldovia.
Jan’s forces here seem to build defence lines along the Stalin Line fortifications, but the German spearheads manage to prise them apart and exploitation here is typical of all early-Barbarossa successes. No surprises in any of this.
I do notice the large and rather ominous concentration of Soviet force in, around and west of Kiev, but can’t see much disruption here. It does indicate Jan’s preparedness to hold the town.
See MAP – Army Group B

Group A
Having made the decision to re-align the strategic effort from northern effort to the deep south of the Ukraine, the profit from this move comes with ease of manoeuvre. A strong mobile force across the Dniester will create problems for Jan, and allow me to make an aggressive shot at reducing important flanking points.
I am betting here that the reduced distance between the Rumanian start-lines and the Dnieper Bend will pay dividends. It is 220km shorter via this route, and if I can quickly reduce Odessa and clear the flanks across the great rivers, I will be happy.
Early indications are that Jan recognises the reorientation of my overall force and has acted accordingly. I detect elements of his 9th Army pulling back and moving on Odessa. His intent is clear, as is mine. We both want to hold that town.
Despite the various disadvantages the spearheads of XIV Pz Corps finish Turn-4 a mere 70km from Odessa.
I am happy with this, but the city looks to be very heavily defended…
MAP 4 – Army Group A

So far so good, though I am concerned that Jan can see through my strategic switch of emphasis.

[Cpl GAC]

Any update? I'm on turn 12 as the Soviets - end of July '41. I break my turns into 2 steps; Disembark/move reinforcements/move rear areas, then the front line actions. Almost always with a day or two between steps.

Here's the front;

Early August 41.jpg (637.69 KiB) Viewed 1064 times

Here's the crisis;

trouble spot.png (3.44 MiB) Viewed 1064 times

[ncc1701e]

Very fluid front.

[StuccoFresco]

Any update? I'm on turn 12 as the Soviets - end of July '41. I break my turns into 2 steps; Disembark/move reinforcements/move rear areas, then the front line actions. Almost always with a day or two between steps.

Here's the front;
Early August 41.jpg

Here's the crisis;
trouble spot.png

How did it go? Did you plug the breakout north of Smolensk?

Kiev seems well defended.

[Cpl GAC]

How did it go? Did you plug the breakout north of Smolensk?

Kiev seems well defended.

I walked away for a bit - currently on turn 14. Scrapping the barrel to find a formation(s) to defend Rzhev. I think I can paste together enough of the 4A and 10A as they rebuild from scratch, and I have the 52A assembling just to the east. But they are all three skeletons right now.

The remnants of the 29A and 22A were enveloped but left behind and I'm trying to get the stragglers back behind the front lines without setting off alarms.

You know, typical Soviet predicaments in the Summer of 1941.

[StuccoFresco]

I walked away for a bit - currently on turn 14. Scrapping the barrel to find a formation(s) to defend Rzhev. I think I can paste together enough of the 4A and 10A as they rebuild from scratch, and I have the 52A assembling just to the east. But they are all three skeletons right now.

The remnants of the 29A and 22A were enveloped but left behind and I'm trying to get the stragglers back behind the front lines without setting off alarms.

You know, typical Soviet predicaments in the Summer of 1941.

Standard practice yes, haha.

Always interested in updates, if you can. I love AARs.