Defending Greater Germania 1942 - Includes combined WitW and WitE2 AARs

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 22nd 1943 Turn 36
AG Centre

As mopping up operations continue South of Moscow, the enemy launches a counter attack to try to retake the town of Lyubertsy, there success in capturing the town is only brief as 3rd Gebirgs Division regains control forcing the Soviets out in bitter street fighting.
On the Northern Moscow front the enemy realises the danger there forces are in and they begin to pull back troops, still units from there 8th Army and 11th Guards Army's remain in danger as 3rd Pz Armee pushes Northeast.
Kalinin finally falls after almost 6 weeks of holding out against our troops.
As Infantry units of 4th Armee and 2nd Pz Armee take up defensive positions on the Oka River, Soviet formations are reported at Ryazan and at Kolomna, its believed they will launch fresh attacks hoping to force our troops away from the Soviet Capital.

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German forces crossing the Moskva river using pontoon bridges in preparation to launch a counterattack on Lyuberstsy, the enemy having blown up the river bridges earlier in a desperate attempt to hold the town, despite these efforts our forces recaptured the town.



At the city of Voronezh the enemy still resists despite being surrounded, so far all attempts by there comrades to relieve the defenders have failed with many thousands of casualties and many more POW'S being taken. Red Army forces continue with uncoordinated attacks against our heavily fortified positioned troops, it seems that in this sector of the front the enemy lacking the manpower to be any serious threat at this time.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 22nd 1943 Turn 36
AG South

In the Kharkov sector Axis forces open up a new offensive and 4 Soviet Inf Corps are encircled with Starobelsk and Nizhnya Duvanka retaken, South of this battle the enemy troops trapped along The Donets River are overrun and forced to surrender,our forces thus far have been able to thwart any offensive moves and inflict heavy losses on these uncoordinated attacks by The Red Army.

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While the battles continue further North the arrival of reinforcements on the 6th Armee front have halted the Soviet drive and the line is stable as the enemy can make any further gains,at The Sal River the enemy has withdrawn a Inf Corps leaving only Mech Corps opposing the 62nd Infantry and its supporting Div's, as fighting here in this area of the front is more or less quiet with both sides digging in,this gives our units the opportunity to send out patrols to do recon and gather Intel on the enemy's strength.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq8ljnf ... WL&index=8


One of the many recon patrols performed by squads from the 62nd Infantry as they gauge the strength of the opposing enemy unit, fighting at squad level on the Eastern Front is sometimes brutal.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 22nd 1943 Turn 36
Army Group A

Capture Of The Apsheronskiy Peninsula

Lead elements of the SS wiking Pz Gren Div and 23rd Panzer Div sweep forward almost unopposed and secure the vital oil centres, though enemy resistance was virtually non existent as The North Caucasus Front was pushed Northeast into the Daghestan region leaving only small pockets of regular troops and untrained militia to defend the Southern oilfields, FM Von Kleist's Panzer forces quickly overwhelmed the opposition, despite this the enemy was able to inflict large scale damage to the oil making facilities. repair and engineer units will be dispatched as soon as the surrounding areas have been completely cleared.
The remnants of the Red Army have retreated into Northwest Iran or taken sailing vessels on The Caspian Sea and fled North hoping to try and reach the Astrakhan region, at this stage Army Group A's orders are not to cross the border and pursue the enemy.
Grozny still holds out and the enemy is still sending there forces South from Astrakhan and Stalingrad, these threats must be first priority for FM Von Kleist.

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Units from 23rd Panzer Division survey The Apsheronskiy Peninsula

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The prize that eluded The Ostheer the previous Summer





XXXXIX GebirgsKorps makes steady progress towards the Georgian Capital against little to no opposition, local militia groups putting up piecemeal resistance to the advance, only the 3 enemy units holding out on The Black Sea remain.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 22nd 1943 Turn 36
Stats Report

Air and ground losses for the Soviets continues to climb and the enemy's AFV's destroyed this turn breaks the 800 mark.

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Production still good and will improve once the Caucasus oil begins to be piped back to Germany.

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Smiles all round as the Army Group A Commander is informed of his victory in The Caucasus

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Western Front
Situation Report July 24th 1943 Turn 4
Army Group B

In Western Europe the situation is quiet with exception for the continual Bombing campaign by The Allies trying to impede the flow of war materials to the Eastern Front.

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The Ruhr region is hit the hardest by enemy bombers

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Italian Front
Situation Report July 24th 1943 Turn 4
Army Group C

Disaster On Sicily
Allied forces have smashed through Axis defence lines on the Island even as reinforcements from 5th Pz Armee arrived our forces were unable to contain enemy armoured assaults with the major towns of Cantania,Marsala and Trapani falling quickly, the air base at Gerbini was overran, German Panzer forces were forced back as the front line crumbled.
Palermo still remains in Axis hands at this time but the situation looks grim in the West of the Island as Axis forces there could be cutoff if the Allies drive towards Termini.
With the Allies controlling more than half of Sicily the deployment of the rest of 5th Pz Armee is to be reviewed if the situation worsens our forces on the island may have to be evacuated.

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Italian Front
Situation Report July 24th 1943 Turn 4
Stats Reports

While heavy ground combat on Sicily takes place in the skies above there is also intense air battles with big losses on both sides. The axis suffering big losses in fighter bombers while the Allies bomber force is hit hard.

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Allied armour repeatedly overrunning our forces with superior numbers as the Ital 206th Coastal Division is destroyed

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German forces pushed back at Adrano

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Western Front / Italian Front
Situation Report July 24th 1943 Turn 4
Stats Reports

Production are currently not in serious danger despite the constant bombing with fuel production and heavy industries being the enemy's main targets.

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Our Panzer forces took a beating this week, losing 12 Tiger tanks alone and 35 Panzer IVh

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 29th 1943 Turn 37
AG North

With 18th Armee closing on the Russo - Finnish front line the enemy manages to extricate some of its troops from the Volkhov Front which have been keeping a supply line open for Osinovets garrison but the bulk of the defenders remain pinned down along the lake shoreline, and its only a matter of time before the enemy force is completely cutoff. 4 Red Army units cutoff earlier are forced to surrender despite the futile efforts by the Soviet 2nd Guards Army trying send its troops on infiltration operations to relieve the trapped troops.These attempts easily thwarted by Kempf's troops as the Army detachment makes steady ground along the Tikhvin rail line towards its main objective, the town of Cherepovets.

Rain has begun to fail in the region which is also slowing down our advance as well as the many swampland areas with our supply lines becoming increasingly longer in the extreme North.

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16th Armee front remains stable with only Sporadic fighting in and around the city of Yaroslavl, the enemy appears to be regrouping its forces but remaining on the defensive,further South at Konakovo and kimry large concentrations of enemy troops have been spotted and they may be attempting to try push back our Northern drive of our Moscow offensive, intel has identified these units to be possibly reinforcements to bolster the 11th Guards Army which is covering that sector of the front.
Aerial recon reports show a build up of enemy troops in and around the city of Vladimir indicating that there might be a major push by the enemy to relieve there besieged Capital.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 29th 1943 Turn 37
AG Centre

This week sees heavy fighting North and South of the Soviet Capital, in the North the Soviet 8th, 29th,44th and 11th Guards Armies ( Northwestern Front ) launch attacks against 3rd Pz Armee and 9th Armee retaking Manikino close to the Northern Moscow suburbs, the Red Army also retook Istra but a counterattack by SS Pz Gren units supported by Infantry troops forced the enemy out of the town. 4th Armee continues mopping up operations which have been tying down large numbers of our troops needed on the frontlines.
Southeast of Moscow Western Front ( 1st Shock, 5th, 6th and 33rd Armies ) attack the defenders holding positions along the Moskva river line, the enemy has some success taking back the town of Ramenskoe but our troops at Lyubertsy hold firm.
Kolomna also fell to the enemy but was quickly retaken by our forces, at this stage Army Group Centre's Moscow defence line holds despite the repeat attacks by the enemy to drive them back.
More good news, on the Tula front infantry units of 3rd Pz Armee strike towards Gorlovo trapping a Tank Corps from the 49th Army.

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Along Army Group Centre's central front 2nd Pz Armee strikes out from Lipstek encircling a number of enemy Tank and Mech Corps ( 4th Tank Army ) and advancing deep into Tambov region, while this operation takes place Voronezh remains isolated, 2nd Armee now fortifying its position around the city as reports indicate a buildup of Soviet Armour is taking place, High Command believes this in preparation for a major push by the enemy to relieve the besieged city.

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7th Panzer Division ( 2nd Armee ) launches and assault on Voronezh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnWgKM ... dex=3&t=3s

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At FM Von Manstein's HQ new orders are being issued to the Army Group A Commander after his success in The Caucasus

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 29th 1943 Turn 37
AG South

Heavy fighting along The Oskol River front continues unabated, the Soviet's continue to push forward fresh new troops against out battle harden veterans, as we eliminate the enemy pockets columns of enemy armour supported by Infantry is reportedly on the move towards Axis positions on the Aidar river, further Intel gathered by recon units reported that a Soviet Tank Corps had crossed the river North of the town of Rovenki.

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On the right flank where 4th Pz Armee is stationed another new threat begins as The Red Army rushes more of its troops into the Rostov region, with Voroshilovgrad at this time now in no immediate danger of capture as the front line is now back across The Donets river in that sector, the enemy seems to be aiming its advance towards Gorlovka or perhaps even Stalino. The 4th Pz Armee Commander feels confident his troops can contain the assault.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 29th 1943 Turn 37
Army Group A

With victory the in The Caucasus region and the vital oilfields captured Kleist now turns his attention back to Grozny, with enemy still holding the city a major rail centre needed for the transport of oil supplies back to Germany, it is vital the defenders be crushed and rail facilities be quickly repaired.

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The Field Marshal receives a report and new orders from OKH HQ :

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Order Reads
Intelligence reports Soviet Government refuses to allow Western troops ( British 9th and 10th Army's ) to cross Iranian Border into Soviet territory, also expect Soviet forces in Iran to remain on defensive.

Gen von Mackensen's 1st Pz Armee Panzer units are to be recalled from Baku, no offensive action to be taken towards enemy forces in Iran.

Army Group A to send Infantry and RAD units to Iran / Soviet border to make preparations for the construction of a network chain of defensive fortifications for garrison units along border.

Begin repairs to rail and oil facilities and make ready all available fuel tank cars for oil transportation.

Army Group A to prepare for new Offensive operations in The Daghestan Region.

FM Von Manstein
C-C OKH

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17th Armee preparing defence lines


On the Black Sea 17th Armee begins to deploy garrison troops along the coast and Turkish / Soviet border as well as prepare for a major assault against the last defenders holding out at Sochi.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report July 29th 1943 Turn 37
Stats Report

Soviet numbers are again high this week as the Red Army launched ill coordinated attacks trying to relieve trapped troops,this resulted in many more of there units once again cut off while there surrounded comrades were overrun and forced to surrender.

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Intel reports indicate at 33 enemy formations were destroyed including several Guards formation, this blow weakens an already demoralized enemy fighting force.

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Once the rail repairs are completed and repairs made to captured oil refineries, this provide a massive boost to Panzer forces.

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At last The Ostheer is almost on a equal footing with the Red Army in manpower, while there AFV's continue to be reduced through battle.

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Western Front
Situation Report July 31st 1943 Turn 5
Army Group B

Western Air Forces once again targeted the industrial regions inside Germany, air defences scrambled to intercept the incoming enemy flights passing through Westphalia in the Netherlands and onto the Hannover Industrial region as well as the German Capital.

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More operations by both sides in and around Leipzig, with the enemy managing to cause some damage to our manufacturing plants as well as fuel and old plants.

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In France the Allies focused there greatest amount of air activity on reconnaissance of our troop build up for the defence of Western Europe.

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Italian Front
Situation Report July 31st 1943 Turn 5
Army Group C

Sicily
The battle for Sicily remains in the balance as the Italian 6th Army orders its troops to fall back from Palermo to better defensive positions, in the centre of Island the town of Enna is abandoned as the whole Axis line pulls back to better dependable terrain. Termini comes under heavy attack but The Ital XII Corps holds firm, The Allies launch a wave of attacks virtually along the entire front with only one partial breakthrough South of Termini.
General Hans Hube's XIV Pz Korps arrives to bolster the defenders and his 16th Panzer Division along with other German forces repulse several major assaults, using The Simeto river as a natural barrier for the defence, on the right flank General Balck's LXXXX ArmeeKorps also holds the enemy at bay despite repeated attacks by enemy armour.Due to the improving situation this week 10th Panzer Division part of Hube's troops will be released and sent across the straits to support our forces.
OKW is also releasing 2 reserve Div's which will be railed to Italy in the coming weeks, while the situation remains grim it is hoped the front line here will now stabilise, the weather is turning bad with rain this is hoped it will slow Allied operations.

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The Ital XII Corps under intense pressure defending Termini

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Italian Front
Situation Report July 31st 1943 Turn 5
Army Group C
Air Operations

like the heavy fighting on the ground the air war remains intense with Allied bombers launching massive attacks on our forces, Axis air operations in the region have been less due to the loss of airbases on Sicily, however Axis air units mounted intercept missions against the enemy trying to interdict our supply lines across The straits of Messina.

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Gen Hube's XIV Pz Korps clashes with allied armour

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Western Front / Italian Front
Situation Report July 31st 1943 Turn 5
Stats Report

Losses this week in both air and ground were high for our forces as we try to hang onto Sicily.

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A large number of Flak units were lost due to the hurried withdrawal from western end of the island.

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Italian Front
Situation Report July 31st 1943 Turn 5
Army Group C

LXXXX ArmeeKorps in action

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General Balck a battle harden Eastern Front veteran now on the Italian Front with orders to stop the Allies

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[EwaldvonKleist]

Where are you finding all the von Kleist images? Since he didn't get a chance to write his memoirs like von Manstein and Guderian, he is somewhat neglected by websites and biographers.

Looks like allies are already struggling to break your line in Sicily.

Tip for sieges like on the black sea ports: Withdraw most units one hex, this way you save on ammunition and attrition. Just leave ome in contact to cause the same for the enemy.

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Where are you finding all the von Kleist images? Since he didn't get a chance to write his memoirs like von Manstein and Guderian, he is somewhat neglected by websites and biographers.


Looks like allies are already struggling to break your line in Sicily.


Tip for sieges like on the black sea ports: Withdraw most units one hex, this way you save on ammunition and attrition. Just leave ome in contact to cause the same for the enemy.

" Its certainly been no easy feat finding pictures of the Field Marshal I can say, had to really dig deep into the internet, while there are plenty of portrait pictures of him, combat photos are very scarce and finding ones to correspond with the AAR progress can be a nightmare but I have managed to find some gems that will fit nicely for the AAR I hope. "


Sicily

Last week was a disaster for the Axis but the timely arrival of Hube's Pz Korps this week gave us a respite,the Ital 6th Army is in a bad way I am concerned about committing the entire 5th Pz Armee to the island because if the Allies send a Amphibious force into the strait of Messina I could lose 2 Armies.


Siege Tips

Yes I made a mistake here thinking I would simply crush them easily with the Infantry in quick order but they have been resilient and I have lost a lot of men through attrition as well as the terrain impeding me, another Mountain Div would have been handy, despite how it looks dire for the Soviets I desperately need 17th Armee troops sent North as my lines in some places are paper thin, Grozny is another thorn in my side while its held I cant get oil sent back to Germany apart from Maikop and Mozdok, now with Baku taken it should help overrunning them. Next time I will be more careful with sieges.

All in All though the victory here in The Caucasus would have not been accomplished if it were not for the determined leadership of Army Group A's Commander

regards