Defending Greater Germania 1942 - Includes combined WitW and WitE2 AARs

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 23rd 1944 Turn 71
Army Group Centre

Operational Command Changes :
9th Armee returns to AG Centre control


Not much major movement by 3rd Pz Armee and 2nd Armee in the Penza sector the troops are ordered to mop up any isolated enemy pockets and reposition units to straighten the front line. Von Kluge orders both Army's to stand down on offensive operations and consolidate control of the important Penza / Stalino / Rostov rail lines.
Despite the presence Soviet armoured forces in the region enemy activity is light.

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Battles 71a.jpg (200.89 KiB) Viewed 541 times

The Soviet armoured forces in the Tambov region are also considerable but with the Red Army being severally mauled from there offensives in the area, there have been no major attacks as 9th Armee moves to take over XXXXVII Pz Korps position as that unit begins to withdraw to Tambov itself.
The 4th Ukrainian Front has suffered tremendous losses over the last seven weeks, Axis Commanders now feel confident that this the end of any large scale enemy operations.

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OB 71.jpg (311.41 KiB) Viewed 541 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 23rd 1944 Turn 71
OKH Command Army Group

With Soviet attacks subsiding and the front line becoming stronger Manstein's Northern forces begin to fortify there positions for the coming weeks as the mud season will soon hit, 7th and 12th Panzer Div's are redeployed to the rear to refit and rest.
There are still a large numbers of armoured formations facing the troops but the enemy seems to be also on the defensive now.

OKH 71.jpg (831.48 KiB) Viewed 540 times

The Southern sector is quiet too Red Army Units have finally given up on breaking through to there trapped comrades as Axis forces begin the process of eliminating the enemy pockets, and securing the hard fought ground.

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Battles 71b.jpg (161.41 KiB) Viewed 540 times

At His HQ at Voronezh the FM summons his Command staff for a meeting to discuss plans for a spring Offensive.

Tresckow ( seated closest ) with his staff including Oberst Berndt von Kleist in centre.jpg (87.4 KiB) Viewed 540 times

Henning Von Tresckow ( Chief Of Staff OKH ) with some of his staff listening to FM Manstein outline ideas for 1944 spring operations.

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 23rd 1944 Turn 71
Army Group South

The front line of AG South remains fluid as Woelher attempts to plug the gaps with any and every spare unit he can find, Hoth's Pz Armee is under pressure trying to maintain a solid defence as well as prop up the shattered Rum 4th Army, both flanks of 4th Pz Armee are facing large numbers of enemy armoured formations with attrition taking a heavy toll on his own Panzer's, the enemy seems to be moving its forces here for another attack.

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Leader 71.jpg (11.84 KiB) Viewed 539 times

Losses 71.jpg (396.55 KiB) Viewed 539 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 23rd 1944 Turn 71
Army Group A

On Kleist's front there is sporadic fighting with 18th Armee units destroying 6th Guards Rifle Corps and beating back a number of attacks against the line, on The Caspian coast the first of the summer weather has begun to arrive allowing German armour and Inf units clear ground for manoeuvring in combat, though it will be still some weeks before ground conditions are able to benefit the Panzer's.
More importantly enemy forces are light in this sector of the front at this time giving some opportunity to resupply units.

Army Group A 71.jpg (776 KiB) Viewed 538 times

Battles 71c.jpg (209.72 KiB) Viewed 538 times

Production 71.jpg (365.82 KiB) Viewed 538 times

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Western Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group B

This week the weather remained bad while the rain eased up slightly enough for the enemy to launch major air operations against our industrial centres, there was large scale damage to factories hit but our air units were able to engage the enemy in force, together with support from ground defences the Allies suffered a large number of bomber losses.

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Air battles WF 39.jpg (102.56 KiB) Viewed 537 times

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Air Battles WF 39b.jpg (112.93 KiB) Viewed 537 times

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Western Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group B

While the enemy 's main targets were our Industrial centres in Western Germany Allied operations also conducted long range sorties into The Wuerttemberg and Franconia regions as well as Austria and while these operations were Photographic missions which did not cause damage there is concern that our air units already overstretched protecting a large number facilities will be hard pressed to counter the enemy if they open new attack areas.

Army Group B 39a.jpg (844.49 KiB) Viewed 536 times

In France and The English Channel enemy air units engaged in Naval interdiction, Air Base attacks and recon of Ground Installations, IX Flieger Korps supported by II Jagd Korps were heavily engaged in intercepting a large number of enemy flights, with many of these units engaging the enemy out over The Channel with some success.

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Air Battles WF 39c.jpg (105.93 KiB) Viewed 536 times

Cities Bombed 39.jpg (183.98 KiB) Viewed 536 times

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Mediterranean Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C / Army Group F

There was a heavy presence of Axis air units over the waters between the Italian mainland and Corsica as our fighters engaged enemy observation flights directed against Rome and Central Italy, as the enemy attempts to monitor Axis troop movements and our supply lines.
Closer to the front the enemy maintained its bombing campaign of attacking our entrenched ground forces and Command and Control Centres however with the weather being slightly better this provided us with the ability for our fighters to launch more interception patrols against enemy bombers, while enemy bomber losses were lower this week from engaging the enemy over our troop concentrations, the larger number of friendly fighters covering the battlefield made enemy bombing runs ineffectual.

Army Group C 39.jpg (737.42 KiB) Viewed 529 times

Air Battles IF 39.jpg (109.89 KiB) Viewed 529 times

In The Balkans The Allies conducted a number large scale operations against multiple Fuel Production Centres in Rumania, the Capital Bucharest was targeted also, this weeks raids were the biggest so far directed against our Axis partner and are cause for concern as the enemy did loose a number of bombers on these raids but our defending fighters suffered losses in the engagements.
If the numbers of raids increase here in The Balkans more air units may have to be redeployed to strengthen defences.

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Air Battles Balkans 39.jpg (100.11 KiB) Viewed 529 times

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Italian Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C

The Allies recommence there assault on the Axis Line concentrating on the Central sector and Southern Coast as Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin's ( General der Panzertruppe ) 14th Armee arrives with orders to take control of all forces in the Lazio region North of the Volturno / Biferno defence line also LXXXXVII ArmeeKorps returns to Etterlin's control on the front line.

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At his HQ Zeitzler determines the immediate danger of a Adriatic amphibious assault has passed and orders the recall of 15th Panzer, the division returns to its coastal defensive positions South of Rome.
While these actions are taking place The Allies launch several large scale attacks on the line, from Caserta and on the coast road armour backed by infantry assault Grazzanise and Capua another attempt by the Allies to push our defenders off the Alps is also made, at Campobasso only 20 miles from both 5th Pz and 10th Armee HQ's Allied forces try to breach the Biferno line, throughout the week the enemy launches repeated assaults.

14th Armee.jpg (139.47 KiB) Viewed 528 times

On the Adriatic Coast the troops there are able to have some respite to the heavy fighting. In a further development German Intelligence has discovered important new information on the current Allied Command structure in Italy, Brit XXX Corps General Oliver Lesse has been replaced by Lieutenant-General Gerard Bucknall while POL II Corps General Władysław Albert Anders is replaced by Lieutenant General Stanisław Maczek, this may shed some light on the departure of several Allied divisions from Italy or they may have been dismissed for there failure to perform there duty.

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WITW A Losses 39.jpg (198.34 KiB) Viewed 528 times

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Italian Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C

Heavy fighting continues for the Coastal town of Grazzanise as US II Corps battles the SS Panzergrenadier's of 5th Pz Armee, the line holds.

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A second assault by US II Corps makes no ground

Battles IF 39a.jpg (138.81 KiB) Viewed 527 times

Two Allied Corps attack the LXXXX ArmeeKorps at Capua

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Clark orders 5th Army to launch an Inf attack with paratroopers but the assault is thrown back with heavy losses.

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Italian Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C

Supported by two FF Corps the US VI Corps launches several massive flanking attacks trying to push through mountain passes to Capau, Axis forces contain the assaults.

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A Brit attack on the US / French right flank also fails.

Battles IF 39g.jpg (150.24 KiB) Viewed 526 times

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Italian Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C

Army Group C 39b.jpg (111.26 KiB) Viewed 521 times

On the Biferno River at Campobasso the Brit and French launch an armoured assault.

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Battles IF 39i.jpg (140.48 KiB) Viewed 521 times

North of Campobasso the British supported by Commonwealth troops attempt flanking attacks.

Battles IF 39k.jpg (142.76 KiB) Viewed 521 times

The Axis line holds.

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Italian Front
Situation Report March 25th 1944 Turn 39
Army Group C

More attacks against the Biferno defenders by the British supported by Canadian and Polish units.

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Battles IF 39m.jpg (127.63 KiB) Viewed 520 times

WITW Production 39.jpg (223.53 KiB) Viewed 520 times

WITW Supply 39.jpg (189.61 KiB) Viewed 520 times

[EwaldvonKleist]

Tresckow ( seated closest ) with his staff including Oberst Berndt von Kleist in centre.jpg

...when you can't enter an officer's casino without bumping into a family member...

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 30th 1944 Turn 72
Army Group North

8th Armee front line remains relatively quiet again as Axis forces continue to entrench there position in the Vologda region, ground and air patrols report that the Soviet 11th, 13th and 37th Army's are marshalling there forces in and around the towns of Vetluga, Sharya, Shakhunya and Uren.
Red Army Infantry formations disembarking from troop trains and believed to be advancing towards Neya and Makaryev.

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South of 8th Armee the destruction of the Soviet 57th Army and 55th Army's continues by 16th Armee, a counterattack by 4th Guards Army and 56th Army fails to breach the trapped pocket and is beaten back in disarray, 4th Armee comes under attack by 50th and 60th Army's as the 1st Belorussian Front attempts to recapture Gorky, Graessner's XII ArmeeKorps counterattacks and the enemy is pushed back.

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Battles 72.jpg (204.46 KiB) Viewed 403 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 30th 1944 Turn 72
Army Group Centre

With supply lines stretched to breaking point the advance in The Uplands halts, in the central regions Von Kluge's Army Group now focuses on consolidating control of the captured territory to await for supply lines to reach the front, with enemy forces spread thin across the front there is a chance for the troops to rest somewhat.

The two Soviet Fronts facing 2nd Armee and 3rd Pz Armee are heavily outnumbered at this time.

AGC 72.jpg (1.05 MiB) Viewed 401 times

In the Saratov / Tambov region 4th Ukrainian Front has virtually ceased to exist but unit Commanders are urging caution before any more major advances.General Lemelsen's Panzer troops having now redeployed away from the front now begin the task of repairing and rebuilding the ArmeeKorps back up to full strength for the coming operations.

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A Losses 72.jpg (389.03 KiB) Viewed 401 times

For his great effort on the Northern front FM Von Witzleben promotes Gotthard Fedor August Heinrici.

Leader 72.jpg (17.27 KiB) Viewed 401 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 30th Turn 72
OKH Command Army Group

Axis forces continue to reduce the trapped Red Army East of the Aidar river as the enemy pulls back its main forces from the front line leaving 2nd shock Army and 28th Army as a rearguard. Manstein orders his forces not to pursue but to consolidate and dig in.
There is also growing need for units rest and refit from the continuous combat offensives over the past 2 months which has drained manpower numbers.Until all enemy pockets are cleared and units brought back to reasonable strengths the Army Group is ordered to stand down on major operations.

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Battles 72b.jpg (204.95 KiB) Viewed 396 times

Losses 72.jpg (396.02 KiB) Viewed 396 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 30th 1944 Turn 72
Army Group South

Woelher's position is becoming tenuous as 2nd Ukrainian Front starts pushing against the front line, on the left flank 11th Guards Army and 59th Army attacking the Rumanian's opening up gaps in the line, on the right flank of 4th Pz Armee is under pressure as 5th Guards, 10th Guards and 39th Army begin operations against XI ArmeeKorps and XXXXVIII Pz Korps. Soviet Mech and Tank units launching attacks looking for a weak point to exploit.
The AG Commander is informed that II SS Panzer Korps is being withdrawn from Western Europe and sent by rail to bolster defences.

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Destroyed Units 72.jpg (359.03 KiB) Viewed 394 times

OB 72.jpg (307.49 KiB) Viewed 394 times

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Eastern Front
Situation Report March 30th 1944 Turn 72
Army Group A

At his HQ at Rostov FM Von Kleist studies new reports from the front line, his Command facing a large number of units from over a dozen Soviet Armies which had swiftly gathered along the line catching forward unit Commanders by surprise at the speed the enemy was able to build up its forces in such a short time, this development proving once again the resilience of the Red Army, the grim picture presented to the AG Commander as reports indicate the presence of almost thirteen Mech and Tank Corps along the Army Group's 270 mile front.
With a large number of units pulled out of the line for refit and even those units manning the line short on just about everything needed to keep them combat worthy an attack now will be disastrous.

Army Group A 72.jpg (847.22 KiB) Viewed 393 times

Weather 72.jpg (194.27 KiB) Viewed 393 times

Production 72.jpg (367.74 KiB) Viewed 393 times

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Tresckow ( seated closest ) with his staff including Osbert Berndt von Kleist in centre.jpg

...when you can't enter an officer's casino without bumping into a family member...

Indeed ! speaking of bumping into people I was at OKH Headquarters two weeks ago talking to Tresckow and Fabian von Schlabrendorff when Oberst Von Kleist joined us and in the course of our conversations on various matters your name was mentioned Field Marshal to which the Oberst spoke highly of you.

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Western Front
Situation Report April 1st 1944 Turn 40
Army Group B

Another week of rain across Europe but new developments in the Air War by The Allies, attacks in Northwestern Germany are minor with only The Capital Berlin attacked, however the raids inflicting little damage on the industrial regions of the City.

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Air Battles WF 40.jpg (145.12 KiB) Viewed 389 times

There was also a considerable concentration of enemy attacks on Vienna Austria where raids from Allied air force units operating from both Southern Italy and Great Britain struck at Fuel Production facilities.

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Air Battles WF 40a.jpg (135.14 KiB) Viewed 389 times