1943 Bob vs. Don AAR

[Zovs]

I am glad you liked that one Pav....  [8D]

...and it's exactly what they will do...

[karonagames]

ummm..... I think forum rules specify that English is the only language that can be used.

[Flaviusx]

Near as I can tell that translates to "Operation Garbage Disposal" or somesuch.
 
 

[Zovs]

Operation smash, trash, crush and eliminate

[Zovs]

Comrades                                                                                                                                   Confidential

10 July 1943

As was expected according to our sources the German forces have begun their withdrawal from Orel-Kharkov-Belgorod sector.

As per my previous orders the first two items have taken place.

The Stavka of the Supreme Commander orders:

1. continuation of spoiling attacks and air sweeps of the German line;
2. begin completing the build up for the summer offensive.

I expect item two to be ready in two more weeks.

VASILIEV

From the TASS news agency

10 July 1943

Our mighty Red Army has begun operations to throw the evil Malin Invaders out of Russia! Please note some of these images have been through our wonderful security system to ensure our troops secrecy and safety.

Beginning OOB (for AAR readers)


Bryansk battle locations.


Bryansk sector.


Bryansk battle locations zoomed.


Bryansk sector zoomed.


Bryanks-Kursk sector


Kharkov-Rostov sector


Bryansk sector zoomed out (x2)


Kharkov sector zoomed out (x2)


4 July to 10 July Ground losses


4 July to 10 July Air losses


Commanders Report - Ground Battles


Commanders Report - Air Battles

[Smirfy]

The air losses again look on the high side thats like 20% of your airforce

[karonagames]

Just a note to everyone following this; I can't do the blacking out of rear areas thing that Don does, so you will have to make do without screen shots from me, except to illustrate a particular point. I think you can see more than enough information from what Don is publishing.

[british exil]

I thought the black out was important to stop the bombing raids mate.[:D] Make sure you've got enough AA to stop his airforce.

Not need to be an ace with the ss, we'll put our own pic together of what is going on.

Mat

[karonagames]

Date: 11th July 1943

Location: Rommel’s office OKH Headquarters.

Rommel began his working day by reading the weekly situation reports provided by the Army Group commanders, together with the combined report of the 3 Luftflotte commanders

Army Group North

Sir,

I am delighted to report in reaction to our build up around the Orienbaum enclave, the enemy shipped in reinforcements prior to our attack. Our attack went according to plan and we have taken control of the port facilities. Sadly, one enemy division did escape in a hastily organised evacuation on a small fleet of fishing boats, and what we understand to be Stalin’s personal yacht, however I believe the evacuated troops will be combat ineffective for at least 4 weeks.

At least 6 enemy brigades and divisions remain in the enclave, and can only be supplied by air. I therefore request that you allocate my Luftwaffe colleagues at least 4 squadrons of fighters to prevent any further supplies reaching the enemy.

I estimate that operations will be concluded within 10 days and that the army group will then provide you with the 3 mechanised and 3 infantry divisions you have requested for the Strategic Reserve.
I can also confirm that 5 of the 8 Luftwaffe field divisions under my command have been withdrawn from the front line, the remainder will do so within the next 2 weeks.

18th Army continues the harassing bombardments along the Leningrad front as specified by the leader, and the army will receive the Karl Siege Mortars shortly.

16th Army continues aggressive patrolling and reconnaissance activity all along its front, and has not identified enemy activity indicating major offensive operations are planned by the enemy during the next 7 days.

Von Kuchler

[karonagames]

Army Group Centre:

Sir,

The northern section of my command’s front has completed phase one of Operation Breakwater with nearly 100% success. 4th Army and 2nd Panzer Army are now deployed according to the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) included with Directive 46. However, in some areas the anti-tank front (PAKfront) that worked so well for you in Africa does not have the specified mobile units, so, like you, I have used the 88mm anti – aircraft guns in areas we do not expect major enemy tank concentrations. I require an additional 6 battalions of mobile anti-tank units to meet SOP specifications. I also require an additional panzer or panzer grenadier divisions to provide the operational reserve requirement. I have used SS cavalry and SS motorised security units as a temporary measure in the least threatened area of the front.
Delaying forces have been positioned around Bryansk but I do not believe they will last more than 2 days against even minimal enemy attacks.

In the southern section our efforts to meet the specified phase line has been less successful. 3 of my Korps commanders in 9th army confused their orders , and not all divisions reached their assigned positions despite the efforts of my best staff officers, and I was forced to assign units originally scheduled to join the strategic reserve to the front including 2 mechanised units. I understand that this contravenes directive 46, but I believe the units are not at risk of encirclement, but I do not have sufficient intelligence regarding enemy mechanised units to guarantee this. I can guarantee that this situation will be rectified within 7 days.

2nd Army has met Directive 46 SOP.

If you require my resignation, I will of course offer it, together with the korps commanders responsible for the mistake.

Von Kluge

[karonagames]

Army Group South:

Sir,

I regret to inform you that due to unseasonably wet weather in the southern sector of my front, particularly that assigned to 6th Army, the Army group has not been able to meet any of phase lines specified in Directive 46, and only in the Belgorod/Kharkov sector have 4pz Army and army detachment Kempf met SOP requirements.

1st Panzer Army is in extreme danger. Intelligence reports indicate that the enemy has moved substantial reserves from the Kursk area. They must know that our divisions in this sector have not received replacements for many months, and are currently at 50% of their TOE. I was able to allocate 1 division from the “Special Reserve”under my own authority as specified in Directive 46, but you must ask the Leader to move the Special Reserve to the Krasnograd area where it will be best able to hit the flank of any breakthrough in 1st Panzers Area of Operations (AO).

6th Army is stuck in a sea of mud. It is obviously threatened by any breakthroughs in 1st Panzer’s AO, and minimal mechanised forces are available to counter any threats to its Northern flank. Needless to say if the enemy reaches the sea behind 6th Army, we are facing a dire situation. While I know you had other plans for the strategic reserve, I request that you make as much of it as possible available to me to re-establish the front should the worst happen.

Damn this Mud!

Von Manstein

[karonagames]

Army Group A:

Sir,

I regret to inform you that my command was unable to achieve the phase lines specified in Directive 46.
Due to the Mud in AGS’s AO, the transportation required to action the move to the phase line did not arrive in time. Unfortunately the mobile anti-tank units needed to achieve the new SOPs also got stuck in the mud, so I had to cancel the transfer of the units you specified to move to the strategic reserve to ensure that I could at least meet the operational reserve requirements of the SOP.

I believe that by next week I will be able to meet all requirements specified in Directive 46 and the new SOP.

Damn the Mud!

Von Kleist.

[karonagames]

Combined Luftwaffe Command

Sir,

We are delighted to report that we have dealt a stunning blow to the enemy’s air forces!

It would seem that the redeployment of our squadrons when Operation Citadel was cancelled completely fooled the enemy. They launched massive assaults on our airfields, but it would seem that when they discovered that our forward airfields had been emptied, the bombers continued to look for our rear bases, but the fighters returned to their bases!

Our fighters could not believe that the enemy bombers were attacking without fighter escort, thinking it was a trap, but the bombers kept going out of the known range of the enemy fighters, so our boys had another “Happy Time” and shot many, many bombers out of the sky. At this time we are triple checking the pilots after action reports, as the numbers of enemy shot down are frankly unbelievable. Again this could be part of a ruse by the enemy to expose our fighters to losses from fatigue.

The enemy did manage to attack some airfields, but the damage will be repaired quickly, and very few aircraft were lost on the ground.

The redeployment specified in Directive 46 will be completed in 14 days.

Keller, Loehr, Von Greihm

[Flaviusx]

Mud in July?

[karonagames]

We are playing random weather, as we are running an alternate history. Again I don't know the exact % chances.

Fortunately the mud is not across the whole front, just 1 weather zone - I think the zones are published in another thread.

Damn the RNG!!!

[critter]

ORIGINAL: BigAnorak

Prologue:

“Gentlemen, the Leader is returning” the orderly informed the assembled staff of OKH.

Everyone quickly extinguished their cigarettes, and returned to their assigned places in the briefing room.

The Leader commenced:

“I was very surprised by Field Marshal Rommel’s recommendation, but also I was impressed by the Field Marshal’s plans which, as usual, reflect the boldness he demonstrated in his desert campaigns. And I know that Field Marshal Manstein is capable of executing an offensive after a fighting withdrawal as he showed with his re-capture of Kharkhov at the end of last winter”

“If we must cancel Citadel; so be it”

Murmurs swept around the room.

“For Operation Breakwater we shall build our own wall of steel from the Baltic to the Black sea! I will set in place the requisitions for barbed wire, mines and concrete for pill boxes that will enable us to build even stronger defences than the enemy has built around the Kursk salient! During the withdrawal phase I insist that the enemy is counter-attacked at every opportunity, and that counter-attacking “Stosstruppen” are held in reserve behind every division, equipped with the jagdpanzer battalions we have available to maximise the enemies tank losses. Under no account will the strength of our panzer and panzer-grenadier divisions be weakened during this phase. As The Field Marshal, proposed they will Jab like Max Schmeling, before delivering the knock-out punch.”

“For Operation Rising Tide I will ensure that the army is fully equipped to operate during the winter and between now and November, 5 panzer and 5 infantry divisions will be sent to the Eastern Front ; together with at least 20 battalions of JagdPanzers and Tiger tanks. Our objectives will be based on the operational situation when the offensive is launched, but will be broadly based on regaining the essential resources and industry of Kharkhov and the Donbas.”

“I will issue Directive 46 in due course”

“ Gentlemen, we have work to do. Dismissed.”

A small bookish looking supply General raises his hand.
"Excuse me sir. What if the Russians decide not to attack. What if they use the time to dig in, train their troops, and make their line unbreakable?"
"We can't claim victory as we are this far into Russia and they are recovering and getting stonger every day. Just as you presume to ignor Hitlers orders, Zhukov has just told Stalin to get stuffed."
"What if they take the next season off and let the Allies continue to bomb our cities into the stone age."

I don't understand how you can force us to use historical production, leaders, withdraws and ignor the fact that the German player can suddenly decide Total victory is an option? How is dear leader gonna feel in 45 when the weather in Berlin is 2500 degrees with scattered mushroom clouds? [:-]
If the Russians don't attack the Allies still win. They wouldn't make peace having stopped the Germans in 43 and still growing stronger than Germany daily. Holding in Russia is a loser for Germany.

[karonagames]

Ummm.... we are testing an Alternate History. Sorry if we did not make that clear.

You can be assured that behind the scenes the testers are having a very healthy debate regarding the end date of the war and the potential impact of nuclear weapons.

And Operation Rising Tide is winter offensive aimed to hit the soviets at their weakest point. I will try really hard to make things clearer.

[karonagames]

1st Panzer and 6th Army Area of Operation

[karonagames]

When I see the mechanised symbol I know I am in trouble - those boys can move a long way and hit hard. If only he had been one hex further south!

[ComradeP]

Mud in July?

That's not too unusual, the drive on Smolensk in 1941 also bogged down in the mud for a while. Heavy rains in July are not uncommon in Russia and any kind of prolonged rain can turn a Soviet excuse for a "road" into a pool of mud.

The VVS is dropping out of the skies again I see, those IL-2 losses are simply staggering, it's almost like they have a negative armour value instead of protection.