General Goofy Does Barbarossa

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

The one goal here is Lvov. The Germans just seem so weak in the south. The Romanians (plus 11th Army) are available now, but they seem miles away....

von Rundstedt wants to use 17th Army as the anvil to 1st Panzer Gruppe's hammer. Sadly the anvil is unlikely to be in position even if von Kleist's hammer can be brought down on where it's supposed to be!

The Soviet 81st Motorised Division looks exposed on the extreme left, southeast of Przemysl, and this is where von Rundstedt orders the first attack. Two divisions (24th and 71st) of General von Schwedler's IV Corps are tasked with the operation which results in the 81st being pushed back along the northern slopes of the Carpathians. IV Corps are ordered to keep the pressure up and pursue the retreating Soviets. Both Soviet divisions escape...barely, but the German divisions can pursue no longer.

General Stulpnagel orders the army reserve - the 97th and 100th Light Divisions to advance parallel to IV Corps to engage two badly mauled cavalry divisions west of Lvov.

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

Back to the western edge of the Soviet front, the three divisions of General von Briesen's LII Corps, which includes the two Slovak divisions, are ordered to attack two rifle divisions.

von Kleist is keen to stop the enemy retreating into Lvov and orders the 11th Infantry Division south to attack the 32nd Tank Division at the neck of the would-be pocket.

The pocket is formed and 17th Army are called into action once again. General Kuebler's XLIX Mountain Corps provides two divisions - the 1st Mountain and 68th Division - to attack the 159th Rifle Division.

The 159th retreats, causing the pocket to split in two. Two divisions of 6th Army are brought up to liquidate the northern most pocket, containing the 215th Motorised Division.

Back to von Kleist's 1st Panzer Gruppe; there is only one Rifle Division defending Lvov. von Kleist and von Rundstedt confer and decide a bold armoured dash, east of the main Soviet forces, could result in a quick taking of the city. The attack is made.....

The 9th Panzer and 25th Motorised Divisions dash south to attack Lvov from the northeast - but the attack is a miserable failure. Last turn these units were in trouble for some time - they now find themselves in the same situation...but worse.

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

I decide to look at other parts of the front before working out what on earth to do about that mess.....

In the north of AGS, sector, von Reichenau orders the 168th Infantry Division to attack the 30th Tank Division. Somehow the Soviet unit survives two attacks which reducing his strength to '1'.

Next up for 6th Army is the reduction of the two-division strong pocket southeast of Lublin. Three divisions from 6th Army annihilate the Soviets and this will hopefully free up some movement capability.

Further north the 45th Rifle Division is also being a pain, tying down troops the Germans desperately need elsewhere. The 62nd and 297th Divisions engage the Soviet unit and force it to retreat, pursued by the 297th, which dishes out further punishment before running out of steam.

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

And so its back to Operation Balls Up, otherwise known as General Franz 'Goofy' Halder's pathetic attempts to take Lvov.

If von Rundstedt had looked more closely he would have seen that the units defending the northern approaches to Lvov are two extremely mauled tank divisions. Attacking them would have been the sensible option. Even if they survive any attack and retreat into the city, they will hardly be adding meaningfully to any subsequent defence.

6th Army's 298th Division makes the attack and sure enough the two Soviet divisions retreat into Lvov. Time to try and follow up with a more sensible attack on the city.

Sadly, this proved no better than the first attack. Two motorised and one panzer division failed to take the city. Forget Prokhorovka....

Lvov - death ride of the 1st Panzer Gruppe

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

With Lvov firmly in Soviet hands, von Rundstedt turns his attention to other matters - not least of which is how to explain this debacle to the Fuhrer.....

West of Lvov is a pocket of five Soviet divisions. They are almost surrounded (except for one hex the Germans cannot reach). Within the hex there are two rifle divisions pretty much intact, and two badly mauled. There is also a beaten up tank division providing its T-26's. Sadly, 17th Army's remaining units are too weak to take advantage of this poor quality stack. von Rundstedt orders the 16th Panzer Division to supplement the attack - but its not enough to budge the defenders.

Totally dispirited with the performance of German armour, the remainder of the turn sees:

- 18th Rifle Division attacked by 14th Panzer Division
- The 124th and 62nd Rifle Divisions attacked by 13th Panzer and 6th Army's 62nd Infantry Division.
- After retreating these two Soviets divisions were harried by the 13th and 14th Panzer Divisions which attacked again thus forcing further withdrawal.
- This brought the previously attacked 18th Rifle Division back into contact with the 13th Panzer and was promptly annihilated.
- With the two German divisions continuing their pursuit across perfect tank country the 62nd Rifle Division was also destroyed.
- Finally the 13th switched north whereupon it came into contact with the previously retreated 45th Rifle Division. The latter just about came away intact...

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

Next up its the remainder of AGS.

von Rundstedt has no idea of the usefulness of the Romanians so does not want to take too many risks. The initial plan will be to secure the extreme right flank by taking out as many Soviet units as possible west of the Dneister - with Odessa as the prize.

The first attack is by the Romanian V Corps in conjunction with a division of III Corps. These units push back the 15th Motorised Division. The 21st and 35th Divisions then join forces with the Border Division to harry the retreating Soviets. However, their attack runs out of Attack Points. Employment of the Romanians is going to be a different proposition to the Germans....

von Rundstedt calls upon Schoberts 11th Army to try and make some headway. The 218th Motorised Division is the most westerly Soviet unit facing the 11th. Two divisions are ordered to attack and then two divisions of General Kortsfleisch's XI Corps and the 50th Division from LIV corps are thrown against a strong armoured column consisting of two Tank and the retreated Motorised Division. The defenders are not dislodged as the attacking troops run out of Action Points....

Schobert feels he must dislodge these two powerful columns of Soviets armour or his forces will be able to make no headway. Two German divisions are thrown into battle against the southernmost hex and finally manage to inflict some damage on the Soviets who retreat having taken heavy casualties.

However, the attack in Bessarabia has got off to a less than auspicious start....

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Army Group South

Further north, opposite the Romanian 3rd Army, the Soviets appear to have little in the way of armoured forces. The plan is to engage the enemy infantry to try and keep pressure on, but ensure that contact is kept with 11th Army to the south.

The first attack is ordered by General Dumistrescu, at the southern end of his front, against the 74th Rifle Division. Once again the attack peters out through lack of Action Points and the Soviets defender remains stubbornly in place.

3rd Romanian Army's position, without German support, looks precarious...

[warspite1]

26th June 1941
Turn 2
Finland

I end the turn with a look at the Finnish Front. I intend to keep pressure on in the Karelian Isthmus, but also to try and exploit gaps in the low density Soviet lines north of Lake Ladoga.

North of the lake, the 54th and 71st Rifle Divisions are attacked by two Finnish divisions each. The 71st hold their position, but the 54th are forced into retreat.

Further south the Finns set about reclaiming territory in the isthmus that was lost following the Winter War. Four divisions combine to retake Vyborg.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3

I get an aide-de-camp message which shows there is much paperwork and decision making that needs doing ahead of undertaking Turn 3....

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3

So lets look at the issues that need the Chief of Staff's attention today.

1. I am told that fuel use by the panzer divisions is too high - and indeed unsustainable. Well that may be true, but we either try and beat the enemy or we don't. I do not wish to ignore General Wagner however, and at a cost of 2 PP I send an order out to 'keep pushing but keep the mileage down'. That's not confusing for a panzer commander now is it?

The effect of my decision?

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3

2. Aagghhh! more rail problems and water towers!! I thought I dealt with this on the 26th? I decide to order ignore the infrastructure (at a cost of no PP). The communications in AGN's front should be adequate.

In so doing I have cheesed off General Gercke, although von Brauchitsch is happy with my approach.

3. I get the same message about AGS. Here I also order ignore the infrastructure (at a cost of 3PP). From what I have seen AGS is a side show. AGC is where this war will be won or lost.

4. In AGC sector I am told by General Gercke that there is a shortage of signalling equipment. AM I IN CHARGE OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY OR CHIEF OF STAFF!!!! I order that we keep pushing ahead with track conversion - never mind bloody signals. My relationship with Gercke is heading down the toilet.....

5. I am asked what I want to do about 102nd Rear Area Army (RAA). I order that they switch over immediately to security on the basis that there are few units to mop up [Note I wonder if the game takes that into account?]

This decision adversely affects relation with von Bock - that could be a real problem re Command Focus.... [&:] Rats!

6. I get the same request for AGS and 103rd RAA. I cannot afford to be at loggerheads with all my Army Group Commanders, and order that the 103rd remain on mop up duty.

Well I cannot say the outcome of these decisions has been good....

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3

Having dealt with decisions, I move onto ongoing issues and the matter of Forward Supply Bases (FSB) for Army Groups North and Centre.

For AGN I have 8,975 of fuel in reserve. I therefore order the movement of the FSB to Kaunas.

For AGC I have 16,000 of fuel in reserve. I order the movement of the FSB to Bialystok (rather than Brest-Litovsk). Either way there would have been a small PP cost unless I left the FSB (not practical).

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group North

In moving the units this turn I will pay closer attention to the reports and stats.

The first thing to note is that because Field Marshall von Leeb and myself are not exactly 'sympatico' at present, this affects the commanders of 16th and 18th armies. I should expect penalties as a result.... I see from the reports that I have reductions in AP and reduced degrees of readiness for 16th Army and for 18th I have something similar.

Truck maintenance level continues to improve (now 8%)

I do not properly understand fuel usage yet (I do not find the reports easy to decipher re fuel availablity and usage), but given the imminent movement of the FSB, I need to be a little careful with the Panzers.

Actual losses are not split by Army Group, but the battle reports show minor losses from engagements.

90% of my Panzers are operational.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group North

Further to the above, sure enough von Leeb has been spreading his poison. von Kuchler's troops are reduced in Action Points. Just what we need when trying to clear the Baltic States [8|]. Is this man not a professional soldier??

Anyways....

The 202nd Mechanised Division and 125th Rifle Divisions are badly beaten up, but they are the next obstacle to 18th Army's advance toward Liepaja.

The two divisions of General Wodrig's XXVI Corps - 61st and 217th - are ordered to remove this obstacle. The rifle division appears to have been destroyed and the mechanised unit retreats in disarray. In the first attack the infantry retreat, while in the second the 202nd is destroyed.

The 11th Rifle Division is the next in the firing line. The army reserve division, the 291st, joins the 217th for the attack, leaving the 61st to attack an armoured formation to the east.

Further losses and retreats are incurred by Soviets forces, but the effects of the poor relations with von Leeb (and specifically the reduction in Action Points) are really being felt.

There 18th Army can undertake no further attack or movement this turn...

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group Centre

The action switches to Army Group Centre, and the efforts to clear the remaining Soviets forces east and west of the Nieman.

The 204th Motorised and 27th Rifle Divisions on the east bank are targeted by the 5th and 6th Infantry Divisions and pushed back having taken serious losses.

West of the river the 84th Mechanised and 56th Rifle Divisions are attacked by two infantry and one motorised division and the Soviets are pushed back.

Hoth quickly follows this up by ordering three motorised divisions to take out the remnants of the 204th Motorised and 27th Rifle Divisions. Both Soviet division soon cease to exist and the Germans all but surround the 56th Rifle and 84th Mechanised Divisions. In so doing, they are also at the western approaches to Vilnius. The two Soviet divisions survive but are forced to retreat into the adjacent army group area.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group North

Back to AGN and 16th Army. Busch's army, like the 18th, are suffering reduced Action Points. Hoepner's infantry and motorised units are called upon to try and breakthrough toward the southwest to trap four Soviet divisions east of Kaunas.

The 179th Rifle Division is pushed back and it, along with the 33rd Rifle Division, is then assaulted by the 36th Motorised and Totenkopf Divisions. The attack succeeds, closing the trap around the four Soviet divisions.

Four divisions of 16th Army then try and liquidate the pocket - but the attack fails to destroy three of the four units.

This means that Hoepner needs to waste precious fuel and units eliminating a pocket that should have already been destroyed.

16th Army end their involvement this turn, with their remaining units moving east as far as their reduced Action Points will allow.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Finland

The 71st Rifle Division is assaulted by three Finnish divisions and forced to retreat. This allows the Finns to attack the adjacent 191st Rifle Division from two sides.

The 191st falls back with their rear against the northern shores of Lake Ladoga. The 1st and 2nd Finnish Divisions, plus the German 163rd Division then undertake a full frontal assault against the 191st and the two divisions with which it is stacked. The attackers run out of AP and the Soviets hold in their precarious position.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group North

Back to AGN and the remaining units of the 4th Panzer Gruppe. The need to cross the Dvina now occupies Hoepner's mind.

The 269th Infantry Division starts the ball rolling with an attack on the weakened 90th Rifle Division halfway between the Nieman and the Dvina. The 90th is destroyed in the ensuing battle.

Three panzer divisions, the 1st, 6th and 8th rush for the river, The 6th catch the 180th Rifle Division in the open on the west bank and seriously maul the Soviet infantry - which retreats into Dunaburg. 8th Panzer doing something similar to the 181st Rifle Division. 6th Panzer close out the turn with an inconclusive attack against the 16th Rifle Division.

The turn ends for AGN with three panzer divisions in advanced positions and the infantry and motorised infantry some way behind.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Finland

Finally in the north we return to Finland. A Finnish division continues to pursue the 27th Border Division. Four divisions then attack four Soviet divisions on the shores of the Baltic, forcing the latter to retreat toward Leningrad. This should leave one final attack in this sector. The 43rd Rifle Division is cut-off thanks to the previous attack. However, the corps commander made a mistake with the Finnish movement order and only one division can take part. Field Marshal Mannerheim cancels the attack order.

[warspite1]

30th June 1941
Turn 3
Army Group Centre

A review of the reports confirms that relations with von Bock are poor. I assume that Command Focus (with the 2nd Panzer Gruppe) remains for this turn and falls away next turn.

Truck maintenance remains fairly high at 23% (although has not worsened).

Still don't understand what these reports are saying in terms of fuel delivery and usage, but I have 15,000 of fuel so hope this will see me through the movement of the Forward Supply Base over the next couple of turns.

Hopefully 4th Army (3 Divisions) and 9th Army (1 Division) will receive reinforcements soon.

2nd and 3rd PanzerGruppen still in Blitzkrieg mode. Panzers of the 2nd could soon do with a rest as the number operational is significantly below PanzerGruppen 3 and 4.

Both 4th and 9th Armies are suffering modest readiness deductions, but at least there is no Action Point deduction.

Minor losses during most engagements although there were four battles where losses were higher - usually during attacks on cities.