Drang Nach Osten - Revisited

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 5; Jul 17, 1941.......Clear

Clear weather holds across the front (surprisingly), and all three Army Groups make fair to good progress eastwards.

AGN struggles forward, low on fuel and infantry just now starting to reach the front lines. 18th Army, primarily advancing west of Lake Peipus, led by Totenkopf SS Mot, hasn't encountered any significant enemy contact. 4th Pz Grp's two PzKps advance through the Pskov position. The lavishly equipped Soviet 3rd Tk Div is isolated, but the 163rd Mot Division delays 6th Pz Divs advance northward in four separate attacks without breaking. Progress is made, albeit slowly. 16th Army's infantry is just starting to come up, is just making contact with Soviet units to the east of 4th Pz Grp, whose flank it needs to protect.

Next major hurdle is the enemy dug in on the Luga River - will need both fuel and infantry to effectively breach that defensive line and put pressure on Leningrad's inner defensive perimeter.

[IdahoNYer]

AGC has mixed results - to the extreme on both sides.

2nd Pz Grp opens up the offensive with 4th Army infantry taking Mogilev and opening up a bridgehead across the Dniepr for XXXXVII PzKps. XXXXVII PzKps comes across, making short work of raw Soviet Rifle Divisions in the line, and opening up a huge hole for for the freshly rested and refit XXIV PzKps which tears through the gap, heading NE toward Smolensk.

This attack was to be the southern prong of a major encirclement with 3rd Pz Grp. However, 3rd Pz Grp's main effort, the LVII PzKps, with added infantry support from 9th Army is stopped pretty much cold in attempting to breach the Soviet defenses of the Land Bridge. Of 9 attacks, 6 are held! LVII PzKps advances a total of 20 miles and doesn't penetrate the Soviet defenses. North of Vitebsk, XXXIX PzKps was to have struck out towards Veliki Luki - however, with the failure south of Veliki Luki, XXXIX PzKps attack is "shortened" and after penetrating the Soviet defenses, hooks around Vitebsk from the north and links up with the struggling LVII PzKps.

The attack by XXXIX PzKps actually salvages the situation somewhat. A small 9 division pocket is formed around Vitebsk, which is likely to be broken of course. This also creates a situation for the Soviets - with 2nd Pz Grp deep into the Soviet Dniepr Position toward Smolensk, do they attempt to retain the position and counterattack (attempt to isolate the German panzers) or attempt to pull back? Attempting to hold and isolate may be dangerous as German infantry of the 9th and 4th Armies are finally just coming up in force and should be able to turn the tables on any Soviet attempts.

While XXXIX PzKps' 7th Pz is exposed, as is all of 2nd Pz Grp's XXIV PzKps, I'm confident the German infantry can bull their way foward to any Soviet stand.

Will be an interesting turn coming up!

[IdahoNYer]

AGS continues to excel. While the Soviets temporarily re-established contact with the Vinnista Pocket, 1st Pz Grp managed to seal it a bit tighter, as well as push further eastwards. 6th Army continues to press toward Kiev, while protecting the flank of 1st Pz Grp and ensuring the pocket is sealed from the north. 17th Army is still primarily engaged in clearing the Lvov Pocket, with about two Korps moving foward to engage the Vinnista Pocket. 11th Army links with 1st Pz Grp in the south and presses eastward - augmented by the newly arrived 60th Mot Div.

Unfortunately, the Rumanians still manage to accomplish little - and two German division are cut to the Rumanians to "encourage" their progress - which is painfully slow.

Overall, progress remains excellent, but sustaining the eastward thrust while liquidating the estimated 20-30 Soviet divisions currently isolated is going to be challenging.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 6; Jul 24, 1941........Clear

Good weather continues and the panzers continue to roll east!

AGN's 4th Pz Grp, still low on fuel, continues to press NE toward Leningrad. Led by 1st Pz Div, the drive gains some 40 miles and gains a bridgehead across the Luga River.

Soviet defenses are thinner than expected, with resistance keying in swamp terrain. The advance is limited more by lack of fuel than determined Soviet forces.

On 4th Pz Grp's left flank, 18th Army clears the Baltic States, taking Talinin and turns east north of Lake Piepus, meeting little to no resistance.

To the right, 16th Army continues to protect 4th PZ Grp's right flank, but the Army is being stretched thin as 3rd Pz Grp stays south of Veliki Luki. This will cause problems as little pressure is being exerted on Soviet forces south of Novgorod and Lake Ilmen - which will allow the Soviets to reposition forces to Leningrad's inner defenses.

With 18th Army's infantry finally arriving in force, the advance can begin to assault Lenningrad's outer defenses in the coming weeks.

[IdahoNYer]

AGC weather's heavy Soviet counter attacks against the isolated 7th Pz Div NW of Smolensk, and then turn the tables on the Soviets. 3rd Pz Grp, supported by 9th Army's infantry firmly isolate the Vitebsk Pocket and link up with 2nd Pz Grp advancing across the Dniepr just west of Smolensk. 2nd Pz Grp, supported by 4th Army's infantry establishes a smaller pocket of Soviet forces still defending the Dniepr.

4th Army infantry cross the Dniepr in force supporting 2nd Pz Grp, and begin to push toward Bryansk.

[IdahoNYer]

AGS continues to march east and tear up the Soviets in its path; the Soviets having apparently fallen back behind the Dnepr, leaving only scattered forces in a delaying action.

6th Army's infantry continues to press towards Kiev while its XXXXVI PzKps reach the Dniepr just south of Kiev. 17th Army eliminates the last of the Lvov Pocket and begins to liquidate the Vinnista Pocket, freeing up 1st Pz Grp forces to continue eastwards - which reach the Dnepr near Cherkassy as well as taking Kirovograd and Krivoi Rog. 11th Army, led by 60th Mot, aims toward Nikolaev and the Lower Dnepr. Lastly, the Rumanian 4th Army continues to plod toward Odessa and the Rum 3rd Army regroups after the last of the Lvov Pocket is secured. Many Rumanian formations will transition to garrison duties in the coming weeks.

Overall, progress here has been very good, but now at the Dnepr, we'll need to pause for fuel and infantry to come up. While the Dnepr defenses are not necessarily strong, they are established to a certain degree and will require infantry support to breach effectively.

The Soviets have been very successful in at least one area - they have succeeded in pulling industry out before panzers arrived in all cases, except for some HI in Mogilev. Hopefully the pressure against the Dnepr Bend, Leningrad and Bryansk in the coming weeks will forces the Soviets to make some tough choices of which industry needs to be moved.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 7; Jul 31, 1941.......Clear

Good weather continues! Across the entire front, Soviet forces look to be thinning, but supply issues prevent full exploitation.

AGN's 4th Pz Grp bulls its way forward 20 miles past its Luga River bridgehead against moderate opposition. Poor terrain for armor and lack of supply hinder efforts more than enemy troops - which are mainly newly raised, raw divisions. 18th Army finally comes up in force, which should help matters considerably. 16th Army continues to provide adequate flank cover for 4th Pz Grp, but lacks the offensive power to push eastward sufficiently.

Overall, the arrival of 18th Army infantry should be enough to tip the balance in the German's favor to cut Leningrad off. That's assuming what we're encountering at Leningrad's Outer Defenses is similar in quality to Leningrad's inner defenses.

What is really needed is an operational pause to rest, refit and refuel for a week or two. That of course could backfire, giving the Soviets that amount of time to dig in deeper. I figure at some point in August, mud will hit, forcing a week of rest.....till then, we continue to push forward.

[IdahoNYer]

In AGC's sector, I had really planned on an operational pause....but recon of Soviet defenses east of Smolensk didn't identify anything substantial, so the plan changed to a movement to contact.

3rd Pz Grp attempts to move north, to strike east of Veliki Luki toward Rzhev - it manages to encirle two rifle divisions in the process, and its XXXIX PzKps conducts an HQ buildup as well. Barring mud, this force will strike out for Rzhev next week. Detatched is the LVII PzKps which advances east toward Vyazma and Moscow unapposed.

2nd Pz Grp, badly in need of rest and refuel, also pushes eastward. Its XXIV PzKps also drives toward Vyazma, while its XXXXVII PzKps shifts slightly ESE toward Kaluga. There looks to be a line forming near Vyazma, but of unknown strength. With the current fuel situation, any type of defensive line will likely force a pause to bring up supplies.

9th Army infantry liquidates the Vitebsk Pocket without any issues and pushes eastward to support both Pz Grps.

4th Army advances along a broad front tward Bryansk - lacking motorized forces, its a slow, methodical advance - which is sufficient to brush back the current opposition.

[IdahoNYer]

AGS clears the western bank of the Dnepr as it advances to the Dnepr Bend.

6th Army, first on the Dnepr, executes a deliberate attack with XXXXVI PzKps and achieves a small bridgehead just SE of Kiev. 6th Army has the capability to bring infantry into the fray, which should enable it to expand the bridgehead in the coming weeks, as well as force the evacuation of Kiev.

1st Pz Grp continues to move rapidly east. Its XXXXVIII PzKps isolates the screening cavalry, enabling III PzKps to advance to the outskirts of Dnepropetrovsk, which still has its full industrial capacity intact. XIV PzKps recons the eastern bank of the Dnepr, looking for a lightly defended crossing site. These advances, while impressive, lack sufficient infantry or supply to fully exploit. This will take 17th Army to fully exploit these gains.

17th Army finishes off the Vinnista Pocket and lumbers eastward - all too slowly....It needs to get to the Dnepr rapidly to sustain 1st Pz Grp's success, not allowing the Soviets time to strengthen their defenses along the river.

11th Army begins to swing to the SE, to cross the lower Dnepr and the Crimea.

Overall, good success west of the Dnepr. Catching a large force in the Vinnista Pocket was a big plus, but the supply situation is now going to force a halt. Will attempt to get forces across the Dnepr, but that will be a slow process with the current supply status.

[IdahoNYer]

Turn 8; Aug 7, 1941........Clear

Overall, progress has been solid across the front. All three Army Groups have had great success, but all three are now in need of an operational pause. Supply and fatigue have slowed progres more than Soviet defenses in recent weeks. I was figuring on mud forcing a pause somewhere, but July remained clear and dry - not complaining! Just unexpected.

Screen shot shows the overview of the front - AGC making the best progress of the three Army Groups. AGN still surging toward Leningrad, limited more by supply and fatigue than heavy defenses. AGS, also limited more by the sheer distances involved than anything else.

[IdahoNYer]

Focus on AGN....

Soviets pull off the Luga Line in the NW, allowing 18th Army to advance unapposed, but this also removes the possibility of a pocket and over stretching the Soviet defenses.

4th Pz Grp's both PzKps work to clear the last really poor terrain before Mga and the vital Leningrad rail link. Its slow progress, with the panzers both heavily fatigured, low on tanks and supply. Yet, progress is made with 2xRifle Div being encircled, and another 10-20 miles gained. We'll have to rest the panzers, and hopefully we'll be able to conduct an HQ build shortly as the RR repair closes on Pskov.

16th Army remains over stretched and fails to close the distance on a small pocket on the shore of Lake Ilmen. Its II Korps remains closely tied to the advance of 4th Pz Grp, but isn't probably strong enough to take the fortified city of Novgorod. This is going to be tough...

I've decided to reinforce AGN with additional infantry from across the front - one Korps and probably up towards a half dozen infantry divisions - I'm going to need that combat power to cut Leningrad off allowing 18th Army to assualt the city itself. I've still got some time left, but I'd really like to get 4th Pz Grp heading around the Valdai Hills and Kalinin enroute towards Moscow. AGC will need this thrust from the north to draw forces away from Moscow's western defenses as it closes on the Capital.

[IdahoNYer]

Focus on AGC.

For the first time in the campaign, the panzers fail to close a pocket - a sure sign of increasing fatigue and lack of supply rather than significantly increased Soviet resistance.

In fact, east of Smolensk has been rather inconsistant - likely just reaching the outer defenses of Moscow along the Rzhev-Vyazma line.

3rd Pz Grp, with XXXIX PzKps freshly supplied with an HQ buildup attempts to cut off the withdrawing Soviet forces - estimated at about a dozen divisions NE of Velizh. While its fuel and ammo are in good shape now, it is still well fatigued - cuts off Veliki Luki, and surges east, but fails to dislodge the last Soviet defenses between itself and the other thrust of the LVII PzKps - itself fatigued and not benefited of an HQ buildup. Bottom line - 3rd Pz Grp is now over-reaching and has failed to close the trap.

2nd Pz Grp continues to push east on its last fuel, its XXIV PzKps reaches the Soviet defenses being established near Vyazma. The defenses look to be incomplete, but the PzKps doesn't have the strength to batter it down - it must infiltrate through the gaps, hoping to collapse the defenses before they can be fully manned. I divert XXXXVII Pzkps south toward 4th Army to take advantage of some Rifle Divisions which are slow to withdraw, in an attempt to pocket them - again, lack of fuel prohibits the firm closure of a pocket.

4th Army continues to batter its way against a delaying action towards Bryansk. Without Panzers, its not constrained by fuel, but it is also limits its abiltiy to exploit success.

Overall, the "near" pockets may still pay off, as the Soviets will be challenged to fully get clear. Would have been better to have them closed of course. In any case, I need to pull the panzers out of the line and rest them for two weeks - getting at least two PzKps a build up. Lead panzers are about 100 miles west of Moscow! Soviet defenses will improve with each week of course. We'll need supporting attacks from both AGN and AGS to fully envelop and seize the Soviet Capital in the coming months.

[IdahoNYer]

Focus on AGS.

While we've managed two bridgeheads across the Dnepr, we're out of gas and fatigued and can't exploit the potential success. Railheads are still well to the west and we're not close to being able to conduct an HQ buildup in 1st Pz Grp - perhaps in 6th Army's XXXXVI PzKps.

Primary objectives at this point are to rest the panzers in order to attack, expand the bridgeheads with infantry, maintain pressure on Dneprotpetrovsk to contain its armament centers trapped there and to gain a bridgehead across the Dnepr in 11th Army's area to open up the lower Dnepr Bend area.

As elsewhere, we're going to require a pause for about 2 weeks to rest and gain supply in sufficient quantity before striking out towards Kharkov.

[IdahoNYer]

While we need an operational pause across the front as we move into August, July was VERY successfull!!! Destroyed units show the gains made, good tallys in Rifle and Tank Divs.

[IdahoNYer]

Overall losses going into August. Solid losses for the Soviets, but German losses, especially in panzers were not "light". Still, pressure needs to be maintained on the Soviets, we're far from finishing off the Bear.

[IdahoNYer]

Despite the huge Soviet losses, the Bear still gains in size!!! Simply amazing! This will only get worse as the German army needs to pause for a few weeks - if we're resting and refitting, we're not going to be killing or capturing many Soviets!

[IdahoNYer]

Last area to focus is the state of the Panzerwaffe. Still a robust force, but showing signs of wear and tear - and the cost of success has been significan panzer losses.

[sillyflower]

I think pz losses of 150 per turn are nothing to worry about, especially ar you are using them properly to manoeuvre not as a sledgehammer.

not sure why you have got some in infantry armies - seems a bit of a wasteful loss of focus, and APs. A single Pz corps can't exploit that effectively

[Schmart]

ORIGINAL: sillyflower
not sure why you have got some in infantry armies - seems a bit of a wasteful loss of focus, and APs. A single Pz corps can't exploit that effectively

I do the same thing actually, attaching a PzKorps to 6th Army. There's typically a 'panzer gap' in the central sector with 4th and 6th Armies, so a PzKorps there can give that part of the front some extra manoeuvre and exploitation capability. When 40th PzKorps arrives in Sep 41, it gives the option to 'panzer-ize' 6th Army, sending some of 6th Army's extra infantry to infantry weak armies, typically 1st and/or 4th Panzer.

[IdahoNYer]

Sillyflower - Schmart beat me to it - what he said!