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how is your supply holding up?

grabbing Tula and Borodino this quickly will give you a good chance to take Moscow.

oh, and bit of pointless pedantry ... in your last post, that T-34 couldn't have been in action in 1941. Its the 'micky-mouse' veriant (2 hatches on the turret which when open look like ... ). If I recall that was the late 42/1943 version.

ORIGINAL: loki100

how is your supply holding up?

grabbing Tula and Borodino this quickly will give you a good chance to take Moscow.

Supply-wise in the Leningrad and Moscow sectors I am relatively OK. The European-gauge rail lines have reached Novgorod and Minsk.

In the north the Panzers had to spend one turn (T6) doing HQBU but other than that no real supply issues.

In the Moscow sector Panzergruppe Guderian and Hoth spent Turn 6 doing HQBU but still some of the Panzer Corps have been getting less supplies than required. So far I had to spent Turn 7 as well doing HQBU in Panzergruppe Hoth but I hope that by having rail lines at Minsk these problems will become a bit more manageable.

In the South the situation is hopeless. The Panzers and the Romanian Armor brigades are unable to move more than a couple of hexes (III Pz.Kps especially is totally fuel-dry). In order to have the Panzers moving in Turn 7 they had to do HQBU in Turn 6 but they still need to be pulled back as the supply lines are too stretched.

ORIGINAL: loki100

oh, and bit of pointless pedantry ... in your last post, that T-34 couldn't have been in action in 1941. Its the 'micky-mouse' veriant (2 hatches on the turret which when open look like ... ). If I recall that was the late 42/1943 version.

To be totally honest I did not think about that when I posted the picture. So we can either change it or we can say that they were prototypes that got in the way of the Panzers [;)]

Back after several monthes away from WITE

I come and see this marvelous AAR...

Great job!

And next you should try playing a human That's really more fun

ORIGINAL: STEF78

Back after several monthes away from WITE

I come and see this marvelous AAR...

Great job!

And next you should try playing a human That's really more fun

Thank you very much for your kind words. I really appreciate it

I am seriously considering to start playing against a human player as soon as I finish the current game. Let's see [;)]

Yeah, nicely written AAR and fun to read. Looking forward for more.

Thanks for the update, looks like you are doing well. It's been a good summer so far!

Cheers

[center]Turn 8: 7-14 August 1941[/center]
[center]Nach Moskau[/center]

[center][/center]
[center]The never-ending advance into the Soviet heartland continues [/center]

Heeresgruppe Nord

In the north bitter fighting is taking place in the outskirts of Leningrad with the Soviet defenders putting up fanatical resistance. Despite their valiant efforts 16 and 18.Armee have managed to occupy Pushkin and Kolpino driving a wedge between the inner and outer defensive perimeter of the city.



LVI Pz.Kps has managed to cross River Volkhov and is attempting to isolate the outer Soviet defensive line south of Lake Ladoga. Still the progress of this limited Panzer thrust is slow due to the determined Soviet resistance.



The reason for this limited success is the division of 4.Panzerarmee to assist operation in both Leningrad and Velikie Luki Sectors. In the latter XXXXI Pz.Kps has managed to occupy Torzhok and Vyshny Volochek and with the support of LVII Pz.Kps the Soviet armies in the area of Velikie Luki are finally trapped. In all Operation Donnerschlag can be considered a success and we expect to strike off the Soviet order of battle at least 20 Divisions and Brigades totalling approximately 150,000 men.


Russian soldier surrenders

Heeresgruppe Mitte

In the Moscow Sector the initial thrust of XXIV and XXXXVII Pz.Kps along the Bryansk-Kaluga-Tula axis has created a gaping hole in the Soviet defences destabilising the coherency of the front and endangering the entire defensive line with an envelopment of massive proportions.


Advance elements of Panzergruppe Guderian getting ready to begin their assault

In order to capitalise and enhance this initial success XXIV and XXXXVII Pz.Kps have pushed deeper into the Soviet rear areas crossing the Moskva River. At the same time XXXIX Pz.Kps has pushed deep towards Dimitrov and Iksha encircling the city and the entire Soviet defences in the area.



These deep thrusts became possible when the infantry managed to clear the areas around Bryansk and Rzhev from enemy forces, thus isolating the Velikie Luki and Orel Fronts with the Moscow Sector. This isolation allowed the Panzer units to drive virtually unopposed deep into enemy rear areas with devastating effect.


10.Pz-Div. advances in the area of Moscow

In all fairness the pocket is not totally shut since a large number of Soviet troops have access to the wooded areas of the Lama River but the Soviet defensive line is heavily compromised and although some enemy concentrations might escape the fate of Moscow is sealed. If all goes well I expect the city to fall and the pocket to be cleared within the next 2-3 turns.


The outcome of the battle of Rzhev

Further South XXXXVI Pz.Kps has cut the Orel-Lipetsk line limiting the escape routes of the Soviet defenders in Orel



XXXXIVAK and XVIIAK have managed to overrun and encircle the Soviet defenders of kursk yielding yet another pocket.

Heeresgruppe Süd

In the South XIAK and XXXAK have crossed the Dnepr and push towards the Sea of Azov. In all in this sector after the fall of Odessa and Nikolayev the enemy resistance appears to have crumbled with the surviving enemy formations retreating towards Crimea.



Rapid advance of elements of 17.Armee together with deep thrusts of III Pz.Kps managed to isolate the strategic city of Kharkov.


Panzers of III Pz.Kps advance in the Kharkov Region

The main problem in this side of the front is the lack of fuel for the Armoured Divisions that leads to snail pace advance. Thankfully the Soviets seem to be unable to form anything resembling of a defensive line, but I am worried that the slow rate of advance might allow them to rectify this.


Generaloberst von Kleist's Panzers waiting for fuel

Luftwaffe

During this week the Luftwaffe lost 87 planes (45 fighters and 25 level bombers) for 336 kills indicating the severity of the operations along the entire front.

Overall Losses

During this week’s operations we have lost 16762 men (6328 killed, 10238 disabled and 196 captured), 251 guns, 64 AFVs and 30 SP&AC. The Soviets have suffered 307,759 casualties (5944 dead, 32428 disabled and 269,386 prisoners), 3435 guns, 1483 AFVs and 440 SP&AC.


Soviet prisoners being rounder up by German forces

The number of prisoners during this week is the highest we have achieved so far in this conflict and is probably indicative of the crumbling of the Soviet defensive capabilities.

Strategic Situation

During the offensive operations this week we have managed to tighten the Pocket in Velikie Luki and clear the pocket in the area of Gomel.



Aided by the Panzer thrusts our forces managed to create two pockets in Kursk and Kharkov with further Soviet units under severe threat of encirclement in Moscow and Orel.
In all it appears that South of Kharkov the Soviet defences have virtually ceased to exist and only our horrific supply situation stops us from driving towards Stalino and Rostov unopposed.


Red Navy Marines preparing for the defence of Crimea

The coordinated thrusts of Panzergruppe Guderian have managed to separate the Orel with the Moscow Sectors, thus limiting the Soviet defence capabilities with respect to defensive coordination and troop movements. Furthermore the relentless drive in the rear area of the Soviet defenders of Moscow threatens this entire sector of the front with total extermination.


Oberleutnant Günther Rall of III./JG52 checking the oil pressure of his Me-109

So far the Soviets have lost 1,665,689 men with 1,327,433 being taken prisoners. These loses appear to have crippled the Soviet Army and it is expected that the war will be as good as over within a month.

ORIGINAL: Ramses

Yeah, nicely written AAR and fun to read. Looking forward for more.

Thank you very much for your kind workds of support

ORIGINAL: Doggie3

Thanks for the update, looks like you are doing well. It's been a good summer so far!

Cheers

it is indeed a summer of dreams, although I am afraid of the upcoming winter of discontent [;)]

Hopefully we'll manage to take Moscow soon and if we close the pocket and trap the enemy there they are as good as finished (at least this is what the Führer is convinced will happen)

[center]Turn 9: 15-20 August 1941[/center]
[center]This is the massacre of the ‘innocents’[/center]

[center][/center]
[center]Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock discusses operations in Moscow with Generaloberst Hermann Hoth and General der Flieger Wolfram von Richthofen[/center]

Heeresgruppe Nord

In Leningrad the siege continues with the Soviets putting up fierce resistance. 16.Armee has managed to isolate the inner city defensive line from the outer defences by occupying the west bank of the River Volkhov.



At the same time LVI Pz.Kps assisted by XXXXI Pz.Kps are pushing deep behind the Soviet defences facing determined resistance towards Lake Ladoga.


German support units fight their way into Pushkin

Further south the Vielikie Luki pocket has been reduced causing massive Soviet casualties and approximately 200,000 prisoners.


Disarmed Soviet prisoners marching west

Although there are still active Soviet units in the pocket the elimination of most of the enemy fighting elements allows us to move infantry units towards Moscow and Leningrad Sectors. This is really coming handy since in both these areas our lines are stretched and in need to be strengthen.

Heeresgruppe Mitte

In Moscow a massive Soviet counterattack towards Kalinin is underway probably aiming to link the defences of Moscow with those of Leningrad and Vielikie Luki.



This counterattack has been checked by XXXXII AK, XXIII AK and VIII AK with LVII and XXXIX Pz.Kps keeping the corridor that separates the Soviet occupied sectors in German hands.


Destroyed Soviet tanks in the outskirts of Klin

XXXXIII AK and XX AK managed to isolate Soviet units west of Moscow creating smaller pockets that are sealed by the rapid advance of VII AK and XIII AK behind the main Soviet defences in the South of Moscow.


Civilians prepare anti-tank defences in Moscow in preparation of the German attack

At the same time XXIV Pz.Kps has pushed further towards Vladimir aiming to deny the surroundings of Moscow to the Soviet relief concentrations [1]


Citizens of Moscow observe a German bomber that has been shot down

The situation in the Moscow pocket is serious but not critical yet. The Soviets have tried to breakout but concentrated counter attacks by infantry and Panzers have manage to keep the enemy surrounded. The key area of the whole pocket is in the forests of River Medveditsa that are patrolled by LVII and XXXIX Pz.Kps. Unfortunately the supply situation for these units is not ideal limiting their manoeuvrability, but OKW is trying to relocate infantry units from the Vielikie Luki pocket to this area.


The last remaining trucks with supplies leave Moscow for the front

If the undersupplied Panzers manage to hold the line for one week then the fate of Moscow and the entire pocket is beyond question.

Further south the Orel and Kursk pockets have been cleared costing the Soviets approximately 250,000 prisoners.



In this part of the front it is fair to say that Soviet resistance is virtually destroyed and XXXVI and XXXXVIII Pz.Kps have pushed unopposed deep towards Voronezh


Civilians in Orel clearing wreckage

Heeresgruppe Süd

In the south after the fall of Kharkov the Soviet defences seem to have collapsed. III Pz.Kps has pushed further towards Voroshilovgrad but the rest of the Panzers are facing severe fuel shortages.



LIV AK has moved towards Crimea with XI AK and XXX AK walking steadily towards Stalino and Rostov.


German troops advancing through the steppe

Luftwaffe

During this week the Luftwaffe lost 60 planes (21 fighters and 33 level bombers) for 196 kills.

Overall Losses

During this week’s operations we have lost 15,101 men (5,023 killed, 9,926 disabled and 152 captured), 246 guns, 78 AFVs and 25 SP&AC. The Soviets have suffered 440,916 casualties (3,064 dead, 22,486 disabled and 415,366 prisoners), 4635 guns, 2046 AFVs and 523 SP&AC.

The number of prisoners during this week is the highest we have achieved so far in this conflict and OKW expects even higher tallies once the Moscow pocket is eliminated.

Strategic Situation

During this week’s operations four separate pockets have been eliminated (there are still some forces refusing to surrender in Vielikie Luki but nothing that causes any alarm) yielding an unprecedented 450,000 prisoners.



These losses have crippled the Soviet high command something seen by the token resistance offered by the enemy in the South.


It appears that the heat is a bigger concern to the troops in Kharkov than the Soviets

The key theatre of operations now is the area of the Moscow pocket where at least 60 enemy divisions are trapped and the besieged garrison of Leningrad. Panzergruppe Hoth and Guderian have manage to seal the Moscow pocket but a significant commitment of infantry from the Vielikie Luki area is required to ensure than no Soviet troops will escape.

Panzergruppe Hoepner will attempt to reach Lake Ladoga and encircle both the inner and outer defences of Leningrad. Unfortunately Panzergruppe Hoth will not take part in this operation since its presence is vital in the Moscow sector. This means that the advance in the north will not be as rapid as we would like but it is expected to capture Leningrad and eliminate the Soviet forces in the area by the end of September.

Further south Panzergruppe Kleist is suffering from severe supply problems so the advance will be limited. The main aim for the remaining of the summer and autumn in to reach Rostov and establish a defensive line for the upcoming winter while the railheads are getting closer to the front.


Soviet rocket artillery is gradually introduced into frontline units. Surely this is nothing to worry about. How much damage can it make?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] This is a bit “gamy” I know since any real commander would not have pushed a further 100Km eastwards when Moscow is still in enemy hands.

[center]Turn 10: 21-27 August 1941
Moscow must disappear from the earth’s surface as soon as its riches have been brought to shelter[/center]

[center]
Our troops can see the golden domes of the Kremlin in the horizon [/center]

Heeresgruppe Nord

The siege of Leningrad continues and elements of 18.Armee have managed to penetrate the outer defences. Fierce house-to-house battles rage in the great city’s suburbs but the Soviets are pushed further back into the city.



In total the Soviets have suffered horrendous casualties exceeding 150,000 men but the city still refuses to surrender.


Soviet counterattack in Pavlovsk

Despite the Soviet resistance infantry units have reached the River Neva and managed to clear the western bank of Volkhov from Soviet units cutting off the inner with the outer defences of the city. Intelligence reports indicate that the 7th and 8th Armies numbering at least 40 divisions are still defending the city proper and 14th and 23rd Armies numbering approximately 25 Divisions are pushed east of Volkhov.


Death and destruction in Leningrad

The clearing of the Velikie Luki pocket has released the armoured units of 4.Panzerarmee. Consequently LVI and XXXXI Pz.Kps are pushing towards Lake Ladoga attempting to isolate and encircle the mass of Soviet formations east of Volkhov. The attack has moderate success so far and the Soviet high command is committing more and more troops in this sector.

Unfortunately we do not have enough resources in this area to force the issue but if the Panzer thrusts are successful and manage to destabilise the Soviet defensive coherency we will prevail.

Heeresgruppe Mitte

In Moscow Sector the elimination of the gigantic pocket has begun with the infantry taking the brunt of the fight, and managing to separate the Soviet formations and force them into two smaller pockets in Moscow and Kalinin.



In Kalinin the Soviet counterattack has been checked yielding enormous casualties for the enemy, but the pocket is still holding with at least 18 Divisions that refuse to surrender.


German Panzers trying to stop Soviet counter attacks in Kalinin

Soviet troop concentrations in the area of Yaroslavl indicate the willingness of the enemy to attempt a link with the Kalinin pocket. For this reason XXIII AK, XXXIX AK, VII AK and XXXIX Pz.Kps are positioned along the corridor aiming to foil the Soviet plans.


Soviet defensive positions in Moscow

Further south it appears the Soviet high command has abandoned Moscow for the time being and elements of VIII AK have managed to push into the city’s suburbs.


German infantry units fighting in the streets of Moscow

Again as in the case of Leningrad fierce street fighting occurred but the majority of the enemy formations are soundly defeated and it is expected that we will enter the city without too much trouble in the next couple of days.


Moscow suburb after the elimination of Soviet resistance

In all the situation in this sector is favourable but the main concern is the supply status of the armoured divisions located in Vladimir and the River Nerl. The aim of OKW is to clear the two pockets in the area as soon as possible and advance the infantry units to relieve the Panzers and hold the front against the expected Soviet counterattack.

Heeresgruppe Süd

In the South Soviet resistance has ceased to exist but the existence of long supply lines cause massive problems for the armoured divisions and most of them have enough fuel for 10 or 20Km.



XIV and III Pz.Kps have made the last push towards Voroshilovgrad and Rostov but now are out of supply and cannot really push their advantage until the infantry catches up.


Motorised and mechanised units of 13.Pz-Div. waiting for fuel and supplies in Voroshilovgrad

In the Crimean Front the Romanian forces are slowly catching up with LVI AK in preparation for a push in the peninsula.

Luftwaffe

During this week the Luftwaffe lost 29 planes (9 fighters and 15 level bombers) for 101 kills.


Pair of Messerschmitt Bf-110 of I./ZG26 "Horst Wessel" recently arrived from Libya flying reconnaissance missions over Sevastopol

Overall Losses

During this week’s operations we have lost 10,689 men (5,908 killed, 4,683 disabled and 98 captured), 197 guns, 18 AFVs and 3 SP&AC. The Soviets have suffered 680,458 casualties (97,716 dead, 133,937 disabled and 448,805 prisoners), 5027 guns, 755 AFVs and 319 SP&AC.

Strategic Situation

The number of Soviet losses this week are truly staggering. The large percentage of those killed was in Leningrad where no ground was given with the clearing of Velikie Luki and Moscow pockets bagging approximately 80,000 and 200,000 prisoners respectively.



The main theatre of operations for the next few weeks is going to be the area around Moscow and Leningrad. In Moscow the strategic aim is to capture the city, clear the pockets from enemy units and move-up the infantry to relieve the Panzers and hold the front against Soviet counterattacks. If the corridor between the Kalinin pocket and the Soviet frontline comes under threat Panzergruppe Hoth can attempt a minor operation of encirclement but this is something OKW is trying to avoid due to the lack of supplies.


Moscow citizens are observing a downed German plane in the Red Square

In Leningrad Panzergruppe Hoepner must reach Lake Ladoga in order to isolate the city that cannot be taken by storm. In this infantry units on the east of Moscow will be transported northwards to assist, depending of course with the development of the situation in the Kalinin pocket.

In the south the main effort will be concentrated in Crimea. Further east OKW has decided to halt the Panzer advance until the infantry catches up to relieve them and establish a coherent advance line. After this Panzergruppe Kleist will move further west to refit and resupply. If the weather holds then another attack towards Voronezh and Rostov will be attempted, otherwise the infantry troops will have to establish a continuous line and try to obtain local advantages in selected areas of the front.

[center]Turn 11: 28 August – 3 September 1941[/center]
[center]The Kremlin is a heap of smouldering ruins[/center]

[center]
Moscow Falls[/center]

Heeresgruppe Nord

In the Leningrad sector after fierce battles we have managed to secure the western bank of Volkhov getting one step closer to the total isolation of Leningrad.



East of Volkhov LVI Pz.Kps in close cooperation with infantry units is attempting to isolate the Soviet units holding the east bank of the canal. Further east XXXXI Pz.Kps is performing another deep penetration attempting to envelop the majority of the enemy units in the area.


Soviet and German tanks destroyed in the swamps of Syas.

The elimination of the Velikie Luki pocket has freed a number of infantry divisions that can assist in this area and help the Panzer drive towards Lake Ladoga. Currently the infantry is still catching up so the progress is a bit slow but OKW expects that by the mid of September where all the units earmarked for this sector will be in position.

Heeresgruppe Mitte

In the Moscow sector after fierce battles the city has fallen and all the enemy units in the area have been either eliminated or surrendered.



The fall of Moscow has been a major success in the overall operation and should create massive logistic problems to the Soviets.


German troops entering Moscow

In the area of Rybinsk reservoir the Soviets have attempted a series of counterattacks aiming to release the pressure on the isolated units in Kalinin and to create a wedge between the German units in Moscow and in the Velinie Luki-Leningrad Sectors. These attempts were thwarted by the spirited defence of XXII AK and XXXV AK. XXXXII AK and VII AK have also assisted by eliminating the Soviet units in the Kalinin pocket and by providing flank cover to the units of XXXV AK.


Destroyed Soviet equipment on the outskirts of Moscow

Although the Soviet counterattack has been checked the danger has not been eliminated since the Soviets are massing units in the area of Rybinsk.

In the area of Vladimir the infantry has managed to catch up with XXIV Pz.Kps stabilising the front. The main problem in this sector is the lack of fuel and supplies for the Panzers. For that reason OKW has decided the relocation of Panzergruppe Guderian to the rear of Moscow for refuelling and rest. This is expected to take a few weeks but thankfully the Soviets have not managed to saturate the frontline with their units and OKW expects that the infantry units in place should be able to hold the line for the time being.

Panzergruppe Hoth has also been removed from the frontline for resupply but due to the Soviet threat in the area of Rybinsk is still kept close to the infantry ready to provide support if necessary.

Heeresgruppe Süd

No major changes occurred in this sector this week as the infantry is moving to secure the already established frontline while the armour units of Panzergruppe Kleist start to move westwards for resupply. Fuel and the extended supply lines have really brought our advance to a halt.

Luftwaffe

During this week the Luftwaffe lost 34 planes (19 fighters) for a staggering 261 kills.


Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 54 Oberleutnant Hans-Ekkehard Bob celebrating 19 air victories so far in the campaign

Overall Losses

During this week’s operations we have lost 13,596 men (3,634 killed, 9,811 disabled and 151 captured), 220 guns, 54 AFVs and 12 SP&AC. The Soviets have suffered 246,142 casualties (3,765 dead, 11,318 disabled and 231,059 prisoners), 2881 guns, 240 AFVs and 137 SP&AC.


Fallen Panzer crew of 9.Pz-Div.

Strategic Situation

After the relentless advance of the last two and a half months the Wehrmacht appears to have run out of steam. The infantry is just catching up with the armoured spearheads who are facing serious supply problems due to the extended supply lines, especially in the Southern Sector of the front. Despite this the main objectives of Barbarossa have been achieved with the fall of Moscow ranking high.

The main strategy of the campaign so far has been the use of Panzer thrusts to destabilise the Soviet defensive lines and reducing the capability of the USSR to form an intact defensive line. This has created huge distances between the Panzers and the support infantry units but at the same time allowed for the rapid collapse of the Soviet defensive positions. Once the Soviets formed a defensive line in Vyazma and Velikie Luki the coordination of the Panzers of Guderian and Hoth with the support infantry managed to create three massive pockets, including Moscow, totalling almost 1,500,000 enemy troops. These battles and the subsequent surrender of the mass of Soviet troops lead to the total disintegration of the front and their defensive capabilities.



At this stage in the campaign the main strategic aim is the capture of Leningrad and the elimination of the Soviet troops in its vicinity. This will be the aim of Panzergruppe Hoepner that will attempt to reach Lake Ladoga and seal the fate of the city.


General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian and Oberstleutnant Walther Wenck discussing strategy

For the remaining of September we will attempt to move the Panzers behind the frontline for resupply and the infantry will have to hold the front. This is not going to be easy but the crippling losses the Soviets have suffered so far (approximately 3,033,000) should reduce their fighting capacity and cohesion, at least in the short-term.