Road to Moscow - SMOLENSK

[MikeJ19]

Plans for the South

[MikeJ19]

I have to remember that the heady days of panzers rushing in the wind are likely over. This is going to be a tougher fight. The Soviets have a lot of units heading West.

Yesterday, saw a disappointing set of attacks outside BORIZOV on the division there. I also tried to do too much with the 7th Pz, so it is now spread out.

Time to make some changes.

I have a couple of options at POLOZK, I can leave the current division there to fix the Soviets North of the river, or I can use the newly arrived 14th ID to cross the river and launch a set of attacks to destroy the Soviets in and around the town.

20th ID has also arrived and can just about reach Ulla, This means I could threaten to encircle the Soviet forces around POLOZK. However, it ties up three of my divisions for a couple of days – at least.

In the end, this makes sense though. Also, I get another Pz Div and some Corps troops tomorrow that I can send towards ORSHA. Finally, in two days, I get another PZ Div coming in NW of POLOZK, so I will need to crack this nut soon.

Outside BORIZOV, I will bring in the freshly arrived Div and try to get elements of the two Pz Divs surrounding the Soviet Div to start moving east. It will be an interesting balance.

Finally, I will fix the Soviet division between SENNA and ORSHA. I would like to destroy it over the next couple of days.

[MikeJ19]

A look at the South

[MikeJ19]

Things continue to progress slowly. Very frustratingly, I still have not destroyed the Soviet unit outside of BORIZOV. This is slowing my push East.

I’m going to continue to push around POLOZK. The Soviets have four divisions in the area, along with supporting resources. This is an important battle to win. Today, I want to set the conditions for success when the 19th Pz arrives.

So the two divisions at POLOZK, will continue to push, trying to remove the forts. When the Pz Div arrives, it will push to attack the artillery North of the town.

To help isolate them, the 20th ID will push towards VITEBSK – along both sides of the river.

The newly arrived 12th Pz Div will follow close behind them.

Outside BORIZOV, I will continue the attacks ont eh Soviet Div. Hopefully, today will see its end. The 18th Pz got two Regts out of this battle and they will push East towards the Southern part of the defence line that the Soviets are building NW of ORSHA.

They will join the battle that is already developing between the 7th and 20th Pz Divs and a bunch of Soviet units. The Soviets focused their efforts on the German Regt NE of SENNA.

I plan to focus on the Southern end of this line, trying to turn it.

[MikeJ19]

A look at the South

[MikeJ19]

I managed to get over the river in two places. Also, knocked off the Soviet division that I encircled a couple of days ago.

Pictures to follow in the morning...

[MikeJ19]

Here is the current situation in the North - my last couple of images had the wrong date on them...


The Soviets have reinforced their defence line between VITEBSK and ORSHA. However, it has a bunch of weak points. This gives me some interesting options. The next few days may be lots of fun for the Germans. Not so much for the Red Army!

One thing to that I need to consider is the overextended supply threshold – it is 5 for this scenario. My supply at the moment is okay, but it is down around 6 near VITESBK, so I need to make sure that I am careful in how I push units East.

Let’s look at POLOZK. The Soviets have four divisions and some supporting AT and Arty resources in this area. I want to destroy them all. However, to do so will take a couple of days. I want to push the newly arrived Pz a little North with the idea of setting up to surround the three Soviet divs in the West. I also want them ready to attack the artillery North of the town. I will also juggle the division to the West of POLOZK trying to get another crossing over the river – once again this will make it hard for the three division stack. These operations are going to take a couple of days – but if done properly will result in the destruction of the Soviet units. Along with the capture of the town.

Now a look at the Soviet defence line. The Soviets have sent at least nine divisions into this area. A lot of them are already weak and in the red. I think that more divisions are coming... I want to set up the destruction of the Soviets forces in this area. Encircling and then destroying them. I have to be careful not to get caught in a trap.

Right off the start, I see a couple of weak areas. I have highlighted three areas – Soviet artillery units on their own on the front lines. I think I can push them back and set up the opportunity to encircle the Soviet forces. I might also force the crossing at ORSHA.

I want the two divisions moving up the highway toward ORSAH to get into place to push through the gap made (I’m confident it will be there) at the South end of the Soviet line.

At the North end, the 12th Pz will move into an area South of VITEBSK. This should cause all sorts of issues for the Soviets.

[MikeJ19]

A look to the South

[MikeJ19]

A look to the South

[MikeJ19]

And the North

[MikeJ19]

Having too much fun, lost track of planning and posting.

Here is the situation in the North.

[MikeJ19]

And the South

[MikeJ19]

The battle in the North

[MikeJ19]

And in the South

[MikeJ19]

First off, I am not really following my plan that I had developed. I should have looked more closely to see when the rest of AGC was going to arrive. I have mainly been working with the lead elements of the two Pz groups, not the entire AGC. I will continue with my current approach...

I have received a bunch of reserves! Yeah!

The door is open in the North, for the moment. I completed the destruction of the majority of the Soviet forces near POLOZK and am on the outskirts of NEVEL. From there, I can exploit NE towards VELIKIYE LUKI (there was a wonderful computer game set for a battle there) or SE towards VELIZH. I want to send some forces in both directions. Going North may help spread out the Soviet response and going SE will help put pressure on the Soviet troops West of SMOLENSK. It feels good forcing my opponent into a tough decision space.

In the area South of VITEBSK, I am going to rest for the most part. I want to complete the destruction of the Soviet Tank Division. Otherwise, may juggle units a bit to find better supply locations.

My reinforcements are going to be split – some heading towards NEVEL and the rest to VITEBSK.

[MikeJ19]

and the South

[MikeJ19]

A look at the battle in the North

[MikeJ19]

A Soviet counter attack in the South

[MikeJ19]

On the 14th I launched only one attack - very low number for me when I'm attacking. In fact most of my units did not even move... I need more supply

[MikeJ19]

A look at the North