Kharkov 1942: Anatomy of a Military Disaster Through Soviet Eyes

[ncc1701e]

July 17th, 1942:

Quoting the famous book of David Glantz...

For once I thought I had the situation under control in Russia, my opponent RoadWarrior launched a terrible offensive which completely destroyed my lines. It is July 17, 1942. Summer will be hot.

I think all the Panzerwaffe is there. I am counting on the screenshot:
. 1 mechanized corps with Heavy Artillery speciality
. 1 mechanized corps with no speciality
. 4 armored corps with Elite speciality
. 3 armored corps with Heavy Artillery speciality
. 1 armored corps with no speciality

At the HQ of Konstantin Rokossovsky, the Southwestern front, all officers prepare to leave to avoid encirclement. The 25th army is also in a critical situation and must urgently retreat.

In the south, an armored spearhead which goes between Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk threatens the entire line of defense of the Dnieper...

[ncc1701e]

July 17th, 1942:

I am impressed by the possibility to do such an offensive. If only I can be good at offense...
But enough talking, it is time to react.

First, I will bring reinforcements and try to eliminate the mechanized corps that is the most advanced in the north east.

Then, I will attack the German armored corps that is near my two armies in the south. I hope to destroy it with the association of my mechanized corps and to isolate the armored corps near the Orel river.

[sillyflower]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e
my opponent RoadWarrior launched a terrible offensive

Doesn't look terrible to me. These days the word is only used to mean 'extremely bad', and not in it's original meaning . You can no longer frighten anyone with your terrible swift sword. They are more likely just to laugh.

I Think you French may have done the same. I of our neighbour farmers in France used the word to describe something bad: unless I misunderstood him.

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: sillyflower

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e
my opponent RoadWarrior launched a terrible offensive

Doesn't look terrible to me. These days the word is only used to mean 'extremely bad', and not in it's original meaning . You can no longer frighten anyone with your terrible swift sword. They are more likely just to laugh.

I Think you French may have done the same. I of our neighbour farmers in France used the word to describe something bad: unless I misunderstood him.

Perhaps a problem of meaning but terrible in the sense that I fear losing the entire front line and not being able to recover... My front line was sprayed without warning!

[ncc1701e]

July 17th, 1942:

Counter attacking, the German mechanized corps was destroyed, good thing. But, unfortunately, my offensive in the south has stalled as usual I should say...

But, I hope I have damaged enough this German armored corps (2-9) to not see it in the near future.

[ncc1701e]

July 31st, 1942:

I have tried to restore a tiny front line and I am quite confident I will still save as much unit as possible from the emerging pocket.

But, the next turn is bringing me back to reality. The entire Dniepr front line is no more. This is a disaster:
. 2nd mechanized corps is destroyed.
. Three armies are lost (11th Guards army, 13th army and 28th army).
. Two infantry rifle corps, 50th and 52nd, are also destroyed.

[ncc1701e]

July 31st, 1942:

At the end of this turn, I am doing nothing. I prefer to keep all my troops in place, for them to dig in, to absorb the next shock.

Will it be enough?

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

The situation discovered after loading my turn is pretty bad. Another breakthrough has been done north of Kharkov. And, my reserves are now close to nothing.

But it seems that the Germans also suffered some losses. I am now seeing only:
. 3 armored corps with Elite speciality
. 3 armored corps with Heavy Artillery speciality
. 1 mechanized corps with no speciality

This means that there are two armored corps recovering somewhere behind the front line.

The road to Voronezh is opened...

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

At the HQ of the Southwestern front, Konstantin Rokossovsky is alone. The last phone call with the Stavka did not go well. The 57th Army is the only reserve available but will only arrive by train in two weeks (one turn).

However, looking at the map, Rokossovsky notices that the enemy armored spearhead has emerged at the location of four Red armored corps.

A plan emerges in his mind...

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

Immediately orders are given, 1st Siberian Tank, 25th Tank and 10th Mech Corps will launch the first counter attack on the exposed flank of the 1st Light Panzer Corps.

As a result, the three armored corps are receiving one supply truck each to boost their effectiveness.

Also, as he will have to face enemy tanks, the 10th Mech Corps is given a Tank Destroyer speciality.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

The remnants of the Red air force are all mobilized for this assault. The survival of the nation is at stake and Stalin personally gave order number 227 to the entire Red Army: "Not a step back!".

All planes begin to bomb the 1st Light Panzer Corps. Some are intercepted, some are not. No damage can be seen but its efficiency has certainly been reduced. Initially the unit was 16-10 and it is now 14-10 (next post's screenshot).

Rokossovsky keeps one tactical bomber unit in reserve just in case.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

The first attack is done at 2:1.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

But, the results are poor. Germans are holding.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

A second assault is launched at 3:1.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

But the losses are equal on both sides. Rokossovsky complains about the poor experience of his armies.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

After some hesitation, Rokossovsky orders a third attempt. This time, the odds are far better for the Soviets: 8:1.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

This time, the 1st Light Panzer Corps shatters. Hurrah! Hurrah for the camarades! Hurrah for Rokossovsky!

But this is not over...

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

Put in confidence, Rokossovsky decides to attack the German XVI Mot Corps. His objective is to isolate the 1st SS Panzer Corps at the head of the enemy's spearhead.

He first contacts the 25th Army located in Kursk. But, thinking about it, his experience is only 39%. In addition, the problem is that moving this army will create a hole in our defensive line and there is nothing to fill it.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

The 35th Army is in a slightly better shape. Experience is at 40% and effectiveness is at 100%. It is committed for the next attack.

[ncc1701e]

August 14th, 1942:

The 12th Mech Corps is also committed for the attack.