The good news is that not so much has happened that I can’t easily bring you up to date. The scenario description is a good place to start:
Southern Stalingrad: [Best played as Axis] As dawn broke along the Volga on the 13th o September, the German Sixth Army began its attack into the city of Stalingrad. The 29th Motorized Rifle Division advanced from the south along the riverbank coming under increasing artillery fire from the far shore of the Volga. Gradually, the panzer grenadiers were able to drive nearly 500 enemy soldiers from the 131st Rifle Brigade into a giant grain silo near the southern landing. The concrete tower and its outbuildings were a natural fortress. Fanatical commissars bricked shut the exits and exhorted the Soviet soldiers to fight to the end. When the artillery and tank guns failed to reduce the position, the Germans wheeled up heavy howitzers to blast open entrances into the massive structure. As night fell, only 140 survivors were left to surrender.
The screen below shows the starting positions of the 15th Mot. Rifle Regiment. The grenadiers are supported by 2 companies from the 1/36th Panzer Battalion (3 – Pz IIIL & Pz IIF) and an Assault Gun company (Stug IIIG’s). Initially, 2 battalions of the 29th Artillery Regiment (3 batteries each of leFH 18 105mm Howitzers) provide indirect support; a third battalion ( 150’s) is scheduled to arrive around Turn 4.
My plan is straightforward: each battalion will attack on a frontage of 3-4 hexes with two companies in the line and 1 company in reserve. 1st Battalion is on the Volga, 3rd Battalion is in the center with the 2nd on the left.
2nd Co. 1/36 Pz Batt. will provide mobile flank support and guard against a Soviet flanking movement (although I really doubt the Ai will be that aggressive in this scenario). 1st Co. will directly support the1st Battalion’s push along the along the river. The grenadiers will lead the way in the congested terrain to identify targets and, more importantly, eliminate AT assets before the tanks are rolled in. The Stug’s will support along the center of the line.
The 6 batteries in the south-center of the map will move under the infantry umbrella – when a battery becomes “unavailable, I will load them up and move them to the right. There are only 3 SdKzf 11 units to move 6 batteries, so this will take some shuttling. (What’s up with that? There are usually plenty of vehicles for everybody that needs to ride.)
1 company of Pioneers will accompany each infantry battalion. The grenadiers will move slowly to locate the mines that I certainly expect to find. The engineers will move in to clear the minefields under the cover of smoke while the infantry helps nail down any defenders. As soon as the mines are clear, the pioneers will move into the line and lead the assault.
[/font]
