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Larry F
United States
Mableton
Georgia
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This is my After Action Report for Streets of Stalingard game - Scenario 01 - The Grain Elevator.
This is only my third attempt at both the scenario and the game system for that matter. So I am still learning. It offers a huge variety of approaches and options that make for quite an interesting gaming experience.
So here goes...
After Action Report - The Grain Elevator
Street of Stalingrad
The Set-up:
Below is the initial Setup for the Soviet forces.
Soviet Strategy: Hold Kuporosnoye with the 35th Guards as long as possible - harass the 29th Motorized (attacking Kuporosnoye) from the flank with anti-tank fire from Yelshanka (this area was reinforced with anti-tank forces). The 131st Rifle Division has a defense in depth (at least two hexes within the city) to prevent any holes from becoming breakthroughs. The 271st Regiment of the 10th NKVD is reinforced with anti-tank and AA forces to help defend key locations like the Leatherworks and the Power Station. The 10th Replacement Rifle Division holds a solid line on the city edge and is well supported by anti-tank units - should the need arise forces can be shifted to help support the 10th NKVD (as NKVD unit can simply melt away under pressure). I am planning on pulling the 244th Rifle Division back into the city as soon as possible, this move will be protected by the 13th Tank-Destroyer Brigade. Immobilized tank units are placed within the city along routes across the gullies (mainly the Minina Gully) to prevent any German mobilized force from easily waltzing to the River Landings.
Below is the initial German Set-up:
Initial German Strategy: Destroy Soviet forces, the Soviets get very few reinforcements and replacements during this Scenario, therefore the more I eliminate early, the fewer he will have later in the fight when he needs them. The 29th Motorized will attack Kuporosnoye - the 71st Regiment supported by elements of the 29th Recon Bn (Mutius) will attack the southern portion of the city and drive to the Volga while the 15th Regiment will concentrate on the western suburbs and northern portion of the city. Initially, the 276th Regiment of the 94th Infantry will drive into Yelshanka - but this force will likely have to shift attacks east to the river to deal with the 133rd Tank Bde. The rest of the 94th Infantry will concentrate on the capturing the Leatherworks and the Power Station. I had initially planned on sending Gruppe Hellermann (part of the 24th Pz) down toward the Leatherworks to support the 94th Infantry, however, since the front line of the Soviet 244th Rifle Division is only one stack high - it appears that no anti-tank forces are in this line - Hellermann is instead tasked with capturing hill 126.6 and driving into the woods to apply pressure to the 244th (hill 126.6 will provide an excellent observation point for Luftwaffe attacks on the outskirts of the city and if I can keep the Soviet defenses spread out by holding onto the 244th the entire Soviet front line should be stretched and thus weaken). Later plans are to drive down the main rail lines in a two pronged attack toward the Grain Elevator and the River Landings. Gruppe Hellermann may provide an alternate route into the city as well.
Sept 13, 1942
A massive opening barrage on the Soviet positions on the southern end of Kuporosnoye opens a hole in the line and allows German armor elements of the 29th Recon Bn / 29th Motorized to drive into the city. The 71st Regt follows up the drive with assaults on Soviet rifle positions and anti-tank positions south of the Kuporosnoye Gully. Dubyansky’s 35th Guards Division fights well, but by days end, they are forced back north of the gully effectively handing the Germans the south half of the city. The 15th Regt captures the suburbs west of the city but runs into a platoon of KV-1 tanks from the 133rd Tank Bde - this combined with the constant harassment from Soviet flanking positions in the city of Yelshanka stops the Germans from entering the city of Kuporosnoye from the west. Dubyansky has the remaining forces, trapped in the southern portion of the city, evacuated across the Volga during the night. By morning the next day the forces are as seen below.
The 276th Regt of the 94th Infantry captures several city blocks within Yelshanka but finds the going quite tough. The 267th Regt manages to take part of the Leatherworks and few city blocks west of the Power Station, while the 274th Regt takes the M.T.S.
Gruppe Hellermann takes hill 126.6 and promptly has the Luftwaffe OP unit in place on top of it. The rest of this group smashes elements of the 244th Rifle Division in the woods north of the hill.
Soviet leaders are pleased with the relatively small loss of terrain on this day - but are exasperated at the cost to their forces. The devastating affect of the opening artillery barrages (particularly in the Simultaneous Bombardment Phase) puts a new pressure on the Soviet commanders - it is painfully obvious that a two hex "defense in depth" may not be as solid as they had once thought. The 244th Rifle Division is ordered to retreat back into the city but it finds the going tough as the most obvious route is now somewhat blocked by Gruppe Hellermann.
Below is a view of the situation on the western portion of the map by the morning of the 14th.
Sept 14, 1942
German 29th Motorized artillery begins the day with a massive barrage on the Soviet positions on the south side of the Leather Factory. The barrage once again opens a hole in the Soviet line and the Germans pour through. Infantry of the 71st Regt supported by tanks from the 29th Recon Bn capture the southern end of the Leather Factory and continue to clear street blocks east of the Factory - there the Germans encounter a massive artillery barrage and numerous tanks are lost in the fighting. The 15th Regt continues its attack on the western edge of the city of Kuporosnoye - but here the Soviet KV-1’s smash their supporting armor and stall the attack - only by a determined effort and overwhelming numbers are the Germans able to finally enter the city.
In Yelshanka, the Germans run into trouble. After being asked for help from the 29th Motorized to silence the Soviet Anti-Tank guns on the south edge of the town, the 276th Regt finds itself too spread out and with too many objectives - attacks are made piece meal and the result is no objective is taken. By late afternoon the 29th Motorized has to send the III Bn / 15th Regt to Yelshanka to deal with the Soviet ATG positions there. The 267th Regt / 94th Infantry drives into the city toward the Power Station, but despite fighting NKVD units, they find the going quite slow. Elements of the I Bn / 267th Regt do clear the last Soviet fighting units from the Leatherworks.
Gruppe Hellermann continues to attack into the woods north of hill 126.6, this attack seals off the escape route of two rifle companies (one from the 10th Replacement Bde and one from the 244th Rifle Div). However, Hellermann is unable to stop the retreat of the most of the 244th back through the woods and into the city. Hellermann discovers an ATG nest (manned by the 13th Tank Destroyer Bde) in the woods and calls in for a Stuka support - but there are none available. Though he hopes to deal with them in the morning, he will soon find out that they too, have withdrawn into the city.
German attack have not gone as well as the previous day - the forces were a little too dispersed, too many attacks and though Soviet Defensive fire was quite effective today - it was really the dispersal of German forces that caused the attacks to stall - Lesson learned.
The Soviets use the evening and night to recover from the German attacks.
Dubyansky has orchestrated a brilliant defense from the Leather Factory but his losses have been great and his division is almost completely eliminated. The result of this steady erosion of forces is a continual shift of the line to the south. The 133rd Tank Bde shifts into Kuporosnoye. The 131st Rifle Div is pulled south in Yelshanka and the 10th Replacement Rifle Bde is having to shift forces to the Power Station to bolster the position once held by the 271st Regt of the 10th NKVD (which seems to have evaporated into thin air!). The 244th is successfully redeployed from the wood west of the city back into positions within the city. And lastly, the 13th Tank Destroyer Bde is move deep into the city to function has the Soviets operational reserve.
More to come...
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Larry F
United States
Mableton
Georgia
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Streets of Stalingrad - The Grain Elevator - AAR - Sept 15-17
Sept 15, 1942
The 29th Motorized continues its assault on the Soviet 35th Guards in the Leather Factory. The 1st attack runs into heavy Soviet artillery fire and attack breaks-up completely as the German Leader Mutius (29th Recon Bn) is wounded. A second assault, in the afternoon, by the 71st Regt, with massive artillery and armor support, finally eliminates the Soviet positions in the Factory and the Soviet Leader Dubyansky is killed in the process - but he is posthumously award "Hero of the Soviet Union" as his tiny rifle company stalled an entire German Regiment for a full day (gaining valuable time). Dencker and the 15th Regt take several city blocks north of the Leather Factory and this move has now trapped a platoon of Soviet T-60s in the city. The 15th Regt continues determined attacks on the powerful Soviet Anti-Tank Gun position in southern Yelshanka - but despite their efforts (and massive artillery support); the Germans are unable to dislodge the Soviet guns.
The 94th Infantry continues to have the 276th Regt drive into the city of Yelshanka - they run into serious opposition from the 131st Rifle Division and their plan try and outflank the strong Soviet ATGs (giving the 29th Motorized so much grief) is, for the time being, thwarted. The 267th and 274th Regts continue attacks along the Minina Gully toward the Power Station - these attacks eliminate two companies and pave the way for an assault on the Power Station for tomorrow.
Gruppe Hellermann spots an opportunity to drive into the city through a gap in the balkas near the barracks (southwest of the Brick Factory). Stukas pound expected anti-tank positions along the city edge and Hellermann strikes at the barracks with infantry and engineers (he decides to keep his armor units back in the woods and not expose them ATG fire - as he is unsure of the Soviet positions along the city edge (but he does know their positions are quite well prepared). The attack stumbles under heavy Soviet artillery fire and Hellermann is wounded in the attack, but his forces do capture the barracks and open a way into the city.
Soviet commanders have managed to hold their lines under the determined German assaults, but their losses have been enormous and many beginning wondering how long they can hold.
Soviet positions are shifted through the evening and the night to deal with the latest German attacks. The 133rd Tank Bde has now taken over for the shattered (and virtually eliminated) 35th Guards Rifle Division in northern Kuporosnoye. Positions in southern Yelshanka have been outstanding but its right flank (mainly the 131st Rifle Division) is taking a beating by the German 94th Infantry Division and will likely not be able to hold much longer. Soviet forces around the Power Station are shifted and stretched as several companies of the 10th Replacement Rifle Bde are shifted back to the north to provide support to the 244th Rifle Division (due to Hellermann’s attack into the city). The 13th Tank-Destroyer Bde holds it position in reserve in the city of Minina - where is waits to deal with the inevitable German breakthrough. Soviet engineers construct fortification west of the main River Landing Sites in the vicinity of the Grain Elevator. Soviet morale is boosted hearing the 92nd Marine Bde is scheduled to arrive tomorrow!
Sept 16, 1942
Germans begin the day with a massive artillery barrage on Soviet Anti-Tank positions in southern Yelshanka. The barrages are overwhelmingly strong and the both are spotted with Observation Posts - both anti-tank positions are eliminated. This opens the route for further advances into the city.
German attacks by the 71st Regt / 29th Motorized and 29th Recon Bn continue within the city of Kuporosnoye - a platoon of T-60 tanks along with a rifle company, of the 35th Guards, are both crushed by the Germans. By the end of the day the last Soviet resistance within the city is wiped out.
The 15th Regt / 29th Motorized strikes through the gap, created by the artillery barrage earlier in the day (on the ATGs above), deeper into the city of Yelshanka. But they are thwarted by the cleaver work of Pesochkin and his 131st Rifle Division - his stubborn resistance and timely calls for artillery barrages from the East Bank prevents the Germans from breaking through.
The 94th Infantry opens a hole in the Soviet lines between the city of Yelshanka and the Power Station. The Soviets are forced to call on the reserve 13th Tank-Destroyer Bde reserve force (deployed along the Minina Gully within the city) to help plug this gap. The 267th Regt conducts a massive assault on the Power Station but effective mortar and artillery support by the Soviets prevents its capture.
The 24th Pz continues its probing attacks into the city from the Barracks south of the Brick Factory. However, once again very effective Soviet artillery support prevents a cohesive German assault from coming off and the Germans attack is stopped.
With the loss of Kuporosnoye, the Soviet 133rd Tank Bde pulls back slightly to a shorter defensive line. The arrival of the 92nd Marine Bde is welcome news as the previous Soviet reserve is starting to be pulled into the front lines (13th Tank-Destroyer Bde). The Soviets get the 92nd Marines across the river and they begin holding up positions around the River Landing sites in a perimeter near the Grain Elevator. The Soviet 62nd Army Observation Post is moved quickly to positions north of the Power Station.
Sept 17, 1942
Germans send Stukas over to the East Bank to break-up and disorganize the strong Soviet artillery forces massing there. The air strike is an overwhelming success and Soviet artillery coordination with the front is disrupted for most of the day.
German 29th Motorized attacks and clears the suburbs north of Kuporosnoye up to the southern most Soviet River Landing site - this move clears the suburbs between Kuporosnoye and Yelshanka. Attacks in Yelshanka, by the 15th Regt, run into stiff opposition from Pesochkin, and the scattered remains of his 131st Rifle Division. By evening, Soviet mortar forces find themselves on the front lines - and very unsure how long they can continue to hold this position.
The German 94th Infantry tries to widen the gap in the Soviet line between the Power Station and the Soviet 131st Rifle Division in Yelshanka. Attacks are made throughout the morning by the 276th Regt to clear the suburbs south and east of the Power Station; this paves the way for a massive assault by the 267th Regt on the Power Station in the afternoon. This strong Soviet position falls despite a heavy mortar and artillery defensive fire support from Soviet positions north of the Minina Gully. The 274th Regt conducts two separate attacks to clear forces of the Soviet 10th Replacement Rifle Bde holding positions along the Minina Gully - by days end two Soviet companies are eliminated and their positions firmly in German hands.
The German 24th Pz continues to try to break into the city from their positions south of the Brick Factory but Soviet defenders prove just too tenacious and their artillery support too great for the Germans to succeed.
Soviet commanders discuss pulling what is left of the 131st Rifle Division and the 133rd Tank Brigade back from their positions in the suburbs north of the Kuporosnoye and Yelshanka - where they are very exposed - and pulling them into the city of Minina, but the decision is made to have them hold the line (Pescohkin returns to his battered forces with the knowledge they may not survive the next days onslaught). The 13th Tank Destroyer Bde holds positions in the city of Minina and along the gully - their positions have largely been the reserve - but they will soon be the front line tomorrow.
Fortifications and Minefields are continuing to be erected in the vicinity of the Grain Elevator as the Soviet 92nd Marine Brigade continues to plan its defense of the River Landing sites.
still more to come...
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William Crispin
United States
Wilmington
Massachusetts
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This is a great AAR. Keep it coming.
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Rob Tyson
United States
Landing
New Jersey
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Great stuff! I'm looking to start playing SoS for the first time this summer.
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Dan Owsen
United States
Redmond
Washington
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Nice AAR. Are you playing solo?
I need to get this out and try to convince someone to play it with me...
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Doug Poskitt
United Kingdom
Grays
Essex
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This is an absolutely superb AAR. As one who has merely skimmed the rules and has yet to play the game, your AAR is greatly appreciated.
I'm currently doing the same thing with Third Reich (4th Ed) so I know how much effort goes into producing an AAR like this - with detailed commentary/analysis and your superb images. I can't comment on your play as such because I've yet to play the game itself, but on behalf of all those who are interested in the game, thank you indeed for taking the time and trouble to post this.
Regards,
Doug
"Still more to come..." - I hope so!
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Darrell Pavitt
United Kingdom
Unspecified
Unspecified
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Are the illustrations from the ADC2 module?
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Larry F
United States
Mableton
Georgia
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Streets of Stalingrad - The Grain Elevator - AAR - Sept 18-20
Sept 18, 1942
German Stukas sweep over the East Bank harassing Soviet artillery units, and though they are unable to destroy any unit, their efforts do disrupt Soviet artillery operations.
The German 29th Motorized begins the day with a massive artillery barrage on the Soviet defenders of River Landing Site #1 - the results are impressive, and a platoon of Soviet T-60’s is eliminated. An armored car unit from the 29th Recon Bn races forward and captures the site. The 71st Regt concentrates its operations against a Soviet ATR Company defending the balka just west of the captured river landing. The Soviets prove to be a very tough nut to crack, and though eventually eliminated, their efforts stall the entire 71st Regt for the whole day. The 15th Regt, with armor support from the 29th Recon Bn, eliminates a T-34 platoon from the 133rd Tank Bde in Yelshanka - and finally clears the city of any Soviet presence. Afternoon follow-up attacks by the 15th Regt, destroys the last rifle company of the 131st Rifle Division and in the process seriously wounding Pesochkin (who is rushed to Volga and evacuated to the East Bank).
The 94th Infantry begins its attack on the Soviet line with a massive artillery barrage - and here too, the barrage is an overwhelming success as an Anti-Tank Rifle Company is eliminated. This opens the way for a morning attack by the 276th Regt (coordinated by both Rittner and Weigert) on the Soviet 13th Tank-Destroyer Bde defending a thin line in Minina. The attack opens a hole in the Soviet line and the Germans pour through- discovering the entire city of Minina devoid of Soviet defenders. Rittner pushes his 276th Regt forward and they capture a bridge over the Minina Gully south of Rail Station #2. Other elements of the 276th drive all the way to the Volga - this move traps several units of the 13th Tank Destroyer Brigade, as well, as mortar and artillery units of the destroyed 35th Guards Division, 131st Rifle Division, and 133rd Tank Brigade between River Landing Site 2 and the city of Minina. The 274th Regt attacks Soviet forces on the north side of the Minina Gully just north of the Power Station - and runs into devastating artillery and mortar fire from Soviet positions - two German companies are obliterated in the attack.
Picture after German breakthrough and Soviet retreat:
The 24th Panzer continues to probe for a weak spot against the Soviet 244th Division south of the Brick Factory - but without Hellermann, this unit just seems unable to gain any ground.
The Soviets forces south of the Minina Gully are shattered by the events of the day. The strong drive by the 94th Infantry to the Volga through the city of Minina has cut-off all forces south of the gully and forced them to retreat back to River Landing site #2 (the only one left in Soviet hands south of the Minina Gully). The 94th drive has also out-flanked the strong positions held by the 10th Replacement Rifle Division and the 244th Rifle Division holding the western edge of the city - these units have no choice but to retreat back through the city to a shorten defensive line in and around Rail Station #2 and close their exposed flank with the 92nd Marine Bde.
The Soviets manage to extract a platoon of T-34s from the trapped forces south of the Minina Gully to the East Bank. In addition, the Soviet commanders move a few artillery units from the East bank into the city - both to hold river landing sites (they are very short on units) and to avoid the constant harassment by German Stukas.
The Germans have achieved their breakthrough, but the Soviet forces have fallen back in good order to a very strong perimeter around the remaining River Landing sites.
Sept 19, 1942
Stukas sweep over the East Bank once again - this time they eliminate a Katyusha unit and manage to pin down another artillery battalion. However, the pilots report back that a good deal of the Soviet artillery has been redeployed, and specifically, to positions in the city and along the river landing sites.
The 71st Regt of the 29th Motorized clears away the Soviet defenders of River Landing Site #2 and clears the remaining suburbs south of the Minina Gully of any remaining Soviet forces. The 15th Regt and the 29th Recon Bn push north along the river bank to the vicinity of Fisherman’s Settlement and Cannery - but run into very stiff opposition in the form of the Soviet 92nd Marine Bde.
The 94th Infantry Division pushes into Soviet positions north of the Minina Gully and manages to clear several city blocks south of Rail Station #2 and the Grain Elevator - but the fighting is intense. The 274th Regiment clears away an immobilized tank position along the main rail line into the city.
The 24th Pz conducts operations against the Soviet 244th Rifle Division in the city west of Rail Station #2, but once again, gets bogged down within city streets and is unable to make any headway. Units of the division hear that Hellermann is set to return to the unit tomorrow - and hopefully, his presence will prove to be the key to making this unit more successful in attacks.
The Soviets continue to fortify their positions around the Grain Elevator. The 92nd Marine Bde is holding the primary line of defense - around the Grain Elevator - ahead of these positions are a few scattered elements of the 13th Tank Destroyer Bde (which is down to two tank platoons), the 10th Replacement Rifle Division (which consists of two rifle companies and four mortar units, and still lead by Verevkin), and an Infantry Gun from the 131st Rifle Division (which holds a front line position). The right flank, which extends from Rail Station #2 to the Tsaritsa Gorge, is the 244th Rifle Division (which now consists of three rifle companies, one mortar unit, and an anti-tank rifle company). Soviet commanders are pleased with their positions around the Grain Elevator but are becoming concerned about a potential German offensive effort directed toward their right flank.
Sept 20, 1942
German Stukas conduct a sweep over the East Bank and manage to pin down an artillery unit there. In addition, several Stukas conduct bombing operations against Soviet positions on a few of their River Landing sites on the West Bank in hopes of pinning artillery units there as well. The aerial attacks go well, and two artillery units are pinned down for most of the day. Unknown to the Germans, the Stukas also destroy a company of engineers from the 92nd Marine Brigade (who had been building fortifications for the river landing sites).
The 29th Motorized continues attacks against the 92nd Marine Bde in the Fisherman’s Settlements - the attacks are supported by newly arrived tanks from the 129th Panzer Bn. The 29th is unable to dislodge the Soviets but they do inflict numerous losses - but as evening approaches reserve Soviet companies move in to replace their dead comrades.
The 94th Infantry begins shifting forces west and north in an attempt to support operations by the 24th Pz and to drive against Soviet positions in Rail Station #2. Rittner and Weigert (leading the 276th Regt) attack along the rail lines toward Rail Station #2 with the 274th attacking through the city from the west toward the station. The fighting is fierce and quite bloody as both sides call in massive artillery support; the Germans do gain ground, but are unable to capture the rail station. Rittner is wounded in the attack, but his wounds are light and he is expected to return tomorrow to the front.
The 24th Pz, lead by a rejuvenated Hellermann, drive into the city northwest of Rail Station #2 and punch a hole in the Soviet lines (held by the 244th Rifle Division). The Germans are unable to expand on their success, but the attack threatens to open a weakness in the Soviet lines - and the Soviet have to respond by pulling back slightly and shifting forces from the Grain Elevator over to their right flank.
The 29th Motorized conducts a massive evening attack directed toward the Grain Elevator with the 71st Regt (who had finished mopping up Soviet forces by River Landing sites #1 & #2 yesterday). They run into very stubborn resistance lead by Verevkin and the remnants of his 10th Replacement Rifle Bde (a rifle company) and Anti-Tank Gun (from the 508th Tank-Destroyer Regt). Verevkin orchestrates a brilliant defense and the entire 71st Regt is brought to a halt. However, Verevkin is wounded late in the attack and is withdrawn from the front - little remains of his 10th Rifle Brigade.
Soviets shift forces slightly throughout the evening and night. The main line of defensive consists of the 92nd Marine Bde from the Fisherman’s Settlement to the Grain Elevator and then on to Rail Station #2. Forward positions are held with two companies of the 92nd with a rear-guard of one rifle or recon company. The 244th Rifle Division pulls back slightly to line running from Rail Station #2 to the Brick Factory - its reserves consist mainly of the mortar companies of the wrecked 10th Rifle Bde.
The fighting has been quite intense with heavy losses but very little ground gain. The Soviets are taking the brunt of the losses and they simply cannot sustain this loss rate and still hold on to the city and the River Landing Sites.
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Larry F
United States
Mableton
Georgia
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To answer some of the question from earlier...
Yes, I am playing it solitare. I am firmly convinced this is one of those "monster" games that actually is playable. Though finding the time and others (crazy enough) to play it may be difficult.
Actually I have already finished the game - I am submitting the pages of the AAR as I finish writing them (putting together my notes from the game). This takes a little time...
I bought the ADC2 module and spent a little time modifying the pieces for my own use - and that is what you see on the screen shots. I have thought about putting together a VASSAL but after reading various threads this appears to be a sticky issue (which I want no part of). I simply enjoy this game and want to make sure others out there who own this beast actually get it out and try playing it! I think they will like what they find!
Glad to see others are reading and enjoying it. After re-reading it I am starting to think I am too long winded... may try to shorten things up a touch.
Take care - and yeah, get this game out it is worth the effort.
Larry
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Doug Poskitt
United Kingdom
Grays
Essex
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larry86 wrote: After re-reading it I am starting to think I am too long winded... may try to shorten things up a touch.
Not at all. IMHO, you've got it just right. Your level of commentary makes for a cracking read. Great stuff!
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4.1 Rules
United States
Rutland
Vermont
Drop the dice and step away from the table!
Move along, nothing to see here!
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I really want this game!
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Larry F
United States
Mableton
Georgia
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Streets of Stalingrad - The Grain Elevator - AAR - Sept 21-24
Sept 21, 1942
German Stukas, again, strike against known artillery locations. They succeed in pinning an artillery unit on the East Bank and they manage to destroy an artillery unit (from the 244th Rifle Division) holding on of the River Landing Sites.
The 29th Motorized Infantry Division continues its assault north along the river. The 71st Regt conducts a series of assaults supported by Mutius and the 29th Recon Bn on the strong Soviet fortifications south of the Grain Elevator. The fighting is intense and requires the strenuous efforts of the entire Regt - but they finally do clear out the Soviet defenders (two rifle companies and an Anti-Tank Gun from the 92nd Marine Bde). The 15th Regt supported by tanks from the 129th Pz Bn concentrates their efforts on capturing the Fisherman’s Settlement - the fighting turns into a disorganized street brawl with losses on both sides quite heavy - the overwhelming German artillery support and sheer numbers of infantry finally win the day.
The 94th Infantry begins the morning with two massive bombardments on Soviet Anti-Tank Gun positions, spotted in the previous days fighting. Both bombardments are well spotted and the Soviet Gun positions in both locations are totally destroyed. The 94th Infantry leaders spot Soviet minefields guarding the western approaches to the Grain Elevator - not wanting to expose their forces (in particular their dwindling engineering forces) to exposed fire within these minefields - the division axis of attack is shifted to the north through the city west of Rail Station #2 with the hope of out-flanking the Soviet minefields then driving east to River Landing sites north of the Grain Elevator. The Division finds trouble right away in the form of a platoon of Soviet T-34 tanks - this troublesome unit stalls the Division for the entire day - thought to be destroyed by the 276th Regt in the morning, the 267th Regt is caught completely by surprised to find the tanks buried within the rubble and immobilized continuing to fight. Only a very determined effort by the entire division finally succeeds in destroying the Soviet armor.
Gruppe Hellermann succeeds in creating a hole in the Soviet line (244th Rifle Division) west of Rebirth Square - but with the 94th Division held up in the fighting against the Soviet T-34s, nothing comes of this potential breakthrough.
Soviet commanders are devastated by the day’s losses. The Soviets now find themselves stretched quite thin. There are very few forces now defending the right flank - many of the front line forces are mortar units from the destroyed 10th Replacement Rifle Bde. On the left flank the 92nd Marine Bde was decimated with loss of two complete battalions in the days fighting - forward positions are now simply held with one company while the second company backs up the forward unit to prevent breakthroughs to the River Landing sites. Soviet leaders know they simply cannot absorb another day with these kinds of losses - they just don’t have the numbers. It is a time versus numbers game and they are losing...
Soviet hold the Grain Elevator but their entire front line is quite reduced.
Sept 22, 1942
German Stukas, once again, patrol the skies. Targeting artillery units on the East bank and several of the River Landing sites - the Luftwaffe pins down several artillery units and prevents them from being any use for the front line Soviet troops.
German artillery pounds the Grain Elevator and the city blocks east of the complex. The barrage is expertly spotted and Soviet forces are cleared from the blocks east of the elevator - this then opens the door for a full scale assault on the complex in the morning.
The 29th Motorized focuses on two Soviet defensive locations for their morning attack, the Grain Elevator and the Pump House. The 71st Regt with armored support from the 29th Recon Bn and Mutius assault the Grain Elevator - the fighting is ferocious, but the massive artillery support and German armor support overcomes the heavily fortified Soviet defenses and the elevator falls into German hands. The Pump House falls to a determined attack by the 15th Regt despite some harassing fire from several Soviet River Flotilla armor boats. The morning attacks spring board into and afternoon drive to capture River Landing sites. The II Bn / 15th Regt with Dencker capture River Landing Site #3. The III Bn / 71st Regt smash through a Recon company of the 92nd Marine Bde but stop short of capturing River Site #4 by just a few blocks. The German attacks are extremely successful - the 92nd Marine Bde is now almost totally annihilated.
The 94th Infantry and 24th Pz come up with a bold plan to split the Soviet forces in two and drive armored forces to the River. A lead off attack is conducted by the 276th Regt (lead by both Rittner and Wiegert) - the assault opens a gap in the Soviet line north of Rail Station #2. Gruppe Hellermann smashes through with the 24th Pz - they manage to drive toward Commune de Paris Square but are miraculously stopped by an industrious and heroic effort by a company of mortars from the now defunct 10th Replacement. Supporting attacks by the 267th and 274th Regts further open the hole in the Soviet lines and will force a general retreat by the Soviets before the day has ended.
Soviet forces, who narrowly avoid being split into two groups, now have no choice but to pull back to a very small defensive perimeter around the few remaining River landing sites. A tally of troops, conducted by officers in the evening, show one rifle company from the 92nd Marine Bde, two rifle companies from the 244th Rifle Division, two engineering companies, three mortar companies (10th Rifle Bde, 244th Rifle Division, and 92nd Marine Bde), and one remaining artillery Regt from the 92nd Marine. Not, much of a fighting force left at all.
Soviet force protects the remaining River Landing sites.
Sept 23, 1942
German 29th Motorized continues its drive up the river and captures both River Landing Sites #4 and #5 without much trouble.
The 94th Infantry drives on River Landing Site #6 and though it is unable to capture the Site today a determined effort tomorrow will, no doubt, seal the deal for the Germans.
The 24th Pz swings north through the city then turns east and captures River Landing Site #7. This move surrounds and isolates a rifle company of the 244th Rifle Division just north of Commune de Paris Square.
The only remaining landing site available to the Soviet is #6 and being that it is completely surrounded no attempts can be made to reinforce or evacuate the force there. Soviet force attempt to sleep knowing their fates are sealed.
The Soviets make a bold effort to capture River Landing Site #2. They land two companies of the 92nd Marine Bde north of the site and swing south and attack the German defenders (a PAK unit from the 29th Motorized). The Germans are impressed with the boldness of the assault but easily repulse the attack with the help of divisional artillery in defensive fire support.
Sept 24, 1942
The Germans dispatch the 71st Regt from the 29th Motorized back to the southern landing sites where they quickly and efficiently do away with the remaining rifle company from the 92nd Marine Bde.
The 24th Pz eliminates the isolated rifle company from the 244th Rifle Division north of Commune de Paris Square.
The 94th Infantry assaults the remaining Soviets in River Landing Site #6 after a massive artillery barrage. The results are exactly as expected and the last remaining Soviet forces are eliminated.
The game ends with all the River Landing Sites firmly in German control and thus a Decisive German Victory.
Concluding Thoughts:
Germans: Attack, attack, and attack in overwhelming strength... eliminate as many of the Soviet forces as you can. Try to stretch his line thin and eventually a breakthrough will occur. Soviet Defensive fire can be quite effective in pinning (or causing a force to be spent in the city) your attacking forces, therefore you simply must attack with enough firepower (ground and artillery) so that if part of your attacking forces are pinned you still get a decent attack off. Keep forces together to take advantage of battalion and regiment integrity - it is a must. I found the first simultaneous bombardment phase to be quite deadly - having moved OP unit forward the previous day - it can spot on the West Bank Bombardment Table and eliminate a force to open a hole (see the Minina Breakthrough above) or take a well defended location from two units down to one unit and thus make it considerably easier to attack and take with ground forces in the next attack phase. Expect some bloody noses on your attacks, losing both armor and pioneers to defensive fire, but once you have an idea what the enemy force is it becomes easier to figure out a way to handle them. Oh yeah, as the game progresses conduct stuka bombardments on the East Bank - they are very effective in doing away with the East Bank artillery problem.
Soviets: Defensive fire is your friend... and even just pinning and later getting a spent result (in the city) can be the difference from holding your location or being eliminated. Artillery is a must - make sure you have some nearby and save some for the German’s Exploit Attack Phase - there is nothing worse than watching a good defense in the morning attacks (regular attack phase) go completely apart in the afternoon attacks (exploit attack phase). Anti-Tank placement and usage is vital to your survival - their increase in defensive fire points when defending against armor will help cause loses to the German attacking forces. Not sure I know how to effectively handle the Soviets yet - it seems like a tight-rope to walk in deciding to hold a location or to pull back and try and save your units. I tried to keep the 92nd Marine Bde units together to obtain the defensive fire modifiers and this did help in stalling the Germans (especially the 29th Motorized) near the Fisherman’s Settlements and the Grain Elevator - but eventually his artillery was just too effective at eliminating these guys. Not sure if having the 244th retreat into the city so early was the right move or not, it sure felt like it as we watched several days go by with the leaderless 24th Pz beating its head against a wall trying to get into the city. However, the biggest blunder was not pulling back the 131st Rifle Division and 133rd Tank Bde from the suburbs north of Kuporosnoye. The German breakthrough into the streets of Minina all the way to the Minina Gully was just too much real estate to lose too quickly - and this would likely not have been possible with the streets full of both those units. In all fairness to the Soviets play, this entire portion of the map was lost in the original campaign - so it is not surprising to find it difficult for the Soviets to hold, but, maybe just a little better play and I may have been able to hold a few of those river landings sites... NEXT TIME!
All in all, it was an extremely fun and entertaining game. Several of the turns had many "ups and downs" which make for a wild ride. Learned many things and have several ideas in mind for a later go at this...
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Peter Veenstra
Netherlands
Delft
Attaque! Toujours attaque!!
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Great AAR!!
And now for the whole campaign?
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Craig Truesdell
United States
Uniontown
Ohio
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I am trying to work my way through Glantz's Armageddon in Stalingrad. Reading this is much easier and the maps are waaaaay better.
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Mark Riley
United Kingdom
Bridport
Dorset
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Fantastic AAR - another of my yet to be playeds!
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