DAR: GE Long campaign - small core

[Brian61]

A small core, fictionalized historic long campaign covering the entire war from the viewpoint of a German Panzer company. The personnel of this company will see action in Poland, France, Balkans, North Africa, Eastern Front, and Western Front.(1)

The core force consists of a reinforced Panzer Kp(2) drawn from the 1939 German 4th army, under Guderian's XIX Motorized Army corp. Specifically the 1st company of II battalion, 5th panzer regiment, 3rd panzer division. In game, this is modeled as a heavily modified Panzer Kp (le) consisting of 2 PzIIIb/d, 1 PzIBef, 5 PzIIc, 10 PzIb, and 4 PzIVb tanks. Attached to this company are a Flak Sp Grp consisting of 2 SdKfz10/4s, an Infantry platoon (security element), 2 Spaehtroop sections (4 teams total), an 8cm GrW platoon, and a transport group of 3 Kfz70s. Additional organic transport is initially considered to be off-board and not present in the core.(3) This company, under Oberstlt Kraft, is being employed as a small 'fire brigade' within the XIX corp during the Sept 1939 offensive versus Poland.

I find that, despite all the hard work done by the OOB designers, modeling early war german forces to be a bit difficult especially when you consider the intended long term growth path of the organization being modeled. Early war german kit is so varied and so poorly documented with often conflicting sources, that it really ends up being an informed best guess compounded by game considerations. Historically it is probably incorrect to be adding the infantry security element at this date, the direct attachment of the flak group is highly questionable, and it is almost undoubtably incorrect to be adding the mortar platoon. Unfortunately, there just isn't sufficient auxiliary purchase points available in some circumstances to buy the elements necessary to have a playable combined arms force without including some of it in the core.

(1) As far as I've been able to discover, no German armored unit saw action on all of these fronts. However it is remotely possible that some personnel may have. The 'plot device' fiction I plan to use is that this company was intended to be part of Operation Barbarosa but at the last minute rerouted to the Balkans. After refit post-Balkans, the company is sent to North Africa and in late 1942 the company's personel (but not equipment) will be rotated out of North Africa and redeployed to the Eastern Front until mid-1944.
(2) Total core cost is just under 1200 points.
(3) The halftracks intended for the company haven't arrived yet, evidently they were rerouted to some other unit with better connections.

[Brian61]

Forward elements of the 3rd Infantry Division, II Army Corp, encounter an understrength Polish battalion. Oberstlt Krafft is ordered to support an infantry company from the 3rd Inf Div in securing the roads in the area. A 10.5cm battery from 3rd Panzer Division will be available for artillery support. Visibility is clear (50) and HQ allows roughly four hours for the operation (45 turns). The area is dominated by a central hill to the southeast of a road intersection (Map is attached at turn 8).

The plan of battle is for the infantry company to move in from the west along the northern east-west road and secure the intersection. After securing the intersection, the infantry will move south to secure the western approach to the central hill and the woods south of the hill. The panzer company will move along the intersecting road from the south west and support the infantry.

Twenty minutes after the arrival of German forces in the area, Polish artillery begins shelling the area south of the intersection and a troop of Polish armored cars are spotted on the road just north of the intersection. Counterbattery fire is called in to the 10.5cm battery and the PzIII's and IV's of the company open fire on the armored cars and the targets are quickly dispatched.

Soon after the armored cars are eliminated, Polish calvary is spotted on the central hill. The calvary is quickly engaged by long range machinegun fire and a platoon of Pz1b's maneuvers west of the hill to engage. As the calvary is being routed, scouts rounding the hill to the north spot Polish infantry approaching the hill from the east. The second Pz1b platoon circles the hill to the north and engages the infantry.

---more to come.

[Brian61]

Couldn't figure out how to edit the first battle reply/post above so adding as reply.

One hour into the battle, Polish advances along the road and east of the central hill have been repulsed with heavy casualties. The local 75mm guns have fallen silent although at least two batteries further away have begun shelling the central hill.

Oberstlt Krafft has ordered counter battery fire shifted to the suspected gun positions slightly south of the now silent battery and has called for mortar fire upon the approach route east of the northernmost Polish infantry hoping to interdict reinforcement. The PzIIc platoon has been ordered to fall back and form a mobile reserve against the possiblity of a southern flanking maneuver by enemy armor. The PzIb platoon west of the central hill has been ordered north to support the infantry advance in that area. Platoon F, the PzIb's to the northeast of the central hill, remain in position firing upon both enemy infantry advances in turn.

With the support of PzIb platoon E and mortar fire, two infantry platoons continue advancing in the north while the third platoon from the infantry company begins moving to eventually advance south of the central hill. An infantry firefight breaks out just east of the intersection, the combination of machinegun, mortar, and armor support allows the german troops to easily put the polish troops to rout while suffering only light casualties in return.

Enemy shelling erupts around the Panzer company HQ position forcing a hasty relocation but only causing minor damage to the PzBef vehicle. Polish armored cars briefly take possession of the central hilltop but quickly fall prey to the PzIIc autocannon fire of platoon D. Southeast of the hill, a platoon of TKS tankettes erupt from the forest forcing platoon F do withdraw northwestward as the PzIb lacks any antitank capability.

PzIIIb/d's of the HQ section knock out the first two tankettes to advance north of the hill. The two infantry platoons at the intersection solidify their positions as the Polish infantry continues its rout. Meanwhile, the security platoon climbs atop the PzIVb's of G platoon and together with the third infantry platoon begin the swing around the western side of the central hill. Some Polish infantry units managed to sneak onto the central hilltop but were quickly sent into retreat by long range machinegun fire.

Another half-hearted infantry counter attack on the intersection was turned back without casualty, and two more tankettes fell victim to the 37mm guns of the PzIIIb/d's. As a precautionary measure, 10.5cm artillery fire has been called in on the wooded area southeast of the central hill in support of the combined infantry and armor advance around the south side of that hill. Not quite two hours into the battle it appears the Polish opposition has been ineffectual and their remaining presence seems more of an annoyance than a credible threat.

At the two hour mark, a Polish advance on the central hill in company strength was spotted by a scout. However with the area east of the intersection firmly under German control and only light resistance being encountered by the southeastern group, it appears the only organized Polish force left is sticking its head right into the hopper of a meatgrinder.

Two and a half hours into the battle all known Polish forces have either been eliminated or are in full rout. Sporadic shelling continues from two 75mm batteries but other than that it seems the battle is over.

The 10.5cm battery eventually knocked out both 75mm batteries but not before a Pz1b of platoon E was destroyed. Final result: GE 2301 with 16 men and one AFV as casualties; PO 45 with 671 men and 12 AFVs as casualties. Decisive victory for KG Krafft.

Hope this was worth the read. Next battle in day or two hopefully.

[Roman]

Ok. Interesting. You can enlarge the image? Is not clear.

[Brian61]

Ok. Interesting. You can enlarge the image? Is not clear.

Save file of beginning of last turn attached, not really setup to do much else than either screenshot or zip of turn.

[Brummbar]

Hope this was worth the read.

That it is.:up:

Keep up the good work Brian61.:)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 4 Sept 1939

Current status: during a brief halt for resupply and repair, some of the Kampfgruppe's missing equipment arrived, consisting of the commander's panzer [a PzKfz IIIb/d(s)] and a half dozen motorcycles [conversion of two Spaehtrupp units to 3xBeiwagenKrad units]. Also at this time, division released a troop of armored cars [3x SdKfz 221s] to be attached to the KG for the remainder of the Fall Weiss operation.

Current orders: KG Krafft is to spearhead the XIX Corp's drive towards the Vistula river. A company of motorized panzergrenadiers from the 3rd PanzerGrenadier Regiment is attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the operation. Artillery support will be provided by division [one of the division's 10.5cm batteries is assumed to be within range of KG Krafft's FEBA during most of the operation].

Situation: On the afternoon of 4 September 1939, KG Krafft encounters a battalion of Polish infantry blocking its path while moving along a secondary road through a lightly wooded area. [Meeting engagement, Visibility 52, length 37] The armored car troop leads the advance along the road followed closely by a platoon of PzIIc's. Motorcycle and motorcycle mounted recon elements are deployed to the north and south of the road respectively, each followed by a platoon of PzIb's. The remainder of KG Krafft is following in march order [all deployed on the westernmost road hex 1,21].

Plan of battle: Search and destroy operation until primary objectives are under control. Concentrated armor will be the primary instrument, engaging only in open terrain. The PzGr Kp will be held in reserve until enemy armor is contained and the first wave of enemy infantry is routed. Thereafter, the PzGr Kp will be deployed to sweep wooded areas as necessary. Artillery will be used primarily for counterbattery fire.

Execution: An unexpectedly large interdictory bombardment upon the road from three 75mm batteries falls amongst the PzIIc's, the platoon leader orders the platoon to accelerate through the targetted area hoping to break into the clear before any of the vehicles are seriously damaged. The trailing elements of KG Krafft leave the road heading southwest. In a fortunate turn of events, a Lufftwaffe observer aircraft attached to XIX Corp spots a gun of one of the 75mm batteries and counter battery fire from a 10.5cm battery at extreme range inflicts minor damage but likely major panic upon the spotted battery.

First contact occurs about fifteen minutes after the artillery bombardment; the armored car troop engaged and routed a calvary unit on the east/west road. The main body continues to move southeast and Obrstlt Krafft orders the Panzer Kp to shift into a move to contact formation with the two PzIb platoons forward. The motorcycle recon elements are ordered to slow their advance and find good observation locations. The infantry recon element, now dismounted, creeps into position on the centermost hill.

Nearly half an hour into the engagement, recon reports a platoon of TP-7s to the far southwest, enemy infantry movement north of the east/west road and enemy infantry southwest of the centermost hill. The armored car troop withdraws south after engaging additional calvary units along the road just as a local 75mm battery and 81mm mortar battery begin shelling their position. The northernmost PzIb platoon is ordered into ambush position along the east/west road to the east of the initial engagement point just beyond the area being shelled. The southernmost PzIb platoon is ordered into position to intercept the central infantry movement, while the PzIIc platoon races to join the command PzIIIb/d(s)'s and the PzIVb's. Oberstlt Krafft orders the PzGr Kp to maneuver into a central position just beyond enemy direct fire/observation range should the situation develop to favor deployment.

Enemy shelling and smoke reduces visibility along the road, spoiling any possibility of a favorable ambush so the northernmost PzIb platoon is ordered southeast in an attempt to catch the central infantry movement in a crossfire. Motorcycle recon elements attempt to maintain visual contact with enemy units while falling back to less exposed positions. The armored car troop breaks contact with enemy calvary and attempts to encircle them in order to spot what troops, if any, are behind them.

As the encounter develops further, the PzGr Kp is ordered to dismount and assume defensive positions in the wooded areas south of the road and east of the central hill. Enemy infantry advances seem to be concentrated in the center and northern regions and additional calvary is spotted to the south. Oberstlt Krafft decides to use his PzIb's and armored cars to deny enemy movement through the open areas while remaining beyond effective antitank rifle range and grenade range. The TP-7's turn northward towards the southern side of the south/central hill, one PzIIc manages to fire a few flank shots at one TP-7 but no damage is observed. The PzIVb platoon races towards the northeastern slope of the southcentral hill hoping to drop off the security force infantry [the only infantry with effective antitank weapons] on the reverse slope. The KG's mortars are moved into firing position for counter battery fire upon the local 75mm battery.

As the armor vs armor battle develops in the south, one TP-7 is destroyed and another immobilized, unfortunately the cost was heavy; Obrgfrtr Hoffmann [PzIIc platoon commander] and his crew were lost to enemy fire and Hptmann Rittenhaus's vehicle sustained serious damage [Pz Kp commander]. Fortunately Hptmann Rittenhaus's PzIIIb/d(s) was still capable of maneuver and withdrew successfully. Elsewhere, enemy infantry is routed by long range machinegun fire along the entire central front and mostly halted south of the road.

Enemy infantry arrived too late to support the TP-7 platoon in the south, only one TP-7 survives. Enemy artillery falls on the truck park, two trucks suffer damage but none destroyed. Dismounted PzGr troops continue advancing in the north against little opposition as the enemy infantry continues to fall before long range machinegun fire. One and a half hours after initial contact, all points of interest are under KG Krafft control and all known enemy units have been rendered combat ineffective. Sporadic enemy artillery fire claims a PzIb with loss of all crew, otherwise casualties have been light.

After a short mop up operation around the southern hill, all armored units are ordered to defensive positions overwatching the approaches to the objective areas while infantry sweeps wooded areas along the roads. Several weak local counter attacks are mounted but no significant threat develops. Sporadic shelling continues to fall for another hour requiring several position shifts but is otherwise ineffective.

The battle ends in a decisive victory, Guderian's drive to the Vistula will not be stopped!

Last turn attached as zip file. Thanks for reading!

[Brian61]

KG Krafft Sept 8, 1939

Current status: Late on the 5th of September, the 3rd Panzer Division was transferred from the Fourth Army to the Third Army to permit the Third Army to begin an attack on Bialystok and Brest Litovsk.

Current orders: KG Krafft, with the support of a Kradshutzen Kp, is ordered to clear the way for the right flank of the advance upon the Bug River. Artillery support, in the form of one 10.5cm battery, will be provided by division.

Situation: Late on the morning of 8 September, 1939, KG Krafft encounters Polish resistance along the intended path of Third Army's advance. The terrain is wooded, broken by numerous small clearings and with a dirt road running along the intended path of advance. [Meeting engagment, Visibility 88, Length 31, shotgun v-hexes]. The armored car troop once again leads the advance along the road, the remainder of the Kampfgruppe is deployed in 'two up' formation south of the road with recon elements preceding Kradshutzen platoons and PzIb platoons operating in close support.

Plan of battle: Develop a fluid battle in the southern areas, denying enemy usage of clearings and hilltops while using maneuver and concentration of force to defeat the enemy in detail. Artillery assets will be used to surpress enemy units in more heavily wooded areas.

Execution: Ten minutes after arrival to the area, the armored car troop engages a calvary squad on the road. The armored car troop halts and over the next five minutes eliminates two more calvary squads and drives another to ground. As the advance continues in the south without contact, action on the road heats up as AT-rifle teams and another calvary platoon arrives. Local light artillery and mortar fire begin falling on the road a few hundred meters behind the trailing armored car. Obrstlt Krafft orders the armored car troop to withdraw to the southwest.

Enemy infantry is spotted advancing in the center and south, the leading kradshutzen platoons are ordered to move into position in the woods west and northwest of the southern infantry advance hoping to force the enemy to remain in the clearings long enough for the PzIb platoons to engage them. As the picture develops, it seems that the enemy is advancing in company strength at three seperate points, north along the road, center, and south. The remainder of the kradshutzen company is deployed in the woods to protect the northern flank from any efforts of the enemy's center column to reinforce the southern.

The best laid plans oft go awry, in this case, the agent of awry-ness is a 40mm AA-gun position which is overwatching the route of advance for the southern infanty. Fortunately it failed to inflict any damage on the targetted PzIb but its presence raises the cost of an armor envelopment too high for the moment. Artillery is called for on the spotted gun but there will still be a serious delay in the intended movement which opens a window of opportunity for enemy artillery. A pair of MG34's are moved into a position for long range fire upon the AAA position in the hopes of supressing it enough to allow operations in the south to continue as planned, albiet with a short delay.

The MG34's of the kradshutzen company's heavy weapons platoon suppress the 40mm AA-gun position enough to allow operations in the south to resume as planned. Enemy infantry in that area is quickly put to rout. Kradshutzen positioned in the woods intercept a number of AT rifle teams and marksmen who attempted to infiltrate. The northern recon elements, in danger of being cut off, are withdrawn to the west under cover of the armored car troop. Artillery fire from an enemy 105mm battery falls on the MG34 positions forcing a quick withdrawal. Fortunately the 40mm AA-gun was suppressed enough to allow direct fire from PzIIc's to be brought to bear without casualty. The withdrawal of the northern recon elements and the southern sweep and clear operation continues.

The central enemy force swings south and a firefight develops along the northern flank forcing committal of the reserves (PzIVb platoon and KG Krafft's security platoon). As the southern operation degrades into the cleanup phase, the southernmost kradshutzen platoon and the PzIIc platoon are withdrawn to form a new reserve. The northern flank stablizes and forces in that area prepare for a northern thrust after the prepatory artillery strike lands. There appears to be some calvary elements which survived to become a low grade threat to the northwest.

The combination of infantry, armor, and artillery soon put the southern flank of the central enemy force to rout, allowing the movement of one of the kradshutzen platoons westward in support of the now northbound sweep and clear force. Another 40mm AA-gun is spotted and destroyed in short order by combined armor and infantry attack though one tank is damaged. One gun of a 75mm battery is put out of action by direct fire of PzIb tanks. Leading elements of the enemy's central infantry continue to advance, forcing the recon elements in that area to withdraw further westward. The reserve force maneuvers to intercept the calvary remnant in that area with overwatch fire provided by the SP 20mm flak section. Artillery fire is walked northwest in an attempt to isolate the remaining elements of the enemy's central force.

The first attempt to encircle the central force is rebuffed by a 37mm AT-gun. Armor is rerouted along a more southerly approach to avoid coming under fire from that position and kradshutzen infantry maneuvers to engage the guns. In an attempt to redress the situation, the reserves are committed in the west with the PzIIc platoon engaging enemy infantry from long range and the kradshutzen platoon replacing the armored car troop in interception of enemy calvary. The FEBA now lies approximately along the north/south line indicated by hex xx,43.

In the east, a kradshutzen platoon supported by the armored car troop hunt down and destroy the remnants of the calvary forces. In the west, a kradshutzen platoon supported by long range machinegun fire destroys the AT-guns, the Polish headquarters, and a number of AAMGs. The northern Polish force turned south to reinforce the center, however as the major portion of the infantry was caught in the open by PzIIc and PzIVb tank fire along with 10.5cm and 81mm mortar artillery, the effort failed. As the battle in the center developed, it became a kill sack bounded by tanks to the east and west and a mix of tanks and infantry in the south with observed artillery falling on concentrations. After the loss of the headquarters, the battle quickly became a rout.

Decisive victory! With its flank secured, Third Army continues its advance to the Bug river.

Beginning of last turn file attached. Thanks for reading!

[a_ver_est]

Nice reading, seems this polish has had a bad day (again).

[Brian61]

Nice reading, seems this polish has had a bad day (again).

Thanks, and yes the Polish forces haven't done very well, I think I need to increase their purchase points. With this small but highly mobile core force, it seems scattered victory hex games are more challenging than the standard ones.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 10 September, 1939

Situation: Division recon elements near Brok encounter late arriving Polish reinforcements, KG Krafft is the only armor unit that can reach the recon force in time to take advantage of the situation. The recon force consists of: 1x 222, 1x 223 (Fu), 6x 221, and 2x 231(8) armored cars; a kradshutzen platoon, a kraftradmelder section, and a section of 7.5cm leIG 18's towed by a pair of SdKfz 10s. [Lightly wooded area bisected by N-S stream and E-W dirt road with a NW-SE road in the NE corner, Meeting engagement, Visiblity 30, Length 43, standard V-hexes]

Orders: Join the division recon force and take command of the combined kampfgruppe. Deny the area to the enemy, inflicting as much damage as possible without undue casualties. Division artillery is not in position to give support but a flight of four Bf109Es are available for close air support.

Plan of battle: Recon elements will advance to contact and will maintain contact at distance. Armor will advance in company strength using maneuver to outflank enemy formations and defeat in detail. The kradshutzen platoon will assist the armor, and the PzIIc platoon will be held in reserve.

Execution: Fifteen minutes into the operation, an armored car troop engages a calvary squad at long range in the center. A TKS platoon is spotted in the south, PzIVb's and the PzIIIb/d(s)'s of the command element engage at long range, knocking out the lead TKS.m tankette. More calvary is spotted in the center and brought under fire by two troops of 221's. As the battle develops in the south, the TKS platoon quickly falls before combined 37mm and 75mm gun fire. To the north, an armored car troop is spotted, heavy armor cars move to intercept and the reserve platoon is ordered northward should committment against the enemy armored car threat prove necessary.

Half an hour into the battle, enemy artillery fires upon two separate overwatch positions in the south and center, forcing abandonment of those positions. Enemy infantry is spotted advancing along the road in the south where it is engaged by a platoon of PzIb's. In the north, the enemy armored car troop is destroyed by combined fire from PzIIc's and 231's. Enemy infantry reinforcements in the center come under fire from a 221 troop.

In the north enemy infantry continues to advance, armored cars maneuver to delay them. In the center the enemy advance is brought to a standstill by long range machinegun fire. To the south, the enemy is advancing in two columns, one along the road, another south of the road. Artillery is called to fall upon the enemy infantry on the road while a platoon of PzIb's maneuvers to engage the enemy south of the road.

An hour into the battle a pattern becomes evident, enemy artillery is attempting to deny long range firing positions while the infantry continues to advance trading casualties for ground. The enemy advance in the north has been the most successful, the center has seen minimal success, and in the south the enemy advances have been stopped cold. Luftwaffe assets are called in to strike the northern advance while local 75mm and 81mm assets continue to shell the southern road. Armor units are maneuvering into position for a concentrated sweep south of the road.

The airstrike by four Bf109E's together with armored car fire bring a temporary halt to the enemy advance in the north. The center stablizes with the committment of the reserves, and the security force advances to secure the southern road. In the far south, the armor forces the enemy infantry into rout, with the kradshutzen platoon assisting in cleanup operations.

The northern enemy force turns south towards the center with a number of AT-rifle teams infiltrating through the woods. Pressure on the center builds as additional reinforcements arrive. The southern enemy force is completely routed with many units completely eliminated. The armor force is being withdrawn from the south except for one PzIb platoon which will assist the security elements in securing the area. Another airstrike is called, this time on the center and local artillery is targetted upon adjoining areas.

At the two hour mark, although some units have run out of ammo, the enemy is in retreat after a combination of aerial and artillery bombardment in conjunction with a pincers attack by armor and armored cars. At two and a half hours in, all objectives are secured, and all observed enemy infantry is in full rout. For the next hour and a half, sporadic artillery fire and a few weak counterattacks is the extent of enemy action.

Decisive Victory in the last major action for KG Krafft in the Fall Weiss campaign.

Last turnfile attached, thanks for reading!

Notes: these battles, although fun, turned out to be easier than hoped for. If I were to do them over, I would increase the chance for scattered victory hexes and give the AI forces an increased purchase point multiplier. As far as core force mix, I would leave out the mortars and armored cars and change the light tank platoons to mixed platoons with two PzIIc's and three PzIb's each.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 13 May, 1940

Reorganization: in the reorganizations between October 1939 and April 1940, KG Krafft is transferred to the 5th Panzer Division. All PzIVb tanks are replaced by new PzIIIe tanks fresh off the assembly line, the C1 PzIIIb/d(s) is sent for overhaul being replaced by a PzIIIe and transferred to Platoon G. The three light tank platoons recieve some new equipment and now have three PzIIc's and two PzIb's each. The security platoon is reorganized as a PanzerGrenadier platoon with organic medium machinegun and a platoon of three SdKfz 251/1s and one SdKfz 251/10 is attached for transport. The Kampfgruppe also loses the attached armored car troop and mortar platoon but gains three JPzI's and a pair of sIG1b's with accompanying ammo trucks.

Status: The 5th Panzer Division is operating on the north flank of Army Group A during the Fall Gelb operation at the edge of the Ardennes.

Orders: Open a route for the division, neutralizing enemy forces in the division's path. [Advance mission, visibility 70, length 47, shotgun victory hexes].

Situation: KG Krafft is the schwerpunkt of the 5th division's exit from the Ardennes. A kradshutzen platoon and a pair of 88mm guns are attached for the duration of the operation. One 10.5cm artillery battery from division is in position to provide support. Luftwaffe assets are limited to two observation planes.

Plan of battle: KG Krafft will advance to contact through the center bounded by the northern main and southern secondary east-west roads. The command group will be reinforced by the JPz I platoon and the kradschutzen platoon. The PzIIIe platoon, security element, and 88mm guns will be held in reserve. Once contact is achieved, KG Krafft will penetrate the enemy lines, splitting the enemy force in two and then procede to eliminate the weaker section before turning on the stronger.

Execution: A French 75mm battery opens up with interdictory fire but falls outside of the assembly area. Extensive aerial recon over the first half hour of the engagement shows the enemy strength to be a reinforced infantry battalion deployed with one company astride the secondary north-south road in the center, another deployed around the northern intersection, and a third deployed around the southern intersection. A fourth company seems to be deployed west of the secondary road as a reserve. A pair of AT-guns are spotted in the north, east of the secondary road, while four 81mm mortars and two AA-guns are deployed in the north west.

The main body of KG Krafft quickly overruns the enemy infantry positions in the center and, before the first hour is up, reaches the secondary road running north-south. Leaving one platoon of mixed light tanks to hold the north flank and the command group to hold the center, the remaining two platoons of light tanks together with the PzIIIe platoon and security element turn south.

Supporting artillery fire from the 10.5cm battery and the two sIG 1b's soften up the enemy positions in the town west of the intersection as KG Krafft drives from the north and northeast.

About 90 minutes in, the southern intersection and town is secured just as a pair of H-35's are spotted moving towards the center from the southwest. The JPz 1's of the command group are dispatched to intercept with the PzIIIe platoon and 88mm guns supporting. Both enemy tanks are quickly destroyed and, leaving one light tank platoon along with the security element to mop up in the south, the remainder of the force turns its attention to the north just as the enemy launches an infantry counterattack with the northern infantry company and the remainder of the reserve company.

Supporting artillery fire wreaks havoc on the enemy counterattack as reinforcements from the south arrive to assist the north flank. Two hours into the battle finds the enemy broken in dissarray and the battle ends early after another half hour of mop-up operations. Friendly casualties were very light and only one tank, a PzIIc, was disabled.

Decisive victory for KG Krafft, 5th Panzer division rolls on towards the Meuse.

Game notes: this was a fast paced battle, the only real danger was enemy artillery but that threat was largely negated by speed and maneuver. Aerial recon won the day as just about every enemy unit was spotted well before it was in engagement range. Poor positioning of the AT and AA guns by the AI made them largely irrelevant to the battle.

Hope this rather short battle was worth the read, next to last turn file attached as zip.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 7 June, 1940

Game note: AI campaign points have been adjusted to 125% of normal.

Reorganization: During the short break between Fall Gelb and Fall Rot, KG Krafft recieved two PzIIIe-3.7cm panzers to replace the aging PzIIIb/d(s) command panzers.

Situation: KG Krafft takes the lead after 5th division breaks through French defenses north of Amiens near the Somme. The area of operations is a lightly wooded area of low hills with secondary eastwest and northsouth roads intersecting in the northeast.

Orders: KG Krafft will clear the way for the remainder of the division as 5th Panzer lunges forward in an attempt to cutoff the Amiens area from other French forces, completing the encirclement. As the division is on the move, only one battery of corp artillery is in position to cover the advance. A kraftrad platoon from division recon and a pair of 88mm FlaK36 guns are attached for the duration of the operation. Luftwaffe is providing aerial recon (a pair of Storch observation planes are in the area) and two Bf110D-2's are available for close support. [Meeting engagement, visibility 27, length 52, scattered victory hexes, 80x80 map]

Battle plan: Panzer platoons D, E, and F together with the kraftrad platoon and Luftwaffe support will conduct a reconnaissance in force across the entire front. The remainder of the force will be held in reserve until the nature and position of the enemy is determined. Corp artillery will be used in counter-battery fire operations only, local support will be restricted to the sIG 1b's with the Bf110D-2's held in reserve for strikes against enemy armor concentrations.

Execution: The first pass by a Luftwaffe observation plane spots enemy armor moving in the center. The observed enemy force consists of three scout cars, one H-35 tank, and five Char-B1 tanks. The enemy armor's north flank is screened by infantry in at least platoon strength. The JPz I's of platoon H are released from the reserve and ordered forward to support platoon F in the center while the remainder of the reserve moves closer to the northsouth road in preparation for rapid maneuver.

At twenty minutes into the operation, the center Char-B1 platoon appears to have halted its advance and a section of Char-B1 terr tanks are spotted moving along the eastwest road. The central enemy force appears to be comprised of an infantry company preceded by three scout cars and supported by two H-39 tanks. Platoons F and H maneuver to engage the central movement while the 88mm FlaK36's along with supporting recon section are released from the reserve and ordered north to support platoon D.

Aerial recon spots three additional Char-B1's operating in support of the central movement and enemy infantry in at least platoon strength are spotted and engaged by platoon D along the eastwest road. The scout cars of the central movement are engaged and destroyed by platoon F. As the picture emerges it seems the enemy force is comprised of an infantry battalion supported by a heavy tank company. One company of enemy infantry is moving along the eastwest road supported by a
platoon of Char-B1 terr tanks. Two infantry companies are moving in the center supported by two platoons of Char-B1 tanks and probably two sections of medium tanks (H-35's and H-39's).

The 88mm guns are positioned just east of the intersection overwatching down the road to engage any enemy armor movement on the road. sIG Ib fire is called just beyond the engagement range of platoon D and an airstrike is called on the adjoining area. In the south, platoon E and the kraftrad platoon move into flanking positions. Fire from the two 88mm guns destroy one Char-B1 terr in the north while accompanying infantry is pinned down by fire from platoon D. Two 75mm batteries fire upon areas in the south but the target areas are not near any friendly forces. A second Char-B1 terr is destroyed by 88mm gun fire while in the center, two H-39's are destroyed by JPz I fire. Enemy mortar fire lays smoke north of the east-west road.

Artillery fire begins raining down upon platoon D's position, two batteries are involved, one 75mm battery and a local 105mm battery. Platoon D and the supporting 88mm guns withdraw eastward. A counter-battery strike by the 10cm K-18 battery is called upon the local 105mm battery, while harrassing 150mm fire continues to impede enemy infantry along the eastwest road.

Action in the center heats up at the end of the first hour, JPz I's engage enemy armor, destroying one Char-B1 and damaging another without taking losses. The security platoon is released from the reserve and deploys in ambush positions just west of the northsouth road south of the intersection. Platoon G and the command panzers move to positions astride the northsouth road ready to support the center. The sIG-1b platoon is redeploying and is currently unavailable for fire missions. In the south, platoon E begins moving north to gain position for a flanking attack on enemy infantry once the forward armor elements in the center are dealt with.

As the enemy continues to advance in the center, enemy armor in the north turns to the southeast. JPz I fire claims another Char-B1 and damages an H-35. Airstrikes continue but inflict only minor damage at best. An H-35 advancing in the center is destroyed by a lucky shot from a PzIIc while in the north an infantry advance is repulsed by the security element. Oberstlt Krafft orders the security element and Platoon D to withdraw to new positions east of the northsouth road. Platoon F is ordered to cover the withdrawal of the JPz I platoon in preparation for redeployment to counter the threat of the Char-B1 terr tanks moving in from the north.

As the situation continues to develop in the center, the reserve is forced to move eastward to avoid becoming involved and platoon F is forced to retreat to the northsouth road in order to prevent coming under long range fire from the Char-B1 terr's moving down from the north. In the south the unopposed advance of six Char-B1's forces platoon E eastward to maintain any threat of a flanking maneuver against the infantry in the center. KG Krafft continues to fall back, trying to tempt enemy armor to come under the guns of the 88mm positioned on heights in the northeast. All positions west of the northsouth road have been abandoned. The lead Char-B1 terr falls prey to close assaults by the security element after numerous shells from 37mm, 47mm, and 88mm guns failed. Platoon F is forced to fall back as it comes under heavy fire from enemy infantry. The reserve platoon and command elements are committed to support of the security element while platoon D maneuvers north to prevent enemy infantry from approaching the 88mm gun positions.

Although one Char-B1 terr crew bails under combined fire and close assault, the threat of two additional Char-B1 terr's backed by two companies of infantry combined with seven more Char-B1's that had nearly reached the northsouth road forces KG Krafft to withdraw further east and north. Finally the remaining two Char-B1 terr's stumble into 88mm gun range and are both destroyed. Without armor support in the north, the enemy infantry in that area is quickly pushed back while AT units are positioned to engage the southern heavy tanks. The 10cm K-18 battery knocks at least one of the enemy 75mm batteries out of action and the local 105mm battery has remained silent for quite some time since the suspected area was bombarded.

As KG Krafft regains ground, two Char-B1's are destroyed by JPz I fire and the XO's panzer engages and kills an observation team. Despite the success of platoon D and supporting security elements, they had come under mortar fire and become separated from the main body on the northern flank. The descision was made to recall them and use them to form a new reserve force. Platoons E and F caught the enemy infantry's central thrust in a crossfire and sIG-1b's poured 150mm fire into the cauldron, blunting and finally halting the enemy advance. In the south, platoon G, H, and the command elements knocked out two more Char-B1's with the help of the 88mm guns and also put the enemy infantry in that area to rout. All is not roses however as three more Char-B1 terr's are spotted moving westward.

The presence of the advancing Char-B1 terr's force KG Krafft to once again withdraw eastward hoping to draw the heavy tanks of the enemy under 88mm guns flanked by JPz I's. As luck would have it, just as the heavy tanks advance towards the 88mm guns, two 75mm artillery batteries fall upon the guns causing them to be abandoned by their crews. Almost three hours into the battle, a heroic charge by platoons G and H with supporting fire from platoon E and the sIG Ib's in direct fire mode killed one of the remaining Char-B1 terr's and allowed Oberstlt Krafft to close with the last one, delivering a 3.7cm sabot round at point blank range destroying the last Char-B1 terr. Unfortunately two of platoon G's PzIIIe panzers were lost with all hands during the fight. The only known enemy armor remaining are two immobilized tanks, one H-35 and one Char-B1.

Freed of the dangers of enemy tank fire, KG Krafft quickly routs the remaining infantry and begins driving westward on a broad front, mopping up remaining enemy units. During mopup operations, one PzIb was lost to enemy fire and one PzIIIe was heavily damaged.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Next stop, the Balkans.

Last turn file attached.

[gila]

5000-174 GE V FR victory,is getting way too easy for you,
Good reports though:)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft 10 April, 1941 - Operation 25

Reorganization: The armor company of KG Krafft recieved a number of new vehicles to replace the aging Pz Ib panzers and most of the Pz IIc panzers. The reorganized company has one platoon of PzIIc panzers, two platoons with two Pz IIIg and three Pz IIIe panzers with sabot rounds, and one platoon of two Pz IIIg and three early model PzIIIe panzers. The ammo trucks supporting the sIG Ib's have been replaced with SdKfz 252's.

Situation: Mountainous area near Nis, Yugoslavia with numerous wooded areas, and one secondary road running east-west through the northern part. [Meeting engagement, Visibility 52, Length 48, scattered victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: As part of 1st panzer group in Operation 25, 5th panzer was to follow 11th panzer in its advance but due to poor road conditions became bogged down near Piro, Yugoslavia. As the division got rolling again, it recieved new orders to turn southward just below Nis and cutoff enemy forces around Leskovac. During this maneuver, KG Krafft with the assistance of a panzergrenadier company forms the spearhead of 5th division's advance. Supporting assets include one 10.5cm artillery battery from division and limited Luftwaffe support consisting of two Storch observation planes and two Bf110E-2 fighter-bombers. The supporting panzergrenadier company has left its truck transport behind in the snarl near Piro and is riding upon the PzIIIe tanks of KG Krafft.

Battle Plan: Platoons E and F trailed by the command elements will advance in the center with the northern flank secured by platoons D and H moving along the road. Platoon G and the security element will be held in reserve following the command elements. Support elements (sIG Ib's, SdKfz 252's, and SdKfz 10/4's) will follow platoons D and H along the road. The KG recon section will advance along the southern flank.

Execution: Ten minutes into the operation, aerial recon spots enemy infantry in company strength advancing in the center and a pair of 15mm AAMG positions are spotted north of the infantry column. sIG fire is called upon the AAMGs as the advance continues. Half an hour into the advance, enemy artillery begins falling in the south but is ineffective. As additional artillery falls near the southern recon position, they are forced to withdraw westward but not before a section of FT-17's is spotted southeast of their position. At roughly the same time, with the range between the forward panzer platoons and the enemy infantry dropping to 1km, panzergrenadier platoons Q and R dismount and prepare to engage the enemy.

Platoon D engages a mortar position at long range, sIG 1b fire continues to fall upon the AAMG positions, 10.5cm fire is called upon the central enemy infantry column, and an airstrike is called upon the FT-17 section. As the panzergrenadiers follow the panzers in the central advance, the panzergrenadier command sections dismount to their rear and the two machineguns of the panzergrenadier company dismount from PzIIc's along the road to provide flanking fire. The JPz I's of platoon H take over long range HE fire upon the enemy mortar position and the sIG Ib's prepare to advance at the end of their current fire mission.

The airstrike in the south strafes an FT-17 and spots an entire company of FT-17's following the lead tanks. The FT-17 company appears to be turning to the northwest so platoon F is ordered south to intercept. PzGren platoon S remains in reserve but dismounts to allow panzer platoon G to replace platoon F on the line. In the north, HE fire from the 47mm guns of platoon H destroys the enemy mortar position while the MG34's of the PzGren company head south to firing positions and platoon D moves southeast to provide additional flanking fire.

A little over an hour into the battle, the leading five FT-17's are reduced to smoking wrecks by fire from platoon F. In the center, action heats up as platoons E and R engage enemy infantry at close range while 10.5cm fire from the division battery falls upon the advancing enemy infantry behind the first wave. In the north, long range MG fire along with cannon fire from platoon D takes the enemy in the north flank, inflicting casualties and allowing platoon Q to advance.

In anticipation of enemy artillery strikes on the center, the PzGren reserve platoon is committed and the PzGren Kp forms a skirmish line behind panzer platoon E as it falls back. Artillery strikes from sIG Ib's and the battalion 10.5cm battery fall on enemy positions in the center along with repeated airstrikes. Platoon D continues long range flanking fire on the enemy infantry while platoon F continues to annihilate the FT-17 company. The command element panzers move to support the right flank of the PzGren Kp and platoon G maneuvers to make a flanking attack from the south.

The anticipated enemy artillery finally falls on the center but has little effect. In the north, platoon D is forced out of its position by mortar fire however the MGs of the PzGren Kp have moved into position and picked up some of the slack on that flank. Platoon F continues its eastward sweep in the south, flushing out and destroying remnants of the FT-17 company. Platoon G launches its flanking attack in the south and platoon E maneuvers for a flanking attack in the north.

Artillery and airstrikes continue to pound enemy positions in the center and only a few units manage to come within range of the PzGren Kp. Two hours into the battle and the Yugoslav force is in dire straits. The remnants of an infantry battalion is stuck in a pocket that is growing ever smaller. To the west they are facing a PzGren Kp that has taken only light casualties, to the south two panzer platoons along with KG Krafft's command units are closing in, to the north two panzer platoons supported by long range fire from two MG34s and two SdKfz 10/4's are preventing escape while artillery and airstrikes continue to pound the trapped infantry.

Enemy artillery lands upon the PzGren Kp positions but it comes too late to save their trapped infantry battalion from annihilation as KG Krafft completes the encirclement. A half hour later, KG Krafft has seized control of all objectives and eliminated all known enemy units.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Onward to Greece!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading.

Game notes: For some reason the GE long campaign shows 3/41 as the start date for operations in the Balkans but the information I've been following gives 6 April 1941 as the beginning of Operation 25 (invasion of Yugoslavia). As for difficulty, I've upped the AI campaign purchase points to 125% and am afraid to go higher for fear of getting slaughtered the first time I draw a delay mission. Of course, historically the armored divisions in Operation 25 didn't have too rough of a time, at least at first. Hopefully things will get a bit more challenging as the division moves to Greece.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 19 April, 1941 - Operation 25

Situation: The 5th panzer division runs into the British rear guard as it emerges from the mountains near Lamia, Greece. The area is mountainous with a number of wooded areas and has two east-west roads running through it. The northern road is a main road, the southern is a secondary road. [Meeting engagement, visibility 18, length 37, scattered victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: KG Krafft, joined by a Kradschutzen Kp, is to clear the area for transit by the rest of the division. No supporting artillery is within range, however Luftwaffe is providing four Bf109E-7's for support.

Battle plan: The kradschutzen kp will lead, followed by panzer platoons E, F and G with G deployed in the center. The recon element, SdKfz 10/4 section, sIG 1b section, SdKfz 252 section, kradshutzen heavy weapons group, and kradshutzen command group will join the command group following platoon G. Platoons D, H, and the security element will form the reserve, trailing behind the command group. Force cohesion will be maintained at all times, and the path of least resistance will be followed.

Execution: British artillery makes its presence known early on, with two 25pdr batteries firing interdiction fire along the southern road. As kradschutzen platoon S advanced in the south, it spotted a British advance force of four CS9 armored cars and one A9 tank. Panzer platoon F detours southeast to meet the threat. Shortly thereafter, another force of armored cars and light tanks is spotted moving westward along the southern road.

Following the armored cars and light tanks on the southern road is a motorized infantry company supported by at least three Bren carriers and two Valentine II tanks. Two more A9 tanks are spotted trailing the southern armored car force. Platoon G maneuvers southwest of the central woods to be in position to engage armored cars as they advance along the road. Further south, platoon F maneuvers to engage the southernmost armored car force as it advances south of the southern hill. Platoon E maneuvers southeast from the northern hill attempting to use the valley to gain a flanking position on the enemy force moving on the road.

The southern armored car and A9 force is destroyed by platoon F. The southern kradshutzen platoon was overrun by Bren carriers and engaged by numerous infantry squads. Fortunately late arriving fire from a pair of 25pdr batteries knocked out two carriers and supressed nearby enemy infantry as well as the kradshutzen platoon.

The leading armored cars and light tanks along the southern road are knocked out by platoon G with some help from the command element. Platoons D and H are released from reserve and travel southeast to engage additional armored cars following on the road. The kradshutzen MG section is overrun by a light tank and one of the MG34s is destroyed.

An airstrike was called on a group of Valentine IIs in the south but was largely ineffective, one Bf109E-7 was damaged by Bofors AA-gun fire. Fire from the sIG Ib section falls upon rear elements of the force on the southern road destroying one truck and pinning some infantry down. Kradshutzen platoon Q is ordered south along the edge of the woods to support platoon R and platoon E continues advancing south with the lead tank discharging smoke to hide the following tanks.

In the far south, kradshutzen platoon S is successfully withdrawn with the aid of supporting fire from panzer platoons F and D. On the south road, three of four Valentine IIs are destroyed by a combination of indirect fire from the sIG Ib's and direct fire from platoons E, G, and H. One PzIIIe from platoon G was lost with all hands. Kradshutzen platoons Q and R, with supporting fire from the command panzers and platoon D, drove off most of the enemy infantry that hadn't been routed by sIG Ib fire.

At the one hour mark the only remaining threat posed by the British forces is a platoon of Valentine II tanks operating in the far south. A PzIIc from platoon D was immobilized during mopup operations on the south hill by a light mech squad, all other enemy forces on the hill have been destroyed. Ten minutes later, a small counter-attack force consisting of at least two A13Mk2 tanks and one truck with unknown contents is spotted in the center moving west. Platoons E and Q are dispatched to intercept. The KG's security element is released from reserves and deploys in the woods southwest of the southern hill. The remaining armor maneuvers to engage the southern Valentine II platoon and accompaning infantry.

One and a half hours into the battle, all four Valentine II's in the far south have been destroyed although one PzIIIe was lost in the effort. All infantry except for a few stragglers have been eliminated and three A13Mk2 tanks have been destroyed in the center. The only things standing between KG Krafft and complete victory are three or four Bofors 40mm AA-gun positions. It takes another hour for the kradshutzen kp to take the remaining objectives, destroying six 40mm AA-guns and a mortar squad in the process.

Decisive victory, KG Kraft. Onward to Thermopylae!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 25 April, 1941 - Operation 25

Reorganization: Panzers destroyed in last battle are replaced from division reserves and the JPz I's finally recieve sabot rounds.

Situation: The British abandoned Thermoplyae pass late last night and early this morning. KG Krafft is in pursuit and catches up to the reargaurd late in the afternoon. Area is hilly and mostly clear with a few large stands of woods. Two east-west roads pass through the area, a secondary road in the north and a main road in the south. A secondary road running northwest-southeast runs through the western portion of the area. The area is dominated by two large central hills, one north, and one south of the main road. Also of interest is a large stand of woods northwest of the northern hill through which the secondary road runs. [Meeting engagement, visibility 39, length 32, scattered victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: KG Krafft, with the assistance of a battalion recon detachment, will pursue and destroy all enemy units in the area. Luftwaffe assets are unavailable as they are being used to strike at retreating enemy columns further ahead, however one Storch observation plane is available. One 10.5cm battery from division is assigned for fire support.

Note: The battalion recon detachment is composed of 1x SdKfz222, 6x SdKfz221 in two groups, 4x SdKfz 231(8) in two groups, 2x Kraftrad platoons, and 2x SdKfz 251/2 GrWs. The SdKfz222 is the detachment command vehicle.

Battle Plan: The KG will assume a triangular formation, with platoon D in the lead, platoon E in the north, and platoon F in the south. Platoon H along with command elements will be in the center, platoon G along with the security element will be held in reserve. The recon detachment will be split into three groups, two groups of 221s, 231s, and a Kraftrad platoon and a command element consisting of the 222 and 251/2s. The recon detachment command element, along with all other KG assets, will trail the KG command element. One recon group will operate on the northern flank, the other on the southern. The kampfgruppe will operate as a whole, engaging the enemy in the area west of the central hills and avoid the northern woods. Klotzen, nicht Kleckern!

Execution: The battle begins with British interdiction fire, two batteries of 4.5in and one 25pdr along the main road, and one 25pdr battery on the diagonal road near platoon E's position. Aerial recon spots a motorized infantry company advancing along the north road, a combined force of motorized infantry and tanks advancing up the east slope of the northern central hill, and a force of mixed armored cars advancing in the far south. The northern recon group engages the motorized infantry on the north road with long range interdiction fire, a supporting fire mission is called in to the division battery. The southern recon group maneuvers to positions in and near a small group of houses along the diagonal road southeast of the southern road. Platoon G is ordered to maneuver into supporting positions for the southern recon group.

In the north the combination of long range fire from the A/C of the recon group and 10.5cm battery fire from division slows down and breaks up the motorized infantry company. In the center, the first three A9 tanks and two trucks are destroyed by combined fire from the KG. In the south, the 231s of the recon group account for three enemy armored cars, the 221s of the group withdraw to cover the main road as an infantry column is spotted advancing between the two hills, platoon G continues racing to the area in an attempt to arrive before enemy tanks, and the 251/2 GrW section maintains an overwatch of the village.

The enemy launches an all out artillery attack on the sIG Ib position, shells fall all around and the gun is knocked out on one sIG Ib. In the south, a PzIIIe of platoon G is destroyed by 2pdr fire, no crew survived. Platoon G and the southern 231(8)s destroy most of the remainder of the armor force in the south and withdraw along the road heading northwest. A few more tanks are destroyed in the center, one by a direct hit from the remaining operational sIG Ib. The SdKfz 251/2s fire upon the infantry advancing along the main road, bringing a halt to the advance.

A couple of Bren carriers are destroyed in the center but the situation changes for the worse as three Matilda IIs crest the hill. After heavily concentrated fire and judicious use of smoke, the lead Matilda II is isolated and a JPz I firing sabot from 200m destroys the behemoth. While the infantry advance along the main road has faltered, it is evident that British infantry has infiltrated the eastern portion of the wooded area northwest of the northern hill.

Just past the one hour mark, while concentrated enemy artillery fire lands on the former location of the command post, a second Matilda II is destroyed and a third is damaged. However a PzIIIe of platoon E sustains heavy damage in the engagement and is forced to withdraw. Platoon G becomes the new reserve, platoon E shifts north to assist the security element in sweeping the woods northwest of the northern hill and supporting artillery fire is called in from the 10.5cm battery. Platoon H holds position, while platoon D sweeps the area between the northern hill and the woods. Platoon F maneuvers to the north of the southern road to take the infantry advance on that road under fire. The remaining sIG Ib and the two SdKfz 251/2 GrWs will provide artillery support for that effort.

Platoon G is ordered south to support the southern recon group as it attempts to delay a surprisingly large infantry advance southwest of the southern hill. Platoon D is transferred to the reserve. At the two hour mark, all known enemy units are either destroyed or routed, it seems to be all over except for a cautious advance beyond the hills. A SdKfz251 (security element transport) was destroyed and the gun apc heavily damaged from artillery fire. In the end, the kraftrad squads, with various levels of support, managed to gain the objectives and destroy some rear area units.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Next stop, Afrika!

Game notes: this was harder than it appears from the above, there was so much British artillery that I used the sIG Ib's and SdKfz 251/2 GrWs in 'z' key fire mode and kept them on the move. Any unit left stationary for too long once spotted was liable to be pounded. With six turns to go, half the objectives were still wearing British flags, the kraftrad squads were the only units that could grab the objectives. Careful routing allowed most of them to reach their destinations although at least one squad was eliminated. Some supporting panzers during this phase were fired upon by Bofors 40mm AA-guns but as luck would have it, they escaped without serious damage.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading.

[Imp]

Must say I will be intrested to see how this progresses once you start bumping into some reasonable armour etc later on or assaulting once infantry have reasonable AT capability. Managed to keep casulties very light for such an armour based force keep it up.

[gila]

Better start training more grunts before the eastern front,
1 platoon of elite mech grenadiers and a MMG34,won't hold back the hordes.:)

[Brian61]

Better start training more grunts before the eastern front,
1 platoon of elite mech grenadiers and a MMG34,won't hold back the hordes.:)

I have no doubt you are correct :) My current plans are to buy infantry with support points each battle, perhaps trading in some repair points sometimes. To make this work I may have to buy a core battery of off-map artillery to free up more support points for infantry although I'm trying to delay that purchase as long as possible.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 23 May, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Reorganization: At the end of Operation 25, with the exception of KG Krafft, most of 5th Panzer division needed a full refit. KG Krafft had recieved the latest supplies and had repair priority due to its role in the final pursuit operations. At the same time, 10th Panzer regiment, which was to form the armored core of the 15th Panzer division, was critically short on equipment. Since 15th Panzer was being deployed to Afrika and KG Krafft was already near a port in Greece, KG Krafft was transferred lock, stock, and barrel to the 10th Panzer regiment/15th Panzer division and embarked for Libya. No rolling stock was replaced at this time except for destroyed units, although ammo loads were brought up to current standards.

Situation: no sooner had KG Krafft disembarked than Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel ordered the unit into action in the western desert. The area of battle is mostly flat hardpack with a few small hills in the center and some scattered grassy areas.

Orders: Search and destroy, possession of battlefield at the end of battle is highly desireable. An antitank group is attached to the kampfgruppe for the duration of the action, the group is comprised of a pair of towed 88mm FlaK36 guns, a platoon of towed 5cm PaK38 guns, and a security detail comprised of one kradschutzen platoon. One of the division's 10.5cm batteries is covering the area and will provide artillery support. [Meeting engagment, visibility 68, length 28, standard victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Battle plan: Sword and shield. The sword group will consist of platoons E, F, and G together with the command panzers. Platoon D and the security element will be held in reserve. All other units will form the shield group. The shield group will deploy in the northwest, platoon H will advance to behind the first hill, the 5cm PaK38 platoon will deploy in a covering position, and the 88mm FlaK36 and sIG Ib sections will deploy in position to cover the 5cm Pak38 platoon. The kradschutzen security detail will deploy in front of the 5cm PaK38s and the KG's recon element will deploy in front of the FlaK36. These deployments will allow smoke to be laid as necessary to cover movement of the guns as well as screen the guns from light infantry. The sword group will advance across a broad front in line until contact, the panzers of the sword group will engage armored cars, soft vehicles, and infantry as encountered but will retreat in the face of enemy armor in an attempt to draw them under the range of the shield group.

Execution: The battle begins in the center and south with British scout cars exploding under the guns of the KG's PzIIIe's. In the north, massed long range fire from a platoon of A13 Mk I's damage panzer E3, E3 pops smoke and platoon E makes a controlled withdrawal to the west. Minutes later, panzer G3 is lost with all hands under massed fire from a platoon of A10's in the south. Panzer E2 is lost with all hands as the A13 Mk I's advance in the north. A bit later, in the center, panzer F1 brews up but the crew escapes. It isn't all one sided though, twenty armored cars and five tanks have been lost by the British.

Long range sniping by JPz I's claim three victims as G platoon circles at high speed west and north to rejoin the main group. Platoon E, having retreated behind the 5cm PaK38's, turns south. Two enemy tanks fall to PaK38 fire as they chase platoon E. Platoon F, covered by smoke and burning wrecks, takes possession of the northern objective area. British artillery fire continues to fall but thus far has posed no great problem. Panzer F3 is immobilized by fire from an A10, return fire from platoon F destroys the attacking tank.

Just past the one hour mark, British infantry are advancing in the north and have moved into positions on the hill southeast of the northern objective area. Platoon F attacks before they have time to settle in and routs the first wave. Artillery is called in to slow down any reinforcements. The remaining enemy tanks are advancing northwest from the center, platoons E and G are forming up to attempt to draw them closer. Platoon H continues long range sniping, claiming two more A10s. One of the 88mm FlaK36 guns opens up knocking out an A10 at long range.

At the halfway point in the battle, having thinned out the enemy ranks, KG Krafft kicks off its counter-attack. Platoon D is released from the reserve to assist in driving off enemy infantry in the north. The 88mm FlaK36 guns are being relocated just in case they are required. Division artillery continues to fall east of the northern objective area.

Four more A10 tanks are knocked out over the next few minutes, three by JPz I fire, and one by PzIIIg fire. Platoon E, with the assistance of the command element, assaults the central objective, while the KG's security platoon with help from platoon G assaults the southern objective. Two hours in, the battle is over.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft, onward to Tobruk!

Game notes: the sword and shield, a real world war II german combined arms tactic, is a bit difficult to use against the AI, at least at this scale. The AT guns only accounted for a few kills, most enemy tanks were destroyed by JPz I fire.

Last turn attached, thanks for reading :)

[Imp]

Better start training more grunts before the eastern front,
1 platoon of elite mech grenadiers and a MMG34,won't hold back the hordes.:)

I have no doubt you are correct :) My current plans are to buy infantry with support points each battle, perhaps trading in some repair points sometimes. To make this work I may have to buy a core battery of off-map artillery to free up more support points for infantry although I'm trying to delay that purchase as long as possible.

What you can do if support points are short is buy the arty & or some infantry in the core then sell them every battle or 2 & repurchase effectivly for free. This way however they dont hang around long enough to gain experience so in effect you have increased your support pool.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 12 June 1941, Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: three tanks that were knocked out in the previous battle have been replaced with Pz IIIh panzers as new equipment trickles in.

Game Note: as the majority of Panzergrenadier units in this period were using truck transport and many times the trucks were left far enough back from the front that they weren't of tactical significance, I created three formations using MobHack: a PzGrZug (mot a), which is a PzGrenZug (mot) sans trucks; a PzGr sw Zug (a), which is a MG platoon with a PzGren Grp as 0 unit; and a PzGr Kp (mot a), which is a company led by a PzGren SMG Grp accompanied by a 5cm LeGrW 36 unit and having three PzGrZug (mot a) platoons and one PzGr sw Zug (a) platoon.

Situation: A British unit is trying to break out of Tobruk. Terrain is hilly, with two small patches of woods (one in the far west, another just north of center in the east). Two streams join together in the north about a quarter of a kilometer west of center running north east from there. One feeder runs from the southwest corner of the map, the other runs from the south a bit east of center. Two east-west roads are present, a main road in the north and a secondary road in the south. There are scattered small village areas along both roads. [Visibility 31, Length 39, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: KG Krafft is to assist a company of the 104th Panzergrenadier regiment in gaining control of the area and preventing British units from escaping. The panzergrenadier company is reinforced with a motorized 81mm mortar group drawn from its battalion and a Jagdpanzer group of SdKfz 10/5 PaK5 drawn from division. Luftwaffe support is limited to a Storch observation plane. Division is providing fire support from one 10.5cm battery.

Battle plan: The panzergrenadier company will advance in the north supported by platoon D and the SPAA section N. The remainder of the kampfgruppe will advance in the south, swinging north after crossing the central stream.

Execution: Five batteries of British 25pdrs open up with interdiction fire along the roads, while no casualties resulted, the interdiction fire in the south worsens an already precarious timing problem for KG Krafft. Bren carriers are spotted moving in the center at the edge of the woods and in the south along the road. Long range fire from the lead PzIII destroys one carrier and fire support is called for a strike a quarter kilometer east of the bridge.

A truckborne infantry platoon advances on the northern road and is taken under fire by platoon D. In the center, three Morris CS9 armored cars advance in support of three Bren carriers. On the southern road, Bren carriers and Boyes ATR teams are engaged by platoon F. At least two Morris CS9 armored cars are advancing in support of the southern forces. The PzGr Kp commander calls in 81mm mortar fire on the northern advance.

Supporting MG fire in the north allows platoon D to advance east of the bridge and the panzergrenadier company begins crossing the stream at various points. Two A13 MkI tanks are destroyed along the southern road by platoon G and platoon F eliminates additional ATR teams east of the bridge along with a pair of armored cars. At least a section of A9 tanks is observed moving west on the southern road just east of the hill.

The lead carrier of the central force is destroyed by a SdKfz 10/5 as it rounded the south of the northern hills. MG fire continues to halt enemy movement on the northern road as the panzergrenadier company continues to advance. Platoons E and F cross the southern bridge and the KG's security element deploys on the southern objective. Platoon H, preparing to cross the bridge, engage the leading Valentine II of a pair spotted moving west two kilometers northeast of the bridge but no damage is observed.

Half an hour into the battle, platoon D advances southeast and destroys one CS9 of a group of four, the others pop smoke. Another Bren carrier is destroyed by SdKfz 10/5 fire and the last carrier of that group is fired upon by SdKfz 10/4s but continues to advance. The panzergrenadier commander cancels the 81mm fire order as the enemy has retreated from the target area. The company continues to advance. In the south, platoons E and F advance north, platoon H crosses the bridge and turns northeast, the security platoon adjusts position to defend the objective area, and the remainder of the kampfgruppe prepares to cross the bridge.

The armored cars and carriers of the northern group are destroyed by a combination of fire from platoon D and the SdKfz 10/5 section. Enemy infantry in that area continue to retreat in the face of MG fire as the company advances. The southern situation continues to be critical, while some A9 and A13 Mk I tanks near or on the road were destroyed, return fire destroyed the KG XO's panzer and only Hptmann Rittenhaus himself survived. Platoons E and F advanced northward exchanging ineffective fire with the Valentine II platoon to the northeast and the lead tanks laid down a smoke screen to cover the advance of the JPz I's of platoon H. Obrstlt Krafft's tank and platoon G crossed the river but the bridgehead is still very small and vulnerable to artillery fire. The sIG Ib section engages the Valentine II in long range direct fire, scoring some hits but causing no observable damage. Artillery support from the 10.5cm battery continues to fall on the enemy east of the bridgehead.

Enemy artillery opens up, fortunately not on the bridgehead but on the support positions of the northern group. One SdKfz 10/4 FlaK is damaged and both MG squads of the heavy weapons platoon are routed. While the enemy artillery continues to pound the support positions in the north, an exchange of fire in the south results in the loss of two of F platoon's PzIIIe's, only one of the crews survived. Also lost in that exchange was a JPz I but not before it destroyed one of the Valentine IIs. Another Valentine II was destroyed by a PzIIIg but two more Valentine IIs have arrived on the scene.

The advance in the north continues with platoon D claiming the northern objective area and destroying an approaching truck. Division artillery continues firing east of the southern objectives in a desparate effort to interdict enemy reinforcements from overrunning the security platoon. Platoon E generates another smoke screen to assist the panzers in closing with the Valentine IIs and platoon G heads north to replace platoon F on the line.

Mortar fire rains down on the security platoon's position forcing the withdrawal of the halftracks, but a few hundred meters to the north, KG Krafft finally breaks through the enemy positions destroying three Valentine IIs in the process. Though no more panzers were lost, two more of platoon F's panzers were heavily damaged rendering platoon F combat inneffective.

An infantry counter-attack in the north is quickly thrown back and the SdKfz 10/5 section crosses the bridge and moves south along with the remaining SdKfz 10/4. Platoon G along with the remaining vehicles of platoon H and the command element shadow the two remaining Valentine IIs as they head towards the central objective area. Platoon E withdraws eastward under long range fire from a Bofors 40mm AA-gun, taking up covering positions for platoon F's retreat. Division artillery continues to fall on enemy positions southeast of the southern objective area but it seems the brunt of the attack there has passed. The sIG Ib section rendevous with the SdKfz 252LGM section for resupply.

The first hour of the battle passes with the destruction of another Valentine II which fell to the combined fire of platoon G. The final Valentine II is destroyed by a combination of direct fire from both the sIG Ib section and the SdKfz 10/5 Pak5 section. Not ten minutes pass though until multiple 25pdr batteries fire upon platoon D and the resupplying sIG Ib section. One panzer was disabled and a SdKfz 252 LGM suffered damage. Platoon G discovers an infantry platoon moving north from the central objective, evidently preparing for a counter-attack on the northern objective area. HE and MG fire from the panzers soon disabuse them of that notion. The security element mounts up and heads north with the intention to take the central objective area, much of which is too soft for safe panzer travel. Platoon E takes over gaurding the southern objective area.

The counter-attack force turns out to be company strength, not platoon strength, and upon discovering platoon G at their rear, promptly turn around and attack! To make matters worse, not only was one of platoon D's panzers disabled and the crew forced to abandon, but another has been so badly damaged that it must withdraw from the battle. On top of that, mortar fire catches the security element just after they started out from the southern objective and knocks the track off of one of the halftracks.

As the counter-attacking infantry is broken between the panzergrenadiers, platoon G, and 10.5cm artillery fire, the mobile portion of the security element arrives on the scene. However, at the same time, a second, armored, counter-attack is spotted consisting of three Valentine IIs moving west on the eastern slope of the central hill. Platoon G and the two remaining JPz Is of platoon H scramble to intercept the new threat.

Five 25pdr batteries fire upon the northern objective area, immobilizing one third of the panzergrenadier company. Fortunately this did not include the platoon covering the northern approach to the central objective area, nor did it affect the movement of the SdKfz 10/5 PaK5 section into overwatch position. The counterattacking infantry near the central objective area is thrown into disarray as shells arrive from the 10.5cm battery. The armor counterattack turns out to consist of five Valentine IIs which are maneuvering north around the east slope of the central hill. Another infantry counterattack is mounted against the southern objective area but is beaten back by massed fire from platoon E.

As 150mm shells from the sIG Ib section fall on the trailing Valentine IIs, the lead Valentine II is destroyed by a 5cm sabot round from panzer G3 with support from the SdKfz 10/5 PaK5 section. Sporadic mortar fire begins falling near all three objective areas as another Valentine II explodes after being hit by multiple rounds from 5cm guns. Artillery fire on the Valentines intensifies as the division battery and 81mm mortars join in. The blinded Valentines continue to advance but two hours into the battle they are stopped for good by combined fire from platoons G and H along with supporting SdKfz 10/5 Pak5 fire. The battle continued for another half hour with sporadic shelling and small infantry counterattacks that were quickly thrown back.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 2 July, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: Badly damaged or destroyed panzers are replaced with PzIIf or PzIIIh models as equipment continues to trickle in to the threatre.

Situation: Desert area on the southern flank, best described as broken terrain with many wadis, some of which are rough terrain and some of those are impassable. Between the wadis are flat areas of sandy desert, including soft areas which are traversable only at very slow speeds. A low rising plateau juts towards the center from the northeast. Luftwaffe aerial reconnaissance has spotted British units in the area.

Orders: Search and destroy, possession of the battlefield at the end of the battle is highly desireable. KG Krafft is joined in this operation by an antitank group composed of a motorized 88mm FlaK36 section, a motorized 5cm PaK38 group, and a kradschutzen platoon. The area of battle is beyond the range of division and corps artillery assets. Luftwaffe support is limited to one Storch observation plane and two Bf109F fighter-bombers.

Battle plan: Sword and shield, attempt to engage enemy in the central region of the area. Sword group is composed of KG command panzers and platoons E, F and G. Platoon D and the kampfgruppe security element will be held in reserve. The shield group is composed of all remaining units.

Execution: Aerial recon spots a platoon of Matilda IIs advancing in the north and a group of mixed tanks (A9 and A13 Mk I) accompanied by Bren carriers in the south. The southern group is flanked by Morris CS9 armored cars to the north. Half an hour after arrival in the area, KG Krafft opens fire with sIG Ib and 88mm FlaK36 sections from long range destroying one Bren carrier and one A13 Mk I tank of the southern group. An airstrike is ordered on the northern group. Minutes later two Hurricanes strafe KG Krafft but inflict no damage.

The battle rapidly degenerated from there. The combination of the terrain and the dual threat of aerial and artillery bombardment rendered high speed compact formation maneuvering impractical. The first hour of the battle was characterized by long range cannon fire at targets of opportunity as panzer platoons slowly wove their way through the diabolical terrain taking care to keep plenty of distance between adjacent vehicles. In this manner, the entire British southern force was picked apart, a surprising number of kills being made by sIG Ib direct fire. As the southern threat fell apart, the reserve was committed to take the southern objective area.

Panzer platoon G provided long range support on the southern flank and platoon E advanced on the central objective while platoons F and H maneuvered into overwatch positions for the northern objective area. The 5cm PaK38 platoon was also deployed into overwatch positions for that area and the 88mm FlaK36 section moved to another similar position awaiting the arrival of the lumbering Matilda IIs and Valentine IIIs. The kradschutzen platoon was ordered to join the advance on the central objective area.

Enemy infantry in at least company strength advanced upon the central objective but was greatly slowed by cannon fire. Airstrikes were repeatedly called in on the northern force, managing at best to cause a few riders to bail. The Hurricanes made a second pass, destroying one SdKfz 251/1, and were both shot down by a combination of halftrack and SPAA fire.

Shortly after the first hour mark, a Matilda II was destroyed by 88mm FlaK36 fire. About the same time, the southern portion of the central infantry assault ceased to exist as an effective force as the cumulative affects of long range cannon and machinegun fire took their toll. Just past the halfway point, things are not looking good. Although another Matilda II has been destroyed by 88mm FlaK36 fire, the southern objective area is still being contested, the central objective area is about to be overrun by infantry, and the northern objective area is dominated by heavy tanks.

In what can only be called a lucky shot, a Bf109F destroyed a Matilda II with a 20mm shell. Another Matilda II was destroyed by an 88mm gun but artillery has begun to fall on the northernmost 88mm position. At the southern objective area, the security element, with support from platoon D, is making headway, albiet slowly. The center is up for grabs, the smoke from an earlier British artillery mission has cleared, allowing panzers to fire upon the advancing infantry, but Valentine IIIs and Matilda IIs are approaching from the northeast. The panzers have to fall back towards the plateau edge to the north in order to avoid being taken in the flank by 2pdr fire.

Some good news, it appears that some of the earlier strafing runs managed to immobilize a couple of Matilda IIs on the northeast plateau, so they are not in position to threaten the center. A smoke screen is laid down north of the center objective area by the sIG Ib section and a PzIIIe, platoons E, F, G, and H maneuver so as to bring as many 5cm guns as possible to bear at short range to the anticipated passage route of the heavy tanks. The 5cm PaK38 guns are pushed by their crews into better firing positions and the stage is set for an ambush. The security element, with the assistance of platoon D, gain the southern objective area.

Two 25pdr batteries fire upon the edge of the area where the panzers are assembled, one JPz I is lost with all hands. The first Valentine III through the smoke screen is brewed up quickly by a PzIIIh. Two more Valentine IIIs are destroyed and 150mm shells begin to rain on the central objective area. As the two hour mark comes and goes, all heavy tanks near the central objective area have been destroyed by the combined fire of 5cm and 4.7cm guns. MG fire and 150mm HE have broken the back of the infantry in that area as well. One of the 88mm guns is destroyed by artillery fire.

Two hours and fifteen minutes into the battle, all objectives are under control of KG Krafft. All known enemy units are either in rout or immobilized. Artillery is being called on the immoblized tanks and the remaining 88mm gun is being towed into place for the kill. The remaining British forces surrender before the kills can be made.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 7 August, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit, resupply, and reorganization: Oberstlt Krafft's command tank is replaced by a PzKw IIIh and platoon D recieved a PzKw IIf as replacement for a worn out PzKw IIc. The destroyed JPz I and SdKfz 251/1 were replaced and all other vehicles repaired. KG Krafft has been reinforced with a panzergrenadier company and supporting elements for the duration of the campaign in theatre. These reinforcements consist of a PzGren Kp (mot) with a PzGrMG Zug (mot), a PaK Zug (mot) having three 5cm Pak 38's, a FlaK Grp (mot) having two 2cm Vierlings, and two Kraftradmelder sections.

Situation: Open desert area dominated by a central plateau. The eastern, northern, and western portions are dominated by numerous wadi, many are impassable to vehicles. Numerous sand dunes, some over half a kilometer in length, are found on and around the plateau. Radio intercepts indicate that a British armored column is operating in the area. [Meeting engagement, visibility 86, length 37, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: Destroy the armored column, possession of the battlefield at the end of the battle is highly desireable. Be advised that the British have achieved air superiority in the area at present. A recon group from division is operating in the area and will be attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the battle. This recon group consists of 1x SdKfz 222 (commander), 3x SdKfz 221, 2x SdKfz 231(8), a Kraftrad platoon, 1x SdKfz 223 (Fu), 2x SdKfz 251/2 GrW, and 2x SdKfz 10/4 FlaK. Artillery assets available consists of a 17cm K18 battery from korp, this battery will engage in counter battery fire missions only.

Battle plan: The panzergrenadier company will advance to the wadis northwest of the central plateau and deploy into a defensive position. The recon group, supported by panzer platoon F, will advance south of the central plateau and upon encountering the enemy, will maintain contact at extreme range and withdraw to the northwest. The panzer company will advance to the edge of the plateau slightly north of center and will engage all enemy units except heavy armor. Panzer platoon E, panzergrenadier platoon S and the panzer company's security element will be held in reserve.

Execution: The panzergrenadier company successfully deploys in the north, two A9 tanks are spotted moving towards their position. Panzer platoon G gains the central plateau with platoons D and H following. A British motorized column is advancing towards them and is taken under fire, destroying trucks and carriers as well as disrupting dismounting units. The recon group advanced in the south, taking the southern objective and the armored cars of the group move northwest onto the plateau firing at the motorized column from the flank. A section of Morris CS9 armored cars are attempting to intercept them but popped smoke under fire from the 231(8)s. Supporting panzer platoon F, near the southern objective area, fires upon scout cars, armored cars, and an A9 tank section which is advancing towards them. Local artillery fire from the sIG Ib and SdKfz 251/2 GrW sections is called upon the central enemy force.

Six 25pdr batteries fire upon positions behind the panzergrenadier company, endangering the withdrawing transports. Platoons D and G fire upon the central advance destroying a few more carriers and trucks as well as suppressing enemy troop movements. The 150mm and 81mm shells begin falling, catching at least two trucks and impeding reinforcements. The armored cars of the recon group continue to maneuver northwest, firing upon the flank of the central force. In the south, platoon F continues to destroy scout cars and armored cars as they advance. The kraftrad platoon withdraws west, taking cover in a wadi until needed.

One truck is destroyed by 25pdr fire and a pair of 3in mortars lay smoke in front of the northernmost platoon of the panzergrenadier company. An advancing Bren carrier is destroyed by PzIIc fire in the center and the adjusted barrage of 150mm and 81mm shells continues to disrupt the enemy force. A number of scout cars and armored cars along with one A13 Mk I tank are destroyed by panzer platoon F as they advance in the south.

The enemy force in the center is completely stopped, mostly destroyed. The enemy advance in the south intensifies as a platoon of Crusader I tanks and Mk VIc light tanks advance with infantry support. Numerous enemy tanks and armored cars are destroyed by panzer platoon F and the kraftrad platoon is called forward to assist in repulsing the infantry advance. The armored cars of the recon platoon take over panzer platoon G's responsibilities as it advances to assist platoon F. The light panzer platoon D together with KG Krafft's spaehtroop section advance on the central objective area with overwatching support from platoon H and the command vehicles. An infantry platoon is spotted advancing just north of the plateau and is engaged by long range machinegun fire from the panzergrenadier company. The 5cm PaK38 platoon continues to hold its fire as the pair of A9 tanks slowly advance.

As the first hour of battle draws to an end, 25pdr batteries begin firing on previously vacated positions on the plateau and upon platoon F's position in the south. Platoon F withdraws to the west as platoon G provides convering fire from the north. An airstrike by a pair of Hurricane fighter bombers destroys the SdKfz 251/2 GrW section in the southwest. In the north, the A9 tanks finally come within effective range and are both destroyed by 5cm PaK38 fire. The K18 battery knocks out one of the 25pdr batteries but shells continue to fall in the south.

Enemy armor in the south continues to take a beating caught between platoons F and G at short range. A section of Crusader I tanks is sighted advancing towards the plateau, platoon H is ordered into forward positions to support platoon D. The infantry advance in the north is brought to a halt by the panzergrenadier company and a fire mission is called in to the sIG Ib section to break up the attack. Oberstlt Krafft orders committment of the reserves, platoon E will move to reinforce the panzergrenadier company, the security element is ordered to support the armor in the south, and the panzergrenadier platoon is ordered to support the armor on the plateau.

The enemy counterattacked in the center with three Crusader I's along with infantry, the attack was repulsed and the tanks were destroyed by close range fire from platoon D. An hour and a half into the battle and all objectives are firmly under control by KG Krafft. At two hours into the battle, a pair of Hurricanes destroy one PzIIc, one of the attacking planes is damaged by AAA fire. Despite another battery being knocked out by counterbattery fire, an armored car is lost to artillery fire as the remaining 25pdr batteries continue to bombard various areas. The battle ends shortly thereafter as the British force has no hope of capturing any objective areas.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Game notes: this was a fun one, I added the infantry company to the core but will replace it when KG Krafft leaves the theatre. As it turned out, the panzergrenadiers weren't really needed in this battle. The southern armor advance by the AI was disasterous for it, especially once platoon G was able to attack the flank as it came off the plateau. Ranges in the center and south dropped so low that Pz IIc's were firing point blank at Crusader I's coming out of the smoke, at that range the 20mm was very effective. In the south, at least three late arriving Matilda IIs were given the same point blank treatment by Pz IIIg's and h's.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 8 August, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Situation: Open desert with extensive wadis, many impassable, and numerous dunes. A plateau juts down from the north just east of center. [Advance mission (special battle), visibility 51, length 35, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: The destruction of the British armor column in the last battle left their division command post only lightly defended. Eliminate the enemy forces and control all objective areas. Speed is of the essence so no refit or replacements are possible. The only artillery battery capable of covering the area is the same 17cm K18 battery that supported the previous battle and is only to be used in counterbattery fire. Luftwaffe has made four Bf110E-2's available for close support.

Battle plan: There are only two usable routes for vehicular traffic, along the far north, and just south of the plateau. Trucks are in short supply so infantry will ride panzers to the disembarkation points. The kampfgruppe will be divided into three columns: column A will consist of panzer platoons D, E, and H along with panzergrenadier platoon Q and the security element; column B will consist of panzer platoons F and G along with panzergrenadier platoons R and S; column C will consist of all remaining assets. Column A will use the northern route with the primary objective being the northern objective, column B will use the southern route with the primary objective being the central objective. Column C will follow column A at a one kilometer interval and provide support for both columns. After capturing the northern and central objectives, a fourth column will be formed taking the best half of each column A and B, its objective will be the southern objective.

Execution: An early airstrike on suspected enemy positions results in the destruction of a Matilda II, the immobilization of an A13 Mk I, and two Matilda IIs. The aircrews also spotted additional tanks and infantry east of those positions. A 2pdr AT-gun fired upon tanks of platoon G, heavily damaging one and forcing the others to pop smoke, disembark infantry, and withdraw.

Airstrikes are continuously called on enemy positions and the sIG Ib section bombards a clump of tanks as infantry leads the way. Infantry units destroy the AT-gun but more are suspected in the area. An airstrike destroys a Matilda II. One panzergrenadier squad is crippled by mortar fire and three trucks are destroyed, another damaged, by 25pdr battery fire. The enemy mortar is spotted and engaged by 81mm mortar and machinegun fire.

Forty minutes in and an airstrike destroys an A13 Mk II and immobilizes a Valentine II, one Bf110E-2 is shotdown by Bofors 40mm AA-gun fire. 150mm shells destroy another A13 Mk II and the only remaining tank in that group is routed and soon abandoned. In the south, infantry destroys a second 2pdr AT-gun and machinegun fire routs the 3in mortar. Armor advances along both routes as the sIG Ib section relocates.

At the one hour mark, the advance is back on in full swing. Both 81mm and 150mm shells rain on enemy tank positions and airstrikes continue. A PzIIf is lost to fire from a pair of 2pdr portees and a kraftradmelder is destroyed by a previously unspotted infantry squad. Two 25pdr batteries rain shells around the panzergrenadier heavy weapons sections. Both columns continue to advance, three more portees are destroyed and a number of infantry squads put to rout.

Halfway through the battle, KG Krafft is within reach of two objective areas but a full company of Matilda IIs plus a few Valentine IIs and an unknown number of infantry positions remain. An airstrike destroys another Matilda II but other Matilda IIs kill a PzIIIe. Column B infantry seizes control of the central objectives. A Matilda II near the center objective area is destroyed by close assault, a second one adjacent is also assaulted but survives although retreating.

Another PzIIIe is destroyed by long range Matilda II fire, however, the crew from the surving Matilda II from the close assault abandoned it and in a push on the north objectives, two Matilda IIs and an A13 MkII were destroyed by platoons E and H with assistance from column A's infantry. A PzIIf was destroyed by a Valentine II but fire from a nearby 5cm Pak38 killed the Valentine. With the northern objectives secured, KG Krafft prepares to defend against a counterattack from the south.

Past the two hour mark, a 25pdr barrage destroys the panzergrenadier company's machinegun squad, the K18 battery counters and knocks out the battery. The sIG Ib's and 81mm mortar squad, with some help from panzergrenadiers, lay a smoke screen south of the central objective area. All operational panzers with 5cm guns together with platoon H charge to positions just behind the smoke screen. As luck would have it, no sooner had the panzers charged than a 25pdr battery began firing on the new positions.

Close assault was the order of the day, three Matilda IIs were destroyed or had their crews bail out, two more fell to point blank 5cm fire after being softened up by close assaults. The remainder of the Matilda II company was destroyed by close range 5cm fire, though at some cost. Two PzIIIh's were badly damaged, and another PzIIIe was destroyed. Finally, on the last turn, the southern objective area was secured. British artillery kept firing up till the very end, destroying a truck on the last turn.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 15 September, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: all destroyed PzIIIe's replaced with PzIIIh's.

Situation: ANZAC forces are attempting to cutoff the 21st Panzer's lines of supply during a reconnaissance in force near Bir el Habata. Area is coastal plains, with a small number of scattered hillocks and a few grassy areas. [Delay mission, visibility 8, length 34, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: KG Krafft is the only unit able to reach the area in time to block the ANZAC attack. Prevent ANZAC forces from controlling the western portion of the area. The only available artillery with the range to cover the area are two Italian 149L40 batteries, an Italian artillery observer (motorized) will join KG Krafft shortly before the battle. [only the Italian observer will be used to call in fire missions for the two Italian batteries]

Battle plan: spoiling attack on a broad front with infantry in the center, panzer platoon D interspersed among the infantry, panzer platoon E on the north flank, and panzer platoon F on the south flank. Reserve consists of panzer platoon G and the KG's security element. Once contact is made, force will fall back, shifting as necessary to maintain cohesive force.

Execution: contact made across the front, infantry interspersed with armored cars of various types. Artillery called in on central infantry advances. The armored cars were quickly dealt with, but the infantry, seemingly a regiment's worth, just keeps coming. Attempting to execute a fighting withdrawal, KG Krafft's far flung elements slowly retreat towards the western center.

At the half hour point, with all units engaged, Oberstlt Krafft ordered the reserves to be brought forward, ready to commit at a moments notice. Not ten minutes later, a half dozen 2pdr portees came up through the ANZAC lines, destroying one panzer before they could be eliminated. Panzer platoon G was ordered into the gap between platoon Q and the ill treated S platoon, in a desperate attempt to save platoon S and the guns supporting it.

To the north, platoon R was withdrawn from the line and replaced by the security element. Panzer platoon D was ordered to regroup in the center, while panzer platoons E and F were ordered to regain contact with their neighboring infantry platoons as they were in danger of being cutoff. The only good news was the artillery duel, the two Italian batteries along with the KG's organic artillery did much to ease the pressure on the center. Elsewhere, three 25pdr batteries fired short and caught their own frontline troops.

One of the last two PzKw IIIe panzers was destroyed by a 2pdr round from a portee in the north. The elite crew is rescued by three BeiwagenKrads and carried to safety. At the two hour mark, a JPz I destroys a scout car that had snuck by in the north, the two remaining kraftradmelders are scouting the rear area for any more flankers. The center has become a salient and to avoid being cutoff, a withdrawal is ordered. Platoon D and the security element is being withdrawn to form a new reserve, and the sIG Ib section is being relocated and resupplied.

One and a half hours into the battle, just a bit past halfway, all PzIII's are running critically low on mg ammo. As soon as platoon D resupplies, panzers will be rotated out of each platoon to resupply. Although the panzergrenadiers have taken quite a beating, now that the artillery is arriving on target they should be able to hold during resupply.

Two 25pdr batteries fire on the northern flank throwing it into disarray, at the same time, scouting reports indicate an unknown number of infantry have outflanked the KG on the far north and far south. The situation calls for a change in resupply strategy, platoon E is pulled out of line (was on the north flank) and heads for resupply. Another barrage from 25pdrs and platoon G's central position is threatened, this forces a change of plan.

The decision is to have platoon G counterattack the flanking infantry to the south, this leaves platoon F and the command panzers to cover the slow withdrawal in the center. As soon as platoon D is resupplied, it will lead the counterattack against the flanking infantry to the north.

At the two hour point, ANZAC forces hold 2/3rds of the objectives, panzergrenadier platoon R has been decimated, and ammo shortages restrict available options. Both counterattacks are running into stiff opposition, the advances are slow at best. The center has deteriorated into an artillery duel, the only saving grace is that the 25pdr batteries are firing short half the time. Command panzers are forced to engage targets on the north flank to avoid collapse of the front.

The enemy northern and southern flanking forces turned out to be much larger than hoped for, together with eight 25pdr batteries pounding the ever shrinking pocket in the center, and the near total loss of the panzergrenadier company, at two and a half hours in, Oberstlt Krafft ordered all units to break contact and flee to the east.

Result: Draw, grrrr!

Last turn attached, thanks for reading :)

[Ts4EVER]

Delaying with a tank heavy force in these sight conditions against an infantry heavy opponent is bound to end in disaster.

[Roman]

[QUOTE=Brian61;748088]A small core, fictionalized historic long campaign covering the entire war from the viewpoint of a German Panzer company. The personnel of this company will see action in Poland, France, Balkans, North Africa, Eastern Front, and Western Front.(1)

The core force consists of a reinforced Panzer Kp(2) drawn from the 1939 German 4th army, under Guderian's XIX Motorized Army corp. Specifically the 1st company of II battalion, 5th panzer regiment, 3rd panzer division. In game, this is modeled as a heavily modified Panzer Kp (le) consisting of 2 PzIIIb/d, 1 PzIBef, 5 PzIIc, 10 PzIb, and 4 PzIVb tanks. Attached to this company are a Flak Sp Grp consisting of 2 SdKfz10/4s, an Infantry platoon (security element), 2 Spaehtroop sections (4 teams total), an 8cm GrW platoon, and a transport group of 3 Kfz70s. Additional organic transport is initially considered to be off-board and not present in the core.(3) This company, under Oberstlt Kraft, is being employed as a small 'fire brigade' within the XIX corp during the Sept 1939 offensive versus Poland.

Hello Brian. I'm a little late with this story. I'll be back at the beginning because I am interested in starting a long campaign with a force similar to yours.
It is admittedly difficult to achieve order of battle at the battalion and company.
What do you think of changing the panzer III by those of 38t and less Panzer IV.
As I write this I got an order of battle of the 3rd panzer division with the number of tanks per regiment. It is in Spanish.
http://www.panzertruppen.org/heer/panzer/3org.html
I had no panzer 38t.
Well. I'm still investigating

[Brian61]

Hello Brian. I'm a little late with this story. I'll be back at the beginning because I am interested in starting a long campaign with a force similar to yours.
It is admittedly difficult to achieve order of battle at the battalion and company.
What do you think of changing the panzer III by those of 38t and less Panzer IV.
As I write this I got an order of battle of the 3rd panzer division with the number of tanks per regiment. It is in Spanish.
http://www.panzertruppen.org/heer/panzer/3org.html
I had no panzer 38t.
Well. I'm still investigating

The only 38t's fielded in 1939 were with the 3rd Leichte Division and it had no PzI's, PzIII's or PzIV's. It did have one platoon of PzII's per company. If you wanted a bit more of a challenge perhaps try one of the light companies of the 1st Leichte Division or the 11th Panzer Regiment, both of which had PzII's and 35t's. I believe the 3rd Leichte became the 8th Panzer Division in 1940 and the 1st Leichte became the 6th Panzer Division at about the same time. I haven't done the research on the 11th Panzer Regiment, it probably was taken into one of the new 1940 panzer divisions. (just did a quick check, the 11th Panzer Regiment also became part of the 6th Panzer Division)

A good reference I've found for at least the early part of the war is http://niehorster.orbat.com/index.htm. Dr Niehorster keeps the site updated and slowly adds new data over the years. With Niehorster's data you have to do a bit of extrapolation and use it with other sources to get a tank platoon breakdown. One thing I find really nice about that site is the data on the other elements of a division, like how many and what size of artillery batteries were organic, the makeup of its recon forces, etc.

Hope this helps! Have fun and thanks for reading, hope to read of your experience :)

[Roman]

Ok Brian. Thank you. Inquire into that page.
I have some books of the second war and only talk about number of tanks in general. In the sites I found talking about number of tanks per division or regiment. So far it seems very wise choice as Guderian received the new tanks III and IV. Only I doubt the number of Panzer IV as I seemed to have heard that there was something like 6 per regiment.
Regards

[Brian61]

According to Dr. Niehorster's data, 3rd panzer division had 18 PzIV's on 1 September, 1939. It had 4 'heavy' tank companies, which gives either 4 each with a section reserved or 3 of the 'heavy' tank companies had 6 each and one had none. This was the common case for all the panzer divisions except for 1st panzer which had 56!!

PzIII's were in much shorter supply, 3rd division only had 6 of them, although I wonder if a few ended up categorized as Bef-Pz and used as command tanks. There were slightly fewer 38t's fielded than PzIII's, but almost as many 35t's as PzIV's. Of course, the numbers for all the heavier tank models combined is dwarfed by the numbers of PzI's and PzII's.

The thing about german TOE's in WWII, even early on, is that it is so varied as to defy any attempt to describe a 'common' formation. After about 1941 the data gets sketchy, much of what appeared on official documents was wishful thinking.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 29 September, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: the older vehicles were sent to maintenance for overhaul, this included the last of the PzIIc models, the antiquated PzIIIe-3.7cm tanks, and the JPz I's. All light tanks are now PzIIf models and the mediums are a mix of g and h models. The JPz I's were replaced by a trio of SdKfz 10/5 PaK 5 soft skin vehicles but with the L60 variant gun featuring much improved performance against the British heavy tanks. The recon element's motorcycles were replaced by a pair of newly arrived SdKfz 250/1 scout halftracks.

Situation: Luftwaffe airstrikes have destroyed a supply column before it could reach a British armored unit operating in the forward areas. That unit, lacking sufficient fuel to return to the allied lines, has dug in awaiting resupply. Area is largely flat and clear with numerous grassy strips and a few prominent hills in the southeast section. [Assault mission, visiblity 62, length 42, scattered victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: Destroy the British force before it can be resupplied and capture as much of its vehicles and equipment as possible. Although the area is beyond the range of friendly artillery, a division 10.5cm battery will accompany KG Krafft to the area to provide local fire support. Division is also providing a pioneer platoon and a pair of heavy mortars from the engineering battalion to support the attack. Luftwaffe support is available but limited to four Bf109 aircraft.

Battle plan: The recon units of KG Krafft, supported by the light panzer platoon, and accompanied by the battery's observer, will, with the aid of the Luftwaffe, determine the deployment of the enemy's forward edge of battle. The panzergrenadiers will lead the assault in the south, with the panzers providing close support. The kampfgruppe's heavy weapons will be brought forward under smoke and deployed into firing positions. The reserve will consist of one platoon of PzIIIs, the security element, and the pioneer platoon.

Execution: As KG Krafft arrives (deployment on western map edge), Luftwaffe pilots make their first pass. They report armor dug in east of the hills and AAA positions in the north. One Bf109 is damaged as it strafes an AAA position, another pilot reports blowing up a tank east of the hills. In the far north, another pilot spots a troop of Valentine III heavy tanks. KG Krafft's sIG Ib section quickly deploys and begins firing on suspected AAA positions in the northeast.

The advancing recon units stir up a cloud of dust, obscuring the infantry and armor advancing to their west. Another pass by the Luftwaffe results in the destruction of one AAA position but a Bf109 is shot down. British 25pdr batteries and 3in mortars attempt interdiction fire but KG Krafft's troop movements are hidden in a duststorm of false trails laid by recon vehicles and empty trucks. The local 10.5cm battery knocks out one of the British mortars and the sIG Ib section continues to pound the AAA positions.

One hour after the first Luftwaffe airstrikes, the advance in the south begins in earnest as a smokescreen is laid by artillery in front of suspected enemy positions. Smoke rounds are replaced by HE as artillery fire shifts to the east in advance of the infantry and tanks. Enemy artillery finally finds the spot and heavily damages the kampfgruppe's primary FO vehicle, the crew bails out and evacuates the area with the aid of a nearby scout vehicle.

The panzergrenadiers earn their money, taking out a FOO team and suppressing a 2pdr ATG as well as routing three British squads nearby. While maneuvering in an attempt to bring an infantry position under fire, a panzer is fired upon by a pillbox located a couple hundred meters east of the northern hill. This confirmed Oberstlt Krafft's suspicion that the British had not picked this spot entirely accidently, it looked to be the site of an old French fort.

The three pillboxes that the British had converted didn't hold up to heavy fire though and all three soon succumbed to a combination of mortar and direct 5cm fire. In a short but sharp exchange, a dugin A13 Mk I was destroyed by panzer fire and its partner forced to pop smoke, but then a hidden 2pdr ATG opened up and destroyed one of the attacking panzers. Still, the panzergrenadiers with support from panzers and artillery press on and the British positions in the south are overcome one by one. One panzer loses a track to a mine, and the reserves are called forward on the southern flank with the pioneer platoon being committed to mine clearance duties there.

Evidently the British commander had the last of the unit's fuel supplies transferred to the Valentine IIIs in the north as about two hours into the battle, they began to move west towards the feint attack of empty trucks. The trucks withdraw south, careful to stay out of range, hoping to draw the heavy tanks within effective range of three SdKfz 10/5 PaK 5's who await in ambush.

From east of the southern hills, the British mount an infantry counterattack. Unfortunately the artillery batteries are in the process of relocating and resupply. Still, the counterattack amounts to little as it runs straight into the teeth of the awaiting panzers. In the north, a motorcycle scout nearly runs into a ditch as he amazedly watches a troop of Valentine IIIs run full speed into their own minefield. British 25pdr batteries continue to bombard phantom targets admidst the dust trails in the western areas.

Oberstlt Krafft recieves a radio message from korps HQ, a British relief column has been spotted moving to rescue the trapped armored column, ETA 1 hour. If the operation has not been concluded by then, KG Krafft will need to withdraw from the area. Unfortunately Oberstlt Krafft finds the breakthrough elements delayed by minefields in the south and frontline panzergrenadier units are running low on ammo.

Finally the pioneers breach the minefield in a gap between two hills and the breakthrough groups rush for the gap. Artillery comes back online at about the same time and begins bombarding enemy positions east of the hills. British 25pdr batteries opened up on the positions of a panzer platoon that was providing covering fire for the breakthrough force but it was too late.

As lead elements of KG Krafft pour through the gap British forces are thrown into disarray and many units are in full rout. One Valentine III made an effort to turn south and intercept the breakthrough forces but was immobilized by flanking fire from the SdKfz 10/5 PaK 5 platoon. Still, enough British forces remained in the north, including a pair of 2pdr ATGs, that complete destruction of British forces in the area proved impossible before it was time for KG Krafft to withdraw.

Result: Marginal Victory

Game Notes: I spent too much time on recon early, and didn't commit my pioneers soon enough. In the end this meant running out of time a few victory hexes shy of a decisive victory.

Last turn attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 23 October, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Refit and resupply: KG Krafft is brought back up to full strength but no major changes to equipment are made. Oberstlt Krafft expresses concerns that the h model panzers lack smoke dischargers but to no avail.

Situation: British armor is advancing against Italian positions near Bardia. The Italian forces are in the midst of redeployment, the infantry defending the area have been largely withdrawn and only advance recon elements of the Ariete Armoured Division have arrived to replace them. KG Krafft is ordered into the breech to hold the positions until relieved by the main body of the Ariete division. The area is largely flat and open hardpack with a few grassy strips and scattered minor hills and rocky outcroppings. [Delay mission, visibility 37, length 46, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: Hold this vital position until relieved. Italian infantry has been largely withdrawn but one MG company remains along with a pair of improvised ATGs of dubious quality. Advance elements of Ariete division are limited to a section of motorcyclists, a section of armored cars and a section of self propelled AAA. The only artillery support available is a 75mm battery from the infantry division that was fortunately late in redeploying. No Luftwaffe assets are available.

Battle Plan: The Italians had already been deployed when KG Krafft arrived, although they chose the most favorable terrain, the positions were rather obvious ones. After consideration, and in view of the language problems, Oberstlt Krafft decided to leave them as they were and deployed his panzergrenadier company into a wide gap between two hills which at least offered some favorable terrain for its heavy weapons. Platoons D and H, together with the kampfgruppe's recon element will operate in the north presumbably in support of the Italian MG positions there but using the hills as cover to await ambush opportunities against heavy tanks. Platoon G and the KG's security element will be held in reserve while Platoons E and F, together with the motorcycle scouts of the panzergrenadier company, will perform a reconnaisence in strength from their central positions.

Execution: British artillery began the day with a massive barrage from 32 25-pounder guns, which, amazingly enough, had no affect on anyone except for the supply sergeant who began to drool, evidently thinking of all that ammo. What followed though, was no laughing matter, Obrgfrtr Schumacher in the E3 panzer spotted over 100 vehicles in the first wave of the British advance, fully half of which were cruiser tanks. Following standard operating procedure, the panzers opened fire with HE targeting soft vehicles in the column, over a dozen were destroyed or rendered inoperable. In return, Obrltnt Reichmann's panzer took multiple hits from 2pdr ATGs which knocked out the BMG and killed the gunner. Fortunately his panzer is an f model and was able to pop smoke.

When reports of a possible flanking force to the far south come in, Oberstlt Krafft orders the reserve panzer platoon to follow him and the panzer company commander as they head south to cover any possible breakthrough on the panzergrenadier company's south flank. In the center, the smoking ruins of British vehicles lay seemingly everywhere but they keep coming and the panzers keep falling back.

The advance continues, cruiser tanks, armored cars, and carriers explode by the dozens, machinegun fire rakes across the field and trucks burn. Still the British keep coming, finally in range of the ATGs which take their toll, the reserve panzers sweep in to the south and add to the carnage. Even when the light panzers knife into the north flank with 20mm autocannon fire, they keep coming.

An artillery regiment unleashes a rain of 25 pound shells, Hurricanes and Tomahawks strafe and drop bombs, Fldwbl Christmann and crew is forced to abandon their panzer and an Italian infantry squad runs for cover but KG Krafft does not break. The British advance slows to a trickle and then seems to stop, even reverse. A lone Valentine III blunders out of the smoke and wreckage only to be sent running by dozens of 5cm rounds bouncing off its thick hide.

Airstrikes badly damage another panzer but at a high cost with FlaK Vierling fire shooting down one of the planes and badly damaging another. A blinded Valentine III is destroyed by panzergrenadiers as they search through the smoking wreckage for hidden dangers. Small infantry forays by the British are repulsed with heavy losses. Airstrikes continued, claiming one scout vehicle at the cost of another plane shot down. Heavy artillery bombardment forced abandonment of two ATGs, fortunately there is little current need for them.

For the next hour, panzergrenadiers lead panzers through the smoke and wreckage routing out any latecomers and taking possession of numerous abandoned vehicles. British artillery continued ineffectively pounding away but the day was lost to them. At the two and a half hour point, the remaining British forces withdrew.

Decisive Victory, KG Krafft!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 23 November, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Reorganization: Another motorized panzergrenadier company has rotated in, replacing the previous one. This one has self-propelled AAA and mortars but only has 37mm ATGs and one kraftradmelder section.

Situation: Sandy desert region near Sidi Rezegh dominated by a low central plateau. Numerous sand dunes and some rocky outcroppings are present. The flank of the British armored thrust in Operation Crusader is exposed. [Advance mission, visibility 17, length 39, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: In conjunction with elements of the Ariete Division (Tank company plus Bersaglieri company), attack the exposed flank of the British armor force and destroy or capture all enemy units in the area. Possession of the battlefield at the end of three hours is preferable. Oberstlt Krafft will have overall command of the joint force. Support will be provided by an Italian artillery regiment, no Luftwaffe assets are available.

Battle Plan: The Italian force will sieze the northcentral plateau, KG Krafft will swing south around the southern tip of the plateau and drive northward taking the eastern plateau as well as the enemy rear areas.

Execution: The battle began with a brief artillery exchange which seemed mostly ineffective, four British 25pdr troops and four Italian 100/105 batteries opened up on suspected enemy positions. The Axis forces advanced quickly at first, but it wasn't long until the scout element of KG Krafft made contact with a British infantry platoon in the far south. The scout halftracks, security element halftracks, and the light panzer platoon took the positions under fire as a platoon of panzergrenadiers dismounted from their trucks and began advancing on the position.

In the north, the Italians were a bit too aggressive with their armored trucks and lost one to a 2pdr ATG, the 2pdr was quickly dispatched by the pair of Fiat 6.5mm machineguns the truck had been carrying. The advancing panzergrenadiers in the south spotted a pair of A9 tanks and the 5cm guns of panzer platoon G were employed to eliminate the threat without incident. The British attempted to shell the advancing panzergrenadiers but the bombardment fell long, unfortunately destroying a SdKfz 10/4 that was trailing the advance. Another A9 opened fire at long range and missed, the return fire from panzer platoon F didn't.

Artillery fire preceded the Italian advance and helped in suppressing an infantry platoon to their southeast. Another armored truck was lost, this time due to soft sand and an impatient driver. The Italian advance is held up though by a pair of A9 tanks and a hidden flanking 2pdr ATG. A regimental fire mission is called in on the tanks and infantry maneuvers to find and destroy the ATG.

The end of the first hour of battle was punctuated by a sharp exchange of artillery fire in the north. While British 25pdr shells fell amongst the Italian ATG positions, the Italian heavy artillery destroyed an A9 tank and a 2pdr ATG as well as suppressing two other tanks and a 40mm AA-gun position. In the south, KG Krafft has penetrated the British lines and is poised at the start of its breakthrough phase of operations.

The next half hour finds the Italian force running into stiffening opposition, losing one M-13/40 tank to 40mm AAA fire and another is heavily damaged by 2pdr ATG fire. The Italian force is also encountering infantry in platoon strength to the east and company strength to the southeast. The advance continues but slows. In the south, KG Krafft finds the terrain to be more of an impediment than the enemy although an additional half dozen A13 Mk I tanks are discovered to the east. While maneuvering to find firing positions, the force becomes bunched up and two 25pdr troops land shells in the rear of the traffic jam. One sIG Ib has its gun knocked askew and a track is blown off an ammo schlepper. One squad of the infantry reserve is also caught in that bombardment and suffers heavy casualties.

Scouts report at least one A9 tank on the plateau between the German and Italian forces, Oberstlt Krafft decides to deploy a panzergrenadier platoon and the 3.7cm ATG platoon onto the edge of the plateau to counter this threat. The bombardment in the south increases in intensity as additional troops join in and losses begin to mount. A halftrack and infantry squad of the kampfgruppe's security element vanishes in a hail of shells, the remaining operational sIG Ib loses a track, another SdKfz 10/4 takes a shell to the engine, a panzer from platoon E loses a track, and the entire reserve infantry platoon is pinned down along with the panzergrenadier company's machineguns.

The situation in the north isn't quite so bad although another M-13/40 is damaged by fire from a hidden 2pdr gun. Recon reports at least three A9 tanks on the plateau southeast of the Italian force and north of KG Krafft and the detachment from Ariete is still engaging infantry in company strength north of the reported enemy tank positions. As the situation develops, a second hidden 2pdr gun opens fire and forces the western M-13/40 platoon to withdraw north. Unfortunately one M-13/40 of that platoon was destroyed by ATG fire before it could escape.

Despite the setbacks, KG Krafft completes the initial breakthrough maneuver destroying two more A13 Mk I tanks that had managed to survive due to cover. The 3.7cm ATGs and SdKfz 10/5 PaK5s make short work of the three A9s on the southern portion of the central plateau as they move into positions on the rim with support from a panzergrenadier platoon.

While KG Krafft overcomes adversity in the south, the detachment from Ariete succumbs to it in the north losing one M-13/40 to 40mm AAA fire and another in the same platoon from a rifle grenade. The bersaglieri platoon they were supporting becomes pinned down by a well hidden marksman and supporting recon patrol. Italian artillery begins to even the score though as it catches the British infantry company out in the open.

As KG Krafft's attention turned north, the leading panzers bounced a trio of Honey tanks and quickly turned them into scrap metal. The 3.7cm PaK 35/36s on the plateau rim were pressed into service as infantry guns in support of the panzergrenadier advance against a platoon of British infantry. Evacuation of wounded and crews from disabled vehicles continued apace hoping to complete the rescues before more incoming arrived.

Just as the Italian situation began to look brighter with their artillery wreaking havoc among the British infantry company, another British infantry force launched a counter-attack from the east. This left them no reasonable choice but to engage the exposed ATG position with direct fire from M-13/40's. The only good luck the Italians were having was that the tanks managed to suppress the ATG while only one tank was rendered inoperable due to weapons damage.

The two hour mark comes and goes finding the Italians holding against the British counterattack and breaking even, if not winning, in the artillery duel. KG Krafft's advance through the enemy rear area comes under fire from numerous 40mm AA-gun positions and a panzer model h of F platoon is riddled with AP rounds, none of the crew survive. Fortunately the remainder of the platoon and other followup units were spared when two panzer model g's in lead positions came under fire and popped their smoke dischargers.

The three AA-guns did not survive long, a half dozen panzer h's emerged from the smoke and repaid them in lead and high explosives. Other units from KG Krafft fired upon the rear of the southern British infantry positions, relieving the pressure on the panzergrenadiers holding the south rim of the plateau. The combination of artillery and direct fire from the surviving M-13/40s broke the British in the center and their counterattacking forces to the east. Barring any unforeseen difficulties, another half hour should see the end of the battle.

Indeed half an hour it was, and despite an extra 2pdr ATG and an unspotted patrol or two, the last half hour was unsurprising as the remaining British forces, already mauled, were crushed between the German and Italian forces. Italian artillery even managed a successful counterbattery fire on a 25pdr troop in the closing minutes.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Operation Crusader is brought to an unsuccessful end as the Ariete Division and 15th Panzer Division pour through the hole made by KG Krafft and destroy the remaining British armor.

Game notes: a bit of twisted history here, but was quite fun. The Italian forces performed better than expected, especially the M-13/40 tank which fared well for the most part in this battle. It was also a very different experience to have more artillery than the British for once!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 24 November, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Resupply: Only ammo and fuel stocks provided, no replacements.

Situation: Sandy desert region near Sidi Rezegh with a large central plateau and three smaller plateaus to the northwest, east, and south respectively. The area has many sand dunes and rocky outcroppings as well as numerous hardpack 'paths'. The rearguard of the remnants of British forces surviving Operation Crusader is gaurding the eastern portion of the area. [Advance special mission, visibility 62, length 41, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100].

Orders: Rommel, wanting to exploit the halt of Crusader, orders a counterattack into the British rear areas with the intention of exploiting the disorganisation and confusion in the enemy's bases and cutting their supply lines. KG Krafft is to breakthrough the British reargaurd in this area and drive onward to Egypt. Twelve of the panzergrenadier company's trucks are required to haul additional fuel and ammo for the exploitation maneuver, the troops will have to ride atop the panzers. Support is adhoc and extremely limited, the only artillery support available is a captured 25pdr battery and Luftwaffe is only able to provide a single observation plane.

Battle Plan: Basically a carbon copy of the Italian detachment's battle plan from the previous battle; KG Krafft will take possession of the northern half of the central plateau and will then drive south eliminating opposition and securing the area.

Execution: In the first half hour, KG Krafft advanced under cover of smoke from the captured 25pdr battery and the two 81mm SPMs. Scouts spotted two ATR teams just past the rim of the plateau which were quickly eliminated. The first panzers to gain the plateau were fired upon by a pair of 2pdr ATGs at long range from the south. The panzers returned fire with 5cm HE rounds, destroying both ATGs. Aerial recon spotted a Crusader tank hull down on the southeast slope of the central plateau and was fired upon by an Valentine III but could not get a fix on its position.

British artillery, a 25pdr troop and a 3in mortar, fell near the rear of the advancing column knocking the track off one of the 81mm SPMs but otherwise inflicted no damage. The lead panzer III came under long range fire from another 2pdr ATG and a Crusader but suffered no damage. Return fire from the panzers suppressed the ATG but did not destroy it. Scouts spotted another tank, an A9, directly east of KG Krafft's 'bridgehead'.

The next pass of the Storch overhead spotted the Valentine III south of the plateau and a Honey tank just off the plateau southwest of the Crusaders, also another ATG was spotted near the three others. Scouts spotted two more A9's east of KG Krafft's position, an SdKfz 10/5 was able to get a long range firing position on one and destroyed it. The panzers destroyed one Crusader and another ATG, leaving one ATG suppressed. Infantry engaged a British infantry squad and a FOO team just southeast of the panzers, routing the FOO team and suppressing the infantry squad.

The 2pdr ATG crew recovered enough to fire upon and destroy a Pz II but did not survive long as 5cm HE shells finally struck home. Enemy infantry in platoon strength was spotted and engaged southeast of KG Krafft's position while a 3.7cm PaK and SdKfz 10/5 tag teamed an A9 tank until the smoke poured out. At this point, roughly 45 minutes into the battle, KG Krafft is attempting to expand its foothold on the plateau before enemy artillery becomes a factor.

A previously unspotted 2pdr ATG opened up at long range and when the Storch circled the area in an attempt to find it, AAMG fire from a Honey tank shot down the Storch. The smoke finally clears enough that a 3.7cm PaK is able to fire upon and destroy the last A9 in the northern troop. A 2pdr ATG and nearby 40mm AAA position brought temporary panic to panzer platoon F on the northern flank of KG Krafft but 3.7cm PaKs and SdKfz 10/5's used their HE ammo to suppress the ATG and destroy the AAA. On the south flank, panzers and panzergrenadiers combined fire to rout the enemy infantry and make a rapid advance. The relaxing of the foothold position came just in time as the first 25pdr shells began falling on an area that minutes ago was packed with troops and equipment.

Despite another hidden pair of ATGs and four Vickers HMGs, the end of the first hour of battle finds KG Krafft in good position, well on its way to securing the northern portion of the central plateau. In the north another 40mm AAA is spotted after it opens fire on a Pz II, and while one ATG in the south is spotted and destroyed, another remains unspotted. While the 3in mortar is knocked out by direct fire, the British 25pdr troop continues to blindly bombard what was earlier the center of KG Krafft's plateau foothold. It is evident that without scouts and FOO the battery doesn't know where the soft vehicles went to ground.

The hunt continues for the hidden ATG in the south, while an unspotted Crusader in the southeast fires upon and damages a panzer of platoon F, forcing it to retire to a safer position. An advancing panzergrenadier squad comes under heavy fire from a previously hidden British platoon on the eastern portion of the central plateau. The panzers of platoon G, firing in support of the panzergrenadiers, quickly routs the enemy infantry with some assistance from the panzergrenadier company's MG34s.

Indirect fire from the captured 25pdr troop and the panzergrenadier company's SPMs continue to fire upon possible enemy positions in the path of KG Krafft's advance although no immediate affect is observed. The hidden ATG and Crusader are both spotted as they catch a panzer of platoon G in a crossfire that stops just short of being deadly. Still the targeted panzer is badly damaged and rendered combat ineffective.

Long range MG fire from platoon E destroys the ATG and together with platoon G, catch the Crusader in their own crossfire, quickly dispatching it. Additional previously unspotted enemy infantry squads open fire in the south and southeast, revising estimates upwards to company strength for the southeast force. Although advance panzergrenadier units suffer some casualties, supporting fire from the panzers soon rout the enemy units.

One and a half hours into the battle finds KG Krafft in effective control of the central plateau with the last serious obstacle in the far north, an ATG, destroyed almost as soon as it opened fire on a light panzer of platoon D. Attention now turns to the two undisturbed tank troops in the south, a troop of Valentine IIIs to the southwest and a troop of Honey's to the southeast. At least one Crusader remains just off the edge of the plateau to the northeast of the Honey troop.

Before KG Krafft could launch its attack in the south, the British launched a full scale counterattack including two troops of previously unspotted cruiser tanks along with infantry that evidently been stationed just off the southern rim of the plateau. The first tanks to reach the plateau recieved harsh treatment from the awaiting panzers, three Honey tanks and a Crusader went up in smoke within minutes of cresting the rim.

The first troop of cruiser tanks, A9's, never made it off the southern plateau as long range 5cm fire from the panzers penetrated their thin armor even at that distance. The second group, A13 Mk IIs, approached using the valley between the southern and southeastern plateaus but still lost one tank to long range panzer fire. The infantry counterattack was repulsed across the rim, suffering heavy casualties from awaiting panzergrenadiers. Artillery compounded the problem for the infantry counterattack as it fell upon their approach routes.

A creshendo of 5cm shells turned the first Valentine III to crest the rim into a blazing wreck in short order. The second Valentine took a full volley from all the panzers of platoon E but finally it also brewed up. The remaining to A13 Mk IIs were destroyed by panzer fire from platoon G before they could complete their crossing of the valley. A third Valentine III survived a full volley from platoon E but had a track shot off. SdKfz 10/5 PaK5's maneuvered into positions for long range flanking shots on a fourth Valentine III but no effect was observed from their opening shots.

An ill-timed barrage of 25pdr shells fell around the 3.7cm ATG positions just as their transport arrived to move them. Fortunately the trucks were undamaged and even the gun that took a direct hit was able to be moved out of the danger zone. The immobilized Valentine III survived multiple hits athough it did take some additional damage. An adjoining Valentine III exploded when a lucky shot from Obrltnt Reichmann's Pz IIIg penetrated the turret and set off the ammo.

To the east, the security platoon and recon halftracks arrived in time to assist the panzergrenadiers there in repulsing a weak but still dangerous infantry attack. The MG34's of the panzergrenadier company's heavy weapons section continued to seriously impede any progress for the infantry accompanying the Valentine IIIs. Between artillery fire and continuous hits by 5cm guns, the crew of the immobilized Valentine III decided they had enough for one day and abandoned the vehicle.

Panzer platoon G, while skirting the edge of the plateau just over the rim, came under fire from one or more hidden ATGs. The trailing panzer of platoon G began to retreat onto the plateau when the ATG fired again and this time the lead panzer spotted it. Platoon G opened up with machinegun fire and suppressed the ATG negating the need for a withdrawal. Elsewhere on the plateau, a lone ATR team destroys a damaged SdKfz 10/5 from extreme range before being eliminated.

Two and a half hours after the start of the battle KG Krafft is poised to take the final southern objectives and British forces have been largely eliminated, what few remain are in rout and fleeing the area. Less than twenty minutes later, the area is declared secure.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Onward to Egypt!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 5 December, 1941 - Afrika Korps

Reorganization, repair, and resupply: Rommel's cupboard was bare, indeed some said he had overextended his resources. KG Krafft shared in the shortages despite being an elite unit. There were no available panzers available to replace losses. While damaged vehicles were repaired for the most part, replacements were sometimes not of the same type, instead of receiving a replacement SdKfz 251/1, an armoured truck was substituted. The panzergrenadier company that had been accompanying KG Krafft was reassigned to prepare defenses near Gazala.

Situation: While the British had seemed to withdraw at first after the failure of Crusader and Rommel's initial counterattack, for some reason they reversed and not only made a stand but in some cases seemed to be mounting a renewed offensive. Radio intercepts place a British armor unit advancing towards Gazala. The area is generally clear, flat, and open terrain with numerous, sometimes impassably rocky, depressions. [Meeting engagement, visibility 47, length 47, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: Intercept and destroy the British force before they reach Gazala. Support consists of an adhoc company with a kraftrad commander, a 4.7cm PaK 36(t) platoon, a MG34 MMG section, a transport platoon of four captured bren carriers, a kradshutzen platoon, a 7.5cm leIG 18 section towed by schlepper UEs, a towed 2cm FlaK 30 section, a Kuebelwagen VB, and an (off-board) 8.76cm battery (captured 25pdr).

Battle Plan: Platoon F and the security element (platoons I and O) will be held in reserve. The support company will advance in the center together with platoons D, H, K, and the command vehicles. This group will deploy into the central and adjacent depressions. Platoons E and G will advance ahead on the flanks, engage the lead enemy units, and then fall back until under cover of the support group.

Execution: Four British 25pdr troops welcome KG Krafft to the area, some shells falling uncomfortably close to the deployment areas. KG Krafft races ahead, trying to gain as much ground as possible so the heavy weapons can be deployed far enough forward to be effective. At the fifteen minute mark, contact is made. A troop of cruiser tanks is spotted in the far north, another troop preceded by one or more scout cars in the center, and at least two troops in the south. The heavy weapons are moved as close as possible to firing positions and unloaded.

Interdiction fire missions are called in to the 8.76cm battery and the sIG Ib's along the likely route of the central advance. As the picture clarifies, the central advance turns out to be two columns, the northern one having a troop each of armored cars and scout cars as well as two troops of cruiser tanks, the southern one consisting of two troops of cruiser tanks. The far northern movement seems to consist only of one troop of cruisers while the far southern has at least two troops of cruisers. Orders go out to the flank groups to reduce speed to one half and prepare to fire.

About twenty minutes into the battle, KG Krafft draws first blood, knocking out one Crusader tank and one Marrming/Harrington armored car while suffering no damage. In the north, platoon E unloads on the cruiser troop to the far north destroying all three tanks and then begins maneuvering to support the center. In the south, platoon G knocks out the remaining two tanks in the lead troop of the southcentral column and the lead tank of the far southern column. In the center, platoon D destroys one armored car and damages another, the two tanks of platoon D that were deployed north of center race south to join in the fight against the remaining armored cars. Another armored car is destroyed by Oberstlt Krafft's tank taking extreme range potshots against protocol.

Two more armored cars and four more tanks are destroyed as the British continue to advance. Trucks and carriers are spotted in the north and south of center. More armored cars and cruiser tanks fall to the guns of the panzers but British 25pdr troops strike the ATG positions before they even have a chance to fire. Fortunately the ATGs survived largely intact as did the nearby MG34s. Platoons D and G engaged and destroyed so many targets that main gun ammo became a factor, forcing early commitment of platoon F, a total withdraw of platoon D, and a gradual withdraw of platoon G. Platoon E, having traveled down from its northern position at full speed, arrived in the vicinity just as platoon D withdrew.

Artillery, infantry guns, FlaK guns, and machinegun fire as well as HE rounds from panzers destroyed nearly every truck in the British follow-on force, throwing the infantry into dissarray. As the first hour of battle drew to a close, the landscape was littered with dozens of destroyed British vehicles, less than a half dozen British tanks remained operational and a similar number of trucks and carriers. To this point, KG Krafft had suffered no significant damage to any of its vehicles.

The ATG positions took quite a pounding from British 25pdr troops but the shelling slowed some as counterbattery fire knocked out, at least temporarily, one of the troops. Less than an hour after the first shots were exchanged, the last known British armored vehicle, a Crusader tank, was destroyed by the only undamaged ATG. All known infantry units, except for one, were in retreat or rout status. Oberstlt Krafft ordered the commitment of the security element and ordered the kradshutzen platoon to begin preparing to move. The infantry would lead the advance in the final phase of the operation.

Two hours after entering the site of battle, KG Krafft found itself well into the final stage of securing the area. The British HQ had been found and destroyed, along with an FOO team, marksmen, ATR teams, patrols, and scattered infantry squads in various forms of despair and sometimes panic. Still the going was slow, not only because of the terrain but as the forward sweep elements entered the British rear areas they had to be on the lookout for ATG and AAA positions. British artillery continued to periodically bombard the ATG positions, long past the time when they had any influence on the battle. Unfortunately, the bombardment never ceased long enough for the ATGs to be recrewed and towed out of the area.

British reinforcements, a troop of Crusaders carrying an infantry platoon, arrived on the battlefield. If there was ever a quintessential example of 'too little too late' this was it. While the reinforcements weren't much of a factor, the 40mm Bofors AA-guns were. Two panzers from platoon E were so badly damaged they had to withdraw from the field. Oberstlt Krafft was heard to remark, "These British fight harder after their commanders are gone!"

In the north, a Bofors AA-gun was subjected to direct fire from a sIG Ib, three shots and the gun, the crew, and much of the surrounding terrain, vanished. Elsewhere, the last of the reinforcements, a Crusader tank, drove out of a gully into the gunsights of three awaiting panzers. Finally three hours after the first shots rang out, the guns fell silent and the battlefield was declared secure.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 23 January, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair and resupply: New tanks arrived and the supply pipeline was restored, at least for now. KG Krafft receives a replacement PzKw IIf and one of the first 5cm long gun panzers to reach Afrika, a PzKw IIIj/1. The armoured truck is replaced by a SdKfz 251/1 and all other units are repaired and brought back up to full strength.

Situation: On the third day of Rommel's counterattack, kampfgruppe Krafft encounters British forces roughly halfway between El Agheila and Benghazi. The area is rolling desert with numerous sand dunes and rocky outcroppings, some windswept areas of packed dirt provide routes through the dunes. [Meeting engagement, visibility 18, length 34, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: Engage and destroy the enemy, possession of the battlefield at the end of the engagement is preferable. A company of motorized panzergrenadiers is attached for this operation. Division artillery is able to provide one 10.5cm battery for fire support and Luftwaffe is providing a Storch observation plane.

Battle plan: Panzer platoons E, F, and G will advance in line towards the center as permitted by terrain followed by the panzergrenadiers. Platoons D, H, I, and O will form the reserve. Upon encountering the enemy, the panzergrenadiers will dismount and advance to lead positions.

Execution: The panzers were no sooner in motion than it was found necessary to deviate from the plan, panzer platoon G and its following infantry had to swing a few hundred meters further to the south than envisoned due to a large sand dune. Similarly, a few minutes later, platoon E found it needed to deviate to the north where a narrowing of a sand dune might permit passage. To compensate, Oberstleutnant Krafft ordered a reduction in average speed to one half. This would not only allow the units to keep more closely to the desired formation but would increase accuracy of fire when the enemy is encountered.

As platoon E maneuvered slowly through the sand dunes, a pair of scout cars were spotted and brought under fire, both cars popped smoke. At near the same time, aerial recon spots a troop of cruiser tanks northeast of center. Given the proximity of the scout cars, the panzergrenadier platoon following platoon E disembark early and the trucks head for cover. Oberstlt Krafft orders the remainder of the force to shift northward to linkup with platoon E.

Aerial recon spots an armoured car troop to the far north, platoon D is released from the reserve and ordered to intercept. Two carriers and two tank are destroyed by platoon E as they advance into view. Recon reports another troop of cruiser tanks just to the south of the wrecks. Oberstlt Krafft orders the panzergrenadiers to disembark and send the trucks to cover.

The armoured car column to the north turns out to be much larger than originally thought and a troop of cruiser tanks is following behind. Platoon H is released from reserve and ordered to support platoon D. In the center, a Crusader II is destroyed as it tops the crest of a small rise a few hundred meters ahead of platoon F.

An airstrike by two Hurricanes destroys three trucks but the second Hurricane is shot down. Four 25pdr howitzers bombard a phantom target, recon spots the smoke from the batteries and a counterbattery mission is ordered to both the sIG Ib's and the 10.5cm battery. Still expecting the enemy main force to appear in the east, Oberstlt Krafft orders the advance to continue.

One PzKw IIf is lost to 2pdr fire from an armored car as the northern enemy force turns south. That southern move however exposes them to fire from platoons D, E, F, and H. Twisted wreckage of armored cars and at least one tank soon make targeting difficult as the British force is shredded by the combined fire. A scout car is spotted to the far south, further recon in that area is ordered but no units are dispatched as yet. The panzers are ordered to halt while the panzergrenadiers continue to advance eastward except for platoon Q which is ordered north.

As the situation develops, the security element is released from the reserve and ordered to support platoon H. Panzergrenadier platoons Q and R are ordered to halt and engage any enemy infantry units approaching from the north. While panzergrenadier platoon S continues its central advance, it together with panzer platoon G form a tenative reserve force pending further developments.

Another airstrike by a single Hurricane results in damage to a truck but the Hurricane leaves trailing smoke after being hit by a few rounds from an SdKfz 10/4 FlaK. Two of the enemy howitzers are still firing so the order is given for the counterbattery mission to continue. Aerial recon still fails to turn up the anticipated enemy main force. At this point all of the vehicles in the northern enemy force seem to have been rendered combat ineffective, the decision comes down to wait another few minutes before sending platoon Q into the smoke.

The decision to wait turned out to be fortuitous as another half dozen cruiser tanks appeared from the north and east. The cruisers are quickly dispatched and platoon Q is ordered to advance north. A disturbing report is recieved from platoon S, they have sighted a new type of allied tank approaching from the east, its profile is reminscent of a French Char 1B terr. Acting on a hunch, Oberstlt Krafft orders platoons D, H, and the security element to disengage and maneuver to a supporting position for panzer platoon G.

Aerial recon finally uncovers the enemy disposition. Masked by the northern force was an approach of at least two troops of cruiser tanks, a troop of Valentine IIIs, and infantry in company strength. From the east, at the same time, a troop of the new Grant I tanks was approaching. Initial reports from platoon G is that the armor of the new tanks was comparable to that of the Valentine IIIs, at least from the forward aspect. Disturbingly, the speed of the new tanks seemed to approach that of our panzer model IIIh.

Cheers went up in a violation of radio discipline as Obrgfrtr Kauffmann's panzer destroyed the lead Grant tank. Oberstlt Krafft was pleased and overlooked the breech of discipline as he ordered the panzergrenadiers accompanying platoon G to pop smoke, allowing the engagement range to shorten in the panzer's favor. He then ordered the sIG Ib's to cancel their current mission and join the command elements in readiness to engage infantry in direct fire. He also passed down the order to his VB, Hptmann Tellner, ordering the battery from division to engage the approaching enemy infantry.

Using the smoke screen as cover, panzer platoon G singled out and attacked another Grant tank. This time, though the enemy behemoth was destroyed, one of the panzers recieved moderate damage. The smoke cleared as the last of the Grants approached giving the veteran gunners of platoon G a clear view as they picked it apart with machinelike precision.

The British infantry was brought to a halt by a combination of machinegun, 5cm, 10.5cm, and 15cm direct and indirect fire. KG Krafft's recon element found the southern objective area empty and devoid of any threat so promptly took possession and declared that area secured. An hour and a half into the battle, the only piece missing for victory to be assured is the trio of Valentine IIIs.

The Valentines promptly made their appearance, one was immobilized almost immediately, another was greated by a barrage of fire, including direct fire from the sIG Ib's, at which point the crew decided to find a more cautious approach. Within minutes the two mobile Valentine IIIs were destroyed though not before getting some revenge on one of the sIG Ib's, leaving it heavily damaged. An unexpected fourth Valentine III appeared but was quickly dispatched by the PzKfw IIIj/1 which had also landed the killing shot on one of the earlier Valentines. The L60 gun proved itself a welcome improvement to the panzer III in the opinion of KG Krafft's personnel.

Less than two hours into the battle found KG Krafft in possession of all the important areas of the battlefield, all known British vehicles rendered combat inoperative, and the British infantry turned into a disorganized mob.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 3 February, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair, resupply, and reorganization: Each panzer platoon now has one PzKw IIIj/1. All previous attachments (except for PzBefWg VB) have been stripped from the core. A new ad-hoc support company has been attached, it consists of a motorized PzGren SMG Grp (command), a kradschutzen platoon, a towed ATG platoon with three 4.7cm PaK 36(t) guns, and an AAA section of two SdKfz 10/4 FlaK units.

Situation: the counterattack continues and Timimi is the target. Expect a mix of static and mobile British units in the area. The terrain is rolling desert with numerous sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and windswept areas of packed earth. A dirt road runs east/west near the northern edge of the area and there is an intersecting north/south dirt road about three quarters of a kilometer west of center. There are a few buildings, mostly scattered along the east/west road, but there is one group of four buildings in the east, just north of center. [Advance mission, visibility 44, length 33, scattered victory hexes, map size 80x100]

Orders: Breakthrough the enemy lines, destroy as many enemy units as possible and sieze control of the area. Time is of the essence here as follow on forces will assault defenses at Timimi itself. One company of motorized panzergrenadiers will be attached for this operation along with two troops of armored cars from division recon. Division artillery will provide support from one 10.5cm battery and Luftwaffe has promised support from four Bf109E-7's.

Battle plan: The map and time allowed present a difficult problem, there exists a diagonal strip of unbroken sand dunes running nw to se from the intersection to the south edge of the map. While tracked vehicles can obtain passage at various narrow spots, albiet at slow speeds, it poses a practically impassable barrier to wheeled vehicles. Roughly 500 pts worth of victory hexes lay on the west side of the line, the remainder all lay to the east. The obvious path is the east/west road, then turning south off the road using the packed earth areas and other gaps in sand dunes to reach the southern objectives. That, however, is precisely the problem, it is very obvious.

Oberstlt Krafft orders a slight reorganization on the fly, assigning two of platoon D's PzKw IIfs to act as escorts for the command group (reassigned hq to platoon B). The kradschutzen platoon is also split up, though not as a reassignment. The leg infantry squads of the platoon will ride with the ATGs while their transport will act as second echelon scouts for the three major attack groups.

The three major attack groups are comprised of one scout vehicle element (SdKfz 222's for attack groups 1 and 2, the shortened platoon D for attack group 3), one motorcycle scout squad drawn from the kradschutzen platoon, one platoon of PzKw IIIs, and one platoon of motorized panzergrenadiers. The command group will consist of platoon/section A, B, C, and N. Any elements not mentioned previously are assigned to the support group. Attack group 3 will be held in reserve.

KG Krafft will approach initially from the south. Upon reaching the north/south road, the groups will procede north to the intersection at best possible speed and then turn east, penetrating the British lines and finally turning south. Attack group 1 will lead and once penetration is achieved, will become the eastern column of the southern attack. The support group has a special mission, it will not procede north on the road, instead it will slowly maneuver eastward in the south obtaining a position to be within striking distance of the southeastern objectives once the major attack groups have reached a covering position.

Game Notes: This is far more complex than the simple plans I normally prefer, but given the map and time limits, I can't see any way around using the road without seriously fragmenting the force. Hopefully the AI will be decieved by the initial deployments in the south and neglect to heavily defend the road approach.

Execution: The blind fire mission for the 10.5cm battery was lucky enough to fall upon at least part of the northern AAA battery, allowing the first pass of the Luftwaffe attack planes to procede without much interference. The reports from the pilots weren't very encouraging however. A troop of Grant tanks sits on the road just over one and a half kilometers east of the intersection. One pilot thought he spotted a group of ATGs east of the tanks but couldn't be certain. Also spotted was an infantry squad south of the road about one kilometer from the intersection and three Bishop SPAs just south of the road near the eastern edge of the battle area. Another troop of Grant tanks was spotted a few hundred meters south of the small village just north of center in the eastern half of the area. Finally one 40mm Bofors of the AAA battery was spotted a few hundred meters southeast of the Grants on the road.

A call goes in to division artillery to shift fire onto the spotted AAA position and fire for effect. Another airstrike request on positions along the road is called in to the Luftwaffe pilots. Confidence in the battle plan takes another blow as a 40mm Bofors AA-gun located only a kilometer east of the north/south road fires on the armored cars of Attack Group 1. The armored cars return fire, suppressing the AAA position but a stray puff of smoke blocks vision and they are unable to finish the job. Fortunately the following panzers are able to land a few shots on the position as are the armored cars of Attack Group 2.

The safety of the north/south road was further called into question when it was noted that at least one of the Grant tanks south of the village could fire on certain portions of the road. Steering clear of those areas, the attack groups continued northward. Further bombardment and airstrikes claimed another AA-gun of the northern battery along with damaging a Grant tank on the road and strafing infantry south of the road.
More fire missions along the same lines were immediately issued.

British bombardment of the road caught the trailing panzer of the reserve and caused minor damage, meanwhile another round of airstrikes destroyed two Grant tanks. Heroic measures by armored cars of attack group 1 distract the Grants on the road long enough for the platoon leader's panzer to advance and pop smoke. Nearby infantry posed another problem, some casualties occurred during dismount of AG1's panzergrenadiers. One of the armored cars became stuck in soft sand during evasive maneuvers. It looks like AG3 will have to replace AG1 once this first set of obstacles is dealt with. One armored car is caught in the sights of a Grant tank and destroyed, another takes direct fire from a 3in mortar but a nearby panzer destroys the mortar. Another set of airstrikes strafe the Grants on the road but cause no observable damage.

Platoon E dispatches the remaining two Grants on the road in a lethal game of cat and mouse. The Luftwaffe strikes again, dispatching the last Grant tank of the center troop and damaging an AA-gun southwest of there. A brave trio of motorcyclists verify that the Luftwaffe pilot's suspicions were correct, there are ATGs northeast of the road just past the wreckage of the Grants. Attack Group 2 heads south as AG1 continues east. AG3 advances eastward, preparing to take AG1's place in the southerly advance. Phase one of the battle plan is nearly complete, and two thirds of the time allowed remain.

AG1's infantry takes out the only ATG left by the artillery, AG1 and AG2 panzers destroy three of four Bishops, the fourth was last seen heading east at a high rate of speed. AG3 assisted by the command group and portions of AG2 continue the drive south, reaching the small village by the halfway point. An armored car is lost to an ATG hidden in the depression south of the village and advancing infantry takes light casualties from a Vickers HMG near the southcentral AAA positions. Nearly half of the objectives east of the diagonal line of sand dunes have been secured and the support group is in position to secure the ones west of the dunes.

AG1 resumes its role in heading up the eastward route south. AG2's tanks relieve AG3's at the village and AG3 goes back to reserve status. The command group supports AG2 on the westward route south. The Luftwaffe bids KG Krafft good luck and heads back to base as they are out of ammo. AG1 has a panzer severely damaged by ATG fire from a previously unspotted position in the south. The ATG is in turn destroyed by a panzer from platoon F while in route to the reserve area, with assistance from the panzer company commander, Major Rittenhaus.

The motorcyclists attached to AG1 practically run over the British HQ, losing one motorcycle in the process. As AG1 attacks the British HQ, another ATG makes its presence known but fortunately does no damage to its target. Platoon E panzers return fire and destroy the ATG and AG1 resumes its southward drive. The British attempt a counterattack southwest of the village, but without the threat of flanking fire from ATGs, the panzers of AG2 advance to the rim of the depression and inflict heavy casualties on the infantry advancing in the open.

Two-thirds of the alloted time has passed. AG1 has rounded the corner and is heading for the southeastern objectives, the support group's infantry is within a few meters of the southwestern objectives, and AG2 is poised to take the few remaining south central objectives once the British counterattack is mopped up. AG3 is being held in reserve in a depression northeast of the central village ready to support either AG1 or AG2 as necessary. The command group is actively engaged in supporting AG2 in its defense of the village against the counterattack.

The British counterattack had drawn away the defenders from AG1's objectives and with forty minutes left to spare, AG1 finds itself two kilometers east of where it started, although it had traveled six kilometers or more to get there. All objectives are secured and Oberstlt Krafft radios in the 'area secure' message.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 15 March, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair and resupply: The growing numbers of Grant tanks in the enemy force called for a change in equipment and tactics for the 'fire brigade' of the 15th Panzer Division. The support company has been strengthened with the addition of a section of 8.8cm FlaK 36's and SdKfz 7 transports.

Situation: The British have invested Gazala and Afrika Korps has halted at Timimi, both sides conduct reconnaisence operations in the no man's land between. One such recon operation from 15th Panzer Division runs into more than it can handle, a British armored unit conducting counter-recon operations. The terrain is rolling desert with many sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and windswept strips of packed earth. A dirt road runs east/west near the northern edge of the battle area. It is intersected about 2 kilometers from the eastern edge of the area by a road running nw/se. About a kilometer southwest of the intersection is a group of three buildings on a small plateau area just east of one of the objective areas. [Meeting engagement, visibility 41, length 31, standard victory hexes, map size 80x100]

Orders: A division recon detachment is in need of assistance, KG Krafft is the closest unit available. The recon detachment consists of a SdKfz 222 (commander), one section of two SdKfz 231(8) heavy armored cars, two groups of three SdKfz 222 armored cars, a platoon of kradschutzen, a pair of SdKfz 250/7 GrWs, a section of SdKfz 10/4 FlaK vehicles and a section of JPz I's. KG Krafft will procede to the area with all possible haste and eliminate the opposing British armored force. Posession of the battlefield at the end of the engagement is highly desireable so that vehicles can be recovered and supplies captured. Luftwaffe support is limited to a pair of Bf 109F's. The battlefield is beyond the range of any friendly artillery units.

Battle Plan: KG Krafft will obtain and maintain control of the east/west road and the intersection. To this end, the panzer company will deploy in the north with platoon D north of the road, platoon E astride the road, platoon F south of the road, and platoon G held in reserve. The 8.8cm FlaK 36 guns will provide cover for the armor to advance. The 4.7cm PaK 36(t)'s will accompany platoon F and, supported by the support company's kradschutzen platoon, will attempt to deploy in the depression west of the group of three buildings.

The recon detachment will operate in the south, making contact with the enemy but remaining at extreme range. The SPMs, SPATGs, and kradschutzen platon of the recon detachment will be held in reserve in hopes of setting up an ambush situation for any enemy flanking maneuvers.

Execution: Shortly after arrival, fifteen enemy armored cars are spotted moving west on the road, platoon D maneuvers to intercept as platoons E and F move into supporting positions. In the far south, a pair of scout cars is observed moving west. A pair of bren carriers and a Lee tank are spotted far to the south east. Platoon D engages the lead armored cars in the north but they pop smoke. In the south, as the heavy armored cars move to engage the lead scout vehicles, they spot a followon force of armored cars and a troop of Grant tanks. The northern group of 222's spots an additional bren carrier in the south central group.

Platoon D is practically run over by the British armored cars and is forced to withdraw a bit to get clear of the smoke and wreckage. One PzKw IIf is forced to withdraw after suffering turret damage from ATR hits from an armored car but six of the enemy vehicles are destroyed. In the south the recon detachment knocks out three of four scout cars and a bren carrier. More British light armor vehicles are destroyed both by platoon D's panzers and the armored cars of the recon detachment, however a company of Grant tanks is spotted moving west in the center and the recon detachment is forced to begin withdrawal.

As a precautionary measure, Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon G to move south and prepare to support platoon F should it become necessary. Hptmann Tellner radios in an airstrike on the enemy armor concentration. In the north and south the enemy light armor units are eliminated but the german light units are forced to withdraw as the British Grant tanks approach. The JPz Is of the recon detachment prepare an ambush for the Grant troop in the far south.

Oberstlt Krafft has some harsh words for the Luftwaffe as they strafe a Grant tank in the middle of the enemy column but fly away without releasing their bombs. Platoon F, in what amounts to a reverse slope position, destroys two of the Grant tanks but are in serious need of backup. While platoon E maneuvers onto the plateau to the north and platoon G heads east at top speed, the 88's are not in position to offer support and the 4.7cm PaK 36(t)'s are not in a good position either.

British 5.5in guns and at two troops of 25pdrs shell the former positions of the recon detachment's armored cars as the SPMs of the recon detachment are requested to be ready to drop smoke in front of platoon F's position. Three more Grants explode as they come face to face with the panzers of platoon F at less than 200 meter range. In the north platoon D engages enemy infantry at long range. At least a platoon of infantry was moving west along the road trailing the armored cars.

Eight Grant tanks lay smoking wrecks in front of platoon F, although a few are still approaching their position, the majority of the remainder seem to have turned southwest. In the far south, the JPz I's of the recon detachment lay in wait hoping for flanking shots on the southernmost troop of Grant tanks. The Luftwaffe makes another pass, this time the second plane actually drops bombs but no damage is observed. Two more Grants are immobilized as they try to outflank platoon F to the south, one of those is destroyed by followup fire.

Platoons E and G together with the 4.7cm ATGs engage the leading Grants and Lees with a fusillade of long range fire, which while doing little, if any, real damage, distracted most of them while the panzers of platoon F closed using smoke and wreckage for cover, Two more Grant tanks were destroyed by platoon F with only one panzer suffering minor damage. The panzer f/1 of company E scored two long range kills, one Lee and one Grant. Another Grant was destroyed by platoon F as it carefully worked its way through the smoke.

The JPz I's in the south sprung their trap with a bit of long range fire from platoon E, destroying one Grant tank and damaging another. Platoon F wreaked havoc with enemy infantry that had been riding the Grants along with destroying a Valentine III and a Lee tank. Platoon G continued to lay down covering fire as it advanced.

The JPz I's found themselves on their own though when an enemy infantry company was spotted moving towards the northern objective area from the east. Platoons D and E, together with the command group, devoted their full efforts to repelling that attack. With a bit of spotting help from the recon detachment's kradschutzen platoon, the JPz I's managed to take out the trailing Grant tank of the southern troop. The northern one continued north only to come face to face with platoon G as it was moving up to reinforce platoon F. In the resulting exchange of fire, the Grant took damage and the lead panzer of platoon G popped smoke preventing the Grant from returning accurate fire.

Another Valentine III was destroyed from behind by a pair of panzers of platoon F as it tried to maneuver into position to fire upon platoon E. Enemy artillery became a bit of a problem as 5.5in guns fired near the SPM's firing positions and a mix of 5.5in and 25pdr shells began landing around platoon E's position as well as near the ATGs deployed to their west.

The last Grant of the southern troop was destroyed by a well placed shot from behind as the JPz Is caught up to it. This allowed platoon G to move to relieve platoon F, which in turn moved north to support platoon E, allowing platoon E to move east out of the beaten zone of the incoming artillery. At this point in the battle, it looked as if the British had been soundly thumped.

Indeed they were, an hour and a half into the battle, the remaining British left the battlefield.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Game notes: I never seem to be able to get ATGs where I really need them, especially the 88's! This time was no exception, only the reverse slope position of platoon F allowed a win.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 25 March, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair and resupply: damaged vehicles are repaired and the PzKw IIf destroyed by 2pdr ATG fire near the end of the previous engagement is replaced. Korps issues an advisory that supplies are running low and replacements for losses may not be available over the short term.

Situation: Operating in the no mans land between Gazala and Timimi, KG Krafft is to conduct counter recon operations. Radio intercepts indicate an enemy reconnaisence in force is underway in the area. The terrain is rolling desert with large depressions and quite a few plateaus, the area contains numerous sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and stretches of packed dirt. A road runs east/west through the southern portion of the map about one kilometer north of the southern edge. There is a small cluster of three buildings about one kilometer north of the road near the center of the area. Intel estimates the enemy force to be reinforced battalion strength composed of at least a company each of armored cars, tanks (presumably including Grant/Lee models), and infantry. The enemy is expected to be well supported by artillery and possibly some aircraft. [Meeting engagement, visiblity 76, length 35, scattered victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: KG Krafft, accompanied by a short panzergrenadier company (down one infantry platoon but has two MG34s, two tubes of 8cm mortars, a platoon of 3.7cm ATGs, a section of motorized 2cm FlaK, a section of infantry AAMG, and two kraftradmelder sections attached), will intercept and destroy the British recon force operating in the area. Be advised that no artillery or Luftwaffe support is available and enemy air activity is probable. While possession of the battlefield at the end of the engagement is preferable, it is a higher priority to avoid any unnecessary losses of men and material.

Battle Plan: The ATGs of KG Krafft and the attached panzergrenadier company will be deployed reverse slope in the center backed by the 8.8cm heavy ATGs with overwatching MGs and mortars. Panzergrenadiers will deploy in supporting positions of the forward ATGs. Platoon E will operate to the north of the ATGs, platoon G to the south, with support from platoon D further south along the road. Platoon F and the kradschutzen platoon will be held in reserve. The armor will attempt to engage the enemy and draw them into ATG range. One kraftradmelder section will accompany each flanking panzer platoon and scout ahead. (Sword and shield with tanks flanking ATGs)

Execution: The units being deployed forward moved slowly so as to avoid kicking up dust trails. The enemy wasn't being quite so cautious, numerous dust trails were spotted indicating one column moving south of the road, and a second (at least) moving west about a kilometer north of the road. A short time later, a kraftradmelder unit in the south had direct visual on the southernmost portion of the central group spotting a troop of Honey tanks leading a troop of Grant tanks.

This forced Oberstlt Krafft to order early deployment of the ATGs and platoon G in the south took up reverse slope positions near the road in the south to avoid being skylined by the approaching Grants. Further observation spotted a second troop of Honey tanks north of the first. The trucks transporting the lead elements were ordered to withdraw after disembarking their passengers. Though several ATGs had los to the Honey tanks, they held their fire because the range was too long for effective fire. Platoon D in the south and E in the north continued their slow advance.

The Honey tanks continued their advance, a third troop was spotted even further to the north. In the south, platoon D engages the lead armored cars. The lead Morris CS9s pop smoke and platoon D moves closer for more effective engagement. The 4.7cm ATGs open fire on the lead Honey tank at 700 meters range but although some damage is inflicted, fail to destroy it. The effectiveness increases dramatically as the range closes and soon, with some assistance from platoons E and G, the burning wrecks of five Honey tanks are scattered in front of the 4.7cm ATG platoon.

In the far south, five Morris CS9's are destroyed by platoon D, two others maneuver out of sight after one pops smoke. Two more Honey tanks are destroyed by panzer fire from platoons E and G, an 88 has los to a Grant but holds its fire until a better target picture forms. Platoon D continues to run down the last of the armored cars in the south while the crews of the 88s show their nerve by allowing the lead Grants to come closer.

Just as they finish off the last Morris CS9, one of the PzKw IIf panzers comes under extreme range fire of a Grant tank, fortunately there were no direct hits. A troop of Valentine IIIs was spotted trailing the Grants to the northeast, the range was far too long for platoon E to hope for any damaging shots so the lead panzer withdrew to break los. The 3.7cm and 4.7cm ATG crews pushed their guns further east, knowing that long range shots, especially against the front armor, were pointless.

Platoon D intentionally raises a dust cloud, with some help from a kraftradmelder unit, in order to obscure the los of long range Grant tanks. During this maneuver, a Grant tank was spotted south of the road about 500 meters east of the first armored car wreckage. It appeared to be moving northeast at full throttle. British artillery finally makes its presence known, one 25pdr troop opens up on the site of the armored car battle, two more just west of the 4.7cm ATG positions.

The 88's finally open fire, destroying two of three Grant tanks in the lead troop, allowing the smaller ATGs to advance further. In the north, platoon E leaves the plateau for the depression to the south/southeast to avoid a long range gun duel with Valentine IIIs. Platoon D heads for cover, continuing to leave a large dust trail behind it.

Platoon D replaces platoon F as the reserve platoon as platoon F is ordered to advance. The 88s claim one more Grant tank and damage a second. Oberstlt Krafft orders them to prepare to move as British artillery has become quite active, another 25pdr troop has just opened up on the previous site of platoon E in the north. The lighter ATGs continue to advance, as any hope of a kill against the British heavy tanks will require point blank fire.

The 88s claim two more Grant tanks before loading up and moving, Major Sprengler, commander of the support company, pops smoke to cover the movement of the most visible 88. In the south, platoon G maneuvers carefully around the backside of a small plateau to intercept a troop of Grants moving south of the road. Platoon E takes up reverse slope positions in support of the 3.7cm ATGs in the north and platoon F continues to advance in support of the 4.7cm ATGs.

One of the 88s briefly comes under fire at extreme range from a Grant tank, fortunately there were no casualties. More smoke and dust is raised to cover their redeployment. An infantry squad is spotted southeast of the 4.7cm ATG position, the panzergrenadier's heavy weapons are moved forward to cover while the infantry protecting the 4.7cm ATGs move forward and engage what seems to be the lead elements of an infantry platoon.

The 88s destroy a Grant and a Valentine from their new positions while the panzergrenadier company's heavy weapons begin to engage the advancing infantry. The 4.7cm ATGs engage in a duel with the Grants but their guns prove too weak to be effective even at relatively short ranges. The infantry accompanying the southern ATGs, with help from the 8cm mortars, throw up a smoke screen to allow the ATGs to be repositioned while the panzers of platoon F close range. Further to the south, platoon G heads for the road as it continues to carefully stalk a troop of Grants. The kradschutzen of the reserve are ordered forward to join platoon D in readiness for deployment.

After bagging one more Valentine, the 88s prepare to move as enemy artillery is coming too close for comfort. Further south platoon F finds the range is still too long for a favorable engagement with Grants so the 8cm mortars of the panzergrenadier company lay down more smoke to cover their advance. At least one 25pdr battery is falling uncomfortably close to the 4.7cm ATGs and its accompaning infantry.

A Grant comes through the smoke screen and finds itself exposed to a 4.7cm ATG firing from 100 meters at its weak side armor, the ATG platoon claims its first kill of the day. The 88s unlimber once again in hopes of eliminating the last Valentine in the north. In the far south, platoon G recieves an unpleasant surprise when it finds the troop of Grants it was stalking has somehow turned into an entire company. Leutnant Ostendorff, platoon G's plucky commander, orders full speed ahead and drives near recklessly in an attempt to gain the reverse slope position before the Grants come into range.

Leutnant Ostendorff's desparate gamble succeeds although a hair raising moment or two occurred when Grant tanks opened fire on the trailing panzer. Platoon F bags a Grant that ventured too far west without support. Platoon E ventures onto the plateau from the north and puts a stop to an enemy infantry advance there. The 88s open fire on the last Valentine but amazingly miss with all but one shot that seems to do no damage. The southern ATG group and supporting infantry is still having a rough time of it between being under bombardment and in the path of at least a platoon of enemy infantry. The heavy weapons of the panzergrenadier company continue to fire in support and, at least for now, are holding the enemy at bay.

The last Valentine in the north advances to support the accompanying infantry and finds itself the target of five panzers and two 88s, it failed to offer any support as it became a blazing wreck. Platoon G looked to be in a spot of trouble but its veteran gunners evened the odds knocking out four Grants at close range in rapid succession. The center begins to stablize as platoon F throws its weight into the mix along with continuing support from the panzergrenadier company's heavy weapons. Without tank support, the British infantry in the north found itself outgunned and decided retreat was in order.

Platoon G brought the count up to eight Grant tanks destroyed, leaving a troop of the company still maneuvering to the north. The 4.7cm ATG platoon claims its second kill of the day with some long range assistance from Oberstlt Krafft's panzer. Platoon F advanced upon the south flank of the enemy infantry in the center and destroyed an immobilized Grant that was in its path. Platoon E begins moving down from the north to bring pressure on the central enemy infantry from that flank as well.

The enemy infantry in the center breaks as platoon F brings its full weight to bear. Platoon G destroys two more of the last troop of Grants in the south, leaving one more that, despite long range fire from platoon E, shows no signs of damage. British artillery begins shelling the truck park, a sure sign that the battle is nearly won. Oberstlt Krafft orders the reserves into action to clean up any lingering enemy presence and authorizes the kraftradmelder sections to begin recon sweep of the eastern areas.

What was thought to be an infantry platoon following the road behind the now destroyed Grant tank company turns out to be a full fledged infantry company mainly north of the road. Engaged by platoon F from the north, platoon G from the south, and platoon D from the west with support from the kradschutzen platoon; the enemy infantry soon breaks and heads east. Platoon E continues moving down from the north on the plateau, persuading the remnants of the central enemy forces that stopping for tea would be a bad idea.

Two hours into the battle, it was all over but the shouting. Oberstlt Krafft turned the job of mopping up over to the panzergrenadier company, with the assistance of the kradschutzen platoon, so as not to put his nigh irreplaceable armor at further risk. A little over half an hour later, the job was done.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 8 April, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair, resupply and reorganization: KG Krafft's record of success in assisting recon operations has been noted by higher command. KG Krafft is temporarily detached from 15 Panzer Division and attached to korps recon. In order to better support the new duties, the support company is reorganized, losing the kradschutzen platoon and the 4.7cm ATG platoon; in their place it gains a pioneer platoon (gep), a platoon of sIG 33s, and an additional section of SdKfz 10/4 FlaK.

Situation: An Italian deep reconnacense patrol located a lightly guarded supply dump south of the Gazala defensive positions, evidently left over from Operation Crusader. While the Italian forces were able to overcome the defenders easily enough, radio intercepts indicate a relief column of Commonwealth forces is on the way. The area between the supply dump and the relief column includes a crossroads at a small village. The most likely route for a relief column is the road running east/west through the northern portion of the area through the village. The terrain is open desert with numerous depressions, rocky outcroppings, sand dunes, and windswept areas of packed dirt. [Delay mission, visibility 18, length 39, custom victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: Intercept and delay the relief column long enough for the Italian supply column to arrive and load as much of the captured supplies as possible. Italian engineers will destroy whatever cannot be carried away. No friendly artillery is capable of reaching this far and Luftwaffe assets which would normally be available are tied up providing cover for the supply column. This is a joint operation, a reinforced Italian Ricognitori company (with a Bersagliari platoon attached) will assist KG Krafft in the mission. Oberstlt Krafft has overall command.

Game note: the victory hexes have been altered to include a cluster of six at the crossroads and the remainder scattered in an arc west of the north/south road. The arc represents the ability to bypass the crossroads or at the very least, assert some degree of control over it. The supply dump is assumed to be about ten kilometers west of the crossroads. Also note that the AI point advantage is still at +25% and, for this battle, AI Tank heavy has been turned off as this action is occurring near Commonwealth lines.

Battle Plan: Column C will be composed of Capitano Zampini's Ricognitori company and will operate in the southern area of the map, scouting into the deep desert but not maintaining contact or conducting offensive operations. As the battle develops, the Ricognitori company will fall back and assume the defense of the southern flank. Column A will be composed of platoons D and F of KG Krafft and will advance east along the road until contact is made. Column A will then launch a spoiling attack at their discretion. Column B will be composed of platoon G and the pioneer platoon. Column B will secure the southern flank of Column A, operating between Column A and Column C. Platoon E will be held in reserve. The command group will consist of the remaining elements and will deploy in a defensive posture southeast of the intersection.

Execution: The British announce their arrival in the area with salvoes from three troops of 25 pounders, although some near misses occur, no casualties result. Column A no sooner starts out than runs into a platoon of mechanized infantry, the lead halftrack is destroyed immediately, others are fired upon. Column C runs into an advanced patrol of British armored cars and scout cars, the Autoblinda's open fire on the lead scout car but it pops smoke. The Autoblinda's fire on the other vehicles but the British are quick to pop smoke. The remainder of column C, following orders to the letter, immediately falls back under cover of the Autoblinda's.

Meanwhile, column A destroys four more halftracks and quickly routs the survivors. Column B advances but has yet to spot anything. Shortly though, a number of halftracks and trucks come into view and column B opens fire. Four halftracks and two trucks are destroyed and their surviving occupants sent running within minutes of being sighted. Column A continues to fire upon followup halftracks on the road. Column C however, is running into trouble.

In broken german Capitano Zampini quickly requests reinforcements as he is being overrun by armored cars. Oberstlt Krafft dispatches platoon E to his assistance as column C goes into full reverse. Columns A and B continue the carnage. Finally the wave of halftracks and trucks comes to a halt, at least one Matilda II tank was spotted trailing them but none of the panzers have los to it. In the south, the Italians, once safely behind platoon E's panzers, turn and begin making various rude remarks and gestures in the direction of the British armored cars.

One Matilda in the north is caught in a crossfire and immobilized, it then pops smoke. A second is spotted but cannot be engaged at this time. Half an hour into the battle it appears to be over, but Oberstlt Krafft is unconvinced, he orders Capitano Zampini to scout the area south of column B now that the armored car threat has been largely dealt with. Three more Matilda IIs are spotted in the north, one is destroyed, another disabled and pops smoke, the third caused the spotting PzKw IIf to beat a hasty retreat. A Honey tank was destroyed in the south, and in the center there seems to be leg infantry appearing from the west.

Another Matilda II is forced to pop smoke, and in the center one is destroyed by a shot from behind by a panzer PzKw IIIj/1. The pioneer's halftracks are withdrawn to a depression northwest of the pioneers in order to avoid incoming artillery. Also because of artillery, the PzKw IIf's of platoon D have closed up behind platoon F in the north. In the south, platoon E dispatches another Honey tank along with a pair of Morris CS9's.

A Matilda lumbers out of the smoke on the road and is dispatched by platoon F, another follows it and is damaged but not destroyed. Enemy infantry in company strength is moving just to the south of platoon G's position and suppresses two squads of the pioneer platoon. In the south, a half dozen more armored cars advance westward only to meet the guns of platoon E.

To rescue the pioneer platoon before it becomes hopelessly trapped, Oberstlt Krafft orders Capitano Zampini to send the Bersaglieri platoon forward to support their extrication and has Hptmann Tellner plot an artillery strike for the sIG 33s. Two more Matilda's are put down in the north and center respectively. The enemy infantry advance just south of center is largely brought to a halt by fire from platoon G and sIG 33 bombardment. In the south, a motorcycle scout spots an unlikely trio of enemy tanks; a Valentine, a Matilda, and a Lee. A few minutes and translations later, platoon E advances into the depression to hopefully set up an ambush for what may well be a company of enemy tanks.

The enemy advance along the road seems to finally be at an end nearly an hour after it began. In the center the action continues, a Matilda II tries to sneak up on platoon G but is hit with close range 5cm fire and forced to pop smoke. 15cm rounds pound into the enemy infantry just south of center and fall all around a supporting Matilda but it suffers no observable damage, the same cannot be said for the enemy infantry. In the south, the Lee tank was the first of the odd trio to be destroyed when it attempted to exchange fire with a PzKw IIIh at short range.

With activity dying down in the far north, Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon D to return to the vicinity of the crossroads and hold as a new reserve force. Platoon F is ordered to travel southwest and support platoon G and the withdrawal of the pioniers. The arrival of the Bersaglerie platoon together with the ongoing 15cm bombardment lessens the pressure on the center. Platoon G attempts to engage two Matilda IIs supporting the southcentral advance but one of them pops smoke and blocks los. A Valentine III and a second Lee tank is destroyed in the south, dashing hopes that the movement was in less than company strength.

Platoon G's luck finally ran out, both the command tank and the gun tank were lost in combat with a Matilda II at short range, a third tank suffered damage including loss of the main gun. The crew of the command tank is uninjured though quite shaken up, however there is only one survivor from the gun tank. Despite artillery fire from six 25 pounder troops, rescue operations are successfully extracting the crews as well as the trapped pionier platoon.

Platoon F rushed down from the north, taking potshots at stray units as it passed them by. In the far south, platoon E continued to knock out tank after tank but there were just too many to get them all especially after they turned northwest bypassing the ambush position. One of platoon E's panzers was heavily damaged and forced to retire. The sIG 33's engaged the enemy in direct fire mode, claiming two tank kills as well as disrupting enemy infantry movements. A lone Italian sniper made a valiant stand, rebuffing attempts by an entire platoon to advance.

Platoon E would not be denied, an alternate route was found back up to the main plateau and the panzers again blocked the British from their goals. As the British attack stalled with panzers from platoon E to their west, the command group and Bersaglieri assisting the remnants of platoon G to their north, and platoon F approaching fast from the east, their infantry routed and tank after tank was turned to wreckage or abandoned. The Italian armored cars stuck with it to the very end pumping cannon and machinegun fire into any available target.

Unexpectedly, not quite two hours into the fray, the British surrendered.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft.

Game notes: despite beginning with the charge of the light brigade, the AI was quite challenging in this one and made some unexpected moves. The late arriving southern armored company had a real chance to break through my lines and I was forced to put my core units at greater risk than I would normally prefer. I'll be a panzer platoon short if there are any more battles this month.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 3 May, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair and resupply: While General Kesselring's successes in supressing Malta last month has allowed more supplies to reach Afrika Korps, KG Krafft was unable to find replacements for the two panzers and two SdKfz 10/4's destroyed in the previous battle. All other equipment was repaired and units resupplied and brought back up to full strength.

Situation: The British have been scouting the area south of their Gazala fortifications of late, intelligence believes they are in the process of creating another fortified area further south of the existing line. Luftwaffe recon has spotted a British armored column moving towards the suspected site, presumably to act as a security force while construction is underway. The area is somewhat different than the normal open rolling desert, although it has many depressions of various sizes and the usual numbers of rocky outcroppings, sand dunes, and windswept areas of packed dirt, there is an unusually high plateau in the center. It is this central plateau which intel believes to be the intended site of the centerpiece of the new fortifications. [Meeting engagement, visibility 19, length 41, standard victory hexes, map size 100x100]

Orders: KG Krafft is to proceed to the area and neutralize any enemy forces found. Korps recon assets attached to KG Krafft for this operation include two troops of armored cars and two sections of kraftradmelders. While the area is beyond range of friendly artillery, Luftwaffe is providing six Bf 109F's for tactical support and a Fw 189 Uhu for aerial recon. Control of the battlefield at the end of the engagement is vital so that intel may ascertain the extent of British preparations.

Battle plan: Panzer platoon G is not combat ready, the three operational tanks of that platoon will be split among the command group and platoons E and F. Platoon D and the pionier platoon will be held in reserve and the KG command group will provide rear area security for the support elements. Platoons E and F will advance to the edge of the central plateau and there deploy into reverse slope positions, panzer company command section C will support them. Two recon groups will be formed, recon A and recon B, each consisting of a troop of 222's and a section of kraftradmelders. Recon A will advance on the north flank and recon B will advance on the south flank. The first phase of the battle will rely heavily on Luftwaffe recon to ascertain the enemy's disposition and on Luftwaffe airstrikes to encourage the enemy to maneuver into positions favorable to our forces.

Execution: Roughly ten minutes after deployment, recon B spots a pair of Morris CS9 armored cars advancing in the far south. Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon D to prepare for a southern movement in support of recon B should that prove advisable. Recon A spots a platoon of halftracks advancing in the north, taking them under fire, one is destroyed. Recon B engages the lead armored car in the south but it pops smoke before sustaining any damage. Platoon D is ordered to continue moving southeast to be in position for reinforcement of recon B. The pionier platoon is ordered to head northeast and position itself in preparation for reinforcement of recon A.

The picture develops further as a Grant tank is spotted trailing the southern armored car group by a kilometer, the halftrack movement in the north develops into a full fledged attack by a mechanized infantry company, and aerial recon spots a group of armored cars just northeast of center moving west. Recon A is ordered to fall back, maintaining contact if possible. The pionier and panzer platoons of the reserve are assigned new orders, sending the panzers north and the pioniers south.

Recon A continues to fire long range at the mechanized infantry force, destroying a few more halftracks and generally impeding their advance while awaiting the arrival of platoon D. The central armored car movement ran into a wall of 5cm shells once they came within los of platoon E and were promptly destroyed. After finishing off the armored cars in the south, recon B withdrew out of los of the advancing Grant tanks, and waited for the arrival of the pionier platoon to exploit ambush possibilities. Aerial recon continues as Oberstlt Krafft seeks for the main enemy force.

Recon A was caught flatfooted when a troop of Grants appeared unexpectedly from the east and open fire within a few hundred meters. The armored cars were close enough to the edge of the plateau that they managed to escape undamaged. The central group is ordered north to engage the Grants. Aerial recon spots two troops of Valentines along with additional infantry about a kilometer to the east and slightly north of the Grants. It seems Oberstlt Krafft has found the main line of enemy advance. Airstrikes are called in on the followup forces and sIG 33 fire in the path of the Grants. In the south, a massive bombardment by five 5.5in troops falls upon the former positions of recon B.

Two of the three Grants advancing in the north were destroyed by short range 5cm fire from the panzers of platoon E which lay in wait along their flank. Incoming sIG 33 fire was largely accurate and caused additional casualties among the riders and damage to the remaining tank. The airstrike inflicted casualties among the infantry accompaning the Valentines but seemed to do no damage to the tanks.

Acting on reports from aerial recon, the armored cars of recon B race northeast, intercepting and destroying a British FOO team. The kraftradmelders of recon B assist the pionier platoon in attempting to reach close assault range against the southern troop of Grant tanks. The 15cm bombardment deafened and disoriented the crew of the remaining Grant of the lead troop in the north allowing them to be easily dispatched by flanking fire from platoon E. This freed up the armored cars of recon A along with the light panzers of platoon D to engage the mechanized infantry to their north/northeast.

Another airstrike is called in on the northern force while the pioniers in the south request, and are granted, a fire mission from the sIG 33's to assist them in engaging the Grant troop there. The mechanized infantry force in the north was put to rout with most of its vehicles destroyed. Recon B's armored cars continued to engage small units in the vicinity of the central objective area. Platoon E together with section C, advanced north while platoon F ascended the central plateau and slowly advanced northeast.

The airstrike in the north distracts the lead Valentine enough that a panzer from platoon F is able to destroy it with a couple flank shots. In the south, the pioniers destroy a MG left behind by the Grants and advance undercover of their own smoke. The pionier platoon leader calls in a request for smoke from the sIG 33's, the request is acceptable to Oberstlt Krafft who calls in the mission and sends back the message 'on the way!'. Hptmann Tellner continues calling in airstrikes on the northern Valentines.

In the north, platoons E and F continue to pick away at the Valentines while platoon D and the armored cars of recon A snipe at infantry with long range machinegun and 2cm HE fire. Airstrikes shift south and disable a lone Grant making its way from the southern objective area to the central objective area. In the south, the pionier platoon lures two Grant tanks too close to the smoke obscured southern objective area and set them afire with flamethrowers destroying both tanks.

Recon B was forced to withdraw from the central objective area by the, now immobilized, Grant tank and a Valentine to the west. In the north, the last of the Valentines is destroyed and the infantry is routed. Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon F to secure the central objective area, airstrikes and 15cm artillery support will be supplied.

A horrific bombardment of six 5.5in troops fell on the tail end of platoon F as it reversed course, one panzer was badly damaged, its main gun knocked out, the platoon went to full throttle and vacated the area. Another airstrike, this one on the Valentine east of the central objective area, unfortunately the Luftwaffe pilots prefered shooting at a kraftradmelder some distance to the north. The badly shaken kraftradmelder survived.

The Valentine bravely charged over the crest of the plateau and came face to face with platoon F at a range of 250 meters. The Valentine promptly exploded. The Luftwaffe used the lone Grant, immobilized south of the central objective as live ammo target practice. They didn't kill it but they did manage to hit it a few times. At the two hour mark, the British force has been soundly beaten and there is no sign of any last minute counterattack.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft. Next up, the Battle of Gazala!

Last turn attached, thanks for reading :)

[Ts4EVER]

I really like this series. You manage to keep the scenarios interesting and write them up good. About the two missing Panzers: How about they use some captured gear until replacements are available? Normally that wouldn't be possible, but I think you messed with the files a bit earlier?
One thing I like to do as a "scenario" in big campaigns is purchasing "retreating" troops by support points. Say you are in late war in a delay scenario, easter prussia or something. Then you could purchase some Volksgrenadier troops or similar and place them at the deployment line facing your direction. Then, while the Russian attack is underway, you try to retreat them to your lines and incorporate them in your defense.

[Brian61]

Thanks, it is good to know someone is enjoying the read!

I'd like to be able to use captured equipment in core force sometimes but I think if I hacked the oobs enough to do that then no one else would be able to properly load the saves unless they had the same oobs? What I was trying to portray with the missing tanks and flak units was the supply situation prior to late May '42. For this next battle (assault on the Knightsbridge box), they'll be back in operation - one rebuilt and one replaced along with replacing the platoon leader's tanks of the other two medium tank platoons with L model panzer IIIs.

Great idea for the retreating troops, I will have to use that after the transfer to the eastern front. That will be coming up soon as I'm figuring out a behind the scenes political minidrama that places Oberstleutnant Krafft at the mercy of powerful old foes but with the behind the curtain aid of some powerful friends within the Heer. I think Krafft and company will be departing Africa while Rommel is in Germany recieving his baton. I'm really tempted to have KG Krafft become a late arriving battery (or replacement battery) in Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 667.

[Pat58]

Interesting. You do know as a batterie, you would take yourself down to 7 StuGs. I ask because I'm fighting in Russia with one in my core.

[Brian61]

Interesting. You do know as a batterie, you would take yourself down to 7 StuGs. I ask because I'm fighting in Russia with one in my core.

Yes, although some had 10 StuGs fairly early. They had additional vehicles though in the batterie TOE (http://niehorster.orbat.com/011_germany/42_organ/kstn_0446_01-11-41.html) among them each platoon had its own ammo carrier. So what I'm planning on is having initially three platoons of two StuGs and an SdKfz 251/1 carrying an ammo cannister. Later this will become three StuGs and something like an SdKfz 252 ammo carrier.

Also, I'll be creating a small kampfgruppe around the batterie, attaching a sIG section, an SPAA section, likely a pionier platoon, and scout platoon. The kampfgruppe will also include a mechanized or motorized infantry company from the parent organization which I'll rotate out since they won't really be part of the long campaign core though they will be part of the kampfgruppe core.

The overall effect of the change is a cheaper, yet individually more powerful group of armored vehicles with a larger proportion of infantry which I believe will fit the Eastern Front better than the current rather armor heavy desert warfare setup. Sometime in 1944, KG Krafft will be pulled out of the Eastern Front, possibly changed to a heavy panzer company based kampfgruppe, and deployed to the Western Front.

Thanks for your interest :)
Brian

[RERomine]

I was reading through and agree completely that StuGs and North Africa don't mix. It isn't that StuGs aren't good, but their limited rate of fire combined with their relatively low ammo stowage makes them unsuited for high armor environments. Even with good tank killing capability, the two liabilities I mentioned become a major factor. This, I learned the hard way. In Assaults, Advances and Meeting Engagements, they are fine. Your force is generally no worse than equal to the enemy, with some variations based on core experience.

Once you get into Delays and Defends, the enemy vastly outnumbers your force. This is where rate of fire and ammo supply comes into play. In North Africa, British armor is fairly inexpensive and you see them come in massive waves if you have it set as "AI Tank Heavy". I had one battle where I destroyed about 275 enemy vehicles. All my StuGs were running out of ammo and I was trying to rotate them off line to resupply. This is not something you want to have to do in the middle of a major battle. Once you start running into more expensive tanks, it becomes less of a problem. In North Africa, the 50mm guns on your tanks is fine until you start running into American Shermans.

My core was very expensive in that battle. I had a company of tanks and two companies of infantry, each supported by one platoon of StuGs. My overall solution to the problem was to replace the StuGs with Tigers, as it was 1/43. I'm not sure if they had any Tigers in North Africa, but I wasn't as focused on realism at that point. The Tigers solved the problem; better rate of fire and more ammo. StuGs might have been more realistic support for infantry, but the "AI Heavy Tank" setting tossed realistic opposition out the window.

[gila]

STuG's are cheap,as fast as PZIV's (same hull and engine) have low profile and most are hard nosed and can deal with most armour within range in this time period.

(They were easily modified thru out the war as no complication with having a turret)

If you don't go high speed of course,use them as an Tank destroyer and SP support on elevated ground, hunker down with a good LOS and get 1-1 or 2-1 armour kill ratio for each one that gets KO'ed should suffice;)

[Brian61]

I was reading through and agree completely that StuGs and North Africa don't mix.

That might be why, as far as I can tell, only one batterie of StuGs was sent to Afrika Korps.

My overall solution to the problem was to replace the StuGs with Tigers, as it was 1/43. I'm not sure if they had any Tigers in North Africa, but I wasn't as focused on realism at that point.

They did, mostly under Paulus though who didn't agree with Rommel as to their employment. He ended up more or less wasting them. The PzIVf2 'specials' were also a good answer to the problem of Shermans and other (for the time anyhow) heavily armored tanks.

StuGs might have been more realistic support for infantry, but the "AI Heavy Tank" setting tossed realistic opposition out the window.

This is where I have to disagree. The north africa theatre was largely a desert war, static infantry was pretty much pointless. Thus the ratio of armor to infantry was dramatically different than in other theatres. In meeting engagements it was practically inverted. In the open with good visibility, infantry (in WWII especially) was just cannon fodder for tanks unless they were dug in or in fixed fortifications. Many times those were rendered useless just because Rommel would bypass them and cut them off from resupply, similar to the US 'island hopping' strategy in the Pacific.

The problem is that the AI is *horrible* with mechanized/truck-borne infanty and rather suicidal with armored cars as well. So in meeting engagements and to a degree in advance/delays, the problem isn't the ratio of armor to infantry being unrealistic, the problem is the AI not being able to use what it has very effectively. The AI just isn't a very hard opponent in mobile warfare.

What I do currently with this campaign is, for North Africa, turn AI Tank Heavy on but when I'm coming up to a historic assault/defend battle (such as the assault on the Knightsbridge box in the Gazala battle that I'm in the middle of playing), I set the preferences to AI Tank Heavy off. If I was sticking around for Tunisia (Kasserine Pass,etc) I'd probably turn it off for most of those battles as well.

Anyhow, that's my 2c on playing in the North Africa theatre :)
Thanks,
Brian

[RERomine]

StuGs might have been more realistic support for infantry, but the "AI Heavy Tank" setting tossed realistic opposition out the window.

This is where I have to disagree. The north africa theatre was largely a desert war, static infantry was pretty much pointless. Thus the ratio of armor to infantry was dramatically different than in other theatres. In meeting engagements it was practically inverted. In the open with good visibility, infantry (in WWII especially) was just cannon fodder for tanks unless they were dug in or in fixed fortifications. Many times those were rendered useless just because Rommel would bypass them and cut them off from resupply, similar to the US 'island hopping' strategy in the Pacific.


My comment was more related to the general intent of the StuGs than anything. The preferred support for an infantry battalion would be StuGs as opposed to Tiger tanks. The infantry I used were mechanized, so they weren't a bad fit for North Aftrica.

[Brian61]

Oops, sorry :o I shouldn't post late at night!

Brian

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 5 June, 1942 - Afrika Korps

Repair, resupply, and reorganization: Replacement vehicles finally arrive, all panzer platoon leaders (excepting platoon D) now have PzKw IIIL model panzers and the /1 panzers are all PzKw IIIj/1's giving two panzers in each of the main panzer platoons with the 50L60 long barrel 5cm guns (and incidently, smoke dischargers).

Situation: For nearly two weeks, Rommel's forces have been trapped in "the Cauldron" between an extensive minefield and stiff British resistance. A few days ago a corridor was opened for resupply, splitting the Allied front in half. Early in the afternoon, Rommel issues orders to resume the attack. KG Krafft's operational area is the "Knightsbridge box", a generally open sandy region with numerous hills topped by rocky outcroppings. Numerous sand dunes are present however there are also a few windswept areas of packed earth as well as an east/west road running through the area about three quarters a kilometer from the southern edge of the area. [Assault mission, visibility 57, length 47, standard victory hexes, 100x100 map size]

Orders: Launch an assault against the "Knightsbridge box", destroy the enemy defenders and sieze control of the area. Attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the operation is the II battalion of the 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment. Primary artillery support will be provided by the I battalion of the 33rd Artillery Regiment (10.5cm) with Korps providing one captured 25pdr battery for counterbattery and smoke only (limited ammo). Luftwaffe is able to provide four Bf 109E-7's and four Bf110E-2's for tactical airstrikes.

Battle Plan: The initial axis of attack is west to east one kilometer north of the southern edge of the area. The panzergrenadier battalion will lead the advance two up with the third company held in ready reserve. The panzer company will follow and provide direct fire support. Upon reaching the southernmost objective area, the axis of attack will change becoming south to north towards the center of the northern objective areas.

Execution: KG Krafft kicked off the assault with artillery strikes on likely AAA positions followed by an all out airstrike of eight planes. The airstrike resulted in one Grant tank destroyed and a small number of infantry units destroyed, decimated, and/or routed. British also fired interdictory missions from four 25pdr troops but with no casualties resulting.

Artillery and airstrikes continue to pound the British defenses as KG Kraft advances. At the 15 minute mark, Oberstlt Krafft gives the wind up order and the mechanized and motorized portions of the kampfgruppe prepare to move out. On the next pass of the Luftwaffe one Bf109 strays too far north and is nearly shot down by Bofors 40mm AAA fire, the pilot coaxes the badly damaged airplane towards the nearest friendly airbase. The sIG33's, having shifted firing positions, are given a new mission to bombard infantry positions spotted by the Luftwaffe pilots.

The Luftwaffe, as usual, refuse to follow ground guidance and intent on avenging their crippled comrade, find two of the AAA positions, destroying one of the Bofors and damaging the other. The previous fire mission for the sIG33's is cancelled and they are given a new one to knock out the remaining AAA position. Enemy artillery fire comes uncomfortably close to KG Krafft's SdKfz 10/4's and, while undamaged, they are forced to reposition.

Platoon T of S company is fired upon by a dugin infantry squad. A torrent of long range machinegun and 5cm cannon fire together with fire from the nearby platoon U of S company quickly suppress the enemy unit. Mortar fire is plotted just in case and the 10.5cm batteries of the supporting artillery battalion are retasked to fire smoke to mask off the enemy front line from rearward support elements. Within minutes the solitary British infantry squad near the road is routed.

Another airstrike, this time a Bf109 and a Bf110 are damaged but the second known AAA position is knocked out of commission. A second infantry squad is encountered, about 250 meters east of the first one, and yet another fires but remains unspotted. The lead British squad has been eliminated and the second routed as the advance continues. The sIG33's are being reloaded so the 8cm mortars are given instructions to shift fire towards the second position further east. A smoke mission is called on the secondary obscuration targets about 500 meters east of the first obscuration targets.

Two more squads are spotted as the second of the first two encountered routs. Both are in reverse slope positions that render them immune to long range direct fire except from very narrow angles. Fortunately a few machineguns of the panzergrenadier battalion found themselves in one of those narrow arcs. Given the restricted vision into the surrounding area, forward observers were having a tough time getting the mortars to shift fire onto those new targets so the sIG33's, despite not having completed reload, were once again given the mission.

Mines were spotted on the road and just as the pioniers attached to the panzergrenadier battalion arrived to remove them, enemy artillery began falling. Fortunately the enemy spread out its fire missions to a number of other spots as well, only one of which resulted in any damage (a disabled truck). Still the enemy artillery failed to stop the advance, supported by the panzer company, the lead elements of the panzergrenadier battalion overran the British platoon protecting the road. As the engineers cleared the road of mines, the advance continues and artillery fire is called in on suspected enemy positions near the southern objective area.

Just as the advance is starting to pick up speed, another, much more extensive, minefield is detected (in one case stumbled upon). The mechanized pionier platoon is ordered forward just in case the minefield proves deeper than anticipated. Time is not yet a factor, but at nearly an hour and a half into the battle, the deadline is two and a half hours away and the plan doesn't allow for too much wasted time. Of course, the British pick that moment to begin raining artillery down on the troops near the road and the minefield.

Oberstlt Krafft curses the designer of the Knightsbridge box minefields, just when you think you've penetrated them, you run into another batch. Time is beginning to become a factor as the 10.5cm batteries are running low on ammo and most of the Luftwaffe aircraft have returned to base either out of ammo or too damaged to risk continuing. Two hours in to the battle, KG Krafft is still 500 meters short of the first phase objective. Enemy artillery continues to play a minor role in the delay, but of far more importance are the multilayered and random minefields being encountered.

Using long range machinegun fire to suppress squads and smoke to separate them from their support, the panzergrenadier battalion closes in towards the first objective area, overrunning two more British infantry squads on their approach. A sniper opens up on the advancing panzergrenadiers but liberal spraying of machinegun fire in the sniper's vicinity soon flushed him out and direct fire from a 5cm mortar battery finished him off.

While 25 pounder troops unleash shells on the reargaurd of the advance causing some halts and rerouting of traffic, the British have a colossal turn of bad luck when they launch a counterattack right in to the teeth of the advance. A new, never before encountered, size of ATG has fired upon one of our panzers, fortunately it missed. It appears about the same size as our 50L60 PaK 5, perhaps a bit larger, this does not bode well. The 10.5cm batteries report HE ammo nearly exhausted and no more smoke shells available. The sIG33's still have over 50% remaining after last resupply, the 8cm mortars have been fully restocked, and the 7.5cm IGs are currently being resupplied.

A pair of Honey tanks launched a brief counter attack from the north, they managed to destroy one halftrack before being destroyed. A troop of Grant tanks with accompanying infantry has been spotted in the north, it is headed west, presumeably to attack our rear area. Of course, there's nothing there to be attacked. A Bofors AAA position in the north has been destroyed and the only spotted 6pdr ATG has been damaged, it is also under mortar bombardment.

The southern objective area has been secured and a little over one hour remains to capture the two northern objective areas, Oberstlt Krafft orders the commitment of the reserve panzergrenadier company. Enemy artillery falls among a group of machineguns but, as they have not been moving for awhile, there were no immediate casualties. The G3 panzer was lost to 6pdr fire from an unspotted gun. A pair of Lee tanks are spotted coming down from the far north and the Grant tanks have reversed course, now heading generally in the direction of the southern objective area.

A previously unspotted Bofors 40mm gun just east of the northeastern objective causes major damage to the G4 panzer. The G1 panzer destroys the gun with its second shot. The G2 panzer is lost with all hands to a 6pdr ATG located near the northwestern objective area. The G1 panzer destroys another Grant tank and destroys another Bofors 40mm gun. The G0 panzer is heavily damaged by ATG fire and is forced to withdraw.

A 6pdr ATG located within the northeastern objective area fires upon and destroys the E3 panzer, it also heavily damages the E4 panzer which is forced to withdraw. There are three Lee tanks advancing south just west of the northeastern objective area and there are at least two squads of infantry supported by an immobilized Grant covering the northwestern objective area. Time is running out, less than an hour remains. Panzer platoon F takes the Lee tanks under fire, destroying two with the help of the command panzers and then the F3 panzer advances and kills the last Lee tank.

With half an hour remaining, the D1 panzer is brewed up by a Bofors 40mm AA-gun that was hiding in the area of the northwestern objective. From the far north, a Matilda II is spotted advancing towards the northeast objective area. A troublesome Vickers HMG squad in the north continues to catch the occasional unwary squad during movement with a burst of deadly fire. The reserve panzergrenadier company (Y) rode its Opel trucks within a few hundred meters of the northwestern objective area using smoke from nearby units to cover the path. Having disembarked, they are advancing on that objective. The northeast objective area is being secured by the KG's pionier (gep) platoon with support from panzer platoon D.

Company Y stumbled upon a group of three bunkers just south of the northwestern objective area, fortunately they were facing west and the nearest was quickly destroyed with grenade bundles. The Matilda II, hit with a blizzard of 5cm AP rounds, popped smoke. A few minutes later, the Matilda emerged from the smoke screen only to find itself at short range to a half dozen 5cm barrels, the surprise was short. Panzergrenadiers destroyed the bunkers near the northwest objective area while panzers and artillery supressed the Vickers machineguns. Three pillboxes were discovered northeast of the northeastern objective area and to their east, the British headquarters. Within ten minutes, the pioniers had destroyed all three pillboxes and the British headquarters surrendered to panzer platoon D. Another 6pdr ATG was discovered just west of the northwest objective area, it was destroyed by panzergrenadiers.

With ten minutes left, the northwestern and northeastern objective areas were declared secure. Oberstlt Krafft radioed in the 'all clear' message and KG Krafft went into hasty defensive positions awaiting further orders.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 26 August, 1942 - Eastern Front

Reorganization: KG Krafft has undergone a radical change. Due to political backstabbing by an old nemesis Oberstlt Krafft is initially reassigned to an infantry battalion on the Eastern Front. However, this order is intercepted and changed due to friends of Krafft within the Heer, and he finds himself in Juterbog taking command of a replacement assault gun batterie and assigned to Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 667 but detached to 1st Panzer Division, XXXIX Panzer Group, 9th Army, Army Group Center. With the assistance of Rommel's chief of staff, some of the members of his old unit who were rotating out currently (or had rotated out recently) for health reasons (Africa's climate was rather rough on germans of more nordic stock) cross trained into his new unit. In effect, his panzer company calved an assualt gun battery.

The resulting TOE with attachments from Army/Corps/Division ends up as:
* 1x SdKfz 250/12 observation vehicle
* 1x StuG IIIf/8 command vehicle
* 3x StuG platoons each with:
** 2x StuG IIIf/8
** 1x SdKfz 250/1 (halftrack plus cannister provides upgrade path from 2x StuGs to 3x Stugs)
** 1x Ammo Cannister
* 1x IG section with:
** 2x sIG Ib
** 2x SdKfz 250/6
* 1x AAA section with:
** 2x SdKfz 7/1 FlaK
* 1x Sturmpioniere platoon gepanzart with:
** 3x Sturmpioniere
** 1x SturmPio(flam)
** 1x Pionier LMG
** 5x SdKfz 251/1
* 1x mechanized scout section with:
** 2x SdKfz 250/10
** 2x Spaehtrupp

Additionally, the core may be temporarily expanded from time to time with a panzergrenadier company.

Situation: His units had barely been detrained than orders came down from XXXIX Panzer Group, KG Krafft was thrown in to replace a panzer company that was responsible for stiffening the defense of the frontlines in a lightly wooded area of broken terrain with a road intersection between a secondary road running east-west about one kilometer north of the southern edge of the area and another secondary road running north south nearly two kilometers from the western edge of the area.

Orders: Reinforce the Panzergrenadier company and hold the area against any Russian breakthrough attempts. No artillery assets other than KG Krafft itself are available. Luftwaffe will be providing intermittent overflights of the area with an observation plane. [Delay mission, visibility 22, length 38, standard victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Battle Plan: The panzergrenadiers will deploy in two up formation making as much use as possible of the terrain. The heavy weapons will deploy so as to overlook the clearing containing the southern objective and the intersection. StuG platoons will deploy in concealed positions with ammo carriers 300 meters or so to the west. Platoon D will cover the north flank, platoon E will support the center, and platoon F will cover the south flank. The scout section will deploy to the far north against the possibility of an outflanking attempt there. The basic plan is, don't let the Russian infantry get into the woods containing the northern and central objective areas. If by some mischance they do, it will fall to the sturmpionieres to eject them.

Execution: All was quiet until the Storch passed overhead, then the sounds of AAA were heard, at least three guns. The pilot reported enemy armor moving west along the road in reinforced company strength, mostly T-60's and T-26's but at least one OT-34. There is a calvary screen ahead of the armor and at least a company of infantry accompanying it. A half a kilometer north of that force is another smaller one headed cross country, it looks to be a company of infantry supported by at least three T-28e M1939 tanks. Oberstlt Krafft immediately calls for interdiction fire from the sIGs upon receiving the pilot's report. The pilot ended transmission abruptly in and was last seen leaving the area trailing a bit of smoke.

In the far north, scouts report a group of three BA-10 armored cars moving west at full speed. After allowing them to approach to within a few hundred meters, the two SdKfz 250/10's of the scout section drive up out of the gully and engage, killing two of the BA-10's with only a few shots each before driving back into the gully and out of sight. A few minutes later the last of the three BA-10's is destroyed. In the south, the T-60's advance past the intersection, platoons E and F, with the aid of the batterie commander, perform popup maneuvers destroying three of the enemy tanks. Oberstlt Krafft orders platoon D to procede south along the road and reinforce platoon E.

Panzergrenadier platoon N and the machineguns of the heavy weapons platoon begin long range fire at desant teams on the road. Oberstlt Krafft calls for 8cm mortar fire to assist the sIG's in interdicting reinforcements. With platoon D arriving to reinforce, the StuG batterie quits playing hide and seek and procedes to slaughter nearly a dozen T-60's. Desant teams all along the road are in retreat or rout. Over the next few minutes the kill count climbs and includes BA-10's, T-26's, OT-34's, and T-28e's. The only warning note is the large numbers of artillery that the enemy is beginning to bring to bear.

Thus far the enemy infantry advance hasn't been too steady, most squads are routing at the near passage of a bullet. One bit of bad news though, the truck that was going to be used to haul the 8cm mortar team to a resupply point was destroyed by incoming artillery. The sIG Ib's are in the process of being resupplied, and the StuG batterie is taking advantage of a short lull in armor concentration to send one vehicle from each platoon to its resupply point.

The N1 squad of the southern platoon routed, a StuG fired a smoke round to block enemy los to them so they should rally soon. The southern 'redoubt' platoon has taken nearly all the heat so far. Relief is on the way though, platoon F is shifting positions to north of the road, this should free up D and E to engage the enemy infantry head on and the sIG's will resume firing very soon. Enemy artillery is becoming a factor, there's no safe place across the entire front, mortars, howitzers, and entire batteries firing all over.

A bit over an hour now since the first enemy units were spotted and its become an artillery slugfest on both sides. Platoon N's position in the south has really become untenable, so much incoming that they are all in rout, the only thing saving them is that all enemy in range is also routed. Resupply units have been ordered to withdraw further to the west, they are too vulnerable to artillery and too valueable to risk.

The batterie commander's StuG was the first one to suffer damage, it lost it's main gun and is being withdrawn. Platoons E and F are swapping positions so that E platoon can begin resupply. Just over an hour and a half since the beginning of the battle and although we haven't given much ground yet, one strong position has been abandoned, the sIGs are out of ammo and beginning resupply, the 8cm mortars are too low on ammo to do much than cover their own sector, and most of the StuG's have run out of HE ammo. Enemy artillery is slowing down the resupply process for the StuG's and degrading the remaining infantry position's ability to prevent the central russian infantry mob from advancing.

The only advantage to the mob advancing is that only a small repositioning is needed to bring the panzergrenadier company's machineguns to bear from the southwest. At the two hour point, the sIGs are back in business and the tide is once again ebbing. A mammoth of a tank, a KV-1 was spotted northeast of the intersection but it was too busy trying to get away to pose a threat.

The sIG storm passed once again, leaving a broken scattering of squads in the place of an advancing mob. Still, the russians continued to rally and return, and occasionally a tank or two would try its luck. Finally, a little more than three hours after the first shots were fired, the Russians called it quits.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft!

Game Notes: This terrain was perfect for this mission with the given forces, well perfect for KG Krafft, quite lousy for the Russians.

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

[RERomine]

These all are nicely written. There is a bit of a flair in the writing and they provide nice detail. There is also a nice flow in the story telling.

Well done!

[Graeme]

Im enjoying reading this. Im playing a long German game myself and its giving me a few ideas and getting the mind going.

How many battles did you set for the campaign Brian?

[Brian61]

Thanks to both of you :) I *think* I set the number of battles to 60... but.. I might have lost my mind and set it to 80. I've forgotten! :D I haven't had time to do the next battle yet, hopefully before next weekend.

Thanks again,
Brian

[RERomine]

Thanks to both of you :) I *think* I set the number of battles to 60... but.. I might have lost my mind and set it to 80. I've forgotten! :D I haven't had time to do the next battle yet, hopefully before next weekend.

Thanks again,
Brian

80 would almost be like work :smirk:

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 27 August, 1942 - Eastern Front

Resupply: ammo stocks only, no time for replacements or repairs.

Situation: The defeat of the Russian advance in the previous battle opens up an opportunity for KG Krafft. If the Russians are successfully attacked before they have a chance to reinforce, this area of the front might be made much more stable for the Germans. The Russians have fallen back to an area that is roughly flat but with numerous gullies and a few stands of woods. There are two roads in this area, one runs east west about a kilometer south of the northern edge, the other runs northwest/southeast leaving the area in the centers of the northern and eastern edges. the two roads intersect about one and a half kilometers from the eastern edge. To the east-southeast of the intersection is a stand of woods covering most of two objective areas. The third objective area lays in the open a kilometer and a half south and a few hundred meters east of the intersection. [Advance special mission, visibility 22, length 43, standard victory hexes, map size 80x80]

Orders: KG Krafft is to eject the Russians from the area, securing it for follow-on forces. One company of motorized panzergrenadiers is attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the operation. Corps is providing counterbattery coverage which covers the area (17cm K18 battery), this battery is *not* available for fire missions.

Battle Plan: Attack group 1 will be comprised of StuG platoon F and panzergrenadier platoon N; it will advance towards the intersection along the road, drawing the enemy's attention and pinning the northern enemy force in place. Attack group 2 will be comprised of the remainder of the force. Panzergrenadier platoon L will ride the StuGs of platoons D and E during the initial approach. Using woods and gullies for cover, AG2 will advance in the far south deep into the enemy rear areas. AG2 will delay dismounting as long as possible, preferably dismount location is in the gullies to the south and southeast of the southern objective. After dismount advance with panzergrenadiers in the lead using two up formation supported by StuGs, secure the southern objective area and then advance north taking the remaining two objective areas from the south/south-east. Sturmpioniers will be held in reserve.

Execution: Roughly twenty minutes into the operation, a Maxim HMG squad opens up on squad N2 in the north. The StuGs of platoon F move into firing positions and send the HMG squad packing, heading east in full rout. In the south, the lead spaehtrupp climbs up out of the gully and immediately spots a rifle section two hundred meters to the northeast and an AOP truck 600 meters east-northeast. The spaehtrupp freezes in position and passes word back for platoon D to advance.

Game note: this is the tricky part, the southern force cannot bypass the rifle section or AOP truck due to their positions but must not engage them until the enemy is fully occupied with the northern feint lest artillery be drawn down on the soft vehicles following in the south.

Another HMG squad opens up on squad N2 in the north but this one is hard to spot. The StuGs of platoon F advance closer to the suspected firing position and squad N2 draws fire from the HMG once more. StuG F1 spots the HMG and opens fire, joined shortly by F0, they manage to pin the HMG but it is located in the edge of the woods and doesn't rout easily. Squads N1 and N2 advance into the next gully taking cover from the HMG.

In the south, the StuG's advance carefully staying out of los of the spotted enemy units and a fire mission is called in to the sIGs to suppress the rifle section. With a bit of luck, it may be possible for dismounted infantry to deal with the enemy blocking the southern passage without the accompanying StuGs drawing attention to themselves. The second spaehtrupp unit quietly moves into position and spots three more rifle sections near the first.

Up north the StuG's finally machinegun the HMG into retreat and platoon N advances. In the south, the force awaits the arrival of the 15cm rounds. The enemy takes the bait and mortar fire falls near the northern StuGs, additional mortar and local artillery fire at phantom targets in the center. The first 15cm rounds fall too far south and an adjustment is quickly called in.

The remaining HMG in the north is finally put to rout, the path seems clear to the westernmost objective area. However AG1 soon discovers two rifle sections south of their position, delaying any possible move towards the objective area. One rifle section in the south is routed by 15cm fire, a followup mission is called, Oberstlt Krafft is in no hurry at the moment.

Up north, AG1 continues to exert slow steady pressure on the enemy and two rifle sections are routed. The sIG fire mission in the south is closer to being on target this time and only a small adjustment is required. After the adjusted fire arrives, the scout vehicles engage the AOP truck, destroying it with a few shots and the StuGs advance to firing positions and put the southern enemy infantry platoon in retreat. Panzergrenadier platoon L begins to advance to put the enemy to rout and all hell breaks loose. At least two more platoons in supporting positions north of the retreating platoon fire on the panzergrenadiers bringing the entire operation into jeopardy.

Platoon L pops smoke and the lead trucks of platoon M make a mad dash eastward to gain the next gully. They make it without coming under fire and a new plan is formulated on the spot, to use smoke to mask the soft vehicle's advance while the StuGs and platoon L deal with the enemy infantry. In the north, things are much smoother, AG1 is meeting very little opposition. Just when they start to relax, a 76.2mm ATG opens up and causes a bit of panic though no damage. The panzergrenadiers of AG1 begin to advance on the ATG position only to be fired upon by the first HMG that has now rallied. It is sent back into rout by a StuG and both of the northern StuGs hide in the nearest gullies.

The southern advance continues, though at substantially greater risk than planned. A hidden T-26 fires on StuG D0, it pops smoke while E1 returns fire. No damage to either D0 or the T-26, until E1 fires two more shots and destroys the T-26. The sIGs have relocated to new firing positions and are given a fire mission targeting the ATG that fired upon AG1 earlier. The northern force continues to make small advances but the StuG's are running low on HE and need to reload before pushing further.

Just past the one hour mark, Russian artillery hits far too close for comfort both in the north and south, in the north one squad is routed requiring a StuG to fire smoke rounds to mask the squad from direct enemy fire. In the south, a truck was destroyed but no other losses occurred, at least initially. After the bombardment, things quieted down for a moment. The last volley from the sIGs before relocating forced the crew of the ATG to abandon it. In the north the infantry hunkered down while the StuGs were resupplied, and in the south, the advance through the gully resumed.

As the southern force maneuvered through the gullies, largely unseen by the enemy (hopefully), enemy artillery resumed firing and this time concentrated mostly on the northern positions. No casualties resulted as the northern infantry was staying put for the moment. Continuing artillery fire makes further advance of soft vehicles, even via the gully route, inadvisable. Panzergrenadier platoon M, having reached a position 600 meters southeast of the southern objective area, spots a pair of T-26 M1939 tanks between them and the objective area. The StuGs of platoon E make short work of the northernmost tank of the pair but cannot get los to the remaining T-26.

Artillery fire continues to keep panzergrenadier platoon N pinned down in the north, however the situation is even worse for panzergrenadier platoon L in the south as continued incoming artillery causes the L3 squad to rout. Oberstlt Krafft orders the pioniers to advance using a more southerly gully, with platoon L out of the picture, the pioniers will need to take up the slack. A further bit of maneuvering allows StuG E1 to fire upon the second T-26 near the southern objective area, two shots and a shell penetrates, knocking out that obstacle.

StuG platoon F finishes resupply in the north and the advance there resumes, engaging an enemy infantry squad in the northwestern objective area. The StuGs of E platoon in the south begin their resupply as all southern StuGs have run out of HE ammo. Panzergrenadier platoon L is on the move again, squad L3 having rallied, the platoon is currently escorting the sIG Ib's eastward through the southern gully.

The southern advance seems to have caught the Russians flatfooted, enemy infantry squads are moving in all directions even when not under fire. The MG34s of the panzergrenadier company, supported by StuGs from platoon D, take advantage of this situation and procede to encourage Russian units to choose westward movement. Panzergrenadier platoon M advances by bounds towards the southern objective area.

A 76.2mm ATG just northeast of the southern objective area fires on StuG F1 but inflicts no damage. The MG34s of the panzergrenadier company engage the ATG at long range from behind, inflicting casualties among the crew and the ATG is then destroyed by a single shot of 7.5cm HE from StuG F1. Panzergrenadier platoon N advances and flushes out a 37mm AA-gun which is promptly destroyed with assistance from StuG F0.

Another pair of T-26 tanks are spotted far to the east of the southern objective, the southernmost of the pair is destroyed by fire from StuG E0 as it emerged from the gully after resupply. Two more ATGs are spotted northeast of the southern objective area when they open fire on StuG E0, which promptly pops smoke avoiding damage. With the help of panzergrenadier platoon M and the SdKfz 250/10's of the scout section, the StuGs of platoon E and section C not only put an end to the two ATGs but also destroy the remaining T-26 to their east.

The northern group continues to slowly advance on the northwestern objective area, a Russian sniper brings progress to a halt for a moment. The advancing pioniers discover a Russian AAA park and the accompanying StuGs proceeded to dismantle them with 7.5cm HE. Another T-26 was discovered nearby hiding in a gully. Pioniers, under cover of smoke, are advancing on it as StuGs maneuver for a flank shot.

One hour left to go, time is getting short but the plan has, more or less, gone unexpectedly well. The northern group is poised to seize the northwestern objective area, panzergrenadiers in the south are advancing steadily on the southern objective area with assistance from sIG Ib's and StuG's. The question of the hour is, will the northeastern objective area be too heavily defended to overrun in the time remaining?

StuG E1 is hit by a hidden ATG, the tank is destroyed but the crew survives. The pionier platoon overruns the Soviet HQ and engages with SMG fire at short range, the Soviet HQ ceases to exist. All objective areas under control except for the northeastern one, the pionier platoon will attempt to advance upon it.

The pionier platoon runs into a nest of interlocking 47mm ATG positions, though a halftrack is lost, the platoon destroys the ATGs and secures the northeastern objective area. The Russian forces made a heroic effort to regain the southern objective area, it was hard at times to pick out units which were firing from those which were just running east. Finally the combination of sIG Ib fire and the advance of panzergrenadier platoon L broke the counterattack.

Decisive victory, KG Krafft!

Game notes: this was a tough fight despite the use of gullies as 'protected' infiltration routes. The StuGs run dry on HE rounds very quickly and it can be rough to decide when to use them and when not to. Frequent resupply is necessary!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)

Brian

[Brian61]

Battle #30 is coming up, its a defend battle with KG Krafft coming to the aid of an understrength Slovak battalion caught in the path of the Soviet hordes with no engineering support. (15 build points for trenches though - they did have shovels!)

I'm still figuring out a defense plan, I'm thinking of establishing a static defense with the Slovak forces (see attached picture). One company will deploy at position A the other at position B. Positions C and D will be the AT defenses with the one at C including an antitank ditch to force any vehicles to go off road. KG Krafft will enter at position E and eventually launch a counterattack along the path of the black line.

I've attached the turn 0 save file so you can see the forces available as well as terrain details. I wouldn't mind some advice on this one - it looks hairy!

Brian

[RERomine]

I took a look and it does look like it will be complicated. With the objectives scattered, it will make holding them difficult. The infantry on both sides should be equally green, so your foxholes should help, but the Soviets will have numbers on your side. Much if this depends on whether or not you have it set up as AI Tank Heavy. If yes, you will probably face a battalion of infantry and somewhere between 1-2 battalions of armor. On the other hand if no, you will see about a battalion of tanks and at least two battalions of infantry. Your ammo situation in your StuGs could be a problem if the AI throws two battalions of infantry at you, because you don't have nearly enough HE to deal with them. The inexperience of the Soviet troops could help here, however.

In the defend I just fought, the AI seems to put most(90%+) of its units in one half of the map. It even did that in a test set-up with the numbers you expect to face. Your plan might work but you might also have to be flexible. If a major push comes in the northern half of the map, maybe your push east along the road with your core and have your allied infantry at B take the hill. You can also have them go to the hill if your core goes there as well. Another possibility would be have them move up to support the infantry in A. Once they get there they can double up in the foxholes. Also, unless things have changed in one of the patches, I've seen tanks go over the trenches. They pick their way through like infantry moves through dragon's teeth. Be prepard for the enemy to get tanks through, just in case.

You will win or lose this battle based on what your core does or is capable of doing. Their capability should be well know to you, so that is the difference will be in this battle. Don't get them bogged down in a slug fest or the AI will zero in with artillery. An immobilized StuG doesn't make a good pill box. If they have been in position for more than four turns, think about moving them to some place else. Move forward, move back, just don't stay in the same spot. Expect the AI to field something along the lines of two battalions of artillery, more or less.

Strike aircraft aren't likely, so deploy your AA guns to engage light tanks and infantry. If you have the CD version, use the filter option or at the very least cut the range down to self defense so you can control what they shoot at. Them firing at at T-34 just makes for a mad enemy tank.

No matter what you do, you are going to have a very difficult battle on your hands.

[Brian61]

With scattered victory hexes I won't even try to hold the southern ones. I'd probably have been better off if I'd have set AI tank heavy but I didn't so I expect you're right about the infantry hordes. I'm going to have to keep a third of my StuG's resupplying most of the time.

I'm thinking of putting a fire trench up on the hill in position A, if I can find the right los, I could use them as fall back positions for a forward deployed infantry company and could send my sturmpioniers in to make local counterattacks around them.

I'm hoping the timing on any mass armor advance along the road will be such that the StuGs can support the ATGs, so a temporary halt or immobilization will work fine. I'm hoping some will get stuck in the mud there too. Anyhow, all set up now, crossing fingers :)

Thanks for the helpful advice and comment!
Brian

PS: here's what the final starting setup looks like

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 31 August, 1942 - Eastern Front

Resupply and repair: all units resupplied and repaired.

Situation: No rest for the weary, a nearby section of the front is held by an ally, a Slovak infantry division. Unfortunately transportation delays have delayed their full deployment and now the Russians are bearing down on a badly understrength battalion trying to hold down a regiment's worth of front. To make matters worse, the same transportation foulup has kept their supporting artillery from being resupplied. The section of the front is a hilly area with large stands of woods and equally large clearings. The northern hill has quite a few areas of mud along its approaches, including on both sides of the east-west road just north of the hill. While the Slovak battalion has no engineers, thus no mines, barbed wire, or improved fortifications, they do have shovels and their commander put them to good use. There is an anti-tank trench cutting the east-west road and a small clearing just to the south, also they have prepared a firetrench atop the northern hill as a fallback position.

Game note: I shifted the position of some of the Slovak units a bit, with the idea firing once at max range and then falling back to prepared positions, as well as keeping the companies together as much as possible.

Orders: KG Krafft is ordered to reinforce the Slovak defenses and support any necessary local counterattacks to prevent a Soviet breakthrough in this area of the front. The only artillery unit in range is a K 18 counterbattery unit that will provide support as necessary in this emergency.

Battle Plan: The Slovak battalion has prepared its defenses prior to the arrival of KG Krafft. One company (company K) is deployed in forward positions on the eastern slope of the northern hill. The second company (company Q) is deployed in the woods southwest of company K providing flank coverage. The Slovak battalion has two adhoc antitank groups, each with two 4.7cm ATGs, two 2cm AAAs, two ATR units, and two tank hunter teams. The group attached to company K is deployed covering the northern flank, including the road and antitank ditches. The second group is deployed in the gap between the northern hill and its southwestern neighbor providing coverage on the southern flank. Both companies have deployed their machineguns to support the antitank groups. The Slovak battalion also has a mortar platoon and, surprisingly enough, two wagonloads of ammunition.

The Slovak defenses anticipate the major point of enemy effort to be in obtaining the northern hill and as such are prepared to fall back onto the hilltop prepared defenses until such time as a counterattack can be mounted. KG Krafft will secure the open area in the south and prepare to conduct any necessary counterattacks to the north. One platoon of StuGs (platoon D) will reinforce the northern Slovak antitank group during the first wave of the attack. A fire support group will operate east of the Slovak positions, comprised of the sIG Ib's, their ammunition carriers, and the SPAA section for defense.

Execution: No sooner has KG Krafft arrived in the area than the Russian artillery begins to fall in copious amounts of 152mm and 122mm shells all around, and in a few cases, upon, the Slovak defenses. Counterbattery fire from the K 18 batterie reportedly falls on one of the 152mm batteries. The Slovak troops hold up fairly well under the fire and order is soon restored to most units.

A pair of T-34/76 M1941's carrying Gaurds engineers advanced along the road until they met the guns of StuG platoon E. A T-34/76 M1942 is spotted heading cross country towards the northeast face of the north hill, another is spotted moving northwest on the road possibly following the first. A pair of armored cars and a platoon of T-60 tanks are operating on the approaches to the southeast face of the north hill. Another pair of T-34/76 M1941's is spotted in the far south.

Squads from infantry platoons M and N fire upon the T-60's at extreme range to dislodge their riders and then begin to withdraw to secondary positions. In the north, StuG's of platoon E claim another victim, but at least two more are lined up awaiting treatment. The T-60 advance is flanked on the south by a couple troops of calvary. Further to the south, another group of T-60's is operating with support from at least two T-34s. A trio of BA-64's is operating in the open southeast of company Q's hill.

Two more T-34's in the north explode under 7.5cm gun fire from the StuGs there, while to the southwest of the north hill, an ATR and tankhunter team join forces to destroy a nosy BA-10 armored car. Company K continues to refuse engagement, firing only when safe, and withdrawing westward after firing. A fire mission called on the path of the northernmost T-60 advance is reinforced with sIG Ib fire now that the road looks to be clear.

A trio of T-34s advance into the woods, one is destroyed by close assault as the Slovak infantry continues its hit and run withdraw to the fire trench. StuG platoon E heads south to join the rest of the batterie as its work in the north seems complete. The SdKfz 250/10's of the recon platoon destroy a pair of BA-64's before the Soviet armored cars can spot the main body.

Two more T-34s are destroyed by close assaults from the plucky Slovak infantry. A T-60 is also destroyed but another two survive. In the south, KG Krafft claims three T-34's, a T-60, and a BA-64 as it swings into open field action. The T-60's in the forest are proving a bit rough for the infantry to handle so the southern tankhunter teams are moving northeast to assist.

Platoon S of company Q destroys two T-34's with close assaults and damage a third. A T-60 is destroyed by a southern antitank group 4.7cm ATG and its partner bounces a few rounds off of a nearby T-34. KG Krafft, on the prowl in the south, destroys one T-34 and damages another, as well as routing a Maxim HMG squad. All is not well however, although the K 18 battery continues to conduct counterbattery fire, the intensity of the Soviet bombardment is making life difficult for company K, delaying its withdraw to the fire trench.

In a stroke of good fortune, the Soviet artillery shifts fire to the southern antitank group and the entire barrage falls short, right atop their own advancing tanks and infantry. A few more T-34s and T-60s are destroyed while the Axis troops take advantage of this opportunity. Oberstlt Krafft orders friendly artillery to shift positions and resupply.

Despite the stalled advance due to friendly fire, the Soviets aren't through yet. A pair of KV-8s are seen in the south, and some artillery batteries continue to pound positions atop the northern hill causing no end of problems for company K. Still, an hour into the battle, Oberstlt Krafft cannot help becoming a little bit optimistic, while company K is having difficulties, company Q is in fine shape and the Soviets seem to have precious little armor left with which to threaten the StuGs.

Company Q begins its counterattack, advancing eastward under cover of the StuG's. The pionier platoon of KG Krafft assists in the operation, sweeping the southern areas along with the recon platoon. A few Soviet tanks remain but are operating independantly and are being picked off one by one. The north hill is still a sticking point, but gradually most of company K has gained the protection of the fire trench while machinegun and indirect fire have whittled down the opposition. There are still at least two T-60 tanks operating on the hill which are no end of trouble but they seem to be as handicapped by the heavy Soviet bombardment as the Slovaks are.

An hour and a half in and the counterattack in the south has been a success, there is still some enemy resistance and a second echelon infantry attack is incoming but overall the south looks to be in good shape. Company K holds the fire trench upon the north hill and not much else. A counterattack there would be possible except for the continual heavy bombardment.

The second echelon infantry attack turns into a full scale company+ strength attack on the south flank. Although the StuGs rapidly run out of HE ammo, their machineguns are required to prevent a collapse and no time for reloads. The pionier platoon is thrown into the gap in the hopes of holding the line until the attack has slacked off and company Q can advance.

Despite the best efforts of the K 18 batterie's repeated counterbattery fires, the rain of steel from the Soviet guns continues making troop redeployments hazardous at best and endangering vehicles on the south flank. On the north flank, three T-28e's and a platoon of infantry are advancing, repositioning of the ATGs there account for one T-28e. One of the remaining two braves the antitank ditch. Mortar fire was slowing down that advance but the Slovak mortars are out of ammo and are sent to resupply.

An ATG in the north manages to immobilize one T-28e but in doing so leaves itself exposed to enemy fire. Two hours into the battle and the southern flank is stabilizing, whether it will hold once the StuGs and sturmpioniers withdraw is another matter. Unfortunately they are going to have to withdraw soon, not only are they in sore need of resupply but two platoons of infantry are about to outflank defenses to the north.

The StuG batterie commander and platoon F which were operating in the south have to break off and head for resupply. The Slovak infantry platoon they were supporting is in full rout. The SdKfz 250/10's of the recon platoon are engaging the advancing Soviet infantry with long range fire. There is some hope though, the sturmpioniere platoon together with StuG platoons D and E have successfully pulled out of line and are redeploying to take the southern Soviet infantry in the flank.

Slovak company K continues to hold on tooth and nail in the fire trench, the northern flanking movement by the enemy has thus far gone largely unchecked but sIG Ib's and SdKfz 7/1's of KG Krafft are racing towards long range firing positions from which they can hopefully slow down the advance. Soviet artillery fire continues to be heavy and 152mm batteries continue to pound company K.

The K 18 batterie continues counter battery fire though company K found that hard to believe as they were subjected to increased levels of incoming fire. Under combined artillery and infantry attack, their hold even on the fire trench became tenuous. The south was a different story, the Soviet second echelon attack crumbled as the sturmpioniers and StuGs hit them in the flank.

Three hours into the battle, with time running out, KG Krafft breaks off pursuit in the south and heads north in hopes of recovering at least some of the eastern positions on the north hill. Company K is losing the battle for the firetrench, the northern half of the trench has become a nomans land. All friendly artillery is called in to assist by fire missions on the enemy positions north of the firetrench.

The remnants of company K hang on till the bitter end, reinforcements began to trickle in from company Q, enemy artillery began to slack off, and KG Krafft pushed up the eastern side of the north hill. It wasn't enough for complete victory as time ran out.

Marginal victory, KG Krafft (whew)!

Last turn file attached, thanks for reading :)
Brian

[RERomine]

Well done, especially using inexperienced allies for most of your leg units :up:

[Pat58]

Yes, an inspired effort when units are so heavily engaged that supply becomes an issue. Fun reading too as the enemy gets to dish it out sometimes instead of just being a punching bag.

[valo2000]

yeah also nice with the backstory.

[gila]

Very nice read:).

But i agree it would even be better if the AI had a chance other than being a turkey shoot every time.

[RERomine]

Depending on how you play, campaign battles often can be turkey shoots, especially if the human player has the technology edge. Your reward for destroying 50 tanks in one battle of a campaign is likely to face 70 the next battle and so on. A major factor is how the AI uses it mechanized masses. Their vast phalanx of armor charges straight ahead and don't pause to say, "Hmmm...I'm losing tanks that way, so maybe I need to go a different direction." The player can start changing the settings, but you start losing one aspect of realism for the sake of another. I personally leave the settings along, because I don't like the idea of fighting a T-34/76B that acts more like a IS-2, but that is my opinion :)

[Ts4EVER]

Problem with the AI is that it doesn't support its tanks. They move every unit at full speed, leaving the infantry behind.

[Brian61]

Oberstleutnant Krafft returns! :)

As usual of late, he gets stuck with a situation noone wants in a place noone has ever heard of. :D

KG Krafft, 12 September, 1942 - Eastern Front

Resupply and repair: all units resupplied and repaired.

Situation: The remainder of the Slovak infantry division finally arrived as the Russians withdrew. According to Army Group intel, many Soviet units facing the Slovak positions are being withdrawn and redeployed to support operations near Stalingrad. While second line allied units are not normally used in offensive actions, the situation in this sector is developing into a favorable one for an exception to be made. If sucessful, Axis lines will be straightened enough to free up considerable units for offensive action elsewhere.

However, Army Group intel missed a rear guard movement by some of the Soviet forces in the area and as KG Krafft together with a motorized company of Slovak infantry moved to secure staging areas for the forthcoming attack, they run into each other. [Meeting engagement, map 80x80, custom V-hexes, visibility 24, length 36]

Orders: KG Krafft is ordered to assist a motorized Slovak infantry company in securing a staging area for a local offensive. The changing situation implies that they must first defeat the rear guard of the retreating enemy forces. The only support available at this time is a flight of two Fw 190A-3/U-2s.

Slovak TOE: The motorized infantry company has the following attached elements from higher echelon units: 2x Motorcycle sections, 1x motorized FO, 1x Towed ATG section with 47mm guns, 1x field gun battery of three 76mm field guns, 1x mortar section, 1x Light Truck platoon for transport of the field guns and mortars.

Special Rules: Slovak artillery fire may only be called by the Slovak forward observer, the Slovak mortar unit may be called from either Slovak forward observer or company commander. No Slovak unit may call german artillery or airstrikes. Language barriers at lower levels prevent intermixing of KG Krafft with the Slovak reinforced motorized infantry company, therefore each must operate independantly.

Battle Plan: Control of the roads is vital for victory, there are two roads which cross in the western portion of the map, one runs east/west, the other south-west/north-east. The roads are dominated by hills 133, 134, 135, 204, 205, 206, and 322. It is also considered vital to control the wooded areas southwest of hill 204 and south of hill 205. Enemy strength is expected to be an understrength infantry battalion with armor and artillery support.

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8826/kgkrafftbattle31.png

The Slovak forces (group B) are ordered to secure hills 132 and 133 and then advance into the woods with the goal of securing the western approaches to hill 204 and denying the enemy use of the diagonal southwest/northeast road.

KG Krafft (group A) will secure hills 134 and 135, and secure the woods south of hill 205 while advancing to hill 206. After securing hill 206, KG Krafft will procede north and circle hill 205 from the northeast, relieving any remaining pressure on the Slovak contingent.

Should either element encounter overwhelming forces, KG Krafft can break off the advance towards hill 206 and procede to positions southwest of hill 205 were the two forces can better support each other.

Execution: (to be continued)

Turn 1 file is attached as zip.

[Brian61]

Execution: (continued)

All units set out on the first leg of their journey as Russian 122mm artillery lands all around the road intersection. Barely five minutes into the engagement and a trio of T60s are spotted east of KG Krafft. StuG D1 opens fire and destroys two but is unable to get a line of sight on the third. Slovak recon spots a T60 and a T34 moving towards hill 133. Rifle platoon L races forward and dismounts to secure sites for the ATGs. The Slovak field guns and mortars also dismount in order to be ready should their services be required.

KG Krafft destroys the remainder of the T60 platoon in the south, machinegunning disoriented desante teams. Further north, its a race between the T60's and the Slovak ATGs to see who can get into position first. From the sounds Oberstlt Krafft hears over the radio, it seems the Slovak FO is calling for a smoke screen to be dropped somewhere north of hill 133.

The Slovak advance seems to be in trouble, a pair of BA-64 armored cars have outflanked them to the north and the northernmost recon motorcycles briefly exchange fire with soviet calvary before retreating. Motor-rifle platoon M decides to risk long range fire from the T-60s and create their own smoke screen after disembarking in the open. Hopefully this will cover the trucks in their withdrawal. In the south, A StuG from platoon E destroys a T-28e and suppresses the machinegun crews it was carrying. StuG platoon D may soon reach position to fire upon the northern T-60's from the flank.

Army Group Intel really dropped the sprengladung on this one, a full company of T-34/76s is approaching the Slovak positions and there appears to be an entire company of Guards infantry riding them. One platoon pops up out of nowhere between the two southern recon motorcycle squads. As the Slovak ATGs are frantically pushed into better positions, the Slovak commander, Kapitan Urban, contacts Oberstlt Krafft on the radio net and in broken German seems to say "Der plan is kerput!!" Oberstlt Krafft tries to tell him to hold position but finally gives up and switches to KG Krafft command net issuing the order "Execute contigency plan now! Engage armor east of hill 133, fire at will!".

StuG platoon D charges ahead and despite taking long range flanking fire from a 76.2mm ATG, knock out the southernmost T-34/76 platoon. StuG platoon E holds the rearguard, knocking out another T-28e. The remaining StuGs lay down a smoke screen that will hopefully mask off the ATG fire temporarily. The sturmpionieres of KG Krafft dismount and shield the eastern flank against infantry and ATR fire. Oberstlt Krafft calls in an airstrike, hoping to catch the northern enemy armor by surprise. The Slovaks put up a good showing, knocking out one T-60 with ATG fire and another by infantry close assault.

Two 76.2mm ATGs badly maul StuGs D0 and F0, forcing them to retreat with heavy damage. The airstrike overflew the T34s and did minor damage to a T60 far to the rear. Amazingly both planes managed do avoid being shot down despite being fired upon by at least six AA-guns. The StuGs of KG Krafft, in blatant disregard of standard procedures, engaged the enemy ATGs with HE fire, destroying both.

A Slovak ATG destroys a BA-64 but is in turn destroyed by a T-60. StuG D1 destroys a T-34 that threatened to overrun the Slovak command post but suffered heavy damage in the process and is forced to retreat. StuGs C0 and F1 get a leg up knocking out three T-34s and a T-60 between them. The Slovak center is in full rout, their FO is blindly calling in artillery in that area, hopefully giving the routed infantry a chance to recover. The Slovak platoon in the far north is the only good news in the entire battle, it has destroyed the soviet calvary and is moving towards its original objective.

The effective loss of nearly half KG Krafft's StuGs force the Sturmpionier platoon to take over rear gaurd duties with assistance from the recon section and the SPAA section in ground attack mode. The sIG1b's put a damper on Soviet infantry's enthusasim for advancing but the rear guard is still forced to give ground. Oberstlt Krafft isn't ready to give up yet, at least without saving his allies, but if he were in range of the GHQ Intel section odds are good that there would be a friendly fire incident.

An hour into the battle, the four remaining undamaged StuGs eliminate the major soviet armor threat. Further south, the long range fire support from the recon element allows the sturmpioniers to withdraw with few casualties and only minor vehicle damage. In the north, the remaining cohesive Slovak infantry platoon continues to hound enemy calvary as it advances into the woods towards hill 204.

Ninety minutes in and the Slovak units on hill 133 can barely hold their own against the tattered remnants of the soviet forces in that area. The, now understrength, StuG batterie is out of HE ammo and must retreat to reload, leaving only the sturmpioniers and recon element to counter the southern soviet infantry advance. With the help of sIG1b fire to suppress air defenses, a second airstrike destroyed a soviet SPAA. Slovak artillery seems to be engaging in a, rather late, counter-battery strike against local soviet gun and mortar positions.

Two hours in and the Slovak contingent has a better hold on hill 204 than they do on hill 133. Not that KG Krafft has been doing much better, the StuGs are unable to withdraw from the line long enough to fully reload, even with the aid of the sIG1b's in direct fire mode. Still, the southern Soviet Guards company is a shadow of its former self as they've paid for every meter in blood.

Two and a half hours into the battle, the russian forces are all but defeated, unfortunately there are still enough of them and enough AAA/AAMG units still in their rear area, that it doesn't look possible to secure all the objective areas in time.

At the three hour mark, end of battle, despite not having possession of all victory hexes, the result is:
Decisive Victory, KG Krafft!

Last turn file attached as zip, hope you found this worth the read :)

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 18 October, 1942 - Eastern Front

Background: Although the last battle was a tactical victory, operationally it was more of a draw. While KG Krafft was being repaired and resupplied, the Soviets withdrew of their own accord to nearly the same line the attack had been designed to push them. The Slovak division was able to move up and dig in unopposed. Headquarters seemed satisified in the Slovak division's ability to hold the new positions and after a bit of reorganization, had a new set of orders for KG Krafft.

Both sides were drawing down their forces in the area to feed the grinding maw that Stalingrad had become, KG Krafft's Sturmpioniere platoon was a casualty of this, rejoining its parent company and shipping off to Stalingrad. The recon sections were also being rotated out, being replaced by a Panzer Aufklarung zug. KG Krafft's StuG batterie is being expanded to ten StuGs, the three 'new' StuGs coming from the remnants of a sister batterie that had been so badly mauled in recent fighting it was decided not to reconsitute the unit. The biggest change however was the attachment of a full motorized PanzerGrenadier Kompanie.

[Historical Note: I'm stretching things a bit, although 10 StuG batteries were shown as an option in KStN 446 01.11.1941, I'm not sure how many, if any, were actually constituted before '43]

Situation: A surprise attack has broken through our lines. All other maneuver units in the area are engaged in attempting to seal the gap. A Soviet breakthrough element of unknown strength and composition is heading towards one of our supply dumps. The only unit currently defending the supply dump is a company of the 634th Ost Battalion, they have no heavy weapons. A Panzer VI is nearby, having thrown a track earlier. Only one 10.5cm battery is available to provide fire support in that area, all other artillery is engaged or out of range.
[Meeting engagement, map size 80x80, standard victory hexes, visibility 27, length 41]

Orders: Procede with all possible speed to the area, sieze control of the eastern approaches to the suppy dump and prevent its destruction or capture.

Special Rules: The ammo dump is represented by an ammo bunker, if it is destroyed, all KG Krafft units must exit the map as quickly as possible. The Tiger tank is nearby but the crew has been unable to repair the left side track, it can change facing and fire normally but may not be moved. Also in the area is a championship marksman, Feldwebel Becker, who was practicing at the firing range nearby. He is under orders from the Ost Kompanie Kommandur, Hptmann Rittenhaus, to defend the Tiger from enemy infantry. Hptmann Rittenhaus will not depart from his orders to defend the supply dump, which to him means staying put right where he is. KG Krafft enters at turn 1 from hex 1,78.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7144/kgkrafftbattle32a.png

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6340/kgkrafftbattle32b.png

Start of turn 1 file attached as zip file.

Battle Plan: With the Panzer Aufklarung Zug leading the way, the StuGs of KG Krafft followed by the Panzer Grenadier (motorized) Kompanie, will advance towards the gap between hills 705 and 706, hopefully gaining position to either block the main Soviet advance or take it in the flank.

Execution: to be continued next post.

[Brian61]

Execution: (continued from above) Less than 15 minutes after arrival an armored car of the recon zug spots a T34 approaching to the south of hill 706. One T34 turns into a platoon followed by a platoon of T60s and at least two BA-64 armored cars. Further north, three Ba-64s exit the gap between hills 705 and 706. Firing on the short halt, the StuGs of Zug D fire one shot each and three T34s are no more. They continue firing and brew up three T60s and two BA-64s.

The last BA-64 of the trio that passed through the gap is taken under fire by the armored cars of the recon zug and is destroyed. Panzergrenadier zug K detours to the west, taking a longer route over some treacherous terrain to avoid coming under fire. The StuGs of zug D destroy two more T60s and a pair of BA-64's at short range.

The enemy opens up with numerous mortars, fortunately most fall on empty ground far away although a few 120mm rounds fell close enough to the StuGs of zug E to shake up the crews a bit. Five T60s and a T34 are spotted atop hill 705 moving west at full speed. Despite the range, fire from the StuGs destroy four of the five T60s. Oberstlt Krafft requests counterbattery fire from the 105mm batterie against a suspected mortar site. The panzergrenadier kompanie makes good time despite the detour and though being far west of their original goal, prepare to dismount if the StuGs cannot soon clear the area of enemy armor.

Five T26s are spotted moving through the gap immediately following an intense bombardment with two more T26s traveling in flanking positions atop hill 706. Both flankers and four of the T26s in the gap were quickly dispatched by the StuGs. The vehicles of the recon zug move into depressions to stay out of the line of fire.

More T26s, a T34, a trio of T28s, and a trio of KV1s appear north of the gap. Oberstlt Krafft calls in a fire order to the sIG1b's to drop the hammer on the KV1s. The StuGs drop a smoke screen between themselves and the KV1s. They then turn their attention to the remaining tanks and knock them all out in turn. The StuGs continue the advance. Oberstlt Krafft finally orders the panzergrenadiers to advance and disembark. They will have to screen the ammunition carriers so the StuGs can reload.

One of the KV1s makes the mistake of skylining itself at short range to the StuGs, it took numerous hits but it finally blew up. Enemy artillery is bombarding the area where the StuGs had intended to reload, hopefully the bombardment will cease before ammo levels run critically low.

The remaining two KV1s make a critical error by getting too close to StuG E2, in an amazing display of gunnery and command skills Obrgfrtr Krohner and his crew knock out two KV1s with two shots. Oberstlt Krafft orders StuG zug E to retreat and resupply, noting it would be rather hard to explain running out of ammo while guarding an ammo dump.

One and a half hours after arrival on scene, KG Krafft seems to have no targets left but infantry. Enemy artillery is still a problem but one by one the 10.5cm batterie is knocking out mortar positions. The StuGs have to withdraw behind infantry lines now though as enemy infantry AT teams are beginning to infiltrate the area.

Two hours in, the StuGs are withdrawn for reloading. Oberstlt Krafft retargets the 10.5cm batterie on clumps of Gaurds infantry out in the open. The Panzergrenadier kompanie takes a bit of a beating but manages to hold M zug out of the action as a reserve while whittling down the forward elements of the Soviet company and dealing with the odd sniper. Casualties however, begin to mount and the early return of StuG zug F is very welcome along with the very effective observed 10.5cm bombardment. The armored cars of the recon zug add their machineguns into the mix and slowly the Soviet advance begins to halt.

The partially resupplied StuGs reenter the fray along with the sIG1b's and the enemy infantry evaporates. A maxim machinegun section engaged a MG42 section and came out the loser by far. Although a few panzergrenadier squads are down to half strength, the situation is well in hand.

Two and a half hour mark Oberstlt Krafft orders Major Rittenhaus to advance to hill 712 with the aid of the recon zug. StuG zug D is detached to remain in the area southeast of the ammo supply dump to aid the panzergrenadiers in mopping up. The panzergrenadier reserve platoon is ordered to mount up and join Major Rittenhaus.

Hill 712 is found to be free of enemy troops and the detachment turns its attention south to the gap between hills 705 and 706. A steady stream of routed soviet infantry is passing through the area and encouraged to keep moving by the machineguns of the detachment.

The panzergrenadiers in the west are still being shelled by 122mm guns but are beginning to drive southeast to dislodge the last few enemy holdout squads. In the process they are nearly outflanked by a reserved Guards platoon emerging from the ravines southwest of zug L's position. The StuGs of zug D quickly disabused them of the notion but not before they sent the L2 squad running for cover. Oberstlt Krafft orders the FlaK gruppe to provide long range fire support in that area. The 10.5cm batterie reports guns dry but there is little doubt that without their support the battle would have had a much higher cost.

Three hours into the battle, while the outcome looks favorable, the Guards platoon in the south is reinforced by a few desant teams and with one of the StuGs going guns dry as well as the MG42 section running out, it has been tougher than expected. Panzer aufklarung zug I is keeping watch over hill 712 while panzergrenadier zug M approaches the gap. The StuGs of that group have crossed over hill 705 and are now in the western half of the gap. Panzergrenadier zug K is being attached to Major Rittenhaus's group as soon as transport arrives.

PzGrZug K comes under fire from an unspotted maxim machinegun platoon and is unable to join Major Rittenhaus's StuGs for the time being. To the west, another StuG runs out of HE and MG ammo while two more Gaurds squads are spotted moving in. Oberstlt Krafft lends a personal hand in the area, leading his HQ squad in eliminating a desant team. Soviet long range artillery continues to bombard the Ost-Inf Kp's position but the shells continue to fall short.

Nearly three and a half hours after arriving on scene, Major Rittenhaus reports hill 706 and the gap are now also under KG Krafft control. Oberstlt Krafft barely had time to respond when he hears over the area command net that the rest of Ost Battalion 634 reinforced by a detachment from 17 Panzer will be arriving at the supply depot momentarily. The breakthrough had been successfully contained.

Decisive victory: KG Krafft.

Notes: I messed up on the setup, I believe if I'd put a few victory hexes near the supply depot that the battle would've been much harder. As it went, the Ost-Inf Kp was barely engaged at all and nothing ever came within the Tiger's field of view. Still, it did have its challenging moments despite ending up an overwhelming victory.

Last turn file attached, hope this was worth the read :)

[Pat58]

It's great to see KG Krafft back in action after a short hiatus. Very detailed, creative and interesting reads.

One comment I would make is given the fact that this formation is the best in the Wehrmacht, wondering if they shouldn't have a larger area of responsibility (map height 120 w/scattered VH), be sent to areas with more competent enemy forces (experience 90) and more numerous (Russian build points 10k). That might better convey the general situation of the Eastern front, sending the elite formations into the more difficult situations.

[Brian61]

Glad someone is enjoying it :)

As far as best in the Wehrmacht :D actually less the a dozen units in the core are elite status. Admittedly some of those are nearly in the Michael Whitman category at this point and I'm only a bit over halfway through the long campaign. :doh:

Larger height maps would, I think, just give me more room to outmaneuver the AI, larger width maps.. maybe but I don't want to get into a situation where I'm throwing real world tactics completely to the wind and doing wild rushes hither and yon.

Scattered victory hexes do make it more difficult, I tend to use those for some battles but I like the objectives to have tactical/operational meaning - this last battle I just plain screwed up and didn't move a few v-hexes from the center to just in front of the supply depot. Otherwise, the victory hex placement was just about perfect from a tactical objectives point of view.

I have the AI bonus in config set to 125%, I hesitate to up that too much because I have another long campaign with a small infantry core that is in the early stages. What I'm considering doing is creating a useless unit, say a ammo cannister duplicate that costs half as much as my entire core force, and add that into the core. When deploying I'd just place it in a grey hex so it automatically retreats.

One thing I have been doing that does make the battles more difficult is to use single hex entry point deployment of my forces. Effectively this is increasing the map size without giving me additional space to maneuver and also gives the AI a few turns head start.

I really do not want to start messing with the default player preferences, for one thing that would mean someone else trying out one of the battles would have a very different situation. Another reason is that I'm considering getting back into pbems and playing with a different set of preferences would throw me off quite a bit I'm afraid.

Despite the victories, many of the battles in this campaign have had their touch and go moments where the wrong move (or bad random) could have resulted in a drastically different outcome.

For storyline reasons (and the fact that a armor heavy force in urban terrain is a horribly bad idea) I've been avoiding Stalingrad even though the long campaign generator keeps trying to throw me in there :p Still, I think sometime soon KG Krafft will find itself in another delay/defend/advance/assault mission which should prove more challenging.

[Brian61]

KG Krafft, 26 November, 1942 - Eastern Front

Situation: Soviet forces have mounted a major offensive against Army Group Centre threatening to cutoff the Rzhev Salient. As the operational picture emerged, KG Krafft was called into action as a part of its parent organization (1st Panzer Division) early on the morning of 26 November near Belyi to oppose the advance of the Soviet 1st Mechanised Corps.

Orders: Intercept and destroy all Soviet forces in your assigned area. A 17cm K18 batterie will be providing counter-batterie fire in your area, no other artillery assets are available.
[Delay mission, map size 80x80, shotgun vhex, visibility 18, length 44]

Mission: The assumed enemy mission is to pass through this area, capturing or destroying all axis forces encountered as part of attempt to cut off a portion of the Rzhev Salient encircling Belyi in the process. Our mission is to stop them and to render all enemy units in the area combat ineffective for the duration.

Enemy: Expect a battalion of armor, possibly including heavy tanks; a battalion or more of infantry, some at least of Gaurds quality; and substantial local and long range artillery assets amounting to at least a battalion, possibly two. Despite the low visibility the possibility of enemy air activity cannot be dismissed.

Troops: during refit after the last battle, the panzergrenadier kompanie recieved an attachment of two MG42 HMGs and two SdKfz 251/2 GrW from its parent battalion. Late yesterday afternoon, division released a panzer aufklarung gruppe (gepanzart) and a 5cm PaK 38 gruppe (gepanzart) to be attached to KG Krafft for the duration of the present operations. Thus we have a ten vehicle StuG batterie with organic supply and sIG Ib support in gruppe strength, a reinforced panzergrenadier kompanie with ATG, HMG, and GrW support in gruppe strengths; and two recon gruppes, one with limited ATG capability. We also have counter batterie artillery support.

Terrain: Visibility is poor, under 1km. There are extensive ravines in the northwestern portion of the area offering good cover and the shadow of the western slopes of hills 117 and 118 provide reasonable cover. Some cover farther forward is available in the southern ravines and the western slope of hill 205. North of hills 117 and 205 the northern edge of the area presents numerous barriers to passage although there is a gap about 400 meters wide which is passable. The northern face of hill 205 is all but impassable to vehicles due to extensive mud slides. The northern part of the gap between hills 117 and 205 also contains a large mudslide area. There is another mud slide east of where hills 117 and 118 join and the south face of hill 118 is covered in a mudslide which extends to the southern edge of the area although further south it is frozen except for a 50m wide strip. Except for that narrow strip in the north, all avenues of approach to the western edge of the area from the eastern must cross atop either hill 117 or hill 118. The only exception would be for tracked vehicles at slow speed through the narrowest portion of the mudslide south of hill 118.

Plan: the ATGs will be positioned at the northern end of the ravine north of hill 117 so as to deny the enemy use of the northern passage. They will be supported by both MG gruppes and one panzergrenadier zug should be stationed in the ravine within supporting distance. The recon group with AT capability will be stationed at the southern face of hill 118 west of the mudslide. A panzergrenadier zug will deploy nearby for support using the ravines to hide their vehicles. The remaining panzergrenadier zug will be held in reserve in a central position also using a ravine to hide their vehicles. Artillery assets with their supporting vehicles will use the extensive ravines southwest of the ATG position to gain some cover from enemy fire. The newly attached recon group (without AT capability) will deploy on the northern end of hill 117. One of the StuG zugs will deploy in forward position atop hill 118, the remainder of the batterie will deploy atop hill 117.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5051/kgkrafftbattle33.png

Ten minutes after the StuGs reach their positions the first enemy units make their appearance. Three BA-64s in the south which were engaged and destroyed in turn by StuG zug F. A pair of BA-10s attempted to cross hill 205 but ran into 75mm roadblocks curtesy of StuG zug E, putting a permanent end to their voyage. A few minutes later a pair of T-34/76 m1941's carrying a section of Guards infantry each made their appearance in the south. One was destroyed, the other immobilized both by StuGs of zug F. The crew of the immobilized tank bailed after a few more shots and the Gaurds infantry sections were soon put to rout by MG fire from the StuGs.

A few tubes of 120mm mortars dropped smoke north of hills 117 and 205. Oberstlt Krafft ordered the sIG 1b's to fire upon their suspected positions. A platoon of T-60s approached StuG zug F in the south, three were quickly dispatched although a desant team from one managed to jump off in time. A fourth T60 survived a minute longer but met its end just as surely.

Another platoon of T-60s made an appearance in the south but, again, were destroyed in short order. In the northern passage three T-34's are spotted, MG fire prompts their riders to disembark and once the tanks are buttoned up the 5cm PaK's open fire. Unfortunately the range was still a tad bit long so only one T-34 was destroyed. StuG zug D heads north in hopes of taking the remaining T-34's in the flank. The enemy opens up with some 82mm mortars both in the northern passage and east of StuG zug F in the south. Both fires were far short of doing any damage to any friendly units.

Things heated up quite a bit for StuG zug F, a dozen additional 82mm mortars joined in firing upon them along with a 122mm battery. The StuGs retreat for now. In the north a single T-34 continues to advance and despite the closing range still shrugs off numerous hits from the 5cm ATGs. Oberstlt Krafft orders mortar fire dropped on the group of dismounted infantry in that area.

Three more 122mm batteries open up, this time on hill 117, just south of one of the scout positions. They are joined by a 76.2mm batterie and another 76.2mm batterie fires into the northern passage but falls well short of friendly troops. Two additional 120mm mortars join in firing on the former position of StuG zug F in the south. StuG zug E manages to destroy one of the southern T-60s with a long range flank shot. One of the 5cm PaK ATGs comes under fire from the T-34 it was firing at. It is time to relocate the ATGs. StuG zug D just manages to enter into firing range to kill two T-60s that were advancing towards the ATGs, only one StuG was able to get into position to fire a quick pair of shots at the T-34 but both shots glanced off.

The glancing shots distracted the T-34 enough that it began to retreat, at which point a 5cm round penetrated its rear armor. The ATGs claimed two more T-60s before relocating. The StuGs of zug E knockout two T-26's that were advancing in the south. One scout has two more enemy tanks, a T-34 and a T-60, under observation but there are no other enemy tanks in view of any unit.

The answer to the 'where are all the tanks?' question is soon answered when a full company of T-26's advances all along the front. Five are dispatched rapidly by the StuGs of zug E, still in their original central positions. StuG zug D in the north dispatches the last known T-34 along with two T-26's. StuG zug E eliminates an entire platoon of T-26's in the south. Three known T-26's remain and only because they are just beyond los of StuG zug D.

A lone T-60 in the north is the first soviet tank to actually fire at a StuG in this engagement, it missed and didn't get a second shot. In the far south StuG zug F moves back into its earlier positions and spots a T-26 and T-28. Shortly thereafter, both are dispatched. The StuGs of zug E become the target of a heavy bombardment just after spotting what appears to be a half company's worth of Guards infantry approaching. They withdrew before confirming.

An hour after the first soviet tank was sighted, two remain, both late arriving T-26's, one immobilized, the other slowly picking its way through the wreckage of its predecessors. Enemy artillery fire remains heavy and an infantry attack is expected soon.

The battle continues, a few more T-26's arrive and are quickly dispatched. Pressure from enemy infantry is mounting in the center and the StuG's quickly run out of HE. Oberstlt Krafft calls in both sIG gruppe and GrW gruppe to rain upon the central mass of Guards infantry. The recon gruppes and deployed panzergrenadier zugs are called upon to begin advancing toward the center.

At the halfway point, enemy artillery is still falling in large amounts though for the most part missing any target. Still no sign of the K18 batterie having any affect. Oberstlt Krafft commits the reserve panzergrenadier zug to operations in the centre. At two hours into the engagement the enemy infantry advance is largely brought to a halt and is slowly being pushed back.

Although the enemy infantry is still trying to advance on the eastern slope of hill 217, the majority of the Gaurds infantry battalion is in rout. Soviet artillery is still a danger as the operation goes into the mopping up stage. StuG zugs are being rotated one at a time out of line for resupply.

For the next hour KG Krafft slowly eliminates stubborn pockets of resistance and sends large numbers of russian infantry running. The K 18 batterie finally begins counter-battery fire though given the number of soviet batteries engaged, it had little effect.

After the battle loss estimates for both sides are:

German 1st Panzer Division/KG Krafft 0 AFVs 47 men

Soviet 1st Mechanized Corps/219th Tank Brigade 81 AFVs 1099 men

Historical note: Operation Mars is much less well known than its much more successful counterpart Operation Uranus (Stalingrad). Although accounts differ and historians argue over the details, the end result was that using similar force commitments, the Soviet offensive in the Stalingrad region was a tactical and operational victory while the offensive against the Rhzev Salient was a tactical and operational failure bordering on catastrophe. In the end though, the strategic win in both operations goes to the Soviets.

Game note: despite being a delay the battle wasn't as challenging as I'd hoped, unfortunately. I'm going to put this campaign on the back burner for a bit and try an infantry based small core long campaign for a change of pace.

[Brian61]

I decided to try a smaller map as suggested to improve AI armor/infantry cooperation. So...

KG Krafft, 27 November, 1942 - Eastern Front

Situation: The battle for the Rzhev Salient continues as the Soviets pursue Operation Mars objectives despite early setbacks. KG Krafft, still operating as part of 1st Panzer Division near Belyi, isn't given much time to recuperate from yesterday's battle (special delay battle). The Soviet 1st Mechanised Corps under Gen. Solomatin, despite having its nose bloodied the day before, continues to press the attack.

Battle setup notes: KG Krafft has the same OOB as it did for the previous day's battle with the exception that the 17cm K18 batterie has been replaced with a 10cm K18 batterie. Yesterday KG Krafft faced elements of 1st Mechanised Corps/219th Tank Brigade - the 219th suffered severe losses and should be considered combat ineffective. Gen Solomantin had already committed 1st Mechanised Corps reserves, so it is likely that the attacking force from this battle is drawn from the 65th Tank Brigade and possibly 91st Rifle and/or 19th Mechanised Brigade. Historically, this is the day that Solomatin asked Tarasov for reinforcement but Tarasov sent the reserves to the north instead.

Orders: Prevent the Soviet task force from breaking through in your area. [delay mission, map 40x60, scattered victory hexes, visibility 53, length 40]

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7908/kgkrafftbattle34.png

Battle plan: The western portion of the area is dominated by two low hills, hill 231 and hill 307. A panzergrenadier platoon will deploy on the western edge of hill 307, supported by the ATG platoon deployed on the eastern slope of hill 231, with a MMG team and a StuG platoon on hill 231. The northern flank will be secured by another StuG platoon in reverse slope positions on the northwestern slope of hill 307. The southern flank will be secured by a panzergrenadier platoon deployed in the gully south of hill 307 with support from a StuG platoon hidden in the gullies south of hill 231. The third panzergrenadier platoon will be held in reserve west of hill 231.

Depending upon the strength and composition of the first wave of the enemy force, the northern and southern StuG platoons may execute a pincers counter-attack to the east of hill 307. Should the enemy advance in the far south be strong enough to threaten the panzergrenadier platoon there with being overrun, the panzergrenadier company's SP-GrWs are to provide cover smoke for withdraw. With the exception of the transport for the reserve panzergrenadier platoon, all soft vehicles are being withdrawn to the west for the duration of the battle.

Execution:
T02: The Soviet recon and first wave of armor are spotted by scouts. A pair of BA-10s trailed by a T-26 approach the southern panzergrenadier positions. A BA-64 trailed by a T-60 some 500 meters behind approach hill 307, and a pair of T-34s along with another T-26 advance in the north. The veterans of KG Krafft ensure fire discipline holds and no units betray their positions.

T03: As the BA-10s try to pass through the positions of panzergrenadier zug M in the south, one is destroyed by close assault and the second is destroyed by the StuGs of zug F as they advance out of the gully (south of hill 231) into firing positions. At least a dozen additional armored vehicles are spotted joining the first wave, a mix of T-34s, T-26s, T-60s, and a pair of SU-76s.

T04: The StuGs of zug D join the battle, destroying a BA-64 as it advanced into range. Another BA-10 is destroyed by close assault in the south.

T05: The StuGs of zug D destroy another BA-64 and a pair of T-34s as the Soviets try to advance across hill 307. In the south, zug F destroys two T-26's and a T-60 just beyond the panzergrenadiers.
Oberstlt Krafft orders an artillery strike from the sIGs and GrWs on the mass of russians in front of panzergrenadier platoon M in the south.

T06: More Soviet armor lumbers into view, at least four T-28s, a pair of KV-1s, and at least a platoon of T-26s. Three T-34s and a T-60 are destroyed in the north, the ATGs open fire and knock out one T-26 south of hill 307. Two more T-26s and a T-60 are dispatched by StuG fire in the south while panzergrenadiers send another T-26 into retreat. Soviet artillery fire begins landing, 120mm mortars and 76.2mm field guns shell hill 231 but inflict no casualties. Irregardless of losses, the Soviet advance continues despite losing an entire platoon of T-60s to StuG fire as quickly as they entered view on hill 307. Our only functional MG34 team was destroyed by long range fire from Maxim MGs. No other significant losses have yet been reported.

T07: Close assaults by panzergrenadiers in the south destroy a T-26 and with assistance of fire from one of the PaK 5cm 38s routs a T-34. StuGs claim four more Soviet armored vehicles including a SU-76 but now smoke from wreckage is blocking fire lanes and some StuGs shift to shelling enemy infantry as they approach. A third KV-1 is spotted in the south just as 15cm shells begin falling all around them. Heavy mortars and field guns continue shelling positions around hill 231 and some on hill 307, 82mm mortars begin dropping smoke south and east as well as on hill 307 further obscuring firing lanes. The southern StuG zug comes under heavy bombardment from a 122mm battery and a pair of 76.2mm batteries. A few more Soviet tanks fall to StuG fire as they emerge from the smoke.

T08: Panzergrenadier zug M is in a precarious position now, under assault from at least a platoon of enemy tanks with enemy tanks and MGs to the north preventing a withdraw and smoke obscuring the line of sight for artillery spotters who were directing the GrW and sIG fire in support. Despite their predicament, the panzergrenadiers launch close assaults against the Soviet armor, knocking out one T-34 and routing another along with a pair of T-26s. While enemy armor continues to advance against the southern panzergrenadiers, panzergrenadier zug K in positions on the western edge of hill 307 are mauled by combined air strikes and bombardment by two additional 122mm batteries along with 82mm mortars. One of the Soviet aircraft is heavily damaged by FlaK fire. A 76.2mm battery drops smoke right in front of the southern StuG zug while other 76.2mm batteries and mortars pound the StuG positions atop hill 231. A 152mm battery opens up on the area just southeast of hill 231, fortunately no friendly units were affected. A PzAufklaerer team is killed by enemy infantry on the southern edge of hill 307.

T09: A few more enemy tanks are taken under fire, one T-34 and a T-26 are destroyed. All StuGs are advancing, zug F in the south is moving closer to panzergrenadier zug M in hopes of an extraction, zug E in the north is advancing onto the northwestern edge of hill 307 to forstall any enemy advances on the hill, and zug D along with StuG C0 advance towards the eastern edge of hill 231. The PaK gruppe is being withdrawn to the northwest both to escape enemy bombardment and to block any enemy armor movement north of hill 307. Panzergrenadier zug L is still being held in reserve. Heavy enemy shelling continues but the K18 batterie swings into action and secondary explosions are heard in the distance. StuG D2 suffers damage knocking its guns out of action. A rifle squad of zug M is rendered combat ineffective but a KV-1 advancing on the remnants of the zug is destroyed by StuG fire. Another tank in that area, a T-26, is destroyed by a direct hit from a 15cm shell.

T10: Advancing StuGs knock out two more enemy tanks, a T-60 and a T-26, and the PaK gruppe completes its redeployment north of hill 231. Enemy artillery slacks off momentarily and an advancing KV-1 is immobilized in the gully occupied by panzergrenadier zug M. The first wave of enemy armor appears to have been largely defeated and with the assistance of smoke from a GrW, it may be possible to withdraw the remnants of zug M. The StuGs are, however, running low on ammo, with some units out of HE, others out of AP.

T11: With the assistance of the StuGs of zug E who destroy three enemy tanks, panzergrenadier K recovers from the bombardment and retakes their positions on the western edge of hill 307 repulsing the russian infantry advance.

T12: StuG zug F manages to break through to panzergrenadier zug M's position, destroying a KV-1 in the process. Soviet infantry is mounting a major attack in company strength from southeastern positions on hill 307. Enemy shelling is once again mostly ineffective but another airstrike disables StuG E2's guns.

T13: Extraction of zug M continues and, as the strength of the enemy infantry attack on hill 307 becomes more apparent, Oberstlt Krafft orders zug K to fallback as well. It is hoped they can be redeployed along with zug M to cover the StuGs from infantry close assaults while resupply operations begin. There are only three known enemy tanks still operational though one of those may be an artillery mobility kill. In a rather mixed fortune turn of events, heavy enemy shelling occurred in the area of the extraction of zug M resulting in the loss of the zug kommandeur, however, the majority of the enemy bombardment fell short - on their own advancing armor and troops that were already being shelled by our sIGs and GrWs. Secondary explosions indicate at least one enemy AFV was destroyed by their own artillery fire. In the north, one SdKfz 251 of the ATG gruppe was hit by artillery fire and immobilized.

T14: A T-34 advanced in the north only to be destroyed by the massed fire of three PaK 5cm 38s. One, nearly full strength, squad from zug M remains behind after relocating to a better position, the other surviving squad is evacuated to the rear. The attempt to withdraw zug K in the center is being complicated by 76.2mm battery bombardment. The sIGs and GrWs are relocated to avoid possible counter-battery fire and the StuGs continue to withdraw towards the resupply area. Another SdKfz 251 of the PaK gruppe is lost to artillery fire and 152mm shells begin landing on the withdrawing panzergrenadiers of zug K. Fortunately much of the rest of the Soviet bombardment is falling short, impeding their own advancing infantry.

T15: The sole surviving SdKfz 251 manages to extract one squad of zug K from the fire zone, but otherwise zug K is pinned down. Oberstlt Krafft orders the now relocated sIGs and GrWs to bombard the southern hilltop of hill 307 in hopes of slowing the soviet infantry advance. StuG zug F moves at top speed to the resupply area. The soviet artillery bombardment renders one squad of zug K combat ineffective and continues to pin down the two squads remaining in the beaten zone.

T16: A few Soviet tanks, evidently of a second wave, make their appearance but all but one are quickly dispatched by the StuGs with AP ammo remaining. Another airstrike, this one only does slight damage to a StuG. Soviet artillery slacks off for the moment with only a few batteries firing.

T17: Combined sIG and GrW fire land on the main body of the soviet infantry atop hill 307 bringing its advance to a halt. StuGs of zug D maneuver into firing positions and quickly dispatch the sole remaining known T-34. StuG zug F begins resupply operations. While overall the enemy bombardment is continuing at a much lower intensity, damage from 122mm shells damaged a SdKfz 7/1 FlaK.

T18: Our artillery continues to fall upon the soviet infantry under direct observation of Hptmann Tellner in his SdKfz 250/12. The damaged SdKfz 7/1 FlaK is withdrawn to the rear. Soviet bombardment picks up again but one 122mm falls short atop their own infantry advance. The other falls upon the previously undamaged SdKfz 7/1 FlaK killing or seriously wounding most of the crew and causing the lone survivor to abandon the vehicle.

T19: Oberstlt Krafft orders our artillery to begin the move into direct fire positions to support the advance of the reserve panzergrenadier zug. As soon as StuG zug F has completed resupply, it is planned for them together with panzergrenadier zug L with the sIGs and GrWs in support, to advance and reclaim the lost ground on, and north of, hill 307. Soviet artillery badly damages one of the SdKfz 251/2 GrW's.

T20: Long range machinegun fire from our AFVs continue to encourage the remaining russian troops to head east. It appears, apart from the ongoing bombardment, that the battle is largely won and we merely need to reclaim our lost ground to make it clear to the enemy. Another airstrike, now unopposed by FlaK, damaged the SdKfz 250/12 observation vehicle.

T21: Panzergrenadier zug L prepares to mount up as StuG zug F has nearly completed resupply. Other AFVs continue machinegunning any soviet troops spotted within range.

T22: Heavy bombardment of hill 231 by a 152mm battery and other batteries convince Oberstlt Krafft to delay the counter-attack a few minutes. StuGs, recon elements, and support elements continue to push forward on the flanks, albiet slowly.

T23: The counter-attack is finally launched, flanking units continue to probe forward, destroying a lone enemy T-26 along the way. Enemy artillery continues to fall heavily on the north portion of hill 231, preventing panzergrenadier zug K from regrouping and joining the counterattack.

T24: The main counter-attack force advances quickly, the infantry dismounting between hills 231 and 307 as the StuGs destroy a T-60 and suppress an enemy infantry squad. Zug K's HQ vanishes in smoke and dust as its position is pounded by numerous 122mm shells. Another 122mm battery begins firing uncomfortably close to the sIG's ammo vehicles.

T25: With the aid of the flanking units, the lost ground is quickly recaptured. Now the decision awaits as to whether or not to push into the enemy's rear areas.

T27: Oberstlt Krafft decided to push ahead into the enemy rear and no sooner had the advance begun until a third wave of enemy armor was spotted. Two T-28s and two T-34s were destroyed by fire from the flanking StuGs as the center advance continued unopposed.

T28: As the advance continued, additional enemy tanks were spotted and destroyed along with two SPAA vehicles. Over a company's worth of infantry was spotted and brought under fire. They quickly routed and headed east.

T29-40: Pursuit and destruction of mostly routed soviet units to the western edge of the battle area. Continual heavy bombardment of areas 500m behind forward lines.

Battle Report
Losses: German Russian
Men 54 971
Artillery 0 36
Soft Vehicles 0 0
APCs 1 0
AFVs 0 103
Air Transport/Helos 0 0
Aircraft 0 0

Score: Germany 8285, Russia 344.
Decisive Victory, Germany.

Game Notes: There was less time between the first wave of armor and the following infantry, but... well its easy to see by the turn by turn above. Part of the reason it is less challenging than it could be is no doubt due to the experience levels of most of my StuG crews after so many battles, it did seem a bit more challenging than the previous battle.