[Ts4EVER]

Hi!
As promised, the second part of my 2nd battle of Kharkov "pseudo-campaign." 8 more scenarios. Many of these actually revisit places and forces from the first pack. As an example: In the "Return to Nepokrytaya" scenario, you are once again in command of Kampfgruppe Schmidt Ott (from "Schmidt Ott attacks") and you are fighting on the same map as "desperate stand". However, now destroyed british tanks and howitzers from that scenario litter the streets. I hope that this type of scenario series gives an idea of the progression this battle took.

These scenarios are included:

Chaos at night

Date: 13th of May, 1942
2345 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: The sun has set on a bloodied battlefield around Efremovka. Burning tank wrecks and dead soldiers of both sides litter the fields and forests, but the Germans have prevailed and are starting to dig in. However, all of a sudden the fight flares up again as the Russians launch an uncharacteristic night attack across the Orel river. Having infiltrated two balkas on the German flanks, they are closing in on Efremovka. You are in command of parts of the 113. Infanterie-Division. Your task is to gather your forces and use them to beat back the Russian infiltrators. It is especially important to defend your artillery park and command units.

It appears the Soviets have managed to cross the Orel river with infantry and tanks, most likely from the 38th tank brigade.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: The Russian night attack caused some confusion, but using their Stugs the Germans managed to push them out of Efremovka. When the Russians attacked again the next day, they found the German infantry heavily dug-in.

Return to Nepokrytaya

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 14th of May, 1942
1430 Hours
Location: North-East of Kharkov

Briefing: The 14th of May was a warm and sunny day. You are once again in command of Kampfgruppe Schmidt-Ott of the 3. Panzer-Division. After yesterday's counter attack, your unit is closing in on Nepokrytaya. This town had fallen to the enemy on the 12th and destroyed howitzers and English tanks in the streets tell stories about the desperate fighting that raged here. You are to seize the town from the Russians and drive them back across the Balka river. You have air support available and more tanks and motorized infantry from Kampfgruppe Schmidt-Ott will reinforce your spearhead later.

The 226th Rifle Division has pulled back from Kharkov and has set up defences in Nepokrytaya. They might use their field artillery in an antitank role and are supported by 22nd Tank Corps.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: The fighting for Nepokrytaya proved bloody and protracted. It took 3. Panzer-Division until 1730 to secure the town and beat the Russians back across the Balka river. It then reorganized for the next day, when it was supposed to prepare for an attack in support of the besieged defenders in Ternovaya.

Fortress Ternovaya

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 14th of May, 1942
1430 Hours
Location: North-East of Kharkov

Briefing: Yesterday morning the outpost at Varvarovka was taken by the Russians. Kampfgruppe Gruener, the regimental sized unit holding the strongpoint at Ternovaya, spent the rest of the 13th fighting desperate delaying actions against the 169th and 175th Rifle Divisions, managing to delay the encirclement of their position until the evening. Frustrated, the Russians advanced their 2 divisions westwards towards Kharkov. Instead they brought up their second-echelon 38th Rifle Division, in order to contain and possibly destroy the strongpoint. You play as Oberstltn. Gruener. You have a depleted regiment of infantry, supported by an artillery battery and a small tank company. The Luftwaffe has dropped ammunition canisters all around the town, which you will have to collect and bring to the units that need them. Heavy bombers have also been launching strikes on reported Russian concentrations.

The Russians have enveloped your unit and can attack you from any direction. One of your Infanterie-Kompanies and your tanks are placed in reserve and should be moved to threatened sectors. The Russian division appears understrength and has no tank support.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: With only 2 regiments at its disposal and no tank support, the 38th Rifle Division's assault failed completely. Lacking the strength to eliminate Kampfgruppe Gruener, they instead chose to contain the strongpoint behind their lines. Little did they know that Kampfgruppe Schmidt-Ott was getting ready to break through to their encircled comrades...

Stugs at Efremovka

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 14th of May, 1942*
1630 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: Despite the Russian night assault, the 113. Infanterie-Division used the rest of the night to dig in, sow mines and put up wire in front of Efremovka. The remaining Stugs of 244. Stug-Abteilung were dug in, refueled and resupplied as well. It is clear that the Russians will soon launch a new assault. Your task is to hold your positions at all cost. Use the assault guns as a mobile fire brigade once you identified the enemy focus.

You are once again facing the 266th Rifle Division, supported by tanks from the 38th tank brigade.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: The Germans managed to hold their positions, knocking out 12 Matilda tanks for the cost of 9 Stugs. 113. Infanterie-Division was forced to withdraw the next day, but a slow Russian pursuit allowed them to establish a new defensive lines 10 km to the rear.

Cavalry strikes at Balki

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 14th of May, 1942
2330 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: After advancing swiftly and against spotty resistance all day, the troopers of the 26th Cavalry division are within reach of Krasnograd. The Germans are hastily throwing together blocking units, including pioneers and a motorised balloon company. You are in charge of a cavalry battalion including support troops and are tasked with breaking through German screening units around Balki in a night attack. 6 BT tanks are attached as well.

The enemy consists of second line troops of bad quality. A decisive assault should throw them back towards Krasnograd.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Soviets.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: The German screen was pushed aside, but managed to hold the cavalry for some time, allowing the rest of the Germans in Krasnograd to prepare defenses.

Sudden Strike

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 15th of May, 1942
1830 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: Yesterday the 113. Infanterie-Division was forced to give up its positions in front of Efremovka. Covered by the Luftwaffe, it fell back to a new defensive line along the Berestovaiga river. Pioneers were used to blow up all bridges across the obstacle, but in the general confusion, elements of the 411th rifle division managed to seize a crossing near Okhochae. You are in command of a hastily assembled Kompanie from the 113. Infanterie, supported by a platoon of engineers. Your task: Counter attack the enemy bridgehead swiftly and decisively. Seize the bridge to enable its destruction by the pioneers.

The enemy 411th Rifle Division is a reserve unit of questionable combat value. A quick attack should be able to overwhelm them, even without heavy weapon support.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: The Germans managed to destroy the enemy bridgehead and establish their line along the Berestovaiga. The Russian 411th Rifle Division was very ill equipped, sometimes having only 1 light machine gun in each platoon.

Cavalry enters Krasnograd

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 16th of May, 1942
0445 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: Having pushed back the enemy screening forces in front of the city and having crossed the river, a battalion of the 49th cavalry division is silently approaching the outskirts of Krasnograd from the north. Civilians have confirmed that the city is weakly held and a heavy artillery battery has taken up positions near the city center. You decide to launch a night attack, hoping to surprise and overwhelm the Germans. Considering the light armament of a cavalry division, it is of the utmost importance to seize the town in a coup de main and not get involved in a protracted siege or bloody urban combat.

The exact enemy force is unknown, but it appears the Germans have formed an ad hoc defensive grouping called "Sperrverband Ziegelmayer".

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Russians.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Historical outcome: Using the element of surprise, the Russian cavalry managed to overrun a German infantry company and parts of a 150mm artillery battery in the north-eastern part of Krasnograd. Dawn saw the German struggling to organize a counter attack from the improvised forces still in the town.

Cooks to the front!

Soviet Union
vs.
Germany

Date: 16th of May, 1942
0830 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: Early this morning an infantry company from the 610th Infanterie Regiment was suddenly attacked and overwhelmed by Russian cavalry that had approached the city of Krasnograd under the cover of darkness. They have seized the north-eastern part of the town and are advancing towards the city centre. You command a scratch force from Sperrverband Ziegelmayer, namely: the remnants of the defeated infantry company, a platoon of cooks, signallers and costruction troops and a platoon from Pionier-Bataillon 260. A motorized company of observation balloon specialists is also on its way. Furthermore, you control the three surviving 15cm guns of our artillery battery and as the weather clears up, Stukas from StG77 will become available. You are to stop the Russian advance and then counter attack, pushing them out of the city limits and restoring our position.

The enemy force is a lightly armed cavalry battalion of the 49th cavalry division.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Amazingly, the hastily organized counter attack managed to push the Russian cavalry out of Krasnograd. Sperrverband Ziegelmayer was still heavily outnumbered, having only 1600 troops against up to 15000 Russians. However, the lightly equipped cavarly lacked the necessary heavy artillery to attack a major city, as well as the manpower for bloody house to house fighting. On the evening of the 16th, elements of the 576th Infanterie-Regiment moved into the town, reinforcing the defenders even further. The Soviets had missed a golden opportunity.