Alt History Campaign, 44-46 (sw) SS KG Griffon

[blitzkreig]

Interesting stuff, keep 'em coming.

[PanzerBob]

Thanks, Blitzkrieg

Eternal War(gaming) PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

SSKG Griffon ORDERS- 19-23 April 1945


We've been advancing along behind the steadily retreating, 3rd Third Army. I've managed to have two 12.2cm Bttys attached to my KG, I've also taken delivery of two of the much improved Tiger II Ausf D, (I refused Ausf B, because of the mechancal nightmare they'd become.) The D has the new ElectroTurbo engine and the Hawkeye FC System to name a few improvements. I also snagged onto a Hyena the newest Spahwagen, it has some night vision as well.

As Divisional Vanguard, we have attached additional Recce elements which include 4 Panthers UHU besides the usual units. These units have been assigned flank security.

My daily treks to Div Briefings, paid off today as FM Rommel was there. Several things came to light, First we are aiming towards the French West Coast in an effort to corral the Allied Forces back up onto their Normandy Beachead. Secondly, Patton is well and about to resume command of his Third Army, given Rommels' demeanor on this topic, this concerns me greatly.......

KG Griffon is to exercise more caution as the hunted wolf may find it's pack and turn and attack.........


[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

Excerpt from War Diary 24 April 45

As we rolled into the town of Longue (N of Samur) and secured it my hunch (and Rommels') paid off. My Forward Recce Element -FORE- my HUBZ Gp, spotted a large Panzer force in an echelon left formation. I ordered the FORE in for a closer look and to harass the enemy. Closer inspection, showed a force of largely panzers, with infantry riding on top, no trucks or halftracks. My HUBZ hosed off a few panzers of their infantry. As a plus they also took out a few panzers, including at least two M26's. I was able to walk my 122 Bttys into the main concentration. The resulting barrage had the effect of turning the main force south, instead of running to my north most flank security screen; they would be hitting the town where most of the KG was waiting for them.

A small panzer group with accompanying infantry struck first and was dispatched and a hail of MG's Mortars, arty and panzer cannon. Meanwhile the south flank Security Element ran into another similar size force. It eventually was forced to withdraw, with help from a Tornado and several Tigers including the new Tiger II's.

The first of several air strikes I called in materialized in the form of a couple of our 262’s. They came in fast and delivered their bombs and rockets in amongst the Yankee panzers and men, causing much chaos in damaged panzers and human suffering. They were something to behold, I had never seen jet airplanes in person before. This left a fairly battered force of which to attack our position in town. The first panzer to emerge from the smoke was a M26, a Panther 100m in front of the beast, fired and the shot bounced off the front, the return fire from the M26 almost vaporized the Panther and it’s crew. The second two Perishing met with long-range death as my Tiger II D’s knocked them out at 2400m from south of the town.

The last part of the battle, the death blow was dealt with 4-5 Panthers and several Tiger I’s, under a continuous rain of fire and several passes by the Swallows. I lost two more Panthers, 2 StuG to Sherman 76’s in the resulting melee.

We remain victorious.

[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img]Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PatG]

Interesting set of reports so far Bob. Apart from the Pershings, are the Allies getting updated kit too? And I have to ask - what's happening in the Far-East with the collapse of the Russians? With a land route now possible through Russia, The Japanese could be getting plans for 262s if not actual aircraft to take out the B-29 menace. Type XXI boats out of Japanese bases could be ranging up and down the west coast...

With Russian support gone they may have a better chance at supressing the Chinese. With Manchukuo stabilized and possible imports or occupied territory in Russia, the Japanese resource problems may be cured giving the Americans a much harder run for their money.

Finally - did the bomb drop putting the Japanese out of the war? If so - why aren't there mushroom clouds over the fatherland? If not - what's happening in North Africa and the Middle East? Will we see a revived second front threatening Imperial India and stretching allied resources further?

I love "what ifs" ;-)

[PanzerBob]

Thanks Pat, some good food for thought in your ponderings, and will be covered as the alt timeline marches on. I think I'll have to include some news clippings and letters to and from home to add more favour.

As the Allies, at present I'm going with the present OOB's as the Allies are having huge problems...

However,

I would love to play against Allied OOB's MOD'd for an alt timeline that I HAVE NOT CREATED, to add to the surprise and suspense, US Brit & Canuk, A lot can all of a sudden be pretty hairy on the battlefield when tanks are fielded earlier or up armoured or FC is improved. Aircraft see service earlier or are loaded out for CAS,

I created a Canadian OOB once a few years ago where the decision was taken to buy Soviet kit with some Western upgrades. (The US was furious) It was a blast.

Must run, PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 08 May 45

Since our last major engagement, we’ve been advancing with the Div along the northern Loire River valley. There have been some counterattacks by the Americans, but not in our sector. Most of our work on the advance has been policing up Third Army stragglers, Partisan actions and reacting to air attacks.

During this time, I’ve managed replace some of our equipment:

Beob/HQ Zug- SzPzW I Rommel (our new tracked APC)
Recce Gp- 2 more SdKfz 255 Hyena (Puma follow on with IR vision)
Panther Kp- 3x Panther F’s
Tiger Kp- 2 more Tiger II D’s
PzGren Kps- 3x Rommels’ (for Kp & Zug CO’s)2x Schwarzpanthers (FC upgrade, IR Vision,Armour Mods on Jagdpanther.
SPG Zug- 1x Sturmpanzer IV

I’ve been informed that a large part of our good fortune is due to success by the Luftwaffe in a sweeping interdiction campaign. We’ve made a huge impact on fuel supplies and reinforcements, and it is showing in the ever-retreating Allied forces.

Our Divisional Objective is St. Nazaire.

We are to halt on a rough line, north-south axis between the village of Sauenay and the Loire River to prepare for the final drive on St Nazaire. The Americans are preparing to defend the area, perhaps in hopes of an evacuation.

[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif[/img] Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 14 Aug 45

The action to take the Fort & the Oasis went without a hitch. Problems mounted when we advanced to take to the bridge over the western wadi and the old fort overlooking the area. It appears that the Aussies had planned to occupy the Fort & the Oasis as well.

My forward Recce Elements ran head long into the enemy just before the bridge causing heavy loses to the ground forces. A Tornado came in hit them hard, stopping the enemy column cold. It consisted of Armoured Cars and Halftracks loaded down with infantry. They now had deployed to hold the bridge.

I ordered my KG PzAufkl Gp to advance and hold the road into the Fort while I brought several Pz Gren Zugs up with 7 of my Panthers to retake the Wadi Bridge. My Flanks Recce Elms reported seeing troop movements north & south of the area. This was confirmed by the accompanying Tornadoes and Spotter HUBZ that took fire, we lost one Spotter, but the Tornadoes hosed them down good before withdrawing to relative safety.

It now appeared I had several flanking attacks to deal with as well. I ordered a Pz Gren Kp with Panther support against each. The northern objective was the ruins and southern one was to move no further than the wadi. I was fully expecting Enemy Panzers to emerge from the gloomy dusk. I ordered my 15cm Bttys to strike behind the bridge position, as I wanted the bridge intact. The Divisional 122’s were assigned on the flanks. I ordered my Tornadoes in low to find the enemies Panzers.

Once my flank forces were rolling I turned to the Wadi Bridge problem. With a Tornado suppressing the Bridge defenders I had the armoured elements move up to take care of the halftracks and armoured cars. With the enemies support wrecked, I had my Pz Grens move up and disembark. With several Rommels & Panthers in support they started to move towards the bridge.

On the flanks, a troop of scout vehicles on each flank ran into my advancing forces and were dealt with quickly. Recce into the enemies rear area produced no panzers at all. However, a mass of infantry was advancing towards my forces. On the northern flank, I had the Pz Grens occupy the Ruins with an outpost on the high ground to the north of the Ruins. To the south I ordered just the Panthers and Rommels forward to the Wadi.

The Aussies attacked the Ruins; they used 3inch mortars to keep our heads down while trying to close on our positions. It was here that I lost several Panthers to PIAT’s. Along the Wadi between heavy ground fire and the arty, once shifted, the enemy was kept at bay and advanced no further than the Wadi.

Back at the Wadi Bridge, we had taken it intact, but at some cost in men. The enemy put up a tough fight there, counterattacking several times despite Panthers and Rommels assisting in holding the Bridge. The enemy finally broke when the units holding the far side of the Bridge called down arty on their position. This action caused the Aussies to withdraw from this action and fall back into the desert night.

As a result of this engagement I’ve requested more heavy HE support.

Division was less than impressed with our performance, never the less I was happy with it.

Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob