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

[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]

Joint Intelligence Bulletin---45-27845

Along with new ground weapons, the Germans have fielded yet another surprise onto the battlefield. This comes in the form of a machine called a helicopter, specifically an Attack Helicopter. It appears to have been employed down at the Battalion sized unit level in direct support of that units operations. It has the ability to take off and land vertically and hover or stand still at altitude. This has made for a deadly opponent for for ground forces.

The Tornado as it is called, is based on the Luftwaffes' first successful Helicopter the Dragon. Tornado has 1500hp power plant and is armed with a 30mm cannon, 2 MMG and an assortment of HE and AP rockets. It's primary mission is Scouting but, will attack given the right targets. They are armoured over it's vital spots. They move easily out of danger when attacked from the ground or air.

[PanzerBob]

KG Griffon War Diary 09 May 45

We were sitting along our sector of the Divisional Departure Line for less than 24hrs and I had sent my FORE out to scout our AOR after sunrise and much to my surprise they spotted two armoured forces moving down the roads in my flank areas. Again it seemed to be Panzers with Infantry riding, I'm beginning to believe this is an effect of the fuel shortage. As to what this recce in force can hope to gain, I'm not sure. We were well positioned to absorb this attack.

I had my HUBZ put in an attack run to slow the Yanks up in order to plot my arty and hopefully some from Div. Division gave me 3 15cm Battery’s and I had my BEOB's plot most of their fire along the north & south roads. I had the Tiger Kp move into better fire posns and put the reigns on my Panthers until I saw how the battle would develop. The PzGrens's supporting panzers also were moved up ready to fill in as well.

Arty came down as planned and the American Infantry were blown off their rides, and I ordered in the Tornadoes to harass them further. The first of the enemy columns came under the guns of my Tigers as they advanced though the barrages. American HE and smoke missions began to fall within and before our lines. I ordered the Panthers forward split between the two columns.

It was at this point the cursed JABO’s came in, 4 Mustangs and several Lightning’s all with rockets. The first several runs hit the Panther Kp’s HQ Section, both were damaged, and the Kp CO abandoned his Panther F under cover of his 2IC’s panzer. More Yankee panzers were being taken out, one PzGren Section on the south road took out 3 Shermans with Panzerfaust, the Kp HQ accounted for at least two more with a Panzerschreck and my panzers were making American armour into smoking wrecks. The JABO’s came in again making guns only runs, but they were now targeting my HT’s. Several HT’s were set ablaze, however, the JABO’s luck had run out. My AAA assets finally, scored two with a possible 3rd kills.

After 45 or so minutes of action the Americans are withdrawing. I sent a request up to Div to seek permission to pursue the retreating force. Word comes down we are sit tight, awaiting orders for the push on St. Nazaire.

I’ve ordered the KG to top up all ammo, fuel and stores, make good any repairs possible.

A “JOB WELL DONE” was also in order, but for the time being I’ve ordered our cooks to ensure a hot ‘eggs and sausage’ breakfast gets to all troops.

Obersturmbannführer PanzerBob

[PanzerBob]

WIDE WORLD GAZETTE

14 May 1945

HEADLINES

ARMY POCKETED

Allied Forces in France suffered their latest setback today, as Nazi Armies split our Armies into two separate pockets in NW France. This now leaves US Forces holding the Brittany area, with a collection of US, UK, Canadian and other Allies pushed back into the Normandy area. No word from FDR as to whether………….

CARRIERS COMING

The Battle of Atlantic may take a turn for the better, as US Naval Forces are being freed for Atlantic Duty. Since the shocking Surrender of China to the Japanese several months ago, the IJN has withdrawn from the Pacific to defend Japan. FDR’s policy of containment has left the Navy with the option of sending more ships to assist in the Atlantic. It is hoped with a larger carrier force, the present scourge of ROBOT BOMB attacks will be driven off the convoys, allowing our Armies to function properly reversing our present situation. Admiral Nimitz stated ………………..

GRIM OUTLOOK IN CHANNEL CLASH

Loses the Battle of the Channel continue to mount as the Nazi effort to cut off our lifeblood in Southern England and the English Channel continue. Several new jet-powered bombers have been identified and are making life all the more difficult for our pilots. New jet interceptors are still months away according to…………..

INDIAN TRAITORS IN LEAGUE WITH NAZIS

The Uprising in India is still causing thousands of deaths as riots spin out of control. The Nationalist League Party has openly asked for assistance and recognition of a free India, from Hitler in Nazi Germany and from Kuznetov in Greater Russia as they’ve renamed the USSR. British authorities have been reported to be quietly abandoning………………..

NIGHT TURNS TO DAY

A mysterious light lit up a large part the American Desert several nights ago. The US Office of Space Studies reported that it was a usually large meteor that made it to Earth and there is no reason to be alarmed. Several people claimed the light blinded them for…………..


BLUNDER WEAPON NO HITTER

The 20th Amerika Missile device came down today in Newark NJ. It came down in a wooded area, setting the impact area ablaze. An elderly couple walking near by were killed. To date, these Missiles that are leveling NYC according to Gobbels, have yet to hit New York, accounting for only 15 dead and minimal………………………..

WHITE RUSSIA SPEAKS

Marshal Kuznetov in his first appearance to the outside world expressed a desire to normalize relations with his Euroasian continental brothers and sisters. He condemned all the Liberal Extremist Nations, of which he included the Americas and the British Empire for fomenting hatreds and goading Greater Russia and the Third Reich into a war neither wanted. All because of their fear of the crumbling threat of Communism. The Press was treated to banquet afterwards, a dual affair, whereas, the Liberal Press and the “Friendly Press” had separate functions to attend, ours was a beer and pretzels party the others was much more…………………………

CIVILIAN HEADS FREE FRENCH

The Free French Government in exile, elected it’s new President today filling the power vacuum left by General DeGaulle after his fatal heart attack three weeks ago. President Jean Bart Dumont was sworn in at…………………..

FRANCO COURTS NAZIS AGAIN

Spain, today has opened its ports to all Axis military and civilian shipping, as Spanish Leader Franco openly praised the Third Reich’s recent successes. This despite warnings from the Allies…………………

NEUTRALITY QUESTIONED

Switzerland intercepted and shot down an RCAF Mosquito on a photo-recce mission, which strayed into its airspace. This is the first Allied to be summarily shot down since their announced policy of no more over flights or emergency landings in their country. It is not known whether………………..

FRIEND OR FOO

Rumours persist that pilots and flight crews on both all sides of this conflict, have been harassed while flying combat missions by balls of light, which appear to be under control. Neither side has claimed to own these nuisances. Allies airmen have termed them Foo-Fighters; some say they are good luck like dolphins at sea. No comment has been forth coming……………………….