Barbarossa V 1.3

[M60A3TTS]

It's been a while since I wrapped up the V1.2 game with Saulosi, and since then 1.3 has been rolled out. Time once again to head out to the steppes, this time commanding the German forces. Comrade ekazoll will be at the head of the largest military power in the world, with a virtually limitless supply of manpower. But will it be enough as Soviet cities fall one by one to the juggernaut that is the Wehrmacht? We shall see...

Week 24-

German forces annihilate over 50 Soviet divisions in the first several days of the campaign. Bialystok and Lvov fall to the panzers in short order. What is left of a defensive front consists of a handful of divisions in the Pripet marshes region and the Rumanian border. In the midst of several elite victories, Kampfgruppe Manstein is formed. A good amount of Soviet artillery is captured from the helpless frontier formations and will be of considerable value throughout this campaign.

During the course of Soviet turn, several border cities are abandoned to prevent them from falling into German hands. The German representative to the Red Cross in Zurich appeals for pressure to be put on the Soviet government to stop these inhumane actions. It is agreed by both sides that cities may be emptied of their improvements as necessary, but they will no longer be razed. Leningrad may be the sole exception, as the Fuhrer has his own plans for the city's disposition.

Week 25-

The count of destroyed Soviet units shrinks to about 40 divisions as there simply are not as many to destroy, and the German armored forces need to heal up after the first week of their work. No towns are captured, although several piles of rubble are now in the possession of the Wehrmacht. Riga is the first large size city that we are now within range of. In the air, the Luftwaffe begins strategic interdiction missions to slow the advance of Soviet reinforcements.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 26-

In the north, Riga is taken. Soviet casualties have dropped off this week as there are fewer units that are in the vicinity of the frontline. Luftwaffe missions continue to be spread between ground support and interdiction. Some of the rail lines between Moscow and Smolensk are cut.

Week 27- Lutsk and Zhitomir are taken in the center and south. Ilyano-Frankovsk is expected to be taken next week, as troops have reached the outskirts of town. Wehrmacht forces are now 20 miles west of Minsk. In the far south, a much slower pace. Not much movement east, still in the vicinity of the Rumanian border. Luftwaffe interdiction missions continue, this time severing the rail link between Moscow and Leningrad. With another MGL, Kampfgruppe Von Bock is formed. A few casualties on both sides. Luftwaffe loses a couple aircraft to MiGs.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 28-

Soviet fighters took a deadly toll this week on Axis bomber formations. No less than 6 units were taken down. Soviets lost some low grade fighters, but that was little consolation. Only Iyano Frankovsk fell as expected, and Minsk is now threatened. Talinn should also fall next turn. The battle for Minsk will be the bigger battle. This weeks action resulted in the destruction of a couple tank divisions in the center. Movement still very slow in the south.

Week 29-

The towns of Minsk, Pinsk, Talinn and Chernovsty are taken by the Axis Powers. The Luftwaffe loses two more bombers to enemy fighters. The Red Air Force lose about 4 fighters. The luckless Soviet defenders of Pinsk flee to the imagined safety of the east, but 6 divisions are crushed by the fast-moving panzers. The defenders of Minsk also fled the city, but with no road network remaining, they will soon find themselves POWs, or worse. Kampfgruppe Dietl is formed after an elite win.



Several soviet formations are spotted taking up defensive positions east of Talinn, guarding the approach to Leningrad.

 

[M60A3TTS]

German week 30-

Soviet defenses west of Leningrad were tested as the Axis took out a tank division, AA, and a few infantry. Pskov and Velikiye Luki were taken this week in the north. Consolidation of recent gains takes place in the center. No significant action, although a couple infantry divisions are destroyed. Forces in the south head east out of Zhitomir to threaten Kiev. A couple aircraft are traded in the Odessa region.

It appears there is an invincible pseudo-partisan band holed up in the mountains around Lutsk. Since there’s no road on the defending tile, I can’t attack an infantry division fortified on a mountain with another ground unit. I can just keep shelling it to one hit point. Oh well, maybe a mountain division is allowed to attack it. May have to try that next.

Soviet Week 30-

Field Marshall Von Manstein was personally leading the spearhead of Army Group North today when he was captured by elements of the 25th Soviet Tank Division. His capture, along with that of the Corps he was leading and three other panzer divisions, is sure to blunt Army Group North's ongoing offensive west of Leningrad. Two Soviet tank divisions, two motorized rifle divisions and 3 bombers were regretfully expended by Comrade Stalin to achieve these results. So far, Von Manstein has not given his Soviet captors any information, other than an excellent recipe for cinammon apple strudel.

The Soviet offensive against Army Group South petered out today, as 3 more Axis infantry divisions were destroyed, before the Soviet forces relinquished control of the battlefield to the wounded Axis forces.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 31-

Luftwaffe bomber pilots feel as though they are fighting the Battle of Britain all over again as a dozen units are lost to intercepting fighters. The losses incurred in the north have indeed slowed the advance on Leningrad. Several Soviet infantry units are destroyed in the north and center, but the Axis advance is now hampered severely due to the battle-damaged road network. Artillery fire is raining on Kiev, with little effect it seems. The Soviets killed a motorized division and a TD unit outside of Pskov, with no losses.

Week 32-

More fireworks in the skies as Luftwaffe bombers crash to the ground, one after another as air defenses over selected targets destroy 8 aircraft. Further missions are halted to preserve what few bombers remain.

One panzer is lost at Odessa. No significant action as troops continue to consolidate their positions.

Week 33-

Odessa and Chernigov are taken by Axis forces. Luftwaffe loses 3 more aircraft to one Soviet fighter. Army Group Center begins it’s move on Smolensk.

Forces also move closer to Leningrad and Novogorod, but at a cautious pace.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Soviet Week 33-

The major counteroffensive in the Army Group Center area occurred this week as approximately 25 German infantry divisions, 5 other motorized/panzer divisions and 3 antiaircraft units were wiped out west of Smolensk. Many other German divisions were badly damaged by the fighting. The cost was high however, as 15 Soviet tank brigades, 3 tank divisions, and 4 bombers were ultimately depleted by the fighting.

An 88 mm flak unit was destroyed west of Kalinin.

 

[M60A3TTS]

German Week 34-

The German High Command was stunned by the news of the Soviet counterattack against Army Group Center, and the major losses it entailed. Reinforcements have been called in to blunt any major advances into the German-controlled area.

In the south, some measure of retribution as a dozen Soviet divisions were eliminated without loss in the area of Odessa.

In the north, Wehrmacht troops advance cautiously to the east, mindful of what befell Army Group Center.

In the air, a number of battles resulted in the loss of 7 enemy fighter squadrons. The Luftwaffe lost about half as many aircraft as the Me-109 pilots proved their superior combat skills.

Soviet Week 34-

In the AGN area, another massive counterattack broke against determined German defenders. The Soviets lost 3 tank divisions and 2 bombers, with no permanent damage caused to the Germans.

In the Army Group Center area, the Soviets killed five more divisions and captured a bunch of artillery, with no losses.

In the Army Group South area, the Soviets killed about 5 German infantry, 3 panzer, and 3 motorized divisions, and captured 3 artillery brigades, with the loss of only one tank brigade.

German Week 35-

Soviet infantry losses amount to 11 divisions in actions north and south. The center remained quiet. Traded a couple aircraft.

Soviet Week 35-

This turn was marked by the destruction of 5 German infantry and 5 panzer/motorized divisions in the Army Group South area. The 4 artillery brigades and 2 workers stacked with these units changed hands yet again.
One Soviet tank brigade was also destroyed in the fighting.

German Week 36-

Finnish troops stormed into Vyborg north of Leningrad, while motorized divisions fought their way to the southern forts of Leningrad.

Lost some more bombers, and traded a few fighters.

In the south, a Motor Rifle corps (army) is destroyed.

Soviet Week 36-

The Soviets destroyed two armored corps, 1 panzer, 2 motorized, and 5 infantry divisions, for the loss of 4 bombers and 4 tank brigades near Kalinin. 12 fascist artillery brigades were captured.

The Soviets lost 1 bomber in the Army Group South area.

German Week 37-

The Luftwaffe lose a bunch of airplanes again as the Yaks had a feast.

In the north, the birthplace of the Russian Revolution is now safely in German hands. The citizens of St. Petersburg rejoice.

Soviet Week 37-

Army Group South lost 3 panzer, 2 motorized, and 8 infantry divisions. The Soviets lost two bombers, a tank division, a tank brigade, 2 infantry divisions, and a cossack division. 12 German artillery brigades were also captured in this battle.

The Soviets also lost an IL-4 by probing the Me-110 defenses around Berlin.

German Week 38-

Only minor action this turn as a few infantry units and a mobile AA near St. Petersburg were dealt with.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 39-

With the October skies letting loose a torrential rain, movement has come to a halt. German forces reorganize somewhat. One garrison is taken, and Kalevala falls.

Northern forces edge towards Novogorod.

Central front activities are quiet.

In the south, workers continue to put the road network back in shape.

Week 40-

The Fuhrer made a visit to Saint Petersburg this week, having lunch with our recently-victorious troops, as well as touring the Hermitage and other sites. It was announced that a new regional Party Headquarters would be established at the former Winter Palace.

Also in the north, the town of Sortavala was captured. The battle for Novogorod also began, as 13 Soviet rifle divisions were dispatched at the cost of one panzer division. It is hoped that the battle will be concluded by next week. The Luftwaffe reported bombing retreating Red Army troops southeast of Sortavala. No air opposition was encountered. Elite panzertruppen are rolling into the area to complete the annihilation of these formations.

In the center, informal soccer tournaments have started throughout the region. It is expected that troops will be given orders to move east again, once the northern campaign is complete in the next 2-3 weeks.

In the south, one local commander was relieved for taking unnecessary risks with numerous artillery formations that were advanced into the vicinity of Chernovsty. Given the success the Soviets have had recently in this area, it was decided to withdraw back into German-controlled sectors.

Week 41-

The Fatherland celebrated the rescue of Feldmarschall Erich Von Manstein this week (see updated week 30) as the lead panzer column ambushed his NKVD escort east of St. Petersburg. The Feldmarschall is on his way back to St. Petersburg to resume command duties in the upcoming weeks. The Fuhrer, who was preparing for departure back to Berlin, was advised of the joyous news.

Novogorod was liberated and the retreating troops extinguished at the cost of 2 divisions. One bomber was lost over the skies of Murmansk.

Army Group Center is wrapping up soccer activities.

Forces in the south safely returned to garrison in Chernovtsy.

 

[M60A3TTS]

 

[M60A3TTS]

Soviet Week 41- Numerous Siberia-hardened troops counterattacked and destroyed five of the six elite panzer divisions that performed the Manstein rescue.

Week 42 & 43- No action on the Eastern front

Week 44- Germans lose 4 units to the Soviet's 3 at Murmansk. No other action.

Week 45- Soviets lose a tank at Murmansk. No other action to report.

German Week 46- With winter coming on, German OKH moves Army Group Center units towards cities west and northwest of Moscow.

In the north, the Axis lose 1 infantry vs. the 7 Soviet at Murmansk.

In the south, an advance force reoccupies fortified positions east of Chernovsty and engineers begin construction of a fortified line west of the town.

Soviet Week 46- Fortunately for the Motherland, a German communications mix-up led to a gap in the German lines near Murmansk. A recently raised Soviet conscript unit was able to slip into the German rear area and destroy the rebuilding elite Finnish Jaeger Division and capture/destroy 4 German artillery brigades.

German Week 47- Our embassy in Washington has advised President Roosevelt this week that Lend-Lease convoys would be welcome in the German-controlled port of Murmansk. The insignificant Red Army garrison which remained threw down their arms and marched into captivity, happy that they no longer had to fight for the failed Stalinist Regime.

In other news, activity in the Army Group Center sectors came to an unexpected halt due to suddenly deteriorating weather conditions. High Command assures all that the weather is merely delaying what is inevitable.

In the south, the weather conditions proved more favorable as the newest Wehrmacht panzer formations crashed headlong into the defenses of Kirovograd. 14 infantry, one ADA, one tank, and one garrison formation were tallied as destroyed. Several Soviet artillery formations were overrun as the town fell, replacing the Murmansk equipment lost last week. Stunned Red Air Force fighter pilots found their airfields quickly overrun; their aircraft destroyed. Infantry formations are now moving up to reinforce the town before Soviet armor can intervene.

German losses were not insignificant, among them two Tiger formations, three Panzer IV formations, and a Panzer III formation.

Soviet Week 47- Lose a couple of tank corps and a fighter in the Kirovograd counterattack.

German Week 48- Lose 2 bombers to fighters in deep strike raids.

Soviet Week 48- Lose 2 fighters outside Kirovograd, then pounded it with multiple bombers (damage unobserved).

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 49- No Axis offensive action. Soviets lose a fighter and capture two worker units.

Week 50- Kherson was taken in the south by Wehrmacht units. Losses in the air were 6 Yak fighters vs. an Me-109 and two Me-110s. Red Army losses were 4 guards infantry and 16 regular infantry along with a garrison unit and ADA.

Axis losses were 6 Panzer IV units and 2 Tiger units.

In the ensuing counterattack, 9 Soviet tank brigades were lost while destroying a third of their number of invading fascist panzer divisions. Two Soviet bomber units were also destroyed by AA fire.

German Week 51- Attacks in the south destroyed infantry formations dug in east of Kherson. German losses were two tank formations each of Tiger, Panzer IV and Panzer III as well as a couple Cossacks and a JU-88.

Soviet losses were a tank corps, 16 infantry and 4 ADA.

For the first time in many weeks, Stuka dive bombers were seen in the air in support of ground operations.

 

[ComradeDavo]

Could you post a mini-map next update? I'd like to see what the situation looks like.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Soviet Week 51- Soviet counterattacks went badly again as three bombers and two tank brigades were expended for negligible results in the south.

German Week 52- The final week of 1941 saw troops in the center and north enjoying Christmas in garrison and some fortunate enough even granted furlough.

In the South, Paul Hauser’s 2nd SS Panzer Corps spearheaded the drive in capturing Krasnopereskop. The Propaganda Ministry was forced to admit what had been rumored in the Reich over the last few days. General Erwin Rommel had in fact been re-assigned from the Deutsches Afrika Korps to command 4th Panzer Army under Von Manstein’s Army Group South. It was the actions of this overwhelming force that had won the recent conquests in this area.

The Luftwaffe took to the air in force in an attempt to reduce Soviet fighter strength. Results were far less satisfactory than was anticipated.

This week’ losses:

Soviet
8 Infantry
12 Yak fighters

German
1 Tiger formation
12 Me-109s
1 Me-110

Soviet Week 52- A vicious counterattack destroyed the cream of Hitler's Waffen SS today as both the "Liebstandarte Adolph Hitler" and the "Wiking" SS divisions were destroyed in heavy fighting near Krasnopereskop. Four Soviet tank corps were also lost in the battle. The badly beaten Fascist invaders will have no choice but to retreat now that their best forces have been destroyed.

German Week 1/42- Although the mood was a somber one throughout the area of Army Group South, the German forces resumed their methodical elimination of the luckless Soviet infantry that was sent to the front. German units sustained no losses

The Soviets lost a T-26 Division and a tank corps in addition to about a dozen infantry.

 

[M60A3TTS]

 

[ComradeDavo]

Cheers, you are doing well!

 

[M60A3TTS]

Soviet Week 2-42

The Soviets destroyed a fighter and a panzer division in the AG South area.
The Red Air Force lost three fighters and a bomber in the effort.

German Week 2-42

Air-to-air combat was the main action as the latest Luftwaffe fighter took to the sky. FW-190s showed slightly better performance against the defending Yaks, but whether they are worth the additional cost remains to be seen.

Losses- 3 FW-190s, 3 Me-109s, Me-110, Ju-88 vs. 9 Yaks, 1 infantry

Soviet Week 3

No activity

German Week 3

Zaporozh’ye was taken in the south and it’s 17 infantry defenders eliminated. German loss was one Panzer IV unit. In the air, the Luftwaffe had its best week since the beginning of the war, destroying 13 Yak fighters at the loss of two Me-109 and an Me-110 squadron.

Soviet Week 4

Amidst the wreckage of the Yak 1 and Yak 3's that have tumbled out of the skies in the last weeks, now there are huge numbers of Panzer III, IV, and VI (Tiger) hulks rusting in the open fields...

The "Das Reich" and "Hohenstafen" divisions are no more. (ed. note: these SS Divisions are really corps/armies) The other 12 panzer divisions in Zaporozh'ye shared their fate. About 10 Soviet tank brigades and 8 tank corps were also lost. 2 Yaks and 2 bombers were also lost.

German Week 4

4 tank corps destroyed in the south, 4 yaks downed. Vs. 6 fw-190s and an He-111. Zaporozh’ye re-taken.

Soviet Week 5

Five German motorized infantry divisions destroyed. There were no Soviet losses. Zaporozh'ye retaken by the Red Army yet again.

German Week 5

Zaporozh'ye once again belongs to the Wehrmacht, and is now heavily garrisoned. Cossack and 5 yaks off the board vs. 3 Me-109s and 2 Fw-190s.

Soviet Week 6

No activity

German Week 6

The Luftwaffe continues to force the Yak fighters into deadly combat across the front. 9 Yaks and an I-16 were lost vs. 4 Fw-190s, 2 Me-109s and an Axis fighter.

Bombing missions were carried out in the Army Group South sector.

In the area of Sevastopol, Tiger tanks approach the city from the north as Erwin Rommel leads 4th Panzer Army into battle.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Soviet Week 7- No activity

German Week 7- The Fortress City of Sevastopol falls with an 18 infantry garrison. A Tiger and Panzer IV formation are lost. General Rommel is promoted to Field Marshal. Soviet reinforcements trying to reach Kerch are now harassed by Luftwaffe attacks.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 8/42- Kerch falls with its one garrison.

Week 9/42- Action switched to the north as Von Kleist’s First Panzer Army headed towards Vyshiniy Volochek. The Luftwaffe drives the Red Air Force from the skies and bombs out the road network in the vicinity.

Losses: 3 Fw-190s, 1 Me-109 vs. 4 Yaks an an I-16.

Week 10/42- Near Vyshiniy Volochek, Soviet losses were 19 rifle and 3 guards. German losses were 2 Mark IVs, a Mark III and a motorized division. Air combat netted 5 Yaks at the cost of two Fw-190s.

Week 11/42- The Soviets launched minor counterattacks in the V V sector this week, destroying 2 motorized infantry divisions with no friendly losses. In the South, a German worker unit was captured. German action was minor, destroying a Soviet tank brigade. Air combat losses were German 3 Fw-190s, 1 Me-109, 1 Ju-87 vs, 5 Yaks.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 12/42- Minor bombing and a fighter lost on both sides

Week 13/42- Germans lose an infantry in the north.

Week 14/42- More Soviet bombing in the north. During the German turn, bombing attacks in the south do some damage, fighter sweeps across the front are very disappointing. 6 Yaks lost vs 6 Me-110s, 5 Fw-190s and an Me-109.

Army Group Center begins moving some troops out. Recon is out in the area of Kiev as artillery fire tears up improvements in the vicinity. Our gallant Hungarian and Rumanian allies are out in force near Donetsk. A probing German Cossack captures a worker force and the prisoners are executed.

Week 15/42- Soviets kill a German cossack. During the German turn, air activity in the south intensified as Stalingrad and Rostov were attacked by Luftwaffe raids aimed at the extensive Soviet road network.

Hungarian and Rumanian forces in the south have been reinforced by massed armored formations preparing to assault Donetsk.

Losses- Soviet Yak and I-16
German Ju-88, Me-109, 3 Me-110s, 2 Fw-190s.

Soviet Week 16/42- The Soviets bombed the spearhead of the Army Group South thrust to Donetsk.

German Week 16/42- Fall Blau is under way. Donetsk is taken by the panzers. The 21 infantry formations defending the town were eliminated without loss. A Yak and Me-110 were lost in air activity. Air recon spotted Soviet artillery east of the town and dive bombed the area.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Week 17/42- A Soviet air offensive against recently-seized Donetsk destroyed 4 FW-190s and damaged many more, with no Soviet casualties.

Soviet losses were 3 Yaks, German losses 4 Me-110s, a Stuka, and Fw-190. More bombing in the south. Rommel swings north to attack Dnepropetrovsk. Additional forces are on the move against Kiev.

Week 18/42- Foreign Minister Molotov announces over the radio in Moscow that Joseph Stalin has resigned as head of the Communist Party. It is acknowledged that the current leadership can no longer promise a successful conclusion to the war. Consequently, Reich Minister Von Ribbentrop agrees to a cease fire on behalf of the Fuhrer. The panzers come to a halt and a general cease-fire takes effect.

Postscript- The Iron Cross First Class is awarded to our spy, codename "Felix" in the Soviet capital who was instrumental in providing exact city troop strength prior to a number of engagements.