C3C: Barbarossa Ver 1.2 by Sarevok and Rocoteh

[saulosi]

TO: Field Marshall Reichenau, Army Group South
FR: General Hoth, Seventeenth Army

Forward Observers near Iyano-Frankovsk report a build-up of Soviet forces to the northeast. Road construction crews have been observed repairing the road South out of Zhitomir. Repeated Soviet air bombardments have cut the roads to Iyano-Frankovsk. Request immediate Luftwaffe support and ground reinforcements.

 

[M60A3TTS]

The German armored column sent to reinforce Ilyano-Frankovsk was eliminated by Soviet ground and air forces in the area. Additional mobile forces prepare to see what damage they can inflict in the area.

German losses:

Panzer Corps- Pz IV
2 SS Panzer Divisions
2 Panzer IV Divisions
2 Panzer III Divisions
4 Infantry Divisions

 

[James I]

OUCH! thats gotta hurt!

 

[saulosi]

Yeah, I was having second thoughts after moving them there. Oh well.

 

[saulosi]

The Germans desperately tried to attack the Soviet
armored columns outside of Iyano-Frankovsk, but it
would not be their day. Soviet tankers took their
toll of the German PzKw-IV's such that they could not
attack more than one Soviet unit effectively.

Soviet losses:
4 Tank 'Corps'

German losses:
2 PzKw-IV Divisions

 

[M60A3TTS]

Preceded by massed artillery fire and air attack, Soviet troops assaulted Ilyano-Frankovsk. After several days of bitter fighting, German Seventeenth Army capitulated to Fifth Guards Tank Army.

Exact casualties were not immediately available, but here are the approximate figures:

Soviet
3 Pe-2
6 Soviet tank Corps
2 Soviet Mech Corps

German
5 Motorized Divisions
18 Infantry Divisions
Panzer III Division
ADA unit

 

[saulosi]

Desperately seeking to turn the tide in the South, Axis forces attacked toward Lvov and recaptured it this week.

Soviet Casualties:
4 Motorized Rifle 'Corps'
1 Motorized Rifle Division
2 Infantry
1 Tank Division
Several Aircraft.

 

[M60A3TTS]

An attack on Helsinki demonstrates the Axis Powers aren’t lacking in infantry, and the capture of Lvov involved about 16 SS Panzer Divisions.

Lose a couple tank corps in the north.

 

[saulosi]

Finland - attacks out of Helsinki did little to dent the Soviet forces. A single red-lined Mech 'Corps' was destroyed, though.

North - no activity.

Center - Axis forces crushed about 10 infantry in the woods north of Gomel.

South - no activity.

 

[M60A3TTS]

In the north, artillery fire is having no noticeable effect on the Helsinki defenders. Battle damaged units are sent back to the rear to recover their strength.

The loss of the infantry in the south appears to be the start of a major German offensive, aimed at capturing Gomel and quite possibly Kiev. The defenders know that they must hold fast. The Axis will have to fight for every yard of ground.

 

[saulosi]

No ground-to-ground combat, however artillery bombardment in the north weakened several Soviet Tank Corps outside of Helsinki.

The advance on Gomel continues. Bombers worked on the roads around it, but were unable to isolate the city. 1 Soviet fighter, 1 German Bomber lost.

The roads through the mountains of Czechoslovakia have been repaired. The marketplaces in Kosice re-opened with newly received war-time rations, and citizens are back out on the streets.

 

[M60A3TTS]

In the north, the units besieging Helsinki return to a defensive posture. No amount of artillery seems sufficient to move them.

In the center, no action.

In the south, forward infantry units north of Gomel retire from their positions. The Germans are large enough in numbers for Stavka to conclude that this is a major offensive aimed at capturing Kiev, and forcing our troops back to the east. Comrade Stalin announces that the Red Army troops in this area hold the fate of the Ukraine in their hands.

 

[saulosi]

The residents of Helsinki breathe easier now that the threat of Soviet occupation has passed.

Axis forces continued their march towards Gomel. Panzer divisions that were worn down by the initial attack on the Soviet infantry are resting (and slowing down the attack). This caused additional Panzers to be sent through the Pripet Marshes.

Shot down one or two Soviet fighters, and lost two bombers.

No other activity.

 

[M60A3TTS]

Germans have brought in road crews to connect the road for an attack on Ilyano Frankovsk. Shower the defending Infantry with artillery.

The German industrial machine has equipped 57 Panzer Divisions which are closing on Gomel with 60 additional units in support.

Citizens have observed that trucks arrived outside the Kiev municipal building, and boxes are being loaded. Some speculate that the government is removing sensitive files to a location farther east.

 

[M60A3TTS]

 

[saulosi]

German forces have now moved to within artillery range of Gomel. Tanks are also massing in the woods near Bryansk.

Not much else to report this week. Hopefully more next week .

Thanks for the screen shot. For other folks reading this, the two left-most stacks are now together in the spot directly below the one with the artillery

 

[M60A3TTS]

March, 1942. The final checks were made by the defenders of Gomel. Communication lines from the forward observers to their artillery batteries were active as key targeting points were confirmed. Anti-tank gunners added to their cover and concealment where they knew the Tiger tanks must come. T-34 drivers made a walk around their vehicles to make sure they were ready to advance once the order was given. The infantry in their trenches checked the lay of their machine-guns and cleared their fields of fire.

At the air strips, Yak-1 and Yak-3 fighter aircraft stood fueled and ready to challenge the Luftwaffe for mastery of the skies. Pe-2s, IL-2s and IL-4s prepared to deliver their ordinance the moment the word was given.

As expected, the Germans moved to within striking distance of Bryansk and Gomel. The battle results follow:

German Losses

7 Panzer IV destroyed
7 SS Panzer VI destroyed
2 Panzer III destroyed
Panzer Corps destroyed

Soviet losses:
Yak-1
IL-4
4 Tank Corps

 

[saulosi]

The much anticipated assault of Gomel was a brutal one. The defenders fought courageously, and their depth was just too much. Even if the divisions lost at Bryansk last week were employed, I doubt that the result would have been different.

Soviet Losses
- Motorized Rifle Corps - 9
- Tank Corps - 19

German Losses
- SS Tank Division - 6
- Panzer IV Division - 12
- Panzer III Division - 7


In the south, an assault was made on Iyano-Frankovsk. Once again, the Soviets were dug in well, several times a conscript Soviet Infantry Division eliminated a full strength Panzer IV Division .

Soviet Losses:
- Motoroized Rifle Corps - 4
- Tank Corps - 1
- 1941 Tank Divison - 1
- Tank Brigade - 1
- Infantry Division - 3
- Cavalry Division - 1
- Mobile AA - 2

German Losses
- SS Panzer Divison - 1
- Panzer IV Division - 11
- Cavalry Division - 2

 

[saulosi]

I'm conceding defeat. The Soviets are just too powerful. And, I've made some major mistakes. I realized that I was up against a formdible foe once I lost those artillery outside of Minsk on Week 27.

This has been a great experience, and I've learned a lot. Thanks to M60A3TTS for sticking it out.