Rank and File: A clerk's war Germany 1936 (Semper Fi)

I have been trying for some time to post another update but keep getting this message:

Error 503 Service Unavailable
Service Unavailable

Guru Meditation:
XID: 1285689719


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Varnish cache server



Anyone have a clue what the problems is?

Monday 25th to Sunday 31st Aust 1941


No rest for the wicked, nor the filing clerks. I suspected that nobody would take over my duties while I was on my Ministerial assignment, and I was right. My office was a disaster zone, with a week’s worth of documents piled up on the desk, the chairs and the floor. Gisela brought me a coffee (real coffee – I was not the only one to visit the “Afrika’s” store room) and after a look at my expression retired quickly. Only one thing to do: get to work. What had happened while I was away? Method, that was what was needed.

First, what has been happening in Berlin?

A new navigation device is being installed in our medium aircraft: the “Knickebein” radar system. From what I can make out from the technical attachments to the announcement, two transmitters send out beams towards the target. Our aircraft, using the “crooked leg” receivers, fly along one beam until it intersects the other. Sounds simple, but I know how things look good on paper. The research team is now working on a similar system suitable for smaller aircraft, tentatively called “Wotan”.


More funds have been found for roadworks in the east and Zaslawye, Minsk, Sumy, Rowne, Berezne and Korets’ are to be upgraded. Some projects have been completed, with three pre-fabricated airbases set up at Kuzenkino, Smolensk and Sumy. Also completed: the trucks to motorise 102 Infantry regiment, which has now returned to active service with 168.ID.

Someone at OKH must be aware of the problems facing Österreich Army, as I noticed a movement order sending the newly created 2nd schwere Panzerkorps (3rd and 4th sPzD) to Odessa. No infantry were available for the korps, but it the documents show it was marked as a priority to receive reinforcements. Volker will be happy, unless the Russians arrive before the tanks.

The only other movement order was issued by OKM, instructing Admiral Marschall to take 1st Schachtflotte to the Finnish Coast: while the Ostseeflotte was seen capable of harassing the Russian coastal steamers, the Soviet Navy was known to have a significant force based at Leningrad. Although Marschall had his ships heading out of Stettin within hours, he was not fast enough. He was still 50 kilometres away from Boehm’s battle-cruisers when the Russians struck. Admiral Kuznetzov had two battleships, “Marat” and “Oktyabrskaya Revoluciya” escorted by three destroyer squadrons. “Schleswig-Holstein” and “Schlesien” were both badly damaged and 2nd Zerstörergeschwader was annihilated. The two relics of the last war had to flee for safety in nearby Narva.


It was not long before the 1916 Großes Torpedoboots were avenged. Aircraft from the “Graf Zeppelin” located the Russian fleet and the big guns of the “Tirpitz” were able to open fire, soon joined by the “Von der Tann” and “Gneisenau”. Two dozen transports were sunk, but it is not known if they were loaded. (Our latest intelligence suggests they have been packed with troops fleeing Kivioli) The Russians then managed to evade our search planes, but Marschall has signalled he will continue to patrol the area.


Ominously, there had been little news from Kesselring, and when a report arrived it carried bad news. The attack on Kivioli had been called off. The assault had become bogged down and General Böttcher had requested a pause to reorganise. More than 1,800 men had been lost, and still the immense mass of Russians held out. More than 135,000 Soviet troops were crammed into that single province, reliant on the occasional small freighter evading our blockade.

To give him his due, General Böttcher does not lack courage. While our other units licked their wounds, he took his own division, 1st Marine Sturm Division, straight back into action, giving them barely time to bolt down a hot meal and grab some ammunition. The other units joined in over time but his men led the charge. His decision was vindicated when, several days later, the entire Russian Baltic Front surrendered. With no escape and no supplies, General Ozaryakin had no alternative to avoid the pointless slaughter of his helpless men.


Airpower may have helped Felber and 62.ID defeat more than four times their number, but it was still costly. More than 1,300 men died taking Mal Lokhovo. But that was not a major concern now, as von Manstein’s gaze was firmly fixed on the big prize: Leningrad. On the 26th Lörzer’s interceptors were already dogfighting Astakhov’s air regiments over the city. They reported back to Baltic Army HQ that the city was lightly held and General Kesselring immediately passed the information to Polen Army Nord.

That was all von Manstein needed. The order went out to General Strecker in Gatcina. He had 86.ID ready and minutes later the nebelwerfers of his rocket artillery regiment were launching salvo after salvo. The infantry stormed in and after an initial heavy assault made a major breakthrough against the 2nd line 178 Strelkovaya. It took just two days to capture the city, at a cost of just 200 men. The Russians, demoralised after the succession of defeats in the last few months fighting, had not one unit available to assist Chistyakov’s garrison troops.


Tannu Tuva is not the only Russian ally actively fighting – General Curtze is under attack by troops from Sinkiang. There is no danger, as the lightly armed Di’1 Shi is no real threat to 20.ID. Is this a sign that Stavka is missing the lost divisions of the Baltic pocket? Although the Sinkiang leader, General Luang Lin-Yu, has kept up his attacks, his men have made little headway. Now von Wietersheim had brought up 11.ID and is counter-attacking into Bologoye and the fighting should soon be all over.

General Müller and 10.ID tool on huge odds when they advanced into Gorki. On paper, General Polpavski had 65,000 men under his command. The reality was that most of these were a hungry, disorderly crowd of beaten men, many of whom had dropped their weapons in their eagerness to head east as quickly as possible. After 3 days Müller claimed victory, but the fighting was not over yet. Hours later his scouts stumbled on elements of a new division, 313 Strelkovaya, and soon Gorki was a battle zone again.


Just to remind von Manstein that not all the fighting would be one way, word arrived at Polen Nord HQ from Hännicke in Azanovo that he was under heavy attack again. Three rifle divisions had attacked from three neighbouring provinces and 56.ID was hard pressed. Although 500 replacement troops had arrived, supplies were low and few trucks had arrived at the divisional depots. There was little von Manstein could do – his reserves were far to the north. Once more it would be up to Hänicke and his men. Showing admirable tenacity they held for a day before the Russians called off the attack. Hänicke suspects they had supply issues as well.

In the north, however, resistance seemed to have collapsed with the loss of Leningrad. Von Pannwitz advised that his push into Zarubino was little more than a field exercise. 12 men lost, but 140 Strelkovaya simply faded away. But not all the Russians had given in. North-east of Leningrad Pfeffer found Primakov’s 142 Strelkovaya a formidable opponent. Even when 72.ID joined the attack from Leningrad Primakov’s men stood firm.

Unfortunately for General von Salmuth, the Daugava River loops north between Novoselki and Olenino. To move east 52.ID must make a river crossing, and on the other side General Verkhilovich had an armoured and two rifle divisions. He claims all is well, but reports indicate little progress and mounting losses. A similar story comes from General Nehring in Butchino. Prisoners tell of supply shortages but the two Russian divisions are steady and capable of holding off both 1st Panzer and 87.ID, at least for now.


Of course, the lucky General Wünnenbeg struck none of these problems. His report on 9th Panzer Division’s push into Krasnaya Gorya reads more like a drive in the country. The only interest was the nature of the defenders. As well as a Soviet cavalry division, he encountered thousands of Sinkiangese troops. Questioning prisoners was very difficult (none spoke German and very few Russian, and of course Wünnenburg has no Uighur speakers) but it was confirmed that they came from two divisions, Di’2 Shi and 1 Xin’jiang Shi. By driving through the night, 9th Panzer completely outwitted the Russian commander and by dawn of 30th he had withdrawn all his forces.

The last report from von Manstein’s HQ was another positive: General Nehring is cutting through 48 Strelkovaya like a knife through butter. 71.ID is advancing as fast as its men can march, barely stopping to clear our small pockets of Russian troops. We should hold the province within a day or so.


What had started on 13th September as von Sponeck’s armoured thrust into Verkhnedneprovskiy had ballooned into a major battle as both sides flung in more and more troops. In the end, quality prevailed as our 5 divisions cleared nearly 75,000 Russians from the area. Bremer’s push into Izdeshkovo looked as though it could go the same way as two more divisions joined his assault, but 80 Strelkovaya has received no support and Rommel’s HQ assures us Galitski’s men are about to break.

The Sdkfz 233’s of General Hansen’s Aufklärungs regiment raced into Betlica, eager to start closing the neck of the Pripyat pocket. They soon reported heavy concentrations of troops. In fact 16.ID (mot) was facing three rifle divisions. It ended up taking three days to take Betlica, days that allowed the thousands of enemy soldiers to extricate themselves from the swamps.

Great news from General Hartmann: he and our Hungarian allies have taken Homyel’! This will close half the Pripyat trap, with at least half a dozen divisions caught. The Russians, however, were well aware of the importance of the road hub the city represented, and 5 Vitebskaya flung itself at 19.ID and 5 gyaloghadostály. It was a vain hope and the Russians soon shattered against the stern defence Hartmann’s men put up. It was not over yet. Late on the 28th another rifle division appeared in the city and our two divisions were once more denied the victory for which they have worked and suffered.

The spirited defence put up by the Russians in Kletnja paid off. Freißner tried everything to break through the screen of defenders to get to the congested roads in the rear, but 103.ID could not penetrate the determined Soviets. By the time he could claim to control the province, the retreating divisions were long gone and his men were exhausted. The arrival of a fresh Russian rifle division (43 Strelkovaya) was too much – Freißner pulled his men out without firing a shot. It was left to General von Langermann und Erlenkamp and his 6th Panzer to once again fight for Kletnja.


It would appear likely that Bryanskja will turn out to be another Kletjna. Chasing the demoralised 18 Gorno and 37 Kavellerie, General Steiner has run into two infantry divisions that want to fight. Even with 108.ID assisting 3rd Panzer Division, the combination of the Dniepr River and a determined enemy have halted Steiner’s men.


Given probably the worst task on the Eastern Front, the Hungarians were understandably slow to get enthusiastic. 6 gyaloghadostály moved cautiously into Deniskowicze, General Nagy aware that more than ten times his 6,000 men were in front of him. It soon became clear that only a few thousand were capable of any resistance and the Hungarians ploughed deeper into the Pripyat. 1 Hadtest, impressed by the ease with which their men are advancing, has sent 2 gyaloghadostály to exploit the success. Nagy reports 6 of the 8 identified Russian divisions are already in flight.


108.ID’s efforts to catch the fleeing Russian HQ units was unsuccessful, as Stavka flung units after unit into the way. General Völckers estimates nearly 55,000 soldiers were in from of him, and though he secured Vygonici, the retreat did not turn into a rout. Still the Russians stream northwest from the Pripyat. In fact, on the 29th there was an attempt to force Völckers from Vygonici, but after a short exchange of fire the Russian commander ordered his units to continue north-east, towards possible safety.

In an attempt to extend the pocket a little, Dietrich tried to seize Lokot’, but he asked too much of 2nd Panzer. Weakened by the attrition it suffered in Sevsk assisting “Julia” the armoured division was always going to have a hard time against Borzilov’s 32,000 men. The manoeuvrability of the enemy cavalry and motorised troops gave the Russians a chance to slow our advance and when a fourth Soviet unit arrived on 31st August, Dietrich accepted defeat. Reduced to less than 8,000 men, he pulled back to Buryn to refit.

Late on 26th the long escape route from the Pripyat started to narrow. 5 and 35.ID moved on Below’s 82 Motorizavannaya and 169 Strelkovaya. The heavy forests bordering the marshy areas gave the defenders the advantage at first, but Guderian was intent on closing the gap and assigned two more divisions, 100 and 108.ID. When they arrive, the Russians will have to deal with attacks from 180 degrees.


General Warlimont thought he would need to fight hard for Kursk. The city had several factories and was held by two rifle divisions in fair condition. But the defence was half-hearted and by midnight of the 29th the city was ours. It cost 45.ID just 29 men. In contrast, at the time Warlimont was moving forward easily in a built up area, General Hartmann was pulling 112.ID out of the marshes of Chernihiv. A week of effort had achieved nothing but the loss of nearly 600 men. The Russians, low on food and ammunition, had fought our men to a standstill and with no hope of reinforcement retreat was the only option.

General Altrichter would sympathise with Hartmann. Since entering Zeleznogorsk he and 107.ID (mot) have been well held by Gamarik’s 5 divisions. 9 Tankovaya in particular has been hard to dislodge. General Pintor has released 4a Divisione Alpina “Cuneense” to help, but it may be too late to turn the battle into a victory. Behind the steel barrier of 9 Tankovaya’s vehicles, the four infantry divisions are making good their escape.

I hope that Erich Rossner was not kept up to date with his division’s progress – Geyr von Schweppenburg’s rash decision to take it into Chutove, in contravention of a directive from Balkans Army HQ, has turned into a minor disaster. Von Schweppenburg has managed to extricate his armour and infantry, but at a cost. The unit suffered nearly 20% casualties and will be useless for some time. With only weeks of clear weather remaining, Guderian cannot afford to have one of his panzer divisions out of action.

At least Jodl’s gamble of attacking Mena across the Desna River has been successful, though we paid a price. The Russians fought hard and although for once we outnumbered them more than two to one, losses were about equal. Had Jodl not persuaded Guderian to lend him three other divisions the result would no doubt have been very different.

Things started well for von Förster in Uneca. 25.ID stormed across the plains, finding only administrative units and a few combat troops from 49 Strelkovaya. The arrival of another rifle division soon turned the tables, and von Förster, seeing his chance of capturing two HQ units disappear, called back his men. There was no point in fighting against odds for a treeless plain of no strategic or tactical value.

As is becoming routine, Balkans Army has been called upon to help our Italian allies. With the loss of Okhtyrka, a dangerous bulge appeared in our front line. General Köstring was given the task of retaking the province which he did with his customary efficiency. Stavka had left just one rifle division to hold the area, and although another unit was rushed to assist, the speed of 13.ID (mot) meant the reinforcements arrived too late.

One of Guderian’s generals is concentrating on the army’s goal: Bryansk, where it is supposed to meet with Polen Army Sud. At 9AM on 30th Herzog informed Balkans Army HQ that 36.ID was entering Navija and that although his men were coming under fire, he thought the defence was brittle. For once Guderian had a reserve armour unit ready to exploit success, and 4th leichte Panzer was swung in beside the infantry. Last reports show the only remnants of one Soviet division remain.

To the south, Phleps had his victory in L’gov. It was a much harder won battle than he had expected, but 98.ID did receive a bonus. The defeated Russians all streamed north, perhaps because the roads were marginally better. Whatever the reason, the way into Trosna was left open, and even though his vehicles were low on fuel , Phleps had no hesitation in taking possession of the area to the north-west of Kursk. That was all Warlimont needed. Meise had already taken 345.ID (mot) into Kursk, so with his north flank secure, Warlimont could head south-east, into Obojan’. General Zaev, commanding 238 Strelkovaya, could soon find himself in real trouble, as Warlimont and his men are full of confidence and have had a few days to recover.

The week did not end on a good note for the Balkans Army. Ruoff, arguably Guderian’s most experienced general, had been defeated in Starodub. 2.ID “Vorwärts” with its proud history, had been fought to a standstill by 227 Strelkovaya – the late arrival of 104 Strelkovaya just confirmed the result. The thick woods and many small streams of Starodub did not allow “Vorwärts” to use their manoeuvrability, and the Russian commander used his defensive position perfectly. With 10% of his men dead, General Ruoff will need to rest his division before it can be used offensively again.


With the assistance of 33 and 34.ID, 2a Divisione Alpina “Tridentina” threw back three Soviet units attacking into Krasnodom, showing that with a little stiffening our allies can handle critical situations. Nobody expected them to perform as well unsupported, but late on the 25th Gariboldi with “Firenze” and “Pinerolo” captured Okhtyrka, driving out a Russian cavalry division.


The Italian hold on Okhtyrka was only temporary: on the 27th a fierce Russian counterattack forced Gariboldi’s two divisions to retreat, though losses were minimal.


As expected, 16 Tankovaya could not hold Dniproprodzerzhyns’k against Hell’s three divisions, and that province now appears secure. Not far to the north, having assisted the Italians repulse the attack on Krasnodom, Glokke took 33.ID into Dinprodzerzynsk, and the situation was reversed. Despite being reinforced with Petzel’s 34.ID, our progress was painfully slow and Garasimov’s two divisions (13 “Dagestanskaya” and 61 Motorizovannaya) have two more divisions in reserve.

Smarting at having lost his toe hold across the Dniepr, von Kluge had all his commanders testing for possible bridgeheads across the river. General Volkmann informed Österreich Army HQ that Nikopol’ appeared lightly held and was authorised to attempt the crossing. 1 Gebirgsjäger made a successful attack and 6 and 162.ID were ordered to help crush the single enemy division, 46 “Dnepropetrovskaya”. As at the end of the month, Volkmann seems to have made the required breakthrough.

The bitter fighting for Novooleksiyivka is finally over, and von Kluge has instructed von Roques to move 46.ID across the Dneipr to hold the province. Von Roques agreed but he begged Österreich Army for help, pointing out that his division alone lost more than a 1,000 men and is short of food and ammunition.

My new friend will no doubt be relieved to hear that Friedrich-Willich had been ordered to take 2nd Gebirgsjäger to Mikolayivk to relieve the hard pressed 111.ID. It may be while, however, as Russian bombers struck the Gebirgsjägers as they crossed Snihurivka, killing nearly 120 men. Rychagov’s aircraft were intercepted as they returned to base but no less than twelve fighter units arrived simultaneously, including three Italians. In the confusion little effective damage was inflicted.

On the morning of the 27th, Eppich’s 5th Gebirgjäger Division attacked Zaporizhzhyna. By 3PM the fighting was over, the commander of hapless 144 Strelkovaya taking his men to the safety of the east bank of the Dneipr. The capture of this province in the great bend of the Dneipr marks the furthest east the Wehrmacht has penetrated into Russia. But von Kluge was intent on keeping up the pressure. He also threatened Dnepropetrovsk itself by sending Bock into Oleksandrivka, where 136.ID took less than a day to defeat 53 Strelkovaya. An assault on this key city of the south cannot be far away.

Although von Roques had requested assistance, none had arrived by the time 46.ID was hit by 17 Tankovaya. Although Semenchenko’s armoured division was showing signs of recent combat, it was still in better condition than 46.ID. When 127 Strelkovaya, fresh and at full strength, seemed ready to join the battle from the south, von Roques accepted defeat and led his men back across the river. Another failed attempt to maintain a toe-hold across the Dneipr.

The arrival of 2nd Gebirgsjäger, battered thought it was, signalled the end of the battle of Mikolayivk. The Russians obviously decided that another 9,000 defenders made a river crossing impossible. I checked the lengthy casualty lists but realised I did not know the Familiennamen of my friends in the 111.ID. I can only hope that the little machine gun post on the banks of the Dneipr was not the target of a “probing attack”.

Late news on the 31st was surprising (although knowing the nature of the Gebirgsjägers, perhaps to be expected – they don’t like fighting defensive battles). Friedrich-Willich, having forced the Soviets to call off their attempt at crossing the Dneipr, is now making his own attempt. As I write this, his Pioniere regiment is on the south shore of the river, holding off two Russian divisions. Can Friedrich-Willich turn the tables so quickly? Or is this just another foolhardy attack that will peter out from lack of resources?



Unterseeebootsflotte Activity Report for August 1941

27 ships and 2 escorts sunk. Our success rate is falling and we suspect the Allies have re-routed their convoys. The Kriegsmarine is considering altering our U-boat patrol zones.



Finalised Battles for the period 25th to 31st August 1941

Dniproprodzerzhyns’k: 149 (29,806): 137 (19,997)
Mal Lokhovo: 1,328 (9,996): 642 (43,016)
Verkhnedneprovskiy: 1,967 (51,532): 2,215 (73,984)
Krasnodom 564 (31,025): 687 (25,942) (350 Italian)
Orkhtyrka: 12 (11,977): 30 (5,672) (Italian)
Vygonici: 273 (19,424): 380 (54,431)
Betlica: 694 (9,924): 632 (26,980)
Lokot’: 1,665 (9332): 938 (40,854)
Leningrad: 214 (17,991): 412 (9,993)
Zaporizhzhyna: 79 (9,996): 75 (7,529)
2nd Okhtyrkha: 117 (11,997): 167 (49,668) (Italian)
Kursk: 29 (9,996): 53 (11,000)
Chernihiv: 584 (7,554): 210 (16,994)
Oleksandrivka: 90 (19,985): 121 (7,998)
Azanovo: 260 (9,552): 196 (53,763)
Kivioli: 1,838 (48,992): 1,530 (137,267)
2nd Kivioli: 667 (40,303): 948 (72,808)
Gorki: 113 (9,995): 360 (74,512)
Homyel: 731 (25,988): 832 (28,501)
2nd Homyel: 8 (15,740): 14 (7,759)
Kletnja: 1,847 (33,989): 1,151 (74,061)
Zarubino: 12 (9,999): 25 (8,161)
Chutove: 1,728 (9,994): 697 (46,737)
Novooleksiyivka: 2,754 (29,987): 1,737 (27,366)
2nd Vygonici: 12 (9,679): 8 (18,988)
2nd Novooleksiyivka: 287 (8,631): 150 (9,117)
Mena: 1,979 (39,982): 1,909 (15,919)
Uneca: 89 (9,619): 192 (17,468)
Krasnaya Gorya: 22 (9,999): 161 (34,091)
2nd Okhtyrka: 90 (9,991): 235 (15,832)
L’gov: 860 (19,562): 817 (15,333)
Mikolayivk: 985 (18,654): 940 (17,984)
Starodub: 1,056 (9,999): 477 (18,992)

Total Battle Casualties for the period 25th to 31st August 1941

Hungarian: Nil
Italians: 479
German: 18,130
Russian: 19,078

Prior Casualties

Hungarian: 541
Italian: 2,370
German: 286,238
Russian: 306,950

Total Battle Casualties to date

Hungarian: Nil + 541 = 541
Italian: 479 + 2,370 = 2,849
Germany: 18,130 + 286,238 = 304,368
Russian: 19,078 + 306,950 = 326,028


Bombing Summary for the period 25th to 31st August 1941

Luftwaffe

Homyel: Hoffman von Waldau with 4th Schlachtfliegerkorps: 140, 167, 130, 103, 124, 178, 69, 170, 172 (1,253)
Homyel: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 270, 351, 121 (742)
Svyetlahorsk: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 226, 301, 195 (722)
Svyetlahorsk: Rapaich with 1 Légihadsereg: 101, 270, 169, 181, 172, 172, 174, 161, 73 (1,473)
Svyetlahorsk: Hoffmann van Waldau with 4th Schlachtfliegerkorps: 83, 145, 131 (359)
Nikopol’: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 114, 179, 231 (524)
Idzeshkovo: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 124, 185, 185 (494)
Oleksandrivka: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegrkorps: 233, 183 (416)
Kletnja: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 272, 140, 281 (693)
Mena: Müller-Michaels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps: 219, 288, 138 (645)
Peklino: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 178, 287, 280 (745)
Dinprodzerzynsk: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 198, 62, 47 (307)
Olerino: Keller with 7th Kampffliegerkorps: 176, 231 (407)
Kivioli: Wever with 8th Kampffliegerkorps: 167, 72 (239)


VVS

Snihurivka: Rychagov with 1st and 2nd BAD: 119
Mutwica: Khudyakov with 12th and 13th BAD: 128 (Hungarian)

The VVS tried to attack our ground forces in Kozelets’, Novtorovits’ke, Kletnja and to mount a second raid on Mutwica, but our aircraft intercepted them before they could drop their bombs.


Total Bombing Casualties for the period 25th to 31st August 1941

Hungarian: 128
Italian: Nil
German: 119
Russian: 9,019

Previous Bombing Casualties

German: 3,668
Russian: 213,616

Total Bombing Casualties to date

Hungarian: 128 + Nil = 128
German: 119 + 3,668 = 3,787
Russian: 9,019 + 213,616 = 222,635


Total East Front Casualties for the period 25th to 31st August 1941

Hungarian: Nil + 128 = 128
Italian: 479 + Nil = 479
German: 18,130 + 119 = 18,249
Russian: 19,078 + 9,019 = 28,097

Previous Casualties

Hungarian: 531
Italian: 2,370
German: 289,906
Russian: 520,566

Total East Front Casualties to date (not including surrendered or overrun units)

Hungarian: 128 + 531 = 659
Italian: 479 + 2,370 = 2,849
German: 18,249 + 289,906 = 308,155
Russian: 28,097 + 520,566 = 548,663

Sarayakat said:

Nice to see you are back. I really liked this update, particularly the personal narrative. Looking forward to the next one.

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Finally got it finished. Now I'm up to date. That's right - I have not played 1 Spetember yet, so have no idea what will happen.

bugwar said:

Great post!

A couple more like it and you can start publishing commercially.

The unnamed clerk is a 'maroon' as my pal Bugs would say. He has been in war before, he is twenty years wiser, and he decides to tramp out to an active battlefield as '... a way to fill in time.'? Oh, and he doesn't arm himself either.

Gisela should coax out his tale of adventure, then smack him upside the head for lack of sense.

But I digress. I enjoy reading your story.

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After 20 years in a filing room, maybe he was searching for a quick death?:laugh:

VonMudra said:

Wonderful post! My only question...what's an SS man doing in a Wehrmacht tank formation ;D

But truely, it is amazing to see you back, and in just as amazing form as always

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When Himmler died in 1940, his dream of entire SS formations went him. Some SS units continue, but not many.

varetta said:

First, congratulations for your coming back.
And second a question, are you going to upgrade the game to the last expansion? In that case, please, save first the game for avoiding problems, because i guess you don´t want to repeat the game to this point. ;D

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No more upgrades - it would be hard to replay and I could not face it. And there is no way FTM would be compatible.

Pudd1nator said:

Hello Uriah, you were missed. So glad to see "our clerk" in action again, rumors of his disapearence/demise/death were greatly exagerated.

Great update, very entertaining and no stats for you to wade through. 1/25 is too much work for you in an endeaver that is supposed to be a fun hobby. As always you pulled us into the narrative and the pics are 'picture perfect'.

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Thanks Pudd1nator - glad you waited. I quiote like the stats (it's something I always wanted to do) but they do take time

Krogzar said:

Amazing post! I loved every bit of it

Great to have you back, I've missed your writing Uriah!

/Krogzar

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Thanks Krozgar - was easing myself back in the saddle.

eqqman said:

Yes, welcome back. I still find it remarkable you've kept this alive for so long.

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Even more remarkable if you heard my wife's comments about it. "Waste of time" is the mildest.

KyrionMyrthar said:

Glad to see you back!

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Thanks KyrionMyrthar - hopefully will keep going to final victory (or defeat)

bugwar said:

For the update of 25 to 31 Aug 1941, I like the image of the entire battlefield, it provided a nice overview of the situation. The narrative was informative as well.

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Thanks Bugwar - I do try to be informative as well as entertaining. Note informative, rather than instructive: you may want to learn from my mistakes.

Monzach said:

Wow, two very nice updates Uriah! Glad to see you back.

Congratulations on taking Leningrad, first and foremost. Are you going to use von Manstein's men to bloster the attack towards Moscow, or are you going at it like I usually do, and give the conquerors of Leningrad the rather dubious honor of also taking Murmansk?

Hope to read some more material soon, but as always...Real Life comes first.

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von Manstein and Polen Army Nord are to drive for Moscow. At the moment Baltic Army is to move up and protect the flank, maybe head for Murmansk. As always, I am cursing not having enough men.

Bit of a delay for the next update: several University assignments and daughter's 21st birthday party to prepare/

Forster said:

Good to see you back, thought the wife may have finally laid down the law!
Great updates. I am really surprised that the AI still has not closed that pocket. You have Leningrad, it should go somewhat easier. Send some units to clear the Kola penninsula and take Murmansk and tell Army Nord to sweep around behind Moscow to take it. Then you can weather the winter and start the slog over in the spring.

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As far as I can see, the Russians are struggling to get any supply to the end of the pocket - I think this has prevented a lot of units from moving. But they did get dozens of divisions out. I think I made a mistake trying to close north of Kiev. Probably should have airmed much further east. The AI is very hard to coordinate on this sort of operation and it insisted on costly attacks on swamp provinces.

With Murmansk: similar problem with the AI. There are not enough units for the AI to feel comfortable in sending troops that far forward. Moscow must be the priority. I will see how von Manstein is going.

KyrionMyrthar said:

That Soviet bulge in the middle is wild.

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They are not giving me the finger - they need to pull the finger out before it gets chopped off.

bugwar said:

That's not a bulge; it's the bleeding remnants of a collapsing Russian defense.


:laugh:

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I think there are about 8 divs in the very end province and another half dozen scattered up to the Kiev area. Probably 40 more to the east. I may not get more than a dozen caught, but the others are pretty useless. The infra cannot handle the massive supply demands.




Aplogise for another delay after a brief resurgence: moderation is called for. Other demands on my time.

As I once had to write on the blackboard (ask your parents) 100 times:

"Patience is a virtue for which I must strive"

Monday 1st to Tuesday 9th September 1941

With the capture of Leningrad, OKH put Unternehmen Sargnagel into effect. Baltic Army is to move east to hold Leningrad, take Viipuri and also move east to Jaroslavl’. In effect it is to be the northern shield for Polen Army Nord. Von Manstein is to take his four Armeekorps and one Panzerkorps and drive on Moscow. That is his sole objective. OKH estimates he may have 2 months before the weather renders our aircraft ineffective. Nobody wants to launch ground attacks without the air softening up the Russians. They may be in retreat, but they still outnumber us three to one.

One item that received a lot of publicity was the honour given to 56.ID. In recognition of its efforts and the example it set in the bitter fighting for Azanovo, General Hänicke has been advised that the Führer has personally approved the renaming of his division to 56.ID “Azanovo”. I believe a boxful of Eisernes Kreuze is on its way east.

The reduced results from our U-boats have led OKM to reorganise our patrols. Von Nordeck is to take II Unterseebootsflotte to the East Biscay Plain. He has been warned to be on the defensive. Aßmann has rebased 1st U-flotte to Gibraltar, from where he is to patrol the South Cape Verde Terrace. The Mediterranean has proved to be a poor hunting zone, so Krause is to gather 5th U-flotte and move to Gibraltar for further orders.


Field Marshall Schörner reports from OB West that all is under control. A small group of rebels are holed up in Pont de Seurt in the Basque hills, but they pose no threat. At some point we will send troops to clear them out, but there is no hurry.

Our researchers continue to advance the cause. Their contribution is vital, particularly as the war grinds on. Improvements in our production of supplies will ease some pressure on our factories and mines, and the talents of these scientists are now focussed on pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology. We are years ahead of the rest of the world, and we have been warned this will slow research. But the huge demands for manpower have left us no choice but to develop techniques to free up more men from the land. On a more immediately practical level, our anti-aircraft guns will benefit from the new barrels and ammunition that have been perfected. Göring snared the freed up research facilities to work on better interdiction tactics for our fighters. It was so evident that our Jagdwaffe need assistance that Cabinet did not even discuss his demand, approving it without debate.

So once more to the situation in the east.


Moving to the front line, Kesselring’s divisions had a good view of the first big skirmish with the Red Navy. 1st Schlachtflotte located several troop ships fleeing Estonia and promptly engaged the enemy. Undeterred by the realisation that the flotilla was escorted by the “Marat” and “Oktobrskaya Revoluciya” (with several destroyer squadrons) Admiral Marschall tried to close. Unfortunately the Soviet fleet escaped before we could annihilate them, but two destroyer squadrons and a group of transports were sunk.




First news from von Manstein’s HQ was not promising. The battle for Butchino, at the southern end of the Army’s front, had to be abandoned. Some progress was being made, but Nehring was facing mounting losses and the Russians were proving hard to shift. With the various Armeekorps re-evaluating priorities in wake of the new objective, his decision to withdraw was approved with no questions.

No such worries for General Neuling far to the north: 71.ID’s opposition dissolved at first contact. 48 Strelkovaya was gone before daylight on the second day of fighting. Pfeffer had a similar experience in Morozova. Although 142 Strelkovaya initially put up a spirited resistance, when a second of our divisions joined the fight, the enemy fled.

Pulling 1st Panzer from Butchino proved to be fruitful. With just one day’s rest, General Nehring changed the focus of his attack from east to south east and easily crushed Kiselev’s 10 Tankovaya and 9 Krymskaya Kaveleriy in Peklino. After 24 hours fighting he was in position to launch another attack on Butchino. Early on the 9th the second attempt began. With the infantry of 16.ID to bolster his motorised regiments, he plunged into what he hopes will not be a repeat of his first disastrous effort.


The first infantry unit to be ready to drive towards Moskva was, not surprisingly, Kurt von der Chevallerie’s 95.ID. The dash and eagerness to close with the enemy that had won him an Eisernes Kreuz as a Kompanieführer in the last war has not left him. When XV Armeekorps relayed the new army directive, he quickly drew up new orders for his divisions and at 9 AM his lead units entered Kuvsinovo. Simoniak’s 312 Strelkovaya never had a chance to stabilise its defence and late that night it had abandoned any pretence of attempting to stem the advance.

Von Sodenstern’s 60.ID was not far behind 95.ID, though it may have jumped the gun. Its attack into El’tsy ran into stiff opposition, even though some of Poluetkov’s frontline defenders were quickly enciricled. With two full divisions at the disposal of the Soviets it looked as though von Sodenstern was in trouble. The capture of Kusinovo and Barckhausen’s push into El’tsy from Mal Lokhovo soon saw the chances of success lift and the most recent reports we have indicate that 74 Strelkovaya has been routed and 306 Strelkovaya is under extreme pressure and likely to break soon.

Wünnenberg is often called the luckiest panzer leader in the Heer, and once again his unit has been given an easy victory. Resting in the relative backwater of Krasnaya Zarya, 9th Panzer came under attack from a solitary infantry division. It was immediately apparent that the attackers had no heavy weapons and nothing capable of destroying one of our Pzkpfw IIIJ tanks. For two days the Sinkiang troops were slaughtered (for it was soon realised that these were not Russian regulars) before General Fedyunskij saw reason and retreated. Casualties were more than 10 to 1 in our favour.

Afimino had to be taken twice. General Eicke first had to deal with Mihajilov with 78 Strelkovaya, 41 Kaveleriy and Di’2 Shi. That took most of the 7th. Then he found his way blocked by Lutchinski with 34 Srednevolzhskaya. This took from dawn to noon on 9th. Not heavy fighting, but draining on his division, 28.ID.

Flushed with pride at the public recognition of 56.ID “Azanovo”, Hänicke ordered his men into Vasilevka. Possibly he had been listening to the praise and not concentrating on the job at hand, because soon he was bogged down. His unit had not had a chance to fully resupply and General Radus had 22,500 men hidden in the woods. 56.ID is still moving forward, but Hänicke is already warning of a possible withdrawal.


After more than two weeks of fighting in atrocious conditions, General Keppler has accepted defeat in Svyetlahorsk. Not even the continuous pounding from the air could dislodge General Filatov. Two Russian divisions had broken, but 305 Strelkovaya stood firm (or as firm as they could in the mud). Keppler allowed 104.ID (mot) to retreat several days ago, but 1st leichte Panzer had persisted up to now. Nearly 3,500 of our men died. Russian casualties from the ground fighting are less than 1,000, but more than 2,500 were killed in bombing in just the last week of August.


Bremer and 23.ID did not have to fight quite so long for their victory in Izdeshkovo. Although the attack was launched back on the 25th August, the arrival last week of reinforcements in the form of 18 and 30.ID overwhelmed Galitski’s single division. Even so, our casualties were greater than those of the enemy.

At least Bremer and his men had a victory to offset their missing comrades. 87.ID could only sit and mourn their comrades after their abortive sally into Butchino. 48 hours saw virtually no progress against an enemy that proved difficult to budge and well able to protect itself. General Gallenkamp did have the good sense to call back his forward units and minimise his losses. It would have been better, perhaps to have co-ordinated with Polen Army Nord: General Nehring could have told Gallenkamp that 18 Strelkovaya was not a pushover.

Further bad news came from Brysanska. As anticipated, 3rd Panzer and 107.ID had bitten off more than they could chew and late on 3rd with nearly a 1,000 men dead General Steiner decided to cut his losses and withdraw. Perhaps it was the sight of Falaleev’s fighter regiments being decimated above that put some steel back into our panzertruppen: by midday on Thursday 3rd Panzer was heading back into battle. It must be said, however, that the attack is pure bravado. Early reports are that Steiner’s men and vehicles are taking heavy punishment.


Homyel’ seems to have finally been captured for good. Hartman and the Hungarians have the entire city and no Russians have been detected for some time. Perhaps 5 gyal. can have the rest it so well deserve. 19.ID also deserves rest, but it is not to get any. With Guderian’s men moving into Starodub, it was essential to keep up the pressure on the isolated Russian troops. Under instructions from Rommel himself, Hartmann ordered his weary men to head north-east into Klincy. It was tough going for a few hours, but then came relief in the form of Kepplers 1st leichte Panzer driving in from the north. By the end of the 9th, only 9th Tankovaya was still fighting: the other Soviet divisions were jammed tight on the roads east.

10.ID has singlehandedly captured Gorki, a relief to Rommel who had no units available to bail out Müller had he met real problems. Another relief was the rapid recapture of Azanovo. After so many lives had been lost in capturing and retaining the province, another administrative blunder saw it left vacant when Hänicke pulled his men back to rest. Fortunately General Felbe saw what was happening and struck at 33 Belorusskaya as it infiltrated through the gaps in our lines. Felbe did acknowledge that 62.ID could not achieved the success without the assistance of Löhr’s dive-bombers, who carried out four bombing missions in just 24 hours and would have delivered a fifth payload had they not been ambushed by enemy fighters.


In Kletnja, the Hungarians turned up late for the battle, but the number of defenders never reached more than 20,000 so the absence of one division was not critical. Von Langermann und Erlenkamp and 6th Panzer were able to crush the opposition easily.

Right on the northern boundary of Polen Army Sud, Fokino is proving a tough nut for 7th Panzer. Once again we are forced to use armour in a river crossing and once again the Russians are showing us how to perform a river defence. Slow progress, but von Hubicki should win in the end. The only question is the cost.


If he thought that the withdrawal of Keppler’s men from Svyetlahorsk signified a break in hostilities, General Filatov was mistaken. 1 Tábori Panéloshadosztály (led by General Brunswik) moved in immediately. The light “Toldi” tanks of this unit, unsuitable for armoured conflict, performed fairly in the wet and muddy conditions, according to reports from Shvoy’s HQ. Now down to less than 5,000 men, 305 Strelkovaya could not face more fighting. After a brief exchange (in which the Hungarians came off far worse) the remnants of 2 infantry regiments, a rocket and a field artillery brigade evacuated their water-filled foxholes, joining the long lines of men plodding east.


The only other action for 1 Hadtest was the assault on the trapped divisions in Zukorka by 8 gyal. Approximately 32,000 Russians are in the province, but General Sztólay is confident his 6,000 men can handle them without assistance.


End of Part 1

bugwar said:

Mistakes? What mistakes? On the morning of September 1, 1941, the German flag flies above Leningrad.
The German high command would love more 'mistakes' like that!

Keep up the good work, and the writing.

:happy:

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I think if I asked for people to point out tactical or strategic errors I would get quite a few pages of replies.

Next update pretty soon: all done bar the stats so in the next day or so. (Well, a few photos to stick in, formatting etc. But it is written.)