Sudden Carnage
Chapter XXXII – Operation Barbarossa
Countries played by humans: UK, Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, Japan.
Recap: With the recent fall of France, Germany is preparing a new huge offensive. At last, Operation Barbarossa, the full on attack of Soviet Union is about to unfold. Japan is steady but slowly gaining ground in the Far East – never faltering. UK seems to have left South East Asia. Instead, after securing entire Africa, winning the initiative in the Med and conquering Greece – they have dared an attack on Sicily. And they are gaining ground.
August 11th, 1940
While Italy and United Kingdom fought in the Med and in Sicily, Germany extended their raids in the Atlantics. It was believed that UK had been cutting down considerable on the convoy routes as each U-boat had a lot lower ratio of sunk tonnage. I could mean, of course, that they convoys had become better at avoiding the raiders – but the German leadership chose to believe in the first explanation.
This is the present size of the 3rd Reich shortly before the launch of Operation Barbarossa – the attack on the Soviet Union.
August 11th, 1940
The main blow will fall on the northern section on the front. Here, the Red Army has formidable defensive positions behind rivers, in woods, cities and marshlands. There were hardly any open fields and thus, Wehrmacht had not put many panzers here but a majority of the infantry.
Due to this formidable defense, and the constant warring in the south, the German leadership hoped that the Red Army’s second line here would be weak. Once a breach was made, through which all the German reserves could pour, the Red Army was hoped to be overwhelmed and outmaneuvered.
August 18th, 1940
Three days into Operation Barbarossa and three main thrusts had been launched in the northern part of the East Front. Wehrmacht came in strong and in superior numbers. It was tough going in the rough terrain and all the Soviet units had extensive trench-systems and dug bunkers. They also knew the province like the back of their hands. Still, the Germans were more numerous, better equipped and better trained. Luftwaffe was challenged in the skies and the bombers could not operate at full effectiveness. Still, the Russians did not deploy any bombers at all.
August 23rd, 1940
In the southern part of the east front, Wehrmacht actually attacked out of the Valley of Death, Shepetivka, even before they attacked up north. The reason was to hopefully make the Rus believe that this was the main thrust. Still, for being a deceptive maneuver, it met quite successful result. Large contingents of the Red Army were being grinded down in the open field.
::Heinrich Hahn and the 1st Panzer had been order back into Shepetivka after various manouvers. Whermacht had actually lost a few provinces resently due to Red Army offensives. But the Valley of Death had surpisingly been unchallenged. When he came back to the this hell hole, he was surpriced of the changes. Most of the boddies had been burried and the summer made the province's huge fields filled with untended crops and wild fields.::
::And now they were reinforced. France had fallen and several panzer divisions had joind up on this sector. It was time to push the Rad Army back. Finally! Michael Wittman was apparently eager and his mood carried on to the rest of the tank crew. Heinrich and Bobby looked forward for the late summer offensive.::
August 24th-30th, 1940
During about a week the amount of battle escalated to include a majority of the frontline. Some were only to tie down the Red Army and later cancelled. In some cases, the Red Army had to retreat from winning battles when risks for pockets occurred. Some of the key battle fields (above) became bloody and about 60-70 000 men on both sides was killed during a single week.
New recruits surged from far behind the lines to fill up the holes in all the trashed divisions. This was carnage on a new and terrible level. But Wehrmacht won all the important battles and the Red Army was being forced back.
This time, they had plenty of rare materials in stock, manpower was not yet a problem and Germany had a secure back. It was up to the Red Army themselves to protect their country…
September 1st, 1940
15 days into Operation Barbarossa and Wehrmacht had busted through the dug-in wall of the Red Army. Now, as the Soviet troopers started to tumble back the German leadership felt optimistic. Alas, they still had a troublesome terrain ahead and it was unknown how much reserves the Red Army had.
Wehrmacht also initiated an attack across the river into the city of Minsk. It was a bitter fight for the Germans, but it was important to tie down the huge amount of troops here – and to refuse the tired Russians any rest while fresh German troops moved into position.
September 1st, 1940
In the southern part of the East Front the going was slightly slower, but still forwards without any real hesitation.
At the same time, the army group of mechanized and heavy mechanized divisions was finally ready to be deployed. As the southern front consisted mostly of plains, the choice fell here. The German leadership was eager to use this new type of unit. It was not stronger than a regular medium panzer division but considerable faster.
::Finally, Johann Keller and his 1st Heavy Mechanized Infantry Division was deployed in the southern part of the East Front. He would be part of Operation Barbarossa. He, the cheese-merchant, would be part of the great crusade against Marxism. All the darknes in his heart was long gone. He would do his part - if not in the frontline (as he was an logistics officer) - but he wouldn't be the one to stay behind.::
August 25th – September 3rd, 1940
In rapid succession, Japan offensives met several crucial victories which led to the fall of several small nations. The leadership of Tannu Tuva managed to flee to Soviet but Nepal and Bhutan gave up – just switching one tyrant for another. Japan chose to puppet these nations as they really did not bother to deal with them. As long as they would just stay passive in the Himalayas and not cause any trouble it was all good.
August 25th, 1940
Authors note: Due to intense warring in Soviet I missed taking screenshot during a peak of UKs offensive in southern Italy. The red lines symbolize UKs northernmost position before they were pushed back somewhat.
UK made a decisive landing in southern Italy, isolating the rather big Italian Army on the “toe of the boot” and pushing northwards. The surrounded Italians were attacked from all sides and bombed as well. Axis now sent a lot of air force here to support Italy, fearing a major Italian disaster. RAF was more or less chased away after some tough air-battles and soon bombs started to fall on the Brits. The experienced troops in the 2nd Paratroop Division landed in front of the blitzing Brits and thus bought Italy some time to consolidate their defense. Soon, the Brits were being pushed back in the North.
Still, UK continued their attack on the “toe” and the Italians there were mighty worn down by now. What was worrying, except the loss of the Army was the fact that Italy’s last real fleet, with most of their battle ships, was stuck here – and in bad shape. During a recent naval battle, they had punished the Brits but with the effect that most ships needed repairs. If they were forced out into the Straight of Messina and the awaiting Royal Navy – it would be a an even worse disaster than the loss of the army. Axis diverted lots of attention trying to stop yet another British trap from snapping shut.
September 9th, 1940
A Panzer spear-head had blitzed right through the Red Army’s southern defense. Three Soviet divisions, of which one was armor, were caught in a pocket. They were already in a disastrous state and soon gave up. This led to a great unbalance in the Soviet defense and it was obvious that they stumbled backwards to try and find a new line.
The German leadership had already seen that a line of fortification had been build quite strategically deeper inside the country, and they did not want the Red Army to be able to dig in here – especially as they did not know how powerful these forts would be.
September 14th, 1940
Even though the southern attack initially was mostly a diversion, it was here, on the open field, that a break-through came. Close to the Rumanian border, the Soviet defense crumbled and Wehrmacht busted through and found undefended land.
In the North, progress was steady but slow. The terrain hindered all kinds of fast movement and the Red Army covered up skillfully. It was bloody work for the Germans.
The Italian leader was mighty nervous about the British attack on the heart of Italy and they now pulled the majority of their expeditionary forces home. The loss of the Italian forces in the East would weaken Operation Barbarossa locally - but it was concidered more important to secure the heartland of Italy for new British tricks.
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Operation Barbarossa is unfolding quite nicely. Germany is taking a lot of casualties but are reaching their objectives. The "loss" of the Italian forces in the south of the Soviet front, in combination with the wall of Soviet forts of unknown strength, might cause a unwanted stalemate there. The outcome of the "Battle of the Toe" in southern Italy will be mighty important. If Italy lose, they will be very weak until their Eastern Army have returned. Also, they are lighly to also lose the majority of their last fleet wich will make United Kingdom completely unchallenged in the Med. Yet another "nail-biter" in the Med.