This is not a mini-AAR even though by the time this thread eventually completes there will be at least 21 screen shots published. Rather this thread is intended for Forum input and discussion of the many factors for player of Germany to consider when attacking the Soviet Union; and only uses the screen shots I present as a reference to relate to. I expect the thread to develop with examination of the different phases of a Barbarossa campaign – with each phase presented on following weeks.
There are many people who indirectly contributed to me doing this thread… and they deserve credit. First and foremost is Mr_BOnarpte who advised that I practice on v1.08 before attempting my future planned AAR on TRM. Next is Pang Bingxun who’s much advice I half followed – by building my German infrastructure only to half. Hister was very important as a counselor of “Forum harmony”. Titan79 was instrumental in motivating me to get a signature. Bosman often challenged successfully ideas I did entertain, as did jkduncan1973. Pioniere, lollibast and vitality lent the philosophy of “alternate ideas” while Blecky, Deniss and mcganyol gave important information about “game facts”. Marshall18 gave me the much needed perspective of hindsight to remember how it was when I first started with Hearts of Iron many years ago. Van Paulous showed a new idea. And, whenever my spirits sank, somewhere in Forum I could always find a good laugh to cheer me up again reading posts by either Count of Reval, Quasimodo64 or cyberpunkdreams.
While there are many others in Forum (too many to mention) that all lent their indirect contribution to this thread, there is one person who deserves mentioning again as the force that directly determined me to do this thread about my surprising alternate panzer tactics for a Barbarossa Blitz:
So – with formalities to Moderators, friends and sparring partners alike acknowledged – let me begin.
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It is June 22nd 1941, and Germany has amassed a powerful and modern army in Poland – mostly on the border facing the many divisions of the Soviet Union. The Hungarians are there too… believing in Hitler’s cause. Also in the Axis are the Romanians and Finns – both determined to win back what Stalin took from them. Finally, the Bulgarians, Italians, Iraqis and Syrians are also in the Axis, but since they are all either busy chewing olives in Greece or slapping sand fleas in some far off desert, we don’t need to worry about them. I suppose I do need mention the Slovakians though, as they now have five infantry divisions (whoopee!).
For two years now Adolf Hitler and the OKW have been planning what to do about the Soviet Union – an ideological enemy estimated to have at least 330 divisions (23 armored), 26 fighter wings, 8 bomber wings and a very large submarine force. Having discovered the idea of “Blitzkrieg” inadvertently in Poland when they analyzed the rapid 7-day conquest which annexed that nation, and then practicing over and over the first planned blitzkrieg in France to make possible a 7-day Vichy Event, the blitzkrieg now poised for the conquest of the Soviet Union was the best formulated yet. They code named it “Barbarossa”.
Barbarossa was envisioned as a 6-phase operation:
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Phase 1 – The total annihilation of the southern half of the Soviet line with the capture of the key “gateway” city of Kiev.
Phase 2 – Total annihilation of the center part of the Soviet line with capture of the key Baltic port of Riga.
Phase 3 –Destruction of the northern Soviet Baltic Coastal Line with capture of the key city of Leningrad.
Phase 4 – The isolation and eventual elimination of all Soviet units in Lapland and the Karelia area with seizure of the key White Sea port of Archangelsk.
Phase 5 – Seizure of all the oil rich provinces in the Caucasus including Batu.
Phase 6 – The capture of Moscow to gain the huge stockpiles of resources there and give Stalin a humiliating defeat so that he might sue for peace.
For this week I would like to present Phase 1. Then it will be open to Forum to comment on the strategy used, discuss alternatives for Barbarossa, and generally be as Forum is. When the time is right, I will present Phase 2, and repeat until Moscow has been captured.
PHASE 1- Total annihilation of the southern half of the Soviet line.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
A look at the Soviet line shows that there are only two Russian provinces where Germany can obtain a three angle attack, or better. The obvious “target provinces” to create a pincher blitzkrieg are Bielsk in the north, and Stryl in the south. It is hoped that if the pincher can be closed behind the Soviet line at Rowne that would pocket about 50 Red divisions – which could then be easily destroyed. The problem is that such an ambitious plan will surely run into resistance from the Soviet defense-in-depth and especially the Soviets quickly responding to either prevent - or break open again - any envelopment by using their mobile reserves and considerable armor divisions. Clearly overwhelming force, speed and precise Luftwaffe co-ordination will be needed to succeed.
However, Germany is fortunate to be blessed with some great strategists – especially an outlandish chap called “Commander666”. He has long had this idea of blitzing panzers thru the Pripet Marshes – an idea deemed ridiculous by most tank commanders. But Hitler did permit Commander666 to present his plan.
Commander666: Heil Hitler!
Hitler: Heil Hitler. What plans did you bring?
Commander666: I brought geographical info about the Pripet Marshes.
Hitler (already bored): Yes, I’ve heard of the area – stinks of swamp gas, mosquitoes eat you alive and horses disappear with one miss-step.
Commander666: It’s not quite that bad, sir. Our spies have made many ground tests and found several tracks thru the marshes that will support Lt ARM.
Hitler (jerks up in his chair): Ooh really? Show me these geographical maps.
Commander666: The Bielsk Province with its Pripet Marsh gives us the best attack to launch a spearhead that would link up with the southern spearhead going thru Lvov. The beauty of the plan is that the rest of the Pripet Marshes north of our thrust will prevent the Russian fast mobile units – especially their heavy armor – from being able to move quick enough to block us. However, our cavalry – supported by 3 divisions of light armor – can quite quickly actually get thru Bielsk and be attacking Pinsk – the second marsh. Furthermore, our fast motorized infantry coming up thru Lvov will also be attacking Pinsk from the other side to quickly eliminate any resistance there. All that is needed is for the Luftwaffe to provide timely support.
Hitler: This is a very interesting plan. We must find a way to envelope a large bulk of the Reds or we will have the whole Soviet army pouring into any breach we make. We absolutely need a major surround at start. I like this plan. Make me a list of all the forces needed for your unorthodox idea of blitzing thru the Pripet Marshes. And I guarantee you; you can have two Fallschirmjäger divisions on standby should they be needed to prevent the Soviets getting new units into Bielsk or Pinsk after the first battle in each province is won.
Commander666: That, mein Führer, is a guarantee that this plan cannot fail. Thank you. Heil Hitler!
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THE OTHER IMPORTANT MEETING that preceded Barbarossa occurred in Budapest with representatives of the Herr, the Hungarians and the Romanians. Key attendees were Field Marshal Phleps (in charge of 33 Romania divisions facing the Red line), Field Marshal Gorondy-Novak (in charge of 34 Hungarian divisions stationed in Presov) and his next-of-command General Ruszksay, Field Marshal von Leeb responsible for 35 Wehrmacht infantry divisions stationed in Przemysl, and finally another outlandish man – a tank commander called General Guderian who was with one of the 15 Wehrmacht panzer divisions.
Hitler: We are poised to strike the greatest blow ever done in warfare. What have you gentleman to say?
Phelps: We don’t have that big an army. We just want to kick those Bolsheviks out of Romania.
Ruszkay: Yah, you don’t have that big a country anymore either. I mean, Transylvania definitely belongs to us, but why did you ever cede Constanta to those Bulgarians?
Phelps: It was the Vienna Accord.
Ruszkay: Shit man! Giving the Reds all of Bessarabia wasn’t the Vienna Accords. It was your spineless nature. You should have joined the Axis sooner.
Phelps: I hope a Werewolf gets you!
Hitler: Gentlemen! Gentlemen. We are all in the same alliance. PLEASE, can we discuss the southern spearhead?
von Leeb: I would like to introduce General Guderian, commander of one of our armored corps.
Guderian: Thank you Field Marshal. As most of you know, Germany has been studying the concepts of lightning warfare. I have a plan that will realize an attack of 142 divisions on the Soviet defenders in Stryl - estimated at 10 divisions.
Phelps: Do you think we will win?
Guderian: Yes Field Marshal, we will win. The important concept of this attack is that – while the 23 Romanian divisions to the south of this spearhead who are contributing 2 angles of attack on Stryl will remain stationary as will the 12 German divisions north of the spearhead contributing another angle of attack from Zamosc, the 107 divisions of the Wehrmacht and Hungary in Presov and Przemysl giving two more angles of attack will then all attack TOGETHER against Lvov once they get thru the first Russian province.
Hitler: Great attack on Stryl. But 107 divisions next on a one angle of attack from conquered Stryl moving at same time into Lvov?
Guderian: Yes, mein Führer.
Hitler: Will that not result in at least 83 divisions being over command and ASTRONOMICAL stacking penalty for every division?
Guderian : Yes, it will mein Führer.
Hitler: Well then, explain yourself, commander.
Guderian: Sir, this spearhead is not a time to worry either about over command or stacking penalties. The only concern is to pour 107 divisions thru the Lvov Gap in the minimum of time possible. 50 of those divisions are mobile units – 15 armor and 35 motorized infantry plus one HQ. Once those divisions reach Lvov they will fan out to go north behind the Russian lines to meet the other spearhead and create an envelopment there, and another envelopment of the Red units facing Romania once we reach the Black Sea. Additionally a new spearhead will run through the center and drive on Kiev, while smaller spearheads will establish blocking positions using a part of the Pripet Marshes and the natural river boundaries as our defense from any Soviet retaliatory action while we annihilate everything in the Soviet southern half of their line. Our intelligence estimates – together with the Northern Spearhead out of Lomza going thru the Pripet Marshes, the two envelopments that will be created, and the over-running of retreating enemy - it will result in the elimination of about 100 Soviet divisions. Basically, the Red Army in the south will no longer be able to mount any effective resistance for our eventual thrust into the Caucasus.
Hitler: WOW! What an ambitious plan! Is there anything that might cause it to fail?
Guderian: Yes, there is… if we don’t get past Lvov… because the Reds will do everything to try and block that breach.
Hitler: In that case, General Guderian, we will reserve our 3rd Fallschirmjäger to attack Lvov if needed and so block any Red divisions from blocking your plan.
Guderian: Thank you. That will guarantee success. This will be the greatest Blitzkrieg ever.
Hitler: You are sure about the destruction of 100 enemy divisions?
Guderian: It all depends on our speed, which is why everything is moving from 01:00 hours. Every corps (stack) has been given its mission to its final destination. No unit will delay even one hour – or a day – with intermediate missions such as only to Lvov.
Hitler: I’ll speak to Göring and get his assurances that this spearhead gets maximum Luftwaffe support to keep those nasty Reds from moving in from the flanks. What about the expected “defense-in-depth”?
Guderian: I assure you that when my 15 armored divisions impact on any “defense-in-depth” it will simply be a few hours battle and those defenders will be over run. The same will happen for the 3 stacks of motorized that are taking different paths.
Hitler: But all of this – after Lvov - will be one angle attacks, correct?
Guderian: Yes sir. Just like a lightning bolt striking the enemy dead. There is no need to delay to create two angle attacks when we have this strength. We can save that tactic for later. The only motto is “Every hour counts” until we have the two envelopments closed, hold Kiev and have set up a defensive perimeter from the Black Sea to Suwalki. Basically, we are taking 23 Soviet provinces in one very fast push.
Phelps: Wow!
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Seems there was one other most important meeting that was missed. The Logistic Experts had advised that Germany’s total oil stockpile was only about 25,000. Using offensive supplies for Phase 1 was estimated to consume 20,000.
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O1:00 HOURS, June 22, 1941
Commanders from Suwalki in the north to Iasi in Romania blow their whistles… and 190 Axis divisions attack the Soviet line at two points. 8 wings of CAS, 16 of TAC, 12 INT and 7 FTR flying from 9 forward airbases – most adjacent to the Soviet line – reach for the sky to hail down unheralded destruction upon an enemy.
Barbarossa has begun.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Missions are set as far forward as possible to create two envelopments and win 23 provinces – thereby eliminating the 24-hour delay incurred upon mission completion and the 6-hour lag to start new mission. The Luftwaffe is tasked to its maximum ability to respond as new battles occur – hence they never bomb at night and – as much as possible – always try to have one forward stack on standby. All 9 forward airbases (includes Warsaw) - each build to full capacity for the wings based there - are visible. Danzig (the 10th) holds 4 NAV on additional standby.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Starting in Lomza, 3 Lt Arm, 12 CAV and 11 INF with HQ (all brigaded) begin the drive forward thru the Pripet Marshes. They are supported by 12 INF in Suwalki and 12 in Lublin (most with heavy brigades). Basically, there is no contest. Who cares the Lt Arm are “over command”. Their only concern is to reach Pinsk asap, or better yet, Rowne. The attack line does NOT go thru Brest Litovsk as game seemingly indicates. It goes directly to Pinsk. Seems the Ruskies never expected this “suicidal” action and only have two divisions in Bielsk. What a surprise that is – for both the Reds and me!
EDIT: Closer examination of the battle reveals they actually had 9 divisions at start and not sure how many more they added during the battle. The 2 currently in battle display might be the last defenders or reinforcements.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
On the third day of battle the southern spearhead - 107 divisions moving through the gap - is pushing past Lvov (one province won each day). It appears there are 20 Red divisions in Stryl and Lvov retreating who will be over run. While the Soviet Air Force proved to be a formidable opponent and took down both stacks of German INT, the Luftwaffe bombers managed to keep the Reds pinned down enough so Fallschirmjäger were not needed. The only remaining INT flying today are the 5 wings of Hungarian INT-II… and they saved the war. Seems the attrition suffered between the Luftwaffe and Soviet fighter forces resulted in the obsolete Hungarian interceptors currently being the strongest of all in this sector.
But Germany’s oil stockpile is now down to just 4,394.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I think to maintain moderator tolerance and Forum anticipation, this is a good spot to stop installment one. Continuation of Phase 1 and other future installments will contain many more screen shots and far less words now that the intro is done. Thread now open to Forum.
There are many people who indirectly contributed to me doing this thread… and they deserve credit. First and foremost is Mr_BOnarpte who advised that I practice on v1.08 before attempting my future planned AAR on TRM. Next is Pang Bingxun who’s much advice I half followed – by building my German infrastructure only to half. Hister was very important as a counselor of “Forum harmony”. Titan79 was instrumental in motivating me to get a signature. Bosman often challenged successfully ideas I did entertain, as did jkduncan1973. Pioniere, lollibast and vitality lent the philosophy of “alternate ideas” while Blecky, Deniss and mcganyol gave important information about “game facts”. Marshall18 gave me the much needed perspective of hindsight to remember how it was when I first started with Hearts of Iron many years ago. Van Paulous showed a new idea. And, whenever my spirits sank, somewhere in Forum I could always find a good laugh to cheer me up again reading posts by either Count of Reval, Quasimodo64 or cyberpunkdreams.
While there are many others in Forum (too many to mention) that all lent their indirect contribution to this thread, there is one person who deserves mentioning again as the force that directly determined me to do this thread about my surprising alternate panzer tactics for a Barbarossa Blitz:
I'd rather call it "suicidal panzer tactics". The only surprise the USSR would have would be how crazy Germany looks focusing its attack through the Pripet Marshes.
So – with formalities to Moderators, friends and sparring partners alike acknowledged – let me begin.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is June 22nd 1941, and Germany has amassed a powerful and modern army in Poland – mostly on the border facing the many divisions of the Soviet Union. The Hungarians are there too… believing in Hitler’s cause. Also in the Axis are the Romanians and Finns – both determined to win back what Stalin took from them. Finally, the Bulgarians, Italians, Iraqis and Syrians are also in the Axis, but since they are all either busy chewing olives in Greece or slapping sand fleas in some far off desert, we don’t need to worry about them. I suppose I do need mention the Slovakians though, as they now have five infantry divisions (whoopee!).
For two years now Adolf Hitler and the OKW have been planning what to do about the Soviet Union – an ideological enemy estimated to have at least 330 divisions (23 armored), 26 fighter wings, 8 bomber wings and a very large submarine force. Having discovered the idea of “Blitzkrieg” inadvertently in Poland when they analyzed the rapid 7-day conquest which annexed that nation, and then practicing over and over the first planned blitzkrieg in France to make possible a 7-day Vichy Event, the blitzkrieg now poised for the conquest of the Soviet Union was the best formulated yet. They code named it “Barbarossa”.
Barbarossa was envisioned as a 6-phase operation:
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Phase 1 – The total annihilation of the southern half of the Soviet line with the capture of the key “gateway” city of Kiev.
Phase 2 – Total annihilation of the center part of the Soviet line with capture of the key Baltic port of Riga.
Phase 3 –Destruction of the northern Soviet Baltic Coastal Line with capture of the key city of Leningrad.
Phase 4 – The isolation and eventual elimination of all Soviet units in Lapland and the Karelia area with seizure of the key White Sea port of Archangelsk.
Phase 5 – Seizure of all the oil rich provinces in the Caucasus including Batu.
Phase 6 – The capture of Moscow to gain the huge stockpiles of resources there and give Stalin a humiliating defeat so that he might sue for peace.
For this week I would like to present Phase 1. Then it will be open to Forum to comment on the strategy used, discuss alternatives for Barbarossa, and generally be as Forum is. When the time is right, I will present Phase 2, and repeat until Moscow has been captured.
PHASE 1- Total annihilation of the southern half of the Soviet line.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
A look at the Soviet line shows that there are only two Russian provinces where Germany can obtain a three angle attack, or better. The obvious “target provinces” to create a pincher blitzkrieg are Bielsk in the north, and Stryl in the south. It is hoped that if the pincher can be closed behind the Soviet line at Rowne that would pocket about 50 Red divisions – which could then be easily destroyed. The problem is that such an ambitious plan will surely run into resistance from the Soviet defense-in-depth and especially the Soviets quickly responding to either prevent - or break open again - any envelopment by using their mobile reserves and considerable armor divisions. Clearly overwhelming force, speed and precise Luftwaffe co-ordination will be needed to succeed.
However, Germany is fortunate to be blessed with some great strategists – especially an outlandish chap called “Commander666”. He has long had this idea of blitzing panzers thru the Pripet Marshes – an idea deemed ridiculous by most tank commanders. But Hitler did permit Commander666 to present his plan.
Commander666: Heil Hitler!
Hitler: Heil Hitler. What plans did you bring?
Commander666: I brought geographical info about the Pripet Marshes.
Hitler (already bored): Yes, I’ve heard of the area – stinks of swamp gas, mosquitoes eat you alive and horses disappear with one miss-step.
Commander666: It’s not quite that bad, sir. Our spies have made many ground tests and found several tracks thru the marshes that will support Lt ARM.
Hitler (jerks up in his chair): Ooh really? Show me these geographical maps.
Commander666: The Bielsk Province with its Pripet Marsh gives us the best attack to launch a spearhead that would link up with the southern spearhead going thru Lvov. The beauty of the plan is that the rest of the Pripet Marshes north of our thrust will prevent the Russian fast mobile units – especially their heavy armor – from being able to move quick enough to block us. However, our cavalry – supported by 3 divisions of light armor – can quite quickly actually get thru Bielsk and be attacking Pinsk – the second marsh. Furthermore, our fast motorized infantry coming up thru Lvov will also be attacking Pinsk from the other side to quickly eliminate any resistance there. All that is needed is for the Luftwaffe to provide timely support.
Hitler: This is a very interesting plan. We must find a way to envelope a large bulk of the Reds or we will have the whole Soviet army pouring into any breach we make. We absolutely need a major surround at start. I like this plan. Make me a list of all the forces needed for your unorthodox idea of blitzing thru the Pripet Marshes. And I guarantee you; you can have two Fallschirmjäger divisions on standby should they be needed to prevent the Soviets getting new units into Bielsk or Pinsk after the first battle in each province is won.
Commander666: That, mein Führer, is a guarantee that this plan cannot fail. Thank you. Heil Hitler!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE OTHER IMPORTANT MEETING that preceded Barbarossa occurred in Budapest with representatives of the Herr, the Hungarians and the Romanians. Key attendees were Field Marshal Phleps (in charge of 33 Romania divisions facing the Red line), Field Marshal Gorondy-Novak (in charge of 34 Hungarian divisions stationed in Presov) and his next-of-command General Ruszksay, Field Marshal von Leeb responsible for 35 Wehrmacht infantry divisions stationed in Przemysl, and finally another outlandish man – a tank commander called General Guderian who was with one of the 15 Wehrmacht panzer divisions.
Hitler: We are poised to strike the greatest blow ever done in warfare. What have you gentleman to say?
Phelps: We don’t have that big an army. We just want to kick those Bolsheviks out of Romania.
Ruszkay: Yah, you don’t have that big a country anymore either. I mean, Transylvania definitely belongs to us, but why did you ever cede Constanta to those Bulgarians?
Phelps: It was the Vienna Accord.
Ruszkay: Shit man! Giving the Reds all of Bessarabia wasn’t the Vienna Accords. It was your spineless nature. You should have joined the Axis sooner.
Phelps: I hope a Werewolf gets you!
Hitler: Gentlemen! Gentlemen. We are all in the same alliance. PLEASE, can we discuss the southern spearhead?
von Leeb: I would like to introduce General Guderian, commander of one of our armored corps.
Guderian: Thank you Field Marshal. As most of you know, Germany has been studying the concepts of lightning warfare. I have a plan that will realize an attack of 142 divisions on the Soviet defenders in Stryl - estimated at 10 divisions.
Phelps: Do you think we will win?
Guderian: Yes Field Marshal, we will win. The important concept of this attack is that – while the 23 Romanian divisions to the south of this spearhead who are contributing 2 angles of attack on Stryl will remain stationary as will the 12 German divisions north of the spearhead contributing another angle of attack from Zamosc, the 107 divisions of the Wehrmacht and Hungary in Presov and Przemysl giving two more angles of attack will then all attack TOGETHER against Lvov once they get thru the first Russian province.
Hitler: Great attack on Stryl. But 107 divisions next on a one angle of attack from conquered Stryl moving at same time into Lvov?
Guderian: Yes, mein Führer.
Hitler: Will that not result in at least 83 divisions being over command and ASTRONOMICAL stacking penalty for every division?
Guderian : Yes, it will mein Führer.
Hitler: Well then, explain yourself, commander.
Guderian: Sir, this spearhead is not a time to worry either about over command or stacking penalties. The only concern is to pour 107 divisions thru the Lvov Gap in the minimum of time possible. 50 of those divisions are mobile units – 15 armor and 35 motorized infantry plus one HQ. Once those divisions reach Lvov they will fan out to go north behind the Russian lines to meet the other spearhead and create an envelopment there, and another envelopment of the Red units facing Romania once we reach the Black Sea. Additionally a new spearhead will run through the center and drive on Kiev, while smaller spearheads will establish blocking positions using a part of the Pripet Marshes and the natural river boundaries as our defense from any Soviet retaliatory action while we annihilate everything in the Soviet southern half of their line. Our intelligence estimates – together with the Northern Spearhead out of Lomza going thru the Pripet Marshes, the two envelopments that will be created, and the over-running of retreating enemy - it will result in the elimination of about 100 Soviet divisions. Basically, the Red Army in the south will no longer be able to mount any effective resistance for our eventual thrust into the Caucasus.
Hitler: WOW! What an ambitious plan! Is there anything that might cause it to fail?
Guderian: Yes, there is… if we don’t get past Lvov… because the Reds will do everything to try and block that breach.
Hitler: In that case, General Guderian, we will reserve our 3rd Fallschirmjäger to attack Lvov if needed and so block any Red divisions from blocking your plan.
Guderian: Thank you. That will guarantee success. This will be the greatest Blitzkrieg ever.
Hitler: You are sure about the destruction of 100 enemy divisions?
Guderian: It all depends on our speed, which is why everything is moving from 01:00 hours. Every corps (stack) has been given its mission to its final destination. No unit will delay even one hour – or a day – with intermediate missions such as only to Lvov.
Hitler: I’ll speak to Göring and get his assurances that this spearhead gets maximum Luftwaffe support to keep those nasty Reds from moving in from the flanks. What about the expected “defense-in-depth”?
Guderian: I assure you that when my 15 armored divisions impact on any “defense-in-depth” it will simply be a few hours battle and those defenders will be over run. The same will happen for the 3 stacks of motorized that are taking different paths.
Hitler: But all of this – after Lvov - will be one angle attacks, correct?
Guderian: Yes sir. Just like a lightning bolt striking the enemy dead. There is no need to delay to create two angle attacks when we have this strength. We can save that tactic for later. The only motto is “Every hour counts” until we have the two envelopments closed, hold Kiev and have set up a defensive perimeter from the Black Sea to Suwalki. Basically, we are taking 23 Soviet provinces in one very fast push.
Phelps: Wow!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seems there was one other most important meeting that was missed. The Logistic Experts had advised that Germany’s total oil stockpile was only about 25,000. Using offensive supplies for Phase 1 was estimated to consume 20,000.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O1:00 HOURS, June 22, 1941
Commanders from Suwalki in the north to Iasi in Romania blow their whistles… and 190 Axis divisions attack the Soviet line at two points. 8 wings of CAS, 16 of TAC, 12 INT and 7 FTR flying from 9 forward airbases – most adjacent to the Soviet line – reach for the sky to hail down unheralded destruction upon an enemy.
Barbarossa has begun.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Missions are set as far forward as possible to create two envelopments and win 23 provinces – thereby eliminating the 24-hour delay incurred upon mission completion and the 6-hour lag to start new mission. The Luftwaffe is tasked to its maximum ability to respond as new battles occur – hence they never bomb at night and – as much as possible – always try to have one forward stack on standby. All 9 forward airbases (includes Warsaw) - each build to full capacity for the wings based there - are visible. Danzig (the 10th) holds 4 NAV on additional standby.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
Starting in Lomza, 3 Lt Arm, 12 CAV and 11 INF with HQ (all brigaded) begin the drive forward thru the Pripet Marshes. They are supported by 12 INF in Suwalki and 12 in Lublin (most with heavy brigades). Basically, there is no contest. Who cares the Lt Arm are “over command”. Their only concern is to reach Pinsk asap, or better yet, Rowne. The attack line does NOT go thru Brest Litovsk as game seemingly indicates. It goes directly to Pinsk. Seems the Ruskies never expected this “suicidal” action and only have two divisions in Bielsk. What a surprise that is – for both the Reds and me!
EDIT: Closer examination of the battle reveals they actually had 9 divisions at start and not sure how many more they added during the battle. The 2 currently in battle display might be the last defenders or reinforcements.
Sorry, can not host images any more.
On the third day of battle the southern spearhead - 107 divisions moving through the gap - is pushing past Lvov (one province won each day). It appears there are 20 Red divisions in Stryl and Lvov retreating who will be over run. While the Soviet Air Force proved to be a formidable opponent and took down both stacks of German INT, the Luftwaffe bombers managed to keep the Reds pinned down enough so Fallschirmjäger were not needed. The only remaining INT flying today are the 5 wings of Hungarian INT-II… and they saved the war. Seems the attrition suffered between the Luftwaffe and Soviet fighter forces resulted in the obsolete Hungarian interceptors currently being the strongest of all in this sector.
But Germany’s oil stockpile is now down to just 4,394.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I think to maintain moderator tolerance and Forum anticipation, this is a good spot to stop installment one. Continuation of Phase 1 and other future installments will contain many more screen shots and far less words now that the intro is done. Thread now open to Forum.
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