WIELKOPOLSKA - Phase 2 - The Race for Cottbus
Cottbus is in a state of limbo with all current forces there, both German and Polish, in retreat. Fortunately, I tecnically have control of the province which has allowed me to create an encirclement in and around Prague. I estimate a total 10 German divisions are trapped within the pocket including 2 Panzer divisions. It's interesting to note what happens to the Panzer divisions as I collapse the pocket. The race is on to reassert full control over Cottbus before the Germans can while at the same time destroy the Germans around Prague.
September 27, 1939 - 14:00 - Assaulting the Forts of Ostrava:
I urgently try to begin the process of collapsing the Prague pocket so I conduct a risky night attack on the land forts of Ostrava. I'm counting on offsetting the landfort defense bonus since the German divisions there are out of supply. It's a slow moving nearly 24 hr battle, but eventually I wear their forces down particularly after I add a fifth axis of attack at dawn the following morning.
September 28, 1939 - 2:00 - First Relief Attempt at Cottbus:
Near the end of the battle in Ostrava,
Armia Prusy arrives in Cottbus in another attempt to consolidate control there. The German advance, however, is too strong (or really I'm too weak) and I'm unable to hold the position. I'm hoping, however, that I've bought a little more time to collapse the encirclement around Prague.
September 29, 1939 - 17:00 - Collapsing the Pocket:
Meanwhile, in the south, both Prague and Ostrava have been occupied leaving only Liberic as the last remaining German controlled province in the Prague pocket. I want to crush German resistance now in case I lose the race to control Cottbus so I launch another night attack.
Notice that the 2 German Panzer divisions that were formerly in Liberec have mysteriously disappeared!
September 30, 1939 - 1:00 - This Time We'll Keep It:
Back in Cottbus,
Armia Modlin supported by 4 additional Infantry Korps arrives determined to hold on this third, and hopefully, final time. I sent korps from Küstrin on a Support Defense mission into Cottbus and I'm hoping their arrival during the battle will help me hold off a furious German attack.
Polish infantry advancing into Cottbus
Cottbus is secure. And a small apology to the Iraqi Air Force who did in fact provide air cover for me during this battle.