Battlegroup Barbarossa Campaign - Counterattack at Rozrazh

Last week saw the first battle of what is looking like a brutal Day 3 in our BG Barbarossa campaign.  The first engagement would be a Russian counterattack on the German force at Rozrazh - this was a blocking force to protect the rear of the German bridging effort. This was the first the first time the Russians had taken the offensive in our campaign and they would attack with a 2:1 advantage in numbers!

For this game I took a mixed approach with two platoons of infantry (no transport is allowed under the 1941 Rifle Division lists), two platoons of light tanks, my favourite T-26 heavy tank, two heavy mortar batteries and a timed artillery barrage to try and pin the defenders while the Red Tide closed their defensive positions.  The extra mortars, while effective from a Psyops perspective against Alan, were a dull selection and I never had the orders to use them even if Alan hadn't been hunting down my observers with emplaced MMGs (which was very effective BTW).

Looking at the terrain, I decided to focus the main effort of the attack up the right flank with a secondary armoured effort in the centre to stop the Germans from adjusting their defences.

My lead infantry platoon pushes hard against the German AT gun in the house, taking flanking fire from the hill

They make it and destroy the gun crew in a close assault

With the AT defences in this side KOed, the first tank Platoon moves up and starts to supress the Germans on the Hill 

And in the centre the tank reinforcement start to neutralise the enemy

FLASH MESSAGE TO DIVISION COMMANDER

DAWN COUNTERATTACK ON GERMAN POSITION AT ROZRAZH SUCCESSFUL
HEAVY CASUALTIES INFLICTED BEFORE REMAINING ENEMY INFANTRY WERE WITHDRAWN FROM THE HEIGHTS BY MOTORISED TRANSPORT.  POSITION NOW OCCUPIED BY RED ARMY ELEMENTS AND PREPARING TO DEFEND AGAINST ENEMY COUNTERATTACK. THE FASCIST INVADER HAS FELT THE WRATH OF THE MOTHERLAND!

END MESSAGE

Battlegroup Barbarossa Campaign - Day 2

To: Commander 309th Motor Rifle Division
From: Commander 381st Rifle Regiment

OSTROG SECTOR SITUATION REPORT - 28 JUNE 1941

Comrade General,

The Fascist invaders advanced strongly against Ostrog from the North throughout the day, but we are holding and the defensive line remains intact.  The Germans attacked from the East in strength at Dawn.

Morning attack – Eastern Approaches to Ostrog

Soviet Defence line - ready to meet the Invader

Not One Step Backward!

A Dug in AT Battery with accompanying Infantry, HMG and a reinforced 120mm Mortar Battery in support

Fascist tanks concentrate for a left flank schwerpunkt

And crash into the Red Army line

Tanker heroes advance!

To the German invader the Russian steppe brings death 

The sacrifices of the tank corps will never be forgotten - under heavy pressure the Germans withdraw

Following additional manourvres and reinforcements, we were attacked again from the North in the late afternoon.  Both enemy attacks were defeated, though with significant casualties to the defending units - the supporting tank elements in particular.  Wide use of reinforced defensive positions has been pivotal to holding. I continue use of the local populace as a labor force to fortify the city under the supervision and motivation of the NKVD.

Evening attack – Northern Approaches to Ostrog

Outlying buildings made for perfect defensive positions... and 4 AT guns!

The Panzers advance...

...against the steely eyed defenders of the Motherland

First blood to the Red Army!

The hits continue and more fascists pay for their crimes

Taking significant casualties in the first turn, the devastated Germans withdraw

Separately, Red Army defensives east of the Rozrazh rail bridges have not seen significant activity since yesterday's attacks but I continue to hold the area with significant forces.  Additional German elements have arrived over the last 24 hours, including a Pioneer unit which I expect to commence bridging operations shortly at the ford location between Ostrog and Rozrazh.

My operational priorities or the next 24 hours are: Defend the township of Ostrog, maintain the defensive line for the Rozrah rail bridges, counter attack likely German bridging operations.  Engineering reinforcements are expected to arrive overnight and I intend to commit their flamethrowers and demolition charges to the counter attack.  This will be the first offensive action the Regiment has undertaken and will be a true test of their fortitude.

respectfully,
Comrade Commander Paulinski 

Battlegroup Barbarossa Campaign - Day 1: Intelligence Supplement

The following images were retrieved from an enemy Friseler Storch reconnaissance aircraft that crashed in the Ostrog Sector PM 27 June 1941. They are submitted for analysis by the Divisional Intelligence section.

Battlegroup Barbarossa Campaign - Day 1

Over the Christmas break Alan and I have been playing "The Last Line" campaign from the Battlegroup Barbarossa book. The campaign centres around the June 1941 Russian defence of the township of Ostrog and the critical river crossing sites in its vicinity.  I Command the Heroic Defenders of the Motherland against Alan's Fascist Invaders.

Each day is broken up into 3 strategic turns (AM, PM, Evening) and we have now completed day 1.

To: Commander 309th Motor Rifle Division
From: Commander 381st Rifle Regiment

OSTROG SECTOR SITUATION REPORT - 27 JUNE 1941

Comrade General,

The Ostrog sector has been heavily engaged throughout the day and with one minor setback, has held up well to enemy probing attacks. Fascist recon units have made a number of thrusts, particularly to the North of Ostrog in an attempt to seize the rail bridge at Brodivs'ke.

The morning saw my infantry blocking force deployed in the vicinity of Khoriv where they encountered motorised reconnaissance elements of the 11th Panzer Division.  The enemy's more mobile elements were unable to penetrate our defences despite using heavy indirect fire support and withdrew in good order.  Their attack resumed in the afternoon after being heavily reinforced by at least two tank platoons.  After significant fighting throughout the afternoon, the enemy was again repulsed with heavy losses.

Late afternoon saw an separate enemy recon force attack further south at Rozrazh. Despite the deployment of two tank platoons the enemy was able to force the position but we inflicted significant casualties upon them.  Notably, Luftwaffe dive bombers had complete dominance in the air.  I reiterate my request for anti-aircraft guns and Sturmovik support.

I wish to bring to your attention the acts of heroism performed this day by Comrade Serjent Alaninski, who commanded a T-26 Light Tank in the Rozrazh action.  While bravely advancing against more numerous enemy forces, Serjent Alaninski's tank came under fire from a much more heavily armed German tank. Despite being hit and immobilised, the Serjent continued to fight his vehicle, destroying the heavier Panzer as well as a heavily armed scout unit at very close range. Only when his position was untenable and after direct orders did the Sergeant abandon and disable his vehicle to rejoin the main force.  For his courage and heroism against overwhelming odds, I recommend Serjent Alaninski be awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The appropriate paperwork will be forthcoming in due course, should I survive.

While the enemy now hold the approach to an area assessed suitable for bridging operations, German engineering units have not been detected in this sector.  In  the meantime, the bridges at both Ostrog and Brodivs'ke remain in our hands and are strongly defended. Additional reinforcements are expected to arrive in this sector overnight.

Attached to this report are photographs of operational activities which may be of use for propaganda purposes.

respectfully,
Comrade Commander Paulinski 


Morning action at Khoriv

The German avenue of approach

Panzer Recon elements cautiously advance

Panzerkommander Alan consults his feldmanual  to request artillery support

Vorwarts! Angriff!

A hidden Russian AT gun strikes hard!

Red Army Infantry reinforcements arrive

As does an armoured behemoth  

Heroic defenders of the Rodina in action!

Afternoon action at Khoriv

The Germans return to Khoriv - with heavy armour! 

German mortars zero in on the defending infantry who heroically did their duty and stayed at their posts

The battle is not to be one sided as the Panzertruppen were to find out!

Fascists pay the price of their Imperial ambitions

Afternoon Action at Rozrazh

Scene of the late afternoon meeting engagement 

Recon 222s led the German advance

But Soviet Heavy mortars quickly take a toll

Luftwaffe intervention inflicts retribution 

Red Army light tanks advance to met the Invaders

And a swirling engagement ensues on the steppe

Comrade Serjent Alaninski in heroic action against the Invaders!

The detritus of war litters the battlefield
(this awesome game which came down to what chits we both pulled in the last turn.
Alan pulled a 1, me a 5 - it was that close!)

 Overall, I have found playing the Red Army in 1941 to be quite a taxing experience.  I can select only from the Rifle Division force lists, with some additional restrictions imposed, and then have some some challenging command and control restrictions.  As a result, it feels like playing with an army you don't want and then not being able to employ that army that way you want; So a very historical recreation :-)  Not that its not a fun game, just a damn hard one!

Most enjoyably, I have been using a certain Comrade Commander Stepan Patrovich gifted to me by Steve W a few years ago.  Ivans have Landed!

With a Day 1 record of 1W-1D-1L I think he is doing well compared to his 1941 predecessors!