no going back: 2nd and final day battle report

general Hoth · **general Hoth**

turn9:
"i'm not cold general, i'm scared" infantry soldier to Heinrici.

in typical soviet fashion the infantry came back onto the battlefield at the same spot, the left flank as sturmovnik planes hammered the last hetzer on the seelowe hills. even the german veterans began to retreat. luckily sdkfzs 250 began to bring spare infantry from the right to the left flank and panzerfausts did halt a t34 attack! the king tiger and t34 battle was confused with both sides disrupted...daunting sight for the wermacht.

turn10:
clear skies...no soviet planes around.
the soviet infantry AND tanks break through the wires and streams and the germans vets start to rally. the russians try to make a rocket assault on the forests but with germans and soviets soldiers in melee they decide not to shoot! the long awaited sdkfzs appear on the scene with the reinforcements! t34s stuck in minefields...

turn11:
again no planes.
this is when the soviets broke through the first line, getting through the forests and in firing sight of the hills where only a handfull of volkstrum (and a panzerfaust unit) hold the line.
even the king tiger in the middle ground of the right map decides to retreat to have a line of sight to the left. the t34s are approaching!

turn12:
they're getting close but the soviets are counting their deads...so they send the last tanks forward to the heights while the infantry gathers together. the germans organize a suicidal panzerschrek assault which destroys the rocketlauncher and a tank. all the germans die...
its massacre for both sides.
victory conditions are getting minor victory; stalin is not happy Evil or Very Mad

turn13:
sturmvoniks coming in!
despite german inititive (again!) its the last hurrah charge by all the ppshs still alive! the hills are close and the german while still having infantry units left is far too stretched on this wide front.
the king tiger finnaly wins his duel ,leaves a burning t34 and tries to rush to the left fank...

turn 14: a path to Berlin
Breakthrough for the soviets after an intense last fight on the seelowe heights, with panzerfaust and german halftracks trying to stop the 2 remaining t34s and their infantry support. the line is broken and no german unit is available to keep and intact front with their Z.O.C.s
at the end of the turn we declared the soviet win.

good fun! i recommend this scenario (i like the period too)
the germans had left:4 volkstrum
leader
king tiger
one veteran
the soviets were left with:
2ppsh
guards t34

not many survivors!
Very Happy

Shank77 · **Shank77**

Thanks for the second half. I enjoyed reading your battle report.
_________________

general Hoth · **general Hoth**

thanks skank77! it was an intersting experience for us too. after each turn my brother and i would stop and discuss the main events in the turn and write them down. it was fun. Very Happy

boersma8 · **boersma8**

OK, here's our report of the same battle ( possibly slightly different sector, same units, though Laughing

)

EXpanded rules in effect.

Houserules in effect:

Spotters have the superior camouflage SA, as well as an effective spotting range of 8 hexes rather than 4.

The Katyusha has a once a game rocket salvo ( using its NORMAL attack stats!) as well as the indirect fire SA.

Units riding on tanks are exposed and may therefore be targeted seperately from their transporting vehicles. This houserule DOES NOT apply to units with the fighting platform SA

Me ( Germans), Latro (Russians)

The German forces had roughly deployed as follows:

Some Veteran Wehrmacht troops ( who'd reportedly made it back alive all the way from Stalingrad!) bolstered with some Volksturm and Luftwaffe infantry had deployed on the German right flank behind the bluffs, thus overlooking and covering the open ground between the opposite forest and the bluffs themselves. It wouldn't be an easy crossing to their positions. To make it even harder for any Soviet infantry that SHOULD make it there, their positions had been strengthened with stretches of barbed wire. The reasoning was that the Germans would be able to finish off any Soviets that made it so far while trying to make it through the barbed wire AND scaling the bluffs.

On the left most flank the Germans had deployed some Luftwaffe and Volksturm infantry in the woods. Also a squad of Wehrmacht Veteran infantry had been deployed there. Between the ones deployed on the German right flank and themselves, these were the only true Veteran troops left that stood between the Communist hordes and the capital of the Reich! Since the German forces were relatively thin here ( the other flank was better covered by the MG's and 88's deployed further to the back!), the river crossing here had been covered with barbed wire and (hidden) minefields.

Finally, an 88 mm FLAK had been positioned in the forest close to the bluffs, along with a crew of Volksturm infantry, The other 88 had set up on the single hil directly behind the village along with an MG team and the remaining German forces ( Officer, second MG team and one Volksturm infantry detachment had set up in the forest just to the Southwest of the village.

They lay in waiting on the Russian forces that were sure to come their way soon! The preceding potentiously devasting Russian artillery had failed to destroy the German defences as they had wisely retreated without the Russians knowing. However, this artillery barrage had signalled to the Germans that the Russian attack was imminent.

The Soviets had done their reconnaissance well: Realising that crossing the open terrain between the forest and the bluffs would be suicide, the Red infantry appeared in the North easernmost sector of the front, facing the inexperienced Luftwaffe infantry and Volksturm formations that were-as always- made up of middle-aged men and boys that were barely in their teens. However, it seemed the Wehrmacht Veterans did manage to inspire their less experienced brothers in arms- or perhaps it was just the fact that they knew the SS would shoot anyone who ran and perhaps murder their families as well. If it was neither of those than surely it was the fear of what the SOVIETS might do - or had -in many cases- already done-to their family members: rapes, hangings, torture. Whatever the reason the Germans were determined to hold their ground in the face of the overwhelming number of Soviet infantry that stormed towards them. ...

The Germans opened fire on them, but unfortunately for them without too much success. With trembling arms and in the morning chill combined with the fact that daylight had not broken yet, it was difficult to aim straight. Nevertheless, some Soviet troops- despite of having made it so far- would never enter the Reich's capital.

The Soviets reached the river. However, here they were severely slowed down by barbed wire placements. This came as no surprise to the Soviet Commanders, who had despite this still figured THIS was the best place to cross, since it would soon lead them to the relative safety of the woods. Be this as it may, this was a small consolation for the Russian regulars that found themselves struggling to cut a path through the barbed wire, while being under heavy enemy fire. The ones that made it through were quickly getting into range with their SMG's to return the Germans' fire and eager to do so! However, they suddenly found themselves in a hidden minefield the Russians had failed to detect so far. Russian command realised that all this combined was too much for their infantry to take and to avoid a slaughter, they did the wise thing to do: the remaining infantry pulled back to the woods on " their" side of the river. Also artillery support was called in from heavy mortars. However, this was directed to the 88 positioned in the woods near the bluff. This was to clear the path for the Russian tanks that would soon make their appearance onto the battlefield. Unfortunately for the Russians this fire was not very accurate. The 88 itself remained undamaged, although the Volksturm crew manning it was scared out of its wits therefore being unable to actually fire the gun adequately. This, however, the Russians did not know....

Meanwhile the Russian infantry had made it to the cover of the woods to the East of the village. Giving them a brief respite.

A German Koningstiger had been called to the front. Its accompanying units ( sdkfz's and Hetzers had not made it there yet, undoubtedly having to move around very carefully trying to avoid the Soviet air foirce, since armoured units were its prime targets!). The Koningstiger received orders to cross the river and go on a search and destroy mission of the Soviet artillery positions, that were exzpected to be in the woods on the Russian side of the front, which was a correct assumption. However, this would have been a task for the sdkfz's which the German tank commander well knew. He reluctantly ordered his tank towards the river, knowing where a suitable crossing was to be found. However, amidst the shooting and explosions the herad the unequivocable sound of massive Soviet armour formations approaching they seemed to e headed directly towrads him. Being a Veteran of the Eastern front, the Tiger Commander sooon realised that although he was in command of a King Tiger, his lone tank would be no match against a large formation of T34's; let alone T 34's strengthened by T 34's 85's and IS 2's. Therefore- in direct defiance of his orders- the commander ordered his tank back and positioned himself behind the contiguous hills close to the village; actually back the same way he had come!

The Soviet armoured units indeed appeared on the horizon as the German tank Commander observed through his binoculars. The Soviets- on their part- saw a lone King Tiger hastily retreating behind the hills, but also found it to be out of reach of their guns for the moment.....

Finally also Russian air support appeared onto the battlefield. Once again the 88 emplacement was the target. Once more the attack wasn't too effective....The 88 remained there. It had even fired a shot at small formations in the woods on the Soviet end of the river. This of course is a low priority target for an 88 mm FLAK.So obviously, this was sth they shouldn't have done as this proved to the Soviets the 88 was still there, which is what urged them to send their airforce in against it. Well, these were lessons Veterans had had ample time to learn during the past 4 years of battle on the Eastern front. The Volksturm infantry manning the 88, however, had been mostly working on the fields and factories of the Fatherland, where such lessons are not given.

The Soviet tanks - because of a lack of other targets- chose to attack the German infantry ( The German infantry to the Northeast of the village had long since been ordered to abandon their positions, since they would be useless there as the Russian infantry had decided to try and force a breakthrough somewhere else). Whatever the reason (lack of sleep, fear of more King Tigers appearing from behind the hill in an ambush, the enemy infantry having taken good cover, the little daylight making accurate attacks still difficult- or perhaps a combination of all of the above-) the Russian fire was once again little impressive: only a few German infantry were hit.

The Soviet artillery now concentrated on the German units positioned in the woods to the Southeast of the village ( MG, Oberleutnant and some Luftwaffe and Volksturmformations). Even the Katyusha added its dreadful firepower to the mix. However, the German officer had already ordered most of his men to withdraw towards the hills, estimating the position they currently held was unattainable. He did order an MG team to stay behind to cover their retreat accompanied by a small formation of Luftwaffe personnel. The Katyusha's shells however fell directly onto the latter. - Of course- this did prove the officer had made a wise decision, because otherwise certainly they owuld have been caught in that hellish rain of shells as well! Miraculously, the MG team survived the barrage, albeit heavily shaken. The Volksturm troops- who had naturally never heard the sound of a Katyusha battery before- realised only too late what was raining down on them. Some of them had fought during WW 1 and survived the horrors of the Battlefields of France only to meet their deaths 27 years later defending their home country. Others- who often still considered it all to be some kind of game- found the " game" to be over before it had even began: they hadn't fired a single shot yet.

One sdkfz -loaded with a panzerschreck unit- also made its appearance onto the battlefield. The Tank commander ordered it to take position behind the woods the Katyusha's salvo had just landed on creating chaos and death among the German units there. The idea was to trap the Russian tanks that were now slowly but surely crossing the river. However, the tanks had spotted the German armoured unit and reported its position to the Red airforce: A sturmovik dove down from the sky and elimniated the halftrack and its crew before they could contribute to the battle. This was a severe blow for the Germans.

The German officer had retreated behind the hills- out of sight of the Soviets. He had some Wehrmacht and Volksturm units around him- many of whom were armed with panzerfausts. Meanwhile the King Tiger also lay in waiting of Soviet armour coming around the hills - sure to take a shot before they'd even know what hit them! The tank commander knew that the infantry commander and his men were covering the approaches over the hills, so he wouldn't have to worry about any enemy tank outflanking him.

The Soviet army somewhat feared what was going on and for the moment concentrated on firing on some of the German infantry units in their sight. Among others a Veteran German infantry squad finally succumbedl to the Russians. Other than that, their fire once again wasn't too impressive.

A German Hetzer also made its apperance. It positioned itself behind the bluffs with the goal to surprise and ambush Soviet armour appearing through the narrow opening between the woods and hills behind which the King Tiger ( The Hetzer's commander!) was hiding. Alas, this plan fell apart as SOME Soviet unit must've spotted the Hetzer setting up a trap for the Soviet tanks, and two T 34's left the large Soviet formation to take on the Hetzer ( These T 34's still hadn't crossed the river!). The Hetzer realising he wouldn't be able to take on two T 34's on his own- much in the spirit of the move his commander had previously made- retreated about a 100 metres which put him out of sight of the T 34's. Should the T 34's still close in the Hetzer knew he had infantry support to protect him against the tank, as well as the ( still disrupted) 88 and -if need be- support from the King Tiger which would also get the Russian T 34's in sight should they make this bold move. However, the Russians contended themselves with the idea that the threat posed by the Hetzer had at least been driven off and rejoined their comrades. The lead IS 2 now thought it was ime to push on and make the armoured breakthrough his superiors had so feverishly demanded from him. Yet, then another Hetzer drove onto the battlefield very close to where its commander was.

Quickly evaluating the situation the German commander also revealed himself, knowing that now he finally had the support he needed to make the fight between the Russian and German armour an equal one. Still he made sure that only SOME of the Soviet units could see him thus makng sure it wouldn't be exposed to multiple enemy tanks. Also another sdkfz 231 carrying a unit equiped with panzershrecks had entered the scene and basically the Soviet armour found itself surrounded by German forces now. A firefight finally ensued. The Russians were the first to open fire. A Hetzer was heavily damaged by a T 34/ 85, an 88 was finally taken out, and a unit equiped with panzerfausts charging down the hill was also halted- or so it seemed then.....It's a very restricted view one has from a sealed up tank!

A Russian T 34/85 attempted to retreat across the river but failed to get there. In all the confusion The Soviet armour got tangled up. Its rear was vulberably exposed and it was quickly damaged. The IS 2 whose commander had believed the units charging down the hill had been succesfully eliminated too late realised his error. Though the hill was strewn with German bodies, a handful of soldiers had made it right up to the Soviet lead tank. A panzerfaust was fired from point blank range. The Oberleutnant had assured his men that should they succeed in blunting the Soviet armoured trust they would all be personally decorated by the Fuehrer himself on his upcoming birthday. Apparently this was still inspiring enough too his men, or perhaps they did it more for him or for God knows what reason. Be the reason what it was, the IS 2 was immobilised. The turret also seemed to be damaged. The King Tiger would have no problem driving up to it and dealing it the final blow. Its commander- Living by the principle that it's better to be safe than sorry- might even opt to remain at a safe distance and delivering the final blow from afar.

The russian armoured force had been annihilated. Only two " regular" T 34's - which had once been the kings of the Eastern front- but had by now been degraded to secondary targets- remained. Soviet command witnessing the events unfold from a safe distance looked on in horror. Though they had ample reserves and final victory was only a matter of time, time was something Stalin had not given them. They would not be around to see the final victory over the third Reich......Little did Stalin know that the Americans had been ordered to halt and the River Elbe and that Berlin was to be left to the Soviets. Well, he might have known, as this was what Roosevelt had promised him- much to the horror of Winston Churchill-but Stalin wasn't a very trusting person to say the least. General Zhukov reportedly once said- during the first couple of hours following Barbarossa-, when Stalin initially forbode Russian units to fire back at the Germans- that Stalin didn't trust anyone- except Adolf Hitler.......

Meanwhile the German infantry had also all but eliminated their Russian counterparts. The Russians were in headlong retreat back to the far end of the River oder; back to their starting positions. However, the Germans were much too weak to exploit their success. Moreover, though German casualties had been relatively low; there were no more reserves. For the Russians it would only be a metter of weeks if not days before- undoubtedly- yet a much larger force would obliterate the remaing German defenses. The same mistakes would not be made again!

Back in the Fuehrer's bunker in Berlin, the dictator was elated! It was only early afternoon on 16 April and the Soviets seemed to have been decisively beaten at the gates of Berlin as he had predicted! Well decisively....Only the fuehrer himself truly believed this. The other Germans knew that this had been a remarkable victory, but that the final outcome of the war was crystal clear. All it did was prolong the suffering of The German and Soviet people alike.......

general Hoth · **general Hoth**

nice battle report! Very Happy

how did it end for you?

boersma8 · **boersma8**

general Hoth · **general Hoth**

thanks!
Konev's forces must have been really happy to get the ultimate prize from the south.