26 July 1941 - Guderian's Panzer Group has been thrusting eastwards to create jumping off points for the next 'bound' in the offensive (much to the annoyance of more senior German Generals who would like the Smolensk pocket to be closed). Currently 10th Panzer Division is situated just beyond Yelnya – as far east as any German unit in the Soviet Union.
Mission
The tanks of the division are being withdrawn to begin refitting. Guderian insists that this bridgehead be held and the only troops available are the motorized infantry of 10th Panzer Division. Prevent a Soviet breakthrough at all costs.
Available forces
86th Panzergrenadier Reg with a company from 90th Panzerjäger Batt. Support from the 322nd Flak Reg and 401st Sturmgeschütz Batt.
Anticipated Enemy forces
Your intelligence services suggest a likely immediate counterattack by tanks and infantry of the Soviet 105th Tank Division
Historicity and notes
The battle about to be fought is a PG adaptation of the scenario in
Grey Steel, Red Storm by Andrew Rolph. The Yelnya offensive actually began in August. The offensive created the Bryansk pockets, which created the fallacy of being able to support the 6th Army at Stalingrad a year later. The 10th Panzer Div was actually present at the Battle of Yelnya. The 105th Tank Div is a fictitious unit, though it's component formations are real or would become by the end of 1943.
