Near Kharkov : 17th May 1942

German Commander's report

This scenario pitted a foot bound German Mountain Division attacking a dug- in Soviet defensive position. The Germans were required to ford a minor river, inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible, secure roads running from the South to North and then exit their own troops off northwards to join the left flank of the 14th Panzer Division. In support of their attack were aircraft and ample artillery.

The attack kicked off at 0800 hours as German units could be seen in the distance by the Soviets, supported by the aforementioned aircraft overhead. The main thrust of this German assault was at one of the two roads located westwards in the attack area. This road was sided by some three villages along its path, one of which afforded cover along with a large wooded area for the initial German advance. Instantly, the artillery began to be called in and caused many casualties in the defending Russian ranks. Meanwhile, further on the West flank, a couple of companies of Jaeger cyclists pedaled furiously ahead to try and ford the small river to their front and get a foothold in the woods on the other side before the Soviets could reinforce the area.

Main Soviet resistance was found at the bridge on the West flank road where it forded the river. Here a number of Soviet platoons, much outnumbered, put up a stiff and stubborn resistance to the advancing German infantry of the main thrust despite a consistent bombardment put down on them. They managed to inflict some 75 casualties on the enemy and seemingly held fast.

On the East side of the battlefield, a much smaller German force of Company size advanced cautiously on Russian positions there. Unfortunately for the Russians, their own force was roughly equally split along the defensive line, which meant the flank facing the main assault would be well outgunned at the critical point. Despite this imbalance, the Soviets held their East flank positions for some 30 minutes before beginning to switch some units westwards.

About 0845, the Germans were across the river in force on the extreme left flank. The battle for the bridge in that area was eagerly contested by both sides and always accompanied by an array of German shells raining down on the Soviet dug-outs. On the west, the diversionary German company engaged minor Russian forces. Soviet casualties were beginning to mount and from 0900, the Germans were making encroachments deep on the west flank. Over the next half hour the Germans continued to drive deep but were now facing some resistance in a wood on the left, though the bridge had been secured after a stiff fight.

By 0930 hours, the Soviet forward positions were beginning to crumble, the west flank road now almost opened except for 5 or 6 Soviet Platoons some 1500 metres further on. But even they were being engaged by the 2 companies of the German Jagers that had cycled ahead earlier in the morning. The Gebirgsjager were able to push on some 600-800 metres from the bridge to a forested area almost directly ahead. From this position they were now able to observe the Russian reinforcements arriving from the east flank. These were desperately required by the Soviet Commander whose losses had mounted to some 900+ men. Instantly, an artillery barrage was called in to try and soften these fresh enemies ardour.

The artillery barrage, overtime, proved pretty effective against the freshly arrived Soviet reserves. From a pretty open steppe, once fire began against them, it was desperately difficult for them to advance in support of their comrades already engaged in close combat in the wooded area to the west or towards those involved in the firefights. As well as effectively stifling the advance, some further casualties were also inflicted by the long range and plentiful German artillery.

The Soviet infantry already engaged in action against the German Mountain troops put up a most determined resistance. These scattered infantry platoons were able to hold their own against the advanced positions of the 1st Gebirgsjaeger. However, the main road had been opened now for the rest of the ample unengaged German troops to march onwards in relative safety and achieve what they set out to do and join up further northwards with 4th Panzer Division. By 1145 hours, enough German troops had headed away north to render any further resistance in this sector pointless. Just before midday the Soviets pulled back to count their losses. With plentiful artillery at their disposal and useful air cover the Germans managed to win the field with what would be deemed a major victory in game turns.

Casualties were certainly in favour of the Germans. Little under 750 Soviets lay strewn over the area contested as well as losses of some 47mm AT guns and 76mm artillery. Axis casualties came in at about 350 men over the 4 hour battle.

My first ever PG battle, I took the Russian,s and set up in three groups. Two groups were defending river crossings and the third was to be used as a reserve. My opponent a certain Mr Vince Hughes decided to move heavily against one of the bridges and quickly overwhelmed the troops there. My reserves got bombed and shelled to bits as they moved across the boards and could not contain the German bridgehead. A major German victory but I enjoyed the game and was now hooked!