Matrix Games Forums

 Forums  Register  Login  Photo Gallery  Member List  Search  Calendars  FAQ 

My Profile  Inbox  Address Book  My Subscription  My Forums  Log Out

12th Pz Div in action

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Norm Koger's The Operational Art Of War III >> After Action Reports >> 12th Pz Div in action Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 2:52:36 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		I've been contemplating on doing a bit of a different AAR.
Different in the sense that I won't be describing the complete scenario I'm playing, but instead only following a single formation, the 12th Panzer Division, and its combat history during the battle, only occasionally covering the situation elsewhere around this division in order to get a grasp of the cause of its actions.

The scenario is Operation Neva, playing PBEM against Ogar. The game actually started with me playing the Soviet side for the first 35 or so turns, before Ogar tossed in the towel after a encirclement of the majority of his forces.
Instead of starting a completely new game, we agreed to switch sides, with him taking over the situation from turn 14, just about the time the decisive break-through was created and me trying to see if it was salvagable.
The 12th PzDiv was still arriving at this time and had so far seen no battle.

The development of the first 13 turns can be seen in the following mini-map movie


This is the situation after that on start of turn 14:


The main axis of the Soviet offensive have been marked in.
Partisans had already caused much disruption on the supply lines from Pleskau to Luga, Dno and Novgorod, so the 12th Pz Div, arriving along the blue arrow from Army Group Center, couldn't be railed directly in the way of the offensive, but first had to clear the partisans off the road to Luga along the dotted line.
Post #: 1
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 2:57:27 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Having arrived the previous day was the following elements of 12th Pz Div now around the importan town of Ostrov was:
HQ (GenLt von Bodenhausen)
II./pzGrRgt.25
I./Art.Rgt.2
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12

Just arriving were:
II./PzGrRgt.5
II./Pz.Rgt.29
III./Art.Rgt.2
Flak.Art.Abt.303

Expected in the following day are:
I./PzGrRgt.5
Pz.Pio.Btl.32
II./Art.Rgt.2
Pz.Jg.Abt.2

Being refitted in East Prussia and not expected for a couple of weeks are:
I./PzGrRgt.25




< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/11/2013 4:45:41 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 2
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 3:33:19 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		TURN 15, Evening Jan 20th 1944.

Weak elements of 1st and 8th Partisan Brigade offer little resistance and the initial success in the morning is followed up during the evening and the Ostrov-Pleskau road is cleared with minimal losses in cooperation with units from the 388th Feldausbildungs-Division stationed in Pleskau.



The division reports the follwing strength of AFV and heavy weapons at the start of the day, not counting the I./PzGrRgt.25. First number is authortized equipment: 
SdKfz 222 (2cm)	                12	7	
SdKfz 223	                3	3
SdKfz 251/1	                33	0
SdKfz 251/2 (8.1cm Gr.W)	6	0
SdKfz 251/3	                8	0
SdKfz 251/7	                5	5
SdKfz 251/8	                1	1
SdKfz 251/9 (7,5cm kz)	        12	0
SdKfz 251/10 (3.7cm)	        27	2
SdKfz 261	                3	1
SdKfz 7/1 (2cm Flak-Vierling)	8	4
SdKfz 10/4 (2cm FlaK)	        8	1
PzJg.38(M) (7.5cm lg)	        12	11
PzJg.38 (7.62cm)	        10	8
PzBeobWg III	                6	3
PzBefWg III (5cm kz)	        4	4	
Pz IIIL (5cm lg)                8       8
Pz IIIN (7.5cm kz)	        1	1
Pz IVF  (7.5cm kz)	        2	2
Pz IVH (7.5cm lg)	        88	49
10,5cm (sf) "Wespe"	        12	11
15cm (sf) "Hummel"	        6	5

2cm FlaK 38	                26	19
3.7cm PaK 36	                3	1
4.5cm PaK 184(r)         	3	1
5cm PaK38	                12	3
5cm Gr.W.36	                8	8
7.5cm le I.G.18	                17	17
7.5cm PaK40	                15	9
7.62cm PaK36(r)	                6	2
8.1cm Gr.W.34	                36	32
8.8cm FlaK 36	                8	4
10.5cm le FH.18                	12	10
12cm s Gr.W.42	                6	0
15cm s I.G.33	                6	5
15cm s.FH.18	                12	12


< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/11/2013 3:46:20 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 3
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 4:21:13 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		TURN 16, Morning Jan 21st 1944.

With the road to Pleskau clear, II./Pz.Rgt.29 and II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 reach the town by noon.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 and Pz.Aufkl.Abt.25 is still engaged in light battles east of the Ostrov-Pleskau road, but making good progress.


< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/11/2013 4:46:47 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 4
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 5:26:14 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		TURN 17, Evening Jan 21st 1944.

A complete reconnaisance of the east of the Ostrov-Pleskau road is still not complete, but the majority of partisans seem to have been destroyed.
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.25, I./PzGrRgt.5 and II./PzGrRgt.25 is given order to help clearing out this area and the coming days head along the Ostrov-Dno road to clear this of enemy partisans.
The remaining part of the division will keep heading towards Luga. Partisans have blow several of the bridges along this road and Pz.Pio.Btl.32 will help repair these along the way.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 5
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 8:39:12 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		TURN 18, Morning Jan 22nd 1944.

The division has been split in two forces, the larger group including the Pz.Abt and Pz.Pio.Btl heading up the Pleskau-Luga Road where security forces have had skirmishes with partisans. Up until the first broken bridge the supply situation is still good and the group assembles in front of the bridge, waiting for the Pz.Pio.Btl.32 to arrive. The pioneers arrive in the afternoon, but a quick repair of the bridge isn't succesful.



The Southern group continues clearing out partisans as can be seen on the attached map. I./PzGrRgt.5 at first sent south is this turn sent back up north.
It should be noted that the dotted red lines are painted on to help show that the hexes are not empty, but actually contains partisans unit, but that the units are invisible unless attempting to enter the hexes.
The Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 (mislabeled as 25) advance 13km NE along the Ostrov-Dno road before encountering enemy partisans.




< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/11/2013 8:42:20 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 6
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/11/2013 9:28:33 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		TURN 19, Evening Jan 22nd 1944.

At the northern group the pioneers get the initial bridge repaired, with the rest of the units resting for the turn. 10km up the road FeAusb.Rgt.639 force the partisans away from the area around the next bridge. (no image)

I./PzGrRgt.5 turns off the Pleskau-Luga Highway and heads east instead along the Pleskau-Dno highway at full pace, reaching the positions of Sich.Btl.886 that have held a partisan battalion in check here. With the Pz.Grenadiers arriving, the Sich.Btl uses the superiority in numbers and begin a southern pincer to encircle the enemy unit.
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 covers another 15km NE along the Ostrov-Dno road this evening, making it to the edge of the town of Slavkovichi, that was taken by the partisans a week ago.
II./PzGrRgt.25 continues light combat with partisans east of the Pleskau-Ostrov road.



The following map shows the overall situation at the end of German turn 19. Units of 12th Pz.Div have been colored white.





< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/11/2013 9:42:45 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 7
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/13/2013 9:43:46 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 20, Morning Jan 23rd 1944

After having repaired the first bridge, Pz.Pio.Btl.32 moves on to the next 8km up the road. The rest of the northern group takes up waiting position before the bridge.
The security forces NE of this bridge continues to force the enemy into the forrests north of the Pleskau-Luga road. It is unknown what, if any, forces are along the road between 12th Pz-Div and III./Gr.Rgt.322 which is under pressure from heavy partisan forces at the village of Ludoni.




With Slavkovichi clear of enemy forces Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 stays on the road east towards Dno, but encounters enemy forces of unknown strength after an advance of only a few km.
I./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 holds its position, waiting for additional forces to assist in the elimination of the partisan battalion in its way. The rest of the units of the division continue to help clearing the rear area of partisans.



< Message edited by LLv34_Snefens -- 8/13/2013 9:46:31 PM >

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 8
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/13/2013 10:04:15 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 21, Evening Jan 23rd 1944
The next bridge is repaired by Pz.Pio.Btl.32 in the early evening, and the northern group is ordered to split up in two forces. II./Pz.Rgt.29 and Flak.Art.Abt.303 will move quickly towards Ludoni to assist the III./Gr.Rgt.322 that is under attack by partisan forces out of Ludoni.
The other group consisting of Pz.Jg.Abt.2 and II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 will assist the men from Feldausbildungs.Rgt.639 with clearing the forrest and area along the broken Pleskau-Luga rail line. During the evening the enemy forces here are forced further back.



On the Pleskau-Dno road I./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 and additional security forces start the attack against the partisan battalion that is blocking the road and makes good progress against crumbling resistance. The enemy is pushed almost 10km east.
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 doesn't gain same momentum, but manages to force the the enemy partisan unit to withdraw south off the Ostrov-Dno road.
The area west of this is still riddled with enemy partisans and although weak in strength they are hard to get completely destroyed by the men of II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 9
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/15/2013 8:23:14 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 22, Morning Jan 24th 1944

Pz.Pio.Btl.32 moves to the second to last bridge before Ludoni and start repairing. II./Pz.Rgt.29 holds its positions during the day to receive suuplies, but Flak.Art.Abt.303 crosses the frozen river and reaches the southern company of III./Gr.Rgt.322. An enemy regiment of partisans have during the night made an attack out of Ludoni and split the norhter group of III./Gr.Rgt.322 up into two.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 keeps pressure up on the weak partisan forces east of Novoselye, while Pz.Jg.Abt.2 follow a small track south of the Pleskau-Luga rail Line for 10km without encountering any resistance.



Enemy partisans by Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 pull south so the battalion continues it's way east along the road to Dno. After about 7km's progress another partisan battalion south of the road forces the unit to stop momentarily.
All other partisan units in the area are being hunted with good succes.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 10
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/15/2013 8:35:07 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 23, Evening Jan 24th 1944

A third partisan regiment arrive at Ludoni from the direction of Strugi Krasnye and III./Gr.Rgt.322 are now under very heavy pressure. In light of this II./Pz.Rgt.29 starts to move out and during the night make the first attack against the enemy 9th Regiment to reach part of the nearly encircled battalion. The attack doesn't make any progress, but losses are kept to a minimum.
Pz.Pio.Btl.32 completes the repair of the bridge.



With the partisans weak enough to be kept in check by other forces II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 heads north to reach the Pleskau-Dno highway where the plan is to turn east towards Dno.
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 observes the enemy partisans pull back and it speeds up its advance to reach Dno. This night it reaches less than 10km west of Porkhov and so the road from Ostrov to this town has been opened.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 11
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/16/2013 2:29:47 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 24, Morning Jan 25th 1944

With the sun rising, the tanks of II./Pz.Rgt.29 renewed their attack on the partisan regiement defending the crossing of a stream by the Pleskau-Luga road. Despite having prepared good defensive positions the partisans lacking good anti-armor weapons eventually was forced to pull back towards Ludoni and another company of III./Gr.Rgt.322 was relieved.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 and Pz.Jg.Abt.2 assisted two battalions of Feld-Ausbildungs.Rgt.639 in forcing a partisan battalion away from the main road.




Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 reports enemy partisans arriving in its rear from the Pleskau-Dno road and in reaction to this turn back west to deal with this threat. East of this II./Gr.Rgt.501 of 290.Inf-Div clears the town of Porkhov of infiltrating enemy partisans.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 reaches the Pleskau-Dno highway this day, while part of the partisan bands south of this surrender this day.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 12
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/16/2013 2:30:08 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 25, Evening Jan 25th 1944

Pz.Jg.Abt.2 and II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 force the surrender of the partisan battalion south of Strugi Krasnye.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 keeps up the momentum from earlier in the day and split the enemy partisan groping by Ludoni in two, reestablishing contact with the last company of III./Gr.Rgt.322 at the north edge of the town.
Pz.Pio.Btl.32 get on with repairing the road-bridge SW of Ludoni.



II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 continues its movement towards Porkhov, this evening covering over 20km along the road. I./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 also get back on the main road to Porkhov after having forced the blocking enemy partisans south.
Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 forces the enemy partisans further south of the Porkhov airstrip. At the town itself the partisans is also retreating south.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 13
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/18/2013 12:52:01 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 26, Morning Jan 26th 1944

After the surrender of the partisan bands, Pz.Jg.Abt.2 turns back north, heading to the Pleskau-Luga rail line. II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 begins to make its way out the deep forrests by heading south towards the highway.
At Ludoni another victory against the partisans clears the highway from Pleskau up to this point for good. Now only groups NW and SE of the village remains.
Gr.Rgt.503 of 290.Inf-Div heads east through Utorgorsh to try to slow the Soviet offensive threatening to break through in this sector.



SW of Slavkovichi the remains of a partisan battalion surrenders, while the partisans east of the town are in progress of being forced south by the two Pz.Gren battalions of 12th Pz-Div. Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 is also trying to keep track of a small partisan unit, that tries to escape west.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 14
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/18/2013 1:15:05 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		turn 27th, Evening Jan 26th 1944

With Ludoni cleared, Pz.Pio.Btl.32 heads NE along the Pleskau-Luga Highway to the next broken bridge. II./Pz.Rgt.29 prepares to clear road from the highway to the town of Strugi Krasnye still believed to be in the hands of the partisans. Pz.Jg.Abt.2 approaches the town from S along the rail line, reaching within 10km of it by the end of the day.




The 3-4 partisan battalions between Slavkovichi and Porkhov are continued to be forced southwards, this day once again opening up the main road to Ostrov.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 15
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/20/2013 6:48:44 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 28, Morning Jan 27th 1944

22nd Partisan Regiment which had been isolated in the village of Milutino made a break-out during the morning to the west. Pz.Pio.Btl.32 is 10Km down the road from this, but the regiment shouldn't pose a serious threat to the pioneers attempt to repair the next bridge.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 opens its advance towards Strugi Krasnye and the enemy partisans in its way don't put up much of a fight before withdrawing north into the dense woods.
Meanwhile, Pz.Jg.Abt.2 closes another 5km toward Strugi Krasnye from the south without having observed any enemy activity.
East of this, Sich.Btl.375 reports increasing partisan numbers advancing east along the Utorgorsh-Ludoni road about 15km west of Utorgorsh.



Enemy partisans at the Slavkovichi-Porkhov road are slowly but surely in the process of being confined in a big pocket south of the road as they during the beginning of the day are forced about 3km back.




(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 16
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/20/2013 7:10:27 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 29, Evening Jan 27th 1944

West of Utorgorsh Sich.Btl 375 reports sighting of another partisan regiment. Under heavy pressure a company of the battalion is forced to give up its positions on the road to Utorgorsh, and the partisans threaten to march on the town. The rail line through the town is still inoperable from earlier sabotage actions, but it's the best bet to restore the first supply link back to Luga, as the main Luga-Pleskau line are more damaged and would take even longer to repair.
Reinforcements are marching up the road from Dno to halt the partisans and II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 will try to reach the town from the west, but are still a couple of days away.
Pz.jg.Abt.2 enters Strugi Krasnye and finds the town deserted by enemy partisans.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 continues its pursuit of the partisans from 20th Regiment into the woods north of the Luga-Pleskau Highway.
The partisan regiment that in the begining of the day broke out of the town of Milutino are heading into the forrest south of the road.



I./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5, II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 and Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 are still forcing the enemy into a smaller and smaller pocket south-west of Porkhov. Soon the situation here is so under control that it can be left to the already present security units, so the units of the panzer division can be sent towards the frontline.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 17
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/23/2013 5:21:36 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 30, Morning Jan 28th 1944

The weak Sich.Btl.375 were unable to prevent enemy partisans advance east towards Utorgorhs. The Füs.Btl.30 are transported to the town by train, to halt the enemy before he reaches the north-south rail line.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 in ccoperation with II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 routed 20th Partisan regiment, destroying one of its battalions in the process, but didn't make any advance towards Utorgorsh during the first part of the day.
Enemy partisans at Milutino counter-attacked onto the Pleskau-Luga highway, but the arriving men of Pz.Pio.Btl.32 forced the partisans 5km back.
To the west of Strugi Krasnye Pz.Jg.Abt.2 helps in more partisan fighting.



I./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 and Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 makes a last attack on the partisans to the south, but other elements of the southern group, II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 and II./Art.Rgt.2 have already begun to move North-East towards the front, where the situation is getting critical.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 18
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/23/2013 5:31:50 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 31, Evening Jan 28th 1944.

Füs.Btl.30 moves west from Utorgorsh and encounters partisans less than 5km from the town. I./SS-Pol.Rgt.9 is moving by road from Soltsy, but isn't expected to make contact until tomorrow.
On the Pleskau-Luga road an attack on the partisan regiment in Gorodets had great success and the enemy surrendered, with the partisans at Milutino also being pushed back, this means that apart from a damaged bridge at Gorodets, the highway is now fully cleared between Luga and Pleskau.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 and II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 only covers 2-3km towards Utorgorsh by the end of the day.



All the 12th Pz-Div units in the southern group are now on their way North-East to counter the enemy breaking through west of Lake Ilmen. The partisans left behind are so weak that they will be able to be controlled by the mixed security units still present.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 19
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/24/2013 9:05:49 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 32, Morning Jan 29th 1944

Having made contact with the partisans at Utorgorsh yesterday, Füs.Btl.30 starts its attack to force the enemy further away from the town. The attack gains 5km before evening. I./SS-Pol.Rgt.9 moves up to help cover the approach to the town as well.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 and II./Pz.Rgt.29 pick up speed in their move towards the front. II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 helps shortly against the partisans but quickly disengages and moves 7km towards Utorgorsh. II./Pz.Rgt.29 heads along the road towards Luga and reaches Milutino by evening. Also Pz.Pio.Btl.32 is travelling along the road.
Pz.Jg.Abt.2 and Flak.Art.Abt.303 are still engaging partisans west and east of Strugi Krasnye.



The southern group completely disengage from the partisan fighting this day. The forward elements reaching east of Dno.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 20
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/24/2013 9:20:01 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 33, Evening Jan 29th 1944

The last bridge on the Luga-Pleskau highway was repaired by other construction forces so Pz.Pio.Btl.32 almost reaches Luga during the night. II./Pz.Rgt.29 halts for the night still some 30km south of Luga. The plan is that these units should reach the area around Peredolskaya the following day, as the enemy is beginning to break through the front east of this.
II./Pz.Gr.5 also hurries east to help stem the growing tide. It meets no resistance on its way and covers 25km before halting for the night. The threat from the east means that Füs.Btl.30 withdraws back to Utorgorsh as all units are needed to avoid disaster east of the town.
With the majority of forces moving away from the area around Ludoni, the enemy takes advantage of this and moves back to the Pleskau-Luga Highway.



The southern group covers over 20km before the end of the night, the forward unit, II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25, ending halfway between Dno and Soltsy.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 21
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/24/2013 9:36:10 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		The following shows the area in which 12th Panzer Division will fight in and around during the coming days. The units holding the 59th and 1st Shock Army have through weeks of battle been severly depleted and are unable to hold a coherent line and are in a mixed state of isolated strongpoints and partly in full rout.
An approximate strength of units defending sectors of the line is noted on the map. As can be seen there are forming some gaping holes in the front.

Full withdrawal is not an option as enough time need to be bought to let a substantial amount of our forces be brought out of a threatening encircelment.
About 9 divisions are pulling out of the quickly narrowing pocket, through what is to be known as the "Oredezh-gap".

The supply situation is still very poor. The rail line from the south is still a few days from being repaired, so for now, supply is coming from the fully inadequate stocks in Luga (1/4 of max).

The previous weeks of partisan fighting haven't been very costly in terms of loss of equipment for 12th Panzer Division as will be shown by an inventory list in one of the coming days. However the units are all at a very low state of supply, and as long as the rail line is still damaged, that won't improve.



(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 22
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/24/2013 11:21:34 PM   
BigDuke66


Posts: 2013
Joined: 2/1/2001
From: Terra
Status: offline 		Interesting thread, thanks for the fullscreen screenshot please keep it that way as it looks much better.

_____________________________

JOIN The Blitz Wargaming Club
JOIN Napoleonic Wargame Club
JOIN American Civil War Game Club

(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 23
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/25/2013 12:52:15 AM   
larryfulkerson


Posts: 39932
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BigDuke66
Interesting thread, thanks for the fullscreen screenshot please keep it that way as it looks much better.

I agree.

(in reply to BigDuke66)
Post #: 24
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/25/2013 11:37:01 PM   
ogar

 

Posts: 297
Joined: 9/6/2009
Status: offline 		I'll drop in to thank Snefens for the AAR.

And suggest that he may want to post the larger screenshot every 6 or 8 turns (3 - 4 days in game).  Things do not change that fast in our game. (Wait till you guys see how long it takes me to get through Bateskaya or Utorgorsh.)  Even where Snefens is not defending like a wily, experienced, cornered pole-cat, progress is slow.  I'm happy when I can find 2 contiguous hexes with only 'snow, light woods' let alone when there is actually a dirt road !

And keep in mind that this sector shown above is only 1 of 6 similar sectors where he is juggling the same mix of retreating, exhausted units, and at that same time, defending, delaying, exhausting the pursuing forces.




(in reply to larryfulkerson)
Post #: 25
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/26/2013 8:56:02 AM   
Josh

 

Posts: 2576
Joined: 5/9/2000
From: Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

quote:

ORIGINAL: BigDuke66
Interesting thread, thanks for the fullscreen screenshot please keep it that way as it looks much better.

I agree.



Agree too. The screenies here are much better, the thumbnails gave me a site with lots of popups and commercials.
And thx for the AAR.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)
Post #: 26
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/26/2013 4:45:46 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Thx for the feedback.
Once the main elements of the division are re-assembled in the same area in a few turns so I'll be able to get them all into a single screenshot, I'll begin to post the single image directly into the thread. I know that the movement to the front and partisan struggle wasn't the most exciting part of the division's history, so people could just skim that part and open the images if they wanted the full story.

I also will be posting more detailed "movies" of the overall map later.

But I won't get around to do the next update until tomorrow. That

(in reply to Josh)
Post #: 27
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/27/2013 7:42:25 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Slight change of plan. I'll just upload a somewhat resized map for these next turns. Later, when the units are closer together, I can get it all done in a single unzoomed map.

Turn 34, Morning Jan 30th 1944

The division elements of 12th Pz.Div shown in the box are still having skirmishes with partisans at Ludoni and Strugi Krasnye off the map to the west.
All other elements of the division are going at full pace east.

If looking closely on the map a line of moderate fortified hexes can be seen along the Luga and Mshaga rivers. This is part of the Luga Defense line. Being able to stop the enemy at this line is out of the question, but it makes a good position for a little delaying action. The problem is that forwards Soviet units have pretty much reached the line at some places. Also withdrawing to the line in it's length would mean giving up on the rail line going into Luga through Peredolskaya and Bateskaya, so preferably the enemy can be held for a while in front of these towns.

Main concern though before any of this is the threatening encirclement of several battalions. At Gruppe von Wickede Pz.Jg.Abt.8 with a company of StuGs as well as other smaller elements are being flanked. A counter attack on the western pincer by Pz.Jg.Abt.30 somewhat improves the situation, but the danger isn't over.
Also Gr.Rgt.503 together with Pio.Btl.656 are getting cut off North-East of Medved and Füs.Btl.30 is rushing east from Utorgorsh to assist with the withdrawal.

At Gruppe Herzog a local counterattack yesterday disrupted an enemy attampt to encirlce the armoured elements of the group. An enemy tank battalion has been caught behind German lines as it starts falling back west.
The counterattack for the moment seems to paused the enemy advance towards Peredolskaya along the road, as the riders of Kav.Rgt.Nord have not made contact with enemies coming this way.
Mixed elements on the two roads leading to Batetskaya are slowly forced back towards the town. A temporary position at the cross-road east of the town might be next serious defensive position.

At Gruppe Loch (mainly composed of 21.ID) the enemy advances on several locations of the group, in an attempt to reach the all-important road to Oredezh being used by several divisions being extracted from the pocket north-east of the shown map.
Many of the divisions here moving through Oredezh will be bolstering the line at Batetskaya and Perdolskaya in the coming days.



(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 28
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/28/2013 6:59:55 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 35, Evening Jan 30th 1944

At Gruppe Herzog, the isolated enemy tank battalion was destroyed. I./Kav.Rgt.Nord also encountered an enemy tank battalion east of peredolskaya and was forced off the road to the north. During the night it tried to get back to hinder enemy movement on the road. Pz.Pio.Btl.32 reached within 10km of Peredolskaya during the night.

II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.5 reached the outskirts of Utorgorsh and routed an partisan regiment near the town. The battalion will continue towards Medved to help extract the remains of Gr.Rgt.503. Füs.Btl.30 moved over the bridge and widend the route to the regiment a bit. Pio.Btl.656 also at Medved blew the bridge over the frozen Mshaga River to slow enemy movement.

North of Shimsk Pz.Jg.Abt.28 is still in grave danger. Contact with own lines was lost during the day, but re-established during the night, but only held very thin.
East of Shimsk additional enemy formations were identified. It appears the enemy are in the process of comitting the entire 67th Army between the 59th Army to north and 1st Shock Army to the south, with Shimsk and the road to Soltsy being its focal point.
Heading right into this is II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 that reached Mshaga during the night.

In good news was that the rail line between Luga and Soltsy is now operational again. The line to Dno is still damaged and won't be fully repaired in a couple of days.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 29
RE: 12th Pz Div in action - 8/31/2013 7:58:37 PM   
LLv34_Snefens


Posts: 254
Joined: 6/14/2006
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Status: offline 		Turn 36, Morning Jan 31st 1944

Several elements of 12.Pz-Div reaches the positions between Peredolskaya and Mshaga, from where they will make a stand against the enemy in the coming days, but still no direct contact with any parts of regular Red Army units are made.
II./Pz.Rgt.29 takes up the position on the road 5km east of Peredolskaya, providing flanking support for I./Reiter.Rgt.Nord and Pio.Btl.28.
Pz.Pio.Btl.32 reaches the crossing over the frozen Mshaga River at the small town of ugorody and prepares to blow up the bridge.

At Medved the situation is less tense this day. Although a little ground had to given up east of the town during the night, where also a weakend company of 8.Jäg.Div surrendered, a counter-attack in the early hours defeated the enemy positions NW of the town.
II./Pz.Gr.Rgt.25 spreads out along the Mshaga river between the town itself and Medved, trying to keep the flank secure of the units still trying to make it back to their own lines north of Shimsk. Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12 also reaches Mshaga this day. NE of the town the enemy was unable to gain ground against the pioneers and pz.jg unit of 30.ID during the night.

South of Shimsk 67th Army units are forming a new pincer, not only threatening the Shimsk grouping from the south, but also 5 battalions mostly 30.ID units, getting caught in the border between 67th and 1st Shock Army. These units are still not completely cutoff, but no good roads exits on the way out of danger.

Besides the units of 12.Pz-Div also the leading elements of the Latvian 15.SS-Gr.Div are enroute from the south. With the rail line still broken this division are moving by road and passes through Porkhov during the day.


(in reply to LLv34_Snefens)
Post #: 30
Page:   [1] 2   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Norm Koger's The Operational Art Of War III >> After Action Reports >> 12th Pz Div in action Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

0.984