Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (Full Version)

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Seer -> Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 4:14:21 PM)

Hats off to whoever thought up this one, it was absolutely brutal. The following does not document all the minor movements and decisions, just the general outline of the battle. Since I'm new I'll post it a bit at a time as I can't use external links.

Phase 1
The initial plan was fairly simple: clear the territory above Rinteln so Soviet troops wouldn't be advancing over the open ground to its east. Much of the Guards Tank Regiments (TR) and Motorized Rifle Regiments (MRR) advanced and it went smoothly, with only a couple TOW-equipped Wiesels in the way. They were quickly dispatched and the combined regiments rolled over the pre-placed obstacles without incident. Not enough time was given to the advance units to clear the obstacles before others caught up with them, which resulted in stacks of regiments sitting on top of each other, so it was fortunate there was no one around to shoot at them. With no resistance to speak of the MRRs moved into position to assault Rinteln from the wooded high ground to its north, as the TRs advanced further West. Meanwhile to the southeast, amphibious forces forded the Wesen river and put the bridge back into operation, moving to the small town of Hohenrode to await further orders. A TR also awaited orders in Deckbergen -- once Hohenrode was reached they were to move over the bridge and reinforce the advance motorized forces.
[image]local://upfiles/71585/A144D1A470CA421BAEEFB2AC27939AA8.jpg[/image]



Seer -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 4:17:26 PM)

Phase 2
Here's where it started to go pear-shaped. The Krauts weren't about to let Rinteln go without a fight, and as MRRs advanced in Assault formation they were bloodied on the descent by both direct fire and tube or MRLS artillery. Nonetheless they got their foothold with relatively few losses, most of them, predictably, borne by the BTRs. Just behind a full T-80B1 TR moved to support them. It was now a matter of slowly advancing against strong resistance, supported by as much tube arty as could be spared. Further to the West, T-80BV TRs advanced towards Auf de Leuchten and Eisbergen, hunting for any arty or HQs they could find; they were to turn and attack Rinteln from the west once that was completed. Unfortunately they got a lot more than bargained for: Bundeswehr reinforcements had arrived. Marder 1 A2s packed with Panzergrenadiers ran straight into the advancing T-80BVs -- the result was a bloodbath. Just before some Jaguar 2s had caught one T-80BV TR in the flanks with their TOWs, wiping them out. The sudden engagement split the weakened TRs into those holding the victory point just to the northwest of Todenmann and those ordered to advance. The T-80BVs upheld their reputation and fought their way through the M1A2s and PzGrens while inflicting enormous casualties, though less than a handful survived. They continued on to surprise Bundeswehr artillery, eventually wiping them out. Meanwhile those holding the victory point eventually succumbed to the remaining PzGrens, inflicting heavy casualties of their own. But now there would be no forces coming from the West. Meanwhile, in Hohenrode, the ruse had been discovered, and German arty had smashed the T-80B1 TRs and MRRs organizing to advance into Exten and Sud-Rinteln. To add to their difficulties, minefields had been laid to protect the German flanks. In the end, while bloodied, the combined TRs and MRRs breaking out of Hohenrode were still strong enough to encircle the Bundeswehr forces in Riteln proper.

[image]local://upfiles/71585/2F0F6693828440D88310AFA3AAB0C5D0.jpg[/image]



Seer -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 4:21:08 PM)

Phase 3
It was now down to the wire. Guard casualties had passed 50%. The slow grind of urban warfare had worn down the unfortunate TRs and MRRs selected to pin the Germans against the river, and some were breaking. No sooner had the forces from Hohenrode arrived and resupplied in Exten, another wave of Bundeswehr reinforcements slammed into them. Mechanized infantry attempted to delay the advance while their tanks moved to hold the western bridge. Encirclement was now much more problematic. The southern T-80B1s tried to move out of this difficulty by crossing the eastern bridge in Assault formation, but the Leopard 2A4s moved faster than expected and began to shoot them to pieces. For a moment it was unclear whether they would be wiped out, but the MRRs harrassed the 2A4s enough to allow for the TRs to slip through and reinforce the northern side of the river. Their combined strength finished the German defenders of Riteln, and now Bundeswehr forces were compressed into a few Kms on the southern side of the river, holding the last victory point in Sud-Rinteln. The remaining T-80B1 TRs suffered worrying casualties despite occupying good cover on the northern side as they engaged the German reinforcements. Fortunately, the 2A4s eventually succumbed to repeated direct fire. By this time the enemy had already suffered in excess of 70% casualties, but it would not end until the bridges were secured. A MRR crossed the river and captured the last victory point amidst the smoldering 2A4s: none were left to resist. Once this was accomplished, the remaining German forces were too weak to contest Riteln, tenuously holding the victory point wrested from the T-80BV TRs northwest of Todenmann. The battle was over.

[image]local://upfiles/71585/43217520AA514A70AD1559D5A2899C2A.jpg[/image]



Seer -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 4:23:28 PM)

It cost a lot of Soviet blood but Riteln's bridges are secure. Several regiments received citations or awards for valor and sacrifice.

quote:

Greetings from the Inspectorate of the General Staff -

To: Colonel Voronin, commanding Red Storm

* In the battle of "WL_WGS Witch's Cauldron" your forces worth 10,309 points secured 67% (17748 vs 8848) of awarded victory points against an enemy force worth 5,968 points. The Inspectorate congratulates you and rates your performance as competent and professional.
* Your force has claimed 24 Tank, 47 APC, 42 Inf, 8 SP AT, 10 HQ, 4 AD, 16 SP Arty and 4 Utility enemy subunits.
* By outnumbering the surviving enemy at the end of the engagement by four times or more you have secured possession of the battlefield. The enemy has had to abandon all fallen out subunits that it otherwise could have recovered.

* Remaining force tally -
Active: 17 Tank, 22 APC, 37 Inf, 2 SP AT, 19 HQ, 11 AD, 8 SP Arty, 30 Arty, 31 Utility and 1 Air.
Fallen out: 1 Recce, 23 Tank, 64 APC, 28 Inf, 1 SP AT, 12 HQ and 3 AD.
Destroyed: 3 Recce, 54 Tank, 27 APC, 25 Inf, 3 SP AT, 2 HQ, 6 AD and 3 Air.
* By the end of the battle your units had a 84% average readiness and a command cycle duration of 31 minutes.
* Your force took very heavy - 28% - permanent losses and must refit for a considerable time to recover the 132 subunit(s) that have fallen out.

Staff evaluation complete.

Estimated state of forces at present time:
- Soviet Forces:
» 122mm D-30 (Towed Artillery Gun) - 18 starting, no losses or exits.
» 152mm D-20 (Towed Artillery Gun) - 12 starting, no losses or exits.
» 2S6 Tunguska (Self Propelled Flak) - 4 starting, 2 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
» 9P149 AT-6 Spiral (Self Propelled Anti-Tank) - 6 starting, 1 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
» BMP-2D [g] (Tracked APC) - 6 starting, 2 destroyed.
» BMP-Ksh (Command Vehicle) - 11 starting, 2 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
» BRDM-2 (Recon Unit) - 4 starting, 1 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
» BTR-60PB (Wheeled APC) - 7 starting, no losses or exits.
» BTR-80 [g] (Wheeled APC) - 100 starting, 64 fallen out, 25 destroyed.
» Headquarters (Command Unit) - 22 starting, 10 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
» Heavy MG (Support Infantry Unit) - 9 starting, 1 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
» Mechanized Rifle (Infantry Unit) - 81 starting, 27 fallen out, 22 destroyed.
» MiG-23ML Flogger (CAS Aircraft-Gun/IB/Rkt) - 4 starting, 3 destroyed.
» MT-LB [w] (Artillery Towing Vehicle) - 30 starting, no losses or exits.
» SA-14 Gremlin (SAM Infantry Unit) - 12 starting, 1 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
» SA-8 Gecko (Self Propelled SAM) - 4 starting, no losses or exits.
» T-80B1 (Main Battle Tank) - 62 starting, 14 fallen out, 33 destroyed.
» T-80BV [m] (Main Battle Tank) - 32 starting, 9 fallen out, 21 destroyed.
» TOS-1A Buratino (Self Propelled Rocket Launcher) - 8 starting, no losses or exits.
» UAZ Jeep (Wheeled Utility Vehicle) - 1 starting, no losses or exits.

By contrast, the 7th Panzer Division has been wiped out. The Ghosts showed courage and tenacity to the last but failed to hold against the Soviet advance.

quote:

Greetings from the Inspectorate of the General Staff -

To: General, commanding KG Ghost

* In the battle of "WL_WGS Witch's Cauldron" your forces worth 5,968 points obtained just 33% (8848 vs 17748) of awarded victory points against an enemy force worth 10,309. You should be aware that the Inspectorate considers your performance, on balance, to be very disappointing.
* Your heroic death in battle saddens us all.
* Your force has claimed 4 Recce, 77 Tank, 91 APC, 53 Inf, 4 SP AT, 14 HQ, 9 AD and 3 Air enemy subunits.
* The enemy outnumbered you at the end of the engagement by four times or more and so has secured possession of the battlefield. You have been forced to abandon all fallen out equipment that otherwise could have returned to duty over time.

* Remaining force tally -
Active: 1 Inf and 2 HQ.
Fallen out: 21 Inf and 9 HQ.
Destroyed: 24 Tank, 47 APC, 21 Inf, 8 SP AT, 1 HQ, 4 AD, 16 SPArty and 4 Utility.

* By the end of the battle your units had a 44% average readiness and a command cycle duration of 20 minutes.
* Your force took Pyrrhic - 80% - permanent losses and has essentially ceased to exist as an effective combat formation.
* In recognition of your efforts your surviving family will receive a testimonial plaque.

Staff evaluation complete.

Estimated state of forces at present time:
- West German Forces:
» Gepard A1 (Self Propelled Flak) - 4 starting, 4 destroyed.
» Headquarters (Command Unit) - 5 starting, 2 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
» Jaguar 2 (Self Propelled Anti-Tank) - 4 starting, 4 destroyed.
» LARS (Self Propelled Rocket Launcher) - 4 starting, 4 destroyed.
» Leopard 2A4 (Main Battle Tank) - 24 starting, 24 destroyed.
» M109A3G (Self Propelled Artillery) - 6 starting, 6 destroyed.
» M113GA1 (Tracked APC) - 13 starting, 13 destroyed.
» M577A2 C2V (Command APC) - 7 starting, 7 fallen out.
» MAN N 4510 (Wheeled Utility Vehicle) - 4 starting, 4 destroyed.
» Marder 1 A2 [m] (Tracked APC) - 34 starting, 34 destroyed.
» MG3 Medium MG (Support Infantry Unit) - 4 starting, 2 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
» PzGren ATGM (Infantry Unit) - 12 starting, 6 fallen out, 6 destroyed.
» PzGrenadiers (Infantry Unit) - 27 starting, 13 fallen out, 13 destroyed.
» PzMrs M113 A1G (Self Propelled Mortar) - 6 starting, 6 destroyed.
» Wiesel 1 TOW (Airmobile Tank) - 4 starting, 4 destroyed.


[image]local://upfiles/71585/0418DADD65204AB3936A923D11FA5FA1.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 6:51:03 PM)

Seer,

Welcome to the Forum!

Thanks for the AAR. Well done. I played it as the German player and had lots of fun.

All the best,



CapnDarwin -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/9/2020 7:43:40 PM)

Thanks for sharing your ARR. Enjoy the battles!



Seer -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/10/2020 6:05:55 AM)

Thanks for the welcome, I've been enjoying the game.



Seer -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/28/2020 11:04:34 AM)

As an update, I decided to put Zhukov's principle to the test: one decisive thrust against the barricaded but most direct route to Rinteln. I was skeptical that my forces would be better off running into the guns of the enemy, yet the results speak for themselves. The victory was upgraded 12% from Tactical to Decisive and, compared to their starting strength, the regiments finished with a whopping 25% more than my first attempt. So fewer men died and much fewer units were destroyed or fell out. This time I had the advantage of foreknowledge but I tried to act as if I did not know where their arty was, for example, or where their reinforcements were coming from.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/RLBjcnh.jpg[/image]

The initial assault was accomplished by using 2/3 MRRs to screen the advance of the T-80B1 TRs. The T-80BV TR kept to the A2 highway above so they could seize the victory point northwest of Todenmann, supported by 1 MRR. After that it was a matter of tactical adjustments on the fly, as per usual. If I considered my first plan relatively simple, this was simpler still. Greater mass, fewer maneuvers, straightforward execution. The image below summarizes the battle, which climaxed with the Leopard 2A4 reinforcements being slaughtered en masse as they crested the rise leading to the south-western bridge. I honestly expected they'd wipe my T-80B1s so it was a pleasant surprise, and proved to be the death knell of the Bundeswehr forces as the battle ended shortly after.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/psi59SX.jpg[/image]

So there you have it. The steps you take to limit casualties can end up causing more of them. As Sunzi might say, don't be afraid to throw your men into danger. But unlike Sunzi this plan was far from unknowable.

Edit: forgot the battle summary.

quote:

Greetings from the Inspectorate of the General Staff -

To: Colonel Voronin, commanding Red Storm

* In the battle of "WL_WGS Witch's Cauldron 2nd 1" [a user scenario] your forces worth 10,309 points secured 79% (18967 vs 4896) of awarded victory points against an enemy force worth 5,968 points. The Inspectorate congratulates you and rates your performance as excellent.
* Your force has claimed 23 Tank, 47 APC, 43 Inf, 8 SP AT, 11 HQ, 4 AD, 12 SPArty and 2 Utility enemy subunits.
* By outnumbering the surviving enemy at the end of the engagement by four times or more you have secured possession of the battlefield. The enemy has had to abandon all fallen out subunits that it otherwise could have recovered.

* Remaining force tally -
Active: 49 Tank, 32 APC, 38 Inf, 27 HQ, 15 AD, 6 SPArty, 28 Arty, 31 Utility and 4 Air.
Fallen out: 2 Recce, 21 Tank, 39 APC, 20 Inf, 2 SP AT, 1 HQ, 3 AD, 1 SPArty and 2 Arty.
Destroyed: 2 Recce, 24 Tank, 42 APC, 32 Inf, 4 SP AT, 5 HQ, 2 AD and 1 SPArty.
* By the end of the battle your units had a 76% average readiness and a command cyle duration of 29 minutes.
* Your force took very heavy - 25% - permanent losses and must refit for for a considerable time to recover the 91 subunit(s) that have fallen out.

Staff evaluation complete.

FINAL TALLY OF BATTLE LOSSES:
- West German Forces:
Gepard A1 (Self Propelled Flak) - 4 starting and 4 destroyed.
Headquarters (Command Unit) - 5 starting, 1 fallen out and 3 destroyed.
Jaguar 2 (Self Propelled Anti-Tank) - 4 starting and 4 destroyed.
LARS (Self Propelled Rocket Launcher) - 4 starting and 4 destroyed.
Leopard 2A4 (Main Battle Tank) - 24 starting and 23 destroyed.
M109A3G (Self Propelled Artillery) - 6 starting and 2 destroyed.
M113GA1 (Tracked APC) - 13 starting and 13 destroyed.
M577A2 C2V (Command APC) - 7 starting, 3 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
MAN N 4510 (Wheeled Utility Vehicle) - 4 starting and 2 destroyed.
Marder 1 A2 [m] (Tracked APC) - 34 starting and 34 destroyed.
MG3 Medium MG (Support Infantry Unit) - 4 starting, 1 fallen out and 3 destroyed.
PzGren ATGM (Infantry Unit) - 12 starting, 7 fallen out and 5 destroyed.
PzGrenadiers (Infantry Unit) - 27 starting, 15 fallen out and 12 destroyed.
PzMrs M113 A1G (Self Propelled Mortar) - 6 starting and 6 destroyed.
Wiesel 1 TOW (Airmobile Tank) - 4 starting and 4 destroyed.

- Soviet Forces:
122mm D-30 (Towed Artillery Gun) - 18 starting and 2 fallen out.
152mm D-20 (Towed Artillery Gun) - 12 starting.
2S6 Tunguska (Self Propelled Flak) - 4 starting and 2 fallen out.
9P149 AT-6 Spiral (Self Propelled Anti-Tank) - 6 starting, 2 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] (Tracked APC) - 6 starting, 1 fallen out and 1 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh (Command Vehicle) - 11 starting.
BRDM-2 (Recon Unit) - 4 starting, 2 fallen out and 2 destroyed.
BTR-60PB (Wheeled APC) - 7 starting.
BTR-80 [g] (Wheeled APC) - 100 starting, 38 fallen out and 41 destroyed.
Headquarters (Command Unit) - 22 starting, 1 fallen out and 5 destroyed.
Heavy MG (Support Infantry Unit) - 9 starting and 1 fallen out.
Mechanized Rifle (Infantry Unit) - 81 starting, 19 fallen out and 32 destroyed.
MiG-23ML Flogger (CAS Aircraft-Gun/IB/Rkt) - 4 starting.
MT-LB [w] (Artillery Towing Vehicle) - 30 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin (SAM Infantry Unit) - 12 starting, 1 fallen out and 2 destroyed.
SA-8 Gecko (Self Propelled SAM) - 4 starting.
T-80B1 (Main Battle Tank) - 62 starting, 16 fallen out and 21 destroyed.
T-80BV [m] (Main Battle Tank) - 32 starting, 5 fallen out and 3 destroyed.
TOS-1A Buratino (Self Propelled Rocket Launcher) - 8 starting, 1 fallen out and 1 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep (Wheeled Utility Vehicle) - 1 starting.


Comparison of active remaining forces -

First attempt:
Active: 17 Tank, 22 APC, 37 Inf, 2 SP AT, 19 HQ, 11 AD, 8 SP Arty, 30 Arty, 31 Utility and 1 Air.
Fallen out: 1 Recce, 23 Tank, 64 APC, 28 Inf, 1 SP AT, 12 HQ and 3 AD.
Destroyed: 3 Recce, 54 Tank, 27 APC, 25 Inf, 3 SP AT, 2 HQ, 6 AD and 3 Air.

Second attempt:
Active: 49 Tank, 32 APC, 38 Inf, 27 HQ, 15 AD, 6 SPArty, 28 Arty, 31 Utility and 4 Air.
Fallen out: 2 Recce, 21 Tank, 39 APC, 20 Inf, 2 SP AT, 1 HQ, 3 AD, 1 SPArty and 2 Arty.
Destroyed: 2 Recce, 24 Tank, 42 APC, 32 Inf, 4 SP AT, 5 HQ, 2 AD and 1 SPArty.

41 subunits fewer fell out in the second attempt. Tank and fixed wing forces in particular are in much better shape. Permanent losses are only better by 3% in purely quantitative terms but qualitatively it's a much better position to be in; tanks and planes aren't as easy to replace as men in APCs. Sad but true.



MikeJ19 -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (5/28/2020 1:15:28 PM)

Well done. As I said before, I have found playing the Soviets a real challenge - the longer command cycles and the size of the units.

All the best,



dvphimself -> RE: Witch's Cauldron AAR [Soviet] (2/2/2021 6:19:23 AM)

WoW!Konnen sie meiner Moped reparieren?



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