tortugapower
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1940, January. Later part of month.
After the initial German surge, Soviet forces planned for an immediate counter-offensive. The main objective were the two regions lost to German attacks. It seemed very likely that these could be recovered.
The starting situation when the staff had time to evaluate the crisis:
In the above map, the front is color-coded by commander.
- Dark/navy blue: Commander Boris Shaposhnikov, the defense of the Baltic states territory (Latvia and Estonia)
- Fuchsia: Commander Semyon Timoshenko, defense of Northern Polish territory
- Yellow: Commander Grigory Kulik, defense of Southern Polish territory
- Blue: Commander Grigori Shtern, motorized reserve
The Kaunas-Bialystock breach was easy to retake, as the Germans had not yet pushed into the territory behind the Soviet retreat.
The Bialystock-Warsaw breach was another matter, being defended by four German armored divisions. It took a concerted effort from all flanks to push the Germans back. Timoshenko's armored division and fragmented units of the original defense made the hard push, supported by Kulik's motorized and anti-tank brigades in flanking maneuvers.
Map of the attacks:
During our reconnaissance of the front, Commander Shaposhnikov identified a rather under-strength garrison in Kaipeda; a chink in the German armor.
Map with known German forces and strength estimate:
Stavka immediately begin efforts to coordinate an attack on Kaipeda, but failed to muster the units from Timoshenko's (pink) HQ. Finally, artillery support from Timoshenko was secured (mainly as the Kaunas-Bialystock salient was easy to retake), and the attack was underway.
Only a week or so after the initial German invasion, Soviet troops were marching on Kaipeda with heavy armored support, as Shaposhnikov (navy blue) had access to many offensive units that had not yet assumed their appropriate position on the front (in the aftermath of the prepared invasion of Finland).
After a relatively short battle, Kaipeda is ours!
But when the Soviet troops' eyes behold Konisberg before them, sovereign German lands, HQs begin buzzing about. Does the offensive end here?
**OPERATION BALTIC BRUSH**
The plan was designed by Marshal of the Soviet Union, Georgy Zhukov. Not wanting to lose momentum, a massive multi-army attack was staged through Konisberg in an attempt push along the coast to Danzig.
With the support of Commander Shtern's motorized reserve to occupy defensive territory along the front around Bialystock, Timoshenko (pink) was able to free up additional forces for a continued offensive. The idea was to pierce as far along the right (northern) flank as possible, and, if possible, to capture Danzig before the German line could react.
Stealing the words from the Schlieffen plan, Zhukov declared "let the last man on the right brush the Baltic with his hand".
Heavy bombardment began on Konisberg, long a thorn in Russia's side, most recently in the First World War. As units from both sides began to fall back from the front under the heavy pressure of intense combat, it was a heroic and desperate last attempt from Shaposhnikov's armored division which took the city on one final attempt (on the last combat round!). The ecstasy of the Soviet troops (and their commander) was impossible to withhold!
The Battle of Konisberg was extremely fierce, and will no doubt be long remembered by the Soviet people. With the greatest jubilation, Soviet forces set foot on German soil. Konisberg is ours!
The push into the gap between Konisberg and Danzig met with only the lightest resistance. Unfortunately, the Soviet forces ran out of steam before being able to capture Danzig. One quick probing attack on the city limits was all that could be mustered of the tired troops.
Map of the turn:
< Message edited by tortugapower -- 3/7/2017 6:41:33 PM >
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RE: GD1938 Game 25 old VC - 
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