Bolt Action - Game Report 18

Key Positions - Vilnius offensive July 1944

Introduction

On to game two at the South Coast Series Bolt Action Blitzkrieg. This one would be easier to write up as it would be against Peter’s Germans.

Situation

It is July 1944 and Operation Bagration is proceeding well. 1075 Rifle Regt was now under command of 33rd Army and was part of the 3rd Belorussian Front. Stavka had ordered the Front to seize Vilnius. Intel suggests that the Germans are in disarray, but if we capture key positions there is every likelihood that we can encircle and cut of the retreat options of the 3rd Panzer Army.

Enemy Forces

The 340th Volksgrendier Division were reported to be sending a battlegroup froward to seize the monastery at Senieji Trakai. This was a key position defending the flank of Vilnius. Composition of the Battlegroup was reported by air recon as light armour, and lorry borne infantry.

Friendly Forces

Captain Gleb Paskarov 4th Coy, 1075 Rifle Regt had resumed command. Hopefully he would improve his performance. He had under command Senior Lieutenant Alexey Nofkirov’s platoon, whose core troops from his platoon were in three sections made up from conscripts with no battle experience. 4th Coy was supported by a T34-85 with its tank rider squad, a scout car for recon, a ZIS-3, a sniper team, three tank hunter teams, and a battalion mortar for support. The Artillery Battalion provided an observer. Division had placed the Scout Squad under his command for the operation.

Mission

4th Company is to seize Senieji Trakai Monastery and destroy any enemy who try to intervene.

Execution

The scout squad, observers, and tank hunters would be deployed forward. The Scout Squad was to seize the Monastery had hold until relieved. Main effort would be through the centre to support the capture of the Monastery and then to launch subsequent attacks against the other objectives.

Battle Report

The main effort force arrives with Capt Paskarov. Immediately the T34 reports that it as an enemy tank destroyer in its sights.

The enemy are putting a lot of effort on their right flank, with waves of infantry advancing to seize a secondary objective.

The T34 fails to get a round on target and suffers the consequences. The tank riders beat a hasty retreat to safety.

The ZIs-3 and Scout Car support Lt Nofkirov’s advance on the objective. The ZIs-3 destroys the enemy half track.

Meanwhile in the centre the enemy advanced an engineer squad with flamethrower and destroyed the Monastery main building the remains of the Scout Squad fought to the death against the engineer squad. The supporting LMG squad were prevented from entering the building due to the fire, and are now moving to secure the right flank supported by the Scout car which was withdrawn from the left flank.

Lt Nofkirov valiantly leads his troops forward to secure the objective with his aid close by. Enemy casualties have built up steadily despite the loss of the T34, and the securing of the objective forces the German forces to concede.

Outcome

A victory for 4th Company 1075 Rifle Regiment.