OP Saturn Recrossing the Don – Jan 1943
Introduction
Onto the third game of the day, against Paul’s Germans. The scenario chosen for this was “Hold until relieved”, with the fog of war deployment option along the long edge. Paul managed to secure the better terrain selection, which went nicely with my ability to craft a scenario around it! However, the fog-of-war option means that any reinforcement could come on from any table edge.
Situation
After successfully encircling the German forces in Stalingrad and pursuing the Germans to the Chir River and then to the Donets River Stavka directed that the Don Front should cross the river Don across its entire length to the Sea of Azov. General Rokossovski directed 28th Army to secure crossing points on the Lower Don River by advancing Southwest to clear the left bank of the river Don and then advance North to cross the river.
General Rokossovski ordered General Gerasimenko’s 248th Rifle Division to pursue the retreating enemy forces and to secure bridgeheads across the River Don. He formed an advance guard from the 905th Rifle Regiment. Junior Lieutenant Kaminkov led the advance guard with his platoon.
Enemy Forces
The enemy was throwing small groups of troops into Battlegroups to delay and block our advance. Composition of these groups and likely opposition to the advance were unknown unto contact was made.
Friendly Forces
Lt Kaminkov’s platoon was supported by a Heavy Weapon Platoon of a mortar and a MMG. It was known that there was a Scout squad operating in the line of advance and It was anticipated that his artillery observer with on call artillery support would be able to link up with them. A tank platoon with a T34 and a T70, from the 565th Separate Tank Battalion was also operating in the area, and would be crossing independently.
Mission
Lieutenant Kaminkov is to secure a bridgehead over the River Don to allow the rest of the 905th Rifle Regiment to cross the river and continue the pursuit.
Post Mission Report
The Scout Squad were able to deploy are start to recon the bridgehead. Enemy heavy weapons were detected beyond the river line with enemy defensive barriers deployed around the river line.
The heavy weapons platoon crossed before the Germans were aware, however they were able to direct fire and suppress the Mortar before it could provide effective fire.
As the Scout Squad continued its stealthy advance it was ambushed by an enemy half-track and its dismounted section.
The welcome arrival of a T70 which had crossed the river upstream, supported by our anti tank rifle team, provided an effective supporting force to cause the enemy problems.
Meanwhile on the left flank the rest of Lt Kaminkov’s platoon arrived after crossing downstream of the crossing site. This fortuitously allowed them to advance and engage to destroy the enemy mortar and gun line.
Meanwhile the German forces had brought forward to a further half track and section that they dismounted to secure the crossing point. The welcome arrival of the T34 belonging to the Tank Platoon was able to finally overcome the enemy resistance in the rear by helping to destroy the mortars and nebelwerfers.
A further section from Lt Kaminkov’s platoon arrived in the rear of the enemy position and destroyed them by fire, to secure the hastily prepared defences.
Efreitor Rublikan led his inexperienced riflemen with great elan and entirely in disregard of any casualties to move in and help to destroy the enemy mortars.
Outcome
A game win to Paul’s Germans for securing the “objective”. However, the moral victory was surely mine with the destruction of 12 German units to only losing 6 in return. Perhaps the mission should be caveated by securing the objective and not losing so many troops!
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