On the Northern Shoulder of Kursk

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 1630 on 5 July 1943 in western Russia, where the I Battalion, Panzer Grenadier Regiment 101, 292nd Infanterie Division is carrying out an assault on Soviet defensive positions in the "Bunkerwald," held by elements of the 1st Battalion, 676th Rifle Regiment, 15th Rifle Division.  This is part of the German offensive to eliminate the Kursk salient, specifically on the northern shoulder of the bulge, as German forces push towards Ponyri.

I am playing this game because I have the good fortune of being buddies with Steve  of the "Sound Officer's Call" blog (https://soundofficerscall.blogspot.com/2019/10/firestorm-ponyri-station-campaign-first.html), and he is running a "Firestorm Ponyri" campaign.  He is playing some games with his local buddies, but was unable to play all of the games himself; rather than simply 'dice off' for results of campaign fights they were unable to play on the table top, Steve asked if anyone in the blogosphere wanted to help, so here I am.

It's been a little bit of an issue that I literally just sold off a bunch of German late war gear, so I'm a bit understrength, but Steve is working with me to make sure the fights I get match up with the forces I have.  This is the first fight I've played, and I hope it wasn't too much a pain for him, I certainly want to keep going!  First, I love to play games; second, it's been way too long since I've played any Eastern Front games (maybe eight years or so?); and lastly, I'm a solo gamer that still craves some comradery, so whenever I can help another wargamer out, I'm always quick to jump at it.
     

A rather unassuming swath of land in western Russia, part of the Kursk salient.  At top center is a forest known by the Germans as "Schwarzwald," while at center is "Bunkerwald," and there is an unnamed patch of wood at far left.  There are three dirt tracks in a generally north-south direction, mostly towards the three human structures: the State Farm (bottom left), the District Seat (bottom center), and Alexei's House (center right).  The rest is untended grassland pocked with cultivated fields; there are some wooden fences on the southern half of the table, as well as scrub around a lot of the fields, that neither blocks LOS or provides cover (just for looks), while there are some hedges strewn throughout the table that don't provide cover or block LOS, but do serve to 'disrupt' LOS a bit (making shots through a bit more difficult).

The orders of battle:

Germans
Battalion Commander
1st Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
2nd Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
3rd Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
Schwere Company (MG platoon of four MG-42s, mortar platoon of four 8.0cm tubes, infantry gun platoon of two 7.5cm guns, and an anti-tank platoon of two PaK-38 5.0cm guns)
Assault Gun Platoon (reduced, only two vehicles)
Battery of 10.5cm Artillery (off table)
Battery of Nebelwerfers (off table)

Soviet
Company Commander
Rifle Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
Anti-Tank Rifle Platoon (3 x PTRS-41s)
Anti-Tank Platoon (3 x 45mm ATGs)
Infantry Gun Platoon (2 x 76mm guns)
MG Platoon (3 x Maxim .30-cal MGs)
Mortar Platoon (3 x 82mm mortars)
Combat Engineer Platoon (three flamethrower squads)
Assault Gun Platoon (3 x Su-76s)

I'm playing in 10mm (figures, vehicles, and gear a mix of Pendraken and Minifigs UK) based at one stand=one squad, weapon, or vehicle.  I'm playing this game using Too Fat Lardies' "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" rules, simplified a bit in terms of combat, morale, and movement.

Scheme of maneuver:
German - The Germans have infiltrated the bulk of their Schwere Company into the Scwartzwald (patch of woods at top center), where they have emplaced their machine gun, mortar, and Infantry Gun (IG) Platoons.  Because of the pace of operations they have not had the opportunity to conduct a  thorough reconnaissance, so they are proceeding with a generic 'double envelopment' assault.  To that end, 1st Company is crossing the line of departure in the northeast (top right), with a lot of open ground to cover, while 2nd Company is using a shallow gully in the north-northwest (top center left) that runs north to south to infiltrate as close to the objective as possible.  The Germans are aware of enemy forces in Bunkerwald and in a stand of trees in the southeast (bottom right), so supporting fires will be used to reduce/suppress those positions.  The Germans are holding 3rd Company and their ATG Platoon in reserve (off table).

Soviet - The Soviets are manning static defenses with a mobile reserve to counterattack any German breakthroughs.  To that end, the Soviets are manning three fortified and (semi-) mutually supporting positions: Strongpoint Irina (in woods at far left), Strongpoint Anna (Bunkerwald), and Strongpoint Ilsa (in the southeast/bottom right).  To that end, the Soviet commander has task organized his rifle company, MG platoon, ATR platoon, and ATG platoon into combined arms forces at each defensive 'hedgehog.'  So each strongpoint consists of three rifle squads, one .30-cal MG, one ATR, and one 45mm ATG.  The infantry gun platoon is emplaced in the southwest (bottom left), while the mortar platoon is emplaced behind the State Farm, with its platoon commander acting as forward observer on the second floor of the State Farm building.  The Soviets have their assault gun and combat engineer platoons in reserve (off table, with the engineers planning to ride into battle on the Su-76s).


German Stugs and Landser push forward under fire.


German infantry push towards the objective, Strongpoint Anna.


But they're taking flanking fire from Strongpoint Irina.


A certain Soviet Lieutenant was the bane of the Germans' existence at Strongpoint Ilsa.


The Soviet reserves arrive!  Would they be enough?  To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2019/10/on-northern-shoulder-of-kursk-with.html

Man, what a fight!  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  It's been a long time since I had that many troops on the table, felt good, though I can't say it want to do it all the time, so I'm looking at scaling at least some of my future fights in this campaign back to company-level.  I can't wait to play some more next weekend.  Awaiting my orders!

V/R,
Jack

[lowlylowlycook]

That's a lot of photos, very pretty photos.  I'll have to study the report when I have more time.

[Techno]

Good scrap !!

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Kursk, the most heavily defended piece of real estate in history...Great game mate

[petercooman]

Looks good, will read this evening when every one is in bed and i have time!!!!

[bigjackmac]

Thanks everyone, and take your time

V/R,
Jack

[petercooman]

Finally found the time to read the whole report, excellent fight sir!

Had a quick look, and panzerschrecks were after kursk. Your troops must have been very lucky that they were chosen to field test the prototypes 

[bigjackmac]

Peter,

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

Regarding the Panzerschrecks, what exactly did you find?  All I could find was "...based off the M1 'bazooka' captures in Feb 1943," and I found chatting between folks on the internet that said they weren't introduced until after Kursk, but I wasn't able to find anything about actual dates of issue/employment (well, just the year, 1943, but no month), or units/theater of issue (I gotta believe it would have gone to the Eastern Front before worrying about Sicily/Italy, but who knows).

Anyway, not saying I'm not wrong (I usually am), just was hoping for some sort of quasi-official reference.

V/R,
Jack

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Looks good !

[Ithoriel]

Firstly, great pics and a super AAR. Much appreciated.

Secondly, from my reading, the Faustpatrone, the Panzerfaust 30 and the Panzerschreck 43 all seem to have been issued to German troops in August 1943. The Panzerschreck 54, with the shield to protect the user, came in October 43.

[petercooman]

Peter,

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

Regarding the Panzerschrecks, what exactly did you find?  All I could find was "...based off the M1 'bazooka' captures in Feb 1943," and I found chatting between folks on the internet that said they weren't introduced until after Kursk, but I wasn't able to find anything about actual dates of issue/employment (well, just the year, 1943, but no month), or units/theater of issue (I gotta believe it would have gone to the Eastern Front before worrying about Sicily/Italy, but who knows).

Anyway, not saying I'm not wrong (I usually am), just was hoping for some sort of quasi-official reference.

V/R,
Jack

it is stated as august 43 but: 

"Due to several problems the first batch of "Ofenrohr" was delayed. The Heereswaffenamt Wa Prüf 11 was able to deliver the first production run of 1500 weapons and 5000 grenades for air transport to the front on the 5'th of October 1943"

original report on the production numbers


translated
https://www.bergflak.com/images/TAF2.pdf


all found here:    https://www.bergflak.com/pshistory.html

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Ithoriel and Ian, and Peter, holy crap!  Amazing!  Thanks a bunch, but for future reference, you don't have to go to Germany to get the actual orders!   I was just looking for the next level above "two guys I don't know over on a World War Two forum said they didn't arrive until after Kursk,"  whatever that may be.  And those were guys I don't know, I would believe you

V/R,
Jack

[petercooman]

, but for future reference, you don't have to go to Germany to get the actual orders!  

Don't mind, they make great food!

[FierceKitty]

Don't mind, they make great food!

We are talking about Germany here, aren't we?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

It is good if you like sausages !

[petercooman]

It is good if you like sausages !

We are talking about Germany here, aren't we?

We go to the christmass markets in Aachen and Köln, never ate anything there i didn't like!

Always bring home gingerbread hearts as well! 

[Womble67]

I really enjoyed this battle report

Take care

Andy

[bigjackmac]

Well, thanks and enjoy your sausages, then!

And thanks, Andy!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

German Assault on Karpunevka

It's 0630 on 7 July 1943 in western Russia, where the I Battalion, Panzer Grenadier Regiment 101, 18th Panzer Division is carrying out an assault on Soviet defensive positions in and around the village of Snava (which is also a Soviet supply depot) held by elements of the 2nd Battalion, 676th Rifle Regiment, 15th Rifle Division. This is part of the German offensive to eliminate the Kursk salient, specifically on the northern shoulder of the bulge, as German forces push towards Ponyri.

I am playing this game because I have the good fortune of being buddies with Steve of the "Sound Officer's Call" blog (https://soundofficerscall.blogspot.com/2019/10/firestorm-ponyri-station-campaign-first.html), and he is running a "Firestorm Ponyri" campaign. He is playing some games with his local buddies, but was unable to play all of the games himself; rather than simply 'dice off' for results of campaign fights they were unable to play on the table top, Steve asked if anyone in the blogosphere wanted to help, so here I am.

It's been a little bit of an issue that I literally just sold off a bunch of German late war gear, so I'm a bit understrength, but Steve is working with me to make sure the fights I get match up with the forces I have. This is the first fight I've played, and I hope it wasn't too much a pain for him, I certainly want to keep going! First, I love to play games; second, it's been way too long since I've played any Eastern Front games (maybe eight years or so?); and lastly, I'm a solo gamer that still craves some comradery, so whenever I can help another wargamer out, I'm always quick to jump at it.


Overview, north is up.  There are a couple primitive roads, mostly running north-south, with a couple patches of heavy wood in the west (left), a large, man-made pond in the south (center bottom right), and the village of Snava in the east (right).  Other than that it's flat terrain covered in crop fields broken up by a few stands of trees, with over grown brush flanking them.  The brush provides limited concealment, but no cover, and does not block line of sight.  The buildings of Snava are stout stone structures, offering good cover.

The orders of battle:

Germans
Battalion Commander
1st Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
2nd Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
3rd Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
Schwere Company (MG platoon of four MG-42s, mortar platoon of four 8.0cm tubes, infantry gun platoon of two 7.5cm guns, and an anti-tank platoon of two PaK-38 5.0cm guns)
Panzer Platoon (five Pz IIIJ with long 50mm)
Battery of 10.5cm Artillery (off table)
Flight of Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers (off table)

Soviet
Battalion Commander
1st Company (three rifle platoons of three rifle squads)
2nd Rifle Company (three platoons of three rifle squads)
Anti-Tank Rifle Platoon (3 x PTRS-41s)
Anti-Tank Platoon (4 x 45mm ATGs)
Field Gun Platoon (3 x 76.2mm "crash-boom" guns)
MG Platoon (4 x Maxim .30-cal MGs)
Mortar Platoon (3 x 82mm mortars)
Tank Platoon (three T-34/76s)

I'm playing in 10mm (figures, vehicles, and gear a mix of Pendraken and Minifigs UK) based at one stand=one squad, weapon, or vehicle. I'm playing this game using Too Fat Lardies' "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" rules, simplified a bit in terms of combat, morale, and movement.


And again, this time with troops present.  The Germans are attacking from the north (top); at top left is their 2nd Company, and at top center right is 1st Company, with their Schwere Company spread between them.  The Soviets are dug-in to four strongpoints:
1) Strongpoint Marta (in woods at left center), where they have 1st Platoon, 1st Company (platoon commander, three rifle squads, a Maxim .30-cal MG, and a 45mm anti-tank gun)
2) Strongpoint Katarina (in stand of woods at bottom center), where they have 2nd Platoon (1st Company, same as 1st Plt)
3) Strongpoint Masha (top right), where they have 3rd Platoon, 1st Company (same as 1st Plt)
4) the village of Nava (right), where they have 1st Platoon, 2nd Company (same as 1st Plt, 1st Co), a platoon of three 76.2mm 'crash booms,' and just in front of them, a platoon of anti-tank rifles dug-in in an ambush position
The Soviets have a platoon of 82mm mortar platoon of a PC and three tubes.

The German Panzer Platoon will start off table but come on as soon as possible following the initial strikes by supporting fires. The Germans are holding their 3rd Company and AT Platoon off table, in reserve.  The Soviets are holding 2nd Platoon, 2nd Company, and their T-34 platoon carrying 3rd Platoon, 2nd Company, off table in reserve.


On the German left, Schwere Company elements (infantry guns, machine guns, and mortars, bottom left) attempt to shoot 1st Company (top left) into Strongpoint Masha (top center, with Snava at top right).


The Soviets (bottom left) try to rally the defenders of Strongpoint Masha as the Germans advance (top right).  This would be location of some of the most bitter, vicious fighting ever seen on a tabletop!


Panzer IIIs advance under fire.


Though the Soviets had a rejoinder...


Of course, these really help.

[img width=600]To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2019/10/on-northern-shoulder-of-kursk-with_91.html

Well, that was a helluva fight!  I'm really loving how "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" is working out for these games, it's been a lot of fun.  I'd complain about how long they're taking, but, then again, it's kinda my fault: IABSM is designed to play reinforced company-sized games, but I'm playing battalion-sized games, so I really can't blame the rules.

I actually played two fights in Kursk this weekend, so stay tuned for the Soviet counterattack at Kastenwald!

V/R,
Jack

[paulr]