Hello again, and welcome back to the Dark Ages!
Today, I'm trying out something new by introducing one of my other hobbies to the blog, and that is wargaming. In this case, computer war-gaming, using the fantastic strategic simulation series Combat Mission (Red Thunder module specifically, in this case). The battle I am showcasing is a bit of a one-sided affair, unfortunately, but they are not all like that, and if I keep up the regular e-mail games like I want to, as well as potentially some single-player action on occasion, I should be able to showcase fairly varied conflicts in the future. For now, a game between myself and my brother, I playing the Germans and he the Soviets.
SITUATION
The Germans are on the run from the Soviet steamroller. Somewhere in Eastern Europe, a reinforced Mechanized Reconnaissance unit of the Wehrmacht takes up position along an MSR (Main Supply Route) running East-West between two small farm compounds. They are closely pursued by Soviet armour, estimated to number approximately a company.
MISSION
Erste Panzer Aufklärung Battalion, under Generalmajor (If I'm interpreting Combat Mission's rank indication for my Battalion HQ correctly - though it seems a bit high of a rank for the situation!) Wünsche, is to seize and hold the farm complexes along route Bauer against Soviet attacks, in order to facilitate retreat of the Army Group deeper into Eastern Europe.
ENEMY
Enemy is estimated to be company-strength, heavily reliant on armour, though it will likely be large numbers of lower-grade soviet tanks. (It seems my brother wanted a massive tank battle, and not just an Eastern Front battle with tanks, as I understood it. This led to the significant quality difference in our forces. Oops. :S)
TROOPS
The Germans have a Reconnaissance Battalion of armoured cars, mostly with 20mm cannons, but some with heavier anti-tank armament. These have been reinforced by one Panzer VIE Tiger, and one Panzer VIB King Tiger, to lend them significant punch if proper lines of fire are established. Additionally, directly under HQ are a few dismounted scouts and tank hunters with panzerfaust disposable weapons and panzerschreck AT launchers, which will be best able to exploit terrain features as necessary.
TERRAIN
Here is the map we were working on (oriented from my deployment, at the bottom - North is left):
Now for a detailed analysis.
Observation - Right off the bat, the MSR is a long engagement area, broken up by a few rolls in the ground. It would be an optimal place for me to command as soon as possible. Similarly, the field in the North, bordered on both East and West side by treelines, is a long field of fire with a significant dip in the middle. Observation on it will be required, but troops will likely be able to maneuver in defilade if they move in quickly enough to be below the lip of the depression before my armoured cars push through the trees to watch over it. In the South, the two parallel treelines by the road break up line of sight significantly, and I will want to push at least into the nearest treeline to prevent the wide fields of fire across the farmland to the South from being dominated by the Soviets. That being said, its lines of fire to the East will be short, cut off by the next trees - here's hoping Soviet infantry with AT equipment aren't crawling in those by the time I get there!
Cover and Concealment - Of course, the treelines will provide excellent cover and concealment for overwatching fire. However, there is very little concealment or cover for forward movement. The MSR itself, lined on both sides by buildings and trees for much of its length, may provide a concealed avenue if it can be controlled, but enemy forces concealed to either side could inflict a lot of damage in an ambush. Worth noting as well are the dip in the North field and a low ridge in the South field, which may give my scouts just a bit of extra elevation, as well as somewhere to reverse behind and go gun-down if they come under fire.
Obstacles - No significant obstacles. The farmhouses are not very numerous and don't impede maneuvering much. The forests could slow vehicular movement, and we are very low on infantry to counteract that.
Key Terrain - The treelines to North and South, dividing us from the Soviet axis of advance, are Key Terrain, as they will dominate the flanks of any approach on the MSR, and will provide optimal control over both their fields and the centre. The chokepoint on the MSR at the crossroads is also Key Terrain, as it sits in a small depression and is surrounded by trees - vehicles, supported by infantry, that move in there will be able to deliver fire and disappear in any or all directions as needed.
Avenues of Approach - I identify 3 main avenues of approach : AoA North, across the Northern field, AoA Centre, down the MSR, and AoA South, across the Southern field. Notable is the fact that AoA South is open for me, but the treelines are nearest the Soviet approach. We will have to seize the treeline quickly or else lose control of that AoA immediately.
Here is an annotated map, for visualizing my analysis :
TIME
There is 1 hr and 30 min allocated to this operation, though likely, based on formation sizes, time will not be a major factor.
SCHEME OF MANOEUVRE
I intend to allocate my troops to Key Terrains 1 and 2 in particular, with the King Tiger maintaining control of Route Bauer, in order to establish control of the 3 AoAs. I expect the Soviets will mount an attack to seize those features as well. When that attack is repelled, we will mount a counter-attack along whatever route seems most advantageous, based on what we can establish of enemy dispositions after their attack.
Okay, with all of the planning out of the way, now for....
EXECUTION
The first minute of the battle is fairly uneventful, with my troops moving to their assigned positions. The Heavy Armoured Cars and Support Platoon to KT 2, 2 Section and Soldat (!? I'm really not sure about these rank insignia...) Reinhardt in the Tiger to KT 1, Soldat Pälke in the King Tiger to a small ridge to observe KT 4 from a hull-down position, and HQ to the centre with the Armoured Car Platoon pushing forward to get into KT 4 if possible, and report on enemy positions if not. The dismounts are, well, mounted, riding our tanks to take up positions in the woods near KT 1 and 4 - I don't estimate hand-held weapons will help much across AoA North, but they could be invaluable in the short spaces along the MSR and in KT 1.
Here's a flavour shot of our King Tiger and its eager riders!
Within the next minute, Palke is in position, the infantry dismount, and the armoured cars begin setting up observation wherever they are able to break through the trees. As we begin setting up, we make our first contact with the enemy :
Two T-34s are spotted, one after the other, at the far end of the MSR. Credit for this image goes to Obergefreiter Knappe, who snapped it from the back of the advancing King Tiger! The King Tiger then repositions slightly to watch the road more effectively. All teams then come to report good positioning in their Key Terrain. So far, a success.
Reinhardt, however, is not content with observing from his Tiger. Shortly after he dismounts his Tank hunters, he spots a T-34 coming through the opening in the woods ahead of him. One shot from the 88mm dispatches it fairly quickly, and he turns to congratulate his gunner, when... another T-34, then a third, come along the same route! Of course, Reinhardt has his eye on an Iron Cross today...

That's one T-34 burning in the background, a second (the lead) knocked out - you can just see the driver laying down to take cover ahead of it - and the third about to receive a warm German greeting on behalf of Reinhardt's crew. With elation in his voice, he reports a squadron of T-34s out of commission in the South. A good start! Cautiously, Reinhardt begins repositioning, pulling out behind the woods before his position can be engaged by any additional potential enemies. Those potential enemies, of course, oblige by immediately rushing into the opening, just as Reinhardt loses the ability to engage them. (Good Soviet tactics...)
An SU-76 self propelled gun and a T-34 pull up to the woods, halting just short to hunt for a Tiger that is fortunately now out of sight behind the trees (though, to be fair, I would not have favoured their odds against the front of the Tiger in any case. Of course, we didn't let those Panzer hunters ride a Tiger all the way to the front just because their legs were tired.
(The beige spot between the trees ahead of the Tank Hunters is the Panzerfaust's shaped charge in flight - spoiler alert, it connects)
With the SPG destroyed, Kruger (the Tank Hunter team leader) and his fireteam partner are ordered to try engaging the T-34 just to their front. All others hold their breath, as more vehicles are heard approaching to the North. My estimate now of a company of armour seems bang on, with their likely disposition being 3 North, 3 Centre, and 3 South, with HQ tanks and their augmentations of SPGs as the unknown agent that could pop up at any location.
Well, I need to head out and finish up my evening, so stay tuned for Part 2, in which the Soviet attack begins in earnest, and the Germans prepare for their own counterattack!