New scenario (vets only)

[Mad Russian]

Here is more information about the battle for Shklov. It is from a scenario I made long ago but it might still prove interesting. Owls version of the fight for the bridgehead sounds interesting as well. I couldn't find the scenario in the playtesting section of H2H Productions either. Does anyone know where this scenario can be found?

Good Hunting.

MR



11 July, 1941, Shklov, Russia

The Battle:

During July of 1941 the German Army was moving deeper into Russia. The German advance had covered most of the distance from the border to Moscow in just weeks. Shklov was on the east side of the Dnepr River.
The Red Army for the most part had proven to be a paper tiger, big and threatening, but with some notable exceptions, toothless.

No war had ever seen such an advance. The Red Army fought very well at times, competently at times and not at all about half the time. In the town of Shklov was one of the times they fought very well.

The town was home to an officer cadet training school. The officer cadets were known as "Stalin's Scholars". This was one of the few elite units in the Red Army. As the Germans approached the cadets immediately formed a defense unit to protect the town, and the school.

The 10th Panzer Division had crossed the Dnepr near Shklov and attempted to take the town. When 10th Panzer Division tried to enter the town, they were met by the officer cadets and beaten back. Using all of the advantages of the defender, the officer cadets stopped all attempts by the Germans to take the town. Not only did they keep the Germans out of the town, but they destroyed several assault guns in the process.

The Germans responded by sending for the Gross Deutschland Motorized Infantry Regiment. The Regiment was known world wide as the "GD". They were well equipped and highly trained. The 1st Battalion was given the assignment of taking Shklov.

During the German attack fighting developed around the central buildings of the town. The officer cadets tried to get some of their teachers out of town but the GD stopped them. The Germans then succeeded in driving the Soviet's back into the woods at the edge of town.

Many of the finest men of two nations were left on the field that day.

Notes: I have searched high and low for more information on this fight. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find much.

The GD did not become the elite unit it is famous for until 1942. There were times in the early part of the invasion when they didn't fight well. Shlkov was not one of those places. Here the GD fought very well. After all they did go to school.

Some of the best units in the Red Army were formed from the cadre and cadets of schools. The Officer Training School at Shlkov was certainly one of those.


Reference Material:

Hitler Moves East 1941-1943 by Paul Carell pg. 83

ASL Scenario T4: Shklov's Labors Lost

Panzer Grenadier Division 'Grossdeutschland' by Bruce Quarrie

Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland by Horst Scheibert