Dog Fight - Ostkreig Tournament Round 1

[Dog Soldier]

AAR Drive over the Dnepr (H2H)
S41 Scenario xp2 Mogilev_PBEM (HTH)
Axis player von Nev
Allied player Dog Soldier

This is a HTH version of the stock Mogilev scenario modified by Foul and tested on the blitz HTH site. The game has been tweaked to promote a more even match for PBEM play. Optional rules that are required by the play testing are Artillery Set Up, Recon Spotting, Optional Surrender, Quality Fatigue Modifier, Night Fatigue and Programmed Weather.

Forces
The Germans will have the 10th panzer division and the 10th motorized infantry division entering from the west darning the morning of the first day, July 9, 1941. Later, on the morning of July 10, 1941 the SS infantry regiment Reich will join the fray. The German forces trickle onto the board over four turns each morning, so they will not be concentrated until the early afternoon, maybe 14:00 hours if I am lucky.

The Russians will have an all infantry force starting on board with four rifle divisions. They are the 53rd, 110th,172nd, and 187th from north to south spread along the Dnepr River and in the eastern edge of Mogilev. The 53rd is under strength as only two of the three regiments are in this scenario. There are plenty of mines, trenches, and few bunkers in Mogilev for the defenders. Supporting these divisions are elements of the 20th Mechanized Corps, 26th and 38th tanks without their armor, and a regiment of the 20th motorcycle. The tank infantry are dug in south of the city guarding the river where it leaves Mogilev and the only two bridges in the scenario. The infantry of these three formations only total 5,000 men. The tank divisions infantry are on foot with no trucks available. Only the motorcyclists are mobile. North of the city and west of it along the Dnepr River are the six battalions of the 210th motorized infantry division, again with out transport. Reinforcements are the 148th infantry division and a regiment from the 137th infantry division. To counter the panzer thrusts the Russians are going to have to leg it.

Russian pre game plan.
The Russians start the game fixed except a few mobile recon companies. For the most part, until released, I will dig in and hope the Germans make the mistake of releasing my forces before the Germans have entered their full forces. If the Germans attack piecemeal, I will have a good chance of wearing them down. I plan to use my reinforcements for a concentrated counter attack against the most vulnerable part of the German lines. I expect my at start forces can be concentrated quickly enough on this small battlefield to slow any German thrust until the reinforcements. That will be tough. There are 25 turns.
That said, everything will depend on the German moves as they will have the initiative. If I can defend well and react to von Nev’s moves, I can have a chance to take that initiative late in the game to halt his attack.
I am willing to give up the VP hexes for the most part to prevent any exit by the Germans. I expect the enemy to cross the river in the north and drive straight for the exits.

At start, 06:00AM July 9, 1941


The Germans will need 1,300 + VP for a draw, 1,750 VP for a minor and 2,150 VP for a major. There are only 900 VP in hexes, so the Germans must exit or obtain a very favorable casualty ratio to win. The second day will be decisive. My best hope is von Nev will fell the time pressure. If he rushes the attack I could wreck his force before it concentrates. I doubt he will give me the opportunity, but a Russian in S41 must be patient and have sang froid!

Dog Soldier