SS Totenkopf - "Fire Brigade" (M44 Campaign)

[von Nev]

(Fast forward) Turn 18 - Full retreat for the 110th Infantry Division

The northern flank of Totenkopf that was being held by the 110th Infantry Division has been effectively breached and the division is in full retreat. Artillery is limbered up and beating a rapid escape westward to safety in Orsha across the Dnepr river. The problem is that the Dnepr is 35 km's away and the infantry division is foot mobile and being hounded by Russian tanks. I fear the worst for this division. The breach of the 110th's lines has caused a ripple effect on the whole northern flank as it unhinged the defense of the 260th Infantry Division and the 25th PzGrenadier Division (just off the page to the north). Both those divisions defenses, which represent most of the 27th Corps, are untenable with an exposed right flank so they too are in full retreat.



Just south of the 110th Inf Div, the firepower of Totenkopf and FHH has caused considerable damage and material losses on the Russian infantry and tanks that attempted to breach their lines. After a full afternoon of fighting, the Russian infantry retreated safely into the dark of night and the Russian armor (I believe) slipped north to beat up the retreating German infantry. However, because of the retreat of the 110th Inf Div, the left flank of Totenkopf is starting to be extended and it is just a matter of time before even Totenkopf will have to abandon its strong defenses as its flank will become more and more exposed. For now however, Totenkopf will stay in position and try to get some rest to recover losses and fatigue.