Moscow '42 AAR: Sukhinichi II : We Will Rescue You

[Strela]

End of German Turn 11; January 23 1000 - 1200

The 3 to 1 ratio of Soviet to Axis losses is gone this turn. 100 Germans fall to 180 Russians - certainly a more sustainable ratio for Stalin's men. The loss ratio was enough to add 6 victory points moving the total to 331 and a draw result for the Germans. It looks like a long way to get a major victory.



The supply situation does not improve from the prior turn. The number of artillery units unavailable actually increases by 1 to 11. All HQ's are in supply, other than 18th Panzer Division. The loss of artillery in the last two turns is unfortunate due to the number of visible targets - visibility has been 4 km's allowing any Soviet attack to be seen long before it can engage.




In the 339th Infanterie sector, a Mexican stand-off ensues. The open ground around the victory locations on the highway is proving too difficult for the Soviets to approach. With clear weather and a number of hexes of clear terrain to traverse, the German Corp artillery gets multiple shots on any approaching enemy battalions. This works both ways with the Soviet artillery starting to target visible German guns in the open. The Russians are obviously planning another probe towards Zimnitsy using the lower ground. This will fail like the Soviet efforts further north.




208th Infanterie continues to push into the forest south east of Vertnore. At Duminich, the Soviet infantry regiment has been disrupted including its flanking battalions. Retreat paths are compressing the Soviets into one area. Is there a chance of a pocket? To take advantage of any opportunity the defending infantry from Duminich advance to maintain contact with the disorganised Russians. Further north, the Soviet light tanks slowly retreat up the road, blocking the recon troops from advancing too quickly, but also preventing any cloase assault.




18th Panzer Division is out of command and out of artillery. The Division continues to slowly pull back from the hill west of Sukhinichi. The threadbare nature of the front is obvious from the opposing units. The German 20mm SP AA is required to cover 4 hexes and if the opposing Soviet recon rallies in serious danger of being swept away by an infantry assault. These microcosms of battle are evident all along the front. The Soviet Cavalry continue to shoot up the opposing German infantry. The losses there is proving unsustainable with another 23 men lost and the armored infantry forced to pull back a hex. These losses are being taken while the Cavalry are disrupted. It’s scary to think of what might have happened if they were good order. The Soviet 10 VP hex looks ripe for the taking. Another defending Soviet battalion is disrupted by direct fire. Hopefully the Russians aren't watching the defending Germans too closely. The infantry sent forward to take on the Soviets have only left some light AT guns and out of fuel panzers - very vulnerable to Soviet infantry. It's definitely the time of expedience....



Both sides are weary. Losses are mounting and it is only the German ability to break up the Soviet attacks before they can close assault that is keeping them in the game. How to move from adraw to a win is currently looking tough.