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

[Dog Soldier]

Russian Turn Eleven
10:00 23 January 1942 Visibility 4km

Eight Russian units rally. That brings me back to 22 units disrupted at the start of this turn, same as last turn. But can the rallies last?


Sukhinichi Front
A successful assault captures the trenches NW of Sukhinichi and five VP for the Russians. This move is a great stroke as it might force the Germans to change their dispositions in Sukhinichi. That might leave me with an opportunity for the rifle regiments north and east of the village to make their move to quickly grab those outer five point VP locations. That would put a squeeze on the German 216th ID.
Another cavalry regiment rallies. So far, the 83rd Cavalry is holding its own against a strong German attack by the 18th PD. I fear my boys will disrupt into a rabble here. As reluctant as I am to give up ground, I do not need the fatigue of a successful German assault. Nor can I afford to have a regiment or stack become surrounded.
I retreat the T-40 tank screen back one hex at a time. The deep snow prevents the Germans from assaulting the light tanks. I moved them to the railroad bend hex instead of the road to deny the Germans a chance to ‘get inside me’. The T40s are guarding both the road and railroad. There is open ground 2km to the SE which the Germans might try to use to turn my tanks’ flank. I must try and guard both approaches until I spot the second German recon unit again.


In the south the 322nd RD is retreating and trying to avoid losing any units to being surrounded by the Germans. All the same, the German direct fire attacks cause 30-40 casualties per German unit firing. Along with German artillery bombardments, this division is out action. I can only hope to retreat into the forest and the Germans will have better things to do than try and finish me off.

In the NW, both sides are exchanging mean faces with each other. Otherwise it is quiet. A few German artillery shots happen. I am moving the AA unit through the woods to join the eastern group. I am letting the Germans see this, so they may stretch their line to react to the mobility of the AA unit. In any case I think I will need the unit when the Germans get around to pushing NE up the road from Khludnevo.
The three remaining Areo sleighs are trying to sneak their way into the German center to cause some mischief.


Dog Soldier