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

[Strela]

End of German Turn 15; January 23 1800 - 2400 Visibility 1 KM (Night)

With the coming of night, operations slow down. Two days of fighting in the snow has taken its toll on both sides with casualties still reasonably high for the last turn at 160 & 90 for the Soviets and Germans respectively. Victory points move up significantly to 347 due to the destruction of 12 Soviet AA guns.



Though only one HQ is out of command, ten artillery units are unavailable. This will impact the Axis ability to fatigue visible enemy units without employing its own ground troops. Significantly, the disrupted Infanterie battalion in the Sukhinichi defensive perimeter rallies up and is in a position to counterattack.



There is no contact at all in 339th Infanterie Divisions sector. There is a good chance of continued strength recovery overnight and a push north east up the highway towards Verk' Syaglova in the morning. The six Infanterie Battalions average strength is 650 men apiece.


208th Infanterie continues to push south through the forest, but rarely have the movement points to move and fire. The artillery though takes the opportunity to punish the spotted Soviet units - particularly the opposing Divisional HQ. The recon probe towards Proloskoye is blocked by the opposing Soviet cavalry, necessitating a more southerly approach.



Further up the highway towards Sukhinichi the other German recon companies continue to push back the Soviet light tanks. It is now looking like the nearby 10 VP objective could be taken by coup de main.



At Sukhinichi, the assault by II Battalion is successful and the perimeter defences are recovered. South of the town the defending Battalions are worn down with most low on ammo and with a base morale of D. The lack of artillery is preventing any aggressive attempts to disrupt the concentrated opposing Soviets who are using full stacks to inflict on going heavy casualties. All in all as many units as possible are trying to rest.



With darkness falling there is a hope that there will be some recovery of fatigue and losses overnight. All will depend upon whether the Soviets have available artillery to harass and disrupt the resting German troops.