NGP85 "81: Better Dead than Red v1.1"

[JDR Dragoon]

Players notes and considerations.

This turn is mid-morning (08 to 10 am), Visibility is still 3 hexes (4,5 km).

Air is finally here: 4 ATAF reports that 2 Wings of German Alpha Jets (41st and 49th Jagdbombergeschwader, each 2 squadrons) plus the entire USAF 81st Tactical Fighter Wing (6 squadrons of A-10 Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft) are ready to support the struggle below. Reconnaissance is provided by a Wing of German F-4E (Aufklärungsgescwhader 51 w. 2 squadrons) and 2 US Wings (10th and 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, each 1 squadron) equipped w. the F-4E as well.

Roving WAPA fighter bombers and special forces continue to be a nuisance to units moving behind the front-lines. Here a Spetsnaz unit is spotted between Koblenz and Limburg, trying to interfere with the movement of the 64. Heimatschützbrigade. German TerritorialHeer units also succeed in rooting out a Spetsnaz unit that had the Autobahn between Wetzlar and Giessen under surveillance. So far things are going the right way in this regard.



The Polish army attacking the German III Korps sector is now positively identified as the mobilized Slaski Military Distrikt (also known as the Polish 2nd Army)



The Polish 2. Mechanized Division continues to steer clear of the West-German covering force, but the congregating polish T72 tanks and BMP units near Göttingen means, that the West-Germans might soon have to pull back anyway for fear of being outflanked. 4 ATAF support against detected enemy artillery positions here runs into SAM and fighter cover before they can engage. The 1000 VP hex at Göttingen also falls to the Reds this turn. Only 8000 VPs before I lose the game by default...




Further to the south, anotherPpolish division, the 5. Armored, is now positively identified. It is attacking intermixed with the 4. Mech Division. The danger of encirclement makes the W-German covering force pull slightly back. Alongside it, the 57th GMRD gradually forces the US covering force back towards the Fulda river, again by the gradual threat of a flanking maneuver.



The axis of advance for the 20th GMRD seems to have been adjusted slightly to the east, where the divisions reconnaissance units continue to probe the US 3rd Armored Divisions defenses without success. Further to the south, the extended 39th GMRD seems satisfied with further probing of the US covering forces as well and does not seem to want to try and force NATO aside.



In the Rhön mountains the remnants of the 39th GMRD increases the pressure on the 8th Infantry Divs. covering forces, but are still unable to really budge the Americans. The problem comes further to the south, where the 79th GTD, heavily supported by frontal aviation, causes high losses on the Ranger Battalion deployed here and advances into the forests north of Mellrichstadt. The situation is dangerous, because this area is the link between the US V and VII Corps. V Corps reacts immediately, sending in attack helicopters and a flight of A-10 aircraft, which disrupts the lead T64 battalion, causing heavy losses. The 3/8 Cavalry Squadron then immediately counterattacks in force, causing further losses. The enemy must either be stopped or heavily delayed here, otherwise he will outflank the defenses to both the north and south.




South of Mellrichstadt it is clear that the forces of the 79 GTD and 27th GMRD are trying to outflank and encircle the covering forces deployed in the city proper, heavily supported by attack helicopters. In order to be able to reconstitute a reserve, the commander of the 12. Panzer Division orders the covering forces to fall back, abandoning Mellrichstadt, but still demolishing the bridges between there and Bad Kissingen.




North of Pfarrweisach, the unit attacking is identified as the T64 equipped Tank Regiment of the 27th GMRD. It is quickly checked by the strong American forces here.

In the battle of Coburg however, disaster strikes. An attacking Tank Regiment of the 6th GTD, supported by fighter bombers, comes swinging out of the blue, hitting the 3rd Infantry Divisions screening forces east of the city. B Coy/1-30 Infantry Battalion, acting in support of the 2-64 Armor battalion is driven out of its position and destroyed by the enemy tanks and aircraft. The commander of the US 3rd ID reacts by sending in attack helicopters and A-10 ground attack planes, which cause heavy losses to the lead T64 battalions. It is however clear that the NATO position in Coburg is quickly becoming untenable. A gradual withdrawal towards Bamberg is ordered. This is bad news, since Coburg is worth another 1000 VPs....

This also means, that the 2nd CAVs positions near Kronach is becoming untenable as well. Again a gradual withdrawal is ordered back across the Main river and south towards Kulmbach, in order to avoid being encircled on the wrong side of the river. A possible further East-German Motorrifle Division is identified advancing towards Kronach from the east, making the US position here even more precarious.






The disengagement of forces near Kronach has a ripple effect on the forces near Hof as well, who begins to outright disengage in order to avoid being encircled form the north. Not before the advancing T72s of the newly identified East-German 7th Panzer Division receives a bloody nose though. They quickly pull back out of sight.






To the north of Hof more East-German HQs are detected, making it possible that a further division is lurking in reserve here.




The timely arrival of 4. ATAF swings the kill score firmly in NATOs favor. This also includes losses caused by interdiction to the advancing WAPA forces. But WAPAs score is still rising, chiefly due to the objectives captured.