Smolensk '41 Camapign Game AAR

[larsonney]

I recently started a campaign game of the Drive on Smolensk in the new Gold version, and wanted to let you follow my journey as the Huns, sweeping the peasants aside on our way to Moscow! 
 
My worthy opponent is Baelfiin, and we are already in day 4, turn 37. The AAR will be a twice daily format, with dawn and dusk updates. I will start with my overall strategy in this post and then start working on daily updates. 
 
Baelfiin and I play at a pretty fast clip, but I obviously will keep a 1-2 day (In game turns) delay in posting so that my honorable opponent is kept in the dark as to my operational intentions if need be!
 
Here is the Smolensk planning map with my strategic plan laid out:


  Opening Battle Plan.jpg (Size: 197.5 KB / Downloads: 64)
 
XXXIX Panzer Corps
 
20th Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance north of the Dvina River, destroying the 168th RD and approach Vitebsk from the northwest, hopefully trapping the 128th RD from crossing the Luchesa river and blocking the 214th RD from moving south of Gorodok if they do so. Secondary objectives-From Vitebsk, move east to along the line Yanovich-Dedenki-Novoselt'sy-Yashina-Donets to arrive north of Smolensk as the northern pincer to take the city.  

18th Motorized-Initial objectives-Will advance south of the Dvina River, being the northern pincer that pockets the 7th Mech Corps before it can withdraw across the Luchesa River. Once that's done, cross the Luchesa and secure Vitebsk, destroying the 153rd RD. Secondary objectives-From Vitebsk, move southeast along the line Gornevo-Liozno-Rudnya-Kovali-to arrive west of Smolensk as the center vise to take the city.  
 
7th Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance northeast to the Dvina River, being the southern pincer that pockets the 7th Mech Corps before it can withdraw across the Luchesa River. Once that's done, cross the Luchesa, destroying the 223rd RD. Secondary objectives-From Vitebsk, move northeast along the line Goryane-Surazh-Velizh-Demidov-to position a push towards Yartsevo.  
 
20th Motorized -Initial objectives-Will advance south of Vitebsk and cross the Luchesa River. Once across hold the south flank and hold/destroy the 229th RD, securing the right flank of 7th & 12th Panzers drive northeast. Secondary objectives-From Vitebsk, move northeast along the line Goryane-Surazh-Velizh-Demidov-to position a push towards Yartsevo.  
 
12th Panzer-Initial objectives- Will advance south of Vitebsk and cross the Luchesa River. Once across, take the vanguard with 7th panzer and 20th motorized. Secondary objectives-From Vitebsk, move northeast along the line Goryane-Surazh-Velizh-Demidov-to position a push towards Yartsevo.  
 
XXXXVII Panzer Corps
 
17th Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance east towards Stayki and fix the 5th Mech Corps to the Dvina River. Once 5th Mech Corps is destroyed, move southeast and cross the Dnepr north of Orsha and drive easterly along the line Dubrovno-Lyady-Krasnyy. Secondary objectives-From Krasnyy, move northeast to position as the southern pincer of a Smolensk encirclement.
 
18th Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance northeast and assist in the destruction of 5th Mech Corps, then pivot  southeast and cross the Dnepr north of Orsha and drive easterly along the line Dubrovno-Lyady-Krasnyy. Elements of the division will move to pocket and destroy the remnants of the 64th & 108th RDs behind the German lines. Secondary objectives-From Krasnyy, move northeast to position as the southern pincer of a Smolensk encirclement.  
 
29th Motorized -Initial objectives- Will advance northeast and fix the 73rd RD & 109th MD northeast of Orsha, slowly pushing west towards Makarova. Secondary objectives-Advance due east north of the Dnepr River.  
 
XXXXVI Panzer Corps
 
10th Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance east and cross the Dnepr south of Shklov. Elements of the division will move to pocket and destroy the remnants of the 100th & 161th RDs behind the German lines. Secondary objectives-Move east towards Gorki, being able to pivot north or south depending on need. The Dnepr crossing should force the abandonment of the Dnepr defense line by the Russians, providing encirclement opportunities.
 
SS Das Reich Motorized-Initial objectives-Will advance east and capture Mogilev, and secure a crossing across the Dnepr. Secondary objectives-Advance northeast to Mstislavl-Yelnya.
 
GrossDeutschland Infanty Regiment -Initial objectives- Will advance east and capture Mogilev, and secure a crossing across the Dnepr. Secondary objectives-Advance northeast to Mstislavl-Yelnya.  
 
XXIV Panzer Corps
 
10th Motorized-Initial objectives-Will advance east and cross the Dnepr at Mogilev, then steer southeast and advance to Krichev-Roslavl.
 
3rd Panzer-Initial objectives-Will advance east and cross the Dnepr at Mogilev, then steer southeast and advance to Krichev-Roslavl.