Kharkov '43, Krasnyy-Liman or Bust AAR

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 08:19 AM,

[Image: 0600%2001%20Feb%201943%20North.png]

In the north, 35th Guards Rifle Division had expanded their bridgehead and were massing to attack their second objective. They still had their eyes on objectives farther to the west, but 19th Panzer, snow, and time would work against them.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 08:25 AM,

[Image: 0600%2001%20Feb%201943%20Center.png]

The main show for this scenario, naturally, is the Krasnyy Liman sector. 38th Guards Rifle is driving on K L from the northeast. 195th Rifle, with some assistance from 38th Guards, has taken Torskaya. But 195th is still licking its wounds from the assault on Torskaya, and it's slow going to Krasnyy Liman, even in march mode on these snowy roads.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 08:36 AM,

[Image: 0600%2001%20Feb%201943%20South.png]

In the south, 4th Guards Tank Corps is almost completely deployed by now. They have their eyes set on three crossings of the Severnyy Donets, but haven't taken any crossings yet. And the clock is ticking away.

To the east, remnants of the 41st Guards Rifle Division, along with some of the slower elements of the 14th Guards Tank Brigade, have eyes on panzer grenadiers in the objective location to their south. If a significant number of them head west to deal with 4th Tank Corps, maybe we can still gain that objective... Waiting

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 08:41 AM,

Dennis, Landser34, I hope you'll post in here. I'd like some insight on what was going on at OKH during all this, and for you to provide some balance to my commentary.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:02 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20Final%20positions.png]

Here are final positions for the German and Russian units at games end, 1400 1 Feb 1943. A bust for the Russians since the Germans still held Krasnyy Liman.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:05 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20Final%20positions%20north.png]

In the north, 35th Guards Rifle Division took two of their objectives. Going after the third would have left them overextended, if they would have had time to push farther.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:08 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20Final%20positions%20center.png]

The area in the center around the main objective, Krasnyy Liman. 38th Guards Rifle Division was knocking at the door, but resistance from 19th Panzer was too much.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:10 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20Final%20position...0Rifle.png]

Remnants of the 41st Guards Rifle Division crossed the river once again, but the objective was too heavily defended by 27th Panzer Div.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:12 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20Final%20position...0Corps.png]

4th Guards Tank Corps captured one crossing of the Severnyy Donets in the east, but the other two could not be taken.

MikeC · 02-10-2019, 01:15 PM,

[Image: 1400%201%20Feb%201943%20tally.png]

The game ended a hard fought draw. Thanks Landser34 for a great game!

I welcome any and all comments on the AAR format, operational planning, or the scenario in general. Thanks for your interest!

Mike