Kursk: Operation Edelweiss by Gary Cobleigh

[Mr Grumpy]

Kursk: Operation Edelweiss

Kursk Hypothetical Campaign Game: Historically, not only were the Russians ready for the German offensive on the Kursk Salient, They new exactly when it was coming. Russian spies had provided Stalin detailed information on the offensive months earlier. Marshal Zhukov and successfully argued that the best way to defeat the German attack was to build a defense in depth. By July 5th 1943, The Russians had constructed 6 separate defensive belts complete with mines, barbed wire, bunkers, antitank traps and Miles of infantry trenches. It turned out to be an impossible Task for the Wehrmacht to reduce the Salient. But what if the German operational planners were made aware of the Russian defenses and had time to augment operation Citadel with counter measures. But what would these measures be? Col. Gen. Kurt Student was brought in and was given the task of putting together an Airborne Operation that would break up the Salient. He returned with plans to drop Three Fallschirmjager Divisions (26,000 men) deep into the Salient behind the Russian defensive belts. They would capture Kursk and Oboyan and the important bridges across the Seym and Psel rivers. And then they would dig in and wait the arrival of the Panzer Divisions. This plan was code named Operation Edelweiss. Student argued that the Russians would be eager to get at the Fallschirmjager units and would have to weaken their outer defenses to do so. (This Hypothetical assumes that Hitler didn't sour on large scale German airborne operations after Crete and in fact allocated resources to Student to develop a full Army (FJAOK 1). Many in the Wehrmacht wanted to break up his command and use his men as normal foot soldiers, So Student was eager to prove that a large Airborne Operation could be successful and that his men were the best soldiers in the Fatherland. Many Wehrmacht Generals argued that it would be days before the FJ Divisions could be relieved and that it would be impossible for them to hold out that long against a determined enemy. But Student brushed there concerns aside and argued that his men had been Training for two years and were ready for anything. By June, Hitler was desperate for a victory and after hearing Student's confidence in his men, gave the order to include Operation Edelweiss In the overall campaign plans for operation Citadel. One element that Student didn't emphasis though was the shortage of transport Plans. It would take three days to get all the men and artillery Into the salient. Also, Student had no way of knowing that his Men would be dropping right on top of 8 Russian Tank Corps! On the Russian side, they where confident that they were ready for the Germans, so when the first Fallschirmjager units began to drop from the sky in the early morning hours of July 5th, a command paralysis of several hours ensued. Adding to this confusion was reports that Germans, disguised as Russian couriers were passing out false orders to Russian units. (This scenario is best with explicit supply).

Large Scenario 121 turns, Designer Gary Cobleigh

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