0724_01 Forward Group Kachlov - PzC 01 Smolensk '41

Stadolishche, 75km SE of Smolensk on the road to Roslval: By the 24th of July, the Battle of Smolensk was well into its second phase, with the Germans pressing to close gap and completely encircle the Russian Armies with their mobile Panzer forces. The 46th Panzer Corps had pushed on Yelnya to occupy the high ground for the next phase of the drive to Moscow while the 47th Panzer Corps was taking a well-needed rest. One division, the 17th Panzer was out of action for refit, and the other, the 18th Panzer was regrouping in the area of Pochinok. The infantry of the motorized Gross Deutschland Regiment held the German right flank. Meanwhile, the Infantry Corps (foot and horse bound types) were just struggling to catch up to the advancing army. This was the time the Soviets felt they should counterattack. Group Kachlov formed from the 28th Army was giving the task of striking hard into the German southern flank. History and hindsight has taught us that Russian counterattacks in 1941 were doomed to fail. For this scenario to reflect the events of this two day battle, it should be approached with an aggressive Human as the Russians Player against either the Computer Opponent or another Human Player. [3200 sq Km - 22 Turns]