Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

Discussions on WW2 and pre-WW2 related movies, games, military art and other fiction.
PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#1

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 20 Jan 2018, 20:53

1943 The Red Army was brought up to strength in Material and Manpower with considerable combined force capability. To augment this Capability the number of working Headquarters also increased to allow large scale operations to be more ably carried out than before.

Generally Soviet Breakthru Operations at Melitopol included at number of Tactical Units involved , Air Divisions-Tank Divisions-Artillery Divisions-Rifle Divisions. Generally Tactical Units were of Battalion Strength according to 1936 Field Regulations. Tactical Units were Generally not Radio Linked to each other to a Tactical Headquarters to coordination each tactical Unit at the point of attack resulting in tactical congestion high losses and short range objectives or gains. The Bloc type Formations according to Field Regulations 1936 resulted in High Losses against German Tactics of Interlocking Fire from all Automatic Weapons /Guns, setup on a Ranging System of Markers setup at intervals of 100meter/200 meter rangers with range cards to automatically adjust fires for maximum concentration.

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#2

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 20 Jan 2018, 21:27

Advanced Squad Leader Scenario using Beyond Valor Module

Scenario Title Mixed Bag at Melitopol
Date: 23 Oct 1943
Location; Melitopol Russia
Situation: Soviet General Tolbukhins 4th Ukrainian Front Objective was to take Melitopol and close up to and cross the Dnepr before German Units could construct Heavy Field Defenses. The German Command Viewed Melitopol with Equal Concern and Dubbed Melitopol a Fortress. German Troops deployed to Melitopol found few field works and hastily dug AT Ditches along the Molochnaya River.

Board alignment: Board 22 Hexrow A West Hexrow GG East
59 Hexrow A West Hexrow GG East

Victory Conditions; Russians Win if they have control of any one Bridge and one building Location west of that Bridge. AFV Crews may not voluntarily abandon Vehicles.

Balance: German Player Exchange 8-0 Leader of 8-1 and Replace MMG with HMG. Add one Trench Counter
Russian Player add one 8-0 Leader and one ATR /Anti Tank Rifle to OB

German Setup First
Russian Move First
Turns 1 2 3 4 5
Elements of German Army Setup as Indicated ELR 4 SAN 4
Setup Hexrow AA to East side River Leaders 8-0 x 2/ 2ndl Line Squad 447/Conscript squads 436 x 6/Support Weapons LMG x 2/Panzer Shcrek/
Crew x 5 37l Flak 36- 37L AT Gun- 81 mm Mortar
Security Elements: Pillbox 1-5-7 w/Trench Must Setup B 59 With HMG
Pillbox 1-3-5 w/Trench Must Setup B 22 with MMG
Fortifications: Wire x 5/AT Ditch x 2/Fortified Building Location x 1/Road BLock Counter x 1
Garrison Elements setup B22 Hex K10 9-1/838-DC/LMG-Hex J9 Opel Blitz w Flamethrower Counter/-Hex H6 Opel Blitz with HMG Counter-Hex H 4 Building 8-1/467 anywhere in Building-Hex D3 SPW 251 Halftrack- Hex C3 548 squad LMG-
Hex I 3 German Player choose one of Following: StuGIIIG-PZJG TIger 88LL-PZJGIII/IV88LL- PzAIII/IV 150mm SPA
Rein Panzer Strike Group Enter on after Tun 1 B 22 Hex GG1 PZVD Panther-SPW 251 Halftrack- 10-3 Leader-838 squad-DC-LMG-Flamethrower

Elements of Russian Army 4th Ukrainian Front Enter on After Turn 1 East Edge Board 22-59 ELR 4 SAN 4
Each Group must enter as Given , after map entry Units may be regrouped
Russian Player may choose which Group enters on After Turn one
1. T34 M41 x 3 must enter in Platoon Movement order- leader 7-0 -SMG Squads 527 x 3- Support Weapons LMG-DC May enter as Riders or on Foot
2.ZIS 5 x 4 Trucks-Leader 9-2-Conscript Squads 426 x 8 -Support Weapons HMG/ATR all must enter as passengers
3. BA 6 x 4 Must enter in Platoon Movement Order of 2 Vehicles per Platoon or 4 Vehicle Platoon
4. KV I M42 IAG 6 Truck Artillery obr 38 152 mm ART- Crew x 2 - MMG
5. Leader 9-0- Conscript 426 x 14- Support Weapons ATR- 50 mm obr 40 Mortar x 2
SSR:
1. EC Are moderate with no wind at start
2. Roof Top Rules are in Play
3. German Panzer Faust Range is One Hex
4. German May Fortify one Building Loc
5. Grain Hexes are Brush
After Math: The Russian advance toward Melitopol confined mainly to Roads, was stalled by German Machine Gun and Artillery Fire.
General Tolbukhin was then authorized to use Stavka Reserves to decide the issue.


PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#3

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 25 Jan 2018, 20:55

The rapidly changing events on the Eastern Front resulted in Field Regulation revisions to FR 1936 in an attempt to redress past ineffective establishment- further revisions remained an administrative action in an ongoing process for the duration to correct past operational mistakes .
Exact Field Regulation establishments for every formation was not possible in the hectic scramble to meet Stalins orders for General Counteroffensive
Operations across the entire Front. To meet Operational Levels, the Basic FR 1936 template allowed improvised/provisional establishments of whatever was avail or on hand that could be organized into makeshift formations of Rifle Elements, usually untrained conscripts. Veteran Formations/Guards Formations usually were better equipped with higher establishments. Establishments aside, the Rifle Division remained the Primary Tactical Unit by means of Rifle/Manpower establishment , lowest Tactical Operational Unit authorized at Battalion Strength , was deemed the strength factor sufficient to take and hold a front line position, by means of Rifle fire as the most effective form of Tactical FP, in keeping with that Long Standing establishment.

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#4

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 26 Jan 2018, 19:14

Ref Source: Through the Malestrom by Boris Gorbachevsky recounts a disastrous Rifle Battalion action 1942 , combined force operation vs German pre registered lines of Fire.

Scenario replay: Turn one Russian Player selects Armor Car E and Armor Car C( ID #) Platoon start action B 22 Scout West along GG 6 Road, Armor Car C-D Platoon Enter B 22 Hex GG 9 To B 59 Brush Hexes.
T 34 Platoon 3 T 34 M41 Follow AC Platoon Down B 22 Road- Following That, Rifle Elements 9-0 426 x 14 - enter B 22 on Both sides GG 6 Road-
9-0 Leader 426 x 6 ATR - sw 50 mm Mortar x 2 426 x 2 North of Road - 426 x 6 South of B 22 GG 6 Road

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#5

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 27 Jan 2018, 21:20

The Armor Car Platoon will use Bounding First Fire to move along the B 22 GG 6 Road to Hexrow AA to see if anything is blocking the Road, Armor Cars and Trucks cannot cross Trenches-Walls-Hedges- Bounding First Fire using on Board MG s moving 3 FP - 6 FP Point Blank Range vs unconcealed German Units will be used , with any luck , the Armor Cars will draw enough fire to allow Rifle Elements to Close up. The objective is the B 22 Stone Building to lock this Building down, to use as a Staging Area to push on the the B 22 Bridge directly West. If the German Road Block on The Road Hexrow AA, the T 34 Platoon will Swing around to cross the Wall, using Bounding First Fire to clear German Squads- to gain advance position at the Stone Building.
The loss of Armor Cars and T 34 s is Troubling, but a likely Probability, in such a Trade off- the RIfle Elements will be steadily if not slowly moving up.
The Rifle Elements south of the Road are no match for the Panzer Strike Group, if a battle occurs the Panzer Strike Group may be caught in a compromise situation by follow up Russian Artillery Element KV 1 Tank

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#6

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 09 Feb 2018, 18:50

Scenario Replay setup Changes: Initial setup changes to improve play factor
German Setup First
Russian Move First
TURN 1 2 3 4 5
Victory Conditions: B 22 Stone Building X7 B 59 6 Stone Row house Locations: The Russians win at Game End if they have a Good Order Infantry MMC in any Location of Both Buildings. Building B22 X 7 is a Fortified Building. All Buildings in German Setup Area Hex row AA West are German Controlled at Start

1. Russian Forces Setup on East Hexrow DD Map Board 22 Map Board 59 ELR 4 SAN 4
2. Russian O/B Scaled Down:
Group 1 9-0 Leader/426 Conscript Squads x 14/Support Weapons MMG x 2/50mm Mortar x 2/ATR
Group 2 T34/M41 x 3/ SMG Squads 527x 3/7-0 Leader/Support Weapons LMG/Demo Charge
Setup as Riders or as Infantry
Group 3 BA 6 Armor Car x 2
Group 4 9-2 Leader/Conscript Squad x 8/Support Weapons HMG 6-12/ATR/ Transport ZIS 5 Truck x 4
Setup as passengers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
German Forces Setup on West Hexrow AA B 22 - B 59 ELR 4 SAN 4
Security Elements setup Hexrow AA to River
467 1st line Squad/447 Second line Squad/Leader 8-0/ Support Weapons /HMG-LMG-Panzer Schreck- Trench
Crew x 5/37L Flak/37L AT Gun/81mm Mortar/1-5-7 PIillbox HMG/1-3-5 Pillbox/Trench/MMG
Fortifications: Wire x 5/AT Ditch x 2/ Road Block
Garrison Ellement setup West River B 22 Building P8 436 Conscript x 2/Leader 8-1/Support Weapons LMG/ Opel Blitz Truck x 2
Reserve; JG TIger Ferdinand setup West of River or one of the other Reserve Elements available
Panzer Strike Group Enter on After Turn one B 22 any North Board Edge Hex; PZ VD Panther/ SPW 251 Halftrack/ 838 Elite Squad/10-3 Leader/Support Weapons LMG-DC-Flamethrower


Additional SSR: Any German Unit in Fortified Stone Building B 22 X 7 is Fanatic Roof Top Rules are in effect

Soviet Breakthrough Operations at Melitopol were laborious and time consuming to effect. The main detriment was a lack of tactical Radio Gear.
Field operations from 1938(Alvin Coox book anatomy of a Small War) followed set piece large formations to compensate for the lack of Tactical Control. In each Case the Rifle Division remained the basis- (Field Reg 1936) Tactical Unit to take and Hold a Front line position by means of it Rifle Manpower establishment- with or without added support- as material support became avail- Heavily armed mobile Machines- Armor Cars and or Tanks Firepower would be included in this - by forming a firing line of 25-50 Units- the lack of Tactical radio gear reduced the effectiveness- to allow Rifle Elements to move up to bayonet range
at Melitopol this tactic was negated by rough terrain-German Fire Discipline - German Heavy Weapon Fire Power-

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#7

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 16 Feb 2018, 19:00

Scenario Refit :
German Setup On West Hexrow AA B 22 - B 59 Hexrows A West Hexrows GG East
German Setup First ELR 4 SAN 4
German Order of Battle Revised:
548 Elite Squad x 3 / Crew x 3/ Leader 8-1/Support Weapons HMG-LMG x 2- DC / Concealment Counter x 4
Crew Served Ordnance-20L Flak 38 IFE 6 ROF 3/ 81mm Mortar
Fortifications: 1-5-7 Pillbox /Trench/ Wore x 2/AT Ditch/ Roadblock
Reinforcement Groups Choose ONE of the Following:
1. KampfGruppe Gruber: StuGIIIG SPW 251 /447 2nd Line Squad/ Leader 9-1/ SW Panzer Schreck - LMG
Enter on After Turn One B 59 South Edge
2. Panzer Strike Group: PZ VD Panther/SPW 251/ 838 Elite Squad/Leader 10-3/SW Flamethrower/DC/LMG
Enter on After Turn One B 22 North Edge
3. PZJG TIger Ferdinand 88LL Setup West River HIP- Hidden Initial Placement if in Concealment Terrain/Vehicles May setup in Buildings or Woods
4. PzA III/IV 150 mm SPA
-------------------------------------
Victory Conditions Change: B 22 Building X 7 is the Objective- if there is a good order Russian MMC in any of X 7 Stone Locations at game end Wins
German Units setup in Building X 7 are Fanatic

Turn 1 2 3 4 5

Russian Order of Battle ELR 4 SAN 4 Seup On East of Hexrow BB
527 SMG Squad x 3 / 426 Conscript Squad x 22/Leaders 9-1 9-0 7-0/Support Weapons HMG 6-12/MMG 4-10/LMG/DC/ATR x 2/50 mm Mortar x2
Armor: T34 M41 x 3 /BA 6 Armor Car x 2
Transport: ZIS 5 x 2
SSR: 1. EC are moderate with no wind at Start
2. Both Sides setup concealed regardless of LOS if in Concealment Terrain
3.B 22 Building X 7 is a Fortified Building
4. Rooftop Rules are in Plaly
5.German Units in Building X7 are fanatic
---------------------------------------------------------------
German Setup B 22 On West Hexrow AA
Hex Z6 Wire
Z7 Wire
Y 8 1-5-7 Pillbox/Trench HMG Crew
Y9 AT Ditch
X6 Roadblock
X7 Level One 548/DC
Level Two 548/8-1 LMG
RoofTop 81 mm Mortar Crew HIP

X8 Level 0 / 20 L Flak Crew HIP
German Player Chooses PZ JG TIger as Reinforcement Setup West River Hex 10 Woods Hex HIP
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Russian Setup OB On East Hexrow BB B 22 B 59
Hex DD5 426 ATR ZIS 5 Hex BB 5 426
Hex GG5 426 ATR
GG8 426 50 mm Mortar
GG9 426 50 mm Mortar
FF3 426
EE5 426
DD7 9-2 426 x 2 HMG/MMG
DD8 426 x 2 ZIS 5
CC6 426 x 3
BB6 BA 6 9-0 426 x3
BB7 BA 6 426
BB8 527 x 3/7-0 /DC/LMG/ T34 M 41
BB9 426 x 2 T34
BB 10 426 T34

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#8

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 26 Feb 2018, 19:06

German Remarks: Setup First On/West Hexrow AA B 22- B 59 ELR 4 SAN 4
1943 October: Red Army Offensive Operations are taking place across the entire Front. The OKH has Authorized Defensive Strongpoints to be setup along likely approaches. In the Melitopol sector German Strongpoints outfitted with Automatic Weapons/Guns will be Reinforced by OKH Reserves outlined in Scenario Setup. Reserves of KampfGruppe Gruber-Panzer Strike Group- or PZ JG Tiger 88LL AG with Infantry Support 436 x 3 Conscript Squad-8-1 Leader/Support Weapon LMG/Transport Opel Blitz- or PzIII/IV 150 mm SPA with the Same Infantry Support provided PZ JG TIger.
German Units are hereby alerted that a Large Reinforced Elements of a Soviet Rifle Division are set up on B 22- B 59 Hexrow BB, and can expect heavy attack at any time, Orders are to hold the Position for 5 Turns. Pill Box-Fortifications- Obstacles secure the approaches to the Victory Conditions
B 22 Stone Building X 7- X8-W8 that is a Fortified Building, with added + 1 TEM and Fanatic Morale Level Increase of 1 for any German Unit in Fortified Location. All Units setup Concealed , Guns/ Mortars Setup HIP ( Hidden Initial Placement) the Dummy stack of 4 Concealment Counters will setup in one of Fortified Locations as a Decoy.
Example Replay Board 22 Setup:
Hex Y7 Wire Setup West River
Y8 WIre
Y9 AT Ditch Hex Q 10 PZ JG Tiger 88LL Ferdinand
X7 G Level 1 Level 2 Level Hex P 8 436 x 3 Conscript Squad/Leader 8-1/ SW LMG
X8 G Level 1 Level 2 Level Roof Level
548 Elite Squads x 3/Crew/Leader 8-1/Support Weapons HMG/LMG x 2/Demo Charge
x9 Road Block
W 6 Pill Box 1-5-7 20 L Flak Crew
V8 Trench
Programme:
1. B 22 Building X 7 is a Fortified Building
2. Both sides setup concealed regardless LOS if in Concealment Terrrain
3. German Unit in Fortified Locations are Fanatic
4. Victory Condition: Russian must have Good Order MMC in any one of B 22 Building X7 Stone Locations at Game end to Win
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russian Synopsis: Setup On/East Hexrow BB Move First ELR 4 SAN 4
Stavka Directives have arrived concerning Breakthrough Operations. Time to get Busy before the Hammer Drops.
Elements of Reinforced Soviet Rifle Division Setup On/East Hexrow BB
Board 22 Board 59 Hexrow A West Hexrow GG East
B 22 B 59 Hex DD5 ZIS 5 426 ATR
Hex GG5 426 ATR
GG8 426 50 mm Mortar BB1 9-0 426 x 3
GG 9 426 50 mm Mortar BB5 426
CC5 T34 M41
CC6 T34 M 41
BB1 426 x 2 ZIS 5 Truck 426 x 2 Passengers
BB 5 T34 M 41
BB6 BA 6 / 426 x 3 Conscript Squad/Leader 9-2/Support Weapon HMG/MMG
BB7 BA 6 426 x 3
BB8 527 SMG Squad x 3/Leaderr 7-0/Support Weapons LMG/DC
BB9 426 x 3
Programme:
1. Prep Fire on Objective B 22 Building X 7 Facade with in LOS
2. One 527 assault move unconcealed up to Stone Wall to Scope out German Perimeter before Objective
3. A Mobile Group T 34 Platoon setup B 22 North of GG 5 Road will expend 1 Start MP- Take a Mechanical Reliability DR- Then drive into the Objective Stone Location X 7 X 8 W 8 at Half MP with Bog Check + 4. Follow up support Infantry Rifle Elements can move up adjacent to Objective Hexes but may not enter as long as any German MMC in that Fortified Location remains Good Order.
4. Other Elements of the Task Force will use maneuver around obstacles Fortifications- N and S of Objective. Tovarisch Comrade

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#9

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 27 Feb 2018, 18:53

German Setup O/B : Crew and 81 mm Mortar
SSR; Roof Top Rules are in Effect

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#10

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 08 Mar 2018, 18:25

Tactical Points:

At First the German O/B vs the Large Russian O/B with T34s appears mismatched .
The O/B limitations of the Larger Russian Force are the inexperienced Troops (Rule A 19.2) 426 Conscript Squads, and possible Mechanical Issues with the T 34 s Red 17 MP Allotment. The First Force Flaw appears at setup on East of Hexrow BB, 4 Hexes from the Objective Stone Building B 22 X 7.
At this Range, the 426 Firepower Factor of 4 is halved at targets beyond 2 Hexes, anything beyond 4 Hexes is out of Range.
More disconcerting, is the 3 Movement Factor for inexperienced (IE) Troops, and the Operations of Support Weapons by IE Troops, B# lowered by 1, Original B # X # Elimination permanent Breakdown. Thus a DR of 11 would eliminate Russian MMG From Game.. Cowering, DR Doubles, causes a 2 Shirt Loss on the Infantry Fire Columns.

Is there any Good News?
1. Scenario Special Rule allows both sided to setup concealed in Concealment Terrain.
2. Fire Groups- move in close from different approaches to spread out German Fire Power and HMG/Mortar Covered Arcs.
3. Forming Human Wave , is another option, to follow any operational AFV to the Target Location.

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#11

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 08 Mar 2018, 18:33

4. Further Options of Assault Move Squad Stacks , up to along the Stone Wall, , during Advance Phase, One Squad from each stack Advance across Wall.
Remaining Squads, Form Fire Groups.

German Observations: Barring any Gun Malfunctions, the obstacles and Fortified Building should provide sufficient detriments to prevent entry into the any Fortified Location, until Turn One of the German Strike Groups selected arrive from North- Panzer Strike Group- East - KampfGruppe Gruber- West- PZ JG Tiger w/Infatnry Support- or PzA II/IV with INfantry Support

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#12

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 08 Mar 2018, 18:35

German KampfGruppe Gruber arrives From SOUTH on after Turn One

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#13

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 03 Jul 2018, 19:11

IMG_2021[1].JPG
Map Board 22-59 Play area reduction, fold Map Boards into section, B22 Hexrow R-GG B59 Hexrow R-GG/ Hexrow R West- Hexrow GG East. B22 Victory Objective Stone Building X 7 / all Stone Locations are Fortified/Germans Setup On West Hexrow AA
Russians Setup On East Hexrow DD.
KampfGruppe Gruber Setup on B59

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#14

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 03 Jul 2018, 19:12

Image Loaded Sideways- Click on Image to see Board Alignment

PassandReviewofWW2
Member
Posts: 1248
Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 20:24
Location: Europe

Re: Forgotten Battles Melitopol 1943

#15

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 03 Jul 2018, 19:15

IMG_2023[1].JPG
German Strongpoint Setup all Stone Locations are Fortified Hexes X7-W7-W8. Victory Conditions Russian Player Wins if They Control any one Stone Location in German Stronpoint

Post Reply

Return to “Movies, games & other fiction”