PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Forum to share your glorious wins and losses
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Turn 1

Post by Scarz23 »

Turn 1

The invasion begins! Very little to say other than the famous last words ‘All seems to be going as planned.’
The NATO air force has not begun interdiction yet (turn 3), so smooth traveling for the vast WP columns.

War News Article.jpg
War News Article.jpg (42.62 KiB) Viewed 530 times

2 Guards Tank Army
The only event of note is that the 1 MRR of the 94 GMRD crossed the bridge east of Lubeck after eliminating the defending AT unit via airstrike.
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Turn 2

Post by Scarz23 »

Turn 2

2 Guards Tank Army
The 94 GMRD moved into contact with the 6 PzG front line along the main highway leading to Hamburg. The NATO armored units are deployed as companies, making them much easier to approach and engage. In addition, the 2 MRR crossed the canal bridge at Berkenthin as 1 MRR pushed northeast of Lubeck. However, a PzG company slipped in behind 1 MRR and reoccupied the bridge east of Lubeck, which caused an infantry battalion to divert back and deal with the panzer grenadiers.

Picture 2.jpg

The 39 Guards Naval Bde landed at Schonberg and engaged an engineer unit near the landing site.

3 Shock Army
NATO artillery fired mines northeast of Braunschweig which slowed 47 GTD’s transit north of the city. However, a tank battalion and recon unit made it to the northwest of the town and much of the remainder of the division in the northern suburbs.

20 Guards Army
The 35 MRD encircled Braunschweig from the south and west. Only a small gap currently exists to the east which should be closed next turn.

1 Guards Tank Army
Advance elements of 27 GMRD are on the outskirts of Kassel. However, the 6 GTD, 7 GTD, and the army troops are struggling to find routes to their objective. In retrospect, the plan for 1 GTA may have been too ambitious. It may have been better to simply send 1 GTA southwest in support of 3 A (GDR). However, either way, the army has a long way to travel and air interdiction will take a toll. It's too late to change. I will press on with the plan.

Also of note, a Spetsnaz deception unit was deployed just west of Gottingen. This may be premature, as I don’t have a good sense of how long the deception units can operate before discovery.

8 Guards Army
The 79 GTD is prepared to assault Bad Hersfeld next turn. The 1 TR is on the west side of the Fulda River and will hit the defenders from the north, while 2 TR and 3 TR will attack from the east. The remainder of the division is close behind.
A little to the south, the 39 GMRD is nearing Fulda, and a tank regiment has deployed to the northeast of town.

79 Guards Air Assault Division
I selected the Frankfurt Road landing from the strategy options. This option lands air assault units along two main arteries running east/west from Frankfurt to Fulda and Frankfurt to Bad Hersfeld. The division landed two brigades around Steinau and a third to the north at Alsfeld. This option was chosen to both prevent the easy transit of NATO units east and to impede the retreat of units back west.
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Turn 3

Post by Scarz23 »

Turn 3

2 Guards Tank Army
The 94 GMRD continued to engage the forward 6 PzG armor units along the main highway. Two of the enemy tank companies have experienced significant losses and are disrupted. The 94 GMRD is spread rather thinly covering a large area, so the attack is mostly aimed at damaging the NATO units, not seeking to infiltrate its lines or push deep.

The panzer grenadier at the bridge in east Lubeck was eliminated and the 1 MRR is now looping around north of the city. Finally, the 20 TD (Pol) was released and is moving west.

3 Shock Army
The 8 MRD (GDR) has occupied most of the Luneburger Heide and trapped two recon units at Uelzen. Two additional 11 PzG units have been isolated at Hankensbuttel but are proving tougher to deal with than expected. NATO fired artillery mines along two minor roads in the southern portion of the Luneburger Heide, which is good, if NATO suspects this is a threatened area they may divert forces in opposition. The East German division, however, is merely tasked with protecting the crossings in the area and occupying the Luneburger Heide.

The 207 GMRD is proceeding with its clearing operation of Gifhorn. However, several armored units, both British and West German were spotted by recon helicopters along the road leading to the northwest.

The 47 GTD is still having difficulty passing through the northern suburbs of Braunschweig as NATO artillery continues to fire mines along its route. The 47 Engineer Bn arrived and is clearing a mine from the highway, and two additional 3 SA engineer battalions have arrived in the area. Finally, lead elements of 2 TR have passed through Peine and have engaged a British recon unit entrenching along the highway northwest of Peine.

20 Guards Army
The 35 MRD is squeezing the Braunschweig pocket, but 1 Pz panzer units have gained the west side of the canal which was only defended by a recon unit. Air assault troops were brought in along with army-level gunships to try to prevent their escape. Only the 3 MRR is approaching Hildesheim as the majority of the division is still fighting at Braunschweig.

Picture 3.jpg

A recon unit from 9 TD (GDR) reached the bridge at Affeld while most of the division is reducing two isolated PzG units around Seesen.

1 Guards Tank Army
The two leading regiments from 27 GMRD began the assault on Kassel. The Spetsnaz disruption unit deployed to the Gottingen area last turn has already been discovered and removed. The division's tank regiment deployed to the southwest of Gottingen to prevent any moves from the city to the southwest as the division recon battalion moved adjacent to Munden and the bridge.

The 2 MRR split off and directed to Hessisch Lichtennau. However, the regiment may have bitten off more than it can chew. It looks like the better part of a brigade is entrenched in the town. Most of the division artillery and engineers will be sent to assist 2 MRR.
The 9 TD arrived east of Halle as reinforcement and is moving west along with the rest of the army.

8 Guards Army
The 79 GTD hit Bad Hersfeld from the east and north. Air assault and gunships moved to the west of the town to prevent the retreat of the defenders while 3 TR and the motor rifle regiment continued southwest past the town.

The 39 GMRD attacked Fulda and called in air strikes on US helicopters while they were still on the ground to good effect. The town is held by units from 11 ACR, so it will be a tough fight, but the defenders look close to well-encircled, and it will be difficult for any of these units to escape.

Picture 4.jpg
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Turn 4

Post by Scarz23 »

Turn 4

2 Guards Tank Army
The 94 GMRD continued its skirmishing with the forward units of 6 PzG. The 1 MRR cleared Lubeck and will begin applying pressure on the 6 PzG line from the northeast. The 36 G Naval is clearing an isolated recon unit as its lead units move to the southwest.
The 16 GTD’s lead regiment has reached the front line just behind the 94 GMRD and will deploy and attack to the northwest along the highway on the next turn.

NATO aggressively moved 3 Pz recon units into Laurenburg and two West German gunships are prowling around to the east and north of Lauenburg. Luckily, 2 GTA engineers completed the bridge operation south of Lauenburg and 21 GMRD is streaming past Lauenburg from the south. NATO has fired mines west of Luneberg, which will slow the advance.
Finally, the 25 TD reached the Dannenberg area and is moving west toward Uelzen. However, it will take several turns before the division arrives at Uelzen.

Picture 5.jpg

3 Shock Army
The 207 GMRD has moved through Gifhorn, but NATO has a solid skirmish line to the north and west of town. The division will continue to push west as its two trail regiments continue moving into position.
To the south, the 47 GTD was able to transit another regiment north of Braunschweig which immediately moved northwest to the Peine area.
The 12 GTD released and is moving south to the highway at Brandenburg.

20 Guards Army
The 35 MRD continued to tighten the ring around the NATO units in Braunschweig as its lead regiment ran into armored units from 1 Pz and 1 Arm (UK) to the east of Hildesheim. The single regiment does not have the strength to deal with this NATO armor screen quickly but will engage in the hopes of fixing it in place.


Picture 6.jpg

The 14 GMRD is moving in behind 35 MRD and was originally intended to pass through the Hildesheim area on its way to the Elze bridge and then on to Hamlen. The division will now be required to deploy and fight through NATO armor screening the town.
The 9 TD (GDR) eliminated the two panzer grenadier companies near Seesen, and advanced elements toward Gandersham and Northeim.
The 6 GMRD was released and is now moving west.

1 Guards Tank Army
The 27 GMRD is struggling to come to grips with the 2 PzG units at Kassel, as they are on the west side of the Weser River while the 27 GMRD units are on the east. The 2 PzG was also able to cover the bridge to the southeast of town before 3 MRR could cross. Detaching the division’s tank regiment to screen the Gottingen area has also diluted the division's strength. Finally, the 2 MRR’s move to Hessisch Lichten only netted a single panzer grenadier company, as the rest of the 2 PzG units were able to escape towards Hann. Munden.
The remainder of the army is stacked up along minor roads near Sondershausen and Sangerhausen. Unfortunately, it will take precious time to get the army to its assigned objective around Kassel.

8 Guards Army
There is heavy fighting at both Bad Hersfeld and Fulda. Most, if not all, of the 11 ACR units at Fulda were trapped following the initial rush by the 39 GMRD. However, several cavalry troops escaped to the west at Bad Hersfeld as the 79 GTD failed to cut them off during the initial attack.
The 20 GMRD is in the process of moving in behind 39 GMRD. However, the 57 GMRD and the army troops are backed up at Eisenach as everyone is using the same road.

3 Army (GDR)
The 7 TD (GDR) reached Mellerichstadt and cut off two panzer grenadier battalions from 12 Pz. The 4 MRD’s (GDR) lead regiment is just to the west of Pfarrweisach but has split off the 1 MRR toward Bamberg to protect its left. Finally, the 11 MRD (GDR) is stretched out with its lead regiment approaching Bamberg, but with the majority of the division still located south of Kulmbach.
The 3 A (GDR) will approach the suspected NATO positions at Bamberg, Schweinfurt, and Bad Kissingen cautiously, as I don’t believe the army will perform well in a stand-up fight against deployed NATO units.
RichLink
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon May 29, 2023 7:35 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by RichLink »

Thanks for this very fine AAR.
Are you guys playing with the Tactical Nuke/Chemicals options on ?
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by Scarz23 »

RichLink wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 10:37 am Thanks for this very fine AAR.
Are you guys playing with the Tactical Nuke/Chemicals options on ?
The Soviets have chemical weapons. I believe the Soviets have to use them first to allow NATO access. I'm not sure about the nukes. Is that an optional rule? How does it work?
RichLink
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon May 29, 2023 7:35 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by RichLink »

I`m pretty sure Midge could give a better, more detailed answer then me.
User avatar
Midge
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:15 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by Midge »

You are correct Scar, Soviets must use Chemicals or Nukes first before NATO can respond

I've always played a house rule which simulates the cascade effect which supposedly would of been the case (bottom line who knows!)

Soviets use Chemicals
NATO can then respond in kind and use Chemicals
Or NATO can go full nuclear
Then Soviets can then start chucking their Nukes about

Avoid the Nuclear Termination Optional Rule, certainly with Certain Strike and with Bolt

"If at least half the number of turns in the scenario have been played and one side in the scenario has a Major Victory, then the scenario is terminated with the implication being that global nuclear war has started".

In Certain Strike a big chunk of the Victory points, are shall we say, in the Eastern half of West Germany
So the WP can gain a Major Victory, with a bit of luck, relatively early on in the game
This was a deliberate design decision as it forces NATO to attempt a counterattack with US III Corps (which I included in its entirety for that reason) and anything else they may have to hand
Scarz23
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:37 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by Scarz23 »

Midge wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 1:26 pm You are correct Scar, Soviets must use Chemicals or Nukes first before NATO can respond

I've always played a house rule which simulates the cascade effect which supposedly would of been the case (bottom line who knows!)

Soviets use Chemicals
NATO can then respond in kind and use Chemicals
Or NATO can go full nuclear
Then Soviets can then start chucking their Nukes about

Avoid the Nuclear Termination Optional Rule, certainly with Certain Strike and with Bolt

"If at least half the number of turns in the scenario have been played and one side in the scenario has a Major Victory, then the scenario is terminated with the implication being that global nuclear war has started".

In Certain Strike a big chunk of the Victory points, are shall we say, in the Eastern half of West Germany
So the WP can gain a Major Victory, with a bit of luck, relatively early on in the game
This was a deliberate design decision as it forces NATO to attempt a counterattack with US III Corps (which I included in its entirety for that reason) and anything else they may have to hand
Thanks for the response.

It doesn't appear that there are any nukes in the scenario we are playing. If there are, I can't seem to figure out where to find the number available for use (or how to even use them). It seems only chemicals can be used. If I had nukes, I might have used them already as the WP!

Also of note, after talking to my opponent, we may be calling this scenario early and switching to Certain Strike. If so, I'm not sure if either of us intends to do an AAR, as there are two new ones on the forum that are getting started, but if we do, it will probably be a once-per-day kind of thing rather than every turn and very broad in scope.
User avatar
Midge
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:15 pm

Re: PBEM AAR (WP) 99_01s: Germany

Post by Midge »

It's been so long since I played those Danube Scns I can't remember

Two options
Go into Edit Scn and open the Scn you are playing
Drop down Scenario Menu from top and select Header
It will list Chemicals (persistent and Non Persistent) and Tactical nukes available in the Scn for both sides

And during a game select drop down Command Menu and select Alternate Fire then go to an WMD capable Artillery piece or SSM and fire away
Also there is an option directly underneath Alternate Fire
Use Chemical/Nuclear Weapon

And that's good news Re Certain Strike, hope you enjoy it
Post Reply