The Diary of Herr Pferdmann

[Horseman]

In my opinion this was one of the most difficult decisive victory to gain! Always interesting to see your strategy and read your reports! Congrats!
It's always pleasant to read yours AAR with a good beer, after all is this a beer and pretzels game !

Technically I only got a Marginal....but it was very satisfying knowing I could have achieved a Major if I didn't go xP and killl farming!
There were some moments where I thought I might fail and ultimately I only got Baku on the last possible turn

Im glad you're enjoying the read and yes its definately enhanced with a good beer or 2

[Horseman]

This probably the best AAR I've ever read on any game. Great job!

Thanks for the kind words, makes the effort more than worth it

[Horseman]

October 16th 1942
Even though we ultimately failed to hold on to our gains my forces once more served with distinction winning many honours.

[Horseman]

July 5th 1943
Once more I have been selected to command in a decisive battle.


Much new equipment is now available including new heavier weapons for our Infantry as well as fearsome new Panzers.


I managed to secure experienced troops to bring my Corps to full strength.
All my Infantry Regiments are supplied with the newest heavy weapons making them a threat even to the heaviest enemy armoured formations.
All three of my Panzer Division's have also now been equipped with one Regiment of Panther Ds and one Regiment of Tigers. The latter were supposed to be used to equip special heavy Battalions to be used as independent formations but using much of my goodwill with High Command as well as burning many favours I succeeded in having them assigned to my front line forces, I am after all once more being placed at the head of a Major offensive. The Panzer IIIs and IVs have now been relegated to reserve formations.
Each Division has also received a Regiment of sIG 38 (t) self propelled Artillery replacing the Sturmpanzers that had been in use until now.

My Luftflotte has also been upgraded. Both Stuka Wings have been supplied with the Ju87G model with an armament better suited to tank busting.
The fighter bomber wings now use the advanced Me410A plane giving them improved performance against enemy air units.
Meanwhile the Ju88As are finally replaced by He177A bombers.

The most unexpected development was the formation of the 4th Panzer Division. With the 13th Gebirgsjager and 60th Pioniere Regiments reassigned to fill the Division I was initially angered to lose two of my veteran formations. This anger soon dispersed when the 4th Division was assigned to my Corps complete with a further Panther and Tiger Regiment as well as two Artillery Regiments.
As zero hour approaches I review my plans even as I record them for posterity.



The 1st (red) and 4th (green) Division's will attack form the north while the 2nd (blue) and 3rd (yellow) Division's (accompanied by the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regiment will attack from the south.

Elements of army group centre will hold in the west to prevent any attempt to counter attack in to our rear areas.

With scant hours left to go I have been informed that the new He177As have a previously unknown error and will not be available for some time. The 4th Fighter Bomber Wing has also reported equipment malfunctions and are grounded until further notice. I have registered my displeasure with my Luftflotte Commander as well as High Command, this is not a good start to the campaign.

[Horseman]

Well here we go, I can't afford any slip ups on this one and a Decisive Victory is a must, eek talk about pressure!

I noticed that I am only able to deploy 9 air units at the start and not wanting to wait to deploy from my reserves I decided to leave 3 of my units at home, the ones I chose all have over 400 XP making them the most experienced units in my force so I thought I'd let the others catch up a little and buy myslef some new tanks and artillery in the hope they can earn some XP before America because once there I dont expect rookie units to survive too long!

Wish me luck!

[Horseman]

July 5th 1943 (1)
And operation Citadel begins.

The 1st Division breached the defensive line destroying an Engineer and an Infantry Regiment allowing the 34th SE Panzer Regiment the chance to begin the assault on Ponyn.


The newly formed 4th Division gets its first taste of battle sweeping through a forward defence line leaving two Russian Regiments destroyed (1 para 1 regular infantry)


The south-east defence line being manned by an Engineer Regiment and an Infantry Regiment is overrun by the 2nd Division allowing the 48th SE Panzer Regiment to destroy an Artillery Regiment in the rear.


Oboyan is well defended but even so the 1st Panzer Regiment attempts a crossing of the Psel River under heavy Artillery and air cover. Concentrated fire from the 3rd Division's Artillery Regiments along with the Luftwaffe destroy one Soviet Artillery Regiment.


In the north-west sector two Russian Armoured Regiments (1 KV1 and 1 T34) counter attack, the 37th StuG Regiment (AGC reserve) holds firm under intense pressure.


The newly minted 4th Division will now have a chance to prove themselves against formidable enemy tanks.
In the south I am concerned that the Psel River is well defended and may prove difficult to breach with anything other than a costly direct assault.

Reports have come in that the Russian air force has assaulted some Artillery positions and the attached Elefant Regiment in the north-east. The enemy appear to be using improved planes and I may yet regret not having any of the new FW190s assigned to my support Luftflotte.

[Horseman]

July 6th 1943 (2)
The 1st Division has taken Poryn and now lay siege to Maloarkhangelsk. The Luftwaffe managed to down a Russian fighter wing to the north.


Two more Soviet Fighter Wings have been eliminated.
The 4th Division continue to prove their worth destroying the Russian armoured Regiments that launched a counter assault yesterday. The Engineer Regiment to the north of Dmitriyev-Lgovskiy has also been eliminated and the city itself almost falls.


The 1st Panzer Regiment succeeded in crossing the river and the 3rd Division launch an assault on Oboyan and should cross in force tomorrow.


The 2nd Division destroyed the Russian Conscript Regiment holding their southern flank and advance revealing a heavy Red Army concentration in the area.


Russian air power destroy the 22nd Wespe Regiment, these new improved tactical bombers are proving devastating.
Meanwhile another armoured counter attack is launched in the north


And in the south...


I worry about the resilience being shown by the Soviets but have faith that my Veteran Divisions will succeed in breaking through.

[Horseman]

July 7th 1943 (3)
Reserve forces supporting my troops secure the city of Maloarkhangelsk.


The Soviet armoured counter attack was broken up by the 1st Division who also succeed in capturing Olkhovatka.
As they drive on Kursk itself a Regiment of fearsome KV2 tanks are spotted in defensive positions.
In the air the last known Soviet Fighter Wing has been eliminated and once more total air supremacy has been achieved.


The rookie Panzer Regiments of the 4th Division engaged some Russian BA10s; utterly destroying them.
Meanwhile the Veteran Infantry seize Dmitriyev-Lgovskiy
In the air the Russian Bombers that have been causing us much damage have been shot down by the Luftwaffe.


The 2nd Division has been delayed by the local counter offensive by the Soviets but even so they bite back destroying 3 enemy Regiments.


Oboyan has been captured and the 3rd Division cross the river in force and prepare to sweep westwards.
A Soviet Engineer Regiment is the first to feel the brunt of their fury.


Reserve T34s attempted to force the 3rd back over the river, the fools do not realise it is too late for that now


And yet another armoured thrust in the north yields little gain for the Red Army. The once feared T34 is proving no match for my new Tigers and Panthers.

[Horseman]

July 8th 1943 (4)
The KV2s prove less fearsome than anticipated and are easily dealt with by 27th Panzer Regiment. The T34s that penetrated into the 1st Division's rear area are left stranded by a Luftwaffe strike allowing some Grenadiers to overrun the area. Far from the front a lone Anti-tank Regiment was targeted by my Luftflotte as well as some Artillery fire allowing a Regiment of Reserve StuGs to eliminate them.


The western Soviet defence line is now under serious threat from the 4th Division who are attacking form the rear.
Meanwhile the 4ths Panzer Regiments go in to action against some artillery but fail to eliminate the threat.


The 2nd Division rolls forward once more reaping a terrible toll on the defenders, four Russian Regiments lay in ruins.
To the north two KV1 Regiments have been located, crossing the river may prove daunting.


Destroyed T34s litter the landscape as the 3rd Division advances . An Anti-tank Regiment is destroyed where they stand manning the Russian defence line.

[Horseman]

July 9th 1943 (5)
Whilst we have been blessed with good weather I have been informed that tomorrow we can expect it to become overcast.

In the north-east hidden Russian forces have been discovered and I have detailed reserve forces to mop them up,


Kursk is now under siege and the 1st Division destroyed an Anti-tank Regiment as well as finishing off the KV1s


More of the western defence line is cleared and the 4th Division has managed to push to the outskirts of Lgov destroying the remaining Artillery and a Flak Regiment.


6th Panzer Regiment managed to cross the river and with air support throws the KV1 Regiments back in disarray.
To the south the defenders of Rzhava have been eliminated and the city should be secured by tomorrow.


The 3rd Division continues to make slow progress westwards but they have managed to hunt down the remaining T34s.
I may have to reassign the 4th Division south to assist them.

[Horseman]

July 10th 1943 (6)
The skies are as predicted cloudy which will impair the Luftwaffe however its is forecast to clear tomorrow.

The Reserve units managed to clear up the Russian units in the north-east.

The Soviet Regiments around Kursk have been eliminated by the 1st Division and the assault on the city itself will begin tomorrow.


The 4th Division destroyed an Anti-Tank Regiment and badly bled the remaining defenders.


The 2nd Division has advanced in force destroying the remaining KV1s as well as a Flak Regiment.


The 3rd Division manage to quicken their pace though they still advance slower than I'd like. They did however manage to destroy a Guard Regiment and forward units have reported the position of several more Russian Regiments deployed to defend Sudzha.

[Horseman]

July 11th 1943 (7)
We once more have clear skies.

The 1dt Division failed to capture Kursk; the defenders bravely fight to the end.
The Division's Panzer Regiments advanced on Shchigiry destroying a Flak Regiment.


Lgov has finally been secured by the 4th Division and the remaining Soviet troops in the area are badly depleted.
The 51st Panzer Regiment succeeds in crossing the river and has advanced south to aid the 3rd Division.


Three Russian Regiments (T34s, Conscript and Artillery) are destroyed around Tim and the city is placed under siege.


In the south-west a Russian Artillery Regiment is destroyed and another left with minimal combat effectiveness. The 3rd Division also destroyed an Engineer Regiment and with reinforcements coming from the north prepare for the assault on the final objective.


Surrounded, out numbered and running out of supplies' a Russian Guard Regiment once proves Soviet courage with an attack on the 52nd Artillery Regiment causing huge damage.

[Horseman]

July 12th 1943 (8.)
The remaining Soviet forces around Lgov have been eliminated and the 4th Division will now #drive south in force.

Kursk, Shcigiry and Tim have all been captured. The 1st and 2nd Division's will now be detailed to mop up any remaining Red Army units in the area.

In the south-west the attack towards Sudzha begins in earnest. Three Soviet Regiments are destroyed (artillery, anti-tank and Para's) and a fourth badly mauled.
The noose tightens around the city.

[Horseman]

July 13th 1943 (9)
In the east a Russian Infantry Regiment was destroyed and a Guard Regiment badly damaged. I have sent orders to the 1st and 2nd Divisions to head west to reinforce the assault on Sudzha.

The 4th Division has been held up by a lone Soviet Guard Regiment heavily entrenched in the woods.
The 3rd Division makes better progress overrunning two Artillery Regiments and some Engineers.


The Soviets launch a Guard Regiment in a counter attack against the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regiment and the latter prove their strength once more as the attack falters.

[Horseman]

July 14th 1943 (10)
The last of the Red Army in the east has been eliminated and two full Division's now race westwards.

The 4th Division fails to dislodge the Guards holding them up though some nearby fortifications where captured and the defending Anti-tank Regiment destroyed.


Around Sudzha the 3rd Division pushed onwards destroying the newly arrived armoured Regiment as well as the deployed Flak Regiment. One Conscript Regiment is pushed back with heavy casualties and the city itself is now threatened,

[Horseman]

July 15th 1943 (11)
The 4th Division Artillery Regiments mercilessly pounded the Guards holding the Diviison at bay allowing the remaining forces to finally flush them out and destroy them.
Soviet forces around Sudzha are forced back and the city itself suronded, by this time tomorrow the city should be secured.

[Horseman]

July 16th 1943 (12)
The Remnants of the Red Army in the area have been eliminated and our final objective for this campaign is now secure.


Now to finish the Russian Bear once and for all.

[Horseman]

July 18th 1943
Once more I receive information on those under my command who have served with distinction.

[Horseman]

October 15th 1943


And so I have been given another chance to end the war in the east once and for all. This time I am not encumbered with idiots who refuse to fight, if the good weather holds I am confidant that I shall be victorious.

There is little new equipment available


But even so I have had my Panther Regiments upgraded with the larger fuel tanks.

The 25th and 29th Fighter wings have been temporarily reassigned much to my displeasure but I am told that they are assisting in a top secret project. All other forces have reported fit for action.

My plan is almost the same as my previous attempt to take the Russian Capital


The 1st Division (Red) along with the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regimen will aim to assault Moscow form the east.
The 2nd Division (Blue) will be approaching from the south of Moscow.
The 3rd Division (Yellow) will attack from the west
The 4th Division (Green) will complete the encirclement from the north,

I have several Regiments from AGC Reserves assigned to my command and they are tasked with capturing the nearby cities before advancing to support my Corps.

[Horseman]

For those who haven't read all the way through (or for those who just haven't bothered to keep up with my purchases and upgrades!) my forces consist of

4 Divisions each composed of
1xTiger
1xPanther A
1x43 Grenadier (4th Div has 43 Pioniere instead)
1x43 Infantry (4th Div has 43 Gebirgsjager instead)
1x21cm Artillery
1xSiG 38

Plus 1 Bruckenpioniere.

My Luftflotte is made up of
6x Bf109G Fighters (2 in reserve for this one)
2xJu87G Stukas
2xMe410A Fighter Bombers
2xHe177A Level Bombers

I've not upgraded my fighters to FW190s because the 109s seem to be more than adequate dealing with the Russians and by time I (hopefully) make America I should have access to some Jets! This saves me over 3000 Prestige which I hope to be able to use to fully upgrade everything!

With over 4000 in ther bank now I expect to be able to upgrade all my panthers to Tiger IIs and possibly even my Tiger Is as well though I'm tempted to keep them for the extra speed

Looking at my deployment for this scenario I can see hardly any Russian units...for the 1st time in the whole campaign I'm thinking I may miss not having any Recons!!!!