The Diary of Herr Pferdmann

[Horseman]

June 20th 1945 (9)
Heavy cloud cover today with tomorrow predicted to be clear...will my meteorologists make it five in a row right?

Indianapolis and Cincinnati have been captured by the 4th Division. They are ordered to deploy ready for a push against Fort Knox.


Heavy fighting around Huntington leaves the ground strewn with the wreckage of American AFVs as three full Regiments are annihilated.


The 2nd Division easily secured their next objective.


Atlanta also fell..


Whilst the 3rd Division's Infantry begin closing on Putney.


Taken by surprise the 4th Division still manages stop an American counter attack dead.


The 9th Pioniere Regiment puts up a stiff fight but barely hold on as the Americans prove they are not ready to surrender yet.

[Horseman]

June 21st 1945 (10)
The weather is indeed clear but tomorrow is forecast for rain.

The Luftwaffe dealt with the counter-attacking American armour allowing the lead Panzers to move in on Fort Knox which appears well defended.


The initial exchange was inconclusive.


The 1st Division has cleared out the remaining American forces around Huntington and capture the city, tomorrow they will move west to aid the 4th Division.


Further south the 2nd and 3rd Division's begin to fan out looking for any remnant American Military forces and securing the southern cities.

[Horseman]

June 22nd 1945 (11)
The 1st and 4th Division's begin massing for the assault on Fort Knox and destroy an Artillery Regiment.


Still not giving up the Americans have launched a counter attack and given the 60th Pioniere Regiment a severe beating.


June 23rd 1945 (12)
Heavy fighting has continued all day around Fort Knox.


June 24th 1945 (13)
My troops have finally gained the upper hand and the M26 Regiment has been destroyed along with the Engineer Regiment defending Louisville.

[Horseman]

June 29th 1945 (18.)
It has been five days since my last entry as I have been touring the front lines. The last remnants of the US army have been hunted down and the American Atlantic coast now belongs to Germany. With the capture of Fort Knox we now also posses vast sums of gold.
Despite the escape of the American President I fully expect to hear news of their unconditional surrender soon.

[Horseman]

Well that was easier than expected but I made some mistakes

Totally ignoring the US Destroyer in the north on the believe that it couldn't do much almost proved fatal to one of my veteren Grenadier Regiments and they even gave one of my Artillery Regiments a fright after they'd landed!

I'm also not sure on having all Tiger IIs, the lack of speed really telled though I'm not sure if the faster Panthers would have been up to the job at the end of the journy if I'd stuck with them.

For some reason I totally negleted to spot ahead with my planes once I'd won air suprmecy, this also slowed my advance as I went forward bit by bit instead of all out...so much distanbce could have been covered in a short space of time as theres loads of open ground with no enemy units around.

I'm also extremely pleased with my handling of the American navy...they took a beating and I think the lessons learnt in Norway and Sealion paid divedends here - throw out a shield of Destroyers and subs and let them take the hits whilst my big guns and air force bring the pain.

Next up...an armoured dual on open planes...hmmmm wish I had more tanks!

[billmv44]

Yes indeed, you may be wishing for more tanks before the next scenario is over. Looking forward to how you handle that battle.

[Horseman]

June 30th 1945
The bombing has continued in to today and I know in my heart that surrender is not coming, so long as my brave men are with me I know I can not fail.

[Horseman]

July 4th 1945


I wonder as to the destructive ability of this new “atomic” bomb, should it truly be so feared? Still it has High Command worried and my orders are clear, end this war.

In expectation of the heavy armoured concentrations my veteran Panzer Divisions are about to face my Corps has been issued reinforcements from High Command.
Three Tank Hunter Regiments (22nd, 33rd and 37th) Two of them are composed of Jagdpanthers and and the third more Jagdtigers. I would have preferred more tanks of my own but High Command insist none are available.
I've also had the 38th and 39th Artillery Regiments attached to my Corps to help deal with any heavily entrenched Infantry I expect to face. Both Regiments use Wurfrahmen (self propelled)
The 1st Panzer Division has also been issued enough of the new Maus super heavy tanks to equip the entire 27th Regiment making them a truly fearsome armoured force.

As well as a Maus Regiment promised by High Command other reserve forces have been assigned to my command for the duration of this campaign. Two Artillery Regiments (Wespes) and two Recon Regiments (Panzer II Luchs)

The plan is strait forward enough, drive west as fast as possible; engage and destroy any and all American forces encountered!


The 1st Division (Red) is supported by one Regiment of my Wurfrahmen's and one Regiment of my Jagdtigers.
The 2nd Division (Blue) is supported by one Regiment of my Jagdpanthers and two reserve Regiments (1xRecon, 1xArtillery)
The 3rd Division (yellow) is supported by the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regiment, one Regiment of my Jagdpanthers and one Regiment of Wurfrahmen's.
The 4th Division (green) is supported by one of my Jagdtiger Regiments and three reserve Regiments (1xMaus, 1xRecon, 1xArtillery)

[Horseman]

My purchases may seem a little strange - 3 more SPATs and 2 SPAGs.

Well the Wurfrahmens are I think ideal for digging out entrenched infantry that i expect to face next scenario and I wanted to see if I can get them some XP 1st.

The Jagdtigers and Jagdpanthers? Well they're in for roleplay purposes really, a bit of variety and it doesn't make as much sense to get more tanks without a whole new Panzer Division! Hopefully they'll do thier job of looking menacing and at least hold up any armoured counter attacks from the Yanks! I've got 2 of each as I think the 6 move of the Jagdpanthers might come in useful.

My prestige is sky high....easily enough to have afforded pretty much any units I wanted to take me to my limit as well as overstrengthening everything! I wasn't expecting another 5 core slots

[impar]

I'm also not sure on having all Tiger IIs, the lack of speed really telled though I'm not sure if the faster Panthers would have been up to the job at the end of the journy if I'd stuck with them.

I kept the Panthers. Tigers II 4-movement isnt appropriate for offensive scenarios.
I did have more air-force to soften the american armour, Panthers were for the kill.

[Horseman]

I'm also not sure on having all Tiger IIs, the lack of speed really telled though I'm not sure if the faster Panthers would have been up to the job at the end of the journy if I'd stuck with them.

I kept the Panthers. Tigers II 4-movement isnt appropriate for offensive scenarios.
I did have more air-force to soften the american armour, Panthers were for the kill.

I think keeping some Panthers would have helped, its only the M26 that really caused a headache of anysort, but never mind - you pays your money and takes your chances!

[Horseman]

July 4th 1945 (1)
I have been informed that today is an American holiday, today they celebrate their independence., I find it amusing that such a day should mark the beginning of the end of such freedom, the order has been sent forward my Panzers!

The 4th Division has crossed the Illinois river and stormed Milwaulkee with a minimum of fuss.


Further south the 4rd Division made the crossing with as much ease and captured Belleville.
In the skies the Luftwaffe shot down an American fighter wing.


Over Jonesbon a second US Fighter Wing has been destroyed and using concentrated artillery and air power the Mississippi has been crossed by the 1st Division and the city taken; its defenders and a supporting Artillery Regiment destroyed.
The 2nd Division captured Jackson and now hold the southern most bridge over the river.


Over the skies of Belleville the 23rd Bomber wing come under concentrated attack. Their escorting fighters managed to intercept and destroy a wing of P47 Fighters while two full P-51D wings make it through the fighter screen but take heavy loses( though we have lost many planes as well)


In the south American armoured forces attempt to stem the tide of the advancing 1st Division and one of the reserve Panzer II Regiments are destroyed.
Further south the 33rd Tank Hunter Regiment (Jagdpanthers) take heavy loses resulting in the scattered survivors surrendering! That they caused as much damage as they received and had support to the rear appears to have been of little consequence to these cowards and my Corps is better for their demise, I will not have my veterans tarnished by this shame.


In the north an American Bridging Regiment sallied out and attacked the 32nd Regiment who prove superior to their counterparts.

[Horseman]

July 7th 1945 (2)
The 4th Division advanced on Minneapolis with the attached reserve Recon Regiment providing intel on its defences.


The 3rd Division have crushed the defenders of Cedar Rapids and Quincy and both cities have been occupied.
In the air both P-51 Wings that attacked our bombers have been dealt with in my Luftflotte usual efficiency.


The 1st Division has now crossed the Mississippi in force destroying the American armoured counter attack with ease as well as an Artillery Regiment slightly further north (with the assistance of the 3rd Division.


In the south a bridgehead of sorts has been formed by the 2nd Division but it is vulnerable to counter attacks. The American M10s and the Anti-tank Regiment that forced the surrender of the cowardly 33rd Regiment have been destroyed.


High Command had agreed to my request for reinforcements and the 20th Tank Hunter Regiment (Jagdpanthers) has been deployed to the south in support of the 3rd Division.

More American armour counter attacks in the north badly damaging the other reserve Panzer II Regiment and in support of the Americans we have confirmed that the Canadians have mobilised.


The USAF has appeared in numbers causing minor damage.

[Horseman]

July 10th 1945 (3)
On the ground my men watched with amazement as the Luftwaffe soared in to battle, sortie after sortie saw the remaining (known) elements of the USAF assigned to this area shot down. Loses to my Luftflotte were minimal and I am once more pleased to know total air supremacy is now ours.

For the first time since they landed on America the 4th Division get to show what they're made of. Biting back against the American counter attack they succeeded in destroying one Recon, one Tank and two Infantry Regiments with a third Infantry Regiment badly shot up.


The 3rd Division captured Des Moines destroying the defending Infantry and Anti-tank Regiments.


The Panzer Regiments of the 1st Division advance in force whilst the support Regiments destroyed the Anti-tank and Air Defence guns left in the rear area. They also managed to capture Columbia destroying the defending Infantry.


In the south a Flak Regiment was destroyed and the remaining American armour forced back with heavy loses as the 2nd Division advance.


In the far north more American tanks arrive and continue their counter offensive. The reserve Recon and Artillery Regiments have been lost and the 4th Division are now desperate for the reserve Maus Regiment to arrive.


11th Pioniere Regiment – the spearhead of the 3rd Division barely hold back yet another armoured counter attack.


In the far south the Americans send an Infantry Regiment on the attack, lacking heavy armour they are easily stopped dead.

[Fimconte]

I kept the Panthers. Tigers II 4-movement isnt appropriate for offensive scenarios.
I did have more air-force to soften the american armour, Panthers were for the kill.

I guess it depends if you have a lot of +1mv heroes or not.
Although I found 4 movement to be enough for the most part.

[Horseman]

July 13th 1945 (4)
Avenging the loss of the reserve Regiments the 4th Division has thrown itself at the enemy destroying three armoured Regiments as well as finishing off the depleted Canadian Infantry.


The 3rd Division once more succeeded in throwing back the counter attack destroying all three armoured Regiments that participated.
South of the river the 1st Division pushed forward and destroyed the Infantry and Artillery defending Kansas city.
Behind the lines the Luftwaffe have identified an M26 Regiment serving as Patton's armoured HQ. Killing or capturing Patton has been made our highest priority as without him to lead them the American defences will crumble!


The 2nd Division have captured Shreveport destroying the Infantry, armour and Artillery in the area.


Despite the loss of so many AFVs the Americans are not yet ready to surrender. In the north an M26 Regiment is stopped in its tracks by the stubborn defence of the 13th Grenadier Regiment.


Whilst in the central area Patton leads his Regiment in a desperate attack across the river forcing one of my Jagdpanther Regiments back with heavy loses. He is now in an exposed position and the order is made, destroy the American command Regiment.

[Horseman]

July 16th 1945 (5)
The weather has gone cloudy which is predicted to last some time now.

The 4th Division close the noose on Minneapolis destroying the remaining M26s as well as Some more Infantry and an Anti-tank Regiment.


1st Panzer Regiment engaged and destroyed Patton's HQ, I have not yet received confirmation on whether the General has been killed or captured yet.
The rest of the 3rd Division drives onwards destroying a Flak Regiment and capturing the airfield as well as Sioux falls. An Artillery Regiment is also overrun holding just west of the Mississippi.


The 1st Division secures Kansas city whilst her Panzers storm forwards destroying two American Regiments.


Dallas, Tulsa and Fort Smith are all captured by the 2bd Division; the latter city being the only one defended.

[Kerensky]

Now we're finally getting to the good stuff.

Just to confirm though, you are playing on Colonel Difficulty, and your currently your prestige is how much?

[Horseman]

July 19th 1945 (6)
Still cloudy.

The last defenders of Minneapolis have been swept aside and the city along with Duluth captured.


The 3rd Division advanced unimpeded.


The 1st Division has secured Grand Island, Lincoln and Wichita. They also knocked out the remaining M26 Regiment in the area and destroyed two Infantry Regiments.


The 2nd Division have captured Lawton unopposed.


But air reconnaissance confirm they have a fight on their hands to continue westwards.


The 3rd Grenadier Regiment barely hold on as the Americans once more prove that they're nbot ready to give in.

[Horseman]

Now we're finally getting to the good stuff.

Just to confirm though, you are playing on Colonel Difficulty, and your currently your prestige is how much?

The good stuff? I've lost a core unit and almost lost several more since attackin gthe US, ah yes see what you mean

Yes it is Colonel level (this is still my 1st campaign and I always start on the "mid" level) it does say that in the 1st post

Current prestige (as of start of turn 7) is 7060

At the start of the scenario after purchases and over strengthing I had 7985

Oh my god, I'm actually losing prestige?! Not sure thats ever happened before! Damn those M26s

But I have to say - great stuff - really loving the American scenarios