Arrived today at the Panzerschule in Dresden. I’m quite anxious about what they will teach us. Heard something about some new strategy they call “Blitzkrieg”.
Anyway, I was told the first maneuver will start in two days (i.e. on Wednesday) and that I should muster my troops until tomorrow. About the exact goal of the maneuver I wasn’t informed yet. The troops I was given command of seem quite inexperienced. I will make it one of my primary goals to form them to good and steadfast soldiers. There are four battalions of infantry as well as some Panzers I. I remember being told that those were originally called “Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper”, i.e. nothing else but a tractor. After having inspected them I can see why… at first look they seem to be quite pathetic for tanks. But I’ll try to make the best use of them.
1. PzDiv:
- 1. PzBrig:
I./ PzRgt 1
- 1. SchtzBrig:
I./ SchtzRgt 1 (mot.) & II./ SchtzRgt 1 (mot.)
I./ SchtzRgt 2 & II./ SchtzRgt 2
February 28, 1939
Today was the briefing for the upcoming maneuver. My task is to take control of two camps being hold by my opponent, some other Oberst. I wasn’t told his name or anything about him…
After reviewing the strategic map, the plan seemed quite simple. I will order the Panzers and SchtzRgt 1 to head for the eastern camp while SchtzRgt 2 will try to take the camp lying roughly between two observation bunkers. Maybe they can show off a bit.
March 1, 1939
Everything quiet on our first day. The target camps are at least one day’s travel away. We just made progress toward them and did some reconnaissance work.
March 2, 1939
In the morning, SchtzRgt 2 reached their destination and entered the camp to root out the enemy. And they showed off in plain sight of our commanding officers watching the maneuver in the bunkers! Although our opponent’s forces had fortified their camp and tried to lure my troops in an ambush, they were driven from the camp before dusk, with marginal losses on our side. Well done, guys! I ordered to secure the camp and hold position.
March 3, 1939
While advancing toward the eastern camp, SchtzRgt 1 spotted some artillery defending the camp. I told them not to enter the camp yet, but to encircle it and wait for the Panzers to make quick work of the enemy artillery. It seems that our approach to the camp was spotted, as my troops were taken under fire by the artillery. Luckily, our losses were neglectable.
March 4, 1939
The Panzers encountered the artillery in some open field near the camp. My boys may be inexperienced, but they really do their best. They took the advantage of the clear terrain, took half of the artillery battery out and forced the rest to retreat further in the open field, away from the camp. After that, the way was free for SchtzRgt 1 to take the camp. As their sister regiment, they literally stormed the enemy camp and subdued the enemy, again with minimal losses.
Not bothering about the pathetic remains of my opponent’s artillery, I ordered my troops to secure this camp also, making the maneuver a full success for me and my troops.
March 5, 1939
I’m really proud of my troops. They did a quick, almost perfect job at the maneuver. My teaching officer was also very pleased with our performance. He encouraged us to keep up the work at this level and hinted at receiving some kind of rewards in the future.
As a first reward, my troops were given a complete week of vacation before the next maneuver will start. They have earned it, and I think it may be time to have a good Pils with some of them.
[Many thanks to Horseman for the inspiration! Quite a cool idea to write a diary from the viewpoint of the General.
This is really my first AAR, and it's very experimental. That's why I try it with the Tutorial campaign first. Maybe you like it and maybe you don't.
]
