The Diary of Herr Pferdmann

[Horseman]

SO next up is Stalingrad...no matter the result it'll be on to Kursk so no need to rush and can always manage a little XP farming with the last few cities (assuming I get anywhere near a win)

Prestige is plentyful and although I have read plenty of posts suggesting I should hoarde some for latter scenarios I continue to throw caution to the wind with elite replacements and upgrades..still over 2000 left in the bank so I'm not worried (yet)

EDIT: I had more prestige left than i remembered...over 3000, should make it easy to get those Panthers and Tigers
EDIT2: I have discovered why I had over a thousand more prestige than I thought I did

[Horseman]

June 28th 1942


So my Corps has redeployed south to secure an oil supply for the motherland. I must admit that following his escape form Moscow last year I look froward to capturing the city named after Stalin.

The past six months have seen improvements made in our Panzer forces to allow us to better tackle the Russian T34s and also a further refinement in our planes.


The blame of last years failure to hold Moscow falls squarely on AGS commanders whose troops failed to adequately support me in my drive on the Soviet capital and also to the garrison troops who replaced my own command when we were withdrawn. Not to mention some abysmal weather that hindered me throughout the campaign.
Due to this my word still has plenty of weight at High Command and I am able to secure seasoned reinforcements and some of the latest equipment fresh off of the production lines.

The Panzer III Regiments are all supplied with the newest IIIN models.
The Panzer IV Regiments are all supplied with the improved tank killer IVG models.
Further more my Support Luftflotte receives many upgrades.
All six of my fighter wings have been reassigned the latest Bf109Gs, the Stuka's are all upgraded to the Ju87D model, the fighter bombers now have Bf110Gs (slightly less manoeuvrable in the air but better ground attack armaments) Finally I have managed (at great cost to my goodwill at high command) to secure He177A bombers for both of my Strategic Bomber wings. (Actually I didn't..not sure what went wrong but I'm still using Ju88As!)

As always my plan is simple, each Division has been assigned objectives; but as always the plan will remain open to amendment to allow me to react to unexpected events.



The 1st Division (red) will drive east and encircle Stalingrad eventually helping to secure the eastern plain.
The 2nd Division (blue) supported by the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regiment (my Corps) and the 7th Hungarian Regiment are tasked with taking the main objective.
The 3rd Division (yellow) supported by the 13th Gebirgsjager Regiment (my Corps) the 14th Romanian Regiment and the 19th Romanian Mountain Regiment will take the southern cities and lad the drive for Baku deep in the South East.
The 60th Pioniere Regiment (My Corps) will join up with the massive railway gun Gustav battle group also consisting of two Infantry and one Grenadier Regiment. Their primary objective is the fortress of Sevastopol, from there they will hopefully redeploy via sea and rail to support the southern offensive.

EDIT: Somethign went wrong with upgrading my Ju88s (I say something..I obvioulsy am a moron!) so no He177As for me this campaign!

[Horseman]

June 28th 1942 (1)
The operation has begun. In the north a Regiment of Soviet T34s block the advance of the 1st Division. Following standard combat doctrine a wing of Stuka's lead the assault only for the 27th Panzer Regiment to run into another regiment when attempting to flank their position.


The first true test of the new Panzer IVG proves them to be an effective counter to the Russian armour, both T34 Regiments have been destroyed as well as a Infantry Regiment entrenched in Livny leaving the city wide open.


The 2nd Division rolled forward almost unhindered; easily destroying the Russian BT-7 armoured Regiment, an Artillery Regiment as well as the Infantry defending Valuyki. The city has been secured.


The 2nd Grenadier Regiment led the way towards Rostov and reported heavy defences.


With close support of my attached Luftflotte the 3rd Division clears the red Army out of the area easily capturing the City though a further Ant-Tank Regiment is located.


With a mighty roar Gustav has begun its pounding of Sevastopol and the Luftwaffe add to the bombardment.


Showing the unflinching courage I have come to expect the Red Army does not sit idle. A Regiment of Conscripts advances against the advancing 2nd Division but prove little match for my seasoned troops.


Further to the south-west a lone Recon Regiment (BA-64s) infiltrates behind my lines and troubles a Romanian Regiment. An while the Russian Air-force make an appearance and several Flak Regiments attempt to drive back my planes.
New Russian Heavy Tanks, the KV1 assault Rostov from the south-east, I have heard rumours about these monsters and early reports from the front make me nervous – I'm not sure even the up-gunned and up-armoured Panzer IVs will prove adequate for this new challenge.


The 60th Pioniere Regiment comes under fire form the nearby fortress and more worryingly from a Russian Naval unit; weight of fire suggests a Cruiser of some type.

[Horseman]

July 2nd 1942 (2)
The Soviet Infantry dug in at Voronezh were routed but strong Armoured reserves have been confirmed.


My previous fears of the strength of the KV1 tank have been dismissed. 27th Panzer Regiment crossed the Don River and engaged; destroying one Regiment, Luftwaffe bombers have also played their part. In the rear Livny has also been secured.


The Russian Conscript Regiment driven into the path of the 2nd Division has been wiped out and the city of Rossosh captured.


The Russian Air-force so bravely flying against the odds has been obliterated by my support Luftflotte.
On the ground the Soviet armoured formations (a KV1 Regiment and a T90 SPAAG Regiment) have both been forced back with heavy loses and the last enemy formation threatening Rostov; an Anti-tank Regiment are wiped out along with the Conscripts that were previously defending Voroshilovgrad.
Romanian Regiments are now screening against the Russian Recon Regiment threatening my rear and I have dispatched orders to my Luftflotte Commander to redirect bombers to help eliminate them.


Gustav continues to shell the Russian Fortress whilst the 23rd Bomber wing locate and attack the Russian Cruiser that has been shelling my troops. It has been identified as the Voroshilov and she now lists badly having received heavy damage.


The Russian Recon Regiment has withdrawn in front of the Romanians and has moved to threaten the rear of the advancing 2nd Division.
To the 2nds front the Red army digs in and reinforces


The T90 and KV1 Regiments also hold position and reinforce including the arrival of an Armoured train toting many heavy artillery pieces.
A report from my Luftflotte Commander has informed me that a third Russian Fighter wing was located flying over Rostov, with expert co-ordination our 5th Fighter Wing intercepted and crushed the surprised enemy formation.

[Horseman]

July 6th 1942 (3)
A further refinement of the Panzer III model has been made


The remaining Soviet Armour near Voronezh has been dealt with and the 1st Division has swept eastwards once more


The two Artillery and the Flak Regiments supporting Millerovo have been eliminated and the city is now under siege.


The 27th Panzer Regiment leads the assault across the Don river in the south and along with the 3rd Division destroy the armoured train and the T90s as well as badly depleting the KV1 Regiment so recently reinforced.


One of the Anti-Tank Regiments shielding Sevastopol has been eliminated and the Cruiser Voroshilov, still billowing black smoke from her hull was easily located by the 23rd Bomber Wing and sunk.


It would appear likely that the Russians have mobilised the entire Black Sea fleet as Romanian troops come under naval shell fire. With no fleet assets of our own I have sent orders to my Luftflotte Commander to stand ready to redirect all bomber assets south if more ships are located.


The advance of the 2nd Division could be stalled, another Russian Conscript Regiment has attacked the 32nd Bruckenpioniere Regiment causing heavy casualties.

[Horseman]

July 10th 1942 (4)
The 1st Division continues east at a rapid pace as they encountered no opposition.


Millerovo falls to the 2nd Division and they have redeployed ready to assault their next objectives. The Conscripts that were once again thrown into the path of my advancing Panzers were annihilated where they stood.


The KV1 Regiment in the south have been swept away and the 1st Division has crossed the Don River in force.


Whilst Gustav is resupplied wave attacks against the Maxim Gorky fort produce large casualties for little gain though intelligence indicates they are running short on ammunition.
The 23rd Bomber Wing once more locates an enemy surface vessel, the Cruiser Molotov and in one deadly attack manage to sink her.


A Soviet Engineer Regiment has sallied out of Morozovsk badly mauling out Hungarian Allies, this may leave the city open to attack.


Soviet Engineers certainly seem aggressive as the Regiment holding Sevastopol attacks out causing light casualties to the already depleted Grenadiers and receiving heavy loses themselves.

[Horseman]

July 14th 1942 (5)
Saratov; defended only by a lone Conscript Regiment falls easily to the advancing 1st Division


Serafimovich was similarly poorly defended and is captured as the 2nd Division splits to begin their out flanking move against Stalingrad.
The Engineers that sallied out of Morozovsk were eliminated and the city occupied.


In the south the 3rd Division secure the cities of Tikhoretsk and Salsk; destroying both of their garrisons in some hard fighting.
From here they will begin their long drive south-east to Baku.


The 60th Pioniere Regiment cleared out the Sevastopol Garrison.

[Horseman]

July 18th 1942 (6)
The 1st Division has crossed the Volga river and now fan out to the east hunting for Soviet reserves before they fall on the rear of Stalingrad.


Three Regiments of Russian Infantry are destroyed by the advancing 2nd Division as they close on their primary objective.


The 3rd Division meet no opposition as they head towards Baku though a Russian Mountain Regiment is spied to the south of the column.


Meanwhile other elements of the 3rd break off and begin the assault on Krasnodar


Sevastopol is secured by the 60th Pioniere Regiment and the naval guns dismantled.


The Russian Mountain Regiment launched an attack on the 3rd Division armoured colum but are fought to a standstill by the 13th Gebirgsjager Regiment.

[Horseman]

July 22nd 1942 (7)
The 1st Division has located elements of the Red Army being held in reserve including a whole Regiment of American made M3 Lee Tanks; accordingly they form up in to battle formation.


The 2nd Division has stopped to rest and resupply and also because I want to give the 1st Division time to fall on the rear of the Soviet formations. The only exception to this pause are the 12th Panzer Regiment that crosses the Don River and destroys the Russian Infantry holding the airfield.


The Russian Mountain Regiment that bravely left the sanctuary of the mountains in an attempt to delay the 3rd Division was eliminated and the nearby city of Mozdok was almost overrun and its defending Infantry almost destroyed.


To the west other elements of the 3rd capture Krasnodar.


Kerch is almost taken by my supporting forces and the massive rail gun Gustav has been ordered to redeploy east to support my advance.
The 60th Pioniere Regiment has boarded transports and will attempt a landing on the western coast aiding the advance south.


The Russian M3 Regiment now joined by some T34s has launched an attack and the brave men of 3rd Grenadier Regiment bravely hold the line. Meanwhile a Russian Guard Regiment has outflanked our positions and engaged our Artillery.


Further south a Regiment of M4 Sherman tanks has thrown itself at the 3rd Division with the 13th Gebirgsjager Regiment bearing the brunt of the assault.

[Horseman]

July 26th 1942 (8.)
With ruthless efficiency the 1st Division regroup and launch there own attack wiping out the Russian armour and Guard Regiments that dared to engage them.


The first probing attack on the city of Stalingrad was launched by the 6th Panzer Regiment revealing heavy Artillery and Flak Regiments supporting the city defences.


The M4 Regiment that engaged the 3rd Division has felt the fury of two Panzer Regiments whom encircle and destroy the enemy. The last of the Russian Infantry protecting Mozak were also mopped up and the city secured.

Rear elements of the 3rd Division approach Maikop and find the defenders well dug in.


In the Crimea region Kerch falls and remaining German forces in the area begin to redeploy.

[Horseman]

July 30th 1942 (9)
The 1st and 2nd Divisions have now combined in their assault on Stalingrad.
On the east side of the Volga an Artillery Regiment is overrun and on the west side the 6th Panzer Regiment enters the city from the north.
South of the city a small Russian battle group is wiped out (1 Engineer, 1 Anti-tank and 1 Artillery Regiment)


The 3rd Division halts their advance to resupply and secure the local airfield.


To the west Mailkop falls after heavy fighting and the coastal cities of Novorossiysk and Tvapik should fall to amphibious assault soon.

[Horseman]

August 3rd 1942 (10)
The remaining Russian Artillery behind the Volga are all but destroyed along with one of the Flak Regiments.
On the other side of the River the 6th Panzer Regiment continue their push through the city and Kotelnokov is secured.


Grozny is encircled by the 3rd Division and its supporting Artillery destroyed. A Regiment of Anti-tank guns is also badly mauled and the drive south-east seems almost inevitable.


On the coast my forces landed without opposition.

[Horseman]

A little something I'm mulling over right now is force composistion, I'm looking forward here to Moscow and then the USA (I hope) so far I have my 3 Divisions each made up of:
2xPanzers
2xInfantry
2xArtillery (1 SP)
plus supporting troops made up of:
1xGebirgsjager
1xPioniere
1xBruckenpioniere
And an airforce made up of:
6xfighters
2xfighter bombers
2xtactical bombers
2xstrategic bombers

Now unless I miss my guess I'll have at least 1 or 2 (and probably 3 or 4) more core slots to fill and I'm undecided on what to use..

Are 6 experienced fighter enough?
Do I have enough Bomber support?
Do I get more tanks or get some Anti-Tank (sp) units to fulfil the need for more armour?
Will I need more Infantry?

You get the jist! so throwing it out there, what do other players think?

I am leaning towards leaving the Luftwaffe as it is and getting more armour and am definately thinking SPATs - partially for role play and variety reasons. I don't think I'll go for any more Infantry as 8 and the bridgers seems sufficient

[Horseman]

August 7th 1942 (11)
The remaining Red Army forces near Stalingrad have been removed and my forces move in to secure the city. A lone Guards Regiment hold out on the east bank of the Volga but facing the entire 1st Division I suspect they will not stand for long.


The 3rd Division sweeps forward and are close to their final objective


A Luftwaffe Fighter Wing recons ahead of my advance on the coast and locates another Russian Mountain Regiment lying in ambush, the 60th Pionieres advance cautiously


Even so the Russians attack and heavy fighting ensures.

With Stalingrad overrun all that remains is the 3rd Divisions assault on Baku to secure a decisive victory, elsewhere the Red Army is all but annihilated with only scattered survivors to mop up.

[Horseman]

August 11th 1942 (12)
The Red Army camp on the east bank of the Volga has been occupied.
A Conscript Regiment has been destroyed near Elista along with the mountain regiment in the south blocking the way of the 60th Pioniere Regiment.
On their drive to Baku the 3rd Division has secured the city of Grozny and destroyed the garrison protecting Makhachkal.

August 15th 1942 (13)
A Regiment of BA-64s and an Artillery Regiment have been eliminated attempting to shield Astrakhan and a squadron of nearby River boats sunk by the Luftwaffe.
Another Soviet Mountain Regiment has been detected guarding the advance to Baku.

August 19th 1942 (14)
The 3rd Division easily swept the Soviet Mountain Regiment aside and now start the drive to their final Objective.

August 23rd 1942 (15)
Gorov is secured and two more Conscript Regiments fall to my forces – one at Elista and one at Astrakhan.
The Butumi garrison was eliminated following hard fighting by my troops.

August 27th 1942 (16)
As the 3rd Division nears Baku they report back enemy dispositions, the Red Armies last stand in the area


Scant hours later the attack began.


Batomi is captured whilst further east two further Conscript Regiments are seen defending the city of Tbilsi. As my forces approach they retreat south easterly, I am not sure if they intend to make an attempt to reinforce Baku or are hoping to fins solace in the mountains but retreating from a prepared defensive position seems to me to not be the wisest choice.

August 31st 1942 (17)
Only one Infantry Regiment is left defending Baku and I expect the city to be in my hands shortly.
Tbilsi is secured without a fight and my forces in the area are ordered to pursue the retreating Conscripts.

September 4th 1942 (18)
High command has sent details of a new Panzer now under production.


Its sheer size, armour and fire-power are over whelming. Initial reports suggest that these Tigers will be formed into independent Heavy Battalions, I have already begun arguing that they should be used in concert within our (my!) Panzer Divisions; an adequate replacement for the near obsolete Panzer IIIs.

A Regiment of BA-64 Armoured cars has been eliminated near Elista.
The City of Baku has fallen while slightly west the two Conscript Regiments continue to retreat.

[Horseman]

October 14th 1942 (28.)
The past month has been spent mopping up the remaining elements of the Red Army locate din the Caucus region.
Overall a further 10 Conscript Regiments and two BA-64 armoured car Regiments have been hunted down and eliminated.

I have also been advised of a new class of Fighter now under production




Once more my glorious achievements have proved in vain as lesser men prove unable to hold the ground my men fought hard to claim. I am starting to worry that this war will not be winnable unless others like myslef come to the fore.

[billmv44]

Regarding your question on what to add to your forces, I suggest Tigers. As many as you can afford. I think you are correct in leaving your air force as is. Mine is slightly smaller but not causing me any major issues.

Let me thank you for taking the time to produce this detailed war diary. I'm really enjoying seeing how you are approaching the scenarios.

[adrianoku]

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 !

[MartyWard]

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

[Horseman]

Regarding your question on what to add to your forces, I suggest Tigers. As many as you can afford. I think you are correct in leaving your air force as is. Mine is slightly smaller but not causing me any major issues.

Let me thank you for taking the time to produce this detailed war diary. I'm really enjoying seeing how you are approaching the scenarios.

tigers...hmmm that does fulful my need for Tanks, tanks and more tanks! I have one available core slot so its almost certainly going to be an armoured unit of some sort!

I'm considering not upgrading my fighters yet as well, the Bf109s have so far been more than adequate against the Russians so I'm wondering if getting some FW190s would just be a waste of prestige

Thanks for the compliment, its always nice to know someone is enjoying the read!