Toaw Scenario: The Road to Moscow II - The Battle of Smolensk

Briefing
The Road to Moscow II: Army Group Center - The Battle of Smolensk 1. The road to Moscow set This group of eight linked scenarios takes the campaigns of Army Group Center from Crossing the Border on 22 June 1941 to the end of the Soviet Counterattack, in February 1942. I. Crossing the border 22 June-3 July II. Smolensk 4-31 July III. Guderian turns South 1-25 August IV. Kiev 26 August- 25 September V. Bryansk-Vyasma 1-15 October VI. At the Gates 16 Oct ? 4 December VII. Soviet Counterattack 5 December- 5 February 1942 VIII. What if?? 15 August- 7 October Rather than giving a detailed synopsis of Operation Barbarossa, I suggest reading Barbarossa: Hitler?s Invasion of Russia 1941 by David Glantz. It is currently in print as an inexpensive trade paperback. The game was designed on The Operational Art of War, Century of Warfare, version 1.04. I used a game scale of full-day turns, 10-km hexes, and games lengths corresponded to the various phases of Operation Barbarossa. Unit size is primarily divisional, with regimental German motorized and panzer units. Corps level artillery regiments are incorporated in the German Infantry Divisions and are separate regiments for the Soviets. This reflects the closer coordination the Germans had with their artillery. The exception are the German Motorized Corps artillery regiments which remain as separate units, giving the Germans the ability to concentrate there mobile artillery at a point of attack. I could elaborate on the various decisions and references concerning unit strength, replacements, Events, TOE, organization, maps, etc. But suffice to say, my goal was to create a group of scenarios that, using historic tactics and a little luck, give a reasonable chance of obtain the historic result. Although the game testing was Human German player vs Soviet PO, much of the test was PO vs PO to obtain a draw, and the scenarios should be playable as PO vs Soviets or human vs human. I would appreciate any feedback, after action reports or suggestions. 2. Background Operation Barbarossa now enters its third week. The battle of Minsk is over and Army Group Center has destroyed three Soviet Armies. Ahead is the Road to Moscow. The next major city is Smolensk. It is guarded by the Soviet 22nd, 20th, 19th, 13th and 21st Armies. Hoth's 3rd Panzer Group swings north and Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group swings south to encircle Smolensk. Meanwhile the infantry divisions of the 2nd, 4th and 9th German Armies are following, a week or more behind the panzers. 3. Player's notes 3.1. German Player Historically, Guderian crossed the Dnieper River by avoiding the fortified cities of Orsha, Mogilev and Rogakov, and crossed at weaker points in between.The German player should do the same. The infantry divisions arrive later and should be used to surround and destroy the by-passed Soviet divisions and secure the flanks of the Panzer groups- especially along the Soz River. 3.2. Soviet player The Red Army had an offensive mentality in a defensive situation, and wasted most of their tanks units in ill-conceived attacks. The Soviets should fight a delaying action to the Yartsevo-Yelna- Roslovl line. Rob Kunz

Briefing

The Road to Moscow II: Army Group Center - The Battle of Smolensk

1. The road to Moscow set

This group of eight linked scenarios takes the campaigns of Army Group Center from Crossing the Border on 22 June 1941 to the end of the Soviet Counterattack, in February 1942.

I. Crossing the border 22 June-3 July
II. Smolensk 4-31 July
III. Guderian turns South 1-25 August
IV. Kiev 26 August- 25 September
V. Bryansk-Vyasma 1-15 October
VI. At the Gates 16 Oct ? 4 December
VII. Soviet Counterattack 5 December- 5 February 1942
VIII. What if?? 15 August- 7 October

Rather than giving a detailed synopsis of Operation Barbarossa, I suggest reading Barbarossa: Hitler?s Invasion of Russia 1941 by David Glantz. It is currently in print as an inexpensive trade paperback.

The game was designed on The Operational Art of War, Century of Warfare, version 1.04. I used a game scale of full-day turns, 10-km hexes, and games lengths corresponded to the various phases of Operation Barbarossa. Unit size is primarily divisional, with regimental German motorized and panzer units.
Corps level artillery regiments are incorporated in the German Infantry Divisions and are separate regiments for the Soviets. This reflects the closer coordination the Germans had with their artillery. The exception are the German Motorized Corps artillery regiments which remain as separate units, giving the Germans the ability to concentrate there mobile artillery at a point of attack.
I could elaborate on the various decisions and references concerning unit strength, replacements, Events, TOE, organization, maps, etc. But suffice to say, my goal was to create a group of scenarios that, using historic tactics and a little luck, give a reasonable chance of obtain the historic result.

Although the game testing was Human German player vs Soviet PO, much of the test was PO vs PO to obtain a draw, and the scenarios should be playable as PO vs Soviets or human vs human.
I would appreciate any feedback, after action reports or suggestions.

2. Background

Operation Barbarossa now enters its third week. The battle of Minsk is over and Army Group Center has destroyed three Soviet Armies.

Ahead is the Road to Moscow. The next major city is Smolensk. It is guarded by the Soviet 22nd, 20th, 19th, 13th and 21st Armies. Hoth's 3rd Panzer Group swings north and Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group swings south to encircle Smolensk.

Meanwhile the infantry divisions of the 2nd, 4th and 9th German Armies are following, a week or more behind the panzers.

3. Player's notes

3.1. German Player

Historically, Guderian crossed the Dnieper River by avoiding the fortified cities of Orsha, Mogilev and Rogakov, and crossed at weaker points in between.The German player should do the same.

The infantry divisions arrive later and should be used to surround and destroy the by-passed Soviet divisions and secure the flanks of the Panzer groups- especially along the Soz River.

3.2. Soviet player

The Red Army had an offensive mentality in a defensive situation, and wasted most of their tanks units in ill-conceived attacks. The Soviets should fight a delaying action to the Yartsevo-Yelna- Roslovl line.

Rob Kunz