Battle for the Merchyk : 12 August 1943

Back to the Eastern front and the Tank Battles of 1943. This I think is our 4th battle of the Rumyantsev offensive (you could play many more as the campaign provides an almost limitless list of scenarios) However on the 12th August 1943 Hoth counter attacked the Russian offensive south of the River Merchyk. Historically he had three SS Panzer Divisions at his disposal Wiking, Das Reich and Totenkopf. All reasonably well equipped and with numerous Tiger Tanks. These were facing Katukov's 1st Tank Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army. Alhtuogh the Russian had superiority of numbers they had extended their position across the Merchyk River. The Panzers of Totenkopf took the town of Vysokopol'ye and pushed all the way to the river, surprising Katukov, when he sought to bring reinforcements up as the river crossings were already in German hands. The Russian line was stabilised by the intervention of a brigade of the 29 Tank Corps.

So to create an interesting scenario I planned to fight the advance of Totenkopf upto and crossing the River Merchyk. We gave the Germans considerable superiority in points as previous battle have shown it very difficult to stage any kind of attack without this advantage. The Russians have been forced to deploy south of the river but can pull back if they get the chance...Stalin of course wouldn't be happy with this defensive approach. The Germans must attempt to drive to the river and seize the crossing.

The River Merchyk, Russian forces have pulled back to the three bridges to hold the Germans back

Russian T34's in considerably numbers out of the river but their range still can't match that of the better german tanks

The Germans advance with Panzer III's , IV's Stug's and Wespe artillery support, the artillery is moving into the wooded hill to give cover and better line of sight

The SS have deployed a strong force of anti tank guns to the other hill but they mistakenly delay getting into the woods the Russians make them pay and quickly blow up tow of the guns. 

The Russian have dug artillery in around the bridges and pull some of their tanks back across in case they need to counter attack

The Germans have some air support in the form of Stuka Dive bombers, these can be called in by a forward observer unit this immediately causes problems for the Russians knocking out an SU76 gun close to the town.

Close up action as the screams of dive bombers fill the air !!  

A general view down the advancing german line looking West a strong Panzer formation is heading directly for the town and although it is hard to see they have already knocked out two SU 122's so the defence of the central crossing appears wide open 

However, the initial success is not the whole story, in the foreground the anti tank unit without adequate support has been completely wiped out, due to a command blunder the Heavy Tiger tanks have been delayed reaching the battle and in the distance the Russians have staged an audacious sweeping out flanking movement completely catching the advancing Germans by surprise.

An overview of the battlefield, the initial fast advance of the SS has been slowed

The german commander is screaming into his radio "where are the Tigers" ......well the answer is on the first turn they rolled a double six command blunder causing them to be delayed by one turn. Ok not a disaster with their long range coming in on turn three they can still be effective. Turn three UNBELIEVABLY they roll a second command blunder, this is unheard of they still don't arrive on the battlefield and when they do their leadership is no reduced.😱

So without the heavy Tigers the Russian T34's are able to outflank the german line to the west catching the Panzers in the open on the flank, this is not good news 

The artillery from the wooded hill by the road have regrouped to provide support but the Panzers in the middle ground are being picked off one by one before they can reform

At this point the german commander realised the Wespe's range was too short !

Desperate measures the German commander has split a unit of Panzers off to attack the far bridge only protected by a single 85mm gun. To support this he calls in more air support !!!!!!! Another command blunder (you really couldn't make this up) causing the dive bombers to target the advancing german tanks in error. Two are blown up the third immobilised! 

The smoke in the centre of the picture shows where the Germans have been caught in the open, they are at least now being supported by the Artillery form the wood which has advanced down the hill to shorten the range.

FINALLY the Tigers arrive on the battlefield with superior range and killing power they immediately start to cut into the Russian flank attack but instead of advancing across the table they are having to stabilise their own german lines

To the East The Russians have knocked out the diversionary german attack and are now moving west to close the pincer movement

T34's heading along the banks of the river to support their infantry dug in in the town

Just a close up shot....as the T34's close in for the kill !

The german commander called a halt at this point the german advance simply hadn't made the progress needed and we can assume the Russian will be able with the delay to bring reinforcements up to stabilise their position on the river.

A very enjoyable game, we thought the Germans would steamroller over the Russian forces. We worked out the Germans had an incredible SEVEN command blunders in something like six turns of combat. The two delaying the Tigers had a big impact as they were delayed getting into the battle. Somebody will no doubt pay for this ! The blunder on the dive bombers was a classic and will live in our memories for a long time 😀😀😀