ASL AAR: Red Barricades – Into the Factory (CG1/Day1)

Historical Prelude

On October 17, 1942 the German 6th Army, led by General Friedrich Paulus, had managed to penetrate deep into Stalingrad, capturing significant portions but facing fierce resistance from the Soviet 62nd Army under General Vasily Chuikov.

The Soviets employed a strategy known as “hugging the enemy,” keeping their lines close to the German positions to mitigate the effectiveness of German artillery and air support. This resulted in close-quarters combat with soldiers often fighting with bayonets, grenades, and even hand-to-hand. Key areas like the Red October Steel Factory, the Dzerzhinsky Tractor Factory, and the Barrikady Gun Factory became epicenters of the fighting, with control of these industrial complexes seesawing between the two sides.

By mid-October, it was clear that the German advance had slowed considerably. The Soviets, bolstered by reinforcements and a growing sense of determination, were not only holding their ground but also preparing for a counteroffensive. This period of the siege set the stage for the dramatic Soviet counteroffensive, Operation Uranus, which would begin in November and ultimately lead to the encirclement and defeat of the German 6th Army.

The Players

Germans – Peyton (Badger317)
Russians – Brandon (injurwii)

Initial scenario VC: Germans win at game end if they control at least 15 stone locations.

Germans:
Starting OB: Elements of Infantrie-Division 389 including an off-board observer with access to an 80+mm Battalion Mortar
Purchases: PSW222(L) Platoon, 4-6-7 Rifle Company, PzIIIH Platoon

An unlucky set of 11s on leader rolls meant that the two German armor platoons did not have an armor leader. The German infantry were all fully supplied and had decent leaders (9-2, 3×9-1, 2×8-1, 2×8-0, and 7-0). The Germans units were set up in two fronts along the north and west map edges. The goal was to pincer the main Russian force and take as much ground as possible.

Russians:
Starting OB: Elements of 138th Rifle Division
Purchases: T34-M43 Platoon (on board)

The Russian T34’s were inexperienced and the Russian leadership for the infantry was 9-1, 8-1, 7-0, and 6+1. Two out of three Russian infantry units were also depleted. The Russian forces set up along the E5-W5 road in the stone buildings. The two 45LL guns and T34s were pointed in the direction of any approach by German armor.

After Action Report

Day 1: October 17th, 1942 – Stalingrad, Russia

The German approach was initially slow. The fear of mine fields was palpable. Despite the caution, one Panzer IIIL found a mine field and ended up being immobilized. A second Panzer IIIL was subsequently fired upon by an emplaced 45LL (U6). On the western front, the unsupported German infantry found a Russian HMG and MMG squad looking their way – slowing the approach even more.

The German reinforcements entered on turn 3. Little did the Germans know that three of their seven AFVs would be destroyed right as they came on. One PzIIIH found a mine field, which ended up eliminating the AFV immediately (the crew did survive). A second PzIIIH tried to run behind a T34 that was stymieing the advance of German infantry to the north, but it was quickly dispatched by the far superior gun of the Russian AFV. Two PzIIILs in the north were now immobilized, effectly becoming glorified turrets for the remainder of the game. The brave PSW222 platoon attempted to break open the river bank for an infantry advance, but two were quickly knocked out, leaving only one that ended up being ineffective for the remainder of the day.

After the loss of so much German armor, the German infantry knew that they needed to act, or all would be lost. Men were jumping onto tanks and fighting in CC, some to better effect than others. One brave German tank crew jumped onto a T34, but they lost their lives for the effort. The 45LL gun near the river ended up breaking and the crew was lost due to a shot from one of the immobile PzIIILs. The other immobile PzIIIL was finally detroyed by the T34 watching the north of the map by the river. The first H-to-H melee of the game happened on the western edge of the board as well, which kicked off the numerous H-to-H Melees that happened on the first day. Two of these melees ended in mutual destruction of both sides – Stalingrad was off to a bloody start.

The action really started heating up around turn 6 as the German infantry finally started reaching their targets. However, with every step forward, a German squad broke. This lead to the German high command having to slow the advance and focus on achievable success. The German losses had to to mitigated. The Germans had successfully captured the Manufacturing Hall – an achievement! More melees ensued, some that the Germans won which helped them capture more stone locations.

At turn 7, the action began to slow and the battle lines began to be settled. two more H-to-H melees occurred which resulted in the Russians killing the German 9-2 leader. More and more German infantry squads were breaking without leaders and had to retreat to live to fight another day. The H-to-H melee in F5 outlasted the game, which ended at the end of turn 7. Subsequent CC rolls lead to the loss of the German units in the hex and the Russians held onto the location.

The Russians amassed a large number of CVPs (over 70), but the Germans ended up winning the day with their 16 stone locations. The refit phase will commence later this week. We can’t wait for Day 2!

GET TO THE CHOPPA…!!!

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