Generaloberst Hermann Hoth'
Our attacks here in the south of Kursk have been much more effective than those in the north, but they are far from decisive. Kursk still remains firmly in the hands of the Soviets and we are running out of time and fuel. We now must focus our attention on the town of Prokhorovka. If we can succeed in taking Prokhorovka we will cut off Kursk from vital supplies. Since the new Panther tank has not been the wonder weapon High Command thought it would be we are send you are your men of the 2 SS Panzer Corp to assault and secure the town. Elements of the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier will assist you in breaking through their defensive line. Be aggressive and strike quickly before they can reinforce the area. If you manage to break through we hopefully can catch the soviets off guard and save the Reich.
Hail Hitler.
Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein
Objectives:
Smash through the Russian defensive line so we can take Prokhorovka and repel any soviet counter attack.
Victory Points
Casualties
Minor +1
Major +2
Take Prokhorovka +2
Hold 252.4 +1
Hold 226.6 +1
Hold Oboian Road +1
Deployment:
2nd SS Panzer Grenadiers Regiment starts deployed on and around hill 226.6. The 2nd SS Panzer Grenadiers Regiment is to assault the soviet defense making room for the tanks to break through.
The Leibstandarte Division start deployed on and around hill 226.6. They are to provide fire support for the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadiers Regiment as they assault
Prokhorovka and attempt to seize hill 252.4.
The Totenkopf Divisions deploy on turn three using the mobile deployment rules in sector 2 and then secure the Oboian road before advancing on Prokhorovka.
The Das Reich Division may deploy on turn three using mobile deployment rules in sector 3 and provide flank support for the attacking German troops.
Special Rules:
Dusty: Due to the dust and dry summer visibility is reduced from the large number of tanks partaking in the battle. Starting on Turn 5 visibility is reduced to 80cm. Turn 6 it will be reduced to 60cm. Turn 7 it will be reduced to 40cm. Turn 8 it will be reduced to 20cm. Visibility will remain at 20cm for the remained of the battle. FAO and FAC visibility will be 20cm more than what the restriction is.
Ten Turn Game
The Kursk Salient (The Battle of Prokhorovka) July 12th, 1943
Germans 2nd SS Tank Corps
CO 100
FAO 45
3 105 135
2 Smoke Each 60
2 HE Asset each 60
FAC 45
2 Stuka 140
Asset Bombs x4 40
FAC 45
2 Stuka 140
Asset Bombs x4 40
2nd SS Panzer Grenadier 45
6 Engineers 300
6 Sdkfz 251/7 120
3 Panzer III Flame 195
3 Panzer IV 300
Leibstandarte Division
Michael Wittman +1 90
1 Tiger Ace 155
3 Stug III 285
5 Panzer III L 240
1 Quad 20mm AAG on Sdkfz 10 60
Das Reich Division 45
2 Marder 150
7 Panzer IV 700
1 Ferdinand 220
1 Quad 20mm AAG on Sdkfz 10 60
Totenkopf Divisions 45
5 Panzer III L 240
3 Tigers 465
2 Stug III 190
Total: 4725
Russian Orders
Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops Pavel Rotmistrov,
The Germans have attacked us at Kursk. Luckily we knew about the attack long in advance. The Germans have been stalled in the north and their attack has gained nothing. However their attacks in the south now threaten to cut off Kursk from vital supplies. We are dug in deep at Prokhorovka, but it is unlikely the men their can stand up to the might of the German war machine. The Boss has ordered units not engaged in the battle to counter attack in the hopes that the Germans can be smashed. Maneuver around their thrust and cut them off. We shall be victorious by days end.
For the Motherland!!!
Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov
Objectives:
Do not let the Hun break through our lines at Prokhorovka. Have you men fight like dogs until support arrives. Then destroy the invaders.
Victory Points
Casualties
Minor +1
Major +2
Take Prokhorovka +2
Prevent the capture of 252.4 +1
Retake 226.6 +1
Clear the Oboian Road of enemy +1
Deployment
69th army deploys behind the defenses.
The Russian18th corps may deploy starting on turn three using the mobile deployment rules in Russian Sector10;
29th Tank corps may deploy on turn four using the mobile deployment rules in Russian Sector 5.
2nd Tank corps may deploy on turn four using the mobile deployment rules in Russian Sector 7.
Special Rules
Dusty: Due to the dust and dry summer visibility is reduced from the large number of tanks partaking in the battle. Starting on Turn 5 visibility is reduced to 80cm. Turn 6-it will we be reduced to 60cm. Turn 7 it will be reduced to 40cm. Turn 8 it will be reduced to 20cm. Visibility will remain at 20cm for the remained of the battle. FAO and FAC visibility will be 20cm more than what the restriction is.
Length: 10 turns
The Kursk Salient (The Battle of Prokhorovka) July 12th, 1943
Russians
5th Tank Corps Army
CO 75
FAO +1 30
4 122mm 240
Smoke 40
HE 40
FAC +1 30
2 II-2 (Bombs) 140
Elements of the 69th Army 30
5 Infantry 100
2 MG 50
2 57mm ATG 80
1 T-34 115
1 KV-2 120
2 37mm AAG 60
Defenses
Trenches (100cm) 25
Wire (100cm 25
2 Bunkers 100
Tanks Ditch (60cm) 75
18th Tank Corps 30
5 T-70 175
5 T-34 575
2 KV-1 240
3 SMG Teams 60
29th Tank Corps 30
5 T-34 575
5 M3 Stuart 215
2 KV-85 290
3 SMG Teams 60
2nd Tank Corps 30
5 T-34 575
5 T-70 175
2 SU-85 290
3 SMG 60
Total 4730
After Action Report
The German Air Force opened the battle with hitting the Russian Defenses with everything they had and only managed to slightly damage a bunker and destroy one dug in T-34. Then the German infantry advanced on the trenches under the cover of smoke.
Meanwhile the Leibstandarte Division moved quickly to occupy hill 252.4 and take the high ground over looking Prokhorovka.
The Totenkopf Division arrived late and moved to secure the Oboian road, but soon found themselves outflanked by the Russian 29th Tank Corps. Several German tanks immediately found themselves a flame from well-placed Russian attacks from the rear.
At the same time Leibstandarte Division was flank attacked by the Russian 18th Tank Corps, but the Russians failed to get in any shooting after moving on the board allowing the Germans to reach to the surprise attack.
All the while the Das Reich Division moved to cover the rear of the attack forces. The Russian 2nd Tank Corp attempted to come up the Oboain Road but failed for several turns to make their command roll to come on. So Das Reich moved to assist the Totenkopf Divisions who was fighting on Hill 252.4.
The Russian Air Force and Artillery valiantly tried to thwart the attack from the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadiers and while destroying a good portion of their force was unable to prevent them from bridging the tank pits and storming the Russian defenses. The Russian trenches and bunker fell to the German Flame tanks as they closed to assault and the Russian Infantry men where no match for the German Engineers in close quarters. This coupled with poor leadership rolls eventually led to the fall of the Prokhorovka defensive line.
To the right of the trenches though fighting was bloody between the Totenkopf Divisions and the Russian 18th Tank Corp. Tank pounded each other at close range for several rounds. Just when victory seemed to be in the Russian grasp the German CO shot his ineffective HQ unit and rallied Totenkopf who finally finished off the 29th. With the 29th taken care of Totenkopf was able to finally secure the Oboian road.
Meanwhile the Leibstandarte Division was not fairing well. The Russian 18th was giving them hell and Michael Wittman had fallen victim to a Russian Infantry assault. All the stood in the Russian way was a 20mm quad AAG, 3 PZIII and an out of command Stug III. The superior T-34 proved a hard tank to kill and the little T-70 fire support where making short work of Leibstandarte. Leibstandarte only hope was for Das Reich to send vital reinforcements otherwise Hill 252.4 was lost.
Finally the Russian 2nd Tanks had arrived, but at this point Das Reich had positioned them selves to prevent them from effectively reinforcing the battle damage, but still effective 18th on Hill 252.4. With the complete annihilation of the 69th army and the 18th Tanks, the Russian commanders called the fight.
VP
German
+2 taking Prokhorovka defensive line
+1 for hold Hill 226.6
+1 for securing Oboain Road
+1 for inflicting more casualties.
Russians
0 VP secured
Hill 252.4 was never taken and contested to games end.
4 to 0 German Tactical Victory
Casualties
Germans 2nd SS Tank Corps
CO
FAO
3 105
FAC
2 Stuka / 1 Shot Down
FAC
2 Stuka
2nd SS Panzer Grenadier
6 Engineers/ 3 Dead
6 Sdkfz 251/7 / 1 Destroyed
3 Panzer III Flame/ 1 Destroyed
3 Panzer IV/ 3 destroyed
Leibstandarte Division
Michael Wittman +1/ Dead
1 Tiger Ace/ Destroyed
3 Stug III/ 2 Destroyed
5 Panzer III L / 2 Destroyed
1 Quad 20mm AAG on Sdkfz 10
Das Reich Division
2 Marder
7 Panzer IV
1 Ferdinand
1 Quad 20mm AAG on Sdkfz 10
Totenkopf Divisions
5 Panzer III L \ 3 Destroyed
3 Tigers\ 2 Destroyed
2 Stug III
Total
3 Infantry of 6
15 AFV of 42
1 Aircraft of 4
0 Officers of 8
Total Points Killed: 1525 of 4725
CO
FAO +1\ Killed
4 122mm
FAC +1\ Killed
2 II-2 (Bombs)
Elements of the 69th Army\ Killed
5 Infantry\ Dead
2 MG \Dead
2 57mm ATG \Dead
1 T-34 \Dead
1 KV-2 \Dead
2 37mm AAG \Dead
18th Tank Corps
5 T-70 \2 Dead
5 T-34 \3 Dead
2 KV-1 \ 1 Dead
3 SMG Teams \ 1 Dead
29th Tank Corps
5 T-34 \Dead
5 M3 Stuart \ Dead
2 KV 85\ Dead
3 SMG Teams \ Dead
2nd Tank Corps
5 T-34
5 T-70
2 SU-85
3 SMG
Total
Infantry: 11 of 16
Aircraft: 0 of 2
Officers: 3 of 7
AFV: 20 of 38
Guns: 4 of 4
Total Points Killed: 2410 of 4730
GM’s Thoughts
The Russian 2nd tanks and the German Das Reich never engaged the battle because the 2nd had such a had time making Command rolls, shot for shot it would have been close but I feel that Das Reich would have lost out. The reason being is the 18th was about to finish off the Leibstandarte and Das Reich was already having to commit tanks to try to prevent the taking of Hill 252.6. As we saw in the other micro battle the Russian tanks pound for pound killed the Germans. The only this that helped the Germans was the better command and having Air assets to call in. The Germans did have 5 tanks from Totenkopf rushing across the board, but their PZ III where hardly a match for T-34 and KV-1. Although Totenkopf sole surviving Tiger would have helped. At this point visibility was down to 20cm and that made getting the air hard to get in, plus the Russian had SMG team, which did knock, out a few tanks. The game was called at turn 8 the Russians had lost the town and a whole division of tanks. The Russians where past break point and it was late in the evening, and while I'm young most the guys in our group where past bead time. The Russian probably would have taken Hill 252.4, but highly unlikely it would happen by turn 10 since they could see very far. If the battle for that hill continued like the other the Russians would probably have hardly any tanks left after it was over. The tanks battle where pretty fairly matched.
The battle for the trenches went all little different than I thought. I thought the Russians would hold off the German infantry. Instead it was a slaughter. Once the engineers and flame tanks made it through the pit and wire the Russian just died. It didn’t help that they had a hard time rolling command, but when the engineer assaulted that got a lot of dice. If I could go back I would have give the Germans half the engineers and replaced them with regular infantry. Also probably give the Russian one or two more dug in tanks. Their guns they had on the lines just weren’t enough to kill the stuff in front of them not enough firepower to mass. Once they lost the one T34 the Germans just rolled up that side and focused on that flank. Russian could hurt them accept with air strikes, which they really need elsewhere to stop the German tanks in the fields. Plus at the battle the Russians did have a lot of AT guns massed. More than I gave them. That’s for sure.
Just like the real Battle of Prokhorovka combat with tanks was at close range. Shooting at 20cm or less a lot of the time. Tons of dice being rolled and lots of tanks flaming. Brutal.
What one the game for the Germans though was superior Command ability. Having and CV of 8 and not 7 like the Russians made a huge difference. While the Germans did have one round where every command roll failed, the Russians had a lot more rounds like that, and that really hurt them the most.
Another thought was to not limit visibility so must and instead have the dust give all units one better cover, that was you can still have a bit of range just harder to hit.
Over a it was a blast. Thanks for playing.
Craig
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