Kampgruppe von Saucken Scenario

General der Panzertruppen Eric von Saucken was given the One kampfgruppe in particular contained elements of both unenviable task to halt the Soviet offensive. To do this, he was the 505. Schwere Panzer and 5. Panzer. Their mission was given the remnants of 4. Armee, (mostly security and reserves to reopen the road to Minsk recently closed by a Soviet or replacement troops), some Walküre replacement regi- Mechanised . ments, and 5. Panzerdivision supported by the 505. Schwere The 3rd Guards Mechanised Corps had already brought Panzerabteilung. These forces constituted Kampgruppe von their anti- belt forward to block the road and ultimately Saucken. summoned additional assistance from the 27th Guards Tank In turn, von Saucken created additional kampfgruppen to Regiment. The outcome would determine the fate of retreat- meet the advancing Soviet spearheads northeast of Minsk. ing 4.Armee forces attempting to reach Minsk. KAMPFGRUPPE VON SAUCKEN

The fall of Borisov has opened the main road from Orsha to Minsk for the Soviet Army. Feldmarschall Model has appointed you as Kampfgruppe Commander. You are the Fuerher’s firemen. It is your job to reopen the road to Orsha so that the remaining units of the 4. Armee can retreat safely to Minsk. Once this has been accomplished we can begin to reorganize the defence line along the Berezina river. This is the first step in halting the Soviet offensive. Securing the main road will insure adequate supply to turn the tide and defeat the Red Army in the field.

Page  Your Orders German Your Kampfgruppe has been tasked 12”/30cm GERMAN DEPLOYMENT AREA to counterattack against the Soviet forces blocking the main road between Minsk and Orsha. It is imperative that you open the road Road for the 4.Armee that is retreating back to Minsk. You have a powerful Kampfgruppe at your disposal. It is time to uncage the Tigers and Wood Panthers upon the Russian plains. Drive them back. Onward to victory! Soviet Your Motorstrelkovy Batalon supported by Tank Destroyers Companies has been assigned to hold the critical Minsk-Orsha road until Wood the Tank Corps can push through to Minsk. You will have little time to build your defences. If the Germans Objective attack it will be swift and furious. You must hold the road open for the advancing Corps. The Kampfgruppe von Saucken scenario uses the Delayed Reserves Road and Mobile Battle special rules. Preparing for Battle Soviet DEPLOYMENT AREA 24”/60cm

1. Set up terrain using the map as Railway your guide. 2. Place the objective as identified on the map. The objective must be at least 12”/30cm from the table centerline. 3. The Soviet player deploys their Ending the Game initial forces in the Soviet deployment area. The battle ends after Turn 10 or: 4. The German then deploys their entire force in the German’s deployment area. 1. If the German Player holds the objective at the beginning of any of their turns. 5. Both players now place their Independent teams in their deployment zones starting with the Soviet player. 2. One of the forces fails a Motivation Check. Beginning the Battle Deciding Who Won 1. All reconnaissance platoons make their Reconnaissance The Soviet player gains one Victory Point for every turn after Deployment moves starting with the German Player. Turn Five that they hold the objective (Uncontested) and one Victory Point for each of the first two German platoons 2. The German Player has the first turn. destroyed. The German Player wins if they hold the objective at the beginning of a turn or have forced the Soviet forces to leave the field of battle.

Page  505. Schwere Panzer Kompanie 1. schwere panzer kompanie

5. Panzerdivision (CONFIDENT VETERAN) General der Panzertruppen Dietrich von Saucken Dietrich von Saucken w/ SdKfz 250/1 1.Kompanie Commander Tiger IE

1.Zug, 1. Kompanie 3 Tiger IE 2.Zug, 1. Kompanie 2 Tiger IE

Schwere Panzerpionier Platoon 3 Pionier Squads Schwere Armoured Anti-aircraft Platoon 3 Anti-aircraft gun sections Schwere Armoured Scout Platoon 2 Scout Platoons in Sd Kfz 250/1 half-tracks.

5. Panzer Division Support Pz. Rgt 31, I., 1.Kompanie, 3.Zug 4 Panzer IVH 5th Schützen Rgt, II.Battalion, 9.Kompanie Armoured Panzergrenadier Platoon (3 Squads) 116th Panzer Artillerie Rgt, I.Battalion 6 Wespe

3rd Gvardeyskaya 2ND RIFLE BATALON Mechanizirovannaya (FEARLESS TRAINED) korpus Podpolkovnik Stas Yevlenko Battalion Command Rifle Teams

1ys Motostrelkovy Rota, 2ya Batolon 3 Motor Rifle Platoons w/Ford GPA Amphibious jeeps 2ys Motostrelkovy Rota, 2ya Batolon 3 Motor Rifle Platoons w/Ford GPA Amphibious jeeps 3ys Motostrelkovy Rota, 2ya Batolon 3 Motor Rifle Platoons w/Ford GPA Amphibious jeeps 5ya Otdyelnaya Pulyemyotnaya Rota 3 Machine-gun Platoons 5ya Otdyelnaya Minomyotnaya Rota 2 Mortar Platoons 4ya Motostrelkovy Protevotankovy Rota 3 Anti-tank Platoons (upgrade to 57mm) 1ys Saperny Batalon 3 Sapper Platoons with Supply Truck 6ys Protevotankovy Rota 2 Platoon 85mm with crew 7ys Protevotankovy Rota 2 Platoon 85mm with crew DELAYED RESERVES 27ya Gvardeyskaya Tankovy Polk 8 M4A2 Sherman tanks 27ya Gvardeyskaya Tankovy Polk 5 T-34/85 1ya Rota 172ya Gvardeyskaya Bronevik Batalon 4 Rifle Squads 1015ya Samokhodnaya Artelleria Polk 5 SU-76M

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