Monday, 13 June 2016

The Next War, Operation Attila - D+14, WP Land Phase

With enemy resistance in Northern Germany virtually over and supply lines at least partially functional despite the continuous NATO air strikes, Warsaw Pact has reorganized its North and Central Fronts to prepare the final phase of the liberation of Europe.

Denmark and Hamburg Areas

The continental part of Denmark, completely abandoned by its so-called allies, was liberated by V German Army now operating as independent unit.


2nd Guards Tank Army, after the hard gained victory at Hamburg, moved to its new responsibility zone just South of the Ruhr.

Oldenburg Area

20th Guards Army defeated West German 7/3 Brigade and took control of Oldenburg. After the attack, several division were reassigned to 3rd Shock Army to the West.

North Front

In preparation for the upcoming final offensive, more than 10 artillery regiment have been transferred to North Front and positioned in proximity of the Ruhr. Several combat support assets such as Assault Engineers, Electronic Warfare Units and Mobile SAMs were also assigned to the armies in the area.

3rd Shock Army was heavily reinforced with several divisions and assigned the front facing NATO's  NEDEFOR (NEtherlands DEfense FOrces).

1st Guards Tank Army changed its army boundary, leaving space on its Southern flank for the insertion of 2nd Guards Tank Army arriving from Hamburg.

The newly arrived army immediately engaged US 1/8 Mech Brigade with two divisions already on site. After WP divisions cut off the Americans' retreat path, NATO reacted assigning a Wild Weasel strike mission in the area and rendering most of WP antiaircraft assets in the area useless. 

The ensuing battle was one of the hardest fought in the war, with the Americans calling in an impressive amount of AH-1, A-7 and A-10 Combat Air Support. In the end, the US brigade was forced to surrender after inflicting heavy casualties to East German 7th PanzerDivision.
For a detailed account of the battle, see D+14 17:00 Zulu Time Report.


Central Front

North of Frankfurt, two divisions of 8th Guards Army encircled and attacked US 1st Mechanized Division. The attack, hastily arranged to pin enemy reserves before the beginning of the final offensive, didn't have enough support to succeed and was ordered to a halt at D+14 dusk, after both WP division suffered very heavy losses.

Southern Front

The whole Southern Front is still plagued by heavy supply problems, caused by the destruction of every available Danube bridge. 
As a result, I Czech Army and Hungarian Army didn't have enough fuel for complete operational freedom and limited their advance to the areas abandoned by NATO in the previous 24 hours.

Strategic Situation at D+14, 20:00 Zulu Time


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15 comments:

  1. tgaul14 June 2016 at 01:01

    A US brigade surrendered!? Some colonel needs to be shot. To encourage the others

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    1. Fabrizio Vianello14 June 2016 at 07:11

      I can assure you they put up a more than decent fight before giving up...but as Soviet commander, I totally agree on your proposal.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous14 June 2016 at 14:55

    It's ironic that the areas captured by the WP seems to be following the way it looked in the book, "The Third World War".

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    Replies
    1. Fabrizio Vianello14 June 2016 at 16:59

      It's very similar, but in the book WP main attack was along the Hamburg -> Weser -> Netherlands axis, turning South at the Meuse after crossing the Rhine.
      My initial plan was a two-pronged attack toward the Ruhr along the Kassel -> Dortmund and Braunschweig -> Hanover -> Osnabruck axis, but it failed miserably as NATO was able to dig in just in time.

      Delete
  3. Merkwürdigliebe14 June 2016 at 20:39

    Our game ended when the defense of the Dutch frontier fell apart. The Netherlands surrendered, leaving rather a large hole in the NATO northern flank.

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  4. Anonymous15 June 2016 at 08:54

    Thanks for providing such a detailed replay. I hope the surrender negotiations are going well. NATO's defense seems rather inert. Why so few counterattacks and so much effort being spent on bombing the countryside instead of providing sorely needed air support or crippling enemy combat units at the tips of the various spears being plunged into the heart of NATO's vital areas. What about using some of the remaining airborne and air-mobile assets to cause a little more mischief and stop the pact from accumulating easy victory points (maybe even defending a port city or two). Are the West German Divisions saving themselves so they can help their future overlords liberate France and Belgium as well?

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    1. Fabrizio Vianello15 June 2016 at 09:20

      I'm happy to hear you're enjoying our AAR :)

      In most situations is VERY hard for NATO to help ground combat with close air support, as WP typically has too many AA defense; the only chance is to assign a Wild Weasel mission in support, but they are a scarce item badly needed elsewhere.

      On the other hand, air strikes against WP supply lines are definitely easier to execute with limited losses and their effects on WP capabilities is quite heavy. As WP player, I can assure you that without the disastrous effects of "Operation Hand of God" bombing campaign on my supply, I would be now sipping champagne in some nice Bistro on the Champs Elysee.

      P.S.: regarding the surrender negotiations, the hawks in US and British government still think they can stop the Red Army. I'll have to prove how much they're wrong in the next 48 hours.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous15 June 2016 at 15:00

    I foresee mass POW camps full of WP soldiers as NATO tricks the gullible WP leadership into over extending themselves. Once NATO resupplies itself, they will commence Operation Barbarossa II and will have a NATO victory parade down Red Square in 2 weeks. :) Nice replay! Can't wait to see it's outcome.

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    Replies
    1. Fabrizio Vianello15 June 2016 at 16:23

      Our leadership, ruled by the directives of the Party and of the Marxist-Leninist doctrine, cannot be deceived or tricked! The outcome of this war is already decided by the unavoidability of the historical processes.

      Spaziba, Tovarisch!

      Delete
    2. tgaul20 June 2016 at 02:47

      You Godless Commies will be dealt with by the unsurpassed bravery of the American fighting Man!!

      Delete
    3. Fabrizio Vianello20 June 2016 at 07:24

      The strong and motivated soldier of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, inspired by the heroes of the October Revolution and guided by the glorious Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, will overcome every obstacle!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous21 June 2016 at 16:15

    It's too bad we aren't hearing any thoughts or commentaries from the Nato end. I am very curious as to his overall plan and strategies during this play through.

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    1. Fabrizio Vianello21 June 2016 at 20:10

      I've asked several times NATO player to write up something....He always answered it would be a good idea, but that's all :)
      Nonetheless, I'm almost sure he'll made a final report at the end of the war.

      Delete
  7. Gwarh27 July 2016 at 23:54

    I'm actually a bit stressed after reading all the AAR in a row. Will NATO make it or not?!?!?!?

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    Replies
    1. Fabrizio Vianello28 July 2016 at 00:10

      As WP player, I'm doing my best to ensure that in near future NATO is just a nostalgic memory :-)

      Delete

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