Battle report: 1st German Infantry Division vs. 2nd Russian Rifle Division (28th June 1941)

The first battle on my mini-campaign saw the 1st Infantry Division attack the 2nd Rifle Division about halfway along the road between the Russo-German border and the city of Riga.

A map of the battlefield.

A photograph of the battlefield.

The forces involved

The 1st Infantry Division comprised:

• General von Tarlenheim (Average; 6 SPs)
• 1st Divisional HQ (Average; 2 SPs)
• 1st Infantry Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 2nd Infantry Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 3rd Infantry Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 1st Artillery Regiment (Average; 2 SPs + 2 SPs)
• 1st Anti-tank Battalion (Average; 2 SPs + 2 SPs)
• Total strength: 28 SPs
• Exhaustion Point: 10 SPs

The 2nd Rifle Division comprised:

• DivCom Pribluda (Below average; 6 SPs)
• 2nd Divisional Reconnaissance Unit (Average; 1 SP)
• 4th Rifle Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 5th Rifle Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 6th Rifle Regiment (Average; 4 SPs)
• 2nd Artillery Regiment (Average; 2 SPs + 2 SPs)
• 2nd Anti-tank Battalion (Average; 2 SPs + 2 SPs)
• Total strength: 27 SPs
• Exhaustion Point: 9 SPs

Because the German invasion was unexpected, the 2nd Rifle Division had not yet been able to concentrate, and was still scattered over a number of locations. These were determined randomly using a system similar to that used to create the terrain map.

(A D6 die was thrown in turn for each unit to determine which row of grid squares in the left-hand column the location count would start in. 2D6 dice were then thrown, and the combined scores determined how many grid squares across, down, and back from the starting grid square was the one in which the unit was located at the start of the battle.)

The Russian units were located as shown on the following map:

A map of the battlefield showing the locations of the Russian defenders.

A photograph of the battlefield showing the locations of the Russian defenders.

The abilities of the respective commanders affected the median values of playing cards used to determine how many units the red (Russian) and black (German) commanders could activate each turn, as did the quality of their respective communications. Thus, DivCom Pribluda – who was rated as below average (-1) and who had poor communications links (-1) – had a lower median playing card value (2) than General von Tarlenheim, who was rated as average and who had good communication links (+1), which gave the German a median playing card value of 5.

Turn 1
The Germans moved first. They turned over a 4 of Spades, and could activate up to four units.

Von Tarlenheim pushed the 1st Infantry Regiment forward to engage the 2nd Divisional Reconnaissance Unit. Both sides suffered casualties, and the 2nd Divisional Reconnaissance Unit was wiped out.

He then ordered the 2nd Infantry Regiment to assault the 4th Rifle Regiment, and the intense fighting resulted in both sides losing casualties.

Finally, von Tarlenheim accompanied the 1st Artillery Regiment as it entered the battlefield and prepared to engage the enemy.

The Russians turned over a 3 of Diamonds and could activate up to three units.

Before doing anything else, DivCom Pribluda moved to join the 6th Rifle Regiment.

He ordered the 4th Rifle Regiment to stand fast and continue fighting against the German invaders. The intense fighting continued, but only resulted in further Russian casualties and the withdrawal of the 2nd Infantry Regiment.

DivCom Pribluda also managed to contact the 5th Rifle Regiment, which he ordered to move forward.

The situation at the end of Turn 1.

Turn 2
Both sides fired their artillery. The 2nd Artillery Regiment fired over open sights at the 1st Infantry Regiment ... and missed! The 1st Artillery Regiment fired at the 4th Rifle Regiment, which they hit, causing the unit further casualties.

The Germans retained the initiative this turn, and turned over a 4 of Clubs. They could therefore activate up to four units.

The 1st Infantry Regiment opened fire on the 2nd Artillery Regiment, as a result of which the artillery unit lost 1 SP.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment opened fire on the 4th Rifle Regiment, and the latter was wiped out!

The 3rd Infantry Regiment now moved onto the battlefield, and advanced towards the farm building between the hill and the road.

The Russians turned over a 3 of Hearts and were able to activate up to three units.

DivCom Pribluda personally led the 6th Rifle Regiment's attack on the 1st Infantry Regiment. The fighting was intense, but neither side could prevail.

At the same time, the 2nd Artillery Regiment limbered up prior to moving, and the 5th Rifle Regiment continued to move towards the fighting.

The situation at the end of Turn 2.

Turn 3
As the 2nd Artillery Regiment was preparing to move, only the 1st Artillery Regiment was able to fire ... but no suitable target was with its range or line-of-sight.

For the third turn running, the Germans had the initiative. They turned over a 5 of Clubs, and were therefore able to activate up to five units.

Von Tarlenheim ordered the 3rd Infantry Regiment to move forward and fire into the flank of the 6th Rifle Regiment. They did so, and in the process not only inflicted casualties on the Russian unit but also killed DivCom Pribluda!

(At this point the Russians had lost 13 SPs and had passed their Exhaustion Point.)

The 1st Infantry Regiment mounted a spirited attack on the leaderless and demoralised 6th Rifle Regiment, inflicting further casualties on that unit in the process.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment moved forward and reached the road to Riga.

The Russians turned over a 2 of Hearts, and were able to activate up to two units.

The 6th Rifle Regiment fell back, accompanied by the 2nd Artillery Regiment.

The situation at the end of Turn 3.

Turn 4
The 1st Artillery Regiment fired at the withdrawing 6th Rifle Regiment, which caused the latter to fall back even further.

The Russians had the initiative this turn, and turned over an Ace of Diamonds. This meant that they could only activate a single unit this turn.

The 2nd Artillery Regiment retreated off the battlefield, leaving the remnants of the 5th Rifle Regiment and the 6th Rifle Regiment to fend for themselves.

The Germans turned over a 6 of Clubs, which meant that they could activate up to six units.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment moved rapidly up the road towards Riga, and opened fire on the 2nd Anti-tank Battalion. As a result, the latter withdrew towards Riga.

The 3rd Infantry Regiment skirted around the hill, and fired into the flank of the 5th Rifle Regiment, causing them to lose a further SP.

The 1st Infantry Regiment moved forward and occupied the nearby woods, from where they fired at the 5th Rifle Regiment.

Fearing the the Russians might have tanks nearby, von Tarlenheim brought forward the 1st Anti-tank Battalion to guard the right-hand flank of his division.

The situation at the end of Turn 4.

Turn 5
The 1st Artillery Regiment yet again fired at the 6th Rifle Regiment, this time causing it to lose 1 SP.

The Russians retained the initiative this turn, and turned over a 2 of Diamonds. This meant that they could activate up to two units this turn.

Both the 5th and the 6th Rifle Regiments withdrew as best they could.

The Germans turned over a 4 of Spades, which allowed them to activate up to four units this turn.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment pushed forward towards Riga, whilst the 3rd Infantry Regiment attempted to pursue the retreating 5th and 6th Rifle Regiments. They fired at the 5th Rifle Regiment at long range, forcing them to fall back even further.

The 1st Infantry Regiment moved forward from its position in the woods, and opened fire on the retreating 6th Rifle Regiment. They did not inflict any losses on the Russian unit, but did force them to withdraw still further.

By this point, the 2nd Rifle Division had effectively ceased to exist as a fighting force. It had lost a total of 16 SPs (including the divisional commander), and only had one full strength unit (the 2nd Anti-tank Battalion) remaining. Its artillery regiment was down to half strength, and it could only field the equivalent of a regiment of rifle troops.

The situation at the end of Turn 5.