When I originally designed HEXBLITZ in 2007, I play-tested the rules on my 'new' Hexon II terrain using part of my collection of MEGABLITZ figures and models. It was only very recently that I realised that I had never written a blog entry about the battle ... so here goes.
THE BATTLE OF ALDERSTADT TERRAIN
The map represents an area approximately 33km x 21km, and is orientated with west to the top of the map.
The Germans hold the town (Alderstadt) and the area to the west of the range of hills that run north to south across the map (i.e. the top half of the map).
The Russians are advancing from the east (the bottom of the map).
Orders
In view of the deteriorating situation to the north and south of your current position, it is imperative that your troops do not give ground to the enemy in any circumstances. It is hoped that reserves will be available to counter attack the Russians within three days. Until that counter attack can be mounted, and the enemy driven back, the road that runs through Alderstadt must be kept open as it will form one of the main axes of the counter attack.
Forces available: 15th Luftwaffe Field Division
Troop dispositions
OPPOSING FORCES - RUSSIAN
Orders
The town of Alderstadt controls the main junction on the local road system and must be seized as quickly as possible so that our continued advance can be maintained. Denying this road to the enemy will also foil any possibility of a counter attack. You are to use all the assets of your Army (and the attached 7th Artillery Division) to mount a vigorous attack on the enemy positions. Delay is unacceptable, and you are expected to capture the town and the road junction by the end of D+2.
Forces available: 66th Army
Forces available: 7th Artillery Division
Troop dispositions and exploitation plan
1st Echelon – 0800 hours, D1
Day 1, 0800 – 1000 hours
During the previous night the Russian forces had moved up to their jump-off points.
Fighting continued between 64th Rifle Division and I/30th Jager Battalion, but neither side was able to inflict further casualties on the other. However, the 99th Rifle Division – now supported by artillery fire from 7th Artillery Division – inflicted a further loss of 1 SP on I/29th Jager Battalion, which was force to withdraw a hex to avoid immediate destruction.
Day 1, 1200 – 1400 hours
The 64th Rifle Division, again supported by 7th Artillery Division as well as 22nd Artillery Regiment, and 237th Mortar Regiment, continued the attack on I/30th Jager Battalion. The Jagers suffered further losses – 1 SP – and were forced to withdraw 1 hex to avoid immediate destruction. They did, however, inflict casualties on 440th Rifle Regiment, which was reduced to strength 1 SP.
99th Rifle Division pushed forward and attacked the I/29th Jager Battalion, which was destroyed.
According to the plan of attack, 91st and 121st Tank Brigades, with 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments in support, began their advance on Alderstadt.
99th Rifle Division also advanced on Alderstadt, coming under fire from 15th Artillery Regiment in the process. The artillery fire was ineffective and did not hinder the Division’s forward movement.
Day 1, 1600 – 1800 hours
By 1600 hours the 64th Rifle Division was on the outskirts of Alderstadt, and in contact with II/30th Jager Battalion. During the ensuing fighting both sides lost 1 SP, The II/30th Jager Battalion and 451st Rifle Regiment both being reduced to strength 1 SP.
The 99th Rifle Division also reached Alderstadt, and attacked the II/29th Jager Battalion, which occupied extensive defensive positions in the town. The fighting was inconclusive, and neither side suffered casualties.
The 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment, which were leading the flanking movement between the hills to the north of Alderstadt, ran into the 15th Panzerjager Battalion. The Germans had deployed this unit to prevent such a move, and the 15th Panzerjager Battalion was able to inflict casualties that reduced the strength of both 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment by 1 SP each.
The 64th Rifle Division continued its attack on Alderstadt. The artillery support from 7th Artillery Division proved decisive, and both II/30th Jager Battalion and 15th Luftwaffe Field Division’s CO were forced to withdraw to avoid destruction. The Russians also suffered casualties, and 440th Rifle Regiment was reduced to strength 1 SP, and withdrew 1 hex to avoid being destroyed.
In the north 121st Tank Brigade and 1151st Rifle Regiment was able to assist 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment in their attack on 15th Panzerjager Battalion. Their additional firepower inflicted casualties on 15th Panzerjager Battalion, which was reduced to strength 1 SP, although the cost to the Russians was the loss of 1 SP by 121st Tank Brigade.
Day 1, 2000 – 0000 hours
Fighting continued into the night.
In the north of the town, 99th Rifle Division, which 226th Rifle Division had by now joined, was unable to press home its attack with any vigour, suffering casualties to 983rd, 987th, and 989th Rifle Regiments. These were all reduced to strength 1 SP. The main cause of these casualties was fire from both II/29th Jager Battalion and 15th Artillery Regiment, the latter just having sufficient visibility to engage the Russians during the night time gloom.
The fighting in the north between 91st and 121st Tank Brigades – supported by 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments – and 15th Panzerjager Battalion continued, but poor visibility hampered both sides and no casualties were caused.
The II/29th Jager Battalion was the only German unit left in Alderstadt, and the 64th, 226th, and 99th Rifle Divisions, supported by 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th Mortar Regiment, now attacked it. The fighting was intense, and both sides suffered casualties. The II/29th Jager Battalion was reduced to strength 1 SP, but the 987th, 989th, and 260th Rifle Regiments were reduced to strength 0 – and thus forced to retire 1 hex to avoid total destruction – and the 197th Rifle Regiment lost 1 SP. These casualties were caused both by the II/29th Jager Battalion and 15th Artillery Regiment, who were firing in support of the Jagers.
To the north of Alderstadt 91st and 121st Tank Brigades – supported by 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments – finally overcame 15th Panzerjager Battalion, which was forced to fall back. This victory was not without cost, and 1151st Rifle Regiment was reduced to strength 1 SP.
Day 2, 0400 – 0800 hours
The Russians finally took Alderstadt by 0800 hours on Day 2. The II/29th Jager Battalion, surrounded on all sides and unable to withstand the combined attacks of 64th, 226th, and 99th Rifle Divisions, supported by 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th and 903rd Mortar Regiments, was destroyed, although it was able to cause casualties to 451st Rifle Regiment, which was reduced to strength 0, and was thus forced to leave the front line.
The advancing Russian forces in the north destroyed the 15th Panzerjager Battalion, and by daybreak of Day 2 the Russians had achieved most of their objectives.
The 15th Fusilier Company was attacked and overwhelmed by the Russian forces advancing from Alderstadt and the armoured flanking force. The 15th Artillery Regiment was all that remained of 15th Luftwaffe Field Division, and by 1400 hours it had also been destroyed.
APPRAISAL
15th Luftwaffe Field Division was given an unachievable goal. It was under strength – it was closer to a Brigade in size than a standard Division – and immobile. All it could do was to stand and fight – and hope for the best. The fact that some of its units were still fighting 24 hours after the battle started is testament to their tenacity and the defensive positions they occupied. Ultimately it failed to hold the line for the necessary three days, but it did manage to cause substantial casualties to the Russian forces, and this might ensure that the planned counter attack might achieve some success.
The Russian force was vastly superior to the defenders, and had time not been so pressing they should have been able to secure victory at a lower cost. The plan that was laid down was reasonably realistic, and there was no need to extemporise alternatives as the battle developed. The 66th Army should be able to regroup before any German counter attack and dig in to substantial defensive positions within the next 48 hours.
German losses (by 0800 hours, Day 2):
The map represents an area approximately 33km x 21km, and is orientated with west to the top of the map.
The Germans hold the town (Alderstadt) and the area to the west of the range of hills that run north to south across the map (i.e. the top half of the map).
The Russians are advancing from the east (the bottom of the map).
OPPOSING FORCES - GERMANThe terrain (looking south).
Orders
In view of the deteriorating situation to the north and south of your current position, it is imperative that your troops do not give ground to the enemy in any circumstances. It is hoped that reserves will be available to counter attack the Russians within three days. Until that counter attack can be mounted, and the enemy driven back, the road that runs through Alderstadt must be kept open as it will form one of the main axes of the counter attack.
Forces available: 15th Luftwaffe Field Division
- Divisional Commander (Officer, 1 SP)
- HQ, Staff, & Signals (Car)
- 15th Supply Column (Truck, 2 LOG)
- 15th Fusilier Company (Infantry, 1 SP)
- 29th Jager Regiment
- I/29th Jager Battalion (Infantry, 2 SP)
- II/29th Jager Battalion (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 30th Jager Regiment
- I/30th Jager Battalion (Infantry, 2 SP)
- II/30th Jager Battalion (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 15th Artillery Regiment (76mm Mountain Gun + Pack Mules, 2 SP)
- 15th Panzerjager Battalion (37mm PAK Gun, 2 SP)
Total = 14 SP, 2 LOG
Troop dispositions
- A: I/29th Jager Battalion
- B: I/30th Jager Battalion
- C: 15th Panzerjager Battalion
- D: 15th Artillery Regiment
- E: II/29th Jager Battalion, HQ, Staff, & Signals
- F: II/30th Jager Battalion, Divisional Commander
- G: 15th Fusilier Company, 15th Supply Column
OPPOSING FORCES - RUSSIAN
Orders
The town of Alderstadt controls the main junction on the local road system and must be seized as quickly as possible so that our continued advance can be maintained. Denying this road to the enemy will also foil any possibility of a counter attack. You are to use all the assets of your Army (and the attached 7th Artillery Division) to mount a vigorous attack on the enemy positions. Delay is unacceptable, and you are expected to capture the town and the road junction by the end of D+2.
Forces available: 66th Army
- Army Commander (Officer, 1 SP)
- Army HQ & Staff (Officer, 1 SP)
- 661st Supply Column (Wagon, 1 LOG)
- 662nd Supply Column (Wagon, 1 LOG)
- 663rd Supply Column (Truck, 2 LOG)
- 91st Tank Brigade (T34/76, 3 SP)
- 121st Tank Brigade (T34/76, 3 SP)
- 64th Rifle Division
- 433rd Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 440th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 451st Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 99th Rifle Division
- 1st Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 197th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 206th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 116th Rifle Division
- 441st Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP))
- 548th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 656th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 226th Rifle Division
- 985th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP))
- 987th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP))
- 989th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 299th Rifle Division
- 783rd Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 804th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 811th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 343rd Rifle Division
- 1151st Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 1153rd Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 1155th Rifle Regiment (Infantry, 2 SP)
- 22nd Artillery Regiment (76mm Gun + Limber, 2 SP)
- 1029th Artillery Regiment (76mm Gun + Limber, 2 SP)
- 406th Anti-tank Regiment (45mm Anti-tank Gun, 2 SP)
- 875th Anti-tank Regiment (45mm Anti-tank Gun, 2 SP)
- 237th Mortar Regiment (81mm Mortar, 2 SP)
- 903rd Mortar Regiment (81mm Mortar, 2 SP)
Total = 56 SP, 4 LOG
Forces available: 7th Artillery Division
- Divisional Commander & Staff (Officer, 1 SP)
- 701st Supply Column (Truck, 2 LOG)
- 7th Artillery Division Reconnaissance Group (Officer, 1 SP)
- 7th Howitzer Regiment (152mm Howitzer + Tractor, 2 SP)
- 11th Howitzer Regiment (152mm Howitzer + Tractor, 2 SP)
- 25th Howitzer Regiment (152mm Howitzer + Tractor, 2 SP)
Total = 8 SP, 2 LOG
Troop dispositions and exploitation plan
1st Echelon – 0800 hours, D1
- A: 433rd and 440th Rifle Regiments (64th Rifle Division)
- B: 451st Rifle Regiment (64th Rifle Division) with 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th Mortar Regiment firing in support
- C: 1st and 197th Rifle Regiments (99th Rifle Division)
- D: 206th Rifle Regiment (99th Rifle Division) with 1029th Artillery Regiment and 903rd Mortar Regiment firing in support
- E: 7th, 11th, and 25th Howitzer Regiments firing in support of A and B (0800 – 1000 hours) then C and D (1000 – 1200 hours)
- A: 116th and 64th Rifle Divisions with 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th Mortar Regiment firing in support
- B: 226th and 99th Rifle Divisions with 1029th Artillery Regiment and 903rd Mortar Regiment firing in support
- C: 91st and 121st Tank Brigades with 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments in support
- D: 7th, 11th, and 25th Howitzer Regiments firing in support of A and B
- A: 299th Rifle Division with 116th Rifle Division, 406th Anti-tank Regiment and 91st Tank Brigade in support
- B: 343rd Rifle Division with 226th Rifle Division, 875th Anti-tank Regiment and 121st Tank Brigade in support
- C: 7th Artillery Division in support of 66th Army
- D: Army Commander, Army HQ & Staff, 64th and 99th Rifle Divisions, 22nd and 1029th Artillery Regiments, 237th and 903rd Mortar Regiments, 661st, 662nd, and 663rd Supply Columns
Day 1, 0800 – 1000 hours
During the previous night the Russian forces had moved up to their jump-off points.
The 64th Rifle Division, supported by 7th Artillery Division, 22nd Artillery Regiment, and 237th Mortar Regiment, attacked I/30th Jager Battalion. The combined Russian attack totalled 16 SP whilst the defenders only had strength of 2 SP. Despite this the Russians were only able to inflict a loss of 1 SP on I/30th Jager Battalion whilst the 433rd Rifle Regiment also lost 1 SP.The initial positions (looking south).
The 99th Rifle Division, supported by 1029th Artillery Regiment and 903rd Mortar Regiment, attacked I/29th Jager Battalion. The Russian attack had strength 10 SP and the Jagers had strength 2 SP. The attackers were able to reduce the Jager Battalion to strength 1 SP, but in the process both 1st and 206th Rifle Regiments both lost 1 SP.I/30th Jager Battalion under attack by 64th Rifle Division, 22nd Artillery Regiment, and 237th Mortar Regiment).
I/29th Jager Battalion under attack by 99th Rifle Division. 1029th Artillery Regiment and 903rd Mortar Regiment can be seen supporting the 99th Rifle Division.
Day 1, 1000 – 1200 hoursThe German defences in and around Alderstadt.
Fighting continued between 64th Rifle Division and I/30th Jager Battalion, but neither side was able to inflict further casualties on the other. However, the 99th Rifle Division – now supported by artillery fire from 7th Artillery Division – inflicted a further loss of 1 SP on I/29th Jager Battalion, which was force to withdraw a hex to avoid immediate destruction.
Day 1, 1200 – 1400 hours
The 64th Rifle Division, again supported by 7th Artillery Division as well as 22nd Artillery Regiment, and 237th Mortar Regiment, continued the attack on I/30th Jager Battalion. The Jagers suffered further losses – 1 SP – and were forced to withdraw 1 hex to avoid immediate destruction. They did, however, inflict casualties on 440th Rifle Regiment, which was reduced to strength 1 SP.
99th Rifle Division pushed forward and attacked the I/29th Jager Battalion, which was destroyed.
According to the plan of attack, 91st and 121st Tank Brigades, with 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments in support, began their advance on Alderstadt.
Day 1, 1400 – 1600 hours91st Tank Brigade – with 783rd Rifle Regiment in support – lead the advance. 121st Tank Brigade and 1151st Rifle Regiment can be seen following them.
The 64th Rifle Division, supported by 7th Artillery Division as well as 22nd Artillery Regiment, and 237th Mortar Regiment, advanced on Alderstadt, destroying I/30th Jager Battalion in the process.The general situation at 1400 hours on Day 1.
99th Rifle Division also advanced on Alderstadt, coming under fire from 15th Artillery Regiment in the process. The artillery fire was ineffective and did not hinder the Division’s forward movement.
Day 1, 1600 – 1800 hours
By 1600 hours the 64th Rifle Division was on the outskirts of Alderstadt, and in contact with II/30th Jager Battalion. During the ensuing fighting both sides lost 1 SP, The II/30th Jager Battalion and 451st Rifle Regiment both being reduced to strength 1 SP.
The 99th Rifle Division also reached Alderstadt, and attacked the II/29th Jager Battalion, which occupied extensive defensive positions in the town. The fighting was inconclusive, and neither side suffered casualties.
The 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment, which were leading the flanking movement between the hills to the north of Alderstadt, ran into the 15th Panzerjager Battalion. The Germans had deployed this unit to prevent such a move, and the 15th Panzerjager Battalion was able to inflict casualties that reduced the strength of both 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment by 1 SP each.
Day 1, 1800 – 2000 hours91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment ran into 15th Panzerjager Battalion.
The 64th Rifle Division continued its attack on Alderstadt. The artillery support from 7th Artillery Division proved decisive, and both II/30th Jager Battalion and 15th Luftwaffe Field Division’s CO were forced to withdraw to avoid destruction. The Russians also suffered casualties, and 440th Rifle Regiment was reduced to strength 1 SP, and withdrew 1 hex to avoid being destroyed.
116th Rifle Division, which had moving towards Alderstadt in accordance with the Russian plan, began a flanking move over the hills to the south of Alderstadt. At the same time 99th Rifle Division again attacked II/29th Jager Battalion, but to no avail as the fighting continued to prove inconclusive.The situation around Alderstadt at 1800 hours.
In the north 121st Tank Brigade and 1151st Rifle Regiment was able to assist 91st Tank Brigade and 783rd Rifle Regiment in their attack on 15th Panzerjager Battalion. Their additional firepower inflicted casualties on 15th Panzerjager Battalion, which was reduced to strength 1 SP, although the cost to the Russians was the loss of 1 SP by 121st Tank Brigade.
Day 1, 2000 – 0000 hours
Fighting continued into the night.
The 64th and 116th Rifle Divisions were now advancing steadily through the southern half of Alderstadt, destroying the remnants of II/30th Jager Division and killing the 15th Luftwaffe Field Division’s CO in the process.The situation at 2000 hours.
In the north of the town, 99th Rifle Division, which 226th Rifle Division had by now joined, was unable to press home its attack with any vigour, suffering casualties to 983rd, 987th, and 989th Rifle Regiments. These were all reduced to strength 1 SP. The main cause of these casualties was fire from both II/29th Jager Battalion and 15th Artillery Regiment, the latter just having sufficient visibility to engage the Russians during the night time gloom.
The fighting in the north between 91st and 121st Tank Brigades – supported by 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments – and 15th Panzerjager Battalion continued, but poor visibility hampered both sides and no casualties were caused.
Day 2, 0000 – 0400 hoursThe situation at 0000 hours on Day 2.
The II/29th Jager Battalion was the only German unit left in Alderstadt, and the 64th, 226th, and 99th Rifle Divisions, supported by 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th Mortar Regiment, now attacked it. The fighting was intense, and both sides suffered casualties. The II/29th Jager Battalion was reduced to strength 1 SP, but the 987th, 989th, and 260th Rifle Regiments were reduced to strength 0 – and thus forced to retire 1 hex to avoid total destruction – and the 197th Rifle Regiment lost 1 SP. These casualties were caused both by the II/29th Jager Battalion and 15th Artillery Regiment, who were firing in support of the Jagers.
To the north of Alderstadt 91st and 121st Tank Brigades – supported by 783rd and 1151st Rifle Regiments – finally overcame 15th Panzerjager Battalion, which was forced to fall back. This victory was not without cost, and 1151st Rifle Regiment was reduced to strength 1 SP.
Day 2, 0400 – 0800 hours
The Russians finally took Alderstadt by 0800 hours on Day 2. The II/29th Jager Battalion, surrounded on all sides and unable to withstand the combined attacks of 64th, 226th, and 99th Rifle Divisions, supported by 22nd Artillery Regiment and 237th and 903rd Mortar Regiments, was destroyed, although it was able to cause casualties to 451st Rifle Regiment, which was reduced to strength 0, and was thus forced to leave the front line.
The advancing Russian forces in the north destroyed the 15th Panzerjager Battalion, and by daybreak of Day 2 the Russians had achieved most of their objectives.
Day 2, 0800 – 1400 hoursBy 0800 hours, Day 2, the 15th Fusilier Company and the 15th Artillery Regiment are all that remained of 15th Luftwaffe Field Division.
The 15th Fusilier Company was attacked and overwhelmed by the Russian forces advancing from Alderstadt and the armoured flanking force. The 15th Artillery Regiment was all that remained of 15th Luftwaffe Field Division, and by 1400 hours it had also been destroyed.
APPRAISAL
15th Luftwaffe Field Division was given an unachievable goal. It was under strength – it was closer to a Brigade in size than a standard Division – and immobile. All it could do was to stand and fight – and hope for the best. The fact that some of its units were still fighting 24 hours after the battle started is testament to their tenacity and the defensive positions they occupied. Ultimately it failed to hold the line for the necessary three days, but it did manage to cause substantial casualties to the Russian forces, and this might ensure that the planned counter attack might achieve some success.
The Russian force was vastly superior to the defenders, and had time not been so pressing they should have been able to secure victory at a lower cost. The plan that was laid down was reasonably realistic, and there was no need to extemporise alternatives as the battle developed. The 66th Army should be able to regroup before any German counter attack and dig in to substantial defensive positions within the next 48 hours.
German losses (by 0800 hours, Day 2):
- 15th Luftwaffe Field Division: 11 SP
Total = 11 SP
Russian losses (by 0800 hours, Day 2):- 91st Tank Brigade: 1 SP
- 121st Tank Brigade: 1 SP
- 64th Rifle Division
- 433rd Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
- 440th Rifle Regiment: 2 SP
- 451st Rifle Regiment: 2 SP
- 99th Rifle Division
- 1st Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
- 197th Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
- 206th Rifle Regiment: 2 SP
- 226th Rifle Division
- 985th Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
- 987th Rifle Regiment: 2 SP
- 989th Rifle Regiment: 2 SP
- 299th Rifle Division
- 783rd Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
- 343rd Rifle Division
- 1151st Rifle Regiment: 1 SP
Total = 18 SP
Attack to Defence Ratios:- Initial forces: 64 to 14 (4.6 to 1)
- Casualties: 18 to 11 (1.6 to 1)
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Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI have got to say that looks really good fun! As you correctly pointed out, the Germans had a difficult job and as was often the case managed to inflict telling casualties before being destroyed.
Very entertaining and the maps etc made it read almost like a real after action report - the whole thing just looks and feels 'right'.
Many thanks for sharing this.
All the best,
DC
Likewise I have to agree with David's points
ReplyDeleteExcellent looking game
David Crook,
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased that you enjoyed reading this battle report. It was the first detailed one I ever wrote ... and I tried to get it to read like a real after action report.
I am not sure why I never developed HEXBLITZ any further than I did, but I think that I should certainly do so now!
All the best,
Bob
Geordie an Exiled FoG,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouraging comment. I really must re-visit my HEXBLITZ rules!
All the best,
Bob
Looks great Bob, like the report. I really must get round to trying Hex/Megablitz at some point. I've plenty of figures knocking around that I can blue tak to bases to give it a go....
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Pete,
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased that you enjoyed reading this battle report, and I would be interested to hear how you get on with the rules when you try them out.
All the best,
Bob
What do use to produce the hex maps in the report?
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure ... but I think that I used a combination of MS Paint and Visio.
All the best,
Bob