Clash of Empires World War 2 The Battle for Russia 1941
In this article I’m going to use the Clash Battle System to recreate some of the major battles fought during the German invasion of the U.S.S.R., 1941. At the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of Russia it looked to all intents and purposes as if the campaign was going to be another spectacular success by blitzkrieg assault. However, the fateful decision by Hitler to trade time for unnecessary troop movements proved critical. At the end of its endurance and having run out of time the German army’s belated offensive against Moscow came to a miserable end in the snow and freezing conditions of the Russian Winter. Thus, the scene is set for a titanic clash of armies during the Russian Campaign of 1941.
Background
Preliminary planning for Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the USSR began as early as 1940 and was intended to acquire living space (Lebensraum) for the German people as well as the resources required to fuel the burgeoning Third Reich. Also, Hitler wanted to pre-empt any further Russian expansion westwards. The original start date for the invasion was May 15th, 1941. However, Hitler’s timetable was seriously disrupted by the need to secure the German southern flank during the Balkan Campaign and was therefore delayed by three weeks. From the time of its inception the invasion plan gradually evolved into a three-pronged operation by three Army Groups. Initially Moscow was the prime target with attacks against Leningrad in the north and Kiev in the south intended to destroy large parts of the Russian army and cut all lines of communication to the Russian capital. Thus isolated, Moscow and the remnants of the Red Army could be surrounded and obliterated at will. The responsibility for taking Leningrad was given to General Leeb’s Army Group North which consisted of 2 armies and Hoeppner’s Fourth Panzer Group. The more traditional invasion route through Smolensk to Moscow was given to General Bock’s Army Group Centre which comprised 2 armies and 2 Panzer Groups (Guderian’s Second and Hoth’s Third). This left Army Group South led by General Rundstedt with the task of capturing Kiev in the Ukraine. Under his command were 4 armies (1 Rumanian) and Kleist’s First Panzer Group. In all there were 162 divisions of ground troops – approximately 3 million men. Opposing the Germans, along the western frontier, were three entrenched Russian Fronts (Army Groups) of about 3 million mobilized troops of the Red Army with many more in reserve. They had vast quantities of equipment i.e., artillery, tanks and aircraft but much of it was inferior to that of the Germans. Hitler optimistically envisioned a blitzkrieg campaign lasting no more than four months.
The invasion began on June 22nd, 1941, with a massive preparatory artillery bombardment and air strikes against Red Army airfields in the rear. With close air support powerful panzer columns raced towards their objectives independently operating some 60 miles ahead of the infantry. On the flanks progress was slow but, in the centre, Guderian and Hoth’s panzer pincers closed like a trap on Minsk. The following infantry completed the encirclement capturing 290,000 prisoners and a huge amount of equipment. Then with unabated momentum the Panzer Groups swept on towards Smolensk and by mid-July the mass of the Red Army was encircled in the centre. At this juncture Guderian wanted to press on towards Moscow which was only 200 miles away but Hitler fearful of making the same mistake as Napoleon called a halt. Despite the protests of his generals Hitler insisted upon sending Guderian’s 2nd Panzer Group south to reinforce the effort against Kiev while Hoth’s Third Panzer Group went north to aid in the investment of Leningrad. By now the Russians had recovered from their initial shock and confusion and were beginning to put up a more determined resistance. Nevertheless, a spectacular victory was achieved near Kiev where five Russian armies were encircled and along with the capture of Kiev (Sept. 19th) some 665,000 Soviet troops were forced to surrender. However, the operation in the Ukraine had used up valuable time and resources so that when Hitler finally gave the order for the extreme effort against Moscow most of the endurance of the German army had already been expended. After being re-joined by the depleted Panzer formations Bock’s Army Group Centre renewed its advance towards the Russian capital. A great victory at Vyazma (Sept 30-Oct 7) offered the possibility that a successful conclusion to the campaign was still within grasp, but then the German army became bogged down first in mud and then the first snows of the Russian winter. The panzers were a mere 40 miles from Moscow when they ground to a halt. At this point infuriated by the lack of progress Hitler sacked many of his generals and took personal command of all German forces in Russia. Meanwhile, the defence of the Russian capital was entrusted to Marshal Georgi K. Zhukov one of Soviet Russia’s greatest military commanders. Reinforcements poured in and on the 6th of December the Red Army launched a massive counterstrike by 100 fresh divisions which shattered German resistance. Thereafter, forced to give ground the beleaguered Germans went on the defensive and by Spring 1942 a stalemate existed all along the front.
In planning for Barbarossa Hitler and the Wehrmacht failed to take into consideration the vastness of the USSR and its almost limitless resources especially in manpower. These omissions would have dire consequences. In fact, the planners of the invasion of Russia envisaged a quick and easy campaign in what Nazi ideology saw as a war of territorial expansion and extermination carried out by a superior race against an inferior one. Therefore, subsequent planning was inadequate and completely underestimated the capabilities of the enemy. As Robert Kershaw explains “Ideological arrogance leading to an illogical deduction of Russian weakness encouraged German planners to assume the Fuhrer’s ‘kick in the door’ would suffice to bring down the Soviet Union like a stack of cards” (Kershaw, 2000 p167). Furthermore, right from the start, the timetable for Operation Barbarossa was compromised by delays – first to secure the Balkan flank and then by Hitler’s insistence upon sending the tanks north and south to encircle and thereby neutralize the bulk of the Red Army. These decisions consumed time and resources neither of which the Wehrmacht could afford to lose. In contrast, together with geographical space, time and resources were the USSR’s greatest assets. Neither did the German army prepare for having to fight the campaign in the freezing conditions of the Russian winter. This was because Hitler was convinced that the blitzkrieg campaign would be over before winter set in. As a result, Wehrmacht vehicles were immobilized first by mud and then the extreme cold while German soldiers froze to death in their summer uniforms. The entry of the USA into the war at the end of December 1941 ensured that Germany would now be fighting on multiple fronts. Thereafter the Nazi strategy of aggressive conquest changed to a protracted and desperate struggle for the continued existence of the nascent Third Reich.
The following scenarios consider two main engagements that occurred during the Battle for Russia. The first deals with the capture of Smolensk while the second scenario focuses on the closing in on Moscow. Both operations were carried out by Army Group Centre which was the Scherpunkt – centre of gravity or point of main effort.
Scenario 1
The Battle of Smolensk, July 1941
After encircling and capturing Minsk the armoured vanguard of Army Group Centre reorganized and plunged forward again – this time towards Smolensk, which commanded the road to Moscow. Meanwhile Marshal Timoshenko positioned his Russian forces along stretches of the intervening Stalin Line, which had only weak defences. In a wide pincer movement, the panzer forces managed to cross the Dvina-Dnepr and breached the Stalin Line in multiple places. Despite stiff resistance the panzers then drove on to encircle Smolensk. Before the trap closed some Russian divisions managed to escape, but by the 5th of August the Smolensk pocket was reduced and the city taken. The Germans captured 309,000 men, 3000 guns and 3205 tanks. By now Fuhrer Directive 33 had been issued which strictly forbade any further advance eastwards. Moscow was no longer the main target. Also, strains were beginning to show in the stretched German supply line.
Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the combatants can be shown as follows: -
German Armoured Spearhead
At this stage in the war the German army is still rated as Superior and therefore gets a +1 bonus to Initiative for Army Type. As the leading proponent of mechanized warfare, the Germans have well established panzer divisions whose tanks are used en masse as a striking weapon. The leading elements of Army Group Centre are Second and Third Panzer Groups commanded by Generals Hoth and Guderian respectively. These formations contain within their Orders of Battle a total of at least 8 Panzer Divisions, 6 Motorized Infantry Divisions and 8 Infantry Divisions. In the game this conforms to 8 Fully Mechanized Divisions with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❺ and 14 Infantry Divisions (6 motorized) with a CR of ❶. These have a Fighting Bonus (FB) of +20 and +7 respectively which gives the Armoured Spearhead a +27 FB. The artillery attached to the panzer divisions is designed for rapid movement and combined arms operations. On the Air Support and Bombardment Table +27 FB converts to a 3D6 Battle Advantage Dice for Artillery. The Germans also have overwhelming air superiority which is provided by Fliegerkorps II and VIII. This enables the panzer generals to call upon 10 units of Stuka Dive-bombers and 8 units of Fighter-bombers for close air support. These have a FB of +14 which converts to a 1D6 Advantage Die for strafing and bombing. Contributing Battle Factor modifiers consist of +1 for Infantry in APCs and +2 to Armour for Medium Tanks in Offence. These are mainly (late model) Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. The Panzer Groups also benefit from a +2 modifier for Dive-bombers in Close Air Support and a +2 for Assault Engineers in Close Assault. Thus, total modifier is +7 which is added to the Battle Dice score. The Commander of Army Group Centre is Field Marshal Fedor von Bock who, in the game, is rated as Competent and therefore rolls 1D6 +1 for Initiative. This information can be simply expressed as follows: Armoured Spearhead Superior 2D6 (+7), CR to +27 FB and +4 Initiative (Inc. of Surprise Attack +2). Assets: Attached Artillery 3D6 and Air Support 1D6 for Strafing and Bombing. This is now in an easily accessible form that can be put straight into the Battle Log below.
The Soviet Defenders of Smolensk
At this stage in the war the Red Army soldiers lack discipline and are prone to panic. This is made worse by a considerably weak leadership owing to the Purges of 1937-38. For this reason, the Soviet Army of 1941 is rated as Inferior and consequently is subject to a -1 penalty to Initiative for Army Type. For the defence of Smolensk Timoshenko has at his disposal four Armies which have within their Orders of Battle a total of 20 Infantry Divisions and 8 Tank Divisions. In the game this conforms to 20 Infantry Divisions with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❶ and 8 Part Mechanized Divisions with a CR of ❸. Unlike the panzers the Soviet tanks are not concentrated into powerful groups. These formations have a Fighting Bonus (FB) of +10 and +12 respectively which gives the Defenders of Smolensk a +22 FB. On the Air Support and Bombardment Table this gives them 2D6 Advantage Dice for Artillery. Much of the equipment of the Red Army Air Force is inferior to that of the Germans and was destroyed or captured in the first stage of the campaign. Contributing Battle Factor modifiers consist of +2 for Infantry in Defence (Entrenched) and +3 for Medium Tanks in Defence. There is no Close Air Support and the Soviet defenders are weak in anti-aircraft artillery. This means that their opponent’s Battle Factor modifier for Close Air Support is unrestricted by FLAK. Thus, total modifier is +5 which is added to the Battle Dice score. The stretches of fortification covering Smolensk is called the Stalin Line. However, due to neglect the defences are in a state of disrepair and very few of the emplacements are equipped. This fortified line is therefore rated as Average and provides 2D6 Battle Advantage Dice. This is augmented by 1D6 for the Dnieper River line. The commander of the Defenders of Smolensk is Marshal Timoshenko who, in the game, is rated as Average and therefore rolls 1D6 for Initiative. This information can be simply expressed as follows: Soviet Defenders Inferior 2D6 (+5), CR to +22 FB and -1 Initiative. Assets: Average Defences 2D6 and River Line 1D6. Artillery 2D6.
Scenario Pre-set condition: - The Soviet Defenders fail their Intelligence and Reconnaissance Roll so the German Armoured Spearhead gets +2 Initiative for Surprise in a Battle of Manoeuvre.
WW2 Clash Battle Procedure:
After rolling for Initiative the Battle Roll for each army consists of the following procedure:
Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only).
Army Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB).
Calculate Battle Bonus. (Determined by Army Type and FB).
Any other Battle Advantages such as Artillery Bombardment, Opponent outnumbered or Tactical Advantage.
Total Battle Roll.
Highest scoring Battle Roll wins and the difference between the two scores determines the number of casualties.
Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.
World War 2 Battle Log
German Armoured Spearhead (Battle of Smolensk)
Initiative | Battle Dice (Modifier) | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus Normal (Enhanced) | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
1D6 +4
4+4 = 8
| 2D6 (+7) 6 and 6
6+7 = 13 | FM❺ x 8 = +20 FB Inf❶ x 14 = +7 FB Total = +27 FB | Evens Dice
3D6(4D6) 6+3+2+4 = 15 | Tactical 2D6
Artillery 3D6
Strafing and Bombing 1D6
6+5+5+3+1+1 = 21 | 13+27+15+21 = 76 |
Soviet Defenders (Battle of Smolensk)
Initiative | Battle Dice (Modifier) | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus Normal (Enhanced) | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
1D6-1
3-1 = 2
| 2D6 (+5) 5 and 5
5+5 = 10 | Inf❶ x 20 = +10 FB PM❸ x 8 = +12 FB Total = +22 FB | Odds Dice 2D6(3D6) 5+3+2 = 10
| Opponent outnumbered 1D6
Artillery 2D6
Defensive Line 2D6
River Line 1D6
5+5+3+4+4+1 = 22 | 10+22+10+22 = 64 |
WW2 Army Battle Bonus Calculation Table not shown.
Battle Bonus calculation determined by Air Force Type and Fighting Bonus (FB).
(#D#) = Enhanced Battle Bonus on odds or evens Battle Dice.
Result: Differential = 12. Modifier Loser/Winner +3/-4 on Casualty Table. Soviet losses = 15 Inf and 5 PM. German losses = 1.25 FM and 1.5 units of Inf. Losses = Killed or captured.
Battle Report: Having achieved complete surprise the German Armoured Spearhead is rewarded with a 2D6 Tactical Advantage which is further augmented by a maximum score of 6 and Evens Battle Dice which achieves an Enhanced Battle Bonus of 15. Added to the other advantages this shows that the Germans have completely outmanoeuvred the Soviet Defenders of Smolensk and dealt them a crushing defeat with a Differential of 12.
Scenario 2
Closing in on Moscow
As Von Bock’s Army Group Centre closed in on Moscow its earlier momentum, which saw great victories at the Viazma and Bryansk pockets, was reduced by the terrible weather and logistical problems. Furthermore, the Germans received no reinforcements whereas the Red Army was growing in strength daily with hundreds of divisions now defending the Moscow sectors. The assault on Moscow, which was the culminating phase of Barbarossa’s Operation “Typhoon” began on the 15th of November. Despite initial progress especially to the north of Moscow all attempts to reach the Russian capital were eventually thwarted by stiff Soviet resistance and the harsh weather conditions. To the south of Moscow Germany’s leading Panzer general Guderian found his way blocked by Tula, which was a key city in the Moscow Defence Line. Attempts by his newly named Second Panzer Army to capture the city were repelled by the combined efforts of several Soviet armies and civilian volunteers. Guderian’s final assault was on November 18th. Shortly thereafter all offensive operations against Moscow ceased and the Soviet general counteroffensive began. Thus, the threat to Moscow was over.
Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the combatants can be shown as follows: -
Tula Defenders
Although better motivated by patriotic fervour the Soviet Army is still of Inferior quality and consequently suffer a -1 penalty to Initiative for Army Type. Involved in the defence of Tula are several Soviet armies and the 2nd Cavalry Corps, which fights as dismounted infantry. These formations contain within their Order of Battle a total of 23 divisions inclusive of 1 Tank division. In the game these conform to 22 Infantry Divisions CR ❶ and 1 Part Mechanized Division CR ❸. Most units have been reinforced to authorized strength and therefore have a total Fighting Bonus of +12. On the Air Support and Bombardment Table +12 FB converts to a 1D6 Battle Advantage Die for Artillery. Air support is provided by Red Army Air Force units operating from airfields surrounding Moscow. The Tula Defenders can call upon 10 units of IL-2 Sturmovik Dive-bombers for close air support. These have a FB of +10 which converts to a 1D3 Advantage Die for strafing and bombing. Contributing Battle Factor modifiers consist of +2 for Massive Fire Support which is provided by Katyusha rocket launchers. They also get +2 for Infantry in Defence (Entrenched) and +3 for Medium Tanks in Defence. These tanks include the T34 which because of its formidable fighting capabilities has legendary status. This means that, if necessary, the lowest scoring Battle Die can be re-rolled to have a second chance at odds or evens dice. Finally, the defenders get a +2 modifier for Dive-bombers in Close Air Support. However, this is reduced to +1 due to the presence of effective enemy FLAK. Therefore, the total modifier is +8 which is added to the Battle Dice score. The defences around Tula which includes anti-tank ditches and minefields is rated as Strong and therefore provides 3D6 Battle Advantage Dice. Ivan Boldin is in command of the defence of Tula and in the game is ranked as a Competent commander and therefore rolls 1D6+1 for Initiative. The Russians outnumber the Germans so get a 1D6 numerical advantage. This information can be simply expressed as follows: Soviet Defenders Inferior 2D6 (+8), CR to +12 FB and -1 Initiative. Assets: Tank Legend Reroll. Strong Defences 3D6. Artillery 1D6 and Air Support 1D3 for Strafing and Bombing. This is now in an easily accessible form that can be put straight into the Battle Log below.
Second Panzer Army
The German army is still a formidable fighting force which is rated as Superior and therefore gets a +1 to Initiative for Army Type. The Second Panzer Army contains within its Order of Battle a total of 5 Panzer divisions and 8 infantry divisions. In the game these conform to 5 Fully Mechanized Divisions CR ❺ and 8 Infantry Divisions CR ❶. Normally this would give the Second Panzer Army a Fighting Bonus of +17. However, due to battle casualties and other privations all divisions are badly under strength and to reflect this the +17 FB is reduced by half to +8 FB (rounded down). On the Air Support and Bombardment Table +8 FB converts to a 1D6 Battle Advantage Die for Artillery. Most Luftwaffe units are grounded due to poor quality airfields and bad weather. Therefore, Second Panzer Army has negligible air support. Contributing Battle Factor modifiers consist of +2 for Medium Tanks (a few remaining Pz IIIs and IVs) in Offence and +2 for Assault Engineers in Close Assault. Therefore, the total modifier is +4 which is added to the Battle Dice score. The commander of Second Panzer Army is Guderian who, in the game, is ranked as Outstanding and rolls 2D6 (highest scoring die only) for Initiative. This information can be simply expressed as follows: Second Pz Army Superior 2D6 (+4), CR to +8 FB (Depleted) and 2D6 +1 Initiative. Assets: Attached Artillery 1D6.
Scenario Pre-set condition: - No Surprise.
WW2 Clash Battle Procedure:
After rolling for Initiative the Battle Roll for each army consists of the following procedure:
Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only).
Army Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB).
Calculate Battle Bonus. (Determined by Army Type and FB).
Any other Battle Advantages such as Artillery Bombardment, Opponent outnumbered or Tactical Advantage.
Total Battle Roll.
Highest scoring Battle Roll wins and the difference between the two scores determines the number of casualties.
Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.
World War 2 Battle Log
Soviet Defenders of Tula
Initiative | Battle Dice (Modifier) | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus Normal (Enhanced) | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
1D6-1
5-1 = 4
| 2D6 (+8) 6 and 1 (5) Reroll = 5 Still no odds or evens 6+8 = 14 | Inf❶ x 22 = +11 FB PM❸ x1 = +1 FB Total = +12 FB | No odds or evens 1D3(1D6) 1D3 = 2
| Opponent outnumbered 1D6
Artillery 1D6
Strafing and Bombing 1D3
Strong Defences 3D6
4+4+3+2+1+1 = 15 | 14+12+2+15 = 43 |
Second Panzer Army
Initiative | Battle Dice (Modifier) | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus Normal (Enhanced) | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
2D6 +1
4 and 1
4+1 = 5
| 2D6 (+4) 3 and 5
5+4 = 9 | FM❺ x 5 = +13 FB Inf❶ x 8 = +4 FB 17 ÷ 2 = +8 FB | Odds Dice
1D6(2D6) 4+2 = 6
| Tactical 1D6
Artillery 1D6
4+3 = 7 | 9+8+6+7 = 30 |
WW2 Army Battle Bonus Calculation Table not shown.
Battle Bonus calculation determined by Air Force Type and Fighting Bonus (FB).
(#D#) = Enhanced Battle Bonus on odds or evens Battle Dice.
Result: Differential = 13. Modifier Loser/Winner +3/-4 on the Casualty Table. German losses = 3 FM and 6 Inf. Russian losses = 3 Inf and 25% PM. Losses = Killed, wounded or captured.
Battle Report: Due to shortages of manpower and equipment the German Second Panzer Army is unable to prevail against the Tula Defenders. In this battle of attrition not even the outstanding leadership of Guderian can save the Germans from defeat.
Sources
Dupuy, R. E. and Dupuy, T. N. 1993: The Collins Encyclopaedia of Military History. Harper Collins Publishers.
Kershaw, R. 2000: War Without Garlands. Operation Barbarossa 1941/42. Ian Allan Publishing.
Kirchubel, R. 2007: Operation Barbarossa 1941 (3) Army Group Center. Osprey Publishing Ltd.
Mayer, S. L. Various Contributors. 1977: Encyclopaedia of World War II. Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited.
Article Front Page Picture
A column of German armoured troops, including PzKpfw III Ausf G tanks, on a forest on the Moscow Front. October 1941. Niday Picture Library. After Alamy (IY05681590).
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