But the German commander refuses to give up. All previous attempts to break through the twisted ring of Soviet military might failed miserably. Defying Hitler might mean death, but this commander was determined to not leave his men to face a fate similar to that of the Sixth Army.
Only a bold move will carry the day here. A determined effort from the southern edge of the pocket, coinciding with a strong attack from the German lines south of there, is the only thing that can save them now. Remaining in place spells certain doom for the Germans within the pocket; as food, ammunition, and time run out, so too do the number of lives within it.
My plan was this: strike very hard to the south from the pocket using the depleted 5th SS Panzer Division 'Wiking' as the spearhead. I called the 72nd Infantry Division south from the northern edge of the pocket. This left my northern flank perilously open. However, this cannot be avoided. For one, the Soviets have few troops in the area. For another, any chance of blowing a hole in the enemy's lines is going to ride on having an overwhelming force.
The 5th SS and 72nd Infantry are supported by most of the artillery in the pocket, the remnants of three corps' worth of German steel. Unleashing a torrent of fire from the heavens, the ground shook beneath the onslaught as precious German rounds tore into Soviet defenses, vehicles, and flesh. The 5th SS and 72nd brought their full weight against a hapless rifle regiment from the 180th Rifle Division, which evaporated under the sudden and unexpected onslaught.
Panzer Division Wallonien pried itself from the eastern edge of the pocket, passing across a bridge near the German's 8th Army HQ depot; as the last tank crossed, German engineers blew the structure, which wailed with horribly twisted steel as it fell into the dank, cold river below. No Soviet would be crossing there for some time, but come they would. Speed was of the essence. Wallonien brought itself to the left flank of the 72nd Infantry (Wiking was to the 72nd's right) in order to engage the 5th Guards Airborne Division. This, combined with the 180th Rifle, composed the only two formations blocking the southern edge of the pocket. However, the Germans knew Soviet reinforcements were lurking somewhere in the middle, awaiting developments from either front. Only a successful attack from the south would stretch the Soviets thin enough to effect not just a linkup, but the rescue of thousands of Reich soldiers.
In the south, several understrength Panzer divisions concentrate on the 3rd Guards Airborne Division. In the path of the 16th Panzer and 198th Infantry Divisions is the 10th Guards Airborne Regiment, which melts under the assault and disappears into the wilderness. The 359th Rifle Division, on its right, suffers a similar attack from the 1st Panzer Division as well as numerous independent supporting units. Two rifle regiments, the 1194th and 1196th, suffer heavy losses.
The Russians seem stymied by my approach. Sensing blood, several Russian units start to pull away from the southwestern portion of the pocket and move to the now-open northern edge. Of course, this will take them some time, which is what I am counting on. Several Soviet reinforcing divisions appear, pouring like a tide north out of the city of Olshana, but they reinforce the southeastern portion of the pocket. Two German infantry divisions hold the line there, and one faces a bitter Soviet onslaught and gives ground grudgingly.
Surprisingly, the 5th Guards Airborne moves slightly west of the line, as if inviting me to pour Germans through the gap. I have little choice, although I can see a counterattack when it's coming. The Soviets are likely planning on hitting me when I'm strung out across the muddy, freezing steppe. German units are best when they are bunched together; they are a hard nut to crack and are very tough on offense. However, they are also best used in a mobile fashion. Be where the enemy is not to assure survival; that is the maxim of this day.
The Russians do little to counter my attack in the south, except by coming after Sepp Dietrich's 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' Panzer division, inflicting losses but not retreat. This stalwart division holds the left flank of my attempted relief from the south.
The first turn has gone well, but is too limited in scope for my taste. Only three attacks are made, all with overwhelming power and therefore with complete victory. However, the Soviets have much more in store for me, commanding the Germans. I can only hope that mobility and superior firepower will bring the trapped German troops to the rescue, hopefully mauling a Soviet front in the process.
The image below shows the situation at the end of Turn 1.
