Operation Kutuzov was the first of the two counteroffensives launched by the Red Army as part of the Kursk Strategic Offensive Operation. It commenced on 12 July 1943, in the Central Russian Upland, against Army Group Center of the German Wehrmacht. The operation was named after General Mikhail Kutuzov, the Russian general credited with saving Russia from Napoleon during the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Operation Kutuzov was one of two large-scale Soviet operations launched as counteroffensives against Operation Citadel. The Operation began on 12 July and ended on 18 August 1943 with the capture of Orel and collapse of the Orel bulge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Kutuzov
The Game
Terrain:
- This scenario is designed for play on a 9 x 5 foot table.
- The center is dominated by a 2-4 contour hill on which the German forces are dug-in. The exact configuration of the fortification is not specified, but it should have the following characteristics:
- It is considered open ground. Units in the entrenchments are considered dug-in in the open.
- The outer ring of the fortification is surrounded with a barbed-wire obstacle, and all of the barbed-wire obstacles. The German can specify that 2 sections of the barbed wire actually contain minefields as well as wire. The exact location of the mines must be written down before the game begins.
- There are entrenchments along all wire and all guns are in gun pits. Detached entrenchments at C that also can be covered by wire
- The stream is a “wide or deep” stream requiring a cross checks.
- The woods at B and the bottom of the map are considered normal woods
- Russian off-board artillery is considered to originate from map edge D. German originates on map edge A.
Russian Forces:
- Starting in Woods B.
- 1 Rifle Battalion (three companies, sapper company, 81mm Mortar batter, with full battalion HQ. Confident Trained
- 1 Forward observer controlling an off-board battery consisting of 120mm mortar battery (preregistered).
- The Russians have a 3 templates barrage of 122mm artillery available on turn 1 and 2 .
- The sappers receive +1 to remove barbed wire/mines.
- The Russian off-board artillery may fire one smoke mission
- Arriving on or after turn 1 at point A
- One Tank Company (10 T-34/76 (RU-02) tanks (6+commander). Confident Trained
- One Submachine gun company Confident Trained
German Forces:
- 1 Infantry Company with full HQ, Pak 38 50mmATG platoon, 150mm infantry gun section, 8cm Mortar section, 3 infantry platoons (six teams, two MMGs)
- German Pioneer platoon
- Forward observer controlling an off-board fire support battery of 2 x 105mm batteries
- preregistered artillery.
- At least one German platoon must cover the North side of the hill in the initial setup.
- All Germans are confident veterans.
- German forces must start within the entrenchments or in the outlying building or entrenchment at “C”.
- Germans have dedicated air support starting on turn 3.
- Germans have delayed reserves of one Stug III section (2 Stugs).
Scenario Conditions:
- Game Length:15 turns
- Russians move first
- Victory Conditions: Russians win if they eliminate the Germans, Germans win if they have any stands remaining.
Game Recap:
The Germans positions all their forces and off board artillery pre-plot markers. The Soviets set up their attacking infantry forces and moved first. The first four turns were pretty much the same, with the Soviets rushing forward to get to the German positions, while being pummeled by German artillery and small arms fire. The casualties were very heavy (Germans lost 5 stands, the Soviets almost 50!).
As the Soviets closed the noose and were better able to get in position, they began to slowly remove the Germans supporting guns and started to remove some of the barbed wire around the German parameter. Everything was now set for the main assault. Unfortunately, the Soviet artillery did not respond to multiple requests for smoke, leaving the assaulting forces at risk. However, the Soviet Tank and SMG companies were able to begin their attack into the weakened German flank and overwhelm the German Pioneers and ATGs. Now, fate fell against the Germans and their artillery and air support failed to materialize at the critical time. The ensured the success of the Soviets as they flooded into the German positions. As the tanks advanced, the Soviets sent forward their remaining infantry on the other flank to pin down and drive the Germans from their forward positions. The German Stugs finally arrived, but it was too late, as the Germans conceded knowing that they only could hold on for a couple more turns.
The game ended as a historical Soviet victory.
- Manteuffel