Operation Winter Storm (German: Unternehmen Wintergewitter) was a German offensive in World War II in which the German 4th Panzer Army unsuccessfully attempted to break the Soviet encirclement of the German 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad.
In late November 1942, the Red Army completed Operation Uranus, encircling some 300,000 Axis personnel in and around the city of Stalingrad. German forces within the Stalingrad pocket and directly outside were reorganized under Army Group Don, under the command of Field Marshal Erich von Manstein. Meanwhile, the Red Army continued to allocate as many resources as possible to the eventual launch of the planned Operation Saturn, which aimed to isolate Army Group A from the rest of the German Army. To remedy the situation, the Luftwaffe attempted to supply German forces in Stalingrad through an air bridge. When the Luftwaffe proved incapable of carrying out its mission and it became obvious that a successful breakout could occur only if launched as early as possible, Manstein decided on a relief effort.
Originally, Manstein was promised four panzer divisions. Due to German reluctance to weaken certain sectors by redeploying German units, the task of opening a corridor to the German 6th Army fell to the 4th Panzer Army. The German force was pitted against several Soviet armies tasked with the destruction of the encircled German forces and their offensive around the lower Chir River.
The German offensive caught the Red Army by surprise and made large gains on the first day. The spearhead forces enjoyed air support and were able to defeat counterattacks by Soviet troops. By 13 December, Soviet resistance slowed the German advance considerably. Although German forces took the area surrounding Verkhne-Kumskiy, the Red Army launched Operation Little Saturn on 16 December. Operation Little Saturn crushed the Italian 8th Army on Army Group Don’s left flank, threatening the survival of Manstein’s entire group of forces.
As resistance and casualties increased, Manstein appealed to Hitler and to the commander of the German 6th Army, General Friedrich Paulus, to allow the 6th Army to break out of Stalingrad; both refused. The 4th Panzer Army continued its attempt to open a corridor to the 6th Army on 18–19 December, but was unable to do so without the aid of forces inside the Stalingrad pocket. Manstein called off the assault on 23 December and by Christmas Eve the 4th Panzer Army began to withdraw to its starting position. Due to the failure of the 6th Army to break out from the Soviet encirclement, the Red Army was able to continue the strangulation of German forces in Stalingrad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Winter_Storm
The Game
Terrain: The scenario is played on a 5′ x 8′ surface. Each division on the map edge represents 1′. The terrain is snow covered, but this will not affect movement. All woods are Cleared Woods (12” visibility and no Cross Checks required). All slopes are Gentle (no effect on movement). The stream is shallow (Cross Checks required). Brown Buildings are wood and can be assaulted by vehicles (with Cross Check required). Grey buildings are stone and follow the normal rules (to vehicles).
Scenario Rules: The Game is 12 turns. The German player moves first. At the end of Soviet turn 12, the Germans win if there is no Soviet unit of at least 3 stands in any built up area. Otherwise, the Russians win. Light Snow is falling. It has no effect on movement, but all shooting applies the +1 to hit night modifier. The normal morale rules apply.
Germans: 15th Pz Regt: Co: CHQ PzIV F2, 2 x PxII. Plt: 2 x PxIV F1, 3 x PzIV F2. Plt: 5 x PzIII J. Plt: 5 x PzIII J. 110th PG Regt: CO: CHQ SMG/251. Plt: HQ SMG/251-10, 6 x MG, MMG, 4 x 251. Plt: HQ SMG/251-10, 6 x MG, MMG, 4 x 251. Plt: 2 x 80mm Mortar/251, 2 x 50mm ATG/251, 2 x 251-9. Plt: HQ SMG Pioneer/251, 6 x SMG Pioneer/251 (2 with Flamethrower). OP with 4 gun 105mm Artillery Battery off board. May only be used by units of the 110th Regt. 111th PG Regt: CO: CHQ SMG. Plt: HQ SMG, 6 x PzGr, MMG, ATR. Plt: HQ SMG, 6 x PzGr, MMG, ATR. Plt: 2 x 80mm Mortar/truck, 2 x 50mm ATG/truck, 2 x 37mm ATG/truck. Plt: 2 x 150 SIG Howitzer/truck. OP with 4 gun 105mm Artillery Battery off board. May only be used by units of the 111th Regt. One 4 gun battery of 150mm Artillery in General Support (may only use one range in attempt, instead of three). Can be called by any OP in German force. All German Infantry platoons receive a Panzerknacker card.
Soviets: 159th MRB: CHQ R/MG, 9 x R/MG, 6 x SMG, 2 x ATR, 1 x MMG, 1 x 50mm Mortar, 8 trucks (all units must start the game in trucks). 117th TB: HQ: BHQ: T-34. Co: HQ T34, 5 x T-34. Co: HQ T70, 5 x T-70. 117th MRB: HQ: BHQ M/MG. Co: CHQ R/MG, 12 x R/MG, 6 x SMG, 1 x ATR, 1 x MMG, 1 x 50mm Mortar. Co: CHQ R/MG, 12 x R/MG, 6 x SMG, 1 x ATR, 1 x MMG, 1 x 50mm Mortar. Co: 4 x 76mm Inf Gun battery. Co: 6 x 82mm Mortar battery. 159th TB: Co: HQ T70, 9 x T-70. Reinforcements: Turn 5: CHQ T-34, 5 x T-34. Turn 7: CHQ T-34, 5 x T-34. Soviet infantry companies have Kommissar upgrade included.
Early Game: The Germans began their attack by attacking the exposed truck mounted infantry in road column. They managed to heavily damage the column, but a few survivors were able to escape the debacle and reinforce the town later in the game. The German infantry companies closed in and encircled the collective and set up for their main attack. Short of the road column running fr its life, the Soviets sat in the collective and awaited the inevitable attack.
Mid Game: With the collective completely surrounded, the Germans began bombarding the collective, while the German Panzers engaged the Soviet T34s covering the right flank. With the tanks engaged, the Germans attempted to rush the collective. However, this was met with a deadly infantry counter attack, throwing the Germans back. Seeing the tenacity of the defenders, the Germans pulled back and went back to their bombardment strategy!
End Game: After a long grueling firefight, the Panzers finally cleared the last T34 and began their approach to the collective. The Germans re-positioned their forces for another attack. However, to much time had been lost and the remaining T70s and reserve Soviet tanks arrived and tied down the German infantry, so they could no longer launch their assault. This left the Panzers alone to attack the collective. The thought of attacking dug in Soviets without infantry support was not taken keenly by the Panzers and the attack was called off. The game ended as an unhistorical Soviet victory!
- Manteuffel