Turn Report

Weather: Temperatures drop across the continent as a cold front moves in from Siberia and the whole country from Murmansk to Baku is covered in snow.

Army of Norway: No action as the units watch the Soviet build up and wait expectantly for the inevitable assault.

AGN: The counterattack out of Dougavpils had relived the pressure on the Front and allowed the Axis to build up an armoured reserve from the units redeploying after the offensive was called off. These units now rush to contain the Soviet bridgehead south of the Dvina just west of Riga.

At the eastern end of the Front a couple of infantry units fall back a few miles to straighten the line as strong armoured and panzer grenadier units hold the Soviet advance here.

AGC: The lull in the centre continues allowing the German armour to concentrate against the Soviet pressure points in the north.  There is now a large area of “no man’s land” between the Soviet lines and the Axis along the Mogilev-Gomel line.

On the Bryansk axis most units evacuate westwards along the rail line leaving a few retreating Security and rear-guard units who fall back ahead of the advancing Soviets.

AGS: Interpreting the Fuhrer’s orders somewhat liberally the commander of AGS orders units in front of Kharkov to abandon their fortified positions and fall back into the city while extending the line north to maintain contact with the southernmost units of AGC. The garrison units relieved move rapidly west.

South of the city Panzer divisions contain the Soviets main points of advance while on the extreme southern flank of the Front contact is lost with Rostov as units hurry West.

A Garrison remains to deny the Soviets the city for as long as possible and Herman Goering orders the transfer of 6 squadrons of JU52s to Zaporozhe to form an air bridge. He confidently promises 200 tons a day will be delivered to the Rostov Garrison.

In the Crimea a scratch force of Police, Eastern units and an Engineer regiment are joined by a rebuilt TK3 SS Panzer Division. Attacks eliminate the Soviet parachutist but due to a plethora of confusing and contradictory reports regarding the landing the Marine brigade occupying the south coast is bypassed as the tankers move to join the Rumanians occupying the fortified constriction on the isthmus to Kerch.

The passage of the Panzers is long and difficult; their progress impeded by numerous rail breaks due to Soviet air activity and repeated raids by Partisans. In all their passage requires a total of 6 RR construction, Combat and Construction engineers to clear the short length of track to the front.

Air Combat: A series of DAS missions provoke a limited Soviet response. The Soviets decide to change tactics sending a single interceptor against each bombing stream and concentrating their fire against the German fighters. The aim is to strip the Germans of their fighter capability. Consequently, of the 23 DAS missions only 6 are intercepted and only 2 missions aborted/turned back.

The results are disappointing: they lose 2 interceptor squadrons but fail to kill a single enemy fighter, only a Ju87D.

Combat Report:

Attacks = 2 (automatic kills against the Parachutists in the Crimea.)
Losses: Axis: 6 forts abandoned, Air = 1, Soviet = 4 (Isolated), Air = 2.