AAR: PAVLOV

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=105 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="121400640.jpg" border=0 width="1280" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=180 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="febfbda3.jpg"> <div> After  WWIITF <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Times New Roman" >After Action Reports</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Headquarters</div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TFE4 Home"><U>TFE4 Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Headquarters"><U>Headquarters</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips and Trouble"><U>Tips and Trouble</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Crew"><U>The Crew</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Combat Ops </div> <div> <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Advance Reich"><U>Advance ~ Reich</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eagles Strike"><U>Eagles Strike</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PF Pacific War"><U>P&F - Pacific War</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Korea Vietnam"><U>Korea - Vietnam</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Africa at War"><U>Africa at War</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Supply Section   </div> <div> <A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AfricaWar Mod"><U>Africa@War Mod</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Article Archives"><U>Article Archives</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Checklist"><U>Scenario Checklist</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Tactics Section</div> <div> AAR: PAVLOV</div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AAR: AIRBORNE!"><U>AAR: AIRBORNE!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tactics XI Artillery"><U>Tactics XI- Artillery</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tactics XII Tanks!"><U>Tactics XII - Tanks!</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> This page is designed to host After Action Reports that cover scenarios created by Task Force Echo-Four. They are created by various players of the Squad Battles Series. If you have an AAR of a TFE4 scenario you would like to see posted on this site, please submit it to <A HREF="mailto:echo-four@inlandnet.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:echo-four@inlandnet.net"><U>echo-four</U></A> and we'll give it a look.. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Squad Battles Series by HPS Simulations/ John Tiller Games.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Squad Leader and Advanced Squad Leader are  registered trademarks of Hasbro/Multi Man Publishing and used without permission.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=375 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <IMG SRC="11f4a9d50.jpg" border=0 width="169" height="213" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11f56a650.png" border=0 width="106" height="101" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">PAVLOV'S HOUSE</div> <div> ADVANCE OF THE REICH - ASL-T2</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> After Action Report by <I><B>Bill Brockman</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Bill Brockman</B></I><I> -</I> (Heer) &<I> </I><I><B>Peter Dawson </B></I>(RKKA)</div> <div> This scenario was created by <I><B>Ozgur Budak.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> This scenario is available for download at this site and is located in<I><B> AvR_Scenario Pack #4 </B></I>(WWII Europe Page). To learn more of the man awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union in Gold and his plight to stop the Germans during the Battle of Stalingrad please visit<I><B>  </B></I><A HREF="http://www.stalingrad.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.stalingrad.net"><U><I><B>www.stalingrad.net</B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> STALINGRAD : 0700 OCTOBER 20, 1942</div> <div> Near center of the rubble strewn city of Stalingrad. The German forces are pushing relentlessly towards the eastern edges of the city; but each yard, each foot is causing ever more casualties. It has become a battle not only of guns and armor, but a battle of man versus man, of Stalin's will versus Hitler's will. Now the German 76th soldiers from the 76th Inf. Regt. confront a Soviet soldier named Sgt. Pavlov who will NOT yield another yard to the enemy…he makes a stand with his men in a bullet scarred house that will soon become known as Pavlov's House…he will stand and fight for 58 days!!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> THE OPPONENTS</div> <div> Peter Dawson as Soviet and myself as German. Both of us can easily be considered novices at the Squad Battle system. I know I have only played a few games and they can be considered dismal at best! I understand that Peter is brand new to system, but a very experienced wargamer. Peter and I, though friends, have never played each other before so neither of us knows what to expect from the other in way of tactics. Should be interesting if nothing else.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="11ea1e410.jpg" border=0 width="286" height="321" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Impact" >GERMAN ATTACK PLAN</FONT></div> <div> Well, it looks pretty straightforward to me (?) There are only eight (8) turns and German must capture a number of objective hexes; 2 = Draw; 3 = Minor Victory; 4 = Major Victory. I have 3 platoons with two PzKw IV/F2s arriving on turn 2; also two modules of off-board mortar support. I will "Hold Fire" with all short-range weapons until within two hexes of enemy.  Soldiers maintaining LOS <I>will hold fire on all weapons</I>. I will not call in support until I am prepared to assault across street. Also, unless otherwise stated, all units will end turn "On Ground".</div> <bR> <div> I plan on moving into an "schwerpunkt" of my own device…consisting of infantry with the panzers providing supporting fire. The attack will be "up the gut" figuring the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 1: 0700</div> <bR> <div> The rustle of equipment was heard as my units prepared to move out. The men up towards front kept low as they moved into their assigned areas. The slight noise was actually lost amidst the sound of artillery in the background. This sound was becoming so frequent that it was being ignored. Some thought it sounded like an approaching thunderstorm and they were not far from correct. The squads comprising the 6th Armee Assault Group took up their positions in buildings across street from enemy positions. They new that the Russians were expecting them and were probably in improved positions…they were right. </div> <bR> <div> Leutnant Stahler and his radioman Hellmann maintained their position in woods. They had a clear LOS to what was later to be known as Pavlov's House. Now it simply was a battered building that probably was occupied by the enemy…at least Stahler know that is what he would have done had the situation been reversed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 1:</B></I></FONT><B> </B>Much to my extreme shock, Peter moved a Soviet unit into building at 2,5!! He also sent a squad to hex 6,7. The Soviet in 2,5 was enshrouded in smoke…to be truthful, I don't know if I did it or he did it…but it was there in either case. Lets just write it off, as confusion of war shall we? Artillery lands in 3,5 and 0,4…nothing there to hit.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 2: 0700</div> <bR> <div> Lt.Stahler saw two Panzer IV/F2 arrive just to his rear. They were a most welcome sight; their firepower would be needed to suppress enemy strong points. The first order of business was to eliminate that "brave" enemy soldier who popped up directly in front of the assembling assault force! One squad laid down suppressing fire while two others assaulted the building; it was successful. However, we suffered two casualties for the lone Soviet we killed! The building was enveloped in smoke, which served to protect the men from enemy defensive fire…a lucky break. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all thought Stahler.</div> <bR> <div> The squads continue deploying. 2 Gp/2/1 wanders off course and moves to a position (3,6) in sight of enemy!! The 1 Gp/2/1 spots an exposed Russian unit and opens up with longer-range guns. Doesn't appear to have caused any damage. Russian seemingly was as surprised to see me, as we were to see him? Feldwebel Kolse ducks into building (2,4); Feldwebel Uhl joins young Schutze Vilder one of the two flamethrower-equipped men in his command. Joining them a few seconds later three men with a MG-34 arrive. No casualties.</div> <bR> <div> One of the PzKw IV's fires three shots at long range into enemy occupied house (6,7) while other panzer moves about 120 yards and off road into position to see "Pavlov's House". He too fires, but at Pavlov House…achieving a disruption to some soldiers in building! Then the first mistake of any consequence happens! Squad 4 Gp/1/1 foolishly attempts to dash cross open terrain and enter building across street. Despite the panzers firing, some enemy soldiers open fire disrupting the squad and forcing it to take to ground 40 yards short of building…in the open! <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>NOTE</I></FONT>: I accidentally hit the "On Ground" hotkey TOO SOON!! Told ya I was a newbie!!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 2:</B></I></FONT><B> </B>The men in street in front of building come under withering small arms fire and are pinned in street without cover!! That signals the beginning of intense fire all along the opposing sides of street. A Schutze of 1 Gp/3/1 curses and then silently topples and is  dead before he hits ground! The "Base of Fire" ordered by Lt. Stahler is firing effectively at enemy locations; the fire is chewing the buildings to pieces, whether wood or brick! Stahler watches silently as this, happy that he is not on the receiving end.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 3: 0710</div> <bR> <div> The storm of fire continues unabated. One squad (2 Gp/3/1) panics (demoralized) from the sheet of bullets Another enemy building becomes obscured by smoke as chaos reigns on both sides of street. More of Stahler's men move into the street trying to aid their comrades…more men fall, on both sides. Stahler calls HQ and asks for support fire as soon as possible….he can only hope they are reliable and accurate artillery crews. Fw Uhl calmly enters street with demoralized men and attempts to get them moving…they are too overcome by the hell around them that they don't listen or cannot hear him.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 3:</B></I></FONT><B> </B>If possible the intensity of the battle increases!! Everything seems to be moving in slow motion as men scurry from cover to cover and bursts of rife fire trying to bring them down. Now and then the tata-tat-tat of machine guns firing is heard amongst the small arms. Suddenly a crack of a anti-tank gun is heard and the Panzer IV on street has its left sprocket wheel blown completely off!! It returns fire letting it be known crew is ok. As the maelstrom continues six more of Stahler's command fall to the ground; some crying some totally silent. He can do nothing to help, the slightest movement brings a torrent of fire in your direction.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 4: 0715</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="11ec15180.jpg" border=0 width="277" height="280" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">Overhead the men hear the whine of shells coming from the North. These are 120mm Mortars from support group…Stahler breathes a sigh of relief, they were responding promptly to his call…unfortunately as he watched, their accuracy was not very good. The shells landed mainly behind the enemy positions rather than directly on them. Damage, if any, was not known. Meanwhile the immobilized panzer attempts to kill its attacker…its shots (HE) prove ineffectual…Stahler thinks the crew, though alive, may be rattled? Then things go from bad to worse! Three squads attempt three different assaults into enemy locations led by a sheet of flame by the flamethrowers!! All attempts are beaten back resulting in the men being either pinned or disrupted!!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>NOTE:</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Times New Roman" > Obviously I seriously messed up here! I probably should have assaulted one hex with all three squads rather than piece-meal as I did….that's me darn it.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 5: 0720</div> <bR> <div> All hell is breaking loose before Stahler's eyes! The noise is overwhelming; it attacks every cell in your brain and seems to intensify as each minute passes. The Soviets are firing everything they have at Stahler's men as they desperately seek cover in the streets and buildings.  Another soldier disappears in a hail of machine gun fire…one second he was there…the next he was gone!! Just as Stahler feels it can't get worse, he hears an ear-piercing explosion immediately to his front. Too his horror he sees the immobilized Panzer IV's turret be enveloped in flame! Split seconds later fire belches from the now sprung open hatches; but that is all that escapes the panzer.</div> <bR> <div> Fw Uhl must be crazy thinks Stahler as his attention is drawn to Uhl calmly sprint to some woods and attempt to rally 2 Gp/1/1 who are cowering behind the shattered tree stumps. He does not know if Uhl is successful. But directly behind Uhl, Fw Kolse rallies another squad and gets them to cover and prepared to attack again! "How could they do it?" thinks Strahler. "No speech can be heard? With the smoke and haze a man can barely be seen!" The only thing that can find a man is a bullet and they do over and over again. Things look bleak….</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 5</B></I></FONT><B>:  </B>The constant fire continues! Another German trooper drops and no one goes to his aid. No one can move…everyone is a target. A rain of fire from the Soviet positions pins down another squad.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 6: 0725</div> <bR> <div>  Stahler knows the battle is about over. He simply cannot sacrifice more of his men attacking that damn house! Just how important can it be!? He tries to issue an order to pullback…but his voice would be impossible to hear in the din surrounding his men. Instead he contacts HQ via radio and requests another barrage; he gives the coordinates and demand that they do their best!!  "Try to" is unacceptable The remaining panzer fires at Soviet positions while remaining out of line of sight to that damn AT gun. A breeze clears some of the smoke and Stahler see Schutze Ultmeyer discard his flamethrower, stand up in street, draw his knife and charge the nearest building!! "God in heaven" declares Stahler in a whispered voice. He sees Ultmeyer advance about a meter when he is shot down from a blast of small arm fire. He sees the soldier reach for the sky as he falls. Then! Then evidently inspired by Ultmeyers bravery (fool hardiness?)  two squads behind him get to their feet, scream and advance on one of the building! All guns firing they advance step by step into the doorways!! In what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a few seconds one of the men waves from the second floor in Stahlers direction! It is ours!! At same time seven soldiers of 1 Gp/3/1 fix bayonets and run at full tilt into that damn Pavlov's House…Stahler sees them give the sign that the building is free of the filthy enemy!! "What men I am privileged to command" thinks Stahler. "If only I can serve them as they serve me. Surely we cannot be stopped; not with brave men such as this!"</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="11ed22590.jpg" border=0 width="546" height="345" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 6: </B></I></FONT>The crossfire continued across the streets<B>. </B>I suffered 1 casualty as a Soviet burst<B> </B>of<B> </B>fire killed a soldier in woods at 5,5</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> TURN 7: 0730</div> <bR> <div> Stahler's thoughts returned to the ongoing action in front of him. The murderous exchanges of fire between both his men and the stubborn Russians continued! The sound became even more hellish…if possible. He saw his men in the two captured houses remain firm despite constant Russian fire. "They must be given help" he thought. He then saw his two Feldwebels once more come through. Eight troopers bolt across street and into house on east end of street despite enemy fire! (Pavlov's House). "Unbelievable…." Whispered Stahler to himself. Then seven more troopers dash across street under fire from enemy machine guns and safely reach the house directly across street (3,7). At that same time the machine gun to his right opens up a burst at the damned AT gun. The AT responds and another young soldier is obliterated in a haze of blood as he takes a direct hit. "DAMN that gun!!" He sees Fw Kolce wave in his direction and signals another squad has rallied and will soon join in; a few seconds later Fw Uhl gives same signal. "Fine soldiers, I am certainly fortunate to be commanding them". </div> <bR> <div>  Suddenly the squad that was under fire in building it captured charged out of house and assaulted its closest attacker!! "Ja, ja…better to die in action than to die hiding" thinks Stahler as a slight grin crosses his lips. He pats the Radioman Hellman on arm and points at the attack. "This is why we cannot be defeated Hellmann. We refuse to stop…only death stops us" he speaks to Hellmann. The young radioman, wide-eyed, nods his head. He then shrugs off his radio pack and picks up his rifle and begins firing away at an enemy building!! Stahler smiles once again. He decides he must now get closer to the action to help Kolse and Uhl. He rises to a crouch and is ready to begin his dash when the trees over his head are shredded by machine gun fire!! The bark from a tree falls on his shoulders…he immediately drops to the ground. "Are you hit my Leutant?" asks Hellmann with a frightened look in his eyes!! "Nein, I am fine. No worries. How was I seen?" responds Stahler. Hellman shakes his head and seems to calm down a bit. Then there's a roar and whooshing sound overhead as the mortar support Stahler has asked for begins arriving. The shells land well in rear of frontline positions, seemingly to no effect. "Better there than on our own men" thinks  Stahler. As the last shell explodes Stahler sees seven troopers of 1 Gp/3/1 bolt from the first house and run, on their feet, straight at the building the last shell hit!! They stop….fire…and continue the assault!! The buildings occupant flees and the squad occupies the smoldering ruins. Hellmann points and Stahler sees the first assault also succeed as Squad Gp/2/1 overruns the occupants of their troublesome foe. When a breeze clears the air, he sees two more of his men sprawled on the rubble of the streets at the points of assaults. "They died bravely! Their parents will be proud that they died with such glory…as I am" thinks Stahler. Stahler can't know it but those two assaults resulted in five Russians killed. Had he known it, his smile may have even been detectable!</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="11f03d5a0.jpg" border=0 width="573" height="346" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 7</B></I></FONT><B>: </B>Soviet fire diminishing! Their artillery fire lands short…no casualties at all.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> TURN 8: 0735</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11f21a2d0.jpg" border=0 width="282" height="301" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B>The diminishing crossfire shocks Stahler's ears. What just minutes ago was a overwhelming crackling and popping of gun fire has now become isolated fire as the remaining enemy units flee to South. He see a seven man squad jump out of a building and begin attacking an enemy position two houses down. The men run…fire…and assault!! One falls but the remaining six capture the ramshackle house.</div> <bR> <div>  Fw Kolse trots from the trees and into Pavlov's House; there are a few shots at him but he ignores and  stops outside door and looks back and waves then enters building. Seeing him give the sign, the remaining four men of 4 Gp/2/1 run to join him. Stahler then sees the machine gun that has been having its own private battle with the enemy AT gun, grab the gun and crouch and dash to Kolse's location also. Not to be upstaged, Fw Uhl steps from the tree, pauses and lights a cigarette then enters the building at NW corner of street. Another squad joins the first assaulting squad in southern building…securing that position.</div> <bR> <div> "Mein Herr" shouts Hellman not realizing that the cacophony of fire has subsided. "Ja, what is it" answers Stahler. Hellman just looks at him and Stahler knows what he wants without asking. "You may go…but stay low and run behind those trees!" The young Radioman rises to a crouch and begins running toward the location of the despised Soviet AT gun. As Stahler watches he sees Hellman safely reach a position behind the trees that obscure the gun. "Foolish young one" thinks Stahler and shakes his head. He reaches in his tunic and grabs a smoke. "It is time to calm oneself a bit". He lights the cigarette and draws in a deep breath and slowly lets it out as he surveys the smoldering building where his men fought so bravely. He hopes it is over, but one never knows….</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>DEFENSE 8:</B></I></FONT><B> </B>A few rifle shots with no effect; his artillery does make a direct hit on Pavlov's House, but no casualties. One trooper dies from a mg burst<B>.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> SUMMARY</div> <bR> <div> Stahler surveys the scene as he sees an "all clear" sign from Kolse. He rises and walks to the bloody street.  Fw's Kolse & Uhl join him and report there casualties and situation as it now exists. Stahler offers both a cigarette and shakes their hand. "Well done gentlemen. Your men served you well. I only regret the death of so many of your men" softly speaks Stahler as he looks around at the scene in and around him. "Ja mein herr! Danke" speak the two Feldwebels almost in unison.</div> <bR> <div> "Secure the area, bury your dead and care for the living" he instructs them. "I will contact HQ and report that our mission was successful." Both young men raise their right arm in salute. "Yeah right" says Stahler as he does not return the salute and instead turns his back and begins trying to find Hellmann. I sees him sprawled just short of the woods entangled in bushes! Stahler laughs to himself and walks towards him. "Thank God we are due for rest." He thinks. "No one knows how much I look forward to leaving this damn place! I am glad that we will be leaving before Winter sets in…that at least is some consolation."</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="11f3305c0.jpg" border=0 width="560" height="348" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Well, I am surprised that I won! Really! Peter is a very aggressive player (plus a good guy), I have learned to expect the unexpected from him in future. This seems to be a balanced scenario; I only achieved a Major Victory by luck…the last two objectives seem more difficult to capture if defended. The short number of turns is a great determining factor is German's plans. Assaulting frontally is about only option in my mind.</div> <div> I resorted to a narrative by Stahler because I didn't feel my expertise at Squad Battle system warranted a detailed tactical approach to this AAR. I let him explain what was happening, from his own point of view. Hope you enjoyed reading it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Thanks,</div> <div> <I><B>Bill Brockman</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B> </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>