Here's a double-update.
April 9th, 1941The 23rd had a textbook perfect landing in the fields outside of Skopje. After regrouping, the paratroops humped a few kilometres until reaching the outskirts of the sleepy Yugoslav city at dusk. They moved into attack positions under the cover of darkness to assault at first light today.
On the main front, we commenced our assault on the infantry positions east of Strumica. It's key that we break through here, otherwise our advance southward will be hopelessly choked on the one main road leading south. Two wings of Bf109s were diverted to strafe the entrenchments and the enemy artillery battalion stationed behind the lines, with mediocre results. Around the same time, the Bulgarian artillery behind our lines shelled the center of their line to prepare the way for our infantry.
The Greeks put up a stiff resistance. Our casualties yesterday were light. Field commanders were feeling out the enemy positions, not committing to all-out assault. The 22nd Div. was able to punch through a gap in the enemy lines and is holding the highway south of town.
The 36th Grenadiers moved up the highway and settled into position for a full-scale assault on Strumica. This will be their baptism of fire, as it happens; they are a raw green unit. For some reason, they get the cool camouflage uniforms, though, and an Opel to match.
In an effort to improve their image, the Italians have really turned things around. With the help of two Italian air wings, the Greeks were driven out of their hillside entrenchments and defeated in open battle. One of the Greek infantry divisions was completely wiped out. Without those air strikes, I don't know what would have happened. So here they are after battling on the 9th, marching east to meet the enemy counterattack.
Nothing exciting on the high seas, just yet. A British fighter wing has been spotted doing reconnaissance over the fleet, so at least we know what we're facing as for enemy air power.
Here are the most recent developments as of today.
April 10, 1941Yesterday was full of firefights.
At first light, our tactical bombers blasted the Yugoslav defenders of the city out of their entrenchments. Before the dust had settled, the 36th Grenadiers mounted a full-scale assault on the city, taking a fair share of casualties. This attack was followed by a wave of Panzers from the 19th Div. (posted just north-east of the city) that completely crushed the remaining resistance in one fell swoop. Well done, tankers. Columns of POWs are currently being marched northwards along the highway in droves.
On the highway south of the city, the 22nd Panzer Div. under Generalleutnant EuchreJack faced off admirably against an armored assault by a British tank unit of Mark IV's. Almost half the Brit tanks were knocked out of action, but our Panzers took only light damage.
In the trenches, the Greek defenders holding the center of the line are fighting like lions against our onslaught. They're nearly out of ammunition, and only one of five defenders remain, but all our advances have been hard-won. I expect we'll break through in today's assaults and capture the artillery and flak emplacements to boot. Then we can encircle the remaining defenders and make short work of them. They've fought nobly, I'll give them that.
Also, the 1st Fallschirmjagers have jumped, though they've not landed in the best location or condition. They took some flak during the jump, and I expect they'll get hammered remorselessly before they can regroup sufficiently to attack the emplacements outside of Salonika. It will be a miracle, really, if any of them get out of there alive.
The Italians, meanwhile, have been having a hell of a fight over there to the west of Monastir. I've got to hand it to them, they've been holding their ground under repeated attack and are effectively fighting back in turn. That artillery on the hillside has been hammering away non-stop for the last 24 hours and is in need of an ammo resupply. In fact, without their artillery the Italian divisions have no chance of breaking through in their current condition, now that I think of it. They should hunker down and re-equip today, too, otherwise they'll be torn to shreds pretty soon.
Lastly, the Skopje assault went smoothly; we did not capture all of our objectives within the city yesterday but were able to wear down the defense without sustaining a significant number of casualties. Sheb's panzers will go into action today regardless, after the artillery and paratroops can mount their assault. It should be a breeze for the tankers. Then the next stop is Monastir, to rescue our Italian comrades.
I think that's all I've got. Hm... these briefings always give me an appetite. Sauerkraut and brauts in the officer's mess, anyone?
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Topic: Let's play Panzer Corps: Wehrmacht! - Moscow or Bust (Read 29255 times)