Welcome back to the Battle for Rikonovo Campaign -- hostilities will resume with the DAWN turn of Day 2.
After the recall of Colonel von @Bootie to staff duties in Berlin, command is passed on to a new veteran Kampfgruppe Commander, newly promoted Colonel @Dutch Grenadier who also commanded the panzer recon elements in Abteilung DG, now dug in at Stodenka.
The Kampfgruppe has now been renamed Kampfgruppe Dutch Grenadier.
Here is the updated command roster of available officers:
CO: @Dutch Grenadier
Intel officer: @Nathangun
Battle Commanders:
@Mehlsack
@Richtig (returned to the unit after recovering from a light wound)
@Mad Mike
New replacement commanders sent from 5 Pz Div HQ
@Floki
@robslion
SITUATION REPORT - DAWN, DAY 2 (03:00 - 06:00)
As the sun rises on another clear day, we review the situation after the NIGHT's actions -- we go from south to north.
Along the Bobr stream, the abortive probe by the PzIV Gruppe and 3. PzGrKompanie leaves the situation unchanged with the enemy dug in a bridgehead across from Novoye village.
Positive news there is that neither unit suffered any significant losses.
Gruppe Strachwitz (1st Alarmkompanie) is covering the river crossing at Stayki village -- this group's commander is reported MIA.
Alarmkompanie 2 managed to dig in during the night at Brody village -- but troop quality and morale of this unit is low and most of the personnel are exhausted from long retreat marches and lack of proper rest and ration shortages.
PzArtillerie Gruppe 1 with its battery of Wespe sp guns is positioned at Kolki village and has firing at the Stayki crossing -- so far ammunition levels are satisfactory.
The Panzerpioniere Platoon has arrived at Rikonovo Railway station -- orders to remain at Kolki village in reserve obviously didn't get through.
Recon Abteilung DG, Gruppe Mehlsack, the Heavy Kompanie and the Panther Group are all dug in at and around Stodenka. No direct enemy contact has been made, but tank engine noises have been reported to the north in direction Uborak village.
The II PzGrenadier Btn HQ detachment is in position at Zharav'ye and also reports tank engine noises from direction of the Kherma river crossing.
Gruppe Mad Mike: A recon infantry squad has probed towards Kurgan and report that the village is occupied by enemy tanks and infantry -- no radio contact with recon squad since first reports.
Scheduled reinforcements: the towed 105 battery is still delayed -- ETA on map at MIDDAY turn.
No further reinforcements are scheduled at this point.
Orders from 5th Panzer Division HQ are for Kampfgruppe Dutch Grenadier are to hold the Russian advance at the Rikonovo perimeter for at least another 24 hours to allow the maximum of stores and wounded rail transports to be moved to Borisov and Minsk, preferably at night.
Under no circumstances allow your Kampfgruppe to be surrounded - you have full discretion from 5 Pz Div command to order an earlier fighting retreat if necessary.
The Weather is predicted to be clear with ground haze -- so enemy air activity will be heavy.
I AWAIT YOUR ORDERS -- (any questions or clarifications, just shoot 'em over)
After the recall of Colonel von @Bootie to staff duties in Berlin, command is passed on to a new veteran Kampfgruppe Commander, newly promoted Colonel @Dutch Grenadier who also commanded the panzer recon elements in Abteilung DG, now dug in at Stodenka.
The Kampfgruppe has now been renamed Kampfgruppe Dutch Grenadier.
Here is the updated command roster of available officers:
CO: @Dutch Grenadier
Intel officer: @Nathangun
Battle Commanders:
@Mehlsack
@Richtig (returned to the unit after recovering from a light wound)
@Mad Mike
New replacement commanders sent from 5 Pz Div HQ
@Floki
@robslion
SITUATION REPORT - DAWN, DAY 2 (03:00 - 06:00)
As the sun rises on another clear day, we review the situation after the NIGHT's actions -- we go from south to north.
Along the Bobr stream, the abortive probe by the PzIV Gruppe and 3. PzGrKompanie leaves the situation unchanged with the enemy dug in a bridgehead across from Novoye village.
Positive news there is that neither unit suffered any significant losses.
Gruppe Strachwitz (1st Alarmkompanie) is covering the river crossing at Stayki village -- this group's commander is reported MIA.
Alarmkompanie 2 managed to dig in during the night at Brody village -- but troop quality and morale of this unit is low and most of the personnel are exhausted from long retreat marches and lack of proper rest and ration shortages.
PzArtillerie Gruppe 1 with its battery of Wespe sp guns is positioned at Kolki village and has firing at the Stayki crossing -- so far ammunition levels are satisfactory.
The Panzerpioniere Platoon has arrived at Rikonovo Railway station -- orders to remain at Kolki village in reserve obviously didn't get through.
Recon Abteilung DG, Gruppe Mehlsack, the Heavy Kompanie and the Panther Group are all dug in at and around Stodenka. No direct enemy contact has been made, but tank engine noises have been reported to the north in direction Uborak village.
The II PzGrenadier Btn HQ detachment is in position at Zharav'ye and also reports tank engine noises from direction of the Kherma river crossing.
Gruppe Mad Mike: A recon infantry squad has probed towards Kurgan and report that the village is occupied by enemy tanks and infantry -- no radio contact with recon squad since first reports.
Scheduled reinforcements: the towed 105 battery is still delayed -- ETA on map at MIDDAY turn.
No further reinforcements are scheduled at this point.
Orders from 5th Panzer Division HQ are for Kampfgruppe Dutch Grenadier are to hold the Russian advance at the Rikonovo perimeter for at least another 24 hours to allow the maximum of stores and wounded rail transports to be moved to Borisov and Minsk, preferably at night.
Under no circumstances allow your Kampfgruppe to be surrounded - you have full discretion from 5 Pz Div command to order an earlier fighting retreat if necessary.
The Weather is predicted to be clear with ground haze -- so enemy air activity will be heavy.
I AWAIT YOUR ORDERS -- (any questions or clarifications, just shoot 'em over)
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