[DM/TGOTRE/BSSM] Thunder in the East [Completed]

[Santini]

Hello all!
This is the beginning of what I hope to be a tactically oriented AAR set predominantly on Prussia's Eastern Front.
In my previous ETW AAR, I found that the graphical limitations imposed on my sorry crate by the Commander's Edition were simply too much to take adequate battle screenshots, reducing my dialog to the stategic level solely.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This AAR begins in 1710, and features a mighty Prussia astride the european contenent, having defeated both Austria and Poland, and at war with France and Russia. Having applied the many leasons learned on the field during the writing of Prussia Uber Alles, this new Prussian army is deadlier than ever, and poised to strike in the east.

[Plank of Wood]

Am I still a Marshall?

[Santini]

Goodness no.
I have far to many bigwigs on my staff already.
Promotion to Field Marshall, effective immediately!


Enjoy your new estate in Gdansk.

[Plank of Wood]

I suggest we ally ourselves with the Ottoman Empire. Not only are the there huge trade opertunities, but from a strategic point of view it covers our southern flanks appropriatly.

[Santini]

The New Prussian Army:

The experiences gained from the 1704 General Staff wargames (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=249558) lead to a series of fundamental changes, at both the tactical and the strategic level.

At the strategic level, Armee Gruppe have been into one of three categories, and an unusual naming scheme is followed.

Kampfgruppe are the large balanced armee gruppe intended for both offensive and defensive operations against the largest of enemy formations.

Jagdgruppe are smaller forces consisting entirely of cavalary, used to counter the small raiding parties so effective in the Case Blue exercises.

Abwehrgruppe are small collections of infantry and artillery, occasionally containing cavalry, used to defend locations on minor or peacefull fronts.

Armee Gruppe are named after their city(s) of origin, until their first major victory, after which they adopt the name of their General.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Prussia's forces in the east in 1710 stand at a degree of readieness unsurpassed in German history. All three kampfgruppe, at full strength, stand poised to strike, and a jagdgruppe is prepaired for anti partisan action. All three KG's fought on the western front, and particpated in either the invasion of poland, the invasion of austria, or both, and JG "Lothar" has fought a series of vicious anti partisan actions against russian forces in the vicinity of Vilnius

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The composition of the ArmeeGruppe of the east was strongly influanced by the 1704 wargames, but it was the war in the west (1705-1709) that really demonstrated the effect of the new formations.

Of particular note, Dragoons have come to play a vital part in control of the line, and offensive cavalry are now more typically deployed in reserve.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

KG "Brandenburg", in the west, is a relativly new formation, untried except for two succesful actions against ill equipt austrian rebels. Walther Habich, commander of "Brandenburg", itchs for the definitive action that will earn the Kampf Gruppe his name.

The year is 1710, and the world holds its breath.

[Plank of Wood]

Could we have a few screenshots of the campaign map please?

[Santini]

Chapter 1: D-Day
Early in spring, 1710, Operation Siegfried, the Invasion of Russia, kicked off.
As per Field Marshall Von Planks instructions, the first move of Prussia was not deployments, but rather diplomacy.
The Ottoman Empire, the right flank of Prussia, were brought to the table and made an offer they couldn't refuse.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Flank thus secured, the order is issued: Kampfgruppe East!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the first action of the war, JG "Lothar" struck east and engages advanced Russian elements near Kiev, dealing a decisive blow.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Plank of Wood]

Well, we better keep moving eastward.

Once we reach Dagastan and Georgia we can start to move south, into Persia and India, securing huge amounts of trade goods, as well as a rich Eastern Empire.

However as a short term plan, we should take Northern Italy, preparing us for push into France if nessisary.

[Santini]

Operational Summary, D-Day plus 60.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Two months in, and the Prussian advance has slowed to a crawl to allow logistical support to keep pace. KG "Friedrich" makes defensive positions on the Russian side of the border, and all 4 gruppe halt to await further developements.

[Santini]

Whatya think of the graphical update, btw?

[Plank of Wood]

The battles look great, the most recent one would look great without the gridlines.

[Santini]

Dern, I sorta liked the grids
I'll avoid them henceforth if they're an eyesore

[Plank of Wood]

The grids are okay on the campaign map, they're just a bit of an annoyance on battle pictures.

[Santini]

Operational Summary, D-Day + 150:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Working in concert with KG "Leopold", JG "Lothar" struck once more across the border and secured Kiev against light resistance. All three KG continue their eastword progress, but in the south, a dilemma has sprung up: Does KG "Leopld" swing south, towards the Crimea, or does it continue east, towards the Don?

Also, Prussian field intelligence has finally caught up with the advance, and should be capible of reporting advanced Russian forces within the month.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the west, KG "Brandenburg" has taken up positions in the Alps, and General Walther has started up a string of letters to the General Staff in Berlin, urging that the western forces be upgraded by the addition of either a KG, or two JG. In response, the tax rates have been increased to provide funding for whatever decision, whilst the General Staff debates.

[Plank of Wood]

Continue east towards Don. We'll finish off the Crimean russians later.

I'd recogmend two JG. That way we can take both Venice (probably mostly militia at this point) and Milan (which has few troops garrisoned)

[Santini]

Operation Siegfried, DDay + 240, briefing:
Already the harsh russian winter has gripped the land, slowing the rate of Prussian advance yet further- KG "Friedrich" reports heavier resistance from the Elements than Russian field formations!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With fresh intelligence straight from the Russia Desk, all three KG have been assigned targets for this phase of the operation.

[Plank of Wood]

The northernmost army should attempt to destroy the flanking army, at all costs.

The army attacking Moscow should beseige, but not attack. Wait for the first army to re-enforce the following summer.

Southernmost army should simply try to force the opposing army back, rather than destroy it. This army's objective is to continue the operation Eastward.

[Santini]

As per the field marshall's instructions, Kampfgruppe "Friedrich" moved further east, and began the Seige of Moscow.

Meanwhile in the South, KG "Leopold" easily repulsed the Russian advance units, and advanced on the Don.

In the north, KG "Alexis" advanced on the Russian 1st Army, culminating in the Battle of Rzhev.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A wide left swing of Prussian Dragoons (red) resulted in early elimination of of the Russian artillery batteries, and a victory scored against the Russian cavalry by Prussian hussars on the right (blue) gave KG "Alexis" total flank security. From there it was a simple matter of whittling the russian line down, then breaking it up with cavalry... though it was not as easy as the after battle reports suggested.

For the lost of 504 men (53% of KG strength!), Alexis put to flight some 2000 Russians.

Reinforcement expenditure for KG "Alexis" is on the order of 4,500 gold.

[ShiloD]

"Russians always beat Prussians..." Fieldmarschall Alexander Souvorov, count of Rymnik ;-P

[Santini]

"And it was at that moment, in the midst of exchanged shot and shell, that I realized that there is but one purpose for Russia on this earth... a field upon which the mettle of all true Prussians must be tested... and I felt saddened that this field would one day be swept clean of opponents, and future generations would have to prove their worth elsewhere..."
-Prussian Field Marshall Klaus von Santini, November 13th, 1710, whilst receiving medical aid at the fields of Rzhev