what If 6

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Early September 1941
East Prussia
The Wolfs Layer

Hitler-"Generals the progress is going well but I see from the map we have a problem why is Kiev in Russian hands I want that pocket sealed as fast as possible and I want Moscow as well your suggestions my Generals"


Richard

Over to you in the new year

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Early Sept. 1941:

Field Marshal Kidel:

My Fufrer...The Kiev situation is well in hand. As you can see from the map we have a double envelopment around the city. Russian forces have tried a breakout twice, but have failed both times. We estimate at least 750,000 troops are cutoff and trapped.
Two motorized divisions from army group center have just arrived to reinforce the N.E. quadrant. Once the 2 divisions are in place, the inner and outer ring will start to tighten around the city. We expect Russian forces to collapse within the next 10 days or less. Once Kiev is secure. Army group center will continue their push to Moscow as planned and Army group South will swing toward the Caucasus region.
Do you have any questions or concerns my fuhrer?

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler....."Generals ten days is to slow ground conditions are bogging down the Panza's the weather forecast is worst weather ahead these stupid Russians don't know how to build roads and thats a pain you must move faster time is running out can you take Kiev in less than ten days?"

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side

Starlin....."I am sick of your lack of leadership no falling back your to weak to much ground has been lost if I let you run the war Hitler would be jack booting all over Moscow by now we must hold Kiev damn the cost!"

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

German side:

Field Marshal Kidel responds:

My Fuhuer... Air and ground re-con. confirms that the Russians are still well supplied with ammo and food, The Kiev defenders have been cutoff for over 1 month now so their supplies should be near exhausted in the next week or so. German units are stretched paper thin in Army group center. So we dare not pull any more forces. The Soviets have continued to attack along the centers lines looking for a weak point. If they break through we risk having our own forces around Kiev cutoff and surrounded.

My Fuhuer.... The general staff feels confidant that this operation will conclude soon and will be a GREAT victory for Germany. If all goes well we will destroy over 40 Russian Divisions in a single blow! The Russians will break soon, but we must show patience.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Soviet side:

General Zhukov responds:

Comrade president sir....... The Kiev situation is grim. There are only enough supplies to last another 5 -7 days. Our forces have tried to breakout twice in the last 10 days but each attempt has failed. Of the 1 million brave defenders of Kiev, we have lost over 250,000 men.
Sir... Our best coarse of action is to mount a rescue force to break through the German line so that our troops can escape the trap they are in. If we do nothing we will lose the entire 1 million man force. The troops cannot continue to defend Kiev without ammo and supplies. As the situation stands now we have no way to supply the Kiev defenders.

What are your orders comrade president ?

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler....."Generals you got seven days can you do it?"

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side

Starlin....."If you can breakthrough and link up can we still hold Kiev?"

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

German side:

Kidel responds:

My fuhuer...... with 14 days I can guarantee a victory. However with only 7 , it is a 50/50 shot. But the troops will fight hard and try their best to make the 1 week time table.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Soviet side:

General Zhukov responds:

Comrade President........ The size of the rescue force will not be large only a 55,000 size force that can be pulled from the defensive lines 50KM north of Kiev. The force should be able to punch through and link up with the Kiev defenders. However the corridor will only last 48 hour or less before the Germans counterattack to closed the gap. Which should give us enough time for the the Kiev forces to perform a fighting retreat through the corridor.
Kiev is lost Comrade president, however if we can save the remaining Kiev defenders, we would have the resources to launch a counter attack on Kiev at a future date.

Shall I put the rescue plan in motion Comrade president?

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler......."You got seven days only I need those tanks on the Moscow front they must get to there jump off point before this damn country turns in to a swamp". "And then there the winter I must have Moscow before the end of the year."

Hitler turns to Goring
"Bomb Kiev around the clock can it be done."?

"Inform Field Marshal Leeb to hold his ground unless he thinks he can take Leningrad find out"

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side

Starlin......"Do it and I don't want to here of a half hearted attempt this army has disgraced the memory of Lenin, show me something positive for once I am fed up with all this bad news"

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

German side:

Field Marshal Goering responds:

Yes my Fuhrer it can be done. I can start round the clock bombing of Kiev within 2 hours of your order. We will bomb the Soviet scum back into the stone age!!

Field Marshal Kidel responds:

Yes my Fuhrer I will contact Leep personally to find out his status. In the meantime I will contact all field commanders in the Kiev region to double their efforts and to capture Kiev within 7 days.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Soviet side:

General Zhukov responds:

Very well comrade president, the rescue force will be in position to mount a attack on the German line around Kiev in 24hrs. Field commanders in Kiev and the rescue force will be informed so that attacks can be carried out in the same attack zone at the same time.
(Leaves the meeting room to contact key commanders to put the plan into motion)

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler......"Good go ahead"