what If 6

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Sept. 16 1941, Kiev region Russia:

German bombers have pounded Soviet positions since yesterday morning. Soviet losses from the bombing have been moderate. However a key supply depot of Ammo and other supplies have been destroyed within the city. This loss of supplies reduces the Soviet's supplies down to 3 days of Ammo and food.

Meanwhile close to 50,000 troops and 35 tanks have massed in the NW quadrant 8 KM from the German lines. At dawn on the 17th the Soviets attack the outer line while Kiev defenders attack the inner ring of German troops. The Soviet's attack last through out the day. The Outer ring is breached late in the day but the inner ring is somehow able to hold despite heavy losses. Finally late in the evening of the 17th the rescue force is able to punch through to the Kiev defenders. A corridor is established and the Kiev defenders start a fighting retreat from the city.
However by 10AM on the 18th the Germans have been able to counter attack and have once again cutoff the Kiev defenders. The Soviets regroup and counter attack once more but are repelled. Late in the day on the 18th the Soviet rescue force is forced to retreat. Only 77,000 Kiev defenders were able to escape during the 12 hour period. Of the 48,000 rescue force the Soviets lose 12,000 troops. During the bombing and rescue attempt, the Kiev defenders lose another 40,000 troops.
German losses were very high in the NW Quadrant and their their remaining forces are paper thin in the area. German commanders scramble to fill the open gaps.

Soviet and German field commanders report the result of the battle to their high command leadership.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

German side:

Field Marshal Kidel report to Hitler and general staff:

My Fuhuer.... Yesterday the Soviets attacked the NW quadrant to either reinforce or to rescue the Kiev defenders. They were able to break our lines for a 12 hour period, until we counter attacked and sealed the breach. We estimate that at least 50,000 - 75,000 Soviet troops were evacuated in the 12 hour period. Field reports confirm that most of the troops that escaped were wounded troops. We are in the process of shoring up the NW quadrant. The 15th and 3rd divisions took a beating. Luftwaffe attacks before and during the battle did moderate damage to the Russian forces.
Due to the attack our inner and outer rings in all other quadrants have advanced 2.5 KM in the last 24 hours . Soviet forces are being squeezed into a smaller area as they attempt to stabilize their defensive lines.

If the advances continue we expect to control Kiev in the next 4- 5 days. During the attack we lost 7500 men and 19 tanks.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Soviet side:

General Zhukov reports to Stalin and General staff:

Comrade president... The rescue attempt for the brave defenders of Kiev fell short of explanations. We were able the break through the German lines and maintain a escape corridor for only a 12 hour period. During that time 77,000 Kiev defenders were able to escape, All wounded were able to be evacuated, before the Germans launched a massive counter attack and were able to cutoff the Kiev defenders once again.

The rescue force lost 12,000 men and we lost 17 tanks in the battle. Close to 40,000 Kiev defenders were lost before and during the battle due to the attack and continuous air attack from the Germans. The Rescue force attempted to counter attack to reopen the gap but were repelled.

At this point there are not enough resources within range to attempt another attack.

What are your orders for the Kiev defenders comrade president?.......

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side
Hitler is in a meeting talking about the Northern Front and has been informed Leningrad is now completely surrounded after German troops close the land bridge at Schluesselburg.


Hitler......."Excelent News but I still need to Know can Field Marshal Leeb take the City?"

Hitler is informed of a operation on the Central Front the attack to capture Orel is on course for completion in late September Hitler adjourns the meeting for two hours while he studies the report on the Kiev situation.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side
After being brief on the events on Kiev Stalin flys in to a rage

Stalin......"What is this crap I here!" "I told you no half hearted attempt this is not good enough attack them again and keep attacking them" "And where the hell is the air force siting around drinking vodka!" "This is not a good day I or so here Leningrad has been cut off this army is useless" "I might as well hand the keys to Moscow over to Hitler at this rate this meeting is over."

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side
Hitler returns to his staff

Hitler......."I suspect the Soviets will try another attack for Kiev let them then destroy them the tanks must move to the Moscow front to there jump off position the Luftwaffe must act as the eyes and attack the soviets then stabilize the area."

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Mid Sept. - Sept. 26th 1941:

Soviet forces continue their attack on the N.E. corridor of the German lines. A small break through happened on the 19th, but was quickly sealed by German forces within a few hours trapping 1500 Soviet troops in Kiev.

On the 21st the last of the food runs out. There is only enough Ammo to last another 3 days max. The Germans continue to shrink the rings around Kiev and the Luftwaffe continues to pound Soviet positions inside and outside of Kiev. The Germans have complete control of the skies around Kiev.

Finally on Sept. 25th Kiev forces surrender to the Germans. Nearly 600,000 Soviet troops are captured. Of the 40,000 rescue force 22,000 troops are killed or captured. the remaining forces are so beat up and exhausted they are no long a viable fighting force. On Sept 26th Kiev is in German hands and attack forces swing N.E. toward Moscow. Field commanders report back to their high command centers.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

German side:
Field Marshal Kidel reporting:

My Fuhrer, Kiev has fallen and is now in German hands, we have captured over 600,00 troops and Soviet forces are in full retreat. Kiev forces have swung N.E. toward Moscow. We are 5 days behind schedule, however if the weather holds we should make up the lost time very quickly.

My Fuhrer Kiev is a great victory and we have hurt the Soviet forces very badly. Lines are stable in the north and Central regions. I have talked with Field Marshal Leep, Leingrad is surrounded very similar to Kiev. However there are less defenders ,than at Kiev. What are your orders regarding leningrad my Fuhrer. Envelop or bypass and starve them out?

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Soviet side:

General Zhukov reporting:

Comrade President..... the situation is grim. Kiev has fallen, we lost the entire Kiev defense force. 1 Million men captured and Killed. In addition we lost 22,000 troops of the rescue force. The remaining troops are so exhausted, they are no longer a viable fighting force. In the south German forces have split our lines and have cutoff defenders in the Caucasus region. Our line from Kiev are in retreat and will stabilize their lines 60 KM to the N.E. . I recommend that we send resources from the Central defense region to help stabilize the new N.E. defense line.
The good news is that in the North and central. defensive lines are holding. field commanders are probing German lines looking for weak spots. So far few have been found.

What are your orders comrade president?

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side
Stalin flys in to another rage

Stalin......."Throw the book at these invading scum I want Kiev retaken no more lies"

Three Hours Latter Stalin is now more calm and now talks about the central front he talks to his NKVD Generals

Stalin......."Generals I want blocking detachments set up to prevent this weak army making a bolt in to Moscow" "you are free to use maximum force if the army falls back shoot the cowards down like dogs they are"

Stalin has not relayed this information to the army

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side
Hitler has been informed communication lines were cut for a while and are now restored with Army Group North

Hitler......."If Field Marshall Leeb feels he can take Leningrad then do so" "reports show it's very badly defended for the moment"

Hitler has just rec'd a re-con report the Soviets are moving forward to wards Kiev the force is large but weak

Hitler......."Stalin must be mad then so be another slaughter house find by me" "Generals tomorrow a very important meeting 07 hundred hours"

on that note the meeting ends

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Oct. 1941:

Soviet side:

Defense force near Kiev stops it's retreat 53KM from Kiev and stabilizes it's lines. Elements of the central defense force reinforce the Kiev defense line and a plan is in place to counter attack with 55,000 troops and 65 tanks.
NKVD detachments within the Kiev defense line capture and shoot 65 troops from the Russian 10th div. attempting to flee the front lines. News of this reaches front line commanders who warn the troops in their command. Over the next few days a additional 52 troops are shot for desertion.


German side:

The Luftwaffe pound the Kiev defense line causing light damage. Over the next 5-7 days a series of hit and run raids are repelled by German forces. During the raids the Soviets lose 12,000 troops and 17 tanks. German loses are light to moderate. The Soviet defense line is weaken, but holds it's ground.
Meanwhile General Leep launches his attack on leningrad. The inner ring advances to the city out skirts within 3 days. Once German forces enter the city, they are slowed by heavy fighting, as fighting is street to street and house to house. Soviet snippers are becoming a problem.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler is informed the Russians have pulled back and given up to retake Kiev the line is stable

Hitler......."Good now we can focus on the main objective Moscow" "Generals are trust you have seen the plan for Moscow code name Operation Typhoon and we must move fast I trust you will take Moscow time is against us but there is some good news Stalin has moved half his forces to the north towards Leningrad" Inform Field Marshal Leeb to hold his ground and to judge the situation after all Moscow is the real target"

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Soviet Side

Stalin is in no mood to listen to anyone

Stalin......."You contestable cowards Kiev is now in the hands of the stinking Nazi scum it looks like to me I can not trust you" "I have given orders to our troops in the center to swing North I will not let Leningrad fall into the hands of the Nazis"

This decision has alarmed his generals but no one dare speaks out the meeting ends

Two NKVD officers enter the room Stalin tells them to set up blocking units just out side Moscow and informs them to shoot cowards who will not fight for Leningrad

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

German Side

Hitler is in a meeting with a group of staff officers one them has bought forward a idea to raise new divisions to support the German Army the problem is they are Soviets who support the Germans



Soviet Side

Stalin has taken time out for three days and as return to his private Dacha this has caused problems in issuing orders no one is sure how to handle the matter