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The following is an After Action Report of a Modern Spearhead game. The game was played on a table measuring 1.8m x 1.2m and used the alternate ground scale of 1" to 125m. Background: The game was an "Mutual Encounter" scenario generated using the Modern Spearhead Scenario Generation System. The game was set in Cold War Europe during 1984. US forces comprised troops equal to 900 points. No reinforcement option was taken by the Americans, thus avoiding any victory point penalty. The Soviet force also comprised troops to the initial value of 900 points, supported by a further 120 point reinforcement option. The use of this option resulted in an immediate victory point penalty. |
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The Battle:
With the recent defeat at Dobritz the Soviet 39th Guard Motor Rifle Division (GMRD) was forced to reorganise before continuing it's advance. While the various combat assets were reorganised the divisional reconnaissance units pushed forward probing the American 8th Mechanised division’s sector for new routes of advance. With much of the 15th Guard Tank Regiment battered by the attacks at Dobritz any new advance would be lead by the division's motor rifle regiments.
Major General Victor Ivanovich, commander of 39th GMRD, was delighted with reconnaissance reports now coming in. He had clearly caught the commander of the American 8th Mechanised Division off guard. Instead of finding a solid defence opposite he was able to release his regiments forward in a mobile advance. He hoped gaining critical ground before the Americans could fully redeploy. However, he also new that American forces were advancing into the sector in force, time was critical. His advanced divisional reconnaissance indicated that an American brigade would advance into the battle area at, or about, the same time in an effort to close the gap in the American divisional position.
General Ivanovich determined his new axis was to be the area near the town of Presterwitz. Presterwitz was dominated by rising ground immediately to its south west. This ground in turn dominated two bridges over a minor stream and the parallel roads that stretched directly west from Presterwitz. This relatively open ground eventually merged into an area of small woods west of the bridges. The small village of Kohlsdorf some 5km to the south of Presterwitz. It was separated from much of the battlefield by the Roth Haus river except at two bridges. One bridge crossed the Roth Haus river west while another crossed it in a northerly direction. Between Presterwitz and Kohlsdorf a ridge line stretched east west some 1200m south of Presterwitz. An observer positioned on this ridge line and looking south west can see another village, that of Wurgwitz. From here can follow the road network that connects Wurgwitz to Kohlsdorf some 2.6km south east.
Ivanovich expected his American opponent to deploy around three battalions drawn from the division's 1st Brigade. His intelligence team indicated this brigade was composed of two mechanised and one armoured battalion and following typical American doctrine would likely be organised into three combined arms combat teams. Of the five areas of the battlefield that were considered critical three were considerably closer to the American entry points. Therefore, he expected the American commander to have one battalion arrive in the area of Wurgwitz. In this position it could seal off any advance over the Roth Haus river and cover the centre, defined by the east-west ridge and the east west boundary of the Roth Haus river. This would secure two key objectives. To the north he expected a further battalion to advance towards Presterwitz but taking up defensive positions in the woods and a small hillock that commanded the ground stretching west from Presterwitz. Such deployment would secure a further key objective. He believed that the third battalion would remain in reserve and be able to reinforce either battalion as required. If such a plan was implemented he knew Soviets forces would be in the unenviable position of having to drive the American forces from the battlefield.
He therefore determined to concentrate his main assault and to focus it on seizing the high ground around Presterwitz and then driving due west in strength. This he hoped would enable him to achieve local superiority. The two composite battalions of 174th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (GMRR), equipped with BMPs, were allocated to this task. In support was one battalion of 120th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (BTR). This battalion was to be held initially in reserve and then to reinforce the main attack or provide flank protection against a possible American flank attack launched from the north directly on Presterwitz. The second battalion from 120th Motor Rifle Regiment, also in BTRs, was to make a pinning attack on the left. It was reinforced with the regiment’s reconnaissance company and anti-aircraft assets. It would advance capture Kohlsdorf and then deploy in defensive positions. Finally, a single composite tank battalion from division’s tank regiment, the 15th Guard Tank Regiment (GTR), was held in the centre as a reserve. It was expected that the Americans, when they determined the axis of advance, would attack from the south west towards Presterwitz. The tank battalion from the 15th GTR could then intercept this attack, or if the situation allowed, envelope and support the main assault which would be driving due west from Presterwitz.
The battlefield around 1715 hours viewed from the south looking north. The initial routes of advance are shown for both armies with Soviet forces in red. The landing zone for the Soviet 8th Guard Army Assault Battalion is shown by a dashed line top left centre and covers both BMP battalion routes of advance. The town of Presterwitz is on the top right and Kohlsdorf bottom right. The major east west ridge is clearly shown and divides much of the battlefield. |
The plan however had one clear drawback. The Americans could quickly seize the woods and high ground that covered the bridges west of Presterwitz. With them held American tanks would have ideal covered positions in which to engage the advancing Soviets who would be in the open. After consideration Ivanovich requested and obtained an additional battalion, the 8th Guard Army Airborne Assault Battalion. Like many of the 8th Guards Army forces this battalion was normally based around Weimer-Nohra but had moved forward for for such an operation. The battalion would now deploy by helicopter and seize this key terrain. It was to hold the position until the arrival of the main elements of the division.
1700-1730 hours: As the two BMP battalions of the 174th GMRR, each supported by a company of T-64s, advanced rapidly on the northern sector the throb of Mi-8 transports filled the valley. Windows shock within the town of Presterwitz and what residents remained cheered at the site of the Soviet liberators who were sure to at last unite Germany. Within the helicopters the airborne assault troops prepared their small arms for the coming action. The helicopters encountered no anti-aircraft fire as they approached the landing zones. This manoeuvre had clearly caught the Americans off guard. As the giant transport helicopters touched down the assaults troops deployed into defensive positions to await the advancing Americans.
To the south the 1st battalion of the 120th GMRR began it’s move on Kohlsdorf. Advancing by dispersed company the battalion was clearly focused on the final positions it was to hold. No opposition was expected in this sector and none was found. The regiment’s reconnaissance company, equipped with BRDM-2 armoured cars, made the advance on the village of Kohlsdorf. Unlike the BMP regiment the entire BTR regiment had only older T-62E tanks in it’s tank battalion, no doubt the crews hoped they would not encounter the deadly Abrams tanks frontally.
Further to the west the Americans were now advancing. Post battle analysis would indicate that two battalions were allocated to the advance and these two battalions, the 3-8th Infantry and the 2-87th Infantry, were deployed to the sector from Wurgwitz north. Within this sector most of both battalions were further confined to the north west section of the battlefield. In fact only a small contingent, drawn from 3-8th Infantry, were tasked with the capture Wurgwitz. The rest were deploying directly opposite the Soviet main assault and on a path that would take them into the position of the Soviet Air Assault battalion.
1730-1800 hours: Soviet Airborne Assault troops continue their deployment, the task of deploying an entire battalion by direct assault taking longer than expected. As the lumbering Mi-8s depart elements of advancing American formations are now visible to the assault troops. With a degree of relief the transport helicopters however were replaced by supporting Hind helicopters allocated to provide covering fire to the airborne troops. Just prior to 1800 hours the first American Abrams tanks are engaged by the Hinds though without significant results. The American commander response to this new threat was limited, his anti-aircraft screen, composed of Chaparral vehicles and Stinger teams, was deployed too far to the rear and out of range of the Hinds.
Above, the Soviet Airborne Assault Battalion deploys. To the far left American troops can just be seen entering the area while to the right and out of the photograph Hind helicopters engage them. |
1800-1830 hours: As the Soviet airborne troops take up their defensive positions in two small woods covering the open ground that leads from Presterwitz American troops begin to push forward into the same woods and a small rise to the immediate north of the woods. Abrams tanks are again engaged by Hind helicopters firing Spiral ATGW at 1750m but again the combination of advanced armour and long range defeats the Soviet missiles.
One BMP equipped motor rifle battalion from the 174th GMRR, along with it’s supporting T-64s have by 1830 taken up positions on the high ground south west of Presterwitz. The second battalion continues to press forward to on the left. This battalion will soon become the spearhead of the 174th Regiment's advance.
With the American thrust now clearly identified as being opposite Presterwitz, General Ivanovich determines to adjust his own deployment. It seemed likely that the Americans would keep their battalions in support of each other. To do this an attack from the northern flank in a deep flanking move seemed increasingly likely. Such a move would place three American battalions against an equal number of Soviet battalions. To prevent such a situation the reserve BTR battalion was released from reserve and tasked with protecting the 174th GMRR's right flank. The battalion, along with it's T-62 company, is therefore ordered to advance through Presterwitz and take up a covering position on the extreme right flank. Here it will flank the expected American flank attack. General Ivanovich was sure this move would counter the predictable Americans.
With his right secured Ivanovich also decides to commit further troops. On the extreme Soviet left it will be recalled that one BTR battalion from 120th GMRR was tasked with the capture of Kohlsdorf. With no enemy opposite detected the battalion is re-tasked with the immediate capture of a dominate hill feature 2.4km west and across the Roth Haus river. Leaving only it’s battalion mortars in and around the environs of Kohlsdorf the battalion commander prepares to move forward. While most units will pass over the river at the western bridge one company will advance directly across the river in the amphibious BTRs.
1830-1900 hours: The American forces to the front of the deployed airborne assault battalion now begin to push home their attack. Each American battalion in the sector has a cross attached company of Abrams tanks. The Abrams attached to the American battalion on the Soviet right seized a small key hill 400m from the northern most bridge and engaged Soviet airborne infantry who are deployed in a reverse slope position. Simultaneously a mechanised infantry company, from the same battalion, moves in from the northwest. However, the advancing M113s are detected by the now stationary T-64s who engage them across open ground at some 1800m. Within seconds two thirds of this company are blazing wrecks on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the second American mechanised infantry battalion begins it’s own assault on Soviet troops deployed in the woods. While AK-47s and RPG-7s engage the mechanised infantry and their APCs Soviet Fagot ATGW teams engage and suppress several Abrams tanks at ranges of 500m. However, time is critical, the Americans have now been seriously delayed by the surprise deployment of heliborne troops and must continue forward or risk losing the initiative completely.
General Ivanovich now decides to commit his final reserve. Convinced that his right flank can hold the imminent American attack from the north he commits his reserve tank battalion from 15th GTR. This battalion is equipped with T-64Bs and is supported by a company of BMP-1s and an anti-aircraft platoon. It is tasked with a rapid drive up the centre just south of the main east-west ridge before turning north and engaging the Americans in the flank. Ivanovich is sure this will be the manoeuvre that will secure a crushing victory for the 39th GMRD.
1900-1930 hours: The battlefield had now become a confusing place with smoke engulfing much of the northern battlefield. Soviet FAOs on the right flank attempt to add to the confusion and around 1810 call in fire from a battalion of D-30 howitzers firing chemical smoke to mask the Abrams now deployed in hull down positions. Meanwhile the Soviet Airborne Assault battalion valiantly continues it’s struggle to delay the two American battalions with small arms fire while Soviet armour and BMPs provide supporting fire at targets visible at longer ranges. While the volume of fire has suppressed several American platoons and American casualties are slowly mounting, the Soviet Airborne battalion has taken heavy casualties. By 1830 the battalion is down to half it’s normal combat strength.
1930-2000 hours: With a fully deployed chemical smoke screen now masking the fire of the Abrams tanks on the small hill both BMP battalions continue forward covered by the advancing T-64s. Several companies are now across the small stream in a desperate attempt to link up with the airborne troops and prevent the Americans gaining further firing positions. The ranges have become so short that soon several BMPs are engaging Abrams tanks with their 73mm smoothbore guns!
Elements from two battalions of the 174th Guard Motor Rifle Regiment engage two battalions of the American 8th Mechanised Divisions 1st Brigade. The Airborne assualt battalion has been reduced to only three stands. Note the hull down Abrams on the top right which are being screened by a developing Soviet smoke screen. |
Then, the inevitable happens. The third American battalion arrives having conducted a deep flanking move. While the Soviet BTR battalion of the 120th MRR on the extreme right flank is well prepared for it’s arrival the unbelievable happens. The battalion arrives from the south!
General Ivanovich is shocked by this surprising move while his headquarters are thrown into panic! With no reserve his entire left flank is thrown wide open.
2000-2030 hours: In the south the mortars of BTR battalion allocated the capture of Kohlsdorf hastily limber to avoid certain destruction at the hands of the advancing American third battalion. In the process they come under fire from the Abrams who seem able to move and fire at alarming speed. However, despite the concentrated fire of 105mm guns an amazing situation develops. As the smoke clears the bulk of the soft skinned vehicles survive the American fire.
Meanwhile in the north casualties on the Soviet Airborne Assault battalion continue to mount. By 1930 the battalion is now down to one third of original strength yet it fights on creating further delay and frustration for the Americans.
2030-2100 hours: With daylight fading and it likely that some form of disengagement will soon take place both armies are determined to seize key ground while inflicting what casualties they can in what little time remains.
Around 1945 the roar of American A-10 attack aircraft is heard as a squadron of some six aircraft appear. Earlier attempts to gain the support of these aircraft had failed but now they came on with a vengeance. Wheeling slowly they align themselves to take advantage of the long lines of Soviet vehicles before them. There target was the advancing Soviet tank battalion which would soon sweep northwest against the exposed American right. Already this battalion was inflicting casualties with several M901 TOW launcher vehicles marking their intended route of advance. In a sharp turn of events now instead of the thinly armoured American APC's being the victim the Soviet tanks become the hunted.
One of the two flights of American A-10s shown as they conduct an attack run on a tank battalion of the 15th Guards Tank Regiment. The Soviet tank battalion can be seen closing on the American right flank. In the backround elements of the 174th GMRR are engaged against the American battalions from the front. |
Of the six A-10s making the attack run three successfully dodged the heavy anti-aircraft screen, the others forced to abort their initial attack run. When the aircraft reached their firing positions they released their rockets and emptied their 30mm gatling cannons. A withering fire engulfs the Soviet battalion. But all was not lost. The heavy Soviet anti-aircraft defences at disrupted the attack and limited casualties. So while the Soviet casualties were heavy, with several tanks and BMPs burning, the attack was not crippling. The American centre right was still terribly exposed.
In contrast further to the north American casualties had reached crippling levels. Half of one battalion was now combat ineffective with Soviet BMP’s now flanked the battalion position. The American Battalion HQ, now at risk of being overrun itself, called in the Brigade’s M109A2s artillery battery in a desperate attempt to protect itself from almost certain destruction.
Only in the south could the tide turn for the Americans. Here, the advancing BTR battalion continued it’s push into the centre with only the mortar company to cover the village of Kohlsdorf. To this end the trucks and crews, having escaped almost certain annihilation from the Abrams tanks earlier retired hastily into the village in a desperate effort to gain some protection from the advancing Americans. By a stroke of fortune they were able to gain the cover of the village before the Americans.
With the light failing and casualties mounting both commanders now issued orders to disengage.
Conclusion:
The battle was an extremely close fought engagement. The early use of Soviet heliborne troops was a surprise to the American commander. The battalion delayed the advancing Americans and prevented them from seizing ideal defensive positions. However, it use and eventual loss had a significant impact on the final victory points. The use and loss amounting to a three victory point penalty.
The American flank march was expected, but its arrival in the south, rather than the north, was totally unexpected. If this battalion had managed to secure Kohlsdorf, which it would have except for poor die rolls, the engagement would have in a minor American victory.
The victory points were as follows:
| Victory Points Summary | Soviet: | American: |
| Objectives held |
+6 |
+4 |
| Objectives contested by the enemy | -1 | -2 |
| Enemy battalions forced to test morale | +2 | +1 |
| Penalty for reinforcements options | -2 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 3 |