ToO: Greece, Chapter: Platamon

[Achilles]

Again, you may start by inspecting the map and then trying to cross-reference the details with the same site or other sources in the Internet.

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Arti-c2-4.html

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Gree-c11-4.html

http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Arti/WH2Art008a.jpg

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http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2-21Ba/WH2-21Ba041a.jpg

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Here is the huge map (relief stage) of Platamon.

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Preview of a map section of the first version of Platamon map.
The castle is SE, and the German tanks should pass through that checkpoint.
Almost all terrain in the mountains is rough!!!
In this map, I use 2 more innovations.;)

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/uploads/365478-Platamon.JPG


cheers

[Achilles]

Here is the map (alpha stage)

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/uploads/413946-PlatamonBig.JPG

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I will post here the analysis of the two opponents:

A. Allies:
The 22 Bn Maori, an arty troop (4x 25-pounders) and a Platoon of engineers (in total 700 men).

B. AXIS:
The I/3 Panzer Regiment of the 2nd Panzer division [100 tanks, 1 MC 2 Bn (+1050 men), 1 INF I/304 Bn (1026 men), detachments of engineers, I/74 artillery regiment (12x 105mm & 4x 150mm) and other artillery]

[Achilles]

AXIS:

2nd MC Bn (1050 men):

1x MC Bn HQ
1x Engineer Pl. [3xLMG]
1x ATgun Pl. [3x37mm AT gun, 1x LMG]
2x 75mm IG gun

1x MC MG Coy (motorcycle) HQ [8xHMG, 6x81mmMrt, 1x MC Pl.]

3x MC INF Coys [3x50mmMrt, 2xHMG, 18xLMG]


I/3 Rgt (100 Tanks?):

[______AFV______ Pz-I Pz-II Pz-III LTM 35 LTM 38 Pz-IV Bef-Pz Unit Total]
[2nd Panzer-Division 45_ 115__ 58____ – ____–_____32__ 16____ 266 ]

1x Bn HQ

1x Medium Tank Coy

2x Light Tank Coy


I/304 INF Rgt (1050 men):

Bn HQ (Mot)
1x Engineer Pl. [3xLMG]
1x ATgun Pl. [3x37mm AT gun, 1x LMG]
2x 75mm IG gun

1x (Mot) Heavy Weapon Coy [8xHMG, 6x81mm Mrt]

2x (Mot) INF [2xHMG, 18xLMG, 3x50mm Mrt]


I/74 Artllery Rgt
1x Bn HQ

3x Batteries [4x105mm How FH18, 2xLMG]

Attached Artillery Battery [4x150mm How FH18, 2xLMG]

[Achilles]

15.April 1941

XVIII.A.K.

The Korps stands in front of the enemy Olymp defenses. It was not possible to evade the Olymp or outflank it. So the Korps expects heavy fighting for these positions.

1) The 2.Pz.Div. will attack from Katerini via Moni Petras towards Elason into the back of the enemy forces in front of XXXX.A.K.

2) A battlegroup of 2.Pz.Div. will attack via Pandeleimon through the Tembi valley towards Larissa.

3) 6.Geb.Div. is ready to outflank via the eastern Olymp mountains if the left battlegroups make no progress.

2.Pz.Div.:

- The elements of the division which attack along the long pass road northwest of the Olymp are stopped at Moni Petras at height 917 and 763 by elements of the 5.NZ-brigade.

- The left battlegroup of the division (I./Pz.Rgt.3, KSB.2, Pi.Btl.38, [Geb.A.A.112 will be attached on 16.April]) encounters heavy enemy resistance (21.NZ.Brig.) before Pandeleimon in the morning. I./Art.Rgt.74 attacks the enemy positions while AT-guns (5cm) are moved forward and fire on the enemy positions. In the afternoon elements of KSB.2 outflank the enemy positions. But they are recognized by the enemy and encounter heavy resistance. Another attack by engineers and tanks on the “Kastellhöhe” in the evening fails also.

The enemy defence is excellent organized and cannot be broken up until sunset. German casualties are high.

6.Geb.Div.: The division marches to the area north of Katerini and advances on paths beside the 2.Pz.Div. along the saecoast to the south.


16.April 1941

XVIII.A.K. (Katerini)

Heavy fighting for the mountain exits to Ellason and Larissa on both sides of the Olymp. Main effort at 6.Geb.Div. east of the Olymp.

As the Korps is informed that the left battlegroup encounters heavy resistance at the Pandeleimon it decides to put the main effort to the right battlegroup. The 6.Geb.Div. receives order to start the outflanking manouver.

2.Pz.Div.:

- Infantry elements take height 917 at Moni Petras. The tanks which pushed forward are stopped by obstacles and are under artillery frie from the area Aj.Dimitrios. Fast elements (bicycle) of Inf.Rgt.124 are attached to the tanks and bring the attack forward again. The battalion attacks from Kato Vrondu in the afternoon. South of height 763 the battalion encounters enemy positionsw hich are outflanked and rolled up from the east towards Moni Petras. In the evening the enemy finally withdraws. The enemy is pursued on a small path in 1200 – 1400m towards Kokinoplos.

Elements at Egani (south of Platamonos) at the coastal road. Stg.Abt.190 reaches Katerini.

- At the left battlegroup the artillery opens fire at 7:00 for two hours while Kradschützen supported by elements of I./S.R.304 advance towards the enemy positions from the right flank. Engineers climb across dangerous mountainous terrain and advance towards the enemy positions from the left. The tanks of the battlegroup attach from the front. After pushing through wire obstacles mines stop the attack. 3 tanks are hit by mines. They turn around and try to attack at another location where another tank hits a mine and burns out.

10:35 the first engineers attack the fortress Pandeleimon from the left. 11:00 the enemy positions are rolled up and taken. The enemy withdraws into the Tembi narrow. But now the battlegroup has to clear the path across the Pandeleimon. Just tracked vehicles are able to pass it after the mines have been removed. The rest has to wait until the 500m long tunnel is cleared.

Two engineer companies clear 350cbm stone. A little further the only way to advance was the railway embankment.

In the afternoon the village of Engani north of the Pinios estuary is taken.

6.Geb.Div.: 14:45 the division receives order to start marching across the mountains to outflank the enemy positions as planed.

Geb.Jg.Rgt.143 reaches the area east of Leptokaria around noon. The 2./143 leaves the road and climbs up the mountains first to reconnoit the terrain. All infantry elements except one company and Pz.Jg.Abt.47 which have to stay back to organize the supply follow. The movement is exhausting for the soldiers which did not receive warm food since 12 days. In the night 16./17. the 2./143 reaches the Kalipefki a highpass between two mountains. After a short break the company continues to climb down towards Gonos.


17.April 1941

XVIII.A.K.

2.Pz.Div.: Aj.Dimitros. Elements of the divisions enter the Tempe valley from the east.

- The elements (Radfahbtl./I.R.124) which pursued the enemy yesterday evening reach the height of Selos evading and outflanking several enemy strongpoints. Now the enemy resistance at the pass is getting lighter.

Kradschützen pursue the enemy and reach Aj.Trias at the end of the pass around 12:00. It takes the whole day to repair the two bridges and remove the remaining obstacles on the roads.

- The left battlegroup advances from engani and is stopped in the morning at the entrance to the Tembi valley. The bridge across the Pinios is destroyed and enemy fire comes from the left and right of the valley. I./Pz.Rgt.33, Geb.A.A.112 are pinned down. Further elements are stopped far behind to prevent more casualties.

6.Geb.Div.: At 12:00 the 2./143 reaches Gonos. The mass of the division is following through the mountains.

In the early morning Ju-52 drop supply for the division at several locations. The division request supply to Gonos and at Kalipefki tomorrow again.

III./143 is the first battalion which reaches Gonos while I., II.Btl., I./Geb.A.R.118, I./Geb.A.R.95 reach the Kalipefki. Geb.Jg.Rgt.143 is following at the end. All elements march also during the night with small breaks. Several soldiers and mules fall down. Heavy rain and storm starts in the night 17./18.

19:00 The divisonal headquarter is set up in Gonos. 22:00 Meeting to discuss the action for tomorrow.