Missing operation—First East Prussian Offensive

[jrv]

In October, 1944, the Soviets launched a major attack into East Prussia toward Gumbinnen. This attack was repulsed by the Germans. I can't find any scenarios that cover this battle. It may be an opportunity for some enterprising scenario designer.

JR

 

[Craig Benn]

Friday 13th J59 from Journal 3? It says Pleine-Plakishkan East Prussia....

 

[jrv]

Friday 13th J59 from Journal 3? It says Pleine-Plakishkan East Prussia....

It's a couple days before. The scenario is on the 13th (obviously), while the first East Prussian offensive begins on the 16th.

JR

 

[Eagle4ty]

It is possible that this engagement was a precursor to the Offensive though as the units involved (39th Soviet Army & HG Pz Div) were both mentioned as participating in the Gumbinnen Offensive, albeit on the northern flank.

 

[Tuomo]

A little digging into the ASL Archive came up with a few:

HaH13: Gummed Up in Gumbinnen Germans: 2 Russians: 2
Ho7: Cold Slap at Goldap Germans: 8 Russians: 6
Hee42: Goons Go Boom at Curonian Lagoon Partisans: 13 Germans: 1 (looks like a dog to me)
NyUk6: Instant Regret At Insterburg British: 3 Russians: 4
Meh87: Cherned Up By Chernyakhovsky Italians: 6 Senegalese: 3

 

[Eagle4ty]

A little digging into the ASL Archive came up with a few:

HaH13: Gummed Up in Gumbinnen Germans: 2 Russians: 2
Ho7: Cold Slap at Goldap Germans: 8 Russians: 6
Hee42: Goons Go Boom at Curonian Lagoon Partisans: 13 Germans: 1 (looks like a dog to me)
NyUk6: Instant Regret At Insterburg British: 3 Russians: 4
Meh87: Cherned Up By Chernyakhovsky Italians: 6 Senegalese: 3

MAN! Everyone was getting into that fight; Partisans, British, Italians, even SENEGALESE! Can't believe this action has been missed by the majority of scenario designers!

 

[jrv]

A little digging into the ASL Archive came up with a few:

HaH13: Gummed Up in Gumbinnen Germans: 2 Russians: 2
Ho7: Cold Slap at Goldap Germans: 8 Russians: 6
Hee42: Goons Go Boom at Curonian Lagoon Partisans: 13 Germans: 1 (looks like a dog to me)
NyUk6: Instant Regret At Insterburg British: 3 Russians: 4
Meh87: Cherned Up By Chernyakhovsky Italians: 6 Senegalese: 3

These are all from the better-known second East Prussian Offensive, or possibly the third or fourth.

JR

 

[Gordon]

MAN! Everyone was getting into that fight; Partisans, British, Italians, even SENEGALESE! Can't believe this action has been missed by the majority of scenario designers!

Senegalese paratroopers no less!

 

[Craig Benn]

Chapter 3 of Prit Buttars Battleground Prussia describes this offensive. It's mostly at a larger scale but there are some vignettes at company level and he's also fairly good at identifying particular vehicle models rather than just 'tanks'.

 

[boylermaker]

Senegalese paratroopers no less!

Boy, they really had some wild results for their drift rolls, huh!?

 

[jrv]

Chapter 3 of Prit Buttars Battleground Prussia describes this offensive. It's mostly at a larger scale but there are some vignettes at company level and he's also fairly good at identifying particular vehicle models rather than just 'tanks'.

At one point the Soviets capture Gumbinnen. They are driven back by a counter-attack that includes a unit of King Tigers.

JR

 

[Cult.44]

Chapter 3 of Prit Buttars Battleground Prussia describes this offensive. It's mostly at a larger scale but there are some vignettes at company level and he's also fairly good at identifying particular vehicle models rather than just 'tanks'.

Battleground Prussia is a good book. Buttars coins a phrase, "wandering cauldron," to describe ad hoc German formations that are cutoff and trying to fight their way back to their own lines which are shifting constantly. He describes an action that includes Stuarts, Stugs, Hetzers and T-34/85s that could make a good scenario and I'm planning on sketching it out and seeing if I can make it work. Although, I believe it takes place a little bit after the offensive JRV mentions.

 

[Dave Lamb]

There was also Sturmtruppen, a tournament-sized scenario set at the battle for Goldap, E. Prussia, in November of 1944. CH #134.

 

[jrv]

There was also Sturmtruppen, a tournament-sized scenario set at the battle for Goldap, E. Prussia, in November of 1944. CH #134.

Slightly too late for the offensive per se. Mid-to-end of October, 1944. Goldap is one of the places, however.

JR

 

[wrongway149]

Hmmm... One of my favorite time periods. Autumn '44 was the last 'rebirth' of the Panzerwaffe-- while the Red Army was showing some signs of burn-out from the summer offensives. Thus, some even match-ups from the operational scale on down.

I'll take a crack once I get a rebirth from my own East front burnout.

Maybe some deluxeable action in there.

 

[rdw5150]

A little digging into the ASL Archive came up with a few:

HaH13: Gummed Up in Gumbinnen Germans: 2 Russians: 2
Ho7: Cold Slap at Goldap Germans: 8 Russians: 6
Hee42: Goons Go Boom at Curonian Lagoon Partisans: 13 Germans: 1 (looks like a dog to me)
NyUk6: Instant Regret At Insterburg British: 3 Russians: 4
Meh87: Cherned Up By Chernyakhovsky Italians: 6 Senegalese: 3

I can tell I do not use Scenario Archive much. I have no idea what packs:

HaH
Ho
Hee
NyUK
Meh

are even from........

?

Peace

Roger

 

[Eagle4ty]

I can tell I do not use Scenario Archive much. I have no idea what packs:

HaH
Ho
Hee
NyUK
Meh

are even from........

?

Peace

Roger

Sounds like a Larry retort from the three stooges.

 

[Yuri0352]

Sounds like a Larry retort from the three stooges.

More like Curly, Larry was the most eloquent of the three.

 

[william.stoppel]

Hmmm... One of my favorite time periods. Autumn '44 was the last 'rebirth' of the Panzerwaffe-- while the Red Army was showing some signs of burn-out from the summer offensives. Thus, some even match-ups from the operational scale on down.

I'll take a crack once I get a rebirth from my own East front burnout.

Maybe some deluxeable action in there.

Sounds perfect for deluxe Pete, with the new boards and upcoming new overlays?