Battle of Seerhausen- Race to Weser FFT3 Campaign

This is a report on the 3rd battle of the campaign.  A Hasty Attack by the 7th Gds. Tank Regiment, 11th Gds. Tank Division.     The 7th Gds. Tank Regiment as an Average Quality Rating.  As usual, the regiment consists of 3 tank battalions (T-80B) and one mechanized infantry regiment (BMP-2) backed up by a battalion of 155mm SP artillery and 7 airstrikes.  They also had a Recon Company of two platoons.

The defenders are a Panzer Battalion (3 companies of 2 platoons each) and a Panzer Grenadier Battalion (3 companies of 3 platoons each).  They are supported by a company of Jagpanzer Rakettes and a company of Roland SAM's.

Rain in the area reduced visibility to 3000 meters (30"). 

Overview of the Field

NATO Deployment

NATO Deployment from Opposite Side

Leopard II's lay in wait. 

Panzer Grenadiers defend the Objective

SOVIET TURN 1

View of Russian forces as they enter the battle area

On the Soviet first turn a recon unit was able to make out a platoon of Leopard II's on the autobahn behind Seerhausen and quickly called in an airstrike. (Recon units get 5" extra spotting distance and the tanks were just in visibility range despite the rain).   An SU-25 arrive loaded with 2 Guided Bombs.  These usually spell death for tanks, but this time both bombs missed their target.

A near miss for the German tanks!

A second strike was called in.  This time medium GP bombs struck home.
One platoon failed its Quality Check  and routed out of the battle. 

Panzer Co. on German left flank uses overwatch fire to knock
out a platoon of T-80's that had advanced into visibility range

Soviet Tanks under overwatch fire from Jagpanzer Rakettes,

armed with 1st Generation ATGMs. These weapons aren't very effective against modern tanks. 

NATO TURN 1

 M109's bombard Tank Bn. advancing toward Bernberg and Panzer Co. next to Bernberg brings them under fire, knocking out one platoon and causing another platoon to rout.

Meanwhile, remnants of Panzer Co. in the center advance through Seerhausen
and bring Soviet Mech Inf. Bn under fire, 

Panzer Co. on German right flank advances from in front of Groningen to gain LOS to Russians
advancing behind cover of the woods

Their fire knocks out two platoons of T-80's.

SOVIET TURN 2

Russians call in more air strikes.   A flight of SU-25's armed with Guided Bombs knocks out
 the entire Panzer Co. holding the German left flank

Yet another air strike knocks out the remaining platoon of the Panzer Co.
that was defending the NATO center at Seerhausen

Mech. Inf. Bn. advances into outskirts of Seerhausen and adjoining woods.

Tank Bn. on Soviet left flank advances beyond woods and opens fire on German SAM battery. .

.

... and knocks out SAM battery.   With the destruction of the Panzer Co. by the airstrike
the NATO left flank is wide open

Tank Bn. brings Pa. Jagr.'s under fire, knocking out two platoons.

NATO TURN 2

Marders in the woods open up on Tank Bn. with Milan ATGM's but fail to score any hits.

The battle continues in my next post.  Things not looking good for NATO.