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North German Plain '85
Campaign After Action Report

NEUTRAL OBSERVER COMMENTS – Mark “Scar” Scarbrough

 

          Both Paul Sinatra and Maecin G. agreed to play this scenario in the blind, meaning, neither of them has examined the other sides troops dispositions, reinforcement schedules or even opened the scenario prior to play.  They have agreed to play 10_1s with Paul taking the NATO forces, and Marcin the Warsaw Pact.  I provided both of them a briefing upon which to base their plans.  The briefings were intentionally left vague to add a bit more fog of war than normal.  I also did not always provide accurate information.  This should test both players in their ability to deal with the unexpected, and to rely on their own troops, not their knowledge of their opponents, as whatever intelligence they will receive other than their briefings, will be gained on the battlefield.

 

          As the game progresses, I hope to add a neutral commentary regarding the game, and how I see things progressing.  Each side will also submit an AAR tracking how they see the game progressing, their plans and what they think they know of the enemy planes.

 

SOVIET BRIEFING:

 

TOP SECRET

 

To:           Front Commander; First Western Front, Group of Soviet Forces Germany

 

FROM:      High Command of Forces, Western Theater of Strategic Military Action

 

Date:        June 10, 1985

 

       

Re:   Preemptive Strike Northern Germany

 

 

Greetings Comrade Front Commander:  The capitalist warmongers of the United States, in concert with their British lackeys, and their fascist West German allies are preparing to invade the Motherland.  The Politburo, meeting in special secret session, has decided to launch a preemptive strike against the invaders in an effort to derail NATO plans and to gain the strategic initiative.

 

CONCEPT

In conjunction with similar operations launched by the Second Western Front against CENTAG to the south, you are directed to launch a preemptive assault designed to quickly capture several major German cities, with the subsequent objective of establishing bridgeheads across the Rhine.  Your force shall consist of the 20th Guards Army, 3rd Shock Army, and 2nd Guards Tank Army.  Spetsnaz, air assault and naval infantry assets and formations will be made available for use to disrupt enemy second echelon forces and to seize key terrain and bridges upon release by the High Command of Forces.  Additional follow on forces shall be allocated to the First Western Front from the High Command of Forces based upon the developing military and political situation.  The early capture of major German cities, coupled with the deep penetration of NATO rear areas by Soviet advance elements, and the resultant intermingling of forces should be sufficient to prohibit a NATO first use and employment of battlefield nuclear weapons.  The first use of chemical weapons is authorized at your discretion.

 

Additional follow-on missions shall be assigned and the seizure of additional objectives shall be ordered if the strategic and political situation permits.  Such follow-on missions would entail the capture and control of the Ruhr, Germany's industrial heartland, and or advances into the Netherlands.  Such actions shall be determined and dictated by the High Command of Forces, Western Theater of Strategic Military Action.   

 

ENEMY FORCES

Various NATO forces located in northern Germany (NORTHAG), namely the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), the West German I and elements of III Korps, the Dutch I Corps, and the Belgian I Corps will oppose the First Western Front.  French participation is not expected.  These various NATO formations are scattered throughout the sector, and it appears from initial intelligence reports that strategic surprise has been achieved, so the First Western Front will only face a partially prepared and scattered defense.  Potential intervention by United States forces from CENTAG is considered possible; however, such event has been determined as unlikely.  In any event, First Western Front should have a contingency plan in place for responding to this possibility when developing its operational strategy.

 

In general, NATO forces are scattered throughout the sector, and the various sub units from the major NATO formations listed above will not have time to assemble in their forward staging areas prior to initiation of hostilities.  Intelligence reports indicate that NATO has the following land forces opposing First Western Front.  In addition, any and all information regarding these units last known location has been provided.  However, as previously indicated, NATO formations are unprepared, as we have achieved tactical surprise, thus making it extremely difficult for NATO to present and for our own intelligence assets to identify the NATO main line of resistance.  Finally, reports from leftist groups and organizations in Holland have indicated mobilization and movement of several unidentified formations, of reinforced brigade size, into northern West German from the Low Countries.  

 

British Army Of The Rhine - Dortmund

                1 Arm Division

                3 Arm Division

                4 Arm Division - Herford

                2 Inf Division

                1 Cdn Mech Division

 

United States Forces

        3 BDE, 2 AD     - Bremen

2-66 Arm

                3-41 Mech

                3-42 Mech

 

Netherlands

I NL Corps

                1 Mech Division - Hoogeueen

                4 Mech Division

                5 Mech Division

 

West German Forces

                6 PzG Division - Neumuenster

       

I Korps - Muenster

                1  Pz  Division

                3  Pz  Division - Hamburg

                7  Pz  Division - Dortmund

                11 PzG Division - Oldenburg

 

Belgium

        I BE Corps

                1  Inf Division

                16 Inf Division - Soest

 

The following air assets are expected to be available to NATO for use in the First Western Front area of operations:

 

British Army Of The Rhine

        RAF Masham

        RAF Coltishall

        RAF Witering

 

*Approximately 120 to 200 aircraft made up primarily of Jaguar recon aircraft, Jaguar FB, Harrier FB and Tornado FB.

 

United States Forces

        50 TFW

        81 TFW

        26 TFW

 

* Approximately 50 to 150 aircraft made up primarily of A-10 CS, F-15 FB, F-16 FB.

 

Netherlands

Royal Netherland AF

       

* Approximately 40 to 90 aircraft made up primarily of F-16 FB.

 

West German Forces

        RAF Gutersloth

        RAF Bruggen

        RAF Laarbruch

 

* Approximately 150 to 200 aircraft made up primarily of RF-4E recon aircraft, Tornado FB, Alpha Jet FB, Tornado FB.

 

Belgium

        Royal Belgium AF

 

* Approximately 100 to 140 aircraft made up primarily of Mirage FB, F-16 FB.

 

Speed, shock and activeness shall carry the day Comrade Front Commander.  Penetrate at multiple points, and keep moving except to destroy that which you absolutely cannot outmaneuver.

 

The Party and the Motherland has placed great faith in you Comrade Front Commander.  Do not let the Party down.

 

Signed

 

 

Ivan Gordunov

 

Commanding, High Command of Forces, Western Theater of Strategic Military Action

TOP SECRET

 

 

SOVIET GRAND STRATEGY – Submitted by Marcin

 

Soviet Battle Plan:

 

OBJECTIVE
(1) Conquer Northern Germany

(2) Defeat NATO forces in the area

(3) Capture number of geographical locations – Dortmund, Osnabruck, etc.

(4) Make sure that the advance on Rhein is continued (by exiting through the western edge of the map)

OWN FORCES

I have at my disposal 4 armies and 18 divisions (11 Soviet, 2 GDR and 5 Polish).
The TD (tank division) has 10 tank and 6 mot. infantry battalions; MRD (motorized rifle division) – 10 mot. infantry and 6 tank.  The Soviets have the strongest forces. Each of the 5 crack TDs  has 330 tanks (90 T80), BMPs and strong artillery. MRDs are also very powerful, having 210 tanks. All of them have helicopter battalions.  GRD and Polish units have similar basic organization, with older tank types together with weaker artillery and support units.  What surprised me is when I started the game was the high morale, mainly B and C and even a few A-class battalions.

OPPOSING FORCES

According to Intel Briefing (briefing), I face 5 West German, 5 British and 5 Benelux Divisions. I have seen West German units in FG85 and they are very strong. Especially armed with the Leopards II. At least some of them should have older equipment!
About others I do not know anything. I will not even be able to recognize the equipment from the unit pictures!

The good news is that the above forces are scattered. Based on the fragmentary information from the briefing for the time being I assume the following base setup of forces.

 

 

OPPONENT

One of the challenges of the game lies in my opponent. Paul (aka Steel God) is a person well known in the Blitz community and a very experienced player. We played the mirror game in the B44 a year or so ago. I remember his systematic, careful style. I expect very skillful, stubborn defense and creative use of every asset he has. A number of nasty surprises are likely to happen to me, especially in the second part of the game.

 

STRATEGY
I have initiative, surprise and limited numerical superiority. Only some, because having 14 Divisions in the first echelon (and 4 weaker Polish units in the second), I am facing 15 Divisions with (it is only a guess) 5 in the first line, 5-6 in second and 4-5 to arrive after mobilization. At least some of them have a significant technical edge over my forces.

 
According to the debriefing, NATO forces are not concentrated and surprised. It means that the bold and decisive attack may throw them out of balance and allow me to beat them in parts. The answer is one – Blitzkrieg.

 
I have read a number of fiction (thank Lord) descriptions about the conventional 70’-90’ War in Europe. They all ended with the successful NATO counterattack on the over stretched, exhausted, bombed and stuck in traffic jams WP forces. It may be only the notion to use the motive of the last minute rescue that movie directors like so much and use so often. But it is also a very real threat. I estimate that at the beginning I will be facing only 4-5 divisions east of Weser River. The concentrated counterattack of 10 others west of it is very possible…
Therefore I will have to play it safe. The Blitzkrieg it definitely has to be, but focused more on destroying enemy forces, then on reaching geographical points.

I plan 2 phases of the campaign:

(1)    Elbe to Weser

(2)    Weser to Rhine

 
Elbe to Weser

Goal: Destroy the first line of NATO forces in Germany. All means are to be used to cut off, surround and eliminate opposing units.  

North – 2nd Guards Tank Army

 - 94 GMRD supported by 16 GTD will cut Hamburg, Kiel and Lubeck from mainland Germany. The enemy forces in the area will be eliminated by 20 TD (pol) and the Naval Brigade.

- 21 GMRD and 25 TD attack directly west, heading for Bremen.

 

Center – 3rd Shock Army

- 8 MRD (gdr) performs supporting attack through Luneberger Heide.

- Main group (207 GMRD and 47GTD supported by 10 GTD and 12 GTD) have to capture Braunschweig, Hannover and reach Weser around Minden.

South – 20th Guards Army

- 35 MRD and 9 TD (gdr) attack Goslar – Einbeck and are reaching Weser around Hoexter.

- 14 GMRD will perform the sweep through Harz Mountains (probably less well guarded) on Goettingen and Kassel. Attacking the latter town is still a question. General task of the division is to cover the left wing against whatever may come from the south.

- 6 GMRD – Army Reserve

All actions will be supported with Spetsnaz activity (mainly along Weser and around Hamburg and by Navy Brigade landing in Kiel)

2nd Echelon – 2nd PVA Army

Units (16 TD, 8 MRD, 12 MRD, 15 MRD, all Polish) will arrive behind 2nd GTA in the 7th and 8th day of operations.

 

Weser to Rhine

 

Goal: Beat Enemy forces west of Weser. Capture Dortmund. Advance west on Duisburg, Nijmegen, Amsterdam.

I envision 3 areas of concentration:

- Northern - 2 GTA supported by 2 A (pol) – around Bremen.

- Central - 3 ShA in the area Minden – Hannover.

- Southern - 20 GA on the lower Weser.

And then, depending on the situation:

- either all groups will attack concentrically on Ruhr

- or eccentrically – Northern on Hengelo – Enschede and the two latter ones on Dortmund.  

 

First phase of the campaign should last according to the Highest Command not longer than 3 days (because then the landings of the AB forces west of Weser are scheduled). I would like to achieve that, but I am slightly skeptical.

 

NUETRAL OBSERVER COMMENTS:

 

          As you can see from Marcin’s briefing, he does not have much more than a basic idea of what NATO formations he faces, and he is a bit unsure of himself as a result.  I am a little surprised by his decision to prioritize unit elimination over maneuver.  If he continues to follow this approach once the action starts, we may very well see a slow start and cautious start for the Warsaw Pact.  Having never played the campaign game of NGP85, I can only guess at the result this will have.  My guess is that it will allow NATO forces the time they need to gather their forces, receive reinforcements and allow units to unfix.  As the NATO units are widely dispersed at the start and many are fixed, this type of start should play right into NATOs hands and allow the widely scattered formations to concentrate at defend key cities and terrain features.

 

NATO BRIEFING

 

NORTHAG Operations Order S05-0012                          09 JUN 85                              

Situation:  Sizable ground and air forces of the Soviet Union, in conjunction with its East German and Polish allies have left their initial staging areas in preparation for an invasion of West Germany.  Initial intelligence reports regarding Soviet intentions were underestimated, ignored, or trivialized, which has resulted in a significant lack of preparation and mobilization of NATO forces in NORTHAG.  Expect insertion of Soviet Special Forces, airborne and air assault forces prior to and or in conjunction with initiation of hostilities.  Hostilities expected within twenty-four (24) hours.

     Enemy Forces: 

20th Guards Army – Southern Army in Group of Soviet Forces

          10 Gd Tk Div

          21 Gd Mot Div

          25 Tk

          94 Gd Mot

          20 Tk (Polish)

          2 Gd Tk

3rd Shock Army – Center Army in Group of Soviet Forces

          10 Gd Tk

          12 Gd Tk

          47 Gd Tk

          207 Gd Mot

          8 Mot (GDR)

2nd Guards Tank Army – Northern Army in Group of Soviet Forces

          9 Tk

          6 Gd Mot

          14 Gd Mot

          35 Mot

2 PVA Army – Follow on force expected to arrive D+3.

          3-6 unidentified divisions

Air forces capable of use in NORTHAG area of operations:

60 Soviet Air Corps 150-200 aircraft

61 Soviet Air Corps 130-199 aircraft

4          Soviet TAC Air Army unknown number of aircraft

East German aircraft of undetermined number

Polish aircraft of undetermined number

 

Friendly Forces:

British Army of the Rhine (BAOR)

West German I Korps

Elements West German III Korps

Dutch I Corps

Belgian I Corps

 

Mission:  If Soviet forces initiate hostilities, defend West German territory and cities.  Insure that Soviet forces do not achieve a bridgehead across the Rhine River.    

Execution: 

a.                  Conduct ground and air reconnaissance missions to determine operational focus and axis of advance of the three Soviet operational groups opposing NORTHAG.

b.                 Defend in depth to prevent deep penetration and exploitation operations by advance Soviet

Armored forces.

c.                  Conduct local counter attacks and spoiling actions, as appropriate, in an effort to derail Soviet battle plans, and to seize localized initiative.

d.                  Conduct deep air strikes on Soviet second echelon follow on forces.

e.                  Prepare for Soviet insertion of Special Forces, airborne and or air assault actions deep in NORTHAG rear areas.  Eliminate or contain these Special Forces, airborne or air assault forces as necessary.

Administration and Logistics:  While minimizing damage to civilian infrastructure Engineer units should conduct delaying operations such as the destruction of bridges and placement of mixed density mine fields at identified Soviet avenues of advance.  Martial law will be declared once hostilities have commenced, and all civil administration will revert to military control and procedure per protocols and procedures as contained in Operations Order 501 (FL213584373).  First use of chemical weapons and battlefield nuclear weapons is not authorized.

Command and Signal:  Main CP initially at JP12387 09876, shall displace to JP34893 0768 at H2. All allied units in the northern theater of operations, irrespective of nationality, shall be grouped under the command and control of NORHTAG. 

a.                  SOI KTV-600b in effect, KTV601c in reserve.

b.                 Radio silence in effect except for Cdrs, Scouts, and enemy sighting spot reports.  Silence lifted upon commencement of hostilities.          

Risk Assessment:

      HIGH – Commencement of hostilities with the armed forces of the Soviet Union eminent.  Soviet first use of chemical weapons expected.

Weather:  Conditions in area of operations on 10 JUN 85 projected as clear with 3-4 KM visibility.

 

AUTHORIZATION:  Theater Command 36-2017 AND OPLAN

S3 COL Hartman

 

 

 DAY 1 NATO

 

10 June 1985       

 

0600 Local:           Bundeswehr frontier forces report engagements with reconnaissance forces, and some main force elements in the following locations.  The 94^th Guards Motor Rifle Division (RD) is engaging elements of West German 6^th Panzer Grenadier (PzGren) SW of Hamburg just west of the Elbe-Lubeck canal.  The West German 11^th Panzer Grenadier Division is engaging Main Force elements of the GDR’s 8^th Motor Rifle Division between Uelzen and Hankensbuttel.  Contact reports have been passed up to Higher Command Authority, which is monitoring the situation.  Some local formations have been alerted but a General Alert is being withheld at this point for fear of unnecessarily escalating hostilities to the point of no return.

 

0900 Local:           Confidence is rising that these engagements are not localized incursions or provocations, but the opening moves of a general Pact invasion.  Demonstrations by the 94^th Guards Motor Rifle Division in front of Hamburg are being characterized as diversionary in nature, as the division has been reported spread across a 40-mile frontage stretching from Lubeck to Luneberg.  The 11^th PzGren Division has reported increased traffic in its AOR, all of it identified as belonging to the GDR’s 8^th Motor RD.  The most disturbing reports have come in from 2^nd Panzer Bde of 1^st Panzer Division, and BAOR’s 12^th Lancers screening Braunschweig.  Units of 3 Soviet formations, 35^th Motor RD, 37^th Guards Tank Division, and 207^th Guards Motor RD have been encountered in a 28-mile frontage between Braunschweig and Gifhorn.  Both the 9/12^th Lancers and 2^nd Bde of 1^st Panzer will be sacrificed to buy time and deploy forces to Hannover, which is perilously open to this advance.

 

1200 Local:           Reports from concerned citizens and local area commanders have been flooding in at Division, Corp, and Army level Headquarters of Pact Helicopters penetrating as far west as the Leine river.  Very little damage is being reported, and in fact, more than a few reports of downed Soviet Helos have been reported as they attempt to gain intelligence of our dispositions.  The West German government has been releasing formations as their commanders report them ready, and 3 additional Bde groups have come on line within the last 3 hours.  Unfortunately the commander of 7^th PzGren Bde in Hamburg is missing and that formation has not left its garrison yet, a critical formation.  The 18^th Pz Bde in the Kiel peninsula has activated and is presently motoring south to move SW in front of Hamburg and, with luck, pass over the Elbe before nightfall.  The 8^th Pz Bde has swung into action at Luneberg and badly mauled a BMP battalion of the 94^th Guards MRD.  In the south the demolition of the bridges over the Weser River have begun.  In the past 6 hours Engineers have demolished a total of five of the ten bridges on the Weser between Kassel and Hameln.  The mauling around Braunschweig continues unabated, but every hour the enemy spends reducing them is time dearly purchased.  The United States and United Kingdom are reporting they can have reinforcements in theater in 2 days.  The Bundeswehr must buy that time.  Weather has gotten bad and the Air Force has been a no show.

 

1500 Local:           The 16^th Guards Tank Division has crossed the Neetze canal between Luneberg and Lauenberg and is driving hard in the direction of Hamburg.  The Air Force should be able to punish them as they are all in column formation, however it seems the Billions invested in All Weather capabilities have been wasted as they are refusing the fly in the low visibility.  Heli-Borne elements of the 2^nd Guards Tank Army have raced ahead and closed the bridges out of Hamburg that my Bundeswehr units were hoping to use to flee west.  The Russians must have incredible intelligence, as it seems they know where to send their units to block their retreats even before I have realized they should retreat.  The Pz Lehr Bde and the 8^th Pz Bde are moving north to try and engage the 16^th Guards and if not stop them, at least allow some units east of Hamburg to get across to safety.  Doing so creates a hole centered on the Luneberger Heide, but it can’t be helped.  The lines of communications must be getting disrupted as whole units are not getting their assembly orders at the correct times, and only parts of brigades have been activating.  The 22^nd UK Armored Bde of the 1^st Division is partially active now as well, but is extended and expose east of Hannover.  If that plays out the way the other actions have gone the Russians will manage to pocket them without actually engaging them by coming up Braunschweig and Hannover.

 

1800 Local:           Although we successfully routed the blocking detachment out of Hamburg the presence of Spetnaz in the area has caused considerable disruption in units hoping to exit towards the West.  Higher Command Authority has decided that attempting to fight our way West would lead to destruction of the units for little return and has authorized the local commander to retreat into Hamburg with available forces and create a fortress position for the Soviets to contend with.  NATO Naval dominance will insure that supply into Hamburg can be maintained, and with 4 Brigade groups in the city, a sizeable Pact formation will be required to watch over them.  The length of the front south from Hamburg is a shambles and no line worthy of the name is really in existence.  Individual brigade groups, isolated with little effort by the Soviets are dying in place as all attempts to alert the formations have failed.  Some Brigades have been probed and reconnoitered by Soviet helicopters and still not activated. We continue to hope to make a stand on the Weser, but at present there appears no troops with which to man such a position, no matter how many bridges are destroyed.

 

2100 Local:           Some units are finally beginning to come on line and report in.  Elements of the 1^st and 3^rd Panzer, as well as 6^th Panzer Grenadier is now active, although most of the formations are destroyed or nearly isolated.  The US Bde group from 2^nd Armored has moved out and is moving south through Bremen to cover the Weser from Bremen to Nienberg.  The reliable Dutch have activated their entire 4^th Mech Division, and 2 of its brigades are moving east along the main artery towards Bremen.  It will be used to cover that city, as its quality is not of the same order as the other NATO formations.  The elements of 6^th PzGren that have activated are pressing hard for Hamburg, while the elements of 3^rd Panzer are moving west in a race for the Weser.  All pretense of organized defense east of the Weser has fallen.  Meteorology mercifully predicts clear skies tomorrow, so perhaps out multi-billion dollar Air Force will not be grounded.

 

Status of Forces End of the Day, June 10^th 1985

 

Unless noted below, forces are at nominal (95%+ TO&E) establishment.

 

6^th PzGren:           Manpower @ 66%       Vehicles @ 93%

 

1^st Panzer:            Manpower @ 58%       Vehicles @ 48%

 

3rd Panzer:           Manpower @ 98%       Vehicles @ 72%

1^st Armor (UK):      Manpower @ 80%       Vehicles @ 82%

 

11 June 1985       

 

0300 Local: Withdrawal towards the Weser going as well as can be expected, hindered mostly by Soviet Special Forces causing disruption.  On most parts of the front the Pact forces are involved with crushing isolated pockets, and only the 9^th Tank (GDR) is a major concern at the moment.  A Bundeswehr artillery unit attempting to evade the 9^th Tank spotted the HQ unit and an in column infantry battalion and managed to call in air strikes.  The HQ suffered 100+ losses and is disrupted, while the infantry battalion also took close to that amount of damage, but remained intact.  Artillery units trapped in Hamburg are attempting to asset the forces withdrawing west by mining the roads south of the city.  The withdrawal of 6^th PzGren into Hamburg proceeded largely unchecked, as the rear guards drew the attention of the advancing Pole, however the much needed Engineering elements are not yet safely in the city.  The Royal Engineers stationed there successfully destroyed the bridge at Nienberg.  Per NATO order, air strikes were largely held back until better lighting conditions can produce better results.  The area of most concern is the Weser running from Hameln south to Kassel.  Presently unmanned except for scattered Engineers, although all of the bridges, except in those 2 cities have been blown.  One in Hameln can go next turn if the Engineers are not disturbed, and some Engineers are moving towards Kassel to do likewise, although it will be a few hours before they are in place.

 

DAY 1 Soviet

I am very pleased with the day results. My opponent’s units are scattered and the majority of them are fixed.  My forces have moved 30-50 miles west during the first day!  I have cut Hamburg from the mainland by securing the bridges on the northern Elbe and I have captured Luebeck and Braunschweig.  Hanover and Goettingen are surrounded and their fall is just a matter of time.

I have practically destroyed 3 enemy Brigades and mauled a few others.

All across the front my forces have advanced rather easily. Helicopter units (especially infantry) have proven to be very powerful tool in reconnaissance, capturing bridges and isolating single enemy units. Unfortunately the weather has prevented air support during the day, but there are brighter aspects of that also, because most of my units are in “T” mode and interdiction has not been possible.

The offensive potential of the WP units is substantial; especially Soviet Tank Divisions with T80s, BMPs and SP artillery.  They are very powerful. What concerns me though, is the quality of the other types of tanks – they are no match for Leopards and Challengers! Their losses have been heavy even against isolated and disrupted tank units. If Paul manages to concentrate a whole Division together he will be ably to beat any of mine by itself without very little trouble!

But perhaps I worry too much. The NATO first line of defense consists of 5 divisions and I think I have managed to inflict 30% casualties to them.  If I manage to keep the pace, NATO should not have enough forces to consolidate and counterattack.

Another problem concerns helicopter and recce units. I have lost a few of them and the majority of the rest will have to rest and refit for at least a day (many of them suffered 70-80% losses). My advance should be more careful now …

 

Task for the Day 2 is simple. Reach Weser and secure the bridgeheads.

Some Details:

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NORTH

Hamburg area seems to be occupied by West German 3 PzD and 6 PzGD. By the end of the 1st Day I have managed to capture the bridges on Elbe south of Hamburg, thus isolating the town (but not the units; probably there is a supply source somewhere). Tank Brigade of the 3 PzD has been destroyed around Luneburg. 6 PzGD is probably withdrawing north.  96 GMRD, 20 TD(pol) and Naval Bde will focus on capturing Hamburg and Kiel. 16 GTD, 21 GMRD and 25 TD move on Bremen.

CENTER

Between Luneburg Forest and Braunschweig I have met the resistance of the West German 1 PzD and 11 PzGD together with UK 1AD and Recce Task Group. It seems that many of them have been surprised, because many units have been cut off and eliminated separately. At least Brigade each of the 1PzD and 1AD has been destroyed.

Here 47GTD has made the furthest progress capturing Braunschweig and Hannover. The 11 PzGD in the Luneburger Forest delivered the only check I have received. But after some sharp fighting, the enemy is withdrawing on Nienburg and Minden after I threatened his flanks.

SOUTH

The enemy resistance is the weakest here. 14 GMRD has crossed Harz. Screening forces on Leine (equivalent of battalion or two) have been easily overtaken. The Brigade of the 2 PzGD (surprise, my briefing said nothing about it) has been discovered and surrounded in Goettingen.

Losses at June 11th; 6 am:

NATO:
Men 3486

Gun 18

Vehicle 560

Air 0

Warsaw Pact:

Men 2634

Gun 2

Vehicle 322

Air 1

 Check back later for the second days action!

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