"Tannenburg Mini-Campaign: The first battle " Topic

AAR for the Battle of Mlawa
Turn 2 of the Campaign

On August 17th, the German XX Corps encountered the Russian 3rd Cavalry Division near Soldau. The Russians withdrew in some disorder. The XX Corps was ordered to pursue and to advance thru Mlawa to Przasnysz. Meanwhile, the XVII Corps was to advance from Ortelsburg.

Concurrently, the Russian 1st and 6th Corps were ordered to advance north, thru Mlawa to Soldau and Ortelsburg, respectively. On August 19th, the Russians encountered the Germans north of Mlawa, and immediately attacked. The Germans had detected the Russian advance, and deployed around the village of Illowa. Their right flank occupied Hill 162, and the left extended into the fields east of Illowa.

The Germans opened the battle with a heavy cannonade on the surprised Russian column. The Russian immediately deployed into the woods south of Hill 162. The Germans moved reserves to stiffen their defense of the Hill. The Russian assault smashed into the defenders on Hill 162, but like a wave, quickly receded. The high tide was a cavalry charge, taking a shaken battery of German heavy artillery. Aiming to smash the Russians, the Germans counterattacked from Illowa towards the woods. The German advance was halted by the telling fire of the defenders in the woodline. The carnage on Hill 162 shocked the opposing commanders, with 50 percent losses in both the assaulting and defending divisions.

Northeast of Mlawa, the German XVII Corps and the Russian 6th Corps collided in the woods along the Mlawa-Kuklin road. Overall, the fighting was not as intense, as just to the west. Of note, at one point a German bayonet charge caught a Russian regiment napping, and carried their position.

As dusk fell, both sides set about improving their positions, resupplying ammo, and caring for the wounded. During the night, the Russians withdrew south leaving the Germans in possession of the battlefield.

Overall losses (prior to regrouping): 28 Russian stands, & 19 German stands. There were three victory conditions for the battle: Terrain, casualties, and gun losses.

(1) The Germans won on terrain objectives, 26 to 12 points.

(2) In casualties, neither side acheived their objective. Russian losses were greater than the Germans, and short of a 3:2 ratio.

(3) The Russians lost 4 batteries, the Germans 2. The Germans won this exchange.

Overall, a German victory, 2-0.

Photos to follow

Sounds interesting. What rules are you using?

Command Decision Test of Battle, I believe. Is this campaign being bathtubbed? A very interesting campaign to refight. Look forward to the pictures.

Thanks,

John

Howdy,

Yes, bathtubbed. A battalion represents a division. See prior post for map. This is a playtest for the scenario book, which I hope to get out next year.

Pictures tomorrow.

Ponder on,

JAS

Howdy,

Photos from the Battle of Mlawa:

Terrain layout (board was 5 x 12) – looking west

Terrain layout – looking east

Conceptual Cover

Photo 1 – At start, Russian advance from Mlawa

Photo 2 – At start, German deployment

Photo 3 – Entry of XVII Corps elements

Photo 4 – Russian approach march toward Hill 162

Photo 5 – Southern end of Hill 162

Photo 6 – Russians deploy NE of Mlawa

Photo 7 – Russians deploy for assault on Hill 162

Photo 8 – Meanwhile, NE of Mlawa

Photo 9 – German attack passes Illowa

Photo 10 – Hill assault stalls

Photo 11 – German attack shattered

Ponder on,

JAS

Just saw these. I love the Eastern front. Especially early war. So much was possible for the Russians. Like the pics!

Thanks,

John

I was part of this game, had a great time. Thanks for putting it on. Was on the Russian extreme right.

Thanks, planning on running Krasnik, Austrians v. Russians on the Friday evening (7pm) of Fall-In (11/15) – JAS

Correction, 6pm – JAS