At 0530, in dense fog, the German 1/204th Tank Battalions companies moved along the front of the antitank ditch, to be in line abreast in front of the Soviet entrenchment south of Korpetsch when the fog began to lift at 0700. The 2/204th Tank Battalion meanwhile advanced to a point west of the entrenchment with its companies in column, intending to turn right into line to attack the entrenchment flank. To this end, the 1/29th Antiaircraft Company moved to the east edge of the AT minefield to provide long range auto cannon fire support. When the fog burned off, the Germans were largely in position within 1000 meters of Korpetsch and the entrenchment.

Between 0700 and 0730 the 1/204th and 2/204th got their infantry companies deployed on foot for the attack and the first shots of the battle were fired by the Soviet 1/263rd Rifle Battalions antitank rifle company at a German Pz 38(t) in front of the entrenchment. A short range firefight in and in front of the entrenchment ensued, with the 1/204th supported by the 7/140th Rifle Company (detached from the 2/204th), that lasted until about 0830 and resulted in the retreat of the 1/263 rds remnants back into Korpetsch and the occupation of the entrenchment by the 1/204th. Losses were high for the Germans as well, with over half their infantry strength - important if they were to occupy Korpetsch - and two tank platoons lost. Worse, the remnants of the German 1/129th Armored Infantry Company withdrew, demoralized, south from the entrenchment, and the 7/140th, though in good morale, was running out of troops.

As the German presence could now be verified, at 0800 the two battalions of the Soviet 15th Tank Regiment moved south from Tulumtschak toward Korpetsch on the road to engage the 2/204th. Soviet artillery also began to fall just now on the 1/204th, but with little effect (it would continue in this vein for the remainder of the battle).

The 1/29th, accompanied by one of the light companies from the 2/204th, attempted to move west to flank the 1/15th. The Soviet 45mm AT battery and 76mm regimental gun battery (both still in SW Korpetsch after all these replays) both engaged the light company from the rear, in conjunction with the 1/15th, largely destroying the German formation. Unfortunately for the Soviets, by 0900, counter fire from the rest of the 2/204th had destroyed the 1/15 ths T60 platoons, demoralized both the T34a and KV1a companies, and pinned the 2/15th with little loss to themselves.

By 0930, fire from the 2/204 ths medium company's Pz IVf platoons, with help from the German artillery, finally destroyed the Soviet 45mm battery, but not before it destroyed another Pz 38(t) platoon. Shortly thereafter, the 1/29 ths antiaircraft guns engaged the demoralized 1/15th at several hundred meters range, inflicting a hit which destroyed the battalion's T34 company A and re-demoralizing (during the ensuing morale check) the remaining KV1a company, destroying it. Fire from the remaining companies of the 2/204th destroyed the 2/15 ths T60 platoons and in the ensuing morale check, these two losses, along with the sight of the 1/15th coming apart (as well as a BAD cast of the morale die) destroyed the 2/15th.

Not feeling he had adequate infantry to attack the 2/263rd (and regimental assets) in a built-up area, the German withdrew from the battle at 1000, leaving the Soviet in possession of Korpetsch.

Larger version of map at right: (Warning: big file--slow download)

Note that, for the sake of this replay, we stretched the time scale from 15 minutes per turn to 15 - 30 minutes per turn. Combat attrition, movement, etc., all moved, with the time scale modification, at least the same rate as CoA and SH.

The German player essentially executed the same attack that the German used (different player) in the CoA replay, with very similar results - except that a toehold wasn't established in Korpetsch. This was due, in part, to the 15 ths more rapid movement to (and destruction in) the battle area.

Issuing orders wasn't an issue in the CDII replay - keeping one's troops around long enough to execute them was. Troop quality proved to be the overriding factor in this game; the 1/15th Tank Regiment had good equipment but the Green troops, even with good morale, simply couldn't stand up against Experienced German troops because the Green troops dissolved in combat much more quickly. Combat tended to be much bloodier in the CDII replay than the others, I think, because of its multiple fire phases.

We found that both sides engaged in sniping - shooting up Pz IIfs and T60s in order to cause morale checks among their more powerful brethren. This was mainly responsible for the destruction of the 15th Tank Regiment.

Though neither side used it, the Regroup order, had the game gone on several more turns, would have brought back parts of the 1/263rd Rifle Battalion, as well as an infantry stand each to the 1/129th and 7/140th companies. In the long run, though, this wouldn't have given the German enough infantry to take Korpetsch, though he'd likely have got into it.

The troop quality and morale rules are among Command Decision II's strong points. The qualitative differences between the forces in Korpetsch were well demonstrated by the differing morale and experience grades - especially when the Soviet 15th Tank Regiment got chewed up!

There are a LOT of players out there and every one has his or her pet peeve. Mine is that, while the order chit system limits players (by controlling how many order chits they can issue) in what they can do, if an order is issued, the ordered will do as its told. There's no chance that a unit will not or will misinterpret its orders.

The Comparison

WWII Rules Comparison Introduction
Rules Overview (all three sets)
Assault on Korpetsch (historical overview and order of battle)
Clash of Armor replay
Spearhead replay
Conclusion

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