Turn 9 Russian: Maj. General Kepci and the 237th Tank Brigade have surprised the German 6th Panzer Regt. in C2. With several tanks bogged down in the creek, Gen. Kepci has perfectly executed a flanking maneuver. They were spotted just prior to the flank engagement so the impact was not as great as hoped. They have taken up new positions to continue the attack. The 153d Guards Rifle Regiment has engaged the Grossdeutschland Division on the river line in sector D4. The 11th Panzer is still blocked from advancing by our valiant troops. The 1245th Regt. of the 375th Division continues to suffer heavy losses along with the motor battalions of the 49th Tank Brigade and the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, but they continue to prevent the fascists from advancing. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We finally seem to be rid of the sight of Russians moving to counter our thrusts before we can begin. We have begun our advance on the river line in D4 and the 1st Bn. of our regiment is advancing on our right. We are receiving artillery and mortar fire which has caused some losses but nothing we can't absorb. Some of our men were somewhat shaken, but were rallied by the inspired actions of our battalion commander. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We are advancing on the river line in D4. The amount of artillery and mortar fire is staggering, but we have not lost anyone to this threat. We are in position to attack the Russians dug in along the river, but we will wait until the Panthers have moved up to support. Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment Our tanks appear to be free for the moment of the host of problems which had held us back until now and we have almost caught up with the 1st Fusilier Bn. Turn 10 Russian: The 112th and 200th Tank Brigades of the 6th Corps have finally been committed. The 112th has been ordered to sector E3 to help the 237th take our road objective near Syrtsevo. The 200th Tank Brigade is ordered to D3 and directed to take the Y in the river. There are now 5 German tank formations fully committed to taking E3. The High Command is looking on this development with favor since the more fascist formations tied up in our forward positions the better it will be for us as they will destroy themselves against our positions. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment The battalion is pressing forward in our attack on the Russian forces dug in along the river in D4. These defenses should fall quickly since they are hastily constructed and not in much depth. The 1st battalion of the Fusiliers is attacking on our right and the Panzer Regt now appears to be moving up to support our attack. The Russians are shelling us with both mortars and artillery. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment Our forward companies are now in position to launch a major attack against the Russians in the river bed. We have suffered additional losses due to continuous shelling. The Panzer Regt is finally in position. This news is very welcome as reports coming into headquarters refer to Russian armor moving across our front. Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment We have finally reached our attack position! We will press on even though the 3d platoon of 2d company is still somewhere behind us. Reconnaissance has reported that Russian armor is to our front. We hope that our guns operate more faithfully than our engines and tracks. We have had some artillery fire in our position, but nothing has been damaged. Turn 11 Russian: The 6th Corps 112th and 200th Tank Brigades continue to push toward their assigned objectives. The 242nd Tank Brigade has run into a massive anti-tank screen composed of 88's and PAK 40's. The 237th has received new orders even though they have been destroying German Pzkw III's by the score and their losses have been minimal. The 3d battalion of the 152nd Guards broke after enduring massive attacks by the fascists in D1, but they rallied with great elan and are continuing to hold out. The 153d Guards entrenched along the river in D4 are being attacked by several German formations supported by armor. They will have to hold. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We have continued with our attack on the Russians in the river bed. destroying several platoons. The destruction of these Russians will take additional efforts by our unit and the 1st battalion. Our 150mm Infantry Gun is now in position and is firing with good effect. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment The Russians on the river bank have launched an attack against our forward platoons. Their engineers armed with flame throwers have destroyed our recon tank, but we have eliminated most of them. We are unhappy that we have lost our recon tank, but having the engineers come out and attack allows us to destroy them in the open. As always the Russian artillery continues to harass us. Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment The forward units are now firing in support of the 1st Fusilier Bn. We were able to help them turn back the attack from the river bed. Turn 12 Russian: The 112th and 200th Tank Brigades of the 6th Corps have engaged the enemy in Sector C3. The 237th Tank Brigade has finally broken the 6th Panzer Regt. of the 3d Panzer Div. The 152d Guards have been routed by the German 353d engineers. They were led by Lt. Gen. Westhoven himself. The situation in sector D1 has grown critical as 2 of our 3 infantry battalions have reached the breaking point, but their leaders have outdone themselves in steadying their troops. Three other units have been mauled to the point that their ability to hold together is in great doubt. The 153d Guards in sector D4 continues to hold although they have suffered heavy losses. The 1st Guards Tank Brigade and the 49th Tank Brigade have been a stone wall containing the 11th Panzer Division in sector C6. Their valor along with the efforts of the 1245th Rifle Regiment of the 375th Infantry Division have forced the 11th Panzer to move left and this will increase the time they will need to take Bremutshy. The river junction in D3 will be a major engagement as our armored formations converge on the Grossdeutschland formations in that area. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We are engaged in a major firefight with the Russians entrenched on the river bank in D4. Although we have had some losses, we are inflicting much heavier losses on our enemies. The battalion commander has asked Regiment if they could obtain the Division Artillery to help in suppressing the enemy mortars and artillery. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment Our commander has ordered our armored formations to dismount and prepare for launching an all out attack to the destroy the units to our front. Turn 13 Russian: Our situation in sector D1 has grown desperate. The 2nd and 3d battalions of the 152nd Guards have finally broken under the tremendous pressure applied by the 543d panzerjagers. The 153d Guards in D4 are almost destroyed but they have been ordered to hold. The one bright spot in the center is our armored formations who hare pressing hard on the German line on the river and bridge in sector D3. Our heavy KV-1's seem to be immune to their fire. Our forces in sectors C5 and C6 are containing the 11th Panzer although we still have not stopped their progress. Formations in the area are reporting losses and that some units are beginning to lose their effectiveness. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment Although we continue to suffer from the Russian shell fire, we are forcing the Russians out of their positions on the river bed. Several of our personnel have doubts about our ability to continue, but the spirit of attacking for the fatherland motivates the 3d battalion to carry on. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We have pushed most of the Russian forces off of the river embankment. Some of our platoons have crossed the river and are flanking what remains of the Russian position. Our battalion commander has been advised that the Recon Battalion of the Division has been ordered to come up on our right so that more weight can be added to the spearhead we are beginning to thrust into the enemy. Also Corps has ordered the 941st Regiment to follow us and be prepared to add their power if necessary. Notes: 1st Bn., G.D. Panzer Regiment All of our units are now operational and will move forward if necessary. Our battalion commander has been advised that we may be needed to stabilize the front in sector D3 where the Russian armor is attacking in great numbers. Notes: G. D. Panzer Reconnaissance Bn. Division has finally ordered us to enter the battle. We are to move up on the right of the 1st Bn. of the Fusilier Regt. and support their attack on the flank of Bremutshy in C5. Off to our right, we can observe the 11th Panzer in action. We will have to hurry to get our objective as they may take it without our assistance. Turn 14 Russian: The 2nd Bn. of the 65th Mechanized Rifle has been pulled out of the reserve and ordered into the conflagration called sector D1. This area is beginning to consume more and more of our forces. The 152nd Guards has fought to the last man before being destroyed. One can not say enough in praise of these heroes of the Soviet Union. The 237th Tank Brigade continues to hand out damage to the 6th Panzer Regiment, stalling their advance in its tracks. The 100th, 112th, 245th, and 238th Tank Brigades continue their steady advance on German positions located in sectors C2, C3 and C4. The center positions of the 155th Guards and what is left of the 153d Guards are holding, but are reporting that they may not be able to contain the major formations now facing them in C4. The 3d and 10th Mechanized Brigades have entered the fray and are forming a wall in front(C6 and B5) of the 11th Panzer Division. This wall will be impenetrable. Our 1st Guards Tank and 49th Tank Brigades are continuing to present a solid front to the fascist 11th Division. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment Our Forces are on the Move! The Russian regiment we have been reducing is broken and is fleeing the field. We have overrun several mortar positions and killed a forward observer which will reduce the amount of shellfire we are encountering. However to our sorrow, Oberleutnant Klutz was killed in a close assault on a Russian mortar position. We have been ordered to press on with our attack. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We have broken them at last! Our unit is across the river and entering sector C4. The Recon Bn. is coming up fast on our right. Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment Now that the Fusiliers have broken the Russians on the river line, we have been ordered up to be in position to destroy any Russian armor which might advance from B5. Our Panthers seem to be now free of the mechanical problems we experienced earlier in the day. Notes: G. D. Panzer Reconnaissance Bn. We have moved up to be in line with our 1st Fusilier Bn. We began receiving mortar fire almost immediately. The 941st Regiment is moving up behind us and will be a welcome addition to our power when we come to grips with the Russian formations near Bremutshy. Turn 15 Russian: The pressure of our 5 Tank Brigades in sectors C2, C3 and C4 is beginning to wear down the Germans. Our General Katukov will surely guide us to victory. We have formed yet another defensive line in sector D1. This time our SU152's and AA guns will surely stop the German advance. The 237th Tank Brigade has broken the rest of the German 6th Panzer Regt. The 52d Guards Rifle Division in C3 and C4 is reporting casualties inflicted by the German units massing in front of them. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment The Russians are now reacting to our moves. We have eliminated the last of the mortar positions, thereby avenging our Oberleutnant Klutz of the engineers. Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment We have moved up to our next jump off position. We are resupplied and in good spirits. The Panthers in the 1st Bn of the Panzer Regiment still seem to be experiencing mechanical problems. Notes: 941st Infantry Regiment Both battalions of the Regiment have moved up behind the Grossdeutschland Fusiliers. We will be ready to add our might to the next push. Turn 16 Russian: The 100th and 112th Tank Brigades have executed the new socialist maneuver our leaders have named the sickle formation in honor of our brave tillers of the soil. This formation has put the Panzer Grenadier's regiment Mark IV's in danger of being wiped from the earth. Our tank units are beginning to dominate the battlefield. A full tank brigade and two mechanized divisions are still in our reserve and can be utilized to complete the destruction of the enemy. General Katukov continues to execute a flawless tank plan and General Kepci has been promoted to Lt. Gen. Kepci. Reports from the center and our left flank have been delayed in arriving at headquarters. We must assume that all is well in those areas of the battlefield. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment The red hordes must have their spy back, they are moving to counter our attacks before we can get started! The Russian 76's are beginning to range in on us so we must move forward to eliminate them before they can zero in our positions. We are advancing up the hill toward another line of Russian infantry positions. This will be difficult operation since we can see that they are supported by armor. The 1st battalion of our regiment and the division's recon battalion are advancing with us. Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment We are having problems again! Some of our units are mired down in the river bed, but we will with superhuman effort free these units from this obstacle. Others are having the same mechanical breakdowns which have plagued us from the start of this operation. Notes: 941st Infantry Regiment We are now stationed in our support positions in the rear of the assault force. Our Regimental Commander has been contacted by Corps Headquarters to ascertain if we could be moved from this part of the field to reinforce our attack on the left. If we do not get new orders soon, we will be across the river and engaged. A breakoff will be very difficult at that point. German: Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment More Kursk 1943 Kursk 1943: Introduction Kursk 1943: Russian and German Forces Kursk 1943: Turns 1-8 Kursk 1943: Turns 9-16 Kursk 1943: Turns 17-end Kursk 1943: Conclusion Back to War Lore: The List Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by Coalition Web, Inc. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com