This scenario features the northern flank of General von François’ I Corps, centred around Degesen (modern day Babushkino). Elements of the German 1st Division (General Richard Von Conta) have to hold this flank against the Russian 29th Infantry Division, which is approaching from the northeast. To make matters worse, the Russian 25th Infantry Division is approaching from the east, towards Bilderweitschen (Lugovoye).
The battlefield as seen by the Russian sideThe battlefield as seen by the German side
We will play this scenario soon using “Great War Spearhead II” rules, figures in 6mm from good Francesco (Russians) and Stefano (Germans).
First contact East of Degesen. One german battalion in the open faces a whole russian regiments advancing fast.The rest of the German regiment is on the hill just south of Degesen. The village itself is immediately occupied by a Russian cavalry squadron.Even if plans are well defined, the russian are not well coordinated and the second regiment enters the battle half an hour later.On the other half of the battlefield all is quiet, nobody seems to menace the village of Bilderweitschen, another german regiments occupies the heights. An artillery regiment in support is well dug in.A close-up of the Germans defending FatherlandThe two German generals interpreting orders given by General Von Costa. On the far left, the Russian commander of the 25th russian division.The regiment defending Bilderweitschen is engaged, one enemy regiment is seen emerging the woods nearby the village!The german lines are rather thin..Russians are throwing 27th division of four regiments along the front of the one single regiment holding Degesen, while one regiment of the 25th division is attacking the area around Bilderweitschen.Since the approach movement is not fully synchronised (it appears that some russian officers did not know how a clock worked…) the germans are able to concentrate fire to one regiment at a time. In about two hours the first two russian regiments suffer more than one third of casualties and retreat.The germans also suffer very heavily from fire, sitting in the open, without cover.They infantrymen are helped by the point blank fire of their supporting artillery brigadeIn the end only a few german companies still survive the attack of the third russian regiment. The russians are advancing more rapidly in the terrain at the junction of the two german regiments.The battlefield, as seen from the West side of Degesen. Still three russian regiments are carrying on the assault. The first German regiment stands even at more than 50% casualties.The fourth russian regiments is now crossing the bridge, to attack the hamlet between the two villages, where the second german regiment has redeployed, having seen that few enemies have moved towards Bilderweitschen.The real actor of the russian attack, the commander of the 29th division, is commanding from the frontline. The german commanders are observing, very worried.Another picture of the river crossingThe fourth regiment is coming to grips with the germans, but it is late now, and german guns are aiming..Even during late afternoon combat rages in the village of Bilderweitschen, defended by a single company of germans. The fight is vicious and the germans are able to repel three different assaults.Only remnants of the first german regiment are defending the front around Degesen, even the regimental HQ is assaulted!The german commander, after having repulsed and routed three russian regimes, succumbs to the last russian assault holding his gun made of pure swiss milk chocolate.That is the end of the battle, hardly fought. A draw, since only one village out of two is conquered, heavier casualties are caused to the russians, but the germans will have to retire due to the gap in their battle line, exactly around the village of Degesen.
Memories recorded the day after the battle
MZ: Io Krante kommandante tetesco. Io fatto anche dei cinque e a volte sparato sei (mi pare). Morto con pistolo in mano (dopo fatto cilekka) MB: L’unica soddisfazione russa è stato prenderlo prigioniero mentre si nascondeva. MZ: veramente resokonti di Uberkommando Tetesco dice: eroo morto con pistolo in mano SV: Si confermo, aveva una pistola di puro cioccolato al latte. MZ: ach ecco perché essa non fare pum e io cilekkato
