Poznan
01/09/39
Initial Order of Battle:
I./SchtzR 20 (Wehrmacht Inf / Opel Blitz)
III./SchtzR 20 (Wehrmacht Inf)
I./GebJgR 170 (Gebirgsjager)
AufklAbt 37 (SdKfz 222)
I./PzR 12 (Panzer IA)
II./PzR 12 (Panzer IA)
II./ArtR 27 (7.5 cm FK 16 / Opel Blitz)
PzJgAbt 31 (3.7 cm Pak 36 / Opel Blitz)
II./JG 59 (Bf 109E)
II./SG 58 (Ju 87B)
Plan of operations:
Main group A will advance towards Konin, taking all towns along the direction. Secondary group B will have the main objective Poznan. After these two objectives are secured, available units are to take secondary objectives (airfields) as possible.
In order to accomplish this plan, additional forces have been requisitioned as following:
For group B, two infantry battalions, II./SchtzR 20 and II./SchtzR 55, and one 7.5 cm artillery battery (motorized), I./ArtR 27. Group A has been reinforced with an additional 7.5 cm artillery battery (mot.) - III./ArtR 27.
Development:
On turn 1, airfield in range was struck, destroying the unprepared Polish fighter unit and damaging the AA battery guarding it. Both groups advanced without significant resistance.
On turn 2, a reconnaissance wing under command of Hans-Ulrich Rudel was assigned to this sector of operations.
A Polish fighter and bomber squadron scrambled to strafe the advancing elements of group A. Both were shot down before they could inflict any significant losses.
On turn 4, this reconnaissance flight spotted in the central area an overstrength tank (TKS) unit and a cavalry squadron, preparing to counterattack either north towards group B, or south, towards group A, therefor the advance proceeded cautiously. The following turn, the Polish mobile force struck north, against the two infantry battalions and the recon unit, supported by an artillery battery. With the support of Luftwaffe ground attack aircraft, the counterattack was annihilated and the advance east resumed at full speed.
On turn 6, the recon element of group B reached Poznan and withstood a counterattack of another Polish tank battalion. The infantry followed up and took position for the assault.
On turn 8 the fighter squadron of JG 59 flew over Konin for reconnaissance and came across a Polish AA battery which inflicted severe losses (50%). The same turn, the first panzer elements of group A cut the communication lines of Konin, preventing any further reinforcements around the city. Polish anti-tank reinforcements were spotted west of Konin. On turn 9, an infantry battalion from group B was diverted to counter these AT units.
By turn 10, positions around both Poznan and Konin were firmly secured and under artillery preparation for assault. Available units were sent to secure secondary objectives south and south-west.
On turn 11 Poznan was captured, and also the airfield to the north-east. Konin fell on turn 14, together with all the remaining secondary objectives.
Units lost: 0
Units destroyed: 21
Unit strength losses: 34
Unit strength destroyed: 203
Decisive Victory