The Commander Series Forum

Gentlemen

This summer I am working on a campaign covering the 1941 actions of Panzer Group G. This campaign will include maps, ORBATs and Op Orders for each of the 3 Corps of "G". The campaign will be "bathtubbed" where each division will be a 3000 point battlegroup. Thus players will move Corps on a map but fight reduced Divisions in the scenarios. As an example my next post will be the 47th Panzer Corps Op Order. Feedback, particularly does it make sense?

Copy Number 1 of 54
47th Panzer Corps
Location of HQ
05 June 1941

OPS 041

OPERATION ORDER NUMBER 01 OPERATION BARBAROSSA STAGE 1

1. SITUATION

a. Enemy Forces. The time has come for the destruction of the communist menace. The enemy is deployed in strength along the border. In our area of operations we are facing elements of the 4th army deployed in depth along the border. To the rear of this army is the 14 Motor Corps. To our North outside our operational area is the Soviet 10th army and 6 Motor Corps.

b. Friendly Forces. Our Corps consists of 2 Panzer Divisions, 1 Motor Division and 1 Infantry Division.

2. MISSION

47 Panzer Corps will drive in the heart of the Communist Motherland blitzkrieging our way to Holinka.

3. EXECUTION

a. Concept of Operations. Panzer Gruppe G will advance and hold on a line running from Holinka to Lensa. As part of Panzer Gruppe G, 47 Panzer Corps will advance on two main lines with one Panzer Division on each line to take Holinka from the North and South simultaneously. The 167th Infantry division will follow in the wake of the advance and mop up all by-passed pockets of enemy. Once the line of Holinka-Lensa has been taken, all units will re-constitute for Stage 2, the advance to River . Our main effort will be clearance of the rail line to Lensa, north of the Moscow highway. This stage will be completed in three phases:

(1) Crossing of the Bug

(2) Crossing of the

(3) Consolidation on the Holinka-Lensa Line

b. Unit. 17th Panzer Division

(1) Grouping. The division will form into 4 even Kampfgruppes.
(2) Tasks. Cross the Bug River North of Brest-Litvosk, drive along the northern route to secure Holinka. Screen our Northern flank.

c. Unit. 18th Panzer Division

(1) Grouping. The division will form into 4 even Kampfgruppes.
(2) Tasks. Cross the Bug River north of Brest-Litvosk. Drive along and secure the Moscow rail line. Screen Northern Brest-Litvosk until relieved by 167th Infantry Division. Screen the Southern Flank of our drive to Holinka. You are the main effort.

d. Unit. 167th Infantry Division

(1) Grouping. The division will form into 3 even Kampfgruppes.

(2) Tasks. Screen Brest-Litvosk until relieved by 12th Army Corps. Mop up enemy pockets reported by Corps' Panzer Divisions with at least one kampfgruppe following each Panzer Division.

e. Unit. 29th Motor Division

(1) Grouping. The division will form into 3 even Kampfgruppes.
(2) Tasks. In reserve, follow second in wake of main effort. Be prepared to move forward quickly and form anti-tank hedgehogs.

f. Artillery.

(1) Field Artillery. 792 Arty Bn

(a) Grouping. No change

(b) Tasks. General support to the whole Corps. Priority fires to the main effort.

(2) Anti Armour Artillery. 611 AT Coy

(a) Grouping. No Change

(b) Tasks. In reserve under command 29th Motor Division.

(3) Air Defence Artillery.

(a) Grouping. No Change.

(b) Tasks. Provide Air Defense in the Forward Corps zone under command Corps Air Defense Officer.

(4) Assault Gun Artillery.

(a) Grouping. No Change

(b) Tasks. Under Command 167th Infantry Division.

g Engineers.

(2) Grouping. No Change.

(3) Tasks. Support Main Effort; under command 18th Panzer Division.

h. Aviation.

(2) Grouping. 1 Squadron of 4 Stukas.

(3) Tasks. On call throughout; 2 strikes by each plane per day.

i. Coordinating Instructions.

(1) Timings. No move before 22 Jun 1941, Stage 1 must be complete by 30 Jun 1941.

(2) Movement and Traffic Control. Moscow road is designated Gruppe MSR, usage from rear of fighting forces is controlled by Gruppe Commander.

(3) Boundaries, Report Lines, Coordination Points, Locations. The battle space will be divided on a line running West to East, North of the Moscow highway not incorporating the Highway but incorporating the railway in the Northern sector.

(4) Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is authorized forward of front from 22 June 1941, no exploitation more than 3 squares beyond divisional front.

(5) Resupply. Players will receive re-supply points on their turn record track.




XXX
General
Commander, Panzer Corps

Annex A: Operational TO&E
Annex B: Map Trace

DISTRIBUTION:

OKW 4
Army Group 4
Commander 1
Corps 4
Corps 4
Headquarters 10
Panzer Division 5
Panzer Division 5
Infantry Division 4
Infantry Division 4
Infantry Division 4
Cavalry Division 4
War Diary 1

Correction a Division is 3 to 4 3000 point battlegroups.

Fraser it does seem to make sense -- though would be clearer with a map -- which I assume you have but couldn't post.

This bit is rather confusing:
(2) Movement and Traffic Control. Moscow road is designated Gruppe MSR, usage from rear of fighting forces is controlled by Gruppe Commander.

(3) Boundaries, Report Lines, Coordination Points, Locations. The battle space will be divided on a line running West to East, North of the Moscow highway not incorporating the Highway but incorporating the railway in the Northern sector.

I guess you have used a military format for the briefing, but it may be clearer for gamers if you show the attached units under the parent unit, rather than separately. You seem to have the name of a river missing in a couple of places - end of para 3 a

Yeah it is still a work in progress and I have to set up the scenario briefing which would make it clearer. In the Gruppe orders the MSR is designated to the South Corps as an advance route. From the rear of that advance it becomes the supply route for the whole of the Gruppe and only corps supply units may travel down it.

MSR ??

Main supply route?

"Main supply route?"

No need for the question mark. You are correct.

Lucky guess