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German Battlegroups: Early Eastern Front

The Early Eastern Front covers the period June 1941 to March 1943 - the commencement of Operation Barbarossa to the German defeat at Stalingrad.

As with my Russian battlegroups I'll keep a record of how they do as well as presenting some 'Lessons Learned' along the way.

We have severely underestimated the Russians, the extent of the country and the treachery of the climate. This is the revenge of reality. - Heinz Guderian

If you want to win the battle then you better have the better tanks, they can make the difference between success and failure in combat. - Heinz Guderian

Early War ('41) 1000pts

This will give you a small combined arms force of one Infantry Battalion, an understrength Panzer Battalion (one Light Panzer Company and one Medium Panzer Company) and an Artillery Battalion in support.

  • CO
  • Infantry Battalion
    • HQ
    • 9 Infantry Units
    • 3 Support Units, MG
    • 1 Support Unit, Mortar
    • 1 Support Unit, ATG (37mm) + Truck
  • Understrength Panzer Battalion
    • HQ
    • 2 Light Panzer Units (Pz-I)
    • 2 Light Panzer Units (Pz-II)
    • 2 Light Panzer Units (Pz-III short)
    • 2 Medium Panzer Units (Pz-IV short)
  • Arttillery Support
    • 1 FAO
    • 2 Artillery Units (105mm)
    • 1 Artillery Unit (150mm)

Panzer Battalion (mid-41) 2000pts

This classic formation gives you all the units you need for a combined arms force; Recon, a Panzer Battalion, Motorised Infantry Battalion and an Artillery Battalion in support.

  • CO
  • Recce
    • 1 SdKfz 222
    • 1 SdKfz 231/232
  • Panzer Battalion
    • HQ
    • 4 Light Panzers (Pz II)
    • 9 Light Panzers (Pz III short)
    • 2 Medium Panzers (Pz IV short)
  • Panzer Grenadier Battalion (Motorised)
    • 9 Infantry Units + Trucks
    • 3 Support Units, MG + Trucks
    • 1 Support Unit, Mortar + Truck
    • 1 Support Unit' ATG, 37mm + Truck
    • 1 Support Unit, ATG, 50mm + Truck
    • 1 Support Unit Infantry Gun + Truck
    • 1 Support Unit, AA (20mm) + Truck
  • Artillery Support
    • 1 FAO
    • 2 Artillery Units (105mm)
    • 1 Artillery Unit (150mm)

Shock and Awe

Following the relatively easy campaigns in France and the Low Countries of 1939-40, German panzer commanders were in for a surprise when they invaded Russia. Russian tank design was more advanced than that of Germany and the appearance of the infamous T-34 and heavy KV-1 tanks (although at this stage not in great numbers) posed serious problems.

Both of these tanks were superior in armour and armament to anything the Germans possessed at the outset of Barbarossa. The German answer to these tanks would take some time to materialise but would eventually lead to the development of the equally infamous Panther and Tiger tanks.

Screaming Stukas

A major component of the Blitzkrieg concept was the employment of the Stuka.

Armoured Panzer Grenadiers

The first Company (3 stands) of the Panzer Grenadier Battalion (Motorised) can be mounted in SdKfz 251s as Armoured Panzer Grenadiers at no extra cost in points.

Purchases Required

In order to field my Battle Groups I will need to purchase the following;

  • 1 CO
  • 2 HQ
  • 1 FAO
  • 9 Infantry Units
  • 3 x MG
  • 1 x Mortar
  • 1 x 37 mm Antitank Gun
  • 1 x 50mm Antitank Gun
  • 1 x Infantry Gun
  • 1 x SdKfz 222
  • 1 x SdKfz 231/232
  • 2 x Pz I
  • 4 x Pz II
  • 9 x Pz III Short
  • 2 x Pz IV Short
  • 2 x 105mm Howitzer
  • 1 x 150mm Howitzer
  • 17 x Truck