Uman Pocket 12-13. July’41- Axis/5

Dry Weather, slid air recovery rolls and a Soviet player that reinforced the Southern approached but left some gaps means that the Axis will have a lot of fighting and manoeuvre this turn.

Above you can see that Belyaya-Tserkov is open, this town is a VP town and provides the German player a means to execute on the POST #1 encirclement plan if things continue as they are. While Fastov is heavily defended, the Axis can encircle, bring up engineers and take their time reducing the city since Belaya will be held.

Northern Sector:

The only problem here in the North is a thin line Nth and St of Zhitomir. A concerted effort from the Southern Soviet Armour, and anything from Korosten would be very problematic. Even if they had no MSU for attack supply. The sooner we can push some stronger divisions into that gap the better.

Central Sector:

Just looking force disposition here, The Soviets have kept a LOT of units in place. While we are out numbered the ability to attack effectively is limited from what can be seen here. At best one or two 2-1/3-1 attacks can be summoned, and most of them require infantry to get the numbers up. This means the Germans could dance away. By sending the lead elements of 16th Pzr South Axis forces have effectively put EVER unit in the Proskurov-Vinnitsa-Berdichev triangle into emergency supply!

Southern Sector:

In the far South on Map F, RO force and Germans have pocketed units, and created some solid attacks to penetrate the Dnestr River.

Combat and Reaction Phase.

These five primary and 3 secondary attacks will be supported by air.

Soviets add air and Arty:

Thankfully the distraction of the foces to the North was too great. In any case both sides abort fighters and AA has no effect or is not present due to unit size of the Soviets for the remaining attacks.

Combat Results:

The overrun and then follow on attack seucre villages and hopefully the Southern approaches to Kiev and a potential river crossing. Belaya-Tserkov is a VP hex it falls. While the rest are isolated and wont be able to escape.

Two critical attacks in the South that had to go well do – First the river assault of Yampol. Germans advance to take the township and prep to lunge deep in the Motorized Phase. Further East a daring 3:2 attack supported by air allows German unit sot cross from Rezina into the Ukraine! They too can position in the Mot. Phase for isolating the Soviets. Who at this time appear to not know what is coming. However, my taunting, may end up in him launching some counter attacks. I should be more coy….

South of Kishinev the Germans and ROM take the townships across the Prut river. This should allow us to threaten Kishinev from the South West.

The primary low was the RO units failing their attack, losing two steps and being forced to retreat:

We move rail heads and wrap up the turn.

Over to Soviets for their Mot. Phase.