0709_02 Last Train to Vitebsk - PzC 01 Smolensk '41

Gorodok, 18km N of Vitesbk: Just two days into the renewed German drive into Russia, and General Yeremenko of the Soviet High Command knew his troops were in trouble. "Gain time, stop the eastward rush of the German tanks! Build up a line of defence whatever the cost!" was the order he had been given. And so began the shift of the 19th Army via rail from southern Russia to Vitebsk. The Russian regiments leapt from their railcars straight into action against 7th and 12th Pz Divisions. But Col Gen Hoth's staff had discovered the plan to use the railroad from a captured Russian officer. They reacted by turning 20th Pz and 20th Motorized Divisions around to the west to smash the Russians from the rear. [1100 sq Km - 10 Turns]