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0715_01 Encirclement of Smolensk - PzC 01 Smolensk '41

0715_01 Encirclement of Smolensk Image
Tiller Operational Campaigns Ladder

0715_01 Encirclement of Smolensk

By Greg 'Sturmer' Smith
Germany 59 - 19 - 65 Russia
Rating: 8.78 (131)
Games Played: 143
SM: 3
Turns: 25
Type: Stock
First Side: Germany
Second Side: Russia
Smolensk, July 15th, 1941: Just over a week has passed since the Germans crossed the Dnepr River. Now the second phase of the Smolensk operation opens with an attempt to take Smolensk itself. PanzerGruppe 3 is deep in the rear north of Smolensk and PanzerGruppe 2 on the southern fringes of the city itself. The Germans were poised to bag yet another large pocket of the Red Army. The German units while strong, are spread out and deep in the enemy rear with large gaps on their flanks. This scenario, while not as large as a full Campaign is a larger scenario covering two and a half days of fighting during this critical stage of the battle. [13,000 sq Km - 25 Turns]
Player Voting Stats
Member Balance Enjoyment
Blitz Shadow Player's ProfileBlitz Shadow Player Well Balanced 8
Blitz Shadow Player's ProfileBlitz Shadow Player Slightly Pro Russia 8
Blitz Shadow Player's ProfileBlitz Shadow Player Well Balanced 8
Blitz Shadow Player's ProfileBlitz Shadow Player Slightly Pro Russia 8
Blitz Shadow Player's ProfileBlitz Shadow Player Well Balanced 8
Steel God
Still one of the best, and most enjoyable PzC scenarios ever.
sergio
From the start I tried to play an aggressive game. I saw that I was suffering a lot of losses but I realized that there was not too many time to develop a slow and careful offensive, so I had to bet all in... When the russian was able to destroy half my motorized division in Smolensk I realized that it will be a tough battle with an even result as it was... My troops got more and more fatigued and I was not able to break the russian lines... The russian was able to stop me at the outskirts of Smolensk!
von Nev
Russians on the western side of Smolensk need to have a division pulled out and put near Smolensk. Russians are too strong on western side and can go on the offense.
Dog Soldier
Many options for both sides.
Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.
- Wyatt Earp
Dog Soldier
Many different operational options for both players to consider.
Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.
- Wyatt Earp
Buffaloes
Very interesting situation. I can imagine numerous approaches for each side.
timshin42
Master Sergeant
timshin42 Frid Sep 26, 2014 2:21 am
Played twice. One Major D; one Major V.
"Artillerymen believe the world consists of two kinds of people: other artillerymen and targets."
Kool Kat
Lieutenant General
Kool Kat Sat Aug 19, 2017 1:57 pm
This is an "all or nothing" win proposition for the German player. The Smolensk victory hex is worth a whopping 1500 points and must be captured for the German to achieve any level of victory. Therefore, the German player must charge ahead, always teetering between caution and recklessness to maintain momentum between his widely separated forces that cannot mutually support each other. German forces are strong, but do not have enough units to effectively guard flanks, making these independently operating formations susceptible to Russian counterattacks and blocking actions. Especially vulnerable is the German northern flank to strong counterattacks by the Russian 134th and 144th Rifle Divisions. Playing the Encirclement of Smolensk as the German requires taking calculated risks and pushing hard to overcome Russian defensive lines quickly to garner enough time for the climatic battle of Smolensk that will decide the game. High replay with multiple offensive and defensive options available for each side. This scenario is a classic and ranks as one of the best PzC scenarios of all times! Highly recommended Smolensk 41 scenario!
Regards, Mike / "A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - George S. Patton /
ek1939
Private
ek1939 Frid Mar 23, 2018 11:45 pm
It is unnerving fighting with open flanks all the time.
Russian infantry battalions pack a punch!
Jesopi
Private
Jesopi Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:53 am
First PzC scenario I played, and I enjoyed it very much! Thanks to the help of a great opponent I also learned a lot. Thanks Jon!

Many options for attacking. Because of that, I had some trouble keeping my attacks together. Left to many holes in my lines for him to exploit and encircle my troops. Lost a tremendous amount of points there.
Barbarrossa.
Major
Barbarrossa. Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:05 am
The Russian has to counter attack.
evaught93
Private 1st Class
evaught93 Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:20 pm
Great and intense scenario with plenty of surprises.
panther421
1st Lieutenant
panther421 Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:21 am
This scenario is excellent and offers both sides multiple areas to attack and defend. Highly recommended.
evaught93
Private 1st Class
evaught93 Thu Nov 22, 2018 5:51 am
Lots of potential choices for each side. Having played from the Russian and German perspective, its safe to say this is one of the most interesting Scenarios in the PzC Series.
panther421
1st Lieutenant
panther421 Sat Oct 05, 2019 5:53 pm
Very interesting battle, opportunities for both sides to attack.
ComradeP
First Sergeant
ComradeP Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:01 am
Difficult for the Germans with the Soviets only having to defend Smolensk in order to win.
PK Powers
General of the Army
PK Powers Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:35 am
germans need to blitz all out from the start, but with only 2 objectives there are too many russians to overcome
Gamergeist
Private 1st Class
Gamergeist Mon May 24, 2021 1:29 am
I usually find short scenarios too small and dull. However, this one particular scenario was quite large in size and had enough going to keep it interesting.
Steel God
General
Steel God Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:42 pm
Russians must run early and set traps for the chasing Germans. To stand and fight is to invite doom.
ShipwreckedFool
Private 1st Class
ShipwreckedFool Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:04 pm
Good scenario on a short time table with intense fighting and maneuvering.