Wargaming World War II - Megablitz - The Russian Front

The Russian Front - Kick In The Door 2

Kick In The Door 2 took place on Saturday 12th September 1998 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The scenario dealt with a large German offensive in the area around Ketteringrad and Wellingrad during the later stages of Operation Barbarossa.

Background to the battle

The Axis attackers deployed three armoured formations - the German 8. Panzer-Division, the Italian Ariete Armoured Division, and the Romanian 1st Armoured Division - as well as several infantry divisions.

The Russian defenders had the remnants of two Armies, but most of the units were under-strength or demoralized by earlier encounters with the German invaders.

Russian infantry advancing through woods.

German motorcycle reconnaissance troops move forward.

Russian Heavy Machine Gun and crew waiting in a wood to ambush the Hitlerite Hordes!

Russian infantry and German mobile troops fight for a vital road link.

German General Assault Badge

Il Duce's finest - elements of the Ariete Armoured Division advance towards Ketteringrad.

The Battle - Day 1

The main problems faced by the Russians were their lack of mobility and the overwhelming strength of the Luftwaffe, and by the end of the first day the Germans had managed to reach most of their objectives.

Despite heroic efforts, the Russian were overwhelmed. The constant attacks by the Luftwaffe on the Russian artillery were particularly effective.

German reconnaissance troops were particularly effective, and were able to probe the Russian defences so as to identify weak points that could be exploited by the Axis armoured formations.

Russian Heavy Artillery - a tempting target for the Luftwaffe!

The Battle - Day 2

Despite heroic attempts to attack the rear echelons of the advancing Axis forces, the Russians were only able to delay the advance, not stop it.

The Russians were unable to deploy their Air Force in any strength to attack the advancing Axis forces due to the Luftwaffe's superiority of numbers and the effectiveness of Axis flak units.

An Italian anti-aircraft unit armed with a German 88 mm Flak gun.

Because of the Luftwaffe's air superiority and the weakness of the Russian front-line troops, even the relatively poorly equipped Italian Ariete Armoured Division was able to deal with large Russian troop concentrations without undue problems.

An armoured command vehicle of the Ariete Armoured Division.

Furthermore, the Russian High Command - STAVKA - refused to believe that the Axis attack was anything more than a feint until the end of the second day of the battle, and would not deploy any of their reserve forces - an under-sized Tank Corps, two Rifle Divisions, and an Artillery Division - to help stem the Axis advance.

Russian infantry, supported by tanks and artillery, attack the rear echelons of the advancing Axis forces.

A German 20 mm Flak gun looking, in vain, for targets.

Elements of the Ariete Armoured Division continue their advance.

Part of one of the Russian Rifle Divisions held in reserve by STAVKA.

The Axis forces gradually push the Russian defenders back into Wellingrad.

The Russians prepare to defend Wellingrad as the leading German forces move into positions prior to attacking the town.

Another view of the Wellingrad defences.

Part of the Russian STAVKA reserve Tank Corps moves up to counter-attack the invading German and Romanian forces.

The Battle - Day 3

Once STAVKA were convinced that the Axis advance towards Wellingrad was the main attack, both Rifle Divisions and the Artillery Division were deployed, by rail, into the centre of Wellingrad, where they were used to form the core of the city's defences.

Despite continuous German and Romanian attacks, the Russian forces in Wellingrad defend to the last man.

They arrived just before the city was surrounded by Axis forces, and took part in both the defence of the airfield and the city itself. Their efforts were, however, in vain, and the city was surrendered later in the day.

T34s of the STAVKA reserve advance unopposed towards the Axis rear.

The STAVKA deployed the Tank Corps to the north of the city, in an area that the Romanians had already passed through but not garrisoned. As a result the Tank Corps was able to advance through the Axis "front-line" unopposed, and was poised to attack a major German airfield deep in the Axis rear when they received news of the surrender of Wellingrad.