Complications
The Third Problem of 'Snow'
The following post poses the third problem of a decision-forcing case. For the first four parts of this exercise, please see …
28 February 1942
Progress of Battle Group Mollenhauer
The Ski and Reconnaissance Companies reach their attack positions between 0330 and 0345, organize themselves for the attack, and send out patrols.
At 0515, 9./Brandenburg attacks the collective farm with two assault platoons. This attack, which benefits from surprise, overwhelms the defenders. The collective farm is secured shortly before 0545.
At the same time, the battalion commander orders the Ski and Reconnaissance Companies to attack.
At 0545, the Reconnaissance Company reports that, despite stiff resistance from defenders of Pashoga, it has managed to enter the eastern edge of the village.
The Ski Company sends no communications. However, starting at 0545 or so, the battalion commander hears the sound of small arms fire coming from its general direction. He also observes that some of the houses in the northwestern part of the village have caught fire.
Soviet defenders of Pashoga fire upon the collective farm with machine guns and 82mm mortars, preventing 9./Brandenburg from making further progress. Friendly artillery is not able to help because the collective farm stands between them and the Soviet defenders of the remainder of Pashoga.
The battalion commander discovers that the slope that connects the collective farm with the rest of the village of Pashoga takes the form of a steep escarpment.
At 0600, the Soviets make two attacks upon the collective farm. The Brandenburgers drives off both groups of attackers.
It is now 0605. The sun will rise in twenty-five minutes.
You make an assessment of your situation. What do you think is going on? What is your plan for completing your mission?
The next post in this series will describe Captain Middeldorf’s response to the problem that he faced at 0605 on the morning of 28 February 1942.
1. Clearly the Ski Company has run into a larger Soviet force than anticipated and is now decisively engaged. They need help.
2. The Soviet forces to the south of the Collective Farm are also larger than anticipated and it will be necessary to commit additional forces to this fight.
3. I would give the following orders:
a. 9./Brandenburger will defend the Collective Farm in order to prevent Soviet forces from retaking the Farm and cutting us off from friendly forces. They will also scout for ways to attack down into the village and detach one platoon to form the Battalion Reserve.
b. Heavy Company will attach its Infantry Gun Platoon to Rifle Company Kuehlcke. Heavy Company (-) will continue to support 9./Brandenburger at the Collective Farm until further notice.
c. The new Battalion Reserve will have the following planning priorities: counterattack Soviet Forces attacking the Collective Farm, attack to the south or southwest to defeat Soviet Forces in Pashoga, attack west to assist Rifle Company Kuehlcke or Ski Company.
d. Rifle Company Kuehlcke is now the Battalion Main Effort and will attack to the west to assist Ski Company and defeat Soviet Forces there. Once that is done, the combined units will attack east to defeat Soviet Forces in and around Pashoga and clear the village.
e. Reconnaissance Company will attack to the northwest to defeat Soviet Forces in Pashoga, particularly those south of the Collective Farm.
f. Artillery Battery now has the following Priorities of fire: Rifle Company Kuehlcke, Reconnaissance Company, 9./Brandenburger. Priority shifts to the Battalion Reserve if committed. Reposition observation team and howitzers as required. Also, send a scouting party to establish a new firing position that allows observed fires into the area south of the Collective Farm.
g. Everyone is to watch their flanks for Soviet patrols and be mindful we are conducting converging attacks.
4. I would also send a messages to my HQ Company and Division HQ updating them on the situation and my actions.