Icebreaker

[enigmamcmxc]

Chapter 4:
The loss of Bohemia and Moravia​

In 1920, in an effort to contain Austria and Hungry and prevent any resurgence of Austro-Hungarian imperial power, Czechoslovakia formed the “Little Entente” with Rumania and Yugoslavia. In the event of war, the Czechoslovakians believed that these two nations would aid them; in addition to the French and Soviets. Over the next 18 years, however, the French, Rumanians, and Yugoslavians all became wary of war in central Europe resulting in Czechoslovakia becoming more isolated. By the time of the Czechoslovakian Crisis, the Little Entente had collapsed. France, unwilling to go to war without British help, had backed out of supporting the three Central European signatories. Yugoslavia, following the assassination of King Alexander (the main supporter of remaining in the alliance), became more isolated; likewise, internal strife and the increase of influence for the right-wing/pro-German Iron Guard resulted in Romania sliding away from the alliance. The 1938 Bled agreement was the final nail in the coffin of the Little Entente. It saw the Hungarians diplomatically isolate Czechoslovakia from most of her allies, due to their dealings with Rumania and Yugoslavia. By the time the Czechoslovakian Crisis developed to a boiling point, only the Soviet Union stood with the country.

Some of the Czech border positions​

The potential enemy of Austria, a resurging Germany, and friction with the Poles resulted in a defensive mentality among the Czechoslovakian military. Their first step in this direction was to update one of the several obsolete fortresses; this was achieved during the 1920s, with the rebuilding of the fortress of Komarno. Following tours of the Maginot Line, and an exchange of officers, an extensive construction program was implemented in the 1930s to seal off over 2,000km of frontier with Austria and Germany. These border fortifications, sometimes nicknamed the Beneš Wall, were intended to blunt all initial German attacks and allow the mobilization of the army. However, the Czechoslovakians were realists. They knew that without outside help, the border fortifications would only hold for so long. Accordingly, additional defensive lines were constructed throughout the country to allow the army to conduct an orderly retreat to successive lines, before making a last stand in the mountains of Slovakia.

During the first month of the war, while the Red Army advanced through Poland, the Czechoslovakian military was largely able to complete their mobilization plans and fully man the Beneš Wall. One-hundred and forty-two thousand Czechoslovakians (spread over 19 Infantry, two Motorized, and four tank divisions) stood in defiance of their larger neighbor, and even launched some small attacks of their own making minor gains. These small victories were, unfortunately, short-lived.

The initial deployment zones of the Southwest Front, rapidly outdated as German forces advanced.​

In Poland, following the capture of Warsaw, the Western Front and the tank armies started a lengthy process of reorganization. Tank and motor-rifle units fanned out to establish picket lines to stop German troops from making any significant advances, while the various rifle-armies started moving forward into their new positions that would allow for the continuance of the advance. The first skirmish with German troops occurred on 28 October, when German landser advancing out of East Prussia engaged one of our forward picket lines. Within two days, an estimated nine Italian infantry divisions had joined the roughly seven German divisions based in East Prussia, having brushed through the undefended Free City of Danzig. Additional skirmishes were fought, and most of the German-Italian probes were thrown back. While largely successful, the fighting had been costly and lopsided in favor of the Germans. Likewise, the first Luftwaffe-Red Air Force aerial engagements took place over East Prussia and were equally bloody. In one day, over 100 Soviet planes had been shot down; one aviation division had suffered 30 per cent casualties, another 50 per cent.

The beginning of November finally saw the Czechoslovakian effort crumble under the weight of the German armed forces. They had made a gallant stand, but the Southwest Front had not been able to advance rapidly enough through Slovakia to reinforce them. By 3 November, most of the Czechoslovakian Army had been cut off in Bohemia following a German advance through the center of the country having cracked the outer fortifications. The Southwest Front would not reach the frontline until 11 November, by which time it was largely too late for most of the Czechoslovakians. The initial engagement was an attempt to lift the siege of several units in Moravia, but it was too little too late. Only a single Czechoslovakian division was able to breakout to Soviet lines.

The final Czechoslovakian troops escape from Moravia
​

The majority of the Czechoslovakian military had fell back into Prague, and within the city is where they made their final stand. On 16 November, the capital fell marking the complete loss of all Bohemian and Moravian lands. In these two regions, the Czechoslovakian military had lost 117,000 men (killed, wounded, and captured). A mere 25,000 men had made it to Soviet lines. The 3rd Fast (armoured formation), 14th Motor Rifle, 17th Mountain, 19th Infantry, and 22nd Mountain divisions would form the nucleus of any rebuilding of the Czechoslovakian military, which would now have to draw solely from Slovakian sources.

 

[stnylan]

It is a shame the Czechs were unable to hold out.

 

[Bullfilter]

Good update, description of the OTL history then in-game Czech campaign to date. Here’s hoping the Soviet Union can withstand the Axis assault that will come. But if the allies do enter the war, it will be interesting to see how France fares with Germany already engaged heavily in the east.

 

[enigmamcmxc]

Sorry for the delay!

It is a shame the Czechs were unable to hold out.

I agree, I was hoping those forts would hold a little longer to allow me to bring up my forces. I am not sure if it was just sheer AI numbers that led to the win, or if the Czech AI did not make best use of the forts ... I wasn't really watching lol

Good update, description of the OTL history then in-game Czech campaign to date. Here’s hoping the Soviet Union can withstand the Axis assault that will come. But if the allies do enter the war, it will be interesting to see how France fares with Germany already engaged heavily in the east.

Thanks I am hoping to maintain the initiative and not let the Germans launch a major offensive. I do wonder how the German AI will react if the French AI rolls over the border (assuming the AI has abandoned the West Wall).

 

[Bullfilter]

Nice to have you back - things get busy in RL, but glad you can continue as some promising AARs just stop after a while. France might even survive!

 

[enigmamcmxc]

Yeah, this may end up a little more sporadic than I would have liked. At any rate, new update shortly.

 

[Bullfilter]

Yeah, this may end up a little more sporadic than I would have liked. At any rate, new update shortly.

Don’t sweat it: no obligation, do it at your own pace . As long as the readers know that’s the case, then no worries. Or try doing very short updates for a while, to keep things ticking. Whatever suits you.

 

[enigmamcmxc]

Chapter 5:
The East Prussian Campaign​

In 1914, the Russian Empire invaded East Prussia as part of their opening First World War offensive against the German Empire. The intent was to capture the province, destroy all German forces that opposed them, and thus aid the French on the Western Front, and ultimately win the war. A little over 24 years later, pretty much the same intentions were drawn up. Whereas the Russian armies had been destroyed at Tanneberg and the Masurian Lakes, the currently euphoric Red Army Officer Corps believed that their forces could be expected to achieve great things following their performance in the Polish campaign; a heavy defeat would be inflicted upon the German Reich, the frontline would be shortened, and the initiative would be retained for future operations.

In order to do so, the Baltic Front needed to be allowed time to arrive and form-up. Furthermore, the Germans had to be stopped from being able to advance into no-man's land (the western section of the former state of Poland) and obtaining favorable ground. The two tank armies fanned out in an arc from Lithuania to Czechoslovakia, establishing pickets and a forward defensive line to protect the reorganization and movement of the Western Front. Small skirmishes and several large battles soon erupted along the length of the line, and especially against the infantry defending the rump Czechoslovakia. In the north, German divisions had advanced south out of East Prussia and made modest gains before being checked by the mobile troops. However, an increasing number of Italian and German divisions were monitored moving into the province. It was estimated that at least six German and seven Italian divisions were now based in East Prussia (post-war archival records demonstrate that these were extremely conservative numbers; at this point there was in fact 14 German and nine Italian divisions, and the numbers continued to grow as the campaign proceeded), never mind the buildup along the main frontline. By the beginning of November, most of the 2nd and 4th armies were positioned facing East Prussia and were supported by elements of the 3rd Shock Army and the 1st and 10th Tank Armies.

14th Army, having detrained, fanned out into East Prussia.​

During the opening days of the November, train after train arrived in Poland heralding the arrival of the Baltic Front (14th Army). The first three divisions spent the next few days establishing forward supply dumps, reorganizing, and moving up to the frontline. Additional trains arrived daily, for the next week, bringing in the remaining troops of the army. On the 14th Army's left flank, the 4th Army launched a counterattack upon the Germans and drove them back. This opened the way for the leading elements of the 14th Army to strike. On 9 November, a single rifle division attacked. Their opponents, tired and weary Germans, soon broke and two fresh divisions pushed through. Italians were manning a second line position that was attacked directly, while also being outflanked. The Italians soon gave way, and shortly thereafter the entire 14th Army had entered East Prussia.

Fighting on the road to Elbing​

While a breakthrough had been expected, such rapid movement of the entire army had not been envisioned. To exploit the situation, as it was assumed the 14th Army would soon advance through the entire province, the 3rd Shock Army and numerous uncommitted tank divisions were ordered to assemble in the corner of the frontline. Their mission, to strike north and seize Danzig. Cutting a corridor through to the coast would seal East Prussia off from the rest of Germany, while also acting as an anvil to the hammer of 14th Army. The attack proved to be short-lived. As soon as the build-up began, a German spoiling attack (which increased in intensity and into a major battle) occurred as if they were aware of the build-up and the brewing danger. With an increased German presence making an advance on Danzig not practicable, the 3rd Shock Army (not engaged in the fighting) was moved to the right flank of the battle and directed to capture Elbing. Facing them was a number of Italian divisions, which had rapidly gained a poor reputation in the eyes of the Red Army, due to their horrendous showing against 14th Army. The Julia Division soon gave way, further reinforcing the prejudice and increasing the expectance of a rapid breakthrough. The Calabria Division, however, defied these expectations. These troops held firm, fending off repeated attacks and bought enough time for the Taurinese Division to reinforce them. These two divisions, outnumbered and unsupported, held off the 3rd Shock Army for two days before withdrawing having suffered over 1,000 casualties.

With the belated victory secured, 3rd Shock Army surged forward supported by elements of the 10th Tank Army that had arrived. At a critical juncture, as some troops were diverted to widen the corridor and others had not yet moved up, a fresh German infantry corps struck into the left flank of the leading troops. These Germans were the opening salvo of a large counterattack that was launched as the Axis reacted to the attempt to encircle troops in East Prussia. Fighting was soon raging from the Vistula to the outskirts of Elbing; at the center of all this, the town of Osterode. While the Baltic Front steadily pushed forward, the western pincer had bogged down.

On the international stage, on 23 November, Czechoslovakia officially joined the Cominterm. The rump state, officially a Social Democracy, solidified her military alliance and dependence with the Soviet Union. Such a welcomed event, the effort of months of hard work, was overshadowed by the French announcement the same day that they had ordered the mobilization of their armies. The political leadership in Moscow longed for the glory of defeating Germany single-handily, but welcomed French intervention.

The prolonged fighting in East Prussia slowly sapped away the possibility of a great victory: depleted and vulnerable formations were able to retreat, and fresh troops were brought in to man the defenses. In an attempt to navigate around the heavy fighting north and salvage something from the campaign, as it had become obvious that Danzig nor Elbing would not be reached, rifle and tank divisions from the Baltic and Western Fronts converged on Allenstein. The large encirclement battle had been replaced in favor of a smaller one.

Late November, and a turn in the weather.​

Heavy rains were now sweeping the battlefields of East Prussia. While the troops were use to the rasputitsa, they were not familiar with having to fight through such muddy terrain. Progress slowed, and the weather further deteriorated; the first snow falls occurred, and most of the province was below freezing making fortifying defensive positions all the more difficult. While the fighting at Allenstein wore on, it had ended at Osterode following a nine-day battle that had saw the town change hands four times. The town, practically destroyed in the artillery exchanges and fighting, had been a bloodbath. The Germans had secured the town, and with it, a vital unmolested and well defended supply line into the rest of East Prussia. By this point, at least 25 German and 12 Italian divisions had been identified in the province
With their victory, the Germans had secured the corridor into East Prussia. By this point, 25 German and 12 Italian divisions had been identified in the province. While the Red Army forces arrayed against this number were larger, they lacked in terms of artillery, leadership, tactics, and some units were wore out from the constant fighting; the advantage had been eroded. Meanwhile, a bloody exchange had took place across the frozen and snow-covered ground around Allenstein. On 2 December, the Red Army finally captured the town and surrounding area. In doing so, they trapped the German 2.Infantrie-Division (Mot) to the south. However, most Axis forces has managed to pull out thanks to the determined resistance mounted by the German troops. In the coming days, this German division would surrender and mark the end of the campaign.

What had been hoped for, a great victory that inflicted heavy losses upon the Germans, had not been achieved; although, more positively, a repeat of Tanneberg had not occurred. Territorial gains had been made and two Axis divisions (one Italian and one German) had been destroyed, but the price paid was in numerous divisions being worn down by the fighting and needing a period of rest. While East Prussia had been the primary concern for the Red Army, the Germans had spent this period launching attacks up and down the entire frontline from the Baltic to Czechoslovakia. The Southwest Front, for example, had been engaged in a bloody back and forth battle to maintain the sovereignty of the rump Czech state. Along the frontline in Poland, German attacks had driven back several frontline positions resulting in small tactical withdrawals and the commitment of any reserves. The initiative had swung in Germany's favor. They further cemented this advantage by obtaining military-transit rights with Hungary.

As a result of the grinding to a halt of operations and switching over to the defensive, STAVKA ordered all remaining rifle divisions in the western Soviet Union to be deployed to Poland to reinforce the effort there. Furthermore, two programs were enacted: 1) an order for the mass-production of enough modern artillery pieces to reinforce all divisions; 2) the creation of several new field armies, with an entire army (12 divisions) to be available every three months. The fighting thus far had resulted in just over 37,000 Red Army casualties, and an equal number of Axis battle casualties (27,930 German, and 9,645 Italian). In addition, 7,650 Italian prisoners had been taken along with 7,288 German.

 

[Bullfilter]

Good update! That artillery production is wise. Will be interesting to see if France does create a second front for you and, if they do, how the Germans react. The distraction would be valuable, but you don’t want the French picking up easy gains paid for by the blood of Soviet patriots!

 

[stnylan]

Sounds like a good hard slog in Prussia.

 

[sebas379]

A very interesting setup. Has japan made a move yet?

I suspect the britidh will at some point declare war on germany, but wether thatll happen in time to make a difference is another question.