Beta-AAR: Operationale Kriegsführung/"Fall Weiss"

[Maximilian I]

Weisung Nr. 7/Fall "Weiss"

The combined armed forces of the German Wehrmacht are heretowith ordered to prepare a decisive blow against Polish forces.

General Orders:

Luftwaffe:
The Polish Air Force is to be knocked out early by preemptive strikes. Luftflotte 1 and 3 are to be strenghtened by Kampfgeschwader (tactical bombers) from Luftflotte 2. Luftflotte 2 will receive additional Jagdgeschwader (fighters) from Luftflotte 1 and 3 to increase protection against the allied air thread in the west. After the destruction of the Polish Air forces the primary goal of Luftflotte 1 and 3 is the support of land units.

Kriegsmarine:
The Kriegsmarine`s single goal will be to hinder the escape of Polish Naval units through the Sund. No Polish naval unit is allowed to join the western allies. Major heavy units and asw capable units are therefore to be dispatched to that sea zone.

Wehrmacht:
The first and main strike is directed against Polish forces west of the Wisla. Intelligence reports indicate three armies with at least 15 divisions. Two Panzergruppen are to be formed. They will strike along the river from north and south, meeting at either the city of Lodz or Radom. Infantry corps will follow up. Major resistance is to be excepted in the north at Bydgoszsz, Panzergruppe 1 under General Rommel is therefore to be supported by Army Group v. Manstein. While the Panzergruppen encircle the enemy, Army Group v. Kluge is ordered to execute feints against the Polish western armies, effectivley holding them in place. Army Group Brauchitsch will follow the path of Panzergruppe 2, commanded by General v. Manteuffel. Army Group Ostpreussen (eastern prussia) will only take defensive actions until phase 2 starts.

After the encirclement Army Groups v. Kluge and Brauchitsch will destroy the remaining Polish forces in the West. Army Group v. Manstein will support Panzergruppe 1 and 2 in crossing the river. The commanders of the Panzergruppen are responsible for finding a suitable crossing area. They will then strike south of Warszaw to the city of Suwalki, effectively encircling the units in the Warszaw- Bug-Wisla area. Army Group Reserve will secure the path. After encircling, both Panzergruppen and Army Groups Ostpreussen, v. Manstein and Reserve are to destroy the encircled enemy. Army Groups v. Kluge and Brauschitsch will advance further east.

Phase 3 of the operation is suspected to meet only weak resitance. The destruction of the remaining Polish forces in the east will be executed by Panzergruppe 1, Army Group v. Kluge and Brauchitsch. Army Group v. Manstein and Reserve, as well as Panzergruppe 2 will be transferred to the west. Army Group Ostpreussen will be given the task of garnisoning Poland.




Attack will commence on September, 1., 1939 at 5:00 hours.

[Maximilian I]

Wehrmachtsbericht: 1.9.1939.

Panzergruppe 2 is the first to cross the polish border. Oberst Zimmermann, Panzeraufklärungsbattalion 67, reports: "No resistance yet, polish borders guards are nowhere to be seen." At 15:00 lead elements of the 6th Panzer Division (originally 2nd light Panzer Division), Panzergruppe 2 reach the city of Czestochow. Kradbattalion 27 is already reconing the province Radom.

At 7:00 hours the first wave of german stukas attack sighted enemy forces. Air Marshal Göring has ordered his Luftflotten to attack in 2 hours waves. The attacks will continue until the land forces engage. Air General Sperrle, given the task of destroying the Polish air force is upset: "Herr Air Marshal, intelligence failed to detect the location of the enemies air forces. How am I supposed to destroy it then?" At 14:00 hours elements of Fliegergruppe Ostpreussen, report the sighting of the polish air forces. Sperrle and his two Fightergroups immediately take off to strafe the enemy airfield. Unfortunately polish air forces are up in the air and a air battle ensues. In the west the british have started an unsuspected major air campaign. at least 400 enemy bombers have been sighted heading for the industrial centres of germany. all of them get intercepted and are forced to turn around.

at 21:00 hours Panzergruppe 2 reaches Radom, again without any major enemy resistance.

Todays Wehrmacht losses in Poland:
- no land casualities
- 45 Fighters and 18 bombers.


Wehrmachtsbericht: 2.9.39

All major forces are getting in their marshalling areas. Mansteins army group and Panzergruppe 1 are expected to attack Bydgoszcz the next day at 900 hours, Panzergruppe 2 will strike at 1100 hours into Lodz area. 18th Infaterie Division had a surprisingly fast march and will join Panzergruppe 2s attack. Field Marshal von Kluge`s orders were changed to attack the polish Poznan Army, as their encirclement is suspected to be completed at at least 1600 hours.

Air Marshal Göring reports that Luftflotte 2 and 3 have flown at least 5000 sorties, constantly hammering at the three polish armies at Lodz, Poznan and Bydgoszcz.

The british air campaign was very costly, some 350 britsh bombers were shot down at the cost of 170 fighters.

Wehrmachtsbericht: 3.9.39

Manstein attacks as planned at 900 hours with the 61., 73., 206., 208. and 228. Infanterie Divisions and the 5th Light (9. Panzerdivision). Rommel is two hours late. still Luftwaffe stukas give close support. Panzergruppe 2 and 18th Infanterie Division attack at 1100 hours, with strong air support.
Field Marshal v. Kluge and his 6 Infanterie Divisons assault well prepared Polish positions at 12oo hours. The first victory is achieved by Manteuffels Panzergruppe 2. at 1500 hours. the 3 surviving polish divisions are badly mauled. another air strike catches them, as they try to retreat over the Wisla at 1600 hours, destroying another 2 divisions. Manstein is also victorious, Rommels arrival saved the day. the surviving poles are also captured by an strike while retreating. 2 div`s are nontheless able to retreat.

v. Kluge is forced to break off the attack, as losses get to high.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Lodz: ~4200 men
Battle of Poznan: ~ 7800 men
Battle of Bydgoszcz: ~6500 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Lodz: ~28000 men
Battle of Poznan: ~ 1000 men
Battle of Bydgoszcz: ~21000 men


Wehrmachtsbericht 4.9.39
Surprising news today. General Manteuffel radios at 500 hours: "Polish troops are obviously preparing a counterattack into east prussia. defending units from warzaw have moved to Torun. the capital is undefended. Kradbattalions are entering the polish capital at the moment".

Manteuffel, on his own decision (of course it was me, who strayed from the original operational plan ;) ), moved now south to encircle Army Krakow. three Infantry corps were already approaching this army.

Army Group v. Kluge is forced to reorganize. After his failed assault v. Kluge demands heavy artillery support for a renewed assault on the Poznan Army. the artillery heavy 7th corps, which reached Czestochow in between, was put under his control. yet, the commander of 7th corps estimated, that the heavy artillery would not be ready before 11.9.1939. the destruction of the poznan army had to wait for sometime.


Wehrmachtsbericht 5.9.39
at 1100 hours Manteuffel reached Sandomierz, closing the last way of retreat for the desparate Polish Krakow army. A mountain corps had already reached Przemysl, fully encircling the polish army.

In the meantime the Luftwaffe was busy striking the Polish armies in Torun to prevent a counterattack.

In the afternoon major staff conferences were held. Manstein planned to counter the polish thread at Torun, striking from 4 directions, while Brauchitsch could muster 3 corps, that were in attack position on Krakow. Manteuffel was again on the move to encircle another major polish formation at Pinsk.

[Maximilian I]

Wehrmachtsbericht 6.9.39
Brauchitschs Army group first encountered enemy resistance at 1800 hours. The well-timed attack from three directions was to much for an enemy, who is out of supply and was subject to days of heavy air attacks. the 6 full strength divisions surrendered at midnight.

Brauchitsch ordered to reinforce his divisions and then moved towards Lwow.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Torun: ~3600 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Torun: ~72000 men



Wehrmachtsbericht 7.9.39
At 700 hours some 720 artillery pieces opened fire at polish positions at Torun. Leading the assault was the 5th Light Panzerdivision, closely followed by the 78th Sturm Division. Using the first hours of daylight 289 He111s and 179 Ju87 bombed the enemies strongpoints. After the Polish general has commited his reserves, Manstein ordered the southern corps, advancing from Warszaw, to cross the Bug, attacking the Polish army in the rear. After 12 hours of intense combat the ten polish divisions were routed.

Only a few hours of rest was granted to the victorious troops, before they were ordered to pursue the enemy to Suwalki.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Torun: ~9800 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Torun: ~28000 men


Wehrmachtsbericht 8.9.39
Luftwaffe units are ordered to forward air bases.

Wehrmachtsbericht 9.9.39
The advance into eastern Poland is slowed due to heavy terrain.

Wehrmachtsbericht 10.9.39
After some much needed organisational rest, the Luftwaffe resumes air attacks on the remaining Polish major units.

The single Polish division at Suwalki could not resist the onslaught of Army Group v. Manstein


Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Suwalki: ~1800 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Suwalki: ~3400 men



Wehrmachtsbericht 11.9.39
Panzergruppe 2 and and the 18th Infanterie Division force the surrender of Polish units at Pinsk. Enemy resistance was minimal.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Pinsk: ~2200 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Pinsk: ~42000 men

Wehrmachtsbericht 12.9.39
The Führer is very pleased, that even v. Kluge manages to carry out his orders. after a massive artillery barrage the battle at Poznan rages for three hours. even though the Polish Army has been out of supply for 7 days, they still fought valiantly. Finally western Poland has been cleared.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Poznan: ~6200 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Poznan: ~54000 men


Wehrmachtsbericht 13.9.39
The retreating polish units from Torun tried to break through to the last Polish provinces in northeastern Poland at Suwalki. All attacks were easily repulsed by the superior leadership of v. Manstein. between 600 hours and 2000 hours the Poles renewed their attacks again and again, but the strength of germanies combined land and air power won the day.

Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Suwalki: ~2300 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Suwalki: ~14000 men


Wehrmachtsbericht 14.9.39
Army Group v. Kluge and Army Group v. Brauchitsch are ordered to redeploy to the west front for the upcoming campaign against france. heavy units, like the 7th corps, board the trains.

Wehrmachtsbericht 15.9.39
Rommel`s Panzergruppe 1 is still advancing towards the last Polish province. All Luftwaffe units, excepts for the east prussian air commands are ordered to the west front.

Wehrmachtsbericht 16.9.39
At 1400 hours the last polish province is conquered. Rommel`s Panzer had serious problems with routing the enemy.


Todays Wehrmacht losses:
Battle of Grodno: ~7500 men

few Air Losses

Enemy losses:
Battle of Grodno: ~36000 men


Poland had to accept our demands and was annexed the same day. the remaining polish forces surrendered.




"Fall Weiss" campaign losses:

Wehrmacht: ~ 51900 Men

Poland: ~ 281400 Men
(includes previously surrendered units)