Operation Bagration - Summer 1944
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OPERATION BAGRATION
SEPTEMBER FSO
EASTERN FRONT - SUMMER 1944
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BREAK THE LINE - EXPLOIT THE BREACH - CLOSE THE POCKET SITUATION
June 1944. While the Western Allies storm the beaches of Normandy, the Soviet Union prepares a massive offensive of its own. On June 23, the Red Army launches Operation Bagration against German Army Group Centre in Belarus. Soviet aircraft, artillery, infantry, and armor tear into the German defensive lines. Once those lines begin to break, Soviet forces pour through the gaps and drive west, threatening to surround and destroy entire German formations. The Luftwaffe and the remnants of Army Group Centre must slow the Soviet advance, counterattack where possible, and prevent the destruction of the German forces in Belarus. Across three frames, September FSO will follow the progression of Operation Bagration from the initial Soviet breakthrough to the final encirclement.
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF FSO
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September FSO will introduce a new two-hour battle format. Rather than both sides simultaneously dividing their forces between attack and defense, only ONE SIDE will hold the offensive initiative at a time. At the T+60 mark, the tactical situation may change and the opposing side may take the offensive. More importantly, the results of Hour 1 can directly influence the battle in Hour 2. Destroying - or failing to destroy - critical targets may affect forward airfields, bomber operations, vehicle availability, and other capabilities later in the frame. What happens during the first hour matters during the second.
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THE CAMPAIGN
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FRAME 1 - BREAK THE LINE
HOUR 1: SOVIETS ATTACK / GERMANS DEFEND
HOUR 2: GERMANS ATTACK / SOVIETS DEFEND
Operation Bagration begins. Soviet forces launch the opening assault against German Army Group Centre. Strategic installations and Luftwaffe facilities must be destroyed to prepare the way for the Red Army's advance. At T+60, the Germans strike back. The success or failure of the Soviet opening attack will directly influence the capabilities available to the Luftwaffe during the German counterattack.
BREAK THE LINE.
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FRAME 2 - EXPLOIT THE BREACH
HOUR 1: GERMANS ATTACK / SOVIETS DEFEND
HOUR 2: SOVIETS ATTACK / GERMANS DEFEND
The German line has been breached, but Army Group Centre is not yet destroyed. The Germans seize the initiative and attempt to disrupt the Soviet advance before it can gain momentum. At T+60, the initiative changes. The Soviets resume their offensive and drive deeper into Belarus as the Germans attempt to prevent the breakthrough from becoming an encirclement.
EXPLOIT THE BREACH.
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FRAME 3 - CLOSE THE POCKET
HOUR 1: SOVIETS ATTACK / GERMANS DEFEND
HOUR 2:SOVIETS ATTACK / GERMANS DEFEND
Army Group Centre is surrounded. There will be no German offensive in the final frame. During Hour 1, Soviet air power must destroy German positions and weaken the forces protecting the pocket. The success of these attacks will directly influence the German armored forces available for the final battle. Then, at T+60... THE TANKS ARE RELEASED. Soviet T-34s and T-34/85s will advance against German Panzer IVs and Panthers. A limited force of Tiger Is may also enter the battle - if the Soviets fail to destroy the facilities supporting them during Hour 1. But destroying the German armor is not enough. The Soviet objective is to CAPTURE THE GERMAN FIELD. Soviet M3s and C-47s will be available to deliver troops while German aircraft, armor, and mobile anti-aircraft units fight to prevent the capture. The Germans are surrounded. The Soviets are coming.
CLOSE THE POCKET.
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SOVIET FORCES
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AIRCRAFT
La-5
Yak-7B
Yak-9T
P39Q
IL-2 Sturmovik
Tu-2
C-47 FRAME 3
GROUND FORCES - FRAME 3
T-34
T-34/85
M3 Half-track
M16 MGMC
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GERMAN FORCES
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AIRCRAFT
Bf 109G-6
Bf 109G-14
Fw 190A-5
Fw 190A-8
Fw 190F-8
Ju 87 Stuka
Ju 88
GROUND FORCES - FRAME 3
Panzer IV
Panther
Tiger I LIMITED / CONDITIONAL
Wirbelwind
Ostwind
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OPERATION BAGRATION SEPTEMBER FSO
BREAK THE LINE. EXPLOIT THE BREACH. CLOSE THE POCKET.
THREE FRAMES - ONE CAMPAIGN
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