Shilovo 1942

Fighting at the Shilovo bridgehead in the battle for Voronezh, Summer 1942.

Historical Background
Intending to enter Voronezh from the South, on July 4, 1942, attacking German forces partly crossed the river Don at Petino – Malyshevo. Bitter fighting quickly ensued over possession of the Shilovo bridgehead, as neither side wanted to lose this strategically important asset. The bridgehead provided the shortest route across the river Don at Malyshevo, terminating in the Southern outskirts of Voronezh on the right bank of the river. German forces intended to use the right bank in their drive to Stalingrad. Hitler was later to declare delays advancing through this region contributed to the failure at Stalingrad, having given Soviet forces more time to prepare. The Shilovo forest presented ideal opportunities for the concealed deployment of reserve forces. It masked warehouses, logistical assets & accommodations. Shilovo, located on high ground, held a dominant position on the left bank. From the village and especially from the church bell-tower, the disposition of Soviet defensive forces at Maslovka, Tavrovo, and Beryozovka was clearly visible, even without field glasses.

This is the bell tower today:
 * http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/74425405.jpg
 * http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/01/43/39/85_big.jpg
 * http://www.temples.ru/private/f000451/451_0122045b.jpg

In-game engagements are modelled for the period from July 4 to July 6, 1942. The battle (on the map modeled in the game) was fought by: German 24th Pz. Div. (26th Inf. Regt., 24th Inf. Regt.) with reinforcements, and Soviet 232 Rifle Div. (498 Rifle Regt., 425 Art. Regt.), 110 Tank Bde and a battalion of 180 Tank Bde (last is unconfirmed).

Elements of the 24th Pz. Div. had begun crossing the Don on the morning of 4th July. Initially only lightly armed units made the crossing, moving towards Voronezh. Heavy equipment and artillery followed only on 5th July. On the morning of 5th July the German forces were unsuccessfully counter-attacked by tanks of 110 and 180 Tank Bde. German forces defeated elements of the 232nd Rifle Div. and took control of Shilovo.

Germans noted the strong influence of Soviet air support (detailed reports for this period on 24th Pz. Div. were destroyed by an exploding bomb which also killed 2 translators).

Wehrmacht
24th Pz. Div. – units in a state of combat readiness:
 * 3 July: 26хPz2; 49xPz3(lg); 47xPz3(kz); 10xPz4(lg); 18xPz4(kz).
 * 5 July: 26хPz2; 41xPz3(lg); 43xPz3(kz); 17xPz4(lg); 17xPz4(kz).
 * 7 July: 19хPz2; 26xPz3(lg); 28xPz3(kz); 5xPz4(lg); 13xPz4(kz).

26 Inf. Regt would have had at least 2-3 batteries of 4x105mm howitzers and 1 battery of 4x150mm howitzers of the division's artillery regiment.

Attached artillery:
 * 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 2nd Heavy Mortar Regiment, 6 mortars each.
 * 2nd Battalion 72 Art. Regt. (3 batteries of 4х10cm long-range guns).
 * 733 Heavy Art. Battalion (3 batteries of 4х21cm howitzers).

Red Army
232 Rifle Div., in almost full strength, personnel shortage around 5%. Support units in 1/425 Art. Regt.: 8x ZIS-3, 4x M-30.

110 Tank Bde was armed with T-34 and T-60 tanks.

180 Tank Bde operated with the battery of the 16th Destroyer Brigade and a platoon of T-60 tanks.

Weather Conditions

 * 4 July: mixed sun and thunderstorms.
 * 5 July: sunny, clear.
 * 6 July: sunny, clear.
 * 7 July: sunny; late afternoon - heavy rain.