Kiev to Rostov Nov. 27 - 28th Soviet Offensive 1941 Part 1

The Soviets have the initiative on the eastern front and are driving on Rostov. 

"On 27 November the 37th Army, commanded by Lieutenant-General Anton Ivanovich Lopatin, as part of the Rostov Strategic Offensive Operation (17 November 1941 – 2 December 1941), counter-attacked the 1st Panzer Army's spearhead from the north, forcing them to pull out of the city. Adolf Hitler countermanded the retreat. When Rundstedt refused to obey, Hitler sacked him, and replaced him with Reichenau. However, Reichenau saw at once that Rundstedt was right and succeeded in persuading Hitler, via Franz Halder, to authorise the withdrawal, and the 1st Panzer Army was forced back to the Mius River at Taganrog. It was the first significant German withdrawal of the war" 

The thunderous roar of artillery from the Soviet side of the Don signaled the offensive.

The Soviet 16th INF brigade, 64th CAV division, 1st RAU regiment, 353rd INF division strike into the German 92nd Motorized INF of the 60th Infantry division to drive on the roads east of Rostov (in game terms this is hex 4128 on the Rostov Redeemed card).

The German 60th Infantry division was organized as follows:

60th Infantry Division: Mobilized on 10/15/39

1/,2/,3/ 92nd Infantry Regiment
1/,2/,3/ 243rd Infantry Regiment
1/,2/,3/ 244th Infantry Regiment
1/160th Artillery Regiment


The 54th Armored Brigade, 56th Cavalry Division, and 3317th Infantry Division strike the German 120th regiment of the 60th motorized division. The 68th cavalry division and the 6th armor brigade attack the 160th German recon battalion. Elsewhere across the bridge directly into the city of Rostov to the south the Soviet 8th guard artillery regiment, RUPU regiment, 347th infantry division and 203rd NKVD security regiment throw themselves against an under strength SS Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler brigade.

The German High Command had to react fast. The 93rd motorized infantry regiment (13th Panzer Division) moves to reinforce and the 66th motorized infantry of the 13th Panzer Division occupies Chaltyr. The 612th artillery regiment is committed to the combat to support the defense of the 160th recon of the 60th motorized division.