Wencks Gamble, A Rapid Fire weekend.

He had been given the impossible task by Hitler of saving Berlin .

After he made a valiant effort to break through Russian lines he got bogged down decided to withdraw.

He took his army and as many civilians as safely and quickly as possible towards the Elbe river and American lines.

Of course the Russians were not going to stand by and let this happen!

So elements of 5th Guards Mechanised and 5th Guards Tank Army were order to close the path to the Elbe.

A 5th Guards Mechanised Tank Brigade races forward towards the ruined town of Neue.

Dismounted Motor Rifle infantry clear a wood before the town of  Klietznick.

5th Guards Mechanised finding the going extremely tough Neue. The ruins and barricades were stoutly defended by Volkssturm.

The column of refugees travelling from Neue comes under air attack!

Safe and sound after the bombs miss! Must keep moving!

5th Guards Tanks having a few problems with the more wooded approach.
This seemed to cause a very cautious advance .

Su76 Tank destroyers are pushed forward by 5th Guards Tanks.
A well positioned Panther makes a kill.

The dismounted infantry are in a position to attack Klietznick.

Finally 5th Guards Tanks arrive in Strength.

A Russian reconnaissance Battalion Races into the action between the two Guards Armies.

They immediately run into German Anti tank teams and a Hetzer.

At this point the German pocket was holding firm.

General Wenck was directing as many of his flock to safety as he was able.

Guards Mechanised were now pushing having cleared most of Neue.

The Russian Air attacks were now in full swing, although German flak had obviously been practicing!

Conveys were  still getting through although they were bearing loses all the way.

Guards Tanks had some luck forcing the Panther of the hill and slowly started to advance.

The Panther had withdrawn in face of overwhelming odds!

But cleverly headed for an ARV. One turn later,patched up good as new!

The town of Klietznick was eventually taken by Guards tanks infantry with heavy support.

The Russian Reconnaissance Battalion had joined with some Anti-tank batteries and made an attempt to break through against the Hetzer.

Two Hetzers not one!

The Germans held steadfast and    Caused many casualties.

After a magnificent Stand, weight of numbers told.

This push in behind the town of Redekin  caused the defenders to withdraw.

Russian Reconnaissance moving slowly down Redekin high street.

The breakout from Guards Mechanised was now flying forward and finding more ‘serious’ German defenders.

 

This was as far as Russians got in the time they had!

They had disabled a King Tiger but run into the last remaining German armour.

The Russians come close but the Tanks had Raced forward without infantry support.

You  will notice the German AA was still in top form!

General Wenck had got nearly all his refugees off the table and the road was open, just!

A German Victory.