Terkin

Regarding Germans, you can try reading these threads: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=105600&start=0 http://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=6370 Battlegroup Tolsdorf most likely consisted from 1067th Grenadier regiment, who were reinforced with elements of 16th Fallschirmjager regiment. Some of them were airlifted to airport in the South of the city, others were airdropped several days later (these were the ones who reinforced Tolsdorf). Regarding Soviet side: Vilnius was taken by forces of 3rd Byelorussian front. The battle for Vilnius itself was fought by 5th Army, 5th Guards tank army, 3rd Mechanized Corps Soviet forces: 277th, 215th, 144th, 371st, 97th, 184th Infantry divisions 153rd, 35th, 25th, 31rd, 32nd, 3rd, 18th, 19th Tank brigades 954th, 1510th, 1823rd, 1446th, 1436th, 1496th SPG regiments 3rd Breakthrough artillery division 7th, 8th, 9th Mechanized brigades 53rd, 2nd Motorized infantry divisions 4th Assault engineer brigade (ШИСБр) 1223rd Light SPG regiment 376th Heavy SPG regiment Part of 2nd tank brigade

There are a lot of myths that are still alive about WW2 amongst the "average" Russians: every German tank was a Tiger; every German soldier was a SMGer; NKVD blocking detachments shot everyone on sight; those that were captured and then managed to escape headed right to GULAG; Prokhorovka was a glorious win for the Soviets; and yes, the Allies waited until '44 to mount an attack (no Africa or Italy campaigns). But I'm speaking about the average Joe who knows history from a few movies he watched. If a guy is interested in history (or at least in this part of history), usually he doesn't repeat these claims. And if he does, then a heated discussion starts with me as his opponent. On a side note, I do have a feeling that Allies waited for too long to strike the Germans - if they actually mounted an attack in September 1939, that could have changed a lot of things - for better. Or am I greatly mistaking in this and there was absolutely no capability to invade Germany early in the war (in the first two months of it)?

He has a Panzerschrek or two (somewhere lying in the ambush)

I'd like to add that there's no need in mentioning Einsatzgruppen, as Heer started massacring POWs already in 1939 in Poland, following to do so with Soviet POWs and civilians.

OK, it was long ago when I played CMBB, BUT! I think we won't see murderous effects of Bil's IL-2 during this AAR. He (or Elvis) already stated they've heard plane buzzing overhead, but it didn't fire. It was quite a few turns ago. I think it just didn't spot anyone at all and just left - correct me please if I'm mistaking, but that wasn't a rare sight in CMBB?

here's the same documentary in Russian, you can hear how the operation is pronounced: http://youtu.be/ppCUHPgugiE?t=5m21s (it should open at 5:21)

As a slight off-topic I would like to suggest you guys to watch this short (<1 hour) documentary made by Russian studio several years ago. it uses documentary footage, reenactors and CGI. It was translated to English. I found all the series interesting, but here's an episode that specifically addresses Operation Bagration. Maybe some of you will find anything new (at least, I know Chris will, when he hears "Bagration" pronounced correctly. ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6UkVl3ZFuI ps I hope it's not against the rules to post links to videos from youtube in this section? if it is, please excuse me and just delete the thread.

Hahah, that made me laugh. Late versions of ISU-152 did have DShK mounted on them, but this information could be useful for you guys when you will be making Push to Berlin module. EDIT But isn't the battle compartment front armour ~90mm at 30 degrees? That's a small slope, shouldn't 75mm be able to penetrate that at such distance?

As a side note, I find the very question of this thread as absurd. In Russian,

If I understand, your SPGs and a Panther would be something like in 600-800 meters from ISU-122, had you decided to attack them? I think they could take it out from that distance head on, although the distance is quite big, so it could take 2-4 shots to achieve a direct hit. Don't forget to get out of harm's way after few shots, as fast as you can, even if they didn't score a hit - if that thing hits you or even near you, things won't be too great for your panzers.

Thank you, John, for your answer and welcome Yes, I know that they were meant for "self-defense", but to be honest, 21 disc is too much for it, in my opinion. For you see, as you correctly state, there were 5 men in a crew, but not everyone had an SMG on them - there would be only 2 SMGS (of course, that was standard; but it could be varied on the ground, after all, I remember reading that ISU-152 crews even had a trophy MG-42 with them). So, one drum in each PPSh, and two more for them - that makes 6 drums, which leaves 15 drums in the fighting compartment. If things went south, the crew could use all of that ammo for themselves, of course, but I find it hard to imagine such situation (two men firing all of those 1400 rounds - scene looks like a copy of defense from a zerg rush to me ). I don't know much on Cold war topic, but wasn't there additional ammo in each of BMP for them? At least in CMSF there was. On topic of tank riders, I will have to re-read Bessonov's account, maybe he mentions anything of these sorts in his book.

Sorry, but no, they are not. These were PPSh magazines, as it is written on the pic in Russian: "magazines for PPSh submachine gun". A quote from Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISU-152#Design Also, this pic is showing interior of ISU-152, that didn't have DP or DT machinegun. later model had DShK mounted outside. A quote from here: http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/isu152/1/

Sorry, I'm not familiar with newer WW2 games of CM series (last game I've played was CMSF). Do tanks or SPG in game normally have additional ammo for small arms like IFVs in CMSF? Or can one find additional ammunition only with ammo dumps? I'm asking this because if I understand it correctly, at least ISU-122 and ISU-152 had 21 disc for PPSh and F-1 grenades on board. Note number 10 on this pic - that is what I'm talking about. this could be some help for tank riders, because I remember how fast SMG teams burnt through their ammo back in CMBB days

Here you go: a list of tactical signs used by the Soviets in WW2 (at least in part of it, as this book dates to 1942). It's in Russian, but I think I could try translating it, if anyone needs it? 9it will take some time though). http://www.maps4u.lt/lt/includes/siuntiniai/Z/Taktiniai_zenklai/Taktiiniai_simboliai_1942.pdf

Soviets were using red to mark their own forces and blue for enemy.