After-Action Report; Street, MD April 6-8, 2001; W2HPG Event
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 10:47:50 -0400
From: "Andy Zappone" <thunderbird@reenactor.net>
Subject: Street Maryland report
I attended the W2HPG
Eastern Front event Großdeutschland
hosted at Street, Maryland this weekend. I made a few observations.
- Both sides seemed very intent on taking and holding the low ground early
in the day. It was less than impressive in regards to a tactical expertise
in this regard.
- The Soviets showed major improvement regarding the unity of command.
Tom Linder, the Soviet commander, did a good job of having all of the
Russians recognize his authority. This is a major change for them.
- GD recently cancelled a training weekend. It showed. I would have
expected a more established unit with training to clean up the Russians, who
don't yet have the organization to train.
- Mass "Urrah" charges were good surprises. 5 minutes before the end of a
scenario. Russians gained an advantage separating the German forces, then
springing one of these charges with 5 minutes remaining before the objective
was to be secured, carrying said objective.
- Objectives were not focused upon. The Germans were easily distracted
more often. A few Russians were able to pull large numbers of Germans
running "to the sound of the guns" enabling a greater chance of success for
the "urrah" charge.
- Russian execution of plans was good. Timetables were followed well.
- Security lacked a bit on the Russian side. Elements in security roles
could have been deployed better, although they were successful.
- Exposure was overdone. A few times moving troops moved poorly on both
sides. Cover fire for movement was non-existent. Very often moving troops
on both sides ignored reacting to fire. On the Soviet side, an argument
could have been made that 'friendly fire' from Commissar units was more
dangerous than fire from German units.
Overall, this was a good event. Dinner, the flea market, and barracks
facilities were great. 60 Soviets and about 60 Germans were in attendance.
It's a welcome change to see Russians in equal numbers instead of heavily
outnumbered.