EMC 27: "Seelow Heights"

ARENA: SE New Med 3PM to 5PM EST (9PM to 11PM CET)	AXIS	ALLIES
FRAME 1: May 16th	LW (Gold) 25% CO TBA	VVS (Red) 75% CO TBA
FRAME 2: May 23rd	LW (Gold) 25% CO TBA	VVS (Red) 75% CO TBA
FRAME 3: May 30th	LW (Gold) 25% CO TBA	VVS (Red) 75% CO TBA

CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW

Spring 1945 During February and March, the Soviets had advanced to the Oder and established several bridgeheads where a front stabilized. In anticipation of the final soviet offensive, the german defenders had established defensive positions. The heaviest concentration was opposite the Kuestrin bridgehead on the Seelow heights, where the 9th Army under General Busse concentrated the remaining defensive assets - mostly worn-out army units and Volkssturm. Supporting the soviet army was the 16th Air Army, with more than 3000 aircraft assigned to support the operation. On the Luftwaffe side roughly 300 aircraft from JG52 and 54 as well as StG2 opposed them, nevertheless, they managed to play an important part, StG2 alone, under command of Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel, was credited with about 150 tanks destroyed during the battle. When the soviets attacked on April 16th, most of the german defenders evaded the preceding barrage by pulling back from the positions on the river onto the overlooking heights. The soviet push extended from their bridgehead at Kuestrin, opposite the Seelow Heights, and the plan called for a quick breakthrough, the usual practice and a direct copy from german Blitzkrieg tactics of the early years. However, when the attack broke before dawn, the soviet push quickly bogged down in the face of extensive minefield and a rugged defense by german defenders who had not been subjected to artillery bombardment.

AXIS BRIEFING

ALLIED BRIEFING

ORDER OF BATTLE LW 25% of total force, split up as follows: 65% Bf109 (G or K at pilots discretion) 25% Fw190 fighter bombers (A8 with bombs) 10% Ju87D and G Stukas SITUATION While the front has come temporarily to rest on the Oder, we have observed a major buildup of forces in the Kuestrin bridgehead and are expecting a major soviet offensive in the area of the Seelow heights. Our forces are well entrenched and concentrated enough to conduct a defense, however, soviet numerical superiority is huge and has to be made up for by quality of men and equipment. ORDERS Support the 9th army holding the Seelow heights. Priority targets are enemy tanks and artillery positions as well as the defense of friendly forces in the area against air attack. Special orders and planes will be issued to the CO before the frame.

ORDER OF BATTLE VVS 75% of total force split up as follows: 40% Yak-9 fighters 15% Yak-3 fighters 25% Il-2 Sturmovik (P39 substitute) 30% medium bombers (B25C substitute) SITUATION Comrade, it's time to bring this war to an end. We have massed vastly superior force on the Oder, and all we need to do is push a few kilometers to the west and take Berlin. However, the western powers are advancing fast, and Stalin has issued orders that Berlin be taken by the first of May, so speed is essential. ORDERS Support the Army's drive on the Seelow heights. Provide aerial artillery support against identified positions and protect friendly ground forces from enemy attack. Specific orders will be issued to the CO before the frame.

SETTINGS AND RULES

1 life to live per hour, reset at T+60 Pilots making valid landings may replane freely Discos without damage may replane at will Deaths, bailouts and ditchings count as a life lost Aircraft still inflight at end of frame will be counted as lost Fuel factor: 1.0 (fuel endurance same as MA settings) Ack ceiling: 30000ft Structure regeneration: OFF Field Capture: OFF Killshooter: OFF EZmode: OFF Friendly icon: < D40 Enemy icon: < D10 Range: < D10 Axis Radar: tower based, 20 miles Allied Radar: tower based, 20 miles Otto settings: Accuracy 2.0 Range 12 Burston base 2 Burston max 1 Burstoff base 1 Retarget time 1 Overrides 0 Buff Hardness: 1.0