Codename: PANZERS War Diaries - A Look Behind the Battle Lines (Part 1)

CDV Releases Look into the Lives of Soldiers Whose Story Plays out in PC Title

Codename: PANZERS is a pending PC release from CDV and Stormregion that thrust players into the heady battles of World War II. Sporting real-time combat with 3D graphics, players are thrown into the role of a commanding officer, creating a combat force from more than 100 finely detailed units in three armies.

In support of the title, which is slated for release in early October, CDV has released diaries from the soldiers whose stories play out in the game. This is the account of a German officer from Codename: PANZERS:

Freshly arrived from an Italian furlough cut short, Leutnant Hans von Gröbel entered the briefing 10 minutes late. 

“Ah, glad you could join us von Gröbel, sit down please,” directed the stern Oberst Gerhard Kemmel.  “As I was saying, Fall Weiss is scheduled to launch tomorrow before dawn.  It is time for Germany to rectify the humiliation of Versailles and you shall all make your Führer and Fatherland proud.”

The first objective should be the capture of this support station,
which offers repair and ammunition resupply.
 

Von Gröbel met with his non-commissioned officers upon returning to his unit.  Unfolding the map made by a recent recon patrol, the Leutnant outlined the mission.

“Just inside the Polish border lies an airfield.  While the Polish air force is little match for our glorious Luftwaffe, its planes still might be used for reconnaissance.  Once they know we are at war, they will attempt to withdraw the planes to a safe location.  We are to attack the airfield, and ensure these planes never leave the ground.  Additionally, we must secure the airfield so our own planes might use it as a forward base.  Speed and stealth are the watchword; we are being given a small but flexible force.  I will command the operation from a scout car, while the two of you each take command of one of the panzers (one Mk I, one Mk II).  Our armor is superior to anything the Polish can hit us with, so they will spearhead the attack.  The rest of the men (a rifle squad, two machine gun teams, an anti-tank team, and the medics, along with a couple of trucks) will engage in a supporting role only if needed.

“If you will look to the left, the Polish have setup an ammo dump, complete with spare parts that can be used to fix our damaged tanks.  While it is not the most direct path to the objective, it will provide a base where we can operate with some safety.  I will be in contact with recon aircraft that will be used to monitor Polish aircraft; if they enter the runway and attempt to escape, our Stukas will destroy them where they stand.  Good luck, Heil Hitler!”

The quickest path the first of the primary objectives
is to send in a recon plane to survey the airfield –
then call in the Stukas to eliminate anything moving on the runway.

The area was well covered with Polish artillery and anti-tank guns, but these were quickly eliminated by rushing inside of their effective range and engaging the un-covered crews.  A few Polish tanks were destroyed by the PzII, with the SdKfz233 scout car rounding up demoralized Polish infantry teams.  When von Gröbel sighted the airbase, he directed the reconnaissance aircraft toward the runway, spotting the Polish aircraft which were summarily destroyed by a series of swift Stuka strikes.  When the airbase was secured, von Gröbel barely had a moment to absorb his neat victory when a messenger arrived with his next orders.

“Men, you did as well as anyone could ask taking the airfield, the Oberst sends his thanks and said even the General is impressed.  We are to press forward immediately, however.  Warsaw is to be taken before resistance can be organized, and we are to seize a train depot en route and prevent the flow of reinforcements.  The Oberst is giving us some additional assets as well, including a field artillery piece, and two more Pz II’s.   We will also have our own support crew consisting of an ammo cart and a repair vehicle.

Oooh!  Free panzer!  Transfer the crew from the scout car for more firepower.

“This time we will run straight up the gut.  The village offers many hiding opportunities for enemy forces, so we must not only strive for speed but also cover a wide area.  The artillery will be useful to strike at covered infantry and emplaced guns, but we must ensure they are well-protected as it advances.  Near the station, there is a supply depot – if we take this, we will not have to trace our lifeline back to this camp.”

After beating off an initial rush by Polish patrols, an empty Polish tank is discovered, a 7TP.  This could be useful if one of our own tanks is destroyed, but only if the crew survives.  Since it packs more punch than the scout car, the Leutnant and his crew vacate the SdKfz233 and commandeer the tank.

Shortly afterwards, the train pulls into the station and unloads several more tanks.  While the supply depot is taken without much incident, the artillery gets too close to the train station before the area has been secured and is eliminated in a brief firefight.  When one of the tanks (and crew) is destroyed, von Gröbel demands better command control.  Each unit is given a numerical designation and told to report its position and status in turn.  The remaining firefights all conclude safely, and in time, the station is cleared of enemy units.

The objective: a heavily defended train station.

“Not bad, von Gröbel, not bad at all,” complemented Oberst Kemmel.  “You seem to have a knack for delicate operations.  Herr General wants you to consider an assignment of the utmost importance to the Reich.  The defenses of Warsaw are being organized by a Colonel Witkowski.  Capturing the Colonel or his plans would help the Wehrmacht end Polish resistance with a minimum of casualties.  Take your time; you have two minutes until I need your decision.  Did I mention this volunteer assignment is mandatory?”

As a reward for his earlier success, von Gröbel is given the opportunity to select some of his own reinforcements.  The scout car has already been upgraded to a brand new Panzer Mk III that will not only act as command center but is also the most powerful vehicle on the map.  Von Gröbel also chooses to replace the previously destroyed artillery piece, and adds in a couple of more Pz II’s.

“Men, the objective is in the northeast quadrant of the map,” began the Leutnant.  With so many buildings, we cannot prevail on armor alone – the infantry must penetrate where the panzers cannot reach.  When possible, they should move building-to-building and not get themselves caught in the open.”

Our force heading into Warsaw.

Every intersection is guarded by artillery, tanks, or both.  Clearing the path is slow, and there seems to be no end to the Polish reinforcements.  A Polish tank hiding behind the rubble of an old building ambushes and destroys the artillery as it moves forward to bring its fire to bear.  Perhaps the Leutnant just wasn’t cut out to be an artillery officer.

A depot is discovered just short of the objective.  Already, one tank was lost as it made its way back to base for repairs.  The objective itself is inaccessible by vehicles – either the crew will need to exit and expose themselves, or infantry must be brought to the front.  A truck is ambushed just short of the Colonel’s house, and when the infantry try to make a run for it, they are surprised by a Polish machine gun team that had been concealed until now.  Finally, a squad makes it to the building, only to find the door locked.  A prisoner is interrogated and it is discovered the keys are kept in another building – on the other side of town.  Another tank and machine gun team are lost as the Polish defense is determined and backed with armor.  In time, the house is surrounded and the keys are liberated from the owner; the Colonel’s capture following shortly thereafter.

Those crafty Poles will try anything to stop a panzer. 
Watch out for AT guns on almost every corner.

“Excellent job once again, Hans,” said the surprisingly jovial Oberst as he greeted the returning leutnant.  “You will get us all promoted yet.  Already, Polish resistance is crumbling thanks to the information obtained from the colonel.  You and your men have earned a break; why not help yourself to some vodka and a Polish girl or two?”

Promoted to Oberleutnant, von Gröbel returns home to a hero’s welcome, only to find that the French and English are mobilizing themselves in the west.  The break will not be a long one.  In a few short months, his company is drafted to participate in Operation Sickle Cut; mopping up enemy units left in the wake of Field Marshal Rommel’s blitzkrieg to the Meuse.

Hans von Gröbel’s adventure continues!  See how the Oberleutnant fares in Codename: Panzers!

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